GETTING AWAY FROM IT ALL...AND RELAX!!

Have the festivities left you worse for wear? Book a spa break-or drop a few hints to Santa!

BEST FOR... a break from the cooking:
Fancy a spa experience that's really special? Then how about a mini break at Careys Manor in the heart of the New Forest, when you can enjoy full use of the Thai SenSpa with its unrivalled treatments and facilities. 
Vsit: careysmanor.com

BEST FOR.. the full works:
Unwind by the sea at the St Brides Spa Hotel, in Pembrokenshire, and enjoy a full day with a VOYA Marine Body Wrap-using hand-harvested seweed that smoothes the skin with natural bio actives, before being whisked off for a light two-course lunch. Next enjoy a back, neck and shoulder massage, and a skin specific facial-leaving you with a radiant glow. This is the perfect all-in-one package for those who want to experience breath-taking sea views, great food and ultimate luxury. 
Visit: stbridesspahotel.com

BEST FOR...stressed out skin:
Has winter taken its tall already? Treat tired skin to a Supreme Wrinkle Facial at the Woodland Spa in Burnley. Set within the Lancashire countryside, the spa offers the latest in skin technology using special Carita Cinetic LED and ulrtasound -the alternative to invasive cosmetic surgery that stimulates cell renewal and gives you results after just one session. The treatment leaves skin smooth and radiant i just 90 mins.
Visit: thewoodlandspa.com

BEST FOR...a head -to- toe body detox
Set in historic Canterbury, the Tor Spa Retreat offers an invigorating rejuvenation and detoxification programme. You will be looked after by a qualified team of staff, as well as a professional Ayurvedic physician who wil help you to re-balance your skin,soul and digestive health. Get to know your body with one hour health  consultation and indulge in home cooked vegetarian meals.
Visit: torsparetreat.com

BEST FOR...ahis and hers treat:
Indulge on your own or with a partner at the One Spa , in Edinburgh, and enjoy a great range of treatments especially design for men and women. Treatments include an age-defy facial or detoxify body wrap-perfect for that pre-party dress slim- and a men's fitness massage or intensive triple-cleansing facial. A range of one's Spa's treatments also incude relaxing time in their exclusive thermal suit, which helps rid skn of any nasty toxins.
Visit: onespa.com

REBOOT -MAKE UP

It is been a long day at work. 
You need to be  at that party in five minutes. Panic not!
Here is a speedy exit:

EYES:
Waterproof formulas are ideal for this time of year: Lancome's Khol Hypnose Waterproof and Chantecaille 24 Hour Waterproof Eye Liner have lovely soft textures so you can smudge them into lush lines  for a speedy smoky eye, and then look even better with wear. If the area around your eyes is looking tired dab concealer and a shimmery shadow inot the inner corners to brighten.


LIPS:

A slick of colour on lips is the quickest way to freshen your look. Start by removing any old product, then run a cotton bud moistened with lip balm over lips -a twist and roll action will remove any leftover lipstick and dry skin, and ensure  that whatever you apply next lasts longer, so do not skip this step. Then apply your chosen shade. I love Stila Lip&Cheak Stain in Pomegranate crush an easy to wear stain.



FACE:

A bit of prep will ease the 4pm make up slip: use a primer and  avoid heavy powders that can crease and cake (try Burberry Beauty Sheer Powder). If you do need to refresh your base, base start by erasing patchiness with a cotton bud dipped in make up remover, and delete an oily T-zone with blotting papers. You can use Paul&Zoe Blotting Paper. Simple pat a little foundation where needed, and re-conceal blemishes. Dab highlighter along your cheekbones and, do not forget, nothing brings a face back to life like a pop of blush.

HOW TO DO MODERN FLORALS!

Forget winter, it is time to look forward to sping-and florals that pack a punch, in store now!







LOUIS VUITTON

ROKSANDA

GUCCI

CHRISTOPHER KANE

MIU MIU

FAIRY-TALE FASHION!

Embrace the romance of fairy tales!
Cinderella would be proud!





VALENTINO  

MARY KATRANTZOU

DOLCE & GABBANA

BEAUTIFUL BOOKS FOR GIVING (AND RECEIVING)

1. SEVENTIES GLAMOUR BY DAVID WILLS (DEY STREET BOOKS).

2. JEREMY SCOTT BY JEREMY SCOTT (RIZZOLI)

3. BLUE DOG SPEAKS BY GEORGE RODRIGUE(STERLING)

4. LIBERTY STYLE BY MARTIN WOOD (FRANCES LINCOLN)

5. NIGHTCLUBBING BY RICHARD YOUNG (STERLING)

6. MID-CENTURY FASHION AND ADVERTISING PHOTOGRAPHY BY WILLIAM HELBURN (THAMES AND HUDSON)

THE LIFE OF BRIAN-HIGHER, HIGHER THE SHOE BRIAN ATWOOD'S PLAYFUL MANIFESTO

'I want to make women feel women feel ready to take on the world,' says shoe designer Brian Atwood. How? By designing unabashedly sexy shoes: vertiginous stilettos, technicolour sandals and bad-ass boots. In a season of flats, Brian Atwood champions the heel. TheRe is something decidedly Italian about Chicago-born Atwood's love of pure, undiluted  glamour, so it is no surprise to learn that he divides his time between his studio in Milan, and Manhattan. He began his career in the Italian city too, after initially studying fashion design in New York. Seven years spent travelling the world as a model led him eventually to shoes-in 1996, he was taken under the wing of Gianni Versace, and he designed ready to wear for Versus before being appointed Head Designer of accessories at Vercase. His eponynous brand, founded in 2001, has won the 47 year old industy acclaim (he was awarded the CDFA Award for Accessoy Design in 2003) and an A-list clientele: JLaw, Gwyneth Paltrow and Rosie Huntigton-Whiteley all call upon him when they need a red carpet lift. His legion of followers is mainly based Stateside-but not for long. A new e ommerce site, slated for launch in the next few months, will at last give UK fans an oopotunity to shop all he has to offer-and Atwood a platform to go global. 'I love women' says Atwood. 'Their uplift of spirit when they put on a great pair of shoes.'

THE NEW 4 TRENDS TO TRY!

Press refresh on your winter wardrobe with the new season, now!
Tired of your winter clothes? Get involved in the Cruise known as pre spring collections.These are designer labels at their wearable best, ful of pieces dreamed up with your day-to-day wardrobe in mind.
Here are the trends to look out for:

STRIPES:

TIE DYE:

METALLICS:

ANIMAL PRINT:

PROENZA SCHOOLER-MAKE A SPLASH!

The US brand breaks out beachwear for the first time!
Yes, we know it is winter. But these are worth stockpinling now and storing for later. Proenza Schooler has launched its first swimwear collection. Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez have taken their time to get the pieces just right, riffing on surf and skate cultures in their inimitable youth infused American sportswear way. 'We have a sense of nostalgia; we've been drawn to the vibe of surf and skate kids in Miami and LA,' they say, adding that they threw in elements of past collections for good measure. Make sure you also look out for the espadrilles that sit alongside the cut out swimsuits and colourful two-pieces.

REMEMBER THEIR NAMES!

Did you notice? Two designers, both relatively unknown even inside the industry have taken the  helm and set about reinvigorating major fashion houses. Julie de Libran former-right-hand woman to Marc Jacobs at Louis Vuitton, has moved to Sonia Rykiel and her first collection was packed wth effortlessly, cool just feminine enough pieces.
Meanwhile, at Jil Sander, Rodolfo Paglialunga, who spent 10 years at Prada and two at Vionnet, walked the line between minimal and wearable.
 The upshot?
 Brilliant clothes who will want to wear come sprng.
Take note!

THE NEW GIRLS-CLOTHES FOR OFF- DUTY STYLE-UNDONE IS THE NEW DONE

There is a particular relaxed look that I would like to pin down for a while. 

It is the jumper with a princess skirt , trainers with a ruffled -hem dress intangible style that seems thrown together. Jackeline Chak and Genevieve Chew have an eclectic design edge and have brought it to the fashion business world. Wear their split-colour satin prom skirt with a slogan letter sweatshirt; their raw edged organza culottes with a perfect worn in denim jacket. 

See below two of my fav picks: