Chic Illumination: heels

Showing posts with label heels. Show all posts

loving right now - colour pop heels

I'm excited (yes, for Parklife!) but also, because today's 'loving right now' edition is a little bit spesh. Well, I like to think that all my posts have a little something special about them, but today's is brag-worthy.
Not only are all the pairs of cheerful, fun and playful colour popping heels seen below wonderfully on-trend and chic, they are all from Australian websites and available to purchase as I speak, er, type that is.
So whether you are celebrating the days becoming warmer, the end of the working week, or finally getting that long overdue job promotion, why not do so by clicking through to these beautiful brights. Don't have anything much to celebrate? Strutting your stuff in a pair of these delightful pairs is sure to do the trick!

loving right now - colour pop heels by tessthomson featuring espadrille wedge shoes

Shoes
180 AUD - wittner.com.au

Shoes
140 AUD - sirenshoes.com.au

Mimi Loves Jimi espadrille wedge shoes
$80 - generalpants.com.au

Fuchsia shoes
gifts.myer.com.au

Tony Bianco Merri Shoes
170 AUD - tonybianco.com.au

Tony Bianco Canterbury - Pre Order Shoes
160 AUD - tonybianco.com.au

SIREN Evening MALLIN - Wanted Shoes
140 AUD - wantedshoes.com.au

Latest Season Shoes just arrived in stores - HYBRID
110 AUD - betts.com.au

9 to 5 inspiration - ships ahoy

The mighty pencil skirt is one item which I believe needs to appear at least once in every woman's wardrobe. As my 9 to 5 outfit below shows, the pencil skirt is a fabulous choice for the modern working woman, but it's options do not, and should not end there.
You can pair a pencil skirt with just about anything for any occasion. Last minute girls night out? Dinner with the lovah? Wedding? A perfect pencil skirt will tick all those boxes, and more. So you may be thinking, what makes the perfect pencil skirt?
It's quite simple really, it's all about the fit. You want your pencil skirt to fit comfortably at the mid-waist, firm enough to help create the streamlined silhouette synonymous with the pencil skirt, yet comfortable enough to tuck blouses in. Length is also key. The perfect pencil skirt should fall to your knees. A little above your knees is fine but unless you've got Megan Gale proportions stay away from anything longer than knee length, trust me this just leads to massive amounts of frump.
Once you've got your waist and length fits sorted then you all there's left to decide upon is colour, split and detail options. Colour; definitely go for black if you haven't got one yet, otherwise there are lots of fun bright options out at the moment to colour block with. Splits; side, front or the traditional back split are all options, they also range from modest to risqué in length. And finally detail; once again if it's your first pencil skirt go for minimal to no detail to ensure your skirt will stand the test of satirical time, or if you're adding to your collection something like the leather band featured on my pick below is a fun edgy detail.

9 to 5 inspiration - ships ahoy by tessthomson featuring a leather frame bag

Miss Selfridge polyester shirt
£39 - missselfridge.com

H M knee length pencil skirt
£20 - hm.com

Giuseppe Zanotti peep toe heels
$277 - farfetch.com

Leather frame bag
£28 - josephm.com

Drop earrings
$50 - witchery.com.au

9 to 5 inspiration - memo to monochrome

Nothing says "timeless chic" quite like a structured black and white outfit. It's also the perfect choice for a no-fuss, take-no-prisoners professional work look.
Keep yours on-trend with the new rage in pant shapes - the tapered leg, also known as the peg leg. This pant shape may take some getting used to if all your business pants are of the low-rise, boot-cut variety but trust me when I say that this is in fact a far more universally flattering style.
Highlighting your waist becomes a breeze with the higher rise, hips are no longer hugged but rather skimmed over and your heel options become endless with your ankle being beautifully highlighted by this cut.
I'm also swooning over the blazer below, it's just such a fabulous cut and being the super versatile design that it is, would look great dressed down as well. For a chic yet casual look I'd pair it with some denim cut-offs, a bright cami peeking from underneath and some layered necklaces.
P.S. romwe.com, where the jacket is now available, are a particularly awesome online store who offer free international delivery with no minimum spend required. Can I hear a hell yeah?!

9 to 5 inspiration - memo to monochrome by tessthomson featuring white bags

Red Valentino short sleeve t shirt
$94 - farfetch.com

White fitted blazer
$50 - romwe.com

Dorothy Perkins tapered pants
£30 - dorothyperkins.com

Funtasma high heel shoes
$60 - babygirlboutique.com

Star by Julien Macdonald white bag
£24 - debenhams.com

Gunmetal ring
$9.95 - witchery.com.au

sale alert - $30 off zu shoes say what?

Looking for your next hot pair of heels? The higher the better?
Love an exclusive bargain?
Wow, we have so much in common and we're sure to be great pals so I don't mind at all to share with you a lovely little offer from the sizzling shoe brand, Zu.
VIP Zu members can currently score $30 off any item over $100, valid through to end of September. You can take advantage of this offer either in-store with the flyer that was sent out to all members, or you can head on over to their online store and when you've chosen your next sole mates, simply enter the promotional code "SKD512" at the check out. So there you go, you can be a VIP member by default. Shhhhh! It can be our little secret.

Here are my picks from the current new arrivals with all images linked to the sale pages.

Ahoy $100

I'm loving this nautical take on the wedged espadrille, a style that is set to take over this Summer. Pair with a floaty white dress and wide brimmed hat for days at the beach.

Protea $120

This fashion forward sandal has so much going for it, not least of all it's towering combination of a 12cm heel and 6cm platform and is perfect for a night on the tiles. Expect to see more of this flat footed style around in seasons to come.

Sling $140

It's no surprise where this disco inspired baby got it's name. Made from luscious patent leather it's ideal for an overall look that's not for the faint-hearted. Think: sun-kissed pins, micro minis and plenty of head turning.

Gienna $150

What we have here is my idea of the perfect Summer work sandal. The wooden heel is perfect for a daytime look and the reasonably low rise heel means you won't break your back while racing for your train home. Available in taupe (pictured) and tan, it's sure to go with everything.

Colada $180

One of my favourite footwear trends from this past Autumn/Winter was the huge shoe boot trend and, clearly, I wasn't the only one. Everyone is loving some shoebootie action (once I say this word once, I can't stop! shoebootie, shoebootie, shoebootie!) and it seems like we'll be getting our fix right through Summer with an explosion of peep toe, sling back varieties hitting store shelves and magazine pages in the last few weeks. The offering here from Zu is a fabulous example, I'm digging the contrasting tan shades.

weekend warrior - brown town

I'm not normally one for going all colour colour matchy matchy on you, certainly not lately with so many collections featuring lots of bright colour being placed seemingly haphazardly next to one another. One thing I have noticed though, is that while a lot of this colour we're seeing everywhere is an antidote to the neutral tones that took over for what seemed like years, this doesn't necessarily mean neutrals are gone for good.

There were plenty of RAFW 11/12 designs featuring soft pinks, pale greys, muted caramels and off whites. LIFEwithBIRD's collection below is a perfect example.

Celebrities also are also finding it difficult to let go, as you can see here with the gorgeous Dianne Kruger wearing a simply divine Ellie Saab creation from their Fall 2011 collection.

So, this weekend, you can rest assured that your beloved neutral favourites are indeed still on-trend. For a bit of fun, why not throw in some unexpected colour via a set of drop earrings or other accessory.

weekend warrior - brown town by tessthomson featuring a boyfriend blazer

Knit top
$100 - witchery.com.au

Boyfriend blazer
$130 - topshop.com

Miss Selfridge leather shorts
£65 - missselfridge.com

Pelle Moda leather sandals
$92 - bloomingdales.com

Vintage handbag
$35 - modcloth.com

Kenneth Jay Lane gold tone earrings
$53 - my-wardrobe.com

lazing in lisbon

Spring has officially sprung and it's brought with it a whole bucket-load of new season style finds. My sun-dress wish-list is already off the charts, which is a cause of concern for my bank balance, perhaps, but I cannot describe how much joy I get just from browsing new season releases. As I'm sure you may have already worked out, I just can't get enough!
Frockoholics is a fabulous Australian online store with boundless designer, style and budget range choices. I've included one or two pieces from their site in the past, but today's choice is the hero of today's "day-dream outfit". This day dress has stolen my heart for it's chic yet retro vibe, delicious cut and colours and above all, that bold statement print. It's made from natural cotton voile, has a drawstring waist for ultra comfortability and is the hot-off-the-runway midi-length, sure to flatter most if not all body shapes.
Fun fact about Lisbon, Portugal? If you are invited to a Portuguese home for dinner, bring flowers, good quality chocolates or treats to the hostess. Just make sure you don't choose red flowers, since red is the symbol of the revolution. How about that. You learn something new everyday.

lazing in lisbon by tessthomson featuring leather handbags

Totem - Records Black Lin Dress - Day Dresses - designer dress,...
$159 - frockaholics.com

Leather sandals
$160 - topshop.com

H M leather handbag
£40 - hm.com

Lucky Brand Jeans chandelier earrings
$42 - luckybrand.com

Metal bracelet
$25 - topshop.com

Miss Selfridge enamel bangle bracelet
£8.50 - missselfridge.com

loving right now - polka dots

While I'm not adverse to a good old polka dot during the colder months, there is something about Spring and polka dots that just go together so well. Perhaps it's because they go so brilliantly with floaty day dresses? I don't exactly know why the connection is so strong, but then again, I don't really care!
Polka dots aren't exactly a major trend this upcoming season, but I've been seeing a lot of them nonetheless. A possible reason could be due of the hordes of vintage vibes seen at recent A/W 11/12 runway collections, this is the upside of essentially being a season behind the European market; "micro trends" can often be picked up by local designers here in Australia so we get a tasty preview of what's to come.
Anywho, back to the adorable polka dot! I've had a long love affair with this print and the young, fun and retro vibe it brings to the table which I find impossible to ignore. So, whether it be via a fifties inspired full skirted dress, some patterned stockings, or with some towering heels; this Spring, get your dot on.