Bailaoragaditana's Aventuras

In the past few weeks, I've become obsessed with this sweaterdress from Victoria's Secret. I have tons of their clothing, but I'm normally not at all impressed with their seasonal lookbooks - the stuff tends to be expensive, impractical, or just plain ugly (I'm not big on "trends" most of the time, can you tell?). But this fall's lookbook is a whole other story... the stuff is *beautiful* and this dress is the most beautiful of all! It's made of Italian Merino wool (I'm a fan of Merino, because I'm a lifelong fiber snob and it's one of the few wools that doesn't make me itch) and it has boning and ruching at the waist to give a nicely structured hourglass shape - very vintage, or very Mad Men, as you prefer.

It comes in sizes XS-XL, and is available in Sugar Cookie (the beige shade) and black. I find VS sizing to be pretty generous (an XL will fit sizes 16-18-20 with no problem), especially in the chest area (which I need/appreciate!). I bought the black dress, obviously, because the beige will just maximize my boobs in an unflattering way :-( It's backordered until the end of November, but when I get it I will definitely post a few pics (and probably ramble about how fabulous it is) and make a look to go with it. I'm already thinking of the possibilities! :-p

In real life and actually-happening things, I've been packing, packing, packing in preparation to go back to England - I'm leaving Saturday night and landing in the seventh circle of Hell, also known as Heathrow Terminal 5, on Sunday. I have *way* too much stuff - books, clothes, bedding, makeup, toiletries,  and a few pairs of shoes - so I'm quickly growing to appreciate British Airways' relatively reasonable excess baggage rates. This is my excuse, really, for not posting very much in the past week. I probably won't be able to do any more looks until I get to Oxford, because I've packed 75% of the makeup I'm taking (I've got a TEN POUND makeup bag, and that's just the stuff in my carry-on!) and am working on the remaining 25%! But I'll definitely try to get a look or two in next week, to make up for being such a sluggardly beauty blogger! In the meantime, thanks for reading, have a great weekend, and stay fabulous!

Soooo... you know how I may have mentioned a while back that I've got another super-formal college ball coming up next spring? And how I've been looking for a gown and/or pattern for one? I have found it! The pattern is from Vogue Patterns, and it features a corset bodice (with your choice of straight-across or sweetheart necklines) and two different skirt options. I'm going with the fitted fishtail skirt - it seems like it'll be easier to move about in.

(You can see more details of the pattern here.)

So far, I've got fabric for the bodice: it's a lovely green-and-gold silk brocade, which will be lined with canvas (which will have the boning inserted into it) and then with a softer fabric to go next to the skin. The back lacings are going to be gold silk cord, and fortunately for me (and my ability to dress myself), they're only decorative, so I can fasten the corset up the front with hook-and-eye fasteners without having to re-enact the lacing scene from Pirates of the Caribbean.

I haven't yet decided on the skirt color, but I'm thinking it should be golden rather than green. What do you think?

I was in one of the Fashion Capitals of The World (caps almost obligatory) last week, and as a good portion of my day there revolved around Fifth Avenue and as much shopping (and window-shopping) as I could cram in, my friend and I saw many of the preparations for Fashion Week (putting up tents, etc). We also saw lots of amazing stuff that I will never, ever be able to afford unless I marry into a royal family.

But between my New York adventures and the Fashion Week coverage that I've been sort-of following online/in the newspaper, I've felt that these really aren't my kind of fashion weeks. Not only the prices, but also the styles, and the designers, and the general culture/concept of high fashion... it's interesting, but I don't really get it.

No, my idea of a fashion week takes place once a year, at the end of January, in the Spanish city of Seville. (http://www.simof.net/) It's a show of flamenco dresses, with dancing and singing even on the runways. And while the dresses may not be as different or as artistic as what's showing at Fashion Week now - I'm much more likely to buy and wear one of these babies!

(Specifically, this one by designer Pilar Vera)

Sexy, no?

If you want to check out more fabulous flamenco fashions, just mosey on over to http://www.simof.net/ - there's loads of different designers, and some seriously amazing dresses to drool over.

If you want me to stop rambling on about flamenco and Spain... sorry. I'll be posting some recent hauls and pictures from NYC as soon as I find my camera cable. And also some looks, I think. Until then, thanks for reading and stay fabulous! *besos*