They're here........

Great news for Wellington!

xxo

Trilogy Red....

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love nail-polish - and here's why......

I'll let you in on a little secret:  I used to bite my nails furiously, ferociously, relentlessly!  And I didn't stop at the nail.....oh no........I kept right on going, gnawing my nails to the (figurative) bone!  I tell you, it got to the point where I would hide my hands, dreading the looks of horror that they invariably elicited from anyone who caught a glimpse.  But THEN............

I painted my nails!  That was all it took to cure me of my cannibalistic* habits!  I took one look at my pretty nails and simply couldn't bear to hurt them - I was cured, forever!!

Anyway, getting back to the point - today I was presented with a fabulous free gift - a glorious red nail-polish, and interestingly, it is a collaboration between nail-care giants Orly, and Trilogy, that ever-so-popular beauty brand from Down Under!  I am a HUGE fan of collaborations - indeed, following the enormous success of the recent pairing of Karen Walker and Beau Coops, I wait with anticipation to see who will combine their talents next!  Hmmmmm........."Cybele for Glassons" perhaps
xxo

* Apparently, (according to Answers.com), it is not actually called 'cannibalism' if you eat yourself!  No, it is referred to as 'autophagia'!  Now you know.


UPDATE:  I thought it worth letting you know that amazingly, this nailpolish stayed put for over two weeks - two weeks, it should be mentioned, during which I did the gardening, sans gloves, and mowed the lawns!  
My verdict?  I am fairly impressed!!!! 

Diamonds are forever.....

.....as are memories, and here is a distant memory from a time long past - London Fashion Week ss10/11!  This was a glimpse of Marina (of Marina and the Diamonds), before I had ever heard her fabulous music!  The clashing combo of colours ensures that this is an outfit that people will notice - and being noticed is a definite speciality of the British designer Ashish!

And may I just say that while the whole 'black-lipstick-thing' never really seemed to get off the ground, I think it looks really cool!  But alas, while I completely love this look, I never quite had the balls to actually attempt it myself??

xxo

Loving Mondays

It was a joyous day indeed when (a few years ago now) Cheap Monday arrived in Wellington.  At LAST it was possible to find a pair of jeans that fit well, constructed from great denim, that you didn't need to take out a second mortgage to purchase!  I had long wondered why, WHY was it that cheap affordable meant ugly "stylishly challenged" when it came to jeans!  This seemed to be the impossible dream......

And along came Cheap Monday.  Great cut, great denim, fantastic range.....in a word, jean heaven (alright, two words....)

So first there was the unisex denim range, and the only real problem with it was that it was constantly selling out!  Jeans were flying out the door as fast as they were coming in, and I am ashamed to admit that, as much as I wanted to share the good news that was Cheap Monday with my friends, I simply couldn't risk the competition....

Slowly, more of the label began filtering through: soft cotton t-shirts, leather shorts etc.  And now we have the sunglasses.  Great styles, great quality, GREAT price.....in a word, shades heaven (alright - two words!!!)

xxo

Canon Couture

I was at London Fashion Week this year, and while you may have read that this or that was the latest 'must-have' accessory - for example the backpack - I can assure you that there was but ONE thing that stood out head and shoulders above all the rest.......the camera.

The silky webbed strap was generally seen in either a black, white & red, or a striking gold and black combination, and could be worn casually over one shoulder or around the neck; slung across the body, or casually wound around the wrist; low on the hip or higher, (like Paul McCartney's guitar).  Logos and brand names have pride of place, and while black is the most frequent colour, there were also plenty of retro silver options, alongside a smaller, more colourful compact range.  As with all accessory trends there were plenty who went for over the top large, with enormous lenses in a fashionable grey stripe, but I have to say that, as with heavy padlocks on a Chloe bag, I see repetitive strain-type-injuries for those that tote these monstrosities around for too long!

Oh - and as with many other accessories, Hermes has come up with a pretty covetable offering!

xxo

Chanel dreaming....

Aaaaaaaaaah!  What can I say?  I'm in love - with a DRESS!  A beautiful, blue, Chanel dress!

This Chanel is a little piece of heaven really.  The floaty net fabric, the muted dusty lavender tone, the empire line, the delicate beading - it is a true classic.  Indeed, I was really struck by how ultimately timeless it is.   You wouldn't be at all surprised to see this dress in a faded photo from the 1900's, the 1920's, the 1950's..... 

There is always some debate in New Zealand as to what the rules are when dressing for an event, and deciphering the dress code maze is not really our forte as a nation.  Indeed, as a country we are notorious for our under-dressing (& I don't mean our stylish lingerie!!!) - jeans to opening night of the ballet anyone?  I can clearly recall my childhood dismay upon glimpsing the informal outfits on display when I attended my first ever opening night at Wellingtons Opera House.  I yearned for Chanel - I got blue denim! 

Of course, I think it is highly unlikely that I will ever be fortunate enough to own, or even wear a dress such as this, but....well.... a girl can always dream, right?  Sighhhhhhhhhhh..........

xxo

Top of the town

It certainly is exciting that Topshop has finally reached NZ shores*, (even if it is a small collection within another store).  Once merely a British High St brand, Topshop is now loved worldwide, for a variety of reasons.  Here are a few of mine:

Firstly - It is a brand that really lets you play with fashion, offering a phenomenal collection of garments from the sublime to the ridiculous.  

Second - Topshop is well known for it's support of up-&-coming designers, giving many fledgling labels a foothold in the industry that it would have been virtually impossible for them to gain otherwise.  

But the thing I love about the brand the most is that it allows many of us the opportunity to own a slice of designer heaven that would normally be well out of our reach (for example the Christopher Kane designed dress above)!   Yes - god bless those wonderful designer collaborations!  And god bless Topshop!!!

xxo

* I should note that while Topshop arrived in New Zealand months ago, it only recently made its way to Wellington.  Thank you to you Karen Walker!

Lucy In Disguise, Covent Garden, London

Lily Allens new venture with her sister - a place to either hire, or buy, both vintage clothes and items that she herself has worn.  It is also a place that is looking good!!  

xxo

Soho, London

If there is one colour that I love to see in autumn it would be orange.  It shines out like a warm light on those cold rainy days, & it makes me smile*.  

It is also wonderful to see Wellington boots (or gumboots as they are known in New Zealand) out & about.  This is a 'trend' I am particularly pleased about;  It gives me a way of managing to be both practical & fashionable whilst freezing on the sidelines at my nephews saturday morning soccer games!

xxo

* It particularly makes me smile when it is nestled amongst the black & camel tones which form to create the Burberry tartan! :-)

LFW SS/11

LFW SS/11 Day 5 #2

The incomparable Erin O'Connor in Marc Jacobs....

LFW SS/11 Day 5

LFW SS/11 Day 1 - Epilogue

Things I Love To Do In London #2

I love walking past the Topshop windows late at night.....when they glow with inspiration & style - a fashion beacon!

London Fashion Week: Day One