White + Rose

Vintage seems to be the trend for bags lately, and brands have been shilling out revivals such as the Dior Saddle. Here's my take on some of the the bag trends. Mock Croc Image from Saint Laurent Faux crocodile or mock croc is essentially crocodile embossed leather. With the animal trends showing up in clothing and shoes, it's no surprise it'd turn up in bags. One of my friends recommended that I look to YSL for my first luxury bag, especially for their croc-embossed leather because it's fairly low maintenance, and scuffs and scratches end up looking like part of the pattern. Initially, I was the sceptic because I didn't think crocodile was "classic". Nevertheless, I like the vintage flair. To trial this trend, I've looked at proper vintage bags. Very keen on the look of the real vintage stuff with exotic leathers. There's the thrill of the find if you're willing to invest time rummaging through charity/op-shops but I opted for the ...

I haven't derived much inspiration from clothing for a few years but I finally feel like I have my buzz back with these trends in store. Muted Florals I mentioned florals last year but florals are never truly out of fashion. This year, the florals are printed on sheer silk, chiffon or georgette. There's an airy quality that keeps it light for spring, but the muted colours are autumn appropriate. I fell in love with the Zimmermann florals but that's way out of my price range. Constellations/Cosmic Prints Moons and stars have always been popular but it's this year that I've noticed it more in clothing than in jewellery. Marks & Spencer released a constellation dress with funnel sleeves (in line with the 70s trend) and that sold out quickly. I opted for their other dress with the sheer outer and I will be saving that for the holiday season. I saw one in Zara too, but I wasn't keen on the fabric.

With the upcoming spring season, many stores have brought out a variation of the classic floral prints. It's more realistic -- like botanical illustrations. When I shop, I typically gravitate towards patterns and I have an affinity for these kinds of florals. Left - H&M; Middle - Sheike; Right - H&M Hopefully, I'll be able to snag myself one of these when the weather is warmer.

Ever since the  Mise en Dior earrings were a hit, ear jackets and double-sided earrings have been on trend. The ones I find are right up my alley now are the ear jackets -- peekaboo earrings, under-ear earrings, front-and-back earrings are the other names I've found. Another variety of earrings I've been admiring are the ear climbers or ear crawlers -- designed to follow the curvature of the ear but only part of the curve, unlike an ear cuff that encapsulates the entire ear. It's not a new concept to have an ear jacket to adorn an earring but it has been new to wear the jacket behind the earlobe. At first, I wasn't keen on these trends and thought it was tacky but I changed my mind. With the right pair, it could be sophisticated yet millennial -trendy. Mise en Dior/ Dior Tribal Double Pearl Earrings These were the earrings that changed my mind while I was browsing through trendy jewellery. I thought the marquise cut stones (acrylic of course) were very classy a...

Semi-precious stones are making it big and have been for a while. They can be made to look more expensive than they really are. Jewellery made from semi-precious stones can be found in certain fashion jewellery chains such as Lovisa but I personally prefer to hunt them on etsy or storenvy. Some people believe that crystals have metaphysical properties that can heal the physical ailments and the soul. With jewellery made of semi-precious stones, you can have the aesthetic appeal as well as the healing properties! I also have a small collection of tumbled stones. Since I can remember, I've always been fascinated with stones and though I question their ability to heal, I often use them as good luck charms. The thing that I love most of all is the little imperfections, the crystal formations and the layers of the stone. They give character to the stone and make them one of a kind. I find it calming to have a stone with me in an exam so I would never be without my blue lace agate...

It has been released that next year's Pantone Colour of the Year will be Marsala -- a brownish red similar to that of Maroon which they describe as a "naturally robust and earthy wine red" . This is not a groundbreaking colour but it is an elegant choice. It's a colour that can go well with the interior of a house, in both male and female fashions and also in cosmetics with an autumn theme. Perhaps there'll be more of the dark lip in the summer months or colours of eyeshadow for spring in the colour of bruised fruit. I can definitely see myself wearing this colour because it leans quite neutral and red is one of the prominent colours in my wardrobe. This was not the case for the current year's colour, Radiant Orchid. This year's colour prompted me to try more purple hues in my makeup but I was not too fond of the colour in clothing. Marsala is also easier to match with a variety of colours, whereas I found orchid to be more limited. I hope to see ...

Backpacks have been trendy for a while. I don't think it's so classy for a woman to be wearing a backpack but it's good for casual settings where you're out and about and have to carry a lot of stuff. My sister (being more of a tomboy) has been hunting for a trendy backpack so I thought I'd make a list of the trendiest backpacks here. She wanted a backpack that was nice to carry around during a day out but large enough to carry her books and other things for uni. 1. Herschel Bags  This is perhaps the most popular backpack around for university students, namely the Heritage style but I've seen a few Pop Quiz and Settlement bags being carried around. Herschel is a Canadian brand and is readily available for consumers in Sydney as they're being stocked in General Pants and Glue stores. Settlement Pop Quiz Heritage My sister prefers the Little America design and I think it suits her more. Now if only I could find a green one like this... (her ...

Ankle boots have been trendy for a while now for the past few years. There was a brief surge with thigh high boots around 2009-2010 but nothing is as understated as the ankle boot. Thigh high boots and calf-length boots, knee high and over the knee still hang around but it's clearly the ankle boot's era. Of course, there are different variations to the ankle boot from the most elaborate of designs with straps, buckles and zippers to the very plain slip-ons. Here are just a few I believe are worthy of mentioning. 1. Chelsea boots They have been redesigned with higher heels and a more feminine shape because let's face it: the original Chelsea boot is a work boot that's not very flattering with skirts and dresses. Cavalaro Chelsea Boots by SPURR (available at The Iconic ) 2. "Outside zipper" For lack of a better name, it's called the outside zipper because these zippers are placed on the outer sides of feet and not the inner, where it usually is...

Way back in high school, I remembered the trendiest bag to have was one of those Country Road duffle bags made of canvas. I never succumbed to the trend mostly because I thought it was impractical to be carrying around a duffle filled with schoolbooks and pens. They came in different colours and patterns and it wasn't just us girls using these. Boys had them over their shoulders too. I am not sure if these are even trendy anymore since they peaked around 2008-2009 in school grounds. As a uni student, I have seen many girls carry Michael Kors totes but many women carry around Michael Kors Selma satchels too (which I'll give props to that because they're in good taste). If not Michael Kors, Longchamp's Le Pliage is the second most prominent. Michael Kors tote Michael Kors Selma Satchel Longchamp Le Pliage tote There has been a surge in shoulder/cross-body bags, which has always been my preferred type of bag for going out casually. Louis Vuitton P...

We're now in autumn in Australia. Check patterns are almost ubiquitous now. Thank tartan for being a recurring trend for quite some time. However, patterns like houndstooth, gingham and Prince of Wales check popped up on the runways as well as various types of tweed (houndstooth is the most popular). Now I love my checks but there's only so far I would go for them. Autumn/Winter 2013/14 Houndstooth The classic tweed was featured on various runways. In Christian Dior, it was mostly kept classic and minimal. Comme des Garcons featured the classic houndstooth on some unusually shaped garments. Rag & Bone opted for a grey and black houndstooth and used various textured fabric to create an asymmetrical garment.  Left to Right: Dior, Comme des Garcons, Rag & Bone Tips: Wear houndstooth in moderation for a casual look but if you're daring enough, you could do a houndstooth suit. Pattern-on-pattern / Pattern-mixing Pattern-in-pattern is exactly wha...

Yes, I'm back! I wish I could say that I conquered my exams but I can't really say anything about it. Let's just say it was my first time having to do my exams in a tent at the racecourse. Art prints have been quite popular in classic Lolita with the Juliette et Justine releases. I know it's old news that it's gone mainstream... but I'm getting use to it. I wasn't sure about it in the beginning because I did not want Botticelli's Birth of Venus plastered on my clothing. "Art Prints" seems to be popping up everywhere I go. I've seen it on people in the form of tights and they're not exactly flattering on certain figures (since when did tights=pants?). Dolce & Gabbana's Autumn/Winter 2012/2013 had featured some on their garments. Not tights, of course. It doesn't necessarily have to be the Birth of Venus or the Mona Lisa but as long as it has flowers, I might try the trend. Of course, I'd prefer it if it w...