Photography: Fordtography
O U T F I T | Ziggy Stardust
30 January, 2016H A I R | The Hair Growth Diaries is BACK!
29 January, 2016
A large percentage of my time is spent moaning about the snail pace at which my hair grows or doesn't grow. It gets to a point just above my boobs and it JUST STOPS. It's infuriating, especially when I have a younger sister whose hair sits at her hip bones. Seriously, why was I not born with the hair growth genes? She's got plenty to share.
I started a series named 'The Hair Growth Diaries' a few years ago that I never continued with. I only trialled Alpecin Caffeine shampoo, which worked incredibly well but ruined the condition of my mane. My intention was to trial all of the hair growth remedies out there to determine what was no more than an old wive's tale and what actually worked. My hair still sits at that awkward length beneath my collar bone, so I'm bringing The Hair Growth Diaries back.
I've compiled a list of remedies and hair care products to try on my hair growth journey that includes: Hairburst supplements, Sea Kelp, eating jelly cubes, hair growth shampoos, head massages and other home concoctions and potions with natural ingredients.
As well as those willing their hair to grow into mermaid locks, I believe the series could also be useful for those experiencing hair loss.
Have you tried or heard of any hair growth remedies I can put to the test? Maybe you'll join me on this mermaid locks journey?
Have you tried or heard of any hair growth remedies I can put to the test? Maybe you'll join me on this mermaid locks journey?
ASOS,
OOTD,
Outfit,
Story of Lola,
Zara
O U T F I T | Peacock Coat
25 January, 2016
Coat: Story of Lola via ASOS // Hat: ASOS // Scarf: Zara // Top: Urban Outfitters // Jeans: ASOS // Shoes: Zara
Say 'hello' to the most wonderful coat in the world.
This Story of Lola faux fur peacock coat is the second coat from the brand that sits comfortably on my jacket rail. In fact, the previous pastel dream coat I shot for an outfit post wayyyy back in 2014. Story of Lola did release the peacock coloured coat at the same time I bought my pastel one, but I just couldn't justify buying two crazy colourful jackets within the same week. Predictably it eventually sold out and I was heartbroken.
Luckily this year they re-issued the peacock design on ASOS, but this time they designed a longer jacket. A longer faux fur suited my needs a lot better and I couldn't help myself when it went into the sale. Unfortunately it is sold out now, but it's worth keeping an eye out on ASOS in case Story of Lola add any more rainbow technicolour dream coats to their online collection!
SHOP THE LOOK:
This Story of Lola faux fur peacock coat is the second coat from the brand that sits comfortably on my jacket rail. In fact, the previous pastel dream coat I shot for an outfit post wayyyy back in 2014. Story of Lola did release the peacock coloured coat at the same time I bought my pastel one, but I just couldn't justify buying two crazy colourful jackets within the same week. Predictably it eventually sold out and I was heartbroken.
Luckily this year they re-issued the peacock design on ASOS, but this time they designed a longer jacket. A longer faux fur suited my needs a lot better and I couldn't help myself when it went into the sale. Unfortunately it is sold out now, but it's worth keeping an eye out on ASOS in case Story of Lola add any more rainbow technicolour dream coats to their online collection!
SHOP THE LOOK:
F O O D | The White Star Tavern, Southampton Review
21 January, 2016
*Disclaimer: We were invited for a complimentary meal at The White Star Tavern in exchange for an honest review - it really was that delicious!
W A N T | January Wishlist
17 January, 2016S P O T L I G H T | Freedom To Exist Watches
16 January, 2016O U T F I T | The Hippie Shake
10 January, 2016O U T F I T | Winter In Victoria Park
05 January, 2016
Photography: KIP Photography
S P O T L I G H T | Estella Bartlett Jewellery
04 January, 2016
Necklaces*: Estella Bartlett
Choosing jewellery for someone can be a difficult task. Especially if that person is me. As someone who is wholly taken by brash statement jewellery, it's hard finding a more simple design that caters to my taste and is suitable for everyday wear. It's because of my bold jewellery collection that I often tend to not bother accessorising certain outfits.
There are dozens upon dozens of little trinkets and treasures over at Estella Bartlett with a host of unusual pendants from unicorns to pineapples, and even have a pug pendant necklace. I opted to add a couple of simplistic yet elegant EB treasures to my jewellery collection that includes a whimsical, gold-plated wishbone necklace and semi-precious stone necklace. Both are completely wearable with almost any outfit without too much thought, which is exactly what I needed to accompany my wardrobe.
What are your thoughts?
S O U L | Reflecting Upon 2015 & Welcoming 2016.
03 January, 2016
2015 was a funny old year.
I could flippantly say it sucked. Like, really sucked. At the start of the year I was suddenly made redundant the day before I was due to go on holiday. It came as a blow out of nowhere and it really threw me off track for quite a while.
I had the intention of saving to travel, because that is what my heart is truly yearning for... that never happened.
I wanted to be more confident in my body... instead, I jumped up two dress sizes after a summer of eating and boozing. I was probably at the biggest I've ever been and my confidence hit an all-time low meaning I couldn't even bare to take blog photos of myself meaning I utterly despised my content.
But, it's funny how we automatically remember the bad over the good and somehow the bad will always outweighs the good. Even if your year is full of wonderful things, it takes one undesirable event for you to write the whole year off. At least that's how my frame of mind seems to work, anyway. That is something I am desperate to change.
No, I didn't save a penny to travel as cheeky ASOS splurges are just too tempting, but just because I didn't save in 2015 doesn't mean that dream is over. After all, 2016 could be the year I finally get my financial butt into gear.
Yes, I did jump up two dress sizes and it made me miserable for a while, but I had the best summer I've had to date! I hopped from festival to festival throughout the summer, eating, drinking and dancing along the way. I had one hell of a summer and wasn't even considering the extra calories every time I indulged in another cheeseburger and cider in the sun. And you know what, that feeling of not calorie counting because you're having too much fun is really fucking liberating without you even knowing it. Those extra few inches tell a story, the story of my summer of 2015. Plus, I picked myself out of my slump late into the year and start exercising again dropping some of the weight. Granted some of it has crept back on over December, but who gives a damn?! If it makes me more content in myself, if I work hard enough, I can shift it once again.
Yes, I did jump up two dress sizes and it made me miserable for a while, but I had the best summer I've had to date! I hopped from festival to festival throughout the summer, eating, drinking and dancing along the way. I had one hell of a summer and wasn't even considering the extra calories every time I indulged in another cheeseburger and cider in the sun. And you know what, that feeling of not calorie counting because you're having too much fun is really fucking liberating without you even knowing it. Those extra few inches tell a story, the story of my summer of 2015. Plus, I picked myself out of my slump late into the year and start exercising again dropping some of the weight. Granted some of it has crept back on over December, but who gives a damn?! If it makes me more content in myself, if I work hard enough, I can shift it once again.
The day I went on holiday after losing my job in February, I fell in love with another city. I can't begin to explain my feelings for Amsterdam, other than it could be my utopia. Ever since leaving it that week in February, I've felt wholly unsettled in the UK as every inch of me yearns to be back in the Dutch capital. We did return in September and my feelings remain the same. We were supposed to be visiting Barcelona that September, but could not resist the pull of the Amsterdam once again.
As I mentioned before, I festival hopped my way through the summer. The majority of those festivals were opportunities brought to me through my blog - THIS blog! Even Glastonbury Festival, which was at my own expense, I was still presented the opportunity to work with Beyond Retro. Looking back now I still can't believe how lucky I've been to work with some incredible brands at some amazing festivals. No matter how cheesy it sounds, I've taken away some beautiful memories that I'll never forget. One of my ultimate festival highlights was discovering Best Kept Secret Festival for the first time. When reflecting upon the last year, BKS festival is the first and foremost memory that James and I jump to. In some way, that weekend spent in the middle of a forest in the Netherlands was absolutely perfect.
I abandoned London and moved back to Southampton in April, which meant after a year of being one hundred odd miles apart I moved back with the boy I love *sorry for the cheese*, and from that we started something we had always talked about; we launched BURGERFACE on National Burger Day. That's right, we brought our love of burgers onto the internet. It's been really difficult to keep on top of alongside running Fox & Feather, but I'm determined to turn it around in 2016!
In August, I watched my first school pal get married in a beautiful Essex countryside ceremony, that even melted my cold heart. That day was absolutely beautiful and gave me the overwhelming sense that my friends and me were taking a significant step into adulthood.
In November, I won a holiday to Tenerife with Thomas Cook thanks to this blog post. I'm headed there in just over a month with James and I CANNOT WAIT.
I abandoned London and moved back to Southampton in April, which meant after a year of being one hundred odd miles apart I moved back with the boy I love *sorry for the cheese*, and from that we started something we had always talked about; we launched BURGERFACE on National Burger Day. That's right, we brought our love of burgers onto the internet. It's been really difficult to keep on top of alongside running Fox & Feather, but I'm determined to turn it around in 2016!
In August, I watched my first school pal get married in a beautiful Essex countryside ceremony, that even melted my cold heart. That day was absolutely beautiful and gave me the overwhelming sense that my friends and me were taking a significant step into adulthood.
In November, I won a holiday to Tenerife with Thomas Cook thanks to this blog post. I'm headed there in just over a month with James and I CANNOT WAIT.
2015 was not as bad as I first believed. In fact, it was pretty fucking awesome.
2016 will be just as successful, or if not more. I am adamant.
I know some people get in a huff over the 'new year, new me' motto and go out of their way to mock those who take this saying upon themselves. It's true, you can better yourself and way of living any single day of the year. But I, personally, do not see a problem with a collective of us bringing about positive change to our own and each other's lives on the new calendar year. The 1st of January is the rebirth of a brand new rotation around our core, the Sun, so why can it not be a rebirth of ourselves? In fact, there's something so very encouraging and enlightening that we all almost religiously practice bettering ourselves from January 1st and support each other along the way.
These are not resolutions. If I break them or do not succeed in them, I will absolutely not feel guilty. These are ambitions of mine to see me through the next year. They are ways of introducing positive change into my life.
- Practice meditation once a day.
- Discover new music.
- Read more books.
- Continue to educate yourself; education should not stop at university. THIS WORLD IS FASCINATING!
- Draw. Paint. Create.
- Realise your creative potential.
- Create a work space for yourself.
- Continue exercising. The one time your confidence soars is after a workout.
- Stop putting off social occasions.
- Don't doubt your instinct.
- Sleep more.
- Set up a vintage shop - who knows what may happen!
- Eat well & often.
- Rediscover yoga.
- Get over your fear of starting a YouTube channel.
- Re-brand Fox & Feather.
- Focus more attention on BURGERFACE.
- Improve your photography skills.
- Save money so you can travel the world.
- Inspire at least one person.
- Go for walks & embrace nature.
- Drink more water.
- Make an effort to smile more often. Kiss more often. Laugh more often.
- Spend as much time with animals as possible for they are pure, untainted souls.
- Return to Amsterdam, it's calling you.
2016, I'm ready for you.
S P O T L I G H T | A Cosy Christmas Night In
S P O T L I G H T | Vivienne Westwood Make-Up Bag
02 January, 2016
Vivienne Westwood Make-Up Bag*: Farfetch
A few weeks before Christmas I attended a London Christmas lights tour a top a rather charming vintage bus courtesy of Farfetch. Although that particular evening the heavens decided to open whilst we were all aboard an open top bus, it was still the perfect kick start to the festive season. I did vlog the event on my brand spanking new Olympus PEN *gush*, but I haven't uploaded it yet because I'm having a bit of trouble finding some free vlog appropriate background music. Everything I've currently come across is so cringey, it makes me want to smash my head against a wall. On top of that, the sound of my own voice (and face) on film is something I'm finding hard to stop cringing over too. I think when I do, I'll just hit the upload button and run away into hiding for a few days.
MOVING ON... during the event we exchanged our Secret Santa presents that we had each chosen from Farfetch. The gorgeous Georgina chose for me and boy oh boy, did she choose well! I opened up my bag to find a pale pink Vivienne Westwood box, which inside was this wonderful black leather and copper detailed Vivienne Westwood make-up bag. I think hearts may have poured from my eyes when I first gazed upon it.
Although I am bloody terrified to store make-up in it as all of my make-up bags end up filthy; I've had one too many foundation leak disasters. I absolutely adore it. I'll have to get over my fear of using it, otherwise it'll just end up sat looking pretty in a dust bag until the end of time. Thank you SO much to both Farfetch and Georgina for introducing this stupendous VW number into my life!
MOVING ON... during the event we exchanged our Secret Santa presents that we had each chosen from Farfetch. The gorgeous Georgina chose for me and boy oh boy, did she choose well! I opened up my bag to find a pale pink Vivienne Westwood box, which inside was this wonderful black leather and copper detailed Vivienne Westwood make-up bag. I think hearts may have poured from my eyes when I first gazed upon it.
Although I am bloody terrified to store make-up in it as all of my make-up bags end up filthy; I've had one too many foundation leak disasters. I absolutely adore it. I'll have to get over my fear of using it, otherwise it'll just end up sat looking pretty in a dust bag until the end of time. Thank you SO much to both Farfetch and Georgina for introducing this stupendous VW number into my life!
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