Feel-good fashion

Transforming your wardrobe, but changing lives. With these few pearls of advice you can embrace the season of goodwill and truly save someone today.

Victoria and David Beckham among many, many others have donated a shed load of goodies to London's Red Cross this week in aid of the Philippines, and now you can donate too. But, it's not just out with the old and in with the new, it's worth so much more. So, here is my how-to for doing your bit for people here in the UK and the rest of the world.


@VictoriaBeckham

The Syria Crisis appeal is spearheaded by Oxfam, and will see every pound you give matched by the UK Government, meaning your money really does go that little bit further. Donate as much as you can, from £1 to £100 if you like, between now and February to help the refugees in Syria. This includes shopping in store, so pick up some vintage goodies for some feel-good fashion.

Tomorrow marks World Aids Day, and 30 years of the red ribbon. This year, NAT have introduced the wooden ribbon, available alongside a sparkly (and very festive) option which would look brilliant as a scarf pin or hat accessory. So, wear yours with pride and a sense of stylised know-how.

From the Green Carpet to the rails at Edun, fashion is fighting for a good cause too. It is an expensive time of year for many people, but it doesn't cost much to share your generous heart with someone who may be struggling. John Lewis commits to local community charities, as well as to emergency overseas relief. Customers can use tokens to decide where the money is spent locally, so ask about what they do and how you can help in store.

As a country we can do great things. As a global community, we can do immense things. There are so many charities who need help, beyond the ones mentioned here. Let's change the world one step at a time, and it really is as easy as opening your heart to so many others, to people you may never know, all in the name of selflessness.

Review: Chanel le Volume de Chanel

I, like so many others, am very fussy about my eyelashes- and therefore mascara. Too clumpy and they look short and false, too dry and they flake over your cheeks throughout the day, and too wet it feels like your are swimming in a sea of grime. I guess that makes me Goldilocks.

I first tried Chanel le Volume de Chanel five months ago. I'm still using the same tube, and it hasn't yet run out or dried up. I consider this not only impressive, but unheard of. Since then, I haven't felt the need to try another brand, or race out to get any more for fear of being left without any mascara at short notice. It's smooth sailing, and blue horizons.

I therefore thought it had earned its stripes and deserved a review.

via Chanel.com

Price...
At £24 it's not cheap, but it is averagely priced in the premium make up market. Having said that, it has lasted three times longer than any YSL mascara I have tried, and its performance to date has not made me regret the spend. What's more, think about the Boots points...

Colour...
It's not the blackest of the blacks, but I like the range of colours available. Available in Khaki Bronze, Bleu, Noir or Prune, it sure beats the pointless array of the usual 'black', 'jet black, 'midnight', 'coal black', 'true black' etc that so many other brands find an excuse of supplying, all on the same shelf. It's far less confusing, and it perhaps helps to explain how they have managed to focus more on the product quality, and less on the colour selection.

Staying power...
It doesn't budge. Truly. For a non-waterproof mascara it sure is a sticker. It takes a while to dry, but you can control the amount you put on your lashes fairly easily depending on the look you are after, and once it's on, you can guarantee it will still be in place where you last left it (and where you intended it to go) no matter how much you sweat, rub or cry.

Overall satisfaction...
I hugely recommend this mascara, and not just because I am a Chanel make-up user. You get what you pay for, and you don't have to worry about any panda eyes in the gym, on the dancefloor, or on your pillow when you just can't be bothered to remove it. It's OK, we've all done it. I will say that £24 is expensive for mascara, though, and there is no brown colour either. But, if you want a volumising mascara, you've found it.

4.5/5 Stars

Christmas jumpers? Don't sweat it

Are you a Scrooge in the making, or a Santa's little helper? Whichever camp you belong to, there is always a special sweater to sport. Come Christmas morn, when the snow is crisp and white (unlikely here in the mild climes of Devon), you can pull on something warm, cosy, and very festively appropriate.

Here are my top picks to wrap up in, now.

Marks & Spencers, £35

 

Topshop, £55

Mary Katrantzou for Save the Children, Bid here

 

Zoe Karssen, £43

Meadham Kirchoff, £375

Magpie moment

Once upon a time, in a land far far away, there lived a girl with too many shoes...

Yes, I buckled under the pressure of Christmas magic and sparkle, and I fell head over (quite literally) heels for another pair of evening shoes. I maintain they were necessary for both my office Christmas party, and for my ego. Sure, they're not particularly practical, but they are just oh so pretty. Now, what is it they say about girls and magpies?

I initially saw a pair from René Caovilla, the opulent Italian shoemaker with it's signature silver glitter sole, but crumpled at the sight of the price tag. With a pair of Caovilla's setting you back in the region of £750, I quickly realised they would forever remain on my imaginary 'wish list'. So, imagine my delight when I stumbled across these sandals one particularly 'blah' Saturday morning!

Found in Covent Garden's Kurt Geiger store, these Carvela's created a frenzy the minute they hit my Facebook wall. Clearly my friends share my substance abuse problem (pretty footwear) and so, as my fellow magpies hit the 'Like' button, it seems birds of a feather really do flock together; particularly where shoes are concerned.

Photo credit: Goody Two-Choos

AMAs: The best of the dressed

Taylor Swift may have done astonishingly well picking up four awards at the American Music Awards (AMAs) this year but, more importantly, who triumphed and who trailed behind when the stars hit the ruthless Red Carpet? Let the 'best of the dressed' games begin...

Best Dressed Nominees

She knows just how to dress for her own body, and tonight was no exception. Nicole Richie shows us how to put white with cutouts and chunky gold jewellery- and avoid the trashy tag. On anyone else, this would look terrifying. On her waspish- boyish figure, it works. Just.

Rex Images

It's simple, it's not particularly exciting, and it's definitely not groundbreaking. What it is, however, is age-appropriate, and it shows girls everywhere that you don't need to have everything hanging out to look fantastic. For this very reason alone, she deserves to be on this list. Bravo, Kylie, and let's just hope it catches on.

My final nominee is, shockingly, Her Royal Highness Lady Gaga. As the newly appointed face of Versace, she did the fashion world proud (for once) in both the lavender number, and even more so in the bombshell silver gown. There's a first time for everything, right?

...But the winner has to be
Zoe Saldana. She doesn't just look like a movie star, she looks like a lady. Although her hair could have been pulled back off her face, she is memorable and has avoided the boring LBD look of so many others.

Worst Dressed Nominees

The worst offenders all have something in common. No matter how skimpy the outfit, it still manages to be ill-fitting. Even Red Carpet royalty, such as Ms. Kelly Osbourne (who should know better being on Fashion Police, and all) could have done with chopping several inches off the hem. Kudos must be given, however, for her very on-trend hair. The of-the-moment crown has been given the Kelly O. twist!

Rex Images

Heidi Klum failed to impress in her gown which had clearly been hacked by a chainsaw then sent through the shredder.

via Metro UK

And Aubrey O'Day appears to have forgotten the vital parts of her dress. It's enough to even make Bridget Jones' Daniel Cleaver blush.

...And the worst dressed is
TLC. Not a single one of the three girls hit anything close to acceptable, as they were stuck in a 90s time warp not once, but TWICE. If you want a comeback, sack the stylist and come back better dressed.

via Metro UK

Shock and ore

'Tis the season to sparkle, and if this means embracing all things gold, silver and metallic, then I'm on board. After all, if the Three Wise Men were wise enough to bring Gold to the party, that's a good enough excuse for me- particularly with Christmas office parties on the horizon. So, embrace all things radiant, and shine on.

Clockwise from top: Knitted sweater (H&M); Mirrored sunglasses (Ray-Ban); Satin V Cami (Topshop); Chain (& Other Stories); Full pleated skirt (Lulu & Co at Matches); Lustrous brogues (Dune); Metallic cuff (Freedom at Topshop); Bag (Pierre Hardy).

Clockwise from top: Necklace (Lulu Frost at Net-a-Porter); Blazer (ACNE) Shoes (Robert Clergerie) and Trousers (Emilio Pucci) all from The Outnet; Bag (Cambridge Satchel Co exclusive to ASOS).

Clockwise from top: Fur wrap (Charlotte Simone); Dress (ACNE at The Outnet); Perspex clutch (Charlotte Olympia); PRONE metallic heels (ASOS); Necklace (Freedom at Topshop).