FASHION BEAUTY HOME PEOPLE EVENTS ECO

Boots brush set freebie

2010-05-17T04:04:00.000-07:00

Using the right tools is essential for creating the classic ‘smoky eye’ look, so to help you master it, No7 is giving away a free a No7 Smoky Eyes Brush Set with every purchase of No7 Extreme Length Mascara in Boots or on Boots.com between 19th May and 15th June 2010.

The set contains four essential brushes including Eye Shadow Brush, Shader Brush, Smudge Brush, Liner Brush, plus a simple step-by-step guide explaining how to work up the smoky eyes look with ease.

The gift set is available from Boots stores nationwide and Boots.com while stocks last.

http://www.boots.com/

Charity T’s at New Look

2010-04-30T10:11:00.000-07:00

Macmillan Cancer Support have partnered with New Look to create a limited edition t-shirt range geared towards festival goers.

From Bank Holiday Monday the new and exclusive Macmillan Rocks range of clothing will be in New Look stores across the country.

From every t-shirt, £3 (rrp £10 for men’s and £8 for women’s) and £1.50 from every bag (rrp £5) will go directly to Macmillan to help improve the lives of people affected by cancer.

We reckon the bright colours, light-hearted slogans and affordable prices will be a hit amongst teenagers, whether they’ve been to a festival or not.

The range follows in the footsteps of other fashion / charity collaborations such as Henry Holland for Trekstock and Jimmy Choo for Women for Women. But we can’t recall any other high street retailers doing something like this, so hats off to New Look.

www.newlook.com / www.macmillan.org.uk

Win prizes with The Frizz Revolution

2010-04-28T10:11:00.000-07:00

John Frieda have added a new section on their Facebook page with a brand new competition to win a Frizz Ease Prize Pack full of John Frieda goodies and products. There's also a behind the scenes video and tips from the professionals too.

http://www.facebook.com/JohnFriedaUK?v=app_113485592005240&ref=ts

Simply click the 'I Want To Join The Frizz Revolution' button and submit your top frizz fighting tip to enter the competition!

Don't forget to 'like' the page to keep up to date with future competitions, offers and professional styling tips:

http://www.facebook.com/JohnFriedaUK

Beautifully British

2010-04-28T07:56:00.001-07:00

Matching Union Jack packaging and a divine fragrance combining cedarwood, lavender and patchouli organic essential oils, make this hair and body wash a real retro treat.

Plus, from every sale of both the Top To Toe Wash and Beautifully British Body Lotion Natural Empathy donates £2 to charity Help For Heroes.

This paraben, cruelty and synthetic free, natural beauty product is made small limited edition batches and is suitable for sensitive skin.

Celebrating all that is great about Britain, the Natural Empathy range is produced by the Stuckey family who live in Northumberland close to the Yellow Fields farm where the main ingredient, rape seed oil, is grown and pressed for the products.

Cold pressed extra virgin rape seed oil is the UK’s superior to olive oil. In fact it’s one of the most natural and healthy oils in existence - richer and more nutritive, easily absorbed and ultra-softening so it’s great for your skin.

The range is available online at www.naturalempathy.com and in The General Trading Company, Sloane Square, London.

The Top To Toe wash is £12 for 200ml and the Beautifully British luxury body lotion is £12 for 200ml.

50% off Protect and Perfect

2010-04-23T05:20:00.001-07:00

To celebrate the first anniversary of No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Beauty Serum, N^o7 is offering customers the chance to purchase the N^o7 Protect & Perfect skincare range for only £31.00 (usually £62.50).

The set includes N^o7 Protect & Perfect Intense Beauty Serum, 30ml, N^o7 Protect & Perfect Day Cream, 50ml and N^o7 Protect & Perfect Night Cream, 50ml.

Savvy shoppers will need to rush to the front of the queue as this offer is only available for a limited time, from 21^st April until stocks last.

Available at larger Boots stores, or online at www.boots.com.

Win a shopping trip to New York with Galaxy FM's Style Hunt

2010-04-21T06:46:00.000-07:00

In celebration of Britain’s everyday fashion icons, Style Hunt is on the lookout for two of the trendiest females in six key regions who could give Cheryl, Sienna, or Rihanna a run for their money. Carefully selected by a Galaxy style panel, the lucky ladies will be joined by a shortlist of fellow fashionistas from across the country. The nation’s ‘Final 12’ will be announced on the 5th of May and will then go on to face the public vote.

The candidate with the highest number of votes wins a trip to New York and £5,000 to spend on the new season’s looks.

The competition is open to all girls over the age of 16. To enter, simply log on to www.galaxyfm.com.

On the ground will be the Galaxy Style Police – a mobile team searching for stylish girls on the High Street.

You can join them in this quest by uploading your photo spottings via Twitpic to @galaxyfm marking it #stylehunt. These pictures will be published on the Galaxy FM Facebook page at www.facebook.com/galaxyfm where people can tag their photo and then enter the competition.

There will also be Galaxy Style Stations situated in selected locations across the country where fashionistas can get their hair, makeup or nails done whilst their fellas are entertained with computer games.

The nominations close at 5pm on Thursday the 29th of April.

Style Station locations

Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet, Kinsey Road, Ellesmere Port, South Wirral, CH65 9JJ

Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth Harbour, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 3TZ

Debenhams, 97 Argyle Street, Glasgow, G2 8AR

The Style Stations are open during entry period from 23^rd – 25^th April.

Pixie Lott unveils fashion collection for Lipsy

2010-04-20T05:17:00.000-07:00

The laid-back pop singer’s collection features the 'Pixie Festival' look which showcases items best suited for day wear. This look includes a cropped denim waistcoat, white antique-lace tiered dress and a black strappy body.

The 'Pixie Party' fits in with Lipsy’s trademark look featuring items such as a leopard print strapless party dress, cream tiered strapless dress, a baby pink ballerina-style frock and a sexy – and tight-fitting – red leopard-print skirt.

Apparently Pixie has ditched her girl-next-door look opting for a more sexy and sophisticated image instead. But we won't be able to see the promotion pictures that, shot in Marbella, until the official launch next week.

Of her collaboration with Lipsy, Pixie said: ‘I have always been a big fan of Lipsy – I love what the brand stands for and I’m having great fun working with such a talented and creative team.’

Lipsy’s The Pixie Collection is available in all Lipsy stores nationwide and online from Wednesday 28 April.

www.lipsy.co.uk

Pennies make £Pounds

2010-04-16T08:37:00.000-07:00

With an ever-growing summer agenda, here at Fashion Victim HQ we’re becoming a tad concerned about how to afford all this frivolity.

Thankfully there is help at hand and it comes in the form of vintage money boxes from Dot Com Gift Shop. When we saw these we couldn’t help thinking how nice they’d be to put pennies in. With quirky vintage designs and handy incentivising prompts, you’ll be constantly reminded to offload your change and to save it not spend it.

The ‘Home Sweet Home’ design is right up our street (excuse the terrible pun) but we noticed it’s sadly not quite big enough for the housing prices of today. 'It’s the pennies that make the pounds' as they say, and quite right they are too. We've all got to start somewhere right?

www.dotcomgiftshop.com

Design the official Glastonbury t-shirt

2010-04-15T07:59:00.000-07:00

For those of you that didn’t manage to get Glastonbury tickets (our hearts go out to you) there is still a chance to attend the legendary festival.

Each year there is a contest to design the official Festival T-shirt and this year is no different. The competition will be judged by Michael Eavis and has just gone live so it’s time to get designing.

The winner will receive two tickets to the festival and a cheque for £1,000. But as its Glastonbury’s 40^th anniversary, competition is likely to be high. We’re hoping this will mean a high calibre of original designs as we’re looking forward to purchasing a t-shirt of our own to mark the occasion.

The deadline for entries is May 1^st and designs need to be sent to Glastonbury T-shirt Competition, Q, Mappin House, 4 Winsley Street, London W1W 8HF.

Head over to www.Qthemusic.com for full Terms & Conditions. The 2009 winner is pictured below.

Add anticipation and turning up the heat on the competition, the almost-full Glastonbury line-up was released today. Just some of the acts performing are: Stevie Wonder, The XX, Chromeo, Dizzee Rascal, Snoop Dogg, Seasick Steve, Muse, Florence and the Machine, Hot Chip, Phoenix, Groove Armada, Bonobo, LCD Soundsystem, Orbital, Simian Mobile Disco and MGMT.

ALIVESHOES: Bringing art to life

2010-04-14T07:42:00.000-07:00

Today we’ve discovered ALIVESHOES, an interesting project that crosses the boundary between contemporary art and fashion. Using shoes that look a little like the Puma First Round sneakers, artists have created unusual installations, sculptures and stories. They’ve also created unique and wearable footwear, that look set to achieve cult status.

The project brings together artistic expression, fashion and sustainability, whilst enabling everyday people to participate by buying the shoes used in each artist's work.

Artists from around the world have used a specific number of ALIVESHOES in the creation of each work of art. Each pair is given a unique identification number and a copy of the artist's original sketch is stitched inside the tongue of each shoe. When the artist has completed their work, the installation is deconstructed and each shoe is prepared for distribution.

Created with the knowledge and traditions of shoemaking passed down in Italy's Marche region, the trainers promise excellent quality. ALIVESHOES are also made from sustainable materials. Untreated organic cotton, leather and cork are used for the upper part of the shoe, whilst ecologically scented foam rubber and fully biodegradable TPU polyurethane is used for the sole. To minimise the environmental impact even further, all leather is hand-coloured ensuring there's no additional waste.

What’s more is that ALIVESHOES believe you should add your own value and set your own price when buying. By choosing a fair price for the trainers you wish to buy, you're helping to create new artwork in the future as well as supporting non-profit organisations.

The general public can even get involved by submitting their own sketch ideas for art installations using the shoes. You don’t have to be an artist, a sculptor or a curator – every sketch is considered. Feeling creative?

Facebook, Twitter and YouTube groups have been created to let people share their views and ideas about the project. Using social media the brand is connecting people with the artists as well as with other people who’ve bought the shoes.

What do you think? Would you wear these trainers? If so, how much would you be willing to pay?

It’s hard to put a price on both art and eco-friendly goods, so we wonder how this will be reflected in sales. I’d certainly feel bad offering a price that’s too low for them to cover their costs, but would they sell the shoes for anything less than they are worth - or would they send me an email back saying ‘thanks but no thanks’ or ‘haha, try again love’?

Either way we think these shoes are going to cause a bit of a stir. We love the concept and we certainly want a pair. In white or canary yellow? Maybe both. Check out the promotional video here.

Find out more www.aliveshoes.com

Diary date: Seven Dials discount shopping evening

2010-04-12T07:41:00.000-07:00

Seven Dials, Covent Garden’s hidden village will be hosting an exclusive shopping evening on Thursday 29^thApril, offering savvy shoppers 20% off at participating stores and venues.

Starting at 5pm with specially extended opening hours until 9pm, the evening is the perfect opportunity to bag key pieces for summer without battling through the craziness of the high street.

The event will include popular Seven Dials stores from urban flagships, fashion boutiques, beauty emporiums and award-winning salons. Many Seven Dials eateries are also taking part, so shoppers can make an evening of it and go for dinner as well.

Top tip: Lookout for Seven Dials branded staff throughout the course of the evening, as they will be pouncing on lucky individuals at random to present them with a Seven Dials goodie bag.

In order to qualify for 20% off, shoppers will need an official voucher,which can be used repeatedly throughout the course of the evening at as many participating stores and venues as desired. To register for the Seven Dials Shopping Evening voucher, go to www.sevendials.co.uk/standard where you can also find a list of participating retailers.

Just a few of the establishments taking part include:

Fashion: All Saints, Urban Outfitters, American Apparel, Fenchurch, Office, Nike, Firetrap, Birkenstock, Unconditional+, Pepe Jeans, Fred Perry, MINT vintage, Super Superficial, Volcom, Miss Sixty, Poste Mistress, Fifi Wilson, Miss La La’s Boudoir.

Lifestyle: Miller Harris, Ahava, Benefit, MAC, Adee Phelan Hairdressers, Sassoon Salon, Walk in Back Rub, Nickel Spa, Coco de Mer.

Food and entertainment: Box Bar, Brasserie Max in The Covent Garden Hotel, Detroit, Souk Medina, Cafe Pasta, Kitchen Italia, Candy Cakes, The Dial Bar and Restaurant at The Mountbatten Hotel.

So remember to save the date: Seven Dials Shopping Evening, Thursday 29^th April, 5-9pm.

A sniff of summer

2010-04-09T06:29:00.001-07:00

The sun is out, the sky is blue, it’s not quite summer but we don’t care! The desire to be outside is so great that it’s sent us all a bit giddy.

Pangs of excitement just thinking about summer holidays, festivals and Pimms in the sunshine can be felt almost everywhere.

Piggybacking the current enthusiasm for all-things outdoor related, we’re thinking of the summer essentials that you’ll use time and again over the next few months. Not going down the exfoliate-and-moisturise-legs route just yet (we’re really not ready for that right now – give us a week) we’re thinking more practical.

Picnics, beach visits, festivals, outdoor gigs, garden parties – you name it. We’ll be doing all very soon and what have we seen that will be a god-send at each of these events? A handy fold-up seat. Simple, practical and combined with the warm weather - more than enough to get us super excited about the summer.

We spotted the QuickSit at Love Eco and it’s a must have for SS10. It even comes in a bang-on-trend floral design!

Made in the UK from 100% recycled plastic, the QuickSit arrives neatly flat packed and ready to assemble in four easy steps. Voila! There you have a trendy and surprisingly sturdy little seat for multiple occasions.

Once you’re done with your QuickSit, it’s easily to fold away and even comes with a carry handle. Perfect! Now can someone tell us why we're still in front of a computer?

£14.95 www.love-eco.co.uk

Shop It To Me… today!

2010-04-01T04:02:00.001-07:00

Some of you may already be familiar with Shop It To Me, a San Francisco born site founded by serial entrepreneur and avid sale shopper Charlie Graham. It’s a very popular online personal shopping service for clothing sales and today it launches in the UK.

We’re very excited by this. Tell us to get a life - but anything that scours over 100 retailers’ sale items to find what we want, in our size and at a discounted price has got to be a godsend. Less time spent searching these websites ourselves, more time enjoying the clothes!

With pretty much every high-street and designer brand you can think of, we can’t wait to start receiving our daily SaleMail from the site. We’ve opted for daily because we’re admittedly complete fashion fiends, but the less discerning might want to opt for weekly emails.

In our first instalment of discounted designer goodness we’ve been given the heads up on a gorgeous Vivienne Westwood silk print skirt for £50, a sexy pair of size 6 snakeskin courts from Karen Millen at £64 and an Antik Batik embellished shoulder bag for £50 (all pictured). Bargains galore!

Now we have noticed there are a couple of glitches, despite stating specific sizes we’ve found some of the suggestions are only available in size 4’s or 18’s (NB not our measurements!). But considering the site launched today, this is bound to happen and will no doubt be ironed out over Easter.

Shop It To Me members also receive exclusive offers, discounts, promotion codes, free shipping codes and access to VIP sale events (which we’ll obviously be letting you know about) but to get it direct sign up here.

www.shopittome.co.uk

Shining bright: First Light

2010-03-31T11:52:00.000-07:00

Mineral make-up has been around for a while and has fixed its position on make-up counters on every high-street. Said to be better for skin and give a longer lasting finish, the claims of mineral make-up stand up tall. However new brand, First Light has credentials that overshadow all other existing mineral cosmetics.

First Light was founded in 2009 by husband and wife team Gilles and Carolyn in Richmond, Surrey making it a native UK brand. The inspiration behind the company came initially from Carolyn, a British working mother, who wanted make-up that better reflected who she was as a woman and suited her life and values. She said:

“As a woman with a child, a husband and a career I have a busy lifestyle and am constantly multitasking. Multitasking is what I also want from the cosmetics that I use. For work I need a professional, groomed look to boost my confidence. At home and out and about with friends, I want to look more natural, yet still glamorous.

With traditional make-up, many women don't always look natural, their make-up often shows and it masks rather than compliments their natural beauty. Most cream based foundations are full of fillers such as talcum powder and preservatives. They give a weighted down and pore-clogged feeling, which combined with the fear of looking overly “made up”, makes many women forgo wearing foundation at all.

The issue with make-up today is that it doesn't deliver on the eclectic needs of today’s lifestyle.”

Carolyn was also tired of the “big” companies advertising using celebrities, extreme claims and incomprehensible chemical components. When Gilles stopped working in the corporate world last year, together the couple set out to create a new healthier, more wearable make-up range for women.

All the products in the range are made from minerals and the powders in the range are 100 per cent pure minerals. Mineral make up is luminous – brightening the face and the skin rather than looking matt or artificial. And the finely crushed minerals sit weightlessly on the skin.

The complete mineral content also means the range is free of chemicals and preservatives that are used to “fill out” many other cosmetics. 51 per cent of women admit to suffering from a skin complaint such as eczema or acne so using make-up made with natural ingredients means we know what we’re putting onto their skin isn’t going to irritate it in the same way.

The great thing about the range is that the minerals provide a wide ranging level of cover. They can be used wet or dry for a multitude of different effects and colours and products can be blended together.

We especially like the blusher that seems to release its illuminating properties when it touches the skin. It gives a lovely dewy glow without the need for a highlighter.

In total the First Light range encompasses 58 colours including 18 shades of foundation, eight blushers and 13 eye-shadows.

In additional to all of the above, because the range is natural it’s better for the environment and our health. What’s more is that even the packaging reflects the company morals and ethos. Make up comes in pretty woven bags which are made by disadvantaged women in Tanzania. The women get paid a fair wage for their work which helps them to integrate in society and encourage the development of their own commercial and social enterprise.

Available exclusively online from the First Light website which offers women a colour matching guide and provides sample testers for only £1.50 including P&P. This is to ensure women are making the right colour choices for their skin tone - avoiding those annoying and costly mistakes we’ve all made in the past! The cost of up to three testers is redeemable against full price items and foundations, concealers, blushes, bronzers and perfect finish powders all come in tester sizes.

10 per cent off is also being offered for those who register. Visit the website for more details.

www.firstlightcosmertics.com

Spree v Steal: Red roses

2010-03-25T08:52:00.001-07:00

Florals are here for the summer but if girly prints aren’t your thing, don’t worry you can still indulge in the trend.

Still very feminine but with a stronger sexier edge, take a look at these rose-drenched throw-overs. One short, one long; one extremely reasonably priced, one with a tag to make your eyes water. We know which we prefer!

Get down to H&M quick to grab yourself a piece of the new Garden Collection. While you’re at it you can bask in the glory of bagging a high-street bargain.

The Claudia It-Kit

2010-03-24T12:12:00.000-07:00

As expected Claudia Schiffer looked great at the Kick Ass premiere on Monday night. Although to achieve that perfect finish she did have the help of A-list make-up artist Kay Montano. That’s right, even Claudia needs some help to look good.

For Claudia’s crystal clear, dewy glow Kay used myface.cosmetics mymix foundation (£12.99) with a touch of myface.cosmetics mymatch powder (£9.99) dusted over T-zone to prevent shine. For the healthy colour paradisio pink blush (£9.99) was swept in upward brush strokes over cheekbones and the smoky eyes were achieved using the midnight hour eye-shadow (£9.99) and lots of black mascara.

If you love the look and want to re-create it for yourself (minus the make-up artist) Boots are currently offering two items for £15 on ALL eye make-up. The offer starts today and ends on 21^st April.

The myface.cosmetics website is also full of advice and tips to help you find the right shades to suit your skin tone. More useful than most other cosmetic websites, it’s definitely worth a look even if you’re not buying.

Boots nationwide and www.myfacecosmetics.com

Mulberry Alexa back in stock

2010-03-23T06:24:00.000-07:00

It’s the bag we’re all lusting over, the Mulberry Alexa. Back due to popular demand, the Alexa styles are now available to buy on Net-a-Porter.com.

We’d do anything for the pink leopard-print clutch. Owww we really want it! Must resist, argh!

£450 www.net-a-porter.com

Blooming marvellous

2010-03-22T12:25:00.001-07:00

Online since Friday, new jewellery company Blossom is already proving extremely popular. It’s probably got something to do with the unusual and quirky pieces available from a selection of interesting designers.

Blossom, Bejewelled, Pinar, Rickson, Day Defy and YuYu are the brands and designers you can find on-site. Some items are completely exclusive to Blossom so it’s definitely worth a look – you’ll find some of these gems nowhere else.

After a quick glance, two pieces have planted themselves firmly on my wish-list:

The Big Rose Ring by Bejewelled £25.10

Mirror & Brush Pendant Necklace by Day Defy £35.80

The best bit is that you get 20 per cent off your first order, free delivery and a free gift. What are you waiting for?!

www.blossom-uk.com

Get set for St Patricks with help from Tiffany

2010-03-17T10:25:00.001-07:00

This silver four-leaf clover or ‘Shamrock’ bracelet will have you believing in leprechauns before you can say Guinness!

Tiffany £195 www.uk.tiffany.com

Mother’s Day gift ideas

2010-03-11T01:35:00.000-08:00

Stuck for ideas? Here’s our top 5 favourite ideas for gifts for mums…

Celia Birtwell Pretty Woman Print Flask £15.95

www.wildandwolf.com

No7 Illuminated make-up mirror now £24.99

www.boots.com

Divine Chocolate Baking Hamper £30.00

www.divinechocolateshop.com

Mother's Day Spa Escape at The Sanctuary (this includes a 25 minute treatment or Hammam Rasul, an assiette of mini desserts and a glass of pink Prosecco as well as a
Sanctuary Spa gift worth £20!) £99pp

www.thesanctuary.co.uk

MaxMara silk and cashmere shawl cardigan £168

www.matchesfashion.com

Versace Versus the scent of summer

2010-03-10T01:36:00.003-08:00

I’ll never forget the day I found an immaculate Versus Versace dress in a charity shop for £3.50. What a find. The geometric monochrome print and great design makes the piece timeless. It must be at least ten years old now but is still very much wearable.

An offshoot described as the ‘Rock n Roll soul’ of Versace, the Versus brand is one that resembles style, evolution and creativity. Despite the years and Christopher Kane relaunch, the brand knows what works and hasn’t erased its original ideas. I was then very pleased to see the geometric print reappearing on the box of the first Versus fragrance, launched this month.

With top notes of Kumquat, star apple and zesty lemon the scent is fresh and fruity, yet the orange flower, rose and patchouli undertones warm to the skin and cling onto clothes.

This is a lovely fragrance with gorgeous packaging proving good things come to those who wait. I usually stick to my favourite perfume of all, Narcisco Rodriguez, but the Versus scent is made for summer so I’m making room for another bottle on the shelf.

Versus Eau Du Toilette 50ml £41 / 100ml £58 www.harrods.com

Versus www.versus.it

Fashion meets 3D cinema

2010-03-09T03:00:00.001-08:00

Whether it’s Avatar or Alice in Wonderland, 3D cinema is an experience that has upped its game in recent months and looks set to leave a long-lasting impression on the big screen.

Even the 3D glasses have had a makeover; now built to last longer than one movie outing and shaped to vaguely resemble the Ray Ban Wayfarer, these glasses have become an essential for movie goers. Much was the disappointment on my friends face when he realised he’d left his behind.

If leaving things behind in the cinema is a situation you’re familiar with, we’ve found a solution that just made 3D really cool.

Tatty Devine is famous for unique and quirky accessories, which elevate jewellery to art status. With their genius they’ve created full-size 3-D glasses complete with translucent red and green lenses which actually work in the cinema.

Attached to a chain they become a retro necklace that’s practical and stylish, and you won’t have to worry about leaving them behind after the film.

Founders Harriet and Rosie have designed a 'limited edition' pair of their 3D glasses for teenage cancer charity Trekstock that we love. Sprinkled with Swarovski crystals and featuring a 'Trekstock' engraving on the reverse, they help to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust making them even more covetable.

Seen here modelled by Kelly Osborne, the glasses are available to buy from www.trekstock.com.

Save v Spend: Gold cuffs

2010-03-08T09:18:00.001-08:00

Big oversized cuff jewellery has been detected on our style radar and we’ve found two ideal pieces to slave the trend. One comes at a price; the other at a pinch (to clarify we don’t mean a five finger discount; it’s just very reasonably priced in comparison).

First up, the Yves Saint Laurent's gorgeous gold-plated hammered cuff: with its layered loops, this is a lovely piece of statement jewellery that remains feminine despite its size.

Working the same principle, this ASOS solid metal cuff is bigger and bolder but without the detail and design. It’s also not gold plated but what it lacks in finesse it makes up for in savings.

Wear either pieces with a sleek LBD or flowing maxi dress to enrich your look with Grecian-inspired glamour. Go for one or the other rather than both, a cuff on each arm and you might be mistaken for wearing gladiator fancy dress.

YSL www.net-a-porter.com / ASOS www.asos.com

Mother’s Day Discounts

2010-03-05T04:49:00.000-08:00

This year Mothering Sunday falls on 14^th March so you’ve got just over a week to get your mum something lovely.

If your mum’s a bit tricky to buy for and you’re stuck for ideas, we’ve found some handy discounts that may help to make the process a little simpler.

Thinking of others and spending wisely? She'll be so proud!

Free Delivery on UK Orders Over £25 at Interflora, simply enter vcukmumdel at the checkout.

15% off Orders at Benefit Cosmetics enter VCCOUK15 at the checkout.

10% off Orders at Hotel Chocolat enter VCSPRING10 at the checkout.

20% off Orders at Oasis enter VCCOUK20PC at the checkout.

12% off Orders at Avon enter AVON12 at the checkout.

12% off and Free Delivery at Boden enter LN7S at the checkout.

10% off Orders at Thorntons enter MDAB at the checkout.

20% off Fragrance and Beauty at Lloyds Pharmacy enter MDAY at the checkout.

13% Off Orders at Champneys enter vouchercodes/champneys at the checkout.

10% off Orders at eFlorist enter VOUCHER10 at the checkout.

10% off Orders at Prezzy Box enter vccoukmum at the checkout.

10% off Figleaves brands at Figleaves enter figvcuk1 at the checkout.

Free Experience L'Occitane Petit Set with Orders Over £30 enter AVCKP at the checkout.

10% off Orders at First4hampers enter GDYID102344 at the checkout.

5% off Orders Over £30 at Salon Skincare enter AMD2010 at the checkout.

Tried & Tested: Nubar Eco Nail Varnish

2010-03-04T06:36:00.001-08:00

With fashion week’s across the globe creating a whirlwind of new looks, trends, colours, designs and of course - gossip, it’s a wonder we have room for anything more.

Although not getting too caught up in the world of high-fashion, merely admiring from afar and carrying on with everyday life, seems to work well for us. Bridging the gap between the catwalk and the road we live on, or ideals and reality, is an ongoing crusade that we think we’ve become pretty good at.

We’re not the only ones. Nubar the eco friendly nail polish from LA, a hit with the A-List with fans including Cheryl Cole, Eva Mendes and Scarlett Johansson, has found its way to UK shores.

Responding quickly to the latest trends, Nubar are skilled in producing catwalk colours as soon as they appear. This means that we can update our high-street looks ahead of time just by giving our nails a lick of paint.

Nubar have already launched a Pastel Fever collection for spring which includes shades in Perky Pink Crème, Dreamy Lavender, Fresh Green Tea, Lively Lemon Sorbet and Zesty Orange Crème. Proving their fashion credentials, the models at Look magazine's high street fashion show at LFN last week were wearing Nubar; Zesty Orange was the colour du jour.

Without name dropping or trend spotting, the thing we like most about this brand is that it is great quality, ethically and environmentally sound brand. Free from formaldehyde, phthalates, toluene, carcinogens, the varnish is even suitable for vegetarians and vegans. They have met the standards by PETA to be classed as cruelty free so we know no cute fluffy bunnies have been harmed in the making – what more could we ask for?

The most important thing of course – the finish. We’ve been giving the Dreamy Lavender shade a good test run and here’s what we found…

The first thing I noticed upon application is that it was thicker and appeared more pigmented than standard nail polish. This might have something do with its eco-credentials but I’m no scientist so I can’t tell you. After one coat I was pleased with the results and saw no reason to apply a second (big tick).

Super-fast drying with no streaks – great news for my clumsy hands. I was surprised that it still had the smell of ordinary chemically-laden nail polish but that’s certainly not going to put me off. I’m very busy; I get up to no good and am always banging into things and hurting myself. I also bite and chew my nails. With this in mind, the fact that it took three days to develop my first chip is pretty remarkable.

If only I had longer nails… although I’m told that keeping nails short is also key to this seasons trends. Stopping biting doesn’t have to happen just yet.

Nubar £8 www.beautyshed.co.uk

Win a pair of shoes everyday this month

2010-03-03T03:17:00.000-08:00

Handbag.com is giving away a pair of shoes every day in March, from the latest designer styles to the best on the high street. Everyday there’s a different pair, all you have to do is log on to the site daily to enter the competition.

There are some gorgeous styles up for grabs, everyone is bound to see at least one pair they fall in love with. Including designs by Faith and ASOS to Vivienne Westwood and Jimmy Choo, we really are lucky girls this month.

Just remember, you’ve got to be in it to win it!

Check it out here www.handbag.com/fashion/Shoe-month-win-a-pair-of-shoes-every-day/

Lashings of gold

2010-03-02T03:28:00.000-08:00

Last night we were lucky enough to see The XX perform on the first night of their UK tour. Grinning and in awe of the performance, I couldn’t help but swoon over the coolness of this little London trio. Humble and sincere whilst emanating an undeniable sense of excellence: is it possible to fall in love with a band?

So maybe I’m in my XX honeymoon period, but the other thing about them that I found myself admiring was their style. Yes now we’re talking fashion. The two vocalists, Romy and Oliver wore all black, a smart and safe choice but with edge. Both opted for gold jewellery, bringing their look right up to date and softening their otherwise hard look.

Gold jewellery is big this season. It featured heavily on the catwalk a la Alexander Wang and Peter Soms and the key to wearing it well is to wear lots of it.

We love this unusual gold chain harness from Bambi & Snowflake, it’s a tough, sexy piece of body jewellery that will update your look in an instant. Handmade using a mixture of vintage, new and reclaimed materials, each one is unique and you know you won’t see everyone else wearing it.

Wear it like Romy with a black t-shirt and blazer for that too-uber-cool-for-school look.

The Bambi & Snowflake collection can be viewed and bought online here: www.etsy.com/shop/bambiandsnowflake

Spree v Steal - Drew's dress

2010-03-01T09:17:00.000-08:00

If you want to steal Drew Barrymore’s ‘He’s Just Not That Into You’ premier style, you may be put off by the A-list price tag. Additionally the dress has sold out from the main distributor so even if you did have the dollar, you’d still be out of luck.

Amazingly we’ve found a very similar dress which costs little over 1% of the price of Drew’s dress – and it’s available to buy.

Lanvin €3,307 www.luisaviaroma.com / Elise Ryan £40 www.eliseryan.co.uk

ASOS Out of Africa

2010-02-26T09:06:00.000-08:00

Wow – check out the new fair trade range for ASOS, we absolutely love it! The bright, bold colours and prints are eye-catching and bang on trend. After seeing this collection we’re willing on summer even more!

The range is the latest addition to the ASOS Green Room, dedicated to the clothing and items with a ‘story to tell’. Anything eco-friendly, charity related or ethically made falls into this category so get stuck in, it’s the coolest frikkin one of them all.

The number one favourite this end – it’s got to be the jumpsuit. Balmy summer evenings, cocktail in hand, schmoozing in this gem – heaven.

www.asos.com/Women/Asos-Africa

Tight-tastic!

2010-02-26T05:48:00.001-08:00

Yes it’s still very cold out-of-doors, despite the official British Summer Time (BST) being only four weeks away. Although no need to fret fashionistas, designers have done us proud with some fantastic hosiery to keep our pins warm.

We’ve seen great collaboration between catwalk heroes and knicker-draw staples of late – check out some of the spot-on tight designs that transcend the fashion shows to everyday wear.

Emilio Cavallini Suspender Leggings £18.90 www.mytights.com

Topshop Vintage Lace Tights in Dusty Pink www.topshop.com

Jonathan Aston Leopard Tulle Tights £10.00 www.mytights.com

Henry Holland Alphabet Tights for Pretty Polly £10.00 www.tightsplease.co.uk

Pamela Mann Feather 2010 Tights £8.95 www.uktights.com

Exclusive bottle-top pumps on their way to ASOS

2010-02-25T07:10:00.000-08:00

Award winning eco shoe brand Beyond Skin has teamed up with ASOS to launch an exclusive ballerina pump made from recycled bottle tops.

The bottle-top ‘Sole’ pump has been designed exclusively for SS10 for ASOS and comes in one colour – poker hot red. The pumps will be available from the ASOS website from mid-March for £65 and are sure to get snapped up fast.

The design for ASOS is the latest collection to the Beyond Skin ‘Sole’ range of pumps for SS10. The new design looks the same as the rest of the range; however these pumps are made from recycled bottle tops whereas the rest are made from a natural latex rubber. Because the latex is breathable and is covered with organic cotton, the pumps will keep your feet cool and comfortable whether you’re wearing them with tights or on their own in the warmer months.

Beyond Skin was launched in 2001, creating stylish and trendy shoes made in an ethical and environmentally sound way. Leather is never used in their designs; instead they use a fake variety or eco-friendly materials as an alternative. The factory in India where the ‘Sole’ collection is handmade is also currently about to be IFAT certified, meaning the shoes will be officially fairly traded as well as sustainable.

www.asos.com / www.beyondskin.co.uk

Future Form: for the love of fashion, art and design

2010-02-24T03:43:00.000-08:00

To celebrate London Fashion Week, Future Form has launched an interactive fashion installation, featuring fashion and textile experiments from London graduates.

The group exhibition at The Trafalgar Hotel, curated by jottaContemporary, showcases a selection of artists working with fashion textiles and illustration, moving image and painting.

Featuring Kathryn Ferguson’s fashion films and Cherry Hurren's lifesize dolls (featured in Vogue and Harvey Nicholls) dressed in designs from Central Saint Martins and London College of Fashion students. Visitors can also see Rita Parniczky’s sculpted textiles and magical paper-cut accessories which create the entrance to the temporary fashion-meets-art wonderland.

Other artists include:

Eunsuk Hur, whose work has recently been showcased in the world-touring exhibition, Warp Factor 09, Japanese Vogue and Elle Magazine…

Rita Parniczky, a textile designer who originally trained as a porcelain painter and illustrates the idea of 'x-raying' fabrics in her recent collection…

…And Lina Ekstrand who creates fashion-inspired illustrations featuring quirky and sometimes familiar characters. In her work for Future Form, Lina has taken influence from Central Saint Martins fashion BA student, Hampus Berggren.

Exhibition Open 19th Feb 2010 – 23rd May 2010.
The Trafalgar Hotel, 2 Spring Gardens, London, SW1A 2TS

www.jotta.com

It’s all about the antlers

2010-02-23T06:32:00.000-08:00

Since the antlers on the Topshop Unique catwalk at LFW caused a bit of a stir, we’ve been thinking about all things antler-related. We’ve found there are actually quite a few things in this domain that we adore …

Firstly it’s got to be the band, The Antlers. Their 2009 album Hospice is truly great. Much like a stag, it’s powerful yet fragile and utterly beautiful at the same time. With a sombre message, the album reflects what antlers symbolise.

As sad as it’s true, antlers belong to a beautiful creature which often hunted for its meat, skin and bone. In ancient times this was a part of everyday life and during the excavation of Star Carr in North Yorkshire, twenty-one adult red deer skull parts with antlers were found. All had holes made through the back of them.

These worked antlers are thought to be head-dresses made from the by-products of the food the people had killed and eaten. The holes would have been used to tie them to the head with a leather thong and may have been worn by hunters as a disguise, but it is more likely that they were part of a costume worn on special occasions, perhaps during religious ceremonies. The Red deer antler head-dresses can now be seen at The British Museum and we can’t help but wonder if stylist Katie Grand got the idea for the Topshop designs here…

Antlers also evoke images of old country lodges where the heads have been mounted as trophies on the walls on the hunters. Associated with taxidermy and creepy films, it seems unlikely that they would have sparked an interiors trend in the modern day. But there’s just no escaping the beauty of the stag and lets face it, if it’s not a real head on the wall, it’s not upsetting for anyone.

Deer Rack Coat Hook £25 www.abodeliving.co.uk

Antlers Clothes Hangers designed by Alexander Taylor for Leigh Harmer £48 www.leighharmer.co.uk

Antler mirror (not real) £165 www.ivorypearlinteriors.com

The band The Antlers are playing at the O2 Academy in London on 4^th March and in Brighton at the Hanbury Ballrooms on 5^th March.

If I was a guy…

2010-02-23T04:15:00.000-08:00

I’d certainly be taking a stroll around ‘Denim Garden’, the Trousers London pop-up shop in Seven Dials, Convent Garden.

Only open for another five days, Denim Garden features both a shop and an exhibition and is home to an installation of collaborative projects showing the work of local artists including video projects, photography and art. Artists include Mario Mendez whose recent work was seen in Italian Vogue and Sebastien Pons who has worked previously with Vivienne Westwood during fashion week (see one of his portraits below – love this one!).

Launched in 2008 Trousers London has quickly become renowned for the exclusive design and sole use of organic denim in their collections. All jeans are made from raw organic denim and each pair is given a unique ID number to make you feel very special and important, like they’ve been made especially with you in mind.

We love the cool detailing on the pockets and the slouchiness of these boy-jeans. OK we admit it; the idea of a gorgeous man in these threads is making us a little hot under the collar. Ahem.

Opening times are 10 – 7pm, Monday to Saturday and 12 – 6pm, Sundays. Check out www.trouserslondon.co.uk for information on the brand and to find out more about what’s on offer at Seven Dials visit www.sevendials.co.uk.

Fairtrade Fortnight kicks off

2010-02-23T02:00:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was the first day of Fairtrade Fortnight, kicking off two weeks of championing all things fairly made and traded.

From 22^nd February to 7^th March the Fairtrade Foundation is adopting the theme of ‘The Big Swap’ and is trying to persuade a million and one people to swap their usual product for a Fairtrade-marked equivalent.

This might seem like a big feat but now more than 1000 products available in the UK carry the Fairtrade mark. Many food, clothing, homeware and beauty products have been given the stamp in recent years, making it so much easier to buy ethically.

Now that fairly traded items are becoming more mainstream, shoppers are realising that Fairtrade doesn’t mean compromised quality. Leading Fairtrade brands have done really well to overcome the misconception as many consumers tended to associate fair trade with ‘hippy rubbish’.

Proving that Fairtrade can be stylish, fantastic quality and desirable, here are a few of our favourite items:

Boots Extracts Honey Body Butter £7.50 (will be available in-store from Wednesday) www.boots.com

Striped resin bangle £6 www.traidcraftshop.co.uk

Rookwood Lion Tank by Emma Watson for People Tree £65 www.peopletree.co.uk

Damask Jacquard Duvet Cover £65-£95 www.johnlewis.com

Birdies t-shirt THTC £22 www.thtc.co.uk

Power Berry Facial Wash £14.50 www.nealsyardremedies.com

Fairly Dotty Knickers £12 www.lifesnotfairbutmyknickersare.com

Hotpants £25 www.topshop.com

Fruit of Love cushion cover £25 www.onevillage.org

Fairtrade Roses £37.99 www.clareflorist.co.uk

To celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight, Aura Que are also giving customers 10 per cent off all products in their Online Boutique until 7th March – this includes all sale items and the new Spring/Summer 2010 stock that will be available from 1st March 2010. They also provide free postage and packing www.auraque.com.

The promise of flawless, airbrushed skin

2010-02-19T09:47:00.000-08:00

We’ve just found out about an exciting new way to apply foundation that promises results we’re only used to seeing on the models in magazines.

The range is called Airbase and does what it says on the tin - it uses the familiar airbrushing concept to apply make up to the skin. It’s a wonder no one thought of it before, genius!

One of the women behind the brand is Judy Naake who brought St.Tropez to our shores 15 years ago. Judy teamed up with the Oscar nominated make-up artist Anni Buchanan to create a brand which looks set to be a huge success.

Already many celebrities are fans or Airbase as it has been used by make-up artists for nearly two years. Jemma Kidd School has used it back stage, Girls Aloud make-up artist Liz Martins is amongst its fans, as are Holly Willoughby and Hermione Norris. But in March the brand is launching their ‘Home kits’ which will enable everyday folk like me and you to get in on the action.

Now it doesn’t come cheap but I’m told it’s well worth it. There are five foundations, two blushers and one bronzer all of which are £29.95 and can last for up to six months (very reasonable). However you’ll also need to buy the applicator Airbrush and mini-compressor pack with costs £134.95. The way we look at it, you’ll only need to buy the Airbrush once, so like hair-straighteners – it’s probably worth the investment.

The added benefits of the make-up itself is that it’s long lasting, heat resistant and waterproof and it contains Vitamin A and Vitamin E. Vitamin A improves elasticity and helps to reduce fine lines and Vitamin E is an anti-oxidant that helps in fighting free radicals.

The foundation has a silicone base which allows the skin to breathe, apparently without clogging pores. Combined with the airbrush that disperses the foundation in tiny particles we should have the recipe for flawless skin.

Similarly to straightening your hair however, I have heard that everyday use isn’t recommended. Using an air brush can apparently push make up deep into the skin if it’s used regularly. Something to bear in mind if you’re as excited as we are about this new gadget – nights out and special occasions only girls! Plus we can’t be beautiful all the time… can we?

Watch the video demonstration to see Airbase in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgtJhKuKyyY

www.airbasemakeup.com

Update your hair in an instant – get plaiting

2010-02-18T02:52:00.001-08:00

Plaited hair is big this season. On the catwalk we’ve seen Alexander Wang, DSquared and Mui Mui coveting the style but all in very different ways. Tight and sleek or loose and messy – you choose.

Commenting on the trend, celebrity Lee Stafford says:

“Plaits and braids are set to be a key feature of this seasons hair trends. Keep them sleek and silky smooth or rough them up and add a bit of sexy ‘I just got out of bed’ matt texture. This is a trend that everyone can recreate in seconds and can really glam up ‘end of the day’ hair without hours of re-styling.”

At the Brit Awards, Fearne Cotton sported what has got to be the trickiest plait to achieve – the Herringbone. Here Lee Stafford shares his tips on how to recreate the look.

How to get Fearne’s herringbone red carpet look in 10 simple steps…

1. It’s really important to get as much volume and texture as possible in your hair before braiding it to stop hair from slipping, so using about a tennis ball sized amount of root lifting mousse, rough up hair from root to tip.

2. Create a side parting by drawing a fine tooth comb from crown to hairline, and arrange hair into place.

3. For more length and thickness like Fearne’s you can also add some clip in hair extensions at the nape of the neck.

4. Then pull hair over to one side, over the shoulder as if you were going to create a side pony tail.

5. Separate all of the hair that is on the side into two halves.

6. Take a very small section – a 'pinch' of hair, not a handful – from the left section of hair, and cross it over so it joins the section on the right.

7. Take another small section of hair from the right section of hair, and cross it over so it joins the section on the left.

8. Keep taking small sections and crossing them over to the opposite section. At first you may not see the herringbone effect, as you continue you will notice the herringbone pattern beginning to form. Continue until running out of hair and then tie an elastic band or wrap a bit of leather thong around the ends of the braid leaving a good two inches of loose hair at the ends to hold it.

9. This season’s braid is loose and soft so don’t worry if you have flyaway or wispy strands- in fact the messier the better!

10. Give hair a light mist of hairspray. You can also use kirby grips to secure loose strands of hair- this might be especially necessary if you have shorter layers cut into hair. Remember to use grips that are the same colour as your hair so that they are camouflaged.

www.leestafford.com

Jean Paul Gaultier teams up with Melissa

2010-02-17T06:20:00.001-08:00

Brazilian footwear label Melissa, best known for its collaboration with Vivienne Westwood, has this morning unveiled its latest collaboration with Jean Paul Gaultier. The designer has collaborated for the second time with Melissa, creating a recyclable 10cm plastic stiletto which launches in June priced £160.

"I've worked very closely with Melissa on the development of this style - it's very sexy," Jean Paul Gaultier told Vogue.com this morning. "I'd love to see it worn with fishnet tights, so you can really max out on the transparent aspect of the plastic!"

The style - called JEAN PAUL GAULTIER X MELISSA - will be available in black, caramel, beige, lime and tangerine.

Jean Paul Gaultier first teamed up with Melissa in 1982.

The Melissa brand has been long established with approximately 50 million pairs of shoes made over the last 25 years. The rubber used to make their designs is sustainably sourced and can be recycled after use. Because most of the designs use only one material (rubber) they are much easier to recycle and there is almost zero waste from the manufacturing process.

The most unusual thing about the Melissa shoes is the smell. The rubber is injected with scents of bubblegum and sweet shops which makes for an unusual sensory sensation, not often associated with footwear. No more smelly feet!

In celebration of its 30th anniversary, Melissa has put on an exhibit in Santa Tereza in Rio, which opened to the public this week and runs until November 15^th.

www.melissaplasticdreams.com

We’ve got our eyes on…

2010-02-16T03:47:00.001-08:00

This gorgeous jumpsuit new-in at Topshop as part of their SS10 collection by Richard Nicoll:Camels, nudes and pale greys are all over the catwalk and look set to be the key colours in the hottest spring wardrobes. This jumpsuit hits the nail on the head. And not only is the colour spot on, the mixture of body-con and boyfriend has got us lusting after this essential item.

To really get pulses racing we’d team it with candy pink lips, matching nails and a sorbet colour-of-choice clutch and heels.

We want it now! £70 www.topshop.com

How to (and not to) walk in heels

2010-02-15T06:30:00.000-08:00

Oh dear, last night was the opening evening of New York fashion week and there’s already been a tumble. The lovely Agyness Dean fell not once, but twice, in a pair of ultra-high Burberry platform heels.

Agyness tripped on stage during the Fashion For Relief Haiti NYC 2010 collection show, organised by Naomi Campbell who famously fell during a Vivienne Westwood show in 1993. Luckily the model was able to laugh it off, so we don’t have to feel bad for her, but really if the models can’t walk in these heels how are we ever supposed to?

The old saying ‘No pain, no gain’ springs to mind: yes there is a lot to be gained from wearing high heels – they make you look longer, slimmer, sleeker, sexier – but often they can really hurt!

Posh, Kelly Osbourne, Sarah Jessica Parker – even Oprah Winfrey suffer for fashion with their common complaint of bunions. A painful problem none of us want ever to have to deal with.

So where is the happy medium? We’re not born with the natural ability to walk well in heels; it’s a skill which needs practise in order to build up the necessary ankle muscles. Whilst some of us can’t be bothered, others take it too far. Give yourself and your feet a break. Don’t live in your heels but take the time to perfect that sexy strut.

Check out this ‘how to’ guide for some failsafe tips www.wikihow.com/Walk-in-High-Heels (Ignore the bit where it says the shoes in the picture would be good, they wouldn’t, they’re hideous. Just look for the heel height as a guide).

'Trekstock Loves' SS10 Collection launches

2010-02-12T05:58:00.000-08:00

Teenage cancer charity Trekstock has launched its first fashion range named 'Trekstock Loves' which will be sold exclusively through Browns Focus and online from 15th February.

The seven designers who’ve partnered in the project include House of Holland, Ksubi, James Long, LPBG, Maria Francesca Pepe, PPQ and Richard Nicoll.

All proceeds from the SS10 collection go to Trekstock's chosen charity the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Trekstock appeared in the summer of 2006 and since then, has raised thousands of pounds and masses of awareness for teenagers with cancer through collaborations in music and fashion.

The idea originated when the charity’s founder Sophie signed up for a charity trek to Mount Everest. To raise money, she conceived the idea to put on a music gig, which then pushed her to visit the UK festivals spreading the word about the charity and promoting the event using her now cult 'I ♥ Trekstock' blue badges.

Since then, the Trekstock brand has gained invaluable celebrity support from artists and celebrities such as the lovely Beth Ditto, Katy Perry, Mischa Barton, Kings of Leon, Agyness Deyn, The Klaxons, Band of Horses, The Mighty Boosh, The Horrors, Kimberly Stewart and Sadie Frost to name a few, phew!

We’ve had a wee sneak peak at the range and we’re loving what we’ve seen so far. Uber-cool denim pieces as well as an absolutely fabulous short-sleeved nipple tassles T – it’s part of the men’s range but we want it! Check out the images below to get your fix.

To find out more visit www.trekstock.com.

RIP Alexander McQueen (1969-2010)

2010-02-11T10:34:00.000-08:00

Today the fashion world is in shock at hearing the news the great British fashion icon, Lee Alexander McQueen has died. McQueen sadly took his own life at his London home this morning.

It is said he was troubled over the recent loss of his mum who died last week; subsequent posts on Twitter revealed he was finding the tragedy hard to deal with. The news comes nearly three years after McQueen’s close friend and person who discovered him, Isabella Blow, committed suicide.

London Fashion Week is about to start and the designer was to unveil his new collection at Paris Fashion Week next month. Both events will undoubtedly be overcast by a sombre mood as the industry mourns its loss.

McQueen's family has asked for privacy in order to come to terms with the news and countless high profile celebrities have already paid tribute to the designer.

Supermodel Tyra Banks, who hosts fashion show America's Next Top Model, said it was a "huge loss".

A statement released on behalf of supermodel Kate Moss said she was "shocked and devastated" at the death of her "dear friend".

Born in London in 1969 as the youngest of six children, McQueen left school at the age of 16 and was offered an apprenticeship at the traditional Savile Row tailors Anderson and Shephard, then at neighbouring Gieves and Hawkes.

At 20 he was employed by the designer Koji Tatsuno. A year later McQueen travelled to Milan where he worked as a design assistant to Romeo Gigli. He returned to London in 1994 where he completed a master's degree in fashion design at Central St Martins College. His degree collection was famously bought in its entirety by Isabella Blow who was a leading figure in the fashion world.

In October 1996 McQueen was appointed chief designer at the French label Givenchy where he worked until March 2001.

In December 2000, 51 per cent of Alexander McQueen was acquired by luxury brand Gucci, where he became creative director. Expansion followed and included the opening of flagship stores in New York, London and Milan.

McQueen was a four-time winner of the British designer of the year award as well as the international designer of the year award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America. He was awarded the CBE in 2003.

The news comes at a time when it seems many talented, young people in the public eye have recently died prematurely.

When art meets fashion

2010-02-11T03:04:00.000-08:00

Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser (1928-2000) has provided the inspiration for a new bold range of jewellery created by Viennese enamel specialists Frey Wille.

The range is fun and unusual and enables you to invest in art, but with far more interaction. The designs were taken from Hundertwasser’s ‘Pavilions and Bungalows for native foreigners’ painting, which depicts colourful swirls and trees (see above).

Each piece of jewellery takes two years to be brought to life from planning to precise manufacture. With such dedication and meticulous design, the quality must be second to none.

Prints were all over the catwalk and look set to be big during the summer, but if you aren’t brave enough to sport a kaleidoscopic jumpsuit, accessories are the answer.

This range has covered all bases and when worn, would undoubtedly catch a few eyes and inspire conversations.

For more information visit www.frey-wille.com.

Blondes can win with John Frieda

2010-02-09T04:03:00.000-08:00

We’ve all heard the old saying ‘blondes have more fun’ but now the fairer haired are in with a chance to win an amazing holiday courtesy of John Frieda.

The hair care expert is giving one lucky winner the chance to soak up the sun in Morocco. With picturesque landscapes and a gorgeously warm climate, it’s the perfect antidote for the returning cold snap.

Everyone loves that post-holiday look we show off when returning from the sun, but those of us who can’t wait for the summer holidays can replicate the look at home. To help, John Frieda are also giving away haircuts and sets of The John Frieda® go blonder shampoos and conditioners.

So what are you waiting for?!

Head to http://www.facebook.com/JohnFriedaUK and click on the Go Blonder & WIN tab to enter now.

While you are there, also check out Kerry Warn’s fan 'how to' videos for great hair tips, such as this one on how to achieve salon straight perfect hair:

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=288189765994&ref=mf

The competition is open to UK residents only and ends Feb 25th 2010.

A guilty passion for fast fashion

2010-01-14T06:44:00.001-08:00

News that Primark’s profits have soared 19% in the last four months shows that UK consumers are hooked on fast fashion. We want the latest styles, trends and accessories and we want them now.

Yet across the board people are feeling the effects of the recession – so where is the compromise? It seems that instead of changing their buying habits, people are simply buying cheaper goods.

Whilst this is great news for budget retailers like Primark, Matalan and Peacocks, is it false economy in the long run?

I’m sure we’ve all been disappointed when the gorgeous top you bought for a bargain £5 fell apart the first time it was washed. Many would argue that at £5 you’ve got your money’s worth. I’d have to disagree.

Welcome to the world of fast fashion where the trends change so quickly that it’s now become accepted to buy an item, wear it once and throw it away. The rise of social networking sites such as Facebook make it harder for people to wear the same outfit more than once and still look ‘cool’. After every night out, ten pictures of you appear tagged on the internet and before you know it, it looks like you live in the same dress. For all they know you probably sleep in it too. Suddenly an old school friend has set up a group pledging sponsorship and setting up a fundraising initiative to buy you a new one. Not a bad idea, actually…

But is it really acceptable? Ok so I might be exaggerating about the Facebook thing, but you get the picture. Is our very British love affair with Primark reaching the level of dangerous obsession?

To state the obvious - throwaway culture is not good. From an environmental and ethical viewpoint it is obvious to see why. From an economical viewpoint, it could be argued both ways – it’s cheap and cheerful initially but often cheap clothing doesn’t last. In the long run you’ll probably have fewer clothes but will have spent a fortune on cheap tat. What a legacy. But what if the environment, ethics and money were no object? Would Primark’s profits be rising whilst other high street retailers struggle to stay afloat? I think not.

It all boils down to people’s perceptions of style. Generally speaking, style does not constitute wearing the same as everybody else. Personally I can’t stand seeing other people wearing the same outfit as me and that is what this mass migration to Primark stores is leading to. It will happen all the time.

Fashion faux pas’ anonymous groups, ‘She stole my style’ Jeremy Kyle, £billions lost to the economy due to gridlock in Primark stores. I can see it now and it’s depressing.

On the up-side, the news has increased my desire to learn how to knit. At least if all the other designers and clothing retailers go down the pan, I’ll have something original to wear. So if you see a girl wandering the streets wearing a single piece of string draped round her neck, don’t laugh, it’s supposed to be a scarf…

Treading softly – in the world’s first Fairtrade cotton sneakers

2010-01-11T06:06:00.000-08:00

ETHLETIC shoes may look just like the iconic all-American Converse but the logo tells a very different story. The organic cotton canvas sneakers are the first in the world to carry the official Fairtrade mark under the new Fairtrade composite rules that allow products containing Fairtrade certified cotton to bear the famous logo.

The stylish sneakers also carry the logo of the Forest Stewardship Council which means almost every part of the trainer is either Fairtrade or ecologically certified. Even the final construction of the ETHLETIC sneakers is covered by a fair trade project that supports workers and their families in

Pakistan

. In fact, they may even be the most ethical trainers in the world!

The ETHLETIC sneakers come in a range of great colours and are available in both low and high-cut styles. The arch supports make for a cushioned and comfortable sneaker that rivals other brands for wearability and with prices starting from just £37.50, positive-minded shoppers can convert to organic and Fairtrade cotton without hitting their pocket.

Our favourites are the very girly, pink low-cut sneakers and the more neutral, ever-more wearable white high-tops. However there is everything from dark blue to bright orange available.

Available from Fair Deal Trading www.fairdealtrading.co.uk

Kings of Leon foray into fashion

2010-01-07T05:39:00.000-08:00

Forget Taper Jean Girl, it’s now all about the Leather Jacket Man. In conjunction with Surface To Air, King’s of Leon’s limited edition, 12-piece clothing line - S2A X KOL - will go on sale exclusively at The Shop at BlueBird on King's Road in Chelsea, London this month.

We quite like the bands slightly geeky, slightly unconfident, little-bit rocky, little-bit lumberjack mish-mash of style, so we’re wondering what will actually be on offer. We’ve heard the range will include the band's signature bandana, in a red and black check and paisley print, plaid 'woodsman' shirts, skinny jeans, plaited leather belts and fedoras.

Whilst there’s technically nothing for the girls, I certainly wouldn’t mind borrowing the shirt of Nathan’s back for a while, oh wait, he’s not wearing one… oh well…

Form an Aura Que

2009-12-29T12:22:00.000-08:00

A brand we think will be big in 2010 is the young AURA QUE. Launched in 2008 by Laura Queening following the success of her graduate collection at the prestigious Drapers Awards in 2007, AURA QUE combines style and design with ethical production methods.

Laura Queening graduated from Cordwainers at London College of Fashion in 2007, with First Class Honours in BA (Hons) Fashion Product: Accessories. She has worked for Charlott Vasberg, Stori Sac and DKNY and has also taken on various freelance design projects for the UK high street and designer market, currently producing a range of Reworked Bags for Oxfam made from unwanted leather jackets.

After winning the Drapers Student Accessories Designer of the Year 2007, Laura took the opportunity to set up her own company. Focussing on fair trade production in Nepal having lived there in 2003, the launch of AURA QUE enabled Laura to combine her passion for design with her ethical principles. All AURA QUE materials are sourced in Nepal and created directly in the country with local producers, in conjunction with The Nepal Fair Trade Group and in accordance with IFAT fair trade guidelines.

Laura’s designs for the Spring ’10 collection incorporate a range of natural fabrics and neutral colours forming the basis for items that can be worn time and again. Timeless design, good quality fabric and well made pieces make up this collection which offers the perfect antidote for the fast fashion of today.

Local materials are used wherever possible in the collection, such as Allo hemp produced from a Himalayan plant, handmade brass fittings, natural textured Lokta paper and the traditional woven cloth. The leather used is 100 per cent high quality cowhide leather sourced as a by-product of the food industry.

Currently up to 50% discounts are being offered on bags, small leathergoods and purses. For the AURA QUE Online Boutique go to http://www.shop.auraque.com/.

Get organised for 2010

2009-12-27T08:04:00.000-08:00

So Christmas is out of the way and there’s only a few days left ‘til 2010 is upon us. Whilst Granny snoozes and the kids are distracted with the new Avatar game, why not take the opportunity to organise yourself ahead of the new year.

Transferring numbers, addresses, birthdays and appointments into new diaries and organisers takes time that will undoubtedly slip away come January. So if Santa didn’t realise you’d be turning over a new leaf this decade, here are some gorgeous items that’ll make you want to look like you need to check your diary, even if you don’t.

Aqua Raindrops ivory notebook £11.99

This notebook from the Paperblanks Lyon Floras collection draws inspiration from a striking pattern featuring elements from the natural world. Inticate, lush foliage and flowers were hand -painted or block printed on paper to create this master pattern dating from the 1860's.

www.beautifulnotebooks.co.uk

Lotus diary £14.95

Lotus Midi Week-at-a-Time Dayplanner comes in an exotic floral design that forms a beautiful relief on the cover. With two ribbon page markers, a pocket for mementos, and a removable address book, function is combined with esprit.

www.waterstones.com

Shining gems address book £9.95

This address book will be a joy to carry with you and will make even the messiest desk look good. With uniquely shaped “thumb cut” pages angled to make turning the page part of the fun, they also feature a memento pouch that completes the package.

www.thebookmarkshop.com

iPhone 3GS

Or for the more tech-savvy gadget-girls amongst us: the fastest, most powerful iPhone yet features video recording, Voice Control and up to 32GB of storage. The first thing you’ll notice about iPhone 3GS is how quickly you can launch applications. Web pages render in a fraction of the time, and you can view email attachments faster. Improved performance and updated 3D graphics deliver an incredible gaming experience, too. In fact, everything you do on iPhone 3GS is up to 2x faster and more responsive than iPhone 3G.www.apple.com/uk/iphone/iphone-3gs

Winter Wonders

2009-12-17T13:40:00.000-08:00

Great beauty buys this week...

The Lavera Body Peeling Scrub with luffa and jojoba removes dead skin cells, buffing up your body leaving it silky soft and radiant. With a subtle fragrance, infused with almond and peppermint it is kind and nourishing to the skin. Free from any chemical nasties this rough scrub leaves skin smooth and clean, also the perfect base for tan, which at this time of year is a must! £6.80 available from freetoexplorebeauty.co.uk.

The No7 Colour Calming Primer in Lavender with its creamy formulation, will enhance the complexion and with its stiff consistency provides the perfect make-up base to help your foundation last longer. The Lavender shade neutralises yellowness in sallow or dull complexions, illuminating your skin and reducing oil break outs. £10.75 from Boots.com

Blend the three shades of the revolutionary No7 Trio Concealer to create the prefect combination to match your skin tone. The yellow base tone is great for counteracting darker under eye shadows and the darker and lighter shades can cover up spots and highlight contours on the face. £10.75 Boots.com

The Bach Rescue Balm should be in every girls (and boys) bag this winter. Infused with flower essences this beauty balm provides protection from chapping, dry lips. Plus it can be applied to temples to soothe and relax. £5.75 from Holland & Barrett and Boots.

New to the UK is a range of gorgeously fragrant high performance hair care from Sweden called REF. Enriched with Tamanu Oil an aromatic nut oil from the South Pacific to improve firmness and smoothness and Silk Proteins to strengthen and restore hair back to health improving elasticity and coating hair to prevent split ends. The REF Colour Treatment is a high performance masque specifically designed to extend the lifespan of coloured hair, protect against UV radiation and helps to make hair soft and shiny. £13.40 from Salons nationwide and hairtec.com

Gifts Galore...

2009-12-16T05:46:00.001-08:00

9 Days to go til the big ho ho ho... If you're struggling to find a gift, here's a few more ideas...

No7 Skin and Bodycare Bag £25
The Sanctuary Spa Ultimate Oasis £20
Fresh Sweet Smoothie Treat £10

All Boots.

Redder than Rudolf?

2009-12-16T05:09:00.000-08:00

Shu Uemura's Base Control is one of the brand's signature products and is perfect for these cold winter months. This genius little creation is applied under foundation to reduce dullness, redness and even out the skin tone.

There are four blending and highlighting shades - silver, gold, bronze, and white - which can be mixed with foundation to enhance glow and smooth texture. There are also two correcting shades available in green and purple which cleverly use lighting technology to optically correct the way we see red. These are worn under foundation and are perfect for correcting any flaws whilst helping make-up to stay in place for longer.

At this time of year when the cold weather bites and all outer extremities turn a bright shade of Rudolf red, we're lucky to have found a product that really works. Thumbs up from (what was) the reddest deer in town!

Available from £15 at select UK retailers or online at http://www.shuuemura-usa.com/.

Bulldog becomes UK's first cruelty free brand for men

2009-12-09T07:20:00.000-08:00

Men! (Or ladies buying for men) Do you want a moisturiser that hasn't been tested on animals? If so then look no further as Bulldog has become the UK's first cruelty-free male grooming brand to be recognised and approved by BUAV (British Union for Abolition of Vivisection) under their Humane Cosmetics Standard.

Born out of frustration that there were no options available for switched-on men who wanted to reduce the number of man-made chemicals in their bathrooms, Bulldog's products also don't contain controversial man-made chemicals such as parabens, sodium laureth sulfate, artificial colours, or synthetic fragrances.

Bulldog Co-Founder, Simon Duffy, said: "I'm delighted that Bulldog is the first male grooming brand to be recognised by the BUAV. Consumers deserve to know that the products that they use are cruelty free." Bulldog is now calling on other brands such as L'Oreal Men Expert, Nivea For Men and Gillette to follow its example and make their own positions clear.

Founded in 2006 by Simon Duffy and Rhodri Ferrier, Bulldog has gone from strength to strength and now boasts a comprehensive men’s range of grooming products including an anti-aging moisturiser, a facial scrub and sensitive shave gel.

For more information visit http://www.meetthebulldog.com/.

Gifts Galore...

2009-12-07T13:44:00.000-08:00

Cute retro packaging and bursts of watermelon and pink grapefruit for only £15. This Spa Paradisa tropical sensation shower set includes body cream, exfoliating shower wash and bath lily. Debenhams.com

Dove pro-age is a huge hit with the ladies already, so get granny something you know she'll like for a pocket friendly £7.50. Boots.com

And on our wish list... Burts Bees Polka Dot Perfect Mani-Pedi £20 from Boots.com £20.

Gifts Galore...

2009-12-07T12:45:00.000-08:00

With the Christmas clock ticking we are going to provide a December full of treats...

Today... the natural, pure way...

For a natural treat that's luxurious and guilt free invest in the divine WILD organics. Derived from fresh lime, white willow, red clover and mellow peppermint, these 99% natural products are free from harmful chemicals but still leave skin feeling clean and invigorated. The fruity line up includes washes, scrubs and lotions to pamper the skin, and 10% of sales goes to charity. Available from QVC, prices from £12.50.

Lily Allen announces break from music to set up fashion boutique

2009-12-02T10:12:00.000-08:00

Pop princess Lily Allen has announced in an interview with Radio 1's Sara Cox that she will be taking a break from making music to set up a fashion boutique.

Lily confirmed that her last gig before the planned sabbatical will be with Dizzee Rascal concert at the O2 in March 2010. It seems that the singer aims to turn over a new leaf, she wants to “stop being so hypocritical”, to reduce her online presence and start leading a ‘neo-luddite’ lifestyle.

That’s not to say she’ll be putting her feet up and relaxing all day long; Lily and her sister plan to launch Lucy in Disguise, a fashion rental store in which designer clothes will be hired-out to the public at a fraction of the price they would cost to buy.

Talking of her new venture, Lily said: "It's about getting really nice clothes but letting people rent them for affordable prices so they can go out and feel like a million dollars and it won't cost them a million dollars."

Lily has also announced that she will be setting up her own small-scale record label in which she wants to provide support for emerging artists.

It’s not clear which venture will take priority; however for Lily Allen fans it’s fair to say there will be a long wait before she releases any new material.

To listen to the full interview, click here.

Beat the budget; it’s offers galore!

2009-12-01T05:43:00.000-08:00

It’s December, it’s nearly Christmas, is anyone else biting their nails over the budget? Of course we’re not talking about the one that Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling are banging heads over, but if we were we’d be high fiving one and other as we’ve found 20 excellent deals to see us through to next payday.

Up to 20% off in The Gift Spectacular until Thursday 3^rd December and Free Delivery at Debenhams today (enter SHC5 at the checkout).

25% off Home and Gift orders at Laura Ashley Wednesday 9th December (enter 19AG at the checkout).

25% off in-store and online at Monsoon until Monday 7th December (enter MON25 at the checkout or download voucher here and take in-store).

20% off orders at Wallis until Wednesday 2nd December (enter VCP20 at the checkout).

£10 off orders over £75 at ASOS until Sunday 13th December (enter STEALLATER at the checkout).

10% off menswear orders at ASOS until Thursday 3^rd December (enter ASOSMANTREAT at the checkout).

10% off orders at Buyagift until Sunday 6^th December (enter vcodesuk10 at the checkout).

£5 off all Christmas orders over £25 at Buyagift until Thursday 31^st December (enter xmas5 at the checkout).

£10 off all Christmas orders over £100 at Buyagift until Thursday 31^st December (enter xmas10 at the checkout).

50% off classic and continental chocolates at Thorntons until Friday 4^th December (enter VC19 at the checkout).

£5 off orders over £50 at GAME until Sunday 6^th December (enter VCCOUK50 at the checkout).

12% off orders plus Free Delivery and Returns at Boden until Thursday 10^th December (enter LN1Q at the checkout).

13% off orders at Red Letter Days (enter VCODES13 at the checkout).

Save up to 50% on fragrances at Amazon until Thursday 10^th December, visit the website for more information.

5% off all orders over £30 at Feel Unique until Wednesday 16th December (enter XMAS2009 at the checkout).

Free Delivery on orders over £75 at Liberty until Thursday 31^st December (enter VCCOUKDEL at the checkout).

10% off Christmas Gifts over £15 at Hotel Chocolat until Wednesday 23rd December (enter VCXMAS09 at the checkout).

20% off online orders at Peacocks until Saturday 5th December (enter NOV20OFF at the checkout).

Free Delivery and Luxury Gift Wrap at Myla until Tuesday 22^nd December (enter Mylafree at the checkout).

15% off at Bagzontherun.com until Sunday 20^th December (enter botru at the checkout).

Wowza! Now don’t say we don’t give you anything!

Get The Perfect Party Complexion In Time For Santa.

2009-11-29T06:53:00.000-08:00

Cosmetics are critical to get you looking gorgeous but a brilliant base is equally as important, especially in the winter when skin is looking sallow and dull. Achieve a radiant, glowing complexion with 3 easy steps...

Start with a light, oil free moisturiser to leave skin soft, smooth and nourished. Then priming is important to enhance complexion and help your foundation last longer. Using a lavender shade helps to neutralise yellowness and brighten dull skin tones. For a gorgeous sheen follow with a skin illuminator to add shimmer and give skin a healthy glow.

Halo Light Moisturising Cream, 100ml, £6.99 from www.haloskincare.co.uk

No7 Colour Calming Primer in Lavender, 40 ml, £10.75 Boots

No7 Skin Illuminator, 30ml, £10.50 Boots

10 of the best men’s coats

2009-11-27T04:03:00.001-08:00

We all know guys like to leave things to the last minute, but with the winter chill setting in it’s about time they invested in the winter jacket they’ve been meaning to buy.

We also know that all guys are different, what suits one may not suit another. Sometimes they can be just as fussy as us ladies and too right when it comes to finding the perfect coat.

Here we’ve given the boys a helping hand, picking ten of the best winter coats whilst catering for various occasions, tastes and price-ranges. Aren’t we amazing?

1. Ben Sherman black 'Buster' hooded parka jacket was £99 now £59 www.debenhams.com

2. Red Herring grey double breasted funnel neck coat £65 www.debenhams.com

3. Quicksilver blue checked bomber jacket £85 www.quiksilver.com

4. John Rocha brown double neck wool coat £118 www.debenhams.com

5. Barbour leather windcheater jacket in brown £499 www.barbour.com

6. John Lewis English Herringbone coat in brown £200 www.johnlewis.com

7. Hackett Clipper jacket £200 www.hackett.com

8. French Connection coat £140 www.frenchconnection.com

9. The North Face McMurdo Parka £222 www.webtogs.co.uk

10. Topman Duffel coat in navy £140 www.topman.com

Goodone are having a super-duper Christmas sample sale

2009-11-26T08:22:00.000-08:00

If you said ‘good-who?’ you’re about to find out about a cool, cutting-edge brand with a mission. If you know exactly who Goodone is and what they do, you’re probably already forming a queue at their door…

Goodone is an award-winning, sustainable fashion design company; in a nutshell they design and produce one-off items of clothing made from hand-picked, locally-sourced, recycled fabrics.

The company also works with retailers and other brands, providing advice and helping them to better manage their waste. Whether faulty goods, off-cuts or old stock that won’t shift, Goodone will work its magic to ensure the items don’t end up in landfill.

Currently all clothing is designed and individually handmade in the Goodone studio in East London and HEBA women’s project, a registered charity situated in Brick Lane. Could they be more eco and ethical?

Also at the Goodone studio is where you will find the Christmas sample sale taking place on Wednesday 2nd December 3pm-10pm.

Goodone is offering a custom made service where you can choose your own combinations as well as offering big discounts on all their winter designs, including their gorgeous new knitted leggings (as seen on ASOS) and Xmas stockings.

For more information visit www.goodone.co.uk or wander down to the studio: Goodone, Studio 1B, 2-4 Southgate Road, London, N1 3JJ.

Alexander McQueen has announced the launch of a UK e-commerce site

2009-11-26T03:52:00.001-08:00

The well-known, loved and adored British fashion house, Alexander McQueen has announced a

e-commerce site will soon be launched. Obviously not wanting to create hypertension over when this will happen, they haven’t given us a set date so we will simply have to ‘watch this space’.

If the US site is anything to go by, we can't wait to see the goodies on offer.

Bold, stylish, controversial; we're sure the new website will offer great British style at its best. And in Sterling.

To keep updated visit www.alexandermcqueen.com.

VA VA VOOM

2009-11-23T14:29:00.001-08:00

A-List Smile Without The Hollywood Price Tag

2009-11-23T13:12:00.000-08:00

A trip to the dentist can be a little pricey, and although six monthly check ups are essential we can always improve our routine at home. Maintain a healthy smile to rival the gnashes of a Hollywood celeb without the price tag:

PlaqueOff is a unique seaweed supplement that can reduce plaque build up by up to 80%. From dentalproducts2u.co.uk £15.99

Pearl Drops Hollywood Smile includes a whiteness guide to compare results, get teeth 2 shades whiter in just 3 weeks with its unique micro-polishing system. £4.49 from Superdrug.com

Dentyl Alcohol Free Ultra Cleanse Mouthwash will help neutralise plaque acids and give you a deeply cleansed feeling of minty freshness for £2.49 from Supermarkets nationwide.

For a natural clean use the Dr Organic Pomegranate Toothpaste. This fruit enriched formula will give long lasting protection against plaque, tar tar and discolouration using natural antioxidants and whitening remedies. £3.99 from Holland & Barrett.

Don't move, improve: how to get the most from your home

2009-11-20T01:30:00.000-08:00

With more and more people in the

choosing to improve rather than move, the creativity, attention to detail and professional advice of an architect can be invaluable to the success of any renovation project. From expert advice on fittings, materials and fixtures to creative ideas on how to make the best use of space and light, their professional input can give even the most humble of projects the wow factor. But as well as their creativity architects can also offer invaluable guidance to help you through the pitfalls of the planning process and even help to manage your project to ensure that your best laid plans are turned into a reality.

However; architectural services are often seen as an expensive luxury by homeowners who are put off by the cost and confused about when to get architects involved. Many people find the prospect of approaching an architect dauntingly complex. This is mainly caused by the fact that for many people the service traditionally provided is inappropriately cumbersome and badly explained so the customer just doesn't know what they can or should expect. The standard way of using an architect is not only too cumbersome for some people but also too expensive for the project they have in mind. This is disappointing since many people would like to be able to utilise the expertise of an architect to enhance their building project but simply cannot justify the cost. But, there is an alternative in the form of Architect Your Home (www.architect-yourhome.com), a company that has revolutionised the way that people are renovating their homes.

Architect Your Home is the

’s leading supplier of architectural services for the homeowner market with more than 45 practices nationwide. Launched in 2001 the company was founded by Hugo and Jude Tugman, who after 10 years of running their own architectural practice realised that traditional working methods didn’t always measure up to the needs of the individual homeowner. Architect Your Home has pioneered a unique pay-as-you-go menu of services. This has been specifically designed to meet the needs of a growing number of people who want expert advice from an architect or designer, but are daunted by the prospect and complexity of the traditional full service. The idea behind the company is to encourage more people to use the professional input of an architect for small domestic projects like loft conversions, extensions, or open planning.

Architect Your Home has turned architecture into a commodity that is more accessible to the consumer. The company offers the full range of architectural services from initial ideas and sketches right the way through to detailed design and project management, but rather than offering them as a complete package they have broken them down into individual components. Thanks to the company’s menu of services, people know exactly what they will be paying for and can pick and choose the services that suit them. This means that homeowners with varying budgets can get access to affordable ideas, advice and drawings in a pay-as-you-go style.

The company’s most popular services are the half-day and full-day kick start initial visit, which involves a four or seven hour site meeting. These kick start visits are the starting point of the Architect Your Home service. For £450 for the half-day visit and £750 for the full day, one of the company’s RIBA qualified architects comes to the home and discusses the project personally, before measuring and putting together sketch drawings over the kitchen table. Advice on planning and building regulations, likely costs and pitfalls, your budget and the way forward are all part of this initial session. Customers can then involve the architect for as much, or as little of the project as they want by choosing from the additional menu of services.

As well as the kick start, visits Architect Your Home also offers the full range of services you would expect from a traditional architectural practice including detailed site drawings, project management and planning applications. This gives the customer the flexibility to cherry pick only those services that they need, involving an architect in as much or as little of a project as they like. The choice is theirs.

For more information on Architect Your Home and the company’s menu of services visit www.architect-yourhome.com or call 0800 849 8505.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt Design Jewellery Collection for Asprey

2009-11-18T05:40:00.000-08:00

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have collaborated with luxury jewellers Asprey to create the serpentine-inspired Protector Collection.

The silver, jewel-encrusted pieces pay homage to the snake, which has for centuries been seen as a symbol of fertility and protection. Apparently Angelina was given a snake ring during her first pregnancy and has since felt a bond with its symbolism.

Prices start at $525 for a silver baby spoon with a curving, serpent-shaped handle and all net proceeds from sales will go to Education Partnership for Children of Conflict, which was cofounded by Jolie in 2006. The charity raises awareness and funds to educate child victims of war, conflict and natural disasters.

The limited edition collection was conceived and designed by Pitt and Jolie and has been in the works for more than a year. It will go on sale at Asprey stores in London, New York, Beverly Hills, Tokyo and Dubai later this week, according to Asprey officials.

Available from Asprey www.asprey.com.

Find fabulous dresses at French Connection

2009-11-16T12:14:00.000-08:00

The party season is just around the corner and now is the time to grab yourself a gorgeous dress or two. We’ve not seen a collection of high-street dresses quite as pleasing as those at French Connection. They are glamorous and affordable and there are styles to suit every shape and figure.

We were so impressed we decided to pull out a five of our favourites for you to have a look at:

Spirit Catcher dress £200.00

Available in gold, white and blue this dress is completely covered in sequins for maximum impact and also features a sexy cut-out back panel.

Paintbox dress £190.00

This sequinned shift dress, with large multi-coloured dots and scoop neckline is young, fun and flirtatious; perfect for a girls night out.

Cairo dress £180.00

Perfect for the more conservative Christmas party, this dress is all black but the sequins give it that festive sparkle. The looser fit, cape top and sleeves are ideal for those who are figure conscious and would prefer to cover up the bingo wings.

Island dress £130.00

Not just any old jersey dress; with its ruched shoulder and side seams and sheer embellished chest panel, this dress is sexy yet classy. Ultimately it makes the boobs look fantastic.

Damask dress £130.00

This cap-sleeve shift dress with all-over contrast bead and embroidered pattern really makes it an eye-catching piece.

All available from French Connection www.frenchconnection.com

Friday Fashion Fun

2009-11-13T09:01:00.000-08:00

We've got that Friday feeling, and being girls that just wanna have fun for cheap at half the price, let's have a cheeky cosmetic fashion victim fumble for only £5 for all 3! It may not be the classiest look in the joint, but it's perfect for a party look.

2true at Superdrug

50% off best selling jeans at Firetrap

2009-11-13T08:53:00.001-08:00

Designed in London by British designers Firetrap celebrate their roots taking inspiration from the sights, sounds and flavours of London life. Cool cuts and on-trend styles are what you can expect from one of the best high-street denim brands.

Founded in 1991, Firetrap isn’t the most established jeans company out there, but that doesn’t mean they won’t stand the test of time. We love what they have to offer, from their knitwear to their shoes.

Grunge and Goth references are seen in the skintight denims, rubberized embellishments, crushed leather, chain details, studs, plaid fabrics and the unconventional use of zips which ignite the sinister mood of Firetrap AW09.

With stores in London, Leeds, Liverpool, Edinburgh and Belfast, there isn’t far to go. However you don’t have to leave your home if you don’t want to, as all of their threads are available online at http://www.firetrap.com/.

Simply enter the code DENIM50 at the checkout to receive your discount but be quick as the offer ends on Sunday 15^th November.

5 of the best knitted jumper dresses

2009-11-12T08:15:00.000-08:00

We love the practicality of jumper dresses: one easy piece so versatile that it can be worn with flats or heels, pumps or boots, tights or trousers, day or night. The knitted versions bring much needed warmth and are the height of this season’s fashion. We’ll take 10 in every colour, shape and thread!

Mustard Slash Neck Jumper Dress £14.00

This dress features on trend batwing sleeves and the bright colour is perfect for adding a bit of zing to the winter wardrobe. At this price, you can’t go wrong!

http://www.peacocks.co.uk/

Black Reverse Seam Dress £38.00

The shape is great and the white reverse seams add quirky detail drawing the eye downwards and elongating the body. It looks so comfy, we couldn’t resist.

http://www.missselfridge.com/

Kade Dress £85.00

Metal military buttons and the pointelle knitted side panel give this dress interesting detailing that make it worth every penny.

http://www.allsaints.com/

See by Chloé Beaded sweater dress £350

This basic black wool-blend knitted sweater dress is given an 80's-inspired edge with a body-con fit and silver-tone beaded detailing making it an ideal day-into-night piece.

http://www.chloe.com/

Missoni Madreperla knitted dress £660

The brands signature print features in classic autumnal shades and the light knit is perfect for layering. The longer length makes this dress ideal for pairing with platform heels.

http://www.net-a-porter.com/

Who’s your style icon?

2009-11-11T04:35:00.000-08:00

Do you covet Kate, adore Alexa or swoon for Stella? If so and you want your favourite stylista to go down in history, here is your chance.

At next month's British Fashion Awards, for the first time ever, it’s the public that gets to decide who should win the London 25 award. Voters can nominate their favourite style icons through the British Fashion Awards website and must choose a figure who most embodies the spirit of the capital and acts as an international ambassador for the London fashion industry.

Marking the 25^th anniversary of the British Fashion Council, the winner will be announced at the awards bash on 9 December 2009 at London's Royal Courts of Justice. There are 18 iconic industry figures to choose from, or you can nominate your own – there is still time to vote so cast yours quick and be a part of the fashion event of the year.

British Fashion Awards www.britishfashionawards.com/polls

Cardboard chic? An interesting venture…

2009-11-10T04:14:00.001-08:00

Independent furniture and home accessories designer, Giles Miller has amazed us with his innovative use of cardboard in creating his intriguing designs.

Using a variety of techniques, Miller demonstrates the versatility of cardboard to create a range of surprisingly durable and stylist items for the home. At the young age of 26, the designer’s credentials and portfolio are impressive, his biography is littered with cities all over the world, well-known designers, galleries and brand names.

Alongside three colleagues, Miller formed the design collective ‘Farm’ which offers iconic designs, unconventional materials and a firm stance on sustainability. Miller’s designs are made in the UK from sustainable reinforced corrugated cardboard, highlighting the potential of a material that often ends up in landfill. As a whole, Farm considers materials and production methods as the root of their practice with a commitment to investigating British manufacturing techniques.

In January Farm plan to set up a temporary studio at the Design Museum as part of their residency, taking inspiration from visitors to the museum, the design community and their individual networks. As part of their stay the four designers will spend their time engaging with visitors, exchanging ideas and sharing knowledge, whilst also focussing on the promotion of British manufacturers. Applying the diverse knowledge and ideas they acquire, Farm will design and create four new pieces of work.

To find out more about the Design Museum residency, visit www.inresidence.designmuseum.org/farm/.

To find out more about Giles Miller visit http://www.gilesmiller.com/.

Keep those mitts safe and warm

2009-11-05T05:33:00.001-08:00

Following along a similar theme to our last blog, we’re thinking about keeping our wee little ‘dannies snug and toasty. More so today in anticipation of standing out in the chilly November air to behold a sky of colours, booms and bangs. Remember, remember? It is of course the 5^th of November.

Tonight is the night when gloves come into their own, whether woolly, fingerless, pretty or practical, just make sure you’ve got yours. Get ready to write your name in sparklers and give those clothen fingers the attention they deserve!

Love the glove:

Stripe & Contrast Bow Fingerless Gloves £10

Accessorize http://www.monsoon.co.uk/

Cable Long Cut Off Gloves £14

Accessorize http://www.monsoon.co.uk/

Quilt & stud leather driver’s glove £28

Warehouse http://www.warehouse.co.uk/

Ted Baker Bow Detail Leather Glove £38

http://www.tedbaker.com/

Dents Crochet Back Driving Gloves £40

Dents http://www.asos.com/

A retro winter-warmer not to be forgotten

2009-11-03T04:25:00.000-08:00

When I came across new accessories brand Bambi & Snowflake, I was instantly reminded of when I was small. At approximately the age of three or four, I remember carrying my muff everywhere, hiding things in it and using it to keep my mitts warm.

Whatever happened to muffs? I’m pleased to see that they haven’t been forgotten. Independent designer and founder of Bambi & Snowflake, Poppy O’Neill has revived the muff within her collection of unique, one-off accessories.

We love the Tessa Embellished Muff in Cornflower Blue, handmade and lined with faux-fleece and embellished with studs, sequins, pearls and faceted acrylic stones. For a grown up take on the muff, look no further.

Bambi & Snowflake Tessa muff, available from Etsy for $30 www.etsy.com/shop/bambiandsnowflake.

Iron Fist offer the perfect foot-candy for Halloween

2009-10-30T09:55:00.000-07:00

Here is proof that you don’t have to adorn yourself in utter tack to look the part this Halloween. When there is no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth looking quite stunning in these platforms from Iron Fist.

The unusual designs are spooky-fun and very rock n roll. We love the gruesome graphics and detail on the heels and feel that Halloween is the perfect excuse to buy a pair of these gorgeous shoes that will undoubtedly be worn all year round.

Devils Plaything High Heels £49.99 http://www.schuh.co.uk/

Digi–skulls platform £65.00 http://www.office.co.uk/

Zombie Stomper High Heels £49.99 http://www.schuh.co.uk/

Green your hair care regime

2009-10-29T06:25:00.000-07:00

You may never have even considered going green in the hair department, for most it’s not a flattering shade. But now there are products to help you green-up your hair without changing your colour.

Many of us wash, dry and style our hair everyday. This involves a lot of products, heat and chemicals which have a negative impact on the environment. To help the planet and to safeguard our future, we have to reassess each routine and everyday task in order to adapt to a more eco-friendly way of living. So to help with this, we have found a selection of products that can help you green your hair care regime, in turn saving you money and helping to protect the health of your hair.

The BaByliss Eco Hair Dryer is a must have for any green goddess. Unbelievably it gives the same drying performance as 2000W hair dryers whilst using only half the energy. It is beautifully styled and lightweight and comes with a slim concentrator nozzle, as well as offering ionic conditioning for no-frizz smoothness.

Using a BaByliss Eco Dry for 10 minutes every day, instead of an ordinary 2000W dryer, saves enough energy to make seven cups of tea or 11 slices of toast per day.

Nigel’s Eco Store £19.95 www.nigelsecostore.com

Aveda Collection for long hair offers a bumper selection of hair goodies all made from natural ingredients, containing no parabens or other nasties. The hamper includes Smooth Infusion Shampoo 250ml, Smooth InfusionConditioner 250ml, Smooth Infusion Style Prep Smoother 100ml, Volumizing Tonic100ml, Light Elements Smoothing Fluid 100ml, BrilliantDamage Control 250ml and a large Aveda wooden paddle brush.This kit would make a great gift or if bought for yourself would last for ages.

Aveda £105.20 www.aveda.co.uk

Jason Styling Finishing Spray with Aloe Vera and Bergamot is formulated with botanical extracts and oils for extra shimmer, flexibility and hold, Chamomile and Bergamot enhance softness and shine. Citrus extracts and Meadowfoam Seed Oil add lustre as Vitamins E and B5 work with Jojoba Oil to resist humidity and protect hair. For superior holding, finishing, texturising and shine without synthetic dyes and harsh chemicals.

Jason £7.99 www.jason-natural.com

Tints of Nature is a conditioning permanent hair colour with organic extracts and no ammonia or parabens. The product produces outstanding results whilst protecting and caring for your hair and scalp as naturally and gently as possible. Contains organic aloe vera, comfrey extract and roman chamomile to sooth, calm and heal. 100% grey coverage.

Tints of Nature £6.80 www.ecohip.org

Nanny K Hawaiian Pansy Hair Clips are made from original vintage velvet pansies. Each pair is one of a kind. Nanny K creates hand crafted vintage fascinators and accessories from a vast collection of vintage flowers in a wide spectrum of colours of delicate antique laces, ribbons, vintage feathers and silks to vibrant retro fabrics and buttons.

Each design is carefully crafted by the designer Natasha Yearley at her studio in Somerset. Natasha and her business partner Emma Cook also opened Fifi De Villes ethical fashion boutique in Frome earlier this year.

Nanny K £14.00 www.enamore.co.uk

Get ready for the Kate Moss for Topshop Christmas collection

2009-10-28T10:47:00.001-07:00

Kate’s Christmas collection for Topshop lands in stores across the country tomorrow and promises to offer everything we could possibly want or need for the upcoming party season.

With an oriental twist, the collection is an all-glamour extravaganza. Silks, chiffons, sequins, jewels and lace spell ladylike decadence that is perfect for the run up to Christmas. It’s the perfect antidote for forgetting about the recession and will help us slip into festive opulence without blowing the budget for family gifts.

Gorgeous ritzy dresses, feather and fur cover-ups, luxe lingerie and slinky nightwear are what you can expect.

Here we have some sneak previews of items from the range to get you excited:

Embellished asymmetric dress £150 / Sequinned maxi dress £180 / Grey faux fur cape £100 / Rose print bra and knickers £20 and £14 / Tuxedo jacket £100 / Butterfly print kimono £85 / Blush silk and lace camisole and shorts £28 and £30.

Kate Moss for Topshop www.topshop.com