Be Beautiful...

I was shown the most fantastic new way of putting on mascara the other day and I'm pleased to report my lashes are looking luscious.
My hairdresser even asked me if I'd put fake lashes in - result!
Ok so I was at the MAC counter (again) a couple of days ago - hey some people do yoga to de-stess I make up shop - looking at the new collection of eyeshadows called 'Originals', which by the way is a cornucopia of gorgeus colours, and the new contourng powders (from the new Sculpt & Shape range) when an assistant asked if I needed help. Not wanting to be rude I obliged. And she tried the contouring powder on me and it was fab I actually looked like I had Grace Jones style shapr cheekbones.

But I digress when she was about to apply mascara to my lashes she asked me to close my eyes then applied it to both lashes at once. What I hear you say?? But yeah I'll repeat it for those at the cheap seats in the back I closed my eyes and mascara was applied to both the top and bottom lashes at the same time and better still I didn't get that horrible clumping effect that sometimes happens wen mascara is applied to the small lower lashes. Zoom Lash was used and personally I think it's much better than YSL's Faux Cils which I find tends to dry out very quickly. And I know I'm always going on about MAC make up but it gives instant results and that's wha I like. Something that does what it says on the tin or in this case tube.

Glamour Inc.

Now it's no secret that I have a penchant for all things glamourous and glitzy. If I could I'd sport smouldering smoky eyes and full length evening gowns 24/7 you know I would but alas the life of a supermodel wasn't to be so instead I look to certain designers for a daily dollop of the fabulous life. My love of beautiful design and it's power to transform not only how you look but intrinsically how you feel all began in the early 90s with the rise of the supermodel - Naomi, Linda, Cindy, and Christy - and the first designer to put these women out there looking nothing short of amazing - Gianni Versace. Versace as a brand has continued to flourish with Donatella at the helm. And it's designs still ooze aspiration, gloss, and woman power. An iconic brand for strong, powerful women who know they can rule the world an look gorgeous doing so. It's striking poster campaigns shot by uber photographers such as Bruce Weber and Mario Testino are works of art in my eyes comparable to anything Rembrandt ever did and a damn sight more sexy. Versace Style Bazzar salutes you!

Check out Patrick Dempsey in the latest versace Menswear campaign:


Demi Moore and Halle Berry looking ultra fabulous in previous campaigns:

Quick Fixes

As I scrambled out of my flat this morning looking more hobo than boho it hit me that scarpering into the office sans make up and looking rough was so not hot! In my defence it was 5am - don't ask - and I'd overslept. But even in these sorts of mad dash situations there should be a fashion/beauty minimum. I mean what if there had been some mega opportunity on offer and I missed out because I didn't look the part. As they say in life there are no second chances but luckily in fashion there are plenty of shortcuts so here are some failsafe ways to avoid being caught out looking H.A.M (a hot ass mess!):

- Ponytails are your friend : But instead of scrunching your hair into a scrunchie get a pack of blax elastic bands and you'll look pulled together as opposed to frantic. A plain double headband will also achieve the same effect.
- Clothing wise bright colours always draw the eye. So if like me you're often in a rush and don't always have time to iron out trouser creases always keep a soft pashmina in a muted pink or soft looking beige to hand. This will immediately give your whole look an extra polish and doubles up as comfort blanket in boring meetings.
-No time to apply foundation? Don't stress a matt bronzer will do the job and brighten your features. Just make sure it's buffed on with a big fluffy powder brush. Avoid using a puff at all costs you'll just look sun baked and not in a flattering way!
-Lipgloss often requires some concentration so just dab on an intensely moisturizing libalm with a sheen instead. Kiehls do a great one!

C'est tout!

"Fashion fades; style is eternal" - Yves Saint Laurent

This is how winter style should be - laidback and casual yet pulled together.

Skin is Always In

Fendi Python Belt


Oscar De La Renta Doctor Bag


Alena Bag, LK Bennett





No I'm not about to endorse hitting the streets in next to nothing. By Skin I mean reptileskin. There's nothing like a scaly accesory to boost any outfit. Instantly upgrading it from 'yeah fine' to 'wow' status in seconds. Unlike leopard print which can look a bit dated depending on the season and what's in/out a snakeskin or crocodile skin bag, shoes, or belt adds pure class. It's popularity with designers is a testament to it's enduring fashion status. Zaglinani's metallic oversized python skinned bags were a big hit with everyone from Kylie to Beyonce in 07. And I personally feel incomplete without a silver or gold clutch adorning my arms when I hit the town. In fact I'm lusting after an amazing LK Bennett version as I type this!!! Jimmy Choo always so in the fashion moment do some great pythonskin sandals. Keep a lookout for other great finds both on the high street and in boutiques.

Quality Control

Marc by Marc Jacobs Jumper:



Paul & Joe Sister Cardigan:



Chloe Patent Bay Bag:



Quality. What does this really mean? And does this concept stand a chance in our mass market, 'I want it now', quick fix, fast fashion consumer driven culture. Proust I'm not but I was reading the book 'Style A to Zoe: The Art of Fashion, Beauty and Everything Glamour' by uber stylist Rachel Zoe and in it she talks a lot about having good quality things that stand the test of time. And it got me thinking about how in 07' I got completely carried away by cheap chic. Now by my own admission I am a magpie and a hoarder. I adore shiny, pretty covetable things. But now I realise perhaps it was a bit of a fashion faux pas - let's call it a blip. I mean do I really need 8 pairs of grey skinny jeans? Probably not. Worst case scenario if I wear them all in a week I'll be mistaken for a soap dodger too lazy to change her clothes. Best case friends and co-workers will think I look trendy-ish but lack imagination. Also for the price of the jeans I could have bought myself a seriously cool designer dress. You know the kind you fantasize about owning and accidententally on purpose bumping int your ex while wearing it radiating a casual cool - while he stands there speechless and mentally cursing himself for breaking up with you. But never actually get round to buying because it just seems so out of your price range.

This is what I call a price comfort level block. For some reason spending what I consider to be lots of money on one garment makes me jittery. It's derived from the same logic that makes me stop and mull over paying more than £4 for a shower gel I'll use every day but goads me into spending £50 on a ridiculously high pair of crippling stilletos that I'll only wear a couple of times.

Iman said it all when she uttered the phrase 'My image is my currency'. And if so shouldn't we be putting our best foot, face forward at all times. So I've decided to make more of an effort to mix high and low. And as I've got tons of low trust me I'm a high street addict prioritising quality above quantity will be my new shopping mantra. In comes items from great diffusion lines Paul & Joe Sister, McQ by Alexander McQueen and sartorial gems from Chloe, Dolce & Gabbana, and Boutique Labels. And I thinking of going the whole hog and even finding a good tailor. Fit is everything after all. And I suspect that this pared down approach will be the making of my overstuffed wardrobe. It's a work in progress but I'll post updates soon.

Girdle Talk

So in the run up to Christmas I was feeling a bit 'over indulgent' shall we say and ate every meal as if it was my last. Mealtimes became something to look forward to and I'd plan them with military precision. I mean I would actually slip into reveries about chicken stir fries. Now, I've never really been a foodie. Yeah food tastes good and it keeps you going and sure I'm partial to pistacio nuts and the odd packet of malteasers ooh and walkers BBQ crisps but on the whole I can control myself. I mean I've always known that I'm not one of those women who wakes up weighting 30 stone and wonders with actual shock how she got so huge. To put it plainly I know when to back away from a Snickers bar. There's a thin line between curvy and fat and I tow it.

Ok so the point of my ramblings? Well as I was saying I got a bit too into the 'festive spirit' over the holidays but I also blame the cold weather I was probably unknowingly suffering from seasonal affective disorder. Anyway to cut a long story short I've packed on the pounds. Now I'm a UK size 8-10 so you know I thought it's no problemo I'll lose it in the New Year after all isn't that what resolutions are all about. So there I am thinking it's all gonna be ok as long as I avoid my skinny jeans for a bit when post christmas my aunt pulls me aside and she's like 'Um T, I want to give you some advice'. ok I'm thinking pearls of wisdom from someone older and wiser heck I could so do with this especially with my whole self improvement in 08' plan (more on that later). She then drops this bombshell: 'I think you should invest in a good girdle becaue you know this *she pinches what are admittedly generous thighs* run in the family'. Gobsmacked does not begin to describe my expression. Yeah I'd filled out a bit. But aren't girdles for ladies of a certain generation. I mean there is no way a happening (ok now I'm even starting to sound old!) 20 something like me could possibly need one. Suffice to say I'll be ignoring that comment but the post new year gym sessions starts now!! And for those of you into the idea od body hugging lycra - apparently they're great worn under tight body con type dresses - I'm yet to be convinced. How can you feel sexy when in the back of your mind you know you're wearing a garment akin to a stretchy chastity belt? But for those who want to give it a go below are some options.

Magic Firm Control Thigh Slimmer £20.00 M&S from marksandspencer.com


Firm Control New Magic Cup Body £35.00 from marksandspencer.com


Spanx Hide & Seek Full Slip £57.00 from figleaves.com