outfit of the day: sun!

When I woke up to a bright and sunny London on Wednesday I really wasn't sure what to wear. I think I've just got so used to wrapping up warm that I feel so unprepared for the summer! I still want to wear black and not have to bare every inch of skin but equally I don't want to feel a sticky mess on the Tube...

So when my boyfriend and I went for a tasty lunch on Wednesday I chose to wear this. I do love this outfit but I have to say that I still was quite hot!

Shoes - New Look
Leggings - H&M
Bag - Zara
Top - Zara
Necklace - H&M
Sunglasses - Brick Lane
Bracelet - Gift from my boyfriend's parents from Kenya

(Well, I think I get the award for the most awkward poser ever!)

I love these black platform wedges. I bought them last year so I doubt they'll be available from New Look any more but there's so many similar ones around at the moment such as these ones from River Island. I have my eye on so many wedges at the moment so I can't wait to maybe treat myself to some more when I get paid.

I'm sure you all recognise the bag as it's been featured on lots of blogs recently. I've had it for a couple of months now and I'm actually surprised by how well it's wearing. The strap is so thin that I thought it would break really quickly but so far so good!

I think my favourite thing about this outfit though has to be the top. I love a good big slouchy tee and this is as big as it comes. It has massive bat wing sleeves and a thin mesh panelled deep v at the back which makes it a bit more interesting. I did try to find it on the Zara website but it doesn't seem to be available any more.

I actually really like doing 'outfit of the days' so when my exams are over (and my boyfriend's AKA personal photographer) I'll try and do some more. Hopefully I'll be in more suitable summer attire!

xx

current favourites

I didn't want to call this my April Favourites as that sort of implies that I'll do this every month, which I can't promise I necessarily will. However, regardless of the title, here are some things which I've really enjoyed using over the past month or so.

• For a true neutral lover (and lover of shimmer!) the Naked Palette is a must. It has the perfect range of shades to take you from a pretty subtle day time look to a full on smoky eye. It's quite pricey at £36 but for the quality and the number of eyeshadows you get (12), I think it's worth every penny.
• I've already done a full review of Lancome Hypnose Drama (which you can read here), but let me just reiterate - this is the best mascara I've ever used. It's just a shame that I didn't fall for a high street one!
• While I do love my Rimmel Brow Pencil for more defined brows, when I'm after more natural looking eyebrows for everyday (which are also quicker to do) then Clinique Instant Lift for Brows is a must for me. It has a screw up brow pencil on one end and a brow bone highlight on the other. However, my brow pencil end has run out and this time I've just purchased Clinique's Superfine Liner for Brows as I wasn't so bothered about the highlight side as it seemed a little too gold toned. It's a bit more expensive than a high street brow pencil at £12 but it's the perfect colour for my very fair eyebrows!
• Again, I've done a full review on the Maybelline Colour Tattoo in On and On Bronze which you can read here. This is just such a fab multi-use product - I love to use it on its own, as a base for eyeshadow and as a liner - just brilliant!
• Three nail polish colours which I've really enjoyed wearing recently are Models Own 'Blooboo', Barry M 'Peach Melba' and Maybelline Express Finish in 'Turquoise Lagoon'. They're all just such fun colours for spring. Have a look at them on my nails here, here and here!

• I've definitely rekindled my love for Soap and Glory's Pulp Friction Body Scrub. Not only does this stuff smell brilliant (I have to restrain myself from eating it), but it leaves my skin silky smooth! You can pick this up from Boots for £8, which I thing is a fab price considering how long it's lasting me.
• This may seem a bit of an odd choice, but I've really enjoyed using the Dr. Bronner's Magic Lavender Hand Sanitizing Spray which I got in my February Glossybox. Living in London and working in a job where I have to handle money, my hands continuously feel dirty and I find myself using a lot of hand sanitizer. I not only love the smell of this as it's less chemically smelling than others I've tried but I love that it's in a spray bottle. I also find that it doesn't leave my hands feeling as dry as others have done. I'll definitely pick up another one of these when it runs out.
• Ever since I smelled Valentina by Valentino in last month's Glossybox, I've wanted a bottle. My boyfriend treated me to some for my birthday and I can't stop using it! I'm awful at describing scents, but it's floral and girly but not too sweet. Definitely give it a smell if you get a chance as it's such a beautiful perfume.

• These jeans were really difficult to photograph so I don't think I've done them much justice, but I absolutely love them. I can't get enough of Zara at the moment and I think these leather look jeans have to be my favourite recent purchase. I can't find them online any more but they're basically identical to these. They're great to wear both in the day and for a night out and make basic outfits look so much more interesting.
• This necklace from River Island has been practically glued to my neck all month! I know everyone has these cuff style necklaces at the moment but for me this is the perfect thickness. I just love how plain it is and it looks fab especially with basic tees. It cost me £7 and it's also available in silver (umm, may have to get that...)
• Last but by no means least is my Babyliss Big Hair. This makes my hair look salon fresh and feel so healthy and bouncy - Kate Middleton would be jealous! I love how it gives my naturally very flat hair a bit of life and volume. It's perhaps a bit pricey at £45 ish (here on Amazon) but it does make the fiddly task of blow drying your hair so much easier.

Have you tried any of these bits? What did you think?

xx

birthday pennies

Clockwise from top left: Real Techniques Core Collection, Topshop Triangle Necklace, Adidas Gazelle Trainers, Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara, Black iPhone 4, Zara Messenger Bag in Grey, Zara Ribbed T-Shirt in Marl Grey, MAC Eye Shadow in Satin Taupe, New Look Pleated Jersey Maxi Skirt in Grey, Monki Charlet Blouse

As it's just been my birthday, I have a little bit of money to treat myself to a few bits. I've already picked up a couple of things, which I'll more than likely show you soon, but here are a some more items which I'm very tempted by!

• Everyone has been talking about the Real Techniques brushes for a while now and I think I may have to treat myself to the Core Collection to see what all the fuss is about!
• This Topshop necklace is so pretty. I picked by a really plain gold cuff necklace from River Island the other day as I thought it would look fab with plainer outfits, and I think this would too!
• Don't ask me why, but I'm obsessed with the idea of getting these trainers at the moment. When I go to the library late at night, I tend to wear my running shoes which isn't a good look to say the least... I think these would look really cool on lazy days with skinny jeans or leggings - the colour is amazing.
• I have a sample of the Lancome mascara from my Glossy Box and I can't stop using it. It's so good, it really lengthens and defines your eyelashes. I think part of why it is so fab is the curved shape of the brush which really grabs all your lashes.
• I have such an old and rubbish phone, after losing a nice phone in a club a few years ago. My boyfriend has an iPhone and I love all the fun apps and things you can get - I want one! I do love the idea of a white phone but I can just see that mine would get so horrid and dirty haha.
• Like everyone else at the moment, I am loving everything Zara. This bag is so beautiful, but when I saw the price of it online, I thought it might look really cheap. I then saw it in the shop and it doesn't at all! I do love the black version, but I think I'd most likely go for the grey as I don't have a bag that colour and it's probably a bit more spring appropriate.
• Another Zara item! I tried this oversized top on the other day and loved it. I then didn't buy it (I bought this dress/tunic instead - I've been wearing it with leggings!), and I'm not quite sure why... I think there were just too many things I liked and I felt a bit overwhelmed. However, I can't stop thinking about it so I think I'll have to pop back and pick it up!
• I already have way too many eye shadows, but this is just such a beautiful colour and I can see myself getting lots of use out of it. I love anything taupe and shimmery so this is perfect!
• I love the idea of maxi skirts, but I'm quite short and therefore think they may look a bit odd on me. However, I've seen lots of smaller people wearing them recently and looking fab. This one for New Look is nice and plain and I think it would go with so many things. I also think it could be carried through to winter with tights and heeled boots!
• Lastly is this gorgeous Monki blouse. I picked up this dress in the same print, and my boyfriend told me it was silly to get the same patterned blouse. I just love the shape of it though and I think it would look lovely with high waisted jeans so I think I may pop back and get it (sorry Ollie!) And it's in the sale...

What are you lusting after at the moment? Tempt me!

xx

spring knitwear

Hello again!

I just thought I'd show you a jumper that I picked up when I popped back to Norwich last weekend. I purposely bought it in a larger size as I really like the oversized look. The sleeves are quite tight and are three quarter length and then the neck is reasonably wide so it's very flattering.

As for the knit, it's purled and the wool is lots of different spring-like pastel colours woven together, mostly pink and blue. I wore it yesterday with black skinny jeans and black loafers which I thought was a really stylish but simple outfit - nice and quick to throw on in the morning!

The jumper is from a shop that's only just recently opened in Norwich called Ark (you can view the jumper too here online). Most of their branches are more in the North which is a shame as I'd love there to be one in London so I can have more of a look. The store itself reminded me a lot of Urban Outfitters but more reasonably priced :) For example, this jumper was £24.99! I also noticed when I was on the website that they do free postage and packaging hurrah!

Anyway, I like this jumper so much that I had a little look around for some other knitwear which is suitable for spring and here are some bits that I found.

Clockwise from top left: Cheap Monday Sweater from Urban Outfitters £45, Open Jacket from Zara £19.99, Pastel Mint Green Jumper from Ark £17.99, Reversible Sweater in Denim Boucle from American Apparel £50.00, Knitted Wetlook Cardi from Topshop £38

Have you heard of Ark before? Have you bought anything from them?

xx