Red sexiness

I just bought my first pair of red shoes - Cole Haan shiny, bright red patent heels with a cute peep toe (note to self: must get matching red pedicure to appropriately show off) and a lovely little strap to keep my heel securely anchored in the shoe as I walk.



The color isn't quite true in this shot - it looks a bit boring, actually. They are bright, bright red in person, and I am utterly obsessed them. Paired with a white and silver t-shirt and dark jeans yesterday, I felt so sexy, confident, and alluring. And sure enough, as my gfs and I strolled along with our shopping bags and cute summer outfits, guys' heads turned. Maybe it wasn't just the shoes, but they felt magical to me. I can't wait to pair them with a cute, silhouette-fitted ruffled white and black dress I just snagged! <3

Lorelei - Isa

With a name like Lorelei... somewhere between my username of Lauriel and my dream name (that my parents *almost* named me) of Leilani, how could I resist?

Lorelei is the purse line of a young NY designer, Laurie Kaufmann Willard, whose handbag (clutches, mostly) designs have been seen tucked under the arms of a number of celebs. Cute, a bit trendy, and utterly adorable.

I'm a big fan of subtle, rich metallics. They stand out on their own without the ostentation of bling, and they're fabulously versatile. They are the royalty of neutrals. White, cream, tan/beige, grey, and black fade into the background in comparison. For my accessorizing, I'm usually a silver person. Most of my jewelry is silver-based. Recently however, I've been dabbling a bit with gold-embellished outfits. Sometimes gold is the high-glamour you want to exude.

So, which to go with in an evening clutch? Clean, reflective silver, or rich gold? Such a dilemma for a person who loves versatile investments and has thus held off on the handbag decision because she couldn't commit to one or the other.

Thankfully, this sleek little numer called Isa makes the silver/gold issue nonexistent!



It is a silver and gold metallic lizard embossed-leather elongated envelope clutch with a hidden magnetic closure, and an antique gold bamboo ring detail. It comes with a detachable antique gold shoulder chain, and is made of Italian leather (dimensions: 10"L x 4.5"H x 1.5"D. Chain drop, 9"). Regular $295, I snagged it on my guilty-pleasure shopping site, Gilt Groupe, for $128 ($130, including shipping, no tax). It's a win in my book!

Herve Leger

OMG. [heart stops] I'm surfing dresses for work, and my heart just fell to the floor in pure looooooove when I saw this stunning Herve Leger number.



Why does it have to be $7,000????? :(

Ah well, all the more argument to have a similar version made for a virtual avatar... It'd have to be at least a *little* cheaper than that!

[November 2009 update]

Call me crazy, but I just purchased my dream dress. Splurged on what could have been an investment on the Canon 5D Mach II, one of the most powerful dSLRs on the market. But you know what? I reasoned it thusly: I have a perfectly functioning dSLR right now that I can use, and electronics are always falling in value, and being replaced with more advanced and powerful options. With fashion, once it's gone, it's gone. And this dress was is so timelessly classic and awed me so much, I couldn't pass it up. After trying it on during a casual browsing trip to the mall, I could barely bear to take it off.... and so I knew... it was an investment I was going to make.

Now, to just make it worthwhile, I need to find events for the rest of my life to wear it to. One great thing: it will serve as my incentive to keep in shape (the dress is gorgeously shape-defining, but it is also merciless at showing any untoned body parts)!

Vivienne Tam

Watching Gossip Girl (a tv series I discovered through work because a potential handbag partner had their bags featured on the show) is tantalizing. Hearing about Michelle Obama's up-and-coming designer-centric, classy, elegant style is inspiring. And then digging into the Gilt Groupe sale after that... well, that's probably the most dangerous thing to do. I almost made it through the lineup of Helmut Lang, Marc, Valentino and Vera. And then, hanging out so casually at the end of the alphabet: Vivienne Tam.

I've heard of the Hong Kong-born designer, but I've never seriously looked at her collections before. For the most part, I think she's a luxury that I have yet to "grow" into. But when I browsed Gilt Groupe and found a flattering draping dress with waist-accentuating ruched wrap, simple gold-bronze shoulder accents, and gauzy gold-flecked black lurex skirt for $48, regular $365... I decided I could treat myself. :)

I ordered size P, which, according to online sizing, is for 33/24.5/35. I fit within the bust and hip sizes, but I'm not sure how forgiving the waist is... But I have a resolution to become leaner this year, and see this dress as being my reward for successfully shaping my body. Nothing like a beautiful fashion incentive to reach a fitness goal!

p.s. I think I was also subconsciously affected by the merchanidizing photo with the model, who at a glance, reminds one of Anne Hathaway's character in 'The Devil Wears Prada', one of my best-loved movies.