Spring shoes and make up! Kiko and tartan

Kiko, tartan and Brazilian shoes

Good evening!

It's been a while since I have posted on here, in all honestly I am procrastinating as I have a big paper due in the next couple of weeks. Unfortunately for the paper, I am in a creative mood and feel like writing something far more interesting.

Of late, I have been looking for new outfits for spring on a budget, well I say a budget but I never keep track of what I spend on clothes and make up, not that I am extravagant. But now, I would like to set myself the challenge of sticking to a budget and being creative, there is that word again, with what I wear.

I really love these shoes because they look so weird and unlike any other shoe I have ever seen, although a bit pricey then are strangely amazing Brazilian beauties and are actually made out of plastic! Interesting and hopefully not squeeky!

Melissa Women's Campana Fitas 13 Ballet Pumps - Soft Gold Wash

 

They are also available in gold glitter and are half price at the moment at £30

 

On the home front (and fashion front actually) I am having a massive tartan moment, call it heritage, call it comfort. Here is the blurb from the Coggle.com site, this my friends is love and it comes in a number of tartan colours, the finest quality and how utterly gorgeous and classy at £50:
 

Avoca's Harriet Donegal throw has been lovingly crafted from 100% pure new wool in the green pastures of Avoca Village in Wicklow, Ireland. The throw's distinct style is down to the durable and high-quality Donegal wool, which affords it the luxurious feel and stylish look assured by the Avoca brand. Finished with a fringed hem, this throw is ideal for adding comfort and warmth to your home all year round. - L.R.

On the cosmetic front, I have just discovered Kiko Milano, yes it's still a new concept here in the UK and my excitement at seeing a freestanding Italian cosmetic shop in my city which looked as slick as MAC peaked my curiosity. I went in on a saturday when it was obviously pretty busy and remained calm at the huge offerings before my excited eyes.

I opted for a couple of gold tone eyeshadow pans which were on sale for £3 from around £6. The pigment was strong and I have used them this week for work with great success. Pretty good lasting power over an Estee Lauder powder in my rather hot office. I also bought a pink nail polish, the selection of colours was huge! It was about £4 and a week later and it is still on with only a bit of chip on the tip of a couple of nails. Next I bought a lipstick in a purple plum shade, not really true to colour once on and it does bleed so might not end up using this when going on. So 4 bits of more hit then miss make up for £12, not bad! I have heard that you have to be picky with their products as they aren't all great.

I really want to try their water eyeshadow, sold out in the colour I wanted. They are supposed to be amazing and as good as Illamasque's at a fraction of the price. Also there illuminating moisturiser/anti wrinkle serum is supposed to be grand alongwith their mineralize powder being a close dupe for MAC's which I adored when I bought it last year. Kiko also have free shipping on their website until February 28th 2015! Check it out.

Marks and Spencer spring 'fashion'??

Do not waste your time

The wonderful weekend is upon us once again, it's speeding by and I haven't done a great deal apart from the obligatory letting down of my hair on Friday night, hilarious memories created and today has been ever so relaxing which is what I needed after such a busy week. 

Spring find

Yellow lace flared dress from ASOS £65, how pretty is this dress? It looks fabulous on the model and I love the lip colour. Such a great match. I want it! Glamour in a dress, have you ever watched Hart of Dixie? I have always been obsessed with the ladies wardrobes, this is definitely the southern belles look, love love love it!

Marks and Spencer

As a pretty avid Marks and Spencer fan, it pains me to have to write a bad review of their spring collection for the usually oh so gorgeous Limited Edition range. It's the young, fresh and experimental range in M&S, I can usually rely on there to be 5 or 6 must have pieces from there that I just think are classics. I know, I know most 20 somethings run for the hills when it comes to M&S clothes but I have truly found some delightful pieces in the Limited Edition range and for work, Autograph range is chic and professional for my office life. They are the kind of pieces that I get complimented on time and time again.

So imagine my surprise when I had a quick glance at their website, wow. The clothes are dull, boxy shapes, they look awful on the models, who likes sleeves like this? The shape is awful, I cannot get over those sleeves. £49.50 for those whose boat it floats

And if that wasn't bad enough, what about this disaster? Limited Edition who is your intended audience now? Pleated midi skirted items just aren't going to take off, not even ladies in retirement homes would want to wear this dress, never mind anyone who values looking good £49.50. 

I am really inclined to think that they need to sort out their buyers, many loyal M&S fan have been outspoken recently about their collections being a let down and I have to ask where is the stores direction? A couple of years ago, he had it oh so right but I think you are spending too much on your celebrity campaigns and not enough on the actual designs, stop trying so hard and start producing sassy, gorgeous quality pieces that make women think that they look amazing. That is what you had down to a tee not so long ago, why try to fix something that isn't broken? What do you think? Have you ever been a fan? 

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Blast from the past

Britney-What it's like to be me, such a classic Britney song from the past, she had some gems hidden on those albums. Yes I am an old Britney fan. Teenage memories!

Have a fantasic weekend all!

She loves daffodils

She loves daffodills...keeps them on her window sill

I hope everyone has had a superb weekend full of sunshine and fun times? It's flown by pretty quickly I have to say, although they always seem to?! Well it's officially British Summer time which can only mean one thing....Long summer nights! The clocks went forward this morning, there is always always confusion in my house, not naming any names but somebody thought that they were being helpful by changing the clocks backwards last night in preparation. Hilarious today to wake up to clocks all with different times, some 2 hours behind the real time. Some will never learn;) So the good news, my summer wardrobe is definitely making an appearance, the bad news is that...well it's still rather cold.

My lazy Sunday

Consisted of me waking up at 7 or 8 or 9am, still not sure about this and spring cleaning. I've been putting off sorting through paperwork and today was the day when the sun was shining, Classic Fm was playing gorgeous Spanish tunes and I was sorting my life out. I fell asleep so early last night, something silly like 9pm. Exhausted from letting my hair down on Friday night. It's such a weight off of shoulders to make a significant dent in spring cleaning, especially when it is things that you have been putting off. It's refreshing and I have to say that it has put me in such a good mood and I am really positive for the week ahead.

Did you do anything this weekend that has put you into a positive mood?

The Alethea Armchair

I adore interior designs and can spend ages browsing magazines, websites, pinterest and shopping for pieces for the house. This week I stumbled across this stunning armchair from Debenhams, let me introduce you to the Alethea armchair in the most gorgeous red floral print (it looks like hearts from a distance!) which to me is the most prettiest armchair print I have ever ever seen. I think I am a little obsessed with it and would love love love this print on a large sofa, Debenhams please make one?
Red print 'Alethea' armchair £1800 down to £720 on the sale, I am in L.O.V.E

Mellow Yellow

Interiors and fashion, I have another obsession at the moment and it's something that I really cannot get enough of, it must be due to me craving sunshine? It's, wait for it.... yellow, yes anything and everything yellow. Well maybe within reason, not really feeling yellow eye shadow but you know what? I could have my arm twisted, that's how much I love it so right now.

• I am currently trying to find the perfect yellow curtains, I am thinking even gold silk curtains would be fabulous. My house is full of daffodils everywhere I turn, it's the joys of spring and seriously daffodils and yellow roses make me feel like I am on top of the world. 
• My garden is full of daffodils, it's beautiful to see a garden full of new life in spring after such a long, mild, but long British winter. The blossoms will be out within the next two weeks and I actually cannot wait. It's going to be so incredibly beautiful and I wish it could go on for ever. Short but ever so sweet.
• I'm thinking about painting one of  my living room walls a deep rustic yellow, it will look spectacular, I believe change is good.

Lots planned for me, so little time! 

Do you get a new lease of inspiration in spring too? 

Have a fabulous start to the week xxx

H&M Stretch printed trousers...to be or not to be?

So here goes...

I always hear people raving about H&M, telling me how great a store it is and how they 'bought this gorgeous top' and 'this amazing dress' and yet every time I have graced the store with my presence I have been massively disappointed. I try to give it a go, I really do but then really why such the effort? It's definitely one of those stores that you either love or hate. I personally find it uninspiring, dull to the point where I cannot part with my money for such bad quality and well... cheap. Don't get me wrong, I love a bargain but what I do not like is tacky looking material clothes being sold for a rip off cheap price because I know around the corner is Primark and well Primark doesn't parade itself as being something that it's not. What I mean is H&M seems to be a Primark that thinks it can charge you more for what pleasure I really don't know.

Take yesterday for example, I ventured into H&M and set eyes on these delightful trousers, they looked and felt amazing on. Stretchy, flattering, sexy and stylish and amazingly only £12.99. Side zip and belt hoops, very chic. Well until I had worn them for one hour and well hello there, is that...is that a broken side zip? Yes my friends, that was a broken zip after only one hour. Well I gave them a chance and look what happened? Sadly H&M I don't think we will be seeing each other again anytime soon.

ASOS wishlist, Foxes-Youth, Boticca

ASOS WISHLIST

Clockwise:

1.Fabulous checked flared tea dress, sleeveless, to the knee and devine! £55 

2.Floral flared daisy chemise £14

3.Gorgeous red wrap kimono dress, perfect with gold accessories! £40

4.Classic black jersey cowl neck blouse £18 

Jewellery mad
Istanbul jewellery designer  Toosis has created these stunning red stud earrings, I am in love, definitely on my wishlist for pay day. They are just £30 on the Bottica website with free p&p, are sterling silver with a coating of 18 carat gold. What a wonderful christmas pressie they would make!

Boticca says: "Since 2001, Toosis has been brightening anything and everything with understated elegance. Now that Toosis pieces, crafted in Istanbul, are more accessible than ever before, you'll be able to bring the mystique of the city to wherever in the world you call home. Toosis designs take the cosmopolitan vibe of the city and set it on its ear with inspired, fresh details".

Music loving

Foxes-Youth

I know I am so very late to the game but I just have to share my love of this song, it's splendid and makes me feel all happy in side when I hear it everytime the Debenhams xmas advert is on telly. Crazy that it's been on youtube since 2011. Lead singer is so very talented and the chorus is so damn catchy.

Don't tell us our youth is fading out, it's only just begun ;)

Remembrance Day

11th November

I am having a Remembrance week, thinking of those who I have lost, I'll never forget you...I'm feeling happy and hopeful in life but I always take time out to remember the loved ones who I wish so dearly were still with us. It makes me appreciate all that I have and gives me drive to make the most of what could be a short life... Love never dies xxxx

Plumo wishlist & sale

Plumo fashion delights


I am a great fan of the quality and quirkiness of the product that Plumo source! I've been having a look at their delightful winter catalogue and I have so many things on my wishlist. Statement jewellery and fabulous boots.

If you don't know who Plumo are, let me tell you. They source products from those who know beauty, their products will last and benefit the makers whether they are local artisans or African co-operatives. The products look and feel special and that's a wonderful thing.



































1. How darling is this Maxim dress? £280

2.Honey Sweater in a mint green cotton mix £150 from £279

3.Yellow suede Blythe Boots £185

4.Italian, cut out Catania cowboy boots, Plumo are onto a winner here £198 from £289

5..Black pointy suede wedge boots:Farrah Boots £219

6.Beautiful Saffron coloured
Trench coat £198 from £329


Beautiful products, please check out their website; plumo.com for more delights and order their catalogue!

SEVENTEEN Phwoarr Paint-Heavy duty under eye concealer! Review Benefit dupe

Boots 17 Phwoarr Paint-Heavy duty under eye concealer

£5.49 or 3 for £10 offer on 17 products at Boots currently.

Shade light
Comparing this to concealers I have used from Mac, Bobbi Brown, Collection 2000, Vichy:

Pros

• This is amazing stuff!!!
• I'd compare to Benefit's concealer, almost a dupe
• Cheap
• Lasts on the skin
• Applied with my fingers and did 2 layers.
• Brightens, makes my face look pretty and awake.
• Colour is great, easy to apply, super cheap, did I say amazing?
• Lightest colour is great and perfect for me (I am 150 Buff Revlon Colorstay)
• Packaging is compact, comes with mirror under the lid. Great for on the go

Cons

• Could possible settle in smile lines.
• Not great on spots, highlights then and makes foundation look a bit blotchy on the jawline.