WEBSITE OF THE WEEK - British Nutrition Foundation

Photo Credit: Svenwerk on Flickr.com

www.nutrition.org.uk

This website is such a useful resource. With constant confliciting messages in the media about what is and isn't good for us, it is refreshing to have such a sensible source to rely upon. This website has all the info you need on eating healthily from the very basics, to catering for specific health problems. There is also a great section on food nutrition labeling.

It may not be the most glamourous website, and there is no celebrity face to endorse it, but the website is great for no nonsense advice. They also have a selection of leaflets and posters so you can teach the kids too. It is all easy to print off meaning you can keep the bits you need to hand.

TIPS - Perfume: Tricks for Maximum Staying Power

Photo Credit: J Doggett on Flickr

People often wonder how to make their perfume last longer. I am a lover of perfume and Coco Chanel didn't respect women who went without it. Here are some of my tips to make your scent last the distance...

• The areas that perfume will linger longest are, inside the wrists and elbows, collar bone, nape of the neck, behind the knees and at the naval.

• Use the same scented shower gel and body lotion as your perfume to layer the scent.

• Spray perfume onto scarves, and jackets (not silk ones of course).

• Carry an atomiser in your handbag to freshen up during the day.

• You can get away with more perfume in the evening if you are going to be in a crowded place. For the day, a lighter scent is usually better. In the summer opt for alcohol free if possible as the sun can change the scent of perfumes with alcohol.
  

• If you are sensitive to perfumes, again, choose an alcohol free perfume which is less likely to irritate.

• Put jewellery on after you have sprayed your perfume, certain stones and metals are affected by the alcohol in perfumes. No one wants their Swarovski crystals to turn green!

• Don't bin a fragrance that you don't wear or that doesn't match you personality. I use mine as room sprays.
  

Related Posts:
FRAGRANCE - Harajuku Hits London
WEBSITE - Discover a World of Fragrance
THOUGHT - Must Wear More Perfume...

TRENDS - Citrus Hues

Both Kate Beckinsale (above) and Vanessa Williams wowed in Yellow gowns at the Screen Actors Guild Awards this week. Photo Credit: Marie Claire

The zesty shades hitting the high street at the moment are enough to put a spring in our step and remind us all of that sunshine that seems to visit far too infequently. Oranges have been big news, with the celebs opting for red carpet gowns in the brightest of brights. Expect alot more yellow and green as the season progresses.

Unfortunately, I have trouble wearing yellow, it just doesn't suit my skin tone so I will be sticking to oranges and limes. Pick the hue that suits you best, or if top to toe colour is not your thing, then accessorise like crazy with the best of zest. Get inspired with my pick below...

Greta Shoes By Biba - Mywardrobe.com - £275

Milly Textured Wool Coat - Net-A-Porter - £371 (reduced from £530)



Acid Lime Fashion Sleeve Cardi - Miss Selfridge - £25

T-Bar Teardrop Cutout Shoe - Topshop - £55


Lemon & Lime Gold Plated Bangle - Anna Lou of London - £45


Silk Tie Back Top - Oli.com - £55

MOST WANTED - Alexander McQueen Peep Toe

Alexander McQueen Two Tone Stripe Peep Toe - Browns - £380

These towering heels by Alexander McQueen would look so stylish with a long black pencil skirt and chiffon blouse. The sexy secretary get up has never looked so good with these little babies to adorn your feet. Opt for some black nail varnish to vamp it up and look even cooler. I must say, I don't think I would last long in the office in these heels, but for a Valentines dinner they would be just perfect.

Buy them and more at Brownsfashion.com

PRODUCT OF THE WEEK - No7 Protect & Perfect range

Protect & Perfect Day Cream - Boots No7 - £18.50

Following on from the huge success of the Protect & Perfect Beauty serum (from £16.75) comes a whole facial skincare range. Now those ingredients that have proven to be so beneficial, to so many, can be used as part of your daily skincare regime maximising their effects. The prices are far less than you would pay for creams that have far inferior results .

Latest products from the No7 Protect & Perfect Range

Day Cream - £18.50
Night Cream - £19.50
Eye Cream - £15.50
Body Serum - £25.00
Anti Aging Serum for Men - £16.75
Cooling Aftersun Treatment - £8.00

I have always been a fan of No7, and Boots often has voucherpromotions and 3 for 2 offers which make buying quality beauty products, really affordable. There is also a new bodycare range and even aftersun meaning your whole body can get the goodness of these popular ingredients.

The original product was so successful in the beginning that it had to be limited to one per customer. Over 1 million bottles of the beauty serum have been sold, and people keep going back from more. This led to a years supply, 200ml bottle being produced for £100. I don't think there can be a better sales pitch than that and I for one will be investing in my set. Stopping the aging process begins with prevention!

WEBSITE OF THE WEEK - Avon.uk.com

Anew Alternative Intensive Age Treatment - Night

Some people still can't get over the dowdy image that Avon had many years ago. My advice is to forget it, and visit their website. It is full of great offers on great products and provides a really good service too. The online store enables you to buy the bargains, without the hassle of having a representative come round to your or a friends home. Jewellery and underwear, as well as the obvious beauty and body care items are all available.

I particularly recommend the Anew skincare range, and the bust and cellulite contouring creams. The sales are super as well so pop back regularly to see what has been added.

The celebs have recognised the Avon revival, don't you think its about time you did too! Reese Witherspoon even fronts Avon's charity work as she says Avon is a 'crusader for women's causes'

BEAUTY - Get Your Glow Back

Photo Credit: georg69de on Flickr

That bronzed glow from summer may seem a distant memory, but there are ways to get your radiance back at this time of year...

• Exercise. Keep the blood flowing and encourage good circulation

• A good diet. Getting all your nutrients will make skin appear healthier.

• Bronzer. If all else fails a good bronzer will take the edge off pale skin. A quick dusting of a caramel based bronzer each morning makes all the difference. Avoid orange toned bronzers which will be far too harsh.

• Exfoliate. Get rid of those dull, dead skin cells, and that is true for your body too. Body brush every day.

• Pamper. Try a face mask, or peel off mask.

• Moisturise. Use gradual tanning moisturisers which are much more natural looking than fake tan.
  

• Colours. Try wearing jewel and berry tones such as emerald green, ruby red, fuchsia and royal blue. Steer clear of pastels and silvers which are likely to wash you out more.
  

• Supplements. Take a vitamin or supplement to ensure you are getting all that your body needs.

• Protect. Always wear a sunscreen, winter sun can still age your skin and that will zap away your glow quicker than a pale complexion.

• Enjoy. Rope in a partner or friend to give you a massage. Its great again for circulation, and well being.
  

• Lifestyle. Avoid alcohol and if you smoke try and give up. Take out the toxins and your skin will thank you.
  

• Sleep. Get enough sleep and make sure it is quality. Turn off any appliances which might interrupt your slumber.
  

TRENDS - Seeing Stars

Photo Credit: ABC News

The stars trend has suddenly crept up and gone boom The high street is packed with the print making us all starry eyed. Stars on scarfs are great, as is substituting polka dots for stars. There are some great chiffon star blouses and dresses around too. Kate Moss, and Alexa Chung have been sporting the print, so get yours quick while they are still a key trend.

Here is some inspiration...

Deep V-Neck Star Print Dress - ASOS - £35

Grey Star Flutter Top - Dorothy Perkins - £25

New Star Tiny Umbrella - Cath Kidston - £20

Star Woven Shemagh Scarf - Dollydagger - £10

Star Print Sweater Cardigan - ASOS - £25

MOST WANTED - Chloe Turquoise bag

Chloe Turquoise Bag - Matches - £889.00

I love the vibrant colour of this bag, not to mention the slightly retro, satchel styling. The perspex and metal handle detailing set it apart from other bags, but of course, at a price. This really would be an investment piece, and I am confident it would fit all my day to day necessities in. I must admit I am a sucker for a bag with pockets and compartments, being a Virgo I just have to have things organised, and with this bag you can do it whilst looking uber stylish too.

Buy this and more at matchesfashion.com

STYLE AWARDS - Back to Black

This week the stars keep it simple with elegant black gowns and here are those that get a big thumbs up from The Style PA...

Photo Credit: Daily Mail

Kate Winslet looks fabulous in this little black strapless dress with over sized bow. Absolutely the picture of health with enviable natural curves, Kate is a role model to women everywhere. Its proof that celebrities don't have to spend a fortune on surgery and fad dieting to look great.

Photo Credit: Marie Claire

Selma Blair's choice of a flower embellished black dress is simply gorgeous. It shows off a svelte figure and the gown is understated yet still exciting.

Photo Credit: Marie Claire

Zoe Saldana opts for a timeless design at the Cloverfield premiere.

PRODUCT OF THE WEEK - Charles Worthington Takeaways

No other 'mini' hair range has quite beaten Charles Worthington yet. The mini Salon Shine Results range has been out for years, and many other brands have followed suit but the Takeaways range just smells nicer, and lasts longer than all the rest. I cannot stand lugging about big bottles for a weekend away so these are just ideal in that situation. I find however that they last even longer, and if your hair isn't too long and thick, these will be all you need for a 2 week holiday. Keep a set at home, at work, in your bag and at the boyfriend's if you want, they are a bargain.

My favourite has to be the Style Control Blowdry Spray, which revives a sorry looking mane in minutes for just £1.65.

Visit the website for more info, products are available to buy at Boots and other good chemists.

WEBSITE OF THE WEEK - Constance Eyre

www.constanceeyre.co.uk

This online store by knitwear designer Constance Eyre sells high quality, sophisticated pieces of knitwear with a vintage feel. Many of the pieces are still made by Constance herself and the dresses in particular are beautiful. There are even some quirky pieces such as the V neck sweater (shown below). The items are sold in certain boutiques across the UK, but luckily for us they are available to order online too. Constance has even sold knitwear to celebs such as Sienna Miller, Mischa Barton and Gwen Stefani which is a pretty good CV if you ask me!

My favourites are below...

Issy Dress - £102

Hermia Bolero Cardigan - £44

V Neck Tie Sweater - £98

WEEKLY HINTS, TIPS & TRICKS - Perfect Brows & Shoe Savvy

Photo Credit: oliverdias on flickr

TIPS FOR PERFECT EYEBROWS . . . . beauty

• To tame unruly brows use a bit of Vaseline, or hairspray on your finger and push hair in the direction you want it.
• To fill in brows, use a very sharp eye pencil using light, feathery strokes to keep it looking natural. If you have fair hair, an eyeshadow is sometimes better than pencil, experiment.
  
• Invest in a good pair of tweezers. I like those with thin, slanted tips as thicker ones are much harder to use, especially on finer hairs.
  
• Try marking a line in white eye pencil with a curve to follow. Don't pluck above the line.
• Its best to pluck in natural light, in a non-magnified mirror. Do it after a hot bath or shower and it should be less painful.
  
• If you have trouble plucking your brows then seek help from a professional. Even paying just once will give you a foundation on which you can base your future grooming.
  

Remember, eyebrows frame the face. Get it wrong and it's very hard to rectify. Follow your face shape, not the latest trend.


SHOE SAVVY . . . . shopping

Buying shoes is best done later in the evening, because your feet expand slightly throughout the day. This is one way to avoid the pinch when you go to wear them out. We have all said 'they fit perfectly in the shop' so now you know why.
It is also good for your feet to alternate which shoes you wear (see thats why us girls have so many pairs!) This allows shoes to breathe between wears and keeps them fresher for longer. Also alternate your heel heights, just as wearing heels all the time will cause problems, wearing ballet pumps permanently will ruin your arches.
I really recommend using a shoe spray and make sure I use mine after every wear of every pair which keeps them as good as new.

Every girl should have a pair of Mary Janes. They are pretty much a timeless design and are great with dresses or trousers, for work or for fun. Those below are nice as the heel is chunkier and longer lasting than a stiletto.

COSTER Mary Jane Court Shoe - Faith - £45

QUICK TIP: If your patent shoes are looking a bit dull, give them the once over with some furniture polish and a duster. That should do the trick!

TRENDS - Dip-Dyed Hip

Ali Larter gets dip-dyed - Photo Credit: People

We all know that tie dye in it's previous life was a big no no, however the dip dye trend is definitely allowed and the hippest of celebs have been sporting the look. The other name you might find used is 'ombre' meaning shading. The trend works with any item, but looks best with no more than 2 colours, and colours which are not too far apart on the spectrum. Oh and Prada used a similar technique of colour bleeding for some of their handbags which is reason enough to copy it I would say. Check out the items below for some inspiration...

Tie Die Stripe Tie Waist Top - TopShop - £28

Tie Die Top - Stella McCartney at Net-a-Porter - £93.75 (was £375)

Dip Dye Scarf - Gap (USA) - $19.50

Two Tone Patent Court Shoes - Brantano - £30

MOST WANTED - Clarence Pendent

Large Clarence Pendent - Heals -£320

I have always had a bit of an obsession with grand light fittings, perhaps because my ceilings have always been to low to accommodate them. This Large Clarence Clear Pendent would be a dream for me, it's just beautiful. For something so pretty, it is also pretty practical being made from clear acrylic rather than glass. It takes 6 screw in candle bulbs, none of this halogen business where they run out within a couple of weeks.

Check out the Heals website for lots more treasures for your home. There is a sale on too... music to my ears!

STYLE AWARD - Jessica Alba

Jessica Alba is yet another Red Carpet beauty. Outfit after outfit, she consistently dazzles and outshines her fellow celebrities. Jessica recently topped a poll of the girl men would most like to have as their girlfriend. Its pretty easy to see why. The girl sure knows how to pose, and soon she will be posing for 2. Her now confirmed pregnancy will only heighten the press attention she gets, and I am sure she will deliver great maternity outfits for the photographers too...

Photo Credit: becausetheydeserveit.blogspot.com

I love the glam up-do in the pic above. This is a killer pose too, completely showstopping.

Photo Credit: msnbc

This hairstyle is something I would see myself having. The gentle flicks are really cute, and wow... the teeth must be whitened!

Photo Credit: bagbliss.com

Jessica shows she can do casual just as well with this strapless dress. Loving the bag too, there is nothing like an over sized metallic bag.

Photo Credit: teenmusic.com

This look is really natural, gentle waves and neutral make up mean the Bright red dress gets most of our attention.

PRODUCT OF THE WEEK - Energys face cream

Ultra Regeneration Hydrating Face Cream 50ml - £34.90

This product is proof that sometimes natural really is best. Designed primarily for dry, mature or stressed skin this is a real treat and dry patches on my face that had started to develop from the winter weather, disappeared within a week of use. Other skin types will benefit from use just in the wintertime with a lighter product through the summer. The rich cream feels warm when applied on the skin and is absorbed quickly, leaving skin feeling luxuriously soft and hydrated, and the scent, although not the best, is pleasant enough.

Energys skincare uses over 80 synergistic botanicals, essential oils and absolutes, not to mention anti-oxidents and only natural preservatives. Energys products are of course suitable for vegetarians and vegans and not tested on animals. Find out more about Energys skincare.

WEBSITE OF THE WEEK - brittique.com

Launched in 2006, Brittique.com is an online store which showcases products from new and talented British designers. This great site conveniently places desirable clothing, shoes, jewellery and accessories in one place to save the consumer time and effort. Key season looks are represented form designers such as Gil Carvahlo and Maria Grachvogel. There is a chance to also pick up items at a heavily reduced price especially at this time of year.

Brittique also has a blog which features news and ideas on fashion and British fashion designers not to mention the best picks from the site itself. Visit it at http://brittique.blogspot.com/

Check out my favourite items below...

Amanda Wakely - Corset Belt - £215

Gill Carvalho - Crush Orange Shoes - £99 (reduced from £380)

LucyJ - Compact Mirror - £10 ( reduced from £15)

Julia Clancey - Ava Ribbon Dress - £49 (reduced from £490!)

WEEKLY HINTS TIPS & TRICKS - Fairy Lights

DONT THROW OUT THE FAIRY LIGHTS . . . . home

Fairy lights and rope lights can stay a decorative feature without being too festive. Try these ideas.

Fill a vase with fairy, or lantern lights as an alternative to a lamp

A vase on the floor with big decorative twigs looks great with some fairy lights adorning it.

Lay rope lights behind furniture, or a bed headboard for cosy up-lighting.

Rope lights can also be used under your overhead kitchen cupboards.

Rope lights are great in the garden to define areas and for evening entertaining. Check they are OK for outdoor use though.

Put fairy lights around your dressing table mirror and you can pretend you are a Hollywood starlet. We all need to be a kid sometimes.



BLING RINGS . . . . accessories

An often forgotten way to jazz up an outfit is with costume jewellery. Buy several inexpensive rings as you can chop and change them to match different outfits. Try Accessorize, Topshop and Mikey whose ranges are updated frequently. Independent jewellers often have nice costume jewellery which costs not much more than the high street chains. Also try second hand jewellers and you might find something exciting and individual.

Crystal Wing Ring - Accessorize - £9

QUICK TIP . . . . beauty

After you have applied your bronzer, dab your cheeks with a tissue. It tones down the colour and you will leave the house looking naturally radiant!

TRENDS - Marvel at Maritime

The nautical theme has managed to stay in stores for quite some time and is set to survive yet another season. Topshop's newest collection is full of sailor details, red and white stripes, naval brass accessories, blazers and more. Wide leg jeans also fit well into this theme.

Silk Sailor Dress - Topshop - £50

As for accessories you will find New Look to be full of Maritime inspired jewellery at rock bottom prices, so copying the look needn't cost a fortune. A piece of thick rope will work as a belt or as handles for a bag.

Loungefly Canvas bag - Urban Outfitters - £38

Designers are still loving it too as the trend was represented in the catwalk shows of Chanel, Jean Paul Gaultier and Tommy Hilfiger. There even seems to be a bit of Pirate thrown in, but my suggestion is to leave that to the most daring (and fancy dress parties).

JJ Park Double Breasted Jacket - ASOS - £115

Sailor Wide Leg Jean - Dorothy Perkins - £10 (reduced from £25)

MOST WANTED - DVF Tunic Top

Diane Von Furstenberg Navy Tunic top - £163

This gorgeous top from the new DVF collection is a must have (or must find a cheaper version). The fabric looks really luxurious and the sash tie will pull the fabric in beautifully at the waist. Navy is a great alternative to black if that feels a bit boring. The other items in the collection are worth a look too with lovely wrap dresses and vintage prints. Check out the website.

STYLE AWARD - Diane Kruger

DIANE KRUGER

Diane's face has recently become a regular appearance in fashion magazines. Partly due to the fact that she cannot be faulted for her Red Carpet outfits . Her one-off Chanel Gown below is absolutely beautiful.

Photo Credit: lizblog

This white Grecian dress shows off her golden tan and creates a great silhouette, with a tiny nipped in waist that we can all but envy.

Photo Credit: iloubnan.info

The choice below was slightly braver, but I love it none the less. It is a fun look with on-trend tassles.

Photo Credit: entamehollywood

I love this loose ponytail which looks as if it took 2 minutes, but in reality is likely to have taken far longer. I also love the simplicity of her make-up with an emphasis on creating rosy cheeks.

Photo Credit: hpfgdr.forumcommunity

This daytime outfit is something that any of us could copy at high street prices, which is why I think it is so great. Diane can go from one-off Chanel gowns, to everyday simple dresses without losing an ounce of style.

Photo Credit: svensktmode