Ugly Betty Lovin

As Ugly Betty draws to a close in the UK, I have to admit my favourite character by far is the wonderful fag hag Amanda. So chic, so carb-addicted, so bitchy, so brill. And Catwalk Queen have a great piece on how us mere mortals can dress in her super skinny dresses and sky high heels. We too can be over-glamourous receptionists.

nu-rave nails

I saw a great beauty spread in last month's glamour of the perfect pink nail varnish - not fuschia, not baby pink, but a perfect, almost candy-flouro colour. Very neon, nu-rave on trend, and I fell in love instantly. Come on, I can't exactly go putting lime green eye shadow on my eyes, can I? Anyway, the colour popped up again on a Fashionista Street Style piece, and yesterday I trailed high and low in Edinburgh to find me the perfect colour. Most were either too fuschia or too coral, but I finally found the perfect one - Barry M's 279. I'll try and get a pic up later to demonstrate the true perfection of this colour. Oh, and my boyfriend hates it. A sure sign of a fashion victory.

fit me up

Like most young women, I have a love-hate relationship with exercise. I love the effect (hello toned stomach), but hate the effort/pain/boredom that is associated with it. I've also had a complicated relationship with exercise since I can be terminally lazy (I am currently going to my $100/month gym about once a month), but was extremely fit as a teenager (30 hours of sports will do that for ya), and have done crazy ass fitness things, like trekking to base camp Everest. So it is a highs and lows relationship, and since I've tasted the highs, I am too lazy to work back up to get them, and want instant instant results. And what fools us into giving us instant results? Technology. Hence the reason why I'm thinking about ordering me a pair of FitFlops, the MBT-esque fit flop that claims to tone your calves, thighs and bum as you walk. They are currently sold out across the UK, but can be back ordered via sweaty betty and other fine online sports establishments. Even more tempting is the whole iPod/Nike workout pack, which combines my need for a new trainer with a need for a new iPod. I first came across this in New York last September, but was put off back the fact that the running tops were those second skin ones (ew, no thanks. It's bad enough being beetroot and sweaty whilst I run, never mind showing off my "curves"), but an armband will solve that problem. The only is that I live in Edinburgh, the land of the hill, and running outside is a helluva an effort, and I usually stick to the gym (which is itself a nice walk uphill!). Still, a fresh air run is much better for you, and being spurred on by your "power song" might be worth it.

do your bit for charidee

Everyone loves a bit of charity, and I've already mentioned Project Red today, but even more reason to, since Gap and Converse have created a pair of Project Red shoes to wear with your pretty summer dresses or skinny jeans. Go on, get a pair at Gap.com. Thanks to style bakery for the tip.

styletastic

Last week I took my sister on a trip to the Topshop Style Adviser in Glasgow. Topshop Style Advisers are professionally trained stylists (mine had a degree in fashion and had worked in buying before becoming a style adviser) who serve as a professional shopper for you. It is such a great service! The girls were highly excitable and lots of fun - we were offered water, tea, or champagne before we started, before wandering around and picking up random stuff to try on. You have a small room with a sofa and a couple of huge changing rooms to try things on in, and then, once you are all shopped out (an hour and a half of pure fashion craziness), you finish your champagne whilst everything is gift wrapped and you don't even have to queue. And guess what? The service is completely free! Kate and I were looking for what to do with high-waisted silliness, and were convinced that high waisted jeans with cute tops were a good idea, and that high waisted shorts would also work as well. Having got home, I'm not necessarily convinced (or as Kate said, she has too many novelty jeans with her white ones and her red ones as well), and felt a bit like I had just stepped out of the seventies, so took the jeans back, safe in the knowledge that if a style adviser couldn't convince me they were a good idea, they really weren't. My high waisted shorts are still in the bag - I'm just not sure I'm brave enough to wear them. They do give waist and flatten my stomach, but they are still a little weird on the eye. The funky draped dress is just good for being different, though being strapless, it does give me that weird muffin top around the boobs (how does one get rid of that with strapless tops?). It'll be good for going out and drinking weird cocktails at Tigerlily. As for the shoes, although I think they are slightly orthaedic, they are genius and brilliant as well. Gorgeous. And although I returned the jeans, it was a fabulous day's shopping, and everyone should give it a go. Even my mum's convinced.

out of africa

I'm sure it is the high level of attention that Africa has been receiving in the media recently - Last King of Scotland, Blood Diamond, memoirs of boy soldiers from Dave Eggers and others, the heightened awareness of the conflict in the Sudan - but I've noticed that http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.giffashion has also been taking on African influence. Since I'm off to Ghana later this year to volunteer, I can't help but love this look. And yes, I don't know how to put fashion and the so frequent stories of misery that we hear from the many conflict, arid, drought-riven countries of the sub-continent, apart from Project Red, but I just can't help but notice the synergy. Today I read two amazing stories in The Observer coming out of Africa - one about the corruption of US aid that serves to do more for farmers in Iowa than it does for the citizens of Malawi, and another about a group of Nigerian women who are immune to HIV. And if that doesn't fascinate you, then just feast your eyes on this fabulous dresses from Topshop's Zanzibar collection. I actually got the longer sleeved one, since the sleeveless dress is actually a touch too long for my legs. Tights and ballet flats until the weather gets good, and then gladiator sandals and chunky bracelets. Topshop have a fabulous guide to their Zanzibar collection that is really worth checking out as well, if you need a little inspiration.

on a break

Just to say that there won't be any posts for about a week or so, since I'm off to Barcelona for a work thang. All very last minute, and should be a lot of fun. Cheery bye in my absense!

its arrived!!

My 100th post, and it's nothing to do with fashion. The Toyota Prius has arrived in the UK. No excuse people, let's get green.

stylin advisin

Over the last couple of years, personal shoppers on the high street have proliferated. Making fashion and style accessible to everyone is a good thing (hey, I support democracy!), and this weekend, I'm actually getting to try it out. I'm taking lil sis to topshop for an hour of personal shopping to celebrate her finishing university. For all we know, we'll end up with nothing, but at least we'll know if it's a good service.

summer is fun

How I wish I had access to Forever 21. I constantly try and plan how I might get access to their too cheap for words dresess. However, since I haven't ever tried anything on there, I'm not even sure of sizes. Anyways, for those on the other side of the water, isn't this dress cute? Slouch it down with some minnetonkas, a la Kate Moss.

young doctors get a helping hand from the strangest of places

My little sister has just finished her medical finals. Trying to learn how to save zillions of lives is a stressful ordeal, but luckily for wee sis, she had a helping hand in the form of the cozy relationship her credit card developed with online shop asos. Lil Sis firmly believes that money spent during exams online quite simply isn't real money, hence the fairly regular packages getting delivered to her door. And quite frankly, if she passes her exams, having a fab wardrobe and hellish credit card bill is worth it!

See below for my choice picks from the fab asos.


This blue dress is just so cute.



How to be Lindsay Lohan? Though why she's snogging Callum Best, Ireland's favourite playboy is beyond me.



I love this bag!! Mischa Barton does too. What's not to love?

everyone loves rachel b

Especially me. And who wouldn't want to steal her shoes? Luckily we can, thanks to this great pair from asos. And best yet? They are just 40 quid!

mind the gap

Style Bubble has picked up the most interesting story of the week for me: European Gap and US Gap are basically going to be separate beasts from now on, with their clothes not crossing over. Euro-Gap will be more fashion forward (think those cute summer dresses that are in store right now - I have one in grey), and the US will, well, continue on in the same vein. I know that Gap's been in trouble for a while, but surely sticking to what it knows hasn't worked out well for it in recent years, and with the most profitable section of the company being Banana Republic, which has a lot more in common with Euro-Gap, surely it would make sense to use some of the great pieces there in the US? There are only so many blue jeans, white t shirts, grey hoodies and chinos middle america can buy.

public service and all that...

I checked my blog stats this morning, and saw that they had gone out of control. Why were so many suddenly checking out this little no-name blog? Well, I left a comment on the wonderful Fashionista saying if people wanted to look at a real-life person wearing Kate Moss Topshop clothes, they could. Basically, a demonstration of how fat and un-modelesque I am. I can say it was in the name of public service, but now I wonder if it was just humiliation... Anyway, thanks to everyone for dropping by, and hopefully some of you will come back.

is this too fashion for me?

I got this dress from topshop yesterday after lusting after it for a week. It's just so fun and light to wear. However, it is sooooo fashiontastic and potentially unflattering I just can't decide. Do I throw caution to the wind, and go with my instinct of loving this?

socialite rank r.i.p

Thanks to teen fashionista for alerting me to the fact that socialite rank is no more. Although I wasn't an avid reader, I know it will be missed in the style and rank spotters online. End of an era. Will we ever know who it was?

last ever kate moss topshop post, I promise

I promise, no more posts about Kate Moss after this one. But I have been trawling the blogs a little, and no one has put up anything about how the clothes look on real life peeps. Because that is a little disturbing. I may have mentioned before that I think Ms Moss might have a little pot belly, because of the mad gaping round the stomach on all her dresses. Actually, I've realised its because of her rather small chest, and if the space in the chest increases, then the waist does as well. Makes sense, but if you start too small, then things go awry.

I've also realised something else about models in general. It is a skill to make something bad look good. I have much greater admiration for Ms Moss et al after putting on her dresses - badly designed, but how does she make them look good?? In the essence of public service, I've posted comparison pics of her and me in the same dresses. Eek. Don't say I'm not good to you.

i heart rachel bilson too

Okay, I have a few celebrity crushes: Kirsten Dunst, Keira Knightley, Scarlett Johannsen, and Rachel Bilson. All of these girls (with the exception of Scarlett), I not only adore how they look, style, and the random rubbish they spout in interviews, but I can imagine have a silly time with drunken cocktails. Yes, I know that is random. But you know, when you're lying in your bed with period cramps, random thoughts do some out. Anyways, if you do feel like stylin yourself a la the super cute Rachel, FabSugar can tell you how to do it. Oh, and digging those aviators.

i heart kirsten dunst

I do. I've loyally stuck by her, drawn to the fact we're the same age adn have the same slightly drunk eyes and small mouth - she somehow manages to look beautiful and sexy, I'm more piggy and tired. I adore her sometimes grungy, sometimes glam style, and understand that showering is sometimes a pain in the ass (especially on Sundays). Don't know why she's no longer with the fabulous Jake Gyllenhall, and is now with Johnny Razorlight (whom I couldn't point out in a lineup, worryingly. I used to care about music). So, in honour of the lovely and random Kiki, and the fact she's all over the media at the moment with Spiderman 3, I've put together some random links to help you get your fix.

Get Kirsten's pale face, red lips look over at Steal the Style. Breakfast At Tiffanys have made her their Fashionista Du Jour thanks to her uber-stylish picks for her Spidey 3 appearances. Stylish Thought have put together a nice montage of her recent outfits, where our pictures came from today, and finally, Fashion Indie has some clothes inspired by Mary Jane. Just a few somethings to keep you occupied on a Sunday.

transatlantic imports

I've mentioned the Gap white shirts before, from Rodarte, Thakoon, and Doo.Ri. What I didn't know, is that they are already available in the UK. Thanks to Catwalk Queen for the tip-off. I have to admit to not actually going into Gap very often, because I get so disappointed by their clothes. I also, for some reason, expected much more of a campaign around these fabulous shirts, but they haven't even made it to the window of my Gap. Maybe worth a trip into town tomorrow to check it out.