Clutching On For Dear Life

There are so many amazing clutches out there at the moment in every shape and colour under the sun. Here are a few of my faves raspberry suede, a staple black with gold detail, the  green blue fade, cream with studs by Clobella Hudson , Ted Rossi’s mirrored envelopes and the Tylie Malibu Runaway Neon clutch.

You can even do a bit of DIY if you have any old pieces of leather lying about like  a cushion cover or your ex boyfriends leather jacket to make a simple envelope. And my best tip is if your clutch doesn’t have a wrist strap safety pin a loop of fabric or a chain to the inside corner so it can poke out, that way you can go hands free and carry more drinks!

Waiting List Hell

One by One Pants

Stubbornly Independent Bag

I am not a patient woman, I am so obsessed with Sass and Bide’s One by One pants in gold that I am seriously contemplating going on the waiting list at Suprette.

The interweb is a cruel mistress showing us things we cannot have (well not until May – my birthday month if anyone is feeling generous!). Until then I will have to make do. So if you see a grumpy woman stomping down the road in shimmery gold leggings with a small black bantem hen trained to to carry her keys, wallet etc you’ll know it’s still April.

Wednesday's Wisdom

Blonde Ambition

I’m always looking for images of inspirational woman. Woman who inspire me with their style, attitude and accomplishments. I don’t think you’re ever too old for role models.

I had the great pleasure of hanging out with Ms Harry one afternoon when I was about 15 or 16 and I can vouch that what you see is what you get only a whole lot louder and cooler than you can ever imagine!

I hope that these images of her circa 1970, which wouldn’t look out of place in todays Vogue, will inspire you one way or another.

No Life Without Contrast

Never under estimate the power of surprise. Contrast and contradiction is what makes interiors and life interesting.

Diane Von Furstenburg’s dining room

Cassette Love

Look honey I made you a mix of tapes, what could be more romantic and nostalgic than upcycling your old cassettes.

Image from ooomydesign.bigcartel.com

Or if you prefer to keep your cassette close ...



Chanel Cassette Clutch - Image Courtesy of ladylux.com

Wednesday's Wisdom

My wise friend always carries apples in her handbag especially when we go outat night. Madness no pure genius, gets rid of alcohol breathe, stops the pie cravings and you’ll be surprised how many new friends you can make over a granny smith.

Boobs and DIY Fashion

Limited budget, accessibility and large boobs mean I often have to turn my hand to a bit of DIY. Because as anyone with it “all up front” knows online shopping is only for the flatter of chest.

Having used the long Easter weekend to overcome my craft ADD and actually finish the 2 projects I have been working on for a while I’m feeling particularly clever and righteous and am ready to start something new.

My Studded Cue Jacket & B’s Jonathan Adler inspired cushion

Even had B upcycling my old jewellery

At the moment I am crushing on Rick Owens-esque leather sleeved jackets and I can’t find anything locally for under $400. So off to the thrift shop I go to see if I can find 2 jackets that I can turn into a hybrid. Wish me luck and feel free to send me some Ritalin, that way I may have it finished before 2017!

Go Spanks Yourself

Champagne, nibbles, fashion and hysterical laughing fits are my idea of a great girls night out so last week I dragged a friend off to see Lisa O’Neil’s show “What a Woman Wants”..

With 18 years of experience in the fashion industry this cheeky mother of 4 from Levin has now turned her hand to motivational speaking.

She teaches you how to set goals like getting to the mall by 9am, how to make your shoe budget go further by feeding the kids baked beans and how to turn a difficult negotiation such as Visa statement day into a win win situation using simple items of lingerie.

Her cost saving tips include the use of cake as a wrinkle filler for the face and spanks as a cheap alternative to gym fees.

This inspired me to go any try some on some the very next day. I have always been suspicious of shapewear, just like what goes up must come down, what gets squeezed in must pop out. My suspicions were confirmed, while my waist appeared teeny the many spring rolls I had eaten the night before were now popping out in the most unusual places.

I will still be trying the cake idea though!

To find out if Lisa has an event near you go to lisaoneil.co.nz

Wednesday Wisdom

Oh Miki You’re So Fine

You’re so fine you blow my mind with your range of nail polishes in beautiful pastels and glitters.

I was so sick of spending money on manicures and buying nail polishes at $30 a pop which I would only use a couple of times before they dried out.

Imagine my delight when at my local pharmacy they had Miki 7ml nail polishes for only $4.99. I grabbed a bunch of pastel colours and a silver glitter.

The standout had to be the glitter and I had to go back and purchase the gold as well. It’s so fine that it gives a really dense and smooth coverage unlike other glitter polishes I’ve tried that look like your kids spilt glitter glue on your hands and so rough you could sand door frames with them.

Bonjour Mate

Catherine Baba’s sartorial, daring and bold and that’s just her personal style

Her work for the likes of Givenchy, Chanel, Vanity Fair and Dazed and Confused  is pure genius and beauty rolled into one.

No surprise that she has earnt the nickname of “that Australian Bitch” anyone who’s this talented and can ride a bicycle in heels is going to make others jealous.

40 Minus 2 and Counting

I just realised  we are only 1 month out from my birthday.

I’m not scared of ageing, I’m only scared of shrinking. As a vertically challenged 5’2 I really can’t afford shrinkage and thanks to an inspirational woman I have realised a way to overcome it.

About 5 years ago in an, opium den inspired, bar I met the most elegant woman I have ever seen. Closer to 80 than 60, and seated in a high wing backed chair she was attended by an entourage of gorgeous gay boys in their 20s.

With no room at our table, she immediately shooed one of her entourage out of his chair and invited me to sit with her. I was so struck by her colourful Chinese silk robes, her skyscraper heels and the enormous diamonds on her long skinny fingers that I remember little of our conversation.

What I do remember is declaring to my friends, the moment we were outside, that when I grew up I wanted to be her!

I also surmised that such a woman wouldn’t have to worry about shrinkage as she was probably carried about by her entourage on a Cleopatra chair. So in the future I won’t be buying orthopaedic shoes and ordering a zimmer frame, I shall be going out on a high, kicking my heels up.

If you require further proof that this wasn’t an opium inspired dream head over to advancedstyle.blogspot.com for more evidence that style is eternal and only gets better.

My style has always been more street than elegant so here is where I am heading and I can’t wait to get there.

The eternally inspirational Anna Piaggi

photo courtesy of lexpress.fr

Wednesdays Wisdom