PRÊT À PORTER PARIS

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Quite unexpectedly, I am in Paris for the Pret-a-Porter! I am one happy bunny to be here, especially since I am staying at a dear-dear friend of mine, just around the corner of Galeries Lafayette.

Only arrived last night and have not left the flat just yet, hence the screenshot and the photo of my friend's fridge magnet:) I promise lots of photos will follow in future posts, but for now I felt I should drop you a line and explain why there's no knitting update or daily posts...

I don't have photoshop or any photo resizing tool which makes everything even harder. Any good links you could suggest?

*also, DAMN you french keyboards, why do you have to be so different? I am typing one character at a time! zzz...Z....zzzz.Z..zz...z..zz....

**photo of fridge magnet was resized using this free polaroid programme I found here. You are so gonna love this!

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Bags Galore: Burberry Prorsum Autumn/Winter '09

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Burberry Prorsum seems to escape from their traditional tartan design. In their Spring/Summer 09 at least they inject some big-checks design in some of the tote bags. But this time, they disappear. Also, as cliche as it can be, they stick to the sombre brown and black (again..). Nevertheless, their tote bag designs look good.. all good. The material - I think most of them are canvas, coz they are famous with their patented coated canvas - with leather trims. And no signs of croc leather... (maybe all crocs has gone on strike LOL!)

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Bags Galore: Bottega Veneta Autumn/Winter '09

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Bottega Veneta is well known for two things - the '20s/30s influenced suit (the wide legged pants) and their woven leather bags (like the pandan mat). For the next Autumn/Winter '09/10, Bottega's bags gone slightly different - instead of woven leather, they did stiched this time (is the term correct..I dun care). Designs are a bit luxe I can say. The color, as also shown by other designers, stick to brown and dark grey. The leather looks buttery soft. They also showcased the croc skin bag (expect price to be well beyond £10,000!).

(Pix from Men Style)

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I'm Ready for Summer: Part 1

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The agony of shoe shopping online. You saw something, you like it then bam.. you hit the "ADD TO BASKET" icon. Then you pay. The next thing is the anticipation. Waiting for the parcel to be delivered to your door. After days I've hit the purchase button on Yoox.com, finally my new sandals for summer has arrived. Voila.

It's really a pure gamble. Gamble on the size that I should buy. Gamble not knowing the exact kind of leather used of the sandals. Gamble of being unsure whether my card will be accepted. Alas, the gamble really paid off. Say hello to my new sandals from Black and Diesel. Black sandal in err.. black, polished leather, and Diesel in white leather. Both got straps - the new ladiator (male version of gladiator sandal).

My verdict? The pics say it all. Amazing fit, amazing design, great price. Plus, they are all Italian made. What more can I say? The one from Black is my favorite. Simple but chic. the polished leather is really hi-sheen and incredible. The leather is sturdy. And the heel in rubber (or izzit synthetic) doesn't make me slip when walking. The one in Diesel is great too. The leather is so damn soft, like no other. Plus, it's in white - the summer next BIG color. Both are from leather that I can wear (not like that Pierre Hardy's GAP sandal that I bought and have to return last year!)

Now, I'm ready for Summer. Bring it on...

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Blabberiffic: iPod... I Do!

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I'm drooling to get one of those. And I did. Now I'm a proud owner of the new iPod Touch!

A day after I wrote that I'm thinking of getting one and taking advantage of pound sterling plummetting to the lowest low, I head down to Apple Superstore at Regent Street. There it was, shiny shimmery iPod Touch on the display table. The desire just can't be controlled. But... wait a minute. My mind suddenly ticked. I can't just buy it without comparing the prices. Where can I checked the price of other store, my mind just wondered.

But hey! It's Apple Store, dude. With the wireless connection available in store, I picked on of those Touch on display and voila... suddenly I'm online. Checking here and there, at John Lewis, Currys and Comet. Which one's better? Hmm.. at last everyone just offering the same price. Finally, I made up my mind. Apple Superstore it is. Eventhough just one pound pricier, at least I could get one of those Apple bag!

So, after almost a week with Touch, my verdict? Amazing. What a great gadget.

• The flip of one pages to the other is uncomparable! The scrolling from top to bottom of pages is so damn flawless. And pretty quick too.
• I have to say I love the calendar feature. With the alarm, I really help a lot. Now my life is so much manageable (I think..).
• The App Store is superb. With the choice of gazillion applications, paid or free, iPod is really making other PDAs run out of their money. Now I can read the iQuran with the flick of a finger! And plays Solitaire.. and Hangman.. and learn Arabic.
• Video playback is great. Now I can watch the video podcast anywhere. No need to go to that UCL Lunch Hour free lecture anymore!
• Look ma, I can surf the web! Plus there's YouTube, Map and Mail icon waiting to be poked. (Provided I'm in the Wifi spot)
• The music playback... oh so much better with volume rocker and the speaker on. No need to plug in the earfone anymore. (Hmm.. talking 'bout annoying the Tube commuters..)
• The best of all.. it's super skinny compared to iPhone!

The only drawback? It's not smudge-free. Damn fingerprint-philic. That's why I'm currently slipping it inside the Giorgio Armani mini pouch (of my Samsung Armani). What more designer can I say.

Me and my iPod. Match made in Apple Store. I do...

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Tagged Tortoise

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So I got tagged too.
Lovely Lucia of blog-tales tagged me and another 3 bloggers to do the usual blog game: go to the 4th folder of our pictures and select the 4th picture to then share it with you.

I know some cheated and had their reasons for doing so, but I was determined to play by the rules. So I go to My Pictures>click! ...then the 4th folder>click! ...cross my fingers... and this is the forth picture:Hm, now you see I was quite hesitant as to whether I should post it for it has nothing to do with fashion. This is one of my tortoises, Helonie. She lives in our garden (we've got 3) and for now she is hibernating, preparing for a wonderfully sunny Spring. Even the way she plunges into cherry tomatoes is more sloppy than stylish. But she's special to me.

She is female and I can tell that because her belly is bended outwards (to carry eggs when she has to) whereas males' bellies are bended inwards (to fit better on top of the females when ..reproducing). Helonie is our eldest and I can only tell that from her size. Overall, I know she will outlive us all as tortoises tend to live for 100-150 years.

Helonie is a rather blunt name, it is only a paraphrase of the word "helona", which is Greek for "tortoise". What else... she is a reptile, prefers indoors to outdoors (weird, I know) and loves the smell of sun-cream (once she bit my little toe but I forgive her).
So since I decided to play fair, here's the closest link to style I could find: the Hermès limited edition silk scarf «de Madras à Zakynthos». Was unveiled here in Athens last November and is inspired by Helonie's protected cousins, sea turtles Caretta-Caretta. Those sweet creatures are in great danger of extinction and only reproduce at the beaches of Zante (Zakynthos) in Greece.

The scarf was created by Dominik Jarlegant and cames in various colours even though in Greece we'll only be able to get blue and emerald green. Part of the profits will go to the National Marine Park of Zante, towards the protection of the species. If you are an Hermès person and have been looking for a silk scarf to buy, go for this one, it's for a good cause! So this was the 4th pic in the 4th folder of My Pictures... (lucky it wasn't me in embarassing swimwear, was close!). However, now Little Miss Play-By-The-Rules I, have to tag another 4 bloggers to do the same. Great. All of you seem to have done this already!

Em... hopefully these guys haven't.
I am tagging: Blood Roses, Qin-At-The-Disco Yiqin, The Stylish Wanderer aaand Irene from Girl Next Blog.

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Mulberry Spring/Summer 2009 Bags

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Mulberry has now ready for Spring/Summer 09 collections. Nice range of bags with new colors like berry red and green (though I'm not really keen on green). There's also a range of canvas bags, with leather trims. But their brand new collection has gotta be the Taylor - part tote, part messenger bag.

My fav has to be the Elliot tote - in white leather. Very practical, either the tote or holdall. Deliciously tempting...really tempting!

Taylor tote

Elliot tote

Elliot holdall

(All pix from Mulberry.com)

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Bags Galore: Prada Autumn/Winter '09

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Remember the lines in the 'White Chick' movie - "It's not just a bag. It's Prada!".

Yes, Prada bag it is. For Autumn/Winter 2009/10 they went for a very structural (and maybe, quite basic) design. Some look reminisce the famous doctor bag. The color choice seems to stick to the plethora of sombre colors - dark brown and black. Yet, there is some interesting twist - a fusion between nylon and leather, giving it a unique outlook. There're also variety of leather - 'scratched' grained and plain hi-sheen leather. The bag handles are quite short, suitable to hand-carry rather than to be slung on the shoulder (maybe can with the detachable strap). Overall, they look quite professional (and chic too, of course).

(Pix from Mens Style)

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Bags Galore: Louis Vuitton Autumn/Winter '09

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Louis Vuitton is without any doubt the father of all designer bags. The craftmanship, the design finish, the look and the signature 'LV' made everyone gasping to get their hands of owning one (including moi). Mentioning LV bags alone made anyone goes ooh, aah.. due to the.. ehem price that would left you gagging with mouth wide open.

Straight from the Paris runway, Louis Vuitton has showcased new arrays in their Autumn/Winter 2009/10 collection. I think they are quite splendid. The new designs are different compared the previous (or current) Autumn/Winter collections - they are inclined towards unleashing the inner femininity in any urban alpha male. So, what's new?

• The LV monogram is taken to a new level - in black leather, choice of holdall, tote and briefcase.
• Even the classic brown monogram canvas range is given a new twist - with quilted honeycomb facade and some with leather trimmings.
• New Damier Graphite carryall, resembling Damier Graphite Leoh.
• And the most fun in the range - the shopper bags in gleaming deep indigo, maroon and silver. All with the signature LV monogramme.

Mmm.. tempting. I'm gonna start saving from now on.. ;)

(Pix from Mens Style)

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Bags Galore: Dolce & Gabbana Autumn/Winter '09

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Exotic skin. That is probably the right word to use when describing Dolce & Gabbana bags collections for Autumn/Winter '09/10. Showcased in the famous fashion capital, Milan - the coveted designer label displays such an arrays of immaculate, very structural and outstanding designs of their men's holdalls.

The alligator print is always synonymous with Autumn/Winter. With many designers using the croc skin, none can match the authenticity croc like D&G's. Even though they share quite similar boxy look, but the detail is what it counts. The texture of the skin is smashing. Black or brown or even grey colored croc leather, all so fantastico. They all screams luxury beyond comprehend. (I dunno how many croc has to die in making all those totes LOL!!).

The bags really look delicious... mmmm...

(Pix from Mens Style)

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Marc Jacobs, MMD

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Oh - Make My Day, Mark J!

Actually, it was my friend who made my day by giving me this Marc Jacobs lipstick pen. I know this has been around for quite a while, but dear friend visited San Fransisco recently and after all this time, put an end to my lust.

I think they are as cheap as $1.20 but it's so not about the price, this pen* is kewl.

*the strass emblazoned pen next to it was one I had bought myself from Sunny Side Up. Best substitute I could find here in Greece, equally cute, no?

She also gave me this, which at first thought was a fun pack of matches. It is fun alright, matches it's not:)

Sure Marc, safety first. Fashion can get certain messages across simply and loudly.

(potentially silly quest.: is this really Marc Jacobs' hand-writting? Gee man, you write like a five-year-old:P)

*Cheers Kristine, totally MMD;)*

P.S. I've decided. I am buying the Marni shoes. To be continued...

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