The Know How: Statement Necklaces!

Hey blogger friends!! I am finally back from my travels after half a month in my hometown of sunny Italy!! But now I am rested, ready and rearing to go with the blogging!!

I recently pinned something that says, “Simple is the new black” and I couldn’t agree more. I love to keep my look basic with a few unexpected accents. Whether it be the hint of a new silhouette such as a peplum or cutout, or an interesting colour palette such as head-to-toe neutrals or brights—I like to think that the beauty is in the details. If you ask me, the best way to revamp an outfit is by adding a little flair. And when I say “flair” I mean accessories—the most important detail when it comes to putting together a cute outfit. I love piling on costume jewelry and glittery flea market finds. It’s my favourite way to spruce up an otherwise simple outfit. I am particularly loving statement necklaces this year. From sparkly bibs to geometric collars, a decorative necklace is just what the fashionista pre-ordered when searching for the perfect, no-brainer outfit.

When donning a bold necklace, it is important to keep the rest of your look simple and sleek. Let the necklace make the statement, and if you feel it’s appropriate, compliment it with a bold lip. Here are some ideas as to how you can style a bold necklace with items you probably already have in your closet:


Quick Tips

• Keep it Collared. Update your oxford by buttoning your blouse all the way up. Then layer your look-at-me necklace under the collar so it is just peeking out from underneath the collar. 
• Make Your Own Necklace. If you have a bunch of old brooches lying around, pin them together onto a short chain to create your own statement necklace. 
• Minimize Distractions. Let your necklace shine by avoiding earrings all together (unless they are very subtle posts). Also, gaudy rings and excessive arm flair should be kept to a minimum. When I wear a bold necklace, I avoid extra jewelry all together. If anything, I will wear a few simple, thin band rings.   

Are you going to give this look a try? Let me know what you think in the comments below.

Saskia XO

Primp Tip: The Smart Girl's Guide to Shaving

Sitting in my garden blogging with the sun beaming down on my shoulders, it suddenly sunk in how amazing summer is and what a relaxed haute it conveys. However, us girls always seemed to be unnecessarily stressed out about one thing: shaving. I don’t know about you but I’ve heard so many differing opinions when it comes to getting the perfect shave. Some have said it’s best to do in a cold shower so you get goose bumps to raise the hair, resulting in a closer shave. Others have argued that it’s a job best left for the end of a steamy shower because the hair is softened. Well ladies, the verdict is no longer out. I did some research and put together this guide to ensure you’re shaving the smart way…

Your Ammo

• The Right Razor: Use a razor with a moisture strip containing aloe, jojoba or acai. I like Gillette Venus. But I’ve heard that Schick Quattro for Women is supposed to be just as good. Since razors dull over time, be sure to replace your razor after every 5-6 uses. 
• Get a Loofa: It will exfoliate your gams as you apply shave gel or cream before shaving.
• Gel or Cream It: Instead of basic soap, use a moisturizing shave gel or cream. Your stems need all the moisture they can get and gels/creams not only hydrate, they also allow for a closer, smoother shave. Simply Mahvelous Legs Shave Cream by Kiehl’s is great. 
• Bump-Free Lotion: After you shave and pat yourself dry, use an alcohol-free lotion to avoid irritating your freshly shaved legs and those unsightly red “razor burn”” bumps. 100% pure Shea Butter is always a good bet. 

How to Shave

• Temp: Warm. Hot water leaches moisture from your skin. 
• When: At the end of your shower. This way your hair and skin will have time to soften.
• How: Start from your ankles and shave up. You want to make sure you are shaving against the hair growth. As for your underarms, shave at every angle. I have found that shaving up and down and then in an “X” does the trick. 

Extra Tips

• Exfoliate: Since shaving actually exfoliates your skin, only exfoliate your legs with a scrub about once or twice a week depending on how often you shave. If you have particularly coarse hair, it’s a good idea to exfoliate a little more than average.
• Bump Watch: If you are prone to ingrown hairs, try using a cleanser with glycolic acid or apply Tend Skin after shaving. 
• Wax Perhaps: If you have especially thick hair you might want to consider waxing. Waxing is really great for the bikini area, underarms and lower legs.

Do you have any extra tips to share? Happy shaving!

Saskia XO

Inside My Summer Bag: Beauty Essentials

Personally for me, my bag's contents changes between season to season. I always try to use the best products that will compliment my skin and help keep it glowing. This usually means that a few of the products spend the whole duration from Winter through to Summer. However, this is not to say that the ingredients don't change...like SPF and extracts!

My particular favourites for summer include:

1. Clarins Beauty Flash Balm with SPF 15

First and for most, let me introduce to you, the ultimate pick-me-up for tired, stressed skin — Clarins best-selling radiance maker helps eliminate signs of fatigue in a flash! Instantly moisturises, brightens and tightens facial contours so skin looks rested and relaxed. Olive and Witch Hazel extracts help smooth the skin’s surface, diffusing the look of lines and wrinkles. Soothing Bisabolol helps restore skin’s youthful glow. Preps skin for perfect make-up application and hours of luminous wear. My personal fav!

2. Good Things Eye Bright

Bright Eyes, which contains lychee to support the delicate skin on the eye area, has really done wonders for the dry skin around my eye area. I’m not one for fiddling around with loads of creams and stuff in the morning but because of the results I’ve had, I always make sure I put this on. The nozel at the end of the tube is the perfect applicator. I never end up with too much which is probably why it has lasted so long. So this is not only works well, it’s also a bargain at £5.99! This is also suitable for Vegans.

3. Dior Amber Diamond Shimmer Powder

As sheer and shimmering as silk, this amazing Poudre Shimmer Diorskin brightens the complexion with thousands of sparkles and an airy caress of translucent light subtly shaded with delicate, sparkly gem-like effects. What is the secret of these unique reflections? Just the right amount of pearlescent. Love love love it, a must have! 

4. Mark Hill- Summer Hair Sun Protection Spray

Mark Hill Holiday Hair Sun Protection Spray SPF6 is designed to give hair the same treatment as skin in the sun. Mark Hill Holiday Hair Sun Protection Spray SPF6 has a built in UV protection complex to protect hair and scalp from sun damage and always makes me feel completely confident that my hair is in good care against the sun. 

5. L'oreal Candy Lip Gloss

Glam Shine Miss Candy Lipgloss is flavoured like candies and has a beautiful consistency on the lips; not too sticky but very long lasting! The colours used are also wonderful and will help you get through those summer days- just toss it in your handbag and voila!

6. Floppy Big Rimmed Hat

As a girl should be two things; classy and fabulous, this hat screams Chanel's approval! Firstly, it acts 

successfully in shielding UV rays, but also it's classic colour and tailored shape is oh so chic and 

beautiful for this S/S 12. 

7. Gilly Hicks Rosebery Opal Summer Scent

Soft and sweet, Rosebery Opal mixes dewy mango, lily and fresh apricot. All it takes is one quick 

spritz for skin to be total enriched and also hydrated! I'll be spritzing myself whether it be a dinner 

date or around the pool gathering during this summer! Buy buy buy it!

What does your summer bag contain?

Saskia XO

Kitchen Beautician: Luxorious Lather

Splish splash! One of the nicest things you can do for yourself is just relax. I’ve had a pretty busy time this week and always need a minute of down time to purely rejuvenate. Taking a milk bath is one of the oldest tricks in the book. In fact, it’s claimed to be a favourite of Cleopatra + Queen Elizabeth… and we all know how glamourous they were! Milk baths are amazing for a few of reasons. First, milk contains lactic acids + alpha hydroxy acids. These break-up the “glue” that keeps dead skin on your body. Soaking in a milk bath followed by a quick rinse in the shower can eliminate a lot of dead skin with very little effort. Second, it contains vitamins A + D which are skin softening. And last but not least, you can switch it up and use any kind- soy milk, oat milk, almond milk, or goats milk which are all beneficial to your skin’s health in different ways.


It’s easy to create your own version of this ancient favourite. Here’s my know how…


Pour one half gallon of Vitamin D milk into your drawn bath water. Fill a fabric satchel or pouch with chamomile tea and lavender pieces and tie it up tight. Let that soak with water. It’s like a big tea bag. Last, for an amazing fragrance, float a couple of gardenias on the surface. The steam will bring out the scent. You can add bubbles if you want. But most important, relax + enjoy.

Happy Relaxing!

Saskia XO

LONDON 2012: Olympic Games

Well it's here. What more can I say?! After 7 long years of preparation, hard work and effort, the day to open the games is finally here!
It will be the 30th Olympic Games officially started in London, England today with expectations of 1bn people worldwide expected to watch as the spectacular opening ceremony kicks off!





LET THE GAMES BEGIN!


Will you be getting patriotic Britain??!!


Saskia XO

Easy Breasy Summer Hair

Personally, I've always thought that nothing says summer better than easy breasy tosseld tassles (a.k.a. cute wind-in-the-hair summer fancies). 

Recently, my favourites have been manipulating the essential 'plait' or 'braid' and the traditional 'bun'. Although, volumised, beach babe loose wavy hair screams Cali Girl (which is a style that most of us automatically associate with summer), there are sleeker more refined ways to look effortlessly hot this summer...plus, you will be surprised to know that these sleek up-do's require less product than the 'messy look' ("no!", you say?!!) 

So my message: this summer, be sure to try out one of these amazing styles (using inspiration from the images above!)

Will you go sleek this summer?

Saskia XO

Fall in Love with CUTOUTS!

Cutouts sometimes get a bad rap. And understandably so. When worn with 7-inch Lucite heels and a zebra print micro skirt, there’s nothing chic about them. However, when done right, I really love the trend. I particularly love cutouts in unexpected places such as the collarbone area, the shoulders, at the hips of a modest dress or the back of a pretty tunic. In fact, cutouts were a noteworthy trend on the Spring 2012 runways. Designers including Stella McCartney, Proenza Schouler and Roland Mouret featured the scissor happy statement on their catwalks solidifying the piecemeal look as a key trend for 2012.

Without further ado, here are a few of my favourite cutout options…

A cutout at the hip is demure yet incredibly sexy in a very understated way. I love how unexpected it is on this chambray dress.

A sliced up neckline is a simple way to embrace this trend without going too far out of your comfort zone. This coral cutout swing top is the perfect summer staple for a night out on the town with friends or even a business meeting when paired with a relaxed linen blazer.

Last but not least, my favourite unexpected cutout is on the back. Make your exit as memorable as your entrance with a dress or blouse with a cutout back. I think this lace cutout mini is perfect for work or play.

So this summer, get scissor handy! I'll be sure to carry out this craze!

Are you going to give this trend a try?

Saskia XO