“Those eyelashes weren’t even trying to look real. No, they were full-on, all-out diva lashes, the kind you normally find on D-list celebrities or in drag-act dressing rooms.” The Timesonline about First Lady Michelle Obama!
“I don’t object to the fact that Mrs. Obama is wearing J. Crew…You don’t go to Buckingham Palace in a sweater.” Oscar De La Renta whining in WWD because the First Lady doesn’t wear his clothes. All out Diva
“Apparently, in this part of the world, there are whole factions of housewives who are desperate to get their hands on Balmain. ‘Like crack,’ someone put it” Style.com on a trip to Russia.
“Shoulder pads are the sartorial equivalent of the power ballad — uplifting, life-affirming, singing-in-the-shower-style confidence-giving, and totally and utterly designed for a female audience” Gemma Soames in the Sunday Times a week of wearing Balmain in the real world. Like Crack.
“It all begins with the shoe. Marc Jacobs begins with shoes because shoes start the silhouette…I love all shoes, except shoes that look like orthopedics.” Style.com editor Candy Pratts Price. Singing-in-the-shower-style confidence-giving shoes! Like Crack.
“I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to be when I grew up. I just knew I wanted to be on the top, calling the shots, financially independent and be able to buy my own Manolo Blahniks,” Candy Pratts Price said. Read an interview here
“Golf is really like sex … If it’s bad, it’s still sex.”Justin Timberlake, describing his favourite pastime to Oprah. Uplifting, life-affirming Golf is like a Balmain jacket.
SALES SALES SALES SALES SALES SALES SALES SALES
The Bally Outlet store is having a sale ! That means a double, double deal. Rush here for even more reductions on fabulous shoes, bags, chic ready to wear pieces, and drool-a-licious accessories.
Where: 8 Canal Road St Peters, Sydney. 9557 7935
CK Calvin Klein : mid season sale from wed 8th April with 40% off.
Where: Sydney Central Plaza Shopping Centre
450 George Street, Sydney. 8224 2000
Mimco Sale Online Instore and Online from April 8. Up to 50% OFF
What is the point of eating cheap and nasty chocolate? What a waste of calories. If you are going to indulge you should make it worth while. Which is why this Easter you will adore this pretty, little edible nest made from ‘fine dark chocolate with delicious crisp shelled eggs filled with a chocolate hazlenut ganache.’ Divine.
$39 Mazet de Montargis Nest from Simonjohnson.com.au
I love beauty products that will do double duty. For Earth Hour I opened up the handy ModelCo Lip Lights and then used it as a head torch. Now I love the new Lancôme Ôscillation mascara. Everyone has been talking about it so I wanted to try it for myself. What makes it so special? It’s a mascara with a vibrating brush! Press a little button on the wand and you activate 7000 oscillations per minute. They say “In one easy gesture, the vibrating brush will wrap every lash up to 360°. Instantly you see an eye opening gaze: lashes appear infinitely extended, remarkably separated, and visibly multiplied in number”. I say it feels soft and tickly and my lashes do look longer. Plus the brush separates the lashes so you don’t have that ugly, clumped together look. Best news? When you’ve used it up, replace the battery and the vibrating brush will do double duty: it’s perfect for cleaning the tiles in the bathroom.
$65 Lancôme Oscillation Mascara from major department stores.
Doitinparis.com
Love this new site ! “Fashionable Parisians (and those who wish they were) now have a new online cheat sheet. Launched in March by Véronique Roger-Vasselin-Constantinoff — former fashion editor in chief for Atmospheres magazine and onetime style consultant for Le Bon Marché — Doitinparis.com is a whimsical, mostly Left Bank take on style, much in the spirit of Daily Candy.
“Paris is the capital of fashion and art de vivre, and yet I found nothing on the net that captured that,” she said. “This site is about sharing the real Parisienne’s Paris, her lifestyle, fashion outlook, bistros, boutiques and addresses. It reflects the insider’s world.” from WWD.
Backwards in High Heels: The Impossible Art of Being Female by Sarah Vine,Tania Kindersley
“This a book for women who never got around to perfecting the art of domestic divinity but would quite like to be able to cook supper for six without having a nervous breakdown; who never quite mastered Cosmo’s 101 ways to please your man, but don’t want the embarrassment, not to say inconvenience, of him running off with a 19-year-old Russian supermodel. It’s your mother, your best friend, your guru and your shrink wrapped up in book form, with jokes.It’s the antidote to every stupid, boring, reductive magazine article you’ve ever read, or every silly, hair-twirling, chick lit confection about girls called Arabella who marry bankers and live in Gstaad. It’s for women who love their children but don’t want them to run their lives; and for women who love their lives and won’t have them run by children. It’s about revising expectations, exploding myths and generally dealing with all that life, love and other people have to throw at you.” Love it.
£8.24 www.amazon.co.uk Publisher: Fourth Estate Ltd (19 Feb 2009)
Mark Borthwick:Not in Fashion …..by Mark Borthwick.
“Mark Borthwick is among the generation of photographers who in the ’90s broke through the conventions of fashion photography. Integrating elements of architecture and design, he has developed a very personal and intuitive style, and knows how to turn a static photo into a performance. His work is about the movement of the model, and the serendipity of accidental clutter is as important to his images as the garments. This book showcases over 200 images from Borthwick’s best fashion editorials, celebrity portraits, and advertising work, as well as excerpts from his personal journals. The journal pages, consisting of Polaroids, sketches, and notes on shoots, reveal the workings of a photographer’s mind—the “behind the scenes” of the makings of a fashion image”. Chic.
$31Amazon.com/ Publisher: Rizzoli (March 17, 2009)
Sussan
It’s looking so much more ‘fashion’ here…
Best picks include:
- The fabulous black all in one jumpsuit, waisted with a self belt and sleeveless kimono sleeves $139. The jumpsuit is the hot item du jour and this one looks very flattering. Tip: Unless you are under 25 you must stick to a jumpsuit in darker colours. Wearing a glitter, or bright colour may make people want to jump out of planes ( in fear). As I always recommend; Don’t drink and drive this: That means getting totally undressed every time.
- Check out the silvery black lurex sweater with a deep V neck and a tight, wide rib high band $89. This rib detail will show off your gorgeous slim waist ( before you start on the Easter Eggs) and is perfect with baggier pants. This is a great going out for a drink sweater. A little dressed up but not too snazzy. Wear also with your stomp-a-licious heels and a clutch bag.
- You want the chic de la chic charcoal V neck sweater. A lovely fine knit, this sweater has a small V neck which (means you can wear with nothing under it) and a very Lanvin/Miu Miu esque exposed zip detail with a grosgrain ribbon trim down the back. $79. It also has a clinging rib detail on the hem which means it will sit on your hips or waist so you don’t have that baggy look. And Look fat. There I have said it.
- There is a trench. I am a trench addict. It’s stone, double breasted, with epaulettes and has tortoiseshell buttons. Might be a little short. But I don’t need to tell you: it doesn’t have to be raining to wear a trench. $169
- Love, love, love, the basic long sleeve round neck Tee’s in dark grey and black/ grey stripe. The neck line is higher : not that horrible, unflattering scoop neck which looks shocking under a jacket: Ewww.: A scoop neck will show off too much skin: This Tee will give you a canvas to wear a fabulous neck piece. They are perfect for this trans seasonal weather. $39
- There is a cool Haute Hippy Boho esque caramel fake fur vest : it has a fake suede lining and will look fabulous over a print dress or with the long sleeve Tee’s and high waist peg leg pants. But by the look of the FiFi poll not many people are wearing high waist pants yet. C’Mon try them on: they are seriously flattering!
Cotton On
It’s but cheap but chic heaven
Best buys are:
- The simple, cotton, black sequin tank: layer it over a white tank to tone down the glitz look: You don’t want to look like you are on Dancing with Stars. You don’t Ok? Wear the sequin tank with jeans or with high waist pants for day. Wearing trousers not skirts will dress the glitz down too. Gives the sequins casual edge. $34
- Love the very chic Chanel (yes Chanel) inspired long, cotton, black cardigan with grey trim and cute little buttons: it has long V neck so it will look great over a white Tee. $39
- You want the cute little black trilby for an outrageous $9. Italian Vogue is more expensive than that.
- Love the shag-a-delic faux fur vest $79. See FiFi’s favourite Finds slideshow.
- I spy a navy cotton, very short, one shoulder dress: it has frills running down the shoulder. The one shouldered dress is THE hot lookfor this season and next. You need to add a belt to this. And fabulous long skinny legs. Not sure where to buy them. $49
- In accessories: check out the black cotton oversized slouch bag with a pleather choc brown trim : looks much more expensive than $29 and of course the oversized/aviators sunnies are a fabulous buy for $12
Portmans
I think the accessories are great here. In the clothes you need a fine tooth comb..
My picks are:
- The black high waist peg-leg pants. Love them. I bought them. I am wearing them. Yes, out in public. With a blazer, and heels. With a belt and a knit Tee. And I haven’t taken them off. YSL eat your heart out. $79
- Check out the black leather biker jacket: it actually has a great cut which means it’s softer and feminine and shows off your fabulous figure. It’s not too Hells Angels. (Sshhh Don’t mention the WAR.). Love it over a pretty dress, or with a sexy pencil skirt. Or jeans. $299
- If you are after a simple white classic Tee ( Tip: you are). Then you must buy the one here at Portmans. It’s long so you can shoosh it up on your muffin top. Plus it has a great neckline and it’s stretchy. Comfortable. They say wearing white next to your face takes ten years off. A good a reason as any I ever heard. Hint: No one except models can wear a white Tee alone. You need this to wear under a jacket or a cardigan or knit. Just make sure you are going somewhere you don’t need to take them off. $19
- Check out the fine cotton, long beige, V neck cardigan: very Chanel inspired with a black trim. Love this over the above white tee, with jeans and cute ballet flats. Toss on a peacoat. Chic $69
- In accessories you want the long black gloves $49, so right with your short sleeve jackets.
- There are some fab cheap but chic jewelled cuffs from about $19. Stack them up your wrist and make a statement. One lonely cuff is just too boring. We can’t have you being boring.
- Also buy the large grey bead necklace $24, and the multi strand pearl pewter beads; so very Mobama ( Michelle Obama to you) $49
Business Class
Country Road
You will find all you need for winter right here!
My favourite finds( and new in) this week are:
- The black, wool melton bomber jacket with a hidden zips and epaulettes : this is not so tough looking. It’s a casual bomber jacket. There has been a change of silhouette for the new fashion season and you can see the jackets are shorter because the trousers are more high waisted. Don’t worry you will get used to it. Wear with a sexy pencil skirt and heels. Always monster heels. $249
- Love the fabulous wool melton, military, crop jacket with 8 buttons jacket and chic but subtle military stitching detail.$349. You will live in this. I promise you. It’s not too serious and tailored so it’s right for weekends with jeans, but then you can toss it over your sexy pencil skirt and look chic enough for work. The fabric is soft and great quality. A must buy.
- You want the black, sleeveless, bow silky dress $249. It has a few lines across the front of bows and ribbons, and a narrow scoop neck (which is OK because it’s flattering.) Very Miu Miu esque you should wear this with black opaques and heels.
- There is a fabulous black, short, one button waiter’s jacket: The good news: it has soft but sharp shoulder pads. So pick yourself up from the floor. And get used to it: shoulder pads are baaack. Love this jacket with a white Tee, skinny jeans, black patent heels. Or try it back with the peg leg pants. You can wear this to work if you are a waiter. Then later throw it over a pretty dress $299
- Buy the fabulous wool grey shift dress with a drape front : it is very waisted and has a tulip skirt . So chic ! This is a great dress to wear now in the warmer weather and then into winter under a coat. You have to ditch that over sized loose baggy it’s Ok- I-can-eat-30- almond-croissants look. The new silhouette is narrow and flattering. Start with this dress. The tulip skirt will skim over all those croissants anyway. Add a serious tough double buckle belt and your favourite stilts. $199
- Check out the long sleeve, red, silk paisley hippy YSL esque dress. $249. This is colour! You can wear colour like this: it looks expensive: you can rock it with boots, monster heels or with the faux fur vest as Country Road has done ( which I haven’t seen it instore yet but it must be coming!)
- In accessories: you must have the new choc or black shoulder bag with one strap $279: it’s the new shape bag; And remember when you are wearing shoulder pads your shoulder bag with stay on your shoulder. How clever is that?
Arthur Galan:
So divine in here; the winter collection is all gorgeous.
Best buys are;
- The short, black, leather skirt with military buttons on the edge of the pockets. $449. So cute with long skinny legs. Sorry.
- The fabulous Black wrap leather biker jacket with 2 buttons at the bottom $749. It’s soft and feminine.
- The dark teal blouse with big poets sleeves with a tie neck is just so lovely to wear to work. The big sleeves will drape into any creamy sauce so this is great if you are on a diet. $298
- The prettiest cream raw trim chiffon pleat front blouse with short sleeves, and a high neckline: so beautiful. Wear with sharp skinny trousers. $298
- The Lausannne tweed, very fitted jacket with a peplum is quite divine. It has a round neck line and hook and eye fastenings up the front. It has very wide big sleeves Also in black $598. So chic. So right. So you must have it.
- Love the flirty panelled full skirt in black wool melton $239. it’s a little bit Alaia and sits flat on the muffin top which hides it and then flirts out. Love with a crop jacket or a leather jacket.
- Buy the fur waistcoat right now. Nuf said.
- There are some fabulous black dresses here; my pick is the one with silk leaf halter neck dress for a more dressed up look.
- Or try the chic grey paisley print chiffon dress with big poets sleeves and a tie neck .$400
- Love the batwing, nylon puffa jacket with a rib trim : perfect for serious winter dressing $$.
Bettina Liano:
The new winter collection is slowly coming in store and there are some great classic pieces:
My picks are:
- The black, wool jersey, double breasted Chanel style jacket with gold buttons. So chic! It has a round collarless neckline, is about ¾ in length with patch pockets on the front $495. It’s called a Park Avenue jacket and I think they are right. It’s in the soft jersey which gives it a casual edge. Like a cardigan jacket
- The black biker jacket with a zip front and a rib trim, and epaulettes. Hot ! $750
- Love the very YSL inspired sleeveless jacket. It has its own fabric belt and it’s in a cotton twill $375. You need a sleeveless jacket this season because it’s perfect for wearing now in Autumn over a long sleeve T. Then swap that for a knit when it gets cold.
- Buy the high waist black pants with a baggy front pleats and very 80’s: for you. $295
- Check out the fabulous wool melton, double breasted, blazer with gold buttons , almost like a captain’s jacket: Love it $520
- If you have the legs then hop into the short denim shorts with orange stitching $195. if you don’t put that that Hot cross bun!
- And red and navy silk dress with a Peter pan collar in a check print and a tunic shape is very pretty…
Max and Co is on sale and I see a lot of fabulous buys…
First Class
Bally:
It’s bag and shoe heaven here. Fabulous quality for great prices.
My favourite pieces are:
- The amazing slouchy Python bag in a soft coral with two handles and gold hardware $3965. Wear this with all black. You want the bag as the focus. No fighting for attention. We hate fights.
- Love the chic de la chic, black suede, round toe heeled boots $995. These are nice and high up the leg. Not too high to walk in (so you can cancel the car and the driver.)
- You want the bronze/gold textured platform peep toe heels with a hidden platform $995. Remember this season it’s about surreal heels, over the top shoes. Life and action on the foot. A party on your feet.
- So you actually need to walk somewhere? You must have the flat, round toe boots with an elastic insert in the side; perfect for winter weekends. Tip: these are great for those who have muffin calves and trouble squeezing into boots. The elastic side will stretch. $795
- You want the divine double handle tote in a kind of leather patch work (almost quilt detail) in soft caramel $1400. The perfect neutral colour to go with everything in your wardrobe. It will lighten up the black , tone down the bright colours and go in peace with the wardrobe.
- Love the lime slouchy tote with gold hardware; so bright and fabulous $1500.
- we all need simple black patent heels with a peep toe and hidden platform $695: see FiFi’s favourite Finds
- You will die, die, die and go to heaven over the beige suede heels with python trim details….
Marni
The amazingly beautiful New spring summer collection is instore:
You want it all but especially..
- The multi flower necklaces: AMAZING from about $700. Some are about $1600. See the collection here at style.com
- The gorgeous black macramé lace skirt (or dress) is too fabulous. $1100. It has little black round circles of cloth held together with stitching. You need to wear something under it …
- Love the pretty orange blouse, so simple in a chic cotton. Orange is one of the hot colours for spring $995
- You want the sleeveless orange and brown jacquard check top with a kind of peplum or frill $1200. Make sure you wear it clashing with other prints. That’s the Marni signature look.
- There is a divine blue stripe straight skirt : wear it by NOT matching it in that inimitable Marni way: She showed it on the runway with a pink vest and a clashing Tee $$
- You will die to have any of the sleeveless graphic print dresses $$.
- Then you will drool over the green and purple slouchy bags as well as the clutch bags.
- Tip: you can wear colour when it’s Marni: it’s so chic.
Belinda Double Bay is on sale….
Givenchy! Miu Miu! Chloe! Stella!
Hot Cross Buns With Nutella and Roasted strawberries…adulterated from taste.com.au
You need for 4 hungry I don’t give a damn about the diet it’s Easter fashionistas.
I punnet of strawberries, hulled, halved
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 hot cross buns, sliced crossways into thirds
1/4 cup of naughty Nutella
1/2 cup Vanilla yoghurt. Or cream.
- Preheat oven to 230°C.
- Line a small roasting tray with baking paper. You want the baking paper because when you roast the strawberries they will start oozing juice.
- Now find a child and bribe them to Hull and halve the strawberries. They would have overdosed on chocolate eggs so they will be hyperactive.
- Toss the strawberries into the pan on the baking paper.
- Sprinkle with naughty but nice sugar and the tiny touch of cinnamon.
- Toss to coat. You could use your fingers. The manicure is probably wrecked from tearing at Chocolate eggs.
- Roast for about 10 minutes until strawberries get soft and mushy and fall over and collapse from all the sugar. You want a bit of syrup ooze out on to the baking paper that’s when they are ready.
- Now toast your buns .
- Then spread each slice with Nutella. Lashings of naughty Nutella
- This is the fun bit: Toss 2 bun slices on each serving plate.
- Spoon the soggy drunk strawberries on top of the nutella.
- Drizzle over the syrup.
- Top with a dollop of yoghurt or cream .
- Heaven.
- Happy Easter !
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