REMEMBER FRANKFURT...

After a hectic working week spent at our booth during ACHEMA 2018 Fair, we're flying back home, gratified by professional satisfaction, but exhausted from our long business engagements.
We have enjoyed the exhibition days and would like to take this opportunity to thank our partners for everything we have achieved together as well as our clients for visiting our booth. A warm goodbye also to the nice staff we met from neighbour stands.
Our sojourn in Frankfurt was very pleasant, thanks to my choice of a posh lodging at Grand Hotel Hessischer Hof, a magnificent 5-star hotel in the tradition of old grand hotels of Europe, situated very conveniently in the heart of the city and just opposite the entrance to the trade fair centre and a park. 

We were accommodated in a sophisticated, antiques-furnished, executive small suite with a separate living area where we could relax at the end of our long business days, eating fresh fruit and having a drink, as well as a spacious, polished bathroom with double washstands by Devon and Devon.

We dined and had sumptuous breakfasts at high-end, French-style, Restaurant Sèvres, one of the best  in the city, which serves excellent national and international specialities, along with fine wines, and boasts a display case of beautiful Sèvres porcelain, but we had also the chance to relax to live piano music at the American-style Jimmy's bar, with its cosy and informal but refined atmosphere and to have a cocktail with tapas in the quiet veranda.

Unfortunately, our busy agenda didn't allow us to profit of the chic spa and fitness centre, on the top floor. Maybe, another time...

Now I'm going to concentrate on packing for my next sojourn on the French Riviera, and this time it will be a holiday. I'm leaving on Sunday and I hope I'll come back full of energy and new ideas...

Bye bye! 👋

BUSINESS-TRIP PACKING LIST FOR MINIMALIST FASHIONISTAS.

Hi everybody! This weekend I'm leaving for one week's business trip to Frankfurt, Germany. Since I've always found travelling inspiring, I hope I'll be back, if not regenerated, at least with some more new ideas and topics on which to write. 

Meanwhile, I'll sum up my travel essentials for a business trip, particularly for an exhibition.

As an executive assistant, everybody expects me to put together a stylish business trip packing list, so I jump at the chance to revisit my usual lifestyle! Keep reading and check out   my business professional packing list to get a sleek and sophisticated look, not too corporate, and with some little elements of style.

Of course, working at an technical /scientific exhibition requires corporate business attire that leaves no much way to glamour. Anyway, whenever the occasion comes, I try to pack my suitcase with a week's worth of professional yet fashion-conscious clothing for business meetings, dinners and parties. In this minimalist packing list for business trips, I'll show you how I'm going to mix and match ten pieces of clothing to create a minimum of 1 week of work outfits and make the most of what you have. 

Day outfits:

- one black corporate suit + white top + minimal jewellery

- the same black jacket + black top + black and white chiffon skirt + minimal jewellery

- one elegant off-white  jacket + black chiffon skirt/trousers + round-neck matching scarf +  
   minimal jewellery

- one elegant buttoned top with ruffled sleeves + the same black pencil skirt from the suit +    
   statement necklace 

- white shirt with ruffles + striped pencil skirt + black and white Chanel necklace.

Evening outfits:

- one Chanel black short-sleeved jacket + the same black chiffon skirt + Chanel earrings

- one black sheath dress + the same Chanel earrings. 
Shoes & evening bags:
- black pumps
- black and white ballerinas
- small black Chanel chain bag
 Travel accessories:

- my stylish, functional, feminine quilted Toyah business bag by Knomo London,   
  which is the perfect professional and smart briefcase with inside padded sections for  
  tablets/laptops to cushion the devices from the daily rough and tumble and absorbs any 
  hard knocks, as well as pockets for their charging cables. It is also provided with lots of 
  compartments to slide notepads, papers, alongside your device for a compact, organised 
  mobile work station without forgetting other smaller travelling essentials to accompany       
  you on every journey. And in case my bag gets lost, or misplaced, a unique tracker code 
  will  help it find its way back. 

If you're a fashionista who travels for business and likes to fly carry-on, you will certainly have your way to build a business trip packing list with just a few pieces of clothing. So, let us know in the comments below...
Bye bye! See you soon! 👋 ✈

SUMMER MUST-HAVES: OFF-SHOULDER TOPS

We’re looking forward to Summer, because this season it’s all about baring your shoulders, so off-shoulder tops are the key-items! Several designers have been showing already different off-shoulder pieces on the catwalks for several S/S collections and also in the current street scene we see this trend more and more. The reason is that it manages to show a subtle amount of skin without creating an over-the-top feel. Whether you go for a chic party look or a fashionable everyday look, with an off-shoulder top you’ll create a statement appeal over and over again. Read more about this trend and see how I added it into my wardrobe with the following models.  1. Feminine-laidback silhouette An off-shoulder piece in a comfortable cotton quality can be perfect for an elegant yet casual everyday look. This off-shoulder button-down, light blue striped top is a favourite of mine, with two straps on the shoulders and a wide fold-over ruffle at the neck for a nonchalant feel. Team it with a pair of slim-fit blue jeans and white gommino driver shoes for a breezy, summery outfit, as well as a classic-meets-urban style.  2. Romantic style With this piece in a unique San Gallo lace, you’ll follow the off-shoulder trend, still showing your personal style.  The top is made from a lightweight, cotton quality, has a smoked neckline, separated sleeves, and a loose fit, thanks to its flared line. I like to wear this versatile top off-shoulder with a pair of jeans, a luxury handbag, and block-heeled sandals for a romantic ensemble with a subtle sexy feel - and finish the outfit with summery earrings and bracelets.  3. Flirty style:  This silk tank is a favourite of mine for its unusual cyclamen colour which I find very elegant and flirty with the detail of the decorative edging frill around the shoulders. I like to pair it  with black jeans and black accessories such as high-heeled sandals and a luxury chain bag.  4. High-fashion styling Easy to like and a real eye-catching piece, this black off-shoulder top with lace at the neck is in a high pure silk quality. The top has chiffon sleeves with a subtle puffed silhouette for an extra feminine touch. Be certain that with this garment you’ll leave a lasting impression! I like to wear the top high-fashion with black jeans and pointed heels or over-the-knee-boots, and accessorise the look with loop earrings and multiple bracelets to create an edgy, boho-chic style.  After this selection of trendy tops, my advice is definitely to invest in an off-shoulder piece this year, and you'll feel immediately summer-ready, even in this unpredictable May weather. The only necessary tip for getting a glamorous effect and avoid looking messy: wear a comfortable strapless bra underneath your tops for an elegant bare shoulder effect.

ROYAL WEDDING GUEST INSPIRATION: WHAT WOULD YOU WEAR TO A DAYTIME FORMAL CELEBRATION AND RECEPTION ?

The Royal Wedding broadcasted live, worldwide, last Saturday, and the following marathon of TV specials suggested me the subject of today's post. 

Don't worry, my post isn't going to dissect all the details of Harry's and Meghan's outfits, which were perfection in their traditionally modern style and globally analysed by more authoritative magazines and blogs, but it aims at taking inspiration from the best looks of their guests to sum up some suitable suggestions to get the perfect attire for the royal wedding guest. Because this dress code can be useful to all of us in the occasion of any daytime formal wedding, we may be invited this Spring.

When we receive a wedding invitation, the time and the location are always specified. But one big thing is mostly up to us: the choice of the outfit.

There are some general rules to adhere to, such as not wearing white or black, nor wearing clothes that are overly revealing, nor looking wrinkled or unkempt. Even with these rules, deciding what to wear can still be extremely difficult. This article will aim to reduce your difficulty and give you ideas to pick the perfect outfit. This kind of event initially sounds like it would be the most formal style of wedding one could ever be invited to. 

Some of the highlights of Royal Weddings in general are the most stylish attendee's outfits, since there are a lot of dignified daytime formal wedding wear for women/men.

So, picture for a moment that you've received an invitation to the Royal Wedding. Can you even imagine the excitement... and maybe the panic? I mean, I love finding dresses, but a Royal Wedding invite would send me into serious deliberations over what to wear! From what I gleaned, female guests will want to have those hemlines at - or below - the knee, shoulders covered with feminine wraps, light stockings, and closed-toe shoes, as well as tailored, long jacket + morning dress combinations for women, and lots of beautiful sleeved daytime dresses. And how could we forget - lots of hats and fascinators! Instead, we won't see many floor-length gowns, and flashy formal jewellery, still reserved for evening formal events.
If this is a time for classic jewellery, instead, the headwear takes the center stage. Understated real jewellery would be fabulous if you have it! Keep the polished look going with either a classic clutch or small chain bag and classic pumps.
As for him, either a formal lounge suit, or dark morning coat with grey striped trousers, 4-in-hand tie, vest and polished shoes, or of course uniforms, would be appropriate.
Here's a selection of the guests' best attires for a "Royal Perfect Guest".

And that's how I graciously put together the perfect look I'd choose for the Royal Wedding guest: I really love this elegant Chloé chiffon dress and pretty peach Chloé Nile bag, which is festive, but can't possibly offend! I'd certainly add my favourite Valentino rock stud nude pumps and an elegant fascinator. Even if you weren't invited to the Royal Wedding, I think this is still a great look - maybe minus the fascinator if this is too much for you - for any upscale daytime wedding.
I hope you agree with me about the selection as well as about my personal choice of formal daytime  wedding look. If you like, you can leave you comments in the section below the pictures.

DRESS CODE FOR "THE MILLE MIGLIA": SMART CASUAL.

Hi guys! Today, I'd like to create a different post than usual, with outfits that are inspired to the legendary Mille Miglia vintage car race. This sport event was originally a long-distance race which took place in Italy 24 times from 1927 to 1957. Since 1977 it has become a race for vintage vehicles, because the competition is limited to classic sports-cars manufactured before 1957 which took part in the editions of the original race. So, every May, for four days, lots of car lovers gather in Italy to celebrate the glory of vintage auto racing and watch this modern-time revival racing on a route from Brescia to Rome and back, passing through the traditional places of the original Mille Miglia.
This year, the 36th edition of its re-enactment has started today, Wednesday 16th May and will end on Saturday 19th May 2018, animated by enthusiasts from all over the world.
Like every year, lots of beautiful brightly hued cars have been charming even the most reticent onlookers for four days, while the Italian cities involved in the competition have been blessed with a magic, joyful, elegant atmosphere and crowded with jet-setters dressed in a cool, chic dress code that is suggestive of a delightful glamorous lifestyle. 

So, if we want to find a definition for the "Mille Miglia dress code", this would include a collection of original ready-to-wear pieces branded "Mille Miglia", that you can buy online or at on-site merchandise stands, if you’re either a participant or a huge fan, as well as period-style sporty clothing for a look authentic to the era. But there are also other chic outfits to try on this occasion, if you are not a participant, but you have some spare time to follow the technical checks at the Brixia Forum in Brescia or drool over the cars on display in the wonderful squares and parading through the streets of the city centre before the official departure, free to enjoy the typical cheerful atmosphere full of excitement and expectations, before the event . 

Here are some glamorous looks for women and for men to dress chic and comfy during "The most beautiful race in the world": this will include chinos, khakis, slim-fit jeans with a button-down shirt or a polo-style shirt and a sport-jacket, gommino driving shoes or sneakers and, without forgetting a raincoat, since heavy rain is traditionally one of the main features of this famous competition, where you'll find that vintage cars can be surprisingly durable and sporty in inclement weather...