Jack of All Trades...The Jacket (tweed and leather!)

Statement jackets are a big thing this Autumn and covers a broad spectrum of other trends.  It is also an easy way of injecting something new into your core wardrobe of staple garments...your LBD, your black tops and trousers.  For the colour loving lady, you can have colourful printed jackets, for those who love more opulent looks, you can look to embellished jackets or those made in rich brocade or velvet.  For the sporty, more "street" look, you can opt for the varsity jacket.  Style maven Jasmine Webster has done a great post on this trend.  For a more muted take on the look, a tweed jacket or biker leather.

The statement jacket is a versatile trend which can be done pretty much year round.  I have been wearing cotton printed jackets over my basic black office wear to inject colour into my day wear.  One of my favourite vintage buys was a floral/polka dot print jacket which I wore over a black jumpsuit or a black top and trousers:

Floral?  Polka Dots?  Stripes?  Print clash - check!

(Photo from Etsy seller AnyRoseBud)

Black Jumpsuit (photo from WearitWellVintage)

Another Summer wardrobe staple was my vintage DVF jacket which I paired with my vintage Bally shoes (I loved the wedge heels on these!)

DVF Jacket (photo from etsy seller)

Bally wedge heels (photo from etsy seller)

WINTER PICKS:

For cooler weather, (though the current HK weather feels more like Summer!), I would definitely look at tweed jackets or leather jackets.  For my wishlist, I would definitely love a 3.1 Phillip Lim jacket from the HK pop-up store.  I love the studded detail on the sleeves and paired with the bright yellow, it would definitely brighten up any gloomy grey day!  I also would love one of the great leather jackets from super cool A Boy Named Sue online store.  I love the ecochic message of the store.

My Dream Jacket: 3.1 Phillip Lim

(Photo from Visala Wong's blog)

The Sway's "Roma" Leather Jacket with Faux Fur Collar

(Photo from A Boy Named Sue)

The Sway's "Byron" Leather Jacket

(Photo from A Boy Named Sue)

However if you are on a limited budget, you can look to the High Street or go and look at what vintage finds you can get.  Here are some of my top picks from Marks and Spencer (sorry, I need to feed my M&S addiction!)

M&S Leather with Suede Panel Jacket

I love the leather and suede mix on this jacket.  Streamlined fit which means that you do not get the bulky feel with some leather jackets.  I definitely have this on my list of jackets to buy as anything that does NOT make me look like an America Football player is a plus!

M&S Textured Jacket

This great jacket is versatile enough to take you through from day to night.  It can be dressed down or dressed up for the occasion (you can wear it with jeans for the weekend or a black shift dress for work).  I like that it is not a straight tweed pattern but the textured print still gives you the same vibe as a tweed.  A versatile addition to any wardrobe.

M&S Tweed Biker Jacket

Oh My God!!  I love, love, love this jacket.  Hitting both the biker and tweed trends in one piece.  Smart enough for the office but yet the biker style of the jacket means it can be worn without feeling like you are too "corporate".  The darker tweed panels help to give a slimmer effect for the waist.  Once again, it is a fitted jacket which is a shape that I love because it helps to keep me from looking too bulky.  I want, want, want!

The Cardigan Jacket???

Hmmm...not sure how else to describe this garment.  For those who do not really like to wear jackets but like to try to incorporate the jacket trend in a more diluted form should look at some of the great "cardigan jackets" that are on offer.  I love this look because I am always wary of the shoulder pads in jackets which can make me look like a linebacker.

M&S Leather Panel Cardigan

This great cardigan really hits the current leather trend.  This is a great addition to your wardrobe especially as it gives a great fitted silhouette.  I love the fact that it does not have shoulder pads!!

M&S Knit Jacket

This comes in several colours so you can choose whichever tickles your fancy.  I chose the classic black and white for this post as it is probably the easiest choice to incorporate into your wardrobe.  However, my penchant for bright colours would probably mean that I would probably buy the pink mix version too.  (yes, my name is Jackaline and I like bright colours!)

*All M&S pieces are currently available online.

On the 11th Day of Christmas...Redress gave to me...

• A bright pink woolen skirt
• A bright pink with black polka dot cotton cardigan
• A neon green sleeveless top
• A blue with neon green polka dot sleeveless top

So recently, I participated in my first ever photo shoot!  Organised by the HKFashionBlogger founder and uber stylish DRESSME blogger Jasmine Webster, 12 bloggers teamed up with charities Redress and Friends of the Earth HK to front a campaign to highlight the benefits of recycling textiles/clothes and the high level of textile waste in HK.  It is true that a lot of people in HK tend to like to buy new clothes and are not necessarily big fans of second hand clothing.  For those who know me, you know I like a good vintage bargain!  It is definitely a great and affordable way of getting some designer items into your wardrobe!  As a child, I remember wearing hand-me-downs from family friends whereas here, children are primarily dressed in trendy designer clothing....where else but in HK is baby designer gear so prevalent?

The shoot started off with the participants rummaging through 10 massive sacks of clothing that had been provided by Redress and Friends of the Earth.  Remember the clothes bins that can be found in parks and certain streets of HK...yep...that is where the clothes for the shoot came from!  the rules for the shoot was that everything apart from the shoes we wear had to come from the donations.  We could not wear any jewellery that we brought ourselves.  Not having the option to accessorize is a problem as I do believe that accessories DO finish off an outfit.  Another problem for me was that it was hard to find garments which would fit me...especially my bottom half.  I admit it, I am not of model proportions...to be kind to myself, I would describe myself as "curvy".  As most of the garments were "HK-sized", there was a distinct lack of trousers, skirts or dresses that would fit.  I managed to find a bright pink woolen skirt which I could squeeze over my generous hips so I really was restricted to basing my look around the skirt.  In the end, I bit the bullet and just went all out with the colour and patterns.  I recently have discovered that I love prints but even I was a little bit shocked at my final choices of clashing polka dots and bright neon colours.  Thank goodness I brought my bright yellow 5bee shoes as a potential pair for the shoot.  Carla Layne, make up artist extraordinaire kindly volunteered her time and skills to do our make up for us and Sabrina Sikora was our photographer.  With such garish colour combinations, I really could not be subtle so channeled Patsy and Edwina from the comedy Absolutely Fabulous..."it is LACROIX darling...LACROIX!!"

Watching the uber professional and gorgeous Elle Lee and Jasmine Webster made me a little bit nervous.  I had thought after watching so much America's Next Top Model that I would be ok in front of the camera.  However, (unfortunately for me!) once Sabrina started snapping...my mind went completely blank.  It did take me a few shots before I warmed up and then a SUPERMODEL was born...actually may be not.  I think I did every cheesy pose you could think of.  Thank goodness I was in the safe hands of Sabrina.  I have to admit that I did enjoy my moment in front of the camera though I definitely do not think I will be fronting any campaigns in the near future (though M&S if you ever need a curvy Chinese girl to wear your clothes, I might reconsider that...)

My favourite looks were Bryant Lee rocking some skinny jeggings, Clare's elegant ballet like take of a tunic dress, Jasmin rocking a parka and mini shorts (with fierce thigh high boots!!) and Vanessa's use of a coat to make a skirt.  (Vanessa is a true DIY guru!)

So....

TADA.....

Here is the finished product...

A Close Up of ME.....

Check out all the looks on Redress' facebook page.

Bliss Me or Bliss Me Not?...Part 1

It was with a lot of trepidation that I emailed Jasmine Webster, stylist and blogger extraordinaire to volunteer myself to be one of the bloggers to blog about this month's Style Summit sponsor BLISS.  For the people who know me and especially my poor despairing mother, I am no beauty buff.  In fact, I could be considered a bit of a slob with regards to beauty products and make up etc.  (To my mortification, my mum gleefully will tell anyone that it was amazing if I brushed my hair before I went out and that she still wonders if I brush my hair when I go out now....Mum the answer is yes, I do.)

So I gather up my courage and my octopus card and head to Admiralty to the Bliss counter at LAB Concepts.

Bliss Counter at LAB Concepts

I approach the bright and cheerful counter with a slight amount of fear but I need not have worried.  Bliss is an iconic skincare, spa, body products brand and is famous for its facial and spa treatments at some of the uber cool hotels in the world.  (They supply the amenities for the W Hotel in HK by the way...)

Bliss Products which can be found in all rooms of W Hotel HK

I was greeted by the extremely friendly staff who offered me a mentos (I stupidly chose the air waves version which definitely cleared my sinuses...)  I was then introduced to the lovely Bernadette Negri (who will be representing Bliss at the Style Summit on Wednesday) who is extremely friendly and on a side note has the most flawless skin on her legs ever thanks to Bliss products apparently.

Bernadette had already read my blog beforehand so knew that I was a complete ignoramus to the world of beauty products but far from being patronising, she was really lovely and talked through some of the best selling products whilst letting me try them.  She also explained why certain products (though popular like the Fabulous Foaming Face Wash) were not suitable for my skin (I always thought I was oily/combination) in fact my skin is a bit oily, dehydrated and sensitive.  Instead of the Fabulous Foaming Face Wash (which would have been what I would have chosen for myself as it has exfoliating beads and seems easy to use), Bernadette recommended the Clog Dissolving Cleansing Milk which I have to admit felt amazing on my skin.  Also, it apparently has exfoliating effects due to the enzymes in it but unlike the exfoliating beads would not irritate my sensitive skin.  It is also a great make up remover too (sold for me as I prefer as little steps in my "beauty" routine as possible).  I have to admit I was a bit sceptical about these things but the before and after of the cleansing really was visible (OMG, is my face actually usually THAT bad?)

It was at this point that Bernadette presented me with my goody bag or rather my "beauty booty" which contained some of the best sellers: The Youth Anti-Aging Cream, Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Cleansing Foam, Fabulous Every Day Eye Cream, Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask and Lemon & Sage Body Butter.

Some Bliss "Booty"

Bernadette explained that the cleanser in my "booty" was ok for my skin but preferably only in the morning as I probably would need something richer for my skin in the evenings but she then demonstrated the Bliss powerhouse product the Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask...now even I had heard about this mask.  Apparently, a go to product for celebrities and people who need a quick brightening up of the skin before a big event, this pretty much gives you a glow in the space of a few minutes.  The gel like formula foams up pretty quickly and rests likely on the skin and once rinsed off, my skin did emanate a wee bit more of a beauty glow.  I was also allowed to try out the Steep Clean Pore Purifying Mask which is good for blackheads and blocked pores (errr I think I might have to add this to my to buy list) which is a blue and yellow gel which mixes together to make a green gel (I remembered my primary school lessons about mixing colours, my art teacher would be so proud!) which is another mask that feels relatively light on the skin.  Apparently, for a real professional facial effect, it is good to use the Steep Clean and then the Triple Oxygen but two masks no matter how quick might be a bit TOO much of a big ask for me.

At this point, Bernadette asked me if there was anything I would really like to try and I made a bee line towards the anti-cellulite/slimming creams.  Bernadette let me try the Love Handler (I do love their product names) which felt tingly and the day time cream FatGirl Slim (there is a night time version called FatGirl Sleep).  I did feel a bit mortified when it was quite obvious that even one application made my leg look a lot brighter and glowy looking or as I put it "Oh my leg looks cleaner..."  (I am still mortified at how much of a slob I seem to be!  I do wash I promise!)

Fat Girl Slim????

Bernadette then also let me try the Bliss Hand Cream, now I have always been a big fan of L'Occitaine's Shea Butter hand cream for the richness as I have very dry hands and cuticles but I have to admit that this product was amazing for how little I put on my hands and how light the cream feels.  Even a few hours and a few hand washes after, my hands are still feeling soft and the cuticles still have not dried out yet.  I still have a big tube of the L'Occitaine cream to use but I will definitely be purchasing the hand cream when I run out.  I do like the fact that after application though my hands feel moisturised, I could use my phone straight away without feeling like I had "gloopy" hands which is something I have encountered before with hand cream.

Ok, I think I will sign off for now...there are a couple more bits that I tried out at the counter and a couple more things that were added to my "booty" bag which I need to try out before I post.  I also need to take a rest as all this beauty talk has tired me out....hold on may be it is time for me to go to the Bliss Spa?  Also, I want to check out the products I have been given to see a) how user friendly they are, b) will my sensitive skin be able to handle the products or will I come out in red blotches (which has happened with other well-known big brands).  So watch this space...the jury is still out on this question....am I a Bliss girl or not?  To be continued...

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What to wear to a wedding....part 2

In one of my previous posts, I remarked that I did not really know what would be a suitable outfit for attending a Summer wedding.  After reading the fabulous Jasmine Webster's recent article regarding cobalt being a great Summer colour and also after trawling through some past pictures, I found an old picture of me wearing a cobalt dress from my old love Marks and Spencer.  It was a fitted dress with shawl like draping at the front to give it a little bit of pep.  I still have in my closet and I do believe that this dress will stand up to the fickleness of fashion.  It is a classic enough shape that will make it good for another wedding (may be not with the same circle of friends) or even going to a nice restaurant.  I do wish Marks and Spencer would concentrate on their strengths such as making good dresses for the High Street lover.  I had compliments from other guests about the dress and they did not believe it was from Marks and Spencer.  I do love it when that happens as Marks and Spencer is not really renowned for its "fashion".  Apologies in advance as I had to do some rough cropping as my friend did not want to be pictured on my blog....(I don't know why, should she not feel honoured?  :P)

Dress by Marks and Spencer, Silver Watch by Rolex, Sunglasses by Coach