Givenchy Haute Couture Fall Winter 2010 2011

While Dominic and I have always seen the beauty and wonder in the Mexican culture, it has recently become somewhat trendy in the fashion world. Over the past year, we have seen a lot of designs inspired by the bright colors and intricate patterns of Mexican Folk Art.  Now the Givenchy Haute Couture Fall Winter 2010 2011 collection has taken the trend one step further by basing their entire collection on Frida Kahlo and Mexico's celebrated holiday - The Day of the Dead.

Frida Kahlo, whom I have mentioned before on my blog, is a famous Mexican artista who used traditional Mexican bright colors and folk art to inspire her artistic creations of shocking images of her life.  Taking cues from Kahlo, Tisci has replaced the Mexican bright colors with bright tones of gold.

La Catrina

Additionally, the silhouettes of this seasons Givenchy dresses are reminiscent of Mexico's day of the dead figurine known as the Catrina. The Catrina is a skeleton body symbolizing death, however she is always adorned in fancy attire symbolizing that even those with enough money to wear high fashion items are just as susceptible to death. I think it is kind of erie but fascinating at the same time. Inspired by this idea, Tisci's entire collection is adorned with lace, gold and more gold with skeletons poppping iup througout hte collection as they were embroidered on garments throughout the collection. As Tisci put it best, "the collection repreesnts a romantic way to see death".

I look forward to seeing the trends that are inspired by this collection as I think the combination of lace and skeletons done correclty would be amazing.


Ciao Bellas,
Karen

I Heart Sales!!

We are currently in one of my favorite shopping seasons, "The End of Summer Sale Season". Not only are all of the clothes that I have been waiting to buy gone on sale, but there is still an ample amount of time to wear them. As I have carefully picked out the best sale items of the online shopping world, they are starting to quickly roll in!!  I am so excited to start mix and matching all of my new clothes with my old clothes!!

Although this skirt was not an online purchase, it was however bought at the very low low price of $15.00 which I am very pleased to announce. I bought it at Zara in Edmonton, the nearest city to where I am currently living. While I live near Saskatoon, which some people call a city, I tend to consider a community. a city only if and when it has a Zara. Since the nearest city to where I am currently living is about a six hour drive away, the trip to Edmonton was much needed and thoroughly enjoyed. However, the trip wasn't actually a shopping trip, as our primary purpose was to pick up some farming equipment, however, knowing me I managed to squeeze in an hour at Zara which I think should satisfy my shopping cravings for the next little while.

I felt like the skirt warranted a curtsy.

Shirt: Zara

Skirt: Zara

Shoes: Camper

Socks: Joe

Necklace: Handmade/Vintage

Purse: Zara

Much Love,

Karen

Christian Dior's Princess Ballerina

There is something alluring about yards and yards of pink tulle. It reminds me of dancing around in my sister's, much too big for me, ballet tutu for hours pretending I was a ballerina princess. For me, tulle creates a whimsical yet chic design, which sort of brings me back to that moment in time when anything and everything was possible. If I could, I  would wear princess inspired couture everyday of my life!!!

This may be why I love this ballerina inspired pink tulle dress at Decades Inc. Circa 1950, the dress bears the newly expanded New York label which was intended to provide america with the 'New Look'. After WWII the new look which, encompassed long skirts and an over-use of fabric was a much needed change from the fabric rations during war time. The long length of the dress and the excessive use of tulle are reminisent of this time.

If you are interested, it is for sale at Decades Inc., an online shop specializing in vintage couture clothing.

Ciao,

Karen

Keeping it Simple!

I have been waiting for my hair to grow long enough so that I could wear it like this - a bun on top of my head. I finally realized a few weeks ago that it was long enough to make the magic and I just can't seem to get enough of the look. It is a simple way to look chic and keep you cool on a hot summer day. 

I haven't posted any pictures of this purse in a while but it is my go-to purse which I purchased almost two years ago and still love. I was made and design by a Vancouver designer, Erin Tempelton, and I was so excited to see that Steven Alan, one of my favorites designers in New York has picked them up. So, make sure you check out the websites, and speaking from experience, it is definitely worth the investment. 

Earings: Vintage

Shirt: Mango

Jeans: Zara

Shoes: Zara

Purse: Erin Templeton

Adios mi Amigas,

Karen

A Camping We Will Go......

Last weekend Dominic and I, along with my brother Jordon and sister-in-law Lacy, went on an adventure filled camping trip in Northern Saskatchewan. We canoed just over 15 km to get to our camp site which was on the mouth of one of the most pristine lakes in Canada. While the water was crystal clear and had the most amazing color of blue, it was (after a winter in Mexico) - FREEZING!! Nonetheless, we enjoyed the water and the 30 degree weather as there are very few days like that in Saskatchewan.

Although the weekend was not the most fashioned filled, as we were without a shower for the weekend, we did have great food, wine and good company and I thought you might like to see a few pics.

My Camping Mates

Our camp site had this little house cook house which made me feel a lot safer as it was a potential hide-out in case a bear came!!

 I must say that Saskatchewan's 100,000 pristine lakes are wonderous to have your finger tips. But don't tell too many people as it is sort of a secret and we like to keep it that way!!

More Style Shots to Follow,
Karen

Roses are Red....and Sometimes Pink!!

Have you ever unknowingly been attracted to buying items of a certain color, flavour, pattern, etc only to realize that many of the items of you own are of this certain color, flavor or pattern. Well, this has recently happened to me as I have finally come to the realization that I love roses!! At first I thought that this was a recent love, but after pondering it a while, I realized I may have always loved roses  - I mean even my wedding flowers were roses - how could I have missed this love for roses??

So, you can imagine how I pleased I was when my lovely friend Jordan brought me a cute little pair of rose earrings from her vacation. They are great everyday earrings and they match many of my rose inspired outfits!!! Thanks again Jordan!!

She bought this pair of earrings on their trip down the West Coast but I found a variety of Etsy sights that you can buy some just like it.

Coffee and Cream

Vintage and Glam

Chealsea Van Toll

Chus Meine Leiblings,

Karen

The Blooming Praire

I think that every body's personal style tells a bit of a story about who they are or are not. After having this blog for almost a year, I realize that alot of the items in my wardrobe are Prarie inspired in some way. Which as you may all know is quite telling of who I am, as I am currently living on the farm for the summer. Like the shirt I am wearing in this post for example probably couldn't get any more prarie. But I realize that is what makes my wardrobe kind of special and kinda me. I love both my beloved prarie and fashion and I especially love combining the two in a look like this!! What is your wardrobe inspired by??? What story does it tell??

Shirt: Cameo

Shorts: Zara

Belt: Gap

Socks:???

Shoes: Mexico (no name)

Hat: Zara

Necklace: Home-made

"To make a praire it takes a clover and one bee.One clover na a bee and revery. The revery alone will do if bees are few. "  

 -Emily Dickinson

Cioa for now,
Karen