Top Ten: Dum dum di dum...

The squealing has begun in the office - the day is finally here. We've dressed-up in our English Eccentric best, and the kettle is on. Before I leave you to get lost in royal matrimony mania - here's today's top ten: Wedding Memorabilia.

It truly never ceases to amaze me what people come-up with... Stuff you never knew you wanted, and never will, but you get caught-up in the moment, and they make money out of it. So, here it goes - my pick of an utterly useless bunch:

First up, a crest from Anya Hindmarch which you can have out on absolutely anything you want...how nice!

If you're staying-in, relax with some Twinings Royal Wedding Commemorative Tea Blend and a Buiscuiteers Royal Wedding Biscuit Tin.... (I must confess, I would drink the tea, and eat the biccies)

There are also lovely bits for your house..

Tea Towels from Cath Kidston and Oliver Bonas

Halcyon Days China - these are great for people with the initails CW

Funny, but true posters from Not on the Highstreet

and Oliver Bonas matches (one begs the question...WHY?)

If you are lucky enough to be there, and are heading-out. Firstly, I'm not speaking to you, and secondly, don't leave home without:

Your Cath Kidston key ring

Your French Sole pumps (Hugh Hefner is a big fan)

Marks & Spencer brolly

and don't forget to put this on the dog from Mr and Mrs Wales (yes, that's an actual website)

But if these were all just too tasteful for you, you could always get some naff coasters or Crown Jewels - Condoms of Distinction (yes, really)...

or, my absolute favourite - William and Catherine nail art. Class-say!

Pinkies out, noses up and pip pip horah!

Good enough to eat...

Crabtree & Evelyn have recently launched a new collection: Citron. And I have to say, I'm more than a little addicted!

Honey and coriander notes are added to the lemon scent to deliver the most deliciously divine fragrance in the 9 to-die-for products in the range. Take your pick from: Refreshing Body Bar, R220 (for 3); Skin Cleansing Bath and Shower Gel, R250; Indulging Body Soufflé, R350; Skin Quenching Body Lotion, R250; Skin Smoothing Body Scrub, R275 (I could actually eat the whole tub); Creamy Hand Cleanser, R260; Deep Cleansing Hand Wash, R260; Hand Recovery, R270 and, my favourite, Hand Therapy, R290.

Buy online here, or at one of the 8 stores around the country.

Browns bag delight

Style destination, Browns is launching their own bag range. Founded in 1970 by Joan and Sidney Burstein, the store has gone from a small boutique at 27 South Molton Street, to being a style utopia, which spans from 23-27 in the same street.

This latest launch is a collaboration with designer, Melissa Lloyd Maish. The first bag, the Melissa, is manufactured in Italy using only the best Italian leather and has a silk lining which sports the store’s logo, and you can choose to have it in this grey or a deep terracotta. It will be available at Browns from May and will retail for £750.

A spot of bother...

As I sit in bed, drinking my first coffee of the day, and eating my 573^rd Easter egg in 4 days, I feel the need to tell you about my 2 favourite spot busting treatments.

That is besides Roaccutane, which changed my life! I know there has been bad press about it, but after 10 years of bad skin, tons of tablets, gallons of nasty solutions and more tears and suffering than was ever necessary, Roaccutane cleared-up my skin in weeks. So if you have problem skin (not one caused by chocolate and the like), I would advise you get yourself a fantastic dermatologist (I go to Dr de Kock at Constantiaberg), and give it a try.

But for those of you who, like me, have short term egg and bunny induced breakouts, try Elixir Purifying Spot Treatment, R35 ( buy online ) or Clarins Stop Blemish Control, R195.95, both will get rid of your spots in a day or two.

You could also stop with the chocolate, but where's the fun in that?

Vintage sale

You might have noticed that I love a vintage market/sale/shop.
So just letting you know that there is another one tomorrow afternoon at Beleza (corner of Kloof and Burnside) from 17h00 - 19h00.
There will be vintage pieces from R20 as well as free snacks and cocktails - does a girl need anymore reasons?

Top Ten: Nautical

My father is setting sail across the Atlantic again today in search of summer sun. Cape Town in April has proved far too cold for him. In honour of this, today’s top ten is the top ten products for the perfect nautical look. (Not my father’s, you understand).

So anchors away, fair winds and following seas to the Muirsheen Durkin!

1.      Bvlgari Sunglasses, R3520, Sunglass Hut

2.      Chanel Inimitable Waterproof Mascara in Noir, R295

3.      Clarins Glossy Nail Colour in Clarins Red, R145

4.      Country Road Flare Leg Trousers, R1199, Woolworths

5.      MAC Lipstick in Lady Bug, R155

6.      Physicians Formula Eyedefiner Felt Tip Eye Marker in Ultra Black, R125

7.      Daniel Hechter Breton Top, R299, Truworths

8.      Elma Wedge Boots, R799, Zoom

9.      Skin Doctors Supermoist SPF30+, R545

10.   Polo Capri Tote Shopper, R595, Luggage Warehouse

An oldie but a goodie

This has to be my favourite product of all time. I use it every single day... on my lips, on my cuticles, on any dry skin, on insect bites, and on my animals.

Invented by Elizabeth Arden in 1930 for her Thoroughbreds’ legs, this cream has evolved from a skin salve into an entire skin care range.

As well as the original Skin Protectant, a Lip Protectant Stick (with tinted variants), Intensive Daily Moisturizer for Face SPF15, Sun Defense for Face SPF50, Intensive Moisturizing Hand Treatment and Intensive Moisturizing Body Treatment are now also available.

Happy birthday Dazed and Bemused!

Wishing my Dazed and Bemused friend, Gina the happiest birthday!
Knew you'd love this:

Follow her at: Tales of the dazed and bemused

La Dolce (& Gabbana) Vita!

I adore Dolce & Gabbana’s make-up adverts, but they might just have out-done themselves this time...

Could this woman get any more beautiful? Scarlett Johansson looks incredible for Dolce & Gabbana Make-up Summer Look 2011.

The design dynamo duo teamed-up with make-up artist Pat McGrath to create the range, which is inspired by their Summer 2011 runway collection. The range is called Italian Summertime, and the palette consists of sumptuous, natural shades and peony pinks. See it online at Dolce & Gabbana

In full bloom

Spanish brand, Loewe has just released their latest handbag collection. Named after and inspired by Cherry Blossom - perfect shades of pink are complimented by off-white to create beautiful arm candy! Can you say, ‘Ob-sessed!’

In the bag

Got myself one of these Union Jack Weekenders from Accessorize this weekend. Love it!

Getting a little touchy

There has been much hype of late about retouching in adverts and shoots. So much so that two advertising standards boards in the UK have released guidelines on what should and shouldn’t be done to an advertising image to avoid false advertising etc. For the time being these are only guidelines, and they cannot enforce them, but companies who do not comply might be open to criticism.

I personally have never really had a problem with it, as I feel they are aspirational. Readers always tell you that they want to see real people gracing the pages of glossy magazines, but they actually don’t. Magazines always get a good response to make-over and real people issues, but are then asked when they will be doing ‘normal’ shoots again. People like the idea of mere mortals being able to tread where only the glamazons dare to, but when it comes down to it, even they concede that a floor length McQueen gown does look better on a 6 foot, slender model than on 5 foot Joanne Blogs from where ever. And really, if you’re bleating about how retouched an image is, or that the model in a mascara advert is wearing false lashes, what exactly is the problem? You know all this, so why do you feel so dooped?

But having said that, I do feel that the quality of the retouching has gone a little down-hill, and models are beginning to look like extras from Mars Attacks. Retouching should be well done, and at least be believable.

With all this in mind, something quite remarkable has happened – the world’s first un-retouched foundation advert. Make-Up Forever’s HD High Definition Foundation advert has launched in the States to much acclaim.

I think it’s great, but then again, why wouldn’t a 17 year old with good skin sell a foundation?

Friday Top Ten - Red Lipstick

I wish I had a Rand for every time I heard, ‘I can’t wear red lipstick.’ Yes, you can! It’s just a matter of being brave, and finding the correct shade for your skin tone. Yellow tones should opt for warm reds with brown undertones, while pink or red tones can go for colder shades with blue undertones. Make sure your lips are well conditioned, and keep the rest of your make-up low key.

Be brave, and have a red lip weekend!

1.      MAC Pro Longwear Lipcreme in Extended Play

2.      Clinique High Impact Lip Colour SPF15 in Red-Y to Wear

3.      Dior Rouge Dior in 999

4.      The Body Shop Colourglide Lip Colour in Brilliant Red

5.      Revlon ColorBurst Lipstick in True Red

6.      Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Diva Red

7.      Yardley Colour Rush Lipstick in Revolution Red

8.      Maybelline Color Sensational Lipcolor in Red Revival

9.      L’Oreal Color Riche Lipstick in Burning Rose

10.   Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge in Rouge Odyssee

Quite Cute? Too cute!

I adore MAC collections, and the latest: Quite Cute – is actually the cutest one ever! They’ve taken their 3 most popular pastel shades for eyes, lips, cheeks and nails, and ‘cute-ified’ them to within an inch of their lives. I heart the heart Mineralize Blush the most! Available now at all MAC locations.

Easter shopping

I'm going to have a look at this market on Saturday...

Pedi:Mani:Cure Studio by Bastien Gonzalez

Hand and foot man extraordinaire, Bastien Gonzalez has his own studio at the Spa at the One & Only in Cape Town.

He’s treated the hands and feet of many a Hollywood starlet, and I‘ve been lucky enough to have a pedicure from the man himself.

It was incredible! My feet felt like the day I was born and my nails shone for weeks!

The Cape Town studio is running an Easter special offer for the month of April: Cocoa Mani and Pedi treatments – better than eggs, non?

Call 021.431.5810 for more info, or to book.

Camel chic

My friend, and Fashion Editor at rooi rose Magazine, Susra Morkel did this incredible shoot for the May issue. I love the moody feel.
Photographs: Johan Wilke. Model: Kira, Fusion Models. Shot on location at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve

Sorry Mr Bank Manager!

Just saw this on Heart.co.uk:

'Scientists found that those who often hit the shops tend to live to a riper age than those who don't.
Those who shopped every day were 27 per cent less likely to die compared to those who never shopped, or who went less than once a week.

The study, which was carried out over a 10-year period, also found that older men are particularly likely to benefit from frequently going out to purchase their goods.

In conclusion it stated: "Shopping captures several dimensions of personal wellbeing, health and security as well as contributing to the community's cohesiveness and economy, and may represent or actually confer increased longevity."'

Just confirming what we always knew!

Bad Pucci

I got my Zoe Report delivered to my inbox this morning, and I usually agree with everything she says, but today...not so much.

This dress is from Pucci’s Spring/Summer 2011 Collection, and my question to you is: Would you or wouldn’t you? A white maxi crochet dress, even if it’s Pucci?

I really wouldn’t.

Click here to get the Zoe Report.

The new IT cut

There's a new haircut on the block - the lob (long bob - who comes up with these?). As I'm actually sporting a 'lob' at the moment, I can say that it's a very versatile cut, and  I love it! You can wear it sleek and straight like Claire; curl it like Kerry; or go more rock-chic with it a la Alba. Fringes optional.

Friday Top Ten - Tinted Moisturisers

It’s going to be a warm one this weekend, one of the last few of the season *)sad face(*

A great way to look fabulous while being protected is to wear a tinted moisturiser with SPF.

Here’re my Top Ten Friday Tinted Moisturisers:

1.      Invisible Zinc Tinted Day Wear Light SPF30

2.      Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish Mineral Tinted Moisturizer SPF15

3.      DermaFix Tinted Moisture SPF25

4.      Nutri-Women Sun Perfect Defense SPF30

5.      Physicians Formula Organic Wear Tinted Moisturiser SPF15

6.      MAC Studio Moisture Tint SPF15

7.      Dermalogica Sheer Tint Moisture

8.      Anesi Beaute Tinted Sun protection SPF30

9.      Nimue Sun-C Tinted SPF30

10.   !QMS Medicosmetics Sport Active Cream SPF15

New Paul Smith

New Paul Smith fragrances - Optimistic for Men and Women hit stores today.

Pop of pink!

Today, being Phuza Thursday, I’m getting myself ready for the weekend by sporting bright pink lips! The latest trend leans toward a more matte look, but make sure your lips are in great condition – otherwise they’ll look cakey!                                                                              
My favourite is MAC Pro Longwear Lip Creme in Love Forever, but Rimmel and Dior also have great ones.

Lasharazzi

My latest beauty crush is UBU Lasharazzi Eyelash Curlers. R49.99 (exclusive to Clicks)

I must admit that until recently no other curlers could make me stray from my beloved MAC ones, but these babies curl like nothing earth!