The Dream Team behind My Happy Feet

As the summer approaches the end, I have started sorting out my summer wardrobe. It will be a long process, since I am not so good at organising things. I have just realised how well-behaved I am this year. My old weird philosophies for shoes are

• I’m telling myself that no shoes can be called completely perfect. Some rare pieces I've bought may go with only 1 outfit for 1 occasion, i.e. they may never be worn.
  

• There is always a pressure point in a shoe, so it is "perfectly normal" for my feet not feeling that comfy at some point, i.e. I forgive myself for all sorts of mistakes – half size too big, half size too small, a bit narrow in front, a bit hard at the back, and etc. You name it, I have it.

To my surprise, I genuinely loved all the shoes I purchased this summer, especially I have tried to look at long run! The shoes that I will love for longer and carry through winter! The following 5 pairs are my best buy this summer. Some did cost me a bit, but they have fulfilled almost all my fantasies. Then I realise that I should spend only on the things that I deeply love in every way.

• Azzedine Alaïa Suede Cutout Ballerina Flat Pumps - OK, it's very rare for me to love a pair of ballerinas! I mean, it is just hard to find a pair that is both practical and chic! And many don't really go with my outfits. However, this Alaia fits all the bill perfectly! They go really well with my skinny jeans, dresses, skirts... and yes, they are very comfy. Oh, I will definitely carry them through autumn, as the lace is everywhere now :)
  

• Balenciaga Gladiator Mirror Heels - This is my ultimate summer fantasy! They are simply individual and fun! I know. I know, I can get 2 pairs of other great shoes at that price, but they totally stole my heart! I was totally surrendered to them.
  

• Christian Louboutin Architeck Leather Slingbacks - For me, this is a wardroble stable. Red and black combo is classic and they are truly comfy (I'm not comparing them with trainers... but Louboutin platforms can let almost any girl stand all night long! That's a miracle.)
  

Okey, please don't think I spend every penny on my shoes, because the last 2 pairs are the best budget buys that I did in Trudie Styler's Charity Sale. They were both new and each pair costed me only £10.

• Oscar de la Renta Crocodile Platforms - They are chic, comfy and most of all they are perfect for all year round.
  

• Patrick Cox Feather High Heels - The shape, the material and the colour.... actually everything about this pair is freaking sexy! I can wear any simply black dress with these heels! As you known, feather will be even better for this winter... HURRAY!
  

So here is a picture of my dream team behind my happy feet :)

Little Sweet Treat

Strangely enough, the cloth I bought makes me happy most is not anything big but small, chic and cheerful lingerie that always makes me feel feminine and sexy (of course). My problem is that I sometimes do not really need that many. Actually, some of the shapes cannot really be worn under any cloth… but I still buy them purely because I love it so much. Particularly, girly retro lingerie is surely one of my fashion weaknesses! Now, you know the sweet treat to yourself is to buy some pretty lingerie.

• A Bit of History

The first bra, actually a corselet (or a half corset), was invented by Luman Chapman in 1863.

Our First Bra

Thirties year later, Marie Tucek patented "Breast Supporter" in 1893. It was the first garment similar to the modern-day with shoulder straps and a hook-and-eye closure. In 1904, Charles R. DeBevoise Company first labelled “brassiere” as a bra-like garment that is a boned camisole helping to stabilise the chests. Gradually, the word, brassiere, has appeared in many women magazines and even in Oxford English Dictionary in 1912. A famous story was how “backless bra” was invented. In 1913, a New York socialite, Mary Phelps Jacobs, made a bra with 2 handkerchiefs and some ribbons to wear under a very sheer evening gown. The innovative idea was then sold to Warners for $1500. Wowwww, so we have been wearing bras for quite a long time now…

• Examples of Lingerie that are made for me to love rather than wear
  

Antique Intimates: the lace, the ribbon and the buttons are just sooo sweet...


Antique Intimates: I love antique French knickers... so pretty and comfy



Agent Provocateur: One of my favourite brands - the boned lace is really special and chic.



Myla: Remember the fresh water pearl knickers loved by Samantha in Sex and the City?
Then you know Myla... everything is luxury under Myla, pure silk and divine design.



Agent Provocateur: I just like black & white!


Last but truly not least, it's my seriously beloved laundry bag
I figured out that I rather use it as a travel bag for my lingerie... not for washing

Dare to Be Different, Office Fashion!

I have received an email asking me about office outfit. Here, I am connecting fashion with your office routine, so maybe it is not quite conventional, but it will be much more inspirational. There are many rules for office wear, from colour (black - elegant; red - aggressive; navy - trustworthy and grey - conservative) to shape and even label. As you known that I am not a rule follower, I'd say among all these points, the one I would pay attenuation to is the cut - fit, fit and fit - that’s the first thing but often been neglected! If they are not fit probably, even it is “your colour” or it is Chanel, there is not much impact to make. For colour, I’d like to keep simple and avoid “logo” all over, which is particularly crucial if you are going to choose a trench coat. Also, make sure it is made from luxury fabrics (you have to wear it for at least 8 hours, so make sure the fabric is breathing and not easy to crease!)

We always pay a lot of attention to an interview or a first date, but what happen after we get jobs. Let’s be realistic that many people are judgemental. From what you wear, your colleagues and your boss probably guess how you feel today; if you are neat and clean; and maybe even your social status. Sound ridiculous? Sorry, but sometimes that’s true. The position is that you want people think you are just right, a bit effort but not too much (Effortlessly stylish is not really for office, but too much effort may potentially cause other colleagues jealousy or even isolation). Girls, these are the list that I guess what you really need.

• Skirt Suit: Try a properly tailed jacket and not-too-short pencil skirt – you will look sexy all the sudden, but in a disciplined way! Think about 1950s tailored suit, think about sexy librarian, not a mortgage negotiator please! If you want to be even more glamour, then go for a fitted cut office dress.

(Suit: Yves Saint Laurent; Blouse: Alexander McQueen)




(Dress: 07aw Paul Smith)

• Trouser Suit: The art of trouser suit is about proportion and where you want to draw attenuation to. Try your trousers on with your heels and make sure it is the right length. Also, I don’t encourage wearing a long jacket which often happens. It can easily shorten your legs a little. If you really want to hide your bottom, opt for skirt suits, since it will probably show your curve better.

• Blouse: Choose the ones with some details on the buttons/collars/cuffs, which are the places you often show. Also make sure it fits nicely, since you may take off your jacket.

(Blouse: Alexander McQueen)

• Polo Neck: For a slightly relaxed and more casual look, sometimes you can wear a polo neck. Cashmere is nice, but maybe a bit delicate. For more durable choices, go for cashmere & silk mix for summer; wool & cashmere mix or cashmere & silk mix for winter.

• Lingerie: It is not about frills or laces, but you really need underwear with good cut and material to look better. Even a pair of firm control tights will make your pencil skirt look sexier.

• Accessories: A good belt/scarf is a long-term investment - a small thing reveals lots of details.

(Blouse & Belt: Alexander McQueen; Skirt: Dolce & Gabbana)

What’s more? I guess you then need to have a good haircut that you can easily take care of and manicure in a classic colour. Oh, always polish your shoes and bag! Bag, you need a “female boss” bag, I like my Chanel 2.55 Large, Alexander McQueen Novak Bag and my truly beloved Chanel 50th Anniversary 2.55 Jumbo. Girls, invest a little on bags. A high-street bag or fake copy does not last. The quality is far less durable. Think about how much we spend on food, rental or mortgage! Once you have these basic pieces, you will love them for years to come and be inspirational and play with them!

Watch, Hermes Kelly!

Many of you probably know Hermes, a legendary French company for silk and leather goods making. However, do you know Hermes is a watch-maker even before it became a silk specialist? It has been associated with the great names of Swiss and French watch-making since the 1920s - designed by Parisian artists but constructed in Switzerland. If you are familiar with Hermes watches, you may know that Hermes watches are very different in their lines and their spirit, each has own style and expression. However, all watches have signature Hermes features: A capital letter H placed on the crown, “Hermes Paris” lettering on the dial and Hermes carriage logo on the case back.

Out of all these beautiful models, I, of course, have to keep a classic everlasting model, the Kelly watch. It first came out in 1975. As you probably guessed, I adore Hermes red. It is deep rich red, something very sharp yet classic. If I can have only 1 colour on, I’d choose red! Red real lizard skin and 24ct yellow gold plate just make it extra special! The model has its unique humour in associated with this little cute Kelly padlock! And only Hermes can mix all the elements and deliver everything in perfection!

The Kelly collection: in 1956, Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco covered her pregnant body with a bag from Hermes. Her picture then appeared in Life magazine (pictured left), which marked the start of Hermes international success. Soon, the bag was renamed after the princess as the Kelly bag. The vital piece of the bag is a padlock on the closure of the bag's flap. In 1975, Hermes introduced a watch featuring the famous padlock hung on a leather watch strap, and named as Kelly watch.

I'm not a Shoe Girl!

Girls, how many pair of shoes do we really need, no, acutally I should ask how many pairs we want? I am not a shoe girl, but surprisingly, I have “discovered” so many pairs of shoes that I bought not long ago but still managed to forget about. Maybe because of too many things in my closet, some of the beauties have never been worn at all, dear dear me … but really why every week I still find a new target?

1. Christian Louboutin aw07 Black Suede Lady Gres Peep Toe - they are just truely divine, everything done in a perfectly classy way.

2. Gucci ss06 Butterfly Platform - classy, comfy, easy going with various outfits, both for summer and winter. And the golden Gucci heels are just Rock&Roll!

3. Fendi aw06 Bronze Peep Toe - if you want something sharp, different yet classic, go for Fendi!

4. Chanel 03P 2 Tone Round Toe Lace-up - my long-time favourite, the 2-tone contrast and lace-up in front and even the shoe lace Chanel signature details in front just have something about it, and very chic, of course!

5. Alexander McQueen Beige High-Heel - I only don't wear this pair, in order to keep them in good condition, since they are a piece of art to me rather than a pair of shoes.

6. Christian Louboutin White Round Toe

7. Alexander McQueen aw06 Mock Lizard Boot - The shoes that only McQueen can do - the shape, the leather contrast, the quality and most of all, most of all, the attitude - don't you feel tempted? That’s exactly why I bought them.

8. Yves Saint Laurent aw07 2-Tone Bootie - they are stylish, not too bold, but speak for themselves in a unique way. To be very honest, they are not really comfortable compared to my plateform ones, but they look great!

9. 2 pairs of Vivienne Westwood aw07 Mock Croco Booties - These are special! I love them so much, so I purchased them in both black and red. Only Vivienne Westwood Gold Label can handmade these elevated boots. They are super comfy, to my surprise. Therefore, they haven't been forgotten, just too beautiful to be "ruined" sometimes. Black is perfect for any occation, and the dark burgundy red is too rare to miss.