Tag Archives: Handpicked Media

Pritch London | London Fashion Week 2013

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The beginning of London Fashion Week saw Handpicked Media throw their opening party which was hosted by Pritch. Pritch is a high end luxury brand who only use the finest leather to make their amazing jackets. I tried one on for size in the picture below. It was a brilliant opening party. Fashion photographer Gabor Zsantai was on hand to take some pictures. My good self and the Handpicked Media team are below.

Catherine Balavage
 

The Handpicked Media team.

There was also gorgeous shoes from Karen K Boutique. Me wants.

 

 

 


 

This was a favourite of mine:

 

Here is what Pritch says about their brand:

Rebellious In a Conservative Society

A fusion of the senses and styles, this new PRITCH collection perfectly balances a
rebellious duality of rock harmony and high-end classic chic. Inspired by the multi-layered
personality, the mysterious individuality, of the desirably affluent socially active woman, the
PRITCH Autumn Winter 13 collection confidently reflects her essence and independent
lifestyle.

Made in Italy and featuring only premium leathers such as Antelope Silk, Agneau Guanterie
and Agneau Guanterie Suede, the PRITCH palette is grounded in black in all its depths,
with winter accents of grey and customized silver zips, nickel studs, metal snaps and leather
feathers.

The theme is immediately visible as a unique mix of rock ‘n’ roll and haute couture expressed
in the jackets’ wonderfully soft-feel and seductive contours but strong and outspoken designs.
With patch-worked seams, well-placed hidden studs and removable parts, we see surprising
multi-functional elements too; allowing the wearer to match the look to the outfit and
occasion as they please. As a finishing touch, every item in the PRITCH collection features
an especially comfortable lining and distinctive hand-stitched style befitting the all-round
quality of the brand.

Giving you creations perfect for an evening at the ballet when zipped, and night of untamed
rock ‘n’ roll unzipped, PRITCH delivers an atmosphere of bold ‘laissez faire’; a seamless
fusion of naturally sexy, very classy, and really quite rebellious character in a conservative
society. Perfect for the affluent and indeed fascinating cosmopolitan woman. Dare to be. You.

Love Your Skin Intensive Hydra-Gel Moisturiser Review

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I got this moisturiser in a goodie bag at London Fashion Week and I love it. I have quite good skin with just the occasional breakout, but my skin is sensitive. I also really hate the feeling of a heavy moisturiser on my face and Love Your Skin’s Intensive Hydra-Gel Moisturiser is really lightweight. It smells divine and has a great consistency.

It has nearly finished now and my skin loves it. I feel a change in my skin when I don’t put it on. It doesn’t have an SPF, which I usually insist on in a moisturiser and I tend to use a lot of it, but that is because I love it. It is non-greasy and comes in a convenient pump action bottle. This moisturiser will surely become a cult classic.

It is a reasonably priced 29.99 for 100ml. Would I buy it? Definitely.

What they say:

The Intensive Hydra-Gel Moisturiser is an indulgent hydrating moisturiser, rich in collagen, to attract and bind moisture to the skin, and Vitamin E to maintain a smooth texture. Light and gentle, this non-greasy moisturiser is the perfect way to hydrate and nourish skin.

Love Your Skin – London is a new British skincare company created by skincare expert Lorraine Winslade. You can find their products at www.lys-london.com.

What is your favourite moisturiser? Comment below.

Handpicked Media release charity #HPMemory2012 book

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Handpicked Media in collaboration with Blurb, the creative publishing
platform, has created a book showcasing memories of 2012. Curated via the eyes of Handpicked
Media’s blogs and websites it’s about capturing the mood of the nation in 2012 and all the incredible
but personal times that were had.

Frost Magazine has our own entry in the book and we have already ordered our copy.

Entitled ‘This is my #HPMemory2012, what’s yours?’ it is a snapshot of what they experienced from
new babies, and exploring new cities to iconic London events with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and
London 2012 Olympics.

An ebook version can be bought for under £5 from http://store.blurb.co.uk/ebooks/361990-this-
is-my-hpmemory2012-what-s-yours, with a printed copy available for £25 via www.blurb.co.uk/
bookstore/detail/3872418. 100% of all proceeds from the book will go direct to When You Wish
Upon A Star, a charity that grants wishes for children living with life-threatening illnesses.

Callum Watt, Marketing Director of Handpicked Media says, “With the release of this book we hope
to capture a snapshot of 2012 and share people’s memories. It doesn’t stop there though; we
want to get people talking about their own memories on social media channels using the hashtag
#HPMemory2012.”

Teresa Pereira from Blurb says, “It’s been an unbelievably exciting and eventful year for the UK and
this book celebrates everything from the personal right through to the epic. What better way to
capture the highlights of the past year than with a beautifully designed book that can be shared with
friends and families and cherished as a lasting memento of 2012 for years to come.”

The Lowdown on Molton Brown

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Molton Brown are a quintessential British brand. They make classic and excellent products. And they do much more than just hand washes. The more beauty savvy of you will also know that they also make candles, fragrances and anti-ageing skincare. No more so was this obvious than at Vanilla in central London where Handpicked Media and Molton Brown showed a handful of beauty bloggers their new range of beauty goodies.

They have launched some new additions to their Fine Fragrance range and a new anti-ageing range to go with their candles, body creams, shower gels….

Their Fine Fragrance range has four different scents for four different continents.

Molton Brown do not test on animals and they are big on sustainability.

On the night I also had a hand massage. I highly recommend you go along to a Molton Brown store and get one yourself.

The truth is I love Molton Brown. They make me proud to be British. I love their new range and old classics.

Ted Baker For London Fashion Week

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I went to see Ted Baker’s new Hunger Games inspired collection at the One Aldwych Hotel. Firstly I devoured a cake on a stick, which was absolutely delicious. As I rifled through the rails I was very impressed by the clothes. There were lots of beautiful Autumn colours and textures.

The menswear was inspired by being outdoors and fishing, as Ted Baker loves fishing. In the womenswear there was beautiful snakeskin accessories, prints were in, bold colours and fake fur. It was day five at the Handpicked Media suite. I also got my nails done by Teds Beauty Spot therapists. It was the first time I got Shellac nails. Shellac nails look amazing and last two-to-three-weeks. I got a beautiful coral shade that doesn’t even have a chip yet. I also loved their swimwear and hats. Ted Baker’s new collection is gorgeous. Full marks.

UGG Australia For London Fashion Week

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Shoes glorious shoes. Who cares what they look like? Well, everyone actually. UGG Australia the makers of the shoes that are the most comfortable IN THE WORLD have branched out into different styles. I went to see their AW13 collection at Handpicked Media’s One Aldwych Hotel suite.

Alex showed my the collection. I was incredibly impressed. UGGs have not always been thought of as fashionable but even the most discerning fashionista would find something to love in the new collection.  I love the knee-high blue boots below. I was also got a pair of gorgeous ankle boots. Check out Callum from Handpicked Media’s photo below. . They are so comfy and stylish. Top marks for UGGS.

The boots are very well made. The materials are gorgeous and the designs are on trend but also timeless. With winter coming in I might even buy myself some new winter boots. I love the lining inside the boots. Guaranteed to keep you warm.

New Look Launch New Range at London Fashion Week

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There are three words that always get me excited: “London Fashion Week”. In fact, the only thing that makes me more excited is Handpicked media’s London Fashion Week opening party. I went along to see New Look’s new range at the One Aldwych Hotel. After getting lost and being flustered when I arrived, the amazing Debbie from Handpicked (and blogger of the excellent Life Edit) handed me a glass of wine and I had a great chat with her. I also was happy to bump into the lovely Jessica from Look What I Got and Handpicked Head Honcho Krista.

New Look has always done fun and fabulous fashion, but in recent years New Look has really upped its game. The quality of the clothing is good and so are the designs. They are also collaborating with lots of cool people like Giles Deacon, and have even teamed up with Kelly Brook to design a great range of underwear. The bra Kelly was wearing a few days before was part of the range that we saw. For those dying to know Kelly is a 32E.

The new collection is just really fab. They also have amazing jewelery and shoes. I will definitely be popping into New Look again soon. I really liked the creepers below.

New Looks jewelery range was a big hit. We were all fawning over it. Some of it is quite bling but not tacky. We were told to help ourselves to some New Look knickers which lead to a lot of amusement when we were walking about with underwear in one hand and a glass of wine in the other. On the tube on the way home I got a drink from my bag and the knickers fell out and landed on the floor of a crowded tube. Which was a little embarrassing.

I had my nails done, drank wine, met amazing people and ate canapes. Ah, that’s the life. If only every day was a fashion week day.

St Ives Event at The Hospital Club

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Last week I went to two Handpicked Media events. This one and this equally amazing St Ives event at The Hospital Club.

St Ives Apricot scrub has always been my favourite facial scrub. It is a high-end scrub with a budget price. I have been buying it for years. I did get a goodie bag with the scrub inside and I am doing their 7 day challenge. My skin is already glowing.

PSYCHOLOGIES Beauty Director Emine Rushton gave an amazing beauty talk, apparently the Egyptians used to exfoliate with a pumice stone! Ouch. Oh, and they still use Cochineal (E120 on ingredients list) which is the ‘crushed carcasses of the female Dactylopius coccus, a cactus-feeding scale insect’. Nice.

There were Apricot based cocktails and I tried them all. Another blogger also won the cute edible tree below. Brilliant night.