A. I’m studying; and/or

B. I’m actually saving money so there are no purchases to blog about!

(In reality, it’s most likely neither – but I’d like to entertain the thought that I’m being good)

Anyway, down to business.  First, I’d like to express my disapproval of the Lily Allen and Chanel collaboration for the house’s Fall 2009 handbag collection.  I have nothing against the lady (she’s quite pretty) AND I worship the ground Lagerfeld walks on, but the final images look cheap and a tiny bit tacky.  But that may be because the Coco Cocoon totes remind me of sleeping bag bags.

Allen looks stunning in the two photos on the right. However, I just can't bring myself around to liking the images from the shoot. Courtesy of The Vine and Fashionologie

Entering a new season, I was super excited to see what the Fall/Winter collections would look like.  And they did not disappoint! I’ve had the same favourites for winter for a few years running now and I’m glad that they still top my list: Rick Owens, Helmut Lang and Alexander Wang know how to rock greyscale.  But I have to say, Balmain takes the cake (again)!  The ones that made my jaw drop:

Courtesy of Style.com

Courtesy of Style.com and Nitrolicious.com

I know, right? And the suede buckle boots are just amazing!  Too bad winter’s coming to an end down in this hemisphere.. I guess I should be gawking more at the summer collections that are springing up locally.  I have taken a little peak inside Manning Cartell and Willow, but I am saving my oohs and aahs for the Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival in two weeks.  I volunteered to help out backstage and got a reply welcoming me on board and asking for my availabilities.. but then I didn’t hear from them again. Fingers crossed I get to be there!

Back to reality, my best friend’s cotillion is coming up and I feel the urge to go shopping for a dress.  It has taken SO much willpower to avoid Net-A-Porter, Saks and Frockaholics.. but then again, I’m salsa-ing and I don’t have an LBD and appropriate heels to salsa in! >=)

Anyway, before I go I must make good on all the promises I’ve made to post pictures of my purchases.  Since I STILL don’t have a camera (because replacing my stupid old laptop has become #1 priority), I’ll just have to make do with stock photos of the things I’ve bought dating back to May.

Karen Walker Paper Bag Waist Skirt in Ink

Left: Elizabeth & James Draped Back Tee in Black; Right: Alice McCall Vanessa the Undresser Dress in Rosy Cheeks

Nylon Flocks Pleated Mini Skirt in Khaki

Left: Kain Label Pocket Tank in Charcoal; Right: Kain Label Pocket Tee in White

…And finally, my baby!  Straight from Rue Cambon, this is the only photo that’s actually mine!

The classic flap is my pride and joy =D  I also went shopping with Carmen to celebrate the end of semester/exams and bought some simple, but cute, items from Joshua & Sean; they’re great to just throw on and walk around uni all day!  On that day, I also bought another black leather jacket.. I already got two verbal bashings so before you condemn me too , let me just say that this jacket is more bikey-looking than my original one AND I was severely peer-pressured!

Alas, I can not buy anything else for the rest of the year because Shan and I take the Asia shopping scene by storm very very very soon! And for this reason (as well as stupid uni), there may be a very long intermission between this and my next post.

Hasta la vista,

J. x

The month-long torture of sleep deprivation and involuntary abandonment of social contact was only made tolerable by my constant procrastination and daydreaming… so I thought I’d do a post about my 10 saving graces during June.  You’ll find an eccentric list of people, films, activities and of course clothes and accessories which I obsessed over instead of studying (as you do).

10. Zoe Kravitz

If you’re the child of Lisa Bonet and Lenny Kravitz, you have every right to be this gorgeous! And of course, Ms Kravtiz gets extra brownie points in my book for having kick-ass style.  She’s been making waves on the fashion circuit since her film feature debut in 2007 and earlier this month, she was named the new face of Vera Wang Princess.  Zoe makes looking painfully beautiful effortless.  Feminine and boho chic with rock star undertones. I love it.

9. Life as a House (2001)

I had completely forgotten the power of this film until I rewatched it instead of doing my Sociology take-home exam.  Christensen’s performance here is what made me like him in the first place (an opinion demolished by Star Wars and Jumper, unfortunately) and Kristin Scott Thomas brings out the endearing qualities in Life as a House.  Not the best film in the world, but it really brings you back down to earth.

8. Chanel Le Vernis in Vendetta

If you are obsessed with Black Satin and Blue Satin like me, then make sure you add Vendetta to your collection!  The deep purple shade has a shimmer that’s only visible under full sunlight, making it spunky and sexy at the same time.  Vendetta was released just in time for Christmas last year, but is proving to have staying power similar to its predecessors.  I am yet to purchase it because I had already bought OPI’s Siberian Nights (which is also a great shade!)

7. Alber Elbaz

Artistic director of Lanvin since 2001, Elbaz brought the fading fashion house back into prominence – and Lanvin hasn’t looked back! Not only is he a colourful philosopher, but his understanding of the female form is unsurpassed (He once advised Natalie Portman: “Wear flats. You’re short. It’s much cooler not to pretend”).  Alber Elbaz and Lanvin are the perfect partnership; elegance infused with a touch of Elbaz’s fun and tongue-in-cheek detail (check out his Bridal collection!) – a combination which has garnered him a loyal following of the rich and famous all over the world.

6. The Bay Run

I’ve concocted many plans to get my fat butt back into shape after pigging out on potato wedges, crepes and nutella sandwiches while ‘studying’.  The 7km run around Iron Cove, as photographed by Every Buddy Loves Raymond, is incredibly beautiful so it’s a great distraction for people like me, who get bogged down by looking at the time every 30 seconds.  Running with the boy is also a great help because it gives me more motivation =)

5. Karen Walker

Don’t get me wrong – I love winter, but some things just make me excited for warmer weather.  And one of these is Karen Walker.  Although I am a fan of The Believers collection (see the next post), her spring/summer collections, in general, get me more giddy.  Walker’s “unpretentious” creations from last spring/summer (below) were perfect for the lazy balmy nights.. so I’m anticipating the first drop of She’s Cracked in a couple of days!

4. 500 Days of Summer (2009)

Another reason why I eagerly wait for spring to arrive!  Joseph Gordon-Levitt has always been a favourite of mine since 10 Things I Hate About You (which I watched non-stop on DVD throughout 2000), but I must admit the Deschanel sisters have only come to my attention recently by way of Carmen.  The plot outlined by the trailer and by the numerous youtube videos presents a charming, sweet and humble love story that’s perfect to kick off the new season.  And so, I will be watching this film the day it comes out (1 October 2009)!

3. Alexander Wang Mini Pocket Tank in White

You can never have enough white cotton tees and tanks – and this Alexander Wang tank is the next on my list!  MyChanel’s set on Polyvore using the tank is fresh and relaxed.. I would wear the whole lot!  Navy has been a staple for me the past two winters, so I am definitely welcoming of a way to carry over the use of blue into spring!  This combination of neutrals and washed blue is divine with the tank <3

2. Yves Saint Laurent Patent Ballerina Flat in Turquoise

I cannot understand how some girls can wear heels all day during the day (although I do admire the skill it involves), so I’m always on the lookout for great flats.  These turquoise babies are gorgeous and are only USD$229 now!  Sales are always a good thing! ..But it’s too bad that Australia is terrible with stocking international designers AND the online YSL store doesn’t ship outside the US! =[ I guess DJ’s is my best bet.

1. Naley in 6.24: Remember me as a time of day

And #1 is Nathan and Haley Scott (naturally)!  Their relationship gives me unrealistic expectations of love, but I don’t care.  In celebration of never having to do Spanish ever again, I gave myself a sneek-peak of the season finale of One Tree Hill’s season 6;  It’s a heartbreaker, and the scene pictured below sums up everything that Naley are about =D

Well, that took way longer than I expected!  When I can get the boy’s camera, I’ll take nice photos of my recent purchases and finally make a post on that (this includes the purchases from two months ago seeing as I never lost my gut and thus refused to take a picture of the skirt I bought).

It’s really hard to save money!

J x

3.1 Phillip Lim Grosgrain Waist Swing Skirt

I fell in love with this skirt as soon as I saw it online at Nordstrom that I snapped it up at The Corner Shop without stopping to realise the mark-up was so high that it would’ve been cheaper to buy the skirt online at Nordstrom and get it shipped here! Aahh!

But it’s all worth it, I know you’ll agree!

Being vertically challenged, I had to get it hiked up a good three inches.  It set me back quite a bit because I wanted to replicate the divine hand stitching as much as possible, but in the process, I found my new favourite seamstress! <3

Bally Zerene Pumps

These beautiful, beautiful shoes are finally mine!  The SAs are probably relieved they don’t have to wipe up my drool from their carpet anymore HAHA. Thank you to Alaine for helping me with these! Mmm.. patent..

I wore these with the PL skirt to Kent’s 21st! <3

Also bought a Karen Walker skirt, but it looks much better on than lying flat. Hence, I will post them when I’ve lost my gut =)

Adios para ahora,

J.

Welcome to The Dress Rehearsal; just a little space where my loves, lusts and vices take centre stage.  There is no real ethos behind my posts, but I do learn from and find inspiration from everything and everyone around me so hopefully you’ll learn something new or fall in love with one of my discoveries =)

I just realised that my camera is now completely defunct so I can not detail my latest indulgences just yet.  Thus, for the time being, this is beauty at its finest!

Ashley Olsen in the September 2007 issue of Marie Claire

Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's

Margot Fonteyn photographed by Michael Peto

Rodarte in New York Magazine's "Float Like a Butterfly" shoot, February 2008 Spring Fashion issue

Lanvin in New York Magazine's "Float Like a Butterfly" shoot, February 2008 Spring Fashion issue

Nina Ricci in New York Magazine's "Float Like a Butterfly" shoot, February 2008 Spring Fashion issue

Roberto Cavalli in New York Magazine's "Float Like a Butterfly" shoot,February 2008 Spring Fashion issue