Peek-a-boo Cutouts

Top Left: Via Bespoke, Far Right: Via The Suburban Diary, Bottom Left: Via Gazelle85

Laser cutting, perforations or peek-a-boo cut-outs as they are so aptly-put are for lack of a better phrase so hot right now! Think of a plain stiletto or a white wall and imagine how impactful it could be with just the hint of a watermarked pattern running right the way through it.  Well that my friends is called a cut-out embellishment and it is brilliant for adding personality to your spaces and fashion looks.

Top Left: Via Dezeen, Far Right: Via Styling Notes, Bottom Left: Via Heart Home Mag

I personally have a love-hate relationship with lace and lace overlays and if you share this infrequent distaste then perforations and cut-outs strike a nice middle ground.  The overlay is permanent and can be anything from a series of geometric cut-outs to Moroccan inspired patterns yet the effect is timeless and perhaps most of all is it is just so different.The ankle bootie heel above for instance would cut a beautiful and unique imprint on one's tootsies that you have to believe that it would draw some serious compliments and good ones - that is of course provided that you want people to stare at your feet!

Left: Via Wedding Belles Blog, Right: Via Interior Designn

Think of a simple wedding dress.  Classic, elegant and yet some might say safe or predictable but how fantastic would a wedding dress be if though simple in style was swathed in a beautiful laser cut print.  There are so many laser cutters around that you could investigate having your cut-out be unique to you - it might be a family design or a more fun approach might be to laser-cut the initials of you and your hubby-to-be who knows all I know is that perforations and laser cutting is a thing of beauty and a trend that's here to stay.

Top Left: Via, The Sustainable Stylist, Top Middle: Via Pattern People, Far Right: Via FashioNZ, Bottom Left: Via The Coolspotter

In hindsight I seem to be taken by cut-outs in shoes summer heels in particular but whether you are heading in to Autumn in your part of the world or Summer as in ours, the trend of cut-outs transpires throughout the seasons.  For instance for the home it's light fixtures and artworks with wooden laser-cut overlays and in fashion its perforated designs on suede booties and in leather vests and jackets.

Top Left: Via My Packing Stylist, Far Right: Via Trendhunter, Bottom Left: Via Design Juices

Cut-outs are a peek-a-boo trend that makes the plain more interesting and an otherwise ordinary piece more special. I've just noticed the top right dress isn't a laser cutout persay though it emulates the trend rather well and could be a nice compromise for those of you who are heading into Winter but like the aesthetic but need the warmth that full fabric provides.

Newsflash: I have just bought a pair of my own cut-outs too and though a tad sore to walk in look flippin fabulous!

Spanish Influence - Con Amor

Our Wedding 2008 - photographer Carey Conn
Interior shot from flicker.com

When I think Spanish influence for the home what instantly comes to mind are arches, wrought iron and beautifully detailed tiles. Then for fashion I think lace, fans, peineta (Spanish comb), flowers and frilly layers. I had a strong Spanish influence in my wedding dress attire above, because I wanted to acknowledge my husband's heritage (half Spanish, from Chile) and I also thought these accessories were simply stunning. The peineta and fan were gifts from my Mother-in-law brought from Spain and I had the Spanish lace veil or mantilla made here in New Zealand.

Many people think my comb is a Māori heru, and you'll see why from the below examples. From New Zealand to China to Spain, all of these traditional combs are quite similar.

From left to right, Māori Bone Heru from New Zealand, Chinese Ivory comb, and far right a Spanish peineta traditionally made from tortiseshell but nowadays made from imitation mother of pearl. Images courtesy of NZ Museums, barbaraanneshaircombblog.com and wikipedia.org

Now for some Spanish style wedding inspiration....

Gorgeous Spanish bride, see full photo shoot at greenweddingshoes.com 

What a dramatic photo! If you want to see more great Mantilla images, check this post at  tumblr.trendology.org

Sadly the marriage didn't last but the Spanish style dress and mantilla will be forever beautiful. Image courtesy of posh24.com

And of course some Spanish style home decor inspiration....

Incredible intricate Spanish tiles. Image courtesy of revistaad.es

 More gorgeous Spanish tiles. Image courtesy of Pinterest

Yet another great Spanish hallway. Image courtesy of traditionalhome.com

Love these Spanish/Moorish tiles. I'd want the exact same in my kitchen. Image courtesy of thekitchn.com

This colonial style Spanish house has great character. The adobe walls really make the style pop. Image courtesy of apartmenttherapy.com

For a more contemporary Spanish influenced accessory - check these prints from Etsy.
This means "You are my world"

"Live the Life" - from Etsy

This is one of my favourite photos from our wedding day, quite romantic I thought

Finally an interesting story about my dress, so not exactly Spanish influenced, more Fantastic Four influenced (I know a bit random). The true story is that Erena told me she had a dream that I got married in the dress that Jessica Alba wore in the movie Fantastic Four 2. So of course I Googled it, found the below pic, LOVED IT, and that's exactly what I took to the dress maker to recreate. So I wouldn't say that super hero movies, weddings and Spanish style go together, but in this case it worked for me.

Jessica Alba in Fantastic Four 2. Image courtesy of pixelbomb.com.
The picture I gave to my dressmaker