Wild About Beauty

Last week I went along to the Debenhams autumn/winter press launch in Glasgow.

Debenhams always put on a lovely spread for their guests and they are great at showcasing the talent from their store with the likes of Henry Holland, Pearce Fionda, Betty Jackson and Matthew Williamson to name a few.

I especially love their homeware displays that always leave me making mental wish lists for my home!

This September, Debenhams add another famous name, this time to their beauty hall, with Louise Redknapp jumping on board with her brand new and ever so gorgeous make up brand.

I have to be honest, the celebrity name didn't entice me to these products at all, in fact, a celebrity backing would normally make me a little cynical of the brand.  However, Louise was on hand herself to demonstrate how some of her new products work and I have to say, I really can't wait until this brand hits the stores at the end of the month so I can try for myself.

Wild About Beauty is a collaboration between Louise Redknapp and make up artist Kim Jacob.  As well as the reasonable mid price range, the ethos behind the products are that they are quick and easy to use for women on the go. Whether that be a busy mom or a pushed for time career girl.  Louise mentioned she has never been much of a glitter fan so the colours and textures you will find in her brand lean to a natural, flawless finish rather than overly made up, however, they are versatile enough to be able to create a dramatic look if you so wish.  Wild About Beauty is all about creating that inner glow that radiates health, happiness and natural beauty.

Louise herself was absolutely lovely and seemed really passionate about her products, especially with 2 young boys running around.  It means she has products that are quick and easy to apply even when she is rushing about on the school run.  For those of you wondering, she is just as gorgeous in real life as on TV.  She has a chic, sophisticated presence and is so petite ... you could fit her in your purse.

The must have products for me are the concealer sets which remind me a lot of Bobbi Brown concealer and also her sheer cream bronzing product 'Golden Skin Glow' which I think will give a gorgeous healthy glow to any complexion.

Wild About Beauty hits Debenhams stores at the end of September with Glasgow Debenhams being the first to carry the line.

Spray Sun

Back in June, I told you about my 'spraycation' courtesy of St Tropez - a St Tropez pop up located at a nearby shopping centre, where they had set up a one stop tan topping destination.  In other words, a spraycation.

With beach huts for spray tanning and bathing loungers set up for people to relax in and find out more about St Tropez, it was a fun idea and certainly helped me forget about the constant rain and lack of summer we have had north of the border!

Spraycation gossip

I always wear fake tan in some form, I just can't bare my pasty, freckly skin that is the subject of much mocking even in these celtic climes.  I love a spray tan and although St Tropez was one of the first self tanners I ever tried back in my popping the tanning cherry days, I have never been professionally sprayed by them, so this was a first.

I was made to feel at ease by a lovely 'celeb' tanner (who kept tight lipped about her clients) who directed me throughout the tanning process to ensure I left with a flawless, smooth, brown as a berry complexion.  After donning some paper knickers and pulling a some undignified poses, it was time for me to take a few minutes to dry off and inspect my tan in the privacy of my beach hut/booth.

My tanning hut

My tan looked lovely and didn't smell too bad either, although the next morning my bedroom did smell of soggy biscuits, I won't lie.  My only complaint is it takes a little longer to dry in comparison to other spray tans I have had.  I feared dressing back into my clothes in case it smudged the tan so I literally dashed home once I was done to slip into something more floaty and comfortable.

It seems I needn't have worried as the next morning I woke up to a flawless tan that looked natural and healthy.  It even lasted the full week and faded naturally, leaving no dark shadows or areas of product build up on my skin. Win!

My new must have tanning product

It has rekindled my affection for St Tropez as their tanning formula has evolved quite a bit from it's humble beginnings.  So much so that the St Tropez Self Tan Spray has become a staple in my tanning cabinet.  Yes... I do have a tanning cabinet.  I use the spray to give a healthy glow to my face and also top up my hands and feet with it.  It is less likely to cause streaking and only a very light spray is required.  It is a little pricey at £20 or so for a bottle but it does last quite a while if you are only using it for the occasional top up.

Do you have a favourite spray tan brand?

Primary Leopard

Autumn is probably one of my favourite seasons.  I find it hard to dress for other seasons but autumn brings me berry shades, trench coats and fabulous footwear.

The leopard print coat has been doing the rounds forever but I have always kept it at a distance but this year I am buying into it.  It's loud, camp and oh so Pat Butcher.  In my mind it's a pretty versatile item, smart, casual, it's there.

So what am I going to style it with?  Well, I just can't see past teaming it with bold and bright colours.  In my case, red and kelly green.

Leopard Print Jacket: ASOS

Smart Leopard - Trousers:H&M; Clutch bag:ASOS; Top:H&M; Studded boots: Topshop

Casual Leopard - Stripe dress/top: French Connection; Cambridge Satchel: ASOS; Wellington boots: Hunter

What would you style it with?

Lolly's of London

A few month's back I was looking for an affordable and original christening gift for my friend's new beautiful baby girl, Daisy.

I didn't want to go down the usual route of collectable silverware dummies, building blocks or teddy bears but still wanted something that held sentimental value and would become a treasured and beautiful keepsake.

I have met and got to know many wonderful and talented people via my blog/twitter and Laura who owns Lolly's of London is one of them (albeit we have never met).  Laura makes gorgeous, personalised, handcrafted gifts with a unique twist that was just perfect for the gift I was looking for.

There are a number of gorgeous pieces available at Lolly's of London but I decided to go for a handpainted canvas with Daisy's name that comes with it's own dinky bottle of Farrow & Ball paint so baby's hand and footprints can be added later at home.

Seriously, how cute?

My canvas arrived perfectly packaged with care instructions included.  Laura handcrafts all of the products herself using Farrow & Ball paint as her brand of choice.  The bonus of this is it is kind on baby's skin for creating the all important, and cute as heck, paw prints.

I am pleased to say Daisy and Mummy loved their new canvas which takes pride of place in the nursery.  You can check out Lolly's of London here.

Kingdom of Jewels

A few weeks ago the Swarovski lookbook landed on my doorstep enticing me with the new season's sparklies aptly named, Kingdon of Jewels.

I have been swamped with work at the moment so this has been my first proper opportunity to have a flick through and see what I fancy for my wish list.

According to Swarovski, 'this season reveals an aristocratic and multicultural muse whose spirited style combines heritage and modernity.  In this collection, we are led into a realm where jewellery and accessories boast a fashionable hint of rock and baroque'.

Well this appeals to the 'rock chick' in me, I love how Swarovski constantly veer away from it's fine crystal background to challenge key trends of the season by setting it's own high standard of stunning, fashionable jewellery, evolving from it's more traditional roots.

The SEXY bracelet.  I love the mix of golds, bronzes, silver and pewter in this bracelet as well as the slightly aztec look about it.  It reminds me of a Pamela Love bracelet I own, I think they would look brilliant stacked on top of one another.

The SWORD ring.  More mixed metals, which I just love. I am all for mixing up silver, golds, coppers, rose golds and pewter, I love the depth and modernity of it and teamed with a mix of textures as we do with this sword ring, it becomes the jewels that legends were made of.

The SKETCH cocktail ring.  Well everyone likes, a l'il bit of bling every now and then.  This is a real statement piece that packs a punch on it's own never mind teamed with some blingy buddies.  Made from one of my favourite stones, black agate encased with a sunburst of crystals.

Those are my top picks so far but the more I delve into this lookbook, the bigger my wish list gets, uh-oh!

Roll on payday! ;)

x

Ardanaiseig Hotel

Mr Read and I often feel we don't explore our own country enough, usually pushing it aside to go on exotic or cultural jaunts abroad.   Sometimes we forget about the beauty that lies on our own doorstep.

Last month we decided to take a trip to Argyll to stay at the Ardanaiseig Hotel as part of the Mr's birthday treat.  We heard that the hotel was very remote, overlooking the vast and beautiful Loch Awe, however, we didn't realise quite the oasis of tranquility it would be.

I was instantly hit with how deeply romantic the location and hotel is, as you make your way along the long and winding road towards the hotel.  The grounds feel and look magical with old statues placed sporadically around the gardens and an old penny farthing parked in the porch.  The views of the Loch and Ben Cruachan in the distance are breathtaking with greenery and woods all around, and even a boathouse that stands by the Loch that can be rented separately.

We strolled down to the Loch (where you can hire a rowing boat) and around the vast and stunning grounds.  We found a walled garden which took me back to my childhood reminding me of Frances Hodgson Burnett's, The Secret Garden.  We then came across some discarded tennis courts, a small graveyard and an abandoned boat.  I felt like I was in a fairytale, stumbling across treasures at every turn, imagining in wonderment how it all came to be.

The highlight of the trip was dinner, naturally ... always thinking about food, me!  The Ardanaiseig have the honour of Scotland's Chef of the Year 2011, Gary Goldie as their head chef.  Dinner is a unique culinary experience, a seven-course taster menu with much of the produce locally sourced.  In fact, a special moment as we ate our dinner overlooking the Loch, was seeing a kitchen porter out on a rowing boat, fishing for the next feed.

Shamefully, I can't remember the exact menu but I can tell you it was absolutely delicious, one of the best meals i've had in a while.  All washed down with a bottle of red wine, it was bliss!

If you ever get the chance to visit this hotel, you won't be disappointed.

x

Beatrice Boyle

I only discovered the wonders of Artist/Illustrator, Beatrice Boyle very recently.  A London College of Fashion graduate, Beatrice is known for her deconstructed photographs of models, creating dark and distressed images that are quite frankly, right up my street.

Although it has long past, when I heard she had created a capsule collection for Browns Focus I did a little more digging.  The collection featured t-shirts, vests and dresses with graphic prints inspired by her photographic work.  I luckily ended up stumbling across an eBay listing of a brand new with tags item from the collection and just had to purchase.

I haven't worn it yet and I am actually quite tempted to frame it and hang on my wall in lieu of one of Boyle's fabulously dark, deconstructed photo illustrations.

What do you think? Wear it or hang it?

x