A Bit of Rachel Zoe Loving

It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of Rachel Zoe. I even loved her back in the ‘zoebot’ days when it when making fun of RZ was just as fashionable as the Chloé Paddington. I’ve come to accept that Rachel is like Madonna – people are either going to love her or hate her. But since her reality TV show The Rachel Zoe Project started I’ve noticed more people are joining me in the Rachel fan-camp. So if you’re a Zoe hater but have never watched her show give it a go, you may end up loving her too.
I watched the first episode of season three yesterday and it’s still on top form. Granted the whole “Taylor betrayed us” storyline is a little overdramatic (it is reality TV after all I guess) but it’s total style porn. Not only was I lusting after Rachel’s selection of hats, mannish watches and jackets but I’m completely obsessed with her collection of lamps. Yes, her lamp collection; I didn’t see it coming either, but she has really great taste in lamps. I want them all.

For a red carpet addict like myself Rachel is like the Queen. It's very rare that I disslike anything she dresses her clients (who include Demi, Cameron, Liv and Kate Hudson) in for the red carpet. But Rachel's personal style interests me just as much, as I love that laid-back California look; think vintage Haltson, oversized sunglasses and gold jewellery. These are some of the best pieces currently online that fit the Rachel Zoe look:

1. Tortoiseshell Nico sunglasses, £239, Tom Ford at my-wardrobe.com. 2. Chrono 42-20 stainless steel watch, £440, Nixon at net-a-porter.com. 3. Kartel chrome Bourgie lamp, £270, oliverbonas.com. 4. Floral silk-blend maxi kaftan, £405, Ossie Clark at outnet.com. 5. Daredevil nail polish, £5, topshop.com. 6. Swarovski crystal-embellished skull keyfob, £75, Alexander McQueen at net-a-porter.com. 7. Indie heels, £130, KG by Kurt Geiger at kurtgeiger.com.

What do you think of Rachel Zoe's look? And what did you make of this weeks episode of TRZP?

images from product websites and bravotv.com/the-rachel-zoe-project

I Can't Wait Any Longer

I was meaning to wait until high quality scans from Marie Claire's amazing September issue hit the internet, but like the impatient Aries I am I gave up. I'm a massive fan of both Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen so it's impossible for me not to post on MK's three covers - even if it means using small images.
So yes, Mary-Kate scored her first September cover for the magazine (Ashley was their cover-star in September 2007 and 2009) and naturally I love it. I find it really hard to find US Marie Claire in London (last year I missed out on Ashley's cover) so fingers crossed I find a copy this time.
My favourite cover is Mary-Kate in the military jacket, but her other two are just as impressive. Below is a selection of my favourite images, but you can view the whole shoot over at marieclaire.com.

My absolute favourite image from the shoot is the above left pic of MK wearing the Givenchy boots. They are insanely hot. And then there are the other two covers. The feather-y one is my second favourite of the three. There is something about the sequin cover that is a little Mischa Barton back in The O.C days I think.

Which is your favourite Mary-Kate cover?

images from marieclaire.com - if anyone knows who the photographer and stylist are please comment as I'd like to credit

The Best Thing About Vogue's September Issue...

...Is this quote from Vassi Chamberlain's amazing profile on Giorgio Armani:

'He hands me a pink rose. There's something innately gentlemanly about this action. "The last time he did that," says a PR, "was with Anna Wintour - she got herbs."'

Anna Wintour at the Armani Privé Fall/Winter 2011 collection - minus the herbs

I don't really know why I find the quote so entertaining, but every time I read it I giggle. It's the random-ness I think. I love random details. And the idea of Anna Wintour standing there holding a bunch of parsley is just too much.
Anyone who hasn't bought the UK Vogue September issue yet definitely should, as the piece on Armani is a great read. I so often forget that he practically invented the concept of dressing celebrities for the red carpet, and he comes across very well in the interview. The herb quote alone makes up for the rather predictable Kate Moss cover.

So on the random subject of herbs, which is your favourite? Personally I love basil but I really don't like coriander.

image Getty/Picapp.com

Eva Rocks the Betty Draper Frock

The 1950's sundress is definitely having a moment this summer. First came the obsession with January Jones' Mad Men wardrobe (who doesn't want to be Betty Draper?) then the gorgeous Prada Prints collection, which was full of the most beautiful vintage-style summer dresses, arrived in stores. Carey Mulligan looked beautiful in a Prada Print dress at the Cannes Film Festival earlier in the year, and she's not the only celebrity to give the look a go. Yesterday Eva Mendes was snapped wearing a knee-length printed number to the Jimmy Kimmel Live show in LA. It's a great look for Eva: grown up but with a feminine edge.

There technically may only be one month of summer left but I think the 50's style sundress is still worth investing in. If you can snap up a Prada number (or find the real-deal vintage shopping) then you get top points, but there are some good versions of the look elsewhere. At Miss Selfridge this white floral style comes in at a reasonable £45 and for her Anglomania collection Vivienne Westwood created this pink and black design which could easily be worn into autumn/winter.

Floral Printed A-Line Dress
Vivienne Westwood Anglomania Friday printed cotton dress

Wear the look like Eva, with muted accessories and pretty wedge heels. Or be a season ahead and pair the 50's frock with a beehive and headband - very Prada a/w 2010.

What do you think of this style? Is it a look you'll be trying?

image from PacificCoastNews via Picapp.com

Jennifer, Just Without The Hair

It's not much of a surprise that Kate Moss scored the UK Vogue September cover and it's even less of a surprise that Jennifer Aniston also bagged a September cover. Jennifer must sell magazines, otherwise she wouldn't constantly be on the cover of Grazia, but it's got to the point where I great a Jennifer Aniston cover with a yawn. I like her but I'm just so damn bored of her.
Her US Harper's Bazaar subscribers cover, however, is not boring. The newsstand edition tells the same old girl-next-door story but Mark Seliger's black and white subscribers cover is much less predictable. Jen is styled to look like Barbara Streisand and it's good. Really good.

I always assumed Jennifer was against changing her image for editorials, as every magazine styles her in exactly the same way, but obviously I was wrong. The most welcome change is the hair, which throughout most of the shoot is worn short. I think Jennifer has lovely hair, but it's refreshing to see it styled differently for a change, don't you think?

I would obviously still prefer to see a model on a magazine cover but I think the Harper's team deserves huge credit for doing something new with Jennifer. You can view the full editorial HERE and read the accompanying interview at harpersbazaar.com.

What do you think of Jen's Harper's cover? A little less boring?

images from harpersbazaar.com

The Top Five Irresistible Buys

This week I started putting together a wishlist for my a/w wardrobe on my Blackberry. That way I'll hopefully only buy things that I really want/need when I'm out shopping and stop wasting money on silly bits and pieces. Yesterday I ticked off my first item (H&M lace bunny ears - very Olsen twins) which left me feeling super organised. But after browsing through the online stores I've found some many other beautiful items I want to add to my wishlist. Something tells me this list will continue to grow and grow. These are the top five pieces I currently have my eye on:

1. Lace and bead cami, £38 at topshop.com This caught my eye as I have an endless supply of jersey tanks, striped tees and practical t-shirts but hardly any 'dressy' tops. Next time I pass a Topshop I'll definitely go in to search for this pretty cami, which I'd wear with skinny jeans and heels in the evening.
2. Pink friendship bracelet by Bex Rox, £35 at cocosa.com This Bex Roz bracelet (normally £60) goes on sale at Cocosa today and comes in a blue and yellow too. It would make a great birthday present but I'm also lusting after one as I'm a sucker for gold jewellery.
3. Wool-blend dungaree skirt by 3.1 Phillip Lim, £495 at net-a-porter.com The opening outfit for Phillip Lim's a/w 2010 collection is still one of my favourite looks of the season, and this week his dungaree skirt hit Net-A-Porter in black. If I had the funds I'd buy this and wear it with a simple white shirt.
4. Grey suede boots, £55 at asos.com I had lunch with friends yesterday and it turns out they all want a shearling jacket for fall. It's obvious the Burberry-style jacket will be everywhere this a/w but I still want desperately one. To stand out from the crowd a little bit these boots are a great buy. The shearling look but without the "on trend" tag.
5. Embroidered jumper by Erdem, £920 at brownsfashion.com Swallows are definitely having a moment and this Erdem jumper puts a new twist on Swallow prints. This is a total dream item for me, but if I did get my hands on one I'd wear it under the season's minimalistic single-breasted coat.

What is on your a/w wishlist this year? And has anything in my selection caught your eye?

images from product websites catwalk image style.com

For A Sunny Day

Giovanna Battaglia, the Fashion Director of Vogue Gioiello and Vogue Pelle is fast catching up with Anna Dello Russo as far as wardrobe inspiration goes. I'm obsessed with her look. Today I'm stuck for outfit ideas, and if I could wear anything on this sunny day it would be Giovanna's gorgeous Alaia dress and Valentino heels.

It's a beautiful, carefree look, no? And I'm so attracted to the shoes. Normally I don't fall for kitten heels, and pointed-toes aren't always my thing either, but right now I'm so into the idea of nude kitten heels. I'm looking for the perfect pair (because sadly Valentino isn't even an option) for my a/w wardrobe.

What do you think of Giovanna Battaglia's look?

image from easyfashion.blogspot.com - check it out!