31 Jul 2016

Outfit of the Day (#OOTD)

Ciao ♥ Dang! It's been a hella long time since I last published a post but - BOOM - I'm back, and better than ever. Seeing as it's long time no speak, how are you guys? I hope you're all doing fabulously well and having a great summer, even if the weather is slightly poo-ish (damn you British weather).. or not if you're somewhere warm (lucky sod).

I can't really complain though as I've just come back from a relaxing girls holiday to Marbella, Spain. So prepare yourself as I've literally got a gazillion and one outfit posts to share with y'all. Apart from the obvious holiday outfits, I've also got some festival and evening wear ones.. all which will be coming at you left, right and centre over the next few weeks.

In today's post I will be sharing the outfit I wore on my first evening out in Marbella. This beautiful two piece is from Zara, as are my block sandal heels. Besides the gorgeous and elegant detailing, this outfit is airy and lightweight - perfect for a warm summer's evening. I paired it with my favourite red lipstick: MAC's Lady Danger, to add a pop of colour to the look. What do you guys think? Are you a fan of two-pieces? If so, where's your go-to place to buy them?

 
Top: Zara || Trousers: Zara || Sandal Heels: Zara || Bag: Primark

Ciao ♥ Xx

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17 Jun 2016

Topshop Sale Picks


Blush Leather Wrap Skirt - £85/£40 (click here to view)
JUNO Soft Glove Mid Shoes - £59/£35 (click here to view)
Quilted Bomber Jacket - £60/£30 (click here to view)
Draycott Jeans By Unique - £95/£60 (click here to view)
Ixworth Crew Jumper By Unique - £95/£60 (click here to view)
Tailored Paperbag Shorts - £35/£22 (click here to view)
Oval Links Necklace £16.50/£8 (click here to view)
Cold Shoulder Bardot Jumpsuit - £60/£30 (click here to view)
LUXE High Sandal By Unique - £125/£55 (click here to view)
Underwired Harness Bra - £22/£12 (click here to view)
Harness Tanga Pants - £10/£4 (click here to view)
Woven Leather Belt - £28/£15 (click here to view)

Ciao ♥ Xx 

6 Jun 2016

My Recent Trip to Paris, France

Ciao ♥ How are you? I hope you're all doing well and enjoyed your weekend. I'm sure you'll agree it's been quite a while since I last published a lengthy-ish blog post. On that note what better way to get back into the swing of things than to tell you about my recent trip to Paris.

Despite its renowned tourist attractions, Paris was never a destination I had any particular desire of visiting prior to my recent trip. In fact I've never quite understood the fascination surrounding this city. Although it's on average a 45-60 minutes flight from London, I've always wanted to venture further out into the world, and experience places that are not overly parallel to my everyday life. What changed my mind? Two words... Chris Brown.

A few weeks ago the girls and I met up at Bill's to discuss our upcoming summer holiday over a cup of coffee. Upon arrival my friend Yasman immediately mentioned that she had just seen on Twitter that Chris Brown was about to go on tour around Europe. Now as some of you may know, Chris Brown has been barred from the U.K. since 2010, due to his altercation with Rihanna. After checking out his tour dates we discovered his concert in Paris conveniently fell on the weekend of the spring bank holiday meaning we could make a make a mini trip of it all.. and that's exactly what we did. Besides from livin' it up at Chris Brown's concert (which was amazing btw), and almost losing my voice as a consequence, we also did a lot of sightseeing which I captured below..

Climbed the tower of Notre-Dame de Paris
 
The view of Square René-Viviani from the tower of Notre-Dame
...and from the park itself (Square René-Viviani)
Arc de Triomphe
Pyramide du Louvre
 
The Eiffel Tower
  

Ciao ♥ Xx 

22 Apr 2016

Wish List | April

Two-In-One Reversible Sateen Bomber Jacket - £85 from Topshop (click here to view)
Leather Shoulder Bag With Flat Stud Details - £217 from Pinko (click here to view)
Beige Suede Tie Up Shoe Boots - £65 from River Island (click here to view)
Max Mara Modern4 Tortoiseshell Square-Frame Sunglasses - £140 from Selfridges (click here to view)
Embroidered Bustier - £24.99 from H&M (click here to view)
MAC Viva Glam Lipstick, Viva Glam II - £15.50 from John Lewis (click here to view)
Giorgio Armani Si Rose EDP 100ml - £94 from Boots (click here to view)
Leonie Burgundy Belted Leather Mini Skirt - £225 from Reiss (click here to view)

Ciao ♥ Xx 


4 Apr 2016

Hair Care Tips

Ciao Over the past few months I've noticed an increasing amount of women discussing their attempt of trying to take better care of their hair. Many have taken to whipping up their own homemade hair remedies whilst others have sworn off using heat. Although I am no hair expert, I am someone who has always been conscious about looking after my curly locks and ensuring they're kept healthy and vibrant. Thus, it seems only right that I share with you some of my hairtastic tips.


Please bare in mind that although the majority of these tips are fairly generic, there are some which may not be particularly beneficial to you due to us all having different hair types, textures and patterns. For that reason I'd love for each and everyone of you to leave down one hair care tip that you swear by. Even if it's something that has already been mentioned, it would be great to see how common of a tip it is so don't be shy :)

Tip #1
Avoid over-washing your hair as it can dry it out and deprive it of its natural oils. I would recommend that you wash it every 2-3 days (a little longer if you have Afro-Caribbean hair). When washing your hair it is also important to remember that less is more when it comes to shampoo. The less shampoo you use, the more hydrated your hair will be and the longer it will grow without breaking. A little goes a long way is definitely the case here.

Tip #2
When showering, apply conditioner to the ends of your hair and allow it to sink in for at least one minute before washing it out. Avoid applying it directly to your scalp or to the roots of your hair as doing so will only cause it to become greasy. For those who are plagued by dry and brittle hair, try to condition it even on the days when you skip shampoo or use a leave-in conditioner. I'd also recommend applying a deep-conditioning product once a week to restore and regenerate your hair's condition.

Conditioner also doubles up as a great styling product for curly hair. For instance, when it comes to tackling my mane I often tip my head forward, and apply a generous amount to the ends of my hair in a scrunching motion. This works best when my hair is ever so slightly wet as it helps to define my curls and add that much needed nourishment. Very important as curly hair is prone to dryness :(


Tip #3
This particular tip is something that many of you are sure to struggle with as the majority use some form of heat at least a few times a week, if not every day. The sheer thought of not doing so sends a slight shiver down your spine. I get it! You can’t quite imagine facing your day without carrying out what you consider to be a vital part of your hair styling routine. How many of you allow your hair to dry naturally? Not many, huh! Try to give it a go every few washes, especially when the warmer months are upon us as your hair will air dry much quicker than usual. If you can’t bear to part ways with your hairdryer then simply set the blast to a moderate heat. FYI, I straighten my hair about twice a year and I haven’t used a hairdryer for about 12 or 13 years. YES! That friggin’ long. Instead, when I first hop out of the shower I wrap my hair in a cotton t-shirt, soaking up any excess water. I then apply my styling products (i.e. frizz-serum and curl enhancing cream) and leave my hair to dry naturally. For those who are wondering, using a t-shirt instead of a towel will prevent your hair from breaking.

Tip #4
Avoid using shampoos or conditioners containing parabans and sulfates as they can strip your hair of its natural oils. This is particularly essential for us curly haired ladies as our hair type is prone to dryness (boo!), meaning we have to ensure our locks are well hydrated. A few months ago I started using Palmer's Shea Formula Moisture Repair Curl Shampoo and Conditioner as they've been designed to define, elongate and nourish curls. They're also great at taming frizz, curl shrinkage and breakage

                     

Alas! The end has come. I hope some of you have found these tips to be somewhat useful and will be incorporating them into your hair care routine. Do let me know if you'd like me to do a lot more of these posts, covering different topics, as I've got a lot more tips up my sleeve. Ha! Not trying to toot my own horn or anything but you know *flicks hair* :P

Before y'all click that x button and be on your way, I'd love for you to leave down one hair care tip that you swear by. Let's share our knowledge and be on the way to forever having luscious and desirable locks.

Ciao ♥ Xx 

14 Mar 2016

Wish List | March

Grazia Textured Belt Coat Night Navy - £265 from Reiss (click here to view)
Cactus Preppy Cat-Eye Sunglasses - £16 from Topshop (click here to view)
Ash Cultash Cracked Silver Leather Chunky Sole Trainer - £145 from Daniel Footwear (click here to view)
By Terry Terrybly Haute Croissance Mascara - £33.50 from Harrods (click here to view)
Moschino Logo Skinny Leather Belt - £120 from Selfridges (click here to view)
Coins & Decorative Band Hat - £25.99 from Zara (click here to view)
Mini Verity Backpack - £180 from Whistles (click here to view)
Blush Leather Wrap Skirt - £85 from Topshop (click here to view)
Vivienne Westwood Skeleton Earrings - £125 from Garment Quarter (click here to view)

Ciao ♥ Xx 

2 Mar 2016

Product Review | Skinclay White Clay Mask

Ciao Up until a year or two ago I never used to be particularly interested in facial skincare. I never quite understood the fascination or excitement surrounding the different types of products available (i.e. cleansers, exfoliators and serums), and so my collection of the sort was fairly minimal. Besides from moisturising my face daily with Simple's Kind to Skin Hydrating Light Moisturiser, I didn't have a facial skincare routine in place that I carried out on a regular basis. This was partly due to not realising the importance of it all as I've always had pretty good skin. Thus, I never felt there was a need for me to be extra attentive to it as it was never something I struggled with; my skin is almost always clear as I rarely get spots (let's hope I haven't jinxed myself). However, about a year ago the area around my eyes became quite dry and sensitive. It took several weeks, and the trailing of a gazillion products to get rid of the dry skin, and all of the itchiness and flakiness that came along with it.

In a way it was a blessing in disguise as it's what kick-started off my skincare journey. Evidently, my collection of skincare products has definitely doubled, if not tripled, in size from what it was a year ago. I'm often on the lookout for new products so was rather intrigued when one of the lovely ladies at work mentioned the brand Skinclay. Skinclay is a newly founded brand who create natural face masks. It was established by the British model Alice Cornish who has impressively strutted her stuff on the catwalk for the likes of Jonathan Saunders, Tommy Hilfiger, Topshop and Rag & Bone.


There are three face masks to choose from depending on your skin type including: RED; great for normal, dull or tired skin, WHITE; great for dry, ageing or sensitive skin, and GREEN; great for oily, clogged or acne prone skin. I opted for the white clay mask as my skin can be quite sensitive and dry at the worst of times. If you're unsure about what skin type you have then head over to Skinclay's skin guide where you can identify which description best describes your skin.

        

A great thing about this product is that it's natural, chemical and preservative free. Each mask retails for the affordable price of £5 and are currently stocked via Skinclay’s website. These will also soon be available to purchase from Liberty so make sure you keep your eyes peeled. Furthermore, they're super easy and fun to use; simply add water to the powder form. Detailed instructions can be found below:

1) Remove spatula and pour the sachet content into a small mixing bowl.
2) Add three tablespoons of water into the mixing bowl.
3) Stir the mixture until you have a smooth consistency (add more water if your mask is too thick).
4) Apply your mask to a cleansed face and neck, avoiding the eye and mouth area. 
5) Leave the mask on for approx. 10 minutes.
6) Rinse thoroughly with warm water and pat dry.

After following these instructions and using this product, my skin felt extremely soft and nourished. I also noticed it really helped to enhance my natural complexion and did not irritate my skin in the slightest. This is definitely a product I would use again, but also one that I would recommend to y'all.

I''m also massively impressed with the packaging as it's fresh and pleasing to the eye. I particularly like the font of the brand's name and the selection of colours used. As bizarre as this may sound, this is of great importance to me as I'm a complete and utter sucker for packaging. Always have been, always will be. So much so that I feel I'm more likely to enjoy using a product if it appears that time and effort has gone into the packaging of it. Who else agrees?

Finally, make sure you head over to the Skinclay website for further information on this exciting new brand. Oh, and be be sure to remember that looking after your skin during your youth will contribute to younger looking skin in your older years ;)

If you enjoyed reading this review then make sure you check out my previous ones in which I spoke about the following skincare products: Elemis' Anti-Ageing Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm and Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Cream
Ciao ♥ Xx 

15 Feb 2016

BAFTA Awards Best Dressed 2016


 

Annabelle Wallis wearing Oscar de la Renta
Bel Powley wearing Gucci

 

Cate Blanchett wearing Alexander McQueen
Dakota Johnson wearing Dior

 

Dree Hemingway wearing Erdem
Emilia Clarke wearing Victoria Beckham

  

Isla Fisher wearing Stella McCartney
Gemma Chan wearing Jenny Packham

  

Alicia Vikander wearing Louis Vuitton
Stacy Martin wearing Miu Miu

  

Kate Winslet wearing Antonio Berardi
Laura Haddock wearing Givenchy

 

Olga Kurylenko wearing Ralph and Russo
Laura Whitmore wearing Suzanne Neville

 

Saoirse Ronan wearing Burberry
Rooney Mara wearing Givenchy

Ciao ♥ Xx 


12 Feb 2016

Casual Outfit Ideas

Ciao ♥ Happy Fri-YAY! In today's post I've put together three casual outfits which will hopefully offer you ladies some inspiration on what to wear for a running errands or meeting the girls for a coffee kind of day. All of the items shown below are currently available to view or purchase online. Do let me know which of the three you're most likely to wear :) X

 

MOTO Washed Black Joni Jeans - £36 from Topshop (click here to view)
Zanzi Scuba Sweatshirt - £55 from French Connection (click here to view)
Anna Black Collarless Biker Jacket  - £395 from Reiss (click here to view)
Casio Silver Mini Digital Watch - £21 from ASOS (click here to view)
Adidas Superstar Rize (W) - £59.99 from Office (click here to view)
Silver Plain Hoop Earrings - £24.99 from H. Samuel (click here to view)

Canyon Twill Trench Coat - £180 from French Connection (click here to view)
MOTO Pink Cord Pinafore Dress - £39 from Topshop (click here to view)
Silver Grey Twist Rib Jumper - £25 from Miss Selfridge (click here to view)
The Monday-Sunday Saddle Bag - £35 from Oasis (click here to view)
Vagabond Dioon Ankle Boots Black - £90/£49.50 from Zalando (click here to view)
Necklace With Round Pendants - £12.99 from H&M (click here to view)

Wool Cashmere Boyfriend Coat - £399/£175 from Jaegar (click here to view)
MOTO Khaki Leigh Jeans - £38 from Topshop (click here to view)
Julianne Suede Cross-Body Bag - £125/£60 from Jaegar (click here to view)
Brown Wool Wide Brim Fedora Floppy Hat - £24.99 from Accessoryo (click here to view)
Rib-Knit Jumper - £29.99 from H&M (click here to view)
Flare Block Heel Boots - £42 from Next (click here to view)

Ciao ♥ Xx 

31 Jan 2016

Wish List | January

 
Black Leather Biker Jacket - £120 from River Island (click here to view)
Braided Leather Sandals - £69.99 from Zara (click here to view)
MOTO Sulpher Blue Joni Jeans - £36 from Topshop (click here to view)
Miu Miu Havana Opal Sunglasses MU070S - £205 from Selfridges (click here to view)
L'Agent by Agent Provocateur Kaity Balcony Bra - £60 from John Lewis (click here to view)
L'Agent by Agent Provocateur Kaity Briefs - £30 from John Lewis (click here to view)
Minibag in Leather - £185 from Coccinelle (click here to view)
Claret Check Scarf - £19 from Accessorize (click here to view)

Ciao ♥ Xx