Fall in Love With Bottega

A loyal fan of Bottega Veneta's timeless style and its signature Intrecciato leather? I have some great news for you, the brand's boutique at Villa Moda Shuwaikh has received new deliveries of bags, clothes, shoes, and accessories for fall. And guess what, they have 2 pieces of the most covoted bag, the Cabat, in size medium and large and in a very timeless color. Tan. Just in time to treat yourself for Eid.

Little Black Rock Chic Dress

My third AlOthman's fall fab find? This Vanessa Bruno little black dress which will take you to fall and beyond. To me, it didn't look that tempting on the hanger, but when I tried it on, I instantly fell in love. The dress taps into the glam rock trend of the season with its middle zipper and cascading sleeves. The LBD can be worn on its own with platforms for night before the weather gets chilly. Alternatively, you can layer it over a shirt and pair with ankle boots for daytime. So I guess I'll be needing those metallic lilac booties after all. The dress is retailed at KD 149.

AlOthman is located at Mariam Complex, Salem AlMubarak St, Salmiya. For inquires, please call (+965) 575-4954.

Dazzling Devi

Here's my 2nd fall fab find at AlOthman. Razzle dazzle the crowds with this show-stopping over-sized Devi Kroell clutch in eclectic and luxurious leather. I love the combination of two different textured leathers. AlOthman also has it in a different to-die-for colors and a smaller size, yellow mustard and rich purple. simply fab! This is definitely not a one-season wonder. Makes me want to get the hobo bag as well...

What do you think of Devi Kroell creations in general?

Call Shoe Addiction Hotline

How many ankle boots does a fashionista really need for a season as short as Ms. Ronson's hair?! I have a couple of booties already and I'm sooo tempted to add these Christian Louboutin Sigourney ankle boots to my found treasures. The metallic lilac color of the boots and the edgy panel ribbed detailing score high on my fashion points. Me like a lot.

Hippy Haute

Time to share with you some my favorite fall picks at AlOthman. Channel the spirit of bohemian 70's hippy chic with this colorful and rich dress by Issa. With it's opulent prints, delicate ruffles, and semi-sheer fabric, this easy-to-wear dress would be the perfect choice for receptions and semi-formal dinners. For an edgier and daring look, pair it with a fur vest cinched with a leather belt. Price tag? KD 269


AlOthman is located at Mariam Complex, Salem AlMubarak St, Salmiya. For inquires, please call (+965) 575-4954.

The Scene Stealing Heels

I'm head over heels in love with Cesare Paciotti's Harlequin platform heels. I love how colorful and quirky the heel looks like. Goes perfectly well with this season's minimalist dresses, harem pants, and architectural tailoring. Forget the rest of your accessories as these babes will make one hell of a fashion statement. I doubt it if the Cesare Paciotti's boutique at Dar Al-Awadhi will receive these strikingly beautiful platforms. I couldn't find it online...

Color My Pixels

I never knew how utterly I am infatuated with the 80's until I saw this funky-looking 80's/modern Pixel Sofa by Spanish-born designer Cristian Zuzunaga, a 2007 graduate from the Royal College of Arts in London. For some reason, the pixels reminded me of the 80's and how commonly they were used on t-shirt designs and music clip background. Designer Cristian Zuzunaga believes that the pixel is the icon of our time and has designed a Pixel Couch that will be produced by Danish manufacturer Kvadrat and sold through Moroso. I want one!

And the Award Goes To...

So you all have probably seen the red carpet arrivals for 2008 Prime time Emmy Awards. The gowns selection were rather disappointing. However I did like Mariska Hargitay yellow Grecian style asymmetrical Carolina Herrera gown and Olivia Wilde's romantic silk chiffon Reem Acra gown.

Who was your favourite?

Here Comes The Bride

As a bride-to-be, your most memorable experience would probably begin with the wedding gown. It has to be perfect, special, and with no detail overlooked. The type of gown which would make your loved ones and enemies shed a tear. Either at the beauty of the gown & the bride, or in your enemy's case, green with envy. So where would you go if you're not planning to custom-make your gown in Europe or Lebanon? Not very far actually..

AlOthman Bridal store, located in the romantic and beautiful surroundings of La Fontaine Centre of Contemporary Art in Bahrain, will surely accommodate your taste as you will be dressed to perfection in luxurious and intricate wedding gowns by the biggest names in fashion such as Monique Lhuillier, Oscar De La Renta, Giambattista Valli, and shoes by Christian Louboutin. Here's a sneak peak of the beautiful bridal store.








AlOthman Bridal store, located at La Fontaine Centre of Contemporary Art, 92 Hoora Avenue, Manama 306, Bahrain. For inquires, please call (+973) 17 280282.

My Weekly Picks at Goji Boutique

Just in at GojiBoutique.com, even more eccentric deliveries to fill up your online shopping cart. This week, I’m going for the cocktail dresses (which I instantly fell in love with when I saw them at the exhibition).

Prepare for after Ramadan weddings and parties and work your chic evening look to perfection with Christos Costarellos’s soft “Lanvin-ish” looking cocktail dress. I love the big flower with lace details going across the right side and back of the dress. Price tag? KD 665.

For a cocktail dress with a modern edge, choose Costarellos light brown silk and chiffon cocktail dress with asymmetrical silk straps in electric blue, light pink and light brown. To add a mix of romance with punk rock, pair the dress with a tuxedo jacket and a pair of killer platform heels. Price tag? KD 510. Costarellos dresses are guaranteed to add glamour to your evening look without serious damage to your account balance or credit card.

Event: Travel to Villa Moda Shuwaikh

I have received my invitation, nicely designed as a boarding pass, for an event hosted by Villa Moda Shuwaikh in cooperation with NBK. Basically you get a chance to view Villa Moda's fall 2008/09 collection, the new Dries van Noten shop and get an exclusive cash back voucher worth 10% of your purchases for one night only (on top of the regular Villa Moda VIP discount). This voucher then can be used in any other Villa Moda location.

The event will take place tonight at 9:00 PM at Villa Moda Shuwaikh. Canapés and drinks will be served, and there will be live music band. The event will last until midnight, and the store will be closed to the general public and only VIPs with invitations are allowed.

Burberry Wood Embers Candle‏

I got this from Burberry's press office, this autumn Burberry launches a candle designed by Christopher Bailey, Creative Director of Burberry. The candle is the third in a seasonal series and follows the Crocus Candle launched in Spring Summer 2008 and the Hearth Candle which was launched in Autumn Winter 2007/08. The scent of the candle evokes the cosy and welcoming sense of warmth and comfort felt when coming in from the cold elements of a traditionally British winter. The burning time of the candle is approximately 50 hours.

The Burberry Wood Embers candle will be available in selected Burberry retail stores worldwide from November. Price: 35GBP/40 Euro/50USD.

Donna Karan Soon at Salhiya Complex

Donna Karan boutique will be opening in October 2008 at Salhiya Complex (Mezzanine 2, next to American Retro and opposite to Kenzo). I hope they'll be getting the latest collection and not what's available in their old stock. Especially the evening wear, as I've started to appreciate some of Donna Karan's silhouettes, some of them can be incredibly sensual and classic chic pieces. Speaking of which, I can't remember the last time I bought from this brand. Let's just hope that this season would see more creatively designed uber-chic items.

A-Muse Me - Part II

1. Balmain Cocktail dress


2. Bill Blass ruffled top


3. Halston's day-to-night dress


4. Devi Kroell oxfords

And that's only the beginning of my soon to be mile-long to-buy list from AlOthman, thanks to their latest edition of MUSE, your Fall/Winter guide of what will be available in store. The handbag friendly fashion catalogue, features the season's trends and key looks, a list of all designers AlOthman represents, some very "a-MUSE-ing" quotes by the designers sharing their inspiration behind their latest collections, and best of all, dainty post-it stickers saying "I love it" or "I want it" to easily mark your selections throughout the pages of MUSE in case, god forbid, you forgot an item.

Now if you'll excuse me, got some fashionable reading to continue here...

AlOthman is located at Mariam Complex, Salem AlMubarak St, Salmiya. For inquires, please call (+965) 575-4954.

Lace For Less

Prada's demure lace look was featured in every fashion magazine I have seen lately. And we all know what that means? There's going to be plenty of it in high-street stores and other designers will produce "inspired" items. So it was no surprise when I saw this luxe black silk organza lace pencil skirt at Max Azria's boutique at Arraya Complex. Loves it!

So how do I wear it and give it that modernised look? Think layering up the lace with a contrasting color like baby blue a la Prada style. And go easy on the accessories, the lace itself will do the job. Pair it with a preppy top or a fitted simple leather jacket. Price tag? Around KD 200.

Another option for those who want to channel Prada minus the credit damage, is this Zara black lace short sleeves dress with a slip underlay. It's not as nice as the Max Azria skirt, but you can layer it over a turtleneck, long sleeve blouse to master the trend. And if it means anything to you, its from Zara's limited collection. Price tag? Around KD 27.

AlOthman @ Villa Moda Bahrain

Here's a sneak peak of one of my favorite boutiques (heart heart heart) AlOthman which has recently opened at Bahrain's ultra high-end shopping complex MODA Mall, located at Bahrain World Trade Center's (BWTC). AlOthman @ Villa Moda has recently opened with a very contemporary and retro sleek look. Among the numerous brands that are displayed at the boutique, you will find clothes by Giambattista Valli, Elie Saab, Erdem, Devi Korell, Proenza Schouler... and more. And if you haven't heard yet, AlOthman already has it's Bridal Store at La Fontaine Center of Contemporary Art. Brides-to-be would be thrilled to know that they can find bridal wear by Oscar de la Renta and Monique Lhuillier.

Ladies just so you know, MODA Mall, the two 50-storey landmark twin towers, is the ultimate shopping destination for all fashion junkies visiting Bahrain. The mall is run by Villa Moda and houses the largest and most exciting array of high-end stores. So next time you pay Bahrain a visit, you know where to spend your cash.

Event: Five60 Ramadan Exhibition

You are invited to attend an exhibition held at Five60, which is located at Al-Rawda, Block 5, Street 60, House 4, opposite Jamal Abdulnaser Park, on Thursday 11th September starting 8:30 PM to 12:30 AM including:

• Trendy darra'as and dresses by Rodayna Al-Nouri, Fajer Al-Saqabi and Shorouq Al-Sharhan
  
• Trendy accessories by Faten Al-Mashaan
  
• "Nazik" Indian silk scarfs brought by Abdulazeez Al-Anjery
  
• "Organic food" by Abdelazeez Al-Anjery
  
• Candy Bouquet by Abrar Al-Humaidhi
  
• GerGai'aan by Elham Al-Thamer

And the Shoe Obsession Continues...

This season it's all about fashionable feet. From knee high boots, to quirky ankle boots, to bold pumps. So if I would buy 12 pairs of quirky looking and stylish shoes, I would invest in these carefully-picked foot candy from world's best designers. Sigh... Decisions.., Decisions... Decisions...

Balenciaga

Chloe

Chloe

Chloe

Nicholas Kirkwood

Bruno Frisoni

Christian Louboutin

Miu Miu

Stella Mccartney


Halston
Charlotte Olympia

I think this selection would add mega watt attitude to any outfit in your fall wardrobe. So which pair of shoes you've been eyeing for this season?