Meet at Last

This seasons styling guide for the ladies

2010-02-10T02:19:00.000-08:00

I know it's still freezing but I promise you that there is a fresh spring feel in the shops again - it makes me feel all warm inside and happy that soon there will be out of darkness and into the light softness of spring clothes!

It's time to bid a long-overdue farewell to all your darks & get excited about all the pretty sweet pastel colours in floaty fabrics that are on the way - we haven't seen these colours for many a fashion season - but baby blues, pastel pinks, pale yellows, and soft lilacs are the candy floss palette of the summer if you fancy doing girly sugar-coated glamour.

If 'notice-me' prints are more your thing for this season, wow there's such a lot to choose from - there's a massive African influence in the air and then we have some new amazing 'digitally manipulated' ones - these are certainly going to add life to the shop floors.

For those that love the Military look, it gets super sexy and very modern this time around. The army jackets now have feminine touches of chiffon and sequins. So replace your winter biker's jacket with a super functional utility jacket for an instant update to your spring dresses or skirts. I actually think if you team your military pieces with suede, it creates a gorgeous fresh look this time around!

It's cool to wear denim & denim head to toe - wow, I never thought that would happen again in my lifetime, but I've seen it done well a couple of times out on the streets already - it does lok amazing on the right person, I promise!

I'm sure all of you know that shorts are incorporated in every look this season - so you can all find a way to work them to suit you - those of you that know me well, know that I pop them under my short dresses so that I can dash around Oxford Street quicker! Love them for walking up the escelators in the summer!!

Ok - Madonna works this one best in my opinion, but underwear is outwear for this season's biggest trend - bustiers, suspender belts, pants, sheer layers and bra tops all hit the catwalk in a big way. I certainly will not be doing the Fifties 'big knickers' look but handle the bra top for a night out - too exposed? Play with sheert chiffon and tulle layers - cover up in one of two ways@ with a fine knit cardigan or a mannish tuxedo jacket - I've always been a big fan of a very 50'sd style bra top under a fantastic suit.

This is another one of my all time favourates for summer, head-to-toe white or all the nude palettes - it's such a timeless glam look - it;s not always for London but will work on any summer trip away, in the country or a special occasion that's coming up - but whether you do it tailored, romantic or in shirting, there are so many well done beautiful white or nude clothing to choose from this year.

I know some of you will die for this one - when it comes to heels, more is more - ultra high platforms, leather bows, lace and chandlier crystals - it's all out there for your feet to enjoy. We still have the ankle boots for summer in canvas and slouchy leather, brogues are still here. Also (and this is good news for those of you that need to get from A to B) there's still a much more tasteful choide in lower heels this season.

What can I say but enjoy and see you soon for shopping!

Andi Style Liberation

Top tips for men on looking after yourself for this coming Valentines

2010-02-10T02:04:00.001-08:00

1 - Get a skin care regime - simply by using a facial scrub once a week - a face wash cleanser & moisturiser daily can really make a difference to tired winter skin!

2 - Understand your skin type so that you can get the most from your skin care regime, use products designed for your skin type. For example, if you have oily skin you want to be using an oil free moisturiser, and if you have sensitive skin, look for a moisturiser with built in sun protection.

3 - For an instant lift, if you've had a late night and it's the morning after or before an important date, use a specialist eye cream to get rid of puffiness - these work wonders for your tired eyes!

4 - This one is the most important, if you want great healthy skin, drink plenty of water at least 1.5 litres a day.

5 - A well groomed male needs to learn how to shave properly. The art of the perfect shave is disappearing fast. Shave after a shower or use plenty of hot water. Don't use a disposable razor, use a good quality razor, a Mac3 or a double-edges razor. Invest in a shaving brush, use a good quality shaving cream and apply it with a brush, shave with the grain and always apply a non alcohol-based balm to finish. If you are grooming a beard, get it done by a barber.

6 - Get a good hair cut, one that suits both your face and your hair type - by all means get a trendy hair cut but make sure it does suit your face shape and not just because it's fashionable. If your hair is thinning keep it short.

7 - Get yourself a manicure or at least keep your nails trimmed and clean. After all, your hands are always on show, and please, no finger nail biting!

8 - If you need help with getting dressed, make sure you see Andi at Style Liberation!

Talking of Facebook

2010-02-04T06:54:00.000-08:00

Are you on Facebook? why not join our Facebook Group.

The Group is constantly updated with news, and events, and you can also chat with other members.

See you there! Facebook Singles Club

Online Dating, facebook style

2010-02-04T06:51:00.000-08:00

There are ever more fish in the sea of online dating, but still not everyone is willing to take the plunge. Concerns over safety and privacy, as well as a lingering stigma associated with dating services, mean that plenty of potential soulmates continue to float untethered. Now, Thread aims to reel those consumers in by tapping into the trust shared among Facebook friends.

Launched in September, Thread prides itself on saving users from the long questionnaires and registration processes of other dating sites. Rather, because the free service is based on Facebook Connect, users begin by simply logging in to their Facebook account and answering a few quick questions including their gender, city and relationship status. Once connected, they can easily browse a list of their "friends of friends," or second-degree Facebook connections, sortable by gender and relationship status. If they see someone who looks promising, they can ask a mutual friend for an introduction or simply send that person a Facebook message. Alternatively, Thread lets users play matchmaker by forwarding promising profiles to their single friends. In the interests of privacy, Thread stresses that nothing users do on the site will be published to Facebook unless they specifically request it.

Now in beta, Thread is the brain child of California-based SofaLabs, which raised USD 1.2 million in startup capital through Facebook's own fbFund incubator program. The site isn't yet wearing its revenue model on its sleeve, but possibilities include charging users to find out who has viewed their profile or to send virtual gifts, according to VatorNews.

Given how many aspects of life have already benefited from the addition of social networking capabilities—from ride-sharing to real estate—there's little doubt dating should be among them. Facebook's 350 million or so users, meanwhile, make it the perfect match for such applications. Time to think about how your business can leverage the massive but globally interconnected ranks of Facebook friends...? (Related: Dating via Twitter — Online speed dating — Dating cards — DNA-driven dating — Group dating.)

Article courtesy of http://springwise.com/lifestyle_leisure/thread/

Online Dating Safety Tips

2010-01-25T06:40:00.000-08:00

Meet at Last wants everyone to remain safe and healthy so please read these carefully and take heed when speaking to people online. If you do decide to meet people online please do the following so it is at least a safer meeting for all of you:

1. Meet in a VERY public place. The brighter the better. People are less inclined to try anything if there is a good chance they will get caught. People who are really wanting to meet you and are safe will not take offense to meeting in this type of area. If the person you are meeting gets upset at the suggestions then do not meet them.

2. If you feel it is not a safe meeting area take a friend with you. Do not allow yourself to get roped into doing anything or going anywhere that might make you feel uncomfortable. You must feel safe in whatever venue you decide to meet them in.

3. Pick a place you know well… preferably where the people there know you well. If you have someone who knows you make sure they meet the person so if there is a problem they can describe the person you were with. DO NOT meet in hotels even if the reson you are meeting is sexual…meet in public first and talk a little while…if it is going to happen it still will but you have then covered all your bases to make it a safer experience for both of you.

4. Get any information you can before you meet. If possible get phone numbers, email addresses, and if at all possible a picture of them before the meet so you know who you are looking for and so that there is a picture of the person you are seeing available if there is any problems. Make sure someone you trust has access to the information and send it via email to someone that you trust.

5. Talk to people you trust and give any information you can. If you do meet with a man and they mistreat you please let someone know so this does not escalate and become a situation like those you are about to read about.

Please just understand that I am not trying to tell you what to do I just want you to be safe and find new friends.

“People are not all bad we just must be careful and watch out for ourselves and those we love….”

article courtesty of www.recentinside.com

“Running to work-in the rush hour?” said with a look that tells me all I need to know about urban cool and why I won’t be seen playing it with her!

2009-06-02T00:44:00.000-07:00

Guy Looking

Well, how shallow is that, I thought. Some days you can’t walk down the street without having to duck out of the way as six foot three inches of determined, feminine running power races towards you, clutching a super-styled water bottle and the obligatory mp3 strapped to a taut, sinewy arm.

Ok, I guess it may not be tooooo healthy, inhaling bumper-to-bumper exhaust emissions, but at least the pavement is fairly clear of the first wave of office workers, who like to be at their desks before the boss arrives.

The only problem is, of course, when you get to work, you need a shower and there’s only one tiny basin and no plug! Flushed, and with patches of sweat trying to stick to the inside of your work shirt, you emerge from the WC, to find you’re on the receiving end of a disapproving glance from the passing senior accounts lady.

Shrugging my shoulders, I take a swig on my bottled water wishing it was a cool pint of lager instead - yeh, even at this time of the morning! But hey - I’m running, keeping fit, so I guess why not ! In fact I’ve decided, I will definitely go to the Beer Tasting Evening that I’ve been hearing about.

Now that I’m doing something about keeping the old beer belly down a bit, I reckon I deserve it !

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A powercut ! No internet, email, YouTube,Twitter or Facebook - and all my clock radios decide it’s 12.00 until further notice!

2009-05-26T11:37:00.000-07:00

Izzy- 4 me

Just like that – you’re suddenly helpless, can’t do a thing! It’s eerily quiet, the friendly, little blue light on the computer has gone out and it’s like, all life itself has been extinguished.

It’s so annoying! Scrabbling around the desk for my mobile, I see the battery is low and I can’t recharge that either – now we’re completely cut of from the outside world!
And boy, do the withdrawal systems start to kick in as you stare, uselessly, at the blank screen.

Eat, must eat something - I wrench open the fridge door and reach in to the awful, strange-looking darkness and find a half tub of choc chip ice-cream. That’s it, scoff the lot before it melts! Oh my god - it tastes so great!

This is ridiculous, everything grinds to a halt and you start losing it just because there’s a powercut – it’ll be up and running again in a minute. What is happening here? Gotta keep body and soul together, relax, take it easy a bit more – get this sorted, right!

OK – calm down a bit - just see if I can use the last bit of battery power to call the energy company, “ 45 mins to one and a half hours you say...I can’t hear , you’re cracking up....”

Or is that just me !

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Suddenly the bus braked hard and we all lurched forward – an excuse to raise eyebrows at the girl sitting next to me!

2009-05-19T05:41:00.000-07:00

Guy Looking -

A measured ‘tut tut’ between clenched teeth and shaking of the head, but she - reaching out with perfectly manicured nails to steady herself against the seat in front - barely raised a faint smile and continued reading, engrossed as she was in ‘Forecast Growth Statistics for Quarterly Yields and Derivatives’.

And there’s me thinking about gorgeous, well-toned tottie showing up at the Speed Boat Adventure event I’m off to next month and it’s like, we’re crashing waves already!

The noticeable deterioration of bus driving and the now daily occurrences of fierce braking, boy racer manoeuvres at the lights and sweeping past a stop if one lone waiting passenger was spotted too late, actually makes for good excuses to break the rules and strike up with a well chosen witticism!

You never know – she might have smiled briefly back, perhaps saying she was getting off at the next stop anyway and I then say ....

Yeh, yeh, I know!

Of course, everyone just wants to get to where they’re going to, as quickly as possible with no hassle, especially women of course, and that’s of course, absolutely right. It’s just the usual ‘what if’ scenario we might conjure with for a few seconds as an unexpected intervention wakes us from our daily routines. Especially on those godawful rush hour bus journeys!

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There is definitely one thing more depressing than the credit crunch and swine flu – I’ve just heard that Barbie turned 50 this year !

2009-05-12T04:31:00.000-07:00

Izzy- 4 me

So being made of plastic will keep you forever young! Bring on the Botox, I say; inject me everywhere, better than having to do the gym three times a week !

Actually, it kinda sounds a bit weird, creepy even - you obviously know it’s just a doll, but at the same time getting your head around the fact it’s 50 years old, frozen-in-time as a young woman! The same age in fact, as when I used to brush my own Barbie doll’s hair out when I was what – 5 or 6 ?

But apparently, time also moves on in BarbieWorld. She split with Ken! After 43 years, Barbie dumped him for a fling with an Australian surfer boy. And now she’s seen sporting fishnet stockings, a black leather jacket, motorcycle gloves, and knee-high boots!

Wow! At 50 – but hey, aren’t we talking Madonna here? Weirder and weirder – and she’s just got her new ‘toyboy’ too! So there is hope after all. Funny that, that’s exactly what the Dating Angel told me. It all kinda fits together, just gotta keep focused - and back to the gym, I s’pose. If Madonna can do Barbie, I can do Madonna!

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You know you’re losing it when you rely on Reggie Perrin moments to get you through the day!

2009-05-05T15:37:00.000-07:00

Guy Looking

Despite having trained oneself to be completely non-responsive to deal with the usual daily irritants, they can unexpectedly set you off : train stops in the tunnel for a few moments, someone speaking endlessly on their mobile, two hundred spam emails, teabag container empty, weekly fire bell goes off, the girl who smiled at you briefly yesterday completely blanks you today ...

That last one actually, is the one that seems to do it! All the others just remind you that you’re trapped in this moment of space-time, even if you mutter, “Beam me up Scotty,” between clenched teeth. It’s amazing, the totally wild and implausible thoughts that suddenly jump up in front of your eyes – where on earth do they come from? Just by the act of looking!

An MRI scan would no doubt show the brightly lit up, agitated parts of the ancient reptillian brainstem and I’m sure a session on the couch with an expensive Harley Street shrink would only confirm what we – and old Reggie Perrin - already know anyway. Women always say it’s typical male behaviour! But that’s the way it is.

The good thing is there’s lots of summer events at Meet At Last - including absolutely brilliant Champagne evenings, Sunday meets, BBQs and brunches – everyone is like really cool and friendly, great to chat with, in fact. I’m off for a spot of Go Karting planned for this month down at Docklands, so that should definitely help with chilling the inner Reggie out !

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Losing to your 7 year old niece by a quick forearm smash of the remote - Wii are not amused!

2009-04-28T02:33:00.000-07:00

Izzy- 4 me

Every time I visit my nephews and nieces, they’re jumping up and down excitedly in front of a plasma screen the size of the iMax cinema, their child’s hands filled with large white control boxes, pointing, thrusting and stabbing at the air immediately in front of them!

If there is a bloke with you at the time, he suddenly goes, ‘yeeeeah’, dives into the melée, wrestles a remote from one of the youngsters and, as the circuitry kicks in, is immediately transformed into a crazed cyborg, all flaying arms and jerking elbows.

This of course breaks up the jolly playgroup; the kiddie who had their remote taken from them, returns with the mother, sobbing and screaming and attempting a little inter-connectivity of their own by repeatedly kicking the guy’s shins. “Whoah, whoah”, he goes, returning to the real world of physical cause and effect, “that bloody hurts, y’know”.

“Could you tell your boyfriend to apologise to my child for taking the remote”.

“Yeah, what about my jeans, then ? They’re ripped to shreds”.

“ Don’t be so silly, of course they’re not”.

“ Yes, they are , look at this ...”

~ ~ ~

It’s my fault of course, if I had known what these guys are going to be like, but you never can tell until it’s too late! I’m gonna have to seriously think about getting help with changing my online profile – make the message loud and clear, a real man wanted, please!

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The first couple of Tweets – and immediately you’re being followed!

2009-04-21T14:52:00.000-07:00

Guy Looking

Mostly it’s short URL advertising and news feeds but there’s always some dude letting you know he’s just cracked open a beer and settling down in front of the telly after a long day online!

I thought it might be like another one of those online social network sites but with instant messaging. Instead, it looks like the way to get the best out of it is to build your own application and invite your friends, otherwise you’re only going to get followed by nonsensical oneliners - and definitely no celebs!

Unless you do the naff thing and follow them to their site to be told what a lovely day they’re having! I did actually follow this one girl (an awful expression, really), calling herself a ‘new media chick’ and tweeting that she ‘can’t find her glasses and can't see to find them’!

So it’s back to the internet dating site at Meet At Last. And jolly good it is too! Lots of decent-looking types who you can have a straightforward conversation with online and have a laugh too!

Less tweeting and more meeting - is the way to go, that’s what I say!

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The problem is that your email gets sent to you ... just when you’re not hands-free!

2009-04-14T02:19:00.000-07:00

Izzy- 4 me

I absolutely can’t live without my Blackberry! On the daily commute, its eyes down, tap-tapping away at the screen in status-fuelled determination to be seen to be the most important, indispensable person in a packed carriage of away-from-my-desk, out-of-office people!

Suddenly I would hear a polite alert tone pleading to be attended to and mild panic sets in. Is it mine going off? Yes – it is ! Handbag? Left pocket, right pocket ? Where? Everyone is quietly watching and listening to see just where you are in that crucial Exec pecking order – one false move and the game’s given away. It’s really your mum/best friend/boyfriend wanting to know if you can pick up some baguettes on the way home or don’t forget to tape Eastenders...!

And of course, the real important call/text/email arrives always at that precise few seconds when answering is a little more difficult - say when you’re in the loo, or in the shower - and when you call back they’re always on voicemail! Or worse, it’s a text alert to tell you someone’s called but didn’t leave a message. S’really annoying!

I’m supposed to be going to this TV celeb style event at Covent Garden, a bit of real girly thing and I’m waiting for this email from my new best mate, Mel ... but she’s one of these types who makes one call then switches the mobile off for an hour and a half, then is ‘busy’ whilst on a second call and switches off again for the rest of the day! You leave a message, and send an email and she finally gets back to you two days later – something about leaving it on a train!

On a train - anything but that.....!

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You go to the coffee shop at lunchtime and it’s like you haven’t left the office !

2009-04-02T03:20:00.000-07:00

Guy Looking

Everyone’s in a meeting! Interviewing, briefing, pitching and closing deals – the waitresses won’t go near the tables!

Hunched over laptops, mobiles in hand, the ebusiness boys and girls leave just enough table surface for their half full cups of expresso to sit out the duration of the meet.

In the age of the virtual office, where just about anywhere within reason to do ‘business’ will do, your chances of just catching a likely female eye, or briefly exchanging words are now a big fat zero, since everyone here is obviously not off duty for a second.

It’s difficult enough when females are deeply engrossed in the latest Sophia Kinsella and wired up to mp3 – you obey the signs, you keep well away! You don’t even look- for fear of being accused of something. Same rules as the tube, basically.

It seems these days that the only social space remaining for encountering a member of the opposite sex is online! True – I decided to sign up to the Meet At Last VIP members club, and suddenly, I was back - and grateful to be breathing in the the rare atmosphere of the kind of meeting place that just doesn’t seem to be available anymore in our everyday lives.

Especially the Private Invitation only events - they’re well worth it actually, if only because everyone’s decided not to be at the ‘office’ for a few hours and think about other things ...!

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My Ugg boots are in tatters and my life is unravelling too!

2009-03-26T02:32:00.000-07:00

Izzy-4 me

I can’t believe it ... my Mum’s dog chews my left Ugg boot to pieces just as I’m reading a text saying my date won’t be able to make it tonight for a drink after all and he’ll be in touch!

I really, really love my Ugg boots – I wear them all the time, everywhere - and now they’re useless! I only popped round to give my Mum her money back for the new shoes I just bought. I was going to wear them for the Champage do at Meet At Last - before I discovered it’s already sold out - and the dog went mental the minute I took them off to try the new shoes on!

Now I get this text and it looks like my weekend is in tatters too! What next ? – nothing seems to be going right for me lately. My dating coach has helped, you know the kind of thing - dealing with stuff, and not letting it become an issue, glass half-full and all that - now this!

I guess the coaching must be working because now I think, so what - to hell with it - it was only a spur of the moment thing, he was a bit of a wally anyway, so ...

I’ll go to the Wine Tasting bash instead next week. It’s always a great night of getting ever so slightly tipsy even though you’re not supposed to ! And everyone’s a great laugh, in fact, there’s this one chap who I noticed the last time - I wonder if he’ll turn up ? Yep – I’ll wear these new shoes then ...

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I would seriously think about an electric car, but I don’t see many blokes driving them.

2009-03-19T04:38:00.000-07:00

Guy Looking.

I know how that sounds but there are certain motors that tend to be driven by either men or women, take the Mazda MX5 for example. I haven’t got a problem with doing my bit, the oil won’t last forever and all that.

When I wrote off my Audi Quattro on a mad weekend driving non-stop to Italy with Sally, who I met at Meet At Last, I did think about it then, but the new Mini had been out a while and it was a no-brainer really.

The trouble was, after the Italy trip, Sally decided she was off ! I saw her a few weeks later driving one of these new electric cars – in bright lime green...aaagh!!

If the women have taken on all this stuff about going green and recycling and all that, then hey .....!

I have read somewhere that they are bringing out new versions and they look quite cool so I might go for it – they could be quite fun, and could be good for those all-important greenie points with the women.

They’re pretty cheap to buy and dealers are getting desperate these days anyway so I might think about it – may even pop down to the Hilton Metropole event if I decide to get one by then.

Jeez, have I talked myself into it or am I still thinking a bit about Sally ? It’s a bit confusing really ....

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It’s an “Oh My God” moment as my best friend Sophie takes up recession-chic.

2009-03-19T04:34:00.000-07:00

Izzy-4 me

Well OK, I don’t mind not going for a glass of wine after work, say on a Tuesday ( yep, I hear what you’re saying ‘on a Tuesday?’), and I know it’s not supposed to be good - all these units add up - but Thursday is the new Friday and come six o clock everyone’s already here, glass in hand and bags piled up against the bar at our usual place.

Also, there’s this new chap just started in Business Development who I haven’t seen yet and it’s a chance to check him out. So? maybe ...you never know - anyway the weekend just doesn’t come fast enough for me, that’s what I say!

My best mate, Sophie is supposed to be coming down to meet me, then we’re off for a meal as we usually do; let some steam off having a good old moan about our bosses and their nasty little secretaries whilst we plan the weekend ahead. But she hasn’t turned up yet, and neither has the chap from Business Development. Typical.

The mobile goes off – it’s Sophie, she can’t make it, she’s off to the The Make Lounge. ‘What?’ I ask, not quite taking it in. Apparently everyone’s doing it. Why buy hemp shopping bags to save the planet when you can make one for yourself! And be seen saving money, which is quite the proper thing to do whilst the recession is on.

She tells me it’s a new type of workshop where you can learn to make useful and stylish, everyday practical things. It’s the new big issue now – the ‘make do and mend’ ethic. Sophie says I must come and try it - it’ll be great!

I say, “Oh My God!” then, “OK, cool, speak to you tomorrow”. The new chap from Business Develoment has just walked in the door and he looks really cute.....!

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