struck by a million lightning bolts

This was kinda my take on Halloween. I love this lightning bolt print and I must admit, went a little crazy on the outfit. But I love it. The shoes has been and still is one of my Fall crushes.

(Shirt, trousers, snood from Whistles, boots from Cos)

perennial favourites

Totally in a playful mood here. I guess it is a tribute to the necklace. The ICE-CREAM necklace that I love so much. The simple jersey body-con dress has been a wardrobe staple as well. So easy and effortless... clean, classic and cool. Nuff said.

Bonne weekend everyone! Bisous! XO


(Dress from Whistles,Leggings and Top from H&M, Necklace & canvas pumps from Topshop)

burnout

One of the things I love about this jumper is the detail - sheer and fine. It is called the Burnout Sweater from Whistles. My current crush. The shorts are also from the same place. As usual, in trying to multitask, it was one of those days where I had to meet someone on a project I am working on in addition to taking a photo of this outfit to record it in my mind. The other reason I wanted to share this look is because I had a lot of compliments walking down the street. On a separate note, I will of course be sharing this 'project' with you once it is ready to be revealed. Very exciting.....

(Burnout sweater and Harem shorts from Whistles, Shoes by Preen for Topshop, Scarf from H&M)

canyouseemeseeyou

My one consolation on a day as cold as today? At least the sun is shining. Which means that even when I'm bundled up in lots of black, I still have an opportunity to take a rosy view of the world–well, rosy, or orange, or green. Leave it to the colorful duo of Henry Holland and Linda Farrow to team up to create these sunnies, an acrylic merging of lens and frame that will put a spring in your step no matter how low the temperatures drop.
While browsing all the pretty offerings at Oh Joy! in New York,I came across this delightful cerulean sunglass case by Jonathan Adler, purveyor of charming home goods. Maybe it’s the grey skies, but I've had shades on the brain lately. So whether you’re protecting your old reading specs or your Alexander Wang for Linda Farrow sunglasses, we suggest this cheeky needlepoint case.There is also no chicer way to protect your retinas from harmful UV rays…behold Alexander Wang for Linda Farrow sunglasses... and lastly, through the grapevine.... we hear a collabo with Whistles coming soon to a store near you!

grey matter

conversations about Mr Penn

One of the most important American artists of the twentieth century, he had the simplicity of greatness. To me Mr Penn is remarkable; I have been a great fan and always am in awe of his work. His images are phenomenally penetrating and focused; compassionate but not sentimental. His images have appeared in American Vogue magazine in a steady stream since the forties right up to the sliced bananas in August's issue last year. His images also remind us that nothing is safe of lasting, but more importantly to serve as a reminder to celebrate life's wonder.

Privately, Mr Penn led a fulfilling life. Like his work, simplistic and full of integrity. The singular most important thing was his relationship with his wife Lisa. She was his soul mate, lover and artistic collaborator for 42 years. She was Swedish born and a great beauty. Mr Penn had the prodigious luck to meet up with his ideal woman, and the prodigious bad luck to outlive her. This makes me ponder on the passages of life. What it means, how we have lived, loved and how we have impacted others around us.

Mr Penn changed the way we saw the world and, in particular, our perception of what is beautiful. What would your legacy be?

Irving Penn
1917 - 2009

(Bobble Jumper & Made Necklace from Whistles, Rings from Marc Jacobs)

say hello to.....my little furry friends

Faux, faux, faux!!! My thoughts exactly! Everybody seems to have it or seems to don it one way or another. When it comes to this, faux or not, I cannot help but think - banshee lookalike, Ali G in a larger than life faux fur 'bleh' jacket and grilz....., Dr. Evil! Yes, random, but Dr. Evil!

However, one of these jackets I acquired some time ago gave me the push recently, upon unearthing it at the bottom of my closet to experiment and try out some looks. Found it in a thrift shop. Wait a minute, you must be thinking, the faux gilet is NOT. Well yes, quite.... it is not. It's from Zara! So, here I share with you two of my furry friends (should they be given pet names??!) in a sort of an ode to Studio 54 meets 2010 interpretation and the other, just a girl about town kinda thang. Does it make you feel fuzzy and/or furry?

Disclaimer: No animals were injured / harmed in the making of post.

(Twist Neck Dress from Whistles, Faux Gilet, Harem Pants & White top from Zara, Thrifted Faux Jacket, Necklaces from Topshop and FE, Rings from Topshop & Marc Jacobs, Shoes from Reiss)

a balmy evening in hong kong

Entrance to FelixView from the ladies at FelixThe view from Sevva

Being on the mainland always requires a visit to the Peninsula Hotel. The Peninsula Hong Kong has long been hailed as one of the finest hotels in the world. Created 75 years ago in the glamorous 1920s, the legendary "Grande Dame of the Far East" continues to set hotel standards worldwide. Although it is mostly de rigueur to have afternoon tea there, I was curious to check out the the new Felix Bar designed by Phillipe Starck on the 28th floor, promising incredible views across the harbour to Hong Kong Island from. Well, it did not disappoint. A perfect spot to rest your tired feet after a long day of sight-seeing or the perfect place for a romantic rendezvous.

Back to Hong Kong island later that evening where I was invited to dinner at Sevva on the 25th floor of Alexandra House. Again, the view from the top was AH-MAZING as seen in the photos. At this point, I am having such a good time that the photos also became slightly blurry and the artsy content or composition slightly compromised! Yikes!

(Hazy Moon Dress from Whistles)

choo for shoes

Last weekend was the launch of the Jimmy Choo for H&M collection. To be honest I thought maybe this time, there will be no chance in hell of getting my hands on ANY of the merchandise. Additionally, from what I have seen in magazine features on the collection, not one bit interested me the slightest. So, you must be wondering - is she mad then?! Well...... I'll let you decide. There is a story to this......

It all took place on a Saturday morning when I had already arranged to meet my lovely friend Yay for breakfast. An early one - 9.a.m. At 8.30a.m. I get a call...

Yay: Hon, where are you? I am queuing.
Me: Queuing?? Why and wher...?
Yay: It's the JIMMY CHOO collection at H&M! Don't you realise?
Me: Uh.... yeah I guess, and your point is?
Yay: Get down here RIGH NOW and join me.
Me: Ok, am just a few stops away, be there soon.

I get there and the queue looks short to me. Deceiving. So I call

Yay: Hullo.... where are you?
Me: Am standing in front of H&M. Where are you?
Yay: Where? Can't see you.... am right at back
Me: (Losing my patience) Uh kay, coming...
The line stretches to the corner of the last building further down from the actual H&M and I find Yay right at the back edge - smiling widely, I thought her lips might fall off!

So we queue for about 20 minutes and were even given a free umbrella by the staff - in case it rained (much to the envy of those standing around us) before we entered the gates of hell, uh..... I mean HEAVEN. As disclaimers go, you were not able to get to the shoes unless you have a wristband (i.e you must've been a sado and got up like at 6a.m. to get this wristlet, a bit like a numbered jail bird for you to be able to purchase the Choos, uh I meant shoes) all other lesser demode mortals, can only get their hands on a pair AFTER 12p.m.

I calmly approached the rails in the midst of a chaotic crowd and desperate shoppers, wondering what the 'eck was so good about all this.... and wait for it....... drrrrum rrrollll.....I saw a sequin zip jacket - I FELL IN LOVE immediately and thankfully got one in my size!! Looking around at the rest didn't fill me with the same buzz of excitement. So I proceeded to look for Yay. She appeared with a handful of dresses and bracelets etc. We paid and went to breakfast as planned.

While munching on some toast, Yay suggested (still a rush of excitement in her voice - eager beaver stylie) that we go back for more after 12p.m. to get more out of this experience and more Choos to add to existing fam! Reluctantly, I agreed, afraid of depriving her of Choos. So like the rest of the herd, we went and queued against the blue barriers where upon entering, you were issued a 10 minute window to get as many pairs of shoes as possible as well as bags and accessories. Scarf for £30??!! OMG!!

Like the total spiritual calling of the sequin jacket, I fell for this time, much to my concern as well, a pair of shoes.

Yay: Honey, the shoes look like that of some rapper from the ghetto. Trying to hard.... ugly man. Not sure if I'll stand next to you if you wore them out. Eeeewww!!!
Me: Really? I I think I like it. I'll hang on to it. Maybe once we get out, and I get to put my foot in it without being trampled by a herd of cows, may help my decision (and sanity)
Yay: Ok, anyway, let's not waste time talking, too much to gather!
Me: Uh.....

We exit after the last 10 second countdown. Super hilarious this part as the ladies acted like Supermarket Sweep, grabbing anything in sight before they were shooed away.

I tried on my sole pair of Choos in a quiet corner while Yay tried on 6 pairs. I was in love.... much to Yay's disappointment. She did remind me again that the shoes looked like some cheapo rapper dodgy 'check me out I'm ghetto' shoes, and as a friend who respects most of your fashion decisions, am very disappointed with this choice kinda lecture.

Anywho, I still like the 3 items I purchased that day as can be seen here. The 3rd being the sequin jacket - saving this for a special post.

(L/S T-shirt & tights from H&M, Necklace and shoes Jimmy Choo for H&M, Top worn as tunic dress from Whistles, scarf from Zara)

night vision

Well, the weekend hath approached, and what a way to finish the long week with yet another soiree. It is the festive season once again - so the beginning of this chic rendezvous. Part of the fun is dressing up and being silly and playful about the whole process. The beautiful body-con shape of this dress in a lush knit fabric (so that you won't go 'brrrrr' too much in the winter chill) adds a touch of un-done intimacy to evening glamour. My description of the whole look: flirty and fanciful, highlighting the sharp shoulder details with splashes of sleek satiny gold - my beautiful shoes by Giuseppe Zanotti.

PS:I was being playful trying to get a few shots of this outfit, and in the process, my hair got a little messy, so excuse the little bits sticking out in some of the photos!

And on another note: RIP Daul Kim. You will be missed.

(Milano Statement Shoulder Dress from Whistles, Shoes from Giuseppe Zanotti, Spider necklace & bracelets by FE)

the colour purple

I have been out pretty much most nights this week. Finding the right thing to dress in without being too showy or uncomfortable is what I always consider most. Don't get me wrong, I like dressing up but not to the point of being OTT - you always need some room to manoeuvre in case the party gets hot and heavy. For this specific evening, I was invited to a friend's DJ gig and was really feeling the colour purple. There has been a big take on jersey sweater dresses this season and am in love with this whole idea of it being a blank canvas where you are free to experiment on accessories - my fav thing. I for one can confess that I have bought several different styles of this sweater dress. I have worn them again and again - differently each time.
What's your take on this?

(Dress from Whistles, shoes from New Look, thrifted necklace, bracelets by FE, rings from Marc Jacobs & H&M)

all about the dress

The Serbian-born fashion designer Roksanda Ilincic is very tall and very beautiful. I know of course, as I met the designer herself during Vogue’s Fashion Night Out not so long ago. Draped in a very beautiful satin dress of her creation, she casually matched it with very cool sneaks. One may think that Ilincic only designs for very tall, very beautiful women — a suspicion that was finally laid to rest when she collaborated to design a capsule collection of dresses for Whistles.

A really beautiful fluid collection and vibrant use of colours. The details on the dresses speak for themselves. Have obviously tried on my top 2 favourite styles. The strapless black number is called "Wolfberry" with plastic corsages and the later is ''Foxglove''. Which do you think I picked? A definite feel-good feeling about these fun creations. Bring on the party season!

(Dresses by Roksanda Ilincic for Whistles, Bracelet by FE)