Merle

The president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and successful fashion designer Diana von Fürstenberg, known for her iconic wrap-dress created in the seventies [left], has launched a gorgeous little collection for Gap Kids, which is her second collaboration with the American label. The limited edition ‘explorers collection’ re-imagines the designer’s signature bright colors and patterns, taking its inspiration from bold African safari prints applied to items like miniature trapeze dresses, skinny jeans, colorful espadrilles and wrap dresses [right].

Chanel has released a preview of their new Coco Chanel short film, called Once Upon a Time…, starring Keira Knightley. The opening of the first boutique back in 1913 is also the subject that forms the focus of the film, which is directed by Karl Lagerfeld.

The full Chanel Once Upon a Time… short film will be posted on the Chanel News website at the same time as its premiere in Singapore, which is the chosen destination for the upcoming Chanel Cruise fashion show.

Spring, when it at last arrives, is a time for prosperity and growth.  Everything seems to be green— and this season, fashion is no exception.  Emerald green is the color of 2013 as reported by Pantone and sunday is St Patrick’s day which means people will put forth their green  ensemble.

The emerald carries with it an abundant history that spans back roughly 4,000 years to Babylon. As opposed to the red ruby, which is a conspicuous statement of passionate love, the emerald conveys a more hybrid set of symbolism and emotions. This is an inspiring and uplifting color implying abundance and wealth in all its forms, from material well-being, to emotional well-being to creative ideas.

Keywords for the Meaning of Green:
growth, fertility, new-life, nature, harmony, healing, refreshing, soothing, peaceful, contentment, confidence, hope, luck, beauty, balance, inner peace, unconditional love, calming, rejuvenation, abundance, prosperity, money, sense of home, family life, charity, environment, healthy, good luck, vitality, renewal, spring, generosity, food, go, grass, freshness, soothing, sharing and responsiveness.

Personality Attributes: Understanding, self-controlled, adaptable, sympathetic, compassionate, generous, humble, nature loving, and romantic.

Using Green with Other Colors:
Green with blue produces echoes of nature – water and forest and can denote new beginnings and growth. Green with tan, or beige says organic or recycled. Tri-color combinations of green with yellow and black or white are sporty, outdoorsy colors. Purple with green can be high contrast, lively. Lime green with orange and yellow is a fresh and fruity palette.

So how do you clinch green without going over the top! See some inspiration to work emerald into your wardrobe and beauty routine?Here

You don’t have to compromise anything to look good and this is why we love BEYOND YOGA collection. A brain child of Founder Jodi Guber Brufsky, and Co-Founder Michelle Wahler, their mission is to empower women of different shapes and sizes by nurturing self-esteem and helping women celebrate their bodies just as they are. According to their website, this luxury lifestyle brand is operating at the fulcrum of fashion and functionality, combining the best elements of activewear and style to form a collection that is chic, flattering and above all, accessible.

Their designs styles move effortlessly from day to night, through the gym, into meetings and home. Whether worn on the mat, in the office or out to dinner, these carefully crafted pieces take women exactly where they need to go.

Their core values include:

• Integrity

• Gratitude

• Flexibility

• Authenticity

• Quality

• Personal Responsibility

Don’t worry if you packed some extra pounds during the holidays, their clothing fit a woman of any shape and size. Finally, there is something for everywoman to feel good about themselves.

Everyone has a Christmas List. Mine might include a Rolex and Hermes bag. Perhaps Jimmy Choo shoes, in red, the one from the spring/summer 2013 runway. Maybe a flesh-coloured one too. Possibly with my initials discreetly embossed on the inside.

Scary, isn’t it, the amount of nice things out there, which cry out to be bought. Where one exotic personalised Birkin bag is too many, a hundred is not enough. How exactly do the 0.01 per cent of the population who own three quarters of the world’s wealth know when to stop with all the customised limited-edition hand-stitched luxury product out there?  It ails us all, to a degree. The way we keep acquiring products in the hope they’ll fill the handbag/earring/shearling-sized holes in our hearts, even though time and time again, they never ever do. As Einstein is oft quoted, “that is the definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and each time expecting a different result.”

What about instead the things that truly fulfil our desires: Time, Youth, Love, Self-Belief. Self-Acceptance, Health, Patience. Mindfulness, Serenity, Concentration? How about a Sense of Gratitude as opposed to Dread, while in the shower each morning. There’s so much I want that cannot be bought! How about losing yourself in the moment, the way you did playing as a kid. Wouldn’t it be great if you could wrap any of these “things”  hang them at the end of a loved one’s bed? I’d be happy unwrapping plain old Happiness, for me, for my family, for my friends. But how does the perfect selfless no-present present manifest itself?

Here are our best ideas for giving happiness at Christmas this year.

1. Mentor a Child

2. Give blood

3. Donate an organ

4. Adopt a furry friend

5. Make something