Her Long Term Relationship:

I can go on listing all my favourite Nuxe products for ages. Being the disgruntled owner of the penultimate complicated skin (dry-oily-acne-sensitive), I have tried everything under the sun. And while certain brands have boasted reasonable success, the love was never strong enough for me to be faithful, and off I would go again with another moisturizer that promised to treat me so well I could say goodbye to foundation. But as always, the long term was never as good as that first week of excitement. 


But relationships are hard work, right?


Then Nuxe came along. It fluttered into my life with all the usual promises of natural ingredients, lovely textures, and glowing results. Naturally, the first week of using the Crème Fraîche Concentrée de Beauté Suractivée (takes breath) was heaven. But months later, and I am still in love with this product. I never thought applying moisturizer could ever actually be an experience, more like a chore when I just want to go to bed at night. But I thoroughly enjoy the application of Crème Fraîche, with its delicate fragrance and dreamy texture. 


Best of all, it leaves my skin issues alone, and this is the closest I have ever had to truly nice skin. Though slightly steep at £27, its lasted for ages and was a lifesaver during last winter's cold. I still wear my foundation... but at least I can ditch it around my boyfriend at night. 


Now that I have passed yet another birthday where I turned 23, my next product to try will be the Crème Nirvanesque from their First Expression Lines range. I never looked forward to an anti-wrinkle cream so much!

Her Item of the Day:

Calling all lovers of glitter! (Not the movie...) These fab-u-lous sparkling brogues are a must. A MUST I tell you!

Venus Glitter Lace Up Brogues, £30, Topshop.com

I picked up a pair for London Fashion Week, and it was the best £30 I ever spent. They are super comfortable, cobble-friendly, and instantly dazzles up even the simplest outfit (like the day I had a cold and couldn't be bothered with anything beyond jeans and a cosy jumper).

So if you don't have one of these in your life (also available in silver), get thee to a Topshop.

Hair Story:

I have finicky hair. It gets frizzy, it refuses to listen to most hairsprays, and has a tendency to resemble the texture of a nest. A nest with greasy roots. Oh joy! So it's no surprise that the TIGI Catwalk and Label.m hairspray and dry shampoo are a godsend. 

Both hairsprays provide excellent hold while staying flexible and soft, and avoiding that rough, nesty feel. I'm a fan of the Batiste Dry Shampoo like any other non-morning person, but if you can spare a few extra quid these are well worth the buy. It leaves no residue and lifts the roots instantly. Win!

 TIGI Catwalk Hairspray and Dry Shampoo

 

 Label.m Hairspray, £10.95
Whoosh, Kate Middleton side part!

 

 Label.m Dry Shampoo, £10.50

Feeble attempt at product photography with iPhone.

Her (almost) Fail:

I vowed to post often. I really did. But... let's be honest, it hasn't come together that way. I can blame it on being busy, which I have been and is a good thing. However, I like to think I have more self-control. I will not be tempted by episodes of Mad Men and True Blood until a post has been created!

But alas... Eric Northman always wins.

However, a strange thing has happened. I am sitting in Starbucks, because the BF and I have taken the plunge and moved in together, but of course mercury has to be in retrograde and we haven't been able to get internet or Sky set up. So Starbucks has become my haunt for working when not at the Phoenix mag HQ. And here I sit with my work finished, waiting for (surprise) True Blood to load on megavideo so I can watch it over dinner, when I suddenly feel compelled to... blog. Its been weeks, even months, and yet the comforting low lighting and smooth sounds of jazz can only lead to one thing!

So, here I am, correcting my fail. Because, after winning Trivial Pursuit against my boyfriend for the first time last night, I have decided I'm not going to fail anymore. Or at the very least, I am not going to assume I'm going to fail. I'm going to sound like a self-help book and assume I'll win. Therefore, I assume I will blog more regularly! And because I assumed I will, I will! Easy right?

My pie all complete :D

Her French Lesson:

No, this isn't about a recent trip to Paris that I took. Just the AW11 French Connection press day. Which I assure you is more interesting, unless you want to hear about me sweating into my jumper as I did NOT know Paris can hit 25 degrees in early April.

Anyways, the new collection left me with plenty to be excited about. Many 70's trends are staying on (I didn't buy those flares for nothing, phew!) and I can't wear half the colours so it means I won't shop as much. However, I do love the look of 70's fashion, and there were plenty of drool worthy pieces at this press day:

Wear with only a bra under. Great for date night (well.... if you know you'll let him get to second base). 

I love this, but I'm worried it would be difficult to wear without the jacket. Back rolls.

Yes!

Fun knit shorts for those skinny enough to look good in it. 

Ah, something we can all wear :)

Zip up your wild side for day, unzip for night.

The essential NYE party shoe. I know it's only April, but a girl's gotta plan! 

This speaks to my personal taste.

Easy way to make a statement.

For the boyfriend, but I'd definitely steal it.

Difficult colour to wear. I will shoot envious glares at you if I see you on the street pulling this off. Don't be alarmed. 

A little autumn boho chic, love!

The key to looking instantly stylish.

Her House of Mystery:

Alright, I have a load of Autumn/Winter 2011 press days to catch up on.... let's start with the first I attended, and by far the most creative:

Anya Hindmarch.

Complete with vibrating tables, a peephole in a wardrobe, and a beautiful collection, the AH team truly went above and beyond the typical call of duty for a press day event. The premise was a house of mystery, and I swear I was nearly pulled into Narnia while peeking through the wardrobe.

Rocking horse featuring a clutch as a saddle.

Gorgeous burnt orange tote, hot colour for the AW11 season!

Love!

A bit random, this tiny skull was on a ladder, so I decided to be all arty and zoomed in. Blame it on the theatre school.

If I can't have a money tree, I'll gladly take this instead!

Sexy.

My personal fave. The photo doesn't do this gem justice. It was buttery soft and the black details are actually a snakeskin pattern. 

The piano played itself and had Hindmarch written on it. It was little details like this that added to the mysterious atmosphere and made me never want to leave. That, and the terrific catering. 

Why not?

The gyrating table. 

Her Music Night:

At a loss for something fun to do tonight? Fear not! Well, fear not if you're in London Town.... Head down to the Levi's Store on Regent Street and enjoy some tunes from Joy Formidable and Rox. And guess what? It's free!

RSVP on www.facbeook.com/levisuk

Levi’s® is hosting an exclusive music showcase of female fronted artists at their Flagship store on Friday evening (11th March). The line up includes soul sensation of the moment Rox and the uber cool Joy Formidable.

The female fronted gig ties in nicely with the expansion of the Levi’s® Curve ID collection. Levi’s® has introduced the Classic Curve to the Curve ID line, for women who prefer a slightly higher rise jean. The new Classic Curve line hits stores this week and has taken prime position within the origin space of the Flagship store.