CAMPAIGN - Dr. Martens First And Forever

On Thursday evening I went along to the launch of Dr. Marten's new spring/summer campaign, shot by Gavin Watson, featuring the gorgeous Agyness Deyn and Ash Stymest (drummer, skateboarder and model). The concept is the idea of your first love, especially in relation to your first pair of Dr. Marten's boots, which for some people is a experience they'll always treasure. The brand has always been closely linked to the idea of personal style, identity and self-expression and the campaign builds on this heritage.

Heritage is an important word to touch on too, because over the past 50 years, Dr. Martens shoes have changed very little. What changed at the outset was the consumer. What started life as a practical boot for postmen and police officers, was soon adopted by subcultures, all taking the shoes and using them to express their own personal identity.

The campaign shots and new season advert really capture that 'first love' feeling. You spend every minute with each other, whether it's healthy to or not. More often than not, a first love is what teaches you about relationships, and teaches you about yourself. My own first love was a long and pretty dysfunctional relationship, but it's what got me where I am now. It's those steps we have to take to gain our own identity and when it comes to Dr. Martens, many of us look back fondly on a pair that helped us carve a new style identity for ourselves.

My first pair of Dr. Martens were given to me when I was about 12 years old. I went through a style phase where it was all about the chunkiest boots, worn with skinny jeans and a bomber jacket so I was handed them down from my auntie. I don't think I'd seen the look on anyone, I just saw the pieces and wanted to wear them together. At school, I stood out because I wasn't wearing what the other girls were, I even cut off my hair into a messy crop and dyed it plum. But as I've grown older my identity has changed, mainly because my body has too. I've learned to work with my figure, rather than just what I love, so my look gives way to the sensible side of me sometimes. That said, you never forget those first loves and they are key in making us who we are.

We were asked to submit a photo for the event on the theme of 'first love'. I chose to send in a pic of sparklers, showing that spark of passion you get first that can become a longer-lasting flame. There were some great entries. If you want to share your #FIRSTANDFORVER moment, there's a fab website compiling all the tweets and submissions too.

Take a look at the campaign shots below... they really remind me of where I grew up back in Hastings and I thought some looked to have been shot at Cooden beach.

FASHION - Fashion From The Fold

Back in November I went to a fab event for a fashion label called The Fold. I can't believe I am only writing about it now but the concept of the brand is just perfect for January. It's all about flattering dresses that give your working wardrobe a glam-over, and with January being the month for fresh starts what could be better. All the fabrics were beautiful with plenty of coverage to make the curvier girls among us feel confident. The detailing on almost all of the dresses highlights the waist and makes the most of a woman's figure making them super flattering. 

The price points are quite high, so it would suit those women who are expected to look very professional for their job, or anyone who appreciates quality over quantity when  it comes to their working wardrobe. I wore the black Astor dress, and posed for an illustration (Clara was very kind to me!) I love the other dresses too, especially those in navy with black leather panels and detailing. 

The Astor dress I wore for my sketch

Another couplr of faves, the Ledbury dress and Madison dress pictured above. 

Here are a few more pics from the event.

And finally, here I am posing for my sketch with the lovely (and very pretty) Clara Gomez... a really talented lady. 

FASHION - Ralph Lauren's Colourful Cable Knits

I'm loving the injection of colour that's cropping up all over the web as new-season collections start to come in. Candy colours were huge news on the catwalks for SS12 and Ralph Lauren are leading with a hero piece in a range of bright hues, the cable-knit sweater. As far as spring transitional pieces go, it's great for the UK because it references summer trends without needing summer weather. It's a simple classic in fine cashmere updated with modern brights. 

My fave colour is the orange and it's probably the shade that would suit me best too - which is your fave?

Read more about the RL cable knit

BEAUTY - The Beauty Agenteurs Blog

There’s a new blog in the blogosphere and I love it already. Two incognito beauty experts are sharing all the things they covet, the things that we'll soon all be coveting too, on a blog called The Beauty Agenteurs.

Expect lots of beautiful things from fashion, lifestyle and beauty, with news, tips and advice too. The women behind the blog say: "We created the blog because we wanted to share our passion for all things beauty and fashion. It was when we first saw Alberto Guardiani’s ‘lipstick’ heel shoes that our blog ‘the beauty agenteurs’ was born. This iconic image represents everything we love – shoes, lipsticks and a sense of humour. We salute you Alberto and thanks for inspiring us."

Follow the bloggers on Twitter @beautyagenteurs and on Facebook too.

Fellow bloggers might also be interested in future opportunities to become guest editors.

HAIR - What's New With Shampoo

Tousle Me Softly from Herbal Essences
The tousled look for hair is something we've probably all tried from time to time. It's a great style for holidays, to get the beachy look, plus it gives hair an effortless appeal... sometimes poker straightened hair is a little too stark and overdone. Herbal Essences have great fragrances too, and the new shampoo and conditioner range comes in nice big bottles that will last and last. I haven't tried mine yet, but I'll be giving it a go and will report back soon. There is also a styling range to help you achieve laid-back, tousled waves.

Head & Shoulders 'Fresher for Longer'

Head & Shoulders have been doing research into how long it takes us to lose that 'fresh feeling' in an average day. The results suggest that by 12.24 the fresh feeling is long gone. Personally I usually lose it even sooner, especially if I get the tube into work. My office also has a habit of heating up to furnace temperatures throughout the da,y which only causes me to feel more hot, bothered and grubby.

I was challenged recently to wash my hair with the Classic Clean shampoo and conditioner and change a few things in my routine to extend that fresh feeling further. With clean hair, spritzes of Ren facial mist, lemon tea, mints and a fresh and tasty lunch and fruit smoothie I can definitely say I felt the difference. Best was the icy cold smoothie in the afternoon when the office gets hottest. I sometimes wash my hair the night before work to save time, but paying attention to how I felt during the day has convinced me that it's worth getting up early to feel energised and refreshed, and clean smelling shampoo is definitely a factor in feeling ready to face the day too.

Aussie big bottles

Finally, Aussie shampoo is available in huge bottles that last ages! I've not even made a slight dent in the supplies I've got, I can't believe they didn't do it sooner. The ad campaign asks if 'my Aussie looks big in this" which of course it does. Great news for Aussie fans everywhere, including my mum who'll be stocking up, I've no doubt.

CELEBRITY - Girls at The Golden Globes 2012

Revlon ambassador Emma Stone smoulders with a gunmetal and deep purple smokey eye to match her gorgeous gown. The look was created by CHANEL make-up artist, Rachel Goodwin. 

Rachel Zoe hangs out with Jessica Alba, in a glittering dress that I almost prefer to her Gucci gown which she wore on the red carpet, and Chloe Sawyer who can get away with canary yellow (not many can). 

Dianna Agron looked fab in GILES DEACON. His show was my favourite from September's London Fashion Week (check out my GILES post) and you can really see that delicate, cut-out detailing - complete with swans! I always love her hair too, swept aside but looking glam and gorgeous. 

I really liked Zooey Deschanel's Prada dress and check out that doll-eyed make-up and big hair. It was a great look on her.

And here is another reason to love Zooey Deschanel... She tweeted this pic saying: “I am wearing a gown but my nails are wearing tuxedos!!! #goldenglobes” Hurrah to someone for doing something mildly different.