HM Studio 2016

I happened to get in time in store this morning for the HM Studio AW collection 2016 ; what a beautiful collection it is. Very boho-inspired, loved the wine red hues and applications and the crisp white shirts. 

Unfortunately, I own already SO many white shirts I forced myself not to buy it and went for the black lace blouse instead. I know for sure this lacy beauty will be perfect for a Christmas or New Year's party pretty soon. After all, time flies so fast I just know December will be here in a snap !

For now, still enjoying this Indian Summer vibe and sunny weather we are (finally) experiencing.

What did you guys get from this collection ? 

So curious to find out and see all your pictures.

Lace & Mohair

I've finally found a discrete but very nice bustier to protect my modesty underneath my bridal dress next week. We are planning to renew our vows with our 10 year anniversary ; I've found the cutest midi dress but have to admit, it's quite bold. It has a plunging neckline and although it stays nicely in place, I'm not that confident it will hold during the day. I'm quite an expressive person with my arms - imagine Italian gestures and shifting from left to the right in a split second - we don't need nipple slips or other embarrassing moments .. :-)

& Other Stories has a very nice underwear range every season ; they have the most perky choice for their FW16 collection and I was lucky to find this lacy bra in my size. Couldn't also resist to ferret around the store ; the grey mohair knit seen in the picture above .. OMG, it was love at first sight ! Just can't resist a nice knit in any shade of grey.
I plead guilty ; this is my first Winter item and it's not even September yet !
I'm pretty sure you guys would love to wear this chunky sweater on a silk(y) long pencil skirt !

bra Stories

knitwear Stories

team it with 

long silk skirt H&M

Summer Outfit part 1.0

Hi you guys ! Final days of June are approaching and I'm about to get ready for my Summer holiday.

This year I wanted to make sure to be prepared like never before to get those cute outfits in my suitcase before you know it.

I've always been a bad holiday packer as I always wanted to extend my usual-at-home style on holiday ; now, it's not very practical to find black, greys and minimalistic items for your Summer style and by that I mean, sweaters, cashmeres and skinny black jeans. Way too hot.

So this year, I made a not to self to start on time, getting those super fun t-shirts, loose shirt jackets and shorts, into a special part of my walk-in-closet. I call it the beach-only part of my closet so I know exactly where to find my stuff once I get the suitcases out.

As I'm headed for Italy and Ibiza, I wanted to make sure my outfit choices could blend perfectly into both countries and it's style so I would not have to split up anything between them.

Let me get through a small part of my fave finds seen in the picture :

1. kimono/blouse/jackets with cute prints

2. bikini tops {as a replacement for a bra}

3. shorts, cotton or jean

4. flower headbands for minimalistic hair maintenance {they match messy beach waves perfectly}

5. shoes {on my shop list for Italy*}

6. ethnic bags or cotton shoppers with statement quotes

7. sunglasses {of course}

8. shoes {again, on my shop list for Italy}**

* and ** because I want to buy Gucci shoes in the land of origin, don't ask why but it just feels right.

On top of that, every time I will look at those shoes, they will remind me of a fabulous time. I'm pretty sure I will live these next couple of weeks in my flip-flops and sandals ; I already stashed those weeks ago ! 

What are your essentials for Summer ? Any good tips for me ? Leave a note in the comments ! 

note : all items can be found at HM or Zara, except for the Gucci shoes

guilty pleasures

Although it feels not like Summer yet, I know I have to stash up something for Summer because we all know, temperatures will rise eventually and then I will be sorry not bringing these silver beauties home.

The heels are based on the low Gucci Marmont block heel pumps ; I'm pretty sure they feel comfortable and easy to walk Mediterranean streets this holiday. I really like silver to match bare feet ; especially when they are bronzed and well pedicured. So pretty.

Speaking 'bout those Gucci pumps, I've been in doubt like for ever if I will buy them/not buy them. The only women I've seen wearing them were all 50 plus and I'm afraid I have to bow to my husbands reasons why he finds them hideous ! Because they look like granny shoes ..

I totally understand men will find these Gucci's just awful but they are so cute ; love them in bright fuchsia and gold.
So maybe these silver darlings have best of both worlds ; the block heel and the feminine front to show off well pedicured young feet.

Oh well, maybe I'll buy them on sale .. so it does not feel too bad when I'm only wearing them when hubby does not have to walk beside them haha.

silver sandals by HM 

Also found this cute embroidered vichy blouse ; think Brigitte Bardot's style during the 1950-ies !

The glittery flowers on my shoulders give this beauty that extra bling ; aren't you guys longing for some bling from time to time ?

Now and then I like a change from my monochrome grey-black-vieux rose outfits.

This fabric screams instant Summer.

find it here before it goes - they're currently back in stock ! 

HM Conscious Exclusive Collection SS 2016

totally in love with my sky blue skirt !

This time, the H&M designers team have been working incisively with the Musée des Arts Décoratifs to find inspiration for this year's Conscious Exclusive collection. Exclusive access to the costume museum and archives of the museum itself has resulted in a line of modern red-carpet glam items with influences from art and fashion history.

 Julia Reston Roitfeld, being a style expert and daughter of Carine Roitfeld, makes a perfect representative for the Conscious philosophy and their sustainable fashion collection. 

Having a day off, I decided to give it a try and headed towards my local HM store in Antwerp. 

To my surprise there was not a single soul in sight just before opening hours ; in fact, I was the first in line !

I imagined cat fights and greedy women standing in line.

A couple of minutes later other ladies arrived and our small group of fashionista's waited patiently for the doors to open.

I fell in love with the sky blue skirt presented in the window, tried on the blouse I initially came for and some black flat slip-ons but ended up with the skirt ultimately.

Teamed with a soft grey and gold striped Bellerose sweater, it looks chic but not overdone. For special occasions I can wear it with these golden pumps or match it with white sneakers to make it look more on-trend. 

  

Items seen in the pictures are :

skirt HM 

sweatshirt Bellerose 

shoes Gianvito Rossi (similar here) 

bag Chanel 

I'm so frilled !

1. Linda Tol wearing N-Duo - 2. Checkered blouse by Roseanna - 3. Miu Miu - 4. HM

Sometimes you are buying pieces and after a while you discover there's a chord why you bought these clothes so easily.

I've been a fan of frills and ruches from a very young age, think somewhere in the early 80-ies, when a young future princess appeared in the public eye. Diana was shy and so was her style back then. No décolletage or frivolity ; high neck ruffles with a victorian hint to it. 

Circa 1981-1982, this young woman made us copy her hair and blouses. The style was demure and gallant, typical for ladies of her noble status. 

Nowadays, you just can't imagine a lady Mary Charteris, the Duchess of Cambridge or Queen Maxima seen dressed like this. Fashion has become more audacious and accessible, even to royals, often trying to add something personal, fashion wise, when they appear in public. Don't forget pictures are seen much quicker today and public opinion is written, shared and read in a split second.

Even 'la noblesse' wants to be on trend.

So what's up with this particular frilly style, that it emerges again from the archives like for example, Marks & Spencer's, Miu Miu or HM ?

Does somebody like Alexa Chung make this style look edgy ? 

I guess it does .. when you see how she matches it with her typical Alexa-schwung, it's very hard not to like it ; just like Diana in the 80-ies - who became queen of fashion after all - it's feminine, sweet and adds a bit of mystery. Often found in white or cream colors ; bright in sky blue striped versions or checkered for a more interesting look. 

Personally, I can't wait for N-Duo's green and white blouse (seen on Linda Tol above) for the upcoming season or the #archivebyAlexa collection, ready to launch in April. 

I admit I own a lot of frilly blouses, from Dolce & Gabbana to HM, from Vanessa Bruno to Zara, purchased over the last years and hanging in my closet, preserved adoringly. 

So don't shoot me, for loving this particular garment and buying it on a repetitive base ; if somebody like it-girl Alexa loves it, I'm not so far off I guess. 

Do you buy particular items on a repeatedly ? And why so ?

Let me know in the comments.

#brass

Got brass in pocket 
Got bottle I'm gonna use it 
Intention I feel inventive 
Gonna make you, make you, make you notice

Brass is THE color this season ; I absolutely love to team it with some beautiful mohair or other delicate materials.

Today I bought this stunning copper top from the Magdalena collection, designed by Nathalie Lachat.

Actually, it's my second top in a brassy tone I got from her shop and I have to admit I really love this tone ; it's somehow warmer and richer than any plain gold hue.

Getting this item reminded I already stashed some nice slip-ons from HM last year ; normally, I don't do shoes from a chainstore as often quality and materials are poor. But the color totally persuaded me to buy them and they might be nice to wear from time to time {I imagined me wearing them in Summer, feet slightly sun kissed}

Here's some extra inspiration ; I'm pretty sure you'll fall for this beautiful copper too.

photo credits clockwise :
Marie Claire - blog.neimanmarcus.com - nanushka.hu - universeofluxury.tumblr.com - Bellerose

#outfit du jour

today I'm wearing Sam Edelman boots - Zara jean - H&M V-neck t - DIY handmade knit jacket

It's been a while since I posted an outfit of myself ; today I made an effort to capture my daily stay-at-home look du jour. Skinny jean, studded boots, T and my handmade fluffy black jacket ..

The best thing about these handmade jackets ; they are so incredibly comfy and warm ! 

Can't believe I'm wearing a short sleeved t shirt underneath,  in December !  

 I worked in the garden all afternoon, cleaning up the last Fall leafs and mess ; put up some grease balls with nuts for our feathered friends and hung some festive lights in my Winter hard plants. 

Our outside fireplace is filled with wood ; let the holidays begin ! 

#springcollection #ss2014 #hm

I knew I had to be quick if I still wanted to have a shot at this amazing starry print blouse from the new Spring Collection by H&M.

Although we have 3 H&M shops in Antwerp alone, there's only one to sell the limited selected store collection. As soon as I got the chance to go into town, the H&M store was first on my shopping list.

Luckily the blouses are very loosely and wide, even the smallest size would've still fit me just fine. (and that's all the sizes left at noon !)
Also picked the blush pink sweatshirt from the same collection ; this was exactly the colour pink I've been looking for, for the longest time.

Check out your local store or try online

OOTD

As my daughter has the camera for a schoolproject, I'd like you to show my #ootd through this mood board. Very happy with the colours and softness of it all .. I hope you guys like it too. Maybe I'll get some 'live' pictures tomorrow ..

So stay tuned !

double breasted Ziggy coat Isabel Marant

Fujijama print sweatshirt Isabel Marant

loafers Miu Miu

jean Zara

chunky handknit hat River Island 

scarf H&M

bag Chanel

Winner of the Alex Schrijvers python bracelet

shoes Miu Miu similar here

skirt H&M here 

sweater COS similar here 

Today I'm showing you a simple monochrome outfit, black and off white. But more importantly, I'd like to put the emphasis on the python bracelet you see in the 1st picture.
A couple of weeks ago, virtual Instagram acquaintance Jill, promoted designer Alex Schrijvers on her blog. On top, she launched a contest to win this fabulous arm candy.
I never EVER win anything {I'm lucky in love I guess} so I was surprised when a mail from Jill fell into my mailbox whilst still being on holiday.
It said I was the lucky winner of this 150€ worth python bracelet ! Wepa !!

Being very grateful to receive this wonderful gift, I can't but tell how much I love Jill's fashion sense too. Personal stylist - mother - fashionista and Instagram devotee, Jill just breathes fashion.
Check out her blog and rates if you are in need of a fashion innovation ; she'll gladly help you out with any personal fashion issue.

Meanwhile, I'm enjoying my Alex Schrijvers' bracelet. Hope you like it too and my style du jour seen here above. Have a great September Sunday !

Throwback Thursday ; Chanel out of the back of my closet

blouse H&M here 

skort Zara here

shoes River Island here

jacket Chanel similar here

bag Chanel similar here 

Something blue ..

Some things never go out of style ; my LBD by Diane von Furstenberg for example. It has mesh pannels and let that be just 'in style' right now.. Had that dress for so many years and it's still a wonderful piece. It does not need much extra : just a statement ring or bracelet and some heels. Works every time.
Also found this mongolian fur tote online ; am obsessed with it. The deep ombré ox-blood red is fab !
For those who think it's too much (or too big) ; it also exists in a smaller clutch version.
You can find it online here 

Can't wait 'til September ..

Still on the mend from my surgery this week ; can't wait to hit the shops again. I played with my favorite online stores and managed to create this look for the upcoming season. The layered skirt is a great basic piece to match all kinds of items ; sweaters, t shirts for warmer days, blouses.

Black stockings to rock a more sophisticated look or team with some edgy colourful ones to make it look younger and fresh. Whatever suits your style of the day.

style du jour : mesh meets studs

Finally found that mesh t shirts I searched for so long ; and how typical, when you're not looking for something it pops up just in front of you. So great I can pack it for my Summer break.
The picture above shows what I wore today :
coated skinny jean Zara similar here - mesh t shirt H&M similar here  - waistcoat H&M - sandals River Island similar here  - bag Forever 21 similar here 

DIY selfie

My photographer (my daughter) is enjoying a girly Summer break in Spain as we speak : so I need to take the pics myself. 

Here I am wearing my ripped white jean again - a dark blue tank top (hard to see in this picture) - a silk bomber jacket by Antwerp based label Essentiel and my (old) Massimo Dutti wedge booties. 

I did not score any good deals yet, lacking the time but I did some online shopping and ordered me the cutest flats ; mintgreen and studs. Can't wait for the postman to ring my doorbell ! 

*

Omdat mijn huisfotograaf momenteel van een meisjesvakantie in Spanje geniet, moet ik mijn foto's zelf nemen. Hier draag ik opnieuw mijn witte gescheurde jean - donkerblauw Marcelleke (niet zichtbaar hier) en een zijden bomberjasje van Essentiel, gecombineerd met oude Massimo Dutti sleehak laarsjes. 

Heb nog niet de kans gehad om een goeie sale te scoren maar bestelde wel super mooie mintkleurige ballerina's met studs. Nu maar hopen dat de postbode snel aanbelt met een pakje !