burberry on a budget

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Burberry has announced that it's going to launch Burberry Bespoke, which is a website where you can customise its iconic macs to fit you exactly right. Like, cyber-tailoring.

Not that we can really stretch our budgets to Burberry, bespoke or otherwise, we still love the concept of customising your own trench coat online. There are going to be over 12 million design variations available, from choices of colour, to the fabric, buttons and style of the lining.

Emma Watson was one of the first to step out in a Burberry Bespoke creation. We think she's done rather well, as usual. The initiative is to launch, for the rest of us, early next year. So start saving!

christopher strong at purr

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So, we love Christopher Strong right. And we're pleased to announce that today, Purr in Kloof Street (Cape Town) will become the first, official stockists of the brand.

To see more about this fabulous line visit www.christopherstrong.co.za

emma watson unveils final people tree collection

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Pics from fashion.telegraph.co.uk

We've always had a thing for Emma Watson. Who doesn't, right? And we're loving the preview of her third and final collection for People Tree. Leaning against a motorbike wearing a black, draped mini dress and the kind of calf-grazing boots we've been searching for our whole lives we're totally taken with her rock 'n roll chic.

Here are a couple of pics from previous collections.


new york city update: day 7

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Time sure does fly when you're having fun! I cannot even put into words how damn freezing it is here... also we happened to plan our holiday around the coldest winter in about 10 years in NYC, so think -9 degrees, arctic winds, bitter, bitter cold! So when we're outside it's not too pleasant, especially for poor Bailey, but indoors it's warm and toasty. Can't believe today is Tuesday already.

On Saturday we spent the morning at the Children's Museum of Manhattan – just for baby. It's five floors of themed excitement, there was a Dora the Explorer floor, Mini West Village floor with the "Little Apple Deli" (bless), a reading floor, a playground floor – Bailey loved the slide. So that was fun, and nice to see other parents with their children knowing we're not the only ones bundling her up in layer upon layer for the bracing cold. Saturday night Bailey's Godparents babysat for us (how awesome are they?) so we could go out on a date. We tried to get some shopping in but the stores were closing as it was quite late when we ventured out so we went for dinner at the Hudson Hotel. It's so groovy on the outside and just as awesome on the inside. Raw brick walls, low lighting with the kitchen in the centre of the restaurant and an ordering system where you go up to the kitchen counter with a tray, pick the foods you want and then take it back to your table. I had duck, hubby had steak. And together we drank lots of wine! No driving here :-)


Sunday was a highlight. We visited the Brooklyn Flea market. So much of vintage heaven. I took loads of pics and once I've downloaded them, will do a separate post on the market. It was truly awesome. And beautiful – the market is held in an old bank building.


Yesterday we flew to Atlanta to spend some time with our good friends (Bailey's Godparents), see their hood and their home. This morning we went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast – ain't nothing like Southern hospitality ya'll! I had Momma's Pancake Breakfast... couldn't even finish it!

suzaan heyns to launch joburg fashion week

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We always look forward to the Suzaan Heyns show at fashion week and this season is no exception.

Fashion season in SA kicks off next month with Joburg Fashion Week and Suzaan Heyns will be first up. In a recent interview with One Small Seed, she described her view of fashion as "an experimentation". She said that it's "three-dimensional, malleable architecture and sculpting."

We've no doubt her latest collection will deliver on that. If you're in Joburg on 16 February, try and catch her show.





new york city update: day 5

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We've been busy, busy, busy. Yesterday we went to B&H Photo and Video, a huge store filled with electronic equipment – hubby was in heaven. We then went to the flagship Apple store on 5th Avenue. The huge glass box lets in all the natural light which pours down the staircase into the store... very cool. The one thing we've noticed in this city is that it's very dog friendly. Dogs are allowed in most stores (even Bloomingdales) and hotels, which is seriously cool. At the Apple store we met a gorgeous fluffy white dog (not sure of its breed) called Wolfgang.


In the afternoon we stopped in at an Italian restaurant across the road from the Apple store called Bottega del Vino. We drank coffee and ate chocolate croissants while Bailey slept for almost two hours... New York is tiring! When she woke up, we walked across to Central Park to take a look at the frozen lake and the magnificent Plaza hotel, which looked so magical and beautiful as it was getting late in the afternoon so all the lights were twinkling. Later that night we met our good friends at a fabulous, buzzing restaurant in Greenwich Village called Commerce (sans baby, thank God for friends of friends who offer to babysit!). Loved Greenwich Village, it's full of quiet little lanes, trendy bars and restaurants and loads of young people. We met a super cute French bulldog called Gizmo who was taking a walk with his owner. 

Today we took it a bit easier. We only ventured out at about midday. It snowed again so everything was beautiful and white and it was nice to stomp into the soft white snow as opposed to the frozen grey icy slush – especially in my new wellies. We browsed around H&M and I must admit, none of the clothes blew me away. I still haven't had a chance to get to Zara, so I'm hoping to find some nice stuff there. Am desperately looking for flat lace-up ankle boots, or maybe with a bit of a heel. But most of the winter stuff is out of stores already, and all the spring stock is in. 

The highlight of the day was cocktails with one of my bestest friends in the world in the lobby lounge of the Mandarin Oriental hotel on Columbus Circle. The lounge is on the 35th floor so the view of the city is breathtaking. We haven't downloaded any of our photos yet, but here's a few pics of the view in the summertime...



When we walked back outside, it was snowing again! And I learnt how to hail a cab... fun I tell you! 

new york city update: day 3

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We are slowly orientating ourselves in this enormous city... and loving every minute. Tuesday was interesting. Snow came down the night before, and it rained most of the day, making it very interesting for us who were not prepared for such weather. Umbrellas were bought, shoes were soaked through etc. We did find the ultimate place for lunch – the Chelsea Market. It's a food market concourse with a selection of bakeries, restaurants, coffee bars, delis etc. We chose Hale & Hearty Soups – yum!


Yesterday was fun. No rain, we ventured down towards Ground Zero. It's impossible to fathom the enormity of 9/11 when you're standing right there. We found this cosy authentic little cafe called Cafe Avenue for coffee and cream cheese bagels. Bailey had a long nap too, so we chilled there for a while. Then we hit the mother of all shopping experiences... Century 21. Oh happy day. With over 40 departments, it's just a tad overwhelming but the best part is the designer clothes with huge discounts. When I walked into the women's clothing section, I just didn't know where to start. In the end I found a gorgeous Hache wool coat, 7 for All Mankind jeans and a pair of awesome wet look wellie boots. 

Today we're hitting the flagship Apple store and B&H for the hubby. And we're hitting the town tonight (babysitter is booked!) with our best friends arriving from Atlanta. Loving New York City! 






we heart christopher strong

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As you might know, we are actually obsessed with Christopher Strong, and a peek at their A/W 2011 lookbook will show you why...

Find out more about this Cape Town-based designer at www.christopherstrong.co.za













we heart unique, local, handmade baby clothes

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It's not just because one of us is pregnant. Even if none of us were pregnant we'd still love Cape Town-based The Crazy Aunt Company.

With a gorgeous array of kids clothes ranging from newborn to three years, each of these handmade lovelies is unique. So your baby won't suffer the humiliation of bumping in to someone at playgroup in the same grower. Heaven forbid! They also make the perfect one-of-a-kind baby shower gifts.

For more infomation and to order your own unique collection of baby clothes email narina@thecrazyauntcompany.co.za







new york city update: day 1

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Wow, after 22 hours of travelling we finally made it to NYC yesterday. A few little mishaps along the way, like Bailey making a number two right before takeoff from Jo'burg (one of those leaky, nasty numbers) all over my husband, as well as me unlocking my suitcase at JFK to get my coat out, then locking it back up to realise afterwards that I put the keys in my suitcase. Good thing we borrowed my parents' TSA locks (so the guys at the airport could open it for us). As soon as we stepped outside, my lips, nose, cheeks and toes froze up. It was -9... yikes. Bailey was not enjoying the cold and we had to go and find her thicker socks. Poor baby. Once we'd dropped off our bags in our rental apartment in Brooklyn, we took a walk around the neighbourhood. Bailey fell asleep while we were walking around, she was super exhausted. So we stopped in at The West Cafe (thought it'd be funny cos we're Wests) for coffee, and when Bailey woke up we ordered her a toasted bagel. The vibe in the cafe was exactly how I imagined it to be... young hipsters sitting on their Macs, gorgeously dressed and just plain cool.




A nice start to our first day. I'll keep you posted on the rest of our trip... we woke up this morning at 2.30am (9.30 SA time) so we're a bit out of sorts but we're heading to the Meatpacking District later to do some shopping! Oh, and did I mention it's snowing, snowing, snowing! We peeked out the window earlier and the whole street, sidewalks and cars are covered in a blanket of white. BRRRRRR!
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Our opinion is that the best dressed covered up on the red carpet last night. Most of the red carpet big hits opted for a more demure look. Here are a couple of our faves.

Tilda Swinton, always way ahead in the fashion game, looked amazing in androgynous Jil Sander while Emma Stone wore a Calvin Klein dress that was so minimal and yet so sexy and eye-catching. The ultimate sheath dress. We also have to mention Leighton Meester, who really showed her class in Burberry Prorsum (wearing a dress Blair Waldorf wouldn't touch with a barge pole). She's looked wow!




Pics from www.fabsugar.com.au, justjared.com, dailymail.co.uk




get a free makeover with smashbox

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To celebrate the fact that Smashbox was the official beauty brand on the set of the much-anticipated film Burlesque, they've put together this must have make-up kit, which includes everything you’ll need to create sultry, show-stopping looks inspired by the movie.

The glamorous kit costs R565 and includes:
• Limitless Liquid Liner Pen in Jet Black
• Shadow & Liner Quad in Risque
• Loose Shimmer in Burlesque
• Double Ended Lip Gloss in Peep/Show

But first, to get you in the mood, Smashbox is also giving away full makeovers. Whoop! Go to your nearest Smashbox counter (exclusive to Woolworths stores) and book yours.

Cape Town:
14 Jan: V&A Waterfront
15 Jan: Canal Walk

Jo'burg/Pretoria:
14 Jan: Fourways
15 Jan: Sandton
20 Jan: Melrose Arch Centre Court
21 Jan: Menlyn Centre Court
22 Jan: Eastgate Centre Court

Durban:
15 Jan: Galleria
18 Jan: Westville
19 Jan: Gateway

Let us know how it goes! 

welcome to burlesque

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I absolutely want to be a Burlesque dancer when I grow up. Last night I attended the Woolworths Smashbox launch at Cavendish Square, which included a fab makeover, for which I chose bright red lips (just to see if I could pull them off).



A Smashbox makeover



The bright red lips go on


Smashbox counter in Woolworths

After a bit of civilised mingling we headed up to the cinema where we were treated to a special pre-preview viewing of Christina Aguilera and Cher's new movie Burlesque. As we settled into our seats, with our mandatory coke and popcorn, we were treated to a real live Burlesque show, with three dancers strutting their stuff with feathers, fans and lacy bodices. So fun.


Emily with ELLE Beauty Assistant Giselle (pre-make over!)

The movie was, unsurprisingly, a two-hour advert for the singing powers of Christina (and a bit of the magnificent Cher, who can barely move her face but still has a set of pipes to give you goose bumps).

All in all, it was a great, girly night out.

stella mccartney pre-fall 2011

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Wow. We're completely blown away by this sneak peek of Stella McCartney's pre-fall 2011 collection.

Playing on clean, modern shapes in navy and camel, the proportions are exaggerated. The collection includes wool single-breasted coats and dresses and textured knits. We're completely in love with the high-necked black lace dress.






move over demi

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How gorgeous is Rumer Willis in her modelling debut as the new face of luxury brand Badgley Mischka?

The 22-year-old is following in the footsteps of Eva Longoria, Carrie Underwood and the Olsen twins. We think she looks amazing and that this is going to be the first of a lot more Rumer.