The Art of the Ankle

For me the ankle has always been one of my favourite body parts to decorate not just with jewellery, but with beautiful shoes as well. There are so many ways to customize our own look these days and emphasizing certain attributes only adds to the fun of dressing up as a feminine, fashion-conscious woman. 

When shopping for stilettos I tend to try and look for the whole package: a steady platform that is pretty comfortable to walk in, a quirky design or embellishment, and an ankle strap wherever possible. Stilettos can be your best friend if you choose a pair that has decent ankle support. After all, the last thing anybody wants is a strain after only a couple of hours walking around in that new pair of shoes! Chiropody foam also works wonders for providing additional comfort to arched feet.

Sometimes I like to customize my stiletto collection by adding a D.I.Y strap onto a pair that doesn't already have any. A simple how-to tutorial is all that is required if you have a favourite pair of heels that needs some extra support.

Making a bold footwear statement has always been one of the most appealing things about fashion, and I love nothing more than eyeing up new lines on the likes of Shoespie, Dr. Martens and ASOS. Flats are equally as 'out there' as heels though, which is why I spend a lot of my time wearing boots, pumps and smart shoes in addition to stilettos.



Note: Images are not my own.

The Shoe Queen: SJP Launches Her Own Shoe Collection

Yes, you heard it here first. The lovely Sarah Jessica Parker is finally launching what Sex and the City fans have been wanting since the show first became popular in the 90's... a fashionable range of shoes designed by Carrie Bradshaw herself! ;)  I have always been a huge S.A.T.C fan along with my two sisters who I cannot wait to enlighten with the exciting news.

SJP is a celebrity who is synonymous for her passion for expensive shoes, in particular, anything Manolo Blahnik. So it was only a matter of time before she would be teaming up with this luxury footwear brand to create a spectacular new collection.

Sarah quoted in a recent Daily Mail article that "there's nothing sexy about not being able to walk." A statement I and I'm sure many other ladies can appreciate. This is why she wanted her range to be stylish but wearable. Sex and the City fans along with serial fashion lovers can look forward to seeing pumps, flats, booties and t-straps in a collection that promises to be timeless.

The exclusive 'SJP Collection' will debut on February 28th and will be sold in Nordstrom stores all across the U.S. as well as online. (Good news for those who don't live in America!) I for one cannot wait to scour the net to see her first shoe line for myself.

Autumn Treats

Hey Bloggers!

I hope you're all enjoying the festive autumn period so far, even if it is absolutely freezing!! But as I've always said, autumn really is the BEST season for fashion, chocolates, decor and well, just about everything else in the lifestyle sector.

Here are a few of the things I have been loving at the moment for Autumn...

Donut Buns! The rose hair accessory I picked up in a charity shop ;)

Mint Chocolates! These are a rather large box of Thorntons bought by my beloved for me on our anniversary :)

Magazine Freebies - As you can see, Elle magazine had some Benefit lip glosses on offer which I just had to have!

Experimenting with Autumnal make-up looks. Smokey eye with a red liner gives a modern update to the more traditional smokey eye look.

Costa's cute Christmas take-out cups! :) There are 4 designs in total to try.

Fingerless Mittens are great for keeping hands warm and can be buttoned back when you need to scramble for your coffee/train money like I do! ;) These cross design mittens are from Primark and are a winter bargain.

Berry coloured accessories are an Autumn must-have. I've always wanted a pair of M&S 'Autograph' shoes and managed to pick these up for about a quarter of the price they would have originally costed, yay! ;)

Starbucks Red take-out coffee cups are iconic and pleasing to the eye! :)

Melon coloured statement lips. I'm loving this lippy shade at the moment as I tend to wear a lot of black clothing, so it mixes things up with a nice pop of colour. :)

What things have you been treating yourselves to this Autumn?

Note: All images are taken by myself (Dawn)

Best Beauty Products for Summer!

Hey Bloggers,

I hope you're all enjoying a wonderful summer so far? For those who have been lucky enough to head out on vacation, summer is of course the best time to indulge in some quality holiday time. For those who haven't had a holiday, (including myself) well, there's always the winter break. ;) It is my birthday tomorrow though so I can pretend for one day I guess, haha!

Thinking about summer essentials then, what do you like to include in your daily beauty regime? Do you have one or two items that you simply can't leave the house without? When it comes to choosing the best beauty products for my own skin type, my skin is extremely fair so I have to be extra careful in the blazing heat.

I love nothing more than to allow my skin to breathe and although this can prove to be difficult when temperatures are unbearable, one of the most effective ways I do this is to NOT wear any foundation as foundation can sometimes feel a little clammy. Instead, I go for subtle beauty enhancements that are ideal for summer weather. 

Here's what beauty products I'm loving at the moment...

For Lips and Eyes

*

Sometimes, lipstick can feel too heavy during summer months so I like to still have a bright pop of colour on my lips, but the added gloss also works very well and catches in the light. :) These Maybelline glosses glide on beautifully and are incredibly addictive to buy in every colour!

For Coverage and Highlighting

*

YSL always package their beauty products in luxury packaging, so naturally the gold box was enough to sell 'Touche Eclat' to me, haha! ;) I've also used a Dior radiance booster product in the past, but after my sister recommended using YSL, I've never looked back! I'd say this concealer works better as a highlighter and I tend to combine both this and my Benefit concealer together for optimum coverage.

*

This Benefit concealer, although yes it's on the expensive side, it does deliver fantastic results. If you're looking for great quality coverage on dark circles and blemishes, this concealer has industrial strength meaning it is slightly stronger than regular concealers. Whenever my skin is looking red, I like to dab some of this product on and it gives my skin a boost straight away!

For Blush

I originally bought this product as an 'impulse buy' but it hasn't let me down since! You only need the tiniest amount and you can use this lightweight cream on cheeks, or wherever you need some instant radiance. I find it blends really well over the top of my Bourjois blush and gives me a dewy, rosy glow.

For Sun Protection

This sun cream is so convenient to just pop into your handbag, it absorbs really quickly AND it's the least greasy sun cream I've ever bought! Overall, definitely worth £5.50 in price. :)

Note: All images marked with * taken by Myself (Dawn)

Sofia Dourvari hits the Catwalk at London Fashion Week 2013

A Manchester based fashion designer has secured an exclusive catwalk show at London Fashion Week 2013 Off Schedule events.

Sofia Dourvari (the new brand name for Sofia Couture) will showcase her dazzling new womenswear lines for A/W ’13-14 on 15^th September 2013, previewing 15 pieces.

She will also be exhibiting at the event on both 14^th and 15^th September 2013, highlighting her brand new lines and a selection of principal pieces from previous collections.

The designer behind the luxury womenswear brand is Sofia Dourvari, age 30, originally from Athens, Greece. Many of the designs hark back to the designer’s Greek roots with inspiration taken from Greek architecture and flowing lines inspired by the sea and wind.

The Sofia Dourvari collection will consist of black and white leather ensembles, cocktail dresses and statement pieces all showcasing her signature elements: fishtails, ruffles and gathers, structured and elegant flowing dresses, low scoops, and geometric shapes.

Colour is a central theme to the show with graceful, feminine pieces including black, bright red, gold and silver garment details in luxurious fabrics, metallics, faux leather, duchess satin, taffeta, crystal organza and chiffon.

She officially launched the high-end, luxury range of women’s clothing back in 2011 and has already hosted and participated in several successful and acclaimed fashion shows.

Sofia says: “It is a fantastic honour for me to feature the Sofia Dourvari collection at London Fashion Week’s Off Schedule Shows. This is my first London show and I’m hoping to build on the success of my previous fashion shows in Manchester and Birmingham. They were all well-attended with many positive reviews from fashion bloggers, websites and wider regional and national press.”

She added: “Fashion and design have always been my passions and my philosophy is to create elegant feminine designs that are creative, unusual and suitable for a wide range of occasions, from parties, galas and events, to weddings and formal dinners and even for the office. I like to create timeless designs suitable for ladies of any age, in both classic, practical shapes, in either pencil or skater-style, as well as dramatic floor-length gowns.”

The up and coming designer has lived and worked in Manchester for ten years and she is looking to break into the vibrant UK fashion community. Sofia studied Fashion Design at Salford University then went on to complete a Masters in Textiles Technology at the University of Manchester. During her studies, she won the Best Designer Award in the International Student Festival (2007).

Sofia is keen to secure listings in retail outlets and online so is happy to receive enquiries from store owners, womenswear buyers and fashion websites.

All items are bespoke and Sofia Dourvari offers an alterations service on all garments, making them truly customised and unique to the wearer.

London Fashion Week ’13 Off Schedule shows will take place on 14^th and 15^th September at the Grand Connaught Rooms, 61-65 Great Queen Street, Covent Garden, WC2B 5DA.

The shows are organised by Fashion’s Finest, a platform for new and established designers to showcase their ranges.

For more details on the London Fashion Week 2013 Off Schedule shows and to purchase tickets visit:

http://fashionsfinest.com/events-tickets/fashion-week-shows

For more information on Sofia Dourvari, visit www.sofiadourvari.com or email Sofia directly on info@sofiadourvari.com.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SDourvari
Twitter: @Sofiadourvari

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Sofia Dourvari was previously known as Sofia Couture.

Fashions Finest offers a platform for all UK and international new and established designers and is renowned for discovering new talent and giving opportunities to those that would not normally be able to afford to participate at London Fashion Week.  The shows attract over 3000 press, buyers and fashionistas who want to see the new trends that are being developed by the designers that Fashions Finest features.

For press enquiries please contact:

PR Consultant: Francesca Gaffey
Email: press@sofiadourvari.com
Tel: 07506 549 071

Ear Candy!

Patriotic Novelty Earring assortment

Nude and Gold Rose Earrings with Diamontes

Stencil-effect Silver Heart Earrings

Genuine Sterling Silver Heart Earring set

Note: All images taken by Myself (Dawn)

Latest Fashion Buys!

Hey Bloggers!

I hope you've all had a great week and that you celebrated the first day of Summer (yesterday) in style. There's definitely hints to it being Summer what with the constant humid weather, coffee shops bringing out iced drinks and retailers stocking lots of different brightly coloured beachwear items! For me Summer is not my favourite season but it does have its advantages, such as; being able to get away with wearing less make-up, leaving the house without a jacket and generally feeling happier with the smile-inducing weather :) So whether you're off on your jollies soon or like me, looking to start a new career path, Summer is all about general merriment and enjoying all of those little pleasures in life.

Speaking of little pleasures, I had a little nose around a foreign food market that Preston had on earlier today which was nice as they don't come here very often. I sampled some of Italy's finest delicacies and they were out of this world! I also had a browse around Topshop where I spotted lots of yummy looking jewellery items in the sale - here's what I bought...

A Taste of Italian Culture - An Assortment of Cakes, Croissants and Biscuits that were rich in flavour and worth every penny ;)

...With a side of Caramel Costa Light ;)

Sales Finds: White Leather Bow Hair Accessory, Lime Fragrance Travel Wipes and Lilac-Glittery Ankle Socks.

Sale Finds: Floral Fabric Charm Bracelets, Metallic Skull Nail Ring, Metallic Studded Bangle and Gold Costume Cross Earrings.

Sale Finds: Earring and Ear Cuff Assortment, lots of cute little Mustache Earrings and 'D' Initial Earrings :)

Sale Find: Large Gold Cross Necklace.

My Favourite Purchase of today!

Obligatory Manicure Shot ;) Barry M 'Peach Melba' Nail Paint with Barry M 'Lychee' Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paint. Rimmel 'Rock Your Colour' Glitter Top Coat in 'Gold Disco' painted over fourth nail.

Neon and White Leopard Print Shoes I bought a few weeks ago in the H&M sales, worn with Jonathan Aston Lace Anklets.

Note: All images are taken by Myself (Dawn).

Pretty in Punk! Vogue Editorial

I've always had a strong love affair with fashion editorials. Whether I find them in Vogue, Elle, Tank or Pop, the excitement of buying my favourite fashion magazines each month brings a feeling of joy and reminds me just how versatile trends really are.

Even when I used to plan and co-ordinate styling photo shoots whilst I was studying at uni, it was always a pleasure to see the progression of how an initial idea develops into a finished promotional campaign - I suppose this is how creative teams feel when they are out on location shooting for the world's leading fashion magazines.

In that spirit, whilst flicking through the glossy pages of last month's Vogue, I stumbled across an extremely creative editorial with a strong emphasis on PUNK. So naturally, as Punk is one of my all time favourite sub-cultures especially in terms of styling, I have included the full editorial spread from the last issue on my blog... enjoy!

Note: All images courtesy of Vogue May 2013 Issue.

Fashionable Snapshots...

Note: All pictures taken by Myself (Dawn)