Love Those Choos

Check out our favourite pics from the Jimmy Choo Cruise 2010 collection.

I am loving the retro punk vibe running through the range, nothing like a daring twist to set you off for an exciting New Year.

NITA - Make a statement in these wild west inspired heels complete with shiny cowboy buckle fastening and silver studs.

BREE/L - This perforated Rodeo punk inspired tote in light weight leather with buckle-strap is the perfect day bag. Wear with Nadja to complete the look.

NELSON - Go retro punk in these leather biker beaded embellished killer heel sandals.

The Jimmy Choo Cruise 2010 advertising campaign, shot by photographer Terry Richardson with model Angela Lindvall, features the limited edition signature heels and tote bag from the Jimmy Choo charity initiative, Project PEP for the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Neom Luxury Organics

Okay so we all love and rely on our staple health and beauty products but it's also true to say that we do love to indulge in some sheer luxury once in a while.

It's good for the soul to invest in some pampering and what better time than now when the nights are drawing in and the mornings are misty?

Recently I have been introduced to Neom Luxury Organics and oh my, what a beautiful edition these products have made to my life.

Neom have created the most incredibly powerful, organic range of luxury bath & home products that all work as treatments to make you feel more relaxed, energised and just a whole lot happier.
Carefully blending only the finest organic ingredients and the highest concentration of essential oils they have created the most beautiful scents that fill your room with mood enhancing treats in whichever you prefer...

I have been using:

Neom Real Luxury Organic Handwash and Hand Lotion with Lavender, Jasmine& Brazilian Rosewood.

The Handwash is described as: A deep yet gentle organic hand wash, packed with soothing Aloe Leaf Juice, Chamomile Flower & Apricot Fruit Extract you can treat yourself to a little organic luxury everyday whilst radically reducing your chemical count.

The Hand Lotion is for skin in need of an everyday moisture boost, this luxurious organic hand & body lotion will nourish & protect with its rich blend of vitamin A&E packed Shea Butter, Macademia Nut Oil, Rosemary Leaf & Pomegranate.

The floral scent coupled with spicy tones, and hint of woodiness for perfect pampering and induce a feeling of soothing relaxation.

I have also been burning the Christmas Wish Candle, with Cinnamon, Ginger, Mandarin & Tonka Bean.

The signature distinctly Christmassy scent is packed with warming spices & soothing fruit notes, for when it's snowy outside and you need a little Christmas cheer inside.

This would make an ideal Christmas gift for a loved one who appreciates the finer things in life.

NEOM Luxury Organics will donate £1 from every Xmas Wish candle sold to Make-A-Wish, granting magical wishes to children & young people fighting life threatening illnesses. For more information log onto www.worldwish.org

It's rare that I find myself totally won over by a brand that is new to me but in this case I'm hook line and sinker!

Not only does it feel amazing to use organic products on my body but the natural oils and mood enhancing scents have delivered a complete package of good feeling. Teamed with the 'Neom Promise' you can be sure of guilt free indulgence.

Pearl Lowe For Peacocks

Here at Fashion Femme we love a good collaboration so listen up because just in time for the Christmas party season Peacocks have collaborated with designer Pearl Lowe to launch a range of party dresses.

The collection comprises of five dresses which are modelled by Lowe's daughter and muse, Daisy and are available in stores now.

The collaboration is a first for the value retailer, which has never before teamed up with a designer.

The retro glamour-style dresses sell for between £35 and £40 in sizes 8 to 16 and are inspired by David Bowie’s Hunky Dory album.

Lowe said: “I’ve taken inspiration from the things I love – classic vintage shapes, intricate detail, lace and wonderful textiles.”

She added: “It was important that my designs were accessible and everything is under £40.”

Peacocks womenswear buying director Jane Hotz said: “We’re thrilled to be able to translate Pearl’s vintage designs for our customers. It’s been an inspiration turning her designs into reality.” 

Peacocks added that this did not represent a new strategy for the retailer and that it would be a one-off collaboration.

Normally Peacocks is not a shop I would consider for a Christmas party dress but I think this range is certainly worth a look..

I He♥rt Chanel

When Chanel Fine Jewelry hosted the annual Fete d'Hiver in New York City, we were set to see some stunning baubles. Blake Lively's necklace certainly made a statement, but it was the delicate 'Ruban 1932' ring she wore that drove me to distraction.

"I'm so attached to everything Chanel," admitted the Gossip Girl, on hand to help raise funds for the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center's Clown Care program. "But this pinky ring is just amazing!"

This breath taking 3.01 cushion cut diamond (surrounded by 246 brilliant cut sparklers) set on an 18k white gold "ribbon" setting can be yours for a mere $270,000.

I have no words to describe how I feel about this ring!

Victoria's Secret Set To Open In London

Currently this is unconfirmed rumour but it has me beside myself with excitement and if it turns out to be true then I am straight there.

According to reports the all-American brand have expressed interest in setting up shop in London.

Limited Brands, owner of Victoria’s Secret, are looking at locations on Regent Street to launch themselves in to the European market in 2011 – supported by a next-day delivery website.

Victoria's Secret is the best, most comfortable underwear I have ever owned and the thought of being able to walk into a UK store to buy some fills me with deep, deep joy. Watch this space..

Time To Winter Proof Your Skin

There's nothing like cold weather to play havoc with your skin, the addition of central heating and long hot showers may feel great but they only add to the drying out process. Currently I am contending with very dry seasonal skin along with the impact of being pregnant, in short my skin is screaming out for help!

In my quest to find products I can rely on, one brand always ticks the boxes...

..Dove, with its extensive product range and reasonable pricing it was time to get to know this family a little better.

Over the past few weeks I have been trialing these products and the results have been fantastic, my skin lapped up the attention and is feeling much softer - so let me share:

Dove Pro-age Body Creme Oil 

This was by far my favourite product for my legs, its rich, luxurious formula doesn't just settle on the top layers but really targets deep within the skin to tackle very dry skin.

Dove Intensive Lotion for extra dry skin.

A non-greasy intensive moisturiser with a light fresh fragrance, I found this better suited for the top half of my body. My skin drank it up and the benefits were clearly visible.

Dove Beauty Care Body Wash 

All I want from a body wash are three simple things: a fresh, clean/light fragrance, value for money and some serious bubbles. This product was a hit for the whole family.

Dove Supreme Silk Lotion 

I didn't get this as a trio pack but having found this little beauty of a gift I could only recommend it as a introduction to revitalised skin for you or as a stocking filler this Christmas.

Dove Invisible Dry Anti White Marks

If only all deodorants offered anti white marks, I mean why not? This I will definitely buy again, how nice it was not to have to baby wipe myself to remove the tell tale white deodorant marks we get when rushing to get ready for a night out.

All of the products mentioned above are available online and from larger branches of Boots, Sainsburys and  other selected Supermarkets. You can view the full product range at campaignforrealbeauty.co.uk

Join Dove to receive free samples and offers - you won't be disappointed with the results.

Mulberry Eccentricity

I am a massive fan of traditional style with an off the wall twist so check out my latest bag lust.

I'm in totally smitten with this Limited Edition Mulberry Bayswater in richest cerise bursting with gunmetal bugs, two words - Totally Fabulous!

Just in time for Halloween...

Barbie By Christian Louboutin

 The perfect pair!

The master of fabulous footwear, Christian Louboutin has joined forces with Barbie.

All details will be revealed soon @ Net-A-Porter.

Watch this space....

Gift Library

Gift-library.com is the creation of London-based style consultant, Caroline Stanbury. The website is an online luxury shop which includes gifts for Women, Men, Baby, Home, Beauty and Indulgence. In one effortless process, visiting clientele can choose from the latest high-end, niche gifts, which are then beautifully wrapped so that they arrive ready for the lucky recipient.

Caroline Stanbury has over a decade of experience working as a personal style consultant in the US and UK which places her perfectly for this new role. Ten years ago, she founded her consultancy firm Style-Me which has successfully generated a long list of international contacts and devoted shoppers. An authority on everything fabulous, adept at balancing the demands of wife, mother and young professional, she knows that very few people have the spare time with which to shop around for the ideal gift.

She has made gift-library.com a unique personal shopping experience, where luxury and diversity are combined with the ease and efficiencies of internet navigation. Caroline’s insider knowledge on high-quality boutiques around the world enables the visitors to have access to exclusive products and offerings, so they can be rest assured their gift will be a cut above the rest. Her close relationship with the brands has also resulted in several of them wanting to create bespoke gifts just for gift-library.com.

In addition Caroline has recruited close friend and another doyenne of all things luxury, Tamara Beckwith, to come on board as Consultant Editor. Tamara will offer her knowledge and insight for the unique gift that will delight even the ‘person who has everything.’ Together their expertise will ensure those selecting presents from gift-library.com will be able to do so with style.

This site really does span a multitude of potential gifts from every day items with a twist to luxury bespoke treasures to pass through a family. Browsing www.gift-library.com gives me a wealth of ideas for my loved ones this Christmas and a few extra items for my own gift list!

Mulberry For Apple Collection

Designed by Mulberry…made for Apple What a collaboration! 

From Sunday 1st November you will find a very special collection of Mulberry bags made especially for Apple’s best-sellers. The MacBook Pro, iPhone, iPod, and iPod Nano have all been given special fashion treatment with laptop bags, laptop sleeves and mini cross-body bags.

The nine-piece collection features interpretations of favourite Mulberry icons such as the Bayswater for women and the Brynmore for men. The coveted exteriors of the bags remain, making the styles instantly recognisable. The inside of the bags have been enhanced with features such as padded laptop sections, phone and music player pockets and eyelet holes for headphone access.

Deciding to do the collaboration was a no-brainer for Mac fanatic Emma Hill, Mulberry's Creative Director. "Apple products are too beautiful to reside in drab bags! Apple and Mulberry share a legacy of craftsmanship,” she says, “and I'm thrilled that we were asked to be Apple's first luxury collaboration.”

My Christmas list has just been updated :0)

It's Mini Skirt Time

We all know that as the Winter draws in and the days become darker it is important to keep things upbeat on the fashion front.

What makes things even worse this year is the feeling of being cheated out of a Summer and the chance to fully utilise our warm weather wardrobe....

..Oh well onwards and upwards - lets start by embracing some chic winter knits, wooly tights, new OTK boots (if you dare) and a bright spangly 'pick you up in an instant' fabulous mini skirt.

Here are a few of our favourites:

Reiss Nancie Mini Skirt

ASOS Petal Full Skirt

Feather Skirt by Rare** 

ASOS Sequin Striped Skirt

 M&S Silver Sequin Skirt

Kookai Parachute Ruch Zip Back Mini Skirt 

Anya Hindmarch Bespoke Opens

Anya Hindmarch Bespoke is a lifetime of ideas poured into one hundred or so products that have been honed, each to within an inch of its life! 

This is a very personal project and is one of the reasons Anya started her own business.

Anya Hindmarch Bespoke is about pieces with your name on, not Anya's; pieces that you would like to pass down to your grandchildren. Bespoke is in some ways, the antithesis of fashion and this could just help solve the endless dilemma of finding the perfect personalised presents.

Anya Hindmarch Bespoke will be available exclusively at the new store on Pont Street in London which will be traditional in style offering a very personal service that takes you back to how things used to be at the turn of the century.

I am salivating at the thought of ever owning an Anya Hindmarch Bespoke product, the Bespoke Ebury is a recent 'crush' of mine and has had me stalking the website every once in a while - I seriously want one and clearly it's an investment......One day.

GIVe me more fashion

GIV^e is the 4^th Womenswear Brand by George Davies. George is the style visionary who founded Next in the 80's, George at Asda in the 90's and per una at Marks & Spencer in 2001.

George has created GIV^e alongside his small yet vastly experienced team who are all at the top of the industry. With George's designer heritage, he wanted to give something new and exciting to women. This label looks at designer style with the focus being on luxurious fabrics and the ultimate attention to detail. GIV^e will offer affordable luxury whilst always delivering the latest looks.

But it doesn't just stop with the clothing.

Service will be paramount to the whole retail experience in every GIV^e store. Style Advisors will be on hand to assist with the Customer's every need. Extensive research has been undertaken to make sure that the garments flatter and fit beautifully, on different sizes and shapes. To make absolutely sure purchases are 'tailor-made' to your own body shape, GIV^e are offering a bespoke made to measure service in all stand-alone stores. Complimentary Alterations Services are also available in department stores.

Lucky for me there is a GIV^e concession at my local branch of Beals - a trip into town after work I think.              

Click here for store locations and to browse the online range.

Last Chance Wardrobe.com

Forget diamonds, at Last Chance Wardrobe they know that bargains and fashion are a girl’s best friend.

The site offers an amazing opportunity to fill your wardrobe with clothes and accessories from some of latest and hottest names in fashion. Their buyers have access to the best designers and boutiques in the country from where they hand-pick great pieces from past seasons to sell to you at prices you can afford.

Great fashion, limited availability, unbelievable prices – at Last Chance Wardrobe, you can bask in the pleasure of how you dress without breaking the bank.

Snap them up quickly, this could be your last chance.

Tom Ford Womenswear

For many years I have lusted after all that Tom Ford creates. To me he epitomises gentlemanly suave style.

I admire his career, success and non fashion related start, from his humble beginnings as an intern in Chloé's press office to his move into European fashion as chief women's ready-to-wear designer for Gucci, his role as Creative Director at YSL to his present day, self titled fashion house Tom Ford.

I still yearn for a pair of Tom Ford sunglasses so I hope you can understand and share my joy in this latest bit of Tom Ford news.

Tom Ford International is seeking funding to expand into womenswear. Can you imagine how divine the womenswear collection would be?

The eponymous luxury label from the ex-Gucci creative director is looking for an investment of $50m (£30.5m) or more in a process managed by Credit Suisse, according to Reuters’ private equity website peHUB.

Tom Ford International currently sells menswear and men’s and women’s eyewear and fragrances through four standalone stores and several wholesale sites.

Ford launched his company in 2004 after leaving Gucci, where he had been widely credited with turning around the Italian luxury brand. 

I am waiting with baited breath Mr Ford..

New Chanel Makeup Studio at Selfridges and Co

This September brings another good reason to visit Selfridges, Oxford Street - The opening of the new Chanel Makeup Studio.

Inspired and designed by Peter Philips, Global Creative Director for Chanel makeup, the makeup studio offers consumers an exclusive environment to experience the world of Chanel makeup, fragrance and skincare.

Customers will have the opportunity to test, play and experience the vast range of products, exclusive creations, limited edition product ranges and a capsule of best-selling international products.

Professional Makeup Artists will reveal CHANEL’s must-have products together with personalised advice to create a stunning makeup result.

London's calling!

Anna Wintour - not impressed with the seating plan at London Fashion week

She's spent almost 40 years in fashion journalism and for the past 21 years has held the title of editor in chief at American Vogue.

Having made the journey across the Atlantic for the first time since 2007 to attend London Fashion Week, the high priestess of couture could be forgiven for feeling a little put out at the seating arrangements..

The fashion queen did little to hide her disdain as she perched alongside Alexa Chung and Pixie Geldof at Sienna Miller and sister Savannah'sTwenty8Twelve fashion show.

With her legs inclined away from the duo, who larked around hugging each other, Wintour looked straight ahead with her face fixed in a steely glare and her sunglasses firmly in place.

Meanwhile MTV presenter Chung, 25, and Pixie, 19, pulled faces at each other, possibly feeling a little out of their depth sat next to the hard-nosed fashionista.

Today my heart belongs to Alexander McQueen

It's not often that I fall head over heals in love but I did this morning whilst checking my subscriptions. When I laid my eyes on this cute little badass of a clutch a melt moment was had, then I caught sight of the price tag and I realised that this would only ever be a secret crush..we would never be seen in public together.

But for those of you with the ability I must urge you to get your hands on this. The perfect mix of elegance, dark glamour and exquisite craftsmanship....truly sublime.

May I present to you:

               

Alexander McQueen’s to-die-for skull clasp python clutch. This snappy little clutch will inject signature McQueen dark glamour into your evening look! A must-have. Python coated hard box clutch with charm embellished finger rings clasp, and Swarovski embellished knuckle duster skull clasp at top.

I'm in love.....

Nicole Richie's Maternity Line for A Pea in the Pod

As I type into Google 'fashionable maternity wear' imagine my delight when I find that one of my favourite yummy mummies Nicole Richie has unveiled a maternity fashion line for A Pea in the Pod that will go on sale tomorrow!

Firstly I had never even heard of A Pea in the Pod, so it's a great stylish maternity wear website to know and secondly what a refreshing change since my first pregnancy 6 years ago when all I seemed to be able to find was the odd dowdy high street maternity section tucked at the back of the store.

Nicole sailed through her first pregnancy never failing to look stylish so this move seems a natural one for the Hollywood fashionista who is currently pregnant with her second child.

Taking heed from her own much-praised signature style, the collection features flowing maxi dresses (Richie's pregnancy staple), billowing peasant tops and slouchy tees.

Commenting on the collaboration, Richie revealed, 'Pea in the Pod is such a known company for pregnant women. They carry great lines, and so when they asked me to create a line for them, I was really excited and eager to do it.'

And naturally, the design process was close to her heart: 'You really feel like you have to change your whole wardrobe. And that's the last thing a woman wants to go through. So I really tried to make this line to get women excited  about wearing maternity clothes.'

So for all you 'expanding' ladies out there, tomorrow is an exciting day, make sure you check out the collection and start to dress to impress and celebrate that bump.

Fearne Cotton Designs for Very

Fearne's range, which has been designed in collaboration with fashion website Very (the people behind Littlewoods) is available to buy now at very.co.uk.

Previous guest designers for the website have included Fearne's best friend Holly Willoughby, Peaches Geldof, Caprice and Jasmine Guinness. So, while Fearne may have some big shoes to fill, the collection is very much individual and mirrors her eclectic and very British style of mixing-up trends.

Fearne says

"I am really excited about launching my collection with Very. I have really enjoyed the entire process from start to finish and working with Holly and the other designers has just been fantastic. I like to be adventurous in my style choice and I really think a lot of my personality is reflected in the range. I hope that Very customers enjoy it as much as I did designing it!"