To Fur or Not to Fur?

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So lately I've been having this awful moral dilemma. Everywhere I go, class, on the street, online, I am surrounded by beautiful fur coats and vests. mink and rabbit, gorgeous and soft. Up until now, I would have never even thought of buying something that is real fur, because I am an animal lover to the core. However, when learning about how furs and leathers are made, I started to think a bit differently. I mean, I'm not a vegetarian, I wear leather shoes and purses. I don't know. But then again, I could cry every time I see or hear about someone with a chinchilla fur coat, especially when I think back to my lovely chinchilla babies just a few years ago. And I started to rationalize the fact that the only way I could ever buy fur is if it is vintage, because it was made so long ago. I have old hats that I have taken apart that are fur to make headbands, and I am Ok with that. I don't know. And I'm perfectly fine with wearing faux fur coats and such, I'm just trying to figure out where I stand on this... Thoughts, opinions????! I need help...

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I want I want:

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Here are some things I am pining over at the moment:




This bow scarf/collar thing from mousseauchocolat.




this just screams warm and cozy and perfect for winter. I think I am going to challenge myself to make one.....



booties with bows on them. mmm. these lovelies are from F21.




more bows :) surprise!


DEERHOOF tonight :)

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Say hello to WESTFIELD - the Europe's Largest Shopping Mall.

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Today is the day. London's largest megamall, and the said Europe's largest indoor shopping arena has finally open its door for the public. Boasting of more than 250 stores, plus some anchor stores like M&S, House of Fraser, Debenhams and the fabulous "THE VILLAGE" where big players like Prada, Louis Vuitton, Versace, Burberry and the like - it is indeed the 'IT' shoppers' paradise.

WESTFIELD - as the name synonym to where it's located, in West London (Shephard's Bush, to be exact), is not just about the place to flash your credit/debit card. It's about the immaculate, spectacular piece of architechture with a cliche glass roof (reminisce the Great Court of British Museum) in a silhouette of trees. It is soooo damn large, with an area as big as Buckhingham Palace, the mall is indeed spacious, very airy and so much light seeps through.

The opening ceremony is graced by the London Mayor, BoJo, while the infamous British model, Erin O'Connor opened the catwalk show. And the BIG surprise is when Leona Lewis emerged through the stage - performing series of new songs, plus the big hit, Bleeding Love. Keep bleeding..keep keep bleeding love... (I would cue, oh shopping...shopping, shopping that I love!)

Well, it seems that I have to add another location in my weekly shopping itinerary. Westfield. It's time to 'SHOP IN THE NEW LIGHT"!


The entrace facade look surreal.




Interior of Westfield, in a silhouette of trees.


The Village - houses more than 40 designer labels.


The glorious chandeliers in The Village

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!

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It's my birthday! And it's snowing! And the James Bond premiere is tonight! YEAY!!!

Thanx to the team @ Esprit Club and Facebook who send me the first Birthday Wishes. I Love U guys!

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....Talking About Ties....

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Plain white shirts give men freedom to go for pattern in ties. (Quoting what I said previously...). In last week's issue of Shortlist, plaid and paisley ties make a big comeback. The forest colors such as green, brown, chocolate and grey hues dominating the designs.

My choice? Definitely the plaid or stripe. Simple, understated, classic and the most important non-seasonal. (Paisleys and prints are not my cuppa tea anyway - coz they are seasonal!). Love the Louis Vuitton's one. Very chic (but damn.. too expensive!). Btw, I love the cheapo tartan in my previous purchase!

(Didn't I just review some of the best tartan/check ties before...?)

My grey/pink tartan tie.

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mixtape monday anyone?

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thanks to daydream lily :)

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Plain White Shirt: An all time classic.

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The simplest thing is always the hardest to find . I've been searching for plain white shirt for a long time. Not that all the stores don't have one, but they don't have THE ONE for me. I just need one that fits me well (yeah, I mean really fit!), affordable (I mean cheap, actually), design not too tacky and the most important the fabric has to be right - thick, cotton. Is that too much to ask?

In the recent LondonPaper, it is reported that the sales of plain white shirts are booming. Debenhams's white shirt sales increases 50% since the credit crunch hit the nation. And fashion expert predicted the trend will continue as City workers made redundant splash out on new interview outfit.

A white shirt sends out the message that you are professional. Neckwear is back in fashion, so plain shirts give men freedom to go for pattern in ties. There are some tips of choosing plain white shirt:

- Avoid too cheap white fabric, as the fabric will be transparent.
- Buy a lot, replace often - there's no hiding stains or greying cuffs on white.
- Use your tie to add color, but keep it sober. (A 'toothbrush' or Batman tie is a no no)
- Don't wear black suit plus white shirt, or you'll look like an undertaker.
- Use deodorant - wet patches show up on white!

In my quest of plain white shirt, my pick would definitely be the one from Zara and Burton Black Label. While Topman's is also not too bad (the 25 pound, not the 20 quid one).

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I love

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Here are some things I am thinking about right now:




the original tights as pants girl edie sedgwick. Thinking of when I watched Factory Girl and how afterwards even though I was terribly depressed at such a sad ending to a life all I really wanted to do was run around in tights and one giant chandelier earring chain-smoking.



I have been listening to this singer Meiko non-stop lately. I am in a soft-girly music mood.




some nice back seam tights. If I had any money I would buy them today.



I love it when you go and get coffee and they make a pretty design on top. I went to Provence cafe yesterday in Hillsboro Village with Mack and Morgan and it was lovely. Grilled Cheese from Bongo Java is always amazing too.

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Autumn 2008 Scent-sational!

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Shortlist's Autumn 2008 fragrance pick.

Fashion is not just about clothing..it's about everything that you put on your body..or hold on to you (ehem...exclude your spouse or pet!). That's including perfume. Well, new season, new smell. Not the smell of the falling leaves or steamy road due to raining (eventhough I do like the smell of freshly cut grass), but the fresh and 'muskiness' of the new masculinity. Autumn scent give a bit 'deeper' blend compared to summer fragrance. A bit of seductive flair, if you may. Think wild vanilla and bergamot instead of citrusy feel.

In the previous issue of Shortlist, autumn 2008 saw a refined fragrance, not just about the blend, but the design of the bottle as well. More symmetrical, masculine and luxury. Now a fragrance is not just a fragrance; it's also a collectors' item!

My pick: Diamond for Men by Gorgio Armani, Paco Rabanne's One Million and Calvin Klein's Intense Euphoria.

(P/S: Didn't I just review PR's One Million and Kenzo Power in my last blog entry?)

Shortlist's Autumn 2007 finest scents.

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Fashion is fashion.

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"What is art, what is architecture, what is fashion?" he demanded when asked about the connection between Hadid's work and his own. "All those things, one should not put it in the same melting pot. Architecture is architecture, fashion is fashion, and art is art. We don't need art, but we cannot live without it." He seemed to have made his point, but then amended, thoughtfully, "Actually, architecture we need because otherwise we are freezing, and clothes we need because we cannot run around naked."

-Karl Lagerfeld on Zaha Hadid's Mobile Art Pavilion.
(from style.com)

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Lackluster

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I am feeling so dull lately. Sorry about injecting my personal life into this blog right now, but I feel the need. School and work is wearing on me, even though I feel as though I am getting enough sleep and such. I am just not my usual sparkly self. So here is an apology to all of my friends who have been putting up with my zombie-like/catatonic self lately...I do not mean anything by it!
In happier things....

Today Libby Callaway came by and talked to my Intro to Fashion class at O'more. It was very interesting and I am dying to check out her vintage booth at the Gaslamp Antique Mall here in nashville. Besides being a stylist, she also writes for The City Paper in Nashville, and has her own blog on their website

I was perusing her website and I really adore the photoshoot she styled here:
pretty pretty pictures

(I would post the pictures here, but I would not want to step on anyone's feet by doing so. But do check it out!)




and simply to make myself feel better, here is one of my favorite photos with the first vintage feather headband I ever found :)

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Gender Bender styles: Is it acceptable nowadays?

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I don't know what is it nowadays in the menswear department that some 'gender bender' styles seems to flock in. On my way to college last friday, I saw this guy clinging a Mulberry Piccadilly bag that is supposedly for the ladies. And also, recently in some of the blogs saw Marc Jacobs sports a 'skirt' on his way to the office. What happens to guys these days? Are they out of their mind? Or is it a new age of fashion statement that they wanna shout out?

The term gender bender is normally used when an item of clothing from other gender is used by the other gender. Say, a skirt which normally used by the ladies is now used by men. I know that gender bender style is not new. Sometimes it is undefined, whether it is for men or for women. For example, tartan kilts are famously used by the Scotts' men. Also, the Asians in the like of Indians, Malay, Cambodian and Burmese also make the wearing of sarong so popular. The wearing of tunic is also popular among the Arabs, Persian and Indians, which saw the term salwar kameez being used in many literatures.

For me I think gender bender style is acceptable within limit. As long as a guy don't wear evening dress (like in the yesteryear's Versace ad)... or hot pants, or any item of clothing is surely for women, then it doesn't really matter.

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Cold enough for neff!

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My day consisted of:
1.) getting locked inside the store
2.) spilling coffee all over my erin fetherston cupcake skirt...at least it was kind of in the same color family (however the coffee was free so that should make up for it somehow, no?)
3.) making potatoes for dinner and splashing hot oil on my neck. ow.
4.) realizing I have an accounting project due thurs that I have really yet to start...
5.) realizing also that I left my computer charger at the store. nice.
Excuse my frumpiness at the moment, I looked cute today I swear. I wore light pink tights, my erin skirt, a plain white tee and my mr. gray cardigan with black ankle booties. imagine it. cute.


So here now, is the blog introduction of my beloved black neff hat. I lived in this thing last winter. It is making a comeback. Plus, it looks quite lovely with slouchy dresses and tights and boots. yes.

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Leather and Tartan

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Party babies last night. Alas something happened to my camera last night and so until I can figure out how to get it fixed there will be no more picture posts :( . Or I will be resorting to the lovely photobooth on my mac.....ick. However, I am glad I got pictures of last night, at least. I am in love with my outfit.


fake leather jacket- b.b. dakota
tee- f21
skirt - erin fetherston for target
tights- target
headband- handmade by me
and I was wearing my black patent peeptoe laceup pumps, which you cannot see...




another shot of the lovely bow I am in love with. I am wearing it now at work :)

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Your Pretty Pretty Petticoat

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It finally feels like fall and that makes me happy. Today I debuted my newly altered vintage petticoat slip. Perfect with a long sweater and tights.





petticoat-vintage
tights- gap
suede flats- gap

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I love ewe

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So this weekend we had a nice family outing to the renaissance fair in north carver, MA. I always love looking at the costumes that are always there. It's this brand called Moresca, and every year i can't help but get sucked into wanting to be a little fairy or some sort of medieval nymph. This year they had this frayed white costume that I thought looked like a sheep, and couldn't help but notice looked like so many dresses on the runway this season. I could not find any pictures but it's amazing I promise...

It reminded me specifically of this dress by Frank Tell, that I have seen in all of the magazines and online lately. I am obsessed with it. Something about looking like a cloud, or an airy little something. And that you can also look fierce at the same time, with some nice black tights.

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Fashion Week Echo

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could be my laundry (but it is not). this is an exhibition full of messages in all shapes and languages. i think it is the work of some workshop that took place on day one. it stood there throughout fash week.

Now that the 8th Athens Fashion Week (or to some, Vodafone Collections) is over things are a bit dry. Isn't this always the case?

Today, two days later I feel ready as ever to give you my aftermath:

Favourite shows: Zoulias, Valente, Karadima, Katerinalexandraki, Filep Motwary & Maria Mastori, Eleftheriades, Vrettakos, Dassios. By far. Also Andria's collection brought Spring to our eyes with her flower crowns.

Absence of the season: Deux Hommes.

What did I think of last week?

New venue is funkier, Greeks can definitely do fashion, the organisers can surely do better.

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Elf Toes

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I am home until tomorrow. New shoes! And pictures of my lovely kittnesses, Bee and Ollie, respectively.




Elf Shoes- Aldo.





now it's off to eat Chinese food and work on my resume for class. Back to Nashville tomorrow loves!

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Moonlight Sonata

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Tonight Shane came over and took lovely pictures of Hannah, Lainie, and I outside in the dark. The last one is my favorite!












Photos by Shane Godfrey

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Marios Schwab

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Athens Fashion Week, Day 6 (final)

17.00 Parthenis

17.45 Andria

18.30 AF Vandervorst

19.00 Essential Looks Show

19.15 Victoria Kyriakides

20.00 Marios Schwab

20.45 MIRO

21.30 Custo Barcelona

Ending of Marios Schwab's show in Athens, with an extatic audience applauding his s/s 09 collection. Picture too blury? Sorry, I was clapping too...

However, here's his closing piece professionally shot:

As wow as it gets. See the full collection on style.com (http://www.style.com/fashionshows/complete/S2009RTW-MSCHWAB)

Greek designers of the day: Orsalia Parthenis, Andria and MIRO.

Parthenis showed her favourite island-chic theme in white and sky blue, Andria sees s/s 09 in Tinkerbell cocktail dresses and MIRO showed us how one goes to the office in tailored vs broderie, especially if she's got one parent native American Indian and one Mexican, all topped with far west hats, above neckerchiefs tied on their head.

The ending of a rather interesting Fashion Week finds me puzzled on what caused the loud absences and disappointed to have it stated as a fact over the speakers at the end of Custo Barcelona's glittery show.

Free Estrella 'bye-bye' beer was ok, but Cointreau-Martinis served at the opening were miles classier, I thought.

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