Clutch Me...

My friends and the boy know that I love to carry everything but the kitchen sink in my bags, hence the fact that I usually carry tote bags as my every day bag (even when I go out in the evenings).  Many a night has been spent with an achy shoulder or me dancing around my handbag in the middle of a dance floor.  My mother always used to look at me despairingly and in disbelief at the sheer weight of what I carry in a bag.  I really do not know why my bags are usually that heavy...I don't carry THAT much do I?

Imagine my surprise to find that I am now loving the clutch bag.  A staple of many a socialite and celebrity, the clutch comes in a plethora of forms.  Here are some of my current favourites:

The MISCHA Clutch/Travel Bag

I already own a turquoise version of this super adorable stylish clutch.  Produced by the cool HK brand MISCHA (which recently celebrated their 4th anniversary), these clutches are durable (I have no more palpitations when a drink is spilled over my bag) and super stylish.  The squishy shape makes it extremely comfortable to carry and the roominess of the bag makes it large enough to carry all my "essentials"...ahem ahem...

I am loving the gold and silver versions of this bag, I think it must be because of the festive season.

Silver with Beige Trim MISCHA Clutch

(Photo from Shop des Createurs)

Silver with Grey Trim MISCHA Clutch

(Photo from Shop des Createurs)

Antique Gold MISCHA Clutch

(Photo from Shop des Createurs)

MISCHA Silk Envelope Clutch

Another gorgeous clutch by MISCHA but this time in obi fabric.  Gorgeous colours and patterns which definitely fill me with a feeling of nostalgia for my JET days.  Unfortunately for me, it probably would be a little too small for me and also I would be a bit scared of ruining the bag.  However, a girl can still dream?

I chose the red and gold version of this beautiful clutch because it really is a mix of such vibrant colours that looking at the picture just brings a smile to my face.  Also the graphic nature of the print keeps the design simple and yet oh so effective.  It is also a tiny bit festive too!

MISCHA Red & Gold Silk Envelope Clutch

(Photo from Shop des Createurs)

The Glush Grassy Clutch

I have already written a post about this super cute clutch.  However, with these grey and slightly cold days approaching, the bright green fake grass on this clutch makes me remember hazy Summer days and picnics (I choose not to remember the mosquitoes and the humidity).

Glush Grassy Clutch

(Photo from Glush Website)

Glush Oops! Clutch

The newest collection from the brand which introduced us to the Grassy clutch.  This cheeky clutch was created with the idea of those awkward times when you encounter wet paint.  The clutch comes in a variety of colour combinations but I am absolutely loving the black tweed and gold combination.

Black Tweed and Gold Oops! Clutch

(Photo from Glush Website)

*Glush bags can be ordered online or from Hong Kong store Heaven Please.

Mnologie Perspex Clutch

This gorgeous little clear perspex box clutch has been made by Etsy seller Mnologie.  I love the fact that a personalised message can be inscribed on the clutch and that the metal parts of the clutch come from recycled coins (#ecochic).  This clutch has been seen in the hands of the super blogger Nicole Warne from Gary Pepper Vintage.  I also like the fact that there is a little canvas bag inside the clutch so no one can see what you have in your bag.  (My blushes are spared especially as I am such a messy little madam!)

Perspex Clutch from Mnologie

(Photo from Mnologie)

Soo....Santa aka the boy....will I be getting all these clutches in my stocking this Christmas?  I unfortunately know the answer which would be a resounding NO!  Sigh...back to dreaming I guess.

Say yes to PRINT for work wear dresses...M&S style

As I get older...or more mature...I seem to have become more comfortable with the idea of wearing print.  Before, (especially as a child and a moody teenager - sorry mum!), I used to be very wary of print.  Poor mum had a challenge to put me in anything of colour, form fitting and with a print.  Fast forward a few years (won't divulge how many years!!) and I am like a magpie for all things colourful and print.

Going back to my original love of all things M&S...I had a look at the M&S website and am loving the print dresses on offer...M&S is a fantastic place to go for work dresses.  An easy way to add some colour to your office wardrobe without making it unsuitable for a corporate work environment.

Here are some of my favourite print dresses currently on offer at M&S:


Limited Collection Tiger Print Dress

Loving the autumnal colours and the cute animal print.  Would look good dressed down with boots and cosy cardigan or denim jacket.  Would also look nice with smart courts and a jacket.



Abstract Print Dress

Simple sheath dress.  Love the colour on the central panel.  Black side panels help to give the illusion of a slimmer silhouette.  Great way to inject colour into what would be a classic dress.



Leaf Print Dress

Uber comfy jersey material (which does not crease so no more ironing!!) and with a great easy print to wear.  Smarten it up with a black jacket.  Just in case you feel like you need some extra structure in your outfit, this dress has the added "secret support".



Floral Print Slash Neck Dress

Love the sweatshirt style top of this dress.  The floral print gives a slight nod to the baroque/tapestry trend of this fall.  I love the sleek silhouette of this dress.



Secret Support Black and White Dress

Love the crisp white on this dress.  Definitely one which could be worn as a transitional outfit.  Cover up with some thick black tights or wear bare legged in Spring.  Added bonus of the M&S patented Secret Support to help maintain the sleek lines of this dress.



V Neck Zig Zag Dress

The sleeve-less style of this dress means that for Winter days, you would need to add a cardigan or jacket.  However, I love the V-neck of this dress, the print makes it look more revealing than it really it is - making this a great dress for work.  I love the nod to tribal print on this dress.


ALL dresses are available online.

From London to Australia via HK in one night...or fashion twins separated at birth Sabrina Sikora and Roksanda Ilincic?

OK this is a very belated post regarding two events I went to recently.  Only in HK, would I be able to go to an Australian brand launch and the London Show Rooms HK event.   A truly international night of fashion.

First stop was at the uber cool The Space for the London Show Rooms HK event.  This is an annual event which showcases some of the best of British fashion.  A few of the featured designers this year were Roksanda Ilincic, Jonathan Saunders, Nicholas Kirkwood, Peter Pilotto and Dominic Jones....(sorry I am going to concentrate on the women's wear).  I have been a big fan of all these names and they are always on my wish lists of designers I would love to wear but a) cannot afford, b) I don't have the slender model proportions to do the pieces justice.  Actually scratch that...I nearly was given some Dominic Jones earrings by the boy but in the end received some lovely cherry blossom earrings by Shaun Leane (another uber talented British jewellery designer).

Hello...Peter Pilotto

Nicholas Kirkwood lovelies...

More Kirkwood lovelies...

Roksanda Ilincic

Jonathan Saunders

The clothing was gorgeous and full of brilliant colours which really stood out against the white walls of The Space.   The Kirkwood shoes spread around the room was like gorgeous candy to tempt eager ladies to touch and play.  The lovely DIY maven and All Things Indulgent blogger Vanessa and I were in shoe heaven with the Kirkwood display.

Vanessa feeling some Kirkwood love

My favourite moment of the night was the gorgeous model/stylist/blogger/photographer Sabrina Sikora modelling some Roksanda Ilincic pieces.  I definitely think Sabrina and Roksanda are a) fashion match made in heaven and b) fashion twins separated at birth.

My favourite "fashion" moment of the night...Sabrina wearing Roksanda Ilincic (#fashiontwinsseparatedatbirth)

Images courtesy of Electric Sekki blog, Sabrina Sikora Photography and google images

Also having been previously ignorant of how heavy some of the runway pieces are, I had my moment of clarity when I posed (or tried to pose) with one of the spectacular Peter Pilotto pieces.  It was an amazing sculptural dress with mirror mosaic pieces on the front.  I had drooled over a picture of this gorgeous dress in Harpers Bazaar so was ecstatic that I was able to see the real thing.  However, rather than lifting it gracefully from the rack, I ended up literally having a bicep workout.  Props to the models for making it all look effortless.

Designer Dress Workout...Peter Pilotto dress

Image courtesy of Electric Sekki blog

May be I should leave it to the professionals?  Model makes this dress look light as a feather...

The second event was the Sambag and Sassy party which was round the corner from The Space.  Sambag is a cool Australian brand which has opened its first shop in HK.  Collaborating with one of my favourite HK websites for all things fun and cool Sassy HK, the Sambag team hosted a fabulous girlie evening of cupcakes, bags, shoes, scarves and all things accessories.  I was in love with the colourful scarves on display, the gorgeous yet practical shoes and bags.  It was also great to meet the Sassy girls in person.  Instant Goddess Katie Kay was totally rocking some great Sambag leather trousers (oh to be such a glamazon!) All the Sassy girls are incredibly stylish, friendly and well SASSY!

Lovely Sambag boots

Cute Sambag flats

Sambag and Sassy also were extremely generous and to celebrate the evening, specially created totes were given to attendees.

My new favourite tote...Thanks Sassy and Sambag!

After having my eyes opened in true fashion style, I hopped into a taxi at the end of the evening and gratefully went home to my peaceful bed to dream about all the things I would like to buy if I won the Euromillions...note to self, must get the boy to buy some lottery tickets...one can always dream.

Shiny...silver...pointy...shoes...

It is getting closer to the Festive season and though I am not usually a shiny happy sort of person...I am secretly lusting after some silver "Bianca" stilletos by Edmundo Castillo.  Silver, shiny and pointy with a killer heel...totally impratical for traversing the uneven HK streets yet totally lustworthy...

Edmundo Castillo's Bianca heels

Yes, I know it would be a ridiculous amount of money for a pair of heels I WON'T be able to walk in and will probably ruin the heels in 2 seconds flat (I tend to find any grate or pavement crack in proximity when wearing heels) yet one can only dream of tripping the light fantastic with such a pair of shoes...oh dear may be I should take up ballroom dancing?

Edmundo Castillo shoes available online at www.avenue32.com



Talking of Hair...a serious case of hair envy...

So last night I attended the fabulous HKFashionBloggers' Style Summit (6) with the theme being hair.  My straggly locks were tied up in a bun but I did begin to think about what I would love if I could have dream hair wish list....then wham....I see Canadian actress Sarah Gadon in W Magazine....the lustrous old Hollywood waves with a bit modernity, the shine and the gleam of the hair.  (OK, I might not go blonde as that would just be too strange....)

I would not also mind being able to pout like her and pose like her....oh well, that is why she is in magazines and I am not!

Sarah Gadon from W Magazine

A Message in a T (Shirt)...

I have already talked in two previous posts about the fantastic charity Women for Women.  My friend who is the Corporate Partnerships Manager for the UK office has just flagged up one of their latest campaigns.  Annually, Harpers Bazaar and UK fashion boutique Browns collaborate on a charitable cause which supports women's issues.  This year, they are working with Women for Women.  6 famous French female designers have specifically designed t-shirts with the "Women for Women" message.  I am loving the Sonia Rykiel and Isabel Marant designs (my credit card won't be loving them but at least it is for a good cause and not just my lust for clothing!)  This is definitely a chance to get a little bit of designer but also contributing to a good cause which is a definite plus and one of the aspects of fashion that I love....fashion with a heart....who could ask for more?

(From L-R: Vanessa Bruno, Isabel Marant, Agnes B)

(From L-R: Clare Waight Keller for Chloe, Martine Sitbon, Sonia Rykiel)

For more information and to check out the interviews with the designers on this project, please go to the Women for Women UK Harpers Bazaar/Browns page.

Vintage Shoe Lust...Bally Pom Pom Shoes

I recently came across some pictures of a pair of vintage Bally "Pom Pom" shoes and have been dreaming about them.  I love the whimsical little pom pom decoration at the front, the tiny heel and also the black and white stripe colouring.  WANT WANT WANT!!!

Fantasy Work Shoes...

I always imagine that work wear should be all about power dressing (I should have been in the 80s!).  I have always wanted to stride across the marble floors of a corporation in some fantastic pair of heels. (To be honest, I would more than likely twist my ankle and fall flat on my face!)  These are my current lust shoes for work...they are probably impractical for day to day office wear!

Charlotte Olympia Lucinda Nappa Boots

YSL Tribtoo Spazzalato Loafer

The (Vintage) Dress that got away...

I am currently regretting being unable to buy this black DVF dress that was recently on the etsy store Wearitwellvintage.  Beautiful black with a straight neckline, a flared skirt and up to the wrist sleeves.  Its simplicity is simply beautiful.  Unfortunately, it was out of my price range and now will be going to another home.  Sigh....it is now going to go into my imaginary collection of the dresses that got away...

DVF Dress from Wearitwellvintage

Louboutin....J'adore

Insomnia has hit me so I decided to post about a little bit of Loubi love!!!  I went to a Louboutin store opening a while back with the fabulous Sharon McM who had kindly invited me along.  Not only did we see the great man himself and nibbled on some Louboutin inspired cookies but we also got to "play" with the shoes.  Here's a pic of my favourite pair at the time...they truly gave me a "Cinderella" moment.

Weave me a little magic...Proenza

Just saw some pictures from the Proenza Schouler Fall 2012 Ad Campaign.  Photographer Alasdair McLellan and model Meghan Collison.  The clothes have the right amount of androgeny, rock and rock and a sprinkle of master workmanship.  Meghan's ruffled hair and the gorgeous weave textured leather coat slung over her shoulders gives her the air of just waking up, throwing some clothes on and been able to look that good.  I wish I was so lucky!  I also love the clutch that is featured too and would definitely be adding the jacket and clutch to my dream wishlist.  Must fly back to Europe and win the Euromillions jackpot!

Courtesy of Proenza Schouler 

I need a hero(ine)

Yes, I am that cheesy and yes I do love those 80s songs.  Anyway, Alexander McQueen's Heroine bags are definitely on my designer wish list.  I like the idea of a structured bag which looks ladylike and yet roomy enough to put all my things in (including the kitchen sink in my case!)  They remind me of the purses that Margaret Thatcher used to carry and in that sense embodies the power that Maggie T possessed yet with a modern twist.  Not sure how practical the side zip is for me but I like the idea of it.

Now how do I persuade someone to give me this as a birthday present?