Blast away your summer body woes with Yves Rocher...

Doesn't it always seem to be that summer creeps up on us from nowhere and before you know it, middle-aged men are whipping off their football shirts and baring all to us unfortunate girls. But, whilst the guys are quick to strip, it's the ladies who seem to shy away from flashing the fresh. With all of the pressure in the media to look a certain way and portray a certain body image, there's no wonder we fear the sun and become panic-stricken in the wardrobe department! But maybe if we felt good about our bodies, we wouldn't be so quick to try out the latest fad diet. So, throw away the glossy magazines that promise you'll 'lose a stone in 4 weeks' and ditch the cabbage soup ingredients (it does not taste good!) and get body beautiful with Yves Rocher.

It was 50 years ago, in the attic of his family’s home, in La Gacilly, the heart of Brittany, France, that Yves Rocher created Botanical Beauty, based on the treasures of the botanical world and its infinite potential. 50 years of experience that provides unique expertise ensures that today Yves Rocher remains the first to offer Botanical Beauty Care, that is even more powerful and respectful of women and nature.

So before you panic-purchase a pair of running trainers (lets face it, you're only going to wear them once!) why not try out Yves Rocher Slimming Detox; a ten day detox programme set to help slim and redefine your body. The slimming gel contains fat-reducing citrus-coriander complex which encourages the skin to smoothen and become toned. 88% of women agreed and for just £12.50 a bottle (165ml) it's less painful than any physical fitness regime!

As part of the beauty detox, try the Detox Activator Scrub which ensures double the slimming effectiveness when using a combination of both of the products. The dual-action micro peeling exfoliant uses Bamboo slice to purify the skin and boost the slimming process for just £6.90 Still not convinced to keep the cabbage soup at bay? Then tickle your taste buds with the SOS Detox Defiligne (£10.50) ; a solution for your everyday drink with added sweetener. The green tea extract improves the draining of the body through the use of dandelion which enhances the elimination of toxins. Your figure will seem lighter concluding in you feeling good about yourself.

With the summer season potentially in full swing, it's the dreaded 'C' word every girl fears; Cellulite. Whether your slim or curvy, tall or short every woman has it and it's the sight up of the 'orange-peel' effect that has girls covering up, leaving more opportunities for those unsightly tan lines! But we don't want that do we? So why not try the Cellulite Reducer from Yves Rocher where day by day the appearance of the skin is visibly smoother. The use of green coffee beans is combined with Lesser Celandine extract to boost the skin's micro-circulation and andiroba oil to limit fat storage. 76% of ladies who used the Cellulite Reducer, £17.50, reported a positive effect on their cellulite - all hail the sacred product!

So now your well on your way to a summer-beautiful body (and not one cabbage or gym session in sight!) you should take a look at the other lovely products that Yves Rocher has to offer at www.yves-rocher.co.uk From firming, cellulite reducing body care to toning, flat abs and anti-stretch mark cream, Yves Rocher puts all its expertise in the development of effective slimming. Their products are respectful of nature, limiting impact on the environment through the use of natural products and vitamins. With nature being at the forefront of Yves Rocher's brand identity, it's time for you to embrace your natural self this summer 2012 and make yourself body beautiful through indulgent beauty regimes as opposed to harrowing gym sessions. Shop online a www.yves-rocher.co.uk and say goodbye to cabbage soup forever.

All images from www.yves-rocher.co.uk
You can also see this article online at www.theupcoming.co.uk

25% off Warehouse with Grazia Magazine!

It's that time again that all high street hunters love - when Grazia magazine pairs up with Draper's High Street Retailer of the Year winner Warehouse. And with pay day just four days away (not that we're counting or anything...!) it would be rude not to take advantage of the 25% off voucher available in this week's Grazia!

So what will you be adding to your wardrobe? With all the beautiful summer product that's hitting down in Warehouse stores across the country this week and alongside all this glorious British sunshine we seem to be having lately, why not treat yourself to a few Spring/Summer 2012 style updates?

Here's a few of my top picks from the number one high street brand:



Perfect for: The Festival

Adorable with anything from denim cut-offs, pastel skinnies or a high-low hem maxi skirt!

Ikat Print Vest
Warehouse
£22

Perfect for: Trend Following

Mary Katrantzou's doing it; D&G's doing it; Emilio Pucci's doing it; so why don't you do it too?! It's all about print on print and a serious case of clashing this season - brave the trend in this rather fashion-forward body con skirt!

Mirror Print Skirt
Warehouse
£45

Perfect for: The Wedding

Whether your been whisked away by someone special this season or not, thanks to one of the most hottest trends of summer  you can still get all romanticised too! Try this beautiful beaded and coral dress on for size. Perfect for a wedding or just an excuse to treat yourself to something lovely!

Coral Beaded Dress
Warehouse
£85

Perfect for: The Picnic

Ice-cream colours are everywhere for Spring and these adorable shorts hit all of those necessary sweet spots: lush in colour, oh-so-cute bow detail and a flattering high waist!

High Waisted Shorts
Warehouse
£38

Perfect for: Covering Up

A denim jacket is the fail-safe way to keep that summer evening chill at bay. You can team it with anything from a day dress, a printed maxi or even jeans and a tee if doubling up your denim is floating your boat for Spring.

Denim Jacket
Warehouse
£50

Perfect for: Evening Drinks

Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton started the obsession for cut out and applique lace for SS12 and Warehouse have caught on fast. I love this lemon yellow, 50's inspired dress - a 25% off voucher well spent!

Lace Dress
Warehouse
£58

Perfect for: The Girl's Night Out

If you feel like splashing the cash (yet still saving courtesy of Grazia mag!) then this is the ultimate Warehouse piece for you! Soft leather with edgy fringe detail make this LBD an investment piece that will come out of your wardrobe time and time again.

Leather Dress
Warehouse
£140

Don't forget to pick up this week's Grazia magazine for your 25% off voucher with Warehouse! What will be your perfect wardrobe addition?

Happy Shopping

xoxo

All images courtesey of www.warehouse.co.uk



Essex Hunt: The Highstreet Edit

My friends and I have compiled a list for the year ahead of things we have to do in and around London. One of those is to have a proper 'Essex' night out! We know this isn't really a London-type-thing to do, but seeing as we all live so close to the new party capital it would seem rude not to right?! Well, wrong, if you're anything like me: I don't do fake tan, hair extensions, short skirts or dresses, bare legs (hence the need not to have to tan!) and brands such as Lipsy and Rare just aren't in my fashion vocabulary. So what's a girl to do? Take to the British High Street of course!

But first I wanted to get into the mindset of some of my favourite celeb style icons. I started wondering 'What would Florence wear?' 'What would Fearne do?' 'What would Gillian Zinser say?' Now I know what you're probably thinking - all three wouldn't touch the Essex borderline with their unmanicured finger but desperate times call on them to inspire my outfit for the big night out.

Florence Welch:

Body-Con = Essex Check
Studded and sparkly = Essex Check
Edgy = Me Check

Sexy = Essex Check
Short = Essex Check
Black = Me Check

Sparkly = Essex Check
Boho = Me Check
Vintage = Me Check

 Fearne Cotton:

Diamante = Essex Check
Silver Sparkle = Essex Check
Vintage and Classy = Me Check

Vintage inspired design = Me Check
Pink (!) Accessories = Essex Check!

 Gillian Zinser:

Shiny and Gold = Essex Check
Bohemian and Floaty = Me Check

Glitter!! = Essex Check
Beautifully Vintage = Me Check

Sexy and Short = Essex Check
Faux Fur = Essex Check
Just because it's Gillian = Me Check!

 Lydia Rose Bright: The most stylish Essex-goer herself:

BLING = Essex Check
1920's flapper = Me Check

Glitz and Glam = Essex
Kimono style dress = Me Check

So if my going-out style icons can merge their own unique style and still manage to add elements of Essex style (whether they intended to or not!) then I know I can. So, whose got something to offer on the high street?!

Sequin Dress
£50
River Island

Peplum Dress
£40
River Island

Glitter Prom Dress
£80
Topshop

Vintage Inspired Dress
£80
Topshop

It doesn't look like the High Street cater for those who want to experience Essex yet stick to their own style element! Seems like you're either Essex or your not - and although I'm clearly not, I'm determined to find something before the weekend. I'll be checking out a few vintage shops in London to find a sequin number that will fit all of my own style and Essex needs!

Until then,

Happy Shopping

xoxo

All celebrity images sourced via www.google.co.uk/images

Al product images sourced via www.topshop.com and www.riverisland.com



River Island: The Go-To High Street Store for Festival Chic....

Like many other Londoners, this morning I spent the majority (a full 1 hour and 47 minutes to be exact) attempting to get tickets to the most sought-after free festival of the summer: Hackney Weekend courtesy of Radio 1. Amid the ticket reservation website crashing, phone lines being cut off and repeated 'refresh/rediall' synchronising (I'm sure I have repetitive strain injury now!) I managed to secure tickets for the Saturday. Queue Florence and the Machine (what will she be wearing?!) Example (swoooonnn!!) and the ultimate performance of the day from Jay-Z, I can't flipping wait! So is it so wrong that I'm already planning my Hackney Weekend wardrobe?

I'm on the hunt for denim, fringing, feathers and a bit of leather to take my style from festival folly to a witty weekender! I'm looking for pieces that will not only help me stand out from the crowd but be suitable for a week's holiday in Ibiza that will follow on from the festival (it's going to be a mad but brilliant weekend!) So I'm turning to River Island who, at their SS12 Press Event, wowed me with their bohemian influenced collections that oozed grunge-chic and rock glamour!

Outfit 1

How beautiful is this bead and sequin long line waistcoat?! It's simply gorgeous and totally channels the more glamorous side to a festival goers style. I need this in my life ♥

Waistcoat
River Island
£60

 What better occasion to wear a rock 'n' roll style tee? I really like the distressed feel to this Sound and Vision one from River Island. Tucked into a pair of denim cut-offs = perfect festival styling!

Tee
River Island
£15

Denim cut-offs are the ultimate wardrobe staple for the summer. The frayed bottoms add an elemental edge to a basic piece.

Shorts
River Island
£25

 I adore this jewelled belt sure to add a bit of glitz to your festival-grunge attire. Wear it slung loosely around the hips for a totally casual trait.

Belt
River Island
£25

 As I said at the beginning of this post, I can't resist a bit of fringing for the summer and this bag ticks all of the high season boxes! In a lush coral colour (tick!) the twisted leather frame (tick!) adds an interesting detail to a practical cross body bag (tick!).

Bag
River Island
£35

 I LOVE these boots! I don't know if it's the beaded ikat design or the oh-so-comfortable-in-suede material but these have been added to my festival wardrobe list! The fact they are flat will ensure comfort from day to night, leaving you free to party away without worrying about your tootsies - the perfect purchase!

Boots
River Island
£40

Outfit 2

River Island are doing some amazingly detailed pieces at the moment all focused around intricate beading and sequins. This vest in a stunning lemon yellow colour would be the perfect addition to your summer wardrobe. Whether you want to dress it up in the evening or down during the day with a pair of shorts or midi skirt, it would be a fab investment addition to your wardrobe.

Vest
River Island
£40

 An updated twist to last year's long standing maxi skirt trend, with a high-low hem. The colour makes a great base to add some neon or rainbow brights to ensure you stand out from the crowd!

Maxi Skirt
River Island
£22

 How cool is this headband from River Island? The studded top will add a rock n roll edge to any outfit whether it's a pretty day time dress or indie-inspired combo!

Headband
River Island
£25

 Beyonce wore some sandals similar to this last year at Glastonbury! I'm loving the miss-match of print and beaded detailing.

Sandals
River Island
£45

Outfit 3

A maxi dress remains a firm favourite on the wardrobe staple list for high summer. A print clash effect on this one from River Island gives a 2012 spin on the classic shape taking inspiration from designers such as Mary Katrantzou and Peter Pilotto.

Maxi Dress
River Island
£35

 Feathers are the ultimate festival accessory- try out the trend with these cute feather earrings with an ikat print.

Earrings
River Island
£5

 I ♥ this Navajo and ikat printed clutch. A clutch is the perfect bag to take to a festival as it is compact enough to not get in the way yet has the ability to store all those essentials such as a good camera for all of your style and celeb spots!

Clutch
River Island
£28

 How adorable are these pumps? The Indian-inspired detailing is simply chic yet the pump-style makes for a comfortable partying session!

Pump
River Island
£30

Do you like my three outfit choices for the festival season so far? Which is your favourite? I'm loving outfit number one, although I would like to add all of the products to my summer wish list!

Happy Shopping!

xoxo

All images courtesy of River Island

Shop Online at www.riverisland.com

Louise Roe takes Warehouse Stateside...!

Louise Roe: style icon, fashion 'FROWer', high street champion and Warehouse wearer. Yes, just this weekend the sensational savvy stylist and journalist was spotted out and about in our very own British brand! Fresh from the high street in Warehouse's Crepe Long Line Jacket, Roe made a statement in coral with a quirky nod to the season's oh-so-feminine trend.

I love Louise's combination of a simple skater dress toning down the boldness of the statement jacket. Teamed with nude shoes, a snakeskin clutch makes for an added edge. The girl gets full fashion marks - and that's because she's wearing Warehouse!

Get Louise's look with Warehouse, including her actual jacket here:

Louise Roe sporting the Warehouse Crepe Long Line Jacket at
the NBC's 'Fashion Star' party in New York - Warehouse goes Stateside!

Warehouse
£60

Warehouse
£85

Warehouse
£28

Happy Shopping

xoxo

Shop Online at www.warehouse.co.uk

All images courtesy of www.warehouse.co.uk

Got to have it....

Mid week blues hit you yet? Well there is light at the end of the working week tunnel as the weekend is quickly (I hope!) approaching us! If you're anything like me you'll be hitting the shops to blow away those stress cobwebs and invest in some amazing pieces to update your wardrobe!

Below are a couple of pieces hitting stores this week that I love!

Kimono from River Island:

River Island
£35

 Satchel from Warehouse:

Warehouse
£55

 Denim Dungarees from H&M:

H&M
£30

Oversized Dress from MeandYu:

This amazing oversized dress from quirky online shop MeandYu is my must-have piece of the week! I love the free spirited nature of the style and the kooky 'The end is the beginning' slogan...

www.meandyu.ashopcommerce.co.uk
£22

Where will you be shopping this weekend?

Happy Shopping

xoxo

Restyle and Upcycle with Yasmin Bochi

Do you love a bit of thrifting? Well look no further than online store Etsy for Yasmin Bochi, a designer and art re-styler innovating products of yesteryear and bringing them right back into the 21st century with clever art manipulation techniques. With a bit of a penchant for vintage bags and suitcases myself, the beautiful 'Around the world in 80 stamps' suitcase immediately caught my eye.

This beautiful brown and cream faux leather vintage suitcase is decorated with real vintage postage stamps from around the world (Congo, Pakistan, Austria, Nigeria, Tanzania and Sweden to name a few!) and incorporates old postcards dating back to the early 1900s and 1950s on either side. It's the perfect hold-all for over night trips whilst looking decadently chic with a nostalgic twist.

I'm also coveting the 'Tattoo flower vintage purse' an accessory perfect for a day-time lunch date! The snakeskin base hand painted in shades of green and aqua accentuate the detailing of the rich floral colours. I really like the wood panel detailing on the purse too which make for an unusual design aspect to a unique creation from Yasmin Bochi.

If a picture says a thousand words then this 'Photo booth vanity case' is speaking monologues to me! Complete with historic images of fashion beauties Yasmin has transformed a mid-century case into a must have piece for the upcoming season. The 1920's shape of the bag is very SS12 whilst the obvious time-honoured effect is any vintage magpie's dream. "These images are not decoupaged. They are the result of an image transfer technique which I mastered through a lot of experimenting and patience." says Yasmin. "This is a truly unique piece you will treasure forever!"

Speaking of treasures, how cool is this 'Alice in Wonderland necklace?' The bib-style necklace has been handmade by Yasmin and features a hand-drawn image of the fairytale character surrounded by tiny applique clocks - magical! Grab this piece fast; time is ticking away!

Mixing the past with the present has worked wonders for the brilliant Yasmin Bochi collection on Etsy. You can purchase or shop more from the range online at http://www.etsy.com/shop/yasminbochi where you will find more restyled bags, upcycled fashion and handmade jewellery. "It's fun and quirky with a touch of elegance," says Yasmin and I couldn't agree more.


All images taken from www.etsy.com/shop/yasminbochi

See this article online at www.theupcoming.co.uk