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!

In the words of Miss Tammy Wynette, ’sometimes its hard to be a woman’. There are definitely some times of the month when this proves to be the case, right? However, I’ve found a little hero in Seven Seas new range called Femibion that I have to tell you about…

Femibion is a colour-coded range of feel-good supplements created specifically for women, and aims to target different stages of well-being. ‘Balance’ is for everyday, ‘Radiance’ is for girls that lead an incredibly active lifestyle, ‘Pregnancy’ for when a girl NEEDS her Omega 3, ‘Wellbeing Mum’ for new mummas and ‘Menopause’ for that next stage of womanhood.

I’ve been taking the pink ‘Balance’ for over five months now and I cannot pimp it enough. As someone that naturally has a hormone imbalance, I’ve been combining it with other supplements that I have to take to regulate my moods and my time o’ the month. I prefer to take holistic therapy instead of medicinal injections that my doctor recommends, so it has been a real bonus to not only feel calmer, less aggressive and weepy, but to have pretty nails that are stronger, hair that is shiny and skin that looks more polished too – hurrah!

So, in case you were wondering I LOVE this prod, they make me feel suitably more sassier than I’ve felt for ages.

FYI: Just so you know, yes, we WERE sent these to trial, but we will ALWAYS, ALWAYS be completely honest with you about what we think, and the minxes will NEVER promote any prods we haven’t tried and tested our sweet selves ‘k?!!

Avaialble from most chemists and supermarkets.

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!

Retro geek specs; 10.00, Ruby Rocks 'Broken anchor' tee; 42.00, Pink Accessories skinny belt; 16.00, Fairground 'Won't be Long' shorts; 48.00

The minxes have been talking about this for a while, but we are super-excited to be telling you about the launch of new website, www.laden.co.uk, from Brick Lanes finest shopping superstore! The Laden Showroom was launched 10 years ago and provides a platform for young talent and designers to showcase their designs and collections. Founded in 1999 by brother and sister team Barry and Adele Laden, their vision was to create a unique, special shopping experience.

Aviators; 10.00, Miss Milne cut out body; 54.00, Ink 'Safari' trench;66.00, Oak 'Gold Tree' skinny jeans, Timeless 'Elodie' ankle boots; 51.00

10 years on and this Brick Lane store has launched over 200 independent designers. The store currently stocks over 65 designers including Bonnie, Chandelier, Collect, Connected Generation, JARLO and Orion London making it the perfect one stop shop for everything from party outfits to rock chick chic – and we have got some of the hottest looks and tips down below, just for you, and with the end of the month payday just around the corner, why not have a little sneak peek on the website at all of the delights?!

Become a beau with this bow from Emma Fielden, a marvelous milliner who we had the pleasure of interviewing here earlier this year here. Bows have been just a lil’ bit huge – in this case literally – for quite a while on the street and on the catwalks, and combined with the fabulous fluro, this headband is one big ‘WOW!’

Pull the rabbit out of the hat with this ‘Alice in Wonderland’ bag, 75.00, by Helen Rochfort. Whimsical and charming this printed bag with diamante and bow detailling is just the thing to take with you to see the new Tim Burton film which comes out next month. You are so cultural, darling.

Stripes and ruffles and monochrome-tres francaise! Jaime le ‘Camille’ dress, 48.00, by Renee-parfait for channeling that smouldering starlet inside of you. A beret, a trench, some good hosiery and t-bar heels teamed with red lipstick and all the boys will be whispering “Voulez-vous couchez avec moi?” to you….

It don’t mean a thing if you ain’t got that swing, and Jones and Jones know this only too well, with their ‘Swinging Rose’ skirt, 45.00. Work those hips and dance the night away in the knowledge that you look damn fine.

All the nice girls love a sailor, so get caught by a wrong-un in this “Your Eyes Lie’ vest, 30.00. Perfect for jeans and lazy days, its worth throwing your sensible cap off for.

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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In the words of Baz Luhrmann, “Do not read beauty magazines. They will Only. Make. You. Feel. Ugly.”

If you’ve ever put down a fashion magazine and wished you were six feet tall and a size two, if you’ve ever despaired at the critical way women (and men) are written about in celebrity magazine or bought a diet magazine and then wished you hadn’t bothered then Relentlessly Positive, the blogginz by gorgeous girl Miss Sarah Clark is for you – it’s a website totally dedicated to making people feel GOOD – what’s not to love about that?

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Be too sexy for words this Valentines Day with Jonathan Aston and a Seductive 50% off at Selfridges between 12th-14th of February. Go on…be daring.

All you need is love – the Friday afternoon Sassy feature o’ love that includes items, links, people, quotes, places and pictures of things that fill us to the brim with all that amazing love stuff – please share yours too, let the Sassy love-in begin!

Pic: http://nevermadesensetothem.tumblr.com/page/11

J’adore kissing. Kissing should be compulsory EVERY day.

It’s no secret that I adore love, and this movie is love personified, which is why Moulin Rouge is my favourite movie. EVAH. It was also the first movie I saw with the only boy I’ve ever loved… sigh.

Pic: http://playdates.tumblr.com/

Come to the Edge

Come to the edge.
We might fall.
Come to the edge.
It’s too high!
Come to the edge!
And they came,
And he pushed,
And they flew.

It’s already known that I have a LOT o’ love for Love from Hetty & Dave – we interviewed the lady behind the label last year – and it’s no wonder when she makes bee-you-tiful heart-shaped loveliness like this, is it?

£25, lovefromhettyanddave

Pic: http://www.xanga.com/grungegypsy

Looking for love just got a whole lot easier. www.spacetobe.co.uk is bringing fabulousness to all the single ladies this V-Day with the launch of the Single & Fabulous hypnotherapy track. Whether you’re recovering from a broken heart or you’ve been single for a long time, this 25 minute hypno track will help you to appreciate that you don’t need to ‘couple up’ to feel terrific and get the most out of life – you’ll be doing that naturally. What’s more, when ‘the one’ does happen to cross your path, the more intuitive, confident you is far more likely to spot ‘em!

This is like a big full-fat bar of chocolate for the soul, all the good stuff but without the calories – I love it!

MP3 – £9.99 CD – £13.99 www.spacetobe.co.uk

Pic: http://newresolution.tumblr.com/page/4

This year, Miss Aimz is baking red velvet cupcakes and icing them for her beau, but she would also recommend making them for a love-in with your friends. He doesn’t know it was the wedding cake in Steel Magnolias, but this pink-tinted vanilla-chocolate treat is the trailer-trash of cakes and frankly, they rock!

Try this recipe from Xanthe Clay, foodie on The Telegraph

Red Velvet Cupcakes

* 5oz/140g self-raising flour
* 2 tbsp cocoa
* Half tsp bicarbonate of soda
* 4floz/110ml buttermilk
* 1 tsp vinegar
* Half tsp vanilla extract
* 1 tbsp red food colouring
* 2oz/60g butter at room temperature
* 6oz/170g caster sugar
* 1 large egg

To decorate:

* Cream-cheese frosting (see box) and fresh cherries

Preheat the oven to 170C/325F/gas mark 3. Line a 12-hole cup cake tin with cases.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, bicarb and a pinch of salt. In a mug, mix the buttermilk, vinegar, vanilla and red food colouring.

Beat the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy. Beat in the egg a little at a time. Mix in a third of the flour mixture, followed by half the buttermilk mixture, then another third of the flour, the rest of the buttermilk and finally the last of the flour mixture.

Divide the mixture between the paper cases. Bake for 20 minutes, until risen and springy – don’t overcook them.

Cool on a rack.

I never realised the importance of the saying ‘if you don’t ask, you don’t get’ until the very end of last year. And ask, I certainly had at the beginning of 2009.

My list read a little like this…

I want to be a success as the head of a lingerie brand
To finish my novel
To write for a fashion publication
To find a boyfriend who is nice, funny and passionate but who also looks after me as an equal
Maintainance of a body that is pleasureful
Health that is healthy
A smile that laughs consistently
and finally – phew! – to meet new people that are genuine, inspiring and honest, whilst maintaining the friendships I already have.
 
I didn’t know if any of it was going to happen, but I wanted it to and I was willing to take whatever action was necessary for a success-filled 2009.
Nothing, however, could have prepared me for the joys, the sadness, and the changes that occurred in me as a woman in the space of a year. 2009 was a year of honesty and truth for me, even if that truth, cliché as it sounds, bloody hurts sometimes.

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