My Top 10 Fashion Icons from 2009

I didn't want this list to be too exhaustive so narrowed it down to 10 - although I could certainly go on!

I wanted to share with you celebrities who have inspired my own personal fashion and beauty choices through 2009. I don't copy these celebrities but instead I am either inspired by their own style or simply love to look at the beautiful images of them.

So starting from the bottom, here we go:

10) Lauren Conrad

I am not sure why this choice still embarrasses me a little but I can't deny Lauren is always freshly turned out and makes great if not sometimes safe fashion options. For me, her look is very 'everyday girl' therefore attainable. I adore the simplicity of this blue dress she wore to the Speidi wedding - teamed with a black Chanel and accessories, it was classic, chic and simply gorgeous!

9) Olivia Palermo

On a similar note to Lauren I hang my head a little when it comes to Olivia, not sure why? I always think her ensembles are classic but with a little twist, for instance the studded belt in this picture. As much as she always looks immaculate, I think she could push the boat out with her hair and make up more often.

8) Anna Friel

Anna has only recently intriqued me in the style stakes. Ever since her stint on the stage performance of Breakfast at Tiffany's, she has churned out flawless looks night after night leaving by the stage exit! She is definitely taking advantage of any Audrey Hepburn comparisons and working the vintage look as well as rocking up some River Island on occasion!

7) Paloma Faith

Half-Spanish Paloma has one of those quirky images that you just can't stop looking at and admiring. On stage she wears wonderful avant garde creations and off stage she dons nothing too dissimilar it seems. I would love to have her sense of style along with the confidence to carry it off with such finesse as she does. I love her dyed red hair which contrast with her dark eyebrows. So much so that she inspired me to go dark with my own eyebrows earlier this year - see here.

6) Eva Mendes

I always think Eva looks gorgeous. Her make up and hair is always lush yet looks so effortless. To be honest I haven't seen too many photos of her casual looks but on the red carpet she always looks devine. Her choice of accessories and jewellery always wow me!

5) Michelle Obama

Michelle hit the fashion headlines big time this year, gracing the pages of some of the most notorious style bibles. She is her own stylist and with a modest use of brands she proved that a successful working, wife and mother could look impeccably turned out and have true style. I just think this woman is beautiful and a complete inspiration in the fashion, career and family stakes! Of course, her style is slightly older but one day she is what I will aspire to. She shows that you can have it all and look blimmin' gorgeous!

4) The Olsen Twins

When are these girls ever not gonna be in my top 10 - lets face it - they inspire so many of us. Whether they be sporting a new 'It' bag or killer heels, they exude an attainability! We too can dress like them - they look like they could be our mates! They are not always immaculately turned out but thats the joy of them, they can look grungy and messy, making it fashionable to wear birds nest hair and dirty converse! They do however make some fashion boo boo's from time to time but these can be forgiven seeing as they do so well the rest of the time. The birds nest hairstyles I have been sporting the past 6 months or so is definitely thanks to thses girls!

3) Crystal Renn

Beyond gorgeous Crystal was signed as a model at the age of 14 but was asked to lose so much weight she eventually developed an eating disorder. Since recovering, she has now become a plus size model at a healthy size 16. Recently she was featured in 'V' magazine alongside a size zero model, proving that bigger girls can look just as good in size zero clothes (albeit airbrushed photos)! I love that she looks so confident and comfortable in her body, encouraging other women to embrace their curves and exhibit their own style rather than hiding their bodies because they don't feel they will be accepted!

2) Lily Allen

Lily has certainly come a long way since her days in a prom dress and trainers! This year she was Chanel's Belle de Jour, maybe a controversial choice for Karl Lagerfeld but a great one all the same. This Summer she looked fabulous whatever she wore even if she did sport some 'interesting' make up. I found myself inspired by her hairstyles, clothing and even hosiery choices (Henry Holland for Pretty Polly) this year. Most recently, I had my hair cut in a similar style to what she sported at the Q Awards!

1) Danni Minogue

Suprised?! Thought not! I have been raving about Danni ever since X Factor started back on our screens. In my eyes, she can do no wrong! Week after week she beat Cheryl Cole in the style stakes looking absolutely flawless and with impeccable dress sense. She was her own stylist on the show and with a clothing range due out in 2010 - the girl deserves some credit! Her new bobbed hairdo is my envy, always so sleek but oh so versatile. Her make up is beyond immaculate and everyday I strive for that Danni flawless finish! She can be rock chick one week and pretty as a princess the next. I have high hopes for Danni's clothing range, fingers crossed it's affordable as well as gorgeous! Danni - I heart you!

So there we have my top 10! Of course I could have mentioned the obvious ones, Victoria Beckham, Agyness Deyn, Kate Moss but sometimes there is not point in stating the obvious and sometimes they just become pretty pictures in a magazine rather than inspiration.

Who are in your list of top fashion icons for 2009?!

x

So, this kinda bugged me ...

A couple of weeks ago, I stopped by MAC to pick up some falsies for my Christmas night out. Christmas isn't Christmas without falsies and sparkle! I decided to keep it fairly low key for my night out though and went for semi natural looking lashes.

I knew what I was after - No.43's (below)

As described on the MAC website they are 'Wispy bundles and natural style length provide an everyday flirty fringe'.

Nothing indicates that these are individual lashes and I just KNOW already they are not.

So I let the MAC assistant know what i want - she collects them for me and says "Individual lashes, yeah?"

I say "no, they are strip lashes"

she says "no they're not, they are individual lashes, see?"

At this point, I say "No, they just have a clear band, see?"

She says "No, thats just the glue"

I know I am right but I ask "so how would you suggest I apply individual lashes that come in bundles like that?"

She says "with tweezers."

Do I need to say anymore?!! Maybe one day, just maybe I will get someone serve me in MAC who isn't clueless, arrogant, bitchy or condescending. Maybe.

Anyway, I still bought them because thankfully out of the 2 of us - one of us had a clue!!

I love them and here is a terrible photo of me donning said lashes on my night out - you barely see them but it's the only photo I have of me!

Not a great photo for getting an impression of the lashes but it won't be the last time I buy them so next time I will get a more detailed shot! Hopefully you get an idea of the natural fullness they give on the top lash.

Who else is loving lashes this Christmas?

Hasta Luego!!

I'm a bad blogger, i know it, I do!

I am off on another little jaunt abroad again, neglecting my modest little blog .... I promise when I return I will have news to share, hauls to show and products to rave about!

For those interested, I am off to Barcelona for a long weekend with my Husband! Any excuse to get away and chill out - right before Christmas too - the cheek of us! lol

Hope everyone is all organised and excited for Christmas, 7 days and counting! ;)

Burlesque Fun - High Tease & Vegas!

You may remember I told you about a Burlesque show, High Tease that I went to back in August? Well, last Saturday, High Tease arrived in Glasgow at the Old Fruitmarket for an evening of Burlesque and Cabaret followed by the ever popular club night - Vegas!

High Tease' theme for the night was 'A Christmas Carol Cabaret' and was hosted by the wonderfully intriguing Des O'Connor in the guise of Desmorphia. He played an Ebeneezer Scrooge type character and therefore was visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future who usually turned up as can-can dancers, a gay choir or a burlesque strip-tease popping out of a bow wrapped box! As usual the night was full of fun and titillation. My highlights were the Edinburgh Gay Chorus who sang 'I'm dreaming of a Shite Christmas' among other 'twisted' Christmas favourites! The Kitsch Kats also entertained with their perfectly timed yet hilarious dance routines! I love these guys and found out that night they were husband and wife - love it! I've already got Garrath practising routines with me - just need to think of a name for us now ;p

Vegas followed afterwards where the showgirls strutted their stuff in feathers and frills handing out Elvis style notes for us to gamble at the fake casino upstairs. The dancefloor was packed with people dancing to Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.

Vegas! followers know the dress code is 50's retro as is the playlist however when you add High Tease into the mix, it's time to up the ante! Some of the outfits on display were fantastic, sequins, feathers, leather, corsets - it was wonderful. Everyone made such an effort! Here are our efforts - note, the classy toilet shots!! Cos thats the way we roll!! ;)My outfit consisted of a black sequinned dress with a veiled fascinator, Henry Holland suspender tights, lots of pearls and red lippie! In the end it turned out a l'il bit 1920's flapperish! I liked it. Lorraine was looking gorgeous in her fishnets, highwaisted skirt, feather fascinator and pearls.

I also had the pleasure of meeting Sunday Blue, the gorgeous lady behind Ministry of Burlesque. I hope my tipsy exterior wasn't too off-putting but I couldn't leave without saying Hello and thank her for putting such a great show together.

My Skin Saviour ...

Up until 4 or 5 months ago I was convinced I was allergic to Estee Lauder skincare products. I found their cleanser/toner broke my skin out and dried it up to a shrivel. That is until I tried this .... my skin saviour ...
Estee Lauder DayWear Plus for normal/combination skin. I first purchased this at duty free going on holiday about 3 months or so ago. I applied it day and night on holiday and by the end of my week away my skin was looking like its old self again, revitalised, clear and hydrated!

I did think it could have been a helping hand from the Sun but I continued to use it after I came home and yup, my skin was still lovely. The only time my skin broke out in any way or started to 'play up' was when i ran out of it a couple of weeks ago! As soon as I repurchased my skin started to behave again.

DayWear Plus is described as a moisturiser with SPF which helps to 'prevent lines before they appear'. Since I have not noticed any new lines appearing I guess I will assume it's doing it's job! ;) The cream itself is an aqua colour but is clear on the skin (although there is a tinted moisturiser version of this which is great for Summer).

It contains a blend of anti-oxidants such as rare South African Red Tea, Grape Seed, and a combination of Vitamins C and E. Basically this means it moisturises, protects and re-enerigses all in one. Bonza! Ooh and it has a whiff of cucumber for that fresh feeling!

I think I will purchase the tinted version of this when the nicer weather comes in again but I would like this to remain a staple of my skincare. I also find it works great as a primer as well as making my skin looks and feels healthy - just the way I like it!

x