First of all, a huge thank you to everyone who took part in my Giveaway and I am sorry if you didn’t win this time.
The girls who are going to receive Trevarno skin care kits are Violetta and Courtney. Congratulations, ladies! Your parcels will be on their way to you shortly.
Photo source: NY Magazine March 1993
We are having a smashing weekend. And I just used the word “smashing” for the very first time. For some reason, I don’t like it, it doesn’t sound “pretty” or “lady like”, so I’ve never ever incorporated it into my vocabulary before.
Today, however, is a different story. The weekend literally is… well, smashing, because we are having our bathroom refurbished. Today everything is getting ripped out – the bathtub, sink, tiles, walls, ceiling – you name it, it’s all going.
I am not allowed to participate or even look - both Oscar and I are spending Saturday (and possibly Sunday) in a comfort of the living room periodically transferring ourselves into the kitchen for some food or drink.
He doesn’t like the noise and I don’t do ruins that well. Seeing piles or rubble, dust and room that resembles a miniature building site makes me very stressed.
I am keeping myself busy with the blog, work, reading, cooking for my men and watching a couple of movies.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
Always yours,
Photo source: Vogue Italia December 1995
Recently I have developed a liking for a shoulder bag and its tempting design – a slinky polished tan leather body with a touch of walnut and black, a sensual movement of a gold coloured chain and an overall fancy appearance. It’s medium, but roomy. I can carry it on my shoulder or turn into an envelope-shaped clutch. I am pretty positive I need this bag. It’s beautiful and different from the ones I have.
While marinating an idea of a possible purchase I got thinking about my other bags and the way the collection was acquired over the years. What was the driving force behind those buys? Love? Need? Practical thinking?
I have never been a bag lady – it’s the shoes, books and lingerie for me. I am pretty good with resisting the bags until the right one comes along and it doesn’t happen that often. However, whilst I believe that you can’t have enough shoes, I feel that there should be a set number for the bags because a good bag can compliment a few pairs of footwear.
But really, how many bags make a perfect collection? Have you ever thought of that yourself?
For starters, any girl needs a good roomy tote or shopper, best in classic brown/tan or black. Tote allows us to carry our life around, shop in style, house a laptop or anything equal or larger than A4. Incredibly useful. I got mine, a tan coloured Jet Set Michael Kors tote, a year or so ago and me and Peanut (named mine after its official shade) have been pretty much unseparatable since.
Of course, before Peanut, there were B and Ledbury. The hand-helders (but also from the Tote family). I could have done with one, but the girls were bought in different time periods when the soul desired and budget allowed.
The Fendi B was a dream bag. I saw it on a runway and felt a tight squeeze in my heart. It was a perfect summer city bag for me – the canvas and tan brown leather with a very distinctive look, both adorable and chic. I didn’t buy it straight away – the price was way too high for me and I didn’t want to join masses and masses of celebrities who carried it (really don’t do that whole celebrity thing…) A year later as the hype faded and seasons changed, the B was mine. Its fabric curves make it a bit of a high maintenance, but dreams are allowed to be.
And the Ledbury is my cuddly pet. I really can’t explain it, but touching that Mulberry leather is kind of therapeutic. Ledbury is my comfort blanket. She also made friends with a few pairs of shoes I had, they look really good together. Just like Peanut, Ledbury is a all year rounder with an anti-aging attitude.
I do think that having a hand-held bag is a good idea. Particularly if you fancy doing a bit of lady-like chic (think Louis Vuitton RTW Fall 2010). Again I’d go with tan or black, but for creative types anything colour-blocking is worth considering, particularly as they are very much in style right now and the choice is huge.
Having said that, if I could turn back time, I’d rather have a Bayswater instead of the above trio. If you are looking for the most practical solution and a bag that will last you for years and years to come without losing its classy appearance, Bayswater is brilliant – it still has the roominess of a tote, can be hand-held or worn on a shoulder and it’s just such a beautiful thing to have, especially in tan.
Another essential is a small clutch or shoulder bag that you can wear across the body during a day or take out at night. It took me a while to find something to fill the gap. Missoni did the trick. Chanel 2.55 or Le Boy 2.55, in particular, would be a dream come true (not happening any time soon, though).
For those loving a touch of minimalism, Celine (and who wouldn’t think Celine), Chloe (Louise or Jade) or Victoria Beckham are brilliant choices for any leather strap styles.
If your lifestyle require your presence at frequent fancy events, then I’d definitely suggest a separate box clutch (McQueen, Bottega Veneta or DvF) for those occasions.
And, of course, a raffia tote or basket for those summer walks through a sun-kissed town to the beach for years to come. Even if you think you don’t need one, there will be time when that very bag will seem like the most obvious and best choice to finish an outfit and carry your daily essentials around. In style. I often think that a good straw bag is not only great in its own rights, but can easily replace any white leather bag that we often see as a summer essential. I have the white leather, but now I wish I had the raffia instead.
Here we have it. Five essential bags (shopper, tote, clutch, shoulder bag, raffia/straw tote). Plus an indulgent item. Because no matter how practical we are trying to be, the fashion is about a little fan, too. And my recent find, the bag that inspired this entire post, is going to be that element of fan for me. Should I choose to buy it, I will certainly introduce you to each other. Promise.
As a P.S. I would like to add that buying a very expensive designer bag isn’t essential in order to be stylish. Use examples above, but look around. High street, especially Mango, Karen Millen (check their clutches and shoulder bags – AMAZING!), Reiss and Whistles produce amazing collections each season, while Monnier Freres offers a few stylish, but affordable designs by some of the “it” names including Phillip Lim, Sonia Rykiel, Furla, Vanessa Bruno, Marc by Marc Jacobs, DvF, Jil Sander, Michael by Michael Kors and more.
Photo source: Glamour UK March 2012
As I am almost giving up on having a real summer, the idea of an outfit that looks both cosy-comfortable and chic becomes a hot topic.
I really can’t do summer clothes in cold weather. I am not prepared to bare it all just because the sun is shining occasionally – I like it when my feet are warm and I adore pumps and knitwear.
This look allows me to feel like myself, play with the summer dresses that are, sadly, spending more time in a wardrobe these days, and avoid wearing trousers and a trench – really, as much as I love a good trench coat, wearing it every day of summer when any type of coat feels odd, can become a bit depressing.
Photo source: elle.com
"Fashion anticipates, and elegance is a state of mind … a mirror of the time in which we live, a translation of the future, and should never be static."
Oleg Cassini
Photo source: Harper’s Bazaar March 1994
What is the point of Haute Couture? Essentially, to have something unique, designed by a talented individual and meticulously made by les petites mains. Having a haute couture outfit was a privilege for a selected few simply because their social status wouldn’t allow anything other than couture. That’s what Haute Couture was in the past.
Things have changed quite a bit since the times of Schiaparelli, Poirot and Coco Chanel, though, and now Haute Couture is something seen as fashion art, not something to put on every morning.
This is why I really did struggle through the latest Haute Couture week and a certain collection in particular. I really wanted (desperately needed) something more than an archival cigarette pant suit or an ill-fitted dress…
You see, my expectations of a Haute Couture collection is seeing a fairy tale, a dream, something incredibly special that makes us forget those suits and skirts we see enough of on a daily basis, and instead, just for a moment, imagine what it would be like to be a princess.
Elie Saab gave me this opportunity. I doubt there would be a woman who wouldn’t want to be wrapped in clouds of silk organza encrusted with sequins that look like myriads of tiny falling stars, highlight the natural glow of her skin in blush pink gold leafed jacquards, feel a touch of delicate Chantilly lace or a cooling velvety soft stream of floating silk fabric against her bare skin. It was the most sensual, beautiful and magical show of the week for me. The one I would definitely remember, for all the good reasons.
Photo source: elle.com, fashionising.com
Choosing a Monday editorial isn’t always easy. I browse my files searching for the one that will hit the right button and reflect my emotions. This one is so back to basics, timeless and pure. For some reason, it gives me that crystal-like, cool and fresh feeling of spring water… No idea why…
Photo source: Harper’s Bazaar US July 1993
