Jelly Belly's!

I have just returned from the beautiful island of Crete where the boyf and I had the most relaxing holiday ever.  My tan is pretty good considering I usually have skin whiter than milk, it maybe because all my freckles have joined together giving the impression of a tan, but i don't care.  A tan is a tan!

Wherever I am my critical stylists eye remains in switched on mode and there were some very stylish ladies staying at our resort and I had lot's of fashion crush moments but the one I was most envious of was this fab cut out swimsuit.

There were also some really bad fashion moments and the most unforgivable was the short short.  I am a massive fan of the short short and if you have the figure of Cameron Diaz or Cheryl Cole then great you will look fab in them with or without heals.  But when you have a large tummy why why why would you wear them?  Why would you buy low waisted denim hot pants and position your tummy over the top of the fastening?  By the end of the holiday I had seen so many muffin tops and sore thighs that i felt that short short should come with a warning!  If you are not a stick, have a flat tummy or toned thighs then DO NOT WEAR!!!!!

 When short shorts go bad!

I am sorry if Isound like I am ranting, but it upsets me when people don't think about their figures before buying into a trend.  If you have a big tummy but great legs opt for a high waisted short.  If your tummy is good but you have heavier thighs opt for a longer length short or a skirt as it will be soooooooo much more flattering!

After this mini rant I think I should head to the gym to keep my post holiday muffin top at bay!

Preparing for my 2nd holiday..

Yes folks you heard correctly, this red haired, fair skinned blogger is subjecting her skin to yet another holiday!  Don't panic it will be factor 30 all the way as I am jetting off to the sunny climbs of Crete!

I started thinking about my summer wardrobe and how I could create a capsule holiday wardrobe and I am currently struggling...  So if I had the budget right now I would go out and buy this lovely selection to complete my capsule wardrobe...

This See by Chloe bag is a great Summer Holiday bag £26.80 reduced from £67 at Net a Porter.

The perfect casual playsuit, I could dress up with heels and gold jewellery for eve and the with gladiators for by the pool. £25 from Topshop.

This gorgeous vest maxi dress from Oasis reduced from £35 to £25.  Probably the most handy buy of the summer (and i did not get it doh).

I really want to buy them..... boo hoo.x

Jean Genie!

At the moment my weekends are filled with Jeans! The boyfriend has even commented on my sleepy discussions on the benefits of a fit and flare jean to balance a bottom! But one thing I will say is that it is has been great fun and lovely to see so many women happy with their new denim purchases!

I am at the Watford Shopping Centre styling for the JEAN GENIE EVENT, where myself and fellow stylist Rachel Staveley are giving free style appointments to shoppers to help them find their perfect jeans..

This weekend I helped a granny, mother and daughter into jeans and got 2 yummy boxes of Thornton's chocolates... so despite blue denim stained hands, sore feet, and dreams of denim there are perks to the JOB!

High street Jeans that I think work for most shapes!

To hide a tummy but keep it classic opt for the OASIS - SCARLET Jean £45

The Oasis - Poppy jean £50 is a great summer option which looks fab with a denim on denim look. On a curvier thigh it appears more kick flare but on a slim leg has a real 70's look! Another bonus to these is the high waist is great to hide a tummy but also works well on a pare shape as it curves in over the bottom.
The Dorothy Perkins - Straight Cut £20 is my top buy of the week. I would opt for the Mid blue as it is more summery but the cut of the leg is great with a heel, but also works really well with a turn up! The only down side to this jean is it has a very low rise so if you have a bit of a tummy I would opt instead for an M&S option.


M&S Indigo Collection Slim Leg jean£19.50. Sorry for the small image can't find a better one but follow the link to check them out. This jean comes in 4 shades I would opt for the black or the white.

Another Jean which I have to mention is the Next Flare £25, I am not usually a massive fan of Next jeans but this shape is fab and great for an everyday jean.
I hope you like my top selection! I will be buying the Straight-cut dotty P's pair, styling my mum in the Indigo pair and my sis in the Oasis Poppy or the Next Flare.


I also have to mention the M&S - North Coast jeans £39.50 for men as they worked really well on the older gent.

and the Next - Dark Wash Hiro jean £32-£40 nice easy style without any fuss!

Outnet Loser!

What sort of Stylist am I?

One who pressed snooze on her alarm this morning and opted for an extra 20 mins in bed.. It was good until I checked twitter on my blackberry and realised that it was the Outnet £1 birthday bonanza! A vision in black and white polka dot pyjama set I rush past the boyfriend in the hallway with cup of green tea in his hand meant for me (oops) fly down the stairs switch on the slowest computer in the world and when it finally decides to work................ I can't get onto the Outnet sale (Arrgggh).

An hour later I find myself still sat in front of the computer continuing to re click into the link. Finally I get access, no time to scroll all items, so I type in bags (sold out) shoes (sold out, DOH) clothes medium there are still some there hallelujah! I start clicking into gorgeous looking garments only to be thrown out of the site completely about 20 times, but I persist I want that Alberta Ferretti top and I am going to get it.....

No it would appear that I am not.. after spending another half an hour trying to buy it it says Sold Out! OK, I can suck it up and carry on looking.. the only things left in my size are a pair of tracksuit bottoms or a stripey jersey dress. I click on the dress and it throws me out of the site again, about to click back in I stop myself and ask, Do I want this hideous stripey dress? The answer is No it is uber ugly and if it was in Oxfam for 50p you wouldn't buy it..

I look at the clock and kick myself when I realise I have spent 3 hours of my life trying to get into the Outnet sale! Needing to cheer myself up I pop on the gorgeous purchases I made on Wednesday. It is not warm enough to wear the complete look today but it will remind me that good clothes can happen to good people (I consider myself good people by the way).

So here is my new outfit not from Outnet:
'T' shirt was £7 at Dorothy Perkins
Jacket was £69 at Zara (thought it was reminiscent of the Celine jacket)
Belt was £9 at H&M
Trousers were £32.50 at Gap

I Apologise for the shoe choice they were all I had to hand and the fact that my mirror needs a good clean, will get the boyfriend onto that asap! (I wish).

She Means Business Event 2010 and Goody Bag Competition

The SHE means business event was held at HSBC Towers in Canary Wharf and the event was a great success. Myself and Mrs Make Do Style where there with the NHJ Style team and decided to both blog about different elements of the evening, but i apologise if there is some cross over! I also need to apologise for some of the photography.. after a glasses of bubbles it would appear that our photographic hands are not quite as steady.

The she poster that MDS wanted to graffiti...

The Fashion Show Work wear

Outfit 1: Animal print Jaeger Top worn with cream cigarette pant trouser from Next
This is a really easy way to introduce print into your wardrobe and stay cool in Summer add big glasses and over sized bag to make it your own!
Outfit 2: Military Jacket M&S worn with top and bag from Next.
Well done M&S this jacket is a great shape and bang on trend!
Outfit 3: Grey jersey dress from Wallis and bag from Boden.
Really great idea for a throw it on dress for summer, i would add a statement necklace and a coloured wedge to make a little more exciting.
Outfit 4: Stripey jacket from Next, Polka dot dress from Planet, shoes LK Benett.
What a great little office outfit.. instead of adding the obvious red mix in green or acid orange accessories.

I also have to mention a fab outfit in their work wear section that we could not get a pick of which was a Mint Velvet dress with a zip detail on the shoulder worn with a next wedge looked great.They also had a fab Audrey Hepburn Esq Grey work dress from Austin Reed, so if your in the look out for one pop over to see it!

We then moved into Evening Wear

Outfit 1: Grey Zip detail top M&S worn with Next trousers and LK Benett shoes.
This outfit is great for relaxed office to pub, or site seeing chic and easy to achieve.
Outfit 2: Sequin dress Planet and nude shoes Pied a Terre.
This dress is not my cup of tea at all! I am all for summer sparkle but this looks like all the wrong kind of coloured sparkle on one ill fitting dress!
Outfit 3: All in One M&S and fab Red wedges which annoyingly I did not write down the info for!
I love love love this outfit and want it want it want it. I was wearing an All in one on the night and we have decided this M&S one or the Topshop equivalent are the best. I am also kicking myself for not noting down the shoes i will continue my search! MDS is going to buy this outfit and she is going to look fab in it!
Outfit 4: Black dress with cream bow detail from Burnshaw shoes Pied a Terre.
Again not my cup of tea as it is a little obvious but the bow detail is quite cute!

Other outfit to mention strapless all in one from next with beading detail really easy to wear in the Summer.


Evening and Weekend Wear Continued

Outfit 1: Red dress by Burnshaw and shoes LK Bennett.
They also showed a black and white version of this dress which i HATED! But this little number had the wow factor.
Outfit 2: Denim shorts, white 'T' and boots from Next and chunky Knit cardigan from Jaeger.
Loving this outfit.. could not pull it off myself but if you have an athletic figure and a small bust wear it with some retro Sunny's!
Outfit 3: Stripey 'T', blazer and zip detail skirt all M&S.
This is a great little summer outfit for work or weekend. Wear a coloured wedge and add a floral print bag and it would be even more adorable.
Outfit 4: White Jeans M&S, animal print cardigan by Boden, Bag by Next and shoes LK Bennett.
Easy way to introduce print and it looks pretty chic.

Weekend Wear

Outfit 1: Stripey 'T' by Dorothy Perkins, Cardigan by Boden, Jeans by Next, Bag from Jaeger.
Want this bag make it mine!!!
Outfit 2: Green silk shirt by Jaeger, jeans and sparkle bag by Next, shoes LK Bennett.
Also want this bag... but this one i can actually afford! yay
Outfit 3: Stripey top by Dorothy Perkins and shorts by Boden
Great look with no effort! If you have shapely thighs keep shorts long if you have skinny pins wear them short!
Outfit 4 : Peach vest by M&S, Jeans by Boden, Hat by Planet and Scarf by Jaeger.
How cute is this outfit.? A hat always makes a statement and this one is easy to wear in summer with a print dress, jeans or at the beach!

The event was good fun and we got to meet some lovely ladies from all over the UK! The gorgeous girls from the fashion department at SHE who did not seem to mind us quizzing them on the new dynamics in the fashion department. Nicky Hambleton Jones who looked fantastic as ever, no sign of baby destroying this fashionistas style! I also have to mention the lovely lady in the blue silk top, her Mum and her sister who were an absolute giggle. The stylish Laura Kate Scott with her gorgeous pill box hat. Beverley Webb from Beautiful Bras for being a SHE lady who meant business and who stocks some fab bras.

Here is a little pic of the models off duty... with their SHE goody bags one of which I have to give away in a competition!
Inside the lovely SHE Goody bag... is..

April issue of She magazine

A Simple wash bag with intensive lip moisturiser, eye makeup remover pads, anti wrinkle day cream and protecting moisture cream

Tie rack scarf with chain print

Kitten and Vixen cosmetics Bewitching Burgundy mascara and eye liner

Jo Hansford intensive hair mask

£20 Planet voucher

Clara Geraghty's new book "Saving Grace"

2 VIP Flourish Cards - Flourish Make-up

and all of this could be yours!

To enter the competition and be in with a chance to win this fabulous goody bag become a follower of this blog and leave a comment and a winner will be picked by random number generator. GOOD LUCK!

Stefanel at House of Fraser

I am very excited about the re-working of the Oxford Streets, House of Fraser. The layout is great and the new brands are great for a stylist who is always looking for fab new items to show their clients!

One brand that has caught my eye is Stefanel, they have not had all there Spring Summer stock delivered but they have some great summer staples as well as some great colours coming in very soon!

I really like the vibrancy of the colours and the really relaxed feel the collection has. The knitwear is also fantastic and that is their speciality so all the knitwear is available all year round!

An item they have in stock at the moment is a fab jersey dress with multiple wearing options! It is the perfect addition to a capsule wardrobe and it wont crease, even better.

They get another stock drop at the end of this week so head to HOF and check it out!

images from http://www.stefanel.com/

Nailed it!

Yes this weekend i will be showing off my newly painted nails not any newly purchased clothes! (take note MDS, I am trying)

I put my name down for the chanel 505 Particuliere nail cover, what seems like ages ago and yesterday i got the call to say that my very own pot was waiting for me at Boots on Oxford Street! Yay.. you might think but i had actually given up hope and yesterday morning after walking round the fashion emporium that is Topshop Flagship and managed to leave without having made a purchase.... ( I indeed had an armful of stuff to try, but a phone call from my sister shattered my zombie like shopping state and i realised that NO i did not need any of these beautiful lacy items with encrusted beads that yes would look fantastic on. But would leave me poorer and with even less room in my already overflowing wardrobe!) So I ran like the wind to the havens of the Chanel counter of John Lewis, then House of Fraser, Debenhams, Boots and Selfridges in hope of securing a pot of this mushroom taupe toned nail varnish that was my hearts desire!
I was met instead with a rather smug faced Chanel lady in one of the previously mentioned stores saying "oh you mean the 505! No we sold out of that and when we get it in we have a waiting list as long as my arm... (gesturing with her skinny perma-tanned arm and was that.... no it couldn't be ... yes she gave me a knowing look as i caught site of her perfectly painted talons in none other than 505) Grrrrrrr.
So my adventure continued I would not be defeated if I could not have the real thing i would fake it I opted for the Nails Inc fake known to insiders as 'Jermyn Street' it was £10.50 a saving of £5.86 hurrah for me and the colour is close i walk with a spring in my step for a whole 7 hours until i receive the CALL saying they have reserved me the 505! What to do?

Sorry MDS I purchase that too... my girlynomics moment lasted a total of 12 hours! But the colour is lush.

OPI also has a colour called 'Over the Taupe' which is very close to 505 too.

The next colour on my list is a minty green to look like the Chanel 407 Jade
Check out OPI Go On Green
Nails Inc Haymarket is also close:

Underwear as Outerwear?

This is a trend that i love especially when it is done right. I mean what girl wouldn't, silk, lace and structure make a girl feel fabulous and a little bit naughty. It has that 'check me out' element of the Madonna Conical Bra days and the vavavoom of the Madonna sex book days. But is it practical for us girls who live normal lives and might get arrested or sectioned should we try it!
Lets face it when you have 32F's like me there is absolutely no Bra in my draw that would look good over a T-Shirt or a dress... I mean these are solid pieces of construction made to keep the puppy's were they should, prevent the dreaded double boob, stop them falling out when running for a bus and most of all create the right silhouette! I am not sure that my bravissimo specials have the same fashion clout as Christian Dior or Dolce and Gabbana!
In all seriousness though! If you have the figure for it this is a great trend, with fab lace body suits, silk cami's and detailed crop tops to team with jeans, skirts, shorts or worn over little dresses here are some from the high street that I love!

The Rosalind Prom Dress now in the sale £15 at Oasis. This dress does it all for you if you like the trend but not the risk!
The Lace Lingerie Cami £28 at Warehouse. Wear with jeans or shorts with a blazer or leather jacket (perfect top for disguising tummy)


The Lace Body £20 at Topshop, wear with jeans, killer heals and a blazer or with a pencil skirt and a long cardigan. You need a fab petite bust for this look if you are like me with ample bust try Topshop's Full sleeve lace body and wear a sexy bra underneath (not an everyday over the shoulder boulder holder)
The Button Back Bra Top £20 at New Look, perfect over a little dress or with high waisted shorts if you have the figure to wear alone!

Muscle Maddness

I am loving the DSQUARED2 adverts....
BUT, I am hating the guy in the orange shorts muscles! Especially the ones above the shorts.. Yuk. Is it me or does anyone else find that so overdone and visually off putting?

Tattoo Jewellery

Since last weeks article in the Metro I have been in two minds about the new Chanel tattoo transfers. Yes they are exquisite to look at and a breath of fresh air in terms of a new accessories trend. But i cant get my head around it being a transfer, the last time I wore a transfer it was of Barbie, I was eight with teeth to big for my head and i also had a matching barbie plaster on my finger and a sweetie necklace on! (high fashion I was not!)

I know I am going to have to get past this vision of my eight year old self by March when they come to a Chanel concession near you...... After all they were all over the catwalks for spring summer and so far Chanel's are the most appealing, Rodarte's tribal offering are a bit too body paint and the Gaultier arm labelling was perhaps 10 steps out of the comfort zone! Vogue mentioned Jmaskrey.com for alternative jewellery transfers which featured in British Vogue and Italian Vogue last year.

The delicate ephemeral tattoos from Chanel

J.Maskery's more retro transfers

I am not entirely convinced on the transfers. There is no denying the Chanel ones are beautiful but I like to be able to keep my accessories for more than one use, especially after the severe tummy ache that the candy necklace gave me!