Converting to the Fabulous 1930s

Last night Boyfriend and I had a chance to preview a feather light and sophisticated comedy - Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. It will be out on 15th Aug in the UK but I guess many of you who live in US have watched the film. The movie has a brilliant cast and beautifully photographed. Just imagine silk satin, velvet, fur and all the fabulous 1930's décor. I don't usually do posts on movies, but it is simply marvellous for any girl who loves vintage, fashion and of course life.

Do you believe there is a day that we can discover life and find love both at the same time? Two lucky women will find that out in the most important 24 hours in their lives. Everything is on chance and your own character - 2 key elements of the fate and destiny.

In 1939 London, Miss Guinevere Pettigrew (Frances McDormand) is a mid-aged governess who is once again unfairly dismissed from her job. She suddenly realises that perhaps is the time to seize the day. She intercepts an employment that does not belong to her professional recommendation letters. She goes for an interview as "social sectary" - responsible for the care of day-to-day affairs assistant.

Miss Guinevere Pettigrew (played by Frances McDormand) at the interview

All the sudden, Miss Pettigrew is catapulted into a completely different and glamorous world of her employer, an American actress and singer, Delysia Lafosse (Amy Adams). Within minutes, Miss Pettigrew finds herself swept into a heady high-society milieu and help Delysia navigating her career and a messy love life that complicatedly involves 3 men: devoted pianist Michael (Lee Pace), intimidating nightclub owner Nick (Mark Strong) and impressionable junior impresario Phil (Tom Payne).

Meanwhile, Miss Pettigrew is blushingly drawn to Joe Blumfield (Ciaran Hinds), an influential fashion designer who is tenuously engaged to haughty fashion maven Edythe (Shirley Henderson) who senses that "social secretary" may be out her element, and schemes to undermine her. So what will happen in the next 24 hours...

Delysia Lafosse (played by Amy Adams) in a peach silk satin negligee with feather sleeves
Such a feminine and elegant gown


Miss Lafosse's Bedroom
(The beautiful and luxury décor of 1930's - the love of satin, silk and velvet
and soft & clean colour - the return of elegance)


Miss Lafosse's Vanity

Miss Lafosse's Living Room

Miss Lafosse's in a beautiful blue dress is going to a lingerie fashion show!
(1930s - budding rounded busts and clearly defined waistline,
foreheads have been revealed and adorned with small hats with/without veils,
soft curls give more feminine and sweet image)

Edythe (Shirley Henderson) hosts the fashion show

Everyone wakes Miss Pettigrew up from the facial!

Miss Pettigrew's transformation

'Pushing Daisies' star Lee Pace plays devoted pianist Michael

For the evening, Miss Lafosse wears gold lamé long gown
while Miss Pettigrew has a midnight blue velvet dress.

(Wealth women in 1930's do not really wear practical day wear. Many clothes can be worn for both day and evening occasions. However, metallic lamé, sequins and glass beads are very popular for evening... in general, the shinier and richer, the better.)

Designer, Joe Blumfield (Ciaran Hinds) dances with Miss Pettigrew.

Girls, if you love fashion and style, I really hope you love this beautiful movie....

Only Come Here to Swim

I always invest on a good bikini every summer, even though we have neither particular good weather nor many nice beaches… but it doesn’t matter! When it is down to seaside or even just in the spa, good swimsuits always make me feel great! I haven’t decided which one to go for, but possibly a retro-chic style! I'm just in love with old Hollywood glamour! Therefore, I'd show some great collections on the market :)

• Agent Provocateur - It is one of the best underwear brand and new to swimsuits - it has a truly Hollywood glamour throughout! Well, they do not come cheap, but these "pin-up" bikinis will surely grab the attention! Seriously, just look at Hilary Swank and Rachel Bilson, you will understand what I am talking about.
  

• Myla - One of my long-time favourites for underwear and swimwear! They have luxurious fabrics and great cut! I like all of them but Mimi swimsuit has really caught my eye - great colour and unusual swimwear! I acutally think it may work well when our tummies fell a bit bloated, don't you think?
  

• Samantha Sage - they do girly, chic and sexy swimwear, particularly some 20's, 40's and 50's influenced bikinis! In fact, they have been featured from Harper's Bazaar to Tatler Magazines!
  

Mustique Bikini £69
Charleston Bikini £79
Mustique Swimsuit £69

• Vitamin A Swimwear by Amahlia Stevens - They have been favoured by many celebrities, since they use simple but gorgeous colour and they have slick and sexy cut!
  

• Kushcush by Kerry Cushman - Their bikinis are sweet, a bit retro and flirty! A big plus is that they are fully lined in UV50+ Lycra!

• Kelly Brook for New Look - Meanwhile, I'm thinking if I just wear them once in a full-of-bleach pool, I need something pretty yet great value in order to not feel so guilty! I think New Look's is a good option!
  

Both Bikini Tops at £12 each
Both Briefs at £8 each

• If you really want to make a statement and have a bikini bash, here are some great options on Net-A-Porter

From left to right:

Emilio Pucci £230, Missoni £175, JG4B £150
Marc by Marc Jacobs £120, Emilio Pucci £345 and Shay Todd £105

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

Met Costume Institute Gala 2008 - The Superheroes

Since the $7,500-a-ticket event has set the theme as Superhero, then let's meet some beautiful superheroes! By the way, Marc Jacobs confessed that he was wearing Superman underwear beneath his tuxedo which I don't have any photo to show.

• Audrey Tautou, the latest face of Chanel No.5 Perfume, in Chanel Spring 08 Couture - The colour made her porcelain-like skin even more glowing, and the cut made her look stunning! Who said we have to wear long dresses? We are superheroes on the go!
  

• Anna Wintour in Chanel Couture (truely Superhero Coutour Look!) & her daughter Bee Shaffer in a beautiful Nina Ricci Gown - Comparing to Bee's outfit last year, I adore the colour of this dress much more. She's really a classic beauty, but the dress looked tiny little bit overpowering her.
  

Bee Shaffer in a beautiful Nina Ricci in Costume Institute Gala 2008


Bee Shaffer also in a beautiful Nina Ricci in Costume Institute Gala 2007

• Eva Longoria Parker in Marchesa aw08 - It is a controversial one. I like deep purple, and I also like the design, but I am not sure if the beautiful design in this rich colour really suits Eva.

• Claudia Schiffer in Valentino 08 Couture - the baby blue made her eyes even bluer and the made her skin light-reflecting. The shape is perfect for super-slim Claudia, great! However, I have to say that I still prefer her skin looks nature rather than this tan.
  

• Camilla Belle in Armani Privé ss08 Couture - Another blue superhero, great!