Nathan & Moe

The last thing I need is to find another jewellery line that I love. Jewellery's not like clothing or shoes, where I can manage to justify the necessity to myself and to my husband. But. there I am, sitting in front of my computer, googling Nathan & Moe.

What I found were flower necklaces that were pretty without being too girlie, crystal and chain embellished ribbons, and crystal encrusted bangles. My favourite items, though, were from the Spikes collection - necklaces, bangles and rings all adorned with slender spikes. The company is based in the US, and so far the only place I've found to buy is the Gift Library. I've got the snake ring and the spike earrings on my wish list.

To see styles, visit the Nathan & Moe website.

What is Scottish Style?

I don’t know, and the question was not answered at the Scottish Style awards, because the most stylish female award went to a Scottish actress who works in LA, not to Glasgow’s own Queen Michelle, who I felt was a far better, more interesting choice, and perhaps more reflective of the diversity of style in Scotland.

But it was a fun night. I and fellow blogger MBK (from Food-e Glasgow) drank our body weight in champagne and watched all the amazingly dressed people swishing by and air kissing. There was basically a sea of sequins filling the Old Fruitmarket. I was far less amazingly dressed, as, after changing my clothes about 20 times, I finally settled on black jeans, black heels from Office, my grey chiffon Grecian twist top from ASOS, and a silver cardigan I had purchased at TK Maxx at the weekend. It sounds like something I could wear to work, doesn’t it? But I topped it off with my sparkly headband, which always makes me feel like a princess, and I had my butter soft Halston clutch under my arm, the fashion equivalent of Dutch courage.

Congrats to Sophie Ellis Bextor who did a splendid job for her first time presenting an award show, and to Deryck Walker for giving history’s most drunken, incomprehensible acceptance speech. And to all the up-and-coming designers involved in the New Talent Runway Show – there were some gorgeous pieces. I tried taking photos but all I had was my iPhone, which doesn’t have a flash, so the images are a bit difficult to decipher, so I'll only post a few, but they won't do justice to the clothes. But there were gorgeous, flowing, silk jersey floor length dresses by Francesca Chiorando, with soft digital prints; lady-like leather with a hard edge by Keira Thorley; laser-cut head pieces by Jen Groundwater, and intriguing concoctions of rubber, chiffon, lace and jersey by Rachael Barrett. The Runway shows were the highlight of the night, and worth all the agonising over wardrobe earlier in the evening.

From Rachael Barrett's story (above)


And Keira Thorley's (above)


And Jen Groundwater's (above)

And Francesca Chiorando's (above)

November wish list

Schlepping around the shops to find myself an outfit for the Scotland Style Awards reminded me of why I love online shopping: no crowds, no carrying, no rain. As much as I love Glasgow, and I love the thrill of the hunt that is shopping in actual stores, sometimes it’s just better to buy things online.

So this month’s wish list is all from online stores:

Trousers from Long Tall Sally
LTS has failed to keep up with an increasingly design-savy public, and this whole ‘Lisa Loves’ business leaves me cold (Is it just me? Who is this woman?). That said, I love the British heritage feel of these Serro check trousers. I didn’t see them when I was in the Glasgow store on Friday, but they’re online.

Cashmere throw from ME&EM
This throw will be perfect for that train ride down to London this Christmas. There’s really nothing nicer in winter than cashmere. And right now, they’re offering a 15% discount with code ME15 if you order by 14th November.

Clutch from Anya Hindmarch
Remarkably, there are still some sale items on the Anya Hindmarch website. My favourite item is this Wilde clutch in tan glace leather.

Skin care products from Origins
I bought some face wash from Origins in John Lewis at the weekend, and they gave me 2 samples – both of which I tried and am keen to try again. Now that it’s colder and my skin is a bit dryer, and the darkness makes me tired all of the time, I’m looking for a richer eye cream. Origins GinZing Refreshing eye cream to brighten and depuff feels and smells lovely, and I don’t know if it’s just the power of suggestion, but I did think my eyes looked a bit brighter after using it. The other product I tried was Modern Friction, a ‘natural’ dermabrasion scrub. I was alittle concerned at first, as visions of a neurotic former Seventeen model I had gone to university with floated through my mind. She had come to acting class once looking like the victim of some sort of medical experiment, with cracked, bleeding skin on her face, the result of dermabrasion. I never understood why she was willing to undergo such discomfort, especially considering she was only in her late teens/early 20s at the time! No thank-you. But I was pleasantly surprised by this Origins scrub. It left my skin feeling fresh, soft and new without any irritation.

Ring from Blaguette
I tend to be a relatively conservative dresser, but I like to go a bit bigger with my accessories. This ring from Blaguette is perfect, particularly as and I’m having a total rose gold moment, and it’s rose gold plating contrasts really nicely with the white cubic zirconias. I also love this black and white version, a nice alternative for evenings out near Christmas.

Converse trainers from Debenhams
I'm wearing holes in the soles of all my trainers, so I want to get these super high tops by Converse which will not only look a bit formidable, but will also keep my ankles warm.

Cardigan from Gap
Unfortunately, to buy one of the gorgeous dip dyed, long line cardigans they're doing at Gap at the moment, I'll actually have to go in-store. But I think it will be worth it.

Concentrate real hard, or my necklace dies

I’m sending my husband psychic messages to buy this Butler & Wilson necklace for me from Sparkle Candy. It’s on sale, so it’s only £25! So anyone who reads this, help concentrate the ‘buy me’ energy his way. It’s sort of like in Peter Pan when the audience has to applaud loud enough to bring Tinker Bell back to life. If you wish really hard, maybe I’ll get that necklace.

Let me know what you want, and I’ll do the same for you.

Smell yummy for less

40% off Jo Wood Organics at Puresha. Hurry! The deal ends at midnight tonight.

Also, if you're in the market for some of the exlcusive brands sold at Zuneta, they're offering free upgrade to next day delivery until January, so your orders won't be affected by mail strikes.

Luxury at Blythswood Square

Ever in search of glamorous places for a cocktail or a facial, I’m pretty excited about the opening of the new 5 star hotel in Blytheswood Square. The Townhouse Company are commemorating the location’s previous resident – the Royal Scottish Automobile Club – by maintaining the Salon and Rally Bar. There aren’t any real photos up on the website yet, but the brochure does promise that the hotel will have all the glamour of Monte Carlo Rally, of which the Blytheswood Square location was one of the starting points for the 1955 race. My hope is that this involves sleek mid-century modern/late art deco décor with lots of chrome and velvet. The website does promise a sympathetic refurbishment, with original marble and wood panelling preserved.

The highlight for me will probably be the spa, as this will feature treatment rooms, thermal suites, and vitality pool. And it’s all just a two-minute walk from Sauchiehall Street, which is absolutely crazy on Saturday afternoons, so having a quiet place to hide after shopping will be a welcome treat.

The hotel is due to open at the end of October. For more information, visit the website: www.townhousecompany.com/blythswoodsquare

When the princess of pink met the king of shoes

‘My year in Paris with Christian Louboutin’ – what images does this phrase conjure up in your mind? Lunches at Lauderee? Chic cocktails with Louboutin’s glamorous, high fashion friends? Well, what if that phrase came out of the mouth of Barbie? Okay, aside from the fact that she’s made from injection moulded plastic, and if she was actually speaking to you, you would think you had taken some psychotropic drugs of some description, or at the very least hadn't gotten enough sleep.

But apparently it’s true. Christian Louboutin is to be Barbie’s mentor. At 50, she seems a bit old to me to be mentored. After all the career’s she’s had (doctor, pilot, veterinarian, teacher, astronaut) you’d think she would have figured out what she wants to do by now.

She has worked in the fashion industry before, and made a big splash, too. According to Mattel, ‘as model or muse, Barbie has relationships with more than 70 of the biggest names in fashion. From Calvin to Cartier, Gucci to Galliano, Versace to Vera, they all have something to say about Barbie.’

I don’t yet know how this relationship with the king of shoe designers will play out. I know that Net-a-Porter are getting in on the act, as you can sign up for Christian Louboutin/Barbie updates, but there’s no real information on this yet.

In the mean time, I’ll give you this photo of woman-sized Barbie shoes to contemplate, designed by Louboutin for Barbie's 50th anniversary runway show. The photo comes from Mattel's website.