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http://www.azrakunworld.com

Please stop by! Always lovely to have you…

xoxoxo

As I was doing my make-up at a gym this week, I saw a reflection of a woman in the mirror: white shirt, blue pants and a RED skinny BELT. It was perfect! I am always stunned how a small piece of little something can just transform a simple outfit and take it to a wholly different level. The miracle of style! I am getting my RED BELT….

Gucci for $235?

Gucci

I found my red belt!

Lauren by Larph Lauren

What do you think?

This is the question I’ve been pondering: “Name 10 painters that just come into your mind. How many of those are females?”

Eduard Manet

Maybe I am on the wrong track here, and then please correct me. But is not it that in the mainstream, male painters (especially in art history) predominate? I am also an amateur in art and art history and I would not want to draw conclusions, but still… why are not there more female artists that the whole world know about?! Last weekend I walked through parts of the amazing Art Institute of Chicago and even in the contemporary art section females are scoring low in numbers!

I really want my block to be about art as well. And as this is my quest for discovering new artists and learning about art, I now promise myself to block at least about one female artist once a month. The first one is actually a famous painter and not just because of her face forever to be remembered from Manet’s portrayal: Berthe Morisot!

Morisot held her own with other impressionists while developing her distinct style. Her subjects matters were mainly private objects: family, friends and country surrounding. How subtle, gentle and beautiful art!

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And not to forgot fashion, I am adding couple of images that remind me of Morisot’s paintings – soft colors and long lines.. Valentino captured it beautifully!

Valentino

Jil Sander

Who is your favorite female painter?

Zara

This lovely pair is another addition scored in my quest for changing my wardrobe. They are inexpensive, yet quite cute even in real (I promise!). I have not had the chance to wear them yet, but the right opportunity might be coming up: an outdoor wedding reception in a park. I think they would go great with my green silky dress. And red nail polish!

They can be dressed-down…

For the bold ones, try to pair them with shorts…

Back to my wedding ensamble, I have a similar dress. What do you think? Do they go together or not?

Piperline

And talking about green, I could not help but to share an image of my favorite green dress as worn by the beautiful Keira Knightly in Atonement (directed by Jeo Wright & definitely worth to check out…)

So what do you think? Do I have an outfit for the wedding reception? I’d love to hear your opinion! xoxo

Pump Room

This weekend we left behind sunny San Francisco and headed for the cold & windy Chicago. I was quite smitten by this city and my first trip to Chicago left me enamored with this city.

First night we spent at  swanky Pump Room located in the newly remodeled and reopened hotel, Public Chicago. Back in the days the rich and famous used to dine and wine here. And today stylish and modern Pump Room is a great place to reminiscent the old glamor.

As I only packed for two nights, I had limited space in my carry-on. I packed a black blouse, black Gap skinny jeans and my high heel shoes. The look I was aiming for:

My belt was simpler – brown Club Monaco belt www.clubmonaco.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12473876&cp=12243590.12266445.12454740&ab=ln_women_shoesaccessories_belts

Rebecca Minkoff lizard pumps

I wore Rebecca Minkoff shoes. (I’ve been getting quite the run of these shoes. Do invest in one stylish pair!)

Also do invest in black skinny jeans. When traveling, they can save precious space in your suitcase. They are so versatile: dress them up (they can look like dressy black pants) or down for comfy sight-seeing. Black is black and you can find a great inexpensive pair at Gap.

And to brighten my look, I used red Revlon lipstick. I have to say I’ve only recently started wearing a red lipstick. I still don’t feel quite comfortable with it. But I’ve been pleasantly surprised. People have complimented me on my make-up when wearing this lipstick. Do wear only mascara & little bit of eyeliner! Too much can destroy the look. This is my newly added night-out staple:

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipcolor

ANY NEW CITIES YOU’VE DISCOVERED RECENTLY? More of Chicago adventures to come!

One of my ideas is to blog about art. Fashion can be seen as (or simply is) a form of artistic expression, hence many fashion influences can and do come from other forms of art. One of my yearly resolutions was to learn more about art, its history, the art movers & shakers, as well as about contemporary art and the art world. Living in San Francisco this city offers countless artistic entertainments. Sometime it’s hard to shift through it and discern what is important.  I just go with what appeals to me. I like it or I don’t and I will ponder on the reasons later…

So here it comes! First of them all…

Recently I visited the spectacular San Francisco Asian Museum, which has a renown collection (The Avery Brundage Collection) of Asian pottery. There is one piece that had me mesmerized by its simplicity reaching perfection – ewer with a cover.

This piece is dated to circa 1100-1150 and was made during the Goryeo Dynasty that ruled parts of Korea. During these times, as many claim, Korean pottery reached its finest point. This piece certainly is a proof of it.

Simple can be beautiful and often an easy way to be stylish. One color piece (either black & white) with either black & white patterns can make a dramatic statement. It’s using classic colors and adding a bit of touch to it that can make a remarkable difference.

How perfect is this shirt? You can never go wrong with simple white shirt, but adding the black touch makes it even more distinguished.

Do play with patterns..

J.C. jeans

Fashion statement!

Certainly Diane von Furstenberg knows how to do black and white patterns. This dress was also featured in the latest Vogue DVF’s interview.

DVF $445

I am about to order this Etsy dress. Handmade touches are always fun!

Etsy $40

And something more affordable, but so pretty…

Asos $75

WHAT DO YOU THINK? YES OR NOW TO BLACK & WHITE?

This is my confession: I have somewhat of an incurable obsession with Club Monaco. I swear few times I ended up in their store without even realizing it. Do you know the feeling of meeting your soul-mate? That is Club Monaco & I!! Incurable passionate love; we shall be bound forever.

I love the feel of their garments: beautiful soft fabrics. CM does not fall for all the fashion trends & remains truthful to what makes it special: earth tone colors, tops flowing in the wind, cashmere sweaters, little bit of sparkles… These are some CM motives making the brand so unique. I’ve been to Monaco once and the brand does carry a spirit of it: Mediterranean sun, bright light, beaches, careful tasty opulence.. How I Love thee!

I do own few pieces from CM – especially tops. I love my white sweater with see-through silk back. Or my thin shoulder top with hand sewn silver embroideries. My recent purchases include brown hoop earrings, double brown belt and a dark blue light sweater with reverse bottoms.

And I am eying these:

1. This is a beautiful top; the silver lines stand out more in real light.

2. I am not quite sure about this top thought. I tried it on. You do have to wear a cami underneath it.
3. One of the sale associates was wearing this sweater; I probably would not have noticed it otherwise. It fit her very well & the pattern of the sweater is quite delicate. 

4. This dress in dark blue!

5. I am desparetely in need of a new bag. I’ve been planning to invest in a new nice bag next year, but maybe this one can carry me through..

Bye bye for now.. I am off to Monaco again…

PS. The problem with the clothes it’s hard to clean them! I have spent quite a fortune on dry-cleaning of some of the tops. And I am not quite sure how I will ever clean that silver pattern top. Well, nothing is perfect. Also I buy most of my stuff on sale. I guess my frequent visits do pay off somehow..

I am slowly, as mainly the budget permits and then ideas pup up and the suitable goods are found, recreating my wardrobe. As I hit a new stage in my life, I want (and quite frankly need) a functional stylish wardrobe. I am starting to realize what kind of clothes I feel comfortable in and what fashion styles I adore. I love it SIMPLE. And by simple I also mean adding  statement jewelry. I don’t go overboard. I can see how some women can wear tons of jewelry and somehow still pull it together, but for my lifestyle and personality I want to keep it simple. Great jewelry can define style. You can wear the most expensive clothes, yet still look average or just simply over-made. But put on inexpensive clothes and a great piece of jewelry and you immediately get the style…

Hence the rule is do purchase beautiful jewelry that speak to your personality> invest in beautiful pieces, they will last a lifetime (and maybe more than yours). And contrary to the heading, i am not urging to buy “diamonds and pearls,” but to find pieces that speak to your personality. Even go through your family jewelry boxes; you mind find incredible pieces there! Recently my mom gave me a ring that has her and mine initials engraved into it (actually my initial could be also my dad’s or sister’s). It’s a beautiful ring and I love to add it to my collection. And more than anything it has a special meaning to me.

Often local museums have amazing artistic jewelry collections in their stores. Actually this post was inspired by my weekend visit of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art’s jewelry trunk-show. I met a San Francisco based jewelry designer and purchased one of her beautiful necklaces. I find her jewelry simple, very subtly beautiful,refined and very feminine.

Rebecca Overmann at http://www.rebeccaovermann.com/

And for my love of Bottega Veneta my boyfriend gave me a BF ring.

I am looking to add my color into my clothes and have been searching for blue earrings. Maybe these?

Wishing…

Dreaming………..And about this bag… Quite affordable. Club Monaco is my favorite… Laid back, feminine, creative & pretty.