Form an Aura Que

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

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

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...

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?

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

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...

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...

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

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!

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.

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

2. 25% off Home and Gift orders at Laura Ashley Wednesday 9th December (enter 19AG at the checkout).

3. 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).

4. 20% off orders at Wallis until Wednesday 2nd December (enter VCP20 at the checkout).

5. £10 off orders over £75 at ASOS until Sunday 13th December (enter STEALLATER at the checkout).

6. 10% off menswear orders at ASOS until Thursday 3^rd December (enter ASOSMANTREAT at the checkout).

7. 10% off orders at Buyagift until Sunday 6^th December (enter vcodesuk10 at the checkout).

8. £5 off all Christmas orders over £25 at Buyagift until Thursday 31^st December (enter xmas5 at the checkout).

9. £10 off all Christmas orders over £100 at Buyagift until Thursday 31^st December (enter xmas10 at the checkout).

10. 50% off classic and continental chocolates at Thorntons until Friday 4^th December (enter VC19 at the checkout).

11. £5 off orders over £50 at GAME until Sunday 6^th December (enter VCCOUK50 at the checkout).

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

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

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

15. 5% off all orders over £30 at Feel Unique until Wednesday 16th December (enter XMAS2009 at the checkout).

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

17. 10% off Christmas Gifts over £15 at Hotel Chocolat until Wednesday 23rd December (enter VCXMAS09 at the checkout).

18. 20% off online orders at Peacocks until Saturday 5th December (enter NOV20OFF at the checkout).

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

20. 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.

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

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

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

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

A-List Smile Without The Hollywood Price Tag

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

With more and more people in the UK 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 UK’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

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

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

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

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

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?

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