Obsession Du Jour: Wide-brim floppy hats and Bow-ties

There are two fashion items I keep a look out for, as of these few weeks; wide floppy hats, and bow-ties. (I won't necessarily wear them together) Floppy hats being a polished choice for headgear this winter, and bow-ties, just because I love adding masculine edges to any outfit and the late "borrowed from the boys" trend. Let's draw inspiration from runways, street styles, past editorials, and some trendy celebrities.

Sources: style caster, hidden gems, fashionising, man repeller, style.com

Quote of the Week

"The Sound of Music" (1965) will always be one of my favourite films that I could go back to watch it again and again. Only recently, have I started swooning over Christopher Plummer's character Captain von Trapp. Only recently, have I realised what a handsome gentleman he was. But it is this scene every time, that makes my heart squeal with joy.

Captain von Trapp: “Maria, there isn’t going to be any Baroness anymore.”

Maria: “I don’t understand.”

Captain von Trapp: “Well, we called off our engagement, you see, and…”

Maria: “Oh, I’m sorry.”

Captain von Trapp: “Yes. You are?”

Maria: “Mm-hmm. You did?”

Captain von Trapp: “Yes. Well, you can’t marry someone when you’re in love with someone else… can you?”

Dear...

Dear Rebecca Black,
It's Friday, fry day, fried eggs,
You murdered my friday.
Any other day would've been fine,
But you screwed up the best day of mine.


Dear beau garcon,
I hate the fact that I don't hate you! You have a gift for humiliating me. Hate it!


Dear footpath-makers, sidewalk designers,
Please make the tiles a little longer or just really short. It's hard to not step on the cracks while still appearing to walk like a normal person.


Dear Universe,
When I muttered, "Could things get any worse?" it was a rhetorical question, not a challenge.


Dear stress-induced weight gain,
You're not helping with the stress.


Dear College,
It's week 3, and I feel I am 10 weeks behind. Why do this to me? It's too cruel.


Dear weight loss commercials,
It's good to know that not only will I lose the rolls, but I will also get a tan and a sexy new hairstyle! And in just 3 months!


Dear 11:11,
You owe me six dates with that cute guy, a snowy day, a shopping spree in New York City, thirteen MacBook Pros, and my lost camera and Marc Jacobs duty-free returned.

Dear man who shared his umbrella with me,
Thank you for your kindness! It was just like in the movies. Except that it wasn't love at first sight.


Dear God,
Help me rediscover you.

Male Muse: Jean-Paul Belmondo

Jean-Paul Belmondo, with his good looks and penchant for playing characters every man secretly wanted to be, was a leading light in French New Wave cinema (acclaimed for his roles in Jean-Luc Godard's Breathless) in the 1960's. Jean-Paul Belmondo’s style is no copycat. It belongs in a class all its own. Clad in trim trousers, a blazer and a fedora while dangling a cigarette, he epitomises French street style in every possible way. It’s a look that is completely carefree yet still fashion conscious at the same time. 

I used to have a firm belief that a suit is the only thing that truly makes a man look handsome, but I'm recently I'm beginning to learn that men can look equally as dashing in the simplest of clothes.

Source: the selvedge yard

Mango Spring 2011 Nude Collection Look Book

It's supposedly Autumn here in Australia (Fall, for you international readers, if you are out there - hellooooo?) and it doesn't get too cold at all. I know this is Mango's Spring look book, but this collection of neutral colour palette by the Spanish label, works perfectly into the early Autumn wardrobe. 

Source: fashion gone rogue

Fall from Grace

Four days ago, I fell from my platform wedges (also known as, trucks, or bricks, to my fashion ignorant mates) and I was on my hands and knees. My first response to pain (and let's not forget the humiliation that I face whilst being labelled a 'fashion victim')? Crying out in agony for my two hurt babies. No, not my knee caps suffering from burst capillaries! My damaged jeans and platforms! And last week, I fell from my towering sandals. And once again, it was like my pain nerves somehow extended to my shoes. 
Unfortunately, band-aids and bruises aren't attractive (thought it's worked for a conversation starter with a stranger man on the train). Fortunately, I can use the maxi skirt trend, and socks with sandals trend to my advantage. 
So here's my abrupt conclusion to this post. Not to sound twisted, but we, fashion people are rarely interested in appearing our 'real' height.

What on Earth did I wear last winter?

My wardrobe has expanded into a floor-drobe, yet I have nothing to wear. How can this be? Maybe I have a well-refined knack for buying the same items in 40 different variations? Currently studying shirt construction, last night, I counted how many white shirts I own - eleven! Who needs or buys eleven very similar button-up collared shirts in various shades of white? I also own an extensive range of black blazers (five), but there's not a lot else going on other than "it" items I bought out of impulse, wore once and hold on to in case it comes back in fashion. Making things more difficult for me and my one-trick-pony wardrobe, it's starting to get chilly in the mornings, so now I'm faced with the mystery of What on Earth did I wear last winter? I'm think I might dye a few of these in bright orange, purple, and fuchsia.

My so-called white shirt collection, lain on the bed.

Inspiration: Stockholm street style

How one country, let alone one city, can produce so many stylish creatures is a perplexity to me. Stockholm, compared to many other cities, has such a high concentration of amazing style. However, they are different from the Italians and the French, in that their style has a sense of quirkyness or irony behind it. I want to go to Sweden! Their chocolate and sweets are quite amazing too!

Source: stockholm street style

Rodarte for Opening Ceremony Spring 2011 Look Book

If I had to choose just one clothing range for my spring wardrobe, this would be it. Rodarte and Opening Ceremony's ultra-stylish collaboration. Yup. But then again, I say that all the time, don't I.

Samuji Fall 2011 Look Book

If you are like me, and love embracing feminine silhouettes and button-ups shirts, you'll like Samuji. The Finnish label features casual designs with a quiet elegance. Check out their short little "Inspirations" video clip, here (The girl needs to be taught how to put on lipstick!)

Model: Ellu Arula

Photographer: Nina Merikallio

Stylist: Minttu Vesala