Missing in action

So apart from today, I've been a bit MIA - I just wasn't feeling very inspired I guess and sometimes life just gets in the way. However, that doesn't mean I haven't been up to much. Here's a week (and a bit) in pictures. 

A picnic with Mr M.....

 chilling out in the last of the sunshine....

and watching balloons.

Shopping with my sister and nephew - it all got a bit much for him in Zara!

An early morning jog....

to take a look at the Clifton suspension bridge.

 Rocking out the tweed for the first time this year...

and a bit of leopard print too of course!  

A spot of cooking in the new flat....

 Fish pie, green beans and sugarsnap peas I'll have you know.

And making home. It's looking pretty good.

Pampering at The Body Centre of Clifton

Today I went for a little pampering session at The Body Centre of Clifton. I was gifted some vouchers for this beauty salon and having never been there before I was eager to see what it was like.

I already have 'go-to' salons for my waxing, threading and tan, and I tend to do my nails myself - although I do love it when someone else does them for me. They ALWAYS look better don't they. Anyway, these all feel like 'maintenance', so, having perused their menu of treatments (of which there is loads), I decided to go for something which would be more of a treat - an aromatherapy back, neck, shoulders and face massage. I suffer from really knotted shoulders so thought this would be relaxing and beneficial all in one. Also a little aromatherapy facial rub has gotta be good at this time of year, right? ALSO, Mr M grumbles massively about rubbing my shoulders.

The salon is quite small and the front waiting room/nail bar is done out with really cute french armoires full Guinot products. I was greeted by the very smiley and friendly Catherine who offered me a comfortable seat for five minutes. Whilst waiting I noticed their large range of bare minimal make-up. I've never used it before but have heard some really positive reviews. Has anyone used it before?

The treatment room was also decorated elegantly with glam patterned wall paper and mirrors. Dim lighting and soothing music make it an instantly relaxing environment.

Catherine first removed my make up with a really creamy cleanser (Guinot I presume), before massaging my face and neck, and then shoulders and back for an hour. It was heaven. I thought my shoulders were pretty loose at the moment but it turns out that I was very wrong. By the end of the hour I was completely relaxed and my skin felt amazing. Perhaps I should be adding a neck and shoulder massage to my 'maintanence' regime...... Catherine's chit chat was at just the right level too so that I didn't lie there in silence or get distracted by small talk.

I don't go to salons for these kind of treatments very often (although I would love to) and the last one I went to was in a luxury resort in Thailand on my honeymoon. However, from my experience I would definitely recommend them. I thought the salon itself was neat and tidy, the staff were very friendly and the massage was carried out very well. The price was also reasonable too I thought - £32.50. In fact I'm keen to now book in for a full on facial to combat the winter weather.

I wish everyday could be a pampering day.

Miss Piggy to be the face of M.A.C

First there was the OPI Muppets Collection with colours such as "Warm and Fozzie," "Divine Swine," "Getting Miss Piggy With It" or "Gone Gonzo."

But now it's been announced that the voluptuous and slightly un-hinged sow will be the face of M.A.C from November......Apparently you can make a silk purse out of a sows ear.

Miss Piggy has been described as "Icon. Actress. Supermodel. Chanteuse. Muse. Frog-o-phile. Cinema and television superstar nonpareil." It goes some way to explaining why she's also going to be a guest judge on Project Runway All Stars.....

With the sudden Piggy-mania I thought I would take a look back at some of her most memorable looks which have made her the icon she is today........

It's all really convenient timing too. The Muppets movie is out in November where she'll be wearing some mega designers as she plays her role as "editor" of French Vogue..... Some pigs get all the luck.

Down in the dumps

When you've made a big decision you have to stick to it. Deciding to quit my job and pursue a more fashion/beauty career was a BIG decision. Whilst I've had (and continue to get) some amazing opportunities which would never have happened before, I've also had a number of disappointments. One of these came today. It's moments like this that I must find the strength to stand up, dust myself off and be thankful for everything I've got - and remember the best moments.

And if that fails - I'm off to eat chocolate and popcorn!

Fishtail plaits

I've been trying to figure out how to do a fishtail plait (apparently this is what they're called) for aggggeesss, and then last week I stumbled across this very handy video. It's only ruddy Lauren Conrad showing you how to do it!! Granted it's a bit cheesy but now I know how to do it - and so do you!

Elizabeth Olsen - Nylon Cover Girl

Cover girl for Nylon magazine's October issue, Elizabeth Olsen is becoming more and more well know. And how gorgeous is she?

I love these pics - I love the hair (totally want my hair this colour), make-up (she's got the trademark Olsen brows) and styling, especially the front cover outfit (envy!).

Massive inspo love!

All pics Nylon Magazine

Nailed it! Unleashing the tiger

Since my experimentation with leopard print nails (pictures posted here), I've gone a bit crazy for it! So this week I've decided to go for the 'ring finger manicure'. What do you think? I kinda like it....... Grrrrrrrrr!

Revlon: Tropical Temptation. Blue dots - Freebie from Mizz magazine. Andrea Fulerton Nail Boutique: Stripe and Sparkle in Pattie

Considering this season's trend for polka dots, I'm thinking there will be some dalmatian print nail art tried out very soon - watch this space.

New shoes......

I did a bad thing this weekend....... I bought another pair of shoes.

Anyone that knows me knows this is a problem I have. They may also know that I'm currently not working. This makes it even worse.

I. Should. Not. Be. Spending. Money. On. Shoes.

The thing is (cue justification) the weather is very changeable at the moment and I didn't really have a pair of boots suitable for this transitional time. I'm also doing A LOT of walking and needed a boot with a sensible(ish) heel. So........ this is why the purchase was completely necessary and compared to many boots of their type, these really were a very reasonable price. The perfect transitional shoe! Well I've convinced myself anyway!

Ta da!

They're from Marks and Spencers here and I've already paired them with loads of outfits in my head (does everyone else do that?). They go with so much. I would also like them in black too, but perhaps that's pushing my luck.....

Just whatever you do - don't tell Mr M!

Burberry Prorsum Spring Summer 2012 The Video

Here it is! The Burberry Prorsum show - my favourite so far. How rocking is the opening track?!

Pop the kettle on. Make yourself a cuppa and enjoy....

Antonio Berardi Spring Summer 2012

I very quickly wanted to share these amazing dresses with you. They're from Antonio Berardi's show which took place this morning (19th Sept).

I love the tailoring. The detail is so intricate and beautiful, yet there's a really hard edge to them - my kind of style. I forsee many of these making an appearance on many a red carpet. What say you?

(all images courtesy of http://www.londonfashionweek.co.uk)

Burberry Prorsum Spring Summer 2012

Today at 4.00pm Hyde Park was treated to the fabulous creations from Christopher Bailey for Burberry Prosrum Spring Summer 2012 collection. Eeek!!

Last year's SS11 collection was one of my favourites. It was all skinny leather trousers, animal prints, exposed zips, studs and killer heels. Without a doubt the studded trench was an all time fav of mine. The show ended with a shower of glitter which was then replicated at the AW11 show in Feb, where all the models were showered with snow!! AMAZING.

Needless to say I've been super excited to see what he's got up his sleeve this year. Not actually being there has also meant that I've been carefully following it online today (the power of the internet, eh!).  The show was streamed live to all 8million of their facebook fans.

The Frow certainly didn't disappoint: Sienna Miller, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (too gorgeous for words), Andy Murray, Anna Wintour (not on the same row as Sienna though!), Kanye, Gemma Arterton,  SamCam and Mario Testino. A huge glass house in Hyde Park hosted the show and attendees were welcomed by a hologram of Rosie Huntingdon-Whiteley (face of their 'Body' fragrance) - wowzer! As soon as the full Facebook video link is available I will of course share it with you.

The show was opened by the lovely Cara Delevigne strutting down the runway to 'I put a spell on you' wearing a beautiful plum trench coat and straw baseball hat with pom pom.

I particularly loved the shoes - but have so far been unable to track down an upclose image of them.

The colours continued in the same vein of muted jewels. Skirts were mostly below the knee and there was plenty of thin knits. Overall, I feel Christopher Bailey has really produced a collection for British women and I loved it. Let's face it, our weather is hardly tropical and these designs are totally wearable. Beautiful shapes, tribal prints, woven bags, cropped jackets and wedges (guess I'm going to have to get over my fear of them).

Here's some more pics. Excuse the quality - they're straight from the Facebook video (http://www.facebook.com/#!/burberry) until others are available online.

And what happened at the end I hear you ask...... They were all covered in gold discs falling from the sky of course!