The wonderings, ponderings and other 'ings' of me. Lifestyle, review, news and opinion posts. Chic with a hint of sarcasm... hopefully!

Wednesday 20 June 2012

Badgley Mischka, how did I miss ya?


I love twitter.  Invaluable information on topics like Icelandic weather or Johnny Depp’s marital status (I did tell him I was married and not to leave her for me!) has been gleaned from strangers across the world who are now friends.  And sharing my opinion of the Made in Chelsea lot (boy did I get THAT wrong!) with likeminded individuals has been very rewarding.

I could so see Hendricks in a dress like this

The only downside that I can see (other than a slight tingle of arthritis I sometimes feel after a particularly long clicking session) is the myriad of writing competitions I learn about, only to discover I'm not eligible to enter due to my nationality. 
Take this latest one, Blogger talent search with IFB and SAKS 5th Ave only open to USA residents (except Colorado and the Columbia weirdly, guess the SAKS girls and these two states haven't mixed well on the playground), and while I understand the reasoning it’s somewhat annoying.  Still as the task was to review your favourite resort line for 2012 (here I was thinking a resort was a place you to go on holiday!) it did open my eyes to a designer I had heard much of but paid little attention to.  Until now…
Badgley Mischka seem to have a knack for producing designs that transcend time.  From the same collection I found clothes that wouldn't have looked out of place in a 1950’s Monroe film, on the Mad Men set or worn by Leighton Meester in a scene from Gossip Girl.





But the real magic of their designs come because BM clothes are cut in a way that are so chic A list celebrities flock to wear them, but could still be worn by us lot too.  That is as long as we have an event to attend where such a dress would be appreciated, these aren’t the type of outfits you’d throw on to pop down to the grocery store for a carton of milk. 
Flattering cuts flirt with plunging necklines while dreamy feather detail (I’m big into feathers) and diamond light crystals are alongside bows, frills, pockets and peplum.  It’s all here in the one collection that could take you from a beach party to a cocktail party.  Now that’s a line with killing for.



All Images taken from HERE
(NB: Just FYI no one was actually killed in the writing of this review)
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Monday 18 June 2012

What happens at a Clothes Swap


Photo taken from Debenhams Site
 Trepidatious.
 
I'm so untrusting but this is how I'd have described my feelings about attending a clothes swapping party.  If I'm really honest my concern was other people would bring old clothes that were frumpy, worn out or dirty, but my lack of faith in womankind was given a firm slap when I turned up and saw what was being brought for trade at my first ever event.

The phase ‘one woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure' is such I cliché I can hardly bring myself to write it, but never were truer words spoken. Everyone (including myself) took this opportunity as an excuse to, in the nicest way possible, show off and finally part with that high end high street item that, though much loved, just hadn't made it out of the wardrobe.  If you've not yet ventured into the world of swapping don’t for a moment think its akin to a charity shop venture, it's so much more, here’s why:

Charity Shop first impressions: Musty smell, ramshackle arrangements of clothes, old people.
Clothes Swap first impressions: Wine! music, nibbles and clothes laid out around the comfy location of a friend’s lounge.

Charity Shop Donators: No idea! Could be queens, could be bag ladies or mental patients who have no need of their clothes any more as they are about to be locked away and the key thrown in the river.
Clothes Swap Donators: Friendly, pretty, well dressed people drinking wine (did I mention there was wine there?) and being wholly normal.

Second Hand Shop finds: When it comes to clothes this can be very hit and miss, you may find the odd French Connection top if you're really lucky or very thorough in your search.
Clothes Swap Finds: True, this was my maiden voyage but if it’s anything to go by LK BENNET, JIGSAW AND JASPER CONRAN!

Photo by Me!
So I wasn’t prepared for the excitement in the atmosphere or the quality of clothes.  Unfortuantley, nor was I prepared for the venom I felt for a perfectly lovely girl who had the audacity to TRY ON MY SHOES! (ok not my shoes per say, but shoes that I liked but had passed on as I didn’t want to spend cash). Seeing them on another’s feet, my inner bitch rose up like a phoenix from the ashes and quiped ‘maybe bit small for you’?  It should be embarrassing to admit as soon as she took them off they were back on my feet quicker then a child star can turn into a jailbird, it should also be embarrassing to admit the full on shopper’s high I got when I managed to swap them for a dress and a smaller amount of cash.  Luckily for me embarrassment is a distant relative I see little of.

Photo by Me!
There was also jewellery for sale at this swap, brightly coloured, individual pieces made out of Tagua nut (an ivory replacement) and available through The Mashi Foundation A charity aiming to help street kids in Ecuador. These went down a treat as they practically scream, “wear me, you’ll be saving elephants, helping kids and looking fabulous"what other ring can do all that?

Photo take from WapaWapa site Link above
 

From my (one) experience, it seems the style of the swap is set by the organiser, so if you are invited by someone of questionable taste, I'd walk the other way. But if the invitee has shown themselves to be of stylish origin it stands to reason they’ll mix with other similarly minded bods. If this is the case I suggest, grabbing that  skirt or trousers that you bought 4 yrs ago (wore once and then can’t wear again as it gives muffin top) grab some cash, a bottle of wine and don’t be afraid to haggle your way to a new outfit!
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Sunday 3 June 2012

A shoe collection to make us green with envy (or not)

So a new designer has struggled her way to the top and with determination, passion and perseverance has finally achieved her dream of releasing a collection of shoes.  Either that or she asked her dad to sort it for her.  I am of course talking about Chloe 'TopShop' Green's endeavour into the designing world. 


Let's forget for a moment that the only reason we know this wannabe socialite is due to her 'showmance' (thank you Ros) with the gayest man since Quintin Crisp.  True we were spared a sex tape release to thrust her into the limelight, but the whole Olie from Made in Chelsea relationship fooled only those members of the public that have the intelligence of an oven glove (no offence to any oven gloves reading this).  

Let's also put aside the fact that she didn't think to try selling her collection to someone that wasn't closely related to her, thereby proving her business savvy was responsible for the collection being picked up rather than a massive strop.  No, all designers deserve the benefit of the doubt so I decided to look at the shoes themselves before I judged the designer.  



And I can honestly say I thought they were really really.....
Crap!  

The only way I could describe them would be to guess that a school gave an assignment to a bunch of 12 yr olds to design stripper shoes and this was the outcome.

While Chloe reports that Louboutin's red sole was the inspiration behind her green sole, her designs and tastes look to be a million miles from his.  Whoever told her the higher the heel the better the design was mistaken and Kate Moss reportedly liking them holds no sway with Thee Middle Sister (but you knew that anyway).  

 
While colour clash is in at the moment, I fear this is taking it colour blind status.  And true my age may well not be the Jade Collection's target audience, but while these shoes cost between £115 - £175 a pair, I'd recommend saving your money to put towards a real designer's shoes. 

If you still want a pair you can get them from here (where all the images were also borrowed)


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