Africa is everywhere in the collections of many designers this season. It seems like every other page in this month”s Elle magazine is layered with influence of the motherland. Model Christy Turlington wears a Ndebele style ring necklace* in current Escada ads while other designers like Max Osterweis and Junya Watanabe, reference African inspired textiles on the runway.

Elle also lauds Frenchwoman Lydia Courteille”s turn to to a more “primitive style for spring” in the jewelry news section. The artists “African” collection features mask rings that mimic African busts and sculpture, combining them with precious jewels like turquoise, diamonds and pearls. Says Courteille, “It”s incredible that now the trend in fashion is Africa, because I”ve been working on this idea for two or three years.”

In spite of the efforts by publications like Arise to publicize African artists and designers, in the fashion world, their contributions are rarely acknowledged in the mainstream fashion world. It kind of reminds me of all the press actress Bo Derek received for wearing cornrows in the movie “10″ even though black women had been wearing the style for ages.

The fashion world doesn”t seem to take notice of uniquely African styles and trends unless the persons delivering them are non-Africans.

Hopefully magazines like Arise will make homegrown African talent household names. I”m hoping to get a copy soon. Which reminds me, does anyone know if Uzuri, Haute, and Clam are still being published?

* This style of ring necklace is also worn by the Kayan tribe in Thailand.

What does names like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci and Prada remind you of? Lindsay Lohan during her afternoon shopping? Angelina Jolie just as she’s about to step into a plane? Or Kate Beckinsale on her way to a formal lunch? Whatever it is, I’m sure these brands conjure up images of opulence, sheer indulgence and classy lavishness. Not something you and I can afford.

Designer bags for designer people. That’s the way it is!
Not any more.

In the last few years, quite without anyone realizing when or how it started, designer bags have become accessible to the average Jack and Jane. You know, people who sweat it out at their offices and have to work their knuckles off to build a nest and take loans so they can maintain it? Yeah, I mean ‘us’ folks who need to look carefully at our savings account before we can plan the week’s expenses.

Designer bags minus high end price tags are becoming quite, quite popular. So, I guess a lot of women are settling for quality designer replicas. Why, there’s even talk that some celebrities use high end replicas once every while. With things going the way they are, even they may need to reconsider spending $10,000 on a bag these days.

There’s one thing about buying replicas though. You’ve got to be careful that the replica is a look alike of the real stuff. Like the designer bags offered by Highreplica. This is a manufacturer that actually buys every authentic design so they can perfect the replica! Talk about perfectionism! The Chloe leather bag you see here feels just like the real stuff – soft and satiny. The leather even has the same silken sheen and color. An authentic Jimmy Choo may give you indigestion – settle for a replica designer bag, instead. There are a lot of folks doing it, you know.

Highreplica has imitations of almost all the top designers of the world. Most of these replicas are so good that even a discerning observer would have some difficulty spotting a replica from its original. The same kind of stitch, monogrammed signature, straps, metal hoops, designer hardware, zips and rich leather-like material are used in the replicas. So, you need not fear being spotted!

Designer bags may be casual collections for those who have billions stashed away in their secret accounts. But, if you’re looking for something you can afford – to own and throw away when you’re tired of it – go for designer replica bags. It’s the only answer each and every time!

Dress Queen has a fantastic selection of stylish dresses in both classic and contemporary designs in their online catalogue, from elegant formal dresses for any occasion to stunning, affordable prom dresses for under $99.

The Dress Queen website is easy to use, and the images of the dresses in the catalogue are of a high quality, and you have the option of enlarging them so that you can see the dress in more detail. This makes it makes it much easier for customers to pick and choose between all of the many different products on offer. The dresses in the catalogue also come in a good variety of sizes from the smallest standard dress size (XS) through to the largest standard dress size (3XL), and this excellent sizing range is one of the Dress Queen websites strongest features, allowing you to choose a beautiful, elegant dress in a size that it comfortable and well fitting for your individual figure.

There is a great range of different dresses for all occasions at Dress Queen, including chic little cocktail dresses from around $60, and beautiful white wedding gowns from just $118. You can find a number of top brand names like Scala, Jovani and Faviana in the catalogue, and all dresses come with free standard shipping to mainland US (delivery in around 7 days), or if you need the dress in a hurry you can arrange UPS 2nd Day Air or UPS Next Day Air mail with one of the customer services team when you order. International orders are also welcome and these will be shipped with a global delivery service such as USPS Global Express Mail.

If you are on a tight budget then you could check out the ‘Clearance’ section of the online catalogue, which provides a number of styles at reduced prices, and you can pick up some great bargains here with some dresses as much as 29% off the normal retail price. Dress Queen also provide a number of matching accessories and other essentials such as wraps, shawls and dress shoes, to help you complete your perfect outfit.

At one point while reading Abha Dawesar”s lush That Summer in Paris I realized I was actually being seduced! It took away my appetite (in the best possible way), moved me, and helped me to understand a past relationship better.

The novel is also a tribute to the most lovely things in Paris – the sex, art, and food – and somehow manages to enhance their beauty and mystery. Strongest possible recommendation.

“Do you know why there is an opposition? I too think of you as two people. And I think of myself too as two…. But today I am a slave to real life. You are Prem. This is cheese. And this cheese is more real than what I”m trying to write. There”s no struggle between the world and this one,” she said, tapping the side of her head with her index finger.

“I want you to have a sip of the wine to cleanse your palate of the herbs and then to put that strong cheese in your mouth.” Prem startled himself with his tone. Prem and Maya had vanished; they were two stomachs.

Maya had a sip of wine and then neatly cleaved the buttery nine o”clock cheese with her knife and put it in her mouth. The jewel in the crown. The climax.

“Vous etes un genie!”

Cherif, no doubt cognizant that such a moment happens at a certain point in the meal, was already hovering near the table. Trying his best to hide his triumph, he smiled sheepishly and said, “It”s the cheese, not me.”

My lack of a post yesterday can be attributed to a multitude of things, including fodder for an upcoming post which I am quite excited about. I was at the brand new Judith Leiber boutique at Two Rodeo yesterday, and was absolutely blown away, but more on that later.

In the meantime, enjoy this breathtaking Monaco Ring by Judith Ripka, (not to be confused with Judith Leiber), also available at Two Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, for $15,000. In 18k yellow gold with a black onyx center stone, royal pave black diamond shank and bezel set round briiliant diamond prongs, what”s not to love?

Judith Ripka”s designs are all absolutely beautiful and there isn”t a piece in the store I wouldn”t wear. If you live in the area, or are visiting L.A. anytime soon, it is worth a trip to either invest in or drool over all the feminine, pretty baubles – many of which are quite affordable, with pricing ranging from $100, (frugal snob), to $60,000, (super-uber snob).

This time of year, late summer, reminds me of the sweet smell of figs. The luscious fruit is now in season and I”m gobbling them up by the dozen. I spent many summers at my grandparent”s home in Pasadena where they had abundant fig and avocado trees. Any beauty product that brings back those sweet memories is one that I love to use during the summer months.

Fig infused cleaners and creams have many beneficial properties and contain anti-inflammatory agents and natural moisturizers. Nude”s intense moisture mask ($60 for 1.4 oz at Sephora) is ideal for reviving delicate or dry skin. It contains milk peptides, honey, fig and liquorice to nourish skin leaving it soft. Red Flower”s exotic globally inspired treatments are always a treat. The Red Flower Tangerine Fig Butter Crème ($52 for 5.8 fl. oz. at Apothica.com) instantly transports me to instant relaxation. The Tangerine Fig Butter purifies and detoxes while balancing the effects of the Red Flower Hammam treatments.

The Korres Fig Shower Gel ($13.00 for 8.45oz, at Skinstore.com) is a treat of a sudsy fig-scented shower or bath experience. The gel is rich in aloe, vitamin C and E as well as anti-oxidant enzymes. A treat and wonderful scent to simply shower, toss on a summery tunic and flip-flops after a day at the pool. Another gloriously fig-scented shower was is from AHAVA. The Mineral Botanic Velvet Cream Wash – Hibiscus and Fig ($19.50 for 17oz at Skinstore.com) is created for the needs of delicate and very dry skin. The creamy body wash helps to heal dry skin and the fig extract helps to fight inflammation, it also does not contain any SLS or parabens. Enjoy the sweet smell of summer, while we count the days until the arrival of fall….

Louise Galvin is a famous colorist that deals with variety of haircare and body care products for women. She believes that every woman has the right to be beautiful and appreciated. Thanks to Louise Galvin, you can now meet all your hair and body care needs and requirements under one roof.

Some of the products line she has introduced to the customers includes:

New Mothers and Baby Collection: This line of products is exclusively for new mothers and their babies. All these products are fragrance free and considered safe for babies too. During pregnancy women are totally put off by certain smells and due to this reason, they cannot use certain haircare products.

Now using Louise Galvin haircare products for new moms, women can retain shine, vitality and also boost their hair volume.

Natural Locks Collection: This is a new range of carbon neutral products especially formulated for colored hair. The chemicals in hair colors usually leave the hair dry and fragile. The natural locks collection is made from ecological ingredients and will not compromise the look or feel of your hair.

In addition to this, it restores your hair’s natural shine, leaving it soft and supple to touch. Moreover they also deliver nourishment and shine even to the most damaged, dry or colored hair.

Discovery Collection: This collection consists of 100ml size tubes that consist of a variety of products ranging from fine hair to curly hair collection. This is perfect for travelling purposes.

Traveler Collection: These travel bags consist of four Sacred Locks product in 75ml tubes. This traveling bag is made out of leather bearing the Louise Galvin trademark, a renaissance green with striking cerise lining.

In addition to this, it comes with two tubes of shampoos, a tube of condition and masque along with separate compartments.

My Verdict: A truly remarkable place for all your haircare needs.

Baby gift basket is a perfect gift which you can present on different occasions like baby showers, baby birthdays and baby christening. These baby gift baskets can also be gifted to expecting parents to express your love and care. A baby gift basket contains different attractive and useful items like soft baby blankets, changing pads, teething toys, baby wipes, baby sleeping bags and baby night clothes. Baby gift basket can be small or big size. It enables you to offer unique gift items that fulfil needs and desires of baby as well as parents.

You can also prepare a baby gift basket comprising of natural baby products, such as organic baby shampoo, organic baby soap, organic diaper powder, organic lotion, fragrance free moisture, oils for massaging and organic teething chews. You can add soft baby clothes, bibs and booties made from cotton to make it perfect baby gift basket.

A baby gift basket containing colorful soft toys, teddies made with soft fibre, cute baby dolls and animals made from pure plastics, can also make a wonderful baby gift. You can use other options like CDs of lullaby songs, non toxic baby games, number and animal blocks and organic baby foods to make an attractive baby gift basket. Baby gift basket can contain items not only for baby but also for the expecting mother. You may include skin products, night gowns, spa treatment coupons and books on baby care and express your love to baby’s mother. Select a beautiful basket in an attractive material, decorate it using colored satin ribbons and present it to the couple with lots of love.

I know it’s rather difficult to think about coats when it’s still so cold outside. As they say: better to plan ahead! So there you go: a skirt, a top and a coat – bubble style and affordable, waiting for you to posh up your fall wardrobe.

The bubble skirt – I found this one on Anthropologie web shop. It’s called a Calligraphy skirt, and comes in a wonderful shade of red (cherry red I think). You should get this one not only because it’s trendy, but also because red is THE color for fall. If red is still not your thing, consider getting this skirt in peacock or black. It’s only $44, available at Anthropologie.

The bubble top – For those still warm days of fall I suggest you put on the Calvin Klein Bubble Top. It’ll give you that romantic look you’re yearning for with its lacy V-neck, and the mushroom color is just right to be taken seriously. If it gets cold, you can just put on a cropped jacket. The CK bubble top is available at Nordstrom for $69.

The bubble coat – To be honest, this is really not a coat in terms of keeping you warm, but is cute enough to wear all through the fall and the spring of next year. It’s Marc by Marc Jacobs Sateen Coat, in deep black. Te material and the color will surely give you all the glamour there is, and the cuteness will be achieved by the ribbon belt. Yours for (only?) $510 at Net-a-Porter.

This Fall 2009 fashion pulls out plenty of surprises, making this season the one that uses personality along with mixing and matching to make its fashionable statements. One of our favorite trends this season is the idea of wearing shorts in the fall and in the winter. However, the only shorts able to pull off this look without causing a few eyes to turn are city shorts. City shorts are basically what the mini skirt is to a suit. It gives you that sophisticated edginess without getting you sent home from work. Pair them with tights, high boots or heels, a blazer or sweater to achieve a sophisticated yet trendy fall ensemble.

grey-shorts (1)

Another trend that is unique to our culture this year is the pairing of lingerie with ready to wear. In the past, people have worn lingerie, but they have worn it as full outerwear. Now, lingerie is playing a peek a boo game where an edgy look shows a little softer side underneath. Stars like Rhianna and Katy Perry have taken the look to the masses.

sexy-lingerie-comeback

Other trends this fall include a deconstructed look where unfinished hems and stylish slashed clothing make a new appearance. Maybe it’s a homage to economic woes? And the idea of a seasonless look where sundresses were paired with furs and shorts were paired with tights…. another inspiration to work with what you have and only buy a few key pieces this fall?