Category Archives: brands I love

Gift Guides: Under £20 last minute gifts with FatFace

19th December 2017
With less than a week to go until the big day it’s likely that some of us (me included) are starting to panic about gifts left to buy. I’m pretty much there now, but there’s one or two little things still left to get and the race is on to find somewhere that can deliver in time.

Enter FatFace with their great selection of gifts under £20- if you order before 4pm on Wednesday you will have your goods in time for Christmas (and right now they are offering free standard delivery on everything!)

You’ll find something for everyone on the site- from cosy socks to novelty gloves and scarves for the kiddies. Ideal if you’re struggling for that last minute work secret santa, have forgotten your best friend’s kid or just want to have something crowd pleasing on stand by for any last minute guests. I’ve popped together a little selection of my favourite items under £20- ones I’d love to both give and receive.

I really hope this gift guide has managed to alleviate panic for at least one person! Are you all wrapped up for Christmas?
This is the first year where I haven’t been 100% on it with my organisation, and I’m both panicking inside and revelling in the chaos!

end

Posted in brands I love, christmas, gifts

Permalink

To the Moon and Back

18th December 2017

In my last outfit post I mentioned my current obsession with all things celestial, and luckily for me (and less so for my bank balance) the shops are currently awash with space themed prints.

During a recent browsing session I happened across THE most perfect dress from Joanie Clothing and tweeted about my love for it. A few days later, on the very day I was going to ask Bob if he’d like to buy it for me for Christmas, Joanie Clothing got in touch and offered to send me the dress to feature on my blog (insert pun about the stars aligning here).

Kate Star Print Dress c/o Joanie Clothing

The Kate dress is a dream- amazing print aside, the cut and fit is just spot on. This is the first piece I’ve ever owned from Joanie Clothing and, as I’m currently having some massive struggles with body image I had no idea what size to go for. In the end I went for my normal size (which in my head would be far too small for me) and luckily it fits like a dream. The shape of the dress is super flattering too and it’s probably the first item of clothing I’ve put on in ages that instantly made me feel good.

I paired the dress with my rose gold ankle boots from River Island– and made the dubious decision to wear black tights. In hindsight this was potentially a mistake, but you live and learn.

This is the perfect dress to wear over the Christmas and New Year period, which is now pretty much upon us. For the first time in years I’m actually really excited for the festive season and I have plenty of things planned for which this dress will be the perfect fit.

This week looks like it’s going to be a manic one with work so this may well be (but hopefully won’t be) my last post before Christmas…hopefully I’ll manage to squish in a post or two between work and play – no time for rest this week! If not then I’ll be back with an end of year round up before the clock strikes midnight on the 31st.

Are there any prints you’re obsessed with lately? Or any brands? I’ve only recently discovered Joanie Clothing and my wish list is ten miles long.

end

Posted in brands I love, fashion, life stuff, outfits, personal style, shopping, Uncategorized

Permalink 2 Comments

Rocket Man

11th December 2017

My latest print obsession involves all things space- from moons and stars to spaceships and rockets, if it’s even vaguely related to outer space I want it.

This directly ties in with my latest shopping obsession, a store I found via Facebook called Thunder Egg– there have been a couple of space related pieces I’ve been coveting since I first discovered the store, so when payday yielded a little financial surprise I wasted no time in ordering both of them.

Hat: Marks and Spencer (here) | Jumper: Thunder Egg (here) | Skirt: Monki (here) | Boots: Banana Republic

The jumper is part of a unisex range by the brand Run and Fly and I just love it- how great is that print? I’ll share my second purchase from the site soon, if you haven’t already checked out Thunder Egg then I practically insist that you must. I went for the medium for a slouchy fit and I’ve basically lived in it since it’s arrival. I actually bought the cord skirt from Monki specifically with this jumper in mind, although I have wanted a cord skirt for a long time so it wasn’t entirely based on one item of clothing! The hat is also a new addition to my wardrobe (I appear to have spent a lot of time shopping lately) and was an early Christmas present from Bob when we ventured over to Bath for the Christmas Markets. It was so bitterly cold we decided to exchange the hats we’d bought each other early and I’m pretty obsessed with this rose gold finish.

It’s all been a bit quiet on the blogging front lately and it will probably remain that way now until the new year. Life is exciting and busy and chaotic and time to create content is short. I’ve also not felt brilliantly inspired in terms of content, although I have plenty of plans as to which direction I want to take the blog in for 2018.

I’m slowly but surely getting back my confidence in terms of outfit photos so those will be a big feature next year, as well as more food related content and general lifestyle. Things have changed beyond all recognition over the last twelve months and now I’m coming to terms with it it’s time to bring it in to my hobby.

Anyway,
in two weeks time it will be Christmas Day- how crazy is that? This is the first year in a very long time I’ve been genuinely excited for Christmas so I’m savouring every second of this December.

Are you feeling festive yet?

end

Posted in brands I love, fashion, life stuff, outfits, personal style, shopping

Permalink 2 Comments

Gift Guides: For the little folk*

07th December 2017
I’m at that age now where friends and family have children- from newborns to toddlers, there are plenty of kids in my life and whilst I don’t have plans for any myself in the near future I do find it fun to browse and shop for other people’s, and the same rules apply to adult shopping- I want to find the perfect present.

I’ve heard a lot of good things about River Island Kids range and after having a good old browse I’ve popped together a collage of gift ideas that covers everyone from the tiniest tots to the most boisterous (and harder to impress) school goers.

You’ll find something for all ages and budgets in River Island- from stocking fillers such as packaged up retro sweets and novelty watches (not going to lie, I want that penguin one for myself) through to party perfect outfits and some of the coolest shoes I’ve seen. Prices are decent- the most expensive item I’ve featured is the wonderfully on trend pom pom jumper at £22. Probably the best all-rounder of a gift is the hat selection- there’s a great selection of novelty (and more sensible) beanies and bobble hat for around the £10 mark and with a cold winter predicted- and a child’s tendency to misplace things I reckon you can’t go wrong with one of these.

Anyone else getting to that stage where there are almost as many kids to buy for as there are adults? My youngest cousin has just announced she’s expecting and I can’t wait to get stuck in to shopping for a brand new squishy one.

Where do you recommend for children’s gifts? I tend to favour practical presents over toys but I’m open to ideas and inspiration.

end

Posted in brands I love, christmas, fashion, gifts, shopping

Permalink

Chemist 4 U haul

01st December 2017
My name is Laura and I am a nail polish addict, I have hundreds of them and yet can never resist adding new shades and finishes to my collection whenever I see one that catches my eye (which is often). The irony in this is that I rarely paint my nails any more, I spent years having to keep them bare due to clinical work, and now I’m in an office based role I’ve been splashing out on shellac manicures. Still, when I was given the opportunity to order some products from Chemist 4 U I just couldn’t resist the lure of bargain O.P.I. polishes, especially in shades that are just perfect for the festive party season.
The shades I picked (L-R on the swatch wheel) are: unfrost my heart, I Carol about you, first class desires, kiss me- or elf! and I’ll tinsel you in. Each polish cost a bargain £2.99- a huge saving on the RRP of £7.99 each! O.P.I. was the first nail polish brand I really fell in love with, they just look so luxe and last really well- at this price these would make awesome stocking fillers this Christmas, or the perfect little pick me up for yourself.
I also picked up my absolute winter lip saviour- Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream lip protectant stick for just £10.49 which is a saving of over £9 on the RRP. Chemist 4 U sells primarily pharmacy products (also at excellent prices, for the record) but it’s the beauty section where the true bargains hide. I hadn’t used the website before but was impressed with the ease of ordering and the prompt, well packaged delivery. Well worth checking out if you’re looking for some Christmas gifts or want to stock up for yourself.
Does anyone remember the hype over O.P.I’s Russian Blue? I bought about three bottles at the height of it’s popularity! Which is your favourite shade?

end

Products were provided for blog consideration, all thoughts about the products and the service I received are my own.

Posted in beauty, brands I love, christmas, gifts, nails, shopping

Permalink