Moomins and pom poms

Although I was in Helsinki for less than 24 hours, I was lucky to be there while there was a Fashion Stock Sale going on where Finnish brands were participating and selling products at low prices and as I was curious to see the work of local designers and it was just at the centre of the city, I paid it a visit. Although I saw many interesting pieces, the things that caught my eye and I couldn't walk away from was this collection by a designer which was full of prints with Moomins.  

I don't know if you recognise these very cute characters coming from a children's book and comic strip (100% from Finland) but I have been a fan since my childhood. If you don't know them, I invite you to Google them and you can find on YouTube episodes of the animated series. Of course I couldn't resist buying something from the collection, especially since the price was muuuuch lower than the original one! Oh and obviously I went for the pink option ;)

                             

• Pink and blue dress with Moomins print: IVANA HELSINKI
• Ancient greek style sandals with pom poms: PRIMARK
• Fuchsia quilted bag: FRAGOLA
• Sunglasses: HASS JOYERÍA

Bunny heart

Before flying back home, I had the opportunity to spend a day in Finland's capital, Helsinki. I had forgotten how although relatively small compared to Athens and Monterrey where I have spent most of my life, it is great city full of life. Of course I couldn't resist doing some shopping surrounded by so many options. I visited Stockmann, a very important department store in Scandinavia where a lot of important brands can be found. And what a great coincidence, there was a mid-season sale so it made it even harder to resist. 

I was going around the shoes department (I know I have a serious addiction :s) and there they were: these super cool bunny fuchsia sneakers, 40% off in my size waiting for someone to snatch them. I took it as a sign that it was fate to have them so after thinking about it for a minute I was at the register paying for them. 

• Black slip dress/black t-shirt: H&M
• Fuchsia bunny sneakers: MINNA PARIKKA
• Fuchsia Selma bag: MICHAEL KORS
• Black heart necklace: MOSSIMO

Suede and fuchsia

It is funny how you grow up and your style transforms. If you told me about 10 years ago that I would start owning more skirts and dresses than jeans I would have laughed at your face. But I guess becoming a grown-up has really changed my perspective. I think that dresses are great because styling them is easier: you just have to think of the accessories to go with it, no tops and bottoms. Also they can be very versatile depending on the shoes, bag and jewelry you combine them with. So my fascination with them has led me to expand my collection of them. So when I ran into this one by accident (and by accident I mean that I almost never go shopping at the specific mall where I bought it, it was the first time I was going inside this store and I was just there accompanying my friend who wanted to buy clothes for her new job), I tried it on and I thought it would be great for my wardrobe. The colour and the shape can really be a canvas to combine it with anything so for starters I decided to go with fuchsia bright!

• Camel suede looking dress: CORTEFIEL
• Fuchsia ballet flats: KATE SPADE NEW YORK
• Fuchsia patent leather tote bag: WESTIES
• Gold bracelet with fuchsia stone: BLE

Green and fuchsia

Sometimes you buy a garment and you love it so much that you would like to have it in any colour available since it is so comfortable. Some time ago I bought this black dress and I am very fond of it because the fabric feels good on my skin, it looks nice and it fits well. 

It also came in green but I thought it would be too much to buy both although the price was very affordable. However, on my sale shopping spree I happened to find the green dress available on my and half price so I decided it was a sign that I should take it home and let it live in the same closet with its sibling. 

• Fuchsia and blue colourblock coat: PRIMARK
• Green dress: ZARA
• Black tights: H&M
• Flat black ankle boots: PULL & BEAR
• Fuchsia Selma bag: MICHAEL KORS
• Fuchsia and black shoe print neckerchief: METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART 

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

Canvas and fuchsia details

A girl can never have enough little black dresses. They are a basic piece for your wardrobe and you can never go wrong with wearing one. They are just suitable for any occasion and they function as a canvas that is waiting for you to be painted with all the elements you will add to the look. I decided to give it a colour boost by adding fuchsia accessories and lips. 

• Black dress: ZARA
• Imitation snake skin slingback flats: H&M
• Fuchsia Selma bag: MICHAEL KORS
• French doll necklace: RS Paris

Summer staple

Prints in bright colours are a summer staple. Add some colour to your shoes and bag and you are ready to rule the season!

• Kaftan print dress: NOOBASS
• Skinny jeans/fuchsia and navy blue sandals: PRIMARK
• Fuchsia Selma bag: MICHAEL KORS

Pink and fuchsia

It has been almost a month since my birthday but I still haven't finished presenting you all my gifts. I must admit that I am a very lucky girl that received a lot of love and many presents this year but I promise that I am almost done showing off :)

This blouse was one of the gifts that I received and I find it great because first of all it is pink and also it is suitable for any occasion depending what you combine it with. A pair of jeans and fuchsia lips make a good match with it for a casual day at work. 

• Pink blouse: SUBURBIA
• Girlfriend jeans/ Pointy imitation snake skin slingback flats: H&M
• Fuchsia Selma Bag: MICHAEL KORS
• Pink studs: no brand

Grey with pops of colour

Grey is a great winter colour, it is not as dark as black but it is still neutral and appropriate. However, you don't want your outfit to be boring. So throw a pair of tights with texture and some colourful accessories into the mix and you are bound to stand out!

• Grey sweater dress/ grey tights with texture: H&M
• Grey wedged ankle boots: RIVER ISLAND
• Grey and yellow scarf: no brand, a Christmas present I was given
• Fuchsia Selma bag: MICHAEL KORS

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