Photo Friday

Kinda obsessed with Man-Style & Givenchy totes this week... Oh and dreaming of Paris but thats always the case!

'Change your mind jacket' by Finders Keepers the Label

Givenchy Tote (LOVE THIS)

The Epitome of Man-Style & Celine Tote

Denim on Denim

Pullovers with Pencil Skirts

...and my Fav place in Europe - Paris (where Id rather be)!.

Photo Friday

Heres my fav pics of the week

Casual Chic

Hairspo - loving braids

Steven Khalil & the finer details

Monochrome palette & Chanel - perfection!

Samantha Wills Primrose + Moss

Jewellery Body Sticker & those shorts! 

Transitional Capes

Although I'm not really a fan of the colder weather, the one thing I do enjoy about Autumn are the transitional pieces. As the leaves begin to fall from the trees every year, we see the stores stocking up on their knits, coats, jackets and one of my personal favourites - capes.
There is something so stylish about throwing a cape on over a pair of black pants and boots. Add a belt and all of a sudden you look like you belong in the pages of vogue!

Burberry Check Wool and Cashmere Blanket Poncho $1,950

Forever New Melanie Tassel Check $49.95

Country Road Detailed Cape - Arriving in stores soon

Witchery Stripe Blanket Wrap $249.95

Wedding Style

There is one particular question associated with weddings that seems to be universal amongst women of all walks of life. It is a question I have been on the receiving end of numerously and have even been a culprit of asking it myself on the odd occasion. That question goes something along the lines of 'I have a wedding coming up, {insert sigh} what should I wear/what am I going to wear?'.

Being a guest at a wedding comes along with an unspoken dress-code. You are expected to dress for the occasion whether that be formal, semi-formal, cocktail, garden, beach, cultural and the list continues, and you are expected to abide to this code tastefully and appropriately. Umm, easier said than done!

Not everyone has the same interpretation of dress-codes and not all families are the same. Having married into what I would call a relatively large family means I have a wedding/engagement/commitment ceremony on average at least once a month for the entire year so I've been to my fair share of celebrations and have seen it all - the amazing, the beautiful, the bad and the plain ugly - and it's clothing choices I'm referring to to be clear.

And so, whats hot and whats not? What rules and guidelines should you abide by and how do you know just how formal they mean when they say formal?

Well, unless your getting married at a park whilst having a bbq I don't think jeans are ever an option, neither for males or females, so now that thats out in the open I really believe you need to look at the couple getting married and the type of people they are and their families are to determine what will be deemed appropriate attire for their wedding and also to ensure you are not going to stand out negatively due to your fashion choices. Use common sense, if they are more simple people then you probably dont need to wear a floor sweeping gown and tiara or if they are more religious for example then you probably shouldn't opt for an overly cleavage or leggy showing dress.

Can I wear white/cream? Most people would say no to this, I am not one of them. I think it depends on what you are going to wear and how you are going to wear it. I went to a day wedding recently where the bride was wearing a beautiful white cinderella silhouette and was donning a lot of sparkle. My dress was off-white, form fitting and plain. Apart from diamond earrings I kept accessories to a minimum and I wore nude shoes. To add to this, the bride and groom were friends of ours so there were no professional photos going to be taken where I would clash with the bride hence I think it was an appropriate choice in this instance. If I had been going to a beach wedding for example where the bride was going to be wearing a simple dress and probably sandals then I think my choice to wear white would have been a poor one. 

Can I show a little midriff/cleavage/wear a cutout dress? I personally do not find any of these three things tasteful when attending a wedding however a hint of skin in a subtle way can be very sexy so my thoughts would be, if you can see more than 1cm then your showing too much. 

Generally speaking, if ever in doubt (and your partner/girlfriends cant help you out), then don't wear it BUT all in all, regardless of what you wear my number one rule is make sure you feel confident. If you feel good about yourself in what you are wearing then you will wear it better and more gracefully and there is absolutely nothing more attractive than a woman with confidence.

Toni Maticevski flute skirt $1,700

Kookai Alaska Dress $240

Sheike Betrayed Maxi Dress $189

Finders Keepers Limitless Midi Dress $139

Roll Necks

If Autumn means roll necks then Bring It!

Sleeveless Skivvies/Roll Necks/Turtle Necks are all the rage at the moment with some version of this piece in almost every womens retail store.
There's the long, the cropped, the chunky, the fine, the bodycon & the relaxed fit. With so many to choose from you're sure to find a style that suits you.

Once upon a time (until recently) I wasn't a fan of this trend or any Skivvy for that matter, not because I didn't like them but because the thought of the fabric clinging to my neck made me feel suffocated and I didn't think covering my neckline suit me anyway however with a plethora to choose from this season I have found a style that I love, works for me and lets me breathe easily. I've personally opted for a more relaxed fit which drapes down at the front a little like a cowl neck and hence a roll neck style that shows a hint of the neck.

I dress mine up by teaming it with a pair of black leather look pants and thin strap stilettos or with a white jeans and flats for an everyday look.
My favs right now are this grey relaxed lightweight knit from Sussan and thick and chunky one from Country Road.

Mommy Life

It almost terrifies me to see that my last post was in 2013. I say almost because although it feels like yesterday in some respects life has changed a lot for me since my last blog and hence I am vividly aware of just how much time has gone by since I have been in the head-space I am presently in where I have the passion - and time - to recommit myself to blogging.

Entering motherhood has altered my life in every possible way. I still feel like me, the old me, but I'm not and I can never be, neither mentally, physically or emotionally. It has been a hard, tiring, educational journey and the most amazing journey I will ever take and I could not be more grateful.

Amongst all these changes, my style is one of them. Not only have I had to embrace my mommy body but I now also opt for the more comfortable version of an outfit and given that I haven't returned to work my everyday style is inevitably different as my day to day life is.
My husband and I are currently renovating our house so these days I am usually in tights, steel cap boots and a singlet however when running errands or on the odd days off with my fellow mums and bubs (a fabulous group of friends I made at my antenatal class which have helped my stay sane), I am embracing and enjoying might I add, the 'loose-fit' style flooding our retail stores. Give me light denim, ripped boyfriend jeans, a v-neck relaxed tee and a pair of espadrilles and I am good to go! Add a pair of pointy heels, jacket and lippy in a bold hue and voila instantly turn a day look into night and its still comfortable.

And so, as of late during my late night pinterest browsing sessions in bed, I have been pinning away some fav looks which are easy to re-create and child friendly might I add.
If your in the market for some new purchases, Seed currently has a great range of boyfriend jeans in
4 colours teamed with a tee and these gorg half price espadrilles from Country Road.

European Travel Diary

It was a magical 6 weeks filled with culture, fashion, food and love.. A memorable and life changing experience and one that can never be forgotten.

5 countries and 18 cities in 40 days with a plethora of sites to see , to say we were busy would be an understatement.

The Eiffel Tower by Paris' evening light, designer shopping at Rue Montagne, celebrities casually lunching in Monaco, rock beaches of Positano and colourful houses of the Amalfi. The multiple little lane-ways of Venice, old Roman architecture and history and the all day shopping of Barcelona. 

I could keep going - but I won't!.

Aside from the beyond amazing sites and historical significance of these beautiful countries, I simply can not go on without mentioning the European fashions. 

The best way to explain European women's everyday style is effortless chic!. Forget sky high heels and fidgety clothing, instead opt for a knit or simple tee, some shorts or a mini, flat ankle boots or sandals, satchel bag and add a blazer if its cold, hair in a top knot and voila - you are set and ready to go.

As for the fellas, men's fashion is so much more evolved in Europe. European men don't seem to fear fashion as much as I find many Australian's do. Their look is more refined and polished whereby tailored shorts and loafers are considered day wear and collared shirts and blazers with skinny chinos are a must for night. 

Anyways, a few happy snaps for your viewing pleasure..

LV signature store in Paris on Champs Elysees

Street style in Barcelona

Traditional Parisien breakfast

Street style in French Riviera

Street style in Italys Amalfi Coast

Traditional Gelato as seen all over Europe

Parisien Architecture

View from our hotel, The Grand Medusa, in Castellamare Di Stabia, Italy

Venetian woodwork

2013 MET Gala

Yesterday (May 6, 2013) was what can be described as the fashion industry's 'night of nights', the Annual Met Gala.
Hosted by Vogue, it is the most Fabulous of all Fabulous red-carpet events held where the A-List are dressed head to toe in designer couture,usually with designer on tow to suit!.

This years theme - Punk: Chaos To Couture, as chosen by Host, Anna Wintour, seems to have been interpreted in many which ways making it a splendid showcase of the Good, the Bad and the just plain Ugly (like Kim K - whom I love but simply cannot compliment with her couch -I mean matching gloves, dress and shoes of choice).

 

We also saw a some trends creeping in in the form of elbow high skin tight gloves and over the knee boots circa 19th century as seen on the likes of Beyonce in Givenchy Haute Couture and Kerry Washington in Vera Wang and Slash dresses as seen on Miranda Kerr in Michael Kors and Emma Watson in Prabal Gurung.

The Hair! We saw some true Punk themed committment from Anne Hathaway in Vintage Valentino Haute Couture who donned slicked back blonde locks and Nicole Ritchie in Top Shop who dyed her hair white - Yes, White!

 

 

And the Spikes - Cara Delevingne in Balmain - wowza (need one of these dresses).

 

SJP (Sarah Jessica Parker) in Giles Deacon dress and Phillip Treacy headpiece, was the extravagance in creme brulee for me hitting the nail on the head with the theme (literally) with an amazing intepretation via headpiece of the hairstyle that defined the punk era - The Mohawk.
If you ever had any doubts this makes the picture as clear as a cloud free summers day - She truly is the Queen of Fashion.

 

I also loved Blake Lively, Jessica Hart, Nina Dobrev & Jennifer Lopez..

Last but not least, Anna Wintour was a true punk and seems to have rebelled against her own theme (which is the epitome of the punk era) donning a puff sleeve pretty as pea dress..xo

2013 MB Fashion Week Wrap-up

Unfortunately, due to my 'day job' commitments, this year I was unable to attend Fashion Week (pause for Gasp). This is like a nightmare for a true fashionista such as myself! There is much to be said about the high you experience from getting all dolled up and sitting in the crowd amongst beautiful people (with fabulous style), the butterflies in the pit of your stomach from waiting for the show to commence and then the thrill when the first model comes out - ohh how I love it - however, thanks to www.Jasu.com I have been able to watch all the shows live which isnt the same BUT at least it allows me to still get my fashion fix and report back to you, my readers, on whats to come in the style stakes.

Prints
Think big, bold and bright. Like art wrapped on your body - not for the faintly fashioned

Long Hemlines and Bare Midriffs
Mini's are out and Midi's are in.
Gone are the days where you need to exfoliate your knees till they are raw red instead Designers have decided you should use this time to do a few sit-ups to keep your tummy trimmed and toned.
Invest in a few under the knee skirts and team them with Bare Midriffs - approx 5cms worth NOT a la Britany Spears.

White
Its seems that White - from head to toe or with pops of Navy and Bright Red (on their own not combined) are all the rage for the upcoming season.

Cut-outs
Before you pack away last seasons clothing, be warned showing snippets of skin in cut-out styles is hot on the runway. Be ready to brace a little chill for the sake of style.

And..
Sheerness (the sheerer the better), Lace & Peplum also made a debut on the runways. I also noticed there was minimal tight, bodycon styles of anything (apart from the swimwear) which is great as it wont be too hard to hide the extra kilos the colder seasons bring with them.

Here are some of my fav runway looks to Inspire you xo