Jean Genie - Blank Jeans

A topic close to many of our hearts and even closer to our butts, the perfect jeans.

Well, the perfect jeans depends entirely on what you need them to be perfect for.

The perfect everyday jeans?
The perfect club jeans?
The perfect dinner jeans? (dinner and club jeans are by no means the same!)
The perfect skinny jeans?
The perfect bootlegs?
The perfect flares?
The perfect black jeans?
The perfect work jeans?

With the multitude of needs and the gazillion brands out there, how's a girl to choose?

Tiger Bites Jean Genie...that's how! Every week I'll play Jean Genie and offer tips and suggestions on all manner of denim. So if you have any denim questions, shoot me an email at tigerbites@gmail.com and I'll do my best to answer.

This year I've noticed I've been getting a little more obsessive about jeans, (still not on par with B who must have 40+ pairs)...but I love jeans. They're the modern girl's go to item when you're out on a hot date (although I recommend a dress for a really hot date), cocktails, dinner, shopping trips, work, travel, you name the occasion, you need a pair of jeans to wear.

I'm no brand whore and the lesser known the brand the better in my opinion. And at the same time, spending an afternoon trying on 20 pairs of jeans is just a shag. So slowly but surely with time, I'm working out who's really really hot in the world of denim. And my denim taste isn't so vanilla...I like very different jeans for different occasions.

So today ladies, let me introduce you to [BLANK].


[BLANK] Jeans REALLY caught my attention when all of a sudden I noticed them on the most fabulous shopping websites for between $68-80. Surely they missed out a digit?
Could it be a premium styled, budget denim line?

Apparently so, and apparently, its one of the best selling new denim companies this year. [BLANK] is the brainchild of Leigh Brown and Emmy Lauridsen who had previously launched premium a niche denim (with premium prices) line called ODYN (who?). Anyway, they hit retail gold with [BLANK] as its premium style for premium boutiques at a budget price. The line is funkier and edgier take on basics like the skinny with fabulous names like 'Ike n Tina' of 'Crackhead'. They've been getting mad press, since their launch last year. And you just gotta love their byline 'Shooting blanks since '07'
www.blanknyc.com

Nice work ladies!



These are my favourite pair, the Skinny Classique with studs $68. The perfect club/bar black skinnies. I've got them and they fit fantastically. They do have quite a high Lycra content which makes them stretchier than most skinny jeans. They're jet jet black which is good and I just love the studs on the back. Like I said they're the perfect jeans to wear out at night as they're supremely sexy with a little edge..and isn't that what most of us want?



And they also come in this fabulous shade of violet for $68. Its definitely a more edgy choice and probably for the most maverick women, but they look good. I thought about them for a while but decided as much as I love purple, purple jeans weren't quite what I was looking for. But I did get some coloured jeans at a later date (more on that in a future post)
www.tobi.com


The Blank Classique in Ike n Tina. Quite possibly the most fabulous superdark blue skinny jeans around. They fit like a dream (again due to the high Lycra content) which is more flattering than it sounds, and they're the perfect length. Skinnies have the versatility to look good with heels, flats or boots....even though I'm not a huge fan of skinnies and flats. They could work for day and they're pretty thin denim so great for summer.
www.amazon.com


www.shopintuition.com
If a lighter was with a straighter leg is more you style, try out the Regular Rise Roadrunner $68. The straight leg is an easier shape to wear, most definitely, it balances out most figures, yet being a slimmer cut than bootleg you still get the streamlined look of the skinny.

Your thoughts?

Will you be buying?

Which do you like the most?


all pictures from www.tobi.com, they have some of the best denim pictures online AND the best denim selection online.

The Way I Are

Kerri Hilson first caught our attention as the female vocalist on Timbaland's The Way I Are (I prefered her hair in that video too), then she did a follow-up with Timbaland and Nicole 'Scream'. Ho hum. Then she was a rather scandalous looking (well Tameka got mighty stressed about it) love interest in Usher's 'Make Love In This Club' video. And now she's launched her debut solo single 'Energy'/

I'm no beauty aficionado, but these tips from Kerri Hilson's make up artist sound interesting so I'm sure more than a few of us might pick up a tip or two from her make up artist Romero.

This pic is of her backstage before going on air for MTV's TRL.

This picture is courtesy of her make-up artist Romero Jennings (senior artist for MAC).

Romero tells us how to get Kerri's fab look (with a little help from MAC, of course):

1. Pump-up lashes, top and bottom, with two coats of Prep + Prime mascara.
2. Add one heavy winter coat of Plushlash mascara in Plushblack.
3. Add MAC's #7 lashes. Cut them into fine pieces and place on top lashes.
4. Prime skin with Prep + Prime Skin and polish with a sheer coat of Moistureblend Foundation.
5. Highlight face with Moisturelush Eye Cream and contoured Matte Bronzer.
6. Use Creme de Violet eye shadow as a liner/shadow under the eye, and frame with Saddle and Black Tied shadows.

post courtesy of alloygirl

Its in The Bag

Over the weekend I had a conversation with a friend and we were talking shop....bags, clutch bags to be precise.

I have a long standing love affair with clutch bags. They're what I started with for Tiger Tem, I own too many to count and I love a good clutch bag.

So when my friend said she didn't own one or particularly like them...I had to slowly pick my jaw off the floor. Don't like clutch bags? That's like saying don't like heels? Non?

She went on to explain after losing every clutch bag she'd owned as they either go stolen when she put them down or she kept forgetting them in clubs/bars/restaurants, she discovered the clutch bag underdog, the shoulder bag.

Never been a fan of the shoulder bag, I'm a day bag by day and a clutch bag by night kinda girl, but I felt inspired to do some major research into relatively unchartered territory. AND I haven't done a big fat bag post for ages.

So ladies, here's my selection of the best evening shoulder bags around, I've separated them into three price categories to make the looking, lusting, and choosing a little easier. As always half the fun of shopping is the aspiration and uberstylish ideas to emulate.

(I've done a straight swap with currencies which is what most retailers do i.e. $500 = £500 so if you're earning pounds, take advantage of the weak currency and promote yourself to a higher spending category by ordering online from the US!)

Enjoy.

Big Pimpin $500/£500 and above
I'll start with the biggest pimpin of all shoulder bags. The Chanel 2.55. Gotta love it. And this is the original chainlink strap, made even more popular by Marc Jacobs but if you're looking for a cheaper option choose carefully. Nothing like crappy hardware to kill a bag.


In second position to the Big Pimpin throne is the Fendi Baguette. One of the things I love about Fendi bags is they take their time honing one fabulous shape then offer it in a multitude of colours, prints, fabrics which keeps it all quite interesting and all the more covetable.



I'm in all types of love with the Jimmy Choo troy. Its a rather sizeable evening shoulder bag and in gold its a little more blingtastic than I'd like but its just so damn fabulous. £890.www.net-a-porter.com


I like this Jimmy Choo Discorama, partly because of the name but partly because its so unusual looking. Again no love lost for me with gold leather, but I'm loving that arabic style hardware detail at the bottom. A little tip, great hardware makes a bag look superexpensive and its always the little details like these that set the Big Pimpers apart from the Not Quite Pimpin Yet.


Hmm. I love the combination of chocolate and jade green and the peacock print on this,the double strap. I LOVE this bag. And you know it would look fabulous for all occasions, a black tie event to a night out rocking your baddest jeans. Valentino £680.www.net-a-porter.com


Mr McQueen had me at hello with the fabulous Novak bag but I think I actually prefer the mini Novak. See that hardware in the middle? And the detail on the straps....that the good stuff. The very good stuff. £770
.www.net-a-porter.com


The Chloe 'Gina' is a more understated choice. The supersoft buttery nappa leather is not for kids or to be used near kids as its the stuff that gets grubby really easily. All the more reason why a superclean one looks divinely luxurious. £597.
.www.brownsfashion.com


I'm a little undecided about the new Prada Campaign bag. Its called the Champagne and Caviar...great name. But I think all those ruffles would really irritate me. Anyway, its looks fabulous in this picture! $2000.www.neimanmarcus.com


I love me some GoldenBleu and this Audra fuses the classic Chanel quilting and chain strap with very modern red patent and I just love that double clasp thing, so useful!
$650.www.neimanmarcus.com


For someone that doesn't like gold bags that much I seem to have a lot on this page. (they photograph well, that's my excuse). This python skin bag from Pauric Sweeney is a little tougher and less pretty pretty thanks to the chocolate brown braided strap. Me likey.

Medium Pimpin $150/£150- $500/£500

Corto Moltedo is a relatively new name in the bag business...and you know being son of the Bottega Veneta founders must have been one serious leg up...but I'm not sipping from the cup of hatorade...I'm just stating the facts! I love this bag, the colour, the fact that it folds over, the braid detail, the gold studs (see? good hardware again). £499.www.brownsfashion.com



I'm loving the Gryson Elissa bag. Its tiny so supercute but the muted colours and the braid strap, chunky zip and clipped up sides give it a more rock edge. Me likey. $525.www.tobi.com



I love Hollywould! Their designs are always fabulous feminine and fun and flirty. Love this wicker clutch with the delicate marine life detail. (very very good hardware). $525.www.ilovehollywould.com (p.s. check out their site, they got a ker-razy summer sale going on)



Love the strap detail on this Armani bag. Sign up for fabulous sample sales at www.hautelook.com for more of the same. $195 down from $450.



Some fabulousity from one of the biggest names in the business Anya Hindmarch. Love the pleats and that strap. £410 www.anyahindmarch.com



Botkier is a force to be reckoned with and their edgy, tough looking bags are a new favourite on my radar. Who knew one so small could look so tough? The Cairo was $407 now $285. www.tobi.com



This is from fabulous Italian site www.forzieri.com. Love the colour combo and the dragon crest makes it look uberexpensive...that and the chainlink and leather strap. Yes its a total rip off the Valentino, but at $269 I won't tell if you won't tell.



Matthew Williamson seems a little quiet these days but I love this honeycomb inspired bag. The beaded patches over the white leather make this a perfect summery party bag. £305. www.net-a-porter.com.


Nothing quite beats the sexiness of a slick red bag and I'm loving this one from Julie K. The bow detail is just the cuteness. $160. www.lunaboston.com.


Its the unusual shape of this Furla bag that caught my attention. And the unusual shade of blue works a treat too. £155. www.furla.com.


Again the combination of unusual shape and colour is always going to catch my eye. And this is a perfect night out bag. Just enough room for your phone, cash, make up, keys and camera. The Jalda 'Doris' is $430 and available from www.neimanmarcus.com.


Not Quite Pimpin Yet $150/£150 and below

I wouldn't be Tiger if I didn't engage in some shameless plugging. This fabulous purple suede and gold croc bag with the antiqye gold strap (FYI antique gold straps look MUCH better than the 24k type). This is the fabulous little Sao Tome from Tiger Tem $150.


Absolutely fabulous winged detail on this handy edgy little bag from Blush B-lush. £175. www.asos.com.



Melie Bianco hails from LA and is making a name for themselves with their affordable 'interpretations' of runway style. I love the bold green of this foldover bag, and the raw edges and at $58...what's not to love? www.silviasshop.net.



Baghaus is another californian company that's doing brisk trade with their 'catwalk inspired' creations. Love this red bag, careful with the hardware though, it would have to look really good up close to pass the test! $25...www.baghaus.com.


Betsey Johnson is one of those smart designers who does a budget line. Hers is called Betseyville and I love this oversized vintage inspired bag. $110 www.nordstrom.com.



How cute is this accordion shaped bag? $150 from Bliss Lau at www.armcandy.com.



This adorable sunny yellow clutch is from a company better known for their gloves, Dents. Love the contrast of colour and the beaded strap. £28.


Forzieri are an Italian company that produce their own brand in fabulous little ancient manufacturers in Tuscany. If that hasn't sold this shimmery bronze leather bag to you, maybe the $94 price tag will. www.forzieri.com.



Calfhair bags have been a long standing favourite of mine and this print on the calf hair makes this Kate Landry bag look infinitely more expensive than its $65 price tag.


And last but not least on what must be my longest blog post ever, this canvas Marc Jacobs printed hobo. At £125 you know its Marc by Marc Jacobs and not Marc Jacobs, but its all good, its supercute. www.net-a-porter.com.

These Heels Weren't Made For Walking

As you might have noticed I've been getting a little shoe obsessed lately. Too much of a good thing is never enough in my opinion. Today I've got a collection of the craziest but absolutely utterly fabulous shoes around. But reader beware, these shoes were definitely not made for walking!


First up we have my favourites of the bunch. These are from Maison Martin Margiela. he's known for his quirky eccentric designs and I can promise these shoes look so sublimely sexy when worn. If you happen to have a spare bit of cash www.eluxury.com has reduced them from $545 to $385.


Next we have these pieces of fabulosity from Giuseppe Zanotti. On www.saks.com they're down from $550 to $330. And you know all eyes would be on you bopping round the dancefloor in these babies. Love them. I have some that are kind of similar and they are by far the most complimented items I own.



Marcy Marc brought out the funky bunch with these two pairs. I love them, probably prefer the pink as I don't really do black shoes, I prefer a pop of colour on my feet regardless of what I'm wearing, there's always a way to make that work. And I tend to prefer open to closed toe shoes for eveningwear. A little more sexy don't you think?
The black pair are down from $590 to $236 on www.saks.com.

The pink pair are down from $587 to $350 on www.eluxury.com. I love the back of these. Its the little details like this that set shoes like this apart in the style stakes.


I'm not necessarily crazy about snakeskin shoes but there's something about these Miu Miu Whisnake Degrade wedges that caught my eye. Can you see the expertise in how that heel was carved out? Wedges are many things but rarely elegant but these ones manage to toe the line of stylish elegance fabulously. Reduced $540 to $252 on www.saks.com.



I suspect these Veronique Branquinho shoes might look a little clumpy but worn with supertight skinnies or a shirt skirt, you might just manage to pull them off. Reduced from $575 to $345 at www.saks.com.

Now I know for people in America these prices are still a little high but for people in the UK and Europe, the same prices hover around £100+ which considering the price of Kurt Geiger these days.....is not bad at all.

xoxo

What’s sexy now (part 3)

Hey people, I know its been a few days, apologies. Work stuff and limited Internet access...again.

I'll just make this my last post on the What's Sexy Now topic I started last week.

Sexiest Swim:
An infinity edge pool…anywhere. I'm not picky!


Sexiest Scene Stealer:
Kirstin Davis in SATC The Movie

Sexiest Head of State:
Musa Yaradua…..ask a silly question...

Sexiest Packaging:
Agent Provocateur. No contest. How do they do those bows?




Sexiest School:
Millfield. All brawn no brains.


Sexiest Thirst Quencher:
Kir Royale for the ladies.


Bourbon on the rocks for the boys.


Sexiest Trend:
Sisters doing it for themselves.

Sexiest Rain Gear:
Hunter wellies (big up Alex)


Sexiest Body:
Marie Claire said Jessica Biel. I think I agree.



Sexiest Store:
Roberto Cavalli Marbella.


Sexiest Excuse:
I’ve got nothing to wear


Sexiest Key Chain Accessory:
BMW tag. I think they are by far the sexiest cars! Well them and the Bentley GT Continental.


Sexiest Label:
Something of the stealth wealth variety like Valextra or VBH.


Sexiest Artist:
Marie Claire said…Cai Guo-Qiang who uses gunpowder as his medium. Ooooh.
That painter guy on Heroes. Isaac.Yes it’s a cheat answer but really.

Sexiest office supply:
The stapler.

Sexiest Watering Hole:
Marie Claire said…GoldBar, NYC.

Looks nice. Very er, gold.

I say, Bourbon & Branch! Love it. A true classic speakeasy.

Sexiest Denim:
Paige Premium Denim. Asstastic.


J Brand for their leg lengthening properties.

Sexiest Wedding Gift:
A house. Or a water bungalow. Actually scrap the house, I'll go for a water bungalow.


Sexiest status symbol:
I don't believe in status symbols, you are who you are and you have what you have.

Whoever dies with the most toys doesn't win.

BUT if you do believe in them, don't pussyfoot around, go the whole hog and land a 'how-do-you-like-me-now' Cessna Citation X.

Sexiest Voice:
James Earl Jones. That resounding bass.

Sexiest Guilty Pleasure:
Freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. The really really good stuff. Like the ones at TeaCakeBakeShop (they deliver across America). Or those Taste The Difference ones from Sainsbury. Seriously, get some today, the dark red paper bag. Promise, they’re divine.

And chocolate fondant.
With Green and Black's vanilla ice cream.


Sexiest Nail Polish:
I still totally love Rouge Noir.


Sexiest Tourist Trap:
Tower of London. Dark gothic glamour.


Sexiest Spectacle:
It’s a total eclipse over India (I think) on August 1st.

Sexiest rabble Rouser:
Again Marie Claire have me confused…their answer? Russian chess champ turned opposition leader Garry Kasparov