My shoe story and new season wishlist

I have only two pairs of shoes right now, not counting my sports shoes. I’ve been living with just these two pairs since four months now (no kidding). Besides, autumn/ winter collections have hit the stores, so it’s time to invest in a new pair. Or two. Or several.

But I’m a fussy shoe buyer and there’s good reason for that. I have tiny feet with a difficult size, and so when I buy shoes, I have to buy a pair that looks great, fits wonderfully, and lasts me a long long time.

Sigh… here in Yangon, like almost everywhere else, size is THE main problem, but that doesn’t stop me from checking out shoes like my life depended on them. As they say, if you can’t wear them, admire them. Okay, I just made that up.

Anyways here are some droolworthy shoes I’d like to own. You are welcome to drool too.

I can see these slip-ons from Accessorize jazzing up all my casual outfits.

Accessorize slip-ons

Sexy pumps from Aftershock. Now all I need is a party invite…

Aftershock London pumps

… And a lunch invite to tote these gold loafers from Tresmode.

Tresmode  gold loafers

Every girl needs sensible ballerinas, and I like this pair from Lavie.

Lavie blue BALLERINA

Now this is what I call comfy, edgy chic from the Vanilla Moon stable.

Vanilla Moon  TANIA

Just one word: prints! Clarks X Orla Kiely is killin’ it.

Clarks Orla Bella Blue Floral shoes

A red-hot pair from Metro that will knock him over.

Metro red heels

Oh-so-versatile classy block heels in black from Marie Claire (available at Bata).

Bata block heels

SUMMER CHIC: 20 pretty pieces you will love

Pastels, pops, prints and pinks,

All these chic choices make me blink,

In wonder I look at these summer faves,

Twenty reasons to make me rave!

Enjoy these drool-worthy picks for summer. 🙂

Pretty Prints

Dress from French Connection, Peplum top from Trendy Divva, Sling bag from Toniq.

French Connection printed floral dress

Trendy Divva Black Printed peplum top

Printed sling bag from Toniq

Pretty Pinks

Tunic dress from Label by Ritu Kumar, Shorts from Elle, bra from Amante.

Tunic dress Ritu Kumar, LABEL

Elle pink shorts summer

amante Serenity Bra, Pink Sherbbet,Rs.1395

Pretty Palettes

T-shirt from Being Human, Dress from Superdry, Bag from Holii.

Being Human tshirt

Superdry TIE DYE MIDI DRESS

Holii Hyacinth white orange bag

Pretty Pops

T-shirt from Ed Hardy, Studs from Fida.

Ed Hardy printed tshirt

Studs from Fida accessories

Pretty Pastels

Polo from US Polo Association, Pencil skirt from Miss Selfridge, Shoulder bag from Viari.

Yellow USPA tshirt

Miss Selfridge yellow pencil skirt

Viari Santorini summer shoulder bag

Pretty Pairs

Heels from Clarks, Ballet shoe from Melissa, Sneakers from Superdry.

Clarks Coral heels

Melissa metallic ballet flat

Superdry sneakers

Pretty Purses

Tote from Hidesign, Tote from Accessorize, Cutwork bag from Lavie.

Hidesign orange tote bag

Accessorize mirror tote

Lavie cobalt blue cutwork bag

Which pretty piece are you buying on your next visit to the mall?

Chic Bags: What’s new this season from Lavie & others

Chic Bags: What’s new this season from Lavie & others

Lavie: Haute Hues!
Bold colours on bags are so in vogue, and Lavie’s got just the right ones this season. At a recent bloggers meet, the Lavie team introduced me to the colours of the season– corals, beiges and browns and the more daring ones like red and bright green. The colours were seen on all types of bags– structured, totes and shoppers, and even on slings. Slings are THE BAGS this season for Lavie, and no doubt they’re a cute style!

Lavie bags

Lavie bags

If you have a favourite colour or style, you will find it at the Lavie store this season.  My colour picks at the Lavie store were blue and red. BTW, though some say black is NOT a colour, a good black bag can make quite an impact and there are several excellent options at Lavie. BTW, I’ve always found Lavie bags a good choice for day and work bags, and this season’s collection lives up to that expectation.

I loved a sling bag at the Lavie store (which is perfect for my tablet), and I managed to get my hands on it. I’ve been using it almost ALL the time now, and it got me a number of compliments too. At office, it occupies pride of place on my desk. 😀

Lavie bag

Hidesign: From the Sixties
The boxy bag from the sixties make an appearance in Hidesign’s new collection. You can’t miss the retro appeal of the Courtney bags, and the unique shape of the Kylie photographer bag.

Hidesign Courtney Boxy sling Bag

Hidesign Kylie Photographer bag

Esbeda: Bling it!
Special occasions call for shiny accessories, and Esbeda’s dazzling clutches are just what the fashion doctor ordered for the festive season. These clutches will take you and your lipstick from Diwali parties to destination weddings.

Esbeda clutch

Esbeda clutch

Chic Accessory: 1 Versatile Bag, 3 Hot Trends, 6 Easy Looks!

Chic Accessory: 1 Versatile Bag, 3 Hot Trends, 6 Easy Looks!

A versatile bag is what every woman needs. The bag should be great-looking, spacious and compliment the trends of the season. I found one such bag at the Lavie store over the weekend, and the easy style, the comfortable size and the pop of colour made me want it immediately. I was inspired enough to pair this bag with the hottest trends (neutrals, prints and aqua) and the right occasions to wear them, with must-have add-ons and accessories.

Take a look.

Trend 1: Classic neutrals (for office)
The bag will hold your tablet, makeup kit and wallet. The sober colour scheme makes it an excellent pairing for classic and casual work wear, from blouses and trousers, to skirts and dresses.

Look1-Work

(Blouse & trousers from Arrow, dress from Mango, blazer from Vinegar, Earrings from Tanishq, Shoes from Tresmode).

Trend 2: Bold prints (for leisure)
Exotic, tropical, Asian, floral… wear these prints to a movie, lunch date or shopping, grab this bag, and your look is complete!

Look 2- Leisure

(Top from French Connection, pants from W, dress from Zara, cuff from Juvalia & You, earrings from Aldo Accessories)

 

Trend 3: Aqua (for holiday)
You need this Lavie bag for your holiday– to carry your sun block, documents, some shopping and even a snack. And the aqua colour scheme is a perfect contrast for your summery bag (and mood).

Look3 Holiday

(Tee from Forever New, shorts from Only, dress from Elle Fashionwear, Hat from Toniq, Sunglasses from Opium)

How are you wearing your favourite bag today?

Chic Accessories: Best buys of the season

Fashion trends according to the seasons, and fashion gurus say every season (fashion or otherwise) you need to update your wardrobe. Don’t let that scare you—the good news is that you don’t need to overhaul your wardrobe completely. Instead just update it with select accessories that give you a chic, updated and bang-on-trend look.

Speaking Chic guides you through the accessories of the season.

Day bag

Make sure it’s spacious and has enough pockets to hold your phone, keys and knick-knacks. And oh, make sure it’s coloured (keep the whites and nudes away for a while).

Below: Fern bag from Lavie; Plain basket shopper from Zara

Lavie - FERN bag Zara_basket shopper bag

Evening Clutch

Choose your clutch based on your evening wear. Jewel tones and neutrals in luxe styles (satin finish, embellishments) are safe choices, so are metallics. Mix and match with your shoes.

Below: Clutch from French Connection

Clutch French Connection

Wedding Clutch

A bejwelled clutch at a wedding is just as important as your sari. Go crazy with shapes and colours (after all, our wedding wear palette encompasses a wide range of tones), and don’t be afraid to pile on the bling.

Below: Bejewelled clutch from Parvesh-Jai.

Parvesh Jai clutch

Sunglasses

We suggest shunning the over-sized sunglasses and instead wearing shades that suit your face shape. Ray-bans are popular again, so are colourful frames.

Below: Sunglasses from Esprit.

Esprit sunglasses summer

Sexy heels

Monotone or multi-hued—take your pick. But make sure they’re skyhigh.

Below: Both pairs of shoes from Tresmode

Tresmode sandals Peep-toe pink sandals from Tresmode

Comfy flats

Cut-outs, mutli-hued straps—why should heels have all the fun?

Below: Both pairs of shoes from Catwalk

Green and strappy flats from Catwalk Cut-out shoes from Catwalk

Which accessories are on your wishlist this season?