Summer Dreaming

This is one of my favourite photos of last summer.  Our friends who live and work in Qatar rented this villa in Ibiza, worked out great as we happened to be over there at the same time as them and this is us hanging out, chilling at sunset.  Really nice as we hadn't seen them since their wedding in the UK the year before.  We'd been sitting around the pool since the early afternoon and sat there until about mid-night getting over our night at Space the previous evening (well earlier that morning ha ha).  It really wasn't a mad party at all that day, just a few drinks and lunch, very relaxing.  Makes me feel much better looking at it.

Earlier in the day

Sick.....

I can't tell you how many times I've been unwell this winter so far....I keep coming down with these colds and I have another one now that started today and has been getting worse as the day has gone on.  I think its a mixture of commuting into central London every day and also I find when I swim a lot I get colds.  I've been eating really healthily so not sure why my immune system is so low.  I think I will rest all weekend and cancel any plans so I can relax :-)

OPI

Everyone is raving about the Katy Perry OPI range....I haven't managed to get one of them yet but my beautician is keeping some back for me (fingers crossed).  I love nail vanishes and I'm starting to get quite a good little collection going.  Bright red is still my favourite colour to wear.

Last of the Sales

I think the sales pretty much end this week so grab your bargains whilst you still can.

I managed to grab a few last bits

2 jumpsuits from Warehouse, both originally £40 but I got them for £5 each!!

My favourite, this gorgeous black jacket from Warehouse, originally £70 but purchased for £30

Black dress from Warehouse, originally £60, purchased for £20

Red shoes from Dune, I can't remember how much they originally were, either £70 or £90, but got them for £45

We've recently had a spring clean of our wardrobe so lots of space again to fill :-)

Hats

I'm not a lover of hats - I think I have only ever worn one once (above) but have been surfing the web as I need to get one for my friend's engagement party in Brick Lane, which is hat themed in a couple of weeks.

I think I've narrowed it down to two options - either a turban (another trend for this spring/summer) or a 70's floppy hat - decisions, decisions.

Red Lips

Spring/Summer is all about nude lips but also bold red lips.

It's quite rare I wear lipstick, I usually use a light pink lip gloss but now and again I will go all out with the red lippy.  Like vibrant red nail vanish I think red always looks so classy, especially with a black dress and black eyeliner and mascara.  Obviously you can't go full on with the rest of your make up as it just won't work.

My good friend Annie and myself looking very red (and posey ha ha - my drunk face!)

MAC Wonder Woman - Spring Collection 2011

I stumbled across this new collection by MAC today.  Very funky!  I especially like the look of the nail vanishes.

Creative director of MAC, James Gager claims: “Wonder Woman is empowered to do the most magical, wonderful things to save the day" 

Man of the moment....

The second film I'm desperate to see, The King's Speech.

All my friend's are raving about this film and let's face it Colin Firth is gorgeous....

Healthy Dinner

Very proud we are still sticking to our healthy New Years Resolution, no takeaways now at all, crisps and chocolate are banned. Although I'm finding it hard to ditch my glass of white wine with my dinner.  Tonight I did roasted vegetables and chicken for us, so healthy and really filling, need to stick to this as I want to look great for Japan and LA and of course all the Ibiza parties this summer.

Paris Postcards

I was in Paris in December and picked up these lovely 3 postcards which I then framed and hung them at the end of the staircase.  We have so much wall space in our house as we live in a town house so we have three floors, so lots of space to fill.   We are trying to pick up things from different countries we visit as memorabilia, basically trying to make our house our home.  It takes time though, I want to get it right so in no rush.

Working Girl Wardrobe

1.  Tailored Scoop Neck Fit and Flare Dress

£45.00

2.  Tailored Short Sleeve Ponti Fit and Flare Dress

£45.00

3.  Tailored 2 in 1 Wrap Dress

                         £45.00 * My favourite

4.  Tailored 2 in 1 Wrap Dress

£45.00

5.  Tailored 2 in 1 Scoop Neck Dress

£45.00

All of the above are available now on ASOS and are great for your spring working wardrobe.  They are all very affordable, perfect because if you're anything like me I would much prefer to spend more on my non work clothes.

Good Advice for Work

Great career advice given today I thought I would share with you.   I found it really uplifting and nice to hear inspirational women talking openly.   Some highlights listed below.

1.  What goes around comes around - be nice to everyone you come across - you never know if they will pop up in your life ten years later...

2.  Never be afraid to ask questions, don't feel stupid in doing this.  You will find that the older you get the more willing you are to look stupid.  If you ask a question and still don't understand, chances are (a) the person explaining doesn't know or (b) they haven't explained the answer correctly.

3.  Best piece of advice: "If you can't laugh, then it's gone too far" - how true is this :-)

4.  Always tell the two sides of the story before going to someone for help or advice in a sticky situation - if you keep stuff back then this will cloud their vision of you and won't be willing to help you again.

5.  If you want something outside of your work, i.e. to go travelling then you can combine your career by having the strength to look at yourself and ask yourself what do I like?  You can mix the two and you can change things if you exert a bit of effort - especially whilst you're young as you tend to be more imaginative and positive and not so cynical.

6.  Just be yourself, be nice to people and don't play the political game, it will be noticed and it will come back and bite you.

7.  Network - it could be that your next move is in another department or organisation - important to be proactive.

Lots more, but you get the picture?

Relaxation

I'm getting into this routine of going swimming late at night, when the pool is empty at 10pm and I swim for one hour....honestly it's like meditation for me, I feel relaxed and I unwind.  Then all my thinking, planning and thoughts when I swim.

Now bed....night x

Golden Globe Awards

1. Lea Michele in Oscar de la Renta

2. Olivia Wilde in Marchesa

3. My favourite - Angelina Jolie in Versace

Does this woman ever get it wrong?  

Belle Fleur

So today I'm very happy!  A small thing I know but I finally was able to track down this range of candles.  I purchased one from Space NK about 2 years ago, they stopped selling them and I forgot the brand name. I've been trying to remember and couldn't so I went back today and explained everything I could remember to the assistant in there and she remembered.

I know it might seem strange to some people to get so over excited about a candle, but candles to me are like chocolate - they are my vice and addiction.  I won't even tell you how much I spend on candles a year.

So Belle Fleur - a New York based company who actually specialise in flowers and wedding events are my number one ever!  Each candle comes in the most gorgeous box with a set of matches, nice touch! The scent was so strong and filled my house.

Love it!!!!

http://www.bellefleurny.com