Yearly Archives: 2014

More Black & More Bright

07th November 2014
Can you tell that teaming black with a super bright colour is one of my current favourite combinations? I also seem to be having a moment for lurid green/yellow shades as I couldn’t resist this jumper in Primark, especially at just £10. I bought several of their fluffy jumpers last year and they wear and wash so well that I couldn’t pass by another addition to the collection.

Jumper: Primark | Jeans c/o Celeb Look | Boots: I still can’t remember!

I’ve been after a pair of black jeans for ages, I have my ripped ones from TTYA x Long Tall Sally but I was also really craving something more solid. For £18.99 this pair from Celeb Look are excellent value- as is everything on their site. I love the textured knees and zipper details, they add a little extra edge to a wardrobe staple. My only gripe is they come up a little small, I’m sort of inbetween sizes and I probably should have gone for the larger option for a little extra comfort, still they are really comfortable and well made so I can live with a little less circulation!
It’s been yet another mad week here in my little part of the world, between now and Christmas I don’t expect much in the way of rest and relaxation- I’m just glad that because of the way Christmas falls this year I get four days off rather than two- bring on the pudding coma!
I hope everyone has had a great week, did you go see any fireworks? Or perhaps you’re off to a display this weekend? I love wrapping up snug and waving sparklers around like a lunatic. It’s also the perfect chance to get a final fix of barbecued food before next Summer- bring on the bangers!

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Instagram Famous Kitties

06th November 2014
A post dedicated to my fellow cat ladies and instagram addicts! Be sure to let me know if I’ve missed anyone off!

[postriddle data_game=”//www.riddle.com/Top10/Embedded/2125-The+Most+Famous+Cats+on+Instagram” data_width=”100%” data_height=”auto” data_recommendations=”true” data_share=”false” data_comments=”false” data_info=”false”]

Interested in creating your own Riddle? Let me know and I’ll get in touch!

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In the Morning Light

05th November 2014

Last week gave us one of those rare mornings, where thanks to the change in the clocks the garden was bathed in golden sunshine at just 7:15 in the morning. Never one to waste an opportunity (and running early for work for once in my life) I set up my tripod and grabbed some photos of a dress I’ve been itching to share.

Clearly I hadn’t had quite enough coffee yet as upon reviewing the photos I was a little disappointed that things had come out a little blurry and I’d failed to get the settings quite right, live and learn eh?

Dress: Marks and Spencer | Boots: New Look | Bracelet: New Look

I first saw this dress in a preview e-mail of the A/W collection from M&S and fell in love with it, everything from the dusky blue colour to the delicately embellish collar screamed “buy me”. A trip in to town a few weeks later saw me fall further in love as the dress looked even more perfect in real life. I didn’t buy it that day though, for whatever reason and buyers remorse kicked in. A couple of weeks later I was back in town and saw the dress again, this time in the sale reduced from £35 to £22…looks like shopping karma strikes again! It might look super simple, and really it is, but this is such a lovely dress for this time of year and the collar means accessories can be kept to a minimum. I’m a big fan of a pretty collar and they don’t come much prettier than this!

I wasn’t really sure what shoes to pair with the colour of the dress if I’m honest, black seemed to harsh and my grey Zara ankle boots didn’t really work either. In the end I settled for these brown boots from New Look which I just can’t bring myself to get rid of, they are so very comfortable even if they aren’t the most attractive shoe in the world. The outfit still didn’t feel quite right though so if you have any shoe suggestions then do send them my way!

It’s bonfire night tonight and I am so tired after an event last night and an early start at work that any plans to go for a walk to watch other people’s displays have long since vanished- last year resulted in Ben and I playing with sparklers in the park, this year will be more of a cup of tea and glance out of the window type affair! I’m not massive fan of fireworks anyway, unless they are part of an organised display. I live in a really residential area where people insist on setting off industrial sized rockets- Mae is a cowering wreck for the days leading up to and days after the 5th of November and that makes me all kind of mad.

Are you off to any displays over the next few days? I can’t wait to see some photos…

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Event Alert- Dr Oetker Even Better Baking Boutique

04th November 2014
I know that many of you, like me are keen bakers. I never seem to find the time to get busy in the kitchen these days thanks to a jam-packed schedule of work commitments and I know my skills are in need of whipping in to shape. It saddens me that all the coolest sounding events are in London when I’m all the way down in Bristol; even if the trains are extortionate, by the time I’d make it to the captial after work the event would long be over. Still, that doesn’t mean I’m not going to share awesome things with you- for anyone who is in the Big Smoke over the next few days why not pop along to the Dr Oetker Even Better Baking Boutique for some inspiration, hints and tips?
Britain’s biggest and best loved home baking brand – Dr. Oetker, will open its doors to the Even Better Baking Boutique on Friday 7th November until Sunday 16th November 2014.

Each day, the interactive baking space will play host to a range of inspiration experiences to encourage the nation to become even better bakers. These include demos, product showcases, taste testing, master classes, and for the first time ever consumers will also get the chance to purchase all of the amazing products on the spot.

Even Better Baking Ambassador Juliet Sear will host a very special master class on Friday 7th November, sharing all of her insider hints and tips on perfecting a range of tricky techniques. These include the art of perfect piping, simplifying sugar roses, truly irresistible toppings and Christmas themed modelling.

On Thursday 13th November, cake pop expert and baking extraordinaire April Carter will host an exclusive Cake Pop Night, designed to give consumers the confidence to turn their own favourite pop stars into quirky cakes on sticks! Consumers will get the chance to learn from the best and have a go themselves on the night, to the backdrop of a DJ spinning everyone’s favourite 80’s pop tunes.

Other master classes taking place at the Dr. Oetker Even Better Baking Boutique include Beautiful Baking Trends, Chocolate Emporium and Winter Wonder Bakes.

For more information on the full schedule of experiences and to register for a place at any of the exclusive master class’s just visit the Dr. Oetker facebook page.

Let me know if you go along, or better yet blog about your experience sharing your new found knowledge!

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Black ‘n Bright

03rd November 2014
I promised an outfit post featuring my brand new boots from the DUO event and here it is. They arrived almost two weeks ago now, so in true Laura style I am behind with my blogging but that gives more weight behind the declaration that these boots are awesome! The perfect fit and oh so comfortable they have barely left my feet. Even better is the fact they are water resistant, keeping my feet snug and dry on the increasingly damp walks to work.

Jumper: H&M | Skirt: Marks and Spencer | Boots c/o Duo

The Somerset boots just so happen to be the perfect partner to this skirt from M&S, a bargain at £25 (yeah, I was amazed by the price too!). I was drawn to the bright yellow/green colour which no longer seems to be available online and there is something quite 1960s about it. This has made a welcome addition to my work wear, and judging by the reaction of my colleagues it’s various colours might become our office uniform. I kept the top half of my outfit simple with a slouchy cropped knit from H&M, another bargain at £7.99 although I am on the lookout for a fine knitted polo neck to complete the retro vibes.
I can’t believe we’re now in to November, there is no denying the fact that Christmas is looming and things are going to be getting a lot colder…

what have you been adding to your work wardrobe lately? I also picked up a gorgeous dress in M&S the other week, one that I had been eyeing for a little while and I then found in the sale…watch out for that featuring on the blog soon. I can’t believe I so often overlook good old marks and sparks, they have some brilliant pieces at the moment, not least this epic Christmas jumper!

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