Multi-Tonal

I love the idea of using one colour in different shades and tones from head to toe. I think that usually it needs just a fleck of another hue in there to bring out how beautiful the whole combination atually is.

I totally fell in love with this Peter Pilotto top and the rest kind of fell into place...

Find all the details directly at Motilo by clicking on the image!

Not just a pretty dress

There is something about this dress that made me want to go pretty and a edgy. I was actually looking for a pair of DocMartens but couldn't find any.

Anyway. Amazing dress, amazing shoes and I like the different shades of pink within all other items.

Get to the details by clicking right through!

Less wear, more wish

I can't remember when exactly I came across Audrey Kawasaki and her art for the first time but I remember that I loved her pieces right form the beginning.

Art Nouveau references, oil painted on wood and images that are somewhere between weird and wonderful. 

"...both innocent and erotic... attractive yet disturbing... manga comics and Art Nouveau... sharp graphic imagery ... combined with ... natural grain of ... wood panels"

all images Audrey Kawasaki

I couldn't put it any better than the artist herself (or whoever presents her so eloquently on her website), hence me quoting.

Anyway, I have been lusting after a tangible piece of her work ever since but have always managed to miss the limited editions sale or been hopelessly outbid on ebay. The great news is that she has 

a) opened a sale on an open edition print and I really hope that she will release some of her back catalogue in that way 

and (even better) that

b) Hint Mint will be releasing a limited edition set of tins.

The tins will be releaed later this year and I can't wait. I will just have to find a way to keep using them after the mints are all gone. Maybe as a business card holder..?

New Label Lust - Andrew Gn

Every girl needs a "I'm a princess" dress.

When I was little that might have been that pink tutu that my mum sewed by hand and attached to a leotard. I am not talking a bit of dowdy voile, I am talking layers upon layers of stiff tulle with more layers of organza on top. How I cried when somebody kept pulling on it until it ripped. Sad day that was.

I am convinced the allure of the big/gorgeous/unabashedly fabulous look-at-me dress is why some of us get married. 

So if you're not getting married, you could opt for couture (funds permitting) or head to Moda Operandi's Andrew Gn trunk show. According to nymag the "Paris-based designer develops his embroideries in-house and creates his own buttons and embellishments". Just look at these two absolute amazing beauties:

 Silk Jacquard Evening Dress  £5,856

Lace Evening Dress  £5,556

And if you don't have around £6,000 lying around... Mum, do you still have that sewing machine?

Warrior Woman

Sometimes you feel like you need that extra bit of armour...

Probably a *bit* overdressed for the boardroom but surely an outfit that would make you feel very empowered.

The lovely people from Motilo commented on my post btw and informed me that they are "working on new features for the site which will be finalised this year"; I assume this was in reference to my comment re. not being able to add items to their lists.

Go on, Motilo - don't let us wait too long!

First play at Motilo

Fellow-blogger Laura has pointed me in the direction of Motilo, which allows you to create looks in a form of a collage.

I have been using Polyvore until now and thought, I'd give Motilo a go.  Nice toy but I am either too daft to find it or there really is no possibility to tag/add your own items (which is what you can do on Polyvore).

Anyway, the look above is a pretty, romantic yet modern outfit for a date, wedding, stroll around the park. All we need is sunshine now...

Matthew Williamson - so close yet faraway...

...I know. The film was called Faraway, So Close but the above really does hit the nail on the head.  Not too long ago that I lusted over Matthew Williamson's AW12 collection and now available to order on Moda Operandi - delivery from July onwards.

Fitted Lady Dress £1350

 

Beaded Disco Tee Dress £3610

 

T-Shirt Column Gown £1800

Fitted Lace Cocktail Dress £4395

Now all I need is a generous Angel. Maybe just the first dress? I've been everso good...

Multi-Tonal Jewellery

I have always loved rose-gold and especially multi-tonal jewellery but right now my love has turned into some serious lust and even though I have a couple of pieces in my jewellery box, I might just have to indulge...

What - or indeed if - I am actually going to buy, will be largely dictated by budget and as with everything else, the sky is the limit. Here are my favourite options...

Right, first up a real budget find. These Mini Door Knocker Earrings from Topshop mix gold and silver-tones, are small enough to be worn tongue-in-cheek ladylike but also quirky enough to add a bit of edge to a casual outfit. At £6.50 a great little treat!

Another great bargain at £8 is this bracelet from Accessorize. Similarly as with the earrings above, the different textures add to the different tones. Great for a bit of last-minute topping up an outfit!

There is, of course, always the option of going with something delicate and genuine, such as this set of stackable set of rings from Nadina Giurgiu. So pretty, ultimately timeless, classic and probably something I'd cherish forever. At $90 (ca. £56) not dirt cheap but I think that's great value for money for a piece (or rather 12 in this case!) of handmade, real jewellery!

N a d i n a G i u r g i u

Source: Handmade stack rings & bangles (http://s.tt/139kA)Na

N a d i n a G i u r g i u

Source: Handmade stack rings & bangles (http://s.tt/139kA)

N a d i n a G i u r g i u

Source: Handmade stack rings & bangles (http://s.tt/139kA)

Another item in this price-range is this really pretty Disney Couture trio of bangles (sold at ASOS). They are silver, gold and rose-gold plated, feature sweet slogans engraved on each and a gold-plated chain with charms. With a pricetag of £75 possibly a nice gift for your best friend - or yourself? 

I don't know about you but for me jewellery doesn't come much better or more romantic, than in one of those little "robin egg blue" (apparently that's the official name!) boxes:

There are quite a few really lovely pieces in the current collection, mixing rose-gold, silver and sometimes yellow gold but I like this piece for it's unabashed reference to the jewellery house's heritage: two interlocking circles, hallmarked with the company's founding year. At £485 likely to be something to save up for or to ask as a gift for a special occasion!

Now, talking about special, this would definitely apply to the following item. The Expansion Joint Cuff by Eddie Borgo (pre-order on Moda Operandi) is just a spectular statement piece. At $1850 (ca. £1162) a far cry from anywhere near my budget but something so unusual and fantastically strange. Just imagine wearing it with a floaty evening gown or with a simple white tee. *Sigh*.

Do let me know if you like the trend and whether you have any multi-tonal jewellery in your jewellery box?