Month: October 2012

A GIRL WITH THE GOLDEN TATTOO

This is the perfect chance for us, who always dream about having one, but too scared to do it permanently.

Dior has created tattoos, with the help of jewelry designer Camille Miceli. The real 24 carat golden tattoo, named Dior Grand Bal Golden Tattoos are meant to look like gold earrings, bracelets and rings. We can paste the US$120 temporary tattoos anywhere we want to bring the bling out. After all, it is gold and most probably the most glamorous tattoo I’ve ever seen. As they were produced in limited quantities, you know what to do, right?

WHEN SILICONE MET DIAMOND

Something different, unique, modern, yet fun and still precious. I can’t take my eyes off of this future best friend of mine.

A Milan based jewelry line, DUEPUNTI, came up with this unconventional colorful range of rings. Made entirely in Italy, it combines the preciousness of diamond (0.02 carats) and non-allergic silicone. Comes in 19 different colors from the basic, pastels to bright ones, it is super light and fun to be stacked. And with an accessible price (each S$118), I was picking colors as I typed. 

MORE THAN JUST ECO FRIENDLY

Most of the nail polish brands has get rid of the three ingredients which reportedly linked to toxicity. Now, the three big bad chemicals have two more company.

If you ever noticed the three ingredients, they are formaldehyde, dibutylphthalate (DBP) and toluene. Recently, there are two more toxic ingredients to avoid painting onto your nails, formaldehyde resin and camphor. According to the FDA, formaldehyde resin (strengthener used in nail polish), is truly toxic if you bite your nails. As for camphor, it can be toxic if ingested or inhaled in large amounts.

Don’t freak out just yet, after all many mainstream brands are already three free. But wouldn’t it be good to be five free? From the fashion week favorite, Priti NYC to a prestige brand, Chanel (surprise surprise), here are the 10 nail polishes brands without those 5 toxic ingredients.

CHRISTMAS DECOR I ADORE

Who said it’s all about Christmas trees and lights? I’m planning to add some wit to our Christmas decor this year. 

Ahhh…Bath and Body Works. Always went shopaholic nuts whenever I had the chance to visit their stores. Those lovely fragrances and cute plus plus made me obsessed. As holiday season is coming, here are some of my favorite. Fragrance plugs that double as a night light will give that silent night feeling. And the silver snowflake pedestal will dress up an ordinary candle into a stylish Christmas decor. I can’t wait for Christmas.

HAPPY GO DRESSY

Remember Keds? The canvas sneakers brand that I personally suspect is the name behind our Indonesian version of “sepatu kets” (aka sneakers in English) is truly an American legend. 

It has been around for almost a century (since 1916), and has created the most lightweight canvas sneakers, like ever. Famous for its silent rubber soles that don’t make any screechy sounds when we walk, I remember I had one back in my high school days. That was like a century ago, too. Just kidding. 

Well, last year, this shoe brand launched their ever first garment collection. Their debut resort line last year was sold at Opening Ceremony stores and online. Cute and adorable, they seemed to did just fine, so they continued the clothing line. This fall 2012, I’m psyched to see their latest collection. Classic sweaters, printed shorts and jacket, trousers and dresses in bold colors, I am happy just to see them in refinery29’s site. 

MOTHERHOOD IS SEXY

If you are a supermodel like Miranda Kerr or Alessandra Ambrosio. 

You remember when Orlando Bloom proudly made a standing ovation when his wife rocking the runway with a US$2.5 million Fantasy Treasure Bra on the annual Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show last year. FYI, Miranda just delivered their son on January 2011 when she walked the runway on November 2011. You do the math.

Well, this year we might see Jamie Mazur, Alessandra’s fiance, on the side of the runway cheering his children’s mother for modeling the super expensive undergarment. Oh, the 31 years old supermodel mom delivered her son on May 2012. You do the math, again.

The Fantasy Bra is a company tradition every year around the holidays, and this year it will be air on December 4. By the way, Alessandra was still breastfeeding her 3 week old son Noah when she got the news from Victoria’s Secret that she’ll be modeling for the Fantasy Bra in the upcoming fashion show. You bet, she’s working out as we speak.

The theme for this year is floral, so it’s called Floral Fantasy. It’s a Very Sexy push-up bra set, adorned with more than 5200 precious gems like amethyst, sapphire, ruby and diamond. 

Hmm..two years in a row, Victoria’s Secret has been tapped two new mother (OK, the supermodel ones) whose bodies are in amazing postpartum shape to model their most precious undergarment. Are they sending a message that there’s still hope for new mother to shed the baby weight and appeared with a flat tummy in the speed of light? Yeah right!

CHIC YET ACCESSIBLE

Influenced by the vibrant Istanbul, Narciso Rodriguez will launch an exclusive new collection at Kohl’s. 

With the fraction of a price (a dress for US$64), the collection will be launch in November 2012. Dressed the likes of Michelle Obama and Sarah Jessica Parker, Narciso was the first ever designer to win consecutive Womenswear Designer of the Year awards from the Council of Fashion Designers of America. And this year, he is the first designer partnered with Kohl’s in the US retailer’s new DesigNation series of capsule collections from prominent designers. Next spring 2013, it’s going to be Derek Lam’s turn to partner with Kohl’s with inspiration from Brazil. It is an interesting concept featuring premier fashion designers based on their international inspiration.

Spotted: Zoe Saldana wore a dress from the upcoming collection which set to go on sale November 7, 2012.

SHOES AND CINEMA

The spring summer collection 2013 from an Italian footwear brand can be viewed via super short cinematic experience. 

Cannes Film Festival winner Drake Doremus, directed a special commissioned film for Sergio Rossi. And like the combination of colors, textures and geometric shapes in the shoes collection, we can say the same about the short movie that can be view here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fp3Vtfx0y54

Titled “The Search”, it is an unique kind of celebration between fashion and cinema, and is dedicated to all the women who have ever worn Sergio Rossi. Even though walking in the woods with Sergio Rossi pumps might sounds absurd, but “The Search” is beautifully made with a nice tune as well, so I’m excited even just for shoes watching. See it to believe it.

BECAUSE VIOLETS ARE BLUE

Always intrigued by how Parisian women looks, this upcoming holiday 2012 collection is just perfect.

Doing your own makeup is a part of your own confidence. It also allow you to please yourself the way you want it. Play with your makeup and show them up, especially when the holiday season is right on the corner. 

“I try to offer a maximum of make-up possibilities to celebrate the holidays as they wish, and above all to enable women to please themselves. The YSL woman is audacious and ultra-chic. Like a Parisian, she can choose to emphasize her eyes, her smile, or both, be modest and use a single color, or bold and combine two or more to create spectacular contrasts,” said Lloyd Simmonds, Creative Director Make-up Yves Saint Laurent Beaute. Sparkling and daring, are the main looks for Yves Saint Laurent Beaute Holiday 2012 collection, named The Aurora Borealis/Northern Lights.

Highlighter in a compact form, top coat for nail color, glosses, and (my star product) the eyeshadow palette, will create a festive and magical look for the right event. I love the whole look, which look classic yet minimalist with one stroke of vivid plum color, creating a smoky eyes that look so couture. And check out the silver-sequined pouch that cover the palette, which reminds me of YSL’s vintage dresses. 

BEWITCHED COLORS

When the nude colors went gothic. These are the new collection from Topshop Make Up which reportedly will be launch in mid October 2012. The new timeless capsule collection, named “Dark Side of Nude”. 

Expect to see nude color for lip shade in contrast with deep claret. High shine, metallics in chic black packaging? I am sold.