I don't care if it's friggin' 95° down there! I have my Keepall, my Conspiration and my Grand Froid Scarf. All I need to do is to sell my cat so I could buy me a Tambour and I'm all set! LVoe it!!! (www.louisvuitton.com)

Polka Dots Panama Bowly, July 31, 2008

Nite, nite everybody!

Last week, Jerome and I decided that we were going to Miami to visit our dear lil' friend, Arjay. The PTO's have been filed and the tickets booked. Now all we need to decide is what new purchases shall we bring on our trip? Or shall we just save them for the Bal?! Suggestions my readers, please!


Of course, my posting will not be complete without a pic of Miami's most illustrious resident! Photo: Zip Fall Winter 2003 Tweedy Collection

...minus the Chanel, of course (no offense) Photo: Lec8504

SuzanneVuitton's caption and fabulous pic. I can't wait to be in Paris with one or all of my LV's. LVoe it!!!

Speedy Cube

LVoe these instructional vidz from youtube!!! And the Asian consumer!!!

Simply LVoely!!!



Visit www.louisvuitton.com or eLUXURY.com

Fine silk satin
that was created by Marc Jacobs, who stated you can't spell the word LOVE without the letters "LV". This hand-stitched tote takes over 20 hours and 5,000 sequins to create. It came also with a canvas version and bugle beads as sported by Scarlett Johannson in their '07 Summer-Spring ads. The hefty price tag of $1860 made people shy away from the flimsy product. 'Shy' being used loosely because it is completely sold out in the US! I read that they are still available in 101 Champs-Élysées. A LoVe 2 version came out with Miroir lettering on canvas that suited the budget savvy LVoer. Those being only in $600-$800 range. LVoe it!!!

Big shades, Damier Azur, short,white dress! The perfect outfit for Arjay's day out! Celeb: Hillary Duff

See what eye candy I received from him via e-mail:
Thanks!!! Visit www.bagaholicboy.com

I usually walk past the Urban Renewal section of Urban Outfitters, thinking it is vintage stuff, which is not really my thing (not unless they come from a member of my family anyway). At the back of my head, I'd always wondered exactly how they got so many vintage items of the same style in different sizes together in one place. I mean, aren't vintage items supposed to be unique? But I'd never really been interested enough to read the fine print on their website and find out how. It wasn't until my friend mentioned it the other day that I realized what it was. Apparently what they do is collect vintage clothes/fabric and put them together to form new, more updated clothes. That is how they come up with so many pieces of the same style in different sizes. You can buy it at the store or online, where they claim you can even choose colors and they'd make you a completely unique piece using different materials in the same cutting as shown. The whole idea is to re-use materials and it has been around for over 20 years (before the whole go green craze!)- I didn't even know that Urban Outfitters have been around for over 20 years, let alone this division.
One of the reasons I don't like vintage clothes is that whenever I see them they almost always look very dated, hippie and bohemian like, which is so over - thank god! And indeed they do have such stereotypical vintage clothing in this collection here (above: ugh). In fact, most of the collection is like this and I was not impressed. However, there were a few pieces that are intriguing- like this denim vest (right). The extra trimming is quite sharp and refreshing! I'm not really sure how this black blazer (left) is vintage, but I like the cutting.
The ruffled tunic shirt (left) is feminine and romantic looking. Perfect paired with that crisp cropped blazer above! And the floral skirt is cute, reminds me of the floral skirts in the Prada ads this season. Though one should be careful when wearing that in case you look like you're wearing your curtains. Paired with something smart, tailored and modern, it would look stunning.

The thing is though, I'm still not really sure how I feel about this concept of "Urban Renewal." Besides the fact that you still do not know who the previous (many!) owners are, I heard that the renewed material is very scratchy and not very comfortable. On the other hand, we do use recycled paper and bags......so why not clothes? Thoughts?

Image Source: Urban Outfitters

Carrie Underwood and her thigh high black boots

Even though the temperatures are sizzling and the hot light are blazing, music divas still embrace boots as they command center stage to perform.

From cowboy boots to thigh high boots, boots are in at live concerts.

Singer Carrie Underwood likes her thigh high boots - black, skin tight and shinning in the stage lighting.

Carrie Underwood wore a really tight fitting thigh high boots as she performed at her Twin Lakes concert.

Her outfit captured the excitement of the night and of her music.

Those beautiful blond strands of hair seem to ebb and flow, with the rhythm of her music.

Just love the way Carrie shining silver metallic jacket reflect the multi colored stage lighting.

Those black short, short seem to be a favorite of many musical performing artists on the summer concert tours.

Jessica Simpson - Daisy Duke look - ripped denim short shorts and cowboy boots

Not only can Carrie Underwood belt out a song, she is also becoming a sexy, fashion trendsetter.

Meanwhile, Jessica Simpson performed in her Daisy Duke style - very short, short cut off denim jeans, big silvery metallic belt, white shirt and of course, those cowboy boots.

Jessica received mixed reactions as she performed at the country Thunder musical festival in Wisconsin, as the crowd undulated between booing and cheering for her.

It's seems even playing a legendary county character Daisy Duke, cannot made you a country singer.

Anyway, we still love the sexy Daisy Duke look - those short, short cut off denim jeans and those cowboy boots.

Just the right combination to turn heads on main street or a concert stage.

Carrie Undersood Photoshoot Interview.

How does Carrie Underwood prepare for her summer concert series?

Well, Carrie perfers lite, airy dresses when she performs on stage, so she doesn't sweat.

But on the weekend she is kinda a shorts and tee shirt girl.

See more of Carrie in the video clip.

If you cannot see the video clips or photos in your E-mail or news reader, just go to Singing Divas in Boots.

Receive Hot Sexy Fashion Pictures by E-Mail

Now, you can receive Hot Sexy Fashion Pictures articles and photos directly by e-mail or by Skypr, AOL Instant Messenger and/or Twitter. Get the complete stories and photos updates delivered directly to your e-mail for free.

From 2008-2009 Fall Winter Men's scanned by Duncan

I LVoe, LVoe this video!!!

For the longest time, my summer staple have been simple white flip flops. Not the rubber beach kind, but the more sophisticated and dressy type, with actual soles, made of non-rubber material. They are just awesome, because they are summery, comfortable and matches with absolutely everything- perfect for a casual summer day. Ever since my pair of Nine West white flip flops with chunky heels (just the right height!) expired a few years back however, I haven't been able to find a pair to properly replace them.
That is until I laid eyes on my friend's pair of Tory Burch white flip flops (over at their website, they call it thongs.... I have no idea what the difference is). They are just EXACTLY what I've been looking for. While the design is simple and casual, the little gold emblem and the wooden sole gives it just the right amount of sophistication that makes it elegant and classy. I LOVE it. Unfortunately, I've walked through the shop and all the usual department stores, and couldn't find them. They're also sold out online of my size! But while I was browsing, I noticed that they had this design in many different sharp colors, like this yellow one, which I think works great to match/clash with this season's bold color theme.
Another white flip flop I've looked at are these ones from Banana Republic. The patent leather strip and sole transforms this simple, classic design from the beach to the streets. This design also comes in a rainbow of sharp colors and are relatively cheaper than the Tory Burch's (more available too!). The only question now is which color? Other simple flip flops I'that also fits the bill are these ones from Nordstrom. They're basically the same as the ones from Banana Republic, except the straps are a bit wider and have a bit more elevation in the heels. These little details actually help to make these more sophisticated. But the gold shiny stuff on the soles kind of put me off even though I know it won't show when I'm wearing it.... should definitely go check them out!

Image Source: Tory Burch, Banana Republic and Nordstrom

No pics yet but the Tate is a new Damier ebene piece and the Greta a new multicolore. Both are hobo styles akin with the newly released Manon (pic above), which by the way, I saw in real life today. It only comes in ebene and apparently the dune color is on its way out! A new color of the mini lin would be launched soon and is tentatively called plantain. Correction as of Aug 7th. It's not plantain but PLATINE. It's a beautiful shade of silver with black trim.

I bet y'all are excited about the upcoming free standing store that is expected to open soon. A reader-friend of mine sent me this pic and a big thank you to her! I wonder, if they are going to have a special limited piece or "give-away" for the opening. Maybe I'll get an invite for the ribbon cutting...
Photo: K

As always, a great overnite weekend with two horror flicks, tons of desserts, shopping and of course, tzismiz! Just a quick snaphot before we go for dimsum showing Angel's rarely used Saleya. LVoe it!!!

Violette 27 - I am doing a lot of things !

I wear no leather, no fur things ...
I found my shoes in USA for 10$ ...
For me Fashion is an expression of the feelings of the moment.
My look today is 1950's.
Je ne porte ni cuir, ni fourrures, rien de ce qui vient des animaux.
Mes chaussures à 10$ viennet des USA.
Pour moi, la Mode est l'expression de mes sentiments du moment.
Mon look aujourd'hui est 1950's

Monica 17 - Student

Jeans: LORD RICHARD
Top-Shirt: ARIANNE
Shoes/Chassures: ZARA
Perfume/Parfum: "XS" by PACO RABANE
Last book: "Hygiène de l'Assassin" by Amélie Nothomb
Last CD: Alpha 5.20
For me Fashion is just to not go out naked. Today, my look is Black&White.
La Mode, c'est juste pour ne pas sortir toute nue. Aujourd'hui, mon look est Noir&Blanc.

Pierre 17 - Student

Cardigan/Gilet: H&M
Tee-Shirt: THIERRY MUGLER
Jeans: HELLS BELLS
Shoes/Chaussures: NOIR KENNEDY (Shop).
Necklace: from a Gothic shop.
Perfume/Parfum: "Angel" by THIERRY MUGLER.
Last book: "Ensemble, c'est tout" by Ana Gavalda.
Last CD: Rihanna
For me Fashion characterize someone. My look is natural.
La Mode caractérise une personne. Mon look est naturel.

Even without the fabulous pair of Louboutins and the three gorgeously fantabulous diamond rings on the cover, the name Lauren Weisberger is enough to make me pick up the book. Not that I think she's a particularly great writer, but because I know that it will be light and fun summer read- just what I am looking for. The whole fabulous, gorgeous people living extravagant and successful, perfect lives looking for love is a bit overdone these days, but I've always felt a connection with Weisberger's books. Even though it wasn't very memorable to some (HG barely remembers it), I felt a strong connection with the character in Everyone Worth Knowing. Bette's story might as well have been the fictionalized version of my future (she went from finance to the fabulous life of party planning to realizing that her true calling was writing)!
Back to the book at hand (at this point, you should realize that there are potential spoilers here). This one is about three best friends making a pact to change their way of lives. One tries monogamy after a life of polygamy. The other goes in the opposite direction and goes on a tour de whore. And the last attempts to convince herself that her perfect life really is perfect. Over all, I thought it was pretty badly written and that Weisberger is now just publishing by reputation rather than by content (this situation sounds oddly similar to the dilemma of yet another bestseller author mentioned in the book!). A lot of times the writing was long-winded and unnecessary. She spent the majority of the first chapter, where the author is supposed to captivate the readers, talking about Leigh's need for personal space and control freak quirks with a detailed description of her apartment. It just made me want to pick up a pen and edit everything out! Only her name on the cover kept me going.

The plot was predictable and mellow. I felt like I was just cruising along the story. Nothing exciting ever happens, because she tries this technique where she just ends the chapter when something does happen and then picks up again after the event. Leigh breaks up with her fiance and we get to read about how nervous she was before the event and her reflections after the event. Adriana meets her "future husband" and we hear about them dating from talks by the other two girls. It was like a whole book of reflection, where the readers were put in the peripheral of the story instead of INSIDE the story. And the other thing is that nothing bad ever happens to the characters. They all lead a charmed, perfect life and everything just magically comes to them, with no obstacles to overcome or anything. One decides she wants to travel the world and a fabulous job miraculously appears. One wasn't even trying and simply finds her true calling in writing. And the other just decides to leave everything she's worked for behind and everything works out. I know that being realistic is not exactly the primary goal of chick lits, but this is just a bit overboard. To give her credit, the characters do each experience life changing revelations (there really wouldn't BE a story otherwise), but everything just came together a little too perfectly.

The relationship between this story and Harry Winston is not a giant rock on a ring as I'd first imagined (and the cover alluded to). The only reference to Harry Winston is a pair of diamond earrings that Salma Hayek wore to the Oscars from there, that a suitor gave to one of them. I guess they were just looking for a catchy title.

One thing Weisberger does do well however, are her characters. She paints them all in a very distinctive but relatable light. My favourite character is Leigh, who has the perfect job and the perfect boyfriend. The thing I love about her most is her control freak tendencies and need to be alone. I can totally relate to that. I LOVED it when she applied sunscreen on her body, then sprayed herself with more sunscreen in case she missed any spot and THEN applied a more expensive sunscreen on her face- rationing that the rest of them will regret it later when they need botox and laser treatment to get rid of their wrinkles and dark spots. That is MY rational as well (although I don't apply quite so thoroughly as she does). Next is Emmy, who just got dumped by her ex of five years, and her dearest dream is to get married and have lots of kids. Having never "played around," she is still very shy around guys and we get to see her get out of her shell in that respect. I feel for every step she took. Then there is Adriana, the fabulously gorgeous and wealthy Brazilian girl who leads the perfectly charmed life. However, even she feels a bit empty, lost and worried about her future. Sounds familiar?

Honestly, not a very original, engaging nor well-written book. But if you are looking for something light and brainless to past time on the beach (or just time in general).........then by all means. It's good and cheery enough to bring a smile to my lips in the end (happy endings always warms me up!).

Image Source: Amazon

I once read an article that backpacks are only for 12-year old boys and that the modern, urban man should be carrying a man bag such as a messenger or body sling. Seeing the Christopher with its "special order" counterparts is making me rethink this proposition. Check it out:
The men who wear the Christopher This Photo: fashionphile


Epi Leather (approx. $7K)
Kanye West with his Damier Azur (approx. $6K)

Lindsay Lohan being mobbed by photographers. I LVoe the way she is trying to avoid the puddle with her gaping Weekender Pulp. Classic paparazzi!

At the end of last summer I evaluated my wardrobe (-something everyone should do at the end of a season or the beginning of a season,) and decided that I really didn't have enough young, casual clothes. Most things I owned seemed so stuffy and old -imagine really boring, plain clothes with boring, unhip cutting. So when I onlined shopped a few months ago, I made sure to reject clothes that were too plain and looked for some colour.

I really liked this tank top (by Kate Moss Top Shop) because it had a hint of colour and interesting pattern on it but it was still my style. But when I bought it, I didn't realise how low the hole at the back was and I liked the top so much I didn't return it. So then I started to look for a bra that was backless or had a ok-to-be-seen-strap.

Why not just show the back of a normal bra? Because I've seen a few people wearing tops and dresses with showy backs like these Top Shop tea dresses with their normal bras showing and believe me, they were not attractive!

Since the UK doesn't have Victoria's Secret, the first place I looked was Marks & Spencer. This bra was kind of what I was looking for. The straps at the back were thin and interesting enough to not remind me of the traditional thick back strap. Unfortunately, it only comes in black, and since the material of the tank top was pretty thin, I didn't want a black bra to be seen obviously underneath.

Then there was this bra. I admit that I've always thought transparent straps as sort of tacky-looking in most situations. (Is it just me?) But I love the idea that the back strap was transparent -an alternative style for the thick strap at the back. Alas, I forgot to buy one before leaving the UK. Now I have to figure out how to wear the tank top! (I prefer not layering with another camisole because it just doesn't look as nice and defeats the purpose of keeping cool.) Any ideas?

Btw, I didn't even consider a strapess, backless bra because I imagine they would feel very uncomfortable and insecure. If any of you have used one, what did you think of them?

Image Credits: http://www.topshop.com/, http://www.marksandspencer.com/

I know I featured pics of the globe window via Milan, Kobe and Taipei and I've seen them here in DC, but finding one from Manila brings that extra-special magic to Vuitton. Lifted from www.bryanboy.com.

I've been featuring a lot of upcoming styles and limited edition pieces but have failed to put a spotlight on what is termed as the "core collection". I think that it's time for me to talk about them by starting with the iconic Speedy. I chose the Damier ebene to be the first because I don't have one. Classic in its own right, the Speedy Damier is not as rampant as its more popular Monogram cousin. Yet, the lack of the ever-so-sensitive vache makes it an ideal bag for one who does not want to worry about such things. Ample in space, it holds a ton, but is currently only available in sizes 25 & 30. Rumour has it that an upcoming 35 is on the works. The Damier Ebene Speedy, it's the perfect bag to start a collection with! To LVoe it, visit www.louisvuitton.com or eLUXURY.com

OMG!!! I can't believe that my beLVoed Lutèce is on the ground!!! Will someone please call 1-866!!! Vogue France August 2008 Issue

Nothing new so revisiting SJ again... Viviane Polka dots Collection Spring Summer 2007

Nery 25 - Free-Lance Manager in Music Industry in Los Angeles
For me Fashion is feeling sexy. Today, my look is Chic-Sexy !
Pour moi, la Mode, c'est se sentir Sexy. Aujourd'hui, mon look est Chic-Sexy !
















Alicia 27 - DJ in Los Angeles
For me Fashion is to feel confortable. Today, my look is confortable with an edge.
Pour moi, la Mode, c'est se sentir bien. Aujourd'hui, mon look est décontract.














Sarah 22 Fashion Stylist in San Francisco
For me Fashion is Fun ! Today, my look is with a hanghover, but still hot !
Pour moi la Mode, c'est Fun !
Aujourd'hui, mon look est encore Hot, malgré une gueule de bois !