Meet one of my favourite styles of dress - it's the perfect all rounder!

A shirt dress really is one of those dresses that's a good all rounder. There's a much wider range of clothes that can now go from the beach, to the bar, to the boardroom and this linen shirt dress from Whistles (available in store but not on line) is definitely one of those items . I first spotted it on a friend who was wearing it whilst out walking her dog. Along with her coral lippie and sunglasses it looked fab. When we next went for our run, I asked her where it was from - and then I mercilessly copied her.

I'm wearing my shirt dress in quite a dressed up way for me, at least, with Jigsaw heels plus some tassel earrings and a pom pom clutch, both from Accessorize.

I worked with this Fenn Wright Manson linen dress (down to £69 from £169) at an event that I did a few months ago now. I like it for its length and the fact that it has an under slip to prevent that whole see through business.

We styled the dress for a festival with lots of necklaces and bangles plus flat beaded sandals but it would work just as well with some heels and gold jewellery for a dressed up look.

Although this dress doesn't come with a belt, it has this lovely button detail at the back, which stops the dress from being too voluminous just by pulling it in a little.

Thinking ahead to the late summer/early autumn, Atterley  has this lovely luxury shirt dress in burgundy (£55). It also comes in navy and black so there's plenty of choice and it has that versatility of being able to layer something under it (maybe a striped top) or something over it (maybe a leather jacket).

The shape could be changed by belting the dress and then pulling the dress up over the belt to make it shorter and slightly more blouson on the top half. I also love that for those ladies with a curvier bust, the top few buttons of the dress can be undone to create more of a v-neck, which is so much more flattering. Later on, as the weather gets colder, it could be worn with tights and boots - so there are plenty of options.

Just a note about the Whistles dress, once ironed, it doesn't crease too much, unlike some linen clothes. As to size, it comes up huge. I'm wearing a size 6 but there wasn't that much difference between that and the 4, so if you do come across small ones in store, don't be put off by them.

Let me know your shirt dress views. I love them for their easy, throw on nature - they're a bit like the sticky toffee pudding at a dinner party - a bit safe but good enough for everyone to love.

Not a skinny jean or oversized scarf in sight - but totally overdressed for the pub!

A couple of nights ago now I went out with a group of friends to the pub. My thought process as to what to wear for the night went like this (I was in the shower at the time) "It's half term so I've been wearing jeans a lot. It would be nice to wear a dress. Oh I know, I have that Jaeger Boutique dress that I didn't really mean to keep and haven't worn so I'll wear that whether it really works or not because otherwise it's a waste."

With only little time to spare, having put it on I then decided to go for a pretty full on lipstick in terms of colour and then I added into the mix leopard print shoes AND a fur coat. Which is how I came to be totally over dressed for a trip to the pub - to the point that I didn't stand up once all night in case I drew attention to myself. But you know what? I'm glad I did it anyway as at least I've worn the dress now and it was definitely a change from jeans!

 

Some transitional pieces to see you through the next few months...

For the first time since the New Year, today I was back in the shops, shopping for an event which is on Saturday. There were some great sale pieces which I picked up, so I'll try and share those with you in day or so.

I've also taken a look online finding some new, and some sale, pieces that appealed. These are things that could be worn now and which will also go through into the spring - so nothing too dark (other than the black dress I have included!) and nothing too heavy - but rather things that can be integrated into a wardrobe pretty easily.

Still on the theme of sweatshirts which, for their warmth, I prefer to fine knit jumpers, there's this Floral jacquard sweatshirt from J Crew (£148). Quite often I will spot the things that I like and then file them away in my brain, waiting until I find a similar, but less expensive, alternative - so I'll let you know if that happens! Being a girl who has lots of navy in her wardrobe, something like this would slot in quite easily.

I love the vibrant colours on this Paisley silk T, also from J Crew (£98) which I filed in my brain only for a day or two before I came across...

...this alternative in Zara (£22.99). Granted the colours aren't as vibrant but neither are they as pale as the picture shows. Clearly the Zara one won't be silk either but it will do the same job as the J.Crew one and for a quarter of the price, it's definitely worth thinking about.

Predictably this Fluoro pink bag by Zatchels at Atterley Road (reduced from £60 to £29) also caught my eye. It's the type of bag that would work well now against darker coats but also on into the spring and summer. Being a cross body bag it's a brilliant style and great price too.

I think that it's fair to say that these metallic heeled loafers from Jigsaw (£84 down from £169) are quite "Marmitish". I look at them from the perspective of them having a heel (good) which is sturdy (good) and not too high (good) all of which works for the hours that I spend walking around town. I wouldn't wear them with skirts or dresses - they are more of a trouser shoe - but I do like the fact that they are an alternative to boots come the spring, that they are metallic and that they were designed in conjunction with Patrick Cox -that loafer designing genius of the 90's!

As you know, I currently have my eye on bomber jackets and this one from All Saints (£91 down from £228) is a good starting point. The sleeves and trim are burgundy, rather than brown, but I'm waiting to see whether it gets reduced any further.

GAP has a few bombers which are new in and I'm waiting to see their floral one too, which I think might be a hit.

I liked this dress so much that there's one on its way to me. As you can see, the bodice on the Atle dress from All Saints (£68.50 down from £98) is quite fitted but the skirt is a jersey fabric so it's soft and not too structured. For anyone tempted, a word of warning - this style comes up tiny, so it's necessary to go up a size. I have an evening out coming up soon so I am hoping that this will do the trick. It can also be layered up for the winter and then on through into the spring and summer.

 

Finally, these shoes from Faith, reduced from £60 to £30 are a really good buy for anyone after a mid height leopard print court shoe. Oh, that would be me then!

For anyone heading into the sales - good luck. The stores are marking down again so now is the time to find some real bargains. If they don't have your size, don't be put off - ask about inter-store transfers, postal sales or get friends on the case for you. Where there's a will there's a way!

Expert tips and recommendations for great products from a professional make-up artist

Recently I was lucky enough to work Carol Maye, a fantastic make-up artist.  I spent a great day with her on a photo shoot and she shared all sorts of hints and tips with me, which I thought that you may also like. So, Carol has kindly shared her top five tips and top five make-up products with us.

Tried and tested by a true (and independent) professional, you can rely on the fact that Carol understands where we are coming from - and where we are trying to go. So, over to you Carol!

"The secret of a beautiful face isn't an expensively assembled makeup bag or difficult application techniques - it's about using the right products in the right places to bring your natural beauty to the fore.

Mick Jagger videos, glamorous Hello shoots, Cosmopolitan, Red and Mail on Sunday features - these are some of the many freelance makeup jobs that I have done.

 

[Me with Robert Plant on a photo shoot!]

 

Women from Caprice and Coleen Rooney to Karren Brady and even Ashleigh and Pudsey have been prepared for photo shoots and red carpet events by me.

 

In over 20 years as a makeup artist I have learnt many techniques that can give the subtle enhancement that we want to achieve in our day to day lives.

I have put together 5 top makeup tips to help create a youthful, polished look.

1. Firstly foundation. Less is definitely more. Try using a lightweight tinted moisturiser only where you need coverage. Always leave the delicate skin underneath eyes uncovered. Foundation sits in and emphasises fine lines so can actually age you if used too liberally. For this reason go easy on the powder too.

2. Go for a cream blusher. Choose a colour similar to a natural flush and use on the apples of the cheeks to give your complexion a youthful glow.

3.Eyelash curlers used prior to mascara will open up and emphasise eyes without the need for an unflattering overload of mascara.

4. A dot of irridescent white powder on the inside corner of the eye, next to the tear duct will brighten and widen even tired eyes.

5. Finally a slick of lipstick in a punchier shade of your own lip colour will instantly add polish and give a look of youthfulness.

Five top products that I have found invaluable are:-

1.Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser by Liz Earle used regularly helps create the perfect fresh faced base for makeup.

2. Touche Eclat by YSL- yes the first and still the best of the light reflecting and brightening pens. Use wherever the skin looks greyish to wake it up. Also use as a highlight to give the illusion of fuller lips and lifted eyes.

3. Eye lash curlers by Shisheido or Shu Umuera - both will curl even the straightest lashes.

4. Posey cream blush by Mac gives a very natural looking flush that works for most complexions.

5. Great lash mascara by Maybelline - still one of the best available for giving natural looking, thick, lengthened lashes that can be layered up without clumping.

I hope that you have found my make-up tips and choice of products helpful.  If you would like to book a bespoke makeup lesson with me at my Edgbaston studio, please just follow the link to my website Carol Maye make-up"    

 

These are my sort of tips fantastic, easy to use but with maximum impact - thanks Carol!