Save Luella

I thought I should join so the so many other fashion blogger voices hoping that Luella will be saved. How sad it would be if the brand were lost for ever. I found this great badge on I want to know and It says it all, I have my fingers crossed. If there is anyone with a big pot of money please save Luella, I hope one day I would be able to own a Luella piece (or two).

Chantell Walters Cardigans

Cardigans or knitwear is general is not something that I used to think of as particularly fashion forward more perhaps the domain of my Grandma (not that she doesn't have her own great style). But lately new an innovative styles of knitwear seems to be popping up all over the place.

I recently came across Chantell Walters, a designer of cardigans (although her cardi's are a bit more exciting than your average cardigan). Chantell is London College of Fashion graduate with a BA in Fashion Design and Technology Womenswear. The Niquitin CQ Fashion awards recognised her as a future star of fashion for her conceptual parachute dress. She also interned for British design duo Preen and Gavin Douglas.

I love Chantell's fluid and draped cardigans in oversized cocoon shapes, pefect for wearing over leggings and a top. Thay have large arm holes adding to the unusual shape and play on proportions and I love the colours and patterns. Her cardigans are stocked in SHOP 172 Brick Lane. Hmm, I can feel a trip to London coming on very soon.

Weekly Shopping and Goodies 11/11/09

picture from Stylemaven

The Fashionable Housewife is having a Sensa Weight Loss Twitter Party on Nov 18th from 7:00pm – 9:00pm EST. RSVP and join in on the fun! Over $4,000 in prizes to be won!!
A Few Goody Gumdrops is giving away a Garbo Studded Leather Wallet from Be & D. Enter to Win!
Beseeninhollywood brings you fashion masquerade @ Kress Hollywood
Being High Maintenance, not Bitchy gives tips on how to create that perfect dramatic red lips look!
Couture In The City shares with us celebrity makeup artist Mally Roncal's new fragrance Mally.
Fashion Cents shows you how to turn this season of frugality into luxury. Watch the latest video.
Fashion Hippo found The Best Sweater Dress for Every Budget.
Handbag du Jour hearts the Tory Burch Nylon Ella Tote!
Princess Dominique and Armani Exchange partner to launch AX:TV and Givaway a $100 Gift Certificate - Enter Now!
Quinta Trends follows The Art of the Trench by Burberry
Shopping and Info loves big diamond necklaces for Christmas even if they are rhinestone.
SomeoneSpoilMe.com has some great gift ideas for Thanksgiving
Style Eyes discusses the latest trend in her post All Laced Up - The Lace Bodysuit
StyleMaven is adding the Christian Louboutin Barbie collectors set to her holiday shopping list!
The Budget Fashionista finds a bit of a good thing as more shoppers experience "luxury shame."
TheFind Blog is giving away a $50 ULTA gift card in this week's ULTA + TheFind giveaway!
What's Haute Magazine wants to know who looked hotter in Balmain Cut-Out Lace Dress: Selita Ebanks, Alessandra Ambrosio, LeToya Luckett or Kate Hudson?

All Laced Up - The Lace Bodysuit

picture from style.com

That Stella McCartney lace bodysuit keeps catching my eye. I have absolutely no idea why, as it is just so far from the realms of what I could or would want to wear. But I love the texture and intricate detail of lace, it contrasts so well with the body con style of the bodysuit.

Then I spotted this Lace insert jumpsuit from LCF grad Simon Preen's debut collection which is exclusively at Urban Outfitters. A much more affordable option than Stella's but again, far too daring for me and just wouldn't suit me. But it got me thinking about layering and this could work well for me if layered with some other clothes - actually though some lace leggings and a body would have much the same effect if not quite as streamlined but would cost a bit less.

Then I discovered these leggings again by Simon Preen - finally a great way for me to get in on this trend in a way that suits me and my budget. I think I am in love.

I think they would look great with this lace v body and this tulip skirt layered over them for a lace outfit that is not too bodycon. Hmm definitely a possibilty for my very limited clothes budget.

Rainbow Bright

When I saw Susie Bubble's post pick a colour, any colour, I just couldn't resist partaking in the challenge set to "cram as many colours into one outfit just using solid block pieces and no prints and patterns". I knew from the outset that the outfit would involve clashing in a major way and a certain amount of layering as I have relatively few coloured clothes in my wardrobe (that do not have patterns) and none that are ready colour blocked. I also knew that this was a challenge that would need to take place under cover of darkness as if Mr Style Eyes were to see me he would be bound to fall off of his chair laughing. So whilst Mr Style Eyes took our eldest daughter to fireworks, I stayed in with baby Style Eyes. Once we had polished off our bowls of pasta and glass of white wine (me not the baby). I grabbed everything coloured that I own and threw it all on together. I would like to say that a bit more though went into it but I'm afraid it didn't, the fireworks don't last long and they usually get back early because they are cold.

Anyway the result was perhaps not something I would wear out - the combination of primary colours giving it a sort of Rainbow Bright or mad Playschool presenter sort of feel. I added the belt at the last minute to give it a slightly more grown up feel and add another block of colour(if you can call black a colour). An interesting excerise as I often colour block with two colours but never this many, it has inspired me to try a few more. I wished that my new mustard tights that are on order has turned up and also that I had a royal blue clutch to complete the outfit.

The outfit was made of:

Purple hat - Dorothy Perkins

Yellow T shirt - charity shop

Red dress - Jackpot

Green Jacket - Marks and Spencers

Black Belt - ASOS

Purple tights - Dorothy Perkins

Green and plum shoes - Poetic Licence from ASOS

Very stylish armchair shoes by Kron

I recently spotted these shoes by Kron, from V store Copenhagen via Farfetch.com. I was immediately attracted by their colours, shapes, texture and detail. I also muttered to myself "wow a gorgeous pair of shoes that I would actually wear" as opposed to a spindly heeled pair which I have many of and never really find suitable occasion for, plus the heels wear out after only a few wears. But enough about practicalities- fashion would be very boring if it were only about what was comfortable and practical to wear.

The chunkiness of these shoes actually adds to the appeal. Can you imagine finding this level of detail and interest on a teensy weensy pair of stilletto heels. I love the combinations of zebra stripes, rich colours, rattan, velvet, fishnet and shininess. They remind me of a very stylish but comformable armchair the sort that you might find in a very expensive bar in London (not that I often frequent such a place). I also love the shape, the curve of the heels and the slightly offset and raised sole.

Weekly Shopping and Goodies 4/11/09 - Giveaway special

picture from Handbag Du Jour

The Fashionable Housewife is giving away a $200 Gift Card for Anne Klein! Enter for a chance to win before Nov 8th at midnight!!
A Few Goody Gumdrops is so excited to give away Michelle Roy's Arm Candy Bracelets. Enter to Win!
Be Seen In Hollywood takes you Elmer Ave. Spring 2010 Fashion Collection.
Being High Maintenance, not Bitchy has a foot fetish thanks to Famous Footwear!
Couture In The City trend alert time to add embellishment to your look this fall.
Fashion Cents gives away great tips on how to wear the sheath dress.
Fashion Fille is giving away a beautiful and luxurious pair of velvet leggings from Chickdowntown.com. Enter now to win!
Fashion Hippo is having an $100 Armani Exchange Gift Card GiveawayEnter here
Handbag du Jour wants to know - will you pay $995 to design your own needlepoint Fendi baguette?
Princess Dominique Dishes Fashion entices you to enter the GUESS Innocent2 Multi Strap Platform Pumps Giveaway!
Quinta Trends talks to Argentinean fashion brand: La Coquette
Shopping and Info has a $500 gift card giveaway for Carolina Herrera.
SomeoneSpoilMe.com is giving away a FREE Bottle of Dr. Perricone's No Foundation Foundation!
Style Eyes is starting to think about Christmas (already!) and has found some very stylish Rudolph and Reindeer Fashion
StyleMaven is trendspotting a roundup of pret-a-porter perfume rings from Michael Kors' "Very Hollywood", Marc Jacobs' "Lola" and Kat Von D.
The Budget Fashionista hopes you will check out the collaboration between Michael Kors and Estee Lauder!
The Fashionable Bambino is giving away 2 pairs of Pediped Soft-Soled Baby Infant Toddler Shoes!! Enter for a chance to win before Nov 8th at midnight!
The Fashionable Gal is having a fabulous Alight.com Giveaway just for Plus Size gals! Enter by November 30th at 11:59PM EST!
The Fashionable Housewife is giving away a pair of Tall Boots from SuperShoes.com! Winner gets to pick from 5 pairs of beautiful boots! Enter before Nov 8th at midnight!
The FindBlog is giving away a $50 gift card from beauty superstore ULTA this week. Leave a comment on TheFind Blog here to enter!
What's Haute Magazine and Shopbop.com. hope you will view Marc Jacobs handbags. Who wants some?