New In - OPI Holland Collection

I am always very excited after placing an order with my favourite Ebay shop: Justpolish. Although I know it will take up to three weeks to arrive, it's well worth the wait as OPI varnishes go for a fraction of the price in the US (compared to the limited sale points here in Amsterdam). In addition to fashion and lifestyle blogs, I like to keep up with the nailpolish blogs and couldn't wait to get my hands (or indeed nails) on the new OPI Holland collection. With names like Gouda Gouda Two Shoes, Thanks a Windmillion and Pedal Faster Suzi!, who could resist?
My favourite so far is the hot pink Kiss me on my Tulips, which seems to have a bluish undertone and seems almost neon in sunlight. With the current weather situation, bright nails will definitely be cheering me up this week!

New In – Marni for H&M

At long last the Marni for H&M products hit the shops and Internet a few weeks ago and from 9:30 onwards you could see me frantically clicking my multiple Internet tabs trying to get through to the H&M online store. Miraculously I got through just after 10:00 and managed to get everything on my wish list!

I was so happy when the biggest H&M box I'd ever seen arrived, and ever more excited when I started unpacking everything and it all fit! I am especially in love with the pyjama-style shirt which can be worn casual with jeans or matching shorts or chique with black cropped trousers. Both pairs of shoes are very comfortable but after falling flat on my face while wearing the heels (consequently scuffing the leather), and measuring them to be 15cm high (!), I have decided to be a bit careful and not venture out on them without someone to hold on to.
All in all I am delighted with my goodies which seem to a have a somewhat timeless elegance, and vow to wear them lots and lots.

Karl made me do it!

Monday didn't seem like the day I would find (and purchase) one of my ultimate wishlist wants. But the Danie Bles shopping event held at the World Fashion Centre in Amsterdam provided a less-than-healthy vintage overload.

After last week's Marni spree (of which hopefully more this week) I felt pretty saturated clothing wise and had decided to take a break on Spring shopping. Then came an invitation for a shopping event by Dutch stylist Danie Bles, in which she would sell vintage Chanel, Hermès and Louis Vuitton belonging to her (celeb) customers. Well, who am I to say no to that?

So off friend D. and I trotted only to find some of the best-looking vintage I'd seen for ages at affordable prices. Hello said I to a beautiful Jil Sander doctor's bag which didn't leave my arm the entire afternoon. That was, until I met my maker. An early 2000s (vintage? no, but who cares) Chanel jacket. Which fit me.

When Danie herself came up to me to congratulate me on my great purchase, I knew it was meant to be. I decided to nab the bag too, as you can never have too many vintage bags right?

My Marni for H&M picks

I was very excited to hear the latest H&M collaboration was going to be Marni and the first images had me (almost) saving pennies. Then some more images dropped and my delight faded somewhat. Until, that is, I just saw what will actually be on offer! OMG only the perfect pyjama-suit, sandals, heels, bag and sunnies. Bye-bye bank balance, hello Marni!

Hair inspiration

Tomorrow is the day I finally get my ass to a proper hairdresser's and get my coupe sorted. I have been walking around with a somewhat failed attempt at ombre hair for a while now and really want a professional colour for Spring. Here's some inspiration I found floating around the web.

All images Pinterest

I have been dying to get some crazy colour in my hair for ages now and seeing as Spring is full of pastels, what better excuse to add a touch of peach, pink or turqoise?

Fun in the snow

Coat  Zara
Scarf Studio Ruig
Hat Found

Last Friday I got a call from my ex-flatmate (who has sadly left us for London) whether I fancied a spot of ice skating on the Amsterdam canals. As an almost fully-fledged Dutch person, I couldn't refuse. So off we went to the Vondelpark where the ponds were completely frozen. Unfortunately we couldn't find any skates for hire and had to take turns on W's Noren (weird-looking skates). I say take turns, actually I skated for about 10 seconds as I am terrified of falling flat on my face! It was a beautiful day and we ended up drinking Glühwein on the Prinsengracht and going on a massive shopping spree after to warm up! Talk about a once in a lifetime experience.

On another note, how happy am I with my new iPhone which has a pretty awesome camera. See pics above.

Flowerbomb

Oh Spring, why do you fail me now? Just as we were all thinking, Jack Frost isn't going to pay us a visit this year, the cold came. I must admit I have tried to stay indoors as much as possible these last few days, but even the small visits downstairs to receive and sign for packages are a test to sensitive skin.
In preparation for Spring, I had ordered this gorgeous trousers-and-chiffon-shirt combination at Zara. Luckily hanging it on my mannequin brings a sense of Spring to my room (and so much more fashion-forward than a bunch of flowers)!

So, I think Zara may have taken its inspiration from Alexander Wang s/s 2012. Lets just hope Zara decide to take a little more inspiration so I can get my paws on one of these graphic outfits below!

New Shoes

When the weather's horrible and a new season is on its way, what better way to cheer yourself up than with a new pair of shoes?
I have been coveting the impossible to find Isabel Marant Becket/Willow sneakers for over a year now and had found a suitable (and way more affordable) alternative in Ash's Birdy kicks. Unfortunately, they had been sold out everywhere as well, so imagine my surprise when I stumbled upon these babies the other day at monshowroom.com! Thanks to a concealed wedge heel, they look like regular high-top sneakers, yet give you a bit of extra height which is never a bad thing if you ask me!

On a more ladylike note, I came accross these Chanel-inspired (or was that Isabel Marant again?) pumps at H&M the other day and couldn't resist. They're surprisingly comfortable thanks to a rather low heel, and they made me feel ever so elegant walking around Amsterdam!

 

High-top sneakers: Ash
Pumps: H&M Trend