Christian Lacroix, spring 2008

In my opinion Christian Lacroix is a genius and I've always admired his work. His fall 2006 collection was fantastic, so was the spring ready to wear collection the same year and all the 2007 collections impressed me as well.... but I have to admit I'm a little disappointed with his collection for spring 2008. Sure, there was a few pieces that carried the flavor of Lacroix -like the wonderful large bangles and crazy hats. But to be honest, I expected more from Lacroix for spring 2008. I've looked trough the pictures at style.com over and over again, making sure I haven't overlooked something... or maybe I'm just secretly hoping the whole Atlantis theme is going to grow on me. It's Lacroix, yet I can't find anything I'm really excited about... I was expecting to see more bright colours. Lace. Modern high heels. Personally I'm not so crazy about the prints. Oh well...





But let us look at the bright side! Even though the ready to wear collection was a bit disappointing, his couture collection looks fabulous! Not only that -he has designed a line for online store, laredoute.fr! They have also made a really fun website where you can navigate Lily Cole around in a Lacroix landscape.




pictures: laredoute, style.com

New York, New York...

I guess I'm not the only one who has a distant dream of living in New York City one day, right? The strange thing is I've actually never been in NY (or well, once. But that doesn't count considering the fact that I was a child and don't remember much). Why not Paris? Milan? Warsaw? Copenhagen? Stockholm? Berlin? Reykjavik?... places I've actually been to. I'm not saying these cities doesn't have their charm, but there's just something about New York. I guess those of you who actually live there are a bit tired of hearing about this, no? But maybe the fact that I've never experienced New York is the reason why I wish I lived there. I have this illusion of a fashionable city where you have access to about anything. Impulses from all sorts of different cultures. Sushi for breakfast, cute minidresses, fantastic heels. Fancy nightclubs and fantastic skylines. Interesting people. Fashionable events. Cool art galleries. Sigh. Speaking of New York, in the January issue of VOGUE UK they had an editorial with Lily Cole in urban New York settings. It's photographed by Arthur Elgort and is naturally called "New York Doll". Lily Cole's isn't exactly my favourite model, but her porcelain doll like appearance was fantastic for this shoot.



pictures: mixologies

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Lazy days!

Lack of updates lately. I've been really busy with school (that means practicing the art of sleeping with my eyes open while sitting up). Anyway, I have many ideas for new posts, so expect to see some soon :) But it looks like I'm having trouble with image hosting... my photobucket bandwidth is exceeded and I don't know if the reason is too many uploaded pictures, or traffic on my blog. I've also uploaded too many pictures on flickr. lol. So, I'll have to figure out what to do about this, I guess. ImageShack sucks and I refuse to use it. Any ideas?? Maybe I should just get my own domain, finally.

Dior, the sunshine in my life.

I can't exactly say I've been in the mood for spring fashion, but everything changed when I saw these wonderful details from Dior. Sigh. Wonderful.

I want a strapless minidress

There are so many gorgeous strapless minidresses this spring and I really hope some good lookalikes will make their way to the shops...
From the top: Balmain, Valentino, Armani, Gucci

So, avoiding spending money isn't working very well for me. I was at work the other day and went to have a look at Indiska when I had my my lunch break... leaving the shop ten minutes later with two shopping bags filled with scarves and jewelry. I wore this scarf and the new gold and orange bracelets today. Scarves, scarves, scarves... my mother is complaining there won't be much storage space left if I keep feeding this addiction. lol.

Daphne and Dior

If you read my blog you might remember my post on Daphne Guinness. Today I read another article about her on Times Online. She's such an inspiration to me and I just love the fact that she used to swim around in Salvador Dali’s lobster-filled swimming pool when she was a child. So if anyone's interested, here's the link to the article.

Speaking of Daphne, I found something else that made me think of her. If you ask me, she could wear everything from the Dior spring 08 collection. I'm not so crazy about the leopard part of the collection, but other than that it looks pretty nice. I love the fact that most of the outfits are black and white... who says spring has to be all about colour? The hats and large earrings look really cool, but the thing that caught my eye was Natasha Poly. She looks stunning in the picture where she's posing in the black bowler hat, vest and classy dress. You all know how I feel about trashy make-up, but it actually looks good on Natasha.

What's in my bag?

I was recently tagged by Thoroughly Modern to post six items I keep in my bag.


The bag.
One of my big obsessions is bags. Most people know I won't think twice about spending ridiculous amounts of money on a bag if I really want it. That's why I try to stay away from stores in my town that sell wonderful bags and purses. I can't control myself when it comes to bags. On my way to work the other day I noticed Morris was having a big sale and I just had to have a peek. Well, turns out this gorgeous chocolate brown leather bag is 50% off and I JUST HAVE TO HAVE IT. It's still expensive though, so I'll have to work a lot next week to save up the money :(
Anyway, at the moment I'm carrying around this wonderful brown leather bag by Balsac. I bought it over a year ago and still love it just as much as I did back then. I get compliments on it all the time. Like last week when a woman stalked me around H&M and suddenly came up to me, asking where I got it from. I told her and she continued telling me how lovely it was, how long she had been looking for something like it etc. But when she started feeling the leather it got kind of weird, so I left. lol.


Notebook, day-planner and a magazine/good book.
I go to school everyday so naturally I have to carry a notebook and pen with me at all times. Another thing I can't live without is my day-planner. I write all my appointments, homework assignments, tests, work hours, gym classes and personal encounters in it. I'm a total mess without it and don't remember anything. Usually a day without my day-planner results in angry calls and drama. I'm always on the run and usually carry a magazine with me to read on the bus, or when I get bored at school. But at the moment I'm reading "Livstid" (lifetime) by Liza Marklund. It's such an exciting book and I read a few pages whenever I get the time. The story is about a Swedish cop who gets killed in his own home. His wife is charged with murder and found guilty even though she claims she never killed him. Only her friend and a curious journalist believes her... I can't wait to find out what happens next!


Wallet, make-up bag a scarf.
Of course I always have my wallet with me. I feel naked without my credit cards and ID! My wallet is a cheap looking fake LV copy my dad bought for me when he went to Thailand a year ago. I hate it more than anything and I'm quite offended that my dad doesn't know how much I hate fake design stuff. But at the moment I didn't have a wallet and started using it. The only thing I like about it is the size -perfect. Still, I've been looking for a new wallet for a while, but always find something else to spend my money on. And then there's my make-up bag... not that I use a lot of make-up or anything, but I like to have it with me. I'm always running late, so it's nice to dab some mascara on wherever I'm at. Also, a scarf! I love scarves and if I'm not wearing one I have one in my purse, just in case I change my mind. It's such a great accessory. Love.


I'm horrible at keeping track of who's been tagged and who hasn't, so if you want me to tag you send me an e-mail, or something :)

VIPS -very important purses.

THE FANTASTIC FIVE:From the left: Hanne Tvedt (26), Elisabeth Saxvik Hatlem (25), Line Staxrud Eriksen (26), Marie Helene Engelsen Flatval (23), Helene Westbye (26)

Everything started in 2005 when the girls were sitting in the park, drinking fine wine and chit chatting. The idyllic mood is abruptly disturbed by the sound of a polyphonic ring tone. While her hands move desperately around the bag in search of the phone, it stops ringing -like so many times before. The idea of creating a more practical purse became the topic of conversation.

A messy purse can be so frustrating! That's why these girls decided to do something about the problem...

Two years later they had managed to get a designer and establish production of the purses in China. In April 2007 the first purses from Vips could be found at stores in cities like Oslo, Asker, Sandvika and Trondheim. Their first collection "Organized Chaos" had everything from small wallets to big laptop purses. Their second collection "Feminine Business" (designed by Helene Westbye) has shoes and belts as well.

Most of their purses are made of leather, but you can also find some models that are made of canvas. For the price of 1000NOK (or more) one of these feminine and practical Vips purses could be yours. Maybe you should visit their online store and have a look?

But Vips isn't just about good looks and practical solutions. They want all their workers to have good working conditions and a fair pay. Vips want to work with producers and suppliers who can fulfill these expectations. On their website it says, "With our producers in China we feel like we're building something together. It's a start -a good start." 30% of their profit goes to projects in India, where they are trying to establish and run their own school.

The perfect black dress...

I really want to find the perfect black dress. It feels like I've always looked for one, but never found the right one. Something that's timeless, classy and can be used for all sorts of occasions. So I've been browsing around the internet for a while and here are some of my favourites.

pictures: shopbop and bluefly

It's really late. I should get some sleep instead of thinking about getting a black dress.

Designer Sense shows us why layered necklaces are out and chokers are in for 2008.

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One bag, three different looks.

The other day while I was browsing around dailycandy I came across this wonderful bag from Poketo! The design is colourful and fun, with a print of a LV bag with FAKE written over it. Unfortunately they are limited and sold out, so you can't get it anymore... but Poketo! offers some similar designs (also limited). If I wasn't broke I would buy one right now. Hm, I might have to put my Mastercard to some good use ;) Not likely though, I'm a very responsible girl you see! (or well... my limit is already max-ed out. lol.)

January has to be the most depressing time of year. When I get up in the morning it's dark. When I get home it's dark. So for fun I decided to wear a bit of colour today. I really love this scarf, but hardly ever wear it. Bought it last summer at Rasmus.


Looking forward to:
-Gossip girl
-Ugly Betty
-Eating a bag of sørlands chips.
-Going out this Saturday. Havanna, baby!
-Getting my paycheck tomorrow.
-Moving to my own place soon :D


Not looking forward to:
-Test on Friday.
-Work on Friday and Saturday.
-Finishing my essay on Norwegian books (10+ pages).
-Having to cut down on some of my expensive habits when moving to my own place... e.g. shopping/partying :( replacement? electricity bills and paying for my own food.

Fill my glass up with Guinness. Daphne Guinness.

I've never been a Guinness fan. It's something about the taste that makes it so different from other types of beer. When I think of Guinness I get this picture of an old drunken man, who's sitting alone in a dark corner of a shabby pub and probably hasn't showered in three days. Maybe people drink it when their taste buds are so destroyed from ten years of chain smoking and drinking that the only beer that actually tastes anything is Guinness. Urgh, it's just horrible! Maybe I'll learn to like Guinness someday but for now I'm sticking to Budweiser, Tuborg and Newcastle Brown Ale. But even tough I think Guinness tastes horrible, I doubt any other beer brand has such a lovely heiress. I've become a secret admirer of Daphne Guinness and her style. She's a wonderful fashion stylist, film producer and, yes, a member of the Guinness brewing family. Known for her elegant and original dress sense and love for couture...

"The thing about haute couture, unlike prêt-à-porter clothing, is that you actually have to engage with the process and repeatedly go for fittings. Couture clothes last so much longer because so much work goes into them. [...] I still buy couture, but very little and very carefully, because it’s so expensive. The last piece was a small coat-dress from Chanel, which I’ve worn about 50 times already."

I really enjoyed reading this article about her at timesonline and find everything she has to say about fashion inspiring and refreshing. With LiLo, MK, Paris and occasionally the drunk "it's Britney Bitch" stealing all the spotlight, Daphne is like a long lost treasure. She's the perfect example of what Glam & Tonic is really about. The reason why I created this blog is my admiration to strong, intelligent, glamorous women and their fashion sense. Daphne Guinness being one of them.

"One of the problems with modern fashion is that people change all the time. There are very few people who keep their look through thick and thin – the Duchess of Windsor did. Years ago women had to make things last and clothes weren’t disposable – they couldn’t just go out and buy another thing."

"I grew up in an artists’ colony near Barcelona with Salvador DalÍ and the Surrealists, so my dress sense is very coloured by my youth. Everybody knew that DalÍ was the most crazy; you’d go to his house and he would have lobsters in his pool. Anything went, clothes-wise. You could wear whatever you wanted any time of day, so people would wear evening clothes at breakfast time, simple Catalan shoes and hats, lots of brightly coloured hippy kaftans, and a lot of French, tailored outfits."

"My weird obsession with armour might have come from the Surrealists. I have been making a metal arm as part of a four-year project. It’s jewellery but more a work of art. It’s made out of silver chain mail with a piece over the hand. I’ve been trying to make a pair of robot legs-style leggings for years, so when I saw the gold metal-look trousers by Balen-ciaga I thought they were so extraordinary that I really wanted them. Usually, however, I hate the concept of “must-haves”. Once something is a must-have, I want to put it in the bin. I know that sounds grand and horrid, but I don’t want anyone to tell me I need to have anything. I’m not very good at “It” bags, either. I’ve had the same bag for about five years and I can’t be bothered to get another one. So many bags are really heavy – especially those Chloé Paddington things."


So, to sum up what I've learned from Daphne:

• Instead of buying new stuff all the time and chasing all the latest trends, spend money on classic, versatile clothes with a great cut. It's better to have one pair of fantastic pants instead of ten you never wear.

• Why shouldn't you be able to wear whatever you want any time of day? I think people focus too much on what they are supposed to wear and what's "appropriate". Just because you're going shopping doesn't mean you can't wear the gorgeous new dress you just bought. Put it on and dress it down with a casual cardigan etc.

• Maybe it would be fun to attempt creating your own jewelry? Or D.I.Y something to put your own personal stamp on it... maybe not armour, but something else?

• If I ever get ridiculous amounts of money, invest in some couture.

And now you probably know what's next... as you all probably know by now I have a polyvore addiction and couldn't resist putting together some Daphne Guinness looks. Even though my personal style is completely different from hers, I would wear all these outfits.


Dress: DKNY Boots: Zappos Jacket: Thomas Wylde Purse: Vivre Armour bracelet: Vivre Rings: Hematite Pavé Ring, London Gold



Jacket: H&M Pants: Austin Reed Leather top: Topshop Shoes: Dior Purse: Chanel



Skirt: Oli Top: Dorothy Perkins Shoes: Instyle Ring: Ross Simons Necklace: Mint and Vintage Purse: Asos Underwear: Lindex



Sequin pants: Topshop Jacket: Topshop Corset: Oli Purse: Bag Borrow or Steal Wallet: Adasa Shoes: Wet Seal Accessories: Monsoon, Tarina Tarantino



Metallic coat: Wet Seal Top: Republic Skirt: Wallis Fashion Tophat: Village Hat Shop Lashes: Buy Costumes Shoes: Roberto Cavalli Ring: Max and Chloe Bracelet: Vivre


Also, when I searched her name the other day I found this wonderful scan from ELLE magazine on Daphne's amazing style. Love it.

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Enjoy the sweetest Christmas themed eye candy from Flickr at Fashionably Cute.

Find out how you can plant a tree by buying a Green & Gorgeous eco-friendly bag, courtesy of Fashion Fling.

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Glam & Tonic becomes a fan of Nicole Kidman after seeing her stunning outfits in the Golden Compass.

Spork Fashion talks to Twisted Silver jewelry designer Debra Mitchell about her inspiration, favorite pieces and plans for the future.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!

I hope everyone had an awesome night. I spent New Year's Eve with some of my friends. The food was great, the fireworks were spectacular and we had so much fun dancing. Couldn't ask for better company to share 2008 with!

So this was my outfit.

Dress: H&M

Jacket: Popin

Necklace: H&M