Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts

Cosy in cashmere...

Owning cashmere is such a luxury and I feel very lucky that I have some in my wardrobe. Mark bought me this ridiculously soft sweater for Christmas and I absolutely love it! The pale grey colour is pretty classic but the shape of this jumper is decidedly modern, especially with the boxy shape and slightly higher neck. I prefer the look of it with skirts rather than jeans, mainly as it gives me a reason to dig out my jazzy skirts and fun tights!

Jumper: Warehouse (gift from Mark), skirt: Tesco, tights: Tesco, shoes: New Look
My hair is getting so long recently and my hot brush is getting a lot of action! It is so easy to use (even if you are as clumsy as me!) and helps to give my hair a bit of a boost. Mark also treated me to the Charlotte Tilbury mini lipstick charms for Christmas and 'Very Victoria' is a gorgeous soft nude shade. (I also got Amazing Grace and Red Carpet Red which are equally gorgeous!) I was a little bit worried as I tend to go for brighter lipstick shades but this one is surprisingly flattering and wears really well. I will definitely be treating myself to a full size lipstick once I have picked out which shade to try next!


I have raved about Max Factor products a million times before and this nail varnish (shade 20 in silver FYI) is one of my favourites, I never could resist some sparkle!


This jazzy skirt is an old favourite of mine and was the perfect match for such a plain top. I may have been slightly too hasty to pack away my trusty opaques but it's definitely feeling more like Spring out there!


What is your favourite Charlotte Tilbury lipstick shade?
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Champagne lace and faux fur...

The weather may be warming up slightly but I'll take any opportunity to wear this ridiculously glamourous coat! I wore this outfit for our big family meal at Dumbleton Hall and it was perfect for the (very fancy) surroundings. I love any opportunity to get all dressed up and this coat makes anything look snazzy...

Coat: Topshop
I inherited this dress off Mark's mum a couple of years ago and I really love it, the shape is super flattering and the stretchy waist allows for plenty of pigs in blankets! ;) Usually I would shy away from such a pale shade but the black underlay stops it from looking too similar to my pasty pale skin tone! 

Dress: Therapy via Mark's mum, shoes: c/o George at ASDA, bracelet: Accessorize

 The neckline on this dress is so pretty and I'm a fan of anything that means I don't have to dig out a matching necklace! My make-up is basically the same as I wore it here (how original of me) as I am loving glowy skin and pretty pink lipstick at the moment and the combination works whatever you are wearing. I curled my hair using my GHDs and was really pleased with the results. I recently bought some Bumble and Bumble Styling Creme to help keep my curls in check. I love the smell of it and a little bit goes a long way, I may have to treat myself to a full size bottle soon! 


I love a full skirt and the tulle layer under this one makes it perfect for swooshing around in. These wedges are so comfortable and perfect for adding that little bit of height. I am more than a little bit unstable in heels so anything that makes it easier is a win in my eyes!
Which clothes make you feel glamourous?
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A love letter to Whistles...

Honestly, it has been so long since I wore this outfit that I almost didn't post it but I loved it so much that I couldn't pass up the opportunity. I posted about the navy version of this dress nearly a year ago and this post is basically another love letter to Whistles and their gorgeous occasionwear! This faux leather jacket is so easy to wear and was the perfect finishing touch for this outfit. Usually December weather would mean that such a thin layer would be impractical but the weather was so mild that this kept me plenty warm enough. I wish we had that weather now, I am currently huddled under a duvet to write this as our flat is so cold!

Dress: Whistles, tights: John Lewis, shoes: Accessorize, jacket: c/o George at ASDA
One of the things I love so much about Whistles is the attention they pay to detail. The black tulle on the shoulders adds an edge to the pale pink tweed and stop it from looking too precious. This velvety Max Factor eyeliner is my new favourite and makes it easy to draw a cat eye with it, even for someone as useless as me. I paired it with the Clinique Chubby Stick in Woppin' Watermelon and the Max Factor Creme Puff blush in Seductive Pink for a fresh glowy look.


I love a nipped in waist and this shape skirt is flattering on pretty much everyone.It is a little bit short with nude tights so I went for this velvety pair instead. They aren't the cheapest opaques you will ever buy but I promise you, they are worth the investment!


These spotty shoes are from Accessorize of all places and are super fun. I love the pointed shape and the fact that they are sheer means they work as well with tights as they do with jeans. I am tempted by this pair but need to get rid of some other pairs first, my shoe storage is looking pretty full at the moment...


Which brands would you write a love letter to?
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Leopard print Laura Ashley...

When you say Laura Ashley, leopard print is not the first thing to spring to mind but this slinky shirt dress is one of the more unusual pieces in my wardrobe. I have had it for a couple of years now and even managed to take photos back in April 2014 but never posted them as I didn't like how they came out. I always tend to style it in quite a simple way, when you have a dress that is patterned, textured and almost satin-y, it doesn't need any extra embellishment! It was so windy when we took these photos that I almost blew away and revealed more than a glimpse of thigh in the process... ooer!

Dress: Laura Ashley, belt: Miss Selfridge, shoes: c/o George at ASDA, belt:Tesco
I love Max Factor make-up and as their liquid eyeliner is the only only one I have ever been able to get on with, I was keen to try their newest offering and I have to say, the Masterpiece liquid eyeliner did not disappoint! It is easy to use (a must for novices like me) and lasts all day without needing to reapply it, no one has time for that! I have been loving the Max Factor Creme Puff blush too, it gives such a glowy wash of colour. I have the 'Seductive Pink' shade but I am definitely going to buy 'Alluring Rose' too! I have been growing my hair slightly longer and I love being able to do a bit more with it. I just curled it slightly with my straighteners here and I couldn't believe how well it lasted! 

A better look at that amazing print
I have been wearing these wedges all the time recently, they are so comfy and are great for putting a spring in your step. I haven't really blogged about my beautiful Olivia Burton watch but it has been a constant accessory since Mark gave it to me for my birthday and I really really love it, it is just so pretty!


Are you a Laura Ashley fan?
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Burgundy velvet...

Christmas can be quite strange. It's probably when you spend the longest on the sofa but your clothes tend to be pretty fancy and unsuited for slouching - in my house at least! I picked up this velvet shift dress during Gap's Black Friday sale and I couldn't be more chuffed with it. The simple shape makes it easy to wear and the burgundy colour is pretty festive, even though I will definitely be wearing it all year round. I couldn't believe how pale it made me look though, I am almost blending into the wall behind me!

Dress: Gap, tights: Tesco, shoes: Marks & Spencer
I layered Topshop's Get Me Bodied Christmas Lip Bullet and Revlon's lipstain in Crush to get the perfect berry shade and although it's a little bit darker than I would normally go for, I quite liked it. It is weird, I am happy as Larry in bright lipsticks but nude or dark ones give me the heebie-jeebies!


I have long loved nude fishnets for adding a bit of texture to an outfit (I even wore them to my graduation!) and when I saw that Accessorize was selling them, it's safe to say that I stockpiled a few pairs! They are way more interesting than plain nude tights and weirdly make it easier to walk if you are wearing heels, I guess it's easier for your feet to grip inside your shoes?! 


Any tips for wearing dark lippie?
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My Christmas jumper...

This post contains clothes that were sent for review by ASDA
I know it's early but I'm going to mention the C word. I'm usually a bit of a humbug until mid-December but this year I have been feeling particularly festive. Perhaps it's because we have some really fun stuff planned for Christmas and New Year but I cannot wait to put on the Bublé Christmas album and start eating my body weight in mince pies. Christmas jumpers have become a bit of a thing in the past few years and I can never resist a bit of sparkle! This jumper may be snazzy but even with the sequins I will be happy wearing it all year round as it is just so soft and cosy. The perfect test for this was standing outside whilst Mark took these photos and despite the 'brisk' wind, I was snug as a bug! I went very out of character with the rest of this outfit, opting for pleather legging/trousers rather than my usual mini skirts but I actually love them. They are super cosy and the fit balances out the volume of the jumper, even if I did feel a bit like a sausage when I first put them on!

Jumper, camisole, trousers and shoes all c/o ASDA
I really need to work on my make-up skills, I tend to wear bright lipstick but thought this called for something different. I had done a soft smoky eye here but as my eyes are so small, you can't actually see it :( In real life the neutral lip (Topshop lip bullet in Tamed) balanced it out but it didn't photograph so well. Ah well, I guess you live and learn! With thick jumpers like this, I tend to just throw on a camisole, I am always too warm to wear much more!


This glittery bag is possibly the most festive thing I own; long-time readers will know that I am a sucker for anything sparkly so I fell in love with this when it arrived. It is much smaller than I thought but I can still fit my phone, diabetes stuff and a (small) purse in, I just won't be able to use it day to day. So far, I haven't noticed much glitter shedding from it but it will scag your tights if you aren't careful so consider this a warning!


Although they have a bit of stretch in them, I am definitely classing these as trousers as they not only have a fly but pockets too! They remind me of these waxed jeans, just slightly tighter ;)


ASDA shoes are always ridiculously good value and this wedge pair are just as comfy as my beloved block heels, I think I am going to have to buy another pair before they (inevitably) sell out.


Are you a Christmas jumper fan?
P.S. I was sent these clothes to review but if I didn't love them, I wouldn't feature them!
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The story of Gloucester services Christmas... (PICTURE HEAVY)

It's not often that the thought of visiting a service station will fill you with excitement but a trip to Gloucester Services is a very different story! Mark and I have been meaning to visit ever since they opened (you can find them southbound on the M5 between junctions 11A and 12) and we finally got the chance when I was invited to the story of Gloucester services Christmas, a chance to meet some of the local suppliers (some were from less than 5 miles away which was pretty impressive!) and see some of the amazing Christmas items they have available at the services.


We thought it looked like the Tellytubby house, what do you think?

I have to say, this was the most tranquil service station I have ever been to, it looked like even the car park was designed to be as stress-free as possible!


Inside there was an shop filled with stacks of gifts and books for all ages. Isn't this bookshelf amazing? I am still trying to convince Mark that we need it in our flat!


We didn't actually buy any of the food in the Kitchen but it looked and smelt amazing and there were plenty of people enjoying it when we visited. All of the food sold and prepared here is supplied locally and it was brilliant to see how many local businesses had benefited from the services opening, rather than being pushed out by big chains. 


My favourite part though was this beautiful lake out the back of the restaurant. Even though the motorway was only a few hundred metres away, it was really peaceful and you got the added benefit of gorgeous views out across the Gloucestershire countryside.


I seriously had to restrain myself in the farmshop as there was amazing food wherever you turned....


This patisserie counter was particularly tempting!



You could get amazing chorizo and dried meats which smelt divine, I will definitely be coming back for these!


There is also a full-sized butcher's counter and fishmonger which I think is pretty amazing, definitely a good place to pop into if you are planning a dinner party!


Mark was very excited about the pies!


The cheese counter was amazing, Mark had to physically drag me away before I bought the entire stock...


It was so nice to chat to the various suppliers at the event. I love hearing people talking about their passion and all of the people involved in the services are clearly very enthusiastic about what they do which is massively inspiring! There were delicious sausage rolls from Cinderhill Farm...


...delicious pies from Legges of Bromyard


...award-winning veggie food from The Parsnipship. Don't get me wrong, I love goat's cheese as much as the next gal but it was nice to see veggie food that wasn't your traditional 'one dish on a menu' fare.


Godsell's Cheese are based just around the corner from the services and I found out that you can even visit them at their farm, which I hope to do very soon!


I was so excited to see russet apples from Mudwalls Farm, they are my absolute favourite (I blame Little Women for my obsession!)  but you can rarely get them in supermarkets.


My family has been a massive fan of Contemporary Cakes ever since my Grandma discovered them at the farmer's market and they make the most amazing cakes. (Just look at how delicious my uncle's birthday cake or my grandparents 50th anniversary cake look!) They are so lovely and even raved about how lovely my grandma was which really made me smile as she is the best! :D


The Patisserie Box is the wing of their business that sells these delicious desserts. Those Christmas pudding chocolate-y cakes were divine and I may be a blogger cliché but I do love macarons!


Just some of the amazing gifts available in the gift shop...


I also got the chance to meet the lovely head baker at the services (unfortunately I have a brain like a sieve and have forgotten her name!) about testing recipes and taking them from an idea to the delicious treats you can see here which was very interesting. You never realise just how much effort goes into making all of this! 


These stollen and mince pies were lovely, you can't beat some German treats at Christmas!


Mark was very taken by these chocolate brownies and apparently they tasted as good as they looked!


I was also really intrigued by the Natural Spa Factory products, I love me some luxury bath products and the scrubs were amazing. I am hoping Mark gets me the Mulled Wine scrub as it just smells so Christmassy!


We were very kindly supplied with a jute bag filled with delicious treats which we have been working our way through this past week or so. I can't rave about these services enough and I have no doubt that Mark and I will be heading back to stock up on delicious food and Christmas gifts very soon!

Have you tried Gloucester Services yet?

P.S. I was invited to this press event but all opinions are my own!
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