What's going to be hot for Spring & Summer 2013

A Beautiful Spring/Summer season awaits for us for 2013!

So winter is slowly creeping up on us here in the Vaal and I am writing to you over a cup of hot chocolate watching the sun from outside my window grow weaker and weaker each day. The chocolate and creamy eats make me dread winter as its not very healthy and I am still going to have to brave the cold in the mornings to gym it off (still stiff from yesterdays pump class though:) ). Temperatures here drop to below 0 and I don't want to think about the likes of freezing cold weather that creeps into the core of your bones - I would pick the wind and rain over this in Cape Town any day! For these reasons,
I thought it appropriate to keep my thoughts summery, and would like to share some trends that I found interesting for Spring & Summer 2013 for girls and ladies fashion - the winter trends can wait...I just want to stay hot for winter I'll worry about looking hot later!

Too much of chocolate in winter!

I quite enjoy browsing through Snapette, www.squidoo.com, justfab.com, TheBestFashionblog.com, H&M, Next, M&S and a few other websites that always inspire me.  There are also A LOT of fashion blogs out there that eat, breath, sleep just fashion 24/7 with the most amazing and informative posts on a whole 'nother level. For me it is interesting and I like to observe what people are wearing and also what local fashion forward retail stores like Truworths, Edgars, Woolworths, Foschini, Mr Price, Identity and Jay Jays are offering! These stores are great sources and usually hot on the trends; I enjoy magazines such Vogue, Bazaar, InStyle, Glamour, Style Magazine and a few other magazines inspires one to shop!

One of my favourite things to do was on every Sunday or other when it would be raining to go to Exclusive Books at either Canal Walk or Cavendish, have a mocha and read through all the International magazines while my Sweetheart would be working on his laptop. I really miss that of Cape Town, we only have a CNA and Bargain Books here not such as BARGAIN, I'd say...but I am digressing back to what's hot right now, well what will be for us in about 4 - 5 months.

So summery and cute - from Soca girl

Trends for the Girlies:
I noticed that there is a lot of inspiration taken from President Obama's to daughters, Sasha and Malia. It looks like they brought back the pinafore dress and midi dress.By the way little girls are even blogging (I wasn't even computer literate until high school) ... there is also this cute site with fashion for girls by girls called www.fashionplaytes.com. and I like www.tweengirlstylemagazine.com.

PRETTY PINK!

The predominant themes that stood out for me is tribal, resort, great outdoor escape, pretty pink, soft grungy and bright graphic. There is also a lot of focus on denim friendly (as in the denim shirt and lots of shorts) with a focus of tops and accessories that can be worn back to your denim. There is also very bright colour skinny jeans and jeggings (stretchy jean like leggings) that come in a variety of Aztec and other tribal prints, floral and graphic prints. The frill top looks like a key item that creates a peplum look. I also saw some long shorts like borrowed from the boys that was quite big in the 90's (also in fashion for ladies), they look very sporty...and one pieces. There is a focus on different levels of blue but overall blue is a strong colour, yellow, red, white, navy and black, pink and emerald green.

Tribal is hot and hi-tops!

In terms of prints there is strong focus on tribal then spots, stripes, camo and large florals. Oh and animal is still there leopard and zebra in a variety of colour. In terms of accessories there is the printed or textured cap and stack bracelets like friendship bracelets with positive words of love and hope on them. What's hot for your footies are gladiator sandals, smoking slippers and brogues to finish off the look...oh and hi-tops!

Stack bracelets

It's a zebra innit with trendy tort wayfarers and gold tie! The cool dude was spotted at Ackermans.

In terms of novelties, I must say I was surprised to find so many pandas and tigers on girls merchandise locally but it looks like the panda is finally becoming popular! Yay, it comes in panda! I do hope they bring out some merchandise for adults with panda prints on! And still looking for the right wolf shirt :) Girls do have all the fun...so not fair!

Panda love at Ackermans

Panda panties at Mr Price!

So Le Cute at Mr Price!

Ladies Trends:
Here is a list of the biggest stories or themes that stood out for me:
Pretty lady-like (there is also a pretty grunge slant to this)
Classic 60's
Monochrome
Bohemian (there is got to be some love for the Hippie folk but I love the maxi dresses)
Flashback of 90's (brights and mix&match with that signature crop top and high waist shorts!)
Tropical
Tribal (called 'Modern Tribes')
Sporty (with brights and graphic print, 80s inspired)
Resort (your nautical look)

Got to love the 90's - crop top, high shorts and printed cap coming back again!

The following colours and finishes/textures are huge (and it is a helluva list so prepare yourself): Emerald green, Cobalt, Khaki, White, Nudes, Yellow, Nectarine (yes she is still there but not as bright as lady Tangerine Tango), Fuschia, Pink, Coral, Metallics (specifically gold & silver), Shell iridescence, Textured Jacquard, Cork, Crochet, Lace, Straw, Quilting (by Chanel love their beautiful shoes & bags), Chains, Studs, Tortoise shell, Floral applique, Sheer, Colour Block, Buckles and the Asymmetric Zip (on a leather skirt very grunge).

In terms of prints there is still a lot of animal, snake, florals, minimals such as birdies, skulls, stripes and tropical prints that is a continuation from last summer season.

Pretty vintage lace dress

Key must have pieces:
The crop jacket, printed skirts and shorts, distressed denim, skinny jeans, dress tunic, sleeveless elasticated waist dress (maxi & midi length), sheath dress, high waisted skirts and pants, new linen trousers, crochet vest, shell tops, crop top, Boho maxi dress, pinnafore dress and the white shirt.

The crop jacket, high waist short and crop top in nudes and white

Denim also hot right now for the ladies and the crochet vestie!

Cute summer sleeveless dress

Printed short skirt and white shirt

Sporty 80's inspired snake print jacket, skirt set with colour block clutch and heels

Key must have Shoes, bags and accessories:
Shoes - Gladiator sandal, wedges, kitteh heel, flats, smoking slippers, hi tops, colour block heels, tote bag, espadrilles, and heeled sandals.
Bags - It is a bag season, so shoppers, clutch bags, leather satchel, colour block clutches, and messenger bag.
Accessories - Tube scarf, printed or textured cap, military hat in fatigue, metallic stack bangles, thong bracelets, metallic hair clips, retro wayfarers,  tassel earrings, statement earrings, waist belts and double belts, floppy hats, cuffs, bibs and chain collars.

Valentino gladiator sandal

Valentino green bag

Beautiful gold heel

Tube scarf 

But wait there is more you need to know what to do with your hair and what about make up? I know information overload ... but here comes the beauty trends.

 

Bouffants are big for the season and literally!

Hair trends:
Wait for it...wait for it the bouffant she is in - thanks to Oscar de la Renta, as well crimping is back from the 80's and messy up-do styles! Yay for me! Side parts, bangs (also known as fringes) and ponytails tied low at the back is huge.
If you are a platinum blonde that you will be hot right now for summer 2013! No so much the red heads it seems...

Platinum blonde and strong eyebrows are hot!

Make up trends:
Pink is the colour of the season - on the lips, on the cheeks and around the eyes!
For the lips - Matt bright lipsticks are everywhere.
For the eyes - Natural lashes is the order of the day (with defining and seperating mascara trending but some say differently...), blue eyeliner and eye shadow (aqua is a hot colour for this), shimmering metallic eye shadows, and strong defined eyebrows. Oh and emerald, smokey green for the eyes.
For the body - Tinted lotions still seem to be popular.
For the nails - The name of the game is nude, go for nudes that match your skin tone!

PINK!

Now that was a mouthful ... Hope you find this helpful and entertaining!

Have a fabulously fashionable and so hot right now weekend (weather-wise also)!

Bouf
xxx

In Sasolburg it's supersized or nada!

The dawgs in the Sasburg have their own unique way of rollin' in the Vaal hood, the code they live by is - it's either you go large (as in supersized M@t#erf$&ers) or go home! When we have steak it's a thick cut monster steaks, when we have beer it's a draught on tap (in man sized glass), we do competitive spinning at gym (like staring each other down releasing the fear) and everything I mean everything must be value for money - double dawg style.

When we dine we even have thick cut sashimi, like steaks and a man's man sized mezze platter!
Though the size portions are big, the best sushi that you will find in the Vaal Triangle is Sushi @ Gary's. The fish is fresh and it's value for money, if you are ever in the area you must try it. The mezze platter is from Feast in Parys not Paris with healthy sized portions on the menu and a nice atmosphere. I can highly recommend them if you do drive through Parys as in the States, Free State (they are on the main road you cannot miss them).

Sushi @ Gary's thick cut salmon sashimi (the size of small steaks)

Man size mezze platter at Feast

We shop here only at the best mall, and that is the Vaal Mall where we get double the value bananas - double dawgs! We are big on security as you can buy barbed wire by the meter next to the roadside as well as re-gas your car's aircon next to the road right outside the mall on your way to the R42 (Parys).

Vaal Mall

Two for one priced bananas

Barbed wire is sold next to the road not the mall

Local transport is something else here...we got limo's, bakkies kitted out with helluva sound systems, we like to ride our bicycles and harley's that would make you want to weep. All on Vaal baby! The only problem is the size of the potholes - they are enormous and boy do they grind my gears. Some of them are patched up like the one below but others are the size of man holes. Next the roads for your viewing pleasure you will find cattle, everywhere, even next to the highway. There are even stalker ice cream vans lurking in the streets, scaring the children with there signature creepy tune that they play over and over for hours. I can still hear it playing in my head, it haunts me. Close the curtains and switch of the lights the orange ice cream van is lurking in the street! Quick kids hide! 

My music's so loud - B!@tc#es are so jealous right now!

Peeps want to be heard in the Burg. Word!

Harley on Vaal: Players wanna be me...

Patched up sucker: Potholes grind my gears uuurrgggh

Roadside livestock

Beware of orange stalker ice cream van in a street near you!

We love our bicycles - even grandpa over here does!

In Sasolburg everything is larger than life, from Christmas lights on houses to local marketing initiatives, to offering Chinese massages (hopefully without a happy ending). 

Over the top Christmas lights - definitely a crowd puller

Yes that is a giant toilet roll on those block of flats

Clever advertising: "Milk on the Mooove". How cute?

Even our rainbows are quite spectacular - Sasburg spectacular...see we also have here. So pretty.

Rainbow on the way to Parys

Until next time...players are gonna be hatin' yo!

Bouf

xx