6 Fashion Pieces I've Been Eyeing Up For Spring/Summer

When next seasons items are out, I like to browse online to see what is in store fashion wise, and when I mean browse I mean hours of endless scrolling on every online shop known to man. These are a few pieces I came across for spring/summer 2016. 

Starting from top left to bottom right // ASOS Denim Mom Shorts,  ASOS Leather Knotted Tie Leg Sandals, Topshop Belted Shirtdress, Topshop Mini Leather Crossbody Bag, Topshop Crinkle Trim Bardot Playsuit, Topshop MOTO Short Denim Dungaree

These ASOS Denim Mom Shorts are the perfect pair of simple shorts for when the sun is out. I find a lot of denim tend to have rips in them so it's nice to find a not tampered with pair of shorts. They are perfect to pair with a plain tee and a blue denim jacket for little extra warmth, because lets face it, in England 'just shorts weather' is very rare. Moving onto shoes, I love the look of these ASOS Leather Knotted Tie Leg Sandals. I can imagine some funky tan lines as a result of these but they are so worth it, a little bit of something extra to the simple sandal. This Topshop Belted Shirtdess is so chic for the warmer months and can be paired with converse for a casual look and black sandal heels for a night time look. Now for accessories, I believe that with every season comes a new bag and in the spring/summer months I tend to stray away from the 'fit everything but the kitchen sink' type bags I tend to normally go for. This small and simple white Topshop Mini Leather Crossbody Bag is perfect, it matches with pretty much anything and is just big enough to fit in the essentials. Next, a playsuit is something every women should have in her wardrobe, especially for those 'I really can't be bothered to choose an outfit' type days, just throw one piece on and you're ready to go with this Topshop Crinkle Bardot Playsuit. The last fashion piece for spring/summer is the Topshop MOTO Short Denim Dungaree, I have been seeing these everywhere and they are really making a comeback. These definitely takes me to my toddler days and I am loving it.      

Blush: Powder, Loose, Cream or Liquid?

Nowadays you can find blush in pretty much any form, from liquid to mineral powder, the beauty brands have got you covered. This post is going to go through the main types of blush, where and how to wear them, with some recommendations thrown into the mix. 

bareMinerals Blush in Promise

Loose Powder Blush

This is the riskiest one of them all, but the finish is beautiful. Any skin type would suit this blush, as this product tends to be very finely milled and avoids the cakey look. So you won't find this clinging onto dry skin patches. I would recommend using a sparse brush for this type of blush product, you want to make sure that minimal product is picked up on the brush when you are applying. Remember you can always add product but it gets a little tricky taking it away! My favourite brush to use for this is the Real Techniques Blush Brush, the tapered end is great for applying product to the apples of the cheeks and the sparse bristles only pick up the amount needed. 

Topshop Cream Blush in Head Over Heels

Cream Blush

The perfect one for that natural wash of colour. If you have dry or mature skin this is the blush to go for, its moisturising and will give that youthful glow. I find the best brush to use is a stippling brush, my favourite being the Real Techniques Stippling Brush. After I apply the product with the brush I use my fingers to blend it into the skin a bit more and you end up with a muted wash of colour and a lovely dewy glow.  

Benefit's benetint lip and cheek stain

Liquid Blush

The product I go for when I want that 'pinched cheeks' kind of look. If you have oily skin, liquid blush would be perfect for you as a stain will stay on you cheeks all day and not budge. This one is safest applied with your fingers, but you have to act quick with blending. Just put a drop or two on your fingers, apply on the apples of the cheeks and blend. If you need to eliminate that clownesque look then grab your foundation brush and lightly go over the blush to soften the colour.

MAC Powder Blush in Melba

Powder Blush

Last but definitely not least is the trusty powder blush. Powder blush is good for any skin type dry, oily or combination. This one gives a simple but sophisticated look with a matte finish on the skin. These blushes tend to be quite pigmented depending on what brand you go for so I use a sparse tapered brush for this product, typically the Real Techniques Blush Brush (you can never go wrong with Real Techniques Brushes).  

The Flannel Shirt

I have been seeing these all over Pinterest, fashion blogs and in the street. When it comes to clothes, simple and comfy is how I like it and a flannel shirt is basically the epitome of that. These are so versatile you can wear them with pretty much anything and with the colder months coming up they are a perfect layering piece to keep you warm, and resemble the feel of wearing pyjamas- which I am always a fan of.

Topshop // £30
 This oversized number is my favourite. I tend to like the oversized shirts more because you can wear them with leggings and boots. I also love how the model is wearing it with the ripped jeans, a simple and casual outfit.

 Pepe Jeans, ASOS // £60
This ones a little more on the pricey side but if you are willing to splurge a bit more, this one is a great choice. I love the light grey colour as it gives a more toned down look as opposed to the usual bright red colours. Perfect flannel to pair with a simple white shirt and jeans.

 Glamorous, ASOS // £28
This one stood out to me because of the texture, you can't see it in this picture but on the website you will see it has a brushed finish on the fabric to add a little something extra to the regular cotton feel.

 Abercrombie & Fitch // £58
Similar to the Pepe Jeans flannel but a little more oversized, again I like the toned down light grey colours. I would also pair this with leggings and boots for a comfy, casual fall look.

Urban Outfitters // £30
If you're looking for a bit more colour, this is the one. The green and blue tones add a pop of colour to your outfit and would give the perfect 'grunge' look layered with a leather jacket and a classic white tee.














xoxo

Natural and Awake Makeup Look

For those tired and dull skin days (having had lot's of those since being at uni). My face is always in need of a bit of a pick-me-up. These are some of my beauty picks for an awake and fresh faced look after pulling those pesky all nighters. 

First, I like to prime my face with the Benefit "that gal" Brightening Face Primer which instantly corrects dull skin and gives a natural glow to the skin. Then I use the Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation which is becoming to be my new favourite foundation. It has a light to medium coverage that is buildable and gives a lovely natural, dewy and glowing finish. Under the eyes and any blemishes I have I use the Benefit Erase Paste. This also does a brilliant job of brightening under the eyes to hide those dark circles and makes you look more awake (even if you are a walking zombie).
I like to have a subtle pink glow on the cheeks and for this I use the Topshop Head Over Heels Cream Blush which is a lovely coral pink colour and complements any skin tone. If I wanna go that extra mile and look even more awake I will go in with a highlighter and for this I use just a bit of Mac Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle, this gives a bronze, rose gold colour to the tops on the cheek bones. 
For eyes I keep it really simple, to be honest I would rather have that extra few minutes in bed then faff around with eye shadow when I haven't had much sleep. So I just pop a bit of BareMinerals Eyecolor in Soul on the tear duct area to brighten up the eyes then use a few coats of Maybelline The Rocket Mascara. Then to finish off the look I use Maybelline Baby Lips in Peach Kiss.

xoxo

Christmas Jumpers

The Christmas season has once again rolled around and I felt like a festive post was definitely in need. Let's face it, as soon as we get into December it is finally universally acceptable to break out the Christmas decor, buy huge tins of chocolate, have numerous trips to Starbucks to take advantage of there festive drinks (having so many in the Christmas season you actually forgot that in fact the cups are not normally red) and last but not least, the Christmas jumpers.

Everyone loves a good Christmas jumper. They are everywhere tempting you to buy one every time you walk into a shop. Let's be honest though, you don't want to be shelling out a load of money on a jumper that is only socially acceptable to wear for one month (even though you may wear it for more).

So after many of hours scanning the addicting world of online shopping I have found a some festive Christmas jumpers that won't break the bank.

1. Topshop, Kitted Gingerbread Man Jumper £42.00 

2. ASOS, Only Christmas Pudding Jumper £25.00

3. Next, Snowflake Sweater £32.00

4. New Look, Cream Reindeer Sequin Nose Fluffy Christmas Jumper £27.99

5. Next, Fairisle Pattern Sweater £30.00

6. ASOS, Pop Boutique Reindeer Knitted Christmas Jumper £30.00

xoxo

Sweater Weather // Fashion Picks

Sweater weather is without a doubt my favourite time for fashion. The new jackets, boots and especially the knitted jumpers, which as you can imagine, does not do well for my bank account. Nevertheless, these are some of the items I tend to gravitate towards in the colder months.

Topshop, Biker Jacket £58

This is the kind of jacket you can wear with anything. Jeans, dresses, skirts, leggings, the list goes on. Biker jackets instantly makes a casual, simple outfit look more put together and adds a 'edgy' twist. I usually layer a knitted jumper with this to mix up the textures of my outfit.

Steve Madden, Combat Boots £99

I've had these boots for two years now and they are still in amazing shape. I actually prefer them now as they have a more 'worn' and 'lived in' look. Plus they are the comfiest things in the world. I wear these with basically anything, jeans, leggings and they are a perfect transition piece with summer dresses and a knitted jumper.  

ASOS, Tartan Scarf £20

This is a fairly new addition to my many scarfs I have collected over the years. I have loved the new tartan trend this season but didn't want to go all out with a tartan skirt or bottoms, so I decided on this scarf. If I'm feeling extra lazy or in a rush in the morning I just throw on a pair of jeans, white tee, biker jacket and this scarf. Voilà you look like you made an effort but really it only took you two minutes.

Topshop, Knitted Angora Cable Jumper £46
I was on the hunt quite a while for a classic cream knit and when I found this one, it was love at first  sight. Just a basic slouchy knit that screams 'sweater weather'. I wear this with a pair of denim jeans, some boots and I'm good to go.

Topshop, Check Shirt £30
I had my eye on this one for quite a while, after seeing more and more people in these check shirts looking so good I figured I had to get one. This is literally the softest darn thing ever. The perfect piece to throw on with some jeans and converse in the morning, especially when you're in a rush and tired (essential for a university student like myself).

Topshop, MOTO Blue Jamie Jeans £40
Everyone needs a good pair of skinny jeans to go with those knit jumpers. I used to prefer wearing skirts and dresses but since I have moved to Plymouth I have learned the wind is a tad bit stronger over here than where I used to live. Needless to say a flowy dress or skirt is not ideal when you're trying to walk to a lecture on a windy day. I have then resorted to jeans which I have been loving. I recently purchased this pair from Topshop and they fit like a glove, soft and stretchy.

What's your 'sweater weather' fashion picks?

xoxo

Top 5 // Fall Nail Polishes

This is the time of year I get to dig out my favourite 'cosy' shades on the nails. Pair these polishes with a cosy knit jumper and there you have it, the epitome of fall.

Essie, Smokin Hot

This is the dark mysterious twin of Love & Acceptance by Essie, a perfect fall take on the pastel purple polish spring trend. You just need one coat, with the new wider and easy to use brushes it  takes me two minutes to paint them!

Topshop, Fallen Leaf

I love love love this olive green colour trend for the colder months. I have to say, at first glance I wasn't too taken with it, but when on the nails it's just amazing. Bit of a venture out of the usual fall reds and I'm loving it. 

Essie, Bahama Mama

This colour. I literally fell in love with this when I saw it, a deep berry/plum shade. As if you smeared a plum all over your nails, well not exactly the exact same effect... but you get my gist. As well as Essie Smokin Hot its super easy to apply with only one coat!

O.P.I, I'm Suzi & I'm a Chocoholic
I describe this colour as 'red velvet cake' and let's be honest...who doesn't like red velvet cake?! This is such a lovely colour for Fall, very warm and cosy which is perfect for this 'sweater weather'.

Essie, Fishnet Stockings
A.k.a the ultimate 'sexy' red. Not to mention that I love the Essie nail polishes because of the formula, it's my favourite red out of all of them! (and I have a lot of reds!) Not too bright, not too orange and not too brown. Two thumbs up from me!

What's your top Fall nail polish picks?!

xoxo