A big old dress wish list from Joy!

Just in case it had escaped your notice I am obsessed with Joy and their fabulous dresses so I was delighted when Riddle were able to team up with them to create some content. Here are my top ten dresses to see you through the festive season…which one is your favourite?

[postriddle data_game=”//www.riddle.com/Top10/Embedded/2284-Top+Party+Dresses+from+Joy+the+Store” data_width=”100%” data_height=”auto” data_recommendations=”true” data_share=”false” data_comments=”false” data_info=”false”]

end

Kick Start with IKRUSH

Ah December, undoubtedly my favourite month of year despite the dodgy weather and darker days. I just love that the whole month is full of (mostly) good moods, festive spirit and bundles of fun. It’s become a tradition now that Mum and I book the first week of December off of work to finish up our shopping and get things organised before the madness of working the run up to Christmas in a Doctor’s Surgery really steps up a notch.

Jumper: Marks and Spencer | Skirt: New Look (tall) | Tights: Primark | Boots c/o Ikrush

My boots collection might be vast but I was lacking a black ankle pair that is suitable for every day wear. I really love this buckle detail boots from IKRUSH, they remind me a bit of the shoes I used to have for school as a child (the perils of having big, wide feet- no pretty dolly shoes for me!) and the way they sort of wrap over themselves gives a really unique touch. At under £20 these are an absolute bargain, true to size and so ridiculously comfortable, in short these are the boots my shoedrobe has been lacking for some time, ever since the unfortunate demise of my old faithful Chelsea boots from Yull. If these aren’t your cup of tea then IKRUSH have a really extensive collection of boots and shoes all at bargain prices. Go on, take a look…
Another thing I’m loving right now is this bunny jumper that I grabbed when I was at the Marks and Spencer outlet in Swindon the weekend before last. Needless to say it was a bargain price (£21 instead of £35) and no matter how much I should be saving money right now I couldn’t leave this behind. I’m a big old fan of the novelty knit and this is easing me in to Christmas jumper season perfectly. Sorry the images are so small, give them a click to open up the gallery and see them full sized.
Well, for the first day of my week off I actually have no plans- I might get myself really organised and get some cards written and presents wrapped…I think that’s organised- hands up who has already got all those bits done already?!

end

Beach Wedding Make-Up Look

Ok, so this post is going to require a little bit of imagination, on my part and on yours. Firstly let’s pretend it’s not almost winter in England and therefore decidedly grey and cold outside. Secondly let’s look past my big old jumper and imagine what I’m actually wearing is a gorgeous Summer dress, styled to perfection with spot on accessories and perfect make-up. You see, with the help of BlueBay Hotels & Resorts Weddings I wanted to show you what make-up I’d be wearing should I bet jetting off somewhere hot and sunny to attend my best friend’s beach wedding (further imagination required as by no means so I profess to be a beauty blogger, but I do my best!)
First up the products I used: Bourjois Happy Light Primer, Bourjois 123 perfect foundation (love this!), Oriflame eyebrow kit, (not pictured) concealer from Collection, Real Techniques brushes, MAC mineralize eye shadow quad in Golden Hours*, MAC lipstick in Sunny Seoul*, Urban Decay Naked Skin ultra definition pressed powder in light*, Benefit they’re real eyeliner* and Benefit bronze of champions kit*.
I didn’t want too heavy a look as I think keeping things natural and pretty is the best approach especially if you’re going to be somewhere potentially hot and sunny. I started off with a layer of the Bourjois primer which I love as it gives my skin a bit of a glow boost (not that you can tell as central heating has wrecked my chances of a dewy glow!) and a coating of the 123 perfect foundation, with a dab of concealer over any flaws that needed covering.
A golden look was the first thing that came to mind when I was planning how I’d do this look. The eye-shadow quad from MAC was the perfect piece as the colours blended together beautifully to create a softly golden/bronze smokey eye, accentuated with some flicked out liner, courtesy of Benefit. I love this liner as it honestly doesn’t budge, perfect for adding some drama even when things are hotting up! I also added a coat of the “they’re real” mascara from the bronzer kit which added volume and colour to my lashes without making them feel overladen. I can’t stand my eyes feeling heavy when it’s hot and humid at the best of times, let along for a (hypothetical) special occasion!
For my cheeks I followed the guide in the bronzer kit and added a light dusting on Hoola bronzer where I needed it most. I was a bit worried that this would be far too dark on my porcelain skin but actually it seems to be a suit-all shade that means I wouldn’t look so ghostly pale among the wedding crowds! I also added some “watts up” highlighter on my cheekbones, but failed to capture the gorgeous glow it gave on camera!
I fell in love with MAC’s Sunny Seoul lipstick when looking online and knew it had to be a part of the look. I thought a bright and bold red lip would be a bit over the top for a beach wedding but a glowing semi-sheer pink was the perfect replacement. This is hands down my favourite lipstick that I own and should I ever be off to a beach wedding it’ll be the first item in my clutch bag!
Have you ever been to a beach wedding? Or indeed, have you ever got married on a beach? I’d love to know how your perfect make-up would look (and how you thought I did!)

end

Finding the perfect winter coat to flatter your figure

While it is always sad saying goodbye to the glorious summer sunshine for another year, or as we call it in Britain, the week we all insisted on wearing shorts, we have to admit that we feel a little bit excited when the clocks change and the long nights draw in. That’s because it’s time to get our winter coats out again!

If you think about it, your winter coat is one of the most important items in your wardrobe. Not only does it need to serve the purpose of defending you against the elements during the coldest months, but it also acts as your external shell for a long period of the year.

A decent winter coat will be worn every day for at least 4 months, so it’s important that you get it right. It is essential that you choose a wonderful winter coat that not only keeps you warm, but also flatters your figure. You may have spent hours carefully selecting some ultra-chic attire, but if you throw on a frumpy old coat you will be detracting from your overall look.

Wrapping up doesn’t mean you have to cover up your curves, and with the right coat you can achieve an elegant and flattering look while staying warm. A long line coat with a belted waist will work wonders if you are looking to accentuate your waist and a flared skirt will act as a distraction if you are trying to draw attention away from your hips. If you are unsure about what style to choose, assess your own wardrobe, carefully examine your most flattering pieces and try to find coats with a similar cut or length as they should be the most flattering shapes for your figure.

When it comes to choosing the design of your winter coat, timeless style always triumphs over modern trends. A simple black ensemble can be transformed into effortless Parisian chic with the addition of a beige trench coat with a belted waist. Aim to find a coat made from fine quality textiles such as wool, cashmere and mohair so you know that you’ll be reaching for it year after year, with the guarantee that it will stay in the same premium condition as when you first purchased it.

Of course, one of the best ways to find a flattering winter coat is to have it tailor made to your own unique figure. While you may think this could be a little pricey, consider how often you purchase a cheaper coat, only to throw it away after a few months because it has either gone out of style or has fallen apart. Tailor made coats are an investment, as they are crafted from high-quality materials, so you know they will withstand many winters. Opt for a classic design and colour to ensure that it never goes out of style.

end

The Latest Insta Edit

Oh yeah, it’s that time again! Instagram posts are taking over my blog reading feeds and I’m not gonna lie, I LOVE them! Here’s my contribution, a snippet of my month in photos.
As ever, leave links to your posts below. I can’t wait to start snapping all things festive this month. December looks like it’s going to be quite an exciting one in the world of Laura, and I’m sure you’ll be sick to death of seeing it!

end