JUST SAY {WHEN} & {WHERE}

Sitting in one place for too long makes me crazy! 

It's the summer... the heat is on the rise in Dubai and I am starting to get a bit stir crazy. I've been here now for a year and a half - going on 2 years in December. I've heard enough well-travelled people around me talk about all of these different places, and chat about travel as if they're talking about the weather. And I sit there, still, with nothing to add and no perspective to share. It dons on me, I've seriously got to get out and travel! I have been back to the states more times than I can count. I admit that I desperately need that family time because I am to the core, a family girl, but I also need to see other places and experience what is out there! Even fashion is hard to relate to if you haven't seen all of the cities designers are inspired by - there is just something about missing out on other cultures that recently has been making me absolutely mental. 

So, when will I start travelling you ask? Hm, funny question! I have no clue. To be completely open and honest, I'm not the type of girl who would jet-set by herself. (however this might need to change!) As a Gemini, I'm chatty as all hell which is great for meeting new people and all, but I would much rather prefer to share the views, the food, the memories and the fun with someone I care about rather than writing letters emails explaining it all. Until then... I'll be flipping through travel magazines, stocking up on inspirational photos of cities I'd like to see, and writing down motivational quotes, to push me one step closer to just hopping on a plane and going anywhere that sounds intruiging!

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Here's hoping...

Xx.

MAN REPELLER MEETS RACHEL ZOE.

Rarely do I ever do posts about my own personal style, but I figure, hey why not! 

Here's the first of more to come... I'll get better at this and ditch the iPhone for future references. 

I promise...

Jacket: Vintage | Shorts: H&M | Belt: Calvin Klein

 Watch + Bag: Michael Kors | Shoes: Rupert Sanderson

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Channeling a little bit of Rachel Zoe's flair for balero jackets and bling, mixed with inspiration from the Man Repeller's Leandra Medine's effortlessly juxtaposed ensembles, I pulled together a few of my favourites and came out with a new fav on the outfit line up!

I figured, hey, why not!? These boyfriend cut offs are about 2 sizes too big (the belt worked out perfectly), meanwhile this thrift store find is a bit of a try hard with most of my pieces in my closet. I'm not really sure how I even came about thinking this look would work together, but once I put it on, magic happened! 

Xx,

American Beauty.

{Summer exclusives that just can't be replicated in Dubai}

Missing wine dates & boat rides with my Mom (+ Dad + Sister + Bro-in-law + niece + puppy).

Stating the obvious: The 4th just isn't the 4th without 

>>Fireworks<<

New York summer withdrawals are hitting hard today. Wishing I was home for the 4th; Luckily the rain is persistent at home making me a little less jealous. Tonight I'll be engaging in some good ol' American football watching as J gets his time in on the field on the UAE football team! I guess you can't get more American than that away from home? 

We shall see...

{Hanging my flag high...digitally}

CHEERS/SLAINTE!

Happy Fourth of July from Dubai! 

xx

IMAGES: MY TUMBLR

{THE BUSY BEE}

I've been so busy with work and updating client profiles that I haven't actually made time for myself and taken the time to jot down inspirations and ideas that are driving my creative energies. I've been concentrated more so on Pinterst and Tumblr than anything, which are essentially the same creative types. And then of course, there is the continued effort to refurbish my apartment... I will admit, I am definitely indecisive. I'll blame it on being a Gemini, with "two personalities". I'd rather buy everything I love, bring it all home and play dress up with my apartment like I do when I'm feeling creative and think of a few good outfits I've never worn before. Typically, I end up grabbing all of the key pieces I'm thinking of, throw them on the bed, turn on some music and style different looks until I end up with a few good ones... at times they are a bit OTT to be worn anywhere but somewhere along the way the process gives me a major mood boost! Like they say, playing dress up starts at age 5, and never ends.

So, to give myself a kick in the butt to get back to focusing on blogging,
I figured I would start with a few pictures for a not so wordless Wednesday.

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More so than anything, all I can seem to think about, other than fashion, is travel. 

Booked for August/September, my other half and I will be cruising back stateside to Mexico, California, New York and possibly one more lay-over that I can't yet reveal! 

Our friends are getting married in Mexico and I absolutely cannot wait. In the meantime, I'll be here in Dubai lusting after other destinations on my "must-go" travel list and spending time at the beach and pool reminding myself that my life here is like a vacation every day.

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

xx,

IMAGES: MY TUMBLR

// CATCH ME IF YOU CAN //

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At times I have a tendency to be out-of-sight, out-of-mind. Meanwhile that's happening.. hop on over to my Tumblr for some constant feeds of inspiring pictures and sayings to keep your creative appetite full.

When I'm not there, you can find me on Pinterest where I am constantly replenishing my 30 pin boards full of healthy {and sometimes not so healthy} recipes, style inspirations, interior design ideas, travel destinations and quirky fun bits that are too cool/cute not to pin!

I'm a sporadic Tweeter so, at times you can find me there - but usually I'm posted up on Instagram snapping pictures of my ongoing obsession with coffee and all things fashion and travel - it's hard not to post pictures as if I'm constantly on vacation because, well, living in Dubai pretty much is like being on holiday every day of the week. I know, tough life.

So there you have it, I promise to swing by every so often, but I have a tendency to let my mind and self wander - it's the only way to learn new things!

#livelife
xx,

{MY WEEKEND IN REVIEW}

SITE SEEING: Picture perfect petals outside of my apartment. 

READING: Finally, I got my hands on a STYLE.COM/ printed issue. #love

LEARNING: Men's fashion at its finest is watching the beau at his custom tailoring appointments over my morning coffee! 

EXPANDING: SO SHE WROTE officially launched on Facebook.

And last, but certainly not least, I CELEBRATED having such an amazing Mother! {Happy Mother's Day 8XO8}

I hope you had a lovely weekend as well! 

xx

FASHION FORWARD // Dubai

Friends at home are always asking me about the fashion here in Dubai, finally, I can reveal a bit of a glimpse into what women are wearing here. Considering I haven't dedicated enough time to photographing local style on my own, I've relied on Style.com/Arabia to give you the goods. Over the past weekend, I attended Fashion Forward Dubai, where the local talent came out in full force - from the fashion shows and discussion panels, right down to the attendees; Dubai officially impressed me once again. 

Below are a few of my own photos from the weekend, excuse the quality, I forgot my camera and had to rely on my iPhone... for more snaps from the event, check out my Instagram feed. 

{another Dubai first}

{the outdoor bar & lounge area - I made a pit-stop for a bloody mary}

{the calm before the crowd}

{translation kit required to get through a panel discussion in 100% Arabic - even with the headphones it was a challenge} 

{wearing: "diy" Gap vest, Zara top, H&M skirt and Alaia heels}

Quotes//discussion points that caught my attention at Fashion Forward:

When asked about what inspires his designs + what makes a woman elegant, 

keynote speaker, Rabih Kayrouz, responded with the following: 

{Hopefully I can get the translation right} "لديها الكتفين" literally translating into English as "she has shoulders" meaning, if you're elegant and confident, you walk with your shoulders, and this is what inspires his designs, collections and aesthetic. The design aesthetic of Middle Eastern dress used to be {and from my perspective, still is} based around the shoulders for this reason. When you think about it, when a woman is slumped over and has bad posture, no matter what fabulous designer she is wearing, she doesn't look elegant, nor will she catch your eye. However, the woman who stands tall with her shoulders back will radiate confidence and self assurance. 

{first talk; designer Rabih Kayrouz}

On the challenge of designing Haute Couture vs RTW collections:

"Ready-To-Wear collections are more challenging as you are designing clothing for people whom you do not see - you have no idea who is buying your collection making the process a tricky and risky one, meanwhile Haute Couture requires direct contact with the wearer, resulting in a design that you know will make the client happy."

{first talk; designer Rabih Kayrouz}

{leaving the venue wearing BCBG ring + Miu Miu specs}

I loved these two responses, both equally interesting. Ever since, I've been paying attention to not only the way that other women carry themselves, but I've noticed that I'm correcting my posture much more now! I was a bit surprised to hear the way he answered to Haute Couture vs RTW as I always imagined it would have been the reverse somehow. Ultimately, Fashion Forward was a great event, it was nice to do something different and have a chance to see the local talent all together in one venue. Looking forward for Season 2. 

IMAGES VIA: STYLE.COM/ARABIA | MY OWN

@HOME

I couldn't be more excited to see that one of my go-to fashion sites has just officially launched their first sister site for inspiration at home. WHO WHAT WEAR recently launched DOMAINE, the place for shopping, style, and inspiration for the home and I must say, I am inspired. 

Ever since my move to Dubai, I feel like I am constantly looking for new interior ideas for my apartment. I started out thinking minimalist was the best way to go with whites, blacks, greys and here and there, a touch of colour. Suddenly, that isn't quite the case anymore. With a royal blue couch, bright orange printed pillow and white sheepskin throw pillows, my apartment is totally turning into the eclectic reflection of my personal style. I have to admit, I kind of love it. 

Now that DOMAINE has officially launched, my search for the perfect at home inspiration can end - though I will most likely still be spending hours on Pinterest saving my "must design" rooms. 

My top picks of inspiration photos soon to come... 

In the meantime go check out DOMAINEHOME.COM, you can thank me later!

xx,

INSPIRE | ENCOURAGE | EMPOWER

{WORDS + DESIGN: MALLORY MCLANE}

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When you're under a full-on time crunch and your graphic designer is in a jam with a priority list the length of his arm - what do you do? Personally, I resort to the next best thing - putting myself in the designer's shoes and get cracking on a design concept that can be recreated easily and in a timely manner. Without the help of Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator or any other specialized Adobe program, I whipped up the above "notebook". It just goes to show that you should never limit yourself... 

I've always made it a personal goal to forever be open to learning new skills from the people around me, something I've mentioned over and over quite recently with my lists of staying creative and stress free...

When the alert came through last night that NYC jewelry designer Joomi Lim, herself, had re-gramed the cover page of the "album" I was stoked and even left a comment.. not soon after she was thanking me for the compliment and next even commenting on my own Instagram pic of her dedicated page! Though it's only Instagram, I refuse to let this go down as just some simple thing that "isnt a big deal" - I am so proud of myself and especially today on International Women's Day, as I work my way towards fulfilling my dreams to become a key player in the fashion industry. 

#proudmoment #designerlove #thankful

online fashion editor and self proclaimed graphic designer....