Walking in a Vintage Wonderland

Want a bit of vintage treasure.... then head on down to to Walking In A Vintage Wonderland on Sunday the 5th December!

Walking In A Vintage Wonderland is a vintage tea party hosted by bake-a-boo, they have collaborated with some fabulous brands to bring you a fairy tale of wonders, marvel at the vintage clothes, jewelley, flowers, nostalgic gifts and one off pieces made from vintage fabrics! Ooooo and not to forget to indulge in some yummy cupcakes and scones while your there! Bake-a-boo is one heck of a tea room! 

WHEN: Sunday 5th December

WHERE: Bake-a-boo bake shop and tea room, 86 Mill Lane, London, NW6 1NL

WHY: It's the festive season and we all deserve a little something special!

Nyla Sammons

Getting an insight into the wonderful world of Yasmin Sewell

Lauretta Roberts (WGSN) interviewing Yasmin Sewell

Fashion stylists: Marian Kihogo and Lupe Castro

Lauretta Roberts, Courtney Blackman, Yasmin Sewell and Alison Whelan 

The Fashion Business Club presented us with another uber cool lady last week, who goes by the name of Yasmin Sewell, gorgeous, stylish and sitting at the Top!

Yasmin's fashion career dates back to when first joined the iconic brand Browns as a window dresser, and so the story began.... opening her own fashion Boutique in Australia which later led her to transform London's most iconic department store Liberty, which she achieved with a new exciting and fresh design led layout and introducing over 60 top notch designers! Setting up her consultancy in 2008, Yasmin and her team work with designers, high street brands, designers and international stores on projects including retail strategies, trend direction and all things creative!

What I love is that Yasmin is also an Esthetica mentor, with Yasmin's extensive fashion knowledge and style I'm predicting there will be some ethical fashion greatness in 2011! 

Rock on is what I say!

Photos by Venetia Van Hoorn Alkema - www.venetiaalkema.com 

Nyla Sammons

Ethical Just Got Fabulous

Want to get your loved ones something truly special for Christmas this year? or is it that time of year where it's time to give yourself a well deserved treat? Yes? Well head on down to Ethical Just got Fabulous this weekend at London's 20th Century Theatre in the swanky Notting Hill. 

It's not only a day of shopping..... visitors will also be treated to live jazz and mulled wine! Hmmm that's my kind of weekend! Expect to see Livia Firth's Eco Age Boutique, Izzy Lane, Bottletop and one of my favourite's Minna!

WHEN:  Saturday 4th December (10am-6pm) and Sunday 5th December (11am-5pm)

WHERE: 20th Century Theatre

WHY: Fabulous ethical goodies and entry is FREE!

Loving Mr Raeburn

Christopher Raeburn’s Spring/Summer 2011 collection aims to ‘Dazzle’. The aptly named collection is made up of four outerwear garments that combine practicality and style effortlessly. Each jacket comes in its own reusable storage back that echoes back to the days of rainy school trips with the obligatory anorak. But these certainly aren’t the type of pack-a-macs that I remember from my childhood; these are grown up models that still have that childish hint of fun with their brightly coloured designs.

Citing inspiration from camouflage, adaptability and the great outdoors, his collection definitely does these features justice. The Parachute Hoodie and the Tyvek Parka feature bold yellow and orange patterns, whilst the Parallel Parka takes on a more sophisticated, simplistic but striking look. The Parachute Parka is a lightweight garment with its blue and white design almost inviting the rain to do its best to allow for the coat to be worn. Saying that, Raeburn’s designs are so stylish that you needn’t just where them in the rain; these are pieces that can be worn as an extra layer no matter what the weather throws at you.

Catherine May

Stylish and sexy denim for your laundry basket

When searching for British-manufactured jeans, there’s a new brand that shouldn’t be missed. Laundry Maid has recently launched a range of extra flattering women’s jeans and we love their sleek shape! Co-partner Barbara Graham has helped to develop these tailored garments and believes that they are both sexy and flattering on the female figure.

Each pair of jeans feature a signature back panel that effortlessly lists and shapes the rear, making for a really smooth and side seam free fit. Available in super skinny, high waisted skinny and tailored designs, the garments are all stocked at www.ethicsgirls.co.uk/shop along with the unique upcycled jeans and jodhpurs that make a change from traditional plain denim.

All of the jeans have been fit tested on varying shapes and sizes to try and ensure that every girl, no matter what her body shape, will look great in them!

Catherine May

A Brush with fashion

Last night was all about checking out ‘Brush with Fashion’ the hottest new collaboration with The Body Shop and The London College of Fashion. What is ‘Brush With Fashion’ I hear you say… it’s only the hottest limited edition, cruelty-free make-up collection launching in Spring 2011.

The night kicked off with a catwalk show at The London College of Fashion, where models strutted their stuff wearing sustainable designs by former students and rising stars of the fashion world William Tempest and Jena Theo. Looking uber cool made up with the ‘Brush With Fashion’ make-up range! Loved Loved Loved! 

Want a sneak peak of whats to come.... your wish is my command!

My favourite has to be the Hi-Shine Lip Treatment in pink and at starting prices of only £9.50 you would be crazy to miss out! 

Roll on 2011! 

Nyla Sammons

It got steamy on Thursday evening!

Who ever thought attending a clothes swapping event could get this steamy? Of course I'm a fan of the clothes swapping parties organised by The Big Wardrobe and fashion stylist Lupe Castro, so it was a no brainer that I would be there with bells on! However what caught my eye was the saucy themed swish they were hosting called - The Secrets of the Boudoir.... and what a night it was! Starting off with demonstrations on how to slide into seamed stockings, how to lace yourself into sexy corsets and how to get silver screen make-up, and that's just to name a few... followed by a decadent swish, where I managed to get myself a sexy 60's shift dress and some ultra hot garters from Kiss Me Deadly (brand new! yep they kindly donated quite a few sexy numbers).

Once we got some fab additions to our wardrobes, we were then all treated to a burlesque performance, and oh my what a show that was! first time I had seen such a show, I tell you what it beats male strippers, because it's so much more fun and entertaining, those boys really knew how to get us girls going! I along with three girlfriends left wanting more! and happily continued the night at Amika, which turned into a club night at 10pm!

Word has it the next swish is on the 16th December, get your diaries out now ladies, these events are not to be missed!

Angela Clayton 

SAVE THE DATE - 30th November

 

Very Exciting news! Dare2 Magazine are teaming up with some Fabulous ethical fashion brands to host the Christmas Sale at one of London's trendy members club Beaufort House!

Oraganised Christmas shopper? then this is the perfect place to pick up some hot gems, or if you're like me and in need of a treat say like every week.... then indulge, I know that's what I shall be doing! 

Nyla Sammons

Give your skin five-a-day

Raw Skin Food brands itself as giving you skin one of its five-a-day. And there’s no doubt that these ranges of vegan skincare will give you more goodness than rubbing a carrot into your skin. The majority of the organic products contain vitamins with the coconut butters being rich in both Vitamin E and Vitamin C Beta-Carotene. 

We all know that different skin types need to be treated in different ways and Raw Skin Food are more than aware of this. They cater for extra dry, sensitive and normal skin with products ranging from cleansing oils to moisture mist sprays.

The ingredients used read like a fine dining menu, with avocado, lemon grass and mango standing out as some of the more exotic components of the products. All products are available to buy online from www.rawskinfood.co.uk

Catherine May

Love Want Need!!!

Is your iphone or blackberry looking a little blah? then liven it up with one of these sleek and sexy eel skin cases, the new addition to the BoBelle London family! It's a must-have for every fashionista out there, not only is it stylish from the outside, the phone case also boasts a gorgeous deep red lining, now that's what I call a Love, Want, Need in my books! 

The Apollo cases fit the iphone 3 and blackberry curve costing only £30.00! Got an iphone 4? don't despair the Apollo 2 designed to fit the iphone 4 is out later this month, happy days for all!

Now I'm looking forward to what founder Clare Watt-Smith will introduce to us next.... want to see more of Bobelle London's products? check out BoBelle London online!

Nyla Sammons

Dr Organic launches 3 new beauty ranges

I headed on down to the dr organic launch of three beauty ranges yesterday, being a fan of their shower gel (which I spotted in Holland and Barrett earlier this year). I was intrigued to see what the new ranges were like! I was excited to see they introduced Royal Jelly, Virgin Olive Oil and Rose Otto to the dr organic family, all made using organic and natural ingredients sourced from around the world, free from all those dreaded nasty chemicals.

The Rose Otto range has to be my favourite, not only does it smell divine, it also contains Rosa Damascena, one of the most expensive essential oils in the world; helping replenish and rejuvenate hair and skin, now that's my type of skincare!

I'm also loving the Virgin Olive Oil hand and nail cream, I no longer need to worry about dry and fragile hands this winter, this cream is rich in Oleic acid, which is great in hydrating and supporting the skin's structure. I'm now prepared for when winter strikes, we may be having a mild start to November, but we all know it's coming......

To check out the new ranges pop into Holland and Barrett!

Nyla Sammons

Source4Style - best kept designer secret in town

The forever beautiful model Summer Rayne Oakes and her gorgeous team mate Benita Singh were playing host at Next Models offices in the depth of Clerkenwell, to launch their B2B website Source4Style.com an online destination for designers and retailers to search and source the world’s leading sustainable materials and services from a network of global suppliers. A big promise but the site works like a dream. I checked out her team and they're a pretty hot bunch of academics and techies!

Caught up with Summer and happy to hear she will be gracing our shores from January for a while! So will be seeing the sustainable message spread on all hot covers like Vogue and Tatler for sure! Lovelies helping her celebrate; Lucy Tammam, Jocelyn Whipple, Minna, Anna Orsini, Orsola de Castro and a group of VERY VERY pretty things! 

Lupe Castro

Satchels to scream about

I'm loving these satchels from Shared Earth. Satchels are so on trend at the moment and Shared Earth has a bag to suit every stylish casual look.

The classic leather bag comes in both red and brown with the former offering a more contemporary style than the latter. For something more individual, the Aztec print satchel has an embroided fabric front that screams ‘bohemian chic’. If you looking for a bag to match with a more quirky, vintage outfit, then the Floral Print bag comes with a paisley pattern that would match perfectly with a dainty cardigan.

Each bag is made individually with the classic leather satchels featuring hand-stitched details. For the quality of the bags, you might expect to be parting with quite a bit of your salary but not with these offerings. Prices range from £35 to £58.75. All bags are available at www.fashion-conscience.com

Catherine May

The magic of Inika

I was very excited to see the Inika range and meet Miranda Bond, one of the fabulous founders, why? because as a lot of you all know, good ethical make-up that gives you good coverage and has a range of colour is pretty difficult to come by....

When asked what type of foundation I use, I was pretty pleased to report I use mineral foundation from a brand I thought was pretty credible only to find out they use bismuth oxychloride, which is a skin irritant..... oh yes it seemed I had got it wrong with millions of other ladies no doubt! I was pleased to hear Inika is completely free from harsh chemicals, fillers, talk, bismuth oxychloride, GM ingredients, parabens, preservatives and fragrance. 

I was happy to receive the kabuki brush which in my opinion has to be the best brush I have ever come across! not only does it feel incredibly soft and silky on the face, it helps give you great coverage too which is essential to any brush and priced at only £23 you would be crazy to use any other brush. The Inika eye shadow range is pretty Fab too, with an array of colours, ideal for day and nights on the town!

Both founders Miranda Bond and Jenny Williams, wanted to create a comprehensive range which would marry all natural cosmetics with incredible performance and colour for women who care about their skin and environment and what a range it is!!! To see the full range you can visit their website or visit a store they're stocked in and you'll be pleased to know Inika  launches a new limited edition shade each season and word has it next season it will be luscious peach!

Nyla Sammons