If I’m honest, the only thing that could make me happier than a filled-to-the-brim bubble bath and a bar of Galaxy chocolate is sweet, sweet smelling prods from Jo Malone.

OHMYSTARS – I’m head over Westwood heels in heart with the new Jo Malone Vanilla & Anise fragrance – if you haven’t had the V&A nosebud experience yet, you HAVE to go find a beauty counter, pronto.

Inspired by the floral landscape of Madagascar, capturing the fleeting moment that the rare vanilla orchid blossoms. The cream and white flowers found on the vanilla vine are a precious discovery: only one or two appear in the morning and seemingly vanish by late afternoon.

Here’s the science bit: Vanilla & Anise blends notes of bergamot, neroli and star anise to create a touch of spice sparkling above transparent layers of delicate vanilla orchid and frangipani. The warmth of vetiver, white amber and the subtlest hint of clove complete this unexpected, modern story of vanilla.

Now, while all that sounds completely fabulous, all I know is that it smells deliciously dee-vine.
Fact.
Boykind will literally be walking into lamp posts because they’re too busy looking for the girl that is smelling so incredible when you’re wearing it. It’s decadent with a hint o’ spice and I simply can’t get enough of it…mmmmmm.

To enhance your fragrance ritual, in addition to the yummy-scrummy cologne – 30 ml, £32.00, choose from the new bath oil – 250 ml £38.00, body crème – 175 ml RRP £44.00 and home candle – 200g, £38.00.

So, it’s not smell o’ internet, but take my word for it, you WILL want to buy everything on this site: www.jomalone.co.uk  

I first introduced the fabulous Vanessa Fristedt here to you via one of her fabulous necklaces. Just like her design pieces, Vanessa is inspiring and unique – come meet her!

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So I know that here at SM, Miss Aimee and I celebrate kick-ass women EVERY single day – damn it, Miss Aimz is probably the most kick-ass woman I know, but today, March 8th everyone world wide, is giving fellow girl-kind big, big love – hurrah!

Firstly, I want to give big props to Oscar winning girls Sandra Bullock – j’adore, Kathryn Bigelow director of The Hurt Locker and super-inspir-o Mo-nique – check out her acceptance speech, freakin’ love this woman.

I’ve posted this poem before, but I never get tired of reading it and it should absolutely be read and re-read on days like today… It’s Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou who I love x 10000.

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It’s the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can’t see.
I say,
It’s in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
‘Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Actually, while I’m sharing the love for Maya Angelou, check out the gorgeous women herself reading And So I Rise. It gives me goosbumples…

Minxes, happy International Women’s Day – what members of girl-kind do YOU want to share the love for?

I was pretty delighted when I received a breakfast invite to meet with Lorraine Candy, Editor-in-Chief of ELLE magazine, to discuss the launch of fashion’s answer to the X-Factor-The Shopgirl to Stylist competition, which launches today!

Lorraine says: “This is a unique and exciting projects which heroes the men and women who literally style the nation. They deserve more credit for what they do, and we will give them that in the pages of ELLE”.

As part of ELLE magazine’s 25th Anniversary celebrations, the British style bible is on the hunt for super-talented shop girls and boys, who, if selected, will win a chance to style an ELLE shoot, plus a magazine internship and expert mentoring from ELLE’s internationally renowned fashion director, Anne-Marie Curtis who wants to give the winner, their big break, with a stylist’s profile and lots of contacts.

25 super shop stylists will appear on the website where readers can comment and list their favourites, and then ten will make the grade to head-to-head stylist challenges, where they get help from the ELLE team.

If you’re out shopping this weekend, why not let that helpful shopgirl with awe-inspiring shoes in H&M, know about it, or if you are one of those rocking shop girls that we love so much, apply – it’s allowed!

www.elleuk.com/shopgirltostylist

Guest post from the gorgeous Miss Carla at MessyCarla

I managed to swing a last minute invite to Bernard Chandran’s Private Dinner party at the beginning of London Fashion Week last weekend. I was only supposed to be going to cover The Look Show for New Look, so it was a bit of luck that I was in the big smoke to blog about this for The Sassy Minx!
 
Bernard Chandran is Malaysia’s hottest designer – as well as being a television personality in Asia, being the chief designer on Project Runway Malaysia, he also has a stream of high-profile celebrity clients, such as Lady Gaga, Little Boots, Rhianna, Tori Amos and the royal families of Malaysia and Brunei.
 
So, it’s fair to say it was fairly intimidating meeting a man at the fabulous Awawa restaurant in Chelsea (just down the street from Louis Vuitton and Prada…), which is one of the country’s top restaurants, and co-operating with Malaysia Kitchen to promote Malaysian food in the UK.
 

 
However, he wasn’t intimidating at all – in actual fact, for such a hot designer he was incredibly down to earth and friendly. I write a blog about being a size 16, and he seemed really into this idea. “When I design for women, I do not think of their bodies – I love women’s imaginations and spirit more!” He sparkles, “My assistant for example can’t fit into any of my collection and that’s fine – I hired her for her personality!”

When I asked him about his collection, although his latest collection is the height of couture, with enlarged sleeves and skirts in many of the pieces, he describes his look as wearable. “It’s all about context,” he explained. “You wouldn’t wear one of these pieces to the beach, would you? But I love them all – I call them my babies, and I couldn’t pick a favourite!”

 
Amongst his celebrity friends present were Mr. Hudson, Beverley Knight (who when watching a playback of the show asked me “Couldn’t you just see me on TV in that?” I definitely had to agree – it was a beautiful sparkly purple bodycon dress), Sophie Anderton and Jimmy Choo – who FYI: was very sweet and polite – despite the fact I was wearing £35 heels from Next!
 
It was a wonderful, sparkling event – filled with people in the industry including designers, photographers, journalists and bloggers. I even got talking to Alexandra Burke’s family over a fantastic chicken dish and chocolate mousse. That’s Chelsea for you – you never know who you’re going to run into over dessert!
 

 
Many thanks to Sassy Minx Miss Lisa for letting me go in her place and get to tell you all about this! And be sure to follow my blog at http://messycarla.blogspot.com!

Now I am all for a bit of china, especially when it comes to settling down to a nice cup of tea, a few fondant fancies and a good book. Which was why my insides did a little jump for joy when I found Trixie Delicious, a continuous range of china, that isn’t necessarily traditional but frankly rocks my world. I want to put the Seven Heavenly Virtues up on my wall, put my junk jewellery into the Stash jar, and stain the Tart teacup with my red lipstick marks. Meet Karen and enjoy the fabulousness behind it all!

Who/what inspires you and why?
Inspiration comes from everywhere- websites tv programmes, magazines, books, shop windows, people on the street…I try and write ideas down, as I go along, but it doesn’t always work out. I’m my own harsh critic and discard allot when I read them back.

What do you love about being a woman in the world?
I’ve always enjoyed fashion and I guess women have more scope with that, than guys. I don’t mind getting older because I’m happy to swap wrinkle free skin for wisdom.. The world has changed a lot since I grew up in the 70s, and I think it is better for women now. The internet has definitely improved the global female network . I live in New Zealand which has a larger female population than male so macho attitudes have had to change as well and here we have had strong female role models- a female PM and Governor General in the last decade.

Where are your five must-go destinations for inspiration, life..
I have had a long relationship with the USA, – Got married in NYC in 1994, honeymooned in San Fran and I have travelled many times to LA.

Oaxaca Mexico where I spent a fabulous birthday. I’m a Halloween baby which coincides with the Day of the Dead celebrations. Tripping through a graveyard, drinking tequila, while mariachi bands and fireworks blasted away, was an experience I’ll never forget.

Melbourne Australia- great city, pretty architecture, fabulous food.

New Zealand’s South Island- beautiful scenic roads with no one on them!

Auckland city.I was born here and have lived here all my life so it is home.The city has grown up a lot in the last decade and is becoming more cosmopolitan which is a good thing.

What has been your proudest moment so far?
Giving birth twice- I have a son and daughter.

Which five tracks make Karen’s day?
I’m a Bowie fan and I love Starman
I have too many musical loves to say…

What are your five must-have, can’t live without fashion and beauty items?
Eyeliner
Niki de Sainte Phalle eyeshadow kit- outrageous colours, hard to find
Red lipstick
Good moisturiser
I’m a fan of tinted moisturisers as I don’t like powder.

Niki de Sainte Phalle perfume- hard to find

What makes you jump-in-the-air happy?
A sense of achievement. Graduating from art school after 4 years. Its tough been a student for so long- going without money etc..

What is your life Motto?.
Don’t just talk about it, do it!!

What is next for Trixie Delicious, and what is your favourite ever piece?
I put together a set of Seven Deadly Sins out of old chipped plates and used different fonts on each. It hangs above my bed and I can’t part with them.
Trixie will just keep going the same way maybe I will develop my own online shop one of these days-see motto…now that I’ve said it I’ll have to do it!

Quick fire round: What’s your favourite?
Shop: Etsy
Book: Many but I like a good bio- Keith Richards by Victor Bockris- hilarious
Website/blog:Badder Homes and Gardens.com- they are wickedly funny naughty and gorgeous girls
Hang-out: Boatshed on the Kaipara harbour, 2 hrs north of Auckland
City: LA
Must-have beauty item:eyeliner – it’s an 80s hangover!
TV prog: Hung
Food: My husbands pasta dishes- he was Italian in a former life.

What does the term Sassy Minx mean to you, Karen?
Confident, foxy and witty

We are crossing our fingers for that online shop, Karen! x

Find our more at www.trixiedelicious.com

If like us, you heart fiction, you’ll love the fact that www.lovereading.co.uk has a People’s Choice Awards, where you, the reading public, get to vote for your favourite author AND be in with a chance of winning £50 of book tokens – fabu, non?!

Now, we don’t want to sway your choice or anything, but our gorgeous and talented BFF Lindsey Kelk’s new book I Heart Hollywood is in the running, and not only is it BRILLIANT, she also thanks both Aimee and I in the acknowledgments – what’s not to love? Go vote now!

I love pretty pictures, and Frillies for Fillies is one of those great blogs that siphons the interesting fantastical looks from the catwalk collection and mixes them up with a dose of vintage fabulousness and super-cute handicraft. I don’t always have time to scan the net for inspirational pics, or read the fash mags as much as I’d like, but Kate, the tigress at Fillies is always there to inspire my eyes, and she has just landed a writing post at creativenottingham.com. I managed to catch a quickie with her……..

So Miss Kate, tell us more about yourself and what you have done?
Well, during the day I am a lingerie designer and come night and weekend I am a fashion blogger/crafty kitten!

Who/what inspires you and why?
You know, I live by Coco Chanel’s quote; “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening”.

What do you love about being a woman in the world?
A feminine sexuality is such a powerful thing, stockings, suspenders and gorgeous lingerie- there is nothing better then to get dressed up!

Where are your five must-go destinations for inspiration, life..?
I have been to Paris and Barcelona multiple times, but I love them both so much, I will always go back. At the moment, I am building up a great list of destinations I want to visit, like; Morocco, Goa, South of France-for the Oh Lala, Rome for the Romance, and Dallas for the cowboys!

What has been your proudest moment so far?
My degree, it was a difficult time in my life due to personal reasons but I did it with a great result.

Which five tracks make Kate’s day?
It’s a toughie, but here it goes…
‘Hello Conscience’- The Zutons-reminds me of taking my baby sis to her first festival that year.
Best Days-Blur reminds me of a school bus fudge fight (we made it in cooking class)
Lively up Yourself-Bob Marley-so cool
Sister Rose-Ian Brown
Live for Tomorrow-Moby
Because rules are there to be broken here’s a couple more;
Man-Yeah Yeah Yeah’s
Anything Goes-Guns and Roses

What are your must-have, can’t live without fashion and beauty items?
Bad Lash Benefit Mascara
Coralista Benefit cheek colour-perfect for English rose skin.

What makes you jump-in-the-air happy?
Surprises- receiving and giving

What is your life Motto?
‘Work hard play hard’ -one that my Grandad followed

What is next for Frillies for Fillies?
Beautiful soft handmade lingerie watch this space.

The Sassy List: What’s your favourite?
Shop: affordable Vintage Fair in Nottingham. A treasure trove.
Book: Alice in Wonderland
Website/blog: http://kingdomofstyle.typepad.co.uk/
Hang-out: The Walk Cafe Nottingham and Nottingham Contemporary
City: Nottingham
Must-have beauty item: Blusher
TV prog: True Blood-Ooo Eric
Food: Afternoon tea with a medley of cakes

What does the term Sassy Minx mean to you, Kate?
A celebration of being a lady!

My current girl crush is Anna Friel. With her signature red lipstick – pick a shade, any shade, it’s the thing to wear this year – and every outfit that she seems to sport after her West End performances in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. I heart a tea-dress, and so does she!
 
 

I am super excited that the V&A have announced they are doing a specially commissioned exhibition on Grace Kelly, from 17th April to the 26th September. Featuring her wardrobe from her days as an actress, the original Hermès Kelly bag, and her wedding dress from when she became Princess Grace of Monaco. My favourite of her films, is Alfred Hitchcock’s To Catch a Thief and it certainly makes me wish summer was a bit nearer with its delicious French scenery.
 

I am all for some Tom-Foolery (jewellery) which is why I love this necklace from Vanessa Fristedt @ Supermarket Sarah. Combined with a bit of Westwood check and a pair of platforms, its enough to make any girl feel regal.
 
£30, www.supermarketsarah.com
 
 
On Monday, the Laden Showroom opens it internet shop door and I am VERY excited about it! We are big fans of Laden here at Sassy already, and for a last chance to enter the competition to win 200 quidders worth of clothes and 6 invites to the hottest launch party in LDN town- please go here…
 

 
One of my favourite books of all time is Sarra Manning’s Sealed with A Kiss (Diary Of A Crush), so I was excited to read her new book, Nobody’s Girl. Oh it’s good. It’s very good. I could not put it down. I’m not going to spoil it too much, but read the blurb below, and then buy it – I don’t mean to be bossy, but you’ll thank me for it, promise!
 
Bea thinks she’s the most boring seventeen-year-old in the world. She’s not pretty or popular or funny, unlike her mother who had Bea when she was 17. The only glamorous thing about Bea is the French father who left before she was born and lives in Paris.

But with an ocean between them, will he wait for her?
 
£6.99, www.amazon.co.uk
 

 
Finally, I cannot leave the Friday love post without mentioning how terribly saddened by the death of Alexander McQueen I was. He was a true pioneer of British fashion and one of the best creative visionaries of all time. I feel as if my world had been robbed of fantastical beauty. Designers such as Lee Mcqueen, Vivienne Westwood and John Galliano were always my popstars growing up. As a young designer, it was them that kept me inspired in an industry that’s losing it’s identity to commercialism. They rebel against the norm to produce collections based on unique beauty with twists of darkness. There is no doubt that the world of fashion has lost some of its brightness, and I wonder if the doorway for new edgy, extraordinarily talented designers will remain open as haute couture is siphoned out by the loss of yet another true artist.

Betsy Johnson summed it up in her show at NYFW on Monday- Long Live McQueen xxxxxxxxx

If you can’t date anyone nice, don’t date anyone at all…

The result? Her life — usually joyfully/traumatically occupied with dates, clothes and vodka — is finally easy. Chastity rocks. No wonder nuns are always singing. Everything falls at her feet. Especially men.
Will Sass break the rules? Why does fate keep throwing her in the path of the irritatingly amusing — and gorgeous — Jake? Will she ever roll the dice and play again? Or is a love-free life too good to risk losing?

The Dating Detox is my new favourite book, it’s super-charged, awesome sauce ‘chick-lit’. The leading lady is called Sass – we were always gonna love her with a name like that Sass, weren’t we? She’s straight talking, ever-so likeable and I’d deffo want her as my BFF.

The Dating Detox is a refreshing anti-rom com, but before you run out to get yourself a copy, which you absolutely should, come meet Gemma – funny, pretty and ever so talented – if she wasn’t so fabulous, I might want to poke her eyes out!

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