It dawned on me

Wednesday 31 March 2010

I think I had an epiphany last night, actually very early this morning.  I woke up at around 3a.m. to the baby monitor about to fuse because of Yousef's (my 7 month old son) crying.   Immediate reaction - I was annoyed.  Thing is, he has been sleeping through the night since he was 2 months old (Thank you Gina Ford!)  So when I was rudely awakened all I could think of was Why is he doing this?  Why is he messing with our system?  After I realize that even if a spaceship landed right in our bedroom my husband wouldn't wake up, I got myself out of bed and stumbled into the shrimp's room, about to scare him back into passing out.


Then I noticed his screaming was unusually high pitched.  Then I noticed he had a fever.  Finally I noticed a tooth was ripping through his gums. And at that moment I realized, not everything is about me.  That's big.  I suddenly didn't care so much about my sleep and did everything I could to cheer poor Yousef up and calm him down (including waking my husband up ha ha).  So I think I learnt a valuable lesson.  


But one question... how long does this teething thing last anyway??



That was just mean!

Wednesday 24 March 2010

When I first saw this mailer, I actually let out a small high pitched squeal.  


I was about to get up and dance but then decided to check the details before I totally traumatized my son.  And BAM! My hopes and dreams came crashing down.  No international shipping on online orders.  Talk about serious bubble bursting!  Question - what is the point of providing online shopping if you wont ship to other countries?  I mean if you live in the U.K. you would get your butt to Selfridges since it's the best place on earth!  It has everything! And it's bright and pretty not like Harrods.  And it's fun.  And they have lots of stuff.  Sigh... Maybe someone from their management will come across this (hmmm... spread the word people) and realize how clever I am.  SELFRIDGES GUY. YOU NEED INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING! PLEASE!


I will go cry now.

Winter Kate is lovely for summer

Monday 22 March 2010

Nicole Richie is quite known for her style.  She pulls off the whole boho chic thing without looking like she's trying too hard.  She's a well groomed modern day hippie.  I like her accessories line House of Harlow 1960, so I was quite excited to hear about her new clothing line, Winter Kate, which is named after her daughter's middle name.  She has been seen wearing pieces from the line, which are true to her style.  So if you're into the whole peace and love thing, but also like a little glamour, you should check out the new collection - it's perfect for summer.  The pieces are light and airy with beautiful prints. Here are a few examples.










Images: shopthetrendboutique.com 

Now I get it

Sunday 21 March 2010

My dad called me this morning sounding super excited.  "Happy Mother's Day!" he exclaimed.  It literally took me about 15 seconds to realize that yes, it's true, I'm a mother now and he is talking to me.  I got a hit of confusion, fear (that I'm growing up) and oddly enough... pride.  


I now get it.  I get why there is such a thing as Mother's Day.  It's celebrated on different days in different parts of the world, but I guess most cultures agree that mommies deserve a day where they are honored and told how wonderful they are.   Some may argue that it's just another commercial holiday created by Western businesses to boost revenues (in the U.S. in 2008 Mother's Day generated about 7% of the jewelry industry's annual revenue).  Men may argue that Father's day should exist (it doesn't exist in as many countries as Mother's day does).   And some may say that they don't need a specific day to thank their mothers.  


I now believe that this is a super important holiday that should be taken seriously, really.  Here's why:


1. It's technically 10 months, not 9.  A man must have down played it to 9.  When you're pregnant, you ideally complete the 9th month, which means 10 months.
2. The fact that we know that our bodies will forever change, and never ever look as hot, and still decide (if it wasn't a mistake that is) to get pregnant is such a selfless act.  
3. Breast Feeding.  I'm not sure how many women felt this way,  and this may be offensive to some, but I found breast feeding to be one of the most painful, isolating experiences in my life.  Not to mention making you feel like you will never be attractive to your husband ever again.
4. If there was one word I would use to describe how I feel towards my child, it's devotion.  The sense of purpose and the commitment you automatically have for this little person who you barely know is nuts.  It grows everyday. That's special.
5. I used to roll my eyes when I hear women say that being a mom is a full time job.  It's harder than that.  It's non stop.  It takes energy, multi-tasking, patience, creativity, time management, negotiation skills and so much more to be a mom (and my son is still just 7 months old!)
6. As a mother, you wonder if what you just did, whether it's ignoring your screaming child or running to pick him up is going to affect his personality forever.  This applies to almost every move you make during the kid's waking hours. Phew.  
7. On your shopping sprees, you choose to split the budget between things for your child and things for you.  And you do it happily.  Now that's sacrifice.
8. You are willing to participate in one of those mommy-and-me classes to boost their social skills and development while you quietly wish you can have 5 shots of Tequila to numb the pain.  
9. You actually contemplate, even for a second, stepping into a baby pool.  
10. You are willing to accept that you are no longer the cutest, sweetest person in the household and you don't mind it THAT much.


To my amazing mom, and my sister, and to all the other mommies out there, yes including myself - HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

Oscar gowns

Monday 15 March 2010

Sorry I'm a little late with this... I just got back from Thailand, and my mind is actually still there.  


I didn't watch the Oscar ceremony but I did get to scope the red carpet online, and can I just say I am totally surprised Sandra Bullock won best actress.  I haven't seen the film but... it's Sandra Bullock!  Ok I'll move on to the fashion.  I'm sure everyone has seen the gowns, so I'm just going to pick the ones I really liked or really disliked.


Sandra Bullock in Marchesa - Might as well start with her. Really.. best actress? This is a very beautiful gown.  The embroidery makes it classy and the colour makes it modern.  Not sure about the shade of lipstick, I guess she wanted to make it a little more fun.


Jennifer Lopez in Armani Prive - It just looks soooo uncomfortable.  
Demi Moore in Atelier Versace - Love this dress.  It's very pretty, and the ruffles and layers are balanced with a beautiful toned down peach color.  


Zoe Saldana in Givenchy Haute Couture - This looks like one dress that's over another dress.  It's confusing me and there is so much going on, I don't even know where to look. 


Kristen Stewart in Monique Lhuillier - Love this dress.  It has attitude.  A piece of jewelry would've been nice.  By the way, this girl needs to work on her posture. 


Rachel McAdams in Elie Saab - I don't like this actress at all.  I think she ruined The Time Traveller's Wife and was trying to do the same with Sherlock Holmes.  But I must say, this is my favorite gown of the night.  It's very simple yet eye-catching.  I want one.


Nicole Richie in Reem Acra - This dress would be OK for Meryl Streep, no offense Meryl, it's just not young enough for Nicole.


Sarah Jessica Parker in Chanel Couture - Love this.  It's different.  Elegant with a nice funky twist on the bust line. 


Diane Kruger in Chanel - This is one of those gowns that wouldn't work on everyone.  I wouldn't wear it, but I like it on her.  It's vintagy but also modern and playful.  


Penelope Cruz in Donna Karan - She knows which colors work for her.  Classic and beautiful.


Charlize Theron in Christian Dior - She is going to look back at this and smack herself on the head.  What was she thinking?  Yes, I like having two flowers on my boobies.  


Vera Farmiga in Marchesa - The concept is nice, but the execution is not.  There is way way too much of these fan type of ruffles going on here.  She almost looks like a huge napkin. 


Miley Cyrus in Jenny Packham - I want to point something out.  This is the first and last time I will compliment this girl (after all my age is in the double digits).  This is a very beautiful dress.  Love the details and the color.  


Cameron Diaz in Oscar de la Renta - She looks very pretty.  She's showing us her girlier side here and it works.  


Images: InStyle

One more

Tuesday 2 March 2010

Sorry, but this is so much fun... here's another set I put together.  I want every piece!



What? Shopping can be even MORE fun?

Monday 1 March 2010

If you love fashion you HAVE to check out Polyvore.com


This is an awesome awesome site.  If you love to shop online or if you want to find inspiration and see what real trendsetters are into, then this is the place.   And it's so simple!  Basically it's a virtual styling tool for anyone who feels like putting a look together.  You can mix and match any item from any online store and make a beautiful collage that's called a 'set' that you can share with others.  It's functional, it's fun and from an ex-marketer's point of view, it's genius.


Here's an example of a set I created in literally 10 minutes:




So other people can look at this set and buy any item on there!


Here's a set I loved from another Polyvore member:




Enough said.


I will occasionally be sharing my own sets or those of others I like.  In the meantime, start shopping!