Peplum: Love it or leave it?

The trend isn't exactly what you would call brand new, but my feelings about this trend just changed from 'hmm' to 'lovin' it!'.
The person to thank for this change in my attitude is the amazing stylist slash fashion blogger Chriselle Lim who wore an amazing outfit in one of her youtube posts with a floral H&M peplum top and pink skinnies, which I ofcourse have bought since (yes I know, still on a shopping diet but I won't tell if you won't!). Check out the entire video for some great advice on transitioning your wardrobe into Spring, perfect for those of us who don't have an unlimited shopping budget!

But let's go back on topic: the peplum top/skirt/dress/any other type of clothing you would like to wear is a great option for girls, like me, who don't have a lot of curves. They allow you to cheat a bit and creat a bit of volume on your waist!

Anyways, if you are still looking for that amazing peplum top, skirt or dress Zara is offering some really good options these days (but then again, Zara is offering amazing options on almost all current trends and are  ruining my bankaccount by doing so)! Here are some great skirts to try out:

The red one is perfect if you want to add that pop of color to an outfit, while the mint version brings home two current trends at once: peplum and pastel colors! I myself went for a top, but the choice is all yours!

What do you think of this trend? Love it or leave it?

XO Aline

The state of being Obsessed

Hi everyone!
Do you know that feeling when you see an item in a store, webshop or on someone else even, and you just know 'This item HAS te be mine'. It's essential, crucial, it is a matter of life and death. Dead serious over here!

This week's obsession: Madewell leopard-print film noir pump

Aren't they exquisite?
Sadly, Madewell doesn't ship to Europe and the shoes are also sold out. So I'm a bit sad, because well they are just too beautiful for words and I could see myself wear them in so many combinations...
So here's a question for you guys: do you know any brands that carry look-a-likes of these beauties? I'll be forever gratefull!

What's your current obsession?

Love,
Aline

Fashion Rumors: H&M

Rumor has it ... Would've been such a great line to start with ;)
So as most of you already know, Swedish retail chain H&M is adding a new sister to the family. The current H&M group consists of H&M, COS, Monki, Weekday and Cheap Monday. In 2013, these 5 brands will welcome a sixth offspring to the H&M family! This new addition will still be a retail chain, but will offer more quality items and is categorized as more 'high fashion'.
Sooo, now on to my favorite sentence of this post: Rumor has it... that this brand new H&M baby will be called '& Other Stories'. These rumors have been spreaded throughout the internet, so if there's any truth to them we'll know when Momma H&M decides to share!

What do you think about the upcoming retail chain? Excited, or not so much? I would love to hear your opinions!

Love,
Aline

Source: nl.elle.be

A cyberspace lovestory: Pinterest

This one's for all of you who have been living in a cave or under a rock for the past few weeks/months. Nah, I'm just kidding ;) I actually did a review on Pinterest for a youth magazine, as a test article and now I got the 'job' (actually it's a non-paid gig, but nevertheless it's a writing position so I love it!).
And I have to say: Pinterest is growing on me! I really love browsing through the inspiration boards of other people, and even through my own. Plus it's a great way of organizing the things that inspire you, the things you love and the things you find beautiful.All in all I think it's a great addition to the world of social networksites, it gives you the option of showing the world a part of your personality through pictures.

Do I hear you ask what's the difference with facebook and it's photo albums? Well, seeing as you asked I'll be so kind to explain ;) Pinterest gives you the chance to share your interests, so your pinboards actually, with a wider range of people than you would be able to via facebook (unless ofcourse you don't find facebook that personal, or you have a seperate facebookpage for your blog. But these are details ofcourse!).


So it's probably already obvious that I love Pinterest! I'm in the process of sketching up a plan for remodelling and redecorating my room at home and I've found amazing ideas for that little project on Pinterest. And ofcourse, amaaazing fashion pictures and great inspiration for new ways to style your hair and so on.

Do you love Pinterest or not? And if you have a Pinterest, please share it with me! I would love to see your pinboards! And you can check my pinboards HERE!

XO Aline

Designer spotlight: Chan Luu

As a loyal fan of Wendy Nguyen from Wendy's Lookbook, I noticed a designer that plays a reacurring role in Wendy's outfits is Chan Luu. The brand is named after its designer, who is originally from Vietnam. She studied at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles and opened her own boutique specializing in European designer clothing and accessories for women. In 1996, she started Chan Luu, Inc. and began designing jewelry and accessories.
Known especially for her wrap bracelets, her pieces are worn by fashionistas and celebrities alike.

Pink Mix Graduated Wrap Bracelet on Natural Brown Leather

Blue Lace Agate Wrap Bracelet with Gold Vermeil on Natural Brown Leather

Gold Vermeil Chain Wrap Bracelet on Black Leather

Green Aventurine Wrap Bracelet on Sunset Leather

Apart from these amazing wrap bracelets, Chan Luu also carries amazing scarfs, necklaces and ready to wear. Several celebrities have been spotted wearing jewellery and scarfs by Chan Luu

Jessica Alba wearing Chan Luu scarf

Shenae Grimes wearing Chan Luu wrap bracelets

Vanessa Hudgens wearing Chan Luu jewellery

Nicole Richie wearing Chan Luu scarf

 Also, the amazing Rumi Neely from Fashion Toast picked out her favorites from the Chan Luu collection which you can check out on the Chan Luu website, there's also a video that you can watch on the brand's website, or on youtube :)

As a little extra for those of you who are, like me, craving for the Summer festivals, you can get inspired by some pieces who are labelled as 'Get ready for Coachella' here :)!
 
What do you think of this designer?


XO Aline


Pictures and video copyrights by Chan Luu
Chan Luu website: http://www.chanluu.com
Chan Luu blog: http://blog.chanluuusa.com

Song of the Day

Today's obsession: Circles by Birds of Tokyo. And when I say obsession, I mean it literally. I have been listening to this song non-stop for over four hours now (and counting). Yes, sometimes I'm freaky like that. Anyways, the song is awesome, as is the band so be sure to check them out on youtube, iTunes store, spotify or whatever's cool these days!

XO Aline

Nike & Liberty

Move over Isabel Marant, because Nike is collaborating with Liberty and this is the result...

Free 5.0

Air Max

Blazer Mid

Hyperclive

Cortez

And last, but not least:

Dunk Sky High

The prices of these girlie sneakers range between €90 and €150 and they are for sale exclusively at Liberty London starting April 2 (Dunk Sky High, Blazer Mid & Hyperclive starting May). What do you think of these sporty beauties?

XO Aline


www.liberty.co.uk
story source: nl.elle.be

Spring days:: Photo view

I spent two days in the park this week, once with my boyfriend and once with my friends from uni for a picknick! 

I had a lovely spring-week, had a great time in the sun & went out on a girlsnight. This weekend the easter holiday starts here, which I'll be filling up with work and school tasks, sadly. Oh, and in spite of my shop prohibition, I went shopping anyways. For the last time in months I fear, because my money is flying away from me with a speed that would suit whatever bird is the fastest ;)

But anyways, how were your first days in the sun?

Love

XO Aline

Trend Alert: Pastel!

 

I absolutely adore these colors for Spring and Summer (which is obvious on my pinterest account, I'm full on obsessed :p!)

Full article: http://www.whowhatwear.com/website/full-article/how-they-wear-pastels/

XO Aline

H&M Conscious Collection 2012

H&M takes its Conscious Collection to a whole new level in 2012! The selected items are amazing...
They will bring out an Exclusive Glamour Conscious collection, and in addition to that line also Conscious Collections for Divided, Women, Men and Kids! The items will be available in H&M stores worldwide starting April 12th... Are you excited? I know I am...

Pictures: H&M Exclusive Glamour Conscious collection


What's your favorite piece of the Exclusive Glamour Conscious collection?

XO Aline

Song of the Day

My personal soundtrack of the last few days. Amazing song, amazing band...

XO Aline

Confessions of a Shopaholic

I'm seriously considering the option of renaming my blog: 'Confessions of a Shopaholic'.
I've gone over my activities of the last few weeks in my mind, and suddenly it hit me: I've gone shopping every week. EVERY.WEEK. As in: 2 to 5 new items per week for the last month or something. The first thing that went through my mind was 'I'm seriously going to need a new closet, like NOW!', but that quickly turned into: 'Holy shit, my mom is going to kill me... '
So as of right now, I'm on a shopping diet (although that really pains me, because there are so many beautiful items just screaming my name)!

The fact that I seriously have to start working on my bachelor paper will help since I'll be really busy, which means I won't have the impulse to go kill some time at the Zara store.
Unfortunately, (well no not really, because it's greaaat) the Belgian weather is really getting it's Spring-act on. So like I said, it's a greaaat thing (walking around with my sunnies on, like yesterday, mmm love it!) but it also means that I'll be going outside quite a lot to thé place to be in Ghent when it's warm: the Graslei. Coincidental, I have to go through the biggest shopping street in order to get there, so I'll really have to start working on restricting myself ;)

Anyways, here are some of my new items of the last week (items of last week, of my weekend shopping trip with my mom and yesterday's shopping spree):

Only Elektric Blue Jeans

Zara wedges

Zara top (the yellow is more of a neon yellow in real life)

H&M orange blouse

S. Oliver heeled sandals

Hollister strapless striped top

Some of the other items include a striped blazer, a spearmint colored top, a basic longsleeve black top, an orange braided belt, a mintcolored clutch and a necklace ;)

Let me know what you think of my new items & now I'm going to convince myself that I can't buy anymore clothes (or shoes, or anything for that matter :p!)

XO Aline

DIY Sunday

Forever 21 Leopard sweater, H&M shorts (used to be pants)

I've had these highwaisted black jeans for ages, but I didn't wear them because they just weren't skinny enough. The lower half just didn't fit tightly so I wore them like two or three times and from then on they were a museum piece in my closet.
Now as chance would have it, I have been looking for those perfect pair of highwaisted black shorts for ages (can you see where I'm going with this ;p)... And suddenly it hit me: I can just cut off those jeans that I don't wear anyway.. So I took the jeans, made some magic happen, et voila: shorts!

The result of my magic process is quite okay, so I think these are going to be my favorite new shorts ;) now the Belgian weather just has to keep on getting better and I'll be wearing these with bare legs in no time!

Do you make alterations to items you don't wear anymore?

I hope everyone had a nice weekend!

Love
XO Aline

Let's Go Out Tonight!

'Girls' Night Out'! Everyone loves a night like that, right?
I had such an amazing time in Ghent with my friends so I thought I'd share some pictures :)
When we go out the soundtrack that plays on repeat in my head before we leave, is 'Out Tonight' from the RENT soundtrack. It really gets me in the party mood and I just love that movie a little too much ;)



So what's your idea of a perfect night out?

XO Aline