LDN...

We were recently invited to stay at the uber cool Sanderson Hotel and we were treated like royalty; Kate Middleton is one lucky girl. After having a lovely lunch, we found these gorgeous strawberries on our room (and one of your five a day) result!

Our serenely peaceful room...

Some heavenly shoe shopping in Selfridges...

Flossy’s new purchase...

Suck it in...

Can’t wait to try the Spanx tights the lovely ladies at lingerieplease.co.uk sent us! Bring on the body con dresses!

Six and the City girls xxx

The price of beauty...

I was having a blissful paraffin wax pedicure when my therapist asked, "do you have a lot of pedicures?” I replied "quite a few." She then asked me if I had considered a block booking buy five pedicures and I would get one for free? Nice thought but at £340 I’d rather pay as you go.

The same salon also offered me a course of HD Brows on the same deal but as I’ve just had a fringe cut in and you can barely see my eyebrows, I quite shuddered at spending £190 over five months for something that is very rarely seen. This got me thinking – what is the price of beauty? If you added it up you would probably revert to a bit of DIY and some yoghurt on my face. But I decided to do so anyway…

By the time I added up my fortnightly manicure and purchase of Solar Oil, pedicures, my HD brows, waxing, IPL, massages and salt scrubs I had come out in a cold sweat. Add to this my Comme des Garcons 2 and Daisy by Marc Jacobs perfume, body cream and whatever else is available in the range. Thankfully facials are not for me as I suffer occasionally from Rosacea and I have devised my own skin care regime. So then I added in the Elemis, Stri-Vechin and Crème de La Mer that I use on my face and decided the price of beauty is high but most definitely worth it.

Flossy x 

Pampered princess...

I’m a bit of a brat when it comes to going for a weekend away.

The way to my heart is definitely by taking me to THEE Hotel with five star style and enough champagne to keep my going for months.

I recently jumped at the chance to go to the new Dakota Hotel in Scotland. With it’s chic black shiny exterior I new I’d fit in well here. Once in the hotel we were greeted with mini cocktails (the moment I knew this was the right place) and shown to the most amazing room in the world – you’d never want to leave.

Chocolate covered strawberrys, champagne and cocktails? Now that’s what I call a weekend of bliss.

Madam Butterfly x

Some inspirational images from this week's blogs...Chelsea D x

To weave or not to weave?

For followers of Six and the City, I had to share the outcome of my to weave or not to weave post. I opted for no weave and decided to stick to what I know best! So this weekend I got more than excited as my new super long mermaid locks arrived in the post, sad I know but vanity is my dear friend. New hair always makes me excited, probably more so than a child on Christmas day. Extensions have and will be for a long time a necessity in my life, along with my tan and my eyelashes!

Ever since I was about 15 I have been using hairaisers blue label wefts at first I used to buy the clips and sew them on myself (this is a lie, my mum used to do it for me) but the more I wore them the more I loved them and decided I had to make them a bit more permanent not to mention the time I now save in the morning by gluing them in!

It has to be said as silly as it sounds I feel more confident when I am wearing my extensions, they give me that added WOW factor and as I always like to be centre of attention this helps to draw in the admiring glances

Having tried almost every hair extension brand there is America Dream, Great Lengths, Balmain, Hair Rehab London and I&K there is a reason I’m so loyal to hairaisers, the quality of the hair is amazing definitely worth paying that little bit extra. I’ve found that they are the longest lasting even after washing, colouring, straightening and curling I put my extensions through a lot. The hair is the thickest I have ever had in extensions perhaps because it’s double wefted! And with hairaisers I always manage to get a colour match, which is probably the best thing cause really who wants to spend ages, dying, washing and drying their extensions!

I have also used the pink label clip ins and as much as I love them I think it’s fair to say I’m definitely a blue label girl!

Tullulah Belle xo

Bad skin behaviour...

The first step is admitting the cause of your guilt, and boy I have been bad. So yes I work in the fashion and beauty industry, and yes I see hundreds of dewy skinned models each week, and yes I read the same skincare articles that rear their clear and glowing heads in the glossies each month but no, I do not look after my skin.

I’m a soap and water kind of girl and I often sleep with my make-up on, I know, I know, I can hear the gasps of horror from here. But (desperately scrambling to justify) youth is on my side and there must be time to repair the damage.

So in a bid to rectify my careless and party girl ways, invested in the Dermalogica skincare regime. I investigated different skincare brands, but I am quite oily and prone to spots so Dermalogica seemed like the right choice for me. If I’m honest, laziness prevented me from cleansing, toning and moisturising religiously but I have to admit the Dermalogica routine has been painless and hassle free. I wash my face with the Special Cleansing Gel, tone with Multi Active Toner and moisturise with Active Moist, using the skin prep scrub a couple of times a week.

The results...I’ve only been doing my routine for a week now (and did sleep with my make up on once) but my skin is clearer, dewier and definitely has a bit of a glow! But I’ll keep you all updated on my skin rehab…it can’t be this easy surely?

Chelsea D UZ[©

C'est le weekend...

Friday afternoon. The sun is out. Spring is in the air. Only one thing for it. 

“‘Everything in life is temporary. So if things are going good, enjoy it because it won't last forever. And if things are going bad, don't worry. It can't last forever either.”


Rubywoo x

Happy Friday...

So since it’s Friday and the Six in the City girls are feeling generous we thought we’d give you lucky bloggers the chance to win some of our hair essentials sent to us by some lovely beauty PRs for this amazing give away!

  

The Happy Hair Hamper contains:

Phil Smith Be Gorgeous Super Straight Shampoo & Conditioner

Phil Smith Be Gorgeous Curl Revive Shampoo & Conditioner

Phil Smith Be Gorgeous Big It Up Volumising Mousse

Phil Smith Be Gorgeous Dry Clean Shampoo

Phil Smith Be Gorgeous Blonde Highlight Enhancing Shampoo & Conditioner/Phil Smith Be Gorgeous Super Shine Brunette Shampoo & Conditioner (Please state if you would like the blonde or brunette)

Phil Smith Xtreme Style Xtreme Heat Defence Spray

Phil Smith Xtreme Style Xplosive Volume Spray

Phil Smith Xtreme Style Xpert Sea Salt Spray

Phil Smith Xtreme Xrated Shine Serum

Phil Smith Xtreme Xpressive Firm Mousse

Phil Smith Xtreme Xtravagant Hairspray

Travel Size Ted Baker Fragrance

Hairaisers Plaited Headband (Again please state whether you would like the blonde or brunette)

All you have to do to enter is:

1)     Be a follower of this blog

2)     Comment on this blog post

3)     Leave your email address or twitter name so we can contact you!

The winner will be announced next Friday (1/04/2011)

Love

The Six and the City Girls xo

Summer is upon us?

So yesterday I reluctantly started my summer wardrobe shopping. I couldn’t avoid it any longer; the shops are awash with jersey summer dresses and gladiator sandals and even the British weather is becoming distinctly milder. Now regular followers of the blog will know my dislike of anything floaty and feminine so don’t be alarmed if my idea of summer styling doesn’t quite match yours.

I spotted these pixie/cowboy crossbreed ankle boots (ironically named ‘Autumn’) in the Topshop sale and knew they would make perfect summer wear. I’ll be wearing them with some black cut off vintage Levi’s denim shorts, a baggy vest (American Apparel again and always), wide distressed tan leather belt, bowler hat, Wayfarers and endless amounts of silver and turquoise jewellery (see, whoever said I don’t wear colour) to bring in hazy summer afternoons with a G & T in hand.

Here comes the sun…and now I’m ready.

Chelsea D UZ[©

My Girl Crush

Model of the moment Abbey Lee Kershaw has definitely been kicking up a storm. She’d been hailed as Australia’s biggest fashion export since Elle Mcpherson. As well as being the face of Gucci Flora, Tom Ford and Chanel she walked in a number of shows at London Fashion Week including John Rocha, Julien Mcdonald, Gucci and Burberry Prorsum. With Karl Lagerifeld among her biggest fans it’s not hard to see why Abbey is quickly begging to become a fashion house favourite.

  

Now if only we all had legs that go on for miles and killer cheekbones!

  

Love & Glitter

  

Tullulah xo

Springtime...time to go Wylde!

It’s official; Spring is here, FINALLY! What better way to celebrate this than by digging out the gladiator sandals (A staple in my spring/summer wardrobe) although I fear my tootsies might not have agreed with this decision, maybe I should have waited a few more weeks! I am most definitely not a dresser for the weather, I can often be found mid December roaming the streets in nothing more than a cardigan, vest top and leggings.

These Thomas Wylde studded skull glad sandals from www.net-a-porter.com give me fashion quivers. Yikes.

Tullulah Belle

xo

The best things come in small packages. Do they?

As I sit here in Heathrow, sadly not terminal five, two things confuse me. A Marc by Marc Jacobs Bianca Jane on a chain (in nude) and a Burberry Mini Studded Sling bag (in black). Both are beautiful and compact, but how do you live with something so petite? I would have to choose between products that are classified as ‘essentials’ – house keys or Mac HoneyLove, iphone or compact?

Clearly I am not ready to make such mature decisions in life, so I opt for no bag and purchase the Veuve Clicquot Songbird instead.  

Rubywoo xox

Technology or Technophobe?

  

I’ve just come back from a blissful holiday in St Lucia. It was my first beach holiday for a couple of years, with my previous destinations of choice being Rome, San Francisco, Las Vegas and New York and boy had their been some changes on the beach reading front.

One of my holiday pleasures is reading – I love a trashy novel, a biography or a thriller – (chick lit I can take or leave). I usually read three or four books during my holiday and had had been bulk buying at WH Smiths before I left. But when I settled myself on my sun lounger, all sunscreen, sunglasses and book in hand, I looked around and noticed I was surrounded by a sea of I-pads and Kindles.

I’m a huge fan of the I-pad, it’s great for lots of things but not for reading. I’ve never used a Kindle but I’ve looked at them at the airport and they look great, my friend has a Sony Reader and he loves it – it’s probably been to more countries than me! I just can’t get to grips with using a machine to read a book. Books are books – you can read the end while your half way through (one of my guilty pleasures) and you can hide behind them when you want to avoid someone on the beach. The pleasure you have from reading a real book is immense, the emotion a book brings out in you can be surprising and incredible – would that happen with your I pad, Kindle or Reader? I’m not sure. I’m all for embracing technology but it will be a long time before my book goes in the bin!

Flossy x

On the straight and narrow...

When I was younger, straight hair was the big thing – but it had to be poker straight, no waves or kinks allowed. . Then you knew you were with the ‘it’ crowd. 

Then I found my love for big hair, curls and waves, backcombed and bouffant. I never ever thought I would go back to loving straight ever again – then I found the must have celeb treatment, the Brazilian Blowdry. 

I was recommended the Nano Keratin product by a friend, who told me it was a must for my blonde locks. My stylist talked me through the system and let me know exactly what he was doing at all times – something that was a must for me as my hair is precious! I must admit I was worried about it being poker straight again but was relieved when I was told it would have some volume and would look as though I’d just had a blowdry. The treatment took around an hour and a half, quicker than expected and the results were to die for not to mention the condition. 

If your looking for that celeb treatment (Nicole Richie is said to be a diehard fan) I would recommend Nano Keratin by far, I’m addicted now!

Madam Butterfly x

My Latest Addiction...

I recently stumbled across this little gem www.whatgoesaroundnyc.com I think it might be the new love of my life! With a huge celeb following including Nicole Richie, Victoria Beckham and Mischa Barton  - and, yes she is still alive, I’m surprised I never came across this earlier considering I am somewhat of a self pronounced celebrity queen.

I think it’s fair to say this website has definitely brought out my inner rock chick, I could spending forever listing of my must haves from the vintage store based in New York and Los Angeles. (Gerard Maione and Seth Weisser if you’re reading this I seriously think you should consider opening a store in the UK) But I think I’ll just leave you with a few of my favourites, I certainly know where my next wage will be going!

Custom studded converse, I think I may have found my perfect shoe!

Everyone that knows me knows about my love of studs, denim and leather.

Love & Glitter

Tullulah-Belle

 xo

Glasgow School of Art Fashion Show

Last week I was invited to the Glasgow School of Art fashion show, a fabulous evening with lots of amazing work from the school’s second and third year students. The annual fashion show has been the starting point for some of fashion’s hottest new talent; Pam Hogg, Louise Gray and Jonathan Saunders all graduated there, so I was in very good company.

I shared the front row with some amazing bloggers and we were so impressed with the young designer’s adaption on their creative brief. There was a host of geometrical prints, neutral colour palettes and lots of texture using weave, knit and embroidery.  Hair was plaited close to the scalp, in Heide-esque braids and skin was dewy (lots of MAC strobe cream backstage) with statement eyebrows and lips. One model rocked chrome lips, which were beautiful in a kind of alien way; I’m not sure how well they’d go down on a night out but definitely a strong look.

The night got me very excited for the future of the British fashion industry – we have some amazing talent on its way.

Chelsea D x

Just one thing...

Come on springtime...this is the sight I want to see!  Can we please have bright blue skies and gorgeous sunshine framed by one of my most favourite things - lots and lots of blooming pink blossom! Thanks.

Bellarusso x

Knock on my door

It is a sad day when you have to sacrifice your spring/summer wardrobe for something practical. In this case, the object in question is a front door. Not the most exciting thing in the world by any stretch but since I have been obsessing over them lately it hit me that something like a front door can say just as much about you, if not more, than those Alexander Wang sunglasses.

It comes down to finding a style and colour that suits and represents who you are – I am still talking about the door. It is the first impression of your home and your life. People coming to your house see your porte d'entrée before they see you. Something like the simple front door turns out not to be that simple. I have thought longer and harder about this than I did on my wedding dress. It is a huge commitment, and that isn’t something that comes easy to me. So for now (and possibly the remainder of this season) my front door is working the understated, Modern Craft look.

The Art of the Investment Piece

With the Oscars bringing the award season to a close, it’s time for me to hang up my collection of Marchesa dresses that have only and will only be worn once.

I try to never wear the same thing twice at big events, unless we’re talking about an investment piece - something like my Burberry Prorsum Studded Leather Jacket, which I picked up after falling in love with it on the runway. £4000 well spent, although I’m not sure my accountant will agree. My justification is that it is a staple that will see me through all of the seasons:

In summer with my vintage Levis, a simple vest by Alexander Wang and my trusty Rayban Wayferers.

In spring with my Matthew Williamson maxi dress and some killer Louboutins.

In autumn with my favourite J Brand skinny jeans and at Christmas will that party dress which will be sure to earn me an appearance on page 6.

What’s your favourite investment piece?

Tullulah Belle

xo

D.I.S.C.O

My Saturday night must have...

Chelsea D x

What's a girl to wear in Vegas?

With a five night party vacation on the horizon, I am starting to get cold sweats about what is going to get squeezed into the suitcase!  Because this isn't any party vacation - the location is Las Vegas!

My starting point will be my dark brown Rayban Wayfarers but where to go from there? A bikini will be essential, as I lay bathing in the desert rays in one of the six pools of the Mirage -surely the only option is the Tara Matthews mirante beaded bikini with a Dries van Noten black kimono slung over as a pool to bar cover up?

And then I start thinking about shoes - I don't know where to begin apart from the Gucci lace up python sandals and Christian Louboutin's Canonita - simply devine and made to party!

Actually, hold that thought as I think I might have to stop worrying about the size of my suitcase and have a serious think about the size of my wallet!  Unless I win thousands on the black jack, my Louboutin dream may have a to wait a while...

love Bellarusso xx

Nailing it...

Everyone that knows me will know when it comes to my nails, there is no other way to wear them than perfect – no chip or bump is acceptable!

From manis and pedis to gel and acrylic, it’s fair to say I’ve tried all of the treatments that are around. However, I have found my absolute favourite and I just have to tell you about – The Swarovski Crystal Pedi. Oh. My. God. Every girl should have it! Whether you’re going on holiday to St Tropez or just looking to treat yourself on a Sunday afternoon with a cocktail, this is definitely a must! With around 400-600 crystals being placed on each foot you’re sure to have the best looking pedi in town. Although it takes around 2hours to complete the end result is certainly worth the wait and lasts for around 3-4weeks.

Team it with a pair of Louboutin open two Glitter Covered Mary Janes and a Chanel bag and you are ready to go!

Madam Butterfly xx

Chelsea Dagger's guide to Paris...

J’adore Paris…

It’s no secret and I know it might be a bit of a fashion cliché but this is a city that knows good style. I lived in la ville lumiere for a short while, and whilst there I spent my time and lots of money living the good life.

Now, you cannot and must not visit Paris without visiting Colette (Rue Saint-Honoré).  Think Urban Outfitters but with Balmain! The staff are beautiful, the clothes are beautiful and you will leave potentially bankrupt. On that note, a walk along Avenue Montaigne will leave you seething with envy.  This is the street that Carrie fell in Dior, and is best left to those with Black Amex and chauffeurs on standby. It is said that the Chanel shop assistants are trained to assess a potential customers wealth (and level of importance) by their heel tips and hems, and determine whether this person is worth spending time with! But don’t let that put you off going in and smelling the sweet smell of the Chanel 2.55’s caviar leather.

Once you are head to toe in Balmain and Chanel (or something similar), head to Hotel Costes (Rue St Honoré) for some fashionista cocktails and pretentious chat. Don’t get me wrong, the drinks are overpriced, the modelesque bar staff are snooty, and the conversations mainly revolve around who is wearing who and fashion week but the music is great and the surroundings are to die for; especially if you visit on a sunny Saturday afternoon and sit in the courtyard. So dig out your emergency credit card and sip a Mojito until you can take no more, then scurry to Belleville for a bière and a laugh.

Now I’m more of a grab a baguette and walk kind of girl, but after (more than) a few cocktails at the aforementioned Hotel Costes on a Saturday night the only thing to do is to head Charly Birdy on rue la Boétie for the amazing Jazz Brunch.  You have got to try the eggs benedict and bloody mary whilst listening to the jazz trio and watching the early Parisian traffic dart about.  And if you’re lucky they’ll even name a cocktail after you! 

Yes, I was the special of the day one Sunday…