Ruched orchid print dress

Today is the kind of day when you get up and open up all the curtains in the house as you think that such booming sunshine outside can only mean that all is right with the world and we are going to have a bit of spring weather and a cracking hot summer.

This mornings mail just came through the door and what do you know - yippee a wedding invitation!!!!!!  Not until June though which gives me ample time to put an outfit and accessories together. I am always blessed to get myself an invitation to a wedding every year and I do so love weddings but can't help but agonise about getting my wedding outfit just right as after all it is a camera ready moment especially if you are caught on the wedding video and pictures.   

I like to think of it as a historical moment as once you are caught in the wedding video or wedding photos its not likely that they will be thrown away any time soon or ever at all. Plus these days you never know where these photos will end up as you can find yourself tagged in a photo on facebook where the person posting the photo looks absolutely fabulous and you like something the cat dragged in.

It's nice when I can simply wear an old wardrobe favorite but can I take the chance that I won't be double tagged on facebook at two different events in the same outfit.  A bit vain I know but I like to keep my look fresh and unpredictable.  At least the only thing predictable about my outfit is the fact that it will be stunning and unusual even if stunning simply meant a piece of unique jewellery to add tremendous depth and glamour to my wedding outfit.  With this orchid print dress, which is fabulous for concealing stomach and other bulges, all I'm going to need is my munique rock crystal bracelet if at all.  Just have to decide on which colour shoes now. 

My red coat

I've always wanted to buy myself a red coat but never felt brave enough. Actually when I think about it it has nothing to do with courage but wearability.  Practicality I just could not imagine wearing a red coat 24/7. So I kept telling myself that once I have my must have coats in more versatile colours like black and brown then I could certainly extend my winter coat collection by adding more colour.

But last year I chickened out again and bought a lambswool burnt orange coat which I simply love and just had to buy. Today however I popped into Marks and Spencer to get some sandwiches and like a bee to honey couldn't resist this red corduroy coat  from M&S' Per Una collection.

Mind you it is not just any red coat but the shape, texture and inner lining really appealed to me.  Sometimes I do wish I could wear some coats inside out as the inner lining are becoming more and more of a fashion statement. I do also like Marks and Spencer's approach to accessorizng their clothes range with scarves and unique jewellery, in this case adding a black snood to the red coat   So can't wait to wear my long awaited red coat and since I have to drag myself out in a bit later  to take my son swimming, which I'm absolutely dreading since its cold and wet, I'm gonna cheer myself up by wearing my new red coat.

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What valentine gift are you expecting?

Valentine's day,  that time of year that makes many men nervous and even more women apprehensive especially when not in a long term or committed relationship.  As tradition would have it, on this gift giving occasion the onus is on men to pamper their valentines unlike christmas where it is an exchange of gifts.  Not fair on men I say but we women have our own inequalities to deal with. 

Why the nerves?  Well it's fair to say that the choice of gifts, thoughts and sentiments expressed on the part of the male can sometimes be a clear indication of where you stand in a relationship.  A definite relationship maker or breaker if there ever was one as indeed it is all about expectations being fulfilled or shattered.

Men can't get more transparent than zero effort on such a momentous social calendar event. That said some people put no importance on the valentines day tradition and not giving a valentines day gift or acknowledging the day in some way is in no way a sign of where the relationship is headed. 

So what type of valentine are you? 

Do you like the show and attention of having flowers and chocolate sent to the office?  Some people love this overt attention or to be wined and dined at a fancy restaurant while others are more conservative and prefer a valentines day gift at the end of the day over a quiet dinner.   Me I like the sentiment and a memento to treasure forever, so handmade jewellery can never disappoint.

Here's hoping that your valentines day expectations are met even if you do send yourself gifts at the office to avoid feeling left out or others feeling sorry for you.  So much pressure, it makes me wonder where the idea of valentines day even originate.  If you share my curiosity click here to read why every year, on February 14 millions of men across the globe set out to impress their wives, partners, fiancees,  girlfriends etc with unique jewellery and special gifts, flowers, chocolates .......and why you have to book months and weeks in advance to ensure you get a table at your favorite restaurant. 

Unique fashion accessories and your capsule wardrobe

A friend of mine just asked me to save her a georgeous burgundy pink beaded necklace, just in, that is perfect for an outfit she has.  She also tried on this turquoise beaded bracelet which looked great on her but then she said "but I don't have clothes to match this bracelet."  So I said to her, "why not start with the accessories and build an outfit from there".  Interior decorators find a focal point, be it fabric, a serving tray etc and create a theme around it for a room so what's to stop us from building an outfit from accessories up when it comes to fashion.

Strangely enough I'm never been deterred from buying unique jewellery and fashion accessories because I don't have an outfit in my wardrobe to match.  As long as it good quality, unusual, stylish and makes a statement I buy it and add to my wardrobe of fashion accessories.  When I bought this belt for instance I had no idea how I was going to wear this belt and with what.

  But I loved the pearl and burgundy colours, the plaited detail and the fact that it is a leather belt at a great price.  This belt sat in my wardrobe for months before I wore it.   The tribal necklace I have had for over 20 years.  At the time I bought it I didn't even know these fashion terms.  I simply liked the necklace because it seemed unusual and now 2 decades later it is still fashionable and I'm wearing tribal and ethnic jewellery.  Now that is what I call a classical jewellery piece.  The metallic handmade leather sandals just completes this look in style.

When I where these outfits without accessories nobody comments but I add the belt and suddenly the " aren't we glamourous comments" or "what's the occasion? questions start coming my way.  Don't take my word for it just try it and see how fashion accessories can really add glamour to simple outfits.

I'm not one for building a wardrobe in a day.  But overtime you can collect some fabulous statement fashion accessories that always get the desired response to make your day.  And I am getting the hang of this capsule capsule wardrobe concept as using the same belt and trousers with a different top simply creates a new outfit.  Versatile and interchangeable, the keywords for a capsule wardrobe.

Note to self must invest in a mannequin as I simply can't photograph myself wearing these clothes.  If anyone knows a good deal on a mannequin new or second hand please let me know.

That special find

This Raku Copper Circles Pendant is just one of the unique finds waiting to be unearthed at Munique Fashions This contemporary jewellery piece is part of the Evelyn Signature Collection which is known for its stylish and sophisticated combination of fired clay pendants mounted on woven chains. This vibrant and earthy collection is made using white stoneware that has been raku fired in the Japanese tradition. No two pieces are the same and each piece is individual engraved with the artist’s signature.