What I Wore

Top and Sunglasses, Zara  //  Playsuit, Topshop  //  Necklace, New Look  //  Sandals, Brazil

I'm not going to lie, this isn't what I wore today. As you may have heard me mention, I've had to plan a few of my recent posts a couple of weeks in advance, as I moved out of my house and have been staying with the hubby's family until we arrive back in the UK this weekend. I may or may not have internet, but at the time of writing this I didn't know either way, so this is something I wore out to do a casual bit of shopping a couple of weeks ago. I've actually had this monochrome gingham playsuit for a good few years now, but it was only when packing for the big move that I found it lurking at the bottom of an empty suitcase that had been stashed away in the store room for goodness knows how long. I tried it on and was thrilled to find that all was well, so I popped on a lightweight long-sleeved top from Zara underneath it, as it wasn't quite the weather for going it alone.

I'm sure it'll come as no surprise to see that I've finished the look with my trusty studded sandals - I still love these, and they go with absolutely everything. They're also incredibly comfy, which is a rarity when it comes to sandals. Speaking of favourites, I'm also wearing my much-loved statement necklace from New Look. I got it as part of my birthday present from my parents earlier this year, and have been mildly obsessed with it ever since.

Normally I'd be a bit more chatty about what I've been up to today, but since I don't have a crystal ball I will just have to guess. Today I am supposed to be in Rio de Janeiro, more than likely sunning it up on Copacabana before leaving for the flight home on Friday. I'll be sure to take lots of pictures along the way, so you can expect so see those some time next week when I am all settled back in the UK.

Between now and then, you should get a couple more posts that I've prepared in advance, and you should still be able to find me on Twitter and Instagram the whole way through - if you don't already follow me on those then just click on the icons over in my sidebar. There's also one for my Youtube channel, so do check that out if you fancy it.

Hope everyone is having a great week.

xx

What I Wore

Studded Lace Top, Topshop  //  Leather Look Shorts, River Island  //  Sunglasses, Zara  //  Ring and Bracelet, Primark  //  Bag and Sandals, Brazil
(Sorry - only the sunglasses are from this year as everything I own is packed away for the move apart from a limited selection!)

Oh hey, hope everyone is having a great week so far. It's been a bit of an eventful one for us, as we moved out of our house on Monday and in with the hubby's parents for the next few days. We're off to stay with his sister and her family this weekend, and then we'll be back here for a few days before we head back to the UK. It's funny, but I didn't feel sad at all when we left our house. Packing was a nightmare, which I suppose did detract from the whole thing - imagine trying to fit the whole of two peoples' lives from the last five years into three suitcases that do not exceed 23kg each!? Not an easy task, I can assure you. To be fair, the hubby was done in a matter of minutes - it was mine that took at least a week of umming and ahhing about which clothes I could part with, and what I could do with the countless books and bags I'd have to leave behind. In the end, the clothes went to a local orphanage, the books to the language school I used to work at, and the bags to a friend. To be honest it was kind of a relief to get rid of them, as I'm looking forward to starting again in a new place, free of junk and clutter. I say that now, but we all know I'll have it full to bursting again before soon.
We haven't got much planned for the next couple of days, as the in-laws are homebodies and like to stay in most of the time. We'll probably be visiting some other family members though (fun fact: the hubby's mother is one of eighteen brothers and sister, while his dad is one of twelve. Can you imagine how many cousins that means!? Not to mention how many years his poor grandmothers had to spend pregnant....), as most of them live in the same town. We're hoping to go to the beach on Saturday with the sister-in-law, her husband and children, so that should be nice - if there's one thing I will miss about this place then it's the sun, although I can assure you that when you live somewhere where it's pushing forty degrees the majority of the time, you do get quite sick of it, just as you do with constant rain and snow! The sun loses its novelty before long, and there actually comes a point where you wish for it to cloud over, just to get a break. If you're on holiday then it's great, but not so much if you have to work.
I'll probably miss my hammock too - I loved lying in it with a good book as the sun was beginning to go down at the weekends, as at that point it was fairly cool and breezy in the winter (hotter than a British summer).
More than anything though, I'm looking forward to getting back to living life in my own language! And being close to my family and friends again, of course, but that goes without saying.
I'll probably pop a slightly more reflective post on my time here up either just before I go or once I'm home, as I think it's something worth addressing. It's changed me in so many ways, and it's been a real learning curve in more ways than I could possibly explain.
For now I'll leave you with my moving day outfit - not very practical, but as I say, our life is now inside three suitcases so there wasn't much to do in the way of heavy lifting!

Hope everyone is having a great week so far.

xx

Collective Fashion Haul // A Video

Please excuse what a state I look in this video, I'd just got home and found myself alone in the house during daylight hours, so I had to make the most and film in a very short window of time! It also turns out that Revlon Photoready foundation is not actually all that photo ready, as it makes me look SO shiny on camera! I did notice this before with another couple of videos, and made a mental note not to wear it when filming again, but as I said, I was in a bit of a rush this time and didn't think of it!

I won't be doing a post on this haul as I just find clothing a real pain to photograph in all its glory. However you will, I'm sure, be seeing these pieces in upcoming OOTD/outfit posts, so keep an eye out for those.

Until then, I hope you enjoy having a little nose into the contents of my (new) wardrobe, and if you do enjoy this video then please do pop over to my Youtube channel and give it a thumbs up and subscribe. I must admit, I'm feeling a bit disheartened again, as while I know it does take time to build up an audience, and I do make these videos for enjoyment more than anything else as a bit of a side project as well as to compliment my blog, my views have really decreased since I started out with filming, and I'm not really sure why! If anything, I would have thought it would be the opposite, but oh well, such is life.

Anyway, hope everyone has had a good Monday! If you have a Youtube channel then do leave me your link in the comments below, I'm always on the lookout for new ones to have a watch as I seem to get through my feed so fast!

xx

Weekend Wishlist

Mini Shopper, Zara // Aztec Scarf, Topshop // Tigi S-Factor Flat Iron Shine Spray, Feel Unique  // By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra Powder, Space NK  // Neom Happiness Organic Treatment Candle, Cult Beauty // Kevyn Aucoin Celestial Powder, Space NK

Hello lovelies, I hope everyone has had a great start to the weekend! Mine isn't going to be all that exciting, as my husband is working more and more at the moment, so I'm spending a lot of time rattling around the place on my own. We already worked opposite schedules, as I get Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays off, whereas he has two days during the week. But at the moment, he's been working even on his days off, both during the day and at night. It's not ideal, and I had been thinking that if anything, work pressures would be easing off now that we are getting closer and closer to our big move. But I suppose at least it's not going to be for tooo much longer, and it does mean all the more blogging time for me. I say that, but I've got plenty already, although it will help in terms of filming Youtube videos. I usually struggle to find any time with both the house to myself and the sun still in the sky to do those!
Anyway, moving on from that, today's wishlist is, unfortunately for me, a little bit high-end. Now, before I got into beauty blogging, I wasn't even aware of a great many of the brands that I am today, particularly those available from sites such as Space NK and Cult Beauty. Now that I am though, there are just so many beautiful products I would be thrilled to try, but I just don't know if I really want to open that can of worms as I tend to think that once you do, you don't really want to go back! I was a victim of this with skincare, as in the beginning I wouldn't have dreamt of paying over £20 for anything, being of the belief that lower-priced products were probably just as effective. However, since I discovered how much I like brands that use nice natural ingredients and give chemical nasties a miss and the difference this has made to my complexion, I now find it hard to bring myself to buy anything else. At least with skincare you really are doing some good for yourself, but with makeup? Let's be honest, it just looks pretty.
Now, don't get me wrong, I've been using brands like Mac and Clinique for years, and for me those that you'd find at the beauty counters in places like House of Fraser were about as high-end as it got. Their products are already on the pricey side, and I have to admit that I often favour them over the cheaper high-street brands found in Boots. But now I have found myself lusting after products from brands such as Kevyn Aucoin and By Terry, and I just don't know that I want to start spending £30-£40 on cosmetics - in all likelihood, I would probably love them and want to keep buying them, and then where would my purse and my bank account be? It seems it might be asking for trouble!
As for candles, I just can't see myself ever forking out £40 for a full-size Neom. As beautiful as they are, and as long as they last, I just can't help thinking what else could be done with that money. I'm quite pleased to have discovered that they do smaller sizes for £15 though, which while still less than cheap for 75g is more affordable for those of us who want to dip our toes in the water.
So, will I really give this gorgeous selection of products the swerve forever more? Probably not. But I think I'll probably wait for special occasions like Christmas and birthdays, as they would make lovely presents (famous last words?). When I am in a position where I am able to get my hands on all the things I need, it will be nice to reserve real treats for the Christmas list, and I also think people enjoy giving things that are going to evoke gasps and shrieks of appreciation!

Have you tried any of the brands above, and would you consider integrating them into your daily routine? Would you think twice about converting all of your products to such high-end brands?

xx

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

Weekend Wishlist: The Zara Edition

// All from Zara //

Following my little shopping trip which resulted in many a Zara purchase last weekend, I'm finding myself a little bit obsessed with the place. There are so many gorgeous pieces I wish I had picked up, and every time I pop onto their website I find myself tempted even further. The funny thing is, although I've always liked Zara, it's never really been a shop that particularly excited me, yet now I can't get enough of it. I really think the quality and variety have come on leaps and bounds over the past year or so, and there are now so many iconic pieces being churned out it's hard to keep up. What I really love about Zara is how well-made their pieces are, and the way in which they are able to keep up with the trends while still remaining chic and sophisticated. I know that anything I buy from Zara will last me years, so I'm not all that put-out by the prospect of forking out for a blazer or handbag - when it comes to classic, timeless pieces I'd rather pay that little bit more than go for a cheap option that's going to fall apart in five minutes. I save the likes of Primark for the fast fashion and rapidly moving trends, which it does so well.

At the moment I'm mostly craving brightly coloured blazers. I love how they can be dressed up or down, and a good pop of colour is all that's needed to take a monochrome outfit into Spring. I'm also lusting after a really good quality handbag, as I tend to chop and change quite easily and as a result usually pick up cheaper options that don't quite stand the test of time. I'm after a spacious neutral or black bag that has plenty of space for all the junk I cart around, but that is also easy to organise so I don't find myself having to rummage it through it for my phone or purse, which would inevitably be residing right at the bottom. Of course, while seeking out such bags, it was impossible not to be drawn in by one or two of the brighter, more ornate looking clutches. There are some gorgeous beaded and embellished numbers in at the moment, and being the sort of girl who usually throws caution to the wind and just grabs whatever's prettiest, I'm going to have to exercise some restraint!

Footwear-wise, I'm looking to update my collection with some bright boots and shoes, and I must admit that I'm still partial to a bit of animal print or stud detailing. I know they've been done to death by now, but I love the fact that shops and designers are still coming up with new variations and managing to keep things fresh. I'm quite happy to see these trends continuing on into the next season, and I'm looking forward to seeing how they are going to be combined with more traditional Spring/Summer styles, as well as the lighter, fresher colour palette of pastels and pretty brights.

Last but not least, there are some stunning statement necklaces in for the warmer months, and personally I love to keep a stash of these to brighten up basics, as I find that they help me to get so many more outfits out of my wardrobe, and get me wearing items I might otherwise cast aside or reject as being a bit boring.

Have you popped into Zara lately? If so, what caught your eye?

xx

What I wore....

...On Sunday.

Studded Leather Biker, Zara  -  Denim Shorts, River Island  -  Studded Shirt, Ebay  -  Spike Necklace, Ebay  -  Boots, Ebay

Yes, yes I have decided to use a hideously done cut-out job for this outfit post, and why? Well, because I had an awful background, and because I'm less than skilled when it comes to photo editing! I really wish there was a simpler way to remove a figure from an image and replace it onto a more suitable backdrop, but alas, it seems, there isn't. Or there is - and I just don't know about it! If the latter turns out to be the case then I will be most annoyed, as I have spent hours fiddling around with this and trying to make it blog-worthy, before finally giving in and having to make do with the cut-out sans backdrop. To be honest, I've only just started dabbling in the world of photo editing, so I suppose I couldn't really have expected much more! Anyway, I wasn't about to let my efforts go to waste, so....voila!

I have been wanting to do more outfit posts for an absolute age, but various things, including the lack of a decent camera (it's broken) and willing photographer, have hindered my efforts, But I thought it was about time I showed my face on here again, as I don't think you've seen me in a while!

I'm wearing my gorgeous new studded biker from Zara, which my hubby kindly bought me for Christmas. The eagle-eyes among you may notice that Christmas hasn't actually arrived yet.....yeah, I snuck it a bit early. I can never resist when people buy my presents well in advance, especially if I know what they are - I just have to have them, immediately. But then, of course, I'm the first to be disappointed and do a sad face  come the big day, when there's nothing for me to unwrap. One day I'll learn!

I've been absolutely living in this studded coral shirt, too. Yes, indeed it is more of a summery shade, but I am all for injecting a bit of colour into a cold and dreary winter's day. I found the beaut on good old Ebay for  a snip, which was a bit of a win, I think.

On my lips is the Revlon Lip Butter in Raspberry Pie, which I have dug out again for the winter months. Berry is just the perfect lip colour for the festive season, and this one is really pigmented as well as moisturising.

Hope you lovelies are having a good start to the week - not likely when it's Monday morning, but sending positive wishes your way regardless!

By the way, if anyone does know of any easy peasy ways (without Photoshop) to pop a figure in a photo onto a new background then I would be ever so grateful if you would share it with me in the comments below!

xx

Weekend Wishlist

Pony Skin Bag  -  Origins Clear Improvement Charcoal Mask  -  Clinique Pore Refining Solutions Correcting Serum  -   MUA Brow Kit  - Jewel Embellished Jumper  - Dip Dye Jeans  -  MUA Undressed Palette  -  Studded Sandals  -  Deco Lace Maxi  -  Leopard Pumps  -  Smashbox Photo Finish Targeted Pore and Line Primer  -  Geometric Print Jeans  -   Indian Night Jasmine Fragrance Mist

Behold, my Weekend Wishlist has landed.

This week, it's all about comfy embellished knots and cosy jeans for the coming winter months. Actually, I haven't been a 'jeans person' for a while now, ditching them in favour of tights and dresses for many a cold day, but A/W 2012 brings with it such fabulous options, such as this gorgeous ombre pair, that who am I to resist - let's be honest, jeans will always be the most comfortable and chilly day-friendly option.

There are lots of beauty bits on my wishlist this week, including the new MUA Pro Brow Kit and the popular Undressed Palette. Actually, I want pretty much everything in the new MUA collection, which is due out on September 26th and features a multitude of treats. Favourites of mine are the amazing Nail Constellations, cream blushes and their version of the Laura Mercier shimmer brick.

I've also been coveting the Origins Clear Improvements mask of late. Many of you will know that my skin has been going a bit crazy recently (probably self-inflicted as I have really been going to town experimenting with various new products!) and this little gem claims that it uses charcoal to act as a magnet, drawing dirt and debris out of the pores and leaving the skin free to breathe again. My pores are actually quite good, besides the ones on my nose, but those ones do seem to be permanently clogged. When I do manage to get them clear, it doesn't last two seconds, so I'm intrigued to see if this beaut can live up to it's claims.

Speaking of Pores, I am also after the Clinique Pore Refining Solutions Correcting Serum, which basically claims to do the same thing, only without the charcoal. It also guarantees to leave the pores 58% smaller within two weeks, which is a pretty bold claim, so again, I think this deserves to be put to the test!

What'son your wishlist this weekend?

xx

Weekend Wishlist

1. Studded Bralet   2. Louise Gray Brush Set  3. Caudalie Vinexpert Radiance Day Fluid   4. Studded Bow Bag   5. Owl Jumper  6. Striped Tee   7. Studded Ankle Boots   9. Bee Print Scarf   8. Studded Clutch   10. Lace Print Trousers   11. Embroidered Faux Leather Peplum   12. Le Blanc de Chanel Sheer Illuminating Base

Hello my lovelies, hope you're all having a wonderful weekend. 

A bit of a mixed bunch on my Wishlist this week, my favourite items being the gorgeous faux leather peplum and boots from Zara and the Studded Bralet, which you can find in Topshop.

I also really want to get my hands on this snuggly owl jumper as I've been getting so cold in the evenings lately and have even thought about putting the fire on once or twice!

Cosmetics-wise, I am desperate to get my hands on the Caudalie Vinexpert Radiance Day Fluid and Le Blanc Chanel Sheer Illuminating Base, admittedly after reading this post over on Ghost Parties. The lovely Kate posted a picture of herself with the most beautiful glowing skin, and as this is something I am constantly aspiring to, I am eager to try out the products she'd used to create the look.

What's on your Wishlist this week?

xx

Week in Pictures

1. Japanese lunch   2. Vanilla Latte and Pain au Chocolat   3. Chilling in a book shop with iced coffee and magazines   4. Mini VW Vans   5. Patisserie cakes   6. Looking at vintage bits for the house   7. Duck Tagliatelle - out for an Italian meal to celebrate five years together   8. My outfit of the night (Studded-collar Zara blouse and River Island leather-look shorts)   9. Giveaway goodies!   10. Outfit of the day - lace and denim   11. More giveaway goodies (Oops!! Just realised I accidentally used the same photo twice! Fail.)   12. Treats in the post from my mum   13. Zara mini-spree   14. More cute VW vans...I was so tempted to buy these for the house but they cost a fortune!   15. Weekend nails   16. Pitta and dips for lunch

I've had such a lovely weekend!  Up until Friday, my week had been pretty uneventful, as I had been at work as usual. But when Friday arrived, the hubby and I decided a mini-roadtrip was in order and so we headed off for a couple of days in honour of our having been together for five years. Five years!! I actually cannot believe it has been so long. 

Anyway, we spent the majority of Friday doing a bit of shopping and had a bit of a splurge in Zara. I got a sleeveless version of the iconic cream chiffon shirt with the studded collar, which I was absolutely ecstatic to find, as I hadn't seen it before. It's got a dipped hem at the back and I am so in love with it! I also got a cute pair of mint shorts with tiny pink polkadots, and then just a plain, thin cardigan, because who doesn't always need more of those? The hubby also picked up a few bits, and then we went and refuelled with some hummous, Baba Ganoush and pitta, followed by vanilla lattes and Pain Au Chocolat.....nom.

That evening, we decided to head out for dinner, so I wore my new Zara shirt with a pair of black leather-look shorts, my spiked necklace and black suede peep-toe heels from Primark. We went to an Italian restaurant which does the most amazing food. We have really similar tastes, and are equally indecisive when faced with too many delicious-sounding options, so we ordered two dishes and then sneakily shared them. One was a goats cheese ravioli in a pear sauce with pine nuts, and the other was a wholegrain tagliatelle with duck. Both were amazing and we finished off every last bite - washed down with a cocktail, of course.

The next day, we had breakfast at the hotel and then went back to the shopping centre, as the hubby had to change one of the t-shirts he'd bought for a different size. While we were there, we had a browse in the book shop and then sat in the cafe drinking iced coffees and reading magazines. I had a little browse in Mac too, but shockingly managed to leave without buying anything (!), and then we had Japanese for lunch before heading down to the beach to enjoy the afternoon sun. We had to come back that night, so when we got home we just chilled out with some films and munch. The diet went totally out the window for those couple of days!

Today has just been a really chilled one back at home. We had a lie-in and then went for a lazy lunch, before coming back and drinking cups of tea and reading our books . My poor little cat is not feeling himself and has been really quiet and withdrawn all day, so I think a trip to the vet might be in order tomorrow, plus it's back to work....wah.

How was your weekend?

xx

Weekend Wishlist

1. Petite Lace Peplum Top, £28, Topshop

2. Shopper, £39.99, Zara

3. Petite Mink Peplum Top, £26, Miss Selfridge

4.  Applique Messenger Bag, £79.99, Zara

5. Striped Leigh Jeans, £40, Topshop

6. Studded Leopard Vectras, £28, Topshop

7. Nails in Pinch Punch by Louise Gray, £6.50, Topshop

8. Studded Ankle Boots, £89.99, Zara

(Click on the linked shop names and you will go directly to the page for each specific item)

I'm all about the accessories this week, and after a mini-spree in Zara yesterday, there are several beautiful items I couldn't help but add to my Wishlist. I find Zara to be a bit hit and miss in terms of clothes - sometimes they have some amazing iconic pieces in, and other times there is nothing much that catches my eye, but the sections that always reel me in without fail are the shoes and accessories. I can't say I am overly thrilled by their prices in these areas though - at £79.99 for the Applique Messenger bag, this is one item that'll be staying firmly on my wishlist. My favourite find of the week though, is undoubtedly the gorgeous studded ankle boots, and I am going to struggle not to treat myself to those.
I'm really excited about the Louise Gray/Topshop collaboration, and would happily go home with all the nail polishes in the range. She has also done some other lovely cosmetic bits and bobs and several statement items of clothing, so if you haven't checked those out yet then get on over to the Topshop site and have a little look before they sell out.

Hope everyone has had a lovely weekend so far!

xx

Weekend Wishlist

 

Petite Collared Playsuit, £48,Topshop
Cream Blush in Deep Throat, Nars
Rose De Rose by Terry, £40, Space NK
Studded Bag, £59.99, Zara
Petites Studded Printed Shirt, £38, Miss Selfridge
Stila Convertible Colour, £16, Space NK
Leopard Print Shirt, £35, Miss Selfridge
Topshop Nails in Twilight Tease, £6, Topshop
Topshop Nails in Queen of Green, £6, Topshop
Jordan Studded Shoe-boots, £60, Topshop
Studded Pumps, £28, Miss Selfridge
Studded Shorts, £32, Rare @Topshop

As you can see, I most definitely haven't got bored of studs since last week, and yet again, they are well and truly dominating my Wishlist! These have turned out to be a huge trend this summer and are set to continue into the Autumn, which frankly, is fine by me. They can continue forever if they want.
I've also gone a bit blush-mad this week, with Nars Deep Throat, Stila Convertible Colour and Rose De Rose by Terry all making an appearance. The Stila one is actually designed for both cheeks and lips, while Rose De Rose is a liquid blush which has a buildable satin finish. It's sheer, and can be used all over the face in spite of the colour it looks in the bottle. Actually, the one I want is called Amber Rose, which is a peachy-bronze nude, but I could only get an image of this pink shade, which is called Fresh Rose.
Yet again, Miss Selfridge have got some gorgeous printed blouses in and I was pleased to see that they had my favourite one in Petite.

I haven't been up to much this weekend so far. My other half's family might be coming for lunch tomorrow, and we really want to have a barbecue in the garden, but really, I can't see the weather cooperating! My spending ban has gone really well this week and I haven't bought anything I don't need, but I am worried that the money I have been squirreling away instead of going shopping is now going to have to be spent on fixing the car! I really hope not. Will have to wait and see what happens on Monday when we take it to be looked at.

What's on your wishlist this week?
Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend!
xx