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As it’s Bastille Day, when could be better to discuss the First Lady of France, Carla Bruni, who at 5ft10 is considered a role model for many tall women. But really, is this woman a role model for any girl?

Bruni was born into a wealthy, Italian family who moved to France when she was 7. After an education in Switzerland, she returned to France for Art School but quickly left to pursue a modelling career and several other women’s husbands.

She is unashamedly honest about her dislike for monogamy and her actions seem to prove she is far from ‘all talk’ : she is said to be the reason Jerry Hall and Mick Jagger finally split up; and she once fell in love with a french philosopher, only to get bored shortly afterwards and decide his married son was far more to her liking (she subsequently had a child with him too). What’s slightly more terrifying is that she was once quoted (pre-Sarkozy) that she “wanted a man with nuclear power”. Are you getting the idea that whatever Miss Bruni-Sarkozy wants, she gets? Yes, me too. Thank God she keeps herself to mainland Europe.

Apologies for getting slightly diverted by Bruni’s ruthless determination for a moment, but it’s an alien concept for someone to be quite so calculating and in control at all times. Having said this, her State visit to England last year saw Bruni make some incredibly ‘well thought out’ choices, mostly through the choice of Dior (happy French fashion journalists) with their chief designer John Galliano (happy British journalists). Several demur and sensible suits later and everyone moved on from the naked images recently released from her modelling days. Although, that arrival outfit? Was she actually trying to look like Lady Penople from Thunderbirds when she got off the plane?

Anyway, yes she dresses nicely but I’m not rushing off to get myself a pair of ballet flats and a pillbox hat any time soon. Maybe I’m not fashionable enough to get why she is a style icon, or maybe my views are tainted by that fact that she seems like a cold, predatory, manipulative woman who I don’t wish to admire in any way, shape or form. I can think of 50 other women in the public eye who I would see as more of a style icon than Mrs Bruni-Sarkozy but maybe that’s because style, unlike fashion, is simply not just about your clothes (quite frankly after 20 years in the fashion business, she’d better know about clothes).

Maybe she really is a misunderstood style icon, just like Grace Kelly - another woman who came from the entertainment world, got a reputation as a homewreckers after having a couple of affairs with married co-stars, then married her Prince and lived quietly as the perfect royal wife.  So is that what the future has in store for Carla? Can you really see her suddenly finding monogamy so enticing now? Hmmm.. I’m not quite sure.

However, I do know that it’s a damned good thing that France’s President had his wife sign a pre-nuptial agreement contracting her to stay married to him for as long as he’s in power. Now that might be the first time a man has got the better of woman who was one of the World’s most famous predators, oops, I mean supermodels….

Green Gladiator from Amazona Sty;e

With the world in turmoil over Kate Silverton’s revelation about her foot size (again, why did this make news!?), we thought we’d help some of your girls with, *Gasp*, big feet (we call those at LEAST a size 9) and pick some fab summer styles available to you.

Firstly, check out Amazona Style for several styles of this season’s hot trend, the gladiator sandal. They’ve got blue, black, green, flat, high heeled - something for everyone.

Bright Blue Ballet Flat

Feeling the bright blue trend? Then pop over to the Big Shoe Boutique and grab a pair of these super-cheap ballet pumps in electric blue for only £25.00.

Sparkling Sandals

Lets channel all our magpie tendencies and slip on these Sparking sandals from the Large Size Designer Shoe website for Euro $55. They will look amazing with your summer tan!

Seriously, it’s actually a newsflash – if you’re not in the UK then you probably don’t know who Kate Silverton is. She’s the 5ft10, effortlessly stylish and mega-successful news anchor from BBC Breakfast News.

Have you ever seen such a fuss over nothing? For the last 3 days the British newspapers have been all over the story that Kate, whilst interviewing the Nolan Sisters who had commented on their foot size (one is a size 3), had mentioned that she had Size 9 feet. Apparently an uncomfortable silence fell upon the entire studio, followed by repetition of the fact (“Size 9!!!” ) and ‘Wow’s’ from the dated 80’s singing group, before Bill (Kate’s trusty and reliable co-presenter) justified it with “She’s very tall!”.  If it’s not bad enough that the English press can’t get over it, it seems from a quick search on google that websites from Hawaii to Japan and Europe have now picked up on the..er.. story (really? Is it really a story?).

So many ridiculous points about this situation I don’t know where to start but what annoys me most? Why did Bill have to JUSTIFY her big feet by  saying she was ‘really tall’! What does it matter? And not everyone with big feet is a giant too! Having said this, I have size 11 feet and I’m 6ft2 – surely Bernie Nolan would have had a stroke if I was presenting BBC news.

Maybe this hoo-ha is a good thing which will make girls and women with larger feet feel more normal. Kate is just admitting to joining the 2.2million women in the UK with a size 9 foot or over – a fact which I know will shock many of you. Yes, we flipper-footed women are taking over the world.

I’m feeling like an old Granny right now. I usually consider myself to be very aware of new trends and brands. I am the one who knows about that obscure flip-flop, the hot NYC handbag designer or even the name of the Obama’s dog. I know those silly random facts as I have some weird ability to retain lots of information, providing it’s generally useless (this skill did not extend to exams unfortunately). Hollister? Who-ister?  Never heard of them. Oh God, is this the first step on a slippery slope in to middle age?

My (23 year old) housemate had this fab t-shirt hanging up to dry and I noticed it was longer than usual, with overall larger proportions. I tried to persuade her to sell it to me, assuming it was some weird Aussie brand she had bought with her from the Antipodes, before she told me to nip down Westfield (the latest monster shopping centre in London, for those of you non-locals) and pick one up.

Yes, it appears Hollister Co, or HCO, or just plain Hollister as it is usually referred to, completely passed me by. Now of course I am far better informed and know it’s an American Lifestyle Brand which is an off-shoot from Abercrombie and Fitch. Really? Has anyone over 5ft4 or larger than a size 10 shopped in AF recently? Maybe it’s just me but their women’s clothes might just fit one of my legs and even in the gents styles I’m a XXL (I’m 6ft2 and around a UK Size 16 - not usually an XXL!).

Despite being the second most popular brand of US teenagers in 2008, it was only in October of this year that the company came to England with it’s first store in Brent Cross, shortly followed by BlueWater, Westfield and Southampton. With plans to open several new stores across the UK this year, Hollister is not only affordable but also accessible.

So, as I was saying, Abercrombie is sized for midgets who don’t eat. Hollister t-shirts, however, seem to be cut perfectly for tall girls and women! With good length, shoulder width and excellent deep v-necks in many styles (perfect for tall girls with broad shoulders to balance the body shape), there’s lots of colour and design variations for only around £20 per shirt.

Loving the Hollister this Summer. I’ve already got three. Maybe the Oh-So-Sexy, sepia surf adverts are working too well on me. Do I resemble a Californian surf chick? Maybe.. from a large distance, with a substantial amount of fake tan, providing you squint….

Why don’t you go and have a look? If you’re miles away from any of their stores, they also do mail order online from www.hollisterco.com

Seems like they’ve decided you need to treat yourself over at Amazona Style.  From tomorrow, Friday 29th May until Sunday 31st May they are running a PayDay Perfection Offer in aid of our favourite day of the month when, momentarily, all your financial woes are invisible…

For this weekend only you can get 20% off anything and everything, including sale stock and there is not limitation on the discount - the more you spend, the more you save!

Whether you want to pick up a pair of fabulous designer shoes in a large size (UK 8-12, US 10-14), a British designed handbag, cute little clutch or even some jewellery from the cult celebrity favourite, Dogeared, you can get it all at heavily discounted prices. Why don’t you pop over to Amazona Style quick smart (it’s only on for 2 days!) and treat yourself… You deserve it!

Lisa Leslie with Barack Obama

The Amazona team were overjoyed to hear President Obama’s first comments on meeting the stunning US women’s basketball star Lisa Leslie (6ft 5).  Apparently he opened with “Oh My Gosh, You know I love tall women” when he met Lisa during the Inauguration. As if to prove his sincerity, he also pointed out his statuesque wife, Michelle, walking past by saying “Now you know I love tall women, right?”!

We know Michelle Obama is a fantastic role model for tall women and that Barack is the best thing to happen to the World for a very long time, but now we love him even more for celebrating tall women! That man just keeps on creeping closer to perfection every week.  Now where do I find a man like him….

Photo credit: AP Photo/Ron Edmonds

…if only!!

Firstly apologies to all those tall girls who thought all their Christmases had come at once reading that title. If I were Prime Minister, it’d be the first law I’d pass.

Now, I know I’m not the only tall woman to think there is a problem… What’s the deal with you half-grown, fairy-sized women taking all the big boys??   Why do you see so many tall men (I’m classifying this as 6ft3 and over for my purposes) dating short women?

Today I saw the latest pictures of Christina Ricci with her comedian fiance, Owen Benjamin, who, at 6ft6, saying he towers over her is a tad of an understatement.  Obviously, they are madly in love and well done them for finding each other in this cynical, transient world. However, it does also leave me furiously wracking my brains wondering why so often the phenomenon of massive–him/mini-her.

If you see almost any picture of a US NBA star with their wife (such as Kevin Garnett or Kobe Bryant, pictured here), they always seem to tower metres above.  Even our English rugby stars are the same – just take a look at Simon Shaw!

Kevin Garnett & Wife

As a tall woman you notice the same everyday in the street. Why is this? What is it that makes many very tall men date women so much shorter than themselves?  Aidan and Carrie – yes, it may be TV fiction but it’s everyday reality for us amazonian girls.

Kobe Bryant & Wife

Do petite women somehow make men feel more masculine?

Is is that us tall girls emasculate men? Or Intimidate them? If you’re a tall woman you will be told on an almost daily basis that you are ‘scary’ or ‘intimidating’ by some (usually male) stranger.  Quite why people feel this way, and also feel bold enough to tell me, confounds me.  Surely a very tall man is not intimidated by a tall woman? It’s not as though we are taller than them! (Generally!)

Well,  if this is the reason then you tall girls have to be thankful that you are not stuck with these way too metro-sexual, insecure boys. Quite frankly, any man who feels less masculine in my presence can remove himself from the vicinity and take some therapy.  I like my men to be secure in their themselves and their masculinity.

Maybe it’s simply that smaller women are easier to throw around the bedroom?

At 6ft2, I admit that there are not many men who have managed to throw me around the room in a moment of passion (some, but not many ) and considering I have often dated professional sportsmen, that’s saying something. However,  one of my male friends (6ft3) is adamant that tall men and very short women do not, ergonomically.. er… work either.

Is it some kind of subconcious, genetic correction in the mind of these short women that makes them pursue tall men?

Perhaps some short women, either conciously or subconciously, actively seek out and pursue these hero-sized men in a basic biological attempt to ‘improve’ their offspring ? (What man really resists when it comes to a woman being single-minded enough to get them?) With tall people being perceived as more successful, intelligent and earning more than their shorter colleagues, wouldn’t you want to increase your children’s potential by ..er.. marrying up?

On this point, I think a strong factor could be the determination of many a shorter-than-average woman. Many girls I meet who are more ‘shortie’ than ‘supermodel’ in their proportions are polished in the skills used to get what they want in many areas of life. Therefore maybe they are just using their feminine whiles to get those big boys.

Or could it be that tall women draw attention away from tall men?

Personally, this would be the reason I probably agree with most. Think about it. If you’re a very tall man or woman, then everywhere you go you attract attention. People are drawn to look at you. Now, if you have a very tall man and very tall woman together, I reckon the very tall woman would gain more attention since it is further from the ‘norm’.  Therefore, if a tall man dates a tall woman, he has to relinquish some of the attention that he is used to getting.

Whatever the reason, I wish some politician would pass a law stopping these altitudious, alpha men being snapped up by all those diminutive divas. Otherwise I’m going to have to admit defeat, marry a short man and have wedding photo’s that will look just plain ridiculous!

There are many things which I cannot live without. If you ask me for my top three desert island must-haves, I’d be at a complete loss. I’d be paralysed with the infinite choice. All I know for sure is that lip balm and a kikoi would be there.

I should be the founding member of LBA (Lip Balmers Anonymous) – I am never without some tube, pot or applicator. It’s never coloured, always clear and ruins my day if I leave the house without it.  Honestly, I’m more upset if I find myself lip balm-less than if I’ve forgotten my mobile phone.

OK, so weird lip-moisture issues aside, the other item I absolutely cannot live without is a kikoi (pronounced  ‘kick-oy’).  If you don’t know what I’m talking about then listen up! A kikoi was originally a mans sarong from the East Coast of Africa but has now evolved into a multi-functional garment for both sexes and for all ages.

A typical kikoi

Celebrities are also fans of this African essential. Keira Knightly and Kate Hudson are always spotted in theirs. Even Brad Pitt sported one in Vanity Fair!

Traditionally woven on looms in Africa in 100% cotton, they are brightly coloured, nearly always 60 inches by 40 inches square  and lightweight, so they dry super-fast .   Most commonly used as a unisex sarong, this nifty bit of fabric becomes irreplaceable to any who have had one – I used mine endlessly:
-     when I’m just out of the shower and running around the house
-    On the beach as a windbreak, beach towel, head rest or picnic blanket
-    As a shawl or scarf (great as a muffler for skiing!)
-    At home as a table cloth, chair throw or cushion cover
-    As a temporary cover for the back seat of my car when I’ve got dogs with me
-    As a baby blanket

I always keep at least one kikoi in the back of my car for ‘emergency use’ and you’d be surprised how often it’s called on!

For under £20.00, you could grab one of these and try it for yourself.  Do make sure you’re buying from a responsible and ethical supplier as this is one product where you could really make a difference to a small industry in a third world country.

So, if you’re shooting off on holiday soon, pick one up and start a life-long passion!

Kikoi’s are currently on sale at Amazona Style (including fab new beach kikoi’s featuring ultra-lightweight towelling on one side!).

My feet are so tired they feel as though I’ve run London Marathon (which I didn’t). This is an unfortunate side effect of my new weekend job in a restaurant. Love the job but my feet need a bit of T.L.C.  by Sunday night. The implication of this work-induced injury is that Mondays are now a No Heel Zone! Yes, really.. you heard me correctly. I have resorted to flats on Mondays to give me toes a little time-out.  Despite being a true high heels lover, I have found some flats which don’t make me look like a Yorkshire housewife (I know!? How can this be possible, you say?!). Here’s my favourites at the moment:
£83.00

On Sale at £49.00

On Sale at £59.50

All from Amazona Style.