#ootd: The Double Denim Debate

I'm not sure where you stand on the 'Canadian Tuxedo' issue - I personally, have a bit of a love-hate relationship with head-to-toe denim ensembles.  As a child of the 80s and teen of the 90s, the whole look is a well and truly 'been there, done that' scenario for me, and as opposed to most millenials who find anything hinting at these two decades as hip, I tend to cringe a bit before I grow into loving such looks.

I won't say I have never donned a double denim look in the last couple of years ever since it has once again become a favourite get-up. But I feel I have had my hits and misses, so I'll let you in on a few tips on how to make the look work.

• don't match your denims - go for a dark wash jean and a lighter wash shirt to keep the look young and fresh; 
• keep the Western influences at bay - forego any fringes, embroideries, and seamings which would make people ask you for a Line dance routine.  If you have to do Western inspired, then leave that to the accessories; 
• don't just wear jeans - skirts are truly having a moment right now (much to my delight) and there are so many shapes to choose from! Try a denim shirt tucked in a full midi denim skirt for a fresh take on a classic combo; 
• smarten it up - channel the 70s for an ultimate city look with a fitted denim shirt, flared jeans, blazer in a contrasting material and why not, a fedora or floppy hat;
• but if you have to go casual - soften the all-denim look by wearing ripped or boyfriend jeans with flats or trainers and top with an oversized cardi in the chillier days. 

This morning called for such an outfit, so I reached out for my trusty Zara boyfriend jeans and denim shirt and H&M oversized coral spring coat to break the all-denim look.  Ballerina pumps and a top-knot finished off the casual ensemble, perfect for a Saturday morning full of errands and a raw cocoa - goji berry - banana smoothie treat from The Grassy Hopper.  

For more double-denim inspiration, check out my Pinterest board here: 

Follow Mariel Sacco's board #fs6 the double denim debate on Pinterest.

#ootd: Regatta Monday

This year I decided to continue where I left off last year, that is, by making it a year with a number of 'firsts'.  So today, being Freedom Day and a national holiday here in Malta, we headed off to watch my first ever Regatta.  From the little that I know about this boat race, it is hugely contested by the cities surrounding the Grand Harbour and it takes place both on Freedom Day and on Victory Day (8 September).  Moreover, the beautiful weather that graced the island today called for spending the afternoon out in the sun.

To celebrate the weather, I chose to wear my new Zara yellow blazer which I bought a few weeks ago and hadn't worn as yet.  I don't know why - I'm usually the most colourful thing walking around in Valletta - but I was feeling it was a tad too summery for the last weeks.  I decided to also give my new leopard print espadrilles from H&M a road test - the weather was warm enough to warrant not wearing any socks or stockings.  I kept the rest of the outfit simple with grey, denim and beige neutrals and matched the print on my espadrilles to a scarf I had bought ages ago from Accessorize which has a vintage map print and leopard print trimming.

I was so chuffed with the outfit and with the gorgeous weather that I even got into a bit of a (clumsy) jump half way through the afternoon!

What I wore: 
Blazer - Zara
T-shirt - Zara
Jeggings - Suite Blanco
Espadrilles - H&M
Handbag - Mango
Scarf - Accessorize
Sunglasses - Blumarine
Necklaces - Astrid & Miyu
Ring - Parfois

#ootd: I tried to look royal ...

As I mentioned in my last post, today marked the start of a new life.  Well, part of.  The other part - moving to my new flat - should hopefully come pretty soon.

Starting a new job is always a daunting experience, and first impressions are unfortunately the one to last.  And that first impression, mostly comes from what one is wearing.  So I looked to an always impeccably dressed, if unorthodox / unlikely fashion icon for inspiration: Queen Elizabeth II.  Yes, you read it right, the British Monarch herself!

You must admit that the Queen is always so well put together, and I do find her dress + dress-coat combination to be a quintessential effortless chic look, even if it is pretty much always the same, save for the colour (which is usually one from a spectrum of pastels ... she is the top lady in lavender after all!)

So I took a page out of her lookbook and wore my new H&M salmon single-button coat (shown here in black) which I got for Valentine's among other things and paired it with a navy Zara dress which I've had for quite some time and is more or less the same length of the coat.  Navy and salmon might not be an obvious combination, but I accessorised with my Sef Farrugia Delores scarf which has both colours in its pattern, as well as a touch of blood red which matched my new TopShop Kathleen patent pointed shoes.  The finishing touch came through my brand new navy Zara mini city bag which I feel has such a Jackie-O meets Queen E-II look.

The photos here, I must admit, are not of a quality fit for a Queen ... but what do you think of the look?

the caped crusader

You may remember my writing about my aversion for royal / cobalt blue and how I decided to take the plunge nonetheless and get myself an ASOS cape coat in that colour right? I wrote about it here come on!

Anyway, as I said in my recent post, this cape coat came to meet me on my vacation in Krakow a few days ago and I swear I wore it almost every single day! The weather, especially during Christmas week, was that perfect combination of sun and chill which made it just ideal for this cape coat.  A few layers underneath were definitely required, but since the coat has such a distinctive look, I had no problem giving it centre stage.

My first go-to colour combination for this coat was just as I featured in my previous post where I matched it on Polyvore with monochromes and a touch of mustard.  My plum coloured gloves from H&M gave the look that little extra warmth in all senses.  If you like the look, please click on the 'Hype' button at the bottom of the post!

What I wore (links where available for ease of purchase.  You're welcome.): 

Cape coat: Asos

Knit Jacket, Scarf, Studded Biker Boots: Zara

Leather & Ponte leggings, Gloves: H&M (both winter 2012/3)

Embroidered Bag: Parfois (summer 2013)

'Bad Hair Day' Beanie: Local Heroes

#ootd: Grey is my new Black

As you may recall, a few days ago I posted a Polyvore set showing an all-grey outfit.  You can refresh your memory of it here.

At the moment, I'm having a bit of a love affair with all things grey, going as far as getting my current manicure done in a charcoal grey with silver v-shaped tips.  I think I owe this obsession to my Polish friend Katarzyna whom I caught up with during my last trip to my beloved Poland.  When we met, she was wearing an all grey outfit, comprising of a woollen sweater dress and waterfall cardigan and matching hosiery.  She wore a beige trench and tan coloured ankle boots and bag.  The effortless elegance of her outfit remained imprinted in my mind.

On Sunday morning, I thought about her outfit once more when choosing what to wear for a whimsical trip to The Point Shopping Mall, which much to my delight, is now opening on Sundays too.  I opted for a more comfortable approach, wearing my grey jeggings and a loose fitting knit.  The weather was actually very warm so I could have done with a lighter top ... but it's mid-November, for crying out loud, and I want to wear my knits! 

Anyway, thinking that I would get much shopping done (I actually walked out empty handed *sob*), I wore my tan oversized bag and kept my shoes and accessories to match with the bag.  I don't really like matching my shoes and bag on a general note, but this kind of outfit calls for it, as the whole point of it is to keep things simple and polished.  I kept my make up relatively simple too ... it was Sunday morning after all, so certainly there was no need of excessive glamming up!

I do want to experiment more with grey as I feel it tends to be either relegated to work-wear or thought of as black's (ugly) sister.  How do you wear your greys? Let me know x

What I wore: Sweater (Zara); Jeggings (Stradivarius); Oversized bag (Zara); Ballerina pumps with gold toe-cap (H&M); Leather and chain bracelets (Massimo Dutti); Chain bracelet (Tommy Hilfiger); Bangle (W.Kruk); Ring (Maison Scotch); Necklace (Parfois)

#ootd: monochrome pattern clash

I've been dying to parade in my patchwork Zara coat for quite some time.  It did get quite a few outings while I was in Krakow a couple of weeks ago, but here in Malta, only this last week has it been cold enough to warrant coat-wearing.  The Bling Bling Accessories launch (which I wrote about here) provided the perfect occasion for it.

I chose to go for an Iris Apfel inspired look by layering statement jewellery and mixing prints.  Who ever said that less is more, huh?! I did shift out of my comfort zone in this H&M zebra print shift dress. Not being a huge fan of animal print, I was very wary of this dress looking totally wrong on me.  The first time I saw this dress was in Brussels last month and I was very tempted to buy it on the fly. During one of my (almost) daily visits to H&M in Krakow, I decided to go for it. I will admit that even though it's rather loose fitting, I need to be careful how I wear it as it can easily make me look double the size I am *sob*.

I kept the look rather ethnic inspired with a statement necklace I've had for some time from Pull&Bear and one of my Marni x H&M bangles.  To date, the Marni x H&M collaboration remains my favourite of all the collaborations the super high street brand has created.  

What I wore: Patchwork coat (Zara); Zebra print dress (H&M); Black opaque tights (H&M); Black ankle boots (Zara); Statement necklace (Pull&Bear); Curb necklace [barely visible] (Yoshe); Bangle [part of set] (Marni x H&M); Hand made ring (Yana's Jewellery); Stacked rings (Zara)

If you like the look, please click on the Lookbook hype button above.  You'll make me a very happy girl.

In defence of my Zara plaid scarf

As I mentioned already in my Krakow haul post here, I very recently got myself a large plaid scarf from Zara which is the cosiest, warmest thing ever ... and I know for a fact that I will be wearing it religiously for the months to come.

Now, this blessed scarf has met mixed reactions so far.  Well, two really and truly: one being my hyper-ventilated, over-excitement at the sight of it in the shop; the other being a raised eyebrow and a question, specifically being "is that a blanket?" or "have you come out with your blanket?" I've even had the tune from 'The Sound of Music' sung to me while wearing it! Since I am a good sport, and like to exert a good amount of self-irony, I feel I need to defend my dear plaid giant scarf.

I'm wearing: Zara plaid scarf; Zara patchwork coat; SuiteBlanco jeans; Massimo Dutti bag; Pat Calvin brogue boots; Yana's Jewellery ring

While I do understand that it does look a little bit like one of those blankets my family and I tend to snuggle under while watching TV ... it is most definitely NOT one.  And to prove this point, I've scoured the interwebs to bring you some other online fashionistas' take on this most misunderstood of scarves!

follow http://www.purelypeanut.com/

follow http://silviasdailycloset.blogspot.com/

Certainly one of my favourites must be how Jane from Toronto Shopoholic has styled hers by wearing it as a cape, belted up at the waist.  The girl surely has style!

follow http://www.torontoshopoholicblog.com/

Lipstick Renaissance

If there is one colour combination that you're hard pressed to find me wearing is black and red.  I can't go past the Dennis the Menace / Milan / Hamrun Spartans connotations in my mind.

And yet, you wouldn't say that from the updated look of this blog (do you like it, btw?) Nor from one of my latest purchases - a maroon and black striped dress as seen here.  But maroon is not red in my books. So all's fine where maroon comes to play.

My mind is boggled by red. A few weeks before I returned to Malta I bought this Monnari bag in red and cow-print.  Anyone who knows my aversion to red and animal prints would certainly be thrown off by this purchase of mine.  I was actually thrown off as well ... but I found the combination so appealing together that I just couldn't leave the bag in the shop.

Together with the red bag, I decided to give my lips a tinge of red as well.  Who says you can't wear red lips (a) for the office and (b) at 6 in the morning? My go-to lip-colour when opting for a glossy look are:

• Chanel Le Crayon Lèvres in 57
• Chanel Rouge Coco in 25 Vendôme
• Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss in 60 Excès

And this, is what the final look came to: an LBD with a simple back pinned hairstyle; black flicked eye-liner, and a pair of back-seam black tights (yes, I've already started wearing tights.  It is October after all!).  The only statement pieces: the Monnari red bag and the Chanel red lips.  Simple, classic, and pretty much effortless. 

Would you wear red lipstick for work / university? Why or why not?! Let me know x

Spot on: Yana's Jewellery

A few months back, I spotted the most exquisite ring on a friend's finger: it had 3 teal coloured beads intertwined with a gold coloured band which held them together in a sort of clover shape. When my friend told me that the ring was hand-made, and by a local, I was even more intrigued.

I'm a bit of a sucker for local talent.  It gives me hope:  I grew up with a pervasive post-colonial island mentality that local stuff doesn't match up to foreign, because of the premise that it is local.  So whenever I come across local talent which does actually match up or even surpass the 'foreign' stuff, I'm more than happy to oblige with a blog post, and why not a purchase or two!

And this is one of those instances.

Walking home from work one day I realised that I was actually walking past this little treasure trove called Yana's Jewellery on a daily basis.  The name immediately rang in my mind as the creator of my friend's teal coloured clover shaped ring.  I stepped in and what I found was a most enchanting array of intricately woven pieces, which, as Yana herself explained to me are all unique since even if a piece is repeated, being handmade, there can never be exact copies.

A simple black and mustard jade ring called my name and I couldn't but leave it in the store.  Ever since I've bought this, it has hardly left my hands as it is so versatile, despite the particular colour.  

I kept mustard as the stand out colour in this #ootd with this Zara bag from a couple of years ago, complementing the purple skater dress from Asos and 'Missoni inspired' pashmina from Accessorize, also from a couple of years back ... some pieces remain eternal, don't they just?

My hunch is this will be the first of many purchases. And with walking in front of her shop on a daily basis ... it will be very hard to resist!

New Look #ootd

All yours ... Babooshka, Babooshka, Babooshka-ya-ya!

This morning I woke up humming Kate Bush's Babooshka which I actually haven't heard in ages.  I don't know how this came about, but what is for sure is that it resonates with the newly acquired Eastern European aesthetic I seem to be harbouring. 

It's been noted by others and I've even realised it myself, that since I returned from Poland, my overall look and style have somewhat changed.  As my mom put it this evening, "with those braids and that lick of red lipstick, you look like a Polish girl." Well, minus the narrow hips, tight abs and legs that go on for ever.  But I suppose she is somewhat right.  

Unwittingly, I'm gravitating more and more towards florals, bold colours, somewhat folk inspired shapes and patterns, as well as outfit combinations which I used to notice around me back in Krakow. Sometimes, it's good to get away.  It gives you a new perspective. 

Today's outfit fitted in with this new perspective in the most perfect of ways.  I love the colour combination on this floral dress by New Look - the various shades of reds complement the green shades over a black background.  I paired the dress with brown brogues, also from New Look to keep it more contemporary ... and because I just don't like wearing black shoes with a black based outfit!  I also fished out an enamel statement necklace (you know by now how I just can't live without my statement necklaces!) which I had got during my first trip to Berlin.  I love the intricate design on it and it blended so well with the dress that it could almost have been part of it!

If you like the look, click on the HYPE button at the bottom of the post xx

#ootd

 dress: New Look

cardigan: Peacocks

brogues: New Look

necklace: independent store

#fotd

foundation: Chanel

translucent powder, blush, eye-shadow, mascara: Benefit

bronzer: Dior

eye-liner, lip colour: NYX

MVINTAGE + NET-A-PORTER latest buys

I did mention in my last post that my mister was over for the week so obviously, I had to take some time out from blogging and spend much desired quality time with him.  I love how today's technology allows us to see each other everyday and almost feel like we're literally talking face-to-face, but it's still no substitute to physically being next to each other.  I'm sure you understand!

For his last day over, we opted for a chilled out afternoon. Since the sun is still quite bright and the temperatures are still soaring here in Malta (where is my autumn?! grrr...), I opted for my monochrome midi dress from H&M and decided to pretty it up with my latest MVintage stone necklace.  I had been lusting over this piece for some time and when I went down to The Point for the Action for Breast Cancer Foundation event, I couldn't resist leaving the mall without it!

Yesterday was also a perfect opportunity to wear my newly bought LeSpecs sunnies from Net-a-Porter.  I kept dreaming about a pair of squarish cats' eye sunglasses and search as I may, in-store and online, this was the only pair which perfectly fitted the brief I had in my head! The jury is still out as to whether they are too big for my face or not ... I did get them because of the oversized style, and because I just love the split cats' eye.