Saturday 26 February 2011

McQueen and I

TV Programme of the Week

I watched the 'McQueen and I' documentary last night about Alexander McQueen and Isabella Blow, it was very good.  I felt awful for Isabella Blow, and couldn't get my head around the fact that she tried to commit suicide 6 times in 2 years before finally succeeding in May 2007. 

The footage that the documentary showed of McQueen's early shows was quite disturbing, there was no mistaking that the clothes were out of this world but the way they were presented was un-nerving.  The 1996 show with the model in shackles, I thought the way she walked was uncomfortable to watch; as was the woman in the box.



Saturday 19 February 2011

Famous Stars and Stripes

Stars and stripes have been favourites of mine for a long time...I have 3 stars tattooed on my wrist and a star and Maori tattoo on my foot (that I had done in New Zealand I might add so its totally authentic and original). 



I love the clean look of stripes and have been championing striped clothing forever.  I have noticed that stripes are being added to more collections this season, most vividly seen at Prada Spring 2011 RTW with the gorgeous jewel colours clothes and accessorise.








More within my price range is this dress from Sonia by Sonia Rykiel.  I think its really lovely for both work and casual, I especially like the contrasting spotty collar. I would probably wear it belted in to give it a bit more shape for my curves. This dress is available from Net-A-Porter and from Selfridges.  I think it would go well with ballet flats or wedges, or even toughen it up with tights and boots...don't wear the tights too sheer though otherwise it will cheapen the dress.


This pencil skirt from Topshop is also tugging on my purse strings, I think with a white shirt, or even a T-shirt tucked in, with heels, this would rock...Definitely Prada for the Highstreet.




In other news....

I have been looking forward to the release of Radiohead's new album King of Limbs, it was released a day early, yesterday.  I haven't had a chance to listen to the whole album properly yet, but I like Lotus Flower and have seen the video for it which showcases Thom Yorke busting some great dance moves.




Thursday 17 February 2011

She's Got To Have It!

After a request from my friend, I have decided to write my own guide to what I think the best wardrobe staples are...they are quite obvious, and will (hopefully) last through the trends.  I like to think that wardrobe staples are classic and neutral, and that the seasons best new ideas are better interpreted through accessorise, or a piece here and there.  I realise that pretty much everything picture is black, but I think its just easier to start with a black base and then change colour as you go along.

Top
Black & White scoop neck T-shirts and Breton Striped tops
Topshop and French Connection are always good for classic T-shirts, and T by Alexander Wang if you want to spend a bit more.
(I have about 7 black and white t-shirts, and about 4 breton striped tops)

Tailored Shirts
M&S do good classic shirts, but sometimes they can be a bit like something your nan would wear...
(I have about 5 different types of shirt and blouse)


Chunky Knit

Topshop is again my go-to for knit wear, although both of these are from Alexander Wang ( my fave)
(Too many cardigans to list)

Fine Knit


Bottom
Skinny Jeans (blue for casual, black for smart) J Brand do really gorgeous jeans but they are expensive, I think the next best are from Topshop, especially as they come in a longer length.
(several pairs of jeans, skinny, bootcut, flared, cropped)


Tailored Trousers
(fitted & wide leg)


Dresses

T-shirt Dresses and Tea Dresses can be dressed up with heels and a blazer or dressed down with ballet flats and a cardigan.
(Am obsesed with T-shirt dresses and tea dresses)


Footwear
Ballet Flats


Ankle Boots


Knee Boots

Classic heels

I think that shoes are a good choice for updating an outfit each season - hence my numerous pairs of shoes and relatively compact wardrobe.


Outerwear
Wool Winter coat
(I seem to have a collection of different coats, jackets and capes)
Classic Rain Coat

Blazer (casual and dressy)
(4 Blazers, black, velvet, tweed and striped - one for all occasions)
What do you think? Although they look plain, accessorising with jewellery, shoes and bags are always the best way to update your wardrobe...

Sunday 13 February 2011

Crappy Valentines

I have decided to do an Anti Valentines Day post....Its the one day of the year out to make the single girl (or boy) feel like utter crap.

Why is there so much pressure on us to have gifts and cards? And every where I look I see beautiful things as inspiration for "him to her" ARGH!

Beautiful heart shaped things all in pinks and reds...well here is my perfect Valentine's Day outfit...nothing red or pink, and I'd like to meet the man out there who could afford to buy me everything on my list.

Boots

Burberry

Coat

Burberry

Trousers

J Brand
Top



Philip Lim

Jewellery


Kenneth Jay Lane


Bag

Alexander McQueen

Saturday 12 February 2011

London Calling

So yesterday I got the train all the way to London with my friend Jules...today my legs still ache and I am shattered!

Purchases included 2 tops and a skirt from Topshop and a jumper from Cos



no new shoes were bought - gutted! But I did enjoy the beauty of the Selfridges Shoe Gallery, comedy moment was when I first saw it and couldn't actually form words I was so excited. 



My favourite part of the day was going for a yummy dinner at Hix in Selfridges, its a Champagne Restaurant, and was the 3rd restaurant that Mark Hix opened in London.  They had a really good "shopper menu"; 2 courses and a Gin cocktail for £17.50 and the food was divine.

Available Monday to Friday from 12 noon to 7pm
(8pm on Thursday's and Friday's)

£17.50
2 courses and a glass of gin punch
 
Truffled Jerusalem artichoke soup

Whipped beets with goat’s curd, hazelnuts and grilled flatbread

Avocado on toast with Portland crab and chilli

Steak tartare

~

Winter squash & sage risotto

Fish fingers with chips & mushy peas

Smoked haddock with colcannon, poached egg
and grain mustard

Chicken Kiev with Russian salad

~
Bergamot posset

Steamed treacle sponge pudding with custard

Russet apple pie

Welsh rabbit fondue
 I had the crab and avocado to start, followed by fish fingers and chips which was actually the best fillets of fish on a bead of mushed garden peas with a small cup of chips...AMAZING! Julia had the steak tartare to start (I tried a bit and was impressed, it was lovely) followed by the haddock.  Best. Lunch. Ever.


The worst moment was Abercrombie and Fitch...I will never ever ever go in that shop ever again.  The lighting, layout and too loud music made shopping there a total nightmare.  The place was totally packed and really hot. I have never been in such horrible shopping environment.

There was a close call on Bond Street with a Mulberry Tillie bag that very nearly got put on my credit card, but I resisted.  I could feel myself getting the shopping sweats (which is never a good sign) and had to leave the shop...One day it will be mine!

Wednesday 9 February 2011

Net-A-Fabulous

Its finally arrived!!

Here are some lovely pictures of my first Net-A-Porter purchase, a T by Alexander Wang dress...






Tuesday 8 February 2011

Got That Glitter On My Eyes

As yesterday I had the day off for a very long dentist session, I spent some time snooping around on YouTube...

So far my favourite things of the day were ....

Ke$ha's video for We R Who We R - its been stuck in my head for days now, and is it just me or does she sound a bit like Amanda from Ugly Betty?


Simon's Cat - Its like he met my cat Maude and wrote a cartoon about her!  There are about 6 videos and they're all great, but this one is so cute...


Even though I haven't received my first Net-A-Porter purchase, I have already started planning my next purchases...the J Brand Vests with the glitter patch, and the Lanvin notebook (for me to write my blog notes while out and about) 

£22
£25

This cape is also AMAZING, but at £28,660 a smidge out of my price range.

What are you loving at the moment? any "must haves"?

And as a final note, I have just seen on the Telegraph fashion pages, an awful picture of Elle McPherson.  What was she thinking?  You are not 20 Elle, sort it out!


In your face mums! Elle Macpherson on the school run.

Sunday 6 February 2011

Sunday Exciting News

Well its not really that exciting, I have just remembered being told last week by a girl I work with that her manicurist now does Minx Nails I can't believe it has slipped my mind as I have been wanting them for ages.

I really want either the silver metallic ones, they look so shiny and its something that I've never been able to achieve with just nail polish.  I must now remember to ask Rach for her manicurist's details! (I will send her a message right now)

I have also done a naughty thing yesterday - I bought my first purchase of Net-A-Porter....and put it on my credit card :) oops!! I do have a slight feeling of "shoppers remorse" but not so much that I'll be sending it back.  I bought a black dress from T by Alexander Wang...its gorgeous!! I am so excited about seeing the Net-A-Porter packaging too (that's a bit sad I know).

(at this point I need to say that this picture is from mymanybags.blogspot.com)
 
I only feel guilty because I am going to London shopping with my bestie Jules on Friday and should have saved the money for then...however, I know that Jules spend £100 in Jack Wills last weekend so I don't feel too bad.

Ever get shoppers remorse or are you a guilt free shopper?

Getting back to Alexander Wang, I have been a fan for a long time, albeit from afar as this will by my first purchase.  I love how his clothes are so wearable, and I have a sneaky feeling that Olivier Theysken's collection for Theory will be very similar stuff.  That is a collection that I am very much looking forward too.  From the pictures that I have seen, I can guarantee that I will be coveting the entire collection.

Thursday 3 February 2011

Another one bites the dust

So after another weight watchers weigh in, I have lost another pound...I know its not the 3lbs I wanted but I feel that I have had a bit of a naughty week (2 nights out drinking and a Nandos - oops!)

So that's 6 lbs in total, still can't see where its dropping off from but at least its coming off! I may be 2lbs off my target though - it was meant to be 8lbs by this week but its better than nothing.  

I have decided as well that when I go shopping to London on Friday I will buy my clothes in the next size down...risky yes but it will definitely spur me on if I want to wear them!

Reading
Am currently reading Dracula Undead by Dacre Stoker, its follows the lives of the main characters 20 years later with the main character being Mina and Johnathon's son - Quincey, named after the Texan from the original Dracula novel.  The story unfolds with the return of Dracula and Elisabeth Bathory...but who is the baddy?  Its very good, I read it while travelling last year and thought that it was time to read it again.





Cinema


Went to see Black Swan this week with The Girls, it was brilliant!  The costumes (Rodarte) are beautiful and Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis are both excellent in it.  I must admit that the scenes where she was picking her fingers made me feel uncomfortable, it just looked so painful and realistic.  I also jumped quite a bit too, but it wasn't as scary as one of my friends led me to believe.  10/10

Television

Beauty and The Beast: The Ugly side of Beauty.

I watched the first episode of this last night and it made me realise how lucky I am.  I know that everyone moans every now and then about how they look, but majority of people don't have to go through what people with facial disfigurement do.  I though that Yasmin seemed like a lovely girl and she wasn't as bad as I thought she was going to be.  Leo was so up beat about his burns and had a lovely family despite the fears that he had when he was younger that he would be alone.
I did think the name of the programme was a bit harsh - who's the beauty? the plastic surgery enhance woman or the person who has a facial disfigurement who has accepted it and also accepted that beauty comes from within? Food for thought....

Gok's Clothes Roadshow


Um Am I the only person who thinks that Gok is a bit crap?  How can people not tell the difference between the designer and high street? How can they pick Gok's fashion monstrositys time after time...OK so Brix (who I love) won this week - but Gok will come out as the champion even though he insists on putting neck scarves on anything that stands still long enough and skinny belts on people who really REALLY shouldn't wear them!  OK rant over...sorry for all you "Gokettes"