Armed with a handbag

By Neslihan

Today I woke up, watched the final 2 episodes of American Horror Story and realized that it's about time I pay a visit to my own blog instead of gushing about someone else's. My last exam was on the 19th of June and I have been watching series and creating collages eversince. My mind is being invaded by beautiful collections, accessories, movies and ART in short. Now I'm realizing that I have a big fat 2.5 month vacation ahead of me, I'm kind of panicking because I'm an enormous workaholic. I constantly want to be busy and see, learn, feel new things. I'm telling you, I've been making lists of movies I should watch and books I should read and topics I should blog about. I constantly have to feel pressure because my life kind of feels empty without it. I know this sounds crazy but I have been trying to slow down lately. That kind of explains my lack of lust for blogging lately. Everytime I started blogging I felt like the thing I was writing wasn't significant enough, so I stopped and have now stored 3-4 unfinished blogposts in my concepts draft. I'm so terribly sorry (I don't really mean it though) but it just didn't feel right. So I'm picking up the pieces once again (OMG why so D R A M A T I C) and reviving this self-proclaimed fashion blog.

First up: Versace Galore

It has actually been quite a while since I've posted anything that was 'catwalk material' but I guess I had lost my interest in that side of fashion until this Versace collection popped up and restored my faith in the fashion gods. I like how Donatella and her fashion brand are always balancing between vulgarity, bad taste, Italian quirkiness and craftsmanship. The Spring 2015 collection is cool as ice and sleek like a motherfucker. It drifts somewhere inbetween flawless manly silhouettes and elegant femininity. That remark comes from a stereotypical perception of masculinity and femininity of course but before I enter the debate on gender roles, I'd like to finish this vain attempt to a -what's called 'fashion review' in the fashionable mouths of the beau monde. I love how Donatella has created those unicolour outfits, which don't only look chiquer but also richer. As in richer colours, fabrics and postures. I like the beige and cold grey together (4th picture) and I adore how she paired up an outfit like this with freakin' sandals. It's as if she is showing us the new business man, who doesn't take himself that serious. Someone who's ready to pop in funky pinks, soft minimalistic blues and shiny beiges. He isn't afraid of wearing handbags and accentuating his waist. Wait, I think I'm creating this amazing utopia in which everyone creates her/his own (fashion) identity without being told that something looks too manly or girly for him/her.

If 'Scarface' were to have a 2014 remake and I were to be the stylist, I'd put every single actor in a summer '15 Versace outfit because 'Scarface' means power, luxury, refinement and bling and I'm afraid Versace has all of it to offer, including the handbags. I had enough of the stiff and macho definition of 'masculinity', enter loafers, chinos, shiny fabrics and flexible gender lingo.

Aspiration

By Neslihan
I could bitch about the results of yesterday's Belgian national elections after which a rightest, very conservative and national party has won but I won't. Because this is a self proclaimed fashion blog that has to tingle your brain out of thrill and not arise all the hairs on your neck out of frustration. So, eventhough I find it hard to spread positivity these days with the exams starting and the sleepless nights welcoming me with their frightening claws, I am still gonna try to do so.

There are still things to look forward to, you see:

1) Eventhough it's raining right now, I know sunny days are coming up. I mean literally, not in a sentimentally symbolic kind of way.
2) Sun means dresses, shorts, skirts and shaven legs. And if you're a girl, then you know the joy of just shaved legs. It's like the feel of cute little dolphins and I'm not even exaggerating.
3) Sun also/most of the time means freetime and freetime means lots of spending time with your boyfriend, friends and family. But it also means sprending time alone: READING. And I can only look forward to that since I'm planning to read lotsa Bukowski and Orwell. Yes, I like pessimist literature. There are so many happy endings already.
4) July means sales. And eventhough I'm looking forward to cheap lingerie, shoes and dresses, I am NOT looking forward to the mess, people almost killing each other for a garment and the panick of not finding your own size. That's why I'll keep an eye on online shops.
5) July also means work and therefore work means cash. Cash I wanna spend on cool activities during summer or after.
6) This one is a little precarious but July also means getting your exam results, and after passing today's exam so easilly, I'm motivated to do better for the others. There's nothing better than starting your holidays knowing your hard work during the school year has paid of.

Since there is nothing in the world that makes me happier on a short term but lingerie, Imma post some of my favourites of the & Other Stories site. They're so elegant and efortless, the kind you need for hot (literally hot, I didn't mean sexy hot) sticky days. Lingerie is the best form of self loving after all. It's this little secret you have with yourself. And you can analyze someone's character by the lingerie she wears. Mine is usually quite simple but with a twist whether it's the colour, material or form, lingerie always has a story to tell and most of the time it's more than "take it off".

 Midnight blue: 19 EUR

See-through secrets: 25 EUR

Powdery pink: 35 EUR

Black widow

Bra: 29 EUR

Panties: 15 EUR

Sexy traditionalist

Bra: 29 EUR

Panties: 15 EUR

 I think they're quite affordable. They're in the same price category like Women's Secret and Intimissimi bras but slightly more expensive than your regular H&M model. I think these bras come in very handy if you don't have big boobs since they don't look that supportive. They're pretty nothings made to show off with. I'm planning to get myself one, so I'll tell you whether they support my besties. Oh, and the bras that I haven't posted as a set DO have matching panties. Feel free to spoil yourself.

Which one do you like best?

S-T-R-A-P-P-E-D

By Neslihan

CAN I GET AN AMEN FOR LENA DUNHAM'S PERFORMANCE IN THE 'ROLE PLAY' EPISODE? Not only was she hilarious but she was also amazingly brave for putting on that bondage themed playsuit. She gave it a playful Hannah twist though as she paired it up with a blue pair of cute cotton panties. It's not the first episode in which she fysically disarms herself because she recently did the same thing in the 'Beach House' episode when she wore a bikini during the whole episode. And I admire her for that 'cause I believe she brings a whole new level of body positivity into the business. She's not a size 0, nor a size 4 yet she manages to feel comfortable taking her clothes off on screen. Not that I'm saying she shouldn't but it must be very confronting at the moment because it's all about exposing your vulnerability to strangers who are watching the series but also to your co-workers who are on the set with you. And that's why the award for 'Best Guts' goes to Lena Dunham. You just can tell she doesn't give a f*ck about comformism and she will keep on flashing her boobs and ass on HBO. And I can only support that since we need more realistic role models.

But her playsuit also reminded me of those Nobuyoshi Araki bondage photos:

Try it at home:

Agent Provocateur 

La Fille d'O

Women's Secret

Eventhough Agent Provocateur and La Fille d'O have playsuits that are slightly more edgy and daring, I'd go for the grey lace playsuit because it cheaper but also a little more classy and elegant. But if I had the money I'd just buy 'em all.

Which one would you wear?

The only way is up

By Neslihan

When I decided to blog today I thought I'd write something profound, something that keeps me busy. Something that frustrates me perhaps. I was determined to plunge into the deepest corners of my narcissistic soul but when I finally logged in I felt no urge to be connected to my negativity. I live in my mind and the activity never stops. It feels like I always have to move forward and when I don't it feels like a day not lived. But today I decided to keep myself busy with shallowness. I just wanna think something is pretty without having to justify it. Because not everyting in life is rocket science.

Renewed basics

Chique T-shirt: it's the easiest match with your pair of leather leggings or high-waist skirt. You can tuck it in or create boxy minimalistic silhouettes. It is completely up to you. But whatever you do, go for soft materials and dreamy digital prints.

Sophisticated sweater: why make things complicated if you can have it the easy way? Sweaters are for lazy days full of selfdoubt. It's okay to have coffee stains on it because although this says 'sophisticated', sophistication is the last thing on your mind.

Shop: http://fr.sandro-paris.com/

Shimmery cropped top: sport your unflat belly as much as you need to. It's not about shaming you, it's about shaming them who say you can't. That being said, I think this is the most perfect piece of garment I've seen over the past months. It's chique, it's quirky, it's girly. It has all the elments for the perfect babylicious outfit.

New white shirt: it's immortal, it's iconic and it's everything you want it to be. Sexy in 'Basic Instinct' but ridiculosly tomboyish in 'Pulp Fiction'. It's the most flexible clothing piece ever. You can't be underdressed, nor overdressed. It's a statement on its own. And from now on it's a polo, all buttoned up and see-through at the top.

Shop: http://www.zara.com/

Colour-blocking in 2014: it's not about screamy fluorescents anymore. It's about modesty and class. It's about playfulness but with the needed limits. And although it seems chaotic, there is a certain structure in its fit, design and lines. Sir Paul Smith always knows how to win my heart.

Classic black top: there is nothing as liberating as a basic black top. It seriously goes with everything. I like to pair it up with a pair of faded black jeans to get those minimalistic 90's vibes (favourite fashion decade ever). But this one doesn't only have the perfect fit but it's also the most flattering cropped top ever. Not to mention the perfect neck line.

Shops: 
http://www.paulsmith.co.uk/ (on the left)
http://www.net-a-porter.com/Shop/Designers/Stella_McCartney/Clothing?level3Filter=&pn=1&npp=60&image_view=product&dScroll=0 (on the right)

Let me monochrome your mind

By Neslihan

'Monochrome' is probably the hottest word of the moment appearing on every blog and in every trend report. It's nothing complicated though; it's about people wearing stuff that's made of one colour only. So this means you dress in one colour, you eat one colour, you decorate in one colour, you poop one colour etc. It's beautiful simplicity wrapped in classy jargon. You probably did monochrome when you were a toddler or primary school style icon. At least I did, I remember dressing in red from head to toe feeling like one million. Nothing much changed, the rules are the same but the choices you'll make will be a lot more sophisticated than your early teen wardrobe chronicles. It's really about dressing down, staying pure and let the colours, shapes and materials speak for themself. Don't accessorize or apply too much make-up. Keep it clean and simple, maybe a glowing skin, some matte lipstick and a little mascara are all you need. It's about holding in your inner vibrant mamacita to draw the attention to the clothing. So do keep your wild hair simple, sleek pony tail or loose with a middle division are my favourite hair styles for this trend. So to get you started I've selected some monochrome white shoe delish to make you hyperventilate. I feel like white is the ideal colour to start all over, to introduce spring that is only a few weeks away. Cheers to new beginnings and shoes.

Budget Céline S/S '13

Jeffrey Campbell 71.43 EUR via Nasty Gal

Pumped up kicks

Nike Air Force 109.99 EUR via Footlocker

Toddler glamour for grown-ups

Jelly sandals 30.00 EUR via River Island

Modern day geisha

Platform sandals 49.95 EUR via Zara

Stella McCartney for the poor

Sky high sophistication 75.95 EUR via Zara

60's snobism

Mocassins 69.95 EUR via Zara

An ode to the red-haired princess X Zara

By Neslihan

Zara Trafaluc, 49.95 EURO

I've been obsessing over Florence Welch as long as I can remember. That sweet voice, those fiery locks, that porselain colmplexion and her 'granny gone hip' style have captured my heart eversince I saw her in 'Kiss with a Fist'. Florence seems like a hoarder who goes to every open air market to see what they've got for her. Antique chairs, vintage chiffon scarves, deep green velvet caftans; you name it, she probably has it. She plays with different styles but she is very consistent along the road. It's about rich fabrics and crowded prints, clothing that tells a story, that's what makes dressing up worthwhile for Florence. She layers and overdoes it sometimes but it never looks bad. No on the contary, she looks like a quirky bohemian 70's princess who might just be born in the wrong era. The way she puts on those glamourous maxi dresses on stage and dances her way to the audience is just delightful because there is no consistency in her dance moves. Yet she knows how to be elegant in an unforced kind of way. I also love her iconic hairdo: that deep red colour and those straight bangs create this playful and at the same time naive vibe. Her make up is quite basic. She makes sure her skin looks whiter that white and puts on some scarlet red lipstick or accentuates her eyes with some eye liner.

-----------------CAUTION- CAUTION- CAUTION- GURL CRUSH ALLERT------------------

Zara Trafaluc, 29.95 EURO

And since I've been craving for everything that Welch would wear, I think Zara Trafaluc has the best fall/winter collection ever. The florals, the sheer fabrics, the warm colours and the edgy shoes make this collection look like something Miss Welch would wear. I also think this collection has a strong Dries Van Noten mark because of the grungy tartan prints mixed with painter'esque florals.

Zara Trafaluc, 29.95 EURO

Zara Trafaluc, 14.95 EURO

Zara Trafaluc, 49.95 EURO

Zara Trafaluc, 79.95 EUR

Zara Trafaluc, 99.95 EURO

Some girls, some shoes

Heya,
I'm seriously balancing between 'omg, I got a genius subject to blog about' and 'nah, mojo too low, bish'. I've been working my ass off the last couple of weeks. I'm not complaining though because the cash is more than welcome since my wish list got a tatsy longer. I start at six AM and I leave my work at three PM, amazed by another heat wave that meets me outside. I am not kidding you, I'm gobsmacked when I'm welcomed by the tropical temperatures when leaving my work place. You can't have a good hairday when it 30 degrees cuz I got really, really thick black hair and it attracts the sun like crazy. Natural result? I sweat my ass off and keep my hair in a sloppy bun/braid. I have given up satin like fabrics and embraced cotton, cotton, cotton! I've invested in a hell of basics lately cuz I can't handle synthetic, no sweat-absorbing fabrics right now. But enough about me, for now at least. 'Gotta wake up this fashion cemetry' PART 256304. I'm just not the regular blogger and you are not the regular visitor. But it's okay, we get along just fine.
Here a collage to represent my current mood. I begin to feel like teenager years are the golden years lately because it's an inbetweener thing. You're not completely mature but you're definitely not a child anymore. It's about becoming a lady without deserting your inner rebel. That's also what your outfit is sporting but you don't mind cuz it feels natural as you combine your ripped 90's jeans with your crispy white shirt. You don't forget to put on your favourite nike trainers and kick the day like you did back in high school. It's all about mixing and matching, there are no rules and the boundaries between ages are becoming vaguer each season and that's just something to like cuz dressing up like a 18 year old aint a shame no more when you're 28. And the other way around is possible aswell.
Sunset has turned me in a true melancholic and I don't mind because I feel like daydreaming and painting hearts on my chest as I run through Vogue Paris and sip a little of my café frappé. It's all about feeling like an adult when you put on those high heels and feeling like a teen when you have to cook your own meal. "Hey, I'm tired! Mom? Anyone?" Since I live on my own, I'm left to my own destiny (read: non-existing cooking skills) and I've been living on pasta pesto and salmon for the first couple of months but I literally started to sweat pesto and got sick of it. So now I'm trying to survive on american cookies as I'm checking out new and easy recipes. And it feels like life has only started, which is bullocks of course but hey, you do get the point. So I too am balancing between being an understanding adult and a quirky (is it even okay to say that about yourself? cares) 19-year old.

And those girls have that kind of vibe. They look innocent yet naughty, pretty yet unsophisticated, girly but not yet womanly. And that's what I like. They represent that careless feel and they look really confident while doing so. So why does everyone keep on saying that teen gurlz dont luk confident, omg? Tavi sure is the C in 'confident'. Look at that sassy look, as if she could handle the world. And I just love Léa Seydoux's hair (right above). Dye your hair in rainbow shades while you still can. This girl rocks all colours ---> INSPO! 

And what's better than a pair of shoes to feed your unsatisfiable teen soul? Feed your lust at Dr. Martens dot com. Those babies are on sale and I just love 'em. They're summery, flowery and very girly yet they're kick ass Martens, what else does a teen girl desire? 

The first two pair are only £45!!! The last pair is even cheaper: £40!

Thanks for reading my rambling post and enjoy your pretty evening.

Neslihan

Mrs Dalloway said she would buy the flowers herself

By Neslihan

It's a Sunday morning, soft breeze underneath your dress, chaos in your hair and a heavenly voice singing to you. It's the perfect scenario for a perfect summer day. The days are long, the nights are short and it feels as if your holiday is endless, as if you still have a lifetime to start and even to finish the things you want to do. Nothing feels forced and the sunshine makes everything lighter. Today was a lazy day? No problem, you still have tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow, and the day after that. It's just the randomness of summer that appeals to me; as if you can meet new people on every corner of the street. Coffee dates at noon, picnick after 12, really bad movies at midnight. Oh, how I've missed the spare time to do those little nothings.
And even though the collage is rather stuffed it represents my mood effortlessly. I want my days to be  filled with caprisun, daisies in my hair and good books. I want soft fabrics because summer -more than any other season- is about caressing your skin with lace, silk and satin. I want to smell the rain on the hot city concrete. I want to feel the sun on my shaven legs. But above all, I want the summer. Could you stay for a while?

1) Daisy eau de toilette by Marc Jacobs
2) Bra by Princesse Tam Tam
3) Socks at American Apparel
4) Espadrille creepers at Zara (WANT)
5) Picture from Jalouse FR June 2013
6) Lyrics from 'Home' by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
7) Sunglasses on etsy.com
8) Basket: unknown
9) Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
10) Kimono vest at Topshop
11) Summer fluid (Apple-cherry is the deal)

Single lovin'

By Neslihan

Yours truly sending you love. Literally.

In two days every restaurant, every café, every little corner will be overdosed with tacky hearts, cute kissing couples and mellow love songs but you are S-I-N-G-L-E. And I refused to write 'still single' because that just sounds so desparate and desparate is not sexy. Keep that in mind. Now that crucial day for love birds discriminates all the fabulous single gals and dudes. That's why I'm taking a moment to honor all those who are enjoying their lazy single life. A couple of advantages single life offers you:

1) You can be shamelessly selfish! Hey, you do not have to share your candybar or find a movie you both like. You can watch your corny girl's series and have marathons on your own.
2) "I'm sorry but I don't feel like meeting up" or "I'm sick" are excuses you don't have to use if you don't feel like dating your bf. A girl needs some time for herself too, you know?
3) You can crush as hard or as much as you want and you don't have to feel guilty for it!
4) You can shop as long as you want without your bf saying "honey, I'm tired, are we going home already?" or "I'm hungry, let's stop and grab a lunch!"
5) You can wear your slobby PJ's at any hour of the day but that doesn't mean you don't have to look good or take care of yourself. Real love starts with yourself - as cliché as this sounds.
6) You're not overwhelmed by the constant urge of texting or seeing that one person. Seriously saves you some time and energy to do other stuff.
7) You don't have to relate to every love song you hear because ew, no.
8) You can sing and burp shamelessly without worrying whether you're still looking elegant, and that's worth staying single for!

---NO, JUST JOKING.---

PLOT TWIST: IT'S STILL A DIFFERENT KIND 

OF FUN WHEN YOU CAN DO THE THINGS ABOVE

 WITH THAT ONE PERSON.