Fashion Month

It's here! Very hard to take over this site with catwalk shows considering they are taking over my mind so I am just going to do a 'Best of' at the end of every week. Seems fair?

Until then though, I just wanted to say that I have fallen in love with these dresses and cannot stop thinking about them...

Monique Lhuiller

Christian Siriano

Images: Style.com

This Week's Playlist...

Ed Sheeran - You Need Me, I Don't Need You
The more I hear of this young lad, the more I like! This latest single could not be any more different to the last beautiful slice of folk pop. This track has a hip hop feel and Ed is proving himself to have quite a way with words. Example - 'They say I'm up and coming like I'm f**king in an elevator'! The chorus is ridiculously catchy and once it gets stuck in your head, good luck getting it out!

Foster The People - Call It What You Want
After falling in love with 'Pumped Up Kicks', I downloaded this album for a mere £4.99 the other day and I can happily reveal that the rest of the album is just the same - really catchy, really funky and really original. They have their own refreshing sound and this is a high contender for my album of 2011.

Red Hot Chilli Peppers - The Adventures of Raindance Maggie
Good to have them back! The Chillis doing what they do best - a classic rock song. I LOVE the bassline - and the title.

Adele -Rumour Has It
After catching this missy on Jonathan Ross I was reminded of how grounded, humble and sweet she is - despite her raging success. This is one of my faves on the album.

Kings of Leon - True Love Way
This is still in my top 3 Kings of Leon songs. It takes a few listens. It doesn't appear catchy at first but once you truly hear it (sounds so cliche), it is a beautiful song with a gorgeous instrumental in the middle, powerful vocals from Caleb and a very ambivalent message - which I am still trying to find out.

One Direction - You Don't Know You're Beautiful
Go on - slate me, throw rocks, accuse me of being a cougar! I don't care, this is a bloody catchy, feel-good song and their management have done an amazing job. Plus, in a few years they will be little rides.

Miranda for Elle

I'm a little bit obsessed with Miranda Kerr in case you haven't noticed (or any of the VS Angels past and present to be honest). I read in a magazine today that they were hailing Imogen from Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model as the next Miranda Kerr! No offense to Imogen - she seems a smart and likeable girl - but they are bloody big shoes to fill!

Anyway Miranda covers US ELLE this month and I am loving the versatility of these shots...

Images: Elle.com

September Shopping List

So far this month I am lusting for...

Marc by Marc Jacobs iPhone Case, £30, Net-A-Porter

I am in love with my Kate Spade case that I bought a few months ago but I must admit this caught my eye and I can't stop thinking about it! But a girl can have more than one iPhone case, right? You need to change it around once in a while. Variety is the spice of life! I love the colours. It is the perfect case for Autumn/Winter.

Brown leather boots, £90, River Island

I found my winter boots! And quite easily too. The minute I saw them I just knew that I will live in them all winter long. Looking forward to rocking them with skinny jeans tucked in, or with winter dresses and tights. I need them!

They're Real Mascara, £17.50, Benefit

I am still in two minds about buying this, purely because I am constantly disappointed with premium brands' mascaras. In my opinion, Max Factor and Maybelline are the mascara queens! I also thought their 'Bad Girl' mascara was horrendously bad. However, I have seen a number of 'before' and 'after' photos on blogs online (which have no reason to lie) and I am very impressed with it! I love and need a mascara that will hold a curl (courtesy of Shu Uemura of course).

Since I just booked tickets to a number of fashion events in London this month, I can't rush out and buy these yearned-for items right now but in a few weeks, these babies will be mine! Can't wait.

Tom Ford Beauty

At last! Tom Ford's eagerly anticipated beauty line has arrived in Selfridges. We were given a little glimpse last year with the luxurious lipsticks but now Mr Ford has added foundations, eyeshadows, lipsticks, eyebrow shapers and make-up brushes to his empire.

I am loving the packaging - very classic and chic in black and gold. Of course the prices are mental, as one would expect. The liquid foundations will set you back £60 a pop while an eyeshadow quad is a whopping £62!

Even the lipsticks seem to have upped price by a pound to £36. That said, it is a gorgeous-looking line that will no doubt sell by the bucket loads. The brushes are beautiful, in particular the bronzing one above (£80).

I will definitely have to pop in to Selfridges for a look at not just the products, but no doubt the counter will have the fabulous campaign photos featuring the immaculate Lara Stone, and Mr Ford himself. I'm sure beauty editors are going to go crazy for this.

Images: Selfridges.com

Harper's Bazaar: Alexa Chung

I must admit I am not a huge fan of Alexa’s Chung’s new British Harper’s Bazaar cover, like the rest of the world is. I don’t think fake lashes suit her. So I am not going to join the billions of blogs posting it!

However, I do adore the editorial inside. Here are my faves…

Images: Nextmodelsblog

Hart of Dixie

Hmm, am very intrigued by this! While browsing The Fashion Spot, I came across this poster for new CW show ‘Hart of Dixie’. I’m a huge fan of Rachel Bilson and, as this was produced by the executive producers of ‘Gossip Girl’, it is off to a very promising start!

It prob won’t air until next year over here though…

Image: Hollywood Reporter 

Beauty Holy Grails

I love to experiment with make-up and am addicted to trying new products. But there are some items I will happily buy again and again. They have become my Holy Grails, my Must-Haves, and I wear them every day...

1. Chanel Soleil de Chanel Universal Bronzing Cream

This is definitely one of my best investment-buys. I spent €39 on this last year and it is still going strong. This is a cream bronzer with a gorgeous silky texture, it is so easy to blend and the pigment gives a lovely sunkissed look that adapts to everyone's individual skin tone. Very good value considering the size of the tub, and how much I use it. You only need a little bit so this is guaranteed to last quite a while. Plus it's Chanel, the packaging is oh so charming and classic!

2. MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium

I bring this absolutely everywhere with me! Some people wear this alone as foundation but I prefer to use it as a setting powder when I am finished applying my make-up. I dust a little bit on my forehead, nose and cheeks and it gives a flawless, shine-free look. Is great for touch-ups throughout the day or if you need an extra bit of colour to take you from office to bar. A handbag essential in my opinion.

3. Benefit's 'Big Beautiful Eyes' Kit

This is my daytime look and does exactly what it suggests - gives you eyes that pop! It comes with three eyeshadows, undereye concealer, and a selection of brushes. I apply a little bit of pink and light brown with a small dusting of the darker shade at the edges. It lasts all day and when blended, is a stunning colour. My only complaint is at the end of the day, you may have a little shimmer on the tops of your cheeks - but it is not enough to stop me using it. For night time, I love the 'Smokin' Eyes' kit. Where would we be without Benefit?

4. Benefit 'Coralista' Blush Powder

I am a huge fan of Benefit's boxes of powder having purchased both 'Dallas' and 'Hoola' in my time. However, it's Coralista that is my must-have. This stunning warm coral colour gives me cheekbones (that don't usually exist) and a healthy flush that lasts all day long. I have no desire to try any other blush for now (as a beauty-holic, that is strange) as I have found everything I will ever need in 'Coralista'.

5. CoverGirl Lash Blast Mascara

It is no secret that I am a self-confessed mascara junkie. It is my go-to beauty product and there are very little on the market that I haven't tried. No exaggeration. As the owner of naturally subtle lashes, it is my BFF. I have tried them all from Dior and Giorgio Armani to Maybelline and Rimmel. My favourite of all-time and the only one to give me all my mascara needs is the US of A's CoverGirl Lash Blast. I am lucky that I have never ran out thanks to eBay. This mascara is a lifesaver. It holds my curl all day long as if just applied, and gives me amazing volume, definition and body. 

6. Creme de La Mer 'The Lip Balm'

Admittedly this is a little pricey (when a tub of Vaseline is less than £2) but I must admit my fave lip balm is Creme de La Mer's. Ever since I treated myself in Selfridges last year in a bid to own something from my yearned-for/wishlist skincare line, I have been addicted. It is super minty to give the most refreshing feeling and has just the right amount of moisture to not leave your lips too reliant on it. Plus it lasts forever! Definitely worth the hype.

Other products I love are Clarins's 'Beauty Flash Balm', Laura Mercier's 'Secret Camouflage', Lancome's eyeliners and NARS lipglosses.

This Week's Playlist...

Florence & The Machine - What The Water Gave Me

Hands down, my fave song of the year so far. I am a huge fan of this woman - of her talent, her attitude and her ability to produce truly beautiful songs! I listen to this daily on my way to work and it gets better every time. Perfect mix of folk and alternative, the music is amazing. Can’t wait for the album.

Foster The People - Pumped Up Kicks
Downloaded this song on a bit of a whim after hearing their name everywhere and listening to the minute preview on iTunes, and am very glad I did! This song has a brilliant bass line, with a super catchy chorus. It sums up my favourite type of music. To use a cliche, it’s ‘totally my cup of tea’!

Katy B - Easy Please Me
Kept hearing this song when I was shopping so after some Googling, I discovered it is the much-hyped Katy B. I am still not very familiar with her music at all but this is a really catchy, sexy song and I like her voice.

Maroon 5 ft. Christina Aguilera - Moves Like Jagger
Huge Maroon 5 fan and I literally listened to this 100 times after I downloaded it. My favourite summer tune. I dare you to resist humming/dancing along.

Washed Out - Amor Fati
I play this when I need to chill and relax. It has a lovely vibe and perfect for when you are just about to fall asleep. It is my first song to discover from this band and I will definately be listening to more.