Window Shopping: Marni x H&M

I must confess this has been an excruciating post to write. But there really isn't anything else to say apart from 'Behold: Marni x H&M. Cue: Apprehension'.

Ahead of the scrum on Thursday morning, the local H&M has helpfully filled their Orchard Road window with a selection of the collaborative offerings.  From what I could see (through the window pane, while avoiding the glare of security), I was mildly disappointed and wasn't entirely convinced of the quality of the silk dresses or the shoes/bags.

On the other hand, the bracelets were as a whole rather good value - two-toned just like actual Marni. A word of caution on the accessories: the white plastic used for the necklaces didn't look as expensive as the black. 

Also, the leaf necklace, despite its dreamy Lanvin-esque diamonte accents, still left me hankering for an actual Marni as the green variation had a distinct cellophane look to it from swopping flat translucent plastic for the shell usually used for the originals. Maybe graduated-tone plastic would have more successfully achieved true "luxe-for-less".

Which brings me back to my original dilemma - are the design, quality and price overnight queue-worthy? Or am I better off continuing my periodic expeditions to Club21's clearance sales to find original Marni bargains? 

All in the Details: Zac Posen

How age-appropriate and stunning Glenn Close did looked in her Zac Posen gown at this year's Oscars?  Maybe the press shots didn't do enough justice to all the details like the embroidered silk bustle, but she topped Meryl's Lanvin that night for me (and you know how I feel about Lanvin). Truly red carpet worthy!

For anyone with the ready cash for this Fall/Winter 2012 stunner, it's currently available for pre-order on Moda Operandi (US$8990). What I really want though, is her blazer - I adored the blazer over gown styling! Make it happen Moda?

THE Beckham is back!

Of course the dreamy, droolworthy Victoria Beckham wedding gown that I've only been lusting after for months would miraculously come back into stock (in my size!) the very day after I confirm my wedding gown.  Curses!


Not that I’m really complaining – I adore my choice – but it would have been great to have the option of donning this 70% off bargain (£1,103.69, down from a mind-boggling £3,678.98). 


Get thee to The Outnet now if you aren't a victim of Murphy's Law.

A Surprising Find: Le Labo on Sale!

I've very recently realised that downtown Erin Wasson wannabe haunt Need Supply carries candles by the New York cult fragrance brand Le Labo. 

More pertinently, these handpoured candles are currently on sale - US$45.99 (down from US$60), and with the code 'EXTRA25' you'll receive a further 25% off (US$34.50 which is almost 40% of its RRP).  This also more or less makes them half the price of what their usual pricing in Singapore. 

 

There's no way my conscience would allow bulk buying to make up the US$250 needed to enjoy free shipping to these shores (though I am so tempted to, really), so the savings will be diminished by some shipping costs. Still a very good deal though. 

Scents (still) available: Calone 17 ; Pin 12 ; Petit Grain ; Fig 15

{pc: wrinkleintime; needsupply}

Defenceless: Net-A-Porter Final Reductions

Oh how I wish I was a foot taller (and several pounds lighter) and endowed with the guts to don this gorgeous Thakoon column gown as a contemporary wedding choice. I imagine a Anna Vyalitsyna rocking it or this Theksen's Theory slip down the aisle one day.  As I type this, Guy M squints dismissively at the dresses... clearly even with the mention of Anna V or the prospect of a £125 wedding gown fail to convince him.

After taking an eternity to hit final reductions, it seems like items are going in a flash. If only there wasn't a wedding to plan & renovations to save for, I would be all over this evergreen black Chloe (now £650.91 after 50% off).  Especially since it does bear some resemblance to the unattainable LV.

Here are some other gentle suggestions (grin):

 3.1 Phillip Lim dress (now £80 after a whopping 80% discount)

 Croc embossed Mulberry iPad sleeve anyone? (at £87.50 - it's a steal)

Back For Good (And Still Shopping)

After a month of extreme slaving at the office and (consequently) overindulging in the pantry cookie jar, I'm ready to face the world again!


Trust it to be shoes to coax me out of semi-hibernation - Rupert Sanderson, no less. Behold my office shoes for 2012/13! Classic pumps with a twist - a hidden 1cm platform - they're marked down to £255 (from £425) and if the indulgent feel like picking up 2 or more pairs, the kind folks will throw in an extra 20% off. YUM.


So it's down a matter of which other pair then:

Option 1: Joyce cream lace-ups which Sienna Miller has helpfully shown can be worn with a mini too. 

Option 2: These beautiful grey (yes, GREY) mary-janes!  If it weren't for the wedding I'd be getting these too and selfishly cashing in on the extra discount on my own.

Option 3: The wildcard - I usually don't wear suede shoes (or red shoes) but I'm a sucker for Rupert's cut-out side details. 

{pc: tfs; rupertsanderson; dailymail}

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Temptation is all abound at the Net-A-Porter International Sale. At 70% off, Arielle de Pinto's intricate  lattice-chained pieces might as well be given away free.  There is absolutely no way you could get them in Singapore at this price. Time is of the essence ladies! Get to it now before the sale is over.  

On my part, I've fallen off the bandwagon and contributed to the British economy by sweeping up two of her bracelets (can't wait to wear them together for a mixed metals look) and a Mathias Chaize silver 'Evil' necklace. Rather aptly named, but at least I'll burn in hell in style. 

{main picture: Arielle de Pinto necklace at 70% off}

Killing Me Softly: Additional 20% Off on Shopbop

Christmas is an odd time for me.  I do rather intense amounts of shopping but can't post about my triumphs until the recipients actually open their gifts.  Similarly, I also can't bear to blog about the items I passed on, lest my friends wish I'd opted for the runner-up.  This frustrates me.

Equally unraveling is attempting (often unsuccessfully) to avoid buying anything for myself while Christmas gift shopping.  Made worse in no small part by the plethora of incentives being offered as we enter the last stretch of yuletide cheer.  Case in point:  Homegrown label Raoul's delicious leather and silk tee in warm maroon/cognac combination at only US$114 (about S$145) after Shopbop's further 20% off their 50-70% off sale selections.  The code 'EXTRA20' is valid until 11.59PM PT on Thursday 15 December. 

I've been lusting after an decently affordable leather tee for seasons now which is its primary allure. Equally - I don't know about you - but the fact it squeaks past their US$100 minimum spend to qualify for free international shipping (read: one needn't chuck random bits & bops to bolster the cart's value) is adding to my conundrum.  

Maybe there's time to pop over to Raoul's boutique to confirm sizing - who are having up to 40% off instore anyway - or I should just cave now & pray the sizing works?  Such difficult decisions all before I even get into the office...

{pc: styleanywhere}

Cheap Thrill: MARNI for H&M

Chronicling the history of the H&M designer collaborations, the highs of the Comme des Garcons and Lanvin collections made up for the lacklustre Karl Lagerfeld and Madonna.  Maybe it's because I'm hardly bronzed and Italian, but nothing from the recent Versace outing seemed to make me reach for my credit card.  

All that is changed.  MARNI for H&M might be my downfall.  Dare I chance reputational risk by camping overnight for ten minutes of shopping heaven?  I already want every single piece previewed (yes, including those striped tights!) *help*

Thought of the evening:  Is it too early to apply for leave in March? 

{photo credit}

Cheap Thrill: Preen

ASOS must have heard my unabashed swooning over Nina Garcia and Marisa Tomei's Preen looks.  Behold the high street equivalent, right on time for the Christmas party season!  (yes, it's still November but it's been a long first half of week...)

Their variation is not a complete duplication - a good thing - but does enough with the sequined lattice on a sheer panel.  I'm actually wildly impressed their design team didn't commercialize the front by making it less transparent.  On the other hand, the tiny cap sleeves are a tad casual for the look but at £40 (that's about a thousand pounds in savings on the original) who am I to nitpick?

If you needed any other reason, ASOS is offering a midweek 20% discount on all regularly priced items with the code 'HOT20' until 8 am GMT Friday 25th November, 2011, up to a maximum spend of £500.   

{pc: clotheswhisperer; mark leibowitz c/o glamour; wardrobemistress} 

At Last (?): The Other Alexander McQueen

It's officially taken just under 8 months for Sarah Burton's team to unleash Pippa Middleton's "rear of the year"-creating bridesmaid look on Net-A-Porter.  Sadly, all the subtle variations in texture have been edited away leaving behind a pretty but ultimately less than spectacular bridal offering from Alexander Mcqueen.

Also, does anyone actually believe they can don such a famous gown and look better than than original wearer? Perhaps few do since only the tiniest size has sold out as of 11pm (Singapore time) - many a gown has sold out faster on NAP's site.

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All Chained, All Gained: Fiona Paxton on Sale

Forgive the inactivity, I'm back from a week in Bali paradise!  

After years of lusting after a Fiona Paxton necklace, I couldn't resist when The Outnet offered this gunmetal chainmail stunner at an astonishing 55% off.  

These pretty much never go on sale at Quintessential (the local Paxton outpost) so as much I was hellbent on saving for the wedding I just had to get this.  It proved to be the perfect travel accessory - transforming simple jersey dresses & tees into an outfit worthy of beach club sundown cocktails.  The chainmail had a admirable weight - enough for the tubular mesh to drape properly rather than merely flop and collapse. This style is also far less bohemian than Paxton's previously de jour bead & chain pieces.  Get the gunmetal or gold (below) while they're still available; the rest of Outnet's selection is decidedly less timeless. 

Random aside: Is anyone else now unable to read the word 'paradise' without hearing Chris Martin & gang's melodical drawl?  TGI-No Longer Monday!

Cheap Thrill: Markus Lupfer

Is it too early to start shopping for the gals' Christmas gifts?  Each of them are such critical shoppers, I'm usually inclined to buy them something fun or handmade which they wouldn't usually get for themselves.  Markus Lupfer's alphabet pins are all kinds of collegiate glam perfect - which has *ahem* nothing to do at all with Net-A-Porter styling them with the evergreen breton top, jeans and blazer combination. 

If you're handy with a needle, you could try fashioning these with spare felt & sequins - which might well be the only option available to me since all my initials are already sold out!

'S' for ShopTooMuch, perhaps?

Double Take: Blake Lively

 Exhibit A: Blake Lively with her dog.

Exhibit B: Blake Lively with her dog teddy bear.  

Nothing particularly related to fashion, just putting it on record that I am officially freaked out by how much the pooch resembles a doll.  How about the Gossip Girl writers work it into the show so Monkey has a canine companion? It'd be like Lars and the Real Girl - but with dogs.

TGIF my lovelies!

Dotting The "I", Spotting The Bag

French actress, Roxanne Mesquida, must be having a ball on the set of Gossip Girl while she pouts and poses her way through her guest appearances as Beatrice Grimaldi.  

The striking brunette has my coveted YSL Chyc Tote afterall (in a seasonal Poppy hue), and has uncannily paired it with a Madewell sweater that has me written all over it. This is as close as I get to shopping the runway... oh if only I could justify either!

Pre-order the poppy YSL Chyc Tote (here) at Saks Fifth Avenue with a not too distant delivery date (30 January 2012 - hello Christmas??) or, if you can't bear waiting or splashing the cash, the Madewell jumper is a fair compromise.

{pc: tfs}