{a guide to : feeling under the weather}

Under the weather is an understatement of how I've been feeling as of late. Diagnosed almost a month ago with glandular fever I've had a deadly dose of flu-like symptoms with optional added extras like glands as swollen as Kim Kardashian's pregnancy breasts, a desire to sleep for twenty-three hours per day and the urge to reject most foods beside chocolate croissants - which I've ultimately been living off.

Don't run away just yet, this isn't (another) post-long whinge, but a remedy for shitty, awful and annoyingly "untreatable" viral infections, colds, and general un-wellness.

Basically -all the cure involves is many, many hot baths laced with relaxing and soothing aromatherapy oils or lovely achy-muscle-reviving bath salts. Countless cartons of Innocent Smoothies, I've developed a penchant for the superfood antioxidant one with Acai and the mango & passionfruit container of joy for vitamins and to help soothe a raspy throat. Countless pots of green and herbal tea with fizzy aspirins  day & night nurse, extra strength Nurofen liquid capsules - all chased with honey and lemon throat sweets - and a 'hot toddy' where necessary. If you don't know what the latter is, google it and you'll thank me later. 

A plentiful supply of Kleenex Balsalm is also essential (red noses are only chic for Comic Relief) and that was a whole week ago) and any treats you can score to cheer you up; see my chocolate croissant obsession, piles of glossy magazines, macarons, cupcakes and when your feeling up to it - hours of DVDs and your personal Sky Plus edit followed closely by online shopping.

As much as I tried to fight it - it ultimately does come down to plenty of sleep and total bed rest, a month later I've never felt better than after spending four full days in bed. No work, no emails, not much of anything really. Of course this isn't entirely practical, and I've found it near impossible to take time out from a busy work schedule but the bed rest has been used well and I'm not far from back to my usual self..

{a guide to : false lashes}

The ability to apply false lashes (well) is becoming an increasingly demanding life skill. I cant live without several pairs on rotation to suit different occasions; from a glamorous night out to lunch at a chic cafe. It is very easy to get lash choosing and application very wrong; yet I find if you stick to a flattering lash that actually fits your eye, and placed correctly on your lid - always on top of a slick of black liner, its fool proof.

My favourite ways to wear a lash are (as pictured at Gucci SS12) with a flawless, dewy base, a groomed brow and nothing too statement making with your makeup - allowing you to go full-on with your lashes.. Look to the Gucci Spring/Summer collection for inspiration. I also like to team fluttery lashes (like MAC 7 Lashes) with a smokey eye and strong brow, long fluttery yet not thick lashes work better than anything else to open your eyes with heavy makeup.

r u l e s  o f  l a s h  a p p l i c a t i o n . . .

1. Never apply lashes without a good coating of lengthening and volumising mascara first (my favourite ever, fail safe mascaras are Benefit Bad Gal Lash and Maxfactor False Lash Effect - the new 'fusion' version in the purple tube is even better).

2. Same goes for a slick of eyeliner - liquid or gel, whichever type of girl you are, I'm personally all for liquid, specifically Lancome Art Liner, but my gel-friends tell me no one does gel better than Bobbi Brown.

3. If you're using eyeshadow, make sure you apply it before the lashes, it'll stop you getting too much powder on the lashes and keep them blackest black for longer.

{a guide to : glamour-ising your bathroom}

Yesterdays flick through Lonny Magazine got me rethinking bathrooms - and how it can be difficult to change a bathroom without having the funds (or permission in a rented property) to re-fit with the roll top bath you've always dreamed of, or a walk in shower the size of a small sauna?

I've a few little ideas that can be applied to the smallest, most basic or boring bathroom to allow for a far more glamorous space to apply your makeup in the morning..

 01 | re-think your shower curtain

Why have a boring, plain shower curtain? Who says you cant have a silk taffeta shower curtain? Acheive an even more glamorous look by hanging it as high as possible, you could even hang it from the ceiling..

 02 | make your bathroom more comfortable 

Treat your bathroom the same as any other room in the house, bring in a beautiful chair or table or lamp and favourite art or photography.

 03 | hang a vintage mirror

One of the easiest ways to change the look of your bathroom is to hang a statement mirror, vintage ones are always real centerpieces, consider anything ornate, gilt or oversized!

 04 | hide ugly pipes

Paint ugly pipes the same colour as your walls to make them blend in, or hide them entirely with something clever like this handmade skirt, interior designer Eddie Ross made this 'skirt' by hanging cheap, basic dishcloths and fastening to the sink with black grosgrain.

{a guide to : smokey eyes}

This seasons new beauty take on 'gothic drama' can be interpreted in one of many ways; today I'm focusing on creating a stunning dramatic, dark eye.

My fail-safe route to re-create this look would include a radiance-giving primer, and a glowy yet high coverage foundation; NARS Sheer Glow would probably be the ultimate in this category - to prevent skin looking chalky and veering on the wrong side of gothic! - followed by a ton of highlighter and pinky/peachy blush (my favourite would be NARS Orgasm). A flattering yet fuss free lip (try MAC Lipstick in Hue or Angel) leaves the face looking polished and ready to start on the eyes.

I find a simple, smokey eye is best achieved with (all eye shadows by MAC) a slick of Patina all over the lid, with Satin Taupe blended from the outer corner to about three quarters of the way through your lid, before adding a slick of gel liner covered with Black Tied and a little in the outer corner to add depth. Lashings of mascara and some dramatic lashes (My current favourites are MAC 7 or 8s) and you're good to go. You could of course take things up a notch...

A Guide To: Your Best-Ever Red Lip

Its impossible to sport a red lip and not feel festive; with upcoming Christmas parties, dinner invitations and some very merry days - a simple slick of lippy works wonderfully.

If we're doing things properly, and by the book, we should start with a quick exfoliation with a lip scrub (or simply gently brush your lips with your toothbrush, apply your favourite lip balm and allow to sink in nicely before applying your lipstick.

I've rounded up some of the best red lipsticks before, but my all time favourite and fail-safe combination is a careful lining of the lips with Mac Lip Pencil in Cherry. Take a lip-brush and fill in your lips, following the shape you created with your pencil with the Mac Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo, a highly pigmented and glamorous red that really will suit all skin tones. I love a matte red lip, but should you want to add a little gloss, Mac Pro Longwear Lipglass in Driven by Love complements Ruby Woo perfectly.

A Guide To: The Boys Birthday

Buying occasion gifts for the men in our lives is notoriously difficult. I've been with my man almost four years, know him inside out and he truly knows me better than I know myself. But still; I can find it difficult choosing what to buy him each time his birthday rolls around.

Anniversaries are easy, as are little moments throughout the year when you spot something & just have to give it to them, "saw this & thought of you", but I must admit - I generally rely on the same fail-safe gifts on occasions like Christmas.

Whilst he doesn't have any hobbies I can stock up on, (unless I buy him a car - ladies if your man is a passionate sportsman or even trainspotter, think yourself lucky!) he does love whiskey. And clothes. And trips away. So I take advantage of my strengths  I can pick an outfit for him he'll adore (even if it is purely because he knows I'll love him in it) with my eyes closed, I know enough about any alcohol to see me through a gift purchase, and as you all know I adore travelling, so can plan a trip the pair of us will love.

If you follow me on twitter, luckily he doesn't use it.. you'll know I arranged a little trip to Barcelona for him this time around. Believe it or not, neither of us have been before - its a place we've always fancied but never gotten around to it, we tend to pick faraway shores and the amazing Europe breaks can get pushed aside. I also picked up a few jumpers from All Saints for him, a ton of Calvin Klein shorts and a couple of little 'stocking filler' type gifts. I've created a fail-proof collection of gifts for your boy, suitable for all gentlemen for any occasion...

A Guide To: Wardrobe Organisation

Every single girl who cares about the contents of her wardrobe  wants an amazing, organised and pretty place to store her treasures in. While we definitely haven't all got tennis-court-sized dressing rooms like some of these slices of heaven, a little TLC and effort in your wardrobe can have a very similar effect.

"I like my money hanging right where I can see it, in my closet."

~ Carrie Bradshaw.

Aren't our wardrobes like scrapbooks anyway? Each piece of clothing represents the wonderful times we've had in each item. I make a lookbook/moodboard in my diary each season, it makes it easy to see what I have and what I need to fit the new mood.

A perfectly ordered wardrobe will save you money. When you can see everything clearly, you can work out new ways of mixing pieces together before hunting for new clothes.

Edit your wardrobe twice a year, switch out the items you don't need and pack them away in breathable fabric covers or boxes big enough to allow the air to circulate. Store them somewhere warm and dry. While your at it, do a bi-annual clean, not the most fun job but cleaning out the drawers and rails will help remind you of some beautiful items you may have forgotten. Just take everything out and wipe down your drawers and wardrobe with a cloth and non-bleaching spray, Dettol's Surface Cleanser spray is good.

A Guide To: Jet Lag

w h a t  i s  j e t  l a g  ? . . .

The cause of jet lag is simple. As the body crosses time zones its circadian rhythms (the internal body clock that tells us when to sleep) becomes disrupted. Deprived of exterior stimuli (light, dark or a day-to-night routine) our body clock becomes confused. As a general rule, it takes one day to recover from every hour lost or gained.

h o w  t o  c u r e  i t  ? . . .

The golden rule is to try and book a flight which allows you to sleep while it is night at your destination. That way, immediatley on arrival, you can enjoy some daylight and try to enjoy a full days activities.

A Guide To: Building a Bar

Little is more chic than having friends over for cocktails. For some, including me, the idea of building a bar a home was somewhat intimidating, being so unsure of where to start. Recently, with the help of the boy and a load of girlfriends who love alcohol from mojitos to martinis, I've grown my collection from a trusty, dusty bottle of vodka on standby for friends popping in, to a small bar.

A Guide To: Faking it on the Beach

Bikini 101. We've all been there; two days prior to jetting to faraway shores, recoiling in fear at the thought of baring all at the watersedge... Keep these tips in mind when buying swimwear to flatter your best bits.

 t a n  u p  . . .

Changing rooms truly are the worst. The light is unflattering, and those sock-marks really can ruin the look. Give yourself the best possible chance and apply a self tanner a day in advance if you aren't already sporting the bronzed look, shave those legs and look your best - as you strive to on the beach. Otherwise, order online where you can try on at home, and send the rejects back.

 w h a t ' l l  s u i t  y o u  ? . . .

Look at what already suits you in your wardrobe. If you like the way a V-Neck fits, then chances are you'll like the way a halter neck fits too.