H&MMMMmmmmms Does it again!

Back from sun, sand and too much sangria .. not to make you emerald green with envy. I did realise however upon my return how much of a city girl - specifically London lady I am !!

Just as I was gazing into the fireworks and getting holiday ill low and behold HM does it again whoooop!!!

Drum rolllllll

Lavin for H&M - Tuesday 23RD November

Creative Director Alber Elbaz - HM Collection is tongue in cheek, glamourous and pretty fabulous.

The collection will also be available online from 7.00am Tuesday 23rd November. For just one night be a lil less eco friendly, keep your computer on standby, memorise your long card number and get ready to click until your hearts galore !!! That's until you have to get ready and shoot off for work *sigh* .

I have my eyes on the Dorothy-esque's Grown-up shoes

Psssst ... Watch out for my new launch trinkets a must have for your mates Chrimbo Stockings. Will keep you updated for the launch xx

Until next time ciao ciao :o)

Fabulous on the inside … while its cold outside that is : /

So Vogue held an exciting fashion night out across all the fashion capitals at the start of the new fashion season. I bumped into me ol' mate Mr Armani the paps were bombarding him so we didn’t get to have our usual chinwag. There was an exhilarating buzz throughout the air that night in bond st/west end with freebies galore - champagne, cocktails, free mini make overs, music and celeb spoting on a major scale! Gap flagship store had the electricfying Janelle Monae - PDiddy’s new ish signs .. but don’t get it twisted with her association with PDiddy, she is an individual, super talented and a total breath of fresh air to this generation of music !!

Bobbi Brown at Selfridges gave me sultry smoky eyes by one of her international makeup artists AND I discovered Estee Lauder do foundations for my skin tone ! So impressed I actually bought a tube ! At a fantastic competitive price of £25 it is definitely in my top 10. I would give it 7 out of 10 –

- for its competitive price

- the colour matches well but however sits on the skin after a couple of hours ( this is mainly due to my combination skin).

- The tone could be warmer.

- It is very light in texture so doesn’t weigh down the skin.

- last but not least, the tube easily fits in the handbag so v tube friendly !

As the days are getting colder, central heating being toyed with and cashmere are getting an airing Vogue are now launching a Fashion Night In, Online - Monday 1^st November – so get your laptops well charged, credit cards at the ready, a large cup of cocoa or as it an occasion a glass of vino or home made cocktail ... let the fun times begin!

So as were on this theme of 'nights in' ….

HOME TREATS …

http://www.returntoglory.co.uk - which is a hub for loads of beauty services which are brought to the comfort of your own home, currently there is a 15% off discount when booking online !

PERFECT SOFA WEAR...

Myla have some very sexy jimjams, ok on the expensive side but we’ll be in them for the next 6 months so why not !

Ivy Grey Melange camisole - £55,

Ivy Grey Melange leggings - £59

This Jack Wills Shelderton all in one @ £69 is toooooo cute ! (for a full size pic click here ! : S

Also check out the Jack Wills - Winchet Leggings - £29 & Wharmley Tank - £19

M&S’s Autograph Modal Rich Long Sleeve Waterfall Wrap - £22.50.

Lounge Lover found on Net-a-porter.com gorgeous Nube long length wrap (below) is well worthy of rushing out to the cornershop with - £170

La Senza - pom pom socks £8.

Get your Jo Malone Candles out - set your most relaxing playlist on your ipod/mp3 player let the fun night in begin xx

Until Next Time Ciao Ciao :0)

One woman's Gaultier is another woman's Westwood

Kitten heels smitten heels not me! Fall10 are reviving the Kitten heels, which for me are like purgatory, a no man's land ! They are like diet coke - not a real full fat coke with all the goodness. A coke less the taste and full of extra sugar Yuky . But hey one woman's Gaultier is another woman's Westwood, thus for those whose ankles are screaming for gravity, seeing as we have been spoilt the last few seasons with sky scrapers here are a selection that I’ve trawled through *sigh*.

Mind you I think I have converted my own self !

These autumnal heels have very much a vintage sophiscated style, simplistic and daring all at the same time. Kurt Geiger, Emerald - £160

These fierce leopard skin boots are a way of rebelling against the kitten in the heel ( see what I did there hehe!)

KG by Kurt Geiger, Vanika - £140

Now these are the epitome of the kitten heel... there is a thin line of these looking mumsy - Not in a yummy mummy sort of way. So I think best to pair these with some on trend cigarette pants to sex these up a lil bit and wear with an edgy pussy bow blouse such as D&G polka dot blouse or crisp white shirt - such as Westwood's Anglomania tizer tie front shirt;

http://www.my-wardrobe.com/vivienne-westwood-anglomania/tizer-tie-front-shirt-518929

Tabitha Simmons, Cecilia velvet pumps - £640 (net-a-porter.com)

Singing in the rain...

The metro reported it is officially the end of summer *sniff sniff* meaning we will have to get our wellies out...

Don't know about you but i would be willing the rain on just so as i could wear these AWIO Westwood Ankle Glitter Boots - £90

Its all happening tomorrow !!

One of fashions biggest days of the year is happening tomorrow across fashions capitals with Vogues fashion night out... after its successful launch last year, from 6pm - 11pm Wednesday 8th Sep get yourself down to Bond street and Carnaby street to rub shoulders with models and london 'it' crowd. Many of the boutique stores will be offering discount and mini treats such as Juicy Couture welcomes Pixie Lott to host its night with DJ Sophie Ellis Bextor on the decks and Miller Harris presents 'Miller's Market' with guest stallholders Clements Ribeiro, Astier de Villatte, Scarlet & Violet and Melrose & Morgan. Refreshment on the night will include a specially commissioned blend of ice cream created by Marylebone gelateria Cocorino using Miller Harris rose and geranium oils. AND cocktails in Jimmy Choo!

Check out - http://fashions-night-out.vogue.co.uk

Now if that wasn't enough Manolo Blanik is launching in Liberty's (http://www.liberty.co.uk/) tomorrow!!!

How much can a fashionista take !

Ciao ciao ;0)

Hard as ...

My Last blog I touched on a subject that was personal for me, I hope it did bring food thought and stirred some thoughts, I’d love to hear some of your opinions, do comment, we are all friends!

London has its last Bank Holiday approaching this late August, and *big sigh* maybe the last time we really get to show off our toes!

So if you don’t already know MATE I’m a let you know right here right now about Minx. This summer our talons has been the new accessory. The array of colours have been no holds barred – carnival colours such as yellows, oranges, aqua’s all kinds of hues that really perk up a summer which for once hasn’t needed it ...non.

Minx Toes

Squeeze out the last few weeks of summer fun to your outfits – Rimmel and Boots 17 nail polish range have sexy collections from fruity to powder hues and great on your purse strings too!

Check out www.rimmellondon.com , http://www.boots.com/en/17/ and http://www.nailsinc.com/ I lurve nails inc there colours are so fashion forward I heave !

MINX!!

Originates from sunny California, Minx looks like a foil (see pic above). Minx is a plastic like material which is shaped and then adhered to your nails and can last up to 6weeks (on toes) on without chipping! They have recently started using Minx for the hand nails which I fear definitely more for a special occasion as the nature of Minx can peel - must be careful when with washing up etc etc ... to combat that get yourself some domestic goddess washing up gloves click here !

I have graced my toes with leopard skin stylie print minx which have lasted so well!

Nail Inc now provide this service from £30.00.

WAH NAILS

Waaaah look at those nails doe !

Now we’ve all been there back in our early teens attempting to do very poor nail art, now Topshop has revived the trend, with a concession in its flagship store in London of Wah Nails is main nail based in Dalston the mecca for all things extravagant – started up by a young 20something Sharmadean Reid who put her talents in focus, which has led her to amazing heights not only a the concession in Topshop, she also contributed to Chris Ofili’s Afrodizzia exhibition at the Tate.

TEXTURED NAILS

After exhausting all your neon brights... the word on the street for Autumn/Winter is its all about Matte and Suede colours - check out OPI

Until Next Blog Ciao Ciao ! :)

Food for thought ?

So it has been a while! I apologies profusely for that.

I’ve been trying to find a subject worthy of you bootiful bloggers, so as not to blog for blog sake...

I don't know about you but I been seeing adverts on Clinique’s new products, which helps lighten darks spots. Now I've heard first hand from a dear friend that the products really do work and also there has been rave reviews's. As a dark skin chocolate hue lady, this product however does leave a nasty taste in my mouth, its not disputing that the product actually seems to work. A product that claims to even out uneven skin tones, has for me always been assoiciated with skin lightening/bleaching ... for generations Asian and African women have for so long chased after a ‘dream’, or look which they perceive to be acceptable and desirable in the view of a western world. Now I'm not a historian so please forgive me if the following is not totally accurate... So here goes the Mullato women were the ones that seemed to be more sought after, they were the ones that the white fellows chased, I suspect this was because the caramel skin was closest to what they were and in their ignorant warped mind thought it would be more acceptable to be with. In my younger years I had been surrounded by people including my chocolate brothers and sister who had the mind that the darker you were the more 'black' you were, absolute foolishness, albeit this was their attempt at having more pride for who they were as a black person... In the early to mid 90's films like 'Jungle Fever' and 'School Dayz' written and directed by Spike Lee commented on the culture of light/'red' skin, being more attractive or desirable than dark skin / blue black tones.

I understand that places in India, Pakistan have also had a battle with these conceptions... The caste system which seem to have originated from the Hindhu’s, during the British colonial administration were primarily based on professions however I think there was a reflection of the is that inevitably darker skin Asians were considered, as it were, lower caste – an eventual effect on its modern society, Bollywood - why is it that the leading woman and man are also so very often so fair skin ??

I struggled with this perception whilst in my early to mid teens, the expectation that the lightest skin girl out of the group of my friends would be approached by the cutest boy of an oncoming group because of course she would be the most beautiful for that reason.

Eastern Asia I have observed, historically object of beauty were its Geisha girls/women. They significantly made up there selves to literally have the whitest skin, and in my opinion this I would think comes from the same thinking that to be pale equates to beauty. Currently brands such as Givenchy has a Whitening line of products which cater to this market, I really don't think these brands are that ignorant. Instead are catering to peoples weaknesses and making it their business. Monopolising on the desperation of women who purchase banned under the counter chemicals which bleach and therefore damages their skin – now (the likes of Givenchy) bleaching agents come in a more acceptable package. My friend who purchased the Clinique product, had the unfortunate experience that the therapist made the assumption that my friend was purchasing the product to lighten her skin/ keep her skin her fair because she herself has fair skin .. however by birth nor by force!

Mmmm I think a moral judgement needs to be made, it has been brought to my attention there are people who are unaware of these situation. The free Stylist magazine distributed every Wednesday had a whole segment the materialisation of Whitening / lightening products - maybe assuming that this might be a good thing... but maybe (call me naive) this might be from their view that too many Caucasian women are obsessed with achieving the perfect tan and in doing so running the risk of getting cancer with the ever increasing use of sun-beds, in an effect that whole segment may have had to do with embracing the paleness / whiteness of skin ?

It was Coco Chanel who started the trend of the tan, as during the Victorian era, the Victorians deemed that to have a tan was associated with the working class, as class that was look down upon. Now I have my issues with Coco Chanel as she had been linked with anti-semantics (but that is whole other blog - ultimately a subject I think you yourselves should research into, I don't like to crush anyone idealism but sometimes the truth IS painful !).

We all have our cross to bear, when considering using products such as Clinique Dark Spot Corrector ask yourself are you GENUINELY using this product to treat problem areas or are you disguising a problem area that exist only in your mind?

The Big APPLES!!

We have two biggies approaching us in 2 sleeps ! the Apple IPAD and wait for it ( I know you’ve been waiting a year BUT ) drum roll …. SEX & THE CITY 2 !!
So I hope you managed to get yourself down to Boots and bagged yourself a gorgeous hue, maybe a markerting ploy but hey that’s a Nails Inc polish for less than a tenner!
So in preparations for the biggest night of the year, we will need the following:

A Fabulous dress ( It’s a special occasion, go on get your legs out ladies !)
Mani/Pedi
Lipgloss
Shoes ( of course !)
Cosmopolitan
Your most best mate(s)!

Oh and a packet of handy Kleenex this sequel is bound to bring tears of laughter and woes ( I suspect Mr Big may get up to his ol’ tricks )

So , I don’t often need an excuse to get dressed up, this you must admit it’s a good one !
Dresses ….






( A selection of dresses chosen from www.theoutnet.com & www.my-wardrobe.com )

Shoes Glorious Shoes!

Now brace yourselves ladies now M&S have some fierce jimmy choo inspired shoes – I kid you not and from £29.50 You’ll better get there before anyone else catches on !

I’m more of a lipstick girl then a lipgloss lady however there is a buzz happening with Jemma Kidds make up in particular her ‘Hi Shine Lipgloss’ ;


The APPLE IPAD

I can see the Saturday papers now, tents put up from Midnight Thurs forming a long queue the length of Regent Street.
There seems to be mixed emotions about the IPAD, half find its like a big iphone, and the other half (which I’ve nominated to be president of !) is so enthusiastic and bl**dy excited about the IPAD! The IPAD is the sign of the future !! I imagine I see ‘cue cartoon bubble’ no more burnt laps, no more noisy machine. It’ll be like as easy picking up your subscription vogue… Admittedly the IPAD is not a necessity, it is more of an compliment to your home laptops/PCs/Mac, definitley an Ipod generation invention I will gab on no longer, go on have a look at the wonder that is the IPAD...



OTHE R THINGS TO CHECK OUT THIS WEEK….
If you have nothing plan for you bank holiday weekend there is the Grace Kelly : Icon exhibition on at the V&A (Victoria & Albert) Museum in South Kensington tickets are £6 for Adults £4 Students (when booked online) click here to book tickets.

Reiss has a sample taking place from Weds 26th – Friday 28th from 8am – 8.30pm @
The Music Room, 26 South Molton Lane, London W1K 5AB. – Nearest Tube is Bond Street Station.

I worn you all now it is a jungle in there with very few a full changing space. So be prepared to get your kit off, come loosely clothed with bottle of water at the ready! Sign up to Fashion Confidential for an invitation or try you luck by going to the horse mouth( entry without invitation shouldn’t be a problem ).

Oi Elephant !

I hope you had a fantabulous time this bank hols weekend so much to do, yet such shite London weather to do it in, which for was me was a great a put off! Nonetheless after hibernating all through Saturday with a cheeky glass and a half of vino and the truly indulgent ( no woman alive can say she’s lived without the most divine chocolates ) Her Majesty’s Charbonnel – Rose Champagne Truffles mmmmm…

As I didn’t roll home at an unreasonable hour of Saturday night/Sunday Morning I was up and Adam on Sunday morn so I decided to take a trip to the British Museum.

If you’re still in that Bank Holiday Mood why not visit:

The British Museum which is showing an excellent exhibition which focuses on Nigeria’s

Kingdom of Ife. It has received some rave reviews Guardian give it five stars!

On until Sunday 6^th June – Only 4 weekends away!

You can book tickets through the British Museum site – tickets are £8 or free for members.

http://www.britishmuseumshoponline.org/icat/tickets?__utma=1.517633534.1273008164.1273008164.1273008164.1&__utmb=1.7.10.1273008164&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1273008164.1.1.utmcsr=google|utmccn=(organic)|utmcmd=organic|utmctr=british%20museum&__utmv=-&__utmk=139573555

Fancy spending your Sunday Free ?? The Royal Festival Hall in South Bank are giving a very unique, informal concert experience The Live Elevator Music Experience from Saturday 1 May 2010, 10:00am - Sunday 9 May 2010, 23:00pm @ the Royal Festival Lifts ( ‘Lifts’ you ponder ? Well I did say it would be a unique experience !)

So Last week Lord Mandelson stated the economy is on the up…. Well the fruits of the rising economy have yet to filter through to my pockets until this time approaches i‘ve been thinking home made skincare. .. Its not only what you eat that one must consider, the numerous chemicals we consume via deodorant sprays, creams, room sprays these all eventually end up in our blood streams. So thus if we can’t trust what is written on the back of a package we can trust what we ourselves make. Its all about the home made remedies!

For me a good cleanser and moisteriser are worth the money that its spent on… to a degree – I haven’t got Crème de le Mer money to spare every month, I’d rather spend it on shoes! My skin hasn’t quite reached that skin maturity. So what remains are face masks & scrubs . Not only economical but quite fun to do!

So as an amateur to essential oils I will therefore concentrate on basic, accessible products and share with you. After all, our time is very precious, I don’t think I’d have the momentum to search the world for special oils such as neroli or what have yous! I Digress …

The Cleopatra Face Mask

for Dry /Sensitive Skins –

Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of Honey, 2 teaspoons Milk

Yep thats it ! Do a Cleopatra and bath your dry or sensitive skin with honey and milk

Mix the ingredients into a paste, smooth on to your face using light circular motions onto your gorgeous face and décolletage then leave on for 10 mins relax with cucumber or tea bags (cold of course! ) to de puff and de stress. And rinse with warm water.

Honey is an anti – irritant which makes it an ideal ingredient for sensitive skins, it helps soothes burns and minor grazes. It is also known for its natural moisturising properties as honey retains the water in the skin thus, great way to hydrate, soften and rejuvenate

Honey I Lurve Your Skin face Mask ( I should copyright this shizzle!)

For Oily Skins/ Combinations skins -

Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of Oatmeal, 1 tablespoon of Honey ( the purpose of the Honey in this mask is for binding the mixture), 1 teaspoon of Lemon & 2 tablespoons of Yoghurt

As with the Cleopatra mask the ingredients need to be mixed into a paste, please be careful to not make the mixture too runny as we need the mask to stick to our face!

The oatmeal helps to exfoliate, the lemon is especially good in this face mask as it good for treating break outs as lemons are an astringent and the yoghurt helps to cool the skin thus leaving you all refreshed!

Leave masks on for 15-20mins and R.E.L.A.X . then rinse with warm water then splash with cold water to tighten pores.

TIPs:

• Generally masks should be used twice a week
• To be safer than sorry before applying mask to your face please test mixture on the inner of your arm if it becomes itchy STEP AWAY STEP AWAY !!

Please do give feedback (comments) on how the masks have work for you !

SHOP OF THE WEEK;

SANDRO this Parisian haven has had a new standalone store open on South Molton Street (off Bond Street Station) two weeks ago Saturday.

I strolled into this cute boutique welcomed by genuinely charming and sweet Parisian sales associates. The clothes are comfortable, flirty, a cross between a Parisian version of Luella and the Spanish’s high street giant Mango.

Their Spring/Summer collection contains Lovely pieces with beaded shoulder detail on loose fitting tees and versatile day dresses which can be easily transformed for an evening out. Vintage florals are sprinkled throughout safari hues contrasted with fringing and soft leather items to add edginess to the collection. Florals are prominent this season so why not bag yourself a sweet floral dress!

OOOOOOH psst!

As we are in nail chomping anticipation of Sex & City Part 2, to save our manicured nails from a chomping; Nail Inc are in association with Diet Coke and are giving away Limited Edition free Nail inc polish with the purchase of x2 diet cokes !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! that’s £2 ( and some change) for a full size polish which normally retails £10!

Selected Large Boot stores are participating – I went to the large Boots on Bond Street.

The Nail Polishes are offered in four colours which represent four of the worlds fashion capitals:

Milan (Post box red), New York (Fushia Pink), London (Nude) & Paris (Deep Purple) .

Go now before they run out ;)

Psst psst psst… have a look out for the gorgeous elephants ( as pictured, I spotted quite a few) around Central London , which are raising awareness the worrying endangered Indian Elephants.