A Scent Fit for Spring...(and a bride)!

Firstly, I am so sorry I haven't posted in a week. This Belle is getting hitched this weekend, and things have been manic to say the least! However, I am hoping to get a couple more posts out there before the big day.

I wanted to tell you about something I don't normally write about, but considering today really does feel like the first day of spring, I thought it was appropriate! I've been looking for the perfect perfume to wear for the wedding day. Something soft, feminine and playful and also with floral notes, as I wanted to smell like a beautiful spring day! Ha! My favourite perfume of all time is Marc Jacobs Daisy. Not only is the bottle beautiful (if you haven't seen those gorgeous oversized daisy lids then where have you been?!) but the scent is gorgeous. It's one of the only perfumes I have found that lingers for hours, and the bottle is so pretty, I keep it out on display even when the thing is empty!

Now, I didn't want to wear Daisy on the wedding day, as I always wear it and I wanted to try something a little different. I was very happy then when the lovely PRs over at the Perfume Shop sent me a gorgeous big bottle of the new Daisy perfume - Daisy Eau So Fresh. The botttle is by far the sweetest one yet - a bouquet of pastel coloured plastic daisies, in various sizes and shades - so cute I'm thinking of turning it into a pendant for a necklace once it's finished up! Top Model Hannah Holman is the face of the new campaign for the perfume, and she adds a certain vitality to the ad.

The smell is different to Daisy, slightly younger, sweeter and fruity - apparently this is down to its notes of rasberry, grapefruit, violet, wild rose and apple blossom - don't worry, you won't smell like a fruit salad! Also, the juice is gently tinted a soft blush, so really, perfect for a...blushing bride!

So, I think I've cracked it, the perfect perfume to spritz on, on my wedding day - I'm going to take the bottle with me so I can freshen the scent up (it's going to be a long day) but I really would recommend this perfume. It's perfect for day or nights and although it's young, fresh and fruity, it still has that sophistcated edge, meaning it'll smell great on you no matter your age or style. Plus, the bottle is a total keep sake!

If you fancy owning your own Daisy Eau So Fresh, check out the Perfume Shop where you can grab it in two different sizes. Enjoy x

Daisy Eau So Fresh

Brit Awards 2011 - The Style Stakes!

Last night the 2011 Brit Awards took place in London, with a host of stars gracing the red carpet and the stage. Of course, the music and the awards were very important, but, as always, who wore what was paramount!

Top of the best dressed list has to be Cheryl Cole, Rihanna, new comer Jessie J. Cheryl looked gorgeous in a backless Stella McCartney number, elegant and sexy, Miss Cole looked stunning. Rihanna had a couple of outfit changes through out the evening, but my favourite was her red carpet look - a vibrant and sexy Dior dress, which ticked all the boxes for SS11 - colourful, clashing and bold! The red haired singer looked simply fab in the sparkly purple and turquoise number, complete with turquoise shoes. Love! Finally, critics choice Jessie J looked very cool in a structured mini metallic green showstopper, which suited her style and personality brilliantly, and her uber cool black bob and full fringe looked as fab as always.

I thought Ellie Goulding could have done a little better - her silky, nude ensemble, pale make up and pinky blonde hair made her look very washed out and a little older than her years. Sophie Ellis Bextor looked like she was heading to a prom, or a barn dance in a very predictable red and black strapless dress, but my biggest gripe of the night was Avril Lavigne. Her dress was a black Julien McDonald with a feather mini skirt, acceptable, but her hair...love, you're a wife, mother and well past your early teenage rebel days, so put down the multi coloured highlighter pens and maybe try a new look eh?

Pics below, enjoy! x

 

 

Lady Gaga's Egg-sellent Grammy's Entrance!

Just when you thought Miss Gaga couldn't get any more experimental, she pulls a stunt that surprises even the most dedicated of Gaga fans.

I'm talking of course about her entrance to the Grammys. We're used to seeing Lady Gaga dressed in meat, with a lobster or telephone stuck to her head, in a dress made from bubbles, you name it, she's rocked it, but last night Gaga excelled herself! How you ask? She arrived in a giant egg, being carried by several of her dancers!

The flamboyant singer was carried up the red carpet on a sedan chair inside the curious vessel, which was fitted with an oxygen tank and a fan...natch!

Her dancers explained that she was incubating ahead of a preview rendition of her new track Born This Way, say: "she's in an embryonic state and won't be born until the performance."

He then said that she had been inside the egg for three hours getting into character with only her Blackberry for company - what we do for a good performance eh?

Her performance outfit wasn't quite as experimental as her arrival - choosing to wear a yellow latex number. Oh, but she did walk away with 3 grammys...well done Gaga! Enjoy x

Leona Lewis Hot New Look

What ever happened to that sweet little receptionist who wowed us all on the X Factor all those years ago? Leona Lewis is renowned for being a lovely, sweet somewhat quiet lass with tumbling curls and a shy smile. Well, just look at Miss Lewis now!

Leona unveiled her hot new look in LA last week at the premiere of Justin Bieber's new...ahem...movie. Gone are the curls, girl next door sweet looks and prom style cocktail dresses, and in their place a sexy new sleek hair do, eye popping fringe and va-va-voom outfits! Hot, hot, hot!

Her daring "Hot Lips" dress was designed by Miss Lewis herself, and the girl looked almost unrecognizable! Leona then graced the red carpet at the second annual Essence Black Women in Music awards, wearing another racy and figure enhancing number. The following night she wowed the crowd again at a charity do wearing a turquoise crop top.

It also looks like Miss Lewis has...enhanced her cleavage with more than just chicken fillets and had a bit of a nose job - although this could just be a very clever make-up artist working their magic! Looks like the LA lifestyle is really rubbing off on our girl!

She's going to be treating us to some more of her designs soon; she let slip that she would be designing her outfits for the grammys on her twitter. Can't wait to see what our home grown diva comes up with next! Enjoy x

The Perfect Valentines Day Present Courtesy of Karine Jackson Salon

Just when I was trying to think of the perfect Valentines Day present to get my fiancé, something original, fun and romantic, my prayers were answered by the lovely Sally at Gloss Communications.

She sent me the details of a salon in Covent Garden called Karine Jackson, who were promoting something very special for Valentines Day - a couples massage and, for the more adventurous, couples massage lesson. I leapt upon this press release greedily for two reasons, firstly because I have heard of the Karine Jackson salon - it's won a bunch of London Hairdresser awards in the past few years - and I have always wanted to go, and secondly because the thought of the boy learning how to give a professional massage which I would then be able to exploit as often as possible, was too good to pass up!

After e-mailing back and forth, Sally booked us an appointment. I took my soon to be hubby to the beautiful salon for our couple's massage lesson.

Our experience started off perfectly, we were greeted by the very nice receptionist and led downstairs to the treatment room. This is the first time the boy had ever been in a salon, and the whole thing was very alien to him, which made it very funny for me. We were asked to sit on the couch and fill in a short form about ourselves - when the form got to the question "have you ever had a wax before" Darren very almost lost the plot. 

We were handed a menu and asked if we would like a complimentary drink. This is all part of the service, and the menu didn't just consist of coffee and tea, but a selection of juices, sodas, champagne, kir royale, beer and wine. Not too shabby! Trying to be healthy (well there are only three weeks before the wedding) we opted for juice, which was brought to us on a tray with a little plate of those lovely posh crisps. 

We were met by our fabulous massage therapist, Liesl, who was a brilliant teacher and had hands from heaven (massage context here people!) She led us into our treatment room, which was lightly scented with lavender and had candles casting soft flickering lights gently onto the walls. She explained what we were going to be doing - first one of us got on the massage table whilst the other one learnt the techniques - Liesl would demonstrate and then we would mimic her movements. She would go through all of the movements with us a few times and then leave us to give each other a massage, running through all of the motions by ourselves. Simple enough!

Darren decided to go first, so I stripped off and lay down on the bed - there is no room for shyness when going for a massage! Liesl applied some gorgeous de-stressing massage oil by Dermalogica to my back, and started the lesson.  

Needless to say, it is a bit strange lying pretty much naked with a massage therapist and your fiancé, discussing methods with several hands rubbing your back and shoulders simultaneously, but after a few minutes, I started to relax and really enjoy it! Liesl was fab, and Darren was a very quick learner, and pretty soon, I couldn't decipher the difference between Liesl and Darren...well done Boo.

After half an hour of fabulous relaxation, it was time to swap over. Darren quickly whipped off his suit and plonked himself down. Liesl and I had a good laugh going through the techniques and movements of a proper massage, and I really got into it. It was great to actually learn the methods and the "oohs and ahhs" coming from Darren's direction meant I must have been doing something right. 

All too soon, our massage lesson was over. We were given a complimentary bottle of the massage oil to take away with us (which I am planning on whipping out at least twice a week!) We had a great time, learnt loads and the staff at the salon were all wonderful, especially the lovely Liesl.

I would definitely recommend this treatment for a fun and unusual Valentine's Day gift. It's a great way to spend some time together, have fun, relax and enjoy each others company, plus, you learn something that will come in handy for many years to come.

For those wanting to give the massage lesson a try, it's £100 for the lesson, and this includes complimentary drinks and a bottle of massage oil to take home. If you fancy the massage but don't want the lesson, Karine Jackson are also offering a Couples Deluxe Massage for £90, where you'll get a top notch massage together and get a bottle of oil to take home. The Salon are also offering a Couples Facial, which includes an expert treatment facial and gent's deep cleanse facial over a complimentary glass of bubbly (that's £100 too). 

If you want to give any of these treatments a go, or are in need of a new salon, get in touch with the team at Karine Jackson www.karinejackson.co.uk they're based in Covent Garden in London, and definitely worth a visit! 

  Enjoy x

The lovely Liesl

Darren getting ready for his massage

Don't I look like a pro??

My turn!

Vivienne Westwood Designs for Comic Relief!

One of my favourite designers of all time Vivienne Westwood has put her incredible design talents to charitable use. The fab British designer has created a collections of t-shirts for Comic Relief, each depicting iconic historical images, including Shakespeare, Queen Elizabeth and...ahem...Blackadder!! All with a funny twist!

Not only has she created some feel-good fashion, but she's got some of her celeb mates to model the designs - with the likes of Sienna Miller, Helena Christensen, John Cleese, David Walliams, Ellie Goulding and Pixie Lott featuring in the new Comic Relief campaign.

Dame Viv commented: 'I once did a collection called 'I am Expensiv', meaning that we are supported by the suffering of the whole world in our privilege bubbles and we must try and help people a bit,' says Viv.

'Comic Relief does a lot and I try to help where I can. I do believe we are an endangered species and I think it is great to try and do anything you possibly can even if to help just one person. But Comic Relief does more than that.'

You can get yourself a t-shirt from TK Maxx stores and online from £14.99 for adult sizes. The T-shirts have been wholly manufactured in Africa from Fairtrade cotton, and don't forget to tune into Comic Relief on Friday 18th March! Enjoy x

I need this one!!

Add a Splash of Colour to your Spring Summer Wardrobe

OK, so perhaps the warmer months aren't the best time to whip out a winter accessory, and I am most certainly NOT an advocate of fur in fashion...but OMG...Prada's SS11 fur stole is just heaven wrapped around your neck!!

I am hoping and praying that the high street does some amazing faux versions of this technicolour beauty. It is already coveted in the fashion world, with fashion champions such as Marc Jacobs, Anna Dello Russo and Rihanna rocking this summer's fiercest accessory. It's also graced the cover of hip mag Numero, and I'm sure will be copied a million times in the upcoming months.

So no, I can't afford Prada, just yet, but come on Topshop...get a look a like on board!! Enjoy x

Images from Style.com and Fashion Foie Gras

So That's a Pint of Milk, Bread and a Manicure from Tesco!

When you pop down to the supermarket, what's normally on your list? Bread? Milk? Dinner? Maybe a DVD and a paper? Well, now supermarket giant Tesco has decided to tap into the beauty industry! Yes, you will soon be able to nip out to pick up your weekly shop, and stop and have a whole heap of beauty treatments, ranging from a haircut and blow dry to a mani/pedi to eyebrow threading! Genius!

Who wouldn't love the opportunity to get their legs waxed during their weekly shop? With time being so precious these days, and modern women filling their days with work, family, social lives etc, the chance to be able to treat yourself to your regular beauty treatments whilst fitting it in with your food shop, will come as a very welcome change.

What's more, you won't need to book an appointment, you can just wander in and take your pick of treatments, and the prices are extremely competitive - £20 for a cut and blow dry, £15 for a shampoo and cut and £12.50 for just a cut; while a half leg wax comes in at £10 and a full leg is £15!

I am sure this new system will be laughed and scoffed at, but come on - I can't believe this hasn't been thought of sooner!

Trial salons are popping up in Tesco stores in Manchester and London, and fingers crossed, they'll do brilliantly and we'll start seeing them in Tesco stores up and down the customers...I guess every little really does help! Enjoy! x