London Fashion Week SS17 Part 1: Delna Poonawalla

So LFW SS17.... where to begin!

Firstly I'd like to start by saying that for me, this season was pretty chilled. I only fit in a couple of shows and in fact missed both my on-schedules (tut tut). What I am thrilled about, however, is that I managed to catch Delna Poonawalla's show at the stunning Amba Hotel in Charing Cross. The location was spectacular and it really set the scene for an outstandingly elegant collection. 

I was really excited to see Delna's vision come to fruition, especially after having met her in the past and having seen first-hand her out-of-the-box concepts. If you don't remember, refresh your memory and have a browse through my article from 2014 reviewing her fabulous Kaleidoscope Karma collection. A couple of years have whizzed by but that collection has left an imprint on me because of how innovative the concept was- as you all know I love me some hybrids! Mixing different elements of femininity and masculinity together is something that Delna has an irrevocable talent for and so I was super excited to see what has been brewing behind the scenes with this 'Dark Mistress' collection.

I was not left disappointed... 

(P.S. I did take my own images but I felt they really did no justice to the collection so I will be using Vogue's high-res for reference.)

I love the colour palette used in this collection- very rich and regal. The champagne tone here is incredibly flattering and the square plunge neckline of the jumpsuit is harsh but toughens the look up just the right amount.

I'm getting major Greek goddess vibes! Take me back to Mykonos! The draping across the shoulder is beautiful and traditionally feminine. Juxtaposed with this is the unexpected dark navy detailing. Against such a light tone I pick up a sense of Gothic with the web-like embroidery. Again, a fantastic re-appropriation of femininity in high-fashion.

I love the theatricality of this collection... you can almost imagine it being worn on stage in a play. This bold midnight blue is gorgeous alongside the gold detailing. The models strut with sass and I'm all the way here for it!

Probably my favourite of the whole collection... An unusual shift dress made with gold chains and complete with sequinned embroidery on either side. This is of course a statement look but my 'literature degree eye' can't help but view the chains symbolically; the woman is wearing the once shackling chains loud and proud. The woman's body is no longer a site of constriction or appropriation, it signifies freedom and a f- load of power. Woo!

The beautiful Delna alongside two fierce models. Can we talk about Del's gorgeous bardot dress though? So flattering! 

Image Credits: Vogue UK

How to Survive London Fashion Week (The Real Deal)

Hey lovelies!

So please forgive me for not posting regularly but I am in a pretty stressful period of my life right now. I'm trying to adjust to the fact that my mother is no longer with me (aside from in spirit) and I'm also moving (yay -__-)!

I thought I'd do a little 'filler' post as London Fashion Week is creeping up on us all and I thought it'd be cute to do a mini rundown of how to survive it as a blogger/attendee and give you a bit of insight into what it's actually like. Before I start, I am in no way bashing LFW... I think it's a wonderful experience to be a part of and I am grateful that I have gone to on-schedule and off-schedule shows (the majority have been off-schedule).

I was telling my friend this the other day but when I was a kid I used to literally sit and watch Fashion TV with my Hello Kitty notepad and rate all the catwalk shows out of 10. I mean seriously... I thought I was Anna Wintour. Anyway, the point I'm alluding to is that I never thought I would actually be able to experience it years down the line. It's quite surreal but there's a lot of chaos and bitchiness that comes with it too believe it or not. If you've been reading my blog for a while you'd know that I keep it all the way 100 on here. Unlike some bloggers (no shade), I'm not afraid to say how I actually feel because I don't take fashion so seriously. It's meant to be enjoyable people! If you're easily 'offended' then take a valium first before reading...

Dress Comfortably

Maybe I'm just a lame for saying this but I am NOT someone who will try and kill myself to look good for LFW. Yes naturally I want to be stylish but wearing 6-inch stiletto heels and a restricted dress is probably not the way to go. Maybe you can pull it off if you're literally getting an Uber to one show and an Uber back home but if you've got a lot lined up for the day you might want to consider toning it down a noch. 

If you insist on wearing huge heels you better act like the next Giselle ready to walk down the runway because it's not cute turning up and complaining 24/7. Just saying.

Dress in Alignment With Your Aesthetic 

I have seen SO many bloggers dress ridiculously for LFW in order to get 'papped'. Everyone and their mother knows this exists because you'll see the same individual the next day and they're dressed completely differently. 

Now I know this may offend some people because sure, it's LFW why not go all out right? I just feel like people try way too hard sometimes. If you don't usually dye your hair cotton-candy pink, wear tattered double denim, studded 12-inch platforms and carry a watermelon as a clutch then don't do it now all of a sudden. 

Prepare for Bitchiness

I'm not saying everyone attending LFW is a bitch. Far from it! There are amazingly lovely people in the press/blogging world and if you are lucky enough to find these people then kudos because your experience will go up a few notches. Saying this though, there are many girls who get invited to these shows and think that they are SO boujis with their freaking Céline micro luggage tote and black floppy hat. If this is your aesthetic then I'm sorry and if you can rock it great but there's literally no need to act like your shit doesn't stink. 

I remember last year I was queuing up for a show (which I will not name) because I had gotten sent a provisional invite from a PR company who usually distributes about 18291819 more tickets than they have capacity for. So anyway I was pretty excited but I arrived late so I was right at the back of the line. Bear in mind this day was freezing cold and it kept raining intermittently. I had just arrived from a previous presentation and I honestly couldn't bring myself to stand there for God knows how long just to possibly be turned away or be squished right at the back if and when I did get entry. So I called up my friend in the line and I had said something to the effect of 'This is ridiculous, I'm not waiting around, this is crap'. Now, these two girls in front of me turned around with such death stares I felt their anger penetrate into my soul. 

Literally them.

Honest to God I thought I was going to have a full-blown fight with them in this line the way they had just eavesdropped and thought it was cool to stare me down like that. Like honey, fix your face because it's looking more chopped and screwed than a PartyNextDoor remix. Is it really that deep?! I wasn't even talking about the designer being 'crap', that'd be disrespectful. I just don't understand why people take all this stuff so damn seriously. It's just a fashion show... 

Prepare for After-Party Snobbery 

I only went to a couple after-parties last season but from what I saw at one of them, there is a lot of shadiness going on especially when it comes to the people at the door. Even if you've got an invite, you'll be judged thoroughly on your dress sense before you're allowed in (unless you're on a reality show... then you'll get a free pass). 

Some of the up-and-coming designer's after-parties are super chill but there will be a few that will be 'super exclusive' held in Mayfair locations with people desperate to get in for the free champagne and mingling opportunities with the C-list celebs. 

I got into one of these after-parties last season... I guess my outfit met their 'standards'... a couple of my blogger pals got turned away which I thought was terribly rude but I proceeded anyway...

Once I entered it was a bit of a ratchet hot mess! I mean it was fun and I enjoyed myself but all the champagne ran out and I wasn't surprised after I saw stylists, journalists and bloggers twerking in Louboutins on the dancefloor and whacking their Chanel flap-bags all over the gaff. Some of these things just aren't all they're cracked up to be for the level of snobbiness you have to endure... 

Task PR: Christmas in July Press Day

It's hard to believe that we are now well past the half-way mark in 2016 and slowly heading towards that joyful time. You guessed it... Christmas!

As hard as that is to conceptualise and as scary as that may seem to your bank accounts, just sit back and relax. Go and grab yourself a hot chocolate to get yourself in the festive mood as I take you through my favourites at the Task PR Christmas in July press day...

Ash Footwear
Sparkly midi-heel boots are perfect for dancing the night away in style during the winter months... you don't need to worry about comfort or freezing your little soles off (#winning!) 

Gerry Weber Edition
A staple white blouse is an absolute must for your AW16 wardrobe. You can do so much with one item like this. Teamed with a statement necklace, black ripped skinny jeans & heeled ankle boots, you've got yourself a killer outfit with little to no effort.

Joseph
This beauty immediately caught my eye when I saw it on the rack. It's just divine. The shade of red is rich and sensuous. I can already imagine rocking this over an LBD and complimenting it with some rouge lipstick.
Warning: strangers may stroke you, this is SO soft. 

Earnshaw
I'm a sucker for some bling so naturally I had to include these beautiful watches in my favourites. Adore the luminescent dial and bright straps. I think watches are really going to be the true statement pieces of jewellery for AW16 so make sure your wrist game is always on fleek!

Marc Cain
You may have seen this shot on my Instagram already, it was just too cute to not share beforehand... I am OBSESSED with  the black embellished flats. So in-your-face yet so opulent... love. The sequinned loafers are also adorable, the perfect choice for when you just don't want to bother with heels but still want to make an entrance.

Nikki De Marchi
Me & my girl Lizzie immediately knew this screamed 'me' when we saw this. I love black swimsuits as a curvier girl PLUS this is embellished with gorgeous multicoloured crystals. I wish I could have rocked something like this when I was in Mykonos... I'm sure it would've turned so many heads!

Benefit Brows: My New Staple Brow Products

Disclaimer: Products sent for review purposes, all opinions are truthful.

Hey guys, yet another overdue post... (save the boos pls).

This time around, I'm going to give you the lowdown on the latest Benefit Cosmetics revamp on their brow collection. It's sexy, it's sleek, it's everything. Honestly guys, I have not stopped using ka-BROW! since I tried it at their blogger preview- it has changed my life. I think I may even name my first child "ka-brow"... it could work right? D: 

The new packaging is gorgeous and brightly coloured, featuring lots of staple pink tones as this is Benefit's trademark colour. If you've yet to visit the Good Ship Benefit docked on The Embankment, you are truly missing out. I've been on there twice now and each time I visit, I'm in awe at how gorgeous it is. It's a must for all girly girls as the decor is fun, playful & perfect for taking those bomb ass Instagram selfies.

So here's a pic I found wearing some bright pink lippy at the blogger launch alongside my new Benefit brows. Bear in mind that, on the day, I had not had my eyebrows threaded for a long time (decades) so it was difficult to create perfect brows. Nevertheless, I found that the products really helped me to tidy things up and create definition where there needed to be some. By the end of the event, I manifested some chic thick brows. I think fuller brows are more youthful but everyone is different and whatever your preference, you can use the products to achieve your ideal look.

Here's me, Bunmi and Georgie having a blast posing for the paparazzi (ok, maybe it was a photo booth but still).

My Honest Opinion...

There are a whopping 36 products in total in the new collection, so as you can imagine I won't be reviewing all of them but I thought I'd give you the scoop on these four below...

As you can see, the chrome metallic finish of the packaging is beyond stunning and really makes an impact on the dressing table. I mean, why not have your makeup look as chic as you right?

The Goof Proof Brow Pencil is a very easy-to-use tool and is perfect for travelling as it has two ends - a spoolie-brush and eyebrow pencil. It glides on the brows very nicely - I reach for this when I want to fill in my brows in a rush and don't want to think too much about what I'm doing. Let's be honest, we all have our moments when we simply can't stand in front of the mirror for half an hour creating perfect brows so why not let this tool do it for you?

The BrowVo! Conditioning Primer is a clear gel loaded with kertain & soy proteins. You can use this primer on its own to help grow your brows and keep them in place or you can use it as a base. It really helps to seal any brow products that you place on top and helps to maintain a tidy appearance.

Ka-BROW! is my ultimate favourite from the collection. I've mentioned this product before on Snapchat/IG but I just can't get enough of it! If you're on a budget and just want to try out one product first, I would thoroughly recommend this one because it's an all-in-one cream-gel colour and again, this is SO good for travelling. The point on top is not just for show, it actually contains a handy brush for the cream gel. What I love about this brush is that it's really tiny and precise, allowing you to achieve small strokes as you glide it across your brows. Lots of brow products fail to get the brush sizes right and you end up using too much product but Ka-BROW! gives you lots of control which I appreciate.

Finally, Gimme Brow is a great volumizing brow gel, great for natural-looking definition and shape. Again, the brush is tiny so you can use small strokes across the brow and get all those hairs into place. This product is great if you haven't had a tidy-up or wax in a while. I haven't reached for this one as much as the others though because quite frankly, I think ka-BROW! has stolen my heart.

Have you tried any of these beauties yet? Let me know which one is your fave! xoxo

Guest Post: Balance Your Emotions with These Healthy Tips

We are living in a time when we are attacked by numerous stressors everywhere we go. Unfortunately, it is something that we have learned to live with and we rarely try to defeat it. How can that be when we know that stress is referred to as the number one silent killer? The fact is is that stress is linked to six out of ten leading causes of death worldwide. 

Stress is a physical response which can result in detrimental consequences on our mind, body, and soul so it's time to start fighting back. Regain your emotional balance and start living a happier and healthier life by following these few easy-to-integrate tips. 

Take a Deep Breath

It might sound silly, but sometimes all it takes is one deep breath. According to the American Institute of Stress, deep breathing is one of the best ways to decompress and balance your emotions. Try to practice it as often as you can – breathe from your stomach for about 20 to 30 minutes at least once a day.

Once there, you can enhance your state of calm with meditation and yoga. Meditation is something you can do wherever you are. If you feel stressed out at work, you can close your eyes and go to a happy place – it’s that simple. Yoga will require more privacy and space, but it is one of the best practices for reaching the height of balanced emotions. 

Food for Mood

When upset we reach out for comfort food, and that is perfectly normal! The notion that food makes us happy has been there since the beginning of time. What do we do wrong then?

Well, we eat all the wrong food – hamburgers and additive-filled ice-creams – which cannot make us happy. It is quite the opposite – they make us unhappy and unhealthy. So, instead of those, try some mood-boosting healthy foods like leafy greens, almonds, pumpkin seeds, eggs, legumes, nuts, tomatoes and fish. 

Healthy Body = Healthy Mind

Have you ever heard that someone is exercising to let go of their stress? Well it's true. Working out triggers a response that helps you let go of negative emotions, stress and anxiety. So make sure you establish a basic fitness routine.

You can go out for a run, get a gym membership or workout at home. If you choose the dynamic and weight exercises, you should get appropriate equipment and bodybuilding apparel that will help with your performance and range of motion.

Be Positive

Think positive and good things will happen to you. Cultivating positive emotions can help you find balance in your life. That, however, does not mean that you should repress the negative ones. When you feel sad or angry, say it out loud and let it go.

It is actually quite easy to develop an optimistic mental outlook. Just find things that make you happy and use them to beat all the pessimistic voices. What you wear, for instance, can actually lift up your spirits more than anything (think bright colours, flattering fabrics, quirky designs). 

Some find their passion in fashion, others in sports, reading or cooking. In the end, appreciate the little things, and above all appreciate yourself. Face the burden of the modern world by utilising these tips and be proud of yourself for succeeding. Reward yourself with a stylish pair of shoes, a delicious and healthy dinner or a simple pat on the back. You deserve it.

Author BIO:

Sophia Smith is Australian based beauty, lifestyle and health blogger. She is very passionate about organic beauty products, yoga, healthy lifestyle and personal development. She is regular contributor at Ripped and High Style Life.

Find her on: Twitter  Facebook  Google +

OOTD: Enhance the Hourglass

Top: Primark
Midi Skirt: Apricot at New Look
Structured Handbag: River Island
Gold Bangles: Market in Mumbai
Metallic Block Heels: Carvela 

    

Photo credit: Tola Afolabi 

Fitzjohn Skincare: Balancing Facial Moisturiser Review

Disclaimer: Product sent for review purposes

Whilst I was in Mykonos, soaking up the sun and admiring the muscles on the Greek Gods playing  beach volleyball was indeed my main priority. However, I did have another goal that I set myself and that was to try and experiment with some new skincare products whilst I was there and use that week to find out what really works for my skin and what doesn't. So that's exactly what I did! I started off with the Fitzjohn Balancing Facial Moisturiser...

What drew me in the most about the product initially was the heavy make-up of plant-based ingredients. I'm becoming a bit more mindful about using natural ingredients over chemicals so this was a big bonus for me. With the likes of organic Jojoba and Hemp Seed oils, in addition to antioxidant Pomegranate, Fruit AHAs, Yarrow extract and Vitamin E, this moisturiser is packed with treats that the skin is absolutely hankering for. 

As my skin is slightly oily, I was concerned that the product might be too heavy for me but the owner, Ethel reminded me that I only need to use a tiny amount especially when in a hot climate. I took her advice and to my surprise, my skin absorbed it like a sponge! You really do only need a pea-size amount and it took me a good couple of attempts to get this right as the product spreads about so easily. 

What's more, this also doubled really well as a primer for me. When I would use this I wouldn't need to use any further pre-makeup application products as I found that it layered on the skin perfectly and enabled a really beautiful finish for any foundation that I put on top. 

Retailing at £30.00 it is a bit on the high-end for skincare but I would definitely be able to justify the price as the product will last you a long time. After my first application I could tell that this was a top-notch skincare product made with lots of TLC. 

The lavish gold packaging also compliments the fabulously rich product inside- it'll certainly look stunning on any dressing table! 

I would recommend using this as a night moisturiser so you can let those omega-rich plant oils get to work in your pores and see the results in the morning (perhaps a nice change from staring at the ogre that greets you in your reflection after an incomprehensible night out). 

http://fitzjohnskincare.com