HAWT: Taylor Swift in Gucci

Hawt = A late 1940's and early 1950's acronym for "Having A Wonderful Time."
Now the word is used on the internet as slang for something reeeeally hot.

This year’s Grammy Award’s saw 22 year old singer/songwriter Taylor Swift, once again glittering on the red carpet, a look she has perfected and I am certainly not bored of.  Despite missing out on the four awards she was nominated for, Taylor’s sensational short-sleeved column Gucci dress certainly secured the singer the ‘Best Dressed’ accolade of the night.  Renown for her penchant for metallic and sparkles on the red carpet, Taylor’s gorgeous gown, accessorized with silver drop earrings and platform heels, was utterly showstopping, proving to us all; ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.'  Taylor told E!'s Ryan Seacrestthat she loved the design, "it's like chain mail, ‘it's bullet proof. It's really heavy. It's all the things you'd expect it to be - it's like a suit of armour."  Country Strong. 

 Below:  America's Golden Girl Taylor Swift in a red carpet myriad of masterful metallics...

And moving swiftly (sorry, couldn't help myself...) from HAWT to, well just damn right HOT… Did you catch power couple Beyoncé (in a sheer Nichole de Carle body suit and La Perlathong) and Jay Z's steeeeeamy PDA/rendition of ‘Drunk in Love’…

Halloween 2013

Celebrating Halloween in the UK has become increasingly popular in the last few years (thank you Heidi Klum!) and now there is no shortage of thrills and chills to enjoy come October 31st.  With this ghoulish night fast approaching us (like a serial killer in a dark alley) costumes are now firmly on my mind.  Usually the ladies of London use this annual opportunity to leave as little to the imagination as possible... something spooky + clevage = (Sexy) Vampire/(Sexy) Cat/(Sexy) Skeleton/(Sexy) Devil, etc.  I however, would love to see more effort on the whole and witness some really spooky, stomach-churningly dramatic outfits on the big night;  a tormented zombie, a rabid hybrid werewolf, a two-headed cannibal, a VMA’s Miley Cyrus… Now THAT would be terrifying! 

Above: (Clockwise) L-R: Moto Bat Print Leigh Jeans at Topshop - RRP. £40.00,  Topshop Sadie Lazer Cut Heels - RRP. £80.00, ASOS Full Midi Skirt in Mesh – RRP. £55.00, ASOS Halloween Bat Print Unitard – RRP. £38.00, H&M Super Stretch Treggings – RRP. £12.99,Skeleton Print Unitard – RRP. £32.00

Above:  No Tricks, Just Treats:  Loving these Limited Edition shoes by Charlotte Olympia!
L-R: Vampira - RRP. £975.00, Bite Me Kitty - RRP. £495.00, Nocturnal - RRP. £745.00

Above:  Hummingbird Bakery Limited Edition Cupcake Gift Boxes - From RRP. £19.50
HOW awesome did Emma Roberts look dressed as her Aunty Julia's character Vivienne Ward from Pretty Women at last year's Halloween?! Genius. 

Left:  If you are still in need of some more devilish sinspiration head to Austique where flamboyant fancy dress boutique Violet’s Box are holding a pop up shop for the next two weeks. Stylist Violet Day will be on hand to help you choose a perfectly show-stopping/heart-stopping outfit.

 

Beyonce as Mrs Carter for H&M

Beyonce is the face of H&M swimwear this summer and HOW gorgeous does she look in this pre-released campaign shot?!  Taken in the Bahamas by Inez van Lamsweerde andVinoodh Matadin, Queen Bey reclines on a sun lounger modelling pieces inspired by her individual style.  The campaign will introduce the star as "Beyoncé as Mrs Carter in H&M."  

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"I've always liked H&M's focus on fun affordable fashion. I really loved the concept we collaborated on to explore the different emotions of women represented by the four elements - fire, water, earth and wind," said Beyonce, "It was a beautiful shoot on a tropical island. It felt more like making a video than a commercial."

H&M's High Summer 2013 collection will be in stores from May.

Super (Bowl) Beyonce

A leather-clad Beyonce brilliantly strutted her stuff last weekend, in what was the most amazing halftime show in Super Bowl history!  In 12 high-octane minutes, Beyonce managed to not only belt out a several of her own songs, including ‘Baby Boy,’ ‘Halo,’ and ‘Crazy In Love,’ but also host a mini Destiny’s Child reunion with Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, which was, as expected, A.W.E.S.O.M.E.  

Aware of what an honour this opportunity was, Beyonce said, “I'm trying to learn to live every moment, because these moments are not promised to us," she said. "I've had a 16-year career, and all of the things that I've done have prepared me for this. ... I'm ready."

Debit Buy: Topshop Beaded Beyonce Bag

If ever life just becomes too tough, I find myself asking, 'What Would Beyonce Do?!'  Yes. In a matter of seconds I am remembering my 'Halo,' 'Who Runs Tha World' and just how 'Irreplaceable' and Booootilicccciooous I truly am ;)
Today however, whilst contemplating 'WWBD' I was pointed in the direction of Topshop, where Mrs Z herself recently picked up this surprisingly affordable and colourful Aztec beaded bag.

Topshop Beaded Body Bag, RRP. £30.00 

Beyonce Performs 'I Was Here' For United Nations World Humanitarian Day

Earlier this month Beyonce donned a sparkly Marc Bouwer gown and recorded the video for her latest song, ‘I Was Here,’ in front of a live audience at the United Nations in New York.  The video was released on Monday, August 19th, World Humanitarian Day with the goal “to inspire people all over the world to do something good, no matter how big or small, for someone else.”  The video features footage from recent disasters and images of humanitarian workers who have made a real difference.

Beyonce recently revealed, “I feel like we all want to know that our life meant something and that we did something for someone else… That we spread positivity no matter how big or how small.” Prepare to well up a little...

Trend: Isabel Marant Wedge Trainers

Having taken the leap and finally taken off her much adored Isabel Marant Dicker Boots, Kate Bosworth was seen in Beverley Hills last week sporting the designer's coveted wedge trainers. In this laidback and relaxed Spring ensemble, Kate contrasts this season’s love of all things sporty (sweatshirt/trainers) with all things ladylike (pleated, flowy skirt.)

Isabel Marant’s coveted wedge trainers (the shoe that launched a thousand high street copies) is a look, much like our beloved UGG boots, that will no doubt be more popular with the girls wearing them than the boys looking at us in them.  Functional and comfy usually don’t scream sexy, but hey, when he doesn’t have to give you a piggy back home, stiletto’s in hand, he’ll soon be won over...

RRP. £430.00

If you, like me and Beyonce, are happy to embrace the wedge, the velcro and your inner Marty McFly, here are some of my more affordable recommendations:

Above (clockwise):  Ash Bowie Wedge Trainers in clay - £149.00, Ash Coolbis Wedge Trainers in black - £175.00, Topshop Acrobat Trainers - £78.00, Aldo Netz Wedge Trainers -£80.00, Asos Deny Wedge High Top Trainers with Suede detail £45.00

Beyonce and Ivy's Cat and Mouse Footsteps

Last week Beyonce was photographed in NYC wearing a pair of much sought after Charlotte Olympia leopard print kitty flats (that I wrote about here) whilst 2 month old Blue Ivy, followed in her Mummy's fashionable footsteps, wearing teeny tiny Marc Jacobs gold mouse pumps. The diddy mice have attached socks and embroidered tails. Adorable!

Musical Moment - Beyonce ('Best Thing I Never Had')


I love Beyonce as much as the next person… as long as that next person isn’t my boyfriend – he loooooooves Mrs Z - and the first scene of this music video will do nothing to suppress his crush.

Every one of us has someone (or sometwo… or somethree... hey, whose counting?!) that this song could be belted out to - so this song is dedicated to all the douche bags - the best things we never had…