What’s Your Philosophy?
This week I hosted a very chic, elegant and girlie event for beauty brand Philosophy, up in London. To further educate top bloggers from across Europe, about their key and new products, Philosophy set up a sunny studio as if it were a dream boudoir-meets-Carrie Bradshaw-style-dwelling. In short, a loft so cool I wanted to move right in. A bath-on-legs was filled to the brim with bottles of Philosophy bubble bath (check out the Cinnamon Buns flavour, just about the yummiest thing I’ve ever smelled). Next to that, a vanity table surround by stacks of pink and blue books, held bottles of scent. And when i looked closely, I saw a beautiful, inspiring poem written on the side of each bottle, written by the brand’s founder, who was also a singer-song-writer. I’ve posted the poem on my Facebook page, Louise Roe Official.
Over to the kitchen, where cupcakes from uber-delish Paris bakery La Duree were stacked like rainbows onto crystal cake-stands. We drank vanilla cocktails and giggled the afternoon away, discussing the merits of a Microdelivery Peel for polishing the skin; how to add some oomph your face cream by adding a scoop of Turbo Booster Vitamin C powder; and how to prevent dark spots caused by sun damage, with Miracle Worker Dark Spot Corrector. My favourite product of the lot though, is Oprah Winfrey’s top choice too- a day and night cream called Hope in a Jar. With a consistency like whipped cream, it’s a drink of water for the skin- without leaving any shiny, oily residue. So on my days when I’m not filming, I wear this instead of makeup.
But the most endearing thing about Philosophy is in its name. Inspiring, motivating and thought-provoking words are enscripted onto every bottle and pot: an uplifting message to read before bed, or before you leave the house. Check out some of these messages on www.PhilosophySkincare.co.uk
Beauty
Ampersand
One lady’s trash is another’s treasure…especially if it’s Lanvin!
This consignment store is an absolute gem of a find, nestled into one of LA’s cutest neighbourhoods, Larchmont Village. Everything from designer to cool high street brands is on sale at extremely reasonable prices, you’ll find everything from second-hand dresses to shoes, handbags, jewellery, trousers, tops – the lot. The boutique’s owner is meticulous about choosing pieces in great condition - very often you’ll even find the tag still attached, because the item is unworn. Oh and ps. If you live in or around LA, I’ve just dropped off 5 bags worth of stuff – so go check it out! www.AmpersandBoutique.com
Fashion
Casa del Mar
LA is a buzzing, bustling metropolis, and sometimes, you just need to get away. In search of fresh air and tranquility, I checked into Santa Monica’s beautiful beachside hotel, Casa Del Mar, last weekend. Right on the sand, it was exactly what I needed: a room decorated like a chic Hamptons holiday home, a rooftop pool serving killer mojitos and a yummy Chinese chicken salad, and most importantly, the sound of waves soothing me to sleep through open windows at night. Staff are super friendly here – the vibe is mellow – but the hotel still carries a very
5 star air to it, and security is tight against non-guests wandering in from the beach. Speaking of which, surf lessons and paddle-boarding lessons are offered right outside, and I’d highly recommend both (just make sure you wear a full-length wetsuit, the Pacific is somewhat freezing all year round). 3rd Street Promenade’s fab array of shops and – my favourite summer snack – Pinkberry frozen yogurt - is a five-minute walk away. Casa del Mar’s famous sister hotel Shutters is just next door, I’d recommend a pre-dinner cocktail on their deck to watch the sunset, before strolling back to Catch, which serves a delicious and light crab salad, juicy turkey burger and bespoke cocktails. Friday night at the bar is packed with locals and live jazz on the piano, proving that this joint is far from just a tourist-magnet. Oh and check out ‘Surf with the Chef’, a cool package whereby guests get to stay over in the hotel, take a surf lesson with a private instructor and Catch’s chef,—- Bowlin, and enjoy a market fresh lunch, for $950. If wetsuits aren’t your thing, however (er yes, me), book in for an oxygen facial at the gorgeous spa downstairs.
Feeling peaky after a few cocktails the night before, the hour-long treatment left my skin gleaming and soft as a baby’s bottom.
http://www.Casadelmar.com
Living
Hot Moc-Croc
I’ve finally stopped carrying gigantic, heavy totes, mainly because they were actually making my back ache. So instead for spring, I’ve found the chicest cross-body messenger that’s not only good for my health, it’s good for the environment. Heather Belle handbags are completely vegan, hand-painted and hand-cast in scarily convincing moc-croc and moc-python fabrics. I can see hardcore celeb vegans like Natalie Portman and Alicia Silverstone jumping all over these. I just bought the mini messenger in mocha brown, and next on my list? The oversized clutch in tangerine. Prices start at $275.
www.heatherbelleco.com.
Fashion
Sparkle for a good cause
I’ve never really worn delicate jewellery before – always sticking to chunky bright stuff - but then I stumbled upon Monica Vinader, when I drooled over a cute bangle on the wrist of my bikini designer buddy, Melissa Odabash. Affordable, elegant but also informal enough to wear every day, check out Monica’s Fiji bracelet, with different coloured threads to choose from) it has the feel of a chic friendship bracelet.
The brand has also just launched the Breakthrough Bracelet, with a pink weave, 15% of sales go straight to the Breakthrough Breast cancer charity. No wonder celebs and style icons like Claudia Schiffer, Elle MacPherson and Kelly Brook are wearing her stuff too.
www.MonicaVinader.com
Fashion
Getting Juicy with it
At last, a detox that’s delicious…
I’ve tried and failed at numerous juice cleanses, not because I get hungry (and bored…) but more because the juices taste so damn disgusting, it’s hard to stomach them. I can’t swallow more than a couple of gulps of liquefied carrots and celery. Not so with Pressed Juicery. Finally, here’s a company with a sense of humour and understanding in its approach to health: the team there discussed my likes (coconut, grapefruit, ginger) and my dislikes (carrot, beetroot, did I mention carrot), and we figured out my menu accordingly, together. They have a hotline you can call for advice, in case you’re freaking out going cold turkey, and another USP is the juicing process this brand uses. They’ve created a hydraulic press which extracts straight from the fruit and veggie’s pulp, minimizing oxidation and releasing up to 4 times more vitamins, minerals, and enzymes than you could ever get from a regular juicer. Wowzers.
You can choose between a 3 day cleanse and a 5 day one – I opted for the shorter one – and every morning at 7.30, a box is delivered to your front door. The company suggests aiding the process by booking yourself a colonic, a massage or at least drinking laxative teas during your fast, but other than that, there are no additional surprises, like having to force down yucky psyllium husk or bentonite clay supplements (anyone who’s ever done a hardcore detox will know what I’m talking about. Eww.) Instead, you drink these delicious juices every couple of hours, as well as chlorophyll water and aloe vera water, which help oxygenate the blood and cleanse your colon respectively. I did get peckish on occasion, but not to the point where I gave up. With flavours like cucumber, pineapple, coconut, and aloe vera (tastes like a healthy pina colada); or almond milk, dates, vanilla bean, and sea salt (which tastes like a vanilla milkshake), it’s easier to enjoy, and think of all the goodness going into your body.
One tip I will give though is clear your calendar for the evenings, going out for dinner or socializing is near impossible. Your body will thank you for a few quiet nights in and some long sleeps anyway.
www.PressedJuicery.com $70 per day.
Living
How to Break into the Fashion World
I always knew I wanted to write – and more specifically - for a magazine. My dad is a travel journalist, and before that he edited newspapers, so from a young age I saw the excitement, passion and fun involved with creating something from scratch. Using words to entertain, inform and paint a vivid picture, moulding everything into a finished article. Work experience. Work experience. Work experience. Those golden words that everyone advised. So at 16, I shadowed somebody at Conde Nast Traveller magazine for a few days, and never looked back. Stints during school holidays followed at the Financial Times’ How to Spend It supplement, at a now-defunct foodie publication, at Brides, at Red…anywhere that would take me. The week I finished my degree in English Lit, I started at Elle for a 6 month internship. It was there that my love for writing doubled-up into a love for style and fashion too. Yup, you make the tea, you photocopy, you run to Starbucks, you transcribe interviews. But every now and again, there are moments that remind you why fought so hard to get there, giving you the boost to keep going for it. An editor will give you the time of day and you’ll cling on to that advice as if your life depended on it (for me, that was Lorraine Candy, the editor of UK Elle who happened to start the same day I did). Then another time, I was let loose at London Fashion Week, to report backstage at a the show of a new, young designer named Giles Deacon. I got my pad and pen out and interviewed Erin O’Connor. When I told her afterwards it was my first ever interview, she gave me a hug and we’re still in touch today. I remember the lovely travel editor Sue Ward-Davies, telling me I could come and assist her that weekend down in Cornwall, to cover designer Alice Temperley’s annual summer sleepover party. Alice takes over her parent’s farm with the most stylish, bohemian bash you’ve ever sees. Lamas and horses wandered around the fields as supermodels (Naomi, Jodie Kidd, Jacquetta Wheeler) lounged in bedouin tents sipping cocktails. Fireworks were set off at mid-night and everybody jumped in the lake. I felt like I was in a colour version of La Dolce Vita. I could go on and on, but the point is, getting your foot I the door and not losing site of your goals and staying inspired, is crucial and worth it. After 5 months at Elle, I was offered my first paid opportunity, over at In Style. A few more magazine positions and some styling jobs later, my editor at the time was asked to appear on BBC news, talking about wedding dresses. She was too nervous to go, and asked me to do it. I’d never, ever thought about doing TV before, but I gave it a shot, shaking all the way through the segment. That same day, a producer who had watched called me, and asked if I’d like to try out for a new fashion programme. The rest is history! Here are my top tips on how to break into the fashion industry:
1. Start early. Apply for work experience while you’re still at High School, write for the school newspaper – the quicker you get into the habit of writing and building up your contacts in the industry, the better.
2. Be proactive. When I was applying for internships, people often asked if I had work published, which was almost impossible without having a job (chicken and egg scenario). But nowadays, it’s simple to start a blog, style your own shoot, report from the images you find of fashion week, the Oscars. Showing initiative, independence and thinking outside the box, counts for a lot.
3. Get your resume sorted. Think about how many hundreds are sent to magazines every week. On average, yours will be read for 20 seconds before being disregarded in the trash or put in the pile for consideration. Not to scare you! But you see my point: it’s worth spending time to make your resume stand out. Some editors like CV’s on paper, others via email. Be safe and send both, keeping it no longer than one page. Keep any information pre-age 18 VERY brief (ie. they wont really look at high school grades), and embolden the brand names you’ve worked for down the centre of the page. Don’t over-clutter with lengthy descriptions. Never attach a photo, that’s cheesy. Grades and majors tend not to be as important as extra-curricular activity and other work experience, which proves your love for fashion. Don”t stretch the truth – the fashion industry is too small and if you haven’t worked somewhere you say you did – they’ll find out in a nanosecond. Your cover letter or email should be brief; a couple of short paragraphs is fine. Try to strike that fine balance between selling yourself, and coming off as overbearing. It’s a good thing to state that you’re motivated, inspired and hard working.
4. Research. Read as much as you can – know the magazine you’re applying to cover-to-cover, think of interesting ideas for certain sections and don’t be afraid to voice them if asked. Follow a mix of fashion peeps on Twitter, read the reviews on Style.com or wherever your favourite writers are. Be prepped for questions like ‘Who are your favourite designers? Why’ and ‘What were your favourite shows and trends this season? Why.’
5. Interview
Be polite, but also relax. The editor might seem scary, but smiling and having the odd joke will make it clear you’re not threatened by the situation, and it’ll also show you’re a pleasant character to have around the office all day, every day. Friendliness is valued in offices, so having a good vibe about you will serve you well! Don’t forget to say how much you want the job. Not in a needy way, but you’d be surprised how many candidates don’t seem as keen for the position as they perhaps should be.
6. What to Wear
This really varies, depending where you’re interviewing. Ponder it for yourself – some designers’ studios and fashion PR firms are very casual, eclectic, even eccentric – so go as wild as you like. But some magazines and brands are much more formal and elegant. Big Italian houses such as Armani, for example, tend to have their workers wearing mainly black, looking super chic. I hate saying this, but you WILL be judged by your appearance, so plan your look in advance and if it’s somewhere mega-chic, pay for that blow-dry, repaint your nails and borrow your mum’s / mate’s designer handbag for the day. Personally, I always opted for a chic, well-fitted bright or printed dress, high patent closed-toe heels, and a simple cream or taupe bag.
7. Fix things. Interns who problem-solve quietly and confidently, are worth their weight in gold. Editors and bosses don’t usually have time to fiddle with the computer or printer when it’s going wrong. Anticipating their needs, getting things done without asking too many questions, is brilliant. Also, brush up on your social media, it’s a huge part of progress in the industry today, and take a course in Photoshop and web design if you can. Knowing about all sections of the office, not just your own, will come in handy.
8. If you’re at fashion or journalism school, remember the brightest ideas and thoughts often come from your classmates. So keep your ears open and think as a team, not as competitors. You’ll all end up rubbing shoulders along the journey – some of my best mates now are successful writers and stylists – and we all started off interning together, surfing on friend’s couches and earning a pittance!
9. Keep in touch. Collect business cards from those you work with, it’s crucial to stay in touch so that when a job does come up, you’re top of mine. Make friends with
other departments in the office too, you may end up being offered something in a completely different direction, and end up loving it.
10. Smile. Don’t get embroiled in office politics, even if at the time it feels great to joing the cool gang. I remember my mum warning me to look out for the ‘office bitch’ on my first day of work. I was shocked, but she was right: there’s usually one. Hold your head high, keep smiling, come in early, stay late, don’t moan about doing menial tasks, and try to soak up as much of the information you see around you: from the way influential people in the industry dress, negotiate, write, conduct business, it’s all stuff you’ll use in later life.
Ps. And when you do make it as a big-shot, don’t forget the people who helped you make it! Always remember how and where you started, and try to help other aspiring interns or trainees do the same.
Fashion
Art Attack
Congrats to my old mucker from university, the uber-talented (and
hilarious) auction-house specialist Alexander Montague-Sparey. Together with his friend Janina Joffe, he’s launched a very cool, innovative art concept, named East of Mayfair. It’s an online art gallery where you can nose around a virtual Georgian house, stylishly illustrated by Pierre Le-Tan, with rooms designed by Thibaud Herem. Every room in the house is curated on a regular basis with an eclectic range or art-work, that’ll make any design-savvy shopper’s mouth water. “East of Mayfair will be an accessible online destination for art and design collectors that allows them to shop from their computers and see how each piece fits into the context of a home,” says Janina. www.EastofMayfair.com
Living
Eco-Chic Brands
Save the World While You Shop
Time to be more conscientious about the purchases we make. There is a plethora of fab, chic brands out there doing good for the environment and community.
Here are some eco-chic brands I love
Tom’s
With every pair of canvas slip-on shoes purchased, Tom’s donates a pair of shoes to an impoverished child.
Covet
Sustainable silk and wool sweaters www.shopfuturestandard.com
Smart Glass Jewelry
Elegant pendant made from recycled bottles www.smartglassjewelry.com
OlsenHaus
Chunky vegan wooden wedges www.olsenhaus.com
Andean Collection
Printed infinity scarf woven by South American artisans, who also share in the profits
www.theandeancollection.com
Kevia
A tree is planted for every Vietnamese buffalo horn bangle sold
www.kevia.biz
JADEtribe
Gorgeous patterned handbags, designed with textiles made by a local village in Laos
www.jadetribe.com
Alex and Ani
Delicate feather bangle made from recycled metal
www.shopfuturestandard.com
Fashion
Colour Me Happy
Girls in Red dresses are flirted with: fact! Why the colour you choose to wear makes a big impact on your day.
What we wear can shape our experiences and emotions, and the way others perceive us. Scientists believe that colour and mood, are strongly linked.
So before you chuck on that old top and jeans, think again.
Orange
Linked to the sun, orange signals creativity, energy and new ideas.
Blue
Light blue is about being laid-back and relaxed. Dark blue means rules, regulations and obligation.
Green
Signifies new ideas, new ventures, and money.
Yellow
The colour of detachment and release, yellow heralds new beginnings.
Red
Bold and passionate, red is used for a boost in confidence, and the powers of seduction.
Pink
Unconditional love and friendship.
Beige
Earthy and aspirational at the same time, this is an unthreatening, welcoming colour.
Grey
Smooth and methodical.
Black
Linked to the moon and darkness, black is for the thinker.
White
Associated with the sun, daylight and predominantly male energy, white calls to action.
Fashion
My guide to Paris
I’ve been going to Paris for work trips for many years, and finally, recently, went for fun. It’s the most magical city in the world in my opinion, full of windy cobbled streets to discover, history, art, culture…and the food! Well that deserves a whole article in itself. So here are my top chic hangouts…
Walk as much as you can, it’s one of those cities where you’ll stumble upon cute cafes and little galleries at every turn. The best area to wander through is St Germain. Start with breakfast at Cafe Flore or Les
Deux Magots almost next door. This is where super famous writers and painters used to hang out, including Hemingway, Picasso and Albert Camus. If you’ve never had a croque monsieur before, try one.
Do shop in the pharmacies here, they have the BEST brands at a quarter of the price than outside of France. I love Caudelie’s Beauty Elixir and Vichy night cream.
Check out the Musee D’Orsee down there too, before hopping on a boat tour. This is my favourite way to see the city, and learn about the stunning architecture everywhere.
Stroll through the Jardin des Tuileries, right by Place de la Concorde where the first lady to make high heels fashionable, Marie Antoinette, was executed. Stop in at Angelina on Rue de Rivoli, for the richest, most delicious hot choc in paris. Wind up the backstreets behind it to Rue de Cambon, go inside Chanel and peek up the mirrored staircase to her old apartment. This is where she sat watching her fashion shows, perched on the top step but looking downstairs in the mirror, too shy to go down and greet the press.
Tea (or cocktails…) at hotel Costes is so elegant, it’s a fashion week staple and one of Kate Moss’ favourite bars to hang out.
Get up super early and visit Sacre Coeur (going early means you avoid the crowds) and wander around Montmartre
Square after. It feels like being on a film set, but is cute nonetheless. Don’t miss Notre Dame too, it’s overwhelmingly stunning, and if you veer off-path and check out the backstreets, you’ll find some beautiful, ancient homes and restaurants. Speaking of food, here are my top spots for…
Lunch:
*Castiglione best cheeseburgers in the world
*Entrecote in St Germain, for the best steak frites
*La Perouse, on the river, is about as romantic as a restaurant can get. Red velvet curtains, dark wood panels and oil paintings line your own private dining room. Yes, your OWN dining room! Legend has it that kings and princes once took their whores there, and there are scratches on the mirrors where they checked to see if their diamonds were in fact real. But lunch is a LOT easier on the wallet than dinner, it’s a different menu, but just as delicious.
* Georges at the Pompidou Center
Modern and chic, Carrie Bradshaw had a meal up here in THAT episode! Located at the top of the Pompidou center, you can see just about all of Paris from up here.
Tea
*La Duree in Rue Royale, famous for its macaroon
*Le Meurice – so grand and extravagant, you’ll feel like the Queen
*Mariage Freres in the Marais, like stepping back in time, the kind of place to write a poem or muse on the beauty of life!
Cocktails
*Le Bar, Plaza Athenee. My absolute hotspot is the bar inside the Plaza Athenee Hotel. Walk through the shiny marble and gold lobby, turn down the long elegant corridor (and if it’s Christmas time, you’ll see the ice rink in the courtyard to the left) and then check out the dark, moody, modern bar. The cocktail menu is presented to you on an Ipad, go for the house signature blend, the Black Mojito, and then just people-watch for a while. The length of this room’s cosy couches and high stools is full of interesting, fashionable people having laughs or secret trysts, I love it here.
Dinner
*La Derriere, for anyone with an appreciation for modern art and eclectic, cool décor, this place is for you.
*Chez Robert et Louise, in the Marais. Log fires, stone floors and old wooden doors, this has the feel of a country pub with a really friendly staff.
*Chez Andre, a really typically French, bustling and always-busy brasserie.
*Les Ombres, sit on the terrace of Paris’ new primitive arts museum,
the Musée du Quai Branly, and soak up unbelievable views of the Seine and the Eiffel Tower.
* Le Coupe Chou
Located on the left bank, this charming old 15th century house is cosy, quiet and just about my favourite place for a date. Expect traditional cuisine (I had snails!) and lovely warm candlelight all night.
Living
My Diet Secrets
I’m on a detox at the moment, feeling a bit bored of it but hoping to feel bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, full of energy, in a couple of days! At the end of last year I read ‘Clean & Lean Diet‘ by my best friend’s trainer, James Duigan and it really changed my eating and exercise habits. Brilliantly, James suggests a balanced, not-too-vigorous fitness regime, with a mix of cardio and disciplines such as yoga and pilates. Now I do all three every week, with a little bit of hiking thrown in for good measure (and for good gossip – hikes are the best way to get everything off your chest with a mate!). When it comes to food, James has an equally sensible approach. I probably eat MORE now that I used to, but choosing the right stuff, and eliminating the grotty, toxic stuff, makes your body react in a very cool, positive way. Not just by changing shape, but by giving you miles more energy, brightening your eyes, clearing up your skin, and even clearing your mind. Don’t get me wrong, I haven’t lost my love of gin & tonics, chocolate milk and any Mexican food I can get my hands on, but I’ve definitely put in place some changes that are helping. So, combining that book with the tips and tricks I’ve picked up from various health nut friends over the years, here are my diet secrets…
Brekkie
I used to skip breakfast and grab a coffee if I was lucky, but now I make the most delicious smoothie of all time. Almond milk, 4 ice cubes, half a banana, a few blueberries, white chia seeds, a few goji berries, 2 walnuts, flaxseed oil, acai powder, a sprinkle of cinnamon and a scoop of James Duigan’s Body Brilliance powder. It literally is health in a cup, and it doesn’t taste gross, like so many of those green looks-like-river-water juices people drink. You don’t need ALL of those ingredients above, just see how many you can find at your local health shop, and make your own recipe. They’re an incredibly powerful mix of anti-oxidants, protein and Omega 3 oils, which in a nutshell, helps you burn fat and stay full til lunch. If I fancy something more or a mid-morning snack, then I love mashing avocado onto rye toast, with some pumpkin seeds on top, or I’ll spread organic peanut butter onto pumpernickel toast, that’s delicious too. Rye and pumpernickel are wheat-free breads, so you won’t bloat and feel sluggish. In my opinion, they taste better too. And ps. I just can’t give up that coffee, no matter how bad caffeine is supposed to be for us, I enjoy it and days when I’m up at 5am to film, I bloody well NEED it! So I try to switch to organic coffee, if that’s available.
Lunch
I’m a fan of enormous salads with at least 8 ingredients chucked in, so it looks like a rainbow. I usually start with rocket or spinach, then lean meat like turkey, shrimp, salmon, grilled chicken or tuna, then veggies such as corn, tomato, peas, roasted butternut squash, cucumber – anything you fancy. Then something crunchy for yummy texture, like pine-nuts, or cashews, sometimes a bit of fruit to sweeten things up, like grapes cut in half, mango or pomegranate seeds. Goats cheese or feta is always yummy on top. Cold pressed organic olive oil drizzled on top with whatever other seasonings you want. YUM. Low-fat dressings used to be a staple in my fridge, but in fact, they’re full of sugar and synthetic ingredients. If something has more than 5 or 6 ingredients on the back, and you can’t even pronounce half the names, throw it out, it’s no good for you. Keeping things simple is the key.
Dinner
I’m not much of a cook, and I do eat out a lot. If I’m at a restaurant, I know the healthiest thing to do is skip the bread and order fish with greens – that’s usually an option at all restaurants. But, like I said, I’m no saint, so if I fancy the burrito, I’ll order the burrito. Life’s too short not to enjoy yourself and indulge. Plus, if you skimp and have salad, you’ll a) be in the worst food-envy mood while you watch your mates tuck in to pizza and steaks, and b) probably undo all your hard work by scoffing the contents of your fridge when you get home, because you’re still hungry. So, enjoy yourself when you’re out with friends, but perhaps have a vodka soda instead of beer or wine (much better option) and skip the dessert, or go for the fruitiest – not the creamiest - option.
Back to cooking at home, I’ve made a massive effort lately to learn, and farmer’s markets are a good place to start. You actually enjoy picking up the food and thinking about what you could create with it. It’s more therapeutic than a supermarket – not to mention cheaper and better quality.
Supermodel Sophie Dahl has some easy and lovely recipes on her YouTube videos, ‘The Delicious Miss Dahl’, so check them out.
If I’m in a rush, I tend to grill fish in foil with a sprinkle of herbs and some lemon drizzled on top, that’s super easy. Roasting veggies is great too, and I recently made mushroom and chestnut soup, taught by my bestie Stephanie, recipe below. I’m never going to be a gourmet chef, nor do I really want to be, but I have learnt that there’s a huge difference between takeaways and pre-packaged meals (full of bad fats and preservatives, which sit in your body slowing everything like energy and metabolism down), and taking the extra ten minutes to chop up your own meat and veggies. As for carbs, switch pasta, white rice and potatoes for wild rice, sweet potato and quinoa. Oh and if you’re cooking up scrambled eggs, a stew or stir-fry, use coconut oil in the pan, instead of olive oil. This totally surprised me, but when olive oil is heated, it breaks down into a worse fat, so only use it cold.
Easy winter warmer recipe: Wild mushroom & chestnut soup
1 white onion, peeled and sliced
150 grams of mixed wild mushrooms – half the fun is choosing them at the farmer’s market.
Half a litre of stock – chicken or vegetable is best.
150 grams chestnuts (vacuum packet is fine)
Fresh parsley
Heat some olive oil in a pan, then add the sliced onions and sweat for about 5 minutes. Then add the mushrooms, cook for a further 5 minutes before adding the chicken stock and the fresh thyme. Simmer for 10 minutes.
Add the chestnuts and simmer for a further 10 minutes. Check everything is soft and squishy enough to put a knife through. Remove from the heat and blend until smooth in a food processor. Serve with a little pour of olive oil and some chopped parsley on top.
You can make the soup in advance and freeze it, awesome if you’re having a dinner party or a super busy week.
Living
Quotes to make you feel grateful, gorgeous and giggly.
I always find a great quotation particularly inspiring and motivating at this time of year, when everything’s starting afresh. Here’s some food for thought - my favourite fashion (and lifestyle) quotes of all time, many sent in by Twitter and Facebook from YOU guys too! Enjoy. Xx
“Whatever you can do,
Or dream you can do,
Begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.”
-Goethe
“I don’t know who invented high heels, but all women owe him a lot.”
-Marilyn Monroe
“Dress shabbily and they remember the dress. Dress impeccably and they remember the woman.”
-Coco Chanel
“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”
-Oscar Wilde
“Blue jeans are the most beautiful thing since the gondola.”
-Diana Vreeland
“I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and I believe in miracles.”
-Audrey Hepburn
“Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.”
-Mark Twain
“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Cherish all your happy moments. They make a fine cushion for old age.”
Christopher Morley
“There must be quite a few things a hot bath won’t cure, but I don’t know many of them.”
-Sylvia Plath
“Whoever said that money can’t buy happiness, simply didn’t know where to go shopping.”
-Bo Derek
“Vain trifles as they seem, clothes…change our view of the world and the world’s view of you.”
-Virginia Woolf
“Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world.”
-Bette Midler
“It is every woman’s right to ignore the dictates of fashion and dress in a manner that is becoming to her own character and personality.”
-Lillie Langtry
“Fashion is all about happiness. It’s fun. It’s important. But it’s not medicine.” - Donatella Versace
“Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary.” cecil beaton
“The most beautiful clothes that can dress a woman are the arms of the man she loves. But for those who haven’t had the fortune of finding this happiness, I am there.” Yves Saint-Laurent
Living
New Year, New YOU
I just read a quote by Diane Von Furstenberg, where she states proudly that she’s her own best friend. Which got me thinking – what a cool start to the New Year if we can pamper and nurture ourselves as much as possible. As Kate Winslet says in The Holiday, “Every woman should be the leading lady in her own life, right?” So here are my top ten ways to steal a little “me time” and become BFF’s with yours truly…
1. Buy yourself a bunch of beautiful flowers, and arrange them in a vase in your bedroom. There’s something extra luxurious about waking up and seeing your favourite blooms in the morning – I love hydrangea and peonies.
2. Google the funniest movies of all time, rent 3 of them and laugh your head off out loud all afternoon. Laughing reduces blood pressure and releases a huge amount of endorphins, making us feel fabulous. In fact, laughing for 1 hour every other week can lower blood pressure by 5-6 points in 3 months. Which is basically the same effect on your health as losing 10 pounds!
3. Snap and frame a totally gorgeous photo of yourself, even if it takes 100 shots, then put it into 70’s tone on the computer – or have it turned sepia when you print it. This is the most flattering, retro lighting.
4. Instead of buying clothes in the sales, invest in a new set of something that you use every day and never really replace. It could be new sheets, pens, pillows, glasses, eye makeup.
5. Build a scrapbook full of your favourite quotes, old Polaroid photos, magazine tears. It will fast become a mood board for all your inspirations, reminding you or the values and styles you want to live, dress, and think by.
6. Buy a red lipstick. It’s not just silver screen goddesses who are allowed sexy scarlet lips, so try on a few before you buy and once you own it, wear it with pride whenever you feel like it: with jeans and a sweater is to me, much chicer than saving it for a formal occasion. It’ll make your face pop, and you’ll attract more attention.
7. Finish a book. Not a magazine, but an actual book. Turn off your Blackberry, Iphone, Twitter or Facebook, and put aside two hours to really get into it, losing yourself in your imagination. People that read on a regular basis are proven to be more likely to take part in charity work, community volunteering and exercising. Who knewBecome a book worm and enrich your life.
8. My favourite poet, Sylvia Plath, once said, “There must be quite a few things a hot bath won’t cure, but I don’t know many of them”. Run yourself a hot bubble bath, light candles and just soak: it feels so decadent and comforting. Plus another science bit - physical and social warmth are actually interchangeable, so having a hot bath actually helps get rid of any feelings of lonliness. Try it.
9. Cook something from scratch, just for you. As a self-confessed terrible cook, I find supermodel Sophie Dahl’s “The Delicious Miss Dahl” YouTube videos the easiest and most fun to follow. You get lost in the mixing and chopping, I find it very therapeutic.
10. Go and get your eyebrows professionally shaped, and book in to a good spa for eyelash extensions. Trust me when I say this will change your face dramatically for the better: no surgery or make-up required!
Living
Arquiste
It’s true that most people have their signature scent when it comes to perfume, but why have just one? Fashion trends are constantly changing and your scent should be no exception. Arquiste fine fragrance collection from Carlos Huber allows you to do just that with six scents that can be combined or worn alone. Huber has developed the unisex collection based on moments in history, where the carefully researched ingredients of each fragrance reflect a certain time and place creating an experience for its wearer. Whether you are in the mood for the floral blend of Flor y Canto with notes of Tuberpse, Magnolia, Plumeria and Marigold that channels the most fragrant Aztec festival in Tenochtilan, Mexico or the woodsy scent of Alexsandr transporting you to St. Petersburg, Russia in the 1800’s, they will have you smelling lovely for any occasion.
www.arquiste.com
Beauty
The Bio Effect
As the New Year comes around, everyone looks forward to a fresh start and thanks to BIOEFFECT serum your skin can have a healthy, detoxed start too, The serum, made in Iceland, has been wildly successful throughout Europe and launched in the U.S. this Fall. The really unique part of the product is one of its main ingredients: Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), which occurs naturally in our skin to increase cell turnover rate. This helps to naturally reduce the appearance of lines and dark circles, as well as hydrate, increase elastin and collagen production, resulting in a more youthful-looking appearance. The EGF used in the serum is plant-derived, made from barley seeds in Iceland, plus it’s the most pure and concentrated of it’s type on the market. www.thebioeffect.com!
Beauty
Brett Fahlgren
Style consultant (and my good friend) Brett Fahlgren, who has given his fashion expertise to GQ, Prada and Calvin Klein over the last few years, has launched a line of chic, preppy namesake ties. Fahlgren Ties are woven in England but hand-made in the US, and, just like Brett’s usual understated but sharp style, they make and elegant statement with rich, bold colours and classic prints. If you’re looking for a Carey Grant-esque addition to your wardrobe this holiday, pick up one at Bloomingdales, Kitson LA, or Snag.com. www.Fahlgrenties.com. available at www.Stagaustin.com
Fashion
The House of Rush
Walking inside feels like stepping onto the set of a Sex and the City episode. Rush has created the ultimate spa experience with The House of Rush in Piccadilly, London. The décor is ultra glam: white marble floors, crystal-adorned banquets, regal high celiings dangling enormous chandeliers. Whether you want a quick blow-dry, a mani / pedi or an extensive body treatment using awesome new skin technology, I couldn’t recommend this place higher. www.Rush.co.uk
Beauty
Louise’s Makeup artist Rachel Wood shares her Christmas Holiday Beauty Tips
A lot of you guys have been asking on Twitter and Facebook who does my
hair and make-up on Plain Jane… well, it’s my lovely friend Rachel, who
you see also doing the ‘Jane’s make-up each episode too! She’s the
best, and she’s sent me her top tricks and trends for fab festive
beauty.
1. Scarlet Lips
I love to see women wearing a statement red lip during the festive
season. Some of my all time top red lip colours: Giorgio Armani
lipsticks in 400 & 401, Flirt Alert by Benefit, L’oreal Colour Riche #
410 (another one of Louise’s top picks), YSL Red Strass & MAC Dubonnet
I
suggest adding a twist of retro pin-up flavour, by pairing yours with a
flick of
black liquid liner – not pencil or wax, it won’t give the same Marilyn
Monroe effect – try YSL. Add a set of false lashes (Ardell 117’s are
Louise’s staple on set everyday) and a pop of fresh hot pink blusher,
such as
Benefit’s Bella Bomba. Smile as you apply it, and dust it onto the
apples of your cheeks.
2. Luscious Locks
Anna Schneider, who is Louise’s amazing hairstylist when she’s in New
York, swears by Pssst Dry Shampoo. The ingredients and packaging have
not changed since the brand was launched in the 70’s. It’s a terrific
product to fix up a girl’s roots, getting rid of oils and grease, and
giving long lasting, voluminous party hair. I
am also obsessed with Bumble & Bumble’s ‘Do it all Day’ hairspray, in
the blue can.
It keeps hair in place, but you can still run your fingers through it:
great for a
dishevelled messy wave.
3. Bright Nights
Louise is all about colour in her wardrobe, so I like to incorporate
her bright style into her makeup look when possible. A fab way to do
this is to add
a smudge of a bright colour underneath (not so much on top of) the eye,
just like a heavy liner. I like to use bold, textured, shimmery,
pigmented eye shadows ( OCC cosmetics, Kryolan, Barry M & MAC all do
phenomenal eye shadow pigments)
4. The Basics of Base
No matter what makeup look I decide to create, the skin underneath
needs to look as glowing and fresh as possible. I prep the face with a
nice heavy moisturizer and really massage it into the skin. I then like
to add a thin layer of primer, this keeps the makeup longer lasting for
long days. (My top three are Laura Mercier primer, Makeup Up Forever
HD-TV primer & Illamasqua’s Silky primer). Then, I like to keep
foundation on the thinner side. I apply it in light, circular motions
with a buffing brush (looks like a short stubby powder brush). I feel
this results in a polished effect. Then I go over any imperfections
with extra concealer and finish with a highlighter under the eyes. I
also keep powder to a minimum - definitely on the sides of the nose and
t- zone, but I like to keep the cheeks looking fresh and dewy, unless
skin is very oily.
5. I Heart Glitter & Sparkle!
When applying glitter to the eyes, I like to use a small dab of Duo
eyelash glue patted gently underneath where you want to wear it, so
that it stays put. Deep, rich colours like bronze, purple, navy blue
and emerald green are hot this winter, very Studio54 1970’s disco. I
also like to add very fine milled glitter to lip glosses, though if
you’re trying to get a secret kiss underneath the mistletoe this
Holiday Season- you’ll definitely get caught! I use masking tape to
help pull any unwanted glitter off the face that might have dropped. It
lifts sparkles off easily, without ruining or removing your makeup.
Beauty
Louise’s Christmas Gift Guide
With less than a month to go until Christmas, it’s time to get your shop on. Here’s my cherry-picked wish-list of chic bits & bobs, perfect for your friends, your family, your other half and…YOU. Yup, I’m a big believer in being your own Santa, why not!?
Book
The Tale of the Elves & The Shoemaker
A beautiful fashion-memoir-meets-fairytale, that cleverly intertwines the classic story of the Elves and the Shoemaker, with (Carrie Bradshaw’s fave shoe designer) Manolo Blahnik’s real-life career.
Blahnik illustrated the book, and my talented, stylish friend Camilla Morton, wrote it.
http://www.harpercollins.com/books/Manolo-Blahnik-Tale-Elves-Shoemaker-Camilla-Morton/?isbn=9780061917301
Bespoke
A personalised bookmark from Anya Hindmarch - such a novel idea – no pun intended! Hand-write a name, message or favourite quote and it’ll be transferred onto the leather: beyond chic.
http://www.anyahindmarch.com/cat/Bookmarks/975/
Stationery
I’m a stickler for old-fashioned thank you letters, and Paper Plain create the most stylish, affordable printed cards I’ve found. I just ordered mine, name-tagged in scarlet, with red-lined envelopes.
http://www.paperplain.net/
Scarf
Louise Roe London Collection for HSN, Farrah scarf.
My top stocking-filler. Printed in Winter’s warmest and brightest
colours: soft mustard, olive green, deep purple and elegant taupe, the ‘Farrah’ scarf from my HSN collection has a 1970’s feel, named after Farrah Fawcett’s effortless Charlie’s Angels style. Lofty and lightweight, the cut is so big it wraps around your neck three or four times. I’m wearing mine to Paris this Christmas!
http://fashion.hsn.com/louise-roe-the-farrah-feather-print-scarf_p-6485860_xp.aspx?o=PD-RI&sz=0&ocm=sekw&attr=&subcat=&cat=&dept=&sf=&gs=&prev=&cm_sp=Recommended*PD*right
Smellies
Dr. Bronner’s Almond Soap.
I just discovered this brand and I’m addicted: not only does it smell delicious, have beautiful apothecary-style vintage packaging, and is super affordable, but Dr Bronner’s is also a 60 year old company, using completely organic, fair trade ingredients. My favourite almond flavour includes extra virgin coconut oil, jojoba, and hemp oils. Mmm.
http://www.drbronner.com/
Calendar
Every year, I go back to London from LA, and hit Bond Street to buy my Smythson diary. I use it every single day to keep appointments and make notes, I way prefer pen and paper to keeping a calendar on my phone!
Picking it out has become a ritual, and the blue box, bag and ribbon the store wraps it in is stunning. This yeat I’m plumping for the purple Soho diary.
http://www.smythson.com/diaries/for-her/mid-size-diaries/soho-diary-purple.html
Winter Warners
Mini Cashmere hand-warmers for only $10? Done and done. These are adorable, and come packaged in a lovely box. Choose from baby blue, grey, red and black.
http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/category/products.jsp?categoryId=cat1640014
Scent
Carlos Huber Arquiste perfume
I have a very stylish friend in New York, who’s a Historian by background. Last year he decided to combine his two passions (history and fragrance) into one: a passion-driven project. Boom! Arquiste perfumes were born. Sold in Barneys, the scents are poignant and incredibly unique – the antithesis to lots of mass produced perfumes on the market nowadays. Carlos used rare ingredients, including foods like cocoa, and herbs like cinnamon, to create smells that evoke specific times and places. There’s L’Etrog, a woodsy, citrusy blend that channels the medieval harvest in Calabria, or Flor Y Canto, a heady tuberose and marigold mix meant to take you back to ancient Tenochtitlan, Mexico, during an Aztec ceremony.
http://arquiste.com/
For Him
Reiss is my first stop when I’m buying clothes for guys. Everything is beautiful quality, and just edgy enough to stand out, in a very Carey-Grant-old-school-elegance kind of way. Their taupe herringbone Alford tie, made from 100% silk, is top of my list this season.
http://www.reissonline.com/shop/mens/accessories/ties/alford/taupe/
Cashmere
I’ve known designer Madeleine THompson since we went to uni together, and back then she rocked the most incredible, boho style. Her beanies and blankets are to die for (I cosy up in mine on every plane ride), and now she’s teaming up with one of my favourite spas, Cowshed, to create limited edition cashmere slippers and hats. And to boot, from January 5th 2012, the first 100 Cowshed customers to book a Cosy Cow package (massage & manicure) will receive a free pair of slippers, worth £85.
http://www.cowshedonline.com/madeleine_thompson_for_cowshed_cashmere/c789152-1.html
Kimono
M&S kimono
The most decadent, gorgeous thing to put on before bed, and when you
wake up. I’m in love with Marks and Spencer’s full length floral silk
kimono.
http://www.marksandspencer.com/Autograph-Satin-Floral-Dressing-Gown/dp/B0058Q5S3A?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_53&nodeId=42966030&sr=1-53&qid=1323311133
Christmas in a cup
Salted caramel hot chocolate is the yummiest thing I’ve ever tasted!
Williams Sonoma does a deliciously spiced, velvety version made from
chocolate shavings rather than cocoa powder, so the taste is super
rich.
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/4330023/?catalogId=82&bnrid=3120901&cm_ven=Google_PLA&cm_cat=Food&cm_pla=Beverages&cm_ite=Chocolate_Peppermint_Salted_Caramel_Hot_Chocolate_Set_of_3&adtype=pla
Pyjamas
I wear Victoria’s Secret violet leopard-print PJ’s every night through
the winter months – super soft, cosy and cute.
www.victoriassecret.com
Clutch
I’ve got a thing for orange this winter, to me it evokes the
effortless, retro style of 1970’s icons like Lauren Hutton.
Accessorize’s Alba clutch is a patent burnt orange – the perfect pop of
colour to your festive frock.
http://www.accessorize.com
Fashion with a conscience
If I had to wear one label for the rest of my life, if would be New
York fashion week staple, Tibi. Vivid colours and prints in modern,
flattering silhouettes are totally my bag! This year, Tibi went into
their archives and pulled out their most cherished prints to create a
hot red silk head wrap, with 100% of profits benefiting the charity
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Pediatric Cancer Care and Research.
http://www.tibi.com/shop/memorial-sloan-kettering-scarf
Sarong
Artist, model and writer Sophia Rogge has traveled the world and
consistently looks effortlessly polished. She’s just launched a range
of cotton sarongs, in an array of beautiful beachy colours and
patterns. But what’s very cool about the collection, is that 10% of
profits go to her favourite eco charity, Corals for Conservation.
www.Sophiarogge.com
Candle
Trapp package their candles in pretty leaf-green boxes, and smell like
heaven.
The Bamboo Sugar Cane flavour sits on my desk and burns every day while
I write.
http://store.trappcandles.com/Bamboo-Sugar-Cane-s/1843.htm
Sunglasses
Nicole Richie strikes again! Robyn, her 50’s style tortoiseshell shades
with a curved arm, are amazeballs. Check out the rest of her House of
Harlow collection too.
http://hoh1960.com/collections/sunglasses1/
Tabletop
A good friend gave me these gold and white china salt and pepper
shakers for my birthday, and they look so elegant on the kitchen table.
Jonathan Adler’s eclectic prints on homewares make for easy, brilliant
gifts.
http://www.jonathanadler.com/Futura-Salt-and-pepper/?cat=438&initial=
Living
Completely Bare
I’m a huge fan of having a tan all year round regardless of the weather. Having a healthy glow makes it a little easier to give up those summer beach days as Autumn comes around. Completely Bare in Beverly Hills is the place to go for an even, deep - and the best part of all - scented spray tan. Yucky chemical tan smells are a thing of the past now, thanks to their choice of perfumes, including my absolute fave - coconut. Kim Kardashian was recently spotted getting a spray tan from the spa owner Cindy Barshop, who is also known as one of Bravo’s Real Housewives of New York. The spa (which is located in the same building as Dr. 90210’s plastic surgeon Dr. Rey) offers an array of other services such as laser hair removal, waxing, facials, teeth whitening and other beauty indulgences, but is known for its heat infused spray tans. The tan is meant to contour and enhance the body’s natural curves to make you look slimmer and more defined. Anything that means less hours at the gym is pretty awesome!
Beauty
Upside-down Yoga
Everyone gets bored of their typical workout routine, but we recently heard of a hot new upside-down yoga trend that has Hollywood in a toned-up tizz. AntiGravity yoga is the newest exercise fusion that combines yoga and acrobatics to work the abdominals, balance the body, and release spinal tension. Acrobat and gymnast Christopher Harrison developed the practice and swears by hanging upside down in hammocks to help eliminate strain on the body while exercising. Feel the burn…
Lauren Splendido
Living
Bat your lids
A beauty trend that we absolutely can’t get enough of is false lash extensions. Kim Kardashian and Victoria Beckham are among the beauties batting flirty lashes and the results are well worth the one and a half hour application time. To achieve this look, we recommend some of my personal favorite spots, newly-opened Jose Eber spa in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles and the Lash Bar in Soho (off Carnaby Street), London.
Lauren Splendido
Beauty
Right on Target
Missoni is bringing its fabulous zig-zag print to Target right in time for Fall. The celeb-fave brand is often seen on style icons such as Nicole Richie, J-Lo and Rihanna, but the price tag on the designer clothes can run into thousands. Luckily for fashionistas on a budget, the Missoni designs for Target will be available from September, with most items priced at an amazing $40 of less. We can’t wait to get our mits on the cute ballet flats and embroidered clutch… Race you there!
Lauren Splendido
Fashion
Festival Fashion
Music festival season is upon us! Whether it’s Coachella, Glastonbury or , I’ve found the hottest, bargain pieces to rock out in style.
Two stand-out new labels are an absolute must-buy for any hippie chick looking to shake a tail-feather in the mud. First up, Spirit Hoods make furry hats with scarf-slash-gloves attached, and each hood is designed like an animal. It begs clicking on the link because my description just cant do them justice! But my faves are Husky, Snow Leopard and Grizzly Bear. http://www.spirithoods.com. Then for the more daring, Tavik is a Californian company rocking out super ‘80’s swimwear in a sherbet rainbow of cool colours and patterns. Sort of Barbie meets Blondie. www.tavikswimwear.com
I’ve been stocking up on bright, super cheap Aztec-printed dresses from
Forever21 (www.forever21.com), I’m loving the ‘70’s studded olive and tan leather jackets from Sara Berman (http://www.saraberman.com ), and casual trousers and tops from cool new German label Closed (it’s a bit like J Crew, http://www.closed.com ). Head All Saints for the perfect pair of flat boots and faded denim shirts, and for simple, comfy tees, look to Alternative Apparel. Their cotton tops are so thin and soft I usually end up sleeping in them too. It’s almost got to the stage where I have to ban myself from their website because I’ll just click click click into the night ordering everything in sight. http://www.alternativeapparel.com
Fashion
Spinning globes and the Madmen-era chairs
With the New Year always comes a desire to fix up and revamp my house!
I don’t want to spend a fortune, but I want it to look like I did. Plus I want pieces and accents that none of my friends will have already bought for their own homes, I want to avoid shopping at the obvious place. So… I’ve been scouring the internet for brilliant interiors sites, offering unique and stylish bargains to spruce up home, here’s what I found.
www.Notonthehighstreet.com Sells a variety of French-inspired trinkets and accessories, the coolest of which being vintage door signs and tin plaques.
www.Bluesuntree.co.uk Retro, bright clocks and prints, for a minimal feel.
www.Thomaspaul.com Stunning cushions and throws in unusual animal designs and prints.
www.Horshow.com Designer stationery, gorgeous lamps and an array of sunburst mirrors.
www.Pennyfielding.com Bespoke neon signs, I’ve always wanted one of these.
www.Mydeco.com For those in a rush, you can buy the whole look for your room. This site cherry-picks chic brands and stores and sells the best of their ranges. A one-stop shop.
www.Theoldcinema.co.uk An incredible range of vintage pieces from different periods. My favorite items are the old wooden Coca-cola bottle crates, the spinning globes and the Madmen-era chairs.
Living
Sales Season
Sales season is just around the corner, here’s how to get the most bang for your buck…
Many internet sites have constant sale sections that you can return items to if they don’t fit or suit you. Stick to reputable sites, which display the padlock sign – meaning they guarantee secure payment. For designer, hit www.Net-a-porter.com, for diffusion lines go to www.My-wardrobe.com, and for high street, www.Asos.com rocks.
www.Piperlime.com is a personal favourite with free shipping and returns.
Most high street stores also now sell goods from their websites including during sale time, and the size selection is far better than a hit-or-miss approach at each store. TopShop.com, now updated daily, declares that every garment in-store is also featured on-site.
Www.matchesfashion.com, www.houseoffraser.co.uk, and www.whistles.co.uk are some of my favourites. Plus www.handbagcrush.co.uk buys handbags in bulk from Prada, Balenciaga, Christian Dior and more, selling them on for way under the recommended retail price.
Usually, sales goods can’t be returned, so ask at the counter. If you’re buying damaged goods, first get a discount (up to 30% off), then make sure getting them repaired by a local seamstress won’t cost more than the garment itself. Most department stores will offer on-site alterations and some will even do it while you wait.
Aside from the sales, there are ways of saving money on clothes all year round, you just have to keep your eyes and ears open.
Supermarkets are a great place to start - constantly offering promotions and points on their bargain fashion ranges.
Hit the kids’ departments. Tax-free and much cheaper, buying children’s clothing and shoes is a true money-saver. I recently bought a blue blazer with gold buttons from the Ralph Lauren Boys shop, (where kids sizes actually go up to age 20), for a third of the adult range price.
Vintage clothes are usually cheaper than new, with the added bonus of being totally unique. Portobello Road’s One of a Kind is one of London’s finest, A few points to note though:
-Beware of sewn-in designer labels, if the cotton looks hand-stitched, you’re dealing with a fake.
-Some boutiques take advantage of how “trendy” the vintage fad is, over-pricing garments that would be far, far cheaper in a charity shop down the street.
-Officially, “vintage” means over 20 years old. Anything newer is just second-hand, and should be priced accordingly.
-Avoid buying shoes, they fall apart and rarely appear in sizes above a UK4/US6.
Designer sample sales are no longer just for the fashion press. Check sites such as www.billion dollarbabes.com, www.designersales.co.uk and www.gilt.com and www.hautelook.com for insider info on the latest sales.
Google your nearest outlet mall. Bicester Village in Oxfordshire, the Great Western Outlet Village near Swindon, Portsmouth Quays and Manchester’s Lowry are the UK’s top designer outlets and great fun to make into a day trip. Call your nearest TK Maxx and ask when their next delivery will be.
Milan is famous for its discount stores outside of the city, the best of which is Marni’s factory outlet on Via Manzini. Paris’ Clignancourt flea market is incredible for vintage, and in LA, the Rose Bowl flea market is amazing for both clothing and furniture. New York’s hidden gem is Woodbury Common, an area just north of Manhattan selling end-of-line Marc Jacobs, Diesel jeans, Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren at discount prices.
Fashion
My Top Tips for Guys and Girls
My Top Tips for Guys and Girls – the condensed, paperback version of my makeover show Plain Jane.
For the Girls
1. Look in the mirror naked. To dress your body, you need to know your body, and few of us are aware what specific shape we are. Are you top heavy? Apple? Pear? Column or hourglass? Wherever your flesh goes in and out, there are garments in the mall designed to specifically suit your shape. ‘Will it work on my figure,’ should be your first thought when shopping, as opposed to being distracted by trend, color, price, fabric or which celebrity last wore it in the gossip magazines.
2. Buy the boy a drink. Women rarely buy the first drink, and chances are he’ll be flattered. Don’t be an aggressive cougar about it, but casually offering a beer to the guy you’ve got your eye on is a refreshing change from the usual motion of waiting for him make the first move.
3. Learn to walk in high heels. Practice makes perfect, and platforms or wedges are the easiest to balance in. Heels make you stand up straighter, they’re slimming, and they really make a difference to the silhouette and attitude you give off when you enter a room, trust me!
4. Buy a red dress. If you’re single. You’re statistically more likely to be chatted up if you’re in red. I’d go for a one-shoulder shape, it’s elegant and chic and shows just enough skin to tickle a boy’s fancy.
5. Re-organise your closet. We only wear about a quarter of the clothes we own, mainy because our wardrobes are such a mess. Most things are lost and ignored in a messy bundle at the back. So get everything out on the bed, be objective about whether that decade-old little black dress could be updated with some new accessories or by a nip and tuck from the tailor. Color-coordinate the rest and split everything into winter and summer, too.
For the Boys
6. Keep your style simple. Don’t try to be too trendy if the outfit makes you uncomfortable. A cashmere button-down cardigan over a plain white T-shirt or shirt, well-fitted jeans (and leave any kind of paint-splatters, logos and embroidery to the cast of Jersey Shore). Shoes are key: I love Jack Purcell’s, Converse and on posh boys – Fins or Tod’s can be cute.
7. Chivalry is most certainly NOT dead. The following will work wonders: Open the door for her, pull out her chair, walk on the traffic side of the pavement. Call instead of texting. And make sure you wear a great, unusual cologne such as Jo Malone – a) smell is the most powerful form of memory and b) if it’s a rare one she wont confuse you with an ex!
8. Listen and laugh. As simple as it sounds, enjoy yourself. Many of us worry so much about how we look, what we should be saying, and what everyone thinks of us that we look staged or uptight and forget to enjoy the moment. Don’t be so intent on planning your next sentence on a date that you forget to LISTEN. Don’t break eye contact if she’s speaking. Fashion and flirting are supposed to be fun, they’re not life-threatening diseases, so just relax and have a giggle. And ps. Always order dessert. We totally want to share it.
9. Let your adrenaline flow. Pick the most daring item on your bucket list and just do it. On Plain Jane we’ve been bungy-jumping, sky-diving and swimming with sharks. Don’t under-estimate how liberating facing a fear or pushing the envelope is. Stepping outside your comfort zone can help you see life with a whole new perspective, not to mention give you a little more faith in your own capabilities.
10. Get groomed. Hairy back? Get it waxed. Crusty toes? Pedicure please. The beauty salon is not just for the ladies FYI…
Fashion
10 ways to feel fabulous on a budget
1. Snap up designer diffusion lines the second they go on sale – H&M, Target and Forever21 make the best designer and celebrity collaborations, and - here’s a heads up - often sneakily put them out on racks a day before the advertised launch date.
2. Wear a hat. Not a beanie, but a proper hat. Trilbys, Fedoras and Bowlers add instant chic, elegance and intrigue to a plain outfit.
3. Throw a tea-party. Pick up an old tea stand at the flea market, bake a cake, cut the crusts off sandwiches, make your friends dress up (think Charlotte-style from SATC) and enjoy an afternoon of inexpensive, old-fashioned glamour.
4. Put aside two hours to watch an Audrey Hepburn movie, alone, with a large glass of red wine.
5. Cut bangs into your hair, paint your nails chocolate brown and slick on red lipstick. An instant new, ladylike you.
6. Buy last-minute, standing tickets to the opera. They’re very cheap, and it still sounds the same!
7. Sit in a posh hotel lobby to people-watch and just soak up the atmosphere. I’m obsessed with Claridges in London, The Sunset Tower in LA, and The Waldorf Astoria in New York…but every city’s got a good few!
8. Always wear expensive perfume. Whiz through the department store, spritz, and leave with as many samples as they’ll hand out.
9. Dress up to the max with a friend and spend the afternoon trying on clothes at designer boutiques. (Discreetly) take a Polaroid camera. Many stores even serve free champagne while you’re in the changing room too.
10. De-clutter your bedroom, iron your sheets, sprinkle lavender water on them, and put fresh flowers in a vase. A lot closer to a 5* hotel than it was before.
Living
Rise & Shine
Check out Louise’s top Summer Beauty Trends
Lip liner is back – but applied gently with a smudge, and in very fleshy, light shades. Use a blunt pencil around the edge of your mouth - and then colour in your lips with it too. Smudge a tiny amount of Benefit High Brow above your Cupid’s Bow, it’ll lift and plump your top lip. Run Stila Kajal eyeliner in Topaz along the inner, lower rim of your eye, to make you look awake and fresh. Rub a creamy shimmer eyeshadow, such as Dior’s Undressed Beige, along the top of your cheekbone. Mix in a good primer (we adore Laura Mercier’s) with your fake tan (St. Tropez is our fave). Only use conditioner on the ends of your hair, and spray a little dry shampoo along your parting, to get that mussed-up, flyaway tousled. Label M and ReneFurterer are brilliant brands. Switch up your scent to something sweet. Wild Fig and Cassis cologne by Jo Malone has people asking what you’re wearing, like bees to a honeypot. Nails need to lighten up as the season changes, but avoid pinks or creams. Esse’s Mink Muffs mushroom tone is spot-on this Summer.
Beauty
Red Carpet Ready
Awards Season Secrets... How the Beautiful People get that way
One month before: It’s time to prep that bod with a long weekend spent at Liv Tyler’s favourite detox centre, We Care, in Palm Springs. Juices, yoga, and more juices. 2 weeks before: Back in LA, hit an intensive course of the ‘High-Heel Workout’, at the Equinox gym.
1 week before: Beauty & grooming… an oxygen facial at Kate Somerville takes 10 years off the skin. Brow-shaping with Beyonce’s threader, Damone Roberts. A discreet upper lip wax at Wax on Melrose (no one wants a ‘tache), and a trim with Kate Hudson’s brilliant hair stylist Adam Campbell, at the Neil George salon. Then dodge the paps as you run incognito for an appointment with Demi Moore and Madonna’s main man, Dr. Fred Brandt, for this season’s newest trend: botox in the ear-lobes (stops those chandelier earrings from drooping or hurting – only drawback being you won’t know if the borrowed diamonds worth millions of dollars fall out – eek!).
2 days before: Hop over to Kinara, West Hollywood spa, for a 3-hour full body scrub, followed by a St. Tropez spray tan. This season it’s all about a non-orange, lighter look, so the brand is offering ‘Skin Perfecting’ to give that polished glow. Then it’s next door with your personal stylist, to the new Christian Louboutin boutique, to pick at least 10 options for the red carpet. A manicure with Rihanna’s new fave, Minx, for metallic nails that won’t chip for 3 weeks. Result! Final fittings with stylist, decide on a dress.
The big day: Waft around the lobby in very large sunglasses at A-lister hangout, the Peninsula Hotel, making sure all the top peeps in town (everyone important stays here during awards season) notice you.
Fashion
Chic Seat
Oh how we love a bargain. So we nearly leapt out of our Jimmy Choos when we caught sight of Ikea’s cool Perspex ‘Tobias’ office chairs – the perfect seats to decorate the new white lacquer conference table, over at Front Roe towers. Call us geeks, but we’re excited about how fab the office looks now! Next we’re on the hunt for chic ‘n’ cheap stationery…reporting back soon…
Living
Nipping at Your Heels
As self-confessed shoe-aholics, our 11th commandment states you can never have too much foot candy in your closet. This week our ‘shradar’ (shoe-radar, we made that one up ourselves!) has fallen on Linzi Shoes – insanely affordable platforms, sandals, and most gorgeously, studded velvet shooties. At the other end of the stiletto-spectrum, the a-list’s new designer-darling, Prabal Gurung, has joined forces with Manolo Blahnik to design a killer satin shout-shoe. The shape is meant to mimic Thom Mayne’s design for the new Cooper Union building in NYC, and it’s HAWT. www.linzishoes.com, Manolo Blahnik for Prabal Gurung, 212 582 3007.
Fashion
Bourjois, je t’aime
Add a little Ooh La La to your life with Bourjois limited edition Paris Pots. To celebrate their Parisien roots, they’ve created a line of vintage-style packaging, complete with a famous French landmark. We’re loving the Beige Rose Eyeshadow.
Beauty
Harajuku Girls
Gwen Stefani brought Japanese joy into our lives with the funky Harajuku wing girls who never left her side on stage. Now you can get your own pocket-sized version! A limited edition perfume, Gwen’s Harajuku Lovers Snow Bunny comes dressed in snow boots and attitude (www.amazon.com).
Beauty
You Snood, You Lose
Scarves are silly, beanies are boring. It’s all about the snuggliest accessory of them all this winter: the snood. Go chunky-knit, go cream or black, Gap has the best.
Fashion
All a-flutter
Lashings and lashings is what it’s all about this season – falsies will open up your face and let you flash a pair of coquettish, bedroom eyes. No need to spend a lot, and make sure you practice applying them too… tilting your head back and looking down at a mirror is a good trick. Eylure, Ardell, Nails Inc, Stargazer and Shu Uemura do the best novelty pairs – go glitter!
Beauty
Come Dine With Me
Maybe it’s the cold. Maybe it’s the recession. Either way, Supper Clubs have become the hottest new way to meet new people, and show off your skills in the kitchen. From posh to not, check out our favourite options, online: www.savoytrufflesupperclub.com, www.humblekitchen.co.uk, www.thesupperclublondon.com.
Living
Get Lippy
Think red lipstick is just for other people? Think again – it’s time to actually use the makeup that sits decorating your bathroom shelves - and try a new look. Pillarbox red lips are elegant, striking and oh-so-Marilyn Monroe. Our faves? Armani’s Armanisilk, and Benefit’s Flirt Alert. Paint on a scarlett cupid’s bow and watch the boys line up for a smacker.
Beauty
Anya Hindmarch’s Melting Moments
She’s the goddess of arm candy, and now the kitchen too! Our spies got hold of Anya’s favourite dessert recipe, and we’re sneaking it on to you… Cream 75g caster sugar with 110g butter. Beat in 1 egg yolk. Add a few drops of vanilla extract and sift in 150g self-raising flour, until you get a smooth dough. Divide into 24 balls and roll in lots of crushed cornflakes with a rolling pin. Flatten the portions onto greased baking sheets and bake for 15 minutes at 190’C/Gas 5. Hey presto!
Living
Foot Fall
Boys, no more excuses for your scruffy, shoddy shoes. Flips-flops, boaters, sneakers and boots can all be dispensed with: check out Fins For Him, a hot new UK label pumping out suede loafers in a rainbow of colours. Zac Efron, David Hasslehoff and Valentino have all just ordered pairs – what better company do you want than that?
www.finsforhim.com
Fashion
Love Games
Happy Valentines... 10 Ways to Dazzle on Your Date
1. Wear suspenders, even under a pair of jeans. Knowing you’ve got them on will make you feel sexy, and give you Jessica Rabbit-style confidence.
2. Be a lady in red. Statistically, more men flirt with women wearing red, than any other colour.
3. Do the one-shoulder top or dress. It’s this season’s best way to show skin and seductive décolletage, whilst leaving enough to the imagination so you still remain elegant.
4. Leave the lipstick and lipgloss at home. Most guys prefer natural-looking make-up, and the thought of kissing stained or sticky mouths puts them off. New Aussie product Lucas Papaw Ointment (www.cultbeauty.co.uk) is the perfect compromise for a smooth, shiny Cupid’s Bow.
5. Spritz Bumble&Bumble’s Surf Spray into blow-dried locks, for a mussed-up bed-head that moves when you walk. It smells delish too.
6. Invest in a high-waisted pencil or fishtail skirt. Femme fatale is back, with this instant way to hot Coke bottle curves. Don’t be afraid of high-waisted silhouettes, they actually suck us in, they’re our friends!
7. Dab a pheromone-laced perfume behind your ears. We love Basic Instinct, by Pure Romance.
8. Buy false half-lashes in any MAC counter and ask the shop assistant – who will also be trained in make-up - to put them on for you. Subtle, but oh-so seductive…
9. ‘Forget’ to bring your jacket. He’ll have to lend you his, or cuddle you, or both.
10. Buy 2 red envelopes, rip them a bit, and let them peek from the top of your suitably sparkly clutch. Nothing wrong with him assuming you’re in demand!
Fashion
Story 1
Style consultant (and my good friend) Brett Fahlgren, who has given his fashion expertise to GQ, Prada and Calvin Klein over the last few years, has launched a line of chic, preppy namesake ties. Fahlgren Ties are woven in England but hand-made in the US, and, just like Brett’s usual understated but sharp style, they make and elegant statement with rich, bold colours and classic prints. If you’re looking for a Carey Grant-esque addition to your wardrobe this holiday, pick up one at Bloomingdales, Kitson LA, or Snag.com. www.Fahlgrenties.com
Fashion
Coconut Water
Coconut water has been all the rage lately in the celeb world. Rihanna swears by it- she not only mentions it in a recent hit song, but is also the water’s newest spokesmodel with her billboards decorating the Hollywood skylines. So I decided to do some further investigation as to why the water has people ready to scale a palm tree for a taste. Aside from the fact that it is delicious, it is great for the body. Coconut water is perservative and fat free, which is an obvious plus for the body-conscious starlets and is super hydrating, benefiting the skin from the inside out. It is also filled with electrolytes for an added energy boost. Drinking the water will not only provide immediate health and beauty benefits, but the antioxidants it contains are supposedly anti-ageing fighters. Skip your daily Starbuck’s iced coffee, I’m on my way out the door to pick up a case!
Living
Monica Vinader
Absolutely love Monica Vinader’s jewelry. The eye-catching designs have been seen on Claudia Schiffer and Keira Knightley, and has become a celebrity source for accessorizing. She recently opened her first store on South Molton Street in London, but you can also find her chic and wearable pieces on the designer’s website. The “create your own” section of the site offers the opportunity to put your own personal touch on your newest fashion statement. You click “start designing” and can choose a chain and up to three pendants, with the options of adding a ‘capture enhancer’ and ‘disc pendant.’ Personally, I think the Luna bracelet is stunning- wearable in the daytime to add a classy touch to your outfit, but elegant to wear on a night out as well.
Fashion
Fall Makeup Trends
As Summer is ending, my sun-kissed glow with a touch of natural gloss look needs an update. I’ve been keepings tabs of the new Fall makeup trends that have been featured on the runway for some new ideas on how to keep myself looking glam. One look I love is a wine red lip to make an impact, while keeping the rest of your makeup simple. Dab some gloss in the middle of your lower lip to spice up the look. For the eyes, smoky with gemtones and metallics, with thick lashes and defined brows. Even though L.A. may still feel like summer for the next couple months, I already have some must-try looks on my Fall beauty list.
