Rihanna Swims with Sharks - Harper's Bazaar March Issue

This months issue of Harper's Bazaar US, celebrating 40 years of the making of the film Jaws, is perhaps their biggest triumph yet.

Starring Rihanna and a team of sharks, the concept is jaw droppingly (did you see what I did there?) brilliant. Never one to do things by half, Rihanna was more than willing to dive straight in to the tank of a Florida Aquarium in Tampa. Joined by 3 sand tiger sharks, none shorter than 8 feet long, the authenticity of the shoot only adds to the charm and amazement of the spectacular, tropical images produced.  

Although accustomed to divers, a pop star with a team of stylists and photographers is likely to be a new experience for the sharks, and you have to commend the pop stars brave and bold attitude to do this all in the name of fashion.

Rihanna also took this experience as a metaphor about life, and stated in the interview "I try my best to avoid the sharks of life, but I have had my share of experiences with them, and in those cases I just have to handle them accordingly. But I do not swim with sharks … sharks swim with sharks." How very profound. 

One of the cover images shows Rihanna casually reclining in the mouth of the shark (this was not one of the real life sharks, just in case you were wondering), teamed with the caption 'killer fashion'. Well, her Instagram name isn't 'Badgalriri' for nothing.

Donning a $950 Chanel swimsuit and $5,500 worth of Tiffany jewellery, Rihanna still managed to emit glamour even when in the mouth of a shark. That's probably something that not a lot of people can say.

Later in the interview, Rihanna was asked what her greatest ever adventure had been, to which she responded, "Greatest adventure? Are you kidding me? I just did a photo shoot in the midst of sharks. It's going to be pretty hard to beat that."  So before you start thinking this is just another day in the life of a global superstar, it's not.

The cover of the magazine shows RiRi out of the water, sporting a gold Balmain jumpsuit and looking a little more at ease.

This issue is out now, and I for one cannot wait to get my hands on it. Watch behind the scenes footage from the shoot below:

Images // www.harpersbazaar.com

Alexa Chung does GBBO

Alexa Chung. For some reason I have always had a passive aggressive dislike for Alexa Chung, and I'm not quite sure where this has materialised from. Is it perhaps because I had a Belieber-esque crush on Arctic Monkeys front man, Alex Turner, when I was 16 and he chose to date her over me (outrageous, I know). Is it perhaps because she wrote a self-indulged, hedonistic book about her style, which has been iconic purely because she can afford to buy everything from Chanel. Is it perhaps even because her presence slightly annoys me. I've never been quite sure of her purpose and what it is she is actually famous for. In my opinion she has no talent, resembles the look of a stereotypical librarian, and is usually starring in the magazines for inexplicable reasons.

Anyway, love her or hate her, I was still intrigued when I spotted her name on the line up for tonight's Comic Relief Great British Bake Off. I thought, can she bake? Is this her hidden talent?! Will I finally see a vaguely interesting side to her? And the answer to all of those questions (which I probably could have told you prior to the show) is no.

My scrutiny began from the moment she walked in to the tent wearing a hideous ensemble of leopard print coat and navy jumpsuit (which she wore with the collar turned up underneath her apron throughout the episode *scoff scoff*).

Her opening quote was "I keep my shoes in the oven. I literally haven't turned the oven on for 3 years, that is a fact". Is that a fact Alexa, or is that perhaps an exaggeration?

I then got distracted and went on to have an OMFG moment at the sight of Chris Moyles! When did he lose this much weight?!

My attention soon turned back to Alexa when she made another ridiculous comment and said that her sugar was taking "a thousand years to heat up", when in fact it looked as though she hadn't even turned on the hob. Ridiculous.

From watching the show I have now also developed a new hatred for Kayvan Novak who was unnecessarily, and inappropriately boastful throughout for a charity show, even blaming his Mother for his terrible baking at one point.

The second challenge saw the bakers set the task of making crumpets. Although they were all useless (even Victoria Wood who bragged about her baking skills from the start), I was still appalled that Alexa managed to wangle the challenge and win!

When the final challenge came around, it seemed that Alexa miraculously found her feet and developed her baking skills within the day. Having been unaware of how to even use an oven to begin with, I grew suspicious as she examined her courgette cake, stating that it was "too flat" and "overdone", henceforth going on to bake another... Does this seem the behaviour of a novice? She then went on to candy courgettes!

It was a close call by the end of the programme and I was horrified at the prospect that Alexa could actually have won! Despite her demonstrations of ineptitude, the Salted Caramel Chocolate Brownies that she produced for the Signature Challenge were surprisingly successful, her crumpets for the Technical Challenge were tasty, and her final showstopper wasn't a total loss, although really, how delicious can a cake made from courgettes be? And from this I feel that I'm not only left with the same dislike for her (only now more rationalised), but I am also sceptical about her honesty coming in to the GBBO tent... Are her shoes really kept in the oven? That is the question.

LFW: The Millie Mackintosh Instagram Style Guide

If you’re looking to catch up on London Fashion Week, then I challenge you to find a better way of doing so than through a celebrities Instagram feed. With front row videos, famous friend selfies and unprecedented behind the scenes images, it almost makes you feel like you’re sitting right there on the FROW. Almost…

Former Made in Chelsea star turned fashionista, Millie Mackintosh, spent the week maintaining her stylish reign, sporting more of her signature chic boho looks, and frolicking with her Chelsea clan and other fashion A-listers. Standard week when you’re famous.

Her first snap was obviously designed to make us all green with envy, as she graciously thanked Mercedes Benz for providing her with ‘her ride for the next few days’ – a luxurious, sparkling clean 4x4. Well, I suppose you can’t take the bus to LFW.

Posing in front of her ride, Millie donned a pair of 70’s style flared trousers in a striking black and blue crocodile print. She teamed the look with a black polo neck jumper, leather jacket and pointed court shoes. Edgy.

Her first show of the season was the Felder Felder AW15 collection. Founded by identical twin sisters Annette and Daniela, Felder Felder mixes feminine rock and roll aesthetics with boho chic, and is quickly becoming a favourite among the celebrity clan, including Rihanna and Florence Welch. Millie is obviously a fan too as the collection included an array of flares, Millie’s fav.

Moving onwards, and outfit 2 of the day saw Millie donning a casual look of jeans and a fur coat, or what one of her Instagram followers described as ‘looks like wearing a chicken’. What fluffy chickens this man is accustomed to I don’t know.

Outfit 3 (yes she changed 3 times in a day) was possibly my favourite as Millie stepped out in this wonderful jacquard print Paul Costello coat. I actually have a skirt from Zara in a similar print, fancy trading Millie?

Day 2, and came (as Millie very aptly captioned) ‘the dress of dreams’. Sporting this divine, embellished Julien Macdonald number to the designers show, Millie looked almost angelic, and also paired the look with the shoes of dreams, I might add.

Millie was spotted on the FROW with a host of famous faces including Whitney Port, Rochelle Hulmes and Michelle Keegan, who all looked on in the most spectacular Julien Macdonald designed dresses.

She later slipped back in to her good old flares, however, and went for a matching monochrome 70’s look with her BFF Zara Martin. Pro Green also slipped in to the background for this photo too (where is his gaze aimed..?)

The Giles Deacon show arrived on day 3, and Millie sported her final LFW outfit (6 of 6). A look that perhaps would have been more appropriate for @jakethomps to suggest as chicken like, Millie teamed her pink fur ensemble with her failsafe white flares and a sleek hair style.

Millie even seemed to get a little excited when she spotted Kendall Jenner modelling at the show, do celebrities get star struck too??

Since then, Millie is now set to launch the SS15 range for her Millie Mackintosh Collection clothing brand, and she has teased us with a few sneak peeks on her fashion-gram too…

Vintage, floral and a hint of bridal, perfect!

Images // instagram.com/camillamackintosh

The Oscars 2015: Classically Understated

I have been shamelessly neglecting my blog for the past few months, and so, rather than spending the evening cleaning and cooking as I usually seem to do nowadays (23 going on 63), I thought it was about time to refresh my little journal.

It seemed only befitting that my first post back was inspired by the jaw-dropping, astoundingly beautiful dresses that graced the red carpet at the Oscars last night. Spending my lunch break at work browsing Vogue today almost gave me goose pimples, and I don’t think it would even be possible for me to pick a favourite from the exquisite gowns.

What I absolutely adore about the Oscars is that everybody knows that this is the time to go for the all-out glamour gowns. At the Oscars we don’t see any double-denim renditions of 90’s Britney and Justin, we don’t have any ridiculous meat dresses (although Lady Gaga did sport some questionable washing up style gloves), and instead we are enthralled with a flurry of Chanel, Saint Laurent and Versace. Heavenly.

This year has been a memorable event, with celebrities taking the opportunity to revert away from their usual self-indulged vanity, and use their acceptance speeches to advocate a cause...

Reese Witherspoon began the evening by promoting her #AskHerMore campaign, which highlighted sexism on the red carpet, and aimed to encourage interviewers to quiz female stars on more than just their outfit. Although later on she did post an Instagram snap so that we weren’t left agonising over where her off the shoulder monochrome number was from (Tom Ford, FYI).

Best supporting actress winner Patricia Arquette used her acceptance speech to stress that inequality in the workplace still remains a prominent issue, which sparked a particularly strong reaction from Meryl Streep and J-Lo, who displayed outbursts of shouting and excitable finger pointing. Meryl and J-Lo also proved to be Hollywood's newest BFF's at the Oscar's, snuggling up together in their seats and sharing Instagram selfies.

Aside from emotional speeches, the dresses are once again the hot topic of the Oscars and they certainly did not disappoint. 

Forget fifty shades of grey, fifty shades of nude was this years colour trend!

First came Jennifer Aniston in an embellished, strapless, Versace gown. Clinging to her gorgeous 46-year-old figure (yes, 46!!), the nude gown had that hint of sex appeal with a subtle slit and translucent skirt. Jen let the dress do all the talking with a ‘just woke up’ hairstyle and natural make up.

A heavily pregnant (although you wouldn't know it) Keira Knightly was positively glowing in this angelic Valentino Couture number. The actress teamed the look with Chanel Fine Jewellery (she can’t go anywhere without Chanel), soft curls and an embellished headband. So very demure.

Julianne Moore made us all green with envy in a custom made Chanel Couture gown, created by Karl Lagerfeld himself. Yes, custom made and Chanel, how can it get any better?! The actress opted for full on glamour with a sleek up-do and diamond earrings.

Lupita Nyong'o was the epitome of divine elegance in this head-to-toe pearl encrusted Calvin Klein Collection gown, which featured a cut-out halterneck.

Still keeping it neutral, but in a slick silver and black Armani Prive number, Naomi Watts kept it safe but it paid off. Her tousled blonde bob also looked fabulous!

Contrasting from the subtle nudes came those that chose to go bold.

Fifty shades of grey star Dakota Johnson chose a one-shoulder Saint Laurent gown in striking red, which featured a thigh-high split, because you know, she is the star of a notoriously raunchy blockbuster. 

Best actress nominee Rosamund Pike definitely stole the scarlet limelight from Dakota, however, in this custom made Givency Haute Couture gown. The gown is almost reminiscent of a bouquet of roses, wouldn’t that have made a brilliant Valentines present?

Emma stone looked an absolute delight in this beaded gown by Ellie Saab. The intricate detailing of the gown is exquisite, can you imagine if you had that hanging in your wardrobe?! The muted yellow colour of the dress coincides perfectly with Emma’s auburn locks, which she styled in Old Hollywood curls. What a dream. 

Sporting a divine new cropped haircut, Scarlett Johansson showed of her sickeningly sensational hourglass figure in this Atelier Versace dress, which she teamed with the most astounding choker necklace from Piaget.

Awkward moment of the evening was also awarded to Scarlett Johansson when John Travolta photo bombed her and went in for a kiss mid-pose. Awks!

And then we move on to the failsafe little black dresses...

Margot Robbie has quickly become my ultimate girl-crush, sadly taking the spot which formally belonged to Elisha Cuthbert, who is now starring in awful sitcoms alongside Kelly Brook. Margot looked sultry and sexy in this low-cut Saint Laurent gown with sheer sleeves. Teaming the look with straight locks and a slick of vibrant red lipstick, Margot also won extra points for strong brow game.

Sienna Miller reigned as fashion queen once again in this Oscar de la Renta gown. With a fierce up-do and flicked eye make-up Sienna was elegant, sultry and a little menacing all at the same time. The perfect combination.

And then came those that took the opportunity to don their most fabulous Princess gowns.

J-Lo and Chloe Moretz kept with the nude theme, with J-Lo donning an extravagant Ellie Saab gown, while Chloe traded in her skater girl look for a slightly dated Miu Miu number.  

Newly engaged Lady Gaga looked to perhaps be trying out some gowns in preparation for her big day in this Azzedine Alaia number, which she teamed with the strangest, and possibly most hideous accessory…red silicone gloves. Just as we thought she might be starting to calm down with her outrageous fashion experiments. 

I’ll finish the post with this slightly disturbing, yet strangely transfixing image of Anna Wintour donning a pretty pink Oscar De La Renta gown, while Bee Shaffer poses besides her leaving an uncomfortably awkward gap... Anna Wintour must really be as scary as we think!!

Images // www.vogue.co.uk  

Bijoux Bazaar

I am always one to be enticed by a statement necklace or earrings, and new online jewellery retailer, Bijoux Bazaar, is happily funding my addiction!

This exclusive new site offers stunning necklaces, earrings and bracelets but at a bargain price - the perfect combination.

I have already raided the bank balance and purchased 3 lovely items:

Manhattan Necklace - £26.00

Shoreditch Green Earrings - £14.00

Brooklyn Necklace - £18.00

Ideal for Christmas (as a gift to yourself or others if you're feeling generous) and can instantly add glamour to any outfit...Where can you go wrong?!

I also have future intentions (in January when the next student loan instalment comes in) to add these three to my collection.

Fulham Necklace - £18.00

Hoxton Blush - £12.00

Belgravia Necklace - £24.00

Classic and affordable, I feel I have made a new friend for life.