CELEBRITY - Rachel Weisz in Thigh Highs

Photo by Cliff Watts © Harper's Bazaar

Rachel Weisz's sexy leather boots, which feature in the August issue of Harper's Bazaar, have created an international buzz .

The UK and international press have gone crazy for the Alexander McQueen leather thigh-high boots (£1,350) worn by the gorgeous UK actress in an exclusive photographic shoot for Harper's Bazaar - the popular UK fashion monthly. The boots, next season’s ‘must have’ on the catwalk, have attracted rave reviews on websites, blogs and in the general press.

Some of the comments include:

• Sultry Rachel Weisz gets into her stride in these extraordinary boots – Daily Mirror

• The actress sported the eye-popping beauties as part of a super sexy shoot for the mag – Skyshowbiz.com

• Rachel Weisz appears in the latest issue of UK Harper's Bazaar in some truly ferosh boots, complementing her fab self – Perez Hilton

Thigh high boots are in fact one of the next season’s ‘must have’ on the catwalks and Harper’s Bazaar predicts that fashionable women everywhere will be wearing these daring trends next Autumn.

Harper’s Bazaar Editor Lucy Yeomans, says; “One of the strongest ways to wear colour this season is over skin-tight black – either super-skinny trousers or supremely sexy thigh-high boots. It’s a bold look that adds sexiness to the block-colour trend and we reckon it even gives us licence to channel Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman. Rachel carries this look off effortlessly - she looks absolutely stunning in Harper's Bazaar and I’m sure the Alexander McQueen boots she is wearing in the shoot will be hot property next season.”

To read the full Rachel Weisz interview and to find out about the next season’s fashion trends, check out the August of Harper’s Bazaar, on sale now.

NEWS - More Posts Coming Soon

I thought I had better apologise for the lack of blog activity lately. I moved this weekend, and the Internet does not get connected for another week or so. Until then, I am limited by how much I can work on the blog, but rest assured things will be back to normal as soon as possible.

If you are not already a follower please sign up. You will be first to know when there is new content and can have it delivered straight in to your Google reader. I also have a mailing list where you will get a weekly (ish) update of the latest posts. Just follow the links in the right -hand sidebar of this blog.

Thanks for your patience and please do come back and see The Style PA soon.

FASHION - Make Mine a Midi

The midi skirt has long been a favourite of mine and now Vogue.com reports that it is THE length of choice for fashion conscious ladies. This heatwave is great, but shorts and T-shirts have never been my preferred look. I like classic, elegant and figure enhancing styles and with a midi skirt you get it all.

Take inspiration from the fifties starlets and wear with a cute blouse tucked in and beads or pearls. Heels are a must and making sure your skirt fits well is too. This style can be super flattering and figure enhancing which will give you the confidence to strut your stuff this summer without having to expose too much flesh. It turns out that some of my favourite designers also love the look including Marni and Marc Jacobs so you can be safe in the knowledge that you are bang on trend to boot.

Here are some midi skirts that caught my eye:

Satin Pencil Skirt - Karen Millen - £49 (was £99)



Celine Ombré full skirt - Net-a-Porter - £1500

Giambattista Valli Degradé honeycomb design skirt - Browns Fashion - £665.00

MAGAZINE - Spa Secrets Interview With Dita

Spa Secrets Summer edition is out now featuring an exclusive interview with burlesque artist, Dita Von Teese who talks about how to keep in shape and taking time out to relax.

“I never, ever go to bed without washing my face and brushing my teeth. I don’t smoke, and I use sunscreen on my skin to prevent wrinkles and sun damage,” says Dita Von Teese.

For the full interview pick up your copy of Spa Secrets Magazine or sample a taster of the magazine available at www.spasecretsmagazine.com/summer09

Look out for the special summer promotional edition at Borders with a FREE £13 beauty gift from Pevonia UK while stocks last.

Also in this issue:

• Expert tips: Make-up artist Ruby Hammer and hairdresser Mathew Alexander give us their top tips on this season’s key looks.
• Ayurveda and destination reviews: The ancient healing traditions of Ayurveda and destination features focusing on Jersey’s top spas and discovering the Caribbean spirit.
• Competition: Win a seven-night break to Crete with a free spa treatment every day.
• Read in-depth interviews and discover the truth behind the latest innovative skincare treatments and latest fashion trends.
• Reviews on products, treatments, spas and hotels worldwide and a range of exclusive offers for the discerning traveller and recreational spa user.
  

For more information visit www.spasecretsmagazine.com

LOOK - Sequins Galore From French Connection

Got a swish party to go to this summer? Want to stand out? I have the perfect dress for you. The Fast Femme Dress from French Connection is sequin-o-rama in a different colour palette than their usual sparkle dresses. I have included a look below that shows how I might accessorise the outfit. Keep things fairly simple because everyone should be looking at the dress, it is a showstopper. Pick out an accent colour from within the dress to highlight in your accessories, I chose bronze for the shoes and bag. Love those chunky wooden wedge heels from Debenhams too.

The Style PA

If you are on Polyvore, why not let me know how you would have styled the dress. Post a link to your look in the comments below...

DESIGNER - Vivienne Westwood Anglomania

The Grand Dame of British fashion and originator of punk rock styling launched her Anglomania line in 1997. Its contemporary draping and casual edge has become a signature feature. Vivienne Westwood was awarded an OBE in 1992 and has received Designer of the Year accolades twice. The latest Anglomania collection does not disappoint. I was wandering through Selfridges last week, and the Vivienne Westwood clothes always stand out as being quite 'me', in that they are both classic and modern.

Jersey tops and dresses have low cowl necks and asymmetric styling. A floral print, ruffle collar detailing and a moody palette on more tailored pieces are strong features. I always notice the strong shapes in Vivienne Westwood clothing, with sharp tailoring which flatters the female form. Take a look at the pieces below, available at my-wardrobe.com

Navy Monroe Taffeta Belted Dress

Aubergine Scarf Jersey Dress

Grey Propaganda Jacket


Blue Cap Sleeve Dress

NEWS - Victoria Pendleton Goes for Green

Green is the new black for Olympian Victoria Pendleton. EDF Energy announced the inaugural Green Britain Day in style with Wayne Hemingway designing a special green Union Flag dress for stunning gold-winning Olympian Victoria Pendleton (above).

The dress, which has been made entirely from recycled fabrics, is designed to reflect the symbol of Green Britain Day, a green Union Flag.

Green Britain Day takes place each year and aims to inspire the nation to work together and lower Britain’s carbon footprint by the time of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. As the first sustainability partner of London 2012, EDF Energy is using the Games as a platform to inspire people to embrace a low carbon lifestyle.

As part of Green Britain Day, people will be asked to do something green for the team and join ‘Team Green Britain’. By going to www.teamgreenbritain.org and joining one of five teams that relate to a different lifestyle area, people can find actions to undertake that may help them reduce their carbon footprint.

For example, fashion lovers could join Team Swap which encourages people to exchange old and unwanted clothes with friends and family. Swapping clothes rather than buying new can be more environmentally friendly as it can reduce landfill and may save on the carbon emissions generated by the transport of new items. It’s also a great excuse to get together with your friends and get a whole new wardrobe without spending a penny!

Victoria says, “I love making my own clothes and shopping in charity stores so I jumped at the chance to have a dress designed for me by Wayne Hemingway using recycled materials.

Established British designer Wayne Hemingway of Hemingway Design has long been an advocate of sustainable living, having designed everything from eco products to working on green housing projects. Wayne says, “I was brought up in a ‘make do and mend’ culture and sustainability is very important to me. That’s why I’m delighted to be working with EDF Energy and Green Britain Day .

What will you do to mark Green Britain Day on 10 July?

INTERVIEW - Tamzin of Tamzin Sparkles

Hand-made brooches by Tamzin

This week is the turn of Tamzin who writes a blog and sells fab handmade brooches at her Etsy shop. If you have a moment, head over there and browse the gorgeous items currently on sale.

Tell us a bit about yourself?
I live on the south coast of England in a small seaside town called Hastings. I have lived here all my life apart from a year and half when I lived in Barcelona (an amazing city I advise everyone go!) I work as phone pusher part time which is definitely not for me but pays the bills and lets me have time to study. I am studying to become a Nutritionist and Personnel Trainer which is my dream job and is going really well. I also like to spend my spare time making pretty brooches which I love to wear, they make me smile plus brighten up any outfit, I am a definite magpie for glittery things!

Why did you start blogging/open your shop?
I started blogging a couple of months ago because I find writing down things that happen in life really helps figure them out and put you in the right frame of mind. I like to share my recipes too. I am coeliac and dairy/sugar intolerant so like to share what I have learnt about eating in this way. You can still have treats! I opened my shop ages ago but hadn't kept up with restocking, then recently a friend of mine has been working in Australia and wore one of my brooches out and the girls over there love them so asked me to start the shop up again so the girls could buy some, and of course I couldn't refuse!

What inspires you?
Colours, anything sparkly, Dior, Chanel, my sister, pin-up girls, 1950's, Carrie in Sex and the City, and being different.

If you had to wear just one fashion designer's clothes for life, who would it be?
Oh what a question! I really just can't choose between John Galliano or Karl Lagerfeld its too hard please can I have both!?

What are your top 3 high street stores and why?
First is Topshop I love pretty much everything in store especially Topshop on Oxford street, many find it unbearable as its mayhem so busy with people, but for me its heaven so many treats very bad for my bank balance though! Its great if you love following fashion trends at affordable prices or if you like to dress alternative definitely something for everyone. Ooooooh secondly has got to be M&S, they have the best knits at great prices and the fits I find are really nice and the fabrics they use are really good too. Plus they have a really good selection of underwear for the more cleavage blessed ladies! Third is a toughie I'm torn between H&M and New Look as both have some great bargains, I think I'll go with New Look as I have bought some really pretty summer dresses from there recently, I am obsessed with dresses especially ones with flower prints and this year New Look has got some really cute ones.

What has been your biggest ever bargain?
Gosh, my biggest bargain that's another tough one, I think it's got to be the navy blue mac with big gold buttons I bought from Zara (another favourite shop of mine!) I bought it a couple of years ago and it has been worn ever since, come rain or shine it is a mac for all seasons. It looks great with any outfit and makes you look a really good shape all this for only £49.99. A very good investment I feel.

And what has been your biggest ever splurge?
Dear me, there have been so many I guess it would have to be the 2 coats I bought in Barcelona again a couple of years ago. They were from the Penelope Cruz collection - one leopard print, the other tailored black. They have been worn to death so it was money well spent, the credit card may have disagreed though!

What is your beauty routine?
I am quite strict about my beauty routine, I always always take my make up off even after a few drinks it must always be cleaned. So I remove make up, then cleanser, toner, pimple cream (if needed!) eye cream, moisturizer, I try to exfoliate once a week too, only once though as it can be harsh for the skin and as mine is very sensitive I don't like to overdo it. Morning is the same other than removing the make up.

My brooch from Tamzin's shop

What do you collect?
As I said before I am a magpie for glittery things so I do collect diamante brooches. I collect flowers for my hair too; I love to dress my hair day and night. I also collect lip balm, my sister always gets me a new one on her trips to New York and I quite often treat myself if I see one in a pretty package that just can't be left in the shop. I don't go anywhere without one in my bag and I was once told by a man friend I had the softest lips he had ever kissed, I have my obsession with lip balms to thank for this.

Which celebrity would you love to dress and why?
I think my chosen celeb will have to be Britney Spears putting recent events aside I do think she is very pretty but some of her outfits should be against the law! She's got a great body and could look super nice but most of the time she just looks cheap and with all the money she has she could have the best wardrobe ever.

Which celebrity do you think has the best style?
For me there is no contest it has to be Sarah Jessica Parker I love the way she dresses always eye catching, with best accessories. I love her as Carrie in Sex in the City and think she has got a lot of ideas from playing that role. Whenever I watch it, and if I confess is quite a lot, I just want to put on a dress and heels.

What is your favourite trend of the moment?
That has to be dresses, floral, plain glittery any kind really I am a dress lover.

How do you turn around a bad hair day?
Flowers and hairspray can turn around any bad hair day.

What would you wear on a first date?
Gosh it's been so long! Probably, yep you guessed it, a dress - but I would make it casual wearing some pumps and a cardie and flowers would have to go in the hair too.

Thanks to Tamzin for answering these questions. She was also the winner of a recent competition here on The Style PA. If you would like to be interviewed for The Style PA, just get in touch.

BOUTIQUE - Save 10% at Aspire Style

Inspired by Audrey by aspirestyle featuring Poetic Licence shoes

Aspire Style is a small chain of 3 shops owned by Emma Woodward and Samantha Yair, childhood friends with a creative and entrepreneurial streak. After a few years of dreaming they opened their first shop in 2004 in a sleepy backstreet in the small market town of Warwick. Since then, things have grown considerably from this one small shop with just the two of them, to owning 3 shops and employing over 20 staff. The other shops can be found in Stratford-upon-Avon and Oxford, in busy high street locations.

The quick growth of the company is owing to the 'boutique' feel of the shops and a key philosophy to sell unique fashion and gifts at affordable prices. Treasure hunters will marvel at the pretty jewellery laid out on vintage furniture, fabulous fashion and girly gifts you won't find anywhere else.

Brands stocked include: Fever, Yumi and Darling clothes, Poetic License shoes, Orla Kiely, Nica and Ollie and Nic bags. Emma and Samantha also support small and local designers who produce something a little bit different but still at great prices.

Visit www.aspirestyle.co.uk or join the Aspire Style group on Facebook. You can also get a discount on any purchases made by 1 July 2009.

Enter STYLE09 at the checkout to get a 10% discount

I loved these items which, at the time of writing, are available to buy on the Aspire Style website...

Vintage Envelope Purse - £12.95

Tan Platform Shoes - £29

SALE - Big Discounts at Kurt Geiger

Carvela Geranium - Was £110, now £79

We all love shoes right? Well, I do... and a shoe sale is just about as good as it gets. Especially when the shoes are as covetable as those from Kurt Geiger. There are big savings to be had at the moment, so head on over to the website and order your size before they run out. I have included some images of my faves for inspiration.

Fashionistas Embankment - Was £200, now £49

Carvela Anemone - Was £90, now £59