Loving neutrals

I can't resist neutral coloured shoes.  These are my current favourites (minus a few that I momentarily forgot about).  From the second picture left to right they are Aldo, Rage, Zoom, Mr Price, Arezzo for Europa Art, Arezzo for Europa Art (both pairs from my wonderful boyfriend this weekend), and H&M.

Images for Arum Lilea.

Stellenbosch

Here are a few pictures from Stellenbosch.  This beautiful town is filled with wine farms and the most alluring vineyards you will ever come across.  While spending time in this area, we went to Delheim for incredible views of the area.  Its really special with the mountains behind the vineyards.  This is a great place to stop for wine tasting and a delicious lunch.  It's a very cute cottage styled wine farm which is different to the surrounding Cape Dutch style.  Personally, however, I think Cape Dutch cannot be beaten.  Another vineyard worth stopping at is Spier.  This is quite commercialised and gets rather busy so while I wouldn't recommend wine tasting here, it's worth stopping at for the cheetahs!  The one in this picture is an 8 month old cub and he's already so big!  This little guy looks lazy but that look is deceiving - he runs 80km per hour.  As I was stroking him here he was purring just like my little cat. 

Images for Arum Lilea.

Roses are Red

For my birthday I got this lovely top and bracelet from my dear friend Dom.  I tried it out with both flats and heels.  I did some shopping with my birthday vouchers with the flats and clutch and swopped them for heels and a bigger bag for dinner with the family.  It was such a wonderful weekend and I had a lot of people make me feel very special.

Images for Arum Lilea.

Thailand

I thought I'd share a couple of my pictures from my trip to Thailand.  The islands of Thailand are breathtaking.  There were times where the views simply silenced me.  It was paradise.  There were so many different islands I visited.  My days involved snorkelling, swimming, eating fruit and Thai food, getting massages and evening walks on the beach.  It really couldn't get any better.

Image 1 was taken in Phi Phi island.  Image 2 was taken on Bamboo Island.  Images 3 and 4 were taken on Railey Bay.  Image 5 was taken of a typical sunset in Ao Nang.

All images for Arum Lilea

So Lively



Image from here

Image from here



Image from here


Blake Lively may have had the benefit of a mind blowing Gossip Girl wardrobe and styling, but this girl has style in her own right.  She likes to keep things fitted and is cheeky on the length of her dresses.  The wears fantastic shoes and her eternally mess hair gives you the impression that she looks like she does without any effort.  The way she pieces such a feminine dress with a men's style blazer creates a knock-out effect.  Its no wonder she has Karl Lagerfeld and Christian Louboutin running in circles around her.



Special Delivery

A package arrived for me today and I was so excited because I didn't know what was in it!  It was a special gift from my absolutely wonderful friends in America that I love to death.  After ripping the brown box it came in to pieces  I was so shocked to find these amazing Chanel pieces inside.  Thank you!!!  I've been completely spoilt!

Images for Arum Lilea.

Birthday Girl

Today is my birthday!  I'm 22 today.  My 21st has easily been the most incredible year of my life.  I've experienced so many learning curves and challenges, I've realised that I have the most wonderful group of friends who are so caring and supportive, I've had heartache and love and I've been able to do things in this past year that have left me bright-eyed and breathless. I have so much to be thankful for.  Thank you to all the superstars in my life.  You make my days wonderful.

 I hope 22 brings just as much excitement!

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Back to Black

This dress is so simple but so classy.  It has great structured shoulder pads which I love.  I added a bib necklace for some detail and I liked just like that. Simple dress, simple accessories, nude shoes and good to go!

Zara dress, Diva necklace, Michael Kors watch, Lancôme necklace (used as a bracelet), Aldo shoes.

Images by Grant Clarke for Arum Lilea.

Spotty Dotty

I'm loving the summer weather.  When the sun shines I feel so bright and eager to get outdoors.  I have been enjoying meeting friends for lunch and coffees in restaurants which have tables outdoors with large umbrellas in this lovely weather.  A friend and I were enjoying ourselves so much at lunch that even when it started to rain we didn't move and rather watched it rain all around us from under the shelter of the umbrella.  This little outfit suits my current mood with its fun polka dots and open back.

Zara dress, Mr Price clutch and bangles, H&M shoes, Michael Kors watch, puzzle ring from a jeweller in Florence, Italy.

Images by Grant Clarke for Arum Lilea.

Why "Arum Lilea"?

It was suggested to me that I name my blog "Arum Lilea" for two reasons.  Firstly, the Arum Lily flower is my most favourite flower and I shared this favourite with my mom.  It is as such very special to me.  Secondly,  as my name is Leanne, many of my closest friends have shortened my name to Lea.  And thus, Arum Lilea, I agreed, was a perfect name for my blog.

To find the source of this image, click on it.

View from the Top

Here is an amazing view from the plane as you fly into Cape Town.  Its just one of many delights of this city.

Image by Grant Clarke.

Neighbour Goods Market

This Saturday I went to Neighbour Goods Market on Juta Street in Town.  It's so much fun!  There are so many unexpectedly great coffee shops around this area and once you are inside there is nothing but delicious food - pizza, pesto, sandwiches, chocolate, cheese, bread, wine, champagne - and such a friendly, fun vibe.  Its probably the most fun you could possibly have on a Saturday morning. 

 Warning: go hungry.

Images for Arum Lilea.

What's in the Bag?

I have managed to colourise the content of my Forever New bag in this gorgeous dusty pink.  My purse is such a close match from Mr Price.  My two favourite lip glosses are by MAC and Bonnebell.  I made a simple bracelet with roses on in the same shade of colour and it makes a great spare accessory.

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Summer Air

On our way out for some evening air.

YDE leotard, vintage belt, Mr Price skirt, Michael Kors watch, Aldo shoes, Forever New bag.

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I want her wardrobe

Olivia Palermo has elegance and style that follows that of Audrey Hepburn but manages to keep her look young and fresh at the same time.  She loves to mix and match items of her clothing.  She will wear pieces of her wardrobe many times but never in the same way.  I love this about her because it takes a creative mind to be able to do this to a fine art.  One of the ways in which she manages to keep her look forever new is by accessorising.  She is often seen wearing bib necklaces which transform a top or dress into something more interesting and exquisite.  Another accessory she maintains is short, red nails which are very simple but so chique.

Cape Town

What great memories!

Rosy

This is my new little purchase from the Old Biscuit Mill.  Its such a sweet little ring. I love it!

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Formal Affair

It was my sister's debutante's ball and she was having this show stopper of a dress made.  That was all organised but what about the debutante's older sister?  I wore this dress I found in H&M in New York, a set of rose gold and pearl bangles, my Michael Kors watch and Aldo heels.  I liked wearing a shorter dress because while still formal, it didn't take away from the debutantes very special dresses.

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Rose Gold

My favourite accessory is my watch.  I bought this one while I was in America last year and simply fell in love with the rose gold.  I've always liked shade of jewellery and its becoming more fashionable as gold has been making a come-back.  It goes so nicely with my nude and dirty pink clothes which I adore.

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Coldplay Show

 Last year my dream of seeing Coldplay live came true.  This is my favourite band and I even had a little cry when I found out they were coming to South Africa.  This was definitely one of the highlights of my year.  The second picture is outside the FNB stadium on our way to the entrance gates where we could hear the band's soundcheck which had my excitement soaring.  Something I'll never forget.

Forever21 top, Edgars jeans, Ray-Ban sunglasses, Michael Kors watch, Mr Price clutch, Rage shoes.

Images for Arum Lilea.

Making Tracks

Some family from England came over for a holiday and we all wanted to try something new, so we decided to take a train to Magaliesburg for the day.  It quite an experience to go to Park Station and hop on a train to leave town.  The route is scenic and little children wave at the train as it goes past.  The train stops for lunch at a hotel and then heads back to Park Station.  This is definitely a day trip worth doing!

Edgars shirt, Mr Price pants and clutch, Michael Kors watch, Rage shoes.
Images for Arum Lilea.