I Looove... Animal prints

I just looove animal prints! Some people think it looks tacky or cheap... but I just can't help myself.... every season I have to buy something with an animal print!

I think it's key to combine them with simple basics, such as blue or white jeans, a white t-shirt or a little black dress. Oh... and keep the accessories to a minimum!

Black... never goes out of style!

Black never goes out of style... at least that's what I think! No matter what people say: "blue is the new black", "black equals gothic", "black looks boring"..... the right LBD will always make you look chic.
The same goes for these other wonderful black clothes and accessories. Even Marni for H&M and Antik Batik, well-known for their multi coloured fashion, have included black items in their Spring-Summer '12 collections.

Photos sunglasses courtesy of SO PR for Dsquared2 Eyewear
http://www.dsquared2.com/
Photos bikinis courtesy of Maison PR for Bikinibiza
http://www.bikinibiza.com/collection/black-label/
Photos blouse, pants and necklace courtesy of H&M
http://www.hm.com/us/marni#home
Photo dress courtesy of Antik Batik
http://www.antikbatik.fr/collections/women/summer-2012.html
Photo earrings courtesy of Isharya
http://shop.isharya.com/v/site/stage/isharya-black.html

People... casual chic

Check out this cute Spanish couple out on the town in Amsterdam! Casual chic I would say. The girl admitted she didn't feel very chic or "modelly" at the the time of the picture.... But what else can you wear in Amsterdam than a warm jacket and a scarf... when you're used to the Spanish sun?!

Bikinibiza... the black collection

Bikinibiza was already known for it's gorgeous little white 'numbers'. This season they have come up with a totally black collection (for the 'bad' girls among us). The black bikinis are absolutely stunning... with either turquoise, pink and red details, orange appliqués or white, silver and gold beads and bows. I especially love the one with the little guns on it: Kiss Bang Billy!

If it's still too cold outside to wear a bathing suit, you could start by wearing one of the matching bracelets! They're a great gift idea by the way (Gentlemen, are you listening?)...

For more information, please visit: http://www.bikinibiza.com/

Friendship bracelets

Friendship bracelets have been there ever since I can remember (elementary school I would say... a looong time ago), but lately they made a major 'comeback' in the fashion scene.
Stylist Danie Bles is known for using them in her styling. NET-A-PORTER refers to a bunch of (friendship) bracelets as 'the fashion stack'.

At one time, they were just that: friendship bracelets, that you would make or buy and exchange with your friends. This time around they're the best fashion accessories I can think of. I especially love the ones by Barong Barong, Gas Bijoux and Réminiscence Paris. But the best... are still the ones my friends gave me many years ago!

For more information please visit:
Barong Barong  http://www.barongbarong.com
Gas Bijoux http://www.gasbijoux.com/en
Reminiscence Paris http://www.reminiscence.fr

Umbria Jazz 12

I don’t need many words to describe the Umbria Jazz festival in Perugia, Italy… it’s the best! Umbria Jazz means great music, big stars, friendly people, delicious food & wine, beautiful surroundings, sunny weather, in a historical town that has a lot to offer…

Lago Trasimeno is close-by, so you can go for a swim during the hot summer days. If you wanna go sightseeing on the other hand, Assisi is only 20 minutes by car, Florence 2 hours, Rome 2,5.
To me it’s the perfect combination of culture and fun.

The programme for Umbria Jazz 12 still has to be published, but some big names have already been revealed: Sonny Rollins, Sting, Pat Metheny, Chick Corea, Wayne Shorter, John Scofield, Joe Lovano, Dave Douglas, Melody Gardot, Enrico Rava and Stefano Bollani!

It’s one of the biggest and oldest jazz festivals in the world and has something to offer for everyone: pure jazz, latin jazz, soul, pop, funk, you name it! And with many free concerts, it’s not only for music lovers with ‘big wallets’.

By the way, do bring some extra cash to go shopping! The stores in Perugia are great… you’ll find the latest fashion, shoes, leather accessories, ceramics from Deruta, local delicacies like truffles, olive oil and wine and of course Umbria Jazz t-shirts and CD’s!

For more information and tickets, please visit: http://www.umbriajazz.com

Mozzarella burger and pasta by La Bottega del Vino:
http://tarasdolcevita.blogspot.com/2010/10/la-bottega-del-vino-perugia-italy.html
Steak tartare by La Taverna:
http://tarasdolcevita.blogspot.com/2010/12/ristorante-la-taverna-perugia-italy.html

Bas Kosters, Spring-Summer 2012

When I asked fashion designer Bas Kosters what his new spring-summer collection was all about, he told me: "this collection puts the 'u' in ugly"! It's based upon an 'ugly' woman he saw walking down the street. But what defines ugly? Of course that's not the same for everyone!

For some of the prints, he used photos of beautiful people and then elaborated them into ugly people, cutting out eyes, lips, noses and repositiong them and actually creating very funny faces. 

(see first photo)

While for some of you, Bas Kosters might be a little bit too risqué... there are several very wearable pieces, like the ruffled mini skirt you see pictured above. It's definitely one of my favourites.

In the last two shots, you see Bas Kosters together with Greek fashion designer Angelos Bratis, talking about his collection. Who knows how the two of them inspired each other? Angelos might be using crazy prints next year and Bas might switch to ladylike eveningdresses...?!

For more information, please visit: 

http://www.baskosters.com/collections/ugly-collection-ss12