Trench(ing) CYLK

CYLK is finally available in South Africa. It is sold exclusively at Stolen Muse.

Why do I love this brand?

Cylk, the eco-friendly fashion label from Australia melts technology & innovation to create the perfect combination between minimalism and luxury. Cylk is currently at the forefront of both seamless technology and yarn development with the only ladies knitwear design company in Australia to offer seamless eco-chic clothing.


Stolen Muse has some great merchandise available under this brand and is also the exclusive stockist in the country.


Wearing:  CYLK Forest Green Trench Coat: ZAR 3690, CYLK Scoop Slip Dress :ZAR520

Starz from Stolen Muse

My apologies for not blogging for a while. I have been really busy since i started working at Stolen Muse. But I have great news....Banjo & Matilda, Silvian Heach, Bijules and Cylk are finally available in South Africa, exclusively sold at Stolen Muse. Working as a fashion stylist at Stolen Muse certainly has its perks.  I get to wear and am surrounded by beautiful clothes and quality fabrics all the time. Cashmere, silk, wool, fine bamboo technology etc.

This ring is from Bijules, designed by New York Based designer Jules Kim. Her jewelry has also been seen on celebrities, Beyonce, Katy Perry, Rihanna and was even featured in the movie Girl with the dragon tattoo.

100% Cashmere Star crew jersey

Accessories from Silvian Heach

These pants are oh so comfortable and the fact that they're silk is definitely an added bonus

Wearing: Star crew jersey:Banjo&Matilda, ZAR2700. Silk Drop Crotch Pants: Banjo&Matilda,ZAR1990.  Purse: Silvian Heach ZAR 1300. Shoes : Silvian Heach ZAR 890 All available at Stolen Muse 

Hope you are all having a great Monday...

xxo

Stolen Muse Launch

I have recently joined the Stolen Muse team as a fashion sales consultant and trainee stylist. Stolen Muse is a luxury women's apparel store at the brand new Nicolway Bryanston Shopping Center that opened it's doors on April 26th. Stolen Muse is a lifestyle concept store that stocks exclusive & international luxury fashion.  To learn more about the boutique click here

Photos from the launch (Source: www.facebook.com/stolenmuse)

Monday night the boutique celebrated the release of international brands Silvian Heach, Banjo &Matilda, CYLK and Bijules. All drool worthy brands, that would make any lover of beautiful clothes and accessories go gaga... It was a fun filled night with decadent chocolate, sushi, champagne, fine wines and of course a giftbag stocked with products from ELLE and Dermalogica. Happy days. And to top that off there were artists from MAC make up to add that extra magic.  Great food, people,music and fabulous clothes.

I'm actually wearing a bodycon dress under the gold sequenced top. I haven't worn this top in over 2 years. I bought it for my birthday and only wore it that one time.

Having only a limited amount of clothes with me in Johannesburg I opted for a black and gold. 

Terri and I taking a breather whilst working.

In store and the "closet" ;)

It wasn't all play....getting some work done

 Overall it was a fantastic launch! Do stop by the boutique sometime, and be sure to check out the links to the brands. Hope all is having a good week

xxo

Wearing : Gold sequenced top: Online, Black Bodycon Dress:H&M,USD 14, Black Waterfall top: Forever21, USD 12, Black Courtshoes: Levi's R420, Porcelain Bangles: Pearl Market in Beijing.

Skinny Dots

Hope you are all having a great week thus far!

xxo

Wearing: Black Suede Shoes Mr. Price: ZAR119, Dotted Skinny Pants Mr Price: ZAR +/- 119, Green Cardigan H&M USD 19

Neon is having it's moment & I'm loving it!

Despite what Courtney Cachet says, Neon is having it's moment and I am loving it! I can't wait to get my hands on something neon...When I saw the neon pink satchel for the first time I knew I had to have it, then I saw the shoes and now I want a blazer too. With the right color blocking it can look tdf in Summer in Spring. Even paired with white it can look lovely. Or if you just wearing one item it can add a splash to any dull outfit. The key here of course is not to overdo it. Less is always more (cliche, I know, but that's why they work)

Cambridge Satchel

Hope you are all having a great week! It's almost weekend
xxo

Remember Claudia?

As a young girl I remember two supermodels I couldn't tear my eyes away from. Claudia Schiffer and Cindy Crawford. I was completely in awe of these two beautiful women. Then I learned of Kathy Ireland, Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Kate Moss, Helena Christensen, Christy Turlington  etc and  needless to say I i was in awe of the whole beautiful lot. I, of course had my favorite without a doubt.

I remember having pictures torn out from fashion magazines in my school diary that was supposed to be used to note down homework (I didn't). I specifically remember Claudia Schiffer in GUESS? ad campaigns.

Claudia Schiffer in Guess? Ad, 1989. Photos by Ellen von Unwerth,

 Claudia was one of the original GUESS? girls. And this year she has returned to help celebrate the brands 30th anniversary. I almost fell out of my chair to see that the 41 year old beauty has aged so gracefully.

I hope you are all having a lovely week. I should be posting some favorite ensembles (and good news) this week, so stay tuned.

xxo

"Prêt-à-Porter"

Sometimes people look at runway shows and think pfff...I would never wear that out in public, or who would wear that?!

Well over the next few days I would like to enlighten you on what words like prêt-à-porter; avant garde; baroque; haute couture etc all means...

 "Prêt-à-Porter" in layman's term literally means ready-to-wear off the rack, off the peg, off the shelf. You simply buy stuff "as it is"

Balmain, Paris FW, "Prêt-à-Porter"

DKNY "Prêt-à-Porter"

Ellie Saab -Spring "Prêt-à-Porter"

Paul Smith

Proenza Schouler "Prêt-à-Porter"

Proenza Schouler "Prêt-à-Porter"

Paul Smith "Prêt-à-Porter"

Vanessa Bruno

Balmain Paris FW



Hope you are all having a lovely week...
xxo

" Steels "

Loving the Leopard Print Ladies....Sold,sold,sold!

Spike Studded Heel Pumps… do you find them scary or sassy?

 

Being the shoe fanatic that I am, I know that I will probably own a pair or two, the pair that I will wear and the pair that I would’ve bought impulsively.  I would definitely step out in a more understated pair as worn by Brittany Snow. They are just the right amount of rocker chic.

Sassy!

This pair by Christian Louboutin is rather fetching too. I would definitely step out in these.

Sassy

 

Now these are the  ones that I find a little over the top, very "Avant Garde/Lady Gaga" if you will, but I doubt that I will step out in them, the creepy nails on the toe of the shoe, actually frightens me a bit. Without the spikes up top, in retrospect, I guess I would probably rock it, if I owned it.

Sassy/Scary?!

 

Well darlings, the weekend has started. Tomorrow I am off to the Cape Town Carnival, to view Cape Town in all it’s splendor. What are you up to this weekend, and what do you think of “Steels?”

Concealer Showdown

A week just before returning home to South Africa I realized that I am almost out of corrector. I have been using Bobbi Brown’s corrector for my dark circles. I thought I’d wait to buy my next fix, as I just can’t live without the coverage. I used my last bit sparingly so that I could pick it from Duty Free in Dubai.

I got to the airport, to find that they do not stock Bobbi Brown, so instead I had to settle for MAC’s Studio finish concealer. 

After using MAC’s concealer for a couple of weeks, I felt the need to review the two products and share my views with you. 

I’m a great fan of Bobbi Brown’s mineral powder and one day as I’m strolling through the department store; I stop at the Bobbi Brown counter so that the assistant there could guide me to something that will cover up my dark circles. * sigh *

She introduced Bobbi Brown’s Corrector in dark bisque. The corrector is to be used under a concealer. The corrector is pink based to counteract bluish/greenish tones. Unfortunately they couldn’t offer me a concealer, as I was in Korea and they mainly cater for Asian skin tones.

I really did like the corrector, as there were no longer traces of dark circles under my eyes. It has a very creamy texture that applies and blends easily. After applying the corrector I would just use my Bobbi brown foundation stick over it and then apply Bobbi Brown’s mineral powder and my skin looked flawless. Excellent coverage.

However after a couple of hours into the day, I found that the corrector would have crept into the fine lines under my eyes. NO.NO.NO! It made me look a little older than I am. Consequently I would have to touch up my make up with the mineral powder throughout the day.

The corrector comes in a 1.4g packaging, which is tiny... It didn’t last very long. On the other hand I do love the fact that the little compact has a mirror inside. I did however purchase another and another until I that day I got to the airport, as I didn’t try anything new. Not because I didn’t want to but because the beauty houses in Korea rarely had a shade that matched my skin tone.

I should have known that once you go MAC you would never go back. When I first started using MAC studio finish foundation, I loved the excellent coverage that it gave. When I went on my Bobbi Brown splurge I figured I’d try their foundation, needless to say after the first stick of foundation I immediately returned to using MAC foundation.

Now I have never tried MAC concealer before, and I was forced to buy some sort of coverage for these dark circles of mine, so I settled for the MAC concealer at Dubai Airport’s duty free counter. Hey it’s duty free, and why pay more, when it’s beauty and perfume galore?

Yes, I have finally found a concealer that I am childishly happy about. I got the Studio finish concealer in NC45, which matches my skin tone beyond perfection. I’m also happy with the fact that it comes in a 7g compact. Which will probably last me for the next 4-5 months (hopefully). What I like about this concealer is that I can use it without foundation. If you going to do that remember to BLEND, BLEND, BLEND!!! It also has SPF 35, which is fantastic; I am all about sun protection. So for those really hot days when you don’t want to wear foundation, but still want to cover up, MAC’s concealer is perfect for you. And best of all, it does not creep into the fine (laughing/not aging) lines under your eyes.  It would have been nice if it had a mirror in the compact though.

Last but not least, because I’m a bargain hound and try to find everything and anything at a good price, the MAC concealer is more affordable than Bobbi Brown’s corrector. That will allow you to go out and get MAC lipstick in Jubilee or Morange if you dare!

Please note that this is only my opinion, feel free to share what you use and how it’s working for you. Different strokes for different folks.

Hope you are all having a great week. To my South African followers, HaPpY HuMaN RiGhTs DaY!!!

xxo

Frocks with Flair...

Peplum Dresses;
 

Frocks with flair, as I like to call it. Peplum does not mean that the dress is adorned with embellishments or rows and rows of ruffles. It is simply a single short overskirt that adds drama to any garment, whether it is a skirt, dress or jacket. It adds just enough glamour and pizzazz. 

 

 

While some may think that this will add pounds in places where one does not need it, you are right... and wrong at the same time… I say this because the peplum comes in different shapes, sizes and designs. There is definitely a peplum out there for every figure. There is a range of choices available that will work with both your body and your budget.  

Hope you are all having a lovely, lazy Sunday....

xxo

Tis the Season

Yip, tis the season... This month I have had to teach a lot about Christmas, and I see how excited my 6 year old students get every day, we even have an advent calendar counting down the days, and it just makes me happy to see their chirpy faces every day as we get closer and closer to Christmas day. They are anxiously awaiting Santa Clause. Today a technician came to service the air conditioner and one of the students looked up and said : "Ah, for Santa" thinking Santa will be coming through the air conditioner. Anyway so we talked about what everyone wanted for Christmas, and they turned to me, and this is how the dialogue went:
Steve: What do you want for Christmas?
Me: Contentment for all, me, family and friends and you and you and you and eeeeeveryone.

Students: What is that?

So I explained it to them and one student, Amy, turns to me, laughs and says : "No, what do you really want?"
This is what I would like to wake up to:

Source: Dani McCreery for Kalannie Community Telecentre

I would like to wake up to  100 % contentment, to be happy with what I have and where I am in my life, to wake up to a day where not only I but my family and friends too will just be jumping for joy. For those seeking love, I wish for them a great deal of it, for those who are sick, a fast recovery to a path of good health, for those who have dreams (don't we all) let your life be the same way you have dreamt of it to be, those who are faced with obstacles, let your obstacles vanish in a friction of a second. Those are only a few, I could go on and on but generally I'm just wishing for a life filled with smiles and happiness. And if all of these things aren't possible my wish again for all is 100% contentment, or just for that moment to jump with joy!


Of course like any or most human beings I lust after material things too, I'll be kidding if I didn't say that I would also like to see a Chanel 2.5 peeping out of my Christmas stocking.... I'm only human and that's my saving grace!

Faux Fur Vest & Hermes Birkin

 I've been going on and on about how I want a fur vest. A Hermes bag, a girl can only dream.

Oh, Lola! Marc Jacobs & MAC Lipstick: Color: Morange

 I recently tested this perfume, and I liked it a lot.  Also tested this Mac Lipstick in Morange last week and it is just to die for. Now this I think is something that I can get for myself, more in my financial league.

Chanel Necklace. Christian Louboutin Lisee Side  Dip Suede Booties

Red felt floppy hat & flat peak cap

Felt floppy hat and a black flat peak cap for that swagger ;) I have been searching everywhere a felt floppy hat, and I'll be lucky to find a flat peak cap that will fit my undersized head (funsized) hehehe.

Wonder Woman Reebok Freestyle.

                       How cool are these kicks? Fell in love the first time I laid eyes on them.

TOMS Gold glitter

These gold glittered Toms are great and the fabulous thing about these shoes are that for every pair you purchase TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. Read more here

What are you hoping to find in your stocking on Christmas morning?
Outfit posting to follow soon
xxo

Looking Dapper

Well it's officially that time of the year when it is almost impossible to leave home without a scarf. In fact I had one wrapped half way around my face this morning as I endured the cold on Braden's motorbike to school.

Source: Stylelab.net . I am loving the scarf on the right.

Source: Asianfashion.com . Scarves come in so many different shapes, colors and patterns, one could lose yourself.

I generally love wearing scarves, I wear it all year round not as frequently in summer or late spring of course. I don't quite know how to describe what wearing a scarf is like for me, but I do know that it makes my  outfit feel complete. It is just such a great accessory, it's elegant and I guess I am just so in love with the Parisian element of it. Most of all it makes you look so dapper.

Source: www.Gb93.com Quote : If he won't take you to Paris, I will (Lincoln Schoffield, Prison Break)

I have quite a few scarves here with me, couldn't bring them all along, but they are not that expensive over here, that reminds me a couple of weeks ago when I spoke to my mom, she asked me if I brought over some of her scarves, needless to say I did and she knew it was me. She has a chest drawers (4) of them and she still misses a few, how is it even possible. My favorite of course for this season are the animal printed ones.

Source:  Make up and beauty care

Source:  Social Fashion Updates.

On my wish list there is only one more kind that I would like to own and that is a (faux) fur scarf. I found this great video on YouTube: 25 ways to wear a scarf in 4.5 minutes by Wendy Nguyen from www.wendyslookbook.com. I hope you enjoy her video as much as I did.

Have a great weekend darlings!
xxo