Happy Halloween!!!

&

Happy 50th Birthday to My Dad!!!

Images via MarthaStewart.com

Love you Daddy!

(It is also my step-brother's birthday today too. Happy Birthday Evan!)

Trick or Treat!!

JUST A POLITE FASHIONABLE PLEA!

On a fashionable mission ...... : 'trade up the flip flops.. for the odd pair of Blahnik and Choo's... every once in awhile.. pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaase????

Happy Friday!!

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Image via Me!

1. Taking a walk in the evening with my boyfriend through the golf course.

2. Signing up for the National Novel Writing Month challenge.

3. Treating myself to 3 (huge) awesome raspberry linzer cookies from the Italian bakery.

4. Following a lamb chop recipe 100% from Saveur magazine and having it turn out FANtastic!

5. Purchasing a new vaccuum.... ahhhh so clean.

6. Arranging a bowl of lemons for home decor ('Baby wants lemons, baby gets lemons.' The Breakup).

7. Eating all the candy corn in the candy jar within 2 days...well it wasn't all me.

8. Receiving such great and meaningful feedback regarding Monday's Dream Jobs post.

9. Welcoming all new followers... :)

10. And announcing the winner of a free ornament for the Holidays!

Drumroll......

And the winner is...

Adrienne @ The Flying Bee

Email your address to nicoletterenee@hotmail.com.

Images taken in the 5th Street Public Market of Eugene, OR

Have a safe
&
Happy Halloween!!

Travel Thursday

Willamette Valley Vineyards

On my trip to Oregon, I was fortunate enough to have a scheduled Brides Luncheon the day before my friend's wedding, at the beautiful King Estate Winery.

First we took a tour, then had a delicious lunch consisting of an Artisan Cheese Plate with a brie, goat, and parmesean cheese with olives and fruit. I had a delicious Margherita Pizzetta with homemade tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese and basil. Mom had the Tarte de Jour, which was a trout tart. Quite tasty. The bride had BBQ pork ribs. The private room we occupied had tudor style windows stained a mahogany red color, they were beautiful and rich with a sunny view of vines all around, as the winery is perched on a hilltop. Dessert was my favorite though, as I chose a fresh Bartlett Pear & Raspberry Crisp with almond struessel. It was piping hot and perfectly paired with a cinnamon ice cream. Pure Heaven. Followed by our tastings of mainly white wine. :)

Here are a few photos of the tour. Some were from the iPhone, so please excuse if they aren't the best.

More information on the Oregon Wine Country... Here.

Cheers!

AT LAST ALEXANDER WANG........

Announcing.. that ALEXANDER WANG is on the fashion red carpet!!!.. well in New York to be exact. Finally.. there is room for me to pay homage to this 'fashion maestro!'. His last collection for SS09...( technically he refers to it as purely Spring collection) yes, i refer to it as last.. because in the land of the U.S of A... they have already released their Fall collections.... boo hoo always fashionably ahead.

Anyway.. it is still befitting to our fashion palettes.. because Australia is in the sunny element season. So we can truly embrace and appreciate the offerings of Alexander Wang's SS09 collection. Unfortunately when it was first released.. the Australian fashion lovers could only really salivate at the creations in our warm overthrows.. in the midst of Winter.

Ladies... fashionista's.. please put aside your flip flops.. and sandals.. and anything that doesn't have a heel higher than the length of your arm.. ( over the top comparison)!... and bring out the heels!.. team them with the likes of Alexander Wang creations.

Just a few of his talents on showcase business jackets are back!!! double breasted suit jackets are back!!!.. but the colour palette is of course not to be bored with.... only wear it if you can bring creative fashion flare to it.

If you can't get your hands on a Alexander Wang creation.. then improvise darlings???.... bring out the trusty business jacket and add your personal 'style' to it.. brooch it.. embellish it... cut it.. roll it.. sew it... change the buttons on it... what ever.. just bring it out and about!

And you know what? if your hip pocket can't afford the likes of a A. Wang jacket.. then go to the vintage location and scrounge for one... ( babe.. vintage is in.. remember!)

Back to the Wang story. Absolutely drooling ( so unlike Madam A E. to be blubbering on and on..).. over the collection.

Sexy.. masculine femininity rolled into one! So street chic,... yet completely wearable even to a garden do???

I truly think I have died and gone to..... well..... gone to...... just some place of funk and beauty???.. if it makes sense.

Muster up the feminine attitude to march yourselves in this ensemble...fashionista's!

I, Madam Alexandra E. would most likely wear it with a bit of modesty... ( yes.. I am the demure, flamboyant, creatively lush identity of fashion). So most likely.. I would team up my Alexander Wang business suit with wide legged funnel staple shorts ( with length of just past the knee) with of course staple nude killer heels.. carting a vintage elongated swinging arm candy.. with the contents of my little red book somewhere amongst with my lippy's and things.

Vision it?????? yes.. style 'A la Madam Alexandra E'!. Mwah xoxo.

Style rating: Alexandra Wang SS09 collection BRAVO ( loving it, air kisses all around)

Do your homework please: http://www.alexanderwang.com/

Love me or hate me

Madam Alexandra E.

fashion critic.fashion expert.fashion queen

I HAVE TWO BIBLES: VOGUE & MADAM ALEXANDRA E's. LITTLE RED BOOK.

To those of curious minds.. and to hush all the why's and what for's... this is it... this is the little red sacred Madam Alexandra E. bible.. ( APART FROM THE OTHER FASHION BIBLE I RELIGIOUSLY LIVE BY... VOGUE) filled with the brimming fashionable thoughts of my critic tongue.... and of course.. any other useful tidbits of fashionable knowledge to store away.

Sorry lovelies.. but this is as close as you'll ever get to viewing my bible. xoxo. ( not that handy with photography).

Particular fashionista's have asked moi.. Madam Alexandra E., what is that thing I carry around... guarded like a sacred ordered 'Alexander Wang' bag......, my little red book...., is a collective of all things fashionably worthwhile to be sung and heard about it...by Madam Alexandra E. for the fashion lovers world over!.

So.. fashion followers, lovers, fashionista's and the sorts.... if you see a certain someone poised with a red book.. then most likely you have come into the presence of Madam Alexandra E.

Constantly on the lookout for fashion findings... and of course.. consistently with an opinion to accompany. Mwah.

Consider yourself very lucky.. if you and your creations or any information... is to be found in the 'little red book' of Madam Alexandra E.! Very few...receive any such attention. xoxo.. Darling.. I do not waste my time, nor my pages on just anything and everything!!!!.

Just like that renowned #1 best seller book by Elizabeth Gilbert - Eat Pray Love???, Fashion is beautiful : Eat fashion, Pray fashion and of course Love fashion......... xoxo.



Love me or hate me




Madam Alexandra E.
fashion critic.fashion expert.fashion queen

JAYSON BRUNSDON - ONE OFF SINGAPORE COLLECTION... OOOOOHHH SO ROMANTIC.. WHISK ME TO THE ERA OF 'THE GREAT GATSBY'.

Look what the busy Mr Jayson Brunsdon has been getting up to. All the way in the oriental shores of Singapore.. for the annual prestigious event.. 'Crystal Ball' ( September). So special are the fashion lovers of Singapore.. that Mr Jayson B. rolled out a special designed collection for this one off yearly event!!!! Wow... the people of Singapore must be something really special to Mr J.B... something very dear to his little heart.xoxo.


Apparently the theme was, 'cinematic femininity' oozing that 1930's era... and of course the twist of The great Gatsby times.........oooohhh lush.. I love.. I love this era. So romantically forlorn... ( ahhhhhh... peace at last).

My critic tongue.. says....The collection itself is not all that fantastic... some of the designs have all been there done that styles... but the colour palette would have to be absolutely de.....liiiiiishhhh!.

So fresh.. yet invitingly warm ( mmmmmmm, pour me a hot chocolate.. or whip me up a bowl of fresh cream.. to dip with lush berries..mmmmm). Completely echoing the era of the 1930's famous Vanity Fair do's.
Good to see the style is kept to date with the 'must have' staple shoe palette.. of nude pumps! Mwah... ladies please all invest in at least one pair to prance around in. xoxo.

Well congrats.. and smooches of air kisses towards My J.B.... for personally sitting high on a fashion pedestal in the shores of Singapore. Not much to say really... because this is not the actual collection for the season.. just a suprisingly befitting 'one off' creation!. Well received on my end Mr J.B!

Hmmmm I wonder if I can team up my Chanel arm candy with one of these???? ( I think so!). xo.

My little redbook.. writes: Jayson Brunsdon.. Singapore crystal ball collection - Where's the red lippy honey.. and a cigar??? ( um no... just for the theme, we must display a cigar).

Style rating: Jayson Brunsdon Singapore Crystal Ball collection - Bravo ( Loving it, air kissed all around)

Love me or hate me

Madam Alexandra E. Fashion critic.fashion expert.fashion queen

Good Eats Wednesday

The Bison Burger

The Bison Burger with added avocado

and a side of sweet potato fries.

offered at Burger Me! in Truckee, California.

The Menu.

The opinion...

While I admit I was turned on by the idea of trying a bison burger,

I noticed no difference in the taste of meat compared to a regular beef burger.

Next time, I will just get a regular burger

 for a few bucks less and add chedder, avocado, and bacon- crispy

please.

I admit I gave up cheeseburgers for a few years,

but since working near The Cheesecake Factory,

I have become ADDICTED to the Classic Burger.

(Oh, and McDonald's classic cheeseburgers still get me every once in a while, there is something about those little sauteed onions, except getting one is a rareity because I know 15 minutes later I will feel sick.)

But now it's hard to compare to my Classic Burger.

Who makes your favorite Burger?

Bon appetit!

Aneta Bartos

NaNoWriMo

National Novel Writing Month

After my post yesterday, I was visiting some of my favorite blogs. Sorry, it's not everyday as I would like, my computer is literally running on minimal memory and keeps freezing on me. Nothing more annoying. But as I was browsing, I ran into Jen @ Haute Whimsy, and her post introduced me to NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). It was one of those "right place at the right time" kind of moments. So I signed up for the challenge.

The challenge is, for the month of November to write 50,000 words for a novel (equals about 175 pgs.) It's about quantity not quality. To plug through and see where your mind takes you. I figure that is about 5-6 pages per day. Tough for working 40 hours per week, but doable.

If you are interested, visit the National Novel Writing Month website for more details.

I'm thinking about ordering one of these cute Tees for inspiration. Aren't they adorable?

"Noveling Machine 2009"

Way too cute.

So, if your in for the challenge,

get your coffee, computers, and arthritis cream ready to type away.

Have a great day!

MY ONLY ONE - TOP SHOP'S NEW RECYCLING FASHION CONCEPT..... FOR EMERGING DESIGNERS.

Ahem... don't tell me I didn't say so! 'recycled/ vintage/ reworked/ rediscovered.. just re - this , re - that.. re - whatever.. is the IN THING!'. So big is it such that the much loved U of K ( UK ) conglomerate.. TOPSHOP has launched a new little concept label.. off the side but very much a part of Top shop. Introducing the birth of MY ONLY ONE!, an online sister/ brother arm of top shop... selling everything recycled!.

The fashion philosophy for My Only One is: Recycle - to find orphaned clothing and give it new life, Remake - emerging designers will recreate the garments into something new and different, and last but not least.. to Relove ( ohhhh mwah mwah xoxoxo)garments are transformed ready to be reloved again!.

I was trying to tell the Aussie fashionista's that this was going to be huge.. but alas only a few smart fashion lovers.. sat up and listened.. for some reason the Aussie blood still refers to the vintage concept as 'flea markets', ( cringe). Although we are slowly getting there... very slowly.. like a turtle slowly.

Can anyone imagine... wearing a cute little tube skirt birthed and reworked from your dad's sweat shirt???? too unworthy to envisage.. but this is exactly the new concept of My Only One.

So does this mean... if I cart over my jumpsuits, odd bits and pieces of fashion gearing.. then I can receive a whole new wardrobe?.. well technically... styles????. Maybe the local alterations lady.. can transform your little boardie shorts into that fab vest???.xoxox.

Could couture quite possibly catch onto the whole reworked and recycle concept??? other than the works of Mrs Press ( an Australian label dedicated to reworking fashion).

Maybe if I sing my fashion tunes loud enough.. Mr Daniel Alexander ( Couture King of the moment)... can create.. a magnificent.. vintage reworked or something couture gown???.. made from soccer socks, last years Balenciaga ( ooohhh nice), and throw in my mums nightie. What can you make from this Mr Alexander???

Recycled couture???? ummm not really in this lifetime anytime soon.. unless it was Chanel vintage reworked. xoxo.

Will this concept of online recycleing fashion work for My Only One???? - I declare.. yes!... of course it will!.. it's a concept breathing new life into 'fashion design'. This could mean an advantage point for boutique owners..... last seasons fashion flaring can be stored away and reworked into something for this season.. Mwah xoxo... this could just go on and on and on.

So does this mean... I melt down by stubby bits of Chanel lippy, Clinique lippy, E. Arden lippy.. to create a new recycled, reworked and reloved version of a new lippy titled 'Chaneliquearden'????? ( I think NOT!!!!).

Style rating: My Only One ( online recycled shop) - raising my eyebrow ( Benefit of the doubt)

Do your homework fashion lovers: http://www.myonlyone.co.uk/ coming soon... you'll just have to wait.

Love me or hate me

Madam Alexandra E.

fashion critic.fashion expert.fashion queen

JUST LET KARL LAGERFELD DO HIS OWN THING PLEASE!!!!!!

I must not ignore this:


Gee whiz.... so much chitter chatter and talk about Mr Lagerfeld's... infamous comments!. For the past few weeks... that's all I.. Madam Alexandra E. has heard about... whilst at my pedicurist... whilst getting a facial... whilst having a massage... whilst just out and about!!... all that has been tittering on the edge of every fashion lovers tongue.. is the loud and proud thoughts of Mr Lagerfeld.

Coming from my fashion throne..... I believe Mr Lagerfeld should be permitted to air his fashionable opinions.. so be it that it may not be agreeable to the ears of 'anti - fashionistas'.

Point being?????? from one 'honest speaking fashion identity to another'... we rare species.. are purely put on this earth.. to transform the fashion industry. Boo hoo that we all had a cry and whinge over his remarks regarding larger forms do not belong on the catwalk.. because fashion runway shows is an illusion and fantasy. Mwah, Mwah Mr Lagerfeld!!! you go ahead and voice yourself loud and clear.

Nodding rapidly... yes, fashion is fantasy on the runway!. How many times must I.. Madam Alexandra E. declare with fashion flaring.. that.. when I am invited to attend collection showings or runway fanfares.. I expect to see the best performance ever from the designista and their stylista'. So yes.... fantasy is the reality on any and every runway show. xoxo.

Mr Lagerfeld is merely thinking out aloud the many thoughts of fashion lovers who hover over wine and cheese to discuss the best topics of the day! He is merely saying what others are too afraid to speak of!!! he is breaking away from the normality of things!!! which in any fashionable world is a must! Mwah xoxo.

So from my critic tongue to Mr Lagerfeld?????? Darling speak your mind as free as you wish we are all entitled to our own opinions! xoxo.

P.S. to the grumpy frumpy -'pro and anti fashion lovers and haters'????.. get over.. move on.. move forward. Must reapply my red lippy. xoxo.


Style rating: Karl Lagerfeld (furore) - Bravo ( Loving it, air kisses all around)


Love me or hate me,


Madam Alexandra E.
fashion critic.fashion expert.fashion queen

The kind of set you want to live in

I'm looking for a new place to habitualize, could find any images online from the 1968 movie "Birds, Orphans and Fools' which depicts the ideal surrealist DIY disaster that I lust over, so here are some images of some great set design- so dark and tasty!

Have been having some disturbing dreams of late- I hope the lengthy nightmarish visual ride is a sign that I am regressing to a more youthfull state of hyper-imadgination... but in truth the concept that clones may be an economic option for organizations wanting slave-like worker possesions has been worrying me- as although a horrific concept- all to available a scientific possibilty ahhhhhhhh

I think this influenced my seriously horrific dream last night;



Two men- one light-hearted in extremely frightning situations, and the other always calmly concerned, discovered murders which appeared very abstract in composition- i never see the gore only glimpses of misplaced composition- part of a leg and the reaction of the men, often in rooms with oversized foam shapes in primary colour- and giant windows with no glass looking out onto sand coloured sky scrapers- no glass anywhere at all. In discussion with eachother they worked out that the murderer- who they were now awaiting, was definately a transvestite midget with a long curly blonde wig (I see her). Although the midget chased them to the window ledge a couple of times, she returned to her 'factory' where she manufactured goods and had some kind of spa treatment service in lead coloured cube cells, from which people 'would never leave'. Feeling as though they should probably try and kill her themselves to save innocent people, they crawl over a lighting in the ceiling- discovering boneless creatures which are being bred for factory labour.



horrific right!- so this was a dream, but factories in china producing' fake eggs' out of cilicone is something that really happens... cloning offers way to many immoral opportunities!

Dream Jobs

Part 1.

  Those who know me, know I'm very imaginative about what I want to be and what I want to do. My problem is not knowing what I want to do, but narrowing down what I want to commit to completely without getting bored or wanting to switch gears yet again. My wants change seasonally because I have so many interests, but I'm pretty consistant about being practical, and I'm finding that practicality is paralyzing, because it's hard to be brave, or even stupid, to abandon what is safe.

   I'm creative and hands-on, a little shy, and can be a marketing genius when time and money allows, but fearful to pull the trigger or jump start anything. Blogging and Etsy have allowed me to experiment and have fun focusing on some of the things I love, but I'm still sitting at the desk under flourescent lights, wondering if my educational loans were all worth it. Because I'll admit I'm still dispersing the mail, answering phones, and data entry, pretty much the same tasks pre-degree except with a little better salary. All things I wouldn't mind doing if for the pleasure of my own business. I know, I know I should be grateful, because of the many who have lost their jobs and would be grateful for my opportunity, but I think most people can relate it is hard watching the years go by sitting on the sidelines, watching the star players live out their dream.

  So until that day comes when I decide on my niche, no need for sympathy, just a little Monday gripe, this is the perfect excuse for a Monday escape with a mini-blogseries focusing on Dream Jobs and success stories. What better way to start a Monday?

So for starters, here is a little background on me...

My Degree: Bachelor of Science in Journalism- Magazine &  a business minor.

What I intended to study when I applied to colleges: Film Production / or Screenwriting
(Of the 6 colleges I was accepted in to, film was not offered at the University of Oregon, where I attended.)

My Actual Job:  Client Services Manager for a boutique investment advisery firm.

(That's me subserviently playing the part of dutiful employee. Remember when Emily in the 'Devil Wears Prada' says, "I love my job. I love my job. I love my job." in her cute British accent.

Yeah...I love that line.)

So there you have it my friends, after months of blogging, my personal resume on a post and my heart and soul exposed. I know many of my blog friends have careers they love and that I so jealously love. So if you are interested in guest posting your success stories, interview, how-to, or general advice (on blog or privately), email me at nicoletterenee@hotmail.com.

Here's to a new week! :)