Sequins&Beads&Bows- OH MY!

For all of those who knew me back in 2010.... you know that I never ever left the house without a headband- Satin, jeweled, bows, thin, wide, leather, bright&bold- you name it and there it was adorning my head. Over the last year though- I’ve been finding that the the selection in stores was becoming quite stale and somewhat repetitive. Slowly but surely, I found myself wearing a headband out of the house MAYBE once a week. Such a sad, but true reality. Today though, I was like a child in a candy store when me oh my I stumbled upon Sproos (I was literally dancing around my room squealing). Beads, Bows, Feathers, Flowers, Jewels, Sequins... I was in heaven!!! Now, I must try my very best to not max my new credit card on head bands!!! 

Thank you Melissa (Founder of Sproos) for rekindling my love of headbands by creating these wonderfully unique pieces.  

&hearts. Oli.va

Oh my, what a happy accident!!!

I am more than pleased to introduce to our readers my friend, and future collaborator on shoots- Iman. She is a photographer and a good (quite modest) one at that! She claims that it has always been a hobby of hers, ever since she picked up a camera- it was a fun way to experiment & express herself. Lucky for us, she picked up a DSLR late last year and has been unstoppable since then. One of my favourite shoots of hers (pictured below) is simply titled, The Lighthouse.

Dream Shoot?

“My dream shoot would be one with Naomi Campbell or Freja Behansen- doing an African inspired theme in Kenya... oh and one in Paris, who doesn’t love Paris?! Hopefully I get there one day”

Iman my dear, there is not a doubt in my mind that someday soon, you will be jet-setting across the world working your magic. 

Until then lovely readers, Stop by her Facebook page to check out her other shoots, be sure to follow her on Twitter & stay tuned for some exciting projects

&hearts. Oli.va

FTV = WTF

I'm not going to sit here & lie... I did not watch Fashion Television religiously (and for the most part I was too young to start watching it up until 7 years ago). But to say that I am slightly stunned that after 27 years of production the show has been shut down with no notice is a definite understatement. I remember I would flip through to this station when I was younger and look at all these people wearing these beautiful garments being interviewed by this quirky lady (Normal Gets You Nowhere right?) who never seemed afraid to do what it took to get the interview and add a little flavour to it.

I definitely became a fan of the lovely Jeanne Beker, and last year, became one of the fortunate ones to attend her Edit launch party. Which was filled with wine, a speech by Jeanne, and a meet & greet. It is being said that while they have shut down production, they are working on other projects with her... hmmm wonder what is in store ....


Was this a smart move, shutting Fashion TV down after 27 years? 


&hearts. Oli.va

Normal Gets You Nowhere

Kelly Cutrone. I don't think that there are words to properly describe how brilliant this woman is. I finally picked up a copy of her second book Normal Gets You Nowhere (I obviously own If You Have to Cry Go Outside). Because lets face it, I am not normal. I am actually far from it. But to say that I am pretty stoked to read this book is an understatement (and you best believe I will keep you posted!!). So while you are out there enjoying your Saturday night, have a drink for the Bitch we all know& love- who went from nothing to everything, more than once. 

&hearts. Oli.va

You leave with a Smile and you NEVER look back!

It is that moment of clarity when you first step foot on an elevator and your senses take over they empower you, they change you it is the sweet sexy smell of a man and it captivates you, draws you in and it throws you into a parallel universe, it is that simple thought of the man who was just on this exact same elevator seconds before you.
You breathe deep, your mind races you take everything around you in, nothing else matters for that 10 seconds. You leave that elevator with a smile and you NEVER look back.

Both Photo's from Google Image Search

Always Dalliance S 

Retail Therapy!!!

After a long week of ups&downs, laughter&tears, frustrations&surprises I figured the best way to end&start anew (besides an exhausting workout) would be to sneak in some retail therapy. I definitely hit the jackpot at the Le Chateau outlet next to my house.

Scarves are my go to piece- just take a look at my closet& you'll see it busting from the seams. But I couldn't seem to pass these guys up, the boldness, the textures& the patterns. For those of you who are afraid of colour, this is a perfectly safe way to jazz up your wardrobe for the spring :)

&hearts. Oli.va

I think, I know.

I think I was always meant to be in fashion.

It’s not because it is viewed to be easy, because if you had an understanding of it, you know its not. It’s not about the “pretty clothes”, &looking “the best”, because it’s not. It’s not about this fairy-tale la la land, because it is not. Fashion is this cut-throat, competitive world, meant for people 4 steps ahead of the game, who are not only intelligent but street smart. Fashion is a world for those who aren’t afraid to take risks, be laughed at and fall down- over and over again (and if you are a klutz like I am, that’s an easy one to accomplish). Fashion is for the creative, determined and fearless individual who seeks to please no one- once that is overcome the real beauty of success begins. Fashion is for the versatile, the ones who don't want to dip their toes into the action, but dive right into all facets of the industry.

I think I was always meant to be in fashion.

At the age of five (maybe even younger), I used to play dress up and walk around in my mothers costume jewellery and heels. At that age, I was a definite tom boy who played in dirt, ate bugs and rolled around in my Fred Flinstone car with the boys. It was clear that I had learnt the art of being a chameleone.

I think I was always meant to be in fashion.

At the age of seven, I was spending an afternoon alone with my brother and sister and thought it would be “Edgy, cool and different” to dress my brother up as a girl and put some make-up on him (though my words would have been different for an eight year old).

I think I was always meant to be in fashion.

I did not care what other people used to think- don’t want to play with me? Fine, there’s some pretty siiick blocks over there and someone better to play with anyways. Don’t want to be in a group with me? That’s fine, my project will be better than yours anyways- I always succeed. Don’t want to date me anymore? That’s fine, I was over it long before you said anything- and you suck anyways.

I think I was always meant to be in fashion.

Even though I could not draw, sew, cut, measure or even touch a sewing machine, I always wanted to design clothes for all types of bodies, personalities and make something unique. I always wanted to tell a story, have people be confident and love who they were (even if this was something I had struggled with for years, and on occaision, still do).

Only now thinking about this, I realized that the only mistake I’ve made in this declaration was saying “I think” Because the reality of it is, I don’t think….I know.

&hearts. Oli.va

Siiiiiick.

Alexander McQueen F/W 2012
&hearts. Oli.va

The Art of Seduction

I can't begin to explain my current love affair- why it happened, how I was seductively pulled over to the dark side (with little to no resistance), or even when it happened exactly. But this morning, I woke up to find that my closet (and my lingerie drawer) had been invaded by none other than, LACE LACE LACE and even more LACE! I'm not sure if it is because upon first glance it appears to be so sweet and innocent, and then in a blink of an eye can be daring, edgy and incredibly sexy. But the truth is, is that I just can't help myself!!!

Dolce&Gabbana Fall 2012 (just a few of my favourite looks to share with you)

&hearts. Oli.va

Happy first post I mean Birthday to ME!

There is no time then the better and the better is right now! As I lay on my floor beer in hand, and post my first blog I cannot help but think to myself why did I not ever blog before, why did T not cut me out of this creation of a blog. I then realize that this moment is the moment of perfection as everything is the way it should be. I have waited this long with poise and purpose, myself and essentially the 2 girls that changed my life of course we could not have done without the inspirations and wittiness of Kahile our muse so to speak, we have started something BIG something that even entertains ourselves! This blog will keep you wanting to come back each day like a viral reality show turned blog to even just see that slight glimpse into the lives of 3 of the most different girls you will ever meet. Apart we are OK together we move mountains and on that note, Happy Birthday to myself and to the best years to (still) come in our lives!

Always Dalliance S

Oh my God, shoes....

Today, I had the misfortune of forgetting my heels at home... which resulted in my strolling into the office with my less than satisfactory Steve Madden boots. One look at me and my boss handed me the ugliest shoes I have ever seen in my life. I looked to her, then down at the shoes, then back up to her with a pained look on my face. We're talking about leather, squared toed, rubber platform shoes. All day long I was cringing knowing that accompanying my cute outfit, was an ugly pair of shoes. I spent the rest of the day dreaming of all the beautiful shoes, such as these, that could be adorning my feet. Here are some of my favourites for the upcoming S/S 2012 season. Looking at these& remembering my day, I have officially learnt my lesson.

Shoes (top to bottom):

• Brian Atwood       S/S 2012
• Balenciaga            S/S 2012
• Gaetano Perrone  S/S 2012

&hearts. Oli.va

hi love,

welcome to our blog, we can't promise anything but if you visit us lots

we might throw you a bone once in awhile.

maybe.