Coquette

Viva La France!

Joyeux Noël (Merry Christmas) et Bonne Année (Happy New Year)! I am off to France for two weeks for the holidays, Paris and Bordeaux. I will try to post any cool things I see in Paris and around France. You know I'll have plenty of shopping stories and trends to talk about (mais oui). I'll be meeting up with my friend Amy who blogs at Ms. Glaze's Pommes D'Amour. Check out her new video on how to make tart aux pommes. C'est super!

If somehow technology doesn't work out for me, it will have to wait until I am back. Coquette will be back in full swing on January 9th.

Until then, enjoy this fashion pic I took the last time I was in Paris two years ago with my friend Susan. A model on a fashion shoot in the Montmartre district. Happy Holidays everyone!

Diana Eng of Project Runway

I have to say I am totally addicted to this season's Project Runway. More so this time than ever because I am rooting for Diana Eng. Finally, its not all about the standard catty gay guys and women (i.e. last year's Wendy Pepper). Diana Eng is the classic nerdy smart girl who loves science and technology and infuses her fashion designs with clever infusions of it. And the results are amazing. Bravo to the Project Runway producers for going outside the norm.

More importantly though, I love that the show has introduced me to what Diana is doing now on her own time. Diana and her colleague Alison Lewis have created Switch, a DIY show online creating fun and fashionable things with technology. Right now the site is in Alpha, but I signed up for the mailing list to find out when new things go up.

From their intro movie, I can't wait to check out this project, how to rig your purse to blink when your cellphone is ringing. Pretty sweet. You can find out more on Diana Eng on her blog and check out her cool designs in her portfolio.

I'm looking forward to seeing how far Diana goes on Project Runway, but I have a good feeling no matter what, we'll be hearing more about Diana Eng in the near future.

Memoirs of a Laptop

These Maloo Laptop cases (via Cool Hunting) are not only sleek and modern looking, they fold up and out like a Japanese Kimono. The art of it is fun, but it also becomes useful because you can lay your laptop case flat and as it folds out. The sides become a nice area to use your mouse pad. Sometimes I never know where to throw my laptop bag when I'm out and about, and often times in cafes I'm not so sure I want to set my laptop directly on the tables. Made in wool felt, the laptop sleeve comes in vibrant orange or grey. Of course the really cute one is made out of vintage kimono fabric. Unfortunately, those are only available in Japan.

I also like this small matching pouch for your mouse and any cables. (I pretty much like all small bags.)

The Fendi B Bag

When flipping through the new January issue of Harper's Bazaar (btw, Julianne Moore is stunning on the cover), I came across the bag I WANT to have for Spring. The Fendi B bag is touted to be THE "It" bag for 2006. I already love the vintage style of the bags (much more my style than the cool Spy bags of last season) and the fact that you can probably put just about anything in it. I also like that its not a huge logo blaster and is just a beautiful bag.

Silvia Venturini Fendi is the designer of the bags, the inspiration of which is the belt buckle in the new Spring 2006 collection done by her and Karl Lagerfeld. (B is probably for buckle, pretty clever I figured that one out.) I love all the different styles they come in. There are 50 in total and there are 4 styles: small and large double buckle bag and the single buckle shoulder bag in 2 styles, one for day and one for evening. You can see more in the Harper's Bazaar article. I'm just about drooling over the double buckle bag in patent leather red, as well as this black and white should bag above.

There are some really ornate bags like this one above that are adorned in lace.

The Fendi B bag inspiration, the belt buckle above.

I really like the clean looks on the runway, like this top and skirt with the belt hung midway down the skirt.

The B bag works well as a great accent to the collection. Clean, classic styles that look modern, especially in black and white. I was never a big fan of Fendi but now I'm really starting to pay more attention.

The Perfect Coat

This winter I really need a stylish warm winter coat. I had a nice long black one that got stolen from the coat closet at a very fancy, expensive restaurant earlier this year (they gave out no tickets, but apparently had a "system"). As a person who loves coats and clothes (some that are rare vintage items), I now look like a crazy woman because I have a complex of giving my coat to the hostess or host at any restaurant. Beware because some restaurants have small disclaimers somewhere that they are not liable for stolen or lost goods, even if technically their own hostess gave your coat away to another customer.

So an obession I have this season is the cream colored belted coat. I just think it looks so nice and fresh and will look good with anything. It is important thought to try the coat on with a sweater to see how bulky it may or may not look when belted up. Turtlenecks work great, especially black.

This Celine coat looks like a dream. Too bad its not in my budget, even though its listed as on sale. this week's US Magazine has Sarah Jessica Parker in her cream colored belted coat as she goes about town in NY. The coat fits her like a glove. I love her look with the boots. The hair though is another story.

Lotta Holiday Sale

I can't believe I haven't written about my friend Lotta Jansdotter (Anderson) earlier. We have been friends for years and years, and met through Maggie, my former roommate in college and in SF. Sweeden-born Lotta's goods are precious. I love her beautiful textile designs that are printed on bags, clothes, ceramics, paper, just about everything! Only Lotta could make the cutest aprons around. (Makes me want to cook more!)

She recently just relaunched her web site last week with a fresh new look that makes shopping online a breeze. A few people have asked me where else can they buy interesting and cute gifts for the holidays. I say look no further than Lotta Jansdotter.

Here are my picks:

The länga shopping tote ($78) is one of the most versatile and stylish bags I have. (Mine's in green.) I love that I can carry everything in it -- my knitting project, magazines, and handbag.

This chick zipper bag ($14) is cute to tote around your cosmetics, cellphone or anything else.

The tång pillow ($54 with pillow, $48 without pillow) is a great decorative addition.

2006 calendar linen towel helps you count the days and clean your kitchen.

The journals ($12.95) are great for the writers on your list.

And for you crafty people out there, you can also buy a 1 yard bolt of Lotta fabric to make anything you want!

Coquette readers, you can get 15% off your order by entering in the code HS15 during the checkout process. So what are you waiting for? Go online to www.jansdotter.com to get your holiday gifts. The discount is good from now until 12/22.

If you live in the SF/Bay Area, come by her shop to say "Hi" and see all her goods up close and personal. There will be additional items that are on sale only in the shop. The shop will have extended hours through the 22nd.

Extended Hours:
Sat 12/10 11-6pm
Sun 12/11 11-4pm
Thu 12/15 12-8pm
Sat 12/17 11-6pm
Sun 12/18 11-4pm
Thu 12/22 12-8pm

Lotta Jansdotter
864 Post Street
San Francisco, CA 94109

Knitting Dreams

If you really want to ask me what I want for Christmas, this is what I want - some precious time for knitting something for myself! i think the holidays are already getting to me. sigh. I always plan on trying to start making gifts earlier. I started in Nov, but started most of the projects halfway and put them aside. I guess the key is finishing them early...

I love knit designer Kim Hargreaves site. She's designed patterns for years for Rowan and has gone off on her own now. I love her fashion sense and these knit pattern kits are great because you get everything you need yarn, pattern, notions in a nice box. (I ordered the Joy sweater kit this past summer. I'm *almost* done with it. Just need to finish off another sleeve and the front section.) And sure its a bit pricer since she's based in England, but its nice to indulge once in a while. The sweater above, called Cherish, is a cute cropped cardigan that uses big (size 17) needles. Definitely a nice quick project.

I also love this crochet beret, Gem. I'm going to France for two weeks for the holidays (Paris and the Southwest area near Bordeaux) so I can picture myself wearing this all around the city and French countryside. Maybe its a quick enough project for me to whip up on the plane ride over?

That is what its all about I realized. Fast, cute projects. I need some major instant gratification for myself, after all the gifts I am making for everyone else. If I can even finish them on time!

Covers in Vogue

British Vogue online, Vogue.com is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a "Cover Archive" showcasing 156 Vogue covers from the past 89 years. (Thanks to Susan for pointing me to this!) I love looking back at fashion. I only wish they had all the covers that have ever existed. Of course, one of my all time favorites is one with all the supermodels above. Its fun to surf the archive because you can search by year, by model, by the artist/photographer, or just start clicking on the thumbnails and dive right in.

Here's more of my favorites:

Here's a fresh faced Kate Moss in her first cover back in 1993.

Naomi Campbell featured on this cover in 2001.

Claudia Schiffer is fresh on the scene in this 1989 cover. I can't believe how young she looks. Cindy Crawford is the same when you search for her as well.

This is a great vintage cover from 1957.

Digital Luxe

As I am still desperately trying to get my hands on the December issue of French Vogue these days (I think the guy at Borders is tired of my daily calls), I'm also trying to get my Christmas shopping list together. Here's some nice ideas for the techies who also love the luxe life. I love this Gucci cellphone case in gold as well as the iPod case with strap. I think this one is for the mini iPod but there are actually quite a few different iPod cases up on the Gucci site.

And for the Blackberry lovers out there there are 2 different kinds. I like the cutout blackberry case the best as you can still see the display without having to take the device out of the case. The other blackberry case on the right is nice too in chocolate leather.

Dior Homme has also come out with a handy iPod travel case. Nice that its sizable to be able to carry the charger, wires and cables. But not quite compact as it probably could be.

Another nice gift idea, a Dior Homme digital camera case. I like that this is still really compact and i like the length of the strap.

The Louis Vuitton cellphone case can attach nicely inside or outside your handbag.

Coquette Things - Holiday Dress Up

The one thing I love about the holidays is dressing up! There's nothing like putting on a sexy dress or heels that will put you in that holiday spirit. Here's some of my pics for the holiday party season.

Ella Moss Kelly Dress ($209)
A modern update to the little black dress, this one with polished bronze and gold studs. HOT!!

ABS Beaded Velvet Dress ($290)
A sexy take on crushed velvet with halter straps.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Silk Charmeuse Dress ($348)
A pretty, feminine dress trimmed with polka-dot lace and detailed with flat pleats.

Banana Republic Crystal Lattice Bracelet ($48)
I love the art deco style to this bracelet.

Pearl Talisman Bracelet ($188)
Nice touch of gold to any outfit.

Autumn Willow Earrings ($98)
Black stones hang from handtwisted goldwire in a leaf pattern.

Manolo Blahnik Strappy d'Orsay ($585)
Make a statement in these gold metalic stiletto heel shoes. Also in silver.

Arrivederci Peep-Toes ($418)

Just like the shoes in the glamours 30's and 40's. I love the vintage feel and the sexy high heel.