Wardrobe Diaries: Winter's Uniform

Ever since I arrived back from Australia earlier last month, it dawned on me how little of my closet actually gets used. The five months away forced me to become creative, mixing and matching the handful of clothing I had, while shopping trips became scavenger hunts for versatile pieces that could work in any outfit. The whole experience was surprisingly soothing, turns out we really don't need that  much at all.

This leads me to the outfit in this post. For the past month, this red duffle coat and leopard slippers have become my unoffical winter's uniform. I grab it when I'm running errands in a hurry just as much as when I'm dressed up for a lunch date. Leopard and red is not only a classic combination, but also neutral enough to work with just about anything. As part of my spring cleaning for this year, I'm planning to apply the same 'less is more' approach to the rest of my wardrobe. It's about time a makeover happened.

I'm interested to know if any of you have an unofficial winter's uniform? Do you sometimes find yourself wearing the same thing again and again? 

{ wearing: madewell duffle coat . zara leather skirt similar here . kookai turtleneck similar here . florsheim leopard slippers also loving this . tory burch tote . brooks brothers gloves . necklace thanks to karen london }

Friday's Fancies: Colours

The sun shone a little brighter this week and all of a sudden the city seemed to have broken free from spring's endless showers and oozed sunshine and colour at every turn. People flocked to the green open spaces, women donned their bright floral frocks and suddenly colourful displays in all shades of the rainbow popped up everywhere. Here's a few pictures I managed to snap up before retiring myself into a lazy sun quenched lizard. While writing this post I can't help but think about the trail of destruction left behind by Frankenstorm this week. It breaks my heart to see so many deaths and damages. If you are like me sitting in the comforts of your home feeling helpless about the situation then here are a few ways you can help out.

- The largest organisation of its kind, the Red Cross is accepting donations here or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. They are also looking for volunteers to assist in shelters, more information here.
- Salvation Army is providing food and shelter to victims. Donate online or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY.
- New York Cares is the city's largest volunteer organisation. Click here to donate or sign up here to volunteer with the relief efforts.
- Global Giving has set up a Sandy relief that includes victims in the Caribbean. Click here to donate.
- The Mayor's Fund for New York is also accepting donations. Click here to donate.

City laneways bursting with overhead lightboxes and colourful signage all competing for a second glance from the bustling crowd. 

A display of the most beautifully made in Italy pinwheels. The sight of them is enough to bring out anyone's inner child. So far this week I have walked past this display twice and now my kids own 4 of these... soon they'll have enough to start a mini wind farm. 

Finally mixed and matched the perfect set of indigo crockery. Don't you think they make fine props for {camo meets couture} baking recipes?   

An oversized scarf has to be the most versatile item that ever existed. Here I'm wearing my leopard scarf as a cover-all for a day at the hot spring. Too bad they don't make kiddie versions.

Another week of friday's fancies and another yellow and blue colour inspiration. The more I look around the more I see this particular combo. I love these glazed blue subway tiles paired with the yellow lacquer. Plus a chalkboard this colourful is just begging for me to pop inside.