Lemon Zest

The obsession with jumpsuits, playsuits, all-in-ones, leotards, unitards and dungarees continues. These two juicy jumpsuits are in line with the new colour theme of this blog.

Day

Night

From ASOS.

I had a Crush

Enjoy the sensuality, elegance, softness, silkiness of this sublime kimono... enjoy it as it appears as I have no words to describe its beauty.

Crush Collection By Fleur of England

Summer is Here

The sun has shone for two weeks in London, and when sun shines in London the city blossoms and  life becomes lighter. I cannot recall such a consistent weather for a long, long time. I am in full summer mode which is a dangerous affair as I am deemed to get soon disappointed. After all, summer is always a mirage in this part of the world. The day after tomorrow I am flying to my home country (Italy) after almost a year. I hope hope hope the weather (and the mood) is as joyful as here. I will come back 10 days later to fly out again a week later - this time to Sicily for a girly weekend. Wow. In this mood I have been browsing around for cheap & chic beachwear. Here a couple of chocolicious picks:

(c) Accessorize

(c) Fashion Conscience

Jump Suit

I am still alive and full of energies. I have deepened my yoga practice,but left behind everything else, including study and blog. I feel I am going through a transformation which is enjoyable but also confusing. I am trying to liberate myself from many structures. Since McQueen's death my interest for fashion has diminished. I am not saying that the two occurrences are necessarily linked, but perhaps it is my way of mourning. I usually look at fashion to recreate a mood, a different dimension of existence, a new possibility. Well, in this period of my life I feel like throwing myself into the possibilities life has to offer rather than staying on one side and watching, writing or fantasising about them.

Anyway, I popped here to share a quick fashion finding. It was quick as I saw, liked and bought it. It is nothing to wow but it encompasses everything I like in a little dress: it is actually a jumpsuit, in a wonderful colour (jade), comfy and versatile. The print may look *busy* but I love its retro feel and would be perfect with yellow gold accessories. Believe it or not it's the first item I buy from Anthropologie UK and got it in sales. 

This romper is designed by Leifsdottir. Check their website to admire the rest of the collection. Very sweet. 

Sandra Suy

From the header doesn't come as a surprise that I am an admirer of Sandra Suy's fashion illustrations. She is such a talented artist from Barcelona. Her style is ethereal and her choice of colours (passion colours against muted backgrounds) sublime. When the time comes, I will make sure that my new home's walls will be adorned by her creations. 

I could have posted her entire portfolio... All stunning illustrations. 

And this is lovely Sandra at work...

Arctic Winter

Woolrich is possibly the most popular parka in Italy, and it has been so for the last ten years. It has replaced the Barbour trend of the 90s and completely overshadowed the short-lived fashion trend of Belstaff motorcycle jackets. It has become so popular that Italy is its major distributor.

Its signature arctic parka with furry hood (it's coyote fur, if you were wondering) has been redesigned in all sorts of variants, but this jacket always manages to look faithful to itself. If the real fur bothers you as it is objectively not very ethical, you can choose many other styles without furry trims. Browse their 09/10 collection HERE. The fur and the duck filler are designed to keep you incredible warm. In these chilly days and with the worst cold I would happily slip in one of them.

In Search of the Perfect Yoga Bag

I have been looking for the best yoga mat bag on offer, roomy enough to fit also my yoga gear as I am sick of running around with two bags constantly entangling one into another. An all-in-one bag would be the solution but it is just too hard to find. Here are a few that caught my eye but didn't steal my heart. My quest continues...

 

Orla Kiely retro looking bags look well refined and sturdy. This multicolour one is on offer for half price. Very tempting. 

This Yogoco bag has also a retro feel and it seems big enough to contain a towel as well as a mat. The garish print is cute, but I wonder if  it will bore me quickly.

Om Padma's yoga bag comes in hot pink or this lovely turquoise. It is rather slim but quite long that you could shuffle in a pair of pants and a tee.

Alexander McQueen R.I.P.

I was (and still am) in shock when I read the tragic news of Alexander McQueen's death. Rarely I am so affected by celebrities' misfortunes, but McQueen, one of my favourite designers, was a genius who never stopped amazing me with his creations imbued with intellectual and cultural references. He will be missed. I will miss him.

Here three outstanding pieces from his (anatomical, alien, reptile) 2010 collection:

 I love the juxtaposition of earthy and glacial colours...

That hairstyle is impressive and love the sinuosity of the gold bracelet. I cannot say the same of the hideous shoes... Maybe because I don't do heels, I can't really appreciate these goofy pair of shoes...

Fashion Duo :: Choco-licious

 

Joseph Sweater + Twelfth Street By Cynthia Vincent

Fashion Duet :: Mikli & Tibi

I had an eye test yesterday and was recommended to wear prescription glasses more often, especially when working on the computer. I own a pair of Philippe Stark for Mikli frames, and I love them to pieces but not as much as my first Alain Mikli pair. Both of them were/are red, in acetate and bold. I am now thinking of getting a new pair. I would like to say, this time I will go for a lighter model, but I always end up  lusting over statement frames. Not only. My interest is always drawn back to the Mikli brand. A long standing love affair. I fully convene with their philosophy that spectacles are to see and be seen, and Alain Mikli frames are works of art: handmade and sturdy, they can look retro or futuristic; bold in look and light in feel {thanks to a clever balancing system}; and always, always larger than life.

They are so glam that can be easily paired up with the most flattering dresses. I LOVE Tibi Spring collection and would very happily wear these floaty dresses with my bold Alain Miklis.

Colour of the Year 2010

Several bloggers have been riveting about the beauty of the colour of the year according to Pantone: turquoise. I couldn't agree more. This Adam dress is oh so pretty in its simplicity. It is all about THE colour indeed.

Fashion Duo :: More Lilac

Fifi Lapin Tee and Opi Nail Varnish

Fashion Duo :: Dreaming of a Free-Style Summer

In this sunny and freezing London Saturday I am dreaming of a free-style Summer in Italy , by the beach, with my parents and friends. 

I am a big fan of the most stylish bunny on earth and LOVE this newly launched tee.

New Fifi Lapin tee and turquoise sandals by FRYE Jacey

Fashion Duo :: Cipria

Tina Kavalis Fringed dress & Miguel Ases Teardrop Earrings

Mummy & Me

 Fashion Gone Rogue & Let Them Eat Cake

Someone may find the like-mother-like-daughter trend initiated by Kate Holmes too soppy and, at times, pathetic. To me, so long as it doesn't overstep the mark {I would never put my baby daughter in heels}, it can look rather cute. It exudes a symmetric, and therefore pleasant, visual effect. Besides, with the due adaptations {coordinated but not identical!}, it is a playful way to connect with your progeny: it helps the mother feel young and groovy and give the girl, who naturally tends to identify herself with her mother, a sense of belonging. I remember when my parents bought matching sport jackets for themselves and left me out. I was so upset they had to take a photo of me in tears wearing my mum's jacket. I will have to dig out that photo next time I fly back home.

Design Duo :: Karmic Mood

I am completely immersed in the study of the yoga tradition which inspired this design and fashion combination. I can't decide whether this colour is pink or purple.

Elle Deco, as seen in Mimi and Meg + Tory Burch Tunic

All-in-one

I am not at ease with the phrase *yoga fashion* because it can be perceived as an oxymoron. Fashion is, alas, very often associated with appearance, stardom and superficiality, all principles antipodean to the yoga values. But for me style is the exploration of a mood and the playful experimentations of alternative dimensions of life; in other words, a form of art, in the same way the art of yoga is an exploration of our body and mind's potentials as organic beings. 

One of my fashion principles is that clothes should flatter your shapes and  caress your skin, and you should always feel good in them. I therefore swap too tight models and synthetic fibres for organic fabrics and comfy, loose garments. When doing yoga, I like practising in one-piece outfits as they do not show an inch of my belly in upside-down asanas and I just forget I am wearing one.

Shakti Activewear unitards are a great discovery as they keep my curves in place, allow fluidity of movement without getting in the way and look sassy. You can shop  them online or check the retail list here. In London some models are sold at Bikram Centre's shops.

Prancing Leopard is a newly launched yoga clothing company designing funky styles with organic cotton. The company also supports local women's communities around the world and the Snow Leopard Trust. 

 

Their jumpsuit collection is delicious - whimsical and comfy at the same time. Sadly, they only sell for the US market and to date I haven't been able to find a stockist in Europe. 

Finally, this pair of post-yoga pants by Yoga Fashion are great to walk out of my yoga centre in style and freedom. I love the harem style in all its variants. Have you noticed the white body painting on the model's belly? How hippie!

Nude & Black

First row: Shakuhachi and Costume Dept 
Second row: Whistles

Available at www.asos.com

Same swimsuit, different model

Lindsay Ellingson (left) and Candice Huffine (right) both wearing a Gucci cut-out swimsuit. 

Read full post on curves ahead in one of my favourite blogs: Superqueen's. 

A Sparkling New Year

A new decade has just started. Happy new year to you all! I had one of the best new year's eve of my life partying in the Austrian Alps with an international group of 20 friends. After a day spent on the slopes {by far my best  skiing performance in years}, we had a delicious home-made dinner, Secret Santa presents' exchange, fireworks, cigars, board games and plenty of loud music until dawn.

Forever Unique dress

The party season is over for most of us but I am still in party mood and obsessed with sparkling sequins. This sexy mini-dress would be perfect with opaque leggings, a cuff bracelet and a pair of black pumps, better if labelled Loboutin. 

I wish you all a sparkling

2010!