All you need is love...and lipstick: October 2010

Saturday 16 October 2010

Ins and Outs

IN

Autumn Days

The transitional seasons are definitely my favourite - I much prefer the promise that Spring and Autumn bring...full of change and potential! I love wrapping up in my new autumn clothes, sipping on hot chocolate and cooking 'proper' meals.

New Nails


Clockwise from top: Bermuda Shorts, Mint Candy Apple, Haute as Hello, Van D'Go, Demure Vixen, Pink Parka

Thanks to the ASOS sale and the infamous beautyzone2007, I have picked up just a few new Essie colours to add to my rather extensive nail varnish collection. My favourites so far? Van D'Go, which surprisingly applied pretty well (think my new OPI base coat helped!) and Demure Vixen - a lovely shimmery grey toned mauve. Any suggestions for what I should pick up next?

Bright Lips

I've been laying off the fake tan recently and have begun to embrace the pale. This has led to me picking up some of my favourite bright lipsticks as well as a new addition to my collection. Though bright lips can look a bit OTT with a full face of slap, with nude eyes, dewy skin and glossy black lashes I feel I can actually pull them off - even at work.

My current top four are: Givenchy Red Cancan, my perfect blue tone red, Mac Toxic Tale, which I only bought the other day but have already fallen in love with, Mac Impassioned, which I picked up in Florida in June and Mac Pink Burst, a vibrant subtly sparkling fuschia from the Spring Forecast collection.

So what about you ladies - are you embracing bright lips to brighten up these dark nights?

L-R Givenchy Rouge Cancan, Mac Toxic Tale, Mac Impassioned, Mac Pink Burst

As above!

Chocolate

Not to eat...to shower with...this smells AMAZING.

OUT

The annual winter boot struggle

Every year I try and find the perfect pair of winter boots, only to give up. The reason? I am cursed with big calves and tiny ankles, so if I do find a pair of boots to zip up my legs, they almost always end up baggy around my ankles! Last year I bought a pair of short studded Carvela boots which I love...but I am still keen to get some 'smart' boots...so if anyone spots any, please please let me know :)

The Rain

I had my hair cut a couple of weeks ago (I will get round to writing a post about it one day!) and had a fringe cut in...and it's rained almost everyday since. Not good! Any 'keep fringe straight' tips would be most appreciated :)

Thursday 7 October 2010

Biba. . . in the supermarket?

You may have noticed the relaunch of Biba in House of Fraser stores recently - fronted by Daisy Lowe in that lovely leopard print jacket.

Unfortunately this line has nothing to do with the original founder of Biba, Barbara Hulanicki, who you may remember collaborated on a line with Topshop last year.

The collection was full of some gorgeous pieces, and I still treasure the gems I managed to get hold of...from my floaty blouse (above) to my giant leopard print bag...sadly the famous red leopard dress has remained firmly out of my grasp and I envy anyone who picked it up :)

So onto the topic in hand...it has recently been announced that Barbara Hulanicki is producing a line for none other than George at Asda - with all items priced under £25.

The first image of the new collection

After Hulanicki slammed the House of Fraser collection for being too expensive, this definitely fits with the original spirit of Biba - making fashion affordable and accessible to everyone. As she told Drapers -

“The prices [at Asda] are just amazing. These will really be Biba prices. Fuck you [House of Fraser].”

“Everyone should be able to enjoy fashion, and so supermarket shopping is the future. You can buy something, and then hide it from your husband in the fridge."

There will be 5 collections, and this first collection (of 14 pieces) will be launched on 14th November - a week before Lanvin's collection for H&;M hits the stores. Two iconic designers producing affordable ranges in a week? Better start saving now :)

(image and quote courtesy of Drapers)