September 30, 2012

Stolen Flowers


The perfect Sunday treat was finding these pictures by photographer and jeweller Sonya Nagels.

Titled 'Stolen Flowers', the collection is pretty self-explanatory, but the idea made me smile.

The images themselves are beautifully simple but full of interest and memory.

x




September 27, 2012

Carine Roitfeld's Fashion Book + Cute Baby Animals





I've spent a bit of time lately scouring the world wide web for pages of Carine Roitfeld's new magazine CR Fashion Book, in lieu of actually being able to get my hands on the real thing, and finally found some to share with you.

It looks really lovely and smart, kind of a hybrid of Italian Vogue and The Gentlewoman, but with Carine's signature French twist. The theme is 'Rebirth', which has been interpreted in all kinds of weird and wonderful ways.

I also found this delicious little accompanying video (scroll right down) of cover model Kate Upton prancing about with a bunch of cute baby animals and a weird guy dressed as a unicorn…

x



Images via Blame It On Fashion

September 26, 2012

Ladysaint


I am developing a real obsession for sunglasses. Is it just me or lately is there a ridiculous amount of really great eyewear being produced?

Loving Ray Ban Wayfarers is a no-brainer, who doesn't, what's not to love etc, but then there's Karen Walker's, Ksubi's, Stella McCartney's, Linda Farrow's, Alexander Wang's, House of Holland's, Oliver Peoples'… and I have a few posts waiting in the wings to show you some more totally amazing covetable frames I've come across.

But today I bring you sass & bide's Ladysaint collection. As more astute followers of this blog will have noticed, I harbour a longstanding crush on this brand, so when they release new clothing collections it's exciting enough, but when they drop new accessories I'm just about mad with joy.

There's really something for everyone here, from classic to cool, but my winners are the silver glitter Saltas, the half-metal half black round-framed Sucres, the big ol' tortoiseshell Havanas and the gold La Paz aviators.

x
 


September 25, 2012

Happy 111th Post!


Today I wrote my 111th post for War Paint & Roses. It feel really good and lucky, so I thought I'd try to get 111 Facebook Likes to celebrate…

I also spent about 111 minutes putting beauty products and Ray Bans into a 111 shape, and then trying to take a photo of it on my iPhone.

Will you help? Click here or on the link to the top right and Like my Facebook page, then tell anyone you think might also like to read the blog to do the same.

Merci! Love you guys


x

Looks I Like


Looks I like this week involve:

Having matchy-matchy fashion friends aka Elena Perminova and Miroslava Duma and Emmanuelle Alt and Geraldine Saglio/
Capucine Safyurtlu. Still looking for mine...

Sunglasses with coloured mirror lenses. Summer must-have.

Fluffy sweaters, still.

All-black outfits finished with a rich red bag.

Unbuckled boots - hard to walk in maybe but adds a touch of tough, and very slimming on the ankle.

Super short skirts with graphic details.

Clutches for day, worn with casual looks. 


Skinny jeans and classic pointy pumps, is there a simpler way to look effortlessly chic?

Lean, mean high-waisted pencil skirts. Think I'm finally into them, as long as they're kept cool and contemporary by being black and/or leather, and worn with simple cotton tees.

x

September 24, 2012

Always, Never


Creating 'Always' and 'Never' lists seems to have captured people's imaginations lately. The premise is simple - create two lists to post on your wardrobe door. One of things you can count on (the tried and true, the feel-goods, the fail-safes and the classics) and the other of things you're adamant about avoiding. It can be individual pieces, complementary combinations, trustworthy brands, fabrics, colours - anything goes really…

It is actually a pretty great exercise in self-editing, a dream for getting dressed, and I imagine also useful when considering future purchases, so I'm in the process of putting together my own Always and Never, but it's harder than you'd think!

I know with some certainty there will be gray marle, denim cutoffs, cuffed skinnies, silver rings, T By Alexander Wang silk shirts, white cotton tees, top knots and ankle boots on the Always, and beige, cropped and fitted tops, asymmetric anything, ponytails, coloured eyeshadow, V-necks and faux leather on the Never. 


Watch this space for the finished results, and please do share yours!

x


Images via Capture The Castle

September 23, 2012

Lovely New Things


My favourite new grown-up bag, from my friend Jann's online accessories boutique Handpicked

It's like an oversized purse, with a silver clasp fastening and an almost vintagey shape, but it feels very modern and minimal and is a super versatile way to add a cool and ladylike finish to a look. It's also surprisingly roomy, and the perfect size for larger essentials like iPads and magazines.

Jann does a very smart edit of affordable bags, jewellery and scarves - I challenge you not to find something you'd like to own. I have two Handpicked bags already and my collection is likely to grow.

Pansies from the garden. There's only three because most of the others have already been enjoyed a little bit by caterpillars.

Chanel Rouge Allure in Super. One of my more daring pinks to date, brighter than it looks in the photos but goes on quite light and smooth so it isn't too shocking. Good for brightening all-black looks but also the perfect inspiration for clashing prints and wilder daubs of colour.

Eau Thermale Avène cleanser and makeup remover, given as a gift by another friend Emma who's setting up a fabulous Auckland-based beauty and hair website called Fixy.

I've taken to using it every night instead of a face wash. This stuff just sweeps around the face with a cotton pad and lifts everything off beautifully, and feels quite nourishing so doesn't require anything extra like a moisturiser or night cream.

x

September 22, 2012

Kester Black


I love, love, love polished silver jewellery, especially pieces with a bit of weight and craft and edginess behind them, so these little bits by Australian-based brand Kester Black have set my heart racing.

I think the particular beauty of the above is in the replacing of precious stones with all-over rich, dense, almost glowing silver - classic jewellery designs with a modern touch, still retaining a strong sense of luxury, but with an unexpected twist.

x