That little extra red thing

Now this is what I call travelling in style.

Nicole Kidman at Heatrow Airport

Fashion or function?

Packing for a one week skiing holiday and the weather forecast says it will be down to -20 degrees... brrr. The question is - fashion or function? Will I even stick my nose out the door if it is that cold?

While I am struggling with the packing - enjoy some Aspen glamour according to Kate Hudson.

The perfect Christmas dress

Tonight I would like to wear the Glisten dress from Temperley London.

Merry Christmas!

I am on Christmas break enjoying the snow (and cold..) in the very north of Sweden. I hope you will all have a nice and relaxing Christmas!

Vol de Jour

Chanel Spring-Summer 2010 Pre-collection short film by Karl Lagerfeld.

One Vintage

One of the most interesting fashion brands right now is One Vintage. Marcelle Symmons, previously at Paul & Joe UK Boutiques, is the woman behind the brand that restores old vintage pieces from the 19th century to the 1970s. The pieces are really beautiful and in fact unique, and despite the high-end price point (dresses are in the price range from €1000 up to €2000) everything immediately sells out as soon as it arrives at Net-a-Porter.

One Vintage Marnie dress, €2206 at www.net-a-porter.com

A single man

Tom Ford, fashion designer and now also movie director, seems to have created one of the biggest film successes this year (three Golden Globe nominations). I think there are few people in the fashion industry as talented as Tom Ford. Apparently, after leaving Gucci as chief designer in 2004 he got some sort of existential crisis. Luckily crisis often breed creativity and obviously the decision to enter the movie business was a good one. I personally cannot wait for the movie to appear in cinemas over here.

Women and shoes

Am I the only one who thinks that the obsession that women supposedly have about shoes is a bit exaggerated? Like this survey; 92 percent of women remember the first pair of shoes they bought for their own money but only two out of three remember the first guy they kissed. I personally do not remember any of it. But maybe the shoes (and the guy?) were so ugly that I do not want to recall them? Check out the full story here.

Luxurious work bag

Probably the best work bag in the world. Roma Intrecciato leather tote by Bottega Veneta.

Budget flowers

If you plan a trip to the sun or just want to add some summery colours to your wardrobe then grab this flowery dress from H&M. You can also check it out here, worn by the always so gorgeous Sofi.

The new politically correct Posh

Whatever happened to private jets and Fendi furs? Maybe Victoria Beckham has been enlightened as we enter a new decade? This weekend she was seen taking the Eurostar from Paris to London wearing a faux fur gilet. Good for her.

This week's favourite

If I had €2000 laying around, I would go for a leather puff-sleeve jacket from Giambatista Vialli. Available at www.net-a-porter.com

Real or fake?

Swedish journalists are speculating whether Crown Princess Victoria's dress is a copy of an Elie Saab dress. I would assume it is a version of the real dress, made by Elie Saab. No designer with integrity would create such an identical dress, or?

I hope the Royal family will make a statement and clear things out...

Science, culture and fashion

December 10th is not only a celebration to prominent people in culture and science, it is also a big fashion moment in Sweden. I am definitely not the only one waiting excitingly to see what dresses the female part of the Royal family have chosen for the Nobel Prize ceremony. This year our Crown Princess Victoria really shows what a princess should look like.

Today's look

Effortlessly chic à la Kate Hudson.

Hot dresses

Victoria Beckham's clothing range is so popular that it sells out as soon as it arrives at Net-a-Porter. But are the dresses so popular that people even have to steel them before they even arrive in stores? Well maybe, at least according to the latest event. Check out the story here.

New favourite store

You just have to love stores like this one. A tiny place (has been in business for 100 years) selling sewing materials on a side street in the centre of town. They definitely have Stockholm's best assortment of ribbons, buttons, threads, etc. I will be back there, often!

Crazy horses on a crazy Monday

Right now I would like to put my stuff in Mulberry's Crazy Horses Pouch.

Available at www.mulberry.com

Welcome to "The Office"

Weekend is coming up and only a few more hours of work today. I will be sitting here tomorrow morning again though (no rest until Christmas...). But before that I will enjoy dinner with a long time friend at this place.

On picture: Tidy office and a few toiles

Cat Burglar Barbie by Christian Louboutin

A must for every fashion loving Barbie girl.


Available at www.net-a-porter.com

Spring comes early this time...

Where I live, temperature has just dropped below zero degrees but in many online stores the Spring/Summer 10 pre-collections are arriving. For you who are lucky enough to live in a warm place or are planning to spend the holidays in the Caribbean, there are many nice and colourful pieces out there. Like this dress from RM by Roland Mouret's Rainbow collection. For more pieces from the same collection, check out here.

Cover girl

Lady Gaga as you may have never seen her before. Nice.

Sonia Rykiel for H&M

I am still a bit skeptic to all the Designer X for Retail chain Y lines but I will give the Sonia Rykiel for H&M a shot. My favourites are the striped nightslip and the pink silk dress. Not that I have a clue when to use the latter one, maybe a bit too much of The House of Eliott?

Still going strong

Black + white

Black and white, simple yet elegant. Wear a black jacket with a white skirt or the other way around, or wear black leggings with a white dress. Our Crown Princess Victoria (on picture) mixes a black scarf with a white coat for that royal elegance.

All I want for Christmas

Watching one of my favourite romantic comedies on TV - The American President. The only thing missing for a perfect Monday evening is this cashmere dress from Vince. I hope Santa reads my blog.

Available at www.mrsh.se

Gambling à la Hermès

The perfect Christmas present to a Poker loving partner? To me it seems like the best reason so far for finally learning how to play Texas Hold'em...

Buy it at www.hermes.com

When you realize that you are midlife - evidence no 1

Trendy twenty-somethings wear accessories that were hip in your own twenty-something.

Picture stolen from Emma.

Fashion for Dummies

A few advises on how to be happy with your outfit every time you get dress from Jill Martin, author of Fashion for Dummies:

1. Only wear it if you'd be psyched if the ex-boyfriend who dumped you ran into you while you were wearing it.

2. Only wear it if it makes you feel confident enough to ace a job interview.

3. Only wear it if it stand out just enough to get you noticed. While you might not want to scream, "Look at me!" in a fire engine-red dress, you don't have to wear only head-to-toe black either. Try adding some color as an accent with a scarf, or some great jewelry, or even metallic shoes or a unique bag for a change.

4. Only wear it if you're comfortable that it's exactly as you see yourself. Wearing pants when you really feel more comfortable in skirts or dresses (or vice versa) just to change up your wardrobe is not necessary. You know what you feel and look good in, and it's okay to stick with that look.

5. Only wear it if the fabric feels soft on your skin. Don't wear it if it's at all itchy because it'll distract you and make you uncomfortable all day.

6. Only wear it if it's going to keep you warm enough. Showing some skin is sexy, but in the winter, try a sexy neckline instead of bare arms.

7. Only wear it if it fits you properly. If it's too big or too small, it won't flatter your figure and you'll be trying to adjust yourself all day. Again, distracting and uncomfortable!

8. Only wear it if it doesn't make you look like you tried too hard. While it's important that everything you're wearing goes well together, you don't want to look too matchy-matchy. Avoid matching your shoes to your belt to your bag to your hair accessories.

9. Only wear it if its appropriate for the location, activity, or venue. There's no need to wear high heels to the company picnic. Not only will you look out of place, but you won't be able to participate in any of the day's events.

10. Only wear it if it represents your generation, meaning you don't look like you're wearing your mother's clothes - or your daughter's for that matter. Just because micro-minis are in for the teen set does not mean that you should necessarily follow that trend.

Today's look

Glad to see Catherine Zeta Jones in classic Hollywood glamour style.

Pretty in pink

Today I found this cutting from a fashion magazine in 2004. Five years later I still love this pink satin dress by Swedish designer Per Engsheden. I hope he will make our Crown Princess' wedding dress.

White wedding

The fall 2010 wedding collection from Temperley London, dress design in perfection.

This week's favourite

Right now I would like to colour up gloomy November with a multicoloured dress. Two favourites are the graphic printed silk dress from 3.1 Phillip Lim and the multicoloured sleeveless dress from Paul Smith Black. For the office, wear it with a black cardigan or a blazer like this one from Theory.

3.1 Phillip Lim dress available at www.net-a-porter.com and Paul Smith Black dress available at www.my-wardrobe.com

Temporary break

Sorry readers, buzy week so I need to take a break from the blog but will be back again next week.

Meanwhile, most talked about outfit in the fashion world - Daphne Guiness wearing the Alexander McQueen Alien shoes the other day. For more of Daphne's shoe outfits, check out here.

Today's look

Great way of spicing up a classic outfit with a cool biker jacket. I love it!

Today's dream outfit

"Bohemian ultra-chic"

On picture: Burberry flared jeans, Vince oversized silk blouse, Miu Miu platform sandals and ring from Yves Saint Laurent

Plastic fantastic

If you want to stay with one of the latest trends but your budget is a bit more limited than Jennifer Aniston's (Rolex Milgauss), then check out the black plastic watches from Triwa. Fun, stylish and available for around €100.

Clockwise from left: Triwa Carbon Dandy, Triwa Rose Dandy, Triwa Stealth Calibre and Triwa Carbon Gold, available at http://www.triwa.com/

Looking good in the piste

I just booked this season's first, and hopefully not last, ski trip over New Years. I would REALLY like a new ski jacket but my conscience says no (note: three different outfits are already hanging in my closet). Still I had to cruise around the web page of one of my favourite ski brands, Peak Performance. So for all of you out there looking for a new piste outfit, here are my favourites:

On picture: Women's Black Light Down Jacket, Women's Air Down Jacket and Women's Supreme Stretch Pants

Mens coats

A basic coat is a good investment for your work wardrobe. Maybe not that exciting but really wearable. I like these two from Joseph and Calvin Klein since the colours make them feminine despite the masculine cut.

Red coat from Joseph and camel coat from Calvin Klein Collection

OMG

Something for New Year's Eve? Maybe if you are Beyonce... or Tina Turner?

On picture: Hervé Léger's metal pailette-embellished bandage dress

It's all in the details

One fashion detail I really like now is the bow, as seen here on Olivia Palermo.

What, How and When?

There are a lot of books out there on how you can improve the way you dress. If you are interested in some reading, here are some books I can recommend (I have ranked them in case you wonder where to start!):

Step 1: What Not to Wear: The Rules, by Susannah Constantine and Trinny Woodall

Basic level. The authors give advice on how to dress according to your body shape, e.g. what to wear if you have big arms, short legs or no boobs.

Step 2: Who What Wear: Celebrity and Runway Style for Real Life, by Hillary Kerr and Katherine Power (the creators of the website WhoWhatWear.com)

The book gives ideas on where to look for inspiration, how to interpret runway fashion into everyday dressing and what to wear for different occasions. The author also write about which wardrobe pieces you should invest in and where you can save, and which styles that work for your particular shape.

Step 3: I Love Your Style: How to Define and Refine Your Personal Style, by Amanda Brooks

Amanda Brooks describes in detail how to go about finding your own personal style; bohemian, classic, minimal, etc.

Happy reading!

Power dressing

I watched an old episode of Dynasty the other day and started wondering whatever happened to power dressing? In the absence of Alexis Carrington in the media, it is great to see that Anna Wintour's style is almost as sharp as the 80's icon. She may be as bitchy as well, but in the documentary The September Issue she appears more like a really professional, goal oriented and focused person. A great inspiration as a business woman.

This week's favourite

I would not mind having these in my wardrobe, the Yazata patent shoes from swedish Whyred. Available at www.whyred.se

When the temperature drops

One good investment for your wardrobe is a cardigan. Use it as substitute for the suit jacket in the office, or casual with jeans. It also works great for a dinner out with a skirt or dress, especially if you live in cold places like myself...

These are some of my favourites right now:

On picture from left: Black cardigan from By Malene Birger (www.net-a-porter.com), light grey cardigan from Sonia by Sonia Rykiel (www.mrsh.se), jeweled cardigan from Tory Burch (www.net-a-porter.com) and wool sweater from Moschino (www.net-a-porter.com)

Budget party pieces

During November and December, many of you have a high season for dinner - and cocktail parties. If you want to recycle last year's dress, a good idea is to pay a visit to your local H&M store.

In their stores now you can find several nice sequined jackets that you can use both with a plain wool or silk dress, or with a skirt and top. They also have nice sequin leggins, perfect for wearing under a plain mini dress or tunic dress. But hurry up - as with everything nice at H&M it runs out of stock really quickly.

If you feel like adding a bit of extra glamour, have a look at their fake furs. Some look really cheap but this black one works perfectly for winter parties.

All clothes from H&M

This week's favourite

On my wish list this week is this coat from Paul Smith. Maybe not the most practical one if you need to fit a jacket under but still a really classical coat.

On picture: Paul Smit Full Skirt Coat, £1,450. Available at www.harrods.com