Hello again! I apologise for the lack of posts this week, I’ve gone back to work at Urban Outfitters full time so its been a bit chaotic getting back into a regular routine whilst also trying to get some blogging done! But luckily I used my day off yesterday to put some blog posts together so I can schedule ahead and post lots of inspiring things for you!
Moving on, I’ve decided to create a post about how to wear a paperbag waist garment, whether you're nipping into town somewhere for a shop or you're heading for a boozy night out. As mentioned in my previous post about the
top trends for spring and summer (read it here) the Paperbag Waist is a key ingredient
in your summer wardrobe. Admittedly some can be put off, however I tend to find
them really easy to wear. They help to create a wonderful hourglass as well as
hide the lumps and bumps I tend to hate most and try to cover up. I recently
picked up these trousers from Topshop from their new season collection for
£38.00. I’m a bit of a sucker for anything pin stripe so I just needed these as
soon as I saw them. I’ve created three looks to give some inspiration about the
key item of the season as well as giving you some ideas about how to wear them.
Everyday Casual
I’ve actually been wearing this look
quite a lot recently; these trousers have sports luxe written all over them so
I’ve gone for a more relaxed style here. I’ve styled the Topshop trousers with
a grey long sleeve crop, Adidas superstar trainers, rucksack and a half up-do to
inkeep the sports style influence. Anybody who knows me well knows
that when it comes to jewellery and necklaces, I always think the bigger the
better so I’ve added in one of my Zara necklaces to bring the look together
with a touch of glamour and girliness. This look is so easy to wear and I love how effortlessly on trends it looks with the cult Adidas Superstar trainer and half pony tail we all used to wear in the 90s. Bonus points if you can rock a brown lip with it!
The Evening Look
As well as creating a casual look for
everyday, paperbag waists are so easy to dress up. Here I’ve teamed together my
trousers with a Reiss bralet top that I stole from my sister (sorry, Kate!), my Mulberry pouch and some simple gold jewellery. I love how when you go out, whether this
is clubbing or for a meal, trousers are now equally as dressy as a brand new
dress. Anything teamed with a bralet or body I think adds a bit of sass and makes me feel kind of sexier. I also picked up these heels in the Office
sale recently and I love them so much. The slightly burnt orange and tan colour
makes them really easy to wear and considering how big the heel is, are also
super comfortable and easy to walk in. Similarly to a casual look, keep the top half tight as any shape you created with the trousers will be lost. Try a strapless body or bralet like I have, or mix up textures with some mesh or sheer panels to really vamp up the look for evenings. And for evening, heels are a must!
Trousers: Topshop | Bralet: (similar) Missguided | Necklace: (similar) ASOS | Shoes: Office | Purse: Mulberry
So there we have it, an easy way to
wear the Paperbag Waist both for day and night. I personally love these
trousers I picked up from Topshop and I’ve also got some shorts and a skirt
that features this Paperbag style. Maybe I’m a bit biased as they help to give
my shape more of an hourglass shape, but I think they’re so wearable and really
would give every body type that curvy/Kardashian style silhouette. As mentioned, keep the top half of your outfit tight so you can really get the full effect and try trousers/skirts/shorts with trainers, flats and feels- everything goes with these badboys!
Have you picked up an item with a
Paperbag Waist this season? How do you wear yours?
A x
Lush don’t need an introduction. For as long as I can remember I’ve always shopped in Lush, whether it was buying one of their amazing bath bombs or the weird jelly soap I used to love when I was younger, I’ve always been a lush fan. Bath and body products are always a great present to get for Christmas as you always seem get something you haven’t tried before, which is by no means a bad thing! So, bringing all the items I had somehow managed to pick up over Christmas I thought I’d put a little haul together. I accidentally on purpose nipped in to my local Lush store when the Christmas sales were on and managed to pick up a few bargains for half the price (winning!) Included are some of the staple items I use everyday as well as a few things I hadn’t tried before.
Bath Bombs
Stardust & Bar Humbug
Stardust Bath Bomb
that labels itself as ‘a sweet scented festive bomb to bring Santa’s Christmas presence into
your bath.’ As usual this bath bomb sizzled away as soon as it hit the
water and had a very distinctly festive, but also fresh smell. Compared to
other ‘Christmassy’ products that hit you in the face with orange, cinnamon and
spicier smells, this bomb had more of a fresh and clean scent. The Stardust
bath bomb has been labelled as a bit boring compared to the other bright and
bold bombs that lush creates, however this product is designed to be
simplistic. The fluffy white foam creates a lovely shimmer with a scent which wasn’t
too overpowering and I also loved the multi-coloured stars are released at the
end. I’d recommend this to anyone who
wants to enjoy a bath without the fluorescent colours of the other Lush bath
bars/bombs and seeks a refreshing clean scent. Bar Humbug Bath Bar
Body and Hand Lotions
Love and Light Hand Cream, Celebrate Body Lotion and Ro’s Argan Body Conditioner
Love and Light Hand Cream, Celebrate Body Lotion and Ro’s Argan Body Conditioner
Love and Light Hand Cream
I do tend to
neglect my hands. However the Love and Light Hand Cream has now given me no
excuse to not keep them maintained. The scent is definitely on the citrusy side
with ingredients including Brazillian orange, neroli and orange flower: ideal
products that really wake up and brighten the skin. The lotion wasn’t too oily
and a little goes a long way, making it a perfect contribution to my bedside
table as it won’t take up lots of space and will last a fair while!
Celebrate Body Lotion
The Celebrate
Body Lotion was a limited edition product for the holiday season that boasts a
bright and zesty scent. I prefer the smell
of the Love and Light hand cream as I feel as though this scent is a bit too
zesty and sweet for my preference. The thickness of the product makes it really
hydrating on the skin- it smoothed out a lot of dry skin on my legs- however I
do feel it is slightly on the greasy side. I’m not 100% sold on this product,
but as it came a part of a gift set, it was good to try out!
Ro’s Argan Body Conditioner
There
aren’t enough words to explain how much I love this product. Previously I used
Karma Kream but now I’m a Ro’s Argan convert. Loaded with argan, brazil nut and
almond oils as well as cocoa shea and capuacu butters it nourishes the skin
making it feel supple and radiant. It locks in moisture and is also great when
used to shave your legs so they remain silky and prevent dry skin. The product
is thick like the Celebrate lotion, however it doesn’t feel anywhere near as
greasy after use. The distinctive floral rose smell (which I wouldn’t normally
go for) is not that sickly over processed scent that are often found in ‘rose’
scented products, but more of a subtle Turkish Delight hit mixed with the
nutritious argan ingredient. My boyfriend bought me a large tub so I won’t be
running out any time soon, and I’d recommend this product to anyone looking for
lots of hydration without the greasy consistency.
Face and Body Gels
and Scubs
Beautiful Shower Gel, Angels on Bare Skin, Rub Rub Rub Body Scrub and Grease Lightening
Beautiful Shower Gel, Angels on Bare Skin, Rub Rub Rub Body Scrub and Grease Lightening
Angels On Bare Skin
In general I feel
as though my skin is quite oily, but it is also super sensitive too. If I try a
new product I nearly always get a breakout, as it’s too heavy on my skin,
however my luck changed when I found Angels on Bare Skin. This product is super
gentle and is made completely of natural ingredients, leaving my skin clean and
nourished. The smell itself is subtle and calming featuring lavender flowers,
lavender oil, rose and almonds that make it the perfect scent when you wake up
and just before bed. The mix itself is solid, however when added with water
becomes a form of paste- the ground almonds create almond milk- to tone and
brighten skin. Lush also did a seasonal version of this product called Buche de
Noel, but I preferred the scent of the original Angels on Bare Skin. This is my
favourite ever Lush product and couldn’t recommend it enough if you wanted to
try a new face (or body!) product that is gentle on the skin and leaves it
feeling clean and refreshed.
Rub Rub Rub Body Scrub
I’ve
heard of the Rub Rub Rub Scrub previously but it was more in the liquid/tub
form and not a solid bar. Considering I got so many shower gels and scrubs for
Christmas this made a nice alternative. It’s packed full of
mineral-rich sea salt and organic lemon juice, that both exfoliate the skin
and cleanse the pores, leaving your skin feeling super soft and shiny. I used
this all over my body in the shower then rinsed it off, and my skin felt great.
The scrub itself wasn’t scratchy like some scrubs I’ve previously used and it
glided over my skin really easily. Admittedly I wasn’t the biggest fan of the
scent however I felt this would be a great body scrub like the Angels on Bare
Skin is for my face. Super gentle, rich in minerals and left my skin feeling
super soft and clean.
Grease Lightening Spot Treatment
This
is another one of my hero products. As mentioned I have quite oily skin and am
very prone to breakouts so this is my go to product for keeping my spots at
bay. The product is used when you feel a spot is about to pop up, so it nips
any breakout in the bud without upsetting the skin around it. Although it can
be used on spots that have already come up, I find it’s most effective when
preventing a breakout not curing it. Ingredients include antibacterial and
antiseptic rosemary that keeps the area clean, as well as thyme and tea tree
that work as anti-flammatory to soothe that dreaded redness. It smells amazing,
does wonders for your skin and is really affordable, it’s a win win!
Beautiful Shower Gel
Considering this
was a product released in a Christmas gift box, I found it actually reminded me
of summer! Described as a ‘sensual mask to the sunny perfume of fresh peach
juice and dried apricots’ this does what it says on the tin. Warming, really
thick and lathers well you only need a bit of this product for it to go a long
way. I like the slight shimmer in the bottle (I’m known to be a bit of a magpie!) and it’s a great alternative
if you’re getting ready for summer and looking for products with a fruity but
floral musk.
What is your favourite Lush product? Would you recommend me trying them? Let me know!
A x
Fur Jacket: eBay | Roll Neck: Primark | Skirt: (similar) Missguided | Hat: ASOS | Boots: Dr Martens
When
I bought this jacket last year, my boyfriend asked me why I resembled some type
of hairy raven. He called it the ‘John Snow Jacket’ as I give the extremely
fortunate looking Kit Harrington a run for his money in this faux fur number. (Off topic but if you’re a Kit fan and
haven’t seen his Jimmy Choo campaign it is SO worth a look!) Mr Snow has
the wardrobe I’d kill for- leather, oversized belts, faux fur and chunky boots-
and is definitely a secret style icon of mine.
I’ve had this jacket for a while now, I got it for a bargain price on eBay and it’s been such a great purchase as I’ve had so much wear out of it. Especially considering we all went 70s mad this Autumn/Winter and faux fur gilets were the ‘it item’ of the season. Even if you didn’t want to buy a gilet off eBay you can pick these up all over, New Look in particular do great faux fur items for a really reasonable price. They’re great for layering, and if you pick one up in a neutral light colour it will last you through Spring/Summer when it’s still a bit too chilly to leave the house without a coat.
I teamed this look with my ASOS Matador Hat, chunky DMs and floral Missguided skirt I picked up in one of their sales. This is one of those looks that I'm wearing quite a lot at the moment as I love the mix of the feminine floral A line skirt and the tough touch of the Dr Martens and faux fur. The skirt itself is a bit on the short side so I'm not sure I'd wear it without tights but I like how the black tights contribute to the all black outfit which always look chic.
I’ve had this jacket for a while now, I got it for a bargain price on eBay and it’s been such a great purchase as I’ve had so much wear out of it. Especially considering we all went 70s mad this Autumn/Winter and faux fur gilets were the ‘it item’ of the season. Even if you didn’t want to buy a gilet off eBay you can pick these up all over, New Look in particular do great faux fur items for a really reasonable price. They’re great for layering, and if you pick one up in a neutral light colour it will last you through Spring/Summer when it’s still a bit too chilly to leave the house without a coat.
I teamed this look with my ASOS Matador Hat, chunky DMs and floral Missguided skirt I picked up in one of their sales. This is one of those looks that I'm wearing quite a lot at the moment as I love the mix of the feminine floral A line skirt and the tough touch of the Dr Martens and faux fur. The skirt itself is a bit on the short side so I'm not sure I'd wear it without tights but I like how the black tights contribute to the all black outfit which always look chic.
What's been your go-to staple everyday look recently?
A x
So apparently today is the most depressing day of the year, AKA Blue Monday. The weather is typically miserable, your bank account is still in a mess after Christmas and the New Year’s diet and fitness regime has already gone out the window. But as mentioned in my New Year’s resolutions, I am thinking positive! Yes, it's raining outside and you’d rather be on a beach in Australia somewhere but there is a lot to be happy and thankful for. So, I’ve decided to make a silly little list of things to be happy about to brighten up your day
18 things
to be happy about:
1-
A great cup of coffee or tea (especially on a cold morning)
2-
Laughing so hard you cry
3-
Hugs from a family member or friend you haven’t seen in a while
4-
The smell of fresh bread, straight out of the oven
5-
The satisfying sound of a brand new mascara when it comes out of the tube
6-
When someone says ‘I’m proud of you’
7-
When you’re excited to see your other half or have a new date lined up
8-
The feeling of comfort when a pet snuggles up to you after a long hard day
9-
Music that makes you want to dance
10-
Being inside when it’s raining. Especially in bed, where you can snuggle up and
enjoy the fact that you’re dry
11- When someone
compliments your brand new outfit
12- The smell of
freshly cut grass
13- The feeling you
get when you a cute stranger smiles at you
14- Coming home after a long day to
your favourite meal
15- Finding that top
you wanted for ages for on offer for half price
16- Fresh flowers
that make the room smell of summer
17- Polaroid pictures
18- Getting into
fresh clean bed sheets
Don’t
make today (urgh Monday) more
depressing than what it already is. Treat yourself to that new lipstick you
wanted for ages or pick up your favourite sugary treat on your way home. Even
if you are on a health hype, everyone is allowed a treat now and again…
Keep smiling and beat those depressing Monday blues. Roald Dahl always had a way with words, so I'll leave this little illustration as today's food for thought.
What simple little things make you happy?
What simple little things make you happy?
A x
Hat: Primark | Shirt: Jack Wills | Jeans: Topshop | Boots: (similar) Office
I’m
not a great believer of a capsule wardrobe; I’m a bit too much of a hoarder and like to have lots of choice. However, I do think that there are
certain pieces that everybody should own as they’re a staple, and the boyfriend
shirt is definitely one of those key wardrobe ingredients.
I recently picked up this shirt from Jack Wills in their Christmas sale. Admittedly, it is a bit bright but I’m a sucker for anything tartan-related. I tend to usually go for your standard plaid colours like dark greens, navy’s and greys however this seemed like a welcomed alternative to my ever growing oversized shirt collection.
Stuck in a bit of an oversized shirt rut? Start with colour. There are so many different tones and colours available that would work within your existing wardrobe. The classic look has more muted colours, such as red and dark green however burnt oranges, rusts and purples gives more of a unique spin on the standard traditional. If in doubt try a colour with white or black: it’ll be easily wearable with other colours and pieces in your wardrobe.
In terms of fit think oversized but not OTT. Admittedly I’m not one to talk as I’m usually a small or medium in stores and I go for an XL shirt, but be careful not to completely swamp your frame. Yes, boyfriend shirts are supposed to be oversized and hide areas you don’t like, but you’ve got a body and legs under all that fabric so don’t overdo it. Similarly, you don’t want it bursting at the seams if it’s a little on the small side. As a general rule I tend to get a shirt one size bigger so I know it will be a reasonable length without resembling a tent...
Not sure what to wear with your shirt? I tried to style my shirt in three ways: on its own, with different tying/tucking techniques and with a simple graphic crop tee. Simples! Alternatively, try leather look jeans or leggings for a more ‘rock chic’ vibe. Throw on some heels, grab a clutch and boom, you’ve got a casual night out look. Less is more and an oversized shirt is best kept simple.
Other
things to think about… Who said you need to buy a shirt brand new? I'm personally a fan of a shirt that's a bit worn in and had lots of love from a
previous owner. Nab your dads, brothers, mates or your boyfriends’ and do the
whole blokes shirt thang for real. If not, you can get some amazing ones second
hand from charity shops. Alternatively, Urban Outfitters in the Renewal section
always have a great collection of plaid shirts in a spectrum of colours and
styles.
Finally, the plaid shirt isn’t just for winter! Not only can you get shirts in loads of
different fabrics that make them completely transferrable from winter to
spring, but they look just as awesome teamed with high waisted shorts and a
slogan crop tee. Why would you go to Glastonbury without one?
How do you style your trusted boyfriend shirt?
A x
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