The Great (Gatsby) Wait

The trailer for Baz's The Great Gatsby is finally here!  Cue: Utter wardrobe lust, orchid envy and an unhealthy obsession with beading and sequins. 

Gown Envy: Jenny Packham

Seeing how the English roses Kate Middleton and Kate Winslet are the celebrities usually seen donning Jenny Packham's feminine gowns, you really wouldn't imagine the label to appeal to the tattoed set.  But this sequined pink (pink!) gown absolutely works. Their wedding seems far from an elaborate spectacle, which goes to show that nonchalant God-given style trumps overthinking an event. Oh let us live, love & laugh on the day as confidently and as heartily as this cool Australian couple!

{pc: oncewed}  

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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Something Little. Something Blue.

It may seem slightly antiquated but who isn't a sucker for the charming tradition of having something blue at a wedding. In particular, any modern bride would still be besotted with a Sally Draper gorgeous flower girl, and donning Oscar de la Renta at that.  The tiniest pink trim detail keepa the otherwise potentially aging print youthful (and yes, covetable).  

Off to contemplate the feasibility of silkscreening china blue blooms onto my niece's j.crew dress.  For the uninitiated, options abound at j.crew and Monsoon, who both now ship to Singapore, or on Ebay if you're after pieces from Kiernan Shipka's much adored (and now sadly defunct) Papo d'Anjo. 

{pc: oscarprgirl; coveteur}

The Power of Yes

If they're good enough for the White House, they must be good enough for my guests.  This tune is so full of old-fashioned charm, it got me humming all around the apartment.  You can bet this will be played at Carey Mulligan's wedding!

Little Parcels of Joy

Hello my dear neglected readers!  I have awoken from hibernation (otherwise known as a work-induced coma) and am back to drooling over ranunculus bouquets & fairytale worthy Miu Mius, and spinning around my room in glee over these (di)vine navy napkins ties which *ahem* recently sold out at BHDLN. 

Not that I should even be pausing at this *do not need any more dresses* but it would be completely selfish of me not to publicly proclaim my love for this stunning scallop print gold dress from Rachel Zoe - perfect for the unconventional bride!  Can I hear an 'I Die'? 

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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...

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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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