Make like a Magpie

Hellooo! So it has been a while between drinks, but yours truly is back into the swing of things. And what better way to come back and chat about all things amazing and stylish than to discuss perhaps one of the most outlandish, most self-promoting, most FABULOUS trends that is currently presenting itself - yes I am talking of the wonderful trend that is Metallics. Give me gold, bronze, and especially silver in any sort of tactile (glitter, sequins, animal print) and I am as happy as a magpie with a pair of silver glitter boots in its nest (Edit: my penchant for shiny, sparkly things is perhaps where my similarities to a magpie ends. Sorry if I misled you.)

So you can imagine my welcome surprise when I spotted these delicacies - yes that's right, the undeniably unsurpassable shoe of this era is available in Metallic Gold.

YSL Tribute High Heel Sandal in Gold Metallic Leather, YSL.com

So that feeling that you are experiencing right now? That is a sense of completion, as in your life can now be complete that you have come across these wonderful works of art that can sit on your feet all day long and provide an endless source of pleasure. Imagine - a stressful day at the office, where your ignorant boss is giving you a hard time for their lack of competence - and you simply look down to your feet et voila! All worries, stresses and ill-feelings have instantly vanished! A Tribute can do that to you, as can a metallic, and when you combine the two. Well, there's no telling how much joy this will give.

It truly is amazing what a pair of shoes can do - and these one's top the list. But just wait until you see them in Gunmetal....

YSL.com

Happy Salivating!
Elky
x

Time Out

Today, I would love to be in a place where I have much more time up my sleeves. That  way, I would have the opportunity to do a proper feature for today's Where You Would Rather Be Wednesday. 

Instead - I am here - without enough time, and having to make do with this short post. Thankfully, I am certain tomorrow I will be in that place where my sleeves are full of time, and I can provide a kick-ass Thursday Thought Starter.

So in the meantime, let's all lust after this stunning Romance Was Born Orchid Long Sleeve Dress from MyCatwalk.com and think about how much time we could stuff up those gorgeous sleeves.

Romance Was Born's Orchid Long Sleeve Dress,
$350, MyCatwalk.com

Double Happiness

Way back almost one whole year ago, on the 25th of September in a little town called Milan, Raf Simons presented the wonderful Jil Sander Womenswear Ready to Wear Spring Summer 11 collection. Receiving critical acclaim for this standout collection, there were three key trends that emerged.

The first - Pop Colour Brights. Well, we all know how big that has gotten around town.

The second - Exaggerated minimalist silhouettes, ie. Minimalism Maximised. Think about all those maxi skirts you are wearing now.

And finally - The Two Bags.

Jil Sander SS 11 RTW, Style.com

The Two Bags has been slowly creeping up on our agenda, with many the fashion blogger and street style walker cottoning on to the power of having Two Handbags. 

In February, online vintage marketplace Shifting Clothes identified and commented on the trend via their blog.

ShiftingClothes.com

And super Fashion Blogger Suzie Bubble even posted her version of The Two Handbags in her post Bagsy Me in August (ok so she took it to three - but that's what we love her for, maximising the trend). 

Bagsy Me, Style Bubble 

But, now I feel the trend is about to EXPLODE! I believe the sheer brilliance of the complete Jil Sander SS11 collection meant that The Two Bags trend had been overshadowed.  I actually even remember getting extremely excited by the Jil Sander shopper bags - even posting them on my Facebook page with one word - love. (How then, did I manage to covet these bags so, and not pick up on the Two Bags? I must be more observant next time.) And now that we have settled into the whole pop colours and maxi skirts thing, its time to shine The Two Bags. 

Now - I know many of us females will say, "but I already carry two bags - one with my purse and all my daily essentials, and another cotton shopper tote with all the excess (such as lunch) that I can't carry in my smaller bag". But The Two Handbags trend is all about having two awesome fashion bags, and incorporating it into your outfit. That is, don't use the free shopper bag you got at the supermarket as your larger tote!

I would recommend scouring Asos. With 394 styles of bags (as at time of posting), you are bound to find two that you will like. Personally, I am going for the Premium Leather Colour Block Shopper in Camel/Black offset by the pop-tastic Orange Leather Mini Twist Lock Saddle Bag. If I am going to be carry off the The Two Bags trend, I may as well chuck in the Pop Colour Blocking trend in there too!

Colour Block Shopper, $103.84, Asos.com

Mini Twist Lock Saddle Bag, $23.96, Asos.com

Love In Motion

That Jacqui Demkiw is one clever little lady.  Not only does she consistently produce collections that are swoon-worthy, amazing quality and all-round super hot via her sensational Melbourne-based label White Suede; she has also managed to ensure that face of MSFW* and former alumni of ANTM*, Sophie Van Den Akker, was captured in a brilliant photo opp*, looking totally smokin' in the 'In Motion' dress from her Spring Summer 11 Collection. (The scenery ain't half bad in this pic either!)

Thanks, Herald Sun

Now, credit where credit is due, her PR agency may have had a hand in getting this dress out there in the media, making sure it is the hottest thing to grace the pages of Melbourne's daily tabloids during last week's coverage of MSFW. BUT - if it wasn't for Ms Demkiw's brilliance and mastery in designing such a so on-trend digital graphic print dress, then it would have been slim pickings for media coverage. 

As a former PR myself, I can tell you, no amount of asking/pushing/bribery will get you media coverage. If the product is good, then every Marie, Madison and Cleo will want it in their fashion bible. And this dress is golden, hence it being the hero of MSFW. 

White Suede In Motion Dress, $360,
in motion on the MSFW catwalk

I have my eye on this stunner for a beach cocktail wedding in March (along with a Red Valentino print dress as well as a pop-bright Alice McCall peplum - but that's a different story), and I reckon at only $360, its CPW* is amazing value - not to mention how high it rates on the CPS Index*.

*Glossary of Terms 

(for those of you who aren't into the whole fashion speak, or as the fashionistas like to term it, are still living in last month). 

MSFW - Melbourne Spring Fashion Week, operational in September. Not to be confused with LMFF (L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival) which graces Melbourne's streets in March. 

ANTM - Can either be America's or Australia's Next Top Model (in this case we are talking home grown Aus). A super awesome show filled with sometimes amazing, always bitchy model hopefuls and judges.

Photo Opp - Photo Opportunity, ie it gives photographers an opportunity to photograph something. 

CPW - Cost Per Wear. A useful indicator of whether an item of clothing is good value, determined by the price of the garment divided by the number of times worn. For example, if I wear the In Motion dress five times, its CPW is $72 and much better value than a pair of Supre jeggings that cost $80, which I would wear once (only as a joke or to demonstrate why no-one should ever wear them).

CPS - Compliments Per Sighting

CPS Index - Compliments per Sighting Index. A subjective system structuring fashion items based on the number of compliments they elicit across media, social media and most importantly when you are wearing it. An item of clothing that sits high on the index receives lots of compliments, and increases its value and motivation to purchase exponentially. A monetary figure cannot be attributed to the CPS, hence the reason for the index. A high perceived or expected CPS may override a low CPW, particularly just before purchase.

(All the above terms are commonly used, except CPS - I just made that up now. But it does exist, it just didn't have a name before. Now it does). 

Padding it out

Hello*, yes I know I am looking super stylish with my gorgeous quilted Marc Jacobs bag. Yes, it is rather divine, what with its Chanel-esque quilting feature accompanied by the darling chain strap.

Net-a-Porter.com

What is that you say? Oh yes, it is rather practical, with enough room to hold all of my essentials. And of course, very versatile. I can wear it with my favourite workplace attire or even pared back with my weekend jeans and trench coat ensemble. 

Net-a-Porter.com

Oh but you haven't seen the most fascinating feature yet!

Marc Jacobs Quilted Leather iPad Bag, Net-a-Porter.com

Why, the bag is in fact perfectly designed to encase my iPad. So not only am I super stylish, I am super technological and connected too. 

*This is my side of the conversation that I imagine I would be having with lots of people if I actually owned today's Eye Candy. Or an iPad.