Greta's Diary

Not everyone’s cup of tea, sure they’re not uber sexy and they don’t make your pins look incredible but kitten heels are back stronger than ever and there’s one thing they will always give you… class.

No doubt about it at all, kitten heels are the one-stop never-fail secret weapon when it comes to footwear that projects femininity, elegance and style.

From 60’s style icons Jackie Kennedy and Catherine Deneuve to modern muses Michelle Obama and Carla Bruni-Sarkozy there’s definitely staying power in the kitten heel. Packing a huge punch in the style department the kitten heel is your under the radar secret style weapon. Take your pick of colour and style to add that gloss to your elegance.

A big nod goes to the Austrians and the latest delicacies from Hogl. Superb is the word for their delcious slingbacks this Spring. Pearls maketh the lady and 9-10-7305 is pearlescent prettiness with a peeptoe. 9-10-7304 in red will have you channeling Sophia Loren with dramatic style.

You’ll be belle de jour in 9-10-5105 neutral and tres chic. Finally… navy! 9-10-5609 in navy croc look will have you stylishly well heeled and giving French first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy a serious run in the style stakes.

Kitten heels?…  purrrrrrrfectly fabulous.

Take a cue from Moschino…It’s time to get out of those Winter coats and breathe some life into your wardrobe. Go for instant freshness with prints. The fabulous thing about prints is that it’s almost as if you’re taking a piece of art and wearing it. Bold prints on shoes or bags make a strong style statement when worked with neutral pieces.

Belle by Tilly Rose have a divine ankle tie wedge this season that is to die for and she’s called Bessie.

The camel version is reminiscent of east meets west kimono print perfect for any modern day Madam Butterfly (and in this stylish little number you can bet on a happy ending).

Bessie’s black counterpart is a kitschy rose motif and paired with a gorgeous Wheels & Doll Baby number or practically anything from Alannah Hill you’ve got instant 40’s pinup appeal…. Rita Hayworth eat your heart out.

“Kameo” from Misano is a terrific little jungle print espadrille-styled number. Perfect with jeans, under a maxi or with a retro little number you’ll be channelling Sophia Loren on the Riviera no matter where you are….Bellissima!!!!

And ladies, this is my main tip… keep your prints to the statement makers. Overdose on prints and who knows what kind of statement you’ll make. (Leighton Meester… I mean you! but 10 points for courage x)

March to the beat of your own drum in a  military fashion.

SJP was sporting something similar to these fab little numbers “Dessy” from Boston Babe. A delicious suede lace up on a wedge (!) this ankle boot will have you pulling rank in the fashion field. Soldier on with “Ridge” from Windsor Smith, a heeled lace up boot in black or pale mushroom (they call it lama, I call it gorgeous).

Every good soldier needs a good pack, so keep it all together and arm yourself with this studded number from Guess. Big, bold and beautiful, the “Furious” tote is worth your attention.

Of course , don’t forget, there are always those terrific boots from Hunter. I know, I know, but they’re just sooo amazing.

Flowers. We give them to people we love, we get them when we’re sick, we surround ourselves with them at weddings. If flowers have this incredible power to make us happy why don’t we embrace them every day?

I’m not saying we all have to go as far over the top as Mr Galliano (oh you mad genius) , but a floral motif can be easily translated into your wardrobe.

“Aero” is a gorgeous floral print slingback with a cork heel and the other floral offering from Guess “Hondo” is super slick with a patent heel and eyepopping colour.

“Ivana” from Beautifeel (she comes in three colours!) is an ultra soft pump with patent detail and an oh-so-cute flower on the toe.

It’s about time… this divine enamel number from Fossil (ES2491) is floral, functional and fabulous.

With more flowers in your day, life’s bloomin’ wonderful.

Perhaps I’m a bit of a masochist but lately I’m loving the trend towards “tight”. From bandage dresses a la Herve Leger to  couture corsetted fashion (sorry but I’m obsessed… they’re EVERYWHERE), the projected image of self containment has me tied up in rapture.

Shoewise leave it to Jimmy Choo for tantalising  women worldwide with super strappy kitten-with-a-whip heels. Kosheen hit sexy right on the head with the Spring/Summer offerings from diffusion label She. Leather strapping over leather strapping make She’s “Eman” a definite must-have this season. The dilemna now of course being …do i get the black, or do I get the nude?

By the way… the safe word is …BOTH!

This summer, things are bound to get sexy.

 ”I don’t know who invented high heels but all women owe him a lot”… Marilyn Monroe

If you’d be so kind as to indulge me in a moment of reflective worship… Marilyn Monroe…. what can I say? She means something special to millions past and present. Her allure stronger than ever, her inspiration spanning decades from Andy Warhol’s famous pop art images to the catwalks of Milan.

Design gods D&G pay homage to Marilyn in their Spring collection. Black and white images of Marilyn on truely ’50s inspired to-sigh-for dresses remind us of vintage feminity in this modern age. Channel Marilyn while adding a spash of fuschia (like those “WOW” D&G coats) with this girly kitten heel from Top End. The diamente studded bow in back proves that diamonds ARE a girls best friend.

To walk a day in Marilyn’s shoes…. PeepToe tribute Miss Munroe is movie siren sexy and comes in bombshell black and goes-with-absolutely-everything nude. Wear them with everything from the cocktail frock to curve hugging jeans to feel every inch the goddess.

If you’re opting for a peeptoe style, keep your tootsies sitting pretty in vampy red nail vanish from Essie, Red Nouveau screams Marilyn from the get-go. Pop on your LBD, add a fiery red clutch from Olga Berg and you’re set to stun!Everything old is new again is surely true. My advice for a retro fashion fix? Revisit…Revive…Reinvent.

In every woman with a wiggle in her walk there’s proof that Marilyn’s star is still burning bright.

On Superman perhaps undies on the outside might seem acceptable, then don’t forget the great Speedo debate and what is appropriate and where. But decades after womankind freed herself from the confines of the corset … it’s back! (Check out super sexy Mrs Beckham for an instant jealousy fix)

But fear not, it’s comfier and sexier than ever… and not just confined to your mid-region.

Style for the feet is all wrapped up thanks to Kosheen who give us “Lola” in fiesty red and come-hither cobalt… From Brazil to the world THEY’RE HERE!!!!! Or go a little more traditional, evoking Madge in this hot little Guess number that has some serious Gaultier influence but, let’s face it, is infinitely more wearable for mere mortals such as you and I.

Another corset-like number from Guess is the long-sleeved Monica top (the corsetry is up the back), which, if you’re of the school of less is more, then it hits the three “S”s : Shape, Sleeves and Sexy. Wear it tucked into a figure hugging skirt for va-va voom vamp or over jeans for a look that’s simultaneously streamlined AND relaxed.

 Fashion is always an ATTITUDE and with Windsor Smith lace-up boot Ridge you’ll project plenty of that. Classic black goes ever-so well with jeans while the soft colour Lama gives the boot a girly edge without losing the wow factor.

My style tip for the fashion challenged? The shoes or the top? The answer is… one or the other… I think the only woman alive who can manage to pull off both together is Dita Von Teese.

Love her, love her, love her… HATE HER (just a little).

xx Greta

Remember 2007?

Ah yes, a good year indeed.

Amongst other things i remember that rebel scallywag John Galliano doing fabulous things at Christian Dior.

Bold colours and influence from Japanese Geishas to swashbuckling pirates exploded into world fashion in a way that seemed like art come to life.

And here we find ourselves, in 2010 and the influences are still there, but translating themselves in a different way. We’re still seeing Mr Galliano’s beloved bright colours but the artistic influences are going further back… in the form of tattoos.

From movie stars (Angelina most notably), models (even Mrs Murdoch the lovely Sarah) and yes us common folk (I have two but I’m not saying where darlings), tattooing is a global phenomenon, culturally and visually (think Ed Hardy’s contribution to fashion).

HOWEVER…

remember, with tattoos, once it’s on it’s THERE.

Not ready to take the permanent plunge but still want to fit in with the “art” crowd? Aussie brand Frenz to the rescue. Boldy tattooed laceless sneakers in fab colours add cred to your look and comfort to your feet (spongier than a layer cake i swear… and less fattening!)

Mermaids, Geishas, Pirates, skulls and and roses, the Frenz range is a veritable tattoo parlour for your perusal. Basic black makes the artwork pop, reveal your girly side in pretty purple, rule the sidewalk in red or shine in sunny yellow.

Loving the Ugg-style boot Hampton!!!!

Show them off with killer jeans from Guess or opaques from hosiery goddess Leona Edmiston. Clash with colours from Voodoo for a look that screams LOOK AT ME!

Guess girls take note, tattoo design adorned bags add colour and character for any basic outfit, are sooooo slick (shiny patent look with hardcore chain handles) and make the perfect shopping companion.

With all that art and style, it’s nice to see that the tattooed lady is no longer a freak.

Christian Dior… saddle bags DEFINITELY not for horses.

Mary Poppins and THAT oversized bag on a magic carpet-bag ride.

The Birkin… designed by Hermes, desired by all.

Nothing like a statement piece to generate a little “bag envy”.

While I sigh and dream over the ultimate in bag chic the Birkin (there’s a waiting list of which I’m surely at the bottom) I’m delighted to bits over the latest from Australian label Spencer & Rutherford. Designed and styled “Downunder”, wave waiting lists goodbye and head to top of the fashion class with limited edition lovelies (with only 300 WORLDWIDE in certain styles!).

New York, France, Hong Kong, Germany, S&R are taking the world by storm and you can see pieces hanging from the arms of the likes of Cate Blanchett , Toni Collette and HRH Princess Mary of Denmark (more shining examples of fabulous Australian exports).

Fashion cred aside, the bags are ultra feminine and absolutely TO SIGH FOR! From patterned lovelies in mixes of fuschia and purple (Peyton Glad Rags), girly vintage (Veronique Flapper) or monochromatic euro style pieces, boutique accessoire ShoeBeDoo have only one of each in stock, so if you bump into a girl with the same bag … well i wouldn’t bet on it.

click on the images for a better view darlings.

Contrast your purse or wallet to your little piece of S&R heaven for a look that’s at once individual and quirky. Or, as one of my girlfriends would rather die than be seen without matching accessories, (you know who you are!) you can team all of your pieces to work together.

A tip for the fashion savvy traveller…

opt for the range of S&R luggage when travelling… its pretty, practical and you’ll always arrive in style (and no problems spotting your bags on that crowded luggage carousel anymore).

Are you in love yet?

xx Greta

Ever since I was a little girl I’ve always loved Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers… and Cinderella’s Glass Slippers… my latest love?… Carrie’s stunning cobalt Manolo Blahniks from the Sex And The City Movie (If you haven’t seen SATC 2 yet … what are you waiting for?!).

I think what sticks in the mind (and the heart) was that these shoes are special, exquisite…MAGICAL.

How nice it would be to pop on a pair of ruby slippers and step out in to the world… Nice ? Yes. Practical?… Not at my age darlings! However… fear not!

It’s dear Greta to the rescue (!) with a fab little discovery to transform a simple pair of flats or those pretty heels (which just seem to lack that SOMETHING) into something magical. What is my new secret?

Lean in close now dear…

Emmersen Shoe Clips!

These little adornments clip on to your shoes adding immediate Sigh-Factor.

Clip them in front, back or the side of your shoe and instantly you have your own little piece of gorgeous! Diamente clusters transform a simple pair of heels into a Manolo inspired delight.

Delight (Clarice)

Give Dorothy a run for her money with sweet satin bows.

Plain ballerina pumps? Go from pavement to party with the flip of a clip.

Pure (Misano)

Apply your Emmersen Shoe Clips to simple evening bags, scarves, headbands, lapels… wherever you want to add a bit of ZSA ZSA ZSU! My tip for the gal-on-the go…keep a pair handy in your bag in case of fashion emergency!

You’ll be the girl about town whose shoes everyone is talking about…

Feels good doesn’t it!

xx Greta