About the place where I found the perfect Copykate - Gold Disc Charm Brora Earrings

Today I have found the PERFECT copykate for the Gold disc earrings from Scottish brand Brora she wore in Bhutan. 

We have seen this pair of earrings twice: first when the Duchess arrived to Bhutan, and second when she and William had a private dinner with the King and Queen of Bhutan. 

And I happened to spot a pair of earrings that is an exact copy, I kid you not, of the top half of the Brora earrings. I found them at Hema, a Dutch warehouse that has stores in Belgium and France. Below is a picture of the earrings:

The best part is that they were only 3 Euros. Unfortunately, Hema does not sell any jewelry in their online shop. However. if you are interested in Dutch design, I recommend taking a look at their shop. Hema excels in creating afforable and durable utensils, clothing, and is a avid supporter of young up and coming designers. For more information, see the Dutch Design web page (in Dutch only)

The reason why I have moved from discussing earrings to Dutch design is that I feel Kate does a similar thing with her style - she chooses to dress in a certain way to promote initiatives in society that have a vision to create a more beautiful, better world.

I hope you enjoyed today's post, and I will be keeping an eye on the perfect Copykate item :) 

How to Wear it - Romantic and Intricate Prints like Duchess Kate

The Duchess knows how to rock a variety of prints, as we have seen this week. I decided to dedicate a post on how to wear prints. I love prints, and these five rules will help you make the most of them. 

1. One print at the Time 
Let's start off with the safest rule - if you opt for a dress with a print, stick to that one print. It focuses the attention on you, rather than the collection of items you are wearing. Combining prints is perfectly fine, but requires time and effort to make it work. Also, a combination of prints exudes an air of edginess instead of classiness. I love both, but suck at pulling off multiple prints, so I rather opt for a safe bet and gravitate towards bright, multi-coloured prints. (The Duchess seems to follow the same rule, but whether that has to do with her personality or her position as a royal is another question) 

Vanilia Stitch Shift dress with Flower Pattern, EUR 109,95

2.  Earrings and Prints make a Statement 

This H&M dress has a busy print. However, you can easily complement this dress with a pair of big earrings like Kate does. This is because the print is quite small and delicate, so the dress and the earrings will not be competing for attention. A rule of thumb is: the bigger the print, the smaller the earrings and vice versa. 

H&M Blue and Black Shift Dress, on sale for EUR 14,99

3. Choose which colour stands out 
You can change the whole appearance of a dress by emphasizing a certain colour. This navy and coral Isabelt Marant dress can be styled with a pair of coral heels for a summery, boho feel. One the other hand, a pair of nay heels makes the dress feel more subdued and classic. 

Isabel Marant Cotton Paisley Print Dress. EUR 180,- 

4. Match the shoes with the bag 

This H&M dress has a strong graphic print, so adding matching shoes and a bag makes the print stand out. If the shoes and the bag each have different colours, the whole look would feel rather messy. HOWEVER - you do not have to stick to the colours in the dress, as long as it complements the whole look. 

H&M Graphic Print Shift Dress, on Sale for EUR 14,99 

5. To belt or not to belt? 

I have noticed that the Duchess leaves away a belt more often than adding one whenever she is wearing dresses. A belt is a great addition and is perfectly fine to match with your shoes and bag, but can also be in a colour of the dress. Make sure that the belt has some cohesiveness with either the dress or your acessories. This H&M dress would not necessarily need a belt because of the mix of materials, but a belt can be pulled off if the rest of the outfit is kept neutral.  

H&M Paisley Print and Lace Dress, EUR 39,99

As seen on Kate in India - Amrapali earrings UPDATE: Copy Goad Earrings

Kate looked stunning at the gala in the Taj Mahal ball room yesterday night. Her stunning sapphire blue dress was complemented with a pair of earrings by Indian jeweler Amrapali. I love that Kate and her team do their research and put local brands in the spot light, and today I want to do the same. So what is the story behind Amrapali?

Amrapali earrings that closely resemble Kate's

Amrapali Jewels was founded in 1978 Rajiv Arora and Rajesh Ajmera in Jaipur. The brand specializes in gem stone jewelry in local, and tribal designs. The brand became known to the public with the opening of a sales point at the Oberoi Hotel in Mumbai: 
'This was a critical point in the history of the Amrapali Jewels, as The Oberoi presented Amrapali Jewels with a platform that was almost global in context, as it was right in the middle of India's financial hub – Mumbai. The Oberoi not only housed the crème dela crème of Indian society, but also international delegates and foreign visitors that really took a liking to this handcrafted technique of jewelry making, and its unique tribal jewelry that was presented in a contemporary manner. This gave Amrapali Jewels a global identity that propelled the company into the limelight of international recognition.'

From that point onwards, the brand has been expanding with stores all over the world. They ship to 22 countries worldwide. Furthermore, the brand  is present in  the UK, US, Spain, Sri Lanka, China & Nigeria. Amrapali has its own store in London at Beauchamp place, and the jewelry is available at Harrods. 


As I am writing this, I am not able to access the main site. The branch site, Tribe by Amrapali, is up though.

UPDATE: I have found a wonderful Copykate for the Goad Cassandra earrings, which we have seen numerous times during the tour. 

Left: Amrapali Gold Plated Flame Earrings, USD 11,
Right: Cassandra Temple of Heaven Earrings, GBP 1495,-

Copy Kate's McQueen Paisley dress as seen in Mumbai

What Kate Wore's live blog brought us the pictures of Kate and William arriving in Mumbai. Kate looked stunning in a McQueen dress in red paisley print. Paisley prints come in many colours, so can easily be incorporated into your personal style. Below are some budget-proof alternatives that work underneath a blazer at the office, or with a pair of great heels at a summer party.

Oasis Embroidered dress in Paisley Print at John Lewis, on sale for GBP 30,00

Nikita Paisley Shift dress at John Lewis, GBP 46,00

Asos Iska Paisley Printed Shift Dress, on sale for EUR 25,35

Asos Midi dress, EUR 39,44

Asos Tall and Petite Red Paisley Print dress, EUR 36,22

Trench Coat Styles for Different Work Places

Trench coats come in many styles and trends. While you cannot to wrong with the classic beige trench, you may want something more unique or specific. These five coats each have their own personality, and work in different work-related setting. We start of with the classic: 


The Corporate Office

 

Zara water proof trench coat in beige, EUR 69,95
Because I am digging a simple coat that allows the attention to be focused on you.
Your Job: Lawyer, Government employe(e)r

For the Outdoors Job

Marks and Spencer navy trench coat (also available in dark beige), EUR 99,95

Your job requires you to travel to various locations, and being on the move is an integral part of your profession. As a part of your job requires you to meet with clients, you are expected to look presentable. Practicality is key, however, and luckily this does not require you to sacrifice style.
Your job: landscape architect, gardener, photographer.

The Creative Industry 

River Island denim draped trench, EUR 100,- 

You like to dress unique and trendy, and it is part of your work to dress the part. This coat stands out because of its denim fabric. It is easy to style it edgy with a pair of sneakers, or you can opt for a classier style with a pair of nude heels.
Your job: (fashion) editor, model, graphic artist, designer

Retail, Hospitality, and Sales  

LK Bennett Collette coat, EUR 242,- 

You have a hands-on job and deal with clients on a day-to-day basis. Hospitality, service-minded, and approachable are your key words. Whether you are the manager or the junior assistent, you dress to know that you know what needs to be done. This black trench is trendy, and gives you the confidence to take the inititative where needed. 

Your job: Sales manager, Hotel manager, Restaurant owner 

Wardrobe Staple Piece Alert - The Obi Wrap Top

ASOS Obi Wrap Top with Poppy Print

The kimono top is all about looking chic and classy this season, which makes it a great staple piece for your business wardrobe. The sleeves are straight and the accent is on the waist for a modern and sleek silouette. It is a wonderful piece to wear  to workon a warm day; the big sleeves are keeping it all cool. Pick a style that fits your personality best, and combine it with your favorite pair of trousers or a straight skirt.   

             

                 

MICHAEL Michael Korts Striped Wrap Top

Floral prints soften the straight cut of the kimono top and add a feminine touch. Stripes and solid colours on the other hand achieve a mature and classic look. Cottons and linnens are very elegant materials for this type of top, but may not be entirely appropriate for that one important business meeting. The more delicate the material, the more dressed up it looks. 

              

Zara Blouse with Belt and Kimono Sleeve

The kimono top is a versatile, classic, and feminine staple piece for the business wardrobe. A more basic wrap top is easily changed with a belt in a style that suits the occasion. Have fun with it!

                                                                          

Business wear - LK Bennett Graphic Floral Shift Dress

It is a lot of fun to suddenly find an unusual combination of items that make a great outfit together.

For instance, the H&M belt I bought this weekend adds a warm touch to the cool graphic floral print of this gorgeous LK Bennett shift dress. Combine it with a trench, blazer, heels in a neutral colour, your favorite work bag and the monday morning rush hour is looking a lot brighter all of a sudden.
The LK Bennett shift is available also in a more romantic colour combination in blues and pinks.

H&M Beige Skinny Patterned Belt

 Zara Camel Cotton Trenchcoat                                    LK Bennett Hannah Printed Shift Dress

Professional key items that work always, anywhere, anytime

There are certain pieces you can never go wrong with, whatever the occassion. These three pieces will get you anywhere and instantly make you look sophisticated and ready for the job.

1. A blazer in a neutral colour is a great investment because of its versatility. In order to achieve that mature and stylish look, go for a cut that is sharp without any frills that distract from the great fit it has.

LK Bennett Jessa Jacket

                                                                 
2. A great bag can instantly lift any outfit and exude a sense of professional independence. A bag basically says 'I am on my way to achieve my goals'. A good work bag is sturdy and won't show any signs of damage if maintained properly and should be large enough for documents and a laptop. If you tend to wear a lot of colour, choose a bag in a neutral colour. If you tend to shy away from colour in your outfit, go instead for a bag that has a colour other than your work wear, such as burgundy or emerald green.

                                         Radley London multiway leather shoulder bag

3. A pencil skirt is your best friend in times of lots and lots of job interviews. They look great, feminine and smart on any body type and are easy to iron and maintain.

H&M beige pencil skirt

If you are not comfortable in skirts, consider a pair of trousers instead. The secret to pulling off a pair of trousers are the pockets as they can hugely influence and alter the shape of your butt.

H&M Beige trousers

Have a great day and have fun shopping!