30 December 2011

2012 Resolutions: Beauty, Fashion and Other Concerns

Unlike the many other resolutions I've made - throughout the year, not just now that a new one is about to begin - I have all intentions to really keep these going. Really. 


Here are the essential elements I want to implement in 2012:


Beauty

  • Wear more sunscreen (SPF 25 and up): One of the most significant considering I live in the Caribbean. As a brown skinned lady I tend to let this slip more than I should thinking I don't really need it but I don't want to face the aftermath so I will approach this with diligence!
  • Wash all my make up brushes at least once a week.
  • Exfoliate: Face and Body. Would like to get my hands on a Body Shop Cactus Body Brush to use in the shower and make my life easier. And smoother.
  • Mani-perfection: I'm not really a fan of manicures at the salon (seems like a punishing experience for nails after some time) so I do my nails myself but I'd like to keep them well polished more often instead of opting out with clear polish.
  • Touch my face less: Anyone who has seen Contagion gets this. For those of you who haven't, it's just not good news for your skin - or your health for that matter.
  • Acquire selective vision: I vow to no longer look in the mirror and point out every flaw but to see the beautiful features before me. I may even go so far as so say, "good morning beauty!" to myself. Too far? Perhaps.


Fashion

  • Be more daring: I want to experiment with more adventurous looks this time around. Timidity and fashion are not friends.  I'm growing balls as we speak.
  • Travel somewhere to experience winter: And buy many fabulous coats and boots and other winter gear I can't wear in the Caribbean.
  • Become a ballerina: I wish. As someone who has all but sworn off heels for life (oh the agony of those 4" & 5" gorgeous devils!) I will own many ballet flats. And moccasins. And sandals. And other flat fashionable footwear. No flipflops. Flipflops are for the birds.
  • Make more meaningful purchases: This is a tough one. Everything is meaningful in the store when you see it and just have to have it. So I guess what I mean is buy what I need. Although need is subjective...
  • Get with the clutch: Only when I needed one recently did I realise I am sans clutch. One of my besties gifted me a lovely royal blue one for Christmas which I adore but, I need to buy clutches. And yes, this would qualify as a meaningful purchase. "Sans clutch" I said!
  • Become besties with a tailor: We all need a tailor in our lives, they are the key to success in fashion. Most of the clothes we buy are made for standard sizes and let me tell ya, as a 5'2" petite gal my size is all but standard. 


Other Resolutions

  • Listen to music less when I walk around the city: I always miss so many interesting things that can add richly to my city-strolling experience. And can avoid getting hit by a bus or trolley pushing vagrant.
  • Quality time with Blanket: No, not the late great MJ's son - an actual blanket. I always go to the movies with my blanket and need to do so more next year because I missed so many great movies in 2011!
  • Planning and Implementation: I have so many ideas for this blog, it's crazy. I haven't been able to really venture out and do what I need to do to get it rolling but I've already started laying down plans for 2012. Here's hoping you'll be hearing from me more!

What is your resolution list looking like?

Yours,

A.

16 December 2011

Things I Love: Shoe Shopping

There's just nothing quite like a day of ogling beautiful shoes for hours on end, trying on pair after pair then settling on one (or one of many) that you just must have. Just thinking about it is reviving me. Super exhausted after a day of running all around the city with the bestie getting late Christmas gifts (tis the season for tardiness!), fabulous bargain jeans, turtle rings and scented things. Only just when we were both on the verge of fainting did we stop to eat and regroup. Then we practically helped close a store. Sigh. The lives we lead!


With Oxfords and other lace-up flats being all the rage for some time now, they've popped up in all sorts of colours, patterns and other variations. One of my favourite stores in the heart of the city, Blaanix, keeps them all in stock. Check out the many adorable (and affordable!) beauties I spied today.









But even with this selection I decided to get myself a lace-free pair of leopard print slippers that I adore. 


P.S.: Spy the swollen feet? Side effect of being in the city on a Friday in the midst of Christmas sales.

Yours,

A.

5 December 2011

I Have A Dream...

...that one day all men will be stylish and smooth but not possess so much swag that it inflates their ego or tampers with their good nature. But it's just a dream. A dream recently coming to fruition though is one where men are paying as much attention (if not more) to their shoes as other aspects of their outfit. And no - not just their Air Jordans or other man-magnet SNEAKER.




I actually did wake up today thinking of men's shoes though but I blame Gucci. Their men's shoes are crazy in the best way. The first one to catch my eye because of its brilliant hue was this Blue Velvet Moccasin (make that blue velvet with blue leather trim - need I say more?). Simple and Classic.



Understandably the Gucci budget is unattainable to most so I also went off in search of equally chic yet much more affordable footwear for the everyday male fashion aficionado working with a budget.

A suitable alternative to this US$495 Gucci moccasin is the Cole Haan Air Monroe Penny which goes for US$198. 
Note: What also makes this very guy friendly is the Nike-AIR technology in the heel which gives you sneaker comfort without the sneaker. Nice.


In keeping with the moccasin look which is enjoying its moment in the fashion spotlight, I also love the glossy Gucci Black Patent Leather Moccasin which is adorned with a velvet strip. 


Perhaps it's the shine that drew me in but when all else in your outfit is neat and sleek these shoes will be the perfect understated pop if you're timid with colour or depending on the occasion. These cost US$570 but you can get a similar look from Calvin Klein for just US$130 with the Guilford.


Next on the list were the Gucci Tan Lace-Up Oxfords. I like the detail in these shoes; the fade, the perforations, the stitching, and the embossed Gucci script. Said details (and brand name) are probably why they cost US$565.


But you can get those details in the Ted Baker Hake 2 shoes which don't have the perforations but have everything else for only US$185.


Last but not least on the list: Remember those Oxfords with tassels your grandfather used to wear that made you think he was so cool? Decades later, they're back. The thing is, had you worn these even 4 years ago you would have been ridiculed but guess what - they're cool again! Fashion is a vicious cycle. Gucci has this Black Moccasin with Tassels for US$630.


But you can achieve a similar look for US$105 with the Executive Imperials Men's Wingtip Slip-On. Though not quite as debonair, its fantastic for the same effect.



Hope these come in handy for your upcoming holiday parties!


Yours,

A.

30 November 2011

Things I Love: Mixing Prints

Mixing prints has been happening for quite a while in the fashion world but recently it's become more intentional than coincidental - and I love it. When I mix prints it's usually accidental (you know that day when you just have to wear something whether or not it matches with everything else? Yeah well that happens often) and also mild since I wear small prints because I'm a hobbit vertically challenged. I also love a great mix of textures but that's another story.


It goes without saying though that only some people can successfully execute this, and by "successfully execute" I mean make it look smashing. Swag is an essential element necessary to pull this off but mainly you need balls. I say this because mixing prints will draw attention your way and you have to be completely confident and comfortable with your look (as with everything else you wear really). It's all in the details!


Here are some pictures of awesome people - both men and women - with admiration-worthy balls.


(via  Sartorialist)

(via Tommy Ton)

(via Sartorialist)

(via Tommy Ton)



(via Sartorialist)

(via Tommy Ton)

P.S.: I just love this last guy. So fab.

Yours,
A.

21 November 2011

If I was a rich girl...

I still would not pay this much for a dress. No, not even this Balmain Silk Runway dress of which only one was created and made available today on SSense. Not even if it was composed of solid gold and diamonds. It's very beautiful and I've been loving on Balmain's designs for some time now but unless this US $29,650 is a typographical error on SSense's part I'll just be on my stunned-by-your-beauty-from-afar James Blunt scenario.


But I would have considered the purchase. Briefly.




I dig this little zipper detail on the back of the sleeve too.




P.S.: Joan Smalls holds the power to make me want to buy ANYTHING though. Not that my 5'2" petite frame compares to her svelte 5'10" moneymaker. But a girl can dream.


Yours,
A.

6 November 2011

Inspiration: Tommy Ton

We've all probably seen and admired Tommy Ton's photos via Style.com (I always do! Pause for a fan girl moment ... ok carry on) and when I saw this video today my brain literally sparked. It's so easy to shelve your dreams and fall into a monotonous "safe" existence because you think it's unrealistic or you're afraid to fail. Only in the last few months have I come to the point of pushing myself and becoming my own motivator, I'm only just beginning to apply it but I feel a sense of accomplishment for even getting to this point.

Start moving. What better way is there to spend your time than in pursuit of your passions? (oooh! that just came off the top of the dome I swear!)

"Your feet hurt, and you don't eat, and you don't sleep but what keeps you going is the love of fashion." - Tommy Ton


Video from Style Studio.

P.S.: Wouldn't you love if Tommy Ton or Scott Schuman take your picture? Not because of the publicity (I really don't really like having my picture taken unless I do a stupid face or pageant smile) but because it signifies that in a sea of people with so many beautiful and intriguing layers, you stood out in some way. i.e. you got that super bass.

Yours,
A.


5 November 2011

Spotted: Mirror Mirror

Came across this magnificent diamantĆ© wall mirror while visiting Tendir (one of my go-to places when I want to see what's happening with design) and was immediately enamoured with it. It's 3-Dimensional design makes me feel like I could pull a Narcissus and fall into it if I gaze at my fair form too long. 


This is the most glamorous and modern mirror I've come across in a while and in the right space it will be magnificent. Forget a ring, gift this to a girl and she'll be less likely to throw it at your head surely love you forever.




DiamantĆ© wall mirror by Regia


Yours,
A.


3 November 2011

The Elusive Fishtail Braid

I don't know about the rest of you but I have been trying to this braid for years - each attempt resulting in an epic fail. This puzzles me because in all the pictures and videos and DIY posts, it seems like such a cinch but as soon as I sit in front of that mirror to begin the process, it's a disaster. I wanted to do it as recently as last Saturday to execute a look  but after sitting in front of my mirror for 25 minutes trying to decipher the equation I believe I pulled a muscle in my right eye - if that's at all possible (it seriously took me like 2 minutes to see regularly in that eye!). 


I succumb to the fact that I am not adept at all things fishtail braid. I believe this is why it's important to surround yourself with people who can do the things you can't - I call them friends. 


I saw this yesterday during my daily browse over at refinery29 and (while shaking my head) decided that today I will try this one last time. For all other fishtail wannabes, let me know if this worked for you.




1. Start by bringing all of your hair to the right side of your head. Grab a small piece from behind your left ear, and then do the same on your right side. Bring both pieces over to the right side of your head. 

2. Divide the small section on the right side into two: A thin, half-inch section on the far right, leaving the remaining section as a one-and-a-half-inch section. This should leave you with three sections of hair in your hands: The section from the left side of your head and the two sections from the right side in varying sizes. 



3. Take the small, half-inch section from the far right and cross it over, combining it with the left section. Grab a half-inch section from the outside-most section of the left-side portion, and combine with the right side.




4. Take a half-inch section from the right side (taking it from the furthest section on the right), and grab a half-inch section from the remaining hair below (from the right outside, as well), and add all of that to the left section. Do the same on the left side. Repeat, pulling towards the right side. Continue crossing hair over from one section to the other and secure with an elastic band. 




5. The short version: Take two equal sections of hair, and pull a thin strand from the outside edge of one section. Cross the thin strand over the other section of hair. Combine the strand to the hair in that section. Repeat the same steps with a thin strand from the outside of the other section until you’ve created crossover pattern, or a fishtail braid.




6. Rough it up a bit at the top of the braid, and pull the strands to loosen and fatten it up.


Fingers crossed for attempt #456.


Yours,
A.

27 October 2011

Spotted: A Match Orchestrated By The Fashion Gods

I've been off the grid for a few days now and what do I return to find? This swagged out (and beyond adorable) couple captured by Scott Schuman. He has such a good eye  for finding interesting people and more importantly,  stylish people. It's one thing to duplicate the du jour, it's another thing entirely to express and represent yourself.






P.S.: Isn't this why we all love to people watch?

Yours,
A.

23 October 2011

Spotted: A Snowy Spring

For Spring some designers went the quintessential route of bright colours and flowing silhouettes and some continued to dwell in the darkness of fall, which I actually enjoyed. Differences aside, what I loved most about many of the shows however, was the white. Oh the crisp and well tailored white. I don't know what it is about white that I find so appealing, perhaps that it looks good on everyone and just generally alludes to cleanliness (because it takes a lot to keep white looking white while you're...oh I don't know...living!). I haven't gone through all the shows yet - this always takes some time - but I've compiled 10 of my elect white (and not quite white - I'm no virtuoso!) looks of Spring.

Enjoy!


Suno:

[Photo: Alessandro Garofalo]

Balmain:

[Photo: Monica Feudi] 

Elie Saab:

[Photo: Alessandro Viero]
P.S: Someone will bewearing this to the Emmys or Oscars, I can smell it.

Christian Siriano:

[Photo: Monica Feudi]

3.1 Phillip Lim:

[Photo: Yannis Vlamos]

ChloƩ:

[Photo: Alessandro Viero]

Doo.Ri:

[Photo: Alessandro Viero]

Elie Tahari:

[Photo: Filippo Fior]

Emilio Pucci:

[Photo: Monica Feudi]

Emporio Armani:

[Photo: Marcus Tondo]

Yours,

A.

20 October 2011

Street Photography

You can't browse the web in the 21st century without coming across hundreds of street photographers's websites and their body of work, sometimes flippantly but oft with intrigue. Street Photography has become much more than a hobby for many and now serves as a platform not only for showcasing designer clothes but for capturing individual swag.


Today I came across this video and story over at Another Magazine and found it edifying. I'm not a photographer, I'm just a writer with a camera on loan but these real street photographers make me want to revisit that.


Get inspired and read the story here: Everybody Street, Cheryl Dunn


Yours,
A.

19 October 2011

The Joy Of New Shoes


While strolling through the city with my mom a week ago I stumbled upon these golden Steve Madden beauties and had to have them (and to think I was going to head straight home!). Cheers to mom for blessing me with them as an early birthday gift. Didn't wear them on my birthday but I wore them the day after and I am convinced they are the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn. 


In short - I'm in love.








P.S.: Especially love the little eyelet cut-outs, quite the sucker for details.


Yours,
A.