My Small Obsessions

January 19, 2013

Spring Trends at MyWardrobe

It's that time of year when the sales are ending and there are new items on the racks each week. I always have difficulty shopping at this time because I'm still unsure about what the Spring trends are. I wouldn't want to spend money on something not in style and then watch it hang neglected in my cupboard! Luckily, Mywardrobe.com has created a style guide and categorized their new pieces based on the hottest trends to look for this Spring. Enjoy :)

THE SIXTIES

The 60s are making a comeback through shift dresses, A-line cuts trapeze shapes and peter pan collars in BRIGHT colours

Here is a modern take on a 60s-cut inspired dress.

RICHARD NICOLL silk jacquard shift dress

CLICK HERE for more 60s inspired outfits

PRINTS

Prints were all over the catwalks for Spring 2013 and you can wear them head-to-toe matched, mis-matched, or one piece a print and the other a block color. The rules are lax - just have fun with this trend!

Loving these prints and the way the model is wearing them - Off-duty chic done right!

ACNE Print shorts and top

To view more PRINTS, CLICK HERE

VOLUME

Indulge in a new silhouette this Spring- Volume! Wear oversized shirts, skirts, or dresses.

The key to this look is to offset the volume by pairing it with something slim and fitted

(e.g. a bubble skirt with a tight top) so you don't end up looking too frumpy!

This TIBI dress will look good on because the top is fitted and only the skirt is big and ruffled.

The color is absolutely FABULOUS!

CLICK HERE to see more VOLUME on Mywardrobe

LEATHER

Leather is still very on-trend this Spring - wear it as much as you can before it gets hot out!

Choose coloured leather to look even more stylish

This classic THEORY leather jacket in green will instantly update your outfit

CLICK HERE for more LEATHER items

SPORTS CHIC

Designers have been influenced by sports wear this season and bring us clothes

using tech fabrics, mesh panels, stripes, and zips.

Avoid looking like you are going to the gym by teaming pants with high heels and

dresses with funky trainers

I like the way this bomber jacket by THEYSKENS' THEORY is teamed with skinny jeans and ankle boots. Very sports chic and flattering at the same time

CLICK HERE for more SPORTS CHIC looks

GRAPHICS

Stripes, checks, grids, circle prints, monochrome and loud colours and motifs are IN.

This is a trend that I might not be able to wear but be BOLD and try it :)

I like this silk Andy Warhol printed poncho and would wear it to an post-beach party like Blue Marlin

CLICK HERE for more GRAPHICS

MY ADVICE is to buy what suits you- don't be bullied into buying items that make you look bad but are trendy. You will just end up looking off. There are some really great trends this season so purchase wisely and enjoy your updated wardrobe! :)

January 16, 2013

The JOY of online shopping!

I woke this morning not to my usual extremely annoying alarm but to the doorbell ringing. Standing outside was the ARAMEX guy carrying two huge packages from Mywardrobe.com and Netaporter.com full of goodies I ordered last week. With just one eye open, I tore open all the boxes and tried on every single item and I loved most of them! What a great way to start my day, I'm sure it is going to be a great one now! :)

Online shopping has its perks:

- Ordering from the comfort of your own home

- Getting packages without needing to go all the way to the stores (or in my case Dubai each time I need something decent!)

- Trying on everything and returning what you don't like. I am always embarrassed to try too many items in stores and then walk out without buying anything.

With Net-a-Porter shopping is even easier because you pay a £20 fee to ship your items and nothing when you return them. Mywardrobe.com has a small fee to return items. Items from other websites like Shopbop.com are more expensive to return because you have to pay for the Aramex or FedEx shipping back to the U.S yourself.

Another great perk of online shopping is that you get to experience a MUCH wider selection from each brand much sooner than when it arrives in the stores in the U.A.E. The online retailers are already selling Spring/Summer and Cruise collection clothes while the shops here are still on sale. You can even send an email to customer services and they can answer any of your questions: which season did this come from, what do you recommend I pair it with, is it a runway piece? These experts know so much more than the usually useless salespeople in the shops! I use this service quite a lot.

It can be quite intimidating to put your credit card number online but these websites have become much more secure and your details are usually safe from harm. Some websites have combatted this by allowing you to pay cash on delivery (Boutique1.com) so you only pay for the items you like and don't need to divulge your credit card details.

While I still prefer to buy certain items from brick and mortar stores (shoes, swimsuits, evening dresses), online shopping is fast becoming the new way to shop. Just receiving those boxes this morning without even needing to step outside my door gave me such a thrill and instantly woke me up :)

Do you like to shop online? What are your favourite websites?

January 15, 2013

The GOLDEN GLOBES- My FAV dresses!

The 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards were on Sunday and while this is usually an event I look forward to, I had no idea they were even on until I saw red carpet dresses all over Facebook! I've been in such a daze lately!!!

I feel like none of the actresses went really crazy with their dresses this year and there was nothing that was SO stunning that it blew my mind. Nevertheless, there were some very nice dresses. Most of the ladies wore very simple hairstyles, either non-fussy updos or retro waves. Box clutches seemed to be the bag of choice for the evening. Here are a few of my favourite picks from the night:

Emily Blunt in MICHAEL KORS

My absolute Favourite look of the night. She looks FABULOUS!

(Source: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images)

Zooey Deschanel in OSCAR DE LA RENTA

While this dress is quite plain and the average princess flowy gown, the colour is stunning.

(Source: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images)

Amanda Seyfried in GIVENCHY

I'm sure this dress is even more beautiful in reality- look at all the lace!

(Source: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images)

Kerry Washington in MIU MIU

While this dress is a little too informal for the Golden Globes, it's beautiful for any another occasion!

(Source: Branch/Patrick McMullan/SIPA)

Julianna Margulies in PUCCI

WOW! I'm loving the color of this dress.

(Source: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images)

Michelle Dockery in ALEXANDRE VAUTHIER

I'm still undecided if I like this dress but she looks very good in it!

(Source: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images)

Julianne Hough in MARCHESA

Another wow!

(Source: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images)

Kate Hudson in ALEXANDER McQUEEN

So chic with a stunning neckline!

(Source: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images)

Nicole Richie in NAEEM KHAN

(Source: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images)

To see more Red Carpet dresses at the Golden Globes, click here

Which is your favourite look of the night?

Outfit Du Jour

Louis Vuitton polka dot top, Karl by Karl Lagerfeld leather skirt, Sacai Luck cardigan (click here to see it in beige), Anton Heunis necklace, Anna Dello Russo for H&M clutch, Giuseppe Zanotti wedge trainers

January 14, 2013

BICE at Ettihad Towers

Last night we had dinner at the popular Italian chain, BICE, at Ettihad Towers. I had never been to the previous branch at the Hilton Hotel and was actually quite disappointed with the restaurant. It is too big and while the decor is funky, the restaurant is very cold, uninviting and lacks ambiance. As is true of most new restaurants in Abu Dhabi, it was also very empty.There is an outdoor dinner area around the hotel swimming pool which is nice but is just as uninviting.

(Source: bottom photo from tripadvisor.com)

The bar is set aside from the dining area and is also quite cold

The outside seating area next to the pool. To the right of this area are tables and chairs for dining

While the menu is impressive and contains all of the dishes you would expect of an Italian Restaurant, the food is displayed very plainly on big white plates. Chicken Milanese arrives with no garnish, no sides, zilch. Just a huge piece of breaded chicken on a plate with a tiny lemon wedge. The spaghetti comes in this big jumbled mess, doesn't even fill the hole in the plate, and looks like it has been over tossed. Again, no garnish and not appealing to the eyes.

If the reason for the poor displays is for customers to focus on only the taste of the food, then they have succeeded. The food actually speaks for itself. However, if like me you judge a restaurant dish by how it looks, then the food looked terrible at first glance. I was surprised that it tasted so good!

The appetizers are displayed better and more appetizingly (is that a word?) than the main courses. Despite the poor display, the food tasted very good

Clockwise from top: Penne Arrabiata, Burrata, Eggplant Parmigiana, Bresaola

The main courses - no comment!

Clockwise from top: Grilled Chicken with boiled potatoes, Pasta, Chicken Milanese, Grilled Sea Bass with boiled potatoes

The only nice aspects of this restaurant were the live singer on the piano who sang catchy Italian tunes with a nice voice, and the servers who were very accommodating and friendly.

My overall review: If you are looking for yummy Italian food and a quiet night with no fuss and no ambiance, go to BICE. If you prefer somewhere more lively and just as good food, try Frankies at the Fairmont :)

January 13, 2013

Outfit Du Jour

Valentino red jacket, Markus Lupfer POP dress, Chanel bag, earrings from Turkey,

See by Chole boots (see them here)

Coconut Oil- the SUPER product!

While I was in the Seychelles last November (to read more about my trip, click here) I bought a bottle of pure coconut oil. I had read somewhere that it holds great health benefits and more importantly, that the Victoria Secret Angels all swear by it! The oil I bought was bottled at the source and isn't a commercial brand so there were absolutely NO directions on the bottle. It has been sitting in my beauty closet until now!

Make sure you read the labels!

This bottle says 'Pure Coconut' but turned out to be mostly alcohols

Last week while browsing in the drugstore Boots, I bought a hair mask that said PURE COCONUT. I checked the ingredients at the back and guess what? The first ingredient is water, the next FIVE are alcohols, then coconut oil then like ten other weird ingredients. There was nothing PURE about this coconut product!! I took out the bottle made of the real stuff that I bought in the Seychelles and researched online how to use it. Turns out, coconut oil is acually incredible for your hair, skin, reducing cholesterol and stress, raising metabolism and a whole lot of other things.

Before I explain how it can be used, what is very interesting to note is that coconut oil is actually not oily in the bottle and doesn't pour out. It solidifies at room temperature and resembles white wax. Rub it between your palms or place the bottle in a glass bowl of hot water for about ten minutes until it is warm. It will become oil.

COCONUT OIL FOR HAIR
Unlike other hair products which only sit on the hair, coconut oil deeply penetrates the hair shaft to repair it from the inside out. Remember, a small amount goes a long way- start with a little and add more as you need it.

Apply it to your scalp (too much will make your hair greasy) to re-grow your hair
Rub a small amount on your ends to hydrate and tame frizz
Add it to your shampoo to condition your hair
Add it all over your hair as a leave-in conditioner for shiny and healthy hair (I've been doing this for a week now and my hair is shinier and smells heavenly!)
Massage it into your scalp to remove dandruff

COCONUT OIL FOR SKIN

Most moisturizers contain water to make you feel as if your skin is being moisturized. After the water dries, your skin is left dry again.

Swap if for your normal moisturizer and apply it to your face. Put a small amount on your palm, rub it until it becomes oily and then apply. It penetrates deep into your skin cells leaving them moisturized. It also helps to remove dead and flaky skin cells off the skin surface
Use it as a body moisturizer after the beach for that irresistible coconut-y smell

There are a million other benefits to coconut oil - for example it can be used in food to reduce cholesterol levels. Meranda Kerr even uses it in her salads! Click here for more ideas on how to use it in your food

The most important advice I can give is to buy ORGANIC, EXTRA VIRGIN coconut oil to really reap all its health benefits. You can find it in any organic supermarket or on Amazon.com. The stronger the coconut scent, the better the stuff inside the bottle!

Have you ever tried organic coconut oil?

January 11, 2013

Up Close & Personal: The Nawbar Sisters!

It's no secret that I'm OBSESSED! with jewellery and accessories. Today I'm bringing you an EXCLUSIVE interview with Dima and Tanya Nawbar, the owners and designers of the hip and trendy L'atelier Nawbar in Beirut. Founded in January 2011, their atelier is a very unique concept where their workshop is located INSIDE the store to celebrate the craftsmanship of jewellery. Unlike all other jewellery stores that can be quite intimidating to enter, L'atelier Nawbar is more of a gallery which showcases jewellery by these two sisters as well as by other designers.

I find their jewellery very exceptional, quite vintage-y and can be worn both day and night. They design everyday pieces, larger statement pieces, and offer a bespoke service where you can create any piece that you like.

I sat down with these incredibly talented sisters to get an inside look into how they run their business:

(Source: Entrepreneur Levant)

Tell me a little about yourselves?

We dabbled in design from a very young age and were always interested in jewellery. Our parents are the owners and designers of the popular Nawbar jewellery store in Beirut and our father included us in his design process from as early as we can remember.

From where do you get your inspiration?

We are inspired by everyday life. We follow and research the world's trends but we always add a twist with a personal touch of our own. We feel there is a lot of diversity in our personal styles and that is shown throughout our different collections. However, we give our clients the freedom to customize whatever piece he or she desires, guiding them along the way.

L'atelier Nawbar can customize necklaces with your name in Falamank diamonds.

I made one for each of my bridesmaids at my wedding :)

How often do you put out a collection?

We put out collections based on the seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, and the seasonal holidays Christmas and Eid. The advantage of having access to our workshop everyday makes it easier to design whenever we want.

Who do you design for? Who is your target customer?

We design for trendy, timeless, avant guard women who express their own style and are not afraid to make each piece their own. Even if they are buying a classic design, they will always wear it their own way.

Tell me a little about your operation - who does what?

We both do a little bit of everything - we don't have divided tasks. We actually rotate tasks to avoid boredom and routine. Our design process is never ending: we start with inspiration (and we are both very easily inspired!) and we bring it to the table. Dima prefers sketching, whereas Tanya begins graphically and we both research to support the idea and stretch it further. We then pitch it to one another and decide which is feasible and which designs could wait a season or two.

What's it like to work together as sisters?

We don’t know if it is the same for all sisters, but we are always on the same page. We both know what we want. Though we have different personal styles, we have a unanimous vision for the future of our company. We argue all the time and fight over silly things on a daily basis but when it comes to the big decisions we have nothing but love, respect and support for one other.

What is the idea behind your store?

L’atelier Nawbar is the first gallery of its kind in Lebanon and it introduces a holistic collaboration between designers, artisans, retailers and consumers. Our atelier is inside the store so our customers can see how our jewellery is made. We also showcase pieces by other designers as well as our own.

The gallery is a 350 meter underground space with a large visible workshop in a glass box that 'celebrates craftsmanship- rather than conceal it in secrecy'

How do you think your brand differs from other brands?

What makes us different is we allow jewelry to be attainable to all. We try to make most of our pieces multi-purpose and give our customers the option of coming back and changing the item so it evolves with them.

We offer an Abracadabra service where clients can custom tailor pieces to fit their own style and budget. They are involved in the design process from the beginning to the end. We can send pieces to clients anywhere in the world.

Do you have any favourite pieces?

We love all of our pieces! If we are not convinced with the outcome of a certain design we will start it all over again. Each day we have a new favourite. Today, Dima's favourite is our rock crosses and Tanya's favourite is the henna/victorian lace inspired hand band.