The, New Look, Skull Vest Tops!

Just a little post today, to share two of my recent purchases with you, New Look vests.

See, we're talking skulls (and by the way, New Look is full of them)!!!

Now, I'm not usually the type of girl to adorn herself in skulls. It has always seemed a bit dangerous and edgy for me but it seems my inner rock chick has finally declared herself.

Not that these tops are particularly daring in any other way.

The shape of the black vest (this one is similar to mine but the back and skull appear to be a little different) is sassy, flattering and feminine with it's racer back, long line length and dipped hem.  Meanwhile, the sparkle of the skull is not only eye catching but seems to take the edge from the skull a little and make it more friendly. I think, mine is called Stan!

The white vest is a little cheaper and has three skulls. I loved the cheekiness of the middle one and it reminded me a little of the Japanese, Three Monkeys fable particularly 'See no evil'. Oh and also it reminds me of 'Peekaboo' with my nephew and niece but to be honest, what got it to the till point is the fact that it looks so darn cute.

More often then not on a day off, give me a cute vest top; a cropped black cardi; a pair of skinny jeans, sketchers and the chunky watch then that's me dressed for the day.

This girl can never have too many cute vest tops . . !

What clothes have you been buying lately?

 

X

 

The New Look summer vest!

You know, how I can conjure up almost any excuse to shop! Well, due to the lovely sunshine, we've had recently, I've found it even easier then normal to justify my latest splurge. In order to fully embrace the rays, a quick sharp injection of summer for my wardrobe was required and that is exectly what my latest purchase from New Look has provided.

I can assure you that this hot pink (the Canon has not captured just how bright, this top is) vest is much more flattering on my pale complexion then any fake tan and instantly, transports my mind to long sunny days and sandy shores.

We all know that my colour journey only recently began and although, this top is bright, bright, bright, I do feel very comfortable wearing it. I think, the soft knit takes the edge off and just makes it so adorable. It may be that this top looks better then it feels in real tropical acclimes but lets face it, as sunny as it is here in the Uk at the moment, it is hardly sweltering and anything that adds to summer illusions is welcome in my world.

I should also mention that for me longline is the way to go as far as vest tops are concerned, I find them so much more flattering. Of course, price is always important and this little number is just £9.99 and comes in a number of different colours (link) although I can't see my colour online!

I hope you are all ok, thank you for all the tags recently. They mean a lot. Again *head down in shame*, I'm sorry for the lack of posts, it all just comes down to time and I'm really lacking it lately. I'm hoping to write a few shorter posts today (Ha, that will be interesting. Long rambles are generally more my style.) and scheduling them to ease myself back in to the blogging habit.

Are you enjoying the sun, what have you been purchasing lately? I think, a decent pair of sunglasses are next on my list! Any suggestions?

X

Ahoy there!

A little note from me to you:
 Hey, this is a post I drafted over a week ago but never got around to posting. What can I say?! There was just too much birthday cake to be eaten and a few too many presents to "play" with. I hope you can understand why I was a little distracted from photo editing and spell-checking but a week later and I realise, I need to get a post up ! ASAP!!! I've gotten so behind with blogging this year. So here is last week's feeble effort . . . Happy Friday, hope you are all well x

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I don't know about you but I find, birthdays always fall together. I recently had mine. Then Monday was my sister's and Tuesday was my Mum's. I'm also on annual leave. So over the last week or so, I have had the perfect excuse to try and mix up my look a little.

Monday night, I chose to debut my new white dress. I wore it with the Topshop collarless cropped jacket, jeans (typical!) and my New Look boots.

I think, by the end I looked like a little bit of a pirate especially as I chose to leave the one dress sleeve hanging under the cropped jacket just to add a little more interest to the outfit.

Of course, every pirate has a little bling and mine was in the form of an old favourite, my massive twinkling ring from Tanya Burr's, Talullah Tu jewellery line (I brought this about eighteen months ago. Read that post here).

As I said before, white is very classic and clean so I tried to keep the colours of my look equally bold. I used, 'Tweet Me' from MAC on my eyes and then lined them heavily with a kohl pencil from Body Shop and Carbon. Then for the lips, I went red! Yay, red always puts me in party mode but there is really only one red that I'll leave the house in and that is the gorgeous Viva Cyndi.

Meanwhile on Tuesday night, again I invited the Top Shop jacket out to play and paired it with a H&M sequined vest which I tucked in (I was lacking a belt and I felt quite daring, 'tucking a vest in' as my casual look normally features a vest top of some kind hanging over jeans etc.) to my black midi (maxi on me!) skirt from Next.

Then, just because I seemed a little obsessed, I added a little more sparkle in the form of my twinkly ballet flats from New Look.

Make-up wise, I wore a look more familiar to my face. All That Glitters on the eye and Snob (my old love!) on the lips. I carefully applied and blended Snob with a little Creme Cup to try and avoid a patchy finish.

Now, I've got to decide what to wear for my little niece's birthday tomorrow . . !

In other news, I finished Before I Go To Sleep by S J Watson last week. It was a fantastic book with a lot of twists and turns which I didn't see coming (and my goodness, was I looking out for them!?!). I'm not sure if this just means I'm a bit slow on the uptake or that this, is genuinely a very clever book. Whatever the case may be, it sure was entertaining and I'm glad that I read it.

I'm now moving on to something a little lighter. I Heart Vegas by Lindsey Kelks. I read the Single Girls To Do List last year and found it so so (mind you, if I remember correctly I was in a bit of a strange mood at the time) but I've read all of the 'I Heart . . .' series so far and have always found them a great laugh so fingers crossed for this one! I'm also planning to dip in to a couple of photography books that I was given recently.

These books by Michael Freeman are more about the composition of photography rather then the technicalities. I'm definitely more a 'place the pretty flower here next to the vase so that it can show it's natural colour off' type of person rather then 'press this button and this button to make the flower appear beautiful but artificial and completely foreign to it's reality' so hopefully, I will pick some tips up with these.

Do you mix up your style or make up very often? What are you reading right now?

X

Another shoutout for New Look!

Yet again, I want to mention New Look. This is for one reason, this Penzima Print Bodycon dress!

There seems to be an abundance of Aztec and tribal related items in New Look at the moment and until now, such collections would have being of little interest to me. You see such designs seem to involve print and/or colour, two design features rarely invited in to my wardrobe. However, there are a number of reasons why this little number is an exception and has, now found a home in my wardrobe.

1/ The Princess!



Picture from Google Image Search

OK, there is no point trying to deny it. This piece initially caught my eye because at a distance, it reminded me of a garment that was splashed all over the papers about a month ago, the black and white Zara  Tulip dress adorned by Kate Middleton (or should that be, Windsor?!). Sidenote: This dress sold out very quickly but here is a link to the Zara Tulip skirt though, which is still available online!

Kate Middleton's groomed and polished style has really grown on me over the last six months or so and this dress seems quite Kate (high street style) to me. Although not lace and with a different neckline, the New Look offering is of a similar pattern and length. You could certainly create a similar vibe wearing the New Look number!

2/ The design and its versatility!

The shape of the New Look dress is very flattering. It is short with a low cut rounded neckline (on both the front and the back) but the long sleeves balances the flesh out and keeps the final look quite decent. It is an easy number to wear alone, throw it on and you are done. On the other hand if you want to cover up a little more, there are plenty of styling options available. Just add in some thick tights/leggings or a jacket, Kate style. On the other hand with a couple of long necklaces and some knee high boots, this dress could easily be 'funked' up.

3/ The hat!
I'm even thinking this could be the dress that gives me an excuse to buy a floppy wide brimmed hat, an accessory on my wishlist for no other reason then I want it even if it is only to prance around in front of the mirror in. As this dress is quite low cut on the front and the back, a bit of accessorising and a new hat could be justified. I quite like this ASOS one!

3/ The print!
I haven't got much print in my wardrobe (just the New Look beautiful sparkling, sequin kimono that I posted here) and certainly, none of this Aztec nature. Surely that in itself, justifies the purchase. One of the things that scares me about print, is that often the garment will appear busy. With this dress, I don't feel as overwhelmed. The monochrome (black and cream) colour scheme makes it a little easier on the eye and of course, a print consisting of two such neutral colours, is for me, that bit more wearable.

4/ The price!
My little find is just £16.99! I wish, I could link you to it but I can't find it online :( However, it might be worth trying to seek it out in store and trying it on.

What do you think? Do you like this dress? Do you like Kate's style? Do you have day dresses or do you save dresses for special occasions?

X

To the sea. . !

For me, it isn't Christmas without a little visit to the sea!

Especially when I have a new Canon 550 DSLR (yes, I believe, I may have already mentioned this . . !) to play with.

This is West Bay, folks, one of my favourite places ever. To be honest, the Canon seems to have romanticised and flattered this little piece of coastline a little. West Bay is amazing but for me, its strength lies not in its beauty but in it's character.

The wind and the waves are, more often then not, fierce. Whenever I'm at West Bay, I seem to find some perspective. Those waves have been rolling for thousands of years and probably will continue for thousands more. It reminds me how small we all are, in the 'big picture'. And before I get any deeper . . , it is also the perfect place to awaken my senses. Everything from the waves and wind to the surfers (So obviously crazy! It is late December and they are in that cold, cold water!!  *shakes head*) in the water is so alive! You almost catch energy as you stroll along the beach and stumble up the cliffs. Just what I needed to give me a great big kick out of that slovenly Post-Christmas slumber.

The important bit. . , the outfit!

 I played it quite casual with my outfit of the day. Maybe I was trying to channel a beachy feel.

I wore my new beaded vest from New Look layered over a generic black vest. I love this top, I only got it a couple of weeks ago after seeing it on Laura's blog (here!) but it is beautiful and perfect for layering (in fact, it is sheer so layering is a must). I think, it is actually my first Yellow top ever. Officially. At the time of buying, my size wasn't available online so I decided to go a size or so up and I think, it works really well baggy. I wore this vest over faded dark denim jeans.

Again, going for that effortless feel (or maybe, I really did just make little effort. Again . . , Christmas, exhaustion, excuses . . !), I then threw on my H&M Bow trench without the bow belt (I posted about this versatile coat here!) over the top with sketchers to combat the coastal path.
Sidenote: There seems to be good reason why H&M give you so many spare buttons with this little number!

Nothing in the outfit really matched or were made to compliment each other. Yet, I think it all came together quite well and I'm tempted in 2012 to be oh so daring and throw on more items without overthinking it. Who knows what the result will be and what style (or lack of) will emerge?!

I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas and have an amazing New Year. Let me know what you've been up to in the comments!

X

Christmas Countdown: Preen, preen, preen. . !

Image from We Heart It

So it is the first of December tomorrow and my Christmas Countdown officially started about a week ago. Four weeks to get Christmas Perfect!!!

This year I want to embrace Christmas (Yes indeed, I will be downloading the Michael Buble Christmas Album) and all it brings. I do not want to miss anything just because I'm having a bad hair day and I am certainly not missing out on the Chocolate Log (who needs Christmas Pudding?!) just because I'm having a fat day.




Image from We Heart It


Preen, preen, preen. . , is the call of the day for me at the moment. In between scrambling around trying to find any Crest Whitening Strips, I'm preening a lot!

- I am trying to apply the OPI Nail Matte Envy every day in an attempt to keep my mid-length nails strong. Then I might file them down slightly to give them the matched, groomed manicure look. I would love Gelish but I work in a health care environment and that type of thing ain't allowed :(

- The RapidLash is back on the edge of my sink again and I'm trying to apply it every night. Over the last couple of weeks (interestingly since my Phyto supplements ran out), I have noticed that my lashes don't look quite so bold and unfortunately, appear a little wispy on the ends. For me, natural lashes is where is at (how I struggle with the falsies) so I'm hoping that Rapid Lash will work its magic and make them slightly more lashtastic again (In my experience, lash enhancers may not be growth miracles but they always add something ) until then the L'Oreal Volume Million has been repurchased (a much easier way to fake it although the constant drizzle seems to have prompted the 'got a black eye?!' question. I think, I mentioned before what a diva this amazing mascara can be. Such fab results but how easily it smudges which can be a bit awkward. See this review.)

- There will certainly be some mega brow grooming going on in the next couple of weeks. I'm considering HD Brows. You can see some familiar faces with HD brows here, what do you think of the HD look?

- I'm also trying a couple of treats for my hair. Firstly, the Charles Worthington Salon At Home Strength and Repair Kit. This little kit consists of a haircare system which includes four products, an oil to use pre-washing under the plastic cap, a shampoo and an intensive conditioner. I have been using this for about a month now and I've got mixed feelings. It seems to bulk out the ends of my hair and theoretically, it is easy to use. However, I find the oil difficult to wash out and consequently ran out of the shampoo very quickly. I've found that this system tended to make my hair very frizzy as I had to use so much shampoo to get the oil out or on the other hand, I wash only so much and then my hair looks very weighed down. I expect that this system really does boost the health of our barnet but I need to work on my application method to get the dream result.

I also have a new hair oil. I went to the hairdressers to invest yet again in Moroccan Oil (Love! See this post and this post) but they didn't have any. As it was raining and I'm lazy, the lady found a sucker for her sales pitch about a miracle Redken alternative, All Soft Argan 6. This is meant to 'intensely nourish and protect dry, brittle hair'. It can be used before shampooing or blow drying to add moisture, after blow drying to smooth; on damp or dry hair to boost shine; or added to treatments to intensify replenishment and it can also be used overnight for deep nourishment.

I have been swapping it up a bit and using it in a mix of ways. So far, so good! It really does make the hair very soft and actually does not seem to weigh my hair down as much as the Moroccan Oil although I wonder if that will change with constant use.

- Of course, I'm also trying to eat very healthily (although this running/walking regime is making me so soo hungry) and am having lots of Green Monsters to keep my eyes bright and energy levels up.

- And finally, I'm also trying to save a little money for Christmas hence the lack of "haul" posts recently but I think, there is a couple of treats I haven't shared with you yet and I'll try and get those posts up ASAP but I'm still having a bit of a love affair with the New Look kimono that I posted here.

Sidenote: In case you're wondering, I'm hoping that Christmas will bring a DSLR, a Michael Kors Rose Gold Watch, the One Molecule scent (see Ruths secret), the ability to run thirty minutes plus nonstop (Er, that would be without a heart attack), a trip to Paris, my invitation to Pinterest (it is taking so soo long) 50 Blog GFC followers (hint hint, any ideas?) and some of those chocolate gold coins. Phew,much, you think?! Ok maybe between Christmas and my late January birthday.

Are you making any special efforts for Christmas? Have you tried the Redken Oil? Do you have HD Brows?

X

The bargain boots!

Just a post to show you some New Look boots, that I purchased a couple of weeks ago. I can't believe that I haven't posted these yet.

Now these have quite a heel, about four and a half inches but they are so comfortable and easy to walk in.

The front of the boot sits on a platform about half an inch high and I think, this helps a lot.

I brought these boots for casual, everyday wear (These are definitely going to be paired with my black lace dress at some point!) and as they are so high, I like the fact that the boot design is so simple. A high, high heel and too much design detail would have put these boots in danger of becoming something else, something not very me.

I love the suedette texture, it is warming and hints at the season we are in and the buckle detail seems in perfect proportion to the boot. While the stitching detail in addition to breaking the black up a little, reminds me of the body con dresses so in fashion at the moment. Yes, a strange association, I know!

These boots are brilliant and just to make them that little bit more amazing, I got them for £13.99 (half price). And er, it seems there are still some available online . . !

And yep, I still can't get enough sparkle, so these little glittery ballet pumps were also obviously destined for the till point! They twinkle so much, they're almost alive.

Please tell me, I'm not the only one obsessed with a little sparkle! Are you a fan of boots? Do you have a boot style? Maybe I should seek some new knee highs next! I hope you're having a good weekend.

X

The sheer New Look top!

Introducing the New Look Sheer Bow Hem Top. This top is typical of some of the fantastic garments hanging in New Look at the moment.

This top is completely sheer and has the potential to be quite alluring. I find sheer fabrics quite complimentary, they remind me of that flattering glow you get in candlelight. Teasing but safe.The fabric draws attention to your body but you haven't got to get any flesh out.

I also like the extra design detail, it makes all the difference and seems to give the delicate top a little more substance. The cuffs adds some interest to the sleeve and the block of  sheer black fabric forming the front. While on the back, the button detail continues with a short column of buttons.

I love how this top looks thrown over a basic longline vest. Instant glamour with a (sheer) twist.
When it comes to this top, the real graft only comes in deciding what to pair it with because I think it could be paired with anything. Jeans, smart black trousers, leather, harem pants, miniskirts, maxi skirts, shorts . . . tick, tick, tick, tick. . !

The little but . . .
I think I've already made it quite clear that I like the design of this top but just be careful,  to check yours if you buy one as there should be a little bow at the side on the waist but mine fell off, the first time I put it on after getting home. To be honest, I'm not too fussed and probably won't go back for an exchange but maybe just check the seams (as we all should, always) before getting to the till.

Of course, I got this in black but it is available in several other colours. I think the mid-pink could add that something to my wardrobe that I haven't yet got.

- Ooh and here are two blogs to check out if you have a train ride to endure or need something to devour before bed. I just love both of these blogs. Their posts are so well written, often very true and always very entertaining: Laura Laments and The Tuesday Girl !

What do you think of the sheer blouse? Do you shop in New Look?

X

The Cute Cardi!

Today, I'm sitting in waiting for a delivery. Hurry up! So I thought I would make the best of it and show you what I have been pairing with my new navy TopShop vest (that I posted yesterday) in a look that falls very much within my comfort zone.

This is the sequin yarn cropped cardi from New Look and it is so darn cute. The New Look website really does not do it justice. It is basically a slightly cropped black cardi with little sequins randomly thrown in the mix to give the look a little twinkle.

I can imagine wearing this cardi with almost all of my tops (after all, the black cardi is my staple! I find them so much more fitting and flattering then jumpers.) but I particularly like wearing it with this navy one and some jeans. Black and navy has the potential (like a lot in my wardrobe) to provide an express ticket to Boreville but here, the vest and jeans provide the outfit with a nice neat base and then the black sparkly cardi just looks that much more pretty and seems to twinkle more over such a simple ensemble and colour scheme.

Cute, cosy and best of all effortless, you ain't going to hear me complaining about that!

And just in case, you're wondering this is the River Island coat that I really wish I had to throw on over my twinkly  ensemble when I eventually get out today. I've been swooning over this coat online at least once a day for the last three or four days but do I really need another coat, especially one as frivolous as this?!

Do you work the sequins and wear a little bit of sparkle sometimes?

X

High Street Finds!

So today, I did a little bit of shopping and I admit, I think I had some sort of Gok Wan moment where I was overwhelmed by what you can actually find on the high street at the moment.

I was so impressed with the workmanship and beading on this New Look piece. It looks so special (I think, exquisite is the word), it had to be mine!
If all the sequins don't fall off, this is gonna be an investment buy. It could jazz up any outfit. It is absolutely beautiful and certainly makes a change from my normal black cropped 3/4 length cardis.

As is this Kimono, also from New Look. I'm not normally one for print but this bird print is gorgeous and the fact that it is worked on a black background keeps me in my safety zone.
I don't think the camera has picked up how lovely this piece looks in reality (it looks too much like a night shirt on film!!). The sequins on each bird really draws the eye to the piece and adds that something more.

I'm thinking the earlier New Look item is more of a dressy one and will literally dress your outfit up. I don't think this kimono is quite so jazzy (although thinking about it, over a pencil skirt and tight black top, there is certainly potential) but I brought this one to lend my casual day to day uniform (yes, jeans and a couple of layered vests or tees!), a bit of style.

Clothes-wise, I also made some purchases in H&M. I brought two gorgeous dresses, roll on the Christmas parties and also, a trench coat. That's right, forget all I've said about trenches in the past. I absolutely adore the one I purchased today. I think it deserves a post all of its own but I just want to trial it out properly first as I have noticed over the last couple of months, that things seem to always look great in the H&M changing room and not so good when I get them home. Magic mirrors?! Maybe! However, I hope my new trench lives up to the reflection I saw earlier.

I will go off on a tangent now.

This is quite a recent purchase from H&M. Now since I've had it home, I've been wondering what to do with it. It doesn't seem to lie flat and the colour now seems much harsher then I originally gauged. Fail?! Maybe! Let me know if you've got this or any ideas how to style it. Pretty please!!


Back to today, I also went to Boots and stocked up on a few "essentials".

Due to the Frownie Fail and the fact that I seem to go through Liquid Gold very quickly (50mls in about 6 applications?!), I used my No7 voucher to get some of the notorious Number 7 Protect and Perfect Beauty serum which is billed to 'smooth[ing] lines and wrinkles in just 4 weeks'. Fingers crossed.

I'm about to finish my Oilatum Natural Repair Face Cream. This stuff is amazing. I tried the normal cream (I think, I picked up the body emollient instead of a face cream, by mistake) earlier in the year when Pixiwoo first mentioned the brand and wasn't overwhelmed but this face repair cream is brilliant. I have being using it as a moisturiser most mornings and evenings. Everything seems calmer. Very occasionally my skin feels a little dry between the brows (which is more likely down to the colder weather and possibly that I didn't moisturise so much when I used Liquid Gold) so every other night I have been layering this over the Avene Moisturising Mask (I normally don't wipe off the excess as instructed but instead let it soak in to my skin overnight) and the next morning any dryness has gone. It is very rare that I buy another tube from the same brand as soon as I've finished the last one. I normally swap it up but I'm so happy with Oilatum at the moment (and I'm also happy, toning with the Tea Tree water from Lush. I'm not sure what it is doing but I just know, it is doing good).

I also stocked up on a couple of John Frieda conditioning treatments, mini ones. I noticed how dry my hair was looking in the changing rooms possibly from the Mane and Tail. I have been using the Lee Stafford treatments and the VO5 ones up to now but have ran out so I thought I'd give these two a go this week and then decide what full size treatments to invest in. Got to say, back in the day, I used to love the John Frieda Brilliantly Brunette products. At the very least, I remember they smelt divine and I'm sure, there was a whole lot of shine too. Ooh, I will get back to you on that.

I also got the Daily Smooth, I actually think it might be my favourite smell ever and as for the moisturising function, bonus!;)

You will also see the Boots Christmas book is out, yay. When I was little, we used to go through the Argos book marking what toys we want. Yes people, I now do this in the Boots book but with beauty treats and such instead of toys (obviously!) and what is more, I take a whole evening to devour the book and then go back through to star my Christmas wishes. See, some things can be said for longer, darker nights.

Hope you are all ok and having a good week. I've got to say I've caught up with this series of TOWIE and I'm loving it. Also loving the Rachel Zoe Reports coming in to my inbox each day, inspirational even if I can't afford or access some of it, and Olivia Palermo's new blog and Undressed Skeleton which Kelly mentioned. Oh and I've dug some old blushes out and I can't remember if I applied Mac Blushbaby or Benefit Throb today but it looked really good and had some staying power in the drizzle and shopping whirl. I think it was Blushbaby!

Have you brought anything amazing lately? Have you tried the No 7 serum or Oilatum?

Take care

X