Tuesday, 21 May 2013

Neon Animal Print Pt. 2






animal print t-shirt: zara
ripped jeans: zara 
shoes: topshop
lion necklace: mango
watch: michael kors
bangles: h&m
neon leather bracelet: marc by marc jacobs
stacking rings: h&m
nails: & other stories 'moire green'
lips: rimmel moisture renew 'nude delight'

I'm obsessed with this neon animal print t-shirt at the moment! I never tend to look around the TRF section in Zara, but in the Marbella store it was all sort of merged together. The bright shades of this t-shirt really caught my eye and I thought it would be great for Summer with some jeans or denim shorts. I wore it to the Bullring yesterday with my new Zara ripped jeans which I'm also loving at the moment. They feel quite weird as they're low rise and I'm so used to wearing my Topshop Joni high-waisted jeans. I actually returned my black Topshop Joni jeans yesterday which had lost all of their shape and exchanged them for a different acid blue pair. I think the black jeans are a different fabric mix to all of the other colours, so if anybody else has had the same problem then they will exchange them for you.

I've finally invested in some Topshop Mom jeans - I went for the acid bleach shade as I have too many light denim jeans. I'm a bit scared of wearing them as I reckon they're gonna make my arse look 10 times bigger than it already is! I ordered a size 10 after trying on a pair in store so I'm hoping these are the same fit and won't be too tight as I've heard they measure up quite small. Does anybody already own a pair of Topshop Mom jeans and have any thoughts on them?

Monday, 20 May 2013

Lusting After #45

floral sheer bralet and shorts: rihanna for river island
crochet top and maxi skirt: rihanna for river island

I'm back from Marbella and have the holiday blues already! I'm going back in July for a few weeks but that seems like so far away now. My post Marbella-blues has resulted in lots of new shopping ideas as I've been deprived of the British high street for an entire week! H&M have some amazing new pieces in at the moment like this Black mesh sheer top and Grey tiger face sweater which have both typically sold out in my size. I also love a few other items on there which have sold out so I'm off to the Bullring tomorrow to hunt them down!

I never thought I would suit the Topshop Mom jeans but after trying them on today I actually really liked them. I love the slouched leg with the high-waisted style, perfect for pairing with a crop top or tucking in a t-shirt. I really want the acid bleach pair but they sold out in my local Topshop so I will purchase them tomorrow. I also love the Topshop cross sandals and have my eyes set on these for my next holiday. The little crosses around the ankle strap are so cute and the neon orange really stands out against the white leather. I'm also loving these Topshop watermelon shorts which would be really useful for casual days on holiday with a plain t-shirt and some statement jewellery. This Topshop fluorescent necklace would be the perfect choice and could be dressed up for evenings too.

As you may be aware, Rihanna's next collection for River Island launches on Saturday and I have already chosen which pieces I'll be buying. This Floral Sheer bralet and shorts set is adorable! I love the monochrome floral pattern, not too sure what I would wear underneath but that can be sorted out later. I also like the Crochet crop top and maxi skirt, again I'm not too sure what I would wear underneath, possibly a plain black bralet and high-waisted knicker shorts. I'd wear both of these sets on holiday as I don't think the weather will ever get good enough in the UK for them!

Lastly, I tried out the Nars Sheer Matte foundation whilst I was away and really liked the lightweight texture on my skin. It still managed to give quite good coverage and gave my skin a really healthy glow. It was more expensive abroad so I think I might pick this up in Selfridge's tomorrow. I also really love the Zara monochrome shoulder bag and the Zara white clutch bag, just wish they weren't both so expensive! I also saw the clutch bag in a bright blue shade which was cute, but I can't really justify the £69.99 price tag when I could probably find similar styles else where. The Asos gold fine stacking rings would also be really useful to add to my H&M stacking rings. I manage to lose a few everywhere I go so I really need to keep stocking up on them as I love them so much!


Friday, 17 May 2013

Tiger, Tiger




dress: h&m
sandals: topshop
necklace: topshop
bracelets: h&m
watch: michael kors
stacking rings: h&m
nails: kiko 'shade 389'
lips: rimmel moisture renew 'coral queen'

Yesterday was the best weather we've had so far and I spent the majority of it glued to my lounger praying to get a tan! I don't tan that easily anyway, it usually takes me a good few days so I'm soaking up anything I can get. I visited a H&M store the other day where you received a €5 voucher with every purchase. I ended up buying this tiger face dress I'd been eyeing up for a while and one of the Beyonce bikinis. I really like the brightness of the tiger on this dress, it really stands out against the black fabric and doesn't really need much else added to it. I wore my rose gold chain necklace and spiked sandals so kept the look pretty simple. 

I also added a bright coral lip to compliment the bright shades of colour used within the print. Rimmel Moisture Renew 'Coral Queen' has quickly become one of my favourite lipsticks for the Summer season. Not only does it provide a really strong colour, but the lipstick also really moisturises your lips preventing any dryness or 'crumbling' as I call it. I have other coral lipsticks such as Mac 'Vegas Volt' and Tom Ford 'True Coral', but this seems to be the best one at keeping my lips moisturised, especially in the warm weather. 

Thursday, 16 May 2013

Today I Bought #51: Marbella Edition

 jumper: left - zara, right - mango
 tiger sweater: zara, tiger dress: h&m
 dresses: both zara
 dress: zara, top: zara
 shorts: zara, skirt: zara 
 silk neon shorts: both zara 
 bikini set: h&m
 tiger necklace: mango
 statement necklace: no1
 make-up: la roche posay 'toleriane teint minteral' and 'toleriane teint correcteur fluide'
 lipstick: kiko 'shade 604', blusher: kiko 'shade 108, lipstick: kiko 'shade 906'
 nail polish: kiko '385', '389' and '356'
body moisturiser: lancaster 'tan maximizer'

Now that's what you call a holiday haul! I always tend to shop lots when I come to Marbella because the shops are so good, especially Zara, H&M and Mango where the prices are fairly cheaper than in the UK. The weather has also been quite cloudy today which hasn't helped matters. I managed to burn my stomach yesterday so a day out of the sun is probably best for me anyway!

Zara is probably my all-time favourite shop, the only thing that tends to put me off is the prices. Therefore, you can imagine how crazy I go when everything is a good £10 cheaper! I own this Zara beige jumper in 3 colours now, I just find it so wearable and the lightweight fabric makes it extra comfortable and slouchy. I also bought this similar style Mango sheer stripe jumper which was in the sale reduced to €20 from around €35. I never tend to wear chunky knits as I get too hot so these lightweight/ sheer jumpers are more up my street.

The tiger face trend is still going strong so I decided to jump on the bandwagon and purchase this Zara monochrome tiger face sweater and H&M tiger face dress. I actually really love both of these pieces, they are fairly casual so could be dressed up with statement jewellery and a bright lip. I think the dress will look really good with some chunky boots and a large gold necklace. I also bought this Zara printed chiffon dress and Zara stripe dress for smarter occasions or nights out. I really love the simple print of the white chiffon dress, this will be perfect during the Summer months with some strappy heels and a coral lip. The striped dress isn't something I would usually go for and I'm worried the shape won't be as loose-fitting as I hope but I'll give it a go!

Since being in Marbella, all I want to buy is more Summer pieces for when I come back for a few weeks during July/ August. I love this Zara black sheer panel dress for a simple and casual look, along with this Zara yellow caged vest which could be easily worn with some shorts or tucked into a maxi skirt. I've also stocked up on some shorts and skirts for when the weather warms up a bit back home, no surprise they are all from Zara too! These Zara beige silk shorts are mainly for during the day with a white cami vest, whereas the two pairs of Zara neon silk shorts could be dressed up for going out in the evenings. I also bought this Zara aztec printed skirt which really caught my eye when browsing around the shop today. I love the neon lime stripe down each side as this really stands out against the monochrome print.

Next up we have the H&M For Water bikini set which I've been lusting after for a while but couldn't find this style of top in my size. I love the water effect print and this will look so pretty on the beach layered underneath a sheer kaftan. A couple of statement necklaces have entered my collection today, I already have a dupe of this Mango lion necklace but I wanted the real thing as it's much larger and better quality. I also bought this No.1 statement necklace whilst shopping in Puerto Banus which had been reduced to €20, and you know I can't resist a good bargain!

Lastly, I purchased some La Roche Posay make-up - a mineral powder which I haven't tried out yet and a foundation which I can confirm is amazing! It gives really good coverage without feeling too cakey and heavy on the skin. I've been wearing this in the warm weather and it hasn't rubbed off or made my skin feel greasy in the heat. I also bought some Kiko lipsticks in a bright coral and nude shade, along with a coral pink blusher to give my cheeks some colour in the sun. I also really recommend the Kiko nail polishes as they stay on really well without chipping and provide a strong bold colour. And last but not least, my Summer essential has always been Lancaster Tan Maximizer. I cannot express just how much I love this product! Not only does it really help to moisturise my skin in the sun, it also helps to enhance my tan and prolong it for when I get back home. If I could recommend any product to take abroad with you, this would be it!

Wednesday, 15 May 2013

Neon Animal Print




cami top: topshop
split maxi skirt: rihanna for river island
sandals: topshop
necklace: river island
bangles: h&m
watch: michael kors
stacking rings: h&m
nails: opi 'ds classic'
lips: topshop 'macaroon'

I look so short in these photographs, only just realised as I've uploaded them! My dad has been taking my photos for me as I didn't bring my tripod or SLR camera with me so that's why they look a little different to my usual. I have had to edit the saturation/ contrast as well to make them look half decent so excuse the off tones of the photos. I was treated to a lovely meal at my favourite restaurant in Marbella - La Sala. I wore this neon animal print cami which I purchased a few weeks ago but haven't had the chance to wear yet. I paired it with my split maxi skirt which has actually come in a lot more handy than I originally thought. I'm not a huge fan of the stretchy lycra fabric as I think it looks a bit cheap but I love the zip detail and the body con style fit. 

I'm also wearing my favourite River Island jewelled statement necklace which has rarely been worn as it is more suited for Summer. I love the colourful gem stones used within the design and it adds such a special touch to a plain outfit. The necklace actually has a long rope cord but I tied this behind my neck to make it shorter as it didn't stand out well against the animal print. I also added Topshop 'Macaroon' to my lips which is one of my all time top lipsticks. The shade is quite a vibrant candy pink with a nice creamy texture which leaves a bold colour on the lip. I'm a huge fan of Topshop lipsticks so I can't wait for them to hopefully bring out some lovely new Summer shades!

Tuesday, 14 May 2013

Mini Break




dress: river island
sandals: topshop
necklace: topshop
sunglasses: topshop
watch: michael kors
bracelet: marc by marc jacobs
stacking rings: h&m
nails: opi 'ds classic'
lips: topshop 'heartbeat'

I cannot express how nice it feels to bare my (very pale) arms and legs for once and not be absolutely freezing! I never tend to brave it in England as it never feels right unless the weather is scorching. I'm also loving not wearing chunky boots and giving my feet a breather for once! Yesterday I went shopping in Puerto Banus and picked up some Zara goodies as the prices are so much cheaper down here. I also purchased some Kiko and La Roche Posay make-up which I will be featuring on my blog soon.

I featured this dress in an outfit post a while back but layered it over a chiffon blouse to create a suitable Winter look. I have been dying to wear this as a Summer dress ever since and now I finally can! I love the smock style shape, it makes it so easy to wear and especially on holiday when you want something lightweight. It's incredibly short and I'm only 5'3 so I would not recommend this to tall people! I never saw this on the website or in any store other than the one in my hometown for some reason. River Island do have it in an alternative brighter print but I think this neutral shade is a lot nicer. I have paired it with a simple statement necklace and my rose gold spiked sandals. I bought these a long time ago, probably around February, so I'm not sure if they still stock them. I love these sandals to death and they haven't given me any blisters so far (touch wood)!


Sunday, 12 May 2013

Lusting After #44

knitted neon vest: topshop
daisy cami: topshop
yellow jumper: river island
monochrome shorts: river island
tiger face dress: h&m
leather skirt: all saints
blue lunch bag clutch: zara
turquoise necklace: ottoman hands via asos
hologram sandal: zara
black leather bag: topshop unique

Greetings from Marbella! Although I wouldn't be too jealous...the weather isn't great here this morning. I managed to burn one side of my face yesterday so I'm out of the sun for today anyway! I planned to do an outfit post today but as you can imagine, half a red face is not a good look. Once the weather brightens up and my face calms down a bit I will bring one your way!

There are so many lovely pieces hitting the shops at the moment that I am very frequently posting these 'Lusting After' style posts. I love bright colours at the moment so this Topshop Knitted Vest and River Island Yellow Jumper are right up my street. I think the knitted vest may be the same as the pink and mint cropped ones I already own. I have been wearing these religiously with my Topshop Joni jeans so a new addition to my collection would be great. The River Island jumper is also available in white, cream, pastel blue and neon orange so I may purchase more than one. I also love this Topshop Daisy Cami for pairing with plain black jeans or denim shorts in the Summer. I can imagine this looking lovely with a large statement necklace and bright orange lip such as Mac 'Morange'.

I'm not really a 'shorts girl' but these River Island Monochrome city shorts are adorable and would go perfectly with a chunky knit and some platform heels. I'm not sure I have the legs to pull them off but I might try them on if I come across them in store. I saw this H&M Tiger Face dress in store the other week and I'm kicking myself for not buying it. I had already bought the tiger face jumper which I would post a link to but can't find it on the website. I've been buying a few midi skirts at the moment to wear on nights out with crop tops or cami vests. At the top of my list is this All Saints Leather skirt featuring a zip up the centre back. This skirt is wayyy out of my price range at a mighty £188 but I will keep my fingers crossed that it eventually hits the sales!

I nearly purchased this Zara Lunch Bag clutch over the weekend but again, I couldn't justify the price tag of £69.99. The colour and style of the bag is gorgeous and I can already imagine so many ways to style it up but I think it is over-priced. I picked it up expecting it to be around £29.99 which is what made me even more reluctant to purchase it. I also love this Topshop Unique Leather bag which is even more expensive at a whopping £275. I don't think I would ever purchase such a simplistic bag for that price when similar and cheaper alternatives could be found. 

Lastly, I've had my eye on these Zara Hologram Sandals for a while now but can't seem to find them in any store. I'm awkward in the feet department as I can be a size 5 or 6 so I like to try them on before I purchase. These would be so cute for the Summer months and could be worn with a casual pair of skinny jeans or jazz up a plain Summer dress. I also love this Ottoman Hands Pendant necklace which I cam across whilst doing my daily browse across Asos. I have seen this brand in Topshop Oxford Circus before but never really bothered to look around it. I think turquoise jewellery always looks great worn with Summer maxi dresses on holiday and really help to add colour to an outfit.