All Black OOTD

Another summer outfit in all black. 

Living in Europe I almost never wore black in warm months. I remember how much you crave for spring/summer colors and fabrics. I wear white, patterns and colors all year around but for summer months in Dubai I feel most comfortable in all black. The totally unglamorous reason is the swetty-betty situation that desert temperatures and humidity bring.   

This post shows a combo of my favorite black items at the moment. They have won this esteemed title because both pieces are so incredibly versatile. Lets take the River Island strappy top (Link). Its so basic but the straps in the front make it a bit cooler than my normal cami. It looks awesome under a blazer for work or with jeans on a night out. Its super lightweight and I am seriously considering getting a few more colors as I have been wearing it a lot.

The skirt is a classic for me.  Pleated midis are the bomb and I love the ASOS one (Link). I have it in coral as well and it comes in pretty much every color you could want. We are talking bright pink or yellow to more toned down options like this one. I'm sure a pleated midi is not a staple for everyone but they hold a firm place in my wardrobe for years. I just feel so lady like and pretty in them.

The shoes are my trusty heels by DvF. I call these patent beauties my work shoes. They are classic and as comfortable as it can get. I'm gonna put it out there and say that the DvF Anette pumps are one of my favorite shoe style ever. I have them in leopard print and in black patent but unfortunately both options are constantly sold out. I could find them in black suede (Link) and if you are after a classic shoe I can not recommend those enough. My love for this style is everlasting! Its so strong that if I saw another leopard pair sold anywhere I would buy them for back up!

So that's it from the outfit front today.

Well actually I have to confess of an online order that is on the way to me and if you are the same shoe size as me (Eur 38) you might want to consider. The Topshop pink suede mid heeled shoes (Link) are on sale! Getting shoes almost 50% off is like getting them for free if you ask me..

OOTD - What I Wore to Brunch

 As I mentioned in last Life Lately, last weekend we went on a great brunch at Armani hotel. A 3,5h brunch was followed by sheesha session at the Palace Hotel which is the backdrop of below outfit session.

 If you follow me in Instagram ( @thelauracarlson) you already got a sneak of this combo. I still have the unyielding love for midiskirt and this structured Topshop number is no exception. It makes me feel like a pink cloud ( in a good way because I like clouds! I dont mind being one from time to time). The cut of this is special as its not totally A-line neither is it a tulip skirts- its somewhere in between and that's what gives it such great shape. I dont see it online anymore so it might be sold out. I got it a few months back. The length is proper midi (so makes your legs look visually shorter) which means I always wear it with heels, even the lowest of heel will help you out here (mine are old Kurt Geiger ones).

Even if this skirt is no longer available there is some lust worthy option in Topshop. Like this textured knee midi skirt in lilac or baby blue. If they had these at Dubai store I would have already caved but as I would have to order online Im still going strong against temptation.

 The shirt is a new purchase made this week and I absolutely love it. Take a wild guess where its from? I dont even believe it myself but its GAP again! Its their Cuff Drapey Top. In addition to white it comes in various pretty pastel hues and I might have to go pick up a mint green option. The light material and relaxed fit combined with a collar makes it perfect staple to have in a few color options (or so I like to tell myself).

 Its great length to wear over skinny jeans but in my wardrobe will probably get the most use with various girly skirts.

The necklace is of course from New Vintage by Kriss. Its a light green agate slice on gold-filled chain and works equally great layered with some dainty pieces or worn under collars as the length is perfect for it.

I have a few excellent new necklaces from spring summer collection of New Vintage by Kriss so will show you soon. And yesterday as I was aimlessly browsing at Topshop (again!) I stumbled upon a gem. I mean really this piece will be my favorite going-out outfit for sure. And its NOT pastel nor a midi?! Might just have to throw it on and take quick pictures in my garden tomorrow cause I cant wait to show you.

Have you done some great spring/summer shopping lately?

Did somebody say "pleated midi"?

Yes those two are my weaknesses and combined they win me over in the matter of seconds. I am THAT weak!

ASOS has some awesome midi skirt options and as I was flicking through the sale section for millionth time (cause what if there was something I missed!!) I lingered at a black pleated midi.

It is a nice basic and I bought it.. but no, I did not stop at that. The same skirt also came in a perfect bright coral and well.. long story short.. here it is ( Link ):

 This is what I wore to work the day after ASOS package arrived. Top and shoes are both Massimo Dutti.

 And well one must high five after a successful ASOS purchase right?

 

The problem is my lusting for various midis has not died down yet. Next victims on ASOS could be this colorblock beauty or this pleated lace number.. or maybe I try to behave and at least wait til my Topshop structured midi arrives.

Mid(i)week

Firstly!

Thank you Laura for finally convincing me to start blogging.. and thank you all the lovely people who found their way to my blog..

Now lets talk about Tuesdays! I will never get used to the Middle East working week and the fact that Sunday is workday and Tuesday is midweek. Tuesday just does not feel like a midweek kind of a day.. instead it feels like a day after Monday and should in theory still be in the first half of the week..

But ok midweek it is then. And to celebrate that Im wearing heels and red lippy (Nars Red Square- my favorite color for about a year now!) to work. You will have to bear with me regarding the photo quality please. At this moment the only person to take my outfit photos is my husband and that conversation went a little like this..

Me:"Honey can you come outside before I leave for work and take some photos of me for the blog? It shouldnt take longer than 10min.."

Him:"10 min?? Thats a really long time to take pictures. How many do you need?"

Me:" I dont know the number! Only a few but I need some to choose from.. like close ups and full body and one of only shoes and..maybe I will make weird faces or my hair wount look good on some..or.."

I saw I was losing him already so figured we will have to wing it for the first one and it is what it is. (Morgan I know you will read this so thank you very much for taking my pictures.. I will bake you a cake for it I promise!)

There is a whole lot of my favorite wardrobe staples in here.

Like the basic cotton tshirt from Cos. Cos does the best basic shirts ever! I love the quality and the fit and I keep repurchasing them. Whenever I went to London I almost ran to Cos every time..and stocked up on different color tshirts and more often than not a dress as well. Its a Swedish brand and has that awesome scandi minimal design with funky cuts and good quality fabrics.

I did do a small happy dance when Cos opened in Dubai mall!

And the Cos praise will be followed with some more Cos praise because this midi skirt is also from there. Do you wear midis? I used to be soo worried before that they will make me look like a grandma and that the midi length is unflattering etc. But after I finally bought my first midi a few years back they have become one of the most worn item in my closet.

I mean it shows off your waist and makes you feel ladylike and fashionable at the same time. Whats not to love? Now if im honest there may or may not be a recent ASOS order on the way with one (read: two) new midi skirts!

Ok so..the shoes! (is it normal that a pair of shoes makes you swoon?) These are single handedly the most comfortable heels I have ever owned. I was on a lookout for a perfect classic leopard heel for ages because isnt leopard print the best basic color ever. Winner in my book any day.
Well these Diane von Furstenberg babies just tick all the boxes for me.

✓  heel hight that allows me to wear them day time 

✓  soft padding under the sole for comfort  

✓  great print with right amount of black and beige to go with everything

They are so comfortable that I went ahead and ordered the same style in black patent and I am now on the hunt for a red pair. I have a DVF shoes obsession!

So here we are, my first outfit post all done. 

Lets end this with another pet photo shall we. I thought we don't know each other so well yet so maybe its too soon to show my true colors. But I will just come out and say it- Im a crazy cat lady and its my pleasure to introduce our second rescue cat Zulu!