MY FAVOURITE HOLIDAY HOME DECOR TRENDS FOR 2019.

There will always be a place for twinkling lights and glimmering ornaments during the holidays, but with a pinch of creativity, there are also plenty of other eye-catching holiday home decor ideas to try. Adding festive touches all around makes everything - from online gift shopping to seasonal dinner hosting - that much more joyful and glamorous.

To help everyone turn their spaces into festive, multisensory oases this year, I've selected my favourite trends of the moment and I will share my best tips for seasonal decor that will ignite each of the five senses.

Taste: Focus on a botanical centerpiece: while the holidays are about many different things, there tends to be an emphasis on holiday foods, which are a large focus in every house during the season. So, invest in sophisticated centerpieces, using fresh florals and greens to create a personalised, nature-inspired arrangement that will draw guests into the tablescape, then add some smaller sweet stands on side tables to display delicious pralines and festive cookies, or fill glass vases with green and white macarons,.

Sound: Create the perfect playlist: decorating for the holidays shouldn't only be a treat for the eyes, but engage all senses when perfecting your space. So, consider building a small collection of holiday themes to get that beautiful nostalgic and merry atmosphere.

Smell: A space isn't complete until you've incorporated scent. You never want to exclude the impact scent can make on a space. It can immediately make you feel relaxed, comfortable, and festive. Some of my favourite scents around the holidays include either those having notes of fresh-cut firs on a crisp winter morning, or those offering hints of sweet almond, cinnamon sticks, brown sugar, and honey, or amber and vanilla.

Touch: Gift and giving are the cornerstones of the holiday spirit. Wrapped presents make for a brilliant and easy (and truly personal) way to decorate your home. Either if you're all for a maximalist interior and you prefer elaborately decorated wrapping, or if you're for minimalist interior and you find that the most appealing way to wrap your presents is with simple beige craft paper, then finish them off with raw silk bows.

Sight: Arrange decorative pieces in groups. Repetition and groupings are the most effective, when decorating. Some eye-catching ideas include filling gold or silver vintage + glass bowls / cloche-stands with cedar, themed decorations, or stacking tiered candles, or adding throws and pillows to change things up for the season.

FALL 2019 OUTERWEAR: THE PERFECT CAMEL STAPLE COAT.

Camel coats have been around for a while and they don't show any signs of going out of fashion anytime soon. It's not hard to see why when they are such a simple and flattering colour and tend to be in warmer more structured winter coats. Finding the perfect fit and style is essential for perfecting the look, and you'll find that the basic styles most on trend now are:

1) the short masculine tailored model to be paired with jeans + sweater/turtleneck + trainers/boots.

2) The long-style version with/without belt to cinch in the waist for the creation of a nice, long, slim silhouette + heels/trainers.

Anyway, once you've found the perfect camel coat, this staple will become an easy option, which doesn't require much styling, and can be thrown over most outfits for extra warmth. The only piece of advice for a sophisticated look is just keep all colours fairly minimal, add a pop of colour in your red lips and combine it with a simple chain bag.

Are you guys fans of the camel coat? How do you wear yours? I hope you liked this post and I love hearing back from you all, so head over to my Twitter/Instagram @loulou_mail3 to let me know your thoughts. Here above I've listed a few camel-coat looks out at the moment for some inspiration, if you're looking for your own...

TREND ALERT: THE PADDED HEADBAND IS THE "IT" ACCESSORY FOR FALL 2019.

In the past few seasons a surge in hair accessories was to be seen, and as for hair accessories, Fall 2019 is a great season too (see my previous post: "How to style statement hair clips the It-girl way"). So after writing about bejewelled hair clips, I'm going to write about a hair accessory that has sparked my interest the most: headbands.
Anyway, if you ask every fashion girl, and the fashion business, Fall is the real start of the year. And although everybody is ready for all the layers, scarves, and yes pumpkin spice anything, what everybody is really ready for this seasons is headbands.

I’m not talking about the hard-plastic headbands your mom shoved in your hair when you were a kid. And no, we aren’t thinking Blair Waldorf either. Think something a bit more chic, if I do say so myself. Actually, the trend first caught my eye when Prada featured headbands on their Spring 2019 runway. Then, it has become popular also with royal glamour icons such as the Duchess of Cambridge, who was seen pairing this elegant accessory with several outfits, as a surrogate of a tiara for more informal occasions. 
Now, oversized, padded, and almost a hint of 80’s is in there. And if either the oversized look or the bejewelled one aren’t for you, don’t worry, a resurgence for simpler styles as well has been seen. I’m not sure about you, but if you're not willing to pay a lot of money for any hair accessory, look at the selection of my favourite models, and you'll certainly find some inexpensive options with a luxe look too.

HOW TO STYLE STATEMENT HAIR CLIPS THE IT-GIRL WAY.

From combat boots to cardigans, '90s-inspired trends are still very much having a moment. The beloved style era has serious staying power in fashion and beauty alike, and one particularly playful trend has picked up major steam. From bobby pins to snap clips, hair adornments are a lighthearted addition to so many looks, so it's no surprise they're a favorite among It girls right now. If you've been struggling to style hair clips the 2019 way, look no further than your favorite celebrities' Instagram feeds. Unlike butterfly clips of the '90s, the market is full of updated options that feel understated and now. Ahead, today I'm breaking down the best way to wear the nostalgic trend with ease, with the likes of a few fashion celebrities as the ultimate inspiration. 

1) Pearly Pins: even though Alex Chung knows how to nail a grungy vibe, she's a master at pulling off ultra-femme looks in the most effortless way. Offsetting this patent leather trench from her namesake brand, the model reached for a set of pearl barrettes to add a romantic touch. From hoop earrings to modern cuffs, pearls are back in a major way, so give the vintage trend a whirl with a chic clip.

2) Bold and bejewelled: since Ashley Williams launched her bedazzled bobby pins  spelling words like anxiety, paradise, and justice, It girls everywhere have been rocking glitzy barrettes that truly do speak for themselves. Hairstylist Justine Marjan recently teamed up with Kitsch to create her own take on the trend, and several celebrities have already given them their stamp of approval.

So, if you need a touch of sparkle to these gloomy October days, this simple accessories are a stylish addition that certainly will not break your budget!

5 FALL 2019 FASHION TRENDS TO BUY IN TO RIGHT NOW.

In my own quest to start cherry-picking a few must-haves for Fall, among the many trends seen on the runways, I've stumbled on a few key styles that while guaranteed to be winners throughout the whole season, are also fairly easy to work into my day-to-day wardrobe right now too. Read on for some solid suggestions of pieces I've selected from both runways and Fashion Week's street-style found ways to wear, and I plan to be wearing for the next days left in 2019.

1) Cool suiting: 
in recent years, I've come to appreciate the power of a sharp blazer. In early Fall, while it's not too cool out, it's an easy way to make my floaty, laid-back looks feel more professional. For months to come, it's a key wardrobe staple that fits in with the season's theme of power suiting.

2) All sorts of leather: inspired by looks seen at several catwalks, I'm investing in leather now that I can layer together sure that this trend will be a favourite of mine throughout the whole season and even longer.

3) Micro bags: 

on the Fall 2019 runways, ridiculously tiny bags were the trend "du jour". As often happens these days, Instagram and the wider fashion world pick up on the aesthetic with the intention of wearing it through the end of the year and beyond. Here's a selection of some favourites of mine.

                                   
                                    4) Bold tones:

Traditionally, Fall is all about turning down the colour palette a decibel or two, but this season trust me, you'll be doing no such thing. Bright hues are replacing the typically subdued jewel tones that come with cooler weather, as proven on several runways. This means embracing more colour - and pairing unexpected hues together too.

                5) Baroque detailing: 

this Fall expect a return to hopelessly romantic dressing. Increasingly ultra-feminine designs have become a theme across the board at both old guards labels and up-and-comers.  Rich materials, high-volume sleeves, and boning details are all particulars that you can keep an eye out for now and keep wearing once they've hit it big in a few weeks.

FRENCH INSPIRATION FOR THE HOME: THE ICONIC EIFFEL TOWER MODEL.

 

The iconic Eiffel Tower is one of the most well-known landmarks in the world, the symbol of

Paris and a tourist lure like no other. To many of us, the Eiffel Tower isn’t just situated in Paris. It's Paris.

Whether met with enthusiasm or disdain, the Tour Eiffel is visible in many parts of the city, rising above the other buildings with dignity. Elsewhere in the world, it's an icon appearing on several kind of paraphernalia and featuring in numerous advertising campaigns. But whatever the colour and shape, there are few things that I think can tarnish the reputation of the symbol of Paris that people have come to begrudgingly view with affection.

That's why I appreciated this exclusive mini Eiffel Tower model as a gift by my favourite Lampe Berger  authorised dealer for  our cooperation as a blogger and customer. This doesn't look at all like all those kitch miniature gadgets you can find in souvenirs shops in Paris, but it's a high-quality, refined miniature in white metal and in a pretty good size to be used as a decoration. As you can see, it makes an excellent addition to a provençal-style chest of drawers in my French-inspired bedroom. And it will remember me to go on championing this romantic icon, no matter what form it appears in.

LOOK LIKE A LOCAL: MASTERING SWISS STREET-STYLE.

I like to observe and the street-style of passers-by, when I'm abroad, and try to conform to it according to the famous proverb "When in Rome, do as the Romans do". 
I sometimes travel to Switzerland for business, so back from my last trip to Basel, I would like to give some tips for all readers who are going to visit Switzerland, this Fall and want to look like a local, while there. Switzerland may not be the fashion capital of the world, but that doesn’t mean you should walk around looking shabby. Always keep European fashion trends in mind as you travel the country. It’s not all ski pants and hiking boots in Swiss fashion, even if you’re spending days on the slopes or trekking from one great peak to the next. Knowing Swiss fashion can be extremely beneficial. Like always, it’s important to research the customs and norms of your destination before you arrive for more reasons than just being prepared. Knowing how to “look like a local” means you'll be prepared to dress appropriately, comfortably, and efficiently. 
Get the inside scoop! Read these general rules that'll help you look like a true Swiss local by the time it’s time to head off to Switzerland. 

1. Autumn weather in Switzerland can be unpredictable, ranging from sunny days to rain, so layering is the most important cue to keep in mind to ensure you are comfortable. Moreover, since the season contains short days and along with the disappearing light comes a noticeable drop in temperature, you should be ready for cooler weather.  Of course, the habit of always checking the weather forecast before your trip, is the first step before focusing on a creation of a capsule travel wardrobe, which should be easily fit into a carryon suitcase.
2. Switzerland clothing styles boast clean, simple outfits. Don’t get too messy with accessories and styled layers. When you do layer, do it for comfort, not for looks. Remember, sobriety is the name of the game here: when it comes to fashion in Switzerland, the saying “less is more” is truly a good motto to stand by. That's why I find that classic French style is the best choice. 
3. As for fashion style, Switzerland is known to be a place that is both conservative and casual, which means that fashion freedom is acceptable, but it's still important to remain neat and presentable. However, in large cities like Geneva and Zurich, it’s almost impossible to dress too nicely. If you’re heading to a larger city, be sure to have at least one (or two!) classy outfit in your wardrobe, in case you go out to dinner or go to a concert. 
4. The Swiss consider both darker-coloured fabrics such as black, blue, gray and brown and neutral tones such as cream and off-whites to be stylish and classy, especially if in combination. So, like so many places around the world, fashion in Switzerland says, “when in doubt, wear black.” Anyway, if you travel to Switzerland in this period, the warm and sober colours of Autumn should reflect the colours of your wardrobe: when deciding what to wear in Switzerland, reach for items in rich earthly colours, such as browns, tans, and oranges, avoiding too vibrant colours. 

So I my choice for a capsule wardrobe on my last business trip to Switzerland was based on a few essential pieces:

• start my base including a good pair of jeans or trousers in a darker shade. Generally speaking dark blue denim is considered timeless European fashion;
• since layering is essential, include 3/4 tops and long sleeve shirts / blouses, which can be matched to a cardigan / blazer for the warmer days or a warm cashmere coat / cape.
• a pair of ballerinas / loafers and leather biker's boots are the perfect companions for any comfortable autumn wardrobe, giving an edge to it; 
• as for accessories, a designer's structured bag and a chic scarf are two ways to add some glamour and brighten up an otherwise neutral outfit.
• during the evenings, since I needed to be slightly dressier for some scheduled events, include a formal dress + pumps in your packing list, to create a classy look.
• and last but not least, include a raincoat + waterproof boots, which is always beneficial to protect me from the elements and the occasional rain showers, and will be perfect in both a casual version or a more elegant one.

Now, making sure you have the proper attire, both socially and seasonally, shouldn’t make it onto your list of worries. Being immersed in a new culture truly means going “all in,” so take the time to figure out how to dress Swiss-style now and you’ll love every minute of your Swiss adventure later!