Category Archives: General

Balancing act

Balancing act

When it comes to hiding flaws and enhancing assets you need to be in the know if you want to create the illusion of a svelte figure.  Layering with a jacket or tee is a great way to flatter a fuller bust, wrap tops are perfect for this…the cinched in waist will create the illusion of a tiny waist and the v-neckline of your shirt will compliment the bust

A skirt is another must-have item in any wardrobe and a-line styles are best suited to those with a fuller shape.  This is mainly because they match your fuller bustline and in turn this will keep you looking proportional.  If you like your skirts to be tucked in and smart, opt or a skirt with a slightly lower waistline, this will create the effect of a longer torso, which will in turn make you look taller and slimmer than you actually are.

Avoiding mini skirts is a must as these may look a little over the top when teamed with an enviable bust region; try instead a smart pencil skirt in order to show off your curves, especially if you have average or larger hips.  This teamed with a smaller waist is the perfect fuller figure and one that will be the envy of all of your friends.

Trousers are another wardrobe essential, whatever your shape.  If you wish for your trousers to hide your hip, opt for a slightly wider style, this will allow the fabric to skim over the hips.

Avoid skinny styles at all costs as such a look will make you appear top heavy, enhancing your bust even more so.

If you have an evening do on the cards you will more than likely want to choose a sexy evening number?  Romantic attire is very much in this season and a piece with both a structured bodice and an a-line skirt will work to enhance and balance your natural shape

Pretty in pink

Pretty in pink

The Parisian powderhouse Guerlain has once again revealed why they are the go-to brand for make-up by showing us an assortment of brand new must-have blush compacts.

The latest make-up offerings come in a range of blushing pinks and all come in stylish limited edition casing.  The powders certainly offer every shade you would ever need, in hues including rose, peach, hot pink and baby pink.  All offer the standard Guerlain grace, style, sophistication and class and should be in every fashionista’s handbag, especially when they come in a stylish jet black engraved with spiralling tendril Guerlain design.

Once you have purchased the blush you can go that one step further and team it with a Guerlain impeccable shine rouge G lipstick, entitled Blush G de Guerlain.

The creative director of the infamous brand is said to be extremely impressed with this season’s shades and informs users they are both melodic and beautiful in style.

Of course the collection wouldn’t be complete without the piercing blue stare of a supermodel and the face of Guerlain’s new blushes.  Natalie Vodianova is the name behind this face and in the campaign wears the all-new rose tones.  Such shades are perfect for the summer months ahead of us and will give the effect of a true English-rose style.  Such a style is best worn during the day but can be dressed up at night with a more vivid lipstick shade such as a hot pink or deep rose colour

All the products encase a certain sense of style and attitude and are only for the most confident upon us!


Urban fashion notes

Urban fashion notes

Fashions are constantly changing and sometimes it can be a difficult task to know what pieces to invest in.  There are however a few pieces that everyone should have, such as a good pair of denim jeans, a plain white tee, a black skirt, some black heels and a suit jacket.

All of the above pieces are fail safe items and can be both dressed up and dressed down depending on the event in question.

Jeans are the base point of any outfit, however there are an assortment of washes and shades available.  This season introduced an assortment of coloured denim, which certainly added something a little fresh to the world of denim.  Colours varied in shade from deep reds and hot oranges to pastel pinks and baby mauve.

Some an item of clothing is a great investment for your summer wardrobe and can again be either dressed up or dressed down.  The pastel colours especially look great with vintage sneakers if you wish to add a retro twist to your ensemble.

However if you do opt for the pastel colours it is best to keep the rest of your attire neutral as teaming the jeans with a top or tee of the same shade may cause the outfit to look a little of a washout.

Retro shades finish this look perfectly ad a lot of the designers this year have been introducing such an item in an assortment of pastel colours, this is the must-have accessory for 2011!

Jumpsuits – Good or Bad?

Jumpsuits – Good or Bad?

Although a lot of fashion trends are instant hits and endure all over the country for several years, there are those ever so slightly questionable items that see the fashion world divided. Jumpsuits are an example of one of these items of clothing – do you love them, or hate them? Having re-entered the fashion scene last year in bright colours and covered in popular patterns, floral and animal prints, jumpsuits have been a subject of great debate.

Jumpsuits were originally designed for practicality and comfort for those working in manual labour, and were worn over clothes to protect them. Now, they are a big trend and can be seen on celebrities such as Cheryl Cole and more recently, Tulisa Contostavlos at the X Factor auditions.

The practical element of jumpsuits has unfortunately given way to style – they are not the easiest of item to wear on a night out. However, they are a great alternative for dresses and can be found in a range of materials which make the item actually quite versatile.

Jumpsuits are also flattering for most shapes, providing you get the colour and pattern correct for yours. Taller ladies can pull off anything but smaller or curvier women need to avoid prints and go for stripes or block colour instead.

Style your bedroom to reflect your personality

Style your bedroom to reflect your personality

The one place in your home that should absolutely emulate your personality is your bedroom. This is the room that you relax and recharge in and it should have all the personal touches that you need to make you feel perfectly at home.

If you are starting from scratch when it comes to decorating your room then take time to think about what you want your bedroom to say about you and how you want it to make you feel. Is it a private place? Is it somewhere you wish to share?

Choose colours and a theme that suit you, if you like to take time out and be on your own and maybe read a book, choose calm, cool colours that will encourage your favourite past times. If you’re more of a party person and like to trash your room in preparation for a night out, go for bright colours and kit it out in such a way that your messy habits can be easily disguised. Think sliding drawers or boxes that fit nicely underneath furniture, stacking boxes to throw toiletries and accessories into as you dash out the door.

The most important thing other than theme and colour is of course your bed. Your bed should be your home within a home, a welcoming spot where you can switch off and wind down. Choosing a suitable bed can be hard unless you know exactly what you want.

Choose a good retailer such as Dreams.co.uk who have a wide variety of beds so that you aren’t restricted in choice. If you do choose to buy Dreams beds then you should also consider buying a new mattress. A new mattress can do wonders for your sleeping patterns and your mind and body will thank you later. Sleep is extremely important to the human body so make sure you get plenty of it in the best possible environment.

Once you have chosen a bed, get back to the finishing touches and make your room your own by adding personal touches such as photos and ornaments. Candles are also a great touch, they look lovely but also when lit, they can create a really warming, inviting atmosphere, perfect for bedtimes.

Party pins

Party pins

The sun us starting to make more of a regular appearance, however the weather is still a little cold in the evenings. This doesn’t however mean you have to stick to the trousers, you can still wear all your pretty party dresses this season by simply teaming them with a cute pair if boldly patterned tights or sexy decorated hosiery, both options are great ways to add a little extra something to your loon and also a great way to keep toasty whilst still looking dressy!

Whether you choose swirls, stripes, antique lace-esque styles, hosiery with back seams, hosiery with sheer band detailing cheetah print styles, shiny styles or diamond print numbers, you will most certainly be making a statement this season!

Luv Tyler is one actress that is working the opaque look and has recently been spotted wearing a feather embellished cream skirt, black opaque tights, heels and a smart black top and jacket! The embellished waistband detailing made this outfit suitable for an evening out and the tights will most definitely keep this actress nice and toasty!

Coloured denim

Coloured denim

Denim was big last season, so big in fact that many models, A-list celebrities and designers donned not one but several pieces of denim attire at once!

This season denim is still huge yet it is taking on a new and refreshing twist…this years denim jeans are appearing in a variety of hues, including indigo blue, canary yellow, baby faded pinks, baby faded blue shades, hot magentas, salmon pinks, post box reds and grass greens.

This new style is a perfect addition to your wardrobe and is a great way of brightening your current look up, just in time for the spring and summer season!

The celebrities and fashionistas are already hot on this trend for 2011. Cameron Diaz went for a salmon pink pair, which she teamed with a casual White tee, nude sandals and a suit jacket. The model and presenter Alexa Chung went for a more vivid attire and opted for a post box red pair of jeans, she chose to team these with a polka for navy chiffon shirt, a casual navy blazer and heeled lace up shoes. She finished the outfit with a cute quilted over the shoulder bag. Chloe Kardashian was another starlet to opt for the red denim. She however went for a more low key look and teamed them with fur lined boots and a black long sleeved tee, she broke the loom up with a grey bag. Anna Jendeuck went for grass green, she dressed these up with a silk top, blazer and block shaped killer high heels. Malign was recently seen wearing a cobalt blur pair of jeans, teamed with a structured smart jacket, round tie heels in patent and an elegant clutch, this is certainly one way to dress up your denim.

Make sure your next choice is the bright choice!

Swimwear For Everyone.

Swimwear For Everyone.

The time of year is upon us where we feel the urge to either get swimming to get fit or to purchase the perfect swimsuit for the beach. So what types of women’s swimwear is there out there?

Firstly you have your traditional swimsuit. This is an all in one suit that generally has cut away high leg holes with thick straps up at the top. They can come in plain colours, bright colours or even large bold prints. You can also get an array of neck lines that are designed to suit your body’s needs. There are halter neck lines that are perfect for those with beautiful shoulders and necks, and a cleavage to die for. You have also got the sport cross backed neck line which is becoming on those with an athletic body shape, and finally you have a one shoulder neck line that screams sophistication as you walk down the beach.

If the all in one swimsuit is not for you, there is the tankini. This is a pair of shorts/bikini bottoms with a vest top made in swimsuit material. This is an ideal style for those who feel too exposed in a swimsuit. You can have the shorts covering your bottom and the top half loosely fits so that your tummy is not hugged too tight. You can also buy tankinis in a range of colours and styles, so you will not find it hard to find one that suits your body as well as your personality.

Lastly, you have bikinis. This tends to be the most popular option in women’s swimwear as it is flattering and extremely sexy. A bikini is a top half not that dissimilar to a bra and the bottom half can either be knicker shaped or little shorts, or for the braver there are even thongs.

As you can image this produces a massive range of tops and bottoms, sometimes leaving you so baffled you would rather just wear a simple swimsuit to avoid having to search for the right bikini. But once you find your perfect bikini you will never look back.

The outnet sale marks its second birthday!

The outnet sale marks its second birthday!

Yes you have just heard right…the Outnet is celebrating its second birthday by selling designer goods for a tiny £2!

If you missed last year’s £1 sale then you are in for a treat this year, just make sure yu get there quick!  Lat year’s sale took an immense total of nine orders per second!

After the success of last year’s £1 sale, the highly talented people behind the label have decided to once again hit it hard!

It’s hard to believe it but this years top designer pieces will actually cost less than your morning latte.  It is even harder to believe when brands such as Alberta Ferretti and Marc Jacobs are in the mix!

However there is a catch, in order to cut down on the chaos of last year, this year’s sale will be limited to a total of 2.000 applicants!

The prize of being one of those 2,000 applicants…all day access to the most sought after online shopping!  In order to be in with a chance of being one of those lucky people, simply register your interest on the site.  This can be done every day up until the 13 April 2011.  Winner will be drawn at random so make sure you keep your fingers crossed, however just by entering you will receive a free shipping code, which is definitely worth the few moments it will take you to do so!

Twenty entrees will also be chosen to win £200 in store credit, what are you waiting for!!?

Everyone chosen will definitely be able to get their hands on at least one outfit as there are 2,400 designer pieces up for grabs!

New season Proenza Schouler

New season Proenza Schouler

It has already been confirmed that the high fashion label Proenza Schouler will be causing quite a stir this season, they have certainly been making quite a bold statement in recent moths and this season’s show is said to be no different when it comes to that wow factor.

Proenza Schouler will be one of the defining shows when it comes to autumn and winter trends for 2011.  Last season they showcased a line of neon and tie-dye pieces at New York fashion Wee, making themselves known as the ones to watch for this season, especially when it comes to creative and daring designs.

Their deconstructed tweeds and bold and dramatically printed denim are just two of the ways Proenza has chosen to stand out from the crowd.  This seasons designs however appear somewhat Western in look and are now appearing all over the city, making them a major trend for 2011.

The designers behind such exaggerated pieces are Lazarro Hernandez and Jack McCollough’s, they both heavily focus were on signature mixed prints, computer generated and hi-tech yet made to look handcrafted clothes.  `These include pixellated trousers and heavily detailed knits along with statement geometric velvet dresses.  In fact almost all the pieces in the line took advantage of today’s technology.

Native American blankets collected on a road trip were said to be the inspiration behind the designer duos work.  Accessories included pony skin boots and distressed suede boots a well as fang detailed necklaces, all using the concept of the great west, however the designs were so much greater.

A few pieces to watch for 2011’s new season are the slim fitting trousers and the tuxedo-enthused jackets, apron-fold skirts are also proving to be big for 2011.