OOTD: Happy Birthday Mama!

This weekend my beautiful Mama turned 50! To celebrate we took a trip to the glorious Berkshire countryside for an amazing Sunday lunch.

I chose to wear this aqua dress from Reiss (that some of you may have previously noticed in my video for Babyliss here). I love Grecian inspired dresses! The vibrant colour coupled with the elegant pleating details makes this dress modern, yet classic and a great investment piece! I paired it with some chunky aqua and tan wedges from Dorothy Perkins - currently on sale for £30 here. Though I love these shoes (high yet incredibly comfy) these were not my first choice to go with this dress, but the ones I would normally wear are notoriously difficult to hop about in, not at all countryside friendly.

To style my hair I used the KMS California FreeShape Hot Flex Spray (£15.95) that not only maintains your style and protects against heat damage, but also helps you restyle your hair without adding any extra product. I heat styled with the Babyliss Waving Wand - curling from the root to create movement all the way through the hair.

I hope you all had a good weekend my lovelies! xxx

Friday Dinner OOTD

On Friday morning instead of making plans for the weekend I found myself nervously sitting at my office desk staring at an e-mail that had just dropped into my inbox letting me know that the results of my recent law exam were now available online. Eeek! Luckily, I passed (with distinction), and to be honest felt very silly about stressing myself, and probably everyone around me, out during the whole ordeal. To celebrate the bf took me out for dinner at our local Thai restaurant - small, family run, authentic and super friendly. I always make a point of speaking to the waiters in Thai, which embarrasses the boy no end ;).

Leather Jacket: Reiss. Jumper Dress: Topshop. Rose and Skull scarf: Miss Selfridge (£14) Bag: Aspinal. Ballet flats: Primarni ;).

This scarf was a recent purchase and I love it's hot pink colour for spicing up a rather bland outfit. I'm not really a skull print aficionado, but mixing it with a delicate rose print is a subtle contrast that won me over. xxx

OOTD - Newly Minted

The first ray of Sun this weekend made me giddie with excitement. Spring has finally decided to spring! Putting aside my coat I decided to ditch the layers in favour of something lighter and brighter.

This asymmetric bell sleeve tunic from Topshop makes a perfect transition piece into Spring. I love the delicate mint green and kimono inspired sleeves.

Since the top has so much volume and movement I paired it with leather(esque) trousers from Oasis. The Sun didn't do these any favours, they thankfully didn't look nearly as shiny in person!

Thigh high boots (ZARA) aren't something I would ever wear in the day, but I thought they would be quite fun for picture purposes.. and to scare the passers by.

My necklace is from Talullah Tu, purchased about a year ago it's unfortunately no longer on the site, but here are plenty more that I am eyeing up! ;).

I have previously also paired this top with a Reiss mint belt to cinch in the waist and add a little more shape.

Are you as excited as I am for Spring? What are your key fashion pieces for the new season? xxx

P.S. If you ever wanted to see what my hair is like left naturally to its own wild ways.. tah dah! Curly Wurly!

Gifts for Her!

The most hectic days of the year are upon us and with only a week to go before Christmas it's time to get organised! So many of you have sent me messages asking for advice so I thought I would put together a little last minute gift guide, to suit all budgets, for those struggling to maintain the Christmas cheer while bustling around the shops ;). Let's begin with gifts for her (for him and for you coming up next)!

For Her

Liz Earle Essentials Try-Me kit (£21.75) - This skincare set is great for any age and would make the perfect gift for the girl who is always too busy to pamper herself, but deserves a lovely treat. This kit includes the celebratred Cleanse and Polish (with muslin cloth), Instant Boost Skin Tonic and two Skin Repair Moisturisers (one for dry/ sensitive and one for normal/combination skin) enclosed in a durable little makeup bag.

White Tea and Ginger Bath Gift Set (£24.99) - For the budget conscious who don't like to show it this set has a great range of beautifully presented products including bath soap, body lotion, bath confetti, hand wash, bubble bath, bath salts, shower gel, and sponge in a stylish ceramic bowl. You don't have to rush out either, if you order by Tuesday 21st December with standard delivery your gifts are guaranteed to be delivered by Christmas Eve!

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant (Limited Edition) (£15.50) - In this harsh winter weather Eight Hour Cream is an absolute handbag essential for dehydrated skin and chapped lips. The limited edition packaging is adorable too!

ELF 100piece Eyeshadow Palette (£15.00) - Having had the opportunity to try this palette out it is evident that the price does not reflect the quality of these shadows. Pigmented, smooth and with a range of textures this palette would make a wonderful gift for the younger girl starting to experiment with makeup through to the makeup master. I absolutely love it and think it is incredible value for money.

GHD Midnight Collection Gift Set Limited Edition (On sale £119.20 down from £149!) - This wonderful new GHD set would make a wonderful gift for the glamorous girl in your life. We all know GHDs are pricey, but this set including the gold classic styler, limited edition travel hair dryer, styler pouch with heat resistant roll mat, treasure chest case, baroque travel mirror and two ghd sectioning clips is currently 20% off!

Ted Baker Tellan Leather Jacket (£299) or Reiss Rogers Biker Leather Jacket (£275) - Every girl needs a good leather jacket, and I am in love with these two. The quality of the leather is stunning in both and the feminine, fitted shape makes it versatile and perfect to throw over a party dress or a smart blouse and pencil skirt. One of these is actually my Christmas present this year ;). Yay!

Viktor and Rolph Flowerbomb Gift Set (£48.50) and Emporio Armani Diamonds Gift Set (£34.50) - At a recent fragrance event I was given the chance to try a multitude of different perfumes and these are my two top picks for the season. V&R is one of my all time favourites - femine and floral this warm, sweet fragrance with notes of tea, bergamot, jasmine, orchid and rose is a signature statement scent. Armani Diamonds is a fragrance I had never tried before - elegant and feminine with top notes of rose and raspberry that blend into an amber and vanilla base, I think this perfume will be enjoyed by many!

Zara Messenger Bag (£29.99) - While browsing the Zara website (as you do!) I noticed this stunning bag and thought it would make a perfect present at a budget friendly price! With it's classic shape, mix of materials and geometric perforations it is completely on trend for this season, and will accessorize a number of outfits perfectly.

Phew! I hope that was helpful my lovelies! Stay tuned for the next installments in this series - For Him and For YOU! Hope you are all well and looking after yourselves :). 

Natalya xxx