No longer a Polyvorgin...

For a while now, I've been seeing a few fashion blogs such as The Vintage Society and Fashiontribes feature stylish outfit collages created on Polyvore.

At first, I didn't pay much attention to it but eventually I let my curiosity get the better of me as it usually does. I started off slow, just putting items together to get a feel of the program. This has now turned into a full blown addiction with seemingly endless hours spent on this site.

Before I went on Polyvore, I had the impression that it was just a styling program but I soon realized that it allows much more freedom to experiment and be creative.

With a huge variety of images to choose from and a tool to import your own, creating these collages (or sets as they're called) is very simple and easy.

Normally, I would use Photoshop for these kinds of things but I think it's a whole lot more fun on Polyvore!

Below are some of the sets I've created.

Jungle Fever



Breakfast at Tiffany's



Black Fantasy



Soak up the sunset


Anedoti Summer Contest Set

If you're already on Polyvore or you plan to join, you can add me as a contact here http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/profile?id=214642.

I would love to see what you've created!

Fashion Inspiration - Vivid Colour

I've always loved wearing bright colours because of the way they instantly make me feel more alive and confident. My outfit post below was inspired by all the lovely, bold colours I've been seeing everywhere that will be even more prominent when summer arrives.


Some of my inspiration came from the Resort 2009 collections which were subdued for the most part but colour intensity was seen here and there such as on the runways of Christian Dior and Oscar de la Renta.

photos courtesy style.com

Colour was outstanding on the red carpets and at other events at the Cannes Film Festival. Eva Longoria, Natalie Portman, Salma Hayek and Dita von Teese looked positively stunning in their gorgeous, highly saturated dresses.

photos courtesy justjared.com

These fashionable ladies on various street style and personal fashion blogs show they're not afraid of wearing the boldest of colours, whether in the form of a dress or separates.

There was the lovely lady in pink from France (Garance Doré), the wonderfully stylish Silje from Sweden looked divine in a red dress (Silje's Fashion), California girl Lulu worked a funky yellow top (Lulu's chic blog), New York fashion stylist Julie Ragolia was chic in a green skirt (The Sartorialist), Copenhagen girl looked cool in a purple skirt (Copenhagen Street Style) and in Austin, Texas, this lady was beautiful in a blue and purple dress on a night out (Austin Style Watch).




These guys also show their lack of intimidation when it comes to wearing bright colours.

The picture of confidence in a purple suit in Munich (Style Clicker), a stylish blue short trench in Paris (Street Peeper) and a pair of bold red jeans in New York (Street Peeper).




In this gorgeous editorial spread from the May/June issue of V Magazine, models Jessica Stam, Doutzen Krous and Lily Donaldson look extra radiant in brightly hued clothing and accessories.

photos courtesy fashionising.com

You can bring some colour into your life and style with these items below.

ASOS Full Skirt Cotton Dress
Price: UK £28.00 ($61.07)
http://www.asos.com/countryid/2/Chloe-Sevigny/Asos/Asos-Full-Skirt-Cotton-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=224621&cid=4168&clr=Orange&sh=0&Rf-200=7

Dipped Drop Earrings
Price: US$3.80
http://www.forever21.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=FOREVER21&category%5Fname=casual+tops&product%5Fid=1050277760&showBACK=OK

Nine West Nacre
Price: US$59.99

http://www.ninewest.com/n/browse/product.s?productId=2923000&origin_displayName=5W1291719&type=cross

Coil Rosette Dress
Price: US$29.80
http://www.forever21.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=FOREVER21&category%5Fname=dresses&product%5Fid=2049106311&Page=all

Stop Staring Vintage Reproduction 1940s Pleated Skirt
Price: US$79.95
http://babygirlboutique.com/stop-staring-1940s-pleated-pencil-skirt-cranberry.html

Ikat Top
Price: US$19.99
http://www.charlotterusse.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3083056&cp=&view=all&sr=1&origkw=green&kw=green&parentPage=search&searchId=

ONA Puffy Sleeved Collared Zip-Up Jacket
Price: US$28.99
http://stores.channeladvisor.com/cutesyshoes/Items/onaigj445-purple?sck=3043829&caSKU=onaigj445-purple&caTitle=ONA%20Puffy%20Sleeved%20Collared%20Zip-Up%20Jacket%20Purple

Yellow Envelope Clutch
Price: US$18.00
http://moxiebee.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_9&products_id=29

Sheath Dress with Contrast Banding
Price: US$49.99
http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=13087&Ne=1400001&Nr=AND%28CAT_SALE_FLAG%3aY%29&viewAll=true&Ns=SALE_SEQUENCE_NO&N=1200054+61+1400027&Nty=1&sizeTypeRefinement=Misses&categoryId=270&defaultColorNameFromCategory=Hot%20Pink&defaultSizeTypeFromCategory=Misses

Shop in Style Turquoise Flare Skirt

Price: US$58.00
http://www.yesstyle.com/en/Product.aspx?pid=1010912769&section=women&

I apologize for the exceptionally long post today but I had a lot of inspiration to share!

What I'm wearing - Sunny disposition

I don't really like doing outfit posts mainly because I have such a lousy camera that takes extremely lousy photos.

I decided to give it a try today and it took me about half an hour to get a proper photo of the outfit I'm wearing, ugh.

Regarding the outfit itself, I just felt like mixing it up today, combining the long wrap blouse and the yellow ruffle trim dress with the boots.

Believe it or not, I once hated the colour yellow, especially the very bright sunshine yellow like I'm wearing in the photo. Over time, I began to warm to the colour (no pun intended) and now I find myself liking more and more yellow clothing. I bought this cute yellow sundress a little while ago but this is the first time I'm wearing it.

Yellow Bandeau Dress - Asos.com
Printed wrap blouse - Thrifted
Vintage slouch boots - Ebay
Black cinch belt - unknown

N.B Objects in photo are not as cheerful as they appear...

Love this - H&M Summer 08 TV Spot

One of my favourite models, Daria Werbowy, looks absolutely fantastic in this Summer 08 commercial for H&M.

The spot shows Daria relaxing on the beach, playfully frolicking on the sand and enjoying a boat ride, all the while looking natural and gorgeous in her H&M swimwear.

If you were having any trouble at all getting prepared for summer, this commercial will do the trick!

(Music: "Lay Your Head Down" by Keren Ann)

The Short and the Belted

Cute, casual and perfect for summer! These shorts are the perfect clothing item for the season.

Simply tie the belt in a loose knot and wear with a casual shirt and sandals for a relaxed look. If you like, you also have the option of tying the belt in a bow to fancy up the shorts a little and pair with heels and a nice blouse for a night out.

These shorts are daring and flirty and you're sure to have fun in them all summer long!

Kate's Khaki Shorts
Price: US$32.00
http://www.lulus.com/products/Kates+Khaki+Shorts/8313.html

Belt Short - Yellow
Price: UK £25.00 (US$49.28)
http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=true&catalogId=19551&storeId=12556&categoryId=74435&parent_category_rn=74433&productId=627746&langId=-1

RyuRyu Cuffed Shorts with Floral Print Scarf Belt
Price: US$49.00
http://www.yesstyle.com/en/Product.aspx?pid=1010699567&section=women&#gallery

Belted Shorts - Razzleberry
Price: US$39.50
http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=13642&pid=498511

Termi Cinch Bottom Studded Shorts - Cream
Price: US$22.99
http://stores.channeladvisor.com/cutesyshoes/Items/termi-ct3009-crm?&caSKU=termi-ct3009-crm&caTitle=TERMI%20Cinch%20Bottom%20Studded%20Shorts%20CREAM%20(BEIGE)

Sydney Safari Short
Price: US$34.50
http://store.delias.com/item.do?itemID=49640&siteID=J84DHJLQkR4-%2FgTFmmuDaxmxmhXN5%2F8rVw

Poplin Short Short
Price: US$34.50
http://www.expressfashion.com/overlays/product_details.jsp?productid=859

Plaid Three Button Short
Price: US$17.80
http://www.forever21.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=FOREVER21&category%5Fname=shorts&product%5Fid=2047522707&Page=all#

Self Sash Denim Short
Price: US$68.00
http://www.ardenb.com/catalog/product.jsp?categoryId=134&subCategoryId=150&productId=9778

Like it or not? - Net Heel Boots

These boots give a different spin to the ubiquitous gladiator shoe trend and I must say, I quite like them. They'll certainly bring the same amount of edginess to an outfit as gladiators do and I'm sure you fashion mavens would have a fun time with these.

With Mocha Net Heel Boots

Price: US$70.00
http://www.yesstyle.com/en/Product.aspx?pid=1011016028&section=bags&

I could definitely see one of the Olsens or Gwyneth Paltrow (Hollywood's newest shoe aficionado) rocking a pair, probably with a higher heel though.

They come in black and tan and I personally prefer the black ones because they're bolder and if you're gonna wear these shoes, why not be as bold as possible?


What about you? Like 'em or not?


P.S I added a poll in the sidebar asking about your biggest fashion vice. I always seem to gravitate towards jackets and blazers even though I don't really need them where I live. I'd like to know what fashion item you just can't seem to get enough of.

Random Thoughts - Always in Vogue

Over the span of three years or so, I’ve collected tons of magazines and, like many people, Vogue is one of my absolute favourites.

The editorial spreads are always stunning and creative and the articles are compelling. However, if there's one thing you can never miss on a Vogue, it's the cover.

Even before the issues hit the newsstands, people are often anxious to see who the next cover star is going to be, whether it be a celebrity or a supermodel.

For the month of June, Sarah Jessica Parker and Agyness Deyn grace the covers of the US Vogue and the British Vogue, respectively.

photos courtesy http://whenyourebored.wordpress.com and vogue.co.uk

While photographs of beautiful people on the cover is what we've become accustomed to, it hasn't always been this way.

Vogue magazine was founded in 1892 by Arthur Baldwin Turnure and began its days as a weekly social journal for the high society crowd; fashion was not the original focus.

It was not until 1909 when Conde Nast bought the magazine that things began to change. Within a few years, he transformed Vogue into a high-end women's fashion magazine. He hired some of the best illustrators to create beautiful, captivating covers for the magazine to suit the times.

Here are some of the early Vogue covers that I found stunning.

photos courtesy www.tylerlee.net

Which do you prefer, the photographs or the illustrations? I appreciate them both as they bring completely different aesthetics to the cover but while the illustrations are gorgeous, I think the photographs are more suited to our time.



To see more vintage Vogue covers, click here.

To read an article on the June US Vogue photo shoot and also see behind-the-scenes footage, click here.

To get a sneak peek at the contents of the June British Vogue, click here.