December 2007

Cocktail Dress in Classic Black and White [Just a Formality]

White House, Black Market sells just black, white, or black-and-white apparel.  It’s a narrow focus, but they do their job well, as evidenced by this beautiful print dress…

The trim around the neck and arms (called soutache) is unique and very pretty.  This comes in up to size 16.

White House, Black Market ships worldwide.

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Source: Cocktail Dress in Classic Black and White [Just a Formality]

Catwalk Queen Loving…!

Catwalk Queen editor Gemma Cartwright was the first fashion blogger I ever met when I started Style Bubble and since then, I can only say it’s been a stream of mutual loving.  In their December countdown of blogs, I have shockingly, been given the number 2 position in their Top 100 Fashion and Lifestyle Blogs list (top spot went to MA-HUSSIVE Fashionista).  Apparently I’m deemed to be one of ‘Fashion’s Big Blog Players.’  Look down the list though and my ABSOLUTE favourite blogs are in positions 10-20 ‘Fashion’s Blog Underdogs’ - Mrs Fashion, Kingdom of Style, Disneyrollergirl, Cafe Mode, Daddy Likey etc etc….  these are blogs that aren’t necessarily newcomers and have been blogging as long if not longer than me. 

As a blog commentor and blog reader, I’d like to think that I’m on friendly blogosphere terms with the so-called underdogs.  Though I take it as a high compliment, I do think it’s a bit odd that I’m removed from the aforementioned blogging contemporaries and elevated to a category where I’m in the presence of REALLY shiny shiny blogs (ads, 10 posts a day, better graphic design….).  I do find the idea of someone having never heard of Style Bubble stumbling onto here via Catwalk Queen’s list only to find well….. a pink and green candied teeny bedroom affair that is not at all pro-looking.   

Anyhow, a BIG thank you to the Catwalk Queen girls… and congrats if you made it on their December pressie of a list…. and I’ll be combing through the list of 100 meticulously… (more things to add to my RSS reader…)     

Source: Catwalk Queen Loving…!

Eastern Promise

There isn’t as big a focus on truly localised fashion magazines as there is in the Far East.  The sort of fashion magazines I buy there are going for a concentrated readership within that particular city be it Hong Kong, Shanghai or Beijing and feature shops probably within a 50 mile radius from the publishing house.  I must admit that I haven’t been to Mainland China in about two years and the sort of fashion magazines I bought back then featured editorials with the usual girly wide-eyed posing in sickeningly cutesy clothes that are about locally produced clothing as opposed to international high fashion.  So gorging on these editorials on TFS (thank you ecec for the scans!), I’m absolutely flabbergastered.  I’m a complete slow-mo and haven’t quite realised that China has a newfound appetite for this eclectic kind of fashion forwardness. 

What strikes me about all these images is the contradiction and juxtaposition between old and new.  It may be too obvious a theme to use but in the case of China where modern age sits side by side by tradition, shoots set up this way are even more striking.  The slowly eroded streets of old China that the new generation are spurning used in this way highlights their former beauty with the help of the vivid outfits.  The model in an MIA-esque ravey gear on the Great Wall of China is especially pretty powerful imagery from which you could embellish with all sorts of interpretations.

From iLook magazine:

From Modern Weekly:

From Time Out Beijing (I had no idea Time Out had such a fashion led focus over there…)

What I should have been doing was tracking the progress of fashion in China in the past few years and it’s interesting how far removed I am from mainland China, given that I live in the UK and also because of Hong Kong’s (where I’m from) slightly odd status as an ex-Brit colony.  I can only hang head in shame…

Speaking of the Far East, Pirelli’s 2008 calendar which is Shanghai themed is now out and features the beautiful Maggie Cheung in the month of December.  This far more cliched Far East imagery than the images here but is still gorge-worthy material.    

Source: Eastern Promise

Puella Blue Mod Dress [Just a Formality]

This would make a great date dress.  I like the vibrant color and print:

It’s available through Pink Mascara which ships internationally. If you live in certain parts of “The O.C.” in California, you can get same-day courier service. Check out their look book and sale sections, too.

If you got to this article by some other means than the official website, please visit justaformality.com to view the homepage (and more articles like this one).

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Source: Puella Blue Mod Dress [Just a Formality]

Miley Cyrus is a Purple People Greeter [Snarkstress]

Peace Out, Peeps

First off, dahlings, let me take a moment to note how many times I had to use my backspace button because my fingers just can’t help but type “Ray” after “Miley”. As in, Miley Ray Cyrus. Cripe. My snarky brain just can’t grasp that she ain’t her daddy’s namesake, thank Gawd. Moving on…

Here’s Miss Hannah Montana herself, the uber-adored Miley Cyrus. While the threat of over-exposure surrounds this chick like a gaggle of over-zealous fans, I still kind of like her in that “She’s cute, talented and not-too-annoying” kind of way. It’s not her fault her Daddy-o sang the worst song ever recorded, after all. I guess we shouldn’t hold that against her, right loves?

So while I’m not thrilled with parts of this look on such a young girl, I do like the risks she’s taking here - the very grape-ity color, the metallic skinny belt and the shrunken jacket. However, the cowl-neck is way too old for her and I’d rather see a more youthful hemline at the end of her skirt, but hey, she’s halfway there. I love that she’s kept her hair bouncy and fun and her cute little fresh-faced smile is always welcome. But yanno what I dig the most? This girl be rockin’ some curves. She’s not all sickly and stick-like and what-not. Now that is a characteristic of a young girl’s role model I’d die to see more of.

My summary: Rock on, Miley! You get the much-coveted Snarkstress Seal of Approval. *mwah*

Hollywood Damsels, Rock It

Source: Miley Cyrus is a Purple People Greeter [Snarkstress]

Five Fabulous Last-Minute Gift Ideas [ShoeBlitz - Shoe Fashions]

Are you looking for a last minute gift idea for your best girlfriend, sister, mom or anyone else who love shoes?

Here are some ideas:

1. A Classic Pump for the Working Girl

You can’t really go wrong by buying a pair of classic pumps. Every working woman can use another pair. At SmartBargains.com you can find a variety of classic options at discount prices. This Donald J Pliner Rida pump has a touch of croc trim on the heel.

2. An Evening Shoe for the Party Princess

How about a New Year’s Eve shoe? This Emmet heel from Heels.com would be perfect. The d’Orsay styling is sexy and the rhinestones give this shoe just the right amount of glitz. It also comes in silver. Use the coupon code “blitz10″ at checkout and get 10% off.

3. A Boot for the Snow Bunny

If you have a friend who is braving the cold up north, grab a pair of the hottest boots this season. The Ugg Classic Cardy. It comes in four colors but my favorite is the grey!

4. An Athletic Shoe for Your Man

Whether he plays basketball, runs marathons, or golfs, you can find an athletic shoe suited just for him. Check out Foot Locker for the latest styles at affordable prices. The Jordan 12.5 pictured here is $124.99.

5. A Foot Massage for Anybody

Just about anyone would love a foot massage. Buy a gift certificate to a local spa and give the gift of a fabulous massage or a pedicure. Of course, if it’s your husband or boyfriend, you may want to give him a personal massage yourself.

Happy Holidays!!!!

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Source: Five Fabulous Last-Minute Gift Ideas [ShoeBlitz - Shoe Fashions]

Girl Prodigy Gaby Wilson Returns To Today; Tickles Ivories [Clips]

newVideoPlayer(”Today_Show_Girl.flv”, 475, 376); Remember little Gaby Wilson, the 10-year old singer/musician who was pre-empted by George Bush when performing on the Today Show two weeks ago? She’s back! Gaby, a straight-A student and Alicia Keys obsessive, got an entire six minutes on the program this morning (her proud parents were on hand as well) and gave a very self-possessed, adorable interview before launching into a rendition of Keys’ “No One”. Anyway, the entire clip is above; if you want to just hear Gaby sing, skip ahead to 3:40. Earlier: Boogie Oogie Oogie Girl Plucks A Beat

Source: Girl Prodigy Gaby Wilson Returns To Today; Tickles Ivories [Clips]

Plant Lavender By Your Garden Gate

First off, can you name the movie from which I stole the post title? This one’s a toughie.

Secondly, I’m not even going to respond to the recent comments about my absence (see comments on the last post, people can get so wound up, it amazes me). But I will say that I was away from home for a few days, and when I finally walked through my front door I was greeted by the most lovely lavender scent, enough to make me forget all about my various stresses and nasty case of jet lag.

The source of this most divine aroma? Archipelago Botanicals Home Fragrance Diffuser in Lavande. I had set out this beauty in my bedroom before I left (can you believe I’d had it in my closet for months, unopened and un-written-about? Terrible), and then promptly forgot about it during my frenzy of packing and prepping.

The diffuser is one of those bottle-with-wooden-sticks types, for which I have quite the soft spot (remember my obsession over the Marc Jacobs Home diffuser?). At $58 it isn’t your cheapest home fragrance option, but you’re getting a MASSIVE bottle for the price - 15.6 oz of scent heaven!

I’ve tried many of these diffusers and this one is by far the best; it’s not cloying or overpowering, but the scent managed to travel to all corners of my apartment, even the kitchen! (Granted, I live in a one-bedroom NY apartment, but you get the idea.)

I’m kicking myself for letting this one sit unopened in my beauty closet for so long. Now I’m wishing for a bigger apartment so I could try out more than one scent at a time! In addition to the lovely Lavande, the Archipelago diffuser comes in 18 other fab scents, from Amber to Tangelo to Wisteria.

(NB, the photo is of the Lemongrass variety; Lavande looks the same save for a lavender-hued label and juice.)

Source: Plant Lavender By Your Garden Gate

Getting Yourself Ready for the Holidays. [Aging Fabulous]

 Well, they are almost here, and with just a week to go, we need to make sure we look and feel our best when getting ready for the holidays. This is especially important if you are trying to make a good impression or knock the socks off of someone you only see once a year over the holidays. Here are a couple quick and easy products that will make you look great - which will then make you feel extra good about yourself.

Try an at-home tooth whitening system. I love iwhite, and I bet you will two. In less then a week, you can use this kit to get your teeth dramatically whiter. You simply insert a presoaked foam pad into the tray (upper or lower) and turn the light on, relax for twenty minutes, and then do the other portion. I have found this system to work much better for me than most other at-home systems, with no sensitivity.

Get your hair looking as healthy and full of shine - everyone will notice. Clairol’s Shine Happy is pretty simple to use (especially for those of us that have played with hair color on our own). After leaving a mixture on your hair for ten minutes, you rinse, and style as normal. The only difference is that your hair will now have 100 watt shine, and look and feel softer to the touch - really!

Forget the trip to the nail salon, you can do this yourself. I love, love, love these Incoco Dry Nail Applique’s, and have not grown tired of them yet. And the best part is anyone can apply them at home, and they will last you at least two weeks!

Source: Getting Yourself Ready for the Holidays. [Aging Fabulous]

Barack & Michelle Obama, Darling Daughters Wish Everyone A Happy Holiday [Clips]

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A Message For The Holidays From The Obamas [Obama ‘08]

Source: Barack & Michelle Obama, Darling Daughters Wish Everyone A Happy Holiday [Clips]