Wrap Up This Winter: Top 10 Winter Essentials

Even though it is clear to say I despise the bitterness of the cold and everything that follows, I absolutely adore winter fashion. There is so much to play around with, from a variation of shirts and turtle-necks to layering up..and and of course one of my loves; FUR! My pet hate on the other hand is seeing endless girls quivering in their boots on a night out in their skimpiest dress WITHOUT a jacket.. are you mad? I mean in addition to this many if not most still bare the cold pretty much naked and almost always bare-legged. The phrase 'less is more' seems to be taken a bit too literally these days. Here are my Top 10 Winter Essentials for 2013:

1) Get yourself a pair of tights...make that 10
With recurring gale force winds swooping through the crisp winter air, it would be wise to begin with buying an endless supply of tights to get you through the next winter months. Tights can be added to any dress or skirt/shirt ensemble, with the certainty of black matching pretty much anything. However I like to branch out and indulge in a variety of colours and textures. Primark is a saviour for basics such as these, with them stocking pretty much every colour and style possible for the cheapest price going. From thick to ribbed to mustard, to burgundy, to patterned, they have it all for a mere £2, if that.

Where to buy:
Primark £1-£4.50

2) Invest in a Turtle-Neck or 2
My all-time favourite winter-essential, the good old Turtle-Neck sweater. It makes me laugh every year, because even though these have survived through generations of fashion they still seem to be frowned upon today. I believe many people have a misconception of how they should be worn and often tend to shy away from ever trying it. My good friend Claudia is the perfect example, during our weekly shopping trip, she laughed when I got so excited about buying new turtle-necks, after piecing together a few outfits she went on to also buy the two that I bought! Turtle-necks or Polar-necks as some may say can be worn tucked into a skirt or jeans, or worn under a dress as an undergarment, just as you would wear a shirt underneath.

Where to buy:
H&M Classic Turtle-neck Top £7.99 (Black, Grey, White and Teal)
H&M Turtle-neck cropped sweater £24.99 (Cream)

3) Catch a cold...or wear a Coat?
The most obvious of them all, a suitable Winter Coat is key to keeping warm this winter. Enter at your own peril is what enters my mind every time I open the door, without a jacket YOU WILL BE COLD. If price isn't an issue then I would recommend a Moncler puffa jacket, composed of the finest goose down and has been proven to keep you warm in arctic temperatures. If you aren't willing to splash out, the highstreet has some great options, with Topshop having a wide selection (visit Oxford Circus for the widest selection)

MONCLER - BADY £590

4) Grab some Gloves
No one wants to hold your hand when it's freezing cold...nor do they want to touch hands that feel like sandpaper so gloves (and hand cream) are essential. Personally I love leather gloves, I get mine from Peekaboo. This is a vintage brand which can be found in Topshop's Oxford Circus Flagship Store (£25) or online at www.peekaboovintage.com/collections/vintage-inspired-gloves
For those of you who can't stand the constant, taking the gloves off, putting them back on scenario; you can now purchase touch-screen gloves which have special sensors (or holes) so that you can still use your smart phone. These can be found on Ebay for as little as £1.99 or even better, ASOS do a leather pair for £55.

5) Add bubbles to your bath with Badedas Bath Gel
A scent reminiscent of my childhood, Badedas has always been one of my plush winter comforts. There is nothing better than coming home after a long-hard day and indulging in a long-hot bubble bath. If you have never tried this, please do!

Badedas Bath Gel - £9.95 (available in most supermarkets)

6) Lounge around in a Onesie
Until I did some promo work for the brand One-Piece, I had never thought about buying a onesie nor did I own one...my gosh I was missing out! It is clear to say that I LOVE my one-piece too much, whether you are dying of a hangover, having a lazy sunday, travelling on holiday or just popping to the supermarket the onesie is the perfect outfit. It has a cool, apres-ski look and feel about it and is unbelievably cosy, I take it everywhere!

Where to buy:
www.onepiece.co.uk - Prices range from £89-£200

 

8) Skinny Jeans
Every girl needs a great pair of jeans! Skinny Jeans can be worn on a night out with a 'classic court shoe' or as casual wear paired with a sweater and a pair of Chelsea boots. They are great for accentuating you derriere and keep you warm..duh! If you're feeling daring try a new colour! I have a pair in bright orange..Love Love.

9) Slap on some Face Cream
The wool-blends and materials might be getting thicker and heavier, but it's not only the materials that need to get thicker. Do not forget about the one place we can't cover..our face! If you are looking for the 'Creme de la Mer' of all face creams (IRONIC) then I would recommend the Creme de la Mer moisturising face cream at a price £100. It is the best of the best though!

Selfridges £100

10) Add some warmth with a Fur Gilet
Fur gilets are a great addition to any outfit for both style and warmth. I have a black fox/rabbit fur gilet with a hood which I often wear layered underneath a coat or on its own as a signature piece. If you are worried about it making you look large, it doesn't due to its weightlessness. It acts as a body warmer and also looks great layered underneath a smart work coat. If you are anti-fur then that is absolutely fine, there are many faux fur options available on most fashion sites and on the hightstreet.

Where to buy:
Real Fur
Harrods £120-£1800
Independent fashion boutiques £100-£600
Ebay £100-£300
Faux Fur
Asos £35-£70
Topshop £35-£180

 Vanilla Paris

 

Ebay

 

Wrapping up has never looked so fashionable!

Bea {x}

Has Versace gone GAGA?

Rumours are flying around regarding a possible collaboration between close pals Donatella Versace and Lady Gaga. The pair have been friends for years thanks to Donatella gifting Gaga one of her Vintage Versace dresses which was worn in her Edge of Glory music video back in 2011. The Italian designer also designed Gaga's costumes for her Born This Way tour which toured worldwide; Gaga shared her love for the chain-smoking, fashion queen on her latest album 'ART POP' dedicating track 10 (Donatella) to her pal, Versace.



Photo: Starcount



Photo: Digital Spy



Photo: Zimbio

So with this in mind and with endless rumours circulating, it seems sense that Donatella makes Gaga the face of the Spring/Summer 2014 Versace campaign...watch this space...

Meanwhile...yesterday in New York Lady Gaga was celebrating her latest album release (ART POP)with the grand opening of the H&M in Times Square. Gaga was the latest celebrity to collaborate with the global fashion brand, however, don't expect to see any wacky clothing taking to the shelves, unfortunately (or..fortunately) Gaga will not be designing the range, instead she will be the brand ambassador for their latest collection and well we can expect to see her face everywhere...

 

 Photo: Amusio

 

Photo: My Daily News

 

Photo: Elle

Not only did customers and fans get to enjoy the 24 hour opening time, but were able to meet the fabulous extrovert herself; along with receiving hourly offers and fashion giveaways...NOW WHY WASN'T THIS IN LONDON!!!!!

Bea {x}

Taylor Swift For Victoria Secret Tonight

Boys BEWARE: If you date Taylor Swift..prepare to have a song written about you and listened to by millions and maybe even be No1(not neccessarily a nice song either..). She is the most successful female singer worldwide and the richest woman under the age of 25. I absolutely adore her and find every song so relatable...I mean how many of us have sat there and been like 'I hear ya'. From being in love with someone that doesn't know you love them, to falling in love and having your heart broken into a million tiny pieces; she sings it all!

Taylor Swift (Google)

This year good old Tay Tay has been selected to perform at the Victoria Secret 2013 Fashion show alongside Fall out boy, Neon jungle and Great big world for the world's most eagerly anticipated, dazzling showcase of the year. Taylor Swift will follow in the footsteps of musical giants such as Justin Bieber, Jay Z, Rihanna and Kanye west as she performs alongside some of the world's sexiest and most beautiful women...the Victoria Secret Angels.

Behati Prinsloo is one of the Victoria Secret Angels that will be walking the catwalk in tonight's show

The show will take place today in New York, so as the Angels get ready to ruffle their feathers and strut their stuff, we can all prepare to be draw-droppingly jealous at the sublime figures and the dazzling diamonds...lets not forget this years Royal Fantasy Bra, which is rumoured to be worth $10 million...set to be modelled by blonde bombshell, Candice Swanepoel.

VS Angel Karlie Kloss will wear  this tonight - The 'Wonderwoman Wings'

Candice Swanepoel in the $10 million Royal Fantasy Bra

Bea {x}

Brooooooching with Chanel

It's pretty obvious that I bloody love a Peter Pan collar and a shirt, and I am forever finding new accessories to place bang in the middle of the collar; be it a ribbon tied in a bow, a rose brooch or a chunky necklace. However, I have always wanted a Chanel brooch to place there and well... I got what I wanted ohhhhh yaaaaaarrrrrrr!!!! Love Love my latest addition..

Bea {x} 

Hair Trend: Balayage Highlights

I want a change...What shall I do to my hair? Should I go dark? Shall I dye it blonde? Well my gosh, these are the annoying questions that I get myself in a tizz about, being an indecisive Libran and all. I made a Facebook status to try and gain the advice of friends and family and these seemed to be quite controversial, my dad even tried to 'dadmail me' (emotional blackmailed by my father..).

Meanwhile, one of my oldest school friends, Sasha, phoned me instantly to insist that I do NOT go back dark, "Bianca (she refuses to call me Bea) you are not dying your hair dark, everyone is lying it makes you look pale, your nose looks bigger and well it looks like you are going bald where your hair grows back...they don't want you to look pretty". This was so priceless...but so true...not the pretty part though, I hope!

After weeks of contemplation, I finally came to the decision that I would keep my hair strawberry blonde rather then going back dark...lets not forget I was once so dark you could have mistaken me for Wednesday Adams..not so pretty.

I booked myself into Urban Retreat in Harrods as I felt like I needed pampering and wanted a day full of 'ME time'. Mattia, my hairdresser was angry at the thought of me changing my hair or even going blonder ("People pay so much money to try and get this colour (strawberry blonde/ginger)" rah rah rah) and so he persuaded me into having Balayage Highlights which he insists are the best and most natural form of highlights and well I was so chuffed with the results I am most definitely going to have it done again.

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What is Balayage?
Balayage is a coloring technique used to create sun-kissed, natural-looking highlights. Used as an alternative to foil highlighting, it is the action in which hair color is swept or painted on to the hair to create depth and dimension.

Balayage is the in-salon color service choice among the most discerning clients – celebrities, models and fashionistas – that demand hair color to be designed exclusively for them.(L'oreal proffessional)

 

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Balayage highlights start at £135 at Harrods, but I would definitely recommend it. 

If you are getting your hair done at Urban Retreat, you can order your lunch to you...now that's table service! Mmmmmm! Don't forget to try the freshly prepared banana, apple and mango smoothie!

Bea {x}

Who said Halloween was Dead?

Ooooooohhhhhhhhhhh (I screeched).........As I attempt to fly around the house in a white sheet (pretending to be a ghost) I ask myself..how old am I..clearly not 20! (I don't actually do that....)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!! This is most definitely one of my favourite times of the year and well whoever moans about getting dressed up, YOU'RE BORING! This year I decided to go as a Gothic (DEAD...obviously) doll, and I am extremely pleased with how it turned out.

Moi as a Gothic Doll...the blood comes later

Tonight I wore a Jones & Jones dress from Topshop (Oxford Circus) paired with a Moschino belt and River Island wedges. I also wore an Ostrich feather jacket which is very dramatic and really added to my Gothic Outfit, also bought from the LG floor in Topshop, Oxford Circus. Accessories included a spider choker, satin gloves, fake blood and a mask.

We went to Dukebox, in Chelsea and amongst my friends were some smashing outfits! My best friend Ollie and his girlfriend, Julia went as a zombie jock and cheerleader. My friend Georgie opted to go as a spider, whilst Danni went as little red riding hood. My gay best friend George went as Lady Gaga from Born This Way and wore a green/navy tartan suit from Topman...you little fashionista YOU!

Xanthe, Adam, Claudia and Myself at Dukebox in Chelsea

 

 

PS. Just for future reference, just outside of Fulham on the Hammersmith road is a dress-up shop called 'Carnival'. It is the best, no matter the occasion it has EVERYTHING, it is made up of dingy alleyways and rooms stretching underground and prices are...well just above affordable lets say!

Bea {x}

Go K-K-Krazy for the Kardashian Kollection for Lipsy

With the Kardashian name flying around here, there and everywhere in the press, you'd think that the girls would want to take a step back from their hectic lifestyles flooding the media; but as usual the three sisters prove to be unbreakable as they release yet another clothing line for Lipsy. Their last collection, which launched for Dorothy Perkins in early July was a soaring success, and whilst the girls decided not to continue their contract with Arcadia Group's, Dorothy Perkins, the girls have in fact decided to design another line for Lipsy. The Kardashian Empire just keeps on growing and the girls show no signs of weakness in their campaign for the label..Lamar who?

Khloe, Kourtney and Kim are back with their brand new Kollection for Lipsy

So what can we expect from the latest Kardashian Kraze? Well of course their renowned bootylicious, figure-hugging bodycon dresses and a rather daring halterneck, all lace jumpsuit, which surprisingly looks fabulous on Kourtney but I can't see myself carrying that off anytime soon... The girls have opted for bold colours such as red, white and black, assymetric shapes and patterns for a simple but sexy look. The collection, like the last is affordable still, however is priced higher than what it was in DP, with prices starting at £30 and reaching highs of £150. The Kardashian Kollection will be available to buy in Lipsy stores on 24th October. Here is a sneak peak of what we can look forward to:

 

 

Bea {x}