Lazy days

Sometimes on a Sunday I want to dress laid back, with nothing fancy but a faux fur and some red nails. Especially when I'm busy and let me tell you... Busy is my state of mind right now. As you might know, I'm going through one of the most exciting periods I've ever experienced. Which does mean I'm currently working three (great!) jobs; fulltime at ELLE magazine and next to that putting up almost daily blog posts on This chick's got style. And then there's the 3d thing... something HUGE:

I co-wrote a book with my father Wil Michels (a bestselling author on communication and branding who - together with my mother - taught me all about writing).
Our book is called Focus op Fans and it's in bookstores all over the Netherlands since this week!! I'll tell you all about it soon and to give you an idea: it's about branding + social media + activating your brand's fan base. You can see the book's cover and read about it on Bol.com right here!

Zara bag / American Apparel tank / old Converse shoes / gifted faux fur / Pieces jeans

My favorites: H&M high summer

Speaking of red pants... Right after posting yesterdays editorial, I spotted this bowed pair on Nitrolicious. Since bright, wide pants might be somewhat of a fashion frenzy (time will tell), it's nice to see they're from H&M and therefore easy to try without spending a lot. Together with the slouchy caramel top and the burgundy knit - one of my favorite colors right now, it's one of the items I'll be checking stores for this summer.

Le pantalon

For the lucky few blessed with endless legs - or those in possession of 5+ inch heels, like myself - there is nothing more style savvy this summer than a pair of wide legged pants. Chic and o, so grown up, they are ideal for hot days at the office or casual late night parties. In my mind I'm running through possible ensembles: with sleek blouses, high cut T's (Jil Sander-style), a printed or bright cardi or a loose tank with fedora. Bring it on!

ELLE USA April 2011 via studded hearts

line drawing

If you had bare walls in your home, what would you do them? Well Charlie Kratzer decided to take $10 worth of Sharpies and go to town creating an amazing basement mural.

Here’s a little preview:

And then go to this link for a complete 360 view.  it is absolutely amazing!

It just goes to show you don’t need expensive materials to create something beautiful!

I love the look of simple line drawing with touches of limited color.  I have been playing around with it in my illustrations now and then. Here's an illustration inspired by Charlie Kratzer's beautiful use of line in his basement drawing.

This illustration features our very hefty cat Mabel!

Strolling around

My look of the day when it was sunny, yet chilly. A coat is still necessary, but I couldn't be more happy that the freezing cold is finally behind us. It's time to sort out my closet, store all my winter stuff and start stocking up my spring must haves!

COS top / Paige jeans / Nelly shoes / Shampalove coat / Ray Ban Wayfarer

Fashion journal

 

A couple of 'behind the scenes' pictures of this week... It's been a crazy busy week! And how was yours?

What are you looking at?
1. Leather and metal necklace thanks to the Style Department
2. I got featured in Cosmopolitan 3. Gonna try to recreate these sandwiches that me and my boyfriend had in a diner on our USA road trip
4. Urbanears headphones - yes, please to all gadgets in bright colors!
5. Want this bag for the parc, beach and other spring-y stuff, couldn't find it though!

illustration friday: toy

Here's my entry for this weeks illustration friday theme of "toy"

When I saw the word for this week was toy, right away I thought of my dollhouse project. While most think of dollhouses as toys I am using one as a vehicle for my illustrations. And now I am addicted! I get to play with dollhouses and create illustrations. It's my fantasy combo!

It all started with a simple little dollhouse... here's our late Stanley cat checking out the dollhouse when I first got it put together. I could always count on little Stan to be my helper with any project! (RIP Stanley - we miss you!)

 
First,  I create a little figure out of paint, paper etc and add a little line drawing on top....

Then I stage the shot and take the final photo, touch up in Photoshop (here I added the pattern to the bag in PS)

I have been so busy lately working on assignments that I haven't gotten to play with the dollhouse project as much as I would like. But I am itching to get back to it soon!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Kathryn Bernardo

Kathryn Bernardo
AKA Kathryn Chandria Manuel Bernardo

• 1st Filipina "Awesome Young Actress" in the first Yahoo! OMG! Philippines Awards (2011)
  

QUOTE
"Hindi naman po ako magiging effective na bida kung hindi effective yung kontrabida so nagtutulungan po talaga kami sa set. Pero bawal maging mayabang, ayaw namin." [I will not become an effective hero if the villain is not effective so we are really helping each other on the set. It's forbidden to become arrogant, we hate it.]


DATE OF BIRTH
March 26, 1996

BIRTHPLACE
Cabanatuan City, Philippines

USEFUL LINKS

ABS-CBN artists dominate OMG! Awards
Kathryn Bernardo feels pressured about her launching movie with Star Cinema
Kathryn Bernardo says she is not as meek as Mara in real life
Wikipedia Article on Kathryn Bernardo

Shoe shopping

  

Click, click, shop, shop. In a matter of minutes I clicked home these orange/red platforms two weeks ago, after seeing them on a Swedish blog. And although the quality isn't great, I think these boots are pretty awesome. I have a thing for chunky shoes with major platforms anyway. They're quite the showstoppers here in Amsterdam!

 

On a more personal note...

I'm looking for an affordable appartment / studio in Amsterdam.
With no shared commodities, no roommates. Just me :)

Any ideas?
Drop me an e-mail on thischicksgotstyle@hotmail.com

catalog inspiration

Whenever I get the Anthropologie catalog in the mail I rush to open it and dive in! I tear out the pages of the things that might give me inspiration later.

Here’s a page from my tear pile ... I love how they have taken an old book and used it to create a whole scene.

I imagine an entire mantle of books all with trees. Maybe add glitter to the branches and battery tea lights to create a holiday display! So many ideas from just one catalog! Don’t even get me started on all the ideas I get when I go into the store!

Keeping up

Decided to do my hair up in a high pony tail, like I often do when I'm sitting behind the computer (which is uhm, most of my life right now). An up do definitely suits this dress the best. I borrowed it from my friend Nicole, who has a great wardrobe. Shopping in your friends closet can be ideal sometimes. Later I changed to different shoes though, I don't know what it is with me and these Acne wedges. I didn't want them to get scratched so I took them off, and in the time I have them now I've probably ended up wearing them for just a few hours in total.

Nicole's dress / Acne wedges / Wolford tights

Wishlist: almost spring

Yesterday was the first official spring day, which - you'll probably agree - I thought would never arrive. In the mean time I've put together some pretty items: I always make lists of things I like to help me visualize what I like and why. These are right for spring, but can also be worn in the periods right before or after it. I usually look for things that I can blend in with my current wardrobe and that are not too much weather bound. Currently I'm looking for neutrals mixed with a bit of brights and dose of prints.

Where from?

1. James Perse grey basic

2. Zara neon clutch

3. Asos block heels
4. Asos rugged stone ring
5. Butter London gold nail polish

6. H&M shorts
7. Topshop dress
8. Ray Ban lucite Wayfarers

Something new

Something I think is absolutely fantastic, is a jackets that's partial leather, partial something else. I haven't found a short version yet (except this Gestuz one I borrowed and wore here in London). But this long version with big collar and zip detail from Shampalove is pretty damn awesome as well. The rest of the outfit will follow shortly :)
PS. speaking of short... most of you that follow me on Twitter know I got a much needed hair cut. It's not what I had in mind at all - or asked for. Honestly, I was a bit upset and it took me a few hours (OK, two days) of feeling sorry for myself :P But in the end I have to face that a wrong hair cut, as much as it makes me feel bad, is not the most important thing going on in the world right now.

Ramona Go

Ramona P. Go
AKA Ramona Palabrica Go

• 1st Filipina Brigadier General of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP, 2011)
• 1st Filipina Adjutant General of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (2009)
• 1st Filipina Battalion Commander of the Army Aviation Battalion, Bagwis, under the Light Armor Division (2003)
• 1st Filipina military pilot (1986)
  

QUOTE
"I love the service and my country."


ALIAS
"First Lady General of the Philippine Army"

DATE OF BIRTH
March 21, 1957

BIRTHPLACE
San Dionisio, Iloilo, Philippines

HUSBAND: David Go
CHILDREN: Constantine James, Margareth Jane, and Jennifer Jade

USEFUL LINKS

AFP Profile – Col Ramona P Go PA (GSC)
Brig. Gen. Ramona Palabrica Go, First Female General of the Philippines
Philippine Army has first female general
An Officer and a Gentle Mom
Brig. Gen. Ramona Go: First woman general, MDM graduate
PHL's 1st female general now in Army's ranks
Army gets first woman general
Ramona P. Go –
WikiPilipinas

First on flats

This outfit probably debuts me on this blog in ballet flats. In spring I wear them quite often as a more comfy alternative to heels. Even though I like the extra height and the edge heels often give, we all need a break sometimes, right?

Zara exclusive jacket / Paige jeans / H&M trend top / Shampalove bag / Topshop flats

Another world

pics: oracle fox
credits: photograher: Richar Bush, Model: Dewi Dreigen, Elle March 2009

I recently came across this 2009 editorial while surfing around, and remembered how much I loved it. The first picture actually was my screen saver for a while. Everything about this is just so right. It's out of this world - literally: some sort of outer space, desert shoot. And the fact that it's from ELLE magazine obviously makes me love it even more :P

NYC here i come!

Tomorrow I am on my way to NYC to teach two days of workshops at The Inkpad. I'll be taking the DC2NY bus up there and it's my first time taking the bus. Hopefully they don't mind my giant heavy suitcase weighed down with art supplies. It will be nice not to have to worry about airport security!

I am looking forward to a fun and busy weekend in the city! See you next week!

Fashion journal

A little compilation of what I did this week or what's on my mind. (pictures 1-5 taken by me, last picture found online)

What are you looking at?

1. Sunday blogging and e-mailing at new coffee place / 2. Granola plus fresh blueberry's: my favorite breakfast / 3. Spring is here, including pretty light / 4. New dotted top / 5. Like to have ankle boots like these (taken at Firenze4Ever at LuisaViaRoma) / 6. Wish I could do this exactly the same