LuLu Loves - Country Styled Homes

Fellow Andover Women in Business Club member Larch Gauld came to The Dress Boutique today and helped me add a few finishing touches to our decor.

Larch knew exactly what I had in mind with my country / french / shabby chic interior and bought with her a collection of items from the range of accessories she sells through her business Country Styled Homes.

Counrty Styled homes supplied an eclectic mix of American Shaker and American Primitive, Shabby Chic and English Country Styles.

They sell a large range of Country, Primitive, Shaker and New England style gifts, decorative, scented items for the Home and Garden and personalised gifts.

Many of the products are handmade including hand-painted wooden items, hand-made homespun scented gifts, personalised embroidered hearts and other items as well as wreaths, garlands and hearts made from dried flowers and fruits.

For crafters they also stock a range of dried fruit, lavender, herbs and spices, wooden and tin shapes and shells and a range of homespun fat quarters.

To decorate our barn I choose some sprig, twig hoops, some heart shaped wreaths, a wire postcard holder and letter rack for my desk - they look lovely!

To buy online visit the website: www.countrystyledhomes.co.uk

LuLu x

LuLu Loves.... Paris

Wow this month has just been crazy busy! What with trying to get the barn finished and dress moved in etc, and also some changes to my full-time job meaning I now have to to travel overseas every six weeks, I've been working so hard I don't know if I'm coming or going!

Although it sounds glamourous, all this jetting around Europe really isn't as fun as it might sound, although it is quite nice to wander round the Harrods outlet at Heathrow Terminal 5! What better way to pass the time than browsing through the rails of beautiful designer dresses?!

Inspired by my recent business trip to Paris, I thought would share with you my ideas for a french themed outfit...

French actresses have always had that certain "Je ne sais quois" and in the last few years Marion Cottilard and Audrey Tatou have upheld this tradition for style and grace with some spectacular dresses on the red carpet. Red and black are very Ooh La La! It's all about the wiggle, so it's high heels all the way, combined with a classic hourglass shaped dress. This Red Karen Millen Peplum Satin One Shoulder Dress is gorgeous and an affordable style at £180, while at £525 this Issa Strapless silk-crepe gown is a little more pricey, but having tried a few designs from the Issa collection up close at Harrods T5 I can vouch for the quality and cut of these stunning dresses that will make you feel divine!

Those of you who have visited our boutique barn will know that I simply love the french vintage style, so I have included a couple of vintage pieces in this collage - This super cute Black Taffeta Prom Dress by Queen of Heartz is reminiscent of the 1950's and very 'Mad Men' which is very 'de jour'! a Bargain at £125 from www.unique-vintage.com who also sell this sensational Sue Wong Black and Nude Lace Gown fro £305

I have chosen both break the bank and budget options for shoes, with those famous red soled heels - by Christian Louboutin - the Bianca style in patent-leather at £495 and the more affordable red satin peep toes from Kurt Geiger for just £49. As ever similar styles are available on the high street for under £20 so there's really no excuse for poorly shod feet!

To add those finishing touches, feathers and sparkle are a must, this miniature top-hat is very 'Moulin Rouge' and is priced a modest £18 from Monsoon. The bags I have chosen are from Ouloulette and Chanel and are so ridiculously expensive I won't even tell you how much, but we all know that cute little bags both modern and vintage are available to hire from The Dress Boutique!

Finally, I have included nail polish by Dior (who else?!) and perfume from L'Occitane. Yum.

Tres Bien.
J'Adore.

LuLu x

LuLu Loves... Clair Muir

With the impending 30th birthday of my best friend Juliet, I wondered what to buy the girl who has everything... that is until Clair Muir presented Andover Women in Business Club with her fascinating story!

After three years at Bishop Otter College, Chichester, Claire received a First Class Honours degree in Art and Related Arts, giving her the opportunity for a further year’s Postgraduate study in the Textiles Department of Glasgow School of Art.

Subsequent employment as a designer of headdresses and accessories for Stageworks Worldwide Productions enabled her to experiment with and to evaluate the potential of a wide range of techniques and materials. The experience and knowledge she amassed during this period she has since developed further as displayed in her current creations.

Claire regularly exhibits her work and demonstrates her skills at exhibitions countrywide. She is also happy to talk about her work and ideas to Guilds and other societies and has also organised practical workshops for interested parties.

After seeing some of the pieces Clair makes, I decided to commission a Gerbera Brooch for Juliet, in black hand embroidered lace with a sparkly black and cream beaded centre. I collected it a week later and was so pleased with it, an unusual personal gift for my friend - she loved it by the way!

Initial enquiries are welcomed by phone or email and can be followed up with meetings with Claire at her studio.

For more information about Clair visit her website: www.clairemuir.co.uk

Lulu Loves - Spring Florals & Bright Colours!

Well April is now here and Spring is upon us - I'm loving all the daffodils around at this time of year! Have you seen the pictures from Aintree this week? Although there were some horrendous sights, I actually quite liked the floral theme that everyone seemed to have adopted, and the daring mixture of colours worked well for most people!

According to the fashion glossies, it seems that bright colours are going to be big this summer, so I just threw together this "Lulu Loves" collage of spring florals and neon brights!

The is one department in which Monsoon comes up trumps! Their eclectic mix of colours, patterns, embroidery and sequins is bound to please all you butterflies out there.

I have featured in this collage the beautiful Elie Saab dress that Amy McAdams wore to the Oscars this year. The soft colours make this flowing floral gown subtle and chic. The dress boutique has a few floral dresses in our collection, from layered chiffon cocktail dresses to full length frocks in bold patterns so come and have a look!

The Alexander McQueen Praying Mantis print bustier dress is a budget-buster at £2600!!! But cheaper alternatives can be found at ASOS, Oli and other high-street stores.

For shoes, my favourites are always LK Bennett for comfort and style - I'm loving these hot pink patent heels, they are a little pricey at £140, but I can guarantee you they won't pinch or rub and they will last for years. A cheaper option are the coral Geranium shoes from Carvela at £69 or the purple Ciao Bella Sandals at just £42.

For bags anything goes! Again Monsoon / Accessorize has a huge choice but this purple frilly one caught my eye priced at £30, and this Ben De Lisi one from Debenhams is another eye-catcher at £28.

For all you ladies in Andover, or the surrounding area, I recommend a visit to 'At Last' located at the top of the High Street. They stock a mixture of clothes, shoes, bags and accessories from a variety of designers, in various colours, you are sure to find something spectacular there. I'm sure you will also love their sister shop 'At Home' which is just across the road!

But for evening dresses, prom dress and occasionwear - come to The Dress Boutique!!!

LuLu x

LuLu Loves - Classic Black Oscars Style

Inspired by Kristen Stewarts old school classic Monique L'Hullier midnight blue dress on the red carpet, here are some of my favourite pieces to complete an ensemble fit for a Hollywood Starlet!

The fishtail shape of the dress is always a classic, and the ruched fabric is flattering for all shapes and sizes. Actually this dress is quite similar to the one I wore from The Dress Boutique collection to the Andover Musical & Operatic Society 2009 Christmas Ball.

I must give Cheryl Cole a mention here, just because I loved the black ball gown style dress wore for the X Factor Finals last year. I've googled it but can't seem to find a definitive answer as to who designed the dress - many have suggested that it was Marc Ross - anyway, I think she looked fantastic.

For accessories, I love these Swarovski wing earrings available from Net-a-Porter at around £80 although Dorothy Perkins has a similar still at a bargain £8!

The Black strappy flower sandals are just £30 from Debenhams, while the Black Corsage Suede Ruffle Shoes are by Steve Madden priced at around £90.

Finally for the ultimate black nail polish it has to be Chanel Darlings!

LuLu x

For more information visit our polyvore page: http://www.polyvore.com/classic_black_dress_red_carpet/set?id=17786208

LuLu Loves - Red Carpet Neutrals!

I'm loving all the beautiful neutral shades on the red carpet at this years Oscars!

Kate Winslet, Anna Kendricks, Cameron Diaz, Demi Moore, Helen Mirren all choose variations on the theme, be it soft pink, gold or shimmering silver for their Oscars gowns.

Kate Winslets simple column dress in a subtle silver tone by Yves St Lauren was a classic and I loved her old-school wavy hair! Cameron Diaz glittered in Oscar de la Renta as did Demi Moore in her buff-coloured Atelier Versace ruffled gown.
Anna Kendricks pale pink chiffon creation by Elie Saab was youthful and elegant, while Dame Helen Mirren in Badgley Mischka dress proved that these neutral hues look good on women of all ages.

For me it was Sandra Bullock, who took home the Best Actress award, who outshone them all in her figure-hugging gown by British label Marchesa. The combination of the shimmering skirt with the embroidered floral bodice was a winner!

On the jewelery front, diamonds and pearls played a big role as ever, with favourites from Tiffany and Chopard.

Lulu x

For more information about the items in this collage, visit our Polyvore page: http://www.polyvore.com/neutrals_at_oscars/set?id=17808817