The Red Dress

Red. The power colour. My colour. My power.

Wearing: Red Dress from Vanilia Boutique Sunglasses Gucci

Photos taken by: Consuelo Edeling Photography and @eligimoshoots

I started writing this blog post 7 months ago and I can’t help asking myself, what happened? Well, life happened, like it always does, just that this time life struck harder and more surprisingly than ever. There’s really a before Covid 19 and there will be an after but right now we are somewhere in-between I guess. It’s surprising how fast something can be taken away from you. How something natural all of a sudden can end up being something dangerous, a threat. And life really took a turn and we all struggled to stay sane and healthy and to do the best of the situation. Somehow it was like pressing pause, like everything just went on hold.

The only thing that did not pause though was me and my dear friend Angela setting up our preloved business Fashion and Repeat. And Fashion and Repeat is also the reason why you haven’t heard from me in a while.

It’s been a lot of hard work setting up our own business in these challenging times. We had to rethink and adapt and find new creative solutions to be able to keep moving forward. It’s been an interesting time for sure and we have been working so hard and I am so incredible proud of all that we have achieved so far. And we are learning so much, especially by all the mistakes that we are making:)

It’s been an intense time lately but I am so grateful that we got our business up and running before the Covid 19 outbreak because it has really kept me busy as well in lockdown. If you want to check my business out its www.fashionandrepeat.com You can also find us on Instagram and on Facebook of course.

I’m super thrilled to be back here though and felt red was just the right colour for this comeback! I love the colour red. Love to wear it as it is and love to combine it with other strong colours like pink or orange. While black is safe red is daring. Red will question and red will take a stand. That’s why I love red.

Hope you find my red dress pictures inspiring and hope to see you back here soon again!

Take care and stay safe!

The Playful Edition!

Wearing: Teddy coat by Carven, Sunglasses by Gucci. All new vintage from Tamago Amsterdam.

All pictures taken by Helen Fearn

With the festive season just around the corner I know a lot of us are stressed and with the agendas more fully booked than ever. We want to do everything and meet everyone and of course we want to look fabulous, all the time! This is when we end up throwing on that black dress that saved us so many times. I guess we all have that dress in the wardrobe, the “in case I don’t know what to wear” dress. It’s like a safe card and its great knowing the dress is there in case of an emergency, but dressing up should be a little more fun than that I think. I used to love dressing up when I was a little girl. I remember having a big bucket with a lot of different things and I could just play around with the different styles and the different characters the outfits would create. I actually feel the same way now when I’m trying on clothes and I just love the feeling different outfits will give me. If you have done theater, it’s like going into character.

So, fashion is not only about covering our bodies with something. It’s actually an opportunity of having fun, of being someone else for a while, someone else that’s actually you but not always. One of my favourite shops for finding those amazing pieces, that will take me somewhere else, is Tamago on Spiegelgracht 13 in Amsterdam. Every time I go in there I find pieces that I love and that manages to transform me in a really playful and boosting way. I mean, why limit ourselves when in the end we have so many possibilities of being and creating “us” !

I really invite you to play more with fashion and to have more fun. I know some people don’t like the attention it may cause but I’m telling you, the moment we stop being bothered about what other people think or about comments or looks, it’s such a relief and such a beautiful gift to ourselves. I hate when people ask who I’m dressing up for. I’m dressing up for me, for my own feeling about me! When I for example put on the teddy coat with the amazing bling bling details it was like I could feel the transformation getting started. And when I topped it off with these gorgeous clear and oversized sunglasses the transformation was complete. I just love the 70s vibe and the fun feeling this outfit was giving me. In the end it’s just a coat and a pair of sunglasses but they really made my day and made me feel fabulous, at least for a short while! And remember, we don’t have to wait for that special moment or dinner or event to feel a little bit special, just go for it whenever you feel like it. Let yourself get inspired! For me it’s a matter of being opened minded and trying on new things. I’m not saying I’m looking fabulous and fun everyday because I really don’t. I also have days when i just throw on a pair of jeans and a sweater and go, but those days are important to because they make my fashionable days feel even more special.

And don’t forget, If we believe it we can do it. I know it sounds like such a cliche but it’s actually the truth. So, let’s stop doubting and start having fun! Let our festive season begin!

Reinventing my Wardrobe

Wearing: Top Wera Clothing, Culottes Zara, Sneakers Adidas

Photos taken by: @eligimoshoots

Am I the only one trapped between the release of the new trends for autumn/Winter 2019-2020 and the “don’t buy anything new” movement in order to help save this planet that is literally burning! I see a lot of people, especially on Instagram, taking a stand and not buying anything new but only preloved. This month for example is #secondhandseptember which means anything you buy should be second hand. I wish I could make that statement and really go all in on the preloved items but I’m afraid I just can’t. I love falling in love with new items and I don’t want all of my clothes to have been worn already by others. Don’t get me wrong, I love vintage and I love finding fabulous preloved items but I could never do only second hand. I do try to reinvent my wardrobe as much as I can by finding new ways of combining what’s already in there. I really dont think it’s necessary to always buy new when we have so many things that we probably only used a couple of times or even worse-never used at all!

This blouse that I am wearing here for example is from one of my favourite swedish brands Wera Clothing and I think I bought it 8 or 9 years ago. The red culottes are from Zara and I got them 2 years ago. Culottes are hanging in there and are even one of the autumn winter trends for this season so completely right! If you don’t have a pair of culottes in your wardrobe I would really recommend you get at least one pair. They are so useful and look so great combined with practically anything! Anyway, it’s not easy. With this reinventing myself and my wardrobe also comes a feeling of “I’m so tired of always wearing the same clothes”, I know! But it’s actually a really satisfying feeling knowing I created this outfit without buying anything new. And I guess an awakened awareness is the most important thing and we are getting there. I do believe most of us think twice before (or after:) buying and that is a good sign that we are paying more attention to the environment and that we are taking responsibility for our part in the whole save the planet movement. I know I will not stop buying new at all, I’m not gonna lie and say that because it aint gonna happen. What I can do though is promise to reinvent my wardrobe a little bit more, to actually make use of what is in there and to buy a little less. I promise I’ll do my best!

The Italian Vacanza Look

Wearing: Dress: Arket / Earrings: Zara / Sunglasses: Parfois / Hair diadem: Stradivarius / Lipstick: Ellis Faas

Sneakers: Adidas

Photos taken by: Consuelo Edeling Photography

I know summer is almost over for some of us and even though I already kind of stepped into autumn, I wanted to share this fabulous Italian vacanza look with you before I completely give in to fall. Truth is, I would never have come up with this Italian vacanza look if it wasn’t for the lilac vespa that just stood there waiting for me on the street. Inspiration is really everywhere, I know I’ve said it before but it’s actually true. And when it’s there we have to just grab it and make the most out of it. Occasionally it will perhaps not work out but sometimes it will and it’s so worth trying a thousand times for that one time when everything just clicks! Like this time with the vespa! I wasn’t even aware my look had that Italian holiday vibe but I absolutely love it. In fact, I love it so much I think I may have to get myself a Vespa:)

Thanks for stopping by!

Hope you have a fabulous weekend planned ahead and hope to see you back here soon!

Stepping into Autumn

Wearing: Trousers: Uterque Top and earrings: Zara Sneakers: Adidas Lipstick: Ellisfaas

Photos taken by: Consuelo Edeling Photography

I don’t know about you, but here in Amsterdam it’s pretty clear summer has ended and autumn is literally just around the corner. The scenery has changed and the mood is completely different and I love it. It’s actually just what I feel like right now, and luckily the day we took these pictures the rain was pouring down. It sounds crazy, I know, but there’s something magical in a rainy day!

I love change and I love autumn and for me the autumn is about new beginnings and new opportunities and when it comes to fashion I just love the elegancy it brings and even though the colours are darker they always feel so refreshing after a summer full of soft and bright colours. I know it can be stressful though with the new fall/winter collections everywhere and especially when you like me just have managed to change the wardrobe from winter to summer and then have to do it all again! Unfortunately I’m not blessed with a big and beautiful walk in closet - yet! But I hope and pray for one everyday:)

I’m really no slave to the latest but rather like picking up some inspiration and going my own way which means not everything that I wear will necessarily have to be an entirely new outfit. The outfit i’m wearing here is from last years collection and the year before! and a perfect example of how our wardrobes gives endless opportunities and that there are always new ways of combining why buying new doesn’t always have to be the option.

A pair of elegant and colourful trousers (like these ones! I absolutely love them!) can really do miracles in your wardrobe. I love wearing almost all my outfits with sneakers because it makes a great contrast with my style and it also makes the outfit look so much less forced- and I also walk or stroll the streets without problem too:)) Adding a pair of gorgeous statement earrings adds a great attitude to the outfit and something you will see me do a lot. The ones I’m wearing here are old too but they will always and forever be one of my favourite earrings!

So, colour up the pants and put on some fabulous earrings and a pair of sneakers and voila- you are ready to stroll:)

Hope you guys have a fun weekend ahead of you and thanks for stopping by!

Trousers: Uterque / Top: Zara / Earrings: Zara / Sneakers: Adidas / Lipstick: Ellisfaas

Photos taken by: Consuelo Edeling Photography

A day on a boat

Wearing: Bikini bottom: Oysho and Bikini Top: Hollister Both from last year

Even though it’s all about the outfits it really isn’t, at least not always!

While in Menorca with our friends we had the most amazing day out on a boat. It was all planned really fast and I didn’t even have time to think about bringing different outfits for instagram! I actually like when that happens, when life takes over and when the image of it really doesn’t matter. i know I talked about this in an earlier blogpost but it can be really stressful to always be connected and always looking for the perfect picture. So, it was a little bit of relief I must say not having time to plan for all these amazing outfits!

We spend the entire day, from morning till sunset, on the boat and it was absolutely amazing. I can really recommend a day on a boat if you are around the balearic islands this summer. We had so much fun and its really the perfect family activity that makes everyone happy. The kids had all the water toys they could imagine and other fun things to play with in the water. We were all jumping from the boat, even me, and we were really having the time of our lives. The sea was a little bit ruff when we went out but we found this calm island outside which we stopped for some swimming and diving and eating and drinking. That day I honestly changed the water for champagne and I will happily do it again! On our way home we enjoyed the amazing sunset and it was really magical. Its difficult to explain the magic in a day like this but hopefully you will sense some of it from the pictures. Enjoy!

The boat was waiting for us in the Mahon harbour

Holiday Treasures

I love shopping in small local boutiques when on holiday! For me it’s like half of the fun and I so enjoy discovering all these local items and trends. This summer I have made some amazing findings here in Menorca and I wanted to share some of them with you!

The knitted top and the straw hat are like a must if you are on an island. This knitted top in particular is just gorgeous and the colour is really amazing. You can wear it over a bikini or with shorts or a skirt and it will look good with anything!

In Ciutadella I found this beautiful green round straw bag! I have been looking for a smaller round straw bag for a while but haven’t really found any that caught my attention-until now! The green colour is just gorgeous and gives it a chic touch that I just love!

Another big trend that I really picked up on this summer is bracelets. Here in Menorca they sell them almost in all the small boutiques and some small villages even have markets where you can find amazing bracelets for a really cheap price. When it comes to bracelets I would recommend to just start with one that you really like and then build from there. I like mixing several of them together and the combinations are really endless!

The yellow leather bag and the silver bracelet are both from Ibiza a couple of years ago. In the end these special findings are like a collection of memories which makes them real treasures. This summer I’m bringing small parts of Menorca with me back home and it feels really special. And a part from loving dressing up in my new findings I also love the fact that I am supporting the small local businesses at the same time. I mean, how sad wouldn’t it be if all of these amazing small boutiques would have to shut down! Small local businesses is really the opposite to fast fashion and you can really tell the products have been made by hand and by heart and that makes them even more beautiful and special! We should all slow down a little bit and embrace life differently, and if it takes a trip to Menorca to do that then what are we waiting for?

Inspiring Menorca

Our well deserved holidays finally begun! Menorca is such a beautiful island and for those of you that doesn’t know it I can really recommend a visit! The water is turquoise and crystal clear and the small villages are filled with narrow patches and white houses. It’s extremely pittoresque and full of amazing spots for pictures everywhere you look! I have to confess that this sometimes stresses me. It sounds crazy, I know, but I guess it’s some kind of work damage from being a fashion blogger and for always being mentally connected planning and looking for the perfect spot for the next perfect picture. Sometimes a bit tiring but also a lot of fun! Occasionally I get complaints from my family but to try to avoid this I make them as participating as possible in my blogging and in the picture taking. So, yesterday evening for example, while at this beautiful “cala” and just when we were heading back my boys said, -Mom look, a “real” photo shoot! And there, in front of this old wooden cabin in the amazing evening light, wearing a fabulous big black hat and a black bikini and a white see through blouse stood this gorgeous young lady and her photo crew! Wow! We all just stopped and stared for a second and then I said, tomorrow I want to do the exact same pictures at the exact same spot! And then my boys said, Mom, don’t copy others-do something unique, be you! I’m so happy they said that because it’s such a beautiful and independent and strong way of thinking and it made me really proud of my boys! Still, I continued, I want to do the same picture at the same place and even thought it’s the same it will be different because I am different and my photographer is different. And that’s not copying, that’s just being inspired! And so we had this wonderful conversation about copying and being unique and I must say I really enjoyed their defending of the being unique because that’s something that I always encouraged-to be yourself and to not be afraid of being different.

Inspiration is everywhere and when I see it or when I feel it I will pick it up and I will of course make it me, make it my style and my version. So I went to get myself a gorgeous black hat and a hand knitted white typical island boho chic top and I made the photo session with my son. Of course, the best pictures weren’t the ones on the exact same spot but the ones we were inspired to do in the moment. But the session was still thanks to the beautiful girl in front of the wooden cabin that inspired me so. I hope you like the result and I hope you find the inspiration in them! And no matter wether it’s an old wooden cabin or an amazing eventing light, inspiration is everywhere so go get it!

Wearing: H&M Bathingsuit, beach dress bought at a cala in ibiza and Gucci Sunglasses from Tamago Amsterdam

Gorgeous hat bought in a small boutique in Binibeca, Menorca

Rocks and Crystal Clear water

Handmade white top from a small boutique in Binibeca, Menorca

When The Sea is Calling

Photographer: Gunnar Nordlund @herr_ordlund Wearing: Massimo Dutti dress and Saltwatersandals sandals

Each photo has it’s story. Sometimes the story is told and sometimes it’s not but there’s always a story. The story behind these pictures from the Baltic Sea with the blue dress blowing in the wind is about one expected and one unexpected meeting.

The expected meeting was between me and the sea. I have always loved the sea and having been brought up by the coast perhaps have made me develop this strong connection and need of the sea, like if the sea was calling me.

The unexpected meeting was between me and photographer Gunnar Nordlund, a landscape photographer from the North of Sweden that mainly focuses on photographing an area called Bjuroklubb where the Baltic Sea turns into the Bothnia Bay. He’s pictures are absolutely stunning working mainly with the light in the evening and the night. Luckily he also found the unexpected interesting and agreed to meet for a photo session, even though he normally doesn’t take pictures of people at all and especially not fashion pictures. And even though we were an unexpected and somewhat unlikely combination we both found it very natural and easy working together. The evening was clear and magic but freezingly called and luckily Gunnar had brought a warm jacket for me assuming I would not bring warm enough cloths- he was right! Thank you for the jacket! And Thank you for saying yes to the unexpected and for these amazing pictures! I feel blessed having had this opportunity of taking these amazing pictures in this amazing environment and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do and I hope they inspire you to embrace the unexpected and unlikely!

Idyllic Sweden

Soaked in sun and luxury!

Sweden is really all about the idyllic red wore-down old wooden houses in the middle of nowhere. Here nature is for sure the mayor inspiration and even though this is actually coming home for me I can’t help feeling like a tourist. Amazed by its beauty and greatness, I feel like a child in a candy store! And the more wore-down a house is the better! The gorgeous colours and surroundings are really everywhere you look and I feel truly blessed having the North of Sweden as my coming home!

Wearing: Soaked in Luxury dress, Parfois sunglasses and Saltwatersandals sandals

Photo taken by: Gunnar Nordlund, @herr_ordlund

The Art of Being Unique

Strolling down the streets of Amsterdam in my gorgeous flamenca top! I love how living in different countries with different cultures in the end not only influences your style but creates sort of a new one. In the end we are influenced by everything around us and if that everything changes dramatically well then chances are we do too! Funny thing is that while living 19 years in Madrid I never felt really Spanish but rather typical Swedish. Now though, when I live in Amsterdam, I really feel drawn to and more identified with Spain and Spanish style and feel proud of my Spanish heritage! For me fashion becomes interesting when theres a mix and a unique style or thought. I love mixing different styles or materials or colours together to create that unique outfit. I guess most of us aim for achieving that uniqueness when it comes to style. And I would say that the line is really fine between being unique and just having copied an outfit. The difference I would say lays in it being real or not. I remember reading an article about home decor and one interior designer saying “as long as you buy things that you love it will all add up and look great together in the end” I feel its the same with fashion. If you are true to your taste rather then the trends then it will all make sense in the end.

The hair scarf

The hair scarf

My first blog post that I write and of course it had to be about the hair scarf!  I wouldn't say I'm normally that person that picks up on all the latest trends but when it comes to the hair scarf I'm completely sold! It took me a while before I tried it because I really didn't think I was going to be able to wear one since I have such fine hair.  I tried but from the beginning it just kept coming off and I was about to give up when I realised I could just fix the scarf with a couple of hair clips. And there it was, right on place and not falling off!

I'm not sure why I love the hair scarf so much but I really think it's such a feminine, elegant, sexy and at the same time innocent and girly accessory and I love it! It adds that extra sparkle to any outfit and can make the most simple outfit look fabulous. It's a playful accessory that makes a big difference to any outfit and it's a really easy way to stand out and to be different. For those of you who doesn’t know me I love standing out! I always wondered why anyone would ever want to melt in, to not be seen! And when it comes to the hair scarfs I keep seeing a lot of them on social media but not so many in real life.

There are many types of scarves in many different colours and patterns but I must say that my favourite are the colourful ones! The one I’m wearing here is a hair scarfette from the Swedish company Hermine Hold. A scarfette is easier to put on and will actually stay in place. This one in particular is white and yellow and gives that Italian holiday feeling and I just love it!

I love the scarfs in the hair but a colourful scarf can also be wrapped around a bag or casually around the neck or whatever!  The opportunities are endless and its really such a simple accessory that is available in all sorts of colours and patterns and price ranges. If I would recommend you get one item this month I would say get a nice scarf or scarfette!