Behind the Scenes: River Island

From the shadows of Futuristic Goth, the streets of Downtown New York and the opulent textures and fabrics of the Baroque era, River Island creates a lavish and distinctive look for autumn/winter 2012. The collection encompasses a wide range of unique hero pieces reflecting this season's trends with accessories remaining a focal point, fusing together all the elements necessary for the season ahead.


 I am all about the baroque accessories this season. What will be your key trends for this autumn/ winter? xxx

I caught the bouquet!!

I had an amazing weekend back in Cambridge attending one of my best friend's weddings! It's scary and exciting all at once knowing that my friend is married! Wow! It was so lovely to see my university friends, hang out in our old college and pretend we were students again, go punting in the rain and just be silly. Somehow I feel both older and younger...

I am still waiting for some photos to emerge from the reception as the wedding lasted all weekend and encompassed a few different outfits. On the Saturday I wore a shocking pink dress that is based on a Roksanda Ilincic design that was spotted on a number of celebs over the summer.

My dress is from The Pretty Dress Company (on sale for £49 here). It is a little different in shape from the original, but at a fraction of the price I really didn't mind! I paired it with monochrome and metallic accessories - shoes from River Island and Chanel bag.

The original can be found below:

I hope you all had a lovely bank holiday! I'm very sad to go back to work/ reality after such a fabulous weekend! Though I did catch the bouquet so things may be looking up... ;) xxx

How To: Perfect Bun in Seconds!

No heat, no mess and no expense! This is my preferred method of achieving the perfect bun.

However, if you are looking for a more polished style you can also check out:

The doughnut bun ring is great for those with shorter hair.

The Twirl Curl is really versatile and can create both high and low buns as well as a French pleat/ twist or chignon.

I hope you all enjoy the video and thank you for watching :). xxx

Things I am currently loving!

With work, exam revision, a videoshoot to prepare for and a wedding this weekend I am desperately trying to get some blog posts up for you guys in between! However, with time falling short I thought I would do a little favourites post of things I am currently loving.

Carmex Moisture Plus Lipbalm (£4.49)

This lipbalm is inexpensive and easy to use while on the go. It gives lips a glossy finish with a hint of colour and a shot of moisture. It also has vitamin E and SPF 15 to protect the lips and keep them soft. Yum!

Rituals Under a Fig Tree Fragrance Sticks (£21.50)

I am not usually a lover of fig scents, but these fragrance sticks give the room a subtle wonderfully delicious, juicy fragrance that is fresh and comforting all at once.

Jo Malone Rosewater and Vanilla Cologne Intense (£95)

This fragrance is probably an acquired taste, but I am completely obsessed with it. Rose Water and comforting vanilla are enriched with a succulent bite of rose loukoum. 'A tempting and addictive fragrance'... they certainly got the addictive part right, though given the price tag I won't be bathing in it anytime soon!

Philip B Oud Royal Shampoo and Conditioner

This is an intensive hydrating duo that leaves my hair silky soft, smooth, light and buoyant. Once again given the price tag I only use this once a week or as a treat, but you can definitely see the difference even after just one wash.

Peplums

I absolutely adore peplums and am keeping my fingers crossed that they never go out of style as I have purchased numerous tops, dresses, jumpers and jackets with peplum detailing. It's extremely flattering, easy to wear and gives that amazing exaggerated waist silhouette that I lust after. However, if you are feeling a little hesitant about diving into this trend I highly recommend checking out this nifty little leather peplum belt that will look beautiful teamed with... well anything!

Hobbs Marissa Peplum Belt (£99)

Zaggora Hot Pants (£50)

I was recently sent a pair of Zaggoras to try and they have become a workout staple, so much so that they are making tri-weekly turns in the washing machine. I can't comment on their exact weightloss properties, but they sure do make you sweat (in places I didn't know I could). They are great to wear when doing aerobic exercise and are flexible and comfortable enough to join you on a run, cycle or even dance class. They are a little pricey, but having worn both the viva and original hot pants styles I can equally recommend both. Personally I think the shorter style is just as good and is a more purse friendly £30 here.

Denman Be-Bop Massage Brush (£2.87)

I love my tangle teezer, but sometimes my hair is so knotty that I lose patience. After discovering this amazing little brush from Denman that can be used in the shower I have cut minutes from my routine, and not just any minutes... tangled, frustrating minutes of pain. There are lots of ways to use this little beauty, but my preference is to run it through my hair while I'm rinsing out the conditioner. This makes detangling an absoute breeze for kids and big kids alike ;).

What are the products you are currently loving? I would love to know! xxx

Good Things Miracle Mattifier Moisturiser

The biggest beauty mistake I ever made in my teen years (along with being a little too tweezer happy) was trying to combat oily skin by stripping it of all moisture, which inevitably made the problem worse! In fact oily skin still needs moisture to keep it soft and healthy, the last thing you want to do is remove all your natural oils, breaking the barrier function of the skin and basically asking for trouble.

Good Things Miracle Mattifier is a great moisturiser to use if you have oily or blemish prone skin as it pulls off a clever balancing act. It is quickly absorbed and gives your skin plenty of hydration while clarifying blackcurrant extract helps to absorb any excess oil, so your skin stays smooth and matte and is less prone to breakouts. This cream smells delicious and with a little going a long way it really lasts whilemaking your skin feel smooth, but not at all greasy. It is also free from parabens, mineral oils, sodium laureth sulphate and is suitable for vegans.

The Good Things Miracle Mattifier moisturiser won't break the bank either as it's just £5.33 here.