So yeah, last weekend was a whole lot better than my usual day off sort of thing. Anyone that follows me on Twitter or Instagram may have seen that last weekend I headed off to Barcelona for the #RUNSUPYOGA event, a global, gals only fitness event. Admittedly, I'm not the fittest person in the world.. The gym frightens me a bit and try as I'm certainly not 'strong' (muscle tone? What muscle tone?!).. Even so, I'm doing my best this year to be a yes girl and this was certainly a step/leap out of my comfort zone. I paddle boarded FGS. Me, on actual moving water. I'm not even sure I like water.. But it was actually a lot more fun than I imagined and that sort of full body workout that doesn't even feel like exercise. I also got the chance to do the morning yoga class on the beach. So. Dreamy. The Barcelona event kicked everything off but they will also be taking place in Hawaii, France, Germany and Australia. If UK comes up, I will be so there!
Even though I was only there for just over 24 hours I came back feeling pretty inspired.. I am a bit of a wimp in general, so getting involved with it all felt quite a biggie! I chicken out of doing so many things, and seeing all these really strong, inspiring girls out there doing their thing really did make me think I don't need to be quite so pathetic. I wouldn't really say I'm thinking of suddenly becoming a professional paddle boarder (I enjoyed it, but I was crap ha), but I'd like to be a slightly stronger person, whether that's being physically fitter or being a little bit less of a wuss. Anyway, that's all a little deep but you get my drift - girl power right?!
Yeah, you know I'm all too braid obsessed as of late. Blame Instagram. Everyone's out there with these extra cute braided hair dos, and I'm here with my bird's nest trying to remember when it last got brushed. In hope of smartening up my locks, I've adopted braids as my go-to for helping a sister out. The four above are the ones I tend to go for, plus they're actually pretty easy to master.
1. Braided Ponytail
I did this one in a video a while back, with the one above being the standard braid version. It's always one I go for when I'm trying to jazz up a ponytail and helps to show off my blonder bits.
2. Half Up Half Down
Yeah, it does make me feel a tad medieval, but I love this one when I want my hair out of my face without it all being scraped back.
3. Dutch Plait
I was a die hard French plait for school kind of kid (ain't no time for getting nits), these days opting for the Dutch plait for something a little more chunky, that I can fuzz up throughout the day. The BFF for summer holidays.
4. Fishtail
A basic. It's easy once you know it (YouTube tutorials are always on hand), and I love being able to wear it either super neat or all pulled out and fluffy.
Sunglasses - New Look, Jacket - New Look, Top - Primark, Jeans - Topshop, Boots - Forever 21, Bag - Paul's Boutique Alright, so not completely all white. A little bit of grey & black thrown in there too, along with those chunky New Look sunglasses that I've been harping on about. My ma took these pictures this weekend, just after I got back from Barcelona.. I had this vision that I was going to look like some cool, tanned European chick, but it didn't translate. Boo. I did manage to catch quite a bit of sun though while I was there, hence the white.. Definitely felt a lot more bronzed up whilst wandering round Barcelona, opposed to Sheffield. It's not that I mind being pale, I'm just a bit over it now and ready to feel a tad more summery. I did sling on that New Look jacket as it was a little bit nippy. It's pretty old now, but I always feel it's handy to cling onto for those days when I'm venturing out of my traditional black. Plus I always feel a grey is quite nice with blonde hair?! I dunno, I love natural looking colours at the minute, but nudes don't seem to go with my blonde and so grey has become my next go-to. Talk about First World problems.
Polish - Nails Inc 'Basil Street', Silver Temporary Tattoos - c/o DIY Nails
Hello claaaaw. Not really a fan of my hands.. I've discovered some people have the finger version of the thigh gap, where long slender fingers don't quite sit together like my chubby sausages. Mehhh. Not much I can do about that one, so I try lengthen them a bit with nude nails.. I'm hoping it works in a similar way to nude heels? I wanted to upload this anyway as I love those finger temporary tats! I think they're aimed at sticking on your actual nails, but I thought that might be a little bit of a stretch for my first attempt (I'm not so great with fiddly things..). Now I just need a bit of a tan to add to that festival/boho sorta viiibe. Sunshine, please join us in Sheffield.
I've just got this details post today as life has been busy. If you follow me on Instagram/Twitter you might have seen that I've been in Barcelona with Roxy for the last couple of days. I know, freaking Barcelona! It was a bit like one of those 'you mean you want me, to come to Barcelona with you guys 'cause I write/post daft things on the internet?' moments. It is crazy what blogging can lead to and even though I'm still a little small fry I really do appreciate the bits & bobs that have come my way because of it. Anyway, unrelated ramble, but I'll be popping up some pictures from my travels soon!
Sunglasses - Ray Ban, Top - Topshop, Jacket - H&M, Trousers - Charity Shop, Sandals - Office, Bag - H&M
These days I don't have so many outdoors pictures up, which I do kind of miss. Over the winter I've just managed to get out of that 'braving it' notion where in previous years I would trudge out to my garden in rain, wind and snow. These snaps were taken by my ma on a little Sunday wander, but I am thinking I want to get back to sticking my tripod outside and taking a few pictures like that. Especially now everything is starting to look much less miserable out and about.
This outfit I did post a sort of snippet on Instagram - if you follow me on there it was the one where I felt a bit like Sandy from Grease, which isn't necessarily a bad thing in my opinion ha. I love my high waisted stuff and when it's combined with all black it does feel extra flattering. It wasn't warm enough to not cover up reasonably with a jacket, but I did manage to switch boots for sandals. The pair I'm wearing here are the comfiest I own, plus I get an extra bit of height. Always. Needed.
Sunglasses - New Look, Top - Forever 21, Lips - MAC Please me
Some of you may have already seen these sungigs over on my Instagram the other day. I bought them last weekend after being on the hunt for that reflective style in a frame that actually looked okay on my face. As soon as I saw these I knew I'd be getting them.. Plus, New Look sunnies are always super cheap which is perfect when you're after that sort of 'trend focused' thing! Even though they're quite chunky, I think the pink in them keeps them quite girly. I haven't managed to find the black version online (not sure if they've sold out - worth checking in store!), but the tortoiseshell frames are still on there.. I'm definitely going to pop back to New Look and get them for my jols!
On the pink lips front I've updated my MAC lipstick collection with a fresh 'Please Me'. It's one that I've used a lot in the past (more dabbed on for an extra bit of pink), but grew a little scared of. I guess being blonde I panic a bit thinking I'll be looking like a poor man's Malibu Barbie. Lol. For the warmer months though I'm ready for something a little brighter. Aaaand it's a dream boat match with the sunglasses.
The Lana Del Rey title just had to be thrown in there. I'm all super duper simple here. Generally, that's kind of the thing I've been going for. I've grown extra scared of colour over the winter and now I mostly feel comfortable in good basics. I'm braving up to crazy summer prints, but right now I'm okay with the no fuss stuff. I was just off for some food here - I'd been wearing the jeans during the day but went down the fail safe 'whack some heels on & hope for the best' route.. Mostly because I was being lazy and didn't want to have to get dolled up. The jeans are the ones from Miss Selfridge that I've been wearing religiously and the tee is just a really inexpensive one from Primark. I have loads of these stocked up in my wardrobe, they always come in handy when I've no idea what to wear.
I don't always get chance to take pictures of my makeup when it goes right.. Possibly because a lot of the time it doesn't always go 'right'. Mostly though, I've got minimal makeup on for work and then on weekends I'm rushing about. For once, this was a day when I just had time to faff around with makeup. While a smokey eye is about my limit, I did venture out of the usual neutrals that I more often than not go for. Yeah, this copper shadow is still pretty natural (well, as natural as sparkly eyelids get), but it is a change from beige.
The shadow is just from the Urban Decay Naked Palette.. I've had it for yonks but it is one of those fail safe makeup favourites. Lippy wise I just went for MAC Whirl Lip Liner. I wear lip liner a lot more than lipstick, just because I think it lasts longer and I can work out a little bit of symmetry on my rather wonky lips. Even though it's finally been confirmed that it ain't going to give you that Kylie Jenner pout (who were you kidding Kylz?!), I still think it's a pretty colour.
I'm done with all the tights, trousers and leggings (except when I'm having a Netflix and carbs day) I've spent the winter cooped up in. It's still that sort of in-between season where I've no idea what to wear, but on the slightly warmer days I've managed to brave shorts.. All be it with oversized knits and boots so I don't look too optimistic. The pair I've got on here are just some old slouchy Levi's.. They're probably way past battered but they're black basics that I can't quite part with.
On the jumper front even I am pretty sick of seeing myself in this one. It's from H&M, I have it in various colours and I've pretty much worn each of them every week since November. They're those comfy essentials though that I could quite happily spend my life in. I was just pottering on my day off here, so that kind of thing is perfect for wrapping up in when it decides to go all chilly again.
I'm actually writing this one up at 5am, as when it goes live I'll be off getting fabulous hair at BeautyUK in Birmingham! Exciting stuff. I'm heading there with Hair Rehab London to help show out their dreamy hair extensions - I've talked about them before on here.. Mostly realising that even with long clip ins can still work wonders. Added volume is always appreciated!
Here was straight after I had my locks schmancied up for today's events. It was all super glossy waves with plenty of volume. Ow I want my hair this swishy and shiny all the time! I'll be taking some snaps while I'm out today so will hopefully have an update soon!
I say update.. I've been on this whole overhauling my makeup collection thaaang for a good while now and I'm still not getting close to bored. Whether it's a new lippy, a primer that's going to make sure the pores bugger off or the powder to and all powders, it's probably on my lust list. Most recently I've been heading to get dreamy eyes at the Bobbi Brown counter. I think it's mainly that the packaging is so right. Simple, all black, looks popped in my handbag - y'know, all the major points for building up a pretty makeup collection. My last purchases involved powders and all things shimmer.. Loverrrrly.
My face and a overly shiny t-zone are pretty much BFFs. Not great. I'm always on the hunt for something that's going to blot it all out without ending up with that mood depressing cakey face. This one I'm liking as it's pigmented enough to actually do something - sometimes I feel like you buy these powders and the colour just doesn't transfer at all. I'll probably use this one up then try something different, but for now it's helping to combat the oil slick sitch.
UGH. How pretty are these?! I know everyone's a bit obsessed with them for that reason, but they are indeed rather dreamy. I do love this colour.. It has that sort of shimmer going on without chunky glitter getting all up in your face. I'm already fancying Nectar or Pink Quartz for something extra girlish.
Spring is possibly my favourite season. It's all fresh and new, with all that lovely summer stuff still to come. Being able to get out and about without a coat and a scarf is such a luxury - I always feel like the winter lasts way too long. Shorts & t-shirts season may not have quite made it to Sheffield yet, but I'm still managing to love lighter clothing & even brave the odd leg flash. Wahay. Here we were just off on a little wander, making the most of the sun. I'm still pretty monochrome, but I can't see me embracing anything too bright until it's well and truly tropical (as tropical as it ever gets in this country). This black maxi is one I've had lurking in my wardrobe for a while - it's always a good staple that I can get away with in summer and layer up in over winter.
I just thought I'd stick this bikini out there on it's own because I do indeed think it's larrrvely. Yeah, I'm not quite over the whole strappy, sexy 'kini thing quite yet (I keep ordering them off eBay for about £2.. cheap stuff is officially addictive), but I think I am heading more towards the pretty stuff this year. Something a little more girly.. And if girly means big old Bridget Jones pants then I'm cool with that.
That's the holiday shopping started anyway! This one is in the haul I just uploaded, alongside a load of cosmetic-y bits & bobs that I probably didn't need. Ahhh you know how it is!
I have probably worn this outfit (or a very similar version) before on here. Yup, I've had these dungarees for almost two years, and the readers from back in the day probably will recognise them. For once though I had chance to blog about an outfit on the day I wore it - doesn't happen often! I think dungarees are probably trend that probably hopped off the fashuuun circuit a while ago, but I'm still a fan. I saw a picture on Pinterest earlier where a girl looked amazing in a pair, so I went about trying to come up with something similar. Now thinking about investing in a wide leg version of these?! Hmm. Right, I'm off as I've just put some false nails on and I can't actually type. Marvellous. Plus, I'm also waiting for Kate & Wills to introduce the new bubba.. Ohhh it's so sweet. I'm that sad person that cried a bit when Prince George waved. youtube / bloglovin /twitter/facebook/pinterest/tumblr/ instagramx
