Sophie Gass Nail Boutique

This is not just any nail salon (yes, I heard that in an M&S voiceover too!) Sophie Gass is a concept fashion, flowers and nail boutique in the heart of Holland Park.  Launching in 2012, ex-banker Sophie not only offers luxurious, yet reasonably priced, nail treatments, but also one-off, affordable fashion pieces and accessories alongside beautiful flower arrangements and an array of other gifts;  a one stop ‘spoil-me’ shop!  Errrm, a place to relax, pamper and shop? HOW was this wondrous haven not already on my speed dial?! 

I was kindly invited to by Sophie (above right) for a Shellac Manicure, a popular gel polish that lasts for up to three weeks and dries almost instantly.  After finally deciding on Wild Fire Red (the amount of time I spend choosing my nail colour, you'd think actual lives were at stake... "Do I cut (choose) the red wire (polish) or the blue?!"   The nail treatments themselves, starting at an ultra reasonable £16.00, feel utterly indulgent and the antithesis of the now commonly seen New-York style London nail bar experiences! Sophie Gass is both chic and calm (think NEOM candles, ipads on your cream leather pedi-chairs and tea served in cups that look like works of art!) and a week later (above, with my rescue kittens Harry and Lloyd!) my nails look just as glossy and vibrant - Thank you Sophie!

The exclusive range of clothes, affordable accessories and sparkling jewellery are all designed by Sophie herself and are available from as little as £15.00. There is very little chance of walking out of the door without a small treat for yourself or a girlfriend, andSophie Gass gift cards are, unsurprisingly, incredibly popular. The items designed for children are both creative and beyond adorable – especially the little animal hats above!

A definite new TLC favourite, Sophie Gass can be found at 4 Ladbroke Grove, W11.

Alexa Chung for Eyeko

Alexa Chung has joined up with British beauty brand Eyeko to create a capsule collection of eye make up.  Alexa has always felt naked without her 1960’s cat-eye liquid eyeliner flick, something she has become synonymous with, admitting ”it's my comfort blanket."  Having had an Eyeko eyeliner used on her by a make-up artist on a recent shoot she decided to meet with the brand’s directors, “I just felt the whole company seemed fun and it got my creative juices flowing… it became quite an organic collaboration.”  

Alexa’s Eyeko collection will sport her name, her own artwork and have kooky names (such as the ‘eye do’ liquid liner) that she has chosen.  The set will cost £35.00 and will be exclusively launched at Selfridges Oxford Street on November 14th where she will be meeting and greeting her fans eager to also have the most fash-lashes in town. 

Jennifer Lawrence for AW'13 Dior

I think Jennifer Lawrence’s latest A/W'13 Dior adverts, Captured by Willy Vanderperre, showing the Oscar-winning actress fresh faced wearing minimal make-up, are breathtaking.  Her porcelain skin and piercing blue eyes take centre stage in the campaign which features a grey cashmere coat and several of the latest covertable Diorbags.  GREAT eyebrows J-Law! 

Alber Elbaz for Lancôme

Alber Elbaz, creative director of Lanvin, has collaborated with Lancôme on his first make-up collection – and the results are predictably gorgeous! The super glamorous, limited edition capsule collection, entitled Lancôme Hypnôse, is covered in fun illustrations and divided into four main themes; Définicilis, Doll, Star and Drama. Available in shops this week, from £18.50, I have my eyes (literally) on the mascaras… all of them!
 
Youcef S. Nabi, Lancôme president, said in a statement that Alber's "sense of luxury, his vision of femininity and that hint of audacity resonate perfectly with the new values of the Maison Lancôme. We are extremely proud and happy that, with us, he is set to channel his universe into the world of make-up for the very first time."

Massato London

This week I had an amazing blow-dry at the recently opened Massato London hair salon in South Kensington (54 Fulham Road, SW3).  Massato, a renowned Japanese hairdresser who has tousled the golden locks of Kate Moss and created styles which have adorned the covers of Vogue, already has three popular salons in Paris and two in Asia.  The London salon is bright, white, minimalist and modern with reclining chair beds for you to oh-so-comfortably have your hair washed and head blissfully massaged.  Whist sipping on champagne and being spoiled with sushi and sweets, my hair was treated with delicious smelling Massato ‘Bien Etre De Vos Cheveux’ products (available in store) and given some much appreciated va va voom volume and shine.  
Merci, ありがとう, Thank you!

Massato London is open Monday - Saturday (9am-7pm)
(Blow-dry from £55.00)

Prancercising

Need a new exercise regime ahead of the summer? Look no further... Prancercising!  Described by its 61 year old creator Joanna Rohrback, in uncomfortably tight white leggings, as "a springy, rhythmic way of moving forward, similar to a horse's gait," prancercising has become an internet sensation.  The workout includes trotting ("it's really hot!") galloping ("we are gonna really cut the noose and let it loose!") and shadowboxing ("it's better to be punching into space than in your face!")  If horsing about along a path is neigh your thing, watching this video will at least have you in stitches.

MAC Cosmetics Archie's Girls Makeup Collection

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Growing up, Archie Comics were to me then what Vogue is to me now;  Betty andVeronica were my Cara and Alexa.  You can imagine therefore, just HOW excited I was to see the new MAC Cosmetics collaboration with my much loved American comic books. 
With palates of bubblegum pinks and corals for the girly-girl Betty’s out there, and vampy, spoiling hues of berry red and scarlet for the Veronica’s out there, this make up range is adorable.  Want Want Want!!! (Yes… clearly I am a Veronica.

Individual items and sets are available from MAC Cosmetics.  RRP. £11.00 - £39.50

Trend: Canary Yellow

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Here comes the sun... Ok, kindof!   We all knew Canary Yellow was going to be a big and bright SS’13 fashion trend after DKNY tickled us with their NYC Cab hues and then more delicate tones soon followed in the Zac Posen, Jenny Packham and Carolina Herrera spring runways.  On last week’s freezing, snowy EE BAFTA's red carpet, Marion Cotillard (in Christian Dior) and Rising Star nominee Andrea Riseborough (in Vivienne Westwood) bravely led the way, both looking stunning in their LYD (Long Yellow Dresses!)   
Lemon, Canary, Mustard… Get ready for the highstreet to flood with an array of glorious sunshine shades – just add some simple jewellery and pouty red lips... 

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Above:  To emulate the feathery Bridget Bardot or Girl-Of-The-Moment Lena Dunham (at this month's Grammy Awards):  Rag & Bone Knitted Ribbed Dress - RRP. £195.00, Nars Nail Polish in Amchoor (designed by Thankoon Panichgul of Thankoon) - RRP. £14.50, Whistles Structured Tee - RRP. £75.00, Topshop Mustard Brocade Cutout Dress - RRP. £59.00.

Valentines Day Gift Guide 2013

Above (Clockwise) L-R:  Topshop Iris Print Dress - RRP. £42.00, Rosie for Autograph Rose Bra and Brazilian Knickers - RRP. £22.50 & £12.50,  REN Moroccan Rose Bath Oil at ASOS - RRP. £30.00,  Fabulous Frocks at Waterstones - RRP. £14.99 £13.49, Miu Miu Sunglasses - RRP. £225.00,  Harvey Nichols Valentines Hamper - RRP. £70.00

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Kate's Retro Waves

This week Kate Middleton (above) showed off her new darker, voluminous hairdo, complete with sweeping fringe.  Whilst opening the Natural History Museum’s new Treasure exhibition, the Duchess of Cambridge told complimentary onlookers, “I’m not sure about it.”  The haircut does look a little dated and a little Farrah Fawcett-like, but this is almost certainly emphasised by the high cut of her retro emerald green Mulberry ‘Cabbage’ dress.  Kate could in the future look to another well-known British brunette for hairspiration:  Cheryl Cole.  Popstar/Presenter Cheryl Cole (below) always manages to keep her enviably thick chestnut locks and feathered fringe looking modern, glossy and tamed.  I am sure however, whatever the Duchess may feel about her new wispy bangs, there will be thousands of women currently rushing to their hairdressers and asking for ‘The Kate!’