I'd like to introduce you to one of the fruits of my first visit to the tailor in Shenzen. Nothing too out there on my maiden voyage. Thought it best to test the waters. The search for the perfect little black dress has been a long and arduous one. I must have about 10 black dresses in my wardrobe (I was banned from buying them for a while there) but none of them are that perfect dress that works in any situation and will take you from work to a party to a dinner to your divorce court proceedings with ease.When I went up to Shenzen recently, I decided it was high time I got one made in the shape, style and fabric I wanted. Having obviously done a lot of hands on research on the subject of black dresses, it wasn't hard to come up with this one. It has really nice paneling on the front and a lovely cinched in waist. Will probably wear it with sheer spotted or opaque tights for work. It's such a lovely shape I'll probably get it made in a few other colours and a longer version too.
Post update: in response to your comments and emails - the dress is a silk crepe material with a light horizontal pattern and it has a V back with a bronze exposed zip. I chose the fabric in the fabric hall and then drew up the pattern at the tailors using a couple of examples (pics and dresses I had with me). It took a week to get made (its perfect). I'm looking forward to showing you the spoils of my last trip once they are ready.
I have finally got around to beginning to watch the much lauded Mad Men - and I LOVE it! I just finished Season Two. It is set at the beginning of the 60's on Madison Avenue, the advertising hub of New York. It's the era of JFK & Jackie, television, martinis, the Rat Pack, Marilyn Monroe and the Cuban Missile Crisis.
The corporate Boy's Club antics of long, gout-inducing lunches, smoking & swilling martinis and scotch in the office and lewd treatment of secretaries is interesting. And sometimes not so retro! Don is calculatingly cool and even at his worst, still exudes a hypnotic Clooney-esque charm, even while you sympathize with his long suffering, sweet trophy-wife, Betty. (Although in Season Two, she appears to be growing claws!) I love the mise-en scene - the 60's furniture, Don's Buick, Betty-Crocker style kitchens and the dark tones, walnut paneling and low furniture at the Madison Avenue offices of Sterling Cooper. As for the fashion - well! Divine! Interestingly, the sets reminded me of the slick, sexy, masculine style of the George Falconer's beautiful 'glass house' in a ‘A Single Man', set in 1962, directed by designer Tom Ford and starring Colin Firth. Then I read on this Blog that Mad Mens Production Designer Dan Bishop has won three awards for Art Direction - and also worked on the set of ‘A Single Man’! Amazing how like attracts like! I am adoring Betty Draper's polished, glacial Grace Kelly-as-housewife look with her headbands, full skirts and fitted sweaters, with not a flaxen hair out of place. And the ever present cigarette! (I also love the fact that January Jones has not had her teeth fixed with veneers, giving her such a more appealing look). And of course Joan (Christina Hendricks), with her amazing hour-glass style curves pored into the most fitting dresses. Her flaming locks and fuchsia pink, fire truck red and shocking blue outfits scream are spectacular. Channel your inner-Joan with pencil skirts, cinched in waists, a great bra, fitted sweaters, ruby-red matte lipstick and swept up back-combed do's.
A lot of MAC makeup is used for the Mad Men women, as explained here. Great to see that Joan's dramatic cat eyes are created by one of my fave MAC liners, Blacktrack. Black eyeliner, matte lips and cinched in, tailored suits will never date!
Love these cute yellow flats I found at my favourite thrift market on the weekend. For $30 honky. That's about £2.50. Very happy. They are actually Elle magazine brand, umm did they ever even make clothes.
Continuing the theme on from my recent Jil Sander inspired DIY maxi, I have been feeling very bright and neon recently. It probably helps that Hong Kong winter is pretty damn pleasant compared to London. I absolutely loved the Christopher Kane Spring Summer 11 collection and wanted to make something inspired by the brights. Neon accessories are particularly good if you want to get amongst the brights trend but dont want to go large on a dress or trousers. Found these tassels in a market and was instantly inspired. Bought some little earring studs and tied the tassels on. I can separate them in the future and just wear one colour, very versatile!
Wearing: DIY tassell earrings, vintage floral dress, tan sandals by river island.
My gorgeous friend MJ of Dreaming Spires and Old Car Tyres has done a tutorial of her tie-dye nails inspired by the Topshop SS11 collection. I saw them on her blog a while ago and just had to know how she did then. MJ jas been doing a number of nail DIYs inspired by SS11 collections. Aren't these ones perfect and oh so 70's? She's done a fantastic video tutorial for you all, showing a very interesting water marbling technique to get the tie dye effect. It looks like it takes a bit time and a whole lot of skill, and the technique has the most beautiful results. I know this is something I am going to have to practice a bit (or a lot!), and can't wait to try. And MJ has the cutest accent too. Scroll down for the video tutorial. I hope you'll also head of the MJ's blog and check out all her other fantastic DIYs!
www.sodashi.com.au Sodashi, a Sanskrit word translating to 'wholeness, purity and radiance' is an Australian skin care brand found in 1999 by Megan Larsen. The brand belives in using only the purest and most natural ingredients to create effective chemical-free products for at home and spa use. Sodashi's range is focused on the regeneration and anti-ageing of skin through the use of
Beautettes now that the new year is well under way I thought it would be a great opportunity to giveaway two fantastic mini brush sets thanks to my wonderful friends at Furless. Furless are an Australian brand against animal cruelty, all brushes are synthetic and are of amazing quality. It does not just stop there though because Furless also sells fantastic mineral makeup (can I highly
Tweet PINK DIVA'S MUST-HAVE FOUNDATIONS: Beauty Blender Makeup Sponge - This bouncy pink egg-shaped sponge gave me so much confidence when I started working on weddings because regardless of what foundation I was using, the Beauty Blender sponge worked it in to the skin to provide a soft, flawless and airbrushed finish that women of all ages loves. It is re-usable, re-washable and does not
Fabric shopping in Shenzen. An integral part of going to the tailor. Every single one of these fabric is less than a few dollars a metre. Can you imagine the possibilities? I'll show you some of my creations shortly.
A big thank you to to Kerry of My Orange Stilettos for giving my wee Blog a Stylish Blogger Award! This is a great way to applaud and promote your fave Blogs. As a relative newbie, I am am very honored to receive this award from Kerry. So, I'm sharing the love. They tell me these are The Rules:
Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your post
Tell us 7 things about you
Award seven recently discovered new bloggers
Contact these bloggers and let them know they've received the award.
Let's get started!
7 Things You Never Knew About Me
1. I am from Invercargill, which is known for:
Being the birthplace of Burt Munro, The World's Fastest Indian. The expanses of flat, quartz-black sand of Oreti Beach is beautiful.
Being dubbed the 'Arsehole of the World' by Keith Richards 1965. *I spoke to a cab driver who attended the gig this statement referred to. The Stones were still fairly unknown and opening for Roy Orbison in Invercargill at the grand old Civic Theatre. As a rural town - with an audience there to see The Big O - the audience did not take kindly to the rough & rangy Stones taking the stage, and apparently there was a it of booing in anticipation to get the Stones off, and Roy on.
Its proximity to Stewart Island, one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Cheese Rolls - Sushi of the South. One of the yummiest things you will ever eat - molten cheesey goodness.
2. I taught Art History for 2 Terms at Cargill High School in Invercargill. I was only a few years older than my students at the time. 3. My first job in London was at Harrods. I worked on the 4th Floor in 'Way In' fashion. Then I became a Beauty Consultant and worked in the Cosmetics and Perfumery Sections on the Ground Floor. Harrods was a great way to see celebrities up close & personal.
Most aged looking: Mick Jagger
Most charming: Robbie Williams
Most polite: Leanne Rimes
Most tiny: Isla Fisher
Most shy: Paula Yates
4. I never had any wisdom teeth. (Obviously I am not wise?!)
5. I have a Rarotongan heritage. I try to get back there at least once every two years. 6. I was first published aged 10 in the Sunday Times. It was a little prose about a black stallion, that was also read out on Dick Weir's national kids' Sunday morning radio show. The publishing career has somewhat stalled since then! Interestingly - Dick Weir's son is in The Black Seeds!
7. My favourite movie is Wild at Heart - even though it still kind of freaks me out. I would like to take this opportunity to nominate my friends' Blogs! In addition to My Orange Stilettos, I have added a few other firm faves at the end.
My sister Very cute Blog from my Melbourne-based sister, a mixture of fashion, food, photography and all things creative! Banana meet-cute
Wendy Great Blog from my friend Wendy on living a sustainable lifestyle. Give a Fig
Owen Allison The very talented stylist, fashion photographer and makeup artist and old friend from the South! Owen Allison Tessa and Ari My beautiful friends Tessa and daughter Ari's Crochet Blog. Crochet Cool
Vanessa Maker of beautiful baby clothes and all around styley new Mum. Bubbalino
Isaac I have to add Isaac, not new - but a firm favorite! Isaac Likes
Jessica Last but not least - I enjoy the gorgeous Aussie model Jessica Hart's Blog. Makes me very wistful for New York City! Jessica Hart Please do send me any fashion Blogs you think I may like - especially fellow Kiwis!
Was looking for a safety pin project (as I bought about a million last week). This image taken by my lovely friend Jill of London Street Style has completely inspired me. Go check out Jill's blog for gorgeous pics of blogger friends from London (miss you guys) and her hilarious sense of humour. Safety pin DIY to come soon I promise.
I'm in love with sequins and bling at the moment. Search as I did in December for a sparkly NYE number, nowhere in Auckland seemed to be playing ball. Again, good old NZ is draped in drab dark colours and hardly any SHINE! Pastels being the brightest colours I could find....no hot pink in sight! As Summer wanes, I'm desperate for some gold, fuschia, electric blue or hot coral dresses and tops. Speaking of gold, I adore this fabulous Balmain dress on the ELLE cover. No wonder it (or aversion of it) has now graced 7 covers so far, including UK ELLE, Vogue Spain, Russia, India and Germany, Harpers Bazaar. And I love Blake Lively's Versace on the cover of Cosmo. Although Blake is looking rather odd. PShop overload! A beautiful girl like her does not need that much PS, surely! Another fave, Olivia Wilde's sparkling Marchesa masterpiece was my favourite at the GOLDEN GLOBES. With my favourite Louboutins (although I agree with Guiliana - silver may have been a better choice): The Globes were awash with beautiful gowns this year, with green, red, sparkles and nude dominating the red carpet. My other faves were as follows: Emma Stone in Calvin Klein Collection - this one actually looked really bright coral-pink on the telly. Anne Hathaway in Armani Prive. Clare Danes in Calvin Klein Collection. Similar to Emma Stone's, I just loved the colour. And the 'Statement Shoe' - majorly beautiful sky-high, Jewell encrusted shoes were flashed from beneath long hems, another fave being Leighton Meester's Jimmy Choo's.
I have finally got around to beginning to watch the much lauded Mad Men - and I LOVE it! I just finished Season Two. It is set at the beginning of the 60's on Madison Avenue, the advertising hub of New York. It's the era of JFK & Jackie, television, martinis, the Rat Pack, Marilyn Monroe and the Cuban Missile Crisis.
I love the mise-en scene - the 60's furniture, Don's Buick, Betty-Crocker style kitchens and the dark tones, walnut paneling and low furniture at the Madison Avenue offices of Sterling Cooper. As for the fashion - well! Divine! Interestingly, the sets reminded me of the slick, sexy, masculine style of the George Falconer's beautiful 'glass house' in a ‘A Single Man', set in 1962, directed by designer Tom Ford and starring Colin Firth. Then I read on this Blog that Mad Mens Production Designer Dan Bishop has won three awards for Art Direction - and also worked on the set of ‘A Single Man’! Amazing how like attracts like!
I am adoring Betty Draper's polished, glacial Grace Kelly-as-housewife look with her headbands, full skirts and fitted sweaters, with not a flaxen hair out of place. And the ever present cigarette! (I also love the fact that January Jones has not had her teeth fixed with veneers, giving her such a more appealing look).
And of course Joan (Christina Hendricks), with her amazing hour-glass style curves pored into the most fitting dresses. Her flaming locks and fuchsia pink, fire truck red and shocking blue outfits scream are spectacular.
Channel your inner-Joan with pencil skirts, cinched in waists, a great bra, fitted sweaters, ruby-red matte lipstick and swept up back-combed do's.
A big thank you to to Kerry of My Orange Stilettos for giving my wee Blog a Stylish Blogger Award! This is a great way to applaud and promote your fave Blogs. As a relative newbie, I am am very honored to receive this award from Kerry. So, I'm sharing the love. They tell me these are The Rules:
4. I never had any wisdom teeth. (Obviously I am not wise?!)
6. I was first published aged 10 in the Sunday Times. It was a little prose about a black stallion, that was also read out on Dick Weir's national kids' Sunday morning radio show. The publishing career has somewhat stalled since then! Interestingly - Dick Weir's son is in The Black Seeds!
I would like to take this opportunity to nominate my friends' Blogs! In addition to My Orange Stilettos, I have added a few other firm faves at the end.
I'm in love with sequins and bling at the moment. Search as I did in December for a sparkly NYE number, nowhere in Auckland seemed to be playing ball. Again, good old NZ is draped in drab dark colours and hardly any SHINE! Pastels being the brightest colours I could find....no hot pink in sight! As Summer wanes, I'm desperate for some gold, fuschia, electric blue or hot coral dresses and tops. Speaking of gold, I adore this fabulous Balmain dress on the ELLE cover. No wonder it (or aversion of it) has now graced 7 covers so far, including UK ELLE, Vogue Spain, Russia, India and Germany, Harpers Bazaar.
And I love Blake Lively's Versace on the cover of Cosmo. Although Blake is looking rather odd. PShop overload! A beautiful girl like her does not need that much PS, surely!
Another fave, Olivia Wilde's sparkling Marchesa masterpiece was my favourite at the GOLDEN GLOBES. With my favourite Louboutins (although I agree with Guiliana - silver may have been a better choice):
The Globes were awash with beautiful gowns this year, with green, red, sparkles and nude dominating the red carpet. My other faves were as follows:
Emma Stone in Calvin Klein Collection - this one actually looked really bright coral-pink on the telly.
Anne Hathaway in Armani Prive.
Clare Danes in Calvin Klein Collection. Similar to Emma Stone's, I just loved the colour. And the 'Statement Shoe' - majorly beautiful sky-high, Jewell encrusted shoes were flashed from beneath long hems, another fave being Leighton Meester's Jimmy Choo's.
