Spotted: Serena staying Chyc

As much as I want to loathe with Blake Lively (I just saw Green Lantern and it was truly truly awful), she is appropriately bundled up and toting one of my dream bags - the YSL Chyc Cabas. 

What will I do all summer when the Gossip Girl season is over?? Oh that's right... get down to finalising the wedding. 

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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}

Truth or Blair: Jennifer Behr Sample Sale

The defining Gossip Girl fashion trend has to be the ignition of the headband frenzy during Season 1 & 2, until it was summarily dismissed in Season 3 (the college season) and by Dan Humphrey no less.  It's perhaps timely and telling then that Jennifer Behr is now having a sample sale to clear out remnants of those preppier days of yore.  

Discounts range from a decent 40% to an excellent 70%.  So while it may be a tad late for Gossip Girl aspirational dressing, it's far from late for brides-to-be looking for an alternative to the 'obnoxiously aspirational' princess tiara. 

Smokey crystal braid, now US$162 (50% off)

Sailors knot headband in navy & taupe, now US$86 (50% off)

Oversized orchid silk hairband in snow white, now US$187 (50% off)

{pc: brooklynbride; sophiescloset; celebrityheadbands}

A Potentially Expensive Morning: Guiseppe Zanotti Sale!

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Right now, I'm kinda in love with Thursday nights.  It couples all the promise of the impending weekend  with that exhilarating countdown feeling which will motivate me throughout the workday.  Also, I get to do my best Simon Cowell impersonation with the latest episode of American Idol whilst toasting the only worknight when one could enjoy a glass of cab sauv without fear (Fridays don't count).

This week, there's another incentive to getting out of bed early tomorrow: Brandsfever's Giuseppe Zanotti sale, starting at 9am tomorrow (SG time).  The prospect of spending cash before you're even done with your morning skinny latte might seem indulgent, but there are discounts of up to 75% being promised.  That's a severe enough markdown to make me strong enough not to snooze that alarm.  

Brandsfever is a members-only discount shopping website so make sure you're in front of the office laptop in time to subscribe if you're not already a member.  

Now, doesn't it feel like the weekend already...? 

Blake Lively on the set of Gossip Girl with slate grey Zanotti boots.

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Clemence vs Blake #2

Watch this video and then try to dissipate my resolve that Clemence Poesy would have been a superior brand ambassador for Chanel.  Poesy speaks with such passion and authority - I wouldn't be surprised if Emmanualle Alt calls her up for a guest editor stint at Vogue Paris.  Blake Lively on the other hand just seems rather vapid and childlike - her guest editorial at US Vogue would probably entail doodles with lots of hearts and smiley faces.

A Tale of Two Blondes: Blake Lively vs. Clemence Poesy

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It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of Chanel, it was the time of Resort, it was the epoch of belief that Clemence Poesy would be the campaign face, it was the epoch of incredulity that cleavage and hype triumphed subtle glamour, it was the season of Blonde, it was the season of dye, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of fake tans, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to dirty blonde, we were all going direct and away from the bleach bottle. 

Let's be objective here: Clemence opts for a yellow tweed with ostrich feathers and completely sells me on the outfit (she bestest the runway model by miles). In comparison, Blake Lively's disappointingly brazen black sequined jacket and micro-"you can't be serious that's a skirt"-mini, which quite frankly makes the Kaiser's designs look like they were pulled from the floors of Forever21. 

Coupled with my frustration at Blake's alter-ego's onscreen selfish desire to be ja adored of NYC (plus the world), I am *this* close to writing off Coco's legacy from my wish list. Bring back European chic for Chanel!

New Obsession: YSL Chyc Cabas Tote

Oh temptation, you keep such perfect timing! After a brief fling with satchels, clutches and mini-purses, I'm back to lusting after big bags which can hold my entire life.  Spotted on the arms of Sienna, Kylie and Leighton, this Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) Chyc Cabas tote might be the anti-Birkin - roomy enough for work, but buttery enough for the weekend.  Perhaps a more classic Balenciaga Weekender?  

Can't wait for this to hit the shops with the Fall 2011 collection so I can eyeball it (and feel it up) for real.  Till then, my monthly shopping budget is headed to the 'New Bag Fund'.

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The Sun is Out (And So is My Card)

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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!

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}

Speed Shopping: TriBeCa's Bazaar Sale @ Forum

Racing out of the office toward a sale that promises the prospects of brands such as Matthew Williamson, Milly, Temperley, Notte by Marchesa and See by Chloe at up to 90% off is one of the joys of life.  I got to TriBeCa's 'Blow Out' Bazaar Sale held at their boutique in Forum Shopping Mall just before closing time to find patient and pleasant SAs still unpacking boxes of goodies as a handful of shoppers perused the rails.  Maybe I had been hardened by the elbowing and foot-tapping waits involved in entering other sales, this really surprised me.    

The sale isn't for everyone.  If you were hoping for a plethora of Elizabeth & James at the price of H&M, you might be disappointed.  However, if you have aspirations for a S$300 after a 90% discount (under GBP 150) silk Matthew Williamson maxidress or a S$70 Diane von Furstenberg sundress (again 90% off), this would be your moment.  

The SAs promised more clothing (and shoes) today and tomorrow, so there' still time to grab a bargain in time for the weekend!

TriBeCa Bazaar Sale

4th - 6th March 2011

10.30am to 7.30pm

#01-18 Forum

Say It Ain't So: Gossip Girl

I just have to put it out there: if The Powers that Be hook up Blair and Dan, I might be forced to excommunicate this show.  Maybe they're just taunting us by releasing stills of the pair randomly sitting on the floor of magazine publisher (Dan, in fashion, really...?) or chatting whilst in cocktail dress.

 

Bl-an? Da-ir? Ugh - Pass the brain bleach, s'il vous plaît... The mere prospect of this trainwreck has forced me to take dire measures. Cue: Blake Lively (you know how I "adore" her) showing skin. Stat! 

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New Year, New Look: Leighton Meester

Good Morning, Singapore-islanders! What would the first Friday of the new year be without some Gossip Girl?  Whilst Blake Lively is cosying up with the Kaiser and all set to charm the credit cards off teens around the world, I'm looking to Leighton Meester's renewed sense of style at the People's Choice Awards. She may adore pushing the boundaries, but she really does look her best when dressed more 'Blair'. Keep it up my dear - looking forward to the Vera Wang campaign! xoxo 

p/s: if Blair were ever to have a cousin/sister emerge from the womb/grave/West Side/Europe (who really knows on this show), Minka Kelly would make an excellent addition to the cast! 

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Hats Off

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I'm having a fashion dilemma - which is fun (in a Veronica Mars I-need-to-solve-something kind of way) but also rather frustrating!  A galpal is tying the knot this Friday and the theme is *breathe*: 'My Fair Lady goes to the Mad Hatter's Tea Party'. You got that?

Short of raiding the Ralph Lauren archives for a piece of his Gossip Girl-favoured "My Fair Lady"-inspired Spring/Summer 2008 collection, I'm strapped to find something appropriate.  I wish the invitation had 'Black Tie' or 'Cocktail Chic' in italics.  It's held at a country club, but it's dinner... so I could do Ascott perfection (fulfilling my Hepburn aspirations), but the gentlemen have been asked to come in colourful bowties!

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At least part of my apprehension stems from the wide-ranging sartorial options that present themselves with themed weddings, let alone one in Singapore.  To begin with, dressing for an evening wedding here is so incredibly unpredictable.  Guests opt for everything from bling & boufants to hobos & hipsters.  This could be the beginning of a trippy evening...

At least I've borrowed a bunch of fascinators from galpal M *phew* but coming up with the right balance between glam & whimsy will be a challenge. [stay tuned]  But, seriously, where is Kenley Collins when you need her??

{pc: zimbio; girlwiththestarspangledheart}

The Way We Wore

Mid-season breaks are now on so I thought I'd look back on television history.  Is there anything more utterly fabulous than the wardrobe in Gossip Girl (Season 1)?  I don't care who Leighton Meester pissed off, or who Blake Lively is bribing... Season 1 excellence must be reignited! 

{pc: youknowyouloveme}