Hey All, If you haven’t already don’t forget to check out my new blog site sojustnice.com I have been posting style looks from my recent time in Dubai. Check it out here and don’t forget to sign up and follow me on bloglovin.
Have an AWESOME weekend. xx
As NYFW wrapped up I had to check out the details from the shows. During the Fashion Week’s I am mainly concentrating on the trends you can see on the catwalks. I often think beauty trends are the hardest to follow. What we mortals have to remember is that models are models because of their versatility and the fact they can have anything done with their face or hair and still look amazing. I for sure am not one of these people. For a start, having darker skin means I have to be careful of what colours I use ….. do you have that too? I always hear people saying “I could never wear that colour it would make me look to yellow/pale/dark etc”. What you all don’t know about me, is that when I was a student I worked for Estee Lauder on the counter and of course, every season we received new products but, what I noticed was that everyone usually came in for their ‘products’.
Well for the past season and it looks like future ones too, I am able to emulate some of the beauty looks from the Catwalk into my own make-up bag and routine. Wet hair is something I have been doing forever, it all came about when I went to the hairdresser in my local town when I was about 10 and clearly she didn’t know about about my Middle Eastern type hair and has she blow dried my hair I just saw it getting bigger and bigger! Basically, I looked like someone from the Soul Train and since then I have never blow dried my hair unless its a blow out and then I go a little crazy and ask the hair dresser to run the GHD’s over it just in case. At Derek Lam, incase your hair does go bad you can wear a turban and if your looking for good ones don’t forget to check out Malaak from Dubai.
Top line from Left to Right: 3.1 Phillip Lim, Rag and Bone, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Derek Lam
Bottom line from Left to Right: Prabal Garuny, Tommy Ton street style photo for style.com, Rag and Bone
Aside from the wet hair the trend on lips seemed to be to wear Orange! I have been wearing this from time to time, mostly when I m in Dubai and it calls for more make-up than my regular look in Amsterdam. So next season I will for sure be embracing orange lips and mixing it up with my white outfits!
My Beauty Essentials: Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir, Juliette Has a Gun Romanitca, Chanel Mascara 10, Chanel Rouge Allure Gloss 56, Mac Mineralize power, Mac lipstick Amplified
What beauty trends do you want to see more of?
Ciao for now xx
I am sure that you just like me, often dream of finding the perfect outfit that just makes you walk gracefully, feel ultra feminine and ultimately make you feel like a princess. For me, I have had that a few times when wearing Abaya as it makes you walk that little bit slower and walk a little bit taller. If you have ever visited Dubai you will know what I mean but, if not I can tell you the beautiful girls moving through the Malls look like something in Swan lake and I envy their femininity. Something you don’t know about me is that when I was growing up I was such a tom boy and I didn’t really discover a feminine style until I was about 18! I am sure as hell making up for it now 😉
I saw this picture on Who What Wear which is my digital mood board ….. I usually love everything they post. This picture of Jessica Alba just made me realise I need to try and mix some of my favourite long skirts for Fall and I just love that she looks so lady-like. I am even loving the lipstick. As I had this picture in my head and thought about being able to soon wear my dainty heels once I am back in Dubai, I was catching up with the shows from LFW when I also saw these fabulous Princess-esq dresses from Alice Temperley for SS 14.
As I have always loved Alice Temperley’s designs as I think they can often have an Eastern feel through the fabrics or designs. I was not disappointed by the Catwalk show today and honestly Alice Temperley has inspired my holiday choice for next summer and the suitcase essentials that I will WANT and NEED…….A girl can dream!
What would give you that Princess feeling?
Ciao for Now xx
Photo’s from Who What Wear and Vogue.co.uk
Hey all, Whilst were in the midst of Fashion Weeks and I think I can safely say summer is over here in Amsterdam I thought I would show you my last summer outfit. I was running to a lunch with a friend and thought I would try and go bare legged and of course I judged the weather wrong and was freezing.
Here is a new favourite skirt for fall, I love the shape and of course the Metallic skirt is perfect for winter to add some colour to my usual darker outfits. I am already imagining I will wear it with my new knee high boots that I got from the HM Paris collection. I actually rushed to buy them when they went on sale last week. I had been dreaming about them since I saw them on the catwalk in February. The funniest part, I actually put fashion before safety and rode my broken bike to HM to buy the boots and decided to fix my bike on the way home! As the weather is already changing and I am heading back to Dubai I hope I can show you some fall looks before the sunny weather will strike my wardrobe again.
What I Wore: Top HM (many seasons ago), Skirt: ASOS, Jewellery: MADE, By Sophie, Sophie’s closet, Bag: HM
Hope your having a great weekend!
Ciao for now
Hey guys, Here we are middle of the week and luckily its another sunny day, since Sunday the weather has been raining and miserable. I woke up this morning ready to catch up with a back log of emails and some NYFW fashion shows and the sun was shining. So I put on my sunny outfit since I will be indoors most of the day I love to just be comfortable at home. I am getting ready to head to Milan and Dubai in a couple of weeks and so need to do some shopping for those trips and I for sure can’t wait to be back in Dubai and wear some of my last summer purchases.
I am also choosing my favourite trends from the SS 14 shows to show you too this week. Can’t wait for LFW ….. always a little bit of eccentricity and the London look makes me experiment with my wardrobe.
What I Wore: Top: Fillippa K, Shorts: Maje, Trainers: Nike, Necklace: Tiffany & Co, Bracelet: By Sophie Ipad case by OTT
What are you guys buying for Autumn?
Ciao For Now xx
Hey All, So last night was probably one of the hottest days we have had in Amsterdam this summer and to top it off it was also Vogue’s Fashion Night Out. The pictures are a snap shot of all the funny happenings from the PC Hoofstraat and Bijenkorf. I wanted to bring you a mini video today but, Murphy’s Law means my video editing is just not working for me today!
For me, the most fun thing about fashion events or indeed fashion weeks is of course, the people watching and last night didn’t disappoint. I think I said to at least 3 people last night I couldn’t believe how dressed up the Dutch girls were, if you have ever been to Holland you will understand this is a rarity! Dutch readers, I mean no offence but, compared to other countries you tend to be the most dressed-down and over layered! However, last night I saw fashionista’s, Hipsters, Beautiful Girls and was blown away by the style on most of the girls. Hopefully, this a new Dutch style and its here to stay.
Talking of style stay tuned to the blog for the coming weeks for my favourite looks straight from the catwalks to the blog!
What I Wore (sorry no live pic): Top: HM, Skort: Zara, Bag:HM Jewellery: Day Birger et Mikkelsen, Tiffany & Co and By Sophie.
Do you love people watching?
Ciao for Now xx
Hey All, Here is my last look I wanted to show you from Portugal. This has to be one of my favourite dresses. I found it at Harvey Nichols at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai where Matthew Williamson’s best pieces are sold in Dubai. I love this dress because it fits just perfect and this is often hard to find when your petite. I didn’t have to take it to the tailor or make any adjustments.
Before on the blog I have talked about my love of Matthew Williamson’s designs and its because each season his pieces always could fit into my travel plans for the year with his typically Eastern influences on his Western dresses, perfect for the UAE. From when I saw this dress on the catwalk, I had been dreaming about it. To add a little simplicity to the dress I get the jewellery minimal with just my evil eye bracelet (colours match perfectly) and some simple white shoes. I have been loving the white shoe trend this season and I think they definitely made my tan look much stronger!
What I wore: Dress: Matthew Williamson, Shoes: Zara and Bracelet: By Sophie
What’s your dream dress?
Ciao for now xx
Hey all, This week we are in Seville, Spain for Travel Thursday. I was there about a month ago now (sorry for late post). I think it is already one of my favourite cities so I will definetly be back. The architecture and scenery all over the city is a architecture fan’s biggest love. Everywhere you look is picture perfect.
I was in Seville for less than 48 hours on my way to Portugal. Seville is probably the epitome in Europe of East meets West. You can see the impact of the Moorish influence all over the city. Perfect day is to first walk through the city heading to the Alcazar, (you should pass the Cathedral on your way). When you come out the Alcazar walk in the narrow alleyways and then you should come to Jardins de Murillo, sit, observe and take in the beautiful surroundings.
Once you have recovered from your morning’s walking and sightseeing, then head through the gardens to the Tobacco Factory and onto the Hotel Alfonso XIII for lunch. The Hotel Alfonso XIII is one of the most beautiful hotels I have ever been in. I could share 50 photos here but kept it just to two. Imagine though an old Spanish palace with beautiful long corridors, all decorated with tiles and mosaic from the Moorish era and wonderfully fabulous gardens. This is a must-visit if your in Seville to feel like you stepped back to an era past.
After lunch and relaxation then jump on a horse and carriage outside the hotel and take a tour of Parque de Maria Luisa, this is where the beautiful building of the Plaza Espana is and I can honestly say, that not only is the Parque beautiful the Plaza Espana is magnificent (again could have showed you at least 50 photos).
After your Carriage ride have them drop you off by the Cathedral and head to the hotel EME Fusion Hotel. Take a quick tour of this beautiful boutique hotel before heading to the roof terrace for drinks and watch the sunset over the city, with fabulous views of the Cathedral. After soaking up the best view of Seville head downstairs for dinner at Santo. This is a beautiful design restaurant with Hans Wegner’s wishbone chairs adorn this sophisticated restaurant. Its a well executed Mediterranean menu so you won’t be disappointed by the food. Be prepared to eat with the best of Seville and you’ll want to take this restaurant back to your hometown. The atmosphere is understatedly hip and the design beautiful and a great jazz duo playing live music.
Yes I love Seville and can’t wait to go back!
Ciao for now xx
Hey Hey, Its Monday again, as I sit here writing the weather outside is basically raining cats and dogs but, the weather man promises better weather at the end of the week. Anyway, my mood monday is all about airport shopping. For anyone who has had the displeasure of flying with me they know that they have to remind me to be on time to the airport. I am sure that they actually are never 100% sure I will make it to the plane. The unfortunate thing of being a 3rd culture/expat kid is that you think planes are like buses! I have been known to hold planes up with being late, my advice to a friend who was once running late to the airport was to call them have the plane wait …… yeah that didn’t work out too well he was flying Ryan Air!
My tardiness has changed since Origins is now being sold at Amsterdam Schiphol, this means that I can now show up with an hour to go rather than the 45 mins I usually aim for. I love Origins and have always had to stock up when in London or the States (it wasn’t sold in Dubai either).
Before my flight to Copenhagen the other day I managed to grab my two favourite must-have products. Modern Friction has to be the best micro-dermabrasion product on the beauty market that doesn’t require you to go to a salon. My skin is always brighter and clearer after using just once. The Perfect World Serum creates what its called, a ‘perfect world’ for my skin, I use it morning and evening and even with my hyper-sensitive skin it leaves it just that little calmer. If only there was a product like this for life generally!
My must-haves for traveling and general life: Origins, Modern Friction and Perfect World Serum,Juliet Has a Gun, Lady Vengeance the perfect east/west scent, Evian Water spray, my Versace sunglasses.
Have you tried Origins?
Ciao for Now xx
Elaine Ching spent a part of her childhood as an expat in Taiwan and now lives in Amsterdam, quite different from each other but in some way her new store Trunk V is all about merging the two.
Living in Taiwan Elaine had early exposure to the Asian Fashion scene through her fashion bibles that were actually in a language she couldn’t understand; Japanese. However, I think many readers here can associate with reading or should I say “flicking” through fashion magazines that you can not comprehend in your own language but, at the same time you have a complete understanding of what the fashion in those pages are communicating to you. This is where Elaine realised that Asian Fashion was definitely an industry that was fun, quirky but, also would have to be taken seriously.
As I have talked about before here on the blog that one of my favourite things when I travel is to buy key, unique pieces to bring back home with me. Well this concept is what Trunk V is all about. Elaine was searching for unique pieces for herself and found she was constantly buying good quality, individual clothes to bring back to Holland on her trips to Asia. Well that personal buying soon became her business as she went on trips to Asia and was filling up her trunk and bringing it back to Amsterdam. The picture below is just an example of the individual pieces you can find at Trunk V right now and note its all limited collections so once its sold its gone!
The explanation of the V in the name is fantastic and one everyone can understand or perhaps has been intrigued by. You may or may not have noticed that Asian’s often make a V sign or the peace sign when taking pictures …. well since its so fashionable right now why not put it in the name of a fashion store to well “jazz it up”
Since the conception of Trunk V the business has been growing from strength-to-strength whilst the concept started online Elaine opened her first Bricks and Mortar store in the form of a pop-up store on the Zeedijk in Amsterdam. Since Trunk V has been open over a month ago Elaine has had to place more orders from her suppliers in Asia as apparently she wasn’t the only one who was looking for unique, individual clothes in Amsterdam … tourists and residents alike needed to have something that their friends and colleagues wouldn’t be wearing.
I asked Elaine how she thinks travel has influenced her fashion style and she like many other of the people I interviewed have said that seeing what others are wearing in different environments can often give you the confidence to try new styles that your eyes suddenly see and this would have only been possible because of traveling.
Elaine asked me to take a photo of the dress below as it was a style that was Vintage. When her grandmother was first in Holland she would make these “shift” dress designs and have the sequins sent to her from China so she could create these beautiful hand embroidery dresses, and it was her grandmothers style that kick-started Elaine’s love of fashion.
So its Saturday and if your in Amsterdam and have a party or dinner to go to then I suggest making a bee-line for Trunk V to find a unique outfit that you can guarantee your friends won’t have and that will be classic enough but, also so in fashion right now and that for me is what makes the styles at Trunk V special and absolute must-have’s. If your not in the city or are a reader from further-a-field then have no fear you can also shop on line. Here is my favourite outfit for this weekend.
One thing is for sure, Asian fashion is here to stay and will continue to make its growth on the international fashion market and if your in Holland then Trunk V is the place to go to get your hands on the best of what you can find right now in Asia (without having to suffer the Jetlag, Elaine does that for you). Find Trunk V at Zeedijk 60 and they are open 7 days a week. If you can’t get to the pop-up then shop online here.
What do you think of Asian fashion scene?
Ciao for now xx
Sojustnice 
