This is my new page – a page for us ladies (ahem) to take five and enjoy a spot of beauty, fashion and other ‘womanly stuff!’ Consider it like dropping by the coffee machine at work or when you bump into a friend in the street and stop for a quick natter.

PRINTS CHARMING

Yes it may still be as chilly as the Arctic outside but a girl can dream of Spring, can’t she? What better way to work up a sweat than picking out a few potential high street purchases. For Spring 2012 the key look is the scarf print – reminiscent of the 90s catwalk, the pattern that smacks of opulence is EVERYWHERE.

Seen on the runway of D&G and tipping a trendy trilby to Hermes and Versace, there are a changing-room full of copycat scarf print looks on the High Street and I’ve found some of the best out there. I pretty much had all areas covered but stumbled at finding a bag (there is an ASOS duffle bag but it’s currently out of stock and I didn’t like to get your hopes up). If I do find one I’ll let you know – or better still if you find one let me know and i’ll post it up!

(Clockwise from top left)
Jacket (River Island) £40
Leggings (Topshop) £20
Blouse (Next) £30
Scarf (River Island) £13
Tunic Dress (George @ Asda) £12
Tunic (Warehouse) £45
Shoes (Very) £35
Dress (Mango) £84.99

Personally, I am a fan of clingy in the trouser department but i’m not sure I’d be able to carry off the Topshop leggings on the school run. I could, however, be persuaded to wear them on holiday with a plain black T-shirt, flats and whopping great sunglasses – 1990 eat your heart out. If, however, you’re not scared by the boldness of scarf print you’re in luck. Spring and Summer 2012 is dominated by a plethora of pattern and print and all true fashionistas are currently wearing not one but TWO patterns TOGETHER. Go on, I dare you.

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Elle Style Awards 2012 – red carpet challenge

How exciting is this? My first post on the all new Just For You page is for a blogging competition run by Next, sponsors of the prestigious Elle Style Awards 2012. To be in with a chance of winning two tickets to the A-list event bloggers are asked to choose a celebrity from a selection of last year’s attendees and recreate their look using Next’s clothes and accessories.

I have chosen to style the stunning Jameela Jamil, the model and TV presenter who wore a beautiful, floor-length Hussein Chalayan chiffon floral dress to the 2011 awards.

Far from being just a prissy floral, Jameela’s maxi is slit thigh-high to show off her gorgeously toned legs and the frisky nude platforms and cerise lip transforms the gown from daytime to red-carpet showstopper. So how to take Miss Jamil’s 2011 look and give it a 2012 twist with Next’s latest collection?

(Click on picture to enlarge)

Bearing in mind Jameela’s love of playing with fashion (the girl wore florals and made them foxy) I have decided to update her maxi with Spring/Summer 2012′s key pattern – the animal print. Far from being Bet Lynch this leopard print Maxi Dress keeps its high fashion credentials thanks to its simplistic shape. On trend and at a budget-loving £30, Jameela will have the paparazzi in a frenzy. I’ve also teamed her look with some essential accessories: the vintage-inspired Box Bag (available Summer 2012) and the Choo-esque Sparkle Peep-Toe Platforms which give this look the edge and individuality that is typical of the fashion icon.

Having such beautiful skin and hair, lucky Jameelia needs little in the way of make-up. Whereas in 2011 she opted for a cerise lip, this year I would update that look with the bold Oh So Red lippy (available Summer 2012) and accentuate her eyes with Eylure false eyelashes.

Finally, I would apply a liberal daubing of Spa Paradisa Renew Your Skin Coconut & Frangipani Body Butter to add sheen and make Jameela’s skin sparkle under the flashbulbs.

Don’t forget, it’s not just Jameela who can do red carpet – you can too! All clothes and accessories are available from Next.