Baroness O.

Let's play a word game! I give you certain terms and you give me the association. Some kind of charade, without the charade. Here we go in alphabetical order: Antwerp, blog, brunch, coffee, design, duo, objects, pop-up, royalty, shop, unique, victor, webstore. Okay, I will give you 5 minutes.. they're up... are you ready? Drum rolls please, the correct answer is: BARONESS O. Damn, I want to be named after crazy royalty too. 

Anyway, Baroness O. is the offspring of two talented sisters Anne & Line. They live in a virtual castle where they share their love for beautiful, pure and ecological design objects. When you visit their online spot you can get lost. So many chambers to discover, so many oohs and ahs. But it is so much more than that. Once every now and then they leave their online sanctuary to show themselves to the real world. Popping-up is the correct term I believe. Unfortunately they pop-up way too short. But you know me, Mrs. K is always a good news show. I'll tell you what, just stop reading this post, take a look at the pictures above and start clicking this link. This is the way to the Baroness O. threshold. Click and be amazed.

all items are available on Baroness O. 

can you actually wear too much marc

Question: Can you actually wear too much Marc in one outfit (Marc Jacobs that is and all its derivates)? Just some basic fashion reflection. This is more a philosophical dilemma about less is more and trop est trop. But can it be trop to cover yourself completely with the designs of one of the greatest masters of our universe? That is the question! Or do you need to mix? Which brings us to our next dilemma: does wearing oozing names make you look good? Or is 'looking good' way too subjective when it comes to 'expressing yourself'. 

We can be clear about something, fashion is no exact science! although there are some basic rules you can follow and they will give the observer a trompe l'oeil. Sorry honey I do not follow them to the deep sea, screw them! They mess with my fashion identity and that is an absolute no no for me. So what happens when you fall desperately in love with a designer? You create an addiction. No need for LSD, I just need Marc. And the best part, I don't have to lick him to get in some kind of trance. Touching, feeling, smelling and beholding him is more than enough to create the same brainiac effect (am I still talking about his designs?). 

So sorry world if it is too much. Sorry if you picture me as a fashion victim. Sorry if I may look way too superficial as if I have fashion 24/7 on my mind. Sorry if you think that I am under some kind of Marc-spell. Well actually, I am not sorry at all! My life is definitely on acid. Same psychedelic, psychological outcome (try to repeat that 10 times in a row and very fast), minus the destructing physical damage. Maybe it destructs your bank account, but that is a totally different discussion. Priorities people, priorities. 

cap, tee, jeans, sneakers marc by marc jacobs brussels, nyc/ bag gifted delvaux/ jacket vintage 

my life as a dinosaur | Mac

Back to basics and you can take this pretty literally when it comes to beauty and Mrs. K! And we have to go all the way back to the Jurassic. Let me explain what the correlation is between my beauty routine and the Jurassic. In beauty years I belong to this period. Fine lines and little saggings are defining my face. As much as I love searching the internet for tips and tricks, most of the time they are provided by fresh spring beauties. Perfect ladies, but these tips and tricks are not fulfilling enough for somebody who belongs with the dinosaurs. So forget these so called golden rules, we have to bring out the big guns. And let me be clear about one thing: there is no such thing as an eternal majestic, spotless, tight and photoshopped face. Mr Newton was so right, damn you apple.

Don't worry ladies, we have several options. One of them is to sell your vital organs and move to Brazil. Another one concerns some (online) shopping. A photoshopped real life face is just one click away. In Mac I do trust! But it wasn't as easy as it looks. My quest for the perfect concealers was starting to look like a crusade. For years I have been searching for a product that understands my T-rex face. I do not only have to conceal, freshly brewed spring beauties only need to conceal (after two hours of sleep). Nope, in addition to that I needed a concealer that did not creep into my cracks. And hallelujah for the MAC beauty lords, I praise you after an elaborate pursuit. Since I am into my kind of matchy matchy phase, I thought that it was definitely okay to conceal my lips too. Nudity people, we all need some nudity. 

mineralize concealer and lipstick Mac 

in the country | marc by marc jacobs

I live in the countryside and I am proud of it. Not that I live far far away, nope just in some rural part of the country that functions like glue to connect all belgian metropolises (we have two of them or maybe our nation is one big metropolis). Call it an in-between city if you like. Living in this particular geographical part of the world comes with a few benefits (or disadvantages, depends on your point of view of course). 

(a) You can create your own animal farm: two donkeys, one dog, 6 chickens and two roosters (the chick family functions like some kind of harem and for the record, they are not mine) and probably one million insects. (b) You can breathe fresh air 24/7. So I start my day with a big inhale and exhale exercise. Nothing can beat the scent of fresh meadows and the aroma of manure. In the countryside you don't need coffee, the ammoniac is an excellent substitute. (c) You can cultivate your own weed. Doesn't need a lot of work and it is completely legal. (d) We are not surrounded by loud cars and their big horns. No sound but the wind over here and the lawn mowers and John Deeres. 

Before you think I am completely isolated from the rest of the developed world, we do have internet over here (hello how else do you stay in touch with what is hot and happening). We do not live on the moon! Maybe our society functions differently and we are not completely fucked up by hipster-madness. It is just another part of the world where you can go on a hike on a regular base. An then you realize that you are an alien in your own environment. Apparently people do not wear Marc By Marc Jacobs sneakers over here, they look like two massive reflectors in the country. I thought that an identity crisis was part of puberty. Nope after 3 decades I still wonder 'where do I belong'! 

sneakers Marc By Marc Jacobs Brussels
blur- country house        

overall power

And then it hits you, you need an overall, desperately, again! Yes, again! A long long time ago, a very long time ago, actually more then a few decades ago, I was born. I grew up in a certain era where MC Hammer was reigning over my stereo, Ah-ha had the most romantic cry baby song ever, the world was covered in neon and yuppies were taking over the stock market! But it was also the decade of the overall. As I told you before, fashion functions as some kind of hula hoop system. In other words it has been way too long since the overall was ruling the catwalk.  

Be aware, an overall comes with a certain attitude and that is probably the reason why I want one so badly. It gives you a tough and strong 'who are you talking to' kind of boldness. And on the other hand, an overall comes with a certain 'equality' vibe. As if you make an immediate connection with a man's world and their union. Yes you there, filled with testosterone! This is not only a man's world, we are equal and our overalls will prove this.
But above all, an overall reminds me of my grandfather Louis. He was the master of cars and the best mechanic in the the universe. His garage was my playground, my tricycle circuit and I can still smell the dirty oil and running engines. Unfortunately I've only known him for 5 years, so he could never teach me the secrets of motor vehicles. How I wish I could have been hanging over a broken carburetor of an old-timer together with him. Together in our overalls (and me probably wearing some kind of Marc Jacobs boots).  

So overall, an overall is like a butterfly (yes I did compare it with an insect). It transforms from a caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly aka from a factory outfit into a street style hit. But don't forget to decorate your butterfly with the most breathtaking and neck-breaking heels you have got. Height peeps, we all need some height. Power up ladies. And remember, style it any way you want, you have the freedom to choose. Conclusion: an overall is a fashion paradox, a philosophical question, an enigma. Feelings of both masculinity and femininity will overwhelm you. But create the identity you desire and  express yourself. 

my grandparents/ froufrouu/ harper's bazaar/ the cherry blossom girl/ ulyana sergeenko/ marilyn monroe/ tommy ton/ shala monroque/ dexys midnight runners/ my grandfather Louis

social status

Picture this, it is the end of the week aka it's the laziest time of the year and you have two choices: (a) take a walk on the wild side or (b) take a walk in a park or more specific, a botanical garden (sounds way fancier). As a fashion blogger this will include a huge mission aka what to wear? Immediately images of super dressed up women in the roaring 20's strolling through the city park are popping up in my brain. A visit at their local botanical haven is not only their weekly gym moment. It was also a time to observe, to analyze, to research, to mingle but above all to set your status straight. In other words the social cast system of the city became visible on a sunday afternoon at the park. 

But let's get back to now, shall we? First of all, a shocking confession: I have a trooper history dictated by Baden Powell! A history where you became one with nature and insects were your best friends, especially at night. It was actually more some kind of beauty farm. You were only allowed to use a DIY restroom and at the end of the camp your skin was uber soft and glowing because of the natural dirt masks. Oh those were the days. To be honest, those days didn't last very long for me. But it was a lesson about myself: luxury is my middle name and I suck at making knots. Survival in a deserted forest is a no no for me, but a walk in the garden, that I can handle. 

There is one thing I've learned from Mr. Powell, always be prepared. And that is exactly where my yellow submarine Abercrombie and Fitch rain forest jacket comes in. Perfect to protect you from any kind of drizzling and you are an absolute target for wild animals. They can't miss you!

update 10 may 2013! This story will be continued, Abercrombie and Fitch will not get away with this! 

coat abercrombie and fitch brussels/  top dvf brussels/ pants cos/ loafers chloe sevigny x opening ceremony nyc/ bag chanel brussels 

weekend blog awards

There comes a time in a blogger's existence when the world stops spinning. A moment in her online life when she experiences certain uncontrollable sentiments. She gets excited, grateful, overwhelmed, scared, happy, eager, enthusiastic, speechless (and that can even happen to me) all at the same time. It happened to me exactly 48hours ago with the message: Mrs. K congrats with your nomination! 

Yes dear people who live on this planet (and I am even talking to the ones who don't live on earth or in our universe) for the second time in a row Knack Weekend nominated me as one of the 10 finalists. Can you guess the category? Fashion! This means that I have a 10% change to win this most wanted Blog Award! Thank god my statistic course is still good for something. Anyway, you can help me to improve the odds by voting HERE! It is as simple as 1,2,3: you don't have to vote in every category, but if you do pick two of your favorites. 

Thank you everybody for everything (already practicing my victory speech) and for believing in Mrs. K! Special thanks to Knack Weekend for being such a bedazzling fashion magazine and a smashing inspiration. 

if you've missed the link, vote HERE!