Friday 31 January 2014

Ten Fashion Essentials for 2014: The White Shirt

Number two on the list for 2014, is the classic white shirt. Now before you drop your jaw in sarcastic excitement, this time around the white shirt has a fresh look and can even be worn as a dress. Don't just go for your average cotton blend or linen, look for mesh, silk or even a structured upholstery  fabric.

Architecture and fashion combined.

With this trend you can either take it back in time, with a 1950's silhouette or go a bit futuristic with sharp lines and structure.

Long sleeves and pin tuck details on the blouse, paired with the soft pastel of the pencil skirt, gives the look a vintage and feminine feel.

The interesting cross-over detail and sharp shoulders of the shirt, paired with a leather pencil skirt gives the monochromatic look a clean and fresh make-over.

This embroidered shirt with high collar is available from Zara

Off course, if you are currently residing where the sun is shining, a shirt dress is the perfect option.

This shirt dress is from Thakoon.

When it comes to styling this essential the possibilities are endless, following are a few of my favourite looks, featuring the classic white shirt and shirt dress.













Still thinking it's just a boring old white shirt?

Next week we are going below the belt . . . as in shoes.







                                                                   

Saturday 25 January 2014

Ten fashion essentials for 2014: The Trench Coat

It is the beginning of a new year and let's be honest, even though we promise ourselves that we won't buy any new clothes this year, who are we kidding? So instead of spending your savings bit by bit on useless crap, why not invest in well-made tailored garments that will last multiple seasons and you can wear for years to come. As fashion darling Carrie Bradshaw was quoted saying:


For the next ten weeks,each week I will do a post on my top buys for 2014, concerning colour, cut, tailoring, where to buy, local and internationally and how to style it.

So
Without further ado, my first investment buy for this year.

 We all know the classic trench coat and if you have one or inherited one - hold on to it girl.
 If however you are still searching for your perfect trench match consider the following tips when it comes to buying a trench coat that you can dress up or down.

 Keep the shape neat and figure hugging, making sure the shoulder and side flaps are not too wide.
 Hemline should finish just above or on the knee. Unless you have the length to pull it off, a longer trench will shorten your frame and make your legs look unflattering.
 Keep it simple - too much extra detail will make you look bulky.
 Be wary of double breasted jackets, which can create the illusion of width.
 For ease of movement the coat should have a fantail pleat or inverted pleat at the center back.
 Choose a neutral colour such as beige, camel, black or grey, to insure you can wear your trench through the  seasons.

This leather-trimmed cotton-blend canvas trench is Thakoon and available on net-a-porter.com

This classic beaty is from Country Road and available at WoolWorths.

Styling your tench coat:

For a nice casual look, opt for jeans or leggings, a pair of knee-length leather boots, a vest and your coat worn open. To dress it up, a  bright dress, high heels, your coat buttoned up and loosely belted and your hair in a messy bun. Or take a look at the images below for some inspiration.










As soon as I catch the first autumn breeze in Cape Town, you will be seeing me in my newly purchased champagne coloured floor length trench, paired with the next essential item on the list - the classic white shirt, which gets a modern update on the blog next week. Until then.











Monday 20 January 2014

Snack Time: Italian Herb Baked Spinach Chips

Ya so these are delicious. It counts as one of your five-a-day fruit and veg servings, it contains only 0.55g of fat per serving and it won't leave your fingers greasy after finishing a whole bowl. Move over kale chips, spinach is in town.


Ingredients:

2 cups baby spinach leaves
1 Tbs extra virgin olive oil
Italian seasoning blend to taste

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius.
2. Line a baking sheet with foil and set aside.
3. In a bowl place the leaves, oil and seasoning and combine, taking care not to tear the leaves.
4. Place leaves on the baking seat, make sure they don't overlap.
5. Bake for 8 minutes, let it cool for 2 minutes.

Transfer to a bowl and serve with plain yogurt and basil dip.

Friday 17 January 2014

Travel Update: Vleesbaai

I have been going internet free for the last week, enjoying the last days of my holiday. What a treat to rest up for the year ahead at our beach house in Vleesbaai, where all the Vaalies have all ready headed back to Gauteng and we practically had the beach to ourselves.

We have been going to Vleesbaai since toddler days and it's great to have grown up with friends that you only get to see over the holidays, but still have a great bond with. I hope our Vleesbaai home stays in the family,so that one day I can pass that joy onto another generation.



We spent the week tanning, taking early morning strolls, going for sunset jogs and heading in to Mosselbay and George for the occasional shopping trip and lunch.

On our way to peace and tranquility.



The view from our balcony, captured at different times during the day.



Early morning strolls delivered beautiful photographs.






The farm landscape was as charming and breathtaking on the way.


 I tried pure organic honey straight from the waxy comb for the first time-delish!

 On our way home, thanks for a great breather mam

Vleesbaai is my absolute hideaway haven, I always leave this place, feeling relaxed, revived
and ready for the year ahead.

Tuesday 7 January 2014

What to watch, what to wear

After watching the movie Before Sunrise last night and the sequel, Before Sunset this morning and am about to watch the third movie Before Midnight(can you tell I'm on holiday?), I can tell you that I have found new movie favourites - move over P.S I love you and Harry Potter.  Before Sunrise was made in 1995, the sequel in 2004 and the third movie was made last year.


The first two movies have been around for quite a while. After someone recommended it to me and I finally had the time to watch it, I was not disappointed. I won't give away any details, just that it is about two strangers, sharing their views on life, love and seeking self-fulfillment, the story line picks up every time, after nine years - no big climax, just a beautiful simple love story.

The first movie is set in Vienna and the sequel in Paris - how very cliche, however, after watching the sequel, I thought that this article by Vogue about 'How to dress Parisian' was very fitting and inspiring http://www.vogue.com.au/blogs/spy+style/how+to+dress+like+a+parisian,28143

I am not a dreamer and don't care too much for cliche romantic movies(just a little, I am a girl after all) - I am sure, I am not the only one, but I really do recommend these movies(for my sake now I hope the third movie is as good). If you don't like it, then recommend another one for me, if it manages to put a smile on your face - well, no need to thank me.

Sunday 5 January 2014

Fashion Update: Kimono?Yes!

Translated it means 'thing to wear', but the kimono is back and not just as a simple thing to throw on or a cover up - This season it is taking center stage.

 I was first introduced to the kimono in the series, 'The New Girl', where the always flamboyant Schmidt wears his too short kimono as leisure wear in the loft, next I received a brief where I had to design and make a futuristic kimono, lets just say that the only time I will ever wear said futuristic kimono is too a dress-up party as Yoda. Putting my kimoNO experiences behind me, I will definitely be sporting a kimono this summer, in a neutral colour, clean cut and  from a light weight fabric, draped over the shoulders to keep the windy Cape Town evenings from biting to hard.

I bought this kimono from H&M for 40 Euros.

Some kimono clad creatures to inspire you.











 Belted and paired with skinny jeans and heels or worn open over a summer dress and sandals, this garment is basically the best friend in your wardrobe, covering any curves that you are not to keen on showing, whilst making you look cool, chic and right on trend.