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

Bobble on the top

I am back! If you are following me on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter you probably know that I have not posted anything for some time now because I was on a trip. First I went to Amsterdam and Iceland on vacation and then I went to Finland for work. 

In Finland I had the chance to learn more about local brands and designers and do a little shopping. While I was in Lahti as a guest lecturer I visited a small boutique called Puoti that stocks Finnish designers and vintage clothing. It was impossible not to notice a stand full of hats in different colours, materials and sizes but all with a characteristic yarn bobble. As you can imagine I went for the most colourful one in the store. What makes this buy even better is that the brand making the hats, called Costo is a sustainable business that cares about the environment and uses leftover materials for their production.

• Grey long-sleeved dress with frill hem: ZARA
• Pink sparkly pointy flats: BIMBA Y LOLA
• Pink quilted bag: DKNY
• Yellow hat: COSTO

Lace and pom pom

It is safe to say that the fashion store (both brick-and-mortar and online) that I visit most often is Zara. I have been a client since their first stores opened in Athens, I was still in junior high and the brand was just starting to take off and becoming internationally recognised. Even when I couldn't fit into most of their clothes, I never stopped going in the store, buying accessories and shoes that are always a safe bet and the occasional t-shirt/sweater. Lately I have started fitting in more of their clothes so I am checking out their stuff even more frequently. In one of my visits I tried on this grey dress. Although it fit and I felt good in it I wasn't really convinced that I wanted it that much in my closet. However now that I saw it online for 199 pesos during sale and still available on my size it was immediately added on my basket. 

• Grey sweatshirt dress with lace bottom/pink backpack: ZARA
• Grey wedged ankle boots: RIVER ISLAND
• Pink pom pom hair band: GANT

Pink and yellow

I live in a city where the weather is very unpredictable and we are going through a very summery winter but occasionally the temperature drops. So if you are wondering why my posts are sometimes featuring coats and some other times short-sleeved dresses it is because of these sudden changes. I have a last Christmas present pending to share with you and the weather has finally allowed me to use it so here it goes. This yellow cape isn't probably something I would have bought myself. However, I love its warm colour and the fact that it can cover you up from the cold but it is not too warm as a coat. I look forward to using it in order to give pops of colour to my looks.

• Denim shirt: ASOS CURVE
• Skinny jeans: H&M
• Pink quilted bag: DKNY
• Pink sparkly pointy flats: BIMBA Y LOLA
• Yellow cape: MAP
• Gold eye ring: THE CRAV CONCEPT

Bows and points

One of the things that a woman should always have in her closet is a pair of nude-coloured shoes. They are so practical because they can be combined with any other colour, therefore the looks you can create are endless. So this is how I justified to myself buying these super-cute shoes on a late-night visit to the online store of Zara. My other excuse was that I owed myself a nice Christmas present and let's face it: a bow is irresistible to me!

• Black dress/ nude patent leather pointy flats with bows/ pink backpack: ZARA
• Beige knit cardigan with hood: H&M
• Black print scarf: BIMBA Y LOLA

Dreamcatcher and camouflage

I probably look different in this picture than usual as I am completely make-up free. I was skeptical about sharing it at the beginning but then I decided that I just could not wait to show off another of my Christmas presents. Anyway the purpose of this blog has always been to share my personal style and outfits and I have always been far from perfect so I think it is fine to go all natural once in a while. 

Since it is Wednesday it is the perfect fit for a pink outfit (Mean Girls reference) so my brand new dreamcatcher necklace is the ideal complement to make everything even pinker ;) Now I am hoping that it will also fulfill its purpose as a dreamcatcher and only bring me good dreams!

• Pink sweater: ZARA
• Crop jeans: LEVI'S
• Pointy imitation snake skin slingback flats: H&M
• Camouflage and flower print jacket: PRIMARK
• Large pink quilted bag: DKNY
• Dreamcatcher necklace: LIVERPOOL

Fuchsia and polka dots

I  have been in Monterrey for 4 years now and I am lucky to be part of a work team that has embraced me and we have created a special bond. Since I started working here I have collaborated closely with Alberto and this has led to as becoming friends. So my thoughtful friend gave me as a Christmas present a handbag (shocker, right?)! It is a great fit since it is big enough to fit all of the things I carry with me every day at work and it is pink! So what more could I ask for? Oh and it matches my hair ;) 

• Blue polka dots dress with pink embroidery: MARIA GRAPAIN ETNO DISEÑO
• Long textured jacket: ASOS CURVE
• Fuchsia patent leather tote bag: WESTIES
• Navy blue moccasins: SCHUH

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

Pink dress, cool sunglasses

I am trying to remember when my fascination for pink started. Of course as a girl growing up in the 90s I had a colourful wardrobe but then puberty kicked in, I got chubbier and more self-conscious about my body so I started having a thing for neutral colours. But then I realised that it doesn't matter if I dress in black or any bright colour, I will still be a curvy girl! So I decided to embrace my love for pink and started filling my closet with it.
Sometimes I think I should cut down on the pink pieces that I buy but it is just so hard! I have had the dress for about 5 years and when the weather gets cooler like now, it is the perfect way to look pretty and keep warm. And since we still get sun despite the fresh air, a pair of cool sunglasses makes a great match.

• Pink knit dress/pink striped scarf: H&M
• Camel lace-up ankle boots: ZARA
• Large pink quilted bag: DKNY
• Pink mirror sunglasss: THE CRAV CONCEPT

Beatles and tulle

The tulle skirt and the high knot bun may scream ballet but the print t-shirt, the ankle boots and the dark lips are rock and roll. I love mixing elements from different styles and creating an outfit that doesn't belong to any specific category. This is what personal style is all about after all, isn't it? 

• Black t-shirt with Beatles print/pink bucket bag: PRIMARK
• Beige tulle skirt: H&M
• Denim jacket: ASOS CURVE
• Black heeled ankle boots: ASOS
• Silver charm bracelet: PANDORA

Embellished and sparkly

When you want to wear jeans and a backpack in order to be comfortable to walk around but you don't want to look basic just go for some sparkles. They will definitely give your outfit elegance and for some playfulness add a pom pom ;)

• Blue embellished sweatshirt/skinny jeans: H&M
• Pink pointy sparkly flats: BIMBA Y LOLA
• Pink backpack: ZARA
• Pink pom pom hair band: GANT

Pink Lady

Mondays are always complicated because you have to get back into the routine of work and forget about the weekend fun and focus your thoughts. Apart of strong coffee, wearing pink can have a positive impact on your mood and make the return to reality a little bit easier. Of course I would say that because I love pink. You can try with your favourite colour and see how that works out ;)

• White v-neck t-shirt: ZARA
• White tank top (worn underneath): H&M
• White and pink striped trousers: PRIMARK
• Pink pointy sparkly flats: BIMBA Y LOLA
• Large pink quilted bag: DKNY
• Pink lace choker: A.T. CHOKERS
• Pearl ring: THE CRAV CONCEPT

Fringe and crossover

Sales are a perfect excuse to go shopping. Of course sometimes you can get carried away and buy things that you don't necessarily love and you won't really wear just because they are very cheap so beware! Try to buy pieces that are really worth the space in your closet and try looking for the things you really wanted all season but you couldn't afford or you really didn't think they were worth paying the original prices. I found this kimono on my summer sales hunt in H&M and I thought it would be a great addition to my kimono collection, especially since it was 75% off!

• White tank top/blue skinny jeans/grey kimono with fringes: H&M
• Gold crossover sandals: PRIMARK
• Large pink quilted bag: DKNY
• Gold cat face ring: ASOS CURVE

Wedge, print and a hummingbird

How do you pick your outfit? Do you choose the clothes first and then decide for the shoes, bag and accessories? Usually I start by choosing one piece (skirt, top, dress, shoes, bag, earrings) that I want to wear and then style around it. In this case, I started with the shoes. Since I hand't used them for almost a year I thought it was time to take them out of their box and then everything else started coming together. 

As you can see I am wearing a hummingbird temporary tattoo. It is just a great solution for my fear of needles and my worry that I will get bored of something permanent. This local designer has these really cute designs that I just love.

• Black tank top: H&M
• Beige and white full skirt with print/pink cardigan: PRIMARK
• Metallic pink serendipity demi wedge sandals: MARC BY MARC JACOBS
• Pink backpack: ZARA
• Long eye earrings: THE CRAV CONCEPT
• Hummingbird water colour style temporary tattoo: HOLA TATUMI