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: