Us and you

Fashion and Politics

To the fashion world this weeks inauguration was as much as occasion for celebrating the first lady’s style as it was for the President Obama’s second term.

Mrs. Obama chose Jason Wu, the New York based designer, to design the inaugural gown for the second time. The dress was ruby-coloured with cross-halter straps and a loose fit similar to the ivory one-shouldered gown she wore in 2009. Her shoes were from Jimmy Choo, finishing the design with a handmade diamond ring by Kimberly McDonald.

Wearing a broad array of mostly American designers such as Thom Browne, Cathy Waterman, Reed Krakoff, and J.Crew – feeds into the idea that Mrs. Obama is doing her part for the fashion industry.

Here at Brand Alley Towers, in true first lady style, we are working with a number of American fashion brands including; Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford, Steve Madden, Nicole Miller and Clinique - to bring you incredible high class fashion at affordable prices.

Let us know if there are any other brands you would love to see!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year BrandAlley lovers! Let’s hope 2013 is even better than 2012.

Merry Christmas from BrandAlley

Are you ready for the festive holiday? Here at BrandAlley, we are packed up and ready to enjoy some much-needed R&R…and of course the big turkey dinner! If you’re in the mood for browsing the sales, don’t miss our huge clearance extravaganza today with discounts of up to 80% off designer brands. It’s the perfect past time while your wrapping all those lovely gifts for everyone else.

We can’t wait for Christmas morning, so on that note, we’d like to wish you all a VERY Happy Christmas and a brilliant New Year! Goodbye 2012, hello 2013!! 

Update from the blogosphere #96 – prints

From florals to animal, landscape to mirror, prints have been huge for 2012 and they’re not stopping yet. Geometric prints have taken over magazines, celebrities and most importantly the blogosphere. Maths may not have been your strong point in school, but it certainly can be now. Here’s a few of the best blogs we’ve seen this week all talking about geometry.

Spring saw mathematical shapes owning the runway and taking a look at Anna from Fash Boulevard’s blog we can see why. With designers like Carolina Herrera, Narciso Rodriguez and Victoria Beckham working circles, squares, diamonds and triangles in intricate patterns and designs, our eyes were going crazy for the designs.  Jump to AW12 and it’s all about doubling up on these prints in a chic suit, or trouser–blouse combo. Take a leaf out of Anna’s book and ease yourself into this trend with geometric jewels.

It’s not just designers who are churning this trend out. We saw on Womens Tennis blog Venus Williams nailing the look on court with her very own designer label EleVen. Leaving fashion faux pas behind her, Venus is making the geometric trend accessible in all areas, including sport!

 

And don’t stop at fashion. Beauty is jumping on this eye catching bandwagon too with show-stopping looks that make the eyes pop, ensuring you stand out in a crowd. Oh that’s you blog has some fabulous step by step designs to help you work the trend with ease and style. Our favourite is the graphic look seen on the Lanvin models. Find out how to get the look here.

For lots more ideas on how to try the trend, take a look at Who What Wear for the very best in celeb and designer fashion.

Have a great weekend and if you’re buying into this fab trend, let us know. What are you wearing?

Guest post: Expert baker blogger, Jacqueline from Tinned Tomatoes on a new Christmas Marbled Tiffin recipe


Jacqueline Meldrum is a food writer, recipe developer and mum who focuses on vegetarian cooking. She started her food blog Tinned Tomatoes in 2007. Tinned Tomatoes is a food blog full of easy family recipes for vegetarians that everyone will love, including the most delicious cakes and cookies. She’s written 

Jacqueline also runs the Dundee branch of The Clandestine Cake Club, where she gets to meet up with fellow cakies, to chomp and talk cake.

Jacqueline lives, works, cooks and bakes in Scotland with her husband and her toddler Cooper who is turning into a rather good baker. Follow Jacqueline and her recipes on Facebook and twitter.

 

Christmas Marbled Tiffin

 

These sweet treats make great Christmas gifts for friends and family. They are quick and easy to make and won’t break the bank. Once you have made a batch, line pretty boxes with some tissue paper, then fill with these little squares of gorgeousness.

Ingredients

225g butter 
3 tbsp golden syrup
50g cocoa powder, sieved
50g raisins

50g cranberries
300g digestive biscuits, smashed
400g dark chocolate, broken into pieces

 

Method

Melt the butter in a pan along with the golden syrup and cocoa powder. Take off the heat and stir in the crushed biscuits, raisins and cranberries. Mix well.
Pour the mixture into a greased cake or brownie tin. Chill in the fridge for 20 minutes, until set.
Melt the chocolate in a glass bowl over simmering water. Make sure the base of the bowl doesn’t touch the water, as this will spoil the chocolate. Once the chocolate has melted, pour it over the biscuit mix and smooth over.
Leave the mixture in the fridge to set, before cutting into squares with a sharp knife.

Makes 36 small bites