Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Elegant Travel - does it still exist?

So here I am all packed and ready to go but isn’t part of the fun of travelling the preparation and getting there. Not in my case.

This time for a change I didn’t go for comfort gear – after all recent experiences has shown me you never know who you might run into so a little effort never hurt anyone. But in retrospect that might not have been the best choice … My maxi dress flowing, sunnies at the ready, handbag perched, handluggage at bay for all those duty free snags and that all overpowering case. It is truly a good thing I didn’t decide to totter on my mega heels or this would have been a certain recipe for disaster. No in my case I went for retro sensibility in my Superga trainers and still manage to take a little tumble when training to get on the train.

Then it dawned on me – maybe the days of elegant travel are behind us or just left to the lucky few like VB that can totter a few magic metres from car to gate. But those of us who slum it (i.e. carry our own luggage) sensible dressing might just be wiser. I have to lift, manoeuvre and stride to get to my travel destination and that just means 11 in Loubis are wishful thinking. But I will keep trying maybe it is a art to be perfected of time or maybe it is just all about the preparation. Note to self for elegant travel – book a care service otherwise take it on the chin and smile – hopefully you are off to somewhere nice. Safe travels.

Labels:

Monday, May 23, 2011

Team Good Guy

Let's be honest most of us don't set out to be heartbreakers. There is no fun in hurting someone's feelings and it takes just your first heartache to understand that. Because that's when we meet them - the bad guys...

My first heartache was an odd experience. It was only after a few weeks of dating and my first instinct was to ask my dad to take me shopping. It was actually a lovely father - daughter moment and my dad did have some creative fashion style-  I wonder if there is a link there... I came out of the experience stronger. Appreciative of my dad and that he just wanted to cheer up his little girl. But all his protective intentions couldnt protect the future to come...

More heartache was sure to follow  - the bad guy, the unattainable guy, the taken guy, the tough guy, the mean guy and heartbreaker guy so many to choose from. So why is that only now looking back does one recognize the good guys. If I could ask for better vision it would be recognize the good guys while they are in front of you instead of when you have chased them away. Chasing them away now that is what I have been really good at.

In my insecurity, uncertainty, and inexperience I was badly behaved. Now looking back I do have to laugh at my sillyness but I was also really lucky recently that I had the chance to apologize for my not so nice way of acting. It was liberately to be honest - not that in man in question cared less but maybe that wasnt the point.

So when I saw an ex today - one of the good guys - it made me realise two things. First of all, thank you to all the good guys we need you out there. The bad guy is only sexy for so long - you are the keepers. Secondly, sorry I was too young to realise but if you are with the love of your life than that was the road to take and finally -  Ladies if you have better vision than I do than embrace it, go with your feelings, and let the good guy win.

I think good guys should win - I am team good guy!

PS I didnt manage to speak to the ex - it took me far too long to make the connection and there was a rush of panic ... why am I wearing flats the one moment when slimming height would have been good. Sighhhh.

Labels:

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

The toughest Wardrobe Choices to make - beach gear!

Today it begins - the official start to the beach wear season the Cannes Film Festival. Prepare yourself to see all the stars and starlets in their best beach gear taking on the beaches of the Cote. I always find myself excited to see what people are wearing, to find the inspiration for my own fashion version for the Cote (note to self work out quickly only a few weeks left to go). What will make this fashion season even more excited I think is the new It one-pieces. I mean if Herve Leger can develop a bandage one piece (that isnt actually meant to swim in) then there is trend a coming...

So here are my pick of the amazing suits:

This Zimmerman creation is on my list because it incorporates two of my big favourites this season - ruffles and the colour yellow. Super cheerful and just sunshine in a suit. Source: http://www.netaporter.com/








For me Missoni is a beach classic - I love the colour combinations, the knits, the design - maybe in one word the lightness that Missoni captures in their creations. Just stunning.








I love the idea of combining patterns and prints sometimes maybe a little scary or daunting but this suit by Diane von Furstenberg is just a sandy beach dream with the blues it will work so well with the beautiful colours of the Med.








The bustline of this Melissa Odabash is super flattering and then with the colour here is stunning. I find coral incredibly cheerful, tan enhancing so an absolute summer must. Source: http://www.netaporter.com/









White has to be summer staple - a simple, pure must have. The cleavage enhancing line together with the ruching around the tummy is amazing flattering that the statement white isnt a slimming colour is completely not true with this DKNY suit. Just lovely. Source: http://www.victoriassecret.com/









Personally with these beauties as part of my wardrobe selection I am sorted for summer! Cant wait!

Labels:

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Dressing for the weather - can or should you ever go back?

In keeping with my spring confusion I have since embraced bare legs and springs hot colours although colour blocking is still on my list of things to try... the weather here has been stunning. Glorious sunshine, warmth, and best of all - spring's range of natural colours has come out and then it happened.

Out of no where - cold, chilly nights, cool mornings and then today on my way to work I spotted them. The people that have resorted back to fall coats. Wools coats in dark wintery colours. Even shock horror winter boots.

So there I am in my nude midi dress, bare legs, ballerina's in tote thinking to myself did I open the door to a different world. I wasnt freezing and there were no goose bumps in sight so how can it be that there is just a difference in our style of dress. Ok granted cool thresholds lie differently - I reference in this the North of England where no matter what the weather less is better (shockingly so) but this is just odd.

I guess the mystery will have to remain until my way back but I did just see a friend on Facebook write that it snowed in Sweden so maybe these individuals were en route to colder climates? Just a thought...

Labels:

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Latest Obession - NUDE

No not going nude (get your mind out of the gutter) but nude as a wardrobe staple particularly when it comes to shoes. I cant help it but I love nude heels and the greater the variety the better!

So here are my lastest favs :

source: http://www.lkbennett.com/

source: http://www.lkbennett.com/
source: http://www.lkbennett.com/

source: http://www.supertrash.com/

Labels:

b-etiquette

With last weekend being just a scorcher everyone was out and about to catch a few rays but what is it about beach weather that brings everyone to throw all ideas of reasonable dress sense out the window and just walk around like a fool.

I think beach wear requires a certain etiquette (b-etiquette) and I can understand why certain beach spots set a dress code. So here are a few points to take into consideration. 1) never ever forget to cover up. Dont walk the boulevard without a cover-up - it screams trashy and looking for a cover-up is the perfect excuse to look for those ueber cute summer dresses or sequin kaftans plus if you are doing it just to rock that amazing body you have just think that a little clothing adds to mystery and flaunts what you've got 2) a little preparation can go a long, long way dont overdose on the fake tan orange is never flattering but a glow will make summer colours brighter and boost your confidence but do think about gloves, scrubs and moisturizer 3) that brings me to the other point here dont go for a colour that matches your skin colour at that time a bright white t with bright white translucent skin not the most flattering of ton sur ton colour schemes 4) striving for the no lines tan can be tricky and at best of times less than lady-like so use common sense if you wouldnt want to be caught on page 3 like that than probably best to embrace a little tan line and finally 5) wear sunscreen love your skin and take time to be golden not chestnut

Labels: