Posted by admin on Feb 26, 2010 in
style After the weird and wacky creations I viewed at London Fashion Week you would think I’d be unshockable, but these human hair accessories from Bitching & Junkfood managed to evoke a WTF reaction. I’m all for expressing yourself through various mediums, but whilst I appreciate hair artistes like Nagi Noda and Charlie le Mindu, I can’t see myself ever wanting to wear these human hair earrings. Seriously folks.
Read more…
Tags: Bitching & Junkfood, Charlie le Mindu, human hair earrings, Nagi Noda
Posted by admin on Feb 16, 2010 in
random,
style
Due to the fact that I’ll soon be the proud rentee of a one bed flat all to myself, I’ve become a little bit obsessed with home furnishings of late. Whether it’s fantastic chandeliers, wall stickers or even those weirdly rounded IKEA rugs everyone seems to have, they’re all somehow on my radar. One place I never expected to find seriously stylish products was museums though, as my idea of gift shops tended to verge towards staid postcards of Victorian women, or the multicoloured marbles you find at the Science Museum. A recent trip round some the Museum of London disabused me of this notion however, as amongst the myriads of ugly tea towels and books that will remain sealed on coffee tables forever lay a treasure trove of accessories. From lovely lamps to cool furniture, museums seem to be the untapped destination for quirky furnishings, and there are even geeky treasures too!
Here are my favourites.
The Museum of London has some seriously desirable decor, and I’m really bowled over by their great coffee table cum street sign mashup. Their throw pillows and ironic tea towels are also pretty sweet. Read more…
Tags: geeky lights, home furnishings, Lego lights, MoMa, Museum of London, Science Museum
Posted by admin on Jan 25, 2010 in
beauty,
lists,
style It’s difficult for a new hairdresser to come up with a good USP (unique selling point). They can offer massage chairs, miniature TV’s by the basins, and complimentary cocktails, but when you get right down to it you’re handing over cash for someone to wash and cut your hair for around 2 hours. Making this experience pleasurable (where the cocktails come in) is all very well, but you have to get the customer through the door, before they can come back. And there are sooo many salons to choose from at the moment- Yell.com says there are currently 2520 salons in London alone, and seeing as you’ll probably find a zillion on your local high street, they need to try and hook you fast. Some have gone the freebie route with half price sessions, or ‘Cut ,try and dry’ days, but others have opted for the ‘pun‘ route. Whilst that may work well in Terry Pratchett books, some of the ones I’ve spotted don’t seem to be selling the salon particularly well. It may be funny, but that’s not really what you look for in a stylist is it?
Here are my favourite salon cock-ups
Ryan Hair
This is funny in two ways, firstly because I have a friend called Ryan who’s extremely vain about his hair, and secondly because the salon is choosing to play on the association of a budget airline, known for uncomfortable seats, long check in times, and oddly timed flights. Who wouldn’t want to get their hair cut there? Read more…
Tags: funny hair salon names, hair salon, hairdressers, stylist
Posted by admin on Jan 22, 2010 in
style 
What sweets do you choose when visiting the store? I’m not talking your Cadbury or Nestle options, but good old fashioned pick’n'mix, with bonbons ranging from lemondrops to mint humbugs. Deliberating over flavour is a difficult yet pleasurable experience, and Links have echoed this, with their Sweetie bracelet having some of the most delectable charms in the world.
In recent years the recognizable Links of London Sweetie bracelet has become a cult piece of jewellery, with everyone from aspirational teens to middle aged Sloanes happily flashing it on their wrist. Every season more charms released, and the 2010 collection takes us back to the confectionery store, allowing you to indulge in deliciously decorated lollipops and quirky eighties geek chic charms. Read more…
Tags: Elizabeth Galton Couture, Links of London, Links of london 2010, Sweetie bracelet
Posted by admin on Dec 7, 2009 in
Celebrity,
style 
I hate the rain and the cold. Whilst other people love taking their plastic off their winter coats and unfurling last years leather gloves, I cover up in blankets and big slippers whilst chain drinking hot chocolate and coffee. I’m not a fan of rain, drizzle or waking up with my breath crystallized in front of me, and no matter how cute I look in knee high socks I’m 100% in the summer camp. Pretty brollies are my only consolation for months of downpour, and here are my favourites. Read more…
Tags: Lulu Guinness, Rihanna, umbrella
Posted by admin on Nov 29, 2009 in
beauty,
news,
style 
Not so long ago I mentioned how honoured I was to have been asked to judge a category in the UK Beauty Awards 2010. A box arrived the other day with a plethora of products for my category- Best New Hair Product, and the information about the event went live on the Clothes Show London site. At last count there were 38 judges involved in this affair, and when I realized who they were my heart went all aflutter. Though all 38 are impressive individuals, there were a few that I couldn’t believe I was working alongside, as they’d been idols of mine for many years. Amongst the judges was the lovely Eve Cameron who mentored me when I first started in beauty journalism and Sarah Vine whose columns my Mum religiously cuts out and quotes back to me.
I’m looking forward to the event, but can’t chat for long- I have hair to wash!
[from L-R: Victoria White, Editor, Company magazine, Debbie Djordjevic, Editorial Director, Handbag.com, Eve Cameron, Beauty Director, Good Housekeeping, Jane Cunningham, Beauty Editor, www.beautyandthedirt.com, Row 2: Mandie Gower, Editor Zest Magazine, Olivia Falcon, Health and Beauty Director, Tatler (looking identical to Blake Lively), Sarah Vine, Beauty Editor, The Times, Zara Rabinowicz, Beauty Expert]
Tags: Debbie Djordjevic, Eve Cameron, Jane Cunningham, Mandie Gower, Olivia Falcon, Sarah Vine, UK Beauty Awards 2010, Victoria White
Posted by admin on Nov 28, 2009 in
style 
What on earth is happening to the world? We’re suffering a global recession, beloved brands such as Luella are closing their doors forever and tights have been raised from M&S staples to high fashion garments. This year we’ve seen Henry Holland do a gorgeous collaboration for Pretty Polly, bright colours adorn the pins of A-listers such as Lily Allen and Cheryl Cole, and hardened fashionistas invest in hosiery and recycle their LBD’s for the December party season. However the picture isn’t completely rosy, as though many of the brands offer their merchandise for £15 and below, a select few price themselves higher. The Wolford Fringe tights are one such example. Retailing at £199 (with free shipping: bonus!) from Tights Please, they’re 100 denier nylon/elastine blend, and exquisite to look at. Five rows of fringing detail each side of the legs, which would make ankle boots completely obsolete and the overall style is incredibly chic.
Still, £200 freaking pounds? For tights? I realise that if you purchase this, you’re considering the tights as the statement piece, and could look at a purchase akin to buying a dress, but a dress will last you more than a few wears! It may be 100 denier, but all you need is a snaggly nail, and boom, your purchase is consigned to the dustbin. Read more…
Tags: fashion tights, Henry Holland tights. Bebaroque, hosiery, Luella closing, Wolford fringe tights
