Clarks Spring/Summer 2016

As we gear up for a winter of jumpers and sequins, it's hard to imagine baring coral-polished toes to the sunshine. But this week, the Clarks Spring/Summer press day had me dreaming of warmer climes last week.

Clarks Original desert boots, sandals and shoes for Spring/Summer 2016

They've added some open-toe styles to their Clarks Originals range. These tassled sandals are made in the same buttery soft suede as the original desert boots. Instead of having to carry around a crack-team of plasters to break these in, I suspect the suede will mould to feet beautifully.

Clarks Originals sandal with tassel for Spring/Summer 2016

Another sensibly sturdy summer shoe was the cork sandals. The clean lines of these soft black leather beauties would look great with your battered 501s or toughen up your favourite summer dress. 

Clarks Original cork and black leather heeled sandal

Of course, the Clarks Original Desert Boot was also on display. As well as the classic sand, they've introduced an oxblood colour way that would actually fit better into my autumn wardrobe alongside leopard print coats and leather skirts. 

Clarks Originals Beige and Oxblood desert boots for summer

There was also a spattering of ever-popular animal print on show – I loved these neutral lace-ups.


It looks like sliders will still be going strong next year too...


Shoes available from January at Clarks.

Nails Inc Spray-on Nail Polish: reviewed (and how to do it)

Spray Can Nail Polish from Nails Inc: is it the future? Probably not. It's a faff... but GOSH it's fun. And it's fast. The spray can coats the nails evenly in just seconds – and once you're over the faff factor, it's actually a lot quicker and easier than it looks.
Messy with your manicure? Then this is perfect for you. There's no need to paint inside the lines when the whole point is to spray the polish all over the place. When you're done you just wash the excess off your skin.
But don't take my word for it, I gave the silvery 'Shoreditch Lane' Spray Can Nail Polish a whirl so you can see how it works...

Nails Inc Spray-On Nail Polish reviewed

1. Apply a base coat (we used the Nails inc 2 in 1 Base and Top coat) and allow to dry.

Nails Inc Spray-On Nail Polish reviewed

2. Put some paper under your hands to protect the surface, and then spray The Paint Can all over from a distance of 10-15cm. Don't worry about getting on your skin, but make sure each nail is completely covered.

Nails Inc Spray-On Nail Polish reviewed

3. Apply a top coat and allow to dry.

Nails Inc Spray-On Nail Polish reviewed

4. Wash your hands with warm soapy water to wash away the excess polish from your skin.

Nails Inc Spray-On Nail Polish reviewed

5. Voila! The polish dries in seconds and you're ready to go.

My Verdict: Fast and fun
There's no disputing the fact that this mani is quick. I reckon it'd be perfect for whipping out during pre-drinks on a Saturday night for a quick polish. (And it'll impress your mates so much you might have to wrestle it off them.). 
Nails Inc. Shoreditch Lane Paint Can, £10

Barcelona

Delicious morsels of chorizo topped with fried quails eggs, washed down with frothy Cava. Buildings growing out of the pavement with rib cages for balconies and a dragon scaling the roof. Towers of people gripping hands to climb up towards the sky. 
It's hard to say what my favourite thing about Barcelona is — but the tapas, modernist architecture and Catalonian traditions are right up there.
A good place to start is at the top —Gaudi's Park GĂĽell is a technicolor playground that perches high above the city — excellent for getting your bearings. 
That is, if you can take your eyes off the tiled masterpieces and strange buildings.
The hill is full of tourists trying to take the perfect selfie with that salamander. But the park is still a beautiful testament to the city's favourite architect – and a handy vantage point to boot.
What I woreVintage blue off-the-shoulder dress, black velvet choker.
But the city's not all modernism, Barcelona's Gotic quarter is full of windy cobbled streets and hidden squares. The Cathedral of Barcelona is the monolith that can be seen peeping over every rooftop.
We travelled in September and stayed in an apartment using Airbnb.

Hair Hangover Cure: Catwalk Oatmeal & Honey Intense Nourishing Mask

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Catwalk by TIGI Oatmeal & Honey Intense Nourishing Mask* @ The Salon Look

I have bleached and bleached my hair. To keep those brassy tones at bay I also use the Silver Tone blue shampoo with nearly every wash. All those chemicals leave my hair dry so I follow up with an intensive treatment conditioner with every wash. I usually use Aussie 3 Minute Miracle or L'Oreal Elvive Masque Pot. Both products cost under £6 and stop my hair from drying out and snapping off.
So when I received this Catwalk hair mask I thought, it can't be THAT good. A conditioner's a conditioner, right? Surely it can't be worth its hefty £15.95 price tag? Well, I was wrong. The Oatmeal & Honey is deliciously sweet without being overly synthetic. I leave it on for five minutes in the shower and afterwards my hair feels buttery soft. Also a subtle fragrance stays all day. Yum! The only problem is I've already used half the pot... this could become an expensive habit!

JustFab blogger event

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A few weeks ago I attended the JustFab blogger event to preview their latest styles.
You might have seen their ads on TV,  but in case you’re unfamiliar with the brand here’s a quick run-down: JustFab is an online boutique where everything is £35. You become a member with the hope that you will buy one item per month. But if you don’t make a purchase you can roll it over to the next month. Full details can be seen here.
JustFab2My favourite item was these jewel green court shoes from the new Luxe range. I also loved this Gatsby-inspired clutch bag with art deco details.
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These burgandy leather Hinton boots are also from the brand's Luxe range. But the website isn't all about shoes and bags, they have a great range of jewellery styles too.
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At the blogger event we also got a demonstration from artist Boyarde who paints on bags and shoes and has previoulsy worked with Charlotte Olympia. Made in Chelsea's Rosie Fortescue also popped in for a peek at the new bags on offer.
After the event, I chose the Azra booties* with gold detailing from JustFab. I wore them to my work Christmas party with a velvet dress but I'm planning on wearing them with jeans in the day too.
The idea of joining a sort of subscription fashion service had never really appealed to me – I like to shop where and when I please – but I was delighted by the preview of goodies the brand has to offer.
If you can bear to click through the pages of 6-inch platform pumps there are some real hidden gems and something to suit all styles.

How we spent the first day of the year...

Ok so technically it's the second day of the year but we all know January 1st is a complete write off. Especially after the particularly booze and kebab-filled evening we had to send off 2013 and welcome 2014 into our garlic mayonnaisey arms. We ate Dominos. We watched three episodes of Sherlock in a row. We revelled in the joy of not leaving the house for over 24 hours.
P1022027But now most people are back in work, so it was finally time to make the most of my last couple of days off and get on with life. So today was about CULTURE. Well, that and tuna baguettes from Pret.
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Me and Kate headed to the V&A in South Ken to fill our eyes with old stuff, pretty stuff and weird stuff.
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Coat: CĂ©line
Scarf: Forever 21
Breton top: Muji
Jeans: Topshop
Trainers: Nike Air
And now a word about my lovely new shoes... I haven't taken these kicks off my feet since I got back to London from Christmas in Wales. They might make me look small but I'm so much speedier in them than my usual heeled ankle boots! They are beyond comfy.
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My favourite thing we saw all day was this Japanese picture called Takiyasha the Witch and the Skeleton Spectre from 1844. The giant skeleton is like something from a scary dream.
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Kate liked this lion. We were a bit concerned that his ribs were sticking out. He could probably do with her Pret special of a tuna baguette AND cheesey croissant. Mmmm hmmm.
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This is Medusa getting her head cut off. OUCH.P1022039 
We wandered outside because I thought I saw a dragon in the courtyard. But it was just a load of rocks around a pond. But then I thought maybe that's just how dragons disguise themselves in the wild. As piles of jagged rocks.P1022040
THE END

Redken Fashion Waves 07 Texturizing Sea Spray Review

Redken Fashion Waves 07 Texturizing Sea Spray
Redken Fashion Waves 07 Texturizing Sea Spray* @ The Salon Look

I have a natural wave in my hair so I'm always on the lookout for products that promise to tease out that shape while adding texture. I've tried sea sprays before that promise to add texture with varying levels of success but there's always been a huge downfall with these types of products... stickiness. If there's one thing I can't stand in my hair it's icky stickiness. No matter how good my hair looks I still want it to be soft and touchable.
So I was a little dubious when I started shaking up this bottle ready to spray on my freshly washed and blow-dried hair. Would it leave my hair feeling icky and sticky until I could wash it again? Thankfully not. This spray adds a dry texture that you can scrunch and rub through your locks to add that lovely bed-head-style grit to your hair without leaving it sticky. I didn't even need to wash my hands after using it. It was that un-sticky. It also smells really really good.
I used the spray on freshly washed and blow-dried hair and it added a nice bit of texture and movement. It doesn't make your hair quite as wavy as other products I've tried, but I just love the texture and feel of the dry spray. It would also be great for prepping the hair to give it a bit of grip before attempting an up-do or messy topknot. All in all a great product that I'll certainly be adding to my regular hair arsenal!

Hair care specialists, The Salon Look are currently running a Moroccan Oil Competition. All you need to do is create a new account with them and you'll be entered straight into a free prize draw to win a 5-night stay in Marrakech. Click here to enter.