Comfy Can be Elegant / How to Shop Smart!

Ohhh...it's finally Spring!
Because I'm all about fashion (except the way it affects me...we'll talk about that later), as soon as the sun start warming everything around me, I start thinking about elegant dresses, with perfect shapes and cuts! And when one thinks about that, one sure thinks about the retro designs (or the Japanese patterns...also).
So, I say we enjoy a video from the '40s. IN COLOR!!!

They were simple and elegant and looking perfect. Don't you think? There was a high class when it came to dressing...even for a walk in the park. I wish things would be the same again... I wish that people would start caring more about how they look and understand that the way you present yourself in front of others could be a sign of respect (given to them).

I'm pretty sure you will start saying that not everybody has the money for looking good. People, believe me when I tell you, looking good is not about how much you spend, but how you spend it.

Here are some useful tips on how to look great, on a budget
1. Always be clean and have a clean look!!! I can't stress this enough. No loose hems, no holes in your blouse, no loose seems!!! I think more people should have a home sewing machine, to be able to fix problems like this. They really are not that expensive! BUT, if you don't want to spend on one, just take a needle and a matching sewing thread and start working your fingers on fixing the mess.
It's simply unforgivable to appear in public like that (for man and woman)!
So, it doesn't matter if your clothes aren't the newest. By taking care of them and fixing their problems, you will look great!

2. Be careful what you buy! When it comes to basic pieces I think you could spend more. Because those pieces will be with you for a very very long time (basic pieces are always in...that's why they are called basic). ;)

3. Don't be afraid to check out thrift stores. Other fashion bloggers make a real passion/hobby out of digging for treasures there and they really find them! Don't judge a skirt by the fact that it sits in a pile of fashion wrongs. With a little wash and ironing, it will come back to life!
But! Don't start buying things just because they are cheap! You will end up spending more money (even if you do have more stuff...but you won't wear them!!!). Here too, less is more!

4. Take a look in your mom's or your grandmother's closets. They might still have some great dresses or jackets in there!!!

5. Never-ever buy something that doesn't fit you perfectly!!! If you can't find that perfect fit because you are in between sizes (no worries, most people are), take them to somebody that can fit them for you.
Before doing that, make sure to talk to a seamstress. She can tell you what to buy and what can she adjust, in order for it to be cheap. Being informed it's way easier! For example: you try a pair of pants but they are to big at the waist, fit you perfect on the butt and too long on the leg. This is simple to adjust! Because she only has to fit the waist and cut the length!
Again: when clothes fit you good, you look good!!!

Follow those rules and you will be able to look great, no matter the trends or season.
If you have any questions, I am more then happy to answer them! ;)

Ride the Pegas!

Everybody is extremely excited in Romania!
PEGAS is back!!!

As you can see from the images, PEGAS is a bicycle. But not just any bicycle! It's an image of our childhood! All my friends had one when they were kids and so did I! And the connection between a child and his/hers bicycle simply cannot be broken!

I don't ride anymore. I'm not even sure I remember how to do it...but you know what they say 'Easy as riding a bicycle!'...so I'm hoping! Because I really really REALLY want one!!!

Of course, this comeback is with a new look, just perfect for the urban life. But believe me, when one is talking about PEGAS, it's all about the little flying horse! I guess it's something like wanting to have the cool jaguar on the hood of your car (uh...me, I hate the new flatted image they got going on right now...but that's another story).

So, hopefully you're feeling me in my love for PEGAS! And...maybe one of these days I'll get one! +lots and lots of pictures with it!!!Images: Bicicletele Pegas

Words of Fashion

from: Hybrid Studio

Ready For the Heat?

Like most of you, I too struggle with the effects Summer has on my body!
In May, the almost suicidal mission starts. ;))) I exaggerate, of course...but partially it's true. First, you say good-bye to everything you like and then you start doing/eating everything you hate!

No fun...sports and diets and creams and so on. I just don't know why I don't take care of my body all year long. :( It would be a lot easier... But 'easy' is NOT my middle name! I complicate things...

That's what we do: everything possible to reach the 'ideal' body.
But, did you ever think about it as 'the ideal body of OUR generation'? This retro add I found reminded me of how beauty was always a different thing, a different feeling, always depending on the period of time.

And with that being sad, let m tell you what I think.
Beauty: what one likes, loves, appreciates...it regards our taste in everything.
In Romania, we have a saying (one that I use a lot):

Gusturile nu se discuta!
Tastes (in fashion/culture/wine/food/decorations etc.) are not a subject of discussion

That refers to the fact that 'tastes' a too personal to try to convince somebody otherwise. Don't you agree?

Have a great Summer!!!:*

Fashionable Mail

I'm not talking about that mail that needs 'internet connection'. No, now we'll be talking about the good-old-fashioned mail, that needs paper, a pen, an envelope and...a STAMP!

Why? Well, Johnson Banks have designed a set of postage stamps that celebrate the last 60 years of British fashion. I'm just wondering, are they trying to make the postal office cool again?! Joking...but, really now, I wouldn't mind getting (or writing) a real letter from time to time. Actually, one of my favorite activity while on vacation, is sending postcards!

Now, start planning how in your life is cool/nice/sweet/good enough to deserve a letter from you! I know I am doing the same thing!Text from Johnson Banks (pretty cool, enjoy!):

The great British fashion stamps have been created by London-based graphic designers Johnson Banks, who commissioned highly respected fashion photographer Sølve Sundsbø to photograph 10 outfits chosen to summaries the last 60 years of British fashion. live models – as opposed to static fashion mannequins – were used to achieve dynamic postures and a sense of movement. the models had to embody the ideal silhouettes of the various fashion eras and fit perfectly into the surviving existing garments.


The two-day photo shoot took place at Sundsbø’s London studio. some of the clothes were obtained directly from the designers, whilst others were sourced from specialist vintage fashion stores. Johnson Banks worked closely with the photographer and his assistants, stylists and hair and wig artists. Following the shoot, the features of the models and the background were erased from the images in order to focus the viewer’s gaze upon each of the distinctive British fashion designs.

'It’s hard to make clothes look interesting if no one’s wearing them,' explains Johnson Banks creative director Michael Johnson. 'on a tailor’s dummy they seem flat and lifeless. on the other hand, we didn’t want models or celebrities to distract from the design, which is what we are celebrating.
For example, there’s a great photo of Ringo Starr wearing a classic Tommy Nutter suit in the 1970s, but you just think, ‘there’s a great photo of Ringo’ and don’t look at the suit.'
 
Johnson and co-designer Kath Tudball decided on a radical compromise: shoot the clothes being modelled for real but then digitally remove the faces and hands. First, however, they had to actually get hold of the precious artifacts, which meant the long process of persuading the designers or their estates to loan them out for a few days or sourcing them from obliging vintage stores (a task that took over three months).

The striking images finally came together during a two-day shoot June 2011. afterwards, judicious cropping and retouching were used to bring out the lines, textures and movement of the garments – for once, it was the clothes that were striking a pose.

From: Designboom

Kate and Day and Freckles

I came across this set of photos a few days ago. Taken by one of my all-time favorite photographer: Corrine Day. Portraying Kate Moss and her adorable freckles!

Why am I showing them?
Do I really need a reason? Well, maybe most of you would say Because it's Kate! or the smart-ass would say Because it's Day!. Or the list could go on...but not with the right answer...

The truth is...it's because I love her freckles! From: Everyday I Show

Grandma's Dress

For New Year's Eve, we (me and my friends) decided to have a 60's inspired party. All cute and nice and official!

Everything was set: the food, the drinks, the music, the girl's dresses, the boy's outfits. Everything except one thing: MY dress! Imagine me going all crazy, with absolutely 0 time to make myself a dress...depression, sadness, crying (all great reaction, that us girls know best).

The solution came from my grandmother who gave me the dress you see in the image (under the condition I don't do anything to it). What can I say? LOOOVVVVEEEEE IT!

But in the end I decided to go with something else (a retro late 50s beaded cardigan with an Arina Varga skirt. It just felt more New Year Party like...

Even so...this dress is staying with me! I'm ignoring my 85 year old grandmother when she calls and asks for it back!!! What?!?!?!? I like it (and she know that...but she also like to tease me a lot).

Aaahhhhh...nothing compares to my grandmother's wardrobe. Below, you can also see some shots I took of her apartment (filled with precious useless stuff that I adore)!
Kisses and love to my grandmother!!!Me and my grandma, last Summer, on her 85th birthday! Images: theFword

What's New Pussycat?

Pussycat, Pussycat
I love you
Yes, I do!
You and your pussycat face!

Must love the cat-eye-glasses!
Deliciously evil, sexy and mysterious!..don't you agree? They are just able to give you that special look you've been craving for!

But be careful! You should be able to over-power them, so that they don't wear you...but you wear them!

Fashion Talk

Read a little...
Smile a little...
Agree a little...

Fashion. All this and more!From: Fashion-Z

Just Dance...for Fashion Sake!

Fashion History in an Image 9

The photo is of South African golfer Gary Player, who wore these pants at the 1960 Open Championship to show his support for ending apartheid. Player stated the pants were ‘a quiet protest, of bringing white and black together".

Power to the people! See! Fashion can be a statement, of more then your personal style...
From: StyleMounties

Fashion History in an Image 8

*Don't compromise yourself. You are all you've got.
*Guess what, I might be the first hippie pinup girl.
*I won't quit to become someone's old lady.
*I'm one of those regular weird people.
*On stage I make love to twenty five thousand people; and then I go home alone. This only to show that you don't have to be a bombshell to be part of fashion history! Or to have your very own iconic style! Sometimes, being quirky is the best thing that can happen to you!

Today, I give you Janis Joplin!
The woman that (after my mom) shined over my childhood...with a fantastic voice, that will haunt you forever! Haunt because it's not smooth, it's not silky...it's hard and hypnotic. Perfect!

My dear Janis Joplin!, you are a style icon!

Harry Potter is James Dean?!?!?!?!

OK OK OK OOOOOOOK!
Relax!
It's all about a smoking hot photoshoot by GQ Magazine!

Now, I keep asking my self what else to say...No idea. I just know I love James Dean. And now...I think I love Harry Potter (for the first time I'm looking at him and think yummy!). But pufff....who is not in love with James Dean??? Who?:)))From: GQ Magazine

Green Pink Lips

Now, do you remember this lipstick? If you are Romanian and about my age, you must remember it! It's a must!

As a kid, I used to be fascinated with it, whenever I saw my mom using it. Why? Well, first of all, the design! Shiny gold with a funky texture->LOVE! And, as the French would say, la pièce de résistance: the fact that it's green and when you use it...it turns PINK on your lips! Magic...

I went absolutely crazy when I fount a couple of them last week (yep...bought them all)! So I'm saving most of them as gifts for special people. Because this...this is a piece of our childhood!Images: theFword

Vinyl Love

For the past week, the subject of "vinyls" just keeps popping in every conversation! Starting with a music festival somewhere near where I live, continuing the arriving of the Hero and finishing with me decorating a very important place.

As an individual I was known as the DJ or the mixer.
Grandmaster Flash

So, in order to celebrate this spooky coincidences, here are a few photos with old-school, cooler then cool celebrities and vinyls! In perfect order: Jimi Hendrix, Marilyn Monroe, Björk, Debbie Harry and Chris Stein, Jack Nicholson and Angelica Houston, Sophia Loren (uh...she always looks lovely), Audrey Hepburn, Elvis Presley and John Lennon.

It's true. There's a special experience in finding a vinyl record. The hunt, the digging it takes...and then, getting home and losing yourself in the music. The sound the needle makes when it touches the record...priceless! From: MC Winkles

Pugs and Fashion

Ever since Frankie, aka. Frankie Frank, entered my life, I started researching on the connection between pugs and fashion. And, to my surprise...there is a big and strong connection!

I'm sure that Valentino is the one that made pugs so fashionable! :)) But even so, they are soooo cute!!!...and I'm not just saying that because I have one! ;)
Now, after seeing all these images, I can't wait for Autumn! Mwahahahaha! Yes, I can already imagine a shoot with Frankie and a few of my designs! Yes! It will be fantastic! :D

This is pug-love! And...as usual...I'm sharing the LOVE! ;)From: Frankie Frank