LATIN LOVER

Inspired by Frida Kahlo, fashion editor Elisabetta Massari created a number of exotic yet somber looks for Latin Lover, Marie Claire Italia’s latest editorial. Modeled by Emily Senko and shot by the super talented Wendy Bevan, it has made it to the top of my favorite fashion shoots!

As soon as I saw it, I instantly thought of Frida. But then I also noticed there’s a girlishness to it.. The flowers, the styling, there’s an innocence but a seriousness as well. The model reminds me of Lolita (the movie) as well. And I LOVE the photography and editing. Now if only all editorials can be this artistic and still maintain a fashionable edge…

Honestly, this editorial is so good that I didn’t know which photos to post on the blog and which ones to leave out. I cannot stress how necessary it is to see the full editorial here.

LOVE THIS LOOK: DONUT JUMPER

Tell me this isn’t the cutest jumper in the world?? Deeeeelicious! Betty always wears the cutest things..

Image: Le Blog de Betty

WONDERFUL WEEKEND

So this past week I sprained a muscle in my back (or I think that’s what it was) and I was in pain and walking like a zombie for most of the week. However, there was a bright side to it all. My colleagues and I are working on a really amazing project, that we can’t wait to announce. It’s going to involve lots of people working in creative fields!!

One of my favorite fashion bloggers gives us a home tour.

Gorgeous soap that looks like marble.

Shooooooes..

The Outnet is having a 4 day clearance! Hellooooo bargains!

Ines’ Summer collection is pretty, pretty, pretty!

Obsessed with unique salads.

Easiest white cake ever.

I like this outfit.

This DJ is gonna be the next big thing!

And for laughs: Photoshop Disasters!

PS. Earlier today (Friday), we got hit with a massive dust storm that had us all stuck in homes/malls/cars.It was surreal seeing huge brown clouds quickly covering the skies and turning day into night. It was equal parts scary and mind-boggling! Hope everyone was safe..

Have a dust-free weekend!

Image: Unknown

RIP: ELIZABETH TAYLOR

On Wednesday, Hollywood lost one of its most beautiful stars of all time. Elizabeth Taylor had a magnetic pull, stunning beauty and, of course, brilliant talent. I can never forget how I – and probably millions like me – sat mesmerized whenever she came on the screen. She was the epitome of beauty, with her dark hair, perfect features and unique accent.. oh and those jewels!

However, Taylor was not just beauty and jewelry. Her work with the AIDS cause is truly commendable. She used her name for a really important charity. I’m sure she touched countless lives because of it.

May she rest in peace..

Images: We Heart It

LOVE THIS LOOK: THE MAXI DRESS

I absolutely HATED maxi dresses up until a few days ago when I saw this photo. Unless it was an evening gown, you can be pretty sure I wasn’t going to buy one.

I think this is one of the best ways to wear a maxi dress: one color all the way through. I’m pretty sure you need to have above average height to wear it well too. It might overwhelm a short body.

Image: Asos

DIY: WOVEN CHAIN BRACELET

This DIY Woven Chain Bracelet is a super easy and really cute way of spicing up your chain accessories. I’m pretty sure everyone knows how to make a simple braid. Simply get one of your chain bracelets or necklaces (or buy one), get a bunch of colorful cotton thread, and braid one side of the chains. You can also do a braid on each side. You can experiment with thin strips of silk or colorful textiles too.

The best thing about it, is if you get completely bored of the look, you can always cut off the threads and go back to your original chain accessory.

For the full set of photos and instructions click HERE.

via because i’m addicted

TECHNICOLOR

There’s no shortage of jewel colors in The Girl Who Fell to Earth, photographed by Simon Burstall for the March 2011 issue of Elle UK. Modeled by Quinta Witzel and styled by Karina Givargisoff, the photos simply screams glamour, brightness, popping colors and silky smooth style. I’ve probably gone over the whole editorial a hundred times. Pure gorgeousness. I can’t get enough of them..

See the full editorial here.

TOTEMS

French artist Alain Delorme’s photography series Totems is set against the backdrop of modern day Shanghai and aims to capture through slight humor, the complexity of contemporary China.

Delorme photographed different men carrying/pulling unbelievable amounts of stacked goods on their bikes. Although slightly exaggerated to send a certain message to the viewer, I think many people who live in, or have visited, underdeveloped countries have most likely seen similar sights. I’ve seen so many photos similar to these, captured in Egypt and India.

On a less serious note, how pretty are the colors in the pictures?

THE NEW KHALEEJESQUE!

It’s finally here! Khaleejesque, the Khaleeji online lifestyle & culture magazine is back with a brand new look. My friends and I worked sooooo hard on this, and I’m proud to say that it’s finally live! The site is easy to navigate, has loads of new content and is now updated on a daily basis!

If you want to know what’s happening in and around the Arabian Gulf, this is the place to check out! We’ve got interviews with the most interesting personalities, coverage of all the important events, international travel guides AND a new Calendar with listings of events (including dates and directions) that are happening in the region.

Of course, there’s a lot more than what I mentioned, so go have a look.

PS. We’re still uploading our old content, so keep checking back for some good reads.

WONDERFUL WEEKEND

Words cannot describe the amount of stress and pressure I’ve been under this week. To top it all off, yesterday, my body felt like it was losing every bit of energy and I just crashed! Anyway, I feel a LOT better today, and am so happy to share some links with you (especially ones from the re-launched Khaleejesque where I’m Features Editor)!

Glamour on Guard is the latest fashion editorial that I co-directed and styled!!

Fashion stylist Iman Pasha shares her tricks of the trade.

I LOVE matte lipsticks and Tom Ford’s Lip Collection looks divine!

Feasting on Art – dishes inspired by classic still life paintings.

What a lovely photo..

Pineapple flowers!

I trust Martha. Make her Coconut Cupcakes.

Fashionologie is my CNN.

This editorial makes me want summer sooooo bad!!

I’m not a Mac-aholic, but I really want an iPad.

Garance takes the most beautiful photos..

Have a fantaaaaastic weekend!

Image: We Heart It

WHEN PARENTS TEXT

Someone tweeted about this very funny website called When Parents Text. I spent hours going through the hilarious texts between parents and their kids! I can’t get enough!

LOVE THIS LOOK: MODERN HIPPIE

Beanie hat, long sheepskin coat, platforms.. This outfit oozes bohemian/hippie, yet screams utter coolness. The skinny jeans pull the look back into this decade.

Image: All The Pretty Birds

CAMERA AND PENCIL

Artist Ben Heine’s series ‘Awesome Combination Of Camera And Pencil‘ combines his love for photography with his passion for illustration. Pretty neat.

See more at Beeni Drew.

NAUTICAL

My favorite fashion photographer Camilla Akrans does it again. She can make even the mundane look glamorous and stylish! I’ve never seen stripes look this good. Seriously!

Photographed against a rough nautical backdrop, model Theres Alexandersson looks the epitome of seaside chic in Mystic Voyage, a hot editorial in the March 2011 issue of Vogue Nippon styled by Sissy Vian.

Check out the full editorial here.