Catrina and crochet

It's been a month since I was in Oaxaca and although it was a short trip, it was a must to pay a quick visit to the artisan market and buy some nice presents for family, friends and myself ;) 

Among the great things that one may find there, I came across these great handmade earrings of a couple of calacas, that were very cheap. I am a fool for quirky jewellery so it was only natural to buy them immediately. Aren't they adorable?

• White fluffy sweater: LEFTIES
• Grey imitation leather full skirt: PRIMARK
• Black tights with texture: H&M
• Black leather biker boots: ZARA
• Black coat with imitation leather sleeves: ASOS CURVE
• Pink mini Natasha Q bag: MARC BY MARC JACOBS
• Pink crochet cap: BONNE, handmade by me
• Handmade catrina earrings: no brand, bought in the artisan market in Oaxaca

Shopping in Oaxaca

In October 2015 I travelled to Oaxaca with a group of my students and a colleague on a study trip. A friend of my colleague's who is local and helped us out with the organisation of everything one day took us to meet Mariana. Mariana is a woman from a community in Oaxaca that has a very interesting design studio where she is trying to rescue iconography and embroidery techniques from the different communities in Oaxaca and she collaborates with women from these communities to make the embroidery in clothing that she designs. Of course the process can take months but these women receive fair payment for their work, something that doesn't happen always.

I saw a dress in the studio that I really loved but it wasn't my size and I think it was probably already made for someone else so I didn't buy anything on the spot. On the last night we were in Oaxaca I decided to order a dress. Mariana took my measurements and I chose the fabric, the colour of the embroidery and the iconography. After some delays because she couldn't find the fabric I had asked for, finally I got to pick up my new dress now that I went back to Oaxaca for the wedding. So like a child I had to use my new dress immediately so I used it for a day of shopping and wandering around the city. 

• Polka dot dress with handmade embroidery: MARIANA GRAPAIN ETNO DISEÑO
• Fuchsia ballerina flats/fuchsia small cross body bag: KATE SPADE NEW YORK

Casual sequins

As you might remember in November I took a quick trip to NYC and paid a late evening visit to Forever 21. It was hard to miss this very cool, ready for the holiday season, sequin skirt so I decided to buy it. I attended some Christmas parties in December but I was indecisive about wearing it. However, when I was packing my suitcase for Oaxaca for the wedding (check previous post) I decided it would be perfect for the pre-wedding party as the dress code was calling for a smart casual look. So I thought flat shoes, a t-shirt and a cardigan would be the best combination. 

• Black v-neck t-shirt/grey cardigan: H&M
• Silver and pink sequin pencil skirt: FOREVER21 PLUS
• Pink pointy flats: ALDO
• Grey imitation crocodile skin mini bag: ZARA

Bridesmaiding in Oaxaca

When you are around your 30s it is very common that your friends start getting married. However almost all of my closest friends are still single, including myself. Moreover in Greece it is not a custom to have bridesmaids so I had never been asked to take upon the role. 

In spring my friend Cristy got engaged and soon she started the preparations for her wedding. One day at work, during our lunch break she gave me a box with a balloon that I had to blow and pop, revealing a paper reading "Will you be my bridesmaid?". I was very honoured to be asked to be part of her bridal party. So I happily accepted and started helping her in any way I could, mainly taking fashion decisions (kind of my area).

So on Thursday we travelled to the beautiful city of Oaxaca and on Friday I put on my bridesmaid outfit that I designed and my friend and colleague Claudia was kind enough to make for me, the flower crown which I made for all the bridesmaids, my new quirky bag and I witnessed my friend getting married. 

I guess now I can add experienced bridesmaid to my CV ;)

• Gold sequin top/pink tulle skirt/pink flower crown: BONNE
• Nude peep toe heels: SFERA
• Porky Pig minaudiere handbag: ZARA
• Pink sunglasses: THE CRAV CONCEPT

Embroidery and straw

In order to celebrate my adoptive country's Independence Day, I am wearing this beautiful artisan top, very representative piece of work from the south of Mexico and this cute bag, the work of a young Mexican designer from the north. The rest of the look is just there to give myself a feeling of summer vacation ;)

• Black top with colourful embroidery: no brand, handmade in Oaxaca and bought from a market
• Turquoise palazzo trousers/gold crossover sandals: PRIMARK
• Black bag with gold polka dots print: LOLY IN THE SKY
• Straw hat: H&M

Pom poms and checkered

On the cloudy days that life brings upon us, colour is a good companion to get us through the dark moments. Don't be afraid to be bold and combine bright colours. Life is too short to not take risks, especially when it comes to your outfits where no real harm can be done!

• Coral shirt dress: ASOS CURVE
• Ancient greek inspired sandals with pom poms: PRIMARK
• Coral handbag: NINE WEST
• Checkered wicker earrings: no brand, handmade in Oaxaca and given to me as a present

Crochet and wicker

You know how much I appreciate handmade beautiful creations. This black top I have had for some months but the weather wasn't warm enough until now to wear it. The niece of a colleague made it for me and she crocheted it in no time! It was impressive how she asked for my measurements and then in a few days it was already ready for me to use. As for the piggy bag, if you remember I had bought it in Oaxaca when I visited in October and although I do not wear it very often I must say I still love its playful nature. 

The greatest thing about these handmade pieces is that as you can see they can be easily combined with high street and high fashion brands and create a whole new, interesting look!

• Black crochet top: no brand, handmade 
• Black tank top (worn underneath): PRIMARK
• Girlfriend jeans: H&M
• Fuchsia ballet flats: KATE SPADE
• Wicker piggy bag: no brand, handmade in Oaxaca
• Black and gold bracelets: no brand

Flowers and squares

I know flowers for spring are not exactly groundbreaking but it does feel good to wear  them and combine them with light colours. And the combination of colours gives me the perfect excuse to finally use these pretty handmade earrings that I received as a present some time ago but I hadn't found the chance to use. 

• Beige knit cardigan: ZARA
• Black tank top: PRIMARK
• Black floral trousers: NEW LOOK INSPIRE
• Large pink quilted bag: DKNY
• Fuchsia ballet flats: KATE SPADE
• Handmade earrings: no brand, brought to me as a gift from Oaxaca

Handmade accessories

As much as I am a big fan of trends and international fashion, I appreciate a lot local designers and handmade creations. I live in Mexico, a country rich in textile tradition that at the same time has a lot of young creatives trying to find recognition. Support the resources your country has, give artisans and young designers the opportunity to have a better life! And who knows? Probably you will get to create more interesting, unique outfits...

• Black and white striped dress: TARGET
• Red studded slippers: ZARA
• Black and white tweed backpack: MARIA GALAN
• Rebozo: bought in Oaxaca
• Sunglasses: DKNY
• Handmade Frida Kahlo earrings: bought from a stand in the Coyoacán Market

Back to 2015 adventures

I started my 2016 blogging by telling you that I had been away on vacation but I didn't give you many details of my endeavors so it is time to tell you a little bit more. I spent the last days of 2015 in Mexico City and the first days of 2016 in Cancun. My sister with her boyfriend came for a visit so of course sightseeing was a big part of our days. One of the days in Mexico City was spent in Coyoacán where we visited Casa Azul, the Frida Kahlo museum, where the artist grew up and also lived with her husband Diego Rivera. We also visited the Cathedral, the market, had a great late lunch at Los Dazantes and then walked around its beautiful alleys. It is a really nice part of the city so if you are planning on visiting don't forget to include it to your plans. 

• Black embroidered top: no brand, bought in Oaxaca
• White culottes: PRIMARK
• Beige-gold sneakers: MYTHEO
• Mulitcoloured cross boy bag: BIMBA Y LOLA
• Black and white cardigan: ZARA
• Gold sunglasses: TODOMODA

Merry summery Christmas

It is safe to say that this has been the hottest, in terms of temperature, Christmas I have ever experienced.  Since I had been good this year Santa got me this amazing bag that was very easy to use immediately with my pastel coloured summery outfit :)

• Beige embroidered top: no brand, bought in the market in Oaxaca
• Crop skinny jeans: LEVI'S
• Nude ballet flats: ASOS
• Pink Natasha bag: MARC BY MARC JACOBS
• Silver charm bracelet: PANDORA
• Light blue sunglasses: MINKPINK

Moving embroidery

I just love how comfortable and pretty this embroidered top is! And since it is beige it can be combined with pretty much any colour!

• Beige woven top with pastel embroidery: no brand, bought in the artefacts market in Oaxaca
• Skinny jeans: PRIMARK
• Beige-gold sneakers: MYTHEO
• Light blue shopper bag: ZARA
• Drop shaped earrings: ACCESSORIZE
• Gold cat face ring: ASOS CURVE

ThomaFrida

In Greece we don't celebrate Halloween so I am not used to dressing up in disguise for the day. This year like any other I had not really planned something special but 40 minutes before leaving for a Halloween reunion I had an idea. I had everything I needed to dress up like Frida Kahlo, the renowned Mexican painter.  So all I had to do was put on the embroidered dress and rebozo I bought in Oaxaca,my obsidian necklace, transform a plastic headband with the big flowers I use to make flower crowns, make bushy eyebrows with black eye pencil and and put on red lipstick and done! 

• Purple embroidered dress: bought from the artefacts market in Oaxaca
• Handmade rebozo: bought from a lady in Oaxaca
• Black ballet flats: PRIMARK
• Black obsidian necklace: given to me as a present from Teotihuacan 
• Plastic headband with flowers: made by me

The greeks in Oaxaca

I thought it would be a great idea to create a 100% greek outfit and contrast it with the colonial architecture of the centre of Oaxaca. But then I was lucky enough to have access to one of the ateliers of Dr Lakra, internationally renowned artist who resides in the city. So it was a privilege for me to use as a background a wall that he has painted himself with his art. So enjoy the merge of greek fashion and Mexican contemporary art.

• Kaftan print dress: NOOBASS
• Handmade leather sandals with cobalt fringe: LIZA'S LITTLE THINGS
• Nude handmade clutch bag: TRALALA CREATIONS

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

Woven and sparkles

I might love me a designer's bag but that doesn't mean I am not intrigued by beautiful handmade things I come across. So while wandering the streets of Oaxaca, I found this wonderful backpack that I just had to have. 

• Black and white striped dress: TARGET
• Black sparkly sneakers: CARVELA KURT GEIGER
• Mint and pink woven backpack: VIANNEY MÉNDEZ (found in Oaxaca)

Pastel embroidery and the fish

The way you combine the beautiful things that you find in different places of the world can give you a non-folklore outfit that looks modern and appropriate for any day!

• Beige woven top with embroidery: no brand, bought on the artefacts market in Oaxaca
• Jeans: LEE
• Pink suede pointy flats: ALDO
• Large pink quilted bag: DKNY
• Gold fish necklace: no brand, brought to me as a present from Lefkada

Embroidery and oxfords

Continuing with the beautiful, traditional Mexican products this is a typical shirt to be found in Oaxaca. But here is a way to make it more modern and office appropriate. 

• Black traditional woven t-shirt with handmade multicoloured embroidery: no brand, brought from the artefacts market in Oaxaca
• Crop skinny jeans: LEVI'S
• Black boyfriend blazer: ASOS CURVE
• Gold cutout lace up oxfords: STEVE MADDEN
• Light blue shopper bag: ZARA