Midweek Sunshine

Scott's snap of Imelda Matt is so geek chic cheerful, it's going very far in making up for my otherwise woeful start to the week.

AND he uses a Macbook! *woot*

Shoe Lust: Nicholas Kirkwood

This pair of Nicholas Kirkwood ankle boots is going for USD 350 at Lulu And Your Mom right now.  

I'm a 36.5 with NK.  

I've been dreaming about my first pair of Kirkwoods.

I seem to have no black ankle boots.

This a somewhat restrained, and therefore very versatile style. 

Basically, I'm DYING right now...  Darn this infernal "show some restraint" shoe resolve!!

Replacement Killer

The universe conspiring against me!!  No sooner do I resolve not to buy anymore shoes until I've sold off my two underworn and/or ill-fitting Marc by MJs (more on this later...), I chance upon a French ebay seller with a bunch of unique Repettos!

These perforated star Repetto ballerinas are the perfect antidote to my old ones which were attacked by my Samsonite suitcase during a London rush-hour scrum.  Cue mild bleeding and two slices to the shoe and my toes.  Scarily instinctively, I was more concerned with the former.

Need.  New.  Shoes.  

Incidentally, trying to translate French ebay is bloody difficult!  I'm trying to work out why the same items don't come up on my usual International search...

Excuse this hideous photo... but I just had to show the destruction.

Heart weeps for my dear Repettos every time I look at them in this state :(

Drop The Crotch

After much deliberation, I've decided drop crotch ("DC") pants are a worthwhile investment!

I'm in love with the tartan one above from Pixie Market but for the sake of *some* fashion longevity, I've steadfastly narrowed it down to 2 options (both black, of course):

(a) Babooshka's harem pants which, in a rather brilliant marketing decision, have been sent (and seen) on every other major fashion blogger:

Sea of Shoes Jane

Queen Michelle

Karla

OR (b) Mary Meyer's drop crotch loose fit pants which retail for USD115 on OAK but Lulu and Your Mum have one for only USD55:

The Babooshka ones make a real statement with jodhpur sides AND the drop crotch.  Loving the silhouette!  But the Mary Meyer strict-harem shape seems rather more effortless - if more commercial - turning up at Urban Outfitters, on Rebecca of PrincessImp and in Camille's DIY take:

If those two Asian chicks can rock DCs without looking like MC Hammer's poorly paid midgets, I'm sure this 5feet-nothing one can do the same (she wonders aloud as the boyf wretches in the corner at the concept of DCs)

Am going for Babooshka ones as part of my May09 budget :)  Counting down to Labour Day already! 

Birthday Goodies

This is rather tardy of me but here's a THANK YOU to my pals for their fantastic gifts, and for giving me a perfect birthday weekend!

And so, in not particular order of gift glee :

- vintage black jumpsuit which fit perfectly!

- T by Alexander Wang charcoal boat dress... 'nuf said:

{Image from OAK}

- adorable denim shorts, worn here with my faithful alldressedup necklace and stolen bf T:

- the cutest (and amazingly well-cut) pajama set:

{Image from VS}

and finally... "my gift to myself" : alldressedup fringed washed-suede necklace through B's fabulous staff discount!

B.R. / A.R. : Convertible Clutch

My pal M is off to London next month so I've been on a Mulberry kick since I heard the news.  I adore the Bayswater Clutch which comes with a shoulder strap - but it's a little *too* oversized for me... yes that's (a) price-wise at GBP468, it's only a little cheaper than the regular Bayswater, and (b) in terms of shape/size, it's a little boxy as a shoulder bag.

Trust Urban Outfitters to find a painless alternative!  This mildly tie-dye leather clutch comes with a chic chain strap when (if you're anything like me) you get tired of grasping it in a chic way or tucking it under your arm.  

At only USD68 it's a steal in coral or black (the black is really quite fab). That's ALOT of savings for another day :) 

Foiled!

Following a mad dash and crazed women (often moving in packs) snatching up items without even looking at the sizes... I've been denied of my blazer. Thanks E for braving the hordes notwithstanding!

Incidentally, items are up on ebay already - and based on this receipt uploaded on an ebay post as proof of authenticity, someone in Hong Kong blew a cool US$7200 (below) to ebay their scores... which means, on principle, I'll be refusing to buy any of the pieces on ebay *hmph*

Celebrity Benefits : Matthew Williamson for H&M

Groan just what we need, celebrities encouraging more people to sweep up all the decent sizes from Matthew Williamson's offerings for H&M!

My shopping buddy E left her Central London home at 7.30am to (attempt to) secure a blue silk blazer for each of us. Apparently, the first girl in the Regent Street queue was there at 6.30am!

Be strong babe, and don't be afraid to push...

{Images from Popsugar and Just Jared}

Splurge or Steal

Retail Conundrum #196 : A lapis blue, silk/cotton tuxedo jacket from Matthew Williamson for H&M (£69.99) or a vintage Dior linen oversized blazer in the same bright blue going for SGD400 (£185) from local vintage haunt Deja Vu Vintage?

I didn't manage to get a snap of the blue blazer on me for an accurate comparison (no mirrors in the changing room) but here's a pic off their Flickr update. I must confess that my heart wailed "DIOR", but my trembling wallet whispered "Hennes".

Am going to keep dreaming about the Dior until this painful yearning dissipates...

A.R / B.R : Pierre Hardy Sandals

Absolutely twitching with glee at the sight of these upcoming Pierre Hardy for Gap sandals - they're a truly fantastic take on his already fabulous fisherman thick-strap platforms (below) 

US$1200 at Barneys

Genuine Pierre Hardy design and style, but none of the potential homelessness resulting from acquiring the original? Sign me up!  

Shoe Lust: YSL Cage Sandals

We've all seen and heard ad nauseam about YSL's caged boots, but this darling variation has thrown me over the edge and gone straight to the top of my wish list!

Available at Browns

Born With It

Part Artful Dodger, part Vegas magician, it's inspiring and somewhat depressing how well put together 8-year old Arlo Weiner is.  Son of Mad Men creator Matt Weiner (LOVING the show Daddy-O!), Arlo's wardrobe is almost understandably vintage dapper chic.  He displays an intriguing perchance for velvet, plaid, bow ties and top hats which he regularly wears to school! 

At the same time, GQ's Most Stylish 8 Year Old and mini-Weiner is unsettlingly mature in his skin and clearly not your average parentally-styled celebrity child.  Seemingly naturally sartorially gifted, he EXPLAINS one particular outfit to a reporter:

"Even though the tie and the jacket are different colours, they're both striped, so I thought they looked right together"  

Adult males, feel free to jot down some style tips:

Don't Mind the Silence

{Chocolate yumminess from Cannelle et Vanille}

Sorry about not updating for the past (almost) week... have been a bit TOO busy celebrating the big birthday :)

But LOTS of great presents to post about so stay tuned!! 

p/s : Thank you again to my lovely friends - you all have great taste in gifts....

Non-Buyer Regret

I'm quoting a little email from my gal pal M, in its entirety, about this post on WhoWearWhat just because it gives me a giggle every time I read it:

"I really want that black vest!!! sigh.... and the white shirt. hell... i love the entire philip lim outfit! sigh.."

I must confess that I too glanced wistfully at my mobile and started time-zone conversions when I saw the price of that vest. If however you live in the USA, then there's absolutely no excuse : DIAL NOW

*Update 22/4/09:  The Target vest is now available online (here)

Shoe Lust: Tristan Blair Studded Boots

Little studs + Platform + Laceup detail = Big Love for Tristan Blair!

Not Much of a Sale

I have a growing gripe with some of these private sale discount websites - a local one in particular. I received a mailer this morning trumpeting a private sale on Marc by Marc Jacobs bags.

Upon investigation, a bunch of their current season bags were being offered with a nominal SGD40 discount. Once you add on the delivery charge, that's a meagre SGD 30 (or about GBP 12 / US 15) off a Grovee Classic Satchel or less than 4%.

Given how much the USD has fallen against the SGD, they're probably just bringing the prices in line with the actual USD value. I'm sure every little bit counts, but that's a pretty paltry discount for an 'exclusive' website where 'discounted luxury is not an oxymoron'. I guess they really are offering 'UP TO 25% off"...

If anyone wants to know the name of the offending website - drop me an email...

Race Toward the Aisle

Vera Wang has slashed prices 40-50% in response to the recession. This isn't even a sale! Apparently the gowns will now regularly start at US$3,600 instead of US$5,500 in the good ol days.

It remains to be seen if The Link Wedding over here will follow suit, but here's my response:

Run. Now. (if engaged)

[Image source]

Le Smoking Chic

This is a bit old but I'm catching up on my mag reading and am loving this spread in French Vogue's April09 issue. Yes, the issue featured in the CNN documentary on Carine.

Is it just me or do this remind you of Britney in her crazed & pregnant stage?