I just found out that my chain bag post was included in the Links à la Mode: The IFB Weekly Roundup. For those who don’t know what I am talking about, The Independent Fashion Bloggers, a helpful community for fashion bloggers, publishes a weekly list of links submitted by community members. I am so happy that my little post was included! Thanks IFB! The rule is that if your link is used then you must publish all of the other lovely links in a blog post. So, here they are:

• Embracing Style: How to make your own chain bag!
• a la modest: High-waisted jeans (a.k.a. mom jeans) are back in vogue!
• Beautifully Invisible: Steven Meisel’s Water & Oil: Social Commentary or Tasteless Fashion?
• Beyond Fabric: On men bags
• Dramatis Personae: Gilda Su announce Revasseur & Pre-Fall 2011 Lookbook.
• Fete a Fete: Review of Guerlain’s new 68 Champs-Elysees fall 2010 makeup collection:
• For Those About To Shop: Katharine Hamnett is the mother of eco-fashion and believes consumers have the power to change the world
• Independent Fashion Bloggers: Can you Kickstart a New Career With Crowdfunding?
• Intrinsically Florrie: Dream dress and dream shoes- the fairytale look
• Kyoto Maiko: You Can’t Buy “Prep,” But You Can Own It…
• Miss Jones & Me: Roll into the Wild Woolly West: A focus on Fall transition pieces because the temperature can’t drop soon enough!
• My Closet in Sketches: A hand drawn interpretation of the magic of white jeans (from the Gap men’s department, to boot!).
• Vogue Gone Rogue: tuscan vineyards and teal rompers. A lighthearted outfit post inspired by Tuscan countryside and wine.
• Rags to Reverie: Sarah Mower’s Fashion Illustrations for Vogue China and Vogue Nippon
• Retro Chick: A very modern vintage manicure
• Shoe Daydreams: Where do you draw the line with knocks-offs… what about when a blogger favorite retailer is doing it?
• Shoeper Woman: Why does no one dress up any more?
• Style Eyes: How to jump right out of a style rut – some ideas on how to look and feel great
• Stylin’ Girl: Kristen McMenamy. Collages & trivia about a timeless fashion icon!
• The Demoiselles: What would you sacrifice for a more “fashion-friendly” body?
• The Simply Luxorious Life: A dream of a shopping list for the fall fashions – staples that will enhance any woman’s wardrobe.

Happy reading people! I am off to read of all these right now.

Many of you asked to see the tutu skirt in full and here it is! I decided to swap the polka dots for stripes mostly because I just had to wear my new T-strap flats which went better with the stripes. I have been searching for T-straps for a while now and finally found the perfect pair. It is truly a wonderful feeling when you find your most coveted item and it fits perfectly! I enjoyed wearing this outfit and I’m glad I bought this skirt.

I found out earlier that I won a headband from Miss Molly Fashions! Thanks so much Melissa! I look forward to receiving this prize. Like the tutu skirt, I was afraid to wear a headband as I felt I was too old for it. Wearing the skirt taught me to stop over thinking things!

This is what I wore today on a average working day. There is no real dress code where I work so I tend to go very casual. You can tell by now that I love plaid dresses. This is the last one I own, I promise! Also, I’ve been living in these boots! They are definitely my favourite purchase of Winter 2010.

To all those who requested to see the tutu skirt in full, I will definitely show you soon! Even though there is no work dress code for me, I think tulle is a bit inappropriate for work!

Have a fab weekend people! I am definitely looking forward to mine.

Here are some glimpses of a tutu skirt I just bought. When I first saw these skirts in the shops they immediately caught my eye. Could it be that all girls are naturally drawn to tulle? My first thoughts were that it might look too goth or I might be too old for it. I decided to ignore the voices in my head and buy one! I think we should not be afraid to have fun with clothing and express ourselves through the way we dress.

I received some handy advice to pair the skirt with softer colours or polka dots to create a whimsical effect.

How are you feeling about tutu skirts? What would you wear them with?

Also, thanks to everyone who nominated me for the SA Blog Awards. It is very much appreciated!

I read many fashion blogs and websites and most of these are based in the Northern Hemisphere. Because of this I am exposed to trends for seasons that must still reach South Africa. I am not one to follow each and every trend but certain trends appeal to me. Sometimes these trends don’t reach South African shops and I am sure there are many good reasons for this. I imagine that shops go to a great deal of effort to supply clothing that suits their markets. I can appreciate that, but sometimes I wish I didn’t have to get creative in order to buy the clothing I want. Getting creative could mean buying clothing from overseas, having them made or searching every possible shop until I find something similar.

I picked out three items that I hope I’ll be able to find easily as the days get warmer here in South Africa. They are are:

Dresses with cut out backs

Flat cut out shoes

Little brown bags

Do any of you have the same problem? What would you like to see in shops soon?