Oribe Hair Styling Products

Dry shampoo is an invaluable item in your beauty regime: it cleans up oily roots, boots volume and revives a blow-dry. Baptise's collection of dry shampoos in various 'flavours' are very popular - and I've tried them - but I find they can leave an unpleasant texture behind, make my scalp itch and, worst of all, there's the possibility of the talcum powder hair look. Not hot. 

Fear not - there is a hero product to save the day: Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray (above). I bought the purse spray version (£18 for 75ml from SpaceNK) yonks ago and it only just ran out. I love it so much, I went straight out and bought a replacement for my handbag/the office and a full 300ml bottle (for £38) too today! 

So, what does this hero product do? I have very soft, fine hair so I use it when I don't have time to wash my hair (I usually wash everyday, if not every other day) or if it's looking a bit limp before I head out for the evening. It feels like a normal hairspray when you spray it on but without the stickiness you sometimes get with finishing hairsprays. It revives your blow-dry and rids your hair of any limpness, oiliness, generally 'bad hair-itis'. Plus, it has a lovely smell (a hair producty kind of smell...might just be me on this one)! 

I'm such a fan of Oribe products after using the Dry Texturizing Spray that I also purchased the Après Beach Wave and Shine Spray (above). I've just tried it on dry hair and can say already that it has the same gorgeous smell and has left my hair with a lovely gloss (the perfect kind of shine - no heaviness/ oiliness, just pure sexy summer hair).  There are no parabens and no sodium chloride in Oribe products and they're colour and keratin treatment safe. As if that's not enough, they do contain UV protection. I also love the descriptions and directions - "Tousle to taste and let dry in the St. Tropez air. Follow with lipstick and heels.! Haha! Brilliant! 

Trust me on this one, ladies, go try some Oribe now!

Love, 


AB x


P.S. I have also heard good things about the Percy & Reed dry shampoo. I love their No Oil Oil For Fine Hair serum so the dry shampoo is on my 'to try' list - I'll report back soon! 

Christian Louboutin Pigalles

Say "hello" to my latest purchase, Christian Louboutin Pigalle 100's in turquoise. Aren't they beaauuuutiful!?!? I bought some slightly lower coral Louboutin Pigalles a few years ago and they soon became my favourite shoes, taking me on many mischievous adventures. I'd been looking for a new pair to keep my coral ones company and fell in love with these as soon as I saw them on Net A Porter. 

You know what the super clever part is? This: 

Shoe magician that he is, Mr Louboutin has out-done himself yet again and updated the Pigalles with this nifty heel grip to stop them slipping off - genius! 

Love,

AB x

Crispin Finn 2012 Year Planner

I'm one of those crazy list writing super organised annoying really cool people and I'm really picky about my diary. This year, I've gone with a purple Panama diary from Smythson (more on that fabulous British brand later*) but I also like to see full months so I can make sure I'm not jamming in too much craziness and count down to holidays. This year planner from Crispin Finn is even better though - you can see ALL your holidays at once..yay! 

Check out the other stuff they have on offer - I think the blue/white/red theme is chic, don't you?

Are you guys picky about planners/diaries? What brands do you love? For my lovely US readers, I loved the old Kate's Paperie store in Manhattan, NYC just off 5th Ave. and was so sad to see it had down-sized to a much smaller store in Soho when I was there in July-August last year!! Can you recommend an alternative/additional place to check out in NYC!? 

Love, 

AB x

*although check out my earlier post on anniversary gifts. 

Nando Lopes at Richard Ward

I wrote about Richard Ward earlier this year and given it seems to be a favourite of yours, I thought I should share an update with you!

I swapped over to Nando Lopes (James Pryce had been cutting my hair for about four years) shortly after my previous post. I had another appointment cancelled at really the shortest possible notice they could possibly have given (for La Duchess'/ Kate Middleton's Canadian tour...), James had become v busy/ stressed* and, well, naturally his price rocketed so that he is now in the same bracket as Nando. My big sis got married in September and my mother had booked Nando out for the morning, so it just made sense for me to swap over to Nando (although there was some awkwardness at first with James working across from  us during my first cut with Nando). Nando has been a-ma-zing!!! I last had my hair cut in September and it has maintained its shape after four months!! Yes, it's grown about 1.5-2 inches and I'll get it done in January but previously I had to go about every 6-8 weeks....now I'll just go 3 or 4 times a year! So, if you do the maths, you could find that trying your luck with one of the stylists at Richard Ward may mean paying a bit more per appointment but can work out the same or cheaper as what you're paying now (per year) as you'd likely get a much better haircut and visit the salon less**!

I'll post some pictures of Nando's handiwork from big sis' wedding soon but just wanted to post a quick update in the meantime!

AB x

*I have been uncharacteristically and, if I say so myself, admirably reticent and tactful here....

**Unless you dye your hair....I go au naturelle so can't help you there, sorry...

Fashion Books

Check out the books I got for Christmas!!






























(apologies for the terrible photography/ general quality of photo)

A to Z of Style, Amy de la Haye

Fifty Dresses that Changed the World, Design Museum

400 Years of Fashion, V&A

My Favourite Dress, Gity Monset, Samantha Erin Safer & Robert de Niet

Chanel - the Vocabulary of Style, Jérôme Gautier (present from the lovely staff at Chanel in Harrods - merci beaucoup!)

Christian Louboutin, Christian Louboutin

I think these will make fabulous coffee table books! Anyone else get some fashion books for Christmas??

AB x

Anniversary Gift Ideas

While browsing the sales online for some bargains, I came across this on Smythson's website:

Most likely inspired by Carrie Bradshaw's book of love letters borrowed from the New York Library in the SATC film, this leather bound book of amorous letters would make the perfect gift for your leading lady and it's reduced to £99! (Yes, it was more expensive than that to begin with....) 

Paper is the traditional gift for a second wedding anniversary (in the U.K. - in the U.S., it's the first) and leather is the third anniversary gift, so this beautiful book would be a thoughtful and creative gift for either of those anniversaries. Alternatively, it could be gifted as a Valentine's or if you're feeling particularly generous, any day of the year (maybe to mark a special occasion)!

Take note, gentlemen*.

Love, 

AB x

*or ladies! I'm sure there are some men out there who would be chuffed to receive this gorgeous book too!

The Tux

The tux is a classic, chic and sexy evening choice for the fashion-forward lady and it's having a bit of a moment. Here are some of my favourites in store right now...

Emilio Pucci

Tibi

The ultimate tux: Yves Saint Laurent

I love the quirkiness of the Pucci one but isn't the Tibi lace/leather combo fabulous? I tried it on at the MyWardrobe VIP party the other night (more on that later) and really wanted to buy it but sadly they didn't have my size! (I'm holding out for the Net A Porter sale!!)


I know the above three are super luxury expensive choices but the tux really is a classic item that will never date. That said, if you want a cheaper option, I'd head straight to Zara. I got a fantastic cream tux/blazer there in NYC recently; I've received compliments on it every time I've worn it and the admirer is always shocked to hear it's Zara! While we're on Zara - if you're heading over to Spain, stock up! It's even cheaper than the staff discount price over here so well worth it. 

How do you wear your tux, ladies? Over a cute dress or with nothing underneath (gasp!)?? 

Love,

AB x

Manolo Blahnik

It may come as a surprise to you that, prior to summer 2011, I did not own a pair of Manolo Blahnik shoes. Not one. Nada. Then, while strolling down 54th street towards 5th Avenue, I did a double-take as I saw a SALE sign like a shining beacon of hope and wonder and all that is good, sitting in the window of the Manolo Blahnik shop! 

I ended up spending a LOT of time in there picking some out (made more difficult by the fact you can only try on two at a time!). Here's what I ended up buying: 

90% of my heels are pumps of some kind...I rarely wear strappy sandals like these because (1) I'm a Londoner and it's usually just too damn cold!!...and (2) because I have this thing about my chunky ballet calves legs being too muscly (particularly from the side-on angle) to wear such delicate shoes. (My mother has reminded me in the past that I did not, unlike my olive skinned, thick glossy haired [yea, really annoying] older sister, inherit her Asian slender calves...instead I got the more chunky (or, as I prefer, athletic and muscly? Non?) European ones. Great. Thanks, Mum.)

An-y-wayy I actually kinda adore these! (duhhh...otherwise I wouldn't have parted with the cash! Oh on that - they were 60% off!! YES, SIXTY PERCENT!!! A-MA-ZINGGG)!! I love the way simple shoes like these can immediately make a really 'done' outfit look all chic and nonchalant (think Kate Bosworth and Jennifer Aniston - they never look like they're trying too hard and how sexy do Jen An's legs look - when she's actually got them on show and isn't wearing her Justin T uniform of black - when she's flaunting her usual red carpet go-to??). Then there's the black - I think black strappy sandals are the ultimate sexy shoe, don't you? 

The style of the purple shoe was HUGE this year. I guess it was inevitable that I would end up getting something quite delicate as Manolo is known for creating delicate, feminine shoes (think of all the gorgeous creations SJP wore in the SATC series!) but I was also getting serrriously fed up of all the clumpy hidden platform heels - the Louboutins Victoria Beckham wore to the Royal Wedding were the final straw for me. What do you think, my lovely readers? 

Love,

AB x

The Park, NYC

I've been going back & forth to NYC for work and am using the opportunity to let you in on some more of the gems I've found over there! 

The Park is a restaurant/bar/club in Chelsea, Manhattan. I went there on a Saturday night for a few drinks (and a few more) with some friends after dinner at La Paella (yummy - yes, you guessed it - paella with sangria). 


The garden at The Park is SO beautiful!! You know I'm a sucker for pretty lights in trees and they have them in the garden!!  I know there are dinner tables in the picture but later in the evening, there are just lots of little tables scattered around. 


There's a couple of different rooms and they have some crazy pumpkin ale on tap too, in case the pretty lights weren't enough to get you through the door! 


The queues can get long but it's not too bad a wait if you've got some buddies to chat away with....it's got two thumbs up from AB and if any of you lovely readers are in or heading to NYC, I think you should check it out!!




Love, 


AB x

Fashion Insanity

Ok...here on AB Blab we all know I love fashion. I love quirky styles and I'm all for mixing it up...but sometimes fashion just goes a little crazy. Sometimes people in the fashion industry start to take themselves a bit too seriously and sometimes people just....do this:

Seriously?! Christopher Kane, you have to be smoking something or having a laugh if you want me to spend £385 on one of those. Is it just me or are these basically those 'silly snake' (or whatever we used to call them) things that you used to play with at school, made into a bag!? You know what I mean, right? They had a slightly ruder name too, which everyone found very funny when we were 9-years old. In the nineties, I know there was this whole obsession with inflatable things...inflatable photo-frames...inflatable armchairs...it was cool if you were a kid but why revisit that and WHY make it into a CLUTCH BAG?!?!?! I am so confused right now. Is this a joke?! Am I hallucinating?!?! I know it's fun to play with but you don't seriously want to take it out with you in the evening with your lovely outfit, do you!? DO YOU!? 

Love, 

AB x

Tweet tweet!!

I have finally fully embraced the modern world of social media and you can now follow me on Twitter! I'm going to be uncharacteristically quiet on the blog for a while but I've got a few things I've been dying to tell you about so, follow me on Twitter in the meantime and I'll keep you updated on all the latest beauty, fashion and lifestyle gossip!! 

Ta ta for now!

Love, 

AB x

Essential Haircare: Shampoo

I've tried many many shampoos in my quest to reverse the effects of years of swimming and ballet buns. So many leave residue or fail to adequately nourish the hair. Whilst I don't think you need to fork out a fortune, I do think it's worth spending pennies on natural, organic ingredients and avoiding parabens and SLS.

Fifteen years (yes fifteen!!) in the making Liz Earle's Botanical Shine Shampoo boasts shea butter, vitamin E and apple and orange blossom extracts. It has a lovely milky consistency, smells divine (like organic baby shampoo!!) and a little goes a long way. My hair smells lovely (in a natural way, that makes people think you just ooze floral loveliness from your pores), is soft and gorgeously shiny. I've already popped into the Duke of York Square store in London to pick up a second bottle well before the first will run out! At a mere £7.65 for 200ml and the option to save on bulk buying or combos (as with all Liz Earle products) and the Liz Earle freebie with every purchase, it's definitely a good buy!! 

As a rule of thumb, use about a blob about the size of a 10p coin for shampoo and a 20p for conditioner. 

Love, 

AB x

Chanel Cruise 2011/12

I am LOVING Chanel's Cruise 2011/12 collection. So wearable, so fresh, SO Chanel...

The Latest "It" Nail Colour: Mimosa by Chanel

Cupcakes

I am a BIG fan of cupcakes and think they're a great idea for small girly gatherings as they avoid the issue of cake cutting (a faff for off numbers and people will always say they want less than they actually do!). They're also fantastic for kids parties and the Hummingbird Bakery's book is great if you want a fun afternoon of baking with the kids!

However, if like me, you love baking (and eating sugary goodies!) but really don't have the time, here are some of my favourite bakeries in London. Click the title to be directed to their website...

Taking Tea

As a true Brit, I love a cup of tea. There's just something about nursing a warm mug of tea that makes everything all right. 

I recently discovered Damman's Rose Pompon tea and am slightly obsessed with it's gorgeous fruity-floral aroma. I purchased it from the pantry at in the Harrods Food Hall (the small section that looks like a supermarket, in the room after the sushi bar and before the room with the pizzeria, ice-cream counter and all the amazing, colourful sweets). The container is a bit of a puzzler at first (I eventually discovered that one must open it from the small circular lid that the tassle is attached to - you may want to use one of those rubber bottle-opener handy devices for this, it's very tight on the first go!). 

Charlotte Olympia

sooooooo pretty!!!
*sigh*

My mother probably started calling me the Shoe Queen when I was about four...I can remember my collection of princess heels, which each had a selection of clip-on accessories to decorate the toe-strap (think Suri Cruise and you're probably not far off). 

Since then, I've moved on to Gina, Brian Attwood, Jimmy Choo, Isabel Marant, Rupert Sanderson, Miu Miu and, of course, Christian Louboutin. Those are my favourites for heels but I also have a sprinkling of Marc J, Chloe, Vivienne Westwood, Marni.....ok I should stop now! BUT my thirst for shoe candy is ever more demanding and I am saaaariously lusting after a pair of Charlotte Olympia heels!!! I want the Rose Dolly heels SO DAMN BADDDD!!! 

Richard Ward

I had been planning on writing about my hair salon of choice for a few months now and had not managed to get round to it. Given all the hype over last week's Royal Wedding and Kate's hair, though, I thought now might be a good time to share it with you! I am, of course, talking about Richard Ward....

Monica Vinader Competition!!

I posted about my love of Monica Vinader's designs earlier this month. Since that post, I've heard about a great little competition of theirs - simply design a necklace from their new 'create your own' collection (which I discuss in my earlier post) and be in with the chance of winning your dream Monica Vinader creation.....eeeek!!!! 

In order to enter the competition, you just need to create your design on their website. Once you've done that, click 'send to friend' (on the right-hand side of the page) and then email your creation to competitions@monicavinader.com. 

Good luck!

Love, 


 AB x

Spring Nails

Hi, my name's AB and I have a nail polish addiction! I change my nail colour at least once a week and am constantly swapping new purchases with my friend (we'll call her CC) over in Hong Kong via Whatsapp (seriously useful for sending shopping purchases/ outfit choices to your gal pals). 

So..here are some of my most recent purchases from Essie: