Spring Shoe Review

OK it's that time of year to take a look at fabulous shoes which expose the toes and release the feet from their wintery boots and woolly socks. Pedicures must be had and footsies require love and attention. Why? Well, so that we can start stepping into all those FABULOUS shoes that await in the Spring/Summer collections.

Here are my pics from the Net A Porter selection:

Sexy, navy heaven. Alexander McQueen. Imagine them with a hot red Herve Leger bandage dress?

Tory Burch River T Bar leather wedges. I mean what COULDN'T you wear them with?

High Tops are back. Isabel Marrant uses my FAVORITE colour combo. Bekkit suede high tops.

Ralph Lauren collection. Bailee leather sandals.

Alexander McQueen buckled suede boots.

Day time bliss. Understated, stylish and so chic. Wool, felt and leather by Givenchy.

Rock that party in these babies. Yves Saint Laurent etched leather Tribtoo pumps.

Yves Saint Laurent. Tribtoo stitched detail leather pumps.

Dolce and Gabbana suede platform sandals. 

Diane Von Furstenburg Indigo cracked metallic leather sandals.

Salon X

I'm fairly certain that I've written before about my quest for the ultimate head massage. Well, on Friday I took a few steps closer to it. Seriously, the man is a god. His name is Stavros and he works at my beauty salon of choice, Salon X in Paddington, Sydney.

So how does one describe heaven? I felt all tingly from my head to my toes. He used just the right amount of pressure, (they're usually too hard I find) and he seemed to know all the spots to go to to relieve tension and generally make me feel incredibly good, even for just a few minutes. And therein lay the only downside, It wasn't that long. Maybe 3 minutes. They're usually longer there at Salon X but maybe he was busy. 

Me in the chair whilst Starvos works his magic.

Stav was such a nice guy. Really friendly, lovely to chat to and an amazing hairdresser as well. The brief was to create a loose but full wave which would hold well into the the night. He used a skinny GHD wand, held each twist for 45 secs (precisesly, he timed each one) and then he would release the GHD and rub each segment of hair between his palms to loosen the tightness of the curl and create a soft wave. The whole thing took about an hour and a half including wash/blow dry/style. No product.

Self-shot in the car to demonstrate the curls.

While I was at it, a really lovely girl called Rochelle gave me an express mani. She had the most beautiful, youthful, porcelain like skin I'd seen in a long time. I'm talking real peaches and cream complexion. Like something out of a Bronte novel. And what a sweetie. 26 years old and a passionate beautician. I tell you what, I am always incredibly impressed with the staff at Salon X. 10 out of 10. My amazing facialist, Gabriella is INCREDIBLE.  I see her once a month without fail and even when money's tight, I kep that appointment because she manages to make my skin glow. Like really.

My colour guy Joel is super talented and then there's the lovely George who cuts and blowdries to perfection. Even the Maitre D of the salon Che is incredibly warm and friendly. I love them all really.

Right so back to my nails. My colour of choice? Sunset. It's a bright orangey-red kind of red. I was very happy with the results of both hair and nails and stepped out that night feeling rather a bit fabulous I have to say!

Rochelle applying Sunset.

The finished product. 

Lara : she's cool.

I've always had a soft spot for Lara Bingle. I don't doubt that she's made a few questionable life decisions (seriously, Brendan Fevola?) but then again, when one applies the self-reflection device (ie the mirror) and casts one's mind back to one's early to mid 20s, just how perfectly navigated was your love life? Come on, admit it, you dated at least one bona fide SHOCKER.

Granted she won't be sent in to negotiate with Gaddafi any time soon nor will she win an Academy Award. But nor will I. She does however seem to be able to pick herself up and dust herself off after what was a pretty tough time in the media. A job well done I say. If I'd watched Dancing With the Stars I'd have voted for her. But I don't, so instead I dedicate this post to her and to her continued ascent back to normality.

My Picks - the best of Cannes 2011

Gaia Bermani Amaral

Sarah Jessica Parker: Elie Saab.

Tilda Swinton. Haider Ackermann.

Gaia Bermani Amaral

Karolina Kurkova: Armani Prive.

Uma Thurman: Versace.

Rachel McAdams: Monique L'Hullier.

Rachel McAdams: Maxime Simoens Couture.

Sarah Jessica Parker: Dolce & Gabbana.

Georgia May

So my latest model crush is on the terribly gorgeous, Georgia May Jagger. I mean it stands to reason that she turn out to be frickin' divine given she's the daughter of Mick and Jerry, but geez talk about getting the best of both. She's got Mick's lips and breezy Brit style and Jerry's height, hair and smile. It's enough to make you sick.

Longstanding Surryferners will know that I'm a major fan of the gappy-toothed smile (Susie Sue, Tonze I'm talking to you) and GMJ exhibits one of the best in the business.

She doesn't take herslelf too seriously, another paternal genetic throwback methinks and appears to have a healthy sense of fun. Surely a requirement in the crazy world of high fashion and celebmania.

Good luck to GMJ I say!

Met Ball - 2011

Chloe Sevigny: Alexander McQueen.

Well there's something very special about the Met Ball. Every year it's this event that showcases the very best of celebrity/fashion fodder. Year after year we see the hottest of models, designers, actors and other forms of celebrities at this terribly fabulous New York event, and every year it throws out some fabulous fashion pics.
This year the late and very great Alexander McQueen was honoured. Enough said.
I was keen to suss out Blake Lively (in Chanel as always), Alexa Chung, Miranda Kerr and Orlando (will they may an appearance?), Anna Wintour, what about my current fave Georgia May Jagger. Take a look for yourself and let me know if you agree with my favourates.

Ashley Olsen: Vintage Dior

Wow, is it just me, or is this dress a stroke of genius? Turn of the century puff tied sleeves on a sleek, modern evening gown. Sexy and yet so damsel in distress. I love the pirate wench sleeves.

Ginnifer Goodwin: TopShop

The lady works this Top Shop like it was Gucci, which I thought it was! I've said it before (recently) and I'll say it again. Emerald green is fabulous right now. Ginnifer works this cut-out gown with 'tude and I love it. And check out that jade neacklace. Yes please.

I don't usually love Anna Wintour's choices. Don't get me wrong, she's always immaculately dressed but a little too prim for me. Which is part of her appeal, I get that. Anyway, this year she blitzed it at the ball in a custom Chanel gown. Isn't it just so great? There's something about it that's kind of... inappropriate. But when its draped on the body of one of the world's most thoughtful fashionistas, it suddenly becomes completely appropriate. Loved it.

Anna Wintour: Chanel.

Gwenyth Paltrow: Stella McCartney

Gwyneth never really challenges the norm too much, and she certainly doesn't here but this dress is a pretty great look on her. 

Christina Ricci: Zac Posen

Talk about drama. Now this is the kind of dress I expect to see at the Met Ball. It's a ball after all.


Blake Lively: Chanel
This represents a bit of a departure for Blake and I'm liking that she's trying something new in terms of shape, but I don't think it's her best look yet. Now I don't trash talk Blake, but I have to say, I'm not loving her new hair colour. It's reminiscent of one L Lohan. Not cool.

Brooklyn Decker: Michael Kors
You see unlike Christina Ricci, this isn't a ball gown but it's simple, well cut and she's a knock-out in it. I want this dress.

Leelee Sobieski: Vionnet
There's something very Princess Leia about this outfit which works for me. I can also see Jerry Hall minxing into Studio 54 in it. Great restaint shown and great belt.

Jennifer Lopez: Gucci
Less restraint shown here but what do you expect from JLO? I am starting to like her red carpet choices more and more of late. Does she have a new stylist?

Sarah Jessica Parker: Alexander McQueen

Ok so it's not ground-breaking but look at that detail and the beading. It's a work of art. McQueen of course. Hair looks great too. She's trying new things with her hair which is cool. Who's the guy?

The Wedding...

Kate Middleton in Alexander McQueen

We've all ooh'ed and ahh'd over it now but here's my summation of the event just in case you haven't had enough.

So the bride wore McQueen. Hooray! Just as I was hoping.

Here are my thoughts on Kate's dress. Wonderfully Grace of Monaco up top, beautifully simple. Fabulously flattering neckline that was beautiful, classic and a little but sexy all in one. Loved the soft veil. Silk tuille with hand embroidered flowers on the trim. What a special item for her to hang onto and perhaps pass on to a daughter. Gorgeous full skirt and train but not too old fashioned. What a tiny little waist she has and so beautifully presented in that cinched in gown. I think she hit the right balance between tradition (lace, hand embroidery etc) and modernism (simple, choosing McQueen, lack of jewels apart from fabulous diamond earrings).

The Duchess and Duke of Cambridge

And Pippa her little sister looked so chic and modern and stylish. Divine. I mean she's still a commoner isn't she, ;)  so I can say it: she looked hot. Absolutley hot.

Pippa Middleton.

Ok now to the boys, how hot did Harry and Wills look in heir official get-up? Spunks! I'd like to see Harry and Pippa hook up at the after party, sorry Chelsea but what a fab pair they'd make.

Princes William and Harry

As for the guests, well I can't say I was terribly impressed. Were any of you? I don't doubt there was an awful lot of hairspray used and  hours in the salons of London used by the congregation in preparation, but really, apart form a few standouts, I didn't see much in the way of chic day wedding dressing. And it was a roayl wedding being watched by over 2 billion people!

I thought Victoria and David Beckham looked fabulous. She six months pregnant in one of her own designs and a Phillip Treacy hat, looked appropriate and stylish I thought. He clad in a traditional morning suit and sporting wonderfully debonair hair looked sensationtional.

David and Victoria Beckham

Some of the European royalty upped the standard including Princesses Marie Chantal of Greece and Letizia of Asturias. Both adhering to traditional morning wedding attire rules (one colour across dress, jacket and accessories) but not in the dull manner carried out by so many of the other guests.

Princess Letizia of Asturias



Princess Marie Chantal of Greece

I thought Sophie Windsor looked great. She was decked out in nay Armani and again, played by the palace rules without saying goodbye to current fashion and she did it well.

Sophie Windsor

But fashion aside, one of the most touching things about this wedding is the way Wills kept whispering nice things like "I love you" and "you look beautiful" and winking at her presumably to stop her getting too freaked out and nervous. Just a little reminder that at the end of the day, regardless of the 2.4billion people watching, its just their wedding after all. Ahhhhh.