Elizabeth Taylor @ Christie's

Once in a lifetime chance to see Elizabeth Taylor's collection of art, jewellery and eveningwear at Christie's London...I couldn't resist!!!

I am still speachless...here is a few of my favourites...

The Daisy parure, a suite of diamond and multi-gem "Reine Marguerite" jewelry, by Van Cleef and Arpels.

I love this one because I think it's the most 'wearable' one...I think it would look great on a white t-shirt!

Estimate auction price: $200,000-$300,000

A kunzite, amethist and diamond "triphanes" sautoir, by Van Cleef and Arpels

estimate auction price $70,000-100,000

A Chanel ballgown, cape, shoes and matching clutch bag

estimate aution price $6,000-8,000

Cultured pearl and diamond bracelet by David Webb

estimate auction price (with necklace) $60,000-80,000

The Elizabeth Taylor diamond, a rectangular-cut diamond ring of 33.19 carats

estimate auction price $2,500,000-3,500,000

La Peregrina, a natural pearl, cultured pearl, ruby and diamond necklace by Cartier

estimate auction price $2,000,000-3,000,000

You can detach the bottom part of this necklace and use it as a brooch. The story says that Elizabeth Taylor lost the bottom part of the necklace for two days; it was then found in her dog's mouth. 

I hope you liked this post...and if you're interested the auction will take place in New York, December 2011



The Louis Vuitton neverfull...

Hello everybody!!!

I thought about you bloggers yesterday when I was packing my neverfull Louis Vuitton bag and then realised that it was actually FULL for once...I had a busy day running around London!

Here is a picture of my bag with my cousin's little dog in it...she loves it in there!

A quick word about LV...did you know that the LV monogram fabric is NOT leather??? I also think their quality has gone down hill compared to the past. My bag is clearly not the same quality as my mum's Vintage one...I love mine anyway and was one of the best presents ever!!!

xxxTheSecretClosetxxx

Ciao a tutti!!

Ho pensato a voi bloggers ieri mentre preparavo la mia borsa Louis Vuitton modello 'neverfull' (mai piena) e mi sono resa conto che in realta' era piena zeppa...ho avuto una giornata piena girovagando x Londra!

Questa e' una foto della borsa con il cagnolino dei miei cuginetti...adora stare nella borsa!

Una nota breve su Louis Vuitton, sapevate che il tessuto usato per le borse NON e' pelle??? Inoltre la qualita' e' molto peggiorata rispetto al passato...la mia borsa non e' allo stesso livello di quello della borsa vintage di mia mamma...comunque la adoro ed e' stato uno dei piu bei regali mai ricevuti!!!

xxxTheSecretClosetxxx



To buy or not to buy full price (take two)

Talking about nail varnish...I thought I'd share with you my favourite 2011 sandals before they go back in a box until next year. As you can see these are some beautiful Chanel, classic, black sandals. And they are one of the reasons why I know that buying full price is often not worth it...

In fact, I bought these beauties for a reduced price in a second hand boutique...I then realised that Chanel had a very similar model on sale in their 2011 summer collection for 3 TIMES the price!!! OH MY GOD! That's what I call the bargain of the century!!!Don't you think???

Parlando di smalti...ho pensato di farvi vedere i miei sandali preferiti dell'estate 2011 prima che tornino nella loro scatola fino all'anno prossimo. Come potete vedere e' un sandalo nero, classico di marca Chanel. Sono anche una prova che comprare a prezzo pieno molte volte non valga la pena...

Infatti ho comprato questi sandali ad un prezzo scontato in una boutique di seconda mano...poi mi sono accorta che Chanel aveva un modello molto simile nella collezione attuale pero' al triplo del prezzo!!! Ragazze, questo e' l'affare del secolo, non pensate???

O.P.I.

Quest'estate le nostre unghie sono state "vestite" da O.P.I.

Ora che l'estate e' finita non c'e' ragione per cui abbandonare quest'abitudine ;)
Quindi ecco a voi alcuni dei colori che abbiamo scelto per la prossima stagione...

This summer our nails were wearing O.P.I.
Now summer is over but there is no reason why we should break with tradition ;-)
So these are our favourite colours for the autumn/winter 2011...

 


Ed ecco l'ultima novita' O.P.I. Effetto 'shatter'
This is the latest O.P.I. trend. Shatter effect.

Che ne pensate? un  must direi ;)
What do you think? it's a must for the new season!!!

The keys to my heart...

Hello everybody!

After a week of Chanel treats, it's back to jewellery again!

This time I'd like to share with you my new charm found in Portobello market...

It's 9 carat gold and there is a hallmark on every key. The nice thing is that all the keys are held together by a ring that can not be open so I will never lose any!

Can you read the 'secret' message? I spotted this charm from a mile and I knew I had to have it.

And you know what the best thing is....? I found similar ones for sale in Liberty for nearly FOUR times the price so I know it was a bargain!!!

xxxthesecretclosetxxx

Chanel treasure hunt REVEALED

Dear all!

The time has come to reveal where and why there are Chanel logos on lamp posts in London...

-The borough is Westminster. The photo I posted yesterday was actually taken outside the Thomas Goode shop on South Audley Street in the heart of Mayfair.

-Why??? as Classiq rightly said, Coco Chanel had a relationship with the Duke of Westminster in the 1920s and people say he put the Chanel logo on the lamp posts to make her feel at home and special whenever she visited London. I guess it's a gesture of Love!

that's all folks!

Remember you can 'like' my blog using your facebook account!

xxxthesecretclosetxxx

Chanel treasure hunt!!!

Hello everybody!

Today I'd like to play a little game with you...

There is a borough in London with Chanel logos on the lamp posts...

Do you know where this is? and why???

I will give my answer tomorrow! xxxthesecretclosetxxx

The world of Chanel @ Harrods

Dear followers!

Did you have a nice weekend?

On saturday I had time to pop into Harrods to check out the 'World of Chanel'. It consists in two pop-up shops on the ground floor: a beauty and fragrance counter and a fashion & accessories 'grotto'. The latest is AMAZING, being there is like a dream.

There is also a Chanel 'promenade' on the third floor with some historic pieces and art explaining the history and heritage of the Chanel brand...wonderful! No pictures allowed so you'll have to go and see for yourself!



For the occasion, Harrods has been completely re-styled including lions on the lifts doors (first picture), Chanel flags, all Chanel windows to the front of the shop (an example in the second picture) and Chanel themed doors (third picture).

What do you think of the Chanel brooches on the owls? I have one myself and I love it! You can pin it to a blazer, to a cardy or even onto a fabric bag to add a very special touch!

This 'World of Chanel' event at Harrods just adds to the charm of this department store...did you know they still have THIS???

What can I say...WOW!

xxx thesecretclosetxxx

LONDON VOGUE FASHION NIGHT OUT

Hello everybody!!!

I have just about recovered from the London Vogue Fashion Night out and I am ready to share with you my experiences of the evening.

I started the night by hitting Roger Vivier for Champagne and Truffles. There, a fashion illustrator drew a sketch of me...

The illustrator was so talented! Don't you think? Can you recognize the bow (see next pic)?
The night continued in Harvey Nichols with a milk jar full of delicious cocktail!

Complimentary face painting was offered and I couldn't resist...here are a few examples!

This is me! Do you like the design?

Next stop: MIU MIU! here I did some celebrity spotting...Pixie Geldof was checking out some bling trainers!

This is a glimpse of my outfit...I wore a H&M coat over a Miu Miu dress and Miu Miu limited edition bag.



The night finished in Liberty where I had a look at some scarves and charms...

I am so looking forward to next year's FNO and in the mean time I'll be waiting for your feedback!

xxxTheSecretClosetxxx

VOGUE FASHION NIGHT OUT

Hello my dearest readers!

Just a quick note to say that I will be attending the Vogue Fashion Night Out in London today!
I will be in Sloane street for a Champagne and Truffle session and then hitting Bond Street & surroundings!
For the occasion I am wearing a blue Miu Miu dress with Ferragamo bow ballerinas. A big hint will be my Miu Miu bag...there are only 7 in the world, so catch me if you can!

xxxTheSecretClosetxxx

A match made in Heaven

Hello SecretCloset readers!

Today I want to talk to you about matching accessories...When I buy a bag, I always think it would be nice to buy the matching wallet, make-up bag, key holder etc...but then I think that I am already overspending on the bag alone so forget the accessories. Plus it would be just like going into a shop, seeing something you like on the mannequin but then buying the whole outfit, it's a sign of lack of imagination.
What happens with me very often is that I buy an itam and then a later purchase happens to match it perfectly!!! Does it ever happen to you?

So this is my match made in heaven...

one of my favourite bags...Miu Miu...bought a few years ago; matched with a brand new Prada wallet...

I guess it helps that they are from the same designer so the color is not completely different. What do you think? Do you like this match made in Heaven???

xxxTheSecretClosetxxx

an owl who takes flight only at night...

Hello everybody!

I don't know how many of you read the post about me on my friend Kirsty's blog but it inspired one of my antique buys at the weekend...the post was about Kirtsy raiding my shoe wardrobe and admiring some of my favourite shoes (Chanel & Miu Miu...have a look here!). She took some lovely pictures and wrote about me that "She's no peacock striving to boast her best side, but more of an owl who takes flight only at night - so only those looking are able to see its beauty"
So this is what I found at the weekend...

It's a beautiful black laquer box with gold details.



Do you like the shoes? What about my antique box?

xxxTheSecretClosetxxx

To buy or not to buy full price

Hello boys and girls!

I am back after a weekend of BBQ, painting and antiques' fair...!!! Today I wanted to talk about the dilemma of buying full price or waiting for the items on our wish list to go on sale...
Here is an outfit that I wore on saturday to visit Borough Market. I bought the dress and the shoes at the beginning of the season and therefore paid full price (or almost) for them.

The dress is by Miu Miu cruise collection 2011 whereas the shoes are Prada, bought with a small reduction (15%) in Liberty when snow was still on the pavements in january. Everybody thought I was completely crazy to buy such expensive items so early in the season. Well, I think I made the most of them and consider them as two of the best buys of the year. As you can see from the second picture I started wearing the LBD in the winter for a night out, if I could I would wear that dress everyday!!!

Just for your interest accessories in the first picture are as follows: Dior heart charm bracelet, Ice watch and Gucci bag, H&M cardigan. Second picture: Topshop cardigan, Ice watch and Longchamp bag.

So was I right to 'splash the cash'? Do you buy full price to be sure to have the item? Or do you wait risking never seeing it again?

Let me know xxxTheSecretClosetxxx

The last summer waves...

Hello everybody!

Just a little announcement to start...this blog has now reached it's first 1000 views! I know it's nothing compared to other blogs but you've got to start from somewhere right? Plus, I kind of abandoned you for 2 months or so!
Today I'd like to share with you my favourite shorts of summer 2011. They combine two summer trends: lace and cut out fabric. I love the effect of the wavy fabric, do you know any other shops where I could find this cut??? I saw some cheap tops in Topshop but they didn't suit me at all! :-(

L is modeling the shorts for you today...

Almost forgot to mention the brand! They are from Max & Co...

I think you could carry on wearing these in the winter with very dark tights paired with these Louboutin ankle boots which are also part of our secret closet!

What do you think???

xxx TheSecretCloset xxx

Another Chanel treat

Hello everybody!!!

Thanks a lot for the feedback on yesterday's post and since you loved the Chanel scarf I thought I'd share with you another one of my Chanel treasures. First, a bit of history about Chanel bags. I HATE hearing people say 'I'd like to buy the classic chanel bag' meaning the CC logo one...

This is NOT the bag that Coco created. The CC is a later addition by Karl Lagerfeld to revamp the brand! The classic bag looked a bit more like this:

The point is that you did not need to have the logo on as the distinguishing feature was the chain!!!
So now that I've set the record straight let's have a look at this VINTAGE beauty...

What do you think guys? I know it's not the classic bag but I love it because I have never seen another one like it and when I wear it I am sure I will be the only one in the room with that particular model! I ususally wear this bag with jeans and a cream shirt...Simple!
Just a little piece of advice...always check the authenticity of the bag you are purchasing! This can be easily done by going into your local Chanel branch where they will send it to Paris for you to receive a certificate!
I look forward to hearing from you.
xxx TheSecretCloset xxx