Is it just me, or do we girls need a different handbag for every occasion? Clutch bags, over-the-shoulder bags, shopper bags, designer bags…the list goes on. No wonder men just cannot seem to compete in the style stakes, what do they get? Briefcases and backpacks. Not exactly high in the fashion stakes.

Taking the time to choose a handbag is a girl’s prerogative. We need to think about it. Do I really like the colour or is it just because it’s the latest recommendation in Cosmo? Will my £45 tin foil clutch bag still be in fashion in 3 months time? Is the suitcase-sized handbag on display going to fit all my worldly possessions in? You know, those sorts of things.

That’s why the must have is this season’s Tote Bag. You can find a whole range from Radley to Guess and subtle black to hot pink. Large enough to fit all those essential items in and so now.

Let’s look at it from a practical viewpoint; whether designer or Primark, the Tote Bag is also a very secure alternative to the smaller handbag. I can barely locate anything in the depths of my bag myself, let alone some opportunist thief trying to dip his hand in there.

What else that’s great about the Tote handbag, though, is that it’s ideal for shopping excursions and day trips. Say you go to the beach, for example, you throw everything in and keep it all together – sun cream, towel, a little something to read…the lot!

And even better, your Tote bag is unbeatable as hand luggage on a plane. Now, me, I don’t tend to know the meaning of the words “pack lightly” and luggage restrictions only add to my quandary when I’m choosing between my favourite, yet space-consuming, Diesel jeans and my sensible, but totally uncool ,walking shoes, which is why the bigger your hand luggage the more you can fit in your suitcase! Everybody’s happy. There’s logical reasoning in there somewhere….really.

Plus, you’re bound to catch the eye of that cute guy sitting across from you in the café with your funky (and unmissable) handbag…Need I say more?

A big thumbs up for the Tote from me!

Have you ever wondered who does the hair of your favourite celebrity? Find out who are the in-demand names amongst celebrity stylists.

There are serveral celebrity hairdressers in London who make our stars look fab. Now you can go to the same hair salons as them.

Who’s doing the hair of the blondes Kate Moss, Kate Winslet and Madonna?

Nicola Clarke at John Frieda takes care of Kate Moss’s hair. If you are blonde or want to have lighter hair, Nicola is the person to go to. She has done Kate’s colour for eight years. Besides Kate Moss, Madonna and Kate Winslet you could potentially also meet Cate Blanchett, Scarlett Johnsson or Gwyneth there.

If you’re blonde and want to leave your hair in the hands of an expert here is the place to be. The John Frieda salon is located at 4 Aldford St, W1 London. To book an appointment call 020 7491 0840. Prices start from £190.

Leona Lewis and her curls
Leona Lewis trusts Ben Cooke at Leckonego when it comes to her hair. Ben is specialised in curls and crops and was also the one behind Victoria’s POB. Prices start at £195. Lockonego is located at 394 Kings Road in Chelsea (phone: 020 7795 1798).

And who does the hair for Kelly Brook?
Kelly Brook with her natural glossy colour gets hers done at Carol Joy, where Daniel Galvin Junior looks after her hair. Daniel Galvin Junior is the son of Daniel Galvin, celebrity hairdresser who styled the hair of Diana and Margaret Thatcher. Getting your hair done here is probably the most expensive as prices start at £250 but the salon is definitely worth a visit, being quite hard to find it looks more like a luxury hotel rather than a salon.

Sexy colours for Girls Aloud

Each band member has her own hair style and they all look great. Surprisingly all girls go to the same hairdresser. It’s Amie Wilson at Daniel Hersheson. You’re in safe hands here whether blonde, brown or ginger. Appointments are also very affordable, only £60 to get your hair done.
Location: Daniel Hersheson Conduit St. WC1 London, phone: 020 7434 1747

Inspired by Francesca Hornak article published 30 July 2009 in thelondonpaper

I’ve always loved to be different and I like to have things that perhaps others might shy away from wearing.

English Eccentrics is a great brand for quirky handbag designs; my favourite is the pavilion flowers in turquoise and silver. Made from canvas it has a silver leather strip along the bottom and around the frame, and is decorated with a marvellous picture of what looks like the Taj Mahal in turquoise.

I also love the Humawaca Puna weekend black leather black and white hair. It looks like a horse or a hairy cow, it really is fabulous. In a tote style this handbag holds just about everything you would need for a couple of nights away. It also sports a zip to close, whereas many overnight bags just close with a popper.

If all that is not ludicrous enough for your tastes, check out the rather colourful Billy Bag Celia embroidered tote in chocolate. A large woollen holdall with twisted straps it could carry off being a spacious everyday bag or perfect as an “evening handbag” for a night on the town when you might not come back and sleep in your own bed!

Whichever style is you, all of these bags are fantastically well made and beautifully created by some of the greatest of designers and will most certainly be a talking point amongst your friends when you nip down to the pub for the after works drinks on a Friday.

One shoulder dresses add a touch of glamour to any occasion. It also shows a little extra flesh but still leaving a lot to the imagination.

There are some outstanding designs in the little black party dress department. The Christian Lacroix Asymmetric pleat dress is breath taking, it’s made from black silk organza and looks absolutely stunning. Intricate draped detailing and a full contrast bubble skirt make this design a little different from all the rest.

For a more simple style Alexander McQueen has created a “party dress” that oozes elegance, charm and subtle chic. I firmly believe that slipping into this little number will set your confidence soaring, you will enter the room and absolutely know in no uncertain terms that you look fantastic. Made from silk satin, it has alluring appeal. A strapped neckline frames the shoulders beautifully and the hemline is draped with a contrast crepe lining adding a touch of glamour.

Sporting a giant bow which is exceptionally fashionable right now, I decided that we would steer it all away from black blackness of the little black dress and go for a tad more metallic gold. Made of gold Lurex, the bow is attached to the side of the waist and the dress has ruched detailing as well as a slit up the back and a hidden zip wisping up the side.

Whatever style you choose, you will feel a million dollars in the creation of your choice. The one shoulder dress is a particular favourite on the red carpet and its popularity has certainly surged this year at the awards ceremony.

BizRate

After one too many re-runs of Bridget Jones, you might convince yourself that at this years Christmas party, you will end up standing atop the managing director’s desk, warbling at the top of your voice. Scary but I bet it happens once if not a thousand times this year!

It’s tempting to wear Bridget-style knickers underneath your party dress, and if that’s the case I’d go for the Nude-hi waist and thigh slimmer. It’s a steal at £18.00 and means you don’t have to worry about the dreaded bulge later on in the evening.

Then there’s the bra to consider. If you have opted for a low cut dress, but lack a bit of cleavage to view in the space, then you might want to choose a deep plunge gel bra. After Eden is Gok Wan’s brand of choice.

A Halterneck dress is often a nightmare to find a bra for, but BeCheeky has a fantastic new design with crystal back straps. The idea being that if they did happen to make an appearance they would look part of the dress design.

Animal prints are back … grrrrrrrrrrr! Jimmy Choo has wowed us with an absolutely stunning luxurious slouchy clutch. The Celeste Wild cat print handbag ladies and gents is nearly half price. The ostrich front panel and detachable chain is synonymous with Jimmy Choo but the overall pattern is most certainly wild.

If leopard is not for you, why not try something in zebra….

A fabulously funky zebra shoulder bag would be gorgeous with denim jeans and the style I found is very casual and has supple black leather straps, which would fit nicely on the shoulders with a little bit of room to wear a chunky coat if you needed to.

Now, I know I said about designers being the way to go with animal print, fakes and high street ones tend to err on the side of cheap and tacky looking, however, Marks and Spencer have one that isn’t too bad. A little on the large side for an everyday handbag maybe, unless of course you have to cart around heaps of things, but perfect for an overnight bag.

Worn with a gorgeous black long coat, this animal print creation could be pulled off with ease, looking exceptionally chic and expensive. It has a side buckle and two little zip pockets at the front that are held inside the bag, so from the outside you only see the fastenings.

Not bad. Like I said though, be careful, you don’t want to look too old or too cheap or too much like Bet Lynch. However, an animal print creation surely beats a simple tote bag in the originality stakes.