Is there anything sexier than to reveal a little
Wardrobe update: open back tops
Spring/Summer Edit: The White Dress
As far as I’m concerned white should feature
5 Beauty Tips to Add Some Glam to your Look
It can be hard work
50 shades of Beige for Spring
As much as beige gets a lots of bad rap and is considered
5 Steps To Building Your Perfect Wardrobe
What’s one
Fashion Fix Friday: Luscious Velvet IRL
Velvet is a classic winter fabric but if I’m
Fashion Fix Friday: A fresh look at Cowboy boots and how to wear them
I feel like I’m a little late to the cowboy boot party since they have been a thing since the Summer. However, I think this great 90’s western trend is here to stay taking into account they were all over the spring 2019 street style photos circulating during fashion month so I might be late but I’m certainly on it!
Recently I have become obsessed with the style and want to pair them with quite literally everything. I have one particular pair of boots to blame for it and they are the glorious Ganni pink and black marlyn 45 . From the minute I laid eyes on them I knew I was in love!
The thing about cowboy boots is that wearing them can feel a little bit like wearing a costume but I think the key is to make them work with your wardrobe and using them as an easy way to update some of your most basic outfits and add a super cool trendy twist to very feminine outfits.
Keep scrolling for some style inspiration from the streets and to shop my cowboy boot edit.
Shop
How to Shop Black Friday/Cyber week Sales + Sales Guide
The BF day has arrived and of course I couldn’t ignore it! This is the ideal time to buy Christmas presents, a new outfit for New Year’s Eve or just something that you’ve had your eye on for ages.
With so many great deals available it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by it all but, fear not, I’m here to help and share with you my favourite Black Friday fashion deals as well as a little insight on how I shop Black Friday to avoid overspending and impulse purchases that will never see the light of day.
Here’s my advice and sales guide…
Make a list of what you want to buy
This will ensure you will look out for things you need and/or really want instead of just getting things that you don’t use very often or are not your style just because you thought the marked down price was great.
Shop Around for Best Deals
Check various retailers for a particular item you have in mind so you can truly find the best deal. Every retailer offers different discount rates so it’s definitely worth shopping around.
Stick to Your List
This is the golden rule. Don’t get lost in the excitement of bagging some bargains and end up spending money on things that you will never wear or that you won’t wear that much. They might be cheap but if you don’t use them they are ultimately a waist of money.
This is a great time to snap up some good buys and take advantage of all the deals on offer. Click the retailer and or items to shop. Let the shopping marathon begin…
Sales Guide
Fashion & Accessories
ASOS
20% off everything with code HELLO20
T&C: 22nd – 26th November
Your Perfect Party Clutch Bag Essentials
What’s your handbag mantra? While a lot of women seem to go for ‘the bigger the better’ when it comes to schlepping round with an oversized tote you could fit enough supplies for a week in, the undoubtedly chic route is that of a sleek clutch bag.
While the very idea of paring down your possessions to the bare minimum makes some yelp in horror, when was the last time you actually used the old magazines, five lip glosses, two bottles of water and ‘emergency’ flats? Are they giving you back ache? Could they, in fact, be weighing you down in more ways than one?
Whisper it: small bags are a symbol of power. In these days of unbounded choice, they show that you can be selective. They show a sort of restraint that indicates confidence – Coco Chanel didn’t say “elegance is refusal” for nothing. A neat clutch bag is a wardrobe essential and indicates that you have your life together in a way that a messy, overflowing, supersized bucket bag never will. It has been said that our handbags reflect the inside of our minds – and who wants a jumble of disorganised clutter in their head? Equally, a smaller bag is somewhat of a status symbol – it hints that you are well off enough to have other people take care of the mess.
So, travelling light is definitely proper, especially with the amount of evening events ramping up as we head into the festive season. But you still want to have the essentials covered to make sure you have a great night. What do you pack to create the ultimate clutch bag and make sure you have everything you need while not being weighed down? This guide will help you streamline, pack your clutch beautifully and be able to grab and go:
Small Tin of Mints
On sociable evenings out – intimate dinners, cocktails at the bar or crowded nightclubs, the one thing you can guarantee is that people will be getting up close and personal. Whether it’s simply your girlfriends or even a hot date, people leaning in close to talk to you means that it’s bad manners for them to be able to smell what you last ate! Chewing gum can be a little inelegant, so a small tin of mints or breath freshening strips is your best bet. Fresh breath is common courtesy, so don’t leave home without them!
Folding Hairbrush
Having been outside to get to your destination, the elements will probably have played havoc with your freshly styled hair, so having a small hairbrush means you can fix yourself up nicely when you arrive. You need to go compact, so either opt for a slim comb or perhaps a dressing brush, which is great for smoothing and backcombing at the roots but doesn’t take up a lot of room. Or you could opt for something like the Denman Folding Hairbrush that pops out and also has a handy mirror for you to check your makeup.
Cash
You may be the type of person who uses cards for everything, but if you’re heading out for the night, taking cash is a far better idea. For one, you will need a small amount to be able to tip on restaurant and bar bills or pay for a taxi home at the end of the night. Carrying cash also means that you are less likely to overspend – there’s nothing worse than waking up the next day with a sore head and a purse full of receipts from when you were waving your credit card around shouting ‘Margaritas for everyone!’ at 1am. Cash limits you a little, although it is a good idea to carry one card in case there is an emergency, or keep money for a taxi home separately so you don’t accidentally spend it.
Your Phone
These days, our phones are walking powerhouses that do it all, and you don’t want to be without. The latest models like the iPhone X, or Samsung Galaxy S9 have cameras which are brilliant in low light levels, meaning those snaps of you and your squad in the bar won’t be grainy and dark. From WhatsApping friends to check where they are to using PayPal to split a restaurant bill or even browsing Tinder to see who’s in the club, your phone is an essential. Make sure your handset is fully charged and you have a great deal from a network like SMARTY mobile powered by Three so you don’t lose signal at a crucial point or spent a fortune on data. Learn more about SMARTY and other networks on Half Cooked, they provide detailed reviews and comparisons of all the major UK networks to help you find the perfect network for your needs.
Make-Up
Most of us carry far too much! If you’ve used a good makeup primer and followed up with a setting spray, your makeup should be locked down and you shouldn’t need to touch up too much. A pressed powder compact, the lip colour you have on and a mini perfume, perhaps in a travel atomiser, should be enough.
With your stylishly slimline clutch and all the essentials, you can concentrate on having a great time.
Love, P
**This is a collaborative
The Beautiful art of Layering Necklaces + Giveaway
In collaboration with Muru Jewellery.
It’s no secret I love to layer my necklaces. Jewellery is, in my opinion, one of the quickest ways to transform an otherwise super basic and bordering on boring outfit into a chic little ensemble. My layering journey (if I can call it that) started years ago when long pearl necklaces were all the rage and layering them gave them a slight edge instead of the lady like look that has always been associated with them.
Nowadays I much prefer layering dainty, more simple and smaller necklaces, normally in gold and with some kind of meaning. I have a necklace with my initial, one with my children’s names, one that says ‘mama’ …. you get the idea right? I can safely say wearing layered necklaces has become part of my everyday looks and it’s something that now comes to me quite naturally.
Obviously, when Muru asked me to style a few of their gorgeous pieces, I was beyond excited. Muru believes that jewellery should be not only an expression of your style but also of one’s hopes and aspirations so you can expect Muru’s designs to be both beautiful and full of meaning.
If you are not sure how to start layering your necklaces read on for a few of my tips but remember that the first rule of layering your necklaces is that there is no rule. Just have fun!
Layer by length
This is quite an obvious one i think. Start with your shortest necklace and gradually add more slightly longer than the last. This is possibly my favourite way of layering necklaces and I never wear more than 3 or 4 layers. It’s a fine line between looking on point and like a Christmas tree.
Mix metals
Once upon a time I had a huge mental block about mixing metals but now I love it. I think the key is to experiment with it and have fun with the different colours and textures.
Make it personal
I love wearing jewellery that speaks to me. Be it because it has my children’s names engraved or because it reminds me of a special place/time in my life or because it’s full of symbolism and meaning. This is the key, in my opinion, to make combinations that are unique to you and represent who you are.
For this post i’m wearing: