ASOS Barbie Lounge

The Barbies have landed at ASOS... The Barbie Lounge opened it's doors this week, offering a selection of very well dressed dolls, as well as some pink bags and accessories, all finished with Barbie's signature.

As a child I was far more in to My Little Ponies than Barbies, but these polished ladies above are quite different from the bedraggled, leotard wearing dolls that I remember. Perhaps 22 is the perfect age to get your first Barbie?

Tote-ally YSL

As a person who can often be found riffling through the collective post at the bottom of the stairs, it was beyond exciting to find an absolutely massive YSL envelope propped up on the metal post stand. The Spring/Summer 2010 Yves Saint Laurent Manifesto is the 6th edition of the iconic publication, and arrived as usual in a cotton tote.

The tote is hugely oversized, so much so that it perhaps would cause a stir if actually used to transport goods. Designed by Stefano Pilati, it features a hazy strawberry design and is finished with a YSL logo scrawl.

The strawberry theme is continued in to the collection, with sweet fruit prints adorning dresses (see below). Classic tailoring continues in to Spring with added ruffles and bold colours. Modeled by Natalia Vodianova, the styling is enhanced with bright lips, scarlet nails and a deep Mediterranean tan.







The images are undoubtedly beautiful, and I can't wait to imitate the beauty looks for a summer occasion. Whilst the fashion remains unobtainable for the moment, the manifesto itself makes a edgy inspiration board for the wall of the fashion mortal. The first thing we did was stick Natalia to our fridge, a fitting 'thinspiration' if ever there was one! Unfortunately, this tactic does not work if you make an unsuspecting boy visit the fridge on your behalf, and serve up a delicious toastie to your seat at the kitchen table...




The Manifesto will be distributed exclusively on Saturday, February 20 in the streets of Paris, London, Milan, Tokyo, Hong Kong and, for the first time Berlin, so if you fancy a huge tote and some inspiration, head out to collect one!

Interesting

Interesting. Here is Anne Hathaway in the New Alice in Wonderland with bleached white tresses. I have never particularly wanted to go blonde, but there is something about pure platinum locks that really appeals. However, I am naturally dark brunette and possess a yellow skin undertone with brown eyes, a combination that bodes risky when dying your hair any colour. I squashed all blonde ambition with the notion that my complexion forbids tampering with nature, but in fact, Anne carries off this look and has a colouring very similar to my own. Pale skin, dark brows and lashings of red upon lip looks beautiful against the ethereal white waves. Interesting indeed...

RIP Alexander McQueen

A sad loss indeed. I am not only saddened by the event itself, but slightly sickened by the human reaction to it. On walking in Nottinghill, I watched the windows of the various vintage shops on the way to Portabello Road. There it was, a (beautiful) black dress, hoicked to the glassy shop front and stuffed on to a mannequin, proudly proclaiming in black marker pen 'Alexander McQueen £300'. No doubt this was a recent addition to the main display, and no doubt the price had been nicely embellished due to circumstance. To think of someone rifling through the shop rails to locate that dress and to purposeful capitalise on a tragic death really bothered me.

I do understand of course. It is really very strange how news like this can change ones entire perception of a physical object. On seeing McQueen rings and scarves recently, I simply admired and desired them, yet when I saw these same accessories after hearing the news, they took on a new melancholy and seemed almost haunting. The severed connection between creator and object may be imaginary on a physical level, but it can still be affecting. For this reason, his collections will always mean more now.

Pizza Express but Lighter

Yum. The above photo brings back excellent eating memories. Last week I attended a Pizza Express event to promote their new lighter food options. I often frequent Pizza Express armed with 2 for 1 vouchers, and I am so well learned in the restaurant locations that I navigate Soho streets using their round signs as beacons, so I was more than happy to go along after work and sample the goods.

We were greeted with the Crostini Al Pomodoro,

Ciabatta bread topped with santos tomatoes marinated in extra virgin olive oil, garlic and fresh oregano. Served on rocket leaves, shavings of grana padano and balsamic syrup.

Delicious! This lighter option doesn't feel like you are making any sacrifices with a crispy carby base and some nice cheesy toppings. Here is B enjoying a bite.



We then got the opportunity to make our own pizza! We rolled the dough and diligently cut out the centre to make the lighter Leggera pizza. This pizza promises to come in at under 500 calories, thanks to the addition of a salad center, lower fat mozzarella, and clever toping portion control. Though I am usually an all or nothing eater (literally) this is a very good idea to satisfy the pizza vs salad dithers.



Thanks to B for the picture of us both- I took one on my own camera but I had a very large arm in it! After the eating, we were brought the lighter desert, Sotto Zero.

Two scoops of delicious low fat natural frozen yoghurt topped with blackcurrants in syrup with a dark chocolate straw.

I really enjoyed this and would eat it again. It was not as creamy as real ice-cream but had more boot than an acidic sorbet. A fair trade if one is trying to be healthy.



All this was enjoyed with a glass of low calorie, low alcohol wine. Refreshing and fruity it is a very pleasant drink, however, I can't really see me choosing this over a bottle of rich velvety Merlot!

Seeing Skulls Part. 2

I have made no secret of my love of skulls. I, like Hamlet, enjoy the idea of the romanticism of holding a skull in my hand. Recently I have come across some products that are less earthy and rotten than Hamlets' skull of Yorik, but yet remain deliciously gothic. The above ring by Alexander McQueen is divine, I want that creepy grinning skull resting on my knuckles with his glowing pearl eyes. The bumble bee makes it even more dark in my opinion, the seemingly feminine insect reminds us of how flies flock to decay. Wonderful!

And then the below...a ebony wax skull candle from D.L & Co. I don't know how this has been made, but the size and shape seems very realistic, as though it was cast from the mold of a real skull. This would rest beautifully on the mantelpiece of my cave room, though I wouldn't dare to light it- at $90 it is to be admired not used.