Holiday outfit post #3

This photo was taken last Friday in Alghero. I only just had time to crop it properly.

I am wearing: a Marks and Spencer dress and Primark sandals.

We're off to Cagliari tomorrow, anyone been? Know anywhere good to eat? I need to go pack again now.

Mood Board: CAMEL

Camel was all over the catwalks for Autumn/Winter 2010 and now it has transcended to the high street too. Some have declared it boring and bland. 

What do you think? Will camel make it into your wardrobe next season?

LUST vs BARGAIN: back to school stationery

As children, teenagers and students prepare for the new academic year, I thought it was the perfect time to indulge in a little fantasy "back to school" shopping. Looking at both ends of the financial spectrum, I splurged a little at Smythson and was frugal at Paperchase:

From left: 'Happiness is Shopping' notebook, Sterling Silver fountain pen, 'Girl Notes' notebook, solid silver pencil.

From left: fountain pen; pretty notebook; pretty ballpen; exercise books.

What do you think of my selections? Do you go nuts for a new notebook? I always feel that its blank pages are full of promise and new beginnings*.

For anyone heading back to school or college or university soon, good luck.

*Incidentally, "new beginnings" is the theme for British Style Bloggers in September.

Holiday outfit post #2

After dinner at the local pizzeria last night, the boyf took this photo of me on the terrace right outside our room.


I am wearing: a Primark dress, Next bangle and Spartoo sandals (just visible).


It is too hot to even consider straightening my hair at the moment so I am leaving it to its natural unruly curly mess!

Mood Board: monochrome

One evening, before I left for my holiday, I was looking through the few scrapbooks I have put together over the past few years. One thing I noticed I had done was to group cuttings together into themes. I decided that I would attempt to translate this into mood boards for the blog. These mood boards will appear here all week. The first is this: 

This is very much my "go to" style of choice. When in doubt I will more often than not head straight for an LBD. However, I sometimes think that black and white together can sometimes make one look a little too much like a waitress. Not a look I tend to go for.

What do you think of my mood boards?

Something for the Weekend #7: 29/08/2010

I saw this post on Retro Chick the other week and thought it would be an interesting exercise to do on my own blog. I have also been following The Problogger's 31 Days to Build a Better Blog and Day 18's task was to create a so-called 'Sneeze Page' which is intended to send readers off to discover some of the posts from your achives. So from the last month, here are Sugar and Spice's Top 10 Posts:


10. In at number 10 is Style Icon Olivia Palermo.


9. Next up is the "size debate": Friday Friday #2: Size. 


8. Every Sex and the City fan wants to know How to... Dress like Carrie Bradshaw and now you can too. 


7. Nigela's yummy White Chocolate and Raspberry Muffins are a fabulous treat when you're feeling peckish at about 11 o'clock. And with the respberries you can even pretend that they are good for you.


6. Just missing out on a top 5 spot is a post that I am particularly proud of: I write a fashion blog and I'm proud of it.


5. Style Icon Edie Sedgwick makes in to number 5. 


4. Next are the Wardrobe Essentials According to Me.


3. Style Icon Jean Seberg just makes it into the top 3.


2. My review of Sex and the City 2: an ode to friendship just misses out on the top spot.


1. And in at number 1 is asks what it is to be a role model: Christina Hendricks: curvy role model or another unattainable ideal?


Hope you've all had a fabulous weekend.


More soon. Love, SG

I'm here: holiday outfit post #1

Please excuse the squinting - it is very sunny here!! But we have finally worked out how to use the internet!


This is my lazing around by the pool outfit. The dress was a birthday present from my stylish sis, for this very purpose!


I am wearing: a Marks and Spencer beach dress and Topshop flip flops.


What do you think?

LUST vs Bargain: canvas and leather boots

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When I saw these boots in a magazine earlier this year I loved them. They found their way from the magazine into my scrapbook:

Sportmax canvas and leather boots vs Dorothy Perkins canvas shoe boots

British Style Bloggers: BLOG OF THE YEAR

After being voted Blog of the Month at British Style Bloggers last year, I am now up for BLOG OF THE YEAR. I would be so very very grateful if you thought I deserved this accolade and you could take a couple of seconds from your day to vote for me.


Thank you.

Friend Friday #4

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As I am away and internet-less (if this is posted!), I haven't been able to participate in this week's Friend Friday conversation. If you'd like to read everyone else's contributions and get involved in the conversation, check out the links at Modly Chic.


Happy Friday - by the way! Hope you're all looking forward to your weekends. What are you up to this weekend?

Style Icon: Miroslava Duma

Sources: photo #1, photo #2 and photo #3

Sources: photo #1 and photo #2

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I admit, when Erika of Café Fashionista chose Miroslava Duma as her Style Icon in my Blogger Style Icon series, I didn't really know who she was. Since then, I have become more familiar and she is definitely worthy of the title of Style Icon.


Miroslava Duma is the daughter of a Russian senator and a fashion darling in her home country.


The "It girl" made a name for herself as an editor for Harper's Bazaar (Russia) before leaving to freelance work.


Miroslava Duma's style combines a traditional and smart look with a dash of the slightly edgy.


Miroslava Duma is currently pregnant and expecting a boy in October (source).


Remember to come back next week for a very special Style Icon from a Guest Blogger on Sugar and Spice.


If you have missed the previous style icons featured on the blog, check them out here.

Tell me, who is your style icon?

How to... pack light for 10 days in the sun

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I wasn’t sure I’d be able to do it: the boyf and I only paid for one piece of checked in baggage so I decided to take the little suitcase I’d had as hand luggage for my weekend – two days (!!!) – in Paris in May as my luggage for our summer holiday. Both the boyf and I were sceptical that it would work but the only other alternative was that we took my massive suitcase which is pink and that the boyf always complains about carrying because of the colour!! But it was surprisingly easy in the end.


In the months leading up to the holiday I went a little mad buying beach cover-up after beach cover-up. Well, turns out they take up surprisingly little room in my suitcase! As it is going to be hot, I have decided to do without my usual pair of jeans and have opted to pack a couple of pairs of leggings “just in case”. I have also thrown in a couple of cardigans for the evenings when I might be glad of something to cover me up. My six bikinis really have taken up next to no room. As I only have sandals and flip flops, there’s no need for socks. On that note, sandals and flip flops, I have discovered, pack very flat indeed.


Next up were my toiletries, which is where I figured the fun would really start. But again, I have been surprised. After years of collecting travel-sized bottles of everything they have finally come in handy! I’ve put together a travel-sized kit of shampoo, conditioner, body wash and body lotion. I have also cut down on my make-up, realising that I never really wear any on holiday anyway; I decided that this year I wouldn’t pack it all – knowing this – and still not wear it. Mascara, skin tint, blusher and an SPF tinted lip balm will do me thanks. The only thing that will really take up a lot of room is my sun screen but I have a cunning plan – to con the boyf into taking it for me!!


I rarely rarely use my hairdryer and straighteners when I take them on holiday – it is usually too hot to worry about that. So this year I have stolen my sister’s travel hairdryer and have invested in some tiny travel straighteners so I have something to style my hair with if I really need it in the evenings.


As you read this, I've probably just about landed at my destination. See you in 10 days lovelies (I'll try to blog whilst away, but no promises).


Love, SG

Italian Phrase of the Day: la fine

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La Fine = The End

As I jet off on my holibobs, here is the last post in the learn Italian series:

I hope you've enjoyed the series. If you want a re-cap, you can find the entire series here.

And the winner is...

Drum roll, please!


Jo from Given To Distracting Others.


Congratulations and thank you to everyone else who entered.

British Style Bloggers: BLOG OF THE YEAR

After being voted Blog of the Month at British Style Bloggers last year, I am now up for BLOG OF THE YEAR. I would be so very very grateful if you thought I deserved this accolade and you could take a couple of seconds from your day to vote for me.


Thank you.

Shoe Search: For a rainy day

The weather here in the UK has been so undependable. One minute the suns out as I'm getting dressed in the morning and the next it is pouring as I'm walking to work. It is virtually impossible to find a pair of shoes that are appropriate for sun one minute and rain the next. Well, I have discovered a rather fabulous brand - Melissa. Melissa make plastic fantastic shoes and boots perfect for every occasion come rain or shine:

Low boots Melissa ASHANTI Grey

Shoes Melissa BLACK Magic

Shoes Melissa TEMPTATION Red

Ballerinas Melissa ULTRAGIRL Violet

Now I can't wait for another rainy day! What do you think of the shoes?

The LBD - it's official

It's official. The LBD is definitely in fashion and now it has even found its way into the Oxford Dictionary of English.

This week it was announced that the LBD is one of more than 2,000 words and phrases added to the third edition of the Oxford Dictionary of English.

Well. How about that then?

Italian Phrase of the Day: B come Bambino

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B come Bambino = B for Baby

After everything you've learned so far, I have now realised that it is time to learn how to pronounce all of those phrases.

The Italian alphabet contains twenty-one. Five other letters are found in foreign words in Italian:

"A" like father

"B" like balloon

"C" like the "ch" in church, if before an "e" or an "i"

"C" like cat, for the rest of the time

"D" like debt

"E" either like bet or pay

"F" like fair

"G" like gem, if before an "e" or an "i"

"G" like goal, for the rest of the time

"H" is silent, is often used between "g" or "c" and "e" and "i", to change the sound

"I" like machine

"J" is a foreign letter

"K" is another foreign letter

"L" like liquid

"M" like machine

"N" like navy

"O" like ball, can also be like boat

"P" like pizza

"Q" has the same sound as a "c" in cat

"R" is always rolled. Not sure there is an equivalent in English

"S" is like maze when is single, or like snake when doubled

"T" like take

"U" like boot

"V" like vision

"W" is another foreign letter

"X" is another foreign letter

"Y" is another foreign letter

"Z" is "dz" when single, or "ts" when doubled

Friend Friday #3: Conspicuous Consumption

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Conspicuous consumption is a term used to describe the lavish spending on goods and services acquired mainly for the purpose of displaying income or wealth.*


The idea that fashion bloggers are somehow glorifying lavish and unbridled spending on clothes and accessories and shoes and bags and beauty products and many many more things is something which concerns me every time I come across a blog that forever seems to be showcasing some new purchase or other. The pressure to keep up with other bloggers is undoubtedly great for many.


Indeed, there is a new trend emerging (which I saw in my Grazia mag the other week) of what are being called "shopping haul videos". These are short films uploaded to YouTube whereby the (usually) young women "show" their recent shop purchases. I haven't really looked into this too much but I can only begin to imagine the pressure between these vloggers to buy more or more desirable items. If you'd like to read a bit more about these, Disney Roller Girl wrote about them recently.


The idea that a fashion blog might sometimes look more like a shopping list or inventory is something that doesn't sit too comfortably with some fashion bloggers. Style Eyes Fashion Blog dealt with this very subject in a post only last week, whilst Retro Chick recently posted: 5 Ways To Update Your Wardrobe For Next To Nothing.




1. Do you think fashion blogs are often just conspicuous consumption? Are some?


This is an interesting subject that has been discussed on other fashion blogs before, in particular I remember a post (or two) by Gala Darling - here. I think that some fashion bloggers probably feel a pressure to keep up with their contemporaries and to keep their outfit posts fresh with new pieces.


2. As bloggers do we have the obligation to explain our personal financial status, how we pay for the things we showcase, if we have debt, etc...


I do often find myself wondering how bloggers can afford the clothes they are showing on their blogs when I struggle each month to stay within a strict (ish!) budget. I certainly find it interesting when bloggers do explain how they afford what they are wearing. I remember one blogger explaining that her parents were generous with her allowance. Fair enough. We might envy her that but who are we to judge? And Gala Darling was honest about her spending getting out of control and now not having a credit card at all. I tend to only really read blogs of bloggers who probably have a similar budget to me - I find them more reassuring and more identifiable. 


3. Critics often say that fashion bloggers should use their money to support more worthwhile causes than clothing themselves in a different outfit daily. What's your reaction to this?


I guess this could be said for those bloggers with a large enough bank account who could afford to do this; I think for the most part, we are young women (or men) who enjoy the clothes that we have in our wardrobes and mixing these to style interesting outfits along the way. I know that, personally, I work with the very same wardrobe I would have whether I was blogging or not. As for supporting charities myself, this is something that I do personally and have chosen the charities that I support based on very personal reasons, these include, Riders for Health.


4. Since you started blogging, do you spend more money on fashion and beauty products?


No. In fact, when I started blogging I had just imposed a six month shopping ban on myself. Since the end of the ban, I have tried to stick to a (vague) budget. Before I started blogging, I was already a complete shopaholic and as a student would rather live on beans on toast for a week to afford a new outfit, so not much has changed really.


5. Life is about more than what money can buy. What are the things that top your list of what life is all about?


I completely agree that life is more about money and what it can buy. I was brought up to believe that happiness was not something you bought but something that you made for yourself by doing something that made you happy. The things that make me happy are my friends, my family, travelling and discovering new places. And Italy. Anyone who reads this blog will know of my obsession with the country, the language, the food, the wine. Everything. What can I say?! I'll be so happy when I'm there next week.


What do you think? I'd love to know your responses to these questions too. Is blogging just another form of conspicuous consumption?


Friend Friday is a way for bloggers to connect and to participate in conversation each week. To get involved or, simply, to see the other contributions to this week's topic, go to Modly Chic.


*Source

Italian Phrase of the Day: vorrei noleggiare un pedalò

Lago di Molveno, Dolomiti di Brenta, Trentino

Vorrei noleggiare un pedalò = I would like to hire a pedalo


Il lago di Molveno was my very first experience of Italian lakes when I arrived for my year abroad in 2004. I fell in love immediately. It was a balmy September and the lakes provided a welcome escape from the heat of the towns. The following summer, I spent most weekends at the different lakes in the region. The best way to enjoy the water of the lakes is to hire a pedalo and drift off into the water, before jumping off for a cooling swim.


Dov'è la migliore spiaggia? = Where is the best beach?
Vorrei noleggiare una barca = I would like to hire a boat
Posso fare immersioni? = Can I dive here?
Posso fare surf? = Can I surf here?
Avete ombrelloni? = Do you have parasols?
Avete crema solare? = Do you have sun screen?
Avete un tavolo fuori, per favore? = Do you have a table outside, please?
È caldo, non è vero? = It's hot, isn't it?


Have you been to the beach this summer? If so, where did you go? I'd love to hear all about your holidays!


For some truly beautiful beach photos, be sure to check out the Pics By Polka Dot.


And finally, remember to enter my giveaway which closes on Monday.

Wishing the Summer Away #5: Charlotte Taylor A/W 2010

Earlier this year I interviewed up-and-coming womenswear designer, Charlotte Taylor, who showcased her debut collection at Vauxhall Fashion Scout's exhibition at London Fashion Week. I thought that, as Charlotte prepares to show her Spring/Summer collection at London Fashion Week in association with Vauxhall Fashion Scout as a part of its "Ones To Watch" show, it was time to revisit Charlotte's Autumn/Winter collection as a part of my Wishing the Summer Away series:

I am ready and waiting to get my very own signature penguin scarf from Charlotte's very first collection. See here for information on how to get one for yourself.


What do you think of Charlotte's Autumn/Winter collection? Are you as excited as me to see Charlotte's collection for Spring/Summer 2011?

Style Icon: Eva Green

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Source

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Born and raised in Paris, French actress Eva Green has been noted by Vogue for her "killer looks, intelligence and modesty"* and described by The Independent as "gothic, quirky, and sexy"**.

Eva Green now lives in London and having studied at an English speaking school, she is fluent in both French and English.


Green's style off the red carpet is less documented than most film stars but on the red carpet Eva Green displays a passion for the unconventional, favouring smokey eyes, back combed hair and elaborate and often gothic-styled dresses.


With her dark hair and eyes, Eva Green is definitely one of my own personal Style Icons. Is she yours?

If you have missed the previous style icons featured on the blog, check them out here.

Tell me, who is your style icon?

*Webber, Monique (January 2007). "The Green Mile". Australian Vogue. pp. 90.

**"Eva Green". The Independent Magazine. 14 April 2007

Italian Phrase of the Day: Vorrei un biglietto per Roma

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Vorrei un biglietto per ... (Roma) = I’d like a ticket to ... (Rome)


Today's lesson - which I realise is a little later than usual - is buying tickets. I have always been told that public transport in Italy is terrible - by Italians. My experience tells me this is not the case - I think that the Italian railway network is fabulous for travel around the country. The first thing to realise is that there are different "classes" of train: The regionale (R) which are the cheapest and slowest, in that they stop at almost every stop, however I have also found them the most reliable - they also, often, have proper old fashioned carriages, like those seen in Harry Potter! The interregionale (IR) trains are pretty much the same are the regionale with maybe a little more in the way of amenities. Intercity (IC) and Eurocity (EC) trains are one and the same really - they tend to stop less and be more expensive; the only difference is that the Eurocity trains connect Italian cities to "international" destinations, for example, Zurich to Florence and Verona to Munich. Intercity Notte (ICN) and Eurocity Notte (ECN) trains are again, the same but travel through the night and provide sleeping berths, which must be booked. Finally, EuroStar (ES) trains - not the same as those that connect London with Paris (!!) - are the creme de la creme of the Italian railway network, however, beware - I have only ever been late (i.e. once missed a flight!) due to the EuroStar service! These trains are, obviously, more expensive than the others and, as such, provide a clean and spacious carriage experience. These trains connect big cities and does not stop at any smaller stations. Now, you need to know how to buy tickets for your train journey:


Dov'è la biglietteria? = Where's the ticket office?
Vorrei due biglietti per ... (Firenze), per favore = I'd like to have two tickets to ... (Florence), please
Vorrei un biglietto per la metropolitana, per favore = I'd like to have one ticket to the subway, please
Posso comprare i biglietti per l'autobus qui? = Can I buy bus tickets here?
Un biglietto di solo andata per ... (Milano), per favore = A one-way ticket to ... (Milan), please
Un biglietto andata e ritorno, per favore = A return ticket, please.
Devo cambiare? = Do I have to change?

30 for 30: Day 18

Today's outfit is quite subdued and includes a new item for the 30 for 30 challenge that hasn't featured just yet: the Pearl Lowe for Peacocks cardigan. The cardigan was an absolute bargain - down to 35 in their sale!

I am wearing: Topshop jeans, Pearl Lowe @ Peacocks cardigan, Gap tee, Topshop pumps and Dorothy Perkins cocktail ring.

30 for 30: Day 17

This is yesterday's outfit. The sun actually came out for a little bit so I decided to brave the American Apparel skirt with bare legs again. I am loving this nautical tee at the moment.


What do you think of this outfit?


I am wearing: Gap tee, Topshop clocket, Topshop pumps and American Apparel skirt.

How to... not take photos

Don't be put off by the title of this post. This is not some negative or anti-photography post. I came across an interesting post entitled, How To Take Better Photos: Leave Your Camera Behind. The idea behind the post is that by seeing and feeling the place you are in, rather than "viewing" it through the lens of your camera, you can take better photographs that reflect the "feel" of a place when you do pick up your camera again.


Last summer when I took a trip to Paris for a few days with my mum, I didn't yet have my DSLR and didn't much feel like taking the boyf's. So I didn't take a camera at all, all I had was the camera on my Blackberry. And it was liberating. Often, when I have a camera with me, I find that I spend more time looking for the perfect photo and less time looking at where I am.


On a night out my DSLR is really too bulky to take with me so I usually leave the photo-taking to someone else. That suits me fine. Without the constant need to take photos, I enjoy the evening far more.


When I returned to Paris in May this year, I took my camera with me but I left it behind on the Saturday night and it was so liberating. We spent the evening in various museums around Paris and it was marvelous and not once did I have to think about how I might compose a photograph to remember the evening. Instead I was able to enjoy the evening and keep the memories for me.


In a few weeks time, the boyf and I are off on holiday for 10 days and I am vowing now that while we will take a camera with us, I am going to make sure that some days, it is left behind in our hotel room so that we can just soak up the atmosphere (and the sun).


Do you ever leave your camera behind? How do you feel about the prospect?

Mani of the Week: Chanel 509 Paradoxal

I LOVE this colour. It is so rich. This shade is limited edition and came out last Friday (13 August). As with most Chanel polishes, it needs two coats but once on, it is a gorgeous shade of "purple slate". If you can get your hands on a bottle of this, I highly recommend you get one. This is most definitely THE colour for Autumn/Winter 2010.

Italian Phrase of the Day: vorrei prenotare una camera, per favore

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Vorrei prenotare una camera, per favore = I would like to book a room, please


Today's lesson is in booking a room so that you can spend a night in the beautiful country that is Italy.


First, decide where you want to stay:


Un bed e breakfast = bed and breakfast
Un campeggio = campsite
Una pensione = guesthouse
Un albergo = hotel
Una locanda = an inn/budget hotel
Una camera = a room
Un ostello della gioventù = youth hostel


Now book the room:


Ho una prenotazione = I have a reservation
Avete una camera ...? = Do you have a ... room?
doppia con letto matrimoniale = double
singola = single
doppia a due letti = twin
Quanto costa per ...? = How much is it per ...?
una notte = night
persona = person
una settimana = week
Vorrei rimanere (due) notte ... = I'd like to stay for (two) nights ...
... dal (tre luglio) al (cinque luglio) = from (3 July) to (6 July)
Siamo (tre) = There are (3) of us
Posso pagare con la carta di credito? = Can I pay by credit card?


So what are you waiting for? Go book that room now!