Small Is Beautiful

Yes, that's right - let's capture this seasons spirit and love the small but beautiful.... It's all about the defined and unpredictable... have a look at these fine eye pleasers and you'll get the picture....

Perfect Delicate & Sharp contrast in this collar

I Dare You!

Silk Crepe Slit Back Fastening detail - Short hair or a ponytail would work this detail so well

Don't forget the feature could be all in the shoes - These are quite a statement but as an overall  look these would be the small feature that would definitely be the eye pleaser

Again, what a teeny detail - but what a change it makes to a simple collar


So Beauties this season Spring/Summer 2012 - Small is Beautiful - Trend Tip Ticked!
LA xoxo

Revolution!! ...Gorgeous Nails... DIY ... Shellac!

So I thought I'd share with you my newest purchase, and this has been on my wish list for some time... Shellac. It is a product this is half nail polish / half gel, so it goes on like nail polish but lasts up to 3 weeks and gives you a glass like finish - shinier then your shiniest Top Coat (Sorry Seche Vite, it just beats you). It was made for beings like you and I, who aren't nail technicians and need something of the same consistency as polish to create a manicured finish.

I have embedded a video below for you to see the process of how to apply it - But how fabulous is the concept? It has now become much easier to be groomed - time friendly and cost effective!! (You may not be able to see this vid on your mobile devices - but log in from your computer & you can be well and away)

So this is where I brought my supplies and this is the shopping list if you want hassle free, reflective nails for 3 weeks;-     www.beverlybeaute.com

*36w UV lamp (you can get one of these from ebay at a fraction of the price from anywhere else. Roughly £20) *CND Shellac Top Coat *CND Shellac Base Coat, CND (colour of your choice) * CND Shellac Removal Wraps and lastly *a bottle of Acetone. 

Enjoy Your Sunshine Days Beauties

LA xoxo

Filipinos - Beautiful Skin - Jealous? - Find out Why...

Yep, they really do have it don't they - that absolutely 'doll-like' supple, soft, youth skin. Well it's time to share their secret!!

In a country where skin cancer is basically unknown - What a gem to find out why & what it is that keeps them in such healthy condition inside and out .......       Wait for it..............................  

                     COCONUT OIL... (Extra virgin, cold pressed)

Yes, this is their secret, a very ancient one at that. Coconut oil is their main dietary oil, they use it in most of their meals, replacing most other oils and also topically on their skin. (This is Pressed, cold virgin coconut oil) Which is the best form of the oil to consume and also to use directly on  your skin. New research into coconut oil has prompted the Question - Is Virgin Coconut Oil the Best Oil on the Earth?

Coconut oil has anti-bacteria properties (the lauric acid it in) it has been found to aid in the treatment of acne and skin bacterial conditions. It has absolutely amazing antioxidant properties that protect the skin from free radical damage, remember it is much more effective when consumed and applied directly to the skin. 

What we put into our body is very important, a recent study showed that an individual who ate a french fry cooked in vegetable oil (polyunsaturated oil) is more susceptible to burning in the sun because of the oxidized lipids entering your skin tissue causing free radical damage. Using a natural oil, like coconut internally and externally has a heap of health benefits, no only for your skin but for your whole body overall. 

So my Beauties - That's two great benefits from a natural oil, that actually delivers it's promises. Research/ Google it and you will see for yourself the tremendous health benefits associated with using Extra Virgin Coconut Oil.

http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=3889

(Buy one get one half price H&B - Oh I love these sales!)

LA xoxo

Arch Ways

DOs & DON'Ts for achieving the perfect brows and maintaining them:

We all should know by now after many brow mishaps during our teenage years - or earlier twenties, or maybe even still rolling mishaps that our brows really do frame our face. We need to know how to look after them, and make them look their best so that even with a fresh make-up free look you will look 'very well put together' as your brows have literally made your face & allowed it to come alive! Now - very important point... Thin is not the way to go any more, forget over plucked, or shaven eyebrows with drawn on lines and think naturally fuller and arched. Some of us have over plucked our eyebrows from a young age, which has made it very hard for them to grow back to the fullness they once were, but with eyebrow brushing and some castor oil every night we can smile knowing we'll get there. 

DO Invest in an initial visit to a Brow expert for initial shaping. (I highly recommend HD Brows)
DON'T tweeze hairs above your brow line at home, even though they may do this for you at the salon - This is not your domain, you want to stick to just the stray hairs below to maintain the shape.
DO used slanted tweezers & preferably tweezers with a light (JML) - slant-tipped tweezers allow you to grasp the tiniest of brow hairs.
Do fill in brows with a pencil or powder one shade lighter then your hair colour. Taupe works well for light hair but for darker hair a pewter shade is better, Mac and Benefit both have little brow kits that are superb for tailoring your eyebrows on a daily basis.
DO use brow gel, brush, shape and hold your brows (and pencil) in place

LA xoxo

Meet Lawanda Wallace

Lawanda Wallace, Consultant

Meet Lawanda Wallace... An inspirational figure who has climbed the ranks in NY's Fashion Scene, I talk to her about her journey, her inspirations and what keeps her on top and confident ....

1.Could you give us a brief overview and insight into your progression into your current career now? 

With a degree in Marketing and a Post Graduate in Fashion Buying & Merchandising from the London College of Fashion (UK) I started my career  in the buying offices of Harvey Nichols (UK) later, moving back to New York working for Saks Fifth Avenue and  Macy’s.  Throughout the past 8 years I've held several positions and moved up the ranks quickly working as a Product Development Manager, Associate Buyer and was later promoted to Fashion Director.  My keen eye for detail and in depth fabric knowledge has complimented my expertise in women’s contemporary, menswear and home & lifestyle markets.   I am currently a consultant for brands - by providing global trend forecasting, identifying new trends from a pattern, colour and print point of view, researching new designers, innovative shop concepts and creating seasonal colour palettes for various retailers, trend agencies or privately owned shops.

2. What are the challenges you have faced along the way and how did you overcome them?

When I first started my career I had work experience in a completely different industry. I wanted to be able to be competitive so I moved abroad and studied at LCF and obtained a postgraduate in Buying and Merchandising. 

3. What characteristics and skills do you admire in the people that cross your path? 

I admire people that step out in faith. People that do whatever they need to do to make their dreams come true... people that challenge themselves to do things beyond their comfort zone. 

4. What inspires you and has enabled you to become the confident woman you are today? 

I get inspired by knowing other peoples stories and processes. What's enabled me to become confident is knowing I am uniquely me! 

Enjoy the day Beauties

LA xoxo

The 9 Elements to Happiness & Feeling Fantastic - Part Two

Today marks the second day of learning how to be content and feel fantastic everyday... So shall we continue where we left off? (With 4 more elements to discuss)

3 Momentum Elements...

Having a dream and living it - So this is about setting goals, whether they be short term, medium term or long-term and completing them. An example would be 'Tomorrow I want to wake at 5am, see the sun rise, go to an exhibition, cook a new meal and spend an hour working towards my long-term dream' - so this is an example of a short - term goal something that is very much achievable with some effort and time management. Having the sense of completion with your short term goals sets the path and direction for you to know how you can achieve your medium and long-term knowing they are possible. John says Imagine everyday taking one step towards your dream, just one step - imagine in 30 days how much closer you will be? Living your dreams purely because it gives you a spark - you will begin to go into 'flow', your environment changes and in short - becomes amazing. 

Learn - Learning from your stress, how to work with it to push yourself into doing something. Doing nothing creates nothing and so we must know that our stress can be positive. Allowing our stress to move us to do something creates results. Our stress is then not a challenge, but an opportunity.

Social Connection - You should try your best to make positive social connections, whether it be attending networking meetings, going to a dance class or whatever else you enjoy, helping someone in the general public, on a daily basis you should try to make some form of positive connection.

The last - extremely important element..... The Art of Being Present

In Johns words: 'If you're in a car and the drive is phenomenal, smooth, music just right, lovely surrounding, but your mind is down the road and around the corner - you've missed the moment.' What does this mean? It means you need to learn to live in the present, now is the only place you can live. So how can I do this? You can do this by focusing on your five senses all the time - 

What are you hearing around you (conversations without you drifting off thinking of what to cook for dinner) 

What are you seeing around you? (Taking in everything, seeing your lovely house you live in and appreciate it, or the journey you take everyday and enjoying it) 

What you taste (chew your food and think of how good nutritious food tastes, don't just gulp it down really think about how great it really is and how it's nourishing every cell in your body)

What you touch (being aware of the nature and material of everything that crosses your path in the day - for example I am really enjoying these soft buttoned keys that I am typing on. Sound silly? Nope, it's a pleasure I appreciate.)

What you smell (there is so much around you to enjoy a few examples in your own house - your clean laundry, a clean work surface, your cooked food, or outside - the fresh air, flowers or grass)

John Whiteman's Book - '9 Days To Feel Fantastic' is out on the 4th April ... To have this information to hand at all times, I recommend this book. "Become inspired to do all the things in life you have always wanted to do" Visit his website for further information http://www.johnwhiteman.com/

Enjoy Day Sunshine Lassies

LA xoxo

The 9 Elements to Happiness & Feeling Fantastic

Last Friday I had the pleasure of learning some very valuable information in a workshop from the Author himself - John Whiteman. This information is like a manual for contention and feeling fantastic, it's like a check list that you see at a glance everyday and if you are feeling dishevelled, low or depressed in some way - it is very very likely that it is because one of the 9 elements have not been fulfilled for the day. 

Let's have a look at it and break them down:

5 of the elements create Balance:

• Excercise!!! You are energy, we are made up of energy and your energy needs to move. Moving with intention to move your energy and breathe and get your heart racing is extremely good for you not only physically - but superb for your mentality. Imagine a river, if it had to stay still without movement - what would happen? It would become stagnant. That's what happens with us also, it either affects our body and fitness or it affects us mentally - depression, frustration and anger can be built up very easily inside without any way of dispersing that negative energy. Exercise is fabulous for this and 20 minutes of exercising a day working up a sweat is the key.
• Personal Space 5 minutes a day, just to Be. Take the feeling of having a massage, how relaxed you feel, we can induce this feeling ourselves everyday, and it is optimal in the morning before you start your day. You do this by taking 5 minutes to yourself to breathe deeply down to an inch below your navel (put your finger there) and direct your breath there by concentrating. Fill your body with air right down to below your navel because breathing only to your chest can increase anxiety and there are amazing benefits to breathing much deeper. This exercise takes us slightly away from our mind chatter and since the aim is to balance mind, body and spirit for a state of flow (where every thing is in equilibrium and feeling fantastic) this brings us closer to the center - where flow is. We spend way to much time in our brains (Our left brain hemisphere of having to be logical and reason everything, causing lots of mind arguments) and the way to create flow is to think less and not more, to give yourself time away from your running mind. To concentrate more on your right side (by breathing and time out) which is our creative side, where you become inspired which in turn creates 'flow'... where goals and ambitions are fulfilled, where life is a steady road of easily changing what can be changed and accepting with ease something that cannot.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEulyxBCA6c (Give this one 10 secs to get into it, but it's beautifully relaxing)
• Nutrition John used this illustration to explain quite an important point: Would you feed a Petrol car Diesel - so why do we feed ourselves food that is not nutritious? Of course sweets, chocolate, coke, processed foods may all taste nice but they give us no nutrition and sometimes we are easily addicted to them and wonder why we feel so bad and so sluggish. He recommends making good nutritional choices, so Organic rather than non-organic and free-range rather than farm eggs ( I'm sure a lot of us follow this one) Everyday we should be feeding our bodies nutritiously.
• Environment - The energy changes in all the different environments you are in, from work to home for example is a different energy. Your environment should always be as positive as you can make it and you can drastically affect that by making sure your energy is as positive as possible. You can take 5 minutes each time before you are moving from one environment to the next and repeat the 'personal space' breathing above and walk into your new environment refreshed and revived. (You may now be thinking oh this sounds to koo koo for me, but I urge you to try, what's there to lose? Even better for the morning exercise have some relaxing music to hand - your day will follow in the same calm manner and even if it doesn't it will feel like it is to you because you will have an inner calm that you've given yourself.
• Sleep we all know we need to sleep but some of us simply can't. Try some lavender on your pillow, some natural tea, no caffeine after midday and maybe exercise in the evening so that your body is tired. Sleep is very important and can affect our body and mood for up to a couple of days if we haven't slept the right amount. 

Tune in tomorrow for the last 4 elements John Whiteman teaches for balancing our life into feeling great... a check list that can be looked at on a daily basis - "I don't feel so happy today - OK I didn't eat to well today and neither did I take 5 minutes to myself" - That's the idea.

LA xoxo

Beautilicious Week- Day 7 - Interview With Melissa Odabash

Luxury Swimwear Designer | Melissa Odabash

Today Marks the end of our Beautilicious Week, and what better way then to finish it off talking to the Sublime Melissa Odabash - The Absolute Luxury Bikini Queen, whose swimwear is adorned  globally by the likes of Beyonce, Jessica Alba, Kate Moss, Halle Berry, Cameron Diaz, Elle McPherson, Cindy Crawford and every other celebrity to grace the pages of your magazines and television screens. 

Today I interview her personally and she shares with us her Beach Must haves and her simple method for keeping her life in equilibrium...

1. What do you define Beauty as? Just about everything I can see beauty in even the smallest things

2. How can a woman stand out above the crowd on the beach & turn more then a few heads?  A stunning perfect fitting whole-piece swimsuit in a solid color like Valencia big rimmed hat sunglasses and the perfect self tan

http://www.odabash.com/shop-online/categories/swimwear-2012/valencia 

http://www.odabash.com/shop-online/categories/accessories2012/jemima 

3. Which four beauty products do you not go without on any holiday? Sunblock, tinted moisturiser, lip protection, self tanner

4. What is the key to Juggling a sublime successful career and being a mother? When I leave the office I don’t bring home anything - I turn off and it's only family

5. If you could give women globally one piece of advice - What would it be? Be confident women. Confidence is more sexy then a beautiful woman

Visit the Odabash shop at  http://www.odabash.com/home  for the luxury swimwear that speaks way before you do!

So My Beauties, I hope this week has equip you with not only some aesthetic beauty tips, but also some fabulous inner beauty ignition. 

LA xoxo

Beautilicious Week- Day 6 - Reem Kanj of FiveFiveFabulous

Reem Kanj Founder of FiveFiveFabulous
www.fivefivefabulous.com

Today, we meet and interview the Superb Reem Kanj, Fashion Blogger & Founder of FiveFiveFabulous.com, Ambassador of Puma, Hoss Intropia, Sun Silk (Middle East)  and Special Lecturer at University of The Arts...

So just to gain a perspective back ground of Reem and why I have chosen to make her the feature of the day, let's take a look at her history:

Reem founded her own Fashion Blog FiveFiveFabulous  in 2009, as a silent retaliation to being labelled 'average' at 5 ft 5". The last three years has seen her swoop from the Hoss Intropia e-commerce launch in Madrid,  Net-a-Porter & Dolce Gabanna commencement to Front Row at London, Paris, NY and Milan Fashion Weeks & to put it in simpler terms soar to tremendous heights. Alongside designing an exquisite Fashion line House of Rena with her sister, she is also sharing her expertise   lecturing at the University of the Arts.



1.What are your staple beauty products that you cannot live without?
I can't live without my Elizabeth Arden hand cream, Kheils lip balm and my tinted moisturiser from Cosmetics a la Carte. 

2. What makes a woman beautiful and in your opinion stand out from the crowd?

I think confidence makes a woman stand out from a crowd and humility makes a woman beautiful. It's also nice to see women celebrate their natural look and not try and achieve a 'perfect barbie doll' image. 

3. You have made a sublime success of yourself at a very young age - What would you say was critical to you along your journey?

Thank you, I would like to think I've only just begun! I think it was a huge factor that I took myself out of a negative crowd when I was younger and re-evaluated my ambitions. I begun to think of my future and with that came a more positive energy, especially with who I began associating myself out with. 

Another factor was being consistent in my work, I don't really like to take days off and always have work in the back of my mind. It sounds like I'm a bit of a workaholic, which admittedly I am but I always make time for friends and family. 

Finally, I know what I want and I have a goal, I think that's important. Make a plan and adhere to it, it's easier to try and control what's in front of you. Of course it goes without saying that you should consider what your dreams are but also bear in mind what is achievable. 

4. Has aiming for the stars fulfilled you and made you a contented woman?

What I'm doing makes me proud but I think I'm content with other aspects of my life. Then again, everything rolls into one. So I guess you could say so. It's always going to be a happy and proud moment when you achieve what you aimed for. In saying that, there's still so much more that I want to do so I can't fully say I'm there yet! 

5. What is the most important lesson you have learnt as a woman?

Nothing comes easy! Work hard and stay genuine. It sounds cliché but you won't believe what you can achieve through commitment and consistency. 

Follow Reem:
Twitter: Twitter.com/ReemKanj

Facebook: Facebook.com/FiveFiveFabulous

Tumblr: FiveFiveFabulous.Tumblr.com

Have a peak at the behind the scenes shoot of The House Of Rena debut collection, shot on a secluded beach in Dubai.... 

Beauty is a whole sphere, and can reach right into the depths of your dreams and desires

LA xoxo

Beautilicious Week- Day 5- Beauty Grains

It's well known that grains do your body good, however there are some real superfoods amongst them that are both ancient and truly exotic. So you'll have to take a trip to the ethnic aisle of the grocery store but they are well worth it for the nutrients and flavours are a hidden treasure.

Freekeh: From the Middle East 
They contain more vitamins and minerals then other grains, provides up to four times the fiber content of brown rice, fiber has also been shown in recent studies to protect against weight gain. Freekeh also acts as a probiotic in the stomach.

Farro: From Egypt
Rich in Vitamin B & E, Rich in magnesium, which is a great muscle relaxant, adding Farro to your diet can relieve tension and cramps.

Amaranth: From Central America
Super rich Calcium content, 5.2 grams of fiber in a serving (a serving of cereal has 1 gram) and more protein than a hard-boiled egg. It also contains lysine, an amino acid (grrreat for skin, hair, nails, breast growth and working out!) and is gluten-free.

Chia: From Mexico
One of the richest plant sources of Omega 3, they absorb several times their volume in water keeping you fuller for much longer. One tablespoon has 3 grams of fibre.

The Grains of Nature Have the Power To Replenish Us Inside Out

LA xoxo 

Beautilicious Week - Day 4 - Mental Beauty

If you're anything like myself or the people I've talked to recently - The year hasn't been the easiest so far and that's why Day 4 is about getting our mentally in-check, in order to move forward in the best possible mind frame... So It may not be a physical beauty treat, but it's a Mental Beauty one & some of the info I've found here may help you today or somewhere through the year ;-)...

Now 'Glamour' is not a usual read for me, however I was glad when I picked up this recent issue and found so much positivity graced across the pages ... it was a sin not to share:

Positive People have 4 ways in which you can spot them - apart from oozing optimism and being comfortable in their own skin, so they have enough left over to shine on you....

1. They take a real interest in you and what you have to say
2. They are truly happy for your achievements
3. Have genuine Body Language - warm hugs, real smiles, inquisitive eyes
4. Make you feel at ease because they're not unconsciously giving off anxiety or envy

They have far from negative thoughts & If you could hear them they'd sound like this:

1. "It's a challenge, but I'll cope"
2. "This is only temporary, I can put it behind me"
3. "I made a mistake, but I can learn from it and improve"
4. "It's not a good outcome, but it's not the end of the world"

In the words of Oprah Winfrey...   "The Greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change their future by merely changing their attitude"

Maya Angelou ... " If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it - change your attitude, Don't complain"

Or how about doing as Miranda Kerr does, and wake up every morning to the positive affirmations written by your bedside? She uses this : "Everyday I am a new person, everyday I create the life I desire. I am free of any limiting beliefs & I reach for the stars" (And she truly does!)

Have a fabulous day Beauties

LA xoxo

Beautilicious Week- Day 3 - Smoothie For Beauty

Everyone of us wants to be naturally beautiful, as little maintenance as possible always scores highly. Let's take some time investing in what makes us gorgeous inside out. Today is learning a beautification detox smoothie that will be your saviour for wedding preparations, holidays, huge events that require you look fabulous, or just generally to look and feel great everyday. Seeing as it's day 3 of our Beauty Haul week, I suggest we start today and grab these ingredients on our way home from work and start reaping the benefits as soon as possible!

So this Smoothie comes from a book I've read, it is not my own beauty concoction it comes from Kimberly Synder; but it a potent beauty smoothie - meaning it makes your skin glow, it gifts your hair with shine and it makes your eyes pop by brightening them with the nutrients in the vegetables.


(All ingredients should be organic and the blender should blend very smoothly)

1. 1 1/2 cups water
2. 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
3. 1/2 of large bunch of spinach (or 3/4 small bunch)
4. 3 or 4 stalks celery
5. 1 apple, cored and chopped
6. 1 pear, cored and chopped
7. 1 banana
8. Juice of 1/2 lemon
9. OPTIONAL: 1/3 bunch cilantro (stems okay), 1/3 bunch parsley (stems okay)
   
   
   Start with just the water and add the romaine lettuce, blending at a low speed, blend until smooth and slowly add the celery, pear and apple gradually increasing the speed. If you've chosen to use the herbs cilantro and parsley add them now - they help to detoxify the body as they have cleansing properties. add the banana and lemon juice last. This smoothie will make roughly 60 ounces, so you will have enough for 4 smoothies as you should drink a 20 ounces every morning. This smoothie makes your skin have a natural fresh smell, eliminates dark circles, revitalises and rejuvenates your skin hair and eyes truly from the inside out.    
   
   
   Enjoy The Day Beauties...
   LA xoxo

   
   

   SFVTHBAT4T6B 

Beautilicious Week - Day 2 - Bend It Like Barbie

We have been hiding under our winterish layering for more months then I care to acknowledge, but the time is creeping up upon us, where tanks and easy jersey are going to be on the menu for the day. Well, we may have added a few pounds to our waist line (of course to keep us warm) and so we're a little un-toned in this area.... No problem. Today we are going to look at an exercise to help whip it back into shape just in time for jiggle free 'easy-tee' wearing Spring time. (This would be a great exercise accompanied by some form of cardio everyday - if you have a hula hoop, using it for 20 minutes a day would really be fantastic. If you don't a brisk jog 20 minutes a day will also help not only your jiggle, but more importantly overall health.)

Start by sitting on the edge of a stable surface - A sofa arm, a table, any flat stable surface is sufficient. Lean back at about a 45 degree angle, making sure you are holding on to the surface with both your hands. (The further you lean back the further southwards this exercise works, e.g leaning back slightly further will tone the 'pooch' part of your stomach, below your navel.) 

So the exercise is simply drawing your legs towards you, and then straightening them back out. It's a crunch mechanism but with the stability of the table so you can hold on and lean back as far as possible in order to tone as low as possible. Try to do 20-30 of these every day - fabulous start. If you do more I'll call you super woman....

So Beauties no matter what time you try this today - give it a try it may be the answer you've been looking for ;-)

Want help or advise with this exercise or any of the others, just leave a comment below and I will get back to you with anything you need

LA xoxo

SFVTHBAT4T6B 

Beautilicious Week - Day 1 - Glow Even In The Dark...

Body Exfoliation...

Let's allow ourselves a small treat every single day, for the next 7 days, starting today with an easy exfoliation that will leave your skin so supple and flawless that you'll be stroking your own bod this evening. 

This is such an easy exfoliant to make and all you need is Almond Oil & Sugar, You can use caster sugar, white refined sugar, or brown sugar - whatever you have or whatever you prefer. You are going to use this for your whole body so you will need roughly 5 tablespoons of sugar and half a cup of almond oil. (If you're hair free, fabulous, if not - no biggy because you'll be smooth after anyway) Put the sugar first in a small container or a bowl, and then add the almond oil to it. If you have Olive oil, it is just as good for your skin and can be used instead.

Take this mixture into the bathroom, stand in your shower cubicle/bathtub - whichever you're having, and without dampening your body massage this exfoliant into your whole body (so you should be dry and massaging this mixture into your skin). Concentrating on your heels, your knees and your elbows working from your feet upwards. Exfoliate towards your heart and try to keep your movements in circular motions to create blood flow. You'll be sloughing away your dead skin cells and bringing forth fresh skin.

This should take you about 15 mins - rinse away, have your normal soap and clean with your shower gel and when you're out and dry you may want to moisturise with a little more almond oil, or a nice body butter to lock lots of moisture into your skin. 

You're skin will be refreshed and revived and will be thanking you this week for giving it it's glow back.

LA xoxo

Save It Like Sir Sugar

Financial Sense

• Don't be blissfully ignorant of your bank account. Frittering your cash and not checking because you're 'scared'. Stop it. Stop stop stop. Write everything down, in your phone, on a notepad, or as the super organised of us do on an Excel Spreadsheet (wink wink you know who you are!)
• Give yourself weekly budgets if its £30 a week. Take that cash out divide that by 7, then seperate that cash into seperate pouches and ONLY spend that. So this means making lunch the night before, waking up ten mins earlier if you need a coffee before your powers turned on, and using the pouch money for absolute necessities.
• Pay your debts before anything else when you get paid so you can physically see what's left instead of just mentally subtracting your outgoings from your salary.
• Live like a pauper for a little while - come on... you've lived like a prince by buying whatever, whenever so now see the other side and see in six months where it gets you.
• Buying for other people and frittering your cash away that way is still the same as buying for yourself. If it's not an absolute necessity - stave away for a while and amount a sum where you can start investing.£1000 is a fantastic start and can reward you with good interest in the right account.

Enjoy your day Beauties

LA xoxo

Summer Investments

Ok, so we've had a brief look at some of the offerings from the end of the market that is so cheap you feel like you've stolen it... Now lets go a little higher up - come with me as I discover the pieces that hit the spot in Zara, Mango & H&M...

Oh Zara, your elegance is akin to no other on this market level. These paisley silk palazzo pants are so comfortable, but so chic to look at. The blazer is a silk jersey and again is so comfortable - An outfit fit for dining, the theatre or evening cocktails.

This classic box clutch speaks for itself, with its white patent leather casing and rose gold contrast it's a mini eye pleaser. Given that it is £29.99 I think it's borderline steal more so than investment!

Now wait till I tell you the price of this skirt .... Wait for it.... £4!! H&M really are giving them away, I guess the top is what is the real special piece, it is a white chiffon cross over with an attached vest. (I haven't tucked it in on one side - this is the style of it) Very cool Stella McCartney shape.

This may just be my favourite - it's £69.99, leather, and truly stunning. It moves like it has life! What a piece to have in your wardrobe - for holidays, special events (paired with sharp cigarette pants), quirky nights out - this top has an array of meaning to its life.

The jacket is absolutely beautiful in the flesh - It is a structured fabric, with a subtle sheen, it has a printed lining, and all in all is made very well for £29.99. Thank You H&M

The leggings are a classic herringbone print and are thick so keep those wobbly bits firm.

Zara brings us the colour of the year - Tangerine Orange nestled in the heel cuff of this suede Beauty

My Beauties, Our shopping is complete, I won't go as far as to delve into the designer collections right now - We'll leave that to another time. All these pieces will be available on the corresponding online shop, oh they've made it so easy for us!

LA xoxo

Summer Steals

There are so many bright, wonderful uplifting finds in the shops for Spring Summer this year - They are so tasty looking it's like you've walked into a sweet shop! Then there's the classic and tailored look that skims along side it, also just as enticing...  Let me share with you a few fabulous finds of mine that score major brownies for being far from a burden on your bank balance...

A superb wool blazer with a contrasting caramel feature collar and pocket trim

A very sweet peter-pan collared, pleated chiffon top. A subtle lemon perfect for so many occasions!

Black and ivory printed satin cigarette pants, uber stylish and easily wore with flats or heels

Cotton twill navy cigarette pants with a caramel pocket trim and waist band detail, perfect for working, shopping, lunching - whatever you do in your day

The lemon blazer - A perfect Spring throw-on for any dullsville outfit

So my Beauties - If you are anywhere near a Primark - like I was earlier this week, you will find these summer steals at those price tags that are perfect for running around here and there in, not spoiling any fabulous pieces in your wardrobe - but still looking stylish.

LA xoxo 

Pasty Is Tasty

 

I Loove white nail polish. In fact I love all Opaque Pastel Shades with a passion and find them to be very flattering, especially when you're wearing your nails short. This Summer Pastel Is definitely Back - They can be a real statement, and look great on both your hands and feet. Try to use a good quality white nail polish, in fact China Glaze or Jessica are probably best because the consistency is the most forgiving. Opaque colours tend to be slightly thicker, but look best by applying two-three coats. Even if your wearing a dullsville outfit - your nails will be packing some punch ;-)

LA xoxo

Flawless Feet

So guys summers soon to come around the corner so I may as well give you this vital information in advance so you won't be wearing your boots & socks well into July!

Alot of us spend time with a pumice, a foot file, a ped... or sometimes all three... but there's a revolution of a device thats made it a lot easier on the old biceps to keep ontop of the dreaded of dry skin. It is called the MicroPedi, and it's a hand held device of a rotating file that allows minimum effort but superb results.

If you live in the UK, Boots pharmacy has this MicroPedi Stocked - if you're lucky enough to live further a field ;-) then Amazon also stock this product.

Spend some time reading the awesome reviews -
£39.99  - A spa treatment in a box, time after time...

http://www.boots.com/en/Emjoi-Micro-Pedi-rapid-hard-skin-remover_1245237/

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/190-4584599-7326754?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=micropedi&x=0&y=0

LA xoxo

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Weave and Patch

Ok, So I know many of you have got a stack of jeans that may have faded from a stark black to a nice dusky grey, and rock them equally as well - or maybe some light washed denims that you are just ultra bored of but still fit you so well. Whatever the case, you've got some, and instead of putting them to the back of your wardrobe, how about bringing them to the forefront and making them into a keepsake - for the right reasons! Let your hand lose on them and come with me to create a 'rough around the edges' stylish detail that your legs will thank you for.

First off, let me let you in on Top Secret trends for next year Spring/Summer '13... (no, there's no point in telling you what's in now - it's already hit the shops... as for winter, well I'm not in a very wintery mood so we'll skip that for now & move onto the good stuff!) Spring/Summer 13, will be all about rediscovering crafts and skills. Growing, sowing, sewing, cropping, painting - you get the picture... it's about celebrating human dimension, meaning more creativity equals less waste. One major trend will be on vintage inspired clothing and styling. So I'm starting maybe a little head of the game, but it's Ok - it never hurt anyone to have a 'head's up'.

We are going to use the art of weaving again, and this is what you'll need: - 

A pair of Jeans, Scissors, leather trimming about 1cm in width, 4-5metres (£7 on avg from a haberdashery store), 

Fabric glue

Ok, to start - Take your jeans and snip vertical 1cm slits equally just above the knee leaving roughly a 1.5cm space between each slit(You can mark a straight line with a chalk to guide you - like I have). Carry this on all the way around the circumference of the jean knee, and do this for three or four rows - whatever suits you.

Begin to weave your leather in and out of the denim, each row will need a separate strip of leather trimming so you will need to cut each one and not use one continuous long strip for all the rows. I would suggest leaving at least 10cm of the trimming before you cut it because you will need 'ease' (bending ability) in the knee when you put them on.

Use your fabric glue to join each trimming ending together, by placing one end on top of the other adjoining end. after leaving to dry - for the recommended time your fabric glue recommends, swivel the join so that it is covered underneath one of the intersections of denim, so you have a continuous trim of leather showing and no joins. You can do up to 5 or 6 rows for a fuller effect.

Complete all rows, and voila - you've just fore-fronted and pioneered what's to come!

LA xoxo 

Noogle-My-Berries

Eeeek... This was an exciting morning... I got my new contoured noogleberry cups in the post!

For those of you who are simultaneous thinking 'what the hell is 'noogleberry'... let me clarify: Noogleberry is A breast pump enlargement device (as seen above) designed by a genius - a woman of course. Well in fact it was designed by her husband as well - but together they have gifted the world of mosquito bite busted females with a solution (if they are looking). It works by using suction to create blood flow, gradually creating and sustaining new tissue.

How you use it:  You should slather your bust with a moisturiser to begin - I find oil is much better, and if you can create your own at home herbal oil breast enhancement even better. (Simply a mixture of almond oil and fenugreek liquid extract found in Holland and Barrett will be more then sufficient.)

Heat the cups up a little with a hair dryer - not too long, but just a minute or so, so that they warm up (this is not required I just do this because I find it helps and creates better swelling)

Place the noogleberry cups over each breast, and it may be a juggling act trying to hold them in place, but begin pumping the hand pump very fast in order to create suction.  It may take a little while to grasp this, but you will and you will end up looking like Robobust (my partners name for me!)

Drink at least 4 big glasses of water whilst pumping - It gives much better swelling and you can feel the liquid going directly to your bust as you drink!

You should not over-pump, just pump to where feels comfortable and is not causing an uncomfortable pressure, gradually increase the pressure every ten minutes or so. Pump for an hour everyday, and if you can do more even better, keep this up, being prepared for the long haul (because it is not an overnight implant) but enjoy the process. it is all you, all natural, you are creating blood flow which is healthy for your breasts, and in the long-run you are going to have a chest that you are much happier with!

If you would like to see pictures of my own journey, you can email me at boobieslifeandluster@gmail.com and I'll be happy to share them with you.

LA xoxo