I like, I wish, I heart...

I like, I wish, I heart has moved!

2012-04-11T08:11:00.002+10:00

It with great delight that I announce that I like, I wish, I heart has moved. As of today, all posts will be at my fabulous self-hosted site called simply ilikeiwishiheart.com

As my site is no longer with Blogger, you will have to click on the RSS Subscribe button on my new website to receive regular updates. Even if you already subscribe via RSS, you will have to click on the new RSS link to be hooked up with the new feed.

But of course, there is always more than one way to follow me. You can use email subscription, Bloglovin', Twitter, and of course, Facebook. So to keep up-to-date with the goings on at I like, I wish, I heart, you can make a start by clicking here and you will be taken over to my new site!

See you over at my new abode - ilikeiwishiheart.com!

Heidi

Give a frock Friday

2012-04-06T10:04:00.003+10:00

A picture is worth a thousand words.

The dress worn by a house model before it hits the runway.

And finally, the finished gown on the runway at NY Fashion Week worn by model Arizona Muse.

A few Frock Friday's ago I posted a picture of a gown being sewn together at the Christian Dior atelier. I had such a great response to that post I knew that I must post these images of this much photographed Cloud dress by designer Oscar de la Renta.

Happy Easter to you!

Heidi

Images via

Sun, Sand, Family (and a Bikini too)

2012-04-05T15:39:00.003+10:00

Last Friday I told you that we had been offered the use of a friend's beach house for a few days. Well, we arrived back late yesterday and I am so relaxed now that I'm having trouble getting back into all things blogging related. I completely disconnected from the online world (I didn't even use my mobile phone)and it was fantastic, just what I needed. I am so grateful to our wonderful friends, I will never forget their kindness. I think because it was impromptu and so completely unexpected that made it all the more enjoyable for us.

Rainbow Beach

Rainbow Beach is a sleepy little beach town, just under 2 hours drive away from home. Far enough away to feel like you've been somewhere, but without the need to book a flight. Days spent sleeping in, lazing about reading books, no internet, no phone, red wine at sunset and falling asleep to the sound of the waves - heaven! I even worked up the courage to wear a bikini on the beach - the first I've worn since, well... since before I became mama to my two darling girls. I looked around the beach and there were plenty of women in bikinis and so I finally realised that it was only my own insecurity that was keeping me from wearing a bikini. Once I accepted that, I threw off my beach dress and well, my girls and my husband all loved me in my bikini, and frankly, who else matters?

Me and Annabel, our little entertainer.

A view of the rainforest canopy from our walk to Lake Poona.

We took ourselves on a few walks while away, one big long one to Lake Poona that saw us walk over 4 kilometres. I was so proud of Chloe and Annabel, they never complained and chattered away the whole time. They were so entertaining, singing and la-la-la-ing all the while.

Another walk was to see Carlos Sandblow, a natural wonder or in Annabel's words - "it's the desert!" With 360 degree views, it is a unique mass of sand named by Captain Cook after one of his deck crew. It's pretty amazing and the views breathtaking. It was also a great work out walking from top to bottom and back again. I played around taking pictures of my shadow and of course, the girls made obligatory sand angels.

Me and my shadow.

Annabel and Chloe making sand angels.

The scenery on our walk to Carlos Sandblow.

And so I came back to the world of blogging today and realised this is my first post for a new month - is it really April already? It doesn't feel like mid-Autumn here, I mean I just spent the last 5 days on a beach, the weather was hot, the water was warm and the sky a constant shade of bright blue. This is why Autumn is my favourite season.

It's Easter this Sunday and hubby and I are trying to work out how to set up a chocolate egg hunt for our girls without our two labradors getting to the eggs first - wish us luck!

Happy Easter,

Heidi

Give a frock Friday

2012-03-30T07:46:00.002+10:00

Linda Evangelista wears a John Galliano for Givenchy Haute Couture, hand-pleated, double-layered mousseline dress with Juliet sleeves. Styled by Grace Coddington and photographed by Steven Meisel for Vogue, December 1996.

I remember seeing this dress in Vogue magazine back in 1996 because I remember many designers taking inspiration from the film Sense & Sensibility which was doing great things at the same time.

Emma Thompson won an Oscar for her beautifully written screenplay interpreting Jane Austen's novel so well that I think we all wanted to go back in time and live like the Dashwood sisters portrayed by Emma and Kate Winslet. I still can't watch Sense & Sensibility without crying a river over the scene when Edward proposes to Elinor.

I will be off-line all weekend and for most of next week as we are going away to Rainbow Beach to stay at a friend's beach house, yay! I was only saying the other day how much I would love to getaway and what a surprise, a trip away to Rainbow Beach was offered to us this morning, how serendipitous?

I wish you a lovely weekend.

Heidi

Image source via.

Wednesday Delight on a Thursday

2012-03-29T11:54:00.005+10:00

I thought I'd surprise you and do my Wednesday delight today instead of yesterday. You know me, just mixin' it up!

Burberry Prorsum

Beyonce

Christian Dior Pre-Fall 2012

Butterfly print kimono

Lanvin Spring 2011 RTW

Nice space

Friday night

Gorgeous print jacket

Meryl

Saturday morning

Ciao,

Heidi

Short Hair Rules

2012-03-28T12:53:00.000+10:00

Cutting my hair short last year was such a good decision. I've been getting the nicest comments too, such as I look younger and how much my cut suits me. I don't remember getting this much attention when my hair was long? Makes me wonder - how bad was my hair?
Short hair does save time in front of the mirror and it saves me money on shampoo, but it does require more visits to my hairdresser to keep it at the right length, but as I am not having any foils done, I still win.

Short hair doesn't suit everyone of course, and truth be told, if I had magical powers, I would abracadabra myself the most amazing, wavy and luscious locks ever! Alas, I am no magician. Trends bug me though. It's always the same, when long hair is in, I want to have long hair, and so I'll start growing it out and, well... I'll see someone with a fabulous short do and before you know it - bippity boppity boo - I give in and cut it all off. It's hard work being a girl sometimes!

I read somewhere once that if you want to find the right cut and colour for yourself, the one that suits you best, then you should take a look back through photographs of yourself as a child. So I did that and for a long time, my mother kept it short because it was so fine she couldn't do anything with it. Then as I grew older and started to do ballet, I had to grow it long so I could wear it in a bun for all those ballet exams. I kept wanting to cut it off, like Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday, but my mother would always play the ballet exams card. In the end, she would let me cut in to a long bob during the summer and I've realised now that my hair suits me best as it is, in a pixie or in a classic bob, and as I don't have access to large piles of money for extensions, this is why I'm talking it up!

I've been saving images for this post for a while now, you wouldn't believe how hard it is to find a nice shot of a beautiful short do. I think deep down, most girls like to have long hair. But for those of us that can and do rock a great short cut, for whatever reason, when it's done right it can effect your whole self. I often think of two of Audrey Hepburn's characters - Anne in Roman Holiday and Sabrina in Sabrina. Both these girls cut off their hair and change their lives. Am I maybe going a little over the top here? Little bit.

My point is, if you're someone who has been wanting to try cutting off your long locks but are too afraid to take the plunge, I hope that even one of these gorgeous short do's has helped you to change your mind and do it! You won't lose your girlish looks, in fact it can enhance them. Think of that gorgeous long neck you've been hiding all these years, or those cute and delicate earlobes? Even the shape of your face, your eyebrows, your shoulders can all be enhanced by a great short cut. So for all of you who that think you can't do it, this post is for you.

Kisses!

Heidi

Sources: The Sartorialist, Vogue.com, Garance Dorè

Ultra Luxe, and a question of Mad Men

2012-03-26T12:13:00.001+10:00

I love the way Mario Testino has captured Karlie Kloss in this luxurious editorial for Vogue UK March 2012. She is all legs, raised eyebrows and big hair, and Lucinda Chambers' beautiful styling has allowed these ultra feminine clothes to only add to Karlie's loveliness, appearing more grown up and womanly than I've seen her.

Diane Von Furstenberg with Prada raffia bag

Marni worn with Manolo Blahnik heels.

Valentino

Oscar de da Renta

Alexander McQueen

Prada

Louis Vuitton

Marc Jacobs

The feminine shapes of Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Marni, Chanel and others reminds me all too much of the shape and outlines of the costumes worn by the ladies in Mad Men, of which incidentally, Season 5 premiered in the States last night.

How long must I wait to watch the new season? Does anyone living on the east coast of Australia know? Not long I hope!

Have a great week,
Heidi

Images via: Istanbul Fashion Addict

Give a frock Friday

2012-03-23T13:06:00.001+10:00

Kate Moss photographed by Tim Walker and styled by Grace Coddington for American Vogue, April 2012. Kate is wearing Christian Dior Haute Couture from the Spring 2012 collection. The images from the shoot which took place at The Ritz hotel have been doing the rounds on the internet. I found the image below a while before I saw the gown in all its glory in this beautiful image from Vogue.

This is the gown as it is being lovingly hand-sewn by the talented artisans at the House of Dior.

I would like to thank you for your patience this week, it has been a very trying time working out the issues with Blogger and why I couldn't publish anything. It has been stressful and unpleasant, to say the least. But, I am happy to advise that very, very soon, I like, I wish, I heart will be moving to a new home Yippeeee! There is still a few technical details to sort out, and all my work from the last 4 years will transfer across with me to my new self-hosted website, so you will always be able to browse the archives. So until then,

Have a lovely weekend!

Heidi x

Mission Impossible...

2012-03-22T17:29:00.000+10:00

So this week has been crazy, stupid busy! The most stressful thing to happen this week has been to do with this blog. Until last evening, I have been unable to post any new blogs due to some issue with Blogger. If you have been reading my updates on my Facebook page, you will know that this has come down to almighty Google wielding their power over Safari and so I have to do all my blogging using Chrome instead of my Mac friendly Safari. Whatever. The result of this dictatorial act by Google you will discover in due course, lovelies.

In the meantime, I wish to share with you a link to a Guest Post I wrote for Design Shuffle which was posted last Thursday on their website. I posted the original link on my Facebook page straight away, but here is a link for those of you who have not yet made the leap to Like my I like, I wish, I heart on Facebook, which of course I respectfully ask that you do!

I also have decided to catch up on a post I tried to publish on Tuesday, it's about teaching myself old tricks, sort of!

Today I am going to teach myself how to draw.

I used to have the skill to be able to draw anything I wanted. But like any skill, if you don't use it, you lose it.

I am hoping that it won't take too long to pick it up again, but after last night's efforts at trying to draw a small child, I am not so sure it's going to be easy. I am writing a children's story and obviously I want to illustrate it myself, but the picture I have in my mind is not translating to my left hand when I draw it on paper. Most annoying! And so, I take inspiration from one of my favourite illustrators, Madamoiselle Garance Dorè, photographer, illustrator and blogger extraordinaire!

Now if only I can channel even a millimetre of her talent...

Kisses,
Heidi

Give a frock Friday

2012-03-16T08:26:00.001+10:00

Christy Turlington wearing Yves Saint Laurent shot by Irving Penn for Vogue, 1990.

"A show-stopping slip of a dress that simply ties on the side." Only a model, actress or someone very daring would and could get away with it, but isn't the lace and the pink bows so 90s pretty?

Have a great weekend.

Heidi

Image source: here.

Pretty in Print

2012-03-15T10:16:00.002+10:00

I am loving the use of digitally printed fabrics, just like this silk Carven dress I found on Elle.com this morning. I've been busy pinning on Pinterest this morning and the day is half over already - what? Somebody, please drag me away from the computer now!

Kisses,

Heidi

Wednesday Delight

2012-03-14T12:01:00.002+10:00

Following on from last week's post about my weekend Tumblr-ing (is that even a word?), I have put together an eclectic mix of this and that for you. I have decided to call these posts Wednesday Delight in the hope that they delight you, perhaps evoke a memory or inspire an idea, or maybe release any mid-week funk you may be feeling. Anyway, I hope you like them.

Stripes via

Venice via

Marilyn via

Vivienne Westwood via

Red patent heels via

Yoga handstand via

Erdem via

Kate Moss via

Burberry Prorsum via

JCrew via

Hope your week has been going well, happy hump-day everyone!

Kisses,

Heidi

Source: here

Fashion is fleeting, but change is constant

2012-03-13T16:48:00.000+10:00

Lately I have been on the hunt for a part-time job. It has been a bit of a nuisance as I do love being a full-time mum to my girls, but like many families, not everything is as easy as it used to be...

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I tend to separate my work life to before-children and after-children. I have worked on and off since having my girls but last year I was able to work from home - what a score! I could set my own hours, work in comfortable clothes and not have to worry about peak-hour traffic. Alas, while the work-from-home job was fabulous on paper, the income wasn't flowing back to me as regularly as it should have done, and so now I am back to job-hunting, blah.

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Lately I have made such a comfortable groove with life at home, baking with the girls, trying out new recipes, cleaning when I feel like it and not to a schedule, basically enjoying the whole motherhood roller coaster but I wonder, how much is going to suffer when I go back to work? I was reading today about Gwen Stefani how she is currently preparing for her music comeback. She said that over the past year she has been working away on a new album with her band No Doubt but her biggest fear is what lies ahead - juggling her home life with her work life. She claims that it is a nightmare for her. I guess she must be one of the Hollywood mums who chooses to do it all herself, to not hire help. How refreshingly real of her. But the truth is I get it because I have hired a nanny and a cleaner in the past and while it has helped reduce stress, there is nothing like the satisfaction of being good at your job and good at everything at home also. Ok, I can leave the toilet cleaning to someone else, but I do love to pick my kids up from school, I do love to read to them before bed and to cook their favourite dinner for them as I only I can.

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Mostly I worry about finding the energy to do it all. Adjusting to the changes I will have to make to keep on top of everything. Why does everything have to change? I know that eventually I have to give in and go with the flow, but boy I don't give in without plenty of kicking and screaming. It's not just that life around me changes though, and this is the part that I think makes it so hard for me, it's that it's me who has to change along with life. I have to shape-shift with the change that goes on around me. I just like to get in a groove and stay there all safe and warm.

What about you? How does change effect you? Are you struggling with being a working mother or are you also in the midst of going back to work after having children? I would love to hear your thoughts.

Kisses,

Heidi

Give a frock Friday

2012-03-09T14:13:00.002+10:00

Vogue Turkey's Editor-at-large, Ece Sukan wearing a vintage dress. So what is an editor-at-large, and what do they do?

Ok, so essentially, an Editor-at-large is someone who contributes content to a magazine not necessarily by assignment. They do not generally take part in or have much say on the layout, pictures or general day-to-day running of a magazine. But the freedom to follow your own interests and not have to pitch ideas to the editor-in-chief must be so much fun. Sounds like my kind of job actually!

The Sartorialist recently spoke to Ece Sukan and here is a little excerpt for you.

Current career?

I’m currently the Editor-at-Large for Vogue Turke y.

How do you creatively approach getting dressed?

Improvisation is so important! It’s not just about how I feel that day, it’s experimental, impulsive and (I think) intuitive. I have a very eclectic style, so I like to mix my feelings with colors, periods and themes. I’m not sure how people plan the night before.

What do you feel best when wearing?

Dresses! I love wearing them at any length; long, short, knee-length. A mannish elegance can be very femme too, but I am one for dresses.

Do you focus on any specific designers or time periods when collecting vintage?

I would be very happy with a retrospective of YSL in my wardrobe, and I especially love the 70s and 80s. When I saw the exhibition 2 years ago at the Grand Palais I had this feeling that it’s all been done, there’s nothing much left to do. I also collect a lot of Art Deco Bijoux. I search everywhere but find the best vintage in New York, Miami, Paris, and London.

Always make time for…

No matter how busy I am I create time for myself to practice yoga and go to the gym. I also make sure to go to art and design fairs, there is endless inspiration and energy, Art Basel for example.

What do you always make time for? For me it is reading a story to my girls before they go to sleep, always yoga and baking for school lunches on a Sunday.

It has been a big week. I am looking forward to a relaxing weekend. I plan on making time to have a bit of a lie-in on Sunday morning.

The sun is shining, the moon is full, the beach is calling me...

Have a great weekend.

Heidi

Sources: TheSartorialist.com, Photography by Courtney D'Alesio via Elle.com

Do you, like to Tumble?

2012-03-07T11:23:00.002+10:00

Since last December I have been an avid Tumblr and I'm not afraid to say how much I love it! I know what you're thinking, how much blogging can one blogger blog? Where does she find the time? It's true, it can be very addictive and can suck away the time if you let it but it is a great place to find inspiration for my blog, as long as you don't get sucked into the vortex that is the internet!

My Tumblr blog is called I like, I wish, I heart (naturally) and over the months it has, I believe become this blog's alter-ego. Images, gifs, links, etc that I post on Tumblr are quite often an amplified version of what I try to convey here on I like, I wish, I heart. Some of which I would love to write about but I find I would be spending 24/7 on my computer if I did. Instead I like to post links and comments on my Facebook page if I really need to share it or later you may find I do get to blogging about it.

And so dear readers, what better way to impart some inspiration, or to get you out of any mid-week funk, than to share with you what great gems I have uncovered amongst the world of Tumblr in a weekly post?

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via

via

via

I hope you enjoy them and I would love to read your thoughts too, so please feel free to leave me a comment here or over on my Facebook page.

Or click here to visit my tumblr.

Kisses,

Heidi

Rainy Day Inspiration

2012-03-05T17:37:00.001+10:00

Remember when I last blogged about how it rains a lot here and that it often seems to never let up?

The east coast of Australia is water-logged at the moment. Some places have experienced more rain in the past week than on record. I think I may need to turn my house into an ark? Today I had to collect my girls early from school as they decided to close due to local flooding and it may not open tomorrow either. As I picked up Chloè from her classroom, I looked out over the valley beyond their school, and what is normally lush Strawberry fields was today an inland sea.

Even the ducks have had enough.

Rubber boots are my shoe du jour lately. Luckily I have very cute ones with horses printed on them and frankly, they are so darn practical why wear anything else in this weather? Gives me an excuse to splash in the mud and puddles.

The ironic thing about monsoon rain is that it is too hot to wear my trench coat. But if it was winter, this is kind of how I would dress, but I'd lose the baubles and the top-knot.

Holly and Fred looks so gorgeous getting rained on in Breakfast at Tiffany's. Love, love this movie.

On a brighter note, I am delighted to tell you that this is my 300th post! And instead of writing about something fabulous I chose to vent my frustration and complain about the weather. Oh well, I may not be able to control the weather, but I sure can complain about it!

Happy 300th post to me!

Kisses,

Heidi

Give a frock Friday

2012-03-02T12:22:00.001+10:00

McQ Alexander McQueen, Fall 2012.

Sarah Burton continues to amaze with her collections since taking control of the Alexander McQueen line in 2010. Burton has certainly allowed for McQueen's legacy to live on but it is clear that she is quite the creative genius herself.

While reading this week's round of blogs regarding the Oscar fashions, I must make mention of Garance Dore's feelings on this year's red carpet:

"I guess it just seems like most of the time, the Oscars are the antithesis of cool."

The more I reflect on the gowns of Oscar's past, the more I agree with her comment. It seems that by the time the Academy Awards come around, all the great dresses have already been given their turn on the dance floor, and what's left is, well, what's left. Do you agree?

Have a great weekend,

Heidi

Image source: here.

They wore it well - Oscars 2012

2012-02-28T11:32:00.000+10:00

My favourite quote of the night was early in the proceedings, when Billy Crystal said: "So tonight enjoy yourselves, because nothing can take the sting out of the world's economic problems like watching millionaires present each other with golden statues." Brilliant Billy, I love your work.

Is it crazy that the red carpet arrivals is almost more important than the awards themselves? What a person wears to the Oscars goes down in history, good or bad. And it stays there. Forever. The only thing you can do to redeem yourself is to get back out there the following year and this time, hire a stylist!

So in keeping with this new tradition, my favourite dressed of the evening starts with a dapper Englishman, and no, it's not Colin Firth.

Gary Oldman in his bespoke three-piece Paul Smith tuxedo and his wife Alexandra Edenborough in her black Roberto Cavalli gown. It took me a week, but I finally found the name of her gown's designer. I can move on now.

Not everyone will agree, but I like this J. Mendel dress on Kristen. The colour of the dress compliments her skin tone and hair colour and the shape is just right for her.

Tina Fey doesn't always hit the mark, at least not in a fashion and style sense, but this time she scored a bullseye with her choice of Carolina Herrera. Elegant and perfectly shaped for her figure.

Michelle William's burnt orange Louis Vuitton gown has grown on me. I wasn't sure if it was the right choice for her at first, but the more I see it, the more I like it. I like how she paired it with a small pink clutch too. Pretty and feminine.

Meryl Streep was the lady of the evening, winning her third Oscar and channeling the golden statue with her gold Lanvin gown.

The evening stand-out was far and away, Rooney Mara in white Givenchy. She just nailed the brief, don't you think? Everyone's going to be cutting their fringe this next season, I can see it now.

I have kept it simple, but really the plain truth is that there were way more boring dresses than outstanding ones, so it was pretty easy to pick a favourite. I'd love to hear from you, what was your favourite? Leave me a comment here or pop over to my Facebook page and post a comment and a picture if you like.

Kisses,

Heidi

Images from GQ.com, Vanityfair.com, LAtimes.com

Dolce, Dolce, Dolce!

2012-02-27T11:37:00.000+10:00

via Vogue.com

I always look forward to the Dolce & Gabbana show at Milan Fashion Week. Stefano and Domenico's overtly feminine designs float down the runway on models that are clearly happy to be wearing their clothes, and why wouldn't they?
Layered and textured, key elements of their Fall 2012 RTW collection will trickle down the many different fashion fronts and hopefully, one way or another will end up in my wardrobe - whether it be in the form of a lace dress, embellished velvet jacket or faux fur coat. Of course, it is highly unlikely they will be labeled Dolce & Gabbana, more likely my local High street vendor, (that is unless I win the lottery), but clearly, Winter is going to be just delovely this year!

Kisses,

Heidi

Give a frock Friday

2012-02-24T12:12:00.005+10:00

Stephanie Seymour wearing an Azzedine Alaia original photographed by Gilles Bensimon for Flaunt magazine, June 2010.

The magazine featured a rare interview with the famed Tunisian born designer. Here is a taste of what writer Long Nguyen talked about with Monsieur Alaia.

"What was fashion like then?
It was the end of the hippy era. The 1980s were about unisex and power dressing with very large clothes. But for me, I did a completely different silhouette—it was skinny and close to the body.
You’ve kept this silhouette until today?
Yes, because fashion for me is a concentration on and a study of the body. It was the influence of my study of sculpture. There are silhouettes I developed that I keep, but every time there is a new proportion, a new material, and I change the sleeves, the armholes. Even if you don’t perceive something different, it is not the same dress or jacket. It’s in the materials."

Alaia has always been my first love where haute couture is concerned. I wrote about him back in 2009 where I talked about my Alaia inspired design I had made for my high school graduation formal, which you can read about here.

We are having an internet-free zone here at my house this weekend. In the past we have found these to be such a wonderful way to disconnect from the ethernet and reconnect with each other. It feels quite strange to not be able to just "Google it" when I need information, but it doesn't take too long for those feeling to evolve and in the end it is liberating.

Have a great weekend,

Heidi

Source: You can read the full interview at Flaunt.com

Scenes from the front row...

2012-02-21T18:38:00.001+10:00

Mulberry: Laura Carmichael, Michelle Dockery, Michelle Williams and Elizabeth Olsen

I finally got to see My Week with Marilyn today and I was not disappointed. In the words of my BFF Kirsty, "Michelle Williams nailed it!" and for my money, so did Kenneth Branagh - I've always loved him. He was just so wonderful, the very likeness of Laurence Olivier as "the Prince". Judi Dench was perfection, her character was so delightful, as was Julia Ormond as Vivien Leigh and I almost didn't recognise Zoe Wanamker as Paula Strasberg. A triumph if ever there was, the best film I've seen in a while, right up there with Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy for its beautiful cinematography, costume design and art direction. The casting was pretty spot-on too!

Kisses,

Heidi

Image source: here.

Ralph Lauren channels Downton Abbey

2012-02-20T13:23:00.002+10:00

I just finished watching season 1 and 2 of Downton Abbey. Two things. One, yes I am aware I am a late starter here, I make no apologies. And two, I am totally and irrevocably hooked!

The cast of Downton Abbey photographed at Highclere Castle by Jason Bell for Vanity Fair.

Ralph Lauren's FW 2012 collection at NYFW was so obviously inspired by the hit television series. Here are some of my favourites from the collection.

Tweed, velvet, cerise, leather, plaid, animal prints and bomber jackets worn with evening gowns. Hats of the bowler, cloche and top kind, and long, long gloves. Ralph Lauren gives prim and proper Britishness an injection of cool. Looking closer I am reminded of costumes from 80s movie High Road to China, and another favourite British television series set in the 1920s, The House of Eliott. As the third season of Downton Abbey moves into the 1920s, I cannot wait to see what delights the show's costumier delivers.

What I cannot believe is how long I have to wait to see it. Is it true we have to amuse ourselves with something else until October? Thank god Mad Men returns next month!

Kisses,

Heidi

Source: Vogue.com, Vanityfair.com

Give a frock Friday

2012-02-17T12:02:00.000+10:00

I had chosen an Alaia frock for today's frock Friday post but I came across this pretty Jeremy Scott number whilst on Tumblr last night and decided to post this instead. Rainbow sequins, is there anything prettier?

So by now you will know that I prefer to keep my blog positive, and that as a rule, I generally steer away from negative comments. But regarding the Marc Jacobs FW 2012 collection at NYFW this week, I really must protest - what the? I think maybe he is over worked? Has too many collections to design for forced an inspiration deficit and so by the time he got to his namesake label he had nothing left? What about those Mad Hatter inspired enormous hats? I cannot wait to see if The Sartorialist snaps anyone brave enough to don one of those monstrosities and wear it out in the open for all to see. Really I cannot wait to be proven wrong, if anything so I can have a laugh! Ok. Enough said.

It has been a super busy week and I have had the most marvellous support from you for my new blog banner, thank you all for being so generous with your comments here and on my Facebook page, I love hearing from you!

Have a great weekend,

Heidi

Image source: Bryant Eslava

Ta da! What do you think?

2012-02-16T11:55:00.002+10:00

Lovely readers I have today, just now in fact, finally made a decision on my blog header. I am dying to hear your views, comments, response to it - please share with me because this has been so much harder then I thought it would be. You've no idea how picky a girl can be about how she looks... ha!

I value your opinion, but please... be kind!

Kisses,

Heidi

Photo of Moi by Daniel Lewin.

Inès de la Fressange, my style saviour

2012-02-15T11:12:00.001+10:00

If there is one person who appeals to my style sensibility, who embodies those things that appeal to me most, it has to be Inès de la Fressange. Without doubt, she is my greatest fashion influence. Why? Put simply, she prefers flat shoes, she wears her hair short, and she loves to pair blazers/jackets with pants and jeans. Model, muse, designer, single mother and according to what I have read, possibly the first to pair her Chanel jacket with her jeans, Inès is a trend-setter, not a follower. But of course.

Ok, so I don't own a Chanel jacket (not yet anyway), but that doesn't mean I cannot embody the essential characteristics of French chic, does it?

Whenever I need to dress as to feel safe, that is, when I want to feel most confident - I dress like Inès does. On most days, or for an occasion, or even when the weather dictates it - I dress in the manner of Inès. It suits me, it suits my body shape; it is me to a T.

Inès was muse to Karl Largefeld in the 80s before a silly falling out, but the two have since made up and in 2010 she walked the Chanel runway again.

Inès on the Chanel runway in the 80s.

Inès with Karl Largerfeld, 1983.

Inès, the first face of Coco parfum.

Her style is simple, elegant, defined by blazer, slim pants, flat shoes, simple makeup (if any) and short unpainted nails, and of course, short hair.

I make no apologies for my Parisian style influences - if you've read any posts on I like, I wish, I heart you will already know how much French women are an influence and style barometer for me. And so...

Inès turned photographer on the street during fashion week.

I love that Inès hates super-high heels, even daring to walk the red carpet in ballet flats - a woman after my own heart!

Who says that Red Carpet style has to equal super high heels?

She is smart about shopping for her age, stating that she would never go into a shop meant for women her age because:
"It's all about your mental attitude: if you accept that fact that you are old and it's over - you will look old, non?"

Instead, Inès chooses to mix her wardrobe with high-street finds, raiding her man's closet and then pairing it all with jeans, sneakers or an army surplus coat and ballet flats.

My favourite look: pants or denim jeans with a beautiful blazer. I am in love with this emerald green velvet blazer!

Inès admits that as a young woman she was a perfectionist and not always happy, but "today I prefer to feel good, be happy and appreciate my friends. That's far more rewarding than being able to wear a miniskirt ... I know what fits me - and how to look better quicker."

Inès with Luigi d'Urso on there wedding day in 1990.

Her husband, Luigi d'Urso, died suddenly of a heart attack in 2006 at only 52. Since then Inès has been a single mother living in Paris and raising her two daughters Nine and Violette. Of learning to be a single mother she says: "I had to bring the joy, the money, the affection, the fun, the authority, everything."

Inès with daughters Violette and Nine.

As a mother, I appreciate and adore her take on making life easier for yourself by choosing to laugh instead of getting angry - something I strive to do everyday!
"There is a moment when you decide if it is hard or not. If you come back home and it is messy and you decide everything is dramatic then it is dramatic. But if you decide, "Ok, it is messy but it is better to laugh..." Perfect wisdom.

Inès on the cover of French Elle with baby Nine in 1994 and on the Chanel runway in the 80s.

In 2011, Inès wrote a style guide called "Parisian Chic" which I bought and devoured of course, and from which she says: "Invest in these basics: a blazer, a trenchcoat, a navy sweater, a white vest (tank top to some of us), a little black dress and the perfect pair of jeans."

But my favourite thing about Inès? Well, it is that she doesn't take herself too seriously.

Kisses,

Heidi

Sources: telegraph.co.uk, gala.fr, lefigaro.fr, Parisian Chic: A Style Guide by Inès de la Fressange, elle.fr, alltheprettybirds, garance dorè, intothegloss.com