Steven Khalil Couture

Steven Khalil is recognized as one of Australia's leading designers specializing in red carpet and bridal gowns. In his beautiful designs he combines classical elements from past eras with contemporary styles. At just 22 years old he was appointed Head Designer, and in 2003 he started his own fashion house in Sydney. Here are a few of his lovely couture creations.

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Shoe Bakery

A couple of weeks ago I saw a picture of a pair of really delicious shoes on Kizzy's blog The Dainty Dolls House. I decided to look into this a bit more, and found something called the Shoe Bakery. This is a shoe brand created through Chris Campbell's love for shoes and sweets. Putting these two together gives you shoes that look like desserts! I literally want to EAT these shoes!!! All products from Shoe Bakery are hand made, and they also create custom one of a kind designs to fit each customer's needs. If you see a pair of their shoes that doesn't exist in the web shop anymore, they can also make you a copy of the pair you're drooling over. And drool you will...

Limited Victorian Cake Heals, Navy

White Sprinkle Flat

Cotton Candy Mary Jane Pumps

Pink Cake Wedges

Mary Jane Red Velvet Heels

Triple Chocolate Heels

Premium Vanilla Ice Cream Heels

Mint Ice Cream Heels

For more, visit Shoe Bakery's web site here!

All photos courtesy of Shoe Bakery.

Fabergé Friday

Today's Fabergé object - an Imperial Presentation cigarette case! Made by workmaster August Hollming, sometime between 1899-1908.

The case is enameled translucent red over a sunburst engine-turned ground. The ends are wrapped with chased gold laurel bands, and the thumb-piece is set with rose-cut diamonds. In the middle of the lid sits an Imperial eagle of rose-cut diamonds. The length of the case is 3 1/2'' (9 cm), and according to the ledgers of the Imperial cabinet it accompanied Tsar Nicholas II on three different voyages...

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Workout - 1940s Style...

My good friend Vanessa friend of mine shared a video with me on Facebook, with workout equipment for women in the 1940s. With today's eyes this is hilarious, but I guess it was serious stuff back in the day. Vanessa also wrote a very insightful comment to the video: ...those women look much better than the current ones! We should give up on stressful exercises and try to bring these machines back in trend. Much easier and shows great results!! To not mention its possible to do the gym in high heels. Haha! Need to go to the nearest gym shop and ask if they have any of these in stock...

Zhang Jingna

New York based photographer Zhang Jingna discovered the beauty of photography as a medium of expression during her time at art school. In 2007 she was named Master Photography of the Year by Master Photographers Association, and in 2011 Photographer of the Year at the ELLE awards in Singapore. Her work has been published in several magazines, and been part of many exhibitions. The photos in her Motherland Chronicles series has a mysterious, dreamlike quality to them. Some could even be mistaken for paintings. Here is a small assortment of the beauty created by Zhang Jingna. For more, visit her web site here!

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Fabergé Friday

Fabergé created many, many miniature animals. Several of them were part of a big animal-commission called the Sandringham Commission, ordered by King Edward VII in 1907. I've already shown you a few critters from that collection, and here comes another one - a little rat!

The rat is made of chalcedony and has silver ears and a silver tail, both set with rose diamonds. The dimensions of the little animal are 0.9'' x 1.8'' x 0.8'' (2.2 x 4.6 x 2 cm), and it now lives in the Royal Collection.

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Burlesque Ballet Shoot

I've done several shoots with photographer Charlotte Hall. We've always done our shoots outside though, so we decided to go indoors for once, to do a burlesque ballet session! The result is a mix of classic ballet pictures, and a few that goes more towards my burlesque occupation. Voilà!

Photo: Charlotte Hall

Bunny Slippers!!!

As a ballet dancer I tend to always wear fluffy slippers at home, to give my feet a rest from being tortured in pointe shoes. Although comfortable, these slippers aren't so very glamorous... But then I found the perfect substitute - Streetzie's High Heel Bunny Slippers! These are both fluffy AND glamorous! They're made of satin and synthetic fur, has a 3 1/2 inch heel, and a durable sole. The slippers come in three different colors - Perfect Pink, Classic Black and Powder Blue - and here they are! I'll take one pair in each color thank you...

Photos courtesy of Streetzie's High Heel Bunny Slippers.

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Fabergé Friday

So, here we have one more of those really usable Fabergé objects you didn't know you needed - a pen rest!

The pen rest is made of nephrite, decorated with a mistletoe design of pearl and rose-cut diamond berries on a gold stem with gold leaves. The size of the piece is 0.7'' x 1.7'' x 0.9'' (1.9 x 4.3 x 2.3 cm), and it was acquired by King George V, who always kept it on his desk. It now belongs to the Royal Collection.

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Easter Dress

On Good Friday I had been invited to Fräulein Frauke's and her husband John-Paul Bichard's yearly Easter party. Every guest brings something for the buffet, and a bottle of bubbly, and then we just share everything. I made loads of dark chocolate mousse! Everyone always dress up for this decadent party, so I though it was a good idea to premiere a dress I got for my birthday last August, but still haven't had an opportunity to wear  - a vintage gown from the 40s!

The floor length dress has a plaid pattern of shiny brown, purple, copper, gold and white blending together. The skirt looks pretty narrow from the front, but there's actually quite a lot of fabric in it...

...that is gathered in the back to create a small train. At the waistline sits a sort of belt that closes in a big bow at the back.

The edge around both the neckline and the bottom of the belt is scalloped. I love this dress because it seems so different from other 40s gowns. The design of the dress is very elegant, like a ball gown. But then whoever made it used this "simple" plaid fabric that probably would have fitted a day dress. So it feels like I can wear it to both fancy parties, and just for afternoon tea.

Photo: John-Paul Bichard

I had a great time at the party, and above you see how it ended...

Mrs Murphy's Woman Power Bootcamp!

As you all know, I've been working for Mrs Murphy for some time now, as her pr-assistant/event coordinator. And THIS is what we've been working on - Mrs Murphy's Woman Power Bootcamp! Mrs Murphy has three different workshops: Mrs Murphy to the Rescue...!, Mrs Murphy's Shool of High Heels, and Put on you FAB FACE honey - time to SHINE like that star you are, all with the goal of making women feel good about being women! There is so much talk about feminism these days, so now we want to focus on the feminine in feminism - something people don't talk about that much. Putting on red lipstick and a pair of high heels doesn't make you inferior to men - as long as you do it for yourself, and find your own inner woman power!

So what we have done now is we have created a weekend where you can come to Stockholm and experience all three of Mrs M's workshops!

As the event will take place in Stockholm a lot of the text on the poster is in Swedish, but that's because this time we focus on the Swedish ladies. We plan to do this in other countries later on too though...

The weekend takes place 22 - 24 May, and the participants will sleep at the beautiful Hotel Kungsträdgården that just opened in the center of Stockholm. When visiting the hotel both me and Mrs M wanted to move in. It's very elegant - with a crystal chandelier in each room! Here we will drink champagne, eat breakfast and lunch, and listen to Mrs M's wise words.

Photo: Jimmy Croona

Mrs Murphy's School of High Heels will take place at another location than the hotel, but under the care of me and two other of Mrs M's Special Agents of Fabulousness we will take care that you get there and back comfortably.

For more info (in Swedish) go here! This is also where you can buy your tickets to this luxurious event! Looking forward to meeting some lovely ladies there!

Sponsors of the event are: Björn Axén, Deichmann, Makiash, Pinup Girl Clothing, Daisy Dapper, Viola Lahger, O.L.D, Nosh and Chow, and Hotel Kungsträdgården. So you don't want to miss that goodiebag! Haha!

Fabergé Friday

It's Easter time, so what better to show you than a Fabergé (Easter) bunny!

The miniature rabbit is carved from a piece of chalcedony, and has rose-cut diamonds for eyes. It's dimensions are 0.9'' x 1.5' x 0.9'' (2.2 x 3.8 x 2.2 cm), and it was commissioned by King Edward VII in 1907. Now it belongs in the Royal Collection. Happy Easter everyone!!!

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Best Secret...

This Monday I told you I had been sent on a mission by my boss - Mrs Murphy. The mission was to go to an event for the opening of Best Secret. Best Secret is an online "by invitation only" shopping community. Unlike other shopping clubs you can't register for a membership directly by visiting the site. The only way to get in, is to get a recommendation from someone who is already a member... Once you're in though, you will find thousands of articles - clothes, shoes accessories, etc - at a great discount.

 

With me at the event I had fellow Special Agent of Fabulousness Miss Perfect Venturia. As pretty much all the other guests wore black/white/grey, we really stood out in our red Monica dresses from Pinup Girl Clothing.

While drinking bubbles we walked around a bit, and found a secret room that showcased some of the items for sale at the Best Secret website.

Then the opening ceremony started with a q and a by a panel put together of blogger Michaela Forni, designer Frida Ahlvarsson, Elin Frendberg, CEO at Swedish Fashion Council, and Nicholas Högberg, CEO att Tre - all lead by Ola Ahlvarsson.

After that more bubbles were drunk and we mingled for a while, taking pictures of ourselves. Haha!

All in all we had a good evening, listening to interesting people and talking to a few more. Mission accomplished!