BACK TO BASICS

Old habits die hard, hence our tendency to revert back to old patterns. We do so because it makes us feel comfortable or at ease with ourselves, and for some because they inherently fear change. Perhaps we gravitate towards these patterns because we simply love it. I don't spend much time deliberating my method or motivation for a particular choice when it comes to styling as it is intended to be a no brainer and a creative escape from the rigidity of my profession. My repetitive behaviour stems from a deep seated love for Black & White, in spite of some not considering it as a colour.  It's a reliable choice, and an easy way of styling a look without having to spend to much time evaluating the ensemble, a luxury that I don't always have time for. Grab and style, that's my "go to" look. 

Toile Skirt - Belle Epoque

Shoes - Topshop

Blouse - Old

Jacket - Martin Visser Couture

Neck Piece - Sass Diva

A LITTLE BIT OF VINTAGE

Cat eye sunglasses, reminiscent of the 60's, flair skirts, Cobalt Blue and lace, with the Blue being electrifying, regal and strikingly bright. A little bit of vintage. It speaks for itself. Nothing is more feminine than lace, and with that said, I rest my case. 

Skirt - Asos

Shoes - Valentino

Top - Platinum Fashion Mall

Handbag - Prada

Pashmina - Siem Reap Market

Sunglasses - Dior

MILAN FASHION WEEK STREET STYLE Trendsetters at Giorgio Armani Spring/Summer 2014 as captured by Fashion TV

 

 

Have a sneak peak at the street style in Milan....as captured by Fashion TV , simply click on the link below:

 

 http://www.fashiontv.com/video/trendsetters-at-giorgio-armani-spring-summer-2014-f-people-milan-fashion-week-mfw_396985.html#.UwHC-ykJmqu.blogger

 

Video clip by Fashion TV

Photographs by blogger

DEFYING THE RULES

A little effort goes along way, and if you're bored with your look or think that your appearance detracts from your creativity, add print on print, it's as good as a makeover! I have no formal meetings today, no court appearances and no round table discussions, which is quite a breather allowing me some more style freedom, dressing a little less seriously. Excitement at last, so I slapped together different prints, my favourite combination, sporting a little adventure.  And yes, I am defying the rule against wearing shoes that are lighter than my seam! My grandmother would turn in her grave. Rest in peace, it's become acceptable! Thank goodness. Next step is to let my hair down, but that would be to much excitement for one day! O, before I forget, the top was sourced from a bin sale at a weekend market in Bangkok, what a great find, does a bargain resonate with you?

Jacket - Martvisser Couture, Amsterdam

Pants - Belle Epoque

Top - thrift find in Bangkok's Chatuchak Weekend Market, sourced from a bin!

Shoes - Valentino

Clutch bag - Asos

Sunglasses - Dior

Neck Piece - Sass Diva

HAPPY VALENTINES , RED THE COLOUR OF LOVE

To all my lovely friends, happy Valentines day. Although some of us might think of it as a commercial gimmick ( especially having regard to the sudden surge in rose prices), it's still an opportunity to flirt with romance and to make your loved one feel special. If I could express my love for my darling husband in colour, it would be Red, not because it's the symbolic colour of St Valentines, but because it  exudes warmth, heat and endurance(and amongst other things stimulates the appetite), perhaps why so many of us think of chocolate as an appropriate gift, spurred on by the stimulating effects of Red. My Valentines wisdom is expressed in a number of photographs, each with a different meaning.

 

Picture 1 - accept your loved one with the unconditional love of a child;

Picture 2 - think of communication as a vehicle to convey mutual understanding;

Picture 3 - be forgiving, you're going to need some later;

Picture 4 - have an open door approach, keep an open mind, accessibility is important;

Picture 5 - keep it real, authentic and with the promise of ripe fruit;

Picture 6 - think of communication as being colourful, and always allow a little humour;

Picture 7 - have some fun, pedal a canoe, take a sleigh ride together or allow each other  

                  freedom to explore our own interests;

Picture 8 -  apply emotional intelligence, like Einstein would have;

Picture 9 -  be generous, like the fullness of a blossoming orchid;

        

          Now, enjoy my pictorial, a story told through my Canon lens, my greatest hobby,

          capturing moments during our travels. Enjoy St Valentines.....

 

 

VINTAGE CHARM

Meet my skirt, as it dominates the entire look, the fullness, the voluptuousness, and the volume, all making an entry long before you do. I so love the volume of full skirts enabling you to move about with the lightness of a feather, with the fabric gently sloping to the floor, and the bulk allowing you to hide all of what ever it is that you do not wish to flaunt. Some stylists consider full skirts as unflattering, I on the other hand think of them as something regal. It just about suits any body type, whether you are pear or apple shaped, and as long as you have a relatively containable midriff, the volume just detracts from anything else, leaving the focus on the skirt. It is very versatile, and looks just as good with a button up shirt, especially charming with a Neoprene top ending just on the waist. I'm sporting lace with it as I am smitten with it's femininity. Longer tops are not suited to full skirts, neither are long coats as it creates an illusion of excessive bulk that is otherwise avoided. The volume this skirt creates is flattering when worn with a top that ends where the skirt starts, and the skirt allows for different lengths, depending on your height. Being quite tall, I find the length to be perfect half way in between the knee and ankle, but if you are vertically challenged, I suggest you consider it just above or below the knee, creating height with shoes a little higher than kitten heels. Go on, try another style challenge out of your comfort zone, and share in your view of this awesome trend! The style is so reminiscent of vintage, hence the addition of my late grandmother's sunglasses circa 1961! The skirt is another reason to sport those  pretty shoes........ I've been waiting for the right skirt to unveil this pretty pair. No cobblestones where these step!

Skirt - Belle Epoque

Top - Platinum Fashion Mall

Shoes - Valentino

Sunglasses - Vintage

Neck Piece - Sass Diva

HIGH ON HEELS

There is nothing that gives you a quicker lift than stepping into high heels.....and doing it in Black & White. I literally elevate myself into the height of a statuesque performance when I feel under dressed, by simply changing the shoes. The power of heels gives instant confidence, no matter how shabby or chic the rest. Today's outfit focuses not only on the elegance of heels, but concentrates on how simple and basic items can be turned into a statement look. The concept of monochrome is a trend that never dates, and which can be achieved with relative ease. We all possess something in Black & White, and all you have to do is to assemble it as if it was made to match. The beauty of dressing in monochrome tones is that you can virtually add anything in the same colour combination, adding up to the potency of the look. I just about unpacked everything in two tones, assembled it together on a flat surface, and voila, a whole new look. You need not spend a fortune on current trends to create this look either, now go on, start a monochrome challenge and let me know what you've made of it........

Blazer - Oasis

Pants - Studio W at Woolworths

Shoes - Topshop

Handbag - Chanel Boy Bag

Sunglasses - Prada

Shirt - H & M

MAKING LIGHTWORK OF SUMMER HEAT

With February being the hottest month one has to find shelter in light clothing that breaths and doesn't cling. I stumbled across this top that has two openings where the arms should be, leaving you quite confused where to place your limbs! However, it is quite versatile, with a zillion pleats allowing you to fold it over and over again, making it shorter as you go. The permanent pleats just simply drapes into a fold, making it rather fanciful and interesting. You could simply  slip into it as it is, and wear it as a dress, or keep on rolling it up into folds to wear it as a shorter top. Whatever way you choose, it just drapes into whatever shape you want and leaves plenty of room to move around. I can just imagine wearing it with a light oversized coat and high heels for a more sophisticated look. I'd call this top "fabric engineering".

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top - Island Girl

Pants - H & M

Shoes - Asos

Cuff - Chatuchak Weekend Market

Chunky Silver Ring - Issabellina

Sunglasses - Robinson Department Store

Leather  Tote - Italy, unknown store

Silver Neckpiece - Chiang Mai Silver