O U T F I T | London Fashion Week AW15 Day 3

27 February, 2015
Jacket*: c/o Superdry // Jumper: Zara // Skirt: Charity Shop // 
Scarf: Charity Shop // Trainers: Adidas Superstars via ASOS

As I mentioned in my Day 1 post, unfortunately the Sunday of London Fashion Week AW15 was very short lived due to the torrential rain that had us running for cover as soon after these outfit photos were taken. It continued to remain miserable for the entire day, which led to us missing all of our shows and calling it quits after a couple of hours.

By the time it came to the third day of Fashion Week, I had already decided that my outfit choice no matter what was revolving around my trainers as two 12 hour days in heel had crippled my poor feet. Now I'm not entirely sure that this fringed, suede 70's inspired look really works with my 80's style Adidas Superstars, but comfort was key for that particular day.

I've been coveting this fringed, leather jacket from Superdry ever since I spotted it at their Fashion Night Out event at their Regent Street store. When it comes to leathers, Superdry really come out on top for me. This fringed jacket is my second leather number from them and I really do adore it. I mean how perfect is it for be
ing on trend this season too?

Plus, I've always been a fan of fringing, there's no denying that.

I picked up this suede skirt in a charity shop for just £3 and it looks ever so similar to one in the recent Zara lookbook. Upon finding this suede sensation I did give myself a mental hi-five, because I mean... come on! £3!

That's my final LFW outfit until next season. Luckily for me, it looks like the seventies are set to stay until AW15, which I cannot be more excited about.

What are your thoughts on the 70's trend for next season?

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O U T F I T | London Fashion Week AW15 Day 2

26 February, 2015
WARNING: There's an overly self-indulgent amount of photos in this post (10 to be exact!). But then... how could there not be when Beyond Retro provided me with theeee PERFECT outfit?

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R E V I E W | Goodprint Business Cards

24 February, 2015
Business Cards*: c/o Goodprint

Now I'm not the most organised girl on the block. Despite four years of being a semi-committed blogger now, I've never ever purchased myself a set of business cards for networking events. When I realised London Fashion Week was looming once again a few weeks ago I had a mild panic upon realising I had once again forgotten to organise business cards.

The previous two seasons I had handmade my own with holographic and glitter cards with my name and blog scribbled on the back. Oh so profesh! Luckily, like knights in shining armour, the team at Goodprint came to my rescue a few days before LFW kicked off.

Now Goodprint are newbies to the business card scene. Whilst they do not yet have the option to design your own card, they have a ton of pre-made, quirky, contemporary, illustrated templates for you to choose from. This proves quite handy for those in a last minute pickle like myself as you can draw up a business card design in a matter of minutes rather than faffing around on Photoshop.

The delivery service was lightning fast and could not have been quicker. I ordered late night on the Monday and they were delivered to my doorstep Wednesday morning! I opted for a matte finish and rounded corners, which makes them look a little more premium than a standard business card, don't ya think?! The 'Nice To Meet You' design I selected drew a lot of compliments and positive feedback whilst on the cobbles of Somerset House.

You can nab yourself 200 personalised business cards for just £9.99 including delivery over at Goodprint, which is a bloody bargain if you ask me. I'll definitely be returning to the guys at Goodprint when this batch of cards run out.

What do you think of these cute and colourful business cards by Goodprint?


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O U T F I T | London Fashion Week AW15 Day 1

23 February, 2015
Ma main decade, the 1970's, are back sistaaaa, which meant I actually looked on trend for once at London Fashion Week...
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R E V I E W | Looq Selfie Stick from Casehut

18 February, 2015

Looq Selfie Stick*: c/o Casehut

Love it or loathe it, we're part of the selfie stick generation. It's possibly the most narcissistic invention of our time during this digital age yet they're absolutely bloody genius, especially if you're a blogger. Fellow bloggers will know we spend a considerable amount of time taking photos of ourselves. Theres' no denying that.

Also, every blogger will know the pain of not being able to fit everything you want in the frame when using your smartphone and instead we end up with a big, close-up moon face on Instagram (well I do anyway...), which is where the selfie stick has become an absolute necessity; it's finally possibly to fit an entire outfit in a frame without nagging your other half every other day to take a photo for you.

Casehut were kind enough to send me their Looq Selfie Stick (available here) to review. Now, this is my first ever experience with a selfie stick. I had no idea as to how they worked. I actually believed (true story) that you would press a button which would trigger a lever to touch the shutter button on the iPhone's screen... none of this hi-tech bluetooth nonsense! Now, with the Looq selfie stick it actually works via your headphone jack, which you plug into your phone. Easy peasey, lemon squeezy.

It folds down into a nice, little, compact size which is perfect to pop in your handbag and extends a fair distance, which is perfect for nailing group shots. It has an adjustable component in where you can change the size to suit whatever model of phone you have. It fits my iPhone 6 a treat and can extend a little further still!

Not only are selfie sticks damn handy for taking shots of yourself, but it's really handy to have one if you're taking flat lays or product shots from a bird's eye view. That right, no more awkwardly reaching over the table to snap your lunch at Five Guys!

The only cons I have about this selfie stick is that you have to download the Looq app to actually take the photos with the selfie stick, rather than being able to use the inbuilt camera. I like to keep my apps to a minimum as I only have a 16 GB model, so found it a little annoying that I had to download another unnecessary camera to use the selfie stick. The app itself is also a little annoying as I've had a few problems with focus, but I'm hoping this is something they will fix with app updates in the future.

Have you got a selfie stick? Are you anti or pro-selfie stick?

Sssh, but I think I'm a convert.

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H A I R | 70's Volume with TIGI Root Boost

12 February, 2015

TIGI Root Boost*: c/o Hair Trade

Unfortunately I was born with the bad hair genes in my family. Both my mother and my sister are blessed with thick, luscious locks whilst I was left with this lifeless, flat excuse for hair on top of my head. My sister's hair seriously grows at the rate of a couple of inches a month; it's sickening. WHAT IS THIS MERMAID GIFT SHE WAS BORN WITH AND WHY DON'T I POSSESS IT?!


I actually had my hair cut a few weeks ago, which you may or may not have seen over on my Instagram, and I welcomed the full fringe back into my life. If you've followed my blog since back in the day you'll know I sported a Florence Welch inspired style colour and cut for quite a number of years. My hair has well and truly taken a step back in time.


Despite having bitterly accepted my unfortunate fine, flat hair, since I've had my hair cut it's regained it's 'bounce' and has started looking a lot thicker. However, it can still use some help from time to time, so I was pretty chuffed when HairTrade sent me the potential remedy to all of my barnet woes and worries.


TIGI products are known to be pretty fucking awesome. On top of that every TIGI product I come across smells pretty damn delicious too. Their Root Boost Spray is no exception as it is made with a blend of almond oil and lavender. Also, don't be fooled by the term spray as this product is really more of a 'mousse' as it has a foam consistency that is better to spray into your hand rather than spraying directly onto your head.


The instructions supplied with the bottle advise you to apply to the roots and then blow dry your hair for dramatic volume. However, I never really blow-dry my hair as I end up looking like a frazzled chipmunk that has just made contact with an electric fence. So, when using it after I've styled my hair (aka. run a brush through it if I'm feeling fancy) I simply spray a small amount into my hand before scrunching into my roots and then repeat if I desire a little more volume.


Please note the following GIF for a visual reference in how to apply the Root Boost Spray in which it appears I am performing some sort of chicken mating ritual dance:



...AND VOILÀ! Hello lion's mane hurrrr.


I'm pretty fond of this Root Boost Spray for giving the illusion that I have at least three times the amount of hair than I actually do possess on my head. Best of all, this spray doesn't leave any stickiness on your hair like other sprays and doesn't weigh your hair down. When using a lot of other volume enhancing sprays or potions I find I cannot wait to wash it out of my hair as soon as I've applied it, but that's not the case with this particular spray.

Also, if you head over to HairTrade they have it on offer for half of the RRP price right now!


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T R A V E L | Amsterdam

09 February, 2015

Less than a fortnight ago I was lucky enough to escape London for the delights of Amsterdam; a city I had always dreamt of visiting but had not yet had the opportunity to explore. James earned himself top boyfriend brownie points when he treated me to flights there and back at Christmas. Although, I can say now that I'm back on London soil, I would have been more than happy with a one-way ticket to Amsterdam.

Now, I'm not the most well-travelled girl. My days of being a globe trotting lady of leisure are yet to come. I fall in love with almost every city I visit that isn't London. But, I just didn't realise how much I would become absolutely besotted with Amsterdam. Less than 24 hours after stepping foot off of the plane, we were sat in a crooked old pub, hazy under the spell of a few Heinekens discussing the reality of moving to this idyllc city. Even now I'm sat on my bed typing this back on my home turf, I feel a little sick to the stomach that I'm no longer in Amsterdam. As soon as we reached McDonald's at Victoria Station, I began to scour LinkedIn for job vacancies in the Netherlands. I have well and truly fallen in love.

Amsterdam has a somewhat seedy reputation as the infamous Red Light District and legalised cannabis laws attracts some of Britain's finest bellends who would refer to themselves as 'lads'. We were unfortunate enough to encounter a pack of these idiots on our plane out there who felt the need to echo football chants the entire flight. However, Amsterdam does not deserve this seedy reputation whether you agree with it's policies or not. The Red Light District hosts some of the most picturesque and breathtaking belt of canals lined with a juxtapose of lively bars, sex shops and erotic entertainment. 


Whilst in Amsterdam, James and myself, were probably the worst tourists. We went with no set plan and every day we just walked as far as our legs could carry us without any particular destination stopping for coffee, food or beer wherever we discovered along the way. We didn't really cover much of the tourist stops other than the Heineken Experience, which was a bit of a bore, and the Sex Museum, which is totally overrated too but it only costs €4. Just wandering led us to chancing across a blooming flower market, as well as a strip of underground cheese shops. We managed to eat our way through every single sample of cheese including a marble blue and purple lavender blended cheese (which was a crime against cheese and humanity, if you must know!). 

We spent one morning at the Waterlooplein Flea Market, because I'm a sucker for a flea market when I'm abroad even if my luggage allowance can't handle it. Unfortunately, as we went on a rainy Monday morning the stalls were few and far between. Luckily, there was one incredible vintage stall full of other worldly secondhand treasures, in where I managed to snap up two jackets for just €20.  Just behind the market, seated beside the canal was a little vintage haunt called Episode, which you should pop by if you're in the Waterlooplein district.


Getting around Amsterdam is rather simple and efficient, especially compared to London. We each purchased a 4-day metro and tram pass from transport provider GVB, which you can pick up from any metro station at a self-service machine. Unlimited transport links around the city for the duration of our time cost just €21. Although you can discover the delights of Amsterdam on foot, it's also just as exciting to jump on a tram with a destination you cannot pronounce and see where you end up! When using the trams make sure you touch in and touch out with your GVB travel card to avoid it being voided and having to pay out for a new one. James learnt this the hard way, so I pass on this advice from firsthand experience.

If there's one thing I do regret, it's not renting a bicycle. Amsterdam is woven with a rat run of cycle lanes and the bicycles somewhat outnumber those on foot. If you do decide to rent a bike, be sure to rent from a valid rental company such as Green Budget Bikes rather than a stranger on the street.


Now, let's talk food bitches. Granted we didn't explore much Dutch cuisine. The most expensive yet delicious meal we indulged in was a wagu beef and bacon cheeseburger from Burger Zaken. It came to a round €35 for two of us for a burger with fries and a soft drink, but I can honestly say we did not need to eat for the rest of the day.

We paid a couple of visits to Wok to Walk, because it's so god damn delicious and convenient. Although there's a few dotted about London, this was my first Wok to Walk experience. The kebab shops of Amsterdam are the most enticing as they line their windows with devilish yet genius foods such as cheese and bacon topped hotdogs! Hello?! CHEESE AND BACON TOPPED HOTDOGS! Potentially the best yet regrettable drunk food that ever did exist. 

Also, just to make matters worse these kebab shops offer up a range of sweet treats from cakes and brownies to sugar-coated waffles. When you're drunk, vulnerable and excessively hungry these kebab shops can be heaven on Earth.

Dotted around the city is fast food chain, Febo, with a garish yellow and red branding. Believe me, you won't miss it. Febo is every health junkie's worst nightmare as it serves up rubbery burgers and hot, processed snacks from a vending machine like contraption.  Although I wouldn't recommend Febo based on taste alone (after one bite of my 'bacon cheese burger' I threw it in the bin), I would say waste the €2 just for the experience and satisfaction of a self-service burger. 


Kokopelli Smart Shop is a little cove we discovered on our last afternoon after passing it continually throughout the week. Smart Shops are essentially stores that sell legal psychedelics including magic mushrooms. They are the 'safest' way to experience hallucinogenics whilst visiting Amsterdam, as you should never purchase drugs from a street dealer. Although we didn't dabble in psychedelic tendencies whilst away it was a great creative space to explore with beautiful handmade clothing and psychedelic art prints. 

On our travels one evening we also encountered another little creative space at the Zeedijk of Amsterdam, The Emporium of Wonders, which was a treasure trove of vintage and secondhand clothing, art, music and drinks. I managed to pick up a sweet, fringed leather skirt from a girl selling her wardrobe to fund her world trip for just €6. The space is constantly changing and hosts a multitude of events so there'll be something different every time you visit.

We spent a fair bit of our time drinking our way through every single pub and bar Amsterdam had to offer. Every narrow cobbled alleyway is lined with neon signs inviting you in to sample a beer or two. What you have to bare in mind is the majority of pubs in Amsterdam are TINY. Like really tiny. Most of them won't be any bigger than your downstairs living room with a bar, two tables and a smoking room shoved in the corner. 

We also spent a couple of fun, tequila-fuelled nights at American biker bar, Excalibur, which is located in the heart of the Red Light District and happens to be one of the cheapest places to drink. We had to admire the impressive collection of Americana inspired memorabilia that plasters the walls as well as coo-ing over the cutest pub dog and drinking with a collection of new faces from the other end of the world.

There's something quite cosy and quaint about sharing your overcrowded table with a couple of strangers from across the globe underneath a dimly lit lamp and listening to The Cure on a jukebox. It beats Saturday night at your local 'spoons having half a pint spilt over you by a brazen buffoon in a football shirt, anyhow. Can you tell how desperate I am to escape the UK again already?

Needless to say, I'll fall in love with London again someday. But for now London, I think we need a break. A 'Ross & Rachel kinda break'. We've tired of each other for now, we'll see other places and people but somehow find our way back together from time to time, but then we'll grow old together. Well, I'll grow old at least. 

And for now my heart's in Amsterdam.


P.S. Cats just wander around supermarkets like they own the place. Can you get much better than that? 

The answer is 'no'.

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L I N G E R I E | Valentine's Shades of Burgundy

08 February, 2015
Underwear Set*: c/o House of Fraser

I'm not one of those anti-Valentines gals, nor am I one of those who squeals over every heart-shaped object that pops up in stores at the start of February. I'm a Valentines neutralist. I sit on the sickly sweet, pink-painted picket fence every February. I'm just okay with it... boyfriend or no boyfriend at the time. 

However, like every other girl I'm a sucker for a new set of lingerie and this time of year there is just so much choice that my tiny tits cannot contain their excitement for the sheer amount of silk and lace that dons every shop window. 

This year I was lucky enough to be treated to the perfect set by Marie Meili at House of Fraser just in time for Valentine's Day. Red lingerie can be a little garish for some (personally I love it!), but burgundy is the next best thing as a more subtle, sultry option. 

This delicious little set has the right amount of padding and uplift without being over the top and is more than appropriate for daily as well as evening wear. You can find the bra here and the knickers here (they're both now on sale too!).



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