SHOPBOP $100 GIFT CARD GIVEAWAY!!

How exciting!!!

Don't you think this SHOPBOP.com $100 GC giveaway comes right on time!!? Best of all, the contest is open internationally!!!! The weather is getting warmer or at least more predictable compares to the last couple weeks or months!! "Are you ready to rock this summer's trends yet?!!" 

(This giveaway is being sponsored by SHOPBOP.com and the GC is provided by SHOPBOP.com. )

Under a budget? Don't worry, you have plenty of time to shop with this $100 GC for things that's "on sale at Shopbop"!!

Or, better yet, let the GC as a friendly chip-in that allows you to do more damage without guilt!! ^O^ For instance, I love so much about the current striped look and other than classic black/navy/gray stripes, I am digging in even more fun stripes.... colorful stripes on Shopbop!!

ME ~ in the rainbow-colored stripes tank.
I will show you in my next post...stay tuned!!

Especially love the fun and colorful pieces.
Image taken from Shopbop and Mytheresa

Speaking of new trends, I probably can talk about that for pages ...but I don't want to bore you with fancy editorial here. Shopbop has innumerable styling tips/trendy looks, let's see what my eyes laid on .... prints, stripes, solid ones,..... ah, and leopard prints again!! ^O^ Yes, leopard prints is classic and I think you should grab it whenever you find a good one.  Here is a good one I love from D&G by Dolce and Gabbana!!

Yu in her most wild leopard print pants!(left)
D&G by Dolce & Gabbana Ocelot Elastic Waistband Pants (right)

 

The prettiest printed dresses from Shoshanna!

  
D & G solid orange runway dress and separates in red are just plain gorgeous! 

D&G by Dolce & Gabbana (left)

BTW, we are going to Kauai for a vacation during spring break, I think it's time to find a new bathing suit...."bikini", to be frank!!

I also found Shopbop has this pretty striped tide printed bikini from Shoshanna!!(left) And another zig zag Sicily Bikini from Melissa Odabash(right)!! They both are sexy and fun! Please click the links below if you want to see closer looks of them and tell me which look gets your vote.....help me decide, please, please, please~~ ^^

Shoshanna Vs. Melissa Odabash
 

By now, you probably can't wait to spend your SHOPBOP $100 gift card already!!! ^O^ Here are simple rules that allow you to be eligible for this entry.

1. Please go to any above high-lighted links, look over a piece you like and leave your comments on this post!
2. Tell me which bikini's print you like better!

 I will randomly pick a winner for this SHOPBOP $100 Gift Certificate GIVEAWAY!!! (This ends at 3/20 Mon. mid-night pacific time)

What are you waiting for ... 

^O^ Good luck!!!!

xoxo Rachel

Christian Dior Haute Couture by John Galliano Runway Show Video Look Back--Part One

An Haute Couture Legacy...a Runway Video Look Back:

Cleopatra Meets Tutankhamen Couture: Spring/Summer 2004

Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2004 Part 1:

Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2004 Part 2:

Madama Butterfly Couture: Spring/Summer 2007

Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2007 Part 1:

Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2007 Part 2:

Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2007 Part 3:

Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2007 Part 4:

Les Artistes Couture: Autumn/Winter 2007

Christian Dior Haute Couture Autumn/Winter 2007 Part 1:

Christian Dior Haute Couture Autumn/Winter 2007 Part 2:

Christian Dior Haute Couture Autumn/Winter 2007 Part 3:

Christian Dior Haute Couture Autumn/Winter 2007 Part 4:

Paris Pret-a-Porter Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2011: Dior, Galliano

A Fashion Giant Has Fallen...But The Show Must Go On...

Atelier Bow: This is who took the Final Bow at Dior Fall/Winter 2011

As we all know by now, a Fashion Genius has fallen. We are all in shock over the news of John Galliano, his dismissal and more importantly, the inexcusable behavior that prompted it shown in THAT video. Yes, the Video Seen Around The World. So sad, that John Galliano's legacy could be reduced to this. When one Google's "John Galliano" for years to come, "Fashion Design Genius" is hardly the first thing that will come up. Yet, he did it all to himself, as the video suggests. Bridget Foley wrote an AMAZING article titled "A Dark Pall Over Paris" in last Wednesday's WWD which summed it all up beautifully and eloquently.

John Galliano

As Paris Pret-a-Porter Fall/Winter 2011 Fashion Week is getting under way, all of this DRAMA looms like an Elephant In the Room. And it was no more evident when the House of Dior was to unveil its latest Fall/Winter 2011 offering, all designed by Monsieur Galliano. But, as they say: The Show Must Go On. So here, I post the Dior Fall/Winter 2011 as well as the namesake Galliano Fall/Winter 2011 Collections...all sans John Galliano.

Dior Fall/Winter 2011:

Fox Huntin': Dior Fall/Winter 2011

Style.com's Tim Blanks, who was there to review said this: "Overtaken by events, this ready-to-wear show ended up as a swan song, but it was a pale testament to the extraordinary work the ateliers have done for Galliano over the past 14 years. The proper tribute would ideally have been one of the Dior couture shows, where the extravagant drama of the designer's soaring imagination was evenly matched by breathtaking workmanship."

King's Speech Fur: Dior Fall/Winter 2011

There were Equestrian themes, 1920's/1930's silhouettes, all very "Queen Mother in The King's Speech... for 2011", wearable suits, lots of LUXE furs, silk chiffon and lace gowns and pretty cocktail dresses to satisfy all the Dior lovelies. Every time I go into an actual Dior boutique, I am always surprised by how there's NOTHING of that Galliano UBER CRAZY on display--you walk in and what do you see? The purses, sunglasses, shoes, accessories. Well, of course, that's what sells! And then way in the back, the clothes: Elegant well-tailored chic suitings, simple yet sexy cocktail dresses. This, also, was what was on display in this--John Galliano's final collection-- for the House of Dior.

Snake Fur Luncheon: Dior Fall/Winter 2011

Sheer Lady Dior: Dior Fall/Winter 2011

Baby Doll Dior: Dior Fall/Winter 2011

Cocktails at Plaza Athenee: Dior Fall/Winter 2011

Dior Fall/Winter 2011 Edited Runway Show Video:

Galliano Fall/Winter 2011

Colbert Meet Gable: Galliano Fall/Winter 2011

The John Galliano Fall/Winter 2011 Collection was shown, and yes, without its Designer. It was a 20-piece showing. It was all very 1930's--a theme Galliano loves. Suits that looked elegant but yet were meticulously--and purposely--tattered. Draped and folded jackets that would be at home in a Claudette Colbert/Clark Gable film and a Kimono gown that just needed a spiral staircase in Bel Air. Most of it looked like it came from a closet of a long-gone Hollywood Screen Siren/Goddess. Gorgeous yet very sad at the same time. Just like John Galliano's career.

Tweed Funeral: Galliano Fall/Winter 2011

Cocoon Diva: Galliano Fall/Winter 2011

Hostess Gown: Galliano Fall/Winter 2011

Angelic: Galliano Fall/Winter 2011

Galliano Fall/Winter 2011 Final Model Walk Video:

L'Occitane Amande & Natalia Kills

I've always been a massive fan of L'Occitane products, specifically their Almond Shower Oil which is, hands down, the best I have ever used and a life saver for anyone who suffers from very dry skin. Now this range does have an almond fragrance so if that ain't your bag, then it's best to give them a miss. I personally love the scent and can't get enough of it!

Now these products are not cheap and they're really something that I would only get myself as a real treat. However, saying that, I don't mind spending that extra bit of money on a product when you only need a small amount for each application. That is definitely the case with these two products I'm going to talk about today.

First off, lets have a look at what the L'Occitane website says about the Almond Delicious Paste:

"This delicious blend of almond butter and almond oil, infused with crushed almond shells and sugar crystals, offers a gentle, yet effective, exfoliation of the entire body. Skin is left smooth and soft, delicately fragranced with the crunchy note of fresh almond. This product is free from: synthetic colorants, mineral oils, animal ingredients, parabens, phenoxyethanol, phtalates, silicone, triclosan, formol or formaldehyde, EDTA, BHA, BHT".

I like to use this scrub in combination with my usual shower gel and exfoliating gloves. I do this because I find it to be the most effective way of using the product and also, because it means you don't have to use as much for each application. My skin feels amazing after using this scrub which I attribute to the almond oil. It's a great product for people with senstitive skins who can't use harsher exfoliants.  A quick warning though...don't use this product to prepare your skin for fake tan because the almond oil may affect how the tan adheres to the skin.  It's always best to use oil-free products before using fake tan.

The L'Occitane Almond Milk Concentrate is "rich in almond oil and almond milk, this body cream nourishes and softens the skin. The blend of silicium and almond proteins, which are similar to collagen, effectively fights skin slackening by restoring skin’s support tissue. The light, creamy texture melts into the skin without leaving a greasy residue. Skin feels satiny-smooth and is enveloped in a fresh and delicate fragrance. Tip: This product is ideal for nourishing skin after hair removal or shaving, due to a formula rich in soothing almond oil.  This product is free from: synthetic colorants, formol or formaldehyde, animal ingredients, phtalates, triclosan, BHA, BHT".

This is a fantastic moisturiser if you're looking for a light, but very effective cream.  A little goes a very long way, it absorbs quickly and you're never left with an oily or sticky residue on your skin.  I love the almond fragrance of this product and my skin feels silky smooth when I apply it before bedtime.  The only gripe I have with this product is the packaging.  The heavy glass jar is not very practical because you have to dip your fingers into it and it all gets under your nails, which kind of annoys me because it can be messy.  It would be much better in a pump dispenser.

I was listening to the Fearne Cotton show on Radio1 today and I always love the section of the show called the Music Generator.  It's when listeners pick three songs that they love at the moment and the Music Generator picks a brand new artist/song which closely matches the style of the songs.  One girl today picked Lady GaGa, Rihanna and Pink as her three songs and the Music Generator came up with this new British Artist, Natalia Kills...

Now I have never heard of this girl before but after hearing her new song 'Mirrors', I was left wondering why she wasn't more famous!  Her style of music and image is like a mixture between Lady GaGa, Jessie J and Rihanna.

Her real name is Natalia Cappuccini and she is a 24 year old recording artist, songwriter, actress, and short-film director based in London and Los Angeles but started life in Bradford and Leeds born to a Jamaican father and Uruguayan mother.  She was signed to will.i.am's record label in 2008 and has been the support act for Robyn on her UK tour and also Kelis. 

Perez Hilton has been raving about her on his blog since 2008 and I can see why.  She fits perfectly into the group of female artists that are on the scene at the moment and although some people have slated her as "a poor man's Lady GaGa", I really like her music and given the fact she emerged at the same time as Lady GaGa with a similar genre of concept pop, I'm gonna let her off and just enjoy her songs! 

I think the start of this song sounds very similar to Lady GaGa's 'Just Dance' but that's because it's an Akon collaboration (you will hear 'Konvict' spoken in the song and Akon discovered Lady GaGa and produced her first song).

I don't know about you guys but I love this song and I hope I see more of this lady!  There's more than enough room in the music industry for another fierce female performer!

What are your thoughts?