NATALIE WITHOUT THE H

My Fav Five - Zara

I heart Zara! I will admit it - it's true!

They translate trends in a smart, polished and stylish way that is affordable. Let's me honest, everyone has something from Zara in their wardrobe and for some of us it is our go to shop.

So I went through their online shop and picked out my must haves for this month. Yes this month because clever as they are every month brings something new to tempt us with.

Source: Zara.com

1. Leather trousers - or leatherette really - I know I mentioned this last year how much I envy the leggy girls who can get away with wearing these but I am now going to take the plunge and find the curvy girl's version. I reckon with enough stretch and the right fit we curvy girls can get away with it too and look pretty fine doing it. So watch this space as to how I get on!

Source: Zara.com

2. Fur vests - when I told my sister I loved this vest she compared me with a grey Big Bird. So needless to say we have very different tastes but I love the length and the colour. So have it on my fav list. I wonder what you think?

Source: Zara.com

3. Studs - studs and more studs - if you saw my earlier post you will have read about my latest obsession and that I think Zara has stayed very true to the Valentino take on studs, keeping them polished. So I thought revamped the ueber popular shopper with studs is genius! I love it.

Source: Zara.com

4. Embellished jackets - or cardies is you prefer. I love combining opposites in fashion - leather with floaty, studs with pastels and here embellished with softness. For me, the 1950s with their collars and pearls and embellishment was too ridgid. It makes me think of Mona Lisa's Smile which immediately makes me cringe in the closed mindedness it portrayed. So this jacket gives the best of boths worlds. Embellished for then, flexible for now.

Source: Zara.com

5. Shoes - A girl can NEVER have too many shoes although in my case she can make a few very odd choices. And these sandals are sexy and so now but also super practical with black tights for winter and bare legged for summer. You could almost call it an investment!

So these are my fav five - how about you? What do you love?

Labels: Monthly Lust List

Fashion Must Haves

Jippie - it is a new season and new fashion to get excited about. Here are my current wish list items - but take note my wish list is an ever changing thing... that's what makes it so fun!

www.asos.com

First of all, a good watch is a must have. I will admit I have a little bit of collection but one thing still missing is a chunky gold male version in ideally rose gold. Soft but masculine, fresh yet warm - I think this Michael Kors version is fantastic for just this purpose. And the collection is so vaste that there will be something for everyone. I am sure.

www.asos.com

The white shirt. You can really take this to the limited - fitted, boyfriend, slouchy, pleated, rouched, wide and so on and so on. A crisp white shirt can add a bit of the unexpected to any outfit or just straighten it out. I love that there a store dedicted to just this - the white shirt (think Anne Fontaine) but you can do you white shirt hunting at any fashion spot worth its name and reputation. The photo featured here is from Asos and I am in love plus for that price... whats to think about!

www.asos.com

Ladies - please - please - please go out and buy a pencil skirt! It suits us all - curvy, straight, tall, slim, boyish and this season there are so many versions to choose from. Granted the example above is a little risky (mind you thay have a green one online too think Jenny Lyons with a white shirt) but with jersey alternatives, or zipper feature versions there will for sure be one that suits you. I love them so I have already have 3 and even my curviness am loving this sequin one with a white shirt.

www.asos.com

Hello 70's... The other silhouette I adore this season is this flowly midi dress perfect with boots and Farrah Fawcett hair and a smile. I love this for a colour splash truly a gem to have in my closet.

www.asos.com

And tell me about it stud... I love a good shoe and spikey, studded ones are almost too good to be true. I am looking for the right pair to combine funky, with classy and just love the view of this pair...

Now you may be noticing a trend here... my love of ASOS and true they have a huge collection of brands, ship easily abroad (anywhere really) and do brilliant takes on today's fashion what's not to love...

Labels: Curvy Girl Rules, Monthly Lust List

June Lusting

Last weekend I spent in London and it was heavenly. Went to my trusted all hairdresser (thank you Andrew @ Headmaster Putney) - maybe not glam but ever so good. Had my nails done - so nice not to hear someone say are you sure you want these shorter. Followed by river side lunch with a glass of wine in the sunshine. Met up with my darling friends for dinner at my favourite spots: Eight over Eight - Kings Road, followed by champagne at Amuse Bouche - Parsons Green Lane and girlie lunch at Manicomio - Kings Road and drinks at the Bluebird plus an amazing long boozy girlie lunch at Brinkley's on Hollywood Road where even after being away for 2 years I am still greeted as a dear friends (thank you Yanis - hope I spelled that correctly)

But I did also so a bit of shopping and I have found a new love. Austique http://www.austique.co.uk/ on the Kings Road is a fab shop to carrying my favourite Superga trainers to groovy dresses and jeans but also to die for jewellery.

And here it is my new lust objection.
Sydney Evens jewellery. (All images courtesy of www.austique.co.uk and can be purchased online) Dainty jewellery in white gold, yellow gold and rose gold. With precious stones so incredibly lovely I will be saving up for these!

Labels: Monthly Lust List

The toughest Wardrobe Choices to make - beach gear!

Today it begins - the official start to the beach wear season the Cannes Film Festival. Prepare yourself to see all the stars and starlets in their best beach gear taking on the beaches of the Cote. I always find myself excited to see what people are wearing, to find the inspiration for my own fashion version for the Cote (note to self work out quickly only a few weeks left to go). What will make this fashion season even more excited I think is the new It one-pieces. I mean if Herve Leger can develop a bandage one piece (that isnt actually meant to swim in) then there is trend a coming...

So here are my pick of the amazing suits:

This Zimmerman creation is on my list because it incorporates two of my big favourites this season - ruffles and the colour yellow. Super cheerful and just sunshine in a suit. Source: http://www.netaporter.com/

For me Missoni is a beach classic - I love the colour combinations, the knits, the design - maybe in one word the lightness that Missoni captures in their creations. Just stunning.

Source: http://www.netaporter.com/

I love the idea of combining patterns and prints sometimes maybe a little scary or daunting but this suit by Diane von Furstenberg is just a sandy beach dream with the blues it will work so well with the beautiful colours of the Med.

Source: http://www.netaporter.com/

The bustline of this Melissa Odabash is super flattering and then with the colour here is stunning. I find coral incredibly cheerful, tan enhancing so an absolute summer must. Source: http://www.netaporter.com/

White has to be summer staple - a simple, pure must have. The cleavage enhancing line together with the ruching around the tummy is amazing flattering that the statement white isnt a slimming colour is completely not true with this DKNY suit. Just lovely. Source: http://www.victoriassecret.com/

Personally with these beauties as part of my wardrobe selection I am sorted for summer! Cant wait!

Labels: Monthly Lust List

Latest Obession - NUDE

No not going nude (get your mind out of the gutter) but nude as a wardrobe staple particularly when it comes to shoes. I cant help it but I love nude heels and the greater the variety the better!

So here are my lastest favs :

source: http://www.lkbennett.com/

source: http://www.supertrash.com/

Labels: Monthly Lust List

April Lusting

Ohhlala another month and another lust list... this time I am incredibly aware that the objects of my lust are so not right for me but that doesn't make then any less deisrable.

1) and 2) Kara Ackerman bracelets

So dainty - so pretty - so lovely - so wonderful - I can't decide which I like best. Both named GemGirls one lucky charms and the other the evil eye. I think honestly they are so fantastic getting both would be truly acceptable.

Now my only worry is - when will we able to buy these in Europe!

source: http://www.karaackerman.com/

3) Mellow Yellow

I will admit I am OBSESSED with yellow this season. My dad would have been so proud, yellow being the only colour he could properly recognise. Although perhaps he didn't quite mean neon yellow and in particular Christopher Kane. This yellow pleated skirt on Netaporter is stunning. It would make my bum look the size of TEXAS but I don't mind in the world of dreams I am queen and I want Christopher Kane - skirt that is.

4) Bring on the Brights

I think it is even more clear that I have spent the winter in too much black being warm and tough. But to quote Proenza Schouler this isn't the season for being tough. So girlie me - I am back and bright. Maybe in combination with a little black after all it is slimming and as you may have read there is no way that I will be in skin coloured tights so on a still cold spring day black tights it is. But when I do dare to go bare - legs that is ladies - these sandals are stunning.... Miu miu which I found on http://www.mytheresa.com/. So worth the day dreaming and the heels perforated I mean come on who can resist!

5) The ultimate must have lust have

I saw this bag on The Daily Mail website (source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/) whilst getting my celebrity style tips on. I know how embarrassing this is to admit but we are amongst friends, right?! I love this website especially in the summertime - celebs on the beach and on boats all along the Cote which not only gets me completely in the mood to hit the beach but also inspired on what to wear. So back to the matter at hand. I saw a picture of the Saturdays (apparently a girl band from the Uk - I did the follow up) and on a day out in LA. One girl was carrying this ... the ultimate must have lust have

... an Alexander Wang Rocco Mini Duffle bag in neutral suede with the ueber cool studs. I finally found it online at http://www.mytheresa.com/ and they have it black and neutral leather too.

Too bad my favourite version is sold out!!!!!! This bag needs more attention editors of the world. It is a masterpiece and I will be keeping my eye out to see if it is purchaseable somewhere.

Actually I will offer my first born for this - maybe that is going a little far for a handbag or is it?!?!?

Labels: Monthly Lust List

Monthly Lust List

My Lust List is a little different than a regular list of things you covet. See I believe that when you lust after something it doesn't have to be good for you or suit you or even fit you. It's like that moody cool silent type that you lusted after at school. You know you had nothing in common and that there was no long future there but it was lust at first sight. Plus you reserve the right to later on - change your mind...