For the love of Sonia...

I love Sonia Rykiel's whimsical yet chic sensibility.

The french-ness is palpable. Stripes(usually in the renown Rykiel multicolour), berets, knits, chic sweater dresses & cardigans. Pretty bows, studs & chunky rhinestones. A fashion oxymoron really-pretty yet somewhat edgy. Pretty black & baby pink striped sweaters with a soft black leather bag ridden with silver studs.

A family owned and run fashion house. Sonia & her daughter Nathalie are just what French fashion is all about. I love that Sonia was the first to have smiling models on her runways... just girls that look like they are having a great time.

Alongside the cheerful atmosphere the Rykiel women create for their show the collections also do the very same. They are colourful, feminine, witty & fun ♥ Its all about french frivolity. How can you not want to be a Rykiel girl?

 

My obsession started when I purchased the above bag maybe 3 or so years ago ...of course it was on sale...& strangely I chose it in white. I would never buy a white bag usually, but somehow it really worked. I love it still...

And just a week ago Nathalie Rykiel did it again in the SR Spring 2011 collection. I really can't get enough of waisted bows. So pretty. And this particular colour ensemble is lovely.

Who cares about horizontal stripes being unflattering Rykiel makes you forget all about your waistline when they look this good...

...I did love Carrie as much as every second girl in the world did but it wasn't the fact that she wore this on the 2nd last episode when she arrives in Paris but the pure fact that Patricia Field chose her to wear Rykiel- not Dior, Lanvin or Balmain- but Rykiel in her first Paris scene.

Now,  if Rykiel isn't the epitomy of French style I don't know what is!

Mad Hatter...

I have a new found obsession with finding the perfect Summer hat.

A panama or a trilby - either one & I would be delighted!  

The only problem is, is that finding one that fits perfectly is quite a task...hats don't suit everyone...& I'm wondering whether I'm one of those people...fingers crossed I'm not.

...Because I would really love the look like the following fabulous women in their hats...(actually, I would really love to look like the following fabulous women whether they look good in their hats or not) ANYWAY....straw trilby or panama just spell S-U-M-M-E-R....Summer so close you can smell it in the air...

  

 I ♥ Diane's the best...& look she is just SURROUNDED by hat wearers!



IMAGES: weheartit.com, garancedore.com 

Πύργος του Άιφελ (Eiffel Tower)...

it's all greek today....

IMAGES: WEHEARIT.COM

Bisous for Mr Copping. xx

I wanted to cry tears of pure happiness when I had a look at Peter Copping's collection for Nina Ricci.

 

 

I love the colour palate of mixed neutrals alongside gorgeous bright pinks & canary yellows. I've always been a fan of a little sheer blouse, a fluffy or structure bow, a good heavy frill or ruffle &/or lots of lacey additions - so this collection really had me from the start! ♥





IMAGES: STYLE.COM

Decorative Blooms..

Another homeware crush at first sight.

I had one of these just last week when I saw a Moroccan style Jonathan Adler rug.

Today's episode was almost as fanatic.

It's just so difficult for me to think logically right now with the all these inspiring decorative thoughts I keep having-- due of the fact that my fiance & I will have a new apartment to decorate in a mere few months.

Nevertheless, today's effervescent moment was when I saw these Artecnica light fittings.

They are just so whimsical & beautifully delicate! ...its unquestionable that a woman will smile at the sight of some pretty blooms....& to potentially have this hanging over your dining table is a magical thought.

Artecnica also make these gorgeous pop up greeting cards in the most lovely colour combinations..

And it's here where the crazy jewellery lady in me is exposed. How divine are these little charms. They come in packs of 3's with different little combinations of butterflies & blossoms, little bunnies & chestnuts.

Artecnica can I get one of everything?

IMAGES: http://www.dedeceplus.com/plus/

Disaster...

To say last nights finale episode of Australia's Next Top Model was a disaster would be an understatement...they announced the incorrect winner & then had to re-announce it. So, poor Kelsey made her thank you speech etc etc & then the lovely host Sarah Murdoch had to apologise & pronounce Amanda as the seasons winner & top model. Live TV...it's seriously destructive!

Nevertheless, Harper's Bazaar Australia was to have the winner gracing their front page-but have just now release a statement that due to popular demand they would like both finalists on their pages. So half will go to print with Amanda & the other half Kelsey...Quite a debate in the making!

I can't deny it I was a Kelsey supporter she is simply gorgeous. But, Amanda is the final winner & she deserves her glory. Unfortunately her win is being totally eclipsed by the disaster last night & I think publishing 2 covers will just highlight it even further. Would love to hear your thoughts ...

IMAGES: HARPERSBAZAAR.COM.AU

Street Style Blogging LOVE

These are such lovely photos. Taken from Citizen Couture my new found love as of yesterday.

Street style blogs always take my heart, whether the subjects are the well known fashion elite like Carine Roitfeld or just simply a girl walking to work.

In my opinion, it's hard to beat fashion inspiration like this rather than a magazine editorial or the likes. OK, so all the women photographed below are really beautiful but still it's not a runway or a magazine shoot. (Even if the women are running to a fashion show or walking to work to their job at a fashion magazine) Nevertheless, there is something that makes the ultra fashionable a little more attainable when shown like this. Enjoy...

NB: I'm pretty new to this blogging biz & I am aware that the photographs take up too much room width wise but I don't know how to fix this other than making them 'large' instead of 'X large' but I don't want to and I don't really care how they look because you need to see them big don't you think?

♥

IMAGES: CITIZENCOUTURE.COM

Torre Eiffel...♥

I only discovered Citizen Couture today!...Therefore, what a happy happy day it is...

As you would know I am a huge fan of The Sartorialist's & of Garance Dore's so to find someone that comes close to rivalling them is quite the feat.

I would usually post a zillion glorious photographs from CC (which I'm sure to do in the following days) BUT it's Tuesday!! & just wonderfully, CC had a lovely pic of the Torre Eiffel ♥

Adiós

IMAGE: CITIZENCOUTURE.COM

'The Sun is Shining The Weather is Sweet'...♪♫♪

The sun is finally smiling down on Sydney & Spring is in everyones step! So when I glanced at Scott Schuman's Jil Sander photos I got extra excited.

The thought of banishing my cream coat & charcoal trousers for fuschia lips & tangerine totes makes Summer more of a reality than a mere memory! Hallelujah!

I fell deeply inlove with this dress.

What an gorgeous colour....although I am secretly pining for every single one of these pieces ALL the colours are right up my alley...

It's got a little pinch of mermaid but this almost instantly reminded me of Picasso's harlequin paintings...we've seen so many frills & folds but this is done in such a different way...& I love the simple tee on the torso..& again that stunning mango colour!
 

For me, it's mostly about the colour of these too I ♥ navy & that candy pink is to die for...there's not much to look at in terms of design-obviously- but it's billowing nature, look of the fabric & the colours chosen make it Summery perfection.

WELCOME BACK SUMMER....

IMAGES: SARTORIALIST & STYLE.COM

You know you love me...

Do I need to justify my love for Gossip Girl? The clothes, the ridiculous but addictive story lines...did I mention the clothes?

Season 4 starts in Paris...what a heavenly combination...I'm a little slow on the uptake & have only recently had a marathon weekend watching Season 3 episode after episode...quite exhausting really! So now, because Australian TV is always so lagging, I am going to pour myself a hot cup of coffee & some macarons, lap top proped on my knees & start Season 4. ♥

Meanwhile look at Serena's stunning blush ensemble & Blair's divine fruity dress, I seriously just ♥ her!!

I once thought I was a 'Carrie'...but SATC is so last season...

I'm definitely a 'Blair'...

XOXO

images: http://www.posh24.com/gossip_girl/gossip_girl_takes_on_paris

4 more days...

Like Garance, I hope to be taking numerous photos with my new camera...if I get it....in 4 mere days...

IMAGES: THESARTORIALIST.BLOGSPOT.COM/

A mug full of heaven...

So just the other night I had a brain wave about an email I received with a fabulous recipe for making chocolate cake in a mug. It was a pretty old email, I had never tried it, but if you google it, it's been talked about time after time again. Now I know why, it is so EASY & DELICIOUS!

It was a late night treat for my sister and I so I had to scavenge through the kitchen to try & find some ingredients.

I did quite well --except for the fact that I had NO MILK!...How is it possible to not have milk...it's more than just a staple --it's MILK!!! Nevertheless, I found some light thickened cream & thought I would improvise. It panned out pretty well. There are quite a few variations on the idea here & here.  Below is the one I variably stuck to....

Ingredients:

4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk

3 tablespoons oil

3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)

1 large coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.

Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.

Add the chocolate chips and mix again.

Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts (high).

The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!

Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate or just dig in!

 
IMAGE: http://almostbourdain.blogspot.com/

エッフェル塔 (Efferu-tō)

Let's be a little cultured a learn how to say Eiffel Tower in Japanese.

Efferu-tō....a different language everyweek ...it could actually catch on...

This image could almost be a little Japanese...the bare trees remind me of cherry blossoms...god I adore cherry blossoms they are just so delicate & frilly and pink. So girly. Ow dear what distractions.

ANYWAY! Happy Tuesday!...arent you glad Monday's over? ...I am.
...OK so just as I was about to publish this post I decided to google Eiffel Tower + Pink & came across a few beautiful images. ...& yes ONE WITH CHERRY BLOSSOMS! ...So obviously, I couldn't resist ... two more...xxx




IMAGES: GOOGLE .