Frida Giannini - made me think.

Have you read Elle October?
Frida guest-edit and I must say I enjoyed her story.
What made me think and reflect was her mention of her mother as her inspiration, and whom she turns to for support and guidance.
And I DO so envy.

Simply because I never had a mother.
I did have a adoptive mother.
But she was not the nurturing kind who left behind so much emotional scars (not to mention physical ones which I have tried to camouflage with tattoo) that it still haunts me.

Indeed I agree mothers have a lifelong impact on their children. It is only a matter of time before we realise most of the things we (try to) achieve and decisions we made, has something to do with our childhood.
When something or someone around me upsets me, I had vivid flashbacks of violent beatings and verbal abuse that will make me lapse into despair. I have to consistently keep a close check on emotions and not let it take me over, knowing that it gets me into this cold dark place that will only be detrimental to those around me.

I do not whinge about the past as much as I used to.
Not because I have forgotten or let go but because I made the decision to be live Life.
End of the day, my (adoptive) mother is gone now and I am still here.
And I am not about to let what happened destroy (what can be potentially) a good life ahead.

Every heart needs an anchor. No matter where you are and how far you go, you know someone, somewhere is waiting for you to embrace you and welcome you home. The article on Frida and her mother made me wonder what would I have become if I had a strong nurturing figure in my growing years. I envy that close relationship more than her achievement in Gucci (not to diminish the impact she has on the brand. The injection of creative energy is awesome. But I am not talking about fashion right now).
With a strong support as hers, one can only imagine how much further she can go from where she is right now. I like how Rebecca Lowthorpe ends the article with Frida's words, 'Sure. Inner happiness, good energy - I think when you feel so positive everything is easier to manage. You look at your life in a different light'.
So, so true.
Oh. Someone must tell her that she look MUCH prettier with a light lippy.

I love - The Sartorialist.

No. I am not a fashion blogger.
I may used to sit on the front row of fashion shows where I came from, but it never made me feel more important. I don't like name-dropping, throwing unsolicited advice, set rumours ablaze or brag to the world the items in my wardrobe which bears a brand name; and I am a safe dresser (what suits and flatters me best in colours that go with every other item already in the wardrobe).
Which, altogether makes me a terribly boring fashion blogger. Non?
Just as any homemaker, I happen to have alot of time on my hands.
So I am on the internet. Alot more than I should be.
Oh. And I read.
When words wear my eyes out, thank God for fashion magazines.

I am not obsessed about fashion.
Trends does not excite me.
People who I know, knows that nothing captures my attention more than interesting personality, people with real style and substance, and a intelligent mind. Though sadly those qualities may not work hand in hand.

Perhaps that is why I love the Sartorialist.
I love the fact that he captures interesting people with individualistic style; not paying particular attention to brand names or playing up to commercialism and trends. (I could be wrong, but that is how I feel about his work) He makes fashion interesting for me again.
Scott Schuman, if you happen to be reading this, you ARE the best.
God forbid you ever stop doing what you are doing.
http://www.thesartorialist.com/

Anna Dello Russo - mad or just pure brilliance?

I would like to keep memorable images of the few women who inspire, shock and rock my world (fashion/imagination); either be sheer madness or absolute brilliance, these women makes reading fashion magazines pure delight.
The first lady I would like to pay tribute to, Ms Anna Dello Russo.

I cannot remember where and when I first read about her, but I DO remember my jaw dropped in awe when I saw her picture. She wore a oversized red cherry fascinator, so surprising it was that the rest of her outfit is a blur now. She reappeared in the same fascinator (and a gold version as well) with other outfits after; and I cannot help but admire how she managed to put something crazy and yet look so right every single time.

What took my breath away is also her attitude - the bold 'devil-may-care' air about her; how she pull a look together that possibly exist only in one's imagination; (someone mentioned Lady Gaga. Horrors!) and carry it with ease and class (something Gaga would never be associated with. Sorry.). She stun the crap out of me. I am hooked ever since.

From Wikipedia, Anna is the editor-at-large and creative consultant for Vogue Nippon. She was born in 1962 in Bari, a city in the south of Italy. She has a bachelors degree in Italian Literature and Art History taken at the University of Bari and attended the Domus Academy in Milan. Before assuming her current position of Fashion Director and Editor-at-large at Vogue Nippon, Anna spent 18 years at Condé Nast Italia, as fashion editor at Vogue Italia and as editor of L'Uomo Vogue from 2000-2006. Often featured in my favourite blog, The Sartorialist; and claimed to own 4,000 pairs of shoes (stifling a scream here).

She mentioned, "I’ve got a big wardrobe and all my clothes are very well displayed...I LOVE jewelry because it makes the look personal."
Surely there are moments just as many of us, even with our humble wardrobes we still struggle to find the right outfit everyday. I wonder how long she takes to get ready for the day, and how she puts things together when she has so much around her.
Does she ever dress down? I come to my own conclusion that this lady will add an element of surprise just for effect (or entertainment), no outfit is complete without something that makes you stop and gawk. In a alarming but good way. She makes fashion fun all over again.
I know icons come and go, muses change every season but unpredictability brings endless interest.And this is what makes her special to me.

Do I envy her wardrobe?
Honestly even if a large bank account, I would not dare to wear most of the things she wears. Not because I don't want to, but I am never one who likes to stand out in the crowd. I am 5'8, and I love my heels. When people glance my way I would quietly check if my fly is open. Get what I mean?
It is possible I admire Anna because she is just the total opposite of who I am; bold and fearless. And wearing rainbow colours or the monochrome in such gusto that it just takes my breath away.
Why not read her story at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/dec/12/anna-della-russo-interview-fashion ? A delightful read which made me chuckle as I went along.
I have pulled my favourite pictures of Anna from the net to share the awe and fun (no less). Enjoy.

For the love of (my) dog ^_^

I got big feet. Well - at least I think I got big feet.
When I was in asia,  I could never find a proper pair of shoes that would fit. EU42 or UK9 was predominantly unheard of. Either too narrow or too short that it cuts into my heel, causing massive blisters that would burst even before I get to my destination. OUCH.
Not to mention the bunion that develop over time. Grrr...
That did not stop my passion for shoes. I relished every visit to the shoe shops, buying every pair in the biggest possible size, hoping the next pair would fit better than the last. So I had a enviable cupboard full of shoes that I love to hate.
Living in England means I could finally get shoes that fit length and breadth of my 'hooves'.
And boy did I indulge!

I never really like flats since I got strong calves and knobbly knees (lousy combination really), oh not to forget wobbly thighs. If I sound like I don't like my legs much, well - I don't. In fact I hate them.
Not one to go under the knife I just learnt to work around them by wearing shoes that lengthens my 'trunks' visually. Which is why I never really like flats. Looks wrong with my jeans (be it skinny, straight or bootcut), accentuating me in all the wrong way.

Then came Bagel. My collie-alsatian-crossbred.

Found him abandoned, just had to bring him home.
Which meant taking him on walks and running around with him in the garden becomes part of my daily routine. Not one to risk falling flat on my face wearing my platform heels with the bowwow, I started to hunt around for flat shoes.
Which then led to the hunt for a pair of jeans that would flatter my lush bottom half with flats on.
My roving eyes fell on a pair od light blue Suzy Radcliffes Hamptons.
It is exactly the jean type missing in my wardrobe - the boyfriend.Slouch fitting, straight leg; it is what magazines warn us pear shapes about.
I remember reading that they best fit boyish hips; which proves untrue in my case.
With a shirt tucked in loosely at the front, letting the back and sides drape nonchalantly over the top of the jeans with the hems turned up, showing the slimmest part of my legs - the ankles; the flats finish off the look quite nicely. Hooray!
I can now walk Bagel without having to worry about falling over and looking like a fat cow.

Tigger with my worn in black pumps with horsebit detail.

Just £8. These pair from Primark, a store known for cheap fashion. I find most stuff either to tacky or badly made; but occasionally you will find some real gems, like these pair of Gold Brogues. They really perk up a neutral outfit. Will be tad much when worn with colour outfits. I wear these lots when I wear my whites and beiges.

At first glance I thought these Bow Tartans from New Look are not my style but they won me over when I tried them on in my usual white tee and blue jeans. Feminine and rather chic without being overly girly.

George Black white zebra with bring pink edges and bows. I like the quirky combo. Just £6.

Qube studded Red Brogues - great when walking Bagel in town. Looks similar to a pair Sienna Miller wore in London I much covet. Just £25. Would have gotten the black pair but was sold out dammit.

Sneakers in Silver and Red. Great in parks or short walks; especially useful when Bagel decides to sprint I can easily catch up in these. The Silver pair looks like my oven mitt lol

Hunter / Jimmy Choo Croc Shiny Wellington boots with wellie socks - a must when walking in mud with Bagel (yuck) but at least I look stylish at it! Cost me bloody £250 ((I get a mini seizure every time when it gets mucky) but comfy and soft compared to most wellingtons in the market . I swear Wellies socks a must in Winter, really keep the toes toasty.

Then of course a pair of animal wellington boots for a touch of glam! Snapped these up at Trago Mills at just £20. The make is very good, rather heavy too which is helpful when waddling on mud grounds with the dog.

Make It Absolutely Personal

Honestly. I no longer wardrobe envy.
I don't covet anything out there in the shops.
I know so because I breezed through racks in shops with such ease I impress me.
My husband no longer dread shopping as I am in and I am out in a snap.
"Nothing interesting?" he asked, eyeing my empty arm.
"Nope. Just a browse. Things that caught my eye, nothing I don't have already. And other things, I just can't be bothered." And I admit I look smug saying that.

Considering the number of magazines I buy each month, I am proud to say I have finally rised above all the hype, frenzy and trends to conclude that fashion is mere recycling the old. By adding a new touch or colour, the shops and magazines attempt to make us believe that we need to be in those togs or own a certain IT bag ro shoes to be acceptable.
At least for that season.

And if you are among ones who bought into that frenzy, trust me I have been there.
There was a time that we are young and clueless which make us gullible and vulnerable as we are still seeking to be accepted in that certain group we would like to be associated with; OR that we are not aware of our body type, shape and what suits us.

And how liberating it feels to finally come to my own!
And I want to share my journey with you and let's stop wasting good money!
Shall we start?

On your next shopping trip, think of it as a day out with mates and you are just going to have a good time. And a good time does not mean that you need to buy something to be happy. Hanging out, spending time catching up or sharing thoughts is time well spent.
It is important to start every trip to town with a proper mindset.
So you saunter into a shop and your eyes are drawn by so many things around you that you feel that you need to grab something. Before you pounce on that new bag (or dress, or shirt, or skirt...whatever) you saw in the shop, stop and think:
-DO YOU REALLY LIKE IT?
-WHY DO YOU LIKE IT?
-WOULD YOU USE IT?
-HOW OFTEN WILL YOU USE IT?
-DOES IT GO WITH THE THINGS ALREADY IN YOUR WARDROBE?
-DOES IT FIT INTO YOUR LIFESTYLE (are you student? working? housewife? be realistic and practical, chasing after a Hermes birkin if you are a student; unless you are uber wealthy with bucket-loads of money to spill on anything you want, is not only extravagant but who are you trying to impress?)?

Ever shop around with a picture of a celebrity or a model in mind?
Please stop and revisit the questions above.
Reason is simple: you will NOT look like them. Period.
You are you.
You should look just as you, with the things you adorn yourself with; look a BETTER you.
Make sense?
And bear in mind those people you admire, develop their own style. Not mimicking anyone else's.
Which makes them individual and desirable.
Mind you, I do admire Victoria Beckham, Jane Birkin and Kate Middleton for their dress style and how they carry themselves. I am well aware that I will look frightful if I get into any one their outfits. But I refer to them for inspiration and I am proud to say that my wardrobe has come together nicely in time. Everything goes with every other item in there, dressing up for an event or day out is a breeze.
Muses should be an inspiration for us to develop our own, based on things that suit us and being contented with what we got and be comfortable and happy with how we look.

Many people I met, especially the younger set (teenagers to mid 20s), makes the same mistake of wanting and buying things that simply does not suit them. And when asked why did they get that skirt (for example), they would say their friends bought it and they liked it. Be it they are clueless whether it suits them or not, they just NEED to have it.
 To me, it is a choice they made so they fit into their group, so they would feel accepted or that they would look just as good as their friends or celebrities or models.

Ever chance upon your parent's old pictures to see their fashion faux pas?
Bet you had a good laugh, didn't you?
"It was the IN thing to do back then, everyone was doing it.", your embarassed parent explained.
If they can make that mistake, so can we.

If you know you are clueless or have a vast wardrobe but still cannot find something to wear; try this process:
-WHO do I want to be accepted by?
-WHY bother?
WHAT matters: do you know your body (tall, short, thin, chubby), do you know what is your body type (pear, apple, straight, triangle), what is your favourite colour (if you have been buying all sorts, but end up wearing that same colour time over time, that IS your favourite colour; at least at that moment. It change with time and age though); does it work with your skin colour (pale, olive, dark)?
Do you find yourself wearing a certain type of clothes from your wardrobe most of the time?
It would be a shirt or skirt or a dress, find out the best cut for your body type and build on it, coordinating with things that goes with the item; in the colour that works for you.
(That is how I built my capsule wardrobe, anyway)

Do not be persuaded by magazines to get the new bag or hair colour or the new black biker jacket.
Those people working in there has to satisfy their clients (advertisers) or social friends (designers) and try to sell their products as much as possible. BE SMART while you turn the pages.
You do not need another pair of skinnies just because it has zips down the sides or the new black biker jacket should have spikes to be in. You are not on the catwalk, you do not have a limitless budget and most importantly...YOU HAVE those things already.  And you still wear them, and you look great in them.
Enough is ENOUGH.

Once you sort yourself out, accept yourself AS IS; you would realise that shopping is really a stroll in the park. You will browse without the need to own, you will come home happy empty handed, knowing that you do not have something to contend with in time to come.
*as you read this, I have a sack of white tshirts I need to send to the charity shops. Not that they don't fit me, but it is so hard keeping them white since I have many pets. White still works for me though, just need to get a good bleach for my existing (undamaged) white tops.