Friends with Benefits...

I'm not going to lie, until I saw Black Swan I didn't have a girl crush on Mila Kunis. In fact, I couldn't even pronounce her name properly. However, us girls are fickle creatures and as soon as I saw her being a total babe getting down and dirty with Natalie Portman (I'm not a lesbian, but she is a hotty) my new girl crush was born. Since then, I've been really looking forward to all things Mila related and Friends with Benefits, despite my rom-com induced nausea, actually looks quite good; plus Justin Timberlake in it and he's pretty cute. This photo, shot by Carter Smith and taken from the August Issue of US Elle, perfectly sums up the whole 'relationship' fiasco that comes about from the slightly dodgy, friend + sex territory.

I for one was hoping that the rumours about Mila and Justin hooking up were true because aren't they just the cutest couple? I thought I'd stick to a film related post because I'm going to see Harry Potter at the IMAX at midnight tonight and I'm insanely excited. Is anyone else seeing Harry Potter this evening or am I the only one? What do you think of Mila and Justin as a couple; they'd definitely take over Brad and Angelina's hotspot as Hollywood's cutest couple...

photos from fashiongonerogue.com

Summer Lovin' with Jacques

I don't know about you but when it comes to Summer, I go a little bit crazy for a drink or two; nothing beats finishing work then heading over to the pub for a cheeky bevvy. That said, I've slightly exhausted the whole beer thing (spirits and me don't mix particularly well and wine makes me loco) which leaves little in the way of yummy drinks; Jacques, however, knows the way to a girls heart.

Give me a fruity, iced (alcoholic, of course) cider and a dressing up box - complete with in-house Beauty Parlour - and I'm one seriously happy bunny. The Jacques Townhouse, a vintage frock and fruity cider haven, is back again this Summer for a limited time from the 19th to the 28th of July and I seriously recommend you pop down for a visit.

This year, the Jacques Townhouse has a variety of cutesy features from the aforementioned Beauty Parlour to a vintage dressing up box and even an Enchanted Garden where you can get a massage and drink all at the same time; sounds perfect, no? To secure an invite head over to their Facebook page - the venue is being kept a secret until places are registered so get over there now!

How is everyone spending their Summer this year? I've just had some VERY exciting news but will let you know all about it at a later date!

Couture?

Haute Couture is often considered the pinnacle of fashion; it represents excess, elitism and craftsmanship more so than even the (not so) modest ready-to-wear collections. At least, that's what I thought. Obviously, the majority of us would never be able to afford a couture gown (unless we married into royalty) but to me, it always used to represent something completely unobtainable. It's a symbol of wealth - the fashion houses are never going to make a profit from couture collections because only the richest of the rich can afford to buy them and even then they probably would commission bespoke, one-off pieces anyway. With this is mind, couture should be the most ridiculous and excessive show of fashion, not a sombre and boring display of mindless expense.

As you have probably gathered, I'm thus far entirely unimpressed by Couture Fall 2011....

Left to right: Valentino, Jean Paul Gaultier and Chanel

Valentino, Jean Paul Gaultier and Chanel all showed collections as dry as Ghandi's flip-flop - ok so there were a few good looks but on the whole, each designer didn't exactly pull it out of the bag. Last season, I was equally as uninspired, maybe I've got the whole idea of couture wrong? Regardless, I was really quite disappointed by all three - especially given that the ready-to-wear collections are usually so brilliant. Dior was interesting as it was the first show without Galliano at the helm and sadly, it was really quite obvious; it all felt very amateur and lacked that great sense of Galliano decadence.

The only collections that I liked so far have been long-term couture favourites: Givenchy and Elie Saab. Last season, I would have died for every single Elie Saab dress because they were all absolutely stunning and Givenchy, well, Riccardo Tisci is just a God, no? This season both collections felt very 'high fashion wedding' but they were gorgeous nonetheless...

Elie Saab

Givenchy

Tisci can do absolutely no wrong in my eyes - every collection from the past year has been nothing short of amazing and although Fall 2011 is quite similar to last season, I still love it.

I know I went off on quite a tangeant but I just don't feel as though Couture is anything to get excited about anyone, is anyone else of the same viewpoint or I am just being slightly ridiculous? What has been your favourite Fall 2011 Couture collection so far?

photos from style.com

Lara Stone covers Russian Vogue

It's official, silver is definitely having a moment. Last week I suggested that of all the metallic colours currently on the market, silver was the best and most user-friendly bet. It's been a while since I've seen anything with Lara Stone in - probably because I dropped off the blogosphere for a while - but this cover for Vogue Russia's July issue, although nothing particularly special, is really quite wonderful.

In a way it's quite morbid but I think it's really striking - you don't often see Vogue completely simplifying their covers but it makes a nice change. Lara also looks different - I'm not sure if its just the lipstick (and I hate to say this) but she kind of resembles newcomer Lindsey Wixon - or maybe that's just me?

I've always said that international editions of Vogue are much more interesting looking than the American and British verions - Korea always have something different going on. I think this is a really good direction for Vogue and its nice to not be inundated with some boring celebrity life-story, wouldn't you agree?

photo from forums.thefashionspot.com

From Hermione to Emma

If, like myself, you are a massive Harry Potter fan (considering the films as the pinnacle of your fandom doesn't count) and read the books when they first came out then you may agree with me when I say that the on-screen Hermione was nothing like I imagined. Partly because I was expecting some bushy-haired, buck-toothed geek not some pretty girl with about as much frizz as a Crufts show dog. Anyway, to cut a long story short, I think Emma Watson has proved herself to be one of the best young British actresses to emerge from the franchise, despite my initial casting disapproval.

With the last Harry Potter film fast approaching (I'm going to the midnight release here in London, literally can't wait), it's going to be the end of an era for Emma/Hermione. I'm not really sure what I'm trying to say here other than I hope she continues acting (possibly in some obscure indie films) and doesn't fly off the radar/do a LiLo. Correct me if I'm wrong but it seems that us Brits don't generally 'do' the whole drugs/DUI/sex-tape scandal/rehab thing (Amy Winehouse is the exception, obvs) and Emma seems pretty grounded, no? 

Has anyone else booked their tickets to The Deathly Hallows Part 2? I'm mind-numbingly bored so please excuse the less than interesting post (I just wanted an excuse to share these beautiful photos with you)!

photos from forums.thefashionspot.com

Silver Fox

Don't worry, I'm not going to go all comic geek on you (google Silver Fox if you're a little baffled), instead, after my somewhat prolonged absence from the world of blogging I decided to get back into the swing of things with a rather beautiful photo of Ashley Smith. If you've read Bang Bang You're Dead before, you'll know I became kind of obsessed with Ashley about this time last year and I'm still fascinated.

I know Ashley splits opinion across the board - I've even heard people say she's too big/short, but I think she's gorgeous and am glad to see she's still going strong in fashion. This photo is from Muse Magazine's summer issue and although I'm still not 100% on the whole metallic thing, I think this editorial is stunning.

Now, I wouldn't usually condone the wearing of metallic jackets, or anything metallic for that matter, but having scoured the internet I have come to the conclusion that it isn't actually so bad - well, silver isn't anyway. These 3 bags are as far as I'd go with the trend (I'm still stuck in a colour rut) so I'm kind of intrigued how everyone else would do it? Accessories are always the cheats way out but unless you want to look like some dodgy 80s throwback, then it's probably also the safest.

From left to right: Miu Miu, Ralph Lauren Collection, Stella McCartney @ net-a-porter.com 

What do you think? Hopefully I'll be able to get back on track with blogging (I blame too much beer and not enough sleep for lack of posts), I'm currently waiting to hear back from an interview I had last week so fingers crossed people!

photos from fashiongonerogue.com 

The Met Gala 2011

I know the Met Gala is old news for most of you but I've been in New York for the last week and have only just had a chance to write again! Amongst all the incredible things I got up to (including an interview for an internship out there) I went to watch the Met Gala red carpet with my good friend from Cocos Tea Party and we weren't disappointed when it comes to seeing high-profile celebs...

Andre Leon Talley

Daphne Guinness and Hamish Bowles

Lily Donaldson

Valentino and Christina Ricci

Jennifer Lopez

Karl Lagerfeld

Rihanna (well, her head...)

Beyonce and Jay-Z (with a helping hand from her stylist)

The paps going crazy for Madonna

I know the photos are rather terrible but I was so excited about seeing everyone that my photography skills went right out the window. J-Lo stepped out of a car right infront of where we were stood which was massively exciting and seeing Caleb Followill about 6ft away is enough to induce a Kings of Leon hysteria in anyone, let alone a Followill fan!

Whilst I was in New York I also had the chance to visit the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art which was so incredible words wouldn't do it justice. I've never been so emotionally overwhelmed by an exhibition before; seeing all of the late McQueen's most astounding work brought together in one place was just fantastic. I really recommend you go visit if you get the chance because it was just beautiful.

I should have more time to blog again now as my latest project Fred (a new men's magazine) has finished for the time being. What did you think of the Met Gala dresses?

photos taken by me, do not use/copy without permission!