Birthday jewellery wishlist

It’s my birthday on Sunday… the only time in my life that I’ll turn 26 on the 26^th.

Apparently I’m difficult to buy presents to (especially according to my sisters!) and people have asked me what I want – all I can think of is jewellery!

I’m at that age now that if I want something I go and buy it myself… but one thing you can’t have too much of is jewellery!

I’m not very colourful or adventurous when it comes to clothes, but with jewellery my motto is: the more unusual the better. I’m all into arty designer jewellery, and this week I’ve been having my eye on several collections at Wharton Goldsmith.

 First out are a few gorgeous and timeless pieces by fellow Scandinavian Georg Jensen. His designs are all very sleek and stylish is a very classic way. I especially like the oval pendant and the link bracelet with the purple stone.

Linda McDonald's jewellery are more playful and experimental. The fact that they're all assymetrical is that I really like about them. How gorgeous is that silver ring to the bottom left!?!

Over to something more colourful; the collection by Rachel Galley has such a pretty feel to it. Colourful and quirky but in a sophisticated way. The purple teardrop pendant and the ring with the lilac stone are probably my favourites.

Saving the best for last! This collection by Christopher Wharton is absolutely stunning! It's a perfect mix of colour, creativity, and style. Proper attention stealing jewellery that I could just die for (OK, not literally - but you know what I mean!)

Have you ever heard of Wharton Goldsmith? What is your favourite jewellery collection of theirs?

Red, white and blue

 It might look like a top and a skirt, but it's not... it's a two coloured dress. Navy stripes on a white base, with a matching navy skirt. Rather than being a colour block dress it's a colour/pattern block dress. Anyway... I bought the dress from Vero Moda the other day. I'm not sure what I think about the wrap detail top, but other than that I like it.

I bought these greyish-beige leggings on the same day. They are of a thin tights-like material (and no ugly seams on the inner thighs) and they're from the brand Falke. Very comfy!

 OK, a standing photo to give you a better idea of what it all actually looks like. I always feel so awkward "posing" in my outfits :P

I bought these red heart button earrings just before Christmas last year, and I've not worn them before today. They were a find from an art and crafts fair in Hyde Park (Leeds) - handmade by one of the local artists. Very cute, indeed.

I actually featured this necklace about 1½ years ago when I first bought it. It's from the designer brand Rirem, and it's a round stainless steel pendant with a teeny tiny globe in it, that reads SWEDEN*EUROPE*THE WORLD. I see it as my map home. With this I will never get lost in the world, and I will always know where I really belong :) And even though I'm red, white and blue today, I will always be yellow and blue in my heart.

Time for a change...

BYE BYE old design...

And HELLO new, fresh and very colourful design! :)

Drop me a little line and let me know what you think about my new blog design.

xxx

Maria

Orange and green wardrobe additions

That's right - there's now another dress that has joined my clothing collection. It feels like my wardrobe is fuller than ever at the moment, and I'm loving it! As I have mentioned a couple of times already this summer it seems as if I've developed a bit of an obsession for the colour orange. I think it's such a fresh and lovely color, and it's absolutely perfect for summer and autumn. This time I've been shopping around at the online fashion store Zalando.

 This dress is of no particular brand, but it's from Zalando's own dress collection. It said in the description that the sizes came a bit big, so therefore I ordered it one size smaller than I usually would do. This dress is only a size XS! It's made of a really nice quality material that is quite stretchy and very comfortable. What I love most about this dress is the cut - it's very flattering due to the wrap v-neck, the band under the bust, and the "poofy" skirt. And it has got hidden pockets!

 These slingback wedge heeled sandals are from the brand Seven Seconds, and are made of a thick textile with a pleated heel. They have proper spongy soles and are very comfortable. I wasn't too sure about the stripy blue bows in the front at first but they've really grown on me, and now I actually find them quite pretty even though the shoes are a bit girlier than my usual style.

I had these earrings custom made in a cute little boutique for handmade jewellery in York a couple of years ago. The necklace was a present from a friend for my last birthday, and I do believe it's from Jewellery Stop.

 This dress is very versatile, and would be perfect for a night out - whether it be dinner or a party - as well as for work. It can easily be dressed up or dressed down for several different occasions if you just match it with the right accessories. I'll definitely start by wearing it for more fancy occasions, but will probably start wearing it for work after a while.

The littlest birds sing the prettiest songs

 At a recent shopping trip in Leeds city centre I picked this dress up at H&M. It really isn't something I would normally buy... first of all it's white. I prefer darker colours, or very earthy hues. Second - it has got birds on it. Little black swallows with a little bit of pink in them (PINK??! Me?!). It's a very girly dress and not my usual taste, but there was just something about it that made me want it. Don't ask me why... Anyway - I'm glad I bought it in the end.

 

You can see the little swallows better in these close-ups.

 I actually think this white patterned skater dress is quite flattering. And here comes the accessories:

 The latest addition to my nailpolish collection. A gorgeous Peacock blue colour by Revlon called Ocean Breeze.

I bargained for these handmade silver earrings with a couple of dark purple pearls when I was strolling around on the street in Naples (Italy) last Spring.

These red heeled shoes are a charity shop find - a mere £4. Originally from New Look.

Opt for citrus colours this Summer

In many people’s opinion orange is a colour you relate to Autumn. However, I think it’s an excellent choice of colour for Summer!

While the orange clothes you wear in the autumn are more like burnt amber, the summery orange is lighter and brighter and perhaps a bit more to the coral hues.

I’ve been a bit obsessed with orange clothes this Summer (it is one of my favourite colour after all)  and you can see 2 of my orange features here (orange one shoulder dress) and here (neon orange top).

I’ve put together 2 all orange looks for you to try out this summer. Dare to go all one colour!

For the chic city girl I’ve put together a tangerine look:

 Lanvin short sleeve dress
Strenesse orange blazer
Orange heels
Kate Spade tote handbag
Kenneth Jay Lane crystal jewellery
Stella & Dot bib necklace

And for a more summery beach outfit I’ve put together this citrus look:

Calypso St. Barth long slip dress
Matthew Williamson lime green blouse
Victoria's Secret halter swimwear
Marc by Marc Jacobs summer straw handbag
Alexis Bittar gold filled jewelry
Hat Attack brimmed hat
Miso aviator sunglasses

Would you dress from top to toe in one colour? Do you agree with me that orange works as a Summer colour as well as an Autumn colour? I’d love to hear your thoughts! :)

Romantic and old fashioned - Lace wedding dresses

After the wedding I attended last weekend I've been thinking a lot about weddings in general, and especially about wedding dresses. I know quite a large number of people who are getting married at the moment, or who has just gotten engaged. I, myself, am far away from any of these occasions happening in my own life... luckily! I think I'm a bit scared of the whole wedding thing...

Anyhow, I've been looking around wedding sites for inspiration lately, and I've noticed that I've got a thing for lace wedding dresses - especially the ones with complex details on the back. I just love the way they look so romantic and old fashioned. Here are my favourites...

 This dress has only got small lace details on the sleeves. I'm loving the head piece!

Another headpiece very much like the one from the picture above, but with a more classic cut wedding dress - all in lace.

 Perhaps a bit too much lace...?

 This dress is absolutely gorgeous! I love how simple and minimalistic it looks in the back with just a couple of lace bands.

Fantastic! This back piece is stunning! I just wish it sat on a dress a bit less "cake like". The skirt just looks like whipped cream... but the back details really are to die for!