Royal Wedding Fashion: Burberry for Samantha Cameron

The ceremony hasn't even begun, but Samantha Cameron's teal Burberry rouched dress is already sold out on Net-A-Porter.  One of the few guests who wasn't in a hat, Cameron chose a selection of Erdem jewels as hair accessories instead.

For a similar look, check out other Burberry offerings in yellow (the hue chosen by The Queen) and bold blue.

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Kate For A Day: Mulberry

{pc: mulberry}

Wish I was in London, if only to add one of these tongue-in-cheek royal ring giveways from Mulberry at their stores in the capital.  As a mild consolatory gift, they are offering 'Free Shipping' from their online store - this translates into a much better bargain for fans of Alexa who aren't Club21 cardmembers, or who members who aren't able to cobble together 2 or more pals to secure Club 21's May Madness 15% off discount. 

This weekend seems to be turning out pretty bad for my wallet with temptations abound!  Hope I survive...

Today I Eat, Tomorrow I Shop: Weekend Sales

Club 21's May Madness is back from 29 April to 2 May for Club 21 cardmembers - but this time it's 10% off any 2 items, and 15% off for 3 or more items. 

Unfortunately, a big fat sticker on the reverse of the pre-printed postcard clarifies that the promotion is not valid for Comme des Garcons Pocket, on CDG Play or Black products, or Balenciaga bags and small leather goods. Right - so that basically scrapped most of the shopping list which ran through my head when I first sighted the card.

I might still pop by Tsumori Chisato (cute little scarf, you are mine!) especially since the Inhabit Bazaar Sale is happening in town too - Alexander Wang and Phillip Lim at up to 90% off may be too good a bargain to pass on.

And to top it off, The Link is offering 30-50% off selected items at Bagbar, The Paragon. I scored a gorgeous leather cuff there during their last clearance sale, so I'm hoping the trip into town will be fruitful.

Man In Suit: Thursday 28.04.11

I adore Matthew Gray Gubler - representative of all insanely intelligent, slightly socially ackward geeks who listen (or look like they listen) to Radiohead/The Smiths/Joy Division and rock the rolled-up striped shirt with skinny tie look. 

{usvogue c/o modelcouture}

Swedish Hasbeens: No Longer Havenots

{grazia via source}

Gossip Girl may be the go-to television show for sartorial inspiration these days, but the original weekly fashion show remains Sex and The City.  Consequently, I feel absolutely no shame in confessing that Sarah Jessica Parker's real-life endorsement of those nude Swedish Hasbeens has basically pushed me over the edge.  I even have the light jeans/jeggings from Uniqlo and Gap to go with - Perfect! 

Additionally, these beauties promise to age to a gorgeous softer nude - information care of an expired listing on Galpal M's current favourite haunt 'Laws of General Economy'.  These shoes just look better and better... Mmmm... Into my shopping cart you go... 

Royalist vs. Just Plain Excited: Royal Wedding Merchandise

Apparently it's not very cool to be a royalist.  So I'm going to blame my mum and grandma on having now joined the leagues of royal wedding loyalists who've caved on a humble tea towel to commemorate April 29th.  

In my defence, it was from Emma Bridgewater and British-made which means I saved my relatives the agony of the enduring the appallingly ugly official tea towel whilst stimulating the British economy (well, at least Stoke-on-Trent's) at the same time.  

Bridgewater's delightful range of handmade pottery is currently selectively marked down for their Street Party Sale (until 2 May) so you could conceivably purchase a Union Jack cooler bag or mug as part of the Britannia fever sweeping the world.  Well, that's if you're unabashed enough to use them in public, of course...

Which is why my pick for choice Royal Wedding memorabilia is Rob Ryan's independently worthwhile hand-printed plate.  Well-renowned for his papercut artwork, I'm prepared to look past the fact that this stunning design piece isn't a papercutting on account of its romantic, fairy tale of an inscription: 

'The Crown and the Throne and the lions and the unicorns & the bowing & scraping and all the Palaces and the privileges are worth nothing if you will not spend every day of your life with me until I die. April 29th 2011"

Swoon.  Buy.

The Sun is Out (And So is My Card)

{source}

Net-A-Porter's "free shipping" siren call is echoing - even as I sit in the warm sunshine (and away from the shops).  Frankly, it might be rude to resist when my off-white Cos silk blouse just booked a one-way ticket to the laundry bin in the sky after an inadvertent run-in with my vintage red capris.  (Laundry fact: If it ran in the 80s, it'll run in the 00's...)

I really should be operating on a one-in, one-out basis but what's caught my eye are these substantially less corporate pieces:  a denim dress from Maje and these nude clogs from Swedish Hasbeens.  It may well be the holiday mentality speaking, but denim and clogs are made for each other, aren't they?

 {fashionfairy; styleintown}

I'm of two minds about the clogs.  Are they even a viable investment this late into the "trend"...?  I leave the inverted commas intact since it's been a full year since the Celine clogs first strutted their way into everyone's consciousness.  Now it's Spring/Summer 2011 and H&M has launched a collaboration with Swedish Hasbeens - either this summons a second wind to clog fascination, or it's signaling the final level of distillation to the mass market.  

In case you happen to be more decisive than I am, Net-A-Porter's free shipping ends 4 May 2011.  Shop & freeship while you can!

Excuse Me While I Kiss The Sky

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Not to rub the work week in anyone's face, but I'll be sleeping in and relaxing for the next week.  It is truly bliss to be able to switch off the pre-programmed work week alarm.  Needless to say, this means much more time for you! xx

Dirty Little Secret: Gwyneth Paltrow

Is admitting to liking Gwyneth Paltrow socially acceptable yet?  I certainly am firmly entrenched in "Camp Gwyneth" after her relaxed, kooky turns as the porn-named substitute teacher Holly Holiday in Glee and catching snips of her *gulp* eating and cooking in On The Road Again. 
With the Lenten shopping ban over and my bank balance looking a little healthier for it, my eye has turned to Alexander Wang's Emile bag (in dove grey, of course).  It's neutral without being stark, dressed-down without being casual and the choice of rose gold toned hardware just adds icing to the cake.  

One primary mental barrier to reaching for the card is the Emile seems inspired by the YSL Downtown.  To be fair, it's not a complete knockoff as much as an improvement since Wang's spin adds more structure and the option of a shoulder strap (de jour these days).  In terms of versatility, this one speaks 'office' far more.  Additionally, my perennial apprehensions about the Wang leather - not quite a supple as the other brands, and at times a bit coarse.  
Guess this puts the Emily on the 'wait for a sale' list for me... how about you?

{pc: twitter.com/natepoekert; tfs}

Oh, You've got Gray Eyes: Rupert Sanderson Wedges

My prayers have been answered!  Or maybe I'm being rewarded for staying away from my credit card for 40 days and nights.  Either way, Rupert Sanderson's Easter promotion is timely and very much appreciated.  20% off selected Spring/Summer styles means this delicious nappa treat (style name: Quince) could slink into my shoe wardrobe come Easter Monday.  YUMmy! 

Hmm... now I'm just trying to work out if it'll be my usual 36 with this label, or a further 35.5 on account of the peep toe.

Oh, You've got Blue eyes: alldressedup Sample Sale

{hiddengarments}

Just because I can't partake, doesn't mean you can't.  There's up to 70% off clothes and accessories from alldressedup and lest you fear a room full of discards, the discount's on pieces as recent as their Fall/Winter 2010 collection.  Heavenly!  Hurry down to their sample sale this week and start the weekend off right - I'll be feeling up their leather necklaces with you in spirit :)

alldressedup sample sale

13 to 15 April 2011

10.30am to 7pm

to 67 Ubi Avenue 1, 

#06-11 Starhub Green South Wing

Oh, You've Got Green Eyes: Marc by Marc Jacobs

I'm officially starting to unravel now - especially in the face of the flurry of mid-season sale emails descending on my inbox.  Why is it STILL Lent?? 

It's down to the wire for me, but for anyone who's got a sister/cousin/imaginary friend who deserves a chic baby bag, I spied this Marc by Marc Jacobs on someone over the weekend and it definitely had the correct balance of style/utility.  Available at Shopbop in a rainbow of colours for US$228 (after US$50-off).

Hello Sunshine: More Kate Spade on Sale!

My neighbourly US contact has returned triumphant with the family's Kate Spade loot from before Lent (which I hear arrived in the biggest box known to man).  Nestled in a Santa-sized sack was mum's (and mine) great white Melinda.

Although my choice was a classic neutral, that shouldn't stop you from injecting some preppy cheer into your weekend.  Bryce Dallas Howard's campaign is so indubitably cheerful, I wouldn't be surprised if park fauna spontaneously animate to the tune of 'That's How You Know' if you stepped out in this Prada SS11-esque skirt.

There's still time to grab your own burst of green grass, sunshine or candy at Kate Spade's 'Friends & Family' promotion online and in-store [c/o the merry shoppers at Madison Avenue Spy] promises an extremely satisfying 25% OFF absolutely everything including sale items *swoon*  Go forth and shop, my darlings!

{source: brycehowardfan; katespade-aholic} 

Traffic Stopping: Bright is Right

{apairandaspare}

I've been putting my Lenten shopping ban to good use: trying on every single pair of red pants in the stores, and scouting for an alternative to Jil Sander's vivid acetate bag (read: the £77 designer plastic bag).  

Perennially, not a lot of cuts work on my petite frame. Or the colour wasn't intense enough... even my old favourites Shopbop and Net-A-Porter proved unfruitful. Fortunately, independent label EmersonMade has stepped up to the plate with the perfect red pant - complete with styling inspiration on how to wear them post-Colour Block Brights season. It's now sitting in my online cart with a KIV for Easter Sunday - please fit... 

The hunt for the replacement bag was significantly less painful. Trusty Baggu have an extremely affordable selection of neon brights at only US$8 each (or $6.50 if you band together with your galpal for 3 each).  On-trend and with the practical longevity of an LBD?  Sign me up! 

Thought of the Week: Stripes Rule

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Wouldn't it be exhilaratingly empowering to strut into the office on a Monday morning donning this striped-triple-threat?  Watch the colleagues' jaws drop, then casually enquire: 'What... too much?' 

I'm into the final 3 weeks of my Lenten shopping ban... *woot*  Suggestions for celebratory purchases are welcome!  xx

Mulberry: So Alexa, So Me

As I continue to fade out of love with Mulberry - the bags/leather accessories (too many copies, too much branded hardware) - this divinely playful dress from their Fall/Winter 2011 ready-to-wear collection dances into my heart.  It's buttoned-up prim for the office mixed with swinging pleats for cocktails later.  Maybe even a twirl on the dancefloor... Oh Alexa Chung, how you've cast your spell on me again.  Want. 

 {pc: tfs}

Hold It Against Me: Blake Lively with Bottega Veneta

Maybe it's symptoms of the month-long Gossip Girl hiatus kicking in... or perhaps Blake Lively's décolletage has finally developed its own gravitational pull, but I am (inexplicably) drawn to her bizarre polka-dot sarong/printed swimsuit with beach hair combination.  Then again, it might just be the bag.  And what a Bag! 

Most love their Bottega Veneta polished and, well, very Blair Waldorf/Lily Van de Woodsen classic.  But I love my BV weaves the most when they're textured, intricate and casual chic.  I guess you could say "more Serena".  But do I love BV enough to carve out space in my heart (and budget) for another white bag?  

At £4,466.68, I probably won't be strolling the boardwalk with this perforated leather stunner...  Thank goodness then that adding it to my Net-A-Porter Wish List is free.  TGIF everyone!

{pc: tfs}