Trend Watch: Moody Blooms

If there's one pattern you should be investing in at the moment - be it from the sales or from the new collections already making their way into our favourite stores - it is definitely moody blooms.  Look out for dark floral patterns, preferably botanical with bugs and butterflies included, or digitally manipulated florals abstracting the essence of the the nature-inspired motif.  Palettes are dark and moody, in rich jewel tones contrasted with saturated yellows, rose and green.  Go for head-to-toe if you dare or sport a patterned bag or jewelled statement necklace for a more subtle look.  For more inspirational images, view my dark floral trend Pinterest board here.

Marks & Spencer: The Autumn'13 Collection

I remember shopping at Marks & Spencer ever since I was a young child and I was always fascinated by the quintessential 'Britishness' of their clothes and styling.  As a child, I used to dream that one day, I'd be the lady of a manor, on some estate in one of the green English 'shires and I'd be walking my dogs (whippets, specifically) dressed in head to toe M&S ...

I think that M&S is quite naturally, usually associated with classic cuts which tend to be more popular with a more mature generation.  This morning's event in a way sought to change that notion.

M&S Sliema organised impromptu fashion shows under the talented styling of local fashion guru extraordinaire Marisa Grima and Stylist of the Year winner Caroline from Caroline's Fashion Styling.  I would be lying if I said that what we saw this morning was hipster / street style fashion, because that is not M&S.  Yet, the collection presented, and the way it was presented, was fresh and appealing to various age groups.

see the whole album from this morning's event on my facebook page here

Of particular note for me were a print placement mini shift dress and a winter white bias cut dress with black lace embellishment.  I loved the white dress so much (I think the Peter Pan collar was the seller for me!) that I even tried it on.  Unfortunately, the bias cut on the lower half of my body doesn't do anything to me and so I had to leave it in the shop (and that's why you're only seeing the top half of me here!)

I did try on a couple of other items and I actually bought this green blouse which has a couple of patch pockets on the front (they don't show on the photo) and tiny pleats in the middle.  What I loved most about it is the colour which is somewhere in between pea green, khaki and chartreuse.  I tried it on with a high waisted dark jeans and a crimson coloured cardi which beautifully complemented the green. Both the blouse and the jeans were from the Autograph collection,  and the cardi was from the Classic collection.  I tend to consider both these collections as too 'grown up' for me ... but with the versatility and wearability of this blouse (and the other items I tried with it), there's really no age!  I can't wait for the colder temperatures to kick in to pair this blouse with a skinny jean and my jacquard coat.

I do suggest you pop down to M&S if you haven't been in a while ... the collection in store at the moment is well worth doing the rain dance for!

with lara from boffism

only happy when it rains

Have you seen the rain today? What was that storm all about? 

Well, us Maltese are kind of used to it at this time of the year (or should be as it happens, like, every single year!)  The social media channels went berserk with people sharing instagrams and status updates on the the weather conditions in this minuscule island. It felt like there was a competition where, in this 316 km² island, are the worst weather conditions.

I think I appeared to be maniacally grinning at all the rain pouring down.  The thing is, I have come to love spring and/or autumn.  Summer no longer holds the charm it used to.  

I've mentioned before how I just can't wait to start wearing jackets, coats and all things wintry.  Not only do the clothes themselves look much better than summer ones, they also make the wearer look more put together and complete. 

From a personal perspective, I think the fact I experienced a relatively long winter and a mild summer abroad has made me grow out of love with the beach season.  And, most of my wardrobe at the moment is made up of mid-season and winter clothing which I'm yearning to wear again or wear for the first time! 

But tonight, I'm not going to write more.  All I'm going to do is share with you some tumblr / pinterest / weheart it images which I feel express why I'm happiest when it rains more than my words can say. Call me weird, call me different, but I'd rather that than be normal and boring. 

well plaid

you may remember that less than a week ago i was gushing over the latest zara aw'13 campaign.  just how awesome is that campaign may i say again?! you may read all about it here.

i know most of us are suffering the heat with these scorching temperatures. confess it, deep down you are yearning for the first autumn breeze or even raindrops. am i right or am i right?  and with trends as gorgeous as those welcoming the new season, you're justified to yearn for a sudden drop in temperatures.

one of the hot trends to see us into the colder months is plaid: a pattern which harkens to the good old 90s grunge days while being steeped in highlandic tradition.  plaid, checked or tartan, call it what you may is always a great pattern to have in one's wardrobe, be it as a dress, blazer, pants, shirt or clutch. the options are as varied as the colours that can make up the weave!

since i can't wait for the full autumn/winter stocks to hit the stores - and since the weather is not cooperating - i'm happily scouring my favourite online stores for some more inspiration, possible purchases and potential bargains since there's a few of these items which are actually on sale *grin*. check out this shopcade list i've created ... you can even shop directly through it if anything takes your fancy.

or have a look at these three outfits i've styled: plaid can go a long way and you've probably already have something in your wardrobe to transition you into autumn.

1. the dress

2. the midi-skirt

3. the boyfriend shirt

i don't know about you but i'm closely eyeing that river island purple plaid dress ... how long do you reckon it will be till it finds its way into my wardrobe?!

confession #000077

... or, truly, madly, deeply in love ... 

with zara's a/w13 campaign!

one thing i always try to restrain myself on when blogging is that of writing on the same topics and trends as everyone else.  but this is different. i'm betting my a** off the blogosphere is going to implode with so many posts on this.

and rightly so.  being a huge fan of the brand, i may be a little biased.  but this is definitely one of their best campaigns i've seen in a while.  it's clean, contemporary and mature, in the sense that it levels up with campaigns produced by the high end luxury brands of the lvmh clique.  the photography is impeccable, the moody london setting is perfectly complemented by the distinctive soundtracks for the woman and trf campaign ... i can't stop looking at the photos and videos and jotting down items i need for my wardrobe (yes, of course, i need them, not just want them ...)

even the trf collection has an aura of grown-up grunge about it.  earlier today, when i first laid eyes on these images, i felt compelled to update my fb page's status with an announcement that maybe i am finally ready to buy white shoes: pointed white chelsea boots to be precise, courtesy of zara.

i've said it before and i'll say it again: autumn can't come too soon this year.  there are way too many beautiful trends coming up that i can't wait to wear!