If I were a stylist for a celebrity attending last nights SAG awards.......

........I wouldn't have chose this Prada gown for Hailee Steinfield, its all a bit "Bassets Liquorice Allsorts" for my liking.....

I may have chosen this beautiful Nina Ricci gown for Nicole Kidman, but I would never, ever, have put a Fred Leighton necklace on top of a ruffle neckline!  WTF!........

Its a bit difficult to see in this picture but up close it was a shocker and I should know because like a complete Div, I stayed up till midnight to watch the Red Carpet and on a School night (yawn). Surely no Stylist on earth would have recommended she wear it when she could have worn a stunning bracelet to compliment the dress instead?

I would have however, chosen this gorgeous Azzaro gown for a pregnant Natalie Portman......

and been more than happy to accessorise the outfit with 2 million dollars worth of Tiffany Diamonds in her ears!

Tina Fey was the Televison Starlet in Scarlett, Oscar De la Renta.....

Another Favourite was Glee Star Lea Michele, again in Oscar De La Renta....

and being as I love anything pink and ruffled, I couldn't help but love this candy floss pink creation by Monique Lhuillier as worn by television presenter Angie Harmon......

Who was your best dressed of the night?

Chanel Black Pearl & I fall in love with No.5 all over again.....

As most regular readers will know I have a bit of an obsession with getting my hands on every new Chanel colour that is released and still haven't got over the fact I never managed to get a bottle of last seasons Khaki, but it was limited edition and only available at Selfridges or Chanel Boutiques and OH could not be persuaded to leave his lunchtime City haunts and nip up "West" for me, no matter how much I pleaded with him - Git.
Yesterday though, the nail polish Gods were smiling down on me.  OH went up town for the day, rang me mid morning and asked if I wanted him to go and put my name down for the new spring offering from the much lusted after Fashion House, only to find that it was already instore and no lengthy waiting list was required, he got a bottle there and then!

I wasn't quite sure about a inky black polish for spring/summer which is normally reserved for brights that look fabulous with a tan, so at first I thought it was rather a strange offering, but wanted it anyway, afterall I spent all of last summer unable to be parted from wearing Particulere, so wanted to give it a go and I couldn't have been more surprised to find that it is not black at all, but more of a metallic petrol green, but I am in love with it anyway, so it doesn't matter.

I am a tad bemused as to its name, though.  I can only think that with Chanel's association with Vanessa Paradis, and her association with Johnny Depp, who played a mischievous pirate by the name of Jack Sparrow, who was Captain of a Ship called the Black Pearl, that maybe the creator of the nail polish saw the colour once it had been created and thought that a dirty old pirates nails would probably be that shade!

OH being the well trained Beauty Counter shopping expert that he is, never leaves without a handful of samples and instead of the usual skincare products, this time he was given samples of Chanel No5.  I honestly can't remember how many years it is since I have had a bottle of the classic scent and couldn't wait to have a spray and get all nostalgic and transported back to a time before kids, when wearing the fragrance used to make me feel so sophisticated.  I can't stop sniffing my wrist and have totally fallen back in love with the fragrance, so think I will put all my current perfumes on ebay and treat myself to a bottle of this beautiful fragrance as it would make the most gorgeous signature scent and you don't really smell it around that much now.  The samples are Eau Premiere which is described as a new offactory interpretation (whatever that means!).

No.5 is supposed to be a mixture of abstract flowers with an indefinable femininity, but to me it is quite powdery which is good because when the kids were babies, I could easily get "high" on the smell of Johnsons Baby Talc.

Some History for you: In May 1921 when the perfume creator Ernest Beaux presented her with a choice of fragrances, Gabrielle Chanel barely hesitated before choosing the fifth one, which was to become CHANEL N°5.

Have you ever worn No.5?

View the perfume range at Boots here and catch the new collection of perfume and make-up at Selfridges here.

Oops I did it again.....

I am using the Blog because I am not a Catholic and therefore can not go to Sales Shopping Confession.  So dear readers, please forgive me, for I have sinned (again).
I sneakily got up from the sofa, went into the dining room and quietly extracted my debit card from my purse and put it down my bra.  Then I made OH take Little Man up to bed, whilst I very swiftly grabbed the card, entered my details and checked out! 
Putting ones card inside your C cup is mildly satisfying, I felt just like the big fat blonde antique dealer on Dickensons Real Deal (in more ways than one) as she pulls a wad of £50 notes from beneath her mounds of milky flesh to make some poor bastard an offer on a Beswick Cow which is way under the market value and at the end of the show you find out she made a massive profit from selling it on to some poor sucker punter ....anyway I digress. 
What forced me to commit such a mortal sin you may ask?  well it was another peek at the Isabella Oliver Sale after receiving an email to say it would be finishing shortly and well, I had quite fancied this Jersey Dress for a while now, as I could visualise it with those Shoe Boots I got before Xmas and leggings.

At only £26.70 with 70% off, you can understand how I couldn't resist and talked myself into how effortlessly chic I would look wearing it.....

Only problem is, I am now thinking I should have got the pink one aswell, in preparation of adding a "pop" of colour to my summer wardrobe ......

Oh Lord, do you forgive me?

Wednesdays Wardrobe Hero - The Trench Coat

Worn by Fashionistas the world over, the Trench Coat is a timeless classic that gets pulled out of the wardrobes of the chic and stylish, as soon as the daffodils bloom and again as the autumn leaves fall, just like at last Septembers New York Fashion Week where we saw Mac's out in abundance, on the backs of some of the most famous faces in fashion.

A classic Mac looks just as good with heels or flats (as in my Parisian Style Guide Post here), and sits just as easily over dresses (either shifts or floaty floral numbers), heels and opaques as it does with jeans, boots or flats.  Workdays or Weekends, School Runs or Fun, it will be the most hard working piece of outerwear in your wardrobe giving the "chic" factor to every outfit you own, no matter what your age.

Styling Tips.

• Bigger Busted or Apple Shaped figures should go for single breasted styles as double breasted will be more likely to draw attention to your upper half whereas one line of vertical buttons will give an illusion of length to the body.

• Large Ladies might feel happier in a darker camel shade rather than the classic cream, stone or beige colourways.

• The smaller waisted amongst us can replace the belt with a leather one of your own choice, either skinny or a wider waist belt.

High End

Classic Burberry £595.

Weekend by Maxmara £378.

Acne Trench £450.

High Street.....

Karen Millen £210.

M&S £69.

Debenhams Collection £40.

There is a style for every body shape and budget and don't dismiss classic black, blue or red ......

View all the 74 styles available at John Lewis here and the full range of luxury trench coats at net-a-porter here.

Next weeks Wardrobe Hero: The White Shirt.

Previous entries: The Little Black Dress.

* Note: If anybody sent me an email in the last few days, could you please resend it as AOL seems to have lost all my emails from 4th Jan until yesterday Tuesday morning and as some of you expressed an interest in taking part in the Ines De La Fressange style challenge by getting together your wardrobe staples, I am worried you may have sent me some photo's and if you haven't yet, but would like to have your outfits featured on the blog, please get your photos to me by Friday, those who have already sent in, can you please resend - sorry.  x

Jimmy Choo new 24:7 Bag Collection

Its almost to much to bear for somebody like me who adores Bags as much as she does Shoes, that so much has been going on in the Bag World lately with "it" bags aplenty!  If I had a grand in my hand, I honestly wouldn't know what to buy anymore and this has not been helped by the fact Jimmy Choo has launched a new collection based on the same ethos as its 24:7 shoe collection. 

Jimmy Choo's 24:7 shoe collection consists of an assortment of iconic Jimmy Choo footwear, perfect for day to evening, 7 days a week, which come in a variety of colours, materials and heel heights: for everyday chic and now the brand has used this philosophy to create a range of stunning arm candy, inspired by jet set women and how they travel.  The collection consists of beautiful iconic styles which include roomy totes and messengers, a luggage collection and smart travelling companions such as; passport and iphone covers, laptop cases, travel wallets, luggage tags and shoe cases.
No doubt inspired by Tamara Mellon's frequent trips across the pond and beyond, it may well be time to stop lusting after a Hermes Birkin or a Victoria Beckham creation and opt for a far more reasonably priced bag but with equally iconic status and classic styling.




View the Exclusive Video Here the full collection on sale at the Jimmy Choo website here.

Rosabel Red Tote £975 at netaporter

Parisian Chic - The Ultimate Style Guide

I love a good style guide and my Style A to Zoe: The Art of Fashion, Beauty, and Everything Glamour
by Rachel Zoe is a firm favourite.  With its main focus on high octane Glamour and seeing as how I love a bit of leopard print and shaggy faux fur - it suits me perfectly for when I want to dress up, even if only whilst doing the weekly shop at Tesco!

One style guide I am waiting for with hotter than hot anticipation, is entitled Parisian Chic written by Ines De La Fressange the French Runway Style Icon.

The pictures that I have seen, focus on chic ways to wear everyday basics, something that seems to come far easier to the French than it does the English.  We all think we know the items a capsule collection should consist of, but often flounder when it comes to accessorising the clothes to achieve the ultimate laid back style which comes so easy to Parisian Ladies.

The Parisian Chic Style Guide features pictures shot in a street style manner with similar items worn by both Ines, now in her early fifties, and her sixteen year old daughter Nine.  I can't think of a better way to show that classic pieces can form the basis of your wardrobe, no matter what your age.

Ways to work your Trench.  As good with flats as with heels.

A classic white shirt/mini skirt combo and the LBD. 

Camel coloured trousers in any style make a great addition to jeans or black trousers.

A leather jacket in black or tan will go with everything.

A cashmere v neck in a neutral colour whether worn alone or used for layering looks great with white jeans.

Back to the Breton.  Smarten up any casual t-shirt whether basic plain or striped with a blazer and statement necklace.

Whilst typing up this post and thinking about the wardrobe staples posts I am doing each week, I decided to set myself and my readers if anybody is up for it, an Ines De La Fressange Challenge!  I have seen other Bloggers taking part in capsule wardrobe challenges where they mix and match 10 items of clothing to get a weeks worth of looks but this challenge is going to be different, I am going to challenge you to go and see if you have any items in your wardrobe which in any way resemble the items being worn by Ines and her daughter.  You can then email me your pics at fablooking@aol.com and I can post them up, I won't use your name if you don't want me to and you can just lay them out or picture yourself in them, whatever you want, and you might find you have more wardrobe hero's than you originally thought!

So to start off the challenge I have been and had a rummage and here are the looks I have created based both on the images.

Look One - The Trench.

Look Two - The LBD and Sunglasses.

Look Three - The casual camel coloured trousers.

I couldn't resist putting my leopard print scarf with this look and I would like a chunkier cardigan.

Look Four - The Cashmere V-neck.

Look Five - The Leather Jacket.

In this picture I have swapped my black v-neck for a grey cashmere fine knit round neck top.

Look Six - The Blazer.

I was so chuffed that I actually have all of the looks featured in one way or another and am keeping the outfits all together on hangers ready to wear in springtime, that way I won't have to worry about what to wear each morning, when the weather warms up, just grab a hanger and go!

Are you up for the Challenge?

Pre - order your Style guide here: Parisian Chic: A Style Guide by Ines de la Fressange

School Run Style for Spring

Mac £65 M&S.  Flared Jeans (on sale) £30 Wallis.  Hobbs Pumps £89 John Lewis.  Abaco Bag (on sale) £298 at Matches.  Black Bow Beret £12 Accessorize. 

Ever since I first started the Blog, I have received many enquiries from Readers looking for styling tips or outfit ideas for certain events or just everyday style and I always try to reply and give some advice if possible, but thought it might be an idea to actually start posting some of the questions and answers as I realise a lot of other women may well be suffering from the same wardrobe dilemma's.
I am not a trained Stylist but if people want to ask for free advice because they don't know where else to turn and can't afford a professional opinion, I am happy to help, so I thought I would start with an email I had the other week from Louise, a lovely lady who has been reading the blog for the last eight months and is struggling with her winter wardrobe of wellington boots and massive overcoats and wanted some idea on how to look effortlessly stylish in the Playground.  Louise said she reads about Fashion constantly but still struggles with knowing what to buy.

I suggested that the easiest way to do this would be with a Trench Coat or Mac and some comfortable but chic footwear, as it would only take those two basic items to transform the jeans and tops she wears on a daily basis.  With great outerwear it doesn't really matter if you only have a bleach stained housework t-shirt on underneath, as nobody can see that! so I chose a reasonably priced  Mac, jeans, ballet pumps, a fab daytime tote and to complete the look, a cute black beret.  Louise likes to shop on the High Street but still expects great quality, and although she had never worn ballet flats before, she promptly ordered herself the pumps (in both colours - ahem) and the mac, then very kindly dropped me a line when the shoes arrived:

Quote:
Oh Mrs Fab, you are a wonderful woman. The Hobbs ballet flats have just arrived. I am in LOVE with them! I would never have tried on such shoes if it was not for you. Thank you thank you thank you!


Louise xx
Unquote.



Now thats what I call "Blog" Satisfaction!

There will be more Mac/Trench Coat options and ways to wear it, in next Wednesdays Wardrobe Staple post, but if you are looking for a bit of weekend style inspiration, just have a look at how the celebrities style theirs!

Working 9 to 5

Don't worry my favourite over 40 fashionista, Sarah Jessica Parker, hasn't gone and got herself a new job in New Yorks Financial District, she is actually pictured on the set of her new film "I Don't Know How She Does It", which is rather apt because I don't know how she always manages to look so stylish!

Having worked in the City for many years, I love a bit of "power dressing" and still miss getting dolled up for work, so I can't wait to see SJP's City slick styling in the film which also stars Pierce Brosnan (drools) and is a "rom com" based on SJP's characther Kate Reddy, a finance executive who is the breadwinner for her husband and two kids, so it sounds like just my kinda film, I love a good comedy and with my fave fashionista in the starring role and sporting an Oak Mulberry Alexa, whats not to love?

 

Mulberry Alexa in Oak £766. 

Oversized Oak Alexa £914.

Would the Alexa be your perfect choice of Bag for the office? 

Have you read the Allison Pearson book the film is based on?

Update:
As you may see below, I received a comment from a reader who loves the Alexa but bought something different on sale for only £222, which she feels is more suitable to her needs, she left me the link on twitter incase anybody is looking for something similar......

Aubin & Wills Satchel