A Little Obsessed

So I may have made it my life's mission to dress like Kate Middleton, or at least don some fancy hats!!

Check out my latest purchase toward that end, my new winter hat.  Yup, that's what I'll be walking around the streets of Chicago in this winter.  Do I look royal yet?

Dress Like A Princess - L.K. Bennett London... In Chicago

On my wanderings today with BabyWP while we waited for our babymobile to get an oil change, I saw this:  L.K. Bennett London.  In Chicago.

If you're asking what's L.K. Bennett, then you're clearly not an avid royal watcher like myself.  If you were, you'd know that L.K. Bennett pumps were Catherine Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge's pump of choice.  Check out all the following appearance from this year.  Where she wore.... L.K. Bennett pumps.

 Until this year, L.K. Bennett did not exist in the U.S.  And, as I learned today, this particular Chicago store was the first in the country!  Chicago, first in fashion, first in my heart. 

Back to the pumps. 

So obviously I ran in and started drooling on all the princess-worthy pumps.  But as this was an impromptu visit, all I had was my very sad and very embarassing camera phone to take pictures with.  Sadness.

L.K. Bennett, £185.00 @ [Sorry, the site only has pounds and I didn't catch what it was in USD]

I knew that L.K. Bennett was a fabulous luxury designer, but what I wasn't prepared for was the, relatively, super reasonable pricing!

Their regular price pumps were all about $325.  And the sale shoes, like the ones below, were all about $200.  You could spend that on crappy, terrible shoes from Aldo!  But instead you get fabulous, luxurious, princess pumps.

Look familiar?  I think so.  They're Kate's shoes!

Buy them here

I clearly had to try on some Duchess-worn shoes myself.

I instantly knew why Kate is such a fan - they're gorgeous, classic, and oh so comfortable. I could have walked miles in them. Or stood for hours for a public appearance. You know, since I have a lot of those ;)  I may or may not have had to buy them.  I mean, how else can I snag Prince Harry if I don't dress like a princess?

Not only was the merch fabulous, the sales staff was so crazy nice.  They saw me clicking away with my phone and then helped me out and pulled pieces for me to picture for the site!

$375 @

£295.00 £175.00

Switching out the jackets for me. How fierce are her shoes? I almost bought them.

$995

Heck, they even modeled stuff for me!! Now where else can you get service like that?

$795

This jacket was lined in leather.  *swoon*  It was SO. HOT.  I wish I had my real camera to do the jacket justice.

And with that I left the very yummy L.K. Bennett.  But don't you worry, L.K., I'll be back very soon.

Royal Wedding Week - The Queen's Dinner

In addition to the brunch held by the Queen after the royal wedding ceremony, the Queen also hosted a dinner the night before the royal nuptials. Lots of other royals were in attendance as well as other VIPs.


It wasn't just European royals in attendance, here are the Sultan and Queen of Brunei


The Queen


Newlyweds Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden


Princess Beatrice


Prince Philip


Crown Prince Pavlos and Crown Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece


Prince Felipe, Princess Letizia, and Queen Sofia of Spain


Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex


Prince Charles and Camilla


Prince Andrew

Royal Wedding Week - The Reception

Traditionally the Queen hosts a luncheon after a royal wedding with royals and other VIPs and that's it. But these crazy kids wanted a big evening bash for 300 of their closest family and friends, so Prince Charles obliged and hosted a reception that evening. Sadly, there weren't many pictures of the events, but I really would've given anything for some of Pippa stumbling around Buckingham Palace and puking in the rosebushes, because you SO know she did.

But at least we have this picture of Prince Harry heading out on the party bus at 3 AM. That's why I love him.

Zara Phillips and her fiance Mike Tindall

Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge

Princess Beatrice after a hard night of partying changes into sneakers. Weak!

Kate donned her second Alexander McQueen gown for the evening's reception. And, well, I found it rather dull. Pretty and sateen with a fun little band of glitter, but so very boring for a new princess, don't you think? And then there was the dead kitten pelts she wore as a shrug. Or maybe it was a fraggle. I don't know, I just know that I HATE it. I'm pretty sure she bought it at Deb. Why on earth did she follow up the gorgeous, delicate lace sleeves of the morning with this horrid be-furred shrug???? And we won't even get into what Camilla is wearing. Dear Lord in heaven. What is that???

Princess Eugenie (left) in red and Chelsy Davy (right) in a blue Alberta Ferreti dress

Carole Middleton (left), Pippa Middleton (right) in Temperley London gown and Aruna Seth silver heels.

What did you think of the royals' second looks?

Royal Wedding Week - The Guests

Sorry for the delay in Royal Wedding Week posting, I've been dealing with a sick little BabyWP. I think it's Royal Wedding withdrawal, the poor thing. I tried to convince her there'd be another one soon to watch, but we both knew Harry wasn't walking down the aisle any time soon.

Today we look over some of the guests in attendance at Will and Catherine's big day. The uniform seemed to be sensible coats and fantastically ridiculous hats. Two of my favorite things.

Princess Anne's daughter Zara Phillips in Paul Costelloe, with her fiance rugby player Mike Tindall.


Posh Spice wore a dress from her collection. And I actually am a fan of the Victoria Beckham dresses, but this one is just too much of a tent for my taste. Kudos on the crazy tall heels while preggers, though.

Sir Elton John and his partner David Furnish. Why didn't they call me to babysit their new baby?


Samantha Cameron, wife of Prime Minister David Cameron. This hussy, the FIRST LADY OF BRITAIN no less, deemed it proper to show up without a hat. Shame! Shame, Samantha!


The Queen in Angela Kelly. I was not a fan of the color on her at all, but whatever commentator I was listening to said something about daffodils being some sort of significant flower for the monarchy, so obviously she would wear daffodil yellow. So there's that I guess.


Princess Eugenie in a blue foral suit from Vivienne Westwood and Princess Beatrice in a Valentino coat. Well, I must say that I really dislike that Vivienne Westwood suit, but points for going bold. I find the Valentino coat absolutely divine, if a boring choice of color.


Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden. As fave EWP commenter Ms. Bettie Boyd will attest, wrap dresses are incredibly flattering. Unfortunately the Princess' wrap dress has this sad drooping bit over her belly. Why did that happen? Otherwise it really is a lovely cut and color on her.


Queen Sofia, Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Spain. Prince Felipe was once my bethrothed. He just didn't know it. So I always get a little wistful when I see him. *sigh* The man sure does cut a dashing figure in this military dress. But I must admit he did choose well in his *ahem* *commoner* wife Letizia, she looks positively perfect in this blush ensemble.


Prince Albert of Monaco and his fiancee Charlene Wittstock, a former South African swimmer. I want to wear gloves to weddings.


Prince Charles in his Royal Navy Number One Dress ceremonial suit and Camilla Duchess of Cornwall in Anna Valentine. I've always thought Camilla was a bit of a horse and she seriously is the worst dresser ever, so I'm happy to see that her choice of coat was completely inoffensive. Not great or anything, but I'll take inoffensive from her.


Lady Helen Taylor and Mr. Timothy Taylor. I have no idea who these people are, but check out that flowered coat!


King Constantine and Queen Ann-Marie, the former king and queen of Greece. I had no idea Greece had a monarchy. How former is this former business? Anyone know?


Someone please please explain how Joss Stone got invited to the wedding and I didn't.


I've said it before and I'll say it again, those Middletons sure are pretty to look at. Though I was bored to tears with Catherine's younger brother's reading. Way to make an English accent unsexy, James.


Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, and Maria Teresa, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg


Former British Prime Minister John Major and Norma Major


Earl Spencer, the groom's uncle.


Prime Minister David Cameron had been debating if he should wear a suit. He has been pushing for sensibility in the global recession, but I am so very happy he decided against that nonsense and donned a morning coat. He really would've looked so horrible without it.


Crown Prince WIllem Alexander and Princess Maxima of the Netherlands


Slutty, party girl Chelsy Davy in an Alberta Ferreti suit. Sorry, but I just do not like this girl. Nor her suit.


Carole Middleton in a sky blue design by Catherine Walker, a favorite designer of the late Princess Diana. I think she looked stunning. Those Middletons sure are a good looking lot. Even if they are nothing but a bunch of new money social climbers.



Who wore your favorite look?