Got wood?

If only I had a nickel for every time a friend made fun of me for my obsession with wood, metal and leather ...

Wood feels homey, warm and familiar, bringing me back to my childhood and my hometown I guess.

I can't put my finger on it - it's something about the simplicity and the clarity of the patterns and the materials that draws my eye. Wood is honest, it's inspiring; its flaws blend in in an admirable way.

It gives a sense of nature which we've all somehow lost, and it contrasts nicely with metal, quite the representation of urban living. Yes, perhaps that's what it is - the internal unease, the different dynamics we hold within.

I was in NY recently and I added a few things to the wood, metal & leather family which instantly became favourites - below with a few more from the permanent collection ;).

Leather book phone case, Ebay
Wooden USB stick

MIANSAI cuff by Michael Saiger

Carpenter Watch, Lorenzo Buffa - MoMA store

Mesh Gau Bracelet, Laura Santi, MoMA store

While there, I also got a cheeky little double piercing at NY Adorned - I came across it randomly on another blog a week before I landed and I knew it was going down for sure.

The guys there are really friendly; the girl at the reception is the one who introduced me to the gorgeous Miansai cuffs.

They customise the jewellery and the piercings per se to your own taste and body. They do have a massive gallery where you can get a good idea of their products -golden studs, spikes, etc.- and services, which differ from season to season, making them more unique.

To me their game-changer  factor lies within J Colby Smith's subtle piercings, which pay tribute to the name by literally adorning body parts. His work carries a simplicity that fascinates me. The combination of really delicate piercings and luxurious materials comprise probably the smartest move I've seen in the industry so far, "exonerating" piercing on places...other than your lower ear. What this means essentially is that you can still have your piercings and still look "professional", in the conventional sense, and elegant, as these piercings don't take away from your natural characteristics, but they rather enhance them.

For those of you who will ask, I would say it is a bit pricey, however, it is a customised service and the jewellery itself is high quality (gold, silver and so on). At the end of the day, you get what you pay for. so totally worth it - fyi that's how it looks like:

Needless to say, a post with the best places to visit in NY and best shopping spots will follow shortly!

x M

Spring inspiration

T-shirt Primark
Skirt Bershka
Belt H&M

Tank top Primark
Skirt H&M
Bracelet from personal collection
Necklace Topshop

                                       Leopard flats Bershka                                         

Tank top Primark
Skirt Bershka
Rings Topshop & Primark
Bracelet Topshop

Nail polish Erre Due & Seventeen
(excuse the veins!)

Today is not the best day for me.. An interview I had arranged for this morning got postponed for next week, plus I have a severe back problem which makes me feel like I'm 70 and in desperate need of a cane! It all started two days ago while trying on shoes.. I guess it was God's way to tell me NOT to buy anymore stuff and start working out at last! On top of that I'm down with a cold and a fever, lucky me! I decided to kick back with a new post and some fine music by Mr Coleman Hawkins instead of passing out- which I will anyway after I finish this! 

Anyway, these spring colours in the pictures above kind of cheered me up! I usually never dress that girly and opt for pants or leggings, but I was hoping maybe putting them up there will inspire me to where these vivid coloured skirts I've been piling up.. And it's most likely that if I do I will pair them with my favourite boots to tone down the girliness! I love neon colours and fringy tops at the moment, perhaps because festival season is soon to come. Note to self: remember to buy Coldplay tickets!! You can purchase your own spring trends for cheap at Primark and H&M, which are my main source of power! In most cases for less than 10£.

Nails of the week -because yes, I keep them for at least a week as I have no time or will to renew them more often!- are a mix of green and brown; just improvised and put a twist on them (the right hand's thumb being green with brown dots and the pinky plain brown).

Once again, that's all for today. I hope you are enjoying the rest of your vacation and having a wonderful time with your families!

X mp

Outfit of the day

Necklace  Topshop

Shirt   Primark

Rings   Bershka, Topshop, H&M

Tribal is back

Tribal is back, big time; and as far as I'm concerned, that's great news! I always had a thing for tribal and hippie patterns on pretty much everything and now I can shamelessly flaunt them to the world. 

In accessories it can be easily spotted as it appears in the form of feathers, egyptian and pagan symbols, spikes, beautifully coloured beads and gems. Everything is usually oversized hence loud, being a statement in its own right.

So get in tough with you inner godess; journey back and explore elements of ancient civilisations and  adjust them to your own style. Wear your hair in braids, experiment with different textures and patters. Gold, silver, copper, leather, feathers, rope.. each combination can give your outfit a totally different feel. Some of my favourite bracelets and rings depicted, if you see anything in particular that you like, drop me a line and I will let you know!

Bracelet Marc Jacobs

Due to serious lack of time, I am afraid that's all for now! Coming back next week with a lot more material.

x mp

Lazy Monday

Backpack Primark

rings Topshop

Lazy Monday..

unfortunately what I really mean is "at least time-for- a-cup-of-coffee" Monday! It's nice taking some time and relax, especially in a place with such a vintage feel like Cafe 1901. An antiquary of some sort in my eyes, which takes me back to my grandma's living room. Old paintings, worn-out wood, distinctive smells.. plus a hell of a cappuccino!

Anyway, for the sake of this blog, a quick taste of some arm candy included as well.
Here's to a great week.

x mp

Jean shorts: essentially unessential

Topshop

envelope H&M
earring Topshop 

Lita 

First of all, I would like to apologise for the quality of my pics; I don't own a camera unfortunately so please bear with my crappy phone pics!

That said..a pair of nice cut-off jeans is essential for every closet and it can be as versatile as you want it to be. Denim is one of the most resistant fabrics ever made, so even if you pay a small fortune to get one, you will definitely get your money's worth. Especially if you opt for coloured denim, you will be spot on with this season's trend- mahogany being one of my personal favourites. Lace details can add that much wanted edge.

Cut-off shorts are uber-comfy, they flatter your legs (make them appear longer) and shape your booty. They can be worn from night to day and are the ideal item for mix and matching and can function as the basis for every outfit.

Whatever you throw on them will turn out great, especially if you throw a pair of Litas in there.

Then match it with a petite envelope clutch and a pair of feathery earrings and bam, there you have it; your amazing outfit for the day! I hope you like it as much as I do.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend guys

X mp

GEEK CHIC 101

                                                                     HOT

crafty-heart.com

                                                (DEFINITELY)   NOT

engineershavemorefun.blogspot.com

It's that time of the year again, when every shopaholic -including myself!- is unleashed into the world and wonders around in malls like frenzy: it's sales time! I know that sales are almost over now, but there is still hope. For those of you who are fascinated by new trends but can't afford spending a fortune on them, patience and research-oh yes- is what it takes to make clever buys.

Say that, subconsciously, you wanted to try on some new man-repeller goggles but were afraid that people will throw stuff on you. You are still running that risk anyway; but now you can get them for cheap-or at least for more reasonable prices. I know that you see people around you wearing them, celebrities, fashionistas, and you are confused; you are wondering is it hot, is it not...
The answer to that comes from within, or you know, from your moneymaker! You should always check first if it compliments your face shape. Try and balance the proportion of your face, for example if you have an oval face try to "bring it down" a bit with more square frames.
So, careful selection and balls.. if you decide to embrace your inner geek and purchase a pair, wear it with pride. Otherwise you will end up looking like Ugly Betty; it's a pair of glasses, not a miracle-worker. It could look amazing, but chances are you will end up looking like the pathetic loser that was sitting behind you in math class and you ignored his existence-wait, who?! Bottom line, you will give the impression of a needy chick who just tries too hard.

To my point now.. the amazing Mr. Gok Wan launched a beautiful eyewear collection for a well-known UK brand over a year ago, which now is on huge sale: there is a two-for-one offer going on, so you might as well run there to grab some. The unisex collection has the air of a retro era, with sleek and clear lines in a variety of style frames; from Harry Poter-like to geeky ones. My personal preference at the time is pretty much everything that comes in tortoiseshell colour, and there are plenty in the collection, which overall looks like a hipster's wet dream! I always secretly envied  Gok for his own eyewear, but he so generously shared it with the masses so that I can get one myself. If he wasn't gay he would really be "the Wan"; but then again, if he wasn't gay we wouldn't be interested in the first place..
Anyway, I noticed some more fabulous specs on offer by Tommy Hilfiger and Karen Millen.. I wish you all good luck with your shopping! The trend is probably here to stay, so apparently glasses are one more "essential" accessory to worry about, pay more attention and renew every season!
Oh well.. consumerism smonsumerism!

(T)urban outfiters

via cubiclefashionista.com

The Luv Be-low

via hippiegipsiegrungieshake.blogspot.com

via beauterunway.com

via thefashpack.onsugar.com

via thehottestfashionblog.blogspot.com

via front-row-view.com

Now that is what I call accessorising! Low Luv by Erin Wasson, and pretty match every accessory she has ever worn. Rock attitude and boho style at their very best.
 Enjoy,
 x