Blue on blue on blue

You know I am not one to shy away from bold contrasts but sometimes it is ok to go more subtle. If you are in a mood to create a look with a soft colour palette you can always combine different tones of the same hue just like I did in this look by playing with different shades of blue. The result is very harmonious yet not boring. 

When I bought this dress back in February on sale I didn't really think through the fact that the low back cut and the high front slit would be elements that would make me insecure about using it on its own. Neither had I realised how easily the fabric wrinkles. However I still like it so I had to find a way to be able to use it and I am quite pleased with the effect that it gives as a top layer. That doesn't really solve the wrinkling problem but I have decided just to ignore it and accept the fact that it will never look perfect. Who wants to look perfect anyway? 

• Light blue dress with frill hem: ZARA
• Black t-shirt: H&M
• Crop jeans: LEVI'S
• Leather sandals with cobalt blue fringe: LIZA'S LITTLE THINGS
• Stud necklace: SFERA
• Blue hobo bag: MARC JACOBS
• Light blue sunglasses: MINKPINK

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

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

Fur and bows

In honour of Saint Patrick's Day, today it is a must to wear something green! If you don't have a dress and handbag like me, a scarf, t-shirt or pair of earrings will do. In order to continue with my Irish theme, I decided to add to the look my fur gilet from Primark. 

I still love this piece as much as I did when I bought it 5 and a half years ago from the Oxford Street flagship store in London. I am one of these people that gets attached to their things and won't let them go so here I am, after all these years still using this vest I got for 20 pounds. 

• Green dress/nude pointy flats with bow: ZARA
• Fur gilet: PRIMARK
• Green leather ANDY handbag: CAROLINA HERRERA
• Floral print scarf: BIMBA Y LOLA
• Sunglasses: HASS JOYERÍA

Jeans and heels

Isn't it great that a otherwise casual outfits of jeans and a top can be transformed into something suitable for any occasion when combined with a pair of heels? It is a known fact that I can't really stand very high heels so I own very few pairs that aren't flat and I think that the highest one I have is 7 cm. It is just so convenient that low block heels are on trend right now for my low-tolerance feet because I can wear them everyday to work or for going out but I don't have to be worried that I need a chair where I can crush any minute. So you can't blame me for not resisting myself when I accidentally found this pair still available on my size and just for 199 pesos.

• Black imitation leather biker jacket: NEW LOOK INSPIRE
• Pink blouse: ANN TAYLOR
• Crop jeans: LEVI'S
• Beige slingback heels with black point: ZARA
• Green leather handbag: CAROLINA HERRERA
• Sunglasses: DKNY

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

Woven and hoops

Although I buy regularly new pieces for my closet and especially during this sale season I have gone a little wild (so many things coming up soon here on the blog for you to see...), I get attached to my belongings and I don't easily let them go. This denim jacket I have had for some time now, it is still in great condition and of course being a classic piece I haven't stopped using it. However I decided to give it a small update with some patches. They are very easy to apply (all you need is an iron!) and since they are on trend you can find them in many different stores. So if you have a jacket, shirt or even a pair of trousers that you are looking to revamp, patches are the way to go!

• Coral shirt dress/denim jacket: ASOS CURVE
• Black and beige woven pointy bluchers/black, white and tan colourblock handbag: ZARA
• Patches on the denim jacket: STRADIVARIUS
• Gold hoop earrings: LOLA LOLA
• Sunglasses: no brand

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

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

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

T-Rex and pom poms

Although the calendar says that autumn is here, the weather says "go ahead and wear your sandals" so I shall for as long as it is possible! 

• Purple t-shirt with T-Rex print: AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
• Denim jacquard pencil skirt/ancient greek inspired sandals with pom poms: PRIMARK
• Purple Lil Ukita bag: MARC BY MARC JACOBS
• Sunglasses: HASS JOYERÍA