Beauty life styles

Trousers sandwiched by the seasons

9:55 AM 7 comments

My current favourite in-between look

Through a combination of the somewhat confused and unpredictable weather over the last few weeks and the influx of Spring/Summer 09 editorials and look books (with a few sale purchases thrown in to spice things up a little bit), there seems to be a confrontation between what I should wear and indeed what I want to wear (which at times becomes more than a mere scuffle in my mind and wardrobe)...The bedroom is often transformed in to a well fingered H&M display, much to the annoyance of Susie...

Today it was the turn of my Unconditional Wrap trousers to take the sartorial punches and accessorising hair pulling...

In the winter corner we have a pile of knits, including a bargain of a Uniqlo jumper, the recently acquired huge cowl by Yokoo, shiny Lanvin boots and black M&S leather gloves which were of course a Christmas present...

In the Spring corner we have white sheer shirt by Handmade in England, navy blue cardigan jacket from COS (a sale buy) and white Chukka Boots by Vans.

Am I suffering these somewhat schizophrenic attire choices alone or are you feeling as confused as I am?

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{Guest Post} A sparkling New Year!

9:00 PM Guest post No comments

Hey friends, just popping in to say have a wonderful New Year's Eve! Today's gorgeous guest post is from the talented Renee of RR Designs...

First of all, I’m so excited and honored to be a guest blogger for the very fabulous Lanalou Style – Thank you Lana!

When I think of the New Year, I think of all the sparkling new possibilities that are in store for us – our hopes, dreams and ideas all seem to be renewed and recharged. What better way to toast such an auspicious occasion than to pull out all the stops! Now, in all honesty I will be sitting at home, snuggled up by the fire, drinking champagne with my husband and watching the ball drop in Times Square – since my babysitters somehow ignore my pleading phone calls & texts this time of year.

However, what if I had a Fairy Godmother and she decided to make an appearance on New Year’s Eve? Well, this is how I see it; she would wave her magic wand to transform me from a mommy in polka dot sweat pants and fuzzy socks to a shimmering vision of glamour and style. Of course, she would be happy to baby-sit for the remainder of the evening. Then my husband would wave goodbye and enjoy an evening of celebration until the clock strikes – midnight? Maybe she will work with me on the curfew.

Here is to a sparkling and magical New Year, may yours be filled with health, happiness, love and beautiful shoes!
Renee

Image credits: 1. Giselle Sequin Gown - 2. Champagne Saucers - 3. Quartz Earrings - 4. Chloe Perfume - 5. Judith Leiber Clutch - 6. Miu Miu Crystal Heels - 7. Handmade French Diamond Ring - 8. Champagne Nail Polish - 9. Chantecalle Powder - 10. Laura Mercier “Sequins Lip Gloss”

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Looking back with the help of Penthouse

2:55 PM Magazines No comments

First things first, we hope you all had a very Merry Festive Break! Secondly, as we prepare to bid farewell to 2008 our thoughts are often preoccupied by the promise of a New Year (I was reliably informed by Charlie Brooker that they will call this new year 2009...to be honest with you I'm a little disappointed, my fingers were crossed for it to be named Steve...the Year of Steve has a much better ring to it) but lets be different. We often look forward at this stage in the year but one of my Christmas presents has helped me challenge this usual festive occurrence and I've decided to swivel my neck owl like and look back...way back. The presents in question were two old issues of Penthouse - The Magazine for Men (from 1968 and 1969 respectively). and unfortunately, it is safe to say that they don't make them like that anymore. The content is wonderfully diverse, for example articles include; an interview with Steve Abrams who champions the campaign to legalise cannabis, The Promiscuity Myth which discusses how homosapiens have always 'gone in for' marriage, The Do-It-Yourself Capitalist, an interview with Otto Von Habsburg who was once heir to the Austro-Hungrarian empire and became a political author and lecturer. I would love to unearth a magazine which covered such an eclectic mix of issues today (with the odd shot of a natural breast or two thrown in as well) but for now I will just have to settle for Monocle but will write to Tyler Brûlé in the New Year requesting a few bare breasts. As well as great articles there are a couple of interesting editorials, not to mention a few classic advertisements which will provide inspiration for the coming year.

Apologies for the poor image quality (I really need to invest in a scanner)...

Skin Game is my favourite editorial and sees a wonderful combination of monochrome, smoky /soft focus shots with sheepskin jackets and a pigskin suede trench coat. Accompanying the imagery was the following blurb which seems hell bent on ensuring the readers knows where the materials came from...Button out the cold this winter in sheepskin and suede. Bulk has been sheared away with body-shaping and closer-fitting cut. There are many exciting new colours this season, too. After all, once the original owner has died there is no reason why its and coat shouldn't be dyed, too - makes it more individual for the next owner. As for wear and warmth, that remains built-in. Lasts a lifetime-and it did for the previous owners.

I've never seen this many buckles in one shot...

Something Afoot sees an organised pile of varied shoes used to breathe new life into the old adage that 'you can tell a gentlemen by his shoes' by suggesting that you can now (well since 1968) tell that the gentlemen is in fashion. I adore this double page spread but rather than inspire me to put my best foot forward, I have to agree with the title that there is something afoot and it seems to be the penchant of double buckles and too much tanned leather...

There were just sooo many poses to choose from but here are two of my favourite looks

Get in the picture with ICI Fibres depicts Seth Cohen's style icon in an album of leisurewear made from a combination of relatively new fandangled fabrics ranging from bri-nylon, bri-nova and crimplene...but I love the poses more than anything else and will certainly try a few in my upcoming style posts...

So, rather than let your thoughts get distracted by the promises of tomorrow why not take some time out and have a look back at the past. You don't have to look at old porn magazines but I would certainly recommend it!

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My Stuff Series

7:24 AM Guest post No comments

As I'm holiday and not online all day long, I completely forgot that Helena was going to feature me in her "My Stuff Series"! It was up yesterday, so go take a look here! Thanks Helena for including me in this fun series!

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Retro loving

12:35 AM interiors, Jonny Valiant, Marcus Hay, vintage 1 comment

Just love the retro feel to this apartment, almost each and every piece tells a tale. This is Marcus Hay, the New York super stylist's, previous apartment. Marcus definitely has an eye for collector's pieces and isn't afraid of colour! My favourite piece is the botanical print hanging above the sofa.

All photography by Jonny Valiant

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Brie Harrison

9:00 PM Brie Harrison, fabric, Florals No comments

Loving Brie Harrison's new floral pillow line, colourful, retro and fun, perfect for livening up a tired space.

Image credits: first photo via design * sponge, all other images via Brie Harrison

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{Guest Post} Alice's Adventures in wonderland

9:00 PM Guest post No comments

Today we have a lovely guest post from the sweet and talented Gaia all the way from Italy...

Thanks Lana for having me here today!

I'm Gaia from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. As soon as Lana asked me to help her while she's in vacation I immediately accepted. When a friend ask for help I always say "yes, here I am".

What is it Alice's Adventures in Wonderland? It's my world, it's my store, it's my life.

I've decided to open it almost 2 years ago (in January it will be my second birthday) and since then fantastic things happened to me. I met amazing person, some of them are now real friends that I love, I've opened my online store, starting collaborating with an e-mag Belle Inpiration and many other project are in the air!

I love photography and I'm working on it. I always have my camera in my bag. You never know what you can see when you are outside.