Declarations Of A Drama Queen

Well...I can't use this excuse because I don't drink. But I have learnt that it's just as easy to have a monumental lapse of judgement while you're completely sober.

Tuesday Thrills - Jane Tran Hair Accessories

Jane Tran is a US based accessories designer, who is originally from Vietnam. This gifted artist turned her passion for accessory design into a business in 1998, focusing exclusively on hair jewellery. Her exquisite fascinators, headbands and barrettes are made using ornate embellishings such as feathers, Swarovski crystals, freshwater pearls, coral and semi-precious stones. 

What I love about Jane Tran's designs is that they elegantly make an impact without being over the top. Her designs wander between the sweet and feminine, and the bold and dramatic. Imagine walking into a room wearing one of these sensational hair pieces - it's a guarenteed conversation starter and a striking showpiece. The perfect accessory for upcoming holiday parties, cocktail do's, engagements or weddings. I was beguiled by these black and white pieces from her latest collection.

1. Braided bow decorated with clear crystals. $55 / R439

2. Multi-pleated layered headband. Love it! $108 / R862

3. Headband with multi-wired bows, adorned with semi-precious stones. $89 / R711

4. Large netted fascinator with silk flower and sequin mesh. $130 / R1038

5. Large bow headband with a spray of feathers. $99 / R791

6. Black lop-sided hat accented with feathers and flowers. $140 / R1118

1. Deconstructed sequined and beaded gold headband. $62 / R495
2. Vintage-inspired ribbon and pearl headband. $75 / R600
3. Gold ribbon headband adorned with beads, jewels and sequins. $76 / R607
4. Netted fascinator decorated with a sparkly silk flower. An alternative to the traditional wedding veil. $130 / R1038
5. Looped satin comb accented with feathers. $42 / R335
6. Pleated layered flower with feathers. $130 / R1038

This was just a tiny glimpse into the embellished world of Jane Tran hair accessories, there are many more beautiful pieces to see on the website. To purchase one of these fabulous fascinators or headbands, visit Janetran.com 

Happy Shopping!

*All photo credits belong to Jane Tran

Who Wore Pucci Better?

Who Wore It Better?

Emilio Pucci Spring 2011 dress

Battling it out for today's title of 'Who Wore It Better' is a Brazilian supermodel, an Australian pop veteran and the best thing out of Barbados. The dress in question is a gorgeous cobalt blue, long-sleeved, open-back number by Peter Dundas for Emilio Pucci. The dress is richly embroidered with beads, mirrors, crystals and tassels.

1. Adriana Lima took the dress out for a stroll at the Victoria's Secret after party last week in New York City. The model wore pointy-toe glittery silver pumps and a black bow clutch bag with it.
2. In June 2011, Aphrodite herself, Kylie Minogue wore the mini dress during her 'Les Folies' tour in Brisbane, Australia. The petite songstress paired it with strappy silver heels.
3. Always one to start a trend, Rihanna was the first to wear the dress 7 months before everyone else, in November last year. The singer wore the royal blue dress after the 2010 MTV European Music Awards in Madrid, Spain. Metallic pointy toe heels complete her look.
4. The dress worn on the runway by Russian model Natasha Poly, paired with tan sandals.


This dress has also been popular with fashion editors. It has been seen in several international magazines and it makes sense why - The fit is flawless, the colour is dynamic on any skin tone and with a bit of that sparkle, it truly does catch the eye every time.

From Top Left:
Heather Marks covers Canada's Flare magazine in March 2011. The dress is styled with a chunky gold necklace and colourful earrings.
English actress Anna Friel covers Stylist magazine June 2011 in the electric dress, with the sexy strappy back clearly visible. She wears Sergio Rossi 'Caligola' heels.
American model Angela Lindvall relaxes on the couch in L'Officiel France, May 2011.
Hye Park matches her dress with a pair of Jimmy Choo 'Niagra' sandals in the US version of Marie Claire, May 2011.

Bottom Row:
Dutch model Patricia van der Vliet wears the dress in Vogue Nippon April 2011.
Camilla Belle poses for the March 2011 issue of Glamour Mexico.
Karmen Pedaru puts on a massive red wig for Vogue Nippon March 2011.

Ukranian model Natalia Chabanenko in a fashion editorial for Numero Toyko March 2011.


As for 'Who Wore It Better?', this is a tough one, as this dress seems to suit every model/starlet who has worn it. If I had to chose, I'd pick Rihanna. She wears it with the most spunk. Not everyone can pull off an electric blue dress with a flaming red hair. In the editorials, I like the styling on Anna Friel and Korean-American gal Hye Park - it must be those Jimmy Choo's. What are your thoughts?

Looks Of The Week

A round-up of my favourite fashions on the red carpet this week.

Jessica Alba looked glam at the 'Versace for H&M' event, wearing a black and gold flecked top and skirt, from the collection. Black tights and heels, a slick high bun and glossy red lips complete her outfit.

Gorgeous Brit model Cara Delevingne glitters at 'Harper's Bazaar Women of the Year Awards' in London. She wears a gold sequined dress by Burberry. Personally, I love that she added the grungy boots and black accessories. It prevents the look from being gaudy.

Selena Gomez looks adorable in a white tulle confection by Marchesa, along with embellished Casadei pumps. She play host at this year's MTV Europe Music Award's in Belfast.

Emma Stone was radiant in a green-tinged gold gown by Lanvin. The actress wore the silky pleated dress with grosgrain belt to 'Glamour's Women of the Year Awards' in New York.

Gwyneth Paltrow gleams in green at the Bambi Awards in Germany. She took my breath away in this fully beaded emerald gown by Elie Saab. But I'd want her to lose the heavy neckpiece.
Sofia Vergara ruled the green carpet at the 2011 Latin Grammy Awards. The brunette actress wore a beautifully beaded strapless ivory gown by Reem Acra.
Sugarland singer Jennifer Nettles chose an outstanding mint green gown for the Country Music Awards 2011. The delicately draped gown, glistening with crystals is by Naeem Khan. 
Byrdie Bell attended the 'Versace for H&M' event in New York City - not wearing Versace. I almost mistook the actress for Rachel Zoe, as she certainly looked the part. Her cream maxi dress is by Sportmax, which she wore with a black belt and cropped leather jacket. I do like her boho-biker-chic style.

How To Be A Victoria's Secret Angel

Victoria's Secret
Fashion Show 2011

The annual Victoria's Secret soirée took place in New York earlier this week, where a huge fuss was made over a little lingerie in an extravagant $12 million parade. While viewing the glamorous fashion show, I observed that there is a certain criteria to be met in order to be a 'Victoria's Secret Angel'. I've compiled a list for anyone interested in landing one of world's most sought after modeling jobs. 

How To Become A Victoria's Secret Angel

* You will need to be at least 1.78m or 5f 10in tall
* Have a 34-24-34 frame, which is the equivalent to a size zero
* Be ridiculously gorgeous. If you're an 'exotic beauty', that will put you up the list.
* Have amazing legs that go on forever
* Naturally glossy long locks and porcelain skin is a must-have
* Have an electrifying smile with enough wattage to light up Times Square.
* You should probably give up carbs and chocolate...and food in general.
* Spend at least 4 hours a day in the gym doing some form of trendy toning exercises. 
* Dating an equally good-looking and world famous rock star will amp up your appeal.
* And most importantly, you will have to wear itsy lingerie, walk in sky-high stilettos, carry a colossal pair of wings on your shoulders (that weighs 3 times your body weight) and look incredibly graceful while doing it.

If you fit all these requirements, Congratulations! You are on your way to becoming the Next Victoria's Secret Supermodel. As for the rest of us, we can just admire the exquisite creations that were shown at this years' Victoria's Secret runway show. P.S. Click on the image to see a larger version.


Aquatic Angels

The surreal mermaid theme is brought to life by bevy of international beauties including Russia's (and Adam Levine's) Anne Vylitsyna, top Polish model Anja Rubik, China's stunning Sui He, pretty Swedish blonde Caroline Winberg and Maryna Linchuk from Belarus. 

Super Angels

Step aside Batman/Spiderman/Superman, there is a new superhero in town and she is armed with a valiant cartoon coloured costume, daring thigh-high boots, a killer smile and a whole lot of sex appeal - which is often mistaken for a super power.

Be My Valentine

Wrapped in shades of Valentine, ribbon, feathers and tulle are Australian supermodel Miranda Kerr, Brazilian beauty Lais Ribeiro and New Zealand newcomer, Jessica Clark.

Supermodels of Swan Lake

 A ballet-inspired theme in a sugary blend of sweet pink, lemon and dreamy blue hues. Chanel Iman makes leg warmers look sexy, Alessandra Ambrosio does her best impression of Black Swan, German model Toni Garrn flaps her butterfly wings and Dutch dame Doutzen Kroes strikes a dramatic pose in her blue and white tutu.

 A Black and White Affair

These are my favourite costumes from the collection. Lily Donaldson's black and white ensemble with the vintage lace wings. Brazil's Flavia de Oliveira looks ravishing in all black. I love the striped and layered tulle skirt worn by Estonian model Karmen Pedaru. The umbrella adds a vintage touch to her alluring Edwardian outfit. Cameron Russell wears a coquettish number with a high-collared corset, suspended feathers and black lace gloves.

Show Stoppers

 Brazilian supermodel and Victoria's Secret veteran Alessandra Ambrosio balances the elaborately beaded Passion Play wings, which weighs around 30lb/13kg. It's rumored to have taken seven years to make! South Africa's own dreamgirl Candice Swanepoel looks like a Grecian goddess with her gilded wings. Miranda Kerr brought the sensational show to a close, wearing a $2.5 million Fantasy Treasure brassiere, encrusted with 3400 precious stones. I'm guessing it comes with it's own safe and bodyguard.

So there you have it, another bout of the supermodel syndrome at the Victoria's Secret 2011 fashion show. I wonder if they get to keep the wings?

Must Love Louboutins 2012

Christian Louboutin

Spring/Summer Shoes 2012

Christian Louboutin sets to impress the fashion-loving masses with his latest collection of exquisite designer shoes. The beauty of having even just one pair of these glamourous shoes, is that it can be worn with anything, anywhere, anytime. I think that's the magic of the 'Louboutin heel'. Celebrities and style icons wear them on and off the red carpet, with a pair of jeans or with a fancy evening gown. 

For Spring 2012, Mr Louboutin interprets the trendy wedge heel with a sexy hint of animal print. Sophisticated neutrals are elevated by wooden platforms and plush leather. Heels are bejeweled and spiked for a ritzy rock look. See-through plastic takes on a posh appeal. Ethnic patterns are ornately beaded and embroidered onto handcrafted heels. Feast your eyes on these decorative little foot ornaments...

The red and turquoise beaded pair is on my wish list. Which one is on yours?

Who Wore The Flapper Fringe Dress Better?

Who Wore It Better?
Gucci Sping 2012 Flapper Dress

The LACMA Arts & Film Gala was held this past weekend in Los Angeles, presented by Gucci. When events are hosted by elite fashion brands, it's only natural that stars choose to wear outfits made by designer themselves. Three starlets did just that, picking out 20's inspired dresses from the same Gucci collection, in the same colours, all with an interrelated design, proving that their taste in high-fashion dresses are very similar.

Zoe Saldana wore a cap-sleeved v-neck black dress with loosely fitting top, the skirt draped with gold thread tassels.  
Camilla Belle is no stranger to a glamorous Gucci dress. The actress wore a fringed dress with geometric design, hers differed with slots of white and wide striped straps.  
Evan Rachel Wood fit the part of a 20's screen queen in her knee-length version of the black and gold flapper dress, with higher v-neckline. 

Zoe wore her hair up in a tousled style, showing off her gold Neil Lane earrings. A smokey plum colour adorned her eyes.
Camilla had her hair done in a half-up half-down style. She wore pearl stud earrings and metallic silver eye makeup. 
Evan's wavy vintage hairstyle was in sync with her 20's style outfit. She accessorized with black drop earrings, smokey eyes and a cherry lip.



Zoey wore black peep-toe heels with a double chain ankle strap and a gold heel.
Camilla's strappy gold heels with thin metallic ankle strap are also by Gucci.
Evan Rachel wore gold T-bar sandals, with chain detailing and double ankle strap.


I think these looks would have been equally pretty...if they were all not worn to the exact same event. Together on the red carpet, these three actresses look like part of a stylish Gucci-clad girl band, when each of them should in fact, stand out. As you may know by now, I'm a Camilla Belle style fan, so I'm choosing her flapper fringed look as my favourite. Also her dress wasn't as similar as the other two. Who is your pick?

Make Your Own Lace Necklace

The Savvy Girls Guide 

To Making Your Own Necklace

I am one of the least crafty people you can find, so when I wanted to do a DIY accessory post, I knew I had to get the expertise and advice of the creative and kind Nadia van der Mescht from Cupcake Couture. Nadia is a South African based arts and crafts designer, specializing in exclusive wedding accessories, exquisite vintage-inspired corsages and stationery. She creates one of a kind pieces according to your personal taste and wedding day theme. Here Nadia shows us how easy it is to make a beautiful and trendy lace necklace. 

Step 1 & 2

Step 1:

Gather what you will need:

A piece of lace – you can find some at a haberdashery or even search for a vintage piece in your grannies sewing box.

Pliers

A small, sharp pair of scissors

Small jump rings:  available from most craft or bead shops

Chain: 

Lobster clasp

Step 2

Put the jump rings onto the ends of the chain using the pliers.

Step 3 & 4

Step 3Make a small hole in the lace.  Make it slightly away from the edge so that the jump ring doesn’t rip through.

Step 4

Thread the jump ring with the chain attached through the lace.  Do the same on both sides.

 Step 4 & 5

Step 5

Pull the chain to a peak at the centre this will allow you to find the middle easily.  Bend open a link and add the lobster clasp and jump ring.

Step 6:

This shows how it should look once done.

And Voila!

All done! An easy DIY with a pretty result

Special thanks to Nadia for her lending her time and skills to this guest post. I hope it will inspire you to create your own unique neckpiece.