Spring in a shoe

When I first spotted these leopard and suede sandals at Barneys Co-Op in New York last September during Fashion Week, I was smitten. I wouldn't dare leave New York without a new pair of shoes (it's like leaving Hawaii without a floral shirt, or leaving Paris without macarons!), I was still high on the NY buzz and had some deep shoe and bag conversations with the loveliest sale girl that recognized me from my blog. And before I knew it, I was swiping a Mastercard and purchased these chic black suede and blue/green/gray-ish animal hair strappy sandals. 

When push came to shove, I didn't dare ruin them in the beige sand at Jardin des Tuileris during Paris FW a week later and right after that fall started. Since I never got to wear them yet (such a shame!) and they're just standing by my bed being pretty, I figured they at least deserved a proper post. I can almost feel spring when I look at these (main spring thoughts include midnight cocktail moments, super tan lags that will never happen, and far away fashion trips) and can't wait to finally break them in. Let's go leopard!

JEAN-MICHEL CAZABAT SANDALS 

photos by Eefje Gerritsjans

Two days in Copenhagen during FW

At the kick off of Copenhagen Fashion Week shoe brand ECCO invited me to Copenhagen for This chick's got style to attend their annual Walk in Style event - which is centered around five European superwoman that support a charity - and get to know the brand better. The little raspberry bag (LOVE that one!), and pretty much all of the boots you see in this post are ECCO. You might be familiar with the brand, but what you (or at least I myself) didn't know is that it's a only a part of their huge company. They've got leather tanneries all over the world that produce for major fashion houses in Paris, New York, Londen and more (yes, I'm talking about those big British, French and Italian ones that we all know, covet and some that I even have designer bags from). Fascinating.

Also on this whirlwind trip to Copenhagen: exquisite lunch in the theatre by the water, the event itself, a tiny bit of shopping (BikBok! Gina Tricot! Weekday! I scored the cutest woven festival shorts seen in the mirror pic) and a few hours of sleep in a delicious bed stacked with piles of fluffy pillows. Although I'm fortunate enough to travel quite a bit for both ELLE and my blog, I enjoy the hotel experience each and every time. I hang out my clothes (and feel proud of the capsule collection I've packed), stall out my jewelry and make-up, take a bath two times a day and walk around in the heavy white robe every nanosecond I can. 

Love from Copenhagen!

Excuse me for dropping off the earth for a few days and for the grainy iPhone quality of this pic. I flew to Copenhagen on Tuesday (where Fashion Week is in full swing!) for a big event. I didn't manage to plan posts ahead and had (and like I told you on Sunday I had a lot on my mind) but I did manage to pack my curling iron so while I was there I decided to put it to use. I've prefered straight and messy hair for months but suddenly feel like curling it again. For those of you who often ask how I do it, a while ago I posted a tutorial on my easy, wavy curls here. Anyway, I'll get right on editing a big Copenhagen post for tomorrow morning! And how is your week so far?

Temporary shopping insanity...

Somehow I got sucked in to a travel vacuum. You know, when that sneaky, super convincing little voice in you head says: but you're in Paris, so you're totally allowed to buy one thing and you'll never ever ever be able to find this skirt if you don't get it now, now, NOW! It happens. And next to that, who the heck invests in a scuba skirt?! Three days before sale starts?! (I would have left Paris by then though). Anyway, there's no way to undo it now and I'll just have to deal with the stylish consequences of my temporary fitting room insanity. 

THE KOOPLES BLACK AND GREY SCUBA PEPLUM SKIRT

photos by Eefje Gerritsjans

Paris diary... And Happy New Year!

First of all, I'm wishing you all an incredible 2013. Let's make this one count! A new year somehow feels like a fresh start, a clean slate and a moment for new good beginnings. And as I was reflecting on 2012 one of the things I realized is how much I love my readers :) Seriously. I hope we'll go through some amazing adventures together, and I'm wishing you much happiness from the bottom of my heart. Make 2013 your year! 

In the last few days of 2012 I squeezed in a trip to Paris and here's a little photo diary of random travel memories along the way. For once I decided not to drag my big camera all over town. With mixed feelings, because pro: a light weight bag, no worries about losing it in the metro and constant photo pauses and con: man, Paris is so photogenic, so think about all the missed photo opportunities! However, sometimes it can be better to just be in a city, without having to photograph everything. And I bet you can imagine me eating macaroons, croissants and having a nervous credit card melt down moment even without pictures ;)

photos by me and Friso

Paris is always a good idea.

Paris is always a good idea. Fact. And so I'm off on a spontaneous road trip right now, with my boyfriend, music, minimal luggage and maximum croissant supplies. See you there!

Lucky number three

Ok, I'll honestly admit that three new clutches in one accidental airport shopping spree might be a bit much. But 1) I was waiting to bump in to a new black leather clutch, 2) I'm a sucker for anything leopard and 3) there were massive discounts involved. I swear I only had two clutches in my closet and these versatile ones (all from Kurt Geiger) will help me through the next years. Which one is your favorite?

photos by Eefje Gerritsjans

In Dublin with Primark: trends and my fave pieces

A few days ago I flew to Dublin, as huge budget chain Primark - Penneys as it's traditionally called in Ireland - invited me to cover their spring/summer collection for This chick's got style. By chance a massive store had just opened that same day in my country (4.000 square meters of shopping space in Almere, ladies), which was a huge success. I know Primark is located in countries many of my readers come from, and that you like a good fashion deal, hence the picture overload of what to expect while gearing up for summer! 

I was aware Primark in London carried some cool pieces but since they're not yet located in Amsterdam I hadn't been able to follow each collection as closely. Which made me all the more curious... After all, we're talking about a fashion chain that has prices ranging mostly between 7 and 30 euros. Settled in at the industrial building where the presentation took place (I was welcomed by handsome boys, sushi and lemonade... I'll love anything at that point!) I was pleasantly surprised at the detailing and spot on trends. Seen above are the more trend focussed items that will hit stores in quite limited amounts. There were quite a few items I wouldn't have minded secretly slipping in to my big handbag to take home. Let me take you through my faves and the trends as .

My favorite picks

 1) red and white woven jacket in the last picture, €29 (in stores february) LOVE! 2) denim shorts with tribal detailing, 3) photo print trousers €17 (in stores february), 4) Western denim bomber €19 (in stores March), 5) black and white jogger trousers €17 (in stores february) and 6) all of the printed a-line dresses (between €17 and €21).

Primark trend report for spring/summer 2013 

1) New old West, with a nod to the queen of modern country: Isabel Marant. Included lots of printed denim, Western shirts, collar details and even porcelain prints.

2) Swagger, an urban collection inspired by sports and pop culture. You'll find cool black oversized jogger pants to be worn as trousers, bold printed bombers, casual baseball jerseys and fun sweatshirts. 

3) Global traveller, breathing festivals and endless summer nights. Tribal prints were not too overdone (those denim shorts with the woven on motif were really well executed, as were the jeans), a black sheer maxi dress Kate Bosworth would easily wear to Coachella, and some good accessories.

4) Retro beat, featured retro femininity done in a more young and messy way. With sheer panel dresses, laser cut (faux) leather jackets and shorts and many dresses with an old school a-line silhouette but executed in modern digital prints. 

5) Crystal couture, basically anything you'd wear to a dreamy high tea. Candy colors have been around for a while, and the focus was on pastels like mint green and light pink with a bold neon pink. This sweet trend featured embellished sheer button downs, brodery Anglaise, colored lace and high necklines.