Fashion
In line with this year's blush pink holiday home decore trend, I got inspired for my post-holiday #ootd with blush pink, gold and a dash of sparkle colors and hues.
One of the most inspiring fashion influencers for me is most definitely Blair behind the well-known blog Atlantic Pacific, I love how Blair styles her looks and how she brilliantly wears bold colors.
In this pregnancy #ootd I am wearing some pieces from her limited edition collection for Nordstrom called Halogen.
A POP OF COLOR & A DASH OF SPARKL.
Although I am not foreign to adding color to my #ootd's I am certainly not very bold when wearing and styling colors which I would like to be and I am trying to change, because colors I am wearing indeed very much affect my mood (just like the weather does).For this look, I went with three stand out pieces: Halogen double-breasted wool blazer which reminds me of iconic Balmain blazer, my super old gold pleated skirt and sparkly mary jane flats also from Halogen collection.
PLEATED SKIRTS IN PREGNANCY.
Pleated A-line skirts are one of my pregnancy go to pieces because you can easily fit them just above the belly and just tuck the waist in when you can't close the zipper fully anymore due to your belly size. The gold metalic color of this one just ads aditional pop to this festive look.
SILK HAIR SCARF.
I have been wearing head scarves for years now to tame by long and rebelious hair, as God knows I am not very creative with my hair styling, but since past Summer I have been transitioning the seasons with this pink neck scarf from Uterque which I use to add a preppy flair to my every day ponny tails, buns or braids.I love how Barcelona's Gotico old town quarters where we shot this post give an antique and misterious back drop to this preppy and festive look.
Lastly, a pair of shoes I thought I would not wear often as I would never think of pointy shoes let alone glittery ones to be this comfortable but this pair made me absolutely change my mind and I wore then more than any of my flats so far. Even on my tired and swollen prego feet.
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Ethical fashion labels are my go-to choice whenever I manage to find a size and item that suits my personal aesthetics and most 'statement pieces' I have in my closet are done by independent designers. This oversized neon yellow and green jacket by Slovenian designer Miro Misljen is one of those pieces. This jacket is not something you would wear every day as you would a black coat but it is a true statement piece I often get questions about when I wear it.
As I am now 23 (almost 5 months) weeks pregnant all of the oversized clothing pieces are part of my daily outfits. For this look I was inspired by overized shoulders and sleeves so I styled Miro Misljen's stand out oversized jacket with my Asos chunky neon yellow sweater with braided sleeves while I kept the bottom of the outfit in black.
These sides tie up leggings reminded me of braiding on the sweater sleeves so I used this to connect top and bottom of the outfit. I got them a while ago from Nasty Gal if I remember correctly. The tight high suede S.Weitzman boots I got a few seasons back and they continue to be one of my best footwear investments.
Although, any pregnant women will tell you there is no such thing as comfortable footwear during pregnancy (if you exclude Uggs, Crocs and similar shoes which I don't consider shoes) sooner or later even sneakers bother your swelling feet especially if you run around a lot during whole pregnancy like I do.
Finally, when it comes to the dressing, I try to use my #ootds to brighten my mood as I am a mateoropathic person so I try to use rich, vivid clothing colors in Fall and Winter to brighten my outfit as for my mood it seems to be equally beneficial for my mood as bright and warm rays of Winter sunshine.
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This might not be your typical maternity outfit but it really works in so many ways. Other that is not so typical for pregnant women to wear head to toe white or cream as, well, all the curves are showing already in the second trimester, there are ways to wear it in combination with print and black to bread the head to toe one tone and to emphasize the waist and break the body curve.
MATERNITY WEAR OR REGULAR CLOTHES SIZE BIGGER?
For me this wasn't the question when I was pregnant with Anabela, I literally got all black maternity essentials and then combined them with floaty dresses and tunics I already had in my regular size closet.
What I do not feel at all comfortable wearing are pants and skirts so in this pregnancy as with my first I invested in Mamalicious over the bump leggings in basic black, navy and grey colors. These are suppppper comfortable to wear casual, for a workout or dressy with the wool sweater and over the knee boots.
Another thing I am getting in large quantity is pregnancy, over the belly tights in tan and black color as I do wear a lot of dresses during pregnancy. The last thing you want or need at this challenging life period is having pants or tights cutting into the middle of your belly, so do not save on comfortable bottoms during pregnancy.
ANIMAL PRINT ACCESSORY
Those of you who read my blog for a while know I am not shy to wear animal print or any other print or color for that matter. For this #ootd post, I was inspired by Mango's last collection with beautiful chunky knitted wool and cashmere pieces in nude.
Mango is where I got this super soft and comfortable knitted maxi strap dress (I got it in size bigger than usual not to feel super tight over my belly) which I then styled with organic cotton black t-shirt from H&M, I used my black eco-leather jacket from Free People to break the all beige silhouette and snake-skin boots from Mango to add a pop of print to the look.
These boots are not made for walking and I also got them in size bigger i.e. my prego swelling feet as these do not have a zipper closure but are rather pull on kind of knee-high boots.
I do hope you enjoyed my take on maternity clothing in this post, of course, this is not the outfit I would wear to park with Anabela, I would just switch the boots for black leather sneakers and pray to God my toddler doesn't spill anything on the nude dress 😂, because let's face it, wearing light colors for a mother is really living on the edge.
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The classic piece, every closet staple - the all mighty classic trench coat is one of those pieces you are recommended to invest in and wear over and over again as it never gets out of style. It is a perfect transitional piece which will take you from early Spring to late Fall or in the warmer climate like Spain's, it might be warm enough to wear all Winter long.
This investment piece also makes a fabulous holiday gift for your loved one, male or female. It is easy to style and so versatile it can be worn in a dressy and casual way, from morning park run with kids to evening night out in town.
HOW TO STYLE CLASSIC TRENCH?
Depending on the occasion, I like to style classic caramel trench with accessory in pop colors like bright red, orange, pink and prints like leopard print, navy stripes as well as neutral pastel hues (beige, light pink, baby blue) or classic black and white for an everyday casual look.The knee length trench is probably the most flattering as it fits perfectly when worn over cigarette trousers, skinny jeans, and booties, or for a more formal look a knee-length dress or a pencil skirt and a pair of classic stiletto heels.
On a casual day when I take my daughter to the park and to run errands, I wear a classic trench with my New Jersey Nets navy baseball hat, striped long sleeve t-shirt or a hoody, skinny jeans or cashmere sweats and the most often with a pair of classic white Converse sneakers.
WHAT TO ACCESSORIZE CLASSIC TRENCH WITH?
As you probably know by now if you read my posts frequently I always find a way to add some leopard print to any outfit! 😃 In fact, other than navy stripes, leopard print is my second favorite pattern to accessorize classic trench with. For this posts #OOTD, I added a touch of leopard with Zara red and leopard print neck scarf. For a color pop, I like to add classic Chanel red lipstick.
Other then silk scarf worn around the neck, you can braid it in your hair, tie it around your wrist or ankle or around the belt of your purse.
On top, I like to add a wool hat in one shade darker caramel which not only protects you from cold Fall wind but it also rounds up your outfit beautifully into a complete look. Black, navy or military green hats work equally well.
When it comes to a strong print like leopard print I like to keep it contained and wear it in touches like as a heel detail on suede booties or as simple pointy-toe bow flats.
How do you style your classic trench?
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My friend Andrina and I were looking for an ideal, dry leaves covered, Fall shooting location for this look, which in warm climate Barcelona is not an easy task to find. I am not sure if this is because they clean the streets to fast or because Fall is simply that much milder but we finally settled for a pretty park near Barcelona Sants train station with interesting buildings, stairs, sculptures, and colorful pastel walls.
FALL LAYERING.
Fall for me it's all about layering. This season's ultra-popular check print served as an inspiration and a key piece to my Fall #ootd look. As a person who is always cold, I tend to always wear one layer more then what is needed for the temperature.
My idea for this look is to transition from Summer to Fall by layering my L'Agence checkered Summer maxi dress with black skinny jeans, thin military parka jacket from H&M, Intropia suede black leather booties and some designer Western accessories.
Layering allows you to adjust your look to weather morning to evening as Fall temperatures drastically change depending on part of the day and it gives you very well put together an interesting look as more colors and patterns pop out of each layer of clothing.
HERITAGE CHECKS.
Checks are super popular this season especially when it comes to blazers. Checkered blazers have replaced the perennial denim jacket as a transitional jacket piece from Fall to Winter and they are worn over hoodies and with sneakers equally as over sharp button-up shirts and pencil skirts for a more sharp business look.
70's western cowgirl look is also making a comeback especially in accessory: western boots, belts, and hats. Thus I have decided to combine the two for this #ootd just because I am not the type of person to wear the current trend (as on a store mannequin) head to toe as it makes it a bit predictable and not personal enough for me.
WESTERN ACCESSORIES.
The small accessory touches make a huge difference! I feel the best when I accessorize with vintage or unique accessory pieces made just for me or that carry a special, personal memory. This makes a big difference in my mood and confidence when I wear a certain outfit.
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Who says wedding rings need to be platinum and diamond? Of course, platinum and diamond wedding rings are beautiful. However, there are plenty of other ring options out there that can be just as special.
If you are thinking that buying a diamond ring is an age-old wedding tradition, then think again. De Beers, the diamond mining company, cooked up the idea back in the 1940s. After decades of successful marketing, people now believe that diamonds are a wedding essential. But are they really?
If you are like me, a person who prefers innovative and edgy items, then a traditional-looking ring might not be the right fit for you. You need something that looks unique in a crowd of similar (read all the same) wedding rings.
To help you get a ring that’s as special as you are, check out these 5 unique wedding rings that are truly different but traditional enough not to scare you off.
Wedding Ring Tattoos
Who says that you need a ring of metal around your finger? It’s your wedding you can do pretty much do whatever you want.
One of the recent trends is ditching the metal ring altogether and getting a tattoo that looks like a ring. This option is super handy for everyone who does any kind of manual labor and needs to take off their ring often. Ring avulsion being a very real danger, these tattoos help people stay safe. Sure, you don’t get to exchange rings, but you do get an awesome experience going to the tattoo parlor together.
Some couples even choose to get the impression of their actual wedding rings tattooed on their fingers. That way they get the best of both worlds.
Carbon Fiber Wedding Rings
Say what? Their non-metallic construction makes carbon fiber rings hypoallergenic. Even if you are not allergic to metal, you have to agree that wearing carbon fiber anything is extremely cool. :)
This material goes into making components for supercars, spaceships, and satellites because they are extremely durable and lightweight. So, hyper-geeks rejoice!
These rings have a typical dark grey color and are available in both glossy or matte finishes.
Non-Diamond Wedding Rings
There is no denying that diamonds are extremely popular choices for wedding rings. Therefore, if you want something different you need to find something a bit more unique.
Thankfully, there are plenty of colorful gemstones to choose from that are not diamonds. From lab-made deep blue sapphires to the sparkling green of a natural peridot stone, you will have plenty of choices if you decide to get a stone that’s not diamond.
Wooden Wedding Rings/ Rings with Wooden Inlays
Wooden rings are especially popular wedding ring choice for men. These rings have beautiful wooden inlays encased within a metal ring. The contrasting nature of wood and metal is what makes these rings look unique. If you want to shake things up, buy a set of wood inlay rings and use it as your wedding band.
Ceramic Wedding Rings
Ceramic rings have a unique look and feel. Contrary to belief, they are extremely durable. They also have a typical sheen that matches the shine of expensive porcelain items. Now, because ceramic holds on to paint really well, these rings are available in bright colors.
So, how about a pair of bright red ceramic rings for your wedding? If that’s too out there you can always pick pitch black wedding rings made from ceramic.
What was (will be) your ring option? :)
The gorgeous purple-pink color of bougainvillea flower bush near my home in Barcelona is always the first sign of Summer for me. It reminds me of Greek Island Santorini and it's gorgeous blues, whites with touches od bougainvillea pinks or our Summer destination Dubrovnik, it's stone walls and wraths of bougainvillea framing front entrances to peoples homes.
This #ootd was indeed inspired by this color combination and is hopefully sharing Mediterranean Summer colors and feel.
SELF-PORTRAIT DRESS
After eyeing it for weeks I finally got this mini Self Portrait white lace dress with peplum trim and strappy back. As a mother of a toddler I rarely dare to wear white so for this Summer I made a conscious effort to add some white pieces to my Summer wardrobe. I was thinking I would wear this dress to one or two celebrations but I ended up wearing it a whole lot more.My favorite things about this dress are that although it is not bra friendly it holds your girls just fine without a bra or any other support or a tape for that matter as the material is very rigid and firm. The waist is taken in and gives you pretty curvy shape emphasized with peplum trimming.
GO TO ZAC POSEN BAG
My black and white Zac Posen handbag has been featured in many posts already. I want to be very realistic with my #ootd's. Although white this handbag is my go-to bag for business meetings and also for strolls with my toddler. It has enough of space for a laptop and a spare nappy + all the other essentials I keep carrying around with me.Because it is almost all white it does require a gentle cleaning with leather cream cleaner but I anyways wipe clean all my leather accessory once a month so this bag is no exception.
A POP OF COLOR
A perfect pop of color (other than the lipstick) for any outfit comes from pointy toe kitten heel sandals by Sam Edelman. Looking at my shoe closet I often feel bad I don't wear more often all those beauties I invested my money in for years.This is why I decided not to compromise comfort for beauty when shopping for shoes in order to get to wear each pair more often. These sandals are super comfortable and haven't given me blisters not even the first time I wore them.
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Sometimes you just need a makeup-free, worry-free, laptop free and all other kinds of -free day, out by the pool on the sun and alone. Alone with your thoughts, your worries, hopes, and fears. A time to breathe without doing absolutely nothing else. Sounds simple, I know but it's anything but.
CAN YOU DO ONE THING AND ONE THING ALONE?
We are now in Croatia on vacation, traveling and staying at several locations to meet with some family and friends but also to have some time to be alone, only three of us, as a family.
Yesterday I was playing with my daughter and I felt a bit restless, I was 'only' playing...no mobile, no distractions, no TV in the background nor radio. A few seconds later a WhatsApp message sounded on my mobile with a loud beep...sounds awful but I felt a bit of a relief (there it was, in a loud beep I was doing more than one thing again).
My mom was asking when are we coming for a lunch, next message then arrived from my sister asking what she should bring. I was answering one message after another not noticing my daughter just standing in front of me with a little rabbit in her hand and a very disappointed look on her face.
'Alo ai!' She ordered pointing at the table, asking me angrily to put my phone down. 'Zeko adormir!' her toy rabbit needed to be put to nap and I was to do it with singing 'Mama voli Belu' a song I remade from a popular cartoon and sing to Anabela before she goes to sleep.
I, who often say how I am very good and conscious about not using my phone much around Anabela have been totally unconscious of how my daughter felt and how much time I spent on two simple WhatsApp messages in the middle of a very important moment during play for her (and I).
DO YOU FEEL GUILTY TAKING 'ME' TIME?
Although I try my very best to be present and in the moments I spend with my family I am not so aware and honest to myself when I need to truly take an emergency time out and just go away. To go away guilt free, most importantly.Go away and be alone with absolutely no distractions. Be alone with myself. Even typing it now sounds terrifying. It sounds like a major waste of time for someone 'so busy' as I consider and pride myself to be.
When I finally do it, when I organize everything at home and at work and leave to have a coffee and read a book in a cafe 2 minutes away from our apartment I find it hard to relax and focus on just reading. I often (not always but often) find myself pulling out my mobile and typing a food shopping list, to do list or looking at kindergarden camera to see my daughter is ok.
Meditation, breathing app and my amazingly supportive boyfriend and a great dad, really do help and push me to go and be alone once in a few days and do something for myself but I often wonder, why don't I also give myself a permission to do the same?
SETTING PRIORITIES AND LETTING GO
One of major 'aha' moments for me was when my boss in the multination company I worked in said to me: "I think that the most capable and most intelligent people find a way to do fewer things but to do them more efficiently." DU-Ghhhh... I thought but it's easy for him to say from the director's (and males) perspective when he is juggling fewer things at the time. Later on (when I got physically sick) I realized that I can to take charge of the priorities I make and my own work schedule and simply not do some things. I indeed became more productive. Why is it so hard to apply this to the daily family life?
One young woman, a cancer survivor said it best "Will I save someone's life if I stay to work late in the office?' No? Then it can wait until tomorrow."
Free People crochett one piece swimsuit.
This fabulous hat which has two holes to tie it through with a silk wrap is from Uterque, the parfume is Amor Amor by Cacharel, there is also a hand cream from L'occitane, a lip gloss Douglas and a bronzer from Kiko.
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