LETS TALK......FASHION & BEAUTY TRENDS FOR 2014

WHAT ARE THE KEY MAKE-UP LOOKS FOR AW 14?

This is what Witchery had to say............ 

PALE FLAWLESS SKIN was a key look for Autumn/Winter this season, perfectly prepped with foundation and dusted with a liberal coat of powder, the look is effortless skin but with a matte satin texture.

LIPS were prominent in shades of soft barely there beige browns through to soft berry colours, but appeared stained and not perfectly ‘lip lined painted’ with a matte finish.

UNTAMED BROWS were featured heavily this season and the untamed bushy brow made quite an impact on many a runway show from Isabel Marant to Haider Ackerman.

THE NEW ‘SMOKEY EYE’  is an updated version of a past trend. The look for this campaign was a smudgy black kohl under the eyes or a smokey eye in all shades of cool greys, soft browns, bruise purples and charcoal tones. The look was a little rock and roll.

 BLUSH was used scarcely, with skin left bare or slightly contoured cheekbones in a neutral shade to give an effortless ‘barely there’ look.

Well I think it all sounds great, please let me interpret how I'll be incorporating this look into my everyday:

Firstly "pale flawless skin"- I can do pale---No make up---DONE!

Second- barley there lips and a not perfectly lined lip - Excellent no lippy,just some balm---DONE!

3rdly- The new "smokey Eye"- OK, this will perhaps only be my everyday if I have not managed to wash of eye make up from the day before.----DONE!

Lastly-Blush was scarcely used-----again I can do this--DONE! 

Now lets look at Hair....

WHAT ARE THE KEY HAIR TRENDS FOR WINTER?

The key to all hair trends this winter is for the cut to be left that little bit longer.

I love Jane Birkin hair, subtle cut but very alluring, long eyelash grazing fringe, full layers that gently cascade to just below the shoulders. It’s all very French, style but un-styled, sophisticated but not too chic.

Grown out pixie cuts are also trending, left a little longer and more tousled. For me this cut looks best when it’s just over due for a snip or get your stylist to cut it a shade longer.

New versions of the bob are really exciting, maybe a blunt cut fringe or a low side swept parting but defiantly with uneven layers. The key is to keep the look non-predictable, undone but still with polish. Arizona’s cut for Witchery AW14 for me is the perfect length. (see ad below How to wear)

I've pretty much had the same hair style since I was in my 20's, when I had my last baby I decided to have a fringe cut (that I convinced a girlfriend to do for me). I've always wanted a fringe,but just never got around to it. 

Then I decided that I was going to cut it short (shoulder Length)This my husband did for me!

I know scary Huh! however he was trimming my daughters hair at the time & bragging about his cutting skills, so I said let's put your skills to work.....Next minute he has snipped of my hair (that was half way down my back).....OH WELL! I said it will grow back!
(as sloooow as ever, mind you!)

I know what you thinking....does this girl realise that there is such a thing as a hair dresser, yes I do, however I am really busy & really lazy & I have never liked going to the hair dresser, don't get me wrong, In the past I have always gone to the hair dresser to get my hair coloured & cut & I'm super fussy about my hair. But I just find it a waste of time really.....I like to get in & get out!

Here I am with my new fringe.....(and baby Mia).
See how on trend I was last year....barely there make up look=No make up at all.

 Seconds after I had it cut........

Then there's the growing out of the fringe......what a pain that is!

anyway its grown out enough now so that looks a Little more like it used to, a sort of grown out longer version of the pixie cut, so there you have it, my style's trendy (glad something is).

I love white & I love a cardigan, so It looks like I'll be sporting this look for Autumn/winter this year.

SASS & BIDE: says.......

Prints rule,with everything from polka dot to houndstooth and fresh graphic florals.

The must have piece's for the season are -----

A structured jacket.

The modern cape.

DESIGNER INSPIRED - things that inspire our designers;

• New york city..... always makes the list.
• Paris....Of course!
• Black on Black on Black...& Black and White.
• The modern cape...(I love capes)
• The 1920's. 
• The 1960's also seem to be a firm favourite for inspiration:

"The silhouettes were sharp and cool" says Wayne Cooper".

In the end I think fashion & beauty is all about living a happy life,looking after yourself, wearing items that express your own personal style, staying true to your own body shape(as a mom this certainly changes-so changing with it is KEY! I still have not regained my post baby body with 9 kg still to loose, so I don't try to squeeze into my old cloths, I've adapted my style for now),dressing to enhance your best assets & hiding your not so best.....

Keeping it classic.....& looking at the past for future inspiration will always be IN STYLE! 

Dress by Nina Ricci 1960

Audrey Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn in "breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)

Jackie O

Jacqueline kennedy Onassis 1960

Anne Hathaway in classic Jackie O style

I have definitely found inspiration over the year from both Audrey Hepburn & Jackie O. As a lover of classic style, I think that they both optimised "classic". 

Black & white/Pearls/big black sunglasses/classic hair/gloves/a scarf/a structured jacket/a turtle neck. When in doubt I feel that these items will always carry you through.

have you found inspiration from either of these classic Icons? 

who's style do you love? what are your go to pieces?

And how has that influenced you?

Have a great week! LL.

LETS TALK........PANTONE COLOUR OF THE YEAR

what's all the fuss about anyway, I mean:

What or who is Pantone?

Why is there "the colour of the year"?

And who picks it?

Pantone began its life as a Commercial printing company in the 50's & through a part time employee's (Lawrence Herbert) chemistry knowledge, a simplified sytem of the companies stock of pigments & the production of inks was born.

Herbert went on to purchase thier technological assets and renamd them "Pantone".

There primamary product being the Pantone guides that are bound into a Fan deck. Were a particullar page will contain varying tints of say, blue.

Today Pantone Inc. Is a company headquatered in New Jersy. They are best known for thier Pantone Matching System(PMS). Basically it describes the way that colours can be represented and is largely a standardized color reproduction system.  A given set of names or numbers that correspond to a physical color swatch.

For eg: "PMS 130". PMS colours have even been used by the military & government legislation and are almost always used in branding:
Tiffany & co. have a private custom colour by Pantone: PMS 1837.
     
Are you still with me???

Colour of the Year:
Twice a year the company hosts a secret meeting of representatives from various nations "colour standards groups" & after 2 days of presentations & debate they choose a colour for the following year.

The visionary behind Pantones Color of the year, Leatrice Eiseman explains 2014's colour:- Saying that its a magical colour denoting creativity & inspiring confidence & innovation.

"In the world of color, purple is an attention-getter, and it has a meaning. It speaks to people, and we felt that it was time for the purple family to be celebrated. 
That's why we chose the particular shade called Radiant Orchid." 
- Leatrice Eisman.

Fashion:
We can already see it being used in the Versace Spring 2014 Collection in its more sutble hue. I do think this particular shade looks very pretty. Not sure if its my colour thought!

So there it is, What do you think? I'm not really sure about that much effort being put into a colour.  For me however Purple is my least favorite colour, I do love lavender bushes & they are of the purple family in colour. I love Hydrandeas and they can tend to look a little blue ish /Purple. So perhaps I'll use it in the garden this year after all! however I dont have it in my home and dont plan to use it. 
I have to say that the images below are absolutly stunning, it looks extremely elegant. I still cant say that I will use it in my home, however I was definatley converted into liking it. 

 Love the chair.......

 This room really works, its so prety & I like the mix of colours. I love the blue teamed with the lavender......did I just say "Love" Hmmm!!

This is really pretty

This is Suzan Kasler & I must admit its stunning, I'm slowly crossing over........ 

This is stunning -just a lttle hint of it in the table cloth

This is my take on "the Color of the year"

OK! so I must say that perhaps I dont dislike it as much as I thought, I still do not like it as a deep dark purple however as Lavender or a blue ish purple & even the silver/grey/purple is really growing on me. All of theese shades are not as bright as "Radiant Orchid" however it is definatly one of its hues and to me looks way more elegant and user freindly.
what do you think of this years colour? or perhaps youll be inspired to use it in its lighter shade as in these images.
Will you be adding it to your home decor?
LL.

My latest obsession with navy blue

I've started incorporating navy into my media room. 
I've always loved navy & white though, especially in clothes.
But I haven't really used it in my home decor a lot. I have a rug under my desk in navy blue & off white & I love it!

I have plans for these fabrics! I'll show you soon. 

These fabric are all premier prints: 
(If anyone's interested in them just let me know).

Premier Prints Towers Navy Blue

Premier Prints linked navy blue

Premier Prints Indoor/Outdoor Cadence Deep Blue

Premier prints houndstooth navy/ white

Navy  is Not just for nautical lovers, navy blue is timeless, elegant & sophisticated. It's both masculine & feminine and can be used to achieve both looks for a room.

Navy blue simply put......is classy. Whether you team it with gold/ bronze or silver/chrome accessories it doesn't matter, as it lends itself to both. 

I personally love to team it with silver/chrome.

However as you can see from the picture below the gold is amazing. 

It's the colour of choice for our police force here in Australia. The Navy and military have used it for centuries, as its regal, authoritative and commands attention.

So if your looking for your interior space to command attention then navy blue might be the colour of choice for your next project.

 This is soooo Elegant....The beautiful Grey/Blue wall the Glossy navy chest with its gold detailing & the fabulous leopard print carpet. By Larry Hooke Interiors in Seattle

Love the panel work

 Love this! the Navy/Grey walls with the patterned rug and accessories of orange are sublime. Its Quite restrained,but needs nothing Else

I think that perhaps this is my favorite image! 

I love the use of Silver/Chrome with navy

This is so soothing, I love the cute little chair,the rug and the white staircase

This is Emily Clarks living room, I love her blog if you haven't been over to have a look I highly recommend it!

http://emilyaclark.com/

Who can resist a collection of blue & white?

This is the Rancics outdoor area. I love this so much, it's so fresh & crisp

This China is beautiful. A must have to compliment your new navy room.

(All images via Pinterest)

Have you used Navy in your house? Perhaps on the walls or in Furniture or in accessories. Just a hint as an accent or a room that's undeniably navy?

What room have you used it in?

I hope you enjoy these images & have a great week.

I'm off to re-paint some chairs !

LL.