Thursday, 4 April 2013

New York Fashion Week AW 2013....Nicole

Nicole Warne from Gary Pepper Vintage, after Diesel Black Gold, NYC, February 2013.

Paris Fashion Week AW 2013....Juliana and Ashleigh

American model Juliana Schurig (Elite) and New Zealand model Ashleigh Good (Elite), after Dries Van Noten, Paris, February 2013.

 The ear cuff. Oh yes.

Recreate Ashleigh's look (kind of):

Ear cuff: Pamela Love ear cuff, Jacquie Aiche Bezel ear cuff, Topshop Rhinestone Wing ear cuff, ASOS Love Rocks ear cuff, Urban Outfitters Crystal River Hanger earring or Twisting Tales earring

Paris Fashion Week AW 2013....After Giambattista Valli

After Giambattista Valli, Paris, March 2013.

I love this velvet suit...so elegant, so chic, so timeless.

Recreate her look (kind of):

Velvet blazer: Elizabeth and James Rex velvet blazer, Rachel Zoe Hutton velvet blazer, ASOS velvet tux blazer, Stella McCartney Flora velvet tuxedo blazer

Velvet pants: AG Adriano Goldschmied super skinny pants, J Brand Katharine velvet trousers, Gucci Velvet flared pants, True Royal slim fit velvet pants, ASOS velvet tux pants, or 7 For All Mankind velvet skinny pants

White shirt: Equipment slim signature blouse, J.Crew Perfect shirt, Dsquared2 Dean shirt or Carven shirt

Marni Mary Jane pumps, Pour La Victoire Darla pumps, or Rag & Bone Cassis pumps

Paris Fashion Week AW 2013....Delfina

Jewellery designer Delfina Delettrez, after Louis Vuitton, Paris, March 2013.

Recreate Delfina's look (kind of):

Delfina Delettrez jewellery

Wednesday, 3 April 2013

Paris Fashion Week AW 2013....Alana

American model and artist Alana Bunte (Elite), after Louis Vuitton, Paris, March 2013.

Recreate Alana's look (kind of):

Slouchy white/ivory pants: 3.1 Phillip Lim draped pants (in white), M.Patmos silk blocked pants, Karl Prudence pants, Haider Ackermann pants, Chloe Ramie pants, Mango pants, or Chloe pleated pants

Black sweater: Top Secret Victoria sweater, Vince rib cashmere sweater (in black), Mango basic sweater or T by Alexander Wang sweater

Paris Fashion Week AW 2013....Edie

British model Edie Campbell, after Valentino, Paris, March 2013.

Valentino hair? Always so pretty.

Paris Fashion Week AW 2013....Caroline

Tank magazine's Caroline Issa, Paris, March 2013.

Recreate Caroline's look (kind of):

The hooded jacket = the perfect way to deal with Spring showers....rain, or if you are in the UK, snow ;)  Surface to Air Fly parka, Red Valentino polka dot twill parka, 10 Crosby Derek Lam chambray hooded parka, Milly hooded taffeta anorak, Michael Michael Kors studded parka, Topshop Giraffe print hooded jacket or Ted Baker zipped through hooded parka. Without hood: Kelly Wearstler Ornamented linen jacket, Smythe surplus jacket, Veronica Beard hooded anorak

Joseph Quentin cropped pants, Sonia Rykiel satin crepe trousers, or ASOS high-waisted green pants

London Fashion Week AW 2013....Caroline

Stylist Caroline Sieber, before Erdem, London, February 2013.

Recreate Caroline's look (kind of):

Coat: By Malene Birger Scarlettes leopard print coat, or Alice + Olivia Charla trench coat

White dress: La Petite S***** belted dress, Jil Sander Nottingham dress, Tibi Paneled short sleeve dress, Black Halo Jackie O belted midi dress, Diane von Furstenberg Maizah dress, or ASOS pencil dress with ruffle sleeves

Clear plastic pumps: Gianvito Rossi suede and PVC pumps, Sophia Webster Daria slingbacks (in pink), Sophia Webster Daria slingbacks, or Manolo Blahnik Audi pumps

Tuesday, 2 April 2013

New York Fashion Week SS 2013....Bruna

Brazilian model Bruna Tenorio, after A Show, NYC, September 2012.

Recreate Bruna's look (kind of):

Sheer pants:Vince sheer silk trousers, Wes Gordon Ghost pants, or 3.1 Phillip Lim waist tie skirted trousers

Rag & Bone floppy brim fedora

Paris Fashion Week AW 2013....Hanneli + Janice

Hanneli + Canadian model Janice Alida, after Dior, Paris, March 2013.

Yes, I admit, I am a hair bow pusher ;)

Paris Fashion Week AW 2013....Giovanna

W contributing editor Giovanna Battaglia (in Valentino), before Chanel, Paris, March 2013.

Paris Fashion Week AW 2013....Viviana

Stylist and contributing fashion editor Viviana Volpicella, after Chloe, Paris, March 2013.

Recreate Viviana's look (kind of):


Monday, 1 April 2013

Weekend Life....L'Auberge de Sedona, Sedona, Arizona

L'Auberge de Sedona, Arizona, early February 2013.

Our trip to Arizona was rather like a progressive dinner party: the entrée in Scottsdale at the boutique Hermosa Inn, the main at the ruggedly beautiful White Stallion Ranch in Tucson, and finishing with desert at L’Auberge de Sedona. And what an indulgent desert it was! 

Nestled in the heart of the red rocks of Sedona along the banks of Oak Creek (not so much a bubbling brook as a gushing river during our early February visit!), L’Auberge de Sedona was an oasis of luxury and tranquility, and a fitting finale to our Arizona adventure. Set amongst 11 acres of landscaped gardens, the 87 guest rooms and cottages are dotted amongst towering fragrant pines, cottonwood and sycamore trees*. Our beautiful Vista Suite was set high on the property, tucked away at the end of a row of walnut-hued timber cottages. Opening the door to our suite, it felt like we were entering a living picture frame: a bank of windows and sliding glass doors framed the spectacular, uninterrupted views of Snoopy Rock (my favourite, of course!), Giants Thumb and Elephant Rock. With a backdrop of brilliant blue sky, the red sandstone rocks were truly magnificent, the colours changing with the light throughout the day. Each morning I awoke before sunrise, grabbed a blanket, made myself a coffee and sat huddled on our suite’s large wooden deck to watch the moon disappear and the sun rise over the rocks. And in the late afternoon, we sat sipping wine, eating antipasto and watching the sun set, changing the colours of the rocks from terracotta to vermillion, coral and rust.

In keeping with the serenity of the surroundings, interiors at L’Auberge were simple, modern and tasteful. Hardwood floors in the living room and bedroom, crisp white Fili D’oro bed linen adorned the huge bed along with a entire flotilla of pillows (love!), a gas fireplace kept the suite cosy and warm at night, and luxury robes and slippers were provided to lounge in after a swim in the heated pool, spa treatment or shower. Ahhh yes, the shower. Two words that make me do a happy dance: Outdoor shower! Distant memories of the freezing après-beach outdoor showers of my childhood (“Wash ALL the sand off before you come inside”) came flooding back. The beautiful cedar outdoor shower in our suite was, however, a far cry from those of my youth: silky cedar wood underfoot, bright blue skies (or the clear night sky filled with masses of stars) above, oodles of hot water and zingy grapefruit scented Antica Farmacista bath products. Bliss. And if we didn’t feel up to the outdoor shower (a crazy thought but possible I guess!), there was also a spacious indoor shower and jacuzzi in the enormous bathroom. Did we do the “3 Bath Run?” (outdoor shower → indoor shower → soak in the bath). Of course we did! 

The restaurant, bar and reception area for L’Auberge are situated in the centre of the property by Oak Creek and guests tend to gravitate creek side for drinks, and in the warmer months breakfast, lunch and dinner under the canopy of trees. Chairs and tables are dotted along the banks of the creek (including some cute wooden swinging chairs) so we took some time to watch the resident ducks** glide by and read our books while enjoying a glass of wine from the bar. 

Eat:

L’Auberge Restaurant on Oak Creek: We had dinner in the restaurant on the first night of our stay, and both the food and service were wonderful. Highlights included an amuse-bouche of poached and smoked persimmon with sunflower seeds, pork belly on a bed of creamy oats with preserved apple (so delicious and one to attempt to recreate at home!), Dungeness crab crepe parcel with a roasted tomato and fennel sauce, sticky braised short ribs with roasted fingerling potatoes, baby beetroot and cashew parsnip puree, and the perfect ending….. sticky toffee pudding (oh. so. good).

Elote café: Excellent Mexican restaurant just down the road from L’Auberge. We shared the beef tamales and elote (roasted corn in a creamy, spicy, slightly tangy sauce – so yummy scooped up with tortilla chips!), lamb adobo and carne asada. The restaurant doesn’t take bookings so you might have to wait for a table. My suggestion? Grab a table outside and enjoy the excellent margaritas (I had the tasting flight) and complimentary popcorn while you wait. 

Indian Gardens Oak Creek Market: A roadside deli/café with super friendly service and delicious, made-to-order sandwiches. Perfect if you want to grab a sandwich before setting off on a hike (the sandwiches are huge so you should be set for an entire day’s hiking!). There is a lovely little garden out the back to eat in or you can take your order to go. 

New Frontiers Natural Marketplace: The Sedona version of Whole Foods. Great for picking up provisions for a picnic (either in-room or outdoors!) or hiking trip. 

To Do: 

Pink Jeep Tours: This is an absolute must-do on a visit to Sedona. We took the Broken Arrow Tour (approx 2 hours) which was so much fun despite the fact I squealed like a little girl on one particularly steep descent – I think it was called Devil’s Staircase (in my defence, I don’t like heights and have zero experience 4WDriving). The views were incredible, the ride exhilarating and our guide extremely knowledgeable and funny. 

Chapel of the Holy Cross: A beautiful Catholic church built into the side of the rocks/mountain in Sedona. 

There are also loads of hikes and trails to follow (on foot or mountain bike).

*Being the middle of winter many of the trees had shed their leaves. I can only imagine how spectacular the grounds must look when they awake in the spring, and in autumn when the leaves change colour from green to orange, gold and crimson. 

 **Each morning at 8 a.m. there is duck feeding on the banks of the creek where guests can help feed the family of ducks that call L’Auberge de Sedona home.

We were guests of L'Auberge de Sedona.