Les Nereides Jewellery

So I was really bored in Math class and noticed the girl sitting next to me had this gorgeous pair of earrings on: there was a white flower at the stud, with a small pearl and two beads dangling under. I usually hate such... complex jewellery (I usually go for plain, metallic jewellery), but this one looked so pure and was really eye-catching.

I found out they were by Les Nereides, which is a French jewellery/ accessories brand. Then I realised I have actually been into a Les Nereides boutique before in Covent Garden, but the prices were a bit out of my budget that day. Anyways, take a look:

Sooo pretty. They're not exactly the most fashionable jewllery, but there is a certain charm to them. Sometimes wearing such girly jewellry is just the right thing to 'dress up' your whole look, esp if you have to go to class after a few hours of sleep!

My favourite ones are the ones at the top left and bottm right. I like how they're simple and just slightly dainty-looking.

White earrings are esp great for matching outfits of any color and would totally go with the oh-so-fashionable all-whites this summer.

For those who want more color (or to match your eye color,) these would be possible choices. For example, the left earrings could enhance the blue in blue eyes and the right earring would totally compliment green/ brown eyes. (Although eye color really shouldn't be the main reason for choosing a certain jewellery!)

This necklace would look perfect with a little black dress for a fancy dinner.

If you prefer more playful and happy-looking jewellery, these might appeal to you more. Some of them even remind me a bit of Marni!

Les Nereides also has this collection of Hawaii-themed jewelry. Personally I'm not a big fan of anything that is Hawaii-themed. The plastic just makes them look like kids' jewelry -really not worth the money.

For those who prefer simple jewellery, there are some slightly more 'basic' jewellery designs too. To look at the SS06 collection properly, go to the Les Nereides website and download its catalogues. Les Nereides' jewellery is available in France, UK, Spain, Italy, Japan and Korea.

T3 Tourmaline Styling Iron

After much rave from absolutely everyone and much consideration on my part, I finally bought the T3 Professional Ionic Ceramic Hair Styling Iron, Medium Duality.

How cool is that? For just $160, you get perfect, less-damaged-than-normal-irons hair! And you even have the option by going $40 further and get to curl/straighten your hair dry or WET! But of course, as avid followers of fashion and beauty you already know this.

What you don't know (well at least I didn't until I read the instructions), is that even guys can use it to spike there hair like this:

Very sexy. Anyone tried this?

As for results, while I DID manage make my hair look straight and sleek like her. . .

I did NOT however manage to make my hair as curly as they said it would here in the instructions. My hair looked nothing like that. In the end, I just gave up and straightened my hair instead.

I am very disappointed. I probably just didn't have the skill/patience to do it properly, but I thought the whole purpose of getting an expensive styling iron was to have perfect straight/curly hair whenever we want effortlessly.

SS06 Accessories Trend: Scarves As Headbands

With clothes being so 'minimalist' and plain this season, accessories are the key to brightening up your outfit. A pretty summer scarf is just the thing to do the trick. Usually I'm not one to buy such an unnecessary accessory, but I saw a two sided Anna Sui silk scarf that I simply couldn't resist buying, and ever since then I've been looking around for ways to use it.

As seen on the Christian Lacroix SS06 catwalk. I don't like how the scarf covers up the model's ears, but the extra bow thing (top right side) is so cute.

Nicole Richie has been sporting scarf-headbands recently. I love the one she has on here. The print and color combo here is perfect.

For a more summery feel, choose scarves with bright colors and white background (like Nicole in the left picture.) For a cooler, edgier look, choose darker, more solid colors/ prints. Nicole is wearing an Alexander McQueen skull scarf, which was first spotted on Mary Kate Olsen and now almost all the IT girls have been spotted with.

Lindsay Lohan wearing a colorful scarf as a bandanna. I don't like bandannas in general, but Lindsay makes it look cool here!

The prices summer scarves could vary a lot. From cheap to expensive:

These Top Shop ones are only 10pounds each. I like the subtle flower prints in the light blue and pink one. And the polka dot ones are great to go with 50s-inspired outfits, or just any plain outfits.

This Guess scarf is US$24. This is one of those summery-feel ones, and the white background makes it great to match all hair colors.

At first I thought this J.Crew Seaside Scarf (US$45) had too much details to look good, but the picture from jcrew.com here demonstrates how it can be used as a bandanna and totally make a boring preppy outfit more stylish.

Onto the seriously stylish and pricy ones. Emilio Pucci is the first name that pops up. Pucci has a really wide range of selection (US$120-260), so if you are planning to buy one, then choose one which color compliments your hair or eyes. Eg. Pink would be great on brown and black hair, while blue would look great on blondes or blue eyes. Of course this also depends on which shade of pink/ blue/ whatever color it is, so try it before buying it.

Another way to wear the scarf is as an ornament hair tie, as demonstrated at Emilio Pucci SS06 show.

Talking of silk scarves, one must mention Hermes. This one here costs 250 Euros. Again, Hermes has a really wide selection so choose carefully. Other choices: This season, Gucci has a pretty selection of flowery silk scarves, while the Vuitton SS06 runway showed scarves with gold chain prints.

MET Fashion II: AngloMania Gala

There were so many gorgeous and interesting dresses at the Costume Institute Party this year that one post wasn't enough to cover them all. After much hardcore screening by me, here are the rest that are noteworthy.

Model Jacquetta Wheeler's dress by Galliano is my favourite. It is classically elegant, feminine, delicate, sophisticated and simply gorgeous. And she just carries it off so regally!

Next up on my list is Selma Blair's Chanel Haute Couture dress (Yes I know, these two are essentially very similar). Again, it is classically elegant and feminine, except the flowing skirt makes the dress more fun and youthful.

Then it is British model and Roald Dahl's grandaughter, Sophie Dahl's dress. I have no idea where it is from, but it is pretty in a different, more fun and quirky way. I love the cutting and all the layers.

Other noteworthy outfits includes actress Ginnifer Goodwin's Marc Jacobs dress. Originally worn by Sasha on the runway, I daresay Ginnifer actually looks better in it.

Emmy Rossum was as usual in Ralph Lauren. The dress looks very similar to all the other Ralph Lauren dresses she's worn to other events (she must have found her "style"). But what is interesting is the white military jacket she wore on top of the dress. It looks soo cool and it actually matches!

Its so business savy of Macqueen to have a plaid theme this season just when the MET theme is AngloMania. Sarah Jessica Parker's plaid gown is definitely one of the more innovative of plaid gowns seen on the red carpet that night.

Surprisingly, the brand famous for the plaid did not contribute to any plaids on the red carpet this time. Instead, the Burberry dresses seen were very effortlessly chic a la Sienna Miller (on the arms of Chris Bailey) and Stella Tennant.

Angie Harmon, looked divine in this very simple and elegant black satiny dress desgined by Michael Kors (right). I adore the folds of the sleeve and bodice and how she pulled her hair up to show off those darling dangling (diamond?) earrings.

The belles on the designer's arm must get the best pick of the clothes, because Chloe Sevigny looks adorable here in YSL with designer Stefano Pilati.

The other ladies in YSL that night however, Amy Astley from Teen Vogue and model Linda Evangelista, looked like they were wearing circus costumes. Not flattering at all.

As usual, Charlize Theron looked stunning in this red Galliano gown. Its a good thing we know what fabulous creations Galliano (left) is capable of, because just by looking at him (and his outfit), I'd seriously doubt his taste in clothes.

Other ecletic designers are Diane von Furstenburg and Vivienne Westwood in their own creation. Where are the gorgeous wrap dresses and the funky cool clothes?

I love you Zac, because you're just soo cute! That mickey mouse with the whole military outfit thing- adorable! But WHAT were you thinking when you designed that dress and put Jessica Joffe (or anyone for that matter) in it? She looks like she's pregnant with a big sagging butt, hopping on one feet!

I was tempted to name this the worst dress. But if you look at the dress itself, it really isn't quite so bad. I think its the person wearing it that's making it weird. Go back to your little black Gucci dress's Posh!

MET Fashion I: AngloMania Gala

The Costume Institue Benefit Gala is here! This year's theme is AngloMania -crazy for all things British. The glamourous committee that put together the after-dinner dance includes Lily Donaldon, Gemma Ward, Lily Cole, Lauren Davis, Camilla Al Fayed etc. A lot of gorgeous dresses this year, although there were also some disappointments.

The models: All I can say is, the models are models for a reason.
Lily Donoaldson and Gemma Ward -Omg, SO gorgeous and cute! They're both wearing Alexander McQueen SS06. Gemma looks amazing! Her cute doll look totally suits the child-like dress. Lily's dress is so pretty and flowy. They really picked out perfect dresses!

Lily Cole -A gold dress (haven't figured out what brand yet.) It's not the typical long dress -very Lily Cole. She always chooses unique clothes that make her look a cool school girl.

Jessica Stam -Stammy wore a Dolce & Gabanna SS06 dress. Usually so much feathers and lace would look weird and tacky, but she pulls it off well. Beautiful!

Karolina Kurkova -KK wore a Ralph Lauren F/W05 dress. I'm not a big fan of the dress but she makes it look very majestic, esp with that necklace.

Gisele Bundchen -Gisele wore a Dior dress. It's not exactly my favourite dress, but the supermodel made it look dazzling. The shocking pink really stood out.

Lydia Hearst -The socialite/ model wore a Dolce & Gabanna SS06 dress. Beautiful, rich and so fashionable -Love her.

Margheritta Missoni -In Missoni of course. She's so naturally pretty and pulls off the dress so well. Sigh.

Mathew Williamson and Erin O'Conner -The British of the year (2005) looks so edgy in comparison to the flowery dress -such a contrast!

Daria Webowy, Mario Testino and Kate Moss -Always the styish and unique dresser, Kate Moss (in Burberry) is the odd one who turns up in leather pants and suit. I don't really like Daria's dress though.

Roland Mouret and Natasha Poly - So colorful in a non-tacky way. Beautiful.

Anna Wintour and Bee Schaffer -The mother-daughter duo look so stylish. Mother in Dior Haute Couture and daughter in Chanel Haute Couture -they're the perfect fashion role models!

The celebs: Some good, some bad.
Mary Kate Olsen -MK wore a custom Badgley Mischka dress (not surprising since if you remember, MKA are Mischka's spokesmodel of the season.) The dress is so stylish, and I LOVE her accessories. I absolutely adore the feather clutch and the thick braclets look so lavish on her.

Ashely Olsen -Ash also wore a custom Badgley Mischka dress. The dress is quite divine, but her makeup and over-tanned skin is really not so attractive. I think the Olsen twins need to remember they're only 19 when they're choosing their makeup.

Lindsay Lohan - La Lohan looks soo chic and gorgeous! (Haven't figured out the brand of the dress yet, but will post if I find out.) I'm loving her dark hair, suitably-tanned skin and the stylish, yet youthful empire dress.

Scarlett Johannson and Stella McCartney -They look more like twins than the Olsen twins! I'm not liking Stella's suit that much, but Scarlett looks ok in the sequinned dress.

Jessica Alba -AMAZING! Seriously, she looks so stunning! The dress is by Calvin Klein. Love love LOVE her look.