#Travel Paris, Je t'aime!

I have just returned from my travels abroad, and had an absolutely amazing time, to say the least. Unfortunately, I didn't go to Amsterdam due to some health reasons (after getting food poisoning in Paris...), but I will be sharing some amazing photographs and look posts from both Barcelona and Paris.

The weather in Paris was misty, cold and grey. I absolutely LOVED it! For fashion reasons, of course. My looks I chose for each day reflected the moody Parisian weather. For the day that I explored the beautiful city, it's food markets and vintage stores, I chose a very chic and androgynous look. I just had to look fabulous! I was, after all, in the trendy city of Paris.

I was absolutely obsessed with the Parisian architecture. It is just so perfect and symmetrical, and the colour palette of nudes and greys are so beautiful. For this look of the day, the colour palette I chose reflected that of Paris's architecture.

Grey hat - Portobello market
Chunky snood - Accessorize
Grey knit - Woolworths
Black coat - Asos
Black scalloped shorts - Babette
Buckled monks - Topshop
Quilted bag - Cambridge market
Leather gloves - Accessorize

Stay tuned for my Barcelona look post, coming soon.

xx

#WearingTheTrends Knee High Socks

This trend has been around for a while. Alexander Wang and Proenza Schouler made it cool in Fall 2010, and Missoni and Loewe brought it back in 2013. It adds a kind of school/ odd/ naughty element to an outfit; it makes you look sexy, but silly at the same time. Kind of love that!

I paired my knee-highs with my coral origami skort, a simple black cropped top and fluffy cardigan. Finally I threw over my parka for a casual relaxed element. I love the combination of coral and black. Against the black, the coral colour pops out. It's definitely a spring and summer colour, but I love to incorporate it into my winter wardrobe to add some difference to the normal muted tones. 

On a side not, I have become a little obsessed with taking photos in changing rooms. I love the odd effect that the mirrored image has; it adds some creativity and a little confusion to the picture. Also, I think a changing room is the perfect location as my blog is all about clothing, outfits, trends and fashion. Basically everything that happens inside a changing room.

Gold is the perfect complimentary colour for coral. So I chose my black and gold watch, and a chunky gold chain bracelet to accessorize my look.

Fluffy cardigan - H&M

Black cropped top - H&M

Coral skort - Topshop

Knee-high socks - H&M

Parka - Asos

Black boots - Luella

Quilted bag - Cambridge market

Gold chain bracelet - Mango

Gold and black watch - Avanglion at YDE

xx

#TodayImWearing Apricot Floral

The sun came out today in London (which can be very rare during the Winter!), so I decided to wear something fun and colourful, yet warm. I paired my apricot skort with a floral top, and contrasted my girly outfit with a masculine tweed blazer.

This apricot skort is just great; it can be transferred from day to night super easily. And I love its stiff structure and origami shape; perfect for pairing with floaty feminine fabrics.

And of course, I took these photographs in the changing room. A big part of my day in London is spent in changing rooms.

Tweed blazer - Mango

Floral top - H&M

Apricot skort - Topshop

Black boots - Luella

Quilted bag - Market in Cambridge

xx

#Sewing Bridesmaid Dresses

Two months ago, I had the opportunity to sew five bridesmaid dresses for the beautiful bride, Deb. She chose a slate colour palette for her bridesmaids, and all the designs had to be feminine and flirty, but conservative, with a slight vintage touch.

I had such fun sewing all five dresses, as each one was a different style to suit each bridesmaid's figure and their personality. I took the bridal party with me to the fabric shop to pick out the fabrics they loved. A range of beautiful soft floaty fabrics were chosen.

I then sat down with each bridesmaid and sketched the dress design that they wanted. Here are a few behind the scenes pics of the dresses before the big day.

After a few fittings with the ladies and a few alterations, here's what the final dresses looked like.

And finally, here are some professional photographs, courtesy of Dear Heart, of the lovely newly weds with their beautiful bridesmaids.

xx

#Travel London Town

I have been accepted to study at the London College of Fashion (!!!!), to start studying in January next year. I am so excited to finally be following my full time passion, and not to mention being able to live in London for 4 months! I have only been to London once before, back in 2011, and I absolutely LOVED it. So to have this opportunity to be a Londoner for a few months, following my fashion career, makes me just beyond excited. 

I am totally inspired by the London architecture of old English buildings decorated with flowering baskets and quaint cafes on every corner. Here are a few pictures I snapped when I was in London.

I cannot wait till I am living in London, full-time.

xx

#Instaweek 2 Sept - 8 Sept

1. First day of spring // 2. Sleepy (FAT) kitty // 3. Fabric for my new collection // 4. Striped bralet top for my new collection // 5. Airport necessities // 6. New armcandy // 7. #TodayImWearing outfit // 8. Planning my Spring '13 collection // 9. Beautiful bouquet of old and new proteas

Follow me on Instagram here

xx

#Instaweek 26 Aug - 31 Aug

A new feature on my blog is "Instaweek", where I share my previous week with my instagrams. 

1. South African beauty, King Protea // 2. Sewing, my passion! // 3. My new Yardly Raisin lipstick // 

4. Eating choc cookies on the job // 5. The five bridesmaid dresses I have finally finished // 6. My growing washi tape collection // 7. New sewing project // 8. My pet rooster, Gerald.

To see more of my fashionable, creative, nature-loving and sewing-filled life, follow me on instagram here.

PS: More on the bridesmaid dresses (5.) I recently sewed  coming soon!

xx