Celebrating the Queen's Jubilee with Next

the Queen's Jubilee. let us be real, who doesn't know about this. as i am a die-hard Royal family fan, i have been folllowing all the celebrations and "tributes" to the Queen. one of my favourite is from the British Clothing brand NEXT. see below a really cute video of their children's clothing (you must watch). 


What law would you introduce if you were to be the Queen / King? Some brilliant answers
                            
                   


NEXT have also designed (a really patriotic) clothing rage in preparation for the celebrations. it is the British Royal Family that really knows how to throw together a celebration. check out some of the designs (that i most liked) below. i must warn you, be prepared for a whole of Union Jack (and glitter) in your face.

all images taken from the NEXT clothing site

day time. i like the navy blue shorts.

evening

great for that summer vacation

glitter wellies? hmmm, i am still trying to get used to this one

i love this sarong

oh, i do think these are spiffy 

and now, something for the men. 

nice little touch. 

very nice . . . . hmm shirt

thank you NEXT for your beautiful (and very blue and red) clothing range in celebration of the Queen's Jubilee. 
Viva Queen Elizabeth. 


xo xo 

getting that "winter" pout

as a woman, we all love to read what the "best Winter 2012 shade is". well, i am asking, is there such a thing? 


i agree that different lip shades trend at different times of the year, and as i am no beauty-professional, how would i actually know. as i try and read every glossy magazine and website under the sun, they all say different things. hmmm. i believe that beauty is not like the fashion seasons that come and go, but rather what a lady feels "empowered" by, and is used to. 


after doing some research across numerous reputable fashion and beauty websites, i came to the conclusion that a lady should wear what she feels is most empowering. there is something about putting on bright red lipstick that makes you feel you are a woman of power, or going for the natural nude shade that displays simplicity, and self-content. or even that cheeky pink that is pretty in all the right places and is never too much of a statement, but instead a daytime look that illustrates contentment.  heck, i don't know. 


whether you have a juicy pout like Miss Jolie or those elegant petite lips like Miss Hudson, there is always a easy look for day and night, anytime of the year.

DID YOU KNOW: 

Ancient Mesopotamian women were possibly the first women to invent and wear lipstick. They crushed gemstones and used them to decorate their lips. The beautiful Cleopatra had her lipstick made from crushed carmine beetles, which gave a deep red pigment, and ants for a base. Lipsticks with shimmering effects were initially made using a pearlescentsubstance found in fish scales.

In Medieval Europe, lipstick was banned by the church and was thought to be used as an 'incarnation of Satan', cosmetics being 'reserved' for prostitutes. Lip colouring started to gain some popularity in 16th century England. During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (you see, thank goodness for the Monarchy) bright red lips and a stark white face became fashionable. By that time, lipstick was made from a blend of beeswax and red stains from plants. Only upper class women and male actors wore makeup. And of course, you can fill in the rest. 

                                                                                                                                all information sourced

Refinery29 ran an article of Four Hot Lip Trends. i only agree (or like) three of them. i see these lip colours and looks as being the most pertinent and relevant looks in the beauty industry. they are not too much and work well for any season. see below these three lip shades: 

the tangerine colour is great for day time and the rich-red is superb for evening wear.

i am not too crazy about the outter two shades, but give me the middle one any day

**NB : with nude lip colours it is always important (especially ladies with finer lips) to use a lip liner for perfect (and better) definition of the lips

Not so long ago i learnt and read about Clinique's Chubby Stick Moisturising Lip Colour Balm  on Kim Gray's blog. i entered the competition, but i never won, but still determined to have one of these sticks, i went and purchased the Chunky Cherry and i have loved every minute of it. they are great for a fresh and clean look. 

one sneaky "lip-tip" from me. ever get frustrated that your lip colour is not as "lasting" as the marketing advertised? well, try applying your foundation on your lips first OR (as my research showed) using a dry tooth brush on your lips before applying your lipstick. sigh, it is strange but try it. you have nothing to loose, only to gain.

have a lovely weekend.


xo xo

Sophistication gone TRENDY : 1940's Glam

this week, myself and a few friends are attending a book launch, and the theme is 40's Glamour. hmmm interesting. to help inspire my friends (and myself), i conducted some research.


to be able to understand the fashion of the time, we need to remember that it was during the World War, and in 1945 was the end of WWII....it was a time of rebuilding the past and creating the new. 


with regards to fashion, the main influences was the American Cinema and Paris Couture. namely: Christian Dior's "NEW LOOK". it was time when Christian Dior launched House of Dior. 


the best way to describe the fashion of the time is to think of being conservative, but sexy.  Dior's "New Look" was soft, embracing femininity but, creating a silhouette tailored look. it was very chic and stylish. 
the key elements were: 

• longer skirts : mid-calf length
• mid phase between full skirts and pencil skirts
• garments fitted in the waist 
• rounded, soft, shoulders
• low cut tops
• short gloves
• smaller hats 
• pearls
• tailored suits
• fitted jackets
• shirt-dresses
• clutch purses
• and down-right GLAMOROUS 

i like to think of it as sophistication gone trendy 

all information is from the "trusty" Wikipedia and all images are from good old Google - perfect combination for any dress-up partay

i love this. perfect illustration of the low cut tops, pearls and makeup 

the red lips

the gloves, the faux jacket, the small hat, the curled hair and the fitting dress . . . perfect

another fav

the ultimate of glamour 

a bit of here and there 

a typical Dior Dress 

another beautiful and classic Dior

Dior Dior Dior : love

makeup: 

• simple eye shadow and lashes
• defined eyebrows 
• bright lips
• curly (controlled) hair

and that is it from me. watch this space to see what the ladies really wear on the night.

xo xo

autumn look

Cape Town's weather. 


Cape Town's weather is the most phenomenal thing yet. you are able to have all four seasons in one day. some say its an amazing thing, but for the locals, it is just darn right annoying. you are hot and then cold, and then chilly and then warm - being so young, i  KNOW it is not menopause. trying to find clothes for everyday wear that are able to carry you through the temperature may be a challenge. but . . . today was spot on. 

wait-coat: Edgars
scarf: a gift from Selfridges

up-style pony, with mini bee hive, & hair wrapped around  the elastic.
simple. simple. simple.

trousers: ZARA de
patent belt: Aldo 

black brogues: Woolworths
ah i have really enjoyed wearing them this winter

 and that is it from me. for some this may be a more masculine look, but hey, you win some and you loose some.


xo xo 

65th Annual Cannes Film Festival

“Cannes belongs to each and every one of us who, year after year, from wherever we are and in our own individual way, contributes towards creating it step by step. It is only by constantly analysing the Festival, adapting its function and encouraging debate about it that we will continue to make it the very best it can be. Cannes must be open to new ideas, while remaining faithful to its past, of course. Diversity can only enrich it. That´s what makes the Festival de Cannes our festival.”    Thierry Frémaux 

 oh no. i am not a fan of the dresses that were worn by some big celebrity names. as there are still two more days of the festival, hopefully the glamorous dresses will improve . . . 


the festival runs from the 18-27 May 2012. hopefully this week, we will see some stunners! 

??

Jane and her frikken aerobics

beautiful train

i love the 

pastels