Less is more

French fashionista's effortless exude that je-ne-sais-quoi style. The typical Parisienne is best defined in Ines de la Fréssange's 'Parisian Chic ; A Style Guide.
This original French style is all about being sensual and not to try too hard. Low key make up, don't look at me sense of style and a splash of a bedraggled look.
A monotone look is perfect for is this style : a tuxedo jacket, a nude cashmere jumper and a silk blouse (worn as a t shirt) are basic must haves .
Décolletage is good for any body shape, draws attention and makes you look slimmer.
Skinny black pants or a classic jean are perfect basic trousers : a pencil skirt has the same effect.

Ines de la Fressange

Isabel Marant

Carine Roitfeld

We all love Anna !

Did you get the chance to see the window displays at H&M these days ?
We are enduring wind and rain like Fall wants to make a statement like never before. And then you pass an H&M store and see all these Summery bright Turkish blue and golden accessories and you get that instant feel of Summer (back) again.
My personal favourite was the mini clutch with Anna's dog on top. Was lucky to find one left at my local store. It's so cute. Also have to admit it's my very 1st to buy something from any collaborated collection Hennes did.
So, well done Anna ! Love your personality and edgyness : you can tell she works for Vogue Japan cause there's always something kawaii in her way of dressing too.

Meanwhile, enjoy your shopping trip into town today (love Saturdays) and try to pick up your own ADR item if you can.

the lady herself ! 

Tea my dear ?

I'm instantly attracted to anything mint. Not the flavour but the colour. When I went into the city last week to buy some chocolates, I saw this beautiful tea box filled with black Earl Grey Min Sin tea. Couldn't resist taking one home. Chances this would taste horrid were very unlikely. Actually it tastes really fine. And the box can serve for some other stuff like homemade cookies once all tea has been used up.
You can buy them now (limited) in every Neuhaus shop or online. 

Peter Pan collar

Always have been a big PP collar fan ; I can't explain how thrilled I am fashion is going to the max with this demure style. Adjustable or attached ; I just love all of them. Even collars layered on top of each other can make an unique fashion statement. My personal faves are the ones available at H&M, Sandro and Zara 

zara

h&m

Tongue in cheek style

Don't you just love a T or sweater with a good message ? I know I do. LOVE this Créme de la Créme sweater by Zoe Karssen. Ordered mine online last night !

DIY hair

Been waiting for this ! DIY ombré for your hair. Available in stores in September. Can't wait. Now all I need to do is to grow mine a bit longer ..

Another great and easy to use DIY color set is available at Urban Outfitters. My daughter India tried it on yesterday and it's very simple to use. She just added a small amount on the tips of her blonde locks ; instant rock chic !

Fashion NO-NO becomes a YES ! Definitely !

Leggings have been a 'no-can-do' item on every fashionista's checklist. Even the skinniest amongst us have been tagged with 'not a good look' while sporting them. Even pimped up with the latest arm-candy and killer shoes, every single juror in Grazia magazine or Instyle killed this 'style' off. But what do I notice lately ? Leggings keep popping up on Lookbook and street style blogs. Not just the average pair of black leggings ; beautiful printed designs make these once hated fashion no-no's a must have on every girl's wishlist !
Starry nights or swans embellished, front & back, make a simple outfit like a big chunky sweater fabulous !
Look and see for yourself ; get inspirered and make your choice at ROMWE

see more styles via Lookbook

Who let the dogs out !Did

 photo via  Elle  

Rihanna

Did it !

Some cravings are hard to resist ! Specially when there' just 1 piece left and it fits you perfectly !
I found my statement T at Verso but you can also buy it here ..

Shoe porn

Isabel Marant shoes ; you can find them here 

Aren't these beauties ? Just how many shoes can a woman own ? Without giving her husband a heart failure ? I just don't get women still wearing shoes they bought 2 decades ago. Shoes give away if they are the latest fashion trend or 1981 fashion faux pas.
I'm not being a spoilt little diva here ; I really wear my shoes off. Irreparable. Even before the season is over. Some shoes are  for special occasions ; can't always do my schoolrun in stilettos. European streets are tough !

To compensate, I own lots of LBD's and other classics. They never get out of style. Mixed with the newest in shoe fashion, those classics look new & stylish over and over again.
What's your excuse to buy those latest beauties you saw in the window on your way home ??

Dsquared sweater in DEMUZE magazine

We are being overpowered by magazines currently, displaying all new FW 2012-2013 looks..
I must say, it's always inspiring to see all these new colours and styles and every year, the hottest in fashion seem to be more beautiful than last year's collections.
Like this morning.
Picking up my Saturday newspaper, a heavyweight edition of 'what to wear' for this upcoming season submerged me in yet another tidal of fashion consciousness.
My personal favourite this morning ; a jumper fromt the knitwear collection by DSQUARED.
You can buy it here and here 

In search of ...

... this coat by Isabel Marant ! Only have searched 2 cities in Belgium and there still might be a small chance it has to come in. Worst case, I will visit Paris in October, so IM's shop will be on my to-do list. Fingers crossed that I might find it over there ... Meanwhile, you can drool over her amazing collection here 

The Cools (how cool is that ?)

When we moved to our new house, I was staggered how many clothes I owned that I even didn't know I had anymore. I found amazing items like a Chanel bracelet, shoes and designer pieces I just had worn once for special occasions.
It's the daily routine stuff you know by heart but those special items with 'special' price tags *coughs* are the ones you tend to forget about.
Reading the latest copy of Vogue , I discovered this great tip, The Cools.
What a great way to sell your used or vintage items worlwide !
I've just started gingerly to add items on the site and hopefully will sell a couple of them.
Roger Vivier flats and a Tory Burch coat I've worn once, are the first to hit this chic secondhand online tool.
Check it out ! You might find something special for date night !

these Roger Vivier flats are for sale via The Cools

Plaid (work it !)

Honestly, I wasn't always a plaid fan. My mom made me wear those horrendous itchy plaid skirts, complete with safety pin and all ! Childhood trauma for life.
Luckily, sometimes labels make an effort to erase all those bad memories. I found this lovely shirt, with studs (yay) at Zara yesterday. Still suffering from the trauma, I can't push myself (yet) in buying an expensive shirt, so this was a perfect solution !
How would you wear your plaids ?

Let me share some inspirational sartorial pictures ..

Sunday

Sundays are not complete without our Sunday stroll. Using city bikes to get from A to B, in between showers and discovering new shops and cool places to eat or drink.
My favourite bookstore in my hometown is 't Stad Leest' (The City Reads)  ...
They have a mix of great books, cards and awesome children's activity stuff. I always buy retro inspired  stuff to display in my own store ; they often inspire people in displaying books on shelves in their kids' rooms and hopefully one day will push the kids reading some of them. Or at least look at the pictures and get inspired too.

Just across the bookstore, we've discovered a new coffee place Caffè Noir. The people are sympa and very welcoming. We love to drink something and have something sweet and small to nibble on. Meanwhile we like to leaf through our new treasures ; I finally bought Ines de la Fressanges' Parisian Chic style guide. The book shares personal tips of Karl Lagerfeld's muse . Ines was/is a runway model for Chanel. Her guide not only portrays how to dress but gives away some of the best hidden secret places in Paris. Also glad to see Isabel Marant's store is in it (my latest addiction fashionwise).
I've just bought this off white button front blouse from her Etoile collection. Am so into her ethnic-chic style right now. I will use this guide on my next trip to Paris, somewhere in October.

On our way home I also discovered this tiny store, filled with scented candles and a great scarves collection. Find out more about Libertin Louison via this link www.techniqueindiscrete.com

Caffè Noir

Latte Amaretti 

my latest Isabel Marant purchase .. buy it here 

New read

I went to my favourite bookstore yesterday. I can't be trusted with a creditcard in a bookstore. Love browsing through all those new shiny books. I decided to buy another cookbook written by former model and tv presenter Pascale Naessens. Her vision that food is to be enjoyed but still can be very healthy, was one reason to buy it. The main reason is that she's still a very beautiful woman, doesn't fall for hypes like botox and plastic surgery. And she looks amazing and good in her own skin. You can see this just looking at her pictures in 'Pure Kitchen'. This is someone I could be friends with. She's pretty but also very witty.

Did you also read the 50 shades trilogy ? Sure you did. To be honest, I'm stuck in part 2, somewhere in page 138. The fact a friend of mine said it would be 'vanilla sex' till page 335 (where she was stuck) held me of my appetite to read any further. First time that ever happened to me reading books on holiday. To me, that's the sign it's not a page turner (and maybe not a good book, but hey, try for yourself and then we'll talk again).
So I've decided to by a good ol' Nicci French : Killing me Softly . Can't wait to start it !

Mint

Since I left my first ever blog for my new one, I kinda been missing writing about fashion.

So I've decided to start blogging again about fashion, want-lists and style. I might even blend in my hometown and it's hotspots, like I use to do. Since Instagram has become a new passion of mine, I've been getting a lot of questions from followers asking where I found the stuff I'm taking pictures of.

So, this seems like a sign and a great opportunity to start posting updates about my love for fashion... 

Hope you guys enjoy ! 

Sinds ik mijn oude blog voor mijn huidige verruilde, voelde ik toch een gemis. Mode is toch altijd wel een stokpaardje van me geweest. Daarom besloot ik een extra blog aan te maken om zoals vanouds te schrijven over mode, wish-lists en stijl. Zou goed kunnen dat ik af en toe mijn Antwerpse roots integreer en hot spots vermeld. Sinds Instagram een dagelijkse passie is geworden en ik door verschillende van mijn volgers om 'raad' wordt gevraagd, kon deze blog niet langer uitblijven.

Een teken en opportuniteit om Mint Condition in het leven te roepen...

Hopelijk beleven jullie er véél plezier aan !