Shoulder to Shoulder

I am a big fan of shoulder embellishment - always have been.  Hence my feathered cape, fur cape, plethora of crystal shouldered tees and love for shoulder pads... I love the arrogance, the glam and the confidence that comes with strong shoulders, harking back to the days of the 'power suit'.

Images like this simply encourage my love of the shoulder embellishment and take it to a new level in the form of an ornamental decoration or costume jewellery.  I believe this is called Epaulettes but if anyone would like to correct me feel free.

Natalie Portman looking fierce

I have seen a few celebrities sporting the look from Natalie Portman to Gaga but I was completely sold after seeing a truly exquisite pair at the Scottish Fashion Awards.

My jaw literally dropped in awe of the breathtaking adornment gracing the ever so chic shoulders of Swarovski Creative Director, Nathalie Colin at this years Awards.  Laden with swarovski crystal naturally, the beautiful work of art cupped Natalie's shoulders connecting with sparkling chains garnishing the decolletage.

You can just about see Nathalie's shoulder decoration pictured here at the Scottish Fashion Awards 2011.

So this really brings me onto - how can I find me some of this shoulder bling?  I have toyed with making my own but can't work out the best materials to use.  The wonders of Etsy has led me to stumble across some absolutely stunning epaullettes but at sky high prices.  Is it worth it?

Absolutely stunning and ever so Gaga, I love the juxtaposition of the spikes and crystal while an array of chains drape the body.  You can find this for sale on Esty here.

Another stunning pair found at the same Etsy store have a more military feel.

I love how these ornamental creations can be worn over clothing or on bare shoulders.  It beats a statement pair of earrings anyday.  They can so easily transform the simplest of outfits into something quite spectacular and certainly attention grabbing.

 I am pondering over whether they are really worth the cost or if I can find a cheaper supplier elsewhere.  I have got to get me a pair of these one way or another so the search will continue until I exhaust every avenue.

Has anyone else come across these delights and can recommend a retailer?  Even better - any DIY tips?

x

On my way to Geordie Shore

With my holiday still a long way off, I am breaking up a bit of summer with a trip to Newcastle to visit some special girls in my life.

Well, Gateshead to be exact then a trip to Leeds for a big birthday bash!  Today I have made mental notes, sketches and lists of what to wear, what make up will be required and what needs to be done in prep.  This is how I stay organised.

As well as the DIY mani, pedi, hair zshoosh and fake tanning sesh this evening, I need to pack my pre-styled outfits into one measly hand carrier.

Instead of preaching to you on packing light ... (I am still in the process of mastering this but will hopefully have some tips by my next big holiday) I thought I would show you some of the outfits I will be taking for day and evening.

I have been assured by Mr Weatherman that the weather will hold out and we will indeed be in for a sunny weekend so I think it's probably a good time to get the legs out again.

White denim shirt dress: Motel at ASOS
Studded belt: purchased in Philadelphia
Crossover stone bag: Topshop
Multi colour beaded bracelet: Mango.
Trainers: Nike at Urban Outfitters

During the day I expect we will be doing a bit of shopping, lunching and the odd cocktail.  Comfort is always the key when you are up to a bit of shenanigans so I have gone for a simple summer dress that is reminiscent of Wimbledon season.

Fringed Top: ASOS
Denim studded shorts: Miss Selfridge
Fringed sandals: Warehouse
Bag: Topshop
Bangle: Miss Selfridge
Ring: Ydeltuyt
Necklace: H&M

Another daytime outfit tailored for comfort again.  I love wearing this for afternoons in a beer garden and the odd boat rave when they come around.  It is such a comfy combo that it will serve me well for farewell drinks and my train home.  The top was a bargain purchase a few years ago from ASOS and it has to be my most worn item of clothing - it can be worn in many different ways, casual and glam.  I adore fringing reflected on the top and sandals - gah, I am so 80's sometimes!

I love this bag, it was a gift from my friend Stacie. It's so versatile and seems to go with everything.  It has a real festival feel about it and I think the blue stone in the centre is just gorgeous.

Brazilian print dress: Warehouse
Blue platform shoes:  Carvela
Blue clutch bag:  Zara
Bangles and cuff: Mango and Warehouse
Earrings:  Miss Selfridge
Selection of rings from H&M, Primark, Ydeltuyt and Accessories Online

It wouldn't be a big fat Geordie weekend without a party outfit in tow.  This dress is a recent purchase from Warehouse, I love the clashing pattern and colours throughout so I have tried to clash some of the accessories too without becoming too much of a muddle.  There is a slight twist in the front of the dress and so too in the bag which complements it nicely.

So all there is for it now is to get the vino chilled, the falsies at the ready and an endless supply of instant fake tan for these pasty ol' legs of mine!!

Wish me luck!

Tonight I will attempt the '30 day shred' ... a 30 minute workout to be completed daily that promises quick results.  I have heard a lot of good things (weight loss, inch loss) and bad things (gruelling workout and Jillian is a bitch!) but most of all I have heard only reports on great results from it. 

I am planning on doing the 'shred' in conjunction with my current gym routine and some military fitness classes that I will start on Wednesday night so I really do need all the luck I can get.  

I hope I can still walk by the end of the week! 

Who else has tried the 30 day shred?  How did you find it?

x

Hairspiration 2

I think i've always lusted after beach waves but I don't have the kind of hair that lends itself well to that effortlessly tousled fashion.

That niggling desire for carefree, casual locks has started haunting my dreams again and the more I think about it and the more images of luscious, sexy beach hair I see - I am starting to think it could be possible but maybe it just takes a little more effort than it looks.

Florence combines a block fringe and beach waves - perfect juxtaposition

I aim for a look like Drew - complete with hair feathers

Isla Fisher has beach waves down to a T

Christina Hendricks has a more glam approach

Oh, I did have beach waves once upon a time! ;)

Could it be that my aspiration for easy, breezy, beautiful locks take a lot more effort that meets the eye? 

I definitely don't have the type of hair that can be left to dry naturally.  Although I have natural waves, my hair needs a bit of teasing to keep it look thick and healthy, without that it would just look drab and lifeless.  

I have a couple of salt spray products in the form of Bumble and Bumble and Trevor Sorbie to try out and hope they will help my waves stay in place.  I also have the Babyliss waving wand for some extra oomph.  I think some thickening products also wouldn't go amiss. 

How do you achieve beach waves?

x

Scottish Fashion Awards 2011: What they wore

I have cavorted my own outfit for you and let you in on some of the highlights of the evening but here's a peek at what the other guests were wearing.

Shirley Bassey in Graeme Black (Sir Billi Tartan)

Samantha Cameron in a wonderful Christopher Kane dress
Event founder Tessa Hartmann in a gorgeous Holly Fulton gown

Brix in Christopher Kane and a swarovski crystal saltire clutch

Skins Freya Mavor won Style Icon of the year
wearing Pringle of Scotland

Henry Holland in House of Holland

There were some fabulous outfits that I am yet to spot photos of online, one of which is the creative director of Swarovski, Nathalie Colin, who wore crystal shoulder embellishments which are just to die for!

Along with the spectacular there were also the flops but I will leave that for you to judge.

And just for a bit of eye candy on a Sunday morning, here's David Gandy ...

You can check out David's blog on the SFA's on Vogue.com here.

x

Scottish Fashion Awards 2011: The results are in!

My evening at the Scottish Fashion awards started in a cocktail bar, Browns, to be exact with the gorgeous Morven and Ann, all dolled up and ready to strut our stuff with the best of Scotland's fash pack.

Morven and Ann having a bit of cocktail action

Best cocktail ever!

Unfortunately for us the champagne bar had run dry by the time we arrived at the actual event but a little bit of mingling and scoping our fellow guests was fun in itself.

Dame Shirley Bassey received most adoration of the night in her Graeme Black dress designed with Sir Billi Tartan and a sporran handbag.  Dolly Jones, Hilary Alexander and Paula Reed made up the fashion glossy gliteratti.  Henry Holland, Jonathan Saunders and Holly Fulton were Designers of note on the evening with many of the guests sporting their threads.  David Gandy, Brix Smith-Start and Lulu also added charisma and sparkle to the festivities.  Guests of honour and both equally inspirational in their fields were Hilary Alexander who won a surprise award and the God-like Rankin who was thoroughly down to earth!

Ann and I posing in front of the media board

Before we knew it, the awards ceremony was well underway in the iMax cinema at the Glasgow Science Centre.  

The exciting winners of the evening were Jonathan Saunders who won Designer of the Year, Henry Holland - International Designer of the Year, Hilary Alexander - Fashion Ambassador,  Bebaroque - Accessory designer of the year, Harris Tweed - Textile Designer of the Year, Henrietta Ludgate - Young Designer of the year and the most prestigious of the awards, Rankin winning the Hall of Fame award.

Henry Hollands entourage so to speak brought an infectious party spirit to the awards, whooping in applause at Hollands win!  And, it was heartwarming when Hilary Alexander was surprised with her award as Fashion Ambassador, giving credit to her support of the Scottish Fashion Awards.  It was also endearing to listen to Rankin confess to his nerves on the evening and how proud he was to be picking up an award.

The evening progressed on to a wonderful 3 course dinner, interesting chat and lots of bubbly.  I was fortunate enough to be at a table full of characters from the world of fashion retail, journalism and tv.  I met the lovely Mark Hayes, GMTV stylist, who was so down to earth and kept us amused with stories of how he is often mistaken for Jason Gardner of Dancing on Ice fame.

Mark Hayes and moi

Morven chatting to Jonathan and Daniel of Garcons de Glasgow

Brix, Morven and myself
(grey blob is not hiding a nip, it's an error i couldn't be bothered to fix!)

After dinner we were treated to a wonderful catwalk show by Swarovski.  Sparkling models sashayed down the purple glitter catwalk in the most wonderful creations covered in bling.  I love my sparkle and I  lusted after every piece that pounded the floor before me.

Jonathan Saunders

Dolly Jones and Jonathan Saunders

Highlight of my night was getting to meet the amazing Jonathan Saunders who I mentioned in a prior post, I knew a long time ago in passing.  It was lovely to reacquaint myself with him and congratulate him on his award.

It was a long but fabulous evening full of glamour and sparkle.  It's fair to say I peaked far too early and by the time the after party got in full swing, I was probably tucked up in bed with a half eaten tunnocks caramel wafer from my goody bag, by my side.

You just can't buy class!

x

Scottish Fashion Awards 2011: What I Wore

Before I go into any level of detail about the awards like how fabulous Shirley Bassey looked,  how HAWT David Gandy is, how Henry Holland and his entourage brought the party, the lump in my throat when the wonderful Hilary Alexander won Fashion Ambassador or how much an honour it was to finally get to speak to Jonathan Saunders, I thought I would first show you what I wore to the event.

My evening started with a wardrobe dilemna - 2 weeks away from the gym had taken their toll and my jumpsuit had become a little tight round the edges shall we say.  I had to just make do and roll with it though.  This is the same outfit I wore for my birthday (I wore the same thing twice!! Quelle Horreur!)

Navy jumpsuit: Topshop
Shoes: Aldo
Fur Stole: Vintage Ebay
Earrings: Oasis
Rings: Karen Millen, Vivienne Westwood and some others picked up in stalls or abroad

I was hoping to wear some fabulous Warehouse accessories and a gorgeous Warehouse bag but unfortunately for me they were not in store.  I managed to make do with some last minute bits and bobs from elsewhere, including a cuff that fellow blogger Ann managed to pick me up after she learned of my accessory panic!!

Somehow I went from looking half decent and being quite pleased with my outfit to looking like a heffalump by the time photos were taken at the event.  Hmmph! Not quite sure how that happens but I'm hoping it's nothing the gym won't fix.

 For my make up I wanted a bright pink lip to match my nails which were painted in GOSH Flamingo.  I had forgotten what a fabulous shade this is!

I did my own hair up for the evening by trying to channel Chanel's catwalk look.  I literally scooped all my hair into a high ponytal, backcombed the pony to within an inch of it's life then scooped it all around the base, pinning with a few bobby pins here and there.  Naturally half a tonne of hairspray was added for extra peace of mind!

Face: Chanel AquaLumiere
Cheeks:  Nars Laguna, Nars Orgasm and a touch of Illamasqua Erzule
Eyes: MAC Brule, MAC Charcoal Brown (crease), MAC Blacktrack, Estee Lauder Blue Dahlia (Darkest blues mixed and layered over eyeliner).  MAC Haute & Naughty Mascara
Lips:  MAC Longwear Lipcreme in Love Forever

That's a lot of MAC!

I decided to forego false lashes but by the end of the night I wish I had worn them although sometimes it's nice to give the eyes a rest.

This is usually a failsafe outfit for me as jumpsuits are so comfortable.  Needless to say by the end of the evening my feet were killing me.

My fellow blogger gals who accompanied me to the do... Ann at Girl in the City and Morven from Cats and Rocking Chairs did not disappoint as they looked absolutely stunning.

More pics to come of all of us and a few schlebs too ;)

x