CELEBRATING NEW YEAR IN ZURICH.

I love Zurich for its sober, urban, chic and contemporary atmosphere, during all year long, but I love it especially at the end of December, when I find that it's simply enchanting. The whole city is bathed in a warmer light, and what's more, Zurich's hoteliers throw fantastic parties on New Year's Eve. As we did in past, we sojourned at Hotel Savoy Baur en Ville, amid the grand style of its luxurious 19th century architecture and tastefully furnished rooms, since we like this privileged location in the centre of the old town.

The skies above Banhofstrasse twinkle with Christmas lights, a light frost covers the rooftops, and the delicious smell of roasted chestnuts from the stalls selling "Heisse Marroni" and strategically positioned all around the city tempt the passers-by. But besides the truly magical atmosphere that the city exudes during this period, I love shopping in Zurich, where the choice of home decoration objects and fashion accessories is varied and sophisticated. 

There's nothing better in the wintertime, when it's bitterly cold outside, than to warm up with a cup of tea, cocoa, or coffee with a some delectable patisserie in a cozy café. Useless to say, my favourite is the Sprüngli Café and Restaurant, the most representative of historical café-salons, centrally located in Paradeplatz and very near the Savoy Baur en Ville, with its Confiserie boutique on the ground floor, where I never miss to buy light and airy Luxemburgerli macarons. On New Year's Eve, the choice of glamorous indoor parties is varied,  but for open-air festival-loving tourists, Zurich hosts the largest New Year's party in Switzerland, whose centrepiece is the massive fireworks display let off from two anchored boats in the lake at 20 past midnight, after allowing the city's church bells to ring in the new year first. So from the windows of our room we could enjoy the atmosphere of partygoers heading to the lakeside streets to watch live music, partake of a bratwurst and some glühwein and join in the general merriment, since, after fireworks, celebrations continue until 3 am not only in the elegant salons of the hotels, but also on the lakeside.

And in the afternoon of the first day of the year, what's better than having a short corroborating walk from the Old Town to the Kunsthaus, a first class art museum with a great collection of Swiss artists, such as Hodler and Giacometti, as well as international artists, such as Monet, Picasso and many others.

STARTING 2020 IN A KALEIDOSCOPE: 

GORGEOUS ANNA WINTOUR-STYLE GEORGIAN COLLET NECKLACES.

I'm not going to dedicate this last post of the year to sparkling New Year's Eve outfits and accessories. Instead, I'll write about a statement accessory I've received as a gift during last festivities, which will be a unique accessory for me to start 2020 in style. The necklaces I received were bought in USA and are in pink, citrine and crystal-clear + antiqued brass. This fashion accessory is also synonymous with the famous Vogue fashion editor, Anna Wintour, from whom they are called. When you're honing your style, looking to style icons like Anna Wintour is an obvious choice. The famous fashion icon knows that if you take one thing out of your head, like what to wear each day, you free yourself up for all the other interesting things that need to get done, so busy people have their own version of a uniform, personal to them, their lifestyle and personality: Wintour wears mules in Summer, boots in Winter, a printed dress, large, dark sunglasses and her very famous stone necklaces. And it might sound crazy, but that signature piece goes well with everything she wears, because she has made it part of her signature look.

Anna is rarely seen without these necklaces, so we expect to see these beautiful strands, whenever she steps out. She has her formula for looking chic, stylish and classic, and has found her bliss pieces to wear at work, watching tennis matches with HRH Queen Elisabeth II, or hosting a gala. Wintour, always ahead of her time, found her favourite lilac Georgian crystal necklace at British jewellers S.J. Phillips Ltd., estimated to cost 20,000 USD and to be made from Georgian crystals. She has added to these beautiful stones by layering it up with similar pastel-coloured, antique necklaces, often wearing two or three necklaces at any time. Like a fashion icon, our style can include a Georgian-style statement necklace that suits our lifestyle and makes you feel like a Queen of glamour and in charge, reminding that style is more than spending a month's salary in an attempt to look great. There is a way of putting things together that makes your look unique, charming and classic. 

Whatever your own look might be, it could be time to think about your own uniform, and add a something stylish with a touch of surprise. Wintour's pieces make a statement about how we should approach things we love to wear, wear them often, outrageosuly and make them part of our uniform. Like the affluent, save money for the other wonderful things in life, like travel, expanding self-awareness, own property, love often and wear fun piecers you adore. Do you have a statement necklece you adore?If you take a look at almost any photo, you will see Anna Wintour wearing her beautiful necklaces. She seems to have them in nearly every colour, so the ones shown here are only a fraction of her collection. With her sizeable paychecks and passionate love of fashion, she either coordinates with the colours in her clothes or adds them for a pop of colour to accompany otherwise plain outfits and flatter also pale complexions. So, pop on a few of these babies, and you'll feel like a fashion icon in no time! Maybe I should wear a different colour combination every time I write my future posts, from the multi-coloured to the monochrome one, just to bring out my inner fashion critic!

Happy New Year! See you in 2020...🎉🎇🎊🍸

TRENDY BIRTHDAY GIFT: DIOR'S SADDLE BAG IN VARIATIONS OF BLUE.

Hi guys! I'm writing today, after a weekend of birthday celebrations with family and friends. One of the most appreciated presents received for this recent birthday has certainly been a medium size navy blue Dior’s Saddle Bag in smooth calfskin leather  and vintage golden hardware, which has instantly become the newest part of my accessories collection and, without a doubt, also my go-to for everyday occasions, adding some edge to my classic dark-blue-coat combinations. 

Though the idea of fashion repeating itself is nothing new, the past seasons have felt like a true time machine of trends. Think about it: With styles ranging from the prairie girl aesthetic of the ‘60s and ‘70s to the bold silhouettes and colors of the ‘80s, the fashion world has become a melting pot of decades. And among the accessories, there’s been an undeniable resurgence of the early aughts, which was due in part to the reintroduction of iconic bags of the past such as the Dior’s iconic Saddle Bag. It’s been a little over a year since Dior brought its Saddle Bag, which originally made an appearance in the brand's Spring/Summer 2000 show, back into the limelight. Like it did in the past, the now-revamped handbag has taken the fashion world by storm with a variety of options to choose from — the latest featuring embroidered denim. Launched just in time for the beginning of fall, one of the newest styles was a denim version of the French fashion house’s iconic Dior Oblique print, giving the old logo trend a new look for the season. So, if you happen to choose a Christmas present for one of those who, like me, fell in love with the bag’s initial return, and are now obsessed over the new several versions of the model, I advise you to visit the brand website and choose among the several mini and medium versions available of the blue embroidered denim pattern.

The bag is packed in a wonderful matching toile-de-jouy patterned cardboard box, but if isn't still enough for you and you want to make this bag truly customised, you’ll have the opportunity to get it personalised with the initials of the lucky one who is going to receive this special gift in select Dior boutiques. 

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!