Cocktail party outfit - but not the LBD please!

A selection of my cocktail party adornments

Oh yes, I'm going to a cocktail party with some really good friends next Saturday!

Oh no, what am I going to wear?

First of all, everything feels too tight even though I've been dieting for weeks. Second, I don't have many cocktail dresses - because there aren't enough cocktail parties on my social calendar :-D

So - help me decide, please!

Although many of my "style bibles" recommend the LBD, I'm in a spring mood and NEED colour.

I've boiled down my dress choices to three dresses: 

1) Biba leopard print which you see styled for daytime here.  I wore it on New Year's Eve 2013 as well, and some of the guests are the same. It doesn't necessarily require a cardigan on top, only if it's cold.

2) Kaliko teal silk/linen dress that I've also worn at a dinner party in April 2014, again with part of the same crowd that will be there on Saturday.

3) Pied a Terre purple silk dress, never worn! But - it's a bit tight around the waist :-(

My choice of shoes is very limited, especially for evening since I've always prioritised daytime footware. Depending on the weather I might add tights, nude fishnets with the leopard dress, and teal green with the two other outfits.

It's no secret that I'm dying to wear the new dress, but I fear the tightness will prevent me from having as much fun as I can. However I can wear this one without a cardigan. A huge plus.

It seems so shallow to be worrying about an outfit a week ahead. But I know that in a well-considered outfit I'll be able to relax and enjoy myself, and bring my bit of fun the party.

And isn't outfit preparation the essence of blogging?

Anyway, tell me what you think, Teal, Purple or Leopard?

I'm taking all three dresses to another party this very minute - Patti's Visible Monday party at the Not Dead Yet Style blog. Maybe I can get some more ideas for Saturday's party :-)

Have a lovely week all

Love Kaffesoester

Tribute to Sacramento

Follow my blog with Bloglovin - the link is placed here according to Bloglovin's instruction. It looks odd though..

Today I dedicate my post to the wonderful fellow blogger Sacramento of the popular fashion blog Mis Papelicos.

She can do with a bit of cheering up since her husband is hospitalised after surgery. Personally, I know that situation all too well.

A few years back I nearly lost my husband to serious illness. It was so unexpected as he's a very fit and healthy man. The shock and fear was horrible. But soon I became the expert in his illness, to a point where it totally consumed me. Then I needed a break away from it all to get a sense of normality back in my life. I imagine Sacramento could do with break too.

So, here it is: In a recent post she wore a beautiful gold brocade jacket with a purple velvet skirt.
I think it was such a glamorous outfit, fit for the red carpet, at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival next month maybe?

I don't have a velvet skirt, but I do have a purple silk dress, and a fabulous gold brocade coat! The coat has been in my closet for a long time waiting for the right occasion to be worn. I decided to make it the right occasion by doing a Sacramento inspired outfit :-)

The dress material is stretch silk, it's by Danish brand Tone Barker Silk and it's second hand :-)

My new cherry tree now has little leaves. With the violets it's such a reassuring sign that winter is completely over this time!

Saturday afternoon my friend called and told me about a blogger's market in Copenhagen Sunday morning. It sounded so interesting that I gave up sleeping in, and got dressed up!

It was windy but not too cold, so another brocade coat came out, and this time my most comfortable shoes!

This coat has appeared many times on the blog. It's much more versatile than one would imagine. Since it's very lightweight it's perfect as a topper on those typical Scandinavian (not so hot!) summer days, as an evening coat or as an extra layer indoors on really cold winter days.

The mix of teal and dark green makes it easy to mix with other watery colours and denim as well as my choices today.

The navy dress underneath the coat is another workhorse in my wardrobe. I have mixed it in so many different ways, and still manage to come up with new ideas. It has got to be one of the best purchases I've ever made. It's by now closed brand Alexon :-(

At the blogger's market I had a look at a few things, but most was too small - both shoes and clothes. Also this gorgeous belt by another Danish brand Heart Made. Instead my friend Hanne went home with a bag of treasures.

When I look at my friend Hanne and photos of Monica of the Colour Makes People blog I can't help thinking they look a lot like each other, equally beautiful, taking the age difference away! Both are quite uncommon types which makes it all the more remarkable.

I'm seeing Monica later this month so I'm very excited to see if that will change my view. Have you ever met unrelated people who look like each other?

As part of the blog make-over I've standardised the size of my photos. I'm not sure I've managed very well - it feels like I'm loosing on quality. So, in case that's true, here's a clickable photo of the top photo to compare with :-)

Tomorrow is Monday, and I wish you all a great working week!

Your Kaffesoester

Dressing smart in the Scandinavian winter

Last week I took the first little step towards regular blogging again. And made a promise

I was optimistically thinking that I would have time for another post - but no! All sorts of disturbances knocked on my door, most of them initiated by myself :-)

Anyway, here's one of my go-to outfits in winter:

Dress by CC, former Country Casuals, UK

As finding well fitting trousers are impossible for me I've solved the problem this way (for now at least): Dress over jeggings. With heavy boots, a couple of layers of underwear and a thick woollen coat I can keep warm in the Danish winter.

Yesterday my new little niece was christened. I did a light version of the same outfit, only in green this time.

An early Sunday morning smile!

The boots are the old worn out pair that have appeared many times on the blog. The dress is again by CC, and the incredible necklace is by Monies - my favourite jewellery artist.

The christening was taking place in an old stone church (dating back to 1100) so I added a dressy coat on top, and a silk scarf to keep warm in the cold church.

The bag is a second hand Jill Sander

After church there was lunch - and cake!

Inside: Heavy chocolate chip sponge and raspberry mousse!

My sister-in-law made it with the help of a friend. It was all eaten within minutes! The baby's name was Agnes as on the little bricks in top of the cake.

Now as for my life these days: In July 2013 we moved to a new flat. It was only a 150 meters move, but a whole new world. The new place is in the same housing association, only with completely renovated flats.

Not only did we get a flat with perfect walls, kitchen and doors. We also got new neighbours, and that has been the most amazing part of the move!

When I open the front door to the building I already feel at home. As I walk through the building inside, up to my own front door I'm greeted by my new neighbours. We know almost everyone of them, by name!

The atmosphere is so warm and friendly. There's always a helping hand, an invitation to a cup of coffee or a hug if you need it. It's a dream to live here! I'll be posting photos soon - of my flat as well as the rest of the building.

Today is Monday, as you may have noticed! At the Not Dead Yet Style blog Patti is celebrating the visibility of women, joined by lots of stylish and inspiring women - me too! Go have a look and spice up your Monday!

Have a great week and keep warm!

Flowers in February

As part of the on going FABruary Style Challenge by Imogen Lamport of the Inside Out Style blog I'm wearing flowers today -  I've paired my fairly new double ended zip top with my pink skirt.

Winter flowers

The temperature has gone down again, so based on my earlier experience with FABruary Style Challenge I'm also wearing a jacket, which isn't that uncomfortable under the coat, and of course a scarf.

I'm also mixing pattern here!

This top is so beautiful that I had to have some more photos - and my loving husband gladly stepped in to help!

Not sure this is the best angle....

Statement rings were the challenge on Friday, and I do have a nice one! Sadly the weather forced me to wear jeans again - but with a new-to-the-blog top!

Remember you can click the photos and see a larger version

After having mentioned the jeans it is probably best that I show a photo of them, although they've appeared many times lately.

If you like the necklaces, there's a photo of them below.

The top is from - well take a guess! It's very comfortable, and would also look nice with my navy pencil skirt.

My treasures!

On Saturday I wore some daytime sparkle, on my coat! I wasn't doing anything special indoors, or so I thought, so I decided to pay extra attention to my outdoor look.

The little white bits are snowflakes.

The sparkly bits were a golden brooch and a hand crocheted silver shawl, made by my mother. As if sparkle wasn't enough I also added a bit of colour, teal gloves and orange bag.

I've had enough of snow for this winter, thank you!

Later Saturday we had unexpected dinner guests, so the planned blog post was postponed, sorry! Anyway, most readers would be busy with other stuff, I told myself - and would have better time on Sunday.

Colour blocking outfit

Above is how I looked as I was headed out the door on Sunday, down to the shops for a few extras - now that another unexpected party had announced their arrival!

Too much flash, I know

Tomorrow's FABruary Style Challenge is layering. That may be a tough one for those living in Australia, but so perfect up here in the dark deep freezer called Denmark!

There's just one last photo of my flower top, which will be my contribution to Patti's Visible Monday party at the Not Dead Yet Style blog - the weekly party that makes me put an extra effort into dressing every Monday morning!

Thank you so much for your patience with this long post!

As far as the weather forecast goes we will have snow and frost, and quite a bit of wind. No wonder I'm dreaming of moving to Spain!

Then on the bus home tonight I heard a woman speaking Spanish right behind me. So, if I can't come to Spain, Spain will come to me!  

Enjoy your week, and remember to check in on me and see how I handle challenges such as wearing coloured shoes, lace and being blue.



Lots of warm hugs to everyone!

Denim with style and a visible dress

Yesterday's theme on  Imogen Lamport's Inside Out Styleblog's Fabruary Challenge was "Denim with style". As it was Sunday I didn't have any plans, other than to relax and get a few things from the grocery store. So I decided to focus on my outdoor appearance for the challenge:

A somewhat sunny Sunday

Since it's way too cold for my beloved old Denim jacket, my only denim choice were my jeans. I added my nearly warm enough woolen jacket, a quite new silk scarf, a designer handbag and soft, purple leather gloves.

Of course I brought my stylish dog as well! Afterwards he was very exhausted - or maybe just tired of being asked to pose for his mom's photos.

How long is this going to take?

The dark and mid purple with the lemon yellow is a fantastic, contrasting colour combination. I can't get enough of it, so here's another photo!

Purple, purple and yellow - yummi!

Today's challenge is to wear a dress - some would say that isn't a challenge for me. But our winter weather is unpredictable, and although temperatures were above freezing, it was raining and very windy. So, to fight off the chill I decided to wear some hot Monday colours:

My husband is home, and being slightly naughty!

It's the not so new and trusted CC dress, that has appeared a few times on the blog now. It's the first time it's been seen with teal accessories, so I'm remixing here. On a Monday!

The accessories:

Teal, turquoise and gold, and "warning sign yellow"

Usually I'm alone when I take my photos, but today my husband was home. Can you imagine the fun he had disturbing me? Only a few usable photos, and lots where I'm moving.

New lipstick, see?

I wanted to take a close up of my new lipstick, but it'll have to be some other day. He couldn't resist making me laugh too much so I couldn't stand still enough! Instead you can have another look at my almost new silk scarf!

No make up since it's Sunday!

My skin is quite problematic, so I like to give it a rest from make up in the weekend, if possible. Sorry for not warning you! But the scarf is fantastic - smooth, heavy silk, I love it!

It's been a great Monday, even though every train and bus was delayed today, leaving me waiting in the cold, and getting too late to work. And now it's at it's end, with only one thing left to do - linking up to Visible Monday at the very elegant Patti's Not Dead Yet Style blog, this is the one thing that I'd hate to miss on a Monday! Please go and have a look at all the gorgeously visible ladies!


Take care everyone, and enjoy your week, no matter the temperature!

First skirt outfit in 2013

Within the last 48 hours the weather has changed dramatically in Denmark. Going from minus 15 degrees Celcius to plus 10! Of course I had to take advantage of this by wearing a skirt.

Another new top from CC

It's hard to see but I'm wearing teal tights, trying to match the colours of the top. What I'm not showing is, that I'm wearing bicycle shorts underneath the skirt

The jewellery

It was not so easy to find jewellery for this outfit. I guess I could have worn my teal and turquoise rings too - well, maybe next time!

Badly in need of a re-colouring of my hair!

My days are crazy busy at the moment - so I have to cut this post short. Hopefully the weather stays fine (above freezing!), so that I don't have to stuff myself with extra layers, making me feel like a teddy bear!


Hope to be posting again soon - take care everyone!

Teal dress with pink scarf

This dress has been  featured in a few posts before, but never with a pink scarf. Yes, the same pink scarf as in the previous posts! I do think these colours look so great together that I just couldn't resist.

Pattern mixing like a true blogger!

The photos were taken at 4 pm, and it was all dark outside, hence the artificial lighting. It wasn't too cold outside, so I wore a short jacket on top of the dress, that I like a lot, but seldom wear because of the weather up here in Scandinavia.

Dark purple with teal and pink

Since it's the dark season I decided a little more colour was in order, so I added my yellow bangles, and turquoise rings. Red lipstick seemed to be the only choice then.

Aren't yellow bangles on everybody's essentials list?

Before I end this post I'd like to share the latest development in the H&M boycott story. The governments in both Norway and Denmark have summoned H&M to meetings, asking for an explanation. We're still waiting to hear the answer.

Remembering a rear view for once!

We are having the family visiting on Sunday, and have all sorts of preparations tomorrow. I'll try to remember taking a few pictures, and give you an explanation!

Have a lovely weekend and see you soon!

A substitute for the pink and red H&M dress

Last summer I bought a red and pink dress from H&M  that didn't fit very well. It was returned, but I've never given up the idea of a dress in this colour combination. Here another attempt at dressing in red and pink:

Adding turquoise was inspired by the picture of a vintage YSL dress:

I could've worn a pink tank top underneath the dress but decided a charcoal would be better with the black sandals.

The original H&M dress is quite different, I realize, and I really should have put on a necklace!

I wore this outfit on Saturday for a night out with some of the girls. After having a lovely dinner at a restaurant called Brasserie Degas we went to the coolest cocktail bar in Copenhagen, Ruby's. I tried to take pictures but the lighting wasn't good enough.


Instead you get to admire my sandals again!

Since it's Monday I'm participating in Patti's Visible Monday on the Not Dead Yet Style blog, giving me lot's of reason to smile:

In case anyone want's to know my husband took these photos!