"She did not need much..."

“She did not need much, wanted very little. A kind word, sincerity, fresh air, clean water, a garden, kisses, books to read, sheltering arms, a cosy bed, and to love and be loved in return.”

― starra neely blade

Check, check out my melody!

 

 

Plaid, check, tartan... whatever you call it, make sure you're wearing it.
Check is one of those timeless prints that remains effortlessly cool no matter what the season. Cool, comfortable and understated, nothing says casual chic quite like check!

Leaving Ralph Lauren's 2013 Spring/Summer show at New York Fashion Week, Jessica Alba makes a splash in a colourful yellow check creation paired with a structured black leather jacket. (Love the equally chic Brad Goreski trailing behind!)

But don't just take my word for it. The style mavens over at www.whowhatwear.com tell us just what makes this outfit tick:

Jess tones down the glamour to show us how to do off-duty plaid. 

And again... this time combining glamorous with street style. Jessica pairs J Brand Maria High Rise Legging Jeans with an easy button-down plaid shirt. Topped off with pointy stiletto pumps and contrasting leopard-print clutch bag, the effect is simply stunning!

Model Amber Le Bon donned her plaid glad rags at London Fashion Week.

The always-glamorous Miranda Kerr combines stylish separate pieces into one flawless look.

It's good to be Behati

You've got to hand it to this girl. Not only is she the hottest thing on the modelling circuit right now (hello Victoria's Secret), but she's also dating engaged to the hottest thing in pop music, Adam Levine.

As a born Capetonian, I've always had a soft spot for this Namibian-bred lovely. But what impresses me so much more is that she's not parading for paparazzi and attending every look-at-me event on her man's arm. Classy and cute.

My favourite shots of her are the ones without make-up, hair undone and wearing scruffy Doc Martens... such a stark contrast to the pert, polished images of her modelling the brand.

And so today, I thought it just right to pay tribute to Behati, an unlikely style icon.

I think what I love the most about Behati's style is that she doesn't try too hard to be edgy and cool. She just is. In an industry obsessed with perfect hair, nails and wardrobe, it's refreshing to see a naturally beautiful girl go au natural in the hair and make-up department. Plus, she's always smiling and seems like a genuinely cool chick. What's not to love?

Motto of the day... make that, the week

Christel Alsos

I just love discovering new musicians, particularly of the singer/songwriter variety. My latest obsession c/o The Vampire Diaries soundtrack is Christel Alsos.

If you enjoy beautiful soaring piano and string-based melodies, you'll love her. Honest.

She recently released a new album called Presence, featuring the sublime "Found".

But my favourite is this little gem from her previous album. It's called "Still" and is simply perfect.

Aah Coachella... that elusive celebrity-soaked music festival that makes us all wish we lived in sunny LA just for the weekend. It's the one celebrity event where we get to see our favourite A-listers let their hair down in all their crocheted, tie-dyed glory.

And so, as the month of May draws to a close and Hollywood starts carefully coordinating next year's pseudo-uncoordinated ensembles, let's recap this year's most fashionable looks.

                                     
Alessandra Ambrosio, the quintessential boho babe is a Coachella stalwart:

Vanessa Hudgens. While Alessandra's festival look is polished and pretty, Vanessa's Coachella vibe channels Woodstock '69 and flower power:

Diane Kruger, grunge meets bohemian:

Julianne Hough, effortlessly cool:

Leigh Lezark, pretty Californian chic:

Lucy Hale, earthy hippie chic:

An honorable mention goes to Katy Perry. I would never actually wear this outfit, but I do love the Beatles, so she gets kudos for that.

So those are the girls. But the guys were bringing their A-game this year too...

Kellan "hottest Cullen" Lutz:

Alexander "Should Have His Own Show" Skarsgard:

Darren "Glad He's Not Gay in Real-Life" Criss:

Ed "Chuck Bass Forever" Westwick:

Edward "My Friends Call Me Rob" Culllen:

Frank Buffay Jr (aka Giovanni Ribisi):

And because all celebrities just randomly seem to know each other, how about a few of them hob-nobbing with one another.

That awkward moment when Alessandra commits to booking the Jonas Brothers to play the Victoria's Secret show.

Glee's Samuel Larson and Chord Overstreet hang poolside with Underemployed's Diego Boneta. I am not even slightly embarrassed that I know these people. 

Jessica Szohr and Julianne Hough swap war stories.

Katy Perry downs mojitos with Pretty Little Liar Ashley Benson. There's got to be a song in there somewhere.

If this doesn't make you smile...

Selena Gomez does Harper's

Selena Gomez is the latest A-lister to feature on the cover of Harper's Bazaar in the US and let me say, she looks sensational! The hair, the make-up, the everything!

I'll admit that I never quite got the fuss surrounding her.  I grouped her together with the rest of the Disney bunch (Miley, Demi et al) and, in all honesty, can't always distinguish between her and Vanessa Hudgens. (Coincidently, they both star in the upcoming girls-gone-wild film Spring Breakers).

And then I saw this photoshoot. Shot by the always-incredible Terry Richardson, the spread is tasteful, fresh and elegant without trying too hard to be sexy/grown-up.

The spread was shot by the legendary Terry Richardson.

The accompanying article is similarly charming. Gomez comes across as wholesome and cute without becoming annoying. At times, she's even jaded ("I've been smiling for six years. I'm not smiling anymore.")

More stunning pictures from the shoot:
                              

Read the full article here.

The Daily Excerpt

Style Muse - Olivia Palermo

Let me start out by saying that I used to be a big Laguna Beach fan. Like HUGE. I found myself fully immersed in the Lauren/Stephen/Kristin love triangle. I was totally Team Lauren and so, naturally, I followed her move onto The Hills. It's here that we first got to meet the ditzy but loveable Whitney Port.

                      THE HILLS ARE ALIVE  From L-R, Heidi, Lauren, Audrina and Whitney

Whitney was an integral part of Lauren's work day in the offices of Teen Vogue before the blonde left the show and headed for the bright lights of The City.

                                    OH EM GEE!  You actually watched that show?!


And so in the fast-paced world of New York fashion PR, reality TV got its first taste of Olivia Palermo, the doe-eyed fashion-savvy phenom that quickly turned into our starlet's arch enemy. OP started out in the PR department of Diane von Furstenberg before moving on to Elle magazine, where she and Whitney continually butted heads (you'd swear the storyline had been written by a group of screenwriters). Sure, she came across as snooty, entitled and spoilt, but boy could this girl dress!

LIKE DIAMONDS IN THE SKY   There is no such thing as too much bling, dah-ling!

But long before MTV turned the camera on this New York trendsetter, Olivia Palermo was already a staple on the NYC social scene. Rumour has it that the Gossip Girl character of Blair Waldorf was inspired by this real-life Upper East Sider.

IN HER OWN WORDS  You tell 'em, Liv. You are fashion!

And so here are just a few of my favourite Olivia P looks over the years:

IT'S IN THE JEANS  One of my fave OP ensembles, Olivia wears blue Sass & Bide Zippora Spray-On jeans paired with a  burgundy loose-fitting top (granted, she may have considered adding a bra underneath). The addition of a neutral statement necklace and colour-blocked stilettos plus leather-trimmed sweater are just perfection!

RED ALERT  This striking red lace and silk number was the star attraction of a photo shoot Olivia did for Tatler Russia in 2012.  The gold-accented accessories are simply sublime!

DIOR-RIFIC  Attending the Dior Fall/Winter 2013 show at Paris Fashion Week, the socialite wowed in a slinky little number and matching jacket, both by Dior. Her pointy heels are by Giuseppe Zanotti while the statement shades are courtesy of Westward Leaning.

TRIBAL TRIBUTE  I love this subtle mix of tribal prints and pure white - Olivia's a fan of the look and so am I. Here she pairs the graphic print with simple tangerine flats and the neutral Woodstock 24 Hour Bag by Gerard Darel.

LEGGY LADY  Nobody does Fashion Week quite like Olivia. Seen here at Rachel Zoe's 2012 Spring/Summer showing, the pint-sized fashionista chose a silky black, tulip-hemmed maxi skirt accessorized with tan-and-black stiletto sandals and matching clutch bag.

A TOUCH OF CLASS  If there's one look that Olivia does best, it's Parisian street style. Top-to-toe in monochrome elegance, she opts for black skinnies, simple striped top and cuffed tuxedo jacket. The result is timeless and effortlessly classy.

... AND AGAIN  She updates the all-black look, this time going for a feminine tuxedo jacket complete with cropped pants, lace top and layered necklaces. The deep purple stilettos are a fun touch, coordinating with boyfriend, Johannes Huebl's tie.

TO DYE FOR  I've always been kind of alone in my love of tie-dyed clothing, and then along comes Olivia and, in one fell swoop, the whole world goes gaga over it. Her stunning multi-coloured jeans are by Paige, paired with a red suede handbag by Giorgio Armani and heels by L.A.M.B.

PINK & PERKY  This look is just magic for the current Autumn/Spring temperatures (whichever half of the globe you find yourself on). Olivia goes for coral-coloured silk-crepe trousers by Tibi, simple white vest and black-and-cream tuxedo blazer by Reiss. While I adore everything about this outfit, the stand-out item has got to be the dainty two-toned Boutique 9 Doutzen 3 stilettos with gold ankle strap.

MAXED OUT  Who doesn't love a floaty maxi skirt? Ideal for in-between weather and don't-know-what-to-wear days. Olivia's take is layered and ruffled in dark print, paired with a tan vest and suede zipped jacket.

SPORTY LUXE  Yes, the girl wears high-tops! Of course, they're the designer Lanvin kind... but still. Her casual look includes olive-coloured skinnies, white vest and menswear-inspired navy blazer. No OP ensemble would be complete without a luxury handbag - this time, the iconic Hermes Birkin bag.