Starting over

Latest update: my friend dolphinella has suggested a new name for the Dress Jungle blog, which (surprisingly!) was still available for obtaining an URL at Blogspot! So I took a chance and reserved it. Thus, in the nearest future, as soon as I've won the fight against all settings, I will move to "The wardrobe is not enough" blog!

The paradigm for this new name was of course the well-known Bond movie "The world is not enough". We decided it is quite suitable for my blog as it stands for both typical situations when your wardrobe (t.i. your closet) is not enough for your stuff and when your wardrobe (t.i. your clothes) is not enough for your needs ;)

On top of this, the "wardrobe is not enough" can also be interpreted as a fact that just a wardrobe (whichever meaning) is not enough for your life. Which resembles the vast variety of things I am interested in and which may appear as "off-topics" among the usual fashion stuff.

Savvy Friday

So one day you open your closet and you see you have nothing to wear!
Got nothing to wear?! Like seriously, girl?

Think twice and instead of spending money on the shopping tour that evening, devote this time to some simple activities to "revive" your wardrobe:

• The first thing to do in such situation: do the laundry! Make sure you have all your clothes washed; especially the delicate ones that require a hand- or separate wash and thus have been staying in a laundry box for a while.
• Next step: do the ironing! Is there a nice dress hanging uselesly on the rack just because it requires a proper ironing which you never have time for in the mornings? Spend an hour on that "sophisticated" ironing now!
• Third thing: mend the clothes needing it! Sew back the torn button or replace the missing bead. You shall be pleased with your household skills!
• Dig deeper! Tidy up the mess in your closet, especially in the accessories drawers and you might find some well hidden gem!
• Practicality. Think whether you need some specific accessory to wear that look. Might be the only reason you're not putting that gorgeous dress on is that it requires a strapless bra underneath... Or are you missing low-waist tights to put on that leather skirt with a cropped top?
• Mix&match! Take a close look at your old wardrobe basics like e.g. tops and skirts. Maybe this season trends are offering great ideas for new styles' and colours' combinations, which you've never thought of before?
• Final touch. It is not a secret that a single accessory is able to refresh the whole look. Actually the cheapest accessory I can think of is a nail polish! Go grab yourself some bright neon shade and rock it out! ;)

 

ASOS order on Valentine's eve

These are the dresses which yesterday were given a chance to land in my wardrobe ;)

 

• Numph printed silk dress (out of stock @ ASOS) €40.46
• Minimum chain print tunic dress €51.24
•  Warehouse sequin fit&flare dress €34.39

 

As you probably can see from the pastel colours, I am totally in the spring mood :)

St. Valentine

Still hesitating to say "I love you"?
Or haven't found a present yet?
Here is a solution for both troubles:

(heart) printed black&white trench coat by Numph

 

Similiar to Carolina's



Fashionista under magnifier

Really like this caricature by Gatis Sluka!

(it says: credit)

Classic situation in every fashionista's life :)

Paul & Joe's Midsummer Night

Tempted by the Chic&Cheerful's review I pampered myself with another beauty purchase today. I thought it was a good chance to try some "luxury" cosmetic brand I usually cannot afford, as several Paul & Joe products were on sale at Asos.

Enchanted with this campaign image, sweet packaging and my own fantasy about the Midsummer Night (collection name), I purchased the nail laquer and the lip gloss seen in the picture below.

Considering this was more than 50% saving and these should be just right for spring/summer season - not bad at all... Pity I have to wait for two weeks now before I am actually able to lay my hands on these...

 

ASOS order summary

Here's a preview of my recent order from Asos; expected to arrive by the end of next week!

Will update you later on whether something has passed my "quality check" and stayed ;)

"Because I'm worth it!"

Although this morning I got up 2 hours befor the planned departure, I did miss my bus in the usual manner anyway... I was ready to start crying because of my bad luck and miserable life, but in the end managed to persuade myself to calm down and think positively.

That's how I got the idea to spend 15 mins before the next bus arrives in Drogas store and finally buy that L'oreal Color Riche lipstick I'd been thinking of for a while... Not that I needed a lipstick; but there were severals facts taken into consideration:

• when was the last time I bought a lip-stick (not -gloss)?.. I bet it was more than 10 years ago, when I had some (awful) mother-of-pearl lipstick from Dzintars, which I was using as an eyeshadow as well :) Since then I was totally into glosses.
• lipsticks are just so "in" now!
• I ran out of my lip balm, so needed some kind of moisturizer anyway,
• the main thing of course was that L'oreal's ethernal motto cosmetic bag, coming along with every Color Riche lipstick ;)
• and finally: "Beause I'm worth it!" :)

I've chosen a sophisticated shade No. 379 "Sensual Rose", which is something shimmering beige with golden pink touch. And I like the way it spreads, feels soft and leaves lips moisturised thanks to E vitamin.

So whether you need (or you think you need) a lipstick - hurry up to Drogas! The offer is valid till the end of February (you get a free cosmetic bag when purchasing a Color Riche lipstick (currently 5,93 Ls) and some other L'oreal cosmetic product).

Mari tote



Accessorize Mari tote in pink coral, £ 39.00 

No wonder this cutie has become Accessorize bestselling bag!
My heart skipped a bit when we first met in September'12; "Mari" was jade green back then...

This season it is available in 9 different trendy colours. You just need to choose one... or do you? ;)

Red rose ring

Pampered myself with this romantic red rose ring from Accessorize yesterday.
I mean St. Valentine day is coming and I am just soo in love with myself ;)
Available online for 4,90 Eur.

Ah yes and there was another ring... Same design, but in pale rose shade... Discounted to 1,70 Eur... Try to guess the end of this story ;)

Flowers on my mind

This lilac floral skirt by Guess Marciano caught my attention in January Vogue. Perfect officewear for spring! Buy one here

Meanwhile I ordered this floral pencil skirt by Rare... not that similar, but you ger the idea, right? :)

 

Grab yourself one here, while it is currently on sale for 33 Eur.

Winter lace

 Here

Got this cream dress with a lace bodice and a shiny tulip skirt as a Christmas present and am thinking to wear it to the party on Saturday.
After all, white lace is not meant for summer only, is it?
If you disagree - take a look around at all the frozen nature patterns ;)

I am thinking to pair it with high black boots to minimize the "sweet ballerina" effect.
And I think I need some contrasting accessories too...

Ligh blue lace

 

Inspired by this "lightweight" spring look by Chiara I have paid some extra attention to this pale blue lace coat from Monton's new collection.

It is so fresh and feminine! Simply adorable!

montonfashion.com

 

Looks like pale blue is an obligatory colour for the upcoming spring!

Plum pants

Yesterday I finally got my hands on this top I had been watching since last autumn.

I understand that even the reduced price of 20 lvl/ 30 eur was high for its questionable quality, but let's say I was blinded by its brightness ;)

I came to Monton on purpose to buy that top, but spontaneously bought the pants too.
These are high waist tousers; "tulip" style at the hips and slim calfs; with black atlas ribbon. The sophisticated colour of the fabric comes from the tiny black and plum purple checks.
The composition of fabric is 70% polyester with 25% viscose.
Great choice for "business casual"!

 

Pictures from montonfashion.com

Because these were the last pair, the price was reduced as low as 10 lvl/15 eur. So I had to squeeze into size 34, which surprisingly I did quite well ;)
 

Sport flirting

 

I've been playing squash every now and then for 1,5 years and I thought I had thus earned some new outfit. So in December I bought myself a plain pink tennis skirt with a clear conscience.

 

And guess what?! There was no twinge of conscience either, when only a month later I purchased another tennis skirt! Because it was this sexy ruffled skirt by Nike. I grabbed the last M size hanging among the dozen of L's and couldn't put it back...

 

Pure Lolita-style seduction! ;) For just 23 Eur/16 Lvl it was too good to miss!

P.S. the belly and the legs on the pics aren't mine. I actually believe my legs look better...xoxo.. ;)

Floral dreams

 

... Because you have to be in trend even when you're sleeping ;)

Couldn't pass by this romantic night dress with bright roses made of pure cotton flannel.

Search for it in Lindex stores. Current price - around 9 Eur,/ 6 Lvl  

Another "Hermès" bag

... By saying I've managed to spend my holiday without buying a single thing... well, I didn't mean I came home with the empty hands... But as my vacation destination was Morocco, and this little sin I am about to confess happened on my way back in Brussels, it doesn't particulary count, does it? ;)

Anyway, we were strolling along the streets of a nice residential part of Bussells, built at the the laste decade of 19th century, when we spotted a second-hand shop on the corner. We decided to come in and have some fun looking, especially cause it was a chilly outside ;)

So I ended up purchasing this aaamazing bag! I really don't care it is not Hermès; neither is it a genuine leather... To me it is a real gem! Classy vintage bag of a fine quality in eternal navy colour with gold details... Wanna hear the best part? 5,- Euro price! I would have paid much more!

 Ah yeah, could not resist this cream/gold vintage necklace either... Look at that clasp!

Polka dot gloves

Now that was quick!
How long does it usualy take you to buy a new pair of gloves?
I was done in 3 minutes.

Purchased these retro chic leather gloves with flock polka dots (love them!)  from Accessorize for just 10,- Eur!

 Veni, vidi, vici - 'I came, I saw, I conquered'/ Caesar :)

Oasis coat

Accidently came across this picture of me wearing my favourite lightweight coat by Oasis. When the spring comes I definetly have to devote a photosession to it and write down it's story.

 



Flowers & skulls

Ok, feels like I do want this bangle after all...Even despite the fact it is a bit clumsy on...
Somehow that combination of flowers, skulls and diamante (read: life, death and diamonds ;) is quite catching. Or is it beacause of the neon colours?!...
Well, never mind... Just grab yourself one at Zara; sale price 3,95 Lvl ;)

Marimekko cocktail

Here is a retrospective sneak peak at the Marimekko exibition, which I visited in Riga just before Christmas:

Although the exibition wasn't large (you could see it in half an hour) and the world of Marimekko wasn't new to me (guys, I was living in Finland for a year ;) I am still impressed by these crazy patterns! The colour cocktail is very bright and juicy and the 50-60s' lines are so "wearable"! :)

Currently this exibition is "visiting" Tallinn. 

Bik Bok

Whilst searching for a Y2013 organizer yesterday, I dropped in a few shops I usually don't go to; Bik Bok amongst those.

I still percieve Bik Bok as a "fashion dream destination" for teenage girls, as it was one of the first mass-market clothes' brands coming to Latvia at the end of the 90's. At the time I was around 15, Bik Bok labeled piece was something veeery cool.

I remember coming to Bik Bok with my classmates and dreaming we could have all these clothes; and the grey beaded top at the price of appr. 45,- Eur I dared to ask my parents about, but never got; and the parrot-embroidered top the stylish chick from another class wore; and the brown velvet pants I got from my parents for Christmas; and each single piece I purchased from Bik Bok after my first working summer...

Scanned picture of me wearing BikBok top & trousers in 2002 :D

So yesterday I got the same impression: inexpensive "glam rock" clothes for younger girls...

However I did spot one seductive 'tight corset-puffy skirt" dress in navy-bright floral pattern, which in fact looked so chic on, I decided that although I don't need it, for the price of 19,- Eur I should have it! (Well, if only I manage to find my size in some other shop, huh...)

 

 Here

Y2013

Hi there! After more than a month's break I am back to my blog and hoping that in 2013 we'll become even more close ;)

I spent this New Year's Eve in the most unusual way: with Berber peopler in Sahara desert, African starry sky above me and the Latvian Christmas tree by my side :) So I really hope the rest of this year would be as exciting as its beginning was!

During my 3 weeks trip, which was quite Sparta-style in terms of conditions, there was basicaly no room for fashion, as the clothes I wore were entirely about functionality (although I was quite selective picking up my rafting outfit ;)

And due to the fact I am not quite attracted by ethnic garments and jewellery, I suceeded not to buy a single thing* during the whole journey. After my comeback I spent 10 days on a sick leave, staying home without even internet connection... So now I am finally "operational" again and can't wait to head to the shopping mall in the evening!

*terms and conditions apply ;)