Graceful Blogging

2012-12-10T14:48:00.001+01:00

I am Moving.......

I haven t post for a very long time, that is because I am busy...with another website!!!

yes it will be beautiful....

I will let you know when it is ready..expecting end of December..

www.gracefulshopping.com

Hunkemoller

2012-08-29T10:00:00.000+02:00

As you may know..or don t, I can not (yet) make a living of this blog so I needed a job to provide food on the table for me and the kids.

That other job is since November 2011 working with Hunkemoller, a chain of lingerie shops. Well known here in the Netherlands, now they want to conquer the rest of Europe, or the world?.

Hunkemoller now roped Sylvie van der Vaart in, the footballers wife of player Rafael van der Vaart, played with Real Madrid and now in the English Tottenham hotspur.

This was a good move from the Hunkemoller chain because I notice when she is on the frontpage of our brochure the bra's and slips are immediately sold out.

Hunkemoller is now leading the market for lingerie in Europe, and planning to open hundreds of shops in Germany this year. Also a reason why they choose for Sylvie also, as she is a known person in Germany as well, in the jury of the German version, Germany has got talent.

She opened the fashion show of Hunkemoller in Berlin fashion week. So Hunkemoller is doing well with Sylvie and I am happy with Hunkemoller, more with the discount for an employee for the beautiful sexy lingerie,

So me....

Grace xx

TREND GUIDE: Leather

2012-08-22T15:59:00.000+02:00

Paneled biker jackets, butter-soft skirts and laser-cut accessories are top of our leather wish list for fall 2012! Try looking for pieces that use leather in a new and unexpected way so that you do not become one of the crowd. Play it pretty and pair them with feminine neutrals and shimmering gold jewelery.

Colour Block Leather Jacket

Blue Valley Panelled Leather Leggings

Leather Backpack With Pointed Flap

Hi-Shine Leather Peplum Jacket

Leather Chelsea Ankle Boots

Dents Cashmere Lined Leather Gloves

Limited Edition Metallic Spike Leather Cuff Bracelet

Leather Flat Shoes

Pointed Stud Leather Collar

Leather Shaped Metal Stud Detail Waist Belt

Grab Felt Clutch With Leather Flap

Just Female

2012-08-18T00:00:00.000+02:00

Established in 2006, Copenhagen-based fashion label, Just Female, is the brainchild of designer Penille Andersen. Building a strong identity through their edgy designs, Just Female construct innovative styles with clean lines and raw detailing, giving a nod to urban chic with a minimalist aesthetic.

Want to dress like that femme fatale? Here are my current favourite Just Female pieces:

Tailored Contrast Panel Boyfriend Blazer

Vintage High Waisted Skinny Jeans

Jersey Sweatshirt

Jersey Sleeveless Dress

Oversize Mac

Anti-Fit Leather Trousers

Marbella !!!

2012-08-16T23:18:00.000+02:00

Hi I am Ana, a friend of Grace and experienced an amazing week in Marbella I 'll tell you about The HOT SPOTS there:

"As the London sun did not want to show her face in the last weeks, I had the lucky opportunity to go on a short holiday with my party girl to the most glam destination to party in Spain: Marbella!

We packed colourful and summery clothes, mainly funky colourful and glittery tops, several shorts and of course our bikinis.

We loved Nikki Beach where we enjoyed the best Mediterranean cuisine while enjoying a lovely bottle of French Rose, while listening to relaxing tunes from the resident DJ.

In the evening we visited Se7en in Puerto Banus, where the interior is entirely dedicated to a Buddhist theme, with wooden statues, velvets and silks in Ruby and Purple, Shisha available and excellent music varying from House and RnB with lots of Top 40 hits too.

As the party night in the south of Spain officially starts at 3am, we headed around that time to Olivia Valere in Marbella which is the most amazing club I have ever been too! It,s an exclusive club decorated in an exotic theme with palms and olive trees, beautiful brick arches and open air spaces, lounge area with lounge beds, huge club area with loads of big tables, an excellent restaurant and of course the club which is filled with an international crowd who are entertained by dancers, acrobats and on the night I was there even a magician!

The second day we had lunch at The Ocean Club in Puerto Banus. The menu had a good choice of European /International cuisine, portions were great and the fresh juices and non alcoholic cocktails are absolutely the best!!!!. As the Ocean Club is renowned for their wild Champagne Parties, rest assured; they only happen on certain days once a month in the summer, so if you are looking for chilled out relaxation time by the pool on the lovely round comfy beds while enjoying Sangria or Champagne you will find this your perfect spot. It is very close to the luxury shops of Puerto Banus and situated directly on the beach!

That night we found ourselves dancing in Funky Buddha in Marbella, which is second best venue to go clubbing. We enjoyed some Shisha, while sinking back in the comfortable velvet cushions and sipping our cranberry vodka. The music in this club is mainly RnB /Hip Hop mixed up with some pop and occasional house music. The space is vast and very luxurious decorated with low glas tables, comfy couches and lots of fluffy pillows.

All tanned and relaxed we arrived back to London where hopefully the sun will shine as bright as it did in Marbella.....

Designer Accessories: CODELLO

2012-08-10T07:44:00.000+02:00

Famed for their luxe scarves and neckerchiefs crafted from fine silks and rich cashmeres, premium label Codello offer a collection of quality accessories. Seeking inspiration from far away destinations, designer Miriam Schnabl interjects her own personal touch into each scarf, with eclectic prints and hand finished detailing adding to the individuality of every piece.

Codello Belt Print Silk Scarf

Codello Dots Silk Scarf

Codello Birds Silk Scarf

Codello Pop Dinos Silk Scarf

Codello Animal Silk Scarf

Ibiza Rocks

2012-08-08T21:30:00.000+02:00

Only a few weeks left until I will be paddling in the waters surrounding the island of Ibiza. Yes, I am joining the partying crowd that come from all over the world, each summer, to let their hair down. Not sure which dance moves I shall be pulling out of my closet, but I'm certainly ready to pull out a couple of beach-wear favourites to wear whilst I'm there. Which one would you wear?

Ted Baker Winter Floral Print Kaftan

River Island Pink Cut Out Front Floral Print Playsuit

River Island Printed Wrap Maxi Skirt

Nookie Beach Lambada Bandeau

ASOS Ladder Knot Back Beach Dress

ASOS FAREWELL Metallic Flat Sandals

River Island Beaded Thong Sandals

Charlie By Matthew Zink Mixed Scarf Print Shirt

From Paris with Love

2012-08-06T17:13:00.001+02:00

After a delightful weekend in Paris, I can share the news of my new babies with excitement. Yes, I'm talking about my new Isabel Marant sneakers which I managed to grab in one of their three stores in the City of Love.

Am I happy? YES, OUI, OUI! And I can also tell you this: wedge sneakers are so comfortable to walk in and still give you that elegant high-heeled walk.

Want to snap up a pair of your own wedge sneakers, here are some Isabel Marant alternatives:

See by Chloe

DKNY

Ash

ASOS

Ash

Designer Accessories: Lulu Guinness

2012-08-01T19:59:00.002+02:00

Lucinda "Lulu" Jane Guinness, OBE is a British accessories fashion designer. Lulu was awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) for services to the Fashion Industry in the 2006 Queen's Birthday Honours and in 2009 received The Independent Handbag Designer Awards ICONOCLAST Award for "Lifetime Achievement in Handbag Design". Lulu Guinness was launched in 1989 as a handbag and accessories retailer and currently operates multinationally.

Spice up that bag of yours with an accessory, keep your pills safe, or pout your lips in one of the amazing Lulu pocket mirrors.

Lulu Guinness Silver Lipstick Keyring

Lulu Guinness Lip Blot Square Mirror

Lulu Guinness Ellis Street Shop Mirror

Lulu Guinness Cameo Pill Box

Lulu Guinness Lip Pin Square Mirror

Oh Sun Don't Shine in my Eyes

2012-07-28T10:52:00.001+02:00

The sun has been out here in Europe. And when I say she has been out, she has really been out. I got my tan on, as well as plenty of other people in London who were all getting prepped up for the Olympics.

But my dear eyes, need to be protected. Yes, they do. Don't go shady and wear cheap glasses from the market, as they will not have the protection in the glass itself which you do need to prevent damage.

My favourites of 2012? The Prada baroque (ns27) glasses. Still need to treat myself to a pair though!

(Cheaper) alternatives that will also make you look uber-glam, whilst you tan (yes, that rhymes!), are some that I have selected from ASOS:

Oversized 70s Sunglasses With Filgree Arm Detail

Cat Eye Sunglasses with Contrast Highbrow

Cat Eye Sunglasses With Cut Away Detail

Cat Eye Sunglasses With Mix Frame

Ray-Ban Pattern Square Wayfarer Sunglasses

Mauricio Stein For ASOS Handmade Angular Frame Sunglasses With Metal Arms

Get Your Sports On

2012-07-25T09:43:00.000+02:00

Call it the Olympic Fever or that the return of colour and print calls for a fuss-free modern silhouette, but sporty features are in the air. Marc Jacobs and Thomas Tait sent out luxury sweat shirts, this season’s new statement jumper, Alexander Wang was hot off the mark with BMX bandit style, and there were cagoules aplenty; Peter Pilotto, meanwhile, went techno-fabulous with scuba zip detailing. Look for racer-front vests, two-tone, crop tops and this season’s Marmite piece, the wedge hi-top trainer.

ASOS Bodycon Dress with Zip Front

ASOS DUDE Washed Canvas High Tops

Antipodium Sporting Chance Pull Over

ASOS PETITE Exclusive Mesh Insert Bodycon Dress

American Apparel Light Weight Jumper

Ash Cool Suede Colourblock Pink Strapped Wedge Trainers

ASOS Relax Over The Knee Socks

ASOS Pump It Up Sweatband

Vix Swimwear and Beachwear

2012-07-24T09:17:00.001+02:00

Considered an exclusive and affluent part of Rio de Janeiro, Leblon is Brasil’s seaside playground for the wealthy. Located in the city’s famous Zona Sul, or South Zone, Leblon has the advantages of a central location with the privacy of a privileged neighborhood.

The traversing streets, sights and sounds of Leblon served as the rich inspiration behind the new, striped pattern bearing the community’s name. Designer Paula Hermanny updated the traditional stripe with a wide, textured black stripe, introducing a newnautical style for ViX. The elegance of black and off-white keep the Leblon pattern classic, while the orange pop of color breathes vibrancy into the design.

Stripe Padded Triangle Bikini With Enamel Detail

Solid Triangle Bikini With Contast Detail

Transcoso Maria Halter Bikini

Peacock Print Bikini

Mustique Ripple Bikini

Safari Triangle Bikini With Studed Fringing

Tribal Stripe Bikini

Or if you want to cover up, but Vix style, then this dress:

Vix Safari Silk Beach To Bar Dress

Sunglasses

2012-07-18T20:56:00.003+02:00

S u n g l a s s e s

Although the sun is not very bright yet, she is about to come one of these days. And we better be
prepared girls!!!

What is pretty hot at the moment is Tom Fords sunglasses, but River Island has good look a likes for
reasonable price. A friend of mine, Priya, she also living in London and a model, is a optician.
I asked her to show us which models are doing well and she made cool pics for us.

If you want to see more details about the sunglasses or buy them click on the pic, but you know how it works.

Tom Ford

Ted Baker

Ray Ban

River Island

xoxo Grace

HUSAM EL ODEH - designer accesories

2012-07-07T07:27:00.000+02:00

With an engineered approach to jewellery design, Husam el Odeh’s sculptural shapes channel his background in fine art, as dipped precious metals and crystal quartz embellishment add industrial luxe to cuffs, rings and necklaces.

My favourite pieces, featured on ASOS, selected for you:

Girls Night Out

2012-07-04T07:27:00.000+02:00

Not long now until the weekend! I've already given my weekend some shape by making plans with my girlfriends. Plans that include: manicures, pedicures, dressing up and.... going out. Not sure what to wear for your party plans? I've selected a few dresses, which, will have you glowing on the dance-floor, sipping cocktails on a couch or on a romantic dinner date.

Alice McCall Silk Cotton Dress With Flocked Print

Oasis Twist Front Dress

Little Mistress Lace Insert One Shoulder Fitted Dress

Miss Sixty Jewel Print Mini Dress With Racer Neck

River Island Limited Edition Printed Dress

Lipsy Gradient Flower Print Dress

Eleven Paris

2012-06-30T06:53:00.000+02:00

ELEVEN PARIS is is an underground design outfit based in the trendiest district of Paris. Their brand slogan is ‘Life is a joke’, which really sums up their core values – they’re all about fun and not taking yourself too seriously.

Skinny Printed Leggings

Topy Jumper With Rope Detail

Cardigan with Slash Back

Denim Shirt Dress

Minishorts with Drawstring

Debby Skinny Fit Jeans

Maxi Dress with Strapping Detail

Holiday Season

2012-06-29T06:52:00.003+02:00

It's the time of year when those who have kids (or have friends with children) experience the holiday season. Schools close and children need to be entertained; this is absolutely no reason to slouch in what we are wearing. Yes, I would agree comfort is beyond important, and we'll probably have a mutual understanding that short stuff or wonderful whites are a definite no-go.

For the sporty-chic girls, try the Edun Indigo Dye Silk Drawstring Pant

Elegant trousers with a playful twist, try Asos Crepe Trousers with Elastic Cuff

Dare stand out with these Ombre Trousers

Not your usual Converse (Marimekko)

Wear your heart on your sleeves with this grey (or black) Asos Jumper

Don't just bake cakes during the holidays, carry them around in this Rucksack too!

At the end of a day of play, put your feet up and keep them warm with Paul Smith socks..

Happy Holidays

Deepa Gurnani

2012-06-02T01:04:00.000+02:00

With Central Saint Martins being one of the colleges of which The University of the Arts (the uni where I go to) comprises, I always feel a particularly excited to read about alumni who have 'made it' in the big wide world.

Launched in 2006 by master-beader Deepak Gurnani and her jewelry designer husband Jay Lakhani, the brand has gracefully put headbands back in the scene. Fusing exotic cultural influences, with retro-chic, the handmade pieces add that bohemian spice to your outfit. Who doesn't want a little embellishment from beads and crystals on vintage fabric pieces to decorate their hair?

Deepa Gurnani Crystal Stretch Headband

Deepa Gurnani Black Crystal Stretch Headband

Deepa Gurnani Gold Statement Stretch Headband

Deepa Gurnani Turquoise Multi Bead Stretch Headband

Deepa Gurnani Gunmetal And Gold Stretch Headband

Queen Bee

2012-06-01T01:01:00.000+02:00

With the Diamond Jubilee Weekend (The Queen has been reigning for 6o years now!) coming up here in England this weekend (Saturday until Tuesday), everyone is in a celebratory mood. And of course, why wouldn't we celebrate in a fashionable way??!?!

E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G has turned patriotic here in Britain, with biscuit packets striped in the Union Jack, as well as M&M's, cakes, streets, houses, mugs and of course: clothing.

Asos is in fact giving us what we love when it comes to fashion for a celebration: deals and discounts.
"Celebrate the Jubilee with your edit of the best of British brands, plus free DIY crowns, designed for you
by House of Holland, Preen, Danielle Scutt and Julie Verhoeven. You're welcome!"

Union Jack Cardigan

Patent White Satchel (exclusive to Asos)

Skinny Jeans with Union Jack

Shrunken Cable Cardigan

Denim Shorts with Sequin Embellishments

3-in-1 Moisturiser

Diamante Heart Ring

Oh hail, oh hail: Queen Bee is coming through! Have a fabulous weekend all of you!

Mara Hoffman

2012-05-26T10:57:00.000+02:00

Mara Hoffman went to the prestigious Central Saint Martins in London as well as Parsons School of Design in New York, where she is now residing. She launched her eponymous label in 2000 after her vibrant tribal-inspired prints caught the eye of Sex and The City's stylist Patricia Field. Featuring graphic patterns and bold colour, guarantee the wearer they stand out in a desirable way. The exotic aesthetic and exquisite craftmanship Mara Hoffman uses ensures that all garments are super vibrant and abstract with their pops of neon colour, hand-batiking, embroidery and weaving. Find yourself wearing printed silk dresses, bikini's, tops, skirts and playsuits. It's all there, and we all want it in our wardrobes.

Fishtail Skirt in Printed Silk

Drape Tunic Dress

Ibis V Bandeau Bikini

V Print Playsuit

Stripe & Embroidered Longline Bikini

V Print Slouch Beach Pant

Easy Tank Dress

Get On Board

2012-05-23T10:51:00.000+02:00

It's time to get on board. Time to sail, in a fashionably way. With the weather being brilliant these past few days, the craving to cruise, sail and lie on the beach to soak up sun becomes larger than life. Some nautical items for you to translate your feelings into what you're wearing. And just remember: Life's a beach.

Plastic Wave Bead Necklace

Vans Espadrilles

Wheels & Dollbaby Corset Top

Jacket With Rope Knot Detail

Playsuit

Marie Meili Bikini

Nautical Friendship Bracelet Pack

DUTCH FEVER

2012-04-06T00:40:00.000+02:00

Being a quarter Dutch myself, I do hold pride in the beauties of The Netherlands. Yes I love cheese, and always have fresh tulips in my apartment (I know, very classic and stereotypical) and I do eat drop and ride my bike often. Yet what I'm loving particularly now is these colours by O.P.I for our nails. Now if you're painting eggs for Easter, you sure should paint your nails in one (or two, or three) of these colours too! XO

Wooden Shoe Know? - brown with a glitter

A Roll In The Hague - sunny orange

Did You 'Ear About Van Gogh? - creamy brown

Dutch 'Ya Love OPI? - glittery purple

Gouda Gouda Two Shoes? - glittery blue

I Don't Give A Rotterdam - shiny blue

I Have A Herring Problem - shiny navy blue

Kiss Me On My Tulips - fuchsia

Pedal Faster Suzi! - shiny lilac

Red Lights Ahead... Where? - coral red

Thanks A WindMillion - cream sea green

Vampsterdam - shiny purple

2012-04-04T22:32:00.000+02:00

Feel like...going on a holiday..

because I only have 5 weeks to go and my BFF is in Columbia (aaahhhh ..) now i am surfing for some nice bikini's or swimsuits. Just a small collection, what do you think ?

Just Cavalli Swimsuit € 157

Marc Jacobs Halter Bikini Top € 46

Whistles Swimsuit € 98

Ted Baker Bikini each € 46

Chanel Quilts

2012-03-27T11:38:00.001+02:00

After a wonderful birthday weekend, with an even more scrumptious Chanel cake (courtesy of Oh My Cake), I am now all about quilts. Found some lovely Chanel-esque bags on ASOS which I wanted to share with you girls (and yes, the backpack is for men, but I love myself a backpack for the summer bikerides!) XO

Karen Millen Quilted Limited Edition Shopper

Mango Quilted Bag With Chain Strap

River Island Quilted Backpack

MSGM Neon Quilted Clutch

Barbour Quilted Tarras Bag

Feel that colour!

2012-03-23T17:42:00.000+01:00

Dear girls, I'm sure you're out and about enjoying the lush sunshine, yet I thought I would still let you know that I do fancy myself some coloured pants. COLOUR, COLOUR, COLOUR. This sunshine is definitely getting to me!!

I've picked some favourites, all available at Men at Work. Which one are you dying for?? Happy sunnydays XO

Flaming Pink by Maison Scotch

Let's combat the lovely weather with these army green Dept pants

Although we can't feel blue, these are gorgeous by Stylist's Own

Dare you not go colourful, then at least try these by 8mm