Tag Archive | fashion

Happy New Year!!

Last night as I faced the cold rainy Swedish weather in open toe Jimmy Choo pumps to cheer in the new year, I came to a few realizations.

(1) Carrie Bradshaw would never let a small thing like weather curtail her shoe options.
(2) Sequins and sparkle are the NYE uniform, no matter what continent you’re on
(3) There are two kinds of Scandinavian blonde – the real kind that is pristine and enviable. Or the second kind which has been bleached to within an inch of it’s life.
(4) This is the time when you wish you had made BFF’s with at least three taxi drivers.

What a ride 2012 has been – I can’t wait for the adventures of 2013 and here’s hoping we can all keep our New Year’s resolutions (has anyone, ever?????).

Wishing you all the very best for 2013!!!

Love and Louboutin’s
|Ev xo

Leaving on a jet plane.

Dec23

We all want to look better than we do when we come off a flight.
We all want to be comfortable in the way too small, uncomfortable chairs.
We all want to have a handy place to safely hold our passport/boarding pass, wallet, iPhone and lip gloss.

We all need a cross body bag.

While I have never been a huge fan previously – I recently invested in one (credit to the Black Friday sales!!).
Having just traveled with my new purchase to Europe, I must say it was a great investment.

This DKNY cross body bag was not bulky but big enough to comfortably hold your essentials.
Loving that it leaves your hands free and is zipped so nothing falls out.
Overall a great traveling companion.

Next I just need to work on convincing my CFO (aka husband) that Louis Vuitton luggage IS worth it…

|Ev xo

Shoe Sunday…

Dec9

Although I was not going to go to the Black Friday sales post Thanksgiving…. they seemed to be calling my name.
Taunting me. Encouraging me.

Especially Bloomingdales. I mean I am practically next door to it. If the crowds are really that bad, I’ll just leave. Right?
Well, to my delight, it was near empty upon my early arrival (the early rising of children being a blessing on this day).

I had a goal, I had a purpose.
Shoes.
Black boots to be more specific. Practical winter boots that will be wearable in the NY weather.

Cole Haan Boots

Mission accomplished.
They could be worn in a NYC winter, however were still pretty with at least a small heel, and worked with jeans or a skirt.

Now for every practical pair of shoes, every girl needs a pretty pair of shoes.
And pretty is what I found.

Enzo Angiolini

Sparkly and fun. These are sure to brighten up any black winter ensemble.
All for a bargain price.

I left not only a very happy shopper with some fabulous shoes, I left feeling very mature, sensible and grown up.
In addition to my shoes purchases (and one or two clothing pieces)… I had actually purchased some amazing new pots and pans to further develop my culinary skills.
Black Friday – i love thee.

Until next year.
|Ev xo

Thanksgiving

Nov22

With Thanksgiving being this week my children reflected on what things they are thankful for.

While I am not as crafty, I most certainly have a very long list of what makes me thankful.
Please allow me to indulge and share just a few of the things I would like to say Thank You for.

I am thankful to my husband – who loves the grumpy Ev, the tired Ev, the spends too much money on shoes Ev… and every other Ev that makes an appearance. Thank you.

I am thankful for my gorgeous children – who bring me the kind of joy that even the prettiest Christian Louboutin shoes can’t compete with. Thank you.

I am thankful for my parents – who picked up their lives when I was young and moved to give me the best life possible. Thank you.

I am thankful for my extended family – while the miles across countries do separate us, they do not diminish the bond we share. Thank you.

I am thankful for the friends in my life – who have helped me in hard times, laughed in the good times, helped me adjust in the new times, and shared some fairly wild times. Thank you.

I am thankful for the freedom to make choices – that I have always lived in countries where a woman has the right to voice an opinion and make her own choices. Thank you.

I am thankful for the opportunity to live my dream and move to NY – and to everyone who helped and supported my efforts towards the big move. Thank you.

I am thankful for my first NY Thanksgiving – for my NY friends who cooked the amazing feast I just ate, thank you.

Thankful for my US inspired wardrobe.
Outfit was: J.Crew skirt, Red top (old and not sure where from) and Christian Louboutin heels.

Happy Thanksgiving, and let the eating continue with leftovers tomorrow!!

|Ev xo

Planes, trains and Jimmy Choo’s

Nov17

My four-foot-nothing height has lead me to constantly seek that extra few inches.
So I live in heels. I can walk, jog, run, climb, cook, clean – you name it, and I could do it in heels.

Now there is a difference between being able to do something in heels – and wanting to.
I don’t particularly want to travel in them. I certainly do not, I repeat DO NOT, want to wear my precious heel on the NYC subway.

Pretty shoes, such pretty shoes, in the smelly, dirty subway. NO NO NO NO NO.
Shoes are like a work of art to me. I cannot and will not walk around carelessly destroying their delicate designs, scratching my favourite red soles.
I mean I did on occasion. Believe me I was not happy about it. I needed a solution to keep me sane on my daily subway ride to and from work.

If I was to be caught wearing flats, they better be pretty. Seriously.
Jimmy Choo flats – enter stage left. Gorgeous, comfortable and practical for the subway.

They have however had their time and I have literally worn them to death.

Ripped backs, lost JC plate, lost flower on one….
Goodbye to my Choo.

Obviously the proof of subway dangers lies in my unwearable Choo’s. But what now? Which shoe can replace my travel companion?
So some new choices need to be made.

Pigalove Black Patent/Silver Strass Flats
$1,595

Jimmy Choo WHIRL
Textured Glitter Leather Ballet Flats

Jimmy Choo WEBER
Suede and Crystal Ballet Flats
$550

Vera Wang Lavender
Jeweled Ballerina Flats
$275

Vince Camuto Evella Flat
$109.95

Gucci Logo Ballet Flats
$495

What do you think?

|Ev xo

Glamour’s Women Of The Year

Nov13

Last night was the 22nd Glamor’s Women Of The Year Awards, held at Carnegie Hall.
There are only a handful of other times in my life that have left such a strong impression on me.

This amazing 2hr celebration of outstanding women was (at a huge understatement) an emotional rollercoaster.
I was thrilled, excited, amazed, inspired, horrified and devastated.

The stories that were shared moved me no end.
They were as diverse as they were inspiring.
Athletes, architects, pop stars and fashion folk. Not going to lie, just being in the same room as Anna Wintour made me stop breathing momentarily. SUCH A FAN.

Beautiful women graced the stage with remarkable tales. Tales of perseverance, heroism and more guts than I can even fathom.
Selena Gomez (youngest US UNICEF Ambassador ever), Annie Leibovitz (no one takes a photo like her – question though, who photographs her? Pressure much…), Zaha Hadid (affectionately known as the Gaga of architecture), Jenna Lyons (Creative Director of J.Crew) just to name a few.

Waterproof mascara was definitely needed throughout the courageous stories of triumph in horrifying circumstances.

Erin Merryn who refused to stay quiet and accept sexual abuse, and then not only save herself and her sister but start a crusade to change American legislation and ensure that children are taught that child abuse is not ok, and to speak up.
Having two girls of my own, this is close to my heart and scares the living daylights out of me. I admire Erin so much for doing everything in her power to protect children from going through the horror she had to endure.

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy who is helping women suffering from acid attacks in places of the world where a woman has no rights. Giving them support, and a voice. A voice to be heard, when they are being told to stay silent. Her Oscar winning documentary Saving Face, tells the story of such brutal torture.

More information of these incredible women, and how to contribute to the fund at Glamour.

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A star studded event with an inspirational message to all women.
Go grab your heels and get your dreams or change the world, one person at a time.

|Ev xo

Winter Wonderland

Nov11

Snow storm Athena covered NY and it’s surrounds in some beautiful snow.

Yes, the tourist in me was jumping up and down with delight as I saw snow flakes outside my window late Wednesday afternoon – meanwhile my co-workers looked at me and sighed. The sight of fresh snow did not hold the same dreamlike fairytale connotations for them, as they are accustomed to such sights and the implications for travel etc.

What is it about snow though?
The beautiful white covering makes everything appear magical.
I wanted to break out in spontaneous Christmas songs (we all know that snow equals Santa, come on now), and the snow-covered street lamps taking me back to far off magical lands like Narnia – ok am I off on a tangent now?

All this white did reinvigorate my love for the colour.
Fall, winter – sure who cares, you can wear white.

I know there are those who question white in the colder months. I for one say embrace.
OK so maybe not white jeans if it’s pouring out, however there are plenty of nice fall/winter days where white items can be a key feature of your outfit.

Below are some items that I am now salivating over.

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|Ev xo

Pink Passion…

Oct27

I am officially obsessed with pink.
And when I say obsessed, I am not referring to a mere weekly Gossip Girl habit…

Just to provide you with some context I could mention a few things – this pink blog, my Pinterest board dedicated to pink (would you expect anything else?), my work desk with bright pink stationary, the children’s bedroom and clothes (I swear I will turn them off being girly and they will become tomboys or goth’s), the multiple pink OPI lacquers, Pink dedicated Instagram account I ~~stalk~~ follow.
I am going to stop there however and not further divulge symptoms of my P-OCD (Pink Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), before you think me insane.

Surprisingly however, there is very little pink in my wardrobe. So little in fact, that one would never suspect my P-OCD.
Times however, they are a changing. I was determined to turn this disgraceful situation around.

Allow me to introduce you to my new Jean-Michel Cazabat shoes.
Not only is the shoe gorge, but I love to pretty packaging. It all add’s to the super-special shoe experience. Who else puts a heart in the box?!?!?!?

Hot pink and HOT – with some nice black detail and an amazing heel (taking me from 4 foot nothing to a much more acceptable hight).
Add to some skinny leg jeans or black opaque tights & skirts for fall.
Don’t be afraid of the pink, these shoes work with everything – we are talking super versatile!!!

Look 1 − 7 For All Mankind jeans, with black satin top and grey jacket (both a few seasons old and not even sure where from – mixing up the old and new!).
Look 2 – Zara skirt and the (same) black satin top with bow tie-up at the back.

Now all I need are some pink tops and skirts to infuse colour into my winter wardrobe.
Oh dear, I will just have to go shopping again (you totes twisted my arm).

|Ev xo

Headband Heaven

Oct25

The LV S/S-13 show – where beautiful headbands came to be reborn.

There were many things I wanted from the Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 13 show – and can we just reflect for a moment on the featured carousel!!!

Seriously though, all down the LV runway we witnessed beautiful girls strutting with equally beautiful satin bow headbands. This season LV Hair was ALL about the headband.

It was classic…cute…girly. It would work on long hair, short hair, mid-length hair.
Dress it up, make is casual. It just works with everything.
To quote Veruca Salt “I don’t’ care how, I want it NOW”. Preferably in every color.

While I have no problem spending a few thousand dollars on a LV bag – the thought of spending an exorbitant amount on these headbands – whilst beautiful – did leave me feeling conflicted.

That said, I am all for channeling Blair (circ. season 1-2 especially) of Gossip Girl–

“I did not buy this at Walmart”

So… here are some of my fave and more affordable solutions…

(1) Gap, Red Satin Bow Headband $5.99
(2) Johnny Loves Rosie, Flat Bow Navy Polka-dot Headband $35.18
(3) L.Erickson, Double Loop Bow Headband, $24
(4) Sonia Rykiel, Green Acetate Headband $58.93
(5) Henri Bendel, No. 7 Enamel Headband, $28
(6) L.Erickson, Two-Tier Coco Bow Headband, $43.95

Go forth, and may the headband love your hair as much as we love it.

|Ev xo

When shopping gods align!

Oct14

We have all had the shopping expeditions where you just can’t seem to find anything – rest assured that this was not one of those unsettling shopping experiences.

My “accidental” shopping expedition on Columbus Day turned up some serious goods.
It was like the shopping god was in cahoots with Cupid himself – and they had struck me with the “I LOVE THIS, I NEED TO BUY THIS” arrow. Damn it, like I really needed any more push toward a sales till.

Entering the treacherous world of deceiving mirrors – annoying shop assistants and pushy crowds… this day was unlike others.
Everything I grabbed off a rack looked lovely, furthermore everything seemed to look great on. There was endless shop interiors lined with amazing clothing goods all calling my name.
In a bizarre turn of events, it even seemed that I had dropped a clothing size (not possible with the food consumption I have been indulging in – there must be a mis-labelling situation happening) and EVERYTHING FIT.

While the inner shopaholic in me (yes we have all seen the movie when “Rebecca Blooomwood” lands a job as a financial journalist in New York City to support her shopping addiction and the bills pile up under her bed) was whispering in my ear “The limit on your credit card is merely a suggestion”.
Somehow I managed to grasp a hold back on reality and contain myself. Yes, wonders will never cease.

Besides…. there is alway next weekend right?
Bringing home three shopping bags, two weekends in a row is SO much better than bringing home six shopping bags from one shopping expedition.

My loot contained some great fall pieces. Classic and versatile.

Banana Republic Sloan Fit black pants. Fantastic for pumps or boots.
Mid-rise and super flattering (by BR’s own admission – this is their sexiest fit).
They will go with everything from longer less fitted tops (day or night) to tailored blouses.
These genius pants also come at a bargain price. It’s love.

Armani Exchange black embellished off shoulder top.
Cute with skinny jeans if heading out for a casual cocktail.
We all love a bit of decorative action this season, this top has just enough detail.

Armani Exchange Funnel Neck Moto Jacket – you need to keep warm in the cold NY fall, what better way.
This jacket works with most anything and has a fantastic cut.
Zip all the way up for the cute funnel neck look – or leave unzipped with a tank underneath for a slightly more sexy revealing look.

May the shopping force be with you.

|Ev xo