The Sun is Out (And So is My Card)

{source}

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!

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}

Meow.

Let's call it like it is: Leopard bags or shoes are fun but, fundamentally, it's hard to pull of leopard right. I'd say, potentially, only Gwen Stefani has managed to stun in a leopard cocktail dress.

But when everyone's favourite California girl Rachel Bilson stepped out at the Roberto Cavalli's party in Paris, only three words came to mind: Va. Va. Voom.

{tfs}

Fastest Fingers First: Isabel Marant Boots

I might have officially sold my soul to The Outnet - for the price of Etoile Isabel Marant leather slouchy boots.

Ok, in my defence: It was raining, I was severely carb-deprived and had mulled & thrudged through most of the yesterday without any mobile phone. All valid reasons to invest in tan boots which I'd been scouring for years, of course.

For anyone with a similar weak will, they come in black too! Considering they were only GBP107 (after a hefty 65% off) , a and absolutely on-trend for Fall/Winter (and my European holiday - cough, cough), I'm praying they fit because this would bring Rachel Bilson sartorial similarities/admiration to a whole new level... *fingers crossed*

{pc: tfs; musing mutley}

Actress Off Duty

I might have developed an mild fascination with observing several actress' off-duty looks. The less they look like they've been touched with a stylist's hand, the more I'm intrigued with what clothing or bag they'll turn up in. It's not necessarily about "following" their style - it's more of a healthy dose of self-confidence when you realise you're dressed like Rachel Bilson :)

Then again, there are moments of true actress-envy: witness Clemence's single-handed ability to entice me back into Balenciaga motorcycle bags. If there was a Facebook group endorsing slinging your City strap over the shoulder - hereinafter 'Clemence-style'- instead of having the handle hooked on your inner arm, sign me up!

{pc: tfs}

Wish Fulfillment: Big & Black

Yes, it's one of those weeks when I was grateful I even made it into the office on Tuesday. But this means more daydreaming about the European Shop-a-thon!! I'm attempting to rationalise and strategise my way to a complete wardrobe of classics, which leads me to my first roadblock: I want a larger, horizontal black leather bag. The Mulberry A4 tote sits portrait on my shoulder whereas my Dautore is all curves. I want room for my gear. And I don't want to bankrupt myself. So just your average criteria ;)

Rachel Bilson's nonchalantly slung Chanel is my current obsession, but it'll mean shaving off a chunk off my holiday budget. Then again, OAK NYC have just listed a wallet-friendly option which might just do the trick:

PROs: It's cheap(er) - US$272, leather, handmade in Europe (Yes, I'm pretending it's part of the European trip...) and looks mountains like Mulberry's Elkington briefcase!

CONs: It's definitely a briefcase/messenger. A briefcase is a briefcase is a briefcase. And it's not as interesting as the Chanel.

*Sigh*

Cuter Than Rachel Bilson As Tinkerbell

I'm considering these insanely adorable navy polka-dot slacks from Vagabond NYC as my reward for dropping any Christmas weight by Chinese New Year.  Well, at the moment it's more like building up the resolve and incentive to do morning runs.  

I suspect the waist measurement might be a bit overly ambitious given the time frame I have, but I would love a vintage Giorgio Armani; in the occasional wisdom of Rachel Zoe, I'm waiting to have "a navy moment".  I miss that show (read: Taylor). 

Oldie But Goodie

I am beyond thrilled that Rachel Bilson's guesting on HIMYM this week - R.I.P.  O.C. 

(pc: tfs)

Model vs. Actress: Costume Institute Gala 2009

There's been wide speculation and some discussion of late on how actresses are quickly displacing models as the choice cover, or the face of campaigns. Perhaps the cult of celebrity is to blame for the demise of the supermodel, perhaps digital imagery has negated the need for the perfect face/body.

But who actually comes up trumps in the style department?

How timely then is the theme of this year's Costume Institute Gala: "The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion". This could well be one lavish opportunity to remind everyone the importance of The Model. Zoolander style, let's take to the red carpet for the ultimate "walk-off":

Round 1 - Short & Sweet

Models Hilary Rhonda, Anja Rubik & Jessica Stam:

Similar to SJP's flower dress in the SATC movie

So on-trend

She's wearing my favourite Nicholas Kirkwoods! 'Nuff said

vs. Actresses Rachel Bilson, Molly Sims & Anne Hathaway:

Too cocktail dress for the MET

Eww...

Anne does her best impersonation of a fembot

Winner of Round 1: Models

Round 2: The Evening Gown

Models Oluchi Onweagba, Chanel Iman & Agyness Deyn:

Regal & beautiful

Hard to pull of a printed gown but Chanel Iman does it effortlessly

Valley of the Dolls goddess

vs. Actresses Marion Cotillard , Kate Bosworth, Ashley Olsen:

French perfection

She may be plugging her own label, but I adore this gown!

Veronica Lake would be proud. Plus I'm a lace whore...

Winner of Round 2: Tough but I'm going to say the Actresses
(must be all that award show practice)

Round 3: Black & White

Models Anna V & Angela Lindvall:

YES as ecstatically as Kara after an Adam Lambert on Rock night

Fabulous!

vs. Diana Kruger & Eva Longoria :

Like the dress but a tad boring in the styling department.
Josh Jackson though is arguably the only accessory needed...

She looks amazing but again a bit boring.

Winner of Round 3: Models!

Round 4: Guts & Gumption

Models Sasha Pivovarova, Karen Elson, Kate Moss:

People will say she looks like a bird but I kinda like this...

This is really excellent couple dressing!

I want a turban now! (Behold the power of Kate)

vs. Actresses Leighton Meester, Blake Lively, Rachel Weiz, Mary Kate Olsen:

(1) Was there no mirror available ?! (2) Leighton should go back to being brunette.

Wrong makeup, Wrong colour

Blake really needs to edit her choices. She's always trying too hard.

Extra points should be deducted considering how great her sis looked!

Winner: Can't you tell? MODELS!
Ladies, leave the avante garde to the professionals

Special Mention: A Mixed Bag for Musicians

Rihanna in menswear is YAY fierce.

Madonna with rabbit ears is definitely NAY.
(I considered listing her under Round 4's Actress category but that would be too much of a handicap...)

Victoria Beckham is a Maybe.
I love MJ (as you know) but on her, she looks like she's pooping fabric...