The Modern Girl’s Guide to… Weddings

At the beginning of 2012, I was offered a really exciting opportunity. Bethanie Lunn, author of The Modern Girl’s Guide to Fabulousness and founder of the MGG brand, invited me to become a part of her new blogging network. Alongside 14 other ladies, I am now a part of her team, reporting on everything that the modern girl may need to know and paying particular attention to my local area.

Photograph by Steve Stenson

To immerse myself in this latest challenge, I reverted to the book that I had enjoyed so much. (This was how I came to know Bethanie – she saw the review I had written on it and the next thing we were sat with tea and cake, putting the world to right!) Every chapter is in alphabetical order but features a whimsical selection of topics. This evening, I settled on ‘W’ for ‘Weddings’ and thought I might explore what would happen if one were to adhere to Bethanie’s guidelines…

The Venue
Stunning Tents – www.stunningtents.co.uk

Who needs a stately home when there’s tents like this on offer? Dimly lit, cosily assembled and in an array of shapes and sizes, the venue suggestions on Stunning Tents allow anyone staying at home to bring the spontaneity of eloping to a location near them. Think how romantic this would be with endless candles and the sound of a banjo serenading your guests?!

Invitations
Emily&Jo – www.emilyandjo.co.uk

Weddings are a time for celebration, so why not bring as much energy as you can to the invitations? These beautiful cards from Emily&Jo are so striking yet ornate, and all of the colours in the rainbow are on hand to put a spring in the step of your wedding.

The Dress
Phillipa Lepley – www.phillipalepley.com

Made with love in Chelsea, these gowns are pretty and powerful. I loved the look of this gown; fitted and timeless but with a lovely trim across the neckline, almost like something from the 60s.

The Cake
Peggy Porschen – www.peggyporschen.com

As the Modern Girl’s Guide describes the ‘Queen of Cakes’, it is noted that she counts Elton John, Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow among her clientele. The real beauty, however, comes when you visit this website! I was spoilt for choice when browsing these cakes for one is more exquisite than the next. So many cakes, so little time…

As you can see, I’ve chosen a diverse range of styles and themes here. This is the beauty of Bethanie’s book – it has something for everyone.

WIN A COPY of The Modern Girl’s Guide to Fabulousness

Would you like to get stuck into the Modern Girl’s Guide, reading about everything from Cocktails, Eco-Living and Naughty Pleasures? If so, enter my giveaway! I have two copies of The Modern Girl’s Guide to Fabulousness to give away so you have twice the chance of winning. Here’s how to enter:

• Provide your name and e-mail address in the contact form below. Your details will not be passed on or used for any purpose other than to contact you if you’re one of my two lucky winners!
• Like the Mixed Gems Facebook fan page – click this link to do so: www.facebook.com/ilovemixedgems

Entries will close on Friday 23rd February at 9pm. Two lucky winners will be notified via e-mail within 24 hours. Please note that if said winner does not reply to their e-mail within 3 working days then another winner will be selected.

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Good luck with your entry! For more information on the Modern Girl’s Guide, visit www.themoderngirlsguide.co.uk.

Make Your Own Skincare Products by Sally Hornsey

How to create a range of nourishing and hydrating skincare products

In an age where the beauty industry is thriving, Sally Hornsey has created a guide to making your own skincare products. Giving information so that each product is tailored to your needs and using ingredients that are readily available, lovely alternatives are provided to the cosmetics we find in stores that cost extortionate prices.

So A la Mode?

The book is laid out in an easy-to-follow and sensible order. For example, the very first chapter gives useful guidelines about ‘Sensible Health and Safety’. No stone is left unturned, dissecting everything from various skin types to what your skin is actually made of (did you know that the average thickness of skin on your eyelid is just 0.05mm thick, compared to the skin on the sole of your foot which is 1.5mm, 30 times thicker? That definitely made me think twice about how rough I can be when I remove my eye makeup). Recipes are included for all sorts of beauty products, from cleansers to exfoliators, and there is even a chapter on ‘Treatment for Troubled Skin’ which includes antidotes for conditions such as rosacea and eczema. This is a well written, thoroughly thought out guide which could apply to people of any age or gender.

Uh-oh A la Mode?

The only criticism I can give this book is based not on the subject matter but on the visuals. With references to such specific recipes and ingredients, it would have been lovely to see photographs of what was being used or of the making process. Black and white pictures are included but they are a little unclear; it made the book look more old fashioned than the content it was boasting (see below). Also it would have been great to include some case studies of skin before and after the home-made products were put to the test.

A la Mode Appraisal: 8/10 – I can’t fault the content but I would have loved some stronger visuals to accompany a book that was lovely to read.

ISBN: 978 1 905862 68 9

Make Your Own Skincare Products by Sally Hornsey is published by How to Books and will provide you with lots of helpful tips for £14.99.

If you liked this, you may also like Make Your Own Perfume by Sally Hornsey.

Make Your Own Perfume by Sally Hornsey

How to create your own fragrances to suit mood, character and lifestyle

Perfume is a notoriously difficult cosmetic item to decide upon. A lady’s scent is integral to her entire character, and choosing the perfect one can be a nightmare. For this reason, Sally Hornsey has decided to create a guide to making your own perfume, tailored to your personal taste.

So A la Mode?

In order to give instructions on how to make perfume, Sally first finds it important that the reader understands product relevance, including helpful information such as a history of perfume. Before detailing procedures and exploring the different kinds of perfume that you could create (some examples: solid perfume, scented body oils and linen spray) she gives suggestions on health and safety and also explores the differences between natural and synthetic scents. My favourite chapter was a section called ‘Finishing Touches’; Sally has acknowledged how personal that this perfume will be, and thus gives helpful suggestions for how to complete the brand. Offering advice on naming and packaging your perfume, she is inspiring those who have invented their smell to enjoy all aspects of the creative process and put their signature stamp on everything to do with it. A useful resources guide is also listed at the end.

Uh-oh A la Mode?

Content was fabulous within the book, but my only wish was that stronger visuals could have been included. All photographs used were black and white and quite blurry. Although perfume is not something that can be captured in a photo, it would have been lovely to have a visual guide of the making process.

A la Mode Appraisal: 8/10 – a brilliant book, but more striking visuals would have been icing on the cake.

ISBN: 978 1 905862 69 6

Make Your Own Perfume by Sally Hornsey is published by How to Books and costs £14.99.

If you liked this, you may also like Make Your Own Skincare Products by Sally Hornsey.

How to Make Jewellery with Tatty Devine

They’ve been creating a storm in London for some time now, producing weird and wonderful accessories, but the cat is out of the bag. Two devilishly eccentric British jewellery designers, Tatty Devine, have published a how-to guide to making jewellery and unleashed their secrets of the trade.

So A la Mode?

Famed for their unusual and kitsch accessories (one example being their Movember collection) the girls were sure to spill the beans on how to make really strange pieces. One that particularly caught my eye was a tutorial on how to shrink a used crisp/sweet wrapper to make it a tiny decoration for a necklace… unbelievable! As well as breaking grounds with unique ideas for creating, the girls were sure to cover standard jewellery making essentials so that beginners could be aware of what they needed. Every type of chain, clasp and other tidbit was named and explained, an extensive tool-kit was recommended and useful information regarding stockists was provided throughout.

Uh-oh A la Mode?

One thing I would be keen to point out about this book is that it is a guide to making jewellery with Tatty Devine. Therefore the book would be helpful, but not essential, to someone that was looking for a general guide to make jewellery. Lots of useful information is cited in reference to jewellery making as a whole, but ultimately the beauty of this book is that it is focused on the Tatty Devine brand. For me this made the reading experience, but if you’re after a vague guide to the art of jewellery then perhaps this will be too specialised for you.

After reading this book I was desperate to get my hands on some Tatty Devine treats. With deadlines galore at University it didn’t quite seem appropriate to reach for the hammer and the sandpaper, so as a nice alternative I decided to treat myself for my birthday. Tatty Devine are highly commended for their personalised necklaces, so I ordered a gold glittery name necklace that says ‘Mixed Gems’! The font of the writing is beautiful and it is put together really well, although I must say that the gold glitter makes it slightly difficult to make out in bright lights. Nonetheless, I wore it for the first time on Friday evening and was complimented all night on my unusual neck wear.

A la Mode Appraisal: 10/10 – well written, beautifully presented and full of amazing tips. I wish more designers would spill their secrets in books like this one!

ISBN: 978 0 7535 4012 1

How to Make Jewellery with Tatty Devine is published by Virgin Books and is an absolute steal at just £12.99.

If you liked this, you may also like Vintage Jewellery by Caroline Cox. 

Best Books of 2011: 5 Christmas Gift Ideas

Mixed Gems Guide to Christmas

For the past year I’ve read and reviewed some lovely books for my A la Mode Appraisal column. Here are my five favourites, in no particular order, and why they’ll make brilliant Christmas presents. Click the title of each book to read my review.

Doppelganger by Gestalten
This book examines the human form in all sorts of strange and wonderful artistic forms. Perfect for art lovers and those with wild imaginations, it is packed with unbelievable visuals.
Who will love it? Males and females of all ages.

My Even More Wonderful World of Fashion by Nina Chakrabarti
For crafty types or those who love to draw, this is an activity book with a twist. Filled with half-completed drawings of everything fashion related, this book will be perfect for filling those Christmas afternoons when you’re too full to move.
Who will love it? Girls with a penchant for doodling and diamonds.

What on Earth are You Wearing? by Michi Girl
A hilarious commentary on the fashion world, this book has been written from the perspective of a fashionista weather girl. It is abstract, witty and easy to dip into when you have 5 minutes here and there. A light and funny read.
Who will love it? Those who know their Wintour from their Wilhelmina.

Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself by Francois Nars
Ever wondered how to get your makeup just right? This book is a brilliant guide from the man behind NARS cosmetics and contains invaluable unisex tutorials for all sorts of beauty looks. An amazing investment for any beauty lover.
Who will love it? Makeup enthusiasts of all sexes, races and ages.

Luella’s Guide to English Style by Luella Bartley
A quintessential guide to all sorts of English fashion trends, from Emo to Goth and Punk, designer extraordinaire Luella Bartley shares her thoughts on everything about English Style.
Who will love it? Fans of the designer and anyone with a love for British fashion.

Be sure to look for these books on Amazon before purchasing directly from a book store or publisher – you may find them for a fraction of the price and in pristine condition.

Happy shopping!

Fashion Face Off – a trump card game

Laurence King are one of my favourite publishers. Scour the latest fashion literature releases on Amazon and I can guarantee that many of those that will catch your eye are produced by this very publisher. With such an array of high fashion titles, it is no surprise that Laurence King have decided to expand their collection to produce a gift line. Ladies, stir a cocktail and prepare to mix high fashion with childhood games… a Fashion Face Off trump card game has been unveiled within their gift range and it is hysterical.

So A la Mode?

Remember the game Top Trumps that you used to play as a child? Well, this is Top Trumps with a twist. Every high fashion designer is featured on their own card, from Balmain to DVF and Mulberry. Beautiful illustrations from Erin Petson capture the glamour of each designer in reference to one of their most iconic pieces. Some examples are shown below; Carrie Bradshaw’s legendary Vivienne Westwood wedding dress, Madonna’s iconic Jean Paul Gaultier ensemble from 1990, a classic Louboutin red-soled heel and a timeless Burberry trench.

In playing this game, you also find out lots of interesting facts about each designer and their key pieces. Which designs generated the most mainstream imitations? What was the top eBay bid that each piece received in dollars? Whether you’re certain of your Gucci from your Dior or looking to learn more about fashion, these cards will be warmly enjoyed by fashion enthusiasts of all ages.

A la Mode Appraisal: 10/10 – the perfect mix of education and fun.

Fashion Face Off cards are published by Laurence King Gifts and will be a brilliant way to enjoy a girls night in for just £8.95.

ISBN: 978 1 85669 902 0

If you liked these, you may also like Fashion Drawing in Vogue by William Packer.

My Even More Wonderful World of Fashion by Nina Chakrabarti

Another Book for Drawing, Creating and Dreaming

Following the success of My Wonderful World of Fashion, Nina Chakrabarti is back with another of her inspiring scrapbooks.

Think of how much you loved to doodle when you were younger. Now, imagine that someone has done all of the difficult parts for you – for example drawing the outline of a boot, earring or shoe – and that all that you need to do is oblige in the fun things. Grab your brightest pens and steal inspiration from garish prints to complete the mini fashion-tasks that are littered across 240 pages.

So A la Mode?

The tasks at hand vary from being really detailed to tiny and cute. Some examples:

- Draw Cleopatra a headdress fit for a Queen

- Draw tall feathers onto this mask and create something enchanting

Pages are of the classic scrapbook texture meaning that they can be easily ripped and reused, and the central spreads are of unusual prints in a vibrant pink colour. All of Nina’s arty requests rely on more than just a drawing skill. Nina wants us to create worlds and concepts for each of the fashion garments at hand, and, to me, that is exactly what fashion expression should be all about. She captures the fantasy of fashion and enables her reader to see it as a means of transformation and reinvention. Born and raised in Calcutta, Nina’s Indian heritage also shines through as a beautiful variant of her personal fashion taste.

Uh-oh A la Mode?

My only qualm is that I would have loved to explore 240 more pages. A truly gorgeous book that is suitable for fashion lovers of all ages, it is the perfect thing to have to hand if you’re in need of some inspiration or indeed just some mindless fun. I would highly recommend this book as a gift because it feels like such a treat to have in your possession. (I think I’m too scared of spoiling mine to draw in it – probably the exact opposite of Nina’s intentions!)

A la Mode Appraisal: 10/10 – utter perfection.

My Even More Wonderful World of Fashion is published by Laurence King and will inspire endless creativity for just £12.95.

ISBN: 978 1 85669 760 6

If you liked this, you may also like My Wonderful World of Fashion Postcards by Nina Chakrabarti.

My Wonderful World of Fashion Postcards by Nina Chakrabarti

If you’ve been into any gift stores or art galleries in the last two years it is inevitable that you’ll have stumbled across My Wonderful World of Fashion by Nina Chakrabarti. Her first book was a beautiful craft book with a twist; compiled of half-completed fashion drawings and uncoloured sketches, Nina was inviting her reader to get stuck in and finish her fashion creations. Now, Nina has released this small collection of postcards so that readers can send miniature examples of the doodles in her first book.

So A la Mode?

Considering the tiny price of these postcards (let’s face it – to see an art publication at under £10.00 is essentially unheard of!) it is lovely to find that you’ve also got 30 cards to play with. What’s nice is that although there is plenty of room for experiments on each card, the designs are still pretty enough as stand alone pieces, and there is also the option of sending them untouched so that your recipient can be the one to enjoy them.

Uh-oh A la Mode?

Well there’s nothing uh-oh about it. Whether you’re eight or ninety eight you will really enjoy delving into Nina’s small tasks. The only problem a reader may be anticipating is their skill – will they be good enough to complete her pretty requests? Fortunately Nina’s work is fantastic because it is intricate enough to catch one’s eye but simple enough not to intimidate. You can take your creativity to as far and wide a level as you would like. A beautiful collection of postcards for anyone with an eye for fashion, these sweet postcards will put a smile on the face of every recipient.

A la Mode Appraisal – 10/10 pocket sized perfection.

My Wonderful World of Fashion Postcards is published by Laurence King and will provide you with priceless fun for a mere £6.95.

ISBN: 978 1 85669 906 8

If you liked this, you may also like My Even More Wonderful World of Fashion by Nina Chakrabarti.

Do’s and Don’ts by Vice

400 New Jokes from the Funniest Magazine Column to Ever Exist in the History of the Universe

You know those jokes that you know you shouldn’t laugh at but you can’t help yourself? Well, those are the kind of jokes that Vice Magazine specialises in. In every issue they run a column called Do’s and Don’ts in which they take photographs of unsuspecting people and write funny captions underneath. Apparently, “the first thing most people do when they pick up a copy of Vice is turn to the Do’s and Don’ts” and “they’ve become one of our most popular reads”.

So a la mode?

In just a few short words, Vice manage to completely take a photograph out of context and give it a hilarious new meaning. It’s really easy to flick through and you don’t need any prior knowledge of the magazine to totally understand the beauty of the column in just a few small page turns. This column is difficult to explain; it’s one of those you have to see. An example: a girl with lots of makeup on in rollerblades captioned with “she spent so long getting ready, she rolled over the line that separates ‘made up’ from ‘in drag’”. Most of the captions have some kind of joke about a person’s clothes, something that the Vice team say has “enduring possibilities”.

Uh-oh a la mode?

A few of the jokes go that smidge too far where you actually feel so bad for the poor, unknowing victim who will be amazed to see themselves in the Vice column!

A la Mode Appraisal: 9/10

Do’s and Don’ts is published by Canongate and will definitely tickle your coffee table for a reasonable £9.99. It’s quite thick and there are lots of captions per double page spread.

If you liked this, you may also like The World According to Vice by Vice.

 

How to Look Pretty Not Plastered by Emily Rose

“A step-by-step make-up guide to looking great!”

Makeup is something that so many ladies adore. I, myself, work as a makeup artist so I am of course one of them, but I often find that ladies come to me and say that they love makeup but are clueless regarding how to apply it. Makeup guides such as Emily Rose’s can be brilliant and helpful, but unfortunately I did not find this one to be so.

So a la mode?

The concept of the book is fantastic. Sometimes people may assume that applying lots of makeup is guaranteed to give a glam effect, but actually artful application can work wonders with the smallest amounts of product. The title did make me laugh and her message is promising. Helpful, too, are Emily’s sections about skincare. Chapters such as ‘Aloe Vera – Nature’s Gift’ and ‘Top Tips for Winter Skin’ are useful to women of all descriptions and in maintaining good skin makeup will, naturally, look a lot nicer when applied.

Uh-oh a la mode?

Experience stated does not seem to represent the quality of makeup ability demonstrated in the slightest. On page 91, a model is shown with a blue eyeliner on. Quite clearly her false eyelash is peeling off the corner her left eye. How this picture has made it into a published book is a question I would love to ask the editor? It seems unfair to capitalise on an industry that people are so willing to buy into and not even give value for money. Anyone, be it a first time user or a makeup artist extraordinaire, would be able to identify that a false lash should not be sat in this way. A positive and a negative of this book is that real women have been used to demonstrate makeup looks. This is brilliant in the sense that a diverse variety of face shapes and features will enable every reader to see how makeup should look in relation to their own face. It is not, however, an excuse for models to have unkempt eyebrows or undone nails. Call me old fashioned but if I am investing in a beauty book, I expect to see standards of grooming in all areas of production.

Considering that Emily Rose counts artists such as Tinie Tempah and Kissy Sell Out among her past clients, I was underwhelmed. One thing I really must emphasise is that although my standards of review are perhaps higher when considering my personal experience of makeup I am not judging this book from the perspective of someone in the know – I genuinely don’t feel that it would be useful to a beginner or anyone else. There are, however, lots of brilliant makeup books that would be so take a look at my recommendations below.

A la Mode Appraisal: 0/10 – Sorry to be blunt, I just don’t feel that this book would be worth investing in.

How to Look Pretty not Plastered is published by How to Books and is available for £14.99.

If you want to learn about makeup, you may find Express Yourself by NARS to be more useful or Express Makeup by Rae Morris.