Topshop Unique | The Outfit

Topshop Tee // Zara Skort // Missguided Coat* // BooHoo Boots* // New Look Fedora

I'm currently sat on the sofa in my pyjamas planning the earliest of all bed times because I've just finished LFWAW15 and it was both amazing and crazy tiring! I've got beauty reports and style snaps on the way soon, but tonight I wanted to show you what I wore to the best show of all, Topshop Unique. I'm still pinching myself that I even got to go and I must say the whole backstage, front of house and catwalk experience was one of the best things I've got to do through this whole beauty industry thing I'm lucky enough to be involved with. I was obviously in a right tis over what to wear (Kendall/Cara/Jourdan were going to be there after all) and in the end went for an outfit I felt myself in with a nod to this season's trends. The skort is back in now so my beloved Zara number got dug out from last year's section of the wardrobe and was accompanied by a new Topshop aztec patterned jacquard tee which created a classic monochrome look that (hopefully) never goes out of style. Add a camel coat, fedora, chunky chelseas and statement lip and we have my Topshop Unique look which went wonderfully with my green juice and it's stripy straw. What a dream.

Did you get giddy over Topshop Unique?  

The #LFW Bag

Apologies for the lack of posts of late, but life has been completely manic (I was out 4 of 5 past nights. Oops.) and now it's straight into the madness of London Fashion Week! I started doing backstage stuff at Somerset House yesterday and have a totally jam packed schedule of shows this weekend which I cannot wait for *Two words- Topshop Unique* so this morning I thought I'd show you what I'll be packing into my Zara handbag in order to capture all the cosmetic craziness whilst still looking fairly decent. You can also follow said craziness on my Twitter & Instagram if ya fancy.

In the #LFW bag: Umbrella // Snacks // Mini Makeup Bag // Show Invites & Backstage Passes // Magazines // Travel Phone Charger // Camera // Oyster Card // Purse // Gum // Hair Tamer // Portable Perfume // Notepad // Diary // Pens // Lots of receipts, long lost lipsticks, bobby pins & other things that mysteriously gather at the bottom of one's handbag...

 What are your handbag staples for busy bloggy weekends?

Sunday seems to have become the day for hauls in these parts. Last week it was homeware and this week it's high end beauty. Of course there's still a big place for drugstore in my heart, but it is really lovely to treat oneself and own some of the super pretty products that have been lingering on the lust list for a jolly long time. I accumulated these bits over the last few weeks and my super stand outs have to be the Nars Sheer Glow Foundation and Clinique Chubby Contour Stick- complexion perfection right there! But anyway I hope you enjoy the video and do let me know what cheeky high end purchases you've been spending your pennies on lately. What are we beauty lovers like eh? 

Happy Valentine's Day

Five Shades of Grey

As I'm sure you're all aware Fifty Shades of Grey launches in cinemas today and I for one am incredibly excited to watch it with the girls on Sunday! Jamie Dornan = actual swoon. To get everyone in the mood I thought I'd take you through my top five grey things of the moment- five is the new fifty don't cha know.

1. // Tartan Duvet // I featured this Debenhams duvet in my new home haul and think it's a really great neutral but interesting colour/pattern for me and the boyfriend who have just moved into together and have quite opposite homeware tastes!

2. Tanya Burr 'Penguin Chic' // One of my favourite nail polishes of the moment. This has a gorgeous lilac undertone that makes it very wearable and pretty for painting from winter into spring. It also lasts a good 5/6 days with zero chipping.

3. Custom Coaster // I got sent a set of coasters with one of my Instagrams printed on in black and white from my friend Katherine and I absolutely love them. Such an easy and practical way to bring personality in your home or bedroom.

4. Benefit 'Skinny Jeans' // This is such an old school shade for me that has been my go to smoky eye base since the first year if uni. The creaseless cream shadows are Benefit's unsung heroes in my opinion.

5. Topshop Skater Dress // Finishing off with a bit of fashion, this Topshop skater dress has to be the best grey item in my wardrobe. It's super comfy and easy to wear, with lovely lace inserts that make everything a tinsy bit fifty shades. Oo la la.

Will you be indulging in a bit of grey (Mr or otherwise) this weekend?

#TBT | Rimmel Exaggerate Liner

I've not done a #ThrowbackThursday on the blog before, but it seemed very appropriate given that I'm currently wearing one of my oldest makeup loves, the Rimmel Exaggerate Eye Liner. Early in 2014 I moved on from this beloved liner in favour of gel pens and pots, but last week decided to give it a cheeky repurchase and have fallen head over lashes all over again. When it comes to creating wondrous winged liner, this is the one- it's super black liquid formula doesn't budge, smudge or flake. EVER. The fine tipped brush applicator is so easy to use, with proof being both the thick and thin lines I've created with it on moving tubes. Oh yes, I'm always that girl getting glammed up in the corner of the carriage! At just £5.99 for a tube that last's a seriously long time, I'm not sure why I ever strayed and I'll definitely be creating many a wing in Spring using this little baby.

What's your ultimate liner for feline flicks?

    

winter 'wake me ups'

As much as I keep wishing that spring will happen already, the bitter winter weather cannot be ignored (erm, snow?!) and neither can those dark mornings. These wintry woes, combined with going out too much and waking up too early, all leave me with sleepy skin and less than perky peepers. Cue the three step skincare routine that will fake up the wake up in no time...

1. I start by cleansing as normal in the shower, then spray my face with the Caudalie Beauty Elixir. This is one seriously hyped up spray, but I do think it lives up to the acclaim by acting as the most gorgeous refreshing toner. The scent is an incredibly awakening zingy citrus, the spray application means it takes just seconds to use and not only does it tone, but also soothes and smooths which is great if hormones are wreaking any sort of havoc.

2. Next I get moisturising with the Origins GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturiser. Pricey for a moisturiser it may be, but my goodness is it lovely. I can't get enough of the fresh orange scent and way it blends so seamlessly into the skin. No greasiness allowed! It feels lightweight but is incredibly nourishing and protecting against those winter winds. My skin also looks like it's had a few more hours sleep once this baby kicks in. It's like a cheat that's totally allowed.

3. The final assault on sleepy skin comes in the form of Benefit 'it's potent!' Eye Cream. I slick this on in a thick layer underneath both eyes then leave it to sink in while I do my hair or drink a morning cuppa. That way it acts as an easy eye mask, brightening dark circles and feeling ever so cooling and refreshing on pesky puffy areas. You can even up the anti by keeping your pot in the fridge. Oh yes, nothing stops me from pushing the boat out.

Do you have any morning skincare secrets?  

New Flat Homeware Haul | Primark/IKEA

After having a little break on YouTube whilst I moved into my new flat in London, I am back with a big old homeware haul! This whole new world of homeware is one I am very much enjoying and me and the boy have been spending a great deal of time perusing the wonders of IKEA- aka adult disneyland- and the Primark home section picking up bits and bobs to make our new place nice 'n' homely. The highlights for me have to be the fake/real foliage (never thought I'd be typing that) because fake flowers and cactus pots brighten up shelves so easily and also don't take much maintenance! The heart bowls, makeup brush pot and heart lights also make me very happy, but you can hear about all of the items above in my video. And on that note it's back to a day of more sorting, decorating and baking in my quest to become a domestic goddess. Not that I aim high or anything...

Are you into homeware haulin'? 

Primark SS15: The Jumpsuit

primark jumpsuit // office boots // michael kors watch // bourjois 'peach on the beach'

February is an exciting time for fashion. The build up to LFWAW15 is well underway and all the shops are coming out with their Spring collections. One of the collections I get most excited about shopping is Primark's- you can afford everything you see and often there is a serious stand out amongst it all. Previously there has been the 'it' tartan dress (you know the one) and 'it' pastel blazers, but I'm going to put it out there now that I think I've found the 'it' jumpsuit.

I picked this pretty little number up for just £12 on my latest Tottenham Court Road browse and I'm so happy with it. The grey floral print is a perfect transition into Spring colours/patterns and makes it wearable for both work or weekend. The fabric is good quality (although I pretty much always hand wash beloved Primark items just in case) and the fit is so flattering- nipping in just below the waist and skimming over that pesky thigh area. It's also insanely comfortable which is probably why my Dad asked if I was wearing pyjamas to my sister's baby shower... Dad opinions aside though everyone else has been rather lovely about this outfit. Wear with chunky boots & a leather now then sandals & a cardi when it gets a bit warmer- don't forget to enjoy the 'no wayyy' reaction when you tell people it's a Primarni.

Have you discovered any 'it' items from Primark's new season selection?

January Favourites

Hey ladies! So I'm pretty overjoyed to be doing my January Favourites for you right now because it means we're in February and drawn out pay days/abstinence from any good drink or food/Christmas blues should all be over and replaced with Valentine/Pancake fun. There were a few gems that really got me through last month though, which of course I'll enlighten you about now...

First up, for non beauty favourites that helped me join the army of London tube commuters, we have my kindle and Cath Kidston ticket holder. I've been racing through Veronica Roth's 'Divergent' series thanks to my seriously travel friendly paperwhite and case- I'd highly recommend if you're still jamming that hard back into your handbag! A train ticket holder may seem pretty standard, but for a girl who previously just shoved tickets into a nearby pocket and could never find them again, this has been pretty life changing in the 'exiting underground swiftly' department. Beauty wise I've been reaching for anything to pep up my complexion- cue entrance of Bourjois Java Rice Powder, benefit it's potent! eye cream and Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara (read my full rave of that here). This top trio have brightened my under eye circles, woken up dull winter skin and perked up those peepers like no tomorrow, enabling me to look slightly more human in the early hours of work morning. In bitter winds and such, the old hair and nails have needed a little extra help too and Nails Inc's Topcoat/Philip Kingsley's Elasticizer Extreme have been right there adding protection and moisture to proceedings. Finally, there were two items which did not leave my wrist throughout January; the super pretty dainty rose gold Swarovski bracelet which la boyf got me for my birthday and DKNY Be Delicous 'Fresh Blossom' which is the most gorgeous scent in a very transportable bottle, perfect for the upcoming Spring season. Right, onto eating heart shaped chocolates and pancakes!

What were your January Favourites?