New X-Factor Style Icon

Ever since I saw her in her first audition, Rebecca Ferguson has been my absolute favourite.  Not only does she have a voice to outshine Sade, the girl has effortless style usually associated with women way beyond her 24 years.

From the LBD she wore the first time she sang before the Judges, to the clothes she wears for the live shows (which have ranged from Topshop & Mango to Alexander Wang) and who could fail to adore the Red Ossie Clark outfit from last Saturday?

Any scouse girl will tell you that they take pride in themselves and love to dress up, although as we all know a lot of them are synonymous with dayglo orange fake tans and false lashes that would have me struggling to keep my eyes open, but Rebecca looks chic and effortless in anything she wears whether it be on the Red Carpet or just on her way to Rehearsals.

The only thing I don't understand is that I have noticed she wears the same dress on a Sunday night for the results show.  I am sure that this week was the 3rd time I have seen her in it, but it could be more, maybe I just didn't notice earlier.  I have no idea if any of the others are "over wearing" their outfits (thats my daughters quote) and maybe she considers it to be her "lucky Dress" and I loved the look when teamed with the Kurt Geiger Fashionista heels.

Could this Scouser be set to steal Cheryl and Danni's style crown?

FML

I am in a right old mood.  I feel sick and my stomach is churning almost like somebody has died, but they haven't.
I know we all have bad days but I have only been up 4 hours and have felt like this within 10 minutes of getting up at 6am when I decided I didn't need to make the pack up just yet and could go online for a bit. 
I feel as though nothing ever goes right for me, which it doesn't.  I certainly don't have the "Midas Touch" in any area of my life.  Everything always goes "Tits up" and I am most definitely one of those people who falls in shit and stays there, unlike some, who always come up smelling of Roses.
I had a mental weekend, I had to get all of my stuff out of the Salon which should have been removed by the 9th, so I was a bit late but luckily the owner hadn't got anybody else to rent the room.  Monday was spent looking after OH and Little Man who were both off ill. Tuesday was spent with a friend who needed my help and support with a certain personal matter as was yesterday and before that I was in a complete panic worrying that Claudia might be involved in an accident that took place about the time she was on the school run. Wednesday was spent helping a man with a van, who had to be paid to take some furniture to my Mums house which didn't do my back any good as I had to help with the lifting etc.
Other good deeds of the week include my hospital visiting every single day and spending the last of my money for the month on my eldest daughter who I felt so sorry for, after she had to buy a top from Tesco to wear out last Saturday night.  I know that her and her boyfriend have more coming in their house than we do with me no longer working, but I felt sad that she had to resort to such measures when I know she loves clothes and fashion as much as the rest of the females in this family, so I promptly went online and bought her a dress and a top and left myself skint until the Family Allowance is due on 6th December.
So what tipped me over the edge you wonder - the realisation when I got up this morning that I had forgotten yesterday was Thursday and never checked the new arrivals on theoutnet and when I did, what did I see, a bloody f@@king Alexander Wang Rocco Bag for £288, naturally, sold out.  Is this how life pays me back for spending a week helping everybody else?
Knowing OH as I do, if he thought he could have got me sorted for my birthday and xmas for less than £300 he would have been well happy and I know for a fact if I had seen it and rang him, he would have told me to get it.
So there you have it, a ranty post and me in a foul mood over a handbag!  I know it sounds pathetic but I have had to get it out, goodness knows I can't tell any of my real life friends, they will think I am nuts........

Glam Slam at Space NK

Rarely do you get a good discount on "High End" beauty products and any items you usually see in the sales are discountinued colours or packaging, so imagine my delight when I got an email telling me that one of my favourite beauty stores, Space NK, has a special 3 day event where they are offering 20% off of ALL purchases!

With skincare brands such as Eve Lom, Caudalie, Revive (much loved by Liz Jones, sorry didn't mean to put you off) Rodial, Zelens etc and make-up from Chantecaille, Laura Mercier and Nars, it really is the one stop shop for all you product junkies or purveyors of gorgeous smelly Christmas gifts with fragrances from Tom Ford, Annick Goutal and L'Artisan to name but a few, oh and don't forget your gorgeous scented candles to fragrance your home throughout the forthcoming festive season, sometimes I really get sick of the smell of Turkey, give me a Diptyque candle any day!

Just use code GLAMSLAM or SPACENK20 at checkout.  Offer ends Midnight on Sunday 21st November.

Something for the weekend

Major disaster in the house this morning but as this is a fashion related blog, I won't bore you with the details, just want to say it wasn't exactly the best start to the weekend, so where do I turn to get my "happy" fix?  the virtual world of course and with all thoughts of shopping turning to what to buy for others rather than myself, you can expect to see a lot of gift and xmas related posts in the near future, I know its enough to bore you to tears but I am getting excited now, so you will have to bear with me!

First up who could resist blow drying their luscious locks with this Mark Hill zebra print hairdryer - currently Boots gift of the week, better than half price and now only £24.99 from Boots.com buy it now - its a bit of an animal!

House of Fraser have a couple of great offers and discount codes valid until 24th November including 10% off of Jewellery using the code SPARKLE10 at checkout and also up to 30% off of Partywear (no code required) so pick out your sexy sequin party dress and Biba faux mongolian fur jacket now!

I never really wear eyeshadow but do make an exception when I go out, so I am going to make a sneaky addition to my xmas wish list and request this gorgeous smouldering eye palette by Bobbi Brown and go on to YouTube to check out a video of Lauren Luke showing how to do a "smoky eye".  I'm sure my girls could show me but they would probably take the piss to be honest and I wouldn't want to admit that my make-up applying skills seem to have disappeared over the years! Even I deserve to Glam up this Christmas!

Has anybody checked out the French Connection "Youtique" video link featuring Stylist Louise Roe of  "The City" fame, on the right of the Blog yet?  Its a great link to get styling tips for various occassions so have a look and let me know what you think, I so love French Connection!

So tonight its Indian Take Away, Strictly and X-Factor, I can't wait, I am so loving Winter Saturday nights in!  Have a great weekend! xx

Its the most wonderful time of the year.......

except when you are skint or have to buy presents for your Other Half.  Not only do I have Christmas to contend with, but also his birthday on 14th December, the day before mine!  Shopping for me is far easier, I write a list (or blog post as in this years case) that way I avoid getting bought a load of crap, stop people having to wrack their brains thinking about what I might want/need, so it is my intention to make life easier for everybody, ensuring I get exactly what I want along the way, but when it comes to Christmas shopping for men, why on earth can't they make it simple for us?
Uni Girl text OH to ask what he wanted and he told me he was thinking of asking for a new tan coloured Belt, but that he didn't want a cheap one, so that really isn't the sensible gift option for a 19 year old living off of a student loan without a job now is it? silly OH, but that does of course mean it has given me a gift idea!

My eldest daughter came up the other evening and also asked what she should get him.  I said he didn't need slippers (still had 2 brand new pairs from last year) he was fine for black socks and his favourite M&S trunks, so she replied "well I will just get him another work shirt then" "yes that would be the most sensible option" I said.
I remember our first Christmas together, I paid £120 for a Nicole Fahri jumper he wore twice, I couldn't even tell you where it is now and for someone who lives and dies in Ralph Lauren Polo shirts, I took it as a bit of an insult.  It was a lovely jumper. He has RL gloves, beanie hats, Paul Smith Scarfs and about 200 designer Ties, so the job in hand is far from easy.  In the past we have bought him DVD's and Box Sets of his favourite films or television series but they all remain in the wrappers, he never ever puts on a DVD unless it is a pirate of a newly released film he has picked up off someone in the pub!  He has Tiffany cuff links which lay tarnished in their box and last year he needed a new credit card holder, so I bought him a Louis Vuitton one which is still going strong, so he won't be needing a new one of those just yet.
He is a tad vain, so maybe some skincare, now he is trying to stop getting wrinkles, it usually goes down well as products are not usually something he would treat himself to   I really wish I could find the cologne by Fresh I used to buy him years ago from Selfridges, who don't seem to stock it anymore, it was called Tobacco Flower, let me know if you see it anywhere as that was a real winner and such an unusual smell which really lasted. 

I have had a good trawl through the net and have come up with the following gift ideas.  There should be enough there to cover his Birthday and Xmas!  Is your OH as difficult to buy for as mine and what gift ideas do you have? 



D&G Logo Buckle Belt £155 paul smith college wool scarf £55 Simon Carter Mother of Pearl Cufflinks £30 Colonia Intensa Eau de Cologne £68 Lyle and Scott V Neck Lambswool Sweater £80 Kiehls Facial Fuel Anti Wrinkle Cream for men £29.50 Kiehls Eye Alert £21.50 Mens Grooming Gift Vouchers, Wet Shaves, Facials, Haircuts etc from £32 at Liberty of London

Lady in Red

I found it almost impossible to believe that Kylie Minogue is actually 44 years old after seeing her gyrating around the stage on Sunday nights X Factor in a dress so short that most over 40's would only dream about having the legs for!
When interviewed later on the Xtra-Factor it looked evident to me that she has calmed down her much publicised use of Botox as the "pillow face" look we saw a few years ago seems to have subsided somewhat and she is looking more like the Kylie of old than the cartoon caricature of herself she was once fast becoming.

She took a little stumble in her silver studded shoe- boot Louboutins which came as no surprise, but like the true pro that she is, she managed to regain her composure.

I can't find the Mark Fast dress nor the Louboutins anywhere online, not that I could afford them anyway!  Do you think the Loubs were specially made? and for anyone out there who is 44, can you please tell me, would you wear this dress? I bet Mark didn't send an over sized model down the runway in this fiery litle number with its micro mini skirt length and flesh revealing cut out midriff!

Hot Heels

I don't really know why some people have decided to boycott buying from M&S. I have clicked on facebook links and am still none the wiser, but by putting two and two together, I think it may be something to do with the Company Chairman and his support of the coalition governments cuts, which will have a profound effect on all of our purse strings and the ability to spend in future. 
The only problem is, give M&S the cold shoulder and you are missing out on products of quality with excellent price points.  I wish I could join in and support the cause, but sadly I am a superficial spender who prefers not to mix Fashion with Politics and I have had my eye on the faux shearling ankle boots for some time now, so surely spending a few cheeky quid at M&S won't go too far in lining the Chairmans pockets who is probably already on a "Fat Cat" salary, will it?  At the end of the day, you have to blame the people that voted for Cameron - its nobody else's fault really is it and lets not take the fun out of fashion.......

Limited Collection Faux Shearling Shoe Boot £35 from Marks and Spencer

Fashions Night in, Monday 1st November 2010

For one night only, "staying in" is the new "going out" for savvy shoppers who intend to support Vogue's Fashion Night in.  Whether it be to treat yourself to a party outfit for the up and coming festive season or to get in early with a few cheeky Christmas Presents from your favourite department stores, online shopping tonight has never been so much fun and its all in aid of Charity!

Tonights "Fashion Frenzy" sees some of my favourite online retailers offering special deals and discounts, free delivery, collection previews, free gifts and live streamed fashion shows, along with each etailer making a worthwhile donation to the Charity, Kids Co.

net-a-porter

Between 9 and 10pm net-a-porter will be offering shoppers an exclusive peak into their new Party Boutique as well as giving 10% of all sales on the night to the KidsCo charity.  Free shipping will also be offered and a discount code for this will be available on the night via NAP's facebook and twitter pages, so be sure to follow them now!

my-wardrobe.com
Join in the fun with my-wardrobe, who will be livestreaming a catwalk show from the Mayfair Hotel, and eager-eyed shoppers can then click straight through to buy the products. They will also have competitions to win designer pieces, plus stylists, celebrities and editors on hand to answer your urgent fashion questions via Twitter. 10% of the night's sales will go to KidsCo.

Amanda Wakeley

Luxury label Amanda Wakeley will be launching an exclusive new collection of scarves, featuring dedicated Fashion Night In content and offering free delivery throughout the evening. 10% of all proceeds on the night will be donated to KidsCo.

Boden
15 per cent off, plus free delivery and free returns between 5pm and midnight. Plus every shopper will have the opportunity to waltz off with £500 worth of Boden vouchers in their “one night only” free prize draw.
5 per cent of the night’s sales to KidsCo.

Brora

The Scottish Cashmere Brand are giving you the chance to win a luxurious cashmere gift set, including a  cashmere beanie, scarf and wrist warmers. For your chance to win, enter online during the evening. They are also offering free standard UK delivery on all orders placed from 5pm. £1 from every order will be donated to KidsCo.

Browns Fashion

Everyone making a London (zones 1, 2 and 3) same day purchase before 4pm today will be given free same day delivery and a bottle of Mumm Champagne to drink while you’re shopping in the evening. Then, anyone who spends over £400 during Fashion’s Night In will receive a Browns 40th Anniversary Book Shot by Paolo Roversi – with a foreword by Ralph Lauren. There will also be free international shipping for sales made between 5pm and midnight.

Coast

Pick up a stunning party dress and for each order placed during Fashion’s Night in, £1 will be donated to Kids Co. They are also running an exclusive FNI competition to win the limited edition Jamie jacket.

House of Fraser

Get free standard delivery from 5pm until midnight. The first 25 shoppers who spend over £100 on the night will receive a goodie bag full of fashionista treats. Anyone making a purchase between 5pm and midnight will be automatically entered into a prize draw to win one of seven £150 House of Fraser vouchers. HOF are donating £1500 to KidsCo.

John Lewis

The Department store has teamed up with British spa and skincare brand Elemis and for your chance to win one of 30 luxurious, limited edition Skin Nourishing Milk Bath Decanters. In addition, they will be donating £1 to KidsCo for every fashion and beauty order placed between 8pm to 11pm tonight.

Kurt Geiger

The fashionista's favourite footwear brand is offering 25 per cent off everything between 5pm and midnight. There will also be a competition to win a winter wardrobe of shoes as well as a gift with purchase for the first 25 orders made on the night. Kurt Geiger will donate £500 from Fashion's Night In to KidsCo.

Liberty of London

10 per cent off all orders placed between 6pm and midnight. There will also be live styling advice, exclusive competitions, special offers, plus a dedicated Fashion's Night In section. Submit a photo of yourself - wearing a scarf - to the new Liberty scarf blog for the chance to win a scarf worth £250. Get eyelash tips from Shu Uemura’s top make-up artist. Plus, the first 20 beauty orders placed after 7.30pm will come with a deluxe bag of free samples - and one lucky shopper will win a luxury facial from Omorovicza. Draw in Light launch their new collection with the chance to win their favourite maxi dress. Meg Mathews will be answering questions on twitter at 9.30pm alongside Team Liberty, who will be live online throughout the night. Plus get your hands on a limited edition signed copy of Manolo Blahnik’s new book. Go to www.liberty.co.uk/fashionsnightin for the full schedule.

Matches Fashion

Matches will launch Lulu Kennedy’s debut Lulu & Co collection exclusively online during Fashion’s Night In. Inspired by 10 designers whose talents Kennedy has fostered over the last ten years through the Fashion East initiative, the dresses are already cult classics. Also, click to see the film created to showcase the exclusive capsule collection that Erdem has designed for Matches. 10 per cent of the night's sales will go to KidsCo.

My Theresa

Every purchase made between 5pm and midnight will receive a complimentary bottle of Calvin Klein’s Beauty fragrance as well as free international shipping. Register for the mytheresa newsletter during the FNI to be included in a draw to win the Marc Jacobs Gene bag. Acne has created a limited edition of 50 pairs of the Acne Pistol Boot, which will be available exclusively at mytheresa on the evening-get yours before they go! And if you’re looking for a bit of style inspiration, Vogue’s Emma Elwick-Bates will be talking through the season’s must-haves. £1 from every purchase during FNI will go to KidsCo.

Phase Eight
Get free delivery throughout the evening – the code will be available on the Site today. There will also be a competition to win a £250 voucher, perfect timing for the party season!


Gt yourself the exclusive limited edition Terry By Terry Gift Set. Inside you’ll find the most indispensable products you need to get a perfectly polished, on-trend look: a universally flattering blush, a growth-activating mascara and a timeless red lipstick. 10 per cent of all gift purchases on the night will be given to KidsCo and they are offering free delivery on all gift purchases until Wednesday November 3, with an exclusive gift for the first 50 customers to buy at 6.30pm during FNI.

Wallis
Log on to Wallis to and enjoy 15 per cent off and free delivery on all the latest Wallis fashion.

Have a great evening x