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Nov 20, 2008 fashion
Inspired by This Mornings fashion feature, I though I’d write a quick post about online catalogue buying. In the current financial market, buying from online catalogues is a great option, firstly because you can pay off your purchase over a number of weeks (however, I’ve never done this and so know v.little about the interest you might be paying on the goods) and with none of the expensive overheads involved with having shop premises’, prices tend to be cheaper than the high street. Of course, there’s usually a delivery charge, but at the moment, most catalogues are either forgoing the charge or offering free delivery with first order.
The best catalogue for party wear is undoubtedly Oli, a catalogue that first came to my attention last year after seeing a fashion shoot with HollyWilloughby (who’s the face of the brand) sporting beautiful dresses that enhanced womanly curves, rather than the widespread trend of trying to hide them! Since then, I’ve bought regularly from the site and am always impressed by the quality of the goods and value for money. Oli has a very modern approach towards catalogue sales – the site looks straight from the pages of a fashion magazine, there’s even an ‘editors letter’ much like a blog, alerting browsers to ‘what’s hot’ and selling out fast. Oli have also created excellent fusion lines with Jodi Kidd, Jasper Garvida and fashionista’s favourite, PPQ. I’m hoping Santa will bring me the PPQ cardigan with contrast trim – its darling!
La Redoute is a catalogue I’ve adored for many years – I believe it is responsible for my obsession with the Parisians chic and effortless style, as my Mum bought my first La Redoute purchase many years ago – I was twelve and it was an Aztec patterned belted cardi (currently very on-trend!) and I remember being taunted by a girl called Isobel for my ‘weird’ sense of style! Apologies for the digression, but I am so glad that I ignored her jibes, because La Redoute purchases are the foundation of my capsule wardrobe! The cut of the clothes are beautiful and their elegant designs are timeless. Like Oli, the pieces at La Redoute are unbeatable.
If you’re struggling to find on-trend and enduringly stylish outfits at reasonable prices, I suggest you take a look at these two online catalogues – I highly recommend them!
Recent Entries
Nov 20, 2008 fashion
One of the most influential designers of his generation, Marc Jacobs was the man responsible for persuading Victoria Beckham to pose inside a carrier bag!
Since launching his critically acclaimed collection, Marc by Marc Jacobs critically acclaimed signature collection creates affordable, contemporary and edgy pieces that appeal to the mass market, styles that include bright colours, oversized prints, bows, buttons, rugby stripes and most recently, bugs, stars and little objects.
A recent addition to his collection are his gorgeous pendant watches – cheeky and sassy the current craze for wearing the time around your neck has sparked a huge trend, with the High Street creating less sophisticated, copy-cat versions of the Marc Jacobs Pendant Watch.
So sweet and very on-trend this is one of my choices of Christmas ‘must have’ items!
You’ll earn mega brownie points for buying this Marc Jacobs Pendant watch for a friend or loved one – keeping them ahead of the fashion pack!
Technorati Tags: designer watch, fashion, jewellery, watches, women
Nov 14, 2008 fashion
A modern twist of YSL’s ‘Le Smoking’ jacket, the tux has been re-vamped for Autumn/Winter and is taking our high street by storm!
Marc Jacobs, Stella McCartney and Armani all ignited the trend for power dressing on their Autumn/Winter 08 catwalks – a look that was carried through by celebrities like Ashley Olsen and Fearne Cotton who have both been spotted in a tux. That same has look has now filtered through to our favourite stores…
A stunning choice is the Sequin Blazer Jacket from the Gold by Giles collection for New Look, part of Giles Deacons capsule collection, the Sequin Blazer Jacket echoes his signature style, renowned for its sense of wit, mixed with ‘wow’ factor. The New Look Gold by Giles Sequin Blazer will add a touch of high drama to any outfit, reminiscent of Givenchy’s A/W 08 trend, Gothic Romance - making it a perfect choice for the party season!
If you want to add a harder edged, more masculine feel, check out Urban Outfitters Tux Crop Blazer, sharp and beautifully cut, it looks like a ‘homage’ to the tux jackets in Tod Lynn’s ‘Ready to Wear’ collection. For an androgynous look, team with a pair of tailored trews – but I’d actually wear it over an uber feminine party frock to toughen up my look!
Nov 12, 2008 gadgets
Throughout the last year, the portable console Nintendo DS Lite has taken the world by storm! I am a bit of a technophobe and have therefore, steered clear of such devices – however, when travelling this past weekend my other half insisted I give his Nintendo DS Lite Brain Training a go and I have to admit, I’m quite impressed! This addictive game stimulates your brain by challenging you to ‘simple’ mathematics, memory exercises, sudoku puzzles and reading aloud - keeping your mind fit and active. After playing the game, you’re then given a brain age based on your performance (no, I’m not telling you mine – it’s shameful…) As you achieve better scores, your brain age should get younger…!
I can see why the Nintendo DS Lite Brain Training has proved to be a popular game as, like any muscle, your brain atrophies if you don’t use it enough and no-one wants to believe this! The Brain Training: How old is your Brain? was developed to take advantage of this fact and our desire to challenge ourselves into beating our personal best scores, hence the addictive nature of this game. Very cleaver!
I have fallen prey to this console and intend to try a few of its other games. The Nintendo DS Lite console would also make a great Christmas gift and so, is one of my ‘must haves’.
Compact, light and sleek – the DS is very handbag friendly!
Technorati Tags: console, games, nintendo, video games
Nov 5, 2008 gadgets
I might have just bought myself a new pair of straighteners, but that doesn’t stop me from lusting after the new Limited Edition Purple GHD IV’s!
Available from next week as part of a Christmas gift pack, the Limited Edition Purple GHD 1V has a sleek new design and ingenious features, including advanced ceramic heaters, a rounder barrel (for ultimate control) and a new sleep mode that automatically turns the Purple GHD IV straighteners off, if left unattended for 30 mins!
Also included in the gift pack is a purple travel hair dryer, a limited edition heat proof case and two GHD sectioning clips – even the gift box is stunning! What’s more, purple is so on-trend for A/W 08!
The GHD brand is such a firm favourite amongst those devoted to their irons - the Limited Edition Purple GHD IV’s are bound to sell out fast. These are most certainly on my list of Christmas ‘must haves.’
To find out more, check out Purple GHD IV’s.
Technorati Tags: beauty, fashion, gadgets, hair, women
Nov 1, 2008 fashion
Classic, sumptuous and sexy, red has always been a great colour to wear. For the past couple of seasons it has been a popular trend, re-invigorated this week with the news that we should replace our Little Black Dress with a Little Red Dress - as red provokes an amorous effect on men. Studies from the University of Rochester revealed that men regard a woman wearing a red dress, as better looking and more desirable! Furthermore, men seem to be especially generous to a lady in red and more willing to blow the budget, showering her with lavish gifts and expensive meals!
So if like me, you’ve recently found yourself ‘treated’ to a 2 for 1 meal at Pizza Express…grab yourself a racy number and you might just find yourself progressing up to Gourmet Burger!
Bond girl Olga Kurylenko sported a beautiful, red Valentino gown at the premiere this week – a cheeky twist were the irresistible ‘un-wrap me’ bows on the back of the dress… and in keeping with her sass, I’ve tracked down a jaunty little number from Miss Selfridge. The Red Strapless Fringe Dress is a show-stopper! This duel trend dress is an ideal cocktail number for those pre-Christmas drinks…just imagine the fun you could have with those tassels!
If you’re looking for something a little edgier why not try Urban Outfitters Renewal Plain Mini Zip Dress, combining two key trends, red and exposed zips – a prevalent look on the catwalks for A/W. The Renewal range at Urban Outfitters takes vintage dead stock and surplice materials to create one-off, limited pieces. So, whilst the cut remains consistent, material and colour may vary slightly – ensuring each dress is completely unique. Well worth the £55 price tag!
So come on ladies – show us your zips!
Technorati Tags: clothes, dresses, fashion, style, trends, women
Oct 30, 2008 gadgets
As I mentioned in a previous post – it’s getting to that time of year when our minds turn towards buying presents for the ones we love (and some we don’t love, but are obliged to!) Us women tend to be pretty fabulous at present buying – I actually get quite exited at the prospect of spending days trawling the high street…this is perhaps, because I tend to reward myself with a gift or two during the process….
My point is that men are the ones that need a helping hand this time of year – there are only so many toiletries one woman needs, or in my case (you might have read my post on the Triumph toothbrush) practical gadgets! Gifts for Women is a new and invaluable site that promotes Christmas ‘must haves’ for Women – a step by step guide, from what’s hot, to tasteful suggestions on what women deem as ‘sexy’ underwear. The site also includes comparison tables, quoting the best prices for technical items like iPods. It’s also worth mentioning that Gifts for Women suggest presents to suit a variety of budgets ranging from the ‘under £100’ page to luxury items.
If I seem a little bias, it’s because I was commissioned to write some content for them, but honestly - I wouldn’t indorse a site I didn’t believe in. Direct your other half, friends and family towards the Gifts for Women website if you think they need a helping hand!
http://www.gifts-forwomen.co.uk
Technorati Tags: christmas gifts, gifts, gifts for women, xmas, xmas gifts
Oct 29, 2008 fashion
I have a new favourite day of the week. Tuesday. Not only does it bring about the end of Monday, but all my favourite things seem to fall on that particular day, Look, Grazia, This Mornings ‘fashion feature’….it’s the one day I really allow myself to kick back and relax, my mid-week ‘weekend’….and now the pleasure is even greater, thanks to the awesome programme ‘ British Style Genius’.
I’m hooked – It’s such a wonderful celebration of our talented designers, enviable high street and inspirational attitude to style. I believe last nights episode was the best yet!
‘By Royal Appointment, The Country Look’ focussed on our Monarchy’s influence over Great Britain’s signature style and the stories and influences behind iconic items of fashion.
Heritage is a huge trend for this season and who knew that Helen Mirren sporting a Barbour in ‘The Queen’ would spark a surge in sales of the coat in New York?
A favourite British designer of mine is Cath Kidston, whose whimsical prints merge classic and nostalgic with a modern edge. Kidston marries beautiful, fun, vintage prints with practical objects and homewares - an attitude to design that is innately British! I first noticed her designs a couple years ago when I saw the Cowboy Cream Wallpaper hanging in a boutique changing room… I loved the print so much it actually made me broody!
I am currently saving up for the Strawberry Breakfast Set (sixteen pieces) – it reminds me of the china my Nana owned – I associate the print with Devon and cream teas…that really is the genius behind Cath Kidston, her prints evoke an emotional response, a reminder of something that is both Great and British, like the sea side or our gorgeous flora and forna.
It is perhaps Luella Bartley who’s influenced me most though. I adore her designs – the way she uses floral prints without being too prissy, mixing hard materials with soft, exaggerating our British eccentricities, creating “the kind of clothes you can get drunk and fall over in”. She somehow makes ‘Sloney’ look ‘so me!’
Distinctive, creative, edgy and fun, in short, our British Style is genius.
Technorati Tags: british, british style, cath kidston, designer, designer prints, fabrics, fashion, kidston, luella bartley
Oct 28, 2008 fashion
Most wanted this Christmas:
Today my other half asked me the ultimate question…… ‘What would you like for Christmas?’
Now, we all know we’re in the midst of a credit crunch (who could miss the constant reminders!), but I’m of the mindset that we should remain as positive and optimistic as possible. Therefore, I have decided to create the ultimate list of Christmas ‘must have’ items I’d love to receive!
An investment buy and statement gift, the Perry bag from Anya Hindmarch is THE bag to have. Functional, smart and reservedly stylish, this patchwork bag is so on-trend. A mix of contradictions, the Perry is made up of neutral colours, yet, when paired together in these combinations – it as bold and eye-catching as neon!
The Perry bag is structured and highly sophisticated, blending a warm palette of caramel, tan and bitter chocolate in a glamorous seventies style inspired by the accessories Hindmarch’s mother once wore. The geometric design is drawn from furniture and architecture and whilst colours are rich – the fabrics are supple and durable, making the Perry bag a practical choice too.
A total hit, Anya Hindmarch’s bag was the popular choice amongst women in the know throughout London Fashion Week, with Grazia stating that the Perry was the most frequently spotted styles with around 20 being spotted in a matter of days!
Set to become an iconic bag that will not date, the Perry transcends fashion and can be used year after year. Due to its neutral palette and structured pattern it is ideal for work and play.
This seriously stylish bag has got me going ga ga and is so much more desirable than a diamond!
Take a good look at the Perry Bag here!
Technorati Tags: anya hindmarch, bag, fashion, perry, perry bag
Oct 27, 2008 fashion
Yesterday, I found myself up west and slightly down – I’d attended a cattle-market casting as was clearly the ‘Bridget Jones’ in a room full of ‘Gisele’s’!
Desperate for a post audition ‘pick-me-up,’ I headed to Faith for some retail therapy and was pleased to find a massive sale happening!
I’ve been scouting around for a pair of over-the-knee boots to no avail – I’d found most resembled the “Pretty Woman” pair – not the look I was going for, but in the Faith sale I found a pair that did the trick. The Memma boot – with a massive £30 pounds off, these leather lovelies with fold over cuff detail, look less ‘working girl’ and more ‘principal boy’. My ego may have been bruised, but at least my purse didn’t take a battering! Teamed with a pair of skinny jeans, my legs look awesome…so long and lean (I’m short and pear shaped). Even better, my other half can’t get grotty at me for splurging cos’I look HOT!
If you’re looking to treat yourself without a pang of buyers remorse, head to the Faith Sale on now!
Technorati Tags: boots, faith, faith sale, memma, over-the-knee, sale