SJP: Fit for Life

I google searched pictures of celebrity hairstyles last week and came across the above picture of Sarah Jessica Parker, the one with her legs swung over her head.

I was in college at the time the Bazaar issue came out and remember being fascinated at how fit she was. The Patrick Demarchelier shot also inspired my next project, I was in the graphic design program, a Marc Jacobs shopping bag which featured the feet of SJP in these striped socks and blue Marc by Marc Jacobs pumps. Inspiration got me an 8/10. Hmm.

Two years later SJP was featured in W magazine. Though not particularly fond of the styling in this Michael Thompson shot, I appreciate how fab and fit she still was just six months after giving birth to her first son, James.

::: Nathalie

1Q84

I was thrilled to recieve an email from Diana this morning regarding the latest release from our favorite author, Haruki Murakami.

The book, entitled 1Q84, was just released in Japan. No word on when it will be translated into english as of yet but I'm sure there will be a large fan base anxiously awaiting.

You can read more at cbc.ca.

In the meanwhile, check out Murakami's nonfiction work, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, which was released last year. I've never seen it at my local bookstore and had to order it online.

::: Nathalie

Lookbook: Marc by Marc Jacobs handbags

How could you not love this man? His fall collection looks absolutely divine with sparrow plaques, embossed buttery leathers, rich chocolate browns, heavy locks adoring flaps, zippers and double, even triple handles in shapes, colors and textures to please all of us. I should probably start saving now!!!

::: Nathalie

Posh Turnlock

From Marc by Marc Jacobs S/S 09 collection - Navy Patent Leather Posh Turnlock Flat Shopper. Likey or no likey? 

It's on sale at Holt's right now... I was there on my lunch hour returning something and I couldn't believe how much stuff was on sale. As usual, there were plenty of women flocked around the reduced table of handbags. One woman walked away with 3 MBMJ purses (one which I wanted). I'll admit, there was a brief moment were I considered grabbing it from her. I guess that wouldn't be very ladylike now would it?

::: Nathalie

When Mash-Ups Don't Work.

I'm not a hater.
I'm all about people taking risks and creating new and exciting stuff. However, some things just don't work.

When I saw these sandals on Nitrolicious, I couldn't get over how wack they are. The whole selling feature is 'style that isn't compromised by comfort'.

I'm wearing a pair of flat gladiators right now, and I can tell you that they don't need Nike technology to be comfortable.

-D

Underpants

Love her or hate her, I personally think Lady GaGa's pretty fierce and fabulous. She's got a big voice, super toned body and has a very unique approach in her appearance. I'm all for originality but really GaGa, when you forget to put on your top and pants on a daily basis... I dunno... it's just a little too much... (Or too little. Har har.) Great bag though...

::: Nathalie

Matthew Williamson for H&M

What a lovely surprise to walk into H&M last Thursday and come across the Matthew Williamson collection! I never thought it'd make it to the local crappy mall. They didn't have the greatest selection and the peacock wrap dress that I tried on really enhanced all of my unflattering bits. The cost of the dress was also a little steep at $79 (CAD) for polyester. 

I did walk away with this gorgeous organic cotton scarf. It's a humongous piece of fabric that is probably about as tall as me. I've been draping it around my neck with pretty much every outfit since then. I guess all I needed was a lime green chinoiserie inspired scarf to slide into summer mode!

::: Nathalie

60 Mintues: Anna Wintour

Watch the 60 minutes interview with Anna Wintour

Fabulous Lashes

I've been on the hunt for the perfect mascara since trying Dior's Iconic Mascara last year. I loved it because it was the first mascara to curl, thicken, lengthen and separate my lashes. But of course, there were cons: very difficult to wash off with soap and water and lots of smudging! 

From there I moved to M.A.C's Zoom Lash. I was promised the same results as the Dior mascara at $14 (CND) a tube instead of $30-something. Verdict: not the greatest but it would do. Wouldn't buy it again. 

Finally a winner. Earlier this week I bought L'oreal's Clean Telescopic Mascara. At $7 a tube (at the Superstore), I was pleasantly surprised by the results. It separates and lengthens without clumping. It also washes off easily with soap and water and is the only mascara I've ever found that doesn't smudge! It's also easy to curl the lashes after having applied to coats. This is definitely one I'll be carrying in my cosmetics bag for years to come. 

::: Nathalie

Marc Jacobs Lola

New fragrance alert! 

Marc Jacobs Lola is set to launch this August. The perfume is described as "Daisy's confident and slightly vampy older sister". (I hate the word vampy. I automatically associated with slutty.)

Lola's notes feature pink peppercorn, pear d’anjou, ruby red grapefruit, fuchsia peony, rose, geranium, vanilla, tonka bean and creamy musk.

Sounds like Marc has another winner on his hands. And the bottle alone is a piece of art. Very reminiscent of his S/S09 accessories collection.

::: Nathalie

House Paint

I first read about House Paint in the latest issue of House & Home. Luckily the exhibit coincided with our recent trip to the ROM this past weekend. The vibrant houses, painted by street artists, are constructed by individual canvases and then put together to build a house. Canvases or entire houses will be will be auctioned off at the end of the exhibit for Toronto's Habitat for Humanity. Art for a good cause.  If you have a chance, I strongly recommend you go and visit.  

::: Nathalie

Oh no they didn't!

Remember that episode of SATC when Carrie is appalled at the idea of a New York woman wearing a scrunchie?
Well, turns out American Apparel is trying to bring them back.

Yikes!

-D

Swans

It was last year that I was sitting at my mum's kitchen table when my brother stopped by with the Spring '08 issue of Holts magazine. I fell in love with the cover look instantly. It epitomized personality and grace and my idea of the perfect little black dress.  

Fast forward to this past March. The Marc Jacobs sale listed on Gilt.com included that dress. The cost, a fraction of the original $2,400 price tag. I bought it of course with my brother in-laws 2010 nuptials in mind. Unfortunately since then, he has decided to have a casual beach front wedding (in Sarnia, ON). Hmm... so much for planning ahead. I'll be looking forward to the next gala or fancy party instead.

Interestingly enough, Outnet.com is currently stocking the swan dress for 50% off. The price listed on Gilt was still significantly less expensive. 

If you're not already signed up to Gilt, I would highly recommend doing so. Here's a personal invitation if anyone needs it. 

::: Nathalie

Spotted

Brian Bailey spotted @ 12:15 outside of my office having a smoke.
Didn't have the guts to ask if I could take a picture.

Observation: way taller and quite thin in person. Dressed in a black dress shirt, black skinny jeans and black boots.

-D

I'm a fool

Oh, Audrey Tautou. I loved you as Amélie, and though I haven't seen it yet, I'm sure you're incredible as Coco Chanel. In the mean time, I guess I'll have to settle for your new ad for Chanel No. 5.

-D

International Envy, Volume: 1

We've all complained about things we want but can't have. Guess the grass is always greener on the other side.

The dress pictured on the left is from COS, a store that I didn't know existed until I read about it on Fruchtzwerg's Island. Honestly, it seems like all the awesome stuff is in Europe. What's up with that? This dress is like magic. That asymmetrical zipper is killing me.

I remember a few years ago when Sephora didn't exist in Canada, Nathalie and I would whine and whine about not having a good place to buy our skin care and beauty products. Now that it's here, I think the appeal has diminished considerably.

More so for me, because I know how much retail stores jack up the prices on their beauty products, and it's total BS.

-D

Courtesy of Gilt Groupe

Quick recap on my previous Gilt Groupe post:

• I was notified that I could return the complimentary shoes they had sent me when the wrong size was shipped. 
• More credit was added towards a future purchase. 

I had the most amazing streak of good luck this afternoon when the return on the shoes was processed during today's sale. This is how if played out. 

11: 58 am: Logged into my account. Shoe refund had yet to be processed. Had $158 to spend.

12:00 pm: Bee-lined directly towards the MBMJ sale. 

12: 10 pm: First purchase -  a gorgeous red MBMJ dress. It's prefect for work with a pale yellow cardi and can be dressed up and down. Love it! 

12:20 pm: So much to buy today! Emailed Gilt to ask when my shoe refund would be processed. 

12:45 pm: Shoe refund processed! Had another $120 to spend.

12:45 pm: Second purchase - a John Varvatos polo for my beloved husband. (I would have liked the black long sleeved polo but someone was holding it in their cart. Darn!)

12:46 pm: Focused my attention on red leather Delman flats. Hit the refresh button every second to get the last pair of size 7's. Some odd minutes later, I got them! (So long Tory Burch.)

12:51 pm: Late returning to work from my lunch hour. Oh well. Contemplated my recent subconscious fascination with the color red as I drove to the office.

Luckily Gilt offers free shipping when you buy within the hour, so I only paid for shipping once though I made three separate purchases. Total purchased: $240 with a $10 credit still in my account. 

I cannot wait until they open their shop to Canadian customers!

Thank you very much Gilt Groupe. : )

::: Nathalie

Miss Dior

I wasn't all that surprised to hear Sofia Coppola directed this commercial. The mood and colors are very much her style. The ad does a fabulous job in suggesting the product and in fact, a few months back, I stopped by the perfume counter and spritzed my wrists. Contrary to the name, I found Miss Dior smelled like more like Old Lady Dior (at least on me anyway).

Still, beautiful ad campaign. 

::: Nathalie

Designer Compliments Thrift

Boyfriend Blazer: Wilfred. Black tank: Target (not shown). Red and pink houndstooth skirt: Joe Fresh. Black leather belt: Gap (not shown). Leather sandals: Nine West. Red leather satchel: Marc by Marc Jacobs.


This afternoon, a coworker and I were chatting about her $1,500 Louis Vuitton bag. I told her how I toyed with the idea of buying the Stephen Sprouse version of her bag for a hair-line-fracture-of-a-second, but ultimately felt that at this stage of my life, I wouldn't be comfortable sporting a Louis V bag. I'd be petrified that people would take one look at me and think "Fake bag much?". (The reality is I can't fathom spending a months mortgage payment on a purse.) My 40-something year old coworker responded with "You could pull it off! You dress well, everything you wear is expensive!" (Thanks Marcia.)

While I have my fair share of (mainly discounted) designer pieces, I always mix designer with thrifty finds. My generation is a lot more creative with mixing price brackets and pulling off amazing looks. We do with what we have and we're darn good at it. After all, I had Marcia fooled with my $14 skirt.

::: Nathalie

Bent out of shape

There was a time when I thought wearing a bra that made me ooze from the sides was normal. Luckily, when Nathalie got married last year, she made me get a professional fitting at Inside Story so I would look proper in my bridesmaid dress.

Notes:

1. I was actually wearing a bra that was TWO CUP SIZES TOO SMALL. No wonder I had the dreaded 'four boob' syndrome.
2. Initially, I was a little wary of spending over $150 on a bra, but it's well worth it. The stuff I was buying for $40-50 was always poorly made and ill fit. Also, I have larger breasts, so everything in my size range was just hideous. The stuff at specialty shops usually comes from Europe, and is much nicer.
3. Like some women, I was a touch apprehensive about the idea of someone seeing me in just a bra. Turns out it's no big deal. They're trained professionals after all, not perverts.


No pictures, because that'd be weird.
So yes, ladies, don't skimp on the undergarments. Your boobies will thank you.

-D

Bigger is Better

Image from The Sartorialist. 

After some overnight deliberation (and seeing this pic of Coco Rocha again) - I've decided to keep the bag (see previous post). 

::: Nathalie