The Lookbook – Summer 2012

 

Next time you are at the centre don’t forget to pick up your copy of The Liberty Lookbook Summer 2012, it’s the perfect guide for all your fashion and beauty needs this season.

If you are as excited about the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee as we are, flick to page 4 to find Celebration Essentials. It’s two pages of fantastic items that will help you achieve patriotic style. As you read on you’ll find lots more style inspiration, from festival fashion that will keep you feeling fabulous even if it rains, to sportwear chic in the spirit of the Olympics.

Then get up close and personal with Daddy Cool himself, Mick Norcross, from hit TV show The Only Way Is Essex as he speaks to The Liberty about his success with Sugar Hut.

All this and more, plus at the back you’ll find special offer vouchers, to enjoy at The Liberty all summer long. 

So what are you waiting for, get yours before they are gone! [[posterous-content:pid___0]][[posterous-content:pid___1]]

 

 

The Lookbook – Summer 2012

Next time you are at the centre don’t forget to pick up your copy of The Liberty Lookbook Summer 2012, it’s the perfect guide for all your fashion and beauty needs this season.

If you are as excited about the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee as we are, flick to page 4 to find Celebration Essentials. It’s two pages of fantastic items that will help you achieve patriotic style. As you read on you’ll find lots more style inspiration, from festival fashion that will keep you feeling fabulous even if it rains, to sportwear chic in the spirit of the Olympics.

Then get up close and personal with Daddy Cool himself, Mick Norcross, from hit TV show The Only Way Is Essex as he speaks to The Liberty about his success with Sugar Hut.

All this and more, plus at the back you’ll find special offer vouchers, to enjoy at The Liberty all summer long. 

So what are you waiting for, get yours before they are gone! 

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Lib_mag12_blog

Ladies that lunch!

Sienna, Alexa and I haven’t sat down for a girly gossip in ages, so when we heard that Taste cafe had been revamped with comfy sofas and an all new menu we thought we'd give it a go!

I'd heard about Taste, and knew they'd won lots of awards, but I didn’t realise how 'girl perfect' their menu is . Sienna and Alexa were very excited to see a pick and mix salad as they don't like too many carbs. I’m not concerned by all this no carbs nonsense so I indulged in a delicious jacket potato (how they get them THAT fluffy is beyond me!).

And, as it's UK Coffee Week we even got to enjoy a free bottomless filter coffee, which meant our gossiping could go on all afternoon.

Taste is a little secret gem, and we almost didn't find it. Thank goodness the nice lady on The Liberty customer service desk pointed the way! It's actually easy peasy, just turn left out of The Liberty's Lockwood Walk entrance by Sports Direct and there they are, next to the big Paul Fallitricks hairdressers.

Now, off I go to work off my jacket potato doing plenty of shopping!

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Party In Style

When I found out that The Liberty had teamed up with Sugar Hut for this year’s Club Fashion event, I could barely contain my excitement. Unless you have been living under a rock, you must have heard about the reality TV phenomenon The Only Way Is Essex (or as it’s more fondly known TOWIE). Sugar Hut is a popular haunt for members of the TOWIE cast and through the show has become an internationally recognised hot spot.

Club Fashion promises to be a fabulous day of fashion shows, style advice, offers, discounts and giveaways. Plus Sugar Hut DJ, Matty P will be spinning his decks so everyone can get in the party mood and you might even get to meet some of the TOWIE stars.

The Liberty has always been my first destination when looking for a killer outfit, but the Club Fashion event makes shopping for party-wear a glamorous day out.  I can’t wait!

So come down on Saturday 28th April an get ready to party Essex style! 

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Club_fashion

Ready, Steady, Go Sports Luxe

I am definitely an advocate of the effortlessly cool when it comes to personal style, you’ll often see me in converse, skinnys and a graphic tee with bed-head hair to finish the look. Despite this, I always thought sportswear was one step too far but what do I know because it seems sporty just got cool.

You’ll be ahead be ahead of the game if you’re rocking sportswear chic this summer. Keep things fresh in bright whites with vibrant bursts of colour on everything from biker jackets to floor grazing skirts. Fling on zip-up hoodies over skimpy crop tops for a cool casual look or give it some edge with a collared shirt paired with luxe joggers. And remember, whether you go for traditional flats or trendy heels, lace up trainers are the go-to piece to complete this look. 

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Ready_steady_go

 

It’s A Bling Thing

My friends have started calling me magpie because every time I see something shiny when I am out shopping, I have to pick it up. I know all girls love jewellery but for me it has become a bit of an obsession. I have rings for every finger, necklaces in every length, shape and colour and earrings galore but I still keep buying more. That’s why I love The Liberty, pretty much all the womenswear shops have a great jewellery selection plus there are some luxury brands like Pandora and Magnolia if I feel like really spoiling myself.  I think my focus this month will be getting some pretty pastel pieces to wear with the new denim in my wardrobe.

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Summer_bling

 

Loving Mummy

When you have a bump or a scratch we kiss it better, we help you with school projects, act as your personal taxi service but never collect a fare, give you cuddles when you are sad and have a free 24 hour make-up counter in our bedrooms. We are mums, and this Sunday is Mother's Day, the one day a year that is dedicated to celebrating how wonderful mums are. 

Think about how special your mum is to you and take this opportunity to show your love and appreciation. It could be a small gesture like breakfast in bed, or you could really spoil her with a nice lunch or a girly get away. And if you are feeling really generous don’t be afraid to shower mummy with gifts (hint, hint), be it a sweet treat, sparkly jewellery or beautiful flowers, trust me we love them all. 

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Mothers_day_gifts

 

The New Denim

Bye bye winter wear, hello spring/summer fashion, I’m letting go of the January blues with a well needed wardrobe update. The trend that seems to be leaving the strongest impression is soft pastel shades on everything from jackets to jeans.

On the catwalk everyone (including Chanel, Givenchy, Dolce & Gabbana and Alexander McQueen) featured sugary sweet shades on beautifully feminine tailored pieces.

Now this trend is everywhere and my must-have item has to be something in pastel denim. I have my eye on a cute pair of rose pink hot pants that will be perfect for my trip to Ibiza this summer.

Here at The Liberty, Topshop, Dorothy Perkins, Miss Selfridge, River Island, H&M, Next, New Look and Debenhams have a great range of pastel denim.

There’s something for everyone, so which piece of clothing candy will be sweet talking its way into your wardrobe?

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Pastel_denim

1 & 2 Miss Selfridge, 3 River Island, 4 Dorothy Perkins, 5 & 6 Miss Selfridge 

 

Who said knitwear can’t be sexy?

Last season I developed a minor obsession with knitwear; beautiful embellished sweaters cosy cashmere cardies, cool slouchy jumpers and oversized knitted scarves. 

It’s fantastic when you can mix winter wear comfort with contemporary style, but as much as I adore my sweaters, cardies, jumpers and scarves they are not what you would call sexy.

Sure they are great for work, a day out shopping or even an early dinner with friends but with a second date looming (with a handsome young man, I have to say) I was desperate to find something a little more glamorous.

Then I saw this racy little offering from Dorothy Perkins. It’s knitwear with attitude and I love it. The long sleeves, high neckline, light material and use of navy as the core colour give this jumper a feel that is classic and sophisticated, while the open back adds a sultry edge.

Paired with my favourite super skinny jeans form Topshop, killer heels from New Look and my oversized clutch bag from Primark, I’m sure I’ll knock him dead. 

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Dorothyperkins

 

London Fashion Week A/W 2012 R2

Burberry’s back!

By Sharn Rayment, News Editor at LDNfashion.com

I was lucky enough to get invited to the Burberry Prorsum (Latin for ‘forwards’) autumn/winter 2012 show this season, which, as always, was held in an elaborate tent in Kensington Gardens. Well, not quite a tent - it held 1500 people, including a front row bursting with celebrities, but you get the idea. When everyone had finally taken their seats and the show eventually started I was excited to say the least. Girly bows, feminine peplums and quirky animal motifs quickly shot down the runway, accompanied by updated versions of the classic Burberry trench and the latest additions to their handbag family, the Burberry Orchard and the Barrel.

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(How many celebs can you spot in the front row?)

Mixing classic tweed skirts with practical lace-up boots and tailored outerwear, they created pieces that transcend trends, achieving that sartorial timelessness they’re known for - just look at the Burberry trench coat, which is more popular than ever, nearly 100 years on. This collection, called ‘Town and Field’, maintained that heritage feel, overflowing with regal country features – flat caps, duck head umbrellas and quilted jackets – which were not only beautifully crafted, but actually very wearable. That’s not something you can say about a lot of fashion shows now is it?

And another thing they do better than the rest is actually put on a show. Not only did they blare runway music louder than I’ve ever heard before (I could feel my hair vibrating!), but they made Hyde Park rain. Outside, water fell on the transparent pavilion whilst inside golden glitter fell, showering the models as they walked for the finale. Luckily they had Burberry’s stripy new-season umbrellas in hand! Creative and convenient.

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