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I love the changing seasons and the new fashions that they bring.
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Saturday 29 September 2012

WALKING WEST

Western influences have been around for some seasons, featured by French Vogue and appearing in collections by contemporary French designers like Isabel Marant and Zadig and Voltaire. This Autumn sees lots of cowboy style boots in the shops but this time round they come mostly in the form of little ankle boots, some of them quite embellished.  I bought these Spanish Artreu Western Ankle Boots at Topshop.  Although these are quite simple, I think that the soft black leather, almond toes, cuban heels and western stitching all add up to a very stylish little boot. 



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Saturday 22 September 2012

AUTUMN........AND CHESTNUT HAIR

Autumn officially began today.  I went for a walk in Kensington Gardens and the park and the trees bore evidence of the new season.  The leaves on the trees were already changing colour and the fallen leaves were beginning to form a carpet on the ground below.



Hair may now be looking a little jaded after the holidays, sun and sea.  It's the time to look at colour and condition. 

I use Wella Color Fresh on my hair, a very gentle semi-permanent colourant which doesn't contain ammonia, alcohol or PPD.  This product is used professionally in salons and is not sold in normal retail chemists or supermarkets.  I buy it from Sally at 394 North End Road, near Fulham Broadway, London SW6 1LU but there are many branches both in the UK and internationally.  (You can check your nearest stockist at www.sallybeauty.com)  


Shade No. 5/4, Light Red Brown, gives a lovely chestnut tone to brown hair and adds shine.  It will cover grey hairs, picking them up in a lighter red than the darker hair, resulting in an attractive variation. 

However, because of its gentle properties, for a successful result, this semi-permanent needs to be applied with a certain amount of care and expertise.

Here's how:

Step 1  Have everything ready in one easy-to-reach place.

Step 2  Shampoo hair normally and towel dry to avoid drips.

Step 3  Put on thin polythene gloves.

Step 4  Take a comb and work across the head from ear to ear, making partings and applying
              the dye straight from the bottle to the roots at each parting.  Massage the dye well into
              the roots.  Go round the hair line at the front and apply carefully to those roots.  Apply
              some dye to the crown and the back of the head, distributing evenly.  Lift up longer hair
              and apply some dye underneath, then bring ends up to crown and apply dye to ends.  
              Distribute once with smooth upward strokes of the hands. 

Step 5   Put on a thin plastic shower cap.  Check the time. Wipe off any drips on face, ears         
               and neck with a facecloth.  Don't forget the back of the neck.

Step 6   Leave the dye on for 30 minutes and continually pass a warm hairdryer over the head.
               Heat makes the dye absorb more successfully.  Meanwhile, have a good cup of 
               coffee. 

Step 7   Emulsify the hair with warm water and rinse thoroughly.

Step 8  Apply a good conditioner or masque.  My favourite is John Frieda's Frizz-Ease
             Miraculous Recovery Intensive Masque.  Rinse off.

The hair is now ready to be dried and styled as usual.  I find the colour lasts well for a month/5 weeks, by which time the roots will have grown out anyway. 

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Sunday 16 September 2012

BLUES AT MIDNIGHT

My first buy of the season was this Navy Blue Lace Peplum Top from Topshop.  I think of this colour as Midnight Blue and it's a good alternative to black.  The peplum was an important new feature in the Spring/Summer collections but seems to have become even more popular this Autumn.  Lace, always a favourite of mine, fits the opulent mood of the season.


A peplum top needs to be teamed with a very slim piece, either a pencil skirt or skinny trousers.  These Blue-Black Denim Jeggings from Calzedonia team perfectly with the top, both in colour and shape.  They have a waistband with belt loops and jeans-style pocket details at front and back.



I will keep accessories simple - just a little pair of earrings with a touch of the baroque about them and slim dark court shoes or boots.


Today is the 87th birthday of B. B. King, the legendary vocalist and guitarist, often called the King of the Blues.  You can hear him singing "Blues at Midnight", a track from his vintage album, "Mr Blues" on YouTube. (www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSOud8cxzaM).

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Friday 7 September 2012

VOGUE FASHION NIGHT OUT

Last night was Vogue Fashion Night out in Paris, London and New York.  Here in London, the shops and streets in the West End and Knightsbridge were busy with shoppers and fashionistas. Fashion shops held both public and private events and there was excitement in the air.  I celebrated the evening at Christian Louboutin's shop in Mount Street, Mayfair.


Against a background of beautiful Louboutins - I was captured by a pair of high-heeled gold strass shoes - I sipped a Martini cocktail, had my fortune told and my arm tattooed with Christian Louboutin's signature, picked out with little Swarovski crystals. It was a great party and a vibrant evening everywhere in the fashion world.