Where Are You Going: Iceland?

I learn the neatest things on BBC's Where are You Going? So, fancy a handbag made from fish leather? There are souvenirs and then there are souvenirs. Leave it to the Northern Europeans to not throw away anything. Eco-living is a thing. Head to Iceland for a fish leather handbag. And head over to Atlantic Leather to read all about it.

Movie Stars and Marshmallows

It's been a while. I know. I was compelled to come here today. Ms. Nicole Kidman is the style, is the fashion, is the risk and the pay-off. She (and also Cate Blanchett) is a movie star! No questions. O.K, so yes, the face is suspect (like she's storing marshmallows in her cheek just in case she needs a snack on the red carpet) but still...the dresses here are everything. The lady is wearing ruffles. And sequins. Together. Who could do that and not look like an elderly hooker in Vegas past her sell by date.  I love it. She never, ever gets it wrong, in my book. 

I misssed blogging for you guys.  And yeah: I'm just gonna not see the person in the Hunger Games meets Willy Wonka outfit.

Couture Please

I wish I could afford couture and that I had the occasion to wear it. How fabulous is Sarah Jessica Parker dressed up like a hooker from the Moulin Rouge while looking sweet as pie? Someone like SJP must get to wear couture all the time . I absolutely love that outfit on her and I love that Schiaparelli Fall 2016 couture dress. But for those of us who can't push the   envelope too much we can settle for a Black French manicure, putting an orchid bouquet intended for a Spring bride on our dressing table, and breaking out our yellow shoes at the start of Spring.

Out of Vogue

I am utterly bored with today's style/fashion magazine covers. I think it's because they focus too much on the celebrity or the model and not enough on style.  So I decided to go back in time...

Spring

It's been said the millenials --or maybe it's just millenial hispsters-- aren't buying diamond engagement rings anymore. They go for coloured stones like sapphires or emeralds. I think it's a cool idea, especially since they have such pretty wedding sets now in all sorts of stones. Plus, a girl with a hair colour like the rainbow is too non-traditional for a diamond, right? Anyway, Spring's around the corner. Thank God.  And I am loving everything minty, fresh and pretty. I love bath salts from here. This pretty emerald set from here. This whimsical kid's room with the melon wallpaper from here and this tablescape done by here.

Valentine's Week

Work until you need no introduction, says Bonang Matheba. I believe that and I believe it applies to every profession. So I am taking that statement to heart this Valentine's week. And speaking of heart, I think it could be a good idea to indulge in some self love for women this week. Check out what Essays of Africa says about it.

And if your'e gonna indulge yourself, my advice is to start with jewellery--wear it while you are alive and at least you can say you have little valuables to bequeath to your daughter when you die. Of course, you could just buy pretty costume instead...try StellaDot.

Also, if you are thinking about getting something for a girlfriends then this is a sweet update on your grandmother's potpourri. It's available at Candle Delirium.

Also, I know everyon wears red on Valentine's day but this spread from Architectural Digest and Bonang's outfit  is making me thing sumptuous green.

Crochet is Back

 If you are wondering what to wear this spring/summer then look no further than your 70s closet or your mother's 70's closet. Crochet and the 70s will haunt us all spring and summer. Balmain is all over it. I never thought that crochet could look fierce but Balmain has achieved it.

Some of it, like this Jamaican flag inspired dress (above) and Tommy Hilfiger's 2016 Spring ready-to-wear rip-off of the rastafarian colours and casual dress (below) are just pure cultural appropriation, if you ask me, or maybe some other kind of infringement... someone call an IP lawyer...the bloody cheek!

 And I would not be paying hundreds of dollars for that crochet vest. My uncles wore those every single day when I was growing up and they never cost more than USD $5. And I know for a fact a peanut vendor at the stoplight at Oxford Road in Kingston will be wearing the above outfit. I am very concerned: sure I could find some now if I went to East Queen Street or Bedford Lane in Kingston. Honestly, the cheek of it: taking the Rasta man's everyday wear and  making it into unaffordable high fashion.

 Even Missoni, Monsoo and Oscar de la Renta hopped on the trend in the last season or two

Gonna get out my crochet needle and see if I can knot up a swimsuit for summer.

P.S: He wears it the best!

Easter on the Brain

I've always felt that purple is the colour of Easter. This week, everywhere I look, I see purple. I think the internet is sending me subliminal signals to anticipate Easter. I have no speacial plans for Easter yet but my friends are coming to visit and I have to get planning. Anyhoo, here's what interested me this week:

The pretty bag by Kate Spade, Japan which I feel sells far prettier stuff than Kate Spade, New York.

The story of this Australian artist who is 105 years old. It's never too late to pick up a hobby. Loongkoonan started at the age of 90.

I have hair envy and am actually thinking of getting some unusual colour in my hair and I love the matt nail polish too. I am all over pinterest looking for a new hair style.

This origami-looking thing is wall art from Acanthe.

The colurful room was shot by Nicolas Mathues for Elle Decoration which is not the same as Elle Decor.

Finally, Christies advises on signed jewellery, which of course is more valuable that unsigned jewellery. It's a great read if you are thinking about starting a jewellery collection.

Bag Lady

I am on route to Belize and going through airports. What's the deal with everyone walking around New York City with a Michael Kors bag or its knock-off? Everyone is advertising Michael Kors for free. I do not carry handbags with the labels slathered all over it! I buy a bag because it can hold my kitchen sink and a few utensils and because it is stylish, strong, durable or makes some aesthetic statement. I do not do free label-advertising. But I am a bag lady. I have purposely not included names/designers above. Because for me it is not about labels. Buy what you can afford and what you like. Forget labels.

Go Big or Stay Home

In case you are wondering what to do or where to go New Year's Eve 2016: my suggestion is to stay home with lovely friends and family and make a wonderful party night at home. Or, if you do go out, wear a giant piece of jewellery. Happy New Year!