Friday's Fancies: Birthday Lustlist

Happy Friday friends. Today, being the official start of February also marks the start of my birthday month. With that being said, I thought I'd change up my usual friday's fancies this week and showcase a few items I haven't been able to get out of my head lately (you know that feeling). In preparation for my birthday month, I've been spending a considerable amount of time perusing all the delightful goodies the internet has offered up. So husband, if you're reading this, anything from the list would be just dandy, anything really!

I have been madly in love with Celine's Trio bags for the longest time. Aren't they just perfection in their minimalist design? No studs or spikes, no metallic hardware, no chains, a barely-there logo and soft buttery leather. Just perfect. When I finally started getting serious about investing in one, out comes the soft rolled trios to mess with my head. So help me out, which do you prefer? And more importantly, what colour?

>> Celine Trio $890 not available online

If I do end up only getting one item from this lust list, it will most likely be these Tibi shoes. Any petite statured female can attest to the magical leg lengthening ability of a little nude shoe. The fact that these have an ankle strap, and not just any ankle strap but a clear one is just sheer genius. Now you have the added comfort of a strapped pump without the visual leg chopped-in-half effect from your usual strappy shoes. I think these just might be the closest shoes ever made for achieving that floating barbie foot effect, as coined by Rumi Neely.

>>Tibi Daria pumps $430 available here

Balmain always gets it right. While I'm loving the fact that black and white is going to be huge this Spring/Summer, it's these Balmain striped pants that I just can't get out of my head. So far I've yet to come across a high street version that lives up to these Balmain ones with it's perfectly placed stripes and a touch of moto detail.

>>Balmain stripe jeans $2038 available here

Every year I make it a point to buy myself a new birthday frock. A quick browse easily results in a dozen pretty dresses but nothing really stood out to me, that was until I came across this gorgeous Etoile Isabel Marant number. It's easy breezy shape and embroidered porcelain like print has me day dreaming of sunny brunches and mimosas.

>>Etoile Isabel Marant Daryl dress $498 available here

Beautiful fresh-faced make up at Elie Saab's couture show this year. I love the dewy blush eye shadow with matching lips and va va voom lashes. Okay, okay who am I kidding, it's clear that I'm loving everything blush and black at the moment. Like the cozy street style outfit above, blush accents with a black and white palette, so pretty and perfect in it's simplicity. 

Wardrobe Diaries: Winter Layering

Lately I've rediscovered this beautiful woolen coat in my closet. For the longest time I wasn't quite sure how to incorporate it into my outfits. The loose fit and awkward length makes it difficult to pair with your usual jeans and t-shirt uniform. Well, as it turns out that very same loose fit and awkward length are what makes this coat so perfect for layering.

Unless you're either French or an Olsen, most women I know have a little self doubt when it comes to layering. While I've yet to fully master the art myself, there's a few basic principals I've learnt so far along the way. Scroll down to read my basic guide on layering.

{ wearing: marcs coat . witchery sweater . thurley shirtdress . witchery belt . witchery hat . vince camuto booties . ny&co tights . pietro alessandro satchel . nail colour adore-a-ball by essie and licorice by essie }

The Basic Guide to Wearing Layers

1. Start with a shirt/blouse then add, add, add.
When it comes to layering it's never just a shirt and jacket, there is always three or more elements involved. Whether it's the shirt-sweater-coat approach or a blouse-blazer-cape, the bare minimum requires a base layer, intermediate layer and outer layer, not to mention all the accessorizing, but we'll get to that later.

2. Stick to the triangle formula.
Picture a triangle, now apply the same logic to your outfit. If you're wearing a chunky sweater and coat then keep your bottoms streamlined and minimal, think skinny jeans, tights, peg leg trousers etc. If boyfriend jeans are more your thing, then pair them with pumps or flats that reveal a little skin, ankle skin that is.

3. Keep colours/patterns in the same family.
Keeping to a similar colour palette adds depth and dimension to a layered look. It's much more effective and aesthetically pleasing than layering different colours. Neutrals in varying shades work best.

4. Always accessorize. 
Be it hats, sunglasses, gloves, belts, statement shoes, luxe handbags, bouncy blow waves, kohl eyes or all of the above. If you've choosen the path to layering then know that more is more. The key is to look effortless and never like you're trying too hard.

5. Finish off with a scarf (or fur collar in this case).
French women are never without scarves and they know a thing or two when it comes to layering. In fact they practically invented it. A scarf not only helps tie an outfit together but is the easiest accessory to change up for different looks and when in a flattering shade even eliminates the need for make-up. Here's a whimsical little article titled: Why French Women Wear Scarves.

I would love to know if you have any tips on layering. Have you given it a try lately?

Friday's Fancies

It was really great getting to learn that little bit extra about each of you in my previous post. To be honest, I didn't think so many of you would come forward to reveal what a major role books have played in your lives, so thank you for sharing.

Another week has come and gone, despite the four day weekend, this week has felt exceptionally long. It probably had something to do with the frigid weather we've been experiencing and the early onset of cabin fever. This weekend is going to be all about eating, sleeping and exploring. Who's with me?

Dark and gloomy mornings call for a breakfast by candlelight naturally. Lately I've been waking up craving hummus and pretzels, I mean it does fulfil all the requirements for a complete meal am I right? Protein (hummus)... carbs (pretzels)... dairy (coffee)... am I forgetting something? 

A pretty jeweled Ted Baker collar from my sister that I've yet to wear. I can't wait till it warms so I can layer it over tees and sweaters without the added bulky coat. 

Too cold to leave the house this week and today was no exception. Has the thought of licking icicles ever crossed anyone's mind? ... not that I spend every winter thinking about it. Really!

I couldn't help ordering Kate Spade's new coffee table book for myself.  I must admit, the gold gilded page edges was what originally sold me, but when the book arrived in the prettiest pink tissue paper that was custom designed for the book, I knew I was onto something. Packaging does makes everything. 

 

Sometimes I think my toddler has a better wardrobe than I do. She's been clashing prints and colourblocking ever since birth. Never mind the mixed matched socks, corny slogan tees, and the odd food stains.

Inspire Me: The Beauty of Books

There's something very special about a printed book that no amount of e-books in the world can replace. Upon a recent quest for new and noteworthy coffee table books, there was one book among the masses that caught my attention. It's called The Ideal Bookshelf by Jane Mount (November 13, 2012). While some may liken this book to Kramer's infamous coffee table book on coffee tables. For the avid reader and book enthusiast this comes as a window into the homes and minds of leading cultural figures as they share a collection of books that matter to them. Upon flipping through the pages you start to realise how little of the literary world you have actually conquered as you slowly take mental notes of titles to add to your reading list. If you are ever at all curious about what other people read, then this one's for you.

And when it comes to the love of the printed word I think author Joe Queenan said it best in an opinion piece for the Wall Street Journal:

"People who need to possess the physical copy of a book, not merely an electronic version, believe that the objects themselves are sacred. Some people may find this attitude baffling, arguing that books are merely objects that take up space. This is true, but so are Prague, and your kids and the Sistine Chapel."

I'm staring to get off topic, but then again that's the beauty of the written word. One thought lead to another to another and soon you have a full discourse on the meaning of life. But I digress again. Since The Ideal Bookshelf is all about the books that define us, I couldn't help but ponder over the very same question myself. Which books have defined my life? Which books do I turn to? Which books have altered my course of history? The list in the picture above was no small feat to compile, in fact I had trouble filling in the titles of all ten blank books. I guess I have a lot more reading to do.

If you've made it this far then I must apologise for the heavy nature of this post. Don't worry it's back to my usual frivolous writings in the next one.

      My Ideal Bookshelf
                   available >> here and here.






Do you have a favourite book or reading list to share? What books have defined your life?

Wardrobe Diaries: Weekend Coffee Run

Weekends usually call for dressed-down casual wear, but when your day job consists of sweats, diapers and food stains, you can't blame a girl for wanting to glam things up a little. Even a simple Saturday morning coffee run becomes an excuse to play dress-up. And what better way to do it than to wear all those tricky textural pieces you wouldn't normally wear when solo parenting. After all, you never know when grubby little fingers will come out to attack. Be it, calf hair, faux fur, suede, chrome, waxed denim so on and so on. The key here is fine textiles and being able to wear it is a luxury.

Those of you who follow my instagram would have seen these J Brand jeans before so it's beyond me why they've never appeared on my blog till now. These are by far the softest, most comfortable skinny jeans I've ever owned. Never mind the fact that they have a wax coating which usually renders denim a tad stiff, because these are anything but. Now that they're on sale, I'm thinking of picking up an extra pair to have on hand. You know, just in case the kids decide to flush these down the toilet or something. I wouldn't put anything past them.

 

{ wearing: j brand coated jeans . country road knit . bb dakota faux fur . clare vivier calf hair clutch . lucchesi cap toe heels . aliss & ena cuff bracelet }