The strangest of the strange

Quite a few strange fashion items have crossed my path lately. I've found them to be at times repulsive and bizarre but mostly quite entertaining. I was conflicted about writing this post because I thought that looking at weird stuff wouldn't necessarily inspire our readers, but then it reminded me that what we consider "beautiful" changes over time and we should always try to remain open-minded to new, creative and quirky ideas, even if at first we may not find them appealing.

Think back to the first time you ever saw a fashion trend like the the fluro trend, or jeggings (or leggings as pants) or heelless shoes for example. Chances are it jolted your senses and you could have rejected it. Then a couple of months later you've bought two pairs of jeggings (maybe) and cant live without them. Is it peer pressure, is it just your eyes and tastes adjusting and finding the beauty in this new style?

Apparently this is completely normal and in our nature - “There is in all of us a psychological tendency to resist new ideas… just as there is a psychological resistance to really radical innovations in behaviour or dress. It perhaps has its origin in that inborn impulse which used to be spoken of as the herd instinct.” – W I B Beveridge, “THE ART OF SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION”

New fashion ideas can initially repulse you, not necessarily because there is anything wrong with them, but because as humans we’re conditioned to reject them. So there is this tension of wanting to push the boundaries and create something new and original, but a part of our nature is to reject the new and the weird.


So keep an open mind with the following strange and wacky fashion and interior style examples, enjoy!

Heelless shoes. Yes? No? Maybe? Never? Okay not too wacky, lets ease you into this. Image courtesy of eclechick.com 

Cookie monster meets Lenny Kravitz. This Sibling creation is wondrously bizarre. Image courtesy of Yahoo

Ummm, maybe the 70's blasted him in the face? Craig Green Spring Summer collection 2014, image courtesy of .nssmag

I'm trying to stay open-minded but this creation from London's Mens Fashion week leaves me speechless. But he does have the nice broad shoulders to pull of the strapless look. Image courtesy of yahoo

Just me, but I think pink teddy back packs and nightie style tunics should NOT be worn by anyone older than 3 years old. Bobby Abley Spring/Summer 2014, image courtesy of stuff.co.nz

Going to play sport, or watch sport, or just another day in the office? Totally weird but not ugly. Images from the On Aura Tout Vu’s Haute Couture Autumn Winter 2013/2014 runway show and courtesy of schonmagazine

Futuristic sci-fi, weird but strangely appealing. Images from the On Aura Tout Vu’s Haute Couture Autumn Winter 2013/2014 runway show and courtesy of schonmagazine

If all of your friends had a mono brow, would you get one too? Maybe we should give it a chance? Probably not... Image from the Defined Moment Show 2013, courtesy of today.com

Get your geek on with a felt brain bag. Image courtesy of etsy.com

Basically you can get a felt bag made into anything even a piano, Tardis, pumpkin, see more here. Image courtesy of etsy.com

The skull has become quite mainstream lately so I'm not sure why this outfit disturbs me so much, I think  its tacky, but  in a few months I maybe carrying around a bejewelled skull.... From the On Aura Tout Vu Show 2013, image courtesy of today.com

I all seems totally normal and straight until you realise she is wearing fluffy slippered high heels. A creation by Christian Lacroix for Elsa Schiaparelli, image courtesy of today.com

Crazy birds nest creation by designer Iris van Herpen. Image courtesy of today.com 

Bizarre bejewelled face mask from Maison Martin Margiela. Image courtesy of digitalspy.co.uk

Gold creation by Charlie Le Mindu's Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2013 show at Paris Fashion Week. Image courtesy of digitalspy.co.uk

Peanut butter and jelly sandwich... around my neck? Mixing the familiar with the unfamiliar, a common object like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich is bizarre as a necklace. Image courtesy of Etsy.com

Knucklebuster made of grass?!?!? Why not!
Image courtesy of Etsy.com

James Plumb Vintage Suitcase drawers are quirky upcycled genius. Visually delightful and fun will add character to any room. Image courtesy of Luxurious Prototype

Mr J Design Top Hat light shades. Image courtesy of Etsy.com

ENDesign dollshead mugs. Kind of like drinking dolls brains, yummy. Image courtesy of Etsy.com

It's like he is screaming because there is a plant growing out of his back. Image courtesy of etsy.com

Egg beater lamps, I bet they cast a great shadow in the room. Image courtesy of petitepassport.com

Bike basin, shabby chic and a little bit french. Image courtesy of xote.tumblr.com

It would feel like you were sitting on someones lap. Image courtesy of pinterest.com

Probably not a good night lite for the kids. Image courtesy of etsy.com

Another great example of an up-cycled suitcase - pinterest.com

Its like this chair is alive and trying to escape. Image courtesy of pinterest.com

So try to stay open-minded and embrace the strangest of the strange until it is no longer so.

Image courtesy of pinterest.com

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!

The Great Gatsby - 1920's style inspiration

Carey Mulligan who plays Daisy – the 'girl' in the epic love story The Great Gatsby.
 Image courtesy of  wahingtonpost.com

The recent release of The Great Gatsby movie has inspired a resurgence of 1920's fashion. The movie is set to be released in New Zealand soon, and I cant wait! The glamour and decadence of the art deco period is truly dazzling. Think fur, diamonds, pearls, champagne and everything glitzy and sparkly. It is such a gorgeous and glorious decade, I'm pleased that it has made a comeback in fashion.

The "roaring" 20's were a period of social liberation and the fashion and style of the day reflect that excitement and optimism post World War 1. Its the decade that women became allowed to vote and of prohibition (in the USA) which arguably spawned a legendary surge of organized crime and a whole other movie genre.

For fashion the flapper look is what immediately comes to mind; the headband, drop waist dresses, feathers, sequins and a healthy heaping of flashy accessories of diamonds and pearls topped off with fur. Its great to take some cues from this trend, but to avoid looking like you're heading to a costume party I wouldn't put it altogether at once. For tips on how to wear faux fur check one of our latest posts.

For interiors the same thing goes, the look and feel of the time is of extreme opulence and lavishness.  So over the top detailed accessories like chandeliers, gold, silver and bronze, most things reflective and shiny perfectly fit this sort of style. Also think strong graphic designs in wallpaper which have a very distinctive sleek look. 

The star burst mirror and clock are classic art deco along with graphic and decorative wallpaper.
Check this lovely flapper outfit with the turquoise and yellow, very complimentary colors. The headband with feathers along with the long pearls are totally flapperish
Interior image courtesy of skonahem.com
Outfit image courtesy of stylegirljessjames.com

Deep emerald green totally captures the essence of this rich period in time. Alison Williams  from GIRLS wears a very strong structured almost architectural dress with distinctive art deco period contours.
Interior image courtesy of habitusliving.com
Outfit image courtesy of  blog.mangomuseevents.com

Check this modern take on an art deco chandelier, gives a nod to the past but with a modern and contemporary edge. This headband with pearls and feather again ticks all the 1920s glamour boxes, but teamed with a more subtle dress make it more contemporary and less costume like.
Interior image courtesy of design-byproxy.com
Outfit image courtesy of 3d-memoirs.com

Bold and graphic designs like this black and white wallpaper epitomize the art deco period. This dress worn by Blake Lively is so sexy and contemporary, but she wouldn't have looked out of place at one of Gatsby's parties nearly a century ago, timeless beauty.
Interior image courtesy of etsy.com
Outfit image courtesy of sewinglovers.blogspot.com

The darker side of art deco elegance, shimmer and style. Simple but elegant and timeless.
Interior image courtesy of habitusliving.com
Outfit image courtesy of becomegorgeous.com

Glittering, sparkling, diamonds, silver and sequins, as long as it is shiny and reflective its right on our Great Gatsby brief!
Interior image courtesy of decorati.com
Outfit image courtesy of applebaummd.com

Satin and gold, the perfect opulent pairing for this rich and luxurious interior. Kept modern with the white floorboards, contemporary cushions and mixing in with the Moroccan pouf. Sequins and sparklers, how could you talk about the Great Gatsby without mentioning fireworks!
Interior image courtesy of homebunch.com
Outfit image courtesy of Visit pinterest

Graphic wallpaper and art deco style mirrors along with a mirrored vanity, modern yet classic. Carey Mulligan looks so stunning and demure in this pic, the soft pastels are also a strong fashion theme to emerge from this trend. How do you get those finger waves? Try the tutorial here.
Interior image courtesy of Visit decorati.com
Outfit image courtesy of newyorkdress.com

Rich style with rich colours - black, white and gold make for a truly lavish combination that screams DELUXE. Appropriate to bring out these big guns for a special room or outfit for a special occasion.
Interior image courtesy of lifeandstyleonadime.blogspot.com.au
Outfit image courtesy of thebeautyagenteurs.com

Now straight out of the movie, some stunning images to really demonstrate how plush and splendid this trend is...

Leonardo is so hot in that suit, surrounded by the decadence of those cakes and flowers its a great image.
Image courtesy of cinemastyle.blogspot.co.nz

Men in black suits and bow ties - check, sparkly dress - check, fur - check, sparkly headband  - check, swinging party scene - check. Roaring 20s party scene 100% confirmed.
Image courtesy of thegreatgatsby.warnerbros.com/

You can't forget the diamonds and champagne!
Image courtesy of thegreatgatsby.warnerbros.com

What a great scene, statement chandelier, enormous statement rug and I think that room is round, a distinctive architectural style of the art deco times.
Image courtesy of living.msn.com

Here are some flapper fashion ideas to get ideas on how to bring this trend into your wardrobe...

Image courtesy of  fashionstylemag.com

Pastel feminine softness is one way to capture this trend - contract with some geometric patterns and you've arrived.
Image courtesy of fashionstylemag.com

Ralph Lauren flapper influenced collection, flowy with a hint of feathers throughout.
Image courtesy of fashionstylemag.com

A beautiful example of a vintage graphic wallpaper print with beautiful vintage accessories.
Image courtesy of  your4walls.co.uk

The art deco mirror is a simple and effective way to bring the 20's style into your home.
Image courtesy of  your4walls.co.uk

Introduce some 1920's, Great Gatsby luxury into your life. So forget casual, get glam and go for everything that glitters and sparkles, shine on!