Leghila - Pop up store

Hi guys,

I hope you all have been well. Yesterday, we had a beautiful day in London, it was nice and warm, so I went down the shops and as I going down Portobello Road, I came across a new pop up shop. How exciting I thought at first, some cool and colourful Birkin bags made of neoprene. How fun!
In fact all the stuff there is made of neoprene. If you not very familiar with fabrics, neoprene it is used in a wide variety of applications, such as laptop sleeves, orthopedic braces and mostly commonly on wetsuits. (I've had a bikini with neoprene panels once!)

Anyways, neoprene offers a big variety of colours, which they have made into loads of different bag styles. There are some laptop cases, which are very useful but I the star of the show, would be the Birkin bag.


I have already posted on the blog about Birkin bags look-a-likes. First I came across the jersey bag, which was being made in Brazil, then later I blogged about the Thursday/Friday canvas style, from America.
I have no problems with look-a-likes whatsoever. In fact, I quite like the idea of transforming an iconic bag, into something else. It's all about the fun, the creativity and also the budget.

The budget.
When I got into the pop up store to have a closer look, I was very curious to find out how much the Birkin style or B-bag, as they are called, would be? My jaw just dropped when the sales assistant told me they were £250 and they are machine washable, she added.
Perplexed, I left the shop thinking that was a total joke! How can a neoprene bag, cost so much? At £250, I couldn't care less if they went on the washing machine or not.



I had to pay visit the website of Italian brand Leghila and I was surprised to find out that you could buy the bag cheaper from there.



I think the bags are cool, I just saw a really nice one with studs on the website, which I really liked but the price is too high, puts me off. I know I'll never be able to buy a real Birkin but in order for me to buy a styled one, I would have to be seduced by the price, which would have to be much cheaper. This always seems to be the case with the look-a-likes, they want them to be as 'it' as the real bags, but if prices are not accessible they will never be.

See you soon.
x

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An impulsive buy? I blame it on Olivia Palermo

Hi guys,

I hope you have been well. OMG! Just a couple of days have passed by since I blogged about my bags and today I had to admit defeat to the Zara plaited shopper bag.

I liked this bag since I first laid my eyes on it but I thought it was too big for everyday use. I mean, it's a perfect bag for travelling and carrying loads of stuff around but would I be able to pull it off? Then, I saw some pictures of Olivia Palermo carrying it around and I quickly changed my mind after that. The bag looked good on her and although this is a huge shopper, it didn't seem to be that big on her and I believe she's tiny.

So, today I just had one of those moments and I bought the bag. Now, I am feeling slightly guilty because I don't think I am 'psychologically' ready. Could this really be bag number 24?



It's fair to say I have had my eye on this bag for a while and I also think this bag could be on those 'cult' things that Zara makes every now and then, but I am still deciding whether I should keep it. I mean, it looks amazing on Olivia, doesn't it?



So girls, I am sure many of you have seen this bag at your local Zara. What do you think, is it a keeper or not?

See you soon.
x

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I love my handbags

Hi guys,

There isn't such a thing as one bag for all the occasions, of course not. We all need different bags for different purposes but I am a bag addict and I will always find a new excuse for a new bag! So, it's been a while that I wanted to do a post dedicated to my bags. I started my collection few years ago with just 2 bags that I bought in Brazil, where the quality of the leather is great and prices were unbeatable. Since then, the collection has taken off, from charity shop and sale finds to a big thanks to mum, who's donated me many bags too. I had never counted them before and it was interesting to find out that I have 23 handbags. Is this normal?

- Click on the image to enlarge.

I love different coloured bags, I would have all the colours of the rainbow (and more) if I could.


1. Luella
2. Coccinelle
3. Fendi
4. Balenciaga
5. From the Florence leather market
6. Shoe stock, Brazil
7. Coccinelle

But neutral coloured bags are also necessary. Here is my collection of neutrals, browns, black and white.


8. From Portobello Market
9. From the second hand shop
10. Found on the street, in the bin(!!!!)
11. Corello, Brazil.
12. Vintage from my mum.
13. Shoe stock, Brazil.
14 & 15. Vintage, from my mum.
16. Coccinelle.
17. Corello, Brazil.
18. Alexander McQueen

Prints are also present on my collection. They are fun and then again they are just something a bit different from the ordinary.

All my printed bags are by Vivienne Westwood, you guys know how much I love her!

19. Squiggle Print.
20. Animal print.
21. Squiggle Print.
22. Union Jack print.
23. Tartan print.

So, I still need another 2 bags to make to 25! I am waiting for 2 special ones... I don't know which ones yet but as soon as I get them I'll share it with you all.

How about you? Any bagmaniacs in the house?

See you soon.

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Julian Louie for Aldo

Hi guys,

A close up of my new wedges from the fantastic collaboration between Julian Louie and Aldo.
I was wearing them a few posts back and I was so lucky to find a pair, after reading pretty much everywhere they had been sold out. I love them truly and dearly, I think the print and the patchwork detail is amazing and I am so into navajo and ikat prints, so in my eyes they could not be more perfect!


It was real ♥ at first sight.


I was showing them to friend of mine and she said they were horrible! It really made me laugh because I think they are so amazing. How about you? What do you think of them?

See you soon.
x

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I'm back

Hi guys,

I hope you all have been well. As you guys can see I decided to take a little break from blogging, there was so much I needed to do that I had to have some time for myself.
First of all I had to really try to tidy my all my clothes, something I've been meaning to do for ages. It took me a couple of days to do this because I'm not the quickest person when it comes to being ruthless, chucking away old stuff and separating things to sell. I went through pretty much everything I got and as I was going through it all, it became a bit easier to start de-hoarding.
Anyways, I gathered a load of things and went to the Portobello Market to sell them all.


It was a good day, the weather was beautiful and therefore the market was very quiet, still I managed to sell a few bits (better than nothing) but came home with a bag full. Now, I'm thinking to sell the rest on Ebay, if I have enough patience for it.

In the meantime, I have also discovered a great, natural and cheap body scrub. Used coffee grains! Yeah, it's great to exfoliate the skin and also it's a good skin stimulator, so it works well against cellulite.
A friend of mine told me about it a while back, then last week after making a coffee on the cafetiere, I decided not to throw the used coffee away and gave it a try. I swear, my skin was so smooth, it almost fell like I had oiled my legs.
I simply applied the coffee directly on my skin and scrubbed myself in circular movements, the granules have a great consistency and are quite gentle. Don't worry you won't smell of coffee but I would recommend you to shower with a soap afterwards.

There are many options for a natural scrub, together with the coffee you can also mix brown sugar (for a coarser consistency) and almond oil but I think just the coffee on it's own work wonders anyways.
You can also let the coffee dry and store it in a jar afterwards, ready for the next time.

See you soon.
x

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New in my wardrobe

Hi guys,

Today some pictures of what's new in my wardrobe! Come and have the first peep...

The last couple of weeks I have been tempted by the sales and also by the sun, the weather is getting warmer and so some new things for Spring/Summer were needed.

-Click on the picture to enlarge.

From Jigsaw, I got this lovely trilby hat. I really loved it because of it's bi-colour black and brown ribbon and I also had my eye on this heavily studded belt for a while so I just had to get it too. It's already one of my favourite's in my belt collection.


From H&M, I bought a couple of druzy rings! They are pretty cool and they come in 2 different colours, brown and peach. As you can see I could not resist and got both. Adding to my basket a couple of plimsolls, I was looking for something simple and cheap to wear for Summer, I must say I have never worn a pair of plimsolls before, although I have not gone out with them yet they seem to be very comfortable. (Let's hope they are.)

From Topshop, I bought stuff that was on the sale. So, I was over the moon when I found the Navajo poncho (on the floor) but looking brand new and I managed to find a cute skull tshirt too. It's my third Navajo poncho I know but I could not resist in a new colour!

See you soon.
x

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New rings

Hi guys,

I hope you all have been well, tonight a quick post about a couple of new rings that I recently got. The gold and black onyx one was a birthday gift, which I ended buying from Cocosa.
I wanted another ring by Monica Vinader because I love her jewellery, then I kept my eye on the Cocosa sale website. Luckily the sale was near my birthday and I managed to snap this one, which is gorgeous. It's funny that I have decided to go for gold (sounds so pre olympic!) but now, I think gold can be elegant, so much that I decided to go for a statement piece such as this cocktail ring.

To balance it out, I just had to buy another golden ring... from Asos. I found this pyramid in rose quartz, which is pretty cool, quirky and very fragile but a great bargain for just £11, reduced on sale as well.




I am so delighted, 'Miss T' says thank you!

Shopping notes and impartial review:
It was my first time buying from Cocosa and it was easy, I received my ring a few days later with no hassle and was very pleased.
This time with Asos I took advantage of the super saver zero postage and received my item before the promised date.

Tomorrow, I'll be catching up with some street style pics, as usual some very stylish girls around town.

See you.
x

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Dear Japan

I took this message from the Vivienne Westwood facebook official page.

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The youngest fashionista

Hi guys, good morning!

One very cute picture I though it was worth to share with you.
Who's the fashionista baby?



See you soon.
x

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McQueen- Savage Beauty

Hi guys,

Some great news coming up in NYC or for anyone passing by the Big Apple around May/ July. Iconic designs by Alexander McQueen will be on display at the Metropolitan Museum NY from the 4th of May until the 31st of July, the exhibition will be called Savage beauty.
From his early days, looking back at his post graduation collection in 1992 from Central Saint Martins London, up to his latest collection (which was only presented after his death) in February 2010.

There approximately 100 of his most extraordinary catwalk outfits, from his own personal archive in London and also some pieces from the Givenchy archive from Paris as well as pieces from private collections round the globe.

Here's the usual peep!






This exhibition will be really unmissable and I am very jealous! I am hoping and praying for it to come to the UK too.

See you soon.
x

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Starting in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1

It's time for London Fashion Week!

Stay tuned.
x

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The NOW Project by Samsung

Hi guys,

I told you guys on my last post how I was very pleased with my pictures taken with my new Samsung phone. Which is very exciting because I used to have an old Blackberry (with no camera) that used to give me real headaches and I was really much in need of a new phone. I was over the moon when I was invited to test the new Samsung Wave II phone camera and video's facilities taking part in the NOW project.
The new Samsung Wave II is an amazing smartphone with a large touch screen and a 5 megapixel camera, perfect for street style shooting.

Some of my pictures for the Samsung NOW project,

Check it out!

All you need is love.
Filter : Vintage 600

Eros, Piccadilly Circus.
Filter: None

(Pretty) Portobello Road.
Filter: Canvas

Atomic muffins
Filter: Colour boost

Metal hanger ape.
Filter: Monopin

To win the new Samsung Wave II all you need is to join the Facebook Samsung NOW project page and upload a picture. You will be able to play with the exclusive Samsung photo app, using different filters to change your image. The 25 best entries will receive a Samsung Wave II handset and 50 winners, with the most likes on Facebook, will be picked to get their photos displayed, alongside Samsung’s VIP contributors (like myself) at the London Design Museum on March 24th.

Get uploading now and good luck!


See you soon.
x

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Celebrity Closets an inside peep.

Hi guys,

I have always dreamt with a beautiful, functional and spacious closet. Well, who hasn't? A place where you can display your shoes and bags proudly, with plenty of room for all you clothes, hat boxes, jewellery and a chez lounge... sighs.

The celebrity closet! The dream of any girl. Christina Aguilera's has a burlesque cave with an impressive collection of shoes. Other shoe lovers are Jessica Alba and Eva Longoria both with classic wooden closets. Christina Ricci and Miley Cirus both opted for pink and bright rooms, boutique like rather than a conventional closet.




Nina Ricci


Miley Cyrus



Mariah Carey's closet, looks more like a shop, or shall I say a 'maison'?!? It's quite unbelievable really!



The cosy and yet clean white closet belongs to Georgia Chapman, from Marchesa. (I am eyeing that Chanel bag on the corner!)


Actress Olivia Wilde. Another shop like closet, but the mirror and chandelier are romantic and bring some life into the room.


From one Olivia to another, our lady of style, Olivia Palermo.
I was expecting more of her closet to be honest, something classic, such as Jessica or Eva's. I love the carpet, it's fun and I would have it. The rest of the room looks like it's from Ikea. Maybe that is not so bad, take it from Ms.Palermo, keep it simple and anyone could have the celebrity closet too!


Kimora Lee Simmons, she has a mini bar, plasma TV and loads of leopard print. Plus 35 custom made Hermes bags and 500 pairs of jeans.


Paula Abdul, may have a 5,000 square feet closet, but it looks a bit tacky with those cheap sunglasses displays.


A simple life with a simple but pretty full closet for Nicole Richie.


Full of mirrors, posh and a very sumptuous boudoir for Paris Hilton.



Hope you enjoyed!
x

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Pretty Portobello second anniversary!

Hurray!

Hey guys,

I'm lost for words here... first of all I would like to say thank you to all my readers. I am really chuffed with all your comments and I much appreciate every single visit here. Again, the blog would not be fun without my followers, sending you all a big special kiss and a huge thank you for your loyalty!
Pretty Portobello, is stronger than never and I have a lot of ideas, thoughts and outfits to share with you in 2011! I hope you enjoy.

Much Love.
x

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My favourite perfumes ever

Hi guys,

I wanted to write a post about perfume, it's been a while. I absolutely adore fragrances, as I am a little bit addicted to scents but nothing over the top.
Along the years I have collected many bottles, fragrances that for one reason or another I just fell in love with. In the past, I used to wear something different everyday but for the last couple of years I have been wearing Agent Provocateur almost everyday, so I believe I may have found my favourite scent. Still, I need to down size my collection, it will take me a while but as long as I don't buy anything, it should be fine.

I picked 10 of my favourite bottles at home, one for every mood!


1. Agent Provocateur - Agent Provocateur
The 'marmite' of fragrances, you love it or you hate it. It's rosy, powdery, almost an old lady-ish smell... some people may say. For me, it's the most amazing scent in the world, I just adore the mix of saffron and roses. Feminine, intriguing and above all sensual. The one!


2. Eau de Emmotionelle - Agent Provocateur
After my fascination with the original pink version, I decided to try the summer version. I love it too, it's has some of the original notes in it and some white musk which makes it much softer, changing the scent too. Not so in your face, I find this fragrance very comforting. Perfect for summery days.


3. Dune - Christian Dior.
I also wore this fragrance for a couple of years in a row. I had a friend who wore it and I loved so much that I 'copied' her. It brings me a lot of good memories. A beautiful floral fragrance, long lasting. I get many comments when I am wearing it, so I suppose it really suits my skin.


4. Amarige - Givenchy.
In my teens, Amarige was the second fragrance I fell in love with (the first one was Lou Lou). I still love it's floral bouquet and femininity. I normally wear it when it's really cold.


5. A Men - Thierry Mugler.
This one is the masculine version of the famous Angel. I love both, but I prefer A Men because it's just like Angel but cheaper and more subtle. Great for Summer too.

6. Boudoir - Vivienne Westwood
Tuberose infused, this fragrance is one of the strongest I own, strictly for Winter only. It's a scent that stay with you all day... lingers and lingers. I have to be in my Cruella de Vil mood for this! I prefer when I have just sprayed on rather than when it has worn a bit off.


7. Volupte - Oscar De La Renta
This one is a an oldy... Again, it was another scent that I fell in love with in my teens. A spicy smell that has nothing to do with coriander at all, but it reminds me of it. I found the 100 ml bottle on sale for £20, a bargain, I had to buy it. Funnily enough, I think this is the fragrance my boyfriend likes the most since he's not very keen on AP for instance!


8. Aromatics Elixir - Clinique.
This is a heady perfume. After trying a sample, I thought it was a grown up fragrance, so I decided to buy it. The strangest thing is although this smell is very strong, distinctive and a bit hippie, like a child from the 70's, I like it to wear in Summer days. I don't think I am supposed to, but I do. So far no complaints.


9. Opium Eau D'ete - YSL.
This was a limited Summer fragrance. It's based on the perfume Opium but in a much lighter way. Reminds me of the smell of incense and that's why I love it so much. Just like an Indian Summer, or how I expect one to be.


10. Laughter - Space NK.
I think this is a unisex fragrance, which I got as a gift. I like it because it's clean and very summery, the perfect scent for holidays. It reminds me of Barcelona, just because when I spent some time there, I was bathing myself with it everyday. Felt very fresh!



Are you addicted to scents? Tell me which one is your favourite and why?

See you soon.
x

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