California Dreaming

 

Dress: Warehouse

Clutch: Zara

Heels: River Island

Summer comes around, and as much as we all burst with happiness waking up to the beaming sun, it seems that the majority of people end up in a state about what clothes their going to wear. I love the sun, do not get me wrong it instantly lifts my mood and nothing makes me happier than spending
time outdoors. But whether its the stuffy England heat or the fact i'm used to being in colder temperatures, or that I don't have a pool to cool off in, my body turns into a hot oven after spending an hour in the sun! What's with that?! Therefore dressing in the summer for me almost becomes a challenge, but I think I've discovered the secret...

 

I introduce to you (as I'm sure I have many times before) the delights of the summer dress. Airy, comfortable yet stylish and playful all at the same time. I think I have a serious love affair with dresses I just can't get enough of them! This particular dress is annually pulled out of the wardrobe, just looking at its colourful prints puts a smile on my face, who doesn't enjoy a good flower pattern?! This dress to me sets the scene for warm summer nights, sitting outside sipping Pimms underneath the twinkling fairy lights as the sound of soft music accompanying the chatter between friends.

 

If only my background was against a tropical pink sunset and palm trees on an exotic island, I feel like that is where this dress truly belongs. But it won't be long til' I'm off travelling Europe for a month! In fact the final arrangements are getting sorted this Sunday which is exciting (if not a tad scary) stuff! What do you have planned for the summer?

 

Most Loved #1

So I've decided to begin a series where each fortnight i'll post a selection of goodies that i'm really currently enjoying. I am a massive beauty nerd, I'll hold my hands up and say that I own a unrealistic amount of lipsticks and my stash is continuing to grow, thats just how i like it! I primarily wanted to focus the blog on fashion but Id like to gradually introduce to you more beauty/lifestyle elements into the blog as they are also things that I am enthusiastic to share with you! So enough with the chit chat, and heres what i've been enjoying these past few weeks.

I've always been a fan of flavoured lattes and have made a lot of them using a fancy machine, so I thought I'd give some coffee syrups a go! I made the latte in a old fashioned way byheating milk in a pan, who needs a machine?! 

I drink a lot of milk, like a lot as you've probably guessed from above. I'm an avid tea and coffee drinker and I still eat a lot of cereals, (who doesn't right?!). So i've been making a conscious effort to cut down on my diary which meant trying out almond milk, which is surprisingly really nice! The taste takes a while to get used to it but i'm happy to make the change :)

I luuuuuuuuuuurve this fragrance so so so much, it comes out annually in the summer from Estee Lauder and i just cannot get enough of the scent and i just repurchased a new bottle yesterday, literally summer in a bottle! It has to be my staple scent and even my mum now says the scent reminds her of me! 

The focus here on on this beautiful leather notebook that i found in Paperchase, it makes me smile just looking at it! I just don't want to write in it and spoil it now, eek!

The Effaclar Duo [+] has been doing absolutely wonders for my skin and is helping clear up some pesky unwanted intruders! The nivea pearly shine lip balm has stayed put in my handbag recently as the weather has turned dramatically colder and it gives a lovely sheen to the lips! The Maybelline Age Rewind concealer is such a wonderful product for brightening up the eyes or using for dramatic highlighting in the evenings.

I've been trying to maintain a bit of a healthy glow and you just cannot fault St Tropez bronzing mousse, its foolproof to apply and gives a healthy, golden tan, i love it! 

Atelier of Style

Feminine Sports Chic

Jacket: Topshop

Dress: Zara

Trainers: New Balance

Bag: River Island

Sunglasses: French Connection

Okay so, I know I have way too many black and white pieces in my wardrobe (slaps wrist) but I just couldn't resist this piece I spotted in Zara! I think that the peplum skirt/dress trend is so flattering and is a modern twist on the standard a line skirts. 

I also recently purchased some New Balance trainers! Eek! I've been eyeing these babies up for ages, as you may have heard me mention in a previous post I never thought I was type to wear trainers - nope, vans still don't suit me - but I feel in love with these shoes as soon as I tried them on, and my feet are definitely enjoying the comfort too! 

The sport cut of the dress combined with the trainers create quite a casual look, but still keeping my feminine touch with the floaty peplum flare, and all together I was really pleased with the whole look! And to add a splash of colour to a otherwise neutral palette of colours I wore a bright, orange coloured necklace as a nod towards to the sunnier summer months, bring them on!

14,000 things to be happy about.

Recently I've been reading a lot of inspirational books on positive thinking and confidence tips and the power of the mind as I've been trying to become a more happier person as I think that in turn it'll help me become more productive and, well who doesn't desire to be happy right?

I think there are so many things that I could share with you but I honestly wouldn't know where to start! I guess if I was talk about my on going 'journey' as such, I've realised that I've come far in keeping my opinions to myself when I'm angry about something or frustrated and I feel the need to comment back to someone, instead I take 10 and then just ignore it and literally let it pass me, even if I think the other person is wrong. I don't post anything negative, sarcastic or angry on my social medias (at least I don't think so!) and when i'm down, I try my hardest not to post about it and instead talk to friends instead who I know who truly listen to me and care.

Things that have set me back though are being around negative vibes and a lot of time you really can't help yourself being in that situation. What's difficult is when someone else passes their negativity directly onto you as in turn it leaves you feeling down and angry. This may be at the workplace when its stressful or even at home with family members. I've realised that in these situations its easiest to just sit/stand and not reply and just keep silent and keep your calm.

As well, it's always good to remember the little things in life that make you happy. When I'm having 'one of those days' per se, I flick to a random page of this book and have a read. Often I find myself smiling at the things written that I never before realised made me happy and they bring back good old memories for me for instance 'watching the rain fall' and 'stretching out on the carpet with games and puzzles'. This book really makes me appreciate the little things in life and they really are so important, they're the things that keep you going everyday.

Hope you're all having a wonderful day and that this post can inspire you stay positive.

Oh yes its Ladies Night

Last evening, on a Saturday night, myself and my family attended an annual event at the Lodge called Ladies Evening. For anyone of you who are clueless as to what a Lodge is, my best possible explanation is that its a place where older men gather once every night and do certain traditional

Dropping the Waist

Jacket: Topshop

Jumper: Topshop

Skirt: H&M

Boots: Office

Necklace: Topshop

Bag: Warehouse

Sunglasses: French Connection

 

I can't quite believe what difference this bright and breezy, sunny weather has had on my mood, I feel totally lifted! (Pathetic fallacy or what huh?) I've been waking up earlier feeling energised, refreshed

A Spring in my Step

 

Shirt: Topshop

Pants: Topshop

                                                                     Watch: Michael Kors

Boots: Office

 

I can hardly believe this glorious weather! Recently I've been loving taking long strolls with my dog around the town, gazing out at the view of the countryside with real admiration for the beauty of the
orld and the last peaks of light at sunset. It feels like Spring is making its first signs of appearance and I'm soaking up the sunlight strangely feeling a lot more relaxed and content with life, no matter what struggles that might be going on in everyday life.

I rushed outside to shoot this outfit when my little photographer (a.k.a my younger sister) arrived home from school to catch the last of the daylight and I'm pretty happy with how they turned out!

I love this sheer shirt from Topshop, as well as sheer fabrics being a big s/s14 trend, the sleeves are really something quite unique as they make a cape/bat effect when you lift your arms which I hope I've captured well! here These pants are also from Topshop and they're extremely comfortable whilst being a lot more thicker than a legging.

I can't not mention the colour I have on my lips either! I recently had a browse at the Revlon Matte lip crayons and this colour, Audacious, immediately caught my attention and isn't it divine?! There is something so playful about a orange lip colour whilst still looking so chic.

What are your thoughts? Are you excited for spring?!