A cozy Winter outfit

scarf: Yarnz, cardigan: Zara, pants: H&M, slippers: Topshop

One good thing about Winter is the endless selection of comfortable yet fun looking outfits. Seriously though, what could be better than feeling warm and fuzzy in fashionable wares, resting on a cozy couch, perhaps sipping on some tea, safe from the outside winds? That's right my dears, and it looks like Yarnz, Zara, H&M and Topshop definitely get what I'm talking about! And if you're new to the blog and/or haven't seen my earlier posts, you can definitely see some of the same pieces featured here and here !

skull bracelet: LeiVanKash, double chain ring: Ha-Yeon Lee, double tour bracelet: Balenciaga

And where gloves are not required, one ought to bling it up a little. What do you think of my newest acquisitions?

Studding and spiking: a fiercely dangerous affair

Runways and streets have been welcoming studs and spikes for more than two years, with a pinch of extra fun each season. Rest assured dear readers, we won't be turning into punks and causing anarchy anytime soon. Designers have embraced this new ‘dangerous’ trend attaching spikes and studs to just about anything worthy of a fashion statement. Indeed, this Punk trademark is now decorating the sleeves, collars, pockets, feet, waists, heads and carrying items of all style aficionados.  

images via JAK & JIL

Despite today's studs and spikes craze, the trend originally started out in the 1970s. Punks began customizing their wardrobe as a sign of rebellion so they would not conform to a typical stereotype, opting for shredding and ripping garments among other methods. Looking back at the Punk era, Vivienne Westwood was one of many who were heavy influences due to their controversial connotations. In the 1980s it became increasingly common for street punks to incorporate studs and studded spikes to their looks. This is said to be because they wanted to look untouchable. Not only did they include studs as part of their clothing, but they also added them to wrist bands, dog collars and any other accessory they could get their hands on.

Punks wearing customized studded leather jackets

And now, my own collage of studded marvels for your viewing (and shopping) pleasure:

lace-ups: Christian Louboutin, wrap around bracelets: MOJO, leather jacket (on sale!): Lot78, shirt: Reverse, Parsa bracelet: LeiVanKash

If you like what you see, do a little clicky clicky. Come on don't be shy, you know you have a little fierce in thee!

Boticca's personal gift guides will make you love Xmas shopping!

Scrambling for last minute gifts and still looking for them to be as unique and special as possible? Rest assured dear readers, Boticca's haven of unique jewelry and accessories will come to your rescue. It surely has come to mine with beautifully eclectic trinkets (or, let's just face it...my wardrobe's, simply because I own them and did not gift them). The site's beautifully curated personal gift guides have touched all three sides to my personality: the French girl about town and her love of all things fashion with a LeiVanKash rose gold skull bracelet, to an NYC based globetrotter with a Toosis gold and amethyst ring, and a Persian classic queen (after all, Roxanna was of noble descent and also a wife of Alexander the Great! Yeah!) with an Eddera Greek leaf headband. 

Greek leaf headband: Eddera

Worn with a cocktail dress or with a casual comfy sweater as shown above, this head jewel adds a festive feel to any outfit. Rich in multicultural influences, this Greco-Roman laurel wreath lookalike will serve as the talisman of good fortune and lend a Cleopatra look to its wearer. Any girl lucky to receive this showstopper piece will look as ravishing as a goddess. Seriously, can you think of a better symbolic gift to buy for your friend or loved one at the dawn of the new year?

rose gold skull bracelet: LeiVanKash, one of a kind raw amethyst ring with a flower: Toosis

If she's big into vintage looking rings and semi-precious stones, she will never want to get this amethyst ring off her finger. The feminine frailty evoked by the gold flower beautifully balances out the raw edginess of the stone it adorns. Moreover, the hand crafted nature of this piece makes it truly unique, redefining the meaning of antique and causing Lalaounis' industrially designed Byzantine and Hellenistic collections to be at a closer proximity with modernity (who knew?). With that said, such an original ring will compliment both the classic and contemporary look, so her style should not make you second doubt whether you chose the right present! And if she is adventurous and has an urban rocker side to her personality, a skull bracelet will only make her smile mischievously. With the rising trend of rose gold in jewelry, you'll be sure to set her at the forefront of fashion with this statement piece!

How perfect would these gifts look under her Christmas tree? Judging by the look on my face, I implore you to indulge: for her that is-- and given the extensive list of gift guides featured, maybe for you too?!

Add a little cozy haircalf inspiration to your wardrobe this holiday

I spy a pony & calf hair craze this season, so I thought it appropriate to dissect it and throw in a funky concoction of trinkets around this trend that are way up on my wishlist!

hi-tops: All Saints, feather bracelet: LeiVanKash, collar: Eleven Objects, bag: Alexander Wang, cardigan: Pixie Market

Widely used in the mid-1800s to stiffen crinolines and lend shape to dramatic hats, haircalf has played a vital role in fashion throughout history. Over the past few Fall and Winter seasons, fashion has seen its fair share of horseplay in a variety of accessories such as shoes, collars, bags and equestrian-style hats. 


Not only do pony and calf hair accessories add a decadent touch to any ensemble, they have a cozy textural feel. I promise, these glorious little objects will bring you much warmth this coming Christmas holiday...

An Ode to Masculinity & Metallics...and Daphne

If your mind has been dwelling over yesterday's post and you are all about Yves--a little birdie told me about a YSL Sample Sale going on, starting this evening and until Friday....

Now back to business.

Masculinity and metallics are an imposing trend this season. And if you know me, you already know of my love for all things boyish. 



Coco Chanel

The play on proportions has surely evolved in dressmaking since Chanel first took a 1920's Paris by storm with the look of La Garçonne. The play on simplicity which hid the female silhouette and adopted androgynous forms behind Chanel's little black dresses has set the stage for our contemporary designers to explore even further the play on masculine and feminine codes. 

Photo courtesy of Style.com

Stella McCartney's gold quilted bubble coat from her 2011 AW collection exemplifies the designer's ability to adapt menswear on women - and leaves us (ME especially) in awe. The balloon shaped silhouette, paired with a sporty collar, and not to mention the gold metallic finish make this piece a shining show-stopper. Anyone who is able to snatch this little number will exhibit the effortless chic we all aspire towards. 



Speaking about metallics and redefined shapes, look what I  found the other day at H&M, courtesy of my beloved Blackberry. That's right, a silver oversized fall jacket that oozes chic--perhaps a "wink" at Stella's mastery...

My new jacket reminds me of Daphne Guiness and her sharp shoulder silver jacket...it may sport a different style but surely like mine it didn't go unnoticed...Pair that sweeeeet piece with what I've concoted below to sport her stylishness, and clicky clicky below to find out where to purchase the fabulous pieces I listed!
 

Sandals: Alexander Wang, Collar: Gemma Lister, Dress: Alexander Wang, Clutch: Alexander McQueen, Headband: Madame Framboise, Bangles and ring: LeiVanKash 

Until we speak again...have a brilliant day!

Stepping into the wild: dissecting animal prints et cetera

Dissecting animal prints goes a long way...literally. Emerging in the 1940s during the early stage of the women's movement, these little wild adornments were first worn by Liberator pioneers such as Bettie Page who became the inspiration for animal print to be sexy and fashionable. 

 vest: Jack, blouse: Nasty Gal, leggings: Zara, booties: Prada, bag: Chanel

Sexy and fashionable...those are you to decide. I definitely went all out in front of another rad graffiti wall. Figured the explosion of color could add a playful twist!

pink quartz and ruby bracelet: Satya, croc effect leather bracelet: Miu Miu, skull bracelet in rose gold: LeiVanKash, brass heart pendant: In God We Trust, turquoise flower ring: Dicha

Queen Bling definitely gave a new meaning to Queen B...

From snake and zebra prints to leopard...we are dissecting all things wild--and even included Malo, Jehdy's adorable little dog! 

Leopard print became an all time favorite of 1950′s fashion designer Christian Dior’s muse, Mitzah Bricard. Dior's accessories, lines, and campaigns became infused with leopard, associating animal print with chic sophistication and elegance. 

The 1970's brought the dangerous side of animal print, particularly with nightgowns infused with animal prints, leopard print jumpsuits, bell bottoms, and even zebra print platform shoes. This era was also marked by the emergence of street art and hip hop music (hence our desire to incorporate graffiti wall art in our little photo shoot project).

And so the trend of the leopard print continues to mesmerize the fashion world. Here, we blend leopard chic with Native American prints and ripped tights. Peeking into the gate of nature and wilderness has never been so rad. All I can say is: hats off! 

leopard maxi dress: Nasty Gal, booties: FNO for Aldo