If this doesn't make you smile...

Selena Gomez does Harper's

Selena Gomez is the latest A-lister to feature on the cover of Harper's Bazaar in the US and let me say, she looks sensational! The hair, the make-up, the everything!

I'll admit that I never quite got the fuss surrounding her.  I grouped her together with the rest of the Disney bunch (Miley, Demi et al) and, in all honesty, can't always distinguish between her and Vanessa Hudgens. (Coincidently, they both star in the upcoming girls-gone-wild film Spring Breakers).

And then I saw this photoshoot. Shot by the always-incredible Terry Richardson, the spread is tasteful, fresh and elegant without trying too hard to be sexy/grown-up.

The spread was shot by the legendary Terry Richardson.

The accompanying article is similarly charming. Gomez comes across as wholesome and cute without becoming annoying. At times, she's even jaded ("I've been smiling for six years. I'm not smiling anymore.")

More stunning pictures from the shoot:
                              

Read the full article here.

The Daily Excerpt

Style Muse - Olivia Palermo

Let me start out by saying that I used to be a big Laguna Beach fan. Like HUGE. I found myself fully immersed in the Lauren/Stephen/Kristin love triangle. I was totally Team Lauren and so, naturally, I followed her move onto The Hills. It's here that we first got to meet the ditzy but loveable Whitney Port.

                      THE HILLS ARE ALIVE  From L-R, Heidi, Lauren, Audrina and Whitney

Whitney was an integral part of Lauren's work day in the offices of Teen Vogue before the blonde left the show and headed for the bright lights of The City.

                                    OH EM GEE!  You actually watched that show?!


And so in the fast-paced world of New York fashion PR, reality TV got its first taste of Olivia Palermo, the doe-eyed fashion-savvy phenom that quickly turned into our starlet's arch enemy. OP started out in the PR department of Diane von Furstenberg before moving on to Elle magazine, where she and Whitney continually butted heads (you'd swear the storyline had been written by a group of screenwriters). Sure, she came across as snooty, entitled and spoilt, but boy could this girl dress!

LIKE DIAMONDS IN THE SKY   There is no such thing as too much bling, dah-ling!

But long before MTV turned the camera on this New York trendsetter, Olivia Palermo was already a staple on the NYC social scene. Rumour has it that the Gossip Girl character of Blair Waldorf was inspired by this real-life Upper East Sider.

IN HER OWN WORDS  You tell 'em, Liv. You are fashion!

And so here are just a few of my favourite Olivia P looks over the years:

IT'S IN THE JEANS  One of my fave OP ensembles, Olivia wears blue Sass & Bide Zippora Spray-On jeans paired with a  burgundy loose-fitting top (granted, she may have considered adding a bra underneath). The addition of a neutral statement necklace and colour-blocked stilettos plus leather-trimmed sweater are just perfection!

RED ALERT  This striking red lace and silk number was the star attraction of a photo shoot Olivia did for Tatler Russia in 2012.  The gold-accented accessories are simply sublime!

DIOR-RIFIC  Attending the Dior Fall/Winter 2013 show at Paris Fashion Week, the socialite wowed in a slinky little number and matching jacket, both by Dior. Her pointy heels are by Giuseppe Zanotti while the statement shades are courtesy of Westward Leaning.

TRIBAL TRIBUTE  I love this subtle mix of tribal prints and pure white - Olivia's a fan of the look and so am I. Here she pairs the graphic print with simple tangerine flats and the neutral Woodstock 24 Hour Bag by Gerard Darel.

LEGGY LADY  Nobody does Fashion Week quite like Olivia. Seen here at Rachel Zoe's 2012 Spring/Summer showing, the pint-sized fashionista chose a silky black, tulip-hemmed maxi skirt accessorized with tan-and-black stiletto sandals and matching clutch bag.

A TOUCH OF CLASS  If there's one look that Olivia does best, it's Parisian street style. Top-to-toe in monochrome elegance, she opts for black skinnies, simple striped top and cuffed tuxedo jacket. The result is timeless and effortlessly classy.

... AND AGAIN  She updates the all-black look, this time going for a feminine tuxedo jacket complete with cropped pants, lace top and layered necklaces. The deep purple stilettos are a fun touch, coordinating with boyfriend, Johannes Huebl's tie.

TO DYE FOR  I've always been kind of alone in my love of tie-dyed clothing, and then along comes Olivia and, in one fell swoop, the whole world goes gaga over it. Her stunning multi-coloured jeans are by Paige, paired with a red suede handbag by Giorgio Armani and heels by L.A.M.B.

PINK & PERKY  This look is just magic for the current Autumn/Spring temperatures (whichever half of the globe you find yourself on). Olivia goes for coral-coloured silk-crepe trousers by Tibi, simple white vest and black-and-cream tuxedo blazer by Reiss. While I adore everything about this outfit, the stand-out item has got to be the dainty two-toned Boutique 9 Doutzen 3 stilettos with gold ankle strap.

MAXED OUT  Who doesn't love a floaty maxi skirt? Ideal for in-between weather and don't-know-what-to-wear days. Olivia's take is layered and ruffled in dark print, paired with a tan vest and suede zipped jacket.

SPORTY LUXE  Yes, the girl wears high-tops! Of course, they're the designer Lanvin kind... but still. Her casual look includes olive-coloured skinnies, white vest and menswear-inspired navy blazer. No OP ensemble would be complete without a luxury handbag - this time, the iconic Hermes Birkin bag.

The Daily Excerpt

" I opened my mouth, almost said something. Almost. The rest of my life might have turned out differently if I had. But I didn’t.   " 

             The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini

New month, new life

Okay, technically it's not the start of a new month. But for me, this blog does mark the start of a new chapter in my life - a foray into the world of online journal-keeping. Or virtual diarizing. Is it even still called blogging anymore? I feel like I'm the last person to join the conga line. Every hipster and their ironically-named kitten have an online presence. As does one of my all-time favourite TV characters, Barney Stinson from How I Met Your Mother.

And now I do too.

Admittedly, this here blog was born about two hours ago from under my comforter as I recover from an air-con induced cold (9 hour flight from Cape Town to Dubai... but more on that later). So before the whiskey, honey and lemon juice hot toddy knock me out completely, let me get to posting.

                                   What I'd like you to think I look like while typing this

                                                     What I really look like