{FASHION NEWS} | Pandora AW15

Hi lovelies! I hope your week was better than mine. There were a few hiccups but it’s all over now and I can look to the next one with renewed positivity. A few weeks back I was invited to view the new AW15 collection with Pandora. I’m pretty sure you’re all totally familiar with the Danish jewellery brand. As far as I know there is a Pandora piece on every girl’s wishlist!

Pandora started as a small family run jewellery store in Copenhagen before establishing itself as an international luxury brand. The Enevoldsen couple Per and Winnie opened their store in 1982 and imported jewellery from Thailand. Today it is the third largest jewellery company in the world in terms of sales (behind just Cartier and Tiffany and Co.!) and boasts a presence in 80 countries including South Africa. Despite the brand’s dramatic growth, the original values and aesthetic remain the same. Pandora’s production site still exists in Thailand and they source the finest metals and stones to craft their jewellery. 14k gold and sterling silver are married with Murano glass and enamel, gemstones, stones and cultured pearls to create the beautiful pieces we know and adore.

The AW15 collection is nothing short of spectacular. I’m going to tell you all about it without giving too much away. I suggest you head over to your nearest Pandora store or counter and have a look.

For autumn the design team looked to mythology and fairytale for inspiration. The result was the Majestic Feather series paying homage to the mighty phoenix, known for its strength and ability to renew itself. The collection might sound flashy but it is actually very ethereal and classic.

For Winter, the thought was simple and beautiful, a journey to a place frozen in time. Think icy tones; glittery blue and translucent crystals and sparkling cubic zirconia on sterling silver. The crystallized snowflake charm is naturally the star of the collection.

The Autumn collection is currently in stores and Winter will be in stores on 30 October 2015. Bracelets are priced from ZAR799 and charms start at ZAR445.

I hope you are already filling up your holiday wishlists because I will be posting the product shots on Facebook soon ;)

Until next time

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

{OUT AND ABOUT} | Talking Trends with Veet

Hi lovelies! I hope you are all having a fantastic weekend! Mine started off on a really glam note.  I spent Friday morning at 54 on Bath hotel and Rosebank brunching and talking trends with the fashion and Veet families.

Miss Veet SA 2015 Odirile was looking for some solid, honest advice for her Spring/Summer wardrobe.

Over tea, coffee and a scrumptious breakfast we discussed some key trends for SS15. Here are some of the trends we talked about

Gender Neutral

Think subtle androgyny with comfortable and stylish pieces. Jumpsuits, caps and high tops are key pieces

Safari

Chic tailoring is key here. Buckled dresses, wide brimmed hats and camel and khaki pieces

70s and Festival

Embrace the 70s trend but try not to look to costume-y. Wide legged pants, feathers, fringes, hair accessories and kimonos are all fabulous but be careful not to wear them all together.

Prints, Prints, Prints

Need I say more?!

After brunch we walked over to the mall to put some of what we discussed into practice. Odi and Melinda tried on a few handpicked outfits, shoes and accessories. At the end of the morning we all concluded that these lovely ladies would even look stunning in a plastic bag! ;)

To catch-up on our conversation search the hashtag #VeetTalksTrends on Twitter and Instagram.

Whatever you choose to wear this summer, make sure your legs are silky smooth with Veet!

Until next time

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

Alan of Alan and Krishen about to tuck in to some eggs benedict

{OOTD} | French Fried

 Sleeveless Coat – MrP Project | T-shirt – Soda Bloc | Leggings – Woolworths | Boots – ZARA | Quilted Bag – Chinatown | Necklace – 32 Clothing | Sunglasses – ZARA

Hi lovelies! As you can see, today I took my Furfrou out for a walk ;) Furfrou is a Pokemon based on a huge French poodle. If you manage to catch one, you can take it and have it styled in many different ways. They’re usually quite large in size, sometimes bigger than the trainer!

The transitioning of seasons is my favourite dress up time of the year. Unfortunately this year we went straight from icy Winter to scorching Summer. That didn’t stop me from wearing the clothes though and this is one of pre-summer looks.

As you probably already know, I love monochrome. It’s really chic and it works for any season but it is especially perfect for the in between.

Because of this adorable t-shirt I decided to go a little bit French with the outfit. The tee is from Soda Bloc which is new store by the Foschini Group. They actually cater for teens but they have the cutest pieces and the size 30 or 32 fits me perfectly. Statement tees are fun and quirky and you can work them on their own or under cardigans and jackets too.

Leggings and boots are also key pieces for the seasonal transition. These boots have really gotten some great wear over Winter and I think they’re going to be on my feet until the very last cool day.

Sleeveless coats like this one are really in right now and they’re perfect if you just aren’t ready to bare your shoulders yet. It’s also a really chic piece to finish off an outfit.

Add some statement sunnies, a pretty quilted bag and your straight out of the grooming parlour Furfrou and you are good to go! ;)

Until next time

“Bad days are best forgotten over French fries” - Unknown

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

Where I’ve Been

The Hagia Sophia

Hi lovelies! I haven’t posted in a while and if you follow me on Instagram and Snapchat you probably know that I’ve been in Istanbul. I got back last week and I’m still in major vacation mode but I’m also really excited to tell you all about my trip.

View from Suleymaniye Mosque

Now, I’m by no means a travel blogger but I really want to share my experiences with you. Istanbul has moved up to my favourite city ever. It was truly an incredible experience and I recommend it for everyone.

The Blue Mosque

Apart from sightseeing I did lots (LOTS) of shopping and eating too. I also got to stay in an amazing boutique hotel so there is definitely a lot to talk about.

My shoes visiting Gulhane Park

I’ve already received an email or two asking for specific info and tips but if there is anything you would like me to write about please let me know. You can pop me a mail or just comment or tweet me.

Apart from my trip I also have a special outfit and some reviews coming up soon.

Until next time (I promise the wait won’t be so long!)

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

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{OOTD}| La Belle Muse

Skirt – Hse of Bespoke by WH | Top – Brett Robson | Shoes – Zara | Gloves – Ziba Styles (no longer in stock) | Sunglasses – Zara | Bracelets – Swarovski | Necklace - Old

Images by Layla ShaikPhotography

Hi lovelies! If you follow me on the socials you probably saw a while back that I attended the launch of the Parisian Collection by Hse of Bespoke by WH. I really adored the collection so I was super excited when the Hse of Bespoke chose me as part of their ‘Love It, Rock It, Style It’ campaign. There were no rules and we were encouraged to style the piece however we’d like. I was currently re-reading Anna and the French Kiss so the skirt arrived at the perfect time!

Hse of Bespoke is a fashion brand created by the sweet Waseefa Hutton. Waseefa aims to provide moderately modest clothing and classic pieces that can stay in your closet forever.

The ‘Midi Embossed Jupe Evasee” was picked for me and I was delighted as it was one of the pieces that stood out for me at the launch. It is high-waisted and a lovely midi length that grazes the lower calves. The fabric is beautifully embossed with flowers and it is delicate but not thin and flimsy.  It’s the type of skirt you can dress up or down. If you want that extra drama I recommend investing in a tulle under-skirt. It will give you that poufy, runway effect and you can use it under almost any skirt.

I decided to keep it Parisian but with a more quirky feel. I really love a monochrome palette so I kept the colours very neutral with a pop of pink lipstick.

This top is from the Brett Robson collection. Brett is a dear friend of mine and has served as a guide and an inspiration to me in my blogging so I was extremely excited when I heard she was designing a collection. The pieces are really stylish and so well made. Brett handpicked all the fabrics and was very involved in the production process so you can be assured that you’re not just getting something that’s just thrown together. This crop top is my favourite piece from the collection. ‘La Belle Muse’ or ‘the beautiful muse’ refers to Brett’s tattoo and it is printed on the top exactly how it appears on her skin. The fabric is really thick so as a crop top it sits perfectly. 

Because it’s chilly I wore stockings with these strappy Zara heels. I kept the accessories cute and quirky with gloves and oversized sunglasses.

You can shop the Parisian Collection at www.hseofbespokebyWH.com

Until next time

“In Paris, you learn wit, in London you learn to crush your social rivals, and in Florence you learn poise. “ – Virgil Thomson

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox