#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

Wednesday Wishlist

I realise that once again I've been a bit MIA in blogging - the usual excuses reasons come to mind (work commitments, errands, appointments) and added to that much needed quality time with my bf who's finally back on the island.  You don't really blame me now, do you?! To make up for this lack of blogging, I'm making the most of this mid-week public holiday and bringing you a Wednesday Wishlist ... instead of packing for my work-trip / city break starting tomorrow that is! Priorities, priorities ...

Well, these are the items I'm currently craving, pretty badly ... even though practically each one of them comes with a little proviso.  Read on, and help me choose which item(s) I should actually invest in, and which one(s) I should ditch.

A trench coat (it's a Mango vs Zara kind of thing ...)

This has been on my wishlist for a number of months now, but I've always opted for less classic pieces. Blame it on my new work life, or the final realisation that I'm hitting my mid-30s pretty soon, I'm starting to look at more classic items to place in my wardrobe.  I love the texture of the Mango version but I'm a bit miffed it's not fully lined.  On the other hand, the Zara version is fully lined and the perfect length for my height but I'm not so thrilled with the material.  Decisions, decisions ... unless, of course, I decide to spend my whole paycheck on a real Burberry ... mmmm....

Superga classic white sneakers

A throwback to my Physical Edu lessons back in primary and secondary school, plain white sneakers are one of my current 'must-haves' in my wardrobe.  Perfectly adorkable when ditching the daily heels at the weekend, they can look equally cute and on trend with cuffed jeans, ditsy dresses and why not, even with a dressed down trouser suit.  My dilemma on this piece is whether to go for canvas or seek more durable (and easily cared-for) leather.

Kenzo x New Era flower block cap

I fell in love with this topper the minute I laid eyes on it - the coral and aqua colour combination is just perfect for summer, and the pattern and oversized embroidered logo is just such fun.  The problem is, I can't really see me wearing it, nor can I see where / when I would wear it! I'm no longer much of a beach bum, so that's out of the equation already ... Saturday morning markets? Glammed up with heels for the weekend? I'm so confused!

Moschino Jeremy Scott FW14-15 iPhone 5 case

This thing just grew on me.  When the pictures of the Jeremy Scott capsule collection for Moschino's FW14-15 started emerging, I'll be honest with you:  I was scratching my head no end.  I just couldn't come to terms with the whole McDonalds inspiration.  But without realising, my heart started settling on the fries shaped iPhone case.  After my Marc Jacobs 'Shorty' pug shaped case proved to be quite a conversation starter last year, I can't wait to own this one now ...

So there goes.  These four items are actually not letting me sleep soundly.  I'm serious.  Please do help me out in this oh-so-first-wordly decision process ...

Lemon topping

If there is one thing I'm really dying to wear right now is my new yellow blazer. Yes, yellow. The bright, sunny colour that evokes all things spring and summery. It's not that I am a summery person per se, but I just love the colour so much and I don't think I had really come across any before this week when I headed over to Zara. 

lemon topping by tikkamars featuring fitted dresses

I love how, despite being a primary colour, yellow lends itself as well as a neutral, pairing up with monochrome for a classic look, with pastels and metallics for a sophisticated yet on trend combination, or even with bold pattern clashes ready to be snapped for a street-style blog.

My ex-colleagues know my obsession with this brand way too well and got me a very nice voucher as a farewell gift and one of my little purchases was the yellow blazer on the top right of this Polyvore set.  If I could I'd have got all the three Zara jackets featured here, and the shoes et al!

#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

And we'll never be royals ...

It all started with this two-tone Zara wrap-around knitted jacket. 

It was very much a love-at-first sight affair, with my loving anything loose fitting and oversize, it looking so cozy and enveloping, and of course being from my favourite brand of all ... 

But then, disaster struck. 

While the jacket can of course be worn on its own as a jacket, a few days ago, I wanted to wear a coat on top of it since it was rather chilly outdoors and I was wearing a relatively lightweight garment underneath. With its batwing sleeves and very thick knit, it was practically impossible to wear anything on top of it. 

And then it dawned on me: I had seen this perfect biker-style cape coat over at ASOS quite a few weeks ago. I immediately loved the shape and style and placed it in the 'save for later' cache. I kept thinking about this cape coat but never committed to buying. The reason was very simple: the colour! I am somewhat scared of royal blue as I fear that it may wash me out as a cold colour since my complexion wears warm colours better. 

But I decided to take the plunge nonetheless. Wearing a warm colour or monochrome scarf to separate the blue from being directly next to my complexion should do the trick ... at least I'm keeping my fingers crossed! To save on luggage space to fit all my mister's Christmas presents, this cape coat will be meeting me in Krakow next week ... and as usual, I am virtually packing through Polyvore instead of actually packing the rest of my luggage! Better get myself started! 

Toodles!

And we'll never be royals ... by tikkamars featuring leather handbags

ZARA edits

Ever since the global Spanish sensation that is Zara opened up shop on our tiny island, I've been somewhat obsessed with everything that is available in store. Sometimes I've even hounded the shop managers with calls to ensure that the items I'd be coveting on their online presence would actually be available in my size ready for me to just pop over at the last minute to pick them up.  I feel that I've become somewhat notorious in the Sliema front establishment ... possibly also due to my (at least) bi-weekly visits ...

 

It stands to logic therefore that I would be subscribed to their mailing list and have the chain's Facebook page as a favourite to make sure I don't miss on a single post. Yes, I'm that obsessed.

And this morning, when I received the latest newsletter with the current edits, I was, as always blown away.  The relaxed, yet glamorous vibe emitted in the pictures spoke in French to me.  Possibly, this is because I'm currently reading Paris Street Style - which I'm loving and I'm trying to apply everything I'm learning from it on a daily basis (ever the nerd haha!)

With model Cate Underwood, music producer and model Caroline De Maigret, fashion blogger Roy on the Street, fashion consultant Yasmin Sewell and underoursky.com creative director Sofia Sanchez Barrenechea gracing its images, the 4th Zara edit is an eclectic mix of refined beauty, with a freshness that simultaneously evokes a styling maturity.  It is everything I've ever dreamt of achieving style-wise.

And as the geek that I am, taking an academic approach to everything I do, let me carry on taking notes, planning purchases and wardrobe reshuffles in the hope of achieving this.

#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/

cool grey

Because grey doesn't have to be boring.  

Layer up different shades of grey (please spare me the '50 shades ...' jokes) for a minimalist, but oh so very chic look which epitomises elegance. 

cool grey by tikkamars featuring leather ankle boots

bright stripes #ootd

last saturday we rose bright and early and headed off to zakopane for the day.

zakopane is a three-hour train ride from krakow and is poland's skiing resort par excellence. during summer, the place turns into one massive touristy adventure park ... but the guidebooks don't seem to know or want to tell you that.  anyway, despite the throngs of scantily clad visitors from all over poland and neighbouring countries, enjoying the sunny sites, and the hundreds of market stalls selling the same souvenirs and endless amounts of oscypek, the day-trip was well worth it for the breathtaking views from the mountain tops.  i am already planning a return in winter time to experience the views under a thick veil of snow ... and why not, give the slopes a try as well!

since i didn't know that the dress code during this time of the year was 'as little and as sporty as possible', i opted for a rather classic yet boldly coloured look.

since this was actually a special occasion for us, i wanted to have a 'dressy' element.  i had been dying to wear my geometric parfois statement necklace for the last month or so since i got it, and i felt that this special occasion warranted it.  oh, and i loved how it refracted rainbows every time the sun beams hit it on the train-ride. my batwing top is from zara's ss13 collection and i love how light and breezy it is.

top: zara
jeggings: pieces @ vero moda
ballerina pumps (not seen): h&m
necklace: parfois
bracelet: tommy hilfiger
watch: fossil
sunglasses: ray ban
bag: longchamps

comfort for the long day ahead was paramount for me, and that's why i paired the top with these coral jeggings from vero moda.  they've been a bit of a staple pair of pants for this spring / summer but i'm starting to wean myself off them since i'm already craving the autumnal shades.  silly me i wore ballerina pumps and i was about to slide some less manageable ground a few times while on the belvedere ...

the outfit got somewhat more colourful during the day as i managed to get some beetroot salad splatters and beer all over me during lunch (courtesy of a poltergeist possessed table) ... i'm still keeping my fingers crossed the stains wash off properly! if not, well, i suppose i'd have to buy another outfit ...

if you like this looks, please click the lookbook hype button below xx