ISSUE 20 WELCOME TO THIS WEEK’S FIERCE LIST…

Hey, hey… the sun is shining and I’m in a good mood. Work will soon be over and the weekend will official be here, so start to unwind and read through this week’s FIERCE LIST which includes posts on ARISE African Fashion Week, the melodic Asa, H&M AIDS t-shirt collabo, statement necklaces and a decent cheaper option nail polish .

Enjoy.

Rx

THIS WEEK EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT… BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT FINALS

It’s quite simple… for me it’s between Flawless and the Welsh 12 year old Shaheen whose voice puts some current UK acts to shame.

Susan Boyle, whilst she does have a good voice, she has benefited from WORLDWIDE exposure and will probably do well anyway should she win or not. For Flawless they’ve been working hard at their dreams for years and having worked with them previously, I believe they deserve this break. They’re professional, hardworking and I want them to win! As for the cutie Welsh kid – I love him loads too and if Flawless weren’t in the final I would want him to win, but as I have loyalties I want him to come second with a record deal by Simon. Oohh and as for Stavros Flatley… they need to come third… the Dad gives me too much jokes!

Let the finals begin… Saturday 29 May, ITV

NEWS FROM BACK HOME …. ALL ARISE… AFRICAN FASHION WEEK IS HERE!

ARISE Magazine, the UK’s first magazine to celebrate global African achievement in fashion, music, culture, business and politics has signed a 5 year deal with African Fashion International (AFI), organisers of the Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban Fashion Week. The annual fashion week will continue to showcase the continent’s leading fashion designers at the Sandton Covention Centre in Johannesburg from the 12 - 20 June 2009.

ARISE Africa Fashion Week is an eight day celebration of the aesthetic and unique design signature of African fashion, brought together under one roof. With 51 designers from 21 countries participating, ARISE Africa Fashion Week is creating history and it is set to become an annual event, travelling around Africa each year. I’m in the process of trying to blag myself a free ticket to J’burg and to the shows, but as it’s in a matter of weeks, me thinks I’ve left if a bit late to attend this years. Might have to start the blagging in prep for 2010.

Africa has produced many notable fashion designers who have made their mark and are recognised on the world fashion stage, including the celebrated Azzedine Alaia from Tunisia, Oswald Boateng from Ghana, Deola Sagoe from Nigeria and Marc Bouwer from South Africa, all of whom have dressed celebrities, politicians and models to great acclaim for some years. Many of the designers participating in ARISE Africa Fashion Week have dressed celebrities themselves. Lalesso, a Kenyan design and manufacturing operation, with South African distribution, has seen their garments on Kate Moss, Sienna Miller, Rihanna and Estelle. With a concession in the Topshop flagship store in Oxford Street in London, they are already fast becoming a name to know in the fashion industry, despite being in operation for only four years. Nigerian born, Samantha Cole has shown her work in London and New York, winning best women's wear designer in 2008. Having trained at London College of Fashion and honed her craft in the Burberry design room under the creative directorship of Christopher Bailey, Samantha now brings her own designs back to Africa. I’m especially excited to see Sika Designs (Ghana) whose designer, Phyllis Taylor is based here in the UK. Her line sells in the fashion boutique Cherry Picked, Greenwich Market and I was only there last week going through the rails of her wonderful African inspired dresses with a modern twist, she has there on sale. Also Tina Atiemo another designer who resides in the UK is representing for Ghana, so good luck to you both, I can’t wait to see what you send down the catwalk!

The Tiffany Amber label from Nigeria, has also received a favourable response from the critics in New York during her participation within the ARISE Africa Fashion Collection at Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week earlier this year. The final look was walked out by the superstar singer Grace Jones, to an overwhelming response from the crowd. Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, chairperson of African Fashion International, says, “At AFI, our mission is to take African fashion to the world. In fulfilling this mandate, I take enormous pleasure in launching the inaugural ARISE Africa Fashion Week. This event affords the regions' creative economy with a world-class opportunity to showcase to a global audience. This is the first step in ensuring that the region receives the benefit of its own creative intellectual property, history and culture.”

I have high hopes for ARISE Africa Fashion Week… don’t you dare fail me…

FASHION NEWS: FASHION AGAINST AIDS T-SHIRTS IN ASSOCIATION WITH H&M

Fashion retailer H&M launched their 2nd year t-shirt collaboration with AIDS awareness project Designer against aids earlier this month.

The collaboration was developed to reach out to young people using their favourite celebrities from the world of music, fashion, sport and arts, to raise their interest in finding out more about AIDS as well as more about what the project actually does.

This year the joint venture sees the likes of Dita Von Teese, Katie Perry, N.E.R.D, Cyndi Lauper and Estelle (whose design is one of my favs) come together to help maximise awareness on the project.

Pick up a vest top from £7.99 and the remaining t-shirts for £9.99 from your local store.

I’VE GOT MY EYE ON YOU… ASA

You may sense me becoming a little patriotic in this post as well as my previous ‘I’ve Got My Eye on You’ post and you would be right in thinking so. I believe it can’t be helped as I’ve been discovering some fantastic Nigerian talent which needs to be shared with you all. You don’t have to be ‘African’ to appreciate these artists, as they’re sounds are so melodic you naturally find yourself moving to the beat, fully taking in each bar of the tunes regardless if your hair is naturally afro or flowing with blond locks.

Anyhow I digress… this week its all about Nigerian songstress ‘Asa’. Born in Paris and moved to Lagos, Nigeria with her family when she was two years old, Asa is a singer, songwriter and in my eyes a truly under rated talent.

She’s actually had a UK top ten hit with her track ‘Fire on a Mountain top’ (not that I remember it being one) and had a Mobo nomination in 2008 so I suppose that is the start of a wonderful music career, however as her debut album is one I’ve had on repeat on my ipod for a while now I’m irritated she’s not MORE well known. (Sorry I’m only blogging about her now)…

I’d say she’s like a modern day Tracey Chapman, with a hint of Ms Hill and a pinch of Ms Badu. You can listen to snippets of the track from her official website http://www.asa-official.com/ – check out track 3, Bi’ ban ke… a beautiful love song. Love the way she mixes English with Yoruba too.

Anyway, I’ve gushed enough about Asa, check out the video for ‘Fire on a Mountain top’ below

TREND WATCH: STATEMENT NECKLACES

As seen all over the catwalk from Marni to Marc Jacbos, statement necklaces are in and their in and looking fab-ul-ou-so.

Whenever I’m on an accessories shopping spree the obvious places to visit are the high street chain stores like River Island, Topshop, H&M and Accessorize and whilst every Tom, Dick and Harry may end up in the same jewels, it can’t be helped as some of these stores are actually carrying some great bits.

The above necklace is from Accessorize for £15. I love the deep purple set against the gold rustic looking rings. On a naked neck, with a simple white tee, skinny jeans and heels – this outfit would be complete due to this one piece being added. Or you could use it to jazz up an evening look. Either way, the sun is out and by default more flesh is bound to be on show, so make the most of it and add statement jewellery to your look.

I’M IN NEED OF A … SIKA DESIGN DRESS

I think I mentioned earlier in one of today’s posts about going into the Greenwich Market boutique named Cherry Picked earlier and rummaging through the fantastic dress from Phyllis Taylor’s label Sika Designs. Well, the above dress is one of the items which got me asking myself whether I was brave (and stupid enough) to rob a bank, just so I could continue funding my shopping habit. The dress is tres sexy and such a slim line, figure hugging fit. I for one would need to wear my spanks when wearing it, but reckon I could actually rock it fabulously.

The sharp cut and the quality vibrant coloured material used are all key to making it look fab. I haven’t thought of anything else (clothes wise) for the whole week as this dress plus another from the collection have been stuck on my brain. From memory I think the sales assistant said it costs £95, I would have to go back and try to actually pay attention as to what comes out of her mouth, rather than being engrossed of holding up the dress to my chest whilst starring in the mirror dancing which such excitement.

Check out http://www.sikadesigns.co.uk/ for more or visit Cherry Picked Boutique, 5a Greenwich Market, SE10

BEAUTY BUYS: H&M NAIL POLISH

H&M overload? Sorry, but it can’t be helped as I have to tell you about their nail polish range.
So according to my sources the retailer launched their new make up line earlier this year and I must say, my initial thoughts were that their products would be rubbish, but I now think I was wrong to jump to that conclusion.

Last Sunday I was out my cousin in law’s house and I came across her Red H&M polish (see above). We were all going out in the evening so I asked her if I could use her nail polish (one last thing I didn’t have to worry about doing when I got home)… Anyhow, once applied, I was pleasantly surprise. I didn’t think it would be that great on. Was thinking the colour wouldn’t be as vibrant and it would chip almost instantly, but I was wrong. The colour only started chipping yesterday (four days after applying) unlike the ’60 Seconds’ quick dry nonsense Rimmel are selling which chipped of the following day after I applied it. Also my nails were dry in probably a minute of me putting it on, which was great considering my cousin was in the process of kicking us all out when I finished painting them. Anyhow I didn’t really need to put a second coat on, but I did anyway…

I’d consider purchasing this one ladies, if you’re not one to spend more than a tenner on nail polish. I haven’t been out to check the price yet, but I don’t envisage it being any more than 3.99?

THE LAST WORD… BYE, BYE ER

Did anyone catch last night’s episode? It was as good as ever, had me sobbing in parts like when the old man’s wife died to which he replied “I’m not ready to lose her” and when the pregnant woman with twins gave birth, and then suffered from a ruptured cervix… too sad.

I for one will be sad to see ER leave our screens, however I do actually plan to buy all 15 years worth of episodes on DVD as somewhere between 1994 and 2009 I got too busy and stopped watching them. I wasn’t too vex about it as I said to myself I’d always buy the boxset (as per 24… I’ve only completed series 1 and 2 have 3-8 to go and for Prison Break I’ve watched series 1 and 2 and think I have one more to watch?

Anyhow, I’ve got a lot of TV drama by the looks of it to catch up on, so I’ll sign off now and get started… I’ve still got to watch last week’s Sunday’s Hollyoaks Omnibus which I sky + before watching this Sunday’s!

Til next week. xxx

ISSUE 19 WELCOME TO THIS WEEK’S FIERCE LIST…

Hope your weeks have been good…

This week’s issue is about The King of Pop, sultry singer Chrisette Michele, Exclusive designer sales, the trend they’re calling ‘jeggings’, American Apparel and this week’s episode of the Apprentice.

There should be something here for all of you… I'm off to bed.

Rxxxx

THIS WEEK EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT… MJ FANS’ FURY OVER CANCELLED SHOWS

Some will say they are not shocked at the recent cancelling of the opening nights shows, all I’m saying is ‘Jacko, just make sure you don’t cancel the show for September 21, or I will be hella mad’.

According to reports, organisers of the MJ’s lucrative 50 date London residency at The O2 Arena which was supposed to start in July have axed the first four nights, putting blame on “technical issues”. Technical, smechnical… just make sure you’re able to do your kick ups, gyration of the hips and the moonwalk on the 21st September, whilst singing live. Oooh, I just had a thought. Imagine if he had the audacity to not sing live? I kid you not when I say I would physically make my way to the front and kick his 50 something year old ass off the stage myself.

FASHION NEWS: EXCLUSIVE DESIGNER FASHION SALE AT MATCHES

If you’re serious about fashion then you’re probably already a member of http://www.fashionconfidential.co.uk/, a site which informs and invites registered members to pre sales and private sales for various designer houses.

This week, they are offering members the opportunity to shop exclusive on designer e tailer http://www.matches.com/ website. The sale includes this season’s clothing, bags, shoes and accessories at 30% off from DVF, MaxMara, Marc Jacobs, Chloe, Thakoon and Acne to name a few.This private sale is only open for 72 hours* so if you see something you like don’t hang around!Register to find out about how you can take advantage of their 30% discount. Confidential72 at checkout

I’VE GOT MY EYE ON YOU… CHRISETTE MICHELE

Chrisette Michelle is an American R&B soul singer and song writer, signed to the Def Jam label group. Whilst she’s already won a Grammy for Best Urban/alternative Performance in 2009 for her song entitled “Be Ok”, I’m blogging about her today for her current single “Epiphany” (I’m leaving) – which I’m loving right about now. Her sultry, soft voice can be likened to old school songstress Ella Fitzgerlad or to current day talent such as Jill Scott or Erykah Badu. Whichever talent you choose to put her against, she has enough of the singing gene (actually buckets of it), to be considered a damn brilliant and serious artist in her own right.

Her sophomore album which carries the same name as her current single, is out in the states now (released May 5th), it actually hit No. 1 selling 83,000 copies in the first week, however it’s now holding the no. 2 spot. Regardless whether its dropped down 1 spot, as soon as it’s out here – I’m downloading it from iTunes…

For those who are yet to see this lady in action, I’ve included a clip below which shows part of the video for Epiphany as well as an interview with her and Ne-Yo, who co wrote the track with Chuck Harmony.




If you’ve viewed the above video and think you recognise her, you probably remember it from when she featured in Nas’s track ‘Can’t Forget About You’… see video below.

TREND WATCH: JEGGINGS

Don’t know what ‘jeggings’ are? Not hard to work out… jean leggings. A term made up by some chuffed fashion writer no doubt, they are hot, fierce, hot. The fabric is stretchy enough you can wear them as leggings, whilst still looking like jeans; however beware – they’re very revealing and will show the ‘spare tyre’ I mentioned earlier (should you have a spare tyre of course).

All the major high street contenders have them in… all you need to do is pick who to go with, however I’ve included a pair from ASOS above, as there are too damn sexy and their only 25 quid!

I’M IN NEED OF A … SHOPPING SPREE AT AMERICAN APPAREL!

So I was suppose to only be blogging about their Afrika Printed Cotton Spandex Mini Dress (in grey and white for £42) as I’ve liked it for a while (but still have a ‘spare tyre’ lurking around my waist which stops me from buying it, as the dress ISN’T forgiving at all), but then I started looking at other bits from their collection and couldn’t stop. It was like I was on speed mode.

Now let’s take the ‘Le Sac’ dress… available in 27 different colours (!); if that wasn’t enough, you can also wear it in six different styles. You can step into the dress with the long ties untied, slide your arm through the loop and gather the material towards the shoulder and take each long piece criss cross under the arm and wrap excess length around the waist as desired, just to list a few. So effectively, you could buy this dress and wear it out raving every weekend for six weeks and you’d look like you have a new dress on each time! This is what I call credit crunch saving. Think about the ‘cost per wear’ of this dress. Would be uber worth it!

The next one is not for everyone, however I feel the ‘hoochy’ in me coming out… (It’s just words people, I don’t actually mean it!) Aptly named, the shiney late night mini skirt (see above), on first glances you’ll understand why. It just says ‘dirty’ all over it (especially if you’ve got a fat ass) and it’s for this reason I love it! If I had a ‘hot bod’ I would so rock this skirt. Actually, considering I’m a mother of one and nearly 30 years old, maybe I should rethink this decision…

BEAUTY BUYS:

Guys, I’m tired so I haven’t reviewed any beauty products this week… forgive me? I could lie that I had, but that would be wrong so just accept it and I’ll try to cover two next week… (so she says…).

THE LAST WORD… TWAT BOY BEN IS AXED FROM THE APPRENTICE!

Hooray I hear you cry! I can’t tell you how happy I was to see him shaking his head in upset, when he knew Sir Alan was about to give him the chop. And did anyone watch last nights episode and hear Sir Alan’s cuss line to him re him saying YET again he was accepted for a scholarship at Sandhurst, to which Sir Alan replied about him being part of the Stamford Hill Bugle Brigade?! Too funny, his one liners crack me up!

Check Ben out in the clip below, being what he has been for the past nine weeks… a complete knob.

Til next week.
xx

ISSUE 18 WELCOME TO THIS WEEK’S FIERCE LIST…

This issue is all about animal prints, the FIERCE one they call Beyonce, style bible i-D magazine and beautiful songstress Ayo.

Whether you’re at home surfing the net, or in the office pretending to work, I’ve got all what you need here… Enjoy this weeks FIERCE LIST.xxx

THIS WEEK EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT… i-D MAGAZINE SCALING TO SIX ISSUES A YEAR

It’s seems yet another publication is in trouble due to the current economic climate. Style bible, i-D announced this week that its cutting back its editions and will publish six times a year starting from September.

The magazine, which always features a model with one eye closed or covered on its cover, a visual pun on the title, said instead of folding like many of the other magazines have done (Emap closed the Face back in 2004), it is attempting to protect its 30 year heritage.

Out of all the style magazines, I think i-D is one of my favourites. I have no time for LOVE, the new style bible offering from Conde Nast, as when I made my trip to my local WHSMITHS to purchase the debut issue which featured Beth Ditto completely naked on the cover, I was immediately put off by the first two hundred plus pages being full of adverts. If I remember rightly, the contents page featured on page one hundred and something… utter joke. Then there’s Bauer Media’s next issue of style biannual Pop, which has been pushed to Autumn/Winter… So, whilst it has been and continues to be tough out their for publications houses to keep their ‘bread and butter’ a float, I can say I’m glad i-D is here and here to stay.

FASHION NEWS: ASOS'S NEW BLACK LABEL

Nothing but world domination for etailer ASOS. If it isn’t enough that they are surpassing all their financial targets, despite the current climate, they’ve gone ahead and launched their new Black Label line this week and I’ve got to say, they’ve got some ‘siiiiiick’ dresses! A capsule collection of eight statement dresses in luxurious fabrics, my favourite has to be the Sequin Linear V Dress, for £85. If you view it on their website, the model wearing it doesn’t do it any justice whatsoever, so I’ve attached the image above for you to ‘coooe’ at. Me thinks I’ve found my birthday outfit?

I’VE GOT MY EYE ON YOU… AYO

Ayo, is a beautiful German born artist, offspring of a Gipsy mother and Nigerian father who left Nigeria for Germany to study in the 1970s. Ayo’s nomadic lifestyle brought her to live between Paris and New York, two of the World’s greatest capitals which sum up her musical identity. Once you hear her music, you’re immediately aware it’s influenced by her rich cultural background.

I came across her whilst doing some research for a client and I’ve been hooked ever since. Her gentle voice takes you away, especially on the popular track ‘Down on my Knees’. Again, the track entitled ‘Life is Real’ will get you feeling good whilst tapping away at your keyboard…
Her talents don’t stop there, as she is incredibly naturally beautiful, so much so, fashion chain Banana Republic feature her in their current marketing campaign, see image below.

She’s recently finished a World Tour which I’m totally gutted about as she performed here in the UK… would have been nice if it was made public? Thanks Polydor…

Anyway, to date she has released two albums, ‘Joyful’ (2006), which is the English translation of her Yoruba name and ‘Gravity at Last’ (2008). Check out her website http://www.ayomusic.com/ or her MySpace page on www.Myspace.com/ayo

Check out the video for ‘Life is Real’ below and keep a look out for the sweet naija girls dancing with her… too cute.

TREND WATCH: ANIMAL PRINT

Jaime Winston

At the shows, animal prints filled the catwalk walks. It was only two years ago it came back and now its here again, however this time it’s a little different with a new rule… its out with ‘natural’ prints and in with bright and bolds.

It was evident during the SS/09 shows various designers decided on using the print in their collection. The label which stood out for me was Lanvin, where it was used on a sexy asymmetric dress, now animal print is everywhere to be seen. You could probably buy a entire outfit (shoes, accessories and underwear included), but take note; in no way am I suggesting you actually do this.

High street favs who I’m loving endorsing the print within their collections include Arrogant Cat on their snakeskin mini dress (£259), River Island on their understated sexy chic playsuit (£39.99) – I’ve just got to have this and Accessorize within their jewellery.
Whichever way you choose to wear it, make it bright and bold!

I’M IN NEED OF A … PAIR OF “I AM SASHA FIERCE” CONCERT TICKETS

People, never wait to see if you can a) blag or b) get freeness for a concert you desperately want to go to, as it’s nine times out of ten bound to end up in tears as I’ve recently found.

When the news broke Beyonce would be doing her World Tour, playing numerous dates at the O2 Arena, I made a mental note that I would buy tickets for this gig, credit crunch or no credit crunch. When the tickets went on sale, I talked myself into not buying them as I had other means of possibly going for free via my sista’ from another mother having contacts within the Beyonce camp. With the concert starting later this month and no tickets in my hand, I have no option but to enter the various competitions for a chance to get me some tickets! This means buying numerous packs of Trident chewing gum in a bid to get the winning promo code which graces me with tickets or entering the daily competition on the Breakfast show with Martin and Lucy – all if which I’ve done and been unsuccessful in. I’m so gutted as I know the show is going to be uber sick and I won’t be present to witness it. So, should any of you have tickets and are ready to sell at a good price, hit me up please. Likewise, if you just want to ‘offer’ tickets to me free of charge – I’m happy to start conversations on that too. The choice is yours… I’m not fussy.

BEAUTY BUYS: ELIZABETH ARDEN EIGHT HOUR CREAM

Another oldie, but I believe it’s necessary to flag up the veteran beauty products as not everyone has been lucky enough to have been graced with them. Elizabeth Arden’s original Eight Hour cream is a definite icon in the world of beauty. The fast intensive treatment moisturises and hydrates the entire body, literally. Use on lips as a balm, hands as hand cream it’s the number one staple beauty product for your handbag.

I seem to remember my being stolen from my bag by my metro sexual older brother, so I might need to pop over to Boots, Selfridges or another major retailer to restock. Available for £22 for 50ml.

THE LAST WORD… HOLLYOAKS ROBBED AT THIS YEARS BRITISH SOAP AWARDS…

Yes, I know I haven’t stopped going on about this since yesterday (those of you who are Facebook friends with me will know what I’m taking about), however I just can’t stop – as I’m so shocked they Chester crew went home with nothing. Considering the storylines they’ve had this year; Max dying and Evil Niall plotting revenge on the McQueen’s, you would have thought they would have won at least ‘Best Villain’, Best Storyline, or Best Episode? Well no they didn’t and I for one can’t believe it. Yes Eastenders, Corrie and Emmerdale are the big dogs and its almost certain they’d win the biggies like ‘Best Soap’, after all they’re part of British culture and each of their viewership’s are huge. So, when I and all other Hollyoaks fans were watching yesterday’s awards and so the programme named ‘Doctors’ one various awards over the Hollyoaks crew, you will understand why I felt compelled to blog about my disdain. You could see Barry Sloane (who played Niall) was totally gutted. Especially as his character is now dead… this was his time to shine and get his!

Til next week.
xx

ISSUE 17 WELCOME TO THIS WEEK’S FIERCE LIST…

What a crazy two weeks I’ve had… to say work has been a bit manic is an understatement. I keep telling myself and everyone else that wants to listen I’m not Superwoman, but nobody seems to be hearing me; extremely annoying.

Anyhow, I’m know my regular readers will forgive me as you’re all very kind… for the new peeps who’ve recently signed up, bear with me. At least you now have the FIERCE LIST delivered to your inbox each time I post – so no need to manually check in each week.

This week we’re talking cheap bra’s, seductive perfume, US songstress and much more – so get comfy, look busy and catch up on all things FIERCE…
Enjoy…

THIS WEEK EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT… DIDIER DROGBRA SWEARING LIVE ON TV

I’m no follower of football, however I soon did perk up when I saw Didier Drogbra flip out live on TV, after Thursday’s match which saw his team Chelsea draw 1 -1 (I think?) with Barcelona.

As it seems, everyone present thought the referee did a shocking job and Mr Drogbra decided to let the nation know he too wasn’t happy.

Funny…

FASHION NEWS: ASDA’S £4 BRA

So apparently the supermarket shopping chain Asda are to launch a range of bra’s priced at £4 to help ‘support’ (no pun intended) customers during the credit crunch. The George range, available in sizes A – F are interested to target women with ‘bigger busts’ after it was reported Marks & Spencer started to charge the ‘well endowed’ woman £2 more for their bras.

Well I’d like to ask the George team at Asda, ‘can you guarantee your low cost bras are going to hold my 34 F puppies?’ I doubt it. You see, I learnt that women who have larger breasts like moi’ can’t rely on such low cost bras, as the material used is not of ‘quality’ to keep ‘the twins’ in firmly. My younger cousin who’s still at university likes to brag about how cheap she’s able to buy her bra’s from Primarni, to the extent that she regularly flashes me her latest twin set, asking me to ‘guess how much’ she bought them for, to which she always cuts me off, by answering her own question, gladly telling me how cheap they were. I suppose she does this to tease me as she is fully aware my bra’s are not cheap as I buy them from either Rigby & Pellar, Leia or Bravisimo as no cheap brassier is holding Tom and Jerry up, let alone in.

I remember one day she decided to buy me my size (at the time) from Primarni, as she knew I longed NOT to spend £55 plus, on just ONE new bra. When she gave me the bra I thought it was relatively pretty and thanked her for it. I wore it a couple of times a week for at least one month and at the end of this time, you could see the bra was literally screaming to be released and put back on the Primarni shelves, waiting for someone who had a smaller bosom to purchase and take it home. Plus I believe I still carry scars on my shoulders from where the 1mm width straps dug into me like its life depended on it. Between you and me, I really wanted the cheap bra thing to work at the time as it obviously meant I’d have more money to spend on other stuff, but unfortunately, it was a dead dream…

So, for the ladies who do plan to take full advantage of Asda’s bra bargain, let me know how it goes, as I don’t fancy having deep pits in either side of my shoulders again.

I’VE GOT MY EYE ON YOU… MELANIE FIONA

Whilst you may find it strange her first and surname are made up of two first names, you’ll soon forget when listening to Ms Fiona’s (see what I mean?) sultry voice. The latest protégé of Steve Rifkind (the music veteran who blessed us with Wu – Tang Clan and Akon (ok, Akon not such a blessing, but hey Mama Africa is a tuuuunnnne!), she has mostly gained a good fan base by opening up the European leg of Kanye’s ‘Glow in the Dark’ tour.

If you regularly tune into ‘London’s No. 1 Station for Hip Hop and RnB’, you will be familiar with the song ‘Give It to Me Right’, Ms Fiona’s debut single. Her debut album ‘The Bridge’ is to be released later this month and as I’m liking the sounds the current single is bringing, I’m feeling enticed to possibly go full hog and get the album.

Citing Sam Cooke, Nat King Cole and Gladys Knight as inspirations for her album, surely the result can only be a gooden?

For more information, check out her MySpace page; www.myspace.com/melaniefiona

TREND WATCH: MINI SKIRTS

As you get older, you realised there are some things you’re no longer able to ‘rock’ like you did back in the day. The piece of clothing this rule applies to me is the mini skirt. Whilst I’ve been working hard at the gym three times a week (at 7.30am I might add!), I’m no way looking like I once did at 21 years old, where I was able to wear the shortest of dresses and not look like one of those old mama’s in spangley diamante shoes teamed with a ‘busy’ unforgiving dress (with un creamed foot bottom in toe), whilst queuing outside Croydon’s clubbing hotspot The Granaries. I now have to fully vet the ‘mini’ before I step out the house in it.

So, you’ll be glad to hear there are some winning ‘mini’s’ out there, for those of you who are not as quick to pick one up as you (and me) once were. I was recently given a pink leopard print one from Primarni which my cousin who I mentioned in an earlier post, bought for me as a) it was cheap and 2) she though I’d like it, which I did. It sat in my drawer for about two months as I wasn’t too sure about how it looked each time I put it on, however the other day I was off out on a date with the boyf and decided tonight was the night to wear it. I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed every minute of wearing it.

Check it out below…

For those who are after something a bit more reserved, there are loads to choose from on the high street, from stores like American Apparel (you can pick up a slim fitting black one for £22), to ASOS and River Island. The choices are endless.

With summer slowly creeping up upon us, everyone is eager to show some leg – so do just that and get your ‘mini’ on.

I’M IN NEED OF A … LUCKY COIN PENDANT FROM RACHEL LEIGH

This pretty baby recently featured in a UK publication and has been sold out ever since. The necklace, by US jewellery line Rachel Leigh, is selling like hot cakes and it’s clear to see why. Wear it as one or pile them on for the layered look, either way, both looks are ‘fabulous darling’.
Friends, my birthday is coming up in a few months time… feel free to add this to the list. Available from http://www.redrubyrouge.com/

BEAUTY BUYS: HYPNOTIC POISON PERFUME

Yes it’s an oldie, but its one of my favourite oldies. I mean, I’ve been wearing this scent since first year at university (well over 10 years ago!), but it still seems to stop men in the street (and fiiiiiinnnnne ones may I add), asking me ‘what perfume am I wearing, it smells divine’… Ok, they don’t use the word ‘divine’ but you catch my drift…

Christian Dior knew what they were doing when they pulled this one together. If you ever want to master the art of seducing a man, it’s mandatory you wear this – you’ll pass with straight A’s.

THE LAST WORD… WHAT IS UP WITH LEONA LEWIS AND HER FOREVER COVERED UP LEGS

‘Leona. You’re pretty, have a decent figure and a flipping fantastic voice (not that the latter has anything to do with it), so why do you insist on covering up your legs? Do you have scars that you don’t want us to see?’ Maybe, knobbly knees? The reason I ask is due to the fact she ALWAYS seems to have them covered up when they need not be. Take the below picture for example… this outfit would have looked much more ‘sexier’ on her if she left the tights in her underwear draw at home. Teaming them with this dress is just plain wrong. Does anyone remember her video for the single ‘Forgive me’? She did exactly the same thing for her outfit change during the second verse… Leona’s love of tights really does bug me. I pray I don’t see her in the flesh, as I might have to take a pair of scissors to them.