pastel coloured daze

Acne dress, Midas sandals, Alexander Wang bag, Celine Audrey sunglasses

I talk about the weather a lot on my blog but I can't help myself (it's almost obsessive compulsive), because how I dress in the morning will definitely 100% be influenced by the weather and my plans. So when Saturday morning brings nothing but blue skies and clouds of a cartoon nature and fluffiness, on a weekend that was destined for thunderstorms, I was definitely going to embrace the Indian summer. I told you that it was on its way!

I spent the beautiful Saturday at Bondi Beach; a quick visit to the Farmer's Market, a quaint cafe, strolling down pastel coloured streets and unsuccessful browse at Tuchuzy. When autumn gives you a blessing in the form of a hot summer's day, the only way to react is to spend a lazy day wearing your favourite dress in the sun with a better-than-Bali-coconut. That's really what life should be everyday. 

x karen

bloglovin  instagram shop

Orange Mod.

Hellooooo?

Is there still anyone out there? 

First of all, just an explanation as to why my blog has been so decidedly inactive for the past 2 weeks; or to be honest, lacking in posts since before Christmas. Well, if you follow me on instagram (as you all should!) for the past 2 weeks, I've been traipsing all over Europe. By all over; I mean London, Paris & Stockholm. It was a wonderful trip with an equal mixture of touristy cliches & business meetings (more on that later). 

In the meantime, here's a long overdue post that I meant to post before I left. Something to keep you entertained whilst I go through the plethora of photos that I took in Europe!

Tuchuzy silk tee, Rag & Bone Bomber skirt, Senso Qimat boots, Alexander Wang bag & Ray-Ban aviators

White is always an easy to go to option for pairing with anything bright or printed i.e. anything that you wouldn't ordinarily find in my wardrobe. This white silk tee from Tuchuzy is absolutely perfect, it adds a hint of luxury with the cool silk and criss-cross back. The perfect choice to wear with my new favourite Rag & Bone skirt (definitely regretted not bringing this to Europe!)- can't wear to wear it with different sweaters and jackets once the temperature drops. 

x karen

bloglovin  instagram shop

gypsy soul

Asos dress, Isabel Marant 'Dicker' boots, Celine 'Audrey' sunglasses, Alexander Wang 'Rocco' bag

Nothing quite screams summer like a paisley dress.

When the temperature starts to heat up, I always make the conscious effort to add more colour into my wardrobe. There's something in the balmy salt-water tinged air that makes me want to neglect the standard greys, black and stripes (god-forbid!) and embrace the bohemian and all things brightly coloured (all the better to show off my tan, my dear). 

x karen

bloglovin  instagram shop

all stars

Alexander Wang tee (seen here), One Teaspoon denim shorts (seen here, here & here), Current/Elliot 'infantry' jacket (here & here), Chloe 'susanna' boots (seen here, here & here), Alexander Wang 'rocco' bag (seen here, here & here)

This is definitely an outfit made out of my wardrobe all stars, you can just see from all the tags above how much all these individual items have been worn. My love of stripes seems to at an all time high, especially when dressed down with my go-to pair of denim shorts (nobody does it better than One Teaspoon) and my favourite deconstructed trench jacket. 

Hands down, these Chloe boots have been my best purchase all year - they go with absolutely everything and even after almost a year, I still love them like crazy. Is it crazy that I still want them in black & silver? 

x karen

bloglovin // twitter // instagram

chambray with a twist of lime

Sportsgirl chambray shirt, t by Alexander Wang skirt, Converse, Alexander Wang Rocco bag, Karen Walker sunglasses

It's been awhile since I've worn this much Alexander Wang in one outfit; although mathematicians will tell you that in the grand scheme of things, 2 really isn't all that many. As much of an Alexander Wang fan as I am (in all his variations, as Alexander Wang, as t by Alexander Wang, as Balenciaga's hottest new thing or as uncle of the coolest tot in fashion) I always find myself mass purchasing his pieces and then regretting them. I know, the blasphemy!

I have this skirt in two colours; this very summer-appropriate shade of lime and the stain-magnet choice of white. In theory, it's everything I want in a casual skirt. It's simple but with a twist - literally. It's the perfect thing to wear with any top thrown over it, even an oversized chambray top, that's so oversized I don't know whether to tuck it in or to simply tie it Daisy Duke style. 

But all hell breaks lose when I try to walk in this skirt. My damn modesty gets in the way. See the high point of the intersection of the twist? It rides up everytime I walk. So with every step that I take, I'm in the perpetual state of not knowing if I'm accidentenally chucking a Britney (read: vag flash). It's anxiety like that, that I really don't need in my life. I thought I could solve the problem by turning the skirt so that the twist lies on one leg (inspired by all things Helmut Lang and the thigh split) alas, somehow it keep returning to its original state. 

Any suggestions? 

 x karen

bloglovin // twitter // instagram

just a tad windy

Equipment silk shirt | Bec & Bridge skirt | Zimmermann lace-up heels (see here)| Alexander Wang Rocco bag

It's fun to be business on top and party on the feet. 

 x karen

bloglovin // twitter // instagram

Day & Night

Mr Wang is someone who knows a thing or two about pulling at your heartstrings. He does it on a bi-annual basis for me, every time I see new Wang shoes, my hearts mirrors arrhythmia-like symptoms. There is a quite reek of desperation every time I catch eyes with his creations. If my wardrobe is anything to go by, I'm quite sure his shoes are my kyptonite. I've been very good at controlling my self against his shoes for the longest time (admittedly, the longest time in fashion years in reality is probable a season and a half). I've told myself on multiple occasions that I need to focus on the classics, beyond the gravity-defying knee strap, or that I need to invest in those with higher return (which is just a fancy way of saying less unwearable heels).

The point is, if I start buying everything Mr Wang produces in way of shoes, where do I stop? How will I store them all? How will I finally buy my Louboutin classics or Jimmy Choos? But there's something different about this pair of boots, The Audrey (isn't there always?). It has the subtle charm of a pointed toe enclosed in flawless leather reminiscent of the boots my mother wore growing up. It's all the goodness in the world rolled together; the perfect classic black boot with the delicate so sexy it's smoldering ankle strap. It shoes were a man, the Audrey would be Hugh Jackman; classy yet sexy and it'll only get better with age. 

 x karen

bloglovin // twitter // instagram

tell me something sweet

Sportsgirl knit (seen here) | Joe's Jeans highwater jeans (seen here & here) | Mister Zimi jacket (seen here, here & here) | Alexander Wang boots (seen here, here & here)

Who knew that it would take days of relentless rain to bring out my inner colour-enthusiast? But when the sun is away playing hide-n-seek, you need a more cheerful wardrobe otherwise you'd just find yourself caught in the winter stereotype of black and greys. Although, that's really my primary colours these days, except apparently for when its torrential rain weather. But, true to my recent neutrally-coloured self, I've been the veritable Swtizerland in terms of colour choices, this outfit was peppered by navy, white and my essential Mister Zimi leather jacket*. 

 x karen

* A recent leather jacket purchase has been made, stayed tuned for photos! 

bloglovin // twitter // instagram

the butch

Zara Mens shirt | Winston Wolfe leather shorts | Wittner leopard heels| Alexander Wang bag

There's nothing I like more than shopping in the men's department. I can always find great basics there, perfect

for when you want the slightly undone look. I love pairing slightly oversized shirts, like this blue one I nabbed from 

the Zara men's section, with these Winston Wolfe 'the butch' shorts. It's the perfect remedy for days when getting

dressed is feeling like a chore.

x karen

bloglovin // twitter // instagram

again & again

Sass & Bide jumper | Joe's Jeans highwater jeans (seen here) | Mister Zimi leather jacket (seen here & here) | Alexander Wang heels | H&M bag

This outfit comprises of some of the things that I wear the most often; especially the heels and the bag. I've worn these

heels to death (as you can see here, here, here & here) and I cannot explain how often I wore this bag during my recent Asia 

trip. I bought it on a whim in Hong Kong when I realised how much of a pain it was to carry the Chloe Paraty around, 

but what did I expect? The brand is known for heavy accessories. Who knew this little H&M bag will end up saving the day.

It just goes to show that you don't always need to pay the big bucks for something stylish and long-lasting.

x karen

bloglovin // twitter // instagram