Women Wednesday

I have a slight obsession with clothes and often find myself searching European blogs for style ideas. One lady that I stumbled across is Ines De La Fressange. She's a French model, fashion designer and perfumer. She's so casually chic and put together in a way only the French can do. She seems to have an almost careless attitude to fashion as if she just threw on what was available and it just happens to look good on her. The reality is more than she knows what suits her and as a result she has a working formula to avoid her outfits wearing her.

http://lilylemontree.blogspot.com/2010/05/style-icon-ines-de-la-fressange.html

I used to hate blazer and the way they looked on me, now I can't get enough of them especially if they are in velvet. I own a vintage brown velvet one but would love an forest green version like above or even a sapphire one.  As long as there's a pop of color, the look can't be boring.

http://www.style.com/peopleparties/celebritysearch/person1423/slideshow?loop=0&iphoto=12&play=true&cnt=4

Everyone need a classic black dress and the above dress is quite timeless. The make up and gloves make it look a bit more exciting but the cut along with the stockings and flats are timeless and classic. I think everyone woman should have a perfect little black dress that suits them from their 20's through to their 50's. 

http://www.style.com/stylefile/2008/12/ines-de-la-fressange-has-pink-credit-cards/

I have mentioned my love for over the knee boots and I adore the texture and color of these ones. 

http://rdujour.com/index.php?s=Ines+de+la+Fressange

I own a few bowed blouses but am too afraid to wear them in case I look too 'librarian' or silly. Ines makes it work very well and I think I may just haul my blue one for work tomorrow. I also have quite a few berets and think they look so gorgeous on a pretty women. However I often don't wear them in fear of looking like I'm trying too hard or costumey (not sure that's a real word but it gets my point across.) 

http://www.myblackcherry.com/2011/10/parisian-chic-by-ines.html

Blazer, straight legged pants and a belt to define the waist. Very feminine and classic and can be dressed up by good quality leather shoes, handbag and some striking jewelry.

http://sissiehrstrom.blogspot.com/2011/04/ines-de-la-fressange-suosittelee.html

The white and navy combination always works and looks great regardless of age or shape. I think too often people fall back onto black clothes and bad quality can show through in a all black outfit. Navy blue is very flattering to all women and worn with white or cream, looks crisp.

Manicures

I'm one of those women who loves painting her nails. Although I lean more towards strange colors and combinations rather than a straight forward manicure. This past week I've been spring cleaning my flat and throwing away anything that I no longer needed or used. My nail polish collection was in desperate need to be de-cluttered and I chucked away about 30 bottles that were old or ugly (3 full bottles of NEON yellow?!?). I found some glass containers from Clicks and now my collection of polishes, stickers and nail sponges are all safely packed away according to color, not sure how long that'll last though.
Thought it would be fun to show you my week of nails with the polishes used.

I started the week thinking of Autumn.

I love the Mavala range and this color, Electric Green, was a gift from a friend. At first I thought it was a bit too much but I always get compliments when I wear it so it's grown on me. The color you see above took 2 coats and it dries so quickly.The sparkly copper glitter color is by Accessories cosmetics (no name) and it took about 3 coats to get it the intensity that I wanted. 

Half way through the week I got bored and decided to do more girly nails. This Revlon polish called Innocent was found at the last Clicks Cosmetic sale for R45 , huge bargain as far as I'm concerned. This color pretty much goes with everything but can be a bit tame for me, so I added a gold swirly sticker also by Revlon. I'm sorry but can't remember the name of the products, I found the stickers in a Dollar store in the US over the December holidays.

To end my week, I looked to my polishes from my time in South Korea.

The purple polish is from a shop called Etude House and the cream is from the Face Shop, both amazing make up shops that I was obsessed with when I lived there. They don't have names on them but the cream colored one has the code BR801 if anyone wants to order them online. The Essie polish is called Parka Perfect and is probably my favorite from the week. In fact Essie is my go-to polish at all times. The quality is amazing and the most I've ever had to apply is 2 coats. It also dries really quickly.

All the pictures above are from my Instagram page: RamblingInsomniac

Feels like a Friday

I woke up this morning feeling super chirpy. Only needed one cup of coffee to get me out of the door. The reason for my happiness is that while the rest of South Africa has a 3 day weekend, I have an extra day to sleep in and do nothing. My work has given us all Monday off and I fully intend to chill each and every second of the 96 hours of freedom. Have a great weekend everyone and I hope everyone returns to work refreshed :)

http://funnypicturequotes.com/long-weekend/

Women Wednesday

Olivia Palermo, this is a wardrobe that I'd love to have. She always looks put to get together and chic. Doesn't matter what the occasion or weather, she gets it right each and every time. I don't think I've ever seen her on a "Oh No" list at all. 

I think one of the main reasons that I like her so much is that she is pretty but not out of this world pretty. Also her outfits are often easy to try and copy in our day to day lives. So here are some of the outfits that I'll try and mimic in the upcoming chilly weather:

http://okmagazine.com/photos/olivia-palermos-best-street-style-moments/photo/1000673386/

Fake fur looks comfy and expensive. I like a casual look like this, its not too casual that its boring or messy. 

http://okmagazine.com/photos/olivia-palermos-best-street-style-moments/photo/1000673387/

It would probably never occur to me to put a hat on in the snow but this looks great! I am also feeling the need to invest in a pair of flat over the knee boots for this year.

http://www.lenapenteado.com/2012/11/the-8-best-flat-shoes/

I'm usually a color person and will wear stacks of colors all together but there is something very chic about an all black outfit.

http://pins-place.com/2012/11/page/2/

I've noticed that she often wears shirts buttoned to the top under cardigans or sweaters. I've shied away from this because I've worried that I'll look a bit frumpy. The above picture makes me change my mind about it. It has a very clean and pristine look about it that's still comfortable and warm.

http://www.pinterest.com/chefdori/style-crush-olivia-palermo/

Love this! Knitted chunky scarf and double breasted jacket with leg slimming flares, all in lovely shades of brown :)

http://wantandafford.com/category/celebrities/page/3/

I don't really have the legs for leather pants but if I did, then this would be my winter uniform.

Monday Musing

This week is a short working week for most people. Somehow Mondays seem easier to deal with when you know that Thursday becomes a Friday and there's an extra day in the weekend.

http://www.homebunch.com/interior-design-ideas-28/

Last week I gave all my classes their first term marks. As usual many were happy (or relieved), some didn't care and a small amount were upset. I decided to spend some time with most of my classes talking about how we create our own lives. Listening to the responses made me realize that we often forget that we are the builders of our own lives and as a result we are responsible for the foundation on which we stand. So my final advice to all of my kids was to go in the direction which makes you most happy.

https://twitter.com/PerkOfABooknerd/status/385202020925603840

This past weekend I decided to get stuck into the stuff that clutters my home. Saturday went well and I have bags of stuff to pass onto various people. Sunday was another matter. I woke up intending to complete the tasks I set for myself on Saturday but then came across some books that I've read over and over again. The result was a Sunday spend on the couch reading and drinking coffee. Most productive Sunday in ages :)

http://coursefacilitators.com/

Just don't have the flirting gene.

http://positivelifequote.blogspot.pt/2014/01/beautiful-travel-quote.html

Always plotting the next adventure. Always!

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1235909_563267813745945_214703089_n.jpg

Winter is coming! Slowly working my way through the books and love each one even more. Going to be so sad when the series ends. Took me ages to get over the Harry Potter books.

https://twitter.com/AskMarcCharles

I think people are generally afraid of change. Being one of those people who craves it, this isn't really something I understand at all. I fully believe that we can change or walk away from something that makes us unhappy. I'm also of the opinion that sometimes holding onto a situation in the hopes that it'll get better is a backward step. It takes courage to move on and so far I've never regretted any decision or reason to go.

https://twitter.com/AskMarcCharles

I like control. A lot! I like to have the final say and I like to plan almost every aspect of my life. I am not comfortable with chance at all. This is something that I'm trying to work on in my life. I am so serious about this that certain friends have permission to tell me when I'm being a control freak. Essentially I am trying to let God guide me more instead of me trying to guide myself. When there is a serious issue in my life, I try to calm my mind by praying or reading the Bible and give the issue to God. Its a work in progress.

Winter Workouts

Let me start off by saying that I dislike almost everything about exercise. I hate that feeling of being short of breathe and the tightness that this brings to my chest. Some people look graceful and effortless as they run...I am NOT one of those people! I'm a heavy runner that crab walks into people and basically knocks them off balance. I go bright red in the face regardless of the speed of which I'm going (and despite the concealer that I layer on to prevent this). All in all, its not good.

However, I am turning 33 this year and becoming more conscious of staying healthy for the long term, not just to fit into my skinny jeans (which I don't right now). 

These thoughts have sparked something in me and I've realized that I need to do something drastic to change my lifestyle choices around.

Firstly: Being me, I need bright and beautiful clothes to do my exercise in. Otherwise I feel drab and have no commitment to following through with the exercises.

Here are the stunning outfits I would buy if I a) won the lotto and b) looked this good in Lycra.

http://www.brcla.com/image/women_running_shoes

You can never have too many pairs of shoes, especially pretty sneakers.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2461811/Alessandra-Ambrosio-amps-exercise-routine-annual-Victorias-Secret-Fashion-Show.html

So I'll never look like a VS model exercising but the outfit is cute.

Secondly: It's moving into winter here so the thought of going outside in the Cape Town wind and rain is not great motivation. Hence the exercise DVDs that I've been collecting for years (but never used). This winter, they will see the light of day.

http://www.fitsugar.com/Review-Workout-DVD-Madonna-Trainer-Tracy-Anderson-Dance-Cardio-Workout-2036824

 This is Gwyneth Paltrow and Madonna's trainer. Will probably have a heart attack before the first session is over...

Thirdly: I have signed up to do Hockey training for Under 16 girls at school. EEK! This means I am frantically researching programs and fitness schedules to suit my team. I feel that I can't really bark orders from the side of the fields so I'm planning to do the exercises with the kids. Heaven help me!

http://www.nikeblog.com/2011/06/30/nike-women-make-yourself-by-annie-leibovitz/

Stuck this picture around my house. Motivation, Motivation, Motivation!

Banning Bossy!

Yesterday I stumbled upon an interesting campaign that seems to be spreading across American blogs. Its the 'Ban Bossy' campaign. Since seeing this online, the wheels haven't stopped turning in my head. I started to question how assertive I am and how its perceived to others. I'm a high school teacher so being assertive and strong is very important to getting my job done and done well! I'm pretty sure that this character trait spills out of the class and into my social life and I've often wondered how to control it without losing a part of me. I think I was brought up to have a mind of my own and to stand up for myself. At the end of the day, I want my female students (and future daughters) to think that they are as worthwhile as the male students and they can also be ambitious and display leadership qualities.  This is what I found on http://banbossy.com/

When a little boy asserts himself, he's called a "leader". Yet when a little girls does the same, she risks being branded "bossy". Words like bossy send a message: don't raise your hand or speak up. By middle school, girls are less interested in leading than boys- a trend that continues into adulthood. Together we can encourage girls to lead. 

I suggest a visit to the "Ban Bossy" website and view the Beyonce video. Well worth a watch.

http://q13fox.com/2014/03/10/leaders-celebrities-pledge-to-stop-calling-little-girls-bossy/#axzz2vetNULLK

Monday Musings # 3

Its almost time for the school holidays (well actually a four day weekend but still awesome). Its made me think about how fast the term has gone and how much I've achieved. I'm sure I'm not alone in looking back and thinking, "I could have done more or done things better."

 This has inspired the direction of this weeks quotes that perk me up for the week a head.

http://designspiration.net/image/383901758773/#_a5y_p=719829

Often when I have stacks of work to do, I start daydreaming and that's when my flat gets cleaned from top to bottom. Which usually means I have to get up at 3am to complete what needed to be done in time for work on Monday morning. Basically my procrastination is preventing me from a) getting a good nights sleep and b) having time to follow my dreams.

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/268667933992121973/

I think everyone should be less afraid of changing course in life. If something didn't go your way or someone isn't contributing to your life in a positive and joyful way then 'adjust your sails' and find a better course.

http://grumblinggrace.wordpress.com/2012/09/18/hesitations/

This should be tattooed on me. I'm terrified of not ticking off my bucket list and visiting every place I've seen in travel books. Right or wrong, I've always wanted a full passport more than I've wanted a permanent home.

http://momsbyheart.net/quote-of-the-day-54/

I think anyone who knows me will think this is a great prayer...to say daily. 

http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/post/2136855/2443802045/

Lupita Nyong'o is a beautiful woman with amazing talent but now that I've seen this quote I adore her even more. There is so much pressure (and expense) to fit into a western version of pretty that we forget its not what really matters. Beautiful in equals beautiful out.

http://sayingimages.com/theres-a-guy-out-there-whos-going-to-be-really-happy-that-you-didnt-get-back-together-with-your-ex/

Not sure what is in the water right now but I seem to have a lot of women pining for bad men around me. We've all had that one (or several) relationship that we should have walked away from but its tough and sometimes we keep going back. The above quote helps me think of the future. We all deserve decent loving relationships. Its all about having the courage to walk away from what we know and towards something better.

* all the links for the pictures are found below each picture*

Woman Wednesday

I know this isn't a real person but Gossip Girl's Blair Waldorf is stunning. I love the twist on a preppy style and the fact that she always looks ladylike, despite what she gets up to.

Since it's Autumn (or Fall) here in South Africa, I'm showing all the colder weather trends that I adore from her.

Patterned stocking and lace dress

Long gloves and a patterned scarf peeking out of a jacket. Also like the way the shoes match her bag, I do the same thing.

Hair accessories! I love changing my hair but never seem to know what to do with it. Alice bands and hair clips solve that problem.

A cape and a beret together is quite sweet and chic. Not sure this will go down well at work though :)

Trench and a beret. Enough said!

Jewel colours always look better in colder weather.

Last word from Blair:

Decor Love

I think I'm just one of those people that needs constant change in my life. If I'm not planning a trip, planning a wardrobe for the next season or planning a move then I'll start rearranging my home to make it new and different. Sameness bores me to tears. This is probably why I love Pinterest so much. I can sit for hours browsing through people's boards mentally putting my dream home (for this year) together. Despite being in Cape Town for over 2 years, I still don't have my home together as I would really want it to be. So here are some of the images that I'm using to plan the decor for my home over this coming year :) Enjoy!

I really love anything to do with skulls, the ocean, animal print and insects. Someday I'm going to stumble upon the most beautiful old insect prints and frame them like above. 

I'm quite blessed to live in an old large flat and I have an area that would make the most perfect reading nook. It's not cut into the house like this but there is a sizable window that I can give a Hitchcock vibe.

Grey seems to be my go-to colour of choice lately and this image looks so perfectly cool, chic and comfortable. Everything that I want in my lounge area.

Although I have lots of space and all the mirrors would help visually enlarge a small room, I love the dramatic impact that this gives a room. I'd probably do the walls in a stormy blue grey and have lighter grey accents. Antique mirrors are currently being added to my shopping list.

I do NOT have a green finger. Part of the reason is that I keep forgetting to water my plants. Succulents are the perfect plant for me then. They add a bit of colour, fit in with my colour scheme and are completely low maintenance.

I have so many magazines and books lying around that I'm freakishly attached to. This solves my problem of not having enough chairs for guests and still holding onto my collection.

Lastly my work-space...currently I just work on my bed but this needs to stop. I'd like to have a open clean space like above. There is something about the desk above that makes me want to do some marking.

*all the images above are found on my Pinterest boards*