The Bluebella Hot List 2016

Check out our 2016 Hot List...

Now that Christmas is a distant memory (although it was only two weeks ago!), it's time to look ahead and predict what we'll all be loving over the next 12 months. With Rio 2016 this summer, fresh new singing talent and the rise of creative, crafty hobbies, there's no doubt that 2016 will bring us lots of fun! Here's what we're excited about here at Bluebella HQ...

DUA LIPA

 Part of the BBC's Sound of 2016, singer-songwriter Dua Lipa has certainly kicked off the year in the right way. Born in London, the 20 year old was raised on Bob Dylan and David Bowie and her first record she purchased was Nelly Furtado (remember her?!) Securing a modelling contract a few years ago was the start in her journey and in 2012 she began uploading her original tracks onto Soundcloud. It wasn't long before she caught the attention of non other than Lana Del Rey's managers, who immediately signed her up and started her up with collaborating with the likes of Bruno Mars and, of course, Lana Del Rey. We love her deep, smokey and pop-filled sounds and her current track Be The One is full of fun and fresh beats - just what we need to beat the January Blues! Look out for her first UK tour  this year.

 

 

BLUEBELLA SS16 COLLECTIONS

Of course a new year brings two brand new seasons! First up, we have our SS16 collection which we're really excited about. The first few products have already started to drop on Bluebella.com, with styles such as Tala, Blake and Alanna all making Bluebella debuts. Our SS16 collection is an expression of dramatic sensuality inspired by soft satins, sheer mesh and contemporary lace, coupled with a confident colour palette that brings in delicate golds and perfect pastels. Keep your eyes peeled over the next few weeks for more of our SS16 products arriving on the site and be the first to shop the new styles!

 

 

 

 

 

HER NAME IS RIO

 It doesn't feel like two minutes ago since it was London 2012 and what a summer that was! It's hard to imagine ever finding another Olympics quite so exciting when it's not on your doorstep BUT if London 2012 did one thing for pretty much everyone, it was to show us that every man and his dog - whether a sports lover or not - could fully enjoy the games and reap the benefits. Kicking off on Friday 5th August in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro, we can't wait to see what the incredible Team GB can do once again. Stella McCartney is responsible once again for ensuring the sports starts look and feel their best as she exclusively designs the Team GB 2016 kit and we're excited to see what the likes of Dina Asher-Smith, Jessica Ennis-Hill, swimmer Lucy Hall and boxer Nicola Adams will all bring and whether they'll walk away with the Gold. For us, it's sure to bring a summer-filled fun-fest with friends as everyone gets together to watch - we can't wait!

 

GET CRAFTY  

 As more of us strive for a less stressful life, more and more of us are taking up creative and crafty hobbies in a bid to enjoy precious 'me' time that doesn't just involve sitting infront of the TV for a marathon Netflix session. Having a hobby is not only on the rise, but it is also good for your mental health PLUS means that if you have a class booked in for 6pm every Tuesday, there's no excuses to stay behind at work. We're big fans of photography and learning how to create gorgeous images with a semi-professional camera (and not just our iPhone!). Other hobbies that more and more of us are turning to include floristry, life drawing and even ballroom dancing. And there isn't a better time than the start of the year to kick off with something fresh!

 

FASHION FOCUS 

 And of course, it wouldn't be a Hot List without a little look at what the fashion world will bring us this year. With London Fashion Week AW16 next month, it won't be long before next winter's trends are revealed but we can only just about deal with this winter at the moment! If we look ahead to the Spring/Summer season, we'll see trends such as the dainty slip-on (yes, of the Nightwear variety) making an outerwear comeback, soft gingham, vivid prints, exciting ruffles and graphic stripes being style staples for the summer months. We can't wait!
Picture credit: MarieClaire.co.uk

The Bluebella Detox

 Kick off 2016 the Bluebella Way...

 So here we are, a new year! We hope you all had a fabulous festive period and managed to fit in some essential ‘me’ time in and amongst the parties, family visiting and general madness of the Christmas period. But if you didn’t, and are feeling rather frazzled, fear not…

 We’ve pulled together some of our essential tips on how to reboot this new year, without any resolution fads or false promises. It’s all about kicking off the new year with fresh energy and revived get-go, so you can get as much as you want out of 2016… 

GET (UN)TECHY

If you're feeling like technology takes up just that bit too much of your daily life, then it's time to reduce its function in your day-to-day life. Whilst we all love a regular Instagram stalking session throughout the day, reducing your time staring at a screen will not only free up time to do other things, but also make the time you do spend checking up on things in the digital world much more enjoyable. Choose a good old classic book (not on a Kindle) to read on your commute instead of flicking through your Apps or take a brisk 10-minute walk on your lunch (without your phone!) to re-energise for the afternoon ahead.

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT

We hear it all the time and even more so at this time of the year. But if you are wanting to revitalise the way you eat, how do you actually do it in a sustainable way? We’re all up for eating well but never scrimping on flavour or enjoyment, so how can you balance this? Enter the Hemsley sisters, the British Vogue contributors whose book ‘The Art of Eating Well’ is your answer. It’s a refreshing cook book bursting full of healthy-yet-scrumptious alternative ideas to your run-of-the-mill meals. Think Cauliflower rice, Butternut squash curry and Courgette fries that will make you rethink the joys of vegetables all over again! 

JET SETTER

Nothing quite helps you get motivated than having a holiday penned in the diary for the year ahead and jet setting is definitely high on our agenda. Not sure where to go and need somewhere new? Some of the hot new destinations for 2016 include Costa Rica, which captivates anyone who visits with its 800 miles of golden beaches and breath taking national parks; Brazil, the home of the Olympics this summer and Tasmania, situated off the South Coast of Australia, is probably the most far-flung place you could get to from the UK. Plus, with many air carriers having January deals on, there isn’t a better time to book.

DO SOMETHING NEW

Always wanted to learn French or become a baking queen but never quite got round to it? Well, there’s no time like the present and simply signing up for a course in your local area can give you a much needed boost that sees you use your skills outside of the office. Whether you want to get creative, challenge yourself or simply meet new people, becoming part of a course can give you skills you never knew you could have! 

STICK TO THE 9-5

With all of us running much busier working lives than ever before and 24-hour access to emails, it’s no wonder you can end up feeling exhausted from it all. If you felt like you spent too much time in the office in 2015 and want to regain some of your leisure time back, make regaining control of your time as one of your key priorities this year. Prioritise what has to be done, know what is an unrealistic to-do list and communicate with your colleagues so that you feel you are working to your absolute best, without spending hours chained to the computer. Book in gym classes or hobby activities straight after work and you’ll have no excuse to stay behind!

Here’s to a happy and healthy 2016…