ISSUE 16 WELCOME TO THIS WEEK’S FIERCE LIST…

We meet again… hope all is well with you all.

This week has been a little hectic due to nothing but the daily grind… plus I’ve been feeling sorry for myself and have been moaning constantly, so it was good to get some time to 'put a lid on it', chill out and put this week’s list together – hope you enjoy.
xxxx

THIS WEEK EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT… LADY GAGA’S APPEARANCE ON JONATHAN ROSS

Well I’m not sure if everyone else is, but I am. Did anyone see it? Was I the only one who thought it was bloody strange? Don’t get me wrong, I understand she’s probably doing this whole alter ego, a la Beyonce and Sasha Fierce, but come on, she didn’t need to bring her ‘friend’ onto the show? I understand Ms Knowles concept loud and clear… Sasha Fierce is for the stage, she does things which Beyonce wouldn’t necessarily do. So I was baffled to see Ms Gaga, still behaving like a twit during her interview.

It’s a shame… I loved her up until I saw this interview. Now I just think she’s just plain weird in an irritating way.

See below interview in full below.

FASHION NEWS: DAMN! BAY TRADING IS BACK!

Now I’m sure anyone who is my age (you know who you are), will remember this high street store from waaaay back in the day and quite frankly they were wack! The clothes were wack, the quality was wack – everything about them was wack. Well, things have changed and they’re back with a vengance.

Think embellished shift dresses, colour block dresses, shoulder tees and bleached denim… well they’ve got it in abundance and its look half decent. I’ve got my eye on the black embellished dress for £60… sorry, tried hunting down a picture of it, but to no avail.

Anyhow, I’m sure most local shopping centres still have this store knocking around, should this be the case they’ve dashed out the chav look and revamped it with fashionable clobber, so next time you’re about to walk past, think again.

I’VE GOT MY EYE ON YOU… ZOE SALDANA

For the trekkie fans amongst us (that’s not many then), you may recognise Ms Saldana for playing the role of Uhura in the 2009 release of Star Trek. At the ripe of age of 31, Zoe is starting to make waves as a serious actress. She starred as Anamaria in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl and also Britney’s debut ‘Crossroads’ and its now she’s beginning to be noticed, which may be a shock as she’s been in the game for nearly ten years. With her first major role under her belt, let’s hope she’s done herself proud in ‘old boy’ Lucas film, with the sky being the only thing in her way.

TREND WATCH: LEATHER?

I don’t actually think leather has been noted as a ‘key trend’ this season. I know trophy jackets have as well as big shoulders, but leather? I’m not too sure and to be honest, I actually don’t really care as it’s a necessity I blog about this jacket.

Hot, fierce, hot… the picture says all of this don’t you think? I only wish my chest area wasn’t so big, as those of you who know me are fully aware the jacket is not going to look like this on me as it does on this model. ‘Drat!’ Time to stop the carbs and just live on smoothies methinks... Just kidding. Everyone who knows moi, is aware I couldn’t starve myself if I tried. After all, I am the woman who once described a piece of toasted wholemeal bread as “this is some WICKED toast man”…(emphasis on the word ‘wicked’. I foolishly got excited over toast with some ex work colleagues, who to this day have never let me forget)… so no, no eating disorders over here.

Anyhow I digress, this jacket is badass and I got to have it. All Saints, £395

I’M IN NEED OF A … GREAT IMITATION OF COCO CHANEL’S ICONIC 2.55 BAG

One of the most iconic designer bags in the world it’s not surprise there are so many variations of it doing the rounds on the high street and their not half bad.

A bit of bag history for those who care to know… The quilted chain handle bag was created in 1955 and it is from the year of its birth its name derives. The Chanel 2.55 chain bag represents the epitome of style and the ultimate status symbol and is why it was loved by so many arms of the rich and famous.

As much as I’d love to own a real Chanel 2.55 bag, I don’t have the real money to get it with, so I think I’m just going to have to stick with the Topshop or ASOS versions priced at £35 and £15 respectively. I did have a picture of the Topshop version for you guys, but the Oxford Circus branch security cornered me and insisted I delete it from my phone! Apparently I was breaking company rules… I wouldn’t have normally caved in so quickly, but it’s not about being banned from Topshop. I think such a ban would actually kill me.

BEAUTY BUYS: ELNETT HAIRSPRAY

Yes I’m talking about hairspray. Why? Because it’s a good one which needs to be shouted about. For those of us who like to style our relaxed (or afro) barnet and are in need of a hairspray to do the job without clumping the hair in an unattractive way due to the stickiness of the spray, look no further L’Oreal’s Elnet is the one.

Use a little bit of this and it holds your style in place with a diamond shine, plus it’s extremely light on your hair. Don’t you just hate it when you’ve got fresh clean hair and you’re getting ready to go out and put product on your tresses, only for it to feel heavy and greasy? Well Elnet, doesn’t do that…

Nothing more to say on it, after all it is just hairspray. Available from most Boots and beauty stores.

THE LAST WORD… AMERICAN TV DRAMA BROTHER & SISTERS

To say I love this show is an understatement. Any Facebook friends of mine will see by my current status that I think the show is sick, sick, sick!

Just finished watching tonight’s episode and it’s got me waiting impatiently for next week’s instalment, which seems like two years away! I want to watch it now!

The show features Calista Flockhart (ex Ally McBeal) and the ‘oh so’ fine Rob Lowe who she’s married to. She comes from a large family, named the ‘Walker’s and the show is basically about the drama that seems to happen in their lives each and every day. The show grips you, catapulting you into their family. You laugh and cry with them and when the credits role as one episode ends, you’ll be hitting the select button for the next instalment, I guarantee you.
For those of you who haven’t yet caught onto this magnificent US hit show, go out to HMV or visit Play.com and order your box sets. Channel More 4, is now on series three and I’m sure we’re nearly done as it feels like its been on for yonks, so don’t attempt to start watching it from here… just go out and buy it because its so damn worth it!

I’ve included a trailer for Season one below… it doesn’t actually do it justice, just go out and buy it. I promise you, you won’t be disappointed.

THE LAST WORD, PART 2…. JADE GOODY STORY TO BECOME A MUSICAL…

Only one thing to say… ‘They are really taking this too damn far!’.

I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard Beresford Mack on Choice read this out within his (poorly written and read) news bulletin. The whole Jade Goody cancer story was extremely sad and its something which got me tearful, however I’m not sucked in by the rest of the Bermondsey residents in thinking the news of developing a musical about her life is a fantastic idea… come on, her camp are simply seeing how much more money they can cash in with her name and its just becoming distasteful. Guys, should any of you be reading (which I know isn’t the case, but still), let Jade’s memory be left as it is. I’m sure she’ll be cackling with laughter upstairs with the old man about this one for sure.

Till next week!

ISSUE 15 WELCOME TO THIS WEEK’S FIERCE LIST…

Happy belated Easter everyone! I decided I too should take advantage of the public holiday by having a break… didn’t see the point of killing myself to get the post completed for Friday morning as all of you would probably be reading this the following Tuesday, when you returned to work …

Anyhow, this week I’m talking about Michelle Obama; this lady can do no wrong, fashion news from Ray Ban, good food and reality TV… come on… you know you love a bit of this right.?
Whether you’re reading this from your computer at work, blackberry on the train or laptop at home, I hope you enjoy…
x

THIS WEEK EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT… MICHELLE MANIA

“I thought being smart is cooler than anything in the world” said Michelle Obama to a hundred North London schoolgirls last week. Just this sentence alone from her inspirational speech sums up why I (and probably the rest of the world who’ve gone ‘Michelle crazy’) love her. She has the ability to make things which maybe considered ‘un cool’ to some, appealing to others.

We all know what she said isn’t rocket science, but nonetheless the world and their dog continue to look up to the First Lady and I love, love, love it. I bet every mother wished their daughter was present at that North London school that day, I know I did and my little lady is only 15 months old! Who cares if she can’t understand what’s being said. I’m sure the power of the First Lady would have done something positive to boss lady.

Another reason I love Mrs Obama is that she completely blows the stereo type of ‘women who adore fashion as being as thick as two planks’ out of the water. She is an educated, intelligent woman who has enough brains to do whatever she puts her mind to. Her love for fashion is just the icing on the cake, as the way she shows her love for a ‘good designer piece’ is literally killing me. The shoes, the A-line dresses, the coats and the accessories – it has been reported by some she’s gaining herself the title of the new ‘Jackie O’.

Out of all the outfits she wore during her stay in Europe with the President, my favourite has to be the Jason Wu dress she wore with the Kors coat and Alaia belt when she stepped off Air Force One. Are we sure Ms O isn’t a movie star?

FASHION NEWS: RAY-BAN CLUBMASTER SUNGLASSES

I promised I would treat myself to new ‘expensive’ sunglasses two summers ago, but do I have a pair yet? No. I’m quite annoyed with myself too because two summers ago, my good friend worked for Armani and said when I was ready I could come in and pick which ever pair I wanted and she’d allow me use of her discount. Fast forward to now and of course she no longer works for Armani and I am still ‘designer sunglasses less’. The amount of money I’ve wasted on cheap shades from Topshop or Urban Outfitters in the last two years would probably enable me to buy at least one pair of designers sun specs, so something has to happen.

Well, something has happened… Ray Ban have re released their retro Clubmaster specs and they’re looking hot, just like I remembered them. (I used to have a pair which I religiously wore during one summer of secondary school and I must say, they were the best sunglasses I had. I can’t remember who I nicked them off, probably one of my Aunties…). Anyhow, they’re back and Ray Ban aren’t playing as they come in a few colours making me feel really spoilt for choice.
The above pic shows Rachel Bilson wearing a pair which I think she’s rocking quite nicely. At £120 a pop, I this is actually less than what I planned to spend two years ago, so its all good. However, it would be great if I had another friend who was able to hook me up with another discount… Maybe I’ll check one of those voucher sites!, you never know we are going through a recession, so you’ll never know.

I’VE GOT MY EYE ON YOU…SHINGAI SHONIWA

Shingai Shoniwa (pronounced Shee-ng-eye) born of British and Zimbabwean descent is the lead singer for UK Indie band the Noisettes. (I can hear my Zimbabwean friend TM saying ‘braaap, braaap’ as I type!)

The three piece band hit mainstream after one of their songs featured in a UK car advert. Their current single ‘Don’t upset the rhythm’ is currently No. 6 in the charts (it was No. 2 last week) and has been reported to be in the style of old school disco heads ‘Earth, Wind and Fire’.
Shingai’s style caught my eye when I was watching their debut video, as it’s very eccentric and unique. She looks great with her ever changing afro hair styles and I just seemed to be drawn in by her quirkiness as I’m sure many others are.

The Noisettes are reported to do big things this year and if their front woman’s style is anything to go by, they will do just that.

http://www.myspace.com/noisettesuk

TREND WATCH: ABSTRACT PATTERNS

Works on some, not on others – so know which category you fall into and stick with it! As seen on Ms Bilson here, the abstract pattern trend, works perfectly on her small frame. I only wish I could have this dress… it may help to accentuate the hips which seem to be hiding somewhere in my thighs.

This trend will set the right tone of ‘understated glamour’ with any daytime frock and evening gown, giving you the right amount of ‘umph’.

I’M IN NEED OF A … TRIP TO NEW CARIBBEAN RESTAURANT ‘MAHOE’

This blog is dedicated to all things I find ‘fierce’ and up until now most of the posts have been regarding fashion. Well, for this week I’ve had to switch things up a bit and include my other ‘love’ … food.

My girlfriends and I try to make sure we meet up at least once a month to catch up, cuss our men, give advice, chit chat and talk whatever nonsense we feel to. Obviously, we like to enjoy ourselves whilst together, so we always try to make sure we do it somewhere we can enjoy some good food, none of this salad nonsense … after all it is dinner.

Anyhow, when my friend FS suggested we try out a new Caribbean restaurant in St Paul’s me and the rest of the girls were of the mindset that we wouldn’t eat anything earlier in the day, as we didn’t want to jeopardise clogging up space in our stomachs with nonsense ‘day food’ especially when it could be replenished with some ‘real wicked’ food.

So, I’ll get straight into this post… the food served in Mahoe is so, delicious, scrumptious, tasty, wicked… think of any word which best describes your favourite dish and it will sum up this restaurant. When they brought out our starters which were one of the many platters they offer (meat, mixed and plantation platters), I couldn’t hide the excitement on my face. When I ate the food, it confirmed why I was so excited in the first place. Mahoe is a definite ‘must go’ eatery, especially if you’re someone who wants an alternative to the well known Mr Jerk, W1 now named ‘Savannah Jerk’.

For those who like to get their money’s worth, Mahoe do an ‘all you can eat’ buffet the first Sunday of each month for £15, so if you’re a true foodie, no doubt I’ll see you down there, as I only plan to cook three Sunday’s per month from now on.

Mahoe Café-Bar, Bow Lane (off Queen Victoria Street), nearest station St Pauls. http://www.mahoecafe.com/ / 020 7489 9895

BEAUTY BUYS: YSL’s GLOSS PUR

Matte textured lips are long gone and high shine lips are back this season and what better way to mirror this look, than to buy YSL’s Gloss Pur. Priced at £19 and available in a variety of colours, (I’m loving No. 4 in raspberry); I urge all users to ensure they are wearing the fiercest of heels when displaying any of their shades on your chops, as this lip treasure is not to be used anyhow.

THE LAST WORD… CANDY GIRLS

Please tell me you guys watch this programme? If you enjoy watching mindless drivel like Big Brother, Keeping up with the Kardashians, The Hills, Snoop Dog’s Fatherhood etc, then I’m sure you won’t mind adding this one to your viewing schedule. Candy Girls is a reality show on E! based on a woman named Danielle who owns and runs a company who supplies video chicks to the RnB and Hip Hop industry in the US.

The programme is 30 minutes long, taking viewers into their crazy world based in la la land. These chicks are not to be reckoned with, no sa. After watching the second episode which shows Danielle meeting one of the video vixens for the first time over coffee and feeling no way to say the following to her assistant whilst the new chick named ‘Blanca’ is sat opposite her “I don’t like her”, then directs the following to her “2I hear you were found on Lil’ Wayne’s couch” had me sat on my sofa with my mouth open. The chicks in this programme are ‘ghetto’ to the core and proud… Definitely compulsive viewing for those of us who like stupid reality TV. Candy Girls is on Sunday at 10.30pm on channel E!, Sky 151.

ISSUE 14 WELCOME TO THIS WEEK’S FIERCE LIST…

Has this week’s good weather put you in the mood to spend money? It has done that for me and it’s not a good thing as one is attempting to be frugal. With most retailers Spring Summer collections in full swing, its hard not to be tempted to whip out the old credit card, but I ask you all to be strong (should you need to be), as you’ve decided to go down this ‘non spending’ route for a reason. God… Who am I kidding?! I’ve just minimised the ASOS website… I repeat I’ve minimised the ASOS website, rather than close it down. I’ve got serious issues…
Anyhow, this week you’ll see I’m talking last night’s Eastenders, (great TV or what?), going asymmetric with your fashion and Ri Ri’s (Rihanna’s) hair.

Enjoy...

THIS WEEK EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT… THURSDAY’S EPISODE OF EASTENDERS!

Was that episode gripping from start to finish or what! My cousin called me straight after with a distressed voice saying “I think I’m going to write to the BBC as I don’t think is right they drop such a bombshell of an episode on viewers like that, that was on par with a Christmas episode, I’m quite emotional right now, its no joke.” Whilst her little rant made me laugh out loud, she was right, the episode was on par with last Christmas’ episode when Shaun found out baby Amy wasn’t his or when Stacey Slater’s affair with her then husband’s father, Max came out… bloody ‘explosive’ storylines.

Great acting from Samantha Janus (Ronnie), the way she was screaming at the end was just too real… it was sad to see Daniella die, however as her character was so annoying, I’m not actually that bothered she’s gone. Let’s just hope evil Archie gets what he deserves. I thank the Lord for my darling Daddy!

I tried to find a clip off You Tube so you could view it direct from here, but I’m assuming its too early for the wizards who upload TV clips to have done it, it did only air last night. So click through the below link which takes you to the BBC website to view the highlights of yesterday’s show…

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00jkrld

FASHION NEWS: REISS SPRING/SUMMER STOCK IS IN!

So I’ve been trying to ignore what Reiss are doing for SS 09 for over three weeks or so by NOT going to Bluewater for my regular ‘window shopping’ trips. I even made it to Bluewater last week and only visited Mothercare, Clintons and Urban Outfitters and left sharply, running past the Reiss store in a bid to not be tempted to go in. I was doing quite well. I had a bit of a weak moment where I went online to see if they had updated the website with SS 09 stock and when I saw they had I quickly logged off – although my eyes were big enough to note a few pieces. Rewind to last Saturday and my good friend RG calls me in the morning and comes out with “Reiss Spring/Summer collection is sick!” I started to shout verbal abuse to her “I don’t want to know”. I’ve been good and I haven’t even gone into the store to look at the collection and now you’re giving me a detailed account of all the great pieces they have? Just go away, I’m putting the phone down!” Well I wasn’t that strong; after all she dangled the carrot in my face, it would be rude to not take a piece... Wow was she right… their collection is so good I’ve locked the Mastercard in my office safe and given the key to my sister. Remember I’m trying to be frugal. Fashion doesn’t go with the word ‘frugal’ so I’m finding it extremely hard to not give in, to the dark side.

Take a peek for yourself; I’ve featured my ‘wish list’ of pieces below…

I’VE GOT MY EYE ON YOU… ZOE KRAVITZ

Zoe Kravitz with Alexander Wang

Daughter to rocker Lenny, Zoe isn’t doing much to be honest, but does seem to be causing a stir within the US fashion industry as she more than once been featured within the fashion pages as someone ‘to watch’ due to her fashionista sense of style.

She was papped at the launch of the New York Topshop opening this week and whilst I wasn’t a fan of her look, there’s something about this chick (maybe the fact her surname is Kravitz?), no there is something about her and think she is definitely one to keep an eye on… I predict she’ll come out with her own fashion line of some sort… watch this space.

TREND WATCH: ASYMMETRIC

What I love about this trend is that it is one which is edgy, yet elegant at the same time. I’ve seen out in the stores asymmetric dresses (maxi and short), tops (for daywear and evening) various options in sequinned and silk… there are so many different ways to achieve this look.

Using the collarbone to gain attention from your man oozes sex appeal on your part, in an effortless manner. For anyone who is a Gossip Girl fan and even more so, a fan of the biggest character from the show, Chuck Bass; you will remember from an episode shown a couple of weeks ago, how weak at the knees he got when Blair bared hers. ‘Hmm might see if it works on my other half over the weekend when he takes me out on a date?’

I’M IN NEED OF A … DUNE ZINC SHOE BOOTS

Don’t mind which colour I have them in as they come in electric blue and black too (blue version a really hot by the way), but I’m being a little conservative for those who think the blue version (see below) are a bit ‘too much’.

I thought this high street footwear store had had its time, but on a recent trip up West End, I see they are attempting to claim their cut of the market and if these boots are anything to go by, they might just do it. Priced at £110 the Dune ‘Zinc’ boot is a definite crowd pleaser.

BEAUTY BUYS:

Guys, sorry I like to give you the ‘real deal’ when it comes to writing about all products I feature on the FIERCE LIST and unfortunately I haven’t had the chance (or should I say time) to try the new bits I have in my cupboard, so I’ll make up for it next week, promise.

THE LAST WORD… RIHANNA’S HAIR

Listen, I’m all for feeling free to go out looking a bit dishevelled, as its not all the time you can actually be bothered to look so ‘well put together’. Well it seems, Ri Ri feels the same way as she’s obviously past giving a damn; check out the picture above. Don’t get me wrong, I like the new cropped curly look she’s doing, I considered going short and curly myself a few weeks ago, but then Ms Barbados decided to do it so I changed my mind as I have no interest to be know as a ‘Rihanna wannabe’.

Check out how high the middle part of her weave is… I’m actually traumatised from looking at it. As someone who has recently had a full head weave done (and it wasn’t something I decided on easily)… I was extremely nervous at the time, due to the fear of the weave doing its ‘own thing’ whilst still attach to my head. But hey, I definitely have no worries as my hair looks quite nice (when I wrap daily and style with the GHD’s) and certainly nothing like this picture. This sight has always been my ‘weave nightmare’… looking like someone is pulling the middle part of the weave up with invisible string. Seems I have nothing to worry about as the ‘invisible man’ seems to be hanging out with Rihanna, right behind her.

Till next week…
xxxxx