Seconds of Style #17: Feet First For Summer

For me, summer shoes are one of the best parts of the season. Strappy sandals, bright ballet flats, cotton espadrilles, I love them all! Inspired by the presence of flats on the catwalk for Spring Summer 11, I have put together a collection of my favourite 'everyday' styles. Pale, light and airy colours are the ticket, we get enough months to wear black I think. My pick from the bunch, well pickS - Repetto Powder Blue Ballet Pumps and F-Troupe White 4 Strap Sandals.

Stella McCartney SS11

Twenty 8 Twelve SS11

Chloe SS11

Paul & Joe SS11

Shop Topshop Red Lace Up Pumps

Shop Topshop Kacy Soft Pink Fringed Loafers

Shop French Connection Cut Out Bow Pumps

Shop Lanvin Embellished Sandals

Shop Pedro Garcia Crystal Embellished Sandals

Shop F-Troupe 4 Strap White Sandals

Shop Melissa by Vivienne Westwood Flower Sandal

Shop Repetto Powder Blue Ballet Pumps

Shop Jeffery Campbell Kelly Oxford Flat

Shop French Sole Henrietta Pump
Shop Mymu Canvas Espadrilles

Shop Tory Burch Striped Canvas Espadrilles

Seconds of Style #13 : Style Inspire 2

A little late but here it is, Fridays Style Inspire.

Today's Style

I guess there is a theme in my styling and I would have to call it Romance.

I am a life long devotee to floral prints and the beige/purple print on my Ingrid Starnes Bustier is one of my all time favorites. Florals are gorgeous for any season - in winter they can be dark and romantic, in summer - fresh and breezy. Pair bold floral prints with block basics.

Secondly, high waists are effortlessly stylish. They hide all the stuff round the middle, elongate your bottom half and give off a vibe of seasoned sophistication. I wear this vintage black silk pleated skirt with a white tee and nude ballet flats for day and bright, hot florals for the evening.

Lastly, don't be afraid to experiment with your footwear. A unique and interesting pair of heels can carry an outfit, allowing you to wear simple pieces and still look directional.

Bustier: Ingrid Starnes

Skirt: Vintage

Shoes: Vintage

Seconds of Style #10: Semi Precious Tones

I am absolutely loving the opulence of summer's gem stone tones. They all compliment each other perfectly so are great for colour blocking or for a more understated approach, choose one colour to make an otherwise monochromatic look pop. All the items on this board can be purchased in or shipped to NZ. Semi precious is top of my list for summer.

Alice McCall (available at mycatwalk.com.au), Stolen Girlfriends Club (available at stolengirlfriendsclub.com), Asos (available at asos.com), Topshop (available at topshop.com), Shakuhachi (available at mycatwalk.com.au), Storm (available at stormnz.com), Hi There by Karen Walker (available from The Department Store)

Seconds of Style #9: Style Inspire

Welcome to the very first 'Style Inspire'. Every Friday I will slap up a post that focuses on either my own or other inspiring individuals personal style.

For me, Friday is always an exciting day and inspiration for some weekend gorgeousness is always welcome. Even if these posts only inspire you to put something in your wardrobe together in a new and fresh way, I will feel I have done my job. I will add lots of little stylists tips and tricks to help you look polished without blowing your weeks pay. If you have an inspiring look you want to share, send low-res jpegs to secondsofstyle@gmail.com and you might get featured.

Today's Style

Pins and broaches are making a serious come back. They are a clever way to add some glamor and style to simple outfits - think a large diamante broach used to rouche the strap of a white tank. I have used a little snake pin I got at a market in London to fasten my oversized, draping silk jacket. Pins are also a great way to make something fit you better. Bunch an oversized shirt together at the waist and use a sparkly broach to fasten it.

Another way to add punch to any outfit is to layer up chains. They don't all need to match and they certainly don't need to be real precious metal. The more the better. The texture and shine add that extra something. Layer up chains and wear with a black tank, dark skinny jeans and stilettos. Simply perfect.

Lastly, RED lipstick. The number one way to glam up and also make yourself feel sexy. You will immediately feel yourself pull your shoulders back and hold your head high. Mac Ladybug is my favorite.

Sheer Jacket, Vintage from Melrose Trading Post

Shoes, Aldo

Chains, Collected from second hand stores

Lace Cami (worn underneath jacket), Second Hand Store

Jeans, Topshop Over Dyed Indigo Jamie Jeans

Seconds of Style #8: Melrose Trading Post

One of the coolest things I went to while travelling was the Melrose Trading Post. It's a Sunday flea market on Melrose Ave in LA, full to the brim with fantastic vintage and retro finds. When we arrived in the 30 degree heat, my very patient boyfriend said "You're going to need a while aren't you" and I replied "I think this might be the best thing that has ever happened to me". The general feel from my perspective was 'Old Hollywood Glam', it was more glitzy, flashy, glamorous and fun than any flea market I have ever been to - and I have been to a few in my time! Here are some pics from the day, my next post will showcase my purchases. See below for Melrose Trading Post Details.

Furs, gold and gems galore!

Fairfax High School
7850 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Neighborhoods: Mid-City West, West Hollywood
(323) 655-7679
www.melrosetradingpost.org