Monday 21 November 2016

Nicole Scherzinger in a sleeveless blue jumpsuit at Moana screening in London

She never fails to pull out all the stops when it comes to the style stakes.
So it was no surprise to see Nicole Scherzinger putting a seriously sassy sartorial display on Sunday at a screening of her new film, Moana.
Nicole Scherzinger

Arriving at the BAFTA building in London, the 38-year-old singer cut a chic figure in a cobalt blue sleeveless jumpsuit which clung to her slender frame.
The X Factor judge, who voice the character Sina in the new Disney flick, opted for a retro-inspired look with the funky one-piece.
The sleeveless jumpsuit clung to Nicole's gym-honed figure emphasizing her trim waistline and pert bottom.
Teamed with a matching high-necked waistcoat, the former Pussycat Dolls frontwoman ensured there was a demure edge to her look.
She rounded her look off with a pair of black heels, which subtly accentuated her figure.
Wearing her chestnut locks in an arrow-straight side-parting, Nicole allowed her dark tresses to fall past her shoulder and frame her face.
The Your Love singer picked out her eyes by wearing a flash of mascara, whilst a slick of pink lipstick defined her plump pout.
Read More »

Tuesday 8 November 2016

Marylebone welcomes Jaeger to the neighbourhood!

Time to give an official welcome to a classic British brand opening in a beloved fashion neighbourhood. Last week Jaeger officially opened its doors on Marylebone High Street and it is truly the newbie gem on the street, both in store front and product line to be found inside. This street has long been a fashion destination in London and, with the final arrival of Jaeger, the recipe towards fashion domination in London is nearly complete. The 2,000 square foot Jaeger store, set over two floors, is hard to miss with it's grey and neon store front and, this month, a feature on the apres-ski wardrobe!

While I'm all about the apres-ski ensembles, I thought I'd give you a look at what you can wear in London now, while awaiting the winter retreats! I headed down to the store and showcased one of my favorite looks while out and about in Marylebone, as you'll find here. I've also put together a Jaeger top ten for the season. Shop the entire selection on the Jaeger site now, or head down to Marylebone to give the whole collection a thorough look now! 







Read More »

Buy Me: The Statement Shoe

If you're looking for a statement shoe, look no further. No, really. These are about as statement as they get! There isn't a flash colour or an over the top sequin theme going on. The statement is right in front of you, written in plain english in two speech bubbles. It's all very Sophia Webster, isn't it? Although you'll be pleasantly surprised to hear that these gorgeous sandals come with a very high street price tag.

Yes, the sandals you see herewith are in fact from ASOS and carry the price tag of £45. Bargain basement, people, for a statement of this magnitude, wouldn't you think?




Read More »

Monday 7 November 2016

Models Own Dare to Bare



MODELS OWN DARE TO BARE NAIL POLISH £4.99*
MODELS OWN DARE TO BARE SEMI MATTE LIPSTICK IN EXPOSE, STARK, KISS, NUDE BEAM AND NAKED £6.99*
MODELS OWN DARE TO BARE PALETTE £14.99*
MODELS OWN DATE TO BARE FINISHING POWDER £9.99*

Whoa now, prepare yourself for a image heavy post but when there's a collection that is just so beaut you can't ignore it and just HAVE to take 32423904839 pictures and they all look dreamy af. So I present to you the new Models Own Dare to Bare collection. A collection of rosy blush tones to take the ~natural~ trend up a notch. Dare to Bare, not to be confused with Dare to Bear as that ofc wouldn't be the greatest of ideas. And I did have to triple check this post that I hadnt written that by accident. Naturally I had.

Five semi matte lipsticks, Five Hyper Gel polishes, a cute lil pressed translucent powder and a neutral eye palette with 10 soft hues in a variety of skintones.




L-R EMPERORS CLOTHES, UNDERTONES, SUEDE,  SKIN DEEP, DEEP TAN

First up, the five rosey nail polishes. Dont they look all cute n' stuff all lined up like that. Im a bit indifferent on the Hyper Gel format of the Models Own brand. While Im a big fan of their regular polishes (BIG UP MODELS OWN UTOPIA, YES ITS STILL MY FAVE SHADE EVER) I find the HG range to be a bit hit and miss. Often find it takes a bit longer to dry and also can go goopy quick if you apply it wrong. However the shade range is absolutely darling and would be a total must for anyone into the "my nails but better" look or just needed a neutral or nude polish for work or school.



Next this hun of a palette. Like a more paired down Urban Decay Basic palette. Pretty much all matte shades which are perfect for that I'm not really wearing makeup but really I am wearing makeup boys are just too stupid to actually notice makeup. Nice neutral and pretty affordable for the price. I'd never consider picking up makeup from Models Own as they have long established themselves as THE go to nail polish brand on the Highstreet but I was pleasantly surprised with this eyeshadow offering. Likewise with the finishing powder, smooth and easily blended into the skin.

There is also some lipsticks in this line up which are a wonderful array of nudey blushtones which I'll save for another post as I wanna do a good ol' swatchathon on them as they are so beautiful and perfectly fitting for a collection like this!







Read More »

Style Update: Party Dressing with Marks & Spencer

Sparkle and shine, people. That's the way forward for the holiday season. And there are plenty of ways to fulfill that requirement on the high street at the moment. Let's start with Marks & Spencer and the multiple ways in which they are providing that sensational magic for the season ahead, at a price point that fits perfectly for every wallet. The shoes alone are completely captivating. But, when you throw in the many options for accessories, from necklaces to scarves, and don't even get me started on the earrings, you'll find you are quite spoiled for choice! 

My only advice is to guard your wallet as it's easy to get swept away here and load your cart to an extent that a second mortgage is required. Just remember this, a little sparkle can go a long way. You need not spend a fortune to achieve the perfect holiday look. Adding a piece here or there, a great pair of shoes, the perfect earring or that one great statement dress, can be worked and reworked for the party season to come. As I always say, the most important thing in buying for any occasion is fit. Ignore the number in the back of any ensemble and buy what fits you to a tee. Keep in mind that Marks & Spencer offer sizes from top to bottom. They are a retailer that embraces every woman with their size options and for that I salute them, both for the party season and beyond.

My top picks for the party season include:
Earrings (left), Earrings (right)




Read More »

Buy Me: Paul Smith Dino Print Leather Bag

One of the best pieces of fashion advice I ever got was from a now retired fashion editor who always looked as stylish as you would imagine a fashion editor would do. Saying that, she also managed to keep her look fresh and unlike anyone else. Every single time I would compliment her on an oversized sweater or a chic accessory I would ask where she found it, as I hadn't seen it anywhere for sale ever before. Her advice was simple and it went a little something like this.

She said, "look to the men." This was a woman who loved the idea of playing with fashion, but she also adored finely tailored pieces and items that could cross lines when it came to the sexes. She would buy great men's shirts and jackets and have them taken in to fit her frame perfectly. She was convinced that men's fashion was a women's best treasure hunt when it came to finding fabrics and cuts. She was an outlier. She also almost always had a men's bag with her, and this I loved, so very much. 

So, when I saw this Paul Smith Dinosaur bag, my mind instantly returned to our many conversations about fashion and the way in which women don't often enough borrow a stylish item or two from the men's section! This bag is my dream accessory for the season and I would never have spotted it had I not wondered into the other room, the men's section. Just goes to show, those who think outside the box always win, in fashion and every other area of life! 




Read More »

Saturday 5 November 2016

Outfit du Jour: Gucci, please.

Read More »

Friday 4 November 2016

A Little Note


Jeans / Jacket / Hat / Shoes / Top /

I feel weird about blogging, for some reason it doesn't feel like my place anymore since getting all cosy over on my Youtube Channel. Sort of like when you meet a new partner and you're with them for a bit and then feel a bit weird going on a night out with your mates. After being all safe and spending all your time with them but going back to your friends is all great fun but it still feeling like you saw them yesterday.

Blogging is hard, harder than it's ever been before. I think I got bored of it because it's just not my style, the in vogue thing with blogging is much more polished and perfected - but the reason I turned to blogging was to get away from all that. Not that I dont love all the awesomeness of blogging these days, its just not my style (as in personal style) and I much prefer more helpful, interesting content on different things compared to an outfit post or seven. (Who am I kidding I still want pretty much everything I see on pretty much every blogger)

Blogging is supposed to be raw, passionate and in the moment but its gone so far beyond that Im not sure it even knows what it wants to be. Youtube is going the same way but you still see those pockets of raw emotion and passion that makes you feel like you belong there. And maybe its because I achieved so much with my blog very early on in my online career I felt like I peaked and never quite achieved what I could have done if only I pushed myself harder.

Right now, I want to blog and then I dont want to blog but I've never not wanted to make Youtube videos. I said before but I still see Youtube as a challenge. It's super hard these days to get noticed, get views and we ALL feel like our channels are dying. Ask any Youtuber and they might tell you the same or sugar coat it and pretend it's all good when in reality it's not. It's a pretty dire situation for your average Youtuber these days.

The main reason I stopped blogging was because I stopped consuming blogs. And also because I REALLY REALLY loved Youtube and of course that led to me abandoning this place. I could count the times I've blogged on here on my fingers and toes this year and that makes me sad. This was my thing, this was a thing I thought I was good at and a thing I thought I could do. But I stopped making an effort the same way as you do in those relationships and took it all for granted. I fell out of love.

Falling out of love with something is sad, but it doesn't mean you dont care. My ex boyfriend recently (yes that one) reached out to me with one of the most patronising texts I've ever read before. And despite him being a shit he made me realise you can fall totally out of love with something but still care a tiny bit. And that tiny bit goes two ways, you can leave it like I'd choose with him or you can still be around... be civil and have a nice time.

And the latter is what Im going to do. Im not promising anything, Im not gonna embark on some huge effort to be a better blogger or do whatever everyone else is. I hate feeling obliged to do anything, its a weird trait but as soon  as I feel I have to do something it fills me with fear and desperation. A weird sort of anxiety that I just cant really shake off properly.

I plan to make my blog the extension of my other social media if anything which I think is probably a strange approach but I just think due to the fact that we have everything that fills the gaps in between blogging on Instagram and Twitter its made me feel like blogging could be redundant if you left it that way. Which for example I do. Blogging isnt redundant of course, its just not a huge part of my "online routine", and I need to find a way to make it.

Its impossible to be good at everything, even though I've been making a conscious effort with my Instagram and try and keep up with my channel and thats pretty time consuming.

Anyway I'm sure you've read a 10's of these posts over the past year about me wanting to do this that and the other and plotting and planning and dreaming of all these things I want to do but never quite doing them. Its pretty much the story of my life.

None the less, Hi blogging people. Thanks for reading, thanks for sticking around. I'll be coming at chu with some form of content or something something soon. Maybe.






Read More »

Style Update: The Marina Rinaldi Tsumori Chisato Collaboration

When you mention the designer name Tsumori Chisato in fashionable circles, you can see people's faces light up with the joy that is reflected in the designer's prints and shapes in fashion.  This is a name that is synonymous with fun in fashion. The creative genius of this Japanese designer is unparalleled and is a true celebration of everything fashion is supposed to be - fun! So, when Marina Rinaldi announced their collaboration with the designer in late 2015, I knew this would be a meeting of creative minds that I would love to feature here on FFG.

The first pictures of Tsumori Chisato for Marina Rinaldi collaboration were breathtaking. Bold prints, sweeping bows and exaggerated shapes in each piece for spring summer introduced us to a collection that would surely sell out. After a great success with SS16, Marina Rinaldi released the second installment of the Tsumori Chisato collection for autumn winter. For this season, Chisato toned down the bright colours, taking notes from the season itself with rich browns and reds, bold blacks and soft shades of off-white. Beautiful capes, coats and skirts, accented with shearling and solid blocks of colour, showcase a collection that is luxury personified. 

For me, it was always going to the be the Marina Rinaldi Tsumori Chisato Wool Coat that needed to have a place in my wardrobe. My first viewing with the collection was one in which I was pretty sure I was going to be forced to take this beauty off my back. Such an item of clothing deserves devotion, an epic savings plan, savouring when it's in your possession and storage for a lifetime with not only you but your daughter. Starting to see my love in full colour now?

You see, this is just the beginning of the beauty that is the brand Marina Rinaldi. They choose to not only design thousands of pieces for their clientele every season, they also open up their doors to designers around the world and invite them in to reimagine new lines. It's a beautiful way to work, in my opinion, and results in collections that have a special place in the history of fashion.

While I've showcased my love for my Marina Rinaldi Tsumori Chisato collection above, I wanted to share a few pics of what's still available to purchase online now. And watch this space, there are many more designer collaborations in the works that I will be proud to feature here for the world to see:






Read More »

Thursday 3 November 2016

A Lesson in Being Basic: Urban Decay Naked Ultimate Basics





When I heard Urban Decay were doing ANOTHER Naked Palette I rolled my eyes, made a joke about it being redundant and then instantly made a mental note that I need it in my life because well... you know... THERES ALWAYS SPACE IN MY LIFE FOR MORE BROWN EYESHADOWS.

Believe it or not the Naked Basics 1 Palette has been my most reached for of the countless additions to the Naked Family. The shimmery shades of 1, 2 and especially three are barely reached for since I decided sparkly eyeshadow gets into all my crows feet and makes me look about 50 despite being 26. Smokey... I like you but you were a little dry to use and smokey shadow 'aint an everyday thing so I'll pass on you you. But gimmie a nice warm matte and I'll be purring like a little kitty.

In jumps Naked ULTIMATE Basics - Every Time I read that I read it in the X Factor announcer guy voice for some reason. I just want to boom the word ULTIMATE out across an echo-y room!

Colour palette wise it's a nice mix between cool and warm shades, and although I feel like I've seen all these shades before in some shape or another in existing Urban Decay Palettes - But none the less that doesn't make me any less drawn to the palette. The colour selection is deeper and richer than all it's predecessors with shades of orange, plum and purple mixed with your standard neutral browns. Which makes it really versatile and something that can be used for the most basic of eye looks working up to something a little sexier.

I'd grant each shade a grade between a B+ to an A+ in terms of colour, quality and pay off. However In some reviews I read people mentioned there was an inevitable naughty child in the bunch in the form of Instinct. I do not agree in the slightest! I actually think thats my favourite shade of the whole lot and my go-to ever since I got this palette.

Shades:
  • Blow (Light Nude Demi-Matte)
  • Nude (Soft Pink Nude Matte)
  • Commando (Light Taupe Brown Matte)
  • Tempted (Pale Brown Matte)
  • Instinct (Medium Pink Taupe Matte)
  • Lethal (Reddish Brown Matte)
  • Pre-Game (Pale Yellow Matte)
  • Extra Bitter (Burnt Orange Matte)
  • Faith (Medium Warm Brown Matte)
  • Lockout (Rich Neutral Brown Matte)
  • Magnet (Smoky Gray Matte)
  • Blackjack (Warm Black Matte)
My extra  picks for the team is obviously Extra Bitter (helllo orange!), I also adore Tempted and Lethal. There's something about the richness of Lethal that I really dig, just looks like the perfect smoke out shade.

I honestly think this is a pretty excellent palette, dare I say better than a lot of the palettes UD have released recently and definitely the most innovative since the OG way back when. While it is basic and filled with mattes, every shade is super wearable and I can realistically see myself using them all in some form or another.

So hell yeah this palette might be basic but boring it is not, wearable does not always mean basic. Obviously if you're an avid makeup collector - especially of Urban Decay Palette one then you could skip it. But if you're in the market for a killer new matte neutral selection box then go forth and purchase.

And finally while it might be flogging a dead horse now with the "Naked" tagline, it works and it'll sell and I'll be damn sure to have this on my eyeballs as often as I can.




Read More »

Wednesday 2 November 2016

Escape to the country: A Londoner's dream weekend away in Wales

After 14 years of living it large in London, I have finally figured out that the key to continually loving this city is leaving often, as often as possible in fact. That may be why so many of you have country homes. You escape to blissful silence and regain some sense of normal in the world and then return to the hustle and bustle of the city with renewed spirit and wonderment. Last month, I met a cottage that confirmed that this was the way forward. Mr. FFG and I found a fabulous place via Sugar and Loaf,  a website that specialises in hiring out private cottages in Wales. I say a "fabulous place", but really I should call it a "famous place" as I knew all about the property before I read a single word on the site.

If you're a fan of the show Grand Designs, you are in for a real treat here. Years ago an episode aired that showcased the most optimistic new homeowners rebuilding an old stone cottage atop a mountain in the Black Mountains in Wales. Against impossible odds, they created the most beautiful family home and went on to expand on the property in years to come. And recently they've opened up said cottage, now named Points Cottage, for folks wishing to experience the beauty of the site. Nothing prepares you, in fact, for the magnificence that awaits you on the mountain. You'll need a 4x4 to reach the top of this rather intense climb (a mile towards the sky), but not to worry as the lovely owners can loan you a proper vehicle for the weekend or you can simply bring your own. If you've been jonesing to test out your new Range Rover on rough terrain, you'll be in heaven. But, more on that later. The climb up the mountain seems laborious at first, but it all becomes worth it the moment you step out of the vehicle to discover a vista that stretches seven counties, on a clear day. And that's just starting with the view, which, admittedly, is a draw in itself to spending a long weekend here.

The cottage itself is truly a throw back in time. Imagine exposed stone, large oak beams and an enormous family room fire place. You can clearly see how such a space, which has been in the owner's families for generations, has changed over the years, but has also been lovingly restored to honour its history. The kitchen, not surprisingly, is truly the heart of this home. Our first night in the cottage, I sat in the corner of the kitchen, in a most comfortable oversized chair with a view of the night sky, and watched as Mr. FFG prepared a beautiful meal. I was cuddled up, tea in hand and cashmere socks on feet as this beautiful man prepared a meal Gordon Ramsey would rate highly. The cottage comes fully equipped with everything you would need to prepare any sort of cuisine. While you do need to bring your own food for your stay, the hosts provide a rather decadent array of treats for your arrival. There are gin and tonics waiting in the fridge, alongside a jug of milk and some butter. There's a freshly baked Victoria Sponge cake calling to you from the counter, sitting next to a basket of eggs, which have been collected from the hens that roost just 100 feet from the cottage's front door. There's even a cupboard full of miscellaneous things you may have forgotten on your trip up, including hot chocolate!

The two bedrooms upstairs offer complete comfort for sleeping and the bathroom is large enough to accommodate two couples in the house without feeling cramped. You will be sung to sleep as you listen to the Welsh mountain winds sweep over and around the house and you'll awake in the morning to a beautiful and delicate fog clearing from your bedroom window, set to reveal the view that brought you here in the first place.

Over the course of our three days in residence, we spent only one indoors with bad weather. Our days were mostly spent exploring in and around the cottage. There are several famous foodie establishments just a short drive from the cottage's entrance and there are lovely villages, surrounding the landscape, the are begging for exploration. However, there is just as much to do without ever leaving the property by car.  The walks to be had up into the mountains will leave you feeling fit as a fiddle and full of love for the beautiful countryside that surrounds you. But, should you be met with bad weather during your stay, you will find that the cottage provides the backdrop for the perfect duvet day. On our one rainy day we lit the fire, cozied up with blankets, poured some wine and played Scrabble until our brains were fried. It only seemed appropriate to then put on the Grand Designs DVD, which they keep in Points Cottage, to truly appreciate the space that we were calling home.

This was a weekend to remember and Points Cottage is most definitely a property I would recommend to anyone in search of a weekend delight away from the crazy town we call London. Fire up the 4x4, pack a case of wine and some culinary delights and lose yourself in the freshest of air with a view that will haunt you, and call you back, for some time to come.

Points Cottage is available to rent on Sugar and Loaf, for a stay from 2 to 14 days. Get in there, folks.

Fashion Foie Gras stayed as a guest for 3 nights at Points Cottage in the Black Mountains, Wales. 






Read More »

Follow Me