be cos

The street where I work has the cutest little houses. Weatherboard. Picked fences. Bikes that are ridden in the cute little streets. Que me standing randomly in front of one such house and begging my hubby to take a picture on his iPhone (still no camera for me!) On my latest overseas work trip I made my first purchase from COS. Not sure exactly how it's pronounced. The aussie in me says 'cos', my friends in New York call it C O S. Either way it's the big sister of H&M, yep that fast fashion European chain that will soon be on our Australian shores. Cos is simpler. More streamlined. More classic. A perenial blogger favourite that takes the latest catwalk looks and makes them effortless. So needless to say I couldn't say no to this textured shift dress with it's amazing leather patch pockets. Comfy yet glam (and mixing leather and texture means it's so HOT right now) it will no doubt continue to be a wardrobe staple come spring (good bye fur, and hello bare pale winter legs!!!). So the only question remains, will COS grace our shores soon? x K

Shift dress COS, Leggings TopShop, Boots Rag and Bone

Sunglasses Tom Ford, Faux Fur Gilet Zara

Watch Marc by Marc Jacobs, Ball Bracelet Tiffany & Co.

military precision

I have had this bag, forever. Well not forever, but for a good eight or so years. It was my first big purchase. She's a Chloe. The bag I chose to buy when the Paddington was huge and I didn't want to follow the pack. I love her. Mainly because she is practical and holds everything, but also because she is classic, and twinkles with a hint of both silver and gold. And when themes like military roll around (as they so often do) she makes the perfect bag. Urban yet glam. I have mentioned my love of khaki before (see here), and I don't see it going away soon. Mixed with pretty vintage pieces and classic black boots, a khaki jacket is a perfect nod to the trend that will take you from winter into summer. And with Zara and Topshop showing such fabulous affordable versions, I say jump online now. Heck visit the stores in Melbourne, they are probably already here. x K

Jacket Zara, Dress and Belt Vintage, Sunglasses Tom Ford,

Boots Rag and Bone, Arty Dots Ring YSL, 

Watch and iPhone Cover Marc by Marc Jacobs, Bag Chloe

white magic

Dressing up is something I love. So dressing up to take photos for my blog, is nothing out of the ordinary. Whatever I am loving, or wearing to death, is what I want to blog about. At the moment I am obsessed with white, (as you can tell by my recent blog post on white here) but I am especially loving white lace. Enter Zara. This white lace dress is perfect for the ridiculous almost 100 degree days we are experiencing here in New York. Gorgeous lace detail, perfect length for both flats or a cute wedge and yet breezy enough to endure the scorching heat of day (and night!). If only my camera was that resilient! Yep, my camera failed on me today. Mid shot at the 9/11 World Trade Centre Memorial. Black screen = camera fail. Who knew?! So what was supposed to be an afternoon photo op from Central Park, ended up a spontaneous iPhone post as we waited for the subway. One thing I have learnt in my time here?? New York is never predictable. Gotta love it. x K

Dress Zara, Bag Louis Vuitton, H Bangle Hermes, Ball Bracelet Tiffany & Co.

Flats Cantao Rio, Watch Marc by Marc Jacobs

bright lights big city

Two amazing things have happened to me. Firstly, I saw Ricky Martin. Ok so yes it was in Evita, not dancing in some club, but still. Ricky Martin! I'm thinking that's a pretty good celeb sighting (which is only probably trumped by once seeing Posh Spice getting off my plane, and stumbling across the Sex and the City 2 Movie being filmed in Morocco!) And secondly, I fell in love with this dress. Quite frankly it holds the key to my happiness because it ticks so many of my current fashion prerequisites. Photo print. Check. Sequins. Check. Oversized wear with anything and can hide a "feeling fat day" silhouette. Check. In fact, I really feel fabulous, not only because I'm standing in the middle of Times Square about to watch Ricky Martin, but because I have this dress on. Oh and a blow out (yes blow wave here in the USofA) helps too. I am loving so many different looks this season, so I ask you, what are your fashion prerequisites for right now? x K

Dress Allsaints, Watch and Bag Marc by Marc Jacobs
Shoes Zara, Braclets Ippolita and Tiffany & Co.

the big apple

Leather Sleeve Jacket Zara, Leather Pants Sportsgirl,
Boots Rag and Bone, Tank Splendid
NYC Taxi c/o State of NYC = priceless

Nothing says New Yorker more than getting into a yellow cab at JFK airport. So hello New York City. I'm here. Enough said x K

mint obsession

I'm having a mint moment. One where I want to paint my walls mint, make mint infused salads and wear mint, preferably tonally color blocked and head to toe. And while I promise you I will attempt all three of these while I am in New York (potentially paint my nails, not the walls of our apartment!) I am completely aware how hard this color can be for the Australian winter. So I was delighted to find this boucle jacket in Zara while I was in London recently. A fabulous icy mint green, with a cool zip front and raw edge trim, it is perfect for wearing now with leather or denim (and will be equally amazing come summer over a crisp white dress). Fabulous? I think so! x K

Jacket Zara, Tee James Perse,
Leather Shorts Warehouse, Cuff Chanel,
Sunglasses Tom Ford,
Watch Marc by Marc Jacobs, Necklace F21, Tights TopShop
Shoes Christian Louboutin, Earrings Tiffany & Co

block out

Block heels are having a massive moment. And because I completely struggle to walk in a) massive high heels and b) any heel that doesn't represent a balancing platform the size of a tree trunk, I am in shoe heaven. Loving the wear with everything nude hue of these (my latest purchase, thanks Zara!), and the perspex heel adds extra wow. They are like candy for my feet x K

Shoes Zara, Nails OPI San-tantonio

But I also love these color blocked Christian Louboutins if you dare, these amazing perspex heels from Stella (sigh!), or these ever more affordable (yet still amazing) metallic heels from Topshop. You can't go wrong!

neon lights

The sugary tones of London have me inspired. For pastels, yes, but more for how I can take a gorgeous pastel dress and turn it into something a little unexpected. So what better way to break up a soft hue than to add a loud, neon pink trim. With so many neon accessories out there right now, like this Marc by Marc Jacobs bag and this Timex watch, its easy to add a touch of neon to your life. It's the perfect balance between too sweet and too sour. And because I'm just too old to rock head to toe neon (aren't I?!) it's the perfect way to update your look for right now. Try it x K

Dress Top Shop, Belt New Look, Shoes Zara
Watch Marc by Marc Jacobs, Bracelet Tiffany and Co.
Shopping Bag Forever 21

luck be a lady

Nothing says lady like glamour more than pleats, so I was extremely excited to find this dress almost forgotten in the back of my wardrobe. The spearmint hue, micro print and fine pleat skirt make this dress very perfect for right now. I couldn't resist toughening up the look with a faux fur gilet and ankle boots. Whats not to love? x K

Dress Strawberry Kats, Faux Fur Gilet Zara, Boots Rag and Bone, Watch Marc by Marc Jacobs