01Sep

Get The Look: Michael Kors Fall 2017 Collection

michael kors collection FW 2017

I’ve always been inclined to dress in a rather mature way… Perhaps it has to do with my education under the tutelage of nuns during my Catholic school attending years… Quite often I favor oversized coats and jackets. And don’t even get me started about my obsession with blazers… It’s gratuitous to say how happy and excited I got when I saw Michael Kors Fall 2017 Collection. It was a perfect union of discreet, power and sensuality. If anyone doubted that all those elements could be found together in one same outfit, Michael Kors converted them. The collection had everything Fall fashion should have except this one had an 80’s influence that made it irresistible. The outfits were tailored but not constrict alternatively every piece, although a real interpretation of power dressing, looked enjoyable and wearable. Jackets had rounded shoulders and good proportions, pants were pleated and cropped, waists were accentuated with extra wide belts. All under beautiful layers of oversized blazers and camel coats. Autumn’s most beloved colors such as moss green, camels, black, grays and burgundy were wonderfully present…

Most of the beautiful collection you can find at Net-A-Porter, of course… but for those not willing to pay full ticket price, below you can find some steals…

25Aug

Western Ankle Boots: An Everyday Elevated Bootie

Fashionable people would agree on the importance of style but I think the world would agree even more emphatically on the essentiality of comfort. After all, style without comfort misses out on functionality… and who wants that…? The Western ankle boots (note: don’t know how else to call them) is a mixture of the Chelsea boot and the Cowboy boot, but without the latter’s height, which grants mobility to our ankles for easy walking. Something I assume would appeal to anyone from girls about town to cowboy girls who are interested in not only fashion but in comfort as well. I can attest these western ankle boots are comfortable when I spent ten days in Paris wearing one almost every single day while taking on average 15,000 steps a day. All I can say is that my feet were more than grateful… and with them the rest of my body as well…

The boot is usually made of suede or a combination of suede and leather. What I appreciate more about them are the perfect-height heels… not too high, not too short and most importantly no kitten heels… thank God.

western ankle boots toga

Toga Suede Ankle Boot.

A Roundup of these chic and comfortable boots after the jump break.

18Aug

Slip Dressing: The Art of Sexy Dressing

There is basically no other sexier type of dressing than slip dressing, which can include everything from slip dresses, camisole tops, wrap skirts and essentially everything that is made of or made to look like silk… for outdoor wearing though. Sometimes, it’s ok to be a little bit sexy. Why not…? Like LSD writes in her Instagram bio, Why be boring…? Of course slip dresses are not meant for everyone, because not all of us are blessed with a body like Bella Hadid’s who seems to love slip dresses by the way. To my point, muffin top… which usually happens after you are a mom. Yes, don’t believe those Instagram accounts when they show you those moms perfect bodies, those are more perfect posture than anything else. For those normal looking people like you and me I have only one suggestion, Spanx. They can do wonders… I don’t have a slip dresses in my closet yet, but I’m soon getting one because not only are they romantic and alluring but they also look very comfy…

slip dressing, kate moss in cami dress via belle vivir

11Aug

The Kaftan: A Roundup of The Essential Loungewear Item

More often than we think Fashion brands get inspiration from main street. In the case of The Kaftan, there is no exception. The Kaftan is a unisex loose gown with full sleeves that originated in the far east, became a symbol of the hippy culture of the 60’s to eventually rise to become a representation of wealth and the jet-set. Today, is an essential item in every fashionable woman’s summer suitcase. Vogue declared the kaftan ‘as an essential garment for every member of the jet-set’. Although a unisex gown is mostly worn by women now a days, unless you happen to be a very eccentric male of the name Wary Ahluwalia…

The Kaftan lee radziwil turkish drawing room belle vivir

The Kaftan today comes in many different fabric and length: from minimal ones to more exotic and embellished evening-inspired ones… Many Fashion Designers have created collections inspired in the far east culture and the kaftan has been interpreted in many ways… from short sexy versions by Tom Ford to more sophisticated ones by Balenciaga and Christian Dior… It’s also associated with the very lavish Turkish interiors, as a matter of fact, Sultans from the Ottoman empire worn very glamorous versions of it.

04Aug

Flowers for Fall: A Roundup of Fall-Flower Fashion Pieces

Every fashion season comes with its characteristic pattern, stripes for summer and traditionally checkered for fall. However, flowers have double duty and they can graciously be for Spring as well as Fall. If you don’t believe me, look at Erdem, the London Fashion house founded by Erdem Moralioglu known for its beyond beautiful flower prints all year round. Many Fashion brands are incorporating flowers for their Fall collection this year. Aim for muted tones during Fall season to embrace the marvel of falling leaves, crispy sounded steps and cooler winds…

I know it’s scary and highly discouraging to talk about approaching colder days, that we all want eternal Summer… but success favors the brave… hence this roundup of stunning flower-printed pieces… because beautiful things make everything easier. Always.

floral fashion pieces for fall

Needle & Threat flower top

Mikael Aghal ruffle floral print dress

Nicholas Kirkwood leather loafers

Amazonia Anmut salad plate

Ted Baker Floral pleated skirt

Dr. Marten Victorian Flower Boots.

Flower embroidery mom jeans

21Jul

Chic Summer Essential: The Wicker Bag

Yes, this is another post about wicker bags… I just realized that even when I had posted about the “it”bag of the season sporadically, I had yet to do a roundup of this chic summer wicker bag. As I made a reference in this post, I added one of these charming bags to my collection to bring with me to our trip to Provence, which we’ve been enjoying for the past six days and I’ve been using my cute wicker bag almost daily. We started in Saint Tropez where we spent four days and had a great time. We’ve been visiting Provence for the past three years and it never gets old. It’s always exiting and inspiring to visit. Right now we are at Uzes for the first time, enjoying this charming little town for the past two days. Tomorrow we’ll be visiting Villenueve-les-Avignon fleamarket to see what we can find for our new home and from there we’ll be on our way to Gordes where we are spending next wek. I know that being in such a special place as Provence where every season is to be enjoyed to the fullest, a simple summer bag is what I will wear and enjoy the most. Regardless of where your summer takes you or keeps you, a wicker bag will undoubtedly add that chic summer essential touch to any outfit…

chic summer wicker bag belle vivir