The Archives Archives - Page 14 of 31

Categories: The Archives, The Fashion Closet

Primark’s Bee-autiful Transition Shoe

Stop everything Voyeurs, I’ve found the perfect shoe to get you through the transition between seasons, and it’s not a heel! You know by now that I love heels, in fact I have a collection to rival Imelda Marcos and maybe even put her to shame. I have boxes and boxes of shoes in the attic and garage and six shoe closets. I know, pretty cool/crazy right?! I bloody love a statement heel, anything a little out of the ordinary, you’ll never catch me in a plain old court shoe, even a Pigalle or a So Kate is too boring for me (soz Louboutin, still friends ok? – call me….)

I’m a big fan of a sneaker too, my sneaker collection is one that I’m proud of, I’ve built it up over the years and it’s made up of everything from Reebok classic high tops and essential Stan Smiths, to more obtuse pieces like Batman and Joker opposition Chuck Taylors and Chanel quilted high tops, I have some pretty amazing bespoke pieces that Nike crafted for me from their archive too. It’s a pretty awesome collection if I do say so myself. Anyway, we’re not here to talk about heels or sneakers….

So, the transition between Summer and fall is often a tricky one when it comes to footwear. If you’re in the UK you’ve probably confined your sandals to the closet and looked longingly at them on occasion wondering if the rain will hold off long enough for you to showcase your new pedicure. It probably didn’t. But on the other hand, it’s way too soon for boots and tights. The shops are starting to look to FW17 and eek in the new trends as the last remnants of SS17 sit on the shelves contemplating their uber short life span. What do you do when you’re at that in between stage? A ballet flat? A sneaker? A loafer? Any of these work, (if you said flip flop then log out, take your device back to the store and tell them you’re not fit to own it or have access to the internet.) But there’s something way better out there, and it’s available right now!

I’ve found you the perfect transitional shoe that works with jeans, cigarette pants, dresses and skirts. they come in two colours, teal green and boring black, they’re velvet AND they have embroidery. With this many trends in just two shoes you’re expecting a hefty pricetag right? Well get this Voyeurs, these little beauties are £8 from good old Primark who are coming up trumps with their Luxe range and new team of trend designers (more on that next time). Check out these gems….

Bee-autiful right?! These Bee-auties are on shelves in selected Primark stores right now and at £8 they won’t ‘sting’ you either! Ok I’ll stop with the bee jokes now… Seriously though, these shoes get a tick in the box for being on trend, they’re flat and so completely manageable, glam enough to wear for a night out and above all else, they’re actually comfortable. One thing, as with all Primark flats, when you get them home from the store and you’ve checked they fit and you’re definitely keeping them, rub the front section of the soles with some Wet and Dry sand paper. Primark flats are notoriously slippy and this helps to give them a little grip, you don’t have to go hell for leather with it, just rough them up a bit to take off the shiny coating.

Now, all that’s left to do is get to Primark, get these in your basket, then get them on your feet and wait for the admiring glances. You’re welcome Voyeurs…

Pixie xo

Categories: The Archives, The Beauty Cupboard, The Fashion Closet

SHOW Beauty Hair Care

You take time to select the perfect fragrance for each occasion right? Well I certainly do, as you’ll know if you read my recent post on vacation fragrances, I love taking the time to check out the latest releases from my favourite fragrance houses and love it when I find something that fits my look.

I definitely have a type when it comes to fragrance, I love something heady, something that leaves a lasting impression and Oud, Amber, Tobacco and Vanilla are my favourite types of fragrance. So, what about when it comes to your hair? We all have those days when we try a new haircare regime and get the scent of our freshly washed hair, but what if this could compliment your fragrance?

Well, in my opinion your hair is your best accessory. I’ve had my fair share of Hair Tragedies, which you can read about here (and marvel at some cringeworthy photos of said tragedies). A good haircut can make you or break you, and Karlie Kloss is testament to that. Once you have that, maintaining condition is crucial.

My bathroom shelf is chock full of haircare products that I use in my regime, remember that Vidal Sassoon commercial in the early nineties about not taking two bottles into the shower? I’m their worst nightmare, I have around 15 in there at any one time. From my L’Oreal Colour Correcting Silver Conditioner, to my weekly Brightening Shampoo, everything serves a purpose.

Currently as my regular, non-treatment product I’m using the Lux Volume range from SHOW Beauty – you already know I do a lot of work with this brand and they always look after me during London Fashion Week – when they asked me to road test the range I jumped at the chance after having attended the launch party earlier this year.

All of the SHOW Beauty products in the range are interchangeable and designed to compliment one another, they all have that heavy patchouli based scent reminiscent of Dior’s original Poison. So whether you opt for Moisture Shampoo with Volume Conditioner or a Repair Mask, the scent is the same and once hair is dry it lingers like perfume. They’re all as beautiful to look at as they are to use and have serious shelf appeal, designed to look like vintage cut glass, each bottle is a masterpiece.

With the Lux Volume range, you get weightless Volume with nome of that associates stickiness. Hair feels clean, has bounce and you still get that gorgeous scent that lasts all day and beyond. I have super thick, but very damaged hair so I was concerned that adding more volume might make me look like a dandelion clock but my hair stayed sleek and shiny but still felt light.

The only possible sticking point is the price. At £30 for each shampoo and conditioner in the range, £40 for a mask and upwards of £50 for finishing products it’s definitely an investment. After using the products myself, it’s an investment I’d recommend. Probably not for every wash, depending on your budget, if you’re short on cash and treating yourself to something from the SHOW Beauty range I’d maybe save it for when you have a big night out or a special occasion and use the L’Oreal Pro Fiber range in between which is a more modest £15 per product. Personally I’m a bit of a product snob and don’t use high street hair products, with my hair in it’s current state I doubt they’d do any more than Fairy Liquid would!

The real gem in using the SHOW Beauty Haircare range is that’s divine fragrance. You’ll know from previous posts that the brand uses a Parisian ‘Nose’ to create that dreamy scent and as it’s triple layered with notes, it lasts on your hair as your regular perfume does on your skin. After I’ve washed and styled my hair with Lux Volume Shampoo and Conditioner and Lux Volume Mist , I spritz a little Tom Ford Noir de Noir on my skin – the two fragrances work perfectly together – and I’m on my way.

Thinking of trying the range for yourself? Scope it out first, the range includes a product to address and treat most hair needs and you’re guaranteed to receive compliments on how your hair smells, just like the Elle Woods endorsed Bend & Snap, it has a 100% approval rating. The SHOW Beauty Hair care range really is luxury hair care at its very best.

Pixie xo

Categories: The Archives, The Beauty Cupboard, The Fashion Closet, The Glorious North East

M.I.A SS17 Campaign Shoot

I’ve been a fan of North East accessories brand Mirror Image Accessories since I discovered it around two years ago, the distinctive llaser cut, Art Deco shapes had me hooked at first sight. I’ve bought a few Gatsby style pieces from M.I.A and have been lucky enough to have been gifted some too, all of them are vacation staples for me because of the awesome way they reflect light.

Each style is designed in house by owner and designer Ellie and sold via her Etsy store before being packed up and shipped. Each style is produced in small numbers meaning that whilst you’re pretty unlikely to bump into someone wearing the same item, but also that if you see something and fall in love with it, you’ll need to act fast. These pieces are a good shout at a family wedding and an M.I.A accessory is always a conversation starter.

Loving the brand as much as I do, I was ecstatic to be asked to front the M.I.A SS17 accessories campaign. Ecstatic, and super surprised to find out that Ellie is a fan of Fashion Voyeur, if that isn’t the perfect fit then I don’t know what is.

We set about creating campaign inspiration boards and ideas of how we’d create the perfect look to fit the theme of the latest collection. With an 80’s glam vibe in mind, Ellie pulled together an awesome all female team to shoot the cocktail inspired collection in a Gatsby-esque waterfront cocktail bar in South Shields.

Styling on the shoot was a real homage to the 80’s with huuuuuuuge hair and super colourful paintbox style makeup, think Elizabeth Shue in Adventures in Babysitting crossed with Young Jenna in 13 Going on 30, and you’re on the right track. We even worked in some experimental lip stripes to to give the first part of the shoot a modern twist.

With fun pin badges, hibiscus chokers & cute mismatched wooden studs, the SS17 collection is kitsch and adds another dimension to the brand, expanding on M.I.A’s usual 20’s style pieces. The Flamingo choker is a vacation essential and the smaller pin badges are a dream on oversized denim. My favourite piece though, is a laser cut deco style necklace that Ellie tells me was born out of an experiment. Needless to say it came home with me to compliment the other pieces in my M.I.A collection.

The full collection launches in the M.I.A Etsy store very soon but for now you’ll have to make do with my behind the scenes shots from the set. With a distinct Summer vibe, the SS17 M.I.A collection is full of vacation must-haves, I’ll be wearing the pin badges on a denim pinafore and the mismatched wooden earrings with braids while I’m sunning myself on Sant Tomas beach.

Keep your eyes peeled for the full campaign Voyeurs, it’s due to drop any time!

Pixie xo

Categories: The Archives, The Beauty Cupboard, The Fashion Closet

The Scent of Summer

I don’t know about you but I definitely have a set of signature scents and the all sit firmly in the dark, woody family. People tell me that one whiff of Tom Ford’s Tobacco Vanille or Noir de Noir and they can sense that my arrival is imminent. True story.

When vacation season rolls around however, I like to switch things up a bit and save the oud for an evening and wear gorgeous Summer florals during the day. There’s just something about Summer, whilst darker, headier fragrances are sexy and mysterious, florals in Summer feel light and airy. I know, to quote Miranda Priestly, it’s groundbreaking right?

Getting your Summer scent just right is an entirely personal preference, some people hear florals and think Anais Anais and the ‘powdery’ type florals that sit in that category but they’re way too wishy washy for me. I like to wear something with intrigue, something unexpected and something that lingers. That’s why I’ve opted for these three fragrances as my top picks for Summer days and vacations, each with unexpected combinations of florals, or a hint of something that sets it apart from its counterparts, they guarantee to have people asking what you’re wearing and they’re heavy enough to not fade after just a few hours…

SUMMER FRAGRANCES THAT LAST:

COACH Eau de Toilette 90ml £63 / 50ml £44 / 30ml £30

With an unexpected combination of pink grapefruit, jasmine absolute, cedarwood and sandalwood across all three notes, this fragrance starts off as a fruity floral, unveiling deeper and longer lasting woody notes at its base. It’s one of my favourites for Summer because of how it deepens over time. Fashion fans will be familiar with Coach as the original American house of leather and the bottle itself nods to that with its turn lock cap and leather and metal dog tags. Buy it as a 30ml as you pass through Duty Free in the airport and take it with you on your next vacation, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

JIMMY CHOO L’Eau 90ml £63 / 60ml £47 / 40ml £36

The original Jimmy Choo ladies fragrance has won countless awards now and whilst it’s a pretty, feminine fragrance, it’s a little too feminine for me. I like my fragrances to have a musky hit to them. This lighter, Summery take on the fragrance has bergamot and Hibiscus flower in it’s top note giving an earthy floral first impression. Nectarine and Peony sit at the heart and the base note is a heady combination of cedarwood and musk which give a woody masculine vibe once the fragrance has warmed to the skin. The perfume itself is iridescent and has been designed to embody the sensual yet sweet contrasts at the heart of the modern Jimmy Choo woman. It’s one that can take you from day to night if you’re travelling light and only want to take one bottle away with you.

Fashion Voyeur by Pixie Tenenbaum Mont Blanc Lady Emblem Elixir

MONT BLANC Lady Emblem Elixir 50ml £54

This one’s a real gem, figuratively and literally…… well sort of. It’s a brand new release to the market and of the three I’ve picked, this one is my favourite. In a bottle that’s similar to Chopard’s Wish fragrance, it looks like a cut diamond with a rose gold finish – super on trend. Turkish Damask rose, honey and a blend of spices make up the top note, Iris accord and powdery half-lychee follow, with black peppercorn, patchouli, sandalwood and vanilla combining to make a long lasting woody base note. Whether you have an interest in the accords and notes that make up fragrance layers or not, trust me when I tell you that this one is divine and every note is developed perfectly to blend into the next. I was invited to Tom Ford’s London HQ a few years back to study the Fragrance Wardrobe and learn all about scent accords so I know that the notes in Lady Emblem Elixir are very similar to those in Tom Ford‘s Jasmine Rouge. It’s a long lasting fragrance and is one that changes quite dramatically as your skin warms throughout the day and into the evening.

I always like to try out new fragrances in the Summer and seem to gravitate towards anything with a woody base note and a dash of peppercorn for added spice. Probably why Mont Blanc’s Lady Emblem Elixir is my top pick for Summer. I usually take three fragrances away on vacation with me, and all of these come in sizes 100ml and below which means you’re ok to fly with them in your cabin luggage. Perfect if you need a little spritz on landing. Better still, pick them up as you pass through Duty Free in the airport and nab yourself a saving off the RRP meaning you’ll have a little extra available for that all important beach front espresso.

You’re welcome Voyeurs.

Pixie xo

Categories: The Archives, The Glorious North East, The Lifestyle Edit

Afternoon Tea with a Twist

Afternoon Tea has made huge gains in popularity in recent years. No longer the sport of Sloanes, Afternoon Tea has become something of a regular affair amongst Girl Squads and it’s no longer enough for hotels and restaurants to simply offer it as a menu option. These days competition is rife and there are some real doozie offerings out there, from themed Afternoon Teas to Tipsy Teas, it’s now about who can offer the best, and most Instagrammable spread. After all, did it even happen if you didn’t put it on your Instagram Story?

You’ll have read my post about the recent launch of alcoholic tea NovelTea so you’ll be familiar with the concept: Two blends of alcoholic tea, one made with rum, the other with gin, both of which can be served hot or over ice. It was only a matter of time before they tapped up the thriving Afternoon tea market in the North East and their chosen partnership is one that might leave you a little surprised. It’s not The Malmaison, or The Vermont, or any other stylish hotel that doubles as a trendy hangout, the guys behind NovelTea have teamed up with Lumley Castle to bring you a Tipsy Afternoon tea with a twist.

I was invited along to the launch event to find out what you can expect from the latest Afternoon Tea offering to hit the North East. First up, it’s so refreshing to be out of Newcastle for an event like this; the market is overcrowded with restaurants, cafes, hotels and tea houses offering Afternoon tea packages. Flooding the market in a small area means that quality doesn’t have to be as sharp and so it’s hard to find somewhere in town that does a really amazing Afternoon Tea offering. Secondly, Lumley Castle is a pretty amazing setting. Yes, it’s a real castle and with the strapline “No Ordinary Castle” I was keen to find out just what set it apart.

There’s free parking onsite which already puts it in the top half of my table, although it can be tricky to find a space if there’s an event on (I won’t even tell you about the tantrum I had in the carpark). the castle doubles as a hotel and golf course and once you’re inside it’s easy to see why it’s different to other similar venues up and down the country. Unmodernised, Lumley Castle celebrates the old. Staff wear full medieval regalia including headwear and the corridors and staircases are the original stone and iron work, complimented by swathes of burgundy velvet and gold. As you might imagine from a castle, the place is huge, there are secret corridors and halls that give off Hogwarts vibes but as I was running late due to the tantrum I’m not talking about, I headed straight to the suite reserved for Afternoon Tea.

We were treated to an assortment of finger sandwiches, freshly baked fruit scones (still warm) with clotted cream and jam, and a selection of mini cakes. All served with NovelTea’s signature blends, The Tale of Tangier, and The Tale of Earl Grey, as well as traditional tea and coffee.

“Afternoon tea has always been very popular here at the castle and as soon as we tried the NovelTea products we knew our customers would love them. As a unique and historic 600 year old venue, we pride ourselves on being no ordinary hotel. Customers love a tipple with their afternoon tea and NovelTea provides the ideal opportunity to enjoy a brand-new experience. With the option to serve the beverages both hot or cold, they are also a versatile product that can be enjoyed all year round. The only difficult decision is deciding which is your favourite!” Claire Mitchell, Sales Director, Lumley Castle

As far as the quality of the Afternoon Tea goes, it’s a pretty standard offering and has everything you would expect to see including those miniature cakes that everyone goes gaga for. Served on a three tier plate cage, with vintage flatware, it’s perfectly Instagrammable and the addition of NovelTea only serves to enhance this as it’s served from the bottle – which is included in the price. I’m no Afternoon Tea connoisseur but in my opinion it’s the NovelTea that you buy this package for. The freshly baked scones were amazing, I knocked back three slathered in jam and cream, everything else was fine – not amazing and not awful.

In terms of appeal, it’s sure to inspire envy on your Instagram Story, from the regal surroundings to the NovelTea factor (see what I did there?), this “No Ordinary Tea at No Ordinary Hotel” package is pure escapism and makes a nice change to some of the more run of the mill offerings that have become standard Sunday fare in Newcastle. Plus, who doesn’t want to go exploring in a castle right?!

Pixie xo

Images by Marion Botella

Afternoon NovelTea is priced at £23.95 per person, based on 2 people sharing and will be served with a small bottle of either the Tale of Earl Grey or Tale of Tangier.

To celebrate the launch of their new package, Lumley Castle will be offering the first 20 customers a special 20% discount off a NovelTea Afternoon Tea. To book, email events@lumleycastle.com or call 0191 389 1111

Lumley Castle Afternoon Tea Menu

Assorted Finger Sandwiches:

Ham & Dijon Mustard

Poached Salmon, Cream Cheese & Cucumber

Cheese Savoury with Vine Tomato

Roast Beef & Rocket with Red Onion Marmalade

Scones:

Fruit Scone served with Butter, Fruit Jam and local Clotted Cream

Cake Selection:

Nutmeg Egg Custard Tart

Chocolate Caramel Cupcake

Blueberry & Lemon Cake with Lemon Icing

Rhubarb, Raspberry & White Chocolate Fool

Strawberry Macaroon with White Chocolate Ganache