Sunday Seven

Things I've been loving this past week...

 Knitwear, well I've been loving knitwear for months now but as the weather has taken a windy turn it's the perfect time to layer up. I've built up a strong and varied collection of knitwear this year that will hopefully last me a good while. 

Pic:Asos

 I'm fond of all the LittleBigPlanet games and LBP Karting is no different, my boyfriend got it on rental this week and we've played a fair amount. It's a shame we can't play online due it to being rental but it's still fun to have a play around. 

Pic: G4TV

 Fashion Industry Confessions Tumblr, making like Gossip Girl this week and reading up on fashion gossip, there are some juicy gossip bits on the site including rumours about the next H&M collab. I recommend you check it out. 

Illamasqua Cream Blush in Sob, had this such a long time but this week I've fallen back in love with it. I've been wearing fuller face makeup recently and this adds a perfect creamy texture to what would otherwise become a cakey face. 

Planning festive outfits ready for December. I love dressing up and what better time to do that than the Christmas period? I'm off out on Christmas day for dinner this year so a lot of outfit planning will need to take place. 

Pic:Zara

Fashion, Beauty and Lifestyle bloggers facebook group, a lovely bunch of bloggers who support each other and when needed give constructive feedback.

Re-reading The Hobbit in prep for the release of the first film, just booked tickets to see the film so I'm very excited atm. I'm a big LOTR fan so hopefully this will be as good as those were, I have no real worries about it failing to please me. 

Miranda Kerr named as new face of Mango

Miranda Kerr, who's past credits include Victoria Secret's, Maybelline and Levi's has been announced as the new face of high street chain Mango. 

 Kerr will take over from Kate Moss as ambassador of the brand for their Spring/Summer 2013 Campaign

 The campaign was shot by fashion photography duo Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, speaking about the contract Kerr expressed her love of the brand, she explained she was fond of shopping in the Spanish based store due to it's ability to have something for every occasion. 

Photo:Elle Magazine

Ojon Damage Reverse Restorative Treatment Review

 I’ve been using this on and off for about 5 years now, when I first used it, it was an indulgent treat on my uncoloured, largely heat free hair, it was nice but my hair didn’t really need it so I could never justify the price, then whilst at university my hair took a battering from dye, bleach, and heat. 

I tried many a treatment on my hair and lots of homemade remedies but nothing really make a mark till I came home and my mum suggested I tried the Ojon treatment once more, this time overnight and wonders were had. Of course my hair wasn’t perfect but there was a huge difference in just one use, the straw feeling lifted from my hair and it no longer looked damaged. 

 The texture of the treatment is rather strange; it’s not an appealing product to put on your hair due to both the texture and the smell. It's a natural, earthy very slightly nutty scent and is very strong from the moment you open the pot till you wash the treatment out. 

The scent is the only thing I’d change about this, Ojon now offer a lighter scent version, which I’ve not used yet but will be purchasing once my current pot runs out in the hope it makes the overnight treatment more pleasant

Close up of the product

First you need to scoop up about a teaspoon sized blob- less if you have shorter hair then you warm the paste up in your hands to create a rich oil then apply it onto dry unwashed hair largely focusing on the damaged hair, then wash out. Leave the treatment for at least 15 minutes, I try to leave it on overnight as not only does it have the time to properly nourish your hair but it also means you haven’t got to sit around waiting to have a shower. 

I now use this around twice a month as an overnight treatment, sometimes using it three times if I’ve been particularly harsh on my hair.There is still some damage to my hair (I did bleach it from dark red to blonde, so all my fault) but you can only feel the damage when my hair needs washing and it only becomes visible when my hair needs a cut.

Ojon Damage Reverse Treatment costs around £30 (£32.50 on ojon.co.uk)

Sunday Seven

Seven things I'm loving this Sunday and throughout this week

 MMM x H&M narrow shoulder jacket

Got this jacket at the pre-launch event on Weds, so not too much queuing for me and whilst I never noticed it in the ad campaign, I just had to have it once I tried it on. The fit is something special, I also got the pink candy clutch and the oversized watch frame bracelet but I'm gonna return it as it's just not for me. 

 Fig Candles

I love the smell of fig and I'm having a candle moment, whilst this candle smells gorgeous I'd recommend getting the jar version as this tin just tunnels and a lot of candle gets wasted. 

 Elemis Milk Bath

I don't have baths a lot anymore and whilst I love lush bath bombs, I'm not a huge visitor of Lush and *gasp* I loathe the smell. This, whilst expensive, is my ultimate bathtime treat it makes my skin super soft and relaxes me wonderfully. 

 5 inch and up blog

Always fond of this blog but this week especially as I think Sandra has been wearing her MMM X H&M pieces particularly well. She has great style and mixes high street and high end together perfectly.

 Origins GinZing Eye Cream 

A beauty blogger favourite here- which tbh is why I tried it but I still love it and will probably repurchase once my other eye creams are finished. This one is nice and cooling and lifts the darkness under my eyes just enough to not need to cake them in concealer- I just use a touch of Bobbi Brown Corrector and my regular foundation and I'm good to go.

The Walking Dead Comics 

I've just really got into the comics of this, after falling back in love with the TV Show of the same name. The comics are a lot faster paced-maybe I should have read them all back when season two of TWD was slower than the walking dead.

 Once upon a Time

Completely gripped on this show atm, I may love it more due to constant Lost references and many appearances from Lost actors but the plot is engaging too.

Images: Elemis milk bath, GinZing and Candle from johnlewis.com, top picture- TFS, twd comic from collider.

Trend Watching- Japanese Influence Spring 2013

Waist belts have been slowly slipping their way back into our wardrobes and for Spring next year Obi belts will be the must have waist cincher.

A lot of the designers who took influence from Japanese cultures looked towards at the shapes of traditional dress rather than the print for a slightly new twist on the trend. In my opinion this makes the trend easier to wear and take from season to season.

Kimono jackets are big news and a fond favourite of mine-a friend in primary school had a gorgeous kimono dressing gown which my jealousy of sparked a long lust of the garment. 

I have a couple of charity shop finds that I use as dressing gowns and a ebay find which has been awaiting repair and refitting for about 6 months- lazy me.

The ever popular top knot can be given a Japanese twist with hair chopsticks a la Gareth Pugh. So fear not, trying this trend can take you all of 5 minutes.

Haider Ackerman

Haider Ackerman

Gareth Pugh

Lanvin

Lanvin

Chanel 

Emilio Pucci 

Emilio Pucci 

Images:TheFashionSpot

Trend Watching-Cut out Leather

 Not only has white and black proven to be a trend for the next spring/summer but cut-outs in leather have also shown up on various catwalks- the most popular colours for leather for the Spring season being white and black.

New York favourite Alexander Wang used both cut out sides of leather dresses and suspended leather panels on dresses whilst others stuck to finer laser-cut designs to create texture and add either a touch of delicate beauty or a slight storm-trooper feel.

I must say this was also one of the only Roberto Cavalli collections I've loved and not felt was too overdone. 

Laser cut-outs are a huge favourite of mine, I really hope the high street can offer something for this trend. It's both perfect for summer layering and it keeps you cool without showing too much skin.

Alexander Wang

 Alexander Wang

Balmain

Balmain

Balmain

Roberto Cavalli 

Roberto Cavalli 

Sportsmax

Sportsmax

Sportsmax

Trend Watching- Fur for Spring 2013

 Fur is usually a big trend come autumn/winter, however for Spring Summer 2013 designers have used fur as a Spring staple, whilst it's not unheard of for fur to grace to Spring/Summer catwalks this year designers have gone all out.

 

Celine 

 

Miu Miu

Miu Miu

Miu Miu

Fendi

Fendi

Fendi

Prada

Prada 

Prada

Whether it's Miu Miu or Prada playing with dark and neutral furs, thrown over models shoulders, worn as coats with cropped sleeves and ornate with flowers or Fendi and Celine playing with bright colours and difficult to wear shoes, fur is definitely going to make a mark on wardrobes come Spring. 

I'm all for faux fur as a trend but in the hotter months? Even England is too warm for fur but maybe we'll be seeing fur trimmed accessories on the high street instead. 

Images: Style.com

MMM X H&M- Pictures

 I was excited for this collection from the second I heard about it, I'm always interested in designer collaborations- even if it's just to see how their work translates for the mass market. 

Sure I had doubts Maison Martin Margiela would work in H&M but I had high hopes and now as pictures of the collection are finally being released those doubts are slipping away- although my height will be a huge issue with these garments suiting me.

Many of the items in the collaboration will be reworkings of MMM's previous work which will help bring the crowds in. It offers both women's and men's wear so there is a bit of something for everyone.

  I'm looking forward to see what-else this collection will offer and will probably head into London nice and early to try and get my hands on some of the pieces.

The collection launches on November 15th online and in selected stores

Images: Elle China and Vogue UK via TheFashionSpot