Treat Yourself

Only two more shopping days to go and then it will be Christmas day. So, readers how are you doing? Presents all wrapped and under the tree? Cards all written and delivered? Turkey and treats all bought and ready for basting? If so then well done you because you see, dear people, everytime I venture out I end up endorsing the 2.1 rule - i.e one pressie off the list, two for me - leaving me with still a list of names to buy for. I can't help myself, what with the abundance of goodies, beautifully packaged beauty products and little scented reminders of seasonal cheer that I just have to have.



'So, Here it is... Merry Christmas'



But why not spoil oneself? 'Tis the season to be jolly and all, and what better way to preceed the festive events and kick off christmas morning with a few totally indulgent gifts from me to me.

I shall be lighting my L'Artisan Parfumier L'Ambre candle ( Nevermind the scent of oranges or pongy pine - believe me this is THE fragrance that says 'It's Christmas' louder and prouder than Noddy Holder)


The Gift of Choice - Relax, De-Stress, Revive. You Decide.

Then I shall run a lovely hot bath and decide whether I should Relax, De-Stress or Revive, courtesy of AromatherapyAssociates. Followed by one of the best body lotions ever, Kiehls Creme de Corps - complete with a Christmassy golden apples design by Jeff Koons.

So, tomorrow its a last minute dash for  Cars 2 for my little Nephew- It's such a shame Space NK doesn't  stock DVDs.



Modern Art meets cult beauty



New Season's Looks At New Look

'It's not what you wear, it's the way that you wear it' goes the old saying. And not a truer word said when flicking through the style bibles and digesting this season's key catwalk looks. Whilst taking a quick half hour to browse around New Look searching for a skirt for a party this coming weekend , I came to the conclusion that it would be easy to assemble together three key catwalk looks from this savvy high street retailer.  Because this season there is such an emphasis on how looks are styled and really worn. New Look's collection of clothing and accessories have an abundance of on-trend pieces to create an inspired take on the international catwalk stylists look's.

Do A Dolce.  A star print sheath was paired with dad's socks and a pair of courts for a balanced take on seasonal party wear at Dolce & Gabbana. Feel this vibe and match rust suedette courts with star burst print dress  and a pair of thick, glittery socks.

New York newcomer, Altuzarra's autumn/collection was inspired by images of Kate Moss in the nineties - be inspired for 2011 and make like Mossy and wrap New Look's fake fur stole around a green parka over a cardi and dress then finish off with a pair of wool cuffed ankle boots for a noveau Grunge look.

High octane seventies style glamour comes courtesy of Gucci this season. Imagine high profile, jet-setter of that era, Marisa Berenson boarding a private plane and you get the idea. Get that look today from New Look with a high knot halter dress, snake-effect heels and a pair of rose tinted glasses.  

The Tab Pouch



London Fashion Week Front -Rowers show how to work a Tab Pouch



Last month saw the passing of a great modern visionary. In the Obituaries section of The Telegraph Online - Steve Jobs was reported as 'The man behind the astonishing success of the computer animation firm Pixar, makers of Toy Story and Finding Nemo; in consequence he did more to determine what films we watch, how we listen to music, and how we work and play than any other person on the planet'

And also from a fashion and style perspective, Jobs not only gave us cool, must have technology and films, he also inadvertently created one of the must have bag styles of the season - what we are calling here at The Style Eye - The Tab Pouch ...since it's the perfect size for a Tablet device.


Vintage clutches are revived to hold up to-the-minute gadgetry

 Without the success and popularity of the  i-Pad, we doubt very much if this new style of document case or oversized clutch would have reached the levels of style acceptance that it now has.


Luxury at Balenciaga

 From luxury versions at Balenciaga and Smythson to quirky, cool and affordable at Ted Baker- most designers and retailers have a spin on the Tab Pouch. Hip fashion folk who slavishly scour the vintage markets every weekend have even reclaimed oversized vintage clutches to tote around their Tab and other paraphernalia. Even if you aren't lucky enough to own a coveted i-Pad this new way of carrying your other cool stuff around is the way forward for bags styling- and much neater and tidier than a huge, heavy tote full of emblazoned in labels and hardware.

Beauty - A/W 11



Blue is the colour at Balenciaga above. Below Gareth Pugh



Fashion's obsession with the styles of the 60s and 70s bled also into the beauty directions of this winter. To complement the 60s looks, beauty directors created a pale, almost unmade face with just a visible slick of a peach lip as spotted on the Bottega Veneta winter catwalk. Make-up teams at the international shows robbed the deep plum lips synonymous with the 70s and fashion stylists topped this look with a stylish Fedora hat at Gucci and Dior. But it was the '70s eyeshadow on acid' that really caught my eye this season. Balenciaga, Cacharel, Gareth Pugh, Zac Posen and even Moschino (who obscured a full flash of sky blue eyeshadow under a pair of cats eye specs) used bright blues across the eye area and beyond to create a modern face for 2011. Although, these extreme looks are created for drama and attention they suggest an idea for eye colour trends this winter.



Zac Posen





What To Wear A/W 11 - Tights & Socks



All white now



Ports 1961





Wearing a pair of woolly ankle socks with heels is sooo this season but for those of you who fancy something a little more grown up try a pair of fishnet pop socks with sandals, as seen on every look at the Ports 1961 collection. And dare to wear white for a shade change on thicker denier tights for a very 60s feel to your look. Or opt for giant spotted tights, very cool and very wearable.

What To Wear A/W 11 - Shoes & Boots



Miu Miu





Block heeled boots at Hermes




A shoe for all seasons from Bottega Veneta

It's all about getting the details right for this season's footwear. If you are thinking of investing in an on-trend pair of boots for winter then go for a knee length or above style to complement the sixties style skirts and dresses around this autumn. And make sure the heel is blocked for maximum style points. And not just for boots, just look at the style statement that this season's Miu Miu blocked, banana bend heel shoes are making too. Other top-tip shoes of the season are pointy toed with a heel height that is above a kitten but lower than a stiletto. Or how about a heeled sandal? The Pollock printed beauties at Bottega Veneta are bang on-trend when worn with a pair of Pantherella socks, then over black opaque tights once it really gets cold and worn bare-legged come next spring. Now that is an investment purchase. If this all sounds a bit girly then choose from a huge selection of mannish brogues to tone down a feminine look. From Lanvin to Chanel via Paul Smith there is a pair of flat, lace-ups or tasseled slip-ons to suit all tastes. 



































What To Wear A/W11 - Textures



The Prada print mix



The Key to this Autumn/Winter fashion and trends styling is all about mixing it up. Blending styles and silhouettes from the 40s upwards to get the look of the season. When it comes to fabrics, prints and fabric finishes it's once again about mixing it all up. Take a tartan dress and pair with a patchwork python boot a la Prada. Or note the appliqued plush velvet on fantasy fur as seen at Alberta Ferretti and the tailored suits that were finished with fur trims at Alexander McQueen. The Aquilano & Rimondi collection was a wholesale haberdashers dream with garments comprising of fabric, fluff, metal studs and ribbons, and that was just one look! And at Chloe and Angelo Marani the message was to wear snakeprints with leopard, brocade,florals, fur trims and patchwork all at the same time. And don't even get me started on what was happening at Dries Van Noten!! print explostion to say the least! This season be inspired by these designers who are working the polar opposite to the 'colour blocking' trend, also out there this season. Think out the box when planning outfits this for evening and daywear. How about a giant pailetted skirt with a oversized luxury knit for an alternative party wear look this winter? Or a gold lame knit coatigan from Stella McCartney worn to the office? Or even consider an overblown dog-tooth fabric as an evening wear option as Salvatore Ferragamo chose to show on his latest catwalk presentation? The choice is yours this season with an abundance of textures and prints to experiment and play with.





Try a skirt with large plastic paillettes with this Acne loose fit knit for a new spin on partywear







What To Wear A/W11 - Textured Coats



Hot chick at Philosophy by Alberta Ferretti and at..



  Prada and at..

Following on from the Textures story I had to give a special post to the furry, fluffy coats out there this season. Those of you who aren't chicken, pluck up the courage to wear one of these babies, to brighten up a dull winter's day.


Bottega Veneta



Poll: My Edit Top 10 - Vote for your favourite

Readers! Vote for me - Click the link below to cast your vote in the Harpers Bazaar My Edit competition. Thank you Lia xxx

Poll: My Edit Top 10 - Vote for your favourite

What To Wear A/W 11 - Styling


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Marc Jacobs goes dotty for A/W 11



It's September and its now time to get a sense for the new season. Plus the fact that the autumn collections are already out there in the shops, boutiques and online ready for the purchasing. So what are the key pieces, hits and trends to embrace, buy and flaunt? The Style Eye has studied the international collections and indentified the best of What To Wear. 
Firstly, think about borrowing a little from every era from the 1940's to the 1970's and then mix it up in a big old melting pot to devise a new look for 2011. Make like Miu Miu and invest in a silk, shoulder padded  '40's style patterned tea dress for work or daytime. Pinch from a bunch of oversized polka dots and pois patterns from the 1950's. Get some '60s styling by way of a cocoon shaped coat with bracelet length sleeves. Steal from the '70s a big floppy hat, neat ladylike bag and a plum lip.

Think 60s when thinking outerwear this season





The Style Eye cruises by The Vintage Festival





Hello?? London Calling 'Say what you want, do what you want, wear what you want, on The Royalty'

Ship-shape and own style fashion



The Style Eye and crew spent this weekend all aboard The Love Boat as part of the Vintage By Hemingway Festival , checking out the cool retro vibe that took over The Southbank from the 29th to 31st July.  We cruised along on the respectively retro MV Royalty, and set sail from Festival Pier for a series of two hour long parties along the River Thames. Each event was hosted by one of a selection of London's finest music scenesters and DJs, who brought with them an array of diverse followers. Kicking off the first party on the Saturday was the legendary Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze who spun his collection of old 45's to his hardcore fans, who all made an immense effort to dress to a 'nautical but nice' theme. Later on in the evening a special cruise came courtesy of DJ Anna Greenwood, from the ever popular Guilty Pleasures parties. The dress code here was Hawaiian beach party for the guests. Although, Anna indulged in her very own guilty style pleasure - a tiny royal blue, one shouldered ruffled cocktail dress - very eighties and yet so very great. Joanna Gibbs, South East London's finest curator and dealer of vintage clothing danced the night away in an original 1930's bias cut silk gown, accessorised with faux flowers in her hair and flip flops on her feet. Andrea Britton, singer ,songwriter and all round legendary Love Boat organiser looked her usual cool cat self in her Alexander Wang steel tipped wing sunglasses. Me? well I was having fun in an original 60s short A-line dress from The Beehive in Greenwich, in the colour of a Quality Street toffee wrapper, paired with Pucci ankle strap pumps. So eye catching was the colour it got me a Fash-Papping by street style blogger and photographer, Pat Lyttle of Jstreetstyle . For the last cruise of the day, Ben Jamin from The Century's Sunday Happy Day, included in his set De La Soul's Roller Skating Jam - which of course required a footwear change by me -a pair of white, red laced new/old stock 80s roller boots (on a moving boat after gazillion drinks in? Bambi on Ice springs to mind) So this week, readers, I think I can safely say, style wise, that absolutely anything goes at a 'retro-spective' festival. Life is too short to harbour style snobbery or insist on vintage purism at a vintage themed festival. Take a little bit from the past, mix it up your way and make it new. There is one little rule though...ALWAYS have fun!!!
















Amy, Amy, Amy,

This afternoon the life of Amy Winehouse came to end while at her home in North London.
The cause of her death at time of writing is still unexplained.
Although, there is little need for explanation as to why the passing of Amy Winehouse is a huge and saddening loss. Her vintage vocal style fused with modern day lyrics made Amy a refreshing and unique artist in a world heaving with manufactured over styled pop.
Her fashion image was a frank as her no-holds barred writing style. Just doing her thing, even if she did in the end become a caricature of her own image. But, to the fans and fashionistas on the street, Amy reminded us back in 2007 that a flick of retro liquid eyeliner and a bit of a sixties bouffed pony tail or half-up half down hairstyle could look cool and modern again. It also renewed our interest in silhouettes and styles of fifties and sixties. Waspish waists with bundles of cleavage and wiggly hips became Amy's signature style that had the fashion world appreciating and emulating in the Back To Black era.
An untimely death at aged just 27. Amy now joins the list of music legends who also lost their lives at this young age. Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain, Brian Jones and the Jims -  Hendrix and Morrison, all famously lead a  rock and roll lifestyle which sadly lead to a rock and roll death.
R.I.P. Amy Jade Winehouse.

Amy Winehouse - Amy, Amy, Amy

Trunk Treats

Whats the best thing about summer holidays?  Relaxing time away from home? Guaranteed sunshine? Decent food and wine? or how about a little Trunk Treat?
Everybody needs a Trunk Treat just like they need a rest from day-to-day drudgery at least once a year.


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Snakeskin belt by Aspinal of London

 A Trunk Treat is a little gift or surprise that you secretly hide in the suitcase and present once arrived at your destination. Oh, but I hear your groans...like we need another excuse to go gift-shopping for our holiday companions when we already have enough expenses  what with the annual round of Hatches, Matches and Dispatches already draining our pockets each year. This I do understand, although these gifts need not be anything too extravagant or pricey..more of a sentimental or suitable gesture. Trunk Treating started in my household with little treats thrown in the Hello Kitty rucksack for my daughter and then I moved on to myself. With enough summer clothes and shoes to fill a warehouse, I never feel the need to splurge on a holiday capsule wardrobe, although I am always longing for something new to bust out abroad, as a reminder of why and where it was bought for. This summer I feeling a whip-thin snakeskin belt would be perfect for wrapping around a one-piece swimsuit to get 'The Lanvin Look' whilst glamming it up poolside. Or a totally indulgent sun care product like Institut Esthederm's Adaptasun. Or possibly a new fragrance or candle for evocative memories of summer sunshine. Or a good book? Helmut Newton's Photofile by Thames and Hudson is a perfect quick read with lots of gorgeous and inspiring photographs to browse.

Go With The Glow



http://www.trevarnoskincare.co.uk/



There is an urban myth that usually surfaces at this time of year. The one where folk believe that they can only look glowing and healthy if they have a bronzed and tanned complexion. As a 'sun-shunner' I am always looking for ways to 'glow with it' regardless of skin colour. In the long term, I believe staying out of the sun will have positive effects on the skin and a tan is just an excuse. One of my many personal pep-up philosophies is 'Stay out of the sun - for best results in the long run'

My advice for getting a good glow is very simple - Preparation and Protection ....

So lets talk about this....

Preparation. In the morning, gently cleanse the skin with a mild creamy cleanser. Try Trevarno's Rose & Jojoba Cleanser. (N.B. this preparation is also useful as a quick get-in-from-work wipe over to take away the dirt build up of the day) Twice a week follow this step with a mild facial scrub followed with a spritz of rosewater. Boots Botantics range includes a good rosewater for just a few pounds. Then splurge on good skin creams and oils.

Protection. Follow on from the rosewater spritzing with a high factor sun cream. I swear by La Roche Posay Anthelios 50 plus melt in cream. Its is also available in a tinted version for those who love a little base colour or have darker skin tones. Follow with a drop of facial oil, massage in to really get that glow. The best ones aren't cheap but they are very effective and you only need use a drop or two to get a healthy complexion. Try Natura Bisse's Rosa Mosqueta Oil or Rodin's Luxury Facial Oil.

Follow with your usual make-up routine and then girls, you're good to glow!

Luxurious and lush. Rodin Olio Lusso

Happy Glampers, Happy Campers

These days festival goers are split into two camps (literally!) Campers and Glampers.
Campers are the year-in, year-out visitors who go there to lose their minds in music and their jumpers in mud. Glampers will be planning their festival capsule wardrobes weeks before the event.

Campers will sleep in a two man tent that takes two seconds to set up. Glampers are helicoptered in and shown to their Winnebago by a groomed butler. Yet, everybody has a good time regardless if they are downing cider or sipping champagne. So which camp do you fall into? Here are a few fashion suggestions for Campers and Glampers alike.



Glampers may be able to escape the masses but not the mud. Marc by Marc Jacobs Biker Wellies are a  perfect but practical style statement.

For the Campers - A Topshop Snakeprint pack-a-poncho will keep them dry if their flimsy tent gets blown away, nicked or they just can't remember where they left it!



Night And Day...Day And Night

Zara Kimono Jacket





It's Sunday morning and I am writing this blog post in my pyjamas. So far today, I have already walked to the shop to buy breakfast and the papers in said outfit without a jot of self-consciousness that I'm dressed my bed clothes. Why? Because this season fashion is blurring the lines between night and day wear. Garments that are traditionally considered as sleep/loungewear are being worn out and about in the public eye and not just in the boudoir. And its not just the high-end fashion labels that are pushing these ideals, it's happening on the High Street too. At Zara and Mint Velvet, the printed pyjama pant has been a popular choice for many customers. Loungey, relaxed and still smart cool. Whats not to love? Personally I am still eyeing up Zara's selction of short silk kimonos and wondering if they will look cool worn as a jacket over a vest, shorts teamed with a wicked pair of heels, and a serious 'this is not my bed jacket' attitude for an upcoming party. I may well take the risk and invest since I have longed for a little silk kimono to wear over a bikini beach or poolside too. And if that doesn't work out then I can always wear it as it's intended while doing my hair and make-up sat at my dressing table with thoughts of 'Memoirs of a Geisha'. 

Ayten Gasson bed jacket. Acceptable for both lunching and lounging.