COLLECTION: Seclusion

Introducing SECLUSION with unbelievably stunning talent and expertise from Amelia Evans, Lucy Tuck, Luke Benson and Peter Burkill

Missguided's Latest Collection

Missguided.com can do no wrong in my eyes at the moment and these are my top 4 favourites that are new to online

DIET: Slimming World Day One

New year new me ... Yes I did just say that and I am officially on my Slimming World journey

First Christmas as Mr & Mrs

As most of you already know I got married to my fabulous husband in August and this year we celebrate our first Christmas as Mr & Mrs! Here are my gift ideas for a special Christmas

COLLECTION: ClubStar Art Team with BaByliss PRO UK

I was lucky enough to be able to catch a glimpse of the action back stage at this phenomenal shoot and I am so excited to share the amazing collection with you

Christmas All Wrapped Up

This week has been all about gift wrapping and here is how I have Christmas all wrapped up this year

A Greenwich Christmas

I fell in love with Greenwich this weekend with its beautiful park, fantastic shops and stunning market

COLLECTION: Dark Romantic

Introducing DARK ROMANTIC with stunning silhouettes created by the black and white imagery using different textures, including braiding and crimping

My New Car Fragrance

The luxury fragrance that has left me car smelling beautiful for the last week and why I am converted 

I use my car everyday and sometimes I take guests and clients with me so it is really important my car looks and smells great. I have always been a Yankee Candle Car Freshener 'type of girl' but I find at first the smell is overpowering but they do last a really long time.

A beautiful package from NIA Fragrances* arrived a week or so ago and I was impressed with the packaging first and foremost. I cannot emphasise enough the importance of the styling of online ordering for the consumer and I certainly wasn't disappointed.

There is a selection of three fragrances to choose from on the website and you can see them here and I highly recommend ...... which has been lightly fragrancing my car for the last 7 days. 

Why I am converted? It looks beautiful in my car for a start. This is important for me, especially if I have a client with me who I want to impress. All of a sudden the bottle of Chanel I have strategically placed on my dressing table is mirrored by the NIA Fragrance strategically now placed in my car.

Then there is the fragrance that is subtle enough to provide the aroma but without leaving my eyes streaming or my nose running. Three compliments later and I think I am converted. 

I was gifted this item so I wasn't sure of the retail price but estimated £10 so was pleasantly surprised when I saw it was £7.50.

The only downfall, not enough choice but this will come with time so I will keep an eye out.

Have you tried NIA Fragrances what were your thoughts?

The Classic White Trainer

The classic white trainer is still a popular choice of footwear with different style and options available. Here are my top 4

An Industry Celebration

Every year the hair industries top experts gather for a celebration at The Fellowship for British Hairdressings Luncheon & Awards, and this year I was invited to attend the sold out event

COLLECTION: Metallica

Introducing METALLICA with its dark and edgy feel using the cooler side of the colour palette to create a moonlight inspired collection 

Binky Launches Her First Clothing Range

Binky Felstead launches her first clothing range with inthestyle.com and you can find out more here ...

FAME Team 2015 : The Future

I have been privileged to have followed the F.A.M.E. Teams journey since I undertook my new role in March this year. This fantastic four have had a year action packed with mentoring days, stage presence and even a trip to South Africa. Today I got to spend their final day as part of this prestigious Team at the beautiful Berkeley Hotel in Knightsbridge with Errol Douglas MBE, and find out why  we haven't heard the last from Amelia. Lucy, Luke and Peter. 

TIPS: Online Dating

I met my husband over 5 years ago after spending the previous 2 years online dating. He is pretty awesome and I learnt a lot about finding love on the internet over the 24 months I spent writing messages, talking on the phone and meeting for coffee

TREND ALERT: Oil Slick Hair

Recently the hashtag #oilslick has been trending on Social Media and is a beautiful look that is influenced by the colours created from an oil slick.

HJ's 2015 British Hairdressing Awards

Last night was the prestigious Hairdressers Journal British Hairdressing Awards which changes the lives of 16 winners through this amazing accolade

ComiCon Wows in Birmingham

The inner geek comes out of me once a year at the fantastic ComiCon event in Birmingham. I am always massively overwhelmed by the amount of effort some go to with their costumes and this year was no exception

Dorothy Perkins

I have recently been really excited by Dorothy Perkins fantastic fashion choices and I wanted to share with you some beautiful pieces that I am loving at the moment

Say it in Heels

Burgundy Tie Front Cut Out Heels * Silver Ankle Strap Platform Heels

Black Leather Fringed Heels * Purple Ankle Strap Heels

Gold Strappy Platform Heels * Bronze Metallic Gladiator Platform Heels 

(Click the text to head straight to the website)

Lonely The Brave - Wow!

My job leads me to specialise in fashion and hair however my recent trip to see Lonely The Brave has led me to embrace a slightly different blog entry - a gig review!

On Wednesday night I ventured with my husband (still love saying that) up to Birmingham for a gig that was outstanding in every way. I purchased the tickets while on honeymoon in September and I remember sitting on the bed in Pismo Beach excitedly booking our tickets on the rather awful WiFi they had. This week the date finally came around.

A Morning with an Industry Legend

Monday was a pretty awesome day! The End Just kidding, well about "the end" part. Read about my awesome day with an industry legend

A Touch of Pink

Who hasn't heard about BLEACH Londons range in Boots? 

Keep Warm In Style

It is definitely starting to feel a lot more like Autumn and that means that exciting (and somewhat) dreaded search for the perfect coat. The hunt is on for a coat that keeps you warm but is stylish - oh and one that can work with jeans, tights, and if you want to add a scarf. Phew! 

Style Find

Starting the day the right way - hello Costa - and the rather fabulous Telegraph magazine. Autumn is well and truly here and I love wrapping up and walking in this season - so my Dorothy Perkins bobble hat kept me cosy

Behind The Scenes

I recently had the privilege of being in attendance of a beautiful collection for F.A.M.E. Team 2015 and I showed you the fabulous imagery here

The concept was like nothing I have seen before and along with the still images are moving cinemagraph imagery which definitely left me saying "wow"

I am very lucky to be able to attend some fabulous photo shoots in my job so I thought a little 'behind the scenes' would share just what goes into creating those beautiful collections you see in the glossy magazines and online

Meet Amelia Evans, Lucy Tuck, Luke Benson and Peter Burkill and prepare to be inspired

Let me know what you think and remember if you are an aspiring hairdresser, editor for a magazine or want information for your blog then get in touch. I love hearing from you and I have already met some amazing people through my blog so thank you

Credits:

Hair: Fellowship for British Hairdressing’s F.A.M.E Team Amelia Evans, Lucy Tuck, Luke Benson and Peter Burkill
Creative direction: Andreas Stavrou at StillMotionInc
Photography Stills: David Mannah
Motion: D&A Films
Styling: Bernard Connolly
Make-up: Krystie G

"Still Motion"

A few months ago I spent the day with the fantastic four Amelia, Lucy, Luke and Peter for their F.A.M.E. Team 2015 shoot in collaboration with ghd ( Read more here ) 

I love working with these four and they really are ones to watch in the industry. I am now incredibly pleased to show you the collection "Still Motion"

The Story: Still Motion introduces the concept of a digital and print platform in this collection inspired originality and timelessness. Still Motion embraces a fresh and captivating vibe, with beautiful emotive styling that is enhanced by cinemagraphic movement to create something entirely innovative

Hair: F.A.M.E. Team in collaboration with GHD

Photography Stills: David Mannah

Motion: D&A Films

Reportage & SBS’s: Ashley Martin

Styling: Bernard Connolly

Make-up: Krystie G

Let me know what you think, and stay tuned to hear more from this Team

Much love
LJ x

Preparing for a Trade Show

This year I was lucky enough to be front row for all three days of The Fellowship Stage at Salon International. That means I had the perfect view of everything the fantastic line up had to showcase. I was writing, taking photos and live twitter feeding throughout - oh plus I got a cheeky fringe cut in by the legend that is Bruno Marc from Marc Antoni.

After arriving on Saturday - coffee in hand and a quick flat to heel change of shoe - I took my place for the show. 

1. Be prepared

These shows are the perfect opportunity to get tips and hints from big names in the industry so make sure you come armed with everything you need. Phones are perfect for recording and capturing beautiful looks but a pen and paper never goes a miss at these events. A quick jot down of everything and anything can mean the difference between knowing where to place a hair piece or how to produce a show stopping avante garde look

Oh and food! Never under estimate how busy you might be at a show like this. That sandwich break you think you will have you probably wont so bring lunch. My top tip - if you are staying in a hotel their biscuits can make the difference between tummy rumbling and feeling slightly fulfilled

2. Dress Code

That beautiful outfit you have seen in Topshop will be perfect and those high heels would look great with it. Just remember you will be on your feet all day and you might look hot but when you are walking like a baby giraffe because your toes are crumpled and your feel are killing you wont look quite as glamorous

3. Plan

This is the perfect opportunity to visit some great brands and see some fabulous shows. Don't just rock up and hope for the best. Plan who you want to see and consider getting to the stage earlier. Limited seating will mean those shoes you have still chosen to wear (against my advice) will be subjecting your feet to even more standing

4. Be Professional

Any trade exhibition you visit should be considered an interview. You are passing by industry experts so remember to impress. You never know when you might meet them again. Swearing and talking loudly over a coffee in the cafe isn't how you want to be remembered

5. Be surprised

You have chosen who you want to see and you have seen all the brands you want to so what next? Go and see someone you haven't. Better than that go and support an upcoming team or individual. Everyone appreciates a full crowd and I was wowed by all of our younger or less well known experts

6. Ask

Our membership is a great opportunity to network, and there are lots of other great organisations in every industry so don't be afraid to ask for more details. You cannot be expected to know everything so don't feel silly - ASK!

7. Enjoy

You have been looking forward to this exhibition all year and now it is here - ENJOY!

5 Shades of Grey

Not content with getting married only a month or so ago ... we decided lets go for it and move house too. Basically if we weren't stressed before we made sure we were by the end of September. Several boxes later and over £50 spent on every kind of cleaning product - which for some reason I felt the need to do. It is entirely normal to buy an all purpose cleaning spray, plus a window cleaner, bathroom foam, toilet spray and kitchen cleaning liquid right?

Anyway, we are moved in and loving life.

But, I have developed an obsession with grey. I cannot walk passed a grey home accessory without thinking "I must have it" so I thought why not share my obsession. I consider it therapy!

Here are my top 5:

1. Ikea Bed Set Kingsize £35 was £45 (Buy here)

I originally went in to Ikea to buy a different bed set but we noticed this as we were wandering the aisles buying items that we definitely need (but will never use). I was sold on the button detail on the pillows. The duvet looks lovely in our room and I am really impressed with the feel of the material. We washed it straight away before putting it on the bed and it washed up really well. I shopped around for duvet covers and because we love a king size duvet the prices were between £40 and £60 of sets I liked. This was a bargain!

2. Laura Ashley Wallpaper £15.75 was £35 (Buy here)

We knew we wanted grey wide striped wallpaper for a feature wall in the bedroom. Sounds easy to find? It isn't. Well unless you like a bit of sparkle in your life - which I am not adverse too but I like to think I add enough sparkle to a room. I hunted for ages and after 2 months I found this one and even better it was in the sale. Fantastic quality which is to be expected from Laura Ashley - and when we needed an extra roll the team at Laura Ashley were really helpful in arranging store collection. I am so impressed I have already chosen my next rooms wallpaper from them

3. Ikea TV Cabinet £180 (Buy here)

I can't be the only wife or girlfriend that has to hear how important it is the TV cabinet can house the sky box, sound bar, iPod docking station and the all important PS4! With electrical wires galore it was important we found one that could organise these perfectly but still look great - oh and it needed to be grey (did I mention I love grey?) Well hello Ikea TV Cabinet! For the OCD organisers among us this is perfect for hiding all those remotes (we don't need) and the adaptors that apparently connect the ipad to the TV and the TV to the PS4 - phew!

4. Next Table Runner £8 (Buy here) 

Before we moved I invested in a table runner which was pink and spotty and made the dining room slightly more girly. When your dining room houses large comic book covers you need to add a bit of pink. However, it just doesn't fill my need for grey so off I went into town to find a grey version. Next didn't let me down and we now have a beautiful felt grey table runner. Better than that the felt means that it is perfect for hot serving dishes as it stops any marking on the table (I might have also purchased two grey stick lamps for the bedside tables - I told you I have a problem)

5. Habitat Grey Lamp £40 (Buy here)

This is an example of my distraction to anything grey. Sunday saw my husband and I dragging my best friend down to Homebase to buy light fixtures. I mean she was thrilled as was I. Whilst being dragged around the lighting fixtures area I spotted a Habitat Grey metal lamp in the clearance section reduced from £40 to £25 - and the reason 'discontinued stock'. Hello undamaged bargain! I just need to persuade someone to put it up for me now!

Who else has an interior design obsession?

This Weeks Home Decor Wish List

Since moving into my new house I seem to get pre-occupied with home purchases and I even find myself dreaming about what I could buy next. I mean I do blame 'pinterest' for my distractions. However, here are the items on my shopping list this week:

The lady behind Cath Kidston

Today I was lucky enough to be invited to a speculator Fellowship event at Wella Studios in London. Off I went in my bright green jacket (sometimes I do question my fashion choices but at least cars can't miss me as I dive across the busy streets). I get to attend some fantastic things as part of my role as PR and Marketing Manager so I never take for granted what I get to see. This was no exception! I was that excited I even took a selfie on the train (insert awkward looks from fellow travellers - what a poser!)

I got a front row seat too - which is a massive benefit of my job as unfortunately my photos just aren't as great from the back. 

I thought it only fair I give you an insight into this fantastic lady and the brand she has built so keep reading :) 

Cath Kidston took to the stage in a rather humble manner and I was automatically attentive to everything she had to say (not just because of what I was there to do). This woman gave us the opportunity to understand her as a person and I felt honoured. This event is the first of a long line of calendar dates we will be adding and if they are amazing as this I honestly cannot wait. 

I heard about how Cath Kidston was a name chosen so her clients could easily find her as the Internet wasn't so well utilised then. Her brand became about accessorising the home with mugs, iron board covers and table cloths and her approach gave her many challenges. She was open about how she sought investment to assist with the business running but that gave her new aspects to deal with. I personally loved her ability to captivate the audience with personal anecdotes without even realising how in awe we were. I particularly loved her trip down memory lane in which she talked of forgetting to lock her shop in the early days but finding nothing got stolen as everyone just assumed it was a bric and brac shop. 

There was an opportunity to ask questions in this intimate environment and again she honestly and openly talked about her relationship with her husband and how she chooses to relax. Don't be surprised if you bump into her walking around Selfridges admiring the atmosphere and the ambience! I aim to look out for her and entice her for tea and cake with me! Although she has only just stopped working every day so tracking her down might be hard - this lady truly has the passion for her brand and deserves the success she has both here and internationally! 

If you get chance to attend an event Cath Kidston is at then snap it up! I felt very lucky and I cannot wait for the next Fellowship event of this kind. If you want to find out more about our upcoming schedule get in touch or if you have any questions then please ask. 

P.s if you can add her book to your shopping cart as I really don't think you would be disappointed!