Back with a bump!

SURPRISE! I'm back!

Yes, I've been AWOL for the past gazillion months. No excuses.

Well, actually, I have a great excuse. The main reason for my absence has been due to horrendous morning sickness. Yep...I've gone from Miss Magpie, to Mrs Magpie, to Mummy-to-be Magpie in the blink of an eye!

Now that the morning sickness has abated (FYI morning sickness does not do what it says on the label. It should be called morning-noon-night-and every-minute-inbetween sickness), I can finally enjoy life again. Seriously, it was that bad!

I'm 20 weeks down (which means 20 weeks to go) and with my bump growing by the day, my existing wardrobe is not doing me any favours. 'Slut chic' is not working so well for me right now. Surprise surprise.

With traditional maternity-wear offering me NOTHING inspiring, I've turned to the catwalk, to see what my fave designers have inadvertently designed for mummas (clearly they didn't plan it that way).

Diane von Furstenberg SS'12

The beauty of living in Hong Kong is that our winter is nearly over - nahnahnahnerner!! - so this maxi shirt dress will be the ideal pregnancy partner from now until D-Day.

Marchesa SS'12

The girls have done it again with a beautiful collection and this stunning ethereal number will have me floating my way through the rest of my pregnancy (it's more of a thud right now).

Alexander McQueen SS'12

You may not agree, but I reckon I could rock this little number with my bump. In fact, I'm not even sure you'd be able to detect my tummy behind all those ruffles. I may need a bit of extra length on it (bumps tend to raise hemlines) and perhaps I'd ditch the cap (I need some level of comfort right now), but otherwise it'll do the job just fine. Plus, red is a super lucky colour over here in HK, so it's practically made for me.

Valentino Couture SS'12

The maxi dress - a pregnant woman's best friend. And this dainty version from Valentino is now on my lust list. Once I've found a bra with the right level of support (boobs enormous, but not allowed underwire. Go figure!) it'll be perfect.

Victoria by Victoria Beckham SS'12

With 4 pregnancies under her (very skinny) belt, the Queen B must know a thing or two about maternity fashion. And I reckon she designed this whilst preggers with little Harper, because I would love to be wearing this right now. 

Sadly, with a baby on the way, I've got to become a little bit more sensible, so these dresses will all remain a pipe dream for now. Unless the respective designers would like some free pregnancy advertising. I'll even wear them to pre-natal yoga. How can they refuse an offer like that?!

Luckily the sales are on in HK and fed up of hearing me moan about my shrinking wardrobe, my darling hubby took me to Lane Crawford (HK's answer to Selfridges) and bought me a wee treat...

Thank you to Ms Diane VF for making one very emotional and hormonal pregnant woman, very happy. Now I just need the occasion to wear it, but I think hubby has that under his belt too. I'm a lucky girl. I mean grown-up woman who is about to be a mum. Eeks!

Stay tuned for more pregnancy related posts coming soon (sorry - it's all I know right now!)...

Met Ball 2011: An ode to Alexander McQueen

After the excitement of the Royal Wedding, it was hard to believe that we would be given another fashion feast so soon, but last night the Who's Who of fashion and film came together for the annual Met Ball bash.

This year, guests paid tribute to Alexander McQueen (RIP): A wonderful theme.

There were so many amazing outfits, I just don't know where to begin. So I'll start with the lovely ladies who wore McQueen...

Sarah Jessica Parker

 Salma Hayek

Gisele Bundchen

Daphne Guinness

They all look sensational. My fave has to be Daphne Guinness - she actually looks quite silly, but only she would have the guts to wear something quite so outrageous! It doesn't look on her, quite how it looked on the catwalk earlier this year. But as a tribute to the designer, Daphne certainly get's my vote!

And for those who chose to pay tribute to McQueen in other ways, here are my top ten:

Blake Lively in Chanel

Oh gosh, I just adore this number. The figure-hugging under-layer covered in draped fabric is a stroke of pure genius.

Madonna in Stella McCartney

When Madge does it well, she really smashes it. Classic and glamorous. Lovely.

Diane Kruger in Jason Wu

 I am so feeling the thigh slit at the moment and Diane makes easy work of it in this dress.

Lily Donaldson in Erdem

If you've got it, flaunt it! Not many people could pull off this lace number, but Lily looks just divine.

Jennifer Lopez in Gucci

Love the colour, love the shape, love the frill, love it ALL!

Rene Zellweger in Carolina Herrera

Rene is always loyal to Carolina. And why not? She always look fab...and just look at those legs!

Miranda Kerr in Marchesa

A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. That's all I have to say.

Fergie in Marchesa

I liked this. Then I didn't. Now I do again. I think the problem was, that it is much more delicate than we are used to seeing Fergie, but she pulls it off well.

Iman in Stella McCartney

If I look this hot when I am 55, I'd be wearing this sequin jumpsuit. Iman looks superb!

Shalom Harlow in Marchesa

The dress I love. The hair I do not. The dress has so much going on, that a sleek up-do would have been a much better finish. But, the dress itself is just amazing.

Here comes the McQueen!

Ok, so where have I been? This post is seriously late! Well, I've been in one of very few places in the world where the Royal Wedding did not take over every aspect of life. My beau and I have just returned from a Pre-moon in Cambodia. Pure bliss!

But, with technology as it is, there was no way I couldn't sneak a peak at what all the fuss was about. And, if I'm honest, I was a teensy-weensy bit gutted that I wasn't around to see it all in its full glory! But then we went off to see the sun set over some spectacular Angkor ruins and forgot all about it.

As always though, I just have to have my say.

First, the blushing bride...

I think there was a world-wide gasp when Kate emerged from her car. This dress is without doubt, absolutely stunning. It didn't really come as much of a surprise when it was revealed that Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen was the designer of choice. I think she did a smashing job!

Although I would probably have gone for more bling (if you can't do it when you are becoming a Princess, when can you?), I think this dress was the perfect choice for Kate. The simple elegance completely captured Kate's style. I think the decolletage is absolutely gorgeous: sexy yet understated. And the train - well, I think every girl I know dreamt of having one as long as this!

Kate's sister also looked fab! Interesting choice - a long white dress...I have certainly not been that kind!! The Middleton sisters totally rock that red carpet!

I love this snap - Kate really does look happy (and so she should, to be fair). I love a good veil and I think this one worked extremely well with her dress. I love the simplicity of her make-up too.

Kate's evening choice was somewhat less exciting. After the absence of bling earlier on in the day, I was hoping for something a bit more glam! I blame it on the cardigan - which was a rather strange choice, I must say!

The groom

When I was a little girl (well, teenager), I had a real crush on Prince William. Who didn't?! As time passed, he lost my affections (and quite a bit of hair - poor thing)... But on his wedding day, he did scrub up pretty well. No rekindling of my fondness for him, but I certainly thought he looked the part.

The mini-me's

OMG! Just so cute! Mini Kate and Williams. I wonder if these kids were really aware of the enormity of the big day? Probably not - and that's why they look like ordinary kids having fun.

The Queen of Darkness

There were no real stand outs when it came to the guests - some amazing hats, some pretty dresses, but nothing exceptional.

You can always trust VB to draw attention to herself, though. Dressed in black from head-to-toe, she looked like the Grim Reaper. Poor choice Vic.

I could have forgiven her, had she gone for bright accessories, but those killer heels and funeral-esque hat were so not right for this occasion.

Erm, also, why were they there???


A royal tribute

There's nothing quite like some tacky memorabilia, but these nails take it to a whole new level. Hilarious!

Eurostar adventures!

Mon dieu, what a few days! Let me start at the beginning...

It all started on Thursday with a wee trip to Paris, courtesy of La Redoute. At some ungodly hour of the morning I was collected from my flat and whisked off to St Pancras to catch the Eurostar to the chicest city in the world. I wasn't feeling quite so chic, I can tell you!

La Redoute were showing a few of us around their new collaboration with Cathy Pill (I was drawing blanks too, but remember she dressed Beth Ditto once upon a time?!), modelled by Lou Doillon...

Looking ever-so-cool in a tight tee, stone-washed jeans and scraggly hair, Lou looked like the rock-chick I'd always imagined. She just oozed cool!

Let's play a game. Can you guess who this is?

No?

I'll give you a clue...

THE Jane Birkin herself (as in the name behind the bag). I know - unbelievable. I was so, so, so, so, so disappointed. I guess that's what a rock 'n' roll lifestyle does to you in the end but I'll never be able to look at a Birkin in quite the same light again.

Moving on from that as quick as possible - I had to do something to quell my dismay - we hit the Champs Elysee.

Now here's the Parisian chic I was hoping to see - John Galliano for Laduree. How utterly chic and fabulous!

And there's little old me doing my best to fit in. I was channeling my favourite look - slut chic.

A hop, skip and a few bottles of champagne later on the Eurostar, I was nicely sozzled and back on English soil.

Then came Friday.

Back on the Eurostar (sozzled once again) and this time it was heading to Antwerp to see Faithless live in concert.

It was just fantastic - the band were awesome and the light show was totally up Miss Magpie's street. Sister's Bliss' shimmering metallic dress was also a hit. (Soz, couldn't get a pic of it).

After the show I headed back stage for the after-party (I have friends in high places didn't you know!) and came across this piece magic: a portable wardrobe. While everyone was 'hanging' with the band, I was drooling over the sparkling contents hanging in this trunk-cum-suitcase-cum-closet.

And just on a side note, I can honestly say that the Faithless band members are some of the loveliest people I have ever met. What a night!

Next day, we were just pottering around the historic streets of Antwerp (my beau didn't let me go near the diamond shops - of which there are thousands - because apparently I have enough already. Enough diamonds? Pah!)...when I saw this pawfect sight...

This little pooch looked so adorable in her pink camouflage raincoat, which her owner told me was all the way from Harrods - she's a posh pooch too.

And then, too soon, our fun was over and we got back on the Eurostar (my fourth journey in 3 days  it does nothing for your hair, complexion or outfit let me tell you) and headed home.

Til next time...

xxx

P.S I've been meaning to tell you about this party I went to in Farringdon... The party took place on a roof terrace from where I had a full uninterrupted view of the Alexander McQueen studios. How amazing is that!!!

Now, I could see swatches of fabrics, mannequins and even accessories, but with huge respect to the McQueen team, I shall not be divulging any of the good stuff. You'll just have to wait and see for yourself next season!

What a tease I am!

Paris Fashion Week - The big guns!

Here's a little treat for you on this rainy Wednesday morning. Chanel, YSL and Alexander McQueen all in one short, sharp dose. You lucky, lucky things!

Chanel

Karl Lagerfeld's choice of setting and scene is almost as hotly anticipated as his collections. This season he opted for a monochrome (note the prevalence of this combo) ornamental garden - tres chic.

The collection itself contained plenty of monochrome and the trad Chanel two piece suits, but this season they were given a burst of youthfulness, with unfinished hems. Instead of a neat finish, they were edged with feathers or just left raw. Feathers also made a big appearance in the show. Yay! There was also plenty of delicate chiffon, which contrasted brilliantly against the rougher fabrics used elsewhere.

As a change from the Chanel skirt suit, how gorge is this dress?

Chanel does casual. LOVE.

This gorgeous water colour print is divine.

Totally random, but oh-so cute.

Yves Saint Laurent

Stefano Pilati made this collection an homage to the late Yves Saint Laurent, taking us on a history lesson, starting at the trench coat, going right through to Le Smoking. Inbetween came 70s style jumpsuits, bow blouses, ruffles and lots of colour. A hit.

I need to get me a trench - white may be a bit of a risk though...

Zingy orange is a breath of fresh air.

Classic YSL at its best. J'adore.

Ooh-la-la - Je besoin. I need.

Alexander McQueen

Well, this is the first collection produced by the label after the death of McQueen. Sarah Burton, McQueen's new Creative Director, had a lot to prove. And prove herself she did.

The collection started simply with a very McQueen-esque tail coat and steadily gained drama, finishing in a huge maribou feather ball gown. Well, it wouldn't be McQueen without drama would it. 

In between we saw some familiar shapes and textures, making this unmistakably McQueen.

A beautiful tail coat adds subtle drama to any outfit.

 So McQueen. How many times have we seen this imitated?!

Building up the drama... Part fairy, part goddess...

The finale. I just adore this look. Utterly beautiful. I want, want, want.

There you go. Some beauty and inspiration for a Wednesday morning. Enjoy!