I'm off...but I'll be back!

Well, my bags are packed and I'm ready to go!
I'm having a delicious glass of Chilean Gran Reserva Shiraz as I type and since 8:45 this evening I am well and truly on holiday! Wooohooo!

I'll do my best to keep up to date with the blog and will hopefully add a few posts while I'm away...unless I get too carried away sunbathing and eating....and drinking cold beer while I sunbathe and eat!  I look forward to sharing all of my holiday news and holiday style inspirations when I get back!

xx

Holiday Style: Post 2 of 3

The Ultimate Holiday Style List

As I’m starting to pack for my holiday (only 2 more days to go!!!), I’m writing list after list of what to pack and what to buy and I’ve been making a mental note of what essentials I’ll need to help me achieve poolside style success.  I’ve managed to narrow it down to just 10 items, instead of the 30 I started off with, and I consider these as the basics you’ll need for looking and feeling stylish throughout your holiday.

1 Kimono

I adore these!  They are perfect for wearing over a bikini when you’re at the poolside or making a trip to the bar.  Add a skinny belt in a metallic colour to give definition to your waist.

Kimono, £29.99 River Island,  Belt, £9.99 River Island

2  Cool cotton dress

I saw this in the window of River Island the other day and just had to try it on.  The soft cotton makes it wearable in the heat and the silhouette will flatter most body shapes.  It’s also a style of dress that will remain stylish for many summers to come, a definite investment piece!

White cotton dress, £49.99 River Island

3  Platforms

I think a lot of ladies will opt for wedges for their holiday style but I’m a huge fan of platforms.  Get a touch of 70s glamour by wearing them by the pool or as you wander around the local village.  The best thing about wearing heels with your swimsuit or bikini is they will give better definition to your legs when you’re strutting up and down the poolside.

Blue floral platforms, down to £17.00 online at Dorothy Perkins

4  Sunglasses

The Karen Walker style glasses are very on-trend for this summer, my favourites are the small round frames and you can pick up a pair from H&M at a fraction of the price.

Sunglasses, £4.99 H&M

5  Slinky shorts

I have to be honest; I’m taking a stand against the denim super short shorts.  Instead, I’m opting for these silky numbers from Topshop.  With a touch of 70s chic they’re an absolute must for this summer and the soft fabric will help keep you cool in the heat.  Love the lace trimming too!

Shorts £30.00, Topshop

6  The perfect swimsuit or bikini 

Hopefully you’ll have already read my post on what bikinis to wear for your body shape, and if not, here’s a link http://noreen-elizabeth-styling.blogspot.com/2011/06/holiday-style-post-1-of-3.html

7  A cover-up 

If you’re looking for a cover-up and would prefer to stay away from a kaftan or sarong, I’d recommend this little number from H&M.  It’s small and light enough to tuck away in your beach bag and does the job of covering-up perfectly.  With a defined waistband in the middle it’s also going to create a feminine silhouette.

.

Blue cover-up dress, £14.99 H&M

8  Beach bag

I’ve found it quite difficult this year to find the right beach bag but recently I spotted this one in H&M and knew it would be ideal for my holiday.  It’s big enough to fit everything in, should I choose to take a heap load of stuff to the beach, but it’s also practical and it looks pretty too. I just love the colours, they’re so fresh!

Bag, £7.99 H&M

9  Hat

The big floppy sun hats are huge this summer.  I’m devoted to the classic black and white striped ones, I even used one on a photo shoot on Sunday, but I’ve also found this style from Accessorize.

Striped beach hat, £20 Accessorize

10  Perfect pout

I don’t wear a lot of make-up on holiday but I always like to wear a bit of colour on my lips especially during the day around the pool.  I especially like to wear something bold like this ‘Indian Pink’ lip liner from Rimmel.  It’s cheap as chips, the colour is stunning and it lasts all day!  Instead of wearing a lipstick over the top I’ll use the liner as a base on my lips then add a touch of gloss over the top for the perfect pout.

Rimmel lip liner available at Boots

xx

A wedding abroad

Around 25% of the brides I work with are turning their backs on a traditional wedding at home and instead heading off to warmer climates to make their vows.  I like the idea of marrying abroad, I find it romantic and in a way, more personal than a wedding at home.  I think it’s becauseyou’re secluded, away from the rest of the world and only your very close family and friends will be there to help you celebrate.  I’ll be travelling to Greece on Friday to see one of my best friend’s get married.  I’ve seen the pictures of the church and the venue for the reception (which is right on the beach) and it all looks so serene and perfect, I can’t wait!

I was there when the same friend bought her wedding dress, and without giving too much away, it’s perfect for the location, the ceremony and the venue and especially perfect for her.  So what’s the difference between buying a bridal gown for a wedding at home and a wedding abroad?

When choosing your bridal gown for a wedding abroad, there’s still a lot to consider, it’s not a case of dressing down for the occasion as many people may see it.  I see it as having to be more practical in your choice…..are you really going to be able to wear a princess gown on the beach….with a cathedral train….in that heat? 

I’m always browsing the internet for bridal fashions and recently found a recommended website with what I consider THE best beach bridal gowns and I’m sure you’ll agree.  The dresses on this website are more than just a beach dress.  Yes, they’re understated, but they’re also refined and each have a certain something about them that’s still going to make every bride that wears them feel special.

You can order the dresses online from http://www.shopbop.com/ and all orders over $100 are free delivery to the UK.  The prices aren't too shabby either, especially for designer bridal gowns!

I’ve spent quite a bit of time daydreaming over them but finally managed to select my 6 favourites.

  

 Halston Heritage, Kimono wrap long sleeve gown $995


This one is probably my favourite of the six chosen.  I just love the kimono style dresses at the moment and don't you think it's quite a versatile dress?  I can imagine this being dressed up for a vintage look and also having a modern twist.

 Halston Heritage, Spaghetti strap $895

 ADAM, Chiffon with lace yoke $495

 Odylyne, Hummingbird dress $300

 Thread, Marilyn gwon $480

 Catherine Deane, Giselle gown $2,050

If any readers celebrated their wedding abroad and would like to share pictures of your dress choice, I’d love to see them, please feel free to post them on my Facebook wall, search for Noreen Elizabeth Styling.

xx

Summer breeze

Today has been a photo shoot day for me.  I've been down at Tynemouth beach all day with a fantastic team shooting for a project that http://www.annavphoto.com/ and I came up with.  What an amazing day I've had!!  The entire team was on form as always and the model Sophie rocked the outfits!!  I really couldn't have asked for anything better!

This means however, that my post tonight isn't going to be bridal focused! Sorry! I'm still buzzing from the shoot and I'm struggling to focus on anything else, so I thought I would show you what we got up to on the shoot, give you an exclusive preview of the outfits and hopefully you'll be able to forgive me for posting my bridal styling post a day late....maybe I should change it to Bridal Styling Mondays???

I'll be getting the finished pics back in a couple of weeks and will be posting them on here and my Facebook page, but until then....

xx

Holiday style : Post 1 of 3

July is nearly upon us which for many of us can mean only one thing….holidays! 

I love the preparation involved before going on holiday; writing to-do lists, shopping for new clothes, pampering yourself with haircuts and manicures and the mad rush to finish work deadlines. I think it all helps to build up the excitement.  I especially love packing...well,what I really mean is I especially love the outfit planning process!  I think I enjoy planning and creating my holiday outfits more than I enjoy actually shopping for my holiday clothes.  I always feel I can be more adventurous and carefree with how I wear my clothes on holiday so I’ll put together outfits that are always a little more daring and different from my usual style.  As my holiday is just around the corner my outfit planning ideas have inspired me to write a few blog posts on styling for your holiday wardrobe. 

I thought I would start off my ‘holiday posts’ with what I consider the most difficult holiday item to shop for….the bikini!  Now, I can’t take away the fear that comes with having to wear a bikini however, I can help you to make the best choice when it comes to buying bikinis to flatter your body shape and therefore, help you to feel a lot more confident when you’re strutting up and down the golden sands of your holiday destination.

Depending on your body shape, certain swimwear will be more flattering, so I’ve suggested ideas for each body shape below with a few tips on the essential cuts and styles to look out for in your bikini.

Hourglass figures have a body shape that is perfectly proportioned, so most swimwear styles will flatter you.  I'd recommend you look out for bikinis or swimsuits that emphasise your curves such as this 1950s style swimsuit from Topshop or anything with a sweetheart style neckline.

If you're an apple shape, I'd recommend avoiding a bikini and instead choose a swimsuit such as these styles above.  The ruffle detail in the yellow swimsuit will drape across your body and help to disguise a round tummy. The print in the floral swimsuit will also act as an illusion and distract attention away from the silhouette and draw more focus to the print and colours.

If you find yourself to be more of a pear shape, you should be looking out for bikinis rather than swimsuits.  Try to go for a bikini that has more detail in the top such as ruffles or an interesting pattern so the eye is drawn away from your fuller hips and up towards your petite décolletage.  A halterneck style is also very flattering.

If you're straight up and down with quite a boysih frame, feminine and frilly is the way to go.  Create the illusion of curves by wearing swimwear with lots of frills and details on the hips and bust, and choose pretty patterns and bright colours.

If you're top heavy, you need to focus on balancing your fuller upper body with your trimmer lower body.  Look for bikinis with a simple top and more detail in the bottom such as this green bikini from Heidi Klein.  The halterneck top will help to trim down shoulders while supporting the bust and the ties on the side of the bikini bottoms will balance narrow hips with broad shoulders.  Try fun prints like this cherry bikini from ASOS.com too.

If you're a plus size I recommend these 1950s style swimsuits as the best for defining your curves.  They're the trendiest swimsuits available and the sweetheart neckline and halterneck style will add definition to your curves.  Look out for neutral colours for a more slimming effect or try small detail prints such as this animal print from Manoush. 


For more ideas on how to create glamorous holiday style I’ll be posting a piece on my Top 10 Holiday Style Essentials soon.  Join my Facebook page to be the first to receive updates when the posts are up.


xx

A twist for colour

‘Pops of colour’ is still a soaring trend on the high street and is becoming more prominent as summer time slowly, but surely approaches.  If you’ve invested in quite a few colourful pieces and are looking for new and wonderful ways to wear them I’ve been looking at the pre-season shows for S/S 2012 and found some very exciting outfits to inspire you and help keep your colours looking fresh.

This Giambattista Valli outfit below is my favourite. 
The Look : mix varying prints of the same hues with an animal print of your choice. I adore this!

Image courtesy of Giambattista Valli Resort 2012, Style.com

The best way to pull off this look is to start off with one electrifying colour such as either of these purple ASOS dresses below and team it with something like this Zara blazer. 

I picked this blazer up earlier in the week for a photo shoot I have at the weekend.  Having tried it on I am now truly addicted to it!  Snakeskin is officially my new favourite animal print!  I love the cooler tones and I’ve found this blazer works with everything in my S/S wardrobe. 


To ensure a polished finish to this look, introduce additional colours to your outfit through accessories and jewellery.

Snakeskin blazer £79.99 Zara,   Bandeau dress with heavy drape £60 ASOS.com,   Kimono style wrap dress £45 ASOS.com,   Blue fabric necklace £14 Topshop,   Yellow clutch £25 Accessorize,   Cocktail ring £12.50 Accessorize




So not only will you be able to keep your colour pieces looking fresh and inspiring, you'll also be bang on trend for S/S 2012!!




xx

7 steps to shopping for your wedding dress

You’ve said “Yes”.  You’ve chosen a date.  You’ve booked the ceremony and the venue and you’ve picked up Noreen Elizabeth’s bridal styling checklist.  So what’s next?  Shopping for ‘the dress’ of course…but where do you begin?

I’ve found and styled ‘the dress’ for many brides and I fully understand what’s involved when it comes to shopping for the most important dress you’ll ever buy.  To make your wedding dress shopping experience all the more fun and successful, here are my 7 steps to shopping for your wedding dress.

1         Timing

      It is advised you start looking for your wedding dress approximately 12-8 months before your wedding date.  This gives you plenty of time to do some research, plan several shopping trips, order the dress (which usually takes about 6 months to make) and have an average of 2-3 fittings.

2         Think about style

      Choose a style and silhouette that is flattering for you.  You may have an idea in your mind of what your ideal dress is, but this may not be the most flattering style for your frame.  Be aware of your body shape and take time to consider what feels the most comfortable, most flattering and what makes you feel the most special.

3         Less is more

      It’s so easy to get caught up in the excitement of viewing dresses online, buying every bridal magazine available and spending hours window shopping at your local bridal boutiques.  If you overload yourself with all of these options you will only begin to feel overwhelmed and confused and making a decision will become more difficult.  Decide on a silhouette; look into designers who you think represent your style best and stay focused on exactly what you want from your dress.

4         Book an appointment 

     You’ve found the stores with the perfect dresses and you’re desperate to try them on.  The average appointment lasts approximately two hours and the first time you try on the dresses is the most fun you can have in any shop, but it can be tiring.  I recommend booking two appointments per day.  Within each appointment you could try on up to 6 dresses, any more than twelve dresses and you’ll be exhausted and will struggle to remember what number 4 looked like and whether it was number 6 or 7 that you liked best?!  It has to remain fun and exciting, so after your two appointments treat yourself to an afternoon off with your chosen ‘shopping buddy’ and have a chat about the dresses.

5         Your ‘shopping buddy’

      Mum, sister(s), Grandmother, best friend, bridesmaids, aunty….check with the boutiques how many people they allow to visit at one time.  I recommend you bring along the people who know you best, whose judgements you trust and who share your taste and style.  My choice would be my Mum and my sister, they’ll know exactly what I’m looking for, what I like and I trust them to tell me if my backside looks big!

6         Get ready 

      Wear something comfortable that’s easy to change in and out of.  A jersey dress is ideal with a pair of slip-ons rather than lace-up shoes.  I’d advise against too much jewellery, you might be asked to remove it anyway as it could damage the delicate fabrics of the dresses. 

     The most important thing, and please, please, please don’t forget this ladies, is wear white or nude underwear, ideally a strapless bra.  Believe me; a black bra with red polka dots will never look good with a white, strapless gown.  The nude or white underwear will help to present a better picture of what the dresses could look like on the day.  Full make-up and well-presented hair will do the same. 

      Remember to take along a pair of shoes that are the approximate height of what you think you would wear on the day.  I think this is a very important point because, although many of the boutiques will have pedestals you can stand on to help the dresses fall better, the pedestals can be 6-8 inches high and present a very unrealistic picture of what the dress will look like.  This is especially important if you’re petite.

7     On the day 

      You’ve completed all 6 steps and now you’re at your first appointment.  The sales assistants will always be on hand to offer recommendations and alternatives to the dresses you have in mind. They deal with these dresses everyday so I’d recommend you take on board a few of their suggestions and try on some of styles they present to you.  

      Don't be pressurised into buying anything on the spot, unless you’re 100% sure you’ve found ‘the one’.  Stores will offer "30% off if you buy today" and even tell you that "the line could be dropped at any time", but it’s a lot of money to spend without having a chance to think it over first.  If there’s a dress you like, the assistant will be able to give you the full details and their contact number so you can take some time to consider your options before making a final decision.

To finish, celebrate the end of a hard shopping day with a glass of wine or coffee with your ‘shopping buddy’ or buddies and discuss your favourite dresses and eliminate the ‘not-so-sure’s’.  Don’t panic if you don’t find your dress after your first or second shopping trip, it’s true what they say, you’ll know when it’s the one.

Noreen xx

NE Styles Men

I have been pre-shopping today for a client. It’s the first client I’ve had through the Metro Centre since I joined the Style Team last month. I spent a couple of hours this afternoon having a look for ideas, leaving a few things aside for them in my favoured stores and generally getting a feel for what’s on offer from the various retailers.

As I wandered and searched and got all excited when I found the perfect summer jacket for this particular client I was aware of my fellow shoppers and kept noticing how many men there were shopping by themselves. They were all reasonably stylish and varying in age but the one thing I noticed they had in common was they all looked incredibly lost and slightly nervous, as though they were shopping for the first time and had no idea where to begin, what to look for or if they were even in the right store!

A few times I was tempted to go over and offer some advice, even tear a few neon polo-shirts out of their clasp and direct them towards the chambray shirts. I considered offering a few business cards too, but for some reason that usually offends. At the risk of looking like a maniac I knew the best thing to do would be to leave them in peace and not make them feel any more uncomfortable.

I noticed the majority, I’d say at least 90% of them, left the stores empty handed.

So I thought to myself, “Are the men of the north of England actually enjoying shopping for their own wardrobes? Do they need direction when it comes to deciding on the perfect garments for them? Is it fair to leave them disheartened and confused when it comes to spending their hard-earned cash on the basic necessity of stylish clothing?”

I wanted to offer you the chance to let your Father, husband, boyfriend, brothers, uncles, nephews, sons, friends, any important man in your life, experience a professional and relaxed service that offers them the opportunity to meet and go shopping with an expert who truly understands what it takes to build a successful wardrobe for today’s man….pain-free and straightforward!

To blog viewers there is an instant 20% discount on the offer below, simply e-mail me at noreen@noreen-elizabeth-styling.com and quote the reference ‘NE Styles Men’. Please include details of when you would like to book an appointment and who it is for.

If you want to find out more about the services available, please feel free to check out my website www.noreen-elizabeth-styling.com

Noreen

xx

A dedication to Mr & Mrs Sanderson

So for this week's Bridal Styling Sunday post I thought I would share something a little more personal, wedding-related of course!
I've just got home from the wedding of my very dear friend Sarah-Jane. Her and her new husband Jason celebrated their marriage in the most wonderful and romantic surroundings. It's been a whirlwind day, the celebration began with the most beautiful and sentimental ceremony followed by a stunning location, delicious food and hilarious speeches from the two best men. Needless to say, I'm a little exhausted from all of the dancing and champagne drinking! With permission from Sarah-Jane I thought I'd share a few of the pictures I took.

Sarah-Jane and Jason, wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness! Ps: the bride looked amazing!

xx

The BLB - Have you got yours?

A new trend that’s weaving its way into my wardrobe is the bright little bag, or BLB if you will. I like it for the simple fact that it’s a versatile accessory that can be worn with everything and anything. I quite like the idea of wearing it with a work wardrobe, just to add a little style-lift to your working day. And if you’re headed for a night out but ‘have nothing to wear’: skinny jeans, jersey vest, high high heels and your BLB. Perfect!

I picked a few of my favourites, the Christopher Kane orange laser cut wins hands down, but there’s also something about the DP fringe bag that sits high in my style stakes. I think it’s because I imagine it only being held and worn as a clutch bag...under your arm at a beach party while you sip on mojitos wearing something beautiful in cobalt blue…but that’s just me! The Marc Jacobs snake clutch is another personal favourite of the favourties. This would be the one I would wear as part of my work wardrobe - a light grey suit, crisp white shirt and then this beaut!

1. Orange suede fringe bag, lucky you it's in the sale now at £24.50, Dorothy Perkins   2. Bucket leather and canvas shoulder bag, £545, Meredith Wendell at net-a-porter   3. Snake suede and leather clutch £795, Marc Jacobs at net-a-porter   4. Yellow patent, £155, Karen Millen   5. Quilted square leather bag, £44.99, River Island   6. Laser cut leather clutch, £295, Christopher Kane at net-a-porter   7. Harlem Bag in blue, £145.00, ASOS White, Asos.com

My trusted checklist for brides

Another late posting for the Bridal Styling Sunday posts!! My sincerest apologies folks, I was treated to an early birthday present and spent the weekend in the idyllic village of Malham in York. Heaven!

Since announcing the new Bridal Styling Sunday posts, I’ve been contacted by a few brides expressing their excitement for forthcoming Sundays. Several of the brides are newly-engaged and looking to read posts that offer advice on how to start searching for their bridal gowns and what they should be looking for in terms of accessories. So what I thought I would do is offer my expert advice through my trusted bridal styling checklist.

It’s the checklist I use for every single bride I work with and although every bride’s needs vary, it holds my key secrets behind fashioning and planning the most stylish wedding outfit. Of course, I can’t share these top secret styling tips with the world, but I am willing to share them with those brides most interested in finding out exactly how to achieve their dream wedding style.

If you’re a bride-to-be and you would like to receive a copy of my essential bridal styling checklist, please e-mail me at : noreen@noreen-elizabeth-styling.com with your name, wedding date and a few details about your plans for your big day and I will send you the list.

If you’re not a bride-to-be but you know someone who is and think they might like to receive the checklist, please feel free to e-mail too. I’ve already had one bride request it for their friend’s engagement gift….just a thought!

And finally, I promise to do my best to be on time with future Bridal Styling Sunday posts!

xx