Peplum Panic

There's nothing like a peplum story to get your attention, right? I do realize I am pushing the boundaries of what a fun fashion read should be about, but I am genuinely flummoxed here. I love a peplum, I am a total child of the eighties so didn't waste a second to pick up these two skirts at, from left to right, Carven and the Marni Outlet in Ap Lei Chau.

But now what do I put on top? I have tried everything, and nothing works without tucking it in. I haven't tucked anything in since 1979, cos it makes me feel old, and suddenly my torso is very short and my butt is very long. And the top becomes a bit blousy and then the proportions start fighting the peplum look. The only thing that may work is one of those awful eighties body suits with snaps in the crotch. Cos then at least your top would stay smoothly tucked in. I could do with some fashion advice. Girls?

If you are inclined to try a peplum yourself, do not buy a skirt with a peplum. Instead buy a peplum top and wear a plain pencil skirt underneath it. Makes all the difference.

JDC camera print top tucked into a Carven peplum skirt - so wrong in so many ways. Bra would have been good for one. A few more belly-erasing teasers perhaps, Carey?

Peplum Top and plain skirt, so much better! photo from www.whowhatwear.com

Ladylike is having a moment

photo from www.vogue.com

Designer Erdem is having a ladylike moment as well. His resort 2013 collection is just full of the loveliest knee length lunch dresses. I am dying for these dresses - my instincts are having such a moment. If that sounded way too Rachel Zoe-like, that's because I have been addicted to watching her show on youtube. I thought I would hate it, cos until last week I thought she was the most annoying person alive. Well it is totally frivolous fun actually, with heaps of beautiful clothes on display. And Rachel is so incredibly obsessively passionate about clothes, I've just gotta love that.

photo from www.vogue.com

All Grown Up (surely only temporarily)

JDCamicetta "Fiona" dress

kate spade bag from the olden days, kate spade dress from this season

I have been feeling like such a grown-up this week. Had a very significant anniversary and felt like wearing lady-like clothes all week. The Fiona in the first pic is just so gorgeous, what a shame we will never have this fabric again. There is a small chance the lovely Gaye Gibson at Sidewalk has one of these left if you are interested. On my actual anniversary my husband and I had lunch at Cafe Grey and shopped a bit afterwards (my total dream scenario) and I bought a pink and white stripy kate spade dress. Far too pretty and sweet for me usually, but like I said, I am having a grown up fashion moment. Cheers to that!

And cheers as well to the Dutch dad of my gorgeous friend Melbourne Fashion Girl.

I am grateful for...

the fact that both glasses of red wine spilled by hapless husbands mere millimeters from my white babies missed the mark. Maybe I should not call them hapless, maybe they are better described as accurate. I have walked away with only a stain on the internal sole of the left shoe. I guess the practical consequences of wearing white shoes to a raucous 40th is never something I contemplate when I am in the shops. But perhaps I should. Third time lucky may be coming up sooner than I know.
I am grateful for Miuccia Prada making me smile every single season. And I am grateful for Monday being only one day away from Tuesday, when I get to open the orange happy anniversary box.

Big, gaudy or both

Vogue US says on their website that big statement necklaces are back. My instant reaction was NSS (no shit, sherlock) but then I thought I can't possibly be that dismissive about US Vogue. Or can I? Vogue Paris thinks it's specifically feather jewelry we should look for. Either way, I am happy for my inner Jersey girl to come out.

photo from www.vogue.fr

Left: Feather necklace by Lulu Frost, buy it here

Right: Dannijo necklace, buy it here

Lanvin necklace, buy it here

Alright here we go again

There are bound to be some Gisele butt shots around this time of year....  Now do some lunges fast and squeeze those glutes while you are at it!

Cat Eye Make-up

Sarah Rutson most stylish girl at the Met

photo from www.vogue.com

Hong Kong's most prominent stylish girl shows all of New York how its done. Feeling very patriotic about style in Hong Kong all of a sudden.

Best high street dress...

...has got to be this Zara number. I have barely taken it off since I bought it. Comfortable too. In stores now. Styled with some faux lavender from deep down in China.

New Pilates Studio and Old Fiona Dress

Ever so often you don't have the time or energy to love fashion. I have had two weeks like that - just out of the blue 2 crap weeks where I couldn't care less what I was putting on my body every day. But I was saved by our own JDCamicetta Fiona dress, that has got to be my all time favorite garment, because you always look nice in it without making the slightest effort. I didn't sit entirely still these 2 weeks, I did pay a visit to the brand new pilates studio AiR, founded by two very experienced former Aberdeen Marina Club pilates instructors. I decided to drive myself to the studio on Jaffe Road in Wanchai and parked right inside the building in the Imperial hourly car park. The first thing that struck me when I walked into AiR is the beautiful lighting. I have no idea how the girls achieved it, but basically, you suddenly look rosy and gorgeous when you catch a glimpse of yourself in the surrounding mirrors. I could soooo spend some time here.

The awesome Gyrotonic machine is the star of the room, a beautifully designed machine with an infinite number of applications. I watched a demonstration by amazingly lean and fit founder Lorna, and was intrigued by the opposing forces at work while she alternately contracts and lengthens her muscles in flowing peaceful movements. This is not just any pilates studio, these girls really know what they are doing. I highly encourage you to check AiR (Air Integrate Release) out for yourself. You will most likely see me there just bathing in that gorgeous pink light....

AiR Studio 

10/F, Unit A, Times Tower

391-407 Jaffe Road

Wanchai

(between Marsh Road and Canal Road West)

Call 2891 - 9976 for an appointment

Still my fave Fiona dress of all time!