It's A Fine Line

...between something that's working, and something that's not. Take this pleated skirt. I loved the intricate lace and tulle detailing, but it just didn't quite sit right. Too saggy at the hips, and I was ready to write it off.

My rose buckle belt saved it from being another impulse buy heading for the donation bin. It was a favourite item of mine when I was in Europe, simply because it made everything look and fit better. The elastic meant it was flexible to fit on nearly any bottom, pants, shorts or skirts.

Nearly gone too to the bin was this Talula navy blue blouse, which I loved at first sight but then soon grew tired. Love's a fickle thing, right?

But suddenly, paired with equally blue Marc by Marc Jacobs pumps, I was madly in love again.

Wearing:
Brown cropped swingy jacket with pearl details, Mom's find from Hong Kong
Navy blue blouse, Aritzia
Lace and tulle fringed skirt, Zioni
Rose buckle belt, from Hong Kong
Vintage Gucci bag, pilfered from Mom
Navy blue pumps, Marc by Marc Jacobs

Boulangerie à Paris

This could be me.

Six months from now.

In PARIS!!

I'll be packing my bags and heading on a jet plane a couple of times over the next few months. First up, Hong Kong in April to see my family and newborn nephew. When the summer hits, I am going to Europe!! I've never been to Paris and it'll be a dream come true to finally go.

Pack in between a surf weekend to Tofino and I've got plenty to look forward to.

If you've got any Paris tips and suggestions, please share!

Wearing:
Boyfriend Jacket, Ruffle Blouse and Vest, all from Hong Kong
Slim Pants, rolled up, 212
Hubby's watch, Seiko with army nato band
Belt, mom's old stuff
Horse with Horseshoe Bag, Chloe
Navy Pumps, Marc by Marc Jacobs

Crossing Over to the (Dark) Vintage Side

Remember when I did a post about a new vintage era possibly starting in my closet, as inspired by blogger friends who rock the vintage look? Well, here is my first vintage piece on It's a Beautiful Life. Mom was in town a few weeks ago and we were digging through her closet of unwanteds. Hanging by its lonely self was this very rock-star worthy, blue houndstooth blazer by Escada. The shoulders were all 80's, perhaps late eighties, and the cut was custom tailored for my little momma. Oh how I love the velvet trim: makes me feel like rockstar royalty.

What's even better, is knowing that this piece was given to my mom from one of her best friends. This lady is extremely wealthy, and also once bought me my first concert tickets (NKOTB baby!). And I think she'll be very happy to know I'm now wearing her gift.

By the way, a mutual friend of The Anthology and I, says vintage must be 25 years or older. Now according to that rule, my piece wouldn't be classified as vintage. What do you guys think? Does clothing have to be older than 25 years to gain the title vintage?

Wearing:
Vintage Escada houndstooth jacket with velvet trim
Blue tee with metallic stripe from Hong Kong
Leather pants by Teen flo
Blue roundtoe pumps by Marc by Marc Jacobs
Metallic silver clutch from Fine Finds

Marc by Marc Jacobs Resort 2010

Quirky, pretty, and preppy was the cheery outlook from Marc by Marc Jacobs 2010 Resort collection. Continuing his 80's vibe, the resort line was inspired by the movie Footloose. Colourful prints and preppy patterns cut in a modern way provided a contemporary twist amidst the nostalgia. As usual, the accessories had plenty of pop and there were some fun wedge heels and colourful bags to perk things up. Although accents like bows and hearts sweetened it up, there was still a definite youthful rebellion so true to the line.

A review of the main line's resort collection for 2010 to come.



(all pictures from Style.com)

My Lover, My Maker, My Breaker

All dressed up and ready to class it up with hubby at our friend's beachside cottage for a BBQ, but then hubby asked me if I really wanted to meet a bunch of new people (it was a "meet my new girlfriend/her friends-meet-his-friends kinda thing) in that dress. What can I say? Body-con is back, and I thought my bf blazer and patent oxfords were all business.

So I changed and wore my tiered grey skirt instead.

Will have save this hot pink tighty for another nitey.



Outfit:
Boyfriend Blazer, from Hong Kong
Hot Pink and GreyBody Con Dress, Urban Outfitters
Black Patent Oxford Pumps, Michael Kors
Green Patent Messenger Bag, Marc by Marc Jacobs
Gold bangles, custom made from Hong Kong


Totally unrelated - the subject line is from a song (Miles) by Mother Mother, whose catchy tunes I can't stop listening to.

My lover, my maker, my breaker
Take me by the hand
We could go walking for miles
Once we reach the sand

Nearly Nude

They've arrived - my Elizabeth and James strappy pumps. They came, along with the other goodies in my Shopbop shipment. This is my first Elizabeth and James purchase, and I was nervous that the shoes wouldn't fit. The colour was described as "bone" but I find they are more like a nude beige. I absolutely love them!! They must be the highest heels that I own, as they make my other stilettos feel like ballet flats. My Marc by Marc Jacobs cashmere cardi also arrived, and at $139 (discounted from $300 plus), it was a steal.

The box from the shoes was gorgeous...I love the ink blot design and the black ribbon tab.




Wearing:
Sky blue tie-die raceback tank, Urban Outfitters
Tallula white beater tank, Aritzia
Turquoise trim cashmere cardigan, Marc by Marc Jacbos
Leopard high-waisted bubble skirt, Urban Outfitters
Nude strappy pumps, Elizabeth and James
Chunky beaded necklace, from street market in Hong Kong
Star necklace, Aritzia, cira early 90's
Grey Watch, Casio Baby G Shock

Midnight Blues On the Town

Attended a stagette last weekend and had no clue what to wear since I had spent all my time last week obsessing about what to wear to the Juno after party.  Finally pulled out a metallic bubble dress, a navy blue shrunken tuxedo jacket, and my prized midnight blue round-toe pumps (Marc by Marc Jacobs).  My favourite item though, is my art deco-inspired sapphire ring, which used to belong to my mom.

Louis Vuitton Genius for RTW Fall 2009

Following on the heels of my shoe review at Paris Fashion Week, I couldn't help but check out what else Louis Vuitton had in store once I saw a glimpse of the fabulous ankle ribbon heels. Starting from toes to head is somewhat unconventional, but a pair of shoes can tell you a lot about a man.  In this case, THE man, Marc Jacobs.

I am not traditionally a fan of Louis Vuitton, and I always associated the brand with either posh types that didn't have much style but the cash to flash or middle-aged, melon-squeezing fruit market types with the $20 dollar Chinese knockoff.  LV bags, real or not, were a dime a dozen.

Please forgive me for the lengthy scrolling as I had such a hard time picking out the stand out pieces from the RTW Fall collection.  If I wasn't a LV fan before, I am now. I cannot stop looking at pictures of this show.  I love everything about it, from the poufy bouffant hair right down to the shoes.  Not sure what I would be doing wearing a pair of vinyl thigh-highs on a wet snowy day in Vancouver but I covet.  All pictures from style.com.

I'm calling this collection Posh Princess Punk.  There were plenty flirty, girly ruffles, ruches, and feminine silhouettes to play pretty princess, and an 80's excess of rich detailing and luxe fabrics like lace, satin and leather to make it rich.   Marc throws in his slice of punk with thigh-high vinyl lace up boots, vinyl harem pants, and bubble shapes with unexpected patterns and colours. Speaking of colour, this collection kept me guessing, and I was never disappointed as one palette transitioned to the next.  There were lady-like blacks and reds, punky magenta and pink, splashy teal and greens, and flirty corals with sexy nude.  I don't know how he managed to make it all work, but as usual, it worked.

What I also love is his take on this season's emphasis on the shoulders.  Rather than going for a skinny, pyramid shape like Balmain, the LV collection played up the hips to balance out the embellished puffy shoulders.  It made for an ultra girly figure.

And the bags.  They were textured, studded, ruched - a perfect mix of rich and bitch.  I think this year might be a first for me in desiring a proper LV bag.  Not-monogrammed of course.

What Spring Brings: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Hopefully there's only a few more weeks of winter left as I'm looking forward to some of these very wearable looks from Marc by Marc Jacobs. The collection can be summed up as, "what the chic boys and girls wear".  Again, a trend in the spring is heavy 80's - and we see that here. Unlike the rock n roll 80's punk style we saw for Rock and Republic, this collection is all about fun, lightness and utility. 80's wash denim, canvas shoes, neon accessories (I love the neon pink string bracelets and layered necklaces), cargo and khaki capris pants (often rolled up), and high waisted shorts put together a picture of youthful exuberance. He somehow even made fanny packs work.

The menswear was a standout - I know rolled up capris and short shorts aren't for every guy, but the boys that walked this runway looked fine.

And what's a Marc by Marc Jacobs collection without the hot accessories? I am in want of sunglasses like these and I can't wait to take a closer look at the bags.

I was skeptical of the whole neon trend when I first spotted it, but I am now completely enamored.  

There's a kind of Johnny Depp cool about this look:

(All pictures from Style.com)