FRIDAY FAVOURITES

Karl, Hudson Kroenig and Cara Delevingne
Chanel Haute Couture SS14 show
See Style Spotted tomorrow!

I  ♡ Karl gloves
from Karl's official Instagram, @karllagerfeld 

Nike Running App
It's amazing! Might do a Thursday Thought
post on it next week

Bows of all colours, shapes and sizes
I intend on making my own instead
of spending myriads in
American Apparel 

"I'd Rather Go Blind" - Etta James
I'm currently doing this as a duet
with my vocal coach.

♡♡♡

Luxe

THURSDAY THOUGHTS: Mushroom Grey and Watermelon Pink

Watermelon pink and mushroom grey with a
spruce of gold

Yay or Nay?

I'll admit, at first when my nail technician stated the rising popularity of this new IN colour, Mushroom Grey, my first instinct was "absolutely no". I've never really found that fondness that my family all hold for mushrooms, so why on Earth would I want my nails painted in that colour?

While hesitant at first, after a long debacle, I was finally convinced to just chillax and let her do the work. Almost an hour and a half later, this is how I went home. 

Looking to the photo and back at the nails now, I'll say that the colour combination is definitely growing on me. I like the nomadic grey tone against the brightness of the pink, as well as the little "Still January - still New Year's Month" festivity on the ring finger. 

♡♡♡

Luxe

WEDNESDAY WISHLIST

Chloé

This beautiful fitted silk blazer from Chloé deserves a spot in my wardrobe with the promise that I will probably wear it alongside absolutely everything I own as that is just how much I love it. A charmingly sophisticated, yet perfectly minimalist to dress up and down while still looking classy - perfect alongside a pair of skinny jeans or tailored trousers and heels.

Delpozo SS14

How have I only just come across Delpozo? Both the top and the shorts fit my personal style to a T. I would definitely wear the top with my pair of leather pants, and the shorts with a nicely cut black blazer with a light grey blouse or shirt underneath. Thoughts?

MSGM 

I know this is kind of wild, and I don't think this would suit me at all, but there's something beautiful about these pleated trousers which caught my eye immediately. The closest garment I own to this is a pair of harem-ish style tweet trousers from Chloê, I don't own anything camel, either. According to Jan's American Vogue, Anna Wintour has stated that 2014 is a year to try new things, and express your personality on your sleeve.

Diptyque in Lavender

I love candles. They set the scene whether it's a romantic night for two, the key to a beautifully aromatic scent filling the whole house with beauty during the day, or the extra decorative piece added to a coffee table or mantel piece. 

Along with the rose, Lavender is also a scent that I adore; maybe it brings back all the nostalgia of the lavender potpourri of my grandmother's place. It's not only an naturally delicate scent, but burning lavender oil before sleeping is one method to rest assure you of a good night's sleep. 

♡♡♡

Luxe

TUESDAY STYLE SPOTTED: Felipe Oliveira Baptista Spring 2014

Felipe Oliveira Baptista Spring 2014 Campaign

Minimalism 

Several of the aspects I identify as the most defining feature coinciding with classic pieces is the use of linear cut and block coloured garments without the need for adding a thousand textures to create one pool of eye and mind confusing chaos (*cough* Prada 2014)

I believe the perfect outfit consists of equilibrium between something that looks ground-breaking on the runway, but also something that one can wear on the streets without looking like a bouffant.

To follow through with this, the act of wearing a single designer from head-to-toe will submerge the look in to chaos and flashy vulgarity, however, Bapista's absence of trending texture and juxtaposing colour makes this rare look applicable.

While Felipe Oliveira Bapista's work doesn't quite date back to the iconic works of Chanel-Chanel or Schiaperelli, having only opened his self-titled house in 2003. I find a sense of this harmonious equilibrium carried through the his works, iconised by Chanel and Schiaperelli.

Exploring in to a more minimalist territory that differs against the vibrance of his last Spring line, and distinguishes him from the boisterous textures of other high-end lines, Bapista has taken a minimalistic approach to his Spring line, hinting military and sophisticated masculine undertones, while softening this with the use of lighter colour connotation.

Ma Look Préférée:
Whether it is the photography, the mise-en-scene or the garment choice, this image clearly stands out as significantly more elegant, delineating not only a look of sophistication, but emanating an unobtrusive storyline to complete the whole look.

This look consists of a powerful mix between street-style and High-End chic, though not too bold to make the whole look overwhelming - a rare combination in modern day fashion.

The crisp white swing coat allows for a rare versatility between dressing up or down, whether it be an eye catching purse, shoes, or statement jewellery to add a smidgen of colour to the otherwise, minimalist look.

Call it boring, but after all, less is more, wouldn't you agree?

♡♡♡

Luxe 

FITSPIRATION MONDAY: Safe Snacking

Consistent exercise and dieting are the key ingredients in the fight towards weight-loss, yet contrary to popular belief, opting for just one of these won't achieve results. I know - I've tried.

Today I'll be talking about snacking, something I think we're all pretty familiar with. How many times a day do we find ourselves sifting through the cupboard/fridge until we can find something sweet or savoury or totalling triple digits on the calorie count to satisfy our snacking hunger? For me, I'm a total chocoholic; particularly at this post-Christmas time of the year where we've a ready abundance of chocolate just waiting to be eaten.

That being said, last week, I completely rebooted the kitchen snacking system; I did an enormous detox throw out of all the junk food sneaking around, and bought only the items I felt would aid in my reaching my goals.

On the Go:

• Almonds (Essential fats and a whole lot of protein for a tiny nut)
• Peaches (Antioxidants - think clear skin)
• Bananas (High in potassium) 
• Berries (Antioxidants, again)
• Blueberries (Superfood)
• Greek yogurt (Calcium, no added sugar, natural bacteria: Mix two table spoons of Greek yogurt with one table spoon of a yummy yogurt, alternatively, use Splenda or Stevia to naturally sweeten the taste)
• Celery (No sugar, full of water to hydrate) 
• Carrots (Make you see in the dark...Just kidding! Improved vision and reduces the risk of cancer)
• Cucumber (Water rich, cure for hangovers, reduces the risk of cancer, aids in digestion)
• Cashews (Low unsaturated fat, low GI, reduce risk of heart disease)
• Dark chocolate square (No added sugar, lower blood pressure, increases brain blood flow)
• Dried apricots, cranberries, apples, mango (with no added sugar)
• Acai berries (antioxidants, amino acids, essential fatty acids)

Light and Easy:

• Banana and chocolate powder Protein Shake (2 minutes)
• Celery and peanut butter (1 minute)
• Avocado, cottage cheese, diced tomato on a rye Cruskit x 2 (4 minutes)
• Tuna on a rye Cruskit x 2 (2 minutes)
• Kale, apple carrot grape juice (5 minutes) - as seen on Shutterbean - life changer
• Coconut water (can buy from a local vendor) 
• Hard boiled egg (3 minutes)
• Berry salad (5 minutes - add greek yogurt and honey on top for a super healthy, delicious snack)
• Protein pancakes (10 minutes) 
• Frozen yogurt covered fruit (freeze overnight for a light and easy morning snack)
• Frozen berry, greek yogurt, banana smoothie (5 minutes)
• Vegetable and cheese omelet (3 minutes)

If you need some more Fitspiration, head over to my Pinterest boards:

Fitspiration

Guilt-Free Foodie

♡♡♡

Luxe