My Passport To Style | Alphabet Chic

B is for.....

 Belt Buckle collection, Bellissimo! 

credits- victorialouise.co.uk

My Passport To Style | Granny Gives Long Distance Beauty Tips!

Hi Gals, grannys not around right now she is enjoying the sea air off the Almafi coast, however she decided that readers of My Passport To Style might apreciate her insight when it comes to matters relating to personal grooming and beauty. I have to confess to getting slightly huffy as I had something planned for this slot, however Granny it such a charmer she won me round and her second slot here, given that Granny says a blog is just a inflated word for diary she is doing pretty well to put in a second appearance! So after a long drawn out phone call with granny. She imparted the following hard won wisdom regarding a beauty regime that she credits with keeping her looking the way she does. I was not about to tell her I had been doing it all wrong, but was very was suprised to learn that Granny credits her svelte nose that I have long admired, to nights spent with a clothes peg at the end of her nose! You have to admire her courage!

Grannys hard won beauty and grooming tips

1. Granny credits washing in cold water as the secret to small pores and silky smooth skin.

2.Next she advices to only sleep on your back, if your marital snuggles suffer,so be it she says sternly, this is the only route to reducing the wrinkes around your eyes.

3.Granny says that in her day bloating had never been heard of and neither had passing on the bread basket! She credits her slim tum and tight jaw line to chewing each mouthful of food one hundred times!

4. Next she advocates only wearing fitted clothing or if you are wearing somthing loose to always wear a belt with no acceptions, the reason which was drilled into her by her ballet instructor is good posture, if we are aware of our tummy and our waist we are more likely to pull them in, thus strengthening the muscles which leads to a flatter stomache. 

Bellissimo granny!

credits - hubpages.com

  

My Passport To Style | Marc Jacobs Summer 2012 Collection, At Paris Fashion Week

ill fitting lady like does not work

The question on every ones lips right now is will Marc Jacobs take over the helm at Dior? Well firstly I need to say I'm a huge fan of the man and his work, but in my opinion there were some pieces that just did not work, you know the saying a model can wear a bin liner and still look great, well it simply is not true, I know Vivienne Westwood will be displeased with me for saying that, sorry Vivienne.

Now to explain my bin liner analogy of course non of Mark Jacobs clothes looked remotely like a bin liner, however some of his detailing in this collection was supersized and as such looked ill fitting in my opinion, such as his collars and some of the skirts, now of course this is pure Marc Jacobs to be playful with proportions and materials which is often what women love about Marc Jacobs, because of his ability to inject a youthfulness into even the most sophisticated of looks and this season is the season of playing with proportion, we are seeing cocoon coats and sloping shoulders popping up all over the high street right now.


But fit never goes out of fashion and where as a cocoon coat might work beautifully to disguise a fuller shaped bottom half and show of shapely calves on a real woman, on a model who is let's face it is pretty angular, where Marc had played with shape by stretching out skirt lines, these dresses from his collection ended up looking like pretty, but rather deflated stiff crisp packets, rendering the models wearing these pieces awkward in their ill fitting garments and helpless rather than carefree.


There was much to love however, in this collection, clever use of metallic's, pastels and primary colours all held together by a variety of textured floral shapes. Mr Jacobs masterfully combined large flower laser cut outs, with a clean sporty aesthetic the crisp white roll neck featured was cut to perfection, the navy and white large broderie anglaise pattern, biker jacket with navy small broderie anglaise print skirt was achingly chic, as was the egg yolk yellow swing coat again in broderie anglaise with large collar cream collar. Marc Jacobs popularity stems from his intuitive sense of knowing what women want from clothing and what men like to see women wearing, the two are of course completely different, but Marc Jacobs genius, is in his ability to combine the two so seamlessly .

My Passport To Style | Charnos 75th Anniversary Range, Helps Women Get Leggy

If you have always hankered after legs up to your armpits then you might be pleased to know that Charnos have celebrated their 75th anniversary, by launching the most amazing stockings that are literally tailored to your personal leg shape, dressing does not get much more bespoke than this! As a Stylist that helps women find clothes that reflect who they are and that flatter their unique shape I am very aware of the variety of proportions that make up our leg shape, myself included! Below is their very useful guide to flattering your legs based on the six leg shapes above and how could anyone resist the gorgeous packaging, I plan on framing mine!  

The Athlete: You have fantastic muscle definition with shapely thighs, cavles and perfect ankles.

• Try the ‘Marilyn’ (RRP £17.00) – Classic and sexy these stockings are named after the one and only, 50s blonde bombshell, Marilyn Monroe. The luxury flocked lace top, complete with an elegant diamante velour bow will give The Athlete’s legs some ladylike glamour.


The Pillar: Straight up and down – define your ankles, elongate your legs, making them stand proud.


• Try the ‘Jackie’ (RRP £14.00)- Elegant and sophiticated, these tights are inspired by fashionable First Lady Jackie Kennedy. The ladylike backseam on these tights will elongate The Pillar’s legs, and the beautiful diamante bow will help define ankles.






The Compact: Just because you’re pint sized doesn’t mean you should go unnoticed. Good things come in small packages.


• Try the ‘Brigitte’ (RRP £18.00) – These fun and flirty tights are named after iconic 60’s sex symbol, Brigitte Bardot. These sexy sheer tights with fun mini spot pattern have an alluring Swarovski crystal dotted backseam, sure to get The Compact’s legs noticed.






The Flamingo: Long and slim, most would be envious but you’d like some more shape to make your legs stand out.


• Try the ‘Betty’ (RRP £17.00) – These bold and beautiful tights are a tribute to the number one pin-up of World War II, Betty Grable. The pretty filigree printed design will add shape and interest to The Flamingo’s slim legs.


The Show Girl: Perfect from tip to toe. You have the perfect pin proportions no matter your dress size.


• Try the ‘Katharine’ (RRP £16.00) – These strong and confident hold ups are a tribute to Hollywood legend Katharine Hepburn. These sheer hold ups with a luxury flocked lace top will show off The Showgirl’s perfectly proportioned pins.

The Wine Glass: Heavy thighs can be a problem in some eyes, so accentuate your amazing ankles.




• Try the ‘Ava’ (RRP £20.00) – These sultry and sensual hold ups were inspired by Hollywood actress and style icon, Ava Gardner. The elegant printed floral backseam with a luxury flocked lace top will draw attention to The Wine Glass’s slim calves and ankles.


To find out more click here

My Passport To Style | Lulu Guiness's Winter 2011 Handbags

Hi Gals, this winter 2011 collection of Lulu Guiness's handbags proclaims she is a genius, not only in designing beautiful creative bags that draw us into her world of fantasy, but how many other handbag brands do you know that market themselves so effortlessly? Without the need for expensive marketing campaigns and props, Lulu Guiness's range must be every department stores dream. Well this simple display has worked it's magic on me anyway, I want this modette inspired family of handbags including mum top right, with her huge fish like eyes, that I would have to name Beryl, big sister top left and cute little sister bottom right. To not keep the family together would just feel really wrong! I'm guessing Lulu was banking on the strong bond we feel for women in our familes, when she designed the trio and even if my phsyco babble is misplaced, you can bet that there will be sisters, mums and girlfriends out there this Christmas buying these bags for each other! Do you have a favourite Lulu Guiness bag? I would love to know which one and why you treasure it?   

My Passport To Style | Alphabet Chic, P Is For .....

P is for pretty packaging however simple the product, it brightens our day as well as our teeth!!

My Passport To Style | Which Of Your Summer Bags Should Hang Around For A/W 2011?

wovenpurses.com 

 Hi Gals, before you look at this elegant raffia tote and remember that you have a similar bag languishing at the back of your wardrobe/closet that won't be seeing the light of day now till next summer 2012. Here is quick style tip to brighten your Monday, this bags shape and fabric  is perfect for wearing with this winter 2011 seasons mod inspired looks that featured heavily on the catwalks; vintage inspired mod looks can be in danger of looking a little brassy when teamed with traditional PVC accessorise, the raffia weave adds an element of sophistication. This bag would also work well to add warmth and anchor more futuristic winter whites if your more inclined in that direction this A/W 2011.

Vanessa Bruno

My Passport To Style | Granny Dishes The Dirt On Natural Stain Removal



favourite A-line blue silk shift dress



 With wear it for one evening only dressing, becoming a distant memory and the party season fast approaching. I was discussing the merits of certain stain removers with granny after getting peppercorn sauce down the front of my favourite silk dress. Granny loves to offer her advice when it comes to dressing for special occasions, grooming and keeping your wardrobe in pristine condition. Granny firmly believes that she is more Italian than Italian women when it comes to dressing stylishly and as she spends half the year off the Almafi coast on her sun lounger sucking on huge fragrant lemons the size of a baby's head, (she still believes they prevent rickets) she probably is!

 Granny knew that the thought of unleashing a stain devil and all its toxins onto my favourite silk dress and into my home was causing me some concern, so she came to the rescue with her top four natural stain removing techniques. You may be  pleased to know gals, if you have the ingredients at home to make your own custard, your more than half way towards saving yourself money and death by chemicals when it comes to stain removal. I have to confess Granny triumphed and saved my dress! 

Grannys Top Secret Stain Removal Techniques

1. Remove red wine, by placing tying the stained garment over the top of a large pudding basin and then pour boiling water over the top of the stain, the red wine will run through the garment.

orange 60's kettle with print

2.Remove fresh fat and oil stains by rubbing cornflour gently into the stain and leaving for 20 minutes before washing through.


Great natural stain remover milk



3.Remove biro by soaking the mark in milk and leaving over night then washing through.

palette knife perfect for tough gum that won't budge

4.Remove chewing gum, by placing the garment in the freezer till hard and then gently scraping of with a palette knife.

cornflour to thicken custard can be used to remove fat stains

Glam lady eating pasta politely

If you know of any other natural stain removers that have worked for you I would love to know them!

 

My Passport To Style| Reviews Nature Shops| Emu, Romani Boots

I was recently asked if I would like review a pair of Nature Shops black Romani Suede boots, as I love the companies responsible attitude to the environment and with winter on its way, I thought you gals might appreciate discovering more about this comfortable emu style boot . I felt this particular style offered the versatility and detailing to be styled up in various ways in time for winter 2011. From wearing them full length, for a classic biker style look, with a favourite battered leather jacket and skinny jeans, to rolling them down and wearing with chunky colourful long Navajo knits and tights (like my recent purchase from Warehouse below) or even adopting a luxe ski look and teaming them with a long quilted glossy cream coat, black roll neck fun goggle glasses and a wide leather headband.

First Impressions

The Nature Shop boots came beautifully packaged in a brown card box with large gold floral print and a rope handle. Once open I spotted a swish fabric tote with large gold nature shop lettering and logo which I thought was a really nice touch, as the bag has a drawstring also you could choose to use the bag as shoe bag to protect your boots or just as a tote.

The boots themselves are well made from premium sheepskin and 3/4 length with the sheepskin turned over, there is a chunky brass effect ring that fastens at the outer side of each boot, through which an additional strip of suede is looped and attached with a sweet brass heart stud, this attention to detail I felt gives the boots a luxe edge. At the back of each boots is premium gold stitched initialling.

Comfort V Style

For those of you that have worn this style of boot in a different style such as the stinger, you will know they are quite roomy, so great if you want to wear a thicker sock, however unless its sub zero conditions there is no need as the sheepskin lining works well to keep feet toasty and wick any sweat from your feet away. I love being able to just pull on a pair of boots with no zip, fastening etc which sound incredibly lazy but when you're in a rush it's great! The boots have nice big treads on them, having tried them out on the pathways near my home which are now laced with slippery autumn leaves, they do work to keep you upright and your dignity in tact!

The only thing that I found, was I have what I term sporty calves! So rolling the boot up to its full length made the fit quite tight and meant that the fibres of the plush black fleece inner lining stuck up around the outer edge of the boot slightly, so I would probably wear them rolled down as intended or rolled up with straight black jeans over the top.



please note * I received these boots as compensation for writing this review

My Passport To Style | Granny Dishes The Dirt On Natural Stain Removers

 With wear it for one evening only dressing, becoming a distant memory and the party season fast approaching. I was discussing the merits of certain stain removers with granny after getting peppercorn sauce down the front of my favourite silk dress.