Ballin'

I very rarely browse Etsy.  I find it's a black hole full of things I want.  I can easily spend 5 hours discovering the most beautiful items and getting lost in the beauty of everything I come across.  I suddenly imagine myself wearing long kaftans, silk jumpsuits and outrageous jewellery.  Etsy totally sucks me in.  Luckily I'm pretty good at avoiding it.  It's too annoying to browse on my phone and I rarely open my laptop these days.

I didn't however have much luck avoiding the beautiful and dainty jewellery of Illuminance Jewelry.

Everything is exquisitely made and insanely beautiful. Some of favourites that are headed my way...

 

 

 

 

 

all images below to Etsy seller.

Buy this, not that: Isabel Marant Zappy Belt

I've wanted just about everything that Isabel Marant has done, including the Zappy belt.  Then I thought about how I would wear it and a uniform of jeans, an oversized white shirt and sky high heels came to mind.  ASOS came to the rescue with something just about the same for a fraction of the price.

Isabel Marant Zappy Belt - ~AUD500

ASOS Multi Link Belt - AUD38

Asos Bauble Interlink Earrings,   Witchery Tash Woven Bag - $80,  Louboutin Pumps

Quick buys for spring

Have I mentioned how sick I am of all of my winter clothes?  Not only that, but I'm also sick of the weather requiring me to wear these clothes.  I'm sick of the same old knits and I'm tired of the tights.  I'm sick of the cold air and wind penetrating every layer that I manage to pull on.  The clothes have had enough and so have I. 

I did some (window) shopping overthe weekend, looking out for the new trends.  Unfortunately the Australian chain stores and designers haven't caught onto the minimalist trend, so there's lots of volume, lots of layers, plenty of bows, florals and a general boho feel to the summer fashions.  Yet again it looks like I'm going to be dependant on online fashions from overseas.  I do want to support the Australian retail sector.  I really really do....

With my trip confirmed for the end of the year (and my list of restaurants and bars and must-stay-at-resorts growing my the day) mindless shopping is out and a carefully edited list of items is in!

And not one to waste time, I've already ticked some items off that list!

• grey cotton boyfriend blazer.  Been on my wishlist for seasons and seasons now... FOUND
• black shorts/playsuit
• a pastel coloured, summer weight cardigan
• printed smocks and blouses
• a particular loose, draped leather and cottom singlet that I saw today
• bright, pretty clutch bags... saying goodbye to the black carry all sized handbag and keeping it real with a clutch for day!  FOUND!
• colourful bangles
• simple black heeled sandals.  You have no idea how hard they are to find!
• metallic flat leather sandals.  The old much loved pair needs to be replaced!

These ASOS goodies are on their way to me as we speak!

Alex Perry for Diva

Mr Alex "Expensive" Perry is putting his name behind the chain store accessory brand Diva, available in stores in September.  Expect lots of girly touches with pearls, crystals and feminine colours.

I wanted feminine and pretty with an edge of contemporary glamour and the fresh, sexy design that diva is followed for. The idea is to bring clothes to life with beautiful butterflies and pretty strings of beads that drape and adorn any gorgeous gown,’ said Perry.







‘Perry girls and divas alike will have jewellery that makes them feel, and look, a million dollars – at a diva price. Without giving any secrets away, I am also hoping to see a lot of Alex Perry for diva at Spring Carnival this year,’ said Perry.

via diva

The Corporate Wardrobe - Part 2

One of the most searched for and read posts on my blog (according to the feedjit widget) is my post about The Corporate Wardrobe.  Lots of google searches for that one!

I still maintain what I wrote in that original post.  Unless you're fortunate to work from home, chances are that you'll be wearing the corporate stuff a lot more than the rest of your wardrobe, so it really is important to buy the best quality you can afford.  I find that a lot of trousers sag and stretch around the knee and butt area after a few wears.  Not a good look.  The seasons are changing on both sides of the world, so lots of new goodies should be coming into stores.  Look out of the spend and save offers... instead of buying a couple of cheap thrills, save up for something a little bit better.  9/10 times you really do get what you pay for.

One of my favourite suits is 4 years old.  I was a poor student at the time, but I stretched my budget and 4 years later still wear it at least once a fortnight.  The suit isn't polyster and that's the trick.  It's a cotton and wool blend - warm in winter and allows me to breathe in summer.  Wool is a wonderful fabric for work clothes, it holds its shape really well and lasts a long time.

Again, I don't have a lot of stuff, but what I do have I adore and it all fits me really well.  If I "grow out" of things, they're out.  I always try to feel my best and most confident at work and ill fitting clothes don't help me feel that way.  I wear every piece at least once every 7-10 days.  Case in point - I only have one pair of black pumps - classic Sergio Rossi eek skin pointy heels. But I take good care of them - they see the shoe man once every 2-3 months for repairs!

Tweed!  Great look for work with a pretty blouse.  But make sure that it's at least a wool blend!  That's the big tip.

A black wool/cashmere cardigan.  If your office is like mine, it's FREEZING.  This little guy can be work under  jackets for added warmth or over things when it's a bit chilly.

Don't be afraid of details - ruffles, pussy bows, lace around the edges.. and remember, it doesn't have to be black!

I also love a bit of detail - pleats, zips.. a bit of personality

Printed shifts!  

Loose dresses that can be layered over t shirts and knits, but also be worn on the weekend tick all of my boxes.

Remember I said zips?

3/4 sleeves

More about basics - tees, knits, jersey - below...

If you buy a pair of shoes this coming season, make it a pair of ankle boots.  You can wear them to work, or on the weekend and they're less sexy than a pair of knee high boots for work.  They'll still keep your feet warm and protect you from the elements.

See, very subtle...

Military detailed coats... love!

Tied with my love of cocoon coats... There's till a good few months of cold weather left in Melbourne.

Now, basics... a tee, either long or short sleeve, be it cotton, jersey or wool is a God send.  You can layer it under items for extra warmth and save yourself the ironing or dry cleaning bill!  Straight in the wash.

Opaque tights hide a multitude of sins (including winter wary, white legs)...

All these items can be worn for seasons to come and can be mixed and matched rather easy.  If you have any further questions or consultation requests, get in touch with me.  Corporate wardrobes are my passion! 

all images via NAP due to ease of navigation through the site.. can do a "budget" post if you, my dear readers, wish!

US Vogue

Melinda Maria Pod Ring

Late night assessments of ones life usually revolve around clocking up some serious couch time on a Sunday night, as well as reading, watching World Cup repeats and making lists. It sometimes also results in online shopping. (Un)fortunately my internet at home has not worked (the ISP technician, nor the Telstra technician has been able to solve the problem of my signal that keeps dropping out) which has limited my access to the mountains of online retailers currently having sales. And I've been much too busy at work to indulge in my online shopping weakness.

However, the signal held up just long enough for me to order the Melinda Maria pod ring that I've wanted since I fell in love with it after seeing it on this free bird a few weeks ago! I love so many Melinda Maria pieces - I can see this becoming an addiction! Thankfully the only Australian online stockist that I could find has a very small selection, so I'm safe for now!

The ring arrived this morning and is even more perfect in person than I'd imaged. Really well made and gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous!

Modern Pearls

Did you know that about a century ago, Pierre Cartier exchanged a double strand necklace of natural pearls for a mansion on 5th Avenue that belonged to the financier Morton F Plant?  That mansion is now Cartier's flagshop store on 5th... Hmm Mrs Plant must have really wanted the necklace, eh?

I got a pair of pearl earrings from my aunt for my 12th birthday.  She got them for me because her aunt got her a pair of pearl earrings for her 12th birthday.  My aunt was born in New York City to Hungarian migrant parents.  She went to boarding school and converted to Judaism because her best friend was Jewish.  She was a high flying executive in the advertising world in Manhattan and after her husband died, she moved to California, where she met my uncle.  They were never married, but she is still my aunt.  Neither of them have children of their own and when I stayed with them for a month when I was 16, lets just say that I was spoilt rotten.  I think I got more gifts that Christmas than I have for the other 25 Christmases all together!  She is a complicated woman (and so am I) but one I admire, even though we are no longer on very good speaking terms.

The earrings sat in their little box until I was about 22 and I have pretty much worn them every day since then.  It is fair to say that my love affair for pearls has well and truly blossomed.  I have a lovely set of (unfortunately) faux pearl Mimco necklaces with a crystal clasp and ONE DAY I will add a few from Chanel, don't worry about that.

The Corporate Wardrobe

Putting together the perfect corporate wardrobe would have to be one of the biggest fashion challenges.  There is so much ill fitting, poor quality stuff out there that you'd be paying hundreds of dollars for.  It's also very difficult to find the right balance between looking good and being taken seriously for your merit.  It's often a catch 22.   I love blogging and I love visiting blogs, but sometimes I am blown away by girls who can post a different outfit every day. I couldn't imagine owning so many things.  I don't have a lot but I love it all - I make sure that everything fits perfectly and I wear it all the time - in particular the corporate wardrobe - most things are worn a few times a month at the very least.  The key to ensuring that I do not get sick of things quickly is to buy things that are very me style wise, that are well made and well cut and that go with a lot of other items in my wardrobe.  The experimenting and fashion I leave for play time.

Here's my pick of essential corporate staples.

I'd love to know what your corporate wardrobe staples are too

Pretty, floaty tops in neutral colours.  These can be worked back with skirts, trousers or even jeans for casual wear.

Black pencil suits with detail - zips, buttons, belts.  I love unexpected details in really feminine pieces.

A trench coat!  I love belted coats that are roomy enough to layer over a whole outfit.  I feel the cold quickly and I love having a nice coat to keep me warm.

Printed blouses... nice to layer under good basics.

Shift dresses.  Nothing beats an easy dress to throw on in the morning when you're not sure what to wear!  I love the sleeves on this one - can get away wearing it without a jacket.. with a skinny waist belt or some dainty beads

A roomy black bag.  I carry my life in my bag - diary, notebook, files, a book to read on the tram.. my lunch.  You name it, it has to fit in my bag.

Dainty jewellery.  I'm not a fan of big, chunky statement pieces for the office.  I don't want my necklace or chandelier earrings distracting from what I'm saying in a meeting.

Wrap dresses - serve a similar purpose to the shift dress.  They work on their own.

Black pumps with a mid (8/9cm) heel.  I think shoes often make an outfit.  Get them "serviced" regularly.. the tips changed, a clean and polish.  It's unimpressive to see a man or woman walk into a room, with dirty, scuffed shoes with holes on the sole and the tip hanging off the heel.

I love this look - I like the cropped sleeves which give the blouse more focus and the details on the jacket with the big buttons.

Another great outfit with the ruffle detail detail and great fitting skirt.  

My biggest pleasure when taking people out for personal shopping is doing their corporate wardrobe and being update with a list of compliments they've received on their looks.

all images from NAP.