19. 02. 10

A Girl Wants...

A fed hat and some sun so I can wear it.

Want more?
Now that it's nearing the end of February, I demand sun. For the past few days I've woken up every morning and thought to myself "Today is going to be the day that I buy a Fedora hat". Then I look out of the window and it's as if someone has put my white jeans in the wash with a cheap black bra - it is sickeningly grey. Eugh...

14. 01. 10

A Girl Wants...

Hairdresser chat.

Want more?
Yes, you did read that right. I want hairdresser chat. Now, is it just me, or does everybody come away from the hairdresser feeling better, not just about your fresh wash and blowdry, but about life? Life, with all its curls and kinks; it just feels smoother, more shiny, in better condition when you leave the salon. But why? What is it about the hairdresser that is so incredibly therapeutic?
Well, I think I've figured it out. And it took longer than a full head of highlights to get there: the therapy lies in the chat. You know, that menial, superficial, polite, where-are-you-going-on-holiday chat. The type that you feel so ready for, so practiced in, so rehearsed. You arrive, you sit in the swivel chair, they pump it up, you look in the mirror and feel slightly self-conscious, they offer you magazines, and then it begins. The chat. At first they start with the basics, how cold its been recently, which xfactor contestant you are rooting for, whether you've had a busy week etc. But then, it gets personal, and this is where the real therapy starts. Before you know it, you've opened up: how you really feel about the village bicycle sleeping with your brother, what you really think about your current boyfriend's taste in,well, just about everything and when you really want to hand in your note of resignation, but as of yet, haven't had the courage to do so. The list continues. This is the moment when all of your insecurities come to light. Maybe its something to do with the halogen lighting, the flattering mirrors, the rollers that are pulling your scalp a little too tight or the smell of peroxide. But whatever it is, it's effective. Its a respite from normal life, an excuse to speak your mind, and if that's not worth paying £70 for, I don't know what is...

04.01.10

A Girl Wants...

To reassess the health stakes of 2010.

Want more?
Word on the street is that 2010 is going to be a good year. My only wish is that it delivers. In the last decade we've seen some revolutionary changes. Today in january 2010, everyone is fierce on health; everyone strives to meet their 5-a-day. Ten years ago, the average Larry probably thought 5-a-day reflected his cigarette quota. The Wii Fit has re-established exercise, apparantly yoga on the sofa shifts pounds. I want to believe it, I really do. But something inside me is churning. Is eating 5-a-day really going to prevent cancer? Why does Scotland then only have 1-a-day? Are the XXL kids of Britain really going to lose their second tyre by holding a Wii control and flapping their bingo wings? I hate to be the pessimist, but I'm just not convinced. 2009 saw the rise of the Power-Plate, Yogalates, the Credit Crunch Diet and the Orthorexic, that is, a person obsessed with eating healthily. But is it all worth it? Only time will tell. With Britain becoming vainer and vainer by the day, the demand for quick weight loss fixes, and diets which promise a 28 inch waist by tuesday is ironically getting bigger and bigger. In fact, it looks set to burst. Let's just hope this demand isn't fitted with a gastric band...

17. 12. 09

A Girl Wants...

A dress with a deep sweetheart neckline.

Want more?

I am spotting a new trend and I love it already - The Deep Sweetheart Neckline or DSN. I've been lucky enough to see my recent trend spots confirmed: Arran Jumpers (now on ASOS!) and over the knee socks (Pretty much everywhere! as well as OTK boots)

So DSNs? Think stunning cuts, sharp edges and crisp boning with a wink of cleavage. The DSN is versatile which gives it huge promise. On leather studded dresses? Tough girl femininity. On floaty chiffon? Flirtatious chic. What sets the DSN apart from normal plunge necks, is that the boning allows for variation in shape and structure. They can be squared or rounded, peaked or pinched. The ultimate plus side? You don't have to shop at Bravissimo to wear one. Genius.

At the moment I'm totally crushing on Lipsy's DSN's. All I need to do now is win the saturday night lottery draw. Fingers crossed. Failing that? Well, it all rests on two words: Dear Santa..

09. 12. 09

A Girl Wants...

Hassle-free shopping.

Want more?
I confess. I am a bonafide shopaholic. What started as an interest in fashion has kind of morphed into this burning itch which must be satisfied, no its worse than that, its more like a physical pain verging on a coronary, which must be treated. When you walk past a shop window, do you ever notice that the mannequins started winking at you? Sometimes, if you've had a particularly trying day, they might mouth words at you through the glass, "Come in! Look at this patent, flouro-green, tartan lined bomber jacket I'm wearing! You absolutely have to buy it!" It's only when you've made the purchase that you realise the severity of the situation. You exit the shop and look up: "New Look", the shop name reads. Your first thought? Justification. Things could be worse. I mean New Look does have its moments of a la mode (emphasis on moments). When you dare to review your purchase you notice a flyer pushed inside the bag; it's advertising a teenage disco convention for 13-16 year olds. That's when you realise that you've just purchased an item from New Look's junior range. Life seems truly hideous.
Yes, shopping takes advantage of the weak, but to add insult to high street injury, shopping is also a financial drain. We live in a world of plastic. No cash? No worries - just slap it on the plastic. Sometimes, I wake up and find myself standing in Topshop, confirming a price (around £200), typing my PIN into the machine, pressing enter and watching the screen change from: "PIN confirmed" to "authorising" to "please remove card". It's so quick and so easy and so incredibly horrific.
Thing is, I would never give it up, despite the negatives. Shopping is a part of who I am, and when I go home with my flouro-green bomber jacket, I can at least sleep at night knowing that I've done some good - that's one less gag-worthy jacket New Look junior has to sell...

30. 11. 09

A Girl Wants...

Starbucks Eggnog Latte on tap.

Want more?
This christmas it's all about the Eggnog Latte. Yes you heard that right, Eggnog. I've always been a sucker for Starbucks' christmas flavours. Normally Gingerbread Latte hits the top mark with Dark Cherry Mocha coming a close second. But this year Eggnog is my guily pleasure. It seems ingenious really, why has noone thought of it before?
I asked the young Starbucks man behind the counter today, "What exactly is in an Eggnog Latte?" Of course, I expected a hard-sell description, "That would be, warm milk, an indulgent egg-brandy mix, home-made custard and a sprinkling of warmed ground nutmeg. Would you like cream on top?" Instead he hit me with reality, "That would be, custard powder, dried egg yolk, stabilisers and glutinising agent." My face fell slightly and I think he noticed. I tried to lift the mood by adding, "So no alcohol then?" He just replied, "No...there isn't"
I took my Eggnog Latte away that day, drank it and enjoyed it, emulsifying agents and everything. After all, who am I to judge a good tasting beverage? When it comes to Starbucks I fall into the trap every time. Custard of the fresh sort, or custard of the dried sort, I'm not bothered, but I am ready to crank it up a gear. Eggnog Latte allow me to introduce you to Hip Flask...

24. 11. 09

A Girl Wants...

To praise the LBD.

Want more?
Its a common scenario. You've just rushed in from work. Your flat is a mess, your wardrobe is a mess and you are a mess. You've got to be at this drinks party in a London bar (of the swanky type) in under an hour. Your eyes flit from the shower, to the pile of dirty laundry, to your make up dashed across your dressing table. The makeup is in such a mad disarray that you question what exactly happened the last time you used it - did it insult you? You pick things up in a fluster: tooth brush in one hand, hair spray in another. You ambitiously clutch a MAC mascara between your lips even though you know it's gone gloopy and leaves your lashes looking like tar. But what to wear, what to wear?!
Then you see it. It's jauntily hung up in your wardrobe. Your good faithful, your weapon of choice in the face of danger. You throw it on. Suddenly the room starts spinning and when it stops, everything seems to have been put back into order. Your makeup has even crawled its way back into your makeup bag. At least you think it has, but does it really matter? The point is, you look incredible and nothing else seems to matter any longer. A sweep of blusher, a stroke of mascara and a blotting of nude, matte lipstick and you are ready. You walk out of the door, slipping into your black heels and grabbing your leopard print clutch. You make it to drinks and everyone comments on how good you are looking. Thing is, you don't need to be told and that's the beauty of it all. The dress speaks for itself. You make a mental note to wear this dress more often, but you find that you never do. Its a love hate relationship. When you have all the time in the world to get ready, you loathe it. When you have minutes to spare, you love it. But that's the appeal and that's what keeps you coming back to it again and again...

21. 11. 09

A Girl Wants...

To say thanks for her 2 blog awards!



Want more?
Recipients are asked to: 1. Thank the person who gave the award to you. 2. Copy award. 3. Post it in your blog. 4. Tell us 7 things that your readers don't know about you. 5. Link 7 new bloggers as recipients. 6. Notify winners of award with a comment on their blog. 7. Keep being awesome!

The 7 things my readers don't know about me are:

1) I want what I don't necessarily need...
2) My worst habit is: shopping compulsively...
3) I have never: seen a celebrity in London...crazy right?!
4) My favourite colour is: turquoise, pink and yellow...
5) In an argument I always win because: what I want is not debatable...
6) My favourite question is: would you like a single or double?
7) I'm an only child - the benefit of this is: I don't know how to share...shame!

The 7 new bloggers I am awarding are:

1) http://themannequinscloset.blogspot.com/
2)http://ahautemess.blogspot.com/
3)http://laejfashion.blogspot.com/2009/11/killer-shoes-literally.html
4)http://secretofficeconfessions.blogspot.com/
5)http://wheredoyoushop.blogspot.com/
6)http://itsnevertoohaute.blogspot.com/
7)http://simplychicblogs.blogspot.com/

Congrats!

LC
xxx

21. 11. 09

A Girl Wants...

Pick me ups. On demand.

Want more?
Wouldn't it be great if a hug in a mug really did exist? I'm not suggesting that I want, or even remotely like, Batchelor's cup-a-soup, but it would be genuinely pleasing if there was a large fluffy monster on speed dial to call whenever you needed a pick me up, of the emotional sort. Sometimes, a diet coke does the job, other times only regular, full fat coke really hits the spot. When its human attention I crave, a chat with a close girl friend usually leaves me laughing. When its human attention I loathe, I usually find solace at the bottom of a pint of Ben & Jerry's. But don't you notice that pick me ups always require an active implementation of some kind? When you're feeling blue, wouldn't it be considerably easier if you could wish a bar of Dairy Milk into your hand and telepathically prompt the T.V. to turn on Sleepless in Seattle? Wouldn't it be blissful if you could snap your fingers and be lying in a steamy, hot bath courtesy of Neom's organic bath oils? It is suggested that pets are therapeutic and increase overall well-being, well if thats true, why are they not given out free on the NHS?
I've decided that what I need is a furry friend of some kind, perhaps a Rufus or a Cattykins. Alternitavely, I'll just go to Sainsburys, pick up a cup-a-soup and wait for my hug in a mug to kick in. If it doesn't, I'll sue on the grounds of false advertising.

18. 11. 09

A Girl Wants...

More people to go "Faux-Glow".

Want more?
So apart from English roses and Geisha girls, can it not be concluded that everyone, and I mean everyone, looks better with a tan? I think it can. In fact, one of the first things you notice about someone when they return from, say, a two week stint yachting in the Carribean (lets be honest a touch of extravagance never hurt anyone...) is their glowing ambience, their berry-brown skin and their sunkissed cheekbones. But, and this is one oompaloompa-lific B-U-T, tanning has got to be done right. I completely disagree with tanning booths. In fact, the mere sight of a tanning booth sign sends shivers to my core. Don't people realise the risks? The thought alone frightens me, and I don't know why other people feel the need to compromise health for a tan. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm all about the tan - trust me. But, I think the only healthy and viable way to go about it is to embrace the "Faux-Glow". Yes, everyone, go for a dip in your bottle of Johnson's Holiday Skin. I'm a bit of a traditionalist and always opt for a good lathering of St. Tropez before I escape to the Land of Nod. But my point is, why risk death when you can get the same effects from Faux-Glow? It all seems a bit extreme for the sake of a tan. So next time some irritating, small-talker says to you, "Darling, you look amazing! You = SO tanned! Me = SO jealous! Where did you go on holiday?", I urge you to reply, ever the epitome of class and cool, "Oh Darling, the inside of a bottle of course, where else?"...