My survival guide to summer sales

OK, so the summer sales have started earlier on today in France, and despite the fact that they have been in full swing for about two weeks in the UK I think that it is not too late to give you some tips I've learned from my somehow fruitful years in fashion retail:


1. Always check a store return and refund policy for sale items. You will be surprised to find out how many retailers only offer exchange or credit note for sale merchandises;


2. If you are shopping online and are unsure of which size to get, buy both (as long as you can get a full refund for the returned item). You will be able to try them on in the comfort of your own home and won't kick yourself for missing out on the one that might have fitted you better;


3. If the item you want is sold out in your size, don't despair. Wait a couple of days and try again. As suggested above; many women actually buy two sizes of the same items and return the unwanted one within one week of purchase.


4. Keep an eye out for designer brand sales. My-wardrobe.com and net-a-porter.com are great sites that offer up to 50% discount on their first day of sales. You can bag yourself a J Brand denim at the price of a Levi's!


5. Stay away from 'It' items! Buy classics that will still be fashionable the following year.


6. Think ahead! Look for items that are out-of-season as they will be far cheaper (i.e. leather boots, scarf and gloves, knitwear, coats, etc).


7. Sign up for newsletters with your favourite brands. Many offer exclusive access to sales a couple of days before they officially start!


8. Do not go over budget! There is not point in buying clothes that will clock-up your closet if you cannot pay your bills! The stress you will get for being overdrawn is not worth it and believe me, I know what I am talking about!

My summer sales 2012 finds: 
Vivienne Westwood Anglomania and Melissa Lady Dragon shoes in Dove Blue. 
Down to £84.00 from £120.00 at My-Wardrobe.com


Happy shopping!


Vanessa
XOXO

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Product review: Curl Unleashed Curl Defining Creme

A few weeks ago I received a couple of samples from Curl Unleashed; the new natural haircare line from Organic Root Stimulator.

 I've been using the Curl Defining Creme and am loving its creamy texture! For such a rich creme, it dries quite quickly, doesn't leave flakes and defines my coils perfectly. I prefer it to my usual Keracare Defining Custard as my hair feels softer and more moisturized after applying it.


In all honesty, I haven't tried the jelly and DO NOT intend to do so in the near future. I am familiar with the English expression: "Don't knock it until you've tried it" but I have an aversion for gel and every products that can remind me of the gooye texture and here is why.
Do you remember the pinkish/purplish gel from Dark and Lovely we used to use over a decade ago to set and maintain our Halle Berry-like short hairstyle? Hum? 
Well, back in the days I was addicted to that horrible thing and that until the day I realized that it was drying out my already over-permed and over-thinned hair so much that wheat felt like silk compare to my tresses! Well, the day I stopped using that product was the day I sworn to never ever EVER put gel or anything related to it in my hair! I made that promise over 15 years ago and I can now say that this is the only promise from my teenage years I intend to keep!

Sorry, Vanessa

XOXO

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Get inspired!

OK, this is a couple of weeks overdue but a promise is a promise.
I said that I would re-create the outfits worn by Janelle Monae, Emma Stone, Charlize Theron and Emma Watson at the MTV Movie Awards 2012 so, I will do it! 
So far, I have done Emma Watson's and were really pleased with the response. Now, let's take a look at Charlize Theron's red carpet outfit:

So, what do you think? Would you rock this outfit?

Vanessa

XOXO

Shop

* Aqua Bruni origami ress - Asos - £48.00 (Reduced from £120.00!)

* Agenda clutch - Nine West - £48.00

* Military Kite drop earrings - Topshop - £10.00

* Love bracelet - Asos - £6.00

* Miss KG Halle gold sandals - Kurt Geiger - £60.00

* Square stud earrings - Topshop - £10.00

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Hair crush: Yaya DaCosta

Since emerging on our TV screens as the first runner-up on America Next Top Model Season 3, the gorgeous Yaya DaCosta has quietly but surely forged a career as an actress with supporting roles in movies such as Tron Legacy and The Kids are All Right.
She will next be seen in Ma'George; the new movie from the Nigerian/American photographer and filmmaker Andrew Dosunmu.

 Here is a small selection of her red carpet killer hairstyles:

  

Which one is your favourite?


Vanessa
XOXO


Disclaimer: None of the pictures above belong to me. Follow @Etanihearts

Solange Knowles @ Stella McCartney Spring 2013 collection presentation garden party

To celebrate the launch of her pre-Spring/Summer 2013 collection, Ms Stella McCartney threw a star-studded garden party at the 19th Marble Cemetery in NYC. 
The girl of the moment, Solange Knowles, was of course in attendance accompanied with her seven-year-old son, Daniel Julez.

Solange wearing a Stella McCartney paisley-print dress from the SS 2012 collection.

Vanessa
XOXO


Disclaimer: None of the pictures above belong to me. Follow @Etanihearts

Honey & Banana Deep Conditioner Recipe

I've meaning to try out a banana deep conditioner for a while now since many benefits have been attributed to the fruit:

"... Banana is rich in potassium, natural oils, carbohydrates and vitamins that helps in softening the hair and protects the hair's natural elasticity preventing split ends and breakage. Bananas when used for hair has a number of benefits such as it creates manageability, shine, growth and controls dandruff. These are simply the best for hair and the scalp. Bananas enhance the strength, endurance and shine of the hair and can be referred to as the banana food."*


The thought of risking to be left with banana residue in my hair really freaked me out so, I played it safe and bought a can of banana puree from the supermarket in the baby foods aisle .  To create the recipe, I simply added the banana puree (half of the can) and a big tea spoon of honey to my shea butter and EVOO deep conditioner mix. 


I applied the mixture to my wet hair (thank you spray bottle) and cover my head with a plastic cap for an hour. 

 

Result: my hair has never felt so soft and shiny. I wonder how I managed so long without this recipe!


Vanessa
XOXO


*Source: http://www.healthcareveda.com/post/Benefits-of-Banana-for-Hair.aspx

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5 hair tools every new natural needs

Before deciding to go natural you should take a trip down your local beauty supply store and get the following items to get armed with the right tools for this journey.


1. A spray bottle
Moisture is key. To keep your tresses healthy, hydrated and shiny you will learn that water is your new best friend. A spray bottle filled with water will help you replenish your thirsty hair without ruining your hairstyle. Mine is filled with water and Extra Virgin Olive Oil and I use it everyday!


2. A large-toothed comb
To detangle your hair while minimizing breakage (I will always advice to comb or brush hair while still wet).


3. A soft brush
Great tool to create quick coils in 10 minutes on a TWA, and buns and ponytails on longer Fros!


4. A satin bonnet cap
To get a good night sleep without worrying about shrinkage and breakage. 


5. A camera!
Yes, you've heard me correctly: a camera! 
I promise you, you do not want to embark this natural hair journey without recording each step of it! Pictures are a great way to remind you how far you have come!

5 months post-BC

Vanessa
XOXO

Follow @Etanihearts

Beyonce's Paris garde-robe

The Carter-Knowles family was in the city of light last week for the French leg of Jay-Z and Kanye West's Watch the Throne tour. 

Beyoncé provided some entertainment on herself by stepping out of her hotel in a series of killer outfits and sending the horde of paparazzi diligently waiting for her in a total frenzy.

1. Beyonce wearing a DSquared black and red tuxedo jacket, J Brand skinny leather pants, Alexander McQueen "Demanta" clutch, and Tom Ford gold chain ankle strap wedges
2. Wearing a Carven shirt, Vionnet trousers and Christian Louboutin pointed courts
3. Wearing Spring to Air jacket, t-shirt and shorts, Alexander McQueen "Demanta" clutch, Prada "Tail Light" jewel toes wedges and The Row for Mia Farrow sunglasses


Which look do you like best?


Vanessa
XOXO




Disclaimer: None of the pictures above belong to me. Follow @Etanihearts

Get Inspired!

Do you remember the outfit Emma Watson wore to the 2012 MTV Movie awards last weekend?
Get inspired by her style with these high-street finds:

Vanessa

XOXO

Shop

- Structured printed peplum dress - Miss Selfridge - £49.00 (Sold out online but still available in store)

- Black cuff - Asos - £15.00

- Hematite pack of two cuffs - Asos - £18.00

- Black cut out platform sandals - Dune - £200.00

- Coral clutch - Rockmyvintage.co.uk - £40.00

P.S. More Get Inspired looks coming soon!

Follow @Etanihearts

2012 MTV Movie Awards: Red Carpet Winning Looks

The 2012 MTV Movie Awards were held on Sunday 3rd June 2012 at the Gibson Ampitheatre in Universal City, California. With The Hunger Games and Twilight scooping most awards; let's have a look at my favourite red carpet looks:

Janelle Monae wearing her signature black pant suit look accessorized with flawless skin and gorgeous pink lips.

 Charlize Theron wearing a red Lanvin peplum dress with gold Jimmy Choo sandals and Cartier jewellery

Emma Stone wearing a black and ivory Martin Grant corset and bubble skirt combo with Brian Atwood shoes, Fendi clutch, and Tiffany & Co. jewellery

Emma Watson wearing a structured dress by Brood with a black pair of Tabitha Simmons heeled-sandals


Stay tuned as over the last few days, I will re-create these leading ladies's gorgeous outfits with more affordable fashion!


Vanessa
XOXO


Disclaimer: None of the pictures posted above belong to me Follow @Etanihearts

2012 CFDA Awards: Winning Looks

On Monday evening, the Alice Tully Hall in New York City hosted the 2012 CFDA Awards (CFDA standing for Council of Fashion Designers of America). 
The former child-stars turned fashion moguls, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, won big by scooping the Womenswear Designer of the Year title for their work on their uber-luxurious clothing line the Row.


See below the celebs who made it to my winning look list!

 Solange Knowles in Marni dress and Missoni heels

Julianne Hough in Kaufman Franco

Lily Collins wearing Marchesa, Padma Lakshmi wearing Naeem Khan, Busy Philips wearing a Martin Margiela jumpsuit, Irene Neuwirth jewels, Brian Atwood shoes, and a Christian Louboutin clutch , Mandy Moore wearing Lela Rose

 Devon Aoki and Stacey Bendet in Alice + Olivia

Kate Bosworth in Altuzarra Laal dress and Rossi for Altuzarra black velvet ankle cuff heels

 The evening's biggest winner Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen in the Row

Jessica Pare wearing a Jason Wu top and skirt, and Tiffany & Co. jewels

Alexander Wang and  the ex-editor-in-chief of Vogue Paris Carine Roitfeld, Selita Ebanks in BCBG Max Azaria, Joan Smalls in Michael Kors posing with the designer, Crystal Renn in Zac Posen posing with the man himself


Vanessa
XOXO


Disclaimer: None of the above pictures belong to me. Follow @Etanihearts

Floral Peplums

I used to hate peplum-fitted clothes when they first re-emerged on the catwalk in 2008/2009 after decades of silence. Regardless whether it was a top, a dress or a skirt; I stayed well cleared of them. Peplum is simply not the most flattering shape! I thought it would be one of those trends that will come and go once people realized that! And it did; at least for a while, but came back with a vengeance with the S/S12 collections!
I've been looking at the high-street versions of the frill and have to admit that I fell head over heels in love with their floral prints of the look. 

I am currently doing 200 crunches, 5 days a week with the hope that very soon I will be able to rock one of these frocks!


Vanessa
XOXO


Shop


- Mini Skirt - Zara - £29.99
- Top - River Island - £30.00
- Bandeau Belted Dress - Oasis - £75.00
- Roses Print Dress - Warehouse - £42.00
- Structured Dress - River Island - £45.00

Follow @Etanihearts

The perfect outfit to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee

For most of us, the Jubilee is synonym of street parties, wine-drinking and of course new outfit-shopping.
I've had my eyes set on a Dorothy Perkins summer dress for a few weeks before finally giving in and buying it alongside a white clutch and a brand new pair of blue sandals I got from San Marina (one of my favourite footwear retailers alongside Minelli when I'm in France).


I love the fact that this key piece offers so many colour options for shoes and accessories. 

To avoid looking like a 1950's housewife I intend to toughen up the look by wearing my old and battered small black leather jacket over the dress (dark green or navy blue would have been better but I've got to do with what I've got). It will give the outfit an edge and will certainly keep me warm and dry (ish)!


Vanessa
XOXO


Shop


- Dorothy Perkins Border Feather Prom Dress - £39.50





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Product review: Mizani True Textures

It's been long overdue but here is my review on the Mizani True Textures Curl Balance Shampoo and Cleansing Cream Conditioning Curl Wash.
I first bought these two products back in February 2012 when I ran out of my Keracare Natural Textures Cleansing Cream. 
I really love the velvety and luxurious feel the shampoo has. It leaves my scalp clean, and my hair moisturized and smooth. 


I am a massive fan of co-washing. When I don't have time to wash my hair - as I never ever shampoo my tresses without deep conditioning them before - co-washing is a great alternative to get that feeling of freshness and moisture, well, as long have you have the right product in hand. 
This is where the Cleansing Cream is a winner for me. I use it on a weekly basis when I need to refresh my hair and scalp between shampoos. It gets rid of all the products build-up, leaves my hair soft, clean and tangle-free! 

Overall, the Mizani True Textures Curl Balance Shampoo and Cleansing Cream are pretty good, but as much as the shampoo leaves my tresses and my daughter's soft and moisturized; it doesn't leave them tangle-free like the Keracare Natural Textures Cleansing Cream. A conditioner like the Mizani True Textures Curl Replenish Intense Moisturizing Mask needs to be used right after the shampoo.


Enjoy!


Vanessa
XOXO

SHOP

Francesco Group:
http://www.francescogroup.co.uk/shop/ Follow @Etanihearts