Q: I quite like all the fuchsia and bright orange bathrooms around at the moment. But I’m scared that if I invest in really really bright colours that I’ll get bored of them quickly or they’ll just look stupid. And I really like those Cath Kidston type roses and polka dots, but I have a modern flat and just don’t think they’ll go. Have you got any solutions for a chic bathroom?

A: If you want to go bright you really have to be dedicated, but bright shades can really invigorate a bathroom. Brights are particularly good for spicing up an otherwise plain white bathroom. If you want a more seductive sultry look then it’s best to go for moody shades. Charcoals and black work well with white bathrooms, but are amazing against grey or black slate. This look androgynous and therefore ideal for stylish women and equally stylish men. In order to make sure that it’s not overly oppressive, add in mirrored or metallic accessories to reflect light.

The simplest way to bring a fresh look is with some decent towels, we love these Linea Finesse towels in black, from £8, the metallic thread detail is so simple yet so effective. Love them or hate them, a bath mat is a necessity, we rate the Linea Deep pile reversible mat in ebony, £20. For accessories you can’t go wrong with Umbra’s rain range, from £10, the pewter finish is just stunning. Don’t clutter up your bathroom, and keep all your products tidied away for a sleek finish, the Linea 4 tier-unit, £45 is great if you don’t have room for units or shelves but need some extra storage space. The other way to update is to bring in typical living accessories such as vases for long stem flowers, scented candles and a jasmine plant is a bizarre but brilliant accessory. If you have the space an armchair works amazingly well and is perfect for bathside chats or for throwing your clothes on. If you go for this pick an unusual print and one with depth such as Linea’s Milano occasional chair £599 in smoke or a padded dining chair can look equally chic.

If you play with accessories then you can completely change the look of your bathroom without doing anything drastic. It also means, that if you tire of a look then it can be updated again with another shade of towels or unusual accessories. The key is to pick a colour palette, realise what you use and need, then have fun.

Sparkle sequin bow front shoe in bag, £18, Dune

Never have a crippling high heel day again. These pumps in a bag are not only ingenious but beautiful as well. They are a must for the upcoming party season, slip them into your evening bag, and when all that dancing gets too much you can pop these pumps on and sigh with relief. And because they look so chic and lovely you won’t mind swapping your glamorous heels for them. We’re considering getting a party pair and a pair for everyday. What a clever little pumps these are.

 Click here to buy.

The end of the week gossip has got us all in a flutter:

Victoria Beckham rumours

No, nothing scandalous, but rather something exciting for style lovers. Victoria Beckham’s clothing line has done remarkably well. Before its launch the fashion world was ready to point and laugh, but who’s laughing now? Definitely Mrs Beckham. Her line was welcomed by fashion editors across the globe and has been spotted on the chicest celebrities around… Elle MacPherson is almost a Victoria body double. And now rumours are rife that the popstar turned fashionista will be bringing out a shoes and handbag line. Nothing has been announced yet, but we’re imagining bags reminiscent of Alexander McQueen’s Novak bag and heels to rival Christian Louboutin. So watch this space… [ElleUK]

 See the full article here

Kenneth Cole becomes a lecturer?

Well only for an evening, on Wednesday the designer gave a talk to 400 studetnts at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York about his rise to fashion superstardom. He expressed concern over the current economy and voicedthat he doesn’t think it will get better for years. But told students that:

“The key is to go out in the world with a sense of contest… find out where you can offer value as a designer and create something that people will desire.”

And he should know what he’s talking about his brand is worth a whopping $500 million. He also recently created the Holy Grail of  shoes, one which is both stylish and comfortable. The shoe was advertised across the US, but they made the decision to only buy a small amount of stock in order to create a demand. This sneaky plan worked and on the launch 1,500 people queued outside the flagship store in New York. Kenneth also highlighted the importance of social networking in managing a brand adding:

“By the way, I can use more Facebook friends and more followers on Twitter.” By the following morning he had an extra 120 Facebook friends. [WWD]

See full article here

Shop Kenneth Cole here

Twilight restaurant to open

Calling all Twilight fans… Calling all Twilight fans… yes, you… you can stop pretending, we know you’re hooked. Well forget Sex And The City tours, or Da Vinci Code trails, it’s all about Twilight. And Forks, Washington, (where the books are set if you’re pretending you didn’t know) is to open a Twilight restaurant called Volterra. This follows the Twilight Lounge which has concerts and events. Ok, so a trip to Forks might not be an ideal girly holiday… but we might meet our very own Edward Cullen. [Hollywood Reporter]

See full article here

Miss Popularity, £17.50, Benefit

Never have an ‘ugly’ day again. If you have those moments when your reflection makes you recoil with horror, and let’s be honest, who doesn’t?! Then you’ll want to invest in this wonder highlighter. You can use it above and below the eyes to brighten, the corners of your lips to perk your smile and the sides of your nose to slim it down. You can even dab a little on the apples of your cheeks to give yourself an instant facelift. Yes, this shimmering highlighter is a wonder product, slip it into your handbag to look like a superstar any time of day.

Click here to buy.

Calling all men! This is the shopping event for you!

On Thursday 29th October 5-8pm, the menswear department in House of Fraser Birmingham is having a shopping event for the boys.

Bierfest is in aid of Movember aka a moustache growing event to raise awareness and funds for The Prostate Cancer Charity.

To celebrate, shoppers will be treated to up to 20% off menswear brands, live DJ’s, prize draws and of course free beer.

And if you register at Movember.com at the event you will receive a free discount card to use in House of Fraser for the whole month of Movember.

Keep checking back because there are more Movemeber events coming up.

Bierfest 29th October 5-8pm, Menswear department first floor, House of Fraser Birmingham.

Click here for store guide.

Click here for more info on Movember.

You might have noticed a bit of a trend emerging, it’s a unique crossover from country style into the city. Yes, it’s fairly likely you will have spotted what appears to be a farmer on the train to work, but if you asked him, he’s probably never been near a farm in his life.

Images left to right: Checked shirt, £155, Hugo Boss. Boeg lined zip up cardigan, £70, Howick. Vintage 4 pocket jacket, £150, Howick.

Everyone’s gone country crazy. That means wax jackets, hunting inspired garb and tonal hues. We haven’t quite got to the cape, deerstalker and Wellington boots yet, but somewhere out there is a guy working that 19^th Century gentry look.

Images left to right: Creation back zip boots, £90, Bertie. Desert twill trousers, £79, Gant. Soft felt flat cap, £30, New & Lingwood.

We propose a more toned down approach to the Urban Gentry trend. We’re thinking khaki shades, hints of check, cable knits and quirky accessories.

Images left to right: Herringbone striped scarf, £60, Paul Smith. Leather gloves with buttoned cuffs, £88, Ralph Lauren. Old school satchel, £85, Fred Perry.

Your style icons are Daniel Craig, David Beckham and Jude Law. They work the country gent look to perfection. It’s all about a relaxed approach, and layering up. This look should be comfortable but will appear on trend with the right pieces. A Barbour inspired jacket is a must for the weekend, and for the week try pairing a flat cap with your ensemble for true Urban Gentry.

Chrysanthemum dinnerware, from £5, Monsoon by Denby

One of the easiest ways to update your home is with a new dinner set. It’s the eating equivalent of a new duvet set. It makes you feel all warm and lovely inside, as well as faintly house proud. Yes eating off new plates is a wonderful feeling, and this new range from Monsoon by Denby is sure to earn you many compliments. This dinnerware collection was inspired by a 19^th Century Japanese textile print, and we just adore the monochrome chrysanthemums with gold hints.

 Click here to buy

Morning coffee means time to chat:

Atkins diet will shrink your brain

If ever we needed an excuse NOT to diet, then this is the one. Researchers have found that diets which are high in protein low in carbohydrates like Atkins can shrink your brain. Tested on mice, those mice which ate an Atkins style diet, ended up with a brain 5% lighter, and with less developed memory. Atkins has also been linked to Alzheimer’s, heart disease and kidney problems. Anyone else feeling like a big bowl of pasta? Perhaps with a side of garlic bread? It’s brain food after all! [Marie Claire]

See full article here

Armani is planning his successor

Giorgio Armani is a global phenomenon, you’d be hard pushed to find someone who has never heard of or lusted over a piece of Armani. His superstores are the shops of dreams, and the Armani name has become synonymous with the fashion world. He told WWD: “I am already organizing an entire team around me who understands what I do and will be, at some point, ready to step in and continue what I do, of course, I am not eternal. There comes a time when you must hand it over.” Armani is not planning to retire any time soon, but following an attack of hepatitis, it is time for him to start planning for the long term future of his brand. [WWD]

See full article here

How much is too much to spend on a bra? $3 million perhaps?

Victoria’s Secret are renowned for sexy smalls. And each year the brand creates a fantasy bra. This year’s bra is more than a fantasy it’s a country mansion, holiday home, school fees and endless holidays, the bra in question has been created alongside jewellery house Damiani and is worth a whopping $3 million. It is embellished with over two thousand diamonds and a rare heart shaped champagne diamond. It took 800 hours to make and 15 people worked on it. Just imagine having to have security guards just for your bra… a fantasy or a nightmare?! [InStyle]

See full article here

Socialite, ‘It’ girl, style icon, fashionista, that girl off ‘The City’ say what you will but Olivia Palermo is quickly becoming the name to know.

She broke onto the social scene two years ago, and is probably best known for her role in ‘The City’. If you’ve been stuck in a bubble somewhere, ‘The City’ is the new ‘reality’ series starring Whitney Port from ‘The Hills’ in her new role at Diane Von Furstenberg. Olivia works alongside Whitney, and although she might not come across as the most likeable character in the world, we forgive her because she always looks flawless.

Images left to right: Zebra jacquard scarf, £22, Linea. Abstract print dress, £36 offer price £26, Vero Moda. Pearl cluster multi chain necklace, £25, Robert Rose.

Olivia’s sense of style seems effortless, and effortless requires a huge amount of effort to pull off. You will no doubt have seen her gracing numerous pages of Grazia and she always appears relaxed even when in a mini dress and skyscraper heels.

Images left to right: Long jersey leggings, £15, Oasis. Hallie high heeled court shoe, £90, KG by Kurt Geiger. Cabachon ring, £75, Kenneth Jay Lane.

The key to this look is layering accessories. Play with chunky jewellery to dress up your look. But to really pull off the “I just wake up beautiful” look it’s all in the beauty regime. The gentle curls suggest that Olivia didn’t try, so invest in some shine serum and curling tongs. Then for make up keep your skin fresh and simple, the rosy cheeks look so natural and Olivia creates drama not by excessive eye liner use but by pencilling her eyebrows. To finish make sure your nails are painted a bold shade.

Images left to right: St James bright red nail varnish, £9.50, Nails Inc. Eyebrow show pencil, £12.23, Givenchy. Dandelion powder blush, £22.50, Benefit.

This isn’t about being overly styled, or obsessively precise, it’s about oozing a natural style which is highlighted with great make up and chic ensembles.

Do you love make up? Do you love parties? Do you live to be pampered? Then here is the event for you! You and a friend can book to have a make up masterclass with make up artist Christian Ribot.

There’s up to four people per session and you’ll be treated to champagne and Laduree macaroons. There will be a mini facials, followed by a step by step class and then make up artists will create your look on a one to one basis.

The booking fee is £15 and it is redeemable against any products purchased, and you will receive a free make up brush kit with any two purchases.

The parties take place:

27^th October: 11.30am, 3pm, 5.30pm

28^th October: 11.30am, 3pm, 5.30pm

29^th October: 11.30am, 3pm, 5.30pm

At: House of Fraser Oxford Street, click here for store guide.

To reserve an appointment call: 0207 529 4773 and ask for a Givenchy Expert.

Spaces are limited so hurry!

Click here to shop Givenchy.