Lustworthy Make-Up - Pierre Hardy for NARS

I have a thing (or two) for beautiful palettes and pretty-as-a-picture make-up. Nothing brings a smile to my face quite so much as sweeping a brush across a glam powder, or a decorated bronzer. And if it's scented, even better!


My latest beauty crush is the divine collaboration between Pierre Hardy and make-up maestros NARS. Inspired by Hardy's S/S13 shoe collection, this limited edition range features six nail polish duos and two beautiful blush palettes.

Top of my list are the shimmering blushes, which feature silky textures and bold, graphic prints. I love the subtle hints of gold, which I reckon would give you a fab glow this summer!

Meanwhile, the nail varnish sets come in gorgeous, wearable shades and are even packaged in tiny shoe boxes and cloth bags. How blooming fab is that?! Take your pick of colours, but these are my favourites...

Beauty and shoes - what's not to love? Now, where's my credit card...?

The Pierre Hardy for NARS collection is available exclusively at Selfridges. Just get clicking here.

Sam x

Almond Power - Dr Hauschka's Almond Body Moisturiser

Ever since making the switch from regular milk to almond milk, I feel like my body has reaped the rewards. In fact, just a week in, and I was noticing a difference.

You see, almond milk is rich in vitamins A, D and E and also calcium and iron too. It's even been shown to help boost weight loss, maintain better heart health and help our eyes to function properly.

All that may be great, but the biggest difference? Well, the biggest difference of all has been to my skin.

I know it may be old news to long-term almond devotees, but since I started using the white stuff, my skin has been a lot clearer and brighter. The spots which I had assumed were hormonal have faded, the bags under my eyes are disappearing, and everything just looks a lot fresher!

That Vitamin E works wonders, hey ladies?

Anyway, it got me wondering about almond milk in body products. Because we all want super soft, sexy limbs, right?

I am a long-term lover of all things Dr Hauschka, so I was delighted that they have their very own almond products - a super rich Almond Body Moisturiser, and an Almond Body Wash, which is out next month.

Dr Hauschka's Almond Body Moisturiser is far and away the best body lotion I have ever used. It is absolutely sumptuous! Containing almond oil and soothing St John's Wort, it smoothes dry and sensitive skin a treat.

In fact, it completely banished my scaly, wintery legs and left them glowing. Bring on the summer dresses!

In applied it every night before bed and woke up to find my skin was still gorgeously soft and supple. I could even smell the gorgeous almonds on me 24 hours later...pure luxury.

Costing £22.95, this is one product I will be re-ordering again and again and again.

If the almond milk and Hauschka's body lotion are anything to go by, I am a firm believer in nut power. Who knew?!

Sam x

Fashion Disasters - How Many Have You Made?

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It would seem almost incredible that for the last 15 months we have never written a NOT INTO THIS post about some of the fashion faux pas which many of us have committed during our lives. So, I'm going to put that right today and share with you some of the fashion disasters I have made as well as some of the style crimes by others too.

1.   Firstly, style goes out the window when it comes to walking my two dogs. I usually walk for at least 3 miles so I need to wear comfortable footwear because as I have learnt you get some massive blisters if you don't dress accordingly. Most days I will wear my gym gear as I will jog with my dogs or do some power walking. But if I haven't got time to get changed then I simply put on my socks and running shoes and off I go. Yep doesn't matter what clothes I am wearing, my outfit will be worn with my Brooks trainers and white socks. Trainers don't look good with trenchcoats.

2.   On Wednesday I committed a stupid fashion crime. I went out running in my husband's training shorts because I couldn't find mine. Not only did they look hideous but as soon as I returned home I soon realised that mens shorts are designed differently to womens. Out came the Sudocrem to soothe the chafing. 

3.   I have quite pale skin and I am not one to sunbathe or cook myself at a tanning salon, thank goodness! During my teens I was at times bothered about my glow in the dark legs so I would buy some dreadful nude coloured tights to give my legs a bit of colour during the summer months. Yes, I was that saddo who wore 15 denier tights on a hot sunny day.

4.   Last summer I spent a weekend in London with my parents, unfortunately it happened to be the hottest weekend of the year. I bought myself a lovely sundress to wear but my figure wasn't in it's best shape. So even though it was 31c outside I donned my Spanx underneath my dress to mask any bulges. Yes I was one very sweaty betty. And I wore a new pair of sandals too, blisters!

5.   I was a very rebellious tomboy teenager. I still am, I suppose, but better tamed now I am in my thirties. Anyway, I can remember buying a rather pricey Karen Savage t-shirt which had the most dreadful print on the front of it. A woman's hand, accessorised with diamond rings and red polished long nails doing the V sign. I wore it a lot.

6.   This is a massive confession, I had my tongue pierced during my teens. I didn't keep it for long but felt it necessary to push the boundaries of my teenage rebellion. I think I definitely succeeded in doing so. 

7.   One thing I cannot abide is those fluffy jackets which have wolves on them. There is even a Facebook page dedicated to them where people upload the latest pics of others wearing them.

8.   Ladies who wear bras which are too small for their boobs to fit in. Double boobage is not a good look. It looks horrendous when the back strap of your bra is reaching up towards your shoulders instead of sitting comfortably across your back in a straight line.

9.   Sometimes it's not what you're wearing but what you're NOT wearing. I cannot stand to see girls shivering in winter wearing their new outfit without a coat because they think the coat will ruin their look. Here's a lesson for you: in winter dress for winter, keep your skimpy summer frocks for summer. It's that easy.

10.  Biggest fashion crime that one can commit is wearing matching tops or coats with your husband/boyfriend/partner. Don't do it. It's wrong on so many levels.

Did you watch Ever Decreasing Circles back in the late 80s? Howard and Hilda loved to wear matching knitwear. 

Are you brave enough to share some of your wardrobe secrets? I'd love to hear what weird items you have worn.

Teresa x

Our Legendary High Street Hitlist

Hope you are looking forward to a much needed retail therapy session this weekend. This week, our high street hitlist is packed with brightness - check out the summer floral shirt from Topshop, it is one big burst of sunshine for your wardrobe. I seriously need to buy it.

Right then, have you got your credit cards at the ready? Let's shop!!!

Teresa x

TOPSHOP

Lots of colour, lots of jewellery and lots of jeans have been added to Topshop's website this week. I think you may be able to get a pair of jeans in every colour of the rainbow. As I mentioned before the yellow floral shirt is my absolute favourite, it can be worn under a jumper/cardigan, with a blazer and with a pair of grey/denim shorts. LOVE it!

Apricot Jamie Jean, £40

Velvet bead stick collar, £25

Boucle collarless jacket, £55

Cut out geo pendant, £15

Cord and triangle drop collar, £16.50

Turquoise acid Joni jeans, £36

Chain high neck cami, £35

Ripped bleach Baxter jeans, £40

Pale grey Baxter jeans, £40

Knitted acid wash rib jumper, £40

Semi precious ornate ring, £8.50

Hectic embellished sandals, £28

Knitted nep stich cardi, £36

Summer floral boxy shirt, £32

Nails in Boy Next Door, £5

Cotton circle crop shirt, £32

ZARA

Three great summer buys can be made at Zara and check out those prices….not bad eh?

Combination high heel sandal, £29.99

Ripped boyfriend trousers, £29.99

Shirt dress with drawstring waist, £25.99

ASOS

Sooo many dresses you will want to purchase from ASOS, they've got everything you need for casual daytime, festival and occasion. My favourite is the Free People frock, yep the most expensive at £127. But it is rather nice…..

Maxi dress with seam detail, £45

Ted Baker dress with lace detail, £149

Blouse with folded collar, from £17.50 (other colours)

Waisted maxi dress, £20

Full midi skirt, £39.99

Mango 70s wrap front maxi dress, £59.99

Longline coatigan, £75

River Island embellished playsuit, £60

Dress with detailed bodice, £22.99

Military pea coat, £70

Midi skirt in check print, £45

Free People light heart dress with braided band, £127

Whistles square necklace, £18

OASIS

Have fell in love with the cute yellow cardigan, so pretty when worn with the white blouse and shorts.

Fleck jersey t-shirt dress, £28

Mint jacquard dress, £65

Sleeveless utility maxi dress, £28

Crew cardigan, £25

Tilly embellished flapper dress, £70

H&M

Three fabulous bargains are to be had; love it when you find a bargain because it means you can buy all three, right? Look at the superduper price for the striped dress at £14.99. 

Loose fit jumper, £24.99

Beaded and embroidered vest top, £12.99

Striped waisted dress, £14.99

REISS

In total price contrast are these beauties from Reiss. The jacket and shorts are ridiculously cute. 

Montella off-white raglan shirt, £85

Lolli vintage print jacket, £195

Peti vintage print flared shorts, £95

COS

Another cutie is this scalloped collar dress from Cos, it's a great twist on a 60s style dress.

Scalloped collar dress, £59

& Other Stories

One thing you can be certain of at this shop is you are guaranteed to find a knockout accessory. Check out the leather mini bag, the hot pink lipstick and the most amazing sunglasses. Ever!

Leather mini bag, £65

Ninon pink matte lipstick, £12

D frame sunglasses, £29

RIVER ISLAND

Nothing wrong with a harness adorning your maxi dress, it's pretty sexy. 

Black body harness maxi dress, £40

ANTHROPOLOGIE

And finally, here's a cracking dress which will keep you cool and looking uber stylish whilst enjoying the sunshine. 

Softened angles tunic dress, £138