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Thursday, 31 January 2019
Jeans For Under $150 That You’ll Wear Every Day I asked, you provided. Butt, meet your new favourite jeans. New favourite affordable jeans, meet my butt. The ingredients list for my favourite pair of jeans is as follows: snug but not suffocatingly so, friendly with my ankles but not too long, flattering to my toosh, versatile in regards to easily taking an outfit from day-to-night, and no flourishes or embellishments that will render them outdated in a couple of years. (In other words, timeless). Oh, and in this case, I wanted all that for under $150. I ask a lot, don’t I? For almost three decades, it felt like my sole purpose in life was to find the perfect pair of jeans. Prior to the creation of this beautiful collaborative list, it felt like it was a never-ending quest; one that was going to stay with me until I was old and grey. Things are looking a little sunnier in the post-list world, because you, benevolent readers, have done the hard work for me. Below, the best jeans for under $150. Words: @madw0n The post Jeans For Under $150 That You’ll Wear Every Day appeared first on CHRONICLES OF HER. Maddy Woon
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7 Wardrobe Items You Can Wear 24/7 I’ve concluded that clothes are like people. They come and go, they can rub you the wrong way, but some will always be your No. 1s. And you can rest assured that the following 7 wardrobe items you can wear 24 7 are all going to be your new BFFs. With that in mind, we are conscious when choosing people, so this should also be the case with our closet. Frequent impulse buying and culling is not doing our bank balance (or the environment) any good and just like a BFF, the best clothes are the ones you’ll never get sick of (like these timeless outfits that’ll also save you $). And if you do need a cull that’s A-OK because here are 8 quick ways to clear your closet without hurting Mother Earth. Put your money where you’ll get millions back, i.e. versatile clothing that can be styled differently for any occasion; day-to-night, work-to-weekend… 24/7! IRL, finding friends (and clothes) isn’t always easy, so I’d like to introduce you to some new friends of mine… I think you guys might hit it off. Keep scrolling for the 7 items you’ll wear all time + 3 ways to wear them. Words: @georgiewoodwebber UP NEXT: 11 epic gift ideas for the special women in your life The post 7 Wardrobe Items You Can Wear 24/7 appeared first on CHRONICLES OF HER. Georgie Wood-Weber
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Wednesday, 30 January 2019
5 Timeless French-Girl Pieces To Invest In Guys, I have a confession to make: I’m still not sure I’ve determined what my ‘personal style’ actually is. This could speak directly to my indecisive nature in general or my unwillingness to put myself into a box. One day I feel like channelling Carmela Soprano, the next I derive my inspiration from 80s aerobics clips. A week later, all I’ll want to wear is timeless french girl investment pieces to wear with my jeans and a t-shirt. The road to figuring out my style is a long and bendy one with many disparate pit stops. I suspect it’s also because I simply can’t help myself when it comes to jumping on trends (whoops!), or making erratic, fun vintage purchases that are great standalone, but that don’t really make sense in the context of my wardrobe. It’s a jungle in there, let me tell you. The antidote for this affliction is spying what the women in France are up to. Now, there’s a nation of stylish women who understand the benefits of a capsule wardrobe. If you’re also blessed/cursed with a proclivity for changing up your vibe on the regular, or shopping on a whim, here’s 5 timeless french-girl pieces that will help to keep you looking casj and chic all day long… @jeannedamas A good pair of straight denim jeans What would our wardrobes look like if denim was never invented? I shudder to think. While shapes and cuts come and go, a good pair of vintage-esque jeans will last forever. Whether you’re pairing with a vintage blouse in winter, or a cute Reformation top for summer, you’re guaranteed to get a great return on investment because chances are you’ll want to wear them all day, erryday. Below are my favourites that sit at the intersection of comfortable, flattering and well-fitted, with prices to suit all budgets. Splurge: Re/Done jeans High Rise Rigid Stove Pipe Jeans , FEEL The Genuine Jean Save: Levi’s Wedgie Jeans, Glassons Wide Leg Jean For a wider selection of under-$150 jeans, here’s a little something I prepared for you earlier. @dianekari A striped shirt Like a lot of great trends, the sudden ubiquity of the striped shirt a few years back pretty much killed it for me. But, when styled in an unexpected yet simple way—with the addition of a neck scarf, the help of a constellation of jewellery or with a pair of strappy metallic heels and white jeans—the striped shirt is cool (and I imagine as carefree) as the cucumber slice in your gin & tonic. Just ask your favourite french-girl. Or my moodboard for my next summer vaccay! Splurge: Fiorucci Red & White Striped Logo T-Shirt, Current/Elliot Striped T-Shirt Save: Bershka Striped Shirt, Madewell Striped T-shirt @lamialand A picnic-friendly dress Find me a better outfit to eat cheese and drink wine in a park in than a romantic floral dress, and I’ll throw you a picnic myself. Under the Eiffel Tower, no less! Juxtapose the femininity of a floral dress with a pair of sneakers, or lean right into it with a pair of strappy sandals—the world is your oyster! Splurge: Reformation Carina Dress, Realisation Par The Juliet Rouge Fleur, Rouje Robe GABIN Save: Lost Ink Floral Shift Dress @sabinasocol A pair of strappy metallic heels Perhaps you’ve wondered to yourself how french women always manage to look effortlessly dressed up, and I say to you, look down! More precisely at their feet, which are generally clad in a pair of très sophistiqué strappy heels (or, sometimes in a pair of block heels or espadrilles. The easiest way to go to take an outfit from being pavement-friendly to dinner party apropos is to throw a bit of metallic at your feet. Besides, who doesn’t like shiny things? Splurge: Dorateymur Strappy Heels Save: Schutz Block Heel Sandals A pendant necklace Sure, we’re often down to decorate our decolletages with various beaded and bedazzled jewels, but when it’s all starting to feel a bit O-T-T or you want to feel classic instead of creative with your accessories, it’s nice to revert back to the ol’ pendant necklace. Splurge: Alighieri Gold-Plated Necklace, Monica Vinader Marie Pendant Save: Reliquia Seashell Pendant Necklace, Reliquia Mini Gold Pendant Necklace Words, Madeleine Woon | Image, Rouje The post 5 Timeless French-Girl Pieces To Invest In appeared first on CHRONICLES OF HER. Maddy Woon
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The Best Designer Tote Bags For Your 9-To-5 Life In an attempt to bring some order to my 9-5, I decided to invest in a good ol’ fashion tote and so my search began for the internet’s coolest designer tote bags. If you’re anything like me, your handbag will generally house a hodgepodge of useless items and a distinct lack of the necessary things required to get you through the day (keys, wallet, phone, lipgloss). For me, this comes from having an extensive rolodex of handbags on the go at any given time. I like to coordinate my bag to my outfit—as any ~self-respecting lady~ does—however switching between them with such high frequency means that all my possessions inevitably get split across various receptacles. A nightmare! Keys get forgotten, cards get left behind. As you can imagine, this brings about a lot of very annoying micro-traumas to my everyday life. I know the local locksmith better than I know thy own self, and am constantly dashing out to get cardless cash from the ATM in lieu of being able to pay for things on card like a normal person. Most importantly, without a regular hit of lipgloss, my lips become very sad. The money I was going to save on locksmiths alone was enough reason to *take the next step* and sink money into a sleek, high quality bag. Having carried my possessions around in a shiny new tote every singly day for the past three weeks, I can safely say that my life has become considerably more calm, streamlined and chic as a result. Why stop there? I thought to myself. Why not scour the internet for similar bags, so our dear readers may also know what it’s like to live a serene 9-5 life? With those thoughts in mind, I present you the best tote bags for your work week, no matter your style or budget. You can thank me later (or, you know, in the comments section below ;). The post The Best Designer Tote Bags For Your 9-To-5 Life appeared first on CHRONICLES OF HER. Maddy Woon
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New Year, Same Style Philosophy Wearing: Matin linen shirt, Christopher Esber trousers New year, same style philosophy; Less is so much more. I took the last month off, focused on recharging my batteries and getting my headspace right to head into another year. If you’ve been following on instagram you’ll know i’m heavily researching and gathering inspo for bathroom renovations this year. So much to learn! And I promise that once we’re up and running and I’ve actually made some final decisions, I’ll be sharing all the details here. Fun fact, and I was almost going to write a post about it, but decided against it (lets be honest, I was enjoying my time off and didn’t feel like writing an OTT essay about it) but H&H reached its 10 year milestone last month. That’s a long time, and I’m pretty proud. I also took part in a couple of podcasts. If you feel like a listen: Offline the Podcast (individual)Offline the Podcast (panel)Your creative start Other than that, I’m back in full swing with The UNDONE, buying for pre-fall and strategising for the year ahead. If you have any feedback, want to get your favourite new label on our radar or just to say hi, I love receiving your notes! Feel free to get in touch here. I’ll leave you with outfit notes and I’m loving this loose linen shirt with these wide leg pants. The shirt also comes in a tan colour and black, and also looks good worn unbuttoned over a slip dress as a layering piece. Photos by Ana Suntay-Tanedo Harper and Harley
Tuesday, 29 January 2019
The post appeared first on CHRONICLES OF HER. Carmen Hamilton
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How To Wear A White Shirt The classic white shirt is kind of like a mum – it helps you be the most sophisticated version of yourself and it’ll be there when all else fails. But making it look different every time you wear it can be tricky. Enter, shirt styling 101. You know those mornings when you wake up with zero f**ks to give? White shirt it all the way, we say. There’s just something about crisp white cotton that makes us feel legit. This week, we decided to pay homage to one of our favourite wardrobe staples with this little how to shot on our STREET 365 babe Annabel. Sure, it’s not exactly #GROUNDBREAKING (florals for spring?), but when it comes to how to wear it, the devil’s in the details and the possibilities are endless… So don’t be shy, we’re going to show you how to loosen up your buttons… Up next: WHAT TO SHOP – 9 Timeless Pieces Every Woman Needs The post How To Wear A White Shirt appeared first on CHRONICLES OF HER. Carmen Hamilton
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Mixing Luxury Vintage With French Designer Emma Rowen Rose Can you give us the Emma Rowen Rose elevator pitch? I’m Emma Rowen Rose. I’m a 21-year-old fashion designer, founder and creative director of the brand Rowen Rose. I also model a lot, design for other brands, style, and write! What would you say are the biggest influences on your style? Do you think living in Italy has influenced the way you dress? Art is my biggest inspiration. For my everyday style, it’s quite instinctive. And yes, absolutely. I became way more feminine, and daring, and colourful. Italy has been a real influence/inspiration for me. What are the 3-6 items in your wardrobe that you couldn’t be without? Mostly, my luxury vintage pieces, good jeans, a beautiful dress and my vintage earrings from the 70s. Best beauty hacks you’ve learnt along the way? If you don’t have gel to pull your hair back, use water and soap for the same result. You can do it in any restaurant bathroom. First style memory? My favourite movie as a child was Les Demoiselles de Rochefort by Jacques Demy (I still adore it). The styling is stunning, and it’s super 60s and colourful. Instagram @emmarowenrose | Photographer @edoardo_amati The post Mixing Luxury Vintage With French Designer Emma Rowen Rose appeared first on CHRONICLES OF HER. Jai Kaldor
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4 Ways to Get Excited About Your Wardrobe Again January 29, 2019 at 01:45PM
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With a new season in full swing, it’s easy to feel like you literally don’t have anything to wear — even if you have a full closet of clothing right in front of you! It’s always tempting to just buy something new if you’ve been wearing the same pieces on repeat and can’t think of any other new ways to style them.
But I have good news for you: getting out of a fashion rut is easier than you think and can save you money in the long run. Because as much as I love shopping, sometimes it’s smart to evaluate what you already have before committing to something new. That way, everything in your closet is worn and loved, rather than stuffed into a corner, away from the light of day!
If you’re yearning to see your own wardrobe in a new light, try these tips on for size. You’ll fall back in love with your closet in no time.
Monday, 28 January 2019
Fake Flawless Skin The Fast Way! Faking perfect skin in 4 mins has become one of my party tricks. It can take me 45 minutes to get ready to go and grab a coffee (at the bakery beneath my apartment). The style freak in me just can’t help but try-on multiple variations of the same outfit before I feel fit for public. And then it’s onto the second leg of the marathon… the makeup cabinet. Not that I ever go heavy-handed in this department, but actually looking alive in the morning pre-coffee takes time – and time is money, honey. Thankfully, doing my makeup is a lot quicker than picking my outfit due to my weapon of choice… Estee Lauder’s Double Wear Nude Cushion Stick Radiant Makeup (i.e. the key to perfect skin for the make up challenged). This little guy makes my newfound morning routine so quick, I even surprise myself. And when I say it’s easy, it’s actually easy. No tools. No fuss. No worries. If you’re all about nailing the whole ‘I woke up like this’ thing, so you can literally drag your butt out of bed, throw on a blazer and some sneakers and look like you’ve actually got your life together, you’ve come to the right place. PRESS PLAY. Up next: How I get ready in 7 minutes. The post Fake Flawless Skin The Fast Way! appeared first on CHRONICLES OF HER. Carmen Hamilton
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7 Instagram Brands That We’re Obsessed With Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s all make room in wardrobes/hearts for some cute new purchases—courtesy of our good friend Instagram—shall we? Since our office spends a combined 279284 hours per week trawling the ‘gram, adding to our saved folders and double tapping our lives away, we were always bound to bump into cute new Instagram brands here and there. Lucky for us/you, we’ve been stumbling upon new brands at an *alarming* frequency of late. I recently took a lengthy sabbatical from Instagram (for reasons that are too ~involved~ to type here). While I suppose I gleaned a few invaluable lessons from this period of abstinence, the months spent living under a rock proved to be a real test in sourcing inspiration (not to mention a real exercise in boredom *yawns*). How I managed to get dressed is anyone’s guess, and that’s maybe why I sustained some very serious scrolling-induced RSI upon my return. Distance truly does make the heart grow fonder, and a fond heart doth a fun new wardrobe make. But enough on that. Behold, 7 brands the COH team found on Instagram that have made getting dressed an infinitely more exciting task… @loiel_official L O É I L If you like nice things, then LOÉIL is 100% money-back guaranteed to tickle your fancy. Their clothing is both very on-trend—think cowl neck dresses, structured suits, and kick-flare trousers—and classic enough to last the test of time. Come for the pastel hues, and stay for the clothes that will make you feel like a goddamn queen every single time. @delicateporcelain DELICATE PORCELAIN Your bank account is gonna thank you for this one, since Porcelain specialise exclusively in t-shirts, hoodies and tote bags that are as cute as they are affordable. Pair your new tee or hoodie with sneakers and baggy jeans for a look that lets everyone know you are chill but know what’s up, or throw on a beret and trousers for a look that screams pure low-key sophistication. Très bien. @shrimps SHRIMPS A label that goes by the name of Shrimps was always going to be a good time, so it should come as no surprise that I pretty much declared every single piece on their site my new wardrobe BFF. With ribbed hems, ruffle-trimmed necklines, beaded bags, faux-fur and little pops of colour, you are destined to be the cutest girl in the room every single time with Shrimps. @lianaclothing LIANA Um, did I just spot the casj wear of my dreams? Yessss I did. Outside of encouraging me to keep on shlepping around the house at every chance I can get (but way more stylishly than before), Liana is serving up other kawaii af basics like box tees made of terry towelling and cute striped singlet tops. As the saying goes, be the cute girl you wish to see in the world. @nicole_saldana NICOLE SALDANA Holy heel. Every other shoe brand to ever exist, Ima let you finish, but Nicole Saldana has some of the best shoes of all time! Of all time! If the featured shoe (the Sarah slide) isn’t the most perfect foot accessory you’ve ever laid eyes on, then Bob truly must be my uncle. Sculptured heels came in like a wrecking ball at the close of last year to bash block heels off their throne, but Nicole just took it to new ~heights~ with her masterful assemblage of pvc, suede and silk shoes. We’ll take on of each please (and two pairs of the Sarah in Blue PVC, for good measure. @oatsthelabel OATS THE LABEL From silk wrap skirts to handkerchief tops, OATS make the kind of clothes you put on and then never want to take off again. If the sleek but highly wearable clothes weren’t enough to win you over, cop the cute backstory: the label is run by a mother-daughter team straight outta Melbourne. Cute! They hand-make everything in their home studio, so each piece feels super spesh and sustainable. Did we mention that you’ll never want to take their clothes off? @reikenen_official REIKE NEN On the subject of magical shoes, Seoul-based label Reike Nen have been improving the life of feet everywhere since they launched in 2010. We’re particularly enamoured with their Mandoo strap mule pumps (in every single colour), but would give a huge fat yes to everything on the site. Words, @madw0n Image, @nicole_saldana The post 7 Instagram Brands That We’re Obsessed With appeared first on CHRONICLES OF HER. Maddy Woon
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Sunday, 27 January 2019
How To Make Your Outfit Stand Out On Instagram “Instagram images with a point of difference and lots to look at always stand out.” “I find that simple outfits (e.g. classic tees or tanks tucked into cool trousers) do best when accessorised well. If you’re wearing a low-key look of all black, add visual interest through details like layered necklaces, statement earrings, lipstick or nail varnish in an unexpected colour.” “These days, I find ‘raw’ looking images more interesting to look at, so I shoot most pictures (including all of these!) on my phone (Samsung Galaxy S8+). It makes details pop and the perspective it shoots with makes everything look really eye-catching.” “Direct afternoon sunlight makes colours and details pop too. Experiment with unusual crops and angles to make your images different to everyone else’s.” Instagram: @carmengracehamilton The post How To Make Your Outfit Stand Out On Instagram appeared first on CHRONICLES OF HER. Carmen Hamilton
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7 Easy DIY Hacks To Make Your Wardrobe Look Designer You know us – we’re all for living beyond our dreams means when it comes to fashion, but sometimes life happens and you find yourself with an empty bank account, places to go, people to see and nothing to wear. Enter, DIY clothing hacks. That’s when you know it’s time to get creative. We’ve recently noticed a resurgence of luxury brands selling things that look old when they’re actually brand new (*ahem* Golden Goose sneakers), which is actually a blessing (for DIY lovers – like our Creative Assistant Lainy) and a curse (for lazy people who CBF with DIY – like our Editor Carmen). The good news is that these 7 DIY designer hacks we’ve found don’t require skills like Martha Stewart. A few small alterations can make a big difference to your wardrobe by making old pieces feel like new again, plus we could all be recycling more and what better place to start than our wardrobes. So no matter where you stand on a scale of one to ‘I don’t even own a pair of scissors’, we’ve compiled a list of ‘It’ designer items below that you can splurge on (as in click to buy RN) or you can save (by getting crafty). UP NEXT: 9 Outfit Ideas (Using Things You Already Own) The post 7 Easy DIY Hacks To Make Your Wardrobe Look Designer appeared first on CHRONICLES OF HER. Carmen Hamilton
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Saturday, 26 January 2019
Friday, 25 January 2019
Thursday, 24 January 2019
Gemma Janes Talks Books and Being A Lazy Dresser “Sendb00ks began when I realised I had to get all English books I’d collected in France home to London. Not the easiest thing to carry. So one night I uploaded them all on Instagram with funny captions. The next day I sent them out from the post office. I became an avid reader because I left school young to model and missed the feeling of education. I would devour books at castings, and often try and write in the style of each author afterwards.” “It’s so nice when girls message me saying they had been feeling lost or uninspired by their lives and had found a sort of solace in the books. When I was sad growing up books were the only way I could lift myself out of a funk. I’d hide in a small room, preferably with a bath so I could lock the door and I would read until I forgot myself. Actually I still do this. A boyfriend once told me I read to many books and we broke up swiftly afterwards [laughs].” “Erica Jong: Fear of Flying, Patti Smith: Just Kids, The Outsider: Albert Camus, Steppenwolf: Herman Hesse. All these have been life-changing content but are written simply and clearly with a good addictive pace.” “I am a pretty lazy dresser. Most of my clothes have been borrowed from someone and never returned (sorry!) or bought when out in unsuitable clothing for the weather. Sometimes if I wake up feeling flat I put on an outfit that makes me feel different, something purposeful, e.g. some big boots, a blazer or flares, it can change my whole mood and day. For a while with modelling I only wore black skinny jeans and a leather jacket. The clothes bookers say make you look thin and hireable, I wanted to blend in and be unnoticed then. Now I’m happier with myself and I’m pretty sure personal style is becoming more desirable at castings finally.” Instagram @gemmajanes | Photographer @brigdetteclark_ The post Gemma Janes Talks Books and Being A Lazy Dresser appeared first on CHRONICLES OF HER. Jai Kaldor
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How to Cull Your Wardrobe (When You Don’t Have Time) Admittedly, I’m a hoarder of clothing and if you are too, you’ve come to the right place as I’ve worked out how to cull your wardrobe. It’s not an easy, quick or enjoyable task, but deep down I know that if I’ve been pushing something to the side time and time again, the odds are I won’t wear it again. The ONLY incentive for me is that if I can make some room, that means I have more room for new things. And (I’m speaking from experience here) when there’s less in my closet, I spend less time digging through all the ‘blah’ stuff, I can easily see what goes with what and my outfits are actually better. The good news is you don’t have to lock yourself in your bedroom for an entire weekend to get it done if you’re short on time (or you’d rather spend it sipping margaritas with your gf’s). I’ve found a couple of little tricks for how to cull your wardrobe that keep my closet in check – see below. Words: @georgiewoodweber UP NEXT: 9 Outfit Hacks Using Things You Already Own The post How to Cull Your Wardrobe (When You Don’t Have Time) appeared first on CHRONICLES OF HER. Georgie Wood-Weber
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5 French Women On What Style Means To Them I’ve been obsessed with French-girl style since the early 90s, when I tuned into started the cartoon Madeline for the first time at age five. She only ever wore a uniform, tho, I hear you protest, to which I say, Duh! That’s the power of the French-girl allure. My name is also Madeleine, I also wore a school uniform, but did I have my own TV show and a super cute best friend named Pepito? Didn’t think so. It’s the same nowadays—I pop on a white t-shirt and vintage jeans and look like I probably just stumbled off the couch to run an insignificant errand, whereas a French-girl will throw on the same look and a thousand think pieces like this will ensue. Aside from a nonchalant confidence, part of the French-girl allure lies in their mastering of the art of the classic, timeless uniform. They look fly every single time with their high-waisted trousers, well-fitted jeans, check blazers, wrap dresses, frilly tops, metallic heels, and beautifully tailored suits. In the spirit of leaning into our French-girl alter egos, we dipped into the style treasure trove that is our #STREET365 section to glean a clearer understanding of our favourite Parisian women’s thought patterns when getting dressed. Read all about what style means to them below, then shop their looks. Louise Follain Shop her look here “French-girl style is staying super feminine wearing an oversized jacket, wide leg jeans or the most basic white T-shirt. I love to wear denim, jeans, jackets, skirts, whatever.” Sam Bruelle Shop her look here “I love to mix different styles like streetwear and 70s hippy, paired back with my basics to unify my outfit. I care about what I wear because it’s the first thing that people see—it’s important for me to reflect myself in my outfit. Clothes shouldn’t be a way to hide but instead a way to highlight yourself. I love originality, and it is sad when everything looks the same.” Eva Schwager Shop her look here “One of the best things about fashion is the power it gives you to be whoever you want, whenever you want. Style has a significant impact on the way I feel and how people perceive me every day. Life is like a theatre play and clothes are your costume, style defines your character and the story you want to tell the world.” Anne-Laure Mais Shop her look here “French-girl style is effortless… I’m inspired by the 70s, and I love to wear vintage Levi’s with a navy jumper (it’s my uniform!). Diane Kari Shop here look here “To me, [true French-girl style] is a pair of jeans and a white shirt, worn with a good jacket and a pair of sneakers, or a pair of black boots. Really simple. Nothing artificial. My favourite t-shirt is from Brandy Melville, it’s got lots of holes in it; it’s really used. I also want a pair of Michel Vivien heels… They’re beautiful.” The post 5 French Women On What Style Means To Them appeared first on CHRONICLES OF HER. Maddy Woon
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How to Naturally Boost Your Immunity January 24, 2019 at 05:44PM
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With flu season in full effect and my family and I having already been hit, I’ve been incorporating lots of natural foods that help build up immunity, in hopes of staying healthy over the next few months. The first place I always tackle is our diets, since it has the most immediate impact on overall health — not to mention changing what you eat is much more effective than the medications you’d have to take to combat illness later on!
Here are three easy ways to boost your wellness and take advantage of the seasonal abundance around us:
Wednesday, 23 January 2019
3 Actually Cool Outfits To Wear To Your Corporate Job Working in an office environment like COH,that doesn’t adhere to a corporate dressing is both a blessing and a curse, depending on who you ask and when (me after a rare shopping spree VS. me on most days when I’ve got nothing to wear). Crippling indecision—combined with a love of snoozing and proclivity for buying statement pieces that make absolutely no sense in the context of my wardrobe—means that I mostly wish I could just wake up and throw on a uniform. At age 10 I decided I wanted to be a lawyer when I grew up. Legally Blonde came out around this time and was probably the catalyst behind this particular career aspiration. Since this brief dalliance is about as close as I’ve come to working a corporate job, I wasn’t too sure just how deeply these dress codes ran. To acquire the necessary qualifications to be scheming up these office-appropriate outfits, I turned to my IRL friends who work in the corporate world. The first friend I consulted works in government policy and gave this response: “Most workplaces have a ‘wear clothes appropriate to your tasks’ type vibe to avoid negativity from prescriptive dress codes, so really anything goes at my workplace.” A good start. Another friend (who actually is a lawyer) gave me a list of all the rules: high-waists, lots of black, grey and beige, only one fun piece, no big jewellery, jeans on Friday, and no cut-outs. But perhaps the best reminder came from a friend who works in marketing, who reinforced the idea that the “the office is not a nightclub” so “don’t wear anything too short or revealing.” Noted. With the above counsel behind me, I bring you 3 outfits that say both, I take this job very seriously, and, It’s called fashion, look it up. 1. White roll-neck, H&M | Pinstripe trousers, JACQUEMUS | Black loafers, & OTHER STORIES 2. Checked blazer, BALENCIAGA | Nude vest, MANGO | Black trousers, BAUKJEN | Perspex shoes, CULT GAIA 3. Black blouse, & OTHER STORIES | Blue jeans, RAEY | Black slingbacks, DOLCE & GABBANA | Gold chain, ALIGHIERI | Leather watch, MARC JACOBS Words: @madw0n The post 3 Actually Cool Outfits To Wear To Your Corporate Job appeared first on CHRONICLES OF HER. Maddy Woon
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Tuesday, 22 January 2019
NET-A-PORTER’s Lisa Aiken On Creating The Ideal Wardrobe “My wardrobe used to constantly change depending on trends; now I’ve taken a more grown-up approach and really consider what I should buy. My dream wardrobe is full of deconstructed shirting and dresses that I wear over jeans. I also love pieces that give my outfit a sharper edge like the perfect double breasted blazer, a biker jacket and plenty of denim.” “My advice would be to save on your wardrobe foundations and spend more on the key fashion pieces you love.” “Two key Australian designers to follow are Georgia Alice and Michael Lo Sordo. Georgia’s pieces are clean and her deconstruction talks to the popular reinvented classics trend. Michael Lo Sordo’s approach is simple and elegant, with a focus on the fluidity of silhouettes; his piece’s would last you a life time.” Instagram: @lisa.aiken | Photographer: @danrobertsstudio The post NET-A-PORTER’s Lisa Aiken On Creating The Ideal Wardrobe appeared first on CHRONICLES OF HER. Georgie Wood-Weber
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How To Turn 1 Look Into 10 Outfits This might sound a lil’ creepy, but we’re extremely attentive when it comes to tracking what you like on COH and we reckon you might want to know how to turn 1 look into 10 outfits. We know you all love denim, the colour red, black blazers and learning new styling tricks (5 different ways to wear a white shirt, anyone?). This week we decided to go one better and put ourselves to the ultimate challenge —> turning 1 look into 10 outfits i.e. one for every day of the week + 3 more (but we’d probably suggest spacing them out a bit, ya know). If the old ‘you only wear 20% of your wardrobe’ thing holds true, you want to make sure you’re getting THE MOST out of that 20% right? Plus, it’s way better for the environment to actually wear your clothes. That means getting inventive with the way you style and layer things. For example, dresses can be tucked into jeans, blazers can be worn with nothing underneath and you can layer a sweater under pretty much anything. A word of advice – pick your pieces wisely. A boxy blazer is easier to work with as there’s more room for layering, floaty dresses are more versatile than your fave spandex number and a great pair of dark jeans will become your saviour on any occasion. NOW, KEEP SCROLLING TO SEE HOW IT’S DONE… If you want to join in you’ll need a boyfriend blazer, a cool detailed sweater (e.g. flare sleeve), a feminine dress, great fitting jeans and statement boots. Can you think of any other combinations? We’ve already thought of more since shooting! The post How To Turn 1 Look Into 10 Outfits appeared first on CHRONICLES OF HER. lainy black
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How To Wear a Dress When It’s Cold Out January 22, 2019 at 01:45PM
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Monday, 21 January 2019
The French Girl Guide To Getting Dressed With Diane Kari “To me, [true French style] is a pair of jeans and a white shirt, worn with a good jacket and a pair of sneakers, or a pair of black boots. Really simple. Nothing artificial. My favourite t-shirt is from Brandy Melville, it’s got lots of holes in it; it’s really used. I also want a pair of these Michel Vivien heels… They’re beautiful.” “I use L’Oreal waterproof liner—it’s good because it doesn’t leak when you cry, and I always cry because I’m really emotional [laughs].” “For anyone visiting Paris, a good place to go is Martin Boire Et Manger for French tapas—it’s really good, and not expensive at all. Otherwise, I’m going to Le Bouclard or Vivant.” Instagram: @dianekari of @fripouillevintage | Photography: @carmengracehamilton The post The French Girl Guide To Getting Dressed With Diane Kari appeared first on CHRONICLES OF HER. Maddy Woon
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5 New Ways To Wear Denim, According To The Streets Of NYC We recently found ourselves ambling around the streets of Soho looking for some NYC denim inspo. With nothing but an iPhone and our own eyeballs on hand to capture how the locals (and those visiting) work a pair of jeans. Turns out, that’s all you need. As the weather struggled to make up its mind (one minute so hot that I couldn’t distinguish my Glossier-induced dew from the sweat collecting on every surface of my face, the next going into battle against the elements armed only with a crappy convenience store-bought umbrella), the good people of NYC showed us how they work their favourite pair of jeans. If you’re a long-term follower, you’ll know that the pursuit of denim-centric outfits is one that we at COH take v. seriously. Imagine our delight then when we met the following five denim-clad women, each whose outfit had its own ~unique~ story to tell. If you’re into breathing life into your trusty favourites, then you’ll love what you’re about to read. Get ready to see your jeans in a new light… @sydneyhartzell The “I Stole The Clothes Off My Boyfriend’s Back” Look Nothing speaks to the Sunday brunch aesthetic more than an outfit that could have been plucked straight from your significant other’s back. To make this jersey and jeans combo feel more ~you~ just pop on your favey accessories—which in this instance is a pair of block heels and a designer handbag. Now order those eggs in style, girl. (And send our sincerest apologies to your boo). SHOP THE LOOK: Throw on a Tommy Hilfiger jersey, a pair of Re/Done jeans, a vintage Chanel handbag and you’re g2g. The “French Girl Style-Apropos, But Make It American” Look @lamialand Make like Parisian beauty Lamia and lean into the french-girl style aesthetic—carels and cropped wide-leg jeans—but give it a NYC twist with a tourist symbol t-shirt. Or in other words, get you an outfit that can do both. SHOP THE LOOK: This Yankees shirt was purchased from best-ever NYC vintage store Duo NYC, and is paired perfectly with these Loup NYC jeans, a pair of Carel heels and a Rouje handbag. @carolkosse The “Preppy-Meets-Street” Look A collared shirt paired with pastel coloured slides and black jeans is henceforth my go-to transeasonal uniform, in case you were wondering. The addition of tortoise sunglasses and gold hoops will tsjuz the whole thang up, whilst still allowing the outfit to retain its everyday charm. SHOP THE LOOK: Acne is responsible for the cute shirt and shoes. Wear them with these pants and sunnies to complete the look. The “Model-Off-Duty” Look @yanzhao981026 I don’t think I’ll ever tire of the ol’ stereotypical model-off-duty vibe, which is maybe because I am, for the most part, an incredibly lazy dresser. Give me an outfit recipe comprising of only two ingredients, any day. An oversized pair of old Levis paired with a vintage t-shirt, luggage belt and vans will have you looking cool as a cucumber all day, everyday. SHOP THE LOOK: Grab a pair of Levi jeans in a nice and roomy size, and pair with old skool vans, a graphic t-shirt and a snug belt. The “Ultimate Holiday-Goer” Look @norasika Personally, I couldn’t be more stoked with our recent collective obsession with Hawaiian shirts. Every time I slip one on, I feel like I’m one button away from catching the next flight to the infamous archipelago to slurp Mai Tai’s and live out the rest of my days as the ultimate dad on holiday. Paired with slip-on white sneakers and a pair of light denim jeans, this fresh look is the sartorial equivalent of a cocktail umbrella (and a warm respite from the tired jeans/white t-shirt ensemble). SHOP THE LOOK: NZ-based label Lucky Dip can cater to your BFPAS (Big Fat Party Animal Shirt) needs, and look primo paired with a trusty pair of Reformation jeans and slip-on vans. The post 5 New Ways To Wear Denim, According To The Streets Of NYC appeared first on CHRONICLES OF HER. Maddy Woon
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Sunday, 20 January 2019
The Coolest New Brands We Know You’ll Love Here at CHRONICLES HQ, we throw hours days into scouring the internet for cool new brands, places to shop and ways to wear things. Whether we’re stalking our favourite Instagram babes, reporting on the ‘It’ pieces fashion girls are wearing or finding the best underground online boutiques to spend your time (and $$) on, we’ve always got your best fashion interests at heart. This week, we decided to spend some time highlighting cool brands we’ve discovered lately (p.s. is it just us, or are there WAY too many good excuses to spend your hard earned dolla at the moment?). So if (like us) you’d rather stay ahead of the curb and not wear what everyone is wearing, scroll down to see our favourite new brand discoveries right now (ahem, we’re quietly confident you’ll love them too!). The post The Coolest New Brands We Know You’ll Love appeared first on CHRONICLES OF HER. lainy black
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How To Be Stylish Without Destroying The Environment With Eva Schwager “I buy my beauty products from French pharmacies or organic stores. Caudalie, Clinique and Phyt’s are my favourite brands because their natural products perfectly take care of my sensitive skin.” “I love sustainable brands that mix art and fashion like Mara Hoffman or Paloma Wool (their graphics are inspired by Henri Matisse).” “Preserving our planet must become a top priority, we have to change our way of consumption to reduce pollution.” “Being kinder to the environment simply starts with small actions in your every day: sorting your waste to help to recycle, biking instead of using your car, buying organic food… I’m also a vintage store lover, it’s the best way to buy wonderful things for a little price.” Instagram: @eva.schwager | Photographer: @kal_reston The post How To Be Stylish Without Destroying The Environment With Eva Schwager appeared first on CHRONICLES OF HER. lainy black
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Friday, 18 January 2019
Thursday, 17 January 2019
This Mousse = Instant Second Day Texture Wanna skip that post-wash fluffiness, straight to, slept-on beachy waves and smooth hair with texture and volume? ME TOO. I’ve tried salt spray, texture powders, my boyfriend’s hair wax – everything! But they all seem to leave my hair feeling a little too stick or crispy and I end up having to wash it again a day later. This mousse from TRESemmé is a game-changer. It gives my freshly-washed hair with bouncy texture but still with that fresh-outta-salon smoothness… mmm lux. It secured a spot in my everyday hair routine for this exact reason, but I’ve also found four different ways to use it to achieve different looks. ONE: a substantial amount to push back wet hair for an androgynous/chic and sleek ‘wet’ look. Looks cool with a black skivvy and big earrings. TWO: a small pump, rubbed together in my hands and teased through the ends to create texture (see how it’s done here). This is my signature look to wear with my everyday wardrobe. THREE: brush through wet hair to coat from roots to ends, scrunch up with your hands and leave to dry naturally. This creates a kind of semi-wet look/just-jumped-out-of-the-ocean beachy vibe. This look goes best with your everyday basics because you’ll look effortlessly French. FOUR: a generous amount on wet hair and then blow-dried for a more classic, salon vibe. This is my go-to for big work events to compliment a dressy outfit. Get your hands (and hair!) on some below. The post This Mousse = Instant Second Day Texture appeared first on CHRONICLES OF HER. lainy black
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Get Ready With 7 Cool Brands We Found On Instagram Admittedly a new hobby of mine, is refreshing (and then getting lost for hours in) my explore feed, to find the coolest new Instagram brands. Sourcing new threads or completely changing your look is nowadays, an absolute breeze, thanks to the world wide web and the endless promise it provides. If you’re searching for bead bags, sheer pieces, tortoise shell earrings and leather sandals because all the ‘It girls’ are wearing them, Instagram is def a good place to start. My brain often feels swirly from all the options on offer and my Afterpay use has gotten so out of hand that taking care of my growing list of repayments has become my second job. Despite these two side effects, let it be known that I would never truly complain about the inundation of inspo and shopportunities, because my lust for finding new brands and overall quality of wardrobe has risen exponentially as a result. Of the swathes of brands I have been obsessively following on Instagram of late, these 7 take the cake (and eat it, too). If you need help in the #inspo department, look no further and keep scrolling! The post Get Ready With 7 Cool Brands We Found On Instagram appeared first on CHRONICLES OF HER. Maddy Woon
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These Are the Boots I’ll Wear Year After Year January 17, 2019 at 01:45PM
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Proof That Choosing a White Wine Doesn’t Have to Be Hard Variety is almost certainly the spice of life, and when it comes to white wine, there’s nothing greater than a fresh, unexpected drop to really impress your guests (or host, depending on the situation). Besides, it’s party season, and there’s only so many glasses of rosé-over-long-lunch one can handle before it looses its appeal. In order to master the art of choosing a great and interesting bottle of white, you could either A: spend your hard-earned money getting it wrong (not ideal), or B: scroll down for our foolproof guide, made possible by the expertise of our friends at Penfolds. It’s a step away from traditional go-tos like sav blanc and pinot gris, because a well-rounded, varied wine repertoire is most definitely a good thing to have. Plus, we’ve thrown in a few food-pairing suggestions, because we’re good like that. Read on for our trustworthy suggestions… Not your average Chardonnay Got an in-law, boss, or perennially chic pal you really want to impress? Penfolds Yattarna is a multi-regional, cool climate Chardonnay that’s perfect for just that. It’s won a stack of awards, and is in fact the product of over 144 winemaking trials. How’s that for fancy? Pale, balanced, and with a lingering acidity, it works well with crab risotto or chili prawn spaghetti. Save this for only the most special parties and occasions. Rich and complicated (just like your ex) Complex and medium-bodied, Penfolds Reserve Bin A Adelaide Hills Chardonnay is best paired with seafood and good company. A single-region drop hailing from the (you guessed it) highly regarded Adelaide Hills, it’s contemporary and expressive. And to add to the appeal, the fruit for this particular blend is only picked in the early hours of the morning or after sunset for peak flavour and aromatics. So. Damn. Lush. Opt for this if you’re dining with wine connoisseurs who will appreciate its layered composition. Light, classy, and made for long-lunching Hailed as one of Australia’s finest, Penfolds Bin 311 Chardonnay is one of those easy-drinking type wines. It’s medium-bodied and multi-regional, and makes for perfect conducive drinking (don’t leave this one in your bar cart). Served chilled over a long seafood lunch (think fresh prawns, lobsters, seared scallops with lemon-the works). It’s essentially what endless summer dreams are made of. Everything happens for a Riesling Party season is just as much about cheese as it is the wine, and Penfolds Bin 51 Eden Valley Reisling is the perfect pairing. Light, floral, and with notes of citrus, it’s the ultimate accompaniment for all of the festive fromage and charcuterie boards that are sure to roll out over the coming weeks. Add some prosciutto, quince paste, olives, and a soft, creamy brie for good measure. Alternatively, it cellars beautifully for any time frame over five years (we see you, 2025). Entry-level for the white wine skeptic (Max’s Chardonnay) Easy on the palette and your bank account (because post-Christmas got us like, bye $$$), Max’s Chardonnay is the perfect Penfolds entry-point. It’s approachable and light, so your circle won’t back away or refuse a glass. Bring this one to a dinner party, and you’re sure to score a return invite. Personally, we love it matched with fresh sashimi, wasabi, and ginger, or any fragrant Japanese cuisine. *This post was shot in collaboration with Penfolds. The post Proof That Choosing a White Wine Doesn’t Have to Be Hard appeared first on CHRONICLES OF HER. Carmen Hamilton
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Wednesday, 16 January 2019
Helena Christensen On Living Your Best Life Helena Christensen is a hero of ours for many reasons. So many, in fact, that listing them here would be near impossible, since we’ve all got places to be, people to see etc. To give you the abridged version, she: will always be our favourite 90s supermodel, breathed life into Chris Isaak’s Wicked Games video clip back in the day, has one of the most impressive and nuanced careers we’ve had the pleasure of tracking (from modelling and her work as the original Creative Director of Nylon, to designing clothes and taking photos), and when she’s not busy doing the above, you can catch her volunteering as an ambassador over at Oxfam or giving out incredibly sage advice in interviews. The accomplished angel recently dropped by Australia with her business partner, Camilla Staerk, to introduce this slice of the world to another venture of hers—a range of sunglasses she made in collab with the cuties at Pared Eyewear. While in town, we had the immense privilege of chatting to her and Camilla about personal style, her beautiful photography, and the joys of living a curious life. Be your most inspired self below… Since we’re predominantly a style website, I might jump in with question on your personal style. What is your thought pattern when getting dressed in the morning? Helena Christensen: Ahhhh [laughs]. I don’t think a lot in the morning—I’m too tired. Easy, quick and comfortable, and then you can have more fun in the evening… …Once you’ve had time to wake up! And, who or what is that makes you excited to get dressed? Camilla Staerk: The way clothing can make you feel—whatever it is that day. Helena: I mean, I love colours and patterns, so I’m always looking to mix them all so that they look absolutely horrible together [laughs]. I love when they don’t work out, but that to me works out. So anything that you wouldn’t expect to go together—that’s what I’m looking for. Camilla: And I love to wear all-black [laughs]! So it’s just about the texture, tone and silhouette for me. You perfectly balance each other out! Helena, your photography is really beautiful—as a viewer, you feel a real sense of intimacy with your subjects. How do you think your experience working on the other side of the lens has helped you to achieve this symbiosis? Helena: Well, actually I was behind the lens first, and then I was in front of the lens, and then I was both. So, I was a photographer first and then my modelling career took of, and then I was basically shifting from behind to in front. It was really amazing to be able to do both at the same time, because obviously having worked with all those incredible photographers helped to give me more technical experience, and at the same time, it was a way of learning how to make the subject feel comfortable. Because it is very intimidating to have your picture taken, for most people. I know! I really admire you guys for just having so many press photos taken—I could not do that! Camilla: [Laughs] Oooh, no! Helena: You know, it’s funny, because I am totally at ease and comfortable on a photo shoot, but when it’s something with the press, it’s just gets a little stiff and awkward. Totally. OK, last question! We’ve been talking a lot in the office recently about the importance of mentors—in love, life, careers, whatever—and you are so inspiring to so many people, especially in terms of your multi-pronged career trajectory. Do you have any advice for people starting out in the industry, or for anyone wanting to move into a new role, or try something new? Helena: It’s so hard to give advice on this, because every situation is different. But, yes, as you said, mentors are so important. It’s a beautiful thing if you have somebody to look up to and respect—whether that’s your mum, your dad, a writer, an architect, a designer, or just somebody where you can see that they’re putting in a work ethic that inspires you to do the same. I think for kids in school, if they have a great teacher from when they are very little, you can almost with certainty say that they are going to be a student that wants to learn; that has a hunger for knowledge. Whereas a kid who doesn’t have a teacher to inspire them will be the complete opposite. So it’s really important to have that, and it’s really important for grownups to inspire kids, every which way they can. I will say this: be curious about everything in life; try to absorb as much as you can. Read a lot, watch a lot, be observant, be open to anything around you, and be like a sponge. And then, of course, filter all that. I think, somehow, we all have something inside of us already that just needs to be woken up. You can shop the STÆRK & CHRISTENSEN + PARED range of sunglasses here. Words: @madw0n Image: Pinterest The post Helena Christensen On Living Your Best Life appeared first on CHRONICLES OF HER. Maddy Woon
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How I Developed My Signature Style For all its many benefits, there’s no denying that social media has chipped away at our ability to focus on our own signature style and tbh any one thing for much longer than a millisecond, before our attention is whisked away by the next shiny piece of content or Instagram black hole. Just ask the pile of unread books next to my bed, or the seventy tabs that are currently open on my computer. My brain has well and truly reached maximum capacity, and that oversaturation of information definitely includes style inspiration as well. Sure, the internet is a great source of inspiration, but when #inspo morphs into comparison, and when we feel compelled to buy into each rapid-fire trend that comes our way, the joy of getting dressed gets lost along the way and, instead, becomes a stressful ordeal. So, what’s a girl to do? And, more importantly, how do we develop and stay true to our own ‘signature style’? Although it’s always evolving (remember that time I wanted to change my whole look and then did?), my own signature style is built around a few key rules. I try not to buy into trends, I swear by a good tailor, and I often look to thrift and vintage stores for original pieces. I’ve grown to accept and appreciate what works for me (blazers, statement jewellery, well-tailored suits and great basics etc) and what doesn’t, and I always lean towards clothes that evoke an emotional response in me, rather than trying to emulate every look that’s buried in my saved folder on Instagram. Above all, I like to invest in good quality pieces that withstand the test of time, which is why I’m so drawn to the timeless appeal of monogram prints. Personal style should be an outlet for personal expression and creativity. It’s a celebration of, and a way to communicate, our own individual personalities, and that’s what makes it so important! Words: @carmengracehamilton | Photos: @georgiewoodweber *Shot in collaboration with Coach. The post How I Developed My Signature Style appeared first on CHRONICLES OF HER. Carmen Hamilton
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Tuesday, 15 January 2019
French-Girl Style Fatigue? Let These 5 Cities Inspire You Instead Looking for alternatives to french girl style but with the same level of cool? You’ve clicked on the right link! I’d be fibbing through my teeth if I said I didn’t spend approximately 86% of my online life stalking the likes of Louise Foillan and Emma Rowan Rose. There’s a reason these women command so much of our collective attention, and perhaps why including ‘French Girl’ in any story title is like stumbling upon a little pot of SEO gold. The formula French ‘It’-girls subscribe to when getting dressed is unwaveringly simple— brogues and vintage jeans here, frilly wrap tops and basket bags there—which begets the question: how do they manage to make it all look so damn good? Enough think pieces on the subject have been spawned to last us a lifetime (guilty as charged), and lest we forget there’s 4,415 cities outside of Paris that are filled with stylish inhabitants. Since we’ve all got places to be/people to see, we whittled that list down to a tidy 5 cities. Now, kick back with a beverage of your choosing, and allow them to inspire today’s outfit. COPENHAGEN Danish girls really have that whole ‘I didn’t choose my outfit, my outfit chose me’ thing on lock, don’t they? Effortless, cool and chic, we would not hate crawling into the wardrobe of every single girl below, where we’d take happily up residency for the rest of our days. Sophia Roe (@sophiaroe) Still my favourite boots A post shared by Sophia Roe (@sophiaroe) on May 21, 2018 at 2:08am PDT Frederikke Sofie (@frederikkesofie) Portugal ? A post shared by frederikke sofie (@frederikkesofie) on Apr 5, 2018 at 1:28pm PDT Pernille Teisbaek (@pernilleteisbaek) Home? A post shared by Pernille Teisbaek (@pernilleteisbaek) on May 21, 2018 at 1:18pm PDT Emili Sindlev (@emilisindlev) Spring ? A post shared by EMILI SINDLEV (@emilisindlev) on Apr 19, 2018 at 1:17am PDT Trine Kjær (@trineswardrobe) Found this jacket for 45 DKK in a @rodekorsdk shop last week while shooting Go’ Morgen Danmark ? Love it already ? A post shared by Trine Kjær (@trineswardrobe) on Apr 25, 2018 at 6:55am PDT Veneda Budny (@venedaanastasia) A post shared by veneda budny (@venedaanastasia) on Mar 7, 2018 at 4:25pm PST Barbara Potts (@barbarapotts) A post shared by Barbara Potts (@barbarapotts) on Mar 2, 2018 at 12:30pm PST SYDNEY Call me the captain of this partisanship, but us Australian’s know how to throw together a look. We’re a fairly casual bunch, but when there’s an occasion (be it popping to Bondi Beach or flocking to MBFWA every year) we rise to it in our Sunday bests! Don’t believe me? See for yourself below! Chloe Hill (@chloechill) ????? A post shared by Chloe Hill (@chloechill) on Apr 26, 2018 at 1:37am PDT Amber Prado (@bbgorlambs) drape me in velour pls A post shared by ? ? ? ? ? ? ? (@ bbgorlambs) on Jan 4, 2018 at 7:02pm PST Monica Russell (@monicarussell_) v busy lots to do ? #vodkasodacherry A post shared by Monica Russell (@monicarussell_) on Dec 8, 2017 at 10:48pm PST Ellen Virgona (@ellvirg) shoes A post shared by Ellen Virgona (@ellvirg) on Oct 21, 2017 at 11:43pm PDT Lillian Ahenkan (@flex.mami) ?? IT’S NO COINCIDENCE IM HERE JUST IN TIME FOR THE #ROYALWEDDING ?? WHILE I WAS WADDLING THROUGH OXFORD CIRCUS, WEIGHED DOWN BY FIVE GUYS, SWEATING ? I RAN INTO 2 SEPERATE MF ANGELS WHO KNOW ME FROM THE GRAM ? ME, MYSELF AND MY EGO ARE QUAKING BRAP ? #TOURDEFLEX A post shared by FlexMami (DJ + MTV Host) (@flex.mami) on May 19, 2018 at 12:58am PDT Amelia Dibbs (@amelia.dibbs) ?? A post shared by Amelia Dibbs (@amelia.dibbs) on Nov 4, 2017 at 8:38pm PDT Chesca Athas (@chescaathas) A post shared by Francesca Athas (@chescaathas) on Apr 11, 2018 at 2:41am PDT LONDON London’s dreary weather doesn’t prohibit its most fab women from cooking up traffic-stopping outfits on the regular, with all the evidence you need of that contained within the Instagram accounts below: Pandora Sykes (@pandorasykes) Fashion spam @netaporter #thenetset ? A post shared by P A N D O R A S Y K E S (@pandorasykes) on Sep 19, 2017 at 12:46pm PDT Bee Beardsworth (@beebeardsworth) Wild At Heart. A post shared by ★ BEE BEARDSWORTH ★ (@beebeardsworth) on Sep 10, 2017 at 11:20am PDT Sarah Harris (@sarahharris) When you look like a cafe latte A post shared by Sarah Harris (@sarahharris) on Feb 5, 2018 at 1:06pm PST Ariane Hughes (@arianehughes) A rose for the yellow bellied lovers A post shared by Ariane Hughes (@arianehughes) on May 2, 2018 at 11:54am PDT Ruby Jean Wilson (@rubyjean_wilson) Ciaoooo A post shared by Ruby Jean (@rubyjean_wilson) on Feb 19, 2018 at 6:46am PST Irina Lakicevic (@irinalakicevic) Skater jeans are back and very ready to replace your basic Mom model #fact A post shared by Irina Lakicevic (@irinalakicevic) on May 9, 2018 at 3:14pm PDT LOS ANGELES Los Angeles is home to some of the most creative yet understated looks that we have the pleasure of lurking on a daily basis. Now, you can do the same! Glori Reantaso (@glorireantaso) how did they lose my photos? A post shared by glori reantaso (@glorireantaso) on Oct 11, 2017 at 2:55pm PDT Eliana Rodriguez (@elianagilrodriguez) ??? A post shared by Eliana Gil Rodriguez (@elianagilrodriguez) on Jan 28, 2018 at 6:27pm PST Kate Parfet (@kateparfet) bada bing A post shared by kate parfet (@kateparfet) on Apr 10, 2018 at 10:06am PDT Andy (@andyishh) ? A post shared by @ andyishh on Mar 10, 2018 at 10:23pm PST Clare (@inouicg) Mom’s pants, shirt I can’t style, uncle Orzechowski’s Barrett +++ attitude problem. For you @madge_music A post shared by Clare (@inouicg) on Jan 16, 2018 at 11:26am PST Dana Boulos (@danaboulos) never wanting to come home ? @jaketroth A post shared by Dana Boulos (@danaboulos) on May 21, 2018 at 8:43am PDT STOCKHOLM Stockholm’s inhabitants really test my self control when it comes to not setting my wardrobe on fire and starting afresh, every single day. Now I am passing the curse (/blessing) over to you! Enjoy! Rebeka Breymas (@beccabreymas) saffronbun/coffee pure genius? A post shared by Rebeka Breymas (@beccabreymas) on May 10, 2018 at 5:59am PDT Olivia Bergman (@oliviabergman) Somewhere between Wolf of Wallstreet and Oceans 666 A post shared by oliviabergman (@oliviabergman) on Mar 16, 2018 at 10:28am PDT Patricia DeVall (@badrizia) cuz mi momma told mi better than that ? A post shared by PATRICIA [パトリシア] (@badrizia) on Mar 21, 2018 at 5:21am PDT Elinor Nystedt (@elinornystedt) ? #home A post shared by Elinor Nystedt (@elinornystedt) on Apr 24, 2018 at 9:55am PDT Words, @madw0n Lead Image, @ciao__lucia The post French-Girl Style Fatigue? Let These 5 Cities Inspire You Instead appeared first on CHRONICLES OF HER. Maddy Woon
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6 Tricky Wardrobe Pieces and How to Wear Them January 15, 2019 at 01:45PM
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When it comes to fashion, there are some pieces that are universally difficult to style — and often even more so if you have a curvy figure.
That doesn’t mean you should stay away from them, though. With some basic understanding of how lines and proportions work, you can easily incorporate them into your wardrobe in new ways.
Below are 6 pieces that are notoriously difficult to style, along with my go-to ways to wear them. Consider this your jump-start guide whenever you face a styling conundrum!
Monday, 14 January 2019
How To Wear Your Handbag Like An ‘It’ Girl Read any French-girl style tips (here’s ours) and you’ll quickly learn that how to wear your handbag is essential to making a great outfit. Actually, you can literally wear the most basic outfit (i.e. a tee and jeans), throw on a cool bag and look the part (see below). Every ‘It’ girl (and model-off-duty) loves a black leather/gold chain combo and looks beyond the classic ‘handbag’ for a point of difference to make their outfit unique. Instead she chooses backpacks, bucket bags and #youhearditherefirst the ‘belt’ bag (gasp!). And then it’s all about pairing your handbag back with the right cool-girl wardrobe essentials like blazers and A-line mini skirts and getting creative with how you can carry your handbag differently. Keep scrolling for our favourite shapes, what to wear them with and our secret styling tricks so that you can be the ‘It’ girl you are! UP NEXT: we’ve found the ultimate day to night handbag! The post How To Wear Your Handbag Like An ‘It’ Girl appeared first on CHRONICLES OF HER. Carmen Hamilton
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Dressing For The Office And The Playground With Laura Bonner “When I applied to law school, I told my mom that I was going so I could afford to buy amazing clothes… not so much because I actually had a passion for law. Shallow, maybe, but it is true.” “I loved dressing up for the office… I made it a rule never to wear matching suits. I tried to find work appropriate clothing with a slight edge or feminine twist, like these flared pants.” “Now that I stay home with my kids, I try never to wear boring “mom” clothes or if I have to, I add cool sunnies and sneakers. The moms in Tribeca take playground fashion to a whole new level. We’re talking Isabel Marant, Chloe, Bandier and Golden Goose sneakers. ” “In NYC every woman my age is ALWAYS rushing. I try to pre-create outfits in my head so when I reach for a top I know what to wear it with. Taking selfies reminds me how I’ve styled something.” Instagram: @abouttheoutfits | Photographer: @globalshutter The post Dressing For The Office And The Playground With Laura Bonner appeared first on CHRONICLES OF HER. Georgie Wood-Weber
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WMBW Travels – A Week in Istanbul It’s been a little over 3 months since Elzaan and I hopped on a Turkish Airlines plane headed for a week in Istanbul. At the time, we had no idea how much this trip would change not only how we see the world, but how we see travel. Now, after sifting through hours of footage together with thousands of photos we’re even more excited to share our experience with you. There has never been a truer case of ‘better late than never’, so go grab a snack, because you might be here a while and also…youre gonna get hungry. If you want a quick taste of what a week in Istanbul is like, then we suggest watching our video below. If it seems a little crazy and chaotic, that’s good, it means we totally captured the feeling! Istanbul is like no other city we’ve ever visited. The clash of East meets West is more than an overused cliche, its something that can only be experienced in a 3000-year-old city set over 2 continents. It is a land where burkas meet bikinis, where McDonald’s stands side by side with Mosques and where sheesha is as commonplace as Starbucks. Falling in love with this city is easy, it’s a historic and cultural experience second to none. I had a brief love affair with Istanbul about 5 years ago on a small trip with friends but Elzaan and I fell totally head over heels in love with it on this trip. There’s something really magical going on here, something almost impossible to put into words (trust me I’m trying). We’re not sure if it’s the friendliness of the people, the food or the culture, but we’re pretty sure it’s a combination of all three, so I’m gonna do my best to give you a little taste of each. With over 15 million citizens, Istanbul is the largest city in Europe, yep, that’s roughly London and New York combined. You think New York has a buzz? Double it for Istanbul. This feels like the city that truly never sleeps. Whether you’re exploring the ancient mosques in Sultanahmet or hitting the nightlife in Galata, the energy is on maximum any time of day. We never got to bed before 1am, it’s impossible, you feel like you’re ‘turning in early for the night”. At 2am Istiklal Caddesi (the main shopping street in Galata) is a sea of people just going for a walk, eating street food and watching the myriad of street musician setting up for the night! Take a look up any side street and EVERY bar and restaurant is heaving with patrons, deep in passionate conversations (or arguments, we could never tell) as they stir, stir, stir their tea. This is at 10am, this is at 4am, it’s non-stop and incredible to witness. “Isn’t that amazing” was perhaps the most overused phrase between Elzaan and I on this trip and perhaps the best way to give you an understanding of the people and the culture. So rather than tell you the Top 10 Things to do in Istanbul, or 7 mistakes not to make in Istanbul, I’m going to give you 3 examples of what made the city so incredible for us. The Adhan rings out from the minaret 5 times a day. It is the most beautiful sound flowing over the Bosphorus, down alleyways and into markets. It engulfs you from all sides. Some people stop what they’re doing and head off to prayer, some, take another sip from their beer and roll the dice into a fresh game of backgammon. Neither worries about the other! Isn’t that amazing? At first glance, Istanbul has got a serious street cat problem. They’re everywhere. But then you notice the little food bowls lying around, and the tiny multi-level cat houses constructed from odds and ends on the street corner. Then you notice people randomly stopping to feed or pet the cats, or cats jumping on to a strangers lap at a bar for cuddles…and then getting cuddles. You see, it turns out that rather than see the cats (and a couple of dogs too) as pests, they see them as pets. Everyone pulls together to look after the animals in this incredible shared pet system. There are even city-sponsored vets that you call to come and look after animals that are hurt or sick. Isn’t that amazing? The third example was turning up an alleyway to the sounds of local music. We stumbled on a Sheesha cafe that was in full swing. Sat down, ordered a beer a watermelon sheesha (as you do) and soaked it all in. The first thing that stood out, was the band playing their traditional instruments on tiny stools up against the wall. I was expecting old men in cardigans, I got twenty-something ‘dudes’ in jeans, jamming HARD! To make it better, everyone was singing along – well except us, of course, we didn’t know (or understand) the words – from granny to her 12-year-old grandson, everyone was just so festive. So, what’s so amazing about that? People love music…obvious…right? Music yes, culture no. Today’s kids don’t want to learn the songs of their parents, or their parent’s parents let alone the antiquated instruments. The mass embrace of culture from young to old was amazing to me because when we lose our culture, we lose our identity. – Yoh! That got deep! Our favorite thing about any trip and always a massive part of our decision making is the food. It is believed that there are only three major cuisines in the world, Chinese French, and Turkish. This makes a lot of sense when you realize that the Ottoman empire ruled half of the Mediterranean and everything from Baghdad to Budapest for over 600 years. I mean… they controlled the spice trade and with all those spices you’re gonna get yourself some “a spiiicy meat-a-balls-uh” – which they totally have by the way… they’re called Koftas and they’re delicious! I was embarrassingly lame on my first trip to Istanbul and didn’t really eat as local as I should have. At some point, I ate at Shake Shack… What the? Anyway! This trip, Elzaan and I went all in! So all in that I had to buy new pants halfway through the trip (that’s a true story). The food in Istanbul is outstanding! Every meal feels like a feast with lots of little plates and dips and pita bread and reaching across the table and dipping and eating and sharing and dipping and eating. There was a lot of dipping. No meal, however, was as big a feast as a Turkish breakfast. We tried two places, Van Kahvaleti Evi and Kale and although Van Kahvaleti had a better atmosphere and Kale the better view both breakfasts were incredible! Turkish breakfast is a table (the whole table) piled with little plates of awesome. Cheese, olives, fresh tomatoes, pancakes stuffed with cheese, eggs fried with spinach, eggs scrambled with tomato and all served with…yeeep…dips! Don’t get me started on the dips! So many dips! Honey, clotted cream, chocolate spread, harissa, spiced yogurt, tahini. It was one of those “Isn’t this amazing” situations. Turkish breakfast is a 3-hour affair, this is not a grab and go situation, it is an experience unto itself served with lashings of hot tea! – Don’t leave without dipping a cheese stuffed pancake into honey, tahini and clotted cream. Trust me! Truth be told, every meal was amazing and incredibly affordable (I hate the word cheap) even by South African standards. The food in Turkey is so fresh and seasonal that it needs very little to make it shine. A simple meal of mixed kebabs served with pita and dips (I did say there was a lot of dipping) brings an endless amount of flavors. There are far too many meals to mention here but I will leave you with 3 tips: Visit a ‘point-and-choose’ spot. It’s a cafeteria-style restaurant with dozens of different local specialties. This is where the locals go and the best way to experience a bunch of different flavors. We visited one on our first day and it sealed the deal for us on Turkish cuisine! Eat a Dürüm (Döner Kebap in a wrap) from a street vendor. Tell him to make it the way he likes it and always say yes to the fries! It might be a cliche but its a cliche for a reason. Ours was so good that halfway down the road we turned around to get another one! If you can, have it with an Efes beer! Ahhh…good ol’ Efes Pilsen!! Eat the baklava. All of it!! Just not all at once! Don’t make the mistake we made and try eating every variety in one sitting, there are too many varieties and you will need a new pair of pants. Make some time each day for a piece or two and of course, don’t forget your Turkish coffee, you’re gonna need it! For those of you who never paid attention in History class (like yours truly) let me give you a double quick catch up as to what makes Istanbul such a significant historic city. Although inhabited as early as 3000BC, it was the Greek colonists who originally set up shop and named the city Byzantium in the 7th Century. Byzantium became part of the Roman Empire in the early 100’s BC where it eventually became Constantinople (after Constantine the Great – imagine his following if had Instagram?) 400 years later! What’s the big deal? Well, it was the largest and richest urban center in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea which is why the Ottoman Turks conquered and renamed Istanbul in 1453 making it the third and last capital of the Ottoman Empire. Boom! Like I said, double quick! So what’s the relevance? Well, simply put, the layers upon layers of history reveal themselves all over the city. From 2500-year-old columns to modern day suspension bridges it is an architectural ‘all you can eat seafood buffet’ for the eyes! We visited pretty much every monument you should see and had endless “Isn’t this amazing’ moments. Detailing the museums and monuments is something better left to google, so I’ll keep it short with the 3 touristy things we enjoyed the most. With over 4000 stores the Grand Bazaar is the original shopping mall! We visited multiple times and still never saw the whole thing. If you’re looking for something, anything, this is where you will find it (even if it’s down a passage and behind a closed door somewhere). Get ready to bargain…hard! It’s all part of the experience, so accept the cup of tea you’re offered, put a smile on your face and find that sweet, sweet deal! Take a public ferry for a Bosphorus cruise. That’s right, the public ferries operated by Şehir Hatları will give you some of the most insane views of the city on a 2-hour return trip for just a couple of Lira. Sit upstairs on the deck, grab a cup of tea and watch the landscape change while you feed the seagulls! If you have the time, try to catch all the big monuments. Brave the queues and get to the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Basilica Cistern. If however, time is not on your side, I suggest visiting Dolmabahçe Palace. This tour for us was a great encapsulation of East meats West during the final reigning years of the Ottoman Empire! Make sure you don’t miss the Harem : ) We were lucky enough to be guests of Turkish Airlines on our trip to Istanbul where we had the privilege of flying business class on the 11 hour trip from Cape Town. With, Turkish Airlines placing in the top 10 business class offerings for 2018 (Skytrax World Airline Awards) it’s fair to say that we were pretty excited. The truth is, we don’t get to fly business class much (cause money) so every opportunity brings with it a delightful dilemma! Do you drop that seat flat, pop your noise canceling headphones on and curl up with your blanky to experience what actually sleeping 10 000 feet in the sky feels like? Or….do you stay up all night watching movies, popping champagne and eating seafood (on an actual plate) while your chair gently massages you in any of it’s 10 000 seating combinations. It’s a real ‘rock and hard place’ scenario…except the rock is champagne and the hard place is actually a soft comfy one. In the end, with 11 hours on board, we did a little of both. We had enough time to experience the onboard chef and his dining cart of treats over a candlelit dinner (for reals) as well as enough real sleep to ensure we could hit the ground running the next day! There is so much I feel I haven’t covered about this amazing place, but I do hope I’ve given you a little taste of a city that has you constantly saying “Isn’t this amazing”. I can safely say that Istanbul is hands down our favorite city in the world and has inspired us to search out destinations that truly show you how different the world is! We can’t wait to go back and explore the rest of Turkey. If you’re flying anywhere with Turkish Airlines, I highly recommend you make use of the free stopover in Istanbul detailed on the website. To be honest, I don’t think a stopover is enough and think you need at least 4 days to really take it all in, but I do think a day is all you need to fall in love with it. A big plus about visiting Turkey as a South African is the free Visa obtained by simply applying for an e-visa via the Turkish Airlines website. Okay. Travel safe and stay fancy. whatmyboyfriendwore
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Sunday, 13 January 2019
Important Style Lessons My Mum Taught Me There’s no denying I am who I am today because of my mum and a lot of my outfits are thanks to the style lessons Mum taught me. Outside of providing me with a solid survival kit for #AdultLife, my Mum has taught me a thing or two over the years about personal style that withstands the test of time. Enter my OG style icon (i.e. mum!) and her tips for looking your best to ensure that you never look back at an old outfit in #regret again. Tips by Mum, elaborations by yours truly… Earrings, Swarovski INVEST IN A COUPLE OF QUALITY JACKETS Investing in quality, timeless jackets (think trench coats and blazers) is smart, given that you basically live in them for half of your life. You can mix and match with more trend-driven, fun and cost-effective purchases to breathe new life into them each season. PUT YOUR OWN SPIN ON TRENDS Word! In order to stand out from the crowd and stay true to your personal style, it’s key to put a bit of ‘you’ into any trend. DON’T WEAR MULTIPLE JEWELLERY ON DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE BODY, CHOOSE ONE STATEMENT PIECE Whoops, I am definitely guilty of breaking this one on occasion. #SorryNotSorry, Mum. As a general rule, however, I stick to one statement piece of jewellery on a night out for maximum impact. Less is definitely more when it comes to looking timeless and chic in the jewellery department. Earrings, Swarovski KNOW HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR CLOTHES (WHAT TO HAND WASH OR DRY CLEAN) Treat your wardrobe with the same level of TLC that you would any other relationship—if you care for your clothes, they will stay with you for life. WEAR LIPSTICK TO ADD GLAMOUR I’ve definitely adopted this mantra over the years. There’s no greater antidote to feeling ‘meh’ on a night out than popping on a red lip (especially when paired with statement earrings #AMIRIGHT). Earrings, Swarovski | Lipstick, Estée Lauder A COLLECTION OF STATEMENT SUNGLASSES, JEWELLERY AND HANDBAGS TO DRESS UP WARDROBE BASICS IS A MUST This is especially handy when it comes to dressing for the office. Adopting a uniform of sorts during the week won’t feel as monotonous with the addition of a pair of statement sunglasses, earrings and/or a great handbag. WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES I will always be onboard with this one. Rather than battling through a painful ordeal in high heals, add a touch of #glam to your outfit with jewellery—like these earrings and this necklace—instead. Earrings, Swarovski | Pants, Jesse Kamm COMFORTABLE CLOTHES ARE THE KEY TO FEELING CONFIDENT Wearing clothes that fit you properly (instead of ones that feel like a prison) will make you feel infinitely more confident in yourself, so you can concentrate on more important things (like having fun). DON’T BE AFRAID TO WEAR A VINTAGE PIECE OR TWO OF YOUR GRANDMA’S Amen. Your own signature jewellery and accessories will give your grandma’s hand-me-downs (or vintage store finds) a modern update. Earrings, Swarovski | Necklace, Swarovski WEAR THE RIGHT UNDERWEAR Nothing will ruin a look quicker than bad underwear—for e.g. thick bra straps poking out from under spaghetti strap dresses (unless that’s the intended vibe you’re going for, of course). WATCH YOUR POSTURE Ok, still working on this one, ~Watch this space~. Earrings, Swarovski | Pants, Jesse Kamm | Necklace, Swarovski The post Important Style Lessons My Mum Taught Me appeared first on CHRONICLES OF HER. Carmen Hamilton
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How To Get Stains Out Of *Literally* Everything My favourite item of clothing is a crisp white t-shirt but unfortunately, after 24 hours of wearing one, I spend the evening Googling ‘get rid of stains’. When the white top goes out, in come the spills. The saucy flick of a fettuccine noodle, the splash of an oil bottle, or the runaway chocolate chip that melts between my boobs, nestling its way into the fabric, never to leave again. I am not messy by nature—I’m just skilled in the art of diving into an epic meal, or laughing too raucously for the glass of wine in my hand. Which is how life should be lived, right? My secret weapon for rewriting the ending to these tragic tales is my mother, Juniper. I have many memories of sitting crossed-legged under the soft glow of our lamp, tea and biscuit in hand, surrounded by piles of laundry awaiting their assorted destination. As we chat away, mum dabs soap here and there on little t-shirt stains, throws muddy shorts into buckets, and create new piles of wools and whites for the morning. An operation well known to the household, and in fact, our extended family too. So you could say I’ve learnt a few things handy to this adult-life I now lead. A few handy weapons of choice to stock up on are as follows: 1) Sunlight soap—a gentle stain remover that’s great for whites and wools, 2) Friend gel or spray—the most convenient application and is a great all-purpose stain remover, just less gentle, 3) Napisan—a good soaker is a must. Also, some at-home clothes for cooking, crafts, and any other spontaneous activity you’d like to relax into without fear of stains. Depending on the stain and item of clothing, how you treat the unwanted gremlin will differ, but always make sure to read the care label inside to avoid damaging the fabric. Here’s three of the most common stains and how our family of expert stain removers deal with them. Chocolate Never rub, but scrape off dry as much as you can, then dab with stain remover. Leave to sit overnight and check again in the morning. If unsuccessful, pop in a bucket of soaker and leave for another night or two then wash as normal. Cooking oil Put dishwashing liquid on the oil spill, fat clings well to it, and using a wet cloth, give it a scrub. Wash away with hot water and repeat if necessary. Red wine If you get to the stain while it’s wet, dab with a paper towel, pour salt onto it, and let it absorb for a while (unless the fabric in question is linen, in which case eschew the salt). Rinse and throw in a bucket with an overnight soaker. If it’s dried wine, I find that doubling the suggested portion of soaker works, followed by forgetting about it for a week (or even two!). A few other general rules to keep in mind—never soak wool, take silk to dry cleaners, hot water sets most stains (not oil), so use cold, and as a last resort, always soak and repeat if necessary. If you’ve got a nasty stain you’ve abandoned for days, then a second, or even third time lucky is possible if you’re feeling determined enough. On a last note—as my mother often reminds me—get onto a stain as quickly as possible. The longer you leave it, the more it seeps into the fabric. If you have any other hot stain tips, be sure to pop them in the comments section below. Words, Sian Henderson The post How To Get Stains Out Of *Literally* Everything appeared first on CHRONICLES OF HER. Maddy Woon
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Friday, 11 January 2019
Thursday, 10 January 2019
12 Easy Steps For Living With Less Plastic Today, my fun facts revolve around the environment, and in particular the relationship we all have with it and why we need to start living with less plastic. Actually, if I’m being completely real, these facts aren’t so much ‘fun’ as they are ‘disturbing’ and ‘sad’. Sorry to kill the ‘it’s almost the weekend’ mood! > Currently, it is estimated that there are 100 million tons of plastic in oceans around the world. > More than 50 percent of sea turtles have consumed plastic :’(. > On average we only recycle one plastic bag in every 200 we use. Each year, an estimated 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide. That comes out to over one million per minute. > It takes about 450 years just for one plastic bottle to break down in the ground. > Every single piece of plastic made still exists today. Don’t worry because by the end of the list below, you’ll feel super ~uplifted~ I promise. If global supermarkets’ banning of single-use plastic bags has taught us anything, it’s that we as consumers do have a voice. Now, let’s continue to put our money where our mouths are (i.e. screaming that we love nature) and give the environment the TLC it deserves. So here’s a guide to living your life with less plastic in it, because what’s cooler than caring for the environment? Nothing! Take an eco bag with you when you shop What’s cuter than carrying your groceries home in a netted bag? Nothing! Say N-O to plastic bags for good, in style. Use fabric bags for fruit and veg Using plastic bags for fruit and vegetables is perplexing at best, and infuriating at worst. Considering plastic takes up to 1,000 years to degrade, and vegetables already have a protective layer, there’s really no excuse for using single-use plastic bags to transport your veggies in (especially because unlike plastic shopping bags—that you can use as bin-liners etc—they don’t have much use for anything else). This is especially pertinent if the produce in question is one singular potato. Why you need a bag, tho? If you find loose veggies in your trolley/eco bag annoying, then you can buy some cute organic cotton muslin produce bags for cheap. I like these! Make your own beauty products This is not my area of expertise, admittedly, but lucky for you and moi, our contributor Sian has got you covered with these three easy DIY natural products. Your body, your bank account, and the environment will thank you. Invest in a chic keep cup Australia alone uses 1 billion disposable coffee cups per year. Pretty effed, right? Lucky for coffee drinkers the world over, the keep cup market has recently been infiltrated with heaaaaps of cute keep cups of late. My favourite vibe when it comes to reusable coffee cups are ceramic ones (this one rules, as does this one). Swap out your plastic toothbrush for a bamboo one I’ll tell you what looks chicer than a plastic toothbrush sitting in your brush holder: a bamboo one! And I’ll tell you what looks even chicer than that: an unpolluted earth! Here’s a goodie! Ditto your broom/dust pan and brush See above for argument, and here and here for ones to shop! Significantly reduce your takeout consumption (or say bye, bye for good) Ideally, you’d eschew ordering takeout all together, but we live in an imperfect world and sometimes Uber eats is the only way forward. If you absolutely must, try and order food that requires the least amount of packaging (from me to you, pls don’t order things like takeaway Pho that arrive deconstructed in a million different plastic receptacles). Make your favourite salad instead! Or, live your best life by taking half-an-hour to go and dine in at your favourite restaurant. Say ‘laters’ to straws I must admit that for years I was a straw devotee (#sinner). “There’s just something way nicer about sipping a beverage out of a straw,” I’d proclaim like the self-centred young twenty something that I was. Watching a four-minute clip of a straw being dislodged from a distressed turtle was enough to snap me out of this abhorrent habit. Google ‘Sea turtle with straw up its nose’ if you don’t believe me. Replace glad wrap with beeswax wraps Every time I wrap something in glad wrap a little piece of my soul dies. I was at a bit of a loss as to how to remedy this, but my work pal Georgie pointed me in the direction of these beeswax wraps. So sweet and so functional! Also, storing things like avocado halves in glass tuperware containers also works wonders. You can make your own beeswax wraps if you are so inclined! Find out how to here. Say no to plastic water bottles Why buy a plastic bottle of water when you could use old glass bottles to transport your H20 around instead? Water should be free, after all. If glass isn’t your vibe (I get it, the clumsy among us could encounter some serious drama with a glass bottle in our bags), then you can pick up a stainless one like this for super cheap. Carrying a water bottle around with you will mean you’ll be more inclined to drink lots of water (leading to glowing skin, among other benefits), so it’s really a WIN-WIN situation. Buy laundry detergent in boxes rather than plastic Boxed powder detergent is the bomb! My fave is this ecostore powder, which is free of chemicals, and which smells like a glass of lemonade on a summer’s afternoon. Mmmm. Buy bread from the bakery Find your fave bakery that packages in paper instead of plastic. Not only will you feel so french, so chic, carrying your bread around in a bag, you will be supporting local AND supporting the environment. Look at you, you certified breadwinner! See? Not so depressing after all… Every little helps! Words, Madeleine Woon The post 12 Easy Steps For Living With Less Plastic appeared first on CHRONICLES OF HER. Maddy Woon
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This Hair Oil Has Changed My Frizzy Life Anyone looking for a new frizzy hair oil? You’ve come to the right place and I promise this is a recommendation from the right girl. Remember the Friends episode where Monica’s hair was so frizzy she had to get a full head of braids… I’ve ACTUALLY done that. But all my death-to-frizz dreams have recently come true because I’ve just started using this organic hair oil by Carelli. You can use a few pumps as pre-shampoo and overnight treatments or a small drop everyday for frizz control. It smells like a massage at a spa, tames my fly-a-ways and split ends without looking and feeling greasy, plus it basically makes me feel like a sleek/chic beauty queen. I’ve also been using and would highly recommend the shampoo – it has mint in the ingredients which works wonders on a dry, flaky scalp. Get yours below and let me know your thoughts or tell us what you do to tame frizzy hair – we love hearing from you! Words: @lainyblack UP NEXT: watch Carmen’s messy textured hair tutorial. The post This Hair Oil Has Changed My Frizzy Life appeared first on CHRONICLES OF HER. lainy black
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This is the Wardrobe Must-Have I Can’t Get Enough Of January 10, 2019 at 01:45PM
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Wednesday, 9 January 2019
Skin SOS: How I Get My Skin Glowing Post Festive Season I’ve always taken a pretty low-key approach to beauty (case in point: this five minute makeup routine I did every morning at Paris fashion week last year), ‘cause for me, it’s all about minimum effort, maximum results and I believe the focus should always be how to make your skin glow. But, as I approach the big 3-0, I’ve started to notice small changes in my skin, and as such my ~lackadaisical~ approach to skincare just doesn’t quite cut-it anymore. And especially for big events. Life, oh life. I like to give my skin a bit of extra TLC of in the lead up to big events (hello, my sister’s wedding!). I call it my ‘skin SOS’ regime, and if you’ve got a big week on the horizon, or just want to indulge in some *me time*, I highly recommend you give it a whirl. Watch the video below on how I give myself the guaranteed-glow-facial at home, and if you need any more guidance, read the steps below after! ~~~~~ ~~~~~ THE STEPS 1) Remove makeup While I may take a relaxed (read: lazy) approach to beauty, I have a ‘no excuses’ rule when it comes to washing off makeup. An oil-based cleanser is my go-to for getting rid of the day’s leftover makeup—you’ll feel squeaky clean and ready for a deep cleanse… 2) Deep Cleanse To prep the skin for your at-home steam facial—and to rid your face of all the dirt that may have built up over the course of the day — a deep cleanse is essential! 3) Steam Facial Now for the fun part! Get a bowl, fill it with boiling hot water (and your favourite essential oils), drape a towel over your head so that it creates a tent over your face, then hold your face over the water for around 10 minutes. Don’t steam for too long or get too close to the water, tho. 4) Serum and a facial massage Serum is an non-negotiable addition to my nighttime skin regime (FYI, I use Estée Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair which is potent and nutrient-packed, designed specifically to penetrate deep into the skin and address key concerns such as dehydration, wrinkles, uneven skin tone and texture). I find that how I apply my serum has an impact on the visible results, too. I have taken to massaging it deep into my skin before bed every single night, which gets the blood pumping to my face, giving my skin the help it needs to repair itself overnight. Win, win. 5) Sheet mask No at-home facial would be complete without the addition of a sheet mask, and this bad boy is pretty darn hard to beat. It’s cute af and always leaves my skin g-l-o-w-i-n-g! So there you have it. My easy peasy at-home facial that gets my complexion back on track every time. Performed daily, I find the combination of deep cleansing, steaming and facial massage breathes life back into my skin—resulting in a brighter, tighter, photo-ready complexion. Words: @carmengracehamilton Video: @georgiewoodweber *Shot in collaboration with Estée Lauder. The post Skin SOS: How I Get My Skin Glowing Post Festive Season appeared first on CHRONICLES OF HER. Carmen Hamilton
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Tuesday, 8 January 2019
Feeling Tired? Here’s 6 Simple Ways To Boost Your Energy Levels The past few weeks have been stacked full of parties, eating, late nights, drinking, feeling tired, more parties and (admittedly) a lot of wine. Feeling a touch more sluggish than usual was always to be expected, but this week I’ve felt like the punishment (muscles almost aching when I drag myself out of bed, feeling somewhat delirious all day despite my usual caffeine intake) has far outweighed the crime (having too much fun, obvs). Needless to say, I’ve been hitting the snooze button more than once each morning, only to wake up feeling worse each and every time. Today, I decided to put an end to the madness. With heavy eyelids and an extra strong coffee in my hand, I researched ways to supercharge my energy in this time of need (greed?). Bad news is that there are a few big mistakes (HUGE!) that I’ve been making, especially of recent. Good news is that they are also pretty easy to un-do, so I thought I’d share them with you. Here’s to not daydreaming about taking naps in various pockets of the office! 1. You snooze, you lose Let’s start with the energy-zapping crime many commit as soon as they open their eyes. Yes, I’m talking about hitting that snooze button. There are a number of reasons this can have a negative effect on your energy levels throughout the day (depending on your sleep cycle, and how much sleep you got overall), but the science says Just. Don’t. Do. It. If you’re hitting snooze just to lie-in while you wait for your body to wake up, that’s a-okay. But, if you’re sleep deprived and falling straight back into a deep sleep, hitting snooze won’t do you any favours. 2. Stretch baby, stretch On that note, jump out of bed and have a stretch. Do a downward dog. Swing your hands up above your head, then down below your knees, and repeat. This gets the blood and oxygen pumping to your muscles, which, in turn, will make you feel more A-L-I-V-E. 3. Water is your friend If you’re feeling a bit ‘meh’, drink more water than usual. Fatigue is one of the first signs of dehydration, so upping your H20 intake won’t do any harm (quite the opposite). Yes, it might mean you need to get up to go to the bathroom more frequently, but regular movement will also help you feel more energised. Win, win. 4. Don’t skip breakfast When I hit snooze, I often find myself feeling frazzled and skipping the most important meal of the day to run out the door. If you don’t have time, grab a banana to keep you going on your commute, then have something more substantial at your desk (porridge is always a good one). Your body will pay it back throughout the day with increased energy levels and less cravings. 5. Music to my ears Turn up to your fave tune while you commute to work. Music triggers the release of endorphins (the happy hormone) which have an overall positive affect on the body. Bonus points if your go-to tune gets you bobbing in your seat—dancing boosts blood flow, raises heart rate and gets oxygen and nutrients flowing through your body. 6. More meditation If dancing during your morning commute is a no-go, listen to an energy-boosting meditation instead. There are plenty of free ones online (just Google ‘energy boosting meditation’), which are designed to get you geared-up for the day sans-caffeine. Words, @carmengracehamilton The post Feeling Tired? Here’s 6 Simple Ways To Boost Your Energy Levels appeared first on CHRONICLES OF HER. Carmen Hamilton
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2019 Wardrobe Bootcamp – What To Keep And Cull My mess and leftover baggage from 2018 (and truthfully 2017) is following me around and I’m in urgent need of a wardrobe bootcamp. Working at COH has definitely helped me to adopt a more timeless approach to dressing, but my wardrobe still needs urgent attention…. enter the 2019 wardrobe bootcamp – CHRONICLES’ STYLE. Believe it or not, having less clothes makes it so much easier to get ready in the morning. You can actually see what’s hanging in your wardrobe (making it easier to pair things together in your head). A word of warning – before culling, you have to be prepared to let go of any attachment to once-loved pieces. Chances are, if you haven’t worn it in the last 5 months, you probably won’t wear it in the next 5 #truth. There may be certain pieces that you are not quite ready to part with – and that’s ok. A little progress goes a long way. Luckily, when it comes to editing-down your wardrobe there are LOTS of ways to go about it. I’m definitely not telling you to throw everything out the window (hello Depop and local charity bins!). So grab a drink, put on a Spotify playlist and lets get down to business. Words: @georgiewoodweber The post 2019 Wardrobe Bootcamp – What To Keep And Cull appeared first on CHRONICLES OF HER. Georgie Wood-Weber
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