Pretty Fancy Things

I recently started working on a little venture where I will be selling beautiful, unique handmade items for babies and kids.  


The idea popped up a few months ago when I started looking around Dubai for cool decor items for my son's room, and wasn't too impressed with what I found.  So I turned to the Internet and found all kinds of treasures.  I've also been well aware of the handmade "movement" happening in other parts of the world, where people are re-gaining appreciation for pieces made by hand and heart, usually with a story behind them, rather than a cookie cutter type machine.  Even bigger stores are starting to stock such items made by crafters from places in Central America or Asia, please note I said crafters, not sweat shops.  That's the other attractive aspect of buying handmade, you are helping sustain small communities or encouraging people to develop their crafts, you are helping stay at home moms make an income with their crafts, and in many cases you are also helping the environment.  


So I've decided to be a part of this movement, in a city where the more famous the brand or the more expensive the item the better. But I believe in every piece that I have sourced.  Every piece is unique, thoughtful and fun. I've chosen things that make me wish I was a kid again, things that have put a smile on my face.  Things that confirm to me I'm a wicked mom.  And I hope other parents will feel that way too. 


Here's the flyer for my first sale which will be an open house on January 8th.  I will be selling decor items, clothing, toys and accessories.  If you happen to be in the U.A.E. come check it out. I will post some pictures of the day soon.  I'm really excited about this, fingers crossed!

Merry Xmas to all!

Wishing you all Happy Holidays!

Images: A Beautiful Mess, Heyyoyo, Marthastewart.com, My Sweet & Saucy, Blackeiffel

What I fancy this week

It's the festive season, so here's what I'm in the mood for at the moment.

1. Pixie Market Black Lace blouse - very sexy and versatile.  I would probably pair it with a nice pair of jeans and kick ass heals.  A simple pencil skirt can look super cute too.

2. Nina Ricci Fold-over flap bag - a timeless piece with a nice funky twist.

3. Foley + Corinna metallic lace strapless dress - This is very pretty and with the ruched detail and large waistband, it can be flattering on anyone.

4. Gryphon sequin band jacket - I love this piece.  Yes there are tonnes of sequined jackets out there, but the cut of this one is perfect, the collar, the 3/4 sleeves and the length.  You can slip this on over PJs and still look glamorous.

5. Lanvin black glossy calfskin asymmetrical shoe - sigh.

6. Herve Leger Low V Dress in Shadow - Dear Santa, I've been very good this year.  Promise! Can you please send me this dress and a quick and easy diet to lose the weight to look good in it? 

P.S. I promise I'll be a little more colorful next time!

Images: Pixie Market, Matches, Shopbop.com, Lanvin.com, Forwardforward.com

Hate a bad movie, love a bad boy

I watched The Tourist last night, and was totally disappointed.  Johnny and Angelina in a film together sounded almost as good a treat as winning an all expense trip to Italy and having full access to the Nutella factory for a week.  I may be pmsing, sorry.  Anyways...  after the Golden Globe nominations, I got even more excited.  But... I hate being disappointed.  


First of all Angelina was super annoying.  I'm the first person to admit that she is totally stunning, but I thought she looked awful in this film, and acted even worse.  She was too posey, pouty, stiff and had the worst English accent I've ever heard.  It's a shame because she really is beautiful, but the woman needs to add on a few pounds.  She looked like a zombie trying to walk in too tight of a skirt half the time.  Then there was the rest of the film.  It's one of those where you can't tell whether it's meant to be a comedy or an action flick, cause there wasn't enough humor or enough guns and explosions.  The chemistry between the two of them was as hot as Montreal this time of year. And the acting as a whole was awful.  And (spoiler alert), really she can fall in love in 2 days, really?  


But then there's Johnny.  There is one scene where he lights a cigarette and walks off in a white tux, that's when a smile just crept onto my face and was planted there for the next hour or so.  Here are some pictures from his latest photo shoot for Vanity Fair's January 2011 issue. Enjoy.

Images shot by Annie Leibovitz for Vanity Fair thru Zimbio.com

Harder is better you say?

I've mentioned my adoration for Madonna a few times in past posts, and anyone who knows me knows how serious I am about that.  So you can imagine my excitement when I heard about her latest venture - Hard Candy Fitness.  Madonna is going to be opening fitness centers around the world, the first one just opened in Mexico City.  What's great about this is it's not just any celebrity endorsing a totally random project with just her name.  Madonna is very well known for her super fit body and dedication to working out, so I for one think she is definitely credible in doing something like this.  The plan is to open a bunch of gyms in countries like Brazil, Argentina and Russia.  Of course I really hope Dubai is part of the plan!  Check out the photos of the first branch, which I've sourced from the Hard Candy Fitness facebook page.  Love it!

A clever way to shop

I'm really excited to share this with you.  Yet ANOTHER way to shop!  And, check this... brought to you by the masters of the universe as we know it today - Google.  Boutiques.com was launched last month, and I can't wait to see how big this thing will be. This is how they describe the site:

The way it works is that you create an account or a boutique.  You get asked a few questions about your personal style, which is not only fun, it also gets you thinking about what kind of look you really aspire for.  After you answer these questions, the google geeks (who we love of course) generate a selection of pieces that fit your style.  Ta da!!   You can then browse through them to shop (direct links to retailers) or save them as a sort of wish list for yourself and to showcase your style to others.  You can also browse the boutiques of others, including celebrities like the Olsen twins, Olivia Palmero and Nicole Richie as well as designers, retailers, fashion bloggers and other trend setters from all over the place.  You can also follow people, or have your own followers a la Twitter.  So if you like Polyvore (which you must if you love fashion), you will love this.  


I'm sure this site will keep improving and offering more unique services with time, but for now, go and play :)

I'm back!!

I feel awful, I can't believe its been over two months since my last post.  I wish I had some super exciting story to explain my absence but it's simply been a mixture of preoccupation and laziness.  But that's it, I'm back. Promise. Moving On.


I just finished watching an episode of Gossip Girl, and I really need to know if I'm totally abnormal or if there are others like me out there.  I'm sure I will piss off a few people with what I'm about to say, but guys... how stupid is this show?! 
And no, it's not only because I can't stand Serena van der Woodsen and the way she mumbles.  The storyline keeps spiraling into silly, cheesy, childish and incestuous plots that can compete with the Bold and the Beautiful easily.  And what pisses me off even more is that I keep watching.  I shake my head and look at my watch occasionally, but then I keep watching!  Ok, so the fashion is absolutely fabulous, I would give my right arm to have Serena or Blair or even Vanessa's wardrobes, and yes... Chuck Bass is HOT, but really this show is a joke.  


Here are some reasons why G.G. should just stop.
1. The plot lines seemed ever so slightly acceptable, in terms of how silly they were (not with how outrageous their lifestyles were!) when they were in high school, but now they are in college.  Let's just say that if I were part of the Columbia or NYU faculty I would resign immediately for the embarrassing association.
2. Do these people suffer from amnesia?  They can't possibly fall in love with a different character, who was in love with their ex and their best friend's ex each season.  I confused myself just typing that!
3. I like hearing about the rich and famous like most women do, to get a glimpse into their glamorous lives and daydream. But if I ever have a daughter who thought anything on this show is close to being reality or appropriate or cool I would have to send her to boarding school... in North Korea or someplace far far away.
4. Each character faces about 15 scandals a season, yet it doesn't seem to affect their ever so important 'social standing', strange?
5. Did I mention how annoying I think Serena is with her voice, and her childish pout?  I was shocked by Blake Lively's performance in The Town, the girl does actually have talent.  
6. The only characters that were meant to be somewhat normal, i.e. the Humphreys who lived in frowned upon Brooklyn, ended up being the weirdest of the bunch!  Why is the dad always hanging out in cashmere sweaters with a very Ken-like hair do?
7. Where are these bars in New York that let all these minors drink like there's no tomorrow?  I remember when I was in college, being carded if I even walked past a bar in New York.  


I also want to point out 1 thing.  I'm not going on about this because I'm some prude who doesn't think teenagers should be shown having sexual relationships on TV.  Actually, there's a British show called Skins, which I'm a fan of.  Skins is also about high school kids, ok sure, they are not from the fancy Upper East Side, but they are teenagers and the show is very controversial.  The show covers all sorts of topics that include tonnes of sex, drugs and drama.  It just worries me that a show like Gossip Girl is such a hit, especially with teenage girls.  


I came across these ads a while ago, they're quite old actually.  They really created a buzz at the time, a lot of people found them offensive, a lot of parents complained, etc.  I thought they were quite clever.  Too bad the show isn't clever at all.  Xoxo!