The Fashion Items Making Its Mark

Traditionally worn by skydivers, FormulaOne racers and small children, the jumpsuit has made its way onto the catwalksover the last few years. Kate Moss, Emma Watson, Blake Lively and Eva Longoriaare all fans of the fashion forward look. But if you’ve invested in some of thefabulousplaysuits and jumpsuits at Very, what should you be doing to ensure you’rerocking the look?

Firstly, adapt your outfit to the season. During the cooler months, team a bright playsuit with a blazer jacket, black, high denier tights and cute pumps for daywear and patent heels for the evening. This is perfect for those blustery days when the perils of wearing a dress are all-too-obvious for us ladies. A playsuit will avoid those awkward moments and mean that you don’t have to spend your days holding down your skirt.

And we all know that a good outfit can be accessorised for all seasons. As soon as it’s warm enough, ditch the tights for some fake tan and super high wedges. A cardigan and heavy statement jewellery will finish off your spring or summer look and help you embrace the youthful element of the playsuit. Perfect for the poolside, shopping with friends or a sunny date, this look will always be a winner.

So, when can a jumpsuit go wrong? Avoid a full-legged jumpsuit if it comes in orange; you’ll look like you’re an extra on Prison Break. In fact, be wary of long-legged jumpsuits if patterned, too, for the same reason you’d never wear a patterned top and trouser set. Floral or patterned looks will have a great effect in a playsuit, because your legs break it up a little. Avoid a jumpsuit if you’re tall, since it’s likely to end up being too tight as a result of your longer torso or the legs will swing round your ankles. For the tall ladies out there, your long legs will look fabulous making their way out of a playsuit or go for the tall maxi dresses collection.

Now wardrobe staples for fashionistas all over the world, the jumpsuit and playsuit are fabulous ways to show off yourplayful and glamorous side in one look.

Sponsored post

Follow me:  Bloglovin / Twitter / Facebook / YouTube/Lookbook/Tumblr

Read More

Artist's studio- Stanley Lewis

I am always interested in artists' dwellings, aren't you? This studio is where English artist Stanley Lewis lived and worked in Yorkshire for the last 7 years of his life, until he died at the age of 103. What a remarkable man! He painted every day for 84 years! But he didn't start to become known until the age of 101, having rejected the traditional commercial art market path when he was young. An article about him is here.

Thought this is a tiny peek into his home, I think it's representative of what one often finds when looking into artsists' private quarters. Prints and drawings cover every surface and the walls are filled, maybe a little haphazardly. But in the article, Mr. Lewis says, "I call it organized chaos and I know exactly where everything is." I think that is a common trait of artists. (Photos and quote from World of Interiors, April 2010)

Read More

Timber walls

I especially like this shadowbox montage on the wall.

A 1960's East Sussex house was filled with natural wood (reclaimed) and other eco materials. I like homes that look like they could blend in with the outdoors. Love the timber wall behind the bed and the wood-covered kitchen drawers. Also liking the vintage 60's, California vibe in the rooms. (From Living etc. January 2011)

Read More

conversion experience

   

This home and work space is a converted church, built in 1867, in Wiltshire, in the south of England. Love the beautiful exterior, and the fact that it doesn't anymore look like a church on the outside. Inside, there are a couple of areas- the bathroom with the huge glass window, for example-  that look quite modern for an old church conversion. In the main room, they've retained the main "churchy" feature, which is the balcony. Cool! (photos: Antony Crolla, World of Interiors May 2010)

Read More

colorful & summery scenes

Country Living UK July 2007

 previous two photos from Joanna Henderson

Though in no particular grouping or arrangement, I liked these vignettes because they capture the summer feel. The past few days in London have not been so summery, but today seems like a turnaround! I love laid-back and relaxed sunny rooms that look like they could have come from a country home. (top three photos from UK Country Living, fourth photo from Living Etc.)

The last three photos were from the April/May issue of Lonny magazine, from Deborah Lloyd's home in upstate New York- that was my favorite feature in this issue!

Read More

Anthropologie, welcome to London!

It's finally here- the long-awaited opening of the first Anthropologie store in Europe. I had to see it, so I made my way to Regent St. this afternoon. I know lots of design buffs like Anthropologie's style, so I thought I'd post my findings.


One of the coolest displays in the store was the hanging teabag design in the windows on the ground and second floors - paying homage to the English, no doubt. The teabags were different colors, as if they'd used herbal teas of all sorts, and upstairs I noted they actually still smelled faintly of green tea!


Most impressive is the wall of greenery- plants and grasses fill a wall illuminated by natural light flooding in from a skylight above. It's beautiful. The staircase flows alongside the wall, so it feels very open and bright. Hung in the stairwell are candy-colored chandeliers of flowers and reclaimed materials, made by South African artists Magpie Art Collective.



The homewares section has huge antique Belgian or French painted armoires and cabinets filled with pretty glassware and books. This dining table above is fantastic.


I love the structure of this shelf with molding from the top of an armoire. Could I make one? I think so!

Overall, it's a lovely interior but I was floored by the prices! Wow. It's as if the American numbers were kept on the tags and they stuck a "£" in front. Decorative cushions were £90-250. There were some special one-off pieces, too- like antique (I think) Turkish-looking quilts for £2,200 and a really cool carpenters' bench for over £9,000. These prices are expected for a small boutique or designer store, but I was surprised to see not just the homewares, but the clothes priced as high as they are. Recession? Who says? Because if Anthro's London prices are any indication of what consumers might be willing to buy, the recession is over!


I felt right at home inside the store, because the interior is completely consistent with the U.S. stores I used to visit. It is so consistent, in fact, that I could have been in Anthropologie anywhere: New York, Charlotte, anywhere. There wasn't much of a British flavor, except for this Union Jack wall hanging by Becky Oldfield, of Lost & Found design.

Very cute, albeit small, childrens' section


Yes, I could have forgotten I was in the UK, except for the view outside the window- unmistakeably London! It's cool to have Anthropologie in London, and I'm glad it's here, though I can't say I'll be a frequent shopper there. I'll have to stick to buying from the US & having it sent over...

Read More

Subdued Victorian style

Hello- I didn't disappear- I just moved overseas. After a month-long break and finally arriving in my new home, London, I'm glad to start posting again!
Apartment hunting here has me looking at unusual spaces and trying to come up with ways to use a fresh new room as a canvas for our furniture and things. I've been seeing a few Victorian-period flats- as they're called here- lately, none quite this grand, though. I love the large room proportions. This is a house in the British countryside, and the details are in some ways reminiscent of Italy- like the entryway's ornate stained glass and the bright pink sitting room with the raspberry damask setee and chandelier with drops of glass to match.

Read More