Languishing in Lace- by Issa, Dolce & Gabbana, Beyond Vintage, Karen Millen and Oasis

Lace is such a traditional, ultra-feminine fabric, transformed this season (and last) into an absolute must-have.  Who doesn’t have a lace black dress tucked away in their wardrobe, ready to bring out on immediately notice when the mood or occasion demands.  The trend now is for the red, white or ivory (or other coloured) lace dress, lace covered killer heel shoes and on to the prettiest of lace tops and jackets.  There seem no end to the options at both designer and high street levels, and from black, white and red through to the brightest of neons. 

Some of the brands highlighting lace this season are Dolce & Gabbana, Issa, Beyond Vintage, Karen Millen, Oasis and Kookai.

If you’re not yet laced up into one of this summer’s absolute essentials you can go the traditional route or choose something a little different.  Lace trims and lace applique abound as well as modern lace dresses, bags and shoes.  Whatever you do stick to one piece only and wear with modern accessories.


    
    
Wearing lace can be tricky as it’s easy to make it look either as if you’re just about to walk up the aisle, particularly if you’re wearing ivory or white lace, or you’ve borrowed something from gran. 

Glam it and make a statement with chic accessories for a look that’s modern and yet timeless and choose a designer if you can such as Dolce & Gabbana or Issa who always know how to get it right and will create something you’ll love for ever, or take a look at Karen Millen and Oasis who manage a modern, reasonably priced take on all the trends. 

Travel Essentials-Don’t Leave Home Without your Power Monkey-the Perfect Portable Charger

 

I have written about this baby before, but it was a while back and I thought you might need to be reminded.  I never leave home without my Power Monkey, to go abroad or just for a day in London.  And while smartphones use up battery faster and faster (as we use them more and more and for different applications) the Power Monkey just becomes a total essential. 

Going out for dinner last night I found my Blackberry Torch was running low and as I’d changed bags my Power Monkey was in the wrong place.  I sobbed in frustration.  Well not quite but you know what I mean.  What do you do without your phone for goodness sake?  Talk to people in real time? 

If you don’t have one of these order yours quick.  You’ll find the latest version here at Firebox and the cheapest option of the original addition at Amazon.  The Power Monkey doesn’t just charge your mobile device, it will charge your Nano, camera, PSP and loads of other small devices, and it comes with a changeable plug so you can use it all over the world.  Genius. 

And by the way, for all the techno-phobes out there this is a seriously easy gadget to use.  Just keep the charger in one place and keep yours charging when you’re at home.  Then un plug to take it with you.  When I’m travelling or going to town I keep mine in an unused sunglasses case in my bag to make sure it can’t get knocked and turned on accidentally.  And if you happen to lose one of the appliance heads just visit Power Traveller and you can replace them for a small amount.

Now you have no excuse ever to say you’ve run out of battery and so can’t talk.  Are you listening to me?  And by the way, expect to have to buy more than one or yours will be pinched by your kids.  Each and every one of them.  And I know these things.

Aveda competition;  Having realised that I really over confused the sign-up procedure for this it has now been simplified.  Just go to the Competitions page at www.thesiteguide.com and you’ll see how easy it is.

New in Latest Websites - Kookai, with a really different collection of dresses, outerwear and separates from this French design house.  And reasonable prices as well.  Well worth a look for something just that little bit special, you’ll also find them at John Lewis where  the sizes are for the UK, whereas on the site you’ll find French sizing, albeit with a size chart.  Take a look at the cream lace mini dress, floral print, tiered sun dress,   red lace bodice flared skirt dress and printed silk ruffled dress.   Sizing goes from 8 to 16. 

Warming Up-Modern Layers for Cool Summer Days

There’s this myth that the moment the sun comes out it’s likely to be warm enough to go bare shouldered, bin the stockings and sit and enjoy the warmth of the sun in your prettiest sun dress.  Of course it’s rarely like that - in the UK it almost always cools down instantly when the smallest cloud appears, or when the sun goes down, and anywhere else you’re at the mercy of aircon……I’ve made several trips to the US when it’s been in the 90s outside and I’ve had to invest in something warm to wear inside.  Brrrrrrr.


Now I travel with layers, always, and never venture forth anywhere without an extra layer to wear if it’s not quite as warm as expected.  Getting it right can be tricky, as jackets can look frumpy and the traditional cardi is unlikely to go with everything, let alone look modern on everyone. 

Enter the cobweb knit, the waterfall cardigan, the linen knit jacket, which look chic and modern and work with everything from jeans to a little black dress.  Because they’re draped don’t try and wear these with a long skirt or anything loose.  They look best over fitted, body skimming clothes, even thought they will all hide a multitude of sins……….
  
   
My advice is to invest in every summer neutral first - navy, white, ivory, silver, and black of course, and then go for a print or a colour.  And to travel, when you do, with as many of these as you can.  They’re invaluable, wherever you are.

Don’t forget At www.thesiteguide.com we’re giving you the opportunity to win a £250 Gift Voucher to spend at Pure Collection on whatever you choose from their covetable cashmere and clothing collections.  To enter just click through here to our Competitions page to read all about it.
 
Just sign up on our Home Page and send an email to [email protected] with the word ‘Pure’ in the subject line to enter…….

Swim in Colour - 20 of the best One Piece Swimsuits-Swimwear by Red or Dead, Jets, Melissa Odabash, Heidi Klein, Seafolly, Miraclesuit and more

 

I have always thought that a chic black one piece swimsuit beats the rest of the pack for glamour and the flatter factor and judging by the number of chic black one piece swimsuits available both online and off it would appear that most of the fashion pack agrees with me.  However, along with the two perfect black swimsuits and bikinis you may be packing this summer for the beach or pool this may well be the year to splash out on some colour, printed or plain as there’s a wealth of choice both online and off.  Some of the best brands this season are Red or Dead, Jets, Melissa Odabash, Heidi Klein, Seafolly and Miraclesuit (for shapeing swimwear) and there’s a huge range of prices.

The advantage of buying online is that you don’t  have to try on in a changing room when you may not be feeling your absolute best, and you can’t compare and work in with what you already own in terms of other swimwear and cover-ups.  The disadvantage is that you normally order one at a time and it can sometimes be difficult to get the size and shape absolutely right.  The advice I have to offer is stick to a style that you know suits you and if in doubt go down a size rather than up as a one piece swimsuit needs to be snug. The swimwear and beachwear collections at Simply Beach, Figleaves and Net-a-Porter are the best online and you can expect a speedy, friendly and efficient service from all of them.

Floral Swimwear - inevitably, with florals such an important trend this spring/summer there are some superb prints around.  If you choose to go for a floral and find a favourite snap it up fast as doubtless others will fall in love with it as well.

       

Purple Swimwear - every shade from lilac to eggplant and some great shapes (very few prints).  Purple can look modern and very flattering and has been picked up by everyone from Melissa Odabash to Miraclesuit.  It’s a great colour for a sun drenched beach or poolside.

 

The blues - an obvious choice for the waterside perhaps except that it doesn’t suit everyone (unlike purple) and the paler the shade the more lumps and bumps it will show.  There are beautiful prints by Pucci and Missoni Mare in shades of blue and palest turquoise.

   

And finally red and tangerine from bright pillarbox red to the softest of hues.  Red and tangerine can be extremely flattering on most skins and you’ll find florals, polka dots, ruching, ruffles and the ultimate red print one piece swimsuit by We are Handsome.

  

We’re about to start running a competition with Simply Beach, who offer some superb brands and one of the biggest collections of swimwear online.  Make sure you’re signed up at www.thesiteguide.com (on our home page) so that you’re the first to hear about when it starts.  We’ll launch the competition as well on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/thesiteguide.

Shoes with Power-Statement Shoes to Take you There

 

I had a meeting in the US last week with the social media director of one of America’s most famous department stores.  You know how it is, you think you’re looking swell then the woman you’re meeting is wearing the perfect jacket, this season’s high necked ruffle front blouse, black skinny cropped jeans and shoes.  Not just any shoes but outstanding glamour-girl shoes you immediately feel the need to put on your feet because they encompass all that’s modern, glamorous, stylish and sexy about the season.  In short, they have the power.

Shoes can make or break any outfit.  They can create a total wardrobe disaster out of perfectly chic clothes.  They can make you look frumpy (easily) shorter than you are, heavier than you are or just plain dull.  Then there are the shoes like those above, which make you stand tall, see off any competition and just complete your look.  The next time you go anywhere take a look at the footwear of those around you.  Don’t be surprised if it doesn’t excite you, putting it mildly.  So many shoes are worn for comfort rather than to complete a look when there are so many styles around that can do both.  In any case, who doesn’t carry a pair of flats around with them for running for the train?  If you don’t, think again dear - It really is time to flash those killer heels and make a statement wherever you go.

I tried to find the above lady’s shoes but failed so here’s a selection of shoes with ‘power’.  Some are heartbreakingly expensive, others not so bad.  They will all, worn with the simplest of clothes, make you stand out.  By miles.  Every girl needs at least one pair of statement shoes, don’t you agree?

   

  

Anything cut high or with an ankle strap will shorten your leg, as will bright colours and black gladiators so unless  you’re very tall or have extremely slim pins so keep these for trousers and cropped capris and jeans.  Nude or metallic shoes will elongate your legs and are best for skirts and dresses, or shoes with very fine straps.  The choice is endless……………….over to you.