Dare To Balance

Do you ever feel like you are trying to balance a million things at the same time? I know, I do! Therefore, when I saw this Vogue Nippon (March, 2011) editorial, I just had to post about it. Balancing a bird cage on gigantic hair whilst wearing Alexander McQueen? Check! Ever feel like sailing away? Sure, why don't you just balance a boat and you will be battling the seas. With not a hair out of place, obviously! To the High Seas, I go! Just like model Karmen Pedaru in this editorial.

I am a not good at balancing things. I tend to walk around like a headless chicken most of the time. But this editorial shows me that you can be good at balancing and still look perfectly coiffed and oh, so stylish. Of course, you have to take everything I write about with a pinch of salt (I won't be walking around with a bird cage on my head, any time soon), but it's the sentiment (and the clothes & styling, of course!) behind this editorial that I love.

After Vogue Paris, Vogue Nippon is definitely a magazine of great inspiration. Are you good at balancing everything together? And are you this fashionable whilst doing so?

 

So, now I am off to blow dry my hair, and pack for the weekend and try to find something snazzy to wear on Saturday night, and and and and and....... hmmmm, I really need to work on this balance thing.

Images from fashiongonerogue.com

Time To Tie That Bow

Seeing recent pictures of Alexa Chung and Anna Dello Russo wearing bow ties only reinforces my love of this look. Preppy, slightly androgynous, but infinitely chic and sexy-I do love bow ties on an outfit. I just adore Alexa Chung's Chanel dress and please, can I have Anna Dello Russo's tailored suit?!

My question to you: Do you feel the same way about bow ties and this look? Let me know!

Alexa Chung Image from zimbio.com

Anna Dello Russo Image from stockholmstreetstyle

Catch Me If You Can

I have only had a chance to properly sift through the Couture Spring 2011 shows that have taken place, so far. And which design house came up with the Couture goods? Well, obviously they all did, but Dior was just out of this World. John Galliano always has fun with his designs, he always puts on a show to end all shows, every little detail is always exquisite. The designs are fabulous, the models looked like they were having lots of fun, this show has captured my heart and mind.

Pure opulence must have been the theme of the show, from the gowns, to the make-up and the poses the models were making on the catwalk.

As one Gwen Stefani song goes....

'If I was rich girl

Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na.....'

Did this show capture your hearts, also?

Images from zimbio.com and telegraph.co.uk/fashion

Mugshot Monday-Gwyneth vs My Republic

Technology has not been on my side this weekend. My camera has decided not to work, so this week's Mugshot Monday is quite old. Nearly six years old, in fact! This photo of me was taken when I was 17 years old (a baby). It was shot in October 2005 and I will never forget the similarity of December's Vogue (UK, 2005) cover shot with my photo. The pose is a little similar, don't you think?

The only question is: Do you prefer Gwyneth Paltrow's smile or my moody-esque glare? Hopefully, my camera will be up and running this week, so a 'proper' Mugshot will be on its way next week.

Did everyone have a great weekend?

Anyone Say Bum-Bag?

I got this Chesneau purse/ small bag from my Dad about five years ago for Christmas. To my shame, despite having it for so long, the tags were still waiting to be cut off. I am not a small bag kind of gal. I like a big, roomy bag, despite the effort of trying to find all my items, which magically disappear in said bag. But this beautifully crafted leather good was crying to be taken out of the house.

'First, I need to add something extra to you, Chesneau.' (A bit weird to be talking to a bag-not even a bag-a purse, yes?) So, I strolled in to River Island, confident in the knowledge that I would find something fabulous for this purse.......

....That something fabulous happened to be this scarf. At the back of the purse, you can attach a scarf/ strap and I took full advantage of this added feature.

Some might wonder what I might do with this...? Bum-bag, anyone? A very elegant bum-bag at that. They have been making a comeback after all! What do you think-would you wear this as a bum-bag? Be honest!

Bag: Chesneau

Scarf: River Island

Start The Day As You Mean To Go On

I will admit that I have an over active imagination. And, I'm sure, I am not alone. I am 23 years old, and approximately half of those years have been dedicated to day dreaming. Wish features high in my mental and verbal vocabulary. Have you ever heard of 'Be careful what you wish for?'

I think, I am currently wishing my life away. Stupid wishes, like 'I wish, I didn't have to go to work today.' What would happen if that wish came true and I lost my job? This is what I call a hollow wish. Everyone has to work. I just need to get on with it! I may not like my job, but hey, good things come to those who wait, right?

So, as a belated new years resolution, there will be no more hollow wishes. Instead, the wishes I make from here on in will be of the positive sort. Since, I started this blog, I have come to realise that I love (and not just like...LOVE) to write. I would be happy to tap, tap, tap all day long about fashion. (This does not mean that I am any good at it, though! That, my friends, is up to you). Therefore, I am going to work my hardest and try to develop my fashion writing skills.

So, the first positive wish? To be a fashion writer. I think with a lot of hard work and creativity that wish will come true. My second positive (edging on the fanciful and more materialistic) wish? To wear some D&G, preferably a piece from the Spring/Summer 2011 collection. It would be a sin not to wish about D&G!

This collection is just beautiful. This is the second thing I love today. One more daydream and then I am done, ok? Here is my perfectly acceptable wishful day wearing D&G:

Morning: Start the day, as you mean to go on with this bright floral sundress. And why not top it all off with a gingham bandana, Carrie Bradshaw style.

Afternoon: Staying with the bandana and keeping cool ('cause I am living in NYC with this wish) in denim culottes, of course keeping a touch of floral with that bag and a touch of gingham with that top.

Night: It's Friday night, otherwise known as date night. Why not finish the day with a bang by going Boho with this beautiful floral maxi dress. Always keeping those wedge espadrilles on my feet. D&G, at its best!

I need to ensure that this D&G wish will become a reality. Off to work I go!

D&G Spring/ Summer: do you love, as much as I do? Oh, and please tell me that you do a lot of wishing, also.......

Me And My Mini

Me and my mini-skirt

We catch ev'rybody's eye

When I go by, I hear them

Oh, that mini-skirt, oh, that mini-skirt

I do love a mini skirt, one that is short, but not too short. I wandered on to the Topshop website (as you do) and it was like skirt heaven. Mini skirt heaven. Whether it is a leather skirt you are lusting, a pleated skirt that you like or an a-line denim skirt that you fancy, well you know what you have to do.....

Are these minis for you? My favourite? Pleats, please! Gotta love some pleats for Spring/ Summer 2011.

1. Leather Skirt, £85

2.Pleated Multi-Coloured Skirt, £32

3. Denim, Full Skirt, £30

All Topshop

ME AND MY MINI-SKIRT: Coulter / Martin from lyricsplayground.com

Mugshot Monday-Take A Bow

Christmas may have ended nearly a month ago, but we still have all our decorations up. As much as I love Christmas, seeing a dead tree with all the decorations and lights drooping, is quite sad. Yesterday, we decided to have one final Christmas dinner. I'm talking the full works! Now, hopefully, we will be saying ta ta to the tree.

I just adore this H&M studded bow hairband. If you can't wear a bow on ehem, Christmas Day, when can you? Wearing a bow so vertically heightened is a big no-no during the week, my phone headset would just not allow such a thing to happen. It gets quite jealous, I'll let you know!

This is Mugshot Monday. (Even though, it is Tuesday in some parts of the World.) Do you like my bow? Do you have anything similar lurking in your wardrobe?

Keeping The Best 'Til Last

 This editorial is a preview of (hopefully) the exciting things to come in the February Issue of Vogue Paris. Model: Joan Smalls. Photographer: Mario Sorrenti. I cannot wait to see the rest of this editorial. Beautiful clothes & styling, a fierce model & pictures. Bring it on, Vogue Paris!

Are you as excited to see the rest of this editorial, as I am?

Images from models.com

Belle Michelle

Michelle Williams may be an actress, but I really believe she is not faking her smiles in this Marie Claire US (February 2011) editorial. Maybe her smile is due to the fact that she is wearing a beautiful red Valentino dress (2nd picture)? A possibility, maybe. What I do know is that I love these pictures of her and I all I want to do right now (if I was brave enough), is cut my hair and bleach it. Well, if it works for Michelle......

As Martin Charnin once said: 'You're never fully dressed without a smile.' So, what are you waiting for? Say cheese and smile! I may not be brave enough to chop and bleach, but I will certainly smile.

Both Images from fashiongonerogue

The Long & Wide Of It All

Despite loving my skinny jeans, at this time of the year after the excess of Christmas, the word skinny scares me. My own skinny jeans barely fit me at the moment-(case in point) when I sit down, they dig into my stomach. I know you have to suffer for fashion, but really? That is just not appealing!

However, what is appealing, I ask myself? The Givenchy Pre-Fall collection, I tell myself. Now, that is certainly attractive! Mr. Tisci, please sir, can I have some more? Wide legged trousers, skirts of great lengths, comfortable materials, dark and romantic colours. My curves would favour that pair of wide legged trousers far more, than my Topshop skinnies.

Do you like these looks? And please tell me that I was not the only glutton over the Christmas period?

Images from style.com

Mugshot Monday-Hat Humbug

Graduation hats? Hmmm, I don't think I'll be trying this trend on a day to day basis. Fun when receiving a piece of paper, but trust me, I whipped it off straight after the ceremony! Yes, I am a hat humbug, especially when it comes to this variety. I could wear the robe all day long, though. Major voluminous sleeves are my thing! What do you think about graduation robes?

Yes, this is Mugshot Monday, coming to you from My Republic of Fashion. So, tell me- what did you all get up to this weekend? Hope it was a fashionable one!

Sweet Dreams

I have to admit, I was a bit of a socialite for most of this week (hence the lack of posts). In the space of four days: I was in the hairdressers twice, got dolled up twice, slept about four hours for each of those nights. So, in other words-lots of fun!

This week, hopefully, will be more mellow and relaxing. I got this Coco Chanel book from my sister and so far, so good. I love reading about the somewhat mysterious legend that is Chanel; her life, her apartment, her inspirations and so on. Socialising doesn't allow for much fashionable reading, but I will more than make up for it this week. A nice bed time story, yes?

Have you read or are you reading this book, also? What do you think?

Coco Chanel- The Legend And The Life by Justine Picardie

Standing In The Spotlight

In all my shopping years on this planet, I don't think I have ever bought anything decent in the post Christmas sales. Do I really want a ratty last season bikini, just because it's €10 cheaper? Eh, no. No, I do not! However, when I spotted this teal and gemstone collar encrusted dress in Warehouse, I just couldn't resist. This was my first purchase of the year, perhaps the dress is a symbol of how shiny, bright and sparkly 2011 will be? I hope so!

This dress makes the rest of my clothes look dull and lifeless. I love how demure, but bold it is.  So, a belated New Years resolution- buy more colour! After all, colour me beautiful is the motto this Spring/ Summer. This dress will play a special role for me on Thursday. It will be my graduation dress. Graduating in teal and sparkle, yes, I cannot wait.

So, what was your first purchase this new year? Do you like my dress, or is it a bit too bright for your taste? As always, I love to know what you think!

Dress: Spotlight by Warehouse

Mugshot Monday-Masked

First of all, I hope everyone had a fantastic New Years? I know, I did! Hence the lack of posts over the past few days. I always get quite lazy around this time of year. Note to self: Snap. Out. Of. It.

Secondly, I am introducing a new weekly feature to my blog-Mugshot Monday. Basically, it will be a photograph or two of me which defines how my weekend went for me, in terms of fashion, of course! A good idea, do you think?

The photograph for my first Mugshot Monday was easy to choose. Faux fur coat, a feather and diamond encrusted mask and a big smile. This picture defines my New Years Eve in terms of fashion. Despite usually hating New Years Eve, I fully embraced it this year. I thought, why not start the year with a bang. Got to love some feathers and faux fur on a night like that!

How did you all celebrate NYE?

Feather Mask: Accessorize