Gifts for Women this Christmas
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
Tags: christmas gifts, gifts, gifts for women, xmas, xmas gifts
Our Great British Style: Cath Kidston, Luella…
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.
Tags: british, british style, cath kidston, designer, designer prints, fabrics, fashion, kidston, luella bartley
Anya Hindmarch Perry Bag
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!
Tags: anya hindmarch, bag, fashion, perry, perry bag
Faith Sale Now On!
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!
Tags: boots, faith, faith sale, memma, over-the-knee, sale
Marks and Spencer Patricia Field: Destination New York
Oct 15, 2008 fashion
The ultimate high street/designer collaboration has just hit the stores this with the Patricia Field collection, released by Marks and Spencer this morning!
Hailed as ‘The Legend’ of style, Patricia Field opened her first fashion boutique in New York’s fashion mecca, Greenwich Village in 1966 serving forward thinking scenesters. Field then went on to work as a stylist for film and TV. It was while working on Miami Rhapsody that she first met (and made an impression on) Sarah Jessica Parker. As we all know, Parker and Field were to re-unite for Sex and the City and transform our attitudes towards fashion and how we express ourselves through our clothes.
I love Sex and the City – the series and the movie. It was this collaboration between stylist and show that ignited my passion for fashion, proving to me that I could show the world exactly how I was feeling through my wardrobe. The idea that if an outfit feels right – it is right.
Readers, this collection does not dissapoint. Heavily inspired by Carrie’s wardrobe in Sex and the City the Movie, there are many fabulous dresses on offer, most notably Carrie’s gorgeous flower corsage dress from the opening of the film (though this hasn’t been released online-yet). Field has adapted the dress to make it more wearable – it’s now black and the corsage is pinned on, so you can take the flower off, transforming it from a big statement into something a little more demure.
My favourite is The Rose Puffball Dress, again transformed from white to black. This iconic dress is made from a rose jacquard fabric with a layered pencil and puffball skirt. The flattering cut will hide heavy hips, whilst highlighting a waspish waist. Modern and wearable, I adore the small capped sleeves as my upper arms need some toning!
If Carrie’s wardrobe isn’t you thing, there are some items clearly inspired by Sam, Charlotte and Miranda. The Red Hot Asymmetric Dress is clearly a homage to the ever sexy Samantha! Asymmetry is a huge trend for 2009 and as every fashionista knows, red is so on-trend. There’s also a cheeky little nod to Samantha’s love of 80’s power dressing, with the red patent belt and gold snake buckle attached to the dress.
Available online or in selected Marks and Spencer stores, you’d be mad to miss these must-haves!
Tags: dress, fashion, marks and spencer, on trend, patricia field, sex and the city
Urban Outfitters Graphic Tees
Oct 5, 2008 Uncategorized
At a time when everyone’s feeling the pinch, buying a staple item for your wardrobe is the way to stay on trend without being frivolous.
Purchasing a t-shirt or two is a great way of updating your look and if you buy the right one, will last for many years transcending disposable, fast fashion.
Graphic t-shirts have always come up trumps, in particular, vintage style band t-shirts – which look fabulous with any number of different outfits and trends in the ever changeable weather we seem to have. Look no further than the weekly fashion mags to see what a popular choice the t-shirt is amongst our fashion conscious celebs, who pull off dressed down graphic or glammed up rock tee in equal measure!
I’ve noticed Urban Outfitters always have a great range of t-shirts in store and this seasons styles don’t disappoint! Pick of the bunch is this vintage style Beatles t-shirt (above) the Jump on board sgt. Peppers Lonely Heart Club top by Junk Food features the iconic album cover of the same name and so is sure to remain a timeless classic! I’ll be teaming mine with a pair of skin tight wet-look leggings for a wintry night out, but you could create an effortless look by teaming it with a pair of jeans and biker jacket like the Urban Outfitters quilted Alex (left).
Tags: beatles, leather, t-shirt, urban outfitters
