Deborah Lippmann - Sarah Smile & Glitter In The Air

I can't get enough of Deborah Lippmann's gorgeous nail varnishes. I've just tried 'Sarah Smile' named after Sarah Jessica Parker. It's a cute, creamy sheer pink that's great for a subtle tint. It applies really evenly and creates a smooth finish (on my left hand anyway - I'm useless at painting my right hand!) Any tips?

Deborah Lippmann Sarah Smile

Two Coats of Deborah Lippmann Sarah Smile

I've added a bit of glitz to 'Sarah Smile' with another Deborah Lippmann stunner 'Glitter In The Air'. I have to say, the glittery colours from the collection are my absolute favourite nail varnishes and I just love this one! With shiny pink and blue glitter dots its great for adding a bit of fun on top of a base colour.

Check out the other colours in the collection at houseoffraser.co.uk - Next on my shopping list is Ruby Red Slippers 

Deborah Lippmann Glitter In The Air

Two Coats of Deborah Lippmann Sarah Smile & One Coat of  Glitter In The Air

You can pick these lovely nail varnishes up for £14 exclusively from the Apothecary at House Of Fraser (who very kindly sent me these varnishes)

Let me know what you think!

B x

Loving - River Island

These fab jersey Maxi skirts from River Island are perfect for taking your Summer style into Autumn. I'm trying to avoid buying them all - at £25 they are such good value!! I really love the maroon coloured one, it's at the top of my shopping list.

Dark Green Maxi Skirt From River Island

Maroon Maxi Skirt From River Island

Orange Maxi Skirt From River Island

Brown Maxi Skirt From River Island

Black Maxi Skirt From River Island

I never used to be a fan of River Island, they went through a horrible phase of blinging everything up with unnecessary diamanté studs, glitter and chains but it's quickly becoming one of my favourite shopping destinations.  Their A/W 11 collection looks like it's set to be one of their best yet. They've got all the trends covered from 40's glam to masculine shapes, heritage to retro brights. Check out the new look book at www.styleinsider.riverisland.com I can see that I'm going to be spending some of my hard earned pennies on some of these gorgeous pieces!! Here are a few of my favourites...

Retro Brights From River Island A/W 2011 Collection

60's Shifts From River Island A/W 2011 Collection  

Heritage Prints From River Island A/W 2011 Collection

40's Glam From River Island A/W 2011 Collection 

40's Glam From River Island A/W 2011 Collection 

Masculine Tailoring From River Island A/W 2011 Collection 

B x

Apothecary Fragrance from House Of Fraser

My staple perfume, Classiqué by Jean Paul Guiltier which I absolutely LOVE is running really low. I've used it on and off for about 10 years and keep coming back to it when I can't make my mind up about a new scent. So the past few weeks I've been thinking do I buy another bottle or do I try something new?

When I was sent a sample of the new Apothecary Fragrance by House Of Fraser the timing couldn't have been better, so I though I'd try it out.

Apothecary Fragrance by House Of Fraser

With notes of peach, melon, lemon and mandarin mixed with Lily of the Valley and white jasmine it's really refreshing and fruity with a musky undertone.

In the summer I like to use a lighter perfume, in the heat you don't want anything too overpowering and rich.  The Apothecary Fragrance is a perfect summer scent, sweet, fruity, fresh and light, perfect for adding a citrus scent to sunny days. It's quite sweet, so if you're not a fan of sweet scents then this probably wont be your 'cup of tea' but I love it.

Apothecary Fragrance by House Of Fraser

The scent gets better with time too, as it soaks into your skin the sweet cantaloupe melon and peach notes come through.  I love that about perfumes, how the scent changes on your skin!

This is House Of Fraser's first own brand fragrance and a collaboration with perfumer François Robert.

The bottle has a luxury vintage apothecary feel with an embossed metal seal logo.

Apothecary Fragrance by House Of Fraser

Its also a bit of a bargain with the price tag of £25 for 100ml and is available from The Apothecary beauty section at House Of Fraser and online.

B x

Forever 21 London Launch Party

I was so excited that I got invited to the launch party for the new Forever 21 Oxford Street Store. I'm a massive fan of the brand, when I was in New York a few months ago I spent hours in the Times Square store which is massive! If the Oxford Street store is going to be anything like the Times Square one then Londoners...we are in for a treat!

As for the launch party....after getting soaked in the monsoon like down-poor, an evening of fun at the fair was just what we needed!

A massive warehouse space was transformed into a Californian beach scene with beach huts full of pick 'n' mix sweets and Forever 21 jewellery that we could help ourselves to, teepee tent bars, a mini carousel and even a Forever 21 poster in the style of the Hollywood sign. (sorry about the pics, it was so dark, everyone was having flash problems!)

Forever 21 London Launch Party - Carousels, roller skaters and Teepee Tents

Forever 21 London Launch Party -  Pick 'n' Mix Beach Hut

Forever 21 London Launch Party - Me and Carly posing in front of the Forever 21 Sign

Party go-ers munched on burgers, hot dogs, fries and ice cream and drank raspberry and prosecco cocktails.

One of the best features of the night was the holographic catwalk show.

...and the fun didn't stop there, other entertainment included break dancers, roller skaters a DJ set from Bip Ling and the amazing Marawa, the hula hooper from Britain's Got Talent! I had to get a pick of us both in our clashing Leopard prints.

Forever 21 London Launch Party - Me & Marawa
She has some serious hula hooping skills!

 There was also a henna tattoo caravan and nail art by WAH nails.

Forever 21 London Launch Party - The Henna Tattoo Caravan

Forever 21 London Launch Party - WAH Nails

The new Forever 21 store on Oxford street opens on the 27th July, I can't wait to get shopping!!

B x

Abbey Clancy in Beautiful Bottoms

Abbey Clancy looks amazing in these shots for Beautiful Bottoms Lingerie. Can you believe they were taken three months after she gave birth!  

Beautiful Bottoms

Abbey Clancy For Beautiful Bottoms

Jimmy Choo Autumn/Winter Collection Behind The Scenes

Here's a sneak peek behind the scenes of the stunning new Jimmy Choo A/W collection campaign, shot by Steven Meisel.

Jimmy Choo is such a feminine brand and the new campaign is a great reflection of how glamourous and sexy it is and I really love the 1970s cinematic Parisian influence.

"This season I looked to the women who have always inspired me for their chic, empowered sense of dress. The creative talent of Meisel transports us to a moment of stolen romance, perfectly capturing my vision for the season and the energy and spirit of the Jimmy Choo woman."
Tamara Mellon OBE, Founder and Chief Creative Officer – Jimmy Choo

Top Tees

I find that a good T-shirt is a must have at this time of year. Sometimes I'm just being lazy and shove one on with a pair of jeans for work for an easy outfit but they're also great for dressing up. I often wear a cropped Tee on a night out with a pair of high waist shorts and heels as do my friends and I think it's a great look! T-shirts so versatile and they never go out of fashion - amazing!  Here is my pick of the top T-shirts around at the minute.

Polaroid Prints £14.99 from River Island

Gold Lamé T-shirt by Lanvin £785 at Net-A-Porter

Go for a glitzy option for a night out. Metallics and embellishment add a glamourous feel to a Tee. 

Nomad Embellished Tee £38.50 at Topshop

Fringe Crop Tee £45.50 from All Saints

Fringed or distressed T-shirts are perfect for creating a grungy festival look

Leopard Cross T-shirt by Truly Madly Deeply £28 at
Urban Outfitters

Animal and Block Colour Tee £34 at Topshop

Grey Ramones Print Tee £25 from Miss Selfridge

Polka Hearts £25 by Illustrated People 

Bow Tie Tee £27 by Bantum

Try a fun print like the Bow Tie Tee by Bantum

Cord Embellished T-shirt £35 (was £89) by Reiss

Simeon Farrar for Japan £50 at Net-A-Porter

Charity Tees are a favourite, I love this Kate Mouse T-shirt by Simeon Farrar for Japan. 50% of the sales of this T-shirt go to the Japanese Red Cross earthquake appeal. 

Wear something that looks good and helps charity at the same time. Guilt free shopping! 

LOVE Tee £60 by Wild Fox

Blue Breton Stripe T-shirt £18 at Oasis

A Classic Breton Stripe Tee is a must have. I love this one from Oasis.

...and remember, when it comes to T-shirts there are no rules, wear how you like with what you like, customise and make your own unique T-shirt style stand out!

B x

Rosebud Smith's Strawberry Lip Balm

House of Fraser's Apothecary beauty section is full of little treasures and beauty must haves. I love the Rosebud Smith's Lip Balm range that they stock.

I've recently been using the Strawberry Lip Balm and as well as smelling amazing its great for smoothing out dry lips and adding a bit of gloss.

Rosebud Smith's Strawberry Lip Balm from House of Fraser

The vintage style tin is really cute and the strawberry scent is gorgeous!!

Rosebud Smith's Strawberry Lip Balm from House of Fraser

It really makes your lips feel silky smooth and nourished

Rosebud Smith's Strawberry Lip Balm from House of Fraser

The Rosebud Smith's Strawberry Lip Balm is £8 from House of Fraser Stores and online at www.houseoffraser.co.uk

B x

Nanette Lepore

American Label Nanette Lepore have some really cute pieces for Summer including retro bikinis, summer whites, floaty maxis and block brights. 

The high waisted bikini is really flattering and great for recreating a retro chic look on the beach

www.nanettelepore.com

www.nanettelepore.com

www.nanettelepore.com

I really like their bright floral shorts, they're great for holidays or dressing up for a night out.

www.nanettelepore.com

www.nanettelepore.com

www.nanettelepore.com

 This boho style maxi is one of my favourite pieces, its really girly and a perfect addition to any summer wardrobe. A statement maxi is a classic piece that can be worn year after year so invest in one that will last. 

www.nanettelepore.com

Crank up the Volume with 17 Falsifeye False Lash Effect Mascara

I'm loving the new Falsifeye Mascara by 17 at Boots. I'm always a bit dubious when it comes to choosing Mascaras. Lots of adverts promise extra long lashes and volume and I find that some products don't live up to the hype but Falsifeye isn't one of those and its really impressed me. It adds loads of volume and lift and is a great choice for creating big dramatic eyes for nights out. Check out the pictures below to see the full effect. Priced at £6.49 it's a real bargain and a must have for the make-up bag, it also proves you don't have to spend a fortune to get great looking lashes!

The Falsifeye False Lash Effect Mascara is available from Boots Stores and Online at www.boots.com.

Falsifeye False Lash Effect Mascara by 17 at Boots

Falsifeye False Lash Effect Mascara by 17 at Boots

Eyes lashes before Mascara

Eyes with Falsifeye False Lash Effect Mascara