Sporty chic, winter pastels

Yup, definitely approved!

Earlier I spoke about how our dear old JBC is an underrated brand in Belgian fashion. While giving a look on their a/w'14 collection I have to agree again. Come on, sporty chic, winter pastels and a dose of glam, that's spot on!
Also I'm getting sort of an addiction of winter coats, there are so many pretty ones lately! The pink one above for instance! Luckily I can use a new coat, so I get all the fun of being on a coat quest hehe. ^^

Current favourites:

All from JBC.

My own personalised shoes

Let me tell you a little story about shoes, sportive shoes that is.

I've never been a sneaker type. Yes, I do own a pair of all stars from when I was 14 years old and yes I still wear them occasionally when I need shoes that might get dirty, but that's about it. That mostly summarizes my sneaker history.
And then there is the sports shoes story, which is even worse. I used to detest those things. I'm not a very sporty person, never have and probably never will. The only time you could find some sport shoes on my feet was during gymnastics at school. And even then against my will. The only thing I could think of was how ugly and huge they were.
You'll understand that I viewed the upcoming sneaker trend of the past years with suspicion. But surprisingly I slowly started to appreciate those low white all stars and even the Nike free runs. After working in a big sports store this holiday, and seeing those kind of shoes all around me, I started considering a pair of my own...

Exploring time! I spent a while searching on the internet for the sportive shoe of my dreams. Pretty soon I stumbled on this pair. Instant love. But since I strongly believe in real life fitting I decided to try on a similar pair first. And guess what, there appears to be a Nike store right next to the store I worked, that's handy! So I tried on a pair I thought (as a Nike noob) to be similar. And then the big shock came, they made me walk heavenly! Like my feet were two soft, comfy clouds. You can imagine where this is going. These little wonders appeared to be another model, the lunarglide, not the free run. And when I tried on the free run (with some help of the salesman), I was really disappointed. No comfy cloud feet this time, but an awkwardly wide part at the toes instead. Soooo what to do now? Order a not so comfy but beautiful pair of free runs or personalize my own heavenly comfy lunarglides?
Well, I choose the latter and present you: my own personalized pair of Nike ID lunarglides! They will arrive by the end of August and I honestly can't wait! Normally they will arrive just on time for my holiday, hooray!

Bye bye colour blocking

1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 

1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 

I was always the mix and match type, especially on combining colours. But lately I'm more and more into outfits of the same colour scheme. And by that I mean something like all nude outfits, all pastels, all darks (for example combining marine blue and black). Stepping away from bright colours doesn't sound like a bad idea! This was probably a predictable trend after the colour blocking hype from a while ago, but my diversity loving fashion mind adores it!

Valentine's Inspirations

Femme Fatale

chicmuse.com

Left look by Andy Torres, right look by Doina Ciobanu. Source rose.

1. Aurélie Bidermann bracelet 2. Lulu Guiness lip clutch 3. MAC Ruby Woo 4. Topshop tights 5. Rag & Bone ankle boots 6. Charlotte Olympia flats 7. Alexander McQueen pumps 8. Wolford Stay-ups 9. Forever 21 bra


Soft Romance

Seaofshoes.com

Left look by Jana Wind, right look by The Cherry Blossom Girl. Source roses.

1. Etsy bracelet 2. Etsy earpin 3. Jennifer Meyer necklace 4. Paul and Joe nail polish 5. SteamCream 3 in 1 Moisturizer 6. New Look ankle boots 7. BCBGirls Ariel pumps 8. Ash ankle boots 9. Topshop tights 10. Pour Moi bra

Hi guys!

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and this year I wanted to make a post about the most romantic holiday of the year. Wether you see it as a mood board, a secret wishlist or just some inspiration to dress up, I hope you like it! :) There are two themes: Femme fatale and Soft romance. Despite I (and probably many other woman) love a femme fatale look, I'll be wearing something inspired by the other one. The main reason is that we're going to a casual birthday party in our local youth club, and also because I want to wear my new flower dress (seen in the previous post) with over knee socks.

So, which one is your favourite? And do you have plans for Valentine's Day? I'd love to hear!

Love,
Siel

Winter whites

Picture by MONKI magazine

Oh December, what are you doing to me?

I am totally getting in the Christmas mood! I went shopping for Christmas presents, decorated my dorm room, spent hours on blogs and webshops for inspiration, and so on. While I actually should stress out because I have a lot of assignments that should be ready in two weeks. But that's typical me again, if you've been following me for a while you will probably have noticed. I am constantly complaining about drowning in homework while I keep procrastinating, classic Siel. 

The holidays are also a nice opportunity to look around for some present inspiration! 

Here is my current Christmas wishlist:

New Look ankle boots, Josh V cardigan/coat, Nars lipstick, (source photo), Apple earbuds, Rituals fragrance sticks, & Other Stories cube earrings, Fashionology rainbow earrings

I urgently need new earbuds since mine fell apart two months ago, but I have a small tingling feeling that someone is taken care of that.. 

However the word oxblood isn't very appealing, the colour definitely is. It's one of the most trendy lip colours of the moment, and I absolutely adore it. Though it's harder to find in store then I thought, I will definitely go look for it again if I have time for a good shopping spree. Tips about this lipstick colour are very welcome !

A girl can never have enough jewellery, right? At least if they're basics, in my humble opinion. I need a few more nice basic earstuds, that will look good on almost every outfit, just like those from & Other Stories!

Hema notebook, Globe-trotteuses by Tokyobanhbao, Etsy dip dye earrings, Fashionology necklace, 

Topshop snood, photo Polienne.com

Another thing that I would love to add to my collection this winter is the so called 'blanket scarf'. A huge scarf, preferably with tartan print, that you can use as a blanket while sitting by the campfire. Paulien from Polienne.com showing her pretty Zara example above.

Who would ever say no to a fashion comic book? Even if it's written in French! I see this book by the lovely Tokyobanhbao as a great opportunity to revise and improve my French. Also books by the French Diglee will do the trick!

New Look reindeer jumper, New Look Christmas underwear, H&M Home duvet set, 

movie Blind (2007), Etsy flower earring

Finding my favourite Dutch movie underneath the Christmas tree would be even more awesome. Despite of the cliché cover picture, Blind is a very beautiful movie with the most beautiful shots. I always wanted to dedicate a blog post to that movie, maybe I will once. But unfortunately I've never found it in store, it's rather hard to find.

Hopefully you enjoined my Christmas wishlist! Are there any things you really want to be underneath your Christmas tree? I would love to know!

Love,
Siel

Quality above quantity?

I'm not a big fan of those cheap Asian webshops. You know, the kind of shop that sell's copies of designer items. If you are in doubt about a shop, check the bag section, much likely that you'll recognize the current it-bags! And that's the main reason I don't like them. The prices are great, but the circumstances are probably less great, and originality is hard too find. Although the designs are often really pretty, and these type of shops are the only places to find cheap knock-off's of high fashion clothing. But I do think it's a pest for designers. Every season they work hard to finish their collection in time and promote it. Imagine suddenly spotting cheap and of much lower quality copies of your hard work. Quality above quantity!
But still the temptation is quite strong, if you spot those beautiful designs, that you'll hardly find in regular stores. I might consider making an exception for these beauties:

All from Sheinside.

The two coats on top seem like the perfect coats for the type of the year, since the weather feels like the end of September. Aka still quite warm. Two years I was looking for a black cape-like coat (remember?) which I didn't find, but which I still think it's cute. Especially with that cute furry cap. And that dress is a perfect basic exemplar for autumn. I imagine you can style it like a Little Black Dress in a million ways.
Although I completely fell in love with the olive shade on top (trendy!), I went absolutely head over heels for the first coat. So if you are in a random-giving-gifts-to-strangers-mood, you know where to find me! ;)

Let's grab a Hawaiian flower necklace and a straw skirt

Les Néréides

Say hello to my new favourite jewellery brand !
I recently discovered Les Néréides and immediately fell in love with the brand. Gosh, I want to buy everything! Especially their tropical line, waaw! Let me grab a straw skirt and Hawaiian flower necklace and I'll fit right in! :D No seriously, these would look amazing with a flowy red summer dress and slightly curled hair. Or as a playful touch on a rather chic outfit. And I can go on and on and on...

But their daisy-and-ladybug-collection reminds me a lot of the 'Diorette ring' from Dior, a couple seasons ago. Nevertheless, it is an amazingly beautiful line!

Silver linings

from this post

Another thing that shows up lately, metallic silver shoes! Don't think trashy, but classy please. It started a while ago with silver pumps, but it's the sandal version that has caught my eye. Yes, I am absolutely certain to score a pair of those, after my mission failed last year (see pic above). Those silver shoes are a great way to brighten up an outfit in a rather minimalistic way. It's striking, but not too much.

I'm not sure that this trend will break through beyond high fashion borders, but I don't really mind. I guess it's my inner hipster that likes originality staying original, instead of becoming mainstream.

 shops:

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blogs:

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(sources: click on the pics)

A hidden gem

JBC is a store that is seriously underestimated by the young folks here in Belgium. They don't seem to notice it, they aren't interested, they have forgotten about it. I can count all my friends who visit their store now and then on one hand. But I understand why, despite JBC's attempts for a fresh new image most young people see it as a boring family store. A place to go shopping when you were a kid or for your parents. FALSE. They have proven to be young and dynamic. Remember their multiple collaborations with De Designers (Belgium's Project Runway), or Christophe Coppens? And last fall's collaboration with Alice Temperley and Kaat Tilley? That's not bad at all, on the contrary!

I'm going to prove to you that JBC is a cool and trendy store. Even so much that my mother starts to complain that it's "just for the young folks". These lookbook pictures from the current collection remind me that I urgently have to visit one of their stores!

La Fille d'O for JBC

Spring/summer 2013

Nevertheless, I see JBC as a hidden gem. The lack of visits from my generation causes that the best pieces (in my humble opinion) and sizes remain in store. So shhh, don't tell too many people!

What you see is what you get?

I was strolling through Mulberry's webshop when I noticed their Maisie line. Aren't they beyond awesome ? It's a line with basic bags in their typical brown and black leather (and some of them also in orange, blue and white), all with a trompe l'oeil of typical Mulberry bag-characteristics in front.

1. North South Maisie Tote - Black polished calf
2. North South Maisie Tote - Oak polished calf
3. Maisie Pouch - Oak polished calf
4. Maisie Pouch - Black polished calf
5. Maisie Shoulder - Flame silky snake print (sale!)
6. Maisie Shoulder - Oak silky snake print

Though they remind me of Vlieger & Vandam's iconic handbags. A Dutch brand that made it into the land of celebrities with stars like Rihanna as their loyal fans.

Vlieger & Vandam Guardian Angel

And I really liked these ones too! Their prices are also a little bit more affordable. Wouldn't they be perfect gifts? Such a pity holiday season is over !

1. Tim Walker Story Teller book
2. Mulberry Apple Keyring
3. Dorset Flat Bootie (sale!)

Oh Christmas

Oh Christmas.
It's coming closer and closer and normally I'm "filled with joy" because of that. But now I'm not in the Christmas mood at all. I'm even getting stressed when I think about it! Reason? Exams in January and papers that have to be finished in a few weeks. So. Much. Work. Just three more weeks, then it's holiday and then exams al ready! Just three weeks!! See, I'm getting stressed again.
But I'm not going to ruin your Christmas mood. It is one of the best moments of the year. It's present season! And no, I'm not that selfish. :) Getting presents is nice, but the best part is thinking about which presents to give! Prepare your creative powers, cause it's almost time to use them, yay!
Here are some of my favourite things:

1. Urban Outfitters mug
2. Lien Hereijgers via De Invasie scarf Renoir
3. Topshop coat
4. Topshop Sesame street!
5. Topshop Xmas jumper
6. Topshop Elaine cat slippers
7. Topshop socks
8. Urban Outfitters hungover cookbook
9. Amazon One line a day
10. H&M home bath mat

1. Yves Saint Laurent blush
2. Monki Miracle purse
3. Mango Isabelle Marant inspired ankle boots
4. Komono via I/Object Fat Wizard watch in raisin
5. Zara trf
6. Topshop lace ankle socks
7. Topshop brooch
8. Topshop bandeau
9. Lulu Guiness key ring
10. Monki sparky tights (budget version of Bebaroque !)
11. Urban Outfitters wing ear buds
12. Topshop Mixed crystal jumper
13. Monki Laura scarf
14. Anniel via Urban Outfitters shoes
15. Lulu Guiness key ring
16. Comicstore Serial Shoppeuse
17. Topshop wine brocade glitter tights
18. Ever Eden via Glamhouse earrings
19. Topshop boots
20. Hartog & Henneman via De Invasie silverstone earrings
21. Lulu Guiness umbrella
22. COS ring
23. Topshop

Grays

I'm in the mood for a moodboard today!
But more about colour and texture instead of mood. So moodboard isn't a good description actually. Anyway, I loved the combo of my grey marl sweatpants with my anthracite top. Casual with chic, with a dot of colour from the nail polish (H&M, No Mambo Jambo). A cold, but neutral colour palette.

More of it:

(click on the picture for the source)