Beau Bronz at Pure Beauty Fulham

I am afraid of many things (mice, heights, the eventual demise of books, a life without Ryan Gosling) but a damn good spritzing of fake tan is something I have never feared. With my friend Sarah, however, it is a different story. The prospect of being Tangoed filled her with dread as we headed to Pure Beauty in Fulham. “What if she makes me orange?” She quivered. I explained that Abi O knows more about tanning than anyone else on the planet. In an attempt to reassure her, I explained that Abi has tanned celebrities galore, including the entire cast of ‘Dancing on Ice’. She was still nervous but with her friendly nature and confidence, Abi quickly put Sarah at ease. She emerged less than 15 minutes later, a glowing, healthier version of herself. Less orange, more a rose golden shade, she looked like she had been on holiday for a week. I opted for a much deeper shade which elevated my existing holiday tan to what looked like I had been in the sun for three weeks rather than two. My skin glimmered and shone beautifully.

We were both given some products to take away. I used the Tan Booster the next day and found it a little bit too sparkly for work. I think it would be great for a night out though as it left my limbs glowing with a warm gold tint. Although it isn’t intended to be used in this way, I would be tempted to run a little through my hair too to give my highlights a bit more shine.

Used with a mitt, the Bronzed Goddess tanner left my skin brown and gleaming. I plan to be BeauBronz-ed well into winter – I just can’t give it up!

BeauBronz at Pure Beauty Fulham Limited
30 Filmer Road
London
SW6 7BW

enquiries@purebeautyfulham.co.uk

Ooh la la

I am excited about the upcoming launch of website 'Frenchologie'. Unsurprisingly dedicated to all things French, it will house clothes and accessories by new French fashion designers, homewares, music, movies and books.


I will update you when I know more, the site is set to go live in November.


Bonsoir x

Summer Swimwear Review

A bikini a day keeps the boredom at bay. Or, at least, this was my excuse for some awesome new summer swimwear. Without a hope in hell of looking as good as the whippet-thin golden beach goddesses of southern Italy (“Carbs will find them”, we smirked knowingly), I went for style and fake tan over extreme dieting and exercise. And some canny angles...

FreyaLindy Hop Harlequin Soft Triangle Bikini Top

I LOVED this bikini and I wore it almost every day. It was really supportive and pushed my boobies up nicely. It survived a day of jumping over massive waves and prevented me from scaring the locals with my ample 34DD bosom. The bottoms are generously cut without the ‘Nan’s knickers’ look you sometimes get with retro styles. The only thing that would have improved the top would have been the extra layer of fabric surrounding the straps (which features on my Freya bikini from last year). Although this might have spoiled the line of the halterneck a bit, it might have made for a less painful neck at the end of an active day on the beach. This wouldn’t stop me from wearing it again next summer though, as it made me feel like a glam Marilyn Monroe type. 

ForLuna Red Retro Swimsuit by Esther Williams

Now, I’m not usually a fan of swimsuits, preferring instead to bronze as much of this British flesh as humanly possible. An exception was made for a suit as glamorous as this one. Once wriggled into (in elegant manner, similar to that employed when donning hold-in pants) this suit sucked me in at the waist and turned excess love-handle into extra boob. A bit of subtle ruching over the belly ironed out any remaining issues. Whack on a pair of leg-lengthening wedges and you’re away! I’m taking this baby to Shoreditch House for some serious poolside posing; it’s too way good for the sea.

(The sarong is by Zara, by the way)

FeverBlack Plunge Bikini Top

Ever since I grew boobs, I have longed for a bikini which is just like a bra. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Just the same amount of support and the same flattering cut of your favourite boulder-holder. Freya have come up trumps with this supportive option. I like the curved neckline and the fact that I could, if I wanted to, have a run on the beach. In reality, I did run on the beach once during the holiday; across the hot, hot sand to the bar for a Double Magnum. Mmm.

One for the Cool Folk

I found out about Folk from my super stylish boss, Phil. All tailored shirts and quirky detail, they really caught my attention. Susie Lau and Steve Salter kindly invited to the launch of their first womenswear collection last week and it didn’t disappoint.

Still quite masculine, with slim-fits, tailoring and detail, I could imagine the clothes working well on someone tall and skinny but perhaps not for curvier gals like me. Like the Kooples, I put this brand in the ‘absolutely gorgeous for others but perhaps not quite for me’ box. I did have my eye on some of the knits though, and there were some great ponyskin ankle boots which I might be tempted to save up for (yes, I’m 27 but can’t afford boots. So sad.)

The nearest tube to the shop is Green Park, and it’s located in a really cool part of London which I had never seen before. There were some lovely looking restaurants and pubs there too - definitely worth a visit.

2-14 Shepherd Street

London

W1J 7JF

Steele my Attention

Let me tell you about Helen Steele. Her A/W12 ‘Hot Robot’ collection is, simply put, fabulous. Her unique abstract prints grab your attention immediately, especially when they cover arresting, modern silhouettes. I love the hot pink/black/white colour palette too. If you’re looking to stand out at an event, this is the way to do it.

To create her prints, Helen films the paint being thrown through a wind tunnel then digitally alters the moving images to produce the prints. These are then digitally printed.


With a celeb following which includes Rita Ora and Jessie J, this is one designer I will definitely be keeping an eye on.

Rook & Raven

Last weekend, seeking a quieter way to navigate the streets from Goodge Street to Oxford Circus, I stumbled across an amazing art gallery, Rook & Raven. Big, airy and modern, the work on display there at the moment is definitely worth a visit. My personal favourites were by James Dawe and Cain Caser.

'Bone Structure'
Giclee print on Somerset Velvet enhanced fine-art paper

84cm x 119cm

Limited edition of 10

Gold Fingers

I bought these gold stick-on nails from Primark. The ring is by Topshop.