According to Yahoo Style Trends, 2011 has some interesting INs and OUTs.


So, without further ado, here's what is IN and OUT for the coming year:

 

Vampires - OUT

Well there's a relief. I always thought of vampires as nasty things for slaying with wooden stakes, not as eligible bachelors, but that's just me.  The point is, nobody has got it right since the Buffy TV series.  It had everything, vampires, Hellmouth, nerds, librarians and awkward nerdy and charming exchanges.  It seems that the latest Twilight movies and vampire TV shows in their own heavy handed and lacklustre way have elevated vampires to a desirable status.  The point is, vampires aren't really that attractive.  They don't tan (no beach trips), they drink blood (so dinner is right out of the question), they are always at risk of turning you into one of them, and they get a bit messy when they go out for a bite with their friends.

Communal Tables - OUT
Well yippee with maple syrup on it!!  I could never stand communal tables.  It was always a stupid idea.  I remember having to endure my own birthday party sharing a table with a bunch of noisy eating crusties because the restaurant "doesn't take bookings man, everyone shares the tables".

Well bollocks to that.  If I pay to go to a restaurant, I want a table for one, two or a group.  That is, people that I actually want to share a table with.  People I actually know and like.  The idea of eating food next to complete strangers with questionable table manners is my idea of hell.  I'd rather get take away or cook something myself until the restaurants can get it together to work out that people don't actually want to share a massive bench with strangers.  If I wanted that I'd go to a mess hall.

Austerity Weddings (ie. Kate and Will) - IN
I'm not sure I can count this $40 million "do" as "Austere".  Perhaps the article was being ironic?  Maybe it's more austere than $50 million...  

Anyway, if you as a slightly less royal person, want to get married, why pay a ridiculous amount like $30,000?  Can't you think of better things on which to spend your money?

Option 1:
1 big poncy day, lots of toasters and glassware and a highly pressurised (you HAVE to have a perfect time) holiday.  And leftovers bits from the $500 cake.  A large bottomless hole in your savings account or credit card.

Option 2:
A set of Callaway golf clubs, relaxed holiday, simple registry do.  Money in the bank.  Gee, let me think now...

photo courtesy of kelsey_lovefusionphoto

Ballerina Fashion - a'la "Black Swan" - IN
Pulled back hairdos, tu-tus and lots of makeup.  Hmmm.
Little does he know it, but I think there's a weirdo guy in Fitzroy who hangs around Brunswick street that's about to become extremely fashionable.

If this takes off, the whole of Melbourne will be like going out for a ciggy at College of the Arts or the National Theatre.  I hope that distinctive dancer's walk doesn't take off as well, it kind of looks like Charlie Chaplin on Ritalin.  That is, if Charlie Chaplin got rid of his walking stick, was really thin and wore his hair in a bun. 




SaveSaveSave's IN and OUT for 2011:

IN

Ferrets
Carmen Miranda fruit hats
Protective padding for vague people who text and drive or walk across busy streets
Leaves
Skin
No nail polish and short fingernails
Roses
Salt crystal and lava lamps
Queens of the Stone Age
Rock N' Roll in general



OUT


Stamps
Flat pack furniture
Australian/American/whatever Idol
Highlighter pens
Grass
Holidays in Ibiza
Guy Sebastian
Dance Clubs
Auto Correct
LOL, BFF, OMG

technorati tags: black swan, ballet, style, in, out, 2011, trends, fashion, accessories, the new black, queens ofthe stone age, rock n roll, charlie chaplin, carmen miranda, kate, william, wedding

I have decided to base this weeks' finds on a theme - a piece of music called "L'amour est un bouquet de violettes" or "Love is a bouquet of violets"

I saw the title for this music in a French film I recently watched on SBS called "The Colonel".  Here is a brief description of the plot from Gonz30 at IMDb: 

A "Reformed Colonel" is found dead in Paris, a couple of decades after Algeria's struggle for independence was won from France. Lieutenant Galois is assigned the investigation of this murder. She receives the diary of Lieutenent Guy Rossi who served under The Colonel in Algeria in 1956, and has been reported as missing in action since 1957. The revelations found in Rossi's diary go far beyond The Colonel's actions in Algeria, and give an insight on how dirty Algeria's War for Independence really was. Written by Gonz30  - Source: IMDb

L'amour est un bouquet de violettes

The Colonel (Mon Colonel)

The film's subject has nothing to do with my romantic musings.  BUT... The title of this song listed in the credits of the film suddenly conjured up images of Paris, images of shades of purple, flowers and well... Love.

So without further ado, here are my picks for this weeks' theme: for lovers of purple and purple lovers(?):

"L'amour est un bouquet de violettes"

 Etsy hotpinkchick's violet hairpin design.

Etsy wildgingersilk's Cobalt Blue and Violet Silk Wrap

Etsy envisage's Violet Rose Locket

Perfect for keeping a tiny pic of your loved one (*sigh*) - See, Tiny pic isn't just an image hosting website!!


And last but not least, it's not French, but it's purple.  In keeping with the "war film" theme, this poster was made in 1939 by the British Government around the start of World War II.  I love this message that still speaks to us today:

Keep Calm and Carry On

The poster was designed as a motivational tool to keep people calm when the Germans finally invaded.  As this did not eventuate, this lovely poster has been hidden away, not really seen by the general public at that time.  "Freedom is In Peril" and "Your Courage, Your Cheerfulness, Your Resolution Will Bring Us Victory" were predecessors to this wonderfully reassuring poster.  It really is hard to imaging the extent of what they people had to endure during that time.  The bombs, the rubble, the hiding under the kitchen table or in the basement, the rationing of food.  We can draw a lot of strength from our ancestors and how they coped in those days.  It makes me grateful for how lucky we are right now.  Be grateful for those flowers on your table, for the clear skies at night, for the food in your pantry.  And the message still lives:  Keep Calm and Carry On.

I think I'll do just that.  And put on a nice cup of tea....

technorati tags: keep calm and carry on, purple, violet, France, French, Romance, locket, scarf, silk, moncolonel, the colonel,

Green is the new black.  I didn't read this in a magazine, I haven't been to the latest fashion shows, I just decided that I'm right about this.

Why green is the new black:

1.  It's easier to see at night (especially light green)
2.  It suits a brunette perfectly
3.  It makes me think of spring when it is grey and cold and foggy outside
4.  It's the colour of money if you live in the US.  Australian money would make quite a gaudy 80s outfit.
5.  Green is a stylish and classy colour (except perhaps anything in lime green spandex )

So, now that green has unofficially been declared the colour of Melbourne winter, here are a few ideas to get you started courtesy of my Kaboodle Style Board "It's Easy Being Green":

It's Easy Being... by violetlight7

So, the little black dress is now replaced with the little green dress. Enjoy!

technorati tags: green fashion, green clothes, green clothing, green dress, green, green shoes, green fashionaccessories, green apparel, kaboodle

I had the underwhelming misfortune of encountering "Jedward" on The Graham Norton show. Did you know, they are called "John" and "Edward" and that the name "Jedward" is a merging of the two names?

Isn't that amazing? Did you also know that a big "L" on your head stands for loser? No? Read on...

I wasn't quite sure what I was seeing. What a strange pair. They are incredibly irritating when they talk. Which is quite often.

I could go as far as to call them precocious twats, but that's just me being nice.

It's really the hair that makes them stand out.
















However it has been done before:




















Even Vanilla Ice did it before you.















Hey wow. That's the first time I've accused Vanilla Ice of being first. Or original. Eeek!!


So now high hair is back. And it can go a little bit too far sometimes:




















I thought this sort of thing stopped in the 80s. The ozone layer. Remember? Did you know that Bon Jovi single-handedly destroyed a 40 metre hole over a New Jersey stadium just from the sprays used in their dressing rooms!

Really? Well, no.

And yes, hairsprays are made from hydrocarbons now, not chlorofluorocarbon. But it's the principle that counts.

I mean, for example, how much do you think Lady Gaga consumes in hair products per week?

Think about it...

technorati tags: for hair, hair, hair extensions, hair style, hair styles, hairstyles, lady gaga, xfactor, crazy hairstyles, jedward

Far be it from me to comment on the fashion faux pas of the Spring Racing Carnival brigade. Me, the fashion goddess of the cardigan, corduroys and Docs. Perhaps it's that I don't really fancy too many florals, fluffy and hairy headpieces and feathers that get stuck in your mouth while you're trying to cheer for a horse that is clearly coming second last. There are however some mistakes that have been brought to my attention as an observer of Spring Carnival fashion.















Mistake #1. Not wearing comfy shoes

You will most likely be walking from the bar, to the bookie, and back to the track itself - and don't forget the train ride home. You'll be surprised as to how many kilometres you can cover in the space of a day. For goodness sake, wear comfortable footwear. Otherwise you will regret it!!

















Mistake #2. Drinking too much

The first drink of the day can be as early as breakfast. For some reason (and I don't know if this is exclusively an Australian trait or if its the rest of the world as well) - we seem to think that we are somehow immune to the effects of alcohol because it's a public holiday. So it doesn't seem so irrational to drink 2 champagnes for breakfast, 3 at lunch and then 2 more in the afternoon. Then we wonder why the ground is suddenly uneven and there are twice as many horses on the field as before.
You could begin the day looking like like Audrey Hepburn in "Breakfast at Tiffany's". If you're not careful, by the end of the day and 7 champagnes later you could look more like this:













The idea is to pace yourself. If you do have a champagne breakfast, drink soda water for a bit. And make sure you eat something. "But my dress is too tight!!" I hear you say. Well, wear something more comfy. Your dress will still be too tight if you're passed out under a tree with a busted side seam and no hat.















Mistake #3. Forgetting the sunscreen

Sun protection costs next to nothing. A cheap, broad spectrum sunscreen and a hat. Protect your skin as you will be out for many hours in the sun. Even on a cloudy day, you will be surprised at how quickly sunburn can occur. Sunscreen is your friend, and the only protector between your skin and the harsh Australian sun. No matter what you are wearing, sunburn clashes!!





Mistake #4. Neeiggghh!!

Sometimes these fashions can be reminiscent of the horses themselves. Gaudy colours, shaggy manes, strong hindquarters and shaky footwear. The key is to be comfortable and dress to compliment your individual style.



















Mistake #5. Dignity Blowout

This can come under a number of headings and this goes for males and females of all ages. For example, too many champagnes can land one in the "Dignity Blowout" category. This can result in falling asleep on the train with your fascinator feathers in your mouth, passing out in the sun and waking up with second degree sunburn, throwing up in the bin can also be a bit of a dignity blowout. You may think this is gross, but I have witnessed all these things while visiting the races (and no, it wasn't me!!) One of the worst cases I witnessed was a girl dressed up in racing gear being carried out of a pub by the paramedics after she passed out in a corner and could not be roused. This is not how you want to remember your day at the races.











My experience of the Melbourne Cup this year was the same as previous years - I put a bet on the favourite "Viewed", which failed to come through with the goods. I put a bet on "Leica Ding" as well, mainly because the name was ridiculous and horses with ridiculous names often win. (Eg. "Makybe Diva") Needless to say, my horse is still running.




Melbourne Cup 2009 Spring Fashion Spring Racing Melbourne Racing Betting Fashion

---

My first foray into creating a style board on Kaboodle. Warning - this is addictive!!

Cap, scarf, GPS, bronze, browns and reds - for that stylish driving holiday:
(click for a closer look!)

A Drive In The... by violetlight7

There will be more of these to come...

Must... create... styleboard.... Aaargh!!!

technorati tags: kaboodle, styleboard, style board, winter, fashion, stylish

According to a recent AAP article, a world blue singlet record has been created in Deniliquin, New South Wales by a large bunch of ute fans at the 2009 Deni Ute Muster.














Translation - lots of people (especially guys wearing blue singlets) who like utility vehicles got together to do some very Australian stuff. This includes admiring other people's utility vehicles, standing around with a VB can in a stubby holder and, of course, donning the obligatory blue singlet for the world record attempt. 2230 people were successfully 'mustered' (heh heh) together to break the previous record for the blue singlet gathering.

Now, back to the main game - fashion.













The basic blue singlet is the mainstay of Australian male fashion. In many suburbs, regional centres, and remote outback stations, a blue singlet shirt will be found on the back of the "Aussie Bloke".

Popularised by shearers, it can be seen modeled by truck drivers, ute lovers, farm hands, tradesmen, pub frequenters and even the great Paul Hogan.


Accessories can include but are not limited to:

blue heeler dog
thongs (not the underwear - the footwear!!)
stubby holder
ciggy
big floppy hat
cowboy hat
hat with corks on it
excessive sunburn
dirt
sweat


For some reason this post is making me want a beer...

You can get it any old how. Matter of fact I've got it now.

Aaaaaahhhh!!

Image courtesy of TheBlokeShop

technorati tags: Deni, Ute, Muster, Deniliquin, Blue Singlet, World Record, 2009, Aussie, Bloke,Beer, Dog, Australian

The runway is THE place where people get the latest ideas, trends and purchase clothing they can wear in real life.

That's how it is supposed to go, but the reality is a little different. Courtesy of "Your Beauty Spot" Ninemsn:



HAIRSTYLES FOR ALL OCCASIONS

Incognito at the beach: How cool am I? I've got three pairs of sunglasses. And big hairy lips...




















For meeting the boyfriend's parents: A touch of Cousin It Couture...




















For a humid day full of static electricity: I've told you before - don't touch that metal door handle!!




















The Big Hairy Um... I'll let you decide for yourself what this may be trying to represent...




















Whatever happened to "just a trim thanks!"....?

technorati tags: crazy, runway, hairstyles, model, fashion


You might also be interested in this offer, it seems that the guys at SurveyDollar are now paying people to take surveys. They are offering two special free bonuses including a copy of "Project Payday" and if you sign up now you can get instant unlimited access to a list of paid survey companies.

Michael Angel's bright colours and bold designs made a splash at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion week in NY. It's no surprise really, Michael Angel was instrumental in the success of SABA in the 1990s.

















I must say it is nice to see an fellow Melburnian making headway in the US fashion industry. To celebrate his achievements, I have added Michael Angel to the growing list of designers on my "let's go shopping" section. Be warned, however - these items can be difficult to find and you need to be quick to find a bargain before it is snapped up.




I will end with a quote from Michael Angel in an interview with The Age newspaper:

"For lots of Australian artists you have to leave Australia to know you're any good."

technorati tags: Michael Angel, NY Fashion Week, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Fashion,Collection

Ted Baker Teardrop Silk Dress


Ted Baker has come to my attention recently and I was so impressed that I have decided to add him to my "Let's go shopping" section on the sidebar.

For the budget conscious (which is most people these days!!) I managed to find it for $130 (normally $325) - InviteOnly










Bumbershoot Designs (Etsy) Rainier Raindrop Rhinestone Earrings

$19.50








And finally, the best invention since... low carb beer.

These little beauties fold out and rest on the table, while you hang your bag off the coil. I can't remember how many times I have been seated outside, not wanting to put my bag on the ground but then not wanting to sit with my bag in my lap, either.






Here is a purse hook in action. The weight of the bag keeps the purse hook in place and your bag doesn't get covered in dust or dog business, leaving your hands free to do... whatever it is you do.

technorati tags: fashion, shopping, purse hook, Ted Baker, Rainier Rhinestone

I Googled "Boyfirned" just to see what it was. Evidently it's how much of the world's population spell "Boyfriend".

And apparently a lot of people trawling on the net are seeking a boyfirned of their own. Good luck to them, I say. Hopefully when they meet them they'll spell their name correctly.

I'm not sure what it has to do with jeans exactly, maybe that "I look good in my boyfriend's jeans type thing."

Some hail them as the new 'it' jeans right now.
Some call them the answer to skinny jeans.
Others go so far as to call them "forgiving".

Forgiving eh? If you threw a rock at your sister when you were seven, the jeans aren't going to be your salvation. They are just comfy and probably allow you to eat periodically.

The name could be hybrid thing, like rom-com. Perhaps boyfirned is some kind of spurned boyfriend.
Or an exotic bird. A type of chemical wash for jeans? A fireplace?

Regardless, I do like 'em.

technorati tags: shopping, fashion, ebay

What is it with womens' clothing sizes? I watched "The Devil Wears Prada" last night, an enjoyable film that pokes fun at the fashion industry. Despite the obvious satire, I was still appalled at the main character being ridiculed for her "large" dress size. The "offending" size was 6. As far as I can tell, the Australian equivalent to a 6 is a 10 or perhaps an 8. The average size of a model in Australia is size 8-10. They are often 5' 8" to 6' however there is no way on God's Green Earth that a size 10 or a size 8 is "big". Not even a little bit. Unless perhaps you are three foot nothing.

Later on in the film the main character is applauded for her "weight" loss to a size 4. She was small at the beginning of the film. The man who applauded her weight loss was not slim, nor did he have any hair of note. Again, the film uncovers rather than celebrates this obvious double standard, but it does make me wonder when things are going to change.

This begs the question: Why is it that women are applauded for getting smaller? The sizes in the US are insane. In Australia, sizes 0 and 00 are the sizes you buy for your newborn baby. In the US, these are the sizes that women must aspire to for their adult lives. It makes no sense. Are we to be the incredible shrinking women? Will we get approval only when we resemble little girls? Or is the size 0 more sinister, indicating that women will get the ultimate approval when they disappear altogether?

technorati tags: womens dress sizes, size 0, anorexia, womens issues, feminism

The Spring 2010 collections will be featured at fashion week in New York 10-17 September 2009. This is undoubtedly one of the most prestigious events in the fashion calendar. I love following the latest fashion designers and many of the newest and hottest fashions are featured in the "Let's Go Shopping!" section of my blog. Spending a week in New York to see the latest fashions in New York would be a fashion bloggers dream.

The upcoming fashions are sorted by designer and appear with their scheduled times of appearance. The website also features previous seasons by designer such as the fall 2008 collection:

And of course famous guests will be making their appearances. My personal faves, the Williams sisters from the 2008 show:

Looking stunning, as usual.

You can register to volunteer at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring/Summer collections using the "volunteer" link on the front page. Some of the duties include runway preparation, ushering, backstage set up and assistance, gift bag assembly and maintaining the information desk. All resumes must be received by July 19th so there is little time to waste if you want to attend in a volunteer capacity.

As a model I volunteered as a dresser for the Australian Designer Collections in Melbourne. It was a lot of fun and I got to dress Bridget Hall. We ended up drinking a lot of champagne and smoking ciggies but she still managed to get out on the runway. But that's another story...

If you are lucky enough to score an invite to the shows in Fashion Week (the event is by invitiation only), you will no doubt be needing New York Vacation Rentals for your accommodation needs. The invites are sent out to celebrities, members of the fashion industry, fashion press, and internet based fashion press, which I presume includes some bloggers.

Sounds like fun! I wonder if Bruno will be there?...

Belt buckles tell a lot about one's individuality. They can display political leanings, sport affiliations, music tastes and technology interests. Take for example these Star Wars classic belt buckle and one of the most endearing characters of these movies, R2D2.














These belt buckles just might make a perfect addition to my new geek chic look. We all love Star Wars, it's just that us nerds are comfortable enough in ourselves to admit it. It's okay to let out the inner nerd. It's good for you. If you don't, you could be sublimating the inner geek by pumping too much iron or getting insecure and injecting collagen every four hours.
But I digress.










Pewter Cassette Belt Buckle

I love cassettes and if you're anything like me, you probably miss them a bit. Why not commemorate the humble tape and give it the recognition it deserves - with an antique pewter plated cassette belt buckle.








AC/DC Belt Buckle
What more could you want? It's Australian, rock and well ...roll.

But you could also go for anything from The Ramones to Misfits, The Clash to Pink Floyd,

Or you could cross over between belt buckle genres. If you can't decide whether you want Bling, Rock or perhaps you want some Pirates of the Caribbean Love...

The answer?










A skull and crossbones belt buckle covered with four hundred black authentic Swarovski crystals. Of course!!

With any purchase of a belt buckle, there is also a bundled selection of belts available at an exceptional discount. There are so many belt buckles to choose from that you may find yourself overwhelmed by the choices. My pick?














Pinky!
The loveable but deadly nemesis of Pac Man. And of course Ms Pac Man. I love this buckle, I love the look, the cuteness, everything.

My only suggestion would be to make a reversible version in blue to represent the moment when Pac Man eats the power pill and renders Inky, Binky, Pinky and Clyde defenseless and flashing... hooo boy, am I showing my nerd stripes now. I think I'll go lie down now and listen to the soothing sounds of a computer tape screeching.

I have been in an accessories mood of late. Scarves, bags and nifty little goodies that look good and also serve a function.

Such as this Lulu vanity case for £34











Measurements: 25cm x 15cm x 15cm - comes with mirror and various pockets for keeping your cosmetic odds and ends.

Plus, I have been on the hunt for some quality shoes. My beautiful leather boots served me so well, up until the day I couldn't get the zipper to open and basically had to yank them off my feet, causing quite a bit of pain and frustration. So, the long and short of it is - I need new shoes. Preferably ones without zippers.


My pick - Vintage brown biker boots for £22














These are stylish, I love the colour and they don't appear to have a zip. Heaven.

For some reason, I don't know if it's due to the release of Bruno (I'm sure it isn't!) I have become more interested in the latest fashion trends. Perhaps it's wishful thinking on my part from watching the good weather at Wimbledon and lamenting the freezing conditions here in Melbourne, I have hit on the latest fashion trends for spring.

I am enjoying the slow phasing out of the stovepipe/skinny jeans. They really don't look flattering on many people, unless of course you are Kate Moss or a praying mantis!! The new look is flared jeans and I particularly love these Republic crafted skinny flare jeans for £29















Flares allow for boots, Doc Martens and other such sensible shoes. They also provide a nice balance to the figure and make legs look more elegant.

As you may already know, I like to trawl through the endless shopping sites and search for incredible bargains to expose to my readers. Shopwiki allows a search of around 30,000 shopping sites for bargains, and may become part of my daily searches for undiscovered gems.





Brought to you by ShopWiki.co.uk