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!