The Secret Sample Sale

The Secret Sample Sale rides again at the Truman Brewery in Brick Lane on 30th of April to 2nd May 2009. This time a wide array of different collections from Alexander McQueen, Ash, A Timeless Culture, Avalon, Ayten Gasson Lingerie, Balenciaga, Black & Brown, Blank, Belstaff, Burberry, Chloe, Chris & Tibor, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Gucci, Grab, Hobo International, Ital shoes, JulyTwenty, Just Jewels, Jimmy Choo, Lama Peach Ltd, Luella, Miu Miu, Missoni, Mogil, Moda Italia London, Prada, Paul & Joes Sister, Ruthi Orlin, Sergio Rossi, Thomas Pink, Tods, Versace, Vivienne Westwood, Made by Niki, Yas Silver & YSL. Plus many more!

Fashionistas make sure you have signed up for membership to make sure you can get your hands on the best lot on the first day. I am keeping my fingers crossed on runway shoes, with a bit of a wide fitting obviously. Pairs of shoes are usually less than £150 for a high-end designer pair. Not bad from £400!

This seasons must have clothes range from £10... yes I did not miss a zero there. They start from TEN pounds. from outdoor wear to glam party wear, the shortest minis to the longest maxis! These days when we can't afford the retail prices, we can always turn to the secret sample sale. Next stop will be in Chelsea in May or June so watch this space and get ready Sloane Rangers we are coming over!

Ready for Spring-Summer 2009?

Getting ready to ditch the winter clothes and do a wardrobe spring cleaning?

This season it's all about colours. Bright and bold and even neons. Fuchsia Red, Salmon Rose, Hues of Blue such as Aqua, Lemon Yellow, Vibrant Green and Citron. There are many colours to choose from.

Both high street brands and top end designers have launched or will be launching these vibrant colours in tops, trousers, skirts, dresses - and shoes!

Choose a colour that will best match your skin tone for that wow factor! Tip: do not overdo it and look like Joseph in the Technicolour Dreamcoat. The neutral greys and classic black should never be out of the scene as they balance the brightness of your frock.

Fine, silky and floaty fabrics are the thing to wear this season. Loose flowing pants, light frilly skirts and strappy summer dresses. Accessorize with summer floral handbags made from raffia or sinamay, colourful charm bracelets and bead bubble necklace.

For make-up, it is best to balance pastels on your face rather than brights to match your outfit. pastel coloured eye shadows with natural looking lip wear is very ideal.

Hair? Well, whatever suits you or makes you look and feel good. Whether short or long, layered or one length, straight or curly, it doesn't matter - as long as it is not damaged :)) and you wear a smile with it.

Hope that helps.

Michael Jackson at the O2

I know, I know... MJ is not really a good topic for discussion in a fashion and lifestyle blog. But let's face it, he is a legend! Sold out tickets for 44 shows till 2010. C'mon.

I am not a fan but I think it is a good experience to be a part of history. Although he was a boom in the 80s and 90s, a lot of new gen peeps have actually cued all night to get tickets.

I was lucky. I woke up at 7 am on Friday morning on the start of the sale, without a plan of watching it...... a sponsor came down from heaven (my aunt) and paid for 2 VIP tickets to see MJ live at the O2 which we got through Ticketmaster online in 15 minutes!

Free champers, hampers, pre and post show parties included. Not to mention the fast track red carpet entry! wow, really worth it! I have to wait though as this is in Jan 2010. The first 3 months is fully sold out.

There are people selling tickets on gumtree and ebay triple the face value, but beware as some of them are dodgers taking advantage of the hype and desperation of fans.

If you happen to get one... well, see you there!

Paul Can Make You Thin!

I have tried so many diets, they have all worked but the problem is the ideal weight didn't stay!

I tried the "nothing after 6pm", Soda Cracker and Pineapple juice only diet, no carbs diet, laxative diet, and the once available over the counter semi-"speed" diet pills. Oops, I forgot to mention the "so in love with someone, cannot eat" diet. This sure does work of the lot because you are so happy at the same time, but the moment he breaks your heart, we go back to emotional eating! argh!

Having watched Paul (McKenna) on Living TV changed the way I eat. Mind you, I am so busy I only watched 3 episodes and it is working already. Since watching it I already lost 1 dress size! That means I said goodbye to all my jeans because they were just falling off all the time and looked very baggy on the legs.

If I probably had the time to go to the gym, I would have lost more in a month!

He is so right about not depriving ourselves with the food that we want because eventually we will get sick of eating it all the time anyway.

I was a chocoholic. As in I get in a bad mood without a choccie a day! But recently I have only consumed 2 mini bars of chocolate in a week! Yipee!

I also read AJ Rochester's book: Confessions of a Reformed Dieter. Very wittingly funny! I loved every page of it. Her journey is slightly tougher than Paul's techniques because she had to lose around 8 dress sizes, but it did work, and she was victorious in keeping it off (I think, because the truth is I haven't finished reading it!). It's a very inspiring read and probably easy to follow while reading and if you are determined of course. It's like doing the diet with someone as funny as her. Will keep you going with a smile on your face!

Let's eat when hungry, eat what we want, chew properly and stop when full!