In preparation for my upcoming vacation I made a list of 10 items I will take for 10 day trip
1) Long sun dress - Blue Moon Belize asymmetrical dress
2) Short dress - H&M cotton dress with a-line skirt
3) Mini skirt - Abercrombie & Fitch mini skirt in navy
4) Pair of shorts - Diane von Furstenberg pleated shorts in tan
5) Dark top - Dressy Barney's top in navy
6) Light top - White silk cowlneck top
7) Simple white tank - Abercrombie & Fitch
8) Jean jacket - Jou jou jean jacket for cooler evenings that goes with everything else on my list
9) My favorite bathing suit in orange and purple
10) Capri pants - the jean capri I bought in Buenos Aires - they still fit!
In addition tot he above I will take a pair of flip flops and a pair of nude sandals. Also i think I will cheat a little bit and throw in an extra skirt and my Brazilian bathing suit either in pink or in white
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Peach pink
Peach pink is the only version of pink I am willing to accept. Today I found this beautiful photo on internet. The woman on the photo is so elegant! Very inspirational
Friday, December 2, 2011
Belize asymmetrical dress
In anticipation of upcoming vacation I started planing my wardrobe. Since we are going for 10 days and have a limited space in our suitcases (try travaling with a toddler), I need to keep my wardrobe to a minimum but be able to look appropriate for any occasion.
So there was this strapless sun dress I was contemplating of buying for a month now and kept deciding against it. But today I figured that its versatility could be of use to me this winter in Riviera Maya.
So I went online to place an order on it and there was only 3 dresses left, 1 in size 0, and 2 in size 2. I put size 2 in my basket and by the time i was ready for a checkout (30 seconds), there was only one dress left in size 2. I literally bought the last dress. Luckily I made it just on time.
I absolutely love its simplicity and versatility. It can be worn with beach sandals for walks on the beach or casual lunch. And if accessorized with a pair of heels and a belt, it could suffice for a dressier function.
by getting this dress I just saved myself considerable suitcase space that can now be occupied by my toddler's things.
So there was this strapless sun dress I was contemplating of buying for a month now and kept deciding against it. But today I figured that its versatility could be of use to me this winter in Riviera Maya.
So I went online to place an order on it and there was only 3 dresses left, 1 in size 0, and 2 in size 2. I put size 2 in my basket and by the time i was ready for a checkout (30 seconds), there was only one dress left in size 2. I literally bought the last dress. Luckily I made it just on time.
I absolutely love its simplicity and versatility. It can be worn with beach sandals for walks on the beach or casual lunch. And if accessorized with a pair of heels and a belt, it could suffice for a dressier function.
by getting this dress I just saved myself considerable suitcase space that can now be occupied by my toddler's things.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Raspberry dream
My recent finding - Via Spiga Eileen suede pumps in raspberry. In reality it's more purple then red, like it seems on the picture.
I am trying to put together a few outfits around those gorgeous shoes. Yellow dress? Grey knee length pencil skirt? Black? There are so many possibilities
And here is a link to a beautiful story involving raspberry shoes:)
I am trying to put together a few outfits around those gorgeous shoes. Yellow dress? Grey knee length pencil skirt? Black? There are so many possibilities
And here is a link to a beautiful story involving raspberry shoes:)
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Today's shopping
Had a beautiful day shopping, found those amazing Circa suede knee boots in greyish brown, Nine West grey peep-toe pumps. I also got lime green with olive Echo silk scarf to add a bit of color to my wardrobe.
The boots are just heavenly, they are so comfy, it's almost unbelievable.
While at it, I tested out a new shade in colored opaque tights
The boots are just heavenly, they are so comfy, it's almost unbelievable.
While at it, I tested out a new shade in colored opaque tights
Friday, August 19, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
How to knit a beret
Cast on 83 stitches and knit 3 cm in heigh using 1x1 (1 knit and 1 purl)
Then make 2 stitches out of each purl stitch so that you would have 124 stitches instead of 83. keep knitting for 6 sm using 1x2 (1 knit and 2 purl stitches)
Then to each group of purl stitches add one more stitch so the total would be 165 stitches instead of 124, and continue knitting 1x3 (1 knit and 3 purl stitches) for 8cm more to reach height of 17 cm.
Then start decreasing purl stitches by removing one purl stitch from each group of purl stitches so that the total number of stitches comes down to 124.
Knit for 3sm to get to 20 cm total height and then decrease number of stitches to 83 by decreasing each group of purl stitches by one again. Knit this way for another 5cm to get to 25 cm and after that start knitting each two stitches together to decrease the total number of stitches to 43. Keep going for 2 rows. Then repeat decrease every 2 rows to get from 43 first ot 21, then to 11, and then to 6. After you get to 6, pull the yarn through all 6 stitches, pull them all together and secure tha yarn around them.
Next knit the cable by casting on 11 stitches and knitting about 25 cm in length, using the following pattern:
row 1 - 11 knit stitches
row 2 - 11 purl stitches
row 3 - take off the first stitch to a second needle and take off stitches 2,3, and 4 to an extra needle and keep them behind your knitting, knit 5,6, and 7 using knit stitch, followed by stitches 2,3, and 4 from the additional needle, then knit the rest - 8,9,10, and 11
row 4 - 11 purl stitches
row 5 - 11 knit stitches
row 6 - 11 purl stitches
row 7 - Take off stitch 1 to the second needle and knit stitches 2,3, and 4. Take off stitches 5,6, and 7 to an additional needle and keep them in front of your knitting, and knit stitches 8,9, and 10, followed by stitches 5,6,and 7 from additional needle and finish with knitting stitch 11.
row 8 - 11 purl stitches
then repeat the above pattern.
Sew the cable onto the rest and close the side stitch as well
Then make 2 stitches out of each purl stitch so that you would have 124 stitches instead of 83. keep knitting for 6 sm using 1x2 (1 knit and 2 purl stitches)
Then to each group of purl stitches add one more stitch so the total would be 165 stitches instead of 124, and continue knitting 1x3 (1 knit and 3 purl stitches) for 8cm more to reach height of 17 cm.
Then start decreasing purl stitches by removing one purl stitch from each group of purl stitches so that the total number of stitches comes down to 124.
Knit for 3sm to get to 20 cm total height and then decrease number of stitches to 83 by decreasing each group of purl stitches by one again. Knit this way for another 5cm to get to 25 cm and after that start knitting each two stitches together to decrease the total number of stitches to 43. Keep going for 2 rows. Then repeat decrease every 2 rows to get from 43 first ot 21, then to 11, and then to 6. After you get to 6, pull the yarn through all 6 stitches, pull them all together and secure tha yarn around them.
Next knit the cable by casting on 11 stitches and knitting about 25 cm in length, using the following pattern:
row 1 - 11 knit stitches
row 2 - 11 purl stitches
row 3 - take off the first stitch to a second needle and take off stitches 2,3, and 4 to an extra needle and keep them behind your knitting, knit 5,6, and 7 using knit stitch, followed by stitches 2,3, and 4 from the additional needle, then knit the rest - 8,9,10, and 11
row 4 - 11 purl stitches
row 5 - 11 knit stitches
row 6 - 11 purl stitches
row 7 - Take off stitch 1 to the second needle and knit stitches 2,3, and 4. Take off stitches 5,6, and 7 to an additional needle and keep them in front of your knitting, and knit stitches 8,9, and 10, followed by stitches 5,6,and 7 from additional needle and finish with knitting stitch 11.
row 8 - 11 purl stitches
then repeat the above pattern.
Sew the cable onto the rest and close the side stitch as well
Sporting my new purchase
Yesterday my husband took me to Brazilian steakhouse for Mother's Day and I decided to give my new purse an airing.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Gamine
The origin of the word is French, and it initially meant "urchin." Applied to style, it refers to the iconic look,
defined by a boyish, youthful, naive style; it is always somewhat playful and mischievous but never frilly.
When I think about Gamine, always Audrey Tautou comes to mind in "Coco before Chanel" - simple classic pieces that are functional rather then decorative, everything having its purpose, carrying essense of menswear
but is very feminine at the same time. It's all about finding balance between practicality of menswear, boyshness and coy femininity.
Key pieces:
Striped sailor bateau top
Classic trench
Quilted bag
Espadrilles
Capri pants
Baby doll dress
Boyfriend blazer
Wedge sandals
Cigarette pants
Saturday, April 9, 2011
What to Wear, Where: The How-to Handbook for Any Style Situation
Nice little book that offers not only an advice on appropriate attire for any occasion, but also beautiful photographs with two sample outfits for each. The occasions range from bowling with friends, or a night out with the girls, to black-tie events, meeting your beau's parents and going to an art gallery. I found it entertaining and useful at the same time. A lot of beautiful photos too.
I often thought the world needed a book like that, especially after going to an early afternoon summer wedding this past summer, and being astonished at the parade of rather formal dark navy dresses completely unsuitable for such an event, not to mention uncomfortable and impractical. So yes, the world needed a book like this to help people not to be either underdressed or overdressed for various events.
In addition to extensive list of events, in the back of the book there are two lists of wardrobe essentials for each of the two authors of the book - Katherine and Hillary and an index for every single article of clothing from the photos along with a designer name which a found very helpful since I liked a couple of things and wanted to know where I could purchase them.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Parisian Chic - A Style Guide by Ines de la Fressange
I greatly enjoyed the book, even though I find some examples unacceptable, like leather jacket with pearls or chiffon dress with biker boots. But even though I did not agree with everything in this book, I found it a delightful read and I did pick up some interesting. One outfit in particular struck my fancy - Nine wearing navy polka dot belted dress with olive cardigan and light brown kelly bag, just like the one I have.
I will definitely give similar outfit a shot as well as navy sweater and menswear blazer with pushed up sleeves.
I loved the list of basics that is different from list of basic you can find elsewhere:
menswear blazer, trench coat, navy sweater, tank top, little black dress, perfect fitting jeans. I never owned menswear blazer or sweater in navy and now I am inspired to give them a try.
This is not your typical style book, it is a guide to experiencing Paris and I will take it with me when we will go there with my family.
The whole book has an air of effortless chic and I will definitely read it again and again.
Bohemian
Generally, the term "Bohemian" is applied to people who live unconventional, usually artistic, lives. When talking about personal style, "Bohemian" is earthy, layered, loose, relaxed and natural. thnk gypsies or hippies in 60's or 70's
Essential fabrics are cotton and linen,flowing sihhouettes, mxi dresses and flared pants, with everything having weathered look, earthy colours, with lots of brown accessorized with organic jewelry.
Key pieces:
Peasant blouse
Empire waist dress with wide sleeves
Long flowing gypsy skirt
Large cocktail rings
Shell necklace
Gladiator sandals
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Frumpy to Fabulous
A pretty good book to give to someone who does not know herself. Consists of 9 chapters, one talking about finding the right colors for your skin tone, another about right type of clothes for your body type, another chapter talks about building "the backbone" of your wardrobe, the basics, etc. The last chapter talks a little about finding your "uniform". If you are not a novice and know what suits you, what styles look good on you and which colors help you to bring out the best in you, this book is not for you. But it will make a good present for someone who has trouble finding their style.
The book covers the basic well and contains a lot of useful information in a very compact format, but you will not find anything new if you already know how to pull yourself together
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Mod
Mod is mainstream fashion style associated with the mid to late 1960s. It originated in London amongst working youth.
Mod is bold and graphic, it focuses on bright colors, exaggerated patterns, geometric shapes, and horizontal and vertical lines.
Color was used against black and white.
Think minimal, streamlined and bold. Eye popping accents like a bold-colored shoes or a simple coat topped off with a covered, oversized button, geometric cuts and boxy shapes.
Dresses, pants and skirts are a-line and slightly flared. Skirt waists were dropped to several inches below the natural waist,
and dresses often had no waist, had dropped waists or had empire styling. Wide pleats were popular on dresses and skirts,
but they always started at the hip, not the waist.
Dresses were worn with contrasting (or the ever-present black and white) opaque tights and brightly
colored shoes. The hemlines for dresses and skirts were either mid-thigh or just below the knee. Sailor-style pants were most popular.
Key pieces:
Black turtleneck with 3/4 length sleeves
Opaque tights
A-line dress with embellished neckline
Cropped and boxy or tent shaped jacket with large buttons
Bright-colored mini skirt
Sailor pants
A-line skirt that sits low on the hips
Ankle Boots
Balet flats
Round-toe pumps with chunky heel
Geometrically shaped earings and necklaces
Friday, March 18, 2011
Wardrobe staple - striped top
I have an unhealthy passion for striped tops. It comes from the time when I was skinny with narrow shoulders and only benefitted from wearing them. Now, when my body suffered a temporarily setback caused by pregnancy, I need to be more careful and so I try to minimimize the negative effect of striped tops by "breaking" the horizontal stripes by wearing either a heavy pendant necklace (like on photos 7 and 8), or a scarf, or simply a blazer to create more slimming look
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)