au revoir

It's been three years since I have started blogging, and I absolutely love it. It gives me the freedom and the ability to express myself through words and pictures. Although being nicknamed China Doll and using it as my blog title, I feel like it's time for a new image, and a fresh start.

Thank you to the followers who have been there from the beginning. You have seen me grow through my blog and find my way. Since this is a new chapter of my life, I am ready to move onto the next level.

With this said, I am starting a new blog titled Style Borough. I hope you continue to read my posts, and I would love to hear your feedback!

It's been a pleasure.

♥♥♥

Vogue x Sarah Jessica Parker

Sarah Jessica Parker returns to Vogue for the August issue. Except she's not alone. She is now featured with her husband and children as well. Although her facial expression is pretty similar in the pictures, if I ever became a mother, I would want to be as fabulous as this, clothed in Oscar de la Renta, Proenza Schouler, and Chanel! I love how Mario Testino captures her in the mess, SJP definitely stands out in the clutter. ♥

you can't fake fashion

Let's be real, the fashion industry has faced huge problems when it comes to counterfeiting. The CFDA has so elegantly collaborated with eBay to create a collection of canvas tote bags stating "you can't fake fashion". They sold out within minutes! These totes were created by CFDA designers. The only one which is left is the original CFDA plain one seen above, but you MUST check out the various designs and styles by the CFDA designers to see what you missed! ♥

picture of the day: Fall 2011 Couture Week

Some inspiring words from behind the scenes at Valentino!! Love! ♥

trend watch: clogs

I remember having clogs as a young girl. Today, my love for clogs have grown once again and I bought a pair which I thought I would love but ended up returning them because I ended up not liking them at all!

With the season continuing, clogs have been reinvented, and I definitely think that the Sweds make it best. Not only that they have so much style. Paired with a cute pair of ankle high socks they are definitely a good basic summer slip on. A little bit of height never hurt anyone either. Man repeller? Maybe so, but I love the little Swedish clogs. Check these ones out!

1) Clarks Cheddar Gorge $53
2) Swedish Hasbeens $222
3) Svens $195

♥

Elie Saab Fall 2011 Couture Collection

Wow! Were my first words that came out of my mouth when I saw this gorgeous collection. If you didn't know by now, I am so into white for this season. The D&G Spring/Summer 2011 was filled with white gowns and now Elie Saab is releasing the Fall 2011 Couture Collection perfect for the red carpet or any event you need to stand out at. I love the transition from light to dark on the runway, and how you can tell it's a cohesive collection. I would love to wear one of those dresses, but to where? Above are my few favourite gowns which the collection offered. Check out the rest of the collection on Fashionologie. ♥

Paper Crown

Last summer, Lauren Conrad announced that she wanted to create a contemporary clothing line with her friends. It is called Paper Crown, and she has released a sneak peek on Facebook! These are the pieces and outfits I love, but I definitely have to say, I can see Lauren wearing all of these pieces.

What I love are the simple lines and the basic colours. The collection does not get too crazy with print or pleats, but rather stays to the simplicity of basics. Something that is a staple in everyone's closet. Check out the rest of the look book on InStyle.♥

short documentary on The Sartorialist

If you've never checked out The Sartorialist fashion photography blog, you're crazy. Scott Schuman takes the most amazing photographs of street fashion and portrays them in a way no one else does.

Here is a 7 minute documentary which profiles Scott. ♥

Harper's Bazaar x Emma Watson

Emma Watson has definitely came into the fashion scene ever since she cut her hair and has been in the Burberry ads. She has been recognized and has been featured on various fashion magazines. For August 2011, Harper's Bazaar UK has featured Emma Watson on their front page. The romantic lens really captures Emma's pixiesque looks and her. I really love her in white. ♥

Barbie & Ken come to life

For the 50th Anniversary of Barbie, GQ Style Germany created an amazing editorial, and featured Barbie and Ken. Indeed they do look like the Mattel dolls. The models Alex Sandor and Aaron Bruckner. The editorial was styled by Klaus Stockhausen.

I love the creativity that went into this editorial. Not only do I love Barbie, I love how the models embrace their inner doll. ♥

Uniqlo x Vogue

The collection of t-shirts created for the Fashion Unites for Japan collection has been released at Uniqlo. The tees include designs from Alber Elbaz, Karl Lagerfeld, Lady Gaga, Victoria Beckham, and many more! The t-shirts are only $20, and are for a very good cause.

My favourites are the Victoria Beckham and Alber Elbaz ones! Get yours here. ♥ Victoria Beckham's Design

Alber Elbaz's Design

braided inspiration

Hair used to be such a big trend in the 90s and it sort of phased out. I remember my sister always used to do various braids and loops and tricks in my hair. Now, hair has been blowing up more than ever. Especially braids, and I definitely love them. It is so easy to do a side braid to mix it up from a low pony tail. It's a simple, casual sort of look, but you can mix it up with the braided inspiration above! Let me know if you have other braided tricks up your sleeve. ♥

get the look: Dolce & Gabbana whites

image courtesy of Mama's a Rolling Stone

I am so in love with D&G's 2011 Spring/Summer white dresses. Not only do they look delicate and feminine, they look extremely chic and smart at the same time. But because not all of us have the cash to splurge on a to die for D&G dress, here are some alternatives. These dresses are perfect from day to night, because the white can make the dress seem a bit more casual, yet there is so much detail to them which make them seem like an evening dress. I would definitely take these dresses on vacation.

Miss Selfridge White Crochet Dress $176

Miss Selfridge Cream Pleat Belted Dress $63

Imitation Kiki Dress $303

Dolan Paisley Crochet Dress $271.80

♥

Rosie Huntington-Whitely x Gucci = Amazing

I find it to be a hit or miss with Rosie Huntington-Whitely, but she definitely pulled this one off on June 23 at the Moscow International Film Festival. It's elegant, yet extremely chic, playful and sexy at the same time. I've been looking for the perfect skirt similar to that one, but I haven't found anything that fits me well enough! This was definitely a hit with Rosie Huntington-Whitely. I loved that colour on her. This Frida Giannini is from the Fall collection for Gucci. I'm in love. ♥

stuck with a gift card?

I love the whole idea of Card Cash. You know how you receive those gift cards from someone who really doesn't know you all too well, and it ends up being a place where you would never even go? Well Card Cash has a solution which gives you money for the gift cards that you do not want. Although the website is not the most appealing, think about getting money back up to 92% of the value!! It also works the other way where you can purchase others gift card at 15% off! ♥


image courtesy of Gear Diary

picture of the day: Regina Feoktistova in Harper's Bazaar Spain

The perfect picture for summer solstice. Regina Feoktistova is such a beach babe in Harper's Bazaar Spain. I love the contrast between the dressiness and the casual beach background. Check out the rest of the photos here. ♥

Elle Fanning x BlackBook

She is only thirteen, but she looks eighteen and pulls it off really well. I definitely don't think she looks like someone who just completed 7th grade. I've posted about Elle Fanning before, but I really think she is an up and comer. She has those doe eyes that everyone falls in love with.

She is featured in BlackBook, promoting her movie Super 8. She is wearing designs from Jenny Packham, Tim Van Steenbergen, and Racquel Allegra. Talk about styling. I love the different use of texture which you can see even though the images are in black & white.

♥

CFDA Awards: Best Dresses & Winners

If you didn't know, yesterday everyone was focused on the Canucks vs Boston game while I was focusing on the CFDA Awards!! You can't attend the CFDA Awards without looking amazing!! Below are my favourites.


I always give kudos to the woman that pulls off the perfectly tailored suit. It's so risky, especially when the world expects you to wear a dress. Kirsten Dunst definitely pulls this one off in a Patrik Ervell tux and shirt. It is perfectly tailored. I've seen some people try to pull off this look, but fail. Kirsten Dunst stands out in the perfect way, topping it off with Prada stilettos and Bulgari jewelry.

Lady Gaga is still killing it. She made an entrance in McQueen of course. Now this dress takes the little black dress to the next level. Look at the detailing on it. I would kill to be in that dress. The dress is sexy, elegant, and kills all at the same time. I'm in love. Unfortunately she had a wardrobe malfunction and her chest popped out. Luckily Lady Gaga pulls off anything.

The winners of the night were:

Womenswear Designer of the Year: Jack McCollough & Lazaro Hernandez for Proenza Schouler
Menswear Designer of the Year: Michael Bastian
Accessory Designer of the Year: Alexander Wang
Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent: Womenswear: Prabal Gurung Accessories: Eddie Borgo
Fashion Icon Award: Lady Gaga
Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award: Marc Jacobs

♥

Vogue Italia x Curvy Women

I had to take a second look at Vogue Italia's June cover. The first thing I noticed was models in lingerie at an Italian restaurant. That was a little odd. The second thing I realized was that they used actual models on the cover which is also extremely rare now a days. The third thing I realize is that Vogue Italia used plus sized models!! Which is really embracing today's day and age.

These models look amazing and it's nice they can be completely comfortable in their own bodies wearing skimpy lingerie. I love it. Steven Meisel always does a good job, and I thought he got this perfect shot of Tara Lynn, Candice Huffine, and Robyn Lawley. Although I can't completely understand why they are eating pasta in lingerie, it's nice that they are finally embracing curvy women. ♥

image courtesy of I Am Super Gorge

2011 CFDA Portraits

Photography duo Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin unveiled a series of black and white photos taken for the CFDA journal, to honor the Annual Fashion Awards. These pictures include Alexander Wang, Marc Jacobs, Lady Gaga, Mary-Kate & Ashely, and many other CFDA award nominees. ♥