My sophisticated style in a nutshell.

I'll have one of everything thanks, Tom Ford.

It's not unlikely that people ask me who are my favourite high fashion designers. Usually, I have a few in mind but in all honestly, it's not that easy to find designers who really epitomise your style, capture your personality and reveal a slight alter-ego from within and this is just from a collection of beautiful pieces (supported obviously, by the right brand philosophy).

Generally my style is generally metropolitan sophistication meets luxe embellishments otherwise a 21st century Great Gatsby meets Holly Golightly is perfect too. Imagine a pair of perfect cropped Balenciaga cigarette pants, an extravagant loosely beaded camisole (Oscar de la Renta) finished off with a pair of classic sky-high Louboutins, Yves Saint Laurent le smoking tuxedo jacket and a luxe Celine tote and a fierce lashing of Tom Binns cocktail jeweller...yes that is really me in a nutshell.

Designers? Think Yves Saint Laurent, Isabel Marant, Armani...and now: Tom Ford. Tom Ford captures the allure of ultimate feminine sophistication in a range of to-die-for pieces. The pictures below really speak for themselves as I'm left completely speechless! Enjoy.

XO LC.

On my Christmas Wish-list...

This is my current desktop wallpaper. Hope it's subtle. And I hope everyone sees it.

Frock yourself into the festive season.

So many Christmas parties, so many frocks.

With just over a month left until Christmas fever really hits, I've kept my eyes open for the ultimate party frock, in particular one which can take me from day to night and without the need for snide 'Didn't she wear that yesterday?' comments. Hypothetically speaking, of course. There's something about Christmas which makes me feel the need to either be understated and effortless for day (pastels, sequins and chiffon) and over the top, ostentatious, extravaganza (Daphne Guinness meets Studio 54) at night. Here are a selection of statement frocks that will take you from 'now' to 'wow'.

Day ONEBaby-doll silk crepe and lace dress by Rosamosario.

Night ONE:Bead embellished dress by ADAM.

Day TWO:

Silk flower and pleat embellished dress by 3.1 Phillip Lim.

Night TWO:

Chain embellished pailette dress by Balmain.

Day THREE:

Angel-silk jacquard dress by Alexander McQueen.

Night THREE.Strapless lace corseted dress by Jason Wu.

XO LC.

Have yourself a merry little pre-Christmas.

Would it be okay to put these Chanel Christmas ornaments on my Christmas wish-list?

I know that I've been going crazy for Christmas and pre-Christmas celebrations and traditions right now but if there's anything that's motivating me to get my current work over and done with, it's definitely Christmas. With all Christmases, it doesn't help that my favourite department stores (David Jones- Sydney, Bergdorf Goodman and Saks- New York) have already started going a little crazy with beautiful glass decorations, amazing flourishing real (or faux-real) trees, tradition carols played on the piano-forte, piles of designer gift-wrapped presents and buckets of faux (or real) snowflakes. In two words: beyond bliss.

Every year since I was very little, we've always had a Christmas tree which my sister and I would decorate with baubles and dangly things we've accumulated and collected over the years. It would be a mid to late November tradition and we'd always have more fun in concept because building a Christmas tree is no simple business (as fellow Christmas tree builders might know) and before you know it, all that's missing are a big pile of boxy presents which we patiently wait for on Christmas Eve.

However, unlike every other year, I've just recently learnt that my mum threw out our Christmas tree as I recently moved (a year ago) into my own place which is a lot smaller and admittedly I'm sure that a 2.9m Christmas tree will go very nicely with my high ornate ceilings but might simultaneously eat up all the space available in my living room. Instead of watching television, I think I might find myself watching the tree. Lucky me.

In a celebratory manner, I think that it only seems like a slight blessing in disguise that for once I get to decorate my own tree, my own way to suit me and my interiors. I've been looking for some chic XMAS inspiration which connotes a polished and stylish appeal. Something cheap and chic and ultimately, very 'me'. An affordable tree is first on my to-buy list followed by some beautiful embellishments to jazz it up a little bit...or a lot, depending on my mood which is usually unpredictable and at times, spontaneous.

Silver themes may appear a little frosty (no pun intended) whereas gold looks a bit more regal, proper and conservative, multi-coloured trees can look a little over the top and out of place (or at least, a good idea at the time) whereas red, gold and green can seem to be a piece shot out straight from Santa's Workshop. This year, I'm sensing intricate snowflakes, Hallmark glass baubles, and layers of clear crystal beads and absolutely NO TINSEL or GLITTER as, from experience, tinsel usually equals post-Christmas mess and glitter equals tackiness. Sigh.

Still, there's a lot of thinking to do, a lot of inspiring to consider and a lot of pizzazz to execute. And there's seriously nothing stopping me from calling St Nick himself for a different opinion...and definitely Karl Lagerfeld for the last word.

Christmas dilemmas would be solved if only this Dior by John Galliano Christmas tree fit through my front door...

XO LC.

All I want for Christmas...

It's already a pre-Christmas season frenzy!

I know this sounds crazy (especially in the end of October) but I cannot wait for Christmas! There's something just so much fun about the festive holiday season where food, friends, family and fabulousness just comes together in a very positive and harmonious way! As a result of this Christmas excited-ness, I'm already making my wish list along with a gift list for my family and friends and if there's anything I'm getting out of it is, Christmas will surely be extremely costly this year!

I think the older you get, the more expensive the gifts become. Gone are the days when you'd get away with receiving a cute Barbie doll which would bring a smile to your dial. As someone who works in fashion, if I were to get a Barbie doll, you can expect it to be a Christian Louboutin Barbie doll at the very least not because that's on the top of my Christmas wish-list but because it's who I have become.

Right now, it's all about less presents but in saying so, more pricey presents. Quality overrides quantity and I believe Christmas is no exception. It's unlikely you'll spend $20 on a gift other than a Kris Kringle occasion. I have a 12 year old sister and she has made sure that this year I must buy her a M.A.C Christmas make up gift box (nothing more and nothing less) to ensure her a Merry Christmas. Starting young indeed. My 8 year old cousin has also reminded me that he would just LOVE a box of lego and at $70 a pop, what's not to love? Other than the price...

Now, I'm not complaining about buying Christmas presents. If anything I love the idea of 'the gift of giving' which I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to do. There's nothing more rewarding than seeing the smile on someone's face after you have given them a beautiful gift. A gift which you know they'll treasure for at least a week before some cooler, better, more amazing thing comes into the scene. Until then, there's nothing to really worry about.

So all in all, the purpose of my vent is to show how much I love Christmas especially the idea of presents. I know that Christmas is about so much more but the power to put a smile on someone's face is just such a powerful and satisfying feeling and if that's the rewards I reap as a result of gift giving, then the opportunity and experience is just priceless.

XO LC

Home inspired Part TWO.

Probably the cheapest way to jazz up your home on a weekly basis.

Okay, it's official. I'm a huge sucker for divine flowers and floral arrangements in regards to the idea of interior decorating, actually make that, especially in the area of interior decorating.

There's just something so beautiful about organic, soft, buttery petals that fabric and furnishings can't really compare with. My favourite flowers are peonies (blood red in Autumn/Winter, pastel pink in Spring/Summer) but I'm extremely willing to enhance my floral knowledge and vocabulary. I'd love to be the type of person, elaborate but knowledgeable, who can just enter a cute little flower shop and say confidently 'One bunch of (insert unique flower name) please!' and there you have a weekly home garnish of a sophisticated name!

I've also figured that fresh flowers are also probably one of the best ways to brighten up your home for a great price. I don't mean to say that one must spend an extravagant amount for a humble bunch of fresh flowers but it's probably cheaper to buy fresh flowers on a weekly basis than it is to say, buy great fake flowers which you will always look at and know that it's fake. Plus you can completely alter floral designs to be something different each week leaving you room to play with different floral emotions and feelings which you want to connote in your own home. It's seriously a no-brainer. I'm disappointed I didn't think of this before.

You can be sure to know what I'll be up to this afternoon, flower shopping! I'll be sure to twitpic my floral arrangement this afternoon so keep your eyes open for a new bouquet every week. Plus, if there's anything else I learnt out of this: it is a lot less painful to pay $20 for a bunch of flowers than $800 for a new Missoni pouf. Point taken! Good day!

PS: I also love how flowers remind me of LOVE.

"Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower."

Hans Christian Anderson.

XO LC.

Craving right now: Laduree

Now, this is total French Chic...what's not to love?

XO LC.