Straight to wavy hair in an instant - no tongs needed!

I recently went to the Vidal Sasoon Salon in my hometown of Leeds and have to say thanks to the lovely Nancy I came out rather impressed. My hair cut was just what I was after- I'm surprised I didn't bump into a lamp post on the way home I was fluffing my hair in so many shop windows, but what impressed me was that she really took into account what I wanted and cut and styled my hair with its natural wave in mind; working with it rather than against it. How many times have you visited a salon and ended up leaving with poker straight hair as that is how they had to style it to see their cut, leaving you speedwalking home, feeling all awkward, then to hop straight into the shower so you can wash and style it yourself?

On my visit I also picked up three top tips, to get great texture in straight-wavy hair easily at home, without the need to spend ages tonging it!

Vidal Sassoon Salon - Leeds

The New do

                                        

From the back

                                            

1. The Cut

Apparently when looking at enhancing the curl in hair that is less than curly, it really is all in the cut.

Adding layers in a shorter to mid length hair, enough to graduate it up and take out any bulk is apparently all that is needed to start to coax your curl.

2. The Product 

Redken Curvaceous or any curl enhancing product is the next step. Nancy applied this to my towel dried hair after it had been cut. But instead of just plonking it on and combing it through like I would have done she worked round my head twisting it in sections, till it looked like I had mini dread locks all over my head. 

Redken curvaceous worked really well for me and has the added benefit of being nourishing as well as providing definition.

  

3 The tool

To finish the job she used a diffuser. At home I would have just let my hair dry naturally, however (and now it seems so obvious) once the curls are twirled in place to set the spirals they need to be held in place and dried with a diffuser. A top tip she said was not to rush this bit and if you get bored when you do it then you are doing it right!

So go forth and release your texture!

Three designer essentials worth spending your cash on with Avenue 32

Like many of you I am on a bit of a budget, bills, bills and petrol sucking the life out of my shrinking purse. *Sigh*
However, if there are two things I believe it is worth spending money on and going down the designer route its key accessories.
My mantra is "Outfit's usually from the thrift store, but my accessories cost that bit more".
I do own a Mulberry Hobo bag, one pair of Laboutins and an Alexander McQueen scarf and these investment pieces will stay with me for many many years. By having these well made designer accessories I can mix it up with my usual bargain bits and ensure my look stays affordable but still looks quality.

I have recently found this brilliant new (ish) online fashion website called Avenue 32 and if I'm going to live off nothing but baked beans for a few weeks and treat myself to a new bag or designer sunglasses for the summer, then this is where I will be heading.

Avenue 32 describes itself as featuring "the most exciting collection of international emerging design talent coupled with an enviable portfolio of established global brands" Founded in 2011 it is fast becoming one of the UK's leading luxury fashion sites, and has been voted the second best online fashion retailer by UK Vogue magazine.

1. The New Investment Sunglasses
Cutler and Gross have been handcrafting fabulous frames since their first shop opened in Knightsbridge in the1960s. How amazing are these 60s inspired sunnies!! Find out more by clicking the link Cutler and Gross

Cutler and Gross Black Oversized Round Sunglasses £350  

Cutler and Gross Red Cat Eye sunglasses  £365

2. The New Investment Satchel
If you read my post on The Cambridge Satchel company a few weeks ago you will know I am a HUGE fan of the satchel. Fair to say this super-stylish yet simple satchel is now top of my wish list! As I'm a Leeds lass, I was interested to find that Lizzy Disney is from Sheffield so not too far away from my neck of the woods, and after studying fashion at Central St. Martins she is now a much sought after name in the world of designer accessories.

Lizzy Disney Handbag £200

And even if you don't care about where your bags come from (nothing wrong with that) You can also sign up to their online newsletter or read their online magazine - here is the link to their magazine feature "In Conservation with Alice Temperley"
 http://www.avenue32.com/magazine/in-conversation-with-alice-temperley.html

Fashion Inspiration - Jillian Mercado

Who? I hear you say.. Well you can forget your Alexa Chungs and your Pixie Geldofs, this woman really is fashion inspiration. Why? Well as well as being a source of insider fashion knowledge that comes from having a job that would make most of us green with envy and a covertable wardrobe to match. It's her great attitude to life and determination to succeed no matter what, is what really sets her apart from the rest of the fashion pack.
New Yorker Jilllian was born with muscular dystrophy, but rather than holding her back this made her more determined to succeed and be noticed in her chosen field.
In a world where appearance is everything working in fashion would be a daunting prospect for most.
But with her striking blonde hair and make up she makes it clear that she is a fashion force not to be reckoned with. After interning at Allure magazine it seems her career has gone stella; she is currently the Creative Assistant at PMc Magazine, Executive Editorial Assistant for WeTheUrban and Contributing Editor for Beautylish.com!
Her own fashion blog www.manufactured1987.com is now one of my new favourite fashion blogs, and is a great source for trends and industry happenings. Check it out!

I'd say she is inspiration to us all and is a clear lesson in just going out and getting what you want from life!

(Images manufactured1987 and Jillians Tumblr)

Here comes the sun! Winter to spring wardrobe

Saturday the uk saw some sun! Hurrah!
But what do u do from a fashion sense when its sunny but not quite warm enough to break out the floral shorts and flip flops?

Yes as a nation we moan about the weather a lot, but seriously when you only get a few glorious days a year it's hard not to let it have an affect. As these warm days are few and far between, everyone in the Uk goes a little bit crackers when we have one, especially after our seemingly endless winter- cue lots of girls with bare "spam" legs, shades, cropped tops and really small denim hotpants on show. Really- not good and only fit for a Barbados beach.

This bought me to wonder- When the weather isnt hot but its not winter anymore.. What items are best to get you through that in between transitional season stage??
I'd like to think I got the mix right with what I had on stripy skirt and oversized t-shirt, but paired with burgundy tights and leather jacket to keep that edge off.

So as the Uk may be some weeks away from its summer, yet the sun has made an appearance -this is what's on my transitional wish list to go from winter to spring easily!

This dress is perfect. Worn now with tights and denim jacket and boots its summery without being too much. In a few months its going to be perfect with flip flops! (All from http://topshop.com/ )

One Skirt - Three Different Looks For Work Rest and Play!

It may be raining outside and the great British summertime still seems along way off, but inspired by two of my favourite style icons the Olsen Sisters I have decided to start my summer season regardless. The Olsen twins (never sure who is who really - I just know I like their look) epitomise laid back hippy styling; favouring long skirts, gladiator sandals, John Lennon shades and undone hair making for perfect fresh spring style inspiration. So what better way to think ahead to warmer days than going Spring/Summer clothes shopping (we have to live in hope!) and what's the one item of clothing that's an Olsen staple and sums up summer? A summer maxi skirt of course! I got this great skirt from New Look and it was an absolute bargain at only £14.99!! Find it here or in store.

Mine may be black (its also available in fuchsia and purple) but its still perfectly fits the bill if you are looking for a sophisticated summer look that is extremely versatile. 

So I have decided to show how versatile it is with this post "One Skirt Worn Three Ways" as to me its a great item and is ideal for the office, for a more casual daytime looks and for a night on the town!

I love vinyl records!

Last weekend I spent what I would describe as the perfect Sunday morning- we finally got our new digital record player connected so we spent that morning playing some classic LPs. Getting ready for the day with some amazing music on, and looking over the interesting and iconic artwork on each sleeve was just a really good way to start the day.  As the world becomes more digital and music that is downloaded is ultimately as quickly removed and deleted as quickly as it was added - here is something special about taking out a record and playing it. For some I imagine its nostalgia, for me its the feel of the record in your hands- its history, knowing someone bought this original, iconic record back when the band were in their heyday. Whatever the reason it seems vinyl is having a resurgence and I for one am all for it.


Now I love my iTunes and new music, but as my old man would say - they don't make em like they used to!
Anyone else have a growing vinyl collection??

Stones, Fleetwood Mac (Original and best line up) and The Beatles 

Hair SOS - My hair heroes for over processed hair

Dear Hair,

I am sorry I will never process you so much in such a short space of time again. I miss your condition and the easy way you fell without styling. Please accept as an apology some really great heavy duty hair products in the hope you will return some shine and manageability to me soon.

...Love me.

After dying my hair from dark brunette to red, to blonde, to brunette again in the space of a few months I am guilty of over processing my hair and it shows. The bleaching process to get it so a paint pot colour of pinky  red would show up, then to blonde has knackered it. Although it has been fun to experiment and try some new looks but I have decided to go back brunette because the ends had become crispier than a bag of quavers and enough was enough. 

Now I start the process of a little hair TLC and have already had some success with these two hero products below and my hair is now feeling loads better.  

1. Carrot Oil hair conditioner - leave on over-night its really oily but does the trick. I found this in Boots in the Afro hair section.

2. Aussie Miracle Hair Insurance - A great leave in conditioner used on wet and dry hair on the ends (Smells amazing too)

3. I have also found Joico K-Pak range of conditioners to be really good. As they are professional products you do pay more but they rebuild your hair from within as opposed to just coating it like other non professional hair products.

As a redhead
Aztec blouse. High waisted Levi shorts - both Ebay. 

As a blondy colour
Mac- Mango, floral dress- vintage shop, burgundy tights Topshop

Back Brunette this weekend
Blouse - Primark, Leather Pencil Skirt - Urban Outfitters Necklace All Saints Ankle boots  Topshop

Hair Hero 1

Hair Hero 2

Would love to know anyone elses top tips for getting your hair back to its crowing glory?? Apparently actual Mayonnaise is a good one- I just don't think I am ready for smelling like a sandwich for the cause just yet!