Marni at H&M: Behind the scenes

As we slowly approach the long awaited launch, I thought I'd start getting y'all hyped up about the collection (as if you're not already). After seeing the entire spread, & getting seriously up close & personal with each piece, I still have a LONG LONG LONG list of things I just wish I got. Like what? OH SO MANY! But since sharing is caring, I'm hoping what I missed out on, the rest of you will actually get your hands on (especially since I know like me you've got a long list of things you've been lusting over) & I hope you get to enjoy them immensely. 

I feel like this launch is our ground hog's day.  Officially letting us all know that winter is almost over & summer is right around the corner.  Hope you enjoy the clips I'm posting up & that they give you just the right amount of 'OOMMPHH' that you'll need to queue up at 8 am on the 8th!

xoxo for now ma PFFers,

P.S. I've already broken most of my New Year resolutions like working out so I'm hoping that knowing summer is right around the corner will actually work in my benefit & get me back on track!

P.P.S. Clip of the Day: Do you guys wanna see a couple of your favourite models, actresses & bloggers walk the red carpet & give you their two cents on the Marni at H&M collection? Well, here ya go! Enjoy! & I'm seriously crushing on Milla Jovovich! She's in her late 30's & she's still looking better than EVER!

P.P.P.S. Song of the Day: Just Say Yes by Snow Petrol (I thought I wanted a song about being a millionaire because I wanted to shop till I drop while shopping for the Marni at H&M collection but then I came across this song & changed my mind. They're coming the day after the launch & I hoping I'll make it & that they play this song! Absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE this song & this band. Gorgeous!)

My oh My Wardrobe!

I was kinda just surfing the site & came across one of the coolest monochrome shoots EVER & thought I'd share! There's something super attractive about something super simple! ABSOLUTELY LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS & the geniuses behind this shoot! I've come to the realisation that some of my favourite online stores have the most attractive, simplistic & enticing shoots. They seriously make you want to buy everything they've got because they make it all look amazingly attractive!

I've wanted a pair of antelars for a while now but these (& this image in particular) just sealed the deal

xoxo for now ma PFFers,

P.S. I seriously can't wait till the my wardrobe is launched right here in the Middle East! It's coming soon my lovelies so stay tuned!!!

P.P.S. Lust of the Day: Lovely ladies, here I present you with the beyond gorgeous 31 hour bag by Mr. Phillip Lim. Again, I know I've mentioned over & over again just how much I love him! But just in case I haven't emphasized it enough, it's for creating master pieces like this bag that make me go absolutely GAGA over this brand & this designer in particular. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Wanna get your hands on it? Thanks to my wardrobe you can now!

P.P.P.S. Song of the Day: Let's Forget All The Things We Say by Julia Stone (I had no clue Julia Stone was releasing a solo album. Did you? Well, if like me you're shocked, here's the first single off that album & I'm still kinda confused. Not sure if I like it or not. What do you guys think? Her voice kinda sounds too child like without the balance of her bro which is probably what's throwing me off! Would love to know what you think!)

YAAAAAAAAY Marni at H&M!

I've had one hell of a day, hell a year even. But today most definitely takes the bag as one of my bestest days EVER in Dubai. It all started on Thursday morning, where I found an e-mail in my inbox asking me if I wanted a shopping experience of a life time. I, of course, said yes! I wanna be the first one on the list even if I had to wake up at the break of dawn to do it. Why? & more importantly what was it that made me jump at such an opportunity? DUUUH! Marni at H&M because I would FINALLY get to see (& actually buy) the long awaited collection. I must admit, having seen a couple of these pieces & collaborations for over a decade now, this one by far is the BEST.  & the set up at the H&M store in Deira City Center was one to be enjoyed & quite honestly absorbed REALLY SLOWLY. I can honestly say, I have no clue how I ever shopped in any store/boutique without this VIP treatment.  I had an hour to browse, enjoy & see all the pieces up close & personal & then make my final decision. Being the nerd that I am, I had already shopped in my head & knew what I wanted for almost everyone in my family.  However, couldn't take any home until the official launch on March 8th (it's going to be delivered to my front door the day of! Am I excited? YES INDEEDI!). Here are a couple of pictures from my lovely morning thanks to my photographer de jour aka THE MOST AMAZING guy on Earth (after my hubby of course) Waseem. Who was patient enough to wait while I tried everything on & gave his opinion on everything (ladies, this gem is single).

Waseem & I bright & early making our way over to Deira City Center (I thought Mirdif for some sort of silly reason so it's a good thing HE was driving). Thanks Cafe Nero for our morning caffeine dose! Wasmi's definitely grateful!

Me: 'Wasmi I see it!' Wasmi: 'Where?'

I walked in feeling like a kid in a candy store & wishing I had a WHOLE lotta cash in my bag... Alas, it's good to walk in with nothing & walk out with a warm fuzzy feeling of owning a couple of pieces from this collection

Waseem striking a pose & checking out the men's collection (Bahrainirants had a list of WANTS on the list)

They looked YUMMY up close too!

The men's section is JUST AS YUMMY! 

Jamila showing us the pieces of the collection before we (more like I) went CRAZY

Where do I start? OK, what my family wanted!

OMG LOVED this hat & you WILL be seeing me around town this summer sporting this!

Yes, I was THAT excited!

The pieces I got my husband, mother, sister, & myself

Paying... (weeeeeep)

All packed & ready to go... until the 8th that is!

The incredible H&M ladies & gentleman (he DJed while we shopped)

xoxo ma PFFers,

P.S. Thank you to the entire H&M team especially Jamila! You were AMAZING & made this shopping experience an even better one. Thank you also to Ayman Al-Saleh from Bates Pangulf PR for making me feel like a VVIP today!

P.P.S. Link/Store of the Day: Surf the H&M store site now before the 8th of March & decide what pieces you're crazy about & want to introduce into your wardrobe! I promise you it'll help you survive the hustle & bustle of the 8th! & make sure you have your favourites & back up favourites just in case! Believe me this entire collection is to be coveted!

P.P.P.S. Song of the Day: Next to Me by Emeli Sande (Heard this song on the radio & fell in LOOOOVE with it! Absolutely beautiful lyrics, beat & artist! I hope you enjoy it too! Sending you all lots of positivity this grey & dusty day in Dubai)

Ready to Go: Casual Cardi

Do you know that feeling at the gut of your stomach, when you're lazy, wanna be comfy & somewhat style savvy as well? Yes? Ok, cause that's how I've been feeling ALL week! I'm obsessing over comfort dressing maybe it's the weather, maybe it's my lack of exercise so I'm feeling a lil chunky in all the wrong places. Not too sure but I kinda feel bizarely off this week & hoping by jump starting my work out routine again I'll finally get back into the swing of things. Anywho, this day, I was off to get a couple of errands done (yes, I was planning on cooking a feast for ma sister & da hubby) & wanted to get back home to start cracking on my latest cooking attempt. Hope you like my ensemble for a quick grocery stop & day full of cooking...

What I'm Wearing: 

Hoodie Jumper by All Saints: I bought this a while back & I'm absolutely in love with it! It's super comfy & I used to wear it constantly while travelling because the hoodie becomes a protective blanket that can cover your entire head & face.

Top by Hometown Heroes at Urban Outfitters: I got this last summer while on a quick wedding stop in Hamburg, Germany (you must try the curiwurst-think that's how they spell it). One of Bahrainirants closest & dearest friends was tieing the knot & so we flew out for a weekend to celebrate the nuptials. What everyone failed to inform us was how bloody cold that city is even during the summer. We ended up running out & buying a bunch of warm-ish wintery pieces & as you can tell this wasn't one of them.

Jeans by Diesal: Bought these also a while back with my younger brother. They fit like a glove & have been wearing them for ages now & simple can not get enough of them.

Socks are Bahrainirants

Shoes by Dr. Marten: I bought these while on our honeymoon stop in Singapore. I fell in love & decided that I simply could not live without them. The thing is they're SOOOO new & the leather is SOOOOOO tight they keep seriously damaging my feet which is why I've resorted to wearing serious socks to protect my poor dainty feet from their aggression (until they get a bit more soft & supple)

Seiko watch at Dubai International Airport: If you haven't noticed yet, I'm obsessed with my old school Japenese (well now Chinese) made vintage inspired watches but what won me over with this one is that the date is in Arabic & English.  & the arabic bit is super cool because I don't remember the last time I saw a watch with anything arabic on it!

xoxo for now,

P.S. So, I've mentioned earlier that I'm super into cooking lately. Being a good wife & all so I thought I'd show you a lil snippet of what I made & all the stages. Thought I'd get grossed out but it's surprisingly not too yucky when you're the one doing all the cooking! Galleries Lafayette have THE yummiest selection of food & everything! Super fresh but with a pretty rough price tag.

My first roast EVER! Sorry about the gross image of the slab of meat pre-cooking!

P.P.S. Beauty Gadgets of the Day: If like me, you suffered with bad skin most of your adult life & have tried almost anything & everything under the moon to perfect your on again off again good (let's face it we have to keep counting our blessings) skin. Then, also just like me, you're constantly on the look out for new tips & tricks to keep it looking refreshed & clear so thought I'd share a list of DailyCandy's gadget must haves in spreading the love & sharing good skin juju with y'all!

P.P.P.S. Song of the Day: Exhale by Robin Thicke (See, it didn't really hit me that Mrs. Houston was gone until I heard this cover & remembered exactly where I was when I heard this song for the first time. I remember my parents not letting me go with them to the movies to watch 'Waiting to Exhale' because of the ratings-yes I was that young- & how when I finally watched it a couple of years later I didn't really understand why they didn't. It wasn't as 'graphic' as The Bodyguard & I was allowed to go watch that with them. I miss the 90's & most importantly Whitney Houston may she rest in peace)

Marni at H&M: The LA Launch

I'm sure there are many young ladies (like me) waiting anxiously for the launch of Marni at H&M! This collaboration by far has been the best in my opinion & I'm sure I'm gonna keep saying that because they really do pick even better collaboration for each season.  & I must admit that I am beyond (& I mean it) ecstatic about March 8th. Why is this collection so coveted? Well, simply put, (a) it's Marni with all those gorgeous prints, fun fabrics & accessories, (b) it's a price tag we can ALL afford. 

I've attached a couple of images of the LA launch party that took place a few weeks ago. A whole lotta celebrities showed up, wearing a couple of pieces from the collection! Enjoy!

Felicity Jones and Jessica Chastain wearing Marni at H&M, together with Margareta van den Bosch, Creative Advisor at H&M.

Consuelo Castiglioni, Rashida Jones and Sofia Coppola (Rashida & Sophia are both in Marni at H&M)

Bryan Ferry performing at the launch. I'm sure Avalon was one of the most songs requested. Don't get it? Click here for a refresher.

Lykke Li in Marni

Freida Pinto wearing Marni at H&M

Drew Barrymore wearing Marni at H&M. That necklace is definitely on my wishlist!

Milla Jovovich wearing Marni at H&M

Elisa Sednaoui wearing Marni at H&M

xoxo for now my PFFers,

P.S. I personally can NOT wait & have allocated every Wednesday for a Marni update until the day of the launch. Excited? I am indeedi!!! Can NOT wait! So until then, start compiling your wish lists & hopefully I'll be seeing you all there (keeping my fingers crossed)! Thanks to H&M for the images!

P.P.S. Lust of the Day: I saw this while trying to put myself to sleep last night on net-a-porter & just had to share. Totally & utterly in love with them. Whatchu guys think? The price tag is a bit much but... a girl can dream can't she? LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!

Thierry Lasry Acetate Sunglasses at net-a-porter for £236.25 AED 1,372.65

P.P.P.S. Song of the Day: Little Talks by Of Monsters and Men (Ok, so I've had bloody MGMT's song Kids stuck in my head for days now! I have no clue why I keep waking up to it & I was super close to posting it up as my SOTD but wanted to save you guys the pain & annoyance. So, surfing through YouTube, I came to this song & absolutely LOVE it! A cute, more upbeat song to start your day with! Hope you likey! 

Blooming Under the Billowing Sea

One of my favourite things to do each season is walking by & discovering what Bloomingdales' new window is gonna be about & with each season, I am never disappointed.  For summertime, they've taken us under the sea. The theme couldn't have come any sooner, since the weather is slowly heating up here & I'm personally looking forward to a dip or two in a sea/ocean somewhere soon!

Large submarine windows, with submarine sounds! Is this cool or what?!

If you didn't know whether or not this summer was gonna be bright, happy, & a ton of fun... Well, thanks to Bloomies, now you do!

The attention to detail is bloody fabulous! Can you find the 'b' hidden in the bottom of the Bloomingdales ocean floor?

More 'b's' floating about! Love the fluorescent colors

Look at the faux bubbles floating about! How cool is that?

xoxo for now ma PFFers,

P.S. I'm so sorry I've been MIA for almost a week! But I spent most of Thursday catching up on my NYFW shows (click here to see what designers I loved for F/W 2012) & didn't get a chance to post up anything till today! PLEASE FORGIVE MOI! Oh & forgive my misspelling of Bloomingdales I was rushing to finish stuff up last week! It's been stressful!

P.P.S. Link of the Day: Nothing goes better with summer time, then summer hair styles. Saw this on DailyCandy & I just had to share. Nothing is more fun to work into your sunny wardrobe then a flapper do! What I like the most about it is it's easy to do! Just make it more you & way more relaxed which is weather friendly & be off to your dinners &/or stroll!

P.P.P.S. Song of the Day: We Built This City by Starship (I absolutely love this song! I've also been watching the show 'New Girl' & I absolutely LOVE the twists they made to it. Oh, & if you watched the latest Muppets movie it's on there too! Love the 80's! LOVE!)

My Dream Summer Wardrobe

As the weather starts warming up on our side of the Globe (yes, it's getting warmer by the day) & with Winter 2012 shows taking off across the fashion world, I thought I'd keep your hearts keen & racing for summer wardrobe updates! 

3.1 Phillip Lim at shopbop $750 AED 2,754.21

I've been in love with jumpsuits (& Phillip Lim) for a very very long time now & this drawstring print one reminded me why! It is fun & quirky & I'm absolutely in la-la LOVE with it!

Carven at my wardrobe for $625.63 AED 2,297.49

A fun print is a definite must in anyone's wardrobe for spring time & this map one is super unique & fun! I saw a blogger last night in this & I promise you it looks just as cool upclose!

Elysee Blazer by Alice+Olivia at shopbop $367 AED 1,347.73

Ok, my love for blazer's has officially been reborn thanks to my Miss Selfridges one but now I think it's getting a bit out of hand because I want nice & bright ones for Summer time. This one definitely is at the top of my list

Boy. by Band of Outsiders at shopbop $1,095 AED 4021.15

Absolutely in LOVE with this entire look from head to toe but it's the blazer that I'm focusing on here. Again, I told you, I'm obsessing over them & my love for this brand is what got me hooked. This lovely jacket can take you back into fall & will transition perfectly when the weather starts cooling down again (I know I'll go back to focusing on that warm fuzzy summery feeling again)

Girl. by Band of Outsiders at net-a-porter £236.25 AED 1,369.60

I am sooooooooo utterly in love with this dress! I feel like I wanna run through a field wearing it (or through the vast Emirati desert! Such a cute, feminine, & flirty dress perfect for summer or if you're super in love with it & wanna wear it now just throw a cozy cardigan over it to make it more winter friendly! I'm telling you I'm super in love with this brand!

3.1 Phillip Lim at shopbop $850 AED 3,121.44

I never, ever, ever thought I'd ever want to own a blue trench but after seeing this... I desperately want one! I love it & is perfect for everyone who actually has transitional seasons because it's light enough to throw on & warm enough to wear without making you over heat. I think the color blue compliments a lot of GCC tones. I don't know why but I like this color on almost every single one of my family members & my friends. Something about it makes us look less pastey/yellowy ironically.

Oscar de la Renta at net-a-porter £205.62 AED 1,192.03

I'm going through a bizarre earrings thang! I'm drawn to them & I wear them constantly. The thing with these earrings is that not only are they bright but they also remind me of these old coral earrings my mother has. Call me old fashioned but I'm obsessed with floral carved coral & although these are sea glass I'm still gonna be dreaming of them! Hate that they're clip ons though!

Prisma Tote by Alexander Wang at shopbop $685 AED 2,515.51

Again, I love the color blue & I think a tote is the perfect accessory for summer time running errands or vacationing on the beach. They're light & super dynamic especially one like this because it can be a casual daytime tote & can transition into evening very easily. Why? Because of the hardware around the corner & the color!

xoxo for now my PFFers,

P.S. I'm so excited that summer's right around the corner & that I can finally go tanning! Ever since I got my scars removed, my DR has told me to basically shy away from the sun! But after almost 6 months since ma surgery, I can now plaster on layers of sunblock & go frolic in the sea! I seriously am like those little 5 year olds that just run around when their in the water & now it's gonna be just as exciting if not more.

P.P.S. Video of the Day: This is definitely for all you ladies who have grown up watching the gorgeous David Beckham run around football pitch after football pitch! & yes, the collection is out across the GCC! Maybe a perfect V-Day gift for your man? Just an idea!

P.P.P.S. Song of the Day: How Will I know by Whitney Houston (of course I'm gonna give tribute to one of my favourite artists of all time. It might even be for this entire week! I love this song & the lyrics used to mean OH SO much to me when growing up & I'm sure it did/does to a lot of ladies out there too! Enjoy!)