New arrivals in store: Hermes and Prada

These two lovelies just came in! The ever popular and classy Prada Saffiano Lux tote and the timeless Hermes HerBag 2 in 1 in PM size (the affordable alternative to the Kelly bag). If you have a designer bag that you've fallen out of love with, click here or email me directly at [email protected] to consign.

Reviews of Etoile Isabel Marant S/S 2013

Etoile Isabel Marant Daryl dress (or US, here)

I've been waiting for the Daryl dress with bated breath. It's similar to the one I'd purchased from Karen Walker years ago which I've worn to bits. The crew neckline, longer sleeves and loose fit is flattering to those of us who don't have the perfect model thin figure and balk at having to show off our bat wings aka flabby arms. I tried the dress in my usual size 38 and it fits well around the arms and chest. Do not attempt to wear the Daryl with a pair of sneakers - like me. It would look far more fabulous with a pair of K Jacques sandals.

The raw silk material is actually rather luxurious without being too sheer. I would still stick to nude underwear though. The deep blue embroidery reminds me of the beach. It's a simple yet striking shift dress which is ridiculously easy to put on. Most importantly, the dress has pockets! That's always a big plus in my book.

Etoile Isabel Marant Aude

It's such a shame that the store ran out of size 34 but like all Isabel Marant's over-sized coats, they run big. You would need to go at least 1 to 2 sizes down. I was wearing a size 38 but as you can see, I felt AND looked like a caterpillar in a cocoon. Wear the wrong size and you'll look like you're at least 6 months pregnant, particularly if you've got boobs. 

Personally, I like the coat. It's eye-catching, thanks to its retro design. Keep your top and pants neutral as you would a blank canvas and let the Aude blanket coat be the ensemble's centerpiece. Like the Alika coat, it comes in 3 colorways - burgundy, navy and grey.

 Etoile Isabel Marant Gilly (or US here)

I have pretty high expectations for the Gilly parka. After all, I spent the entire spring and summer last year being rather attached to mine which came from the previous Etoile Isabel Marant collection.  The Gilly is just so wrong from every angle. You've got to be tall and skinny like a giraffe to pull this off. The bat wing sleeves and the overly loose fit do not flatter the normal sized woman. I tried pulling the drawstrings to get a more tapered waist to no avail. I felt like a midget linebacker with large shoulders.

Etoile Isabel Marant Moonlight sweater (also available in different colors and prints here, here and here)

Some people are addicted to chocolates, others would pass out at the sight of a Chanel black boucle jacket, I have a weakness for sweatshirts. Most of my friends are thoroughly sick of my Isabel Marant leopard print sweater which I wear at least 3-4 times a week. Etoile Isabel Marant Moonlight sweater is a little narrower and cropped compared to the sweatshirts from her previous collection. I love the fleece lining which is essential for those of us who live in the northern hemisphere. What's the point of wearing a sweater if it's not to keep you warm?

Etoile Isabel Marant Moonlight sweater is true to size (I'm wearing size 38 here) but go up a size if you prefer a more slouchy fit. The material isn't as thick which is some ways a good thing as you could easily wear it under a more fitted coat.

Etoile Isabel Marant Cotton Drill Jacket

I'm a fan of 3/4 sleeves. After all, it's slimming and offers plenty of opportunity for arm swag. I'm particular about my blazers. I like the shoulders to sit just right as this will influence how the blazer will fit on my body. I'm wearing a size 38 here and it's a perfect fit. It's a lightweight jacket - simple, classic and timeless.

I thought I'd give the linen jersey t-shirt a go. The scratchy and super sheer fabric was miles apart from my linen baseball tee (S/S 2012?). I had to double check the fabric tag as I was so sure the darn thing was made of woven hay. I couldn't get it off fast enough. Secondly, the fit. I was wearing the large size which has a concave waist designed for those who have a 22-24 inch waist. Let me repeat this again. I was wearing a LARGE and it was tight around my waist. Pffffffft.

Coat Hunting

 
Outfit: Helmut Lang Willowed coat, James Jeans Twiggy, Helmut kinetic t-shirt, Stuart Weitzman boots (similar), Louis Vuitton Speedy Bandouliere 35cm.

I had an uh-oh moment when I slipped on a muddy slope (in the previous post) and realized that I would be so screwed if I had to dry clean my one and only winter coat. Yes, folks, for someone who's so obsessed with jackets and coats, I own ONE measly winter coat. It's been a case of "Hmm....let's see..... shall I wear the duffle coat or THE duffle coat?"

I wanted a unique coat, something a little less traditional, more fitted so that I don't end up looking like Humpty Dumpty - egg shaped with limbs hanging out. The latter's a frequent occurrence especially when I'm only 5' 2 and a quarter (every inch counts). Truth be told, I was tired of pea coats and especially the same over-sized Isabel Marant-esque coats which are sooooooo widely copied these days. I've seen similar designs in Mango, Maje and even Sandro. Plagiarism or coincidence? What do you think?

I chanced upon this Matrix looking coat from Helmut Lang one early morning (2am to be exact) after having drank way too much coffee during the day (don't drink and shop). All that was missing was a few karate chops and spinning kicks in s-l-o-w motion. I tested it out on a school run (minus all the martial arts moves and sunglasses however tempting it may be) and judging by the positive response from friends, I figured it was a good purchase. I lasted 12 hours of running around in London with only a thin t-shirt and a thermal vest underneath. The cotton, linen and wool mix fabric has a soft texture that doesn't scratch.

Outfit: Maje jacket, Isabel Marant sweater, Mango waxed denim, Hunter wellies and Longchamp Le Pliage shopping bag


While Christy was on holiday back in China, she asked if I could help her nab a few coats from Maje when the sales hit the stores. As you can see, I'm feeling leather love at the moment so she ended up with a coat with leather sleeves. Again.




We couldn't get into the fully packed Aubaine, our favorite cafe in Chelsea for a coffee and snack so Lil L settled on a takeaway chocolate chip cookie instead. The mini food critic (who poo-poohs One Direction but hyperventilates over photos of Jamie Oliver. Go figure) decided that her cookie was 1) not crispy all around and a little soggy  2) the chocolate chips were too small and she could barely taste the chocolate in the chips  3) the overall "experience" was a little disappointing.






The photo of mangosteens is juxtaposed with the fur coats below for obvious reasons as they're both examples of two ends of the spectrum. One belongs in the hot tropics and the other looks more suited to -10˚C and below climate. Christy and I spent the afternoon gawking at the incredibly well dressed ladies along King's Road in Chelsea. I wish I have the courage to approach a few of them for street-style photos.

What do you look for in a coat? Have you seen one that stood out for you?

Pass It Forward: 3 Food Bloggers

How difficult is it to snap a photo of my meal? I mean, all you have to do is take out your camera, focus and press the button. Well, that was what I used to think. And then I quickly realize that my shots look nothing like the appetizing, delectable and utterly scrumptious ones featured by some of my favorite food bloggers. Lately, I've decided to up my ante by studying the techniques used by these ladies. My conclusion is it's not easy to cook, style the shot AND photograph the darn thing before the meat and veggies shrivel up and look like my fingers after an hour in the pool. These 3 ladies are not only awesome (one is a trained chef) cooks, they're incredible photographers.


Helene Dujardin of Tartelette

Helene's French and a native of south of France but currently resides in Alabama. She was trained and worked as a pastry chef until a few years ago before she switched to food photography. She now works as a photographer at Oxmoor House. She takes some of the most breathtaking photos I've ever seen. I've actually bought her book, Plate to Pixel last year and couldn't be more impressed with the amount of tips and techniques she'd shared, from equipment to setting up shots.




Keiko Okawa of Nordljus

The word Nordljus is one that many avid food photographers say in a reverential tone. You'll know exactly what I mean once you've checked it out. I have been following her blog for a couple of years now and spent many productive hours just trawling through the photos. Keiko is Japanese who has set up home in the U.K. She has worked with big names such as Ottolenghi and Marks and Spencers. Word of warning. Try not to read her blog when you're hungry.




Darina Kopcok of Gratinee

I came across Darina's blog by chance when I was trying to find a good crepe recipe. Ever since then, I've been hooked and read it now on a regular basis. I have a list of recipes of hers as long as my arm that I'm dying to try out. Darina is a Canadian who's a fiction writer but also freelances as a food and travel writer. Her natural talent in food styling and photography is obvious in every post.

Geek Talk: What to do when your smartphone runs out of juice?

Once you own a smartphone, you can never ever go back to a dumbed down version where a phone was basically........well, a phone. These days, phones are practically a multi-tasking gadget. It's a phone, camera, notepad, gaming/shopping/web-surfing device, book, doodling pad, map, travel guide etc etc. Got a cranky kid who's driving you insane? Hand over your phone. If you're a tiger mom (or aspire to be one), download maths apps and mentally flog your child until she or he is a genius.

For someone who didn't come equipped with a good sense of direction (it's one up from my parents have NO sense of direction whatsoever), that little arrow on my google map that indicates which direction I'm facing on a street is absolutely crucial for staying sane when I'm hopelessly lost.

With the advances in technology these days, you'd think that they'd design a battery that will last at the very least 24 hours. If you do all the above activities, your battery will drain faster than what it takes a vampire to empty your body of blood (okay, that's a rather gory example but you get my drift). My Samsung Galaxy Note phone is larger than the ordinary ones out in the market (size matters even if I'm a girl). I'm lucky if my battery lasts beyond 4 hours just doing basic emailing, googling, texting and instagramming. After a few frustrating moments, I decided I've had enough so I went hunting for an external battery pack.

I had a look at the reviews and this Anker battery pack came up tops. It's small and fits into the palm of your hand. It's actually heavier than I'd expected but given that it provides 2 to 4 full charges and has dual outlets meaning you can charge up to 2 gadgets at one time, I can see the reason why. It comes with 3 different connectors which should work on majority of the phones including iPhones and the Samsung Galaxy range. It took me a while to figure out how to charge the battery pack. If in doubt, read the instruction booklet. Doh! Just plug it to your laptop with the correct connector. It's as simple as that. There are tons of techie, gadgety, geeky details here, that is if you enjoy some bedtime reading.

p.s. this is NOT a sponsored post. It was purchased out of sheer desperation after several anxiety attacks due to my phone running out of juice.

 What do you use to charge your phone if you're out and about?

DIY: Natural Lavender Baking Soda Facial Scrub

My skin's been looking rather dull and flaky recently thanks to the wonders of central heating. I'm currently hunting for a good natural scrub when my friend Laura aka natural skincare guru suggested I give this a go. Cheap as chips, as the Brits would say but in this case, it's actually cheaper. I overdid it with the lavender drops with my baking soda scrub so go easy with the oil as the smell can be overpowering. I've tried it and my skin not only feels smoother, it glows. Here's Laura with the instructions.

Hey everyone! I’ve been away for awhile but I’ve actually been testing out a new face wash that a little birdie told me about. When she described the method, I was skeptical but she convinced me to try it for one month. Holy Cheap-Amazingness - this works. Really well! And did I mention cheap? And totally clean, green and natural?! This is so easy it’s almost ridiculous. Especially when you consider the cost of some of the luxury or natural face washes and exfoliating products out there. Remember - more money for shoes!

Here’s what you need:

1. A small jar with lid or sealed container of your choice
2. Baking Soda (or bicarbonate of soda)
3. Lavender essential oil (optional)*

Here’s what you do:

Dump baking soda into your jar. Add 3-5 drops of lavender essential oil (depending on the size of your jar. For the size I have pictured, I used about 4 drops.) Twist on the lid and shake until the oil is infused into the baking soda.

Put a small amount into the palm of your hand- as much as you feel works for you and covers your face. Experiment with this.  Add a little splash of water into your palm and mix to make a paste. Apply and work gently onto your face and neck. Rinse with warm then cool water to close your pores. Follow up with your usual toner and or serum or moisturizer. 

I must admit, this feels weird as you’re applying it. It might tingle a bit and it’s not smooth like a bottled cleanser - more like a gentle exfoliant. But what it’s doing is worth the “weirdness!” The baking soda is adjusting the ph level of your face and making it more alkaline - more balanced. This really helps with hormonal ache, dry patches and blotchiness. It also clears up and prevents blackheads!

*The lavender oil is optional but it makes the soda smell nice and it’s amazing for your skin as a both and soothing AND antibacterial agent. 

I personally have suffered from annoying hormonal acne, despite my age and good results in all other skin concerns from my natural and homemade serum and toner. I’ve been using this baking soda rinse once a day, right out of the shower and before applying my toner, serum and makeup. I’m happy to report that I’ve had no hormonal breakouts and my skin is more even-toned than ever. My skin is super soft and smooth, with no red or dry patches, for the first winter in years. I’ve also noticed that my face just seems brighter! 

I don’t use this to take off makeup off at night, (I use a special makeup removing micro-fiber cloth that I’ll talk about next time) But I no longer use any soap or cleansers on my skin - natural or not! This is it!

Things to consider:

If your skin is extremely sensitive, just give this a whirl once a week and rub in the paste very gently. Apply moisturizer or my oil serum immediately. If you have good results, increase the frequency. My skin does fine with once a day, other people I know use it between 1-3 times a week.

It’s a myth that if you’re skin is very dry, this will make it more dry. On the contrary, It will balance out your skin over time. And the very fine particles will gently clear out those flaky patches!

If any of you try this, let me know how it works. If you have questions, I’ll try my best to answer them or to point you in the right direction!

Happy Skin!

Layering for Winter Months

The entire U.K was in snow hysteria when the first hint of snowfall appeared late last week. Offices and schools across the country were closed, flights were grounded and trains were either delayed or canceled. Needless to say, there were a lot of ecstatic kids last Friday who dragged their miserable parents out of their lovely toasty homes into the snow to build snowpeople (in the interest of keeping everything P.C. Just kidding) and go sledging (that's sledding for those of you who are Americans). Shops selling sledges and snow boots were doing a roaring business. I trudged through inches of snow just to find one sledge. Dear Lil L, you'd better remember this when I'm 80 and require dentures.





I thought it'd be a neat idea to trek up to one of the highest points in the city and go sledging. Poor Lil L slipped and ended face down in the mud (check out the photo above) and so did I. You couldn't tell from the photos below that I had mud on my boots, jeans and coats. Only Christy remained unscathed. Lucky girl.




Outfit: Icebreaker merino vest, Helmut top, Zadig & Voltaire sweater, Comptoir des Cotonniers chunky cardigan, Gloverall coat (similar here and here), Louis Vuitton shawl, Stuart Weitzman boots (similar here or here) and Christys' fedora.

In the interest of keeping it real, I decided 1) not to Photoshop the gunk out. What you see is what you get. Mud, snow, sludge and all. I'm likely to regret these photos by next week.  2) wear my everyday winter clothes instead of pretending to glide through inches of snow in a more glamorous outfit and heels and risk breaking my neck or getting frostbite. Amputation of limbs due to vanity ain't cool.
3) to wear next to no make up out of sheer laziness which made me look like a member of the undead family.

So let's talk about layering. I had 5 layers on - merino vest, long sleeved t-shirt, woolen jumper, chunky cardigan followed by my coat. I have woolly insoles in my boots to keep my toes warm. I'm channeling cool fashion editors here who decided not to put their arms through the sleeves and ended up holding on to their coat for dear life. Utterly pretentious, of course but it covered the lovely smears all over my jeans. Hmm... perhaps, I'm keeping it too real here. Sorry.

I'm not the best at layering. Do share your tips on how to keep warm in winter.

3 Best Bargains

I was in hysterics reading your confessions or should I say incredibly "original" excuses about the size of your shoe collection. It seems to me that only expensive shoes are included in the total count. Just in case if you're wondering what happened to the Pass It Forward series, I decided to jazz it up a bit today and have some fun. I've probably inundated you with enough new blogs and e-magazines to read so I thought I'd give you guys a break for a change.

I've always loved a good bargain. I've been rather fortunate to get incredible deals over the years. Unfortunately, I didn't bother taking photos and some of the least used items were recycled (given away or sold) to make way for new goodies. This included a Chanel 2.55 flap in pristine condition that I'd mentioned here on a couple of occasions. I'd nabbed it while I was in Hong Kong shopping with my friend S of Latkes and Dim Sum about 8 years or so ago. I hemmed and hawed over the "difficult" decision until S threatened to skewer me. It had cost me an equivalent of £135 in those days. Hard to believe the very same bag now retails for more than £3000!





Many many years ago, I came across a new Hermes Kelly 25cm at a consignment store. The owner of the handbag was going through a mid life crisis and dumped her Hermes collection which was enough to fill an entire store. I was rather obsessed with the chevre mysore leather (goatskin) and picked up the Kelly for £1500. Yes, I kid you not (pun intended). I loved the bag even if it was one of the most impractical item I've ever owned. I'm one of those individuals that lug around a bag large enough to put a baby in it. I finally sold it last year to get a much bigger bag but the Kelly still tugs at my heartstrings.

I think one of the best ways to try out a bag is to buy it secondhand. I spent the better part of a year researching for a Chanel medallion tote on the Purse Forum. I snagged one at a local New Zealand auction site for a mere £100 because the photos were so awful and the bag looked like it had been dragged in the mud. It took an hour to sanitize, remove dog/human hair/dirt and polish the bag (which was rather therapeutic). It was enough to convince me that the Chanel caviar leather was incredibly durable because the spa treatment revived it and made the bag look like new. Unfortunately, I've also learned that narrow shoulders don't go hand in hand with double straps.


What are your best bargains to date?

How Many Pairs of Shoes Do We Really Need?

Thank you so much for your fascinating and honest comments regarding blogging. I was blown away by what I'd read. Who knew that most of us are in fact introverts, shy and came with a sense of inadequacy attached? I feel right at home with the company I'm in. By contrast, I couldn't help but think what an amazing community we have right here. I feel blessed and grateful that blogging has brought me in contact with all of you.

Common sense will tell you that humans (should I just say women instead?) have 2 feet, thus we only need a pair of shoes. There's a disconnect between the brain and heart when we're dealing with a desirable object called s-h-o-e-s. I mean, just check out the ferocious behavior when shoes are at stake. Discounted shoes can cause the most reserved ladies to mutate into a female version of the Incredible Hulk.

I spend more on shoes than I would on clothes. The way I see it, it doesn't matter if my body fat increases or decreases like a yo-yo, my shoes still love me. I've been nagging at the hubs about his vast collection of shoes strewn across the hallway. Not wanting to be branded as a hypocrite, I thought I should take a good look at MY shoes. *ahem* *cough* Admittedly, I'm trying to justify and rationalize the number of shoes that I own. An old friend of mine confessed that she, at one stage, owned 500 pairs of shoes (Sheela, you owe me a pic of your Imelda Marcos closet) so needless to say, I feel soooooo much better. When in doubt, compare yourself to someone else.

** do excuse all the gel pads, insoles etc in the photos. When you have pixie sized feet, you gotta do what you gotta do.



Clockwise: The Kooples sneakers (similar here), custom made ankle boots (similar here), Stuart Weitzman boots (similar here )

So here we have it - my fall/winter shoes. The "bare" essentials.
Knee High Boots: The English weather dictates that one must own a pair of knee high boots. After all, there are plenty of puddles to wade through.
Ankle boots: So I bought into the Isabel Marant hype. I mean, just look at them. Wide shaft, suede material, totally cool, makes me feel like I'm a spring chicken again. It's an anti-ageing remedy for feet.
Wedge sneakers: Resist all you want but if you're vertically challenged with stumps for legs, these just add a good 2 to 3 inches to your height. And you can walk in them. And run. And chase after your rugrats. And look totally trendy.



Clockwise: Giuseppe Zanotti (similar here), Halogen wedges and Christian Louboutin (similar here)

Strictly speaking, the office is my bed or the dining table. But let's pretend that I've got lots of parties to go to and that I still work in a corporate environment.
Embellished flats: I may not be a jewelry type of gal but when it comes to my feet........honey, just pile on da blings like a chav. Furthermore, this pair of Zanottis are a great conversation starter. Perfect when you're at a party, bored to tears and you've got to look like you're enjoying yourself. But make sure you stand near a light source so the bling glitters.
Low Wedges: These ticked 3 important boxes. Black, ankle strap and low heels. They are my essential heels. Non negotiable.
Nude peep toe heels: When you're short, wear nude heels. "nuff said.







Clockwise: See by Chloe wedges, Repetto flats, Sam Edelman Trina sandals, K Jacques sandals (or more affordable option here),  Repetto flats.


Low wedges: I'm addicted to low wedges and ankle strap. So let's just say that this is the summer version of the black wedges.
Leopard print flats: Leopard print is essential in every wardrobe. Leopard print scarf, leopard print sweater, leopard faux fur coat ........ you get my drift.
Flats: These are my beach/holiday flats. It adds to my cool factor when I'm schlepping around in them. I mean, they're K Jacques (brand/shoe snob talking here), for heaven's sakes! The celebs like them too. They're like, totally, like tres chic. It's like owning a piece of St Tropez in a small provincial medieval English town. Totally reverting back to my teens. Like totally.
Low heeled sandals: You want to look chic but you haven't mastered the art of balancing on stilts the way they do in circus so ....... you resort to wearing these.
Ballet flats: My back up flats to my other back up which are also a back up. Got it?


So closet Imelda Marcos..........how many pairs of shoes do YOU own? Fess up.

The Highs and Lows of Blogging

Blogging is a rather odd hobby and a foreign concept to some people. Let's be honest here. It IS a strange phenomenon which has spread to all corners of the earth faster than the current virulent epidemic, thanks to a colder than usual winter. Every man, woman, kid and dog (remember Boo, the Pomeranian?) has a blog. Calling yourself a blogger gets you the same response as announcing to your friends that you're an Amway distributor.

It's completely narcissistic in nature. It can also make you feel depressed about your own life after seeing nubile gazelles in their jet-setting lifestyle, carrying the latest It bag with a wardrobe which probably cost the same as a hefty down payment for a house in an exclusive area. Humans are more like magpies than we realize. We're strangely drawn to beautiful things yet we detest the fact that we do. You may call it a form of escapism when for a brief moment in time, you're living a different life until the green eyed monster rears its ugly head. But it's not reality.

You see, it's a case of editing the yucky bits out of the blog and maintaining a positive and deliriously happy front. Kind of like Disney World if you know what I mean. It's a balancing act being successful in your field yet remain resolutely humble (Garance Dore and Wendy Nguyen come to mind as well as the majority of bloggers I'd featured on Pass It Forward. You know who you are ). It's uplifting and a relief to hear both successes and struggles to know that we're not alone. That it's okay to fail and pick yourself up again. A braggart may draw temporary applause but a gracious and self effacing individual earns the respect of others.

It's also a numbers game akin to the statistics I have to collect for my psychology paper in university. Let's face it. It's a popularity contest, not all too different to our experience in high school. To succeed in the blogosphere, it's important to multiply the number of followers on your blog and every social media that has ever been invented to date exponentially. Likes, comments and retweets are the currency to measure the amount of love you're getting from the cyberworld. The posts that get plenty of hits would be "how to get more traffic to your blog".

Despite my incoherent whinging, blogging has exposed me to a community of like-minded and inspirational women that I never would have the opportunity to meet otherwise. The friendship alone nullify any drawbacks to blogging. Reading YOUR blogs has opened my eyes to a whole new world (cue music from Aladdin) whether it's fashion, ideas or life.

What are your highs and lows, blogging wise?

Pass It Forward: 3 BEST e-Magazines

It's no secret that my attention span is as short as an insect's. You've probably noticed that my blog isn't strictly about fashion because I'd keel over and pass out due to boredom, having to talk about the same topic over and over and over and over again. *yawn* See? The same rule applies to most magazines that I read. They're either all about fashion or interior decor or food or photography etc. Too much of one thing causes a sensory overload and then I shut down like the blue screen of death on my previous laptop.

Lately, I've been devouring e-magazines. They have some of the most stunning photos ever. Most importantly, they cover a whole range of subjects which appeal to most people on the planet. Oh, did I mention that they're free? I won't be surprised if these up and coming e-zines overtake the traditional ones in years to come. Here are 3 of my favorites.


Editer




Brilliant and I do mean fantastically brilliant magazine. One of my all time favorite bloggers, Shini of Park and Cube works for Editer. Let's see some of the topics they've covered so far: Ramen recipe from my favorite Japanese noodle bar, street style, best ever cheap eats in London, top vintage shops and plenty of DIYs. I easily flit from one post to the next and before I know it, an hour flew by and Lil L and her friends managed to wreck the flat due to my inattention.



Lonny




Okay, they're classified as an interior decor magazine but their not quite mainstream, quirky and unique style has appealed to me since the day it was launched. If you're a fan of Domino, then Lonny will definitely float your boat. If you ever plan to redecorate your home, I suggest you read this magazine and all the previous issues in the archive. I guarantee you'll walk away inspired and captivated by the stunning photos and ideas.




Match Book 




Match Book is a lifestyle magazine which covers most topics under the sun. The clean and simple layout makes it easy to navigate through the pages.  There's always something to hold your interest plus plenty of interviews with fascinating individuals to pore over.

Review of Spring/Summer Etoile Isabel Marant collection

I was on a rushed trip to London yesterday but I managed to pop into Harvey Nichols in between appointments to check out the latest Etoile Isabel Marant collection. Harvey Nichols has one of the nicest fitting rooms to date. I can never understand why stores paint their fitting room black along with black doors or curtains. It's ridiculously difficult to see how you look in a gothic looking room along with dim lighting (perhaps they're trying to create a "romantic" atmosphere??!) especially when you're trying on darker colored clothes. Okay, rant over.

I think other Isabel Marant addicts out there would understand my sentiments when I whinge about the inconsistent sizing of both her Etoile and Mainline collections. The closest store that stocks Etoile Isabel Marant is located 1.5 hours away so online is the only option available to me. So far, I've worn a whole gamut of sizes ranging from 0 (or 36) to a 3 (40/42). It's a little like playing the lottery when I'm trying to figure out which size to purchase.

Etoile Isabel Marant Ariana Jacket (or here or here )

I spoke about the Ariana jacket previously here but I felt that it was a bit of a tight fit. I decided to try the next size up - 40 and boy, it really made a difference. The shoulders fit better and I could wear the jacket closed without any gaping holes between the hooks. The style is more feminine and a refreshing change from the boyish designs that Isabel Marant's famous for. This is definitely going on my wish list to get for the upcoming spring.

Etoile Isabel Marant Calvin Leather Jacket (or here)

The nappa perforated leather jacket fits true to size. I normally wear a size 38 and this fits me fine with a bit of room to layer underneath. I'm not feeling a lot of love for the leather jacket. This costs £680 which is fairly similar to the amount I'd forked out for the Kady but there's not enough leather to justify the hefty price tag. The perforated leather is thin and it's lined with a sheer cotton fabric. This would be perfect for those who live in hotter climates say, California or Sydney but I still think it's a lot of £££ to pay for thin leather.

Etoile Isabel Marant Alika coat in bordeaux (or in grey here)

Do not judge a book by its cover. In this case, do not overlook the jacquard cushion like material. I was somewhat dubious when I held it up from the rack to take a closer look but it's a dream to wear. I had to size down though. I was wearing a size 36 in the photo. I could've easily gotten away with a 34 as well. It fits like the famous Bator/Baki jacket but it's slightly more slimline, particularly the torso which eliminates the bulky look. Great for those who are petite or slender because you don't really want to end up looking like the Michelin man. Made of 60% cotton, 33% wool and 7% polyamide which means it can transition from spring to autumn and winter with ease. Like all her coats from the newer collections, this is not lined. So far, I've seen the Alika in 3 different colors - burgundy, light grey and darker grey.

Shades of Grey

Outfit: Isabel Marant Fred jacket (old but similar here), Helmut t-shirt, James Jeans Twiggy, Christys' Harriet fedora, Barbour tote and The Kooples sneakers.

I should really clarify that there are only 4 shades of grey here instead of 50, that is if you're counting my well worn used-to-be-black-now-grey skinny jeans. Anyone read 50 Shades of Grey? I even went as far as downloading all 3 books into my phone. I know. Sucker. I totally bought into the hype. I couldn't get past 3 pages without yawning and then skimmed through the next 200 pages just to read the ending. I promptly gave up in the end.

Now, I'll have you know that I'm a HUGE fan of trashy romance books (I can't handle tragic epic endings) but I'm the least romantic person the hubby and friends have ever known. My friends know never to ask me to help plan a wedding. I suck at romantic gestures. Yeah, I know, what an oxymoron but I'll still keep reading trashy romance albeit ones without whips and cuffs, hoping some will rub off on me.

Posing has never been my forte so forgive the evil eye/schoolmarm look in the first photo. The look comes naturally to me (unfortunately), thanks to teaching in an all boys school where these evil beings (including my own brothers) would terrorize young teachers. In fact, I attended a party last year where a few famous bloggers were in attendance. The roving photographers stalked and clamored all over the gorgeous beings and took a million photos. I, on the other hand, was in the way so was blurred out in every shot. That'll deflate anyone's ego in a nanosecond. I think it's time to learn how to pose more naturally and try not to be a wallflower. Or cringe whenever I see a camera pointing in my direction. Easier said than done.

The flu was the perfect antidote for post-Christmas sales.  Six days of high temperature was enough to take out the most enthusiastic shopaholic. I'd planned to meet my friend, Lena in London and spend the day eating and shopping. Alas, that never eventuated. The thing is, I never ever seem to buy anything when Boxing Day sale rolls around either. I'm one of those individuals who has to shop with a list. I'm totally lost without one. I end up wandering aimlessly from store to store and my mood deteriorates faster than the English weather.

I had only 3 things on my list this time - natural toothpaste with fluoride from Jason (the BEST natural toothpaste, thanks to Laura's recommendation), Helmut t-shirt (I couldn't make myself pay the full retail price) and Christys' Harriet fedora. I treat myself to a hat from Christys' every winter. They've been around since 1773 and are one of the largest and oldest hatmakers in the world. Their handmade hats are often re-branded and sold for eye-watering prices. I prefer to buy mine under their own brand name as they're far more affordable and just as exquisitely well made.

Seeing that I'm Miss Nosy Parker, I'd like to know what you'd bought during the sale?

T-Shirt 101

Helmut Kinetic Jersey T-shirt

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the thoughtful emails, text messages and comments. I'm deeply touched by your concern so thank you, thank you, thank you! The flu has knocked me off my feet since Christmas day and I'm so pleased and grateful to be well again. Happy New Year, everyone!

A year ago, I pooh-poohed the idea of buying expensive t-shirts. Who in their right mind would spend so much on basic everyday clothes?? Guess I'd have to eat my words then. I've "invested" in statement blouses and pretty dresses only to cringe when I calculate cost per wear. And then, there's my threadbare James Perse long sleeved t-shirt that I'd bought in a moment of madness which needed to be replaced after 7 years of constant wash and wear.

Looking back, I should've learned my lesson. I'd bought cheap tees which stretched, didn't fit right or the fabric clung to every bulge on my torso. They were tossed into the deep abyss of my chest of drawers for several years before I finally gathered and chucked them into the bag for charity. If I added up the cost, I would've been able to purchase at least 4 designer tees at full retail price. Sigh.

Dress them up or down, layer them under jumpers during the colder months, they're just so versatile and an essential to every wardrobe. My two favorite tees from Alexander Wang are perfect for spring and summer but I've been on a lookout for a long sleeved version. I've found the perfect one by Helmut Lang on sale here (free shipping with code FREEJAN) or for those in the US here.

Let me espouse the science behind t-shirts. I guess there must be an art to it seeing how popular designer t-shirts are. After all, guys like Alexander Wang, Kain, LNA, Velvet, James Perse and C&C basically built their empire on basic everyday tees. Here's a lowdown on what to look for in a t-shirt.

1. Scoop neckline
Let's face it, the scoop neck is flattering on 99% of the population. It has a slimming effect which is always desirable. Secondly, the neckline is low enough not to be seen if you're planning on layering.

2. Slim sleeves
Most jackets these days have narrower armholes and sleeves. It's annoying and unflattering to see creases forming along the arm or that the sleeves bulged up somewhere near the elbow. Most uncomfortable and unsightly.

3. Fabric
Much as I prefer my clothes to be made of 100% natural fiber, it just doesn't work on a t-shirt. A semi sheer fabric which contains a mixture of modal, viscose or rayon seem to drape better and tend not to crease as badly.

4. Slouchy fit
I've never been overly fond of tight fitting clothes. Unless of course, if I have a model like figure. In which case, I'd prefer to wear bikini and bandage dresses from Herve Leger everyday. The reality is I prefer a slouchy boyfriend cut which is far more forgiving and flattering, not to mention more comfortable in summer.

5. Length
Most pants or denim seem to be either mid or low rise. I'm not a fan of baring my midriff nor butt crack, both of which should only be seen at the beach or in the company of your significant other who loves you, flaws and all. The hem should hit the hips or below. You can always tuck it in or leave it out. You can let out a sigh of relief that you wouldn't be flashing inappropriate amount of skin whenever you have to raise your arms.


What do you look for in a t-shirt? Would you buy designer tees?