Fashion Caramel

Sense or sensibility ?

2013-05-23T21:00:00.000+02:00

Valentino kitty-heels Rockstud slingbacks available here, here and here;

Saint Laurent Paris stilettos available here and here

How to choose between reason and passion ? A pair of effortless, understated and long-lasting stilettos from Saint Laurent or a pair of bling bling studded slingbacks from Valentino ? Tough choice for yours truly...

xx Marta

The navy top from & Other Stories

2013-05-22T21:24:00.000+02:00

Top- &Otherstories
Jeans - J Brand (or similar here)

Shoes - Mango (similar but better here)
Bag - Céline

While in London last week I had to check out the (almost) new & Other Stories store on Regent street. I had browsed their website before so I knew in advance that some pieces would be great while others would be too much fashion forward for moi. & Other Stories is surprisingly cheaper than you would expect by looking at the pieces in store, which in times of crisis I can only support. All the pieces I tried on were perfectly tailored, the only problem was that they were either not my style or they didn't have my size (I left the store dreaming about this dress and this other one). I will definitely buy again from & Other Stories but online shopping with this brands seems risky as I had many surprises in the dressing room.

xx Marta

Tan is the word - Céline Fall 2013 bags

2013-05-21T22:56:00.001+02:00

Céline Fall 2013 bags (view the entire collection here)

I'm loving the color of these bags from Céline, it seems like fall will bring brown and tan and other earth toned colors back. The tan cabas is needs to go to my ~~too long~~ wishlist, how about you ?

xx Marta

Trend alert - The chunky heel sandal

2013-05-21T00:00:00.000+02:00

credit: Lee Oliveira

Cooler and certainly more comfortable, the chunky heel sandal is this summer's best alternative to high-heeled stilettos.
There is hardly any brand which hasn't come up with some kind of version of the chunky heel sandal, and there is a reason why: this major trend is there to stay. The options are endless and your feet will thank you. That's a promise ^-^.

Nude sandals (stella mccartney), black & nude sandals (chloe), nude & white sandals (zara), dust pink sandals (alexander wang), multicolor sandals (maje), gold sandals (zara), silver sandals (topshop), white sandals (asos), studded sandals (isabel marant), multistrap sandals (mango), black sandals (alexander wang), buckle sandals (aldo)

As for me, I have fallen for the Mango nude heels and I couldn't be happier. How about you, what will be your pick ?

Have a great week !

xx Marta

Fresh look #2

2013-05-17T02:46:00.000+02:00

Photo credit: Net-a-Porter

White and jeans is a winning combo and this look proves it well. Love E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G.

The shoes and bag are from Alexander Wang and you can find them here and here (similar shoes here), the jean are from J Brand (here) and the jacket is from Vanessa Bruno (here).

Greetings from London,

xx Marta

The Lucrezia bag

2013-05-15T21:30:00.000+02:00

Givenchy Lucrezia bag in linen

Givenchy's Lucrezia bag is obviously not the most original style out there but oh boy, I love this bag ! It reminds me of the perfect LV Sofia Coppola bag but in an edgier (and more affordable) version. I am now almost sure that my next bag* will be the Lucrezia or Saint Laurent's classic duffle bag.

The Lucrezia bag is also available in red, black grained leather, orange, khaki, and blue.

xx Marta

* But then again I also love the Givenchy Antigona bag...

I need a work dress

2013-05-13T23:06:00.003+02:00

Victoria Beckham Autumn Winter 2013 (source: style.com)

In a few days I am attending a conference for work and I have been invited to speak up for a video interview. Nothing really fancy to be honest but I got really confused with the clothing guidelines: no white, no red, no black, no stripes, no busy patterns, no hot or bright color tones. Mmmm. Exactly. And because for some reason (aka Victoria Beckham) I think I should be wearing a dress all I have to do is find one fitting the (strict) guidelines...

From top left: cobalt blue dress (philosophy by alberta ferretti), navy blue and white dress (whistles), crepe blue dress (vivienne westwood anglomania), navy turtleneck dress (alice + olivia), two-tone dress (theory)

Which one do you think I should get ?

Any other suggestions would be welcomed !

xx Marta

Tiger top

2013-05-11T14:20:00.004+02:00

Jules wearing a Zara tank top

Forget about Kenzo tiger sweaters, they were too much the first day they appeared on the runaway and they are still too much now. But if you're looking for a tiger top try this one from Zara, the perfect top for a beach day. Needless to say that super babe Jules got it just right.

xx Marta

The suit

2013-05-08T23:42:00.003+02:00

Mira Duma, Caroline Issa and a beautiful stranger (help me out here!) - credit: Stockholm Streetstyle and TrendyCrew

As a working girl myself I was happy to discover the days when women realized that work-appropriate clothes didn't mean having to wear a suit every day. I have had my share of suits in the past but I have to admit that that period of my fashion-loving life was very boring. The creativity I used back than to come up with an outfit was only about choosing a blouse or to decide whether to wear a pinstripe trousers suit or a knee-skirt suit. Yes, it was that bad. You can imagine my panic attack when I started sensing that the suit was back, and apparently to stay. But like everything in fashion, what goes around comes around,with a twist. The twist being the colors (lots of color), the whites, the prints and the cuts. I'm guessing that the suit will not be as boring this time around...

White Stella Mccartney suit, Blue Chloè suit, red Stella Mccartney suit, Helmut Lang suit (Matchesfashion)

Hot pink suit and checked suit from Zara, baby pink suit from Mango

Happy long weekend to the lucky ones !

xx Marta

The sheer checked blouse

2013-05-05T21:58:00.001+02:00

Checked blouse - Zara (sold out but similar here)

Skirt - Topshop (old but similar here)

Sandals - Mango (sold out but similar here)

Today we finally experienced sandals-appropriate weather and I had to take advantage of it. I'm wearing my new favorite blouse and my most comfortable pair of heeled sandals. Unfortunately they both already sold out, but there are still some cool alternatives out there.

I hope you enjoyed the nice weather today too, wherever you are. Have a great week !

xx Marta

Fresh look #1

2013-05-03T10:52:00.000+02:00

I love everything on this outfit, the tailored but relaxed shorts, the flower bomber jacket and the simple flats. This is what I call a fresh look for spring. All from Zara.

xx Marta

Instagram Love - My month in pictures - April

2013-05-01T22:00:00.000+02:00

It seems very far away now but we were in Miami during the first weeks of April. Looking at the pictures again I just want one thing now, summer holidays !!

xx Marta

All white, snake-effect shoes and a mini bag

2013-04-29T21:19:00.005+02:00

Sweater - Zara (similar here)

Trousers - Zara

Shoes - Michael Kors (similar but better here)

Bag - Céline

With the spring coming (and already here actually, depending on the days) I want to wear white every day. Yes, I am so predictable and such a fashion-victim... I hope you're experiencing spring as well, it's so nice after the long and cold winter we had this year. What is your favorite color this spring ?

Have a great week !

xx Marta

Overalls - Love or Hate ?

2013-04-28T21:00:00.000+02:00

Aimee and Alexa Chung

Sab and Karen

Heidi Klum and Eva

I remember wearing overalls in the 80s but as I was child, that was my excuse.To put it simply, I find overalls really an abomination, it is really difficult to find a piece of clothing that is so unflattering. They are for sure very practical for construction workers and other handymen but why would we wear them on the streets ? And for some crazy reason they are back and everywhere...

For me it's a huge HATE, how about you ?

If you are a fan, check out the options from Topshop (long or short), or try therapy ^-^.

xx Marta

J.Crew jewelry

2013-04-25T21:34:00.002+02:00

Blair and her famous J.Crew pave link bracelet

tortoise flower necklace, crystal necklace, pastel necklace, pave link bracelet, neon bracelet, stone bracelet

I discovered J.Crew a few years ago through other fashion blogs without much of an opinion to be honest. Preppy, put together style, classic but yet modern J.Crew is the image of the new american style. I am not a fan of their entire collections but I have to admit that a few pieces and mostly their jewelry line is quite appealing. The pave link bracelet worn multiple times by Blair would look perfect with my Hermès enamel bracelet, top notch chic bling alert !

xx Marta

The pointy toe flats

2013-04-23T22:00:00.000+02:00

Helena and her Valentino Rockstud flats

The comfort of ballet shoes, the sexyness of the pointy toe stilettos, the pointy toe flats combine the best of both worlds. It would be crazy to resist...

from top left: purple d'orsay flats (chinese laundry), slingback pointy flats (zara), ankle strap nude flats (topshop), white d'orsay flats (jenni kayne), rubber strap flats (& other stories), red ballet flats (sergio rossi)

In a perfect world, my choice goes for the Valentinos or the fabulous Jenni Kayne (you know I have been lusting for them for a while now...). In real life I would go for the Miu Miu style Zara flats i or the & Other Stories rubber flats. How about you, any pointy flats in your closet ?

Have a great week !

xx Marta

Instagram Love - My month in pictures - March

2013-04-19T21:55:00.000+02:00

Here are my Instagram March pictures, slightly late but there are here. The big highlight of the month was the bloggers night at Smets Brussels where I met the sweet Tiany, our belgian fashion icon ❤ and where I wore the famous Victoria Beckham dress (more details on that here).

Have a great weekend !

xx Marta

On my mind #1

2013-04-18T22:00:00.000+02:00

This is what I have on my mind now: a nude crochet dress, a bright colored skirt, a pair of lace-up (affordable) sandals, a tropical print clutch, a Vix bikini and a few basic tees to add to my collection.

crochet dress (maje), bikini top (vix) and bottom (vix), basic tees in nude (velvet), grey (velvet), white (velvet)
and black (velvet), lace-up sandals (zara), palm trees clucth (oysho), pink mini skirt (diane von furstenberg)

How about you, what is in your mind today ?

xx Marta

My little pearl grey Céline Trio bag

2013-04-16T23:02:00.003+02:00

Celine Trio bag in "pearl grey" and a gold Michael Kors watch

Remember when I got my Christmas gift a month later because I couldn't find it anywhere ? Well, this time we got my birthday gift one month in advance, just to be sure. I had many doubts about the color of my Céline Trio bag but I finally decided for one of this season's new colors, a light grey shade called "pearl grey". A nice change from my usual black but still wearable enough all year round (no Marie, I didn't go for the bright pink one, that one was way more difficult to pull off).

Also comparing to my Christmas gift, this bag is way more practical, so much lighter (feather weight to be precise) and definitely cheaper; plus, it perfectly matches my new Michael Kors watch too. Seriously, one of my best bags to day.

And if you are tempted by a light grey bag other than the Trio or if you wouldn't say no to a pair of "souris" Pigalle shoes, check out my selection.

Marcie bag (Chloè), Pigalle shoes in "souris" (Christian Louboutin),
Classic Q mini bag (Marc by Marc Jacobs), mini Marcie bag (Chloè)

And don't forget, this is just the start of grey power, next autumn/winter we will taste all the shades of grey (no word play here)...

xx Marta

Crisp white shirt and vintage jeans

2013-04-15T00:55:00.004+02:00

Vintage wash jeans - 7 For all Mankind (same style in a darker wash here)

White shirt - Zara

Nude shoes - Christian Louboutin (similar here)

A pair of jeans and a white shirt are these basic items that I have owned for as long as I can remember. Every season I update my wardrobe with a new white shirt and (at least) a new pair of jeans. Wearing them together is for sure not a big fashion statement but probably because of that, this timeless outfit is one of my favorites. I hope you enjoy the simplicity of it ^-^.

xx Marta

Ps: by the way, I'm back in Brussels, and for those who asked our Miami trip was spectacular. It was our first time over there with the kids and although these two weeks were very different from our previous time as a kids-free couple it wasn't less spectacular. I definitely recommend it if you want to go as a family, ask me for tips as I do have a few...

All crazy about skorts !

2013-04-02T22:00:00.000+02:00

Annette

Hallie, Courtney and Tesa

Dena and Enocha

Every season our favorite main street stores come up with a few "it" pieces which spread across the fashion blogosphere (and the streets) faster than you can name them. This season one of these are the Zara skorts (a strange mix between a skirt and shorts, very popular in the 90s), first released in white but also available in black now, and seen E.V.E.R.Y.W.H.E.R.E.

Available in white and black

I definitely love the front look of these, the asymetric style so close to what Isabel Marant showed us just a few weeks ago is indeed perfect. However, I cannot pass the fact that these are skorts... I mean, really ? Skorts are one of those things which I hoped to never see again after the crazyness in the 90s. I have worn my share of skorts, and honestly I don't want to take that route again. I mean, it's like if the scrunchie would made a comeback. Yes, my point exactly.

xx Marta

Need a new pair of black ankle boots ?

2013-03-29T22:00:00.000+01:00

Topshop black ankle boots

Finding the perfect black ankle boots has always been a challenge to me. I have a few ~~many~~ but I'm still looking for a more perfect pair. These ones from Topshop seem to be very perfect, the mix of leather and suede, the buckle, the pointy toe, the chunky heel, the reasonable price... Everything screams perfection...

Have a nice weekend !

xx Marta

The most perfect dress ever made

2013-03-27T23:50:00.000+01:00

Victoria Beckhal tiered mini-dress avaialable at Smets Brussels and online here

The weirdest thing happened to me yesterday. I went to the Smets Brussels bloggers event to catch up with my dear friend Yeba and for fun I tried a couple of designer dresses. Although I love fashion and I can invest in a pair of designer shoes or a designer bag I have a problem with real designer clothes (2000 € for a skirt is surreal to me). Being at Smets and being able to try everything on was MY opportunity to test if I should change my mind.

Let me tell you, I don't know if the price tag really justifies the piece but when I put on this Victoria Beckham dress all my flaws magically disappeared. Really, you can ask Yeba, she can tell you how good it looked, and way better in person than on the picture. Like every woman I'm usually not happy with my own reflection in the mirror but for the real first time I thought to myself "man, I look hot !". It fitted (almost) like a glove and made me feel super confident.

Now, is the dress worth 2500 € ? Unfortunately not for my bank account, but it is a stunning, gorgeous, magnificient, more-than-perfect dress and if I win the lotto getting it will be the first thing on my list.

I'm wearing a Victoria Beckham dress and Mango shoes - Victoria Beckham in the same dress from her SS13 collection (credit: style.com)

I can finally agree with my mother. Since I was a teenager she has been telling me that if a dress doesn't fit me, the problem is the dress, not me. And you know what ? She is totally right ! Now, mummy, can you buy me this Victoria Beckham dress ? My birthday IS coming up...

xx Marta

The pink trousers and the striped blouse

2013-03-25T22:00:00.000+01:00

Striped blouse - Zara

Fuchsia trousers - Zara

Pumps - Christian Louboutin (similar here)

The weather was so bad last weekend that my outfit pictures were taken inside, in front of the mirrror. This sounds very depressing I know, but I was not going to take my precious Louboutins for a spin in the snow, right ?. The only option was to take the pictures inside and to be honest this is where I spent the day, warm at home.

xx Marta

The striped wrap blouse and the checked shirt

2013-03-23T20:52:00.002+01:00

Striped blouse and checked shirt

The best way to update a wardrobe is probably by getting a few "on trend" tops to wear with any of the basic pieces in your closet. At least to me, when I'm bored with my wardrobe a new blouse is enough to get me excited again. This season I found two from Zara which I really like: the "oh-so-popular" striped silk blouse, perfectly cut and right on the black & white trend and a checked sheer shirt, totally Dries Van Noten-inspired. I got them both.

How about you, how do you update your wardrobe every season ?

xx Marta