New frivolous lingerie (again).

I accidentally got sucked into the Asos sale the other day. Amongst other accessory steals (which I will feature later this week in some photographs of what I'm wearing), I purchased this Mimi Holliday set, £86 £41:

Image Source: Asos

This silk-enriched set really is just so delicious, and the coral and champagne colours make it wholly appropriate for the warmer seasons. Now, if only my other Mimi Holliday lust-have set would go on sale...

Image Source: Figleaves

Lookville.

Okay, so the other day, I was lucky enough to receive an official invite to Lookville.com, a social fashion networking site, membership for which is invite-only. The general aim is to help fellow users answer the following universal question: how do I look? Post pictures of what you're wearing, receive live feedback, then help other users with their own sartorial endeavours.

Sounds fun, no? Now, here's the really exciting bit: as a new member, I have been granted five invites to distribute as I please, and I want to give them to my readers (of course!). So, if you would like an invite, send me an email  -  izzy.dann@gmail.com  -  explaining why you think you deserve one.

Remember, Lookville is invite-only, so take advantage of this opportunity.

Oh wow.

One of my favourite simple pleasures in life is tea, especially the afternoon kind that involves cake, so imagine my utter delight upon spying this magnificent edible creation:

Image Source: Vogue.co.uk

What you witness here is none other than spring / summer '10 Prêt-à-Portea afternoon tea at The Berkeley, created by the hotel's pastry chef, Mourad Khiat. Designs featured include those from Chanel, Jean Paul Gaultier, Sonia Rykiel, Jason Wu, Yves Saint Laurent, Erdem, and Christopher Kane.

The truly amazing combination that is forward fashion and cake  -  what more could one ask for?

Prêt-à-Portea is served in The Caramel Room at The Berkeley from 1-6pm every day, £35 per person (£43 including a glass of Laurent Perrier Champagne; £49 per person including a glass of couture Champagne). To make a reservation for Prêt-à-Portea call 020 7235 6000.

Super-duper swimsuits.

Exams have just finished for me, automatically turning my thoughts to summer, of course. I just think that this bikini by Anika, £137, is wondrous:

Image Source: Asos

This nautical piece is perfect for a classic pool / seaside look, yet the bandeau twist top modernises the style. Also, it's super-flattering for those of us less amply endowed up top.

Embarrassing Topshop overload (again).

I am suddenly obsessed with mesh clothing  -  three Topshop items in particular, to be precise:

I think the first two would look fabulous together, and the cropped grey jumper would be perfect with distressed denim shorts and a tan on lazy summer days.

In other news, I acquired a bottle of Chanel Le Vernis in "Nouvelle Vague" the other day. Although the formula is annoying (three coats to achieve an even base), the colour is actually so beautiful in real life, contrary to my previous opinion that it wasn't all that special  - like wearing a Tiffany box on your nails, and ever-so-slightly iridescent in the sunshine.

Lipstick love: Pt. II.

A quick note on my latest lipstick lust-have: Lime Crime lipstick in "Airborne Unicorn". It's a bold lilac colour that I can't seem to find anywhere else  -  similar to M.A.C's "Lavender Whip", but that was a limited edition item that has now sold out  -  which is just the perfect summer shade. Moreover, the packaging is ridiculously cute (although probably not to some people's tastes). Pictures of the product and a swatch (not my own) are below:

Shades from left to right: Airborne Unicorn, Centrifuchsia, Cosmopop, Countessa Fluorescent.

Images Source: Temptalia

Available now from Space NK stores across the UK.

Lipstick love: Pt. I.

Recently, I've abandoned intricate eye make-up in favour of a statement lip. It started just over a week ago when I purchased one of the new Tom Ford Private Blend Lip Color lipsticks in "Black Orchid", which is named after his best-selling fragrance. There are a total of twelve shades in the range, all retailing at £35 each.

The colour is a highly pigmented dark raisin and the formula is deliciously creamy (ingredients include soja seed extract, Brazilian murumuru butter and chamomilla flower oil), offering excellent lip hydration yet also longevity. Moreover, the vanilla extract ingredient makes the lipstick smell wonderful.

Below are some web cam pictures of me wearing the shade, which should give you an idea of how the shade looks despite the questionable picture quality (also, excuse lack of precision in application  -  these pictures were taken after a night out at 3am, oops):

I thoroughly recommend this particular shade, especially considering that the sales assistant informed me that a nail polish in the same "Black Orchid" shade would be released around Christmas  -  this won't be the case for other shades in the lipstick range.

Finally, I have to mention the packaging of this product, which is really something special: the lipstick comes in an ivory cuboid-shaped tube, adorned with gold edges. The picture below featuring three of the other available shades  -  "Blush Nude", "Cherry Lush", and "Warm Sable"  -  demonstrates the product's aesthetic appeal:

Image Source: Temptalia

Skincare on a budget.

This is a guide for when you’ve somehow run out of all your expensive skincare products simultaneously and need a more frugal regime to see you through for the foreseeable future. This is currently my main skincare regime, except I've still got my Lancôme Tonique Douceur and Exfoliance Clarté as additions, although the toner can be skipped and I have an excellent recipe for a replacement facial scrub, plus one for a weekly face mask that I currently use. This whole regime is very effective yet gentle on the skin (thank the absence of alcohol).

1. Cleanser  -  Dove Beauty Cream Bar 2-Pack, £1.15.

Normal soap is too harsh to use on your face, but this bar from Dove is made from ¼ moisturising cream and is actually dermatologically recommended for facial use.

2. Moisturiser  -  Vaseline Pure Petroleum Jelly 225g, £2.39.

Some of you may be concerned that using this product on the face but I have problematic combination skin myself and can safely say that this product certainly doesn't break me out - on the contrary, it hydrates dry patches while offering enough moisture to oily areas, removing the need for excessive sebum production (a major cause of spots). Apply a very thin layer to the skin and gently spread across the face without rubbing in too much.

3. Exfoliator (use twice-weekly)  -   Recipe:

• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
• ½ cup sweet almond oil
• 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp. ground oatmeal
• 1 tsp. nutmeg

Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight jar for further use. Scrub face with mixture 2-3 minutes, rinse with lukewarm water, finish with a splash of cold to tighten pores, and pat dry.

4. Face mask (use weekly)  -   Recipe:

• ½ a medium ripe avocado
• 1 tbsp. honey
• 1 tbsp. plain yoghurt

Mash ingredients together using a fork until smooth. Apply liberally to a clean face and leave for 15 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water, splash with cold, pat dry.

Cocktail shorts.

Turns out I would actually quite care for some, having spotted this dusty pink silk pair from Topshop Boutique, £30 (oh dear, two Topshop posts in a row; not cool):

Image Source: Topshop

The perfect summer occasion dress.

Look no further than this lilac frilled number from Topshop Boutique, £120, as featured in the May 2010 edition of British Vogue below  -  it's couture without the hefty price tag or the back problems:

PS: Also in the magazine is the stunning Karlie Kloss. I just love this girl  -  her height, her ballerina body, her walk, her runway death stare:

Slouchy time.

Lounge wear complete with an element of style is very important to me for when I'm crawling out of bed to attend lectures and staying up till 5am writing essays. Intense comfort that still looks good (so that doesn't include my oversized baby pink university hoody) just makes education at unseemly hours so much more pleasurable. Hence I want a silk and modal t-shirt, £70, by Kain already:

Image Source: Net-a-porter

A loose yet perfectly formed fit, sheer fabric, and super-soft to touch. All three colours (black, grey and white), please?

Bad fashion day.

Urghh, so I failed to purchase anything yesterday at TheOutnet.com's birthday sale  -  I managed to get items into my basket a few times but the server just kept crashing a crazy amount and I could never get to payment, and this went on for over an hour. Bye-bye, beautiful 3.1 Phillip Lim cream high-waisted trousers.

Shortly afterwards, something horrendous happened: somehow, my dark denim shorts ended up in my delicate white wash and now my once pristine ivory Calvin Klein lace underwear set is virtually grey and looks absolutely ancient even though I've only had it for about one month.

All in all, a bad fashion day. However, I was slightly cheered around the midnight hours when I won this delightful Markus Lupfer sequined jumper on eBay, brand new with tags for about a third of the RRP:

Image Source: Markus Lupfer

Shoes, please.

I'm not a great fan of the whole luxe sportswear trend with one exception: the shoes. Quite simply, I need the fabulous Topshop and Kurt Geiger pairs (£130 and £160 respectively) featured below:

Image Source: Topshop

 

 Image Source: Kurt Geiger

Boudoir beauty.

Just thought I would share a two pieces of boudoir beauty. Firstly, I give you Dior ‘Creme de Rose’ Lip Balm SPF 10, £19:

 Image Source: Escentual

A slightly ridiculous amount to pay for a lip balm, granted, but this product really leaves lips super-soft and smells divinely of rose due to the precious damask rose essential oil ingredient. Plus the packaging is absolutely gorgeous, no? So simple, so chic, so French.

Next up is Paul and Joe Body Milk, £25. Initially striking is the beautiful box bottle the product comes in, followed by the bottle itself, complete with an ornate gold-tone top. When applied, the product has a delicate scent, absorbs quickly, and  -  enriched with avocado oil, almond oil, and honey  -   moisturises intensely.

 Image Source: Bohemia Design

PS: I have just added a new poll and would be very grateful if you could take the time to vote; the results could really help me improve this blog.

I ♥ Myla.

Myla is definitely one of my favourite lingerie / nightwear brands (even though they only have a few styles that come in the 30 back size I need), although I can only ever afford their stuff when there's a sale. Thankfully, there's 40% off everything online till Monday, so snap up some beautiful bargains, people! At the top of my wishlist:

 Petunia Padded Plunge Bra, £89 £53. 

 Matching briefs, £39 £23.

Images Source: Myla

Minted / skinted.

The leather sandals from Céline spring / summer '10 are undoubtedly one of the most sought after pairs of shoes this seasons:

Image Source: Céline

Their rustic elegance and simplicity is wholly appropriate for the general aesthetic that dominates this season, pioneered by Céline, which will be referenced for seasons to come. However, at around £650, the price tag for these shoes is less desirable. Nordstrom has the best high street match by far, and at only £86:

Image Source: Nordstrom

Get some gloves!

I adore the romantic neutrals of this season (especially when worn with Doc Martens or massive goth boots from Camden Market to toughen up the look) in addition to underwear as outerwear. However, nobody (well, almost nobody) wants to look like a sheep in their sartorial efforts, which can happen if everything you're wearing is straight out of the latest Topshop ad campaign. This is where the importance of accessorising becomes evident and so, for spring / summer '10 as well as next season, I am favouring the glove  -  that's the purely ornamental kind, mind you. Cornelia James, official glove manufacturer for the Queen, is the only brand to turn to when in search of such a garment. See some of the designs below:

Short black lace gloves, £35. Image taken from W, March 2009. Also available in ecru, pink and dark blue.

Image Source: Cornelia James

Elbow-length lace gloves, £38. Image taken from Look, June 2009. Also available in pink, black and dark blue.

Image Source: Cornelia James

Delicate pink lace gloves, £32.50. Image taken from The Sunday Times Style Magazine, October 2008. 

Image Source: Cornelia James 

Image Source: Harper's Bazaar (US) online

Perfect for making a statement at parties, no?

Back in London & new Chanel.

Apologies for update failure  -  I have been away for the past week skiing in Meribel, devoid of internet access.

Anyway, this is just a quick post about Chanel's new "it" polish, "Nouvelle Vague", £16, which hits the beauty counters in May. The polish has been released as part of Chanel's new summer '10 collection consisting of the aforementioned "Nouvelle Vague", "Mistral" (a soft yet warm pink with a slight sparkle), and "Riviera" (a vivid peony pink). "Nouvelle Vague" is a beautiful turquoise, unarguably vibrant yet muted enough to be classed as a pastel:

Image Source: Temptalia

I really do like the colour, although I don't think it's as unique or special as "Particulière"  -  China Glaze in "For Audrey" is very similar, and the colour in general seems fairly easy to replicate. Still, "Nouvelle Vague" gets my overall approval.

Education, Education, Education.

So, I finally watched An Education the other day (such a great film) and I've just been dreaming about the fashion / beauty / general aesthetics of it since:

Image Source: Sony Classics

I want to pretend to be French again and run away to Paris, dwelling in French jazz bars, hair pinned up, mouth red, pallor porcelain, feet adorned with an elegant heel, frame draped with refulgent jacquard dresses.

Paris, je t'aime; je vais revenir bientôt, je te promets.

Pretty patchwork.

I seldom wear jeans, but this skinny Asos pair, £30, could break me of that habit:

Image Source: Asos

Properly skinny (I hate all these skinny jeans that come up baggy), in a delicate spring shade, and individualised with patchwork detailing  -  so desirable.