Fab(ulous)

I am still constantly scouring online for the perfect pieces for my home.  I have truly swapped fashion for furniture as I strive to finish off my home, creating a palace fit for me and Mr Read.

One online shop, however, was way off my radar - Fab.com.   It was only brought to my attention this week but so far I am finding a whole host of treats, not only interiors inspired but also gadgets, clothes, jewellery and some fantastic gift ideas!

Fab say they are on a mission to help people better their lives with design by providing great products at reasonable prices and introducing exciting designers to it's clientele.  Products are only available for a limited time so new stock is refreshed regularly which makes this an exciting site to keep coming back to again and again. 

As you can imagine, I already have a lust list the length of my arm and have definitely spotted a few gifts that I won't be sharing on here to save any spoiled surprises!

Fab is one of the very few shopping sites I have signed up to as I know updates will be a treat of potential purchases.  You can sign up to the website here or follow Fab on facebook for updates on what new designers are on offer.

In the meantime, here is the start of my very long list of wants! 

Jambox Hex Speaker £148.  This is a brilliant little gadget, I know this as I already own one but I really love the black and gold colourway.  This speaker hooks up to your iPhone via bluetooth so you can use it to listen to iTunes, digital radio or even use as a loudspeaker when taking calls.  The sound quality is amazing for the size of the speaker, I can vouch for that!  

'Dear' Antlers by Heartelier £60.  I love taxidermy, I love neon, do I need to say anymore?

Devine Cutlery Bronze by Pandora Design £32.  I have a thing for interesting cutlery despite my own cutlery drawer remaining very plain and boring.  These are on my hit list. 

Pearl Bangle by Tiklari £35.  This is so pretty and delicate.

Thomas Cufflinks by Alice Made This £160.  Perhaps a gift for the Mister in your life?  I love the simplistic but stunning design paired with gorgeous 24 carat gold. 

Sun Therapy

Having just bought our first proper house together, the Mister and I had resigned ourselves to the fact that we may have to forego a holiday this year, something we pretty much live for.  However, enough is enough and we have already started looking around for some cheap holiday deals.

Last week we had glorious weather that stunned us all (especially up here in Glasgow), the sun was beating down most days and there were sunburn marks all round, ouch! This week however, we have had rain, hail, sleet and snow and it has just reaffirmed to me how much I need a holiday.

Despite all our money being invested in the house, it's renovations and now the hard slog of decorating ... I hope I can find a cheap holiday deal that will have me jetting off for a bit of sun, relaxation and snoozy, lazy days.

My first thought is of Spain.  My husband used to live there and we absolutely love the laid back, colourful culture.  For a chilled out week away I would love to go back to Barcelona.  Eating delicious tapas and drinking a refreshing cerveza, watching the world go by ... bliss!

Ultimately I think I would quite like  return to Ibiza this year.  Perfect for the party girl (and party boy) in me and my husband but likewise caters to our need for some serious chillaxing!  Ideal for me to dance about in the sun with neon nails and feathers in my hair :)

Sitting wrapped up on the couch just now, I am taking comfort in the hope of finding myself a cheap deal so I can look forward to a cheeky wee sunny holiday :)

Do you have holidays booked? Where are you off to this year? Go on, make me jel! ;)

x

Blonde - Classy not brassy!

I have spent the last hour looking for photos of me as a blonde.  Yup, that's right, once upon a time, I turned my back on my Titian roots and attempted to find my inner bombshell.

Unfortunately, no photos are to be found and as much as I loved the blonde it really didn't suit a pale, freckly lass like myself.  I do occasionally still reminisce about my brassy past ... and believe me it was brassy.  Home dyes and cheap salon highlights left my hair looking less than classy.

These days though, home dyes have improved in quality and colour pay off as well as being much kinder to your hair.  If you home colour your hair or are thinking of going blonde using a home dye, check out this Garnier video for Garnier Nutrisse Creme Colour....




Although specifically for blondes, Lyndell Mansfield, hair colour expert for Garnier gives some valuable tips on home dying, specifically for use with Garnier Nutrisse Creme Colour.

1) Apply to resistant areas first (e.g, areas of grey hair)
2) Apply at the root for even coverage.  Garnier Nutrisse Creme Colour comes with a precision nozzle to make this even easier!
3) Leave colour on roots for longer to ensure an even coverage
4) Use a nourishing conditioner afterwards to keep your hair smooth, shiny and in great condition
5) Always buy your home colour in advance of dying as you MUST carry out a skin test first

Hope these tips have been helpful for keeping your blonde classy not brassy! :)

x

GIVEAWAY: Serenata Flowers

A couple of weeks ago, I received some fabulous news but I had to sit on it for a while before it could be officially announced.

Well, I've now been given the nod and so I can finally tell everyone that I am going to be an Auntie again! :D This is my 11th new nephew or niece but it never gets any less exciting.

My sister in law has gone through a long and tough battle to get to where she is so it is an absolute delight to be able to share in the joy of her baby news.  I want to send her something to mark how special this news is and to wish her luck along the way so it was good timing that a pleasant idea popped up in my inbox this week.

Serenata Flowers are an online florist who offer delivery throughout the UK and beyond.  As well as floral arrangements, wine, chocolates and hampers are also available for delivery.  It's a great solution to sending a gesture of love, thanks or just a hello to someone.  As well as being quick and convenient it's lovely to be able to browse for the perfect arrangement whether someone is near or far, knowing that it will be delivered to their door as the ultimate surprise!

Having a browse, I have picked out a couple of faves which I think my sis in law would love.

The Pamper Dream Package - Mums to be should always feel pampered!

Purple Moon - This is my sis-in-laws favourite colour - this arrangement just makes me think of her!

Norma Jeane - She is a huge fan of Marilyn Monroe - these could be perfect!

Asides my sister in law, Serenata have given me an exciting opportunity to offer to readers of Saskia the Style Fairy.

Serenata are giving away a floral bouquet of your choice up to the value of £30 plus p&p for someone in your life you think deserves a little surprise.  This giveaway in particular is only open to readers in the UK and will only be delivered within the UK so please keep this in mind when entering.

All you have to do to enter is:

a) Be a follower of this blog through Google Friend Connect (if you follow through other means, please let me know as this will suffice)
b) Leave a comment in the box, finishing the poem below in your own words.

"Roses are red, Violets are blue ... (the rest is up to you!)" 

You can be as funny or heartfelt as you like and I will pick out whose poem tickles me or brings a tear to my eye the most ...

The giveaway will be open until midnight Friday 31st July.

Good Luck!

* This post was sponsored by Serenata Flowers

Eucerin - Skincare with integrity

Eucerin is a brand that has always been on my radar, with over 100 years of experience, it's hard to miss it.  I have never tried the products as although I sometimes suffer dry skin, my skin isn't sensitive enough for me to deem it necessary to purchase.

However, when asked to review it for my blog, I had a perfect guinea pig in mind.

Meet my husband, Garrath

Garrath suffers from quite severe eczema that consumes his entire body.  He mostly uses medicated lotions to help alleviate pain, flaking, itching and cuts that can be caused by his eczema.

He has so many lotions and potions that his toiletries bag is twice the size of mine if not bigger and shower times take forever.

It's meant to be us girls who take their time!

Garrath has tried many solutions over the years to no avail.  He now knows what is good for him and what isn't and despite finding some skincare from the high street, most of his skin relief is still medicated.

So, he was a little ominous when I asked him to try Eucerin as he worried this may disturb his current routine which is going okay but still not the best, with a lot of achey, flakey skin on his head, hands and particular parts of his face.  There are not many brand he puts his trust in so it was a big ask for him to give this a go.

Here is what he used and what he thought of them:

Eucerin Dry Skin Relief Shampoo with 5% Urea
Garrath's previous solution to a flakey scalp was old favourite 'Head & Shoulders' with some medicated oils for extra measure.  This helped to reduce the flakiness when his hair was first washed but after half a day or so the itching began and flakes re-appeared.  Using Eucerin, Garrath really liked the texture of the shampoo as it felt moisturising on his skin but best of all it reduced the flakiness but kept his scalp itch free for much longer.

Eucerin Dry Skin Bath & Shower 20% Omega
Garrath found the best way to use this was to dampen skin and moisturise it all over his body as he was in the shower.  This product has given him positive benefits within just a few days of use.  His skin is free from the dreaded itch and he feels it helped to lock in the moisture throughout the day.  Normally Garrath has to re-apply creams throughout the day but re-application has reduced since he has used this in his shower.

Eucerin Replenishing Face Cream and Replenishing Night Cream 5% Urea
The most noticeable difference Eucerin has made is from the face creams, both day and night versions.  Garrath always has flakiness or sore red patches on his face from his eczema.  It is rare that his skin looks well.  Since using the face creams, he has only had to apply once in the day then once at night and has also been able to stop using his medicated lotion.  No need to get up in the middle of the night to reapply face cream to alleviate tightness and dryness that interrupts his sleep.  You can also see how fresh and smooth his skin feels and looks.

All in all, Garrath loves the Eucerin products he has tried, so much so, he is going to go and purchase their anti-age range and also has some hand and foot cream to try out at home.

Admittedly he was sceptical at first but since trialling he has noticed such obvious and positive results that it looks like Eucerin will now be a permanent feature in his toiletry bag.

If you think Eucerin might be for you then you can purchase it online at Boots or straight from the Eucerin website.

Britain's Brush: Oral B Challenge Update!

So it's been nearly 4 weeks since I originally posted about the Oral B Professional Care 500 electric toothbrush and it's time to let you know what I think.

In my original post I mentioned that 9 out of 10 people who use a power brush never go back to traditional brushing... and ya know what?  I can see why.

Using the Oral B PC500 encouraged me to brush my teeth for a full 2 minutes ... not only that when concentrating on areas of the mouth for up to 30 seconds at a time, the rotating head is doing all the hard work for you and really getting into the nooks and crannies.  Every 30 seconds the brush re-rotates itself reminding you to move onto the next quarter of your mouth.  It's the toothbrush that thinks for you.

Me, my cheeser and my Oral B PC500 :D

There are different heads that come with the brush and I particularly liked the one that is a flossing aid.  It really gets in those hard to reach areas of the mouth.

My teeth feel much smoother and look more polished using the power brush.  What was especially noticeable for me was that the teeth at the back of my mouth always felt fresh and clean.  Using a manual brush I can find it hard to reach into those areas making sure all grime is removed.  

The power brush also really helps clean in about your gums where a normal toothbrush isn't as precise or easy to manoeuvre.  The battery also lasts forever, I have only had to recharge it once this past 4 weeks which I think is amazing.

Overall my mouth feels fresher, cleaner, smoother and my teeth certainly look a little bit shinier and more dazzling.  I don't want to turn my back on traditional cleaning but the power brush is definitely what I reach for first in the mornings.

In fact, while the Oral B PC500 is on special offer I have picked up a couple as gifts for friends.  What better gift than a gorgeous pearly smile?!

Did you take part in the challenge?  How did you find it?

x

Win a capsule wardrobe with ASOS/Nivea

Oooh, ladies ... here's something a l'il exciting and it's with fave online retailer ASOS.

To celebrate the launch of Nivea Invisible for Black And White Deodorant, they have teamed up with ASOS to create a delightful monochrome capsule wardrobe that can be won on the ASOS site between 18th April - 31 May.

Each week 50 lucky winners will win the 4 piece capsule range consisting of retro-esque tailoring in a classic monochromatic palette.  I have been on having a look a the range and have already spotted my firm favourite from the collection.

Usually an LBD girl ... I have gone outside my comfort zone and fallen for the LWD (Little White Dress, if you are trying to work it out ;p)  ... this gorgeous white skater style dress.  Isn't it lush?  It can be styled in so many ways and I always find the skater style flattering on my curves.  

I've used ASOS online styling tool to team this dress with killer cobalt blue heels, perfect for a summer wedding or a night on the razz :)  I have the perfect blue clutch to match too ... This is even a potential birthday outfit!

Make sure you enter the competition by going to www.asos.com/Nivea and style up your favourite from the collection to be in with a chance of winning.  With 50 winners each week, I have high hopes and my fingers crossed that one of us, if not a few, will be a winner :)

In anticipation for tonight's competition launch I decided to try out Nivea Invisible for Black and White Deodorant seeing as most days my work wardrobe consists of black and only black - a perfect road test.   It left me feeling fresh, smelling sweet and no talcy white residue left on my clothes.  WIN!  Thumbs up to a deodorant that won't stain and ruin my clothes :)

I am now off to crack open a bottle of wine, eat cake and do a bit of an ASOS splurge ... and that's even before the bestie gets here!  Ah well, she will just need to catch up ... I'll try and remember to leave some cake for her ... and some ASOS stock ... if she's lucky! ;)

x

Britain's Brush

Taking care of your teeth is a big deal and making sure your teeth look and feel clean as well as maintaining the health of your gums should be top of your priority list.  

Your smile can brighten up a room so why not take care of it?

Oral-B have set a challenge to the nation with their 'cool Britannia' campaign, hoping to get us all on board using power brushes as opposed to a traditional manual brush. 

A Patriotic toilet bag for all my power brush bits and bobs :)

Power brushes are proven to remove twice as much plaque compared to a manual and 9 out of 10 people who have used a power brush would not want to go back to traditional methods.

I was chosen along with a handful of bloggers to take part in the Oral-B Power Challenge, trialling the PC 500 Power Brush for a month, brushing twice a day for 2 minutes at a time.  For your convenience, this high tech toothbrush even had a timer on it to let you know when you are done with each quarter of your mouth (30 seconds each) so you can't go wrong.

I am particularly excited about this as I have never used a power brush before.  A few years ago I had my teeth professionally bleached so it's really important I keep my teeth and gums healthy so they always look their sparkling best.   Your teeth and smile are a big part of your overall appearance and just as we dress nicely, like to do our hair and lust after that life changing lippie, we should pay the same level of attention to our bobby dazzlers ... makes sense. 

My new super duper power brush 

Oral-B's dental ambassador, Dr James Russell offers some tips for those taking up the challenge but also for general dental awareness:

FLOSS: You must floss once a day to achieve optimum oral health

BRUSH: Twice a day for 2 minutes

CURB SNACKING: Oucha! this is a hard one but by snacking on things like cheese, raw veg and breadsticks rather than sugary sweets this will be better for our teeth. 

AVOID: Fizzy drinks - high in sugar and very acidic which can lead to errosion of tooth enamel (bye bye diet coke :( )

If you too fancy joining in this power brush challenge, between March and May you can buy the Oral-B Professional Care 500 for a special half price offer of £22.50 at all major retailers. 

I will keep you posted how I get on with the power brush in a month's time.  

Anyone else use a power brush? Do you have any tips for use?

x

Kissable lips with Nivea Hydro Care

Can you believe we are already in February? ... the month of Luuurrrvve!

That's right Valentine's Day is just around the corner and if you want to be guaranteed of a smooch on the most loved up day of the year, you better get those smackers in tip top shape.

I'll be honest Valentine's Day isn't sold on me but soft, supple, kissable lips is.

On Valentines day I hope to be stealing a kiss from this man ....

My husband - schwing! :)

... who comes a close second to this man ;) ...

James Franco ... Double Sch-wiiiing! ;)

...Keep dreaming!

I have been using Nivea Hydro Care Lip salve for the past 2 weeks now having been sent it for review purposes.  I had been suffering from dry lips due to the cold snap but during the day I never remember to apply a lip salve or balm to lips, usually opting for another coat of gloss which in fact ends up drying out lips even more.

I apply Nivea Hydro Care at night time before going to bed and also keep it sitting on my desk at work during the day to remind me to use it when lips are feeling particularly dehydrated.  This is a lovely salve to apply and doesn't layer on too thick at all.  It leaves a nice shine and a moisturising, hydrated feeling on the lips.  After a few days my dry lips had greatly improved, therefore the bright lipstick has come out instead of my neutral cover up I have been sporting for the past while.

Because it quickly absorbs and is non greasy it makes a good balm to wear underneath a lipstick, especially brights if you want to tone them down a little or prevent them from drying out your lips.

Nivea Hydro Care is available at Boots for around £2.

So who's your dream lip locker this V Day?

x

Nivea Pure & Natural

As a teenager, my mum told me that Marilyn Monroe's secret to beautiful skin was Nivea moisturiser.  My mum uses it, she has wonderful skin and ever since I have used it too.

Recently, I have done a bit of googling on the subject and evidence seems to point to the fact that Marilyn did indeed use Nivea moisturiser and there is even photographic evidence on the matter.  She was a beauty - is it any wonder I wanted to follow in her footsteps?  I use Nivea Soft Moisturising Cream everyday before applying my make up and my skin is usually (touch wood) in good shape.

Obviously Nivea as a brand has evolved and grown since the days of Ms. Monroe so I was extra pleased to be asked to try out some new products from a brand I have trusted and has been part of my daily routine for so many years.

Nivea Pure & Natural has been developed by scientists to deliver incredible results with natural ingredients at an affordable price.  95% of the ingredients are of 'natural origin' and are free from parabens, silicones, colourants and mineral oils.  The lead ingredient in these products is Argan oil which contains 3 times as much Vitamin E than Olive oil and is a natural antioxidant.  

I was sent the the facial cleanser and toner which are priced at £3.36 along with the anti-wrinkle day and night face care priced at £8.49.

Now to fill you in, I don't have a hard and fast cleansing routine.  I try earnestly to remove all my make up at the end of the day, even after nights out but every now and then i do slip up.  Usually slipping up means I have resorted to facial wipes but in my mind even this is better than nothing.  More often than not though, I cleanse, tone and moisturise before bedtime.  I have no particular brand I stick to, I have tried lots over the years but I am yet to find my Holy Grail.

Nivea Pure & Natural Cleansing Lotion & Toner

For the last month I have used the Nivea Pure & Natural cleanser and toner before bedtime.  The cleanser is a white formula that feels just like a moisturiser.  There is little to no scent.  I massage this lotion all over my face and massage gently over my eyes and lashes.  I then use a cotton pad to remove.  I usually double cleanse with this particular product which is something that has been recommended to me by most facialists I have encountered.  I then use the toner by splashing straight onto a cotton pad and sweeping over my face lifting any excess make up residue.

The lovely thing about this new routine is how cool and soothing they feel on the skin as well as super nourishing.  Even before I put my moisturiser on, my skin feels soft and hydrated. 

Nivea Pure & Natural Anti-wrinkle day and night cream

After cleansing I go on to use the anti-wrinkle night cream from the Nivea Pure & Natural collection. The anti-wrinkle collection not only contains argan oil but also Burdock Fruit which contains arctiin which has been discovered to support the synthesis of collagen in the skin.  I apply my usual oils to my face and once settled I apply the night cream.  It is quite a thick, rich cream but doesn't feel too heavy on the skin.  I wake up with my skin feeling firm and looking smooth, radiant and most importantly awake!

The anti-wrinkle day cream is the only product I haven't tested as extensively as the rest.  Unlike my Nivea soft moisturising cream, it doesn't sit so well under my make up, however as I had a few weeks ill with flu after New Year, I was able to use this cream every day while I was make up free.  Instead of my skin looking dull and feeling grey under the blues of my sickness, it kept a subtle radiance and felt hydrated and nourished despite how I was feeling.

Personally I am really excited about this Nivea launch, a brand I have a real bond with can now provide me with so much more than my tried and tested moisturiser, a 95% natural range at a fantastic price too.  I am not sure if it's in my Holy Grail category just yet but it is definitely a repurchase collection for me.

You can find more information on these products at the Nivea website http://www.nivea.com/.  The Nivea Pure & Natural collection is available from the 20th February and you can purchase at Boots stores and online at Boots.com.

Olay's Big British Beauty Poll - The Results!

Back in September I blogged about Olay's Big British Beauty Poll here ... and 20,000 female, beauty obsessed opinions later, we have the results!

Some of the opinions are quite an interesting read.

When it comes to skincare, 50% of women placed importance on youthful looking skin and less than 10% voted for toned body, bright eyes, shiny hair, good teeth etc. So good skin prevails.

Therefore it's not surprising that Botox no longer has the must have appeal it once had with the popularity of anti-ageing facials reigning supreme followed by microdermabrashion and facial peels.

And when it came to your all time beauty icon, hands down winner was everyones favourite classic beauty - Audrey Hepburn. She was followed by the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren and Grace Kelly. With Chery Cole, Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie featuring as the most popular new faces.

Jessica Rabbit didn't even feature in the top 10!! Tut ;)

To view the full results click on the link

http://www.olaybigbritishbeautypoll.co.uk/

And of the 13,000 women who tried and tested Olay Regenerist 3-point super serum, a whopping 98% would recommend to a friend. Now that's a result!

It's proven to firm skin and contains the highest levels of penta-peptides and vitamin B3 complex to deliver maximum firming and hydration benefits.

So not only have Olay listened to and understand the views of the buyer they are also hosting their first live wavecast - an interactive q&a with a panel of leading beauty experts.

It takes place tomorrow (Thursday 25th November) at 4pm.

To take part all you need to do is go to http://www.olaybigbritishbeautypoll.co.uk/ at 4pm tomorrow and have all your beauty questions answered.

x

Mango Mix and Match

A bit like a pick'n' mix, Mango now have a mix and match facility on their website, and let me tell you, it's as addictive as a pick 'n' mix!

Until now I have played around on websites such as polyvore creating dream outfits for myself or saving ideas of future wardrobe purchases but the difference with Mango's version is that it offers you up a model in her underwear to clothe head to toe in your fantasy clothing combinations.

It's a pretty cool tool but I do wish I could change up the models hair and make up a l'il bit ... she looks a bit bland without some zesty orange lippy or ombre hair ;) Nevertheless she is a great clotheshorse for trying different garments together and in my case, creating the beginnings of a capsule wardrobe.

I decided to put my model in a jumpsuit... they are my absolute fashion flavour of the day. Oversized baby grows to some, stylish and sassy to me. So here is my model in her jumpsuit teamed with some peeptoe platforms, a casual leather jacket, oversized handbag, chunky leopard print bracelet and a trilby.

This is the kind of outfit I could get away with to the office but easily translates well in a more casual situation, either shopping or hitting a bar with friends for cocktails. Effortless chic.

What I really like about the application is when you choose a garment, it lists it for you along with the price so you can tote up how much you could potentially spend on the outfit. You can start your own outfit at the mango website by clicking here.

So what do you think of this outfit? Why don't you have a go and post your own fantasy wardrobes, I would love to see!

x

BaByliss Wavy Wand - GIVEAWAY!

Now that I have my new ombre hair (which I am loving!), I find it generally suits a wave better than straight. These are the kind of Ombre waves I crave.

I am useless at creating waves and curls with my regular ghd's so I normally use a very old pair of Babyliss tongs. I have toyed with idea of getting a conical wand for ages and just when I had decided to part with my cash and buy one, Babyliss go and bring out another wonder tool to the market.

It's the Babyliss Waving Wand. It is similar to a conical wand but shaped slightly different. It comes with a heat protection glove and reaches a temperature of 200C but with 5 different heat settings which is perfect for us wanting to reduce the level of heat used on our tender locks.

There is no clamp on the barrel which always makes me wonder how long you have to sit there holding your hair in place over the heat but take a look at this video and you will see how fast and effective the waving wand is. You literally only hold it to your hair a few seconds and a wonderful wave is created. I NEED this in my life!

The Babyliss Waving Wand costs £30 and is available from Boots and Argos but you lucky things get the chance to win one for free! YAY!

Now there are 2 ways of winning this competition you can leave a message in the comments simply stating 'wave your magic wand Fairy!' or you can tweet me @Saskiafairy stating 'enter me for the waving wand #Babyliss'.

It would also be lovely if you were a follower of this blog otherwise you just look a teensy bit rude.

Please only enter once as multiple entries will not be counted. I will be using random.org to generate the winner.

The competition closes at midnight on Friday 8th October, winners will be announced shortly after!

Oh and if the waving wand is not for you, Babyliss have also brought out another 2 products; Big Hair and Root Boost.

You can win Root Boost on Girlinthecity's blog so swing on by and check that out if that's more up your street.

GOOD LUCK!

x

All Saints ... Luxury Leather

Winter is being thrust upon us and it's quite possible we won't see Autumn at all (at least up here in Scotland) ... so it can only mean one thing. I must get my Autumn/Winter wardrobe sorted.

Last week I took a look in my wardrobe and was quite literally overwhelmed by the amount of clothes I own but don't wear so I decided to to take the step to downsize. I separated the good from the bad and got rid, however a lot of the good (and some of it was really great) that was left behind no longer fits! See, losing weight does have a down side :(

One of the items I was devastated to lose was my All Saints Daisy Bomber Jacket. I bought this a couple of years ago but have now lost so much weight it drowns me.

For me, All Saints purchases are an investment. You are buying luxury and a dose of attitude, although it sits in the higher end of high street affordability - the quality and life you get from the garment pays for itself. You can also guarantee when you buy from All Saints that you won't walk down the street and see 6 different people in the same piece unlike some other high street brands, as All Saints never follows the typical trends that other stores succumb to each season.

Over the years All Saints have grown and grown. I remember a time when my only chance of stepping in an All Saints store was to take a trip to Londons Carnaby Street so there has always been a great deal of exclusivity about the brand. Nowadays most major UK cities have their own stand alone store and they have even expanded to the U.S which is a mean feat for any British brand.

So what am I trying to say? Well, I need a new leather jacket of course, to replace my beloved Daisy bomber and I am heading straight back to All Saints for their leather jackets are so soft and buttery, super comfortable and gorgeous. Expensive these jackets may be but when you weigh it up against other high street competitors, often there is not a major price difference but there is a distinct bridge between style and quality that All Saints wins hands down.

All Sants Leathers by saskiathesalsafairy featuring a leather jacket

I have narrowed it down to 3 choices so far. The Datya Jacket, the cobra bomber and the Lana leather jacket. The bomber would be the obvious choice to replace the jacket I have lost but I quite like the biker style of Lana which is a classic shape that I will get years of wear from. However, the front runner at the moment is the Datya which would suit a layered winter look both casual and formal.

I think I might pop into All Saints today and try these jackets on.

Whats your favourite? Do All Saints feature on your top shops to buy from?

x

The Big British Beauty Poll

This week Olay launched it's Big British Beauty Poll and as a beauty blogger this gives me hope that brands are actually listening to us - the consumer.

Olay are looking to engage beauty and skincare consumers in the UK between the ages of 18-65 to find out their views on beauty brands, cult products, skincare concerns and consumer behaviour. Basically, what floats our boats and motivates us to buy a product. A 'beauty census' if you will.

In the midst of all this, the poll is also hoping to discover the nations all time icon of beauty and also offering 500,000 women in the UK the chance to trial, rate and review Olay's latest and most effective super serum.

You hear that? There is no celebrity telling us how amazing it is, Olay are asking you to tell them what you think of it!

I have just taken the poll today and what interests me the most are questions relating to our motivation in buying a product. Is it a celebrity endorsement? a magazine? an advert?

My answer was none of the above, what motivates me to buy a product and truly believe in it, is recommendation from friends, family and an even more valuable source of this day and age - blogs!

I know I can log on and get a genuine review of a product by reading the thoughts and opinions of real people who take the time to write about their passion - beauty, skincare, fashion ... whatever it may be. Like an old friend or your sister recommending the latest must have lipstick or eye serum, beauty bloggers engage in a community that is a large circle of friends who can be trusted to give you their honest thoughts, good or bad, on a product.

Bloggers take time to trial products, photograph them, sometimes we even get to see the gory before and wonderful after photographs as evidence of how well a product works. It truly is an invaluable source of beauty knowledge and at the best of times, a lovely community to be involved in.

As for my choice of beauty icon ... well, don't laugh but my ultimate beauty isn't even a real person. For me she is the ultimate glamourpuss, has a figure to die for and she just happens to be a redhead. She's sassy, strong and loyal to her man. Have you guessed yet? ... yup, it's Jessica Rabbit!

You can take part in The Big British Beauty Poll until 20th October 2010 so log on and let Olay know what your views are.

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Holidays are coming ....

We are in the height of Summer but as I type, the rain is lashing off my lounge windows and there is a dull grey layer covering the sky. Where is our summer, Glasgow?? Where is it?



Well, I will be going abroad this year to find my sun but this means my skin will be on display so I need to make sure it's looking tip top and fuzz free.

I usually go by the old fashioned method of using a razor to de-fuzz but on my last holiday I decided to try a leg wax. I didn't like it. It was painful, sticky, intrusive (i had to listen to the therapist rant on about her 'gas' problems) and to be honest the results were not only rubbish in the sense that I was still a bit hairy afterwards but it hardly lasted a week before I had to get the shears out again.


This time I am going to venture into something that I find scarier than waxing and that's ..... EPILATION.


The word sends a shiver down my spine. I will never forget my friend Julie getting an epilator for Christmas and returning it the following week because she couldn't stand the pain. However, I do live by a 'no pain no gain' attitude and I really want to see if this works for me.

I am going to be trying out the Philips Satin Perfect epilator.






The new Philips Satin Perfect has an extra-wide head which enables it to remove more hair in one stroke, giving you long-lasting smoothness, faster. Its high performance discs are made of textured ceramic material, which gently grip and remove even finest hairs

I am hoping for a longer lasting result than waxing or shaving and a much smoother finish. I realise it may be a little uncomfortable but Philips say that this 'gently' grips and removes the hair so I am putting my faith in the brand not to disappoint.


Feel free to join me on my mission for perfectly smooth summer skin as I take you on my epilation adventures!


Any tips for using an epilator are very welcome and I hope to share my own tips with you in the coming weeks once I have fully reviewed Philips Satin Perfect.



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