Top picks

While I continue to hunt for that awesome pair of summer sandals and a new pair of skinny jeans. I've decided to list my top picks in my wardrobe at the moment. I love these items so much I have to try to restrain myself from wearing them everyday!

1. Coral nail polish. I love it for all it's summer brightness.

2. Fun, whimsical earrings. These make me happy when I wear them.

3. Boyfriend cut jeans. I need a new pair of skinnys but I haven't had much luck so I find myself wearing my relaxed boyfriend cut jeans more often.

4. The simplicity of a white shirt/t-shirt or vest is timeless. I love white shirts and I love this particular sleeveless number.

5. Scarves! I have always had a serious love affair with scarves and with them making a huge impact on summer and autumn trends I'm making sure I stock up!

Calling on the stylish...

The 12th annual South African Style Awards ceremony has been scheduled for 15 November. And you can witness the glamour, glitter, and of course rate the dresses by booking a table at your favourite restaurant in Nelson Mandela Square.

The awards will return to Nelson Mandela Square this and is sure to showcase the most stylish fashionistas in SA. It has never failed to impress – two years ago, this event was hosted in a sparkling gazebo in the square complete with chandeliers and of course Moët & Chandon champers and Lindt chocolate... you don't get more decadent than that!

Last year's award winners are feature above, and in 2006 the Style Awards agreed with me and awarded the fabulous Aspasia Karras.

Who do you think should win a style award?

Belinda relocates

Belinda, the inspirational boutique which launched last year in Parkhurst has relocated to Hyde Park Shopping Centre. This shopping mecca stocks the likes of Stella McCartney, Marni, Chloe & Miu Miu. Fashionistas and shopaholics congregated last week for the relaunch of this marvelous store. Hyde Park also took the opportunity to announce the top Spring/Summer looks and trends.

According to gurus, the top four international looks to wash onto our shores are:

Country Heritage, which borrows strong influences from the sometimes frumpy, rather unlikely fashion icon, Queen Elizabeth I. It should be clarified that we're talking about the queenie when she's off duty. This would inlcude trousers, headscarves and preppy twin sets and pearls.

Next is the look is global traveler, from Brazil Carnivals to Inca Trails, Russian influences and Hobo chic - rather strangely dubbed Tribal Council. (I think it is a bit far flug to include allthis in one trend, and I think it's a bit of confusing name!). The icon for this look is model, the breathtakingly beautiful Jordan Dunn.

Next we have Soft Goth (a trend which first hit several seasons ago, egads Emo has infiltrated mainstream!) The icon for this look, Katie Holmes - I'm guessing that one of the top looks is the combination of her sharp, ebony bob with the red armani dress she wore to The Met Costume Institute Gala.

Architectural Tailoring. The new austere strict and sculptured. Icon models for this look are Agyness Deyn, Victoria Beckham, and our own Liezel van der Westhuizen. (I'm not sure how these three ladies can be said to be following one look! And, austere refers to plain in style... I DEFINITELY would not describe Agnys Deyn as plain in style. Androgenous, perhaps... Cutting edge... definitely, daring... absoulutey because few people can go out with an eye-patch and pull it off but austere, hell no!)

Check out the pics of all that attended... Uyanda Mbuli was as elegant and gracious as ever, she is just such a wonderful woman. And I'd like to state that I think Aspasia Karras is just about the most chic woman in the media, she always looks so effortlessl fab!

Spotted

BB and I were invited to the official launch party of Sanlam South African Fashion Week at LIFE two weeks ago. It was far too much fun, with delectable Belvedere cocktails, a raucous crowd and beautiful setting.

We are finally posting some pictures of the celebrities that were tottering about... comments are welcome.

Jennifer Su is just the picture elegance, which reminds me of one of my favourite quotes: "Elegance is not being noticed, it is being remembered!"

Desperately seeking

I see BB has surpassed me with two straight posts – she’s so together! The reason for my absence is that with the weather warming here in Gauteng I am starting to compile my summer wish list. I generally do this at the start of each summer season to direct my shopping. Before I go into the details of my must-have list, I have noticed that my shoe collection needs some updating and I particularly am in need of summer flats.

I have a great pair of simple silver thong flats, but I do not think that they will last another season so now I am on the hunt for the ultimate pair of summer sandals.

So if I am to be on trend, this season sees the return the gladiator sandal. A great look, which has populated the shelves Woolworths in silver, old gold, chocolate and black. I was quite mesmerized by the silver and decided that might just be my desired summer flat. But alas, the gladiator does not quite do my foot any justice. Perhaps it just takes some getting used to because a lot more foot is covered than your usual pair of thongs. So perhaps my eye simply has to adjust.

Nine West have some fabulous versions of the gladiator. I fancy this gold snake pair and the multi-coloured version are quite fun.

Country Road have a lust worthy pair gladiator-esque platforms that are quite similar to a pair of Miss Sixty shoes I spotted in the British version of InStyle.

And, I’m just such a huge fan of Aldo’s fun with colour and height. This season they have a beautiful ankle strap platform in ivory, teal and cognac – featured in this month’s Glamour – which I simply have to have!

For now I’ll keep to my quest for the right summer flat and keep you updated. If you are on the hunt, metallics are great because they are neutral. Just ensure your toes are manicured! Bright coloured toe-nails are a superb way to add a splash of colour – red or fuchsia are my top two choices but if you have a darker complexion soft pinks and corals will contrast fabulously against your skin.
Pictures sourced from www.ninewest.com and www.countryroad.com/au

Smashbox at Woolies

Smashbox has been at Woolies counters for exactly a week now so a review is definately overdue. How great are the Woolies beauty counters nowadays BTW? I just have to digress for a second for a short ode to the imported loveliness that is Benefit, REN, Frederic Fekkai, Bloom et al. I can spend hours there, in fact, i have spent hours there. If it wasn't for the plethora of persistant shop assistants, I could happily spend the entire day smearing things on my face and rubbing them off again.

So, Smashbox. Anyone familiar with the brand will know about their holy grail product - the Photo Finish primer. Its a primer to wear under foundation (or alone) - it smooths fine lines and creates a weirdly matte texture that is absolutely fantastic for making foundation stick and stay. Reviews that I have read say that it creates a defused light effect, softening lines and creases and making the contours of the face appear smoother. I tried the gel fluid on the back of my hand and I've got to say that my first impression was that it was d-r-y. It felt almost prickly on my moisturised hand. As soon as I got over the unusual texture, I realised how smooth my hand looked. The pores were magically gone.

I wasn't in the market for a primer, so I ventured to the colours and instantly fell in love with the eyeshadows, which are on a MAC price range of R130. They have a fine-milled, iridescent texture. I bought the "flirt" - a pinky beige with silver flecks. I have been wearing for two days now to work and, although it looks gorgeous freshly applied, it doesn't really make it past lunchtime. Also, the shimmer particles are too big, in my opinion, and end up all over my cheeks. Actually, looking at myself right now at 6.23pm, I look like I have morning after make-up on: faded eye shadow, smeared mascara and glitter all over my cheeks. Time to go home! Ok, I am being way too harsh on Smashbox, because its actually my fault I didn't put any primer on. But, the staying power on these is not great compared to MAC.

So my little rant out of the way, I am so happy to see this iconic brand in Woolies and my eyeshadow experience is not going to put me off from buying more. I already have my eye on the tinted moisturiser so will keep you posted.

Picture from smashbox.com

Gossip Girl in SA

Gossip Girl starts on DSTV's channel Go this on month! Yay! I feel like that's all I need to say by way of introduction, unless you have been living in social Siberia for the past year. But, I just cant help writing a whole long post on how absolutely fab this show is and how much anyone that was ever addicted to the OC, 90210 (not the new generation, which premiered in the US last night), Desperate Housewives, etc will love it.

Gossip Girl is basically The OC transported to New York. Several story lines follow rich teenagers around in all their messed-up -substance-abusing -best-friend's boyfriend-stealing glory. They are extremely well-dressed (I'll get into this later). The dysfunctional parents get airtime too. Its escapism in its purest, most stylish form.

Ok, now its time for the clothes. This is a fashion blog, after all. School uniforms are a major feature - Ralph Lauren blazers, full make-up, boots, Marc by Marc Jacobs flats, headbands, tights. Yes, not exactly what I wore on an average day to school, but then again I wasnt a heiress living on the Upper East side. Gossip Girl has been a significant trend setter in the US.

Here's a short list of the big fashion loves from the show (and because I cant help but indulge my love for bullet points):

- headbands

- crested blazers

- coloured tights (definately not the foot-less variety)

- lots of embellishment

- the essential preppy handbook (that's all I'm saying)

Gossip Girl is on on Wednesdays 18.30 on Go.

A peculiar lady

I have a huge fetish for accessories. In fact, this is a love affair that both BB and I share. We can happily busy ourselves in stores such as Accessorise for hours on end. We’ll actually work out what the different accessories will look good with and I’ll even confess that sometimes I’ll co-ordinate an entire outfit around a new necklace or bangle!

I have always had a particularly huge soft spot for flowers in jewellery, which was triggered as a teen when my sister bought the most exquisite vintage necklace with a Silver Star Gazer pendant. A few years ago, I met a woman at Spier Wine Estate who designed handmade silver jewellery as a hobby and she’d made herself the most unbelievable silver poppy ring and that was when I knew I had to own a floral ring.

My recent obsession is roses – they are just too beautiful not to immortalise into jewellery. A few months ago I saw this ring in Glamour magazine but they did not offer the designer’s details. I was desperately trying to track the designer down when I stumbled upon Lady Peculiar at fashion week this year and I loved everything in their collection.

This jewellery brand is the product Truda Serfontein and Louise van Graan’s passion to design and make creative and unique jewellery. From the lovely rose ring, to arum lily earrings and beautiful birds whimsically flying from your lobes, it is definitely worth visiting their website to view their catalogue. They are very reasonably priced, at under R300 for a pair earrings.

They are based in Stellenbosch but do supply a range of stores. Contact them directly. After chatting to them at SSAFW I found them to be wonderfully friendly and great to chat to.

I know I will definitely be investing soon!

Pulling for inspiration

BB and I have been yearning to style up a totally fabulous fashion blog and join the throngs of fabulous fashionistas putting their likes, dislikes and wish lists in the public eye. And now that BB bit the bullet and set up our online space, I feel as utterly vacant as I feel most mornings when standing before my now, seemingly tired, wardrobe. I seem to be bubbling over with ideas that I don’t know what to write. I find that when I have too many ideas I am left grasping and yanking for inspiration.

So I have decided to offer a mini introduction into what us fashion and beauty loving gals are hoping to accomplish in this here space. BB and I have been slaves to fashion for longer than we can imagine. From my days of co-ordinating my Barbie’s outfits with shoes, I have loved all aspects of fashion, textile and design. BB and I have spent many an hour pondering the items of fashion we will buy, we desire, the looks we are going for and how we hope to change, resurrect or inspire our wardrobes. In short, fashion, beauty, design, trends – the whole list has become our hobby.

Where we’re from, what we do, where we’re headed is irrelavent. In some ways our tastes are very different and in so many ways they merge. So, enjoy the ride and see if there is anything in our space that triggers your interest and feedback is always welcomed.

Fashion Trends Men Dont Get

Wedge Heels: Offensive?

A favourite in fashion magazines is the article that tells you, the reader, what men really think of the way you dress. In this month’s edition of Cosmo, I read a bullet point list of items that men ‘just don’t get’. Here’s an abridged version:

- wedge heels
- padded bras
- flesh-tone underwear
- anything volume
- footless tights

So, what’s the problem with wedges heels? Men say they’re like ‘cheating’ - you get the elongated legs and sexy sway effect but minus the searing pain up your calves after twenty minutes of wear. Volume is rejected for obvious reasons, namely you can’t really see what’s going on under the item and hence immediately raises suspicion that you could be
a) pregnant
b) fat
c) pregnant and fat
Padded bras and flesh-tone undies fail dismally in the sexy stakes (fondling a gel chicken fillet isn’t nice) but don’t strictly belong on the list seeing they’re not trends. And, I’m not sure what’s the issue with footless tights.



So we all know that high fashion goes over the heads of most men. Recently, a man removed the padlock from my Chloe Paddington and attached it to his jeans' belt loop, calling it a 'chastity belt'. But when men view trends as "ugly" or "unattractive" should we care? Should we stick to low cut and tight or just save it for date night?





picture from: net-a-porter.com