There was a time, not long ago, where sweatshirts were worn either to the gym or to cuddle up in when lazing about the house. It certainly wasn’t considered high fashion or a major fashion trend, but this spring changes all that!

Sweat shirt fashion blossomed this past fall with Balenciaga’s 80s-era imagery done in sculptural fits, Proenza Schouler’s Asian motifs (like silky embroidered birds), and Derek Lam’s re-imagined sweatshirt in soft leather. This spring the trend is in full bloom with everyone from major designers to smaller brands taking a turn at their vision on a tried and true basic.

This spring think cropped (Adidas By Stella McCartney), consider bold bright graphics – Preen’s poppy cropped sweatshirt is one of my favorites, or simply add a vintage twist (similar to the ones we wore in our college days) – Etoile Isabel Marant’s Noah sweatshirt is a must have!

Sweatshirts are no longer mundane, but embody casual chic at its best!

Clockwise from top left: Glamorous Cropped Sweatshirt $31.57 www.asos.com, T By Alexander Wang Cropped Chunky Cotton Hoodie $295.00 www.alexanderwang.com, Adidas By Stella McCartney Cropped Sweatshirt $92.00 on sale for $65.00 www.mytheresa.com, Etoile Isabel Marant Noah Sweat Shirt $340.00 www.barneys.com, Preen Poppy Cropped Sweatshirt $534.00 www.matchesfashion.com, Vince Raglan Slub Sweatshirt $95.00 www.neimanmarcus.com.

Every now and then I’ll take a step further and wear a bit of eyeshadow. Bronze/kakhi hues are my favourite and Bobbi Brown’s long-wear cream shadow in Beach Bronze is a winner.

 Beautiful colour. Highly pigmented. Long lasting.*

* I always apply MAC’s Prep+Prime eye base under any eye shadow. I found it makes all the difference for me – it’s the only way make up can last for more than a couple of hours on my oily skin.

Worth every penny.

(There’s a couple of interesting discussions about the merits of primers recently on Into the Gloss (here) and Garance Dore (here), by the way.)

Do you wear eye makeup regularly? If so, what type of products?

And now for something completely different, this is what I (also) wore today…

My beloved Flavie blouse.

I’m so glad I bought this blouse. It’s exactly what I feel like wearing right now (under several layers of cardigans, coats and scarves).

(and one of my favourite bracelets, made of laser-cut leather)

]]> http://diamondsandpebbles.wordpress.com/2013/01/02/whats-new-wednesday-13/ Wed, 02 Jan 2013 23:49:49 +0000 Diamonds and Pebbles http://diamondsandpebbles.wordpress.com/2013/01/02/whats-new-wednesday-13/ It’s been more than a long time since I’ve done a fashiony/net-a-porter post, and even though I’m THIS close to finishing my American Studies essay and should really be focusing on that, I think I’d rather kick off the new year with a fashion post – I know, I know, priorities or what… ahaaha.

YVES SAINT LAURENT

You’ll probably recognise this clutch from previous posts’ styling suggestions. Nothing beats an oversized clutch especially on those nights out where it feels as though you have to pack your whole beauty bag and wardrobe. I’m talking about bringing those extra pair of flats, hair bands, makeup, ID, keys… the list really does go on, and this clutch is perfect for housing all of the above. I have a similar one from H&M that does just the trick, if only it was as chic as this though…

Styling Suggestion

ÉTOILE ISABEL MARANT

I saw this sweater today at work and I must say that it felt DIVINE to touch and I wish I could have at least tried it on before I gave it back to the fourth floor. Anyway, this sweater would look perfect with a pair of jeans and flats, or maybe over a glittery/feathered mini skirt and pumps – I’m thinking Olivia Palermo style.

Styling Suggestion

MIU MIU

Nothing says Alice more than a plain and simple jersey top, and I think this Miu Miu cashmere and silk-blend sweater really couldn’t say Alice and clearer. You really could wear with this with anything and wear it anywhere. Oh the joys of simplicity!

Styling Suggestion

RAG & BONE JEAN

I’m not going to lie, but back in the day I used to eat, live and breathe in my white jeans. They were by far my favourite thing to wear although after an incident of really bad grass stains, I hung up my white jeans for good, and I can say that it’s been about six years since I’ve worn them. Looking at these Rag & Bone jeans I’m reminiscing and wishing more than anything that I owned a pair of white jeans. I guess this means that they’ve been added to the wish list.

Styling Suggestion

DIANE VON FURSTENBERG

While I’m not usually one for fancy tops (I’m more of a sweater, vest and tee kind of girl), I do like to indulge in a bit of glamour. This lace top is so cute and I love that it can be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion.

Styling Suggestion

CATHERINE MALANDRINO

I can’t tell if this is my favourite pick today, but I think it might be. Where to start? I love the feathered mini skirt, the cut, the way it fits so snuggly on the body, the colour, the fact that you could probably wear this with flats and get away with it, whilst simultaneously wearing with stilettos and looking like a grade A supermodel! All I can say is; good job Catherine. Good job indeed!!

Styling Suggestion

Anyway, now that that’s all done, back to my essay and here’s to finishing it tonight before I have to trot off to bed. And also here’s to getting out of bed at 7 am for work tomorrow morning! Goodnight.

alice

xo

• Obira cardigan (Morgan Clare) • Black leather boots (Massimo Dutti) • Eberjey black playsuit (Net-a-Porter) • Flavie shirt (Luisa Via Roma) • Silk dress (Comptoir des Cotonniers) •

I’ll post pictures wearing my new purchases very soon. (Well, except the Eberjey playsuit… :)

• Vanessa Bruno Athe Jumper • Isabel Marant Etoile cords • Isabel Marant Bazil sneakers • Paul & Joe Sister coat •

… I travelled to Portugal for a pre-Christmas visit to my family and to my (their) dogs, Lola & Conchita. They are very cute and energetic. We say they should work in the circus because they jump a lot and can stand up on two legs for a long time!

… I bought and wrapped many, many gifts. (Honestly, this picture is just about one-fourth of them!)

… But Christmas shopping aside, I stayed at home with my family most of the time because the weather was really miserable. 7 days of rain and cloudy skies.

… I had to replace my Shiseido multi energising cream (which I liked a lot) and decided to pick up Chanel’s Hydra beauty gel creme at the duty free. I’ve used it for over a week now and so far so good.

… Also bought a new Hipanema bracelet (from here). Can’t wait to wear it.

…My mother organised a little pre-Christmas dinner with some of my close family while I was in Porto. Giacomo wasn’t there but we brought a little bit of Italy to the dinning table having pandoro with mascarpone cream (recipe here, in Italian) for dessert.

… I got several pictures sabotaged by Conchita

… I arrived with a suitcase full of English gifts and I left with a suitcase full of Portuguese gifts, Nestum (my favourite cereals) and other delicacies (Port wine, and lots of salted codfish, obviously, which is the ‘official’ Portuguese Christmas food).

…Back to the airport

…And ready to board back to London.

… where I fell sick with labyrinthitis. Absolutely horrible.

… As soon as I recovered a bit (and I’m still not fully recovered)  I put on my new Flavia shirt. Finally, after months of lusting I got it and I love it!

… I also went to the Hollywood Costumes exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum with my husband. I really didn’t want to miss it because we booked the tickets several weeks ago and most of the dates are now sold out. Fortunately, I felt I recovered on time!

… And since we’re in the neighborhood, we took the opportunity to visit Harrods as well.

… I hardly ever go to Harrods. But I love their Food Hall! We got ‘inspired’ by it and ended up buying some fresh pasta and seafood while there…

…For a bit of home cooking!

… I sent out several Christmas cards and I’ve received a few. My favourite is this one, drawn by my 5-year-old friend Maria. (yeah, that’s me and her on the cover.)

… And I’m now ready for my very first Christmas in London. Just me and my husband. Exciting :)

Wish you all very happy holidays!