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.

Keeping Things in Perspective

Sometimes... when I might have shopped a *little* too much... I take a moment to remember Mia's Two Towers (of Hermes & Chanel), which is arguably a more awe-inspiring sight than Middle Earth could ever conceive. I am humbled.

p/s I can't wait to debut my Parisian Pick-Me-Up #3... can't be hard to guess what it is, eh? :)  

The Man at Work

{pc: tfs}

The Kaiser himself:

A fitting at Chloe with Inès de la Fressange, 1983 Paris;

Shooting the Chanel Spring 2011 Presskit, Paris;

V magazine party, 2010 Paris;

Walking the runway, 1997 Paris; and
With Anna at FIT Couture Council's Annual Luncheon, 2010 NYC.

Tick Tock

Doing reconnaissance in preparation for my whirlwind trip to Paris is proving to be informative, but damaging for my wallet. With every option eliminated from my "wish list", I find another in its place.

Firstly, I've resolve that as great an investment (and ideal) as having a Chanel 2.55 is, the price and style just doesn't quite sit with me. I was even strangely underwhelmed with the feel of the leather when I popped into their Takashimaya S.C. boutique. Maybe I'd romanticised the idea of buying Chanel in Paris, or maybe it was the visual assult of sighting that bag (or a derivative) on every other arm when attending cocktails. Sacriligous or not, I think I'm finally retiring my Chanel dreams.

Next up were two of the bags of the moment - the Celine Cabas and Classic Box. Both are lovely to the touch and I dare say the leather felt more supple than that of the 2.55! Unfortunately, the Cabas was definitely too large for my petite frame and the Classic (well in light faun at least) just didn't have enough oomph for its pretty price.

Having mentally saved myself ten grand, I chanced upon a Celine SA unpacking two-tone ankle-strap wedges in a covetable chocolate brown/black combination. The size - mine, the effect - leg lengthening fabulous, the price - slightly scary... and naturally, these went straight to the top of my Paris wish list!

I haven't been able to find a photo of this dreamy creation but if the two Celine styles above had a lovechild, that would be it :)

Cheery Pic for an UnCheery Me

This is literally the first time in close to 60-hours that I've managed to sit up, let alone type at the MacBook after being hit with a combined wave of fever and nausea not seen since the Exorcist (I).

In fact, so glued to the bed was I that I couldn't even bring myself to browse the latest Elle or watch my dvd of Grey Gardens. I promise to get back to bright, shiny and frivolous pursuits of life but in the meanwhile, it's more porridge and back to bed for me...

{pc: chanel}

Chanel-lo

Such bliss it is when your biggest decision of the weekend is the choice between Chanel's Khaki Rose or Khaki Brun for the afternoon's mani/pedi. All thanks to galpal J's dogged discipline to trek down to Marina Bay Sands on a Sunday morning. No complaints here :)

The Cover: Jon Hamm & Rebecca Hall on W

This certainly woke me up this morning... I can't fathom how The Town co-stars Rebecca Hall and Jon Hamm aren't as pedestaled and constantly headlining movies - they are simply gorgeous and dashing. This lighthandedly-touched W cover (which some magazines should take a note from) is an exaltation to raw, natural beauty.

I'm taking a small pleasure in the fact that my personal fave foundation - Chanel Teint Innocence - was credited for Hall's glow. Now off to the store for the Quadra Eye Shadow in Smoky Eyes and Rouge Coco lipstick (Chintz) to complete to look. That Hall is only a gentle 28 is slightly nauseating but I do rather relish her nonchalant, intellectual beauty.

Superlatives aside, I'll leave you on this Sunday to gaze at debonair Hamm, who pours out such Don Draper-worthy charmers as 'To be able to read and talk about complicated things is sexy. It’s not just having a pair of bolt-on-tits' and 'Part of being an adult is treating women like women.'

*swoon*

Wardrobe Lust: Taylor Jacobson

It may be called The Rachel Zoe Project, but the wardrobe I'm coveting belongs to Taylor Jacobson - Rachel's long suffering, often grumpy, Wayfarer-sporting Styling Associate.  I love that her looks are hard, but never forced.  

Beneath that bile spewing veneer (remember: "I'd rather slit my wrists than attend the Oscars"), she's actually rather pretty and has some kind of rockin' body!  Of course, ready access to rails of Balenciaga, Givenchy, Chanel and Alexander Wang doesn't hurt one's style.  Catch Season 2 on Youtube now!

(from top: Victor & Rolf embellished blazer; Fendi striped dress; YSL Muse; Alexander Wang jacket; black Balenciaga Arena Maxi Besace; leopard Dior dress; Chanel jacket; Givenchy Couture ombre leopard blazer) (pc: tfs)

Spotted: Alexa Chung!

I could not love this look more - completely work appropriate, but with a touch of fun!  The lovely folks at MTV have credited that brilliant (read: soon to be mine) Chanel-esque cardigan as borne of London duo PPQ.  

Don't even get me started on her Marni mary-janes which are giving me heartache as galpal F scored the similarly styled YSL Tribute heels in Hong Kong.  I was *this* close to mugging a friend.  

B.R. / A.R. : Black Leather Backpack

I seem to be going through a spat of Chanel baglust of late: Not for those plastic framed ones at the FW09 show, but this delicious quilted backpack!

No word on the price but it's likely to be prohibitively expensive, which I know is partially what makes it *special*. Also, this is a very youthful style so I'm not sure how much use I'll get out of it once I move past my Alexa Chung period.

That said, I'd still be tempted to mug a privileged youth if I saw them totting their books around in the Chanel ;)

In the meanwhile, I'm considering these alternatives:

Tiffany & Co - US$475

Jerome Dreyfuss - US$1,095.00
(which at that price, one is better off saving for the Chanel)

M.S. by Martine Sitbon - US$200 (on sale!)

Eau No!

I've always been partial to Chanel for it's timeless elegance, and indeed their 2.55 is on the wishlist of most women out there.

All my "Chanel can do no wrong" impressions have evaporated with this... er... joke?

PR-wise, it's a great tactic to release this preview pic to ensure everyone will be watching their show today in Paris to witness all the variations of this Mattress Bag. I suppose it's also nice to see they're at least aware of its resemblance, rather than having that be an (unfortunate) unintended coincidence.

Bag Lust : Chanel Tie Dye

I'm far and away much more of a shoes girl - but this absolutely took my breath away!

Recently reviewed by Bag Snob, this pale pink beauty is so delicately tie dyed that it's made me forget about my general confusion/hatred with tie dye and all the nonsense other attempts we've seen this season.

Am *this* close to breaking the bank for this bag - Is it strange that I'm coveting this somewhat impractically coloured piece more than the classic black 2.55?

Pushing Me Over the Edge

I've been lusting for the Chanel FW08 two-tone tights since I saw them on the runways about one year ago but I keep telling myself it ain't worth the price and it's a one time trend *resist, resist*

A recent post on Jack & Jill from NY Fashion Week reminded me why I love the look so very much - which means I'm probably finally going to cave and get the Urban Outfitters version (which, incidentally, is on sale now for US$9.99).

Drop Red Gorgeous

If I had the occasion (and height), I'd love to find space in my budget and closet for this vintage Chanel gown from Rice & Beans Vintage. Not too frou-frou - it has a simple silhouette - so it'll do just fine styled the way of Blake Lively with tousled hair and a small clutch.

I'm also in awe of the hidden boning (for shape) and ribbons (to prevent wardrobe malfunctions) that went into this gown!


Something on the same site moderately less pricey, but still adorable is a gold Ferragamo bracelet which highlights different iconic Ferragamo shoe styles in each panel. Yum...