It doesn't have to be lipstick though, a piece of costume jewellery or especially handmade jewellery is also a great way to give yourself a treat and add a bit of sparkle to your outfit.
Rabu, 11 Maret 2009
The Lipstick Effect
The lipstick effect is the name given to the the tendency for consumers to purchase small, comforting items such as lipstick rather than large luxury items in a recession. The purchase of a small item is supposed to give the same effect (well almost) as buying a whole new outfit, when times are hard. A little treat now and then is also a great way to stop yourself splurging on clothes that you cannot afford.
Quality over Quantity
With the credit crunch and recession forcing many people to think their spending habits, many people are also rethinking their consumer behaviour with regards to fashion and clothing. Fast fashion had become part of many peoples life, buying low cost clothing and then throwing away after just a few wears just to keep up with the latest trends. The credit crunch has caused a bit of a rethink. It is much more cost efficient (not to mention better for the environment) to buy good quality clothes to last in styles that are both flattering and timeless. By developing your own sense of style rather than relying on fashions and trends, you can always look your best without the need to continually update your wardrobe. By shopping in the sale, you can get amazing designer pieces at a fraction of the cost. If you pick carefully, you can find classic items so it will not matter if they were from last season, they will still look stylish.
This classic brown wool Paul and Joe Hagrid Blazer from My Wardrobe is great for all seasons and will last you for many years to come. It looks great with jeans. Roll up the sleeves for a more casual look. 
This Twenty8twelve shirt sabine artists shirt is a great versatile piece for every day wear. try teaming with a pair of skinny trousers for a really stylish outfit.
Philosophy Di Alberta Ferretti Wool Trousers at My Wardrobe. Everyone needs a pair of classic black wool trousers. These are perfect with a pair of platform shoes for the office. 
These Michael Kors Pipi Mary Jane shoes are another classic item. They look great with tights and a pencil skirt or dress for a smart occasion or work.
Why don't you have a look for some more classic designer pieces at 50% discount or more in the My Wardrobe Sale.
Nothing to wear?
Do you ever find that you have nothing to wear? You wouldn't be the only one. Hundreds of women every day must stare into their wardrobe saying to themselves "I have got nothing to wear". The truth is most women have plenty of clothes, the problem being that they just aren't the clothes that they need. I for example have a wardrobe full of party dresses but with two young children rarely get the opportunity to go out in the evening. When it comes to an average day which involves the school run, a trip to the super market and sitting at my laptop working, I always end up in my faithful pair of jeans. What I need in my wardrobe is smart practical clothes that suit my lifestyle whilst also being stylish.
This ribbon strip top from Adili gives the classic comfy and versatile white T shirt an upto date twist. It looks great with anything from jeans to a smart suit.
This Acacia high waist skirt from Adili is a really versatile piece for any wardrobe. Create a very trendy look by combining it with a pair of tights and ankle boots and a cashmere jumper.
So next time you are doing some shopping, think carefully about what you need. It is possible to combine practical every day clothing with your desire to look feminine, trendy or smart.
This 2Two dress from La Redoute is a great way to add a bit of glamour to your day. It is really feminine with lots of lovely details and can have combined with trousers or jeans for a smart casual and practical look.
These balloon style linen trousers from La Redoute are a great fashionable day time look for when you don't want to wear jeans. They look great with low heeled sandals. As they are fitted around the hips they are a much more flattering version of this season harem trouser shape.
This ribbon strip top from Adili gives the classic comfy and versatile white T shirt an upto date twist. It looks great with anything from jeans to a smart suit.
So next time you are doing some shopping, think carefully about what you need. It is possible to combine practical every day clothing with your desire to look feminine, trendy or smart.
Win a luxury weekend spa break for two
Some days ago I wrote an article about a day at the spa being the perfect mother day gift. I talked about the fact that it was all well and good to receive flowers, jewellery gift sets,unique gifts and the like but that a day at a spa is priceless. I certainly don't mind having both a tangible gift and a day at the spa.
If you fancy the best of both worlds then Marks and Spencer are offering customers who purchase mother’s day flowers, a chance to be entered into a free prize draw to win a luxury weekend spa break for two, or there is a chance to win other prizes including beauty treatments! There are 5 luxury spa breaks for 2 + 1000s of other prizes in the free prize draw.
I fancy this Rose Tin with three delicately pretty rose plants, set in a rustic cream lattice tin - they will certainly last much longer than Mother's Day. But there are loads to choose from.
For a chance to win, simply (click here) purchase flowers by 5pm on the 17th March and you will be automatically entered into the prize draw.
If you fancy the best of both worlds then Marks and Spencer are offering customers who purchase mother’s day flowers, a chance to be entered into a free prize draw to win a luxury weekend spa break for two, or there is a chance to win other prizes including beauty treatments! There are 5 luxury spa breaks for 2 + 1000s of other prizes in the free prize draw.
I fancy this Rose Tin with three delicately pretty rose plants, set in a rustic cream lattice tin - they will certainly last much longer than Mother's Day. But there are loads to choose from.
For a chance to win, simply (click here) purchase flowers by 5pm on the 17th March and you will be automatically entered into the prize draw.
Selasa, 10 Maret 2009
Michelle Obama in her Donna Ricco Dress
A couple of weeks ago we indicated that we will be posting blogs on the american fashion designers worn by Michelle Obama en route to the white house. Last week we featured Maria Pinto. Today we are taking a look at Donna Ricco. We hope you enjoy this article entitled "Who is Donna Ricco".
Donna Ricco is yet another designer dragged into the spotlight by First Lady Michelle Obama then wife of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. Prior to the election Michelle Obama wore Ricco's Sleeveless Banded Waist Short Dress when she appeared as co-host on the TV Program "The View". Needless to say, this dress worn by Obama which cost $148 off the rack sold out overnight at the White House/Black Market Boutiques.
picture from http://www.donnaricco.com
What's so special about this dress?
The dress is pretty simple, made from a stretch cotton sateen in a black and white print. There are two black bands between the bustline and waistline. It has a square back and a scooped neckline. It is a sleeveless dress with straps wide enough to fit bra straps. As I said, a pretty simple dress made special by the fact that it is worn by Michelle Obama. Though this is not a completely fair statement as Ricco's designs provide a timeless elegance designed with all body shapes in mind. Her dresses are well made from quality fabric.
The only accessory Michelle wore with this dress was a flower brooch on the left strap of the dress. If you wanted to accessorize this dress you can go for either black and white accessories. Resist the urge to go for pearls and try something different like a spatial choker necklace in a clear iridescent colour which changes depending on the lighting.
Ricco taught herself to sew as a teenager and has been in the business for 20 years. She has had formal training in Fine Arts at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and joined the fashion department at Mount Mary College before moving to New York to pursue her dream of becoming an american fashion designer.
In an interview with TODAY's Meredith Vieira Friday in New York, Donna Ricco commented "I'm very happy. I'm very surprised. I had no idea she would be wearing this dress. But it's sort of a natural happening for me, because I've been designing dresses a long time. We ship a lot of dresses to the stores, and I'm happy that Michelle chose this dress to wear on 'The View.' "
Although Donna Ricco had been producing dresses for twenty years, it took one wear from upcoming fashion diva Michelle Obama to send her sales through the roof and have her designs acknowledged by the american fashion media and the public.
While not available in England, Ricco's designs are stocked in Ireland, Barbados, Bermuda, Canada, and the United States. It was most interesting to learn that Ricco's designs were stocked in Barbados not only because I am from the Caribbean myself but also because Barbados is a small island in the Caribbean with a population of 282 thousand. Who would have thought?
Donna Ricco is yet another designer dragged into the spotlight by First Lady Michelle Obama then wife of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. Prior to the election Michelle Obama wore Ricco's Sleeveless Banded Waist Short Dress when she appeared as co-host on the TV Program "The View". Needless to say, this dress worn by Obama which cost $148 off the rack sold out overnight at the White House/Black Market Boutiques.
picture from http://www.donnaricco.comWhat's so special about this dress?
The dress is pretty simple, made from a stretch cotton sateen in a black and white print. There are two black bands between the bustline and waistline. It has a square back and a scooped neckline. It is a sleeveless dress with straps wide enough to fit bra straps. As I said, a pretty simple dress made special by the fact that it is worn by Michelle Obama. Though this is not a completely fair statement as Ricco's designs provide a timeless elegance designed with all body shapes in mind. Her dresses are well made from quality fabric.
The only accessory Michelle wore with this dress was a flower brooch on the left strap of the dress. If you wanted to accessorize this dress you can go for either black and white accessories. Resist the urge to go for pearls and try something different like a spatial choker necklace in a clear iridescent colour which changes depending on the lighting.
Who is Donna Ricco?
Ricco taught herself to sew as a teenager and has been in the business for 20 years. She has had formal training in Fine Arts at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and joined the fashion department at Mount Mary College before moving to New York to pursue her dream of becoming an american fashion designer.
In an interview with TODAY's Meredith Vieira Friday in New York, Donna Ricco commented "I'm very happy. I'm very surprised. I had no idea she would be wearing this dress. But it's sort of a natural happening for me, because I've been designing dresses a long time. We ship a lot of dresses to the stores, and I'm happy that Michelle chose this dress to wear on 'The View.' "
Although Donna Ricco had been producing dresses for twenty years, it took one wear from upcoming fashion diva Michelle Obama to send her sales through the roof and have her designs acknowledged by the american fashion media and the public.
While not available in England, Ricco's designs are stocked in Ireland, Barbados, Bermuda, Canada, and the United States. It was most interesting to learn that Ricco's designs were stocked in Barbados not only because I am from the Caribbean myself but also because Barbados is a small island in the Caribbean with a population of 282 thousand. Who would have thought?
Minggu, 08 Maret 2009
The New Metallics
Antik Batik Mini Skirt
Funnel Neck Metallic Jacket
Linen Blend Shimmer Coat 
Metallic dress 
Reny Derhy shift dress This spring and summer, metallics are every where but unusually this season they can be worn for day or evening wear. The new metallics are understated and textured so forget full on glossy yellow gold instead look for matt and sheen pewters, coppers and bronze. Try dressing up with heels and sparkling jewellery for a great night time look. For day time combine with a variety of colours other than black and flat metallic sandals. For metallic trousers and skirts try wearing them with a chiffon blouse for a great look that is very now. We love these metallic sandals from Munique Fashions.
Linen Dress
Since blogging about this Pure Linen Sleeveless Belted Dress from Marks and Spencer's new portfolio range, I could not resist the temptation to purchase one myself.
I was taken by the style and fabric of this dress as linen is usually such a durable, quality and timeless fabric. I find the style to be also timeless as years from now I will still be able to pull this linen dress out of my wardrobe and wear it stylishly despite new trends.
I was not disappointed with this belted number. This linen dress is well tailored with breast darts and darts along the back of the dress which makes for a great fit. So, like myself you need not be in the best of shape to look good in this dress.
The dress has a front zipper, a back seam and is lined throughout. Some flirtatious elements are added to the dress with the front slits at the top and bottom of the dress front.
It is made from a good quality light linen and the colour is just as seen in the picture. I choose the green since it is spring and the colour looks glorious against my skin. This linen dress is also available in black and can only be purchased online from Marks and Spencer
dot centric earrings
I wore my green linen dress with these amazing copper and brass jewellery dot centric earrings and Bali Girl bracelet . The copper and brass tones offered a golden bronzy glow that teamed well with the fresh olive green of the dress.
Bali Girl bracelet
This Pure Linen Sleeveless Belted Dress is part of Portfolio's Monaco trend - a luxurious range featuring smart tailoring and elegant dresses. Sophisticated prints and flashes of gold add glamour against a striking palette of black and cream.
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