“I wish I wasn’t a girl who needed so much but a little free creature that slept in deserts and ran on clouds and lived on lilies.”

images via Tumblr, graphic created by me

Cleopatra Style

When I was younger I was obsessed with Egyptology. Obsessed. My parents bought me this kit and it was full of puzzles and facts all about Tutankhamen and other Egypt related stuff and I used to copy all the hieroglyphics and strange symbols in gold marker and have them stuck all over my bedroom walls. Maybe slightly strange for a 10 year old girl but hey, these people worshipped cats so they must have been doing something right.

NY based designer Mara Hoffman's website cites her inspiration is taken from 'nature, world travel and fantasy' which makes her a girl after my own heart but it looks like we also have another thing in common if her SS12 swimwear line is anything to go by.   The collection is filled with imagery from Ancient World and consists of one and two piece swimsuits with unusual placed but simultaneously flattering cut outs.  Prints, patterns and symbols which wouldn't look out of place inside a Pharaoh's tomb all adorn these beautifully designed pieces.

I am especially taken with the sarcophagi printed, cross back maxi dress which would make a beach cover up.  Or worn on a balmy summer night sipping cocktails beneath the palm trees, it would be fit for an Egyptian queen.

images via Mara Hoffman.com

Run

Kelley Ash in 'All the Pretty Horses' for Bonadrag 
 photographed by Harper Smith

 Don't know what we're doing
Don't know what we've done
But the fire is coming
So I think we should run

images via Wild at Heart & Born to be Wild 

Oh My Love

Oh My Love Cut Out Maxi Dress - £45

I'm a little bit enamoured with this 90's inspired maxi dress from British label Oh My Love. The combination of the minimalist shape, covetable cut out sides and the grungey button down maxi design make it surprisingly versatile too.

It looks great with a whole stack of bangles and layered ethnic style charm necklaces to for the evening as pictured above . Or team it with a lumberjack shirt, round Lennon sunglasses and a pair of beat up Converse as a more casual daytime alternative.

image via Yayer.com

Planetary Rose

Chloe Norgaard for Planet Blue in 'Planetary Rose'

photographed by Zoey Grossman

What's this then?  Another day and another look book from those seemingly unstoppable Planet Blue girls!

This has to be one of my favourites to date featuring a lavender haired desert rose, Chloe Norgaard sporting pieces from Mara Hoffman and Planet Blue's own label Blu Moon in equally psychedelic hues.  Folk inspired prints and patterns and sugar skull rings bringing to mind the Mexican festival of Dia De Los Muertos and are perfect for summer festival going.

images via Planet Blue