New in | Surviving Summer

Surviving this heatwave in style is proving near impossible. I saw someone on Twitter refer to the constant sweating above her lip as a "sweat snor" and pretty much wet myself. A "snor" for my overseas readers, is a moustache in Afrikaans. And right now I have a salty, dewy one perched above my upper lip almost constantly. I feel like I want to ditch the outdoors in favour of being a mall-rat and watching movies all day - which I know is a sin in summer. But I can only take so many consecutive days of constant heat. I caught myself lurking aimlessly in the Woolies frozen food section this weekend and I've eaten my weight in ice cream and chilled watermelon.

I'll stop whinging now and get on with it. It is summer and it is the season to wear all things floaty and floral - but also things that are not polyester. I require soft cotton based fabrics that move and breathe with me. I also don't need any half-moon action showing up either so quick-drying and non-creasing fabrics are whats getting me through this heatwave without looking and smelling like a hot mess.

I spotted Emma's camis when I popped in to her salon in Wynberg to get my lashes done. I had a quick peruse around her showroom next door and immediately fell in love with the soft cotton and beautiful colours. I completely forgot about it until my Dubai trip with my girlfriends in December when Kirst wore this gorgeous strapless playsuit on our desert safari, and I had serious outfit envy. (Yes, I know I've been pretty shoddy with my travel posts and I will be telling you all about Dubai, Bali and Singapore very soon!).
We were hurled through the dunes in a Land Cruiser in the desert heat, followed by dinner in the middle of nowhere, sitting cross-legged on carpets on the floor and eating with our hands. In between all of this we were getting henna designs painted on our hands and feet and riding camels and smoking hookah (not all at the same time just to clarify) - and my jeans and kaftan weren't fairing as well in the style department as K and her lovely little ensemble.
So I made a mission to stalk Emma Brink and see what is new and show you a few favourites that I found. She has a perfect range of summer staples to see you through balmy days at work, the beach, cocktail hour and for your summer getaways too. I'm a big fan of the playsuits and maxi dresses - they're sexy as hell without flashing too much flesh. And they keep a girl cool and comfy.

So other than that inevitable 'sweat snor', you're stylishly sorted.

You can find out more about Emma and her pretty designs here: http://www.emmabrinkdesigns.com

#StyleBloggerStarter - Challenge Two: "The Review"

For our second #StyleBloggerStarter task, we have been challenged to review a new establishment. The catch is that it can't have opened more than 3 months ago.

Ever the wannabe overachiever, I have discovered a fashion haven that is yet to open. Yes, I am so hipster right now, I am delivering you a review before anybody else can.
Before it becomes too mainstream. *Slips on skinny jeans and ironically large glasses*

I could have done a review on a restaurant and it would have been easy enough - but shopping for pretty things is what this blog is mostly about. Its what my readers love, so its what I will deliver!
I give you The Shoestring Collective:

What:

The Shoestring Collective is a 'pop-up' shop and a fantastic collaborative offering of beautiful fashion, homeware and textiles, accessories and jewellery, art and stationery and even beauty products. The best bit is that its all made by top local designers.

I am talking jewellery by Famke, Oh Dear Megan and Bow Peep, and gorgeous clothing by Coppelia and Good Clothing.

Prices are mid-range to slightly pricey, but its worth it. You're getting unique, handmade and quality items instead of mass-produced retail. Think investment pieces.

When:

The Shoestring Collective opens to the public officially on Monday the 8th of July.

Trading hours will be:

Weekdays: 9am to 7pm

Saturdays: 9am to 5pm

Sundays and public holidays: 9am to 2pm

Where:

Gardens Centre, Cnr of Mill and Buitenkant Streets, Gardens, Cape Town.

To contact:

Email: shoestringcollective@gmail.com

Facebook: TheShoestringCollective

Twitter:  @TSC_PopUpShop

Famke Jewellery

GOOD Clothing

Oh Dear Megan

Understudy Clothing

Homeware by Tjou-Tjou

Pins by Pretty Pretty

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#StyleBloggerStarter - Challenge One

So for our first assignment, Glamour challenged us to become a "street style" photographer for the week and send in between 5 and 8 pictures with a common theme.

I have to say it had me in a spin because I am not the most outgoing person in the world and asking people to stop and pose frightened the bejeezus out of me. I had no idea where to begin.

My first thought was that I could fib and just tell people that I was an intern for The Sartorialist and hope they aren't too disappointed that they didn't get featured in his latest book. But you know, legal issues and such....not such a great plan.

Source: http://clatl.com

Plan B was to invite the bestie over for dinner, feed her lots of wine, promise her endless macarons and then con her into doing a fashion video montage a la The Sweetest Thing. But I have no doubt she'd push me in front of oncoming traffic if I posted that for the world wide web to see. That and, she has more dirt on me than this blog ever needs to see. So we'll nip that idea in the bud.

Finally, after much researching using my favorite style websites, blogs and good old Pinterest, I came up with a plan. I realised that the posts and pictures I enjoyed the most when it came to "street style" were ones of models "off duty". For example, the endless pictures we are seeing of the lovely Aussie shmodel Miranda Kerr making day-to-day style look easy. 

So for my street style theme, I have chosen "Models off-duty". Its not focussed on a particular current trend, but rather a gorgeous collection of the gorgeous people rocking the best of Winter 2013. Because who interprets current trends better than the people who get to see it first, right?

I have to say a massive thanks to Donne at Ice Genetics and the wonderful models themselves for letting me rock up at your offices and stalk you all with my camera. And thank you for being just so ridiculously good, good, good looking.

You may also notice a familiar face - and I just have to say a special thank you to the unfairly tall, talented and beautiful, Liezel Van Der Westhuizen for joining in and her amazing support of the blog so far. Much love to you lady!

Now, I'll stop rambling on, and instead let you enjoy the pictures. I am beyond happy with the results. The fabulously trendy outfits, and the array of covetable boots and handbags - all just too gorgeous. 

As only the pretty people can do...

This bag. No really, this bag. Gorgeous.

Love a man who isn't afraid of colour. And the boots - love!

Can you even handle that clutch?

The boots. The bodysuit. The studded jacket. I want it all. And her fabulous hair.

Have you ever seen neutrals look so good?

Legs for days. Amazing faux fur gilet, and the perfect "goes with everything" tan boots - from Green Cross
would you believe?

The loveliest lace look I have ever seen, and the grey suede booties and that aqua bag are on my covet list!

Don't forget to vote for me on http://www.glamour.co.za/2013/06/18/fashion-celebrity/the-style-blogger-starter-in-association-with-orange?iidx=8#iidx=8

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Glamour Style Blogger Starter

I am so excited to be in the 5 finalists for Glamour Magazine's Style Blogger Starter competition. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw my little blog on their website. Its truly a dream come true.

They are looking for a blogger with style, writing chops and passion for fashion - and I am hoping you agree with me when I say I think Pretty Mint has all of that and more!

So here's how it works. For the next 4 weeks we'll be given a challenge, on which the Glamour Team will decide who did best each week - but ultimately the winner is chosen via a voting system.
So thats where you guys come in - please take a second of your time to vote for me by clicking the link below. There are spot prizes for voting and I'll also be sharing my prize should I win.
Those of you on Twitter, don't forget to let me know you've voted by tweeting me and using the hashtag #StyleBloggerStarter

To vote click here:

http://www.glamour.co.za/2013/06/18/fashion-celebrity/the-style-blogger-starter-in-association-with-orange?iidx=9#iidx=1

Thanks so much to you wonderful people who have already voted! I am humbled by the support I've had already. Please remember to let me know you've voted either by commenting on Facebook, Tweeting me or let me know in the comments section below so I can keep a tally of who has voted and will go into the draw to win the prize with me!

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