Designer Bags 2011

I am extremely excited in sharing the latest bag trends of 2011 fresh from the runway to the conveniences of your computer screens. Firstly, I must confess; I love bags. Some women have a weakness of buying shoes, but I find that my bags/purses really define my entire outfit.  When they come in the right color, size and design and they appeal to me in their entirety & originality [yes, I'm very picky] - I feel urged to have one. Maybe not in the very moment when I lay my eyes on the beautiful creation, but maybe later when the time, occasion and my wallet suits my insatiable hunger for a fashionable bag or two.

Let's tour the runways of New York Fashion Week and see what's in store for Spring & Fall 2011:

(click on images to enlarge.)

Jason Wu Fall 2011:

Jason Wu's fall handbag collection remained practical and functional. He incorporated classic shapes  in a new color palette. He also made a comeback on a new edition of his econic doctor bag with a warm color and clutch shaped form [2nd pic]:

Marc by Marc Jacobs: Natasha leather bag

$350

Marc by Marc Jacobs' classic leather Natasha bag is reworked for the new season with a vibrant sage shade.

Gucci: Leather and canvas bird keyfob

$145

Love the detail of this key chain that can be hung on the Marc by Marc Jacobs bag. The sage color is very cool for Spring season:

MIU MIU: Matelassé leather bag (in nude)

$1,695

Upon closer look, you will notice how the bag and the nude color are perfectly made in harmony. The golden buckle and the braided handle, gives the bag the much needed 'oomph' to be simple, yet alluring:

JIMMY CHOO: Zeta glitter-finish metallic clutch

$495

Metallic clutch by Jimmy Choo. It's perfect. Just perfect:

Michael Kors Spring 2011

Classic Kors, ranging from small-scale and ladylike to large and beach-appropriate:

Harper tasseled suede clutch

$450

Diane von Furstenberg's tasseled rose suede clutch oozes femininity & warmth. Also, tassels are a BIG trend on bags and apparel this Spring 2011:

VALENTINO

Bow-embellished Leather Frame Bag

$1,995

A structural bow embellishment adds a feminine touch to Valentino's off-white leather frame bag.

 VERSACE

Leather Shoulder Bag

$1,395

With a chunky chain-link strap and designer-stamped goldhardware, Versace's lilac leather shoulder bag is a bold feminine style. 

CHLOE

Heloise Leather Hobo Bag

$1,595

This camel brown leather bag adds great comfort & 'freedom' to your look. I call it the Egyptian Bag. Long live Egypt!

CHLOE

Marcie Small Leather Bag 

$1,790

Braided trims and twisted handles give Chloé's light-brown leather bag an artisanal edge. 

Fendi: 

For spring, Fendi’s runway accessories are all about incorporating color in a classic way. Various colors were visible on leathers of different textures. There's sunshine upon Fendi this Spring:

MIU MIU

Matelassé linen bag

$1395

Miu Miu updates its classic matelassé carryall for summer in light-weight taupe linen:

Prada Resort 2011 Handbags: 

Feast your eyes on Prada Lino Twist Frame Shoulder Bag: 
$1895

Sale at Macy's!!! If you know me, then you also know how crazy I am about cross-body bags! They're practical, cute & light and one can have a wardrobe full of them, especially for Spring season. With the sale going on, I must resist my urges by just 'looking'. Oh God, so much torture!

See for yourself...indulge:

-The bag on the left is a regular handbag, but I am really liking the fine, embossed lizard texture that gives the bag so much class. Love BCBGeneration!

-The crossbody bag on the right is Kenneth Cole. The effect of fabric petals over your body in the form of a purse, looks very elegant yet playful:

With these bags as part of your outfits, you will look quite the model for Spring. Go ahead, throw a little color and celebrate the upcoming blooming season with a care-free attitude. Flutter like a butterfly!

xoxo,

Naila~

"Oh Valentine, will you be mine?"

 "Will you be my Valentine?"

I have been seeing this sentence everywhere I walk around in the city. It's that time of the year again, when everything pink or red is displayed on the window displays and when people are shopping for their significant other or planning and making reservations to their favorite restaurant. You can just feel the romance in the air. I am a hopeless romantic myself so I totally believe in this day even though it's so silly. ;) All you lovely ladies out there who are celebrating it this year, have fun and hopefully this post will come in handy. :)

  
Click on images to enlarge:

 Flaunting 'Romantic Red' on the runway:

www.asos.com:

www.asos.com:

Happy Valentines! Enjoy the red roses, the chocolates and the pampering by your beloved while looking absolutely amazing in your Valentine's or Valentino dress.

xoxo,
Madiha~

~ Royal Wedding Part 2 ~

With over just 2 months till the wedding, people are getting more anxious to see what decisions Prince William and Kate are making regarding their upcoming nuptials. From the cake, her dress to the tiniest detail you can think of.  I have to admit, even I can't wait to see everyting unfold! ;) Lifetime Network is even coming out with a movie that entails their love story and will show us how it all started and how the couple fell in love. It will air around the same time as the real wedding , April 29 I believe.


What I can tell you is that Prince William is to marry Kate Middleton on Friday 29 April 2011 at Westminster Abbey, London.  The day of the wedding is declared as a Royal Bank Holiday.  So expect street parties all over England and people celebrating like it's their own wedding day!


Fashion Insider News: Kate has still yet to reveal which lucky designer dress she will be wearing while walking down the isle. We do know that her favorite designer so far is Issa London whose royal blue dress she donned ever so elegantly at her engagement announcement, so will she wear one of her designs or go for something different? Not only is Kate going to wear one dress but 2- 3 dresses for her royal event. Her wedding gown for the marriage ceremony and the reception and then change right before the dinner and dance which is hosted by Prince Charles at the Buckingham Palace. Sounds like a fairytale!


Some reports say that Prince William is expected to wear his military uniform since the couple is being sensitive to the tough economic times the country is facing today. I understand where they are coming from, but I am hoping he will still wear a tuxedo!! He will look so handsome! ;)
Let's see how much of these speculations will come true. In any case, I am pretty sure it's going to be a splendid event and I can't wait to sit in front of the TV at 3 am to watch Kate become a Princess. Wish them all the luck.


click to enlarge the image:

I would like to dedicate this post to three of my very dearest friends who are practically my sisters: Sidhra, Heena & Pranav. Love you girls!

                                                                                                                                                                   

xoxo,

Madiha~ 

Celebrity Moms

As much as I'd hate to admit, Hollywood does have a certain influence on us. We thrive on entertainment and you will agree with me on this; we also like to see beautiful people. It's how it is and how it's always been. Celebrities are proud people. Proud about their looks, their achievements and proud to be in the spotlight of international fame. A couple of decades ago, actresses weren't considered 'desirable' when married or with children, but now the tables have turned. Actresses with children, whether adopted from the far lands of Africa, now have the power to 'make' their image. We've finally paved ways and entered a time of more tolerance & acceptance. Motherly and wifely duties have become a norm in Hollywood whilst remaining the Superstar actress on the red carpet. Is it true? Can we do it all? While typing with one hand and one finger, holding my baby on my left arm, I snicker at my own question. Perhaps I was asking myself...


Maybe we can do it all!  Of course with the right support and love, a woman can blossom into a garden of flowers; I'm always fascinated at the innumerable roles we adapt just to make others' lives run easier. Is it to our expense or do we push ourselves to reach our potential?
I'm starting to believe that we as woman are capable of sooo much! The kind of strength God has given us is incredible. Even more so, when we look our best. As a new mom of a 3 month old, it's still work in progress. I carry my hair in a bun at home and wear my pj's [which I'll have to buy more of, by the way]. To make my homely appearance more interesting and not so dull, I often opt to wear cute, graphic tees to look and FEEL young. However, I do make an extra effort to look good when I step out of the house. By saying this - next time you see me, I hope you won't stare at me to examine my cleanliness and fashionable skills, ha ha!


We're quick to say how easy it is for celebrity moms to look fantastic with all the money and luxuries they're surrounded with. I've now come to the understanding that it's even harder for them to maintain their figure and sex appeal as that is their livelihood. Who cares if I'm Ugly Betty at home? My husband might miss my bodily curves that I used to flaunt and now I hide under large sweaters and tees, but he's a sweetheart to find me attractive...still. Maybe because I wear his shirts! ;) Hollywood isn't so forgiving and demands a perfect body regardless of just giving birth. Let's look at those Celebrity Moms who've kept themselves sexy & beautiful:


Hollywood:

Jessica Alba

Halle Berry

Angelina Jolie

Kate Hudson

Jennifer Garner

Kourtney Kardashian

Gisele Bundchen

Jennifer Lopez

Katie Holmes

Bollywood:

Malaika Arora Khan looking fab with her 4 yr old son Arhaan

Sushmita Sem beaming as a mom:

Madhuri Dixit as beautiful as ever:

 Juhi Chawla radiating sweetness as a mom:

Twinkle Khanna looks amazing and always very stylish as a mom:

Sri Devi looking gorgeous as a mom:

Hey! Hold on. Who snuck this one in there?!

;)

                                                               

xoxo,

~Naila

Snuggly Sweaters

As the temperature has dropped considerably, I dig out all my sweaters, shawls and cardigans to wear at home - even though, the heating is on, I feel more protected and cozier by throwing on a thick sweater or embracing myself with pashmina shawls from Pakistan.
I refuse to buy a snuggie for myself; the ones that have become a huge trend amongst elderly and youngsters. It's basically a blanket with sleeves cut out. Just wait until I am old, frail and bones sticking out...by then I'll be happy to wear one. As for now, I'd like to look my part; a bit fashionable you see, celebrating this young age with beautiful fabrics draped off of me instead of looking like a packaged product.


I LOVE cardigans. I seriously love, love, love them!!! I find them versatile, cute and very practical. I am like an old soul trapped in a young body [hmmm am I? You decide, lol] - I can see myself knitting sweaters/cardigans for my children's offspring - sitting quietly, going about my business, buying yarn, making trips to Joanne's (thrift store) to quench my thirst for cozy sweaters. I can see myself making them. I will. Mark my words. And no, I will not have a cat purring to me and/or playing with my newly bought yarn. I refuse to have a cat in the house. Why? Personal reasons.


Going back to the topic of coziness, I personally love Banana Republic sweaters. They are on the pricey side, but when there is a good sale, you'll see me grabbing a bunch of sweaters first.

Banana Republic. Told ya, great quality!

A very different Fall color to wear. It's a nice brown hue. Compliments all skin tones:

 A cozy sweater from Free Spirit:

A Woven Flounce Cardigan from The Limited Collection. Can you tell? I like horizontal stripes on sweaters. I very much like the ruffled detail on the seam! 

 I like the apparel and the silky bow-like feature on this short sleeve sweater from The Limited:

I love the way the sweater is worn in this picture. Gotta love those slouchy army green pants with the boots.

Inc International Concepts Long Sleeve Striped Lace Trim on the left:


Burberry London Chiffon Trim Cardigan on the right:

Burberry Brit Check Cuff Sweater in rose pink on the left:

Z Spoke by Zac Posen - Lurex Knit Cardigan (right image)

Diane von Furstenberg - Nibo Bis Chunky Sweater on the left.

Simply Vera - Vera Wang: Flyaway Wool Cardigan in the middle.

Simply Vera - Vera Wang: Sequin Cardigan on the right.

Stay warm, fuzzy and cozy! Sweaters like these are worth the 'stay in' at home. 
Have a hot cup of cocoa while curling up on the couch and I assure you, you will not miss going out in this cold, cold weather. Brrrrrr.  :)

xoxo,

~Madiha