F E S T I V A L | Blissfields Festival

25 May, 2015
Blissfields Festival
Blissfields Festival

It's no secret that I love a festival. I've been to more festivals in my lifetime than I have holidays. Nowadays, there's at least a festival every week throughout the summer months, so it can be a nightmare trying to decide which is best suited to you, which is why I've decided to dedicate a series to some lesser known festivals that are some of the music industry's best kept secrets and don't necessarily share the limelight with the big dogs such as Glasto, V Fest and Bestival.

The first stop is Blissfields Festival (conveniently located reasonably local to me), just outside of Winchester, Hampshire. It was founded by husband and wife dream team, Paul and Mel Bliss back in 2001 and has steadily grown since then. Although, it may not host the biggest capacity at only a few thousand attendees (which part of the festival's charm), it has seen some impressive appearances over the years including Ben Howard, Jake Bugg, Bastille, Laura Marling and even Mumford & Sons. Blissfields take all the best aspects of Glastonbury and Bestival, but takes it to down a notch in a more secluded and intimate setting.

This year the festival will host the likes of The Horrors, John Grant, Simian Mobile Disco, GhostPoet, Beans On Toast and lots more. If you wanted to have a nosey you can find the full line-up for 2015 below.

Blissfields Festival 2015 Line up


Blissfields is a family-friendly festival attended by those of all ages. As well as this, it is a visual treat for the eyes with careful consideration gone into the art direction of the festival itself making it the perfect quaint, escapist weekend that you can enjoy with the kids if you wanted. Picture the traditional British garden party, bunting and cupcake galore heightened to the size of a festival!

Every year Blissfields host a theme for it's attendees to jump on board with and this year that theme is 'Somewhere In Time'. Any excuse to dress up is a winner with me! I've taken a little snippet below, so you can get an idea what to expect from this year's whimsical and wonderful theme:

You’ll be able to explore Blissfields four-dimensional world featuring brand new and bespoke installations and artwork, plunge yourself into living, breathing and interactive festival scenery, bathe under the stars, join themed games and get a clear perception of humanity; where we’ve been, where we’re going, the pitfalls, the possibilities, the perils and the promise. All realised in Blissfields own vision of inclusivity, of family, of art and wonder, of music discovery and hazy inconsequentiality.

The festival is scheduled on the Friday 3rd & Saturday 4th July with camping opening to the public on Thursday 2nd July. Weekend tickets are priced at a cheap and cheerful £95, which is less than half the price of a lot of big name festivals. So, if you fancy an escape in early July, why don't you head on down to Vicarage Farm?

Buy tickets for Blissfields here.
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R E V I E W | Style By Portobello Subscription Box

23 May, 2015
Vintage Subscription Box*: c/o Style By Portobello

A few years back I jumped on the blogger bandwagon of beauty subscription boxes. Not being a big beauty buff I flaked out after a few months as I found the tiny samples were being shoved to the back of my drawer. It was never taken into account what products would be suitable to my wants or needs, so I kind of gave up on the whole subscription box idea.

Since then subscription boxes have come a long way in many different forms. In fact, I think beauty boxes are now more tailored to suit you, but they still do not hold that appeal for me. However, one that recently caught my eye was a vintage accessories subscription box, Style By Portobello. I mean, a vintage subscription box - how could I not be interested? I was over the moon when they asked me to be an ambassador for the brand. This means for the next three months I'll be bringing you a peek inside each box they send me.

I'm not going to lie, but I'm rather picky with vintage pieces and I did have my doubts about what I would receive would be suited to my style. However, when I opened the box I was so bloody excited to see these two gorgeous pieces. It is quite possibly the most beautiful belt I've ever seen! There is no doubt that the team at Style By Portobello really take into account your personal style and taste.


There's something charming and exciting about a subscription box, particularly when the contents are a complete surprise. This is the case even more so with Style By Portobello as every single box that goes out has a completely different set of items inside tailored to each customer's style. After all, that's the beauty of vintage - you'll hardly ever, if ever, find an identical piece.

Both pieces that I received were also in immaculate condition for vintage pieces. As you may know sometimes when shopping for vintage, you can find a lot of the time garments or accessories are not so perfect as they have been well loved in a previous life. It's clear that Style By Portobello take care when selecting the items that they are in near perfect condition.

If you're interested in learning more about the monthly vintage boxes and want to sign up alongside myself, then you can do so here.

What do you think about the idea of a vintage subscription box?

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O U T F I T| Print Clash

19 May, 2015
Jacket*: c/o Dresslink // Top*: c/o Missguided // Necklace*: c/o Missguided
Hat: ASOS // Trousers: Charity Shop (similar here) // Boots: Vagabond

Patterned jackets are probably my biggest weakness. When I saw this floral, tapestry printed one over on Dresslink I swooned a little. The bright colour combination teamed with the embroidered trim has it sitting at the top of my festival outfit pile. Also, it's ridiculously cheap! When I say 'ridiculously cheap', I mean RIDICULOUSLY CHEAP as it's under £8! Crrraaazzzyyy, right?! Snap it up here before it sells out!

Being back in Southampton means being surrounded by charity shops again, which is something that is few and far between in London. Southampton has an abundance of chazza shops that just seem to be filled with treasures. These floral print palazzo trousers I'm sporting, I picked up for just £3 last week. They're originally from River Island's Chelsea Girl range, but the print is just so very reminiscent of the 60's, don't you think?

SHOP THE LOOK:




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A Picnic with Joules

17 May, 2015
Picnic Hamper*: c/o Joules

The sun is BACK! What better way to celebrate than with a few glasses of bubbly and finger food?!

A few evenings back James and myself headed to the waterfront to enjoy make the most of the evening sun by filling this gorgeous Pinterest-worthy picnic hamper from Joules with tons of naughty, but delicious treats. I've never owned a picnic hamper before, but I was absolutely chuffed when I opened it up to find it had a beautiful floral-printed lining equipped with every single picnic utensil and commodity I could ever dream of needing.

We set up our picnic patch at one of my favourite spots in Southampton, Mayflower Park. It sits right beside the water and the docks where the cruise ships and ferries come in. Being a born and bred London girl, I'm still in awe of the sheer size of the ships that dock at the port.

We filled our hamper with some of our favourite munch including cupcakes, strawberries, sausage rolls, scotch eggs, olives and of course, a bottle of prosecco. I've been drinking my prosecco topped with mango juice recently after discovering it's the most glorious combination! I thoroughly you recommend trying it this weekend - you won't regret it!


Joules also kitted us both out with some new summer threads. I opted for this denim-style tunic*, which although is SUPER short on me (PRAISE THE LORD FOR CYCLING SHORTS), is perfect for taking on the denim trend. James opted for a classic slim fit check shirt*, which he wore open and layered over a basic black t-shirt and jeans.

Let's hope the sun is here to stay, because I would quite like another picnic sometime soon!


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O U T F I T | Missguided Festival Look

13 May, 2015
Missguided Festival Outfit
Missguided Festival Outfit
Missguided Festival Outfit
Missguided Festival Outfit
Missguided Festival Outfit
Missguided Festival Outfit
Missguided Festival Outfit
Waistcoat, Top, Necklace, Flares*: c/o Missguided // Shoes: Charity Shop

Glastonbury is a little over a month away, which means I've been planning my summer festival wardrobe. Every summer Missguided absolutely kill the festival game and this year is no exception. 
With enough fringing and faux suede to cover my festival garm needs, they've created an absolutely huge edit to keep you going all throughout the season. Bell bottoms crept back onto the scene last summer and I've been building up a rather impressive collection since last year if I say so myself.
These incredible tile-print kick flares are the latest pair to grace my over-growing wardrobe of ridiculously printed trousers much to my boyfriend's dismay. I was really impressed with just how high-waisted they are too as a lot of my bells seem to sit beneath the belly button, but these babies actually reach your waist! This was a bonus because I devoured a huge chorizo and beef burger before these photos were taken.
Glastonbury is the only festival I have pencilled into my diary at the moment, but I'm hoping to squeeze a couple more in over the summer. Dressing for festivals really is part of the fun as you can dress as eccentric as your heart desires and no one will batter an eyelid! The more glitter, face paint and headwear, the better! 
Missguided asked which 'festival tribe' I belong to and I would have to throw myself into the '70's hippie tribe'. My favourite thing to do is kick-back at the Stone Circle surrounded by veteran Glasto-goers or crafting in the Green Fields. Which tribe would you join?
SHOP THE LOOK:

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R E V I E W | The London Tea Company

10 May, 2015
Moroccan Mint Tea & Vanilla Chai Tea*: c/o The London Tea Company

Ever since I visited Marrakech last spring and tasted authentic Moroccan tea made with 45 different spices, I've been searching high and low for a tea that at least partly resembles the sweet mint tea brewed within Old Medina. A year later and my search may have finally found a suitable replacement.

Now, nothing will live up to the real thing brewed fresh by the locals of Marrakech, but The London Tea Company's Moroccan Mint sure comes close; in fact, it's the best I've tasted so far! Let's just say I've tasted a lot of mint teas the past year in the desperate hope of reliving the sweet, minty taste. I'm so happy that my search is finally over meaning I can relax and enjoy the most delicious mint tea.

The London Tea Company is a fresh, new brand on the block that stock the most incredible variety of teas that a tea addict like myself could only dream of! From a daring chilli chocolate blend to an enticing peach & rhubarb flavour, The London Tea Company have a blend to suit any and every taste.

Have you tried any of their brews before?

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E V E N T | Thea Porter Exhibition with Beyond Retro

08 May, 2015
Beyond Retro Vintage Outfit
Beyond Retro Vintage Outfit
Beyond Retro Vintage Girl Gang
The Breakfast Club Berry Pancakes

Last weekend I was invited along to a blogger day out with some fellow vintage fiends and Beyond Retro. We began the day with a delicious and calorific breakfast at The Breakfast Club, which was a first for me and somewhere I always wanted to cross off of my London cuisine bucket list. I ordered the most delicious berry and ice cream topped ice cream along with a super healthy green smoothie (S'all about a balanced diet, don'tcha know?). It's only been a week and I'm already planning my next breakfast trip!

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