A Blonde in Beijing becomes…
Blonde with a Baby!
I hope you will follow me on this new journey – full of blonde motherly moments, fashion advice for the spit-up savvy, fun tips on traveling with a tot, and must-have product reviews.
Tag Archives: fashion
Great Bump Pics from The Great Wall
25 JanMorgan and Brett Hutchinson
From the day we found out we were expecting little Olive Bee, we joked about how one day she would reach an age when telling people that she was born in Beijing, China would seem like bragging rights. Well…since we stripped her of that joy – we thought the least we could do was take photos of her in utero on The Great Wall of China. A big thank you to photographer Diego Ferrini and to make-up artist Meili Autumn.
Brett and Morgan Hutchinson
Morgan and Brett Hutchinson
Photography by Diego Ferrini. Make-up by Meili Autumn.
Please stayed tuned for A Blonde in Beijing’s big blog move….coming soon!
All images courtesy of Diego Ferrini.
Barbie Baby Shower in Beijing
7 AugIt is no secret to those who know me that I am a lover of all things Barbie. So when my dear friends here in Beijing decided to throw us a baby shower – the theme was apparently a “Barbie Doll Brainer”…i.e. a no brainer. Not to suggest that creators behind the famous doll do not have brains…it is just that if you literally squeeze the doll’s head, it is hollow – there is no plastic brain. Perhaps something Mattel should think about adding…
While my Ken doll, Brett, was in the know, the shower was a total surprise to me! What a fun treat to find all of my Beijing beauties dressed in their “Barbie Best” to celebrate the upcoming arrival of Baby Olive Bee. And while the actual brunch baby shower was a surprise, I was not surprised at all to find that these special ladies had covered every detail – including a preggers Barbie centerpiece! I will now let the pictures do the talking…
The brunch menu – complete with my face super-imposed on the Original Barbie. Each place setting came with its own pair of shoes and matching handbag…Barbie size of course!
Playing with the pregnant Barbie. She and I really bonded that day as we were the only guests not partaking in the free-flow of pink champagne!
Preggers Barbie Centerpiece
How cute are these custom Barbie cupcakes??
More of the cutest cupcakes… by Lollipop Bakery in Beijing
Brett and I with KC Connolly – i.e. Ghetto Fabulous Barbie!
2 of our Barbie Hostesses with the Mostesses! Neon Barbie Megan Connolly and Lena Abed as Skipper.
The very pink party table sprinkled with Barbie Shoes…
GIFT TIME! The must-have onesie for our future New Yorker.
Thank you ladies for all of the amazing gifts…snuggly blankies, her first Qipao, the cutest teeny tiny socks I have ever seen, and enough clothes for me to change her “look” multiple times a day. Let’s just say…you all know me well!
With our very own petite size Happy Family Set – Ken, Barbie, and Baby!
It is tough to get this many Barbies to focus at the same time… Thank you to our wonderful hostesses!
Outside of MODO, a fabulous choice for the Barbie Brunch Baby Shower, in Sanlitun village.
I would like to say another BIG Barbie THANK YOU to all of our sweet friends who organized this celebration in honor of our little one. Being pregnant and planning to give birth in China is certainly a unique and sometimes challenging experience, but having the love and support of such great friends is a true blessing.
Through the Seasons: Suit Up
25 JulIn need of a suit? If so – lucky you! Thanks to numerous ready-to-wear designers, buying a suit is no longer a sentence into conformity. Not to suggest that the chicness of a well-tailored, classic black suit in a high quality fabric is on the outs – but why not jazz it up a bit with something a little more inspire? In reminiscing through seasons past – I tried to find options to “suit” a variety of tastes. Whether you are a lover of color, prints, or a modern take on shape – here are a few inspirations for SUITING UP!
An off-white look is a nice alternative to classic black. The cape-like sleeves offer an additional element of style. John Richmond Spring 2012
Only Balmain could take their typical motorcycle jacket look and turn it into a sexy, yet very wearable suit. Balmain Spring 2012
For the VERY bold and beautiful. Sonia Rykiel Spring 2012
A bit of whimsy with a touch of sophistication. Although…the hat is really not that “office friendly”. Moschino Spring 2012
This could read “men’s pajamas” if not properly tailored – but suits with prints are certainly a current trend. Stella McCartney Spring 2012
Sleeveless in Suitville! Here is an alternative approach to the basic suit shape. Rachel Roy Pre-Fall 2012
Metallic – why not? Chadwick Bell Fall 2012
This could go “part-time CLOWN” fast – so be sure you have the right body type and accessories to go with it. Duro Olowu Fall 2012
For the print lover. Derek Lam Fall 2012
Tired of the same old shape and color – this will certainly mix it up. Peter Som Fall 2012
What a great way to liven up a basic black look. Also perfect for “dirty hair” days when you need to wear a pony. Dion Lee Resort 2013
Casual Fridays? What could be more perfect than a denim suit? Gucci Resort 2013
How about a little color? Versace Resort 2013
Yigal Azrouel Resort 2013
A modern twist on a classic. Alexander McQueen Resort 2013
I am liking the idea of a printed tux for ladies…not so much for our counterparts though. That just reads, “PIMP”. Roberto Cavalli Resort 2013
Happy Suiting!
Think Pink
23 JulWhile having a little girl on the way is relatively new to me…having the color pink on the brain is certainly not! That said – it has enhanced my love of the color even more – which I didn’t think was possible. And – it seems that I am not alone in my affinity for all things PINK. Numerous designers used the girly hue in their resort collections. I believe that many of them chose the specific Schiaparelli shade that you see below to pay tribute to the brand’s big comeback. I personally cannot wait to see who will be named the new head designer of the infamous label. Waiting on PINK pins and needles until September…
Fendi Resort 2013
Monique Lhuillier Resort 2013
Ports 1961 Resort 2013
Rachel Zoe Resort 2013
Ralph Lauren Resort 2013. Ralph – can you please make this in maternity? I think it would work!
Skaist-Taylor Resort 2013
Valentino Resort 2013
Images courtesy of http://www.style.com.
Through the Seasons: Florals
20 JulIt seems that in the very fast paced world of today, some fashion trends come and go before they even hit the store shelves. On the flip side, some looks seem to find a more permanent place in our hearts and on our runways. I thought it might be fun to highlight some of these “trends with staying power” with a Through the Seasons Lookblog.
Up First: FLORALS – they seem to be having a moment in the sun…
Temperley Spring 2012 RTW
Costume National Spring 2012 RTW
Isaac Mizrahi Spring 2012 RTW
Valentino Couture Spring 2012
Elie Saab Couture Spring 2012
Bibhu Mohapatra Fall 2012 RTW
Chadwick Bell Fall 2012 RTW
Jenni Kayne Fall 2012 RTW
Alexander McQueen Resort 2013
J. Mendel Resort 2013
Jill Stuart Resort 2013
Stella McCartney Resort 2013 *This look is a double winner for longevity. Florals + Tuxedo Pants = Separates to Transcend the Seasons.
Images courtesy of http://www.style.com.
True Resort
10 JulOriginally resort wear (as indicated by its name) was created by high-end designer labels for their customers that were expected to “holiday” in warmer climates after the cooler Christmas and New Year’s Holidays. Fast forward many moons and the resort collections have adapted to reach a broader audience and provide year-round looks to accommodate a variety of lifestyles. As I type – Brett and I are T minus 15 hours away from our departure from Beijing to the Maldives. So naturally…with thoughts of the crystal clear Indian Ocean on the brain, I would like to focus on the “True Resort” looks that graced the runways during Resort 2013. While they are not available yet – I did find inspiration in every look as I packed this morning. (And to answer any questions…YES – being almost 6 months pregnant created quite a few “packing challenges”.) Only time and pictures will tell…
Collette Dinnigan Resort 2013
Collette Dinnigan Resort 2013
Issa Resort 2013
This looks is just begging for a giant sun hat! Rachel Roy Resort 2013
Where else can you wear a turquoise sequined jumpsuit other than a tropical holiday? Chado Ralph Rucci Resort 2013
Bibhu Mohapatra Resort 2013
Gucci Resort 2013
Naeem Kahn Resort 2013
BCBG by Max Azria Resort 2013
Giambattista Valli Resort 2013
So this is goodbye to you until next week and hello to the W Retreat & Spa Maldives! 再见我的朋友! (See you soon my friends!)
Crazy for Couture: Days 3 & 4
9 JulThe final two days of Paris Couture were filled with sparkles at Elie Saab, drama at Jean Paul Gaultier, classic colors at Valentino, and a bit of whimsy at Ulyana Sergeenko. Each collection provided its fair share of eye candy. Let’s have a taste.
Elie Saab Couture Fall 2012
Elie Saab Couture Fall 2012
Elie Saab Couture Fall 2012
Elie Saab Couture Fall 2012
Jean Paul Gaultier Couture Fall 2012
Jean Paul Gaultier Couture Fall 2012
Valentino Couture Fall 2012
Valentino Couture Fall 2012
Valentino Couture Fall 2012
Ulyana Sergeenko Couture Fall 2012
Ulyana Sergeenko Couture Fall 2012
Do you have a favorite?
I have a tie between Valentino’s classic red gown and Sergeenko’s snow bunny bride!
Styled by Lady Liberty
4 JulHappy Fourth of July! A wonderful day to be an American…and yet, a rather sad day to be an expat (especially when it falls on a Wednesday!). But not to worry – we will listen to God Bless America as many times as we can stand it while eating as much American junk food as we can get our hands on. For those of you celebrating in the land of red, white, and blue (not just RED) – I hope that you channeled your own inner Lady Liberty to dress the part of America’s independence celebration! In case you need help – here are a few festive looks for the fourth:
For the Lady Liberty in All of Us
Andrew Gn Resort 2013
Carlos Miele Resort 2013
For the Hipsters Watching Fireworks on Brooklyn Rooftops
Isabel Marant
For the Lady Liberties Who Beach
Norma Kamali Resort 2013
Michael Kors Resort 2013
For a Picnic in the Park
Antonio Marras
Oscar de la Renta Resort 2013
For a Fancy Fireworks Fête
Prabal Gurung Resort 2013
Rachel Zoe Resort 2013
Christian Dior Resort 2013
MY PERSONAL FAVORITE!! L’wren Scott Resort 2013
Crazy for Couture – Day 2
4 JulFor me – the highlights of today’s couture shows in Paris were the milky whites of Chanel and the furry embellishments of Givenchy. Now all I need is a slew of special occasions in a snow dusted locale, either Karl or Riccardo to design me “bump-friendly” versions of these looks, and a money tree with which to buy them. Not looking so good really…
Chanel Haute Couture Fall 2012
Chanel Haute Couture Fall 2012
Chanel Haute Couture Fall 2012
Chanel Haute Couture Fall 2012
Givenchy Couture Fall 2012
Givenchy Couture Fall 2012
Givenchy Couture Fall 2012
All images courtesy of http://www.style.com
A Blonde in Beijing 