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

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

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

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

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

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

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 prêt- 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

Time to spring clean your wardrobe!

After the Spring/ Summer '13 Fashion weeks last year, it's safe to say that we all should have seen at least one article in a magazine on the trends that were seen. However, I've put together a list of the top six just to condense them to an easy- peasy shopping list for you!

1. ORIENTAL
Ok, so basically I love Asians, I think they're amazing at pretty much everything and not so secretly wish that I was Asian. JUST TO PUT IT OUT THERE. But anyway, there is a definite oriental feel coming from the catwalks and shops even at the moment, I myself bought a blue oriental- style blouse from Topshop last month, so it has slyly been creeping in. Love the trend, I think the patterns really spice up Spring/Summer more than usual. So I've found you a couple of examples below from Topshop that you might like.

Oversize Porcelain Bird Shirt- £40.00
Buy it here  at Topshop

Premium bird embroidered shirt- £65.00
Buy it here at Topshop

2. CROPPED
Sometimes we all feel like having a lazy day, off from waxing and shaving and just want to wear jeans in Summer! So to give yourself that cheeky little edge to a pair of jeans, crop! Avoid rolling them up, it does not always look as good as you think. But there should be plenty of fab options soon as the Spring/Summer trends hit the stores. Also, cropped tees are back and as long as they're not inappropriately small, they can make the best casual Summer item.
NOTE: The Seamed Ankle Cigarette Jeans by Urban Outfitters below- LOVE.

BDG Seamed Ankle Cigarette Jeans- £50
Buy here at Urban Outfitters

Poppy 'Eye See Everything' Stud Crop Tee-  £10.00
Buy here at Boohoo

3. WHITE/ MINIMALISM
White is a trend that reappears EVERY Spring/Summer purely because it is the colour that is most associated with a Summer's evening- for example Daisy in the Great Gatsby in her flowing white gown- to get a bit nerdy. There are UNLIMITED options for this trend, everywhere you go. But I managed to find this absolutely cute, cute, cute dress at New Look for the amazing price of £27.99 so I thought it HAD to be shared. It's sweet and simple, a perfect quick Summer buy.

White crotchet lace 3/4 sleeve skater dress- £27.99
Buy here at New Look

Casual Seam Detail Tee- £32.00
Buy here at Topshop

4. SIXTIES

So, Cara is wearing Moschino which I wouldn't call particularly affordable, but it's Cara and I love her, so it had to be done.

Cara Delevingne - VOGUE

5. SHEER/ MESH
Again to link with the trend of Summer WHITE would be sheer, mesh and chiffon fabrics as I believe we've really had enough of black this Autumn/ Winter and personally I need to get out of the comfort zone of black twenty- four/ seven! So this cute, white sheer blouse would be a good start if you're like me and are seeking a slightly cheeky alternative to the conservative den of your black clothing.

Sparkle & Fade plain long sleeve chiffon shirt- £32.00
Buy here at Urban Outfitters

Leanne Cropped Crotchet Metallic Foil Top- £10
Buy here at Boohoo

6. FLORAL
Floral- another Summer repeat. I will be scavenging amongst my wardrobe very soon to pull out all the floral gear from previous years, but here's a couple of examples to help if you haven't been the most flowery person in the past and fancy a change.
NOTE:Whilst searching for floral examples I came across this River Island dress and it is ONLY £10 on reduction. One of the best buys I've seen for a long time, so GET SHOPPING?!?!

Black floral print structured dress- £10.00
Buy here at River Island

Floral Pleat Front A-line Skirt- £38.00
Buy here at Topshop

Little White Lies flower child floral print - £85.00
Buy here at Urban Outfitters

Voila! Hope this helps!
Happy shopping, 
Love Emily X

Victoria's Secret alternative

Victoria's Secret. 

Everyone knows about Victoria's Secret, actually coming to think of it do you think Victoria actually had a secret? Or do you think that the secret was all in her frilly lace knickers and exquisitely padded bras... anyway I adore Victoria's Secret and must visit the online store at least once a week to just goggle at the prettiness of each garment. Unfortunately though even after getting down on my hands and knees in the middle of the recently new Stratford Westfields Victoria's Secret last week and begging my mum to buy me an Ink blot coloured bra, (I was convinced I would succeed) I am yet to be a proud owner of any of their clothing merchandise. Sobs hysterically. Due to the fact being unemployed and on very little monthly allowance, I simply just cannot afford. 

Stratford's VS (i took this photo)

The Bra I begged for

However, in seeking an alternative underwear department to shop in, (some could argue that there is no comparison to VS..) for as what Gilly Hicks calls them, 'Down Undies' just temporarily until I obviously become an Angel myself... I wish. I have to admit, good old Marks and Spencer's have a beautiful collection of underwear at more affordable prices, which are also easier to get your hands on. Sorry not even Gilly Hicks does it for me as they cater for only boobs of super tiny exterior, and I feel LaSenza to be of itchy quality and over garish appearance.  

So I just wanted to preach to you guys the subtle elegance of M&S's lingerie and found a few items from their Rosie for Autograph line. Not only is Rosie Huntington-Whiteley a massive girl crush of mine but she's Modelled for Victoria's Secret since 2006 (so she definitely knows her stuff), was born in Devon and is currently dating Jason Staham, what a lucky girl.

Damask Rose Print Lace Padded Plunge A-DD Bra with Silk
£22.50 (buy here)

French Designed Rose
Lace Padded A-DD Body with Silk
£45.00 (buy here)

Damask Rose Print Lace Padded
Plunge A-E Bra with Silk
£22.50 (buy here)

Swiss-Designed Couture
Embroidered
Smoothing Padded B-DD Bra
with Memory Foam
£35.00 (buy here)

Rose Print Mini Brazilian Knickers with Silk
£12.50 (buy here)

Hope you find this informative.
Love Becky x