Barça baby yeah!!!

In about 2 weeks I leave for 5 days glorious days of Barcelona!!! I LOVE Barcelona the shopping, the food, the people, the shopping, the beach, the shopping ;-) I just love the energy of the city. I always feel so relaxed when I'm there. I am definitely looking forward to this trip!!

Top 3 favorite places in Barça?

1. MI SA KO: Misako is a store that sells bags. And though the prices go up a bit each year (inflation I suppose), because they are not leather bags they are still VERY affordable. Last August I paid €28 euro's for this fabulous baby.


I always go to the store on what I think is Carrer Pi. So if you're not snobby about bags having to be designer, genuine leather or just plain expensive, be sure to pay them a visit when you're in town.

2. BAR LOBO: Ultra ultra ultra trendy restaurant/bar in the Raval district. Thankfully the food lives up to all the flashiness. One of my best friends said: "Best food ever outside of my mother's cooking." My friend in indonesian, this girl knows her food. Unfortunately they don't have their own website, just a page on the Grupo Tragaluz site, but Google them for more info, they're on what seems like every single Barcelona Hotspot list. They're situated on Carrer Pinto Fortuny close to the Ramblas. But be careful in the Ramblas/Raval area at night!

3. HOTEL AMISTER: I stayed at this hotel the first time I went to Barcelona in 2006 and just fell in love. Design interior, friendly staff, great value for money! They are situated on Av. Roma on the corner with Carrer Viladomat. It's a bit out the busy tourist area's like the Ramblas and Placa Real and about 15mins walk to the Passeig de Gracia.

For tapas, can't go to Barcelona and not have tapas, I prefer Barceloneta to the Ramblas/ Pl. Real area (not so good food and 'tourist' prices). Check out the many restaurants and bars on the Pg. Joan de Borbó. But steer clear of "El Rey de la Gamba" Brrrrr I get chills just thinking about the dirty glasses, cuttlery and finger nails of our waiter. Needless to say, we did not stay for a meal!

But anyway, Weeheeee! Barça baby yeah!! :-p

Let me introduce you to...

Micheal Kors (MK 5039) I've been longingly looking at this watch for more than a year now. I just can't get it out of my head. So I've decided to end my suffering and just buy it....

Stay tuned for the reveal... ;-)

Team Solange!

Solange Knowles has gotten a lot of flack from bloggers for her more unique make up choices of late. After looking through the comments sections on these blogs and the many "like it or hate it" polls, I was glad to see that "the general public" is split about 50/50 on this one.

Check out some of the looks she's worn recently...

I think the yellow look in the second photo is really cute. Personal tastes aside though, I think she should be applauded for trying something different and wearing it because she likes it. There are enough cookie cutter lookalikes out there. And for every woman who says this look is a "hot mess", I hope there is a young girl who is inspired to explore her own aesthetic and actually wear what she thinks is beautiful and what makes her feel beautiful. Go team Solange!

Furthermore, these looks put the fun back in make up. It's a refreshing change. I've seen enough smokey-eye variations to last me a lifetime anyway. And, I would wear this look. Yes, for a night out, I would. But instead of across the bridge of my nose, I'd wear it on my temples, kinda like Kat von D's star tattoo.

Or maybe in bright colors, or with a henna tatoo design or all out like this look by Stella Leung?

Why not have fun with it!

Red is the color of my true love's...

super sexy red leather accents...

This is the lovely Chloé Tamaris in red (2104 04) and I am in love! The leather accents had me at hello and I'm loving the red, really fresh for the summer! The Chloé Tamaris comes in three other colors: black, brown and grey. Check out them out on the Chloé website and then borrow them from BagBorrowSteal for only $19 a week, before comitting to the hefty $290 price tag. :-) Available at Sunglasses.co.uk.

Oh Chloé Tamaris, you will be mine... sooooonnn...

Marilyn Monroe in Cavalli?

The first thing you think of when you look at these Roberto Cavalli's spring-summer 2009 ads is of course Marilyn Monroe.

I did and then I thought: Marilyn Monroe in Cavalli. Hold on a minute, now that's thought and that thought is what's brilliant about this campaign's aproach. Instead of creating images that feel like replica's of iconic images of Marilyn, Cavalli's team has created images so fresh and modern that they feel more like a fantasy of what Marilyn would wear if she were living in modern times. This blew my mind! These images are not longingly looking back at her era, they are pulling Marilyn into the 21st century! This is not Marilyn Monroe inspired Cavalli, this is indeed Marilyn Monroe in Cavailli. It is genius and it works. And of course it makes you wonder about what other great icons would be wearing today... Name one, any one, the possibilities are just limitless.

I think Cavalli's team got to thinking the same thing, about Mata Hari... Here's Cavalli 's take

...and here are some images I found of Mata Hari

See the resemblance? It's not just my imagination, right? I didn't think so. The styling in the Cavalli photo's is exquisite. I love the jewels in Daria's hair. Just beautiful!

So what do you think your favorite fashion icons would be wearing this summer? And will it influence the way you look at your wardrobe? It's certainly got me thinking.

On a side note:

I read today that designer Victor Carranza (who created a number of pieces for Marilyn herself) will be creating a clothing line inspired by Marilyn Monroe called House of Monroe. Carranza. Click here for the full article on http://www.trendhunter.com/. It says: "In addition to House of Monroe, which will be sold at upscale retailers like Bergdorf Goodman, a contemporary line of jeans and tees called Norma Jeane is being launched, and will be carried at stores like Atrium".

But it's not enough, not anymore. I'm ruined forever... :-)

Wild Kingdom

To get back on track I've decided to treat my self to a post I've been wanting to do for a long time.

ANIMAL PRINTS!

I absolutely love animal prints. I love them so much that I often have to stop myself from buying something completely superfluous just because it has a cute animal print. Speaking of which...

I've been trying really hard to not buy this LV Stephen Sprouse leopard print shawl. The only problem is: I also love LV. (different story for another day.... ) Let's just say I'm finding the combination of the two very hard to resist. So uhhhm yeah... moving on. I love animal prints and I want to show you some of my favorite pieces.

I'll start with shawls and scarves, because as you can see I really don't need another animal print shawl, LV or otherwise... and yet my heart aches... but anyway.

Then of course shoes... First up are the heels, that I admittedly hardly wear, but absolutely love all the same.

But a busy girl has got to have flats to run around town in, right?

Then there are belts...

... purses

and bandaids...

LOL... Yes, I bought animal print bandaids. They are made by Dermo Care and the proceeds go to the WWF (the World Wildlife Fund) an organisation that focuses on preserving the planet's natural environment and building a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. So I can patch my self up in style and support a good cause at the same time. How could I resist?

However les pieces de resistance, the most special items in my collection are without a doubt the tortoise print. So rare and so so beautiful.




They are both high gloss patent and I think I've worn each of them once. They are that special to me... oh and the heels are killer high. Great for going out to dinner, definitly not for clubbing. Besides I'd have to kill anyone who steps on them. :)

As you might have noticed, I only posted shoes and accessories. I do have some clothing in animal prints (three tops and a skirt) but I think animal prints can easily look trashy if not worn correctly. Where as accessories are extremely versatile and add that extra umph to the plainest of outfits. Especially for those of us who wear alot of black. ;-) Animal prints are best paired with neutrals, but I also love to pair them with red or green and I usually only wear one item with animal print at a time. Adding more just feels a bit ott or over done to me. As for other accessories, antiqued gold jewellery looks amazing with animal prints.

Here's a quick and ultra casual look to show how I'd add green with animal print. Add a beige cardigan or sweater as a cover up.

Sometimes... life kinda happens to you.

Life got a bit hectic there for a sec, but bear with me. I'm glad to say I'm back on track and I've got lot's of new posts coming!

Meanwhile check me out in my leathers . I've had this skirt for years and it's never let me down.