{What to Wear on V day}

Forget trying to decide on a present, we know the real headache you're having is what to wear this Valentine's Day. Here, we've got outfit ideas that'll suit your mood and flatter your body type.

SHOWING OFF YOUR STEMS
Want to show off your sexy legs? Go for a mini dress. Luckily mini dresses and skirts are quite in style this season and really, there's no better way to show off those lovely legs. To balance out the look, make sure your top isn't too low-cut. If you've opted for a mini dress, also make sure it isn't too tight so you can avoid looking overly risqué.

HIDING THE THIGHS
If the last thing you want to do is draw attention to your legs and thighs, you can always opt for a pair of dark denim or black trousers. Wide leg trousers will make your legs appear longer and slimmer. To really elongate your legs, wear those trousers with heels and make sure your pants hems are just above the floor. If you do want to try a dress or skirt, look for one that hits right above the knee. You can also slim the legs with some black tights.

BOLD COLORS
It's daring, it's bold. Red is this spring's power color, and an obvious choice for Valentine's Day. How to wear it? The key is finding the right shade of red for your skin tone. If you have lighter skin, you can pull of a bright, bold red. Darker skin tones can try deep red shades and also orangey-reds. If you're hesitant for either, look for lighter, pastel shades of red. Pair with nude (not black) accessories to soften the overall look. And since it's V-day, after all, go ahead and rock a bright red lip or nails to match.

Arizona, the "Muse"

Once in a while, a name comes along that screams “I was born to be a star”. Arizona Muse is such a name. The 22-year-old progeny of a British mother and American father began modeling at 18, while still in high school. Growing up in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the fashion industry was a far cry away from her surroundings as she tells Dazed and Confused, “I didn’t have any contact with fashion or media. I’m only just learning now how it works”. It was by chance that she met her agent, a former model, who offered to help her into the industry.

She began slowly, not gaining much notoriety. After a year, she became pregnant with her son Nikko, and left modeling. This short hiatus created a change in Muse, who decided to return to modeling when Nikko was 1, and to give it a real try “If I’m going to work again then I’m going to do it properly this time”. And properly she did. Her long natural blonde hair was morphed into a short brown cut. Ever since her reemergence, she has been whole-heartedly welcomed by the in-crowd.

Each season, there is a model, either a newcomer or an established model, who overtakes all the runways: she walks in every show, is an exclusive for certain designers, will open or close major shows and put herself above and beyond the rest. Spring Ready-To-Wear 2011, her first runway season, Muse managed to do just that. She opened BCBG Max Azria, walked for Marc Jacobs, Narciso Rodriguez and Proenza Schouler, all within the same week. She then proceeded to open and close the Prada show, the Miu Miu show, and opens for Rochas as well as Kenzo. No newcomer can even imagine or hope for this type of success within their first catwalk moments.

But then again, not every newcomer is Arizona Muse. After her runway triumph, she became the face of Prada. It certainly did not hurt that the affectionately called “Monkey Business” Prada show she opened and closed was considered one of the most influential and directional shows of the season. Appearing in their short promotional fashion film followed.

What is most interesting about Muse is her luck and talent. She has been fortunate enough to see everything she touches turn into pure gold. Her success seems predetermined; being the face of Prada and Yves Saint Laurent, walking the Valentino, Elie Saab and Chanel couture shows all the while appearing in editorial after editorial in the most prominent of fashion press does not just happen. Or does it?

7th September

September 7 is the 250th day of the year in the calendar.
There are 115 days remaining until the end of the year.

Something beautiful, please pop up anytime soon...

a Grand Affair

Natalia Vodianova met Justin Portman, a British property heir, former artist and chess organizer at a Paris dinner in 2001. They married in November 2001 when she was eight months pregnant. In September 2002, over nine months after registering the marriage in the UK, they had a wedding ceremony in St. Petersburg, where Vodianova wore a dress designed by Tom Ford.

The couple have three children: sons Lucas Alexander (born 22 November 2001) and Viktor (born 13 September 2007), and daughter Neva (born 24 March 2006). Viktor is named after Vodianova's grandfather, who had helped raise her after her father's departure. Neva is named after the Russian river Neva.

They separated from February 2010, Vodianova and Portman announced their final separation in June 2011.

What a shame...

OFF

M.I.A

For those of you wondering where the hell I've been these days...

There goes the story of a stranded girl in HK.

Spring Feelings

Wonderfully composed by my lovely Chantelle of Chai, Cinnamon & Couture...

dear chirping birds, they sing

as i devour delicate yellowing pages

of forgotten stories, french films and sweet

lattes of caramel, of chai, of gingerbread. . .

the occasional sighs of wind comb through,

and they bring aromas of earth and of

flowers; spring is exquisite,

it is truly, so very lovely

as are you, you

and you

♥

and the reason is You...

Dragons,

angels,

gnomes,

creatures beneath the earth that make words with hammers,

a shooting star that shoots back,

rain falling from the ground to the sky,

bars that refuse to serve dwarfs or wanderers,

a fountain that makes you young while those around you grow old,

saplings that know everything,

a sea made of tears from every lover who never loved,

a silver boat with a sail made of pages from all the books that were never written.

All my dreams are beautiful.

But none as beautiful as you.

You are the reason I return here each morning.

Cut Loose

I need some time for myself.

I need to be with myself.

I need to be lonely for a while.

Lonely is a freedom that breathes easy and weightless.

And lonely is healing if you make it.

I need enough distance so that when I come back,

I won't remember a thing.