Friday, June 10, 2011

In the mood for travel


So today it suddenly turned out that I'm actually going to CYPRUS next Sunday for 5 days! It won't be a vacation in the pure sense of the word since first of all I will be stationed in the city - the capital, Nikosia, which is nowhere near the sea and secondly, if I get any of my usual freelance assignments while I'm there - I will get to work. Truth be told I'm accompanying my man who is going there for work and I'm just coming along because I've never been to Cyprus before and because ... well, change of scenery can only do me good!

So, like any fashionista, the first thing I got to thinking about - once my ticket booking confirmation has arrived in my mailbox - is what I'm going to pack! Though the question is really what not to take - because the desire to shove all my favorite summer pieces in the suitcases is huge! But, need to be calm and rational. At least I surely can't say I've nothing to wear - a couple of goodies I ordered from ASOS arrived in the mail today plus I just got a pair of new gladiator sandals from Greek brand Fullah Sugah. I expect to do a post on those latest arrivals over the weekend, in the meantime I give you my ultimate city holiday outfit set and some cute vacation inspiration photos. The latter are very beach-style and while, like I said, I will hardly manage to spend much time on the beach in Cyprus, I will sure try to get there at some point!





Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Italian Vogue's voluptuous issue or Curvy vs.Skinny

First of all I'd like to say that I'm glad to finally see some properly gorgeous plus size models inVOGUE. I remember a "plus-size" photo-shoot in Russian Vogue (I always found it ridiculously pretentious) starring a lady that was barely size 38 (US 6 or UK 10), in other words simply not a skeleton - which most of regular models are. On the other hand, there was that editorial in V featuring some real big gals, and while I'm nobody to judge, I found their photos in lingerie not so appealing. The "Belle Vere" editorial by Steven Meisel in ITALIAN VOGUE June 2011issue, on the other hand, is steaming hot - sexy, sensual and feminine. In fact, the bigger half of the shoot is topless, so I've posted only the more "decent" half - lest someone decides to report me for "inappropriate" content. On the other hand, the fashion world in general, and Vogue in particular, don't exactly embrace the plus-size models, featuring them quite reluctantly, as if only to keep the public from raising the topic of omnipresent anorexic models yet again. But is this the right attitude? Which kind of models do we really need more?

Curvy models, apart from showcasing feminine beauty as it was for centuries before cinema, pop music and fashion instituted new ideals, represent a realistic body image. They basically say to all women, who are unhappy with their figures, to stop hating their bodies and celebrate them instead. Of course in real life not all ladies over size S are busty and sexily curved in the right places - body weight works in mysterious ways... Also, in general, the tendency to glorify the big dames to help them feel comfy in their own skin - there are even special fashion magazines tailored to them - seems to ignore the thin line between just shapely and obese. If a person's weight is getting in the way of them having a normal healthy lifestyle and creates actual health problems - it really must be dealt with.
As for skinny models, I do understand why fashion industry likes them that way - it's more than convenient for catwalk shows to have ladies of all the same size, with no humps anywhere. Also when such a model needs to present an outfit that reveals one or both of her breasts, she can easily do so without fear of resembling a stripper - most models are conveniently flat-chested. Just the other day I had a shock when viewing photos from a lookbook featuring topless Irina Lazareanu. She's one of my favourite models, I love her rock'n'roll edge, but when a grown woman has a chest like she's 12, it's just not normal or healthy... And while I'm aware that we are all differently sized in that department, only a dramatic weight loss or constant self-starvation can produce such a scary result. She still looks awesome in clothes - but after that preview I really don't want to see her naked. Makes me think of starving children in poor countries...
Myself I do prefer seeing women with naturally toned bodies achieved simply by healthy eating, active lifestyle and workouts. But of course, we all judge by what's natural for us, and while I fit into my skinny jeans all year long even if I really let myself go (I do gain some extra but not too much), I realize that for some people staying skinny means going against their own nature, and that will never do. In that case being curvy is the best choice - but still keeping shape! Luckily nowadays there are plenty of curvy celebs such as Beyonce, Christina Hendricks or a few Kardashian women (promoting the curvy body image is probably the most useful thing they ever did) which prove that not being model skinny is no reason to hide in the closet - come out and have the world worship you instead!

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

My top summer trend: Californication


Today I've finally given up my search for a perfect American flag-printed tee. Sure, there are plenty of them out there, but the ones I really like are unfortunately out of stock. However I've also realized that it's not so much American-flag print that I'm after as the trend as a whole. All-American, or even rather CALIFORNIAN style is having a grand comeback this season and I feel a strong connection to it somehow - I guess it's because it's so free-spirited, uniform, basic and almost androgynous - in short, totally BADASS! A pair of simple cut-off and ripped denim shorts, a casual tee, perhaps printed with the name of your favorite rock band, a bandana, cool booties or sneakers and some edgy accessories - all of this is so me! I totally feel like rocking this trend all summer, even though lacy tops and floral dresses will neither be ignored by me - after all, I'm a lady even though my inner tomboy is still so alive.
Now all I need to do is go get that "biker" tee (below) from ZARA, which I tried on today but didn't buy (fighting the impulse purchase syndrome), and a pair of ripped shorts, and my WILD THING look will be complete!
Wild Thing
Wild Thing by AlexMatoshko featuring black round sunglasses



For more California style inspiration I've discovered those two amazing photo-shoots: first one by FASHION GONE ROGUE and second from THEONESTOWATCH.

Kelley Ash by Graham Dunn in "Kalifornia" editorial for Fashion Gone Rogue




Alexandra Papadopoulos, Breanna Box and Sydney Roper for the "Hill St. Dogs" editorial for TheOnes2Watch




And finally a most fitting soundtrack to set the mood:

Sunday, June 5, 2011

My summer wishlist: the TOP 5

Don't know about you, but for me, summer is always the time of freedom, energy, fun and making lots of plans, even if half of them fall through. Perhaps it has a little something to do with being able to wear my favorite mini shorts and tees, letting my skin breath and thus feeling light and pretty at all times. Either way, I've realized that lately I've been gorging over a number of things, which may or may not materialize this summer - but it would be really nice if they do.

1. VESPA


To be honest when I first came to Athens two years ago and had to get on the motorbike with my husband to go downtown - I was petrified! I've never been on one before, moreover, I've never been on one in such crazy traffic, and every time we passed through a particularly narrow spot between two cars, I'd just close my eyes in fear. But as time went by I started feeling completely relaxed on a bike, moreover, I've realized that due to the very narrow roads in Athens, always packed with cars, and since there are no paths for bicycles, BIKES and SCOOTERS are the best way to get around. For a while now I've been gorging over a Vespa, just like the one below - classic red. The problem is that buying a Vespa won't be enough. I also need a special scooter lisence. Also, such a shiny and pretty vehicle would easily attract thieves, who would at the very least break off rear view windows and other small parts - yeah, people do that here. And yet, I want it sooo bad!

2. JEFFREY CAMPBELLS

Recently I've fallen fully and completely in love with JEFFREY CAMPBELL shoes. They are simply too gorgeous. The white cutout wedges (bottom right) are my biggest shoe crush at the moment! The problem is they are kinda out of my price range, or, rather, I can't really spend 150-200 Euros on something like a pair of shoes without a very well paid job to back it up and the latter is missing at the moment. But things change and sometimes very quickly. The time will come when Jeffrey Campbells and my feet will finally meet!

3. UK SUMMER FESTIVAL

I've never been to one and I'd really looove to go. And why woudn't I want to? The atmosphere is fantastic and more than half of the line-up is made up of my favorite bands almost in every case. READING & LEEDS festivals on 26-28 of August would be a really good idea. My Chemical Romance, Muse and The Strokes as well as The Vaccines, Jane's Addiction, The Kills, The Horros and many others will be there! It would be awesome...

4. RAY BAN WAYFARERS
And I mean the authentic ones - no the Chinese fakes that you can buy anywhere. Truth is I've never really spend much on sunglasses. By the time I could actually afford it, I'd already had a record of breaking or losing sunglasses. Or if I'd had the pair from the previous year by next summer, I'd usually be bored with it and wanting something new. Hence, spending much money on sunglasses was a waste. But I decided to take a chance on Ray Bans at last. First of all I believe I'm grown up and responsible enough to handle a pair of prime sunglasses without losing them or stepping on them. Secondly, my romance with WAYFARER glasses shape has been going on for two years now, and I still find them looking totally awesome on me. And thirdly, even though I'm not one of those brand-obsessed fashionistas, I still believe it wouldn't hurt to have a couple of authentic brand accessories in my wardrobe. Especially if it's something as timeless and iconic as Ray Ban Wayfarers.

5. SMARTPHONE


I'm not one of these people who buy a new iPhone every time it comes out (whether they can afford it or not) - I have much more economical and practical approach to gadgets, and paying extra 300 Euros just for Show (as in case of iPhone) is not my style. But I've had my elegantly designed clam-shell Nokia for 4 years now and it feels aged. The battery is very weak plus it has other issues and I also just need a gadget that will allow me browse the internet, check my email and use social networks among other things. After all, these functions are becoming pretty standard in phones, so why not take advantage? For the time being it's a close call between NOKIA E5 and HTC WILDFIRE. The HTC is a very decent Android-based touch phone, but Nokia's Blackberry-style keyboard is a very nice feature. As a writer I'm used to typing, and I'd prefer real buttons to touch screen.

To sum it up, I believe that at least one of the wishes will definitely come true - the phone, because I really need one. Ray Bans are also a possibility. As for the rest - I cross my fingers...
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