Frills 'n' Spills

It is slightly boggling to me that we are nearly halfway through May and it is still cold enough to be in all of my winter jumpers and coats, by this time last year I was already well into my summer wardrobe! This jumper dress was another Whistles bargain from eBay and I love it. I always get really warm so the thin wool is perfect as it is warm without being too bulky on me. The shape of this can look fairly severe but paired with some jazzy accessories and make-up, it is more fun than you might think! 

Red lipstick is always my favourite and this Revlon lipstick in Provocateur is my favourite for a glossy red lip. I tend to wear matte lipstick but have been reaching for a satin/gloss finish recently as it just seems so much more wearable for daytime!

I love navy and red together and Essie Russian Roulette is a gorgeous bright shade. I have owed this leopard print belt for years and it is looking a bit worse for wear- has anyone seen a good replacement anywhere?

Winter seems to have taken quite a while to kick in so far this year but the chill is definitely here now and since we have put the tree up, I am feeling really Christmassy! For once I have been really organised (don't hate me but yes, I had bought and wrapped my presents before the end of November! ;) I'm not a fan of the dark evenings but Mira Showers challenged me to share my wintry essentials and actually there's a lot to be said for these cheery items!




 I have a bit of a thing for scented candles (blogger cliché alert!) and have had

Scarf: Accessorize

You know how much I love the colour red and this cosy scarf is a recent addition to my wardrobe. I got some Accessorize vouchers for my birthday and decided to treat myself. It is so cosy and the perfect splash of colour.

Hats: River Island, Accessorize, Topshop and Accessorize

The Internet has brought me some wonderful things and friendships are top of that list. I absolutely love owls so this hot water bottle is a fun way to keep cosy (yes I also have owl pyjamas!)

I got this cute cup for my birthday from my friend Becky and I really love it. I can't resist a pun and it is the perfect size for a hot chocolate with some marshmallows!

Top: Ellesse via TK Maxx, leggings: Puma

I rejoined the gym recently and have really been enjoying it. Half of the battle is finding a routine that works and I think I have finally managed it.I have been going a couple of times a week before work and despite aching all over, it does start my day off right! You know that clothes are a great motivator for me and this crop top and these Puma tights are a fun addition to my workout wardrobe. I feel so cool in them and that's half the battle, right?!

I have been reaching for multi-purpose products recently and this Dainty Doll cream blusher in Paper Roses is great for whacking on after the gym and works well as a lipstick too. I wish it was still available to buy but I guess I can track it down online somewhere when this one runs out...

I'm usually a shower kind of gal but there's nothing nicer than a hot bath to keep you cosy. I must be the worst blogger ever as this Magic Christmas bubble bar was my first ever Lush purchase! I always love the look of individual products but the store always smells far too overwhelming for me. I had seen this one online and in the window and went in when I had a cold to buy it. It makes the bath a gorgeous orange colour and my skin feels so soft afterwards. Now that I have dipped my toe in, I will definitely be back, I just need to decide what to try next!

What are your winter essentials? Which Lush products would you recommend?

Over the years I have learnt that certain clothes just don't work on me. Not from following any 'rules' but from the fact that the reality is always a disappointment. Pencil skirts are one such item on me, I love the idea of them but the reality is less than ideal. Mini skirts however are something that make up a huge part of my wardrobe and I think they look pretty darn good doing it! You can see from these leaves that these pictures were taken a little while ago, but with a few extra layers (I'm thinking this jumper and coat combo with these boots would look ace) it could still work now. Obviously it depends on how casual your office is but with some opaque tights and a sharp blazer, I imagine this would make a pretty fun work outfit...

It has been a while since I have shared my winter essentials (over 2 years in fact!) and although I still love cosy tights and comfy pyjamas, I have added a few products that I can't live without to my list. I got this Ren Flash Rinse 1 Minute Facial free with an M&S order before Christmas and it is literally saving my skin at the moment. I want to try some more Ren products but not sure where to start, any recommendations? I have raved about the Dr Jart Platinum BB Cream many times before and can't recommend it enough, it's expensive but oh so brilliant!. It's difficult to explain just why I love it so much but it has improved my skin so much! These Burt's Bees Lip Shimmers (FYI I have Rhubarb and Cherry) are my new favourite lip product, they have a lovely wearable tint and taste and smell minty, what more could you ask for? 

What are your winter essentials?

This jumper doesn't get as much love as it should, it is lovely and warm but doesn't add unnecessary bulk under a coat. Perhaps its the colour that makes it one of the last things I reach for in my wardrobe, taupe doesn't exactly scream fun! ;) My hair is not a fan of the colder weather- the dampness in the air can make my hair quite frizzy but Percy & Reed's Wonder Balm is my favourite product at the moment, there's nothing it can't fix! Whilst I love darker, more Autumnal shades, it was the Essie Russian Roulette shade I went for from my new 'ravishingly rouge' set, you can't beat a classic red lips and nails combo! This lipstick is much brighter in real life but didn't photograph very well which is a shame, it is one of my best beauty bargains to date at a measly £2!

I really like the length of this skirt and although it looks very crinkly here, the asymmetrical zip is a really fun design feature. I really love these boots, I did think I was going to have to send them to the big shoebox in the sky (sob) but luckily my local cobbler is a genius and managed to resole them and make them look as good as new. There's something wonderful about boots that have been battered beyond belief, they are just so darned comfy!

Which are the pieces that (nearly) got away from you?

This dress is such a lovely fit and it was so nice to style it up in a more fun way than I would usually would. It is a work staple but usually black tights and a cardigan are as exciting as it gets so bare legs and gold accessories are much more interesting! I'm not sure why I look so grumpy in these pictures, I was actually grinning my head off when we took these pictures!

I picked up these gold sparkly shoes in the Topshop sale a few weeks ago for a mere £7 and they are my favourite shoes at the moment (no word of a lie, I am seriously tempted to get the monochrome pair too!) There's nothing like a pair of gold sparkly shoes to cheer you up! 

Looks wise, there's not much my Mum and I have in common, she is tall and slim and I am short and...not, which means there's not many clothes that suit both of us (much to my dismay as my Mum has the most amazing style and a shared fondness for Hobbs) Despite this, we occasionally pick up the same thing and are then massively excited when we see the other wearing it (the exciting lives we lead!) These trousers were a bargain in the M&S sale before Christmas and I fell in love with the subtly jazzy print and the fit- it's not often that my waist and hips are happy to share the same pair of trousers! 

What have you been wearing to brighten up February?

 I love a good prom dress, especially if it has a swooshy tulle skirt and this spotty little number from Tesco looks really fancy but isn't the slightest bit uncomfortable - a winning combination in my eyes! The best part though was that although it looks pretty expensive, it only cost £25 from Tesco. I would be more than happy to pay that for a dress this pretty but I was lucky enough to win the lovely Sarah's giveaway a few months ago and this was one of the things I picked up with my voucher. I wore it for my third (and final) day of Christmas and it was perfect; the layers of tulle managed to hide my food baby and I felt really happy in it. I have resolved to really focus on my health this year and as I plan to (eventually) run a 5k with my boo Claire I have started my running up again. It is slow work but I hope that I will feel even more confident this year once my health improves even more!

I never know how to style my hair with a high neckline, a bun just looked strange and my usual side sweep of curls was far too busy looking so I decided to experiment with my hot brush and ended up with a bouncy cheerleader ponytail. Paired with winged eyeliner and a bright lipstick, I looked as chirpy as I felt. I think you can see from these photos how much I loved this outfit, now I just need Tesco to make a version of this dress in every colour!

What are your goals for 2014?

Which products have changed your life recently? Would you be interested in a blog sale?