The Sassy Minx » Life Candy

Gym Girl Wednesday

lisa — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 09:29:07 +0000

Guess what? In order to keep up this fit-girl malarky that I’ve now found myself actually enjoying – I know, right?! – I’m going to train to run the Bupa 5k in October. Yep, you read that right, RUN. I may have now released 4 stonage, but I’ve still got plenty o’ junk in the trunk and figured that actually training for an event will keep me focused and inspired…The beau is doing it with me, and we start our training programme this afternoon – parp!

First things first, a girl is going to need a cute ensemble, right? I LOVE that website www.wefitin.co.uk offer a super-stylish range of gym/fitness clothing for plus sized girls. I also think I am going to NEED these pink Puma running trainers too. Cute AND functional. My kind o’ footwear. £58.00 – www.prodirectrunning.com

Next, a girl needs a kick-ass running playlist, obv. I’ve just put mine together for this evening’s torture, I mean training, and it goes a li’l something like this:
Hey Ya! – OutKast – LOVE this.
Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) – C+C Music Factory. Sweat baby, sweat!
Lose my Breath – Destiny’s Child. Take it up a step, g-friend!
I Gotta Feeling – Black Eyed Peas. I’ve got a feeling this will DEFFO be worth the hard work.
Stronger – Kayne West. Do it, do it, do it!
Wind it Up – Gwen Stefani. Oh Gwen, PLEASE let me have abs like you!
Push It – Salt-N-Pepa. No SASSY workout playlist would be complete without Salt N pepa. Fact.
Let’s Get Loud – J.Lo. So good.
The Power – Snap! You’ve got the power.
Tik Tok – Ke$ha: You heard her, don’t stop.
Dirty – Christina Aguilera. Get down and dirty, or just a li’l bit sweaty. Your call.
Don’t Stop Believing - Journey. Like this song wasn’t going to make my list?!!
Baby Got Back – Sir Mix-A-Lot.
Walking on Sunshine – Katrina & the Waves. We all need a bit o’ cheese, non?
Good Vibrations – Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. Okay, this may be pushing the cheese a li’l too far, but I LOVE it!

What? Now I’ve actually got to go out and run? But it’s raining and everything. This fitness lark is HARD work! I would LOVE for you to share your work-out playlists oh, and any tips you might have for me to become a lean, mean running machine would be mucho appreciated!

Peekaboo at Boux Avenue!

Aimee — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 19:30:48 +0000

There is something exciting waiting to happen in the world of lingerie right now. Boux Avenue, the new lingerie chain from Dragons Den Theo Pathitis held their launch party at The Ivy last week, and lucky old me got to be there to take a glimpse at lingeries next best AND BIG thing.

Sipping on elderflower cucumber cocktails -like dinner and drinks in one- and some champagne concoctions called ‘Twinkles’, it was easy to fall in love with the two collections Burlesque Boudoir and Vintage Garden party especially as so many other retailers completely differ to the overall ideas. While M&S has held the mainstream crown for lingerie for so long, I won’t be surprised if Boux Avenue knocks it off with the pretty styling from ditsy print slips, lace bras that range in sizes A-G and vintage inspired girdles that can be afforded by the masses. Especially as team Theo plan to open 30 stores this year, with key ones such as Bluewater, Lakeside and the Trafford Centre opening in late March.

The brand isn’t as kinky as high end counterparts such as Agent Provocateur or Coco De Mer but there is enough detailing in the garments to subtly hint at seductiveness such as frilly knickers and lacy bras. It also doesn’t have any of the cheap but cheerful hints of Ann Summers or La Senza, but in a market that is has very little for the modern mainstream working girl this is a welcome entry to the lingerie world as it combines the high street aesthetics of fashion with sizes and a price point that is frankly spot on for a recessionista. The brands sizing also meant I could tuck into the mini burgers and sushi nibbles at The Ivy, with some garments going upto a 20, not only does it cover my derriere, it literally covers most of the market.

With a promising online shopping venture to team with the shops, Theo and the brand have also made the most of modern phenomenon Twitter, and there is even a blog on the website, which I love- www.bouxavenue.com/blog It is nice to read and for consumers to glimpse at the way designers create and all of the work that is involved to bring things together.
I confess that I forgot to take any photos due to the three Twinkles I drank, but I left with the knowledge that I will soon be able to afford pretty bras and knickers, and a kiss on the cheek from Theo.

Showtime!

lisa — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 17:19:46 +0000

I was beside myself last night.

Why?

I got to see the Queen Bee of burlesque, Miss Dita Von Teese premiere her opulent new show, The Opium Den at adult-lifestyle event Erotica 2010.

I adore Dita. This is fact. Skin as pale as alabaster and the ability to tantalise an audience with her perfected art o’ tease – I was bustin’ with excitement and Dita, who obviously knew I was in the audience, did not disappoint. Four to five years in production, It’s the most erotic and elaborate show that Dita has performed s’far and I loved it, despite having to politely elbow a head-to-toe-latex-clad dude to get myself a prime position for optimum view. Her previous shows have been designed for a more intimate stage, like the one at the Crazy Horse in Paris, but The Opium Den is a whole lot ‘o extravagance and decadent gorgeousness and FYI: the fan dance is HAWT.

If you’re in the Londinum tomoz, Dita is signing copies of her new book Striptease at 3pm and performing on the main stage at 6pm…

Now, I’m no prude, but the Sextravaganza that is the Erotica show, had me slightly-a-blush. I guess the clue was in the title, right? Yet, nothing ever prepares me for men in nappies – not even Billie Piper in Belle Du Jour.

I am ALL about the corset wearing, burlesque-y tease, and while the girls from House of Burlesque were easily the most beautiful girls in attendance – that’s them above, the majority of the Erotica show is sex swings, diamond encrusted whips and dudes in gimp suits. Although, I did rather dig this chandelier from www.swallowandbone.com…

To see Dita or to partake in a li’l erotic ohh-la-la – head over to: www.erotica-uk.com or get yourself along to Olympia, Kensington tomorrow for quite the experience…

We heart Dolly Cool

lisa — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 20:28:39 +0000

It’s no secret that I have a total penchant for rockabilly, tattoos and all things 1950s, so I am in total cartoon-heart-shaped love stuff with Dolly Cool. Totally unique and original, not mass-produced, jewellery, accessories, clothing and bags – come meet Clare, she’s the girl behind the label and I heart her and her creations of rockabilly wonder mostest!

Describe the lady behind the label in 5 words…
50s tattooed retro rockin’ redhead!

What is it you do exactly?
I am the designer/maker for my own brand Dolly Cool. I make jewellery, accessories, clothing and bags and I’m also a graphic designer specialising in alternative and punky subject matter.

How did you discover you could create items of wonder and that you were going to sell them?
I have been making things as long as I can remember, and started selling my jewellery at craft fairs about 10 years ago.

Is it difficult to be creative AND business-y?
Sometimes yes! This is because you have to wear many different ‘heads’ – doing accounts is boring, but necessary and all part of running your own business…The rest of it is mostly fun!

What’s a day in the life o’ Clare like?
I get up around 8am, make breakfast and check emails, log sales etc. from the night before (it’s great making sales when you’re asleep!

Then I have a shower, get ready and begin to make my orders. Everything has to be ready to meet the last post at 5.30pm so I’m always a bit stressed from 4.30 to 5.30! The evening is spent updating my blog and website, doing any design jobs and making stock for when I do fairs. I rarely watch TV…my business always comes first!

Who and what inspires you?
Mid century design, tattoo art, other designers/makers who have created and built their own business from scratch.

What 5 tracks would be on a DollyCool soundtrack?
Rancid – Timebomb
Rock This Town – Stray Cats
Sugar Doll – The Jets
Livin’ On A Prayer – Bon jovi
Letter to the Censors – The Peacocks

Whats your life motto?
If at first you don’t succeed, try again!

The Sassy List: What’s your favourite:
Book: Memoirs of a Geisha – Arthur Golden
Movie: Pretty in Pink
Hang out: Rockabilly Weekenders and gigs
City: Manchester…My home city
Must-have beauty item: Benefit IT Stick concealer
TV programme: Medium

What does the term Sassy Minx mean to you?
An independent, fun lovin’ gal who knows what she wants and works hard to get it!

Go check out her creations o’ fabulousness: www.dollycool.moonfruit.com

The Sassy Guide to Weddings…

Aimee — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 07:00:46 +0000

‘Tis the season for a Great British Wedding. Or just weddings full stop. I was quite relieved this year that I have only had one invite so far-last year I had three in a month! Don’t get me wrong, I love the love, but its always what to wear-please God I hope no-one has the same dress as me, what to give-is a tenner in a card sufficient?, is it appropriate to drink another glass of wine?-always. So while I can’t give you etiquette, as my own is always custom based, I can give you Sassy Style, which is for the girls that make their own rules.
Today, I am beginning with the basics-headwear: not so much hats, but pretty fascinators, headbands and even turbans, which are great to accessorise with this year. Dresses are an outfit-in-one and you can build around them. I like the shorter knee length styles, as some maxi’s can seem too casual unless they are really expensive. Bags that give the WOW factor, and shoes that give good leg can make an outfit unique at a glance-in particular the River Island shoes, that aren’t that disimilar from a certain Italian fashion house.

Heads up; anti clockwise- Beaded headband, 30.00 emma fielden@ laden.co.uk, and white ostrich feather fascinator, $26.00 and pom-pom veiled fascinator $34 @ http://stylesmith.bigcartel.com/, , 2adorn pink flowers and net veil fascinator, 55.00 at asos.co.uk, Lace headband, Benoit Missolin, 30.00 @liberty.co.uk,, submarine liberty print turban headband, 55.00 Exclusive Jennifer Ouellette @liberty.co.uk, Lucie flower headband, 38.00 @louloulovesyou.com

Linear dress by Goldie 85.00 @thelookboutique.com, Peaches dress, 59.00@laden.co.uk, Soft print babydoll dress, 45.00@asos.co.uk, Halter neck Chantily floral dress, 65.00 @vivienne ofholloway.co.uk, Paula Rose tunic, 135.00 @monsoon.co.uk, asymmetric frill dress, 40.00 @topshop.co.uk, Fusion cosmic parrot dress, 60.00 @monsoon.co.uk, silver metallic crinny dress, 49.00 Miss Selfridge

LOVE bag, 90.00 @antoniandalison.co.uk, ASOS black egg tassle hardcase bag 35.00@asos.co.uk, silver metallic lips bag, 225 @luluguiness.co.uk, Leather flower clutch bag, 38.00@topshop.co.uk, Haisley peeptoe ,65.00, Miss KG@ kurtgeiger.com,embellished peeptoes, 30.00 @newlook.co.uk, Jeffrey Campbell Mary Rocks shoes, 95.00 @office.co.uk, printed pink embellished shoes, 54.99 @riverisland.co.uk.

Life Lesson

lisa — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 07:00:54 +0000

“Cherish your solitude. Take trains by yourself to places you have never been. Sleep out alone under the stars. Learn how to drive a stick shift. Go so far away that you stop being afraid of not coming back. Say no when you don’t want to do something. Say yes if your instincts are strong, even if everyone around you disagrees. Decide whether you want to be liked or admired. Decide if fitting in is more important than finding out what you’re doing here. Believe in kissing.”

– Eve Ensler

I Heart Paris…

Aimee — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 08:00:59 +0000

Well who doesn’t? In fact, we here at The Sassy Minx heart all the ‘I Heart..’ books, but that might just be because we are more than a little biased. One of our dearest friends and NY hook-ups, Lindsey Kelk, has her third book released on July 9th, and as I can promise you its a goodun’, because I can’t stop reading it!

We’ve already been on Angela’s adventures in NY and Hollywood, and now she is in Paris…

Angela is in the city of love – but romance is taking a nose-dive…

When Angela Clark’s boyfriend Alex suggests a trip to Paris at the same time as hip fashion mag Belle asks her to write a piece, she jumps at the chance.

But even as she’s falling for the joie de vivre of Paris, someone’s conspiring to sabotage her big break. And when she spots Alex having a tête-à-tête with his ex in a local bar, Angela’s dreams of Parisian passion all start crashing down around her.

With London and her old life only a train journey away, Angela can’t decide if should stay and face the music or run away home…

Preorder at Amazon.com now

Risk

lisa — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 08:01:07 +0000

What risk are you willing to take today? I’m going to tell the boy I like that I love him, what about you? Care to share?

World Wide Knit in Public day!

lisa — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 07:00:41 +0000

Stichin’ is bitchin’. Fact. And what better way to celebrate than with World Wide Knit in Public Day!

It’s a real and actual day, in fact, it’s today!

It was started in 2005 by Danielle Landes as a way for knitters to come together and enjoy each others company. It’s a specific day to get out of your house and go to a local event (with your knitting in tow, obv.) and show the general public that ‘not only grannies knit!’

To find out about a WWKIP day event in your area – go to www.wwkipday.com

It Girl: Classic

lisa — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 12:58:22 +0000

If you LOVE Gossip Girl and Sex and the City, you’ll LOVE this book.

It’s the last ever in the It Girl series and while it’s a total hit with teen girls everywhere, it’s also a complete guilty pleasure for grown-up girls like me too. This book is extra special as it features popular Gossip Girl character, Jenny Humphrey – she of the peroxide blonde hair and obscene amounts of eye liner.

Jenny longs to be Waverly Academy’s ultimate It Girl. Of course, her competition is tough: some whisper that Tinsley Carmichael’s beauty earns her top social marks while others believe that Callie Vernon, otherwise known as Little Miss Perfect, has and always will rule the school. Can three It Girls coexist on Waverly’s well-manicured campus?

Course they blimmin’ can’t!

Indulge in this guilty pleasure as soon as it hits the shelves on 21st June.

£5.99 www.amazon.co.uk