Colour trends predicted to carry through to Autumn

I always think it is useful to take a peek into the upcoming season. That way if you choose to do some forward planning you will be in possession of potentially useful information. This offers two benefits, first if you are contemplating a new purchase it can be useful to know that the colour you are choosing is not a one season wonder but will continue to add a fashionable edge for many months to come. The second is that if you are undertaking a wardrobe clear out it could be a good idea to hold on to a piece that will be a trend colour of the future and therefore merit its storage space.

When I attended the two Autumn 2013 previews last week a couple of colours appeared to stand out and be the front runners of the season, especially in the accessories department. If you have bought into the cobalt blue trend this Spring/Summer it appears to continue to be on trend for the coming Autumn. Thus rendering it a canny purchase that will keep you up to date from one season to the next. The other colour that caught my eye was red, a soft blue red or a rich bright red. Always a good accent colour to lift any neutral wardrobe.

Pied a Terre sweater Autumn 2013 will be available at  House of Fraser

Cobalt blue bag and I love the scarf, I think it was from the Mary Portas range. 2013. All will be available at House of Fraser

Autumn 2013 at House of Fraser

The red trend at Phase 8 Autumn 2013

Red hold all bags 2013 House of Fraser

Red bags again 2013 at House of Fraser

My favourite. A gorgeous cherry red Max Mara coat available Autumn 2013 at  House of Fraser
I think I need to start saving my pennies for this one.

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Busy Week + Autumn 2013 previews

This has been a really busy week. Starting with a visit to the David Bowie exhibition at the V & A Museum. I would not say that David Bowie's music was ever among my favourite however the exhibition was well worth a visit. Brilliantly curated and a full on sensory experience. It was like going down an Alice in Wonderland rabbit hole and entering another world. I was truly amazed at how talented an artist David Bowie is in so many areas from drawing, writing and composing his own songs to acting. As for the costumes they were amazing in every sense of the word. They looked so small he had a 26" waist (have not personally experienced that for a while!).

The exhibition seems to be sold out however you can read about it at David Bowie V & A Exhibition or check out Tilda Swinton's dinner speech at opening of Exhibition

Then yesterday I attended a couple of Autumn 2013 press preview days. As I have not had a chance to wear any of my new Spring/Summer clothes due to the inclement weather in London I think I might as well fast forward to next Autumn. Both collections were very impressive with some stunning looks. I took a few photos, although the light was not good in the rooms. Below is a mini preview. I will be posting more in depth reports next week to give you a glimpse of what is to come. 

Linea at House of Fraser Autumn 2013 collection - View current Linea collection at Linea at House of Fraser

Pied a Terre at House of Fraser Autumn 2013. Current collection Pied a Terre at House of Fraser

Collection of scarves for Autumn 2013 from  House of Fraser

Selection of bags for House of Fraser Autumn 2013 Current Collection of bags at House of Fraser

Classic camel coat from the Phase 8 Autumn 2013 collection.  Current Phase 8 collections here

Selection of scarves from Phase 8 Autumn 2013 Collection 

Phase 8 also offer some stunning fashion jewellery. Above from Autumn 2013 collection

Off this week-end to Hampshire with friends for a fishing week-end. At least our respective husbands will be fishing I guess my friend and I will be in the nearest cafe catching up on news, doing a touch of window shopping in the village and going for long walks in the beautiful countryside.

This is not us. Source of picture A really magical part of the country

Maybe we will have one of these for our supper Source of fish picture

Have a great week-end

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Discovery of new skin care - La Sultane de Saba

Over the last few years beauty treatments have become increasingly popular in the UK, with spas and beauty salons popping up daily, especially in London. We are beginning to catch up with the French and Americans in our enthusiasm for "beauty treatments" from facials to mani/pedis. No longer is this a special treat. We now realise something the French have understood for years and that is that our "grooming" and the care of our skin is just as important a factor to overall style as the clothes we choose.
Many hotels now offer "spa" and/or leisure facilities to their guests. Our hotel in the Cotswolds was no except and luckily a 30 minute treatment was included in our week-end package. So I took full advantage and booked a "Mini Moroccan facial".  I am familiar with most of the product ranges commonly used in hotel spas, from Clarins to Decleor through to Molton Brown. However I was introduced to a completely new range "La sultane de Saba". I have not come across this range before. It was divine.

I could not resist and came home with one of the body lotions.

A little research on the internet came up with a French website La Sultane de saba. You can also order the products from their on-line shop La Boutique.

An excerpt from their site explaining the philosophy behind the range.

The "La Sultane de Saba" brand is born out of a dream...
a dream of sharing, of generosity...
a dream of escape, of traveling...
a dream of ancestral tradition...

La Sultane de Saba's very concept is based on the ancient and precious beauty rituals of oriental women, which are passed down the generations from mother to daughter.

Trough its authentic and original products and trough its body treatments avaible in a dazzling array of fragrance and colors, La Sultane de Saba's aim is to encourage you to dream, allow you to travel, discoveringfar-off horizons, as you head towards the lands of the sun, where body and spirit return to the very essenceof relaxation and well-being.

Inspired by the beauty rituals of the mystical Orient, but also by Asia and Elsewhere, La Sultane de Saba offers several product ranges, each based on unique and magical authenticity.

The products can also be bought through Amazon although I am a little reticent about buying beauty products through Amazon as the seller is usually of unknown origin and I have heard rumours recently that there is a possibility of ending up with products that may be past their sell by dates or even worse "fakes". Do any of you have any experiences good or bad of buying products through Amazon?

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