In the Frame

It’s lovely as a blogger when brands you’ve worked with previously get in touch and want to collaborate again. I’ve done posts with Specsavers in the past (here and here) and they recently asked if I wanted to pick out a pair of frames for their latest collections- as well as book myself in for a long overdue eye test.
Now, I don’t need to wear my glasses all of the time, and I’ll be the first to admit that I’m lazy when it comes to popping them on. Often it’s not until I get a headache or really have to squint to see something that it clicks that I should be wearing my specs but I do find having a REALLY nice pair does motivate me to be more vigilant.

Dress: Topshop (out of stock, alternative) | Sandals: Primark | Glasses: Max&Co c/o Specsavers

Specsavers have some seriously killer styles in stock right now, honestly I don’t know when glasses got so cool. I was therefore very grateful to the lovely lady in my local store who spent ages with me trying on dozens of pairs and helping me make my choice. We settled on Max&Co. for a grown up and edgy style, I wasn’t sure when I saw them on the shelf because of the colour but actually it works so well- proof that you shouldn’t rule anything out before trying it! I was pretty taken with some Cheap Monday sunglasses too (these ones) but decided they would have to wait for another visit.
A quick note on this dress too, isn’t the print just fabulous? I love the Topshop woodland print range, and even though this style seems to be out of stock everywhere at the moment I’m pretty taken with the rest of the pieces too!

What’s your glasses style?

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A Summer Holiday Wish List

Seeing as it now looks like I will be getting a holiday in the sun this year- albeit not until late September I’ve found myself more and more drawn to the “holiday” sections of my favourite retailers where I had previously ignored them so as not to torture myself. In reality I already have a perfectly adequate holiday wardrobe and can’t justify spending a fortune on things that will never see the light of day in the UK, but seeing how there is almost always a discount code available whenever you fancy a spree it’s becoming harder and harder to resist. Here’s what has currently caught my eye (this is a severely edited down wish list!)

Sandals | Suitcase | Mom Shorts | Crochet Shorts | Floral Sunnies | Unicorn Sliders | Beach Dress | Metallic Bikini | Fringed Bikini

Are there any items on this list you wish you were packing? What are your holiday essentials? Come to think of it, I could do with a new suitcase…

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Interior Design to Personalise Your Home*

When decorating a home, one’s standards of beauty are followed. There are a lot of options when it comes to interior design themes and layout. Design brands seasonally introduce new trends that homeowners and interiors designers alike are always on the lookout for. While not a lot of people are into altering their home décor every season, a new piece or a little refurbishment can go a long way to personalizing your home. Whether it’s a new lighting fixture or a change of furniture, there is always something new to anticipate. Here are some of the top interior design brands where you can look for design pieces to fix up your home.
1.FLOS. This brand is now synonymous with interior and exterior design breakthroughs in the lighting industry since it hit the markets 50 years ago. This is a premier designer in the field of illumination and they continue to come up with innovative and creative solutions regarding lights. It was founded in 1962 when they introduced to the market a number of lamps that are now considered classics. Today, Flos continues to produce lighting products that incorporate agelessness and cutting edge technical excellence. When you choose the brand Flos for your lighting, you are ensured that your home will always reflect elegance. You can shop for unique lighting fixtures from Flos on Mohd, an online shop where you can find interior design products of top quality.
2.Koket. If you are into décor pieces that have daring, dramatic, and edgy design, then this is the perfect brand for you. When the founder made a sketch of a chair while having cocktails in New York City, she got inspired to pursue her dream, prodding her to create more original pieces, leading her to open the brand. The pieces from this brand are aimed at giving more personality to a home with design pieces that are uniquely creative and highly aesthetic.
3.Boca do Lobo. This is a furniture design company that was founded in 2005 in Portugal. In just a few years, it was able to rise fast above the ranks and claim its own deserved position in the interior design business. Their designers incorporate antique designs into modern pieces, through the use of state-of-the-art technology and contemporary design ideas. Pieces are sensational and beautiful and they will definitely add drama and allure in your home. There is strong emotion in the furniture and lighting pieces they make which are processed passionately for exclusivity.
4.Brabbu. This is a brand that flawlessly reflects an intense way of living, perfect for people on the go. After a period of developing the brand, it was officially introduced in 2011 at the Decorex Internation in London. Pieces are inspired by nature, travels, of the past, and life at present. As such, the products are created to have a story to tell. Details are well-suited for urban spaces where homeowners follow past-faced lifestyles. Their furniture and design pieces are harmonious balances of an intense way of living, as reflected in their brass and even marble products.
5.Delightfull. Launched by the end of 2007, this brand specializes in producing masterpieces that stemmed from mixing traditional design with a creative and original twist. This is a luxurious style through sculptured forms, colours, and clean lines. Instead of sticking to conventional forms, new shapes are created to come up with unique masterpieces. A home can take advantage of their mixed notes of vintage and modern products creating an ambience of sophistication and freshness.

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Baking: Earl Grey Tea Loaf

It’s been a while since I’ve popped up a baking post on the blog eh? For a while life got in the way and when I did bake it was the same old things. Since I’ve had some down time lately I’ve rediscovered my love of trying new things in the kitchen and when Dr. Oetker got in touch with a selection of low fat recipes they had added to their site and the offer to send me some of the key ingredients to make them with, I couldn’t resist branching out.
For my first creation I decided to try out the Earl Grey Tea Loaf as it combines three of my favourite things- tea, apricots and cake!
For the cake you will need:

– 500g (1lb 2oz) dried apricots

– 200g (7oz) light brown sugar

– 300ml Earl Grey Tea (cold)

– 1 x Egg (beaten)

– 2ml Dr. Oetker Sicilian Lemon Extract* (2-3 drops)

– 300g (10oz) plain flour

Dr. Oetker Baking Powder Sachets x 2*

Method:

1. Place the apricots, sugar and tea in a bowl. Mix well, cover and leave to stand in a cool place for about 3 hours until the apricots have plumped up a bit.

2. Preheat the oven to 170°C (150°C Fan, Gas Mark 3). Grease and line a 900g (2lb) loaf tin.

3. Mix the egg and Natural Sicilian Lemon Extract into the soaked fruit and tea. Gradually sift the flour and Baking Powder over the fruit, carefully folding in after each addition, until well incorporated.

4. Spoon into the prepared tin, smooth over the top and bake in the oven for about 1 hour until risen and lightly golden, and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Stand for 10 minutes before turning on to a wire rack to cool completely.

5. When cold, wrap well and store for 24 hours before slicing thinly, using a bread knife, to serve spread with low fat soft cheese and your favourite jam (or go wild and smother it in real butter, yum!)

How cute are the paper plates and napkins I picked up in Tesco, too? I can’t resist pretty tableware, even if it isn’t exactly required and I am running out of places to store it.

This loaf is one of my all time favourite things I’ve baked, the flavours of the apricots and tea work perfectly and it’s really lovely warm from the oven (what was that about storing it for 24 hours?)

Let me know if you give this a try, I reckon it could work well with some other dried fruits too.

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The Day to Night Dress with George at Asda #Georgeousdresses

Any time I go on holiday I like to pack a couple of dresses that will take me from beach to bar with a simple change of accessories, so when George at Asda asked me to pick out my favourite dress and style it in to a couple of outfits I already had a little experience under my belt.
I picked out this maxi dress as my chosen piece as I fell in love with the elegant neckline and neutral colour palette. I was also able to pick out a few accessories to help me along the way and with them I’ve created one daytime look and one evening look to share.
Daytime: By adding flat shoes and a casual bag to the dress it dressed it down enough to wear for a day spent exploring on foot. These sandals are a bargain at £8 and I get on really, really well with George at Asda’s shoes. I couldn’t resist sneaking in a pair of sunglasses too, at a mere fiver for this cool pink pair it would have been rude not to!
Evening: A smart clutch bag and some embellished heels transform this dress in to something suitable for a special night out. Bonus points to the shoes for being comfortable enough to walk miles in, and another bargain at £16!
What do you think of the looks that I created? Are you a fan of day-to-night dresses too? George at Asda have such an amazing selection of well, everything right now. Although I was invited by the brand to do this post and sent items for the purpose (all items featured in this post are c/o George at Asda) I can hand on heart say it’s one of the first places I head when I am in needed of some good value new additions to my wardrobe, I’m suckered in every time I do an Asda food shop!

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