Lost and Found

Don't you hate it when you know you have something, but you can't find it? This was the case for me recently over a particular Isabel Marant scarf that appears to have been re-released - the Rivera scarf.

pic from net-a-porter.com

Made from 100% raw silk, it's delicate colourings and soft tassels lend itself to sitting "oh so perfectly" around the neck, draped over the shoulder or simpy thrown on in any old way. It is one of those pieces that just works.  I purchased this scarf two years ago(or it's original predecessor) from Parlour X in Sydney when on a shopping trip with some girlfriends.  At the time, I was tossing up between the beige and the black, and finally after about forty minutes of umming and ahhing, settled on the beige (this was at the end of the shopping trip and my remaining funds could not include taking both home).  The scarf and I made instant friends.  We went everywhere together - Japan, China, USA, Italy, all over Australia.  And even though we didn't spend everyday together, we knew that when the right time came around, we would both just click.  Then I lost my scarf....

It was devastating.  I couldn't recall if my scarf had fallen out of my bag some time in transit, had I left it in a hotel, or was it simply misplaced?  I had moved house at about this stage so there was always the slim hope that I had packed it away somewhere and just never come across it, but it slowly slipped from my wardrobe and resided in that little corner of the mind that thinks "I wonder what they are up to now?".

Then I started to see my scarf appearing on the necks of bloggers, models and various other wearers on the internet.

Miranda Kerr wearing Rivera scarf, from coolspotters.com

  This made me sad again - and determined to find out what had happened.  So, I went to my parents house (that repository for all excess boxes when you move house and things don't quite fit in the new place, so they go into my old wardrobe at my parent's house) and began the search.  It took a day.  It was hiding, folded up with a few other assorted scarfs and wraps at the bottom of a cupboard.  And it was perfect :)

Now that we are reacquainted, I can't wait to wear my scarf again as Autumn gets underway and Winter approaches.  I'm also thinking that my scarf will make an excellent accessory for when out with baby (who I announced an eviction notice to as I am now 4 days overdue, but baby does not quite want to leave - doesn't she know all the fabulous clothes she can play with when she gets older?). 

I may not be able to blog much over the next few weeks as I will have my hands full, but I promise that as soon as I get an opportunity, I will be updating, and hopefully get to start taking a few outfit pics. Wish me luck!! ;)

Isabel Marant FW 2012/13

Like every other Marant-obsessed individual out there, I have been anxiously awaiting her latest winter collection. Finally, the wait is over :)

So what do I think of it? Isabel Marant has obviously gone a little south-western, with yoke-embroidered shirts, western boots and prairie lace popping up in almost every look. The styling on the runway is a bit too country for me overall (when has runway styling ever been completely wearable?), but as individual pieces, the collection really starts to show just how talented Marant is - her design aesthetic flows effortlessly from one season to the next, and it is entirely possible to mix elements of this latest with pieces from the past 3 or even 4 years. 

I've managed to track down a few more detailed shots, which start to show the amazing work in the tops and skirts etc.

 The back of this lace top is amazing - I love it when the back is just as detailed as the front, something that a lot of designers seem to forget - it's nice to make an impression when leaving. The jacket - hmm...I like it but I'm just not sold on the neckline.

 Western boots - yes, these could work for me :)

 I love the strap across the front of these shoes. The button details on the pants are also super cute.

 Flippy little satin skirt - dress up, dress down, it gets a tick from me - and how gorgeous is the belt??

 NEED this top. Preferably in that colourway too...I think it could work nicely with her previous collection pants. Or even just plain denim.

(all pics from style.com)

The whole look here is perfect. The pants, the heels, the coat (!!). I can imagine wearing it on a cool autumn day in Paris,  pushing the pram with bub as a gentle wind gently tosses the rusty coloured leaves around us, and on the way to meet my partner with for a latte macchiato,chocolate croissant and some Parisian people-watching. Or I might have to settle for wearing it around Adelaide. Who knows ;)

So what do you think of this collection? Is it more of the same-old, same-old? Or is it the next step in the Marant story?

In my wardrobe...

As I am unable to wear any heels at the moment (curse you, late pregnancy backpain!), I am forced to admire all my lovely shoes from afar.  That doesn't stop me from cooing over them however - they are still my babies and I love them as much as I did the first time I purchased them.

So as a brief glimpse into my wardrobe that I hope to be able to share with you all over the next few months, here are some of my favourite pairs that are currently in 'hibernation' - I hope for only a few more weeks!

 The first pair of Marants that I ever purchased - the black Soono boot.  These darlings are suprisingly practical - with or without the chain, they slouch perfectly and just look good with anything.  I still lust over these in the taupe colour, but that would be a little indulgent...wouldn't it?

 The Marant Woody heel - spotted outside the shoes on Anna Selezneva, when I saw them I knew I had to have them.  I'm looking forward to be putting these on again with 3/4 pants and skirts, dresses, cuffed jeans...Needless to say, they kinda work with everthing.  And for their height, they are really comfortable.  I love shoes with straps :)

 Isabel Marant Poppy heel in black - classic black pump, bow detail on front, even my other half thinks they are gorgeous.  He tends to buy me shoes when he goes overseas to Italy several times a year, and always leans towards classic, low heels - but even he admits that when it comes to these, they outdo all the other Valentino, Ferre and Ferregamos he has brought home.

Lastly, I decided to throw this pic in of Iselin Stiero wearing the black/ecru knitted sweater from a few years ago - yes, I know it's not shoes, but I can't wait to wear this little jumper this winter.

Bring on the cooler weather!

Details

Hands up everyone who has ever looked in their wardrobe and walked out bemoaning,"I have nothing to wear!!"? This has been a common occurence for me lately as I am coming to the end of my pregnancy and what I have in my wardrobe can be broken down into two categories:

- Those items that I simply cannot even fit into anymore (which includes all my beautiful pencil skirts, miniskirts, shorts, jeans, many many dresses etc)

and

-Those items that have managed to make it through the last 9 months due their "elastic" capabilities, but which I am now incredibly OVER.

Obviously the latter is what I am still having to work with...

The only way that I have managed to hold on to some semblance of sanity and not just break down into a fashion funk has been to up the accessory stakes.  Traditionally I have never worn much in the way of jewellery etc - even though I know that the details are what can make an outfit. I guess that my clothes were always detailed enough that I didn't feel the need to spruce them up with a few bangles or a scarf. It has not been that I didn't own accessories, but would often just forget to throw them on before walking out the door.

This has had to change. When your wardrobe is shrunk down to maybe 10 different pieces, you start having to get all kinds of creative with the bits and pieces lurking on that shelf in the wardrobe. 

Some of my favourite ways of mixing up what I have been wearing to create a different look has been through the use of my twillys. Little scarves that are tied around the neck, wrist, hair, on a bag, they have added a pop of colour where I have sorely needed it.

(Kelly en perles twilly, Brides de Gala twilly)

I purchased these a few years ago and they really have been little life savers.  The blue and white one is probably my favourite (the Brides de Gala pattern), only for the fact that I'm still currently loving the "nautical" look, so with a little white tank and some jeans, it just smartens up the whole outfit.

Also, please forgive my poor photography skills - I just use a P&S, I'm sure I'll improve with time!

World Travellers

One of the greatest downsides to living in a small city is the lack of stockists of my favourite designers - so thankfully internet shopping has filled that gap very nicely.  Over the last few years the majority of my purchases have been made online which has really opened up an entire world (or is that Pandora's box?) of fashion possibilities.

Of course, being a small city, I often need to keep in mind exactly WHERE I am going to be wearing these pieces. After all, you can only get dressed up so much to go get a coffee with friends, and the number of "great" restaurants is also limited.  It is a little sad that I will often just throw on a pair of jeans because I don't want to be too "dressed up".  So finding clothes that combine wearability and fashion-lust is often that little bit trickier.

Thankfully, there are a few designers who seem to keep this in mind when designing their collections and for me, the penultimate designer is Isabel Marant. I have been obsessed with her collections since late 2009, and slowly built up a small collection that I love just as much as when I first purchased them - something I cannot say for a lot of other items I have purchased over the years. Her most recent collection which will be hitting the stores anytime now (Spring Summer 2012) is based around the idea of clothes a girl would throw in her suitcase to go travelling around the world.  I am waiting anxiously for these to drop, and I have already pre-ordered a few pieces which I can not wait to start wearing (once I have my baby and can get back into pre-maternity clothes!).  It might sound reckless purchasing clothes when I can't even get my old jeans on, but I have faith that given 3 months they will all fit again - it's good inspiration ;)

 Rea Heels in natural

(both images from diani boutique)

Pepito Embroidered Jean in Rose Pale

So here's a brief snapshot of the items I have currently being put together for me, flying from Europe to North America, then down under to lil old Australia - they will truly be world- travellers!

The truth...

The true way to gain much, is never to desire to gain too much - Francis Beamont