Girls Just Wanna Have Fun! Style Dispensary- Session 2 Colour

Some of you may remember I promised in my last Style Dispensary session, a series of 3 posts focusing on pattern colour and texture, so this is todays post on colour.

I adore turquoise it summons up warm sandy beaches, tranquil havens, mexican jewellrey using the stone turquoise, it work beautifully with almost every colour you can think of, apart from I would argue black, as I feel black cheapens its ability to be a cool classy colour or a bright warm one. If  the truth be told I have always been a bit of colour magapie, which is probably why I love working as a Stylist. The tantalizing oppportunity to inject colours that work for clients into their Wardrobes and  help them create a Style that reflects their  personality creating a Stylish look is a great lure. I thought you might enjoy taking a sneak peak at the predicted colours for 2010 as forcast by pantone! I'm itching to know what your all time favourite colour combos are! I will use my favourite suggestion as inspiration for a outfit post, some time very soon, do please tell!!!

Madame could do with a colourful corsage non?

Colour evokes drama

Colour can help streamline your look and create a groomed feel, even on a tight budget!

Colour can pick you up and give us a energy boost emotionally, mentally and visually!

 My Top Tips For Colour Shy Girls!

1. Experiment with changing your base colour, i.e black for most women,which is not a easy basic to team with colour to grey, navy or chocolate.

2.Start by introducing small amounts of colour to your wardrobe/closet with, tight's, pump's a head band or bag.

3.Wear colours from the same family group, i.e different shades of green, for a well groomed look that is not difficult to achieve.Great for petites!

4.Feeling brave and you have height? Clash colours, no science involved for a dynamic look, i.e purple and yellow.

5. Remember colours of the same intensity/saturation will generally always work together.

6.Still finding it hard to loose your black wardrobe? Ease your way in by wearing prints, with little dashes of colour. 

Sxx 

                                

In Need Of A Roman Holiday? With A Little Spoiling Thrown In For Good measure! x

For those of you who adore scarves and for those of you who are just dipping a toe into the world of silk, satin, lace and wool that maketh the perfect scarf, here's some inspiration to try one out! If you need any more incentive enter my Topshop scarf giveaway below in my previous post or click on the link top right of my sidebar. Simply choose which divine Topshop scarf you want, the blush pink, pale grey or silk print scarf, follow the entry rules and that scarf could be finding it's way to it's perfect owner, you!!Good luck!

                                Sharon x

Top Shop Giveaway!

Hi everyone, to celebrate you my Fabulous Followers being so wonderful and for all your support, I would like to invite you to join my Topshop scarf giveaway!

Entry Rules

1st, choose which scarf you would like to win and let me know here, see below, the silk print scarf, the grey fine knit snood or blush fine knit snood.

2nd, To be eligible for entry, you need to be a follower, so follow along, if your are not already doing so.Then

3rd, put a link in your side bar to this giveaway using the same image I have in my side bar, this link must stay up on your blog, till the giveaway ends on the 25th of March.

4th, Want a 2nd entry? Just post about my giveaway, feature images of the 3 scarves below and be sure to include the Topshop Image and a link to My Passport to Style.Let me know here! Simples!

 

I made you a giant cupcake as a big thank-you to all of you who follow me, comment and subscribe thank-you so much, you make my day! Good luck to everyone! The competition ends on the 25th of March 2010 and the winner will be notified on their blog, if you wish to be emailed just send me your email address!

Sharon x

Tis The Season To Wear Pattern - Style Dispensary and Topshop Scarf Giveaway!!!

As some of you maybe a where it is the season for being bold with colour, pattern and texture, so I have decided to do a series of three Style Dispensary sessions, partly inspired by a Style Dilemma/ question recently posted to me by the lovely Emma on how to nail this seasons trend for clashing prints!

A great way to add texture or pattern is through wearing a scarf, as a thank-you to all my lovely followers I'm holding a Topshop scarf giveaway details in the top right of my side bar, good luck!

I have always been passionate about print's as well as colour's and texture's, so this spring season, I am so happy that all three are well and truly in the mix! Many women like My Passport to Style follower Emma, who classes herself as a petitie gal, feel scared of using pattern in their wardrobe, but it really is so valuable in helping personalise your look and flattering your unique bodyshape.

  

So what's the key rule if your scared of all the buisy prints out there like Emma? It's really simple if your a petite, there's one rule, either wear a dress, or mix up your prints polka dots with stripes for instance, but wear the same colour.This will allow Emma to benefit from the interest and dimension's created using print, without swamping her petite frame!Here are two great examples of how to wear this look. The first is  a skirt and top from Boden, they are masters in suppling wonderful prints and colourways, if your struggling to pull this look together, visit them, for a mouthwatering selection! The 2nd look that I created for Emma which I'm really excited about is a neutral look from Warehouse. These accessories not only help create a more urban feel, but offer great value as they can easily make the transistion between tribal and this seasons take on the nautical look effortlessly!  

 

For those of who are petite or just want to buy into the clashing print look a  dress is one of the most stress free ways, below are a few of my favourite pieces from Urban Outfitters! Enjoy!

 

Adore the clashing strawberry print and black stripes in this classic 50's shape -urban outfitters

Clashing prints in silk can look so elegant and serene even!- urban outfitters

Grandma Chic Anything But Invisible!

I was delighted to come across the pocket size blogger the other day whilst on my bloggi travels, that is Tavi (from Style Rookie.com)  just 13, she is currently being courted by all the big fashion houses out there such as Chanel. I love the fact her latest style, grandmother chic, complete with grey hair! Pokes an eye in the face of what is deemed beautiful today by society, challenging typical steroetypes of woman which proclaim only young or youthful woman are attractive! Her quirky style is such fun and more over, that shade of grey she is currently sporting,  is sooo flattering to English Rose complexions and work perfectly with all the newest pastel shades coming through this spring!Thanks Tavi, divine inspiration for women of all ages!

   

Vanessa Redgrave, embraces her true colours

Silver and greys look so pretty combined with peaches and apricot pastel shades

 

I am lusting after this grey and peach chevron bracelet

 

 

Keep your pastel confectionary from looking sickly sweet with, utility colours such as greys and a smattering of black.Burberry work this springs trend for pastels perfectly!

Sharon x

A Valentines Tale

So many ways to eat and drink Jablum Blue Mountain Coffee, from making your own truffles to this extravagant prune cognac and coffee cake to plain and simple romantic desserts to go with your dinner for two perhaps? Using a good dose of beautiful Jablum expresso poured over the top of your favourite vanilla ice-cream ! But as promised we have our 4th and finale recipe to add to your collection from Blue Mountain Emporium, for all you coffee lovers out there!!!

 

If you wondering why the sad expression on the face of the lovely girl , the whole Valentines Tale is lovingly told in my very first blog video! At the very end of this blog page! Just above the gorgeous image of Emily Blunt do scroll down and check it out, it's soo sweet!!!!

 Blue Mocha

Ingredients

4 tbspn of double cream

2 oz of plain chocolate

½ tspn ground cinnamon

2 heaped teaspoon of Jablum Instant Coffee

550 ml/ 20 fl oz milk

Vanilla sugar

Method

1. Place cream and chocolate into a microwaveable bowl. Add ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon and stir.

2. Warm in Microwave on reheat setting for 15-20 seconds, stir until combined.

3. Stir in the Jablum Instant Coffee.

4. Heat milk in microwave for 2 ½ minutes. Whisk milk to create a thick froth.

5. Add a little hot milk to chocolate mixture and stir to combine.

6. Pour into cup and top up with hot milk. Pile on the froth and dust with vanilla sugar.

Enjoy!

Happy Valentines Day to all of you lovely Fabulous Followers and subscribers, thank-you for all your comments, I cherish each and every one, wishing you much joy whether you spend the day with friends family or your partner. P.S let me know what you thought of the valentines video at the end of the blog page!

Love,
Sharon x

Date Cake! - See If It Lives Up To Its Name!

This Valentines, submerge yourself in the lush scent of a pink flower, play dress up in your favourite frock, practice sashaying up and down your bedroom floor, as if you own the red carpet, bake a special treat for someone you love and enjoy being a domestic goddess! 

From the fantastic people at Blue Mountain Coffee Emporium, as promised, I bring the 3rd in a series of the companies closely guarded, delicous receipes, using Jablum Blue Mountain Coffee for Valentines week!I'm calling it Date Cake, (tecnically speaking it's  ginger and lemon, with dates in it) bake one and who knows.... I make no promises on the outcome, but hey, it's pretty much a win win situation! You get a great date either way! hee hee, sorry I just couldn't resist! I hope you enjoy making this yummy cake! Let me know what you think it eats like. 

 Sharon x

Squidgy Lemon And Ginger Cake-Perfect With A Cup Of Jablum Blue Mountain Coffee!

Ingredients

200grms dates, stoned

200grms butter, cut in pieces

300grms dark muscovado sugar

2 eggs

50grms fresh root ginger grated

1 lemon, zest grated

200grms self raising flour

1 bramley apple peeled and diced

50grms white chocolate to decorate

1tbsp chopped candied lemon peel

to decorate

How To Make

1.Heat oven to 160/fan 140/gas 3.Butter and line 20cm round cake tin (about 8cm deep) with parchment.Put date in a bowl and cover with boiling water.Heat butter in a small pan until melted, and stir in sugar.Allow to cool slightly.

2.Beat in the eggs, ginger and lemon zest.Drain the dates and chop them finely. Scrape them into the pan too, and mix well.Stir in the flour, then apple. Spoon into the cake tin, then bake for 1.15 hrs, until well risen.

3.Break the white chocolate up, heat in a microwave, until melted, remove cooled cake from the tin, drizzle melted chocolate over and  scatter the candied lemon peel over the top of the cake.Serve a generous slice with a steaming cup of Jablum Coffee or your favourite coffee and enjoy! 

I never realised how beautiful date trees were till now!Hope your having a good week and this post makes it a little sweeter. Pop over and visit the people at Blue Mountain, they are a genuine ethical coffee company, that import Jablum Blue Mountain Coffee from Jamacia. 

Let Them Eat Cake! x

Serenade your soul this Valentines day, with all things pretty and tasty! To get you in the mood, for spoiling yourself or the one you love, here is another great receipe for- Blue Mountain Emporium, brownies, using their famous Jablum coffee! Do pop in and visit them and let them know what you thought of their receipe!

Love,Sharon x

Mocha Brownies

Ingredients


4 tbsp butter


15g/4oz plain chocolate


6oz Demerara sugar


2 eggs


1 tsp Jablum Instant Coffee dissolved in 1 tbsp of hot water and cool


3oz plain flour


½ tsp baking flour


6oz melted plain chocolate for topping


Method


• Preheat oven to 180C, 350F, Gas Mark 4.


• Grease and line a 20cm (8 inch square cake tin).


• Melt butter and 4oz of chocolate together in a saucepan over a low heat.


• Cream the sugar and eggs until light and fluffy.


• Fold in the coffee and chocolate mixture.


• Stir in the sieved flour and baking powder.


• Pour into the cake tin and bake for 25-30 mins.


• Cool in the tin and then cover with 6oz of melted chocolate.


• Divide into squares and enjoy with a delicious cup of coffee, Jamaica Blue Mountain of course!

Love is........

To celebrate the run up to Valentines day I have teamed up with the lovely people over at Blue Mountain Emporium who carry the most divine, prestiges coffee on earth! Grown on the blue mountain in Jamaica, with a portion of the profits going towards the setting up of a scholarship fund, to allow disadvantaged children to access an education!  They have kindly decided to let you into some of their most jealously guarded, delicous coffee receipes!!They felt that valentines day should be as much about loving yourself as perhaps a person you love!So which ever way you feel, if you adore your coffee, you have the perfect excuse to bake yourself a beautiful coffee treat! Each day in the lead up to valentines day, there will be a brand new recipe to try, unique to Blue Mountain Emporium!!!  

  

Love is remembering what first brought you together, never wanting to hang up, loosing yourself in a kiss, each moment spent together feels as sweet as the last. S xx

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Ingredients:

For the pudding;

125g / 4 ½ oz Ready to eat Dates, chopped.

125ml / 4 ½ fl oz water, just off the boil.

1tsp Jamaica Blue Mountain Instant Coffee.

¼ tsp vanilla extract.

½ heaped tsp bicarbonate of soda.

37g / 1 ½ oz butter, at room temperature.

75g / 2 ½ oz Demerara raw cane sugar.

1 large fresh egg, beaten.

87g / 3oz self-raising flour, sifted.

For the sauce;

87g / 3oz Demerara raw cane sugar.

55g / 2oz butter.

60ml / 2floz double cream

Method

• Pre-heat oven to Gas Mark 4, 350 F, 180 C.

• Grease and flour a 2lb loaf tin.

• Place chopped dates, Blue Mountain Instant Coffee, vanilla extract and bicarbonate of soda into a bowl. Add the nearly boiling water, stir and leave on one side. This will turn into an almost pureed mass.

• In a large bowl mix the butter and sugar, beating well. Add small quantities of egg, beating well after each addition.

• Fold in the sifted flour with a metal spoon. Add all of the date mixture and fold in.

• Pour into prepared tins and bake in the middle of the oven for 30-35 mins, depending on size of container, or until done when tested with a skewer. [NB This mixture will also make 6 individual muffin sized puddings, bake for 20 mins.]

• Make the sauce by melting all the ingredients in a pan over a gentle heat, stirring until the sugar has completely dissolved.

• Place pudding on a serving dish and pour over the hot sauce. Serve with a good quality vanilla ice cream and enjoy!

 

Wear It Well! Wear It Now! x

If  like me the latest trend for wearing your inner wear out i.e wearing your pajamas and underwear as part of your staple wardrobe look, for this spring/summer 2010, has taken you utterly by surprise or for that matter has not yet not caught up with you!!  Fear not, as today I am going to provide you with some great inspiration  and hot style tips for how to wear this very comfy trend well! Hoorah for elastic waist bands!

Ok firstly, if your wearing this look in the evening avoid the above set like the plague! Even real silk or satin pjs in a bright garish colour run the risk of looking like cheap, polyester and tapered legs are a no! If you want to wear silk or satin for the evening go for wrap styles, buy the best you can afford, or vintage.Opt for luxe colours like maroon, chocolates and black and wear with pumps to keep the look really elegant, team with chunky acrylic bangles,( for a quirkey twist) a long stand of small pearls and a razor sharp bob.

 

For evening look out for shoes like these sling backs by (truffle), classic styling, mid heel and ruching all compliment this luxe look.Accessorise with a little black clutch, simple detailing, textured fabric, rather than a leather finish, keep the look clean but elegant.

Want to go pretty for evening? Take inspiration from soft grey, jelly pumps in subtle hues and kimono style cardigans, worn open.

 

Feeling confident and free, opt for this very stylish androgenous look, charcoal, striped, straight leg pjs  teamed with a stack of black, ivory acrylic or red bangles and a funky pair of vans!

 

Remember with this look fabric is everything! Want a really chic day look?Opt for a natural palette in good quality linen.Top tip- can't find pj styles that don't taper to flatter your figure? Cheat! Buy wide leg linen trousers and team with a linen nero collar shirt, in the same colourway and roll up the sleeves a little. Avoid high heels, pointy toes, shiney shoes and earrings! Bobbed hair or a clean pony look best. 

For a luxe evening look, try wearing a vintage mans belted dessing gown, worn with matching full length slip to protect your modesty as a dress with bare legs and gold pumps, add a bit of leopard and your good to go! 

Stripes beware! Top tip! If you like the set of mans pj above with BOLD charcoal stripes, either opt for wearing open, with a linen waistcoat in cream underneath! Or just do a striped pant with a plain shirt or pj top in a shade of grey.Otherwise however elongating, the stripes will be wearing you! Hope you enjoyed joining me for todays masterclass, on how to translate this very comfy trend into a wearable look for your wardrobe. S xx