Red Valentino Reflections

Thought I'd share a yummy little crush of mine,
so for those who have already seen this show, you will understand why when I looked back at it today, I felt the need to publicise it on BEMSA. It is the cutest, most darling catwalk show from this year's A/W New York shows, in my opinion anyway.



I don't know whether it's the cute socks? Or the bows? Or the roses? Or the illustrated backdrops? Or even the bold choice of yellow?- something I am always too scared to venture into the realms of...
Maybe it's the combination of all those things, but whatever it is, I'm going thrifting and I will recreate these looks for a million times less, don't fear!

I'll post later on this year, perhaps when there weather is a little more promising, with my interpretations of these looks because I cannot get them out of my head and this seems to be the only way.

Hope you appreciate the sweetness of the show and it gives you some inspiration for the upcoming seasons.

Thanks, Emily X

PS remember to follow us on Bloglovin' at http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/4907527/bemsa xxx

The perfect guacamole

I'm a bit of an avocado fiend... I love them. They're good for your skin and delicious.

I love guacamole but hate the store bought muck. So I put together a little recipe of how to make the best guacamole... ever. 

You will need:

-2 ripe avocados
-1 whole lemon
-Hot pepper sauce
-A potato masher
-A bowl

Take the skins off your avocados, pop them in a bowl and mash them up with a potato masher.

Once they are all mushed squeeze a whole lemon and put a heaped tbsp of hot sauce.

Voila! The perfect guac.

If you're tired of the store bought muck too, give this a try! It is healthier, tastier and really quick to do.

Star by Julien Macdonald

Hey hey! So, basically I was given a load of handbag samples from the designers and buyers at Debenhams so I thought I'd write a few reviews on them to share. Most of them are next season's pieces, however some are in store right now. Bear in mind that these are samples and therefore have been developed further, so it is likely that they will not be exactly the same on purchasing the item.

JULIEN MACDONALD
To start with, Star by Julien Macdonald has been a truly successful range at Debenhams since 2003. The current range in stores at the moment is very striking and sophisticated. This snake curved tote is in store right now for the selling price of £55 and you can buy it (here) It can be told from the photographs that there are slight alterations to the design on the gold plates and also the lining which is not pictured below.
This bag was one of my favourites from those of which I received because it's not a boring black, which my bags tend to be, and the snake zip embellishment isn't something I'd normally go for either. Snake is a definite trend for this Spring/ Summer, so if you haven't invested in a Summer piece as of yet, I recommend this. You can never go wrong with handbags, they can last years and you'll never grow out of them, they're an investment- well, that's what I tell myself every time I buy something over £50 anyways...

Thanks, Emily X

Fashion Fix #3

hey hey, hope you're all having a nice weekend! Some interesting things been going on this week and I've been plonked in the middle of it all on a work placement so yes, insightful week...

CHRISTIAN DIOR hosted a Spring/Summer Couture show in Shanghai last Saturday as subtle push at gaining a wider Chinese audience economically. There was a range of dresses and outfits in the show with a wide variety of colours and a particular emphasis on floral embellishment, however the two dresses that stood out the most to be were these two white- based pieces. The detail is beautiful and I can even accept the thing on that girls head as I love the dress so much!

THE QUEEN - this has to be mentioned as she is one of the most darling women I have ever seen, you will understand when you see the photograph- has been presented with a BAFTA for her support over the years to the British Film Industry with special appreciation for her volunteered participation in the Olympic Opening Ceremony alongside Daniel Craig. 

LOOK HOW HAPPY SHE LOOKS!! *wells up*

VANESSA PARADIS' advertisements for H&M's new Conscious Collection are everywhere; all up the escalators and down the passages at Oxford Circus Tube Station, there are mahuusive moving short video images of her in the windows of the H&M stores. It's crazy! The floral patterns are beautiful and the collection is surprisingly cheap for such high end quality. H&M were one of the first high street brands to begin collaborating with high end designers such as Sonia Rykiel and Versace, now followed by other high street brands such as River Island teaming up with Rihanna. However, despite there growing strength, there prices are remaining cheap and cheerful, just how H&M should be!

PRADA released a new fashion film- Sweet Candy, made of three short films with an oddly humorous effect. Not quite sure what else can be said about it.. It's fun? You'll understand once you've watched it.

PATRICK GRANT has confirmed that he is joining the ranks at Debenhams, where I have been working at this week, alongside Jasper Conran, John Rocha, Henry Holland and other designers. The Saville Row tailor is actually an acquaintance of my boyfriend's who he saw earlier this week and apparently a very classy, lovely man. His collection for Debenhams will be resurrecting the Hammond & Co. label, a favourite of the royal family's.

Yep so there's your little fashion summary for this week, I'm going to be reviewing a few handbag samples that I received at Debenhams on Tuesday so make sure you have a look! Plus I know that Talisa's got a delicious avocado recipe (She obsessed) for you lined up for Monday!

Thanks, Emily X

RMK cleansing balm

One of the biggest beauty hypes last year was around Emma hardie's cleansing balm (Buy here) which i never got around to trying. So when this balm came in my Birchbox i couldn't wait to try it.

RMK's cleansing balm has a light rose scent that begins to melt as soon as your finger touches the balm.  Not only does it scrub off every last bit of makeup but it doesn't sting at all. You can use it all over your face and it is perfect for those with sensitive skin.

I wear a lot of mascara and eyeliner so when it comes to removal i tend to use 3+ wipes which is time consuming and over time extremely pricy. I only needed the smallest blob to get a whole face of makeup off in under 2 minutes. As it's a balm it's also extremely hydrating.

Compared to Emma Hardie's balm which costs £34 this comes a little cheaper at £29. Plus, this is pink. Do you need any more of an excuse to buy this? Buy (here).

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. 

Thanks for reading, Emily X

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