Lanvin does Zumba

So we're all used to seeing models all made up, strutting their stuff on the catwalk, right? Well this video campaign from Lanvin reveals a whole new side to the glamorous creatures as they awkwardly dance themselves through a Zumba workout.

How I would love to look so sleek when doing a workout in my designer best!

Summer tights (or how to be fashion-friendly in the rain)

It's probably some kind of sin to be writing about tights in August but with the horrible British weather apparently sticking around, tights, it seems, are the way forward. So while the sun refuses to make an appearance, stay chic with these lovely leg warmers.

Images from ASOS, Topshop, River Island and mytights.com

1. Pieces ibrock colour block tights, £12, asos.com
2. Wolford bonny dot tights, £33, asos.com
3. Emilio Cavallini net top tights, £19, Asos;
4. Manoush thick wool tights with embroidered pattern, £48, asos.com
5. Scallop over the knee tights, £8.50, Topshop

6. Pamela Mann colour stripe tights, £8.49, mytights.com

7. Black polka dot tights, £8, River Island

8. Black bandage tights, £10, River Island

Pantone colours for Autumn/Winter 2011

Back in February Pantone released their colour forecast for AW11 based on the trends of London Fashion Week.

Image (c) Pantone

We all fall prey to the dull colour monster during winter months so it's refreshing to see bright yellows and pinks sticking around for another season.

To see the full Pantone analysis, check out their website.

Make your own friendship bracelets

All summer long I've been shocked by the prices of friendship bracelets on the high street. I was on yet another surely-it-does-not-cost-six-bloomin-quid-to-tie-together-a-few-bits-of-string rant yesterday when I remembered this little gem: how to make your own friendship bracelets. 

 

I put it together a few months ago for Wonder Girl (so apologies, it does read like a kids' vid) but for everyone who has forgotten this playground art, here's a 1min 46 reminder. Enjoy!

Reading list: Elle Collections and Wallpaper*

As we all know, fashion is dominated by magazines and I've just finished two of my favourites: Elle Collections and the Wallpaper* handmade issue. If you haven't managed to pick up a copy of either yet I've put together a little review to entice you into buying what truly are two of the best magazines of the year. 

Click through to read what I thought...

Girls on bikes promo from 3.1 Phillip Lim

What with today being the start of my latest fitness kick, I thought I'd pop up this lovely promotional video from 3.1 Phillip Lim. Shot on the streets of San Francisco, the Autumn/Winter 2011 collection is set to an electropop soundtrack by Kraftwerk. 

Even though this look probably isn't suitable for your every day bike ride (this morning I was definitely more beetroot faced than these glamorous ladies), I can't help but fantasize about gliding round town in some of these gorgeous Lim heels.

How to create Topshop's dalmatian nail art

Topshop Unique's AW11 show drove me positively dotty (first and last pun I promise!) at London Fashion Week last February. Not only were there some fantastic 1930s style garments being paraded down the catwalk, the show also featured my favourite beauty trend of the British shows.

Topshop's delightfully dotty nail art on show at LFW
Image from hidayahgoh.tumblr.com

Thank you Vogue!

Don't worry, I'm not about to parade down the street with hair buns and whiskers on my cheeks. I am however currently modelling the dalmatian nail art look created by Sophy Robson for Topshop and featured in the August 2011 issue of Vogue UK. Following Sophy's simple guide, even a total nail art novice like me was able to work the catwalk trend.

Step One

File and buff your nails to get an even surface then paint with an opaque white. Not wanting to duplicate colours in my ever growing nail varnish collection, I used a Boots' 17 pearly white picked up a few years back for the base and a 17 black in nightshade.

If you need to stock up, I have heard good things about the Topshop paints themselves too: their Cloak & dagger and White lie paints are great for only £5 each.

Step Two

Once the white coat is dry, Sophy suggests using the black to create different sized blobs on your nails to make the pattern seem more authentic. I went for a sparser pattern than seen on the models at LFW, alternating between using the tip and side of the brush to create different size and shape splodges.

Step Three

When dry, paint over the pattern with a quick-dry top coat - according to the Vogue feature, Sophy's failsafe clear varnish is Seche Vite.

And there you go! Cute canine nails to compliment your AW11 wardrobe.

Want to relive the AW11 show? Watch this lovely little video from the Topshop team, featuring interviews with the Unique collection's creators.