White shirt updated

A white button shirt is a staple piece for your closet that can be combined with pretty much anything. Of course depending on the look it is easy to fall into the trap of creating an executive officewear mood but you can start by choosing a less ordinary shirt in order to create something more modern and casual. 

Although I own a classic white button shirt, I was very attracted to this one that is far from your typical one. It reserves the characteristic of versatility, giving you the option to combine it with trousers or skirts or even underneath a dress, for more formal or more casual looks but it is far more interesting because of its shape. Also the embroidered element gives it a special, fashionable touch.

So here it is, combined with jeans but far from basic!

• White asymmetrical shirt with "We don't care" embroidery: LEFTIES
• Blue skinny jeans: H&M
• Black and white striped mules: ZARA
• Black tote bag: STOCKMANN
• Black tassel earrings: THE CRAV CONCEPT
• Black sunglasses: CARRERA

Marble and stripes

As I have mentioned before, sales are the perfect opportunity to buy things that you weren't willing to pay for the original price before and although you run the risk that you won't find the piece anymore if you do, you can save up a lot. Take these mules as an example that I had been eyeing on Zara. I never found them on the local store that I frequently visit but I had seen them on the online store and I had been stocking them. They weren't extremely expensive (1199 pesos translating to 47 pounds, 55 euros, 59 dollars) but although I really like them they are not the kind of shoe that I will probably be wearing on a daily basis. I decided to wait for the sale and hope for the best. So as soon as the sale season started I checked the online store. Now they were half price but still I was not sure and I decided to wait for the second wave of discounts that I know Zara applies after a couple of weeks. So after waiting to see how much further the price would be reduced and hoping they would still have my size, finally I got online and saw that they were sold for 349 pesos (14 pounds, 16 euros, 17 dollars) and available in my size so I immediately added them on my shopping cart! 

That is probably what you can call a happy ending to a sales hunt ;)

• Marble print dress: TU TEXTIL
• Black and white stripes pointy heeled mules/black quilted bag: ZARA
• Black choker: A.T. CHOKERS
• Black sunglasses: CARRERA

Sequins and tassels

Sequins are the sort of embellishment that people usually use after the sun goes down and on formal occasions. However as unconventional as I am, the moment I saw this fabric I knew I wanted to have something made out of it and of course it wouldn't be a long skirt. So I thought a bomber jacket would be very cool as it is on trend, in its nature it is a quite casual piece but with the sequins it be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion and the mood. So say hello to my morning sequins and goodbye to the old-fashioned rules!

• Black dress with jersey top and leather skirt: ASOS CURVE
• Gold sequin bomber jacket: TU TEXTIL
• Black "Meow" flat shoes/black handbag with gold polka dots print: LOLY IN THE SKY
• Black long tassel earrings: THE CRAV CONCEPT
• Black sunglasses: CARRERA

Pearl and pretzel

A blazer is an important piece for office looks but that doesn't mean that it has to be tailored, black and matching your trousers. Although I don't have to stick to a strict dress code at work and I have flexibility in what I can wear (therefore I do not own many blazers), I feel that it is worth having a few of them in your closet especially if they are versatile enough to be used on casual occasions. Even though I had not planned on buying a new one, I found this in the sale rack and I thought I would give it a shot. I had seen it when it was still full-price but my lack of urgency detained me from buying it. However finding it almost half price made me see it as an opportunity. I love the colour and the shape that are not the typical and the fabric is so soft!

• Light blue blazer: ZARA
• Black tank top: H&M
• Black skinny jeans: NEW LOOK INSPIRE
• Gold lace-up cutout oxfords: STEVE MADDEN
• Black handbag: DKNY
• Pearl ring: THE CRAV CONCEPT
• Gold pretzel necklace: LOLA LOLA
• Black sunglasses: CARRERA

Choker and studs

You certainly have noticed the comeback of chokers in the past year and I have indulged in the trend as you may have seen here on the blog. I don't have many of them, however the one I was given for Christmas by my brother-in-law JC is a very special one. It is hand-embroidered by women in the Yucatan region of Mexico and it is just beautiful. Who says that artisan work has to be boring and traditional? Here is the proof that it can be fashionable as well!

• Black v-neck t-shirt: H&M
• Black skinny jeans: NEW LOOK INSPIRE
• Black and white knit cardigan/pointy studded flats: ZARA
• Green handbag: CAROLINA HERRERA
• Embroidered choker: LOLKINA
• Black sunglasses: CARRERA

Denim and stripes

Apart from jeans, denim is a great use of material in any form: skirts, jackets, even dresses are so comfortable and you can combine them with anything. And when I say anything I mean it, even with my beloved stripes. Hot pink lips are just there to give the look a boost.

• Denim pinafore dress: PRIMARK
• Black and white striped t-shirt with "Stylish, Smart, Silly, Fabulous" print: ZARA
• White peep toe flats with black bows: FOREVER 21
• Multicouloured stripes print handbag: KATE SPADE NEW YORK
• Black sunglasses: CARRERA

Sparkles and moustaches

Are you aware of the mini bag trend? It has been around since last year and it is still going strong. Although mini bags look cute, they don't fit many things so for a girl like me that wants to carry around a lot of stuff they are not very practical. However it was hard to resist so when I saw this one on sale in Zara I thought I would give it a go. It may not be the most appropriate bag for going to the office every day but it will certainly do for a dinner out with friends during the weekend!

• Grey sweater dress: H&M
• Black tights: PRIMARK
• Black sparkly sneakers: CARVELA KURT GEIGER
• Grey mini cross body bag in imitation crocodile skin: ZARA
• Black scarf with moustache print: TODOMODA
• Black sunglasses: CARRERA

Rebozo and snake skin

Although I am not Mexican, I have been living in this country for 4 years (in total, I did take a break in between) so I have come to appreciate deeply many things about this place such as the food, the people, the culture. A very important element is its rich tradition of textiles which is so interesting to me so you can imagine I was very excited when I was given this rebozo as a Christmas present. I love how something this traditional can look so contemporary! 

• Teal sweatshirt/imitation crocodile skin pointy flats: H&M
• Crop skinny jeans: LEVI'S
• Purple Lil Ukita bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs
• Black sunglasses: CARRERA
• Purple rebozo: FONART

Lace, studs and Dalí

Lace is too sweet and girly for your taste? Add some studs and make it tough!

• Min lace front sweatshirt: TARGET
• Crop skinny jeans: LEVI'S
• Black pointy ballerinas with studs: ZARA
• Clutch bag with Salvador Dalí print: MIRACLES CO.
• Black sunglasses: CARRERA

Denim and piggy

Continuing with the handmade creations it is time for another bag. I know you probably think I am addicted and you wouldn't be wrong. I just find it very hard to say no to a bag that I really like, as long as I can afford it. In my quest for quirky I came across this cutie that I just could just not resist. So here is the piggy bag styled in a way to catch all the attention of the outfit!

• Denim button shirt: ASOS CURVE
• Black tank top/ skinny jeans: PRIMARK
• Nude ballet flats: ASOS
• Necklace: MACY'S
• Handmade palm piggy bag: no brand, bought from a street vendor in Oaxaca

Rebozo and sneakers

I am sorry I have not been posting anything for a week but I was getting to know Oaxaca and its beauties and traditions. I have learned so much, eaten too much, enjoyed this great place to the maximum. Oaxaca is well known for its long history of textiles since the prehispanic era. 

All the wool that you see hanging behind me has come from sheep in the area and has been dyed with natural methods. The rebozo that I am wearing is a traditional mexican shawl that has been woven in a loom called telar de cintura and it is time to give it a modern twist with my outfit :)

• Black t-shirt with "C'est la Vie" beads application: PRIMARK
• Crop skinny jeans: LEVI'S
• Beige-gold sneakers: MYTHEO
• Black bag: DKNY
• Rebozo: bought from a local on the street
• Black sunglasses: CARRERA

The lucky find

If you have been following me you must have realised by now that I love accessories that are very interesting and quirky. I had seen 2 of my students wearing this sort of necklace, both from another region than where we are located, and I had loved it. When I asked them about it I was told that it had come from a store that didn't exist any longer so I gave up on the idea that I would ever get the chance to make one mine. 

However a few days ago I went to a local store to specifically buy an agenda and while I was looking around I suddenly saw a glass bowl containing these necklaces. I just couldn't believe it, I had completely forgotten about them and there they were. So of course I couldn't let the opportunity pass by and chose the one that I felt was more suited to my style! 

Don't you just love it when luck brings these little treasures your way?

• Black tank top: H&M
• Black skinny jeans: NEW LOOK INSPIRE
• Beige knit cardigan: ZARA
• Fuchsia ballet flats: KATE SPADE NEW YORK
• Black handbag: DKNY
• Black sunglasses: CARRERA
• Fancy girl necklace: RS, found at White Mint Concept Store

Hand-down dress

How do you feel about clothes recycling? Do you still wear clothes handed down to you by a friend or a family member? While I was growing up it was normal being the younger sister up to the point that my sister and I developed completely different body types. After that it was kind of impossible to wear her old clothes and the exclusivity of my closet started. Up to this day whenever we are together (a few days per year since I live in Mexico and she lives in England) we exchange handbags and accessories where our size has no interference. 

About 2 weeks ago, a colleague of mine saw me at work wearing a print dress and she told me that she had a dress that she had bought on a trip she took to China that she had only used once, she didn't really like how she looked in it and she felt that it would suit my style. I was not sure that it would fit me since she is very tall and thin but a few days later she brought it to me and I felt that this dress really is for me: it fits and it is a colourful print! 

So if you have something in your closet that you never wear and you think would suit someone else give it to them. Or you can always donate your unwanted clothes to a charity. There is always someone who could get a use out of them.

• Colourful print dress: no brand
• Black skinny jeans: NEW LOOK INSPIRE
• Black short sleeved cardigan: H&M
• Gold lace up oxfords: STEVE MADDEN
• Black handbag: DKNY
• Black sunglasses: CARRERA

Stylish postcards

If you live in a region where September means that the summer is about to be over, take advantage of the last days of heat and sunshine and wear your sandals! It can't get more summery than combining them with a skirt and a t-shirt ;)

• Black and white striped t-shirt with "STYLISH, SMART, SILLY, FABULOUS" print: ZARA
• Black full skirt with postcards and stamps print: PRIMARK
• Sandals with black straps and white soles: CLUB FAMOUS
• Mint Q Natasha handbag: MARC BY MARC JACOBS
• Black sunglasses: CARRERA

Black, white and tan

These three colours are always in style no matter the weather, your style, the season. And they always play well among them so you can always rely on an outfit combining them!

• Black t-shirt with "C'est la Vie" inscription made with beads/ white culottes: PRIMARK
• White heeled sandals/ black, white and tan handbag: ZARA
• Black sunglasses: CARRERA