Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Friday, February 26, 2016
Happy Friday: I Like to Boogie!
The Fashion Weeks are doing the rounds (RIP to Brisbane's Mercedes Benz Fashion week which has called it quits after 7 years due to lack of sponsorship and State Government support), and there was simply no ignoring the 70s disco-themed collection from UK designer Ashish at this year's London Fashion Week.
Born to Indian parents, Ashish Gupta's A/W2016 show was a dazzling mix of exuberance, candy colours and high octane glamour - a David Bowie takes on Bollywood type collection.
Born to Indian parents, Ashish Gupta's A/W2016 show was a dazzling mix of exuberance, candy colours and high octane glamour - a David Bowie takes on Bollywood type collection.
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| Classic black still got a look in |
Not surprisingly, Gupta has designed outfits for a number of high profile personalities, including M.I.A, Madonna, Jerry Hall, Victoria Beckham, Kelly Osborne, Lily Allen and Patrick Wolf. Frankly, I'm surprised that Kate Moss hasn't worn some of these creations. Perhaps for her next birthday party?
Since his first show at London Fashion Week in 2004, Gupta has won the New Generation Award three times. Gupta's street cred has grown with a collaboration with Topshop - the 'Ashish for Topshop' capsule range. His mainline collection is stocked in Selfridges and Browns Focus and can also be found in Italy, USA, Russia, Dubai and Kuwait.
Friday, February 19, 2016
Happy Friday: All About That Bass
It has been stinking hot in my neck of the woods lately, and there is really no better way to luxuriate in the heat than to eat ice cream (or better yet, to bask in a roof top pool with ice cream and aperol spritz' on hand).
Things started off strong today with free ice creams handed out on the sidewalk (I can now confidently recommend Streets Fruttare coconut smoothie ice creams), and will continue throughout the weekend without a doubt. I am rubbing my fat, sticky little fingers together in anticipation....
Happy Friday indeed! x
Things started off strong today with free ice creams handed out on the sidewalk (I can now confidently recommend Streets Fruttare coconut smoothie ice creams), and will continue throughout the weekend without a doubt. I am rubbing my fat, sticky little fingers together in anticipation....
Happy Friday indeed! x
Making History
In not-so-scandalous fashion news today, Anna Wintour has been sighted on the fashion front row wearing *gasp* a t-shirt!
Appearing at the Marc Jacobs show in a Jacobs-designed Hillary Clinton campaign tee, Wintour has scotched any confusion over who she would like to see as President of the USA later this year. Not that there was likely to be much confusion: Wintour has on several occasions previously very publicly outlined her interest in the advancement of Clinton, and assisted on a few occasions when Hillary's popularity was on the wane (think the Monica Llewinsky years in 1998, when Hillary graced the cover of a Christmas-themed edition that December).
Marc Jacobs has also publicly proclaimed his support for Clinton, stating that:
“My support for Hillary is grounded on our long-standing shared belief in equality. I am proud to share this T-shirt as a champion for equal rights, for the progress we have made, and for the hope of continued progress with Hillary as President.”
For those of you familiar with Jacobs' politically-motivated activities, you may recall he designed t-shirts for Hillary in 2004 for her Senate re-election campaign, as well as for her ultimately unsuccessful presidential bid against Barack Obama in 2008.
Also coming out in support for the Jacobs-designed shirt is Kendall Jenner, appearing on Instagram in the shirt on Thursday.
For those of you familiar with Jacobs' politically-motivated activities, you may recall he designed t-shirts for Hillary in 2004 for her Senate re-election campaign, as well as for her ultimately unsuccessful presidential bid against Barack Obama in 2008.
Jacobs is not the only fashion designer to show support, with Tory Burch, Maxwell Osborne and Public School also designing shirts for the range (available for US$45 from the campaign website).
Clinton will also appear in a 10 page spread in US Vogue's March edition (sure to be a keeper for Clinton-dynasty lovers). While the results of the Democratic nomination - and indeed the ultimate Presidential race - are still a while off, I am hoping this extra momentum from the fashion community gives Clinton a much-needed bump in the polls. If I were a US voter, I'd be leaping at the chance to vote not only for the first female US President, but also for about the only candidate who doesn't seem to be a tad ... well ... scary as leader of the USA and as many say, the Western world.
Appearing at the Marc Jacobs show in a Jacobs-designed Hillary Clinton campaign tee, Wintour has scotched any confusion over who she would like to see as President of the USA later this year. Not that there was likely to be much confusion: Wintour has on several occasions previously very publicly outlined her interest in the advancement of Clinton, and assisted on a few occasions when Hillary's popularity was on the wane (think the Monica Llewinsky years in 1998, when Hillary graced the cover of a Christmas-themed edition that December).
Marc Jacobs has also publicly proclaimed his support for Clinton, stating that:
“My support for Hillary is grounded on our long-standing shared belief in equality. I am proud to share this T-shirt as a champion for equal rights, for the progress we have made, and for the hope of continued progress with Hillary as President.”
For those of you familiar with Jacobs' politically-motivated activities, you may recall he designed t-shirts for Hillary in 2004 for her Senate re-election campaign, as well as for her ultimately unsuccessful presidential bid against Barack Obama in 2008.
Also coming out in support for the Jacobs-designed shirt is Kendall Jenner, appearing on Instagram in the shirt on Thursday.
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| Model of the moment Kendall Jenner shared the picture with the hashtags "#MadeForHistory" and "ImWithHer". |
Jacobs is not the only fashion designer to show support, with Tory Burch, Maxwell Osborne and Public School also designing shirts for the range (available for US$45 from the campaign website).
Clinton will also appear in a 10 page spread in US Vogue's March edition (sure to be a keeper for Clinton-dynasty lovers). While the results of the Democratic nomination - and indeed the ultimate Presidential race - are still a while off, I am hoping this extra momentum from the fashion community gives Clinton a much-needed bump in the polls. If I were a US voter, I'd be leaping at the chance to vote not only for the first female US President, but also for about the only candidate who doesn't seem to be a tad ... well ... scary as leader of the USA and as many say, the Western world.
Friday, February 12, 2016
Happy Friday: For the Lovers
Garance Dore has recently become engaged (you can read all about it in 4 instalments on her ever-lovely website here), and I just loved how she described that moment when a man proposes to a woman - it's so true.
It was beautiful, touching, imperfect, and really really really moving. For hours and even days. Moving to the point that we had a hard time having a normal conversation after that. It unleashes so many profound emotions and stirs you all up inside. And you look at this man next to you and say he’s going to be your family. And you love him even more because he had the incredible courage to do that, to ask you to marry him. You know it won’t change anything and it will change everything at the same time. You hope you’re ready and up to the task.
Each year since I've been married, I've made a New Year's resolution to try to be a great wife. I think it takes a lot of work to keep a marriage dynamic, healthy and on the right track. It's easy to take people (especially the kind ones) for granted. I am terrible for that. I always try to remind myself that all that handsome hubby does for me comes from a place of deep love, and that I should respond in kind with great love - and patience. It can be hard when I'm running at a rate of knots, my mind is focused on a million different things. I often very unfairly expect him to be on my wavelength always which is so crazy. We are so different, and think so differently. I didn't marry someone similar to me for a very good reason - too annoying! Too impatient!
While I had to not-so subtly remind Handsome Hubby that it was Valentine's Day and that the perfect way to celebrate was to give me a voucher to my favourite nail bar, I still know our love is deep (in spite of his sulkiness at being forced to buy in to Hallmark-generated events).
Happy Friday to all the lovers. x
It was beautiful, touching, imperfect, and really really really moving. For hours and even days. Moving to the point that we had a hard time having a normal conversation after that. It unleashes so many profound emotions and stirs you all up inside. And you look at this man next to you and say he’s going to be your family. And you love him even more because he had the incredible courage to do that, to ask you to marry him. You know it won’t change anything and it will change everything at the same time. You hope you’re ready and up to the task.
While I had to not-so subtly remind Handsome Hubby that it was Valentine's Day and that the perfect way to celebrate was to give me a voucher to my favourite nail bar, I still know our love is deep (in spite of his sulkiness at being forced to buy in to Hallmark-generated events).
Happy Friday to all the lovers. x
Friday, January 15, 2016
Ah-ctive Wear
While active wear may be the butt of a thousand jokes, it's still hard to pull oneself away from the Lorna Jane or Lululemon when you plan your next trip to the supermarket. Has anyone invented (fragrant) spray-on sweat yet?
Count yourself lucky that active wear is actually wearable. Check out below for a brief history of active wear and ridiculous exercise trends:
As a girl who loved her 80s-era dance concerts, I really miss those days of shimmer tights, fluoro ankle warmers, teased side ponytails and leotards...
Count yourself lucky that active wear is actually wearable. Check out below for a brief history of active wear and ridiculous exercise trends:
As a girl who loved her 80s-era dance concerts, I really miss those days of shimmer tights, fluoro ankle warmers, teased side ponytails and leotards...
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
New Year Mantra: Expectations
They say that disappointment is the difference between your expectations and reality. This is probably a fairly accurate equation, although disregards effort and work behind the scenes to achieve your expectations and transform reality. That's why I rather like Seth Godin's latest challenge regarding expectations.
This also reminds me of one of my favourite sayings: Dreams don't work unless you do.
A lot of people really loathe New Year's resolutions, and don't believe in hitting a reset button. To those cynics, I feel sorry for them - it's the most golden of opportunities, and the easiest mark in time to see how you are tracking throughout the year. I don't believe it's a tool for self-loathing, but a tool for self-improvement and progression as a minor cog in the wheel of humanity.
Admittedly, last year I was sporadic at best at keeping mine (last year's attempt at sending more handwritten notes tallied up to one thank you note, a number of birthday cards, and 1 Christmas card - lame!). This year, I have vowed to eat more vegetables which is an exercise also in deception for someone who hates vegetables. I am primarily eating soups with vegetables snuck in, but at least I'm a little more committed to this one. Yotam Ottolenghi - with all his chopping and pots and pans - will be my companion to 2016. I'm still trying to figure out if hot chips fall into the category of "Vegetables".
Another of my friends has boldly resolved to not buy clothes this year. Impressive. After hearing this, I immediately took back the clothes I'd impulsively and unnecessarily bought at Zara a few days prior and felt great! While I don't think I can commit to not buying new clothes for an entire year, I think it's a great resolution and kinda wish I'd thought of that. But at least by having the idea planted, it makes me think twice about my purchases, and that can only be a good thing (thank God for returns policies). For a great article on clearing out your wardrobe, and buying less stuff go here.
The benefits of sharing resolutions have now been proven. So... What did you resolve for 2016?
Lower the expectations that you'll find an easy way out.
Raise your expectations for what you can contribute.
Lower your expectations for how effective that next shortcut is going to be.
Raise your expectations about what technology can do for you if you patiently push it.
Lower your expectations about how an angry fight can help you win something you care about.
Raise your expectations for how much consistent daily action can transform your status quo.
Lower your expectations of finding a fairy godmother.
But raise them about the power of concrete goals that keep you from hiding.
A lot of people really loathe New Year's resolutions, and don't believe in hitting a reset button. To those cynics, I feel sorry for them - it's the most golden of opportunities, and the easiest mark in time to see how you are tracking throughout the year. I don't believe it's a tool for self-loathing, but a tool for self-improvement and progression as a minor cog in the wheel of humanity.
Admittedly, last year I was sporadic at best at keeping mine (last year's attempt at sending more handwritten notes tallied up to one thank you note, a number of birthday cards, and 1 Christmas card - lame!). This year, I have vowed to eat more vegetables which is an exercise also in deception for someone who hates vegetables. I am primarily eating soups with vegetables snuck in, but at least I'm a little more committed to this one. Yotam Ottolenghi - with all his chopping and pots and pans - will be my companion to 2016. I'm still trying to figure out if hot chips fall into the category of "Vegetables".
Another of my friends has boldly resolved to not buy clothes this year. Impressive. After hearing this, I immediately took back the clothes I'd impulsively and unnecessarily bought at Zara a few days prior and felt great! While I don't think I can commit to not buying new clothes for an entire year, I think it's a great resolution and kinda wish I'd thought of that. But at least by having the idea planted, it makes me think twice about my purchases, and that can only be a good thing (thank God for returns policies). For a great article on clearing out your wardrobe, and buying less stuff go here.
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| A little less of this in 2016 |
The benefits of sharing resolutions have now been proven. So... What did you resolve for 2016?
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