I cannot begin to tell you how much of a Sinead O'Connor fan I am. When she emerged in the 80s, I remember thinking that she had the coolest name I'd ever heard.

And that voice! So haunting and emotive...

Not to mention the angelic face and her self-baring persona - has there ever been a music video better than Nothing Compares to You?

O'Connor is featured in the latest issue of that lovely magazine, The Gentlewoman, and in the article, she says "whether you like me or not is beside the point... but I'm not fake. That's the one thing I can't be accused of".  

I have to agree with her on that; she's chosen to do some highly unconventional things, but each decision has always appeared to ring true to her personal ethos.

Which, above all, is quite admirable. 

What else is admirable about Sinead O'Connor? The fact that she has become even more beautiful as time passes...

NB Images shot from The Gentlewoman Magazine. Copyright © 2012 Au Courant Studio, LLC, Some Rights Reserved 

Here's the thing with having a full head of dreadlocs. Dreads can make you feel incredibly warm during the winter chill, but they'll have the very same effect in the summer heat. 

To remedy this seasonal problem, I tend to reach for my basket of printed turban wraps the minute temperatures  rise to the 70s or 80s. It's truly the best solution for getting my beloved locs out of the way; who wants a thick, heavy curtain of hair draping over their shoulders when the sun is at its warmest?

Turbans... They are the answer to everything.

Running late for an appointment and there's no time for an elaborate 'do? Whip out a turban. Bed head's got staying power past 7:30am? Whip out a turban. And if - like me - styling your hair can take forever, you better whip out that turban and wrap it as fast as you can.

This particular wrap has been my favourite for the past three years. It's a fairly bold print, but the basic colours and geometric pattern tends to work with everything in my closet. Makes for easy dressing, non?

Wearing: Jimmy Aboud The Textile King printed cotton; Tory Burch avaiators; American Apparel Shirtdress

NB Images copyright © 2012 Au Courant Studio, LLC, All Rights Reserved 

Inspired by one of my favourite Twitter pals, the graphic designer-cum-style blogger Quan Mai of GENETICBOI, I've decided to do some overdue spring-cleaning throughout my wardrobe.

Quan's been shaking out the old vibes from his life by parting with some very stylish items he no longer wears - all part of his detach & detox process - and I'm inclined to do the same, albeit via a quick trip to the nearest Salvation Army. 

But sometimes, despite your best intentions, you start rummaging through your old treasures and you just can't bring yourself to give away a few items. I'm not a hoarder, though. I swear.

This all demands a separate 'closet clean-out' post, but my initial rummaging yielded an interesting array of articles. There's the fourteen-year-old pair of denim overalls in surprisingly good condition (those will come back in style, I promise you); Opening Ceremony suede heels I've worn only once since getting them in 2010; a kaleidoscopic tunic fit for Auntie Mame... 

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