Crimson Celine Triptyque

Celine Mini Luggage Tote & Celine Triptyque bag
Photo: www.purseblog.com

Leave it to the folks at Purseblog to bring forth more temptation to my life. I have been dreaming of a red handbag.. and I've been really drawn to the "old lady bags", as my friends would say. :)  They've featured the sold out red Celine Tryptique satchel with the really popular Celine Mini Luggage tote in a gorgeous colbalt blue. That leather is just so exquisite. Check out their post to see more photos. You may find yourself going back to their blog on a regular basis it's so addictive!

First Style Jam Session

Like musicians who get together with their mates to just jam and come up with some good tunes, I see a shopping expedition in the same way. By the end of this, maybe you will understand why I titled this Style Jam Session. So here's the story. My friend approached me earlier this year and asked me to help re-do her wardrobe. It is a first official style consultation and personal shopping request for me. It is a career path I've pondered, but did not think this obsession of mine can be taken seriously by anyone but myself. I would never want to be a celebrity stylist like Rachel Zoe- I would rather assist the everyday woman look her best using the resources around us. We can't dress everyone in Armani Prive!

Anyways, the day started with the procurement phase. We hit Holt Renfrew for the special pieces and places like Anthropology, H&M, & Gravity Pope for the rest. We came home with everything on our checklist: blazer, jeans, tops, dress, sweater wrap, boots. Either because I am a bargain hunting fiend or it was a really lucky day, we only spent 50% of the forecasted budget. Bonus and it keeps the hubby happy! :)

From Top L-R: Diane Von Furstenberg printed top, Theory blouse, Eileen Fisher cardigan wrap, Theory shift dress
2nd Row: Pilcro Jeans from Anthropologie, tops from H &M, leggings
Bottom: Boots from Gravity Pope; Blazer, T-shirt, & Striped Tunic from H &M

 Now the jam session. With only the above, we came up with 20 possible outfit combinations for her days at the office, conferences, sexy date nights, dinner outings, casual days with the baby, and even a wedding outfit. I wont post the modelled outfits just because there are so many favorites. I'd have to say that we had so much fun with the shopping and end of day mash up of outfits that I really should do this for a living.. I'll take on more jam sessions for sure!

 But before I go, we did stumble upon the Penny Sale at Gravity Pope Tailored Goods. Buy one sale item get the second for a penny. I brought home for myself a nice Isabel Marant Etoile dress and a Paul Smith Black label jumper (it was so ugly, I loved it!). What would have totalled $900 regular price, I got for less than a speeding ticket. :)

New additions to the closet: Etoile Isabel Marant Petra tunic in ivory &
Paul Smith Black Label printed jumper. 

TOMS & The Row..

Straight from the archives, I remember I wrote this Facebook note back in October 2007:

Wouldn't it be great that every time we buy clothes for ourselves, a child in South America or Africa will get the exact same thing? Well, Blake Mycoskie (who, by the way was a contestant on the second season of the Amazing Race) is the creator and designer for TOMS shoes and he's allowing us to do just that!

" Inspired by a traditional Argentine shoe and challenged by the continent's poverty and health issues, I created TOMS with a singular mission: To make life more comfortable. TOMS accomplishes this through its unique shoe and my commitment to match every pair purchased with a donated pair to a

child in need.." - Blake Mycoskie
Please check out the TOMS: Shoes for Tomorrow project at www.tomsshoes.com . I've already scoped out one for myself.. they are only $38 :)

Well, it is now 2011 and TOMS are everywhere from Athens to your nearest Aritzia. They also have collaboration from one of my favorite lines, the ROW. Check out this video on the latest shoe drop in Honduras:

Albert Elbaz is too cute for words

Lanvin's Fall 2011 ad campaign included the release of this music video with Raquel Zimmerman and Karen Elson (dressed in Lanvin F/W, of course) dancing to a familiar Pitbull song. The moves remind me of a mesh of Napolean Dynamite and the little girl from Little Miss Sunshine. Awkward and cutely self-deprecating. When the designer joins in at the end, it totally hypes up the cool factor. Now I'll go dance like no one's watching... I just need some Lanvin dresses first!

Sofia's Alaia Wedding Dress

I personally found this dress breath-taking. It is custom made lavender chiffon Azzedine Alaia. From other photos, it is short and flouncy above the knees. It's just so different from any wedding dress and so low key Sofia Coppola. I don't know how this woman pulls off being so elegant and classy without trying in the least bit. On Saturday, Aug 27 2011, she married Thomas Mars of the band Phoenix in a small, private wedding held in her grandparent's home town Bernalda, Southern Italy.

Photo:EPA/Landov via people.com

Crazy Stupid Stylish

Photo: thistooismeaningless.com

 The girls and I had a chick flick outing last night and we definitely got our $12.95's worth of impeccable eye candy from watching Crazy Stupid Love. Not just that Ryan Gosling was visually impressive, so was his ultra modern house. What we came away talking about most was the seriously sharp wardrobe of the male cast. Steve Carrell's character gets a man make-over by the already 'rico suave Ryan's character, Jacob. Costume designer for the movie, Dayna Pink, was bang on with dressing them modern chic without over metrosexualizing the get ups. And to undorkify Steve Carrell is a major feat. In an interview with GQ , she explained that she sought pieces from Gossuin, Lanvin, Alexander McQueen, and custom made Ermenegildo Zegna just to name a few. Its all about fit not matter what your budget, she said. And fit does make a remarkable difference indeed. If you watch the movie, you will see for yourself. Now I if only she can dress the men in our lives... :)

 Emma Stone was super cute too!
Photo: www.nnekaatlarge.com

Yummy mummy: Miranda Kerr

Photo: www.celebuzz.com

Style.com had featured Miranda Kerr on their Look-of-the-day poll and I can't help but feel that biological clock speed up! I do wish when my turn comes, I can be such a glowing and stylish mother. That Flynn is just way too adorable. I supposed that is the genetic advantage of being Miranda Kerr and Orlando Bloom's offspring.

Photo: www.celebuzz.com