This stunning nail polish from Chanel is all the talk of the office.

Upon first hearing of Chanel’s newest Black Velvet nail color for spring, we weren’t sure if it would be love at first sight or run like hell. Who were we kidding? It’s Chanel.

Monsieur Karl Lagerfeld would never approve of anything that was short of fashion genius. Le Vernis Nail Colour in Black Velvet is part of the French house’s limited edition Paris-Shanghai Collection, inspired by Shanghai in the 1930s and 40s.

We’ve searched everywhere online for this polish  without luck, so if you do find it please let us know.

Online
As with any online purchase you need to make sure that you’re buying from a reputable business, that there is a phone number you can call and that you fully understand their returns policy.  If there is a phone number but you have she doubts as to when you’ll receive the dress, call them up and ask.

If you’re ordering from a UK based company then you are protected by distance selling regulations.  If you order from overseas then you are not covered, unless your credit card payment offers this within their terms.
We hear, every year, of customers who’s orders have arrived from overseas and they don’t fit, they’re the wrong colour or just poor quality.  Do remember that quite often, you will get what you pay for.

Shop
The advantages of buying in store are that you’re able to try on and make sure that everything is perfect.  Some stores will work from a sample range, meaning that you will try a one off style on then your size will be ordered in.  If you’re using this system make sure you know exactly when the dress will arrive, don’t leave it too close to the event, delays do happen.  You’ll also find that certain stores will not be able to guarantee you a particular dress after a certain date.  This is because their order books close and the orders then go into production.  It can be difficult to add to the orders after this date.

If you have any doubts, call the shop before hand and check that they have dresses in your size in store.  We have always encouraged customers to call us before hand, they can discuss their requirements, talk about fit and satisfy themselves that the business is okay.

Picnic bag, £18, and commuter mug, £13
By Anorak
anorakonline.co.uk

2. A simple stylish cake stand from Orla Kiely, which can also be used to serve other food or just as a decoration. Though for added brownie (or cupcake) points, bake your own and give it to her covered in treats

Orla Kiely cake stand, £65
From BlissHome
blisshome.co.uk

3. Disguise her Kindle e-reader with this range of classic hand made book case covers.

The perfect traditional yet modern gift for book and gadget lovers alike, we are certain she would love to receive a classic gift with a bit of English book binding heritage thrown in.

Kindle Book Cover, £28
From Not On The High Street
notonthehighstreet.com

4. Lov Organic Tea – If your mum is a tea fanatic, these organic loose leaf teas not only taste delicious but they come in gorgeous tins that you can reuse and re-fill. For the perfect gift for tea-loving mums, why not buy her a cute tea pot, or a vintage teacup too?

Lov Organic Tea from £9
From Lov Organic
love-organic.com

5. Jo Malone Fragrance Diffuser – You can never fail with Jo Malone for Mother’s Day (or any occasion really!) a favourite from the brand and great value-for-money are the fragrance diffusers. These are so potent, the scent is likely to carry around your entire house, and they last for months.

Jo Malone Fragrance Diffuser £45
From Jo Malone
jomalone.co.uk

6.  Still stumped for an original gift? Try Gift Owl’s lovely service. You get a sort of card/questionnaire for your mum to fill in, saying the sort of things she likes (thoughtful children who get her unusual gifts?) and those she doesn’t (children who forget Mother’s Day?) – then Gift Owl chose a selection of things to send her in a lovely parcel. She might get books, sweets, craft kits, art prints or accessories – it depends on her

Gift owl card, from £12.99
gift-owl.com

Have you got a unusual gift idea?

We predominately design and sell longer dresses for school proms and other formal events and this has since transpired into the inspiration for our new Spring/Summer collection which is dominated by the longer dress.

It’s a myth that short people only suit shorter dresses, short dresses can in fact make you look shorter. You should of course try different length of prom dresses to discover what works best for your own shape. We find that people searching for an outfit for Sixth Form or Year 13 events sometimes go for shorter styles, often because they’ll have another venue to go to later in the evening or simply have more occasions in which to wear a shorter style.

The best advice we could give is ‘keep an open mind’. We see people regularly with a fixed idea in their mind and by the time they’ve tried a few gowns on, they start to appreciate what real works for them. So if you’re visiting one of the stores, try lots on, take photographs (we’re not precious) just have fun.

With long dresses our prices range from around £150 to £300. Again this is a reflection of the work that has gone into the design, manufacturing and the cost of fabrics.
 
If you purchase in store you’ll receive a level of service that is second to none.  We’ll aim to help you try as many styles as you want, you’ll quickly discover what works for your body shape skin tones and colouring.  We’ll give you advice about altering the dress, if required and we’ll help you select the most appropriate accessories.
 
Order online and we’ll make the process as simple as possible, we’ll keep you up to date with the progress of your order at all times.  Even after we’ve dispatched your dress, you’ll be able to track its progress online.  You can then try your dress on in the comfort of your own home.

We are increasingly coming across customers who are looking for a dress that can be worn again, whilst Prom (or leavers ball as we prefer to call it) is special we also want value for money, and a style that could be worn again will deliver that value.  In addition to prom most of styles could be worn for other functions, graduation, black tie balls or even a cruise.

Often with a prom <cough> leavers ball, there other costs to consider, maybe you’re hiring some special transport there’s shoes, bags & jewellery and of course that all important visit to the hair dresses; all of which need to be given some thought and the cost considered.

We’d be interested to here your thoughts, do you have a budget in mind or does it depend on the dress?

We have opened our new Institution store in Bedale, North Yorkshire stocking a fabulous range of gowns, including prom dresses, day dresses and evening gowns.

The newly fitted out shop enjoys 4 fitting rooms so no appointments are necessary, if you do need to arrange something out of hours, call us on 01677 42 55 41 and we’ll do our best to help.  You can browse at your leisure or we’re always on hand to provide personal styling advice.

Shop Opening Hours:

Monday: 10am – 2pm
Tuesday – Saturday: 10am – 5pm

Store Opening Hours:

Tuesday – Saturday: 10am – 5:30pm
Sunday: 11am – 4pm

If you need to contact us directly the store telephone number is 0191 23 29 222, alternatively you can contact our Mail Order department on 01677 42 55 58 and they’ll be able to help too.

Standing tall, feeling confident, believing in yourself — these are all important ways to feel your best. But as any woman who’s ever stood in front of a mirror can tell you, beauty secrets count too! 

Whether your skin is dry, normal, or even oily, if you can only afford one skin care product, experts say, your money will be well spent on a good moisturizer.
If you’re in your 20s or 30s, doctors say, moisturizers will give you some of the protection you need to keep skin from prematurely aging.

Beauty Tip 2: Sunscreen Is Your Best Antiaging Product.

Sunscreen can protect your skin from these damaging rays, so that even if you do spend time outdoors, your face is less likely to give away your age. Choosing a sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher is important. Because sun breaks down its effectiveness over time, if you’re going to be in direct sunlight for an extended period, reapply every hour or two.
 
Beauty Tip 3: Choose Your Cleanser Wisely

If you’re a “soap and water” girl (or guy), you may want to rethink your cleansing strategy. Dermatologists say that one of the best beauty tips around is to use the gentlest cleanser you can find – and use it sparingly. “While the temptation may be great to wash your face several times a day (or more if skin is oily), not only will over-cleansing not help you, if you’re using a harsh product — particularly soap — you could be harming your skin.

The solution: Wash skin no more than twice a day and choose your cleanser wisely.

Beauty Tip 4: Use the Right Tools for the Right Job

You can have the best eyeshadow money can buy, the world’s most luxurious foundation, a bronzer straight from the cosmetic bag of a supermodel. But if you don’t have the right tools to apply them, their benefits will be lost.

What constitutes the “right” tools? Brushes should be soft and feel gentle on the skin, but also have substance so the product can be moved to the surface of your skin. If you dip a brush in shadow or blush and the color falls off before you make it to your face, that’s a bad brush, experts say.

Beauty Tip 5: Update Hair and Makeup Every 2 Years

If you walk into your school reunion and hear a chorus of “You haven’t changed a bit,” run, run, RUN to the nearest beauty salon! Experts say that if you can’t even remember the last time you changed your hair and makeup, it’s way overdue. “Ideally, your image, including hair and makeup, should be updated at least every two years – and sooner if the styles change dramatically,” says hair expert Nick Chavez.

By keeping your look current, says Chavez, you also look younger and more modern. “Nothing dates a woman more than outdated hair and makeup,” says Chavez. If it’s been a while since you’ve had a change, visit the makeup counters at your favorite department or beauty store, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Most of the better lines are sold by makeup artists who can quickly catch you up on what’s new.

We’d love to here your top beauty tips too.

Looking for a cocktail-length wedding gown. Our Marilyn gown (due late March 2013) is a stylish and impeccable 1950s style wedding gown. Produced in floaty chiffon with petticoat layers built in for that wonderful swirly skirt.  Designed to swish and impress as you dance the night away! .

Marilyn in Antique Ivory £225

If there is one actress who knows how to turn heads wherever she goes, that would be Nicole Kidman. The Aussie beauty was spotted heading to the premiere of her latest film, “Stoker” while in London, England on Saturday evening.

The Hollywood actress looked head-to-toe gorgeous in a cobalt blue dress that we absolutely love very similar to our Bryony dress at only £99.

When it comes to her red carpet style, Nicole is simply perfection.

Check out our photos and tell us, do you think Nicole’s look is a hit or a miss for you?