December 14, 2013

MY SMALL OBSESSIONS Nail Polish


OMG I'm SO excited, I can barely concentrate on the screen to write this!  KOKO Nails has chosen to name one of it's nail polishes in the Spring 2014 collection after my blog! My Small Obsessions will be one of 6 exclusive colours and I can't WAIT to find out which colour it will be!

Keep watching this space for more info- I'll be giving away some nail polishes come Spring! :) 

December 9, 2013

My ESPRIT Story


Last week I was asked to join a very fun project with four other fashion bloggers in the U.A.E. We went to the Esprit flagship store in Dubai Mall, picked out our favourite outfits and were photographed in them. While shopping, a video was also shot of us with a little blurb about our personal style.

I must admit that ESPRIT isn't one of the stores that I frequently visit and I was quite surprised by what I found in the store. There is something to suit everyone's style and it was super difficult to choose JUST one outfit. In fact, if you notice from all of the blogger's outfit choices - everyone is dressed COMPLETELY differently based on their personal style. 



I am four months pregnant and I shopped based on finding something comfortable that would take me through my nine months in style. The leggings that I am wearing in the shoot were SO comfortable that I took them home and wore them for the whole week! I'm seriously considering stocking up on a few more pairs :)

                            

Outfit Details: Knit Sweater, Starred top, tank top, leggings, Bag & Sunglasses - All ESPRIT

The other bloggers Esprit Stories all wearing ESPRIT

Clockwise from Top Left: Stephanie Khoury, Tina Yums,  Marie Capucine, Kat Lebrasse

I highly recommend you visit an ESPRIT store - you are guaranteed to find something you love! :)

December 7, 2013

Amanda Navai Bags to benefit hunger in Syria

Sometimes Fashion designers design collections for great causes that make you feel good about owning them! Amanda Navai, the pioneer of genuine python bags, is the latest of those designers.

She has recently joined forces with the World Food Program to bring us four limited edition handbags that are sure to make a bold statement. Only 16 of these exclusive handbags will be sold with each style in red, purple, metallic navy and metallic blue. The styles were named after four of Dubai's most fashion savvy career women who provided the inspiration for the designs: 

The Louise Bag named after Harper's Bazaar Editor in Chief Louise Nichol

The Diala Bag named after TV Presenter Diala Makki

The Rosemin Bag named after Fashion Consultant Rosemin Manji 

The Alanoud Bag after Blogger and designer Alanoud Bader (aka Lady Fozaza)

Not only are these bags truly arm candy and very covetable but all profits will go towards feeding malnourished children in Syria. The sale of these 16 bags will allow 20,000 people to be fed through the World Food Program. I'd say that's a VERY worthy cause!

These exclusive bags will be sold at Bloomingdales, Dubai Mall starting December 8th. 
Call 04-350 5333 to pre-order your bag 
There are ONLY 16 bags so hurry! 

December 3, 2013

Competition Alert: Le Coq Sportif Sneakers


I have very exciting news today! I am gifting one reader a pair of these adorable polka dot Le Coq Sportif sneakers :) 

How to Enter:

1) Like 'Le Coq Sportif MiddleEast' on Facebook (link here) 
2) Like  'My Small Obsessions' on Facebook (Link Here)
3) Answer the Following Question "Where is Le Coq Sportif Sold in Dubai?" (Answer can be found here) 
4) Provide your shoe size, email address, and name in your answer. If you are having difficulty replying in the comments section of my blog, please post your reply on My Small Obsessions Facebook Page

Terms & Conditions: If your size is not available, then you will receive an AED 500 gift voucher to spend at Le Coq Sportif. This competition will be open for one week only! 

I wish you the Best of Luck :)

November 29, 2013

The BEST Black Friday Sales


Today is Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving where all of the stores in the U.S. go on sale for ONE DAY ONLY! The great news for us here in the Middle East is that we can enjoy the online sales from the comfort of our homes. Here are a few of my favourite fashion sales that are guaranteed to make your heart skip a beat. 

Intermix: 20% anything you buy on the site with the code THANKS. Go to www.intermixonline.com

Rag & Bone: 20%  full priced men's and women's winter clothes like sweaters and accessories. Go to www.rag-bone.com 

ShopBop:  15% off if you spend $250, 20% off if you spend $500, 25% off if you spend $1000 or more. Enter code BIGEVENT13. Go to www.shopbop.com 

3.1 Phillip Lim: 40% off selected pre-fall and fall 2013 items. Go to www.31philliplim.com 

BCBGMaxAzria: Up to 60% off and $100 off a purchase of $300 or more. Go to www.bcbg.com 

JCREW: 30% off all items with code HOLIDAY. Go to www.jcrew.com

SaksFifthAvenue: 60% of selected styles and 40% all designer clothes. Go to www.saksfifthavenue.com 

For a comprehensive list of more than 75 online sales that are worth it, CLICK HERE 

Happy Shopping! 





November 23, 2013

Get the Look for MUCH Less - Leather Skirts!

Leather is a winter staple and now that the weather in the U.A.E has gotten cooler, it's time to start adding leather to our wardrobes :) Leather skirts in particular are very on trend this season and I'm especially loving all the embellishments like rhinestones, zippers and asymmetric cuts. Here is a skirt that I found at ZARA that is very similar to a Rag & Bone one at a FRACTION of the price! 

The only thing to look out for when buying fake leather is to make sure that it doesn't look too fake - shiny or plastic-y. I really liked this ZARA skirt and think it will pass the test :) Now let's hope the weather stays cool enough to wear leather!! 


SPLURGE!!!
Material: Lamb Leather
AED 3,712

SAVE!!!
Material: Faux leather
AED 175

Happy Leather Shopping Ladies! :)

November 20, 2013

My New Obsession: Le Coq Sportif trainers


I have recently discovered a new sporting brand which sells the Cutest, most comfortable trainers - Le Coq Sportif. Founded in 1882, this French brand is renowned for its clothing, footwear and sporting equipment. Since it's inception, Le Coq Sportif has sponsored Jerseys for football teams and cyclists at the Tour De France, and outfits for tennis champions and the French Olympic Team. If athletes find their clothing and footwear comfortable, then I'm sure the rest of us would agree :) 

The Fall/Winter 2013 collection has really cool florescent clothing for women and men, an extensive collection for cyclists and footwear that can also be worn with your favourite outfits. Not just at the gym or while working out. Here are a few of my favourites this season...






Le Coq Sportif is located at Level Shoe District in Dubai Mall. 
Stay tuned for the next few weeks -
 I will be awarding 3 lucky winners funky footwear from the brand :) 

Which pair of trainers is your favourite??

November 9, 2013

Women love their burgers!

Today I have a light topic that I find very interesting :) Women in Japan don't usually like to eat big burgers in public because you have to open your mouth wide to take a bite. Let's start from the beginning:

Traditional way of putting lipstick to make mouths look smaller
(www.jodicobb.com)

In ancient times, Japanese women wearing traditional dress used to paint only the middle of their lips with lipstick to give the illusion that they have small mouths. This made them more attractive to men. This tradition has carried on until today - women in Japan cover their mouths when laughing too loud and usually when taking big bites. Until NOW...

(Source: Foodbeast)

A clever Japanese fast food Burger Chain, Freshness Burger, noticed that sales of their juiciest burger was only popular among men. So they created The Liberation Wrapper. Placing it in front of a burger allows women to open their mouths wide and enjoy the Classic Burger while appearing to have their mouths closed to the person sitting across from them! The invention was such a success that the chain's sales of Classic Burgers to female customers increased by 213% in one month!!!

For more details, WATCH MORE Here

I used to think that women only went to great lengths when it came to fashion - It seems we also go to great lengths to enjoy a good meal as well :)

What do you think of the Liberation Wrapper?

November 7, 2013

Get the Look For MUCH Less: Louis Vuitton's Lingerie Dress

Louis Vuitton Fall/Winter 2013 collection of lingerie dresses
(www.vogue.co.uk)

Marc Jacobs collection for Louis Vuitton this season was a collection of barely there, lingerie-style dresses. The idea behind his collection was "All dressed up but nowhere to go." The dresses are quite skimpy with plunging necklines, thigh splits and low backs so he covered them with long coats.  While I personally find them very skimpy and risque (lingerie should only be worn at home!), the fashion world has gone crazy over them and celebrities have been snapped out and about in these dresses.

Victoria Beckham & Daisy Loewe in Louis Vuitton Lingerie Dresses
(nymag.com - www.mydaily.co.uk)

Luckily for us, ZARA has created its own versions of the lingerie-style dress at a FRACTION of the price

This dress is very on trend with its lace details and tartan print
AED 625

ZARA Studio Mesh Dress (Link)
AED 625

ZARA Lingerie-style Studio Dress (Link)
I love how they made this more wearable by teaming it with a light sweater
AED 575

How to wear this trend
To pull off a lingerie-style, lace covered dress to perfection, I think you need a killer bod and a TON of confidence! Otherwise, there are ways to make it more fashionable & less skimpy...

  1. Cover with an eye-catching blazer or long sweater in the same color scheme as the dress so they look like a set
  2. Dress down with chunky boots or dress up with stilettos
  3. Wear statement earrings or a statement necklace to bring attention up to your face and not to the plunging necklines
  4. As always, only wear this trend if you are truly comfortable in it and have fun :)

Will you be wearing the Lingerie trend this season?!

November 4, 2013

Isabel Marant for H&M

As you have probably heard, this year's designer collaboration with H&M is Isabel Marant. I don't think I have seen or heard as much hype about a collab since Lanvin x H&M! Celebrities have already been snapped out and about wearing the items and every single Fashion Magazine has written about it! It consists of jackets, dresses, pants, tops, boots, shoes, and accessories for men, women AND children! Here are my favourite items from the women's collection. 

Choose the items you love best from NOW! Then race to H&M on Nov 14 and grab them before anyone else does :)

All of the clothes and accessories are re-makes of iconic pieces from Marant's previous collections

Clockwise from top left: Frida Pinto, Elena Perminova, Olga Kurylenko, Alice Dellal 

January Jones, Audrey Tetou, Isabel Marant, Frida Pinto 
(All in Isabel Marant x H&M)

I am absolutely OBSESSED with this collection and can understand why it has been hailed as one of the best H&M collaborations to date! I'll see you at the checkout on Nov 14!
(Not all H&M stores will be selling this collection so call your nearest H&M before-hand to ensure they will be carrying it)

October 27, 2013

Outfit Ideas for IRIS at Formula 1

There is a new venue for Formula 1 this year - IRIS from Beirut has officially opened its doors and will be the coolest party destination in town! If you had a blast there last year, I can guarantee this year will be EVEN BETTER with their permanent location on Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi. The venue is bigger, the music is better, and the vibe will be Fabulous. Problem is, what do you wear to such an amazing party that starts in the afternoon and ends at night?? Here are some outfit ideas with tons of tips for both the ladies AND the men! 

LOOK 1: VA VA VOOM While you keep Cool 
VALENTINO Va Va Voom Shoulder bag (Link)
(It's going to be a long day so a bag that sits on your shoulder or a cross body bag is a lot more comfy than a clutch/tote)
ASH Suede and Canvas Wedges (Link)
(Wear comfy shoes that will take you from the race, to IRIS, to the concerts, to the afterparties)

LOOK 2: CASUAL, COMFY, YET OH SO STYLISH! 
SASS & BIDE Crepe Jumpsuit (Link)
(This is light and will keep you cool all day)
ASOS Grecian crown Headband (Link)
(The trick to this look is in the accessories - the more decadent, the more formal you will look)
GORJANA Python Cuff (Link)
REED KRAKOFF Mini Raffia Shoulder bag (Link)
JIMMY CHOO Wedge Sandals (Link)

LOOK 3: FOR HIM 
GUCCI Cotton Polo Tshirt (Link)
(I love the collar on this polo)
LANVIN Slimfit Cotton Trousers (Link)
MINSAI Leather & Meral Anchor Bracelet (Link)
MULBERRY Woven Leather Belt (Link)
(Woven belts are ALOT less formal than rigid leather ones, and are great for casual looks)
ZARA Straw hat (Link)
Y3 trainers (Link)
(The trick to wearing trainers yet not looking too informal is to make sure that the heel is not white. White men's sneakers belong in the gym, not at a lounge)

What will YOU be wearing to IRIS at F1 this Year??

October 23, 2013

Be Stylish this Halloween

Yin & Yang

I remember a Halloween party when I was about 12 years old... my sister helped my best friend and I become Yin and Yang. We dressed up in black and white and she painted half our faces white and the other half black. (In our defense, it was the early 90s!). By the end of the night, my best friend STILL looked stunning yet the paint on my face became lumpy. Somehow the two colors mixed from one side of my face to the other and I ended up looking like a horror show! I am still traumatized till this day and hate dressing up for Halloween!

This year, I was very happy to discover that designers have added Halloween motifs to stylish fashion items. People like me can look stylish and enjoy the holiday, without having to transform our entire look into something we are not! Yay :)  

Here are a few of my favourite Halloween Inspired Fashion Items 







Hope you have a stylish Halloween! :)

October 22, 2013

Competition Alert: I'm giving away Giorgio Armani SI perfume bottles!



I am giving away 5 bottles of Giorgio Armani's new perfume SI! It is a lovely scent with notes of cassis nectar, modern chypre, and light musky wood. I find it very light and sweet and the perfect scent to wear everyday.

How to WIN
SI means YES in Italian. All you have to do is tell me what you say SI to! It can be absolutely anything. (For example: Love, life, myself, shopping, fashion, vacation, travel, etc)


COMPETITION DETAILS
1) 'LIKE' MySmallObsessions on FaceBook & Instagram

2) Tell me your SI in the comments section below, on FB, or Instagram

3) Tag @mysmallobsessions #GiorgioArmani #SIto(your si)
e.g.  Si to Fashion would be:
Si to Fashion @mysmallobsessions #giorgioarmani #SItoFashion 

4) Provide your email address with your answer so I can contact the winners :)

Winners will be chosen completely at Random

GOOD LUCK! 

October 21, 2013

Galeries LaFayette Fashion Lives Event


How cool is this?? To celebrate the launch of their new Autumn/Winter Collection, Galeries LaFayette threw an event called FASHION LIVES.  Dramatic looking mannequins came to life and led theatrical performances throughout the store for three days. They wore clothes from brands currently sold in store like: Versace, Hugo Boss, Ralph Lauren, Lacoste, Poca & Poca, and Yves Salomon. I especially love how creative the fashion shows are...




Can't wait to shop this new collection in store now!

Galeries LaFayette is located at the Dubai Mall

October 20, 2013

My Wardrobe.com is on SALE!

Now that your EID vacation is over, you might be a little bummed out to get back to routine. I have a treat today to keep you happy! It's going to start getting cooler out soon so why not buy new items for your wardrobe while they are on sale?? Mywardrobe.com is having their Mid-season sale and they are offering 20% off on a lot of great items! Make sure you log on before the sale ends...

Here are a few of my favourite SALE picks:

Perfect fitting skinny jeans. On Sale. What's not to love?

I would pair this with a simple tee, a pair of jeans, and a great pair of pumps
 for simple evening glamour

I am simply OBSESSED with this art-deco cuff! 

The pouf at the bottom of this skirt gives it a nice edge to a simple black skirt

I love the feminine cuteness of this dress-
 It is guaranteed to make you feel like a grown up princess!

This A-Z Book of Fashion Designers would make a great gift for ANY fashionista :)

These sparkly beauties will make every single outfit POP!

Happy Shopping Ladies :)