New Year, New Me?

Making New Years resolutions is a tedious business with most of us using the same resolutions we have said for the past decade or so, namely - go to the gym more, give up smoking, stop biting my nails and so on and so forth. I prefer to be a bit more productive with mine. Yes the whole 'New Year, New Me' cliche is exactly that - a cliche, something about a New Year does make me feel excited and refreshed for the year ahead and therefore I can't help but resolve to make certain changes.

Whilst I try to avoid the aforementioned regular lines, I am only human and a desire to work out more and eat healthily are of course top of my list. With regards to the rest however, I've chosen to make changes that I will actually stick to an does that are both easy and fun. 

1) Look after my skin more. As I've got older I've realised that you can't trust the cosmetics industry at all.  I mean yes Creme De La Mere is better than Nivea but when it really comes down to it how many of us really know what we are putting on our skin. If you go to any company they are going to tell you why their product is better than their competitors because that is what they are paid to do. Going to a dermalogatist will be more beneficial in the long run as you can not only determine what products you should be using but also what kind of treatments you should be getting. 

2) Learn how to do make up. An extension of number 1 sure but not many of us realise that the make up we are using is totally wrong for us. I've always thought my make up bag was a pretty good mix, it's only now however that I realise that each counter I have visited are completely bias and, when all is said and done, the staff are only there to sell me a product. I also tend to go for products that beauty  editors have recommended, despite the fact that my entire dissertation was on the fact that these reviews are paid for.  Instead I vow to stick to beauty blogs and personal recommendations as that's the only way we, as consumers, will get an honest product review.

3) Live Healthily. If I'm honest I have always been prone to fad dieting - The Maple Syrup Cleanse, 5:2, No Carbs, if it's a fad then I have tried it. This past year , however, has seen me introduced to different superfoods and I've realised that instead of dieting it honestly just is better to change a lifestyle and eat a balanced diet (I sound like an oldie don't I).

So there we have it. My intentions for the upcoming year, I'd like to say I'll regularly update with my progress but we all know that I can get easily sidetracked and distracted with my work and probably only post sporadically....hmm maybe there is another resolution in that...

Christmas Gift Ideas: Day 21

A bathrobe is something that is easy to get wrong - we've all seen the cheap fleece versions from Primark and the like. For something more luxurious, try The White Company, with prices starting from £50 and matching his and hers sets as well as beautifully minimalistic gift wrapping, it's a present you can't go wrong with.

Look of the Week: Anne Hathaway

With the premieres of both Les Mis and On The Road this week, the red carpet outfits from the films leading ladies have had my fashion tongue wagging. Picking just one look to publish was hard but in the end Nina Ricci reigned supreme with this gorgeous gold embellished dress as worn by the gorgeous Anne Hathaway who was supporting co star Hugh Jackman at the Museum of Moving Image.

Teamed with simple Stella McCartney strappy sandals and soft makeup softened Anne's appearance in wake of her new haircut (in aid of her role) and was in stark contrast to her vampish look the night before.

Look of the Week: Amber Valletta

Former supermodel Amber Valletta is going from strength to strength this week. Not only has she appeared back on our screens on Revenge and been named the face of H&M's 2014 Concious Collection, but the star has also featured on many of this weeks best dressed lists after attending The Hollywood Reporters 22nd Annual Women in Entertainment Breakfast. 

The star wore a stunning Jason Wu top and skirt. Keeping her monochrome look simple with slick back hair and red lipstick she finished the look with some patent black shoe boots and a box clutch.

H&M find another concious Super!

Despite them being the second largest retailer in the world, fast fashion isn't always the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the name H&M. Ahead of this you are likely to think designer collaboration, celebrity ad campaigns and -more recently - sustainable fashion. 

The brand have made no secret of their desire to see all of their clothes be made from recycled and Eco friendly fabrics in the near future. They recently launched an initiative whereby shoppers can exchange a bag of old clothes for a £5 voucher and also had Vanessa Paradis launch their 'Concious Collection' - a range made entirely from materials such as organic cotton and tencel - before launching their 'Concious Exclusive Collection' with a similar selling point but with a slightly higher price point and much better, higher fashion pieces. 

Now it seems the retailer have no intention of slowing down their plans an have now tapped supermodel and actress Amber Valletta to front the latest collection. The model stated she is 'honored' to face both collections and that 'it's wonderful to represent a company that matches my values and it's exciting to be able to collaborate in this way'.

The collection will launch in certain stores on April 10th 2014 and whilst the looks are still under wraps, you can view some behind the scenes footage on YouTube now.

If you can't eat it, wear it

 

Last week rap legend Jay Z announced via his website that he was embarkingon a 22 day vegan challenge, citinghis reason as a 'spiritual and physical cleanse', with a rather interesting footnote of 'P.S. B is joining me'. We know from past experience that Queen Bey is partial to a cleanse (shemade the Maple Syrup diet' massive after using it to lose weight before shooting Dreamgirls) but after recent wardrobe choices it might seem that this is one she isn't crazy about.

At first the singer seemed to have a sense of humour about this latest endeavor when she was seen out wear a pizza motif outfit, complete with pepperoni adorned pants, funny right? Over the last few days, however, instead of the initial praise from the vegan community she seems to have angered them and has even been labelled a hypocrite after not only stepping out in a Christopher Kane fox fur coat but then attending lunch at a vegan restaurant wearing a Givenchy cow hide sweater and leather trousers. We can't help but wondering if she has recently hired Lady Gaga's stylist?
 

Christmas Gift Ideas: Day Nine

I love a good novelty phone case. Gone are the days when we all had different phones, ranging from Nokia's to Samsung and Motorola to Siemans. Today pretty much the majority of us have an iPhone. A good phone case is therefore ideal to distinguish your phone from a coffee table full of iPhones on Christmas Day.

Normally, I favour Marc Jacobs for my iPhone accessories (Miss Marc and Shorty are my favourites) but the new Moschino range are too irresistible to miss out on. This Violetta rabbit case is the best of the lot. Priced at £45 you can buy it now on Net-a-Porter. 

Look of the Week: Naomie Harris

Whilst the 'Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom' London was a bittersweet affair this week (it showed the same day the former South African president passed away). Despite this, Naomie Harris - who stars as Winnie Mandela in the biopic - still managed to wow crowds in this strapless black Alexander McQueen gown. 

The simplistic nature of the dress was accented perfectly by the embellished peplum which negated the need for accessories and allowed the actress to keep her make up minimum without running the risk of looking too plain. 

Christmas Gift Ideas: Day Eight

I've mentioned briefly before my preference for a Sunday night spent pampering before the harsh realities of a Monday morning rear their ugly heads. This next suggestion will therefore appeal to many girls like myself who reserve that one night for some 'me' time. 

Of course, Jo Malone candles would be ideal however, I myself would begrudge burning it and find them too decorative to actually use. White Company candles offer the perfect alternative. Slightly cheaper ( prices start from £18 ) than Jo Malone but by no means less fragrant. My favourite by far is Seychelles, featuring notes of Orange, Amber, Vanilla an Almond it is the perfect scent to get you in the mood for summer after a chaotic festive period. 

Christmas Gift Ideas: Day Seven

Today's gift idea comes in the form of some of the cutest jewelley out there at the moment. Whilst we have all become accustomed to wearing bulky statement jewellery over the last few years, Estella Bartlett offers us a range more simple accessories which, whilst aren't as in your face as the costume pieces currently available in droves on the high street, is just as attention grabbing but are also personal to each wearer due to the simple statement noted on the packaging, such as 'you me ou I' or 'shine bright like a diamond'. Prices start from just £15 and you can be sure that any girl you buy for will love the thoughtfulness of such a simple gift. 

Visit www.estellabartlett.co.uk to order yours in time for Christmas. 

Christmas Gift Idea's: Day Six

You should never underestimate the importance of a good diary and there is nothing in your life that is more handy than having the right one.  I don't understand people who use their phones for everything, I mean, yes an iPhone calender is a good tool for noting shifts and so on, but what happens when your battery dies?  Anyway, I digress. When it comes to diaries no one does them better than Smythson.  Yes they are a little on the pricey side, but for me, something as personal as a Smythson diary shows how much thought has been put into a gift, and with matching notebooks and pens, they are any career girls ideal present. My favourite is the aptly named Fashion Diary in Fuschia.

Christmas Gift Idea's: Day Five

Something every girls needs for Christmas that she will undoubtedly get from one of the men in her life is perfume, so if your said man, please make sure you choose the right one.  Si is the latest fragrance from Giorgio Armani, 'my tribute to modern femininity, an irresistible combination of grace, strength and independent spirit' according to the man himself.  I won't pretend to be a perfume expert, but this scent is the perfect balance between sweet and musky and more importantly - it lasts all day.

Steal her Style: Poppy Delevingne

She may not be the biggest headlining Delevingne, but it would serve us all well to remember that Cara's big sis Poppy has actually been on the scene a lot longer than the Burberry model and, let's face it, she is just as stylish than her younger counterpart.

Whilst Cara's style screams attention seeker just like her behaviour, Poppy has somewhat of a more casual yet sophisticated style something that she proved perfectly when stepping out earlier this week in this blazer, courtesy of H&M.  What's that you ask?  A model and socialite of this calibre in a high street brand?  Why yes my lovelies, even the wealthy fashionista loves a bargain, but then again at £34.99 who wouldn't?

Christmas Gift Ideas: Day Four

For me, I love nothing more than a Sunday night. Bubble bath, face mask and a fresh coat of nail varnish to see me through the week. As any girl knows - the best nail varnish comes in the form of a Chanel limited edition. Every year the brand release a number of exclusive colours, and this year they came in the form of these two Nuit Magique colours. 

The two colours emulate what most of us look for in winter colours. The blue 'magic' represents the sky as we see more of it in the winter months and 'Cosmic' is an expanse of the ever popular black we all know and love, this time featuring accents of blue and silver. What's not to love?

Here comes the bride, again

 

Whilst most of us are agonising over what to wear at our Christmas party and shopping for a new frock for fear of our colleagues recognising our outfit, there is one Hollywood star who doesn't seem to share our woes - Keira Knightly. The Pirates of the Caribbean actress has stepped out yet again wearing her favourite Chanel gown, the same one that she wore to her wedding earlier this year and to a pre BAFTA bash way before that in 2008.  Well, as they say 'If it aint broke why fix it'.

Christmas Gift Ideas: Day Three

I'll admit, despite their having been around for two years now, I've still not yet bought into the onesie hype. The main reason had, I think, lied with the notoriety the garment gained after Towie star Joey Essex revealed his love for them. If there ever is a time to wear a onesie, however, then Christmas is it. 

Every girl loves new pyjamas for Christmas and if you're going to spend your money, then why not spend it on something as festive as these? The Fairisle print onesie from Asos is £45.

Christmas Gift Ideas: Day Two

Let's face it, none of us exactly enjoy washing up but with this Ryan Gosling tea towel from prezzybox.com it might not be a task that all of us dread. The recycled tea towel, priced only at £9.95, features three images if the Hollywood Hunk, 'Classic Ryan', 'Hipster Ryan' and 'Charmer Ryan' and even features it's very own 'Hey Girl' sentence at the top. We'll be honest, I wouldn't want to ruin it by drying my dishes with his face but it certainly would look nice in the kitchen. 

Christmas Gift Ideas: Day One

December is a great month for everyone. Not only is the end of the month two log weeks of food, family and celebration but it is the one month of the year we can shop without feeling guilty. Everyday this month I'll be posting my favourite shopping treats and gift ideas. 

First up it this a novelty Gingerbread Man jumper from Topshop. Everyone loves a Christmas jumper and this one is quite possibly the best I have ever seen. Retailing at £42 it's more than you might usually spend on a jumper you can only wear one month a year, but when a jumper is this good, how can you resist?