US Vogue January 2014 Part 2

Cate Blanchett suits the golden theme very well.

These dresses would match the Oscar statue as well.

Hint hint...

If you look close, you see this dress is quite risque for Armani.

But she pulls it off without looking slutty.

The Nina Ricci tweed suit is nice but somehow seems a bit of 

a wasted opportunity not to wear a statement dress 

because this doesn't have any visual impact.

Vogue always likes to introduce to the audience at large someone who might be better known on the New York Social Diary.

But Vogue needs to come up with a new photographic formula rather than the becoming ever so mundane combo of doing a sporty or quotidian activity in a formal dress with carefully choreographed children and dog strewn everywhere. 

Very tastefully decorated home in peaceful palettes.

Vogue did some really choppy fashion editorials.

 One editorial seemed to be no relation to the other than the presence of Prada everywhere.

 
 It was picturesque and very Gaugin-esque. 
But I am afraid the clothes got drowned by the lighting and 
the beauty of the surroundings.

Is it me or do Conde Nast need to have an overhaul meeting?

This "Tinsel Town" spread made me feel like 

I was reading Vanity Fair or In Style.

I love forecasting and betting on the next new young bright star as much as the next person but I don't think Vogue is the place for it. 

 

Love the Chanel clobber this starlet is wearing though.

 

This "More is More" was probably the most disjointed and non consistent fashion spread that Vogue has done in a long time.

Nothing flowed.

If you are trying to flog a sweatshirt with beaded handiwork for $2390 then at least show me someone who is having fun wearing rather than someone who is experiencing buyer's remorse.

I understand the more is more thing but looking like a model out of work / mid-class hooker is neither here nor there.

Where did these two models come from? 

It doesn't even look like the same fashion story.

That Prada patchwork coat is so DIY.

Gosh, I miss Prada in the 90's hey day.

 

So now the photographer decided to go outdoors and 

shoot black and white.

Looks like a Goth reunion.

 

So unoriginal - shooting Chanel in the way Karl does in the ads.

 

This is sticking to the more is more memo but so out of context.

I do like these two pictures with the 1970's style bright sofa.

It fits the theme and is graphic.

There is nothing wrong with the two dresses below. 

Lovely in fact. 

But is this a reject photo from another shoot 

they just pasted together?

Disappointing Anna.

That's right, I'm talking to you.

I don't mind a collaboration.

I don't mind a union of the different arts but half the time it looks like the model has been photo-bombed.

I love Chanel, I really do.

You can ebb and flow with the 2.55 bag but how many other bags besides the Kelly bag can be coveted for that length of time.

 
 But this bag is for the hardest core of brand whores.

Have a great weekend!

US Vogue January 2014 Review Part 1

Cate Blanchett's publicity team is orchestrating all 

the right moves for an Oscar win.

Good timing although a February cover would have been better.

The cover is not too smug nor theatrical and 

she has a nice neutral thespian at rest expression.

No prizes for guessing that Kaiser Karl has been flicking through 

his Frida Kahlo coffee table books.

Not sure that the mustache trend will gain any momentum.

Donatella must love this!
(Of course she did - she probably came up with the idea.)

She looks like her younger sister.

Although Versace on Lady Gaga looks so demure.

I know Marc is a diffusion line but still...

This reminds of when Dolly Parton said -

 it costs a lot of money to look this cheap.

Linda still looks amazing.

She doesn't need the money though I still think she got a terrible deal with the whole paternity lawsuit.

I know she gets a lot of money per month but it is all relative and 

I have completely lost respect for Pinault.

I think this is the supermodel way of being back on the pull.

Do an ad.

Have you heard that Christian Dior is funding a 5 year restoration of the  Marie Antoinette's fake village at Versailles Palace?

Dior have come up with a special collection to commemorate this.

I just love this dress on this actress.

I wish Vogue would do more pretty and wearable dresses like this.

I gotta say nothing really made me look twice here.

I don't know if the Mayr clinic needs to be afraid but apparently this is the new detox vacation.

But its location in Bolivia despite its beauty might not be

 the easy pop over jaunt.

It's not a good sign when a Vogue editorial

 is almost funny is it?

"Razor's edge" is quite suited to this fashion spread.

It looks like she is deranged and 

cut her own hair in an episode of hysteria.

 Also, that pose is just so riduculous.

The crazy person's thinking pose a la Rodin.

She sure is crazy because she is tying a sweater over her coat but pairing it with no matter how much Vogue tries and 

convince us we will not be wearing those sandals even if they are 90% off on Net a Porter.

"Hey doctor, I only took of your white coat because 

I think it looks better on me."

Yep, the Prozac is kicking in!

I still don't like those sandals but I do like that Burberry coat a lot.

Not as trendy as a pink coat but 

a cheerful dose of color in the winter.

Part 2 tomorrow folks.

Nigella Lawson Definitely has Good Taste

Nigella was on the telly tonight in the U.K.!

Looking fabulous Via

She is starring on a new show called Taste on Channel 4.

Via 

It got off to a debatable start but I will be watching this season not only because of her but also because I find Anthony Bourdain incredibly charming.

Golly gosh, didn't she end the year with a bang?

Via

Via

I don't know her but can safely say 2013 was her annus horribilus.

Nigella ( click on link for an old but in-depth article )

is one of the few people in the media that is...

I can't seem to find the proper word.

Likeable is too pedestrian.

Endearing is almost patronizing.

Via

She is a modern emblem of a beauty born with 

brains and privilege that seems to have come straight out of 

Greek tragedy casting.

Weekend in the Kentish countryside

One aspect I love about blogging is the glimpses of all different types of people. Sometimes it is their personal life, routines, or surroundings.  
What is au fait for one is completely novel for another.

Late Regency Cottage with various additions in Kent

I just got back from a weekend at Mr CSW's mucca's house 

so I thought I would share and give you a tour of a late Regency cottage in Kent.  Some people may have been to the U.K. but not spent time in a normal country cottage.  There are so many styles of country living other than grand estates like Downton Abbey.

Back of the cottage - they did two additions on either side of the original structure.

Mr CSW's friend lives on a cottage with all 

the country living accouterments.

This is one of the outbuildings they converted where a couple help them manage all aspects of maintaining the grounds.

The view over the gentle hills of Kent - very near Sissinghurst.

Don't know about you but I love looking into people's houses. 

They don't even have to be fancy but I am weird like that...

Wanna come and have a look inside?

New Year's Resolutions in Resolution

Ah yes, the new year has chimed in.

Not only has it brought hope for this coming year but 

also its shadow of guilt.  

That is why I am reluctant to make any concrete resolutions. 

 I have never stuck to any of them.   

I shan't think that this year is the exception.

I usually start and stop things according to my own rhythm.  Although having said that, this year is one of the rare times where the new year coincides with the new moon which makes it a good time to make a new start.

New year's resolutions are as standard and prescriptive as the wishes of a beauty pageant contestant.

(Even the parachute ride bit.)

Well maybe not quite so incomprehensible.

I probably won't do yoga five times a week. 

I probably won't go to the farmer's market and whip up breakfast, lunch, and dinners from scratch.  I probably won't drink 2.5 litres of distilled spring water powered by full moon charged crystals daily.  

I probably won't double cleanse my face morning and night with standing appointments at the hairdressers every 6 weeks.