Cake-A-Lishious = Delicious!

Hello Party People!


I recently celebrated my 30-something birthday at swish venue Metropolis Cocktail Lounge opposite the famous Wembley Stadium. It was a fun-filled night with a 90's nostalgia theme with a few recognisable faces from the world of film and television, plus an amazing DJ line up including Sweet P (The Hill / My Club!) and DJ Rudie of Lucian Vibes.

Me in the Raiders cap with some of my homegirls, 90's style!

Many of you know that I absolutely adore cake! Any kind of soft, fluffy and light sponge will do and so I was very fortunate to be able to work with one of the most fabulous cake creators in London.

If you are looking for a cake of any style, flavour or theme you have simply got to get in touch with Nikki at Cake-A-Lishious. Not only does Nikki bake the most divine cakes which melt on the tongue, but she is also highly creative and professional to boot... My kind of gal!!

Nikki created two large cakes for my birthday as well as lots of beautifully baked cupcakes with the softest buttercream icing. I loved all of her creations and was very impressed by her service, but my favourite was the 3-tier art deco red and black style cake which took pride of place on my display.
Not only did it have my photo on top, but it had an air of extravagance and drama mixed with my themed colours of red and black. Each tier had a different flavour: vanilla, chocolate and carrot sponge.
Hmmmmm!!!

Red and Black Art Deco style 3 tier cake

Nikki at Cake-A-Lishious didn't just stop there... She then went on to create a wonderful mock up Celebrity Magazine cake made out of vanilla and buttercream sponge with my face on it! Yes, I was good enough to eat!! As you can see from the photo Nikki even included some of my favourite 90's bands and kept everything within my 90's theme using my photo by creating an edible magazine cover made of tasty, super soft icing which melted in the mouth.

Celebrity Magazine Cake

Take a look at some of the cupcakes from Cake-A-Licious, which included apple and toffee as well as exotic banana and pineapple flavours.

De-Lishious cupcakes

If you are based in London, i highly recommend you give Cake-A-Lishious a try!
Nikki, the MD and Chief Cake Maker is full of amazing ideas and is so nice and easy to work with. I really liked her when I met with her and would love for you all to also give her some support in her fabulously tasty business venture.

Whatever your theme, colour scheme or occasion, Nikki can create a bespoke cake especially for you and if you live in London she can actually deliver her creations to your venue of choice. What great customer service! Not only that, but if you put in any Christmas cake orders before 25th November you will get up to a whopping 50% discount!

Here are some of my favourite cake designs from Cake-A-Lishious. What do you think of them?

Marc Jacobs Perfume Bottle Cake

Breakfast at Tiffany's - Audrey Hepburn vintage cake

 

I-Pad Cake complete with Apps!

We LOVE this cute, retro car cake

Calling all Football lovers!

Stunning rose 3-tier wedding cake 

White Rum bottle cake

Don't be shy... Contact Cake-A-Lishious today and tell Nikki I say "hello"!

www.noveltycakeslondon.com

We Love Bloglovin'!

If you are on Bloglovin', please add us!


<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3486327/kookie-lala-boutique?claim=3huxbbjrzm5">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

London Fashion Week 2012 - 17/2/12

London Fashion Week - In Focus - DAY ONE

CORRIE NIELSEN: HIGHLAND QUEEN

Corrie Nielsen displayed ''the best of British'' all over the runway yesterday at London Fashion Week. Her autumn/winter 2012 collection is a fun and punky mix of in-your-face red tartan, gothic lace and delicate beading. The silhouette displayed in the collection was a strict proportional balancing act of deep purples, reds, navys and blacks.  These colours were pushed through the entire collection, from the punchy fabric choices to the shoes and jewellery; black flats/black court shoes and black pearl necklaces adorned models feet and limbs. 

 FELDER FELDER: EARTH GODDESS

Felder Felder displayed a beautiful, glittering and serene collection that reminded me of the Oscar De La Renta collection just shown at New York Fashion Week. Make up was all about highlighted cheeks, buffed out perfect skin and shimmering shades of gold in just the right places. The looks shown were soft and unstructured with just a dash of the occasional thin gold belt to add definition to the waist area. The fabrics were just as rich as the colours on offer; a warm desert like rose-gold and ochre was splashed over metalic leathers and floaty chiffons. This collection had an almost Greek goddess kind of vibe whilst remaining bold and fresh. Accessories were a little more gold metal than light and earthy, featuring studded gold cuffs and shimmering gold envelope clutches. 

BASSO & BROOKE: POWER TO PRINT

Basso & Brooke set up the first day of London Fashion week with a massive collision of colour. Prints were just on the right side of garish, inter-cut with bold lines of lemon and baby blue. The shape shown elongated and floated around the body rather than added shape.  We can see Asian influence within the collection as has already been seen in highstreet stores Basso & Brooke displayed a series of beautiful kimono style layers, alongside this they managed to curate the very best of the acid 80's and 90's we saw at some of the collection of NYFW alongside the classic prints we saw at the earlier Corrie Neilsen show by adding dashes of houndstooth in a nod to the lady like trends we have seen as far back as the Louis Vuitton show in September. Jewellery featured chain necklaces and leather gloves with models perched upon chunky heeled clogs.

LFW: DAY ONE - EMERGING TRENDS.

Things I have noticed during day one of London Fashion week included; handheld bags - (they were absolutely everywhere), Smudged watercolour style florals playing against bold graphic prints, 'Classic' tones, colours and prints - houndstooth, checks, tweed and even tartan made a huge impact even in a small way - (such as appearing on the bags at Basso & Brooke).

The lady like moods from the fashion weeks during September 2010 have continued through but have been mixed in alongside acidic 80's and punk trends not seen for some seasons.

I personally cannot wait for the rest of the week! Who did you think killed it at LFW yesterday?

This has been guest blogger Nicolle reporting on the trends from London Fashion Week - day 1 - www.unenlightened.tumblr.com

Celeb Fashion at LFW 2012: Day One

Check out the celeb fashion from London Fashion Week 2012:

Paloma Faith rocks union jack

Alexa Chung and Pixie Geldof

Alexandra Burke at the PPQ A/W runway show

Jameela Jamal is bowled over

Pixie Lott - woman in black

Louise Redknapp in a dogtooth blazer and pink shirt

Actress, Kara Tointon smiles for the cameras

Holly Valance chilling with gold sparkle pumps

London Fashion Week: DAY ONE

Today's Guest Blogger:
Fashionista
Ayesha Faruk

As I check the fashion calendar... one of the most iconic events is already here, yes London Fashion Week 2012! Starting on the 17th February running till the 22nd, anyone who's anyone would want to be seen and spotted at Somerset House where most of the biggest and most coveted catwalk presentations are taking place.

Outside Somerset House

Throughout the week designers showing are (to name but a few) Burberry Prorsum, McQ by Alexander McQueen, Ashish, Giles Deacon and Mulberry. 

Ashish runway - A/W London Fashion Week 2012

Kicking off today's first round of fashion shows was, Antoni & Alison who aptly named this seasons collection "Girls walking up and down in dresses".  Here we saw simple shift dresses and wacky prints summed up this quirky brand to a tee.

Antoni & Alison runway A/W 2012

Outside the hallowed Courtyard show space it was awash with fashionistas from all over the World. Dressed in what seemed to be the 'uniform' of choice was a lot of black ensembles and wedged boots. 

Street Style 

Street Style

But not to be out done were the guys, even one in a pair of sky-high Christian Louboutin Pigalles, even Victoria Beckham would be jealous! But hey fashion over function, as I like to say!

As the shows start and finish you see a flurry of the “fash pack” running around and rushing to their seats. I even caught Louise Redknapp flash past in a dogtooth blazer with a gorgeous pair of black suede Louboutins and one of the most coveted bags of the moment the Celine ‘Smile’.  

Louise Redknapp arriving at Somerset House for  London Fashion Week 2012

The "Celine" Tote Bag

As we all wait with baited breath to see what all these designers have been working so hard on, we can bide the time by reading all the various tweets (#LFW) from backstage, ogling at all the photos from the fashion week parties, and one of my favourite past times which is checking out the street styles of the uber cool.

As Coco Chanel once said: 

"Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening."

Ayesha Faruk reporting from the front lines of fashion at London Fashion Week 2012

London Fashion Week 2012 Coverage

Kookie LaLa Boutique are getting ready for London Fashion Week 2012 which kicks off tomorrow morning!!

JOIN US as we invite to have a front row seat to view the hottest new arrivals from the catwalk of some of the greatest designers and giving you behind the scenes access, so make sure to follow us all day and night on our official blog: www.kookielala.blogspot.com

We will be keeping you up to date throughout the day with several posts and videos to Kookie LaLa TV.  

DON'T MISS A MOMENT!!

We will be front line of all the action, celebs and latest fashion at this world re-knowned event.

Feel free to comment on our posts and re-blog if you wish.

Love,

Leah & The Kookie LaLa Team x

WIN: A Designer "Love" Tee

To celebrate the day of love on February 14th we are launching a special competition where you can WIN a designer "Love Heart" t-shirt by Hungarian Illustrator and Artist Luca Molnar, courtesy of our friends at Miss Future.

To enter visit our Facebook page - www.facebook.com/kookielalavintage 

"LIKE" us and post on our page your all time favourite LOVE SONG.

What gets your knees quivering and your pulses racing? We want to know! 

All entries will be put into a hat the old fashioned way and the person whose name we pull out will be the winner!

One of our personal favourite love songs is "She's like the wind" by Patrick Swayze who sung it in the movie Dirty Dancing... What's yours? 

Tell us your favourite love song now by clicking here 

Competition ends on 29th February 2012

Whitney Houston Dead

We have just heard the sad, sad news on the death of one of the greatest musical legends, Whitney Houston.

She has died today aged 48 in Hollywood at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on the eve of the Grammys.

She was found alone in her hotel room on the fourth floor. Paramedics tried to resuscitate her at the scene but Ms Houston could not be revived. Her body has been formally identified by friends and co-workers who were staying with her at the hotel.

Her next of kin have been informed.

Apparently she was preparing to attend her mentor, Clive Davis' annual pre-Grammys gala party tonight.
It had been said that the event has now been cancelled.

At this time, the news has just broken and Whitney's death is unknown, although there is much speculation going around such as "drug related" etc, but these are all rumours at this time.

She leaves behind her only daughter Bobbi Kristina, who is fathered by singer Bobby Brown who is performing in Los Angeles tonight. He had not made any official comment but is expected to do so at his show this evening.

Jazz and soul producer, Quincy Jones has released a statement saying he is "devastated", whilst singer, Mariah Carey has said of her shock and tears for "one of her best friends and inspirations".

Kookie LaLa is devastated to hear of this news as Whitney Houston was a great singer and style icon.
Who can forget those amazing outfits from "The Bodyguard" movie?

We will keep you posted and do our own official video tribute to Whitney in due course.

Did you know Etta James?

Written by:
Nadine Blagdon
Leah Charles

Given Etta James’ unconventional start in the world, it was clear that her life would be anything but ordinary. Her music career started when she was just 15 and lasted for over five decades. Through this time James has some epic highs with well known hits such as ‘At Last’, ‘Pushover’ and ‘Something's got a hold on me’. There were also lows in which she triumphed over the adversities of addiction and theft, causing stints in rehab and jail.

Its fair to say the way she lived her life reflected her style, a mixture of diva and rock star. James herself says that her image was created for her by the ‘gay boys’, who told her to take advantage of what used to be called "mulatto" ( her light skinned) complexion by dying her hair bleach blonde. 

Going for Gold

When she asked about also bleaching her eyebrows she said, 

‘Oh no honey, they stay dark, that how the bad girls look’ 

It was this attitude which set the foundations of her style. She was also quoted as saying

 ‘The bad girls were the whores who had the look I liked’ 

Blondes have more fun?

She wanted to stand out and be noticed, she wanted to be unique, glamorous and took inspiration from The Cotton Club chorus girls. With her original ‘scouse brow’ and flamboyant look, some would say she was as noticeable as the most obvious hooker on the street. And she loved it.

Fiery and feisty with always something to say for herself, check out this classic 1978 interview from the Guardian newspaper vaults with Etta James. 

Etta James was a rare and inspirational character, always able to overcome her troubles she went on win six Grammy awards and was included in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. James also had a film loosely made of her time at Chess Records portrayed by singer and actress, Beyonce Knowles who he later threatened to give an "ass whipping" for Knowles' portrayal of her most famous song "At Last" at President Obama's Inauguration ball. If you don't believe us, click here to see (and hear) from Etta's own mouth what all the fuss was about! 

Etta impersonation: Beyonce serenades James at Fashion Rocks 2008

Click here to watch Beyonce portraying Etta James in the movie trailers for Cadillac Records

Even if you think you are not that familiar with her music, we can guarantee that you would have heard many of her classic tunes which have been used several times in popular culture, such as this original and unforgettable Diet Coke Break advert from 1996.

Remember this?

Etta James sadly passed away from Leukaemia complications last Friday 20th January 2012.  

Her family decided to allow a public viewing of Ms James laid to rest in the Manchester Chapel at Inglewood Cemetery Mortuary on Friday 27th January 2012 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

A private memorial service is set for today, Saturday 28th January 2012, led by the Rev. Al Sharpton, who also led a memorial service for the late Michael Jackson.

Tributes at Etta James's Hollywood star

Her spirit and soul will live on through music artists who draw inspiration from her effortless and breathtaking voice.

Let's remember Etta James at her very best with one of our favourite songs, "At Last" which we love to listen to at Kookie LaLa HQ (we made this little video as our own tribute to her)

This video includes some great facts and trivia about the Matriarch of Blues and Soul, such as her real name, her very cute nickname and her early years in the music business.... 

How well do YOU know Etta James? Watch our vid to find out!

RIP Ms James.

WANTED: Creative Fashion & Lifestyle Contributors

Are you a creative writer, fashionista or fashion/lifestyle journalist who wishes to let the world know about current and forth-coming trends?

Are you an established or budding stylist trying to grow your network or profile?

Are you a budding presenter or actor hoping to get noticed?

Do you live, breathe & love all things vintage and wish to educate other women on how to wear it and where to buy it?

Or perhaps you are a fashion or media student interested in women's beauty, clothing or lifestyle issues?

www.KookieLaLa.com is a brand new and exciting online boutique specialising in ladies fashion and jewellery from vintage and current styles. We are also about to launch a new celebrity fashion collection too!

We are looking for bloggers and vloggers (video bloggers) who wish to regularly contribute to the official Kookie LaLa Blog and/or Kookie LaLa TV.

Blog/Vlog ideas can include:
- Current trends
- Celebrity Fashion
- Vintage fashion
- Vintage Expertise & Designers
- Fashion Shows & Events
- News / Reviews
- London Fashion Week
- Women's lifetsyle issues
- Beauty & Products
- How to tutorials for: make-up / styling / hair / beauty
+ many more ideas which you may have!!

Be a part of a growing network of make-up artists, fashion stylists, presenters and other experts worldwide.

You may contribute by sending your articles / blogs / vlogs via email on a WEEKLY / FORTNIGHTLY / MONTHLY basis which will be uploaded on to the relevant channels on your behalf.

In return you will get promotion for your own website and blog whether its verbal or written; plus direct links to your websites etc thus raising your profile further and further branding yourself as a fashion / beauty / lifestyle expert.

Contributors also get regular incentives and prizes.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Get in touch via our website:

www.kookielala.com

www.kookielala.com

www.youtube.com/kookielalatv

www.YouTube.com/KookieLaLaTV