Je t'aime Abbey Lee

October 2010. Imaged sourced from Vogue Australia.

Last week, I was combing the magazine shelves of my local newsagency for something I hadn't already read this month. It was at that moment that I saw the striking cover of Vogue Australia, framing Abbey Lee's flawless face with red and blue text. Abbey Lee has been the cover girl for Vogue Australia numerous times, but twice in one year? Total girl-crush. 

March 2010. Image sourced from fluxuryb.com.

March 2009. Image sourced from modelina.com.

Fierce & Fish-ous

Last week, I was watching repeat episodes of Gossip Girl and it turns out that celebrity guests, like Hilary Duff, drop in to cause some trouble, Little J’s role is to cool-ify the term ‘goth’, while Serena and Blair take turns in showcasing a myriad of styles and trends that are later copied by women across the globe.

It was during one particular episode that Serena – played by the insatiably stunning, Blake Lively – lands a job as a publicist and attends a movie premiere with her client. Serena rocked a loose fish plait that sat on her shoulder which complimented her sequinned dress.

I’m not sure if it was admiration or pure envy that re-sparked my love for fish plaits, but I certainly know that Gossip Girl was the catalyst.

Thank you very much, Mercibeaucoup!

Does the title of my blog post seem a little nonsensical? While on elle.com this afternoon, I came across the eclectic Japanese streetwear designer Eri Utsugi’s line, Mercibeaucoup.

The cute and crazy, Eri Utsugi. Image sourced from the japanesetimes.com.

I personally want to thank this brilliantly unconventional designer for brightening up my Thursday afternoon and kicking some pre-Christmas spirit into the kid in me. Introducing the Mercibeaucoup line - an inspirational collection stemming from the designer's recent trip to Finland. Think Alexander McQueen tarten meets Japanese anime on Christmas Eve. I am now pining for candy canes, tinsel, and cruising the Christmas light circuit of around my neighbourhood. Using the words of my darling boyfriend, I'm Christmas Eve-ing.

Feeling Christmas-ee? If only Australia experienced a winter wonderland during the holiday season. Image sourced from elle.com.

Lucy In Disguise

OK, so as some of you may have noticed, I tend to rave on about vintage clothing – where ever it may be sourced from. Well, while reading Grazia UK today at work I discovered that the pregnant Lily Allen, with half-sister Sarah, has opened the vintage boutique, Lucy In Disguise.

I.WANT.THIS.DRESS. Lily Allen pictured with half-sister Sarah. Image sourced from celebrityclothing.com.

When news of celebrities taking on business ventures that seem, even for them, out of their league, is slapped across the glossy pages of magazines, I always hear the sound of an old-school cash register bouncing open and shut. Considering a vintage garment is the ‘it’ staple in wardrobes across the world of late, I thought Lily would reap in royal benefits from the pre-loved threads she plans on selling. Although the prices are expected to range from $100 to $6000AUD, you may be able to snag a one off piece for a relatively reasonable price - well, that’s if you fly to the UK and visit her store. In the meantime, I think I’ll wait for Lucy In Disguise to move online.

The Satchel Situation

OK, so on the topic of satchels, I came across an interesting article on The Guardian’s website last week that indulged in ways to rock this preppy accessory. According to this story, satchels are kiddy-friendly, defined and restricted to a younger, tween-age demographic. The first thing that came to mind upon reading this was, are they seriously insinuating a mutton dressed like lamb theory here?

Mulberry Alexa bag (named after Miss Chung), Fall 2010. Sourced from Fashion's Most Wanted.

Satchels excite me. Between the idea of soft leather and an item that issues a diverse range of looks, what’s not to love about this style? I mean, it can be worn across the body, the strap can be tied in a knot and thrown on your shoulder as a side bag, or, like the edgy Alexa Chung, a satchel can hung from the inside of your elbow. I don’t think it is an age appropriate accessory at all; if anything, it is quite a timeless piece to arm your fashion wardrobe with.

If Alexa can do it, so can we. Image sourced from intheircloset.com

Mesmorised by J Mendel

While traveling the US last year, I met some incredibly generous, hospitable people. From my Hunter S. Thompson wannabe boyfriend (Tyler, I know you’re laughing right now), to my darling roommate from New Mexico, I was truly devastated to wave them all farewell earlier this year. I was especially saddened to say goodbye to a young and fabulous New Yorker who so generously gave me his Priscilla – the Louis Vuitton satchel bag he had sported for years – while we chatted over drinks in a bar in Chelsea. Alex, a designer for the illustrious New York label, J Mendel is New York personfied as he exudes style and all things classic. Alex recently showcased his talent with J Mendel at New York Fashion Week. Envious? Totally.

Sourced from harperjvalentine.com

Read this wonderful review of this label’s efforts at NYFW on style.com. Even though Alex and I only shared a one-off chance encounter, this article caused me to tilt my head, release an embarrsingly goofy grin, and feel quite proud of my American friend. 

Crushing on The Sartorialist

Fact: The Sartorialist has been recognised as Time Magazine’s Top 100 Design Influencers. Fact: You’ll never find more beautiful, yet naturally, stylish people huddled together in a parade of paparazzi-style happy snaps on one website other than The Sartorialist. Fact: This blog site leaves me wondering if I could marry New York City, like Carrie Bradshaw married the Manolo Blahnik brand. It could happen, right?

The mastermind behind The Sartorialist

New York City, from my perspective, epitomises a best friend, mother, brother, a dog named Chako, all wrapped in one: home. Anyone feel like shouting me a ticket? Thanks to this unbelievable blog, I get my NYC-fix, coupled with style trends that are effortlessly cool – an ideal way to round off a busy day of transcribing interviews. Agree?

Soho, one day, we will be one.

I love nerds

A couple of years ago while watching the first season of The OC, I became love-smacked with Anna’s quirky style and disposition, as well as the fact that she made out with Seth numerous times. This television experience made me (embarrassingly) a love sick teen, coveting an Orange County experience and a skinny, nerdy boyfriend. I mean, think about it: Adam Brody glamourised ‘geek’ and introduced the world to boys in skinny jeans and Chucks.

Well, ladies, want to transform your boyfriend’s wardrobe to geek him out? Check out this hip-to-be-square (I didn’t find this term on an episode of Sesame Street, what are you talking about?) website to get your fix: nerdboyfriend.com. Seth Cohen, you will be mine.

Last week's nerdboyfriend inspiration, Sir Ian McKellan.

My feet are thanking Brazil and recycled tyres. Wait.. what?

Brazilian-based brand, Melissa are giving ladies across the world the opportunity to join them in wearing recycled tyres as footwear. Say whaaaa? Yes, my fellow footwear fiends, women can now wear show-stopping heels while contributing to saving the environment.

I remember buying my first pair of Melissa shoes. With a cup of tea in hand on a Sunday afternoon, I was scouring ebay for, well, anything; online shopping is my kryptonite, gahhh! After spending far too much time flicking through page after page of search results for platform wedges, I came across a scarlet-coloured and velvet pair with a Minnie Mouse peep toe and a petite ankle strap. GAAAW-JUSS! They were reasonably priced, but due to being shipped from a US seller, I ended up being hit with a rather hefty postage bill. My PayPal account certainly copped a bit of a bruising that day, ouch!

I later learned that this brand is internationally recognised as being a strong advocate for sustainable fashion, saving the environment by utilising materials like old car tyres while creating their original pieces. By using these recycled materials, Melissa shoes are lessening the amount of carbon gases omitted into the atmosphere from the burning of rubber tyres.

Catching the attention of shoe-lovers worldwide, Melissa shoes have partnered up with eclectic designer, Vivienne Westwood, releasing numerous ranges of sweet and sassy heels – collections that have sold out and restocked in online stores across the globe.

Saving the world in 6-inch platforms sounds like some over exaggerated motif typical of Sex and the City. Hey, I love SJP, but really, with all the hype around the new movie, you’d think it was all about how four women finding the bloody Holy Grail while wearing Manolo Blahnik’s. But, could you honestly think of anything better? Buying an affordable pair of to-die-for heels that largely contribute to preserving the world we live in and erasing the carbon footprint that we, and our predecessors, have trampled the earth with. Well, step aside Carrie, as women all across the world are proving to be large contributors in preserving the environment by showing off a pair of Melissa’s.