Sunday 31 March 2013

Fashion Fix #2

Happy Easter guys!

Hope you're all having a lovely day and hope you enjoy this week's fashion fix!

SALVATORE FERRAGAMO is to release his Florence inspired exhibition The Amazing Shoemaker- Fairy Tales and Legends about Shoes and Shoemakers to open April 19th. The shoes are individually designed to explore the ways in which shoes are and have always been a key element in fairy tales, legends and myths. The image below is a previewed image of an item from the collection. B-e-a-utiful. 

STELLA MCCARTNEY has been presented with her OBE this week with a special congratulations from
the Queen in respect to her designs for the GB Olympic kit! She wore a navy blue suit from her own
collection and insists modestly that she is nowhere near as busy as the Queen herself.


ALBER ELBAZ for Lanvin makes an appearance at the end of this week's Disney catwalk show. The show was humorously fabulous with a range of Disney inspired couture pieces. Following the Disney fashion film for Barney's http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtBGVeA6Ayc, it was an interestingly dramatic show.


VICTORIA BECKHAM launches victoriabeckham.com  this week joining the successful hype of online designer stores following the high success of Zara's sales this year so far. 
Victoria Beckham ICON dress

Thanks for reading, Emily X

Wednesday 27 March 2013

Skin care at its best

In my hunt for a brand that would remove my make up equally as well as it smothered it on I came across Clinique's 
"Take the day off Makeup Remover For Lids, Lashes & Lips" 
followed by their
"Liquid Facial Soap"
the oily skin formula.
My skin is often greasy and despite the take the day off remover being oil based it doesn't leave my skin feeling bogged down and ugly as it's unique two way formula loosens the grip, then speedens the removal of make up. And the liquid facial wash comes in three skin type combinations, so those for sensitive and mild skin types, theres one for you too. My mum swears by Clinique and I have to say I am with her on that one, a brand usually overlooked by younger customers as its packaging is less glamerous than brands such as Benefit, Clarins and Lancome. But honestly its care for skin rather than glamour is what makes it brilliant.




I've been using the face wash and make-up remover everyday for around 5 weeks now, and honestly at first I couldn't tell the difference. But after a weekend break at my Gandmothers, forgetting the face wash and remover and having a breakout of spots. Well you now see why I rate them so highly. My skin can be at times disasterous, it goes from constantly feeling greasy to moments of nasty dryness. And I feel like I can
never win, especially with the make-up I can be using. Caring for your skin is vital, especially during the last few months Londons had of horrid, bitter weather. The facial wash and remover left my face feeling simply clean, fresh and comfortable.

The next clinique product I therefore rave about is their
  "moisture surge extended thirst relief gel-creme"
Which I cake on my face usually after the wash and remover to preserve the feeling of cleanness. It's beautifully fragrance free meaning no evil chemicals are being exposed to your skin and is wonderfully hydrating. Under make-up, over make-up, before bed, when you wake up, there is never a wrong time for moisture surge to be used. And it's gel like texture soaks right up leaving behind a soft complexion no greasy remnants. I love this creme. (Could only find my freebie tube to photo, the creme comes in a simple twist pot otherwise)




Top of my list for skin survival. Give it a go. And if you have any other skin care products you think may beat these three please let me know!

Love a clean faced Becky x

Monday 25 March 2013

Sweet Trees by Rivera

I stumbled upon Sweet Trees by Rivera and thought i'd share it with you. The site sells what the title says, trees made of sweets.

Some of my favourites:

buy (here)

Buy (here)

buy (here)

The last option would be a great alternative for a typical easter egg and the rest could be given as presents or used for decoration/snacks at events.


Saturday 23 March 2013

Fashion fix #1

Got a bit of an odd mix for your fix this week, enjoy!

PHILIP TREACY designs new line of hats for children...

DAISY LOWE fronting the latest WWF (World Wildlife Funds) Earth Hour- TONIGHT 8.30PM!
Photographed by Rankin. (loveeee)

"Daisy said: "If we enjoy our planet then I believe we need to take care of it. 

"I hope that people across the UK and the world will take a moment this Earth Hour to appreciate both the beauty and the fragility of the natural world that we reply on so much." "

HENRY HOLLAND created the World's longest dress to launch the new store opening in Leeds



OSCAR DE LA RENTA cuties at the first ever Kids London Fashion Week! How adorable are they?!


KARL LAGERFELD 's recent collaboration with shoewear designer Melissa had to include the beautiful Cara Delevingne... Obviously.


DAVID BOWIE exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum is now open! I will write a review on this soon, planning on visiting ASAP so keep tuned!


Thanks, Emily X

Thursday 21 March 2013

Spring Candles

Spring is fresh. Why does mother nature seem to think that spring is snow?! Who knows... but to get in the spring mood i've picked out a selection of my favourite spring candles.

Lily Flame party time candle:
 Perfect girlie candle. Pink packaging and the smell. Lily flame says: "A beautiful sensual candle with top notes of Indian rose and Belle de Nuit blossoms, the heart consists of orange, white tree and apricot notes. While the base, sensual and soft, brings waves of vanilla, amber and musk notes." If you've smelt Taylor Swift's Wonderstruck perfume, this is the candle equivalent. It's love. Buy for £8.50 (here)

Lemon Lavender Yankee candle:
Fresh. It reminds me of summer breezes. Imagine a lavender field and a citrus garden having a baby and that is the smell. Absolutely divine. Buy (here)








Monday 18 March 2013

Laura Geller Inkwell Waterproof Gel Liner


I've always been a liquid liner kinda girl. Gel liner's have always looked too fiddly and dry so i've avoided purchasing them in the past. When my Birchbox arrived i noticed a gel liner in it and decided to give it a whirl and was pleasantly surprised.

My biggest problem with liquid eyeliner is that it jumps so you're left with blank patches. This gel liner glided on with ease, very quickly, and didn't jump at all. It lasts for about 6 hours without fading and needing a touch up. It smudges quite easily so it's easy to create a smokey eye effect. The colour is solid and needs about 2-3 minutes to set fully.

It retails for £24.50 and comes in a duo pack, i haven't tried the purple liner but if it's anything like the black liner it'll be great. Buy (here)


Saturday 16 March 2013

Your weekly fashion fix from BEMSA

Right, I don't know whether many of you, our followers, are interested in the fashion, food, beauty or lifestyle aspects of our blog..  But no one minds having a few interesting fashion facts to hand in an awkward moment, do they?
Plus if you hate the news like me, getting a fashion fix regularly helps to keep me in the know about at least SOMETHING going on in the world... My English teacher once told me to go live in a cave because I had no interest in politics and all that... So if you are like me and a fashion fix is all you can handle from the news then follow us and keep up to date as Saturday's will be my weekly fashion fix posts where I will condense the week's fashion happenings into easy- to- read articles! 
Hope you follow and enjoy! 
Emily X

Wednesday 13 March 2013

How to make a normal bath fabulous

It is understandable that everybody has their own set routine when it comes to putting an hour aside every so often for a little bit of luxury. In this case, the luxury is bathtime.
I don't have baths reguarly but when I do I use bath bombs, esscences, bubbles and anything else worth putting in a hot tub of water, galore. 
The list of products I have tried are endless, and fair enough if your own peronal bath routine is too good to even pass up, but just this once i'd very much appreciate your co-operation because i've put together a few bits, which I certainly reccomend as a few of the best to buy from highstreet stores; to use during bathtime to make your hour alone that little bit more special.
Product number 1, The Little Bubble Co, Strawberry Sundae buy (here)
Honestly, the choice of Bubble Baths on the market is insane. I usually opt for one by Soap and Glory. But the sweetness of The Little Bubble Co's Strawberry Sundae, and it's ability to create a room (yes room) full of bubbles in minutes pushed it.. into the bath for my choice. It's pink, sorry boys and foamy, what more could you ask. A bit too sugary to represent that of a real strawberry, but nethertheless just as delicious. 


Product number 2, Sanctaury Spa, Hot Sugar Scrub buy (here)
I bought this product for my mum at Christmas, thinking "yeah right, like it's hot, I bet it's just the bath temperature fooling everyone.. but mum likes the Sanctuary and its on 3 for 2 so.." And i was surprised. Never before have I been so cynical and never before was I proved so badly, wrong. It actually heats up, and for people who are easily entertained like myself it amused greatly. Not only that but the sugar in it exfoliated my skin like no other product before, mixed with the heat between my palm and leg (as demonstarted) the feeling was heavenly. I felt it opened my pores and deeply cleansed. It's a mixture of detoxifying kaolin clay and fine organic sugar to draw out any nastyness and buff your skin as though youre having a mani-pedi on your body. And the mixture of the thermaly-ness and sugary-ness left my skin lovely and soft. 
Product number 3, Umberto Giannini, Moisture Replenishing Hair Mask
So everyone enjoys experimenting with various hair products, shampoos and conditioners fill up my bathroom cupboards. But is a bit of conditioner really enough? I don't spend enough time reading reviews so these products are solely based on my own opinion, meaning i'm not overly knowledgeable. But i've tried a herbal essence hair mask before and enjoyed it as the smell was gorgeous. But when it came to my hair there didn't seem to be much difference. However after loving other Umberto Giannini hair products, (such as their Backcomb in a bottle- omg TRY) I picked up their Moisture Replenishing Hair Mask, plopped a dollop on, left it on for the duration of the bath- after shampooing and condiitioning of course, and the results were surprising. My hair was fragile but afterwards it was silky smooth, and glamorous. The smell lasted a good 24hours plus and as the mask contains florentine orris milk and shea butters which smelt too good to be true, it was almost like lemon and rose turkish delight. Tasty. 


Product number 4, Lush, Ro's Argan Body Conditioner
My final and most favourite product was the Lush Body Conditioner. To sum it up in a nutshell it's basically a body, hair conditioner with the after affects of a body butter/moisturiser/cream which you put on after exfoliating, and yes, you put it on in the bath.
After exfoliating my skin needed moisture. You rub the conditioner on all over, be generous. And when you wash it off (just with hands and water) the conditioner has already sunk in and left your body feeling delicately smooth and replenished. The almond oils mean water runs straight off, so there is no need of heavy drying with a towel, just lightley dab away any water. Leaving your skin smelling of cocoa and brazil nut. I adore this product and will be buying it again that is for sure. 


Hope you try these all out seriously, love Becky! X

Tuesday 12 March 2013

The Great Gatsby

I admit it does seem as though I'm trying to cover ever decade with a post, but that's only because it's all coming back into fashion constantly! So, on to the 20's...
The Great Gatsby is an amazing book and I recommend it to anyone and everyone. I'm studying it at A level at the moment and despite my teacher's efforts to drain all the magic from the book, I still love it and I am even more excited for the new Gatsby film which is being released this Summer starring Carey Mulligan and the beautiful Leonardo DiCaprio .It is a tale of love, lust, tragedy, a journey and most importantly- secrets and I bring this up now as it has very recently been announced that The Great Gatsby shall be opening the Cannes Film Festival this year!





I was confirmed late last year that Prada would be designing 40 of the outfits for the film and 4 of these designs can be seen above. It's all sequins, stones and Swarovski! LOVE They truly stick to the 20's trends and the flapper style in which The Great Gatsby is and should be set in. 

Totally recommend the read,
Thanks, Emily X

Monday 11 March 2013

Trilogy rosehip oil antioxidant+

For the past week, everyone has been asking me if i'm ok, apparently i've been looking extremely pale. Don't worry, i'm not ill! I'm just sun deprived and need to go on holiday ASAP! In an attempt to look a little less zombie-like i picked up a few products, started testing them out and i stumbled upon an absolute gem.


This product has turned my skin, in three days, from dull and lifeless to bright and radiant. Trilogy says: 'Potent super antioxidants Lycopene from Tomato and Phytosterol from Acai help protect from premature ageing caused by environmental free radical damage. Nourishing Essential Fatty Acids (omegas 3 and 6) from Cranberry and Rosehip moisturise and renew. Mineral and vitamin rich Oat  extract provides a soothing and luxurious feel that glides on the skin.'

I've purchased a lot of face oils in the past but this one really tops them all. The product moisturises whilst adding a glow, makes your skin unbelievably soft and the cherry on top is that it doesn't clog your pores! An oil, that doesn't clog your pores? Is this real life? Am i dreaming? No wonder it's a celeb fav to the likes of Miranda Kerr and Victoria Beckham!

I feel this product works best when used at night, allowing time for it to sink in and when paired with a moisturiser to further nourish the skin. This product for is ideal people with scars, birth marks, dull or dry skin. Although it's pricy the product lasts a long time as you only need to use 2-3 drops per use and the full size product is 20ml. I use it on just my face and neck but it can be used all over the upper body too. Buy (here)

Saturday 9 March 2013

The Swinging Sixties

So, I was a little stuck on what to post about today so I was searching around the internet for some inspiration and although my set topic is fashion I've decided upon a more beauty- themed topic. The make up/ beauty side is mainly done in a more couture fashion style than prĂȘt- a- porter. Therefore I feel it still falls under fashion. Just to ensure there's no confusion!

As I mentioned in my "Time to spring clean your wardrobe!" article, sixties fashion is very much on trend this Spring/Summer therefore I have attempted to create some sixties style make up looks for you, inspired by
the Autumn/Winter catwalk shows over the last few weeks.

Note: Excuse my dotty dressing gown!


Firstly, remove all your make up and begin by using a moisturiser such as Simple moisturise so ensure that foundation will smooth over with a satin-like feel. Then add a little powder to matte the foundation. Try to match the foundation and power well, which is why the Fit Me Maybelline foundation and powder matching system works so well!


 Add a little bronzer on the cheeks under the cheekbone to emphasise them! Then use a white/ very light cream eyeshadow in the arch of the eyebrow and create a gradient of creams and browns down to the edge of the eyelid with a palette such as by Revlon. Then begin to use gel liner to line the crease of the eye and flick it out. Emphasise by adding a little white eyeliner under the line. Flick the stereotypical eyelashes out with the gel liner on the bottom corners. Then use the white eyeliner to brighten the eyes.


Finish with a Chanel Rouge lip stick and accessorise with sixties style hoops and boat- neck, monochrome dress.





Et Voila! A sixties make-up look!

Right so from left to right:
Brush- W7
White eyeliner- Gosh
Nail gems and silver liner- No7
Moisturiser- Simple (here)
Eyebrow pencil- Rimmel (here)
Gel eyeliner- Maybelline (here)
Eyeliner kohl- Benefit (here)
Eyeliner kohl- Elizabeth Arden (here)
Liquid liners (Black and metallic black)- Barry M
Lipstick- Chanel Allure Rouge (Rebelle) (here)
Eyeshadows- Revlon (here)
Smoky eye mascara- Maybelline (here)
Foundation-  Maybelline Fit Me (here)
Matching foundation powder-   Maybelline Fit Me (here)
Eyeshadow- Bourjois

Thanks, Emily! X

Thursday 7 March 2013

Eggvocado

Mornings, bleurgh. I am not a morning person. I hate having to crawl out of my warm, snuggly, bed every morning to spend ages making a warm breakfast then shoved out the door into the cold to make my way to an even colder place to work. So when i stumbled across the eggvocado a little light shone down from heaven and i swear i heard angels sing (ok, maybe i'm exaggerating a little but it definitely felt like that!).

You will need:
1 egg
1 half of an avocado
foil
chilli flakes
golden syrup

Preheat your oven to 190 degrees. Halve your avocado, take out the seed then grab a spoon and hollow out the avocado a little.

Place your avocado on piece of foil, crack an egg and put it in the hollowed out bit of your avocado. Drizzle with golden syrup and sprinkle a few chilli flakes. Carefully wrap it all up and pop in your oven for 14-15 minutes. (I like my yolk really runny, if you want it done a little more pop it back in for a few 2 more minutes.) (NOTE: if you put the syrup on before it will be running and may look like egg whites so don't be fooled. Test the yolk instead or just add syrup after.)


Take it out of the oven and enjoy the gooey goodness that requires minimal effort- what more could you ask for?


Wednesday 6 March 2013

My fav's for the minute.

This is just going to be a brief post consisting of a selection of my current favourite things. If I were to make a whole list of favourite items, I wouldn't stop.


To begin with, these 5 scents of Yankee Candle. I can't handle having anything other than nice smells in my bedroom, I don't know how my brother copes. And after discovering Yankee a few years ago I'm constantly setting alight different smells. But these 5 have to be 5 of the best by Yankee.
1. Pink Sands- smells of a place I could only dream of, that's it really.
2. Strawberry buttercream- my all time fav even those who lack a sweet tooth will love. The sweetness just permeates my bedroom, bliss.
3. Beach flowers- an ooze of fresh elegance which lasts even after the candle gets blown out.
4. Bahama Breeze- tropical shores and cocktails, it smells like a holiday.
5. Pink Lady Slipper- beautifully fresh and clean with a pure undertone of a rose muskiness.


My second favourite at the moment is the addictive, time consuming overly aggravating I-phone game, Candy Crush. Each level more tricky than the last, and unlike games which are easily completed, amounting to rubishness, (eg, 4pics1word) I can spend days at a time on one level. It's a challengingly clever, vibrant and FREE app, which as much as I should probably be advising you not to try (due to it's addictive nature) am. So give it a go. Oh and then send me some lives please?


And my last favourite item at the moment, is a Nails inc polish. Sweets Way Sprinkles is beautiful pale baby blue in colour polish, infused with matte like sprinkles in the colours of blue, white and pink along with glitter. It covers your nails completely in just a few coats and honestly is perfect for any occasion. I love nails inc as a brand and find their naming of polishes after places in London brilliant, (not including sweets way unfortunately..) the price is affordable for that of catwalk worthy products. Pastels are in at the moment and the milky complexion is dreamy. Your missing out otherwise.

Buy here 



Xoxo Becky