Ideas for Christmas Shopping

Ho Ho, I am feeling very Christmassy this week. I have done some shopping (for me) down Oxford Street where the decorations are stunning. i have had the christmas lights switched on at work with lots of mulled wine and way too many mince pies. So in the spirit here are some ideas to help get your loved one that special something if you are like me and a little late to party and rush around on Christmas Eve looking like a crazy person. First up is this amazing 4 piece ring set from Folli Follie. Rose gold plated with clear crystal stones. It is just too pretty...

Vodafone London Fashion Weekend 2012

After all the hustle and bustle of London Fashion Week, Somerset House transforms into Vodafone London Fashion Weekend. You can find designer catwalk shows, pop-up shops and hair & beauty. You can get the current collections at a discount.

I hate eBay

I have to rant about this and get this out of system. Essentially I am so disappointed in eBay I did not know it was possible. So I sold a pair of headphones that was given to me a present I already had a pair of overear headphones so I decided to sell them.They were brand new, boxed and sealed. I sell it on eBay and ship it off to the buyer promptly and I think everyone is happy. How wrong could I be?

I get an email a few days later stating there is a hissing in one ear and that I need to return it. Not can he, no question, a demand that I must return it. Well my issue is that they were brand new. Unlikely that they are faulty. Also, had a bit of search on google and turns out that some Noise Cancelling headphones use hissing as a technology to cancel out the ambient noise. I am no technological wiz but I am ok. So IF it is hissing I think this is a feature of the headphones and I advise of such in a polite manner. I believe he has nothing more than buyer's remorse and has decided actually 'I don't quite fancy these, let me lie and get them returned.' I get an abusive email back stating:

'No... It doesn't work like that. It works like this. You get the goods returned to you and you send me a full refund. I bought them from you. I return them to you'

Oh hell no!! Who the hell does he think he his telling me what I can and can't do. If the buyer has a no refund policy, then I think it is no refund policy unless it is faulty. In this case it is not faulty.I have heard of horror stories of awful eBay buyers and he right up there with them. After some back and forth, he raises a case with eBay stating the good was not how was described, ie the hissing. I gave all the evidence and details of what happened to eBay. After more abusive from the neanderthal, eBay have ruled in his favour. Why? Because they only protect the buyer. eBay do not care about the seller, despite the fact the seller pays ridiculous fees for every little thing. Unbelievable. Did they even research the facts? Did they investigate is it really faulty? No. Because no buyer would ever dream of lying to get his money back.

To top it all off, he has stated he is a music producer with multiple record contracts. Oh really? If you are some hot shot producer, why on earth are you buying £25 headphones on eBay? Would he not buy top of the range DJ quality headphones which run into the hundreds? He has to be the most vile man ever after having received numerous abusive emails and guess what, not only do eBay do nothing but they actually support him.

So anyway, what are your eBay horror stories about a buyer or seller? eBay, please look at how work and find a way to support the seller as right now it is really one-sided. Don't think I will sell or buy from eBay and don't recommend anyone else to either. They are some shady sellers and buyers out there and they are not policed.

Love from Australia Sale!

Get winter ready with the comfiest shoes around. Everything is £50. Now I just have to decide what to get!

My picks for AW12

Well it is that time again. New season and new clothes. AW12 isoming in to stores and your way very soon. For the new season, there is lots of leather, purples and burgundy and peplums are here to stay. Here are my picks from the new season. Tell me what you think?

This top is from Zara and hits two of the trends for this season, peplum and leather. I absolutely adore this for a dinner out. £89.99

Oskia - Glowing and smooth skin

I saw Oskia at a press day and immediately fell in love as it is a premium British beauty brand with a difference. Oskia is the first skincare brand to supply the skin with essential cell nutrients to help rebuild skin health and to use MSM as a skin conditioner and preventative ageing ingredient. MSM (Methyl Sulphonyl Methane) is one of nature's most remarkable and powerful medicines and is known as the 'beauty mineral' and 'healing mineral'. It provides the body with the natural materials to make collagen and elastin itself rather than using a product with collagen in it.

One of my favourite products is Get Up & Glow. It is a serum that illuminates, evens skin tone and firms. I use it as a highlighter or for an overall glow. This is one of the products that generates comments like 'Wow, you are glowing today!'. It can be used by itself or with with foundation. It is has an iridescent sheen to it. £64.50 

Atelier Swarovski Diana Vreeland collection

It has been a few weeks since I posted. I have started a new job and to say it is manic is an understatement. I get home and I collapse on my bed. Over the last few weeks I have been going to lots of Christmas in July events which takes up my evenings so I have lots to write about and I am back with a bang with this amazing collection from Atelier Swarovski. Atelier Swarovski have announced the Diana Vreeland Legacy collection which is inspired by and honors the lady herself.
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Superdry Nail Paints

Did you know Superdry do nail polish? Neither did I until recently. When I showed the latest colours to a friend, her reaction was 'Since when do Superdry do nail polish?' Well they do!! In pastels and brights, perfect for summer. Each shade has unique designs which is a nice touch. So I tried out their new pastel colours. Here is Jade. It went on really smooth and glossy. I only needed two coats and had no issues.

OOTD: Sugarlips

I came across an American brand who have super cute dresses and clothing. They are similar to Warehouse and Oasis in the UK. So thought I would try them out. This dress is really flattering and I love the contrasting outline. This dress is perfect for a summer day out or barbeque party. It is a dress you can dress up with jewellery or dress down for something more casual.

BeautyWorksWest - Get ready for summer

So you last year I came across Beauty Works West and reviewed some items here including the fabulous Prtty Peaushun which is perfect for summer skin. Well there are some new products which can help you get in tip-top shape for summer.  The BeautyWorksWest range is a luxurious, natural range made by anti-ageing expert, Dr. Daniel Sister MD. You will find cleanser, beauty oils and candles all in the range. So what makes this different to the hundreds of other skincare brands? For me, it was the ingredients. I tried the Sugar Cane Scrub and Anti-Ageing Treatment.

OOTD: Wedding outfit

So we are well into the wedding season now. I went to a wedding yesterday which was beautiful. For wedding outfits, there are some beautiful dresses out now which can look amazing. Here is I am wearing my choice

The dress is Zara and I got so many compliments on it. I love the print and the material is thick and very good quality. The stitching is not great. There are threads coming out everywhere but I snipped them off. It is worth it.

The finishing touch was the necklace. It was a gorgeous statement necklace from H&M which compliments the colours of the dress.

The studded babies on my feet are from River Island. Super high but amazing.

I do not usually do OOTD but this was something special and I had to share. What do you think?

Fancy an Encounter with Alexander Skarsgard?

It was announced today that Alexander Skarsgard is the face of the new Calvin Klein frangrance, Encounter. I just want to stare at this picture so let's keep this and short and sweet. Alexander, you can bite me anytime! If only....

Triumph Lingerie

There were times when shapewear was black or nude and most definitely boring. They were not the sexiest of things and were definitely not made to be seen. They did their job of sucking the bits in (sometimes) but that was it. Well if Triumph has anything to say about, those days are long gone. Their current collection of shapewear is lovely with some lace detail and bright colours. Ladies, they look good and they work. Here's a little taster...

Ahava Facial Mud Exfoliator Review

We all know exfoliation is important. For all skin types, it is important to get rid of the dead skin cells to get a clear, glowing complexion. Exfoliation is a necessary part of skincare routine. The trick is finding one that is not too abrasive yet gets the job done. So a new addition to the market is Ahava Facial Mud Exfoliator. We all know dead sea minerals have amazing properties and can do wonders for your skin. Ahava specialise in Dead Sea Mineral skincare.

Dead Sea Minerals hydrate the skin and have regenerative properties. The Facial Mud Exfoliator is part of the My Skin Reborn - Time to Clear range. The range comprises of a mud mask and cleansers. I have very dry skin so I used this twice a week to exfoliate my skin. Cleanse your skin first so it is clean and then exfoliate on wet skin. Follow up with a moisturiser to leave your skin feeling refreshed or even a mud mask for a detoxing cleanse. Exfoliation is also good for cleansing pores which is a must if have large, open pores like me.

After using this my skin definitely felt smoother. I found it quite gentle and not abrasive so this is good for sensitive skin. For example, it is not as abrasive as St Ives Apricot Scrub. It is so gentle you can use everyday if you like. Ahava is available for £20 from department stores, salons and pharmacies.

Beauty at Cocosa

I first heard about Cocosa last year and my first thought was oh no, not another Brand Alley or discount site. Then I looked at the site and I was converted. Lovely clothes from cool brands, sold!! Now they are recently branching out in to beauty. So you now get flash sales from premium beauty brands like Oskia, Hersheson, Vita Liberata and exclusively, Bite. For me the standout brand was Bite. I have said before and I will say it again, red lips and a cat eye cannot be beaten. Bite Beauty are a collection of lip products which was sold in Sephora and sold out. Having tried the colours, they are sensational. My favorite product has to be the High Pigment Pencil in Zinfandel.

New colours from Nails Inc

So you all know that by now I am nail polish addict. If I could change every day I would but where does the time go? One of my favorite brands for nail polish is Nails Inc. I have had polishes from them which have lasted days without a chip. So what's new from Nails Inc? I'm glad you asked. First up is the neons. Perfect summer and creating a bold statement. These are the ones to really experiment with as they are so bright. They come in 6 different shades from a hot pink to a purple to bright green.

Cleaning Makeup and Handbags with Milton

When it comes to spring cleaning we often forget to clean the things we use the most. It is also the items most used that are the worst offenders and cleaned the least. Items like bags, makeup bags, brushes and toothbrushes all need a good clean. That is where Milton, who make sterilising products, can help. When you think of sterilising products, they are not just for baby bottles. Here's a few tips...

For makeup bags and brushes, how can you clear skin when there is bacteria all over it? Just because you cannot see them, does not mean they are not there. So empty your bags out and use Milton Antibacterial Surface Wipe to clean the inside. Soak hairbrushes in a solution of Milton Sterilising Fluid to give them a good clean. Wash makeup brushes in detergent to remove all the makeup, rinse then soak in Milton solution to kill the last few germs for super clean brushes and in turn clear skin. 

Docteur Renaud Review

Although you cannot tell by the weather, it is getting closer to summer. Women are getting ready to go their summer holiday. That can mean more time in the gym and it can also mean getting rid of cellulite with creams. One of latest cellulite busting creams is Docteur Renaud Grapefruit Slimming Concentrate Cream-Gel. Docteur Renaud is a highly respected french brand specialising in natural cosmetology which focuses on the benefits of plants for the skin. 

I have trying Docteur Renaud Grapefruit Slimming Concentrate Cream-Gel for a while now. The aim of the cream is to make the skin more refined, firm and reduce the appearance of cellulite. You apply morning and evening and massage into the skin. You can guess there is grapefruit in it but there is also Macadamia and Sweet Almond Oils to moisturise the skin. First thing noticed was the refreshing scent. I can smell the grapefruit but it is not overpowering. The active ingredients work to also reduce fat and water retention. 

Back to Work Haul

This week I had the best news in a long time. I got a new job which I really wanted and wished for all weekend. So when I got the phone call, after jumping and down in happiness, I decided to celebrate by going on a little shopping spree. So here is my work haul to update my wardrobe. If you follow me on Twitter you will know my most prized possession right now is my new Michael Kors watch. So here is the MK 5314 which is rose gold in colour. I honestly cannot stop looking at it, it is just so pretty and worth every single penny.

Caudalie Vinosource

A few weeks ago, Caudalie launched their Vinosource range. Caudalie are a french brand known for their antioxidant and anti-aging products. They research some of the latest technology to make their products unique. What the Vinosource range different is the key ingredient, organic grape water. It is a micellar water that, like thermal spa water, contains trace elements along with specific sugars to give it a dual power to soothe and hydrate the skin. There are 5 products in the range, each targeted at a different skintype.

I got the chance to try the SOS Thirst Quenching Serum from the range which is their hero product. It is aimed at dehydrated skin. During this season, I find the weather can change in an instant and my skin can react badly if it is not hydrated and moisturised. I used to often get dry, flaky skin halfway during the day. I started using it day and night and my skin transformed. Within a few days, I no longer got dry patches. First thing I noticed when using it was how light it is. I am used to using heavy creams for dry skin so I was sceptical. I could not have been wrong. Apparently it is all down to the organic grape water.  Essentially, it has hydrating and soothing properties which help water reach your epidermis and keep it hydrated.What is so special about organic grape water? Organic grape water is made from vines. During the winter, vines hibernates and store their water which is enriched by nutrients from the soil. When the warm weather returns the vines fill the grapes with water and all its nutrients, ready to be harvested. It is all these natural plant-based nutrients that makes it special. Why do you think red wine is good for you? (in moderation of course!).

Other products in the range are the Moisturising Sorbet which has a gel consistency and turns to water on contact.It is aimed at sensitive skin as the texture is very soft and soothing. The Moisturising Matifying Fluid is for oily skin looking to reduce shine. The Moisture Recovery Cream is for dry skin as it replaces lipids. The Intense Moisture Rescue Cream is for very dry and dehydrated skin as it has a butter-like texture and is perfect to protect against harsh weather conditions. These moisturisers are to be used in conjunction with the serum.

The serum costs £29 and the moisturisers cost £22. You can get Caudalie from selected department stores like Debenhams and online at Escentual, Feel Unique and http://www.caudalie.com.

BeautyLab Peptide Tanning Lotion Review

The weather is heating up and the time has come to get a bit of colour, glow and show off yor pins. So I tried out BeautyLab Peptide Tanning Lotion. BeautyLab is a brand found in spas and boutiques. The products have no artificial fragrance, rich in peptides and have anti-aging technology.

Michael Kors AW12

If it is one brand that I lust after, it is Michael Kors. From the clothes, shoes to the incredible watches, I need it all. Michael Kors watches are a blogger favourite, hell it's everyone's favourite. I have been tossing up whether to get one for a few months now. At the recent press day I went in and actually tried one on. It actually spoke to me and said 'Amanda, you have to buy me', 'Buy me or else'. Well who was I to argue. I did not buy it right there and then but rest assured I will be in possession of a Michael Kors very soon. Anyway, a little preview of the new AW12 collection from Michael Kors.

 You can expect lots and lots of fur and of different types.

The Rising Stars of Fashion and Jewellery

I always find the smaller brands interesting. They are innovative and make you rethink how you wear something. At a recent press day, I discovered four rising stars that blew me away. First up is jewellery designer, Eleanor Bolton. The pieces are made using a  unique craft technique perfected at the Royal College of Art. It is all hand-stitched cotton rope coils and really make a statement. Here is Eleanor herself wearing one of her necklaces.

A favourite piece of mine. Her current collection is colourful so she has kept in black and white for AW12 with gold elements.

Goldie London

Since small beginnings in  in London's Portobello and Spitalfields markets, Goldie London has grown into a global label with a celeb following. The pieces are feminine with a rock n' roll edge. You can get floaty dresses or rock chic leather shorts. Goldie  was founded by designer Michelle Goldie and fans include fashionistas Fearne Cotton and Jameela Jamil. Here is her current collection for SS12. Lots of lace up detailing...

Erno Laszlo -The Hollywood Collection

For UK readers, you may not have heard of Erno Laszlo but you have definitely felt the impact of his work. Erno Laszlo is considered the progenitor of skincare and helped the world's most beautiful women maintain radiant  complexions and resolved their skin issues. Did you know Marilyn Monroe had acne? I didn't and looking at her photos you would not either thanks to Erno Laszlo. Remember these were times before Photoshop. Audrey Hepburn was another client of Erno Laszlo who said ' I owe 50% of my beauty to my mother and the other 50% to Erno Laszlo'. In the days of Marilyn and Audrey, if you were an actress the studio apparently sent you to Dr Erno Laszlo to resolve any skin issues without hesitation, it was not even a choice. You went to Erno Laszlo. There was simply no one else as he was of the first dermotologists.

Lots of Love from Australia

Move over UGG, there's a new player in town. UGGs have to be the most comfortable shoes around and if I could wear them all day every day I would. However, today I have discovered Love from Australia who are apparently massive in Australia. Why has it taken me so find out about them? With super soft sheepskin lining and a list of celeb fans a mile long, you cannot go wrong with LFA. Here is the current collection available now.

Canary Wharf Fashion Shows

So I work in Canary Wharf doing the day and starting today all through the weekend they are having up to 25% discount across a lot of the shops. I like Canary Wharf for shopping as it is not as crammed as Oxford Street, I think and less annoying tourists who just want to block your path. Most of the shops are in the 20% discount bracket including Aquascutum, Aspinal of London, French Connection, Warehouse, LK Bennett, Gant and Karen Millen. There are different discounts in different shops so please check before you go. For a little preview, here are the fashion shows which are taking place over the weekend showcasing the hottest summer looks.

By Larin shoes - Customize your shoe

Now by now, you know I am a shoe addict so I am always on the lookout for my next pair of shoes. Ladies, I found them. By Larin is a Spanish brand, with a slight twist. The shoes have a unique feature as there is a magnetic button on the shoe meaning you can change the ornament on the front of the shoe to match your outfit and event. Perhaps you are at work and want to tone it down so you add a small ornament. For a night on the town, change the ornament to a sparkly number. So here are a few of heels from the current range.

Amazing heels from Lollipops

I recently came across a French label, Lollipops, who do the most amazing shoes and jewellery. I went to a store launch in Spitalfields, London and some items blew me away. Thank god I had no money in my account as I would have spent every last penny in that shop. Lollipops have bags, clothes, shoes, jewellery and more. The pieces are girly and with a quirky factor that is adorable. They have been around for 10 years so not quite sure how I missed them but I am so happy I have discovered them.

 How do you not love these heels, hmmm?

Nobody Jeans

For many ladies, the quest for decent jeans is never-ending. Some do not fit right, others are not the right colour. Well I have come across a brand that you may well like. Nobody is an Australian jeans label who love, love, love their denim. They have been around since 1999 and source some of the best possible fabric from Japan, US and Europe. Having felt some of the jeans, I fell in love with the quality. What makes Nobody different is you can customise your choice for you. Like a certain fit but want it in a certain colour. No problem!

 This is the Cult Skinny fit. Cult is their high-waisted type of jeans and sucks everything in.  

Warehouse collaborate with Brat & Suzie

I love a good collaboration and the latest one is Warehouse and Brat & Suzie. Warehouse is a staple shop for me so I am super excited about this. Brat & Suzie have exclusively designed some tshirts in various fits and cute animal designs. The designs are intricate with lots of quirky detail and include a bespectacled squirrel in a turquoise colour which is perfect for spring and my personal favourite.

Join me on Pinterest

Pinterest seems to be the word on everyone lips right now. I have found it to be one of the most addictive and inspiring new social networks. Essentially, it is place to create 'board' or a collection of your favourite pictures. How many times have you seen a makeup look or a hairdo that you want to remember or tell others about because it is THAT stunning? I have created 3 boards so far which are quickly filling up with some hairdos and outfits that I have to try. I have seen variations on the fish braid that I would never have come up with by myself. I have also just seen a look that has given me a way to use a product I was never going to use but it is going to look amazing.

 

So if you see a picture you like on the internet you can pin it to Pinterest. For bloggers, it is a very powerful tool as I can pin pictures from press days that do not make it on the blog, outtakes if you like. I see so many gorgeous pieces that I want to share but just do not have the time to post something about it. So this is perfect for me. You can 'follow' your favourite pinners for a constant stream of inspiring piccies and repin pictures to share to your followers.

 

Well I hope you like my boards or moodboards as I like to call them. You can follow me and see all the pictures by clicking www.pinterest.com/theglamorous. Tell me what you think or is there you want to see?

Radical Skincare Launches in UK

Radical Skincare is a brand that has been around in the US for a while and now it is coming to the UK. People in the US rave about this so I was very interested to try it. It the brainchild of sisters, Liz and RachelEdlich who have worked in the skincare industry for years. Liz started to see some ageing effects and found nothing on the market that gave her the results she wanted so Radical Skincare was born.

Happy 1st Birthday!!

One year ago I published my first article and The Glamorous was born. I can't believe it has been a year already. Time flies when you are having fun. I have learnt so much over the past year, met so many interesting people and came across brands that I have fallen in love with. It has been hard work maintaining the blog but it is well worth it.

One of the highlights for me was meeting Flavia Cacace and winning an E>One. That night was amazing and I had so much fun. The E>One has been a dream to use and you know what, it actually works. The E>One is one the best at-home Laser Hair Removal machines so right now I am semi hairless on legs and armpits and very soon hair free forever! (although I need to get more gel to finish the treatment). Me and Flavia, wow I am really short...

Another highlight was seeing Emeli Sande perform at a spectacular press event. She is simply incredible and took my breath away.

NOTD: Topshop Dead Ringer Polish

I have not done a Nails of the Day for a while so I thouught I would show you one of the new spring colours from Topshop.

This colour is called Dead Ringer and is pinky, red colour. If you want something so quite so bright as red this is good compromise. I have received a few compliments when I have worn it. It has quickly become one of my go-to colours for spring. My other colours are definitely starting to feel neglected.

It glides on really well for a glossy look and I used two coats for this. It started to chip after about 3 days. So there you have it. What do you think of the colour?

Stylistpick Popup Shop

I am a huge fan of Stylistpick so when they opened their popup shop, I was literally first in line. I popped down on the very first day it opened and bagged myself a gorgeous pair of heels from the Louise Roe collection. I had been eyeing it up since the new collection was announced so this was my chance to get my mitts on them.

Here's Louise doing a much better job...

Sh*t Fashion Girls Say and Sh*t Bloggers Say

You must have heard of the 'Sh*t Girls Say' series. Just in case you have been on holiday for a year, they are a series of Youtube videos all about crazy things people say. There are various parodies relating to various industries and cultures but the Sh*t Fashion Girls Say just kills me. There is a new one out, focusing on NYFW, just in time for London Fashion Week. I watched this and was rolling about in laughter. Best line...'If this outfit does not get me on a street style blog, I give up!'. Just watch it...


This is Sh*t Beauty Gurus Say but this should be renamed Sh*t Vloggers say. For all my video beauty bloggers out there, how many times have said lines from this video hmmm?? This made me die.

Valentine's Day Dresses

Stuck for what to wear for Valentine's Day? Here is a few ideas for some dresses to wear on your hot date.

 This is a dress from Oasis. Loving the print on this and the belt gives you a waist. £70

Hybrid dresses are quickly becoming known for their super sexy dresses. I love the coral colour and the side exposed zip. Dress it up with platform heels and a clutch. £85

The embellishments on the shoulders and waist are make this Warehouse dress stunning. With sparkly heels, you will shine.£80

Enjoy ladies!

London Fashion Weekend

Do you look at the catwalks and wish you could be there? I was always that girl with my face glued to computer watching catwalk online and gasping at the clothes. I would instantly start picking my wardrobe for the next season and start looking at the trends. I may not be a head to toe uber-fashionista but I like to have one or two key pieces. Ladies, I am here to tell you about a little shopping haven that will help you update your wardrobe.

At London Fashion Weekend, you can get items from the current season at discount. It makes a lovely day out with friends. Clothes, jewellery and accessories, it's all there. Designers include Jaeger London, Linda Farrow and the fabulous Holly Fulton. Having seen her current collection here, it is not one to miss with bold colours and prints.

Get your hair and makeup done, be entertained by top DJs and eat at some of the top restaurants which are around Somerset House including resident outlet, Tom Aiken. For a perfect wardrobe update, head to London Fashion Weekend. What I love about London Fashion Weekend is the ability to be on the front row. Tickets to the catwalk shows are like gold dust so for the chance to be on the F-Row where celebs have been sitting just hours before is pretty awesome. This year Caroline Flack and Zoe Hardman are hosting the catwalk shows so I am sure it will be lots of fun. I recommend starting early as there is lots to see and do.

It takes place straight after London Fashion Week over 4 days from 23rd - 26th February. There are various ticket options for you to choose from starting from £16 for Just Shop to £39.50 for Shop & The Lot which includes entry, catwalk and goodie bag, exclusive of booking fees. For more info and book your tickets, go to www.londonfashionweekend.co.uk.