Backtrack on the LC and Kookai open cardigan

I very much understand the necessity for a cardigan or cardigans in the wardrobe. However, to spend $100+ on it seemed a little steep for me-- especially since it was just a jersey knit material, and plus everything was on sale now, and my feeling was telling me if I spent that money, I was going to regret it when I come back in a couple of months. I was just almost willing to purchase it until a chance encounter when passing by Cotton On. There it was, the exact same model, in many beautiful colors, and the best part... it goes for $29.95!

Of course I went on the limb and took four colors home with me. Hmm, obsessed much? There's Purple, Grey, Pink and the staple Black. They're just so easy to layer and throw on---with tanks, cocktail dresses, jeans, leggings, the whole works! I love each and everyone of them--- pictures coming soon! 

Victoria Beckham, Marc Jacobs and a Frog

Not something I would buy, but it's still interesting to look at. 

eLuxury, $795
Posh would get away with holding the Evening Rana Pouch, though. Then again everything looks better in hot pink. Be sure to check out her ad campaign for Marc Jacobs. They're definitely something to see! 

Ooh I like: Brigit Slinky Top from Velvet

  

RevolveClothing, $105

Simple with interesting sleeve detail, easy to throw on, dress up and dress down. My kind of staple top, from Velvet. Comes in black, midnight or ruby.

SJP's Bitten Line Catchphrase

Love her. Love Bitten. Love the phrase. 

But we all know sometimes it can be. :)

Bright Colored Sky

UnicaMelrose, $167

Sky tops are another one of my favorite wardrobe labels. True, at times they can seem too Playboy-ish, but it all really depends on how you choose to wear it and what styles you choose. They're the fun, flashy side of my fashion sense. It's so easy to put a sky top on and you're already making an interesting statement. These bright 'Pucci' inspired designs do just the job.

 

  
UnicaMelrose, $221

Corporate Couture II: The staple black pump

I heart sales. There's a high in being able to save that extra 30%, especially since you almost got it just the last week for full price. I've never been big on black shoes, but I've been warming up to it recently and these black pumps were just perfect to fit into my new career wardrobe. The  heel is just comfortable enough to wear all day yet add that extra height & I love how the patent sheen gives them a little bit of a kick. After trying them on with my outfits, it's one of those pieces where you ask yourself, "How did I ever get by without these before?"

They're on sale at Nine West Australia for $79! 

On a bag high: The Foley + Corrina City Tote

Foley + Corrina City Clutch, $444

I first saw this bag back home in Jakarta at Jade Boutique, Senayan City. I was out shopping with J doing our usual window lust shopping and that day in particular, we had our eyes set out on nice bags that hopefully we can reward ourselves with at the end of the year. He was after his usual Balenciaga and I just wanted a nice smelling soft calf leather bag that would go with everything. The Foley + Corrina Tote caught my eye, because it's both unconventional in shape and I loved the way you could wear it unfolded and tote it around on your arm, or folded as a chic messenger bag. Plus it was the type of leather that I loved a la Marc Jacobs, yet it's not as pricey. 

 

The color I tried on was a sort of gunmetal purple which was complementary, but looking online there seems to be an array of colors and new concepts that this bag is taking on.

Foley + Corrina Maple City Tote, $485

This may be just the bag I'll splurge on this year. Loving the Maple, Fuschia clutch and the contrast between Pewter and natural canvas.

Foley + Corrina Mini City Tote, $375

I want my Chanel.

The Ultimate Classic Chanel.

Look how pretty. 

LC's Katherine Wrap inspired top now at Kookai

Lauren Conrad Katherine Wrap, $140 

One of the pieces that I liked from the Lauren Conrad Collection was her Katherine Wrap top. It's probably because my wardrobe at the time lacked that quintessential black cardigan, and I like how this one has more flair to it than the usual boyfriend style cardigan. I was basically too lazy to go through the whole process of online ordering for this piece and I'm glad I didn't. 

Kookai's new basics collection came out with a very similar style, and though it's not so much cheaper, it saves the effort and emotion of waiting and international shipping costs. I think this sort of cardigan will go well paired with cocktail dresses or pretty tops, to formalize them during dinner or before a night out, as shown on Audrina from the Hills. 

Burberry Clearance Outlet in Melbourne

Walking through 234 Collins Street after lunching, I happened to stumble upon a Burberry Clearance Outlet which had 50% off the Burberry London Label collection and up to 70% off Burberry Prorsum past season collections. Not that I was in any position to spend any money on designer items, but it's always fun to see what's in store and how good the discounts are. But then, of course, I would spot something that I would fall in love with.

Everyone remembers the dress that made big, bold embellishments cool to wear again. It was the oversized gem embellished pewter dress from the Burberry Prorsum Spring/Summer 2007 collection. Once Jessica Stam walked down the runway with this dress, every other designer and high street store took on the concept and ran with it.

It would have been nice if this dress was in the store, but it wasn't. However, I came as close to it as possible...and it was better suited to my day to day style. The top version, straight off the runway. It was beyond beautiful and stunning as ever. Worn, it was even better. The price tag you ask? $4000. But it was 70% off, which brought it down to around $1200, which I think, in 3-5 years, where I would already be an established career woman, would be a pretty good deal! As for now, since it's not going away in my head, I will be on the look out for a similar style.

The whole Prorsum Spring/Summer 2007 collection was actually really nicely done, and the flow of colors and embellishments worked well. It's one of my favorite collections from the label. Here's another dress which I hope to find on the high street somewhere.

The Glam Punk Movement

There's something about pyramid studs. They give off the glimmer through the shiny metal without the tackiness of imitation rhinestones, and they just seem to go with any outfit. Just throw them on and you just seem more pulled together.

Here are some of my favorites:

Kenneth Jay Lane Pyramid Bracelets at Max & Chloe, $75

Kenneth Jay Lane Pyramid Ring at Max & Chloe, $98

And for less dollars, you can get the same yet equally fabulous look for less at Speakfashion with these pieces. 

Pyramid Bracelets at Speakfashion, $28

Speakfashion Metal Pyramid Cuff, $15

Lusthave: The Black Halo Ruffle Dress

Black Halo is starting to become one of my favorite muse brands. Though I don't own anything from their label yet, their recent designs have amazed me. Beautiful cuts, with clean, simple lines. Sexy, classy with a touch of edge. 

Their new Ruffle dress is set to be another hit alongside their Jackie-O collection. And I'm all for it. I'm sure this will be flying off shelves pretty soon. I think it'll look great in either the black or charcoal, but it comes in ash too.

PinkMascara, $345

The Speakfashion Sale...

...is now on! As a sister site and another passionate project of mine, I'm happy to say there's a range of cute, glam accessories on sale at the Speakfashion online shop. Designer inspirations, quirky, elegant designs and statement jewelry, there's something for everyone to wear. 

So, come see and shop the Speakfashion sale, see you there! 

Balenciaga Online in the US

When my Balenciaga crazed friend J, told me that Balenciaga was now available online in the US, I had different emotions surging through me. First, of course was total full blown excitement--the whole collection is now available to purchase online! No waiting lists, no visiting boutiques which only stock two colors: it was all there and yours at a click. True, it's not available in the Asia-Pacific yet but there was always the possibility to send it to a friend in the US and tell that friend to send it to us.

My second emotion however was confusion. I wasn't sure how to really feel about it being available at the click of a button. Does that make wear down the exclusivity and luxe appeal of the brand? Nevertheless, being a bagwhore, it doesn't make me love Balenciaga any less. 

There has been mixed reviews over the giant hardware, but personally, it's one of my favorite styles, and I have my eye on the classic black with silver hardware. Then there is of course the classic styles in gorgeous colors. I do hope that if all goes well, they'll expand to deliver to the rest of the world. Cross fingers! 

Candy Karta

To sidetrack from my work wear shopping list, here's something from Karta that caught my eye. Their signature Jewel Patch shift dress now comes in delicious candy colors. The dresses just speak for themselves. I'm loving their new season colors: aqua, yellow, and my favorite--neon pink! At $242 a pop at Revolve Clothing and Shopbop, they're a little out of my budget right now, but I'll be keeping it on my wishlist.

The neon pink comes in a sleeveless style as well, which goes for $326 at Shopbop. 

Corporate Couture I

Being that I will be entering the corporate world in less than a month, I have been scouting around for fashionable work wear all around town. I never really paid attention to it before, just because nothing's ever really called for it and have always dismissed it as being boring. Little did I know how much love I would grow for corporate wear.

I wasn't sure where to start, seeing that I was so used to have my eyes spot going out tops, jeans and dresses, so i made a list as to what would be a good little start up wardrobe anyone who's not used to looking for work attire.

*crisp white collared shirt

*crisp black collared shirt

*crisp collared shirt with pinstripe design or color

*black pants

*grey pants

*shift dress

*black vest

*skirt or pant suit set (i decided to go for the skirt suit since it's always harder to find good fitting skirts for me)

*blouse coordinates

*black pumps

*cream pumps

I feel these pieces will give enough room to mix and match with one another, and to keep it interesting.

  Witchery, $99.95

Witchery, $159.95

I started searching at Witchery as I thought it would be the perfect place for my transition from trend to corporate styles. A few tops caught my eye like the silk shirt with the side bow, which is very classic piece, that can work outside of work, and the black silk kimono blouse, which looked nice paired with high waisted black pants. But I thought for now I'd stick to standard pieces before moving to trendy ones.

So I settled on another white silk blouse with feminine detail, that will be able to go with all the other pants. And to structure formalize it, I paired it with this black vest, which I fell in love with. It also keeps the look interesting. 

  Witchery, $149.95 

Witchery, $129.95

Witchery did me good, as it always has. Also, what's great about it was that it worked well with my other pieces too. My wardrobe was looking more refined and elegant by the minute, and I was so ready to search for the other pieces.

You can get these pieces and view the whole collection online at the Witchery store.

Black Halo: Redefining young elegance

It was love at first sight. Ever since Mariah Carey wore it during her moment on the American Idol stage, it became my mission to find the little black dress with the ever alluring, strategically placed cut outs. I've always loved clean classic pieces with a little twist to them.

My first thoughts went straight to Herve Leger, being that it had the similar silhouette as his bandage dresses. This was not the case. After countless hours of searching every online store, during my procrastinating moments in between essays and study reviews--- I had found the dress. 

It's from the label Black Halo and it's known as the Jackie-O Cut Out Dress.

RevolveClothing, $325

It has been on my shopping wish list ever since but it turns out I was a little late in jumping the bandwagon. Since I found out about it, the dress seemed to be stocked everywhere, and apparently it was already worn before by Audrina from The Hills in a different color combination. I still prefer the all black version, and am currently on the hunt for it. But with it selling out everywhere in record time, the tediousness of special orders coming out unavailable and the limited stock of sizes, it's very hard to get your hands on these beauties. Especially if the one you're after is the classic black.  Strangely enough, that doesn't leave me disheartened-- I guess if it's meant to be, one day I'll see it in my closet.