How to style culottes | Part I

These were very much the definition of a post-exam impulse buy in Zara. Actually my friend Grace had been going on and on about how I should try culottes but let's be frank with ourselves and admit that judging them worn by the likes of Karlie Kloss is neither realistic nor will it make them less intimidating.

Yup, culottes are by definition sartorially scary. What do you do with the awkward length that can only be compared to basketball shorts - not my idea of stylish. Do you go for print or plain? High waisted or hip grazing? Flowy or structured? Just so many damn options, you're bound to give up from the very start.

Happy Easter!

These are my last days at home and thank God for the food. All the guilty feels are here but when the sun is out and spring is very much here I can hardly contain all the excitement - in this case it manifested itself in my outfit choice which, for the first time in a long long while, didn't contain any black. Praise the Lord indeed. 

The comfort revolution

When I was 14 I distinctly remember holding a grudge on my mum for not letting me wear skinny jeans like everyone else at my new school. It's funny how certain images stay with you in as much detail as if they are just passing by your eyes; yes, I'm talking about the image of me looking down to my kinda clunky Nike black plimsoles and (cringe) bootcut jeans. 

Taking on monochrome

Looking out my window to the ever-green pastures surrounding my college, it couldn't be further from the bustle and grey concrete of Bucharest's streets. You'd think concrete grey architecture wouldn't be my own choice but when the whole city is dusted (a bit of an understatement) with snow, it turns into something out of fairytale books.

Why do we need to replace black?

There was pink, red, white, and I'm sure at one point in fashion history every color was hailed as the new black. Why was there a need to replace black in the first place?

Perhaps it's so intimidating to every other color. I mean, who else can slim you down, make you feel confident, sexy and sassy but also mysterious, misunderstood and artsy? Black is masculine and strong but it can be as dreamy as a night sky. Depending on the styling, black is always in season and always a statement...in its understated ways.

Which is why I don't want to replace black. Not even with my beloved grey. 

1. Dress 

2. Bobbi Brown Art Pencil and Blush 

3. Jacket 

4. Rucksack  

5. Necklace 

6. Heels 

Operatic opulence

Going to the Opera invariably takes me back to when I was a little (-er) girl, transfixed by the grace of the ballerinas that I then copied for days on end. My parents took me every winter and even if I technically don't live at home anymore I thought it wasn't reason enough to give up our tradition.

Grandpa chic

Thanks to this shirt and cardigan combo I will look like a professor's assistant. Just the look I was going for. Anyway, this is my dream outfit: the soft pinks in the shirt, necklace and trousers is just up my street and that cardigan is the most versatile thing I have which is a good thing since I got it with my own money and if I put something on ebay again which I haven't worn once I'm starting a shopping ban. It's that out of hand. 

Indecisive weather dilemas

How do you deal with bipolar weather?

Romanian visual narrative

Little green dress

Modern matador

These streets

Funk my life up

Romanian Blouse Day

It's really heartwarming and tearjerking when small initiatives find their echo in a wider community. And this is why I have loved and followed 'La Blouse Roumaine', the mastermind behind making the traditional Romanian blouse a staple of national identity and pride, in an era when we're being told that we should dismiss the past and only look to the future.

Grunge for the Leaning Tower of Pisa

Befriending colour

It pains me to tell you that I was feeling like taking some outfit photos and so afterwards, I was left all dressed up with my hair done and a full face of makeup and no idea where to go out! 

Filler

I am shamefully avoiding doing the Tuscany travel post... I feel completely uninspired, journalistically speaking, and at loss with time so off course motivation will not come.

So, instead, I've decided to start a little fashion diary of the outfits I wore during my trip to Italy. Bear in mind that 16 degrees, no matter where you are, is still cold and I had dearly wished I had brought a thicker coat. Put on a brave face though, I was in Bologna after all!

Anthropologie sale gems

These boots are absolute heaven! Bought them at a 50% off sale in Anthropologie from the brand H by Hudson. They are a dream to walk in, despite the 7.5 cm heel and the ballet like square front is actually surprisingly comfortable.

They are the perfect quirky formal boots and I'm so glad I found them in burgundy because it would make for a nice contrast with black and white outfits. Not to mention the burgundy coat and bags I own, tokens of my obsession with the beautiful red hue.

Find the boots HERE.

Falling

Primark sweater; Accessorize triple necklace (HERE); Moschino Cheap and Chic Scarf from TKMaxx; Esprit skirt; Reiss bag; Whistles coat; Vagabond boots

Sephora blue nail polish with Rimmel orange 60 seconds nail polish; custom made amethist ring with Goldstein's diamond ring (HERE) 

Knightsbridge may well be a tourist destination but the backstreets are an iron-fenced-white-washed-stone-facaded maze that few venture on. A big mistake in my opinion since the quintessential posh London lifestyle can be observed only here. When you walk down the winding streets and pass some shiny Aston Martin, you may even pretend that is your car. What I like about it is that that's ok! It's actually encouraged and there is no one to put you to shame for living a fantasy life for a few hours which I completely agree with and exercise myself once in a while.

One glorious Sunday noon I decided to be such a fancy person and obey the rules of the charade game. My new Reiss oxblood bag on cue and Moschino scarf that I forgot I had, I strutted down those streets as if its routine. In fact, I hadn't worn a skirt in absolutely ages and that pained me so I couldn't pass the skirt hangers when putting my outfit together that morning.

After some browsing in Zara that resulted in me falling in love with some badass espadrilles that will shortly find their way to my home and some damage being done in Anthropologie (evidence soon to follow on this space), I headed back to Knightsbridge to the one and only Harrods. Far from being my favourite department store, it does have its perks. I originally came for the Dior events that apparently were taking place but found no trace of them whatsoever so I took refuge at the Bobbi Brown counter, my first stop choice together with Dior. I was advised by the nicest woman ever and left with some goodies that will also grace my blog soon enough and about which I am SO excited! That and the William Curley giant macaroons pretty much sum up my weekend, hope yours was even better! ^.^

The spectacular sunset is on me.

Florence wishlist

Zara dress (HERE); Clarks sandals (HERE); Georgiana Paraschiv Laptop skin (HERE); The New York Times 36 Hours (HERE) and Michelangelo's David (HERE)

The excitement for my upcoming week in Tuscany/Florence in less than a month has started to take its' toll. I decided to productively channel the said enthusiasm in online shopping to find suitable chic, arty outfits that don't look like I've tried too hard. Nude statue of David is optional but you know what they say 'When in Florence...'



P.S: sorry for the crappy photoshop, my skillz are a little rusty