Emmanuelle Alt - distinctly fashionable?

Emmanuelle Alt is the French Editor in large of French Vogue.

She only recently took over from Carine Roitfeld who was editor for ten years and stopped two years ago.  I say stopped because the circumstances of her departure are disputed. 

She says she resigned but the open secret seems that 

she got fired for unprofessional conduct.

Taken when Carine was still editor and Ms Alt was fashion editor .

Apparently, there was always tension between the two but 

I feel like that is one of  "those stories".

People have been saying that for years about Anna and Grace but they are still working together despite what it seems.

I guess because that's because you know who's boss.

She is the one of the king makers in the fashion world.

Instagram - y post

I don't think I am going to open an Instagram account because 
I have password and pin number fatigue.  

I  just won't be able to remember another one so here is what my Instagram would have looked like.

I never thought about posting random pictures but I do find myself enjoying random pictures on other blogs 
so I am going to give it a go.  
I thought I had a decent camera but I don't have the skills to match the potential so here goes...

This is from this winter thus far.

London doesn't always have streets full of thugs.

He looks harmless enough -

 just hiding from someone so he could go skiing?

 This winter has been brutal - 

if I live in London any longer, 
evolution will prompt me to hibernate.

Snow in Berkeley Square

North and Side side

This will be forever known as the Christmas tree massacre of 2013.

Warning - botanical violence in next picture.

House Beautiful March 2013 - Part 2

Here is the second part of the House Beautiful magazine review.

House Beautiful do a monthly section featuring one
special bathroom.

This month was very much inspired by Morocco. 

It is rather lovely, isn't it?  

Sparkling new, no limescale anywhere, buffed marble and mosaic.

House Beautiful March 2013 issue - Part 1 of 2

House Beautiful US edition is one of the many

magazines I subscribe to. 

It is a staple for good and achievable design;

not crazy and elaborate but they demonstrate good, solid tips and delineate decor methods succinctly.  



House Beautiful March 2013 issue

I started to subscribe to them because

they do a great monthly section about paint colors.

For instance, they do things like this often.

And sometimes they do features that was about unexpected color schemes that work like the one below.

So when they came out with this latest issue headlining
 color combos, I was rather excited.

Re-kindle-ing my love for books

I am a bit of a Luddite.  

It might due to laziness, apathy, or age 

but my eyes glaze over when chattering about the latest gadget.

I still have the original iPhone - 

only because my brother gave me his one when he upgraded.  

Otherwise, I was quite happy with my Nokia.

RIP Nokia - you were a good phone and we had great chats.

He is also the one who ushered me into the world of the iPad.

He recently bought me a kindle for Christmas 

so I would "keep up".

He attempts to be my digital pulse on the world.

I like the kindle - for the obvious reasons.

Quite handy.  

I won't regurgitate the technical positives because 

to be fair I only heard blah blah blah.

Dear Victoria, please explain.

It's New York fashion week.

For civilians - it means bad traffic and jammed restaurants.

For fashionistas - this is like the couture playoffs.

For fashion designers - this is make or break time.  

There is pressure to out shine and set trends 

and make the headlines.

One who fits the bill is Victoria Beckham.

Have you seen her in the last few days for New York fashion week?

Victoria carrying her tote bag at NYFW.

  

Victoria carrying another of her new bags 

from her collection during NYFW.

But this looks weird or is it me?  

It's not a clutch bag - none of them.  

They both have handles so why on earth 

is she carrying her bags like that?

Home decor mag editorial choices

I am a bit of a home decor magazine fiend.

I love most of them and those from different countries.

Elle Decor especially the U.S. edition is one of my favourites.  

Cover of Elle Decor March 2013
(I buy online now as fewer London newsagents stock the US Elle Decor.)
 
It is one of my monthly staple magazines that I buy without needing to flip through or judging the cover.  

It covers houses from all over the world which is personally important.  Houses in the tropics are beautiful but there is no real inspiration or incorporation I can use in my central London abode. 

Actually, this makes it look like all Londoners 
have a garden so scratch this.

 Split house conversions - much more typical London.

Elle Decor always delivers polish, impeccable taste, and great design principles.

A great example of the understated, balanced, and  clean designs with a perfect dosage of color that Elle Decor features so well.

A simply edited and elegantly decorated living room that is achievable in most homes and yet most probably aren't - 

the home decor version of the "girl next door".

Pancakes anyone? It's Pancake Tuesday!

The Daily Mail has come with its

pseudo-scientific recipe for pancakes.

Just had to share with you.

Concentrate now people.

This is the science bit...

* Flips hair *

But you're worth it.

( Sorry, I couldn't resist. )

Pancake perfection! 100 - [10L - 7F + C(k - C) + T(m - T)]/(S - E)

The science: The formula was developed by researchers at the University of Wolverhampton

This isn't really about sushi

Jiro Ono is a 85 year old three Michelin star chef.

I must clarify - he is 85 years old - and still working. 
Still upholding his three Michelin stars.

When I feel like I am getting old, when I feel like complacent, 
when I feel like something is just pretty good or good enough, 
I watch this as a reminder of sorts.

 This movie reinvigorates you in a way that is in real time.

 This is not about overnight stardom, this is not a quick fix, or a Malcolm Gladwell-esque, "Oh, just put it on the middle shelf and paint in lavender and it will sell like hotcakes" message.

If anything, this is sort of like the Karate Kid for sushi makers.

Would Carrie wear these shoes?

We all take some chances in fashion but 
one rarely sees a huge gamble in shoes.

If anything, a gamble might be Reeboks or Crocs.

A heel might have an unusual width or length but 
otherwise most people are rather safe in their choices.

But this collection of shoes might test even the 
foot fashion bold among you.

Dolly Parton's first pair of high heels?

Probably made from her brother's sling shot back 
in the Smoky Mountains. 

I love slides so this could actually work, in a different color.

This would be a huge hit with kindergartners 
trying on Mommy's heels.

I think I could wear this in the inverse - black jug with milk poured.
Or the jug of custard might do.

Hilary Mantel on the mantelpiece

Hilary Mantel is one of my modern role models.  

To be frank, there aren't many about these days.  

Well, I suppose some might consider the Kardashians 

one but I am not their demographic. 

 For people who don't aspire to be like them, 

lets' face it, there is a shortage.

Hilary Mantel is one of the best modern day writers and am confident that she will be the future Dickens of our times.  

Of course, it isn't just my opinion.

She was awarded a CBE and became a 

Commander of the British Empire in 2006 for her writing.