Personal stuff: Cats

Or how I got 3 cats after over 20 years of waiting

Hi, it is Kate here. I don’t really blog about my personal life much. Or at all. I can’t say that I am a private person, it’s just I’m not sure anyone wants to read my personal stuff. So this post is sort of an experiment 🙂

So I am totally in love with cats. Since forever. I never had a cat as a child. My dad said that if I brought a kitten home he would flush it down the toilet. So I deemed that too much of a risk. But you know, when you are a kid and you are denied something you just want it even more, after a while you want it like crazy and soon you are ready to sell your soul to the devil just to get whatever stupid something it is that you want. So I was like that with cats. I tried a lot of things:

Becoming a perfect child, very suddenly:

Doing all the dishes, dusting, helping with cooking, taking out the trash. At the end of the day asking for a cat.

Guilt trip:

Like looking at my dad with my big teary eyes and asking for a tiny little kitten

Focusing my parents minds on the right thing:

Pointing out all possible cats in the street, pointing out things that remotely resemble cats, like small dogs etc just to keep the cat topic going. “oh look a tree! cats love trees!”, “oh look a stationery store! Imagine a cat inside!”, “oh look, my history book, em…cats…don’t forget about cats!”

Being gruesome:

“oh look a homeless guy, he probably ate a cat for lunch today”

Promising the impossible:

“If I get a kitten, I will only ever get A’s in school”

Basically doing all the things that usually work super well if you are my mom persuading my dad to do/buy/fix something.

Unfortunately, none of that had any effect whatsoever on my parents who seemed to have a heart made of ice when it came to cats. So I decided to deal with the issues head on.

First issue was that according to my parents, cats are dirty. I mean, really? A human equivalent of a cat would basically be someone who sleeps 20 hours a day, walks around his home, eats from a bowl and poops in the toilet. Just how dirty can you get doing that???

Second issue:

Cats are aloof and independent. All I can add is “and I respect them for that”. What kind of an issue is that?! I mean it’s not like your cat is gonna slouch in a chair and go: “Hey, I don’t love you and never have. I’m just here for the food” or “I don’t give a tiny rats ass about your problems, figure it out ourself”.

And the last and the most resounding issue was cleaning the litter tray. I did resort to promising the impossible again, which was to train the cat to poop in the actual human toilet or cleaning the litter tray. But nobody bought either of those. Not sure I believed in that myself 🙂

So I ended up with no cat and my dream cat ended up with somebody else, most likely not giving a shit anyway if you look on the bright side.

I attribute my failure to the fact that when I was growing up there were no cute cat pics everywhere and the only cat you saw consistently was the one with bright red eyes hiding in a bush and hissing.

So anyway, now I am a proud owner of 3 lovely cats. My first is a british shorthair called Sulu. And the other two are ragdoll sisters called Millie and Kiara.

I leave you with some cute kitty pics to enjoy 🙂

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After all it is like they say: “Good things come to those who wait”. And it is totally worth it, even if you have to wait for your beautiful kitties for over 20 years.

I would love to see your gorgeous cats, do share their photos with me here or on Instagram!

Buy Now: Shoe-Holic Edition

Raise your hand if you’re a certified shoe lover. (Me!!!)

There’s just something about beautiful footwear that gets our heart pumping a little bit faster. Whether you’re a sneaker head, stiletto die-hard, or a designer shoe collector, everyone has an inner Imelda inside them. Why not indulge in your shoe lust, right? Life is too short for bad shoes.

Here are my top picks of must-have shoes of-the-moment:

A classic pair, white Converse Chuck Taylors, are my top pick for casual days. It is sporty yet still has a hint of youthful prep. There are simply so many ways to style these pristine white Chucks. Versatile and timeless while being comfy too, what more can you ask for?

Up your sneaker game, when you add this multimedia Valentino pair to your street style. Sneakers have just as much fashion cred as heels now and this is certainly evidence of that. The metallic accents, thick sole, and texture contrast is fashion forward and very high fashion.

Lace-up gladiator sandals and slip-on Birkenstock sandals are two of the hottest summer trends. These two trendy sandals will definitely upgrade your summer style and make it all the more chicer. Wear these two must-haves with everything. Maxi dresses, denim cutoffs, overalls, or good old denim; you name it, these two sandals will go with it and make it look oh-so-now.

Chiara Ferragni Espadrilles from LuisaViaRoma

Designed by blogger Chiara Ferragni, these espadrilles are the ultimate in glam summer chic. This is just the pair to add some glitter into your wardrobe.

Tabitha Simmons Perforated Leather Espadrilles from Net-a-Porter

The perforated white leather upgrades the traditional summer staple, espadrille wedges. It looks so fresh in white too. 

Fendi Leather Sandals from Net-a-Porter

Karl Lagerfeld‘s stylish Fendi creature features are the perfect pick-me-up to playfully adorn your feet. These would look especially adorable with a bright pedi.

Jimmy Choo Patent Leather Sandals from Net-a-Porter

You can’t mess with a classic. A patent leather caged sandal easily goes from casual coffee date to cocktail chic summer affair.

Aquazurra Snakeskin Lace Up Sandals from Net-a-Porter

If you’re looking for a pair for girls night out, this is the one for you. The bold pink and red snakeskin pint combined with those sexy straps that go all the way to the ankle, these heels inspire shoe lust for real.

Isabel Marant Leather Slides from MyTheresa

Sporty slides are a major footwear trend. But if you’re not ready to let go part with your glam style, these metallic leather slides from Isabel Marant are meant for you.

Dries Van Noten Sandals from MyTheresa

Exotic animal skin plus color blocking? Count me in. These sandals have a slight wedge heel that make it extra comfortable. The design is ultra modern too. This is a great pick for a summer statement sandal.

What are you waiting for? Ready, set, shop! I know I cannot wait to get my hands (or tootsies, more likely) and some of these gorgeous pairs!

I love luxe

Special Offers Update

See below for the special CODE

Make Singapore 50th Birthday extra special with gorgeous presents for your loved ones or treat yourself!

FORZIERI just notified me of this amazing offer. What you get:

• 20% off new collections
• Free Shipping to Singapore
• Easy returns
• Great Prices
• This offer is for Handbags, accessories, shoes and jewelry
• Brands include Valentino, Sofie Hulme, Marni, Roberto Cavalli, Marc Jacobs and more

Hurry this offer is only available for 3 days!

Expires Friday July 31st at midnight EST.

You VIP code is 756D91

Happy 50th Birthday Singapore!

Style Icon: Emma Stone

Ah, Emma Stone. This girl has style and talent in spades. With a spate of highly successful movies, ranging from Woody Allen films (Magic in the Moonlight) to the Spiderman franchise (as Gwen Stacy) to the critically praised Birdman, Emma Stone has certainly proven her acting skills and her audience appeal. From her debut role in Superbad, she has gone on to conquer Hollywood and even Broadway, where she starred in Cabaret.

Her meteoric rise to the top is not just due to her films, the fans love her relatable personality too. She’s a funny gal who you’d love to share a pizza with. Emma Stone is the quintessential girl-next-door with AMAZING style. Believe me, I had a hard time choosing my favorites since Emma’s style is always on point. Here are my top choices for Emma Stone‘s most iconic fashion moments:

This is next-level red carpet tuxedo dressing. This blazer-dress hybrid with a sheer long skirt and train is evidence of Emma Stone’s bold and brilliant style choices.

How to liven up a pair of jeans? Try it the Emma way, with a graphic striped ruffled blouse and a structured blazer. Don’t forget the classic black heels for extra oomph.

Chanel will always hold you in good stead. Just look at this dreamy and ethereal ensemble from their collection.

One of the best dressed at this year’s Oscars, Emma’s chartreuse sequined Elie Saab gown bowled me over. The color was stunning and an unexpected red carpet choice that certainly paid off.

Wearing pants on the red carpet is a risk, but if there was a girl who could pull it off it’ll be Emma Stone. This Lanvin number is tailored chic with some glam embellishment. J’adore.

Another red carpet risk from Emma that paid off, this Thakoon two-piece set she wore at the Met Gala is minimalist and youthful yet still sophisticated. Pretty in Pink indeed.

Her take on the color blocking trend, combining two tints of red together, is a revelation. Bravo to her stylist.

An all-over print floral dress with maximum coverage, like this D&G number,  can overwhelm a delicate frame, but the pleating and cinched in waist make this look work.

Emma Stone must be a color savant. Hunter Green is an unconventional choice for the red carpet, but the tulle and the silhouette gives this an air of modern romantic glam.

The dress alone is gorgeous. The textured waves and dark red lip is the cherry on top of yet another stellar red carpet moment.

Embellished Erdem makes a strong case for boxy silhouettes and the coordinating set trend.

Black and white. Striped and polka dots. So many good things going on in this outfit.

Simple yet elegant, I love the bold orange stripe on the skirt hem and the nude Valentino Rockstud. However, she did take a risk with this.

This tailored look is positively Annie Hall inspired. What makes the oversized blazer work is the skinny fitted trousers and the ultra chic modern bob.

The leather, the asymmetrical hem plus the asymmetrical ribbon ankle strap shoes; do you need further proof that Emma is red carpet royalty?

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So many looks to love, and so many looks for inspiration. What is Emma Stone going to wear next?

10 must have bags for every fashionista

With such a great range of handbags now available, making a choice is getting ever more difficult. Not only are there a lot of affordable handbag brands that offer high quality, the unaffordable ones like Chanel or Hermes are now more widely available online on the secondary market. You can now find handbags that are in great condition and have all the original packaging.

A true fashionista thinks of handbags as investments she loves, and not just something she carries her things in. And buying a bag is just like deciding on an investment – you gotta do your research, think it through and choose the best.

So here is a list of handbags that qualify as an excellent investment:

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Year round classic in black

You gotta have a go-to bag. In my experience, no matter your style, no matter the budget, you just have to own a classic black handbag. Some things in life are meant to be simple.

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Year round carry-all tote in a neutral color

Your second go-to bag is probably a larger one, like a tote bag, that would fit more stuff. Maybe you wanna bring a sweater with you or just don’t have time to organise everything in the morning – this one will fit an elephant inside and you know it.
This is your carry-all. Get one in a color that works with everything and always look put-together because of it.

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Year round small handbag/clutch

Some outfits just look better with a clutch. Sometimes we are only going down the street and back. And occasionally, us girls don’t need to have so many things with us (VERY occasionally).

Joking aside, a clutch is a must have for your day-to-day life and will help out in many circumstances. So invest a the one you love, make sure it is functional for you and try to keep the color neutral to make your life easier when it comes to putting the outfit together.

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Evening wear: Metallic Clutch

Every fashionista should be able to prepare an evening look in a matter of minutes. Well, it will be hard without a metallic clutch or a small bag.

For a reason still unknown to me, metallic (gold or silver) just seems to match to everything. It looks great with a black suit, equally awesome with a dress and even better with a more casual evening look.

My silver metallic clutch certainly does, it is been doing a great job for years.

Don’t believe me? Try it for yourself.designer 

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Shopping bag

Whether or not you got that neutral color tote or not, your hand will reach out for a large shopping bag eventually. Maybe you will get tired of the neutral color and want something richer or just feel that your tote is too formal. Large shopper is going to come into your life eventually.

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Hands free party bag

The purpose of this bag is one of a purse – to be there when you need it, but not to take up much space and keep your hands free. If you already have a purse with a chain – you have done well.

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Status bag

Image from here.

Sometimes we all need a bit of support from outside. This is the primary reason to invest in a Status bag. Like if you have a super important meeting and want to come off more qualified. Or you just “need to show them”.

What I am talking about here is the most expensive bag on the list, the bag that will have superpowers and it will dictate your status to the outside world.

If you are lucky enough to inherit such a bag like that – fantastic, if not – you gotta get one. Now. Choose the best that you can afford and use it to the fullest.

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Love at first sight bag

Have you even experienced love at first sight? I have. It was the most beautiful bag in the universe. And to this day, I regret not buying it. So learn from my mistake and if ever you see a handbag that gives you butterflies and makes you feel all soft and gooey inside – just get it.

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Neon (or almost neon) bag

If you are a fan of total looks, especially all black or all grey or monochrome you need a little (or big) bright bag. It will make the whole outfit look well put together and add much needed finesse to the look.

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Weekend away bag

Image from here.

Get extra 10% off with a unique SWK code: KATEK10

Ready for a weekend away? You better be! It would be a disaster if a one in a lifetime chance for the most romantic getaway is ruined by “I don’t have a weekend bag situation”. Every girl needs one and that is that.Let me end my post on the wonderful note of a romantic getaway to a beautiful place from your dreams. I wish it materialises in your life very soon!

Why going to the hairdresser can be a pain

Tips on how to make your experience a success

Hairdressing services got to the top of my priority list not so long ago. 

I started going when I was 18, pretty late by anyone’s standards. As most new experiences, I liked it initially. All that attention on your hair, two real people around you (hairdresser and assistant), giving you awesome advice, spraying endless products into your hair and in the end you get a great result. What is not to like?

Well I am much harder to please now.

First of all, I still have a very sensitive scalp. Sometimes I seem to fail to explain it, but basically I feel highly uncomfortable when people touch my head and i feel pain when my hair gets brushed when its wet. That makes at least 10 minutes of the whole experience very substandard. 

Secondly, its hard for me to sit down for 3 hours straight. A lot of the services require you to be there for hours and sitting down for most of the time. Thats not the kind of experience i normally look forward to.

KERASTASE

Another thing is the cost. As much as I appreciate the hard work of the hairdresser I do feel the charges can be through the roof sometimes. Especially in the case of treatments combined with a standard service. $500 bill for hairdressing services can really dampen your mood.

The most important thing – and this is where 99% of the people will agree – the result. I can recall countless times when I have come back from the hairdresser with a thought “that is not what I ordered”.

And last but by no means least – amateurish hairdresser. OK that is a real problem. You dont what untrained or poorly trained people to handle your hair. You might be untrained yourself and handle your own hair every day and your hair is fine. But you don’t perform all those professional services. For those you need skills and your hair needs protection.

So how to avoid all those potential pitfalls and make your experience with the hairdresser enjoyable and successful?

KERASTASE

What should you do before you come to the salon?

1. Do you research on the hairdresser and salon to make sure you are dealing with highly trained professional who knows exactly what they are doing and won’t damage your hair in the process. In other words – Google them. Read bad reviews and see if they seem reasonable. 

2. To achive the best possible result – bring a photo.  Again, Google up whatever hairstyle/color/treatment you want and bring that photo to your hairdresser. Show them exactly what tou want to achive to avoid misunderstandings and disappointments. 

Tip: do not bring several photos! Thats is too confusing for everyone! Make up your mind, choose 1 photo and show it to the hairdresser. If you are doing color and cut you can bring 2 photos – one for each. Make sure to take extra care to expain properly which one is for what.

KERASTASE

3. If you can’t make up your mind and want to seek advice from your hairdresser regarding a new look for yourself, that is fine. However, I personally would not leave it to the hairdresser alone to decide. Do your research on the latest hair trends, coloring techniques etc so you can make the best choice WITH your hairdresser. If you leave it all to the hairdresser and don’t like the end result there is not much you can do to fix it. In some cases you might not be able to fix it for years…

4. Do not come to the hairdresser on an empty stomach or exhausted. You probably will have to be there for a while so it is best if you have eaten. Also being tired and hugry doesn’t help anyone. If you dont have time – grab something on the way there.

At the salon:

5. Be nice to your hairdresser- just trust me on that one. Always pays off.

6. Agree on the price before anything is done. Discuss the prices with your hairdresser, negotiate if you want, but make sure you know the exact amount of your bill from the very beginning.

Living proof

7. If this is the first time with this hairdresser take the time to tell them about your hair. Tell them whether its dry, damaged, tangles, unruly, whether tour scalp is sensitive and that you feel ticklish when you get a head massage. After all – this is supposed to be an enjoyable experience and why not make it easier for the hairdresser to make it so, for you.

8. You don’t actually need to be sitting down all the time. If you are coloring your hair and no heat is required you can easily walk around the salon, go to the bathroom, check out their products or go get a coffee. Try to move around more so you dont feel so exhausted.

9. If you feel uncomfortable for whatever reason, or feel pain – just say it, dont be shy. You are the client and if you want your hair brushed in a different way than it will be brushed a different way.

Living proof

10. In case everything fails and you are unhappy with the end result – tell your hairdresser immediately and schedule a time to fix it. After everything you have done to prepare and explain to the hairdresser what you want – it is your right to get it. So if you haven’t – it is the hairdresser’s problem and they have to fix it.

My final word and best advice is this: do not color or cut your hair yourself, unless you are a professional hairdresser. It is not as easy as it seems and you never get the color that is on the box, because your hair is unique.

Treat your hair and it will return the favour tenfold!

Good luck!

Taylor Swift: Casual 3 ways

3 Taylor Swift Looks you can recreate right now

Look 1: Chic Casual

Taylor rocks this 2-peice ensemble! Great choice of colour for her skin and hair color, this floral pattern is refreshing and graphic. Taylor’s chic casual look is also enhanced with metallic lilac pumps, nude handbag and a spring in her step.

And you can get a similar look for just $80!

US$16.99		US$29.99

US$39.99

US$22.99

Look 2: Casual Day Wear

Here is a more casual look that is super easy to recreate. For a more relaxed casual look Taylor goes for this basic top with a velveteen skirt and brightens it up with a bold color accessory – her handbag. 

You can get it for $330 AUD!

$59.95 AUD		$89.95 AUD

$129.95 AUD

$89.95 AUD

$49.95 AUD

Look 3: London Dandy

I adore the simplicity of this outfit! Taylor’s look is all about comfort, her cosy cardigan looks extremely cozy and soft, the shoes look like they are made for walking long distance and high waist black shorts work their magic and flatter the figure.

You can get it for just $212 AUD!

$59.95 AUD		$39.95 AUD

$25.95 AUD

NOW: $29.95 AUD

$69.95 AUD

$19.95 AUD

$25.95 AUD

There we have it – 3 affordable Taylor Swift outfit you get today! Which would you go for?

Style Icon: Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Aniston has a rockin’ bod. Featured on various magazine covers for her enviable figure (she credits healthy eating, hydration, and the barre method), Jennifer Aniston is a burgeoning lifestyle guru. Her signature “Rachel” hairstyle and her role in Friends made her famous in the 90s, but her rom-com chops gave her Hollywood staying power. Often described as “the good girl” or “America’s Sweetheart,” Jennifer Aniston often defies these labels to reveal her sexier and more vulnerable side.

Need summer beauty inspiration? Well, here it is. Bronzed with tousled and highlighted waves, Jen looks great in summer whites.

I love this shot of her. Carefree and effortlessly beautiful, her signature mane is full of volume and she looks great in her signature color, nude.

Hey, if you’ve got it, flaunt it. A toned bod looks great in a low-back dress. Add a layer of bronzer for an additional glow.

One of the more iconic moments in Jennifer Aniston‘s career was her GQ magazine cover, where she was next to naked. Showing skin is the opposite of a girl-next-door move, it was gutsy and inspiring.

Jennifer’s simple and sophisticated style is something that every girl wants to imitate. A breezy chiffon print top with wide leg trousers and a leather saddle bag is the perfect outfit to achieve everyday chic. 

Looking for some cold weather style inspo? Jen’s got it. The cuffed distressed jeans, the wide brim hat, the striped tee layered underneath a ribbed sweater and scarf are all the definition of uber style. I love the brown boots against all the black and blue.

Straying from her usual black, this pastel blue Vivienne Westwood dress has drapery that hug her curves beautifully.

You can’t go wrong with an LBD, but Jen puts a little twist to this evening staple with a leather obi-inspired belt and oversized leather clutch. Leather makes everything better.

This Gucci suit in a deep burgundy Marsala color is a great way to get dressed for awards night. A departure from black tuxedo dressing, I love the hint of sexy with the deep neckline accented with trendy gold body jewelry.

A Tom Ford dress with a peplum cocktail silhouette with leather piping against herringbone is modern and ladylike at the same time.

This jaw-dropping Valentino Couture gown is oozing with sexy. A high side slit revealing strappy Versace sandals is all you need to exude glamour. No excessorizing needed.

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I love how Jennifer Aniston’s look are always so sexy yet feel so effortless. Which one did you fall in love with?

Designer SALE

Wanna get amazing designer items at half the price? Take a look at these.

Most designer pieces are near impossible to find on sale. Unfortunately, that is just the world we live in. Reality sucks. And most of the time, the pieces that we can find with 50% knocked off them will be the “less desirable” ones. Yes, a term like that can definitely be used for designer clothing.

So I came across these babies: quality designer sale items. Rare as they are, they look great and are indeed on sale!!! I have looked through the entire list of the designer sale items they had and handpicked the most stylish items, focusing on shoes and bags. 

So take a look and be amazed!

Charlotte Olympia	3.1 Phillip Lim	Proenza Schouler
Michael Kors	Zoe Lee	Sonia Rykiel
Valentino	Mila Schon	Marni
Maison Martin Margiela	Bernard Delettrez	Charlotte Olympia

Oh and have I mentioned? All of these qualify for free delivery to anywhere in the world!  Magic code: FREEPLANET. 

I can hear those sexy Charlotte Olympia red pumps whispering “You Need Me” into my ear. Is it just me?

Summer in the office

Some great picks from Dotti Australia that will freshen up your office look!

Office dress code can put a lot of people off. Everything becomes too complicated, all those limitations all around, a lot of clothes that you like are deemed inappropriate and so on. All in all finding suitable office clothes that you will actually enjoy wearing can be a nightmare.

So I put together a bunch of items that you can use to create your very own office style. All of them are super affordable and most will be in accordance with your company dress code.

The fastest way to glam up any office look is to wear a jacket. Jackets can be different, the kind I am talking about here is a more relaxed tweed or perhaps knit jacket, just like the one below. It instantly adds chic and femininity to your look, regardless of what you are wearing.

Jacket is always a chic addition to any look	Basic top that will make your outerwear last longer. Always wear underneath!	Figure hugging dress in this length is appropriate for office and looks great

The only thing is – you gotta be careful with the length. We don’t wanna reveal “too much”, especially in the office. So my advice is to only wear short jackets with a skirt. Unless you really want to flaunt your perfect thighs.

Longer jackets, on the other hand, will look best with pants or jeans, especially if they are made from the same color material.

Inject color in your look if the dress code allows	Latest trends – culottes, so comfy!	Why not try a denim shirt instead of a cotton one for a change

For the lucky few whose company is more laid back – make the most of it. It is summer time! Inject some color in your look and brighten the whole office. Denim shirts will look just as appropriate as cotton ones, but don’t they feel much more comfy?

This color block shirt will lengthen you legs if worn with black pants	Show off your skinny ankles with this cropped pant	Absolute classic and an appropriate substitute for a classic pant

In the summer time we naturally want to open more flesh to the sun, however it can be hard to do that and still keep to all the corporate rules. But what rule can stop us from showing off our ankles? I don’t think so!

Great choice for style and comfort all year round	If open toe is allowed in your office you can try this sandal for an edgier look

So there we go – a little bit of inspiration goes a long way. And I hope that the prospect of buying office clothes this summer is less daunting now 🙂