SPOTTED @ ZARA

I've been spotting things again... and ordering them. I really liked my quick little 'SPOTTED:' post I did about the River Island Cami Bikini Tops (here) and I thought I would post this gem I spotted in the Zara sale... £50ish to £22.99 is my kind of bargain. I love the subtle two-tone and I have been searching for a bag for ages with a zip, a hand and shoulder strap and handy compartments. This ticks all boxes but has proven very difficult to find! Preferably I wanted black but this caught my eye and was too pretty to click away. For the price, practicality and prettiness, I just couldn't leave it alone.

I am travelling a lot in the next two months as well and the size means I will be able to get in lots of travel essentials and although it's not quite big enough to use as a hand luggage bag when you have nothing else, such as a bag in the hold, it will fit inside my suitcase and I can fill it with travel essentials! I'll be posting soon something along the travel essentials line, so stay tuned.

SPOTTED: RIVER ISLAND BIKINI TOPS

These are my perfect bikini tops: a little bit of push and holds everything in. I don't have the biggest boobs so triangle shaped bikinis don't do anything for me and I love something that really holds everything. I saw these on Lucy Watson's Instagram and loved them straight away. For only £15 they are, in my eyes, a bargain and the bottoms that they match with them are also lovely and relatively cheap with around 8 colours to choose from. There is also a limited edition version of this bikini with a different pattern on each side that has a small cut out in the middle. I might have to pick up two....

WISHLIST

Hello! Putting myself on a spending ban doesn't stop me from lusting over lots of new releases and things which are widely spoken about on the blogs I read. From the black things that I just think go with everything, to beauty bits that I simply just need in my life and the sports gear that I will definitely not be wearing to exercise - it's just pretty.

Topshop Bag - Topshop Shoes - L'Oreal True Match Foundation - Aesop Parsley Seed Mask - Maybelline Anti Aging Concealer - Missguided 'Active' Sport Bra - Love Magazine - Real Techniques Bold Metals Collection - Missguided 'Active' Sportsbra Crop Top 

CHRISTMAS | Girlfriends and Sisters

Hello! Welcome to the beginning of my Christmas posts. I like to get pretty organized and plan what I am going to get everyone for Christmas so I hope this isn't too early for anyone (the John Lewis was released on the 6th so this can't possibly be too early!)! I thought I would give some tips to anyone struggling to think of a great gift for different people in their lives. First of all, girlfriends and sisters!

 

 1. A special purse or bag. Purses are something I never seem to be able find for myself. All of the ones I want are out of my price range and to be honest, they never seem to fit all my needs perfectly. A special purse might be something that the person you're buying for would never buy for themselves and they last for such a long time on top of being pretty timeless!

2. Books. There is always a book to fit someone's hobbies and interests. Make up, shoes, fashion or even just a classical read. Perhaps get them the hardback or a special edition in order to make it super special, complete with festive message inside.

3. A nice piece of jewellery. If someone wears jewellery all the time then get them something that will fit in with what they wear.   For example if they only wear silver or gold get them a piece in that colour or if they wear dainty pieces then get them something equally dainty or contrast it with something a bit more chunky and maybe something they would wear for special occasions. Pandora is a popular choice and if they already have a bracelet you can add a charm or you can go outside of Pandora, of course. Whatever you get them, it needs to be wearable for them, just keep that in mind.

4. A fashion accessory. A beanie or a scarf are perfect for many times of the wear. I know lots of people wear beanies really often and scarfs aren't just something you can wear in winter to make an outfit look a bit more dressy. Grab something that suits their style and that you think they would be able to pair with lots of things.

5. A Polaroid camera. And somewhere to put the photos. These are brilliant presents for anyone as it's so exciting to take pictures with others and wait for the result. So old school (my mum does not understand why teenagers have these!)

6. A candle. Candles can get pretty expensive sometimes and I wouldn't spend too much on a candle for myself. If someone you're buying for is a big candle lover or just likes smelly things then buying them something like a Diptique candle would be a fantastic gift for them and not something they would splash out on for themselves.

7. Perfumes are always a great gift as if they have a signature scent it's always something they will use after they've run out of their current bottle. Of course, if you guess a scent it's a bit of a risk but maybe have a sneak about their room/dressing table to see what they use a lot!

8. A day out. No, not literally buy them a pair of ice skates, but perhaps take them ice skating and make a day of it. I know that in London you can get tickets at the Natural History Museum, Winter Wonderland and Somerset House (I've been to Somerset House a couple of times and love skating there!) Even if you or them aren't very good it's entertaining to watch one another fall over. You could similarly get them tickets for a show or a concert. Whatever suits them/you. 

9. Some fancy bath time things. The Laura Mercier Creme Brule Honey Bath is quite a popular bath time thing in the blogging world, although I've never tried it myself. Something that they might not fork out the money for very often is always a special gift, and sometimes bath things just do not come cheap.

10. A chair. I know, weird. But the idea came from my friends boyfriend getting her an armchair last year and she loved it so much. I have no idea how he thought of it but I thought it was quite a nice idea. If they have a big room or nowhere in the house to sit and curl up with a magazine/book then this is a quirky idea!

There we are, 10 ideas for your girlfriend, sister or even just a friend. You could also make them something super cute and personal if you don't feel that any of these will do the trick. A photo frame or a little scrap book always has a super personal touch!!

I hope you're all excited for Christmas and that this has given you a little bit of inspiration!

5 THINGS I 'NEED' FOR AUTUMN

Hello! Let's face it... I need none of these things. However, I feel like they would be incredibly welcome into my wardrobe up until next summer.

1. Nike Air Force 1s Low White - I don't know why but I love these. I think it's just because I love white and these are all-white-errything. I'm not really a trainer girl and never wear trainers with my outfits except a pair of white Converse but I really love these!

2. Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Hot Pepper - These are some little beauties that I cannot wait to try. Liquid lipsticks that dry down to a completely matte look and feel and don't budge all day. Why would you not want to try these? And they've just added a couple more colours but I'm a big fan of this bright and perfect red. 

3. Zara Fur Hooded Coat - Isn't this lovely?! My mum always used to buy me hooded coats with fur when I was younger and I always hated them but I think they're really cute now. Mum, you were right all along. I love Zara coats as they always last for such a long time and actually keep you warm (something I like in a coat!)

4. Blue Jeans & Fave Grey Sweatshirt - I saw this in Zara and loved it. It's so simple and would be great to put under a coat with a pair of jeans, a coat and some boots or for just lazing about. You can use it for layering or just on it's own. I can't wait to get my hands on it.

5. Soap & Glory Brow Archery 2 in 1 - If you read my post on S&G's Brow Tint and Pencil you'll know I'm a huge fan. However, a little update: the tint end tends to get a little clogged with foundation and sometimes seems a bit pointless to me. It's become something I only do if I am going out so I get the most use out of the pencil and often find myself thinking 'now I just need a good spoolie'! This has the pencil with the same formula although tinner than their previous (perhaps a good thing as it's on the chunky side) and a spoolie. My dream has come true!

What are your autumn(/fall) 'essentials'?

Festival Should Haves

Hello! Last year I went to Reading which was my first ever festival and despite it being a tiny bit rainy and cold (and I mean a tiny bit, the weather was actually alright!) I absolutely loved it. I loved the live music and the atmosphere and I knew I wanted to go to another festival again this year, even if it meant I didn't shower for 6 days... again.

Hello! Last year I went to Reading which was my first ever festival and despite it being a tiny bit rainy and cold (and I mean a tiny bit, the weather was actually alright!) I absolutely loved it. I loved the live music and the atmosphere and I knew I wanted to go to another festival again this year, even if it meant I didn't shower for 6 days... again.

This year however, I'm not going back to Reading or Leeds and I'm not even sticking around in England or any of the UK. I'm jetting off to Spain to go to FIB - Benicassim with 10 of my friends. I'm super excited that we get a festival and a bit of a holiday in one and to see Paolo Nutini!!! Due to the guaranteed sunny weather, I'm packing a little differently to last year. I'm swapping the jumpers and the wellies for dresses and sandals and the mud for the sand... 

Due to the hot weather and sun, I don't see much point in going too heavy on the make up. A slick of mascara and a little bit of eyeliner is good for me and some concealer if I really need it but I plan to let my skin breathe and soak up the sun - just take a bloody good SPF! To avoid panda eyes I'll be taking some make up wipes. No skin care routine to be seen in the campsite! I'll also be taking some dry shampoo and obviously sun cream. Batiste is my favourite brand and it's so affordable so it's a brilliant option. For the beach I love little dresses or a kimono and shorts that you can just slip over your bikini which is this black one great for those who can't pull of triangle bikinis. Light tops which let you breathe so you don't sweat to death are essential. Keep it light and breezy!! And obviously to top it all off, a nice cheap pair of sunnies - cheap for the risk of them being festival-ed*!

*broken

I will be talking about festivals a bit more in the next few weeks in the lead up to Benicassim! If there is anything you'd like to see from me on them let me know!

Are you going to a festival this year? Have you been before?

Birthday/Wednesday Wishlist #2

vagabond shoes, topshop boyfriend jeans, zoeva crease brush, bobbi brown face blender brush, zara dress, soap and glory solar powder, zara bikini, topshop lipstick in pillow talk, asos rings, bumble and bumble surf shampoo and conditioner, white new look skort, leather pouch (can't find similar but would like to purchase a dupe! help!), nars sheer glow foundation, zara slip ons, fujifilm polaroid

I've mentioned these shoes before and I'm truly in love with them. I definitely think they would go well with the jeans, the dress and the skort which are also included in my wishlist. I really need a new foundation as my current one is causing me troubles (review coming soon) and I really want to try this out, especially with the Bobbi Brown brush after watching lots of Tanya Burr's videos recently. I love the Zara bikini and would love it for my holiday this summer and who isn't obsessed with these slip on shoes? Although they're bloody hard work to break in! Cor, isn't that a pale-pastel wishlist!

Do you have your eye on anything at the moment?