SS06 Dress Trends II: Wrap Dresses

So technically, wrap dress isn't exactly the new thing to have or a hot trend, but I have just recently discovered it's amazing versatility. And since dresses are all the rage this season, basically wear a dress and you're automatically 'fashionable', (not to be confused with stylish)

Here are two reasons why I'm lovin' the wrap dress at the moment: a. They're v flattering to one's body. b. You can wear them casually (such as lunch/ dinner out with friends,) or semi-formally (such as a nice, expensive night out.)

The first thing that comes to mind is of course the queen of wrap dresses, Diane von Furstenburg. She always manages to put fantastic prints on her dresses, thus making is not boring and totally loveable.
Eye-catching and such colors will compliment your complexions.
Also from Dvf. These are more sophisticated.

Another brand that makes amazing wrap dresses is Issa (London.) Here's a brilliant example:

Issa has got prints that I think are a bit more 'artsy' than Dvf's. Unfortunately, they are even more expensive than Dvf's!

For a cheaper option, and if you're in your teens, opt for a wrap dress that's not silk. This Free People wrap dress may not be as sophisticated as the other ones, but it's funky and def for the young. And if you notice carefully, there's actually another layer at the bottom of the dress!

Top Shop usually has a few wrap dresses in its stores. This short sleeve one is great for wearing with jeans.
Another one from Top Shop, (and one that I recently bought.) It's really slinky and I love the print.

Finally, here is how you can wear it with jeans. Remember to only wear it with skinny jean!

Happy St Patrick's Day

Its St Patrick's Day! Everything is green. Last year, they even dyed the river green (or it was just very very dirty). So get into the spirit of the day with these gorgeous green pieces.

Be girly with this cute top from Free People. Or be sporty and punk in this hoodie from LAMB.

Then there is this pretty floral green skirt from Anthropologie. And I absolutely LOVE this green dress by Catherine Malandrino.

For more formal occasions, knock them dead in this smashing green dress from BCBG.

And accesorize with these green chandelier earrings from Anthropologie.

Hold all your possessions in this lime green Dior detective bag.

And if that is not big enough for all your stuff, try this quilted bag from Marc by Marc Jacobs.

And finally complete your outfit with these funky Miss Sixty platforms. Happy St Patrick's Day everyone!

Barneys Girl's SS06 Must Have Fashion Item

So almost every summer, I buy myself a thin white jacket. The summer is hot, but the air conditioning IS cold. And since I hardly go anywhere without going indoors, I always carry a jacket with me. And what better to match all your summer clothes than this season's cutest white jackets? Here are a few of my top choices:

This delicate crocheted white cardigan by Robert Rodriguez and pretty lacescreen print white 3/4 length sleeved blazer from Juicy Couture, are both perfect for the cute, feminine look. I especially love the Juicy blazer for its subtle details, like the prints (which one can barely see on a picture) and the little beige frill on the sleeves.

One can also go for being super fashionable, with cropped jackets. If there was ever a splurge to be made this season, it would be with this military styled cropped jacket by Nickel, which is just too gorgeous for words. But in the end, if I could get either one of these jackets, I'd go for the more mod styled cropped jacket by DvF. Simply because it is more simple and would probably last for more than one season.

Then there is the safari styled jacket, loose with a tie, like this one from Miu Miu. The 2D photo doesn't do it justice. It looks so much better on the mannequin.

And lastly, there is always the classics to go for. The biker chic look from LaRok and the blazer with a bit of a twist from Top Shop. Ooooh I want them all!!

On search for the perfect lip balm

I know winter is almost over, but I still haven't found my perfect lip balm -and certainly not from the lack of trying! I have tried more than five lip balms (which is def more than what my lips need,) but I'm still not satisfied with any of them. Although I do admit I got most of my lip balms for free, one way or another, and only one lip balm was actually purchased personally.

Vaseline Lip Therapy, Cherry - This is the one I've been using ever since I bought it in Japan last August. It certainly does do all that lip protecting thing it's supposed to. My only complaint is that it's got an annoying texture, like the balm on the upper and lower lip stick together. Oh and while lip balms don't necessarily need to be shiny, if they're going to act like lip gloss (annoyingly sticky that is,) then it should at least look good.

Biotherm Moisturizing Balm Protective Lip Care -I think Biotherm has changed the package since I got mine because mine doesn't look like this photo (which is the only lip balm that can be currently found on the Biotherm website.) The one I have is a white tube. The 'lip balm' inside is sort of like a white cream, which is super annoying because after application, it forms a white layer on your lips! AND it didn't even feel moisturising. Thank goodness my dad got this for free from the plane!

Ren Skincare Acacia Blossom Lip Honey -Another freebie from the plane, this time from my mum. This so-called lip balm is like a chunk of hard wax. I literally have to use my nails to scrape some 'balm' from the jar onto my lips and spread it out. After a long bit of heating, the chunk of 'Lip Honey' does melt -and when it does, it's fantastic -but when it cools down afterwards, it's hard and annoying to use again.

Body Shop Born Lippy Lip Balm -My friend gave this to me as a present, (yes I am extremely cheap and hardly ever buy myself lip balm.) When I was younger I loved the smell. But now that I'm older, the smell really irritates me because it makes the water in my water bottle taste funny.

Eve Lom Kiss Mix -I don't actually own this, but a facial lady once put it on me at the end of my Eve Lom facial (which was totally useless btw.) Eve Lom Kiss Mix is mega shiny, and it gives the lips a lovely tingly feeling. I haven't used it enough to comment on how lip-protecting it is, but at 12.5 pounds per jar, I probably won't be running to buy it!

So if there is a lip balm that you think is uber fantastic, let me know please!!

Harrods Girl's SS06 must have fashion item

This week's carnivale (host by The Bag Snob) question is:
What is your one must have fashion item for this Spring/ Summer?

This season, I'm crazy for simple, fashionable and pretty tops, in particular white and ivory/ pale coral color ones. Actually this craze of mine already started last fall, so I already have a few tops of such colors: A subtly beaded ivory, long-sleeve tee from Express; A boho, Balenciaga-'inspired' top from Zara; A white, crochet top from Marc by Marc Jacobs. OK, so may I won't actually need to buy too many more of this kind of tops, but it's so lovely to just stare at:

This Alicia + Olivia top is perfect for the warm spring weather. Although one must be careful with this top, or it will end up looking like a table cloth on you!

Another excellent top for the spring weather, from Cacharel. This one is less tricky to wear, but slightly boring.

This top by Marc Jacobs is soooo chic and casual. I love the ivory/ pale coral color, and the crochet details are so brilliant. Jacobs always knows how to make a girl swoon!

Pretty pretty blouse from Burberry Prorsum. The little bow in the front is cute in a non-sugary way.

White with black details tops are another must-have. I can't get enough of Miu Miu tops (right,) and the Chloe top (left) is just tres divine. If only I was rich and working...

Finally, this is obviously not white, but I am in LOVE! This Vanessa Bruno Trimmed Batwing top comes in coral, white and grey. Coral and grey are my favs because the white doesn't accentuate the fabulous details properly. Gosh, if I saw this top in a shop (as opposed to online,) my credit card might burn!

SS06 Color: Brown

What color to match the nuetral palette of SS06 then brown right?

It is perfect for the safari look shown on the Zac Posen (left) and Michael Kors (right) runway.

And just the thing to look effortlessly chic in as seen here from the Zara catalog. The brown here provides such a nice contrast with her complexion.

It is just such a great, nuetral, soft and sophisticated color to wear. Not too girly or too hard core. Above, from Burberry Prorsum (left) and Marni (right). Here are a few of our favourite browns:

Polka dot cami from Ted Baker and silk brown top from Twelfth St by Cynthia Vincent. I especially love the top from Twelfth St, perfect for a night out!

Then there are the gorgeous dresses from top shop (left) and Rebecca Taylor (right).

And last but most definitely not least-these funky brown platforms from YSL.

Le Sportsac Spring 06 Remix Collection

I must admit, my obsession with Le Sportsac has somewhat fallen since Gwen stopped designing for them. But in times of extreme procrastination, I do check back from time to time to see whats new. And today, I landed on their Spring 06 Remix Collection.

On first glance, I didn't like it. The retro pattern puts me off. But staring at it some more (I was seriously procrastinating), its actually not half bad. If one can just get pass the retro pattern thing, the design is actually quite cute. For instance, the large shock bag. It can be worn closed (left) or opened up (right) like a butterfly. I really like the versatility and style of this bag. And the blue color is perfect for this season's nautical theme!

The other style that I like is the Skratch style in both regular and large. The simple shape of it is made interesting with the crinkled design gathering in the center. A large yellow skratch will be great for the days, as the bright summery color scheme matches with the nuetral/white palette of SS06. And the small black skratch with its bold retro print would be just the thing for a night out.

They also have this style that can be used as a wallet by day and a clutch by night. But this seems to be the only color that works for this style. The other colors are mixed with raw instead of white leather, and the effect is just not quite as stunning.

An example of the color print and raw leather effect I was talking about. It just doesn't look quite right. I wonder if I would like it better if they had use white leather, providing it with less of a contrast. . .