TATO & MEMI - DESERT LILY Aw 010..........oh yes indeed.

I'm back......... back to the 'daily fashionable grind', where I sip my tea, slip on my flats ( giving my lovelies a break), slide on a free flowing smock.. and pen my critic view.

Autumn 10.. is breezing its way through out fashion conscious minds. Fashion creatives all over are busily working to create pieces that are befittingly wearable and suitable for the Autumn breeze.. but also not exactly accomodating to the chilly evenings ( who cares.. just slip on a bolero or blazer!!)

I am penning my fashion tongue on a Sydney duo label popularly known as " Tato & Memi". The label and it's creations thoroughly intrigued me.. and so my busy bodyness requested for my fave pics of Tato & Memi to be forwarded to my "inbox".

Inspiration for the current Tato & Memi Autumn 010 collection - Desert Lily, derives from the feeling of imagining the harsh bold and confronting climate of the desert. Think hot, burnt colours in palettes of ember along with combined prints... collaborating with a myriad of textures all suitable to the Wintery climates. Yes.. so take minute and pause..and think: Desert climate colour pallettes infused with the feeling of the Wintery winds.

The current collection, I absolutely adore... all too often fashion creatives think Autumn/ Winter is restricted only to the morbidly drab dead darks of the pallette. Tato & Memi have catered for the women who boldly injects colour into her Autumn wardrobe, she obviously puts colour ahead of comfort!xoxo.

I love how each garment strongly suggests that the fashionista can have every option of transitioning herself into the Autumn climate. For now,.. if it's not chilly winds.. then team your latest Tato & Memi creation... without the leggings????

My verdict?.. Tato & Memi.. has struck a very wearable collection this season...fashionably wearable indeed.

Style Rating: Applaud ( stylish effort) xoxo.

Love me or hate me

Madam Alexandra E. (k)

P.S. more images below courtesy of Tato & Memi - Desert Lily Aw 010 collection

Lakme Fashion Week Summer Resort 2010 Preview - Vijay Balhara

A stylish brand ambassador for his own brand VJB, launched in 2006, Vijay Balhara is no stranger to the world of glamour. As a renowned model, he walked the ramps worldwide, for over 500 shows, strutting down the runway for the topmost brands across the globe. It was this exposure that gave Vijay an inherent sense of style that easily reflects in his designs. Vijay’s show at Lakme Fashion Week Summer Resort 2010, scheduled for 7th March, consolidates Vijay’s position as a promising, emerging designer, as one of the brave new breed that is redefining Indian fashion.
Through VJ B his endeavor is to glamorize his favorite fabric cotton and the centuries old rural Indian block print motifs and silhouettes in the most contemporary way as is evident in his collection “Borala Nautch” 2010
The theme for his Collection, “Borala Nautch” combines two words “Borala” and “Nautch”. Borala is an ornamental head gear used by women in rural North India, while the word “Nautch” is an anglicized version of the word “Naach”, or Nritya (Sanskrit), which means dance. Vijay’s collection takes the best elements of the ethnic, rural silhouettes and motifs, spiked with the rich textures and colors of the Nautch Girls’ clothing. These he blends with the contemporary forms and styles, to create a collection that is perfect for the Urban Indian Woman.
If his past collections, retailed at Mumbai’s leading premium stores like AZA, AMARA and Mogra are anything to go by, this young designer is all set to make true his commitment to taking Indian fashion to the world, one collection at a time.





For event schedule and designer profiles, visit Lakme Fashion Week Site.

Happy Friday!!

Photo by: ME. Taken at Disney World.

Have a fantasic weekend!!!

Off And Away....

Back SOooooooooooooooooooooooooon xoxo.

Good Eats Wednesday

Jax on the Trax
Truckee, Ca

This morning we went to Jax on the Trax for breakfast,

which will be featured on Guy Fieri's Diner's, Drive-Ins & Dives at the end of March.

Mom saw the Food Network van here about a month ago.

Here is a sneak peak...

Mmm hot chocolate on a snowy morning.

The Eggs Benedict.

"The Mornin' Addiction: Locals Favorite"

Consists of hash browns, shaved canadian bacon, mixed greens,

avocado, eggs your choice, pesto, and balsamic vinigrette.

This was so yum!

Photo via jaxtruckee.com.

We hear they have excellent meatloaf with a rootbeer raisin bbq glaze.

Website and Menu available HERE.

Bon appetit!

The Big Fat Indian Wedding

Just a few months ago... and yet it seems like years ago. Things were so different then. This was at my sister-in-law's wedding. On 13th December. Less than a month ago, I had lost my mother. So the occasion was meant to give me a break from my grief.

Indian weddings are, like any wedding in any part of the world, family affairs. They are meant for bonding with your friends and family, and dressing up. There are so many ceremonies, and so many occasions to dress up for. I kept my make-up minimal. Thankfully, winters are good for my skin. And I found this salon in Lucknow where the lady did magic with my hair. The Sari is done by a very talented designer, Vishal Mehra.

A Day on the Slopes

Ouch!

Ok, ok...

Today was the first time I have attempted skiing since I was about 10 years old.

Since, I'm still on Eastern time for my mini-vacation in California,

I woke for the Early Bird private ski lesson.

(Although, I had been nervously tossing and turning since 5:30a.m.)

A one hour lesson is not very long

to prepare this not-so-athletic girl to venture the slopes on her own.

But I was determined.

I only fell once.

Ok twice,

 if you count losing my balance

within the first couple of minutes trying to

get onto the moving walkway for the learners section (pre-bunny hill).

Yes, they had to stop the moving walkway and my instructor had to help me up.

But I pressed on... and after a couple baby hills,

I moved on to an easy run on my own,

where I gained too much speed

for my breaking ability and wiped out.

After that things were smooth sailing. 

But I quickly realized how much effort and muscle it takes to break down hill.

Now I can hardly walk.

But it was worth it!

Just a couple more tries and I'll be ready for the 2014 Olympics.

Cheers!

Live from Truckee

A Little Picture Story

My bedroom view this morning.

Mom and I went to Northstar Resort

and took the gondola up to the Ritz Carlton.

We had four cheese pizza with chorizo and endives,

with a side of bubbly macaroni.

Yesterday I constructed a snowman.

My new buddy.

Buddy greeting all visitors.

Mom and I took a walk and discovered all kinds of tracks.

I'm guessing... a little snow hare?

I just love it here.

Oh yes, mom redeemed herself.

The cookies were delicious!

Tomorrow I am going for a private ski lesson...

and I'm a little nervous. :)

(All photos via iPhone, only way I could blog here, so sorry they are not that clear.)

Cheers!!!

SWAP MY STYLE - SaLeS & StYLe STeaLs!!!

Swap My Style: www.swapmystyle.com.au

Where exactly has 'moi' been.....???.. has anyone checked out the new SWAP MY STYLE webby?.. ( it's new to me.. because I haven't had the opportunity to view its new makeover!). SWAP MY STYLE must be upping the anty!!!, more P.R.O.F.F.E.S.S.I.O.N.A.L????

In the past few months... the Swap My Style entity has been partnering up..., collaborating and sponsoring with the big names and not so big names within the fash. industry.. Sportsgirl, The Social Studio... to drop a few names.

For those who may still be unfamiliar with SWAP MY STYLe.... let madam me.. enlighten you briefly. Think,.... 'old clothes, new clothes.. you don't want???, then take and swap for something you may want!'..... business is booming for Swap My STyle in Sydney, Melbourne etc.. but oddly enough.. it doesn't EXIST in good old BRISSIe ( BRISBANe)????. My theory for it's lack of success in Brisbane = Brisbanites... have an uncanny well ingrained belief that second hands, hand me downs mixed with champagne and trying to glam it up.. is just too 'cras'... .and 'un - fashionable'??xo. (That's my belief).

Brisbane Clothing Exchange is the closest copycat concept of Swap My Style based in Brisbane... but even then when you compare the two.... ..........SWAP MY STYLE... trumps!xoxo.

Getting side tracked... I'm letting everybody know, that Swap My Style will soon be launching a new section in their already very successful concept... called: 'Sales and Style Steals'.... sign up, join their mailing list and be fashionably informed with the latest fashion sales, events and styles!!!!!... think similar to Brisbane's own 'Fashionista Events'... but on a much 'grander' scale.. with a massive budget and sponsorship backing!!!!, this is one mailing list you want to be on!!!xoxoxo.


Check out SWAP MY STYLE @ http://www.swapmystyle.com.au/


Style rating: Swap My Style = Bravo ( loving it, air kisses all around)




Love me or hate me


Madam Alexandra E. (k)

AMANDA BLANK IN TOUR DE FORCE

Amanda Blank wearing Tour De Force armpiece, hat and skirt in a campaign for Vestal- checkout the montage from the photoshoot- I know its a strange thing to say- but doesnt she have a great mouth!!! ;

Winner!!

French Riveria painting by Christian Guinet.

To see more of this artist's captivating work, click HERE.

Congratulations to the beautiful Stephanie of Still Waters!

She is the winner of the Pier 1 Imports muti-colored kitchen wisk and a red timer.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

(Blogging live from Truckee, CA.)

Cheers!

THE SOCIAL STUDIO - CHARITY in the name of fashion.

Fashionable CHARITY, is the new concept sweeping within the fashion industry, and deliberately tugging on our 'heart felt' emotions.... lend a helping hand please.xo.

The Social Studio is a very small concept which has grown into a huge success!, all in the name of 'helping' the talents of creatives.

The Social Studio is .. ( quoted from their description) a "Dynamic space where clothing is created from the style and skills of the young REFUGEE community" donated from industrial textile industries, garments are reconfigured into original clothing.

I'm not so much really interested in the 're- configuration' of the garments, but more so am all for the fact that it is supporting a cause!, helping the refugee to hone in on their talented skills and give the fashion industry more! xoxo.

The Social Studio is a such a fashionable charitable concept... I LOVE IT xxx. The whole of Australia also appears to embrace it whole heartedly... having attracted a huge media frenzy and partnership opportunities with established fashionites.

I declare.... dig deep.. pull out your discards, and not wants... and donate whole heartedly in the name of helping a fellow fashion creative...@ http://www.thesocialstudio.org/

Style rating: Standing Ovation! Being charitable is more fashionable than a fashionista's Blahniks or Choo's!!!xoxo.

Love me or hate me

Madam Alexandra E. (k)

The Social Studio Workroom

A re-configured garment

Travel Thursday

Capturing a Town
Lucerne, Switzerland

For those who have been following my blog for awhile, you know about my affinity for Switzerland. One of my favorite towns in Switzerland is Lucerne. I have been there twice. These are some of my photos which capture the essence of this charming town.

I have also mentioned before Switzerland is the inspiration for the novel I'm currently writing.

Sometimes when my day gets stressful, I close my eyes and envision I'm in Lucerne on a sunny day eating lunch at a bistro, wandering through the shops, staring at the caricatures, eating ice cream, people watching...

or cruising around the lake.

All photos belong to Nicolette Renee.

Please request permission to use. Thank you.

Happy Traveling!!

***Leave a comment on Monday's post for the Pier One Giveaway before noon on Friday.***