I *heart* DIY

Be a milliner and turn some ill-advised buys / charity clothes and bags into lovable headpieces. I'm thinking this idea can be adapted for headbands, brooches and necklaces... DIY weekend project ahoy!
{c/o Refinery29}

Lust List (Halfway through 2009)

I'm trying to cut back on the fast fashion so I can finally show some love for the designers on my lust list (what isn't helping is Alexa Chung strolling the streets of NYC in the Barbera Hulanicki for Topshop dress I wilfully passed on as part of this new shopping resolution) :

1. Something from Camilla Skovgaard - am partial towards her new styles with "teeth"

2. Something from Vice & Vanity - Ever since I realised their workshop is just round the corner, I've been gathering girlfriends for a V&V shopping excursion later this month.

3. Totally out of my budget (and a bit "been there, have that" for most bagaholics) is the Balenciaga First in Noir. Also, the Purse Forum is also an evil EVIL place - but there are genuine Balenciaga deals abound. Even at a discount, this is a hefty purchase and at that price the City seems a more worthwhile investment? SIGH

For now (and until my poor bank balance looks a tad healthier), let's just relish Kate rocking the First:
{images c/o wonderlandlondon.blogspot.com & richienickel}

The Redemption Of B

Wow. Leighton Meester, you are SO back from the Metro Ball disaster.

Love the boots!

Style Inspiration: 02.06.2009

I must remember to try this when next attending a theme party.  It's a chic (and not at all naff) way to wear one of those generic party masks!

{source}

Shoe Lust: Sienna Miller in Nicholas Kirkwood

I must confess that I'm a bit of a shopping snob - as much as I delight in my favourite shoe designers getting some overdue fame, a little part of me woes the day that this acclaim translates into Steve Madden / Charles & Keith rolling out their "inspired" versions.

Halle Berry in Camilla Skovgaard, Sienna Miller in Nicholas Kirkwood, Cheryl Cole in Rupert Sanderson and Gwyneth in Georgina Goodman... While we can (just barely) still term these shoe designers as "emerging", let's celebrate the absolute lustworthiness of Sienna's gold Kirkwoods at the MTV Movie Awards:

Sienna's outfit is a little Jennifer Connelly circa a few months ago, but that's probably just me being bitter about the shoes...
{Images c/o Just Jared}

Shoe Lust : More Halle Berry in Camilla Skovgaard

There's certainly no such thing as stopping at one pair of Camilla Skovgaard heels! The gold ones that Halle Berry made Jay Leno sniff certainly were just her first.

We didn't have to wait long for Halle to make headlines again - Miss Decade of Hotness made out with Jamie Fox onstage at Spike TV's "Guy's Choice" Awards.
Fret not plebians, these magnificent midnight blue heels are still available at Shopbop. Alas, only large sizes are left *boo*

Camilla's PR team must be popping the champagne - can you say 'kerching'?

{images c/o Just Jared}

Quick Fix : Men

I know a couple of guys, including the BF, who are constantly on the lookout for decently-sized, well-made messenger bags which don't resemble the Crumplers that everyone is carrying, and which don't cost an arm and leg.

Check out Urban Outfitter's Sale this weekend for these bargains:

East West Messenger - Now US$29.99

Canvas Leather Messenger - Now US$29.99

While you're there, feel free to pick up a pair of Wayfarers for US$3.99. They're a bit last season but perfectly priced for stylish beach bumming :)

{image c/o Style.com - for a duffle similar to the one pictured, check out OAK's a.ok}

Style Inspiration : 28.05.09

Don't these snaps of Chloe Sevigny just make you want to grab the nearest swash of fabric to make a oversized bow belt? *heart* 

That said, is it just me or is Chloe looking a little Evan Rachel Wood in these pics... maybe it's the uniformly over-blonde hair and slightly ajar pout... 

On a completely unrelated note, my little sis has just agreed to let me get all Tim Gunn as part of her, admittedly overdue, wardrobe revamp!  I cannot possibly (or coherently) convey how excited I am at this prospect!!

{images c/o Elle.com}

B.R. / A.R. : More Shoes, Anyone?

Lust: Balmain Lace-Ups - very much like *those* Ann Demeulemeester ones which are (naturally) sold out everywhere. 

That said, I can't quite wrap my head around the fact that these are over US$1000 when on SALE. But I suppose they are python...

Must:  Target Lace-Ups sandals US$24.99 - I'm going to shamefully chalk this one up as a "wet weather option".  They pass the Camille approval test too :)

Like Tiffany, But Knot

I'm going through a BIG necklace mood, but this made me go "awww".

Understated enough to wear with any of your other necklaces, and decently priced!

In times like these, who'd want to splash on the ole blue box anyway? Not least since their EP range has been copied to death by every silversmith in town...

Auf Wiedersehen Germany, Hello Singapore!

When I attended alldressedup's SS09 fashion show a couple of months back, I had no clue that Germany's Next Top Model were busy filming clips of their final 3. Singapore was the exotic foreign stop and venue for the walk-off in Episode 15, which precedes the Finale.

Am really elated for the talented Sven Tan and his team of designers. What a great platform for their gorgeous line! Plus, is that a Vice & Vanity necklace I spy in the final photoshoot? YAY local talent!!

More images of the finalists in Singapore and their photoshoot at Haw Par Villa (I think!):

{images from Germany's Next Top Model}

Don't Make Me Choose : American Idol

 : 

Adam Lambert : Kris Allen 

= 

Rick Owens Croc Vest : Lanvin Sneakers 

I'd initially picked Jack Purcells to represent Kris but since this was the finals, I'm showing him a little designer love :)    {available here & here}

B.R. / A.R. : Buckle Up Those Shoes

The recession is a funny thing - people start looking for safe items with "legs" that will take them past the trend, or they swing far left and buy crazy fabulous.

I'll get to those Rodarte boots another day (which should just be called Those Fabulous Crotchless Leather Slacks) but for now the pre-occupation seems to be with buckles on shoes. Not your schoolgirl mary-jane buckles mind you, these are big, bold and threaten to give even the slimmest of ankles self-doubt!

Let's start with the Chloe Sevigny's FW09 design for Opening Ceremony: 9 buckles for US$600 , toe to mid-calf, the more the merrier!


Weighing in with 4 buckles, the similarly styled Surface To Air wedges are proving equally popular and on pre-order (US$360):

Georgina Goodman presented a 2-buckle style for FW09. Don't scoff at the slight buckle count - her design features massively chunky straps, plus a colourway variation in taupe/fuschia! Because the design is so understated and all... (love her!)


Where would recession reality be without a fast fashion knock-off? Forever 21 is first out of the gates in this case with their take on the Chloe Sevignity - 5 buckles! While I can't speak for its originality or quality, at US$28.90, this option will certainly provide the most buck(le) for your bang:
{Images from Style Profiles ; Style Bubble & Dazed Digital}

Midweek Sunshine #3

Image: NYmag

I wish I looked like this first thing in the morning, or all the time really... DARN my bad hair day!!

Bye Bye Baylene

One of my favourite local brands is saying goodbye after 30 May. I've been wearing Baylene's designs since she opened a boutique in Stamford House in 2003.

Admittedly, a good portion of my income has gone towards her jackets, vests and shirts *grin*

So I'm wearing an early Baylene vest for posterity today - still love the button details down the back and the soldier flaps (a very blurred pic, sorry):

Also seen: Bleeding love white earrings from Vincci in Malacca - only RM15, shirt from Australia, Forever21 denim shorts and my (in the midst of being broken in) Rupert Sanderson platform pumps