Silly season meltdown, early stages

Oh my gawd. The Silly Season is really taking its toll on me, and it is not even a week into December! I don’t think the US has a comparable month to Australia’s December party season. There are two things at play in Sydney during this time of the year: 1. the start of summer: sunshine, beach and boats 2. the lead up to Christmas and New Years. Between wanting to spend every minute with your friends and boyfriend at the beach or dining alfresco and then the various invitations to work functions and miscellaneous parties (is this one a farewell? A birthday??) let’s just say it is….well silly is one word to describe it.

Summer in New York does kick of with enthusiasm, and you can’t pinpoint a certain month where things just go off. Yes, of course, we are coming out of hibernation and the first day the tights come off and the hemlines get shorter is cause for celebration. Here, while people have been enjoying summer-like weather well before December, suddenly when the month belonging to Christmas and New Years Eve begins the calendar becomes jam-packed with events requiring cute outfits and copious alcohol consumption. And it becomes impossible to get a cab.

The lead up to Chistmas in the States has a fair share of parties and catching up with friends & family, and certainly a lot of wine-drinking, but it isn’t with the same intensity as Australia’s December madness. I suppose here Chrissie takes on a role more easily equated with the 4th of July: cold beer under a hot sun, hotdogs (or snags if you’re Aussie) and even fireworks. It is almost like a 4th of July that lasts for a month…and involves highheels a lot of the time.

So here I am on December 4th, haven’t spent one night this week at home eating healthy home-cooked food watching TV with my laptop in hand, but instead had reason to polish up and go out Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and tonight (Friday- office xmas party..) much to the dismay of my wardrobe and liver…and wallet. Let’s pray that those three valuable entities can make it 19 days til I board my flight and head off to my proper cold and cosy Christmas in DC.

(Anja Rubik by Ben Hassett)

El Meneaito

Back in the early 90s while I was listening to Beastie Boys and Smashing Pumpkins, Mario was dancing along to this! No seriously, he knows the dance. Gotta love those outfits... (Fast forward 20 seconds or so to get to the video).

Happy Thanksgiving!

Go on... indulge yourself! Gobble gobble!

The exposed midriff

Back when I was a pre-teen I first fell pray to midriff shirts. Back then they were called "baby tees", and they were basically t-shirts worn a few sizes too small, usually paired with oversized jeans. I remember being particularly fond of a teensy-tiny Roxy tee, which I would wear with my brother's baggy pants.

The midriff came back again a few years later. The summer I was 14 I actually had a tan line around my lower stomach from walking around in tiny singlets (embarrassing, I know!). My mother would roll her eyes muttering, "Where is the rest of your top?"

I started thinking about the midriff again last year watching 90210 reruns with my flatmate. We both confessed to digging the 90s LA style, stonewashed jeans and crop tops with touches of neon. Ok, it wasn't exactly chic, but if reinterpreted correctly (which we tired to do) there was potential.

Now many years after the terrible attempts of Britney and more-than-slightly awkward attempts by Donna Martin, the stomach wants some exposure once again. From the runways to young Hollywood, over the last few months there has been a noticeable rise in crop tops. However, the crop has moved from the bellow button and below of the late nineties and Britney Spears era to above the bellow button all together. The new midriff is the high midriff.

Anyway, I never thought I'd actually see this trend again, but I think it has finally found a way to look fashionable rather than tacky. By pairing a crop top with a high-waisted pant or skirt (like Daisy Lowe and Rihanna above), the hint of skin (emphasis on the hint!) is actually flirty and fun. During spring fashion week last year this trend was all over the runway- Prada even found a way to make it look classy.

It will be interesting to see if the current spring fashion weeks will continue to reveal hints of stomach as well, or if maybe this trend is having a moment that will be short-lived. In my opinion, it is all about confidence and rocking a look like you own it, so I say if you want to flash some tummy skin, go for it!

Alexander Wang s/s 2010

I was anticipating what Alexander Wang would do this season, and was pleasantly surprised to see that he kept things fresh with his sportswear-themed spring 2010 collection. The collection worked in nouveau-preppy pieces in khaki and dark red football stripes (a nice departure from the nautical stripes that have been ubiquitous as of late). The knee socks throughout maintained the school days vibe. There were also plenty of the Wang we are used to, with quite a bit of black with accentuated shoulders, sheer detailing and cheeky cutouts. Nothing jumped out at me as the to-die-for dress of the season, but I definitely like the American varsity vibe with the sexy urban accents.

Saturday with my boyfriend

Ha! Love it... Kate Moss, the ultimate hedonist, spends the day with her rockstar boyfriend following her around carrying one of the oversized Prada bags from a casual purchase, no biggie. The thing about Kate is that she appears live a life consisting entirely of rock 'n roll, jetsetting to Ibiza and sartorial eliteness, but somehow manages to squeeze in time to do her never ending ad campaigns, editorials and Topshop collections. Oh and she's a mother! Sigh.

Le smoking

This blog, Le Smoking, is so wrong but me likes! The topics bloggers are coming up with these days...

Girl on a bike

I wish I looked like gorgeous Dutch girl when I get on a bike. (Image: Garance Dore).

But alas, I'm just a silly American girl:

Mag girls

Covet

I covet this Roberto Cavalli studded messenger bag.

Loving: Sienna Miller

Sienna, Sienna, Sienna. Even her name is sexy, not to mention her tanned stems, tousled blonde locks and lightly freckled nose. Believe me it took a long time to be sold on the actress. She used to actually irritate me, and I guess I just wasn't into the boho thing and didn't really know what all the fuss surrounding her was about. As for her mentions in weeklies, I never paid much attention.

When my boyfriend saw Alfie he proclaimed Sienna to be "the best" (I'm sitting right here, honey!), and I scoffed at him, but I think jealousy was just keeping me from seeing what he saw. What finally convinced me wasn't the side of her revealed in Alfie (for those who have seen it I'm referring to the topless kitchen scene) but rather her style, which I think has reached a new level in the last few weeks. Sienna has been hoping around country-to-country promoting G.I. Joe: The Rise of the Cobra and has wowed me day after day with her effortless Kain tees, Chloe and Isabel Marant booties and adorable patterned frocks.

Now she has settled into New York for longer than a minute as she prepares for her Broadway appearance in the play "After Miss Julie.” The blonde beauty has been snapped on the streets nearly every day looking urban chic from head to toe.

At the New York premiere of The September Issue, Sienna opted for a super short and sassy light blue Thakoon dress, which she paired with chandelier earrings, a Bottega Veneta clutch and metallic Jimmy Choos. While usually I get irritated when people wear sunnies at night, I thought her signature retro shades added an offbeat touch to the look. And hey, if I had hundreds of flash bulbs in my face I might use the same remedy.

She bared those enviable legs again the other day in a Twenty8Twelve skirt, nautical tank and Rupert Sanderson brogues. The finishing touch was the Prada Saffiano and Tessuto Tote, which she has been carrying around NYC as she dashes between appointments. I'm totally going to be picturing this look when heading out shopping on a sunny Saturday in spring (note to self: splurge on the cute, white brogues I've been eyeing).

I think it is safe to say that Sienna is back (although I'm not sure she ever left), and while I like her for different reasons than my boyfriend, she has a place on my list of girl crushes.

Time to cosi up

My boyfriend and I finally booked the overdue holiday we've been discussing for the last six months. We were only able to squeeze in a long weekend, so we decided to stay domestic and head up to Palm Cove. I'm already picturing: me reading fashion mags on the sand wearing a giant sunhat, me lounging by the pool taking the occasional sip of a strawberry daiquiri...you get the idea. This brings me to the very important question: what cosi will I be wearing?

It's not like I don't have a box full of them in my room. But the first holiday with my man in over a year AND the fact that yesterday marked the first day of spring means that it is my duty to go out and buy new swimmers, which I will take on my holiday and then rock all summer.

I'm sure you've seen the posters of Jessica Hart for Seafolly all around Sydney recently. There are quite a few cute pieces. I'm especially interested in the nautical striped two-piece, as this season it seems I can't get enough of that trend. Seafolly also just launched a limited edition summer collection (Alyssa Suterland is the face, see below) with some really great looks. This flirty one-piece with the ruffle highlights is retro and fun. (Aquarius Carnivale Maillot; $289.95; 1300 130 715).

Seventh Wonderland's high quality swimsuits are also tempting. The prints and cuts are unique and totally wearable. I love this cute suit and how the lacey pattern suggests lingerie, while the cute cut suggests swimwear. Definitely on my wishlist.

Anna & Boy is another label with consistently adorable swimwear. Anna Hewett and Lill Boyd took all their fashion savvy and created a label full of signature prints in gorgeous fabrics. When looking to stay fashionable on the sand, Anna & Boy is a go-to. (The first pic in the post is Anna & Boy Jude Honeymoon tie halter; $220; (02) 9211 8511).

The mere thought of swimsuit season brings up other questions too. I can't help put imagine Miranda Kerr's body and my face whenever I picture myself in different cosi options, but when I look in the mirror I see reality, not Miranda. It has been a long winter with lots of cozy meals and movies on the couch. Though I have tried to be consistent with Pilates, my visits to the gym have been few and far between. Once we decided on the holiday I thought to myself, that's it- I'm doing the gym three days a week and eating healthier! Don't get me wrong- I am lucky enough to be blessed with a good metabolism, which is great because I have a love of all things food. I just want to cut back on the arvo cakes and the double serves of pasta dinners. I'll illustrate my dedication: decided against the gym last night and instead picked up some spaghetti and meatballs and Fratelli Fresh and ate it at home watching America's Next Top Model. Oh well, you can't have it all! I'll get my cardio in this weekend...when I walk from David Jones to Paddington and then maybe even on to Bondi in search of my perfect new cosi.

OMFG

Behold the Christian Louboutin "Rollerball" studded flats. These are insane. Perhaps we really are entering the era of the flat...who knew you could do such a bad-ass statement shoe without some sort of crazy stiletto or platform. Anyway, what do you think of these crazy loafers?

Grande Bouche is back

I have a really good excuse for why I’ve been so lax with my blog as of late. I was approached a few months ago to be the acting Online Content Producer (Web Editor) for InStyle Australia’s website: instylemag.com.au. I’ve loved doing it, but all my ideas and time have been going toward that, so I haven’t been maintaing this blog. I’ve even been blogging for the InStyle site (you can check out the Blog secion on the homepage).

However, I am going to start up Grande Bouche again, so check in for updates! Knowing me I’ll continue posting pics of stunning models, amazing clothes and adorable animals. Not saving lives, just some light-hearted musings. The seasons are changing, and I’ve been inspired as I am starting to spend more time outside- definitely awakening the senses! And bringing out an overload of freckles (see above).

xoxo

Grande Bouche

Gearing up for summer...

The weather is changing, and I've been spending more and more time outside. These recent editorials (mostly from September issues) channel the carefree, lazy, flirty feeling summer gives me. Enjoy!

These shots by Knoepfel + Indlekofer make me excited for my upcoming holiday to the Whitsundays. Mario is sure to take similar snaps of me lazing about our villa!

Shot by Mert & Marcus for W magazine. Reminds me of those lazy afternoons in Mccarren Park with the girls or going to out to Yonkers' dock for a lazy summer day.

Natasha Poly channels Brigitte Bardot by Mario Sorrenti for French Vogue.

Cause sometimes you just need to feel good about the world

Check out these adorable, exotic newborn animals from the website www.zooborns.com. If these don't make you feel clucky then nothing will. These images should at least help you shake the Mondays.






p.s. Now we know where Fuck You Penguin gets all its images!

Flashback

Welcome to the first edition of family album fashion flashback. This week we have a few snaps from the 80s.

My brother Chris rocks Wayfarers on the beach. What jams are on his Caveman?

These are not hipster midgets in Maccaren Park on a Sunday afternoon, they are my brothers circa 1985:

Relaxing poolside with Mom. Wish I could get my hands on either of those swimmies. And yes, I am actually wearing an adult swimsuit, filling it out with pure baby chub:

Mom sporting a fringe, suntan, and a funky sweater:

Have a good weekend everyone!

Wishlist....

Funky animal print leggings from Diane Von Furstenburg's fall 2009 collection.





Alejandro Ingelmo shoes (US $815!!).

Or same shape, more subdued Michael Kors.

F*** you penguin

If you passionately love or hate cute animals then this blog might be for you! Hilarious.

Marc Jacobs: the good, the bad, and the 80s

I've always been a big Marc Jacobs fan, but I am having trouble processing his fall 2009 collection- though not necessarily in a bad way. It struck me as sort of Boy George meets Don't Tell Mom the Babysitters Dead with a few contemporary pieces thrown in. The models were styled to resemble trannies (or maybe mannequins?), and each had different hairstyles ranging from mohawks to Flock of Seagulls. Confused yet? The show started off simple with grey knits (I like the sweater with cutouts on the shoulder), silk neck scarves, metallic leathers, and some dark burgundy and silver hues. Then it entered some sort of nostalgic zone full of bright pinks, greens, and yellows, overstated shoulders, and a-line hems that channeled vintage Christina Applegate, only with more high-end fabrics. Throw in a few 80s prom dresses and you may be starting to get the picture of this energetic collection. While some of it seemed like a total joke, at least the show had elements of surprise, and there were definitely a few looks that could strengthen any fall/winter wardrobe.
Totally wearable:
Revisiting the 80s, but in a good way?
The cute print saves this 80s prom dress: