We have a new home . . .

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please come and visit us at our brand, spanking new address:


If you still would like to receive email updates of the striped tee posts, 
please kindly re-subscribe in the top top right hand corner of the new site
(unfortunately we couldn't carry your details over in the move).
 

Love Chloe & Elise
the striped tee

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Agent provocateur.



Oh the joys of being of 6ft tall with legs not far behind... Well you can pull off a sheer dress sans pants, for one. And, no, we're not talking another Lady Gaga or Taylor Momsen pantsless episode, which just so happen to be regular occurrences nowadays anyway. Photographed here in beautiful Paris (oui oui), Polish model Anja Rubik actually manages to look somewhat demure in this see through chiffon lace number. Maybe it's the fact she's wearing a full brief underneath? I think those never-ending pins might also have something to do with it... but under-things aside, let's turn our attention to THAT dress! The cut! That detail! Those cute 3/4 sleeves! And perfect mid-length! Ohh... It's love.
As you might have guessed I now really want need one for my own. I needed to investigate.

And then. 

Or a suitable copy at least.

What's more, it's on SALE, along with the entire Shakuhachi Pre Fall 2011 range. Everything online is up to 60% off - I'm literally salivating over the keyboard as I write this - And my dress, available in three different colours, also comes with a mini slip for those of you who prefer to keep their bits under wraps. I highly suggest you check out the sale here, it's only while stocks last!


NOTE: Neither of The Striped Tee duo comes even remotely close to 6ft, much to our disappointment.

She does as she says.


Spotted: Gywnnie rocking the very outfit she showcased in one of her recent weekly newsletters from GOOP. She copped a good bit of flak for this edition, chastised for being ridiculously out of touch after recommending a wardrobe of summer basics that came in at around $18,000 in total. Meh . . . I could not have cared less. I'm all for a little aspiration, without it life's as bland as beige. I was happy as larry to see her looking envy-inducingly good in this Étoile Isabel Marant mini dress and a pair of Givenchy Crossover Leather Sandals en route to a Beyoncé concert in London. And for all you literal ladies out there - you do not have to buy this exact look. Simply find something of the like and style it in a similar way. Even better, give it your own twist. You'll look (almost) just as good.

Pics: GOOP & Just Jared

You'll be wanting these pants.


Isabel Marant has done it again, casually churning out another cult piece that will be seen on just about everyone by the time the northern hemisphere summer is out. Ms Moss has done her bit to ensure this happens - slipping on a pair while the eyes of the world were on her in the lead up to her wedding. There will be copies popping up soon, but for those who like your style authentic, you can buy the originals here.

Pics: Zimbio

it's bananas!











Apologies for the hiatus, it's not been for lack of inspiration, more so lack of time! 
How about this Resort 2012 Collection from Rachel Zoe? Personally, I die! This is her second offering since launching the Rachel Zoe line in January, and whilst this collection isn't breaking any new ground for Zoe with its Seventies-inspired tailored pieces, it's certain to be a crowd-pleaser. I for one could happily buy every single piece. Obviously Resort 2012 is not yet available for purchase, but you can shop her first foray here.

Pics: Rachel Zoe Collection

the striped rug







  

There's something about American interiors that really float my houseboat. More specifically, the Cape Cod/Hamptons-esque style featured here. An integral part of this aethetic is the generous and cosy crisp white spaces, punctuated with accents of blue (typically in shades of royal, navy and cornflower). There is really no better way to work this combination, than with a striped rug. It's relaxed and casual yet crisp and sophisticated at the same time. And if you ask me, you really can't go wrong with anything blue and white, it's my fave colour combo of all time.

girlfriend can dance!



I just had to share this clip, after making the discovery that Nicole Richie is a girl after my own heart. Fan of Britney - tick. Lover of loungeroom dancing - tick. Propensity to dance to Britney in said loungeroom - big tick!
Watch her work some seriously impressive moves during a dance-off to Britney's past hit, 'I'm a Slave for You' with her mate 'Scotty'. Richie shared a link to the video via twitter, with the message:

“In honor of my queen @BritneySpears - Can’t wait to dance tonight!”

Video: Nicole Richie's Facebook Page

carnal flower




I have been wearing Carnal Flower for just over 6 months now and never before have I had so many people, both men and women alike, tell me that I smell good and ask me what I'm wearing. Created by Dominique Ropion for Frederic Malle Editions de Parfums, this is a fragrance that packs a decadent tuberose punch. Ropion (a star 'nose' who has created fragrances such as Victor & Rolf 'Flowerbomb', Lancome 'Tresor in Love', Dior 'Pure Poison, Carcharel 'Amor, Amor' and the first fragrance I ever fell in love with - Ralph Lauren 'Safari'), took almost 2 years to perfect his creation, which is said to have the highest concentration of tuberose of any perfume on the market. Other delicious notes include Bergamot, Melon, Eucalyptus, Ylang Ylang, Salycilates, Jasmine, Orange Blossom, absolute Coconut and White Musks. I had been a longtime devotee of Serge Lutens, Fleur d'Oranger, content in my surety that no other fragrance possessed the power to make me switch. That was until I came across Carnal Flower. And the rest they say, is history.  

Carnal Flower EDP 
50mL - $335 AUD //100mL - $490 AUD

It's all part of the plan.


A very talented ex-colleague of mine has a brilliant blog called Checks & Spots, on which she shared this little gem last week. It sure struck a chord with me (oh the time I waste on past dwelling and future fretting!), and so I wanted to pass it on.

Pic: Checks & Spots

This is good. Really good.



I am married to the love of my life, who also happens to be a veg-aquarian. Who only really eats fish to be polite. So for a girl who comes from a long line of carnivores (we're farming stock, after all), that meant a whole lot of head scratching when it came to dreaming up dinner choices. Six years on, I'm proud to say I have the vegie dinner thing sussed, with a whole swag of meat-free recipes now filling my cooking repertoire. One of my newer additions is this Penne Puttanesca dish, courtesy of Mario Batali (arguably one of the most recognized and respected chefs working in America today). It's insanely delish. One forkfull of this and you'll (almost) never think about bolognese again.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Penne Alla Puttanesca
Recipe Courtesy of Mario Batali
Makes 6 servings

8 to 10 salt-packed anchovy fillets
Kosher salt
6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 medium red onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  2 cans diced tomatoes
Tomato paste
1-1/2 to 2 teaspoons hot red pepper flakes
1 pound penne
2 tablespoons capers
1/3 cup pitted Gaeta olives, coarsely chopped
1/3 cup coarsely chopped fresh Italian parsley
Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano for serving
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Drain the anchovies, pat dry, and coarsely chop them.

Bring water to a boil in a large pot and add 3 tablespoons kosher salt.

Meanwhile, combine the oil, onion, garlic, and anchovies in another large pot and cook over medium heat, stirring, until the onion is lightly browned and the anchovies have broken down, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 3 minutes. 

Remove from the heat. Drop the pasta into the boiling water and cook until just al dente. Drain, reserving 3/4 cup of the past water. Add the pasta and the reserved pasta water to the tomato mixture and stir and toss over medium heat until the pasta is well coated. 

Stir in the capers, olives, and parsley and serve immediately, with grated Parmigiano on the side.

Image + Recipe: www.mariobatali.com