I didn’t know Topshop had a magazine, and even if I did, I wouldn’t have guessed that a store’s in-house magazine would be this good. This was given to me during my recent trip to Topshop.
It’s very fashion-forward and is very much like many other fashion magazines. It’s got trends, fashion editorials and features on bloggers. I really enjoyed reading it!
I was invited, along with a number of other bloggers, on Tuesday to a private event at Topshop to preview their new “Dress Up” collection. The line, which includes 12 dresses, is made up of fun, flirty party frocks. The ones we saw were sweet and girly, but there are others I saw in Topshop’s magazine that are more edgy and rock & roll.
Although they weren’t my style, I can imagine lots of prom-goers and teenage girls buying them for parties.
We also got to preview Meadham Kirchhoff’s micro collection for Topshop:
I got there earlier than expected, so I had time to browse (and shop) before the actual event. The beautiful Sama, walked me around the shop and explained each collection. I especially loved the Snake Valley and Nomad ones – very free-spirited and hippie. I bought a couple of items from those. See the below images:
The atmosphere was really easy-going and relaxed. It was my first time going to a “blogger” sort of event. I met some of my favorite Kuwaiti bloggers like MeBlogging and Ansam and was introduced to a few others.
We were each given a Topshop goodie bag – the goodies included a scarf, a couple of makeup items and a press pack. But the best thing was enjoying a 20% discount on all our purchases!
Thanks Topshop – especially Sama and Bedour – for a delightful evening!
Brilliant pairing of a pleated maxi dress with a cropped sweater. Plus, did you notice the “Minnie Mouse” ears? So cute!
Image: Streetfsn
I was just introduced to a new online shop called The Beachwear Shop. They’ve got popular beachwear brands such as Roxy and Billabong. Since it’s fairly new, there aren’t a lot of items, but they’ve got a Women’s, Kids and Accessories section.
Perfect timing for summer shopping. Check them out!
I love love loooooove Closet Candy’s Spring ‘11 Lookbook. Called Whimsical Wonderland, it is simply lovely to look at. The images are indeed whimsical, and are so ethereal and light and bright.. I absolutely loved it. More than anything, the styling is phenomenal!
I won’t do it justice, you must see the full lookbook here.
Penguin is just killing me – killing me! – with all these amazing creative collaborations for their covers! (See previous ones here and here)
Illustrator and cartoonist Jillian Tamaki is creating wonderful embroidered book covers for Penguin Classics. She illustrated the covers, hand embroidered them, and then the final design will be print embossed onto the book jackets. They will be available in October 2011.
See more images here.
Partners Ghaneema Al-Nassar and Fatma Al-Manaie are debuting their first furniture and home accessories exhibition, called “The Pillow Case” on Sunday 24th April 2011. In it, you will find chairs, side tables, pillows and other home decor objects. The collection, designed by Al-Nassar, is a blend of color, texture and prints.
The exhibition will take place at the Seham Banquet Room, Regency Hotel, Kuwait.
Date & Time: Sunday 24th from 5pm – 10pm, Monday 25th from 9am – 1pm and 5pm – 10pm
Today, April 22 is Earth Day, a day to raise awareness about the Earth and all things eco-friendly. All week long, I’ve been immersed in “green” projects, researching and writing articles for Green Week, so I thought I’d make this week’s Wonderful Weekend green as well.
Five super easy ways to go green!
What is Green Makeup?
Stella McCartney explains how she tries to make her brand eco-friendly.
The first sustainable green city in the Gulf.
A ship made out of plastic!
Four surprisingly eco and budget-friendly fashion brands.
Eco-friendly buildings around the world.
I’m not a vegetarian but this veggie blog looks yuummyyyyyy!
Another super duper veggie blog.
The planets in jars!
Look closely, those are humans!
Have a greeeeeeeeeeeeen weekend!
Image: Free People Blog
It’s Earth Day today. Appreciate our lovely planet, because there sure isn’t another one like it! At least not in this galaxy!
Image: Urban Taster
Navy polka dot shirt with rust colored pants. Unpredictable combination, yet it works so well.
Image: Late Afternoon
The food I make is almost always inspired by my sudden cravings. I probably only make things that I know I’d want to eat. I know bananas are not everyone’s cup of tea, but they are mine. And to me, chocolate, bananas and whipped cream are a heavenly combination.
This recipe is easy to make in advance. Ideally, it should be assembled a couple of hours before serving. However, it’s easier if you make each part separately, and then have them ready for assembly. The way I do it is I make the caramel a day before and I keep it in the fridge. On the day of, I make the cream topping, keep it in the fridge, then get started with the crust.
I made this in the evening, and took it to my friends’ gathering so I didn’t have time to take good photos. I managed to take one before we finished the entire thing.
Banana and Chocolate Cream Pie
Ingredients:
Crust:
1 packet (400g) Digestive biscuits
1 1/2 stick butter (melted)
Filling:
4 medium or large bananas*
Chocolate Ganache:
1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate pieces
1/2 cup liquid cream
1 tbsp corn syrup
Caramel Sauce:
1/4 cup brown sugar (dark or light)
1/4 cup liquid cream
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1 tsp vanilla
Topping:
200g cream cheese
250ml liquid cream
1/4-1/2 cup icing sugar (depending on how sweet you want it)
2 tsp vanilla
Directions:
1. Whip the cream, sugar and vanilla together until stiff peaks form. Slowly add in the cream cheese, mix until incorporated. Put in fridge.
2. Break up the digestive pieces and put them in a food processor to break them up into fine crumbs. Put them in a bowl, add melted butter and stir until combined.
3. Pour the crumbs into a deep pie dish and press down and up the sides to form a 1/2 inch thick “shell”. Set aside.
4. On a double boiler, or in the microwave, melt the chocolate with the cream. Stir until combined, add corn syrup and stir for a final time.
5. Pour chocolate into the bottom of the shell to form an even layer. Put the dish in the fridge.
6. After 20 minutes, start cutting the bananas diagonally into thin – but not too thin – pieces.
7. Take out the pie dish and arrange the bananas evenly on top of the chocolate layer.
8. Pour the caramel all over the top of the bananas.
9. Cover the caramel banana layer with the cream creating a mound sort of shape and with soft peaks. I like it when it looks imperfect on top.
10. Dust the top of the pie with chocolate or cinnamon powder (I used cinnamon, but I the next time I might go with dark chocolate powder). Or decorate with chocolate shavings.
*I never cut the bananas beforehand, because they can brown if they’re peeled and stay out for a long time.
I recently came across Miss Moss – I mentioned the blog on one of the Wonderful Weekend posts – but I never told you about one of my favorite features on it. Basically she does these really interesting Color Comparisons, where she compares fashion photographs with paintings.
They remind me of my Color Palettes, only this one is more artistic and probably takes a LOT more effort!
I know this is a little bit late in the weekend, but I was super busy this week. I’ve been tied up in meeting after meeting. I experienced my first “casting” (I had to sit there and judge people – so tough!). And I think the sudden bursts of sandstorms in the country is starting to get to me. That and the stress of a very important task that we were hired to do! My colleagues and I were hired to create a photo shoot for a client! It was super stressful, but the result was AMAZING!
On that inspiring note, I’ll leave you with several more uplifting things..
Ok so this is not a positive note, but it’s one all new bloggers must learn!
Key Spring ‘11 pieces to incorporate into your wardrobes.
When architects design handbags.
Can you recognize these two?
I was guest curator at hot jewelry site Boticca! Check out my feature!
I’ve been listening to this song non-stop this week.
Mindy’s Reality Roundup is my favorite part of the Ellen Show!
Oh my goodness, doesn’t this recipe look divine?
Hard work really does pay off! Khaleejesque was selected to take part in the 100 Most Authentic Arab Brands competition. Support us and vote!
Have a proooooductive weekend!
Image: We Heart It
This week for some reason, I feel like a truckload of sand was just poured over me, and I have to find my way up. Stress is just one of the major things I’m experiencing. The fact that the weather is so dusty isn’t helping either.. I just want this week to end!
Image: bluefaqs
My latest style crush does earth tones perfectly. The white tee balances out the pants, and that gorgeous lipstick shade ties it all together.
Elle US goes botanical in its February issue. One of my favorite models, Devon Aoki, who I’m sooooo happy to see grace a recent fashion editorial, dons some of the prettiest floral designs from the Spring 11 runways.
The editorial, Parks and Recreation, photographed by Carter Smith and styled by Mario Grauso, is a colorful delight!
See the full editorial here.
