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.

Pick Up a P.P.P.P...PEPLUM...

Ok, first of all I apologise for the extremely cheesy title.  I don't know what has gotten into me?  I am already sniggering to myself and thinking I am so witty....NOT!! Secondly, I admit it, I am behind with the fashion times and am not that fashion adventurous.   Thirdly, I admit to being a wee bit wary of the peplum trend.  I know that it is supposed to help give you a waist but still I am a little bit scared of adding extra material in the hip/waist area.  I am already tubby enough....do I need anything extra?  Hmm...

Zara has introduced the peplum belt which would be an easy and versatile way of incorporating the trend however, I am such a lazy person that unless I need to, I don't really like belts.  I could wax lyrical about how I like to remain minimalist in my style bla bla bla...but unfortunately for my fashionista credibility, it really is just a case of sheer sloth-like laziness.

A lot of the high street have peplum skirts, tops and dresses.  Marco Visconti designer Andrea Chan wore a great little peplum suit which was very flattering.  Gok Wan's newest range for Sainsbury is full of dresses with peplums.  It really is a case of what was hot on the runway being filtered down to the high street.  You know it is a trend when high street stores such as Marks and Spencer is full of peplum sporting clothes.  I was actually quite shocked by the variety on offer...

So here are my top M&S choices...

Love the green brocade fabric and looks great with thick black tights.  I would wear this with a nice cozy black cardigan.  Another possibility would be to wear a skinny black turtleneck underneath the dress.

This feels more summery to me but I love the pale colour of this dress and the cute polka dot print.  Definitely an option for spring wedding outfits.  I also would like to try it with black tights for the winter to give it a retro vibe.

Gorgeous rich purple colour which would be great for the Winter months.   I like the fitted pencil skirt style of this dress.  Nothing too outrageous and a nice "safe" alternative to the LBD.

The colour does scream "Look at ME!"  but it is a cute little dress.

Nice little tweed skirt, very reminiscent of Burberry's Winter collection.

Separates give you some variety, you could pair this top with a pencil skirt or like this pic, with a leather skirt (great for Winter!) or even some skinny trousers.  Am a little bit wary of buying this top online as the proportions look a little bit funny.  I would definitely want to try this on before buying...

So after all this talk about being cautious of the peplum, this is the one dress I own which has a peplum...

Gorgeous colourful print which is a tribute to DVF.  It is a vintage dress I bought from Etsy...surprisingly quite easy to wear.  However, when I first tried it on, I was a bit self-conscious and thought I was rocking the 80s tribute a bit too much!  I called it my Dynasty dress (thank goodness I removed the shoulder pads!)

Me trying on said dress and having my "Dynasty" moment...

*belt from Polkadot Boutique, shoes from 5bee

**all M&S dresses are currently available on www.marksandspencer.com.  All pictures are from the M&S website.  The picture of my dress is courtesy of an Etsy seller...

Dotty for polka dots...

Have been looking at my recent purchases and have realised another two trends in my wardrobe...

First of all, I seem to be loving the romper/jumpsuit.  Though a bit annoying when one needs to go to the ladies to "powder one's nose", it is a great alternative to wearing a dress.  There is something quite glam about putting on a great jumpsuit.  A classic black is a great basic canvas where a person can accessorize to their heart's content.  The romper which I would classify as the shorts version can make a great casual outfit. Also there is such a great sound to the word "romper", it just implies to me of great freedom and great joy!

The romper/playsuit can come in a great variety of forms and patterns as I have discovered recently.  Etsy once again is my go to place to search for pieces.  I am such a fan of vintage as it really means you can find articles of clothing which are almost unique and is a great way of buying designer without necessarily paying the designer prices.  Where else can you find a DVF blouse for around 300HKD?  Or a piece of Valentino for less than 500HKD?

Anyway back to the second obsession that I seem to have picked up....I seem to have gone absolutely dotty over polka dots.  A classic pattern which always seems to be a pick me up when I am in a bit of a grump.  There is something totally girly and cheerful about those little dots.  The red and white combination is obviously classic Minnie Mouse.

Anyway, to prove my current tendencies towards the dot...

Evidence for the prosecution #1

My comfy cotton floral dotty romper.  Seems to have been a staple of mine over the summer.  I have recently posted pictures of me wearing it in my epic fail at outfit posts.  Have been wearing it with sandals but have also dressed this romper up with my 5bee yellow shoes and yellow straw bag.

Evidence for the prosecution #2

I am waiting for the autumn/winter months to wear this dress but it is a classic navy and white dot combination.  I love the high neckline and the mix of dot colours with the edging being the opposite colour combination than the actual body of the dress.  Once again an Etsy purchase.

Evidence for the Prosecution #3

This actually is one of my favourites right now...going back to my youth with the slightly culottes style bottoms (am so untrendy I know but I would like to call it retro)...these shorts are kind of my ode to my "youth".  Extremely versatile as you can see by the picture.  Great for work when you don't know what you want to wear during the week and don't want to be always wearing the exact same outfit.  It is definitely 3 outfits for the price of one!

Evidence for the Prosecution #4

My Miami Vice kind of jacket.  It is quite 80s in style and when I describe the jacket, people look at me as if I am crazy: jacket with flowers and stripes and polka dots....hmmmm....but great when wearing all black underneath.

Evidence for the Prosecution #5

My Minnie Mouse moment....a red and white polka dot romper.  I like the handkerchief detail which gives it a bit of a dandy look.  I think I need to take the shoulder pads out as it is a bit too "Dynasty" otherwise.

Evidence for the Prosecution #6

Another navy dress with white polka dots.  The style is very lady like and reminiscent of the brown and white dress that was worn by Julia Roberts at the polo match in Pretty Woman.  I could see it being a potential attending-a-polo-match outfit if I ever attend another Cartier polo event.

Evidence for the Prosecution #7

The reverse colour combination of the previous dress.  This is something similar to the shorts set I mentioned earlier on in its flexibility.  Another 3 outfits for the price of one I think as the top can go with plain trousers or a plain skirt and the skirt can go with a plain top.  The third choice being wearing both at the same time for a dress look.  The sloth side of me is rejoicing as it means less need to think about what to wear (yes, there is a reason for my unfulfilled dream of being a fashionista!)  Once again, shoulder pads will be taken out as they seriously give me the Dynasty feel  - either that or the American football player look.

Evidence for the Prosecution #8

Am really looking forward to receiving this in the post.  Palazzo pants style jumpsuit in navy with white dots.  It looks really comfortable yet could be dressed up quite easily with a great pair of shoes and a nice clutch.

The prosecution rests...

The defence enters a plea of not guilty by reason of being dotty over polka dots...And I am in great company...check out Yayoi Kusama and the collaboration with Louis Vuitton!

Life is not always a bunch of roses....

A bit of a downward spiral right now in my mood which is reflected in my lack of writing inspiration.  Been trying to take some pics on my phone for outfit posts...EPIC fail!!!  I admire the bloggers who can take such impeccable self portraits....whilst looking uber fashion forward.  Will out myself with my pathetic attempts at outfit posts!!

Anyway, first outfit was taken on the way into work on a Saturday.  My first time wearing this vintage dress and I do love it.  My inspiration for this blog title came from this dress.  Love the bold print and the pop of colour in the bright pink.  Maxi dresses are always great and so adaptable.  Thank you etsy!!

Vintage rose printed maxi dress

The second pictures was taken in the toilets of Island Shangrila Hotel....first time wearing my banana shoes from 5bee shoes.  I was wearing one of my current favourite vintage finds which is a flower printed blue romper....super comfy and the faded cotton really makes it a lounge worthy outfit!  Also sporting my summer find....a yellow straw bag from the Salvation Army!!

5bee Shoes and vintage romper

Close up of the weave of the straw bag

Sharp and sweet...lavender and bright yellow whilst waiting for the Dorian Ho show...