To be or not to be that is the the question

                                           I love it when people use fashion in different ways, fashion to me, as well as being very necessary to looking and feeling your best can be just like food or music or dance, mainsteam, or a art form in itself and a form of expression.

 I was so excited to find these body art images, that are fun, sensational and of the unexpected, hope you enjoy them too gals. I love the contridiction of the images created, which fuse the subject and the background together so the women blend into their background, yet clearly the women used in the images are not fading into the background but making a real statement and creating a magical moment! Happy Sunday. 

Grace- love the tone of cream and brown's

What a stunning kimono she wears

Matching gloves and shoes and a hooped skirt, pretty as a daisy

This is my favourite which is yours?

Visit paintingfoto.com

                                          Sharon x

If The Hat Fits?

Hi gals, since I'm going to the horse races this Saturday, I'm thinking about which suitably styish hat to wear for the grand occassion and picked out a few of my favourites as you can see! I like bold bright colour's and crisp shapes that have impact. Although I could not resist the last picture being a chocolate lover!What kind of hat would you choose for the races? I would love to know!

               

   

 

Sharon x 

                                                           

The Scent Of Happiness- It's All About You

You make me feel so young, you make me feel like spring has sprung! This tune was whizzing around in my head on this lovely spring sunday morning, looking out at my lilac tree, I was feeling really lucky to have all of you lovely readers to chat with, visit and to share our passions through this world of blogging.

I love sharing my passion for all things stylish, but really, the best accessory and beauty tip is allowing yourself time to do the things that make you feel truly happy, those who radiate  happiness always look fabuous! If I could bottle what goes into making me feel happy and pass it onto the rest of you lovely gals for when you need it I would!  Scroll down to read just below, what distinct notes my happiness fragrance would contain. What would your unique happiness fragrance contain, I would love to know?-

Sharons happiness fragrance

a note of wild jasmine

a hint of passion

a droplet of hope

the bluest sky ever with the most silky puffy clouds you ever saw

a note of an- opportunity to be creative

 a large dropper of self belief

a note of orange blossom, heady with the promise of summer 

the sweet trill of bird song wafting in through my attic bedroom window in the early morning

an accent of friends and family believing in you, even when you doubt yourself 

Now gently stir in the ability to be open to new possibilites-

 a note of forgiveness

being part of helping to make someone feel wonderful

wild roses soft as satin, luminous in the moonlight and fragrant

doing my job for the sheer joy of it

living in the moment 

hearing the sound of laughter

hearing my son playing his guitar

 

If you read this far, thank-you for taking the time. Please accept the award below, for your blog, to say a big thank-you from me, for being you and for encouraging me to keep my passion's alive and for sharing yours! Happy week to you and I look forward to seeing you soon! 

 

  

                                      Sharon x

Does Your Wardrobe Need Detoxing?

Hi Gal's, sorry it has been a while since my last post, I have been in the thick of having my home redecorated  and working on the rebranding of my website, where the time disappeared to who knows! Anyway thank-you for your patience and enough of my melodrama! I have a couple of neat ideas (hee hee) to help you, detox your wardrobe/closet. 

Two great places to begin this cleansing process are firstly  with what I like to call clothing maths, go to your wardrobe/closet and being totally honnest with yourself, extract any item which you have not worn for around three months or longer, to be entered into a clothes swap!  

                                           

So for those of you who don't know, what a clothing swap is? Well it's simply an informal event, where women bring item's of clothing they no longer wear, to pool them and in return pick up hopefully something that they love, that works for them .

My top tips if you decide to host a clothes swap are-

1. Make sure gal's rsvp

2. Depending on numbers of gal's get your hands on as many full length mirrors as possible, borrowed of course, you could even suggest a few gal's bring one along on the night before.

3. Hanging space is important, if you live in a warm climate with a large garden, why not use that space instead? String pretty bunting or garden twine along the length of the garden and hook or peg items of clothing to it.Your summer house, or gazebo can double as changing room space.

4.It might be useful to provide a basket of cheap tape measure's not everone knows there vital statistics and the last thing you want, is to trade one ill fitting garment for another!

5. Lighting is important so you can tell if a colour works or is making you look washed out.

6.Lot's of carrier bags are a good idea to collect your booty in and to take home!

7. Try to restrict yourself to taking items of clothing that you know will work with at least four items are in your wardrobe/closet. Obviously with dresses it is more about the right shoe's to pull the look off.

8. Be honnest about your shape, if you have a few lumps and bumps try to avoid fabrics that cling like polyester and steer yourself towards light knit, denium, cotton and silk.

9. If you find yourself trading black for more black stop! Be brave and opt for a colour or pattern.

10. It's worth taking guest's sizes,when putting together your guest list.Waiting till you have enough gal's interested in the right sizes, will pay off, as  if you don't have enough guests of the same size you will have some dissatisfied gal's who leave with nothing.

                                                                       

                                                                               

Ok gal's now your on board with the whole swaping thing.I would love to know if you think you might hold one, in your part of the world? Or if you have already done so! 

I also need your opinions regarding an idea I have had-

I 'm thinking of going green and extending the range of services I offer, by offering myself for hire at clothes Swapping parties. What do you think? Would you like a professional stylist there on hand and what would you be happy to pay, to have access to this service for say 3 - 4 hours? I really apreciate your honest feed back, thanks gal's you really are the best!

                                                                 

                     

Ok my 2nd option to help you begin your wardrobe/closets detox and energise your look, is to include some fairtrade items. Here a few of my favourite picks from People Tree, fresh in. I don't often feature out of stock items, but this Malilbu Geometic Print, was such a gorgeous example of People Trees tribal look this season, I could not resist, enjoy the rest of the round up.

                                                                              

                                                                                      

                                                                                                   

                                                                                    

                                                                                                       

                  

                                                                    

                                         

 Have a Stylish day!

  

                                                                           

 Sharon x

Sabine Roemer, World Renowed Jewellery Designer, Dazzles In Todays Interview, Join Us!

Todays rather large post, brings a huge smile to my face, I recently stumbled across the amazing jewellery designer Sabine Roemer , whilst on my travells to feature ethically produced jewellery here. Sabine has made piece's for the actor Morgan Freeman and been involved in many project's globally which are ethically based and push the boundries of both beautiful design and using design to help raise awareness of the needs of others. I asked her if she would interested in being interviewed here and featuring some of her breathtaking design's on My Passport to Style and was delighted when she agreed.

Sabine first became interested in Jewellery design at the age of fifteen and her interview is truly inspiring. Featured today also, are three exciting ethical partnership project's that she was involved in, so you can get a sense of the breadth of  Sabines diverse creativity and talent. Enjoy and do please visit her website to find out more!

Lizzard Ring

      

Crown Ring 

Calla Ring

 

Falcon Ring

                  Hi Sabine, thank-you for agreeing to be interviewed here on My Passport to Style, it is really exciting to be able to share your talent with My Passport to Style reader's and with all those who appreciate quality crafstmanship and design in jewellery making!

1. Q- Sharon- You were just fifteen when you began to sculpt using metal and precious gem stones, what influenced you to take this direction at such a young age?
I always have been creative and was drawing, painting, crafting and making things since I was little. I always wanted to be a fashion and costume designer but never really liked the craftsmanship of stitching and sewing. But when I was 15 years old we had to take a week work experience from school, where my mum took me to this well known old school goldsmith and jewellery Designer Dietmar Kohn in my hometown. After finishing my first day on the bench and finishing my first piece of jewellery, without never touching these tools before, I knew straight away that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, ... I found my passion and vocation.


2.Q- Sharon-You draw inspiration for your pieces from nature and your travels, how do you begin the process of designing a piece of jewellery?
I find inspiration everywhere and I always carry a small sketch book with me, where I sketch my ideas. But as important the drawing and sketching on the paper is, as important is the process for me to be at the bench with my tools and develop it further till I created a new jewellery piece.


3.Q- Sharon-Why do you think jewellery is important to women?
I think jewellery accompanies the personality of a woman and shows their taste and style. It carries memories and that is what I want to create, a story typified in a beautiful jewellery piece which will be told and past on for generations.


4. Q- Sharon-Do you have a favourite piece of Jewellery that you wear a lot?
I have a couple of favourite pieces, but I guess it always comes down to the emotional connection. For example my first ring I ever made when I was 15years old, the small gold watch my grandmother gave to me just before she passed away, and my lizard ring, inspired by my lizard who lived with me in Greece in my sunny room and ate all my mosquitoes.


5.Q- Sharon -What do you do to relax?
I paint, run, do yoga/pilates and listen to music or read a book.


6.Q- Could you share a great piece of advice you were given that helped you to develop?
Work hard for what you believe in, be honest and true to yourself even if it is hard at some times and stick to it. Believe in yourself!


7.Q-Where do you enjoy eating out?
I guess it’s more about the company than the place, as I love to cook and have friend's over. But I love the Asian and Japanese cuisine.


8.Q- Sharon -Who would you like to design for ?
I have to say I feel very lucky, that I’m in the situation, that I can express myself under my own name. But I always like collaborations with projects or brands and there are a lot I admire. I’m a big fan of my fellow countryman Karl Lagerfeld , Tom Ford is a genius and in the Jewellery world I have to say I admire Van Cleef&Arpel, Cartier and Harry Winston.


9.Q- Sharon -Sabine you have a stong work ethic and a great talent, what has been a high point of your career.
I really have to say I feel like I’m only just starting. I’m 3 years on my own now and already so many amazing things happened I never even dreamed of. From working with amazing people and helping charities through my work, launching my first collection in Harrods, having pieces on the red carpet at the Oscars, to work with the Bushman Woman in the Kalahari Desert . They were all high points in my career but to meet and work with Nelson Mandela, also on a personal and human side...changed me and the perspective of life.


10.Q- Sharon - You recently collaborated with the bushmen and women of southern Africa who have turned to making jewellery themselves as a means of sustaining their people. Through this process you helped raise awareness of some of the difficulties facing Kalahari communities as well as drawing attention to their skills in Jewellery making and design. What prompted you to collaborate with this particular minority group in this way?
As my background is the craftsmanship and I have learned about how we lost so many skills during the last centuries it is a close subject to my heart, that we keep these traditions and skill's alive. And if you look further it is not only about the craft itself in so many countries. It is about their identity, culture, about telling stories, keeping the stories alive, bringing people together and having a meaning in life, an income, an education and so much more. So I feel very blessed to go and work with the bushman and experience their way of life and tradition's.


11.Q-Sharon - You are have a very dynamic attitude to your work, which combines both jewellery making and sculpture and are constantly evolving, what's next?
I would love to keep doing what I’m doing and of course grow more and more into my style and evolve and experience new things. I hope to go out and visit and work more on the projects with ancient skills around the world. Also looking more into my sculpture work and maybe I even create big sculpture or a fountain one day!?


12.Q- Sharon - there are a lot of women in the UK starting fledgling jewellery design businesses out there, what advice would you give them regarding succeeding in this highly competitive industry?
Try not to follow a trend or style, try to find your identity and use jewellery making as an outlet to show your personality within your design's. I’m also a big believer in mastering your craft.     

                                                Sabine With Nelson Mandela and Bill Clinton

MANDELA DAY JOBOURG SOUTH AFRICA

“Nelson Mandela and Bill Clinton launched the exhibition “Making Peace” in Johannesburg. Later that day the two former Presidents jointly hosted a fund-raising dinner at the Saxon Hotel.


Sabine Roemer designed a jewellery piece for the occasion”.


The Nguni Head was made out of 18karat whitegold and was set with black and white diamonds and had a total 3,1carats. The piece of art had the following engraving:






MYSTICAL ATTACHMENT TO NGUNI CATTLE

“We occupied the land, the forests, the rivers; we extracted the mineral wealth beneath the soil and all the riches of this beautiful country.” – Nelson Mandela, 1962 speech from the dock                          

                                                          Nguni Head made from white gold and black diamonds by Sabine Roemer

                                                                      





“I discovered the almost mystical attachment that the Xhosa have for cattle, not only as a source of food and wealth, but as a blessing from God and a source of happiness” -Nelson Mandela pg 11, Long Walk to Freedom

                                                Sabine working in partnership with the bush people of the Kalahari, raising awareness of the threat to the delicate balance of their society

                                                         

Beautiful Kalahari woman, models one of their pieces

COLLECTION IN THE DESERT OF THE KALAHARI

 No longer able to survive off the land alone the Bushmen have turned to traditional jewellery making to help ensure their survival. On this trip Sabine Roemer collaborated on a collection together sharing our skill sets and teaching each other about our different ways of working. The jewellery is created out of ostrich egg shells that they have been making for countless generations,.


Largely isolated from the outside world until the last century they created intricate pieces using wild seeds, sticks, bone, leather, tortoiseshell and most importantly of all, beads painstakingly created from ostrich egg-shell each handmade. The Bushmen are almost as old as time itself. These gentle people have existed in harmony with the animals and nature of their native Kalahari for countless generations. Their simple, honest ways are today under peril from the unyielding tide of modern progress which threatens the only life they have ever known. Often victimised by their more powerful neighbours and dispossessed of their lands the 100,000 San in southern Africa are amongst the poorest and most disenfranchised of southern Africa’s people.


They battle with extreme poverty and the ravages of AIDS on a daily basis and are largely dependent on the handouts. The talented photographer, Boo George created the most beautiful images of a young Bushman girl modeling the collection in the Desert of the Kalahari.
                                                  

Sabine preparing her elephant for the elephant's on parade event in London

 

                              

                                     Headdress designed by Sabine Roemer features large oval emerald!

 The World Land Trust, Gemfields and bespoke jeweller, Sabine Roemer have collaborated to create an extraordinary life size, Emerald Elephant set to be the most valuable design in this summers hotly anticipated Elephant Parade and has been aptly named, ‘Emerald Queen’. Sabine has designed and decorated this fibreglass elephant with emerald dust and a staggering 678carat oval emerald that is the outstanding centrepiece of the elephants’ jewellery headpiece.

Elephants On Parade In London

The World Land Trust / Sabine Roemer/ Gemfields , Emerald Queen is part of the Elephant Family’s, Elephant Parade, where 260 elephants will take to the streets of London from May to July 2010. Billed as the capitals largest public art exhibition, the Elephant Parade will embrace all that is excellent about London when Sotheby’s auction each of the elephants to raise crucial funds for the critically endangered Asian elephant. Proceeds raised by the Green Queen will go to the Elephant Family and World Land Trust and with Sabine Roemer’s track record this is expected to be a significant amount. Sabine Roemer designs are becoming highly sought after and her last jewelled sculpture was bought at the Mandela Day auction in New York by Morgan Freeman.

 

Sabines elephant on exibition in Selfridges flagship store in London

 

Thank-you Sabine

Sharon xx

                                                                               
                                                                     
                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
                                                               

I Need Your Advice- Can You Tell Me What You Think x

I wonder if you might help me pleeease, I am in the process of rebranding my website, not my blog, and I was recently lucky enough to be photographed by talented fashion photographer James Nader, the photographer for Gok Wans show, How To Look Good Naked. I am in the process of trying to decide which shot of the two below to use for my front page, what do you gal's think? I would really appreciate your opinion on this one.

James Nader

Gok Wan

One of James Naders Iconic Shots

Shot 1 of me in profile

shot 2 of me

                                        Sharon x

Tribal Trio!

Sorry it's been a longer than usual since my last post , been election time in the UK, big stuff, as I am sure your are all aware! Anyway my round up of some of my  favourite tribal pieces, particularly loving the soft tribal look above! Thank-you for all your recent lovely comment's and for following me, you are the best!

                                                Sharon x