Experimenting with french manicure

Check this out: I've got a beauty channel now, xoxo!
And the new video is a nail tutorial with rich gold and dark green colors, inspired by Chanel 2011 makeup collection.
At the end of the video I'm sporting the Green Earth Earrings, so if you were wondering how they look in person, check them out too!;)

Paris- Shanghai trip that Coco Chanel made only in her dreams

I'm amazed to discover that this short movie fantasy were written and directed by Karl Lagerfeld himself!
So aesthetically pleasing, so atmospheric! Really recommend for watching!

Dangerous liaisons

People and situations are starting to have a stronger influence on me that before. Though it may be just a stressful state of affairs around me, recent changes in life and jiggling bunch of tasks around.
Nevertheless I bought 4 dresses and some other clothing right before going to bed on Saturday. And not just some dresses, I shoped at a expensive luxury online store. No kidding, that order was out of my budget. Not dept creating purchase, but definitely zero savings kinda purchase.
How did that happen? - I asked myself on Sunday. The term "emotional shopping" sounded like a joke for me till that weekend. It felt daunting, but it was necessary to rationalize how things like that can happen without internal error message popping up "getting out of controool! Slow down, Lady!"
We talked with a friend about shopping that evening, we shared our views on "beautiful" vs "functional" dresses, exchanged links for shopping, and.. oh yeah,meanwhile we rewatched 6 episodes of SATC !..
Guilty pleasure leads to guilty behavior, ha...
I guess it gets comical before it gets scary. Maybe that's why I am a bit afraid of clowns, the exaggerated colorful smiling faces, that are fixed with elusive real persona hiding behind all that paint. Looks flashy and funny, but you feel there is something not that smiley and very different secluded in there. I guess not being able to critically see the dynamics of one's environment should feel similar.

The good thing is I learned a lesson: never combine all guilty pleasures in one night, especially after tiresome day.
The bad things is... I got my dresses today.
and I love every single one of them....
I hoped so much some of them wouldn't fit or would be not as shown online, or the wrong size, or cheap fabric or etc. Actually they are very much what I expected. So luxury shopping experience is sort of addictive, now I see why.

The best small to medium size dogs is..

..Swedish Vollhand!
Ok, I am obsessing a little bit, but look at it!.. isn't this the most real yet cute dog breed ever?
It is no toy-lap-couch-potato, it is not crazy as some hyperactive breeds. It's just..smart, active, friendly, healthy, balanced, playful and.. ahh....
It reminds me of german shepherd a lot. it's like a big dog in a small body.
However, and here the dramatic point. Swedish vollhands are so rare in united states and oh-so expensive!

I wish I could get one some time in future, because it's such a wonderful...ok,ok. I shut up :) 

How to accessorize a drop waisted grey dress

I was recently asked for advice how to accessorize a drop-waisted dress. And not just a dress, a grey dress with drapes around the hips.
First of all, the 1920s shape of the outfit definitely changes any girl’s figure. It can make you look a bit boxy, and without a proper accessories - quite dull.
However, since the color is so tame it actually is a perfect canvas to show off some of your best jewelry!
I will concentrate on the proportions and styles of the jewelry you could wear.
The color choices are mainly dependent of the hue of your grey. You definitely want to add a pop of color in any case, but yellowish/greenish grey will ask for warm colors, including gold/green/orange/turquoise, while pinkish/bluish grey will look amazing with purple/silver/deep blue and etc.
The only one metal i wouldn’t suggest straightforwardly is copper/brown. It will be tricky to make it look good with all hues of grey.
Well, there are at least three quite different ways to come about the task of accessorizing grey drop waisted dress.
I made a couple of sketches that are shown at this collage

1. The left sketch: Contemporary and casual
Let’s start from the first one on the left. Here we have a long statement pendant, that will add a lot of movement and highlight the elongated silhouette created by the dress. Absolutely stunning if you are 6-7 feet tall!
If you are also lucky to have a long neck you can add some long dangles, that match the pendant but are not that prominent.
2. The center sketch: Shiny and classic
Many-many strands of metal with bright graduated beads will break the box of the dress body part, add a lot of movement and sparkle! You can edit this one according to your personal taste. Some women like it glittery, some bold and colorful, some modest and elegant. The most classic way is given to us by 1920s fashion magazines - multi-strand pearl necklaces.
3.  The right sketch: Bold and edgy
I guess this is my personal favorite. You will need a bold statement necklace and bracelet for this one, while earrings should be short and simple, just reflecting the overall color palette. Large semi-precious gemstones wrapped in wire or chains, shimmery, sparkly texture - will attract a lot of attention and create an stylish edgy look.
 I gotta say that if your dress is not very curvy friendly, jewelry styling #3 won’t help much and might even increase the “bumpiness” of the look. In that case I would suggest the 2nd style as the most savvy one.

I hope this little “gray dress tutorial” will help some of you, Girls!
Let me know your ideas and thoughts!

There is one thing that I have to say about Tim Gunn

... and his new book.

It is not that much about the scandal and fashion dirty laundry. It is about ethics, including work ethics. It is about good yet warm manners and graceful approach to handle conflicts and difficult relationships.

I do not know another public person in the fashion industry right now who would be that polite and candid as he is. So this war and persecution of him for mentioning a couple of outrageous acts some of the fashion celebs have done is very surprising and upsetting.

Another thing is that he is a well-spoken person, and his writing is actually very eloquent and elegant as well (I especially love this manner of his to sometimes use very old-school almost antiquated structures and words = so classy!). I’ve got two of his books, and it’s a true pleasure to read.

I recommend them both to everybody, because it is not about clothes, it is about the beauty of your appearance, language and thoughts.

A compelling observation: Getting sick can clear up the skies a little bit

Being sick as a dog gives me a privilege to have a little time to think some things over and make some long laying aside calls, though.

Life is not so cruel, and that’s good. It can be busy, it can be resistant to follow my wishes, but it could be worse.

I’m glad I’m here, sick, calm and sunbathing in the afternoon sun filling all my bedroom.