Just returned from a short vacation in Rome, Italy. What an amazing place, you can feel the history of the Roman Empire everywhere you go. Devotion was palpable when walking on St Peter’s square.

Of course you are not visiting fashiontweet to read about history and the catholic church… so lets get back to what matters, fall fashion!

What I noticed most was the eighties trend and plaid…

This green colour combined with the plaid reminds me what I use to wear when I was teenager in the late eighties, with the gold chains and everything.  The colours are very warm, perfect for fall.

If you were not aware of the platform shoe trend than you have probably been living under a rock… I have been trying to pretend I could get away with another fall without platform pumps but I’m afraid my time has come. I shall probably purchase a pair in the next two months, it will take me a while to find a pair I can walk on. What I did purchase, shoe wise, is a pair of fantastic men’s shoe for girls, see below.

Skins Cosmetics

The press opening for the Skins Flagship Store in Amsterdam took place yesterday and Fashiontweet was invited.  The lovely Skins team and representatives of several brands were all present and available to us, explaining and promoting their visions and products.  I was amazed by the new look and feel of the store, it is sooo beautiful, light and airy. The interior is mostly white and the colours come from the products, just as it should be in my opinion.

Skins Cosmetics

A few of the products that really stood out for me:

Leonor Greyl, a french company based in Paris has been a pioneer in haircare for 35 years. At the new Skins Institute you can book an appointment for a hair and scalp analysis. A personal treatment will be created for you to ensure a healthy scalp and great looking hair. Paulina Moes, already a well known hairstylist in Amsterdam will be leading this new venture in haircare. I will be sure to book an appointment asap.

The new Skins Institute also employs a skincare specialist, Dany Diop. Dany has been a well known facialist for years, based in Haarlem, and is now working at the Institute. Dany is certified in Epidermologie®, educated at Joëlle Ciocco. Many, many famous faces are loyal to Joëlle Ciocco products and philosophy. It is a true asset to Amsterdam that we are now able to receive such wonderful treatments and purchase the Ciocco products at Skins.

Le Labo, an authentic and original perfume house from New York. Le Labo creates unique perfumes, that are created for you as you wait in the store. This way the freshness is guaranteed. You receive a personalised label on your bottle. I was lucky enough to receive a sample of Neroli 36 and have fallen in love with it.

Another favourite of mine is Laura Mercier, exlusively sold at Skins.  After a full day of presentations there was no time left to receive a consultation by the Laura Mercier representative so I have planned to return to Skins asap and I shall write a seperate report for you after that experience.

I was also very happy to meet Ellis Faas, a very famous dutch Make Up Artist. She is a true powerhouse and it was great to listen to her talk about her new make up product line ELLIS FAAS. Ellis Faas based the entire collection of her brand on the colours that naturally exist in every human body. From all tones of foundation to every lipstick and eyeshadow, the shades are inspired by the human body’s owns colours.

Ellis Faas

The first part of the make up line (available from Thursday) is ELLIS LIPS. It consists of a complete range of liquid lip colours in three textures: Creamy Lips, Milky Lips and Glazed Lips. For each of these textures, Ellis has designed nine specific colours. While signature colour ELLIS RED comes in all three textures. By the end of this year her entire line will have been launched, including: eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, foundation, concealer, powder, blush and highlighters. All products will be packaged in the pen-like device, specially designed for Ellis.

Well its my birthday today, and I thought I would reflect on the past year or so.

Moving to Amsterdam and losing my job were the major things that happened last year I suppose. Looking back and forward both are very positive experiences.

The job lost has forced me to re-examine my professional life. Fashion and lifestyle has been such a huge part of my life and now I am happy to report my days are mostly filled with just that.

Of course I am still searching for a job and am in the running for two, both are part time office management positions that would be a great basis from which to work in fashion on the days that remain.

Let me share with you the fashion and writing adventures that have come my way…

Guest blogger for www.viva.nl on the adventure of 60 days shopping abstinence, click here to read.
Article for www.vrouw.nl on the Modefabriek, click here to read.
Article for www.vrouw.nl on the Richard Avedon Exhibition at Foam, click here to read.

In the next two weeks I shall be working on two fotoshoots with Rianne a gorgeous model I met on Twitter. We have some great plans for these shoots and as soon as I can reveal more I shall.

As for the biggest opportunity to date: I have been selected as a finalist for the Styletoday Fashion Blogger contest. As soon as the contest goes live I shall let you all know so you can vote for me!!

YES WE CAN !!!!!!

NYC by @Marlooz

Tickets? check, Hotel? check. Yes it is true, Fashiontweet is going to NYC for spring!!! We are flying out on April second and returning a week later. I cannot wait. The only downside right now? I am browsing stuff online to go see and do (in other words, shop) and look what I find:

2/12–3/1 Brave the madness and hit the Barneys Warehouse Sale for 50 to 75 percent off deals on Lanvin, Christian Louboutin, and Prada. 255 W. 17th St., nr. Seventh Ave. (212-450-8400); 2/12 and 2/13 (8–9); through 3/1—M, T, W, Th, F (10–9), S, Su (10–7).

Grrrr, I am not in time for this sale, shame, shame, the shame!!!

I got a Moleskin A5 notebook at the American Book Centre, yes that lovely place. The plan is to create my own scrapbook for the NYC trip. It already contains information about the museums we want to visit and it has a seperate section for shopping.

Should anybody have any suggestions, please leave a comment? !

hey readers,

It’s been a while since my last report. The flue came to my house and overstayed its welcome by about a week …

Anyway, wanted to share with you quickly two items I came across in the Kalverstraat in Amsterdam today, unexpected and budget friendly.

First, a really basic nude pump, all leather for only 50 euros at van Woensel, not the most glamorous of shoe stores but still, it’s a cute little shoe to kick start your spring.

nude pumps @ van Woensel

Second, this jersey blazer (also available in black) at Zara, it looks a little punky and street wear -ish and I really like it. Its different and high fashiony. I believe it was about 79 euros so still very reasonable.

Grey blazer @ Zara

Wow, don’t even know where to start, maybe the beginning. . . Got a call from a model friend who said she was able to organise some backstage passes for Amsterdam International Fashion Week yesterday morning.

I ran upstairs, got in the shower and started making myself look presentable for a fashionweek visit. . . I met with @Marlooz, a famous dutch Twitterazi and off we went. Her sister Josh was doing the EnD by Eva and Delia show. Which by the way was amazing, but more about that later.

We walked in, checked out the backstage area and set ourselves up to do some interviews with models, a catwalk coach, a model agent, McKey’s (the winner of America’s Next Top Model) boyfriend  and met with lots of other people.

One of the first things that I noticed backstage is how much time is spent waiting, for makeup and hair, choreography, fittings and finally the show. The models are requested to arrive about 5 hours prior to show, after their hair and make up is done, the waiting begins, and might I add, the eating. Yes, models eat !

Let’s look at some photo’s

Going to work on my interview’s this weekend and post them asap. Watch for a video of the EnD show as well !!

Vlerk was on my list, new collection is starting to come in here too, let me share my favourite item so far:

purple silk dress

They also have a large selection of these gorgeous under garments with lace details:

beautiful under garments

Across the street one of my favourite shoe stores in Amsterdam: Manwood, I purchased some boots there last year.

sergio rossi nude boots

I want these boots, any sugar daddies out there?

This nude bow dress was in the window at Blue Blood, I loved it.

nude bow dress

Dearest Readers,

I’ve been gone for a while as you will have noticed, unfortunately the wifi connection failed relatively soon after arriving in Bonaire. Anyways, back now and ready to write. I started writing for viva.nl, click here for that blog.

Spent a few hours in town today, walked to a lunch date on the Museumplein and made my way through the Pijp neighbourhood. A couple of new things in the windows but mostly sales items in store. As soon as I can I shall go out and check out the new collections of which I have seen a couple of previews.

Great to share with you my vacation was fantastic and coming back home was also nice. . .

Back tomorrow, xoxo fashiontweet

I have a couple of new year’s resolutions I would like to share with you from this beautiful island I am visiting. First let me show you my view:

porch with a view

Fashion related resolutions:

• Lots of layers for spring, using beautiful fabrics such as silk and cashmere
• Quality above all else
• Find my true fashion style
• Bretagne shirt, combined with skinny jeans and a white jacket
• Nude ankle boots

General resolutions:

• Live a healthy and happy live
• Go to plays
• Watch The Duchess again, on the big screen this time
• Write letters

I am planning on writing about the trends I see for spring which I have already partly shared with you in the abovementioned resolutions. So keep coming back friends, I will report to you on all the trends as mentioned in the magazines.

I hope y’all have a wonderful night and wake up to a fantastic brand new year. We are going up a little mountain to watch the fireworks all the resorts are going to light up.

Good morning or afternoon or evening depending on where you are reading from….

Merry Christmas!!

I have been in the Christmas spirit for over a week now and feel like I used to when I was little…  the bottom of our tree is packed with gifts and it almost seems like more gifts appear every day (that’s because they do)

Santa woke me up really early this morning and I just couldn’t go back to sleep. Luckily Santa also woke up my beloved so I suggested we get up and I would fix some breakfast. This was at 5.30 am so you can imagine how crazy we are.

Anyway, look what Santa gave me:

watch

It has 8 little diamonds on the inside and its totally gorgeous.

Just so you know, that is a painting of me in the background by the most amazing artist Rachael Rendon. Click here to see more of her work.