Swimsuit vs. Bikini - the million dollar question

It may only be April, but the fashion mags are already filling double page spreads with the pick of this year's swimwear. Whether its tropical prints, cut-out detail, fluoro shades or military greige, this season's poolside attire is anything but ordinary. The only dilemna is the age old choice between bikini and swinsuit. Whichever you opt for, the range of trends applies, so its all down to personal preference. The general consensus amongst the fash pack seems to be that bikinis are fierce, daring, provocative and fun, whilst swimsuits are straightlaced, wall flower cover ups for those who don't dare to bare. I feel it's my job to stand up for the one piece - IT ROCKS! In my opinion, a sleek swimsuit is sophisticated, body shaping, a statement piece, that can carry any trend without looking cheap or chavvy. Here's my pick of new season cossies:

• If it's muffin top control you're after, you can't beat M&S' Ultimate Bodyshaper Tummy Control Swimsuit at £29.50. It comes in white, turquoise, black and pink (my choice), and 'smoothes your figure, giving a flattering fit', with added ruching for luxe detail. A figure fixing winner.
• If it's a feminine print you covet, try Topshop's Butterfly Floral One Piece, in at £28. The ditsy blue print, ruffled neckline and halterneck tie make it a girly yet fashion forward piece of kit.
• For a St. Tropez glamour fix a la bond girl, take a look at Accessorize's Zebra Glamour Girl Swimsuit, £30.00. The celeb-favoured zebra print (see Cheryl Cole in Marbella) and chic ties make it extra special in a laid back manner.

Whicherver option you choose, don't forget about the swimsuit this summer. It may live in its bikini cousin's shadow, but believe me, with all the styles available this season, it's catching up fast. Last one in the pool!

Lou x

Gossip Girl @ Miss Selfridge UPDATE!!!

So to update my last post, here is a sneaky peek at this gorgeous collection:

Lust worthy!

XOXO

Lou

Elemis Skin Specific Facials @ SAKS Hair & Beauty

For months, I've been driven to frustration by my unresponsive skin, which, no matter how vigorously I cleanse, scrub, moisturise or massage in anger, refuses to work with me to achieve the model perfect base I so desire. I've tried more mainstream products than you can shake a stick at, in more combinations than the code on the Bank of England safe, yet my skin remains sensitive, red, blotchy and irritable, with dry cheeks, an oily t-zone, and the most stubborn blackheads I have ever had the misfortune to tangle with. That's why, when I found a 50% off voucher in Grazia magazine a couple of weeks ago, I immediately booked an appointment for a rigorous professional facial at my local branch of SAKS. At £70 for the full works, it's a bit steep without a discount, but by gum was it worth it. My therapist, Nina, talked through all of my skin concerns before commencing an hour long ritual of cleanse, tone, enzyme mask and moisturise, all using ELEMIS products from their sensitive range. Rounded off with a head, neck and shoulder massage, the experience in itself was the ultimate relaxation. But the products themselves were the biggest shock. I had always assumed that nothing on earth could justify price tags of £19-£42 for skincare (you may gasp in horror), but my skin feels completely rejuvenated. I will admit to a little itchiness on my super-dry cheeks, but I've always experienced this with products and it tends to fade with use. Not sure I'll be splashing out on the whole range just yet, but I'll definitely be back for another treatment. Pamper-tastic!

Lou x

http://www.saks.co.uk/beauty-face-body.asp

Gossip Girl @ Miss Selfridge

Every self-respecting young fashionista worth their style salt will openly admit to a serious Gossip Girl addiction. Whether you're working the cute yet fierce Blair Warldorf alice band or rocking Little J's punky chains,  these four Upper East Side princesses have been a part of our fashion vocab for three beautiful seasons now, and the style crush looks set to continue long into their rich and fabulous futures. That's why I was so unashamedly excited to hear that Miss Selfridge have teamed up with the hit US show to produce a capsule line of 8 dresses, allowing us mere mortals to copy our heroines' looks at a fraction of the price. For Blair lovers (That's me!), choose from a belted, sleevless white shirt and floral skirt combo dress, or a v-neck pink beauty with a cute bow (I'll be first in the queue for that particular number). Serena worshippers can bag a body-con wonder dress. Jenny wannabes should go for the cream lacy prom dress with a black flower corsage, or a deep v-neck, shimmery black dress, full of tiers and dripping in chains. If you want to channel Vanessa's laid back vibe (not a fan myself), a jewelled, tribal style frock could be yours, or a floaty maxi for summer chic. Whichever you choose, these pieces ar the epitome of New York cool. If it's good enough for Blair, it's good enough for me. Stay tuned for pics! Oh, and if you're a fan at stalker level you might want to head out there in June when filming begins on the Season 4. Give Chuck a kiss from me!

Lou x

Double Denim - To do or not to do?

So double denim is now a major fashion trend for spring / summer '10. Hmmmm. That's all I can say really. It's not as if I'm opposed to radical flash trends that we'll all look back in in 6 months time and cringe, wondering what we were all thinking as sane, style savvy adults. But surely in fashion there are sacred laws that must never be broken? And for me, wearing more than one denim item at once is pretty criminal. So when I saw a double page spread in GRAZIA magazine, a mag I usually align with 'High' fashion, above the reach of us mere Topshop loving mortals, I was more than a bit surprised. Entitled 'Four Ways to Wear... the new denim', this feature suggests pairing pale denim jeans with a similar shade of denim shirt, ripped shorts with a frayed waistcoat, and a button-up skirt with a denim bra top. So if fashion's elite are getting in on the act, maybe it's time to give it a try. I'm currently on the look out for a chunky denim waistcoat to add a rocky vibe to my FCUK jeans. Will let you know what reaction I get from that particular combo...

Lou x

# Here comes the summer sun

I can't believe what amazing summery weather we had today! I took the opportunity (not knowing if it might be snowing again if I so much as blink) to dig out my gorgeous FCUK sunglasses that I bought last summer from Boots. At £60, they did cause me to pause and mentally assess the state of my bank balance, but I'm SO glad I threw caution to the wind and snapped them up. I had them surgically attached to my face all through last summer, and I can now understand the concept of investment pieces, as I love them just as much now as I did when they were brand new. I know if I'd bought cheaper ones I'd be bored of them by now and looking for a new pair. A dark blue with a hint of sea green (yes I know that sounds odd), the gold strips at the edges add a touch of class and the huge lenses flatter my face shape. So anyway, here's a pic, and expect to see them in lots of my style pics from now on! Bring on the summer!!!

Lou xxx

Today's Outfit - 18th April 2010

Ok, so you can all wag your finger at me as much as you want, but I deperately needed a break from essay madness, so I went shopping with my mum this morning (yes, I hear your tutting). Due to the gorgeous summery day, and seeing as we all know how long that's likely to last in Brrritain, I put together a cool outfit for the warm weather (see what I did there?!?...fine), mixing denim with graphic floral print and pastel lace.

• My dark denim shorts are from Miss Selfridge (£28), high waisted with 6 'buttons' on a wide waistband to squash my tummy in. I love them and wear them so often, usually with black or cream tights but here with black and grey floral print leggings from Topshop. No way would I wear them with bare legs, but leggings allow me to rock the shorts trend in a way the suits my figure.
• I tucked a peach cami from H&M into my shorts to streamline my silhouette and added a lilac lacy crop top from Topshop, a nod to two trends in one go. Again, the cami lets me work an on-trend crop top without having to show my less than toned midriff.

Let me know if you think this works!

Lou xxx

MORE Magazine / Miss Selfridge Reader Stylist Competition

OMG I am soooo excited! A little while ago I entered the photo of my cream and lilac skater dress outfit (see below) into the More Magazine / Miss Selfridge Reader Stylist competition (being the on trend fashionista I am), and found out yesterday that I've been shortlisted in the Top 5! So now I need to hope the votes roll in and I win the chance to go to the More HQ in London and film a video blog with a Miss Selfridge outfit I can keep! Yay!!! Finger crossed...

Vote for me at: http://apps.facebook.com/more_fbs/?c=compete&m=vote

(Sorry for the lack of posts recently, it's essay season and that's taking all my (very limited) attention!)

Lou xxx

Stop the search!

After weeks of fruitlessly searching far and wide (ok, a few quick looks in John Lewis), I have finally found THE handbag to live up to my ultimate dreams of a spring carry all that exudes laid back style, but can easily accommodate the kitchen sink and will go with whatever outfit I concoct each morning. Phew! I was initially looking for a cream / caramel / tan shade, the key bag trends for summer, preferrably in a satchel style, but after a while I realised that while the IT bags have their good points, a handbag is something you have to lug around day in day out and has to work for you. The flap over on satchel bags would drive me mad when I'm at the front of a 10 strong Topshop queue trying to dig out both my debit and student cards whilst balancing a dress over one arm and a clutching pair of heels in the other.  And neutral tones are all well and good, but what if I bought a cream bag and then wanted to wear a white maxi? So when I was jeans shopping in French Connection on Friday and spotted this stunning black studded shoulder bag with tassels (another key trend), I decided to blank out the £80 price tag and snap it up. And whilst I've only been using it for two days, I'm already in love. Unlike my previous bag, where everything had to be lined up in single file before the zip would fasten, I can throw the assorted contents of my daily life into this fabulous bag haphazardly. The grey lining is effortlessly cool, the zip holds my valuables, the sides are expandable with press-studs, and the studs add that rocky edge to any floral dress. I LOVE IT!!! Oh, and I did manage to find both an immensely flattering pair of skinny jeans and some tummy-skimming leggings too. I'll just have to screen calls from the bank for a little while...

Lou x

Bad Hair Day Solution

Everyone has days when, no matter what you try, your hair just won't behave and you just want to tear it all out. There's only so much products can do and we're not all endowed with long flowing tresses that can be scooped up into an elegant pony. On days like these (today being one of them), what I want more than anything is to have it all swept back off my face, preferrably in a stylish manner. So when I spotted this cream 'Jersey Flower Stretch' hair band, £6,  in Dorothy Perkins, I had to grab it. The soft, stretchy band keeps my hair pushed back, and is wide enough to control my fringe but not so wide as to squash any volume. I wore the corsage to one side for effortless chic. It's amazing how something so easy to throw on can look so great (no comments on the stripy cardi please, I'd just got home and thrown something comfy on!)

LOOK Magazine 12th April - BOOST YOUR BASICS

No matter how many fashion crazes we follow or what on trend pieces that will only be wearable for a few weeks we snap up, there will always be those wardrobe staples that go with anything and can be worn at any time, no matter what the current flash fashions. So this great article in LOOK magazine this week runs down those basic items we shouldn't be without this season.

• Breton Tops - This is one t-shirt style that never goes away. Be it black and white, blue and white, wide stripes or narrow, the breton tee is a classic item that can be worked in any number of ways. Channel the nautical look with a double breasted blazer and some anchor jewellery (I've got a great pair of cream and gold anchor earrings from Topshop), or do Parisian chic by adding flashes of red and a quirky beret. Effortless style.
• Satchel Bags - A universally cool accessory that holds everything, hangs across your shoulders for easy shopping and fits in with the tan/caramel trend. That's the shade I would plump for, and Mischa Barton's latest design is perfect, soft yet hardy (£60 at John Lewis).
• Floral Dresses - my absolute fave staple for girly style. Toughen up with a biker jacket, pair with black tights for that transition period, and team with wedges for summer cool. Sorted.
• Silk Blouses - Find your inner Moneypenny with ladylike silk/chiffon blouses in nude/caramel colours. My latest buy is this stunner from M&S' Limited Collection range (don't write it off!) at £35. The small studs add that extra edge and it meets that underwear as outerwear trend (try a body underneath).
• Roll Hem Shorts - Shorts are my new can't live without item, worn at the moment with black tights, moving into nude ones for spring and then hopefully (with a few more trips to the gym!) bare legs for summer. They look great for all occassions: work, shopping, beach. I've just picked up a brilliant cream pair with bronze buttons from Florence&Fred at Tesco for only £10. Bargain!

When you're shopping look out for key basics that can be worn in different ways and added to high fashion items. They're a worthwhile investment.

Lou xxx

A cut above the rest

It doesn't matter how super stylish your outfit is, how sky scraping your heels or how immaculately applied you make-up might be, if your hair resembles a particularly disarranged bird's nest you're never going to look your on trend best. I was so sick of my regular trips to the hairdresser I'd gone to since I could walk, asking for something fresh and innovative each time yet coming away looking exactly the same as when I went in, that I was determined to take my business elsewhere. My chosen salon was Vidal Sassoon in Nottingham, and my stylist Sarah, and from the second I arrived I knew this was going to be an altogether different experience to what I had previously settled for. I turned up for my initial appointment with my fragrance free hair products, a quirk which was handled without even a raised eyebrow, and sat down to a consultation about what it was I was looking for. Sarah immediately understood that what I wanted most of all was body and lift for my limp and lifeless tresses, and suggested a much shorter style that was graduated at the back and slightly longer at the front. I was more than happy to try anything, so let them get to work. My hair was washed skillfully using my products, then cut with extreme precision whilst we chatted about all sorts of things. The end result surpassed even my high expectations. The back of my hair had such volume and definition that it looked like I'd had the thickness doubled with hair extensions, and the angular shape was so flattering it really framed my face. Delighted, I've since been back for a second appointement and will now be a client for life. Oh, and the 20% student discount doesn't half help! So if your hair's stuck in a rut, give them a try. With salons all over the UK there's bound to be one near you.

http://www.sassoon.com/

Lou x

As you've probably already gathered from the outfits I've posted so far, my absoloute fave spring trends are nudes and antique florals. Well I'm sure you can imagine the level of drooling involed when I spotted THIS Pink rose embellished jacket, £70, from Dorothy Perkins, which effortlessly combines the two in shabby chic style. The 'Pink jacket with rose corsage detailing, with sequins thorughout and a beaded trim', would look AMAZING with a creamy coloured vest, pearls / floral corsage long necklace, skinnies or jeggings, and high heels. A great alternative to a cardi or blazer. BUY!

Lou x

Welcome to the earrings emporium

OMG, I've just had a bit of a shock. Ok, well maybe that's a bit dramatic - I'll start at the beginning...

This morning, I decided to do something productive with my time instead of lazing around like normal. So I grabbed my earrings draw and set out to unravel, pair up, clean and rearrange them all. Firstly, it's a much harder job than you would imagine. You have no idea how frustrating it can be when you find five assorted earrings ravelled up in so tight a knot you think some evil force must have set out to try your patience. Anyway, when I'd laid them all out, I COULD NOT BELIEVE just how many earrings I've acquired over the 7 years I've had my ears pierced. See right for the incriminating evidence. This selection of 'fashion' earrings comes from Topshop, Dorothy Perkins, Accessorize, M&S (you'd be surprised at the quality of their jewellery), and lots of other places. Some are even homemade. I literally don't think my draw can take any more. Will that stop me buying? Will it heck.

Happy Easter!
Lou x

What's in Shops - 3rd April 2010

As a much deserved reward for finishing my essay on time (well that's my excuse anyway), I went on a very fruitful and extremely expensive shopping trip yesterday. You know how sometimes you go into town and can't find one thing you love enough to actually buy, then other times you're like a kid in a candy store, not knowing where to look for all the uber stylish goodies on display? Well yesterday was definitely the latter (as my bank balance will forever remind me). So, I thought I'd give a round up of what's hot on the high street right now:

• H&M: For one of my not so favourite shops, there were quite a lot of hot pieces here yesterday. Their flower garden collection is great for holiday buys, with floaty tops and maxis in bright floral prints. The scarves are especially cute. I bought an amazing elasticated floral skirt for - wait for it - £7.99! No you haven't got blurred vision, it was THAT cheap. I also grabbed two plain camis with adjustable straps in peach and dusky pink, £4.99 each.
• Oasis: I didn't find much I personally wanted this time, but they have got a wide selection of nautical chic, floaty maxis and full-skirted floral dresses. I did nab though a great white tee with a blue sequinned parisian motif (Artisan Trompe L'Oeil Tee £28.00) Great for adding a stroke of style to casual days.
• Topshop: A treasure trove as usual. Full of nudes and pastels, underwear as outerwear, antique florals, tropical miama-esque prints and much much more. I bought their pale grey Frill Wrap Dress for £45. The wrap style means you can adjust the fit exactly, the frills accentuate your 'assets' and the shade is spot on. Can't wait to wear!

Comments please, Lou x

My Outfit - 1st April 2010

So today I pulled out another Spring look (maybe wanted to impress someone of the opposite sex...), channelling pale lilac and cream with a small floral print, coupled with a 'holey' cardi for casual chic. I added my beloved pearl and bow necklace, bought from Topshop a while ago but still bang on trend. Black tights while its chilly, but I'll be wearing some lovely cream ones from Topshop very soon!

• Sleeveless cream & lilac floral skater dress with straps across the back: Topshop, around £32.
• Long, 'Knitted Pointelle' (or 'holey' for us normal folk) lilac cardi: Topshop, around £38
• Cream pearl and bow necklace, Topshop

Some of you eagle-eyed readers may have spotted a high street store addiction by now - Hi, I'm Louisa and I'm addicted to Topshop...feels good to let it out.

So do you think I impressed? Lou x