SAMPLE SALE: URBAN OUTFITTERS

Roll up, Roll up Urban Outfitters are holding a sample sale! The sale starts today and ends tomorrow, so if you want to bag a bargain you have 2 days and counting......

Urban Outfitters sample sales don't come around to often so take full advantage people, and remember dollar only!

Thurs 28th July, 10am - 6pm
Fri 29th July 10am - 5pm
14-18 Great Ticthfield Street, W1

SAMPLE SALE: CITIZENS OF HUMANITY

In need of new jeans? Aren't we always - you can never have enough jeans, so many styles, so many colours......

If you need jeans then head along to the Citizens of Humanity and Goldsign sample sale where you'll find a huge selection of jeans which have grazed the ass's of many a celeb. And with up to 70% off = BONUS!

Now until Friday 29th July, 9am - 8pm
85 Great Eastern Street, EC2A

SISLEY FACIAL AT URBAN RETREAT

Urban Retreat is located in Harrods, this fact alone makes a visit to the spa feel purely indulgent. Located on the top floor the waiting area is the Haute Parfumerie where you are surrounded by the most prestigious perfumes from all over the world. The spa is one of the biggest in the world with 32 treatment rooms and 45 styling stations.

We went along to try the bespoke Sisley facial which lasts 1 hour 15 minutes and is tailored to suit the needs of the individual. The Sisley facial is mainly based around massage and Aromatherapy, not only of the face and neck area but also of the hands and feet. There is no painful extraction and the whole experience is focused on relaxation.

A number of products are used - all natural as Sisley products are made with natural plant extracts and essential oils - so no nasties. The time seemed to fly by and we think we may have drifted off thanks to the massaging and moisturising but when it was finally over we awoke with fresh, bright, plump skin. In fact we had quite a few comments that week.

If you're in need of a facial or fancy a spa treatment then treat yourself to one at Urban Retreat, every girl should feel fabulous once in a while!

Sisley facials start from £100
Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, SW1X
www.urbanretreat.co.uk

SAMPLE SALE: MATTHEW WILLIAMSON

Once again the Matthew Williamson sample sale is rolling into town, which just so happens to be great timing with it being Wedding season and all. Grab yourself one of his famous dresses seen on the backs of many a celeb. With up to 70% off it would be rude not to!

Friday 22nd July, 8am-7pm
The Music Room, 26 South Molton Lane, W1K

PRODUCT LOVE: HAIR OILS

This weather is playing hell with our hair, we've never seen it so FRIZZY! Which is why we've been hunting down the best oil based products to de-frazzle our locks.

We've managed to narrow it down to three with a product for every budget.

1. Kerastase Elixir Ultime - we're not gonna lie this is worth it's weight in gold and it almost costs as much. The product can be used as a treatment before or after washing and leaves hair shiny and soft. The blend of four oils including Argan, Cameillia, Maize and Pracaxi combine to create a product which is suitable for all hair types. Priced around £30 for 125ml

2. Lee Stafford Argan oil - Argan oil is all the rage for hair these days. This light weight oil treatment gives smooth, silky, healthy hair without adding grease. It's as good if not better than any of the more expensive Argan Oils and one that we'll definitely be adding to our essential product lists this year. It can be used on damp or dry mops. Only £11.99 for 50ml.

3. Tommyguns dew drops - The cheapest of the bunch but still a mighty fine product these weather protect dew drops serum help to make hair smoother and sleeker - a good choice for hair which doesn't like heavy products. £6 for 50ml.

With products this good we're almost not bothered about the weather....almost!

THE ART OF BEING BEAUTIFUL.....

Liberty and Grazia have teamed up to bring you 'The Art of Being Beautiful' a special one off event taking place this Thursday. From 12pm in the Liberty Beauty Hall you will find a host of free treatments from mini facials and mini manicures to make-up tutorials and much more from all of your favourite brands.

The first 100 customers get a free copy of Grazia and there are "secret" gifts for those who make purchases throughout the day - while stocks last of course! Anyone splashing the cash and spending over £100 will be entered into a draw to win one of three "fantastic prizes".

But that's not all from 5pm until 8pm there will be complementary cocktails on offer and Grazia’s beauty director Liz Hambleton will be on hand to divulge some of her best kept secrets for looking and feeling your best. There is also the opportunity for one-to-one appointments with Liz, which you can book now by submitting a beauty question to rsvp@liberty.co.uk.

There has never been a better excuse to top up that make up bag!

Thurs 21st July, 12pm - 8pm
Liberty Store, Regent Street, W1B
www.liberty.co.uk

STYLE TALK: MEET CHRIS

LondOntheInside caught up with Chris the Fashion Editor for men's fashion magazine HERO, fronting the faces of tomorrow. Chris moved to London 4 years ago and has worked with stylists Frank Strachan and Luke Day and celebrities such as Girls Aloud, Take That, Lee Mead and Demi Lovato. What Chris doesn't know about fashion isn't worth knowing.

US: Why do you live in London?

CHRIS: I always knew I would want to live in London. At first it was for theatre work but then once I actually realised what I wanted to do which is work in fashion, I knew the only place to do this for me was London.


US: So basically you're saying that London is fash - we agree! With your inside knowledge can you tell us which designer we should be keeping an eye out for?

CHRIS: You should definitely keep an eye out for Domingo Rodriguez, he has the fine attention to detail, careful choice of fabrics and perfect fits that can make something as simple as a white long sleeved top more of a special wardrobe item. He isn't stocked at many places yet (ASOS & Wolf & Badger) making him quite under the radar at the moment, but that's what I like, not everyone will know his collection yet so you feel like you've found an hidden treasure.

US: Are there any key pieces we should be investing in too?

CHRIS: A bit of a jump in style and designer but I think coloured trousers are picking up in menswear, especially for A/W, I get sick of seeing fashion black anyway, so when winter comes its even more tiring! D&G for their fall collection did some amazing trousers in blues, reds and greens that all paid homage to the Coca Cola anniversary and Mickey Mouse.


US: Ace - Thanks for the tips. So when you aren't working where do you like to hangout any good haunts you can let us in on?

CHRIS: I'm more of a Soho hanger than East, so I tend to go to places like the Green Carnation which doesn't have any of the campness that a lot of the bars have in Soho. It also has 2 for 1 cocktails between 4-7 so its great for a little pick me up after work! When it comes to going out I go room service on Thursdays, it's hosted by Jodie Harsh and has some great DJ's like Kris Di Angelis.

US: 2 for 1 cocktails, we're in! How about nosh?

CHRIS: I'm really bad with stuff like this, I always tend to go to the same place as I'm always worried that if I try somewhere new I won't like it! So I tend to go to either Balans, Busaba Eathai or Ping Pong but for a mean roast dinner I love the Fentiman & Arms by Oval/Vauxhall or the Bull and Bush in Hampstead.

So there you have it. Chris Preston, Fashion Editor in 5 quick fire questions. If you want to check out his work you can buy the magazine online: www.hero-zine.com.


Thanks Chris!

SUMMER FLASH SALE

Who's got the Westwood??

If you missed out on the sales fear not because the Summer Flash Sale is here! Running until July 24th at 5pm with up to 80% off over 4000 pieces of mens & womenswear, shoes and accessories.

Designers included Vivienne Westwood, McQ, See by Chloe and Acne - to name but a few! But the really great thing about the Flash Sale is you can sift through the offerings on the facebook page before you head down. Unfortunately you can't reserve them online but if you're fast enough you just might bag them before someone else does.

Now until 24th July
98 Commercial Street, E1

HOUSE OF HACKNEY & OPENING CEREMONY

House of Hackney are teaming up with Anerican clothing brand Opening Ceremony to create a capsule clothing collection this Autumn. This has got us excited, like REALLY excited. Not only are we big fans of House of Hackney but if it's anywhere as near as good as the Chloe Sevigny Opening Ceremony collection we'll be happy.

The collection will include a selection of dresses, cardigans and printed t-shirts. No images yet but as soon as we get them, they're all yours!

Available in from House of Hackney and Opening Ceremony this October.

www.houseofhackney.com

BAG IT: KURT GEIGER BOOTS

We're in love! Yes we know we're fickle and shallow and we fall in love all of the time but we just can't help it! The latest product of our affection are these boots by Kurt Geiger.

At £200 they aren't cheap but teamed with super skinny black jeans they scream rock chick and have Alison Mosshart's name written ALL OVER them! £195 for the snakeskin versions although they also come in black suede, blue suede and polka dot pony hair.

www.kurtgeiger.com

BAPE POP UP PIRATE SHOP

We got excited back in January when Japanese street-wear brand BAPE aka A Bathing Ape opened their first Pirate pop up shop. And now they are doing it all over again!

The store has already opened and closes in just 6 days on Sunday July 10th. Expect limited edition, exclusive, one off pieces for a fraction of the usual costs with up to 60% off.

And if that doesn't tickle your fancy you can always make a WAD load of cash selling them on eBay.

Until Sun 10th July (Mon-Fri 10.30am-7pm, Sat & Sun 11am-6pm)
The Old Truman Brewery, 25 Hanbury St, E1
eu.bape.com

PRODUCT LOVE: JASON SHANKEY

Jason Shankey has created products for men that apparently make you ‘smell like a legend’. The products contain Iso E Super – the active ingredient that has been clinically proven to create an ‘appealing effect’ to those smelling it. LondOnTheInside have been using the products for around 6 weeks and we can confirm Jason Shankey makes Hanky Panky!

The exfoliating face and scalp scrub wakes up tired skin and the ground olive stones are harsh enough to leave your mug feeling great and looking healthy. The shaving cream feels and smells great leaving skin soft and shiny. Whilst it also contains a hair growth inhibitor to help reduce the need to shave daily...result!

The Moisture Balm works a treat, trust us we took this to Glastonbury and it helped soothe our reddened skin – sun burn when it’s raining? Who invented this?

The prefect shave kit comes in at £48.00, the packaging looks great although we’re still undecided on the name “Jason Shankey”. Plus if you don’t want to give away your beer money on the full kit you can pick up 125ml samples from their site from as little as £14….go on smell like a legend!

www.jasonshankey.com

McQ POP UP

Fancy owning a unique piece from the new McQ collection? Don't we all babes, don't we all! Well visit the McQ pop up in Selfridges this month and you can - provided you have the cash to splash of course!

The pop up houses the Women’s Pre Autumn/Winter 2011 collection and a selection of hand embellished McQ pieces. Anyone who spends £750 or more will be invited for a private appointment at McQ’s Clerkenwell studio to get one of their purchases customised with the signature safety pin embellishment.

They’ll also have the opportunity to meet with one of the McQ’s designers, discuss how the studio will make the purchase into a one-of-a-kind embellished creation and have the chance to see the craftmenship first hand.

Plus if you're lucky you might even bump into a celeb or two coming for a fitting.

1st July – 31st July on 3 Floor, Women’s Contemporary.
Selfridges, 400 Oxford Street, W1A
www.selfridges.com

SALON SPY: BLOWW

Mary, Mary, quite contrary, How does your garden grow? Well if we're honest very fast which is why we're always on the look out for good waxing salons The latest salon we've spied is Bloww in Soho which we booked via Wahanda after checking out the list of positive reviews.

It was only when we visited that we realised we'd been here before when the salon was known as Kuno Tierra. Now owned by Bloww who also have the hair salon of the same name above, the treatment rooms located in the basement of the building are clean and bright. We were there for a full leg wax, usually we're a 3/4 but we were off to Glasto so thought we'd go all out!

The full leg wax cost £40 and took about 30 minutes. The therapist was friendly and experienced and we left with a pair of sleek, shiny hair free legs! Would we go back? Sure we would!

Bloww Soho, 4 Regent Place, W1B
www.wahanda.com