THE COBBLER

Being a great supporter of tradition, I proudly admit that I am nurturing my shoe fetish inherited from my late grandmother, who had a collection that would bring Kate to tears. Each outfit was carefully considered with the accent on a particular pair of shoes, and if she shopped for a specific occasion, the shoes would come first. So imagine my joy when I studied our family tree and discovered that the first of our European ancestors who  emigrated to the continent of Africa, in the 1600's was none other than a cobbler from Londerzeel in Belgium, no wonder I am so obsessed with shoes, it must be in my genes.....

 

Needless to say, this little pair from Zara found it's way to my collection..... Very versatile if you wear a lot of Black, and stunning with Tiger print!

 

 

 

BLACK DE-MYSTIFIED

Here I am again, gravitating towards my favourite colour, Black. Only this time I ventured a little deeper into the depth of the rainbow, introducing a lime clutch bag. This piece featured before, but with a different outfit, and the more I use it, the more I realise how versatile a colour it is. It looks equally beautiful with Taupe or Navy Blue and surprisingly, Red! The Black, however, still reigns supreme, again.... I am rather fond of two toned shoes, and developed quite a fetish with print on print, working well together here! Having matured beyond the age of 40, my heels are becoming progressively lower, and the height of these shoes are just perfect, with a mid heel off course!

 

 

 

Jacket - Queenspark (old), Polka Dot Top-Cotton On,

Neck piece-Sass Diva, Clutch bag-Zara, Shoes-Next, Bracelet-Hermes
Pants-Trenery

GUESS WHOSE BEEN SPOTTED?

I take a lot of inspiration from street style photographers like Stockholm Streetstyle and The Sartorialist, especially around fashion week in Paris and Milan. As you may have noticed, I have a great affliction for french style of less is more. I often see women wearing things that correspond with items I may have in my wardrobe, which I would never have thought of wearing together, or in that particular style. It allows me to be more creative, causing me to digitise my wardrobe and mixing and matching things up, providing quick access to an otherwise overstocked wardrobe, and creating a medium to assemble outfits with a little more variety. I still try to maintain my own style, but like to glean from others, allowing me to do my own rendering as opposed to copying. Polka dots often crops up on street style, and so my spotted  re-invention took shape this year. This year, the spots contributed towards my own range of limited designs, Belle Epoque, as is seen below.

 

Obviously I was dressed for the office, hence the formal look......

 

 

 

Jacket Studio W at Woolworths, (buttons changed and trimmings added)

Top - Zara (old)

Shoes-Tatazi

Bag-Unknown Store in Albufeira, Portugal

Scarf-J  Mico Sancho

Pants-Belle Epoque

FIRM FAVOURITES

No matter how hard a try, I tend to lean back towards the classic style of Black and White, occupational hazard perhaps? In spite of the myriad of colour seen in stores, I revert to my old favourites when dressing for the office. Do I need to describe my level of enthusiasm in any more detail for these beautiful and timeless pieces, most of which can be bought at pretty bargain prices? The bags are a little more expensive, but will most likely remain in the front row of your wardrobe for quite a while.

 

 

 

FASHION DEJAVOU

I cannot quite decide if we are one season behind,or one season ahead, but considering the fact that most notable fashion and trends are born in Europe, I am prepared to concede that we are in fact, one season behind. The advantage of living in the Southern hemisphere is that travelling North, allows you a glimpse of things to come, well in advance that is! This enables me to always shop for items that are on trend long before it arrives in our stores. My last trip to Zurich, Switzerland, revealed a variety of colour for summer, and as Europe has already moved into Winter since then, this is exactly what we are wearing now. I took these snapshots from window fronts in Zurich, showing a multitude of colour for summer, which is exactly why my rainbow now extends beyond Black this summer!

Fashion dejavou that is!
 

Hot combination, Fuchsia Pink and Orange....Hello Summer!

 

 

Coral, so vibrant!

 

 

Look at the nautical accents, Navy Blue and White

 

BERRYLICIOUS

Winter shopping list.....

 

Occasionally, I return to the favourites and revisit colours that featured in the 80's. Much to my delight, fashion repeats itself from time to time!  ( Yes, I've been around the block!). With a career that demands Black almost to be worn like a uniform, and lawyers being strongly associated with it, it is extremely exciting to venture down the colour wheel and slide into the warmer winter shades.  It follows naturally that come weekends or after hours, I head directly  towards the brights, and move away from the rigidity of all Black, creating something more dramatic without being to serious. Burgundy is seen in different tones this year, my favourite being the one leaning towards berries. Whether it is Plum, Merlot, Cabernet, Ruby or just Burgundy, a berry flavour will ad some spice to your winter wardrobe. Isn't this one of the most beautiful biker jackets? I tend to look for less masculine lines adding some femininity to the look, and this one fits perfectly........

 

PAPER DOLLS

If you have any interest in fashion and style, and if you enjoyed dressing up as a little girl already, with a stubbornness when your mother wanted  to make you wear things you did not like, you are likely to have played around with cut out paper dolls. And so my love affair for beautiful clothes began..... I collected hundreds of outfits for paper dolls, and spent hours playing around, dressing them up. Now you can imagine how much fun I had as a grown up women having discovered that I could have a real time closet in no time, mixing and matching in H & M's on line wardrobe, paper dolls in e-format!

So if you are in two minds about how things will look together, log on to H & M and play around with various items until you achieve the desired look, voila!

 

This function allows you to assemble outfits from the entire season's collection, getting a real life picture in front of you! The outfit to the left was put together with my love of animal print in mind.

The collage below was found on H & M's lookbook. Inspiring how the stylist mixed different textures, sequins and different prints. Just have'nt gotten use to the idea of trainers or sneakers worn as shoes, in spite of the wedge heel. Off to H & M we go.......

 

INTO FALL

Getting ready for winter and have no idea how to refresh your wardrobe? If you are on a tight budget, these few items could add instant glamour to your wardrobe and lend a little opulence to any outfit! Just when I thought the Topshop cape that I bought last winter needed to be retired, I came across a multitude of fashion sights depicting capes this season, in different styles and shapes. The one featured below has no collar, and instead of wearing a chic a la french scarf or turtle neck, you could perk it up with this snug little faux fur collar from H & M! The mid heel booties and snake skin clutch are from Wallis. Don't dispair if you are nowhere near, shop online and have it delivered to your door.......

 

If your wrist watch is more than just a time piece, the Purple Pandora watch is obligatory! Why not spoil yourself with Coco Noir to round it all off with a hint of spice. No doubt my beautiful cape is going to be revived next winter! There is always something theatrical about a cape.......

 

Need I say more?

 

 

BAROQUE RECREATED ON A SHOESTRING



You can spend a small fortune on the beautiful Emilio Pucci jacket above, or recreate the look on a shoestring by simply paying a visit to your local haberdashery store, and with the velvet jacket below, spruce it up to a magnificent piece of art. Do so by buying some elaborate trimmings and braiding to give some glamour to a classic jacket, perhaps in velvet, or by simply buying a well styled jacket in a good quality fabric and then adding some new metal buttons and trimmings.  Then lay out the trimmings and braids seen below, on the jacket, and stitch it on by hand. Play around with your artistic ability, manoeuvre the braid around, add some extravagant buttons, layer the trim in rows around the cuffs and the collar to create some opulence and turn your otherwise plain jacket into a an enviable item!

 

Embellished jacket by Emilio Pucci, Plain Velvet jacket by Mango. Braiding and trimmings from
www.mjtrim.com

 

 

 

WHITE LINEN

Ever in two minds about what to wear to a morning function, if it is semi-formal and a business event? The first thing that came to mind, was to wear a pants suit, high heels and a top that is perhaps, a little demure. But then again I wasn't going to clinch a business deal during the function and I did not have to wear anything that serious. I couldn't think of anything more appropriate than a fresh and crisp white linen suit. This is so versatile, serious, and at the same time serene, classic yet current, and summery! ( which hasn't really happened yet although the calender dictates otherwise).  

 

A White linen suit has become a staple set in my wardrobe, and if you ad a flamboyant top, it would look equally at home at a morning wedding or a tea party. Some say you dont' wear White to a wedding, that is up to you. Just don't upstage the bride with elaborate trimmings and a dress that enters the room before you do! The only other rule that I would consider, is to dress your body, and not your age, no age restriction in White linen. At least not for now.....

 

A FORCE TO RECKON WITH

The unity formed by the international due, Kluk GCDT, and most sought after, Nine West, had an overwhelming reception at the well attended Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Africa last week, held at Melrose Arch, Johannesburg.

 

The show was inspired by colonial Kenya in the 30's and the South China Seas. The flamboyancy of colourful kimonos and jodhpurs was received with much envy! Pastel shoes reigned supreme, and was presented in a rainbow of the softest shades of Mint, Mink and Orange. Truly a match made in heaven!

 

 

 

 

 

 

BEAUTY COMES FROM WITHIN

Nothing could be more frustrating than holding your breath when you get dressed! After a weekend of over indulgence in all things sweet and nice, I have to make way for less harm full food! Not just because it is fattening, but simply because we need to cleanse from time to time. Like you would unpack and rearrange your wardrobe, you have to cleanse and rid your body from free radicals...... I find it wholly satisfactory going on a once a month cleansing process, almost like botox for the bottom! When the need arises, I follow this diet for a week. Start the day with a slice of high protein toast, and hot Rooibos tea, and for lunch, enjoy what's in season, like fresh asparagus with a dash of homemade  Bearnaise(be conservative on the portion, it is loaded with butter! mmmmmm). If you would rather skip the butter, ad a dash of olive or truffle infused oil, with lemon juice and a sprinkling of Parmasan cheese. For dinner, resort to salad and all things that grow in the soil. With fresh strawberries being in season, it is easy to spice up an otherwise bland salad. For protein, have some salmon or chicken fillet with skin removed before cooking in a sprinkling of olive oil. Remember Olive oil becomes a health hazard when exposed to high temperature. No starch for me this week, and voila, by Friday, I should be back on track. This is a marvellous way of shedding a few unwanted kg's and preparing for a holiday........

 

Recipe for Summer Strawberry Salad

 

1 Punnet strawberries,sliced

Course black pepper

Avocado,sliced

Wild Rocket,

1 round of Feta or Goats Cheese,

Rosa tomatoes,

Onion Sprouts

Alfalfa Sprouts,

Roasted Butternut, cut in pieces

Dhania leaves

Variety of Lettuce leaves

Cucumber slices

 

All tossed together for a wholesome meal and enjoyed with Salmon, guaranteed to shed the weekend's excess!

Bon Appetite!

SETTING SAIL?

Packing for a cruise requires some skillful planning. You require clothes to lounge around, to swim, to dine in style, to do your daily jog or work out in the ships' gym, dress up for evenings in formal attire, and casual day wear for excursions when you dock. The key ingredient, is nautical. Whatever you wear during the day, if it is nautical, you will look as at home as a fish in water. Having a Breton top is essential, and packing mix and match items in a combination of red, blue and white will take you a long way. Don't forget to pack a wide brim straw hat, big sunnies, and comfortable shoes for walking around the deck. Evenings are a different thing, the captain's dinner inevitably requires evening wear, allowing you to be a little more creative and glamorous. Whatever you pack, leave some space for all the shopping that you may want to do as you cruise along and dock in different places! I bet this is going to take some consideration, happy cruising!

 

Setting Sail by fiftyfabulous featuring crewneck sweaters