I Bought Another Jacket...

I will be the first person to hold my hands up and say that I have an issue, I cannot stop buying jackets. It is approximately 100 degrees outside and Winter fashion, specifically coats and jackets, is on my mind. Don't get me wrong, I love bohemian Summer dressing, lace and lots of pastels, but nothing beats a good quality jacket that you can shove on over jeans and a white t-shirt and be done. Plus here in the UK it is usually an item that you'll get your money's worth from! Although as I am typing this with my hair in a topknot and fan on full-blast the only thing I really want to be wearing is a bikini (preferably sitting by a pool).

The bomber jacket is from a brand called Part Two which I saw in a local boutique shop and then found on House of Fraser. Part Two is a brand that I haven't come across before, but if this jacket is anything to go by I think I should probably check out some of their other pieces. It's a beautiful bottle green shade in an intricate quilted design, with a slight sheen to the fabric. It has gold hardware and a lovely floral lining that reminds me a bit of  Ted Baker. The jacket also feels heavy which I like to think indicates good quality. And on top of all that I got it for about a third of the original price in the House of Fraser sale!

I can't see myself wearing this anytime soon with the weather at the moment. Although knowing UK weather it will probably feel like Winter as soon as we get to August! But I can't wait to style this up with jeans and boots, or cropped trousers and trainers for Autumn. So watch this space!

Speak soon, xx

One Degree Hotter!

It's official, I am a graduate! So I hope you will forgive me for the break I have taken from blogging. Final year deadlines were stressful to say the least, and since finishing my last exam I have been here, there and everywhere. But on Monday I was back up in Manchester with my family for my graduation. I graduated with a first class degree in Fashion Buying and Merchandising and had the most lovely day celebrating! So I thought I would share with you some of the pictures from the day as well as my outfit details, of course!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The "I just graduated" powershot showing that I mean business! Probably gonna make this my new LinkedIn profile picture...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This picture is probably the 50th attempt of this shot! But perseverance is key and we got there in the end! These are the girls that got me through my final year and made it the amazing experience it was. I'm so proud of them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the family (minus my little sister who still had school). Please don't comment on how similar my brother and I look, I get it all the time!

 

 

 

With my boyfriend, Jack who has been my absolute rock. We met at school and have managed to do long distance while at uni (he is up in Durham). He has always pushed me to do better and work harder and I really believe I wouldn't be where I am today without him! So proud of him and everything he has achieved and I can't wait to start the next chapter of our lives not being so far apart.

Outfit Details 

Dress - Conimo Couture on ASOS
Shoes - Dune
Clutch - Dune

So there it all is. I'm walking into the next stage of my life and finally out of full-time education! Not that it has been a chore (although it was hard), I have loved my degree and adored Manchester, which will always hold a very special place in my heart. But I'm ready to join the real world, start a job and earn some money, which I desperately need. I'm currently at home, although not a lot as I have crammed in so many holiday this Summer it's ridiculous. So here's to the next chapter and continuing to take you with me!

Speak soon, xx

 

Walk This Way...To Primark

As I've got a little older I am naturally shopping at Primark less, trying to move away from cheap fast-fashion and investing more in pieces that will last longer. Yet there are two categories that Primark just do so well at, pyjamas and fashion shoes. Last year I wrote a post about another pair of Primark shoes that I feel in love with, which you can find here. Some shoes, like boots or classic heels I do think are worth investing in, but for trend pieces that are only really going to be in for a season it really isn't worth investing. And this is where Primark come in.

The first pair of shoes are actually the reason I came to Primark in the first place. My best friend and I going out in London tomorrow night and I realised that I left all of my heels back at uni in Manchester. I picked these ones up as they are classic and elegant, but have a heel that isn't too high and an ankle strap, which I am hoping means I am going to be able to dance in them!

The second pair of shoes that I picked up are a bit of a wild card! Mum loved them so much she copied me and got a matching pair! My boyfriend on the other hand can't stand them. I just think that these are so cool for Summer. Perfect with jeans and a white t-shirt, but also with a little dress. They may only last the Summer, and by next year I may have a "what the hell was I thinking" moment. But for now, they are fun, cute and only £6!

 

I also need to apologise for it being a little quiet around here recently. I think it's fair to say that final year at university really took it out of me! I had some big coursework deadlines last week and I still feel as though I am recovering (catching up on sleep). But I have one exam in a couple of weeks, and then I'm done, forever! It's a crazy thought but I am definitely ready to be out of the education system! I've got some very exciting things planned for Summer and I can't wait to finally get back into blogging. So watch this space! xx

Why You Need a Shacket...Now!

Shackets are back on trend for yet another Spring, meaning that if you haven't already got one, you need one. For those of you that are a little confused right now, a shacket is a shirt-jacket hybrid. Genius. Which makes it the perfect transitional piece. Having borrowed by sister's camo style one the whole of last year I knew it was about time that I got one myself. I wanted a plain khaki one with some kind of detail to make it a bit different. Classic, but with a modern twist. So when I saw this one from Mint Velvet a few months ago I was obsessed. Show me pretty much anything with stars and I am sold!

However, as a student with absolutely zero income it was very out of my budget, so I pinned it to my Wishlist board on Pinterest and waited. I watched as it fell from £140 to £79 in the January sales, but decided it was still too much. And then I painfully watched as my size sold out just before the price fell again to £59. I think that actual tears were shed over a shacket that evening! But I prayed and I waited and sure enough the jacket came back in stock. A single size 8 was on Mint Velvet for £59 the other day! So I added it to my basket and paid with Paypal before I had a chance to think about how how deep I already was in my overdraft.

The shacket arrived and it is everything I could have hoped for and more. Plus I totally understand what all the hype around shackets is about, they are so versatile. Mine arrived 3 days ago and I have already worn it twice. The first time I wore it (shown in these pictures) was a slightly warmer Saturday. I wore it with a breton stripe top, black jeans and black boots and I love the combination of different prints and the outfit still looked really put together. Today was a lot colder, and wetter, so this time I wore an M&S thermal (lets keep it real), a thin grey knit slightly tucked in to a pair of dark denim skinny jeans and then the same black boots. Another very simple outfit, but that just looks so cool! Pinterest is also amazing for more inspiration of how to style your shacket. I saw someone pair theirs with a black leather which looked so good. Or a little slip dress for when it is a bit warmer. You could dress it up with heels and black leather pants. Or dress it down with a grey hoodie...very "street style". Basically the list is endless!

Now is the best time to buy as the high street has so many options. Although just a warning that you do have to be a little savvy about what you are searching for. Not all retailers are down with the fashion lingo. If you search shacket on H&M it will autocorrect to Shark and boys t-shirt will show up! They are often list under "cargo jacket" or "utility jacket" so try searching for that too!

Speak soon xx

Miracle Moisturiser

I think the fact that I have gone out and bulk bought this moisturiser should give you an idea of how much I love it! I started using this during Summer as I had forgotten to take my moisturiser on holiday with me. This was a fairly new launch at the time and was on offer in Boots, so I grabbed it. As someone with combination and problem skin I was drawn to something that sounded light and hopefully wouldn't break me out. And I have been using this moisturiser ever since!

The texture of this moisturiser is HEAVENLY. It's light and so easy to apply, quickly sinks into the skin and then acts as the perfect base for make up. My skin just drinks this stuff up!

I have been using this in combination mostly with The Ordinary hyaluronic acid. I apply a few drops of serum before, wait for it so sink in and then apply my moisturiser over the top. This really helps the moisturiser to absorb into my skin, leaving it looking a lot healthier and glowier.

I know people often recommend that you should invest more in your skincare. But over the years I have tried a lot of expensive moisturisers and I haven't loved one as much as I love Neutrogena Hydro Boost. Neutrogena is often classed as a cheaper skincare brand as it is affordable. However, all of their products are dermatologist tested and have some of the key ingredients also found in some of the more expensive brands. This moisturiser is about £12 in Boots. But check out your local supermarket as I found this in Sainsburys on offer for £6...hence why I bought so many!

I feel as though I have got a pretty good skincare rountine now. The only thing that I am missing is a vitamin C serum. So if anyone has any recommendations please let me know.

Speak soon xx

Healthy Habits

This is probably the kind of post that should have gone live back at the beginning of January as part of a "New Year, New Me" type thing. But final year brings some pretty tough January exams and I am only just feeling as though I have got my life back! I made a few resolutions back in my post a few weeks ago which you can have a little read of here. But there a few smaller little changes I have started to make in my life that I think will lead me towards my 2018 goals. So I thought I would type them all up into a post about the healthy habits I am trying to get into this year.

COLD WATER
As soon as I wake up I am trying to splash my face with cold water. Sounds horrendous but after I feel so much more awake! I am also trying to run the water cold at the end of my shower to help my skin and hair look healthier.

LEMON WATER
After splashing cold water on my face and before my shower I drink a warm lemon water to help flush the digestive system and rehydrate my body.

DRY BRUSHING
I do this just before I shower to exfoliate my skin and increase blood circulation. It takes about 5 minutes and feels a bit like a massage in the morning!

STRIP BACK SKINCARE
Gone are the days where I am throwing twenty different products at my face every morning and night in the hope that one of them might work! I know have a skincare routine that I am really happy with and takes about half the time. And my skin has never looked better!

HEADSPACE
If you haven't heard of the meditating app Headspace then you are probably living under a rock! But did you know that if you are a student and already have Spotify then you can get it for free?! Really trying to get back into mediating. Think I am going to need it with all the stresses of final year!

SUBSTITUTING COFFEE FOR TEA
I drink herbal teas anyway, but last year I really got into coffee. I can't drink black coffee (yet!) so my coffees were always milky and full of sugar. Although the main reason I am trying to cut back my coffee intake, without going into too much detail is because coffee usually upsets my stomach! I haven't had a coffee in 2018 yet and I don't even miss it that much!

DRINKING WATER
Possibly on everyones healthy habits list but it is so important. I am still learning how to understand when I am hungry and when I am actually just thirsty, but I'm getting there. And I also try and always take a water bottle out with me when I leave the house.

BEFORE BED READING
I am quite possible the worst sleeper you have ever met. It takes me hours to fall asleep and when I finally do it is rarely a deep sleep, so I wake frequently during the night. This is an area of my life that needs a lot of work. But turing my phone off and reading a book before bed seems to be helping.

SUNCREAM ALWAYS
I have been wearing suncream pretty much everyday since I was about 16 and read that it would stop me getting wrinkles in a Vogue magazine! These days it is just part of my face routine and works as an amazing makeup primer.

STRETCH AND WALK
Unfortunately most of my days are now spent at my desk hunched over my laptop. It's not healthy, but it's just life! I can't always commit to proper exercise, especially as my gym is currently being renovated. But making sure I get up from my desk every now and again to stretch a bit and trying to walk as much as possible makes me feel so much better.

CUTICLE OIL
My nails are dry and weak and need a lot of extra care to keep them looking decent. I keep a cuticle oil and a hand cream on my desk and try to use them both a few times a day.

FIND A CREATIVE OUTLET
For me, my creative outlet is this blog and also a scrapbook I am currently making. When I've had enough of work for the day it's nice to have something I can do other than just watching TV for hours that also feels productive.

SMOOTHIES
Coming back to uni after the Christmas holiday means I have been reunited with my Nutribullet and I couldn't be happier. It makes upping my fruit and veg intake so much easier, plus I am now throwing in superfood powders and chai seeds to make it even healthier!

...I think that's it! Now I am seeing these healthy habits written out it looks like a lot! But I promise that it isn't and they quickly become just part of your daily routine. Let me know in the comments if you have any other hints and tips to add!

Speak soon xx

My Top Three Trends for S/S18

I am sat here at my desk doing everything and anything apart from revision. I have already been swallowed into a downward YouTube spiral of home tours and wardrobe clear-outs, and gone through every single item in the Zara sale, only to be left disappointed. So I though now was the perfect time to focus on my fairly abandoned blog!

Since I have spent the best part of a fortnight in tracksuit bottoms and no makeup I am in no position to share any of my own styling photos. So I thought I would scroll through another site that is amazing for procrastination, Pinterest, and share some of my style inspiration for 2018.

 

D E N I M

2017 was the year that I finally started venturing away from super skinny jeans. I bought a pair of distressed denim jeans (to my parents disappointment) and I am completely converted. I wear then with trainers or flats during the day, boots in the evening and heels for a night out. This has started an obsession with all things distressed, as you can see below.

S P O T   O N

Polka dots are set to be huge for SS18, particularly in monochrome shades (yay!). I think the key for this trend is delicate polka dots on floaty fabrics for a really feminine feel. This trend looks great with denim and brown leather accessories.

 

S A T I N

I'm not one to experiment too much with colour (as you can probably tell!), but I do love to play around with fabrics and texture. Last year I was all about velvet, but Spring/Summer calls for lighter fabrics...cue satin. The great thing about satin, like velvet, is lower price points are just as good! This trend channels a bit of a nightwear/lingerie style making it feel really sexy.

So those are my three favourite trends for the coming season, and now I am probably going to spend the rest of my evening shopping for them! Would love to know what trends you are really excited for this season!

Speak soon xx