Cheryl Cole and Xfactor 2010

Sat down with my anchovy paste and toast eagerly anticipating the announcement of the final 12 xfactor contestants 2010.   Well what a let down!!! I always felt that Cheryl had the hardest decision as there was an abundance of talent in her group with lots of range and depth in their performances.

But at the end of the day, she went for the unusual and unique performers which was evident even in their choice of dress and unique fashion accessories.  In Cheryl's defence, it would be fair to say that at least three of her girls were very much a repeat of Alexandra Burke and they are looking for fresh talent.  Alternatively they may be looking for a group to win this year's xfactor with JLS doing so well despite taking second place two seasons ago.  Who knows?

Then of course you have the four wild cards Diva Fever, Wagner Carrilho, Treyc Cohen and Pajie Richardson and the surprise elimination of FYD and Nicolo Festa with Wagner still in.  No doubt viewers will be tuning in next week. 

Picture from http://www.mirror.co.uk/

Get your christmas party wear

With all the mid season sales on now it is hard to decide what to get.  Summer clothing are still on offer while there are basic winter items that I need.  I'm not one for buying clothes to wear next season unless it's really special and a bargain price.  But it's still autumn so you layer up with tights, cardigans and light weight tees so you can be wearing your summer clothing well into winter.

But thinking ahead to christmas, its a great time to get those most needed party wear.  Some christmas parties require formal party dress or party wear but others especially the ones after work its a matter of throwing off your work jacket, freshening up your make up and you're ready to go like those girls from the boots advertisement ..... here comes the girls. 

Ideally too with all the online bargains to be had, it is a great time to pick up a few gifts for christmas, fashion accessories likes scarves, handbags, jewellery and belts even always make handy christmas gifts for her and him.   Those christmas presents aren't going to buy themselves, so get cracking.

Shapewear - airbrushing techniques for you and me

As I get older I honestly can't say if dressing is easier now than when I was drop dead sexy and gorgeous and could fit into anything.  Okay the latter part is a matter of opinion and debatable I admit.  But age as my father always says is a wicked thing and try as you might nature will take its course.  That said, I have certainly become more selective in my choice of clothes and fashion accessories which I feel should reflect my unique personality and at the same time be comfortable. So the "teeny boppers" shops are off my radar as I only watch and admire and remember when.   

Items such as high waisted trousers are now must haves for my capsule wardrobe simply because they are great for camouflaging any unsightly bulges.  They can add contour to your shape and are excellent when wearing elastane tops that hug your upper body.  Memories of Bridget Jones from Bridget Jones Diary comes to mind with Bridget (Rene Zellweger) in her contour shaping underwear which Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant)  unduly uncovers for want of a better word.

Not that I have lost my beach goddess focus and goal as I do keep up with my exercise, but there are undergarments, clothes, creams, lotions etc to fix many things we may not appreciate about ourselves be they only temporary fixes in some instances.   As human beings we are insatiable and always dissatisfied with some aspects of our appearance. So there are push up bras for those who want to look more chesty and minimizing bras for those who feel they are too well endowed.  Ironic isn't it?  If only we could just wave a magic wand or airbrush ourselves to perfection.   

When you think about it contour garments or body define shapewear, make up, creams etc are our small way of airbrushing ourselves on a daily basis.  And why not as airbrushing is a natural extension of the fashion industry.  Don't imagine that models and celebrities roll out of bed looking like they've just stepped out a fashion magazine.  Fashion shoots take lots of time and effort.  As you get older some of us come to appreciate that less is more, that you can dress cleverly and feel great and that you don't have to be a UK size 8 and below to be a fashion goddess.  The fashion tip for today is to work with what you have ladies because there is always somebody out there who would love to have some aspect of your bodyshape.

Mirror Mirror on the wall – a winter must have

Talking about coordinating my clothes in winter reminded me that I am yet to get myself a standing mirror for my bedroom. I do have a full length mirror but downstairs.  So I  find myself having to bring several jackets downstairs to see which one looks best with my outfit and then match up shoes. Many a times I dress upstairs then come downstairs glance in the mirror and think how horribly wrong but when I'm running late its a toss up between facing more traffic or rushing  out of the house looking as if I dressed in the dark.

So a full length mirror is the first accessory on my winter must have list this year. This solid rubber wood leaning mirror from John Lewis has some unique features which really appeals. More than just a mirror it offers space for hanging clothes and somewhere to rest my shoes. Now I can really plan what I’m going to wear day to day and hang it out the night before on my mirror. There even space to lay out my fashion accessories like jewellery necklaces, leather belts and silk scarves all in advance. If I needed to convince myself further that this was the mirror for me then aesthetically the dark wood blends so well with my existing bedroom furniture. A winter must have indeed.

Unique fashion accessories and your capsule wardrobe

A friend of mine just asked me to save her a georgeous burgundy pink beaded necklace, just in, that is perfect for an outfit she has.  She also tried on this turquoise beaded bracelet which looked great on her but then she said "but I don't have clothes to match this bracelet."  So I said to her, "why not start with the accessories and build an outfit from there".  Interior decorators find a focal point, be it fabric, a serving tray etc and create a theme around it for a room so what's to stop us from building an outfit from accessories up when it comes to fashion.

Strangely enough I'm never been deterred from buying unique jewellery and fashion accessories because I don't have an outfit in my wardrobe to match.  As long as it good quality, unusual, stylish and makes a statement I buy it and add to my wardrobe of fashion accessories.  When I bought this belt for instance I had no idea how I was going to wear this belt and with what.

  But I loved the pearl and burgundy colours, the plaited detail and the fact that it is a leather belt at a great price.  This belt sat in my wardrobe for months before I wore it.   The tribal necklace I have had for over 20 years.  At the time I bought it I didn't even know these fashion terms.  I simply liked the necklace because it seemed unusual and now 2 decades later it is still fashionable and I'm wearing tribal and ethnic jewellery.  Now that is what I call a classical jewellery piece.  The metallic handmade leather sandals just completes this look in style.

When I where these outfits without accessories nobody comments but I add the belt and suddenly the " aren't we glamourous comments" or "what's the occasion? questions start coming my way.  Don't take my word for it just try it and see how fashion accessories can really add glamour to simple outfits.

I'm not one for building a wardrobe in a day.  But overtime you can collect some fabulous statement fashion accessories that always get the desired response to make your day.  And I am getting the hang of this capsule capsule wardrobe concept as using the same belt and trousers with a different top simply creates a new outfit.  Versatile and interchangeable, the keywords for a capsule wardrobe.

Note to self must invest in a mannequin as I simply can't photograph myself wearing these clothes.  If anyone knows a good deal on a mannequin new or second hand please let me know.