MACARONS & CUPCAKES

This season is all about print and colour. And it seems that the paisley craze gets us this time! Paisley has a versatile shape, it can be used for almost every pieces of wardrobe, by woman or man! (not a surprise we found a lot of bow tie with paisley print on it). It symbolises and speaks elegance; royal families all over the globe are often spotted wearing clothes and accessories with this print. And this time round there are quite some designers play with a lot of paisley for their Spring Summer 2012 collection. Jil Sander, Jonathan Saunders, JW Anderson, Stella McCartney, Haider Ackermann.. just to name a few. Truth be told, this bring-back-paisley collection gives a whole fresh idea on how to create a new wardrobe with paisley print on it! Inspired much?

Image sources: Style.

Image sources: here and here.

Mary Katrantzou is undoubtedly the designer of the moment! The influential one, might I say. With her former textile and architect background, she is gifted with a special flair in producing beautiful clothes which are rich in texture, print and colour. Her pieces on evening dresses are to die for! It’s no wonder that she won the Emerging Talent Designer Award at the 2011 British Fashion Award, as she truly deserved that. Recently, despite coming a bit late, I found out she’s collaborating with Topshop. I love that dress above, one of the collaborations sold in the store. It’s quite a shame that they were sold out far too soon in the store but that must mean everybody loves Mary K! I’m now in full of anticipation waiting for her new masterpieces on Autumn Winter 2012 Collection at LFW.

Just as I’m planning to invest some new pieces for my wardrobe, comes Madewell’s Spring 2012 collection as the source of inspiration. I love the twist of quirky, chic and easy, and I’m particularly fond of the left-most outfit, such  a cute combination of polka pencil skirt, denim t-shirt and vintage bag. Definitely will copy this outfit into my everyday’s look. I like Madewell’s products a lot. Check out the complete lookbook on their website.

This time around I feel a strong affinity towards denim. It’s very timeless and versatile and gives a twist of easy chic to almost all style we embrace. I’ve got a few style inspiration on my hands now and pretty sure I’ll go fabrics shopping this afternoon or tomorrow, for denim fabrics hunting. Then take them to my trusty tailor. Have a good day, people!

images source Vanessa Jackman, The Sartorialist.

I’m completely enamoured with these pictures David Burton covered for Elle France. Under the theme Swinging Classiques, everything is just beyond perfection! Check out the autumnal editorial here. And anyway, it’s October already?! oh yes, where have I been.

And here are to my favourites from London Fashion Week SS 12 Collection. Don’t you love the colours? Because I very much do! I’m also fond of simple cuts and wearable pieces. In fact, the simpler the better. Jonathan Saunders is among my most favourites! Lots of love for his collection.

I’m definitely loving the dainty colours of Spring/Summer 2012! And here are some exciting collections from the New York Fashion SS12 runway, to my favourite. Prepare to get jaw-dropped, I’m serious. Yummy colours on radar!Images sources: Style.

Just a while ago I wrote about my liking towards polkadot, then some times later I arrived in several articles discussing polkadot trend for Fall 2011. That’s to say, polka-dot is making a comeback and hits the runways as well as high street stores. Some designers (say Marc Jacobs, Stella Mc Cartney, Diane Von Furstenberg, Paul Smith to name a few) play with this playful print for their Fall 2011 collection. So we could expect for spotty feast in the stores shortly – making me a happy kid. All hail polka-dots!

I came across New Zealand brand Twentysevennames and found myself smitten by the Winter 2012 collection. Credit to Miss Moss blog for the link.

DIY scheme is from Pinterest and both envelope clutches are from ASOS.

So, envelope clutch happened to be the trend of Spring 2011. It meets all the criteria I want in a clutch bag: simple, sleek and chic. In another good news, it doesn’t look too complicated to do it ourselves as seen above. Now, I might only need a lot of patience and a bunch of luck to create a decent one according to the paths given (thank you, internet-sphere!) DIY is so much fun and challenging. Are you tempted enough?

Pictures from Face Hunter.

As much as I love my dad, sometimes I grumbled when he commented so much on my outfit (such a fashion-police, oh my dad!). Take something that we debate on quite a lot – polkadot prints. I love polkadot as it sparks playfulness! But apparently, polkadot is looking too vintage and old for his liking. He fathoms that this dotted print is only allowed for granny. How dare he! Well, I know this kind of prints can sometimes be intriguing. However, the streetstyle pictures above are proof to defy his opinion, yay! They are all young and chic in polkadots. I love that they pull off the polkadot prints and pair with other pieces to elevate the whole look. Mix it with chic and bold accesories and avoid too much vintage accessories, then the looking-old-fuss will be far away from us! I’m pretty much inspired to play and dig this polkadot patterns more and more. Polkadot is my favourite, fact!

1. Babydoll Dress by Boutique, TOPSHOP ; 2. Coach Classic Bag via Net-A-Porter ; 3. Sweet Simpli-city Bowl  via Modcloth ; 4. Shoe Have It All via Modcloth ; 5. Cooking Print via Modcloth ; 6. Lomo Fisheye2 I love You via lomography ; 7. Berry Dots Swatch

We Indonesians are celebrating our Independence Day two days from now. Suddenly my childhood memories are rushing back in – to when the euphoria and celebration of Independence Day was much more hustling and bustling, unlike these days. Well, maybe it’s only me who grew up too fast leaving that glorious moment, haha. That childhood memories exactly what makes me bring up the Independence Day theme for this particular post. I braced the colour of our national flag – Red and White as once was told that red means “brave” and white means “holy”. So, Happy Independence Day to all of us Indonesian! and Happy Birthday, my country!

sources: Stockholm Street Style, Vanessa Jackman

Pleated skirt has been making its comeback since the past few seasons. I don’t exactly notice when it all started but I believe it has stayed awhile in the market. It’s ladylike much and simply lets our inner school-girl soul out. Remember junior and high school uniform, dear girls? Ah, those days. Now it comes in variety of colours, more fun and playful. I particularly love that it can go with about any style we want to embrace – casual, classic, vintage, or glamour – just make sure you pick the right colour. Whatever style you go with, this skirt is of a sartorial elegance splash to your whole look.

Whether you are looking for statement accesory or a mere unique one, I can tell that those number rings from Lulu Frost will satisfy your hunger for something bold. I fell in love at the first sight with them, they are too irresistible. The numbers ornament and gold coverage make perfectly elegant combination. So, are you now contemplating about which number to pick? p.s. they also come in necklace and earring.

Raise your hand up if you are one of those people who often experience frustating what-to-wear days, eventhough we keep on buying clothes in a regular basis and there are a hell lot of them in the wardrobe already. Ok, I raise mine up! It’s ridiculous, isn’t it? But  worry not, dear reader, there is solution to every problem. Stay calm and chin up whenever that kind of frustration kicks in and take out some staple pieces that won’t go wrong. My favourite go-to look is, like nothing else, the Breton Sailor ensemble – putting together breton’stripe shirt, trusty skinny jeans, ballet flats and vintage purse. They are my style saviour and comfort zone, indeed. Don’t forget to put on red lipstick, tie your hair up and then say goodbye to frustrating day. What? You don’t already have them in your wardrobe? Fast get them!

I bought this book in a whim whilst waiting for a flight departure (it was a bloody 3-hour flight delay for God’s sake! but never mind). I’ve never thought of myself as a whimsical or impulsive buyer and tend to think twice (or sleep over that new stuff I lust over) when it comes to shopping. However, this time was totally different and I didn’t regret one bit! As a matter of fact I’m head over heels in love with this book. The Parisian style has always been my penchant. The Parisians are probably born to be chic, “chic” is in their blood already, thus I always found their style beckoning. Of course there are some basic rules – the do’s and dont’s, staple items – about the Parisian chic look. In the book written by the Parisian herself, Ines de la Fressange, she reveals some secrets to get her locally chic look. With 350 colour illustrations, this book is very easy to digest and nowhere close to boring. This book also takes us for a little tour around Paris, to some secret shops of the writers’ and Parisians’ favourite, where we can discover hidden gems. I’m totally loving this book. Emm, I should probably thank the long flight delay that I got the chance to spend some times in a bookstore and arrived with this book, tee hee..

Sources: The Sartorialist, Easy Fashion

I love the vintage feel from the streetstyle shots above. It feels so much easy-chic and classic.

If people were to ask me who my style icon is or whose style is my strong penchant, I would immediately answer: Alexa Chung! In fact, I might not be the only one who adores her style. Yes, she’s everybody’s muse, the hippest, chicest and most blogged-about style icon of this era. She excels in throwing the epitome-of-chic ensembles, almost effortlessly. It’s as if the ensembles conceive an idea that simplicity is actually the ultimate of chic. No wonder if she attracts a lot of fashion labels to work with or to just simply put her name into their products. Mulberry launched “Alexa” bag just a year ago and it has been going through a remarkable success in sales. Her collaboration with fashion label Madewell is just as successful. And of course, they are only a few of many works she has made in fashion-related industries. Not to mention each pieces in the whole outfit is considered staple – often ends up being ooh-ed and ahh-ed by people and tops the latest trend radar! She radiates real sexiness without having the urge to wear sexy clothes, and for me, that’s awesome, like no other! A source said that she even rather be known as funny than sexy. I sense a girl-next-door vibe in her. Well, of course, there are many chic celebrities out there we can pick as a style icon but Alexa Chung.. she’s like nobody. Her style can’t simply go wrong, a true trend-maker.

source: British Vogue, June 2011, page 148-153.

It’s been said that fashion has no limit. It brims with creative ideas which at times may strike in surprise and quirk. But keep in mind that we shall not zap creativity because it makes life more alive and without one, life is dull! For me, it’s exciting to see and shift through different collection between designers, season by season. And about this time, Danielle Scutt’s latest jewelleries collection for TOPSHOP is a win in my heart. All the pieces did surprise me, in a positive way of course. I mean, teapot and red lipstick? Who would expect to find them in necklace/earring/ring/bracelet? Truth be told, those pieces succeed to give visual feast to my eyes. Find them at TOPSHOP.

Images sources: Streetstyle Aesthetic, The Fashionist, The Locals

It’s summer back again! Take a little break and indulge yourself with a little treat, escape to the beach. Oh, and speaking of beach, an impeccable swimsuit is a must. That ruched wrap-effect swimsuit from Clube Bossa is the perfect one. I love the classic and elegant vibe it exudes. So, to the beach we go!

This book is very helpful for those who are still pursuing their own personal style. Amanda Brooks wrote it well. “… finding your personal style is really about discovering yourself. There’s lots of room for experimentation along the way, but arriving at a strong sense of style that suits you and makes you feel great everywhere depends on confidently knowing who you are and what is important to you.” – Amanda Brooks, I love your style, page 21. Into 3 big categories – definable style, indefinable style, shopping – she reveals every secret she knows about building a personal style. I’m halfway through the last page now.

We all know that fashion trend constantly changes every year bringing out either: fresh, recycled, or revisited trend – blast from the past – ideas.  Let’s take it now, it’s the year of colour-blocking where the pops of bright colours and colour-blocking clothes/accessories are packing the market. Is it not right to follow latest trend, you ask? Well, if it’s me you’re asking to, my answer is, “of course, it’s right”. I am a trend-follower myself and I love bright colours, too – making this year is my year. However, I do agree that having a personal style is more important than merely following the latest trend – otherwise, we might end up turning to a fashion victim. So, personal style, that’s the heart of the matter.

Speaking of a personal style, I virtually know a person with one thereof: Carrie Harwood. She is a fashion blogger, owner of blog WishWishWish – my all-time favourite blog, very inspiring. It dates back 3 years ago when I accidentally found the blog and I still confirm that I’m a loyal reader to date. Dive into the posts and you’ll agree that she embraces and commits to classic/vintage style by establishing her own signature touch – beehive, red lipstick, classic dresses, vintage-toned pictures, etc.

I barely find someone like her in fashion world of this era. Whilst the fashionistas are busy pulling off the latest trend, she remains still and preserves her personal style. Her blog, anyway, is contagious. Vintage wasn’t my strong penchant before – at least not until I found her blog and saw her pretty outfit pictures, I’m smitten. There must be a special knack that she has in putting things together to create a staple and pretty outfit that shouts “vintage/classic style isn’t always boring”. I second that. Also some time round she shares some tutorials (i.e: how she makes a beehive, how she edits pictures, etc) and her encounters during charity-shopping – that makes me secretly wish I live in her town, to venture out the charity shops and go back home bringing a handful of beautiful stuff with me. Ah, I believe it isn’t about beautiful stuff only – but special eyes to dart and pick the stuff, and creativity to put them together into a good-looking outfit. Carrie has both as I believe.

People with own personal style are always more alluring than those of none. Despite still being versatile to any style at the moment, I hope I’m on my way to define and establish mine after experimenting with many. Quote from Coco Chanel, “Fashion fades, only style remains the same”, I will keep that in mind.

All pictures are taken from WishWishWish.

Covetable pieces from Pre-fall 2011 runway collection!

1. TIBI New York; 2. Nina Ricci; 3. Mulberry; 4. TIBI New York; 5. Stella McCartney; 6. Fendi

Source from Elle.

I’ve lately been lured by images of girls on bike. Somehow chic and alluring! Just like those girls in the pictures.

Photo courtesy of citizen couture, the sartorialist, hanneli.

Despite being very obedient to the latest trend of this year – the colour blocking – I don’t give a damn. My fantasy is prone to get wilder when things come to colour blocking.

The pops of colours above is a reminiscence of my romance with a good old friend, candy floss. Fact is, we’re still good friends until now and will remain forever. Me and candy floss.

Top Topshop, skirt topshop, sandal zara.  Model’s picture is courtesy of Vanessa Jackman.