The Name's Bond... James Bond

Released last week, the twenty-third installment to the James Bond phenomenon, Skyfall celebrates 50 years of Bond. The Bond series is today as British as bacon sandwiches, cream teas and red double decker buses. With our latest Bond, Daniel Craig, accompanying The Queen in her grand entrance into the Olympic Opening Ceremony. From this unorthodox arrival all eyes where on Bond, the buzz had begun and the globe was hungry for a fresh Bond fix. The latest instalment does not disappoint and takes the Bond franchise to a new pinnacle of quality.  

Glittered with high-flying top stars, the Skyfall credits give any A-List guest list a run for its money. Directed by Sam Mendes and starring Dame Judi Dench, Daniel Craig, Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney, Berenice Marlohe, Naomie Harris to name but a few. Also boasting a star-studded Leicester Square premiere to match, with guests including Rachel Weisz, Kelly Brooke, Tess Daly and Tamara Ecclestone. 

The blockbuster movie has cashed in on the biggest opening week in James Bond history, grossing £20.1 million in Britain and Ireland alone and the theme by Adele shooting straight to the number one in the iTunes chart less than 10 hours after its release. 

From the moment the iconic theme tune boomed through the cinema with the opening credits, we knew 007 was back with vengeance! Immediately immersed in the action, the film begins with a car, motorbike and train chase across the rooftops of Istanbul in which Bond is in hot pursuit of the stolen hard drive containing a list of MI6 special agents. The plot follows the mission to track down the villain who has penetrated the MI6 computer system and planted a bomb in the department’s Millbank HQ that leads them underground.    

Arguably the best bond yet, Skyfall contains every magic ingredient audiences lush for – special effects, storybook villains, fast paced chases, exotic eastern locations, beautiful Bond girls, Daniel Craig steaming with sex appeal, flawless acting from Judi Dench for the 7^th time, a smart, savvy and sarcastic sense of humor and more excitement and energy than ever before!

Aston Martins, pyrotechnics and heart stopping action scenes leave you hanging to your seat and holding your breath throughout. Concluding for the first time ever, the final credits confidently suggest another film coming soon. 

From a group of girls with no great interest in male orientated action films, we give Skyfall a outstanding 10/10, and that’s saying something when our primary motive was to stare mindlessly into the piercing eyes of Daniel Craig.  

Incase you are yet to see it, here is the Skyfall trailer to have you salivating for more…

Peppermint Glitter talks Piercings&Tattoos...

Tattoos & Piercings - a controversial supper party subject to say the least, a topic that instantly divides opinion. However whether you see it as a sign of teenage rebellion, an expression of ones inner self or simply cheap and vulgar tramp stamp, you cannot avoid them. A trend popular in the 90’s, from nipples, noses and navels piercings are no longer exclusive to followers of Nirvana, Marilyn Manson and You Me at Six, high fashion and high society embraces the metal and ink trend.

Following the blockbuster phenomenon that is The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, piercings and tattoos splashed across the big screen began to infiltrate red carpets and runways far and wide.

From top fashion designer and established tattoo fan, Marc Jacobs who boasts an array of weird and wonderful body art (including a personal favourite, a Spongebob SquarePants mascot emblazoned upon his right tanned and toned bicep), to Chanel’s 2012 pre-fall collection use of fine chains, channeling Indian icon, Ganesh. 

After frequently mentioning her intrigue at having a new piercing and with icons including Joss Stone, Kate Moss, Peaches Geldof, Rihanna, Fergie, Drew Barrymore and P!nk, we encouraged our Peppermint Glitter Creative Director, Ellie to pluck up the courage and go for the tamest of piercings.

Channeling her inner teenager, she experienced her first piercing since her lobes at the age of 5, visiting high street ear piercing specialist, Claire’s Accessories. A little apprehensive about the prospect of self-inflicted pain, Ellie was nervous to say the least. However after selecting a stud and location for her piercing (mid cartilage) the piercing itself was over in a flash. The feeling? A sharp squeeze followed by a little redness and throbbing, similar to that of squeezing a large spot.

Ellie said, “I had been putting off having it done for a while, always admiring the metalwork of the Made in Chelsea ladies. Now after having it done I can’t believe I was such a wimp! If you can take a bikini wax you will sure as hell be able to take this!”

Taking 15 minutes from start to finish, the entire process was entirely sterile and the assistants made her feel extremely at ease. Leaving the store clued up on aftercare with a 20% discount voucher for her first new earrings, Ellie has a 12-week wait (although 24 hours after the procedure all swelling and redness was gone and it was comfortable enough to sleep on) for her new piercing to completely heel and cannot wait to exchange the stud for a small hoop.

Although for every successful piercing there are a million horror stories, with 1 in 3 young people with a body piercing experiencing medical problems. We recommend serious consideration of your customization and careful selection of where you choose to have you piercing procedure as a worrying 9% of piercings are carried out by non-specialists. 

Although we love Ellie's latest fashion addition and have many tattoos among the Peppermint Glitter team, all where carefully considered and with parental consent of course... despite being far into our 20's we still had to ask mummy & daddy first! But with all considered we unanimously agree tattoo's&piercings can definitely be worth the pain! 

Elizabeth Hurley & Van Morrison join star-studded guest list for Cheltenham Fashion Week finale

As Cheltenham Fashion Week drew to a close, a star-studded guest list gathered at the luxury Cotswold hotel for an evening of glamourous fashion, fabulous food and celebrity company. Cheltenham Fashion Week welcomed high flyers, glitterati and celebrities to Cowley Manor for the concluding event of Cheltenham Fashion Week, 'One Night Only'.

Among the A-list guests where numerous VIP's including actress, Elizabeth Hurley accompanied by her parter, Australian cricketer, Shane Warne; singer Van Morrisson, Loose Woman Lisa Maxwell, fashion designer Selina Blow and Embarrassing Bodies’ Dr Dawn Harper. High profile attendees where greeted by the Cheltenham Fashion Week Giant Shoe as they headed down the glamourous event's red carpet.

Speaking ahead of the event Elizabeth Hurley, who is attending in her capacity of President of Hop, Skip and Jump, said: “The Cheltenham Fashion Week One Night Only event is being held in aid of Hop, Skip and Jump. This is a charity that gives a unique and vital service to the many families who have children with additional needs so it is absolutely right that we should be together gathering support for them during this special week for Cheltenham. Until I met up with Hop, Skip and Jump I had not realised the enormous need for a place which gives flexible day respite to the many families who have children and young adults with additional needs. The change in people’s lives through this unique provision is truly remarkable."

Guests were welcomed with a Champagne reception, followed by a sumptuous three-course supper, concluding with a couture catwalk show. The show featured high-end pieces from new and established couture designers from all over the UK, alongside winning pieces from the earlier Student Shows. 

Guests also received a VIP goodie bag filled with lavish treats from the many Cheltenham Fashion Week sponsors including Chapel Spa, Chase Vodka & Cowley Manor's The Village Shop. A few of the goodies contained in the canvas black bags emblazoned with the Cheltenham Fashion Week logo & giant shoe, included melt in the mouth macaroons from The Village Shop, Chase Vodka miniatures, Loreal hair products from The Stuart Holmes Hair & Beauty Spa and pens from Mercedes-Benz.

Sponsors of the evening included Tattinger and Cowley Manor.

For Cotswold TV's Red Carpet A-List Interviews Click here 

For more information about Cheltenham Fashion Week visit www.cheltenhamfashionweek.co.uk or follow them on Twitter @cheltfashionwk

Top designers descend on The Cotswolds for Cheltenham Fashion Week's 'Boutique 24'

For one full and fabulous day during Cheltenham Fashion Week, Cowley Manor became the designer shopping destination. The event saw the luxury Cotswold hotel transformed, with 24 top names and labels forming mini boutiques within each of the hotel’s bedrooms.

Guests were welcomed into the hotel to share company with the creme de la creme of the fashion and beauty world. From a Scent Bar by Jo Malone, celebrating the newly launched ‘Jo Loves’ fragrance range by the world famous industry expert Jo Malone. Six years on from selling ‘Jo Malone’ to Estee Lauder, Jo herself has returned to the scent industry with a striking new brand and seven delicious new fragrances’ inspired by the great loves in her life. 

To makeup and fashion collections from Harvey Nichols, Jimmy Choo, Laura Mercier, Bobbi Brown, Benefit and Feather & Bone. Few could resist the irresistibly delicious collections of Christian Louboutin, Alexander McQueen and Mulberry brought to Cowley Manor by Harvey Nichols.

Guests where also treated to exclusive makeup and beauty lessons from the bounty of beauty retailers showcasing at the event. From Benefit to Bobbi Brown, expert makeup artists blushed, brushed and bronzed many a beautiful face throughout the day. 

Sam Bawden, Creative Director and Founder of Cheltenham Fashion Week, said: “For one day only, Cowley Manor has been reinvented into The Cotswolds most exclusive shopping address. Each bedroom has played host to one of the numerous exhibiting brands. The event aimed to celebrate the UK’s leading designers and give those living in The Cotswolds a chance to make designer purchases on their doorstep.”

Sarah Curran, Founder of online retail site my-wardrobe.com, also hosted a lunch party, discussing the vision, determination and thought patterns that lead her to global success. Later, she also hosted a champagne afternoon tea, were her stylists joined her to give a rundown of the Autumn/Winter 2012 collections.

Plus, for the first time ever, my-wardrobe.com, brought their website to life. Recreating a pop-up boutique version of their online store, featuring top designer labels such as Alexander McQueen, Burberry, Chloé, Acne & Philip Lim to name but a few. Not only did their boutique include the chicest looks hot from the London Fashion Week catwalks, but also brought luxury accompanying accessories to Cowley Manor. 

When shopping got too much, visitors headed to the Cowley bar to enjoy a wide choice of food, beverages and of course killer Cosmos with the uber cool and very talented Sipsmith mixologists.

Cowley Manor’s very own ‘Village Shop’ boutique, voted ‘Best Boutique Outside of London’ by Vogue, was also open for business. Labels from 120% Linen, Rose & ED, Anya Hindmarch and Heidi Klein were on sale with exclusive on the day discounts and bargains too. 

Boutique 24 also celebrated designers from The Cotswolds, such as Kelly Thorne, alongside retailers from further afield, such as new online men’s and ladies gift & home store, The Gift Atelier. A concept created by Martin and Scott who works alongside top fashion brands such as Vivienne Westwood and Daylesford.

Cheltenham Fashion Week aims to celebrate fashion of every shape and size, and Boutique 24 will be no exception. Plus size label, Anna Scholz, also exhibited pieces from her collection in another of Cowley’s luxury suites. 

Other labels that showcased at Boutique 24 included Law & Company, Juno Says Hello, British School of Millinery, Polly Ollie Annie, Stella & Dot, One Piece & Holland Cooper. 

Founder and Creative Director of Cheltenham Fashion Week, Sam Bawden, added: “Boutique 24 has been absolutely incredible. We are so excited about the glitterati of names and faces we had involved and it has been fantastic to see the Cotswold version of Somerset House come to life. Everyone deserves to be spoilt and Boutique 24 has done exactly that. It’s been a brilliant chance for women to gain fashion, beauty and styling ideas from industry professionals while celebrating fashion that we all know and love.”

Cowley Manor, said: “Cheltenham has long been known as a cultural hub with festivals showcasing the very best in music, literature and science. With an ever increasing fashion presence, it makes perfect sense for Cheltenham to host it’s own fashion week and further add to the cultural offering. Cowley Manor is thrilled to be a key sponsor and home to many of the exciting events that have happened throughout the week. As an avid supporter of the community with deep roots in the creative industries, It’s a natural partnership for Cowley.”

Sponsors of the event include Cowley Manor, Coutts, my-wardrobe.com and Mercedes Benz of Cheltenham and Gloucester.