Italian

Soft as Steele

by cecylia on October 11, 2011

Recently I was introduced to a Melbourne label who embodies bohemian glamour, called Steele. The design duo behind Steele sure knows what girls want, want to wear! I absolutely love this romantic terracotta strapless maxi dress with quilted bust details from their SS11 collection and cannot stop eyeing off their new AW11 collection, check it out here. This maxi is actually a tad big for me so I teamed it with an Equipment cropped wool top to ‘fill’ it out a little. I do have a habit of teaming strapless dresses with tops underneath, remember how I wore this gold leather BCBG strapless dress during Rosemount Fashion Week with a crisp white shirt? I always debut my strapless dresses ‘as is’ to an event, then style it with a top underneath to add an element of surprise the second time.

This Dimacci ’Orsini’ cuff is another favourite right now, inspired by the elegant equine, it is so classy and timeless. It literally empowers me when I wear it. Just adore the gorgeous Italian leather and gold horse-bit hardware. Dimacci have every colour you can imagine with either silver and gold-plated stainless steel, available in double-wrap, triple-wrap or wide leather band like this one. The new collection also incorporates beautiful belts and accessories with Swarovski crystals! I am also in love with the mint and silver one, see here. Very tempted to get ‘double-cuffing’!

Outfit: Equipment wool top, Steele Maxi dress, vintage necklace (see a similar one by Maison Martin Magiela here), shades, belt and bracelets; Dimacci Orsini leather cuff, Robert Robert heels

Sorry about me sans makeup, these photos were taken on a day that was going to rain, so hubby and I headed out into the ‘woods’ first thing in the morning with our new lens.

I hope you are all having a wonderful start to the week! It turns out that it was our canine son Theodore’s birthday a few days ago, I didn’t even know (bad mom)! But thank God for Facebook, yes Theodore is also on Facebook, and you can be his friend here :) Yesterday Theodore ‘acted’ in a commercial for a beautiful Australian accessories designer. My lips are sealed about this project but no doubt I will be showcasing the final product for you in the near future. Can’t wait!Theodore was super lucky to work with the legendary movie/TV animal trainer Luke Hura, who trained Red Dog. He’s work is superb. Even as a vet, I was in awe. Despite it being his first time, Theodore was a little champion and needless to say, I am a very proud mom.

I hope that the weather is behaving wherever you may be and that each day brings you love and joy. Thank you for being such a supportive reader of my blog!

xx

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Further reductions in our International sale. Enjoy up to 70% off NET-A-PORTER.COM

Bento Lady

by cecylia on September 27, 2010

The beautiful designer of Bento, Samantha, visited us at the boutique. She is the creative brain behind The Fashion Recruit and has just launched her first volume of women’s wear. Her pieces are in classic silhouettes, made from the highest qualities yarns from Milan. Her garments are made in Melbourne and to prove that she is one chic and ethical designer, she actually travels to Milan to check that her fabrics are made from Italian factories that provide good working standards for their staff. Now that’s dedicated! We support Bento because it is ethical, it lasts, and it wears well.

Here’s a shot of Sam, in Bento top, ZARA jacket, Blue Cult jeans, Filippo Raphael heels and her amazing tote bag is made by an artist from Venice. A banker-turned-designer, she has admirable style too.

I love the Epictetus quote on her site

“Know first who you are, and then adorn yourself accordingly.”

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Always wear expensive shoes. People notice.

by cecylia on August 15, 2010

Lately I’ve been splurging and now have no money for food. That’s what 2 pairs of Lanvin heels, a pair of pumps from Sonia Rykiel, some Miu Miu shoes, a Net-a-Porter order, a Preen leather dress, a Ralph Lauren jacket, an Amy Kaehne cape and some Basso & Brook leggings brings you to: D-E-B-T.

Me and shopping are now officially on a break. But before I did, I also sneaked in a pair of Diana Broussard shoes from LuisaViaRoma, the luxury online store from Florence, whilst they had an extra 20% off already reduced stock. It was a miracle that I got these shoes in my size!

These lattice shoes remind me of the famous YSL cage heels, but will get have more ladies guessing. I looked up Diana Broussard, she has quite an impressive CV. The American shoe designer’s label was launched in 2001. Diana has worked with all the big guns, such as Calvin Klein, Christian Dior, alongside John Galliano and also with Gucci. I love the big heels on these Italian-made shoes. Big heels usually mean longer wear.

This is the day I received the heels at the boutique, I’m wearing the Karla Spetic Maxine top, my favourite vintage jacket (I’ve had it for over a decade!), vintage pants and vintage jewelry and some Miss Sixty pumps, also Italian shoes.

Here’s a closeup of my accessories. The pendant on my necklace was a flea-market find from Paris, the mother-of-pearl bangle was a flea-market find from Zurich (you can see a closer-up picture here), and the skull ring was a recent purchase (also on sale) from Net-a-Porter. I actually bought a pair of Marc Jacobs tweed flats and Marni gold heels as well as the ring but the shoes didn’t fit my irregular feet so sadly I had to return them. *sobs*

I wish I had bought the medium sized ring so I can wear it on my middle finger…but that’s the joy of internet shopping.

Here is a close up of my Vivienne Westwood gold plated bone ring. I love the juxtaposition of the prettiness and the rawness. It also reminds me that all living things come to an end, so make the most of every day. Sorry, that was a little deep…

Here are the new additions to my footwear family. I will try to wear them soon, otherwise they will join the likes of my other shoes, sitting quietly in their boxes on the bookshelf.

Brian Koslow, the founder and CEO of Breakthrough Coaching Inc. once said “Always wear expensive shoes. People notice. ‘ And they sure do.

I’ve decided to stop shopping online for now, because there is nothing better than being able to feel the fabrics (you know how anal I am with me and my fabrics) and trying items on, because of my irregular shape. Don’t get me wrong, I am still addicted to LuisaViaRoma, Net-a-Porter and Outnet, but I seem to lose all sense of direction and self-control when I catch a glimpse of gorgeous shoes, for example, check out these Dsquared’s…

A girl can never have too many shoes. After all, they are what gets us noticed.

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Cavallero

by cecylia on April 17, 2010

I know, this is not a food blog and I am certainly no food critic. Although being a food taster, that I can do.

Recently, I came across a cafe on Smith St in Fitzroy called Cavallero, and have been going back there again and again ever since. You know my fascination with beautiful doors, so I could not go past these antique wrought iron gates.

I look especially tanned in this photo for some reason (not a good thing for Asians).. anyway…wearing vintage blouse, necklace, belt and shoes Sass & Bide cardigan and Nudie jeans, carrying a vintage bag from Ebay.

This is the Barramundi with mixed vegetables, I’m sure the name was fancier on the menu.

I am such an avid food fan and have a bottomless pit for a stomach I would not criticize any food I eat, except for the food I ate at a certain restaurant in Paris that gave me food poisoning…but it did help me shed some puppy fat, so how can I complain?

This homemade spaghetti with crab meat is my favourite dish. I actually regularly crave for it. It is the Western version of lobster noodles, extremely tasty. After eating these home-made spaghetti, my taste buds refuse to touch the other boring stuff.

You can’t go past a good steak.

I hate to say this, but dessert is not their strong point, I have had this lemon tart twice, and each time I regret having it afterwards. It is a lot more sour than it looks.

Nevetheless, Cavellero is one sassy place to have for dinner. Bring friends and enjoy the chilled atmosphere.