Life Lately: Instapost

23rd December 2015

It’s been a little while since my last instagram post as to be honest not a lot has happened since November. Actually I lie, a lot has happened and I’ve been pretty busy but it hasn’t been anything that makes for a pretty picture.
Anyway, here’s a mix-up of happenings from November and December…for more make sure you’re following me on instagram and watch this space for a festive season and new year round up soon.

Hover over the photos for it’s caption and give it a click to view full sized.

Games night the cat lady way

Mae can’t wait for her catnip to grow

The most amazing scented candle from New Look

Growling at builders

Festive feasting on these Christmas tree crumpets

I’m not usually a fan of low fat yoghurts but this one is pretty good

Garlic mushroom pasta bake is a new favourite dinner for Ben and I

New Joules dressing gown

Sleeping beauty

Christmas Cups! Costa won the battle for me this year

Addicted.

Nandos dates with my bestest best friend

Staring at my future.

See previous. I just love this cheeky chap cup

Mini Christmas tree for Ben’s flat which can’t fit anything bigger.

All dolled up for work’s Christmas party

Christmas treats from Boomf!

A bit of motivation to myself

Advent calendars his ‘n hers style

Dinner at Jamie’s Italian, this was AMAZING

Makeup haulin’

One happy cat

A Christmas treat from Essence

Snuggles with my girl

Gingerbread cupcakes for work

Leave your latest round-ups below, I love checking out what people have been up to!

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#JumpinDresses with George at Asda

21st December 2015

I’m a dress girl through and through. Trousers, especially jeans have their place in my wardrobe of course but given the choice it would be daily dresses for me. This can pose a problem come the Winter months, how do you keep warm without bulky layers or hiding a pretty print with a chunky cardigan? The answer of course is the humble jumper dress, warm and cosy there is a jumper dress for every occasion and George at Asda just so happen to have a pretty great range in store at the moment.

Entire outfit c/o George at Asda: Jumper Dress | Boots | Headband

This is my current go-to weekend outfit, smart enough for time spent shopping or popping out for a drink but casual and comfortable enough to not feel overdressed. The tights are also from Asda and my current favourite thing given that they are thermal thus solving my “but my legs are freezing” problem. The dress is a dream, unlike some jumper dresses I own it’s slouchy without looking sloppy and I loved the combination of textures on this design. At £16 it really is incredible value and the quality is fantastic.

I’ve wanted a pair of over-knee boots for ages and this pair are just lovely. My only gripe is that are more “on the knee” rather than properly over on me, but that’s my fault for being tall with long legs I suppose! For anyone looking to add some great value boots to the shoe collection these cost £30 and come up perfectly true to size, the added bonus of over the knee boots is the extra warmth they bring.

I finished off the outfit with the faux fur headband as an alternative to a hat. I wasn’t sure about this when it first arrived but once I had played around a bit with how I wanted to wear it I soon grew to love it and it’s become a bit of a staple on the (non rainy) colder days.

Are you a fan of jumper dresses? How would you have styled this one?

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#oneforyouoneforme with Long Tall Sally

18th December 2015

The gift guides are coming to an end but it wouldn’t be Christmas until I presented a guide from one of my favourite brands Long Tall Sally who have put together their own rather fabulous gift guide to tempt and tease. I’ve worked with the brand a number of times over the last year and a bit and they never fail to impress me therefore my own gift guide and wish list is rather extensive and I am seriously hoping that Santa and his Elves are reading!

Topping my personal wish list has to be these fantastic glittery boots and adorable penguin PJs… it isn’t Christmas unless there is a new pair of pyjamas involved.

As for gift giving, well, I think clothes can be a bit of a tricky area unless you know someone really, REALLY well. I’ve focused my gift guide on the fantastic array of accessories on offer, all perfectly proportioned to suit the taller frame. This faux fur scarf is ideal for anyone who likes to add a touch of glamour to their look and these gorgeous gloves will keep frostbite at bay!

What would you most like to receive from my list? Aside from the boots I’m also really wishing I had a swanky party to go to as that metallic maxi dress is calling out to me.

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My #TravelodgeTopTowns; shopping and staycations*

17th December 2015

I’ve always been a girl who has loved to shop and I consider us very lucky over here in the UK as their are some amazing shopping centres to visit from the mainstream brands to the quirky independents. We’re also incredibly lucky that we don’t need to travel overseas to have an amazing break away. An hour or two down a motorway sees us almost in another country with changing scenery, atmosphere and even weather. With that in mind, when Travelodge invited me to share some of my top towns with my readers I really didn’t find it all that hard.

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I couldn’t not start this post with my home city, Bristol and all it has to offer. I’ve waxed lyrical about living here before especially in terms of the shopping! From out of town high street heaven at Cribbs Causeway to the brands and atmosphere of Cabot Circus there really is something to cater for all tastes and all budgets. Some of my favourite shopping haunts are Gloucester Road for it’s independent shops and cool coffee shops as well as Cabot Circus (nothing beats a browse in Pull and Bear, or I feel really extravagant then Harvey Nichols!

Another favourite for me in terms of shopping has to be Birmingham. The vastness of the Bullring (the UK’s busiest shopping centre) never fails to impress me and I love how so many shops that I can’t browse in Bristol are readily available for my browsing pleasure. I could lose half a day easily inside Selfridges and split the other half between Forever21 and Victorias Secret. I must make another visit soon.

On the staycation front there are two places that really stand out in my mind. Firstly Sidmouth, a charming little seaside town in Devon where I spent many a happy childhood holiday. There is something so magical about strolling down cobbled streets, eating ice cream and picking your way over the pebbly beach waiting for the tide to retreat so you can snag a rare bit of sand. I have so many happy memories from this little part of Devon, I don’t think it will ever lose it’s magic.

The second staycation destination is Melton Mowbray which I’ve become quite familiar with since Ben and I make more and more frequent visits up to see his family. He’ll think I’m mad for writing this but I think it’s such a charming place with it’s signposts for the pork pie shoppe and bustling weekend market. A short drive outside of town and you’re in some of the most beautiful countryside too… I always fall for this town every time we head up North.

These are all places I plan to see a lot more of in 2016. It’s going to be a busy year and I don’t think I’ll have the funds to fly off anywhere overseas, I can’t say I’m overly bothered though (weather aside) as the UK has so much to offer and you can easily get a weekend away very cheaply, leaving a few pennies left over to explore the local shops, of course!

Where are some of your favourite towns and cities? I’m starting a list of where I need to go over the next 12 months…

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The Cosy One

16th December 2015

It’s finally got properly cold around these parts and I’m relishing the excuse to put on the cosiest outfit I can find. I’m not a fan of feeling chilly so stocking my wardrobe with some really warm jumpers in an absolute must and I have recently added to my collection in the form of the snuggliest jumper I have ever owned.

Jumper: H&M (get it here) | Trousers: H&M | Boots c/o Long Tall Sally

H&M has been one of my top high-street shops this year and their Christmas campaign sealed the deal. There were so many pieces in there (at amazing prices I might add) that screamed “buy me” but with the budget to pick just one it had to be this jacquard print polo neck jumper that is honestly just like wearing a blanket. Because it’s quite a voluminous piece I’ve been tending to pair it with skinny trousers but I do think it would look good with a pencil skirt too, something to play on the proportions.

This has to be one of my purchases of the season, I feel ready to take on any cold snap that mother nature plans to throw at us….

What are your favourite pieces for keeping snug in the cold weather and who have been your high-street hero stores in 2015?