The New Seven Wonders of the World

So today I am going to talk about the New Seven Wonders of the World, because fashion is a lifestyle and travelling is definitely a LARGE part of lifestyle-jetsetting! Anyways, on July 7th, the new seven wonders of the world was announced and in no particular order they were:The Great Wall of China: This was definitely on my list when I voted a few months back. And I think its on there for obvious reasons.
Petra, Jordan: On the edge of the Arabian Desert, Petra was the glittering capital of the Nabataean empire of King Aretas IV all the way back in the days. And it is famous for structures built within the stones. I'm not much of a traveller of going to the middle of nowheres, but this is definitely something I want to see for myself- its mysterious, exotic and ancient!

Christ the Redeemer: Atop the Corcovado mountain overlooking Rio de Janeiro, it was inaugurated on October 12 1931. I can see how it represents Brazil and everything and I do hope someday to see it. But I'm slightly confused as to how it made it onto the new 7 wonders list. I guess I'm just being traditional thinking, but I always had the preconception that the 7 wonders should be old and 1931 is not THAT old comparatively.

Macchu Picchu, Peru: The lost city of Inca. In the 15th century, the city was built in the clouds on the mountain known as Machu Picchu. It lies halfway up the Andes Plateau, deep in the Amazon jungle and above the Urubamba River. This is yet another exotic place I'd like to visit once in my life.

Chichén Itzá, Mexico: The most famous Mayan temple city of the Mayan Civilization. I don't have too great an urge to see this one, but some of my friends have been and they say its quite worth a visit. Another plus, is that this is definitely one of the more accessible places to visit as a student..spring break anyone?

Roman Colosseum, Italy: The ONE thing on the list I've actually been to! Albeit it was a long time ago. I remember wondering why there were so many holes on the walls, because they never show up in the pictures i.e. here. But as a 11 year old I was not too impressed by it, but I probably just was not able to appreciate it then. Maybe I should take another trip to Rome just to refresh my memory....

Taj Mahal, India: Another place I've always wanted to go to, just because it looks sooo cool and mystical and I want to see it before the marble structure gets erroded away by acid rain. In fact, if it wasn't for wikipedia, I would still be thinking that it IS one of the original 7 wonders of the world.

So that was the popularly voted new 7 wonders of the world. But I wonder how close the votes were, because there were quite a few places that I thought deserved a place on the list too that is not there.

Great Pyramids of Giza, Egypt: My first reaction, was to wonder why the Great Pyramids of Giza was not there. As the one and only surviving structure of the original 7 wonders of the world, one would think it would deserve a place on the new list, if not for all the history, mystery and culture of the Ancient Egyptian civilization it represent then simply for surviving! But I want to see this too. I'd even risk the smelly camels...although I hear that they've evolved to jeeps by now.

Acropolis, Greece: Then there is the Acropolis in Greece, which represents the other great empires of history- the ancient greek civilization. Just looking at the picture makes me want to read all the greek myths and go there and imagine what it was like back in the days. Hagia Sophia, Turkey: The other thing on my list that didn't make it. I studied it in Medieval Arts class. Originally built as a Christian church in the Byzantine empire, it was converted to a mosque when it was conquered by the Ottomon Turks in 1453. The main dome structure is supposed to be an amazing piece of art and architect and I'd LOVE to experience the mystical quality of the light that reflects into the interior of the church from the dome windows for myself.

Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany: Not actually on my list. But I was definitely considering it for the magical, mystical and fairy tale quality of it. Plus, I heard that is where Disney got their inspiration from for their castle. And where the magic starts, I want to go.

Timbuktu, Mali: And I thought I'd throw this in, just for existing, because I'm embarassed to say that before voting for this, I'd always thought that Timbuktu was a figure of speech (I think I heard it in Anastasia...). Turns out that it was the crossroad of the four most important caravan paths supplying the Arab world in the 12th century. Well, we learn something new everyday....

Wow, looks like I have a LOT of travelling to do....

Online Window Shopping For On Sale Dresses

Since I've started my summer job (answering phones,) I've stopped shopping and it's making me feel uninspired and sad. So I went onto a bunch of websites to look for dresses -on sale ones of course, since what's the point of shopping for full-priced items now when there are bargains all around you. Here are the dresses I liked: (I actually visited a few other e-stores but nothing else caught my eye.)

I've been away from London for just over a month and naturally, the thing I miss the most about London is Top Shop. The online sale section on the Top Shop site doesn't really have a great selection of clothes, but I would definitely have tried on these two dresses if I saw them in the shops. I like the modern artistic feeling the graphic print dress (left) by Top Shop Unique gives. As for the black dress (right), it just looks like a no-brainer, basic dress to own and to go out at night -practical right?

Next I went to Anthropologie (found nothing there) and Urban Outfitters. I miss the Urban Outfitters shops in the States SO much -there's such a wider selection of affordable clothes in the States' shops than UK shops. I love this red dress. Yes, I know it's very plain and basic (which is so me,) but think of all the occasions I can wear it to -that's for daytime and night-time. I can wear it to a bar/ clubbing at night or when I feel like being eye-catching during daytime. There's even a wrap just under the bust area to make the dress flattering for most body types.

I like the blue version of this dress (left), but I'm showing both the colours to show how the dress can look different just by tieing or not tieing the string. It'll make a nice casual, very streetwear-feeling type of daytime dress.

And finally, I ended up at my favourite online shop, Shopbop. I've been eyeing these two Rachel Pally since they have just arrived on Shopbop. They're simple without being boring, and it's so easy to just slip on one of them and wear it alone or maybe with a pair of leggings or skinny jeans. Absolutely great for daytime.

As for nightwear, I found these two dresses. There's the 60's styled shift dress by Alicia + Olivia (left) which looks classy (it's black and white and has a modest neckline,) and young (thanks to the bias stripe and short length.) As for the navy dress (right), it's simple and contemporary, sort of a blend of Clavin Klein and 3.1 Phillip Lim, you think? Actually, after staring at it for awhile, it looks like something LC (from the Hills) would wear to events.
Mmm, I do love looking at clothes online and getting inspired... Or maybe I should just stop being lazy and go shopping.

Photo credit: www.topshop.com, www.urbanoutfitters.com, www.shopbop.com

Viva Valentino celebrates the 45th anniversary of his label!

What do Claudia Schiffer, Jackie Kennedy and Gwyneth Paltrow have in common? They've all been dressed and befriended by couturier Valentino, who this summer celebrates the 45th anniversary of his label. To mark the event, a series of events will take place in Rome, kicking off with the opening of a Valentino retrospective at the Ara Pacis Museum, followed by a couture show (his first in the city for 17 years) to which 1,000 glamourous guests have been invited. A book published by Taschen, titled 'A Great Italian Story', will also go on sale. At a press conference given in Rome last week, Valentino said, 'Celebrating such an important achievement in the only city in which I genuinely feel at home makes me very happy. Here in Rome I opened my first atelier, here...were my first successes.' Valentino is retiring later this year.

Not So Friendly

I knew a few months ago that when I wrote about recycling bags, I knew it was a hot item. I just didn't understand the extent of it until it came out in Hong Kong and Taiwan last Friday. I guess one just don't feel it until it hits closer to home. I even considered going to the store later on that day to "pick one up." Although knowing Asia, I should have known it wouldn't be so easy to get my hands on this cheap limited edition designer bag. People line up overnight for up to days on the streets if necessary for a pair of sneakers here after all. And I knew that this bag was anticipated by the masses as the Anya Hindmarch PR had done an excellent job here in Asia too and many celebs have been seen sporting this recycling bag as a handbag of sorts bringing them around shopping and to concerts with them. It had become sort of a status symbol to own one of these bags.

So I knew people wanted it, but I just didn't know the extent until the afternoon before the bag was out, when I passed by the department store that sold it and saw a huge bunch of people lined up outside for that bag! And let me tell you, Hong Kong in summer is hot AND extremely humid. We scurry from air conditioned space to another and even have connecting overhead bridges all over the Central area to minimize outside exposure. These people REALLY wanted this bag. Naturally I gracefully bowed out as I don't want it THAT much. Next day, there were news of outraged people who lined up and didn't get the bag and the police had to be called in to disperse the angry mob. The stores selling it (which sold LOTS of other stuff) had to be temporarily closed because of that. But if you thought THAT is extreme over a $15USD bag, in Taiwan blood was shed over it! These bags are now currently being sold on ebay for $240USD! The things people do.

I don't know about Taiwan, but apparently there had been a very exclusive pre-order list that took up most of the quota. Exclusive, because believe me, we already asked if there was a list and was told there wasn't and we should come line up. Lesson of the day- chummy up with the sales people for a limited bag. Did I mention that with all the rage, this bag does not support any charitable causes? For such a quiet tiny store (well the one in HK used to be small and quiet) it has definitely put a big stamp on the fashion community and generated a huge profit margin lately!

I guess this environmentally friendly bag is not quite so friendly after all.

SS07 Last Call: Gladiator-ish Sandals

Gladiator sandals have been 'in' for the past few summers. But it seems like this may be the last summer gladiators are 'in'. I've never been into gladiator sandals -not because I don't like the design, but because I'm only 5'2" and flat sandals are not at all flattering for short people.

However, in my last trip to Top Shop, I got tempted by these silver sandals and finally bought a pair. I've only worn them a few times and I have to say they are pretty perfect for supermarket trips or when I'm really not bothered, just as an alternative to flip-flops.

Just when you thought gladiators sandals had ended last year, Balenciaga extended the trend to this summer with this pair of heavily studded sandals from its SS07 collection.

This sort of T-bar sandals are a big hit this summer. It seems like everyone is wearing them! But if you have wide feel (like me) then you should probably avoid them. (This pair is by Top Shop.)

Patent leather is all the rage this season -there are now even patent leather gladaitor-ish sandals. Not sure I like them though. This pair is by Aldo.

Anthropologie has a lot of gladiator-ish sandals. I love this white pair. It's plain but not boring. On a second though, it sort of looks like the Balenciaga pair without all the studs doesn't it?

Another nice and comfortable-looking pair by Anthropologie.

This kind of sandals feels too bohemian for me. (This pair is from Urban Outfitters.) I like the more city-chic type, like the ones I chose above more.

As a last note, I just wanted to show that gladiator sandals look really terrible with winter clothes. Look at Mischa's outfit on the right -I love her Juicy white coat and skinny jeans combo, but those gladiator sandals really ruined the outfit. But on the left, the gladiators look relatively ok with that ourfit.

So yes, even though gladiator sandals are fading, I'm just discovering how comfortable they are. Oh well. What do you think? So you think the trend of gladiator-ish sandals will end this summer?

Photo credit: http://www.balenciaga.com/, http://www.anthropologie.com/, http://www.aldo.com/, http://www.topshop.com/, http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/

Bobbi Brown Stonewashed Nudes Palette

As some of you may realize by now, I'm a bit of an eye shadow palette junky- especially Bobbi Brown ones. Its probably because a) I just can't control myself and my love for eye shadow palettes since they look so pretty and b) BB is the beauty counter I visit most often on account of my eyebrow plucking appointments. But thats another story. So anyways, when I found out that they had yet another limited edition eye shadow palette coming out following the footsteps of the Chocolate Palette last year (which I love and still use), I simply HAD to try it.

WHAT makes this palette different from the chocolate palette (besides the fact that one cannot buy the chocolate palette anymore anyways cause its limited edition)? They certainly look similar enough at first glance and that is what I asked him too. Turns out, on closer examination, there are a wider variety of colors (with a few very pretty shimmers) that makes for an more interesting combination of looks- and I agree.Instead of just brown, the look has a more of a greyish tinge to it, which makes it really great smokey eyes at night i.e. like the model above. Check out the BB website for instructions on this looks. And yet its also great for a more casual day time look- I know, because that was what the make-up artist tried on me.

He used the first three shades from the top on my top lids, the first one as base, the third one as the first layer and the second one at the outer edges of my eye blended in near the crease and as an eyeliner. He then used the third one on the inner corners and the sixth one on the outer corners to line the edges of my bottom lid. This sounds really complicated, but he IS a make-up artist and when applied subtly its a great casual look- I LOVED it.

So naturally I bought myself a palette. And if you're interested too, I suggest you not hesitate and go out to get it now before it sells out. Last time I checked, the counter I was at only had 20 more palettes left- and its only been out for a few days!

Quick note: The staying power is also amazing. The eye shadow is still on after a shower and needs to be taken off with make-up remover. Usually it comes right off with water.

Haute Couture FW07 III

Roland Mouret
I have to admit, when I first saw the subscription email from Net-a-porter announcing that I could watch RM's first runway show online and pre-order the clothes, I wasn't at all excited. I mean ok, the Galaxy dress was huge and looked amazing on the celebs who wore it, but really, it's not like I (or probably most of you out there) has actually worn the Galaxy or have even seen one in real life. Plus it was a formal and mature-looking dress. So really, while I think Roland Mouret is a great designer who sadly lost his brand name, I wasn't exactly anticipating his new collection. But when I first clicked into vogue.co.uk to see the collection, I was in awe. I LOVE the collection. It's modern, clean, pretty, and is a good mix of lux-casual and lux-cocktail-ish.

The first dress already got me in love. It's black and white, and has such a young design. As for the 2nd outfit, I'm not a fan of hot pants, but that jacket is fantastic.

I really like the long coat on the left too. You noticing a pattern? And the outfit on the right -it's very French chic.
The outfit on the left -another outfit I love. The jacket is to-die-for, and that white skirt is so modern and cute. The dress on the right is called the Moon dress, which is kind of like the Galaxy 2.0.

Most of the outfits are black, white and blue.

Although I'm not too sure what I think about these finale dresses. I just don't like them as much as the dresses earlier in the show.

And of course, I've ogled at the Christian Louboutin ankle boots through all the photos. I suspect Net-a-porter will be very happy with the sales that will be generated from this collection! I want!!!

Armani Prive
For a couture show, this sure was a long show. Actually, it felt more like a ready-to-wear show than a couture show. Anyways, this Armani Prive collection is certainly different from the previous ones. For one, there was so much colour! From what I remember, the previous shows were mostly of black, white and silver. In this collection, there were surprising bursts of super bright colour.

Seriously, the tailoring is just amazing -look at how perfect the jackets are!

I didn't expect these dresses to be in an Armani Prive collection -look at all that colour. I wonder how much that flowery shawl will cost!

And here is more amazingly tailored clothes. Do you feel the rock'n'roll vibe? (This collection is supposedly inspired by rock'n'roll people.) I'm thinking this collection is more rock'n'rich.

Now these two are very Armani Prive outfits. The white dress on the right in particular feels very made for the red carpet.

The dress that I thought stood out in the collection is the finale dress (right picture.) It sparkles and it's got an original shape. It's mega-glamorous. I wonder how heavy it is though?

The only complaint I have is that the collection was too long and didn't connect together as well as it could have. There were just too many silhouettes fit into one collection.

What did you think of the new RM collection?
Photo credit: http://www.style.com/