The UK has been seriously hotting up over the past month and having just stepped off a flight back from a week in beautiful Mallorca, my summer wardrobe is full to bursting with new and old goodies perfect for this heat. 

This season I'm loving lemon prints, bold stripes, statement earrings and simple, but flattering bikinis. My holiday outfits were a combo of these, with my simple go to pieces like tan block heels, silver hoop earrings, blue and white patterns and monochrome stripes. 

After a recent purchase of ASOS Premier, I've found myself stalking the virtual aisles of ASOS on a regular basis frequently filling up my basket and over-using the 'save for later' button. These are my top picks for your heatwave and holiday wardrobe.


I thought I'd shed a little light on the beauty, skincare and haircare products I take away with me too. My hair is coloured and curly, so sun, sea and swimming pools can really take their toll on my dry hair. I stock up on Moroccan Oil and nourishing shampoo and conditioners for trips away. My fail safe sun cream is Garnier Ambre Solaire, my family have used it for as long as I can remember, the smell is a nostalgic favourite. When I'm feeling like I need to fake it till you make it, the Bondi Sands Dry Tanning Oil is the best for a seriously convincing fake tan. Jo Malone's Tropical Cherimoya scent is my new summer spritz, but Clarins Eau Dynamisante is an old favourite. 




What's on your hotlist for your holiday? 
A slightly late April Favourites! Style, candles, podcasts, Netflix, lifestyle and beauty faves - all things I really loved throughout the last month. 


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xxxx

A new favourite denim, new Spring additions and a whole haul of statement earrings to wear with every outfit through the warmer months! 

What's your favourite Spring wardrobe essential?

One of the pieces I'm always reaching for with the temperamental UK weather is a jumper dress. I find it's the perfect thing to wear in Spring, when it's certainly not hot, but a coat might be a little much (well, maybe not if the recent snow we've had rears it's head again!) I feel my best in a dress and tights as it tends to flatter parts of me I like the most and cover up areas I might like to hide a little more, but lots of dresses are more fitting for sunnier climes, that's where my fave staple jumper dress comes in. 
It's a classic piece I'll wear throughout most seasons - Spring, Autumn and Winter. Paired with simple or statement jewellery it can be dressed up or dress down to fit the occasion. If I'm heading out for cocktails, but wanting to combine comfort with style, I'll wear a jumper dress with statement earrings, belted at the waist with tights and heeled boots. If I'm spending a day out and about with friends, I'll go for simple jewellery, a belt, tights and flat boots. Oooor on the complete other end of the spectrum, it's perfect to just throw on for a day working from home, comfy and you feel a little better than working in tight jeans or slouchy PJ's! 

This is the *So Lost Sweater Dress from TOBI, an LA based clothing company with free worldwide shipping! They kindly got in touch recently and sent over a few pieces - this dress and beautiful star necklace being two of them. I browsed the site for hours, it's full of affordable clothing and there's a style for everyone.

What I'm Wearing ::


+++ the beaut mug is from Anthropologie


*These items were kindly sent to me, but all my honest own opinions. 

You know those clothes in your wardrobe that might as well be your uniform? These are ten classic pieces I'm endlessly reaching for and rely on to complete nearly all my outfits. These pieces go effortlessly together or create a good foundation to build an outfit around. Basically these are my fave wardrobe basics - stripey tops all day, everyday!


You can shop my key pieces above*. 
What are your wardrobe essentials?
Despite the recent snow-storms and minus temperatures we've had, I've been shopping for a few affordable pieces to kick start my Spring/Summer wardrobe. I'm loving prints and bright colours and desperate for a little warmth, sunshine and let's face it... a tan!

What are your fave pieces in the haul? Let me know! 

I'm desperate to update my wardrobe by slowly introducing a few pieces for Spring (longing for a little sunshine and warmth!) but I'm also really trying to watch my spending. I popped into Primark to pick up a few pieces, to refresh my style a little without breaking the bank!

Who doesn't love a Primark Haul?! They have some beaut pieces in there that I had to resist, but there'll be many more hauls to come, that's for sure! 


What's your favourite item? Blue velvet boots win it for me I think! 

When I popped on my glasses to go to the cinema and realised I'd been wearing the same pair for the past five years, I knew it was time to get my eyes tested and switch them for something a little more chic. 

I wanted a stylish pair that wouldn't break the bank and I also wanted to get anti-glare and scratch protection... which most of the time are additional extra at around £30+ each, eeek.

Bailey Nelson offer the absolute best service in my opinion. They have a great selection of frames, there's a shape and style for everyone and they're all a set price! This was a complete sway for me - any of the beautiful frames, with my prescription lenses plus the usual 'added extras' are considered essential, so anti-glare and scratch protection will cost you no more. There are are a few different bands of pricing, my new frames cost just £105 - which is a lot cheaper than designer frames in other stores (and that's without the extras!)

I popped into their Covent Garden store and the staff could not have been more helpful. They gave me opinions on the different frames I tried on (I'm the most indecisive person you'll ever meet, so that's v helpful), I already had my eye test results with my prescription, so they put my order in and within a week they had arrived back in store and were ready to be picked up. As simple as that!
I got the Parker glasses in 'Speckled Tort' and I want to wear them ALL the time.

I know, totally sounds like an AD (I wish!) but it's not. I was just so impressed with the service and price, there was no small print or strings attached, so I really can't recommend them enough!


It's without a doubt my favourite time of year. 

Honestly, I can't put into words how mesmerising I find this season. The colours, the chill in the air, the conkers, the pumpkins, the apples, just all of it. 

I'm forever finding new things I want to do throughout Autumn. My camera roll becomes full of screen-shots and my room full of random notes both scribbled on paper and in my phone, of ideas, places and things to do. I thought I'd note some of them on my blog. Some I've done already, some I'm yet to do and some might just have to wait until next year. 

The Autumn To Do List

go pumpkin picking
get all dressed up and spooky for Halloween
make a hot chocolate, topped with marshmallows and cream - the works 
light the fire
go to the cinema on a rainy evening
carve a pumpkin 
make a plum and apple crumble 
plan Christmas content ideas
go on a dog walk on a crisp, cold but blue skied day
buy new pyjamas
watch fireworks and warm up by the bonfire with friends for Fireworks Night
drink winter pimms 
gather together some birthday ideas 
shoot an autumn lookbook
find the perfect winter boots
visit the seaside on a sunny, brisk day 
online browse for the perfect velvet festive dress 
read more books, put my laptop down more


- what I'm wearing - 

Stripe Top - Joules 
Burgundy Pinafore Dress - Primark
Black Suede Boots - New Look
Watch - Olivia Burton
Earrings - ASOS
Nail Varnish - Nails Inc. in Kensington High Street


What do you like to do in Autumn?

When it gets a little colder my fashion focus seems to be on every chunky jumper going. I love them with roll necks, cable knit, fitted, oversized, the list goes on. Sometimes when I chuck on a chunky jumper, I'll pull on a pair of jeans, whack on a pair of boots and I'm out the door, others I want to dress up a little more, mixing comfort with style. 
Full Length Outfit
I recently picked up this gem of a jumper from Primark. I was a little unsure knowing the material would probably cook me alive but I'm always cold and sometimes I just need the thickest, snuggliest things going. There was a huge range of colours (and I have my eye on the grey version too...) but I went for this deep purple colour, knowing I had nothing similar in my Autumn/Winter wardrobe already. 

I found it was the perfect jumper to wear without a coat, as it's thick enough to block out the wind and keep you warm. The sun made a brief appearance and it was just a liiiittle warm, so I'll bear that in mind when I chose to wear it out. 
Wanting to style it up a little more, I opted for a skirt and knee-high boots over going for black skinny jeans. Statement tortoise shell earrings and a dark Charlotte Tilbury lip added a touch more glam to the outfit as well. For me, I felt it was my ideal mix of comfortable and stylish.
-- What I'm Wearing -- 

ALL Primark (oops!) 
Earrings - Accessorize
Rings - Silverado 
Lipstick - Charlotte Tilbury 'Glastonberry'
Nails - Barry M 'Almond'


With October rapidly approaching, I'm thinking about my autumn wardrobe and all the gaps that need filling. Autumn is my favourite time of year to shop for - all the layering, chunky knits and different textures - it's so fun to change up my usual style and have a play with new season pieces. Autumn Wishlist - jumper, skirt, jumper
Here's just a couple of things I've spotted recently, all relatively affordable with the most expensive item being the beaut Burgundy Suede Jacket from River Island. I have been after a jacket like this for years, and I really do mean years, the only probably was, it didn't exist anymore. I'd seen designer versions for over a thousand pounds and an old season Missguided one that was perfect, but alas they no longer sold it in that colour. With suede jackets being a huge trend this A/W it's good to see brands are catching on and hopefully I'll be able to get my hands on the jacket of dreams.  

I've got my eye on all the slouchy jumpers. Oversized, knitted, chunky and comfy - the usual criteria. I'm particularly loving the ASOS Twisted Back Jumper to give a simple outfit a subtle sexy edge and the La Redoute Oversized Cable Knit Jumper for when I all I want is effortless comfort. (I actually had my eye on this last year after spotting it on The Frugality, so think it might be time to bite the bullet - especially with the current 20% off!) 

I seem to have worn out every practical pair of boots I own, so a major shoe haul is needed. I'm on the look out for a stylish but practical pair, with a heel that isn't too high, a pointed toe and to come up to just above my ankle, so I don't ask for much...! This pair from TU at Sainsbury's are pretty perfect. 

*all affiliate links - it costs you no more, just helps a blogger out!

What's on your Autumn Lust List?

It's that time again, when I reel off what I've been loving throughout the previous month! There's a little bit of everything - lifestyle, beauty, style, tv & music.


There's a vlog coming on Sunday so make sure you're subscribed to my channel!


Ever pick up your phone to check Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, then put your phone down only to, seconds later, check Facebook, Twitter, Instagram all over again?
It's almost like you're on auto pilot isn't it?


We live in a world where we are all glued to our phones and laptops, we are all guilty of it. After downloading an app called 'Moment' which tracks how many hours you spend on your phone each day, I was absolutely appalled. It was hours. Hours that could be spent doing something productive, working towards a goal or spending time with people I love. Not mindlessly scrolling through posts I had already seen four times that day.


When these photos were taken, I'd spent 5 happy days offline. (Alright, not completely offline, I allowed myself Instagram because I enjoy it and I take a lot of photos that I love to share.) But for everything else, for 7 days straight, I was m.i.a. I was on holiday and I wanted some real time away from the moans of Facebook, the drama of Twitter and the ding of emails. I was away over the election, which confirmed for me that this would be a good idea as I personally think social media is not the place for arguments about politics and as I was on holiday it wasn't something I wanted playing on my mind. Before I went away there had been so many heartbreaking events and news stories that I just wanted to be away from it all and I felt like a week in a different country would be the right time to give it a go.



It was bliss. 
And more importantly? I didn't miss it.

Of course, there were times I thought to myself I'd like to see what was going on on the Love Island hashtag with my newly developed addiction... but those thoughts flickered into my mind and went away as quickly as they came.  I was able to embrace things that I maybe wouldn't have even noticed had I been on my phone. I looked up, I took in my surroundings, I took time to read my book and flick through magazines instead. It's mad to think how much more I'd of noticed had I banned my phone completely.


Now, I'm not encouraging everyone to ditch their phones, delete their online profiles and start communicating by a cup and string... obviously. All I am saying is that there is a really sense of serenity in taking a break from social media and you'll realise just how much you feel the need to check it. Although my email notifications had to come back on, Twitter and Facebook notifications have been off for over a year now, which had made a massive difference to how often I check them, and they have stayed in the folder on the back page of my phone. Out of sight, out of mind.



It's tricky when you live, work and play in an online world, but I'm going to set myself at least one day a month, where I stay off social media entirely. Noticing how much more work I'll get done, how focused and productive I'll feel and how much better I'll sleep that night will be a reminder for the rest of that month to give the phone a break every now and then.


And lastly, a little side note on my outfit. If the red dress lady emoji came to life, I feel it would look a little something like this. I picked up this beautiful dress from Primark for only £13 and it was perfect for a hot holiday evening sipping on giant Pina Colada's!
 It's sassy and sexy, especially if you don't mind showing a little more skin when you're on holiday.


So, let's put the phones down, let's genuinely listen to what our loved ones are saying, let's actually watch a TV show, let's turn those notifications off and let's embrace looking up a little more often. 
You now when it's so hot, ideally you'd wear a bikini all day and not have to move too much? Yeap, that's pretty much been the weather in the UK this past two weeks and I am definitely not complaining. Although dressing for such hot weather when you have to be out and about can be difficult... 

This super comfortable pastel orange and blue floral print playsuit was an absolute dream to wear on holiday and has been a god send during this hot hot hot heatwave.  

Floaty, flirty and flattering and the best thing? It's a £10 bargain from Primark. 

It's a very flattering fit, with floaty shorts and a pretty tie that allows you to have more control over the neckline and how much cleavage you'd like on show. On holiday I wasn't as bothered about showing a little more skin, but now I'm home I wear a bandeau bra which give a little more coverage, but doesn't show in the cut out section above the waistline. 

It's perfect to dress up or down, I've worn it both with black heels (which made it feel even more flattering) and with flat sandals and I think it looks lovely with both. 

I love it so much, I may have gone out and picked it up in the palm print too...


Playsuit - Heels - Bag - Primark
Sunglasses - Market stall, but these are similar!


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