V.I.P. (very intelligent pocket)

While my husband thinks I have too many handbags,  I own way fewer than I would actually like to. (Husbands don’t really get the whole handbag-per-season idea)!  Still I do not switch bags very often because of the hassle of moving all my paraphernalia from one to the other.

Now I might have found the solution: VIP (very intelligent pockets) by Tintamar.

Nine pockets to help you find all your things with your eyes closed. All in a stylish and hard-wearing material that’s washable in soapy water. You move it from one bag to the other, making bag change quick and stress-free. They come in many colours and have a business version (larger, to fit in briefcases) and a men’s one too.  Another excuse to buy a new handbag!

-Michela in Milan

A bit of an indulgence

I recently did a bit of extra freelance work… and what did I decide to do with that little bit of extra cash? Buy my husband a new jumper? Nope, he has got a least two and he likes them old and with holes. Buy my daughter a new toy? Nope, the child has more than enough toys.
In my quest to stay stylish during my pregnancy, I decided to spoil myself and splash out on a bright pink Agent Provocateur maternity bra!

Elias and Grace is on-line!

My husband calls it a “money pit”- (he’s the one who reviews the bills), but I just can’t resist it. If I even stroll past the shop window, I’m hooked in. They quite possibly have the cutest range of children and baby clothes in London. (Well at least this shopping expert thinks so)!

Elias and Grace is located on the main strip in Primrose Hill.  They stock all my favorite brands: Simple Kids, Quincy, Maan, Album di Famiglia, Petit Bateau, kid’s Levis, Pepe Shoes, etc. etc. 

H&M School Uniform

When my toddler started nursery school this fall (and came home covered in paint, glue, mud, food, etc.), I decided that his wardrobe needed a redress. Cashmere jumpers are just not ideal- (who has time to hand-wash anymore)??  Actually, let’s face it- anything even slightly expensive is NOT a good idea.  The cheaper, the better.

So I went on a search: I wanted cheap, but not cheaply made.

And I found it at H&M!  You have to be really selective- (avoid the ubiquitous tacky slogans and flashy logos), but H&M sells a few items that have now become staples in BOTH my boys’ closets!

Fall / winter Fashion 2007 – some looks I like

I was sitting at the hairdresser earlier this week and browsing through a fashion magazine (forgot which one exactly), and I decided to sketch some of my favourite looks for this fall:

Stolen Wallet- Stolen (fashion) Identity

Some jerk stole my wallet on Wednesday! My lovely, leather, Chloe wallet… the last remaining slice of style I still had.  He probably saw me, (carrying one baby in the Baby Bjorn and dragging the other along on the way to French Class), and thought… bingo! Easy target!  He stole it right out of my diaper bag…

Fall 2007 and fashionably pregnant

Now this post is not about a specific thing, it is a shout-out to the fashion of the fall and winter of 2007. Thank you Miuccia Prada, Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs  for inspiring this fall’s fashion as there is still not a single maternity item hanging in my closet! (And I am 5 months pregnant)!
Every shop is stocked to the brim with lovely little baby doll dresses and tunic tops, that are nicely fitted on top and then trapeze out. This means that the features I am wanting to accentuate, (i.e. my momentarily nicely shaped boobies), are being well presented, while my ever-expanding waist line is disappearing under a few strategically placed layers of cloth.
Now the only thing I need is a nice pair of really skinny maternity jeans and my fashion happiness is complete. So if anyone knows where to pick up a pair, please let me know!

-Emilie in Paris