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You are here: Home / 2014 / Archives for July 2014

Archives for July 2014

Try a classic navy and white stripe! (DI Post 24.7.2014)

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7-24-14

If you don’t feel confident mixing prints, try making one of them a simple navy and white stripe. This is probably the most conservative of all the prints, it is also uncomplicated and when paired with a bold and complex print like my scarf in almost feel like i’m not actually really mixing prints, it is almost like the stripes are a neutral.
The other thing that makes this outfit not quite so ‘out there’ even though I am wearing a fluorescent pink blazer and very bold scarf, is that every colour I am wearing, is present in the scarf.
The navy and white in the dress, the charcoal in my tights the purple in my boots the pink in my blazer and the aqua in my necklace are all there in my scarf!
So if you are on the verge of mixing your prints, but have not yet taken that next step, try a classic navy and white stripe print as your starting point.
G xx

Don’t be scared to go dark….(DI Interiors Post 23.7.2014)

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interiors 6

Don’t be scared to go dark. Paint, wall paper, carpet, furniture and furnishings can all look fantastic in really dark shades, as long as you put them up against something much lighter! I’m talking about contrast! 

As you can see the light picture frames against the dark wall pop, whereas the wall colour in the image below is too light and the effect of the grouped pictures is less dynamic and interesting.
Dark flooring is fantastic, it looks so sophisticated when paired with crisp white walls, and provided you have lots of white on the ceiling and walls it won’t make your space appear any smaller!

Work out what you already have in your house and go from there, i.e. Do you have a dark bed? Try a light wallpaper and some dark linen, with maybe a light throw or cushion. Or vice versa if you have a light bed. 

G x
Sources:

A feminine dress loves a masculine bomber! (DI Post 21.7.2014)

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7-21-14

I thought I had better do another post wearing Nat’s beautiful dress, because I should probably give it back soon!
I knew when I purchased this denim bomber that it would look fab with this dress, for a few reasons, denim is a neutral and goes with everything, the jacket is very masculine and therefore compliments this feminine dress and the length of the jacket helps to give me a waist, and as this dress has absolutely no waist that is very important!
I originally wore two necklaces, a statement around my neck and the pendant, however it seemed a bit much so I got rid of the statement piece, and grabbed my faux fur collar instead. The pendant was enough to carry the outfit (give the illusion of a waist) when I was indoors and then I chucked on the collar to keep me warm while I was out and about.
Unfortunately my hubby is away so I was limited to a selfie which had not really shown up my charcoal opaques or my rich choclatey brown boots with a red undertone. These boots look great with this outfit as both the dress and pendant have lots of red or red undertones respectively.
(Had to include one of the many pics where I was photo-bombed by my little angel….well ’cause she is so cute!)
G xx

 

It’s like a zoo around here! (DI Post 19.7.2014)

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interiors 5
I am sure you have all noticed the animal trend in clothing at the moment. Knits with sequined motifs of foxes or owls, pony haired shoes, zebra and giraffe print bags and boots, and of course leopard print everything.
Well have you also noticed this trend has infiltrated interiors as well? Cushions and prints with animal motifs, moose and deer head faux taxidermy, sheep sculls, deer antlers, zebra and cow hide rugs, faux fur cushions and rugs, bird ornaments and lots and lots of flamingos!
As I have shown here there are so many ways to use the animal influence. Antlers on a wall, a zebra print rug or a soft faux fur cushion add an element of interest to a sophisticated space.
If you’re not one to take life too seriously, an animal motif on a print or cushion, or a flamingo lamp could be just the piece to give your space an element of whimsy!
There are so many options available, for example, a deer head in it’s natural form will appear more sophisticated and masculine, however a brightly coloured one will add a more feminine touch.
Nat and I over at Defined Image have had a ball specifying animal influenced elements into our clients spaces, I hope this inspires you to do the same!
G xx

Sources:

  • Villa Hampton Glenelg
  • Matt Blatt
  • Max Sparrow
  • a-touch-of-luxe blogspot

Wearing Harems for shorties 101! (DI Post 17.7.2014)

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7-17-14
The other day I was asked how to wear harem pants when you are short.
It is harder when you are pint sized, whoops I mean petite, but definitely possible! As I am only 5ft tall, I feel I am qualified to give advice on this issue hehe.
An easy start is to wear a heel as I have done here, alternatively, just wear a flat that shows some skin between the hem and the shoe.
While I love a really dropped crotch, perhaps just hoist them up a bit or fold the waist over then flounce your top a bit more to cover what you have just done.
Highlight your waist, this can be done in a few ways –  a fitted top, please note that does not mean a tight top, rather one that has been cut well with some good shape, like this blouse. Alternatively go a cropped top or jacket, not only will this highlight the pant, but it will also give you a waist and elongate the leg. The contours in my cape also act to give me a waist.
The fabric and cut of the pant is incredibly important, choose your pants in a soft or silky fabric that drapes well. And make sure they are well cut and fall or gather in the right places….not all harems are created equal!
Finally keep your jewelry or accessories to a minimum, just a simple necklace to accentuate your waist is probably all you need, I tend not to wear scarfs with my harems.
There you go….Wearing Harems for shorties 101!
Gx

How to wear this seasons bomber jacket (DI Post 14.7.2014)

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Bomber jackets are a great item to have in winter as they will carry on through into spring too! I picked up this denim bomber jacket at Target for $24, I know right, what a bargain! and I know that I will get lots of wear out of it.
If you are unsure how to wear your bomber jacket you can wear it over a dress like Peta (Defined Image) did the other day, or over a loose ‘T’ shirt or tank, like Nat (Defined Image) often does with her tropical bomber, or even over an unbuttoned shirt like I did yesterday.
The chambray shirt between my charcoal tank and the jacket does a few things, it keeps me warmer (that’s the main thing) it makes the outfit a little more interesting and it makes my mid section appear smaller.
I paired the denim bomber, chambray shirt and charcoal tank with a navy mini, charcoal opaques from Country Road, blonde suede booties also from CR and a neck piece that has some charcoal and blue within it.
Have you got yourself a bomber jacket yet, and how do you wear it?
G x

A million cushions (DI Interiors Post 12.7.2014)

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Interiors 4
There are two types of people in this world, those that are prepared to remove millions of cushions and pillows from their bed each night (as you can see by the top two pics on the RHS that’s me) and those who are not (I suspect most of the population).
Most quilt cover sets will only come with a quilt cover and two matching pillow cases, you will probably also purchase a sheet set too, and then come home to transform your bed to find it looks nothing like the picture in the back of the pack. Instead it looks more like the bottom 2 pics on the RHS, am I right? (Whatever you do, don’t angle your pillows up like I have in the bottom pic in an attempt to create some volume and height, as you can see it doesn’t work.)
Unfortunately to achieve the look on the back of the pack you will also generally need to purchase a couple of euro pillows and cases, a few cushions and a throw. My experience has also found the store often doesn’t stock all the matching items, and you probably don’t want to pay that much money for items you then have to remove each night am I right?
So I have found a few options for your bed, that will not only be cheaper than the million cushion look, but will also be much easier to maintain (and might I say a lot more modern).
There are a few ways to make a bed ‘statement’ without the use of lots of pillows.
1) The first picture on the RHS does this with a bold quilt cover, this colour is then repeated on the wall, because both attract all of your attention and make the statement there is no need for cushions or a throw!

Source: www.prifx.com

2) There are only two cushions but they are bold and large, and make a big statement in their own right. In this instance the bed spread is also a feature and contrasts nicely with the sheets, making a throw unnecessary.
3) In the third pic, the bed is the statement. This has been achieved by keeping the linen simple and in a colour that creates a big contrast with the bed!

G xx

90’s Revival (DI Post 10.7.2014)

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We are definitely in the midst of a mid 1990’s grunge revival! Plaid shirts, undercuts, baggy pale denim jeans with rips, Chuck Taylor’s and Doc Martins. I laughed tonight when I realised the last time I wore a plaid shirt, I also had an undercut and I was mourning the death of Kurt Cobain (RIP legend).
It also wasn’t that long ago I was telling someone how I had an undercut in the 90’s and how tragic I was…. and sure enough I am rocking one again….(cough fashion victim)!
Anyway I do digress, I promised you the other day that I would show you how to wear the plaid shirt in a more conservative way. As I suspect there were a few of you that didn’t buy into the shirt as a belt look!
7-10-14
Many of you when you think of a plaid shirt will most likely imagine one or both of these images. Al Borland (Home Improvement) or 90’s Grunge God Kurt Cobain, am I right? Neither of which are particularly chic or sophisticated.
To make a plaid shirt into a sophisticated and chic office staple, pair it with some opposites. A plaid shirt is seen as casual, so wear it with a blazer, it is also masculine so teaming it with feminine items like a necklace, skirt or heels will really balance it out!
Earlier this week I made the mistake of wearing a skirt that was too dark, (bottom middle pic) it would have looked much better with my light grey skirt.
Today I was at a casual conference so I wore it with my white jeggings, which are a feminine style of pant.
I should also note that my boots are too light,  a darker boot would look much better, however unfortunately they are all I have, and sometimes you just have to make do!

This has got me all nostalgic, might go have a look for my Nevermind CD!

G xx

A shirt as a belt….what? (DI Post 7.7.2014)

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7-7-14
Do you remember Nat showing you how to wear a shirt as a belt? Well I had almost forgotten about it until I was reminded this morning by Redcliffe Style rocking the look.
I understand this isn’t for everyone, including my husband who hates it, but bare with me; check out this dress without the shirt tied around my waist, I look much wider don’t I?
The shirt pulls the dress in and distracts the eye, giving me a waist and camouflaging my tummy!
I wouldn’t be able to achieve this as easily with a leather belt, as it would be much more rigid than the shirt. Also if it gets cooler I can whip of the shirt and wear it how it was originally intended under my bomber jacket.
G x
Denim bomber jacket: Target (this season)
Navy blue and white striped t’shirt dress: FCUK (2011)
Necklace: Etsy (2011)
Plaid shirt: Target (this season)
Charcoal Opaques: (CR this season)
Boots: Dianna Ferrari (2009)

Lighting is one of the most powerful tools in Interior Design. (DI Interiors Post 5.7.2014)

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Interiors 3
Lighting is one of the most powerful tools in Interior Design.
Lighting has the power to determine the mood and vibe of a space. It can make you feel calm, comforted, alert and even anxious or distressed. Lighting can also be used instead of walls or dividers to define spaces.
My favourite type of light fixtures (or luminaire) are pendants. Because pendants are lower to the ground and often at eye level they can become stand our features within your home.
I guess the most common way to use pendent lighting is above a dining room table, like I have done using the replica Poul Henningsen PH5 in our dining room (bottom RHS pic). The rule of thumb when hanging a pendant above a table is to position it so the bottom of the luminaire is 150cm from the floor.
You don’t need to centre your pendent either, they can look amazing positioned off to the side or over a specific element that you want to highlight (top RHS pic).
There are so many more exciting ways to use pendants though! They can be hung at different heights; positioned above a bed; or select a variety of different pendants and group them together, like they have done in the top LHS pic.
Sometimes pendant lighting doesn’t emit a lot of light, which may result in them being excluded from areas like kitchens and bathrooms, don’t be scared to repeat the luminaire as many times as needed (as shown in the middle top pic).
Hi hope this will inspire you all to experiment and have fun with lighting particularly pendants on your home!
G xx
Source:
Top LHS – notapaperhouse.com
Top RHS – feedly.com
Bottom LHS – laurenconrad.com
Bottom Middle – bloglovin.com
Bottom RHS – Guinevere Flavel