The River Club, Zambia

Victoria Falls, Zambia

Duma Tau Camp, Botswana

Abu Camp, Botswana

Abu Camp, Botswana

Little Mombo Camp, Botswana

Ariel view from bush plane in Botswana / View from the top of Table Mountain in Cape Town

Steenberg Winery Tasting Room /  View from Constantia Glen terrace

Top: Cotton On, Blazer: Zara, Printed Pants: Forever 21, Sandals: Nine West, Bag: Chanel, Glasses: c/o Ports 1961, Various bracelets and necklaces

I am so happy that the pajama pant trend is continuing on through this season. I just picked up these from Zara and have been wearing them to death. I find they work best with a pointed pump or sleek evening shoe to drive home the fact that they are not, in fact, my jammies. But let me tell you that when I get home from an event filled day I normally reach for embarrassingly comfy pants and now I have no need to change. These babies can go right from the front row to the front of the tv with only a quick switch in to a tank and slippers. That seems a bit like cheating on the fashion front but I am more than ok with it. The outfit above was created when I refused to spend another day in a snug pencil skirt and heels. Sometimes you just need something that you can breathe in!  Here’s to clothing that is not only cute but far more comfortable that fashion is normally allowed to be!

Here are some other pj ensembles to excite and inspire! All photos from Pinterest.

Silk Blouse: Zara,Gray Blazer: BCBG (outlet!),  Zebra Skirt: gift from mom, Boots: Sambag, Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim, Necklace: Gift from better half, Glasses: c/o Ports 1961

Top: Wet Seal (c.2003), Shirt: Gift from mom, Shoes: Nine West (clearance!), Bag: Liberation, Necklace: Golden Stella (c.2001)

Maybe it was the fact that my room was a shrine to stripes when I was 17 and it has just never left or maybe it is that I just spent the last two weeks on safari in Zambia and Botswana but I can’t seem to stop wearing zebra print! This skirt that has been tucked in the depths of my closet for six years has suddenly become my go-to for a fun day piece. No matter how I am feeling this little piece of apparel ups my mood and makes me feel suddenly more powerful and ready to take on the challenges of the day. It feels very similar to the feeling a swipe of red or orange lipstick brings! Not for the timid this very there print draws the eye over from anyone else to you so prepare for a little or a lot of attention (depending on what you pair it with). The best part is that animal prints come and go so you can enjoy a piece like this now and then stash it for when the next migration of prints occurs!

Here are some other fun zebra themed outfits to spice up your day… and your wardrobe! All photos from pinterest.

Leather Jacket: Versace for H&M (I got in line at 4am), Sweater: Forever 21, Blue Tank: Gap, Skirt: H&M (c.2003), Boots: Sambag (buy them here), Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim, Necklace: H&M (c.2007)

Jacket, Brooch, and Dot Blouse: Zara, Sweater: Mom got it for me, Skirt: Express (c.2001), Shoes: Sambag (buy them here), Bag: Furla, Glasses: c/o Salvatore Ferragamo

I am kissing the last of the chilly weather goodbye here in the Kong and saying hello to the very muggy, hot, humid, rainy, gray, drizzly summer that is surely on it’s way (thank goodness for the food, friends, and travel that HK offers because the weather leaves much to be desired). In doing so, I have put on the last of my coats and boots and trying to squeeze every drop of wintery goodness I can before they are banished to the deep recesses of the wardrobe. While you may have seen that the last style post was all about simplicity I find it very hard to not pile on the prints. Here it proves true again. I try so hard to stay basic but just end up mixing and matching and adding more jewelry. More is more, right?!? Well, at least I kept the colors basic. You can never go wrong with black and white but I certainly push the limits with stripes and dots and studs (oh my!). I sure will miss wearing these Sambag boots that I have oh-so-clearly been living in this season. Once they go on sale I will be purchasing the gray pair if there is still a size 42 left (all you other sizes are welcome to purchase as you please but back off all you 42′s out there)!  Mom has already put dibs on this VersaceXH&M jacket for her FW13 wear. We also have a Chanel bag that we share custody over (sharing is caring?). Hey…twice the wardrobe right?!?! Anyway, goodbye chilly weather. I’ll just have to use these pinspirations to dream up some summertime black and white print mixing perfection!

To read the full interview with Cruzanne click here!

We all know that you need those big bold statement pieces in your wardrobe (and check out our article here for how to rock this season’s latest trends!) but what about those times when you just need well-made wearable clothes to take on the day to day? These are the times for the basics – those must-have essentials that every wardrobe needs!

I embarked on a mini shop-hop to bring you a heap of easy-to-please pieces for living your life in; here goes…

WORK

First up, is your office wear! Blazers are key in every woman’s wardrobe and this season, Giordano Ladiesputs forth a hearty helping of these day-to-night wardrobe staples. They took the basics up a notch with tuxedo-style piping, digital prints, and leather accents – just pop one of these over your go-to black skinny pants and white button-down shirt for a look that means business!

Wait! You say you don’t have a great white shirt or black skinny pants? Hold the phone! You need to get yourself over to Marco Visconti in Soho pronto and stock up on these separates. Wear them together for work or break them apart for play; these will carry you through season after season of socialising.

Giordano Ladies also gives the shift a lift – try this dip-dyed version on for size! This dress is great for minimizing a large bust as the white pulls the attention down to your stems. However, the pink shoulder on the one on the right draws attention up and adds a splash of colour to an otherwise very basic black. Pair with a skinny pink belt for a little spring fling!

And if you want to hit the town after office hours, then check these out! Marco Visconti adds a bit of texture and a smidge of sheen to these conservative dresses to make the frocks more fun. I love that both options have pockets, which are perfect for all those “Hong Kong Handshakes” (i.e. business card swaps) you’ll soon be doing!

…AND PLAY!

When the workday is done and you want to unwind, let American Vintage and Jack Wills take care of your weekend wardrobe needs!

There were loads of colours and prints to choose from thanks to the JW design team – just look at all these shades of denim! And all you JW fans over in Kowloon, rejoice; they’ve just opened a brand new store in Festival Walk for you to stock up on those trademark rainbow jeans, easy tees and comfy sweaters.

Meanwhile, American Vintage boasts an obscene amount of comfy cotton creations; tees, vests, tanks, slouchy tops… you name it, they’ve got it! Wear these to travel, to sleep, to tote the kids around, to hold a tree pose… or maybe all of the above!

But even though I was spoilt for choice with colour, I kept returning to the yellow, blues, and greys (take a look at some fun ways to wear yellow here). This is the easiest way to add a pop of sunshine to the grey days that can take HK by storm – and those basic simple shapes mean you can go all out with that colour pop!

Another way to cheer your self up when the skies open up is to don a polka dot print (yes, there are tips for that too here!). This matching tank and shorts combo give you the romper look whilst saving you from those awkward restroom moments that always seem to accompany wearing a playsuit! Plus, it is perfect for those with a longer torso that can’t fit into your basic off-the-rack onesie (can you tell I speak from experience?!).

If playful prints are what float your boat, then check out these easy breezy summer dresses. Perfect for a junk boat fiesta, summer wedding or weekend day trip, Jack Wills (above left and centre) and American Vintage (above right) provide a plethora of possibilities!

Summer is fast approaching and you know your calendar is filling up fast, so load up that closet of yours with easy-to-wear and quick-to-coordinate basics! American Vintage and Jack Wills have your weekends sorted, while Giordano and Marco Visconti can take you to the office and then out at night too. Now you are set to enjoy everything that this upcoming season has to throw at you… all while being fabulously outfitted, of course!

American Vintage, Shop 3086-3087, IFC Mall, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2234 7859

Giordano Ladies: See all store locations in Hong Kong here

Jack Wills: See all store locations in Hong Kong here

Marco Visconti, G/F, 63 Staunton Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2803 2307; Shop 306, Cyberport Arcade, 100 Cyberport Road, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong, 2148 6166

Photos by Sabrina Sikora Photography

Top: from A Boy Named Sue, Pants: c/o Marks & Spencer, Shoes: Sambag, Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim, Necklace: A gift from my better half.

Recently in HK the weather has taken a tun to the dark side. Rain, fog, humidity, and pollution have taken hold of the city and as much as I want to wear my springy florals and candy colored denim with chunky layered necklaces it just doesn’t feel right. Lately, neutrals have been my mainstay as they seem to blend in with the city in the clouds. I love this cashmere and wool top that I picked up from A Boy Named Sue and have been pairing it with everything from leather pencil skirts to loose and floaty printed pants. On this day, however, I opted for a more coffee with cream look to take on the weather woes. Now, hopefully, you and the elements will both be energized to try something new. For you, maybe it’s a little play on neutral dressing and for the outdoors…who knows…maybe some sun!?! Here’s hoping that spring is springing soon! I miss my crazy colors and print parties!

Here are a few more pinspirations to get you on your neutral wearing ways!

1920′s American Chamber of Commerce Gala at the Ritz / Hey Hey It’s my BDay!

My photography displayed at the Cameo pop up store

Tod’s Limited Edition D.D. Bag now on sale in the Landmark !

The gorgeous La Perla Show in Pacific Place

Amazing vintage jewelry exhibition and sale at Lane Crawford IFC / A Boy Named Sue preview with Vanessa of All Things Indulgent and Jackaline from M&S and Then Some

Checking out goods from the HK boutiques that Giftwell offers gift cards from!

HK apartment block / Delicious ChocoYou birthday presents from All Things Indulgent!

Grrrr……trying to grow out my fringe…..