Yesterday's photo shoot.

I'm part of an upcoming project which I can't talk about right now. The only thing I can say is that it's original and it has been created by a group of image consultants and stylists and a couple of make-up artists with a bright future in the world of fashion. Pay attention to these faces because everyone’s going to be talking about them really soon!

Here is a sneak peek. More to come!

Woguers Marbella, the experience.

As you all know last week I attended to the latest Woguers Edition in Marbella. My expectations were really high and Woguers exceeded them. I really recommend Woguers to every blogger who wants to succeed. The Hotel Meliá Don Pepe in Marbella was the perfect setting for the event and we were all surprised to see the creations of some of the greatest fashion designers among us. 

The morning programme was full with 5 Master Classes on: 

• Mobile Blogging by Jesús Hernández 
• SEO by Fernando Muñoz Rosales 
• Writing on the Internet by Jesús Ollero Pascual 
• How to earn money with you blog by Fernando Muñoz Rosales 
• Digital & Social Shopping Trends by Enrique Benayas 

After a break for lunch we went back and had 3 round tables where the experts shared their experiences and their points of view with us. Very interesting. Carmen Lomana, who due to close this Woguers Edition, joined us during the round tables. It was really nice to see someone I idolize talking to us and answering our questions. She's very direct and she doesn't care what people say about her. 

We all went back to our hotels or homes with goody bags full of gifts from the different sponsors and got ready to end the night with an amazing party at Puro Beach Marbella. 

I could write and write about this amazing experience as a blogger - an experience any blogger have if they would like to success in this world. 

Here you have some pics from the event. 

Have a great week!

Left: with Carmen Lomana / Right: with Marta Mínguez.

Above: with Carmen Lomana and Mª José Flores (Director of Woguers) / Below: with Marta Mínguez, Celia Quijano & Simon Gillibrand. 

Packing for Woguers Marbella.

Dear followers, today I'm back on the road. I will be attending tomorrow to Woguers Marbella. High expectations and looking forward to it! I'll keep you posted! Don't forget to follow me as well on Facebook. Do like my page already?

Rule # 26: How to built a functional wardrobe.

If your wardrobe is stacked with clothing and you stand in front of it for hours and hours feeling like you don't have anything to wear, it is time to start rebuilding it! When I do image consulting workshops, I always talk about how important is to have a functional and fashionable wardrobe.

Now could be the perfect time because you can actually get more for less during the summer sales. And I promise you that if you’re thinking that rebuilding your wardrobe with fashionable clothes will be expensive and you’ll need to spend a fortune, you are wrong. Basically what you need is to get oriented in your style and understand what you look best in.

1st STEP: the first step in creating a functional and fashionable wardrobe is to clear out what you already have. I'm sure you have clothes you haven't wore in ages! Once again, less is more. You have to get rid of clothes that are not fashionable anymore, don't fit you anymore or you don't feel comfortable wearing them. 

2nd STEP: focus on basics and neutral colours. Basics are essential. Basics are the items that you wear more often and which can be easily mixed and matched with other pieces in your wardrobe. Basics include: LBD (little black dress), a pair of jeans (as simple as possible and always bear in mind your body shape), a white shirt, a pencil skirt, a pair of stylish trousers, classic pumps in black, brown or nude colour, comfy flats, a cardigan, a coat or a leather jacket, a functional handbag, a scarf and some jewellery. Neutral colours are timeless and can be easily mixed and matched both with brights and neutrals. Think black, white, brown, grey, camel, navy and cream. Don't forget to get things for special and different occasions. Buy some formal dresses, casual and work attire.

A black pencil skirt and a t-shirt upgraded with accessories. 

A black pencil skirt and a white shirt upgraded with accessories. 

LBD: one dress, two options.

3rd STEP: pay attention to trends. As I said before you should focus on basics. However, you can't forget about trends if you want to look fashion-forward. If you add a couple of trendy pieces to your outfit your look will be fresh and up to date. 

4th STEP: if it doesn't fit you, don't buy it. This is an unbreakable rule! Don't try to convince yourself you'll lose weight and start at the gym because we both know that will never happen and, as I’ve said so many times, remember to choose what suits your body type, ok?

5th STEP: always consider your lifestyle. For example, if you work outdoors and walk a lot, towering heels and an elegant pencil skirt might not work for you. 

Now you have all the tools to build a brand new fashion-forward wardrobe. But don't forget something you cannot buy anywhere: your attitude and personality. Try not to copy others and always try to be unique. It doesn't matter how strict the dress code at your work is, you should spice things up with your attitude and go for details that highlight your personality. Always have fun with your styling.

It's time to sales! Some tips to make the most of it.

Here come the sales! The time of year we all have been waiting for to buy that trendy dress you couldn't afford before but now you want to get your hands on it no matter what. If you are going on holidays you might want to buy some last minute items to look fab at the beach or whatever your destination is. 

As you all know, I love travelling and my favourite sales destination is New York. Have you ever been there? In the city and upstate too, you’ll find some fantastic outlet shopping centres or, as the Americans call them, malls, where buying in the sales is great fun! I love it!! 

One of the best things about shopping online is the amazing discounts you can find on designer clothes. My favourite is: Net-a-Porter. Below you will see some looks I’ve created for you with items from that online store. You could find yourself some great quality pieces at very competitive prices.  

I wrote a post in January about the sales and gave you some tips to make this adventure a relaxing one, to make the most of it and not kill yourself in the process. Let’s have a look at them!

1 – LOVE IT NOW, WEAR IT LATER – if you wouldn’t buy it at full price, don’t buy it just because it’s reduced.  It’s easy to get giddy when you see something reduced by a big margin, but if you don’t love it now, you won’t wear it later!

Ex: €40 spent on some jeans that used to be €120 is still not a bargain if they're destined to live their life at the bottom of your drawer, rather than on your bottom.

2 – PREP IS KEY – do your prep and go through your wardrobe to remind yourself of what you’ve already got to avoid doubling up.  Create a shopping list of items you think you need or are missing to make existing pieces work hard for their place on the hanger.

3 – STAY FOCUSED – take your list with you and keep in mind the idea of what you are looking for, this will save you getting swept along and buying things you don’t need or won’t wear.

4 – SET A BUDGET – set a limit if you feel you need to, that way you will stop before you

get too carried away and will have some left over for when all the lovely new season collections arrive and last season looks feel so out of date.

5 – BE TRUTHFUL – many shops will bring out old items from the back which haven’t sold, so ask yourself is it really you?  Avoid going for something too small which you think you’ll slim into, instead save the money and treat yourself when you have lost those extra centimeters.

6 – NEVER, EVER GO WITH SMALL CHILDREN – Do not, I repeat, DO NOT go sales shopping with children. Well, definitely not small children anyway. They will ruin it for you by: telling you they need a drink/snack/wee at 10 minute intervals (anything to gain your attention again); hiding among racks of clothes, giving you a heart attack when you can't see them; and, if you're not watching closely, accidentally stealing something and setting off the alarms.

7 – HIGHLIGHTS FOR HUSBAND – I don't mean to make sweeping statements here, but certainly among my circle of male friends, sales shopping is right up there with unblocking toilets in the popularity stakes. If the man in your life is similar, and if you really do need his input, then go to the shops very early, do your reccy, and have him come meet you for the edited highlights two hours later. This is a potential marriage saver.

8 – CLICK FROM HOME – If the thought of the sales makes you quake with fear, do the sensible thing and shop from home. Free delivery is also often a double plus. Yes, there is a higher risk of ending up with stuff that doesn't fit, but a potential quick trip to the post office to send returns might well be a risk worth taking if you can't stand the crowds.

9 – DRESS FOR SOME SERIOUS SHOPPING – If you're braving it and going in for the long haul, kit yourself out – in fact, get your military head on. Wear sensible shoes and a lightweight but warm coat you won't mind putting on and taking off, over and over again, as you go between minus freezing outside temperatures and near tropical department stores. Take snacks and a bottle of water (you don't want a cafe stop to slow you down or diminish your funds).

Ex: Take something to put the loot in. No, a rucksack might not make you very popular among the hoards, but your hands and arms will thank you for it.

10 – PREPARE TO PLAY HIDE AND SEEK – Be wary of the stashers. Think you can't find that divine top in your size? Check the back of the rail, or even the floor, because it's not unknown for wily women to hide what they MIGHT want to come back for later. HA! Busted.

11 –STASH THOSE RECEIPTS – Finally, carefully stash the receipt after each purchase, don't just absent-mindedly chuck it in your handbag because you might well need it later. Some shops don't open fitting rooms during the first few days of the sales, while others might have queues going from lingerie right round to home furnishings, so you'll be tempted to risk it at try clothes on at home

Sale shopping can be lots of fun and there are bargains to be had out there, but it does require strategy, focus and some savvy tactics!

Have this in mind:

INVESTMENT PIECES & CLASSICS: Following my rules above, if you spot a classic piece such as basic items, great fit of jeans or even a timeless blazer then this is where we would advise to invest your sale budget.

PICK UP TRANS-SEASONAL PIECES: Be clever when you shop the sale rails and pick up items which will work for you next season such as animal print or bold coloured pieces for the key ‘colour blocking’ trend heading our way again in the Autumn 2013. 

FASHIONABLE CLASSICS: Military trend have been huge trend this season and provide your wardrobe with some great classics you can work season after season.  Opt for bargains in the form of camel and beige-coloured tailored trousers and shorts; a smart military style jacket for a timeless look when the temperatures fall and bags, belts and heels in tans and browns.

Enjoy the sales!!

DRESSES FROM NET-A-PORTER

Weekend update.

If you like fashion and on top of that, you have a fashion blog, you might've seen yourself in the same situation I was in over the weekend: becoming a member of the fashion police. Wherever I go, I look for fashion and style but I promise, I don't do it on purpose, it comes naturally to me. 

Last weekend as you all know I was away in the UK, visiting family in London and going to the christening of the son of some very good friends in a town near Oxford. From the moment I landed my fashion radar was on. London is an amazing city in terms of fashion, style and trends. For me London is THE trendsetting city. On other hand I was really disappointed with Oxford, maybe because it was full of teenage students all wearing the same: denim shorts, crop tops and Converse. Actually, the idea of that outfit is not bad. The problem was that none of them wore it with style. They were just copycats. I promise that the best thing I saw was a woman wearing the uniform of a famous English shop! 

Simon & me with our Godson Freddie in London. 

Once in Abingdon where the christening was, I saw heaven. Thank God I saw style and nice accessories. It's amazing how a floral dress could look amazing with the right accessories: just a pair of red shoes with a bow on the back as the main detail. 

I love airports. Airports are like a little window on the world. You see everything, examples of every look and style. What should you wear when you're going to spend hours on a plane? Well, certainly you're not going on a safari or into the jungle. That might be your final destination and have to be comfortable for the journey but please avoid tracksuits and cargo trousers and similar items. Travel in style, you might meet the man of your dreams in an airport or on the plane and you will want to look your best! 

Some of my ideas to wear when traveling:

My radar is always on and I can't do anything about it. I might have to write a post of what to wear when you're travelling. 

Apart from all the fashion problems I saw during my short visit to the UK I had a great time. 

The hotel in Oxford was amazing and we were glad we changed our minds in the last minute, cancelled our first reservation at Malmaison and opted for The Vanbrugh House Hotel. If you're thinking about visiting Oxford I highly recommend this boutique hotel. 

The Vanbrugh House Hotel 

It's good to be back home but travelling is my other passion. 

How was your weekend?

Liebster Awards.

I have recently been nominated to the Liebster Award by Rosa from blog Lady Trends. Thanks so much Rosa, but before I answer the questions I have to answer I would like to know a bit more of these awards. I've been searching on the Internet and I haven't found anything. What I have found are posts from other blogs that have been nominated but nothing about the origin of the award. Does anybody know anything else about it? I appreciate your comments. 

Weekend away... start packing!

Hello my dear followers! This weekend I will be away but I'll keep you posted on my Facebook page so you won't miss anything of my trip. Have you liked my page yet? What are you waiting for? (Start by clicking here).

I'm going to London to visit family and to Oxford to attend to a Christening. I've been in London so many times and I love the city but it will be my first time in Oxford. 

All trips start with the same headache: what to pack? And this one won't be an exception. I wrote a post about how to pack like a professional (have a look here) but is difficult for me to make the right decisions! Although the best idea is always to pack basic pieces, I have to pack some key items like my leopard moccasins and one of the best t-shirts you can wear in summer time, the striped one! If I'm attending an event that requires tie I like to pack a couple of them so I can make my decision once I have my shirt and jacket on. 

I wish you all a fantastic weekend and please, visit my Facebook page, ok?

My Dad's First Communion cufflinks

Rule # 25: How to wear lace.

Lace is one of the trends for this season and we've seen it in most of the catwalk shows around the world. Wearing lace can give you a girly chic look but it could easily cross the line and look cheap and dated. You can wear lace to work and take it from day wear to a night out with your girlfriends by adding some accessories.

If you haven't worn lace before and are you're thinking of buying some pieces, bear these rules in mind:

• As I said before, lace has a girly quality to it so avoid pairing it with florals, bows and other feminine pieces. If you are not a very girly girl who doesn't like the romantic style, you can toughen up your look by wearing boots, a leather jacket or edgy accessories.
• Look for thicker or lined lace materials. When the lace is too thin it has potential to unravel at the seams and look tatty.
• Don't be afraid of colour. Colour gives lace a younger look.
• You can also wear lace to the office. Just use one lace piece and balance the rest of your outfit with more conservative pieces. For example, wear a lace pencil skirt with a simple shell or button-up blouse. Another option is to wear a lace A-line dress with a fitted jacket or a cardigan and a plain sandal or pump. Stick to neutral colours.
• Keep everything else simple. Pearls will date your look so use modern accessories.

Have a look at these outfits I've created for you. What do you think?

Dress, Topshop. DAY: bag, Zara. Flats, Asos. NIGHT: shoes, Asos. Clutch, DKNY. Necklace, baublebar.com

Skirt, lipsy.co.uk. Shirt & jacket, Mango. Bag & shoes, Zara. Necklace, Blanco.

Dress, houseoffraser.co.uk. Bangles, baublebar.com. Denim vest & sunglasses, Mango. Boots, Zara. Bag & necklace, Blanco.

What a great weekend!

It's important to have time for yourself and enjoy your life with the people that really matter to you. Last weekend was one of the best ones I’ve had. Because I work shifts sometimes, I often spend weekends or even public holidays working at the hospital so every time I have a weekend off I try to make the most of it. 

On Saturday I went to the gym and invited one my friend James to the pool to catch up. Lots of sunblock and gossip. At night I went for dinner to of what has become one of my favourite places in Lisbon: Les Mauvais Garçons. A nice little restaurant run by my dear friend David who's also from Seville. Gourmet burgers and an amazing selection of gins. Highly recommended! 

Yesterday after a really good night out with Patrick, Dennis, Michael and Stephen on Saturday, I invited them over to the pool and it really made the end of the weekend special. That's the best way of end it, surrounded by friends. 

What did you do? Did you have a great time too?

 

Saturday morning, gym + pool. 

Dinner and drinks on Saturday night

Pool on Sunday an a bit of reading... 

Have a great weekend!

After a day at work, there's nothing like starting the weekend with a splash at the pool... Too hot to be walking around the streets, too hot to do anything. This weekend I'll be off of work so I have time to go to the gym, relax by the pool and on Saturday night, enjoy dinner with my friends. My weekend starts now, what about yours?

Love, 

Justo R.

Swimwear, Zara. Sunglasses, Ray Ban. Attitude, mine! 

HAPPY 4TH JULY!

To all my dear American followers, Happy 4th July!! 

Love, 

The Fashion Guide Blog 

Do you know Ellis Faas?

Have you ever met Ellis Faas? If you have, you must know that you're a very lucky girl. If you haven't met her yet, you really need to pay attention to this post.

Vogue Paris cited Ellis Faas as "one of the most influential make-up artists of her time". And it's true since she has worked with the world's most pre-eminent fashion designers, photographers, stylist, hairdressers and models. On her CV you’ll find big names such as Clinique, Lancôme and MAC Cosmetics and she was asked even by L’Oréal to create a make-up line for their skin care brand, Biotherm. But it was in 2007 when, after the contract with L'Oréal finished, she decided to create her own brand: Ellis Faas.

I'm not here to tell you about her biography but to talk to you about a product that actually blew me away for how versatile, handy and easy to use it is… and it looks amazing! You can carry it on you handbag wherever you go and I'm telling you, your girlfriends will be green with envy! I discovered it today while I was visiting my friend's shop Skinlife – something I do at least twice a month to have my eyebrows done and it’s a place I talked about in one of my earlier posts.

I'm talking, of course, about the Ellis Faas Holder. A metallic finish cylinder case, exclusively sold at Skinlife, where you can keep all your Ellis Faas make-up. If you are one of the girls that has never heard about this brand, all products comes in a pencil. When it opens, the cylinder has 7 holes inside, one for each product you need to apply your make-up: concealer, eyeliner, mascara, lipstick, blush, eye shadow and foundation. When you buy it, the Holder is empty so you can customize to your own taste. It also has a mirror and you can fill the space with Ellis Faas powder. Isn't it amazing?!

So, what do you think? It's pretty cool, isn't it? What are you waiting for? Get yours before your girlfriends beat you to it!

Check this video about how to use the Holder.

Fashion Literature.

As a stylist and image consultant it is important to know what is going on in the fashion industry, but not only what is happening right now. To understand the present you also have to know about the past and that's why I've started reading "Dior by Dior", the autobiography of Christian Dior. He was one of the greatest in the world of fashion and his legacy is unprecedented. 

But it was in the Spanish edition of Grazia magazine that I read the funniest article. And I don't mean funny in a nasty way. When I was reading it I got to a page where I saw a picture of my dear sister-in-law, the NY Democrat Senator, Kirsten Gillibrand. One of the most intelligent, clever, beloved and hard-working women I have ever met. Have a look a this post: Politics are out of fashion but, is there any fashion in politics?. 

Vogue US for iPad, Telva, Grazia, Dior by Dior.

Article about Kirsten in Grazia Magazine Spain

My sister and Kirsten in my wedding

Credits: Grazia España

Pure White.

A few months ago I wrote about how versatile a white shirt is and how you can combine it in order to look effortlessly chic. As a follow-up to this, today I‘d like to talk about one of the colours of the season and probably the most wearable, the freshest and perhaps the most versatile: the colour white. 

Strictly speaking, white is not a colour, but the manifestation of the presence of all colour. White is even used in architecture and decoration to transmit quietness and cleanness. White is the colour of purity, it means kindness and white daisies are a symbol of loyal love. 

So let’s involve ourselves in kindness, purity and loyal love and don't be afraid of wearing a totally white look. The key to looking chic and being the centre of attention is playing with your accessories. When wearing a totally white look, add some colour with your shoes and handbag and remember, these two accessories don't necessarily need to match. Be brave!

Here you have some looks I created for you. What do you think? 

Skirt & shoes, Topshop. Top, H&M. Bag, Furla.

Jean, Mango. Top, Zara. Shoes, Topshop. Bag, Fossil. Sunglasses, Ray Ban.

Trousers, Mango. Top & necklace, Blanco. Bag & shoes, Zara. 

Skirt, Zara. Shirt & bag, Blanco. Sandals, Topshop.

Dress, Mango. Sandals & bag, Asos.  Necklace, Blanco.