Lanvin for H&M

images via jak and jil

Yes, the whole shebang has been posted and reposted since the Lanvin for H&M line hit stores this November but Shade of Whim just couldn't leave 2010 behind without a little mention of this crimped parade. Famed Lanvin artistic director, Alber Elbaz, sent the couture creations (customised from the Lanvin for H&M line) down the star studded runway - Pixie Geldof, Dree Hemingway, and Olga and Anna Dello Russo to name a few. With colour popping florals alongside romantically influenced silhouettes, the show was a breathtaking parade of identifiable Lanvin style. Beautiful. Playful. Glamorous. Lovely to see the return of a flattering feminine silhouette.

By chance, would you?



Image from coco and kelly blog

 

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*Quote: Never give up on something you can't go a day thinking about...

After posting Resolution free, I've come across so much wonderful inspiration from blog-land to bring a dream into reality. Some great ideas here and here if you're interested. However, to keep my dreamy side (consuming 98% of me) in check, the rational thinker within is steering me away from reflection-mode and tells me the key to success is all bout a quote and some bling. This fierce combination is the *quote I've had saved on my laptop coupled with the dainty Kate Spade chain and its less than subtle nudge in the right direction. They both seem to reflect a powefully inspiring message. To me, this screams a challenege. I'm a sucker for it - nothing kicks my rear into line better than a challenge! The rational thinker is also whispering something about being better equipped with some Kate Spade hanging around my neck...I couldn't agree more.

Holiday checklist

image via checks and spots

Relax? No Diet? Smile? Check...

You always know it's been a great one when you're fighting with your jeans post Xmas day feast. This Christmas, I flew home to what resulted in one jolly ride of food overload, aching 'smile' muscles, sugar hits (ridiculously multiplied), and of course the company only family can provide. I know our mothers always told us it's rude, but I can't help my finger pointing at Christmas day success! Now, with no excuse for a sweet treat, I attempt to show some restraint on the goodies as I travel to this pathetically day-dreamy pace. Floating through Boxing Day and beyond, I've been drifting through some beautiful blogs, revisiting the Xmas cheer snapped on my camera, and jumping the occasional swing of the skipping rope to burn off these guilty calories. The only pressing matter (aside from the scale pin moving up) these holidays has been the decision to make that cuppa and sit down to a third re-read of a great book [Watching The Tree written by Adeline Yen Mah]. In my opinion, this checks the 'take it easy' box of my Christmas plan. I repeat, a big gold star goes to Christmas 2010! 

On that note, I'm off to boil that kettle and settle down to a great read. How did your Christmas fare?

Friday's Frock

image anna dello russo - Elle mag

Beautiful frocks are flooding their designated folder on my hard-drive. How selfish of me to keep them all to myself! Shade of Whim is nagging me for some fashion to grace its page and your lead up to Friday's 5pm (freedom) calls for assistance in the new year! So, at the end of each week, a fabulous fashion moment will take centre stage at Shade of Whim as of January 8th. With the help of these glad rags, I hope your Friday becomes a Frockin' good one to send you off into the weekend!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all. Thank you for your following and to those who stop by to say hi. Your support has meant so much over the past five months. See you in the New Year!

Granny Chic

Images: Jak and Jil

Thom Browne has been pushing the boundaries of men's fashion since launching his first men's line in 2001. Meticulous tailoring, a shrunken take (literally) on the staples of the male wardrobe, and his radical reinvention on the classic men's suit is what this untrained designer is known for. Ten years on, Browne has launched his first women's range ss2011 with a collection of preppy, lunching-lady looks based on the tailored edge of men's fashion. Working with materials of handsome stripes and checks he's cleverly taken this range to lady-like chic with just the right dose of gold lippie and dash of pearls...oversized, this time.

Put your money where your mouth is.

image: guardian.co.uk

This pudding could have been centre stage at your Christmas dinner if only all 25,000 of them hadn't flown off the shelves in just a few hours.  This is one mighty pud we're talking about! With a whole orange hiding inside, trendy London chef Heston Blumenthal's creation is not just a masterpiece dessert to stuff our already bursting tums this Christmas. This pud is raising serious debate over issues from economic inequality to the blindfold we 'view' the current recession through. It appears, in our best Christmas spirit yet, we're continuing to highlight the perils of the 'season of consumerism' as the big bucks are parted with by those trying to snatch up their own Waitrose pudding. In case you're wondering, eBay is now the only place delivering the goods. Just prepare to set your wallet back around $1,700.

As I am yet to experience Heston Blumenthal's food creations, I will admit that if my pennies would extend so far, a slice of  Waitrose pud would be in my gob this Christmas.

Could you justify the pricey treat or have we taken this Christmas cheer a penny too far? 

Resolution free

As we gear up towards the new year I've had a couple of days out of blog land to think about all things 'resolution.' With the belief that resolution setting falls in a flop mid-week 1 of January, I prefer to work on a slightly different action plan. I like Future Me's take on it. This nifty site allows you to send an email to yourself and choose the future date it appears in your inbox. I can also appreciate how this goes along the lines of visualising what you want in your life - writing as though it's happened along with collecting a few key images is said to do the trick! Looking back on 2010, my year's action plan is almost covered in big, bold ticks to claim this method a success!

Here goes the letter (albeit lighthearted) to give my 2011 a helpful nudge in the right direction. What's in it for you, you say? Read on for the perfect solution to our Xmas-indulged tums.

Dear future self,

You did it! Pat on the back for scoring that dream job! How are you going with kicking that caffeine addiction in the butt? With places like 30Mill setting up shop around the corner from you it must be tough...

Shall I be cheeky in assuming that a fabulous dance partner asked for your hand in cha-cha? Just in case you're still contemplating your attack on the dream, I figured the perfect motivation would be realising it's not yours truly posing perfectly in this picture. Frustrating, isn't it?

image: http://dancesportinfo.net

I'm so glad you found the exit from the lazy couch-comforts of 2010! Aren't you looking fab! Your previous posts about (Elle's trainer) James Duigan's Clean and Lean diet obviously set the foundation. Psst! His new release is out in Jan 2011 to flatten our tums post Xmas indulgence. Keep tabs here if you must, but you heard it from me first.

On a final note, I'm delighted to hear you managed to fly somewhere holiday related. It's been some time since spotting the ocean from your window seat. Oh! And that crockenbouche you made was an absolute treat!

Love you to bits,
Past me.

Give it a go! It's a whole lot more entertaining than scribbling a list of resolutions in ugly red pen, right? 

Tie it over

image hip hip gin gin

It's this time of year when our social calendars get their yearly dose of pencil love. Arranging, re-arranging, and pre-date arranging is pencilled in and out of these few weeks as we party on with Christmas cheer (the excuse for the few too many noshings and bottles of bubbles) and roll (literally) ourselves over the line to meet the new year. In preparation for this party season and its styling essentials I realised, as I came across this blog, I had neglected to assist our male friends. Thankfully, this simple set of instructions will keep our partying bunch in stylish check this weekend. Happy Friday!

Rock solid love

Equilibrium Collection

Architectural Collection - 22ct Gold plated bronze and white porcelain ring

Unshores Collection - 22ct Gold plated silver and white porcelain ring

images Imogen Belfield

I'm in love. Head over heels for Imogen Belfield's alternatives to the traditionally diamond studded engagement ring. Imogen's collections are solely inspired by her surroundings, whether it be the softest garden flower or tallest skyscraper. Producing these statements sees her experimenting with porcelain, gem stones, metals and dyes to create a classic yet modern piece. With fusion methods creating pieces which cannot be replicated, I like the fact that this ring can simply spell "us". Anyone that knows me also knows to tell my future beau that the diamond is a no-go. Bring on the pearl, I say. Or in this case, a gold plated, porcelain finger feature.

Fashion strokes

images Manuel Rebollo Blog

Different strokes for different folks, they say. Mix fashion and some stunner strokes and you've got me good! As I stumbled across this blog, I was instantly taken by the Spanish illustrators' work. If you haven't yet been lured by the master behind these images, I'm pleased to introduce you to Manuel Rebollo. As a Graphic designer and illustrator based in Spain's Salamanca, Manuel has put his screaming talent to fashion illustration. Hoorah to his blog, I say - just what is needed to pass the office-hour slump. Personally, and in my consistently dreamy way, I'm getting inspired for another career change... if only my sketch worked as magically as Manuel's!

Femiman

image: Andrej Pejic by Mert&Marcus (Rive Gauche Et Libre-Vogue Paris September 2010)

I must've been under some kind of rock. Until I snapped up the December issue of Oyster, I was oblivious to the facts behind the fashion world's headlines. As I found out, this fiercely gorgeous blonde bombshell pictured in the issue is what it's all about. Only after spotting and questioning the model's name did I eventually realise she's a he. Don't worry, I read and re-read it too. Andrej Pejic, as he quotes, has caused this fascinating unease. Plucked out of the lean, handsome brigade of male models and perched on his throne as a "femiman" beauty, his career has been set to ridiculous heights. Tipping the scales to perfect androgyny, this beautiful boy has captured the interest of fashion's greatest photographers, walked Melbourne's Spring Fashion Week, and graced the Vogues of the world. He's really taken the "work with what you've got" line seriously and doing a damn fine job of it. Wouldn't you say?

Silly season stylin'

images Fifi Lapin

If you remember my post about Fifi Lapin's Style Bible your mind will take you back to that darling little book revealing one stylish little rabbit.  Not only is this fashionista continuing to style us through the week with her expert advice, she's now taken on the dreaded challenge of the silly season. Yup, you heard right. This is one brave bunny. Take a peek at this beautifully illustrated blog and have yourselves a fun-filled weekend. [See more at Fifi Lapin's Blog] Party dress blunders be gone!

My type of art

image: junebugs blog

Today, I realised I can't walk past a great card stand without attempting to identify the fonts. So what, you say? This made something shockingly clear to me - this love of the wordy stuff has grown to serious obsession. Do I mention my abode is dressed with framed words of varying fonts, colours and sizes?

As much as I appreciate fine art, what I really love is to see the meaning smack bang in front of my face.  Spell out the Love, a "hello", a message to "follow my bliss" and do it all with pretty letters. Coulson Macleod knows what I'm on about.  Coulson is the talented contemporary artist with a collection of gorgeous typography who's artwork is spreading like wildfire through the lifestyle magazines of the world...and now my blog.

It's what's on the outside that counts

images Anthropologie

Turns out it's not whats inside that counts! This time, beauty really is skin (or paper) deep. With papers hand crafted in 700 year old Thai traditions, gilded cottons pressed into the finest sheets and laced with golden gauze, you would have to agree. Would you not?  This gorgeous blog (with an entire dedication to food, it takes front seat in my favourites) caught my wandering eye with a post about these wrapped up beauties.

Growing up, I've been exposed to 100's of birthdays, weddings, and any excuse for a well wrapped treat to appear with my mum as the go-to of know-hows when it comes to such things. Once her collection of delicate papers, boxes upon boxes of ribbons and finishing touches are pulled out, a creative spark sets alight, steals the show for a good while and voila! We have masterpiece wrapping. I hope my Christmas stocking isn't filled with such beautiful stuff, though. I wouldn't know what to do! How could you rip apart a pretty little thing like that?

TF exclusives are out

images: fashionmag.us

You may recall my sneak peek post into Tom Ford's ss2011 range for the ladies? Well, the official snaps have been released from the super exclusive show.  Harper's Bazaar features the parade of TF's finest moment in its January 2011 UK edition, where Terry Richardson was the only photographer.
This is one man (TF) that can do no wrong.

the sweetest treat

Calling lovers of the cupcake. Hidden in Degraves (one of Melbourne's laneway havens) this place is nothing but a sugar dose from the Gods. With flavours like lamington, red velvet, and creamy coconut, you'll just need to keep the temptation of scoffing these pretty things in check. Enjoy your sweet moment in this beautifully designed shop front seated at the flower donned dining table, watch lane-goers do as they do, and study the hanging chalkboard menu for your next indulgence. Thank goodness calorie consumption is not via the stare of greedy eyes.

A note for the devoted cupcakee: flavours are baked according to the 'calendar' so if you're after a cinnamon treat on Thursday, you'll be waiting a whole 6 days til cinnamon Wednesday! Yes siree they're serious about their cake.

Stylish Blogger

Aw shucks. Thanks goes to the lovely Freesia for awarding me 'Stylish Blogger!' The rules the game are...

Rule 1: Thanking the lovely blogger for this shiny prize.

A rule doesn't need to tell me to thank you miss Freesia. You made my day! Knowing that people are interested in what I write about makes for one happy little blogger.

Rule 2: Whisper 7 facts about yours truly

1. I'm passionate about all things and people in my life.

2. Black is to white as I am to my twin. We have a  dimple in common. As bambinos he was the peachy cheek bub with light brown hair while I looked more like the monkey they forgot in the sun. This photo makes us look like brother and sis...probably not the best snap to prove my point.

3. I could possible/maybe/slightly/sometimes be a little stubborn. Always for a good cause, of course.

4. I cannot sing to save myself.

5. This dancing bug runs viciously through my veins. If I could do anything in this lifetime I'd be hopping into my dancing shoes and spinning about centre stage...everyday. Did you say dreamer?

6. I don't remember movies or A-listers' names so don't look at me in that "I can't believe you don't know what I'm talking about" tone.

7. Diamonds or Pearls? Pearls please.

Rule 3: Pass this on to 7 bloggers you adore and contact them to let them know they've been chosen.

....And the 7 stylish lovelies are:

CakeFace

First of August

Armas Design

Coco and Vera

The Terrier and Lobster

MadeByGirl

This is Glamorous

Special mention to Village blog. Thank you for your always lovely comments, Krystal.
Check this lady's blog when you grab a free second.

Thanks again for the award Freesia. Super sweet of you.