Ali loves ...

Fitness fashion

2007-02-11T09:44:00.000-08:00

Sorry for not posting so long but there are so many fantastic fashion websites out there, I kinda got caught in just reading other peoples blogs instead. One really great one is www.fabsugar.com.

On the newsfront:
First - I just started using an amazing new conditioner:

It's called Protein FX from Frederic Fekkai. It smells awesome, like vanilla and caramel and when I use it my hair is really shiny and healthy. It's of course not cheap but you don't need to use a whole lot of it.

Second - my fiance (yes, he is my fiance now), have started to do some fitness and yoga. At the moment we are just doing it at home but if I ever decide to take classes (and I think I will at some point), I will want to make sure I am dressed appropriately. My workout gear at the moment consists of some shapeless H+M sweatpants and a few Adidas t-shirts.
My first purchase however will be a yoga mat. I have been working out with a normal workout mat and let me tell you - it's not good for you. Normal workout mats are slippery and just don't give you the support you need. With yoga it is very important that you do the exercises the right way, otherwise they won't work or even worse - work against you.
So here is the baby I laid my eyes one (it's also kind of my only choice since there is only one shop in our town that sells yoga gear and thats the only kind of mat they sell):

Nike yoga mat - but in purple, not in pink

Yoga wear is also becoming more and more fashionable. There are some companies who do nothing but produce yoga gear. One of them is PrAna. Even though they belong to Liz Claiborne, they claim there stuff is 100% organic. It's definitely pretty.
Here is a sample outfit for a good yoga workout:

Also ex-supermodel Christy Turlington has a beautiful line of yoga clothing that she did with Puma. The line is called Nuala.

Look alike

2006-10-06T06:43:00.000-07:00

I found this cool new website where you can check who you look alike. It scans your pic, it's really amazing.

I do think I look a little bit like some of them. I am not sure about Audrey Tatou though, even though I think she is gorgeous.

I tried it with a different picture and got a different result. I think more people on the list below resemble me, even though I had the highest results with Virginia Mayo - the older lady on the top. I hope I will look like that when I am her age.

Try it yourself at www.myheritage.com

Vintage jewellery

2006-07-28T07:20:00.000-07:00

I found this really great site featuring replicas of famous, Hollywood jewellery as used by icons like Marilyn Monroe or Jean Harlow.

The Hollywood Collection sells reproductions of cinematic jewels to quite affordable prices. Of course it's not real diamonds but I think they have some really beautiful stuff.

I love t his victorian bracelet from the Marilyn Monroe collection

New bags

2006-07-28T06:35:00.000-07:00

As I have said before, I am somewhat of a bag-affecionato. My current objects of desire are:

Mulberry Emmy bag

Marc Jacob's Stem bag

But my favorite is still the Celine Boogie Satchel. They sell a superbeautiful new version in brown, with as they call it 'couture detail. It's really stunning. You can check it out at www.celine .com - unfortunately I couldn't post a picture.

All pictures are property of www.net-a-porter.com

Fall 2006 couture2

2006-07-18T07:35:00.000-07:00

Valentino is relatively behaved as usual ...

except ...

shiny, support tights are back! To be honest, I don't think I have been interested in fashion long enough to actually see shiny, support tights to ever be in fashion but whatever. These tights are so opaque - we never have to shave our legs again! Yay!

having said that, I do really like some of the dresses from the collection:

I am not sure about the flowers but I do love the colour, the glitter and the cut.

It might not be the best colour for such a pale beauty though ... Imagine Catherine Zeta-Jones wearing this dress. Better. Way better.

Ok, the model kinda looks like Brigitte Nielsen but I LOVE that dress. This colour is awesome! The floaty material and all ... I adore it!

There was one collection I really liked though - Elie Saabs, the collection was flattering, pretty and daring at the same time. That's clothes women can actually wear.

Purple dream, that's the most beautiful dress I have seen in a long time.

I love the print of the skirt.

Summing it up - my guess is - next winter black, grey and pale purple will be back. And Elie Saab rocks.

Fall 2006 couture

2006-07-18T07:06:00.000-07:00

It's runway time again. This time we feature pirates, dead people and even astronauts.

Dior was probably the most 'inventive' show that features such species as:

The giant hipped mermaid

The egyptian, one-armed bandit

Edward Scissorhand's bride to be

and a fashionable bush that doesn't need to be trimmed (coz it's a dress)

The whole collection is great - see more a Style.com. Galiano himself showed up dressed as an astronaut.

Christian Lacroixs collection is a colourful feast of ethnical diversity.

His show should have been called 'Around the world in 80 days ... with ruffles'

Givenchy had some pretty nice outfits, all in white, grey and black

What I don't like is the make up. I am serious - I didn't paint these beards on.

(more in the next entry ...)

Vintage

2006-06-26T03:09:00.000-07:00

I LOVE vintage. It doesn't even matter so much from which time - the 30s, the 40s, the 50s, 70s - as long as it's not the 80s ...

Anyway, I think reviving the old ages certainly helped some celebrities finding their own, personal style. It's especially great for hourglass or pear-shaped girls as these days woman are more and more apple-shaped - saying lot's of tummy, no waist, no bottom, maybe big boobs. Well in the 50s most women were pear-shaped or hour-glass shaped, thus the dresses were made to enhance this and to make woman with this kind of figure look better. I think great examples for stars who use vitage or neo-vintage clothing to enhance their figure are Scarlett Johannson and these days also Christina Aguilera (who would have thought this girl would ever find a good stylist).

But the queen of vintage fashion must be Dita Von Teese. She is sooooo beautiful. I absolutely adore her, even though she is basically a stripper (she does 'burlesque shows where she takes all her clothes off apart from a few pieces of strategically placed diamond jewellery), you must admire somebody who always looks so perfect and really knows what suits her. And apart from that, even though I would never go to a strip show, I would most certainly go to a burlesque show. It's totally glam.

Here a couple of pictures of the woman who's walk-in-closet I would most like to have a look in and who I hope I get to take pictures of someday:

Here with husband Marilyn Manson (even though I don't think he is attractive at all, they do make an interesting couple) picture property of www.glamourparis.com

Pale and beautiful.

That purple dress was her wedding gown. If I am not mistaken it's a custom made Moschino dress that she is wearing.

Cheap Euro chique

2006-06-19T12:09:00.000-07:00

Today I will try to put together an outfit that is reasonably priced (yet sexy and stylish). I tried to search for products available in mainland Europe but had quite some difficulties finding pictures online so I decided to pick clothes that are mainly available in the UK. It least it can be an inspiration and it's possible to get a good outfit on a low budget.

The t-shirt:

XX by Mexx. This costs around 20 Euros in the shops.

The cardigan (to wear over top):

This pretty, yellow cardigan is from Dorothy Perkins. It's retailing for 16 Pounds.

The jeans:

The Gap Original Low Rise Flare in Dark Tinted Vintage. Depending on the shoes you wear with them, they can look sexy or relaxed and girly. The dark colour, the flare and the low cut makes them quite flattering.
They are on sale and only about 30 Euros.

The shoes:

Ballet pumps from Urban Outfitters.
I actually own these shoes (in dark blue) and I really love them. They are about 15 Euros and they are pretty and supercomfortable. Also Urban has them in about 6 different colours.

The bag:

Black fake-leather bag at Accessoirize. It's 25 Pounds. I am really addicted to Accessoirize. I have about six bags from them. My favorites are their coloured suede leather bags. They have a beautiful grey one which would go perfectly with the ballerina shoes in the picture above but unfortunately was not available on their website.

Jewellery:

'Key to my heart' charm necklace at Urban Outiftters. It's around 15 Euros.

Yummy smells

2006-06-14T00:18:00.000-07:00

I don't think it's sexy to smell like a melon. Strawberry body lotion makes me nauseous. I admit, I had a serious lip smacker addiction in my teens but I can savely say that I have outgrown it.
One basic rule I follow is - if body care products are too heavily scented, they cause allergies and the money that the company should have invested in the ingredients of the product probably went into researching the perfume.

Anyway, I do like a subtle yummy smell in products like shampoo and shower gel, so here are my favorite yummy smelling products:

1. Le Petit Marseillais Shower Gel - Lait d'Amande Extra Douce
That's the yummiest, softest, nicest shower gel ever. I first picked it up on a trip to Nice (I have lot's of fond memories of this trip) and since then I get it whenever I am in France. You can also get it in some speciality stores in other countries for double the price though. It's a great product - the smell is not overwhelming (I hate it when you are in the shower and the smell of your shower gel is so strong it makes you nauseous) and it really makes your skin softer. Say have it in lot's of awesome scents like Ginger and Green Tea also but I always get back to the Lait d'Amande Extra Douce.

Picture is property of www.beaute-test.com

2. Bath and Body Works Pure Simplicity Rejuvinating Ginger Hand Cream

Unfortunately I couldn't find a picture for this one. I think they might not sell it anymore but that would be a shame. It's a beautiful product. I am not a huge Bath&Body Works fan since they use a lot of perfume in their products and it's as expensive as other brands which I find better (eg Dr Hauschka). Anyhow, their Pure Simplicity line is great. This handcream was for the longest time the only hand cream I would use. First of all the ginger smell is lovely (and reminds me of summer and my boyfriends sisters wedding which was beautiful), it makes my skin supersoft, even after month of using it, my skin still wasn't used to it so it still worked and it absorbs quickly also. So, shame if they discontinued it.

Another great smelling (and tasting) Bath and Body Works product is C.O Bigelows Mentha Lip Tint in Red. It tastes like Junior Mints or After Eights and it gives a nice, red shine.

3. Aussie Shampoo Three Minute Miracle Deeeeep Conditioner

I got compliments for the way my hair smelled after using this. Aussie Three Minute Miracle Conditioners are also the only cheap stuff I will ever put on my hair. I am a total shampoo snob.

Make Up Faves

2006-06-08T05:22:00.000-07:00

I just came back from Paris and I got some lovely new make up there that I have been meaning to buy for a long time.

I bought Benefits BADgal Lash Mascara which is fantastic. It gives so much volume and it doesn't clump, it's great! It's also quite pricey at around 20 Euros but it's worth it, especially if you have short, straight lashes like I have that need a bit of an extra oomp.

With my new mascara I got a Benefits catalogue which inspired me to get the The realness of concealness box. This includes small versions of the bestselling products
Lemon Aid - a yellow based concealer for around the eyes which works really well
Boi-ing in color medium - I couldn't really try this one since my skin is too light
Ooh la lift - an under the eye highlighter that de-puffs eyes. For me it works really well. Some say it doesn't work so well with mature skin but I can't comment on that since I haven't seen it.
High Beam - a pinkish highlighter. This is probably my favorite of all the products in the box. I am a sucker for highlighters and have been using Revlon Skinlight for ages but this one is better. It really gives a healthy glow. Once I run out I am definitely getting the larger version.
Lip Plump - I first thought that's something like Lip Venom but it turned out to be a skin colored base for lip stick or lip liner. It contains vitamins and stuff to make the lips smoother. I think it does an ok job.

All in all it's a good deal for about 30 Euros you get to try all these different products.

I also got the ultimate Blush - Nars in Orgasm. Last week I tried to get this at Liberty in London but it was sold out. It's that good. For some reason the Make up girl at the Nars counter still put it on me (solemnly to taunt me I believe) and I was sold. It's a pricey 30 Euros in Europe but 25 $ in the US. So I know what I will be buying on my next trip to the US. The color Orgasm really suits everybody. It's a peachy-pink with shimmer and it just makes you look a bit flushed, a bit tanned and very glowy and happy. This is the first blush my boyfriend approves of (and believe me, I have tried many and he thinks it always makes me look either drunk or like a doll - in a bad way) so that's really something.

I am still looking for a good lip plumper though. I have tried Lip Fusion in the stores and it's pretty nice but extremely pricey at almost 40 Euros. Lip Venom is not supposed to be as good unfortunately. I think at my next visit at the department store I will try Stila's lip plumper and Pout which I read really good reviews about.

And my boyfriend bought me the cutest Pilgrim necklace in Paris.

It's so unusual and at the same time the golden-bronze of the necklace really values up my outfits. I love it.

Happy shopping y'all!

Pictures property of Benefitcosmetics.com and Treasurebox.com

Outfit of the day

2006-06-01T01:50:00.000-07:00

I love my new Tweezerman tweezers. They must be the best beauty tool ever invented. And they are PINK. They are expensive but so worth it.

For the first time on this blog I will put together an outfit. An expensive outfit that I am not able to afford. Today's outfit says 'Wow, I rock, it's our first date but you might as well just marry me now before somebody else does'.

I love this dress. The colour is awesome and suits dark skins as well as pale beauties. I also think it would look fantastic on curvier girls, since the full skirt hides wide hips. It's long enough to give it a kind of innocence. It's simple, so it doesn't scream high maintenance. It's a really perfect dress.
It's by Theory and available at Neiman Marcus for 325 $.

The great thing about the dress is that you can dress it up and down. This little golden clutch by Eve that's available at Neiman Marcus for 200 $, with matching shoes dress make it perfect for a nicer location.

These Stuart Weitzman Sandals, also available at Neiman Marcus for 275 $ are the perfect match for the little gold clutch.

And to finish it off, this cute, long Pilgrim necklace, spotted at treasurebox.co.uk. Picture property of treasurebox.co.uk

And if it's an evening at the local diner followed by a movie, just dress it down with a pair of tan leather sandals and a leather bag.

All pictures except the last are property of Neiman Marcus

Skinproducts

2006-05-23T06:23:00.000-07:00

I suffer from extremely dry, sensitive skin and get eczema if I am not very careful what I use. Thus have been obsessed with skin care from an early age. I have tried so many products from simple Nivea cream to homeopathic solutions, Clinique, Clarins ...

I finally found my routine, the only one that really worked so far and I have been faithful for a couple of month now. For the first time in 10 years or so I don't have dry patches, my skin looks great and I am not even using concealer or foundation anymore during the day (and before I wouldn't leave the house without a thick layer of concealer to cover up the red, dry patches).
I mainly use products from the Vichy line.

I tried different products but found that the Nutrologie 2 face moisterizer works the best.

I also love the Vichy Eye Gel - Thermal Fix Yeux

Before I apply the the cream I use a facial toner.

My favorite is from Dr. Hauschka. It gives my skin a healthy glow.

I use Cetaphil as a cleanser. I also love Estee Lauder Splash Away Cleanser but that's not in my budget at the moment and Cetaphil does an ok job.

I read about the St. Ives Apricot Scrub being the best sold scrub in the US, so I thought I just give it a try and I love it. I use it once or twice a week. First I thought it would be too rough, since I have really sensitive skin but it absolutely doesn't.

I also use Vichy UV SPF 25 on sunny days or when I am out for a longer period of time. I am only 24, so wrinkles are not showing but I think it's good to start early, so I probably start using an anti-wrinkle serum in one or two years. I am crazy about serums anyway, for hair and body. I love the way it makes my skin feel. I have tried Estee Lauders Perfectionist Serum before and it makes my skin feel like velvet.

I am in London from tomorrow on and I think I will try to get some Kiehl's.

Spring time is dress time

2006-05-18T03:25:00.000-07:00

I love this years 50s style dresses. They look so shapely and nice. I have to admit I never wear dresses. I own only two dresses - a black sundress and a petrol-coloured satin dress (satin really IS unforgiving as I found out later) but I think this will change this summer.

I mean, how could I not?

The dress to the right is from Monsoon and costs 95 Pounds.

This cute little babydoll dress is from Dorothy Perkins and is only 40 Pounds.

This Roland Mouret-style dress is also from Dorothy Perkins and it's only 30 Pounds! This is the kind of dress really thin women wear to make them look like they have a butt and boobs. If you actually have a butt and boobs, this dress is not for you (well, me in this case).

Also, what's the deal with pencil skirts. I agree they look hot but I just can't imagine walking in them. It must take you ages to get anywhere with the little steps you can take.

Where there is good, there must be bad though. When I saw this catsuit from Dorothy Perkins only one word came to my mind:
WHY?

What's the purpose of this thing?
Maybe its a giant all body slimming suit (it might actually be but what do you wear it over it? A sexy skiing outfit?)
Or is it a diving suit? But then it probably should be 96% viscose ...

The only answer is - Dorothy Perkins is now also doing fetish gear.

2006-05-15T04:25:00.000-07:00

I finally received my Pilgrim necklace and I love it! I already got some compliment for it. It came in a 'Pilgrim Men' box though, so I am wondering if I am wearing men jewelery but who cares.

I recently bought Benefits eyeliner in 'Tuxedo' - the perfect blue-black and the most sold eyeliner at Sephora New York (according to Allure magazine). I am really happy with it. It really enhances my blue eyes and is not as bold as a black one. Next on my list are famous Nars blush in Orgasm (even though it seems a really light colour - and I have about the palest face ever)

Celine

2006-05-02T02:26:00.000-07:00

I love Celine. If I had the money, the first thing I would get would be a Celine bag. I absolutely adore the new collection. Here some of my favorites:

Beautiful leather, beautiful straps, it's perfect. It also looks great in yellow!

Also cute - it IT bag Celine Boogie Satchel:

Someday ... someday ...

All pictures property of Neimann Marcus

Fall 2006 Fashion shows

2006-04-29T14:31:00.000-07:00

Summing up the Fall 2006 Fashion Shows, I would say, lot's of leggins, shirtdresses/sweaterdresses and lot's of grey.

I loved the Temperly London show. Miss Temperlys dresses just seem so cute and feminine:

This is one of those dresses Rory on Gilmore Girls would casually wear to her boyfriend Logan's sisters Sunday brunch. Of course then it would have been made by her mum Lorelai who next to her day job as owner of an Inn also makes the most gorgeous dresses ever (but for some reason decided not to make a living off it).
Here another one I like but I pretty much like the whole collection:

I didn't like Stella McCartney's new collection that much but I did like one outfit a lot:

Doesn't that just seem like the perfect suit? The colour suits about everyone, the cut is somewhat masculine, which I personally find sexy AND professional looking, the soft, slighty shiny material gives it a femine touch. I love it. I even like the high waist which I am normally not a big fan of but in this case it gives it a classic touch a la Marlene Dietrich. I like.

When I looked through the first half of Michael Kors Fall 2006 show, I thought I had become colour blind. There was so much grey, black and beige, mine workers would have found it boring. But than I saw this beautiful piece of garment and changed my mind completely:

This dress is so sexy, feminine and kick ass at the same time, I can imagine 'Kill Bill's' The Bride wearing it while beating up 99 crazy nazis on her way to an important ex-assin award show. Ok, that might be a tad far fetched but this dress rocks.

All the pictures are property of Style.com

Asos.com

2006-04-28T07:06:00.000-07:00

Asos.com is one of those places I always want to buy loads but then when I actually do buy loads and I receive the goods, I don't really like it or it doesn't fit properly or the bags are too small or too big but I guess this is something you have to take into account with mail order.

I am looking for the perfect white bag at the moment. I am thinking, soft leather, pure white (no off white, no pinkish white, no greyish white), maybe a doctors bag? I saw something on Asos.com that looks really nice since I have had some bad suprises with them before, I am trying to hold back. Here is what I like:

Now, what I don't like about it is the size, I think it's too big and it's canvas, so I think it will be dirty soon. Anyway, it is a really pretty bag and only 15 Pounds which is quite a bargain.

I also love Urban Outfitters Angel earrings:

They are similar to the ones Kate Moss wears in the Rimmel London adds. Unfortunately I live in a Urban Outfitters-less country but I will be in London in two weeks, so I hope to be able to snatch some up then. I have been lusting after them since I first saw them on Kate Moss and couldn't believe it when I found out that you can actually buy them for 16 $ at Urban Outfitters.

I also found out today that treasurebox.co.uk stocked up again on the Pilgrim Angel Wing necklace. I am really excited. I have tried to find this necklace EVERYWHERE. On Ebay, on Pilgrim stockists everywhere ... now that I see it again, I am not sure if I should get it though, it's pretty expensive ... on the other hand, it is quite adorable:

Ali loves ...

2006-04-28T06:59:00.000-07:00

This blog is all about my favorite make up, jewellery, clothes and bags.