Winter Coats - The 2012 Trend Edition

The one fashion item we can always rely on in winter is a chic and trendy coat. Not only do they keep us warmly wrapped up, but they also add instant glamour when tossed over any cozily layered outfit (some of which we would rather not have anyone see). This season, designers have spelt out a number of great coat trends...from puffy quilted coats to prim military jackets, oversized cocoon shaped coats to boxy blazers. 

As most of us would heed serious caution before swiping our credit cards for a $2000 Jil Sander coat, we have the high street retail brands to thank for their splendid renditions of these designer duds. These are Winter 2012's biggest coat trends, where we all can achieve the 'Luxury Look For Less'.

Which winter coat trend are you most willing to try out?


*All items found via Polyvore.com. Some prices have been converted to USD on todays exchange rate.

Amanda Seyfried Stuns in Vanity Fair

Appearing in one the most highly anticipated movies of the year, Amanda Seyfried takes her promotional duties for Les Misérables to the pages of Vanity Fair UK for December 2012. The striking Red Riding Hood star lends her charm and grace to the mag, styled in some of Fall's most outstanding couture gowns.

Amanda is pictured in a garden dream scene wearing a shell pink sequined gown, whimsically scattered with fuzzy pom poms, which is by Chanel Couture.

Amanda wears an intricate crystal embedded blouse and fawn woolen skirt by Givenchy Couture, which was initially modeled by Liya Kebede with a fur cape coat. I would personally have liked to see this look in colour.

Romantic in a flushed pink embellished evening gown with draped bodice, by Armani Privé.

Amanda displays the dynamic appeal of this black ruffle and crystal beaded tulle cape by Armani Privé. Her diamond drop earrings are by Adler.

Amanda looks regal in an autumnal shaded silk chiffon Valentino gown, which is beautifully veiled by floral lace.

Adding an air of swanky sophistication to the photo shoot, Amanda is styled in a sheer organza blouse, shrouded by a floccus of white feathers. Her Chanel Couture ensemble is complete with a pair of high waisted wool trousers and wide belt.  

Finely beaded metallics meet to create a linear herringbone design in this exquisite Nicholas Oakwell long-sleeved gown with defining silver belt.

Amanda preciously holds on to one of the most sensational pieces from Elie Saab's Fall Couture 2012 collection - a black tulle and lace evening gown decadently beaded with sequins and pearls. I wish we got to see more of it in this editorial.

No Couture shoot would be complete without a splash of Dior. Amanda gracefully portrays the creativity of Raf Simons in a lavishly embroidered rosé pink and royal blue tulle organza strapless gown, nipped in the waist by gold metallic belt.

Vanity Fair has ended the fashion year with an exceptionally styled editorial, don't you think?


*All images found via vanityfair.com

Bimba & Lola Winter 2012

I was first introduced to Bimba & Lola by my dear friend Zoe, who highly recommended I visit their stores while in Spain. She wasn't wrong, it was instant fashion-label love when I set my sights upon the rich textures, trendy designs & retro-modern flair that Bimba & Lola is associated with. With stores spread across Europe & the UK, this Spanish-born brand utilizes the best of runway trends, interweaved with their own unique creative twists & classic turns. 

For Winter 2012, the Bimba & Lola collection is warmly spiced with sumptuous faux fur jackets, ornate brocade, geometric prints, lush velvet dresses and skirts, tailored trousers, oversized coats and cozy cardigans. The comforting colour scheme includes mink pinks, crimson reds, caramel, indigo, burgundy, mustard and emerald green. Each polished piece from this range can easily be integrated into your winter wardrobe - then mixed, matched and swapped around for maximum styling benefits. The accessories, including gloves, handbags, heels and scarfs are also part of this endearing range.

Here's a peek into Bimba & Lola's irresistibly chic Winter and Christmas 2012 collection...

Set 1

Set 2

Set 3

Set 4

Set 5

Set 6

Set 7

Affordable luxury at its best, Bimba & Lola designs can be purchased online via their website. They currently only deliver throughout Europe, the UK & Ireland. Luckily for the rest of us, this covetable fashion brand plans to expand to the rest of the world soon.


*All images found via bimbaylola.com

Looks of the Week - 08/12/12

This is the weekly roundup of celebrity style, on and off the red carpet.

Pretty In Prints

Natalie Martinez was charming in a floral and black baroque printed dress with sheer neckline and nude pumps.  
Jenna Dewan-Tatum made an outstanding appearance in a multi-print Etro crepe dress with burgundy suede ankle-strap shoes by Gucci.
Jessica Chastain was polished in a pink and beige floral print shift dress by Preen, along with nude Christian Louboutin 'Pigalle' pumps.
Bella Heathcote wore an endearing Fall-shaded floral print Valentino dress, expertly paired with peach Rupert Sanderson heels.
Dianna Agron is always pushing the fashion envelope, this time in a labyrinth print Bottega Veneta dress, laden with embellished black hemline and diamond shaped design. Dianna added block platform heels and coral clutch to her voguish look. 

The Sophisticates

Gwyneth Paltrow displayed this debonair outfit at an event in Dubai. The actress wore a shimmering charcoal Hugo Boss bustier top & cigarette pants, with bright red strappy heels.
Poppy Delevingne is wrapped up in a cozy tweed twilight blue Chanel ankle-length coat, accessorized by a cute fur Russian hat, chunky military boots and a blue satin Chanel bag.
Brittany Snow donned a menswear inspired Giorgio Armani ensemble, featuring an oversized oatmeal shaded blazer, black top, narrow trousers, a printed clutch bag and black pumps.
Melanie Laurent made an impact the the Marrakech Film Festival in a novel Christian Dior navy blue bustier gown with high-slit and chic black trousers.

Street Style Icons

Lily Aldridge dressed up a sunflower yellow Alexander Wang pleat-detail top with sleek leather leggings, a Celine tote bag, black pointy-toe pumps and Miu Miu sunglasses.
Brazilian model Ana Beatriz Barros upstyled her coral skinny jeans with a cream shirt and contemporary blazer, brown leather flat sandals and a Celine sling bag.
Miranda Kerr is effortlessly chic in a mix of classic pieces. She wears a camel trench coat over an A.P.C breton striped sweater, along with ripped Mango jeans, leopard print Prada loafers and a Celine Boston bag.
Olivia Palermo's savvy smart combination includes a burnt orange Tibi coat with contrast brown leather pockets, denim skinny jeans, a Givenchy bag and black Reiss pumps.

Cocktail Frocks

Anna Kendrick delighted in a delicate chiffon and lace aqua mint Georges Chakra dress, paired with gunmetal heels and clutch bag.
Emmy Rossum was festively red in a stunning lace embroidered long-sleeved Zuhair Murad dress, teamed with strappy gold Jimmy Choo sandals. 
Taylor Swift looked enchanting in an ivory lace Maria Lucia Hohan dress with flaired skirt, long-sleeves and nude underlay. Glittery gold Jimmy Choo peep-toe heels complete her look.
Emma Roberts styled her chic forest green Skaist Taylor leather skirt with a beige top, floral clutch, statement Swarovski necklace and nude Ruthie Davis ankle boots.
Cheryl Cole strikes a stylish pose in an orange and ivory 3.1 Phillip Lim dress with intricate origami folds and wrapped cut-out bodice. Spiked nude Louboutin pumps accompany her look.

Dressed to Impress

Elle MacPherson lit up the red carpet in a dazzling canary yellow Romona Kerveza gown with fitted bodice that showed of her amazing figure.
Diane Kruger slipped into a dreamy ice grey sheer ruffled Prabal Gurung gown with halter strap neck and white and metallic belt.
Hayden Panettiere made a splash in this hot pink Roberto Cavalli gown with slashed neckline and slitted skirt. She accented her look with turquoise jewellery and red Giuseppe Zanotti peep-toe heels.
Amanda Seyfried looked graceful in a lilac ombre print chiffon Alexander McQueen gown with metallic bow belt.
Jessica Alba showed of her sophisticated side in an elegant black Salvatore Ferragamo gown, nipped in the waist by a narrow belt.


Who is your favourite 'Look of the Week'?

*My apologies for delayed comments, this is due to a problem with my internet service.

Friday Frills

It's not how much you accomplish in life that really counts,

But how much you give to others. 

It's not how high you build your dreams that make a difference, 

But how high your faith can climb. 

It's not how many goals you reach, 

But how many lives you touch. 

It's not who you know that matters, 

But who you are inside. 

Believe in the impossible 

Hold on tight to the incredible, 

And live each day to its fullest potential. 

You can truly make a difference in your world.

*Quote by Rebecca B Jordan

Who Wore Kymerah Better?

Who Wore It Better?
Kymerah 'Sora' Leather Dress

Following the frenzy of the hugely popular Leather Dress Trend, it was inevitable that a few celebrities would end up wearing the same one. In this case - 4 of them. The 'BLD' in question is a sleek bustier dress with sheer cut-out seams & flaired skirt by US luxury brand Kymerah. 

Kelly Osbourne was the first to debut the leather bustier dress on the red carpet 6 months ago. Kelly gave her look a rock chic edge with long cross pendent, black platform pumps and her signature lilac locks.
Mena Suvari gave the dress a breath of elegance on a night out in September. The 'American Pie' actress added a pair of pointy-toe pumps and a multi-hued Fendi bag to her look.
Maria Menounos picked out the same dress to wear at the MTV awards, just one day after Mena. The TV presenter was alluring in the structured corset fit and flair leather dress, pairing it with nude toned shoes and pin-straight hair.
Paris Hilton channelled her inner 'Madonna' at a fashion event in LA. The heiress styled her Kymerah 'Sora' dress with a collar necklace, fingerless black Karl Lagerfeld gloves, sparkly chain-handle bag and black Louboutin heels.

The uber sexy and chic Kymerah 'Sora' leather bustier dress is now 
on sale via Shopbop, at the price of $766.50

Isn't it always curious seeing the same dress look so unique on different celebrities. I think Mena Suvari wore it best, the silhouette perfectly fits her petite frame and her tousled hairstyle and red hot lipstick gave it the edgy-glam styling needed. 

What are your thoughts? 

P.S. My apologies for late posts or comments - the techno gremlins have attacked my internet services.

Tailored Blazers by Mlle Epaulette

My current wardrobe 'Must Have' has to be the trendy tailored blazer; and while we've stocked up on the classic neutrals, floral prints, pastels and brights, fashion label Mlle Epaulette has taken a more glamourous and polished approach to the trend. The creative concept of Lebanese designer Remi Sabbah, Mlle Epaulette sets itself apart from the usual run-of-the-mill brands by placing exclusivity on constructing chic and tailored blazers.

For Winter 2012, Sabbah employs the luxury and opulence of sequins, Swarovski crystals, animal prints, velvet and satin in her exquisite collection. Sharp cuts, eye-catching colours and cropped at just the right length, these swanky tuxedo coats are flattering to every figure. A dazzling addition to that little black party dress or why not upstyle a simple t-shirt and pair of jeans with one of these irresistibly elegant pieces.

 Choose from blue or pink sequins for a New Years Eve affair

Indulge in the splendid sheen of metallic crocodile print paillettes or navy velvet 

Glam up in a pink animal print velvet and satin jacket or sparkle in black sequins 

Take a walk on the wild side in a sequined snake print blazer or add a sophisticated touch to office wear with a creme satin coat.

 Be bold and experiment with beautiful hues of fuchsia and purple satin

Get studded with Swarovski crystals in a vivid orange satin or velvet zebra print blazer.

You can view the full Mlle Epaulette collection on their website, where you will also find a Store locator. Prices range from $297 to around $457. 
I have my eye on the pink satin and black sequined blazer, how about you? 


*All images are copyrighted to Mlle Epaulette

Things I've Learnt About Blogging

My Blog turned 2 over the weekend and to commemorate the milestone, I've decided to jot down the little bits of wisdom that I have collected over this time.

Things I've Learnt About Blogging...

*Even though my blog may hold the tiniest space on the web, to me it's a creative place I can call my own...where I am able to freely express what I'm passionate about. 
*I believe a blog shouldn't be defined by other's expectations or conform to any standards, it should only be about what makes you happy.
*It takes time to figure out and fine-tune your personal blogging style.

*One can never really get tired of seeing yet another pretty red carpet dress or outfit post.

*My favourite part about blogging is hearing everyone's opinions. It's always interesting how we can all look at the same thing & have entirely different views on it.

*I am still in search of a cure for BAS - 'Bloggers Addiction Syndrome'. It's a pretty serious condition - it starts where you click onto one amazing blog and that leads you to another one and another one and then another...and eventually you will either run out of webspace and battery life or someone at work/school/home will catch onto your click-happy antics.

*I've found that bloggers are some of the kindest, amicable & considerate people around. 
*I've discovered a fond home within this supportive, steadfast and courteous blogging community, magnetically brought together by our mutual love for fashion and style.
*There are some days when the inspiration to blog runs out and I've learnt that this is Okay. 

*I realized I don't need to read fashion magazines or browse runway pictures for style inspiration, all I do is log on to my favourite blogs (all 300 of them) for my daily fashion fix. 
*I really admire bloggers who write in English, even though it's not their first language.

*I also admire bloggers who find the dedication to post every single day of the week.

*I spend far too much time trying to figure out wobbly word verifications on comment boxes. This has to be my least favourite part about the blogging world.

*Although I may follow hundreds of blogs, I know it's not humanly possible (unless you're a member of The Big Bang Theory and have a time-freeze machine) to comment on every single one of them everyday. But the best I can do is try :)

*And finally, I have been lucky to make the most wonderful and sincere friends through blogging, whom I otherwise would have never met in the real world. 

So a massive thanks to each and every one of you, who are all truly special to me. I treasure your friendships, support and daily visits. (This is starting to sound like a melodramatic Miss World acceptance speech so I'll wrap it up now). Thanks for your constant contribution and encouragement over the past two years...it means the world to me!

*Images via Tumblr. Collage by me.