Tuesday 29 November 2011

A glance at Topshop's SNO skiwear collection

From fab jackets to stylish faux fur headwear, this years SNO collection at Topshop is as good as ever. Featuring a range of classic styles in white and black, with a dash of yellow thrown in for those of you who want to bring a bit of sunshine to the slopes!

All the items below can be purchased online from the Topshop website.

Friday 25 November 2011

Get Festive with the Top Christmas Beauty Buys of 2011

It is November and so finally I can start talking about Christmas!
Although I shall try not to overdo it...

I thought I'd start by mentioning some of the festive beauty treats, currently hitting the shelves.


Chanel's Christmas Collection has launched and this year it features a new eye palette, Les 4 Ombres "Tentation Cuivree", offering two light and two dark shades, in bronze and rose colours. For a seductive evening look, wear them damp, creating a smokey-eyed effect, for a daytime look, wear dry and blended together. Although it isn't necessarily a bargain at £35, it will last you a long time and so is definitely worth splashing out on.



Meanwhile, Mac is turning all glitter and ice, as it launches its holiday collection. My favourite is Dazzlesphere!, with mini kits for lips, eyes and nails. Packaged in clear, bauble-like spheres, they are ideal Christmas gifts or unique tree decorations with an added bonus! The colours range from cool silvers to warming bronzes, and at just £25.50 each, they are well worth it.



If it's the perfect rouge lipstick you're looking for, try YSL's Rouge Pur Couture Golden Lustre in Pur Hellios. A festive shade, great for the Christmas party or for brightening up a winter outfit. They retail at £22.50 and are available in a variety of different colours. This shade shall sit alongside Mac's Lady Danger in my make up bag.

 For tips on how to wear your red lipstick, watch this video with Sali Hughes , the Guardian's beauty expert...

                                                                                                                                                                            
If you're not feeling brave enough for vixen lips, then red nail varnish could do the trick. This Christmas duo from Illamasqua 'Untold & Ruthless', can be worn individually or applied together for a more glitzy evening look. Give those talons some power and passion with these fab polishes. At £20 I can justify the price, knowing I'll be getting a set of polishes which are long lasting and remarkably chip resistant.



I am a self confessed addict of Estee Lauder's Bronze Goddess body oil, so was delighted to find that Guerlain have brought out something similar for Christmas. Meet Vol de Nuit Powder Spray. It is based on the scent of the original perfume, which was launched in 1933, but it has been relaunched with a twist. The packaging is a more glamorous version of the original and contains a light pigmented powder, which when sprayed on the skin leaves a shimmer. £49.50 for 17.5g.

Each Christmas I always end up buying something from Urban Decay's holiday collection, and this year will be no different. The 2011 collection is as good as ever and I have already set my eyes on the long awaited, Book of Shadows IV and the Sparkling Lickable Body Powder, yes that's right it is edible! The Book of Shadows are always popular but this edition tops the lot, featuring a mini speaker so you can plug in your phone and listen to music as you beautify yourself...genius. The book features 16 shadows in a variety of shades, and includes 10 exclusives, available only in this palette. It also features an eyeshadow primer, black liquid eyeliner and mascara, for just £46. If this isn't enough, the palette comes complete with a 'Get The Look' QR card, which offers step by step tutorials on how to use the eye shadows to achieve different looks.


The Sparkling Lickable Powder is also amazing. Although it has existed long before now, the new snazzy packaging hasn't. The new, smaller and sleeker boxes make these perfect gifts. Available in two flavours/scents, honey (golden shimmer) and marshmallow (silver shimmer), costing £14 each. They're an exciting alternative to your standard shimmer body dust and the fact you will be edible makes them all the more fun!                                           

There's nothing better than soaking in the bath on a wintry Christmas evening, and Philosophy do the best and most delicious smelling bubble baths. I love the Gingerbread one, but if you want to get into the festive spirit, then Tinsel Town, which has a berry scent, is perfect. Lovely packaging always wins me over, and the box for this one is no exception. It is £14 for the full sized bottle, or alternatively get the set, which includes a smaller bottle and a high shine lip gloss for just £16. Again if you're stuck for gift ideas, these make ideal presents.




I hope this has given you some festive ideas for gifts and beauty treats for you and your loved ones! Just remember they may not be around for ever so it's best to snap them up quick and in time for Christmas!

Bye for now,
Olivia xxx

Monday 14 November 2011

Winter Warmers

With Christmas fast approaching and the weather turning nippy, it is time to get out with the old (spring attire) and in with the new (winter woollies)!

I know I always over-buy on jumpers, boots, winter coats etc, so this post is to give you some ideas for staple buys worth investing in. They are versatile and can be worn again and again. Moreover they will most probably become the winter staples you can't live without!


This year I have invested in a few good pairs of leather knee boots, including this pair from All Saints, which I love. I wouldn't normally go for such a high style as I'm quite short and they aren't always flattering but these have a wider top so don't cling to your thigh and just sit on the knee. More importantly they are so comfy, and the leather inside is really soft. At £250 they are a bit pricey but they are timeless and you should get a lot of wear out of them.



As it turns colder I tend to rely on trusty jeans and leggings, although I end up getting tired of them. So this year I've been looking for some jersey or woollen dresses that can be worn with tights. I found this one from H&M, its a bargain at £14.99 and could be dressed down with ballet pumps or boots or dressed up with heels, and a statement necklace or clutch.



Another item I am still desperate for is a shearling jacket. There are a number of amazing ones, including this shearling gilet from Reiss. It's a splurge at £495 and is currently a sell out so tricky to get your mitts on!


But there are some good and less expensive high street versions, such as this backless one from Versace's new range at H&M.


There is still a lot of tweed around this season and if you have already invested in a Chanel-esque jacket and want something a bit different, then this tweed sweater from Zara, for £59.99 may be the perfect alternative. The buttons down the back add interest and again the sweater can be worn during the day or in the evening. It needs little accessorising at the top speaks pretty much for itself.



The White Company are notorious for their lovely knitwear collection and the cashmere wrap cardigans are perfect at any time of the year, but if you're looking for an excuse to buy one, now is the time! Wear over a long sleeved top with a chunky scarf or snood, and you'll be snug as a bug. They are also perfect to wear around the house, get into the Christmassy mood and wear over your pj's with thick woolly socks. This open waterfall cashmere cardigan is in the sale priced at £140, it is also available in black or moss.



All-in-one pyjama suits, you either love them or you hate them. If you love them, you'll love this festive number from Topshop for £30






 If not, this pyjama set from Next, for just £20, is perfectly festive and looks like the perfect pyjama set to snuggle down in





UGG Australia have made these lovely little shearling mittens to keep your hands toastie, they are £150 and are available to buy in chestnut and light grey



For a cheaper set of mittens, look no further than Topshop, who are selling a cute little black pair for just £10


With all these winter warmers you'll be looking and feeling hot this season!
Happy shopping!
Olivia xxx