In Style Mini-Bags

Balenciaga Mini City Bags.

On the runways and on Street Style this year,  there is a return to Mini-Bags which is defined as the smaller or mini version of their more popular and regular sized Bags. Some of the ones I am featuring here are from Holt Renfrew Mini Bags collection that are available here in Toronto. Of course, every Luxury Fashion Brands from NYC, Paris, London and Milan have their own versions of the Mini-bag. For me, the mini-bags are a transitional bag from Day to Evening, from  carrying a Work week Regular sized bag to a Mini-bag for the weekend where we have to carry less.

Here are the Mini-Bags in their Spring colours. Are you excited for Spring? Do you think these mini-bags will be functional and useful to your style and lifestyle? Which one from this feature will you carry? 

Mini Balenciaga.
One common feature when carrying a Mini-Bag is that it has a long shoulder strap that allows us to carry the bag across the body or on the shoulder. Their Regular sized bag counterpart are usually hand held or have a shorter shoulder strap. 

Celine Mini Box Bags.

Givenchy Mini-Nightingale.

Reed Krakoff Bags. 

 Transitional bags from the Work week to the Weekend. 

Clockwise: Celine Nano Bag, Reed Krakoff Blue Mini-Boxer, Mulberry Mini-Alexa in Pink (both available at Mytheresa.com) and the Prada Mini Saffiano Bag in Spring Orange from Neiman Marcus.

This Prada Mini-bag has a long shoulder strap. The Regular sized Prada Saffiano Bag is hand held.

Remember that less is more.

May you all have a fantastic week ahead.

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PFW 2013: Paris Blues

Although not in Paris, Anthoropometrie sans titre (ANT 84), 1960, Yves Klein, painted in Blue that closely resembled the Lapis Lazuli, now famously called the International Klein Blue (IKB). I saw this painting exhibited at the Musee D'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain (MAMAC) in Nice. Yves Klein was born in Nice, France and became one of the famous French contemporary artist in the World after the post Impressionism period. 

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy cover in the January 2013 Paris Vogue.

Blue is my favourite colour. I am just attracted to anything Blue. When I look into my closet, all I see are different shades of blue in my clothes, bags and shoes. Even when I shop, I unconsciously buy something blue first before I pick another colour. It was just right timing that the Turner Classic Movies Channel presented the other day the Classic 1961 American Film Paris Blues starring Paul Newman and Sidney Poitier. Both Paul Newman and Sidney Poitier played the part of expat American Musicians who fell in love with two visiting American women in Paris. The film also starred famous musician Louis Armstrong and the musical score was composed by Duke Ellington.  The movie was a combination of love story, Jazz/Blues music and of course the charms of Paris. It is a great movie to watch. For now, here are some inspiring Blues from the Paris Collections. Paris Fashion Week For Fall 2013 begins this week.

Celine

Celine Luggage Phantom in Croc Cobalt Blue available at Holt Renfrew.

Celine Trapeze Bag.
(Photo credit: Phil Oh)

Celine Coats in Blue. 

Celine Envelope Bag.

(Photo credit: Phil Oh)

Dior

Dior Spring 2013 Print Campaign.
The Dior Spring 2013 Collection is now designed by Raf Simons. I find the Dior Collections now so pure, has a clean silhouette, more focused on the clothes and wearable. The ideas and talent of Raf Simons are evident in their Print Campaigns which are just so inspiring and beautiful.

Oscar Winner for Best Actress, Jennifer Lawrence for Miss Dior.
(Photo Credit: Hello Magazine UK)

My Blue Dior Gaucho shoulder bag designed by John Galliano for Dior.

Saint Laurent Paris

My friend's ChYc bag.

Balenciaga

I am so attracted to this Blue City Bag.

Chanel

Chanel Blues from Chanel Spring 2013 Collection.

 

I am loving this Blue shade and those Chanel Blue sandals! 

Photo Credit: Vogue. com

May you have an inspiring week!

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Inspiring Emerald

An Italianate Garden, Lake Como, Italy.

According to Pantone, Emerald is the colour for 2013. This is just good news as the Emerald Green  represents elegance, hope, prosperity, nourishment and a sense of well-being. That's a good start for the New Year to be more conscientious and to take care of our Environment. Here are some images to inspire us and to show the beauty of Emerald in our Environment, in Fashion, Accessories, Food, Drink and most importantly in our Homes.

"Lively. Radiant. Lush… A color of elegance and beauty                      
                        that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony."
                                   - Pantone

A formal garden in the  El Escorial Palace, Madrid, Spain.

Gardens at the El  Escorial Palace, Madrid,Spain.
This year 2013 might inspire more Green gardens with a sense of formality, more structured and less flowers.

Cottage in Lake Rousseau, Muskoka, Ontario

An elegant table setting with Green Candle holders and vase.
Photo credit: Canadian House and Home Magazine

Green interiors for the home provides a sense of elegance and cosiness.
Photo credit: Elle Decor

A touch of Green. A side Chair upholstered in Green Louis Vuitton Monogram.
Photo credit: Elle Decor

Emerald tiled Bathroom.
Photo credit: Elle Decor

Asprey Croc Jewellery Box.
Photo Credit: Philippine Tatler Magazine.

An Emerald Gucci Gown. Isn't that so chic?

Reed Krakoff bag in Green.
Photo by Phil Oh

Prada in Green.
Photo credit: Tommy Ton.

Mulberry Alexa Bag in Green. 

Mulberry Bayswater Bag displayed in the Mulberry Brompton Rd. London Store.

Harrods Green. 

Vegetable Greens encourage us to eat healthy for our Well Being. 

Drinks in Green cans and bottles like the Canada Dry Ginger Ale and Perrier Sparkling Water.

Weekend Outfit:  Saint Laurent Black Wool Coat, Stripe Navy and White top and Green Cropped Pants from Joe Fresh, Green Celine Luggage Tote bag and Black leather Newbury Rag & Bone Boots.

May you all have a wonderful Weekend!

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My Top 5 Fall Fashion Essentials

Fashion Week just completed last week with all of the presentations for Spring 2013.  As we are still in the Fall Season, I would like to share here  my Top 5 Favourite Fall Essentials. 

I enjoy wearing this Celine Ankle pants. The neck scarf is back again.

Celine Wool Full coat.

I love this Bordeaux Rag & Bone Ankle Boots with the block heel.

Helmut Lang Symmetrical sweater. 

Valentino A-line leather skirt.

What Fashion items are you obsessing for this Fall? 

Have a wonderful week ahead!

Photo credits: Style.com and Vogue.com

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Style Noir

Vogue Paris Septembre 2012 issue.

Finally, the Vogue Paris Septembre 2012 issue arrived here in Toronto newsstands. I don't understand why we get them so late in the month?  What inspired me to blog post about the French Noir Style were the e-mail that I received from Holt Renfrew about the new Chanel Coco Noir perfume and I also saw the Vogue Paris cover for September through the WEB. Definitely Black is back for this Fall. Plus, this week is also Paris Fashion Week for Spring 2013. The Vogue Paris Septembre issue is also the first time that blogger, Garance Dore's column is published. So exciting for Garance! 

 As we know, the colour Black represents power, mystery, sophistication and strength. A woman in Black is a force to be dealt with. Definitely tres chic. Here is the best of the Paris Fall Noir Collections 2012  that I adore. 

 

 

Christian Dior Pre-Fall 2012.

 

Pre-Fall Collection designed by Bill Gaytten. I liked all of Bill Gaytten's collections for Dior, after John Galliano's dismissal. Dior has replaced Bill Gaytten with Raf Simons, who is also a very talented designer. 

Christian Dior Suede Knee High Boots.  

Available at Holt Renfrew Canada. 

Chanel

New Chanel  Coco Noir Perfume. 'Through Black... light revealed.'   According to Chanel, this fragrance has the 'sensuality of Rose and unique note of a geranium leaf...A modern composition combining power and delicacy.' 

Chanel Noir Gown.

Valentino Rock And Stud Collection.

I love this Rock Stud Collection from Valentino. It is edgy chic at its best!  According to the product description for this collection, the inspiration were the Stars at night.. 'these rock studs will glitter like the stars in the sky.'  Valentino without Valentino still Rocks!  Thanks to the current duo designers, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli for expertly mixing the tradition of elegance and  now edgy style of  the Valentino brand. 

Celine.

Canadian model Daria Werbowy in Celine Black Leather dress. I love all of Phoebe Philo's creations ever since she was with Chloe and then now at Celine. 

Certainly most wanted - A Celine Mini-Luggage Bag in Noir.

Louis Vuitton

As usual, Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton never disappoints. The train express Fashion Show for Fall, presented earlier this year in Paris, was the best! Such a dramatic show, including the clothes and the accessories. The LV boots above is surely made for elegant walking. The boots has a LV monogram trim in noir.


Givenchy

 

 Givenchy Wedge Column boots is a hot item this Fall. It has been sold out in some stores and e-shopping sites like Net-A-Porter and Mytheresa.com.

Givenchy Nightingale bag is one of my favourite bags.  This bag is very discreet luxury. No monograms, simple but edgy chic too. I carry mine for work and also for travelling.  The bag comes in different colours and sizes too. 

YSL Rive Gauche.

My own YSL "Muse" Bag.

La Parisienne Muse.

Vogue Paris Editor in Chief, Emmanuelle Alt. So effortless chic!

Enter to win Michael Kors Bag Giveaway.

Photo credits: Vogue.com, Vogue Paris August 2012 issue and Holt Renfrew Canada.

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