The One Piece

I don't think I've worn a swim suit since my early teens, when a simple speedo costume was the go-to for obligatory school swimming lessons. Maybe it's down to the unpredicatable nature of the British summer or just being that one year older, but this summer the one piece is suddenly really appealing. I'm talking about those simple, classic shapes that feel a little bit 90s and a little bit 60s all at once, with spaghetti straps, low-backs or strapless necklines for an end result Herb Ritts or Slim Aarons would be proud of. I love the idea of wearing high-waisted denim shorts over the top of them too.

I remember watching Mon Pere ce Heros when I was about twelve and falling for her yellow costume but never quite managed to find just the right replica. I'm not sure yellow will be making an appearance this time round but a new hunt is ongoing, starting with my current favourites below;

 Zimmerman / Free People / Prism / Norma Kamali

Summer Beauty

Winter and high summer are the two times a year I invest in a few new products to try and stave off the inevitable straw-like, discoloured hair and parched skin that both seasons tend to bring. Plus, having a bit of tan or even just the odd freckle after a winter of pale, grey skin calls for a welcome makeup bag update too.

I find dealing with partially coloured hair a constant battle as you have two different textures to deal with (anyone with ballyage or ombre hair will know what I'm talking about!) and after my recent trip to Mexico with salt showers for a week, the ends of my hair are in need of some serious of TLC. I've heard great things about Living Proof and this Restore mask is meant to work miracles. I'm also tempted to go for the Restore Recovery Regimen programme for an intensive 5 week blitz.  I've always avoided Bumble & Bumble's surf spray for fear of it drying out my flyaway hair completely but the shampoo and conditioner take on it sound much more doable and just right in terms on the end result. I learnt the hard way many years ago about the perils of not looking after blonde hair in the sun (and spent the next year trying to rebuild my quite literally broken locks) so a protective spray is always a must for me and this one by Phyto is pretty good value compared to lots of other boutique brands. 

In terms of make up, the summer for me means much less makeup and pretty much only at night so just a couple of new additions are on my radar. I bought Bobbi Brown shimmer bricks for my mum and sister as presents recently and have been hankering after one for myself ever since and Charlie of My Little Eye recently got me onto these Nars lip pencils. This shade would totally wash me out in the winter but looks just the right shade of 90s on holiday. 

And last but not least, the most indulgent want on the list is Estee Lauder's Bronze Goddess Body Oil which is basically summer in a bottle. Working as both a fragrance and moisturizer in the evening, it smells amazing and succeeds in making anywhere feel like an exotic escape.  But be warned, the entire Bronze Goddess range seems to sell out by July every year so get in there sooner rather than later.

Lost Coastlines

 

A little post-holiday inspiration starting with a happy memory from my trip to L.A last year. Weird how some places really get under your skin and a year later, you still get nostalgic pangs to be back there again. 

As promised, the Fashion Me Now Summer '13 Mixtape is now ready on spotify. It's a bit of a work in progress, so I'll be adding more to it over the next few months as and when I get hooked on new songs. You can subsribe to it by clicking the link below. 

Fashion Me Now Summer '13 Mixtape