Adidas For London Underground

by Amanda // December 6, 2018 // Comments off

Adidas Originals have teamed up with TFL – that’s Transport for London – in celebration of the London Underground network, just in time for Christmas.

This range has been designed to celebrate the steeped-in-history transport infrastructure that binds Londoners together. Ten new shoe designs have been launched for December and you need to snap-up your faves ASAP.

The first release features 4 iconic Adidas silhouettes, re-designed to celebrate the upcoming Elizabeth line which is due to open next year. They come in the purple palette of the new London line.

The 4 Adidas styles getting a purple and gold upgrade are the FALCON, GAZELLE, SAMBA ROSE AND STAN SMITH all available at www.adidas.co.uk, Adidas Originals stores and select retailers, from £75 – £85.

The second Adidas Originals release is 6 pairs of new Continental 80s– 12 individual shoes featuring one of twelve underground roundels on the heel tab. Every pair is dedicated to two underground stations…

The ‘LONDON UNDERGROUND’ CONTINENTAL 80s are available at www.adidas.co.uk , adidas Originals stores and select retailers for £75.

Whether or not you’re a Londoner, these are a very cool addition to anyone’s 2019 wardrobe.

Lush Lotion For Insomniacs

by Amanda // December 6, 2018 // Comments off

Just one sleepless night is enough to drive me into total meltdown, so my thoughts go out to insomniacs across the globe.

When you can’t sleep at night, you feel like you’re the only person in the world still awake. Lying there recounting every embarrassing thing you’ve ever done in your entire life and refreshing your Instagram for the third time, plus googling the reasons why you’re awake at 3am.

If that sounds familiar, I have a solution for you. And it isn’t a bottle of Night Nurse or a month’s supply of sleeping pills.

Introducing the body lotion that insomniacs swear by, which is also the perfect Christmas present to stash under the tree.

Lush Sleepy Body Lotion, uk.lush.com, £7.95-£13.95

Sleepy by Lush is a cocoa butter and oatmeal body lotion, infused with lavender oil, tonka absolute and ylang ylang oil. Lush boldly claim that you will “sleep well” after using it. Backed up by reviews such as these:

“As someone with an incurable and not so common chronic illnesses which result in chronic pain and insomnia because of the pain, sleepy lotion is the one product that can actually help me through the worst of my nights.”

“Sleepy absolutely helps with my insomnia”

“Sleepy because it smells like happiness, gives me good dreams, and makes me soft like a baby’s butt”

“I used to take anxiety medication for 11 years and had to stop recently which was pretty terrible. But I found that using and smelling Sleepy can help my anxiety not be as bad. It’s such a relaxing scent and I love using it!”

“Smells amazing!! It actually works! I was sceptical at first but it actually works!”

In fact, Sleepy has proven so popular that Lush made it a permanent item in their line, after its original release as a limited edition.

Sleepy is available in two sizes (95g, £7.95 and 215g, £13.95), available from Lush online and in-store.

The Puffa Dress

by Amanda // December 6, 2018 // Comments off

Dressing in the winter can at times be difficult. Depending on the day, there’s rain, snow, or a bitter Antarctica-cold wind. Of course, clearly I’m talking about the UK here and not sunnier Mediterranean climes.

In the UK winter you might as well forget it, if you have to dress up to go somewhere fancy, and wait until spring. That is until now.

The Italian brand Moncler – who designed probably the only chic puffer coats in the world of fashion – has gone and created a cross between a puffer jacket and a dress. The Puffer Dress.

The Down-Quilted Long Puffer Dress comes in cobalt blue or pink. They’re sleeveless with a high neckline and hidden zip in the back. If you have your heart set on becoming the proud owner of one of these babies, take a deep breath and check the limit on your credit card. They come in at a distinctly ‘puffed up’ £2,115.

On the plus side, comparatively-speaking, the green gloves pictured above are a snip at £1,170.

My first thought when I saw these dresses was how insane they are. But the more I look, the more “genius” I consider them to be. So, if you think they’re ridiculous, just keep looking at them and eventually the puffed-up penny will drop.

… a word from the Editor

by Amanda // November 30, 2018 // Comments off

Festive greetings Zipsters. We’re officially on the countdown to Christmas. Which means shopping for socks, getting tied up in tinsel and pretending to like Christmas cake. And of course, Mariah Carey.

Love it or loathe it, it’s the most wonderful time of the year for kiddies. When it comes to presents, they’re easy to satisfy. But what about your significant other half, or male and female family members, in that often thankless quest for gift originality?

In this week’s edition, we zip up the ultimate gift guide for Him and Her.

As it’s party season, it’s time to think about that special outfit to epitomise the glitz and glamour of this sparkling time of the year.

For us girls, to avoid defaulting to the trusty LBD (or ‘little black dress’), I ran a little poll on my page, asking girls to nominate their favourite combination of ‘fabrics and looks’ for Christmas and NYE festivities.

Nominated combination options were: Feathers & Metallics versus Velvet & Sequins. I used pictures of my style icon as an example (Kate rocks everything, to be fair) and the overall winner seemed to be velvet and sequins.

So, my suggestion for an eye catching, stylish and timeless ensemble would be a black sequined dress or jumpsuit with a velvet blazer or cape. Velvet is creeping into Zara and Mango right now so it’s time to whip out the plastic. Don’t necessarily opt for all black – dark blue or lilac works a treat too. The sequins should be black or silver only. If you don’t facy that then satin and fur looks awesome too.

Don’t look like everyone else at the office party – think Studio 54 my disco darlings.

On the subject of Kate Moss, in this instalment we check out the Christmas jumper she’ll be wearing this year – one we can all wear too – meanwhile supporting a very worthwhile charity.

Happy shopping everyone.

Save the Children Christmas Jumper

by Amanda // November 30, 2018 // Comments off

Hands up who finds the ‘Christmas Jumper’ a guilty pleasure? OK, not all of you, but I do see some hands creeping up. They’re often cheap, nasty and cringeworthy, but many of us still wear them during a shameless two week seasonal window, right?

Edging the concept a little closer to fashion acceptability, here are (probably) the most tasteful seasonal sweaters for 2018. Plus, they’re in aid of Save The Children.

Celebrities including style icon Kate Moss, singer Liam Payne, Mo Farah, Erin O’Connor, Luke Evans and David Gandy are encouraging you to start thinking “Xmas sweater”.

These famous faces have joined forces to support Save The Children, to celebrate the seventh annual “Christmas Jumper Day”, taking place on December 14 to help raise money for vulnerable children around the world.

The charity has teamed up with Selfish Mother, founder of The FMLY Store, to create a range of simple stylish jumpers, which over the past two years have raised £150k. In fact, dare I say it, they’re so stylish you could wear them all year round.

The unisex £55 sweatshirts come in both striking red and minimal black, each of the four designs adorned with a fitting festive phrase: ‘love’, ‘hope’, ‘peace’ and ‘joy’.

The organisation explained on its Instagram: “You’ll look fabulous and feel great as 50% of the cost goes towards our work helping children around the world.”

You can pre-order a jumper now exclusively at theFMLYstore.com

Xmas Gifts For Her

by Amanda // November 30, 2018 // Comments off

It’s that time of the year again. Christmas shopping for HER can be a real pain, what do you buy your Mum, Wife, Sister or BFF? To be honest, it’s not as hard to come up with gift ideas for women as you might think.

If you’re a man who likes living on the edge, you could lazily ransack the nearest John Lewis with less than 48-hours to go until the big day, plus get it all done with enough time to spare for a few festive pints. But finding presents they’ll actually like and not just stuff they’ll give away next Christmas? Well, that’s a different beast entirely.

I’ve rounded up 10 of the best gifts for you to give to the ladies in your life, whatever their taste, and however deep your pockets.

A Makeup Gift Set

Unless you live on some tropical island, there’s a fair chance the ladies in your life will have lost their summer glow by the 25^thDecember. Thankfully, makeup gods Benefit has put together all the essentials to make her feel she’s been wintering on the Costa Del Sol, not Coventry.

Benefit

A Cashmere Scarf

For a simple touch of luxury, a cashmere scarf can do more than just keep her warm. Pick the right style and you can also help her accessorise just about any outfit.

M&S

A Roll-Neck Jumper

Sure, every girl likes to get glammed up on Christmas Day, but the day after is all about being cosy. This ultra-comfy jumper is the ultimate option, and there are bonus points for buying grey – this winter’s must have colour.

Zara

Statement Earrings

Here’s some inside knowledge: big earrings that resemble something your Grandma might wear have been having a bit of a moment in womenswear. This pair will make her the fashion alpha in the room over the festive season.

Zara

A Camisole Top

‘How to buy clothes for women’ is the most searched for thing on Google. Well, out of the PG ones, anyway. All you need to know is that you can rarely go wrong with jeans and a nice top. Here’s one half of the puzzle sorted, a little black camisole top, to keep you both happy.

M&S

Luxury Lingerie

Christmas is the occasion to splash out and we guarantee it’ll be well received. All women love beautiful lingerie – just like men. Choose lace and satin in festive green and red.

M&S

An Eye Mask

We need to let you in on a secret, guys: lingerie isn’t just about the stuff you want to see her in. It also covers bedroom accessories that come in useful for getting much needed kip, like a silky mask that’s guaranteed to deliver eight hours of uninterrupted beauty sleep.

Amazon

A Pair of Red Leather Gloves

There’s nothing fashionable about frostbite, making gloves an easy Christmas gift idea year after year. Slightly more stylish than woolly gloves on string would be a combination of smooth suede and shiny leather in nothing other than RED.

Amazon

Pyjamas

PJs may be the mainstay of Christmas, but that doesn’t mean they have to be boring. All girls love PJs, whether men like it or not. I know my other half hates them, but that doesn’t stop me snuggling up in a set. Victoria’s Secret always make sure sleepwear is done right.

Victoria’s Secret

An Iconic Perfume

Chanel No. 5 has been a men’s gifting go-to for decades, but now there’s a new bottle in town. The French label’s first new fragrance in 15 years, the equally floral Gabrielleis being tipped to take the crown, so get it while you can. If not – No.5is always a winning choice.

Xmas Gifts For Him

by Amanda // November 30, 2018 // Comments off

Are you are stuck for what to get the man in your life, be it a boyfriend, husband, friend, or dad. Usually a bottle of Grey Goose or Calvin Klein pants would be the answer.

But I’ve found a number of present suggestions for all budgets for HIM from Barbour leather wallets, to books and phone cases. So, no matter what your man is into, here’s 10 suggestions we’ve Zipped up.

Brief Answers to the Big Questions: The final book from Stephen Hawking, £14.99

Stephen Hawking’s final book ‘Brief Answers to the Big Questions’ is sure to be one of the most interesting reads this Christmas. Looking into some of his biggest questions such as what is inside a black hole, or how to colonise space, it’s definitely a book for the intellectually curious.

Tech21 Smartphone case, £29.95

If he’s just dropped a shit load of cash on a new iPhone, then it’s worth getting them a case that will protect it from those ineviatable bumps and scratches.

The tech21 cases have 10ft drop protection without jeopardising the style and design. They are available in a number models too.

adidas Originals Gazelle trainers, £69.95

Need some fresh creps? Available in a range of colours, these adidas Gazelle’s should be top of your list for him. You can’t go wrong with a pair of Gazelles, and they won’t break the bank either.

ION Max LP Conversion Turntable with Speakers, £69.99

Music fans will love this. A perfect ‘first’ or return to the turntable, this one isn’t too expensive, and won’t ruin your vinyl, if you have any. There’s also the option to transfer your records to PC or MAC easily if you still have a record you want to preserve forever.

Black Holdall Bag, £16by BooHoo Men

This smart holdall is the perfect finishing touch to any look. Made from leather, it’s a smart addition to his wardrobe and is perfect for day to day use and weekend trips to Ibiza.

Red Dead Redemption 2, £49.99

Is your guy a gamer? It’s one of the hottest games this year, but if he hasn’t got it yet then it’s sure to make a great present – although you might have to pry them away for Christmas dinner.

Paul Smith Socks £50

This is a pack of three socks, not one, and although that still seems pricey, these socks are a real treat for his feet. They come in a range of bright colours and patterns and can be worn everyday or saved for best. Please keep them paired up when you come to wash them.

Barbour grain leather wallet in black, £49.95

This stylish leather wallet is a great new update to his wardrobe. It’ll go with everything and give him a flash place to store his cash whilst still looking smart. Or cards – does anyone carry cash these days?

Portugese Shave Brush, £26

Throw that shaving foam in the bin. This brush will vastly improve his shave and will look impressive in the bathroom too. Only for the NON-HIPSTERS out there.

Kindle Paperwhite £119.99

The new Kindle Paperwhite is perfect if he loves reading. With more storage, built in Audible, he can enjoy more books, comics, magazines, and newspapers than before. Plus it’s waterproof – perfect if you’re Balearic bound soon.

… a word from the Editor

by Amanda // November 23, 2018 // Comments off

Welcome to the countdown to Christmas. It’s exactly a month away, so if you’re not of the “dead early” nor the “last-minute” variety, it’s time to start plotting your pressie strategy right now.

Luckily, just in time for the festive season, today is Black Friday followed by Cyber Monday. Yes, bargains everywhere.

Amazon has reduced almost everything it sells, but if you’re looking for something a bit quirkier for your loved one(s), then HBLondon have reduced their personalised phone cases, made famous by Victoria Beckham from £45 down to £34. These are perfect gifts, but you need to get your order in today in time for Xmas.

In this week’s instalment we have an exclusive interview with Danny Gould of Clockwork Orange fame, Ask Aurora investigates nude beauty and some cheeky secret Santa stocking fillers promise to make you smile.

Intimate Xmas Lights

by Amanda // November 23, 2018 // Comments off

Boohoo.com have done it again. At just £4, they’re a bit of a bargain if you happen to fancy decking out your boobs in festive fashion for the holiday season. They would also make a funny secret Santa gift for your mates.

But I’m not quite sure what to make of the quirky nipple stickers. In fact, I’m rather confused about why they exist. For a (very un-PC) office Xmas party?

It’s worth noting that Boohoo recommends that you perform a skin test 24 hours before wearing the nipple stickers and that you don’t wear them for over eight hours – so no falling asleep before peeling them off.

If you want festive nipple covers, but green and red tinsel pompoms aren’t your style, Boohoo is also selling them shaped like sparkly red presents.

And it’s not just the girls who are likely to look stupid this Christmas. Guys can now give their facial hair a festive overhaul with fairy lights.

On sale now is 18 nano lights for your beard, which change colour and flash – the perfect way to add a touch of pizzazz to your ’tache. The £10.99 set clips easily into beard hair but a word of caution, these lights should not be worn on a wet beard or outdoors for safety reasons. Likewise, you should probably avoid dousing them with beer or wine. A touch safety challenge during the Christmas festivities.

The lights come suspended on a 90cm cable (suitable for even a Gandalf-sized beard), which clips onto hair “painlessly”.

So, girls and boys, if you’re hammered enough to carry these off, good luck to you. Make sure you take plenty of festive pics, to remember the occasion.

Available at www.firefox.com

Ask Aurora – Nude Awakenings

by Amanda // November 23, 2018 // Comments off

Nude Awakening!

Yes, it’s nearly Christmas. The snow is about to fall. We either have the flu or the fear of the flu. I myself am beginning to have skin struggles in the Scandinavian winter winds. But thanks to an ever-expanding make-up collection, I’ve avoided walking around with the dreaded “pink-eye”!

Redness under the eyes and eyelines is at its bitchy worst at this time of year, when we are tired, freezing and stressed out from shopping. These days, we are being encouraged to brighten our peepers for a more awake look by lining our inner eyes in white or nude. So, as it’s Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday, I am going to share with you the little handbag heroes for which I give thanks. And they are all Meghan-Markle approved – well, if it’s good enough for the Duchess….

So ditch the aging black eyeliners and behold, their Royal “Eyenesses” – the Nude Eyeliners I rate this holiday season!