BLACK ROMANCE

I would imagine the runway seeing a lot of Red on Valentines day, however, Ralph Lauren left the audience breathless with his Black collection on the 14th February 2013 at New York Fashion week. Leaving us all in awe, he presented a spectacular display of Black outfits, never disappointing. Feast your eyes girls, this post has no age restriction....... I have visions of stripes lingering with us for a while, and a distinct revival of military styles, intertwined with Baroque carrying us into the next winter.....

 

 

Photographs from oregonlive.com

 

PHENOMENAL ANIMAL

When someone tells you a leopard never changes it's spots, it's not intended as a compliment, especially not if it refers to a person's behaviour. It's normally referred to in a derogatory way describing the fact that people don't change for the better. The same can be said for my passion for animal print-since it's discovery, I have not recovered from it! 

Leopard print has been around for as long as I can remember, although it was never this popular! It comes and goes as a fashion trend and stays for longer with some of us. Fortunately, I have discovered a few blogger friends who feel the same urge, hence another leopard print jacket. When wearing leopard print, one should be mindful of not wearing to many other things that shout out "loud", since the concept of animal print is already rather striking and eye catching. This suits me very well since I do not promote over accessorising  in any event. As they say, less is more, well at least for now! If by any chance a friend tells you that more mature women should not be wearing it, delete her name from your data list!

 

 

 

Jacket from Kardashian Collection - Dorothy Perkins

Lace top - bargain staple at P & P Clothing

Pants - H & M

Ankle cuff Shoes - Studio W

Handbag - Carolina Herrera

Sunglasses - RayBan

Neck piece - unknown source,old

 

LONDON FASHION WEEK

With fashion month being in full swing, and London swinging well into it's third day of chic, a lot of excitement can be expected over the next few weeks. I had a sneak peak of what Daks displayed today from the British Fashion Council's email updates, as seen in Sheila McKain-Waid's show. Winter will be hosting a lot of earth colours, with the return of checks and warm tones. I can hardly contain myself as I am ecstatic about the spot of Ochre seen below......

 

Photographs fobtained from British Fashion Council's newsletter today

 

 

 

HAPPY VALENTINES!

If ever you thought that romance was for the newly courted, or that there was an age restriction to romance and fashion, think again, it has no age restriction, and is open to all. Happy Valentine's day to my friends and loyal visitors, and thank you for helping my blog to grow! Hope your Valentine treats you well today, and if you haven't got  one, and sitting at home all by your lonesome self, go the the website www.love-wallpapers.com and download this pretty picture below as wallpaper on your computer! Then slip into something Red, paint your lips, put on some lively music, pour a glass of bubbly, and kick up your red soles!

 

 

AUTUMN LEAVES

Although I love summer, my fondness for winter clothes gets the better of me, and with every hint of cold weather, I jump at the opportunity to slip into warmer clothes. The air was a little crisp this morning, hence the heavy jacket. The Western Cape often experiences two seasons in a day, with a thick coat of mist hanging over the sea and a chilly wind creeping up from behind the mountain on the Northern side. Before you know, you are removing layers and by 12h00, summer is here in full swing again. Living by the seaside, you never know which way it can turn. Autumn only arrives down here when the vineyards start turning a reddish brown, much like the colour scheme I am wearing today. My messy bun was inspired by the one and only Ms Bradshaw...

 

Jacket - Charter Club (old), Trousers - C & A, Clutch bag- Jimmy Choo, Bracelet-Hermes,

Shoes-Dorothy Perkins, Neck Piece - Sass Diva, Sunglasses - Ray Ban

 

 

View of sunset - De Kelders, Western Cape

 

 

 

 

FAKE IT GIRLS!



There are a few things in life a girl is allowed to fake, one of them is wearing Faux Fur, and after the blizzard that hit New York leaving many a fashionista awash in snow, one thing you have to pack for New York for this time of the year, is a fur or parka that will protect you against the snow.

 

Boots by Coach, Fur Hoodie-Asos

 

 

FIRE & ICE

While the rest of the world is preparing for summer, we are unpacking winter woollies and piling up wood for the eternal flame that needs to burn in the fireplace during the chill of winter, reviewing soup recipies and considering slow food dinners...... red wine and hot stews. In that spirit, it's time to look at what Trenery has just launched locally, and what a delight. Ever since it's first introduction in South Africa, it has been a firm favourite, with stylish clothes for work and play, and quality commensurate with price, I can hardly walk past the V & A store in Cape Town without just quickly dropping by, happy weekend all, going shopping.......feast your eyes on this one......

 

INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN

When my longstanding friend Alma sent me this picture I new instantaneously that I wanted to blog it, since it exudes energy and confidence. I stared at it for a while and realised that apart from the vibrancy and magnetic awe that attracted me to look at it again and again, these women all assert themselves, being confident and well dressed. Dont' they just look stunning? There is something you can tell by just looking at them......

 

 

GOING TO PRINT

Print is extremely on trend at the moment, allowing us a multitude of options, from equestrian to Aztec, animal to reptile, or whatever comes to mind. My favourite is animal print and equestrian, or chain print combined with paisley. This printed shirt was sourced at the overwhelming Chatuchak weekend market in Bangkok, covering 27 acres, apparently the biggest market in the world. Just about anything can be found here, from authentic Thai craft to gemstones, crockery, cutlery, pets, shoes, clothes, jewellery and household goods, to name a few.

The market is divided into different sections, housing a spectacular array of colours and textures, the size of it being bewildering. Being covered with metal roofs, and located in the sweltering heat of the tropics, it is not for the faint hearted. If you intend browsing, go early and take a hat for the open areas. If you dare to visit this market, do so at your own peril and replenish your fluids regularly in order not to exhaust yourself shopping! Can you imagine shopping yourself into a state of dehydration?

Thanks to the little luxuries in life, I was allowed to return to a refreshingly cool hotel room in the elegant Dusit Thani Hotel in  Bangkok where I hung my hat for a few days.

 

Grand Palace, Bangkok

 

 

 Boarding River Sun Cruise, Chao Praya river, Bangkok

 

Grand Palace, Bangkok

Chatuchak weekend market Collage

 

 

Collage photograph from www.thailand-tourism-guide.com

 

Top - Weekend Market find

Sunglasses - Rayban

Bag - Venice Leather, Italian hand crafted

Pants H & M

Shoes - Zara (old)

Neckpiece and matching bracelet - Sass Diva

ICON IN THE MAKING

Having French blood running through your veins, it must follow that you have a particular flair for fashion and style, otherwise we would not be aspiring to dress like the French women, who almost always exude a confidence and ability to outshine any other women with their effortless ability to look chic. Some just have it all......

 

That said, Pierre Balmain, born in 1914 in Savoie, France, was no different. He liberated women beyond the concept of plain, and even introduced a hint of insouciance. The house continues to elevate us to the level of extreme elegance, as can be seen in the jacket below. This beautiful Brocade jacket saw the light in 2010, and is still a sought after item after 3 years. Who wouldn't want it?  Dressing the likes of Brigitte Bardot, Marlene Dietrich and Katherine Hepburn, I am not surprised that Balmain still emerges as a forerunner. The legend continues........long after the creator's demise.

 

 

As seen on the runway below...