Dear Ethers,

At this rate this blog is going to cost me a fortune.  I’m running out of clothes for Fashion Fridays and am gonna have to go shopping to make my 52 week quota!!!  Nah…I still have some stuff up my sleeve….but I keep wanting to save the prime outfits for later and I’m starting to sport my just so-so pieces.  It’s not that they aren’t cute, they just aren’t the “wow” ensembles that I put together in my earlier posts.  Next week I am going to don a masterpiece.  I have 7 days to come up with a brilliant ensemble….the pressure!

The dress featured in this post is from a Kiwi designer named Peter Alexander who had a store on Robertson Blvd. in Los Angeles.  I tend to peek in a lot of these shops because Dr. W’s office is on this swanky street.  I get there early and enjoy seeing all the lovely things that I can’t afford.  But sometimes these boutiques have major blowout sales.  I’m lucky because I usually get to them first since I go twice a week and get bargains.  Some of my best deals have happened because of therapy!   Peter Alexander is evidently really famous in Australia and New Zealand and has been trying to make it Stateside.  However, I think it has been to no avail.  His shop came and went so fast I don’t even think the paint was dry on the storefront when they put the final bolts on the door closing it forever.  He’s known for his nightwear.  It’s cutsie pajama’s and bras and underwear.  Truthfully, I thought it was really immature and silly and extremely overpriced.  You know, it was the sort of thing where it has a satin top and bottom pajama set that has Barbie dolls on it for $300. In pink.  Yeah, no way.  BUT.  In his Robertson store he did a special collection of clothing that you could wear in the public that was made from lush materials and was rather understated, elegant and fun.  It was limited edition and beyond expensive.  One day when walking by the shop I noticed a huge red set of numbers saying 90% off everything in the store.  Well, you know me.  I LOVE a deal.  So I went in, whisked past the crappy thongs with Swarovski crystals on the bum (ouch) and hit this rack that no one seemed to care about.  And there it was.  This sweet little dress made of cashmere and silk.  And I paid $50 for it.  It’s nice and warm, but also surprisingly light and you can wear it with tights or sandals.  I love the whimsical star cape that is attached.

As for the Miu Miu’s.  WELL…..those are ancient!  I got those at a Barney’s warehouse sale in the Santa Monica airport hangar which is famous in Los Angeles because women go bananas and fight to the broken acrylic from Dior to Dolce & Gabbana.  I will NEVER go back there, but I did snag these snazzy shoes.  I think they were $85 dollars at least 7 years ago.  They might be a little beaten up, but I still think they are swell.  They remind me of a sleek jester.  Or, a black and white cookie

Anyway, have a lovely Friday and a great weekend and I will speak to you tomorrow about….well, you never know with me, right?

Dedicatedly yours,

—One of 365

God my legs are pasty! They might as well blend in with the doors. Anyway, this is about fashion....not tanning! I like this dress because it's simple, elegant and also youthful. It's a nice play on the LBD with the added cape and I really respect nice fabric so this is an A-Star (HA) for me. I'm wearing it with flats---throw on some heels with this and I reckon it could be a lovely date dress. It's understated with a bit of personality. Because it is made of cashmere, you can slip on a pair of wool tights and wear it more seasonally.

I had to give a back-shot to show you the cape. It isn't that obvious from the front and I thought you should see how sweet it looks from the back. It's made of silk so it floats with every movement.

Here it is! Lovely indeed! It's a really great travel piece because it doesn't wrinkle and the colors are obviously really versatile. But, as I said, so is the style. You can wear it day to night and warm weather to cold. It also has a bit of stretch to it--great for after a big meal

Oldies but goodies! I fought my way through a bloody airport hangar for these suckers. I really like them because they are black and cream and go with everything. They look lovely with jeans, smartening them up a tad. They are so comfy, and just slide right on. The leather has made them get better with age and hey, who doesn't need a bit of Miu Miu in their lives?

Dear Ether,

Ok.  I’m going to reveal my identity.  I’m a Vanderbilt, errr, no a Rothschild (yeah, that’s it).  So, being loaded and lazy, I was putting together my dream outfit (for when it gets a bit chilly) on Net-A-Porter. I mean, with no worries about the economy and being loaded beyond my wildest imagination, I chose clothes without even considering the prices.  Pish-pash, the rich NEVER look at the sales ticket DAHLING!  

Keeping that in mind, I selected a kick-ass outfit that would make me feel like a runway queen going to work (this outfit is probably more appropriate for jobs in a creative field–not so good for conservative work places) or cocktails on a Friday night.  It’s a great go to work and then transition to meet friends outfit and the pieces can be broken up and stand on their own beautifully.  But MY GOODNESS, united as one, I reckon they are a masterpiece.  

Some of you will think what I’ve chosen is a bit dark and monotone.  Why couldn’t I bring out a bit more color from the blouse?  Truthfully, I think that the look is so sleek you can bring out the exotic hues with some groovy nail varnish, fab eyeshadow (I’m thinking a great pop of color from  Mac Pigments) and a oversized cocktail ring. Net-A-Porter didn’t have a  bauble that I felt worked well enough with this outfit and I wanted the whole look to be from their website.  FYI: I have NO affiliation with Net-A-Porter.  I just love their website and thought it would be fun to pick an outfit out from their comprehensive collection.  Please vote on the look.  It would be fun to get your feedback.  Oh, and if anyone does feel charitable and would like to donate the look, do e-mail me

Dedicatedly yours,

—One of 365

Yes Captain! This Balmain Tweed Military Cape (sold out, by the way) makes me drool. Perfect to cover the shoulders for a chill and getting you ready for battle for any meeting. $4,645, Net-A-Porter.com

This silk-blend blouse provides a great pop of color with a striking pattern and stunning ruffle detail. Perfect reveal under the Balmain cape and could take you from the meeting room to drinks with friends. Just undo a few more buttons. 490 pounds sterling, Net-A-Porter.com

These Fendi leather slim-leg pants just scream bad-ass with class. Perfect to tuck into boots, or wear with killer heels. These black beauties are a great way to show off those gams but also a perfect canvas for blouses, like the Matthew Williamson above. 1,060 pounds sterling, Net-A-Porter.com

Right, remember how I just mentioned the leather Fendi's are great for boots to be tucked into. These Givenchy covered heel boots are just the ticket. They are super-sleek, beyond fashion-forward and a good investment. I think these will hang on like a good pair of cowboy boots--an excellent buy. Damn, these are sexy. 1,020 pounds sterling, Net-A-Porter.com

Okay. There are bags AND THEN THERE ARE BAGS! This may look, to some, just like a black, run-of-the-mill satchel. That it ain't! This Proenza Schouler PS1 Large Python Satchel is everything I dream of in a purse. It's huge, it's versatile, the material is to die for, it can get banged around and still look as good as the day you bought it, you can pass this on to your kid one day because it isn't an "it" bag. I could go on and on....but because it is too bloody expensive and I'll never be able to afford it, it'll just be putting a wound in my heart. Enjoy, for those of you lucky enough to be able to buy it. 2,750 pounds sterling, Net-A-Porter.com

And for a finishing touch, how cool are these Fendi Cubetto Sunglasses? They mesh with the whole look--sorta 60's/70's fab with a modern twist. They match the Balmain perfectly and you'll just look like you're "working-it" when you put these babies on just as you're about to leave the house in this knock-out outfit. They're like the cherry on the sundae. Hey, they're also the most affordable item! 130 pounds sterling, Net-A-Porter.com