Tag Archives: products I love

Linked In

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Links I love

Everyday I’m stumblin’…Here are few links that I’m loving at the moment:

1. The older I get the less bothered I am about keeping up with the latest fashion trends so I was relieved to read that not falling victim to fly-by-night trends is one of the seven habits of highly stylish people! Find out what the other six are at StyleCaster

2. 16 Signs You’re A Little (Or A Lot) Type A. I’m not entirely proud that I read this article with a pang pf recognition. Just about all of those points apply to me, especially the sleeping (or lack of it) and worrying too much about things that may never happen

3. We’re in the process of upgrading our eldest son’s room to make it more suitable for a pre-teen. Out go the pirate cushions and in come these cool headphone bookends.

4. My default hairstyle when I’m not wearing it down is a messy bun or a simple braid but this week I’ve been trying out this cute dutch braid. Find a step-by-step tutorial here

5. How To Make Your Child Feel Special With Just 3 Magic Words .This article is a must-read for any parent out there. I’m a strong believer that you should not need to raise your voice in your own home but sometimes that’s easier said than done and life coach Lisa Parkes shows parents how to transform screaming to peaceful.

6. Great art doesn’t have to break the bank. We recently renovated our downstairs cloakroom and while I love the monochrome colour scheme the walls were looking a bit bare so I’ve ordered this limited edition print by Dutch fashion illustrator Judith van den Hoek from Swedish website Arte Limited.

The Beauty Edit: Going Chemical Free in 2014

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I’m the first to admit that I’m no Eco warrior – I wear leather, I eat meat (I’ve even been known to visit McDonalds from time to time) and although financial constraints mean that we rarely have more than one or two holidays a year, we usually travel by air when we do go away. Increasingly, however, I find myself buying organic and/or locally sourced food produce and, having worked in the fashion industry, I prefer to buy my clothes from retailers who (at least claim to) have measures in place to ensure a sustainable supply chain.

Recently, after reading this post on The Everyday Spa blog, I started questioning what’s in the products we use on our skin and hair. As luck would have it, I came across the post at the same time as my shampoo and other beauty paraphernelia were running out so I decided to try some brands that don’t list any of the nasties in their ingredients.

 Ren

The shower gel and body lotion from REN (which incidentally means ‘clean’ in Swedish!) are gorgeous and last for ages. Since its launch in 2000 REN has become a cult favourite amongst beauty editors and consumers and is now available in department stores, pharmacies and spas in over 50 countries around the world. The brand uses only 100% plant and mineral derived actives and is free from skin-unfriendly synthetic ingredients such as synthetic fragrance, petrolatum, sulfate detergents and parabens.

Estelle & Thild

I have written previously about Estelle & Thild and I cannot recommend their products highly enough. While the Bergamot shampoo does not lather as much as my regular shampoo, it left my hair feeling clean and smelling delicious. The Baby & Child shampoo has been a big hit with the kids – again, as with the REN products a little goes a long way.

The products are a bit more pricey than what you’ll find on the high street (particularly the supermarkets) but as I don’t use a huge number of hair and skincare products, I can live with that.

So now, over to you – do you ever look at the list of unpronounceable ingredients on your shampoo or shower gel and wonder what on earth you are putting on your body? Or are there, in your view, more important things to worry about?

Chemical free

Currently Coveting #16: The Nars NARSissist Eye Palette

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In the last month or so I’ve gone from being a girl who doesn’t spend a great deal of time on eye makeup – save for a quick flick of eyeliner and lashings of mascara- to being somewhat obsessed with eye shadows. I think it must be all those great beauty blogs out there, inspiring me (a couple of my faves are Joanna Loves, Chic Avenue Daily and Mirifique Beauty) to think that I too could, with a bit practice, become a dab hand at applying my own eye makeup. It started with the Nars At First Sight Palette which I bought just before Christmas – managing to nab the very last one in Space NK’s online store. I then received the much-hyped Naked palette by Urban Decay for Christmas – I know that Naked 3 was just released last month but I still think the original palette has the edge when it comes to creating neutral day-time looks. The latest palette to catch my eye (pardon the pun!) is the soon-to-be-launched NARSissist palette by Nars. Rumour has it that the palette, which forms part of a range to celebrate the brand’s 15th anniversary, will be released in the UK on January 20. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it will be stocked by the Nars counters in Space NK so I get a chance to use the vouchers my parents gave me for Christmas. Then I’ll just have to read some more blog posts to figure out how to create the perfect smoky eye…

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Interior Inspiration: House Doctor Spring 2014

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The house is looking quite bare now that the Christmas decorations have been taken down and packed away for another 11 months. So what better time to give your home a little facelift as we move (slowly but surely) into spring? The new catalogue from Danish brand House Doctor, aptly named Everyday, features a beautiful collection of furniture, lighting and decorative objects. Some new lampshades and cushion covers along with a bit of greenery in the form of potted plants and fresh flowers would spruce up my home no end.

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My (rather meagre) Sales Haul

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I’m old enough to remember when the January Sales used to be a big deal, warranting at least one whole day out scouring the shops for bargains. Now with high street stores discounting left, right and centre in the run-up to the festive season the post-Christmas Sales have lost some of their appeal (for me at least). As someone who is not great at Sales shopping in the first place, I usually only buy a handful of pieces (mostly online, I’m not a big fan of scouring messy Sales rails for that one elusive must-have in my size). This year I’m doing well, it’s only January 3 and already I’ve snapped up two bargains:

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These Cocorose London snakeskin ballet pumps were reduced from £85 to £38 in my local boutique O’Keefe

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And this InWear Eden glitter frill top, now £33 (reduced from £55) will be perfect for wearing with with skinny jeans and heels for a dressed up, yet relaxed, look.

As usual, I couldn’t resist buying a couple of full price pieces like this cropped slouchy yoga top from Sweaty Betty…

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..and these ankle boots from H by Hudson which will help put a spring in my step when the new season rolls around.

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So, what about you? Any good bargains or are you saving your cash for next season’s collections? X

 

Add a Scandinavian Touch to your Home

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As some of you may have gathered by now, I am a big fan of Scandinavian design, both for the wardrobe and the home. So you can imagine my excitement this week when I discovered a new interior website stocking beautiful vintage pieces as well as some of my favourite Scandi brands, including House Doctor, Tine K and Ferm Living. Design Vintage has a store in Brighton as well as an online shop selling all manner of wonderful things to spruce up your abode.

Here are some of my favourites:

1. Industrial desk lamp by House Doctor DK, £150

2. Pink Bambi bedding for a cot or cot bed from Scandinavian designers By Nord, £44

3. Set of three large storage boxes by Tine K Home, £35

4. Zinc wire mailbox by House Doctor, £14.95

5. Dragonfly porcelain votives from Bloomingville, in three different designs, £8.95 each

6. Dark grey and white tie-dye cushion by House Doctor, £35

Wrap it up

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Scarves in all different colours and patterns are an essential part of my autumn/winter wardrobe. Not only do they keep me warm but they also instantly update my “boring” uniform of skinny jeans and baggy jumper. I already have a rather large collection of scarves tucked away in my wardrobe but on my Christmas list this year is a warm, tartan scarf to snuggle up in when the really cold weather hits (typically in January/February). A classic Burberry scarf in the softest cashmere would really hit the spot but I have a feeling that Father Christmas will be on a budget this year, so a nice one from Zara or Topshop would do just nicely.

{In the picture above, clockwise from top left, is just a small selection of my current favourites: Grey and white star scarf from Danish brand Becksondergaard; Pink with stars from another Danish label Kudibal; Black & white leopard print from Swedish brand Ester Elenora; Flowery tube scarf from H&M; Another favourite from Ester Elenora; My favourite winter wrap-around in grey and white, also by Ester Elenora; Classic Alexander McQueen skull scarf; The perfect summer scarf in the softest pink with tiny white hearts from Becksondergaard.}

I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas…

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{Winter Fairylight Tree, £65; Silver Spray Wreath, was £70 now £56; Candles of various sizes in The White Company’s gorgeous Winter scent, from £10; Set of 2 Spruce Stars, was £12, now £9.60}

I love The White Company any time of year but especially at Christmas. I was flicking through their catalogue at a friend’s house this afternoon and found so many lovely decorations that I would love to have in my house this festive season. My favourite is the Winter Fairylight Tree in the top left picture which would look perfect by the window in our dining area. At the moment, many items in The White Company Christmas range are 20% off, but I know from past experience that they tend to sell out fast, so hurry if you want to grab a bargain!

The first of our decorations will go up at the end of this week, in time for the First of Advent on Sunday. When do you start to deck the halls for Christmas?

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{Christmas wrapping, from £3.50; Knitted Father Christmas decoration, was £10 now £8; Set of 3 Pine Cone Decorative Ties, was £6 now £4.80; Knitted Christmas Stockings, from £30}

Currently Coveting #14: Vivienne Westwood x The Cambridge Satchel Company

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I’ve been looking for a bag that is both practical and stylish – and, most importantl, not black – for quite a while now. A couple of days ago I stumbled across this beautiful satchel by The Cambridge Satchel Company and I think the search is officially over. To celebrate its fifth birthday, the brand has collaborated with iconic British designer Vivienne Westwood to produce a limited edition range that combines the classic satchel with the queen of punk’s infamous squiggle print. The design also incorporates the pale tan straps and buckles which first featured in Westwood’s Pirate collection from 1981.

The bags, which come in two sizes and three colourways: yellow and black, white and red, and brown and black, retail at £195 for the 14″ size and £165 for the 11″ version. They are sold exclusively at Vivienne Westwood standalone boutiques and The Cambridge Satchel Company stores in central London, so I think a trip up to town is on the cards for me if I want to get my hands on one before they sell out.

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The Fashion Clinic #7: Back to Basics

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As we had our wardrobe redecorated this week (there was mould on ceiling that had to be removed…yuck!) I was forced into a long overdue clear-out of its contents. Seeing all my clothes laid out on the bed made me realise that, for want of a better analogy, my wardrobe consists of too much icing and not enough cake. Or, if you prefer, my shopping habits definitely veer towards choosing style over substance. I have plenty of lovely tops and delicate little dresses but only three pairs of jeans that I actually like and I wear jeans on an almost daily basis. Makes sense? No, me neither. I also have twelve pairs of black boots (in different styles but even so) and umpteen cardigans and knitted jackets.

What is woefully lacking though are the everyday essentials that pull all the statement pieces together into different outfits. As we all know good basics are the backbone of a wearable wardrobe and mine is certainly crumbling on that front. I don’t know about you, but plain white vests and T-shirts don’t really set my pulse racing in the same way as leopard print and sequins do, but if I’m going to be buying any clothes at all over the next few months I need to make sure they fall into this category.

Here are some of the best basics I’ve found so far:

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Gap’s Pure Body range is all about basic pieces and, in my opinion, represents what this retailer does best. Just no frills, good quality essentials in super soft cotton that will last and last. At the moment there is an offer on where you get 25% off when you buy three or more camisoles.

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A white (or grey or black) T-shirt in a flattering fit is a true wardrobe staple but you don’t always have to pay through the nose. I bought three T-shirts in white, black and pale pink from H&M over the summer and they have lasted really well. With prices starting from £3.99 you can afford to stock up.

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American Vintage is one of my favourite labels for basic pieces in the softest lightweight Supima cotton that are just made for layering. The Jacksonville is the perfect slouchy shape and comes with long or short sleeves in an array of colours. I have one in gray and one in navy but could definitely do with investing in a couple more.

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Basic doesn’t have to mean boring. These cute vests from Danish label Rosemunde have pretty lace detailing around the neckline and come in 26 different colours from neutrals to brights.