Top of the Shops

I know I promised not to look too much at Autumn Winter Collections this early on but I couldnt resist posting these new pics of the Topshop Autumn/Winter collection. I also am suffering with a fairly bad hangover this morning which is not so good on a Monday, so it's best I give you less waffle and more juicy pics of these tempting Topshop delights. They havent given prices for these pieces as yet so take a look and start your wishlists now!

Gorgeous! Better start saving for my new Autumn wardrobe now.

Yoga return.

After discovering Pilates a few weeks ago I have really been getting into it. I love the challenge and the more active excercises that are set for us and have already begun to see a few changes and definitely my abs are getting tighter.

However in this new Pilates lust I must admit I had left Yoga behind a little and had started to choose the pilates sessions instead. After a particularly stressed out Monday at work I needed the endorphins that a workout would give me but I also needed to centre myself and block out the world if even just for an hour. Yoga was calling me back to it's rejuvenating powers.

I went to a new Yoga class and luckily it was only half full so I had lots of space to move and be focused. I must admit it was probably the most enjoyable yoga class I have ever been to. So much so that I found myself feeling guilty for having left it behind for a while. Jennifer Anniston is a huge fan and practices all the time, she has said that she gets herself in a bad mood if she misses a practice. So if it's ggod enough for Jen it's good enough for me too.

Lizard pose

We started with some really good breathing and centering excercises and then moved through some new challenging poses that I havent tried before. This Lizard pose will become a new favourite. It feels amazing across the thighs and hips giving a really good stretch.

Balancing star pose

Dancer pose

Next we moved on to some balancing poses. It has taken me a while to get some of these right. It is all about bringing your focus inwards and picking a fixed spot to gaze upon while moving into the pose.

The best thing about Monday night's class is that I discovered I am finally on my way to a perfect Chaturanga. I always found this impossible and would have to bring my knees to the florr first or would find myself dropping down too quickly before moving into upward dog. However it seems that all my painful plank practice in Pilates has started to improve my upper arm strength and I was quite surprised at how much easier I found the Chaturanga.

All in all I have come to realise that I need to find equal placing of my Yoga and Pilates practice in order to feel happy. So that will be my new aim in the next few weeks.......

Classy Waxing!

Yay it's holiday season and bikinis are being donned after hiding in the drawer all year. As exciting as that prospect is it also comes with the fear of having to get "down there" sorted out. Yes thats right the old waxing ritual starts again.

Now if you're lazy like me you will only be doing this before the annual holiday or if I happen to be going through a rare active dating streak. So you can imagine it's been a while. It's never an enjoyable experience, the humiliation of having you nether regions exposed (second only to the equally humiliating visit to the gynacologist) and then there is the pain, the redness and the dreaded feeling knowing you will have to go back again before the next beach outing.

This time I thought I would do some research before I made my appointment and read some reviews. I learnt a lot in my evaluation and found out where not to go (I wont list these places unless I have tested them out myself).

Then I came across Urban Wax online. It got great reviews and they have a fantastic website with all you need to know before you bare all!! www.urbanwax.com
They even have a page with advice for Brazilian virgins, what will happen, advice and tell you not to be embarrassed!

What surprised me was the choice of bikini waxes that they do. Gone are the days of the choice of three bikini, californian and brazilian.

Urban Wax do nine types of bikini waxing. Aswell as their Classic, Hollywood and Brazillian they also do the Urban "Ohh Natural" (natural on top  bare underneath), Extended bikini,  the Express (between an extended bikini and a brazillian, the Cheeky bum (you can use your imagination), Urban Mama (pregnancy brazillian) and finally the Urban outrageous ( Hollywood and crystals).

Phew too much to choose from and handy to know they can attend to your needs whatever the waxing emergency! Not only that but they use a range of amzing Australian waxes from Caron. These include a Brilliance was made with coconut, Deluxe strawberry cream wax and a Romance wax with rose essence. Yum they sound delish!

In the end I opted for  the Express just in case so that I can wear my skimpier bikinis on hols. The girls were great, really made me feel at ease. The wax was at the perfect temperature (unlike other scary experiences I've had!) and I have to say it was the least painful waxing experience so far. Even without the use of their "No Scream Cream" which anethsetises the area before waxing. Clever idea eh!

So now im hair free and happy again and ready for the beach! Thanks Urban Wax!

Are you scared of bikini waxes?

Can you recommend anywhere for a great wax?

Any Brazillian virgins out there?

Tilda Tilda Tilda

Ah Tilda just when we thought you couldnt get any weirder. I dont mean to mean and I completely respect her as an actress, in fact she is pretty amazing at it but when it comes to fashion she loses the plot.

Ok well we can't blame her specifically for these horrendous numbers, that is actually thanks to the "fantastic stylists" at W magazine (August 2011). I get that they are trying to be arty and push the boundaries but this is the stuff of nightmares.

Tilda is not innocent in it all though and she has made plenty of clangers in the past to notch herself up to my number one on my worst dressed celebrity list. Let's see a few examples.

2008 Bafta awards

Oscars 2009

Gos bless her. Maybe she doesnt have any mirrors at her house or has the worst stylist in the universe or maybe because she earns millions for movies like "The Chronicles of Narnia", "Burn After Reading" and "Benjamin Button" she probably doesnt give a c**p.

Just to rub it in she has had to endure love scenes with Brad Pitt, Leonardo Di Caprio and hot Italian actor Flavio Parenti so it looks like she gets the last laugh......

Well just so I'm not all mean here is a last shot of Tilda looking positivly elegant.....

So who is your number one worst dressed celebrity?

Do you think Tilda can claw her way back up the fashion ladder?

McQueen Day Dream

On waking up to this amazing photograph of Kate Middleton and Prince William, I should have guessed whose design this dress was. It could only be Alexander Mcqueen. I fell in love immediately, epecially because of the colour this soft shade of lilac/silver is really complimentary on Kate and the silk chiffon fabric flows exquisitly as she walks.

I have always been a huge fan of Alexander Mcqueen. He was known for his creative and theatrical talents and was definitely my favourtite Brittish designer of all time. He emphasis on extravagance and luxury were his trademarks and I can only blame him for my obsession with wanting a skull scarf in 2008. It was a shock to the fashion world when he died in 2010 at the age of forty. He has been an inspiration to many people and certainly to me.

One would worry if Sarah Burton ( Mcqueen's former assistant) would be up for the job when she took over as Creative director following his death. However she has impressed us all with her talent, by following the creativeness and beauty of Mcqueen's designs but also adding her own flair.

This is only one of many Mcqueen dresses that have caught my eye this year and although they are completely out of my price range its eye candy that I cant resist.

This amazing McQueen silk printed dress as worn by Mila Kunis at the SAG 2011 awards is gorgeus, really daring and completely sexy.

                                    

I adore this Mcqueen gown. The satin fabric is a fantastic contrast with the Roman inspired sequined bodice and was cleverly chosen and worn by Anna Paquin at the 2011 Emmy Awards.

Sarah has gone above and beyond what was expected of her and you can see the respect and dedication she had to Alexander in the work and diligence she spends on her designs.

This has to be my ultimate favourite from Spring/Summer 2011, it reminds me of a former obsession I had with this ruffle dress Sarah Jessica Parker wore in Sex in the city. But it's even more beautiful.

I will leave now to dream about silk and ruffles and feathers and corsets and of course will be back to drool over the Mcqueen Autumn/Winter collection very soon.

Do you dream of Mcqueen?

Who is your favourite Brittish Fashion designer?

Oooooh Missy!

I know I know it's really early to be thinking about Autumn/Winter collections yet but with all the high street brands previewing new stock it's hard to resist a sneaky peek. Don't worry I haven't given up on the Summer yet but with the sales in full blast I sometimes loose my patience rifling through the sale rails and find myself magnetically pulled towards the gorgeous new stock.

Miss Selfridge has lots of cute new must haves for the new season but can definitely be worn now. I was very impressed with their city shorts, bandeau dresses and blouses and have picked a few of my fav's for you.

Zig Zag Bandeau Midi dress €50

I love the colours in this, mustards and terracottas are going to be big this Autumn but will be great to wear now that we still have a bit of tan too, plus the print with a nod to Mizzoni is gorgeous.

Red Playsuit €39

This is such a comfy playsuit, not too skimpy and hides the old not so tight tummy. And since this colour will be big come Autumn/Winter you can wear with bare legs and wedges now and then black opaque and boots in October. Yay!

Animal print skirt €28

This is a fantastic price and I know animal print can be a bit scary (visions of Bet Lynch) but if you just pick one piece and then play it down then it can be very easily worn. I would wear this with a black tank top, some chunky bangles and these bootie beauties:

Bridle calf lace up boot. €66

My final find is this gorgeous cross body bag. I am completely addicted to this style, it's so much easier as a day bag when you are out walking etc, leaving both hands free to shop. Win Win!

Contrast Trim X body bag €28

All these items can be found online. www.missselfridge.com. So have a little sneaky peak and let me know if you spot any more goodies?

Will you dare to slip into some animal print?

Have you started to look towards Autumn Collections yet?

Bon Bon marttini

I love vodka martinis, and this above all others is my favourite cocktail. I first discovered it in a cocktail bar in Dublin and completely fell in love. I was so delighted to find the recipe on the Absolut website. www.absolutdrinks.com.

Its gorgeous and tastes exactly like those Lemon sherbert bon bon sweets we used to have as kids. Here is the recipe for all you swet toothed martini lovers out there. Perfect for sipping when the sun goes down!

Ingredients:
4 parts Absolut Vanilia
2 parts lemon juice
2 parts Limoncello
1 part Butterscotch Schnapps
1 splash Vanilla Syrup

Add al ingredients to an ice cube filled cocktail shaker. Shake and pour into a chilled martini glass.

Enjoy!