Traveling Totes

One of the trickiest parts of traveling is finding a bag big and functional (not to mention stylish) enough to store all your trip essentials.  I find that practicality is important when seeking out a good travel tote, it has to go with all the outfits you packed and be easy to lug around on different types of transport. It should also be versatile, comfortable and lightweight, so it doesn't feel like you're carrying a bag of bricks on your shoulders. I have rounded up my favourite designer bags that would each ideally work as an airport friendly travel companion. 

Each of these swanky carry bags are available on FarFetch.com

Backpacks

Pastel Pouches

Neutral Territory

Colour Blocked

Burgundy Bound

Metallic Mix

Black & Gold

Which of these luxury bags would be your perfect traveling companion?

Wedding Hair Couture by Jannie Baltzer

Bridal fashion, just as much as any other type of style, evolves with time and trends. Long gone are the days where trailing floor-sweeping veils and gaudy pageant tiaras seal off the perfect bridal ensemble. Designers like Copenhagen's Jannie Baltzer has redefined bridal style, creating exquisite hairpieces and fascinators for the more modern and fashion-conscious bride-to-be. 

Jannie shapes extraordinary couture headpieces from the daintiest French and Edwardian lace, silk, pearls and Preciosa crystals. Her romantic floral fascinators are crafted using the highest-quality hand-made flowers, in a new and imaginative way. The thematic pieces reflect everything from a bohemian bride, to Hollywood starlet, a Grecian goddess, a classic wedding belle and a fairytale inspired princess.

Whether your wedding style is over-the-top glamourous or simply understated, Jannie has taken all possible brides into consideration with her wide variety of head candy. Take your pick from a stunning array of intricately beaded halo's, crystal hair combs, demure netted veils, sequined floral vines, petalled barrettes and sparkling pearlized silk headbands. The less formal Alice bands would also be perfect for bridesmaids, proms or party guests.

Crown your special day with one of these captivating headdresses from Jannie Baltzer's 2014 collection.

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Which of these beautiful bridal fascinators would you choose?


All images found via janniebaltzer.com

Lovisa Statement Necklaces

Shopaholics Series
Lovisa Statement Necklaces

Even the simplest of looks can be taken to the edge of high fashion just by adding a single statement necklace. One of my favourite accessory stores here in SA is the Australian imported label Lovisa. They always have something beautiful to lure you in, an endless range of jewellery in all colours and styles that are on-trend and affordable. These are a few statement making chains that I found at Lovisa.


Tribal Style

1. Bright Mix aqua and orange fringe beaded necklace $40 2. Turquoise spike rope collar necklace $40 3. Beaded cascade necklace $30 4. Turquoise semi-precious beaded necklace $30 5. Coral woven tassel collar necklace $20 6. Flower beaded collar necklace $40

Gold Rush

1. Gold chain link tribal necklace $50 2. Gold lace cut-out torque bib chain $13 3. Gold chain link diamante necklace $25 4. Gold and silver tone multi chain necklace $40 5. Multi-row gold snake chain $17 6. Gold geometric cut-out collar necklace $25

Ethnic Embellishments

1. Printed twist fabric necklace $30 2. Multi-shaded leaf collar necklace $25 3. Multi-coloured row beaded collar necklace $25 4. Short jeweled collar necklace $50 5. Multi-coloured ribbon collar necklace $40 6. Dark multi-coloured teardrop stone and diamante embellished necklace $30

Glass Art

1. Gold, black and Diamante pyramid necklace $40 2. Gunmetal and Crystal facet flower necklace $60 3. Diamante & Pearl three tier stone necklace $25 4. Silver multi-layer diamante chain necklace $25 5. Gold and diamante triangle statement necklace $40 6. White facet petal cluster necklace $25

Neon Necklaces

1. Summer Tango printed twist fabric necklace $30 2. Pink silicone petal necklace $20 3. Yellow double row square necklace $17 4. Red and Orange wrapped thread and gold beaded necklace $25 5. Rouge acrylic flower necklace $25 6. Multi-colour layered fabric necklace $30

Mixed Metal

1. Gunmetal chain and jeweled pendant necklace $40 2. Chain link tribal collar $50 3. Black and Gold triangle rope necklace $30 4. Mix Metal chain row bib collar $40 5. Mixed Metal flat chain collar $50 6. Black & White square section necklace $30 7. Silver multi-loop necklace $30 8. Mixed Metal Multi-row chain $12 9. Ombré mixed metal snake plait necklace $35

For those of you who don't have access to a Lovisa store, the brand offers worldwide shipping. You can shop these bedazzling pieces online and many more at Lovisa.com

Which of these Statement Necklaces would you like to shop?

*Prices are in AUD and rounded off.

Tech-cessorize

The one item that most of us are guaranteed not to leave the house without, is our mobile phones. Possibly the most important piece of technology we own, cell phones have become an extended part of ourselves and our style. So it's only apt that we accessorize it accordingly. It's as easy to change your phone cover as it is to put on a pair of shoes. These days we can simply snap on a new case to match our every outfit, whim and fancy.

There are a multitude of beautifully designed phone cases online, the most popular being for iPhones and Samsung models. And the best part is that you don't have to 'try it on' before you buy it. These are some pretty phone cover picks along a spectrum of different themes.


Printed

1. Colourful chevron printed phone case  $44.95  Zazzle.com  2. Paisley mint phone case  $38  Vera Bradley.com  3. Yellow Hello Sunshine case  $40  Kate Spade.com  4. Pink Cherry Blossom phone cover  $46.95  Zazzle.com  5. Floral rose case  £45  Tedbaker.com  6. Turquoise vintage rose patterned case  $44.95  Zazzle.com  7. Ombre leopard print case  $28  Juicy Couture.com  8. Purple peacock feather print case  $39.95  Zazzle.com

Elegant

1. Leopard print phone case  $15  Luckybrand.com  2. Damask print case  $38  Petunia at zappos.com  3. Black Moschino chain case  $135  Net-a-porter.com  4. Gold & white diagonally striped case  $40  Kate Spade.com  5. Pop corn box case  $40  Kate Spade.com  6. Gold foil cover  $38  Marc by Marc Jacobs  7. Chanel Black Satin varnish case  $34.95  theiconic.com.au  8. Black lace phone case  $40  Marc by Marc Jacobs

Bedazzled

1. Bling epoxy bow case  $9.90  Wetseal.com  2. Rhinestone popsicle phone case  $11  Charlotterusse.com  3. White Adrina pearl bow case  $16.99  Forever New.com  4. Pretty bejewelled peacock  $11  Charlotterusse.com  5. Peach Eiffel Tower blossom case  $7.50  Charlotterusse.com  6. I-Diamond phone case  $107  Malene Birger.com

Girly

1. Pippa Paris case $12.99 Forever New.com 2. Parisian Damsel printed case $14.99 Shopruche.com 3. 3D Coral rose cover $8.80 Forever 21 4. Cupcake cover £14.95 Harrods.com 5. Pink Lace Dentelle cover $44.95 Zazzle.com 6. Birdcage printed cover $47.95 Zazzle.com 7. Pink Keep Calm cover $42.95 Zazzle.com 8. Happiness cupcake cover $43.95 Zazzle.com

Cute

 1. Colourful cupcake printed phone case  $48.95  2. Neon on black If the Shoe Fits case  $39.95  3. I Did Not Just Say That yellow phone case  $43.95  4. Cute 'Owl Meeting' phone cover  $47.95 5. Pink heart case  $25  Victoria's Secret.com  

6. Sprinkles & cupcake case  $47.95  7. Pink I'm Too Pretty case  $42.95  8. Vintage anchor patterned phone case  44.95.  

All besides Number 5 are from Zazzle.com

What type of phone cover would you tech-ccessorize with?

Make Your Own Floral Crown

The Savvy Girl's Guide To

Making a Floral Crown

When I first saw floral crowns blossom into trend, I knew it would be the perfect idea for a DIY. I, unfortunately don't share the same crafting streak that so many other inventive bloggers do. So I asked my dear web friend Kacie Cone from the blog Shy Girl Loud Voice to share her artistry with us and demonstrate the simplest way to make a floral headband.

Californian-raised, Portland-based Kacie is a talented singer/songwriter with a knack for bohemian style and a genius on the guitar. I hope it won't be long before we see her debut album in stores, or if not that first, a Free People campaign is most certainly in her near future. I will now leave you in the creative hands of the lovely Kacie. 

Take it Away Kacie...

It'd be pretty hard to miss this summers new trend of flower crowns, but not so hard to miss some of those steep prices retailers try to sell them for. I was able to make about seven or eight flower crowns for under $15 using only materials from the dollar store. Not only will this DIY save you some money but it will also save you some time, seeing as making these flower crowns is way less time consuming then shopping for the perfect find. The best part is being able to put your own personal touch on something you create...so lets get started!

You Will Need: 

All you are going to need for this DIY is some flowers, a headband of any kind that you wish, 

a pair of scissors and a hot glue gun. 

Step 1:

The first thing you are going to need to do is pull the flowers off their stems. 

They should slide off very easily!

Step 2:

The next step is to cut off the small stem but beware because that small stem will fly across the room if your not careful!

Step 3:

Lastly hot glue your flower directly on to the headband and make sure to hold it in place for a couple seconds to ensure it sticks.

All Done!

And that's it! As you can see from the pictures shown above, the possibilities for your flower crowns are endless, so be creative and have fun!

Celebrity Inspired Floral Crowns

Celebrities have been paving the flower path with many different and endearing floral looks. You can customize the size and colours of a DIY floral crown to your personal specifications. Go dainty like Alexa Chung, Katy Perry and Kirsten Dunst. Try white daisies for an indie summertime look, as seen on Aly Michalka and Vanessa Hudgens. Or if you're particularly enamored by the trend, go big with romantic rose wreathes in pretty shades as Pixie Lott, Delta Goodrem and Lana Del Dey did.

Thanks so much to Kacie for doing this fabulous DIY. I hope you are also inspired to create your own unique floral fascinator using her easy-to-follow steps.


*All Kacie's images are copyrighted to her blog. 

See Right Through It

Trendspotting
Transparent Bags

In reality, if you had to carry around a see-through plastic bag with all the contents of your handbag, people may assume your actual bag has suffered some sort of drink spill somewhere or, that you're homeless. However, put a designer name onto that plastic bag and voila, you're an instant trendsetter! Transparent bags have become quite the style statement over the past year. Let's delve further into this translucent trend.

On The Runway

It all began where most trends do - on the runways of top notch designers during fashion week. For Spring/Summer 2013, Valentino and Jenny Packham presented clear coloured bags decked with studs and jewels. Stella McCartney sent down jewel toned box bags while Chanel ensured their version displayed their world famous insignia. Fendi introduced transparent panels to their tri-coloured totes. Simone Rocha, Marc Jacobs and Burberry saturated their see-through bags with vivid colour for a fun, youthful effect. As good as this trend looks on the catwalk, I have to assume it's because all the bags are completely empty.

See-Through Street Style Inspiration

The trend then spread like wildfire across the world's fashion capitals and beyond, seen on the arms of socialites, models, fashion week groupies, bloggers, editors and stylists. Each of them allowing photographers and the general public a glimpse into their clear clutches. A pair of sunglasses, an iPhone, all important press passes and some form of Chanel makeup is always seen peeking through these plastic purses. I assume that one has to carefully and fashion-consciously edit the content of their bags when opting for transparency. 

This is how the see-through trend has been worn in true street style...

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 *All street style images found via Tumblr, Vogue.com, Harpers Bazaar.com, Fashion Telegraph.co.uk and Style.com

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Celebrity Translucent Trendsetters

The see-through bag trend hasn't caught on to Hollywood as much as it has the rest of world, with just a handful of celebrities seen carrying their plastic hopes and dreams around. I am guessing this is to avert crazy stalkers and maintain their privacy. And also to avoid the inquisitive masses with a cover of their bag's contents on People magazine.

Bella Thorne wears a youthful neon yellow Juicy Couture clutch with chain handle. Sienna Miller carries a peach lined Charlotte Olympia perspex purse. Solange Knowles vivifies her look with a tangerine CC Skye lucite box bag.

Elisabeth Moss holds on to a Charlotte Olympia 'Pandora' perspex clutch. British model Abbey Clancy carries a see-through monogrammed Louis Vuitton bag. Olivia Palermo represents the high street with an orange tinted Zara minaudiere.

Get With The Trend

Try on the transparency trend with these pellucid online picks. A bright hued clutch will add a vibrant dash of colour to your outfit, whilst slightly shading in your bag's constituents. If you're the fashion-forward type, go all out and wear a clear clutch, where you will be guaranteed to make a few curious heads turn as you walk by, all eager to see what's inside your trendy tote.

Do you Adore or Abhor the Transparent Bag Trend?
Would you be comfortable letting the rest of world see what you carry in your bag?

Kotur Clutches Spring/Summer 2013

When starlets need some place glamourous to store their smartphones on the red carpet, they usually turn to Kotur. The luxury handbag label cultivates their own creative garden this Spring, with a stunning range of surreal nature-inspired clutches and minaudieres. 

Classic box-cluches are invigorated by zesty neons in coral, citron, cerise and yellow. Florals flourish in a variety of interesting forms like jacquard prints, lace overlays and elaborate three-dimensional floral bouquets. Ethnic patterns are given an earthy feel in multi-hued raffia, feathers, West African wax batik fabric wraps and silk tassels.

Metallics are embossed with leather animal prints, carved in brass, and swirled with sequins. Each of the clutches are clasped with glass, crystal, rock or stone. For a modern touch, there is a transparent perspex minaudiere dotted with gold glitter. Or add a pop of colour with a hot pink perspex Aqua Globe© box clutch.

These are a few pieces from Kotur's Spring/Summer 2013 clutch bag collection.

I love the sequined neons and floral print fluorescents for an electric colour pop to any outfit. I hope the retail stores bring us more affordable versions of these designer box bags. 
Which are your Kotur favourites?


*All images found via www.koturltd.com.

Jennifer Behr Hair Jewellery 2013

Jennifer Behr is a brand that breathes new life into the term 'hair jewellery'. The talented New York based designer individually handcrafts an exquisite range of hair pieces that will turn every dull hair day into a dazzling one. Her enchanting range of bejeweled headbands, floral fascinators and crystal hair clips have become a favourite of celebrities like Charlize Theron, Alexa Chung, Jennifer Lawrence, Leighton Meester, Rihanna and Emma Stone. Some of her hairpieces were also styled on Blair Waldorf during the TV reign of 'Gossip Girl'.

This season, the Jennifer Behr showcases extravagant floral headpieces veiled with net; an ideal show-stopping look for your next wedding attendance or a day at the races. Barette clips and delicate headbands set in silk chiffon are opulently beaded with sparkling Swarovski crystals. A wave of Grecian inspiration is seen via the ornate gold circlets, draped with chains. Tiara Alice bands offer a more understated style, while spiked and studded leather head wraps provide an alternative to the feminine looks.

These are a few captivating pieces from Jennifer Behr's current collection.

Fringing on the more expensive side, a head-turning hairband from this collection is really one to be treasured. On my wishlist are the romantic crystal-encrusted halo headbands and lustrous barrette clips. Would you wear any of these beautiful pieces of hair jewellery?

*See more at jenniferbehr.com