Author: Allegra Caro

Five amazing women-led podcasts to empower you

“Video killed the radio star“, or so The Buggles said.

With the social media bloom and the proliferation of platforms such as Youtube, the radio seemed a thing of the past. (And we couldn’t have been more mistaken, that was embarrassing… Oops!) Against all predictions, podcasts were born and then developed into an unstoppable wave. The secret behind their success might be their simplicity, as well as their mental floss dimension — they will brush your psychic over-charge away.

Personally? I value them as luxury self-care time these days, as I need to be present, listening, enjoying some mindfulness. And yes, I used to think they were Jurassic and a bit lame too (I am not the brightest bulb in the chandelier), but here I am now: I listen to them in the shower, while having my morning coffee, and — strangely enough — when washing my teeth. I am a total converse.

These days, one can find a podcast for every topic on Earth but I took the liberty of selecting five seriously amazing podcasts led by women for you. They are witty, they are badass and the epitome of #girlboss.

Do you want to know them? Here you go!

Five awesome women-led podcasts to empower you.

 

The best 2019 women podcast to empower you

 

1.The Beauty Closet by Goop

On the first episode, I fell in love with the friendliness of Jean and Megan, who sat down with the wonderful Gwyneth Paltrow for some real talk. OH MY. You need to listen to her dissecting the essence of female identity versus gender roles, aging, and mental health on her natural, fun way. As Goop founder, Paltrow provides a unique angle to clean beauty and eating too. And yeah, don’t tell anyone, but my new mission in life is to become Jean, Megan and G.P.’s BFF. Just saying…

2. At Home With by Anne Newton and Lily Pebbles

Of course, you already know Anna and Lily, right? (If you don’t, just stop it there and google their names. Don’t even bother finishing this article. I MEAN IT.) Their catch-up-with-friends podcast format is nothing but addictive. I can guarantee you will feel at home while listening to these two chatting with successful bloggers and entrepreneurs, splashing their bubbly personalities in the process. In the way, you will learn everything about the fashion, lifestyle and beauty industries. Their biggest strength? They will make you feel as if you were having a cup of coffee with them.

3. The Goal Digger by Jenna Kutcher

Let me tell you something about Jenna: she is passionate about helping other women out. The Goal Digger is a business-oriented show, that navigates every aspect of building a project online: from Instagram sponsorships to generating a passive income. I find most of the knowledge applicable to my own blog and can only recommend to anyone interested in having a sneak peek behind the industry scenes.

4.The Influencer Podcast by Julie Solomon

This is the one I listen to when my morning coffee is not doing its thing and I really need that energy boost. I ain’t gonna cheat on you — I love Jenna to bits. She is friendly, she is bold, and she is not afraid to curse when required. Hitherto, one of my favourite episodes features the wonderful Casey Goode, who speaks plainly about how to create human connections and a long-term relationship with your online audience.

5. Unladylike by Cristen Conger and Caroline Ervin

“Find out what happens when women break the rules – those unwritten but all too real bullsh*t expectations of how we should live our lives.” Catchy, right? Please, don’t expect Caroline and Cristen to be your typical political correct hosts. They are more concerned about analyzing the roots and consequences of cultural constructions such as gender, race, or class, and the length of their impact on women’s lives. It might sound deep and complicated, but their show is humorous and easy-going, covering topics all kind of topics from makeup as a confrontational statement to how to kick off high heels at work. So, if you need a boost of confidence, this is the one to listen.

 

5 amazing(1)

And these were my five top women-led podcasts recommendations.

Are you a podcast lover too? Which ones would you recommend?

 

 

Allegra Caro12 Comments

How to boost your self-confidence and feel good in your Summer clothes

Few things scream Summer quite as loudly as gingham does, an evergreen classic that comes back every June. Its sacred status quo partially originates from a simple idea: the fabric is supposed to work for just about anyone. At least, that’s what I thought when I saw these shorts in Zara last Summer.

This tale starts like any fashionista love story — a girl who falls for an item of clothing in a heartbeat and reaches for the cash desk. But love is not all wine and roses, is it? Once I  arrived home, I tried the trousers immediately (I only trust the natural light in my bedroom), and was nothing but disheartened. Those shorts totally cheated on me!

Horrified, I double-checked myself in the mirror: every flaw and insecurity, showing in every inch of exposed skin. I must admit I felt so bad, I didn’t even dare to return the trousers to the shop and simply threw them in the deepest part of the closet, banished forever. Then, I forgot about their existence.

how to boost your self-confidence is Summer

flowers

Like any other women, I frequently feel self-conscious about my appearance and Summer turns into a cyclic challenge. No matter how resilient you are most of the time, the warm season with its demands of body confidence can take its toll. I lost track of how many times my husband repeated every woman has cellulite, or freckles, or small depigmentation patches because the truth is, the only voice you can hear in such junctures, is the one in your head. And guys, that’s not a nice voice.

Over the last half a year I was in a bad place, mentally. Work stress, hormonal changes, and some insecurities related to our next destination made me feel overwhelmed at times. And I had to work my ass off to leave that dark place. Because if there is one thing I can say about myself without hesitation, it’s I am a stubborn fighter who will not give up.

So, I started thinking, what can I do to feel better? And eventually, I started applying these thoughts to my body image too. I am not going to lie — it took work and will, and I am still fighting every day. But overall? It was worth it.

 

how to boost your self-esteem this Summer

So, these are my 100% honest tips on how to boost your self-esteem this Summer.

1. Distance yourself from your body-conflict one second and analyze actual biologic factors

Is your monthly cycle affecting your body shape or perception? Are you stressed or dieting? When your hormones are out of order, this affects your mood. The reason can be found on the imbalance between Oestrogen and Serotonin. Likewise, if you’re currently dieting, there’s also a chance that your brain is in starvation mode. At that point, it conserves resources for survival which can leave you less capacity to think in a flexible and objective way about the way you look.

2. Focus on your strengths

None of us is made of flaws only. Think about your best physical qualities. Are your arms firm? Have you got a glowy skin? What about your eyes or your hair? We all have some charms and they are there, waiting for you to discover them.

3. Feed to nourish

Look, we have all been there, even the skinny type ladies: emotional eating is a fact. Instead of obsessing over the perfection of all those fitness model-like influencers out there, try not to compare yourself with them. Be generous and instead of restricting calories or food groups, try to nourish. You might know already that brain-friendly foods include coconut oil, oily fish, nuts, dark leafy greens, etc. And as I previously mentioned, most of our body-image issues are related to brain starvation mode.

4. If you need professional help, ask for it

We would never judge anyone for going to the dentist, so why to judge those going to therapy? This is certainly a taboo we need to kill. If you feel a therapist might be the solution to your problem, do not hesitate to make an appointment. Mostly everyone needs professional help at some point and that’s fine.

 

Just to finish the story, while cleaning my wardrobe last Spring, I found those infamous gingham shorts and decided to give them another shot. The patches, freckles, and cellulite were still there, but my mind was in a better place now.

And you know what? Life is too short to care.

 

how to boost your self-confidence is Summer

wearing

Blouse: Zara / Gingham shorts: Zara (last season, very similar here)

Shoes: Dolce & Gabbana (old model, alternative here)

Bag: CHANEL /  Sunglasses: Zara (Old, Dolce & Gabbana option here)

 

Allegra Caro11 Comments

What’s in my beach bag (other than that boring SPF)

Some people would say that in the year 2019, “what’s in my bag” posts have become a sartorial sin — something old-fashioned, boring and a bit tacky.

But guys, I love a good ol’ WIMB and you can’t change my mind. After all, I am quite of a grandma on the inside: I re-read my favourite books over and over, pile-up old magazines in the attic, and will rather stay home on a Saturday night than go out with the youngsters. I am the life and soul of the party, right?

Thus, after many years of reading all those posts out there, I decided I’d venture to write my own. However, it is July now and most mornings and afternoons are spent by the pool these days, which means any chance to wear a designer bag is sacrificed in favour of more practical options (yes, I know: #firstworldproblems). As a consequence, it feels natural to introduce a bit of a plot-twist here and share a what’s in my beach bag post instead.

So, first things first.

1. The bag

I purchased this straw bucket bag from Primark during my trip to Spain last month and it hasn’t left my side ever since then. I mean, look at it: it’s a basket; with stripes; AND pom-poms! Put pom-poms on anything and you can sign me in. Do I hear an Amen here?

But what do I carry inside?

whatisonmybeachbag

pooltime

2. Something nice to read (and by that I clearly mean Vogue)

Usually, I’d go for a good book but the pool club we are attending lately is on the loud side, so I’ve found that a nice mag will do the trick and save me the trouble of missing an important part of the story. If you’re lucky enough to chill in a more quiet venue, these are my Summer read recommendations, though.

3. Facial mist (Evian Brumisateur® Natural Mineral Water Facial Spray)

Because me being me means drier-than-the-Sahara-desert skin, which requires frequent nourishing to feel calm and replenished. A good mist is a Summer essential and I encourage everyone to give it a chance.

4. Body lotion (CHANEL Coco Mademoiselle Moisturizing body lotion)

Excuse me, did I mention that my skin is super-duper dry? Because it is. So, I enjoy adding a couple of body milk drops to my usual SPF. Coco Mademoiselle is my signature choice, as I love both hydration and a good lovely scent.

whatsinmybeachbag

5. Headphones

Whether it’s listening to music or watching the latest video from my favourite Youtuber, headphones are an essential item I can’t do without.

6. Sunglasses

You can’t really leave the house without them at this time of the year, can you? These are my old cat-eye Zara sunnies (similar model by Dolce & Gabbana here), and they have seen some Summers now but I swear they’re the most comfortable sunglasses in all the land.

7. The unavoidable sunscreen

Because SPF is B-O-R-I-N-G but also essential — and although I totally forgot to include it in the pictures (and the worst blogger award goes to…) —, I could not help but let you know that I am all about La Roche Posay Anthelios Anti-Shine Sun Cream Gel SPF50. It’s creamy, it’s light and it doesn’t leave that awful chalky feeling in your skin.

And these are the contents of my beach/swimming pool bag.

What is inside yours?

Allegra Caro7 Comments

In praise of Insta-husbands: The truth about those men taking our pictures

The curtain rises: a girl in her best bib and tucker (perfect ombré hair, polished nails, a thousand euro designer bag) positions herself under a floral arch at the closest coffee shop door; her husbands enters the scene, camera in hand, and starts patiently shooting professional photos of her. He never complains. He works for free every weekend, though.

In 2019, this could be described as contemporary drama and is carefully performed in every developed country on a daily basis. The presentation has become so common, nobody raises an eyebrow anymore. After all, you know what they say – it didn’t really happen unless it is on Instagram…

This sort of post-modern philosophy seems to leave you with two options only: Being invisible, irrelevant, or endlessly working for that perfect shot that will make it to the Internet. However, for people making a living from blogging and social media, there is one choice only.

husbands behind the camera

My instagram husband

Some would say that a logical approach to the business plan must include photography budget (and they are probably right), but with a competitive market making more and more difficult to start a small company, most bloggers find themselves saving a significant amount of money by kindly asking their partners to give them a hand.

This, my friends, is the first act of an elaborated melodrama work that more often than not, develops into Greek tragedy.

On the weekend, I joined a friend for some last-minute Margaritas evening. While waiting for the cocktails to come, she commented on how excited she was about her upcoming trip to Santorini. ‘My husband is not that happy thought‘, she said inadvertently, ‘he resents the time we spend taking photos for Insta during holiday‘.

That sentence turned a red light in my head as I could not help but wonder: is Instagram affecting our romantic relationships too?

Intrigued, I made my research as soon as I reached home; unfortunately, the results look quite depressing in terms of numbers.

According to a study conducted by the International Currency Exchange (ICE), Brit holidaymakers spend 22 hours and 36 minutes over a nine days long trip taking snaps to post on social media. Yes, that’s an entire day. Nuts.

insta husbands in 2019

But let me share my own experience. When I first started part-time blogging last November, I knew my husband skills with the camera were essential. However, I underestimated how much time, effort and will it would take for him to help me – we are speaking about weekends and off days, some precious hours that could be used on something else, surely. Sometimes, the pressure of taking a nice photo that we can use for my blog can be slightly overwhelming too.

And this is when you need to establish limits.

For us, it is all about integrating photo sessions in our dates but limiting their length. On a typical day out we will spend one-hour maximum working and then the camera is packed away for good. If by any chance we don’t feel like taking pictures on a given occasion, we leave the equipment at home. That way we enjoy some quality time together. Once in a while, I will book a session with a professional photographer, so my husband gets some relief and I still have some pictures to use. As a blogger, these decisions might be far from perfect, but taking care of my relationship is a personal priority.

uk instagrammers husbands

blogger photographer

But what happens to those who become 24/7 Insta-husbands? How do they cope with a brand new demanding career that is so recent and frequently misunderstood?

Social perception on the matter is linked to issues such as Fragile Masculinity. For some, it may be hard to shift from a traditional system in which men were considered the main providers to a new role as career supporters. Those men might be ready to become professional assistants, photographers, and editors but society is still making fun of them (and the women who allegedly force them to be “trivial”).

Taking endless pictures of their wives/girlfriends? Is that even a job? (Spoiler alert: IT IS). It takes guts and a healthy dose of deconstruction for them to become the man behind the great woman. Even when it means to earn much more money, potentially. As for society? Well, only time will tell.

instagrammer husband

bloggers husbands

In the meantime, we can all support Insta-husbands (and Instagrammers) publicly by showing some respect for the work they do. Blogging might be a new industry, but people working hard in front and behind the camera are professionals and do deserve acknowledgment.

Do you think their job is a no-brainer? Well, I suggest you taking part in a little experiment: try to take a good picture (and I mean a professional one), then edit it, and oh, don’t forget to curate an entire feed that works smoothly together in the process. Easy-peasy, right?

After all, an Instagram husband would manage…

 

Men behind the camera

 

 

Allegra Caro8 Comments

My pool-side and Summer holiday reading list recommendations

In my memory, books have been always connected with all those fragrant, endless sunny Summer days. As soon as June arrived, I would store my schoolbooks on the closet, only to pile up children’s novels and short stories in my nightstand. I was probably the youngest with a library membership in the school, and guys, I was not afraid to use it.

As I grew up, my thirst for books did too. When I was a teenager, it wasn’t unusual to find me reading in a corner during the classes break. Then I went to college and graduated in English. During all those years, I would spend the extra spare time in Summer to catch-up with my list and this is a habit that has endured thus far.

But the truth is that once you become a functional adult, the chances to keep your reading rhythm decrease – work, children, household, social life… Pickup your poison.

I enjoy buring my nose in a book every evening before bedtime but sometimes I am so tired I fall asleep with the lights on (raise your hand if you are familiar with the associated frustration). Hence, the holiday season turns into the perfect period to indulge.

mypoolsidereadinglist

myreadinglistcollage

This year, my reading marathon started during my trip to Spain in June, and since then I am proud to say I am back to track. Partially, thanks to all those relaxing pool-side mornings I am enjoying lately. As a consequence, I thought I could share some of my latest favourite reads with you.

Before I proceed, please notice that all the selected works were written by women and that is not a coincidence: as Kamila Shamsie stated on a genius article back in 2015, gender imbalance is a reality when talking about publication or literary prizes. Examples are countless but I find this one quite enlightening: Pulitzer across the Atlantic has had no female protagonist among its 15 winning books. Beautiful, right? Surely, this is a topic that deserves an entire post but I left that for another day and decided to give you a clue of all those fantastic women writers I have been reading lately.

These are my recommendations for 2019 Summer reads.

Don’t Look Now and Other Stories by Daphne du Maurier

I don’t know if I have mentioned this before but I have a thing about ghost stories. Like, the kind of thing that makes you read every book and watch every movie you encounter. I am not joking when I tell you that there is a special folder on my eBook called “Books About Ghosts and Other Cool Uncanny Stuff“. Yeah, that’s me. Please, don’t unsubscribe…

But the thing is, I also love Daphne du Maurier and Rebecca is one of my absolute favourite books AND movies (seriously, how often is the movie as good as the book?) So, when this short stories collection landed in my lap, I knew it was meant to be. And it really was.

Most of the tales are set in Europe during the Summertime and tell the stories of English-American people who, one way or another, experience something unnatural during their holiday in the Mediterranean coastline. Yes, you can still smell a tiny tiny bit of colonialism there maybe, but I assure you that the tales are awesome and a Summer must.

mysummerreadbucketlist

 

Girls in Their Married Bliss by Edna O’Brien

Edna O’Brien is a bit like Doris Lessing and Iris Murdoch had a daughter together – in other words, her prose is astonishing. Girls in Their Married Bliss is the third part of the Country Girls trilogy but I had no problem to follow the plot, even without reading the previous episodes.

The novel goes into the story of Kate and Baba, two Irish county girls who move to Dublin in the hope of making the most of it. Splashed with loads of humor and sympathy, O’Brien explores how religiosity affects women both emotionally and sexually. If you are into meaty fiction, make yourself a favour and purchase a copy right now.

summerbooks

 

The Handmaid Tale by Margaret Atwood

Unless you have been hiding under a rock for a couple of years, there is a good chance you’ve already heard of it. The Handmaid Tale is a masterpiece which will give you all the feels (I will neither confirm nor deny that I binge-read it in the course of one day, making good use of an entire tissue pack and having to go for a late evening walk to process it all…)

However, this is not only an emotional narrative but a political one: Atwood brightly sections the innate danger to blindly follow leadership, as well as the chaos generated by fundamentalism of any sort. Dystopian fiction as its finest.

Beloved by Toni Morrison

Guys, just so you know, this novel is so good this is the second time I read it (and I am quite sure it will not be the last one). Beloved is the story of a former slave called Margaret Garner who escapes and establishes herself in another state. Unfortunately, her pain is far from gone: very early in the plot, we come to know her house is haunted by an unknown but demanding revenant which will affect her daily life as well as her family’s. (You see? I was not joking about the whole ghost stories thing, was I?)

Main topics mastered by Morrison include family relationships, psychological ramifications of slavery, loss coping and manhood definition among others.

myreadinlist

 

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

Considered a modern literature classic, the novel tells the story of Esther Greenwood, a young woman who ambitions to become a professional writer. Once she wins an internship in a fashion magazine, her dreams seem to come true but depression knocks on her door as she struggles with relationships and a vain society which will not take women seriously.

Personally, I have always considered The Bell Jar the female literature equivalent to The Catcher in the Rye – an initiatory tale with a darker and maturer tone. The style is light and smart, notwithstanding, which makes the novel a perfect pool-side lazy afternoon read.

What have you been reading lately? Any recommendations we can all benefit from?

 

 

Allegra Caro6 Comments
Beachwear essentials

These beachwear essentials will upgrade your Summer game

Summer is in full swing now and by this time of the year, the endless so-called-must-haves offer out there can be a bit overwhelming.

However, if you are anything like me, there is a good chance you kept forgetting to check your holiday bucket list purposely. (Did I comment on the fact that by the beginning of the month I had bought my SPF only? Because guys, that’s how lazy I am…) Well, I don’t know about you but spending all those fragrant breeze June evenings hunting for beach essentials felt like doing homework to me. And guys, holiday and homework don’t mix well together.

But back to the topic, July is here now and for most of us, that long-awaited trip to the sands is around the corner. Before you panic, don’t worry: Whether you are enrolling a cruise in the Mediterranean or dipping your toes in the crystal blue Maldives waters, I stopped procrastinating and surfed the internet for you to find the definitive beachwear essentials to upgrade your Summer game.

Looking for that French Riviera chic vacation vibe? I have you covered.

Summer 2019 beach essentials

01. The boho girl beach style

Only few things can compare to the careless bohemian glamour – it is a bit like the fashion equivalent to instant soup allure, isn’t it? Channel your inner IT girl and voilá: ready to be invited to the V.I.P. lounge. No need to say this Camilla off-the-shoulder ruffled embellished printed swimsuit is plainly perfect.

(Rosantica beader wicker tote, Chloé sunglasses, Kenneth Jay Lane cuff, Aqquazura embellished sandals).

beachwearchic

02. The vintage film diva look

When I was a kid, I used to daydream about becoming an Old Hollywood actress. Well, I might not be one but there is always the chance to wear this Norma Kamali halterneck swimsuit and play Gene Tierney in 1942 Rings in her Fingers. Cocktails anyone?

(Bow embellished slides by Prada, tote and shades by YSL, hat available here).

Beachwear essentials

03. The ingénue in holiday wishlist

Personally? I LOVE everything Chelsea 28 produces but this Off the Shoulder Ruffle One-Piece Swimsuit is one of my favourites ever. It adds a note of romance to your look and is still casual, playful and wearable. Add the the Urban Outfitters marine hair clips to complete the mermaid vibe.

(Beach towel available at Fendi. Laminated sandals by CHANEL. Raffia bag here).

And these are my favourite 2019 Summer style essentials. Have you been shopping for the beach already? Any nice finds you would like to share?

Allegra Caro4 Comments

Ten elegant style problems

If you have been a regular reader for a while, you know I wrote a statement piece about the amount of prejudice that people with a polished style tend to encounter on a daily basis. However, that specific article does not necessarily depict the most frequent ups and downs when you are into classy fashion.

Let me exemplify here: while visiting Madrid back in June I experienced quite an unpleasant episode related to someone judging my appearance. On our second day in the city, Sebastian and I went for a nice walk to El Retiro and we decided to take the chance for some pictures as a memory of the trip. At a certain point, we went into the Glass Palace and started shooting. Just for a bit of context, the place is a touristic point of interest – hence, every visitor was taking photos as well, most of them with high calibre cameras.

After about ten minutes, one of the security team members approached us to tell us we needed to stop it. Obviously, that was quite of a shock and we shyly asked what was the reason. Where we inadvertently breaking any rules?

 

zaraslipdressoutfit

The guard seemed quite embarrassed and hesitated to provide an explanation. Then, he said that I was “far too well dressed” for their standards and they could not guess whether that was a professional shot or not… Even more confused, we looked around and pointed out the higher calibre cameras other people were using (which were more professional than our very middle-ground Canon), and the fact that we were only a couple taking our holiday pictures. We were not using any kind of lamp, reflector or specialized technical material. Nothing of it seemed to make any difference, though.

At the end of a very short conversation, we left the place but I could not help but wonder how many times would I have to stand people prejudices and let them affect my life. Was I forever doomed? Was there a way to see it with a bit of humour? Then I thought about the blog and how I could possibly share the most common issues when your style is smart.

summerzaraoutfit

These are ten problems every elegant style person will understand

 

01. You need at least a couple of hours to figure out what to wear

When you want to look your best, there is not such a thing like throwing some jeans and carrying on. Most of the time, you will end up choosing your outfit the evening before just to regret your choice the next morning because…

02. You are a perfectionist

Which means chipped manicure or dry lipstick are NOT an option  (not to speak about wrinkled clothing. If by any chance your neat skirt gets creased in the car, you will have a difficult day.)  Do you want to speak about anxiety crisis? What about the day I lost a button from a designer jacket?

03. People will assume your only interest is fashion

Also, that you are unable to hold an interesting conversation. I recall a specific evening in which my husband had to “confirm” I have got a major in English just because the idiot I was talking to thought I looked nothing like the bohemian type. Consequently, my opinions on Virginia Woolf work were to be understated. Not need to say I never spoke to that person again.

04. Unless you wear jeans, people will also think you are overdressed

But if you do wear jeans, they will think you feel sick or something. No, there is no emergency here and my house didn’t burn down letting me with only a pair of jeans in stock. It’s called laundry day. Thank you for your concern.

05. You will be frequently mortified by your family about the value of your designer bag

It doesn’t really matter you are a professional with a decent disposable income and a good savings account. They will keep playing Can You Guess the Price… in front of you.

06. Your neighbour will always comment on how fancy you look today and then ask about the occasion

Is it rude to reply that being alive is the occasion? Because it is, really.

07. Your dry cleaner monthly expense is C.R.A.Z.Y.

Because that’s what happens when most of your clothes are made of interesting textures and materials (a.k.a. delicates) and there is nothing you can do about it. (Well, maybe you could stop buying nice clothes altogether. Or sell an organ in the black market. Just your call…)

08. You always have something to wear to Wimbledon

Only thing is… you are never invited to Wimbledon. Or to a yacht trip to Capri, for the matter. Yes, lifestyle can get on the way when you try to justify that gorgeous Valli dress price tag. But hey, you only live once, right?

09. You find office attire boring

And no matter how much of an effort you make to look at it on a more positive vibe. Still boring.

10. Most of the time, people will make you feel self-conscious.

Seriously, how much time is it socially acceptable to stare at someone on the commute? I am sure your social media feed is far more interesting than my outfit, so please gaze at your telephone screen instead. The good part is you can always look back at them blankly until they feel slightly uncomfortable. It is a bit like a Far West film, only with better attire.

Tell me, have you experienced these or any other style problems?

 

 

Summer Madrid guide

wearing

Slip dress: Zara

Bag and cuff: CHANEL

Shoes: Zara (old, similar at Gianvito Rossi)

 

 

Allegra Caro7 Comments

Inadvertently shopping Valentino

Until very recently, when someone told me they are lucky at shopping, I rolled my eyes.

Not out of jealousy but of mere disbelief: being good at shopping is a bit like being good at winning the lottery, isn’t it? One cannot exactly trust the odds. There are, for sure, some factors that may help you to be successful – investing some time in checking your favourite shops on a regular basis, for instance. But being simply lucky? It never sounded real to me. Actually, it always made me think of Carrie Bradshaw: someone who has a lovely old-rent apartment in the town centre and a walk-in closet full of Manolo Blahnik shoes. Just too good to be true.

As it frequently happens when you hold a prejudice, Father Universe was determined to teach me I was wrong.

 

A summer outfit featuring Red Valentino

Summer outfit bag

Velntino skirt details

Last week, I woke up on a cloudy morning: it was too chilly to be tempted by the pool club we usually attend, but still nice enough to leave the house and enjoy a little walk. Since Sebastian was busy with work and I had no plans for the day, I decided to be spontaneous and booked the day for some second hand and vintage shopping. The city we currently live in is on the small size side, however, there is a complete neighbourhood consecrated to outlets and flea markets of all sorts. In the past, I have found a decent quantity of fast fashion brands (Zara, H&M, Mango… you name it) for a fraction of the price and in mint condition, as well as some one-of-a-kind interesting bits and bobs.

On the first shop, I managed to rescue a couple of cool pieces in the shape of basic sundresses for the upcoming seaside trip in July. Nothing out of the ordinary. Then, I moved to the next one. The aforementioned shop is slightly more expensive than your average vintage business because they operate like a brand-only store, meaning most of their stock comes from Inditex outlets.

Now, I am not such a big fan of fast fashion brands to justify paying close to the original tag price for last season items. To me, fast fashion is a reasonable alternative for basics and the occasional nice dress. Notwithstanding, if I am about to splurge some extra money, I prefer to get a valuable piece from my designer wishlist. (Please, notice that I don’t intend to be judgemental about anybody’s personal preferences here: I mention this so you can see I was feeling rather lazy about getting inside that specific store on the first place.)

Happily, for some reason, I did.

 

Summer casual outfit with a Valnetino skirt

Vlentino outfit for Summer

I checked the first floor quickly and was quite decided not to buy anything when a glimpse of a wonderful red shade caught my attention. It was a lovely skirt, with scalloped details over the waist and a light touch. From the very first moment, I LOVED the colour. I quickly checked the price tag which was a bit high for a little outlet shop of the sort but still very reasonable. So, I decided to go into the fitting room.

 

During the whole process, there was something in the back of my mind, telling me the cut and colour looked familiar. It was something I had seen before, surely. Then, I looked at myself in the mirror, loved how the skirt seated on my waist and hips and decided it was meant to be. The Déjà vu was still there, though. When I took the skirt off it slowly dawned on me that I hadn’t seen the label yet. Who was the manufacturer? I must confess I held my breath for a second when I read it – yes, it was Valentino.

Have you seen that episode from The Simpsons in which Marge accidentally finds a CHANEL suit on a second-hand store? Because guys, that’s exactly how it feels.

I went straight to the counter, asked the shopping assistant if the price was correct, she confirmed it was, and I handed her my credit card without a blink.

Well, I guess that’s the way the universe tells you not to be a cynic. After all, who knows? Next time it can be you.

Tell me, have you ever found a hidden treasure while shopping?

 

Valenino couture outfit

wearing

Skirt: RED Valentino (sold out, similar here, shorts version here)

Blouse: Saint Tropez (sold out, similar styles here and here)

Hair clip: Versace / Shoes: Zara (old, similar at Gianvito Rossi)/Lipstick: Kat Von D

Other accessories: Off brand

 

Allegra Caro2 Comments

Game-changer Summer skincare (that actually works)

My 2019 Summer skincare regime

The arrival of Summer means sandals, sundresses, and for the most favoured even eating gelato by the seaside in Capri – but unfortunately, it also means that our skin goes all the way down to Dryland. Fun times, aren’t they? No need to mention every potential reason: the burning sunlight, together with the exposure to swimming pool chemicals is enough to quickly spoil the results of our careful skincare regime during the cold season. But what can you do to improve your general skin condition over the warm months?

Especially, if your skin belongs to the dry type Summer may become a challenge and not of the best kind. For years, it has been my Achilles heel but with a good dose of patience, experimentation and yes, some investment, I am happy to say I have managed to find products that really work for me. Hopefully, they will work for you too.

This is my game-changer skincare routine in 2019.

 

Clinique moisture surge

Clinique dramatically different moisturizing gel

Moisture is king

This should be obvious, shouldn’t it? And even so, quite frequently we don’t pay enough attention to such a basic step. Finding a product that works for your specific skin type and needs is everything. Guys, I am not gonna lie: It took me a number of rights and wrongs to find something which could keep my Mojave dessert-dry skin hydrated all day long but once I did, there was no way back. My absolute two favourite products happen to be Clinique.

  1. Moisture Surge, 72 hours auto-replenishing hydrator

To me, this is like magic. I tend to apply it either as a five-minute mask or just before my makeup routine. Not only smooths the skin but it also feels shooting for a long time. The product is supposed to target fine lines and although I cannot confirm on such a radical difference, after only a few uses it became one my forever-in-rotation basics.

    2. Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel

Raise your hand if you are looking for a 12 hours moisture barrier fix. Because that is exactly what you are getting. I apply it first thing in the morning and the skin feels fresh, and flexible until my evening routine. Yes, in Summer too. Over the years, I have tried many different solutions but for me, this is the one.

 

Le lift creme CHANEL

Anti-aging

Since skin hydration levels go down during the warm season and sunlight is harsh, the chances to get fine lines do increase. As a consequence, I take more precautions during this period. A few months ago, my sister kindly recommended Le Lift Créme by CHANEL to me. It doesn’t only treat lines but also improves firming. After almost half a year using it, I can confirm that my skin feels far better in both departments and no new lines have appeared.

The ordinary Lactic Acid

Peeling and eye puffiness

Since my skin is more exposed to the effects of the external factors, I try to keep up to date with a rigid peeling program once a week. On Sundays, I usually stay indoors so this is a good occasion to apply acids.

  1. The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA

Is it legit to marry a beauty product? Because I am totally marrying this one (with the permission of Louboutin Velvet Matte of course), I don’t care what you say. I like to mix two/three pumps with my moisture gel in the morning and let it do its thing. After about four weeks of usage, I started seeing an obvious difference in the texture on my skin. And not even Mr. Summer can change that.

    2. The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG

Another collateral effect of hot weather is that my eyes tend to look a bit puffier than usual. Fortunately, when consistently applied morning and evening, The Ordinary Caffeine Solution reduces any signs of redness around my eyes – and also sorts out dark circles, win-win here.

And these are my personals tricks for better skin during Summer.

Have you got any holy grail product secrets you want to share?

 

Game-changer summer skincare

Allegra Caro2 Comments

A Colourful Revolution: Mary Quant, the V&A retrospective

 “London was dead. Fog permeated everything. Fog was a smell. Fog was a colour.”

In the context of a grim, black and white post-war London, the work of Mary Quant bloomed like a Winter Rose – an unexpected crimson brush-stroke in the snow.

No one in that colour-blind world could have foreseen it but when the suburban Goldsmith schoolgirl opened her first experimental shop in Chelsea, she was meant to start a vivacious revolution. Back in the day, couture embodied the rigid war generation mindset, deeply related to subjects such as traditional gender roles and a narrow elite class access to fashion.  Baby boomers not only failed to empathise but also refused to do so: they were eager for freedom. “Fashion should be a game,” Quant wrote once, a motto an entire generation lived for.

When wandering about the V&A halls at the Mary Quant exhibition, one can easily come across ladies who look at the dresses with a nostalgic smile. “I had a dress very similar to this one,” 73-year-old Mary Brighton says, “I was only 14 then. My parents didn’t like it but they hadn’t much to say. I would work every Saturday on a tiny Carnaby Street shop to save the money.” Her friend Betty Wilkes nods her head: “Everything was grey then: the rain, the streets, the boring schooldays… And suddenly, she showed us the idea of hue. It was a bit like Technicolor, only better.”

 

Mary Quant OBE dress
1966 OBE dress

This image deeply resonates with Quant’s work. Chromatism was used wisely as a part of an elaborated concept – to deconstruct British tradition by empowering women. Significant examples (sometimes, in the form of iconic dresses; sometimes, in the shape of lustrous raincoats, shoes or tights) are visible: if you take a minute to visit the ground floor, the OBE Dress must be admired. In 1966, the designer was appointed Officer of the British Empire, a medal awarded for her contribution to the UK fashion export trade, supporting the national economy. For the occasion, Quant created a bright cream gown to stand out in the crowd in a gloomy November afternoon. Her beret was designed to look like an English schoolgirl hat, the entire outfit recalls the Victorian boarding school institution but she gave her a fresh and modern twist. The short skirt shook Royal protocol.

Another quintessential example is to be found on the first floor. The 1967 tartan dress was deliberately made on Victorian-inspired patterned cloth and conservative bodice. However, the new hemline, as well as the usage of synthetic materials such as rayon with Lurex thread, helped to create a sparkling party dress – The Swinging 60s paradigm.

Although Quant is mainly credited for making mini-skirts popular, it could be argued that her most impressive achievement was the capacity to anticipate and capture the new age sensibility. Hence, it is no shocker that other visionary legends of the period like former Vogue creative director Grace Coddington (then a promising model) embraced Quant’s philosophy and wore her pieces.

Quant tartan lurex dress
1967 Tartan Lurex dress

But what makes Quant work bewitching is her own fascination about modernity. When new materials first came out, she was eager to experiment with them. “One day, a new fabric appeared on the scene,” she said, “PVC was shiny, waterproof, and unlike anything I’d ever seen before.” Her revolutionary usage of plastic for the 1963 Wet collection was a turning point in fashion. She conceptualized practical clothes to brighten gloomy weather days, sure, but the choice of a watery material and a simple, natural pattern has a lot to do with her early prediction of the deconstruction process: By rejecting perpetuation of the highly structured Dior silhouette, Quant seems to anticipate Zygmunt Bauman’s liquefaction concept. The 50s corseted designs are inevitably connected to highly hierarchically organized structures such as family, social class, and gender roles, all of them early refused by the Baby boomers generation who started moving from a solid, heavy society to a more fluid one.

Mary Quant PVC raincoat
1963 Wet Collection

It is quite significant that the V&A team decided to hold Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams and Mary Quant exhibitions at the same time, confronting both visions. On the subject, Quant once declared: “I always designed clothes from a very young age because I didn’t like the way they were. They were paralyzing; they were stilted.”

Paralysis is deeply connected to the topic, indeed. Women were frozen, a dragonfly on amber, trapped in a forced passive role conceived during the Old Regime times. With the second wave of Feminism in the 60s, themes such as reproductive and work rights became socially relevant. By giving women freedom of movement and rethinking gender stereotypes (her androgyny designs are worth to mention still today), Quant significantly contributed to the new cosmological vision. Hence, we can shamelessly affirm her work transcended the mere fashion substance to achieve a cultural patina of grandeur.

Certainly, Dame Quant also owned a natural genius for marketing and audience understanding: among many other fascinating moments, the exhibition portrays her elaborated plan to promote London as an avant-garde destination for the emergent American cosmopolitan class, while visiting New York in 1965. The Youthquake tour not only put London on the map but also succeeded to create a fan phenomenon over the brand, which sold out collections overnight.

 

Mary Quant tuxedo dress
Overdraft waistcoat and cheque book skirt (1967)

Curators Jenny Lister and Stephanie Wood have worked hard to bring together more than 200 pieces for the exhibition, many of them never displayed before. This is the result of a brilliant strategy: a public call-out to track down rare Mary Quant garments. Through hashtag #WeWantQuant people are still sharing their experience on Instagram. Many of the original owners’ stories are presented –together with their gowns– on a memorabilia masterpiece which is a page in the fashion book, as well as in the English history.

Now you have the opportunity to experience it: the exhibition opened on April the 6th and will run to March the 8th, 2020.

When leaving the V&A building, springtime drizzle falls across the grey London streets and a few colourful umbrellas pop here and there. And at the end of the day, the 21st-century woman writing this cannot help but bless Mary Quant for that.

 

Allegra Caro3 Comments
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