15 December 2016

PERSONAL SHOPPING AT TOPSHOP | PARTY OUTFIT IDEAS

Party season is the moooost wonderful time of the year, so when Topshop invited me in to check out their personal shopping service I was more than excited. As much as I love getting dolled up, I find the whole process of outfit hunting stressful – I’m pretty particular, so it usually takes me forever! Not only that, but I got to try the personal shopper experience in Topshop at Meadowhall… I love anything that’s blogging related and local! It’s nice to know that the rest of the country hasn’t been forgotten about, and we can all have an extra special shopping treat.
I’ve been to a couple of personal shopping events before, and the team at Topshop didn’t disappoint! I was greeted with some dream boat outfits that the lovely Kirby, my personal stylist, had picked out for me. She found me so many pieces that were just my sort of thing! That’s all part of the service - you just give them a call, let them know what you’re after, tell them your size and they’ll do all the faffy bit of picking things out. Budget can also be accounted for (hey, this girl’s regularly on a shoestring!), plus it’s a complimentary service. Wahay.
Outfit One - The Statement Trousers
For someone who wears minimal colour, I fell for these trousers big tiiiime! They're pastel pink heaven, so they had to come home with me. They also fit perfect – with my hips being ignificantly bigger than the rest of me I tend to struggle with trousers and always ending up with the sagging waistband. These are synch in at all the right places. After plenty of deliberation this was the outfit I went for, adding the frilly black top too. It just felt very me, without being the same old thing I always choose on nights out.
Mesh Top / Bralet / Trousers / Heels
Outfit Two - The LBD
Oh my gaaahd this dress was lovely. It had that luxe feel and fit like a dream, just what you want from a little black dress! For something a little more fun I ventured from my all black comfort blanket and went for the bright pink heels. The cutest!
Little Black Dress / Heels
Outfit Three - The Leather Skirt
As someone who usually prefers more casual going out outfits, Kirby managed to find some really cute looks for suiting that kind of vibe. I could have found an outfit for any occasion, with this being something I'd wear for a more relaxed night out. The top is beautifully detailed and a little fancier, but I love it dressed down with the boots and skirt.
Grey Detailed Top / Skirt / Boots
To finish off my party outfit I also got a couple of beauty products, adding some pretty gel polishes to my look. That nude pink was just right for pairing with the trousers. I love when everything matches up, for me that's a big deal when getting party ready!

Annnnd that’s me all sorted with winter party outfits! On Saturday the 17th and Sunday the 18th of December Topshop will be hosting a Get Party Ready weekend to help out with your fancy outfit needs! If you spend over £40 in-store during the weekend, you’ll be eligible to receive a free express gel manicure, mini party makeover! The personal shopping team will also be around to share their advice… They’re a really lovely bunch and could not have been more helpful with making my shopping trip feel especially glamorous!
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13 December 2016

THREE LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS PARTY DRESSES

Who isn’t a lover of a sparkly frock?! Okay, plenty of people, but even though I spend my life in all black, I’m still a fan of something glitzy. Christmas is a whole other ball game, and finding the perfect dress not only involves sourcing something occasion appropriate that suits you, but also something that feels a little festive. It’s not like red with a white fur trim is a must, but I do like something that makes me feel Christmassy… I can wear a bog standard LBD at any point in the year!

For last minute options I’ve got three super sparkly numbers that can help you up the glam levels at the Christmas do.
Okay, this is my most naaakud. It’s Christmas though, and if you can’t flash a bit of side boob at Christmas when can you?! Yup, you’re going to freeze your nips off, but you’re going to look like the twinkly star of Bethlehem on your night out. For dressing it down a little I think it’s perfect worn with a leather jacket and ankle boots. 
If you follow me on Instagram you’ll know this was the one I wore out on my work Christmas do. It wasn’t really what I was looking for (does that even exist though?!) but it ended up being just right. I wanted long sleeves, something a bit glam/festive and a good fit for my figure without being too ‘hey look at my boobs and bum’… Finding the balance between sexy and fashionable is foreverrr my issue when it comes to choosing a dress! With this one, I’d say you need to try it on. On the hanger it doesn’t look half as lovely! 
I’m already trying to plan another festive night out just to wear this. It’s all mermaid-y and faaabulous! It’s those sequins that do it, and in any colour I think sequins are festive. I realised I was wearing it back to front after I took these pictures, but I think you can get away with it either way... 

Fans of festivities, go forth with next day delivery and bag yourself a last minute glitter ball outfit. I’ll never grow tired of getting my glam on at Christmas!

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12 December 2016

ADDING FINISHING TOUCHES | HOME

After months of getting my new place back from looking like a building site, we’re now into that lovely, ‘finishing touches’ stage. I’ve been adding some homely bits to make things more my own, with one of the recent additions being a new VQ Retro Mini Radio from the Lulu Guinness collection… 

I think noise is all part of making a house a home… Which is why it’s important to me to have something to listen to music on. When you move, you’re often taking some place where you’ve only heard drilling and hammering to one that’s filled with background noise and the sound of homely goings on. Having my favourite music playing throughout the house has made things feel so much more ‘me’, and like I’m actually at home! It’s putting your stamp on things beyond sticking a few pictures up.

The Lulu Guinness collaboration with VQ is soon launching on QVC and it’s just my sort of thing. Since I’ve moved out, I’ve been well and truly making the most of playing whatever music I like without complaints from the parents… Even if that does involve Little Mix Shout Out to My Ex on repeat. Girl power. The Retro Mini Radio has arrived at just the right time, and fits in really well with what I need lifestyle wise – it has DAB and FM radio reception and can be used as a Bluetooth speaker, for when I want to hook up to one of the cringe playlists on my laptop. It’s just the right size for me to move around the house (so far it’s been in my kitchen for Sunday cooking, and my bedroom while getting ready for girls’ nights out!) plus I love how it fits in with my décor – the signature Lulu Guinness style is super pretty.  

The new collection will be airing on QVC on the 19th of December, but I've got pre-sale access from 5pm on Friday the 16th for you to be one of the first to get your hands on one! It’s the kind of thing I’d love to receive as a gift or treat the house (my new excuse for spending on myself…) to! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway *This post is sponsored, all views are my own. 
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7 December 2016

TARGETING OILY SKIN | MY CURRENT ROUTINE

Welcome to me sharing the joys of oily skin. If you’re prone to an oil slick complexion like me, you’re going to know that it can be a complete pain in the ass… Imagine a world where your foundation hasn’t slid off your face by 12pm?!

Recently, I’ve got very stomp-y footed about oily skin problems. I’ve just about got my acne under control, but was still plagued with a T-Zone that hates me. Admittedly, I wasn’t being very good to my skin – there’s nothing like waking up with Saturday night’s makeup on to realise you’re a mess. Lol. While I do still have my blips, I have managed to force myself into some sort of routine, specifically targeting oily issues. Buying a few new products definitely helped – kind of like when you buy new gym clothes to motivate yourself into facing the cross trainer. Now I’ve got some new bits that I’m actually seeing results with I’m happy to spend an extra 10 minutes giving my skin a treat….
In general, I needed a cleanser in my life. Once I get into the habit with skincare, I love that squeaky clean feel. I use this after cleansing all my makeup off just to make sure my skin is completely bare… These days I don’t feel like just taking my makeup off is enough! I need something that's a proper wash, leaving my face feeling fresh. I’m not sure this has done too much to clear out my pores, but it definitely leaves my skin feeling super clean without being overly stripped of oil.

My favourite skincare product right now. The first time I used it a friend asked if I’d had botox as my skin looked so firm… Always up for something that’s going to give me a little lift! It does a great job of getting rid of oil without leaving my skin too tight and in general, I just think my skin looks perkier after using it. If you’re another level of oily like me, then it’s one to try.

I spoke about this one briefly in a recent post, but after using it on some more horror spots I’m completely sold. It does wonders for getting rid of redness and swelling – I’m one of those sickening Dr. Pimple Popper sorts that finds it impossible to leave blemishes alone. From the tiniest thing I can create a disaster, so I’m loving this product for calming things down. I’m a big fan of the fragrance too – I'm into anything clean and antiseptic-y smelling!

Proactiv Complexion Perfecting Hydrator
Proactiv+ is another thing I’ve spoken about previously, although it was a while back now. I actually still use all the products regularly, especially when I’m having a breakout. Even on good days though I still use their moisturiser… My oiliest of complexions needs hydrating! This one adds zero grease to my face, but makes it feel plump and refreshed. I also know it’s not going to antagonize any blemishes. It was a product I was gifted, but I'll definitely go and purchase this when I've used it up. 
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1 December 2016

LAYERING UP | UNDERWEAR AS OUTERWEAR

Okay, underwear as outerwear is no new thing. It’s been around for a while and I’ve always been a fan… Some undie-style garments are just too nice to cover up! With Winter almost upon us though, no one’s expecting much of a bra flash. Instead, I’ve been starting to layer up with my favourite chunky jumpers.

The camisole style I’ve got on here is just right for me over winter – it’s lacy and pretty feminine, yet it’s something you can make really practical worn over a big knit. I picked up this one from H&M the other day as an inexpensive layering piece. It’s just something to liven up the chunky jumpers I’ll be wearing day in, day out until Spring! 

The jumper is another H&M purchase I got this autumn – you can never have too many roll necks. It’s probably a little too hefty for the silky number over the top, but I don’t mind that. I’ll be wearing this one when it’s extra cold, and a thinner turtle neck on less wintery days. 

So, for layering up in underwear as outerwear this season this is the sort of thing I’ll be going for – cute camisoles/silky crop tops over essential knits. Snuggly. 

Jumper - H&M / Camisole - H&M / Jeans - Topshop / Boots - & Other Stories
SHOP LACEY LAYERS

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25 November 2016

BLACK FRIDAY DEALS AT BEAUTY BAY

My kind of Black Friday deal involves makeup, and this year Beauty Bay is delivering all the deals.... Ummm, hello up to 30% off some of my favourite beauty brands!! To kick off the Black Friday weekend, Beauty Bay will be having one of its biggest sales to date, with some of the best beauty names on offer, including LA Girl, Kevyn Aucoin, Mario Badescu and Alpha-H.

To celebrate all the discounted makeup goodness I’ve picked out my top picks to share with you… Yup, that’s Gerard Cosmetics and Lime Crime in there! I’m super excited to see both brands on offer – I’m so obsessed with matte, liquid lipsticks and these are both shades I’ll wear on repeat. I’ve used a few of the Gerard Cosmetics Hydra Matte Liquid Lipsticks before, so I knew I’d be sold on ‘Everything Nice’ – it’s just a really lovely pink for daytime and evenings. Lime Crime I’d not used before, but I’d always wanted to give the Velvetines a go… A discount on these was too good to pass on. I went for ‘Buffy’, the perfect nude to go with plenty of makeup looks.

As well as a couple of new lip products, I also picked up products from Mario Badescu and Japonesque. They’re both brands I’m a little clueless about, but I’ve been wanting an excuse to test some newbies for a while! I had to get the raved about Drying Lotion from Mario Badescu – I’d heard so much about this and with acne prone skin it felt like a good one to opt for. I’ve only used it a couple of times so far, but I’m suuuper impressed… It calmed down the angriest blemish, making things a lot easier when applying makeup. If it’s good enough for Kylie Jenner then it’s good enough for me! From Japonesque I picked up their Velvet Touch Eye Palette. Isn’t it pretty?! I’m in love with those creamy, neutral shades for a natural eye.

So, they’re all the products that were on my lust list for Black Friday bargains! All the offers go live tomorrow for a limited time so make sure you hit things up quick – I’m sure things are going to sell out in no time! I’ll be heading over in the morning to mayyybe add another Gerard Cosmetics Hydra Matte Liquid Lipstick to my life…

Find the following discounts on some of my beauty brand favourites:
Japonesque - 30% off / Gerard Cosmetics - 30% off / Lime Crime - 30% off / Mario Badescu 15% off UK, 10% off ROI
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24 November 2016

GREAT THINGS ABOUT GETTING OLDER

Okay... I'm not about to get my pension, but at any age, getting older can be a scary thought. My mum always tells me about the time I was about 11 and I came into her room crying, saying I never wanted to grow up. I was a dramatic child… Now, I’m thankfully a more level headed 25-year-old. The pictures in this post were actually taken on my 25th birthday – I had one of the most content birthdays yet, but even then I still moaned about the fact I was another year older. Yup, we all do it, and I do think this young adult age can be extra horrifying – being a teen doesn’t feel like that long ago, yet all of a sudden grown up life arrives and you’re expected to make your own doctor's appointments and stuff. 

Buuut, it isn’t all bad. As much as I whinge about it, I know there’s a lot to appreciate being a little older. Saying bye bye to student discount is tough, but adult stuff does have its benefits. 

You know yourself better than ever. 
I honestly can’t even comprehend who I was at 19. I’ve no idea what I was like, what I believed in, what I wanted to do… That’s mostly because back then I didn’t know any of that myself. I can’t imagine that I was the person I am today back then, and while I haven’t got things completely sussed out, I know myself a lot better. It’s taken me a good few years, but in that time I’ve learnt who I actually am.  

You care less.   
About what people think, what people say, whether your thighs will fit into the Christmas party frock. Generally, I worry a lot less about insignificant things these days. Mostly that’s because I don’t have the time to – grown up life involves so much more of what’s important, overtaking the likes of worrying if I got a little bit fat this winter.

We all have bad days, but I don’t find they happy so much these days. Through experience, I know that fuckboy won’t ruin my life and neither will the lecturer that made me feel like the thickest person on the planet. Important stuff becomes bigger than ever, and the smaller gets squished out.  

Your confidence grows.  
Many of us go through way too much self hate in younger years. Finally putting that to bed is a massive relief. I think knowing yourself better + caring less = more confidence… You know who you are, you’re less bothered what people think of that and the combination is comforting. I’d love to be able to tell the shy, teenage version of myself that I’d get myself together. I may never be the big balls, but my confidence has been a grower. 

You do you.
Exactly you. What you want, what’s best for you, where you wanna be and where you want to go in life. You can stay up watching Netflix ‘til whatever hour, you can eat chocolate until you feel sick (me) and you can buy what you want. If anything, it’s something I’m only really noticing now. I’ve become a lot more adulty this year, with buying my own place and working on managing my blog… I think it’s the most independent I’ve ever felt, which is lovely. 

Above all, it’s a luxury. 
Not everyone grows old, and as horrifying as entering the downhill slope to 30 once appeared to me, I know that it’s a luxury many people don’t get… That’s one of my favourite quotes. It’s a real ‘woah, shit’ thing that’s going to probably make you feel a little bad (it does me), but also has the best reality check effect. At times, I’ll completely contradict myself and harp on about getting wrinkly eyes, but deep down I know I need to drill the ‘getting old is a luxury’ mantra into my head. 

So, not 100% accepting of being officially in my mid twenties, but I can deal with it. Getting older has plenty of plus points!  
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22 November 2016

A BRIGHTER SMILE THIS CHRISTMAS

How is it that time already?! Mums are nagging for Christmas lists and Dad’s will be as surprised as you are opening your presents. This is my favourite part of the festivities though – the planning and the lead up… I love buying gifts and I’m mad for all the Christmassy goings on.

Annnd so, it comes to sorting out my Christmas list! This year, I’ve had things started off early with a lovely chance to give the Philips Sonicare Diamond Clean White electric toothbrush a go. As someone who’s obsessed with pearly whites, I know I’d be super happy to open one of these on Christmas day! Yeah, a toothbrush doesn’t instantly scream ‘exciting Christmas present’, but Philips has managed to take the humble toothbrush to something way more fun – it comes in five lovely colours (*ahem* cutesy pink), is clinically proven to whiten teeth in one week, improves gum health in two weeks and is proven to remove seven times more plaque than a manual toothbrush. It’s shocking to think only 25% of people use an electric toothbrush vs a manual toothbrush. Plus did I mention, it comes with a USB travel case for charging on the go! I’ve been using it over the last week and I’m obsessed with how clean it leaves my teeth feeling all day (must be those 62,000 brush strokes a minute)! It also feels way kinder on my gums – it’s a really gentle brush and with five settings you can tailor your toothy-peg routine to suit you:

1. Clean – the standard mode for a whole mouth clean
2. White – removes surface stains to whiten teeth
3. Polish – brightens and polishes teeth to bring out their natural brilliance
4. Gum Care – gently stimulates and massages gums
5. Sensitive – an extra-gentle mode for sensitive teeth and gums

As well as a load of fancy features, Philips has also added a special touch for gift giving over Christmas, with the option to have beauty products engraved at selected Boots Beauty Emporiums. I headed off to have my charging glass engraved, adding my name to it. I think that’s such a sweet idea, whether it’s to pass onto a loved one, or just to treat yourself over the season. It’s a real personal touch to add to a luxury gift! 
I popped into the Boots store at Meadowhall to get my name added as well as have a personal smile consultation – I never realised how much I didn’t know about brushing my pegs, so I’m all set up now for healthier, whiter teeth. 

The Phillips Diamond Clean range is now available here and comes with a two year warranty and a 28 day money back guarantee. Engravings can be added in selected Boots Beauty Emporiums over the festive season from the 19th November to the 28th November, with another five stores offering engraving of Philips Sonicare DiamondClean charging glasses until the 14th December. Check out the participating Boots Beauty Emporiums here to see if your local Boots store is participating.  

To find out what I think of the toothbrush so far and see my trip for engraving just head over to my YouTube – there’s a little VLOG in the store, as well as some shopping for perfect gifts this Christmas! 
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18 November 2016

ANOTHER HOME UPDATE | IKEA, H&M AND NEXT

It’s been a good few weeks since I did my last home update, so I thought I’d add a quick blog post to keep you in the loop with where things are at. I’ve still not moved in, but we’re getting a lot closer to having a finished home… Exciting! We’re mostly past looking like a building site (excluding a work in progress bathroom… MEH), and now it’s onto the fun bit – adding cute homely decorations. 

The main change has been that I now have a living room! If you follow me on Snapchat (fashioninflux) you’ll have probably seen plenty of it. I love how it’s turned out so far, with it feeling like a good mix of modern and feminine. The sofa featured above is the one I went for from Next. It’s called the Wilson and I think it’s reasonably new in. The style is just what I was after – not too fussy, a high leg and in a soft grey. I got the 3-seater sofa, chair and a footstool so I could have something for getting extra comfy on! One thing I would say is the chair is much larger than I expected – this dope didn’t measure it, and thankfully it does fit perfect but is larger than what I assumed a chair would be. I love it all the same, and it’ll be lovely for cosy nights reading. 

As well as the sofa, I did have to go on a massive IKEA splurge. I feel like it’s an essential to go spend a sickening amount of money on Scandinavian goods when buying a house. There were a few necessities, as well as some extra soft furnishings for making things look homely. The side table for my lounge was a really cheap one and it’s just the right size for books and drinks… I’m not bothering with a coffee table as I’m reluctant to give up the space for it! 

Those peachy pink cushions were another IKEA purchase and add a little colour to which was a mostly monochrome house. They’re also a dreamy match for the throw – this is actually a scarf I bought from H&M. I decided it was just what I was looking for in the house and I’d been struggling to find a similar style that wasn’t a ridiculous price. In the end I bought one for the house, one to wear. As you can tell… I’m big into the peach/grey combo! 

The last thing I’ll mention is the cute, clip on light. I’ve not bought much copper as I don’t want to go tooo mad, but I did love this! It’s just a lovely night light, something I can use when reading… I just need to find something to clip it to other than the radiator!

Aaaand that’s it so far. The house tour will be coming, but I want to make sure things are how I want them before I get carried away and show things in dribs and drabs. For now though, a liveable living room is a big achievement! 
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15 November 2016

FAVOURITE FLATS

I don't usually see flat shoes as a thing for this season - I normally spend September onwards in chunky boots. Actually, I don't wear flat shoes much in general. I guess that's the thing with having disproportionally short legs... I always feel like I need some sort of heel, even if it's only an inch or so! Stubby leg problems aside, I've finally found a pair of flat shoes that I love. 

I got the pair I'm wearing a month or so ago from H&M. I saw them online and ended up buying them in the black and white... They were just what I'd been after, and only cost around £15. I know they're not a style that's for everyone (maybe they're a tiny bit 'witchy?!'), but I'd wanted that pointed fit. They're the sort of flat's that don't feel too casual, y'know? I always go for a heel to smarten things up a bit, but it's nice to have a good pair of everyday flats that can be a smart option too.

Here I've just wearing them with my Farleigh Jeans and a bodysuit, both from ASOS. I actually bought the body for Halloween, but I've worn it loads since. It's a good one for wearing with all things high waisted.

Oh, aaaand these pictures are another peek at my new bedroom. It's almost finished, I just need a few extras - side tables, shelves and so on. I've got a post coming up this week with some recent details in the house, so keep an eye out for that!
Body - ASOS / Jeans - ASOS / Bag - H&M / Flats - H&M
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