Looks I'm loving

Paired down chic is something that I'm always trying to master. That ability to throw together a minimalist outfit and look achingly cool is something that I believe is only achievable if you were truly born stylish. Which I think is the case with today's Look I'm loving.

Victoria Tornegren, a 21-year-old blogger from Sweden has a wardrobe to die for and is somewhat of a master of the muted colour palette. It's definitely a look I'm going to be trying to emulate. Here's some of my favourites of Victoria's latest looks.

All images by Victoria Tornegren

Find Victoria's blog here (alas, it's in Swedish, but is looks beautiful) or check out her latest outfits over on Lookbook.

Looks I'm loving

I'm currently in the midst of New York outfit planning (packing for me is normally like an elaborate game of Tetris) so am looking everywhere for inspiration. I've been referring back to old Looks I've Loved and also trawling Lookbook for outfits involving flat shoes and lots of layering.

My latest find is Christine R from the Netherlands, I love her style - wrapped up warm but still ultra chic. I'm definitely adding her to my inspiration list.

See more of Christine's style here or over on her blog, Fash n Chips

Looks I'm loving

Today marks a first for Lost & Found - today's look comes courtsey of a man. That's right, you heard me. 

Now, The Boy in my life does not care so much for fashion (as was recently documented in Tesco magazine) but that statement couldn't be further from the truth for Adam Gallagher, an incredibly stylish 21-year-old mens fashion blogger and stylist from California. I came across Adam's look on Lookbook, loved what I saw and wanted to share some of his looks with you here today.

Adam has developed his own sense of style that seems to grow on a daily basis - with each look drawing different inspirations from the last - here's some of my favourites.

 All images by Adam Gallagher

Read Adam's beautiful blog, I AM GALLA, here.

Looks I'm loving

Today's look comes courtesy of Rachel Marie Iwanyszyn, a 24-year-old aspiring model from Chicago. 

Those who follow this feature will know I'm a fan of all things retro inspired - particularly hats, and Rachel Marie's look pretty much epitomises all that I love about seventies hippie style. Here's some of my favourites of Rachel Marie's ensembles.

All images by Rachel Marie Iwanyszyn

Find out more about Rachel Marie over on her beautiful blog, JAG LEVER or take a peek at some more of her looks over on Lookbook.

All Hallows' Eve

Saturday saw The Boy and I throw our annual Halloween fancy dress bash which, although not as raucous as last year, was still immense fun. I went as Posion Ivy from Batman (and no I haven't seen the film/read the comic, I got the inspiration from Kim Kardashian. That's right, I love a reality TV star) and as you can see I kind of went all out. If you're going to do fancy dress, for me it really is go hard or go home.

It was lovely to spend the evening with our nearest and dearest celebrating one of my favourite occasions of the year. 

I always put a lot of thought into my costume (I'm already thinking about next year!) and it would seem I'm not alone. Lookbook is a constant source of inspiration in my everyday life but over Halloween it really comes into its own when they run their Spookbook competition. The general idea is that users upload a Halloween inspired look for the chance of winning credit to spend in American Apparel. A firm bloggers fave. People really go for it, with some entries looking like they are straight out of a horror film - here's some of my favourites.

 Iza Leszczak

Nelliina T

Natalina M

Anna Swiczeniuk

All images taken from Lookbook

Next year I'm thinking of going as some kind of zombie/leopard combination but one thing's for sure, Poison Ivy will definitely be making an appearance at a Halloween event in the future - let's face it, it's a winner.

How are you spending your Halloween?

Looks I'm loving: I wish I was a punk rock girl

This week I'm feeling a bit rock chick in my weekly look I'm loving. I used to dress a little bit more punk (believe it or not) back in my youth and even had pink and green hair at one point (a strong look). I'd like to think that if I was growing up today I'd have more of an urban, cool take on the rocker vibe, basically I'd want to dress exactly like nineteen-year-old Taylin from Montreal, all dark lashes, short shorts and big hair.

Find out what Taylin loves over at her Tumblr, Down the Rabbit Hole or on Lookbook.

Looks I'm loving

Today I'm loving both the fashion style and artistic talents of  Xiaoxi (Nancy) Zhang, an artist, designer and illustrator who lives in Germany. I came across Xiaoxi on Lookbook and loved how she combines images of her fashion style coupled with illustrations. Drawing is something I'd love to do more of but at the moment I simply have no time! I'm hoping to take a sketchbook with me to France this summer though to try and capture some landscapes.

Just a quick post today as I'm off out with The Boy for a date in Greenwich. I've only ever been once so am not sure what to expect, however he assures me I'll like it there and that's good enough for me. I'm hoping to make a few last minute purchases before my self-imposed no shopping ban begins in April (although I've already been paid, today is still TECHNICALLY March - it's all about the technicalities).

Find out more about Xiaoxi on her amazing blog.

(Illustration & Copyright by www.xiaoxizhang.com (Nancy)

Looks I'm loving

Thank goodness today’s over, don’t you just hate Monday’s? The weekend seems so far away. Still, I’m endeavoring to continue my Dress for Success challenge this week and am gaining some fashion inspiration from this weeks style crush Morven S, a 24year-old blogger from Scotland. Morven has a great knack for mixing colours and textures (something which I have been attempting of late) and of using accessories to complete her look. She also has a great blog where she showcases her style at www.morven-catsandrockingchairs.blogspot.com

Looks I'm loving

It’s half-way through the one week challenge (expect more info in a post next week) and not only am I putting more thought into my everyday ensembles but I’m really enjoying coming up with new ideas for what to wear, rather than simply wearing the same old stuff. Plus, some of the lovely clothes that have been languishing in the back of my wardrobe or in boxes since the move can finally see the light of day. Inspiration is coming from my style scrapbooks and lookbook, both constant sources of ideas for how I want to look or aspire to dress, with this weeks style crush being Alexandra Per, a 23-year-old blogger. She rocks many a look, whether it’s summer or winter but the key to her outfits always seems to be layering, something which I have begun to embrace. My main downfall is how hot I seem to get on the journey to work. Not only is the London tube ridiculously warm all year round but as I walk 20 minutes from the tube to work I can sometimes get to work feeling like I need to stand under the air conditioner. This is where layering is key for me. Alexandra’s style is chic and cool, classic and edgy, so many contradictions (that’s why I love it).

Find Alexandra at fashionsalade.com

Looks I'm loving

The look I’m loving this week belongs to 24 year old Flavia D from Brazil. Her mix of prints and textures and use of accessories all get a big thumbs up from me, especially her use of hats to complete her look. Inspired by Flavia, I’m currently considering completing a one week challenge featuring hats, as I have so many and pretty much never wear one. In the summer, sure I love to wear a straw hat and in the winter I often wear an oversized knitted one but often my fedora and more structured hats get overlooked and remain at the back of the wardrobe. Maybe because I feel too smart wearing them? Who knows, but the one week challenge should help me break this cycle and be a bit more adventurous. Work colleagues and people of London you have been warned, if you see a somewhat fashionable girl wearing a ridiculous hat careering down Oxford Street, it’s likely to be me on my lunch break (on my way to check out more highly inappropriate headwear no doubt).

Find Flavia on Lookbook and on her blog fashioncoolture