Shoes and Bags from London Fashion Week

As there is so much on show at LFW, I decided to split the post into various categories. yesterday you saw the jewellery. Now you get to see the amazing shoes and bags!

Cleo B was a standout shoe designer for me. Sandals like this made me fall in love. Go BOOM!

September GlossyBox

For a few months, I have been hearing a lot about GlossyBox. The good, the bad, ups and downs. Well if you have been locked a cave for the past few months, GlossyBox is the UK's answer to BirchBox. It is a subscription service where you get 5 samples every month for £12.95. So I dived in and here are my goodies...

Jewellery from London Fashion Week

I am huge fan of statement jewellery and there was more than enough at LFW this week. It's amazing a statement piece can change an ordinary outfit into something very different. Be prepared, this is a picture heavy post but I hope you enjoy it. One of the standout designers for me was new Central St Martin's graduate, Kyle Hopkins. I want it all!

Holly Fulton SS12 at LFW

I was lucky enough to catch the Holly Fulton catwalk show today at London Fashion Week and what a show. Holly creates the most amazing statement pieces with bold colours, prints and embellishments. I cannot wait for SS12 to wear bold numbers like this beauty...

BeautyWorksWest - My new beauty haven!

Have you heard of BeautyWorksWest? It's an online boutique which gives you the products that combines the science and beauty. I cam across the site on one my daily site trawls and I saw brands I have never heard of which always peaks my interest. So having tried a few of them out, here are my favourites.

My dream body (that will never happen)...

New FashonistA Nail Lacquer from The Saturdays

Everyone knows I am a nail addict. I have polish in every colour and for every day of the week. So when I heard The Saturdays were collaborating with new makeup brand FashionistA to launch their nail lacquers I was very excited.

Westfield Stratford City Opens

Did you go see the hysteria and madness at Westfield Stratford today? Wow, I could barely walk 1 metre without bumping into somebody. Packed does not begin to describe. However, I did not let that stop me from getting to amazing shops! My debit card took a dent today. So let me show my new goodies! My prized possession is this feather clutch from River Island. From the minute I saw it, it had my name on it!

Shoedazzle sparkles!

Shoedazzle is the new shoe and accessories brand which has just arrived from Kim Kardashian in the UK. Every month stylists pick out shoes which they think you will like according to a questionnaire which you fill in when you first join. At the beginning of every month, you get a showroom showing a stylist's picks of gorgeous shoes, bags and jewellery for you. 

 

Preparing for London Fashion Week SS12

In 4 days time London Fashion Week starts! I am so excited so I have turned my wardrobe upside down looking for the perfect outfit. So I thought I would give a taster of some shoes.

So here's my top choices. L-R Dorothy Perkins heels, ShoeDazzle shoes (more on them later), Aldo Wedges.

For something more comfy, my Superdry boots for an edgier look...

 

Love the zip details on these!

Coach Flagship Store opens in London

Today  was a good day. Today, I was invited to see the new Coach flagship store which recently opened up in New Bond Street, London. If ever there was any debate on if there was a God, it can now be put to rest. When I stepped through those doors, I died and went to heaven! Words simply do not the pieces justice and neither do the pictures quite frankly. So if you are on the lookout for a quality designer bag head to Coach.

Real Cheetah...

Mandara Spa in your home

Mandara Spa is a luxurious range of bath and bodycare products inspired by treatments at Mandara Spas located around the world. They recently launched their line in Sainsburys. A spa range in Sainsburys? Well this needed further investigation.

The range spans 5 different collections: Tropical Blooms, Amber Heaven, Citrus Spice, Island Paradise and Honeymilk Dream. Each range has a fragrance, some subtle and some strong so definitely one for you. The are body creams, scrubs, bath essences, shower creams and diffusers all designed to give you a perfect bath time and recreate the spa experience.

I tried 3 products from 3 different collections. To get the full experience, I went the full hog and lit some candles and played some soothing music, sheer bliss. It was such a hard job but someone had to do it! First up was the Amber Heaven Moisturising Bath Essence. The smell is more subtle than the other collections and comes from sandalwood and patchouli. It provided a lovely, but not overpowering aroma to relax in with some bubbles mixed in.

Looking Tanned, Bronzed and Beautiful!

Well you would believe it looking outside but it is August and it is meant to be summer. It is the time to tan and be bronzed. We all know to be safe and fake tan. So here are some things to help you look like you have been to St Tropez.

Diva Feel The Heat Titanium Straightener Review

At recent press event I was asked are ceramic straighteners better than titanium straightener. It got me thinking well why are they? Have I used them? No. Talking to a hair stylist, she said a lot of people are used to ceramic and prefer them just because. So I decided to give them a try as I used my ceramic straighteners religiously and it has seen better days. I have the frizziest, craziest hair you can imagine which has a mind of it's own so getting it straight is no mean feat. Enter the Diva Feel The Heat Titanium straightener.

Benefit They're Real!

There has been a lot of hype and talk across the blogs about Benefit's new mascara, They're Real. So does it live up to the hype?



The brush has bristles of different lengths so it catches every lash and lengthens. What I like about this mascara is the tip. The tip has bristles which you use on the smaller lashes on the inner and outer corners of the eye. You can use the wand vertically to get those hard to reach lashes. To get the perfect look, hold the wand horizantally at the base of the lashes and wiggle from side to side to maximize the volume. Then turn vertically to get those lashes on the inner corner of the eye.

One thing to know about this mascara is you will need some good eye-makeup to remove it. When it is on, ladies, it stays on for hours. In my book, that is a good thing. Just bear in mind cleanser, soap or water will not do the trick here. It is also not waterproof so not one to wear when you go swimming!


I would show before and after pics but I cannot wear eye makeup due to my recent laser eye surgery. It is killing me not eye makeup as I am all about the eyes. Well as soon as I can, this is top of my to-do list.

Have you tried Benefit They're Real? What mascara do you love?

My Laser Eye Surgery

Well last week I had my laser eye surgery. In short, I cannot recommend it enough. I can see!! I had been thinking about it for a while and finally decided to get it done because I was due for an eye test and I would have needed new glasses. Glasses and an eye test can be up to £200 or more for designers. Contacts are about a similar price over the period so do I want to keep paying for glasses or do I want perfect eyesight with a better quality of life? Now they offer finance options, it was a no brainer.

Now as it my eyes, I decided not to do it on the cheap. Something tells me those adverts saying £400 per eye are telling porkies. So I went for a reputable company who know their stuff, Ultralase. I was a little nervous on the day but more excited. The surgeon who I had met at the consultation before had put me at ease and I trusted him.

The surgery itself was absolutely pain-free as they numb the eye and over in 20 minutes. I had done a bit research watching previous surgeries so I knew what to expect and the nurse told me as well what the surgeon will be doing. I literally sat up from the surgery and could see straight away! A little foggy which is expected but better than my eyesight before. I have to wear sunglasses at all times when outside for a while. On the journey home my eyes started to sting as the anaesthetic wears off. I was advised to go straight home and go to sleep which I did exactly. I was given eye drops to help with the stinging and prevent infections. The next day I woke up and it was unbelievable. I felt great, my eyes had no stinging and I could see perfectly. The next working day, I went in for a checkup where they do an eye test to see how well you can see. I can now see better then 20:20. I had a low prescription before. I was short-sighted with -1.5 so I could not see far.

I work on a 19th floor and the view is pretty good so I can't stop looking outside. Everything is so sharp and clear. I keep touching my temples thinking I am wearing glasses and I am not. I feel like I am missing something as it taking some getting used to. I wore glasses for 15 years so quite a change but so worth it. My eyes are a little bloodshot which is expected but will clear up soon. I am looking forward to experimenting with dramatic eye makeup. Colours, lots of colours and eye liner! I cannot wear eye makeup for 2 weeks but this will give me the time to wear all the products I need and get ready.

If you are thinking about it, I cannot recommend it enough. Make sure you go to a reputable company and do it right. There are risks which they tell you about. I asked a lot of people and everyone I know has had no problems. I know there a few horror stories out there so go in prepared. It is well worth going in for a consultation. Most companies offer them for free and they will not pressure you into booking. Have you had laser eye surgery? Are you thinking about it? Tell me in the comments