Glisten to Me

Pretty sparkly sandals are the must-have addition to any gorgeous gown. You may think your tootsies won't be seen under a long dress but when all eyes are on you for a whole day almost everyone (the girls at least) will pay attention to what you have on your feet. Shoe envy will be in order if you choose to adorn your feet with a pair of embellished heels. Forget a little brooch or a few scattered crystals, go the whole hog with encrusted heels like the Christian Louboutin and Jimmy Choo options below. You'll never want to take them off! Buy online at www.net-a-porter.com or visit www.christianlouboutin.com or www.jimmychoo.com to view the collections.


Christian Louboutin Margi Diams 120 sandals £1,289


Jimmy Choo Quinze embellished sandals £1,102
My pick!!


Christian Louboutin Alta Rita 100 slingback £1,157

Posted by Emilie Harrison

What A Stud

With a heel measuring approx 145mm/5.5 inches and a platform of 30mm/1 inch it's no surprise these shoes would make you preeety tall. They may even be impossible to walk in but who cares?! If I was wearing shoes this pretty it'd be worth remaining seated all night. I simply adore the lavender suede, such a gorgeous colour and teamed with gold studds and transparent plexi panels you've got a killer shoe. With a fawn or pastel dress I think they'd look fierce! Visit www.brianatwood.com or buy online at www.net-a-porter.com.




Loca studded pumps £443

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Una Bella Vita

It's a right of passage to wear beautiful jewellery on your wedding day. Whether you're an earrings kinda girl (like me!) or you prefer necklaces, bracelets/bangles or even a beautiful brooch, jewellery can make you feel like a princess. I've fallen head over heels for Chelsea De Luca's new collection, Una Bella Vita, meaning A Beautiful Life. Intertwining her Italian heritage with a highly developed vintage taste, Chelsea has created a collection that oozes glamour and individuality. With the Chelsea de Luca brand born out of a strong belief that accessories maketh the outfit, Chelsea has once again stuck to her mantra: “the bigger and bolder, the better”. Designed for confident women who appreciate something special – Una Bella Vita emulates modern day vintage charm – costume Jewellery for the 21st century. Chelsea's celebrity clients incl. Beyonce, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Miller-Heidke, Rose Byrne, Dannii & Kylie Minogue, Paris Hilton and Elle McPherson. What a list! For more about Chelsea De Luca’s new collection visit her recently re-launched website at www.chelseadeluca.com.au.




Swarovski Crystal Black Oval earrings $400 and Large Clear Swarovski Crystal earrings $398


Blue and Clear Swarovski crystal necklace $375 and Crystal Bib necklace $489


Crystal Oval Pendant necklace $380 and Swarovski Crystal Oval earrings $400

Posted by Emilie Harrison

The Real Deal

A little while ago I blogged about one of my all-time favourite inspiration books - The Grammar of Ornament by Owen Jones.



Imagine my utter disbelief at finding the original book, published in 1856, is available to view online at Octavo – another one of my favourite inspirations!









To see the pages as Jones himself would have seen them is really quite exciting. If you haven't already, do have a look at Octavo as there are many other historically significant books, each one documented page by page for viewing online. And if you simply can't live without one of these wonders, you can purchase a copy on disc to keep forever.

A truly incredible source of inspiration for anyone wanting direction in design or decoration.

Posted by Jane Cameron

The Black Pack

I'm a huge fan of black. At least 50%, if not more, of my wardrobe is black. It's super flattering and can be accesorised with any colour you can imagine so it's oh-so practical (practical isn't always boring!). I have a great friends hen's party on Saturday night and we've been asked to wear either black or white. What have I chosen? Of course black! I then came across these too cute black dresses from the Simona Diffusion collection. I want one! I especially want the first one. The mono shoulder is so popular at the moment and the embellished shoulder is so chic. With a pair of killer heels and a super sleek do you'll be ready for any party. Visit www.simona.com.au for collection details and stockists.







Posted by Emilie Harrison

Choc-A-Holic

If you're planning a wedding in the cooler seasons of autumn and winter and are a bit stuck on colours take the advice of New Zealand stationery designer Kate Holland of Ruby & Willow and incorporate a shade of chocolate. It's a warm colour perfectly suited to the cooler months and coordinates perfectly with sorbet shades like pink, yellow, blue, apricot and green. See below some of the great and interesting ways she's mixed soft colours with chocolate. Almost looks good enough to eat! Visit www.rubyandwillow.co.nz for more divine inspiration.









Posted by Emilie Harrison

From Paris with Love - Paris Read-to-Wear autumn 2010

The Paris RTW shows are always a glamorous, sophisticated and uber chic affair. This year the undeniable star of the show was the late and great Alexander McQueen. His final collection, which was only 80% complete when he passed away, was shown to a small, intimate group and personified all that he, as a designer, was about. Structured and romantic pieces with an underlying medieveal tone featured exquisite jacquard fabrics, feathers and collars in rich golds, reds and blacks. It was a fitting tribute to a designer who was incredibly skilled and deeply passionate about his craft. Valentino used ruffles to great effect, scattering them on gowns and jackets. The pieces were feminine however they had a modern edginess that gave a taste as to what's to come from the famed label. It was nice to see a few bright colours shine including Valentino's signature colour, red. Marc Jacobs weaved his magical wand at Louis Vuitton creating a homage to the 50's and 60's with circle skirts, wasp-like waists and ample bosom. High ponytails and square toed shoes with block heels added innocent schoolgirl femininity. As always Elie Saab created some beautiful evening gowns. A rather dark collection, key colours included midnight blues, burgandy's and teals. Sheer fabrics and shoulder draping kept the rather sexy looks feminine and pretty.

I should also note there is a beautiful and moving video tribute to McQueen on his website. Visit www.alexandermcqueen.com to see the tribute and to view his final collection.




Alexander McQueen


Valentino


Louis Vuitton




Elie Saab
Photos courtesy of Style.com

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Top of the Hill

I'm very excited that Adelaide's first Alannah Hill store will be opening on Rundle St in April. Yay! I'm in love with the pics from her latest A/W 2010 collection. Not only are the pics gorgeous but the colours are so rich and warm. If you're after something with a bit of edge or quirkiness for a wedding as a guest or even for your maids you'll certainly find something at Alannah Hill. Visit www.alannahhill.com.au for collection details.







Posted by Emilie Harrison

Behr Goes To the Oscars

The lovely Jennifer Behr, headpiece extraordinaire, kindly let me know the gorgeous Maggie Gyllenhaal wore one of her super pretty headpieces to the Oscars this year. Maggie chose The Artmesia Tiara in Jet which was the perfect accessory to her hand painted Dries Van Noten gown. Loving the pink lippie too! Visit www.jenniferbehr.com to browse the collection or to buy this piece all for yourself.




Maggie Gyllenhaal wearing The Artmesia Tiara in Jet USD$875

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Oh Starry Night...

For me the Academy Awards aren't just about the winners, they're more about the gorgeous gowns that get effortlessly paraded by a slick bunch of uber glamorous A-listers. This year I wasn't disappointed! Many stars strayed away from black, opting for romantic midnight blues. The softest of yellows, creams and golds were also popular thanks to Sarah Jessica Parker in Chanel Couture and Best Actress winner Sandra Bullock, who opted for one of my favourite designers Marchesa. Purple seemed to be the hot colour this season so it was no surprise to see it pop up all over the shop. Charlize Theron's custom made Christian Dior gown was a gorgeous shade, although I'm not huge fan of the bust detailing. I was pretty sure that spectacular Givenchy gown I blogged about a few weeks back would get a look in and fair enough Avatar star Zoe Saladina made it her pick. My favourite gown of the night by far! I'm madly in love with Miley Cyrus' Jenny Packham gown. Such a fabulous choice that would make the perfect wedding dress. A special mention has to go to Meryl Streep. Her Chris March gown was perfect. It was sexy, slick and so effortlessly chic. She was one of my favourites!


Zoe Saladina in Givenchy Couture & Kristen Stewart in Monique Lhuillier with H Stern jewels


Sandra Bullock in Marchesa & Sarah Jessica Parker in Chanel Couture


Miley Cyrus in Jenny Packham & Kate Winslet in YSL


Diane Kruger in Chanel & Meryl Streep in Chris March with Fred Leighton jewels and Swarovski clutch


Carey Mulligan in Prada with Fred Leighton jewels & Maggie Gyllenhaal in Dries Van Noten with Fred Leighton jewels


Tina Fey in Michael Kors & Sigourney Weaver in Lanvin


Rachel McAdams & Anna Kendrick both in Elie Saab


Gabourey Sidibe in Marchesa & Queen Latifah


Amanda Seyfried & Jennifer Lopez both in Armani Prive


Charlize Theron in Christinan Dior with Harry Winston jewels & Vera Farmiga in Marchesa with Fred Leighton jewels
Photos courtesy of Vogue.co.uk, Style.com and Film.com

Posted by Emilie Harrison