Lauren's Way Gets a New Look

Last Wednesday evening saw me head to the uber chic Jewel bar in Piccadilly where TOWIE star Lauren Goodger unveiled her new Lauren’s Way collection.

I don’t think there is anyone out there who doesn’t love a bit of TOWIE, and so I was somewhat excited about this event and interested to see the new collection, and of course the lovely Lauren herself!

The Lauren’s Way range, which launched earlier this year has solely comprised of tanning products. It’s been so successful that the collection is now expanding; featuring eyelashes, hair extensions and a new repackaged tanning range. Perfect for every Essex girl wannabe!

The evening was definitely a glitzy affair and I had a great time checking out the products and getting involved in a bit of TOWIE star spotting! I think it would have perhaps been nice for Lauren to speak a little about the products, but she was definitely in demand for chats and photos! So much so that she didn’t have time to properly cut the cake (which was aptly designed in the shape of her new Glam Tan bottle!). I was feeling a bit peckish so my guest and I took it upon ourselves to finish the job and indulge. I can definitely confirm that it was one tasty cake!

We were all very kindly given goody bags containing the new Lauren’s Way Instant Wash Off Glow, Lauren’s Way Bronzing Mousse, a set of Lauren’s Way false eyelashes and a piece of jewellery from the Butterfly collection. I’m really looking forward to trying the new products and attempting to rock the Essex glam style! I also have to say that I think the new packaging is definitely an improvement – it’s a touch more sleek but still conveys the fun and girly essence of the collection.

It was a fab evening – full of Essex goodness, so thanks so much to the ladies at Lauren’s Way for the invite.

Event images courtesy of Lauren's Way

How to Get Into Fashion with Rachel Zoe

There’s no doubt that Rachel Zoe knows her stuff about style. So when I heard that the big-haired glamour Queen not only will be strutting her stuff on the Selfridges floors but also sharing some tips in a 'How To Get into Fashion' talk, I thought this is something that may appeal.

As part of Marie Claire’s InSpire & Mentor campaign, this Sunday 18th September, Marie Claire’s Charlotte Moore will be quizzing Rachel Zoe on how she got to the top in the styling world. Rachel will be answering questions on how she used her skills to create her own clothing line, which is available exclusively at Selfridges. She’ll also be dishing out styling advice and will teach us how to create the perfect outfit for any occasion.

So, cancel your plans on Sunday afternoon as the event begins at 1.30pm at Selfridges, 400 Oxford Street, London W1.

You’ll firstly need to book your place though, which you can do by clicking on this link. The ticket price is £20 and includes a glass of bubbly and goody bag worth over £40. Super.

You can also find out more info on the Marie Claire’s InSpire & Mentor campaign here.

I Wanna be a Geek!

I am fully aware that I'm a bit late to the party on this trend, but I can't get enough of geeky specs at the moment. Well, admiring them on other people, at least. I'm just not sure that I could pull the whole preppy chic look off, but assuming I don't look like a complete idiot, here are some styles that I'm leaning towards trying...

1) Chanel Glasses £215

2) Ray-Ban Glasses £84

3) Tom Ford Glasses £135.10

4) Gok Wan for Specsavers (don't judge me) £99

I'm thinking that if I had glasses I enjoyed wearing (as opposed to my dated super cheapo frames that were the first pair I tried on), I would probably remember to wear the damn things! As I have a round-ish face, maybe a pair of glasses with a slight cat-eye frame would be best to avoid looking 12 years old and put a bit of a sophisticated spin on the geeky look?

What do you think? Do you have any recommendations?

iFabbo London Launch Event

As you may know from my last post, I attended the fabulous iFabbo event on Thursday evening and have just made 2 videos about it, which you can watch below.

I went along with my blogging partner in crime Lucy, and we met some lovely blogging ladies at the event including Fleur, Zoe, Lily and Louise to name only a few. (All of their blogs are brilliant, so make sure you check them out if you haven't already.)

If you're wondering what the whole iFabbo thing is about, in a nutshell, the organisation aims to unite and build relationships between bloggers and brands (new and established) and also enable bloggers to learn about 'the art' of blogging - almost like a blogging education without making it sound too formal! iFabbo wants to collate a directory of credible brands and bloggers and in the future, is planning to hold seminars and workshops, so it's definitely a great company to get involved with - especially if you're new to the blogging arena.

The videos below describe what we got in our iFabbo goody bags and are in 2 parts as it was impossible to condense the whole thing into 10 mins!

Once again, a huge thanks to the iFabbo team and a hello to all the lovely bloggers I met on Thursday - I hope to see you all again soon!

Review: Collection 2000 Cream Puff Moisturising Lip Cream

Last night I attended the fabulous iFabbo launch event, but I'll post more about that over the weekend. Right now I want to quickly mention a product that I have discovered because of the event - and more specifically something that was within the goody bag!

Our goody bags were quite literally, brimming with some incredible products. (On a side note, I can't believe how generous iFabbo and the brands they are working with were, and there will definitely be a range of reviews coming up on some of the amazing stuff we were treated to.)

So, Collection 2000. It's cheap, cheerful and takes me back to my 14-year-old self when I first started delving into the world of make-up (more specifically, working the Rimmel Coffee Shimmer lip - not a pretty look on a pale teen). I remember the first few essentials I ever purchased were by Collection 2000, and in recent years, what with the brand's cult products such as the concealer, tinted moisturiser and Apple Blossom lipstick, it does prove that you don't always have to spend loads to get nice results.

Anyway, I digress. After quite literally diving into my goody bag last night when I arrived home, at the bottom I found one of Collection 2000's new Cream Puff Moisturising Lip Creams. I received shade Fairy Cake 3 - a beautiful coral pink tone. Having tried this out today, I have to say, I am already a big fan of this product. Aside from the gorgeous and summer appropriate colour, the formulation is ultra moisturising, creamy, velvety and the product dries to a matte but non-dry finish and has stayed put!

There are 4 shades in total to try out and at £2.99 a pop, well, you can't go wrong. You can read more about the Cream Puff Moisturising Lip Creams here.

A big thanks to the iFabbo team for a super night!

Mango and Stylist Show us how to Work It!

Many apologies for the lack of posts over the last couple of months – let’s just say 2011 has been full of ups and downs including my dad being very ill, a break-up and consequently, me having to move house. However, I think it’s important to look on the positives – my dad is getting much stronger and that alone I am so thankful for because at the end of the day, family really are everything.

Anyway, back to the purpose of the post – fashion! Earlier this week I was invited to the Mango flagship store on Oxford Street for the Mango and Stylist magazine event. The evening marked the launch of the collaboration between the High Street retailer and magazine that aims to provide career women with workwear inspiration and how to be stylish in any work environment.

Stylist Laura Puddy talked us through an array of different Mango work inspired looks that were geared towards a different purpose such as going to an interview, working within a corporate environment, working in a relaxed/creative one and how to dress to score that promotion. Of course, you won’t be awarded a job or a promotion solely based on how you dress, but the right outfit definitely makes a first and lasting impression – as emphasised by Glenda Marchant, the publisher of Stylist magazine.

The outfits included a pretty floral jumpsuit, a fresh take on the classic trouser suit and midi skirts that prove you can still look conservative without being dull and constantly dressed in black. Accessories were also a prominent feature and used to really make the looks ‘pop’. Though I preferred some outfits more than others, they would all make a welcome addition to my closet!

The rails were also showcasing the current collections and I was particularly drawn to the items that completely capture the colour-blocking trend – lots of reds and yellows, some incredibly cute nautical inspired blazers and of course, the oh-so-this-season 70’s wide leg trousers and floral patterned shirts.

The collaboration will include a series of 11 advertorials and also incorporates a competition where you could win the chance to hold your own office party, with £50 to spend at Mango for you and 40% off for your friends/work colleagues. There are 20 parties to be won and you can enter via the Mango Facebook page.

I think Stylist magazine and Mango are a perfect collaboration for this campaign, and the idea innovatively solves a problem that many of us women (and even the most style savvy!) find to be the most challenging part of our day – dressing for work. I definitely think Mango has covered all bases so I would definitely check out the range if you’re in need of a workwear detox or overhaul!

Key Wardrobe Basics - The Breton Tee

One of my goals this year is to try and be a more savvy shopper. I want to only have things I know I will wear and feel fab in, and for my poor bursting wardrobe to comprise of key pieces that can be mix and matched as opposed to stuff that seems to just clutter up space and never sees the light of day.

The first item which I consider a must-have item is the 'Breton Tee'. Stripy tops have been a long-term obsession of mine, which I think goes to show just how timeless in style they are. They can literally be worn with anything - jeans, cigarette pants, shorts, blazers, flirty skirts and will always add interest to your look. I always think they look great paired with simple pieces such as a great pair of skinnies and a blazer and then jazzed up with statement accessories. If you're going for Parisian chic, of course, a navy blue or black and white option and strong red lips are a must!

Here are a few versions which I think will make a welcome addition to every wardrobe. And the excuse is, it's an investment, right!

1) Sienna Stripe Shirt from French Connection £20

2) Emma Watson for People Tree from John Lewis £12.50

3) Stripy tee by Velvet at Matches £98

4) Boatneck Long Sleeve Multi Brown Stripe T-Shirt from Oasis

5) LNA Long Sleeve Tee Dress from Glassworks Studios

What do you think about the Breton Tee?

I was thinking of doing a little series on key basics that every girl should own. I'd love to hear your thoughts and what you think makes the perfect capsule wardrobe!

x

Happy 2011!

Well, I know I say this every year but I can't believe it's 2011! Happy New Year to everyone! I enjoyed a lovely Christmas with my parents and boyfriend and it was my first year playing hostess! Luckily, no cooking disasters occurred which was a relief given that fact that I'm a hopeless case in the kitchen. In fact, one of my New Year's resolutions (or 'goals' as I'd like to think of them as resolutions are usually broken by mid-January), is to get a bit more familiar with my kitchen and it's yet-to-be discovered utensils as to be honest, my cooking skills need some serious work!

I'd really like to develop my blog this year too. I'm thinking of touching more on lifestyle content, experiment with more outfit photos, get better with my photography and of course, try and post more regularly. There are some amazing blogs out there that have really inspired me to try and develop mine more and make it a bit more substantial than what it is at the moment!

As for any other resolutions or goals, I think simply to be happy, healthy, work hard at my virtual assistant business, generally live life to the fullest and achieve a good work/life balance - that can be a tough one!

I hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year and let's make 2011 a good one!