Shoes to buy now

If you don't own a pair of these, why on earth not?   These are the Ugg-haters' answer to heavenly, comfy and versatile daytime footwear.  Buy them now and wear with tapered trousers and silk blouses, tailored shorts with a smart tee or keep it casual with jeans and a slouchy cashmere jumper. 

Image courtesy of NET-A-PORTER

I love these looks below snapped by Tommy Ton during Couture Week in Paris and Sydney Fashion Week.  They're the perfect example of the outfit styles to compliment your new shoes.

Images courtesy of Tommy Ton at Style.com

Noreen xx

Colour me Chanel

What can be said about the Chanel Couture Fall 2012 collection that hasn’t already been said?  Well, here’s one you probably haven’t heard before, I wouldn’t class myself as a huge Chanel fan.  I do like the collections.  They always present something new for the modern-day Chanel woman, whilst remaining true to the house and history of the brand and this is certainly something I admire.  But do I swoon and ‘Oh-Em-Gee’ over the collections?  Maybe over the odd outfit.  Would I wear them, of course, but would I scrimp and save to buy a piece from the collections?  I can think of other designer clothes I’d prefer to spend my rent money on, in order of current preference…Prada, Stella McCartney, Oscar de la Renta, Chlóe, Louis Vuitton and Dior.  I guess I’m just not a Chanel woman, be it modern day or old school.  There isn’t a Chanel collection (other than Resort 2010)  that I can think of that’s made it to my ‘must-try-and-dress-like-this’ wish list….

And then Chanel Couture Fall 2012 came along. Cue The Monkees, I’m a Believer.

This collection has had me swooning and ‘Oh-Em-Gee-ing’ like Matthew McConaughey has just told me I’m a law-breaker.  The sugar coated almond pinks mixed with pewter and glitter, the long elegant silhouettes of the dresses, the high-waisted trousers with the ruffled blouses, the textures, the glitzy tights; did I mention the sugar coated almond pinks?  Swoon.

It was only a matter of time really before a Chanel collection came along with my name on it.  I can see every piece fitting in neatly with my wardrobe and daily style, so it’s safe to say my rent money is well and truly spent.  Come Winter I’ll be living on the streets but I’ll be looking Coco-fabulous.

Here is my ‘must-try-and-dress-like-this’ wish list from the show.

 
 
 

Images courtesy of Vogue.com

Noreen xx

June 2012 Shoot, Luxe Magazine

Last month I styled another shoot for Luxe magazine, and we looked at something new for summer. The popular, pretty pastel trend has run its course now and the focus for the rest of this slightly tepid British summer is now firmly on tribal prints.   

So, where to start. I didn't want to present anything too complicated and overly tribal with the outfits, my belief is with a trend such as this, less is always more. Too many tribal prints and exotic colours mixed together can be very overpowering and the clothes will end up wearing you, plus you'll look like more 'tribal circa 1990' than 2012. In other words, one tribal piece per outfit will suffice. That one piece can be anything from the dress, to the shoes, the jewellery, to the headdress (if you please). 

Next I would recommend being fairly strict with your colour choices and opt for the following: burnt sienna, exotic greens, saffron yellow, Aztec blue, golden browns or a safe choice of navy blue (simply because it goes with everything). Colour choices in mind and the 'less is more' rule guiding you all the way, this is a fun and easy trend to wear for the rest of the summer and no doubt into the early autumn too. 

To provide you with a bit of inspiration I'd like to share my mood board from this shoot and the behind the scene images too.  I really loved the images and hope it helps you create some fantastic looks.  If you feel like sharing your style creations, please email me and I'll post them on the blog! 

#exotic #dramatic #glamorous #holidaystrut

Soft and minimal to allow the focus to remain on the clothes

Another reason for keeping your outfit fairly understated with this trend means you can let your imagination run wild with your hair and make-up.

 

Noreen xx

Gabriel Bruce - Cupid