What I Wore

    Leather-Look Shorts, River Island  //  China-Print Shirt, New Look  //  Leopard Print Boots, Ebay  //  Statement Necklace, New Look  //  Chunky Pyramid Stud Bracelet, Ebay  //  Sunglasses, Zara  //  Tan Studded Clutch, Primark (old)

Hello lovelies, I'm posting a bit later in the day than usual, but that's down to not having taken any snaps of this outfit in advance as I really did wear it today. I've also popped up two sets of photos, basically because I couldn't decide which one to go for!

It's still nice and sunny here, so I went with my trusty leather-look shorts from River Island and teamed them with my new china-print shirt and statement necklace, both from New Look. On my feet, I'm wearing some suede black and leopard-print ankle boots, and I've finished the look with a pair of Zara sunglasses and a Primark clutch, which is actually pretty old but is still going strong! Nail-wise, I chose this pretty pastel green, which is called Talisman, from a Brazilian brand called Ellen Gold. Unfortunately you can't get these in the UK, but this one is a really similar shade to Essie Mint Candy Apple, but I'd say it's definitely brighter and slightly less milky.

Today I've been busy running errands with the hubby - just boring stuff like paying bills etc. - and we spent the afternoon reading our books at our local coffee shop, which is always a nice way to wind down on a Friday. I'm currently reading The Age of Miracles, by Karen Thompson Walker, and I'd love to know if any of you have read it and what your thoughts were.

I've also been busy taking photos for up-coming posts, and this evening my plan is to catch up with a couple of people on Skype, burn my new Spring Yankee Candle, in Peach Orchard, and as is customary on a Friday night, do a spot of pampering. I am loving several face masks at the moment, and finding them really effective, so I've been looking forward to it even more than usual.

I do have a few more bits to chat to you about from this week, but I'll save them for my Sunday Catch-Up post, otherwise I'll have nothing left to say!

Hope everyone's had a good week and that there's a fantastic weekend ahead for us all!

xx

Collective Haul! (Primark, Topshop, Miss Selfridge and more!)

Hello lovely people, and thank goodness it's Friday!

Today, I have got a bit of a haul post for you, which I am really happy about as I have been trying to get this up for ages! I've been having a bit of difficulty with my camera, lighting and backdrops, which has made things a bit difficult for me in terms of getting some decent photos ready for you, but thanks to the lovely sunshine we've had this week, I've been able to get outside in the garden and go a bit snap happy!

So, what I have got here to show you are basically all the clothes and accessories I have collected over the past two months. 

Let's get on with it.

Drop Arm Palm Tree Print Top, Topshop , £26.

Mint Green Cropped Tie-up Shirt, £9.99 

Aztec Print Sheer Top, Primark.(I think this was about £8)

Parrot Print Crop Top, Primark, £4.

Playsuit, Miss Selfridge, £37

Rust Chinos, Next, £29.

Floral Vest, Primark, £6.

Petites Floral Print Playsuit, Miss Selfridge, £37 (*Now in the Sale online for just £22!*)

Please excuse my foot for sneaking it's way into this one. It's such an attention seeker.

Zebra Print Scarf, Primark, £4

Swallow Print Scarf, Primark, £4

Accessories, all Primark (see below for details)

Ivory Hair Flower, Peacocks ( received as a present).

Nautical Flower Hair Clips, £1.50, Primark.

Earrings, Primark (about £3-£4)

Aviators, £1. Red Floral Bow Headband, £2.

Both pairs of earrings were about £3-£4 from Primark.

Pink/Multi Floral Wire Headband (received as present).

Cat Pendant Necklace (long chain), Primark, £3

Coral Crepe Shorts, Miss Selfridge, £29.

Playsuit, Primark, £5.

Nautical Scarf Chain Necklace, Primark, £4.

(I like to wear this as a headband).

Sorry not to be exact on some of the Primark prices, I forgot to keep the tags of the accessories so now I'm not 100% sure what I paid, but I'm sure the numbers listed are pretty close, give or take 50p, perhaps.

I am loving the cropped Palm-tree print top from Topshop, and have been enjoying wearing it with a pair of red high-waisted shorts. I'm now looking to get my hands on some pastel high-waisters (lilac) and I think it will look great with them. The top hangs quite loose, but is a really flattering shape and cut. Love it!

I also adore the two Miss Selfridge playsuits and the coral culotte shorts, as I think they are lovely, summery colours.

As for Primark, you can't go wrong stocking up on your summer essentials there, in my book. I think that the little black bow-print playsuit was absolutely bargainous at just £5, and they had lots more options in for the same price, though unfortunately not in my size. I've since ordered one the same as this but plain red with navy trim, and a strapless striped/sunflower print one from Ebay, because I was so annoyed to have missed out on them! These babies are just ideal for pulling on after a long, hot day on the beach, and are also perfect for wandering round in on your hols as they are really thin and airy.

The mint-green cropped shirt, would you believe, is actually from the kids section at New Look (age 14-15). If you are petite, like me, then I would highly recommend having a root around in there, because you can often find the same things that are in the main collection for a fraction of the price! I'd say the teens sizings are quite generous, too, as a dress I picked up in age 14-15 was actually too big for me!

I don't feel that I need to go on and on about each individual piece, as you can see what is there. But I will say that I'm really happy with everything I got and have been living in all of it!

I hope you enjoyed this sneaky little peek into my shopping bags, OOTDs feauring some of these little treasures coming soon, just as soon as I can rope the Mr into playing cameraman!

Hope you're all enjoying a relaxing Friday night, whether you're having a quiet one at home or are heading out to party it up!

xx

Youtube Hauls

I've been watching loads of  'haul' videos on youtube this evening.
For those of you who don't know, a 'haul' video is where someone gets together everything they have recently bought, and sort of show and review them, so that those watching can either go and get themselves the same bit, or just enjoy having an insight into someone else's style.
 At first, I didn't get why people would make them, because if you want to see what's available in a shop without leaving your house then, generally speaking, you can just have a look on the website. But after watching a few hauls which were, well, not really to my taste, I did come across a couple of girls who have really similar taste to mine, but what I really loved about their videos was that they had picked things which, although in my 'style zone', I perhaps wouldn't have thought of picking out myself. It's a really great way to get some fashion inspiration, and see how other people style up pieces that you like, and also how to add pieces you might not have thought of to your wardrobe.
A lot of girls also do videos showcasing their beauty hauls, which is, again, a really interesting viewing experience - perhaps more so. I don't know about you, but I always find myself looking at friends, and just randomers in the street or the pub, who seem to have perfect skin, or who are sporting perfectly shaded eye-shadow, and wondering how on earth they did it. My elaborate  make-up attempts never seem to come out anywhere near as well, and I also find that, even when you think you've found the perfect foundation, the miracle effect never seems to last longer than a week, and then I find myself lusting after a better one!
So even though these haul vids aren't exactly make-up master classes, it's good to know the products that these people use, so we can see them in action and give them a whirl ourselves.

What are your Christmas beauty lust-haves? Do you have a special look planned for the big day?

The pictures above are of some of the more impressive finds amongst Primark haulers, and are actually from www.fluttersparkle.com . If you are interested in seeing the rest of her haul then go to http://www.flutterandsparkle.com/2011/12/another-primark-haul-november-december.html
Leopard print Peter Pan shirt, £7. Embellished crop vest, £10

For some good haul vids, I'd recommend visiting Zoella's channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/zoella280390?feature=watch - my favourite haul vids so far.

Christmas Wishlist

There are so many gorgeous skater style dresses out there at the moment, at great prices, that I think I am going to fill a large section of my wardrobe with them, mostly in block jewel colours. They are just so versatile. I'll be wearing mine with a skinny tan belt, black tights and a biker jacket by day in the winter, and will be happy to pull them out again come the summer. Printed versions are also easy to dress up for nights out. Here are some of the ones on mylust-have list.

These are £24.99 each, from Republic:




I'm also a fan of this polk-a-dot one, £24.99 from Newlook, which I'd wear with a skinny red belt:


My favourite find, though,  is definitely this one, which is from www.boohoo.com, and is only £15! Bargain. Unfortunately, though, they seem to be out of my size, so fingers crossed they'll get some more in soon....



To be honest though, most of all, I'm looking forward to have a good old rummage around Primark. Their clothes have improved so much in the last couple of years. There was a time when I'd only go in for accessories or basics like vest tops, but these days you can find some real gems. I don't know if I can handle all the Christmas Primark carnage though, it's always a nightmare in there as it is! As much as I hate early mornings, I think it's going to be the only way. I really cannot stand long queues because I'm really impatient with that sort of thing, and everything is usually all over the floor by 10am! Luckily, there's a Starbucks right outside my local Primarni, so I think I might pop in there and try one of their delicious sounding Christmas drinks to warm up before (ambitious) or more likely, after trawling for goodies. Gingerbread latte? Yes please.
 I've got to admit, I'm a real sucker for all things Christmas-y, especially having spent the last couple out of the country. This year, I just want to surround myself with festive treats like fairy lights, homemade mince pies and mulled wine, and I'm even enjoying hearing all the cheesy classics playing in the background on TV programs. You've got to love Walford Market in Eastenders for that!
Also on my wish list at the moment are lots of chunky, slouchy fairisle style cardigans and a dalmatian print satchel. I will keep you updated as to whether I find any for a steal.







(Can you tell that I'm excited about Christmas now!?)