Voyage vogue for 2018

by michael | Jan 26, 2018 | Style

Every New Year brings a lot to look forward to and 2018 could see you attending a Royal Wedding in London in May, and jetting off to St Petersburg for the FIFA World Cup in June. To make sure you don’t miss out on the top places to visit this year, we highlight the major destinations to visit in 2018, and what you should pack for your trip.

A PARTY IN VENICE

Your first trip in 2018 should be to Venice to experience their annual carnival. Masks, music and magic is what you can expect from this historic event. Thomas Cook has a range of holiday packages to this magical city.

If you’re going during the carnival and plan to partake in the festivities, top of your packing list should be a killer dress and shoes, as well as the obligatory mask to finish off the outfit. Don’t worry if you can’t find a mask before you leave, Venice has shops and stalls that sell masks in their hundreds.

Silver grey sequin Bardot fishtail dress £34.99 at Quiz
Showcase petite Lila maxi dress £70.00 at Dorothy Perkins
AX Paris pink crochet detail maxi dress £40.00 at New Look

A ROYAL WEDDING

May 2018 will see Prince Harry and Meghan Markle marry in St Georges Chapel at Windsor Castle on the 19th. For those around London, this will be a day trip, but for anyone travelling to London for the big event you will need to book your accommodation soon. Previous Royal Weddings have seen people flock to London from around the globe to try and catch a glimpse of the bride and groom on their big day.

While you’re not likely to get an invitation to the wedding, there’s no reason you can’t dress up and have a party of your own. For the ladies this means decadent dresses and stylish hats.

Lace double layer pleated dress £20.00 at Bonmarché
Jane Norman floral multiway maxi dress £49.00 at Peacocks
Dark green lace sleeve wrap dress £11.99 at New Look
Nude and silver glitter bodycon dress £34.99 at Quiz

Nude bow fascinator £11.40 at Dorothy Perkins
Silver crystal embellished leaf headband £10.49 at New Look
Pink diamante occasion alice band £5.00 at Peacocks
Cream bow curl fascinator £4.99 at Quiz

SEE THE WORLD IN ST PETERSBURG

From June to July national soccer teams from around the world will participate in the FIFA World Cup in Russia, with a lot of the action taking place in St Petersburg. While soccer fans will love to watch the games live, there are a host of other sites to visit including landmarks and museums. While it will be summer, the weather can still be mild in St Petersburg at that time of year, so make sure to pack a jacket that you can throw on with any outfit.

Reebok classic windbreaker jacket £55.00 at JD Sports
Karrimor urban weatherlite jacket £35.00 at Sports Direct

A CYCLE THROUGH PARIS

The Tour de France takes place in July, ending in Paris. This isn’t only a trip for cycling enthusiasts, and Thomas Cook can help plan your trip, with deals on travel and accommodation.

The most important things to pack for your trip to Paris, and to enjoy the end of the Tour de France, are sun tan lotion, a hat and good walking shoes. You will spend a lot of time wandering through the streets of Paris taking in all the sights, so make sure your feet are comfortable and you protect yourself from the sun.

PIZ BUIN One Day Long – long lasting sun lotion SPF30 (200ml) £12.50 at Boots
Nivea Sun protect & moisture sun lotion SPF 30 (200ml) £10.49 at Superdrug

Superdry Solo cap £15.00 at JD Sports
Lonsdale TT Cap Inf83 £4.99 at Sports Direct
Black Fedora hat £5.99 at New Look

Nature V. light grey nubuck £90.00 at Clarks
Reebok royal glide ladies’ trainers £44.99 at Deichmann
Lilley women’s jersey lightweight trainer in black £14.99 at Shoe Zone
Stone knit texture running trainers £13.99 at New Look

BRIGHT DAYS IN BERLIN

In August head to Berlin for your next sports fix, with the European Athletics Championship taking place from 7 to 12 August. This is a great trip for athletics enthusiasts, and while you’re there, add a few extra days to your trip and see the sights. Berlin is considered a cosmopolitan hub, featuring a mix of museums, shops and some great nightlife too.

For your days watching sport, a hat and sun tan lotion are musts, but when it comes to your nights on the town, you can have fun with your wardrobe. Pack a cute pair of shoes to dance in, and a party outfit you can throw on without too much fuss. After all, you’re there to enjoy yourself.

Blue sequin embellished swing dress £29.99 at New Look
Rose gold sequin dress £16.00 at Peacocks
Gold plisse playsuit £13.00 at Primark
Silver sequin diamante dress £36.99 at Quiz

Glitter sandal heel £24.99 at Deichmann
Mayra Ellie heel £29.00 at Clarks
Suedette cross strap block heels (available in multiple colours) £25.99 at New Look
Jane Norman black ankle strap heels £28.00 at Peacocks

Reign purple in 2018

by michael | Jan 26, 2018 | Style

It’s a new year, and as many often claim a new year means a new you. You make resolutions, many of which are broken within the first month of the year, all in the aim of being a better person. This year, being a new you does not have to mean trying to change who you are, but rather let it mean changing the things around you to make you the best ‘you’ you can be.

For 2018, Pantone has announced that Ultra Violet is the colour of the year. So why not infuse this colour into the different aspects of your life? Refreshing your wardrobe, beauty regime and even your diet may have surprising impacts on the various aspects of your life. This vibrant and energetic colour could be just the thing your 2018 needs to give it a boost and help you be the best.

THE POWER OF PURPLE

Purple is believed to have a calming effect on the mind and nerves, as well as encourage imagination and creativity. A colour often linked with authority, adding this colour to your wardrobe could give you the added confidence you need during a tough day, while also helping your mindset. However, be careful not to over do it with the purple, as too much of this glorious hue is thought to bring out some negative qualities, like irritability, impatience and arrogance.

There are a few ways you can add some purple to your wardrobe, without it becoming overbearing. Think accessories, a statement top with muted trousers or a skirt, or be a bit more daring and go for purple shoes to add pop to your outfit. The purple can simply be a small detail of the entire outfit, but this can still be powerful.

Apricot purple lace scallop hem bell sleeve top £25.00 at New Look
Purple tie sleeve top £15.00 at Peacocks
Tie front short sleeve top £17.50 at Dorothy Perkins
Bardot lotus long sleeve blouse £12.99 at Select
Floral print bubble hem blouse £22.00 at Bonmarché

Satin ribbon tie heels £17.99 at New Look
Vendra Bloom in aubergine suede £29.00 at Clarks
Marco Tozzi multi coloured brogue boot £49.99 at Shoe Zone
Puma Vikky trainers £44.99 at Deichmann
White and pink embroidered boots £19.99 at Quiz

18ct gold plated cubic zirconia purple studs £6.00 at Claire’s
Plum chunky knitted snood £10.00 at Peacocks
Pastel checked scarf £10.00 at Bonmarché
Purple zip side metal handle tote bag £24.49 at New Look
Purple twist bead collar necklace £7.50 at Evans

BE BOLD WITH BEAUTY

There’s no need to limit your use of purple to your wardrobe alone. There are fun ways you can incorporate this shade into your beauty look without looking like a little kid playing dress up. A touch of purple nail varnish, or a subtle touch of purple eyeshadow can be enough to update your beauty look for 2018 and give you that extra boost of confidence when you need it.

Orly nail polish is Velvet Rope £5.00 at Boots
Rimmel nail polish 60 Second in Black Cherries £2.99 at Superdrug
Rimmel Glam Eyes Quad eyeshadow in State of Grace £5.99 at Bodycare
Makeup Revolution Redemption Palette in Mermaids vs Unicorns £4.00 at Superdrug
L’Oréal Paris Color Riche mono eyeshadow in purple velour £5.99 at Boots

BERRY COLOURED EATS & TREATS

And why not extend the Ultra Violet trend into your eating habits too? According to research, the antioxidant that gives purple foods their colour (anthocyanin) is beneficial, having been linked to increased longevity, cardiovascular health and dementia.

Some of the foods that you can add to your diet that not only feature this beautiful and vibrant colour, but are good for you too, include red cabbage, berries like blackberries and cranberries, aubergines or eggplant, as well as purple or heritage carrots and red kale.

Next time you visit the grocery store keep an eye out for purple (healthy) foods you can buy. Sainsbury’s, Asda, Iceland and Tesco as sure to have a selection of in-season fruits and vegetables in this powerful (and healthy) colour.

In 2018, Ultra Violet is not only the colour of the year, but the colour that could change your year and you.