The Dilemma: How To Wear This Bodycon

As you already know, we were in London last week. A short day of sun and shopping at the best location – though not the best food this time, Costa cupcakes a miss, as I should have expected, and lunch involved a lot burnt garlic, oh the suffering – 

The first stop was Topman, then Topshop for a quick browse. My eyes landed on this bandage bodycon pictured below, but decided the colour would be too pale for my own skin tone so it was a miss.

However, just a few moments later I found this little number, the Flower Panel Sweetheart Dress and instantly felt compelled to try it on.

Try it I did, and I instantly loved the feel, the pattern and the contrast of fabrics. Walked to the tills and happily made my purchase. However, through the entire day I couldn’t help but wonder whether I’d gone for an impulse buy and end up not wearing the dress at all. I should add that for the last month or so I am struggling with a bit of a belly (too much dining out and ALWAYS ordering dessert is never a good habit after you’re 25) which made me question wether I should be wearing (or even dreaming of wearing) a bodycon. I tried it on at home after the day out, and things didn’t improve, with the regards to the belly or the dress.

So, this is what I am going to do. I am going to avoid wearing it with excessively high heels. I felt too exposed and “out there” so I’m bringing down the sexy factor either with some small wedges, or some gladiator sandals (it’s short enough to allow for flat shoes without “shortening” my legs). I may team it with a slouchy cardigan as these contrasting clothes will go well together, lightening the extremely fitted effect.

And, only if I’m brave enough, may take a picture of myself wearing it and post it right here.

I have curves, and yes one should flaunt them, but it is never an easy business with me. Most of the time I wish I could just wear big jumpers and Converse trainers… but I die for fashion. Is it just me?

Pictures: topshop.com

The Pretty Spring Couple

Hello my darlings, just me as usual, but not usually in so much pain. Yesterday I completed a 10 mile run in Antwerp, to raise money for the Team Dust Devils charity project in Africa. Though proud of my achievement, I am dreading the arrival pictures, judging by the looks other people were giving me I was suffering a lot and it showed (it’s all mostly a blur right now, and my muscles and bones ache like never before).

Anyway, just a week ago before this physical (and mostly mental) challenge, I went to London, just for a day, just for fun. I love that town, the people, the business bunnies, the retro lovers, the tattooed girls and boys, the mods… Fashion and good looks reign in the capital, so it’s no surprise to spot Diane Kruger and Joshua Jackson strolling the streets in Soho (note I did not spot them, Just Jared did).

His look is relaxed yet smart. Had sneakers been worn instead of the classic moccasins, the look wouldn’t have worked out so well. It’s sexy and easy to wear.

She sports a ruffle dress in a fantastic plum shade, sandals say it’s warm and I’m loving it. Very understated, very simple but successful in the flawless Diane Kruger way.

Now if only we could turn back time and stroll around Soho looking that fabulous, just eating ice cream all day! but no, it was a day to shop with the boyfriend, for the boyfriend. Though I did bag something for myself, post about it coming up soon, my darlings. Now to complain about how my legs hurt a tad longer xxxx

Picture: Just Jared

Thinking A Tad too Much?

Keeping busy is sometimes no sweet business. The better weather is here and a million reasons to drop it all, find a great spot in a park and just let the sunny rays provide you with some needed vitamin D (at least that is what we’re told). However if like me you have to work full time, train for half a marathon, write a blog part time, and even consider other writing/creative projects in the meantime, hours and hours are taken of one’s day and most of the time hardly anything gets done.

I’m currently fascinated by a resurge in the clothes-size debate. The lovely Retro Chick has been featured in the Sunday Times in an article about vanity sizing, “a ploy in which stores flatter women by making clothes bigger so they think they are buying a smaller size” says the Sunday Times (UPDATE: also featured in the Daily Mail online). Well this is not a surprise and any shopper will tell you of their nightmare when figuring out what size to go for in each store they visit. However, this is an interesting article because of the unknown extents some sizes have been stretched or reduced to to suit, what? a market? the public desires? or fashion bosses too eager to sell their dresses?

Belle Robinson, owner of fashion brand Jigsaw, is a former model but now happily wears a size 16 and talking to Times Online sees no point in extreme dieting or other sacrifices for a thinner figure. She is satisfied with her body and that is admirable, because we all know who cruel we can be to our sanctuaries.

My opinion? that shoppers shouldn’t be conned into thinking they wear a size less in a certain store. I believe everybody should love the shape they come in, more brands should cater for fuller women as  women are naturally curvy, a lot are tall and require bigger sizes. Big does not mean unfashionable nor does it mean “lie to me about my clothes size”.

However, I’m also getting tired of hearing anorexia references about women wearing a small size, say a uk 6 (EU 34) . Whereas certain celebrity obsession with the elusive and unhealthy size zero is a certain sick tendency, with curvy women there are also small women who have to endure being accused of malnourishment and eating disorders, on an every day basis. This has strangely become somehow accepted chat in stores where loud statements such as “this dress can only be worn by an anorexic” are expressed right next to a girl that had just bought that same dress in that same size. Looks full of disdain and disapproval are directed at said girl.

Spring is here. The world keeps turning, ash clouds are appearing and not only are stores imposing a certain look on us, us women are still doing it to each other with no regrets, it seems.

Image: healingdream / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The High Heel Question

I recently fell in love with these fantastically fun pair of heels by Miu Miu. With a 14 cm (5.5 inches) heel, they are both gorgeous and scary. Completely covetable, albeit quite a personal challenge. You see, the tomboy in me tells me to forget life’s discomforts and never stop wearing Converse trainers and snugly Ugg boots. The feisty female in me (yes, I am full of contradictions, but I’m a girl so this is all pretty average) wants to do her home chores in high-heels, stroll along sunny streets in style.

While some fashionistas are predicting the end of towering shoes and a return to kitty-like proportions, others are gearing up to watch Sex and The City 2 and copy all of Carrie Bradshaws looks, from head to painful toe. To heel or not to heel, that is the question.

“There are entire compartments of my life in which I happily exist in flats or wellingtons. But there are times when you have to look the business” Lisa Armstrong, writing for Times Online.

“The men (and yes, it is mainly men) who design these instruments of torture really should be made to wear the wretched things.” Anna Williams , Times Online reader.

“I don’t know who invented high heels, but all women owe him a lot.” Marilyn Monroe

“I used to wear heels because I wanted to show people I wasn’t ashamed of being tall. But I don’t wear them any more because you don’t have to wear heels to be beautiful. I can’t even remember the last time I wore heels” Elle Macpherson

“Now I can wear heels” Nicole Kidman, on divorcing Tom Cruise

“Close you eyes and tap your heels together three times. And think to yourself, there’s no place like home.” From The Wizard Of Oz

Picture: Net-A-Porter

Fashion Limbo Loves – Fructis Repair & Shine

Reading through Retro Chick I stumbled across a great post about her own beauty must-haves. This made me think about what products I have at home, that I actually recommend my friends when asked, one of those beauty essentials I simply cannot go without. I’m referring to Garnier Fructis Repair & Shine.

It may be one of my beauty secrets, but I am no selfish person and this deserves to be shared, if only for the sake of beautiful long hair everywhere. 

I began using this hair mask a couple of years ago. I was struggling to find a nourishing treatment for my hair, quite damaged after some heavy dyeing. Knowing me, little Miss No Patience, I had to find a product that was quick and easy to use. I came accross a tub of Fructis Repair & Shine and have not looked back since. I am not exaggerating when I say that this little gem of a hair mask allows me to have long hair with hardly ever trimming it. It also works in a minute or so, fantastic for the working girl. 

Note that I use it every time I wash my hair, as a conditioner, and it has not greased my hair. I just love it. My sister uses it, my friends too. All in all, if you have not tried this inexpensive product you missing out on a some great TLC for your hair. There you go, this is one of my beauty secrets, now do you have any?

Working the Look

Hi guys – we’re busy in Limbo Land. We are experimenting with new looks and feels, so bear with us: we will keep posting, trying out some looks. Feel free to comment and let us know what you like/dislike.

Much love,