| During the winter months I develop an obsession with games...chess, backgammon, Monopoly...you name it, I will try my hardest to win it. Yes, it's not about "playing the game"...it's about creaming the competition. Obviously, with this maniacally competitive streak, I run out of willing combatants before we run out of cold weather and I move onto more solitary occupations...jigsaw puzzles, solitaire, and things of that ilk. Which is why, Dear Santa, I need a pack of these Vivienne Westwood playing cards... |  |
| On a trip to Urban Outfitters for some last minute Christmas gifts I stumbled across the neon pink Faline lamp base...as much, that is, as anyone can stumble across something neon and a foot and a half high. I know that I shouldn't...Mr. Heb has been vocal that I shouldn't...and yet, I cannot help lusting over the thought of a day-glo effigy of Bambi's buddy in our living room. As UO's website says "For that Miami Vice meets Bambi vibe, try this awesome neon pink lamp base"...I say "how can something so wrong feel so right?". |  |
| As my seasonal spending has been a little...well...high...I'm pleased to come across something which falls under the "good deal" category. Enter Market Bags by Jaye Hersh...which are,depending on how you look at it, either the nightmarish blending of the plaid shopping bags from Louis Vuitton's Spring/Summer 07 collection with the silhouettes and monogramming of Goyard or a budget-conscious way to fill a gap in your handbag collection. To be honest, this bag works for me on two levels...one, I have been lusting over the look of Goyard for a while now but not the price...and two, this would be a great addition to my collection of "rainy day bags", i.e. bags that look good but are essentially waterproof. |  |
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I love the slightly virtuous feeling that occurs when a purchase does double-duty. “Ah”, you can say. “Yes, I did spend a good chunk of change on this but it’s not just a handbag...it’s a dress as well”. I should say at this point that the last sentence was not some bizarre invention of my mind...it is in fact a bizarre invention of someone else’s mind. Yes, I am the owner of probably one of the few handbag/dress hybrids in existence. But I digress...
I was actually going to talk about Philippa Holland’s “Love” ring which, thanks to the ingenious idea of giving the disc that contains the text the ability to spin, can change from being a ring to a pendant in seconds. Decorative and functional...surely the definition of double-duty.
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| Vaguely...through the hazy mists of early childhood memories...I remember my mother having a male friend who she insisted on referring to as “Fancy Pants”, probably due to the fact (and this is frighteningly clear, even through the aforementioned mists) that he wore very fancy pants indeed. The image of one multi-colored patchwork pair, for instance, will probably stay with me forever. As I looked at the recent additions to J Crew’s website I came across these bright red sailor pants and, I have to admit, I find them strangely appealing. Not quite fancy enough to reach the dizzy heights set by The Great F.P. but, nevertheless, pretty snazzy. The only nagging doubt is whether anyone’s rear...and specifically mine...should be highlighted to such a dazzling degree. Obviously F.P. had a very healthy self-image... |  |
| Maybe it’s just me...but was the first thought that entered your head when you saw Erickson Beamon’s Ping Pong necklace Olympic related? Not necessarily that that’s a bad thing...I've visited American Apparel's website too often not to see the possibilities in bodysuits and skater dresses...but the combination of gold chain and entwined rings is just a little too “please step up to the podium” for my tastes... |  |
At first glance, i.e. the picture on the left, I sort of liked Bless' Fox Parka "Frame"...in a crazed 1930's flapper kind of way.
Then, second glance took in picture number two, and the "Frame" being used for it's actual purpose...and I am completely smitten. This is the mother of all slightly-useful-though-mainly-useless-but-I-really-really-want-it accessories. Sadly, it's also the evil stepsister of all it-costs-how-much accessories. Darn, family feuds are a terrible thing...
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I've discovered a decidedly unhealthy side-effect which occurs after reading too much French Vogue...a sudden desire for massive (real) gems, which should (of course) be worn with laid-back clothing in an insouciant "I don't give a damn" kind of way. The kind of jewelry which is, of course, out of the question unless I win the lottery.
Probably because it is so stratospherically out of my league, I can get a childlike enjoyment from clicking around on Boucheron's interactive eBoutique...and have inner dialogues like, ”no, I want the diamonds there and the rubies over there”. Of course, according to Mr. Heb I’m such a nerd I can get excited over pushing the buttons on the automated check-out machine at the hardware store so you may want to take my previous statement with a pinch of salt as far as the entertainment value goes. I did get some temporary relief from my new-found craving though...in the shape of a ruby, sapphire, and emerald encrusted Secret Ring...a snip at $30,400 (who am I kidding?)...yet too virtual to be completely satisfying.
Time for a little Do-It-Yourself...combined foraging in my jewelry and sewing boxes yielded a gold chain, thread, and some "rocks" which, when tied together, provided a quick-fix for my gem lust. At least, until I win the lottery...
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I'm not sure what I like more about this Martin Margiela dress...the fact that it's an "instant party dress" which requires no jewelry and would fold to the size of a headscarf; thereby making it the ideal dress for the traveler who doesn't know when her next party situation may occur...or the fact that it's currently marked down to a highly satisfying degree.
Of course, it could just be that the strands of silver pearls printed on the fabric fulfill my "shiny things" quotient for the day...
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I seem to be spending all of my spare time online at the moment, either blogging or on eBay. Yes, I am currently in eBay mode, having finally decided to turn some of the unworn clothing that I have folded up in cupboards or hanging in closets into cold, hard, cash. As I go through everything I realize that although some of the pieces are mine, some are vintage and belonged to my mother. In the second instance I think I've held onto the clothes as some kind of memory aid but, it has to be faced...they're not me...it's unlikely that they ever will be me...and I could buy something I'd actually wear with the money I could recoup. Additionally, keeping these items as some kind of fashion-based momento mori probably isn't the healthiest idea. I know that it's by no means an original thought but I'm always amazed by the power of clothes...both positive, and negative...and the memories and associations that can surround them...but, as The Walrus said, "the time has come".
And so, I am clicking away with my camera and trying to write appealing text and, in the occasional instance, finding something that I'd either forgotten about or didn't know was there in the first place, something I'm willing to try and find a home for in my day-to-day wardrobe. Not that a huge quantity of items are falling into the "keeper" pile...so far, the number is two...a pair of Chanel moccasins with winkle picker-ish toes because, even though they're too large and a little "off", I refuse to get rid of Chanel shoes...and a DKNY chambray wrap skirt which is vaguely similar to the lower portion of an Isabel Marant dress that I've had my eye on.
Who knows, if I end up with money and some "new" clothes, this might not be too painful an experience after all.
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“If a woman rebels against high-heeled shoes, she should take care to do it in a very smart hat” - George Bernard Shaw
If you're in London this afternoon...have some spare time...and a slight hat fetish...may I suggest stopping by the V&A for their Cocktail Chic workshop. From 2-5pm today you can get crafty and try your hand at making an evening headpiece.
If that's not an option, which for most of us is probably the case, may I suggest taking a look at what's on offer at KissCurl - Millinery For Femmes Fatales? My favorite is the down-sized riding hat, but I wouldn't say no to the felt and feather tilt hat or kiss curl skull cap either...
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| According to the fairy tale, Hansel and Gretel were deserted in the woods. Of course nowadays, with the amount of green areas disappearing, they'd probably have had to have been left in a suburb. In which case, I'm guessing that the witch would no longer have lived in her rustic shack and would, instead, have moved to a nice little gingerbread bungalow...with a one car garage and a rock garden. In fact, this modern gingerbread house is the quintessential des res for the modern witch...or an interesting take on a Christmas classic...whichever way you want to look at it. |  |
| Though the delay in getting hold of some of the European magazine drives me...and that staff at Barnes & Nobles that I constantly question on anticipated delivery dates...insane, I finally have both the December issue of French Vogue (curated by Charlotte Gainsbourg) and the November issue of Jalouse (with Amy Winehouse on the cover) in my hot little hands. I could be picky and wonder why, in this day and age, even though both magazines come from the same country one is a month older than the other but, to be honest, I'm so excited to actually have them that I'm unconcerned about other issues. Instead, I'll focus on an afternoon of losing myself in the pages...with a glass of red wine at hand...the ingredients for beouf bourguignon in the fridge...and a cold wind blowing past the window. Could there be anything better? Except, of course, getting my hands on the entire cozy/cute plaid, tan, denim outfit which is Jalouse's "Look of the Month"... |  |
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From around the Splendicity community, comes the best posts of the week.
BEAUTY
Beauty and Fashion Tech has Great Beauty Books for Holiday Gifts.
Viva Woman checks out what's the correct sunblock dosage to get sufficient coverage.
Temptalia shares her beauty-themed Holiday Gift Guide for Your Very Best Friend!
Beauty Secrets Revealed is Running A Christmas Contest.
Ellen from Spa Beautifully is curious about Intraceuticals Rejuvenation Infusion facial that is now being offered in Toronto.
FASHION
Style...A Work in Progress has found some beautiful artwork for your wallet.
Indie Style File becomes obsessed with Dace.
ShoeBlitz finds some of the ugliest shoes of the winter.
Stiletto Jungle is giving away a hot new My Hip-T every week, all December long.
Aging Fabulous says that these pajamas are a must have for those of us 40+.
SHOPPING
Her Accessories has put together a list of her Top 10 Accessory Christmas Gift Picks for under $30.
NY Spender shares her holiday gift guide.
Shopalicious has found the antidote to the holiday blues in this snazzy clutch!
Watch out for The Twelve Days of Christmas Giveaway on ShopDiary beginning on December 10.
All That & A is compiling wishlists for the holidays. What's on yours?
CelebLOOK gives us three options when trying to find a sexy LBD like Kate Hudson's.
Even though the only thing in my fireplace is my television set, and the only fire that I will be settling down in front of this winter is on a dvd...thereby losing out on the ability to toast the occasional marshmallow but gaining from not having to lug logs up three flights of stairs (a good example of the old "swings and roundabouts" scenario if I ever saw one)...I do love the idea of hanging a mounted head over the hearth.
| Yes, instead of sugarplums dancing in my head I have visions of ski lodges and baronial mansions...mounted Moose heads...and Colonal Mustard killing Miss Scarlet in the library with a lead pipe. And if I had the spare cash I would be fulfilling my dream with this antique beagle head from a carnival Carousel. Originally from a hunting club in the Adirondacks, it encompasses everything I was looking for...in a nicely off-beat way. |  |
Karl Lagerfeld certainly is a Renaissance Man...not content with being a designer and photographer he's now a pastry chef...with this Limited Edition Bûche de Noël for Lenôtre.
I have to admit, it sounds delicious "a light dacquoise (baked meringue) base heightened with powdered spice bread, almonds and hazelnuts; stewed sweet and sour oranges; a distinct but subtle touch of cinnamon; all enveloped in dense, fine, fruity chocolate. There is chocolate on top in rows of ridges and chocolate inside, not one but three chocolates – from Sao Tomé, the Dominican Republic and Tanzania". I'm just wondering why everything has to be Limited Edition at the moment. This is, after all, a Yule Log, so I'd assume that it would only be around for the run up to Christmas...no need for the L.E. label.
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She gets too hungry, for dinner at eight
She loves the theater, but doesn't come late
She'd never bother, with people she'd hate
That's why the lady is a tramp
Doesn't like crap games, with barons and earls
Won't go to Harlem, in ermine and pearls
Won't dish the dirt, with the rest of those girls
That's why the lady is a tramp
| Yes, I've fallen for another pair of shoes that I could never stand up in...let alone negotiate a party in. This time it's LD Tuttle's Tramp heels, which make me think "Victorian school mistress at a 70's disco"...which sounds odd but turns out to be a very good thing. |  |
What do you think of when you hear the words "do it yourself"? Apart from the obvious image of weekend warriors ransacking their local hardware store before attempting to unblock a sink or build a gazebo the words do tend to suggest...well, doing something yourself...unassisted...alone.
| Which is why I got excited when I saw that the UK Times had a video on their website "How to get the party hairstyle of the season...a sleek up-do doesn't have to be daunting...how to do it yourself". Surely, I thought, even a self-confessed no coif girl like me could manage an up-do if I have a video to follow along with. Then I realized that my ideas on DIY and those of The Times differed slightly... In my mind, the DIY-er entered the hair battle, armed with only The Times' instructions and a Mason Pearson brush...and possibly a cocktail...tackled the job...and emerged victorious with a mostly-up-do. In The Times' scenario the DIY-er never actually touches their own hair...the hairstylist (and their assistant) do all of the back-combing, hairspraying, et al. Which means, unless you're the multi-limbed Goddess Kali or a centipede, it would be physically impossible to mimic the video. Ah well, there go my dreams of "perfect party hair"... |  |
| Even though I love my iPod, and the associated ease with which I can download a song (was spending money ever so frighteningly easy as the 99 cent click?) I still have a modest collection of records. Mainly inherited and horribly kitsch...more Nancy Sinatra and Trini Lopez than should ever see the light of day...there are some songs that I’d like to add, in all their scratchy glory, to my Pod. And now, I can. Thanks to the vinyl archiver there is the possibility for some very frightening new playlists. Be afraid, be very afraid. |  |
| As dear Henry said, "Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown"...but he failed to mention the emotions coursing through the hand that carries the crown embossed tote. Personally I like to think that the hand would have been pretty happy...especially if it was swinging Patch NYC's burlap tote around. After all, there's something so pleasingly "Prince & the Pauper" about the juxtaposition between silk-screened crown and coarse burlap. |  |
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