Body Bling

I don't know about you but I am sucker for all things sparkly.  You may call me Magpie!  I was a dedicated aficianado of the Estee Lauder gold body oil when they launched it years ago, but they discontinued it it seems.

On a visit to Selfridges, Manchester (Exchange Sq) with my sis years ago, we both spotted the Scott Barnes Body Bling.  It was in a simple cylinder case calling our name.  We did not buy it that time, which was a case of more fool us as it then seemed to disappear off the radar for months.



Scott Barnes Body Bling
£24.95 from Beauty Bay

When I was looking around for Xmas pressies this year, I thought I'd look again for this, and lo and behold, I found it on Beauty Bay, so I bought this quicker than you could say Tanned Santa!  This was in a long line of Xmas pressies of "one for you and one for me!" 

Well....it'd be rude not to, right!?

This product is an instant colour you apply as a body moisturiser really.  I apply it after moisturiser though.  As it is brown, you can see where you apply it and rub in further where needed.

It gives a lovely golden finish and instant tan without the fake tan faff!  I absolutely love it as it dries quickly, lasting colour, never transfers to clothes and makes you look super healthy!  It is not a cheap product at £24.95, but you can rarely get one spray tan for that, and this will last you months.  They do it it the Original colour (as above) or in Platinum too.  I have not tried the Platinum though as it is for fairer skin, and I am quite olive.

Be sure to wash it off thoroughly in the shower though as when I say it lasts, it does!  Don't make the mistake of not washing it off properly then drying yourself on a nice clean, white, fluffy towel! 

This product is perfect now we are moving into Summer when wondering what products to buy for hols.  I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Me wearing Body Bling for my Xmas Do so you can see how great it looks!  Instant glowing tan!

So go get yourself some Blingtastic Body Bling and glow healthily!
Blingtastic love
Kate xxx

YSL Tributes - In The Pink

I am writing this post listening to The Pasadenas "Tribute" track as I thought this was fitting for my shoe post!

As you know, I am keen on pink (understatement I know!), so when I saw YSL had launched their Tribute sandal in petal pink, I actually thought I had died and gone to pink shoe heaven.  I planned on getting these shoes at the end of the month as a treat, however, as we all know, best laid plans and all that...!

So I was in Manchester for Manchester Fashion Week, and fortunately the shops were open after  the show had finished.  My plan was to go and look at the Alexander Wang Donna Hobo bag for my Sis' 40th pressie then pop to Harvey Nicks for a long overdue Serendipity cocktail (no longer on the menu so you need to ask for it!)

I had to walk past the shoe department to get to the restaurant - they do this on purpose don't they?! I had not previously tried on the Tribs, so was more curious than anything at this stage.  I had been trolling around Manchester for a little while now in high heels (naturally!), so my feet were tired, so this was a real test.

I was totally amazed how comfortable these shoes were.  They are 140mm high including the 30mm platform.  Even the male sales assistant said to me he could tell how comfortable I felt from the way I was parading around the shoe department.  I however relented and walked away.....

So on I went to savour the delish Serendipity upstairs, and who was to Whatsapp me but @Stylisa!  Lisa had just purchased the Chanel purse to match her classic bag so was sharing the occasion with me - we always do this btw!  I started to tell her about my YSL lust, and Lisa said I should just go and buy them.

Who was I to argue?!

So I told the barman to hold the ice, trolled downstairs and made my way to YSL Heaven.


With Flash

My heart did sink though when the Sales Asst showed me how scuffed they were, and then brought out another "faulty" box.  YSL have in fact recalled the Petal Pink Tributes due to the scuffing issues.  The ones I tried on though were hardly scuffed, so being me, negotiated some discount, made the purchase, then went upstairs to drink my congratulatory Serendipity!



No Flash

 The leather is really lovely with that really new leathery smell!  I think they will look great with a pretty white embroidery anglaise dress, or more funked up with my battered boyfriend jeans and pink t-shirt. Or maybe my (well I say my, but I bought it for my Mum, and reclaimed it!) Ferre lattice white shirt and jeans.  Either way, the options are endless I am sure!

I hope you love my pink purchase as much as me!
Fabulicious love
Kate xxx

Life Thru My Lens

I have to start this post by saying I am actually quite shocked about how many pairs of sunglasses I own!  But given the fact I do not go anywhere without my sunglasses, I guess I shouldn't really be that shocked!

I was inspired to write this by Enya of (@EJMfashion) when she requested she mention me in a blog post, as well as my good Twitter friend, Sharon (@SharonAWilliams) who was surprised I had not yet blogged about sunglasses knowing my affixation with them!

I remember my first love of sunglasses came around when I was 16.  We were off on what was deemed to be our last family holiday (it wasn't!) and I wanted some fitting glasses for the occasion.  I trolled off to John Lewis in town accompanied by the parents.  Frilly Gilly (My Mum!) got really involved in the selection, whilst Pete The Neat (My Dad!) couldn't have been any less interested!  I remember I opted for some large black Ted Lapidus sunglasses and parted with my £59 cash.

Ted Lapidus

On reflection, they were too old for me.  I am however pretty gutted I have no idea where they are now, as they are being sold for around £250!

My love of sunglasses has clearly continued until this day.  They jazz up an outfit.  Hide a hangover.  Create some Je Ne Sais Quoi mystique and are altogether sexy.

So here I have my collection of sunglasses from the last 15 years - I think!

I remember being quite into Moschino from a young-ish age (not that I bought anything then you understand!).  I loved their quirky designs, so when I saw these sunglasses with hearts on the frame, I clearly had to have them.  I purchased them from J C Bird on Surrey Street in Sheffield - a long standing Sheffield opthalmic institution.

Moschino Heart Rimmed Sunglasses - purchased circa 1998

   

Now clearly, the John Lennon-esque sunnies were the rage, as I am normally a Big Glasses Gal!

Moving onto the black plastic Gucci's...

When I opened the box to reveal these glasses tonight, my first reaction was "OMG!"  I had actually forgotten I had bought these glasses, and more surprisingly that I still had them given my militant throwing out tendencies!

Black Plastic Gucci - Sunglass Hut - bought 2001

I bought these when I worked in Lakeside - for my sins!  It was a retail graduate training programme with the world's worst retailer!  So I needed to shop to keep sane!

Anyway, Sunglass Hut was conveniently located outside my store, so needless to say I spent many months coveting these sunnies and speaking to the manager.  When it came to the purchase, I negotiated a 30% discount, so paid around £75, instead of the usual £100 or so.  You'll see this price negotiation becomes a pattern!

With the next pair below, you can see bigger sunnies were coming into fashion.

Dolce & Gabbana - purchased from EyeFinity circa 2003

I loved these glasses as they were plain and black and big - well 9 years ago they were considered big.  You'll not be surprised to learn I bought (and wore!) these on a cold, dark and rainy January day!  This was the 1st non-hard flexible semi-circle case I had seen.  I loved it!  As they are quite a wrap-around design, I now just wear these for running.  How fly!

I then seemed to move onto Chanel around 2003/4!

Chanel Sunglasses with Diamante Double C Detail

Bought around 2003

Now to call these "sun" glasses would be pushing it!  As you can see (you see what I did there?!), they are clear.  They do no shielding from the sun - whatsoever!  I did love these though due to the sparkle.  I have no idea where I bought these from, but remember paying around £150.

I then stuck with the Chanel theme for my next pair.

Chanel Blue tinted lenses with Mother of Pearl Double C logo

Bought from J C Bird circa 2005

Worn for my Middle Sis' wedding, Sydney 2006

Once again, these sunnies look the business, with their graduated blue tint lenses.  They are very sexy, but as for shielding the sun, they are not the best!  I had my eye on these for a while.  My dad was doing a kitchen for the aforementioned J C Bird, so I ensured he negotiated these glasses into the deal around 2005!  They were £160 full price.  We got them for £80.  Dad paid half, so cost me £40!   Bargain!

Now after buying a few pairs of sunglasses that did not really keep the sun out, I thought I better buy some that did do the job! 

Bulgari seemed to launch onto the market around this time.  I clearly thought all my birthdays had come at once with all the diamante detail.  Right. Up. My. Street.  Total magpie!

I remember thinking I was going to treat myself to these with my 1st pay packet in my new job - March 2008.  So off I went to Manchester to looksee.

I umm'd and ahhh'd, dragging my sis into the shop with me, wondering if they were too big, but having a big fat moon face, large glasses suited me, especially those ones with a squarer edge to counteract the roundness of my face.

So I decided upon these.

Bulgari Black 8016-B

Mucho bling!

As worn in Miami 2011

Now these glasses were very expensive - so hence the umming and ahhing!  However, I did ask for discount!  My sis worked in Harvey Nichols at the time so meant I got upto 35% discount.  However, they did not stock this model in HNs.  The man in Sunglass Hut did not know that!  So I asked if he would match the discount, and he did!  Without hesitation!  So I got 30% off!

Now as my sis worked in HNs, it would have been rude not to make the most of the discount right?!  HNs run a lot of events, so I went with my older sister to see my middle sister to see what was on offer!  I don't know whether you noticed, but I did not have any brown sunglasses in my collection, so clearly needed to rectify said oversight!  Over-sight?!  Geddit?!

HNs had this Lucky Dip event where folded paper with % discounts were in a bowl, and after you'd decided upon your purchase, you delved in to select one with a discount of up to 50% off.  I think I got 20 or 30% off, so paid less than £200 for these in 2010.

Bulgari Brown 8058B

 

Side view with bling!  Hint of Tortoiseshell on the frames.

As worn in Greece at The Acropolis 2010

During my most recent jaunt to London, I found myself in Selfridges!  I have absolutely no idea how!

I browsed the sunglasses department, as I always do and came across some Victoria Beckham aviators.  Now, I must have tried on 4,000 pairs of aviator sunglasses in the vain hope that some, somewhere, somehow will suit my face!  AND THESE WERE THEM! 

Victoria Beckham 0052 Aviators

Graduated Blue Tinted Lens

Love the pointed and spring hinged arms

As modelled upon  request from Twitter!

I was not however wanting to part with £275 on what was already an expensive weekend away.  So I was going to ask my friend, who works at Selfridges, to get them for me.

But there was no need for that!  As the wonderful Selina (@mrs_monkeycat) tweeted me to say they had come into The Outnet that day!  WITH A WHOPPING 64% off!  So I got my credit card out faster than you could say SPF15!  So I paid £119 for these bad boys! 

I love these sunnies as they are cool and funky, when I normally go for glam!  I love the gold grills, they just make them different!  They are perfect to accessorize a more casual outfit.

Now as you may expect, I have my eye on some more sunnies!  When I spotted these VB ones in Selfridges, I also spotted some Bulgaris.  I love my bling ones, but wanted some more simpler ones. 

So I tried on these.  And loved them...

Bulgari Black 6037B

Just a little bit of bling - I cannot help myself!

I won't pay full price!  Will only get them if my friend can get me discount or if they go on sale!

I hope you've enjoyed My Sunglasses Journey!  I must admit, it has been quite a journey for me with all the memories!

What are you like sunglasses-wise?  What style are you coveting currently?

Would love to hear your thoughts!

Sunnilicious love!

Kate xxx

Retail Therapy - new shoes!

I don't know about you, but after a rubbish morning, I thought the only fitting solution would be to go shopping!  Retail therapy doesn't half cheer us girls up!  So off I went into town.

Misson
A pair of nude and a pair of black patent slingbacks for work - about 4" heels.  So more summery due to the slingback but not toe curling freezing when it is not so warm.

Accomplishment
Nothing of the sort!

I wandered into Office, Schuh and Clarks (yes I know, it was on my way!).  There was nothing to be seen so I was getting disheartened.  I did see these Ted Baker (Svana) ones in Office but they were £120.  There were also peep toe which ideally I do not want.



Ted Baker Svana at Office - £120

 I did not want to spend that much as I had seen some in John Lewis for £75 each, so that was perfect.  Well, that was until John Lewis sold out!  So onwards I went!

I wandered into TK Maxx.  Now, I don't do rummaging, as frankly I cannot be bothered.  However, the shoes were on the same floor as the entrance and pretty neatly lined up.  Winning.

I was after some Birkenstocks as mine are on their last legs and they are my "put the bin out slash dash to the car shoes" so when I saw they had them in, I thought Charlie Sheen again - winning!  I'm always a size smaller in Birkenstocks than usual, and these pearlised white ones fitted perfectly.




Pearlised White Birkenstocks - TK Maxx - £24.99



Pearlised White Birkenstocks - TK Maxx - £24.99 - close up



So, when I saw the T-Bar ones in pink, I thought "it'd be rude not to!" So I got these too!

Pink Toe Post Birkenstocks - £29.99

So clearly, by this point, I had not bought anything I intended!  Though replenishing my stocks!  As I threw out around 40 pairs of shoes in January (I have a mahoosive annual throw out - will blog that in Jan 2013 - planning!) I continued in that vein, as I needed to replace by black peep toes I threw out, so I opted for these.  These will go perfectly with my LBD for Work (see that post from yesterday here).

BCBGeneration £29.99

So 3 pairs of shoes for less than £85.  Now, that is what I call a bargain!

I still do need my slingback patent nude and black heels, so be sure to keep me posted if you see any during your retail therapy travels!

Fabulicious love!

Kate xxx

LBD for Work

Having been quite impressed with what I've seen online of Gok Wan's collection for TU at Sainsbury's, I went to looksee more closely today whilst I was shopping for my weekly veg.  I must admit overall I was impressed with the quality and colours. 

The peplum skirt and top were not great quality so I put them back. 


Peplum Top (I looked at black)
Peplum Top £30

The other reason for putting back the brightly coloured Tunic Dress was the thought of everyone and their mother wearing it, even though I really like it.  It's a great shape and colour for me.

Tunic Dress £30

What I did decide upon was this 40s inspired funnel neck dress for work.



Black Funnel Neck dress - £45

It has panelling around the waist to cinch you in.  It has an elastic underskirt to smooth you down and give you a great shape and sucks you in!  The only downside is that is takes a while to get on, then to zip up the gold zip at the back, then takes time to get off as it is so snug!  Additionnally, as it is man-made fibres, and snug, it may mean I may get a tad hot!  Only time will tell....

It looks good though!  I don't know about you, but I feel grown up and elegant in dresses.  This is very sexy yet demure, a great fit and super price! I will pair with my Russell & Bromley nude patent courts - elongates the legs!

So for those of you, who like me, cannot afford the Roland Mouret Galaxy Dress....

...this is for you!

Would love to hear your thoughts!
Kate xxx