Colour blocking: A pop of colour to brighten the mood

From left to right: www.mohomy.com, www.ruedechic.com, www.glamour.com

I don't know about you but on a cold day like it is here today in New Zealand I need a bit of colour to brighten the mood!

ORANGE AND ROYAL BLUE

 From left to right: lifestyle.ezinemark.com & asdinteriors.wordpress.com

Let's face it, colour blocking isn't a new trend in fact we've written about it before and it has probably been reinvented so many times with a new 'seasonal colour to watch' that I'm hardly breaking new ground here.  But without dwelling on a particular colour I am instead choosing to pay homage to a pop of colour in every shade that I feel really brings a smile to my dial and brings oomph to any room!

PURPLE

From left to right: norwegianmoods.blogspot.com & nihrida.com

I must have gone out and bought at least 4 new shades of bold nail polish in the last two weeks (considering I don't wear nail polish this is pretty significant!).  The bold rich hues of burgundy, merlot, blood red and mauve are so inviting that I've been prepared to brave a wonky right hand just for the privilege of having dramatic colour on my cuticles.  Sometimes a lick of nail polish is all you need to feel like you've done something 'electric' with your look - and for 'naked nail types' like myself it can be quite an uplifting change!

EMERALD GREEN

From left to right: designagogo.wordpress.com & fashionisers.com

 How much fun is this room now that the bed is green and not brown!  Unexpected yet captivating!

PINK ACCENTS

 From left to right: decor8blog.com & www.soniaroselli.com

Recently I've been transfixed by instagram pics of bright bold pink lipstick,  not to mention shots of pink on duvet covers, velvet cushions and mink throws and as I am a girly girl at heart and love pink, I'm going with it.  When normally I would reach for my favourite red lippy (Poppy Cream by Elizabeth Arden) as a 'look at me' lip colour I instead purchased 'Pout Paste' by Australis in a hot pink similar to the one Emma Stone is wearing - its a really glossy shiny pink stain (not great on a windy day) but I instantly loved it.  So much so that I've taken to wearing it during the day (after all it is a gloss) - and you only live once right!  Having said that, a touch of pink really is quite timeless in the right context.  Just like there is a shade of pink for every home there is a shade of pink for every pout!

PINK AND BLACK

From left to right: vcheidersberger.blogspot.com & gray-shade.blogspot.com

From left to right: followpics.com & fashion.about.com

BLACK AND YELLOW

 From left to right: apartmentsilike.wordpress.com & sunrainly.com & www.cocokelley.com

For the home, yellow and grey have always been a match made in heaven, its almost as if the grey has a calming effect on the yellow and softens its impact.  While black on the other hand makes the yellow stand out even more as if  vying for attention.  I especially love the culotte's in the first fashion pic, how amazing do those pants look? - yes you probably do need a super high heel or long limbs to have the same effect but if you're shorter, a yellow skirt would have the same effect.  Love it, this makes me smile!

What are you wearing this season that makes you smile whenever you wear it? I bet it's bright and bold.  Sometimes we need a pop of colour to brighten the mood and assert our personalities whether that be at home or on the street :-)

And if you don't wear bright colours very much, try it, you just might like it!

How to mix prints

Left to right imagery: stylingon.com & designspiration.net

Mixing prints takes a bit of courage and an eye for colour combinations.  On the home front a combination of prints can be very chic and the overall feel can bring a plain or lifeless room to life.  On the fashion front it can give someone a real sense of personality...

Something for everyone - Image by theberry.com

My personal approach to print is one that is relatively reserved but what I love about mixing prints is that it doesn't always have to say 'hey look how many colours I can wear' - but rather, 'look what I can do with multiple prints and colour', take for instance these runway looks that are mixing prints yet in a monochromatic way.

Image from style.mtv.com

The overall look above is a look that is refined yet captivating as not only are the models mixing prints but they are mixing textures in a tonal colour palette of greys black and brown. Not once do I think this is too much print, which just goes to show that mixing prints can be refined and subtle.

Image: onekingslane.com

Even if you are someone who likes to keep your colour scheme simple inside the home, introducing several different prints into an otherwise neutral space like for instance in window dressings or cushions (as above) shows a bit of flare yet is easily replaced should your relationship with the print sadly 'come to an end'.

Left to right: youareherefw.com and cosy.pt

Sometimes too much of something can be a wonderful thing like for instance this leopard on leopard look or this over the top zebra wallpaper.  Sometimes if you have the right oomph of colour to offset the print the scheme can just work - it shouldn't but it does, like these further examples

Micro-floral meets green zebra: greathomeinterior.com

The yellow floral is offset by a striking zebra print: asiankoreanfashion.com

Mixing prints can tread a fine line between creating a beautiful mess and an amazing fashion moment.  These celebs seem to get the balance right

Whitney Port, tartan and stripes myfashavenue.com

Scarlett mixes her black and white prints: olivekelly.blogspot.com

Miranda in double floral - lamodellamafia.com

Leopard and floral - who knew?: Olivia enpaper.blogspot.com

Mixing print the right way is all about maintaining balance and having the confidence to do it in the first place.  Occasionally it can be a happy coincidence that you were wearing 3 kinds of stripes and it looked fab but for the most part this is a blend that takes some coordination - there needs to be a common thread.  Either you try bold print with bold solid colours to offset, or you blend prints with tonal accessories which compliment rather than contrast.  The best thing about mixing prints is it really does get your imaginative juices flowing and when you strike it lucky - it can be a winning combination.

Have a go, I dare you!

5 reasons why you should wear black

Interior pic - madeaboutthehouse.com Michael Kors 2013 - upscalehype.com

In 2012 I was adamant that I would steer away from black.  Why?  Well it's a bit of a kiwi stereotype and I wanted to challenge myself and my wardrobe!  Now that we are well and truly into the new year I feel differently.  Black is chic, it evokes so many emotions  including edginess and sexiness and for some reason this Winter I'm looking forward to heading over to the dark side.  So these are my Top 5 reasons (in no particular order) why black IS the colour you should be wearing this season.

5 - Black is powerful and masculine!

Kitchen image - freshome.com and Justin - styleforum.net

Whether you have your doubts about black in the home there really is no question that a hit of black makes a dramatic statement and there is a masculinity and strength to it.  It's a nice way to turn what would be a feminine space into somewhere your husband would feel even more comfortable being.  Oh yes and a black suit on a man is oh so suave!

4 - Black is slimming! 

America Ferrera left - cupcakesandcosmeticsbyclare.blogspot.com 

Right - harpersbazaar.com

It can't be denied, the right dress in  black can create the illusion of a svelte and slimmer figure.  Thats not to say that every black dress will do this.  Be careful not to confuse this with just colour alone.  Black cannot work miracles on its own it needs to also be teamed with great tailoring.  Get those two right and boom, style star!

3 - Black makes other colours look good!

Left - triplemaxtons.com Right - whatsmoreimportantthanfashion.com

If black is a place you never venture - perhaps because its 'not in your colour palette' or it evokes memories of a bad girl past, fear not.  Turn those misconceptions around and venture gently by pairing black with another colour, think silver, fuschia, royal blue and white and you'll have yourself a stylish contrast.

2 - All black gives you instant style cred!

Image - ifyouseekstyle.com

Head to toe black is undeniably stylish.  There are times when I have felt undecidedly blah about what I am going to wear and have turned to all black (in various textures) to feel more 'put together' and thats what an all black ensemble can do.  The above example really does showcase the girl on the right - she just looks more put together in all black.

1 - Black is just so hip right now!

Left - devon.greatbritishlife.co.uk Right - Olivia glamour.com

Okay so Olivia can do know wrong in my eyes but how chic and cool does she look above.  All black, lots of texture and a stone cold attitude!  The interior parallel to her above is a great play on the boho theme.  The quirky elements of chandeliers mixed with oak and mid century furniture takes the cool factor up about 20 notches, so cool and unexpected don't you think?

electricalshapes.blogspot.com

Yes, it could be said that I am digging on black at the moment but I'm excited to go to this dark place this Winter.  Even style maven Anna Dello Russo is 'jealous' (above).  Black is edgier and just so cool in my eyes and hopefully I've awakened you to it's many dark charms, if you needed more convincing that is.

Painted by hand

Olivia Palermo in a handpainted skirt.  Image by habituallychic.com

There is something so unique and striking about handpainted fabrics for the home or the body.  This week we pay homage to this seasons style must-have by selecting a few inspiring garments and homewares that really showcase this trend.

Handpainted Maxi dresses are truly eye catching: above and below - images by ulugustarstyling.net and prettyportobello.blogspot.com

Who doesn't want to stand out in a crowd and in this day and age individuality is very much in-vogue.  As a lover of crafts and DIY I admire any and all things that have a real 'made with love' feel to them.

Bluebelle Gray creates amazing handpainted fabrics and pieces for the home.  How fresh and inviting is the couch covered in handpainted sunflowers! 

Below are just some handpicked and handpainted furnishings for the home that I hope will inspire your creative juices

Midnight Spirographs painting by Sarah Stockstill

Handpainted desk from Pottery Barn

Marimekko handpainted fabrics like Kotona (above) are great stretched over canvas as art or made into soft furnishings like cushions

I love a good feature wall.  No, not the 90s obsession where one wall in every room was a bright colour - yes Mum I remember when you broke out the burgundy!  I actually really love a wallpapered feature wall, what a great talking point.  

These handprinted wallpapers below and above are by one of my fave designers Porter Teleo, such a bold statement!

In fashion, there is a resurgence for hand-dipped/dyed and hand painted designs.  

Emma Stone pulls off a beautiful handpainted dress by Lanvin

Anne Hathaway wore a pink handpainted Valentino wedding dress recently on her wedding day

And just to show you how passionate I am about this handpainted trend I thought I'd give you a glimpse of my recent Sevens costume (remember the Chandeliers), well this year hubby and I did our best interpretation of Gotye and Kimbra which was inspired by their song Somebody That I used to know below 

The real Gotye and Kimbra

The pretend versions: Yours truly and my husband Joe 

By the way this lovely snap was captured by my homebecomesher compadre Mereana!

And there you have it, I hope you enjoyed my post and have been enlightened by the uniqueness and beauty of handpainted fabrics for the home and your wardrobe. If you're feeling creative and were about to throw out a perfectly good purse I have attached this 'totes amazing' tutorial on how to paint your way to a new one.  Enjoy! x  

To make a handpainted purse click here