Leopard & gold.

TOPSHOP Audio Gold Metal Boots

TOPSHOP Strut Gold Heeled Court Shoes

Absolutely enamoured by the leopard and gold accents! Now, the question is - which one? 

Love, Mandy. xx

Weekend inspiration.

 (Images: The Sartorialist, Wildfox Couture)

My time has been somewhat consumed by a nauseating essay (99% procrastination, 1% perspiration) with an incipient deadline so apologies for the lack of posts! The plan is to complete it tonight but I'm afraid verbosity and philosophy is not a good formula for this. 

In the meantime, these images are keeping me sane and inspiring me to wear something lovely on the weekend! 

Love, Mandy. xx

Go west, young cowgirl.

(Images: Wildfox Couture)

Currently reminiscing over the gorgeousness that is the Wildfox Couture Swim Resort collection 2011 with the enchanting title 'Go West, Young Cowgirl'. I love the concept and beautifully nostalgic images behind the campaign - really evokes a yearning for carefree summer afternoons.

Follow the rest of the story here.

Love, Mandy. xx

High tea with Versace.

(Dress - ASOS, bracelet - Chrissy L, YSL-like ring, bag - Peep Toe, watch - Michael Kors, shoes - Wittner)

Aficionados of minimalism would cringe at the decor of the Palazzo Versace hotel but I love the bright interior that borderlines on being outrageously gaudy. So distinctively Versace. 

Just a note on the dress - I absolutely adore scalloped hems and Peter Pan collars and this dress is the perfect amalgam of both! 

Hope you all had a beautiful weekend! 

Love, Mandy. xx

Laduree x Matthew Williamson.

Image: Vogue Italy

Who said food and fashion can't be friends?

Have a lovely weekend everyone! (I promise there will be more posts coming!) 

Love, Mandy. xx

The Coveteur & Sylvia Mantella.

(Images: The Coveteur)

If you haven't heard of The Coveteur, it is a beautiful website that takes exquisite snapshots inside the glamorous abodes of style aficionados. These breathtaking images were taken inside philanthropist Sylvia Mantella's home - I love her penchant for bright colours and her interiors that are resplendent with fresh blooms. So pretty! 

You can explore more of her extravagant home here.

Love, Mandy. xx

Sunday stylestalking.

(Dress - Stylestalker, belt - vintage, bag - Forever New, shoes - Bamboo)

I finally acquired a piece from the Stylestalker ‘Young Hollywood’ collection! This mint green dress was just the antidote I needed for the musky heat in which I spent having breakfast with a really close friend (and subsequently becoming emerald with envy for his new camera lens!) and then indulging in a rather civil lunch at the Marriott with my beautiful family (always my weekly highlight).

Oh! And my hair is absolutely not coping with this heat! Apologies for the rather haphazard tresses hehe. 

Love, Mandy. xx

Sequins and (faux) fur.

(Images: The Coveteur, Fashion Gone Rogue) 

I absolutely love this decadent combination (as long as no animals were harmed during the process!). 

Just so glamorous, dahhhling.

Love, Mandy. xx

Oh, Lita.

(Jeffrey Campbell Lita in nude suede) 

I usually eschew total sartorial conformity but I eventually succumbed to this bandwagon. It truly confounds me how these shoes can be so simultaneously vertiginous and oh, so comfortable. Can't wait to wear these with some frivolously effeminate outfits! 

 Love, Mandy. xx

New York Fashion Week street style.

(Images: Tommy Ton, Refinery 29, fashionologie)

Across the world, the fashion elite are flocking the streets of New York clad to sartorial perfection. These are some of my favourite looks - can't get enough of colour blocking and nude palettes!

Love, Mandy. xx

Sunday.

(My favourite - Shanghai dumplings)

(Mummy <3)

(Jeffrey Campbell shoe box that's too pretty to dispose of even despite the lack of space in my apartment)

I woke up to the golden sun streaming into my bedroom this morning, the air redolent of spring. Such an apt setting to have outdoor yum cha with my beautiful family. Also - my new Jeffrey Campbells have arrived (I shall share soon!). My heart was stolen even before I opened the box.

Hope you all have a lovely week! 

Love, Mandy. xx

Strawberries & dark chocolate ganache.

Sometimes, the simplest desserts are the most satisfying. Dark chocolate ganache is one of my favourites due to its ease and versatility. Dip some fresh strawberries into the ganache while warm (like a more seductive, less cloying cousin of the fondue) or let it set and pipe them onto your favourite cupcakes - it will become a staple that you will keep forever.

Dark chocolate ganache
300g good quality dark chocolate
300mL heavy cream

1. Boil water in a small saucepan to half of its capacity. Turn down to medium heat.
2. Set a heat-proof bowl atop the saucepan with the cream and chocolate. Stir lovingly and continuously until the mixture becomes homogeneous (about five minutes).
3. Wonder how you ever lived without it.

Enjoy! <3

Love, Mandy. xx

Gojee.

(Images: Gojee)

Sometimes you stumble upon a website that is so clever, so ingenious that it incites you to wonder 'now, by golly gosh, why didn't I think of that?'. Gojee is one of those sites - it provides you with recipes that are tailored to what is available in your pantry right now. Isn't that amazing? Don't let its intellect fool you though; Gojee is abundant with beautiful images that are as enticing as the recipes themselves. You can thank me later.

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Love, Mandy. xx

A few of my favourite things.

 (Envelope clutch - Asos, gold cuff - Chrissy L, watch - Michael Kors,  nail polishes: Mecca Cosmetica 'Rebecca', Kit 'Play up', Butter London 'MacBeth') 

Currently loving: bright bold accessories and nail polish as a way to incorporate the block colour trend in a less invasive (and more economic) manner, ample gold cuffs that melt into my skin tone, and my Michael Kors rose gold watch that never leaves my wrist (the large face is perfect for measuring pulse rates!).

Have a beautiful weekend everyone!

Love, Mandy. xx

Alex in alabaster.

Alexander Wang Marion textured shoulder bag

Alexander Wang Ryan textured tote bag

(Images: The Outnet)

I would happily tote around these Alexander Wang bags despite alabaster being such a high maintenance shade!

           Absolutely adore the rose gold accents.

Love, Mandy. xx

Summer dreaming.

(Image: Net-a-Porter)

Lanvin Asymmetric washed silk-crepe gown

Currently dreaming of nonchalant summer days wearing this beautiful Lanvin creation with sunkissed skin and copious amounts of gold accessories. 

Love, Mandy. xx