The last emperor

I recently read that the average woman sees her first wrinkle aged nineteen.

Then I was browsing WWD and found this ...

Image via WWD

I can only conclude that no matter how many birthdays you have, faux tan is no substitute for the power of sunscreen, skincare and (kabbalah) water.

Eeek!

"You're good raw material. Nice legs, great hair, and not fat. I can work with not fat."

Image | http://www.flickr.com/photos/carshamus/

In a post work haze, I browsed the racks in Cue. The yards of taffeta up for grabs were immediately vetoed. Fifties dirndls, nay (these were dirndls made for a six foot model, not a five-two midget) Shiny. So much shiny.

I did find a great dress in a work-friendly grey, with some interesting detailing (tucks, grosgrain ribbon, flattering cap sleeves) - it immediately appealed.
Seeing only size 14s on the rack, and one lonely 6, I decided to go for gold and try the 6. I am usually a size 10. I was horrified to see that it fit. Awkwardly. There was some dreadful emphasis on underarm cleavage. And yet, the rest was fine. Great, even.

I have been a little down on clothes recently, shopping in places where I know what size I am, and don't have to think, or see myself in multiple full length mirrors. And rarely straying from black. I have been utterly convinced that I am now paying for years of not noticing (or caring) what or how much I eat. Don't even get me started on (my lack of) exercise. Am I one of those Skinny-fat people? Perhaps.

But ultimately I blame the labels.

In recent months I have been declared an XS, S, M, 6 - 12. Don't even get me started on jeans, which claim to be beacons of accuracy with intimidating inch measured waistbands.

I hereby declare war on sizing. This is what makes some of the most amazing people I know call themselves fat.

Yeojin Bae & Gail Sorronda for Target

A bit late on the uptake, but even so, this is pretty interesting.

Amuses me that Gail Sorronda's lines all seem to be mirrored by the way she dresses. I suppose the same can be said of Bae (though it's less obvious).

As usual I intend to wait until I've seen them, no desire to buy immediately (ie. tomorrow!) Ever the sale-savvy shopper, I've bought all the previous collection items I own on sale (up to 75% off) ... I just can't justify paying full price when the items I generally want fall under the multi-tasking/any season categories.

That, and because I know I own enough clothes already - and further still, I haven't worn most of them.

Am liking the expansion into accessories. About time!

I am the (bargain) hunter.

an otherwise lack-lustre day finally makes good.

McQueen for MAC

via thebeautifullydamned.com

Loving the Elizabeth Taylor eyes.

Alexander McQueen for MAC
October 4th, 2007 [US/Canada]

Note - Packaging is said to be black with the MAC logo & Alexander McQueen’s signature in gold.

Eyeshadow

• Haunting - Sea green (veluxe pearl) (LE)
• Nile - Soft royal blue with white pearl (veluxe pearl) (LE)
• Pagan - Yellow lime green with yellow pearl (veluxe pearl) (LE)

Lipstick

• Masque - Rosy pink (satin) (LE)
• Archtype - Light gold (lustre) (LE)

Lipglass

• Nothingless - Baby pink with white pearl (LE)
• White Magic - White gold with yellow pearl (LE)

Kohl Power

• Black Karat - Black with gold pearl (frost) (LE)
• Feline - Rich black (LE)
• Jealous - Black with green pearl (LE)

Paint Pots

• Electro Sky - Royal intense blue (LE)
• Pharaoh - Creamy yellow green (LE)
• Otherworldly - Mid tone sea blue (LE)

Eyebrow Pencil

Mineralize Skinfinish

• New Vegas - Golden beige with bronze pearl (LE) (repromote Gold Play ‘05)

Lashes

• #20
  

via specktra.net

Ugly might be catching

ABOVE: The real deal

Since the advent of the whole "IT bag" phenomena, I've noticed a greater (and greater) amount of fugly making it through the drip-down fashion-filter. Luxury brands have it right on the mark (though preferences play an important role in the whole "hot/not" decision making process), demonstrating that quality often ensures that at least the bag looks like it was worthy of the thousand-dollar price tag.



Perhaps the knock-offs should stay knock-offs, unless they're going to go the whole hog - convincing the world of their "realness". I keep sighting all these terrible terrible fake (absolutely no doubt) bags about which make me squirm inwardly.


LEFT: Fake Chloe Paddington

Similarly, the horrible bags i see brands (actual brands, not luis vutton etc) like Guess rolling off the assembly line ... whoa. Talk about being hit with a glitter-infused ugly stick. No, make that ugly barge-pole.

It amuses me the way they even named a line 'Paddington'. Very original. I suppose it's comforting (in a weird way) to note the line does not reference the Chloe Paddington, as i think that would be more than i could handle right now.

I spent about half my day at work today cringing at the sight of too many Guess bags, mixed with the occasional super-rip-off, mixed in with the even more rare genuine article Gucci or Prada (usually on the arm of a tourist who threw a few fifties at me from a pile of hundred dollar bills in their crocodile skin wallet - you get the idea).

RIGHT: Example of the fugmo Guess bags.

Images have been sourced from various websites, i do not claim them to be my own.

My parting words? Choose wisely. Buyer beware! Ugly might be catching.