Tea & Cigarettes

Bedazzled Bags

2010-05-06T17:42:00.005+02:00

My mom called me the other day, excited as ever, to tell me to get on Gilt Groupe as fast as I could to check out bags by a designer names Sylvia Toledano. I quickly listened to her, pulled out my laptop and furiously typed away on the keyboard...

What I came across was simply amazing. Gorgeous. Unsual. Original. I instantly fell in love.

Originally trained in fashion at the Cours Bercot in Paris, Sylvia Toledano, an artist and painter, has created a collection of luxurious evening bags, all of which are entirely incrusted in Austrian crystals produced in her original designs. This range of bags features gold or silver leather linen interior, a removable chain, an assorted crystal pen and is presented in a black gift box with protective jewel bag. Each accessory carries a spiritual meaning and is unique and elegant.

Sylvia has also launched a collection containing limited edition designs which can be found on her website here.

Which one is YOUR favorite?

A Parisian Escapade...

2010-04-29T23:44:00.004+02:00

Sidewalk artist by Printemps and Galeries Lafayette

Chicken Ceasar salad at one of my favorite restaurants in the Marais

(Maje studded cardigan, vintage Greatful Dead t-shirt, Zara riding leggings, Zara combat boots, Goyard cabas.)

Even though today was supposed to be spent taking pictures for a school project, shopping did ensue! After a shopping spree at the Yaya Store and a quick sip of coke at one of my favorite cafés, Un Drole Endroit Pour Une Rencontre, we headed out towards Havre Caumartin to take as many pictures as possible. After - dinner at Le Trésor, a great french café on a side street in the heart of the Marais district.

It's beginning to look a lot like spring time!

Tee Time

2010-04-27T14:13:00.006+02:00

Everybody that knows me, knows that I am a complete t-shirt fanatic (which is something that I most likely got from my mother!). I love a great t-shirt: cropped ones, knee length ones, white ones, grey ones, destroyed ones, oversized ones, soft ones, comfy ones. I feel that a t-shirt can make or break an outfit and that there is (yes -there is) a real art in picking out the best t-shirt for yourself - they are the easiest way to moder
nize every look.

From classic cuts to draped styles, whether you team your t-shirt with an attention grabbing cocktail skirt or wear it with denim off-duty, here is a little guide to six definative t-shirt labels that every girl needs in her wardrobe...

My picks of the moment: Sébastien Tellier for American Apparel oversized t-shirt in black and white, IRO's Kilav destroyed tee, Stella Forest destroyed tee, H&M's organic line of tees in gray...

Montorgueil

2010-04-18T20:18:00.013+02:00

The famous Stohrer Bakery

Lunch at L’Esplanade Saint-Eustache

Place Rene-Cassis, located right next to the Saint-Eustache Chapel

Saint-Eustache

(Sebastien Tellier oversized t-shirt, Abercrombie & Fitch pin-striped button down shirt, Zara blazer, vintage Chanel Bag, Zara combat boots.)

The beautiful weather is finally hitting Paris...restaurant patios are filling up, families are headed to the park to picnic and people everywhere are beginning to see the sun shine a little more bright. Weekends can now be spent outside and under the sun without having to run for the umbrella or bundle up until you can breathe!

Rue Montorgueil is one of my most favorite spots in Paris. Not only is it 6 metro stops from where I live, it is right next to my school - which makes morning coffee stops and lunch breaks a lot more exciting. It's a neighborhood that is a vibrant pedestrian area in the heart of Paris. Some of the city's best fruit, vegetable, meat and fish markets can be found here, along with renowned pastry shops like La Maison Stohrer and Eric Kaiser. There are a handful of cozy bistros, boutiques, and bars and it's a really nice place to have a drink, especially during the springtime. A few of my favorite places to eat include La Perla, an italien restaurant that I frequent quite often, Planet Sushi, a modern sushi resturant "inspired" by Miami and Ibiza nightlife, and Une Drole D'Endroit Pour Une Rencontre, a little french café, perfect for grabbing a drink after a long day of shopping.

My favorite shopping addresses: Kiliwatch, a famous "vintage store" that sells old and new, Kokon To Zai, an avant-garde boutique that sells designer brands such as Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen, Stella Forest, Yaya Store, a small boutique that sells organic clothing as well as brands such as American Vintage and jewelry by designer Vanessa Dee, and of course, one of my favorite new places to shop - IRO.

Bye Bye Sweats!

2010-04-17T18:31:00.002+02:00

1. Oversized Alexa Leather Bag, Net-A-Porter
2. Lara Smoking Blazer, La Garçonne
3. Wrinkle Plaid Button Down, La Garçonne
4. Embellished leather thong sandals, Net-A-Porter
5. Easy Ankle Harem Pant, La Garçonne

This season, the harem style sweat pant is totally in and a definate wardrobe staple! These comfy, yet stylish pants have been seen on the runway as well as in every store possible around town...Try them in grey, black or even beige; in a thick or thin cotton. They are perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon around the house or you can easily dress these babies up with a blazer and chic sandals, perfect for a brunch or get together on the town with friends. It's a great fashionable alternative to regular sweat pants, something a young Parisien fashionista would not be caught DEAD in!!

Rain, Rain Go Away...

2010-04-15T20:46:00.005+02:00

(Vintage military jacket, Abercrombie & Fitch plaid flannel shirt, H & M oversized cotton tee, Cheap Monday skinny jeans, Zara combat boots, LuxCoronette owl claw necklace, Hermès Birkin)

1. MacBook, blackberry and fashion magazines.
2. Pear and almond tart from the corner bakery.
3. A view of Paris's apartments...
4. Flannel and plaid
5. Hermès.
6. Sidewalk rain

Rainy, cold days are never fun (even in Paris...)

My Look: Casual Tuesdays

2010-04-13T18:50:00.009+02:00

On me: Zara Man cashmere sweater, Levi's boyfriend jean, vintage studded leather jacket, Miu Miu Nappa Charm bag, white Converse, LuxCoronette owl claw necklace.

When I go to school, I prefer doing it casual, yet stylish...A comfy pair of boyfriend jeans paired with a warm sweater, a leather jacket and converse. Who ever said that you have to suffer to look half way presentable! This way, I can sit through 4 hours of marketing and 3 hours of financial analyses without having a tight pair of jeans dig into my stomach and heels torture my feet!

Angéline Mélin

2010-04-12T20:01:00.003+02:00

Big thank you to Angéline Mélin for the cute badges!! I got them really fast and I love them...they are so cute. They perfectly accentuate my Feed bag!! Just for the info: Angéline is a 23 year old French artist and former stylist student from Paris. Her stuff is really great! Go check it out!

New Site!

2010-04-05T19:24:00.006+02:00

Hey everyone! Just a little entry to let you all know that I have a temporary new site up and running to replace the Rai By Raihana blog until I get a working website/online shop up! You can click on the logo below to access the new site. It contains a biography, as well as photos, a blog and much more! The site is also in French!

I LOVE IRO

2010-04-01T19:35:00.003+02:00

Originally launched in 2004 by two Parisian brothers, Laurent and Arik Bitton, IRO is a clothing line with an amazing new collection that features full slouchy staples in luxurious fabrics and a few dangerously sexy pieces. No wonder that the line is a beloved staple in Europe and a favorite for fashion plates like Rihanna, Anne Hathaway, and Ginnifer Goodwin. As if these young ladies weren't enough, recently IRO got the ultimate seal of approval via a personal order placed by none other than Kate Moss herself. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for this fabulous line. It's just the sort of French dressing you'll want to order..

My ultimate favorite? The Kilav Shirt, which retails for $96 or 75 euros. This comfy t-shirt comes in three colors, army green/beige, black and white and is artfully destroyed. There has been plenty of buzz regarding Balmain's Slashed Army t-shirt that retails for $1625—yes you read that right— and clothing lines everywhere, from Zara to Mango, to yours truely have come out with much much more wallet-friendly versions of the top. Paired with some skinnys and killer heels, this IRO selection is astronomically chic. I cannot wait to go get mine!

Source: picture via Who Wore What.com

2010-03-25T16:44:00.007+01:00

I absolutely love Olivia Palermo's chic New York socialite style: everything for her effortless everyday looks that are undeniably fashionable to her swanky, clean NY apartment. Here is an article from Page Six Magazine; an interview with Miss Palermo on her cozy abode. I want that Hermes tray!!

“I’m so excited to be living in my own home,” says socialite Olivia Palermo, surrounded by clothes racks, shoes and handbags in her colorful, 63-square-foot walk-in closet accented with a zebra-print rug. Olivia is photographing outfits she has selected for a short trip to Los Angeles so she’ll know exactly what she wants to wear while she’s there. “This is the space I love the most. You can see it the second you walk in,” she says. “It represents me.”

Inspired by pictures of Mariah Carey’s spacious NYC home, Olivia, 22, started searching for an apartment with enough room to create a large-scale, open-plan closet when she was ready to leave the nest—her mother’s three-bedroom abode on the Upper East Side—last summer.

With her heart set on downtown Manhattan, Olivia wanted to find a recently constructed, modern building with lots of natural light. After going through numerous brokers and scoping out 17 apartments—“The first one I saw was a dark studio with a Murphy bed and I had no idea what it was. My dad thought it was a good reality check for me”—she fell for this brand-new one-bedroom (with an office) on the 10th floor of a 21-story development on Leonard Street in Tribeca. “It was so new, the paint had barely dried,” Olivia proudly says of the apartment.

To furnish the place, Olivia and her mother, Lyn Hutchings, a partner at interior design firm Hutchings-Lyle, came up with the design plan: a 1960s look with a classic, old Hollywood feel. For the living room, the duo chose a comfy two-piece sectional sofa bed from Jennifer Convertibles. Next, Olivia fell for a baby-blue Bing side table from Gracious Home, which adds to the cheerful tone. “Then my mom slowed me down,” she says. “She made me realize that buying furniture is not like shopping for clothes. You need to think of the look of the entire apartment.” Taking the time to scour design centers and antique shops paid off: The eye-catcher in the room is an Hermès tray, a vintage find from the Hamptons, placed on top of a Carlyle Custom Convertible white-leather coffee table with nailheads.

The bedroom is personalized with a zebra-print antique lamp with a string shade (“a gift from my dad”) and framed photographs of loved ones—Olivia’s boyfriend of eight months, Wilhelmina model Johannes Huebl, dominates the selection. The most prized piece, however, is a dresser from ABC Carpet & Home, which is covered in sparkling costume jewelry. “My aunt [Linda Donahue] is a costume jewelry expert, so I understand it’s just as valuable as real jewelry,” she says, holding up a vintage brooch decorated with enamel and rhinestone lovebirds. “And every piece comes with a rich history. I got this one at the Pier Show in New York, but found an almost identical pin in Leigh Leshner’s book, Vintage Jewelry, A Price and Identification Guide, 1920-1940s. So I think it’s Depression-era.”

With the décor decided on, Olivia concentrated on using the Container Store’s Elfa system to turn the home office into a dream walk-in closet for her well-established wardrobe of vintage finds, plus dresses and separates from Zac Posen, Sass & Bide, Rebecca Taylor, Ports 1961 and Zara, and “a hundred pairs of shoes—from Louboutin and French Sole to lots of no-name heels.”

Although she has a year of media studies at the New School to go, Olivia is ready to take on the acting world. Leaning against the simple, modern white Jonathan Adler desk in her bedroom, she confides, “I don’t have to work—my parents have always supported me in everything I’ve wanted to do—but I want to. I want to be an actress and a brand, and then I want to do some producing.”

To begin her transformation from socialite to international star, the 5'5", size 0 beauty has signed on with the talent agency Untitled (“one of the best in the industry”), as well as hired the PR firm Rogers & Cowan (Elton John’s handler was minding her at this Page Six Magazine shoot).

As for the rumor that she’ll make her acting debut in Whitney Port’s The Hills spin-off, she says reality TV isn’t for her. “I want to be a serious actress,” she says. Then, she’s off to Europe with her boyfriend. “We’ll spend time in Germany, because Johannes is from there,” she says. For fall, it’s back to home, sweet home and college. “Unless I book a job,” Olivia smiles.

Source: NY Post, Page Six

2010-03-25T15:33:00.005+01:00

Come and shop Net-A-Porter for a good cause!
Fashion For Relief is to help raise money for women and babies in Haiti
Hurry! These pieces will only be on sale at Net-A-porter until Monday March 29th!

2010-03-15T15:58:00.010+01:00

So I came across this article not too long ago and I found it quiet interesting. It pretty much goes against a lot of urban food myths and what were were told growing up as well of what we might read in magazines, hear on tv or read on the internet. Some may agree, some might not agree...read on to check it out!

1. Blueberries contain more anti-oxidants than other fruit

Blueberries are known as a superfood, due to their high level of anti-oxidants (molecules thought to help protect us from cancer- causing free radicals). But that does not mean they are superior to other fruits. Blueberries score highly on the oxygen radical absorbance capacity scale, but scientists are finding foods that are even higher - including dark chocolate. Even if blueberries top the scale, they are only rich in one family of anti-oxidants, anthocyanin, which is found in other fruits, like grapes. And the far cheaper red grape is actually higher up the oxygen radical absorbance capacity scale.

2. Low-fat foods help you lose weight

Whether it be cereal bars, yoghurts or ready meals, low-fat options are always tempting if you are desperate to lose weight. But not only are they likely to be stuffed full of sugar, carbs and synthetic sweeteners, they could also have just as many calories as the 'high-fat' alternative. Particularly with sweeter low-fat foods, the extra sugar used means it might have a similar calorie content to the regular option. It might be better to just have a smaller serving of the standard dish, with more fat but less sugar.

3. Eating at night makes you fat

Calories are calories, whether eaten during the morning, noon or night. Studies using monkeys found the animals stayed the same weight whether they had six per cent of their food at night or 65 per cent - the body burns them off at the same rate during sleep.

But avoiding food in the evenings may still help you lose weight. People tend to snack all evening in front of the TV, especially if they have eaten very little all day.

4. Eggs raise cholesterol levels

First we were told to 'go to work on an egg', then we were warned eggs are bad for the heart. Now, it seems the first advice was better.Although eggs contain cholesterol, our body varies the amount it produces, so simply makes less if we eat an egg.

Research by the University of Surrey found that, after eating a two-egg-a-day diet for 12 weeks, none of the test subjects had raised cholesterol levels. And as well as being low in calories (75 in a boiled egg), they contain vitamin D, vitamin B-12 and other nutrients.

5. Coffee dehydrates your body

We all know that coffee can make us dehydrated, right? Wrong. A whopping 50 per cent of Britons limit their intake, believing it's a diuretic (a substance which causes the body to lose fluid by making the kidneys produce more urine).

But, in fact, it has no such effect on regular drinkers. Nutritionist Angela Dowden says: 'New converts could be taking more trips to the bathroom. But your body gets used to it and coffee counts towards your daily fluid intake.'

6. Eating margarine is bad for your heart

This used to be true, as margarine was previously packed with trans fats - hydrogenated fats that raise bad cholesterol and reduce good cholesterol, increasing the risk of heart disease and diabetes. But after a consumer backlash the spreads on our shelves have been reformulated with healthy poly and mono-unsaturated fats. Margarine is a healthier option than butter.

7. Always keep fruits and vegetables in the fridge

You probably don't give a second thought before sticking fruit and veg in the fridge. But by keeping things cool, you may be losing out.

Scientists in Oklahoma in the U.S discovered that a watermelon left at room temperature had double the levels of beta-carotene and 20 per cent more lycopene - both antioxidants - after two weeks than one stored in the fridge. Bananas and peaches are also more nutritious at 20 degrees.

8. Your body needs 8 glasses of water a day

If you've been drinking two litres of water a day, it turns out you might have been wasting your time.

When doctors at the University of Pennsylvania in the U.S. examined the benefits of drinking this much water, they found no evidence that it led to clearer skin, boosted weight loss or helped the body to detox. The amount of water a person needs varies - thirst is the best indicator. Check the shade of your urine - if it's straw-coloured or paler you are probably drinking enough.

9. When trying to loose weight, eat often

Which is better for you - three hearty meals or six little ones? Diet books might advise you to 'eat little and often', but you're no more likely to lose weight this way.

Australian scientist Dr Michelle Palmer compared weight loss in people eating in both ways and found they lost the same amount. The only difference was the six-mini-meal group was more likely to put the weight back on. Eating little and often can control hunger, but there's a danger that by eating more often you eat more calories.

10. Raw veggies are better

While you may not fancy a raw veg diet, general wisdom maintains that the more you cook vegetables, the more nutrients they lose. But this is not necessarily true. Carrots are a case in point. When cooked, the damage to the cells means three times as much betacarotene is released - an anti-oxidant thought to help protect skin.

11. White meat is lower in fat than red meat

Often dieters eat chicken as a healthy choice, but it could be fattier than a lean cut of red meat. Now, the fat content is virtually the same due to properly cut and prepared meat. A lean sirloin steak has as little as 5g of fat per 100g, while chicken thighs may have up to 9g per 100g.

12. Pale veggies have fewer nutrients

We've been taught it's best to eat vegetables with vibrant colours, whether it's deep green spinach, purple beetroot or red cabbage. While this is a good rule, white vegetables should not be dismissed. White cabbage is full of vitamins A, B, C and K, along with calcium, iron and fibre, while cauliflower is a great source of anti-oxidants, vitamin C and folate.

So, what do you all think?

Source: info via The Daily Mail

2010-03-12T15:06:00.008+01:00

Fashion Week in Paris is the best time to spot the latest fashion trends. I absolutely love this look: the boots paired with the high socks and the shorts, the oversized bags, the dark colors. Perfect!

Note: You definately don't have to be a model to pull this look off. Start by picking the best shorts for your body type - micro minis do not work on everyone. Try a longer pair or a boyfriend fit. Next, pair them with tights, a pair of knee high socks and an oversized dark colored cardigan and voila! If the weather is warmer, skip the tights.

If you're not a huge fan of shorts (I know a lot of people who aren't), opt instead for a pair of "jeggings", or jean-leggings, so you have the comfort of leggings and the chic look of jeans for a slightly different look. Neither shorts nor jeggings? Try a short floral skirt. This coming season, floral skirts are a definate must have. Pair it with dark tights and your good to go.

Classic riding boots and military style combat boots are totally in and have been all over the catwalks. Don't be afraid to mix a pair of tough boots with girly pieces.

Genius

2010-03-05T14:25:00.003+01:00

Waking Up In Vegas

2010-03-05T14:02:00.003+01:00

Marisa Miller sports a shorter platinum do and dark, dark eyebrows on the cover of this month's Vegas on stands now. Here’s what the 31-year-old gorgeous model revealed:

On her love for Harley motorcycles: “My husband, dad and uncle all ride Harleys, and I just found out my grandma used to be involved in the chapter in northern California. Now I’m getting my own bike; I got my license and I’m ready to roll.”

On jealousy in her marriage: “My job can definitely bring out a lot of insecurities or trust issues, but I’m so thankful we never had that. I don’t give my husband a reason to worry. Those kind of things can become a big problem in any relationship, and then especially with [my life] there’s a whole new set of challenges.”

On she felt about her first Sports Illustrated cover: “I don’t think it was ever even a goal or dream of mind because I didn’t really know it was possible. I had seen Sports Illustrated in my house since I was born. When I started working for SI it was surreal; I was, like, “OK, I can quit now.” It was a huge deal, it’s one of those things you do in your career that kind of go down in history, that’s a tag line behind your name forever- Sports Illustrated cover model!”

Source: info via Just Jared, pics via The Lipstick Diaries

NYC Fashion Week 2010

2010-02-22T19:53:00.004+01:00

1. Rachel Zoe in Marc Jacobs and Casadei Double Platform Pumps

2. Natalie Portman in Rodarte

3. Irina Lazareau in 3.1 Phillip Lim

4. Becka Diamond in Top Shop, Thakoon, Eddie Borgo and Pamela Love

5. Julia Restoin Roitfeld in vintage

6. Whitney Port in Fetherston and Memebers Only with Pour La Victoire Adalene Pumps

7. Kate Lanphear in a Miu Miu coat

8. Zoe Kravitz in vintage and Chanel flats

9. Lauren Santo Domingo in a Chloe striped sweater and fleur bag and Emilio Pucci fur cape.

My favorite? Irina's 3.1 Phillip Lim sequin shirtdress at $995

Source: photo and info via Who What Wear

2010-02-12T18:58:00.000+01:00

2010-02-02T06:37:00.008+01:00

Perfect for this up and coming season! Try mixing nude, creamy shades with blasts of strong, intense colors, like cobalt blue. Not only does this amazing blue color make me think of Morocco, these shades fit perfectly together to create an awesome combination that screams spring. But remember, don't go too overboard - when using strong colored pieces, it is best to keep the rest on the light side! Mix pieces together all while keeping your wardrobe simple and fresh. Example? Beige trousers and an oversized white t-shirt paired with a striking blue scarf and accented heels. Parfait!

1. Julianne Rosalia chemise $190

2. La Garconne Romper $420

3. Acne T-Shirt $105

4. Embroidered Lanvin Ballerina Flats $545

5. Tara Matthews Cashmere Blend Metallic Scarf $550

6. La Perla Lace and Tulle Balconette Bra $240

7. La Perla Lace Thong $160

8. Self Ridge’s Nude Sequin Zip Front Vest $56

9. Chloe Heloise Leather Hobo Bag $1,595

10. Pour La Victoire Blanche Camel and Cobalt Strappy Heels $200

11. Lanvin Straw Hat $320

12. Chanel Blue Satin Nail Polish $30

13. Vivre White Shell Ring $320

14. 3.1 Phillip Lim Trousers $410

15. Alexander McQueen Sunglasses $355

Bulletproof

2010-01-27T20:51:00.003+01:00

Check out these canvas ballerina shoes equipped with Swarovski bullets! These comfortable ballerinas made out of innovative materials are from the latest collection by designer Giuseppe Zanotti. More than an accessory, Zanotti shoes are known to reveal the character, the femininity, the sensualism of the one who wears them. From the stylish girls of Gossip Girl to R & B singer Rihanna, countless celebrities have bowed down to Zanotti's elegant and flawless style.

These ballet flats, which are from the Spring / summer cruise collection 2010, run at 310 euros or 436 dollars. You can get your pair exclusively at Colette.com

Snake Eyes

2010-01-27T20:26:00.004+01:00

How gorgeous is this spread featuring Polish model Anja Rubik? Photographed by Claudia Knoepfel and Stefan Indlekofer in next months Vogue Paris, Anja reveals her inner wild girl as she fiercely wears our favorite slithering friends to show off an array of gorgeous joallerie. I just absolutely love this photo spread.

Source: photos via Pics and Models

A Vogue Wonderland

2010-01-21T19:11:00.005+01:00

Check out Natalia Vodianova in February's UK Vogue. In this photo-shoot, photographed by Nick Knight, Natalia wore a dress designed by 40 international designers, which was later put up for auction. The photos are simply gorgeous - the colors, the textures, everything is put so well together to create some sort of fairy tale. The details, especially the branches, remind me exactly of the pages out of Prada's Fall 2009 Lookbook.

Source: pictures via Pics and Models

A Little Birdy Told Me...

2010-01-19T19:37:00.004+01:00

Kelly Smith, the illustrator of blog Birdy & Me, illustrated these pages for magazine Shop 'TIl You Drop that feature the "new tribes" of dressers in today's society. Whether you channel the Olsen Twins or Blair from Gossip Girl, this little creative illos is a fun read. I absolutely LOVE her work, and I am pretty sure that I will be posting a lot of her stuff!

Source: photos via Birdy & Me

House Inspirations

2010-01-15T18:50:00.002+01:00

After browsing through the internet, I came across some gorgeous interior photography, notably via Made By Girl's Jennifer Ramos, an interior designer herself and owner of her own company. Since I love interior design and the aesthetics of a well decorated home, I decided to share with the outside world, some of my favorites! Enjoy!

Source: photos via Made By Girl

Vogue Mexico

2010-01-14T18:22:00.004+01:00

Love the hot pink fur jacket!

Vogue Mexico December 2009, via Pics and Models.com