Archive for the ‘Must Buy’ Category
Holiday Beauty Must Have – Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm
Holidays and heavy lipstick don’t really go. But, even as a lipgloss addict, sometimes I crave something lighter and less sticky in the heat.
Viola! Clairins gorgeous new Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm in three perfect holiday colours. Make your mates jealous when you pull this one out of your luggage.
Alexa Chung for Madewell
I am aware this blog is becoming little more than a glorified Alexa Chung fan club. An outlet for my obsession if you will, however, do bear with me. There is a point to it.
Alexa Chung’s first collection for Madewell hits the US in August. Much to my despair we won’t be seeing any of the collection in UK stores. I’ve done a little hunting though and US website Shopbop.com deliver worldwide within 3 days and stock the Madewell label. Lets hope they put some of this wonderful collection online….
Key pieces: Striped Dungaree dress, velvet shorts, extra long cardigans, peter pan collars and socks with everything.
Spot The Difference – Peacocks do Mulberry Alexa Bag
They’ve done it again. After much success with their sell-out copy of the Chloe ‘Louise’ satchel in March, Peacocks have now had a go at the Mulberry Alexa. I have to say it’s not bad for £14.
Peacocks version of the Chloe sold out in 48 hours so better get your skates on. Out 1st July.
Original Mulberry Alexa £695.00 Net-A-Porter
Beauty Bargin: Premium Fragrance Body Washes
I remember when the only perfumed shower gels you could get were the likes of Fengal and Boots Royal Jelly. Thankfully, this vastly underrated section of the fragrance market appears to be getting a premium upgrade with a lot more of the big fragrance houses now offering body washes and shower gels as well as the standard fragranced body lotion.
Perfect for spring days when you want your scent to be light and even better for layering your fragrance up for evening (you’ll also use less of your eau de parfum making it last longer too).
Chloe Shower Gel
Clinique Aromatics Elixir Body Wash
Marc Jacobs Daisy Shower Gel
Fast Fashion – £100 Challenge
The Challenge: An entire outfit (including shoes for £100). C’est impossible I hear you cry! All available on the high street now – wear it by the weekend!
Dress – Candy Stripe by French Connection £75
Flats – AGOLD leather pumps by Faith reduced to £22
Cream Tights – Primark £1.50
OK, I know I blew most of the budget on the dress here but it’s totally worth it as you can easily adapt it for a party or the office as well this day time look.
If you have any spare cash for accessories then team with a cute cross body purse and an oversized bib necklace. Barber shop meets Alice in Wonderland!
10 Easy Pieces to Bring You into the New Season
OK, You want to update your tired black/grey/navy Winter wardrobe ready for Spring but haven’t got an unlimited budget? Let’s face it, not many of us have. The secret is to carefully select key items to integrate in to the rest of your wardrobe and hunt down good high street versions. I’ve put together a little collection of my top 10 runway inspired pieces to bring you bang up to date without leaving you penniless. Not all of them are classics I know – a couple are pure indulgence pieces (Leather shorts spring to mind) but they should all see you through the summer and even to mix them with your Autumn clothes come October. Some may even last years and become your new favourites, who knows…
No. 1
The party dress – Go all out innocent in ‘I’m so sweet’ Candy Cane pastels and ruffles galore. Where to buy on the high street: French Connection, Miss Selfridge
No. 2
The bra top – I know, I know it seems ridiculous for adults. More boudoir than madonna though. Wear under a sheer blouse of the same colour. Where to buy on the high street: Urban Outfitters, Topshop
No. 3
Day dress -Denim Pinafore – Parisian chic made easy when teamed with Stripes and flats. Where to buy on the high street: French Connection, Secondhand stores
No. 4
Utility trousers – this is how to do military for 2010. Keep it casual but clean and wear with Tan leather accessories. Where to but on the high street: Gap, Warehouse
No. 5
Leather shorts – Short, black, acres of sun-kissed leg. Enough said, Where to buy on the high street: Zara, Asos
No. 6
Nude Shoes – make your clothes the main event with a nude shoe. Adds a sophisticated touch to the simplest of outfits: Office, LK Bennett
No. 7
The Satchel – Been coming around for a couple of seasons now but always a classic. Goes with everything as it’s professional enough to hold your netbook for work yet looks great with jeans at the weekend. Where to buy on the high street: Urban Outfitters, Clarks
No. 8
Dotty Top – If you fancy a change from the Breton stripe maybe it’s time to go spotty. Where to buy on the high street: Dorothy Perkins, Next
No. 9
The suit everyone Jean
Where to buy on the high street: Gap, Levi
No. 10
A flippy skirt – this is wear you can easily be bold with colour and pattern without looking over the top. Just tone down with neutrals or a simple white vest. Where to buy on the high street: Reiss, American Apparel
I hope you’ve enjoyed and it’s given you some inspiration…
Alice in Wonderland: Curious style
Totally cannot wait for the release of Alice in Wonderland on Friday. The 1951 animated version was my favourite Disney picture as a child. I would play it on a Sunday afternoon while my mom was in the kitchen baking the cupcakes I’d convinced her that I would make/cook/clean up from. I must have seen it in excess of 50 times.
Looking back I can’t help wondering if there are small influences of Alice’s look in my own wardrobe – classic black ‘Alice’ bands, white tights – well dove grey or cream, Mary Jane shoes.
And I’m not the only one by the looks of things. Disney Couture have released a new Alice jewellery collection which includes quirky pieces by Tom Binns like the ‘Drink Me’ pendant . Stella McCartney has also created these gorgeous limited edition charm bracelets with Swarovski crystals.
Finally, the beauty industry has not escaped this film’s curious (sorry) influence either. Urban Decay’s book of shadows is almost a works of art. My money is going on one these Alice sets for Paul & Joe. Each one includes a Lipstick, Blotting papers and refill all in the cutest of tins…
Disney Couture jewellery available at Zentosa.com & asos.com
Shoes: Clogged up
If you only buy one pair of shoes this season. Make it a clog. I have a big crush on the Carvela tan suede numbers
I need it now: Ivory Slip Dress
I’ve been after something like this for ages. So many trends in one piece; white, lace, sheer, lingerie slip. Love the black zip. Really toughens it up. Would look fabulous worn with some scruffy old ankle boots for day and sky high neutral wedges for after dark.
Bien-mis 
