December 30, 2012

Favourite Posts of Two Thousand Twelve

With tomorrow being the last day of 2012, I thought it would be nice to recap all my favourite posts that I wrote this year. It has been one hell of a year for this blog- My first official post was on August 5 of this year and it was about Rachel Zoe's line of jewellery. I figured out my way and by 10/10/10, I had over 4000 page views! With all your kind words of encouragement and your loyalty reading my blog posts, I reached 11,300 views today.

Re-reading the blog posts and topics that I chose to write about reminded me of all the fun I have had these past few months. The best part of my day is when I sit and write these posts. The second best part is seeing how you have all responded to them :) 

Here are my Favourite Posts that I wrote this year:


This was the first post that got any real recognition. Some of my readers even went out to buy a neon coloured satchel after reading what I wrote! Seriously made my day :) (Click HERE to read this post)


This is one of my all time favourites so far. Every time I re-read this post, I am immediately transported back to that clear, sunny and perfect day in the South of France. I should really Seize the Day more often! (Click HERE to read this post)


This was my most favourite Fashion Event of the year. Lebanese ladies were up and about at 8 am in full makeup and perfect outfits fighting for Anna Dello Russo jewellery for H&M. There was music blaring, the store keepers were taking the shoppers pictures trying on the items and the overall mood in the store was so light and fun. At one point, they all started dancing in front of the cash registers! Beirut always does everything better than Dubai and AD!  (Click HERE to read this post)


This post got more unique views than any other post I ever wrote- 971!!! 
I should write food posts more often :) (Click HERE to read this post)


This was the first appetizer I ever learned to make for  my guests at dinner parties. It is so good that people call in advance to make sure I'm making it for them now! (Click HERE to read this post)


According to the statistics, this was YOUR favourite outfit post.  (Click HERE to see the post)


This was MY personal favourite outfit and I got a lot of compliments that day. 

Karl Lagerfeld and Carine Roitfeld's exhibition of pictures for the coffee table book, The Little Black Jacket was one of the best exhibits I have ever seen in my LIFE. Every single one of Karl's photographs is captivating and makes you look twice before moving on. He is a very talented photographer. (Click HERE to read this post)


I was super proud of myself when Mr. Corto Moltedo, the son of the founders of the mega-fashion house BOTTEGA VENETA, agreed to do an interview with me. For a person so famous, privileged, and lucky enough to have been raised in the Fashion Industry, he is extremely down to earth and friendly. This was my favourite interview to date! (Click HERE to read the interview)


For our One year Anniversary last month, my husband whisked my off to the Seychelles. It's BREATHTAKING! Re-reading this post made me wish we were back there for New Years! 

Thanks for all your support and here is to making 2013 a successful year for 
MY SMALL OBSESSIONS

Which of these posts is your favourite? 

Outfit Du Jour

I was invited to a lunch today and so I needed a dressy, yet still casual outfit. Here is what I wore:






Alexander McQueen embellished tshirt, Zara skirt, See by Chloe ankle boots, Valentino bag,


Get the Look for MUCH less!

I am in love with headbands and find that they really add oomph to every outfit - whether its casual or dressy. I wear them with all my outfits, leaving the simple ones for day and the more elaborate for night.
I found this headband at Accessorize in Marina Mall. I couldn't believe how similar it looks to  the original Valentino one and it's a fraction of the price! 

SPLURGE

VALENTINO rockstud leather headband
Color: black with gold spikes
AED 740


SAVE

Spike headband at ACCESSORIZE
Color: Beige with gold spikes
AED 26


December 27, 2012

Animal Ears: To wear or not to wear??

Animal Ear Headbands (bunny, cat and mouse ears) are IN for this holiday season- don't ask me why or who came up with this trend but it is catching on fast! Celebrities, fashionistas, bloggers and famous personalities are being pictured out and about with their bunny ears. With their cocktail dresses and outfits... not halloween costumes! Personally, I'm not that bold or daring and wouldn't be able to pull them off without looking or feeling ridiculous. But there are many of you that can and would look fabulous! Here are a couple that I found.

Happy Bunny Ear shopping haha! 

(P.S. As always, click on the headband names under the pics to be directed to the websites from which they can be bought or better viewed)


The ears that started the trend: 









Celebrities spotted wearing this trend 


Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen
(Source: http://celebrities.ninemsn.com.au)


Poppy Delevigne
(Source: http://www.graziadaily.co.uk)


Sarah Jessica Parker
(Source: http://www.graziadaily.co.uk)


Katy Perry
(Source: http://www.graziadaily.co.uk)

What do you think? 
Do you DARE wear them this New Years Eve to add a touch of fun to your outfits? 

December 26, 2012

Dear Dior Haute Jewellery Collection

The hustle and bustle and stress of Christmas is over- PHEW! I decided to reward myself by spending today relaxing, sleeping in and putting away or using the many gifts and boxes that are still sitting in a heap on the floor. Unfortunately, all the sales officially started today (Netaporter for example) and I have spent the past three hours putting things I really don't need into my online shopping bag!  Instead of hitting the 'Purchase Now' button, I decided to browse the internet and I found the most BEAUTIFUL jewellery pieces by Christian Dior.

Named 'Dear Dior', this collection of fine jewellery consists of oversized, vibrant, colourful, and sparkly pieces. They were inspired by costume jewellery Mr. Christian Dior used in his couture collections in the 1950s. Each piece has an exquisitely engraved back based on historic lace designs of now-vintage couture dresses. In fact, the name of each piece is made up of two or three elements: a detail from an haute couture dress with the name of the central stone or a harmony of colours. 


Dior's fine jewellery designer, Ms. Victoire de Castellane (above), is the mastermind behind this exquisite collection of precious stones and diamonds. She says of the collection "It's about the magic of stones. They are like super-power jewellery, like when you are a child and you want super powers. I imagine it gives you super powers!" (www.thejewelleryeditor.com

Here are a few of my favourite pieces from the collection: 

Dentelle Chantilly Multi-colored ring 

 Dentelle Opale-D'Orient ring

Dentelle Opale D'Orient bracelet


 Dentelle Medaillon Soleil earrings with their intricate lace back

Bouquet D'Opales earrings

Bouquet D'Opales Ring

The following two items are the only ones that can be reproduced from this collection: 

(Source: All pics were taken from www.thejewelleryeditor.com

Aren't they stunning pieces of art?!! 

My Christmas Eve Outfit

I spent so much time this week researching outfits for the 'What to wear this Festive Season' posts that I forgot to plan an outfit for myself! I threw this dress on at the last minute with a statement necklace, lace shoe boots, a gold clutch, and smokey eye makeup. The overall look turned out to be quite nice and I was quite proud of my impromptu outfit!  What do you think? 












Balenciaga dress, bag by VBH, lace shoe boots by Valentino, YSL necklace, Chanel ring, LeiVanKash flower ring, diamond studs, Essie Recessionista nail polish, wolford stockings


December 24, 2012

Merry Christmas From Chanel

I saw this Christmas tree made out of glittery Chanel flowers at Sephora in Dubai Mall and I just HAD to share it with you! Its so original. What could be better than a CHANEL-filled Xmas?



I hope u have a really wonderful, fun filled, gift galore, loving Christmas
 Merry Christmas Everyone! :)

December 22, 2012

What to Wear this Festive Season - Part 3

For the final post of What to Wear this Festive Season-  I will be covering the ever versatile leather pants! I love leather pants because while they are like leggings and can be worn everywhere and with everything, the fact that they are LEATHER immediately ups your look a few notches.

Advice for buying leather pants: 

  1. Real leather pants tend to be quite expensive so if you can get yourself a pair in the sales, they will last you a long time. They are a great investment piece and never go out of style. The same goes for a leather jacket. I bought a short one on sale from YSL 3 years ago and I still wear it till today!
  2. Fake leather (named Pleather or plastic leather) which is sold in trendy stores like H&M and ZARA can look quite plasticy so keep looking till you find a pair that look more 'real'
  3. Leather doesn't need to be black, you can buy any colour of leather pants, skirts, or jackets and still look on-trend
  4. Look for soft leather- it is a lot more comfortable
  5. The debate has been on all season about  the Double Leather Trend. This is basically wearing leather on the top and bottom, i.e. leather pants and a leather jacket. Lots of stars have been sporting this look, Rihanna for example, and they look good but I personally don't like it. Its your choice! (You can read a little more about this trend at this article by Elle Magazine here)

This look would look great for informal dinners or get-togethers with friends: 
I gave three options for shoes depending on your mood and the outing you are dressing for! 
  1. Jewelled silk top by MOSCHINO CHEAP & CHIC
  2. Black leather leggings by JOSEPH
  3. Sequinned cardigan by ZARA
  4. Statement ring by AAMAYA BY PRIYANKA
  5. Beaded box clutch by ZARA
  6. Option 1 for shoes: Peep toe ankle boots by LUCY CHOI 
  7. Option 2 for shoes: Suede ankle boots by SEE BY CHLOE
  8. Option 3 for shoes: Green snakeprint heels by LUCY CHOI

This works for a more laid-back look that you can wear to the mall or to lunch with your girlfriends:
  1. All eyes on you jumper by 3.1 PHILLIP LIM - this has been on my wishlist for a while now!
  2. Leather doesn't have to be black. These burgundy ones by PAIGE DENIM are stunning! 
  3. Ray Bans
  4. Studded bag with tassels by ZARA
  5. SEE BY CHLOE Suede boots - these look so comfortable! 
To see how I wore my leather pants the other night, click here

I really hope you enjoyed my blog posts on What to Wear this Festive Season...  I wish you the best of luck in choosing your outfits :)
 
Which of my posted outfits from the past three days was your favourite?


December 21, 2012

Last Minute Xmas Shopping

I meant to write this post last week to give you guys enough time and ideas for Xmas gifts but I just haven't had the time. Between buying my own 24 gifts (I have a big family with super long lists!), getting invited to Xmas parties and dinners galore, and getting sick on top of it all- I just kept putting it off! 

I'm still not even nearly done with my list but I hope my ideas below can help you with last minute shopping you still have left. These ideas below are perfect stocking fillers, side gifts (I always like to receive one big gift and many little gifts from each person), and secret santa presents.

Just some advice, ask the stores if they gift wrap or have boxes for the items you are buying. They can  usually give you un-built boxes, stickers and ribbons that you can make yourself later. It will save you ALOT of time instead of wrapping each gift! 

GIFT IDEAS FOR FASHIONISTAS! 
  1. Silk Leopard Pyjama set by EQUIPMENT
  2. This Coffee Table book is a collection of photos of Kate Moss by Mario Testino  
  3. Holiday collection of candles by DIPTYQYE PARIS- they are to die for! Purchase them from the Diptyque store at Dubai Mall or at Harvey Nichols 
  4. Beautiful jewelled bracelet from BCBG Max Azria at Dubai Mall or Mall of the Emirates
  5. This Iphone 5 case by RABITO is beyond adorable! 
  6. Uplifting coin purse by DIANE VON FURSTENBERG "Just be yourself, not an imitation" 
  7. Opulent stone necklace by KENNETH JAY LANE 
  8. Two books: 'Keep Calm and Carry On' & 'Now Panick and Freak Out'. These are perfect secret santa gifts or stocking fillers. Purchase them from Kinokuniya bookstore at Dubai Mall 
  9. If you need additional cute presents for a fashionista, this set of 3 fashionable hangers by ZARA HOME will make her very happy! 
  10. This stripey lips umbrella by MARC BY MARC JACOBS will make rainy days so much more fun! 
  11. Snake print wallet by VIVIENNE WESTWOOD ACCESSORIES 
  12. Trust MAC to always have the nicest makeup and brushes sets for Xmas
  13. Star Stud earrings by KURT GEIGER
  14. Golden house slippers by ZARA HOME 
  15. Wristlet bag by DIANE VON FURSTENBERG with the mantra -Be Irresistible! 
  16. Set of envelopes and coloured pens by LANVIN 
  17. Limited Edition zodiac powder compacts by ESTEE LAUDER - they have these in all zodiac signs. I love them! 
Happy Shopping! :)


What to wear this Festive Season - Part 2

Part 2 of this THREE PART SERIES on what to wear this season is about dressing more edgy and less classic. Today I'll be giving advice on how to look fashionable and edgy but still appropriate for those Festive parties and dinners. 

Leather dresses are really IN now but you can make them more feminine by adding cute accessories. You don't always have to go for black or gold clutches, colours look really good when you are wearing a black or dark coloured dress. They will help you stand out more and be more approchable. A fully black or dark outfit doesn't give off a very 'happy' vibe.

P.S. Click on any of the items under the pics to be directed to the websites from which they can be purchased or better viewed 

LOOK 1: LEATHER DRESSES
  1. Leather dress by THEORY(Leather is so in this season and you can wear this leather dress to all events by simply changing the accessories)
  2. Crystal and resin necklace by LULU FROST
  3. Brocade clutch by ALEXANDER McQUEEN (I ADORE this clutch! It is so wow!)
  4. Sequinned jacket by IRO (You can also wear this is in the look below)
  5. Dotted stockings by WOLFORD
  6. Leather stilettos by CAMILLA SKOVGAARD

LOOK 2: JUMPSUITS 
(Sometimes you just don't feel like wearing a dress so wear a jumpsuit but pile on the bold accessories! )
  1. Silk jumpsuit by PHILLIP LIM 
  2. Crystal drop earrings by TOM BINNS - you can either wear big earrings or a standout necklace with this look 
  3. Enamel bangles at TOPSHOP 
  4. I think this jumpsuit would look better with this gold belt by 3.1 PHILLIP LIM 
  5. I'M OBSESSED! by this KOTUR gold perspex box - its so different! 
  6. Its Xmas and nothing is more festive than red pumps! These are by CARVELA KURT GEIGER
  7. Tip Alert: Red Lipstick would look fab with this look! 
Tomorrow's final post on What to Wear this Festive Season is how to incorporate leather pants into your look. Stay tuned! :)



December 20, 2012

What to wear this Festive Season - Part 1

I got an email a few days ago from one of my readers and she asked if I could give tips and ideas for what to wear this Festive Season. With the many invitations you get this month, it's probably very common to look into your closets and think, "Crap, what am I going to wear?!" Going shopping at this time of year makes me so overwhelmed with all the choices, not to mention the tempting sales where I feel I need everything! 

To give you some ideas, I have created a three part series of blog posts entitled What to Wear this Festive Season. I compiled outfits for the different types of parties and events you might be invited to with tips and ideas on how to look your best. They range from affordable to more expensive to suit everyone's budgets and tastes. I mostly chose items that are currently on sale so you can go overboard without breaking the bank! 

Today's post is inspiration for outfits for Xmas Eve or for fancy Xmas parties. My advice is to wear sparkly festive outfits because they work best at this time of year. Accessorize them with lots of bling - statement earrings or necklaces (one or the other, never both!), headbands (Sophie's Closet or Accessorize have great selections), and stunning heels. Smoky eyes look great with sparkly outfits! 

P.S. Click on any of the items underneath the pics to get directed to the website from which they can be purchased or better viewed. 


Here are two options for dresses you can wear for Xmas Eve or fancy Xmas parties:

  1. Option 1: Lace pencil dress by PREEN - this will look even better with a thin black belt 
  2. Option 2: Sparkly mini dress by VERSUS  - If this is too short, pair it with stockings and wear pumps or boots instead of peep toe sandals
  3. Studded leather headband by JENNIFER BEHR
  4. Star earrings by KURT GEIGER - These are $10 (AED 36) online and AED 125 in the stores in the U.A.E so if they ship internationally, I would buy them online! 
  5. Chunky crystal bracelet by ANTON HEUNIS 
  6. Gold clutch by ANYA HINDMARCH 
  7. Black sandals by LUCY CHOI LONDON 
Here is a more toned down look which could also work for Xmas Eve:

  1. Dress with jewelled collar by ZARA (Someone was wearing this at an Xmas party I attended and I thought she looked fab! Its a simple black dress but the collar really spices it up)
  2. Crystal Spike Earrings by JOOMI LIM  (The dress has a statement collar so wear studs or small earrings. Don't overpower the collar with big earrings)
  3. Bracelet by ESTELLE DEVE 
  4. Silver clutch by AILA
  5. Suede glitter pumps by NICHOLAS KIRKWOOD  (I usually like to add a pop of colour to black dresses and these pumps are simply stunning!)

Please keep the emails and messages coming in, not only do they make my day but they also give me ideas for new posts! Carmen this one was for you..

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post - Standing out in an edgy outfit!