Copy spotted!

Look what I found!
I was reading one of my favorite blogs, Nitrolicious, and saw her latest H&M showroom post. I noticed a black/gold brocade military jacket from the Fall collection and it immediately reminded me of Balmain and McQueen's Fall '10 shows. Both showed brocade items and even the whole setting at McQueen's show was baroque and looked like it came out of a 17th century painting.
I think this H&M jacket is a great copy of the trend and also a fabulous piece for those who can't afford Balmain. I may even like H&M's buttoning more than on the origianl Balmain. It has a more military feeling because of the straight-down buttons. I definitely like the new-military!
What do you think of this trend and H&M's copy?

I Salute you! Justine W.

   The Balmain Jacket                                                                                                     H&M's jacket        

sadly, 'THE' last show; Alexander McQueen A/W 2010

Picture H&M jacket:    Nitrolicious

Inspiration - Week 32

Need some inspiration? Maybe this will help.

I've decided to create more inspiration 'mood-boards' because I always receive positive comments on them.

What's on your Fall wishlists?! Mine definately includes a camel coat. They were all over the catwalks and I think it is very nice, sophisticated, classic trend, that has been gone for quiet some time. I mean, I can't remember camel coats being hot and happening. Can you? There maye have been a single designer now and then who added one in his collection but the glorious camel coat-days are ages ago.

But as we all know it's back! Seen at Chloé, Alexander Wang, Ralph Lauren, Prada and many more!

I especially loved what Chloé showed us. I got really inspired by the warm classy colours. Mustard, Ochre, Camel, Sand, Cognac. These make me want it to be Fall already. Imagine yourself in a Chloé look, walking through a Fall forest, surrounded by red, yellow and brown leaves. Perfect right?!

I took an image of Chloé's show and searched for items matching the trend.

As you know I usually pick items that are wayyyy too expensive, but this inspiration post is a low-budget only post! Maybe this time you're able to actually afford something featured below :P .

I hope this is the first of many to come!

What do you think?

XoXo, Justine W.

1. Premium silk hareems - Topshop - € 66,-

2. Longsleeve shift dress - Topshop - € 54,-

3. Faux fur stole - Topshop - € 30,-

4. Scoop back maxi dress - Topshop - € 34,-

5. Studded bow banana flat - Mango - € 59,90

6. Ruched sleeve blazer - Topshop - € 72,-

7. Pom Pom hood gilet - Topshop - € 60,-

8. Gold/Black 'French Connection'ring - Asos - € 18,-

9. Button backside tie waistcoat - Topshop - € 54,-

10. Leaf & ahorn necklace - Topshop - € 22,-

11. Leather croc bag - H&M (in stores soon) - € 59,95

12. leather gloves - H&M shop online - € 19,95

13. Wool oversized boyfriend coat - Topshop - € 114,-

14. belted drape cardigan - H&M shop online - € 29,95

Steal the deal!

Hey again!
OK, we all know I have a growing nail polish addiction for a couple of months now.
I still couldn't get over the fact that I had missed out on Chanel's 'Jade' last fall and since I'm still in love with the colour I decided to find myself a good duplicate. Lucky for me research was already done by lots of other people who couldn't get their hands on this amazing colour (or just thought it was too expensive).
I chose to buy 'Sold Out For Ever' by Catrice. The colour is very similar to the original. I'm wearing it right now and I love it! It even has a fine shimmer in it, just like 'Jade'.
I also bought a very pretty bright coral shade, 'I scream peach!', that looks a lot like Chanel's 'Orange Fizz'. (When I went to buy 'Orange Fizz' a couple of weeks ago it was sold out, so this is a great find for me!). On the image below it looks like 'I scream peach!' is a little more pink-ish, but in real life they're quiet similar.
Last but not least I've also found a nice grey-taupe colour, 'From dusk to dawn', that reminds me of Chanel's 'Particulière' a little. Although I do own this one, I decided to buy the look-a-like anyway. I just couldn't resist the low prices!
All nail polishes by Catrice cost only € 2,49 each! How cool is that! Can they be any cheaper?!
Besides these 3 colours I bought a few other shades;

• Catrice Hot or Not? (good Chanel 'Splendeur' dupe)
• Catrice I see through you
• Essence Space Queen (Essence nail polishes cost only 1,29!)
• Essence White Secret
• W.I.C. by Herôme Jakarta
• Max Factor - Max Effect Dazzling Blue, Cloudy Blue & Sunny Pink

So, I'm guessing that's enough for the time being, don't you think?! (Well, at least for 2 weeks. Then Paradoxal will hit Dutch stores and there's no way I'm passing this time! haha).
If you have any other tips about low budget buys, let me know!

XoXo, Justine W.

Catrice, in The Netherlands exclusively available at 'Kruidvat'.

Low Budget Look - week 31

Hey guys!
I wanted to create a fashionable 'festival' look for you this week.
I came up with the idea somewhere last week, of course because we're in the middle of festival season.
Unfortunately a horrible disaster happened this weekend at German festival 'Love Parade'. The party area had a capacity of 250.000 people but since the festival is so popular almost 1.500.000 came to the event. Far too many as you can understand and sometime in the afternoon the crowd panicked in the entrance-tunnel. 19 people died (1 dutch 22-year-old) and about 345 people got injured.
Let's just hope things like this won't happen again and they will be stricter as regards the event organisations.
For now, my looks.
I picked out two loose, airy dresses, both ruffled, and toughened them up with some cool boots and striking gold accessories. The items aren't exactly a like but it's about the total picture and not just seperate items.
Personally I really like the 'bambi' Paul & Joe Sister dress, and it's not even that expensive!
I think these looks are a good comparison but I'm really curious about your thoughts.
What do you think?

XoXo, Justine W.

DESIGNER

Arty Flower ring - Yves Saint Laurent - € 143,-

Leather 'appliqué' cowboy boots - Roberto Cavalli - € 1200,-

Matelasse waxed-leather shoulder bag - Miu Miu € 650,-

'Helia' (Bambi) printed silk dress - Paul & Joe Sister - € 170,-

22-karat gold-plated coin necklace - Kenneth Jay Lane - € 37,-

Kim Gold vermeil skull ring - Daisy Knights - € 96,-

Square-fram metal sunglasses - Victoria Beckham - € 409,-

(All from net-a-porter)

Total price;     € 2705,-

LOW BUDGET

Statement encrusted skulls & crosses ring - Asos by Asos.com - € 13,24

Swag buckle slouch boot - Miss KG by Asos.com € 112,50

Suede studded bag - H&M Shop Online - € 39,95 - SALE

Vanessa dress - Yuki by Topshop.com - € 66,-

Gold plated multi coin necklace - Yochi Alexander by Maxandchloe.com - € 37,-

Adjustable wraparound snake ring - Asos by Asos.com - € 5,29

Gold aviator sunglasses - Asos by Asos.com - € 15,88

Total price;     € 252,86

Low Budget Look - week 26

Morning!

It's been a couple of weeks since my last Low Budget Look post, I desperately needed to make a new one. So, here it is!

When I saw this hot pink rabbit-fur jacket on Net-a-porter.com, I fell in love with it right away. It is chique but classy and it can be sweet or you can tough it up, like I did below.

The colour is popping and if you like attention you should deffinately wear this.

Also, I immediately remembered these Jimmy Choo sandals that I'd seen before. They're catchy and pretty, but this is the kind of shoe you'd have to wear to see how beautiful it really is. And, I discovered they're on sale! 30% off guys!

The McQueen tank is amazing! A skull-print with pastel-coloured roses, pretty and cool! 

To finish this chique/edgy look, what bag would be better than Alexander Wang's 'Rocco' bag?! This laser-cut version is part of the new Fall collection. LOVE IT!

The cheaper look has, instead of hot pink, a bright coral jacket and sandals. The outfit is a little less chique than the designer look because I replaced the fur with a simple plain fabric, but I think it has the same cool edge. I didn't expect to find a jacket and shoes of the same colour, but this match is perfect!

The 'Pieces' bag is a look-a-like Alexander Wang 'Rocco' bag, complete with studs on base. The price is definately worth it. The look-a-like is almost 17 times as cheap as Wang's original!

I'm really curious about your thoughts about the looks. Let me know what you think!

XoXo, Justine W.

DESIGNER

'Rabbit Collarless jacket' - D&G - € 1290,-

'Peony' Skull-Roses cotton tank - Alexander McQueen - € 160,-

'Avedon' Slick mide-rise legging jeans - Citizens of Humanity € 199,-

'Rocco' laser-cut studded bag - Alexander Wang - € 905,-

Amethyst Pendant necklace - Roberto Cavalli - € 508,-

'Dexter' perforated suede sandals - Jimmy Choo - € 402,50 - SALE item

(All from net-a-porter)

Total price;     € 3464,50

LOW BUDGET

Pink cropped jacket - Diesel by Asos.com - € 118,75

Striped cotton top - H&M Shop Online € 7,95 - SALE item

Black tregging - H&M Shop Online - € 19,95

Alexander Wang 'Rocco' look-a-like, 'Slouchy Studded Bag' - Pieces by Asos.com - € 56,25

'Golden Light Pendant', gold plated, crystal - Kenneth Jay Lane by Max&Chloe - € 133,-

Bright Coral immitation suede sandals - H&M Shop Online - € 19,95

Total price;     € 355,85

Low Budget Look - week 22

Hey everybody!

I promiss this will be my last post about Sex and the City. Well... at least for a little while (lol).

Since the second movie is premiering today in Dutch theaters, I thought it would be a nice idea to adjust this weeks Low Budget Post to the movie.

I was thinking about what Carrie would wear to the movies. Definately heels, that's for sure. A classic dress, but with a playful print, a clutch bag and colourful jewelry. Am I right?

I've been looking on the web for the right items and trust me, it wasn't that simple. What I think is funny, is that the designer look turned out looking like something Carrie would wear now (I mean, it could be a look in one of the movies), and the low-budget look like something she could have worn during the show, a couple of years back.

The colours I used are not colours I'd use together initially. But as we all know, Carrie is very good at combining prints and colours, at least Patricia Field is ;), so I thought that would be good for these looks too.
I really feel like I did a Carrie-worthy job this time, so tell me what you think!

DESIGNER

Polka dot cotton blend dress - Alice + Olivia - € 464,-

Couture patent leather pumps - Valentino - € 708,-

Oversized 'Ava' suede clutch - Mulberry - € 430,-

Lily White wood and horn bracelet - Marni - € 336,-

24-karat gold-plated Tropica Earrings - Bijoux Heart - € 269,-

(All from net-a-porter)

Total price;     € 2207,-

LOW BUDGET

Light blue cherry-print dress - River Island - € 35,-

St. Tropez Schutz simple peep toes - Bertie, by ASOS - € 75,-

Cord and jewelled gold plated tube bracelet - Sabrina Dehoff, by ASOS - € 136,-

Mint single cord rope and gold plated tube bracelet - Sabrina Dehoff, by ASOS - € 125,-

Statement earrings - ASOS - € 12,50

Lily Primadonna clutch - Lodis, by CoutureCandy - € 118,-

Total Price;     € 501,50

Too bad it's dark in the theater so no one's able to see your fabulous outfit :P !

XoXo Justine W.

Low Budget Look - week 21

Since I'm so busy at the moment I haven't got much time for blogging but luckaly I'd prepared some posts for you. Here's this week's Low Budget Look.

Bonjour!

This week it's net-a-porter vs. H&M shop online.
I wanted to create a comfortable but yet hip and fashionable outfit that you can wear all times a day.
By changing some of the accessories you can switch from day to night wearing the same outfit.
At night (shown) these outfits will be great with glamourous jewelry and a shiny clutch bag, and during the day you could replace the clutch with a nice leather tote or shoulder bag and keep the jewelry more modest.
The designer items are all from net-a-porter and all the low budget items are from H&M Shop Online.
This time the price difference is huge, but I like to show you can make similar combinations spending loads and spending a little.
I'm loving the Alexander McQueen leggings. The colours are amazing and the jellyfish print is different and unusual. Just like the rest of McQueen's last summer collection: Fabulous!
I think the studded Brian Atwood pumps are amazing too, also worn by Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex and the City 2 (see below).

Here are the looks I created this week;

On a side note:
The clutch from the low-budget look is actually a shoulder bag, but I cut the strap off.

DESIGNER

Jellyfish-print leggings - Alexander McQueen - € 395,-

Oversized jersey top - ACNE - € 80,-

'Loca' studded pumps - Brian Atwood - € 623,-

Rainbow Pava shell bag - Celestina - € 860,-

Brass and lucite sabre necklace - Donna Karan - € 1117,-

(All from http://www.net-a-porter.com/)

Total price;     € 3075,-

LOW BUDGET

Flowered leggings - H&M - € 19,95

Light pink cotton tunic - H&M - € 14,95

Light pink tie sandals - H&M - € 35,-

Gold zipper clutch - H&M - € 73,62

Necklace - H&M - € 256,20

(All from http://shop.hm.com/nl/?action=viewhome)

Total Price;     € 89,75

Sarah Jessica Parker wearing the studded

Brian Atwood pumps in the Sex and the City 2.

Let's go shopping girls!

XoXo Justine W.

'Not' so Low Budget Look - Week 19

I'm boreddd! Today, May 5th, is 'Bevrijdingsdag' in Holland. It's to celebrate the end of World War 2, today, 65 years ago! Almost everybody has the day off, but not at my job of course... I'm sitting behind my desk doing nothing because there's nothing to do since the rest of the country actually is enjoying their free time...
No phone, no mail, nothing... So, seems like a good time to work on my blog, right?!
I wanted to create a new Low Budget Look for this week. Saturday I'm going shopping in Antwerp (Belgium) and I thought it would be fun to create a good Spring shopping-outfit.
When I finally finished the designer-look, I discovered it was kinda hard to find the cheaper look-a-like items... I tried a couple of things but I wasn't satisfied. I'm loving the expensive look and non of the cheaper stuff could measure up to it. That's why I decided to only post the designer look this week.
Maybe weird but... whateverrr! :)
Like I said, a good shopping-outfit. I chose this jumpsuit because it's easy to take off and put on again when you're trying things on. Also a small bag. When you're carrying one the size of a suitcase (which is often huge and heavy), you won't be able to carry all the shoppingbags with your new purchases. (smart right?!)
Don't wear heels! But I think I won't have to explain this. Do I?
What do you think? (Except for the price of course, haha)

DESIGNER

Chambray cotton jumpsuit - Matthew Williamson - € 620,-

'Fred' leather lace-up flats - Christian Louboutin - € 446,-

'Derby New Q' leather bag - Marc by Marc Jacobs - € 195,-

Metal logo bracelet - Fendi - € 147,-

Bangle set- Fendi - € 305,-

Hexagonal-frame acetate sunglasses - Balenciaga - € 293,-

(All from http://www.net-a-porter.com/)

Total price;     € 2006,-

XoXo Justine W.

Low Budget Look - week 15

Hey guys!

Today I've created a new 'Low Budget Look' of the week.

Unfortunately I've been kinda busy lately so it has been a while since my last put-together look.

Spring weather has inspired me for this week's creations. The sun is shining like crazy, trees are blossoming and picknics in the park are on everybody's to do list again.

I think spring has an romantic influence on people. Birds are singing again and love is in the air! So bring out the brights, pastels and breezy fabrics and prepare for the most beatiful season of the year!

Here are the looks I created this week;

DESIGNER

Silk-chiffon blouse - Alberta Ferretti - € 497,-

Rosette metallic peep-toe - Valentino - € 485,-

'Flight of Fancy' hairband - Marc by Marc Jacobs - € 104,-

Skinny-leg cotton pants - Acne - € 150,-

'Heloise' large shoulder bag - Chloé- € 1095,-

Crystal 'snowflake' earrings - Erickson Beamon - € 406,32

(All from http://www.net-a-porter.com/)

Total price;     € 2737,32

LOW BUDGET

White top - H&M - € 19,95     (http://shop.hm.com/nl/)

Beaded peep-toe pumps - Karen Millen - € 210,- (http://www.asos.com/)

Heart skinny hairband - Marc by Marc Jacobs - € 35,-     (http://www.net-a-porter.com/)

Nude bow-side skinny jeans - Promiscuous - € 73,62     (http://www.topshop.com/)

Braided leather medium shoulder bag - Michael by Michael Kors - € 256,20     (http://www.ardenb.com/)

Earrings - H&M - € 4,95     (http://shop.hm.com/nl/)

Total Price;     € 599,72

Let's go shopping girls!

XoXo Justine W.

Low Budget Look - week 12

Hey there!
Today I've decided to create a 'Low Budget Look' every week.
I always love to find something that looks like 'that amazing unaffordable dress' or a just 'too expensive pair of shoes'. Why spend half your income on pricey designer items while you can look just as cool for a lot less?! Ok, I know most designer items really are 'to die for' compared to cheaper versions, but if you could choose, what would it be? One slammin' designer outfit or 10 less expensive copied looks?
here are the looks I created this week;

DESIGNER

Face-print T-shirt - Christopher Kane - € 232,-

Peacock necklace - Falconiere - € 1.013,47

High-waisted skirt - Herve Leger - € 702,-

Greissimo 140 suede pumps - Christian Louboutin - € 595,-

Faridah Totally leather bag - Marc by Marc Jacobs - € 425,-

Studded leather gloves - 3.1 Phillip Lim - € 421,26

(All from http://www.net-a-porter.com/)

Total price;     € 3388,73

LOW BUDGET

Girls in Glasses T-shirt - Borders&Frontiers - € 33,47     (http://www.asos.com/)

'Alice in Wonderland' keyhole necklace - Disney Couture - € 165,14 (http://www.asos.com/)

Zipper skirt - H&M - € 19,95     (http://shop.hm.com/nl/)

'Terra' green satin pump - Promiscuous - € 42,89     (http://www.zappos.com/)

Double Handle Slouch tote - Arden B. - € 35,62     (http://www.ardenb.com/)

Short leather zipper gloves - H&M - € 24,90     (http://shop.hm.com/nl/)

Total Price;     € 321,97

And? What do you think?

XoXo Justine W.