today i'm wearing....vogue uk

Have you heard about Vogue Uk's 'today i'm wearing' feature??

Ever stuck for something to wear or how to obtain that elusive style that others seem to pull off without even trying?

If the answer is YES - then click HERE.... & go and let your imagination run wild...

Every month Vogue feature a different style icon with daily updates on what they are wearing -

April - Olivia Palermo via

May - Daisy Lowe via

NOW - Julia Restoin-Roitfeld via

It goes without saying that each and everyone of us has our own unique style & so embrace that difference & be inspired to try new things!!

My current 'favorite' in the style stakes is Alexa Chung she was featured in February via

tribal embroidered purses...

Bored of your current purse & tired of seeing the same styles & designs everywhere...Be original & snap up one of these stunning purses from tribal trappings.

purses-hmong embroidery work

via

antique wedding apron - example of vivid colour & detailed craftsmanship

Using an ancient form of Asian embroidery 'Hmong' - which utilizes a melange of techniques including applique, as well as chain, running and cross stitch.

Each purse is lined in black cotton, with a zipper closure and a back of black hemp cloth

The purses come in small & medium sizes and are available via.

Medium purses (4'' x 6") $13

Small purses (3.25" x 5') $9

Tribal Trappings is a great website with some wonderful one of pieces of textiles, jewelry & fine art from all over Asia.

Have a look at the antique wedding aprons - the colours are out of this world..Mounted they make great wall hangings.

Star Mela.....

Stunning Star Mela...

Remember these bags ??!... Elliot Man & JADEtribe

www.starmela.co.uk

Remember the sensational bags by Elliot Man and JADEtribe featured here a while back?...Well, it would seem that Lala Moon are ahead of the fashion pack!!....Since returning from India, I have picked up 2 x publication both of which feature veryyyy similar bags, bought to you this time by the superb Star Mela ...and, the best news of all is that they are readily available via www.starmela.co.uk.

There is no doubting that Elliot Man's bags are the real thing. In the bazaars of Delhi I saw plenty of attempts at creating colourful totes using exquisite old Indian textiles....perhaps, Lala Moon will create it's own range!! WATCH THIS SPACE!

JADEtribe annoyingly had sumptuous bags but were impossible to get hold off aaaahhh... therefore Star Mela is the way to go.

Bags range from 35 uk sterling to 150 sterling

Star Mela is definitely worth a look at for all their other beach inspired clothing..

wish list....scarves

I am adding this great scarf to my wish list....These scarves/shawls are made of vintage hemp or cotton skirt fabric & are hand embroidered with typical Hmong/Miao cross stitches. The shawls are sewn out of vintage fabric collected from Thailand's Hmong Hill Tribes in northern Thailand.

In Sweden these shawls are on the 'most wanted' list with established designers like Rikke Mai showcasing them but, the prices are steep!! If you don't wish to pay for the brand, just the artestry then Pili Love have the answer! They have gone straight to the source selling the scarves in their online boutique. Pil Love is a swedish company specialising in pillows and other soft furnishings.

Scarves are $164 usd

a new twist.......

Get your orders in fast!!

If anyone would like one of these AMAZING bags and would like me to bring it with me to the UK, let me know asap.....You wont believe the number of people who stop me to comment on this bag!!

The 'picnic' bag measures 30cm by 30cm with the base with 23cm.

Each bag is unique in hide patches, the handles are strong & durable and are made of twisted coloured cotton strands with tassles. The bag has a gingham lining.

This bag is ideal for all your daily needs & great for new mums and all the baby's bits n'pieces....

The bags are $130 usd which is seriously good value!

anthropologie makes the leap across the pond....

I am V. excited about visiting Anthropologie in London. Finally (autumn 2009), they have made the jump across the pond and I can not wait to take a visit...

I have always found the layout of the Anthropologie stores inspiring and aesthetically pleasing... In fact I almost go there to gain inspiration rather than buy SHOCK HORROR...!

Their interiors range 'At Home' is great and I am always tempted by their candles and books.

In terms of clothing I prefer accessories and lounge wear perhaps more than their actual clothes BUT I would never say no!!

Anthropologie (London) can be found at 158 Regent Street.

Open Monday thru Saturday 10 - 7pm & Sunday 12pm - 6pm

wish list.... peacock clutch

Look at these sumptious clutches with peacock detail. Wow!

The clutch purses are 23cm width by 12cm height and they are available online through Etsy and Red Ruby Rose.

All bags are handmade and Red Ruby Rose can ship globally.

The bags cost approx $95usd each

In the meantime... baby bombachas to die for

So near but seemingly so far!

That is how it feels knowing that my first 'samples' of the baby bombachas I have designed have arrived in Argentina BUT that for a week now they are still held up 'somewhere' urghhhh...

Here is hoping that the waiting is worth it!

In the meantime I wanted to share with you, 'rickshaw design's debut collection of adorable baby kaftan tops and sun hats... Divine and quite irresistible.

Rickshaw design goods are available online.

Kaftans are $40 usd and the sun hats are $30 usd

wish list.... JADEtribe

Okk so today I am feeling a little blue :-(....Sooo, I thought I would find something to blog about which was 'V'IBRANT to try and lift my spirits!

Wollahhhh, I think I have the ultimate pick-me-up - JADEtribe an amazing range of accessories by Kimberly Hartman

Her accessories are fashioned from multi-cultural, handmade tribal textiles and are personal forms of art and expression.

Her style is a little bit beach-y, a little bit bohemian jet set... and 100 percent natural and ethical which is refreshing in itself.

As her website writes - JADEtribe is the true embodiment of fashion with a conscience. Whether it’s the handbag repurposed from hand embroidered baby carrier cloths, or the hand braided jewelry that jingles, or the organically dyed and hand loomed traditional textiles, each element of JADEtribe carries in it a piece of Kimberly’s heart and a piece of the hearts of the women in Cambodia, Laos and Thailand whose lives have been improved by making it.

I have fallen in love with these images BUT the bad news is there is little info available as to how to get hold of the items... I feel like a little girl in the sweet shop but without 1 dime to buy anything :-(

Oh well... Alll I can do is direct you to the website, where there are listings of all the places that stock her beautiful things...

Happy hunting....

wish list......plum pretty sugar

I am loving Plum Pretty Sugar and I thinking you might too.

Plum Pretty Sugar was born from the idea of bringing breezy happiness, cozy comfort and easy-living chic to lounge wear and accessories.

There are kimono style robes and pyjama sets that give flutters of gorgeous silhouettes - all are made using whisper-soft fabrics in enchanting garden of eden-inspired palettes. Much of the inspiration for the range has come from India where many of the fabrics have been sourced.

Started less than a year ago, Plum Pretty Sugar has already received write ups in the NY Times and other prestigious rags..... The range is now being expanded to include bed linens and accessories.

Congratulations Plum Pretty Sugar!!

Items are available through the following link and shipping outside of the US is possible.

Kimonos from $65 usd

Pyjama sets from $106 usd

ready for the weekend.....

What have you got planned for the weekend....? Are you going somewhere nice? BUT like always, have you left the packing until the last minute ???ahhhh!

In fact, thinking about it, do you even have something to put your clothes in ??

Maybe you do...BUT maybe it's not quite right - perhaps your current bag is a little too small to squeeze everything into comfortably or perhaps it's a little too cumbersome??

After all, you are only going away for a night of two....

What you need, without a doubt, is the perfect weekend bag - stylish, just the right size and unique...and I think I have just the bag for you!

Miahziga the creation of a dear friend, has some great bags all of which are hand made using top quality argentine leather.

- Size 63cm by 40 cm but bags can be made to individual spec. too.

- No two bags are the same. NB: coming soon the leather/cow hide combination

- Cost $250 usd + postage

COMING VERY SOON (I am going as fast as I can!) is Lala Moon's online boutique where you will be able to purchase all sorts of lovely things!

Have a lovely weekend!

For futher info on Miahziga bags - drop me an email or join the facebook group.

wish list........all things ikat

The ikat influence is everywhere at the moment. I would hedge a bet that it is one of the only textile forms which feature as regularly on the catwalk as it does in the world of interiors right now.

The word “ikat” means “to bind and originates in Uzbekistan. It is an ancient way of creating designs in fabric by resist-dyeing the threads before the fabric is woven. Traditional Uzbek ikat cottons are often dyed in lively and engaging motifs representing the village life and beliefs of the people. Ikats are often symbols of status, wealth, power and prestige.

Ikat, an ancient technique has been very popular through out the interior design world - used in upholstery, soft furnishings and a whole range of accessories it is a great way to add colour to a space without going overboard.

On the catwalk ikat has seen a revival and it has featured in the Gucci, Matthew Williamson and Dries Van Norten 2010 Spring/Summer collections, to name but a few.

The following are great places to source all things ikat - Madeline Winerib, John Robshaw Interiors, Uzbek Crafts, Jayson Home & Garden and at the moment Anthropologie and it's sister brand Urban Outfitters have some superb ikat products.

The Ikat china, featured here can be sourced at LA's home decor boutique Distant.

One word of warning - It is very much quality not quantity that counts with ikat- Ikat touches are great, but over doing the ikat theme will leave you feeling decidedly ill!!!

Images taken from the following : designmyway, designspongeonline, blog.thefind and harpers bazaar.

wish list........T

Louis Vuitton 'Pochette Nightbird' bag

Christian Louboutin ' Hola Lita' sandal

T is for Thursday, tribal and tassels....

A lovely friend kindly bought with her a stash of foreign glossy mags when she flew in to Bs As last weekend... I am in heaven as I browse through all the spring editions. It seems that tassels are still 'in' in a big way and that there is a lot of tribal influence in the Spring/Summer collections.

If $$ were no object then I would buy in a flash -

i) the Spring/Summer 2010 Louis Vuitton 'Pochette Nightbird' bag - with it's Indian style adornment adding a touch of the 'exotic' to the luxury brand. Whilst not particularly big - 7.1" x 10.6" x 1.2" it is very fun!

$2240 usd

and then ii) these 'Hola Lita ' sandals by Christian Louboutin with gold platted, red and leopard print leather.... grahhhhhhh!!

$465 usd

first image courtesy of UK Vogue (May 2009)

wish list........

i LOVE the Bona Drag ballet slipper

refinement to .....

ATTITUDE

Ballet is refinement with a CAPITAL 'R'...and for quite sometime now, the ballet slipper has been the choice of many a fashionista who likes to be well turned out, chic for a better word...

French Sole led the way, adapting the original ballet slipper (Capezio) into something a little more street savvy. They continue to be the market leader although there is now strong competition from the likes of Pretty Ballerinas and on the high street there are brands galore.

You either love them or hate them.

I love them... and sooo, I was very excited by my recent discovery - a ballet slipper with ATTITUDE!

Available from Bona Drag - who have taken the original Capezio ballet slipper and adorned it with silver studs. COOL!

Bona Drag meaning 'nice outfit' is a Californian based online store with a curated collection of ladies flair and general trinkets from independent and hard to find designers - have a look...

$45 usd /pair in black or original nude tone