Monthly Archives: April 2014

Sheer Luck

25th April 2014
This outfit isn’t my usual style I don’t think, I’m not very good at branching out of my comfort zone right now, especially whilst still trying to adjust to the “new look” healthy me. Still, change does us all good from time to time and there is nothing like being a blogger to make you push your boundaries.
Blouse c/o Just for 5 pounds | Jeans: Primark | Sandals c/o Clarks
Blouses aren’t something I’d usually wear, especially not a sheer one like this but when the folks at Just for 5 pounds sent this one over to me I decided to give it a go. I’m not very good at knowing how to style these things so played it safe with my £9 Primark skinny jeans and some sandals that I was sent from Clarks last Spring (that I never got to wear last year really). I’m still amazed at how well these jeans have lasted and overall I quite like how this outfit came together and the blouse is a really lovely colour and good quality.
Just for 5 pounds is like a fashion version of a 99p shop. It’s always an adventure browsing a site like this as some things will be brilliant and others less so. Out of all the discount clothing retailers I’ve come across I think there seems to be more hits that misses on this one and there are several pieces that I’d like to add to my wardrobe over the coming months.
Have you ever shopped with Just for 5 pounds before? I’d love to know what you thought, or if you’ve tried similar.

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Walkies

24th April 2014
On Good Friday, determined to make the most of the gorgeous weather Trudi and I decided to head on over to a local lakeground with my camera and Bertie the Pug. I’m a self confessed cat lady but I do have a soft spot for this little monster, he’s such a sweetie and always gets attention where ever we go with him.
I hadn’t been to this place in Portishead since I was dinky so it was really nice to stroll around and take in the views. I didn’t get as many photos as I intended, it was difficult when every five steps you take someone stops to make a fuss of the dog!
I was pretty casually dressed in Oasis jeans, a Bambi tee from Primark and my floral Vans. The sun was strong so I popped on my new pink sunglasses c/o Breo who have just launched some pretty awesome new styles. I went for the Betty Style which isn’t a shape I’ve ever tried before but actually I really rather like them and they cost a reasonable £25.
I really want to go on more walks like this over the Summer. Living where I do I’m lucky in that there are dozens of beautiful places to visit and explore. Would you like to see more posts like this? What do you think of the sunnies?

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Sugar Plum

23rd April 2014
Just incase any one had started thinking I’d gone off pastel shades during the entire, what…week? since I last mentioned them, this post is for you. I still can’t get enough of sugary sweet shades.

Jumper: New Look | Skirt: Matalan | Converse: Sarenza

I’d had a Matalan voucher lurking in my bag since before my back surgery, I suppose it was fate that by the time I was a position to head to a store and spend it this dream of a skirt was in stock. The second I saw it in an e-mail I was sent I knew it needed to be mine and I wasn’t disappointed when I tried it in real life. For £18 this is real quality and fits perfectly, the shape and shades are so on trend and I love the organza panel. Matalan have since bought it out in both plain pink and white and I’m trying to decide if I can justify getting those as well…well, you’d spend more than the £36 they’d cost on just one skirt from Topshop, right?
The jumper was an impulse purchase when I popped in to my local New Look to shelter from some rain whilst waiting for Ben one day. I was so close to returning it, but when I saw the colours of this outfit worn together I knew that just wasn’t going to happen.
The Converse were worn out of comfort rather than any sartorial decision as I wore this outfit a couple of weeks ago when I went along to the Bristol Blog Club and then further on in to town. It’s just as well really as I ended up walking for bloomin’ miles, and actually they do kind of work quite well. My legs look super tanned here but that’s down to tights rather than a date with a bottle, I can’t be doing with that and if I could find paler tights I would!
Have there been any pieces you’ve just had to own this season? So far this skirt has been the main one but with the highstreet (and virtual highstreet) popping out some real corkers I get the feeling it won’t stay that way.

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Spring Skin with Simple

22nd April 2014
Ok, so it’s taken me a long time to work this out, but following a decent skincare regime really does make the world of difference! I’ve been super lucky over recent months to aquire some lovely skin products that have quite literally made me glowing, and this latest lot are proving perfect for keeping my face looking fresh and natural now the sunnier weather has arrived.
I’ve waxed lyrical about Simple countless times on the blog, having been a fan since I was old enough to start pilfering Mum’s face wash (sorry Mum!) I’m prone to sensitive skin on my face and I’m always wary about trying new brands so having one I know I can fall back on, and that really works is such a confidence boost.
Lately I’ve been discovering some new products from the brand, and true to form, I love them. All from the Kind to Skin + range, first up is the Sun Kissed Moisture Cream- a moisturising gradual facial tanner. I usually steer clear of tanning products but this one hasn’t left me orange. Far from it, applied lightly under my makeup in the morning this has just enhanced my skin’s natural colour and left me looking really quite healthy. The only thing I’m not so keen on with this product is that it has that “fake tan smell”, but I can overlook that for the fact is hasn’t left me looking like I’ve been tango’ed.
Along with Heal Gel, which I recently reviewed, my nightly moisture boost has been coming from the Protecting Moisture Cream with SPF 30. This has a lovely, rich feel to it and applied last thing at night I’ve been waking up with baby soft skin. It’s so sensitive that I’ve even been able to use it on my eyes (although it does sting if you get it in your eyes, take it from one who found out the hard way) which often get dry and tight after a day in front of a computer screen. This is going straight on my re-purchase list.
For hydrating top ups during the day I’ve been spritzing on the Moisture Boost Hydro Mist, a new concept for me as you can literally just spray a fine mist of this on during the day to stop skin drying out. I’m not sure if this is the intention of the product but it works well for me as it doesn’t affect what makeup I’m wearing either. I have been keeping this in my handbag for work days where air-con and artificial light gets to me and it means my face feels far happier come the end of the day.
Simple products can be found in a multitude of retailers including Boots, Superdrug and most good supermarkets too. All at affordable prices there’s no excuse for me slacking on new skin mission…after all, I’m 27 in six days, I don’t want to look old before my time!
Have you tried any of these products? I’d love to know your thoughts below.

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Colour Me Happy with McArthurGlen

21st April 2014
To celebrate the arrival of Spring/Summer collections at McArthurGlen’s six UK designer outlets, we are set to launch a Europe-wide accessories campaign, Colour Me Happy, from April 5 –May 3.
To launch the campaign, fashion’s most sought-after accessory brands have designed a series of exclusive products for McArthurGlen. Renowned British handbag designer Lulu Guinness is launching the exclusive ‘Katie’ clutch in cobalt blue, whilst Kurt Geiger have created two sandals in vibrant shades of lemon and coral. Links of London have worked on an ornate ‘Tapestry’ cuff, whilst Folli Follie have created a tote in striking red, available in two sizes. Luxury leather manufacturers OSPREY LONDON are launching a range of leather handbag mirrors in a kaleidoscope of colourways, and renowned sports brand ASICS, will introduce an exclusive line of trainers in an array of seasonal hues.
With over 250 brands including All Saints, Church’s, Ted Baker, Reiss, French Connection, Jaeger, Kurt Geiger, Lulu Guinness and Nicole Farhi offering year-round savings of up to 60%, McArthurGlen is a haven for savvy shoppers looking to update their new season wardrobe with lust-worthy accessories.
To celebrate the campaign I was invited to take part in a Blogger Style Challenge which involved creating three different looks all involving two bright and beautiful accessories gifted to me by McArthurGlen. I was super excited to be picked for this and SO up the challenge, especially when last Saturday two rather large boxes appeared at my door- one containing a stunning blue L.K.Bennett. Handbag and the other some rather snazzy orange suede brogues from Hobbs.
Click the images to enlarge.
Look One: I wanted to go with something casual to prove that smart looking accessories don’t need to be reserved just for workwear. I really liked how the colours of the bag and shoes worked against the camoflague jacket which came from Glamourous. The pinafore dress is that £5 Primark job I always wear!
Look Two: The second I saw the two accessories I knew this Zara shift dress was going to have to be involved. This is such a simple outfit really, but makes quite a statement as every colour appears to compliment the others. I think this was my favourite of the three looks I put together.
Look Three: This one was a bit random, but very typical of what I’d wear on a work day or after work if I’m doing something other than lounging around the house. I am so in love with these brogues, they are the softest suede imaginable and so comfortable- usually shoes like this cause me great pain to begin with but I didn’t want to take these off! I’m very much in love with the bag too, as are most people who see it. I’m going to have to watch very carefully to make sure Mum doesn’t wander off with it.
So those are my three looks. They may not be high fashion, but I see the accessories I was sent as classics and better suited to my every day style than something I wouldn’t actually wear. I didn’t see the point of getting all dressed up and extreme for a challenge when it’s not a true representation of who I am. I hope you like how I styled the pieces…I’d love to know what you’d have worn with them!

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