The Scoop On The IFTA's

So, the IFTA's were fun...they were very, very long. We were in our seats from 7pm till midnight for all of the technical awards as well as the big ones. Then there was a fantastic aftershow party where everyone let their hair down till the wee hours. It was so much fun celeb-spotting and I was on constant 'frock-watch' . Unfortunately, I didn't think there were that many stand out dresses, most people played it safe in black and there were a lot of short dresses as well as long.

Saoirse Ronan and Joely Richardson were my favourites as they looked so sophisticated and as I was a guest of MAC, I got the inside scoop on all the gossip from the makeup chairs, but I am far too professional to divulge, sorry! Suffice to say that the best of the MAC artists led by Lesley Keane looked after all the biggest stars including Kim Cattrall and the makeup was stunning as you would expect from this calibre of artist. MAC put so much time and energy into training their artists - it is one of the best programmes to be on for budding makeup artists as they are exposed to high pressure fashion weeks, shoots for print and are groomed in how to act in every professional situation. If I were starting over, I'd work for MAC!

So the pictures.... I only have one that is semi-clear as Lu had smeared her pawprints over my camera lens and the rest of the shots were impossible to see! So this is the only one...very soft focus!

Valentine

Happy Valentines Day you lovely people!

Remember to love someone only comes second to loving yourself. To truly love another we must think we, ourselves, are pretty damn special because WE ARE!

Cheesy as it sounds, look in the mirror at some stage today and tell yourself that you rock, it'll bring a smile to your face at least, if even just for the ridiculousness of it all!

And remember, love loves...the more you give, the more you get.

Check out these gorgeous e-valentines and spread 'em around!

Have a lovely day....

x

VB AW RTW 11

Hot off the runway, here is Victoria Beckham's Autumn/Winter Ready to Wear 2011 show (did you guess from the title?!) She showed earlier today in New York. I always look forward to her shows as I think her progression to proper designer may now just be complete.

This collection is quite different in that it shows a departure from her signature dresses and she uses different fabrics and even more patterns where she has previously been more simple. I do really like some of it though -some not, but it's still a vital, vibrant and relevant collection.

I'm very drawn to this layered look; it's accessible and flattering and the 70's style boots were a good theme throughout.

Perhaps it is because she is pregnant but there are much more loose fitting garments than her usual secret corset style, lettuce leaf only dresses!

I think this is a great 'work' dress and there's those boots again- in a great, great colour.

Love these khaki greens and the shirt/belt/across body bag are very nice indeed!

She's pulled another interesting show out of the bag, I will say that I don't love every single piece, but I would happily wear any of this selection any time.... should my miniscule clothes budget for 2011 miraculously increase. Failing that, I await the high street copies eagerly!

Street Chic

I like the pale coral top with her pale skin. Most people wouldn't, but they should. The deep berry lipstick is a perfect complement too. This girl got style...

(sorry, can't remember where I saw these pics first, will amend and credit when my brain returns)

Eyes or Lips?

Ok, I'm having a makeup dilemma and I need your help. I'm going to the IFTA's this Saturday as a guest of MAC and I'm wearing a full length, midnight blue dress with a round neck and long sleeves (very clingy - been drinking dandelion tea all week to help reduce any bloat!) But for some reason I'm drawing a blank on my makeup.... I'm a bit over the smoky eye right now. I could do a metallic blue or grey eye with a nude lip or I'm really drawn to the hot fuchsia lip and just decorating the eyes in pale champagne shades with some shimmer and black liner.
This Fuchsia Colorburst by Revlon is rocking my world now and it would look quite eye-catching I think. Help me lovely readers! Which do you think would look best, statement eyes or statement lips?

Springtime For Nails

I'm coming over all candy coloured this week. The Lavender tone from Lancome is so nice with blues and denims as well as bright reds. It's all part of the kaleidoscopic brights trend that is working it's way into our sartorial sensibilities.

I'm just crazy about this new Watermelon shade from Essie. Although I feel I won't be wearing it until the Summer actually arrives. I think the cool lavender is a bit more appropriate for the still cold days of February.

Let Us Eat Cake

Anyone been watching Baking Made Easy on BBC2? It's a great baking show with ex-supermodel Lorraine Pascale. I'm not a baker; it's far too precise for me, I tend towards the more intuitive cooking with some good results and some bad! But anyway, Lorraine has almost inspired me to get my bake on, she's super relaxed and really makes it look easy. She also has a fab house that I drool over as much as her creations!

Anyway, these are not her cakes, these delightful pieces of confection are by former classical ballerina turned baker Maggie Austin. Aren't they so beautiful!

She takes her design ideas from the world of couture, each cake looking as though weaved from the finest fabrics and decorated with edible pearls and petals.

Wouldn't this make such a beautiful wedding cake with the lower tier covered in pearls!

Maggie is based in Washington, so unfortunately I can't imagine them staying intact all the way to here - we can but fantasise...

...or try ourselves after watching more of Lorraine's techniques!

Do you dare?