OOTD 31/03/2012

The weekend is here and this one in particular feels like it has taken ages to come around! Typical Saturday routine today really; I did some shopping in town and now I'm looking upon all of my lovely purchases! This maxi skirt is the one I bought whilst in Cardiff last weekend. It's light, easy to wear and looks great with a number of different things that I already own- I can't wait to wear it in the summer! I purchased this jade-green fisherman's jumper from Urban Outfitters today, as well as this watch which I have wanted for ages but until now haven't been able to afford. At the moment Urban Outfitters are giving an amazing 40% off to family and friends of their employees, so long as you have a valid discount card. As I do, I was filling my boots today and making the most of this amazing discount.

Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend!

Jade Fishermans Jumper: Urban Outfitters £30
Aztec Print Maxi Skirt: Urban Outfitters £42
Global Leather Watch: Urban Outfitters £26 

Pretty Woman

This outfit is put together for a friend of mine who requested something for a summer wedding. I think this is the perfect outfit for a special occasion; it's vibrant, classy and most importantly eye catching.  I wouldn't usually suggest black for a wedding in the summer, however on this occasion, I just think it works perfectly as part of a bright, floral print.

Cream Floral Print Chelsea Girl Dress: River Island £25
Metal Bar Black Clutch Bag: ASOS £18
Nude Court Shoes: Office £65
Gold Ring: Forever21 £3.90
Chain Bracelet: Forever21 £7.40

GlossyBox Review

Today I will be reviewing the Awapuhi Wild Ginger Treatment Oil by Paul Mitchell and it has to be said guys, this is going to be another positive review as I really enjoyed using this unique hair care product.

I don’t really do a lot to my hair, in fact I am very boring when it comes to styling and looking after it. My routines are basic and usually I would see a treatment oil such as this one as an unnecessary inconvenience; I definitely couldn’t have been more wrong. 

This product, which is ultra-light and silky once applied, leaves your hair looking and smelling great. My hair was soft and ultra glossy after using it and I could smell the ginger essence all day. Initially I was worried it would make my hair look and feel greasy but after using a small amount of the serum, it actually did wonders for my usually boring barnet. I think it is important to use a small amount of this product though, as with so many serums if you use too much you will be left with dull, lifeless looking hair.  

Awapuhi is a product renowned for it’s nurturing properties when it comes to taking care of your skin and hair, needless to say my hair felt thicker and healthier after having used it for just two weeks. 

Paul Mitchell's story is most certainly an interesting one.... 

In 1983, Paul began the search for a lifestyle driven by the benefits of nature and subsequently he established his very own solar-powered Awapuhi Farm in Hawaii. All of the products containing Awapuhi sold by Paul Mitchell today are still harvested in this very farm, including this treatment oil now belonging to little old me. I also really like the fact that all of Paul Mitchell's products are free from any kind of animal testing, it's enough to make me use a unique product that may cost a little extra time after time again.  

This wild ginger treatment oil is organic, unique and gives your hair a rich shine. I wouldn’t hesitate to try other products by Mr Mitchell and I think that the RRP of £25.95 is perfectly reasonable, given that you are paying for a product that nourishes and leaves your hair feeling fabulous. A bottle of this product will also go a long way, as I have pretty much the entire sample left even after using it for the past two weeks. 

I would give this product 5/5 as it moisturised my hair wonderfully and it smells amazing, plus I feel really lucky to be using a product that has been developed as the result of such hard work…

Everyone should try it!

sunday #5

I hope that everyone has had a nice weekend!

Unfortunately I didn't get the chance to do an OOTD post yesterday, as I spent the day shopping in Cardiff (see above) with my friendlings. I was determined to be strong when it came to spending unnecessarily this weekend, so I was really pleased to realise that I have 40% off at Urban Outfitters for the next couple of weeks as part of a staff appreciation offer- my sister works there so her family also get discount! I purchased this White Sparkle & Fade Stitch Jumper costing £42; it looks great on and will look even better in the summer with a tan. I also bought this Sparkle & Fade Aztec Print Maxi Skirt from Urban Outfitters costing £42; it is monochrome Aztec in print and really quite thin in material. I have wanted this skirt for a while, it's very flattering and will look great on holiday with this white jumper, or with a white tee and gladiator sandals.  

My pals and I had a great time in Cardiff, although we stayed in a very questionable hostel with a bathroom that left little to the imagination. FYI don't stay at Bunk House in Cardiff, as although it looked pretty when you first arrived, it definitely went downhill from there! Still, I guess that the shabby chic aspect definitely added to the overall experience of the trip! Apart from this we laughed lots and had a great weekend. 

Bring on another week, payday looms.....

hot town...

Happy mid week everyone, I can't believe how fast the days are going lately! I am counting down the days until payday and what a long month it has been. The sun is shining in the West Country and it is definitely time to dust off those sunglasses and start thinking about your summer must-haves. This outfit reminds me of a hot sunny day shopping in the city; the white dress will enhance a tan perfectly and the heels are a perfect combination of colour and Aztec print. As for the bag...well I don't think a Mulberry ever needs explaining! 

Enjoy...

Black Over Sized Sunglasses: River Island £13
Steve Madden Floral Aztec Print Wedges: New Look £79.99
Travel Day Bag Black Soft Matte Leather: Mulberry £995
Cream Scuba Skater Dress: Topshop £46

                                         

GlossyBox Review

Today I will be reviewing the Como Shambhala invigorate shower gel, a fantastic product that moisturises your skin and smells absolutely divine.

As a brand, COMO Shambhala promotes proactive holistic wellness, with a focus upon healthy eating and exercise. As well as a successful product line they also provide relaxing retreats at a number of hotels from Bali to the Maldives, not to mention the recipes they have on offer that are specifically designed to provide you with energy before exercise.

I really liked the fact that this brand cares about wellness and health, it makes all the difference when you are using a product that you know is designed to care for and rejuvenate your skin. 

This shower gel is exactly the sort of product that I would buy of my own accord, it was invigorating, fragrant and you didn’t need a lot of it to wash with, which meant my sample size product lasted for far longer.

A description of the product said it would, ‘put you in a perfectly uplifting mood’ and for once it actually did what it said on the tin! It made my skin soft and I could smell the essential oils all day. It contains a combination of eucalyptus, peppermint, lavender and geranium, which are designed to clear your airwaves and explains the refreshing nature of the product.

The Como Shambhala shower gel has a RRP of £20, which I have to say I would definitely pay considering how much I liked this product and what it has to offer. It certainly ticked all of the boxes for me and better still it got a massive thumbs up from the rest of my family, which is an added bonus!

I would give this product a 5/5, I enjoyed using it and my skin felt soft and hydrated afterwards. I would be really interested to try the haircare products that Como Shambhala have to offer, as I feel my dry hair could really benefit from a product that is designed to nourish and invigorate. 

LOVELY.

sunday #4

Happy Mother's Day to my lovely mama <3

 

I have had a great weekend filled with afternoon tea, shopping and yet more fish and chips! Yesterday I lost all self-control and ended up going shopping after weeks of telling myself that I must wait until payday. Amongst many things, I purchased this brand new cream long sleeved cat print shirt which I absolutely love! I found it on eBay and paid £37 for it, which is quite a good price considering it's £48 to buy in Topshop. I also got a bit carried away in Urban Outfitters and Primark (see above!) buying some summery dresses and Levi’s shorts for my holiday. Finally I managed to find the glittery nail varnishes I have wanted for ages in Urban Outfitters, I mentioned this yesterday in my OOTD post but unfortunately they aren't available to buy online at the moment. Each nail varnish cost £6 and they are easy to apply but be warned they are extremely difficult to take off! This Coco Chanel book was the bargain of the weekend however, costing just £2.99 from The Works. I am a big fan of fashion books and I have far too many for my teeny tiny room to contend with, but this hasn't stopped me yet! 
Today it was my Gran's 70th birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY!), so we celebrated in style with lots of yummy food and cake. Also my sister and I spoilt mama rotten with afternoon tea, flowers, pressies and now wine! Oh the good life...

I hope everyone has had a fabulous weekend, roll on the next.

OOTD 17/03/2012

Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone!

 I have celebrated by doing lots of shopping today and what a day its been! I purchased this slightly rude t-shirt and although I don't usually wear slogan tees, this one caught my eye as I am sure you can imagine. I think it looks great with these Levi's high waisted shorts and when I get bored of it, it will make the perfect jammie top! I have already had a couple of pairs of these shorts but I have never really found a pair that fits me properly until now, these I also purchased today.

I managed to find the glittery nail varnish I have wanted for ages in Urban Outfitters today as well, which unfortunately is sold out online but is finally available once again in stores. You can't really see it in the picture above but I will blog about it tomorrow in my weekly round up.

I hope you are all making the most of the weekend...

LETS GO TO NEW YORK T-Shirt: Urban Outfitters £14

Levi's Shorts: Urban Outfitters £32

Black Chelsea Boots: Primark £15

Electra Nail Varnish: Urban Outfitters £6

Mother's Day Gift Guide

As you will know I don't usually post on a Thursday evening, but I thought as Mother's Day is just around the corner, what better opportunity then to publish a gift guide. If you are stuck for gift ideas this Mother's Day, hopefully this collage will give you a few pointers and put you in a generous mood!

1.This vintage looking Teapot is designed by Kirstie Allsopp and is available for just £15 from M&S; the perfect gift for mums with a taste for vintage home ware.
2. Lavender flowers are perfect for spring and better still they make the house smell great. This beautiful collection includes cream roses, cream germ-inis, mixed eucalyptus foliage and costs £35 from Poppy's in Exeter.
3. If your mum is a Cath Kidston fan like mine, then this cute and feminine make-up brush collection will definitely put a smile on her face. This one comes in a variety of floral prints and is available on the Cath Kidston website for just £25.
4. There is nothing better then a luxurious body cream to make you feel pampered and relaxed. This body exfoliating cream is from Clinique and leaves your skin sparkling and smooth. This one costs £20.
5. Lush are selling these delightful little flower bubble bar's, an ideal gift to go with a box of chocolates or a bottle of wine. Each flower bubble bar costs £4.95.
Get Shopping!

Special Occasion

A few of my pals have asked me to put together outfits for them for a spring/summer wedding. I was specifically asked to find a floral maxi dress and needless to say there were plenty to choose from! If you are looking for a maxi dress for the summery months, you will definitely be spoilt for choice. I have also put together a few other outfits to give you inspiration for those fast approaching, beautiful summery days.

Enjoy :)

1. Beige Floral Maxi Dress: Dorothy Perkins £24.99
2. Pendent Necklace: Forever21 £5.65
3. Embellished Clutch Bag: Miss Selfridge £30
4. Whistle Cross Strap Wedges: Topshop £42

1. Magnolia Floral Maxi Dress: Miss Selfridge £50
2. Faux Snake Hard Case Bag: Miss Selfridge £32
3. Lilac Court Shoe: Miss Selfridge £42
4. Shimmering Light Bangles: Forever21 £4.90
5. Dangling Prism Earrings: Forever21 £1.50

1. Studded Bangles: Forever21 £4.90
2. Leather Gladiator Sandals: La Redoute £39.99
3. Filigree Circle Earrings: Forever21 £3.15
4. Chiffon Midi Green Dress: Matalan £18
5. Metal Bar Envelope Clutch: ASOS £18

GlossyBox Review

So today I will be reviewing the BM Beauty pure mineral eye shadow in shade ‘Dusty Road’- a product I actually liked for a change!

BM Beauty is an award-winning beauty range developed by Pussycat girl Kimberly Wyatt, along with pal Laura McComskie. Before receiving this little beauty in February’s GlossyBox, I had heard of BM Beauty but I never expected to actually try any of their products.  Needless to say I was pleasantly surprised and I would definitely be interested to try more of what they have to offer.

I was lucky enough to get the eye shadow in a shade that I liked and will actually use, as I do tend to favour brown/copper tones on my eyes, particularly during the day for a more natural look.

This range is incredibly versatile, with colours and shades for all different occasions and skin tones. It is also cruelty free and suitable for vegetarians and vegans. The minerals used in all of the products are developed to take care of you skin and come complete with a natural anti- inflammatory agent that will aid spot-prone skin. As someone who suffers with sensitive skin, these qualities are particularly important to me. 

The dusty road eye shadow is designed to give you an, ‘earthy princess’ look and this it did, giving my eyes a golden shimmering glow that I really liked. For a full sized product the RRP is £7, which I think is very reasonable as the mineral nature of the product ensures that a normal sized pot would last you a substantial amount of time. Even the small sized sample post that I have used most days for the past two weeks is more or less still full.

In terms of application, the eye shadow went on well and actually lasted for an entire day which is very unusual compared to other products I have used and perhaps explains it’s award winning status. 

Overall I would give this product a 4 out of 5 as I would definitely use it again and I am very interested to try the follow shades as well…

All of the above eye shadows can be found here

                                        

sunday #3

I hope everyone has had a lovely weekend- it's a shame they go so fast hey! 

My weekend has consisted of the following:

A brand new Vogue, excessive exercise, excessive eating, trips to the beach, lunching with a friend, The Women in Black (finally) and plenty of blogging. A fairly quiet one as I am penniless until payday, although I did buy some rollers for my hair which I cannot wait to experiment with (fear not this will be documented as I fear it could be interesting!) It's really sunny in Exeter at the moment, so the fam and I went down to the beach for fish and chips today and as you can see from the above photo, my fish was huge! That’s what I love about living in the West County; you are never further then 15 minutes away from a beach. I also received my Harrods Edition GlossyBox this weekend and it’s sooooooo nice! It’s full of products that I know I will get good use out of and can’t wait to review.

Check in with you guys soon, have a great week!

February's GlossyBox

Below are February's GlossyBox photos. This box was a little controversial, as it received mixed reviews on twitter with regards to the choice of products and value for money. This was the London Fashion Week edition GlossyBox, which was perhaps why people were expecting something a little more impressive. At first I wasn't overly keen, but January and March's boxes have definitely made up for it and actually now that I have started to use the products, I am beginning to feel much more positive about them. 

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4. 

The products in February's GlossyBox included:

DuWop Venom Lipgloss RRP £16

Impress Press- on Manicure RRP £17.40

Awapuhi by Paul Mitchell Wild Ginger Treatment Oil RRP £25.95

BM Beauty Pure Mineral Eyeshadow RRP £7

Como Shambhala Invigorate Shower Gel RRP £20

I have since given the false nails to a friend as I know she will get more use out of them then me.

 I am particularly enjoying using the BM Beauty eyeshadow, full reviews

of all the products will soon follow :)

                                        

OOTD 10/03/2012

Hello! So from now on I have decided to publish my OOTD post on Saturday's. It makes more sense as I am working Monday-Friday's now and I have a feeling that my office attire may get boring pretty quickly! Actually taking the photos is fairly time consuming as well, as I am sure my fellow bloggers will already know and I don't always get the time to do it after finishing work....


Above is what I wore to lunch today with a very good friend. I also received March's GlossyBox and I am so impressed with it! It's the Harrods edition and there are some great products that I can't wait to try and review....


Happy Saturday everyone, I hope you are all having a fabulous weekend.


Over-sized Jumper (my little sister's): Urban Outfitters Renewal £32
Moto Super Soft Skinny Leigh Jeans: Topshop £38
Black & Gold Handbag: Primark £12
Dark Brown Scarf: Market Stall £4.99

I am mentally preparing for my summer holiday:)

Happy mid-week to all of my followers!

1. Mid Wash Super Short Denim Hot Pants: River Island £25

2. Print Oversize Shirt: Topshop £38

3. Kage Woven Strap Sandals: Topshop £45

4. Gold Coin Necklace: Mango £29.99

                                         

GlossyBox Review

Today I will be reviewing the Murad Hybrids Skin Perfecting Primer from January's GlossyBox.

I have never used a primer on my skin before and after using this one, I have to say I don’t think I will be again. I don’t want to sound completely pessimistic on my blog, as my last reviews were also negative, but I have to be honest! I don’t really like using a lot of different products on my skin, as I think a good moisturiser and cleanser is enough. So I think before I even tried this product, a part of me knew I wasn’t going to like it.

This product's RRP is £29, which I think is quite steep considering in texture it is quite thin (see above) and greasy when applied. Although it did allow my make-up to go on a bit easier, it made my skin appear shiny at the same time and I think this is a very high price to pay for something that isn't really a necessary part of my make-up routine. 

I let my mum use this product at first as I wasn’t sure what exactly it would do to my skin, the slightest change in routine can leave my skin looking dull and dry. This primer gave both my mum and I a few spots, which I suppose can be expected when you try out a new product, but I don’t doubt that this had something to do with the heaviness of the product itself.

The greasy and thick nature of this product was far too much for my skin as I am quite pale and fair. Where as usually you cannot see the foundation I am wearing, with this product my face looked a different colour to my neck and I absolutely detest that 'caked on' look! I think this is the problem with a one- size- fits-all product; it simply cannot cater for different skin types and tones, which is a shame.

Overall I would give this product a 2 out of 5, as it went on well but left my skin feeling greasy and oily. I wouldn’t use it again, however I think if you do use primers this could be a good one to experiment with... 

I was also going to review the Orly Nail Varnish that I received in January's GlossyBox, however I decided to give this product away in my 100 follower give-away- I have too many red nail varnishes already! Hopefully it will be of great use to Em Sheldon. My next review will be an item from February’s GlossyBox, so keep your eyes pealed:)

sunday #2

Work: This week has been a great one for me in terms of work. As you all know I started my new job last Monday as a database administrator and copywriter at Ashfords LLP and I am really enjoying my time there. There is lots to keep me busy which is something that is really important to me, as I am sure you will all agree there is nothing worse than being unmotivated at work. There is so much to learn about the company itself, let alone my job role, but I am learning new things every day and meeting such lovely people. Being a copywriter means I can also put into practise the skills I learnt at university, which is something that I haven't really been able to do until now. I think because I struggled to find a job for a while I appreciate this one much more, so in a way being unemployment for two months was a blessing in disguise! I am so excited to see where this job could take me and what else there is to learn.

Play: As most of my friends live outside of the city, I am waiting until payday to do my socialising and therefore this week has been a fairly quiet one. I met some friend’s midweek for some Witherspoon's fun which was really nice and I am seeing a good friend today to watch some soppy movies. Other than that I am saving the pennies and relying on social media to catch up with my favourites.

Fashion: Pretty much the same here as above. I have sold a lot on eBay over the last few months, so I have been able to treat myself to a few pretty things. Good friends of mine and Andrew's are getting married in April so I have bought a stunning, brand new dress from Topshop on eBay for £2.70! It’s a champagne coloured silk dress with long flowing sleeves- needless to say I am more than happy with this bargain! I will upload pictures after the wedding... I am also going to visit some friends in Cardiff at the end of this month and I have bought a second dress this week from eBay for £16. It's a copy of the Stella McCartney dress that everyone was wearing at the beginning of this year. At first I wanted something a little more colourful as by then we will be going in to spring, but this dress is a classic that I can wear all year round. Check it out here. It's brand new and the seller is top rated which is reassuring when buying from eBay.

That's about it for this week folks. I hope that you have all had a great week and I look forward to my next post…

If you are not following bracelets & bangles please do!! 

OOTD 03/03/2012

Apologises for not posting this yesterday. I came home from work and had lots to do so unfortunately I just didn't get the chance to put something together. Anyhoo I hope everyone is having a lovely weekend and that you like my OOTD post for this week...

1. Tanned Chelsea Boots: Carvela Kurt Geiger. 
These were a recent present from my Gran..she has great taste don't you think?!
2. Fur Trimmed Barber Jacket: Topshop £65
3. Moto Super Soft Skinny Leigh Jeans: Topshop £38
4. White Vest Top with Skulls: Zara £19.99