Christmas gift guide: every shade of BLUE

I absolutely adore blue and wear it despite any trends or season changes, so no wonder it made it to my Christmas gift guide 2013 as one of the perfect colours.

According to Pantone, it is the classic, deep and meditative shade called Myconos Blue that we should concentrate our attention on this season mixing it with black, white or both for extra intensity and depth and later, as the spring 2014 comes, turn to cobalt-like Dazzling Blue that beautifully fades into a softer dreamy hue of morning sky (the official name for the latter is placid blue, in case you were curious).

It took me quite a bit of time and editing  to put this list together and then - a good dose of willpower to stop myself from buying everything on it. I hope you love the result as much as I do. If something has your name written all over it – use one of the discount codes and sale offers I’ve included below and treat yourself.

Where to buy: 1. Cashmere blend cable knit sweater, Uniqlo (£29.90*), 2. Royal blue fedora hat, Mademoiselle Slassi (£235), 3. Ocean blue coral cuff bracelet, Ashiana (£40 + matching ring, £22**), 4. Gold-plated stone and crystal brooch, Kenneth Jay Lane (£52), 5. Sweetie ring, Jigsaw (£45), 6. Softly pleated dress, Jil Sander (£572), 7. La Pluie EDP, Miller Harris (£65), 8. Blu Mediterraneo Fico Di Amalfi, Aqua di Parma (£52), 9. Blue pure wool tartan check throw, Dreamwool blanket Co. (£49.95***), 10. Cobalt/black bar top clutch, Dorothy Perkins (£5.95****), 11. Snowflake gold-tone key fob, Anya Hindmarch (£65), 12. Turquoise candle, Thomas Fuchs Creative (£39), 13. Crystal Butterfly, Baccarat (£68*****), 14. Grown-up glamour, Caroline Cox, Amazon (£10), 15. Riviera dream earrings, Accessorize (£12), 16. Blue velvet Amelie boots, Bionda Castana (£495), 17. Sequin shoulder bag, Mango (£29.99)

* sign-up for a newsletter and receive £5 off your first order
** enter FRIENDS25 at checkout to receive 25% off full priced items
*** if shopping until Friday midnight use DEC13 at checkout to receive 10% off
**** check DP 30% off Pop-Up shop and get extra 10% off with DPEXTRA10
***** Free international shipping on orders over $200/£120 with code FESTIVE and free standard duty-free shipping with code CHEER – click to shop

Hematite-plated Swarovski crystal bracelet by Elizabeth Cole – doesn’t it look like a bunch of snow flakes?!

P.S. If you are in a mood for shopping, have a look at these temping and fabulous weekend offers…

… style steals at up to 70% off at Matches plus free delivery with FREEDEL code
… AMAZING (and truly unmissable) sales at Net-A-Porter
… for 24 hours only - 25% off full priced items at Avenue32 with code 252432
… up to 75% off at Revolveclothing

… up to 60% off at Saks Fifth Avenue

… more fashion bargains at TheOutnet plus and just as a weekend treat extra 30% off at checkout on everything from this gorgeous selection

… 15% off at Tessabit with code BLKDAY15 (until midnight Friday)

… 20% off at Folli Follie (with code GRAZIA20) and Karen Millen (use WEEKEND20 at checkout)

… up to 50% off at Miss Selfridge, Mango and Forever21

… 25% off at Kurt Geiger with code F&FKG25 and 20% off everything at Dune

… fantastic sales at Whistles and Reiss

… access a VIP 20% sale at Forzieri

… and don’t forget to meet Sebastian

Photo source: Nadja Bender wearing Elie Saab Couture in Numero France September 2013 (photography: Karl Lagerfeld, styling: Vanessa Metz)

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Paris fashion week impressions

The last week of the fashion season was overwhelming in many ways. There were beautiful clothes. There was a generous amount of gossip that stained my otherwise exciting and sparkling idea of a beautiful week. And there were a couple of disappointments and a few surprises, too.

It was very difficult to pick a few favourites this time – it feels unfair not to mention certain designers in fear of running out of blog space. I am condensing it to the bare minimum of words and photos in hope to preserve the essence and memories of this special time without making you fall asleep right here, on your keyboard…

My absolute favourites (in alphabetical order) included…

…the dreamy, romantic, floaty, origami pleated, cool blue and delicately printed Cacharel.

…excessive in quantities and pearls, feminine, sweet and beautifully embroidered Chanel.

…very French (or better yet, Parisian), light as air, garnished with most gorgeous floral applique and beautifully accessorised Chloe.

…the sober and elegant day wear and out of this world sparkling gowns at Elie Saab.

… sunny, adorable, 1960s-inspired Louis Vuitton.

… beautiful, minimalistic in a way, until you see the finishing touches of elaborate embroidery or sequins sparkling in the dark, unfolding into a fantasy, Valentino collection. The simple silhouettes and stunning details made those clothes absolutely timeless.

…Vanessa Bruno for its Parisian feel, colours, carefree attitude, mix of floating silks with structured leather jackets and wish-list worthy footwear.

And talking of ultimate spoilers…

First of all, Christian Dior show. I was looking forward to it. I was very excited and my heart wanted to be in love (and so did my mind, if I am honest). I didn’t get the collection. It confused me. It made me think of the previous Haute Couture show, table cloth, badly fitted footwear and, ironically, the smoking jacket (yes, the Yves Saint Laurent smoking jacket).

I know Raf is a lovely man and I know everyone loves him. I totally understand the enthusiasm that comes with the new era of Christian Dior.

I just don’t like the clothes.

The second bad memory formed after John Galliano show designed by Bill Gaytten. It was sad, bizzare and messy, although the music was good. It felt like a funeral. I am trying really hard to brush off the feeling, but so far failing miserably.

And then there was also Yves Saint Lauren by Hedi Slimane. Or should I refer to it as Saint Laurent by Hedi Slimane? Or Saint Laurent? Apparently there is a huge difference now and one is supposed to use a certain names when referring to specific topics.

The collection itself was wonderful, fantastic, in fact, because it made me think of Yves and his aesthetics and signature pieces (the smoking, the blouse and bows, pea jacket, jumpsuit and Saharienne). It made me think of all things bohemian. It reminded me of the Opium years (as a perfume, not the other thing). I loved the jewellery and the shoes – I imagine those statement pendant necklaces being used a lot in editorials comes spring and becoming another must-have item.

What I didn’t like was the gossip that followed. All that open letter nonsense. It became too personal and too bitter. It spoilt the overall impression.

And that is it. The Paris Fashion Week. It’s over now and so is my post. Thank you for reading.

Photo source: vogue.com, style.com

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