Rosemount Australian Fashion Week

Don't worry. I'm aware that RAFW was at the end of LAST month, and yes it HAS taken me more than 4 weeks to cover it. It's a pretty lame excuse, I suppose, but in all honesty I haven't had time. Any fashion week coverage is time consuming, of which I'm sure all bloggers are painfully aware, no?
If it's unbelievably extensive RAFW coverage you're looking for, then head over to Style On Track (one of the best fashion blogs out there, as far as I'm concerned). I just thought after so long, I would only blog about my favourite looks from the fashion showcase.

"Follow your heart. As I've said before, it’s about looking forward and working really hard and not taking a moment to think about what’s impossible. You’ve just got to think about what’s possible and be proactive and push into making what you envisage and dream happen. Because I think if you do set your sights on a goal you get there. It’s amazing."
-- Michelle Jank.

"[the Jayson Brunsdon] woman is worldly, sophisticated and has a sense for cinematic drama."
-- Jayson Brunsdon

"Among the red-carpet-ready offerings of floor-scraping gowns (one print resembling crushed violets bringing an early whiff of spring) were sensible trousers perfectly tailored to display less sensible shoes. Ho’s legion of fans will be more than satisfied with a commercial collection sure to set registers ringing, which is familiar music to this designer’s ears."
-- Vogue AUS Damien Woolnough

AusNTM devotees shield your eyes! Unless you're not a fan of reality TV surprises (e.g. the revelation of the final contestants in a televised modelling contest), then stop reading now.
Of course, "the walkers" at RAFW aren't always a give-away when it comes to AusNTM, but judging from the way last year's turned out (Alice and Steph H both walked for Alex Perry, and coincidentally ended up being the final two), I'd say this is more an indication than anything else.
Alexandra wasn't in the Alex Perry show, but she did walk fro Wayne Cooper. Whether this means she IS in the finals but for whatever reason didn't walk for AP, or she was booted from the contest but Wayne Cooper liked her so much he wanted her in his show anyway...I guess we'll just have to find out.

Oh and please don't forget to cast you vote(s) in this month's poll on the right hand side of the page. I'm trying to get an idea of what readers think of my blog, so any feedback would be wonderful!

Catch.

Romany

[photos courtesy of vogue.com.au]

The Dolly Perfumery

I guess it's just that time of year, isn't it? The time when bloggers feel the need to excuse themselves from posting duties for some time, whether it be days or weeks...sometimes months. Hiatus, is the word I believe. I don't like this word. It brings negative connotations as far as I'm concerned. I prefer vacation - that way, everybody benefits (or at least, the refreshing name means everybody thinks they benefit). Now, this isn't just a vocabulary lesson, there is a purpose for me bringing all this up. Exams are in two weeks (so is my birthday! Yay!) and hardcore studying is required, in order for me to pass - immunity from 'exam-ruining anxiety' has never come naturally to me, see. But by no means am I taking a hiatus or even a vacation. I'm just putting it out there that posts will be irregular. There will be a few, I hope, during these next few weeks because, like all bloggers, I just love blogging. Lol. But there must be a line drawn when it comes to schoolwork, I'm afraid.
Anyway, this doesn't mean we can't have a little fun now. I've been meaning to post this for ages so I'm very excited...
A couple of years ago, I was an avid Dolly magazine reader (think the Aussie version of ElleGirl, CosmoGirl, Seventeen etc...but a little less high-end than TeenVogue), and stumbled upon these two cute perfume-personality articles. I loved them both. I thought it was hilarious how they managed to match each perfume to a boy and a girl (you'll see what I mean). In the first article, they got about 20 perfumes and separated them into different teenage girl personalities (this was before 'emo' and 'alterna-punk' etc. hit the scene), and included descriptions of each so the readers could categorize themselves. And in the second article they gathered about 10 or 11 perfumes and separated them into which ones would attract which type of guy (very general and basic categories). I did the math and figured out which group of teenage girl perfumes would attract which group of boys. Of course I had to update the poster girls and boys for each category (Ashlee Simpson ain't exactly a rock chick no more, and I'm afraid Jeremy Sumpter no longer fills the walls of every teen girl's bedroom).
And the results are in...

Gypsy Chic

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1. If you had enough cash, you'd buy shares in Tree of Life.
2. You love your cowboy boots even more than your best friend.
3. You can't wait to get your P plates so you can organise a road trip down the coast.
4. Your favourite pig-out food is environmentally friendly organic chocolate and you're a committed vegetarian.

Is matched with...

The Sweet Boy
Chris Brown
Don't intimidate him! Sweet guys go for girls who smell nice -- not OTT. Look for a scent that says "I'm girlie" but doesn't scream cutesy. It's all about being feminine.

Rock 'n' Roll

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1. You get ready for a big night out by blaring the Killers and Franz Ferdinand.
2. You wish Paris Hilton would go back to wherever it is she came from and stay there.
3. Your ideal date would be spent in the mosh pit at the Big Day Out.
4. You think black is the new black.
   

Is matched with...

The Party Boy
Brody Jenner
A guy who's got loads of mates, loves to dance and knows how to dress? Sounds like heaven to us! If he's the life of the party, chances are he'll sniff out the outgoing girl who likes to have a good time. So shimmy into your best party frock, spritz yourself with a flirty floral scent, accessorize with your brightest smile and watch Mr Popular come running to the dance floor.

Girlie Glam

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1. You couldn't live without a good lip gloss.
2. You're not sure how you coped before The OC/Gossip Girl/Top Model started.
3. You've had your formal dress planned for months...and it's not till next year!
4. You think a party isn't a party without heels, sleek hair and Beyonce on the stereo.
   

Is matched with...

The Funny Boy
Shia LaBeouf
If he makes you laugh till your face hurts, he's a keeper. And chances are he'll look twice when you walk passed smelling all sweet and lovely. We just know Shia follows his nose...

Pretty Preppy

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1. You're often heard asking, "Who wants to go on a picnic?"
2. You understand the responsibilities that come with being house captain...on the debating team...and a prefect.
3. Your cooking is so good, you'd give the canteen ladies a run for their money.
4. Your wardrobe resembles a Polo Ralph Lauren catalogue.

Is matched with...

The Sporty Boy
Tom Brady
Think Gisele Bundchen snagged the footballer with her looks and talent alone? Nuh-uh...we recky she wowed him with an outdoorsy fragrance. You want a scent that says "I'm easy-going". Ah, love all!

All celebrities and personality descriptions appropriated for 2008 (those hot in 2005 are not all so hot 3 years later).
I laugh every time I read the descriptions - they're so obviously written by a teen girls' mag. Love it!
Which one are you?

Romany

[photos courtesy of myboardingschool.com, slideshow.ivillage.com, leightonmeesterfan.net, people.com 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, oceanup.typepad.com, time-blog.com, obsessedwithfilm.com, platformlaunchaction.blogspot.com, quorra.ca, any.co.uk, home-gift-products.savingsareon.co.uk and 1clickperfumes.com]

Paris: Le Grand Amour de Ma Vie

Yes, I regrettably admit that I've never been. But it's on the cards, I just know it.
Paris, the most beautiful city in the world (so those of us yet to see for ourselves are told), is full of surprises. Whether it be the Next Big Thing in art, fashion or music and film; a tennis champ who was always seen as the underdog; the construction of a now global, structural icon originally dubbed an "eyesore" (though some still see it that way); or, on a smaller scale, the just-stepped-from-a-photo-shoot gorgeous people strolling the streets of this romantic city.
Kamel, the photographer behind the beautiful street blog Style and the City, gives us the chance to see Paris au naturel. A source of inspiration for us all, I'm sure.
I've compiled a mini-collection called 'This month in Paris...'

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On the topic of all-things-French, I saw a hilarious French film called Le Valet last night (preceded by a truly harrowing film, called Un Secret - it was very well-made, but be warned do not enter the cinema without a packet of tissues).
Le Valet = definitely recommended.
À bientôt!

Romany

[photos courtesy of styleandthecity.com and gossipgirlinsider.com]

Let's Play Tag!

I've been tagged again. Twice in the same year, believe it or not. Lol.
But this TAG is different to this TAG I think. The rules seem simple enough, best just to copy and paste from the person who tagged you, except change the answers to your own.
Anyway, let's get on with the game, shall we?

5 things found in my purse:
1) Mobile phone
2) money purse
3) Mini beauty case
4) Resumés
5) Vouchers to my favourite shops

5 things in my room:
1) My bed
2) My laptop
3) My desk
4) A chest of drawers
5) A chair with thousands of clothes strewn all over over it

5 things I've always wanted to do
1) Get 100% on an exam
2) Go to London, Paris, New York or anywhere overseas
3) Be able to eat whatever I want and not gain weight. Lol.
4) Go on a shopping spree with more than $500 to spend
5) Stick to a commitment

5 things I'm currently into now:
1) Australia's Next Top Model
2) Hot chips
3) Vogue Paris
4) My Tamara Henriques gumboots
5) The 16 Diaries (natch. Lol.)

5 impressions of Fashion Ivy (the person who tagged me)
1) Posts beautiful editorials
2) Has an eye for aesthetics
3) Good time management skills (always posts news as it happens)
4) Fan of Gossip Girl
5) A generally lovely girl

And now I'm going to tag
AUS style
Fashionyou
Snake Bites
Mode et Utopie
Miss Whoever-you-are

Good luck everyone!

Romany

Best Dressed: The Costume Institute Gala

New York's Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute Gala. Or as Style.com puts it, The Oscars of the East. But judging by the award ceremony red carpet turnouts we've had so far this year, the fashion at the Costume Institute Gala has without a doubt surpassed that of the Oscars.

Overall Best Dressed

The Best Dressed Award title is split among many this year. No surprises, of course, that Anna Wintour's unbelievably fashion-forward daughter Bee Shaffer is among those that snagged the 'award'. This Nina Ricci gown is like a fantasy - in all sense of the word.

Julia Roberts always looks amazing, as far as I'm concerned. The best accessory? Her dazzling smile (cheesy, I know. Sorry). Emmy Rossum - what a dress! I am actually speechless when faced with the beauty of this dress. I hope it'll still be available when I get married (many years down the track)...Camilla Belle was on my Best Dressed List for last year, as well. I tell you, this girl is going to be something big in the fashion world someday...

Best Legs

These two Cocktail Queens (ooh - that sort of makes them sound more like alcoholics than fashionistas, really, doesn't it? Whoops.) took risks, and boy did they pay off. These two dresses are absolutely gorgeous. I would try and pick a favourite out of the two, but I'd probably spend a good few hours trying to decide (weighing the pros and cons of each dress, you know how it goes...).

Best Dressed Models

Coco Rocha's hair and makeup wins for the night (Anja was a bit too fake tan + peroxide blonde for that title), whereas Anja Rubik's dress is to die for. Together, they make the perfect combination, no? Gisele Bundchen wearing who else but the label she is currently the face of, Versace. It's an unbelievably revealing dress, but if anyone can get away with it, it's Gisele. Kate Moss chose well from the McCartney collection. She looks classy. But Stella herself showed up in a bit of an unfortunate satin-sack looking ensemble, of her own design.

Most Superhero-Looking

This was the theme after all, no?
Caroline Trentini = Vampire Girl meets Cat-Woman. Naomi Watts = Marylin Monroe meets Wonder Woman. Rachel Bilson = Ellastigirl (The Incredibles) meets 70s brunette vixen.

(Dis)Honourable Mentions

I hate doing Worst Dressed Lists. Which is why I don't include the Worst Dressed Stars in my compilations. Anna Wintour by no means looks bad; I'm simply surprised at such an unusual dress choice. But, if nothing else, she does look like a hell-of-a superhero! Like a weird and wonderful Ice Woman - yes that's it (so unoriginal, I know). A 5'10" supermodel paired with a cute little fashion designer (oh dear, that sounded really condescending, whoops). Hilarity ensues. But I do quite like Raquel's dress.

Another year down. Can't wait to find out next year's theme! I wonder who decides that kind of thing..?

Catch.

Romany

[photos courtesy of style.com]

The Importance of Pictures: couples...

A little while ago, I did a post on some of my favourite/scandalous paparazzi pics, and decided to dub the series The Importance of Pictures. Sure it sounds totally cheesy and pretentious because, let's face it, in the scheme of things, the photos were not exactly important...rather they were, entertaining as I like to put it. Anyway, many expressed interest towards the idea, and suggested I make this sort of thing ongoing. I took this into account and started noticing photos of celebrity couples (some fictional). They may not live up to the dictionary's definition of importance but they are intriguing and, well, as far as I'm concerned they're important in their own right.

Brad Pitt, Angeline Jolie, Shiloh Jolie-Pitt -- People magazine, June 2006
This was a monster of a photo shoot, success-wise. I suspect this issue sold more than usual for obvious reasons (being that these were Ange and Brad's first official photos taken with Shiloh for public viewing).
But this also solidified in my mind what Ange and Brad meant to each other (I was always one of the cynical ones when it came to this union). I get it now - they really do love each other. Whether that makes this important or not, I don't know, but all the same, it was a big moment for Angelina, Brad, Shiloh, People magazine and the general public.

Johnny Depp, Kate Moss -- Annie Leibovitz photograph, 1994
"That one was easy to do! Hotel room in New York, I was getting a shoot with him, she was there with us and I told her, What about a pic of you and him together? And she said, Yes. That is the image of passion, they were very, very in love, really." -- Annie Leibovitz.
Nudity aside, this is one of my favourite photos...ever. It's beautiful, and intimate, and downright sweet.

Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes -- 2005(?)
I am aware that we have some very strong anti-fans of Tom Cruise. But don't worry, I'm not here to say anything for or against the relationship. This is simply an observation. This one is definitely an important picture, and for this very reason: it shows just how much one can learn from a photograph. From this, we can tell a lot about the relationship - Tom is holding Katie and dipping her, while Katie is bending her knee and letting it happen. Even if this is not true to life anymore, this shows that back then at least, Tom held the pants in the relationship. He seemed to have made all the decisions etc, while Katie sat back and let it happen.

River Phoenix, Martha Plimpton -- 1989
This was the photo that sparked this whole idea. I was flipping through this months Russh magazine, and came across a story titled Rebel Girl, accompanied by this photo of Martha and River (among other photos). I found myself absolutely mesmerised (I know, so strange it seems like a simple enough photo, no?), and sought to find it on the internet as well some info on their relationship (I had no idea that these two were ever an item, but now they are one of my favourite past/present celebrity couples).
What drew me to it, I think, is simply the fact that it features River Phoenix. His story will continue to make me sad for him and his family for a long time - thus anything involving him that I stumble upon, not deliberately seek out, will stop me in my tracks. That is why this photo is important to me, even if it's not to anyone else in the world...

Jake Gyllenhaal, Heath Ledger -- Brokeback Mountain, 2005
Brokeback Mountain was one movie that needed to be made. It was a huge step forward towards gay general acceptance. Not only does this particular photo symbolise what the movie itself is all about, but it shows just how committed both Jake and Heath were to their roles - they look completely into each other.
This was the project that brought Heath and Jake together as friends, and even though Heath is no longer with us, the memory of this brilliant young actor will be forever solidified in the memories of the general public as the legacy of Brokeback Mountain lives on.

The pictures are different from the first series, but I think these are more thought/emotion-provoking. Are they important? Maybe not, but they all symbolise something. And in the end, that's important enough, no?

Catch.

Romany

[photos courtesy of people.com, hannahcouture.blogspot.com, teens.aol.com, gettyimages.com and gamerswithjobs.com]

Green With Envy...

Have you ever been so bored, you find yourself taking personality quizzes on the internet (I do this even without the boredom factor)? Last night was one of those moments. With titles such as What will your prom dress look like? and Which Harry Potter character are you? and even Would I date you? screaming at me, I couldn't help but notice the one that asked Which of the Seven Deadly Sins are you? I have to admit, I was intrigued. I'm not 100% familiar with the 7 Deadly Sins (watching that Brad Pitt movie provides the extent of my knowledge on the subject), so I decided to go for it. In case you're wondering, the sins are Pride, Envy, Wrath, Gluttony, Lust, Sloth and Greed. I wasn't at all surprised at my result.

Envy:

Envy is a complex and puzzling emotion. It is, notoriously, one of the seven deadly sins. It is very commonly charged with being (either typically or universally) unreasonable, irrational, imprudent, vicious, or wrong to feel. With very few exceptions, the ample philosophical literature defending the rationality and evaluative importance of emotions explicitly excludes envy and a few other nasty emotions as irredeemable. Indeed, some authors who are prepared to defend even jealousy insist that envy is beyond the pale. Yet there is considerable controversy over what precisely envy is, and the cogency of various specific criticisms of envy depends on what view of that subject is adopted.

Whenever I think of envy I think of this Dior A/W 07 couture piece. It's so...green. I love it.
As I was researching anything I could find on envy, I stumbled upon the website of Melbourne's premier fashion boutique, the poster girl for which you'll never guess (well you probably will actually, I talk about her enough).

You guessed it. Alice Burdeu. Gosh, I could devote an entire other blog to this girl, based on the amount of time I write about her, no? All this aside, however, this shoot leads me to believe her her work is best saved for the runway. Why? I fear that she has Derek Zoolander Syndrome. As I was flipping through the catalogue, all pictures featuring Alice, I noticed that she only really has one look. On the runway, this doesn't matter as much so I'm not too worried for her.
It seems that Green With Envy has been featured in Vogue Australia, and Harper's Bazaar Australia enough to last a lifetime -- this gets me excited. I'm thinking of taking a trip down Flinders Lane and checking this place out for myself. My formal is coming up, after all...

Catch.

Romany

[photos courtesy of harpersbazaar.com.au and greenwithenvy.com.au]

When did the world become so cynical?

As some of you may know it was National Compliments Day last Wednesday, my second favourite day after Christmas, and I went to school ready to fire (sincere) compliments at everyone who crossed my path. It didn't go down as well as I'd hoped... My first complimentee was very graceful in accepting my compliment, blushing and even admitted to being on the verge of tears at my kindness (how sweet, right?). But it was all downhill from then on.
I was told that I shouldn't give compliments to each in a big group of people, as there was a risk of the receivers 'comparing compliments' (e.g. "she didn't say that I was amazing, I thought we were supposed to be friends..."); my compliments were sometimes greeted with a blank look, a.k.a. "why the hell are you talking to me?"; and one person even asked me if I was a recovering alcoholic and assumed this was part of my 12-step program!
After all this, I was forced to ask myself the question: when did the world become so cynical? Is it so bad that I find joy in complimenting others, especially on a day that is dedicated to this very action? I 100% understand and respect that some find receiving praise an uncomfortable situation (I must admit, I find myself in this boat on occasion), but my intentions were good, no? It's all about spreading the L.O.V.E., after all.


On a lighter, more TV-related note, one of my favourite ever TV shows started its new season last night: Australia's Next Top Model. There were tears, there were screams, there were clothes and boy was there bitching! I tell you, I've never seen a group of girls turn against each other so willingly (and after just 1 day, so soon); although it's far less intense that the American syndication.

The Audition Process

Host Jodhi Meares, surrounded by the Melbourne hopefuls.

Notice the girl on the far left in the top left photos -- Diana Bitcon, a friend of mine from school, isn't that exciting? Unfortunately, Diana withdrew from the competition.
Bottom left picture, shows three girls, one of which (far right), Belinda Hodge, is in the top 13!

I cannot wait to see how this season pans out. My favourite, so far? Alyce. She's got a similar name to the winner of the previous season, Alice Burdeu, so surely that's a good sign, right?

Catch.

Romany

[photos courtesy of seattlepi.nwsource.com, news.com.au 1 and 2]

Hot? I got you covered...

A couple of days ago, I did a post on what message the hottest coats of the season may be sending out to the public. This week, I've got those north of the equator in mind.
Just to satisfy any curiosity out there, I did in fact find my perfect coat. I was half-heartedly perusing through the racks of a particular department-type store (before going to what would turn out to be the craziest party I've ever attended), and saw this one creme coloured coat. It was perfect. Soft, flattering, beautiful. But I won't let it slip where it's from, because I'm feeling very label-ist about the situation. Lol.
Anyway, just for a bit more fun here's a selection of this seasons hottest swimsuits (and some accompanying cute white cardigans, a staple for any summer outfit), and what message they may be sending out to the public.

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My favourite? The red Heart Cinched Bandeau (although, I'm not exactly a big-bust-bikini expert yet), because having a big bust means this is the only one I would even fit into. Lol. In a dream world, I would be able to fit into the SPLIT Gidget Bandeau (The French are darn stylish, after all) as well...
Hopefully, combined with the coats, there's a style here for everyone. Happy shopping!

Romany

Mika you're right - Big Girls Are Beautiful

For the first time ever, a size 16 (UK) entrant is in the running for the title of Miss England. Who is this hero, I hear you say? Why, 17 year old Chloe Marshall of course. Ms Marshall has been causing a splash of late, due to the fact that she beat a handful of slimmer hopefuls this month when she won the title of Miss Surrey, and is excited about her chances for the national title, to be announced in July.
But she's not just in the running for no reason - this girl is fit and healthy as well as bold and beautiful (lol).
"I'm a size 16, I eat well, I exercise regularly – I jog, swim, and work out with weights." she says.
But not everyone is as excited about her success....

A newspaper columnist, Monica Grenfell, has publicly said,
"It's a total fallacy that young girls are being pressured into near-starving themselves into being too thin.
She is an ambassador not for the beautiful larger lady as she'd have us believe but a poster girl for diabetes, strokes, heart attacks, cancers and all the other devastating and potentially fatal health problems that are caused or exacerbated by obesity.
I hope she doesn't win the Miss England title. It would send an appalling - and very dangerous - message to other young women that it's okay to be fat."

(I think she's gorgeous. But there is one problem. This is an unflattering bikini - whoever styled this shoot, obviously didn't think things through...)

If she practices what she preaches (eating right, exercises) then we have no reason to believe this girl isn't the picture of good health. I say, good luck to you Chloe! Even if you don't win, you're an inspiration to hopefuls all over the world.

*****

Keeping on the subject of good health...
I recently came across an email I received a while ago about chocolate myths. I thought it was fascinating, and something I should definitely share:

1. Chocolate comes from a plant – it’s the seeds (within the pods) of the cacao tree. It’s naturally very bitter; if you munched on a cacao bean, you would find a very harsh and bitter taste, nothing like chocolate as we know it.
2. Chocolate varies in its preparation. There are government regulations of what can be called “chocolate”, depending on its ratio of: cocoa solids, cocoa butter, sugar, and milk. Ranging from baking chocolate (almost no added sugars), to dark chocolate (limited sugar and abundant cocoa solids), to milk chocolate (lots of sugar, added milk, and less cocoa solids), to “white” chocolate (NOT classified as chocolate at all, because it has no cocoa solids!)
3. A special type of antioxidant is found in cocoa solids, called “flavanols”, which are where the health-promoting heart healthy claims of chocolate come from. This is dose related, meaning the more you eat, the more flavanols you consume. As a comparison, it takes nearly four ounces (that’s 3-4 regular size dark chocolate bars), consumed every day to promote a reduction in blood pressure! That’s 500 calories and 42 grams of fat!
4. The new “super cocoas” are the wave of the future to harness the health benefits associated with the flavanols. The first of these is a Flavanol Rich Chocolate (containing 200 mg per serving – that’s a lot!), produced by the company, Cocoa Via. It’s the active ingredient, without the sugar and fat of a regular chocolate bar.
5. Chocolate is also a “carrier” for other nutrients, which are unrelated to the activity of the flavanols. Calcium fortified chocolates (in milk and dark varieties) provide ½ the daily calcium requirement in one disk (at 30 calories), plus vitamin D. Plus, phytosterols (plant chemicals) are added to some chocolates to boost the cholesterol lowering ability of the product (Cocoa Via bars with 80-100 calories each). Again, any potential health benefits come from regular – daily – consumption.

Sorry this didn't turn out to be a fashion-related post in the slightest. I'll make up for it next time don't worry. Lol. Well, it turns out I've got a fairly jam-packed weekend coming up, so I really hate to say that I may not have as much time for commenting other blogs as I usually do. I'm sorry, I hope you all can forgive me.

Catch.

Romany

[photos courtesy of dailymail.co.uk, thesun.co.uk and telegraph.co.uk]

Tagged? Me?

Everywhere I look, people are tagging each other! Up until yesterday, I had no idea what this business of tagging was. Lol. Now it seems I have been tagged, by Super Kawaii Mama and A dreamer.... Li'l old me has been tagged, can you believe it? I don't think I've been this flattered in a long time. Anyway...

Here are the rules:
1. Link the person(s) who tagged you.
2. Mention the rules in your blog.
3. Write about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours.
4. Tag 6 following bloggers by linking them.
5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger's blogs letting them know they've been tagged.

Ok. Let's do this...
1. I'm extremely time particular - every single minute counts. I get up extra early in the morning when I know I have to go to work, so that I can leave myself 10 minutes of relaxing time before I actually have to leave.
2. I have a strong memory for faces. I can recognise almost everyone I've ever seen (well, looked at for more than 1 minute, at least); whether it be people I've been served by in stores, or old primary school friends, their faces are burned into my brain.
3. I also have a strong association memory. If I hear a song/smell a smell/see an image etc that reminds of a certain person/place/event etc, I will most likely be consumed by the emotions that particular person/place/event etc evokes in me except multiplied by 10. Nostalgia usually ensues...
4. I buy certain magazines just for the cover. If a magazine's cover doesn't interest me, chances are I won't even bother to flip through it.
5. I go to a wonderful school with a bad reputation. I'm ashamed - not of the school, of our reputation. Whenever I'm asked at work or in public which school I attend, a part of me considers lying every single time...
6. Sometimes I pretend to be someone I'm not around certain people, because I'm scared they won't like the real me. Judge me all you want, but don't deny you've never done this before. Lol.

Ooh can you feel the tears welling up? I can. Lol. Well there you have it, 6 things about me (they turned out more personal than I had intended) that you might otherwise never know.
Now for the 6 people I've tagged (completely random choices, I swear. The last thing I would want is for anyone to feel left out, because they think this is a popularity contest. It's not. It's just for fun. Sorry, I'm just trying to be diplomatic I guess. Lol.):

1. a la moda
2. Cerulean Heels
3. Couturee Yourself
4. Green Grenadine
5. lookbook
6. Kira Fashion

Here's to spreading the L.O.V.E.

UPDATE Ok so by now, most have heard about the shocking news of Nina Garcia's surprise departure from Elle magazine. But thankfully, Girl With a Satchel is reporting that...Nina Garcia may have parted ways with Elle as fashion director, but in lieu of an outright dismissal, Fashion Week Daily has learned that Garcia has been offered a new role at the magazine: editor-at-large or contributing editor.

Catch.

Romany

Cold? I got you covered...

Down here in the Southern Hemisphere, the weather is starting to catch up with the recent runway collections. As I'm on a (so far) unsuccessful mission of trying to find my perfect winter coat, I realised there's a lot more to it than finding something that simply suits my figure. In my eyes, it must suit my personality. What I find is that what one wears can make a big difference to what others think one's personality is, whether it be true or not.
E.g. a hot pink, ruffled top = happy and girlie (when in actual fact, the wearer could be a depressed tomboy). This mixed messaging system is not necessarily a bad thing. But searching for clothes to suit your personality can become overwhelming and confusing.
So just for a bit of fun, lol, here's a selection of this season's hottest coats, and what message they could send out to the public...

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My favourites? The yellow Milly coat (there's no harm in people thinking I'm a fashion editor is there?), and the white Soia and Kyo coat (I guess there's a downside to people thinking your attitude is the polar opposite to what it really is).
Tricky, very tricky...
Not quite winter yet, where you're residing? Rest assured, a hot weather post of the same nature coming soon.

Catch.

Romany

Tote Me, Baby!

It seems that, subconsciously, I am in constant pursuit of the perfect tote bag. In my eyes, for everyday use, a tote is the perfect bag: stylish (well, I guess that depends on which one you buy, right?), practical and secure.
But, believe it or not, there are some real duds out there. Simply typing 'tote bag' into Google, doesn't exactly bring exciting results. So I decided to help anyone out there (as well as myself) who's on the prowl for a pretty tote, and compiled a list of the cutest ones I could find online in half an hour of searching (these aren't meant to be the best out there at the moment, this is just a selection of what I could in half an hour).

1. Chip Chop -- European Vacation $169 (AUD)

2. Juicy Couture -- Daydreamer Velour Tote $195 (USD)

1. Betsey Johnson -- Betseyville $95 (USD)
2. Lauren Bush -- World Food Programme Feed bag -- $59.95 (USD)

1. Dooney & Burke -- Madras Medium Duffle $350 (USD)
2. Anya Hindmarch -- "I'm not a plastic bag" price n/a

Pretty random bunch, eh?
Which is your favourite? Or, got any others to add?

Catch.

Romany

[photos courtesy of amazon.com 1 and 2, juicycouture.neimanmarcus.com, chipchop.com.au, myfashionlife.com and store.dooney.com]

Bring It Back: Old school glamour

Fashion at it's best. Celebrities have been trying their hardest to try and re-create classic hollywood, but as we can tell from this, they cannot be trusted. Unfortunately, some celebrities today are giving a bad name to old school glamour, by making it look trashy and contrived. What ever happened to the good old days (ok so it was quite a few years before I was born) when makeup looked smooth, sexy and effortless? Why have we said goodbye to timeless Oscar style dresses and a smouldering smile, and replaced them with mismatching bags, trashy-red lipstick and impossibly high platform shoes? Why are the high-waisted jeans making a comeback when an even better era of fashion is calling our names, just waiting to be pulled out of the history books and back onto Page Six?
Designers are doing their bit to recreate old hollywood looks at their fashion shows, featuring cherry stained lips, Veronica Lake-esque hair do's and even the clothes being designed bear striking resemblance to those of yesteryear.
Bring these back:

Big Hats

Such a classic style. Sure, we get to see these kinds of hats a few times year at the races, but this would also be perfect for a Sunday brunch, no?

Classic LBD

The LBD (first invented by Coco Chanel herself in the 1920s) is, and always will be, the epitome of class. The trouble is, LBD's are becoming just too complicated. Yes it's great to mix it up once in a while, but every woman should have at least one simple, black cocktail dress at the back of her closet.

Empire Waistline Jackets

I love this look. If I could, I would wear this every day (but that's just tacky, lol). An essential for winter, and an essential for self confidence. Empire waistlines flatter everyone, so it's good to know they don't just come in evening gown form.

Voluminous Evening Gowns

I wish for this more than all of the others. It's so feminine, fun and spectacularly intricate. Honestly wouldn't you rather see the stars wearing something like this at the Oscar's, rather than, say, this:

I like Jessica Biel a lot, and the dress itself is very pretty, but come on...this is the Oscar's we're talking about! The one day a year when one can dress completely majestically and blame it on the spirit of the occasion, so why not take advantage of it, and wear something more interesting to look at (e.g. Vivien Leigh, above)?

The wheels are in motion. Somewhere, a designer has just been struck by the incredible idea of re-creating old hollywood style for his/her new collection, and dreaming that soon Jennifer Aniston will be walking down the street wearing a big hat or an empire waistline jacket (not together though, that's just common sense) that he/she designed. You can thank me later. Lol.

Catch.

Romany

[photos courtesy of hayazg.com, alabasterbrow.blogsome.com, worth1000.com and thedollpalace.com]