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? 

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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.

{pc}

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!