FRIDAY High Street Hitlist

HAPPY FRIDAY! It's the end of August and today could well be your payday so what will you be buying from this week's High Street Hitlist?

Now is the perfect time to be shopping for our winter wardrobes especially as the weather deteriorates further. The knitwear at Urban Outfitters and the coats at ASOS are ruddy ace and I'm having major deliberations on which to buy.

You are going to enjoy this week's picks!

Teresa xx

TOPSHOP

I have had a bit of a crush on Topshop recently. Nearly every single item they have brought out for Autumn/Winter I want, desperately! I did pop in last week and I bought a couple of white shirts and some knitwear but after seeing what they have new in this week I may just have to pay them another visit! 

The collection by Louise Gray was launched earlier this week and I have chosen the sparkly sequinned flash face dress below for this week's hitlist. There are lots and lots more in the range so do popover to TOPSHOP's website and take a closer look.

Knitted stud ribbed cardigan, £48

Longsleeve cheetah print blouse, £40

Navy blue knitted paisley jumper, £42

Baroque velvet lace shell top, £24

Floral embroidered teadress, £55

Long sleeve collar tip shirt, £36

Cross tunic, £32

Flash face sequin dress by Louise Gray, £175

Shellshock camo jacket by The Ragged Priest, £70

ZARA

It would never be a high street hitlist without the latest items from Zara. It is very dangerous for any ladies purse whenever she visits her local Zara store, serious spending sprees happen!

I adore the combined jumpsuit below, but I just wish they had released this early Summer as it would have been a fab holiday outfit.

Combined jumpsuit, £39.99

Jacquard loom trousers, £39.99

Jumper with appliqués on shoulders, £35.99

Over tinted checked shirt, £39.99

Houndstooth and chain jacket, £69.99

Blouse with lace and threaded ribbon, £35.99

TRF Combined structure blazer, £59.99

TRF Dress with combined sleeves, £29.99

Studded leather clutch, £59.99

Gold geometric plate belt,  £19.99

ASOS 

This week I AM INTO the two limited edition coats at ASOS, problem is……which one do you prefer? They're so different but I love them both!

Limited edition jacquard panelled parka, £180

Limited edition military coat, £110

Sleeveless midi dress with double skirt, £40

Shirt with double layer, £30

Boutique by Jaeger Winnie jumper in horizontal cable knit, £120

Oversized triangle necklace, £10

URBAN OUTFITTERS

Really am loving the bold print knitwear from Urban Outfitters this week. 

Cooperative geo graphic jumper, £42

Minkpink triangle knit jumper, £60

Sparkle & Fade mono cocoon cardigan, £38

OASIS

These two dresses have a lovely style and cut which will make you look amazing. You can jazz these up with a bit of chunky colourful jewellery.

Military patched V-neck dress,  £55

Lucy lace peplum dress, £70

RIVER ISLAND

A simple white shirt is a wardrobe must-have for Autumn. They look fab with blazers or cardigans and the sleeveless one below having a studded collar will be one shirt you will wear time and time again.

White sleeveless stud collar shirt, £25

Navy embellished collar shirt dress, £35

Gold T-shirt dress, £30

H&M

This turquoise coat is going to brighten any dreary day and will uplift your outfit every time.

Turquoise coat, £69.99

Embossed metal earrings, £3.99

Leather look bracelet, £5.99

Here's some of the designer items I have been obsessing over this week….

NET-A-PORTER

MY WARDROBE

Gluten-Free Victoria Sponge with Strawberries and Cream

Today I am bringing you a recipe for a very traditional British cake, Victoria Sponge. If you have ever used gluten free flour then you will understand how difficult it is to achieve the same results as when baking a cake with normal self raising flour.

My mother and my sister have both got coeliac disease and the one thing they miss since they were diagnosed with the disease (back in the 1980s) is a bloomin' nice slice of cake.

We have tried endless recipes but to no avail, they all turn out like discs of biscuit and can be a bit of a flop. Mind you, when making a fruit cake with gluten free flour the dried fruit will sink to the bottom of the cake which comes in quite handy when you have a fussy Dad who isn't too keen on currants or raisins or such like. We just slice the bottom off his portion of cake.

Anyway, a few days ago I had another go at making a good Victoria sponge for my Mum's birthday. Happy Birthday Mum! I thought I would have a go at making her a birthday cake which I knew she would enjoy. And enjoy she did, in fact, we all had a slice and my Mum even had a second slice because it was so yummy.


Here's the recipe:


Ingredients

150g Butter (unsalted)
150g Caster Sugar
2 drops Vanilla Extract
2 Eggs
1 tsp Gluten Free Baking Powder
150g Gluten Free Plain White Flour
3 tbsps Milk
3 tbsps Jam
1 tsp Icing Sugar

As many as you can fit on top of cake - strawberries rinsed and hulled

1 tub of whipping cream

Method

Preheat the oven 190°C/Fan170°F/375°F/Gas 5

1.  Firstly cream the butter, sugar and vanilla extract together until light and fluffy. The trick here is to 

     use your electric mixer for at least 10 minutes until the mixture is similar to a shade of magnolia 

     paint.

2.  Beat in the eggs one at a time. I actually beat the eggs before I add them to the mixture in the hope it 

     will add a bit more oomph to the cake so it will rise.

3.  Now add the baking powder, flour and milk, gradually. Try to not plonk it all on top of the mixture 

     in one go it may knock out some of the air which you have worked in. 

4.  Divide the mixture between 2 oiled and lined 20cm/8" round baking tins and place in the oven for 

     15-20 minutes.

5.  You now need to carefully turn the cakes out on to a wire rack to cool.

6.  Once they are cool you need to spread jam on top of one sponge.

7.  Whip the cream up until it stiffens and then place big dollops of it on the other sponge. Make sure
     you leave enough cream for the top of the cake.

8.  Now you have got the two sponges sandwiched together, smear the rest of the whipped cream on
     top and add as many strawberries you can fit on top.

9.  Finally finish it with a quick dust of sieved icing sugar.


Here is my attempt…..

I know it's nothing like you would see on the Great British Bake Off but my Mum loved it. It was extremely light and yummy, but more importantly it tasted the nearest to normal cake for a gluten-free recipe.

Teresa x

Shoes to Take You Right Through to 2013

A lady can never have enough shoes and with the amazing choice of clothes which are already out for this Autumn/Winter then you can't just have one pair of shoes, can you? You need to have a variety of shoes in different styles to go with everything. 

Today I have put together some collections of shoes and boots which will definitely give any outfit you wear the WOW factor. 

Teresa xx

1. GIENCHI burgundy velvet hi-top trainers, £230 / 2. ASH black studded Stella high tops, £179 / 
3. TOPSHOP studded chelsea boots £38 / 4. ZARA gold studded boots, £69.99 / 
5. RIVER ISLAND black stud western boots, £70

You have got to get in on the studded action. Late last year the studs made their debut appearance as a hot new trend and they're most certainly here to stay for another year. Team any of these with a pair of skinnies and a loose overshirt and you have got the 2012 grunge look sorted!

1. SAM EDELMAN aster snake metal toe cap slippers, £148 / 2. OFFICE point red white & grey flats, £62 /
3. VALENTINO rock stud patent leather loafers, £495 / 4. MISS SELFRIDGE tan studded pointed flat, £28 / 
5. MCQ studded pointed-toe suede pumps, £220 / 6. RIVER ISLAND velvet stud slipper shoes, £45

I have always worn flat shoes when I am opting for a more casual look but with these decorative beauties you can look super cool and be comfy! Studs, toe caps or colour blocking is all a flat shoe needs right now and you can definitely wear a pair of these flats even when you are dressing an outfit up. These look great with cropped trousers.

1. OFFICE deserter black leather, £90 / 2. TOPSHOP chunky fringe boots, £95 / 3. DUNE slouch boots, £110 / 4. SCHUH black benny studded western boots, £90 / 5. ASOS leather studded biker boots, £85

Big Bother boots are perfect for the tomboy, like myself. I love a pair of big boots to shuffle around in. They're great for walking miles in (shopping for new clothes!) and they're fab for throwing on for any day of the week. I like to wear these style of boots with a dress or skinnies. 

1. TOPSHOP pull on metal toe boots, £80 / 2. HUDSON tie back boots, £155 /
3. RIVER ISLAND contrast chelsea boots, £30 / 4. TRUTH OR DARE BY MADONNA studded courts, £150
5. TRUTH OR DARE BY MADONNA pony hair courts, £120

If you want to be stylish but not as brave to go all-out with some of the more interesting styles, then why not choose one of these lovely lot. All of these shoes are a great addition to your wardrobe because they are brilliant timeless classics which will take you through to 2013 and beyond.  Hudson always know how to create a classic boot and these brown tie back boots are utter perfection.

1. ALDO red suede ankle boot, £90 / 2. VALENTINO studded leather pumps, £600 / 3. OFFICE toe cap black suede red metallic leather, £58 / 4. CHLOE red leather ballerina, £266 /
5. CHARLOTTE OLYMPIA slipper style loafers, £509

Dorothy was onto something with her ruby slippers. Every girl loves to wear a pair of red shoes and these five pairs will have your heart racing within no time. The Aldo ankle boots are a definite must-have, I would wear these with everything because I love them so much!

1. MIU MIU glitter chelsea boots, £495 / 2. ACNE leather boots, £380 / 3. BALENCIAGA colour-block ankle boots, £855 / 4. ALEXANDER MCQUEEN brogue leather ankle boots, £390 / 

5. NICHOLAS KIRKWOOD FOR ERDEM grain-effect ankle boots, £895

Only last week I held the Nicholas Kirkwood boots in my hand and I was very hesitant to place them back on the display stand. I wanted them so badly! These boots are even nicer in real life and the perspex heel is ruddy ace! If you really want to put your pennies towards a more iconic pair of shoes then you cannot go wrong with a pair of McQueens.

Don't be put off by the glittery Miu Miu boots because I have seen a lady wearing these with a pair of black shiny skinnies and a battered old woollen jumper and she looked FANTASTIC!

Too Cool For School Jewellery!

I have been on the hunt for some bright necklaces to uplift some of my more muted outfits for quite some time, but nothing was exactly what I wanted until I saw what SOME BEAUTIFUL PLACE had to offer. 

Some Beautiful Place is a new and unique jewellery brand, rebelling against the mass produced. And I am so glad they are!  A jewellery brand specialising in unique and limited edition pieces, they love fashion but don't believe in the mass produced, each piece they create is a rare breed.

All work is designed and made by hand in London. Carefully crafted using metals, satins, silks, fabrics and the odd bit of vintage apparel. The collection is regularly updated with new and exciting products, making it a place you’ll want to keep going back to.

Brazilian Beauty, £32

A mixture of grey hues with a flash of neon pink helps to make up this piece. Satin ribbon has been woven through antiqued chains and surrounded by cotton plaits and of course that all important peak of neon.

A Rio Riot, £34

Bright Bright Bright, be sure to standout with this piece. vibrant pinks yellows and blues come together to create a 'Rio Riot'.

Seville Sunrise, £28

A tangerine dream-this long necklace combines deep blues with vibrant orange satin threads. All mixed together with golden chains. Designed to brighten even the dullest day.

Mexican Madness, £26

Long grey velvet links together this delicate item with a mix of vintage and champagne chains and neon yellow threads. Perfect with a simple T-Shirt.

The Hamptons, £40

Add a bit of upmarket glamour to your life with 'The Hamptons'. This beautiful vintage necklace is combined with a chunky green cotton plait.

Cote D'Azure Cool, £40

A real stunner! This collar necklace is made up of satin threads, golden chains, vintage pearls and vintage studding. Designed to make people stop and stare.

So, which one floats your boat? I am head over heels with the Brazilian Beauty, closely followed by The Hamptons. Oh, but then I love the Mexican Madness one too and the Rio Riot. Actually I would be happy with any single one of them.

As far as I am concerned, nothing looks better than wearing a plain top with a flash of fluorescent coloured neck candy. It is definitely the finishing touch to looking pretty darn cool!

But don't stop here, get yourselves over to SOME BEAUTIFUL PLACE and see all the other designs and get even more confused as to which one you would like to buy


Teresa xx

DIY ROBERTO CAVALLI JEWELLED SMOKEY EYE

Today I have got a fabulous tutorial for all you lucky ladies from FIX MAKE UP. They have put together a step-by-step guide for you to be able to do the hot new look for this Autumn, the smokey jewelled eye.

This look was all over the catwalks for the AW12 collections and wouldn't it be great to be able to try this look when you go out partying next?

Teresa x

Roberto Cavalli

FIX want to show you how to embrace one of AW12’s key runways trends.

As we head into winter we are seeing beautiful jewel tones and stunningly beautiful makeup. Follow this easy step by step and FIX will show you how to get a Roberto Cavalli look.

The smokey eye worn at the Roberto Cavalli show was the perfect beauty meets high fashion makeup. A smokey eye is every girls favourite makeup look, but there are so many ways to do a smokey eye and the Cavalli look shows us that big and bold is back.

One of the big trends for AW12 makeup is the ‘alternative smokey eye’; it's about wearing your eye look with an unusual colour, shape or texture. Step out of your comfort zone and into the territory of a bygone era; this makeup is a hybrid of 80’s romantics and 70’s disco bunny.

The Cavalli Smokey Eye has no less then four colours being worn on the eye at the same time, but the look is still soft and blown out. Jewel like shades of green, gold and purple are brought down to earth with a matte taupe colour, which blends the colours together and adds a touch of modern definition. Wear this look with minimal makeup; perfected skin, groomed brows and a nude lip is all you need.

Step 1

Start with a groomed eyebrow and use a little concealer underneath the eye, so the area is a blank canvas. I have patted a very small amount of MAC’s Paint Pots in Painterly. This acts as a base, so the eye shadows adhere to the skin and blend well. If you have a black skin, use a soft black eyeliner smudge across the entire of the lid. I have also applied some pencil eyeliner into the roots of the lashes, so there is extra intensity around the eye.

Step 2

Apply the metallic green eyeshadow to the entire lid and to the bottom lash line. Then use a fluffy brush like a MAC 217 or 224 to blend the colour around the edges so there are no hard lines. FIX used Nars Tropic Shimmer Eyeshadow.

Step 3

Next with a fluffy blending brush apply a matter taupe/soft brown colour to the crease, from the outer corner of the eye towards the middle of the crease. Build the taupe/brown colour up as you see require, but just ensure the look is diffused. FIX used MAC ‘s Concrete eyeshadow.

 

Step 4 

Next apply the metallic purple eyeshadow to crease but specifically in the area from the middle to the inner eye, close to the bridge of the nose. Again, like the green and brown colours use a fluffy brush so the colour is applied softly and the intensity can be built up as you require. FIX used Bobbi Brown’s Gold Dust and MAC’s Stars ‘n’ Rockets eyeshadows.

Step 5

Finish the look with curled lashes and lots of mascara. For this look I would avoid using false lashes, unless they’re super natural. You don’t want the makeup to be come over the top, its all about the blended colous and texture.