This Is How The Summer Ends.

1. River Island TBar Metal Tan Sandals - £28

2. Romwe Floral Printed White Irregular Sweater - £26.18

3. Topshop Moto Acid Wash Denim Hotpants - £30

4. Zara Bucket Bag With Studded Straps - £39.99

Do you reckon we've had it? Was that Summer? Seriously?

I'm not giving up people. I have an array of warm weather attire I've yet to flaunt and I'm damn well guna flaunt it. I've also got fingers, toes and eyes crossed that this weekend is 2002 Nelly (Hot in Herre!) for those of you at to Glasto. So here we go, the outfit I'm a hopin' and a wishin' will be festival appropriate for a couple of months yet.

Fields of gold, music so loud your ears start bleeding and one cider too many do not mix with heels, even a wedge can seem like a device of torture when your three bands in and numerous tequilas down. So turn to the trusty sandal you free spirited wonderer. Don't you settle for any old flip flop, just because we are being sensible doesn't mean we cant be stylish and River Island hits the fashion nail on the head with these Metal barred beauties.

You know how sometimes even though its a bajillion degrees in the sun when you find yourself under a tree or behind someone who quite clearly ate all the pies, in other words, well and truly in the shade, suddenly it seems a bit 'nippy'? Not cold enough for a chunky winter knit but there's a slightly breeze that could threaten to raise a pimpled goose or two? Romwe's floral sweater has you covered (ha!). Light weight, easily shoved into a bag, absolutely stunning and effortlessly chic.

Denim shorts. Buggers. Little Buggers. Personally I have to be feeling damned confident to wear any form of short without the safety net of tights covering the pale and somewhat jiggly flesh of my tighs. However those days do occur, usually aided by a margarita or two...

£30? Topshop? Moto? DONE. Easy peasy.

Finally we find ourselves at the bag. Bags are a pain in the arse. I love them. I honestly do. I think I inherited the passion from my mother. Her handbag collection is unrivalled. However, finding the absolute right bag for an occasion can be a task more taxing than attempting to find the square root of 798245 x 473957 / 6.639 in your head. There are so many factors to be considered : space, durability, weatherproofness ( that's not a word : / ), comfort, colour, style. It's a bloody nightmare. I usually suffer with space over most things, I NEED SPACE, this bucket bag from Zara has a Mary Poppins quality to it and its a great 24 hour buddy. Day to night, no fuss. Boom.

Let's go with the power of positive thinking guys and dolls. 

Everybody after three,      1... 2... 3... SSSSUUUUUUUNNNNNSSSHHHHIIINNNNEEEE!!!

SPLASH

Glitter top coats. I have a love hate relationship with the little tykes. They have the ability to look both utterly awesome or totally trashy, chic and elegant or christmas bauble, oh and they are universally acknowledged as a bitch to get off.

Recently I've gone off normal glitter. Its just not doing it for me any more. This however is something different. Models Own 'Splash' Range is a series of 5 'top coats' that contain chunky shards of iridescent light reflecting flakes. There's a blue, pink, red and orange and the sort of purplish looking one I went for which is beautifully named 'Mermaid Tears'.

I grabbed mine on ASOS for a fiver. Money well spent. This is my new favourite evening nail look. The shards are a sort of blue/aqua colour and teemed with a black polish they really stand out. Even blokes have noticed my nails when I've had this combo on the go, noticed and complimented... WOAH!

I've popped this sobbing fishtail wonder over some of my favourite paler shades too, mint green, light blue, lilac, and it's a subtler finish, sort of pretty rather than the striking effect when its over black or a royal blue.

If you're looking for something easily applied to shake up your existing colour collection I'd highly recommend giving the Splash range a go. Just make sure you pop a top coat over whichever of the paradise beach inspired line you choose to ensure a sleek and even finish.

I'm going to watch The Little Mermaid now... Don't judge me.



 'Under da' sea... do do do do... Under da' sea...'

MEOW.

Kaiko Kitty Ears - £12

Remember the cat ear sunnies featured on May's 'Black Sun' YES PLEASE list? Those ones I'd need to sell a kidney to be able to afford? Well guess what... DIXI, one of my favourite online accessories and jewellery stores stock a purse friendly version!

I kinda had to have them didn't I? They are truly awesome. I only bust these feline fashion items out with my harder edged outfits, but every time I do I get complimented on the little suckers. They look equally fantastic resting on your nose or perched on top of your noggin. In fact they sort of make more sense plonked on top of your barnet as the ears are in the right place then and not sitting over your eyebrows.

These seriously fun sun shaders will be traveling with me to many a festival this summer I'm sure.

Are you brave enough to give them a go?

I Just Can't Help Myself.

I know. I know. I'm going to end up with the entire collection if I'm not careful, but look at the puuuuurdy colours! 'Guava' the greener shade is just the perfect poolside accompaniment. It's not as 'WOAH LOOK AT ME!' as 'Greenberry' (my current go to super bright turquoise from the range), but still packs a super fresh punch of colour into any spring summer outfit. 'Blue Grape' was my attempt at finding something budget to fulfill my current lusting after Baker Street from Nails Inc, which actually it does rather well. Not a direct dupe but a gorgeous royal blue, and it goes fantastically with a bold red lip and a fifties style sundress or brightly coloured play suit.

How many of the Gelly Hi-Shine have accidently fallen into your shopping basket?

When The Dog Bites, When The Bee Stings....

Microwave Butterkiss Sweet Popcorn

An absolute life saver on those days when only reruns of friends and eating twice your body weight will help lift the grey clouds. It's the closest I've found to freshly made cinema popcorn and best eaten when still warm.

Avocado & Marmite on Multigrain Toast

Sounds strange, tastes bloody fantastic, if you're a marmite lover of course, if not try avocado and sun-dried tomatoes with a bit of crumbled feta. Yum.

Graze Boxes 

I get these sent to my workplace every monday. It's like a guaranteed weekly present. You can chose how often you'd like your boxes to arrive, once a week, once every 2 weeks etc. You can skip boxes and delays them for holidays etc, and best of all you get to tell graze exactly what it is you like and don't like. You just log onto the website and go through the snacks picking Bin, Try, Like or Love, some snacks even have a 'send soon' option. I've even been able to make all my boxes dairy free with one simple click! Boxes can include, seeds, nuts, dried fruit, chocolate, bread bits, cakes, crackers, olives, popcorn, nibbles galore basically! I've never received a box I didn't love.

If you haven't given it a go I really urge you to do so.

You can even try a box for FREE, just click > HERE <

Andrew Kaufman - All My Friends Are Superhero's

It's only a little book. You can read it in one sitting with a nice cuppa and a choccy biccy. Kaufman is one of my favourite writers ever, in the history of ever. I've never read any books even similar to his and I bloody love them.  The way he portrays characters is magical and so unique. I really can't explain it but it will make your heart smile and fill you with a sense of wonder. Also check out 'The Waterproof Bible',  'The Tiny Wife' and 'Born Weird'.

Honestly. Please read it. You'll love it.

Erin Morgenstern - The Night Circus

When I first started reading this book, I wasn't expecting much, but within a few pages I was hooked. The plot is intricate, the imagery dazzling, and it really has the ability to totally take you out of wherever you are and into a place where magic is not only possible, it is elegant, beautiful and dangerous. This is not a Harry Potter style witches and wizards jobby, it's more refined, grown up you might say (I'm not dissing Potts don't worry, still bloody love me a good wand!)

David McRaney - You Are Not So Smart
A wonderful book about the mind that you really don't have to be a brain box to read. This wonderful book was lent to me by my boyfriend. He'd been quoting little snippets about human behavior and thought processes at me for weeks and they were always ridiculously interesting, so I put myself right up at the front of the borrowing queue. I cannot put this book down. It's one of those 'oh yeah... that was definitely my stop we just passed' types.

Cougar Town

Produced by Doozer and Coquette Productions (These guys are divorced and still best mates. Double yays!), this show is a go to guilty pleasure. It centres around the recently divorced 40 something Jules Cobb, played by Courteney Cox her son, ex husband and immidate friendship circle. I'm not guna go into great detail here, it's just freakin' wicked. Give it a a few episodes to develop... You'll soon find yourself jonesing to be a part of the Cul-de-Sac Crew.

PENNY CAAAAAAN!

Game of Thrones

Everyone is is a state of shock after the Red Wedding. It was mind blowing. There's enough hype around this bad boy I'm simply going to say, it's worth it. Do it. DOOOO IT.

I want to be the mother of dragons. I want it with all my heart and soul.

Pushing Daisy's

A lesser known programme over here in the UK and a definite little gem. We follow Ned, a man who has the power to bring the dead back to life with one touch and re-dead the poor souls with a second. He uses this 'power' to help solve bizarre murder cases with a private investigator, and simultaneously owns and runs a pie shop. It's FUN. The cinematography is fantastic, a real treat for your peepers. It's a stylized world, vaguely 1950's but brighter and better. You'll be a fan from episode one!

If you have any food stuffs, books or TV shows you could recommend please do, I'm always on the hunt for fresh new things to get involved with!

Pulling On Purse Strings.

I'd been struggling with a broken zipped faux leather poor excuse of a purse from Topshop for the last few months (apparently it's not just me, word on the spending street is that the quality of Topshop purses is somewhat below par, especially in the zip department), and after loosing various bits of loose change to the depths of handbags, the streets of London and between myself and the large bloated commuter next to me on the tube I decided enough was enough!


I wanted to find a something decent to stash my cash in and I was prepared to pay out for the pay off. However after a good week or so of intermittent searching both online and on foot I came up empty handed. Things were getting desperate so I figured I'd just pick up a cheapish replacement for the meantime, otherwise I'd continually unintentionally kissing goodbye to my hard earned moolah.


I was placing an order on ASOS and came across this Bright Floral Embroidered Zip Around Purse. The styling was completely different from my normal safe black but it had all the necessities, lots of card slots, a zipable pocket, and only cost £15. I figured it would do.

It more than does.


I bloody love this thing. Not only it is great quality, its a perfect size and it's easy to find in the depths of even the largest arm candy! It might be a shake up from my back to black routine but I actually really like the design. It's gorgeous and right on the button for spring summer. Yay!

Liz Earle Botanical Essence #100

Liz Earle is a name many a skincare fanatic will be well associated with. Their cleanse and hot polish system has practically achieved cult status within the blogging world but did you know as well as buffing and painting our faces to the point of perfection the brand also wants to get us smelling fantastic? 

Liz Earle Botanical Essence No. 100 is the third offering from the fragrance line, and in my opinion its also the best. I tried to get along with both No.1 and No.15 but to be quite frank, I found both to be a little overpowering and somewhat headache inducing, and they reminded me a little of my nan...

This fresh and fruity scent was created in partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society to celebrate the centenary of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and boy can you tell! I absolutely love it. It's wonderfully evocative of spring, floral without being sweet, and ladies and gents, it lasts! 

When you walk into florists, sometimes the smell can be almost like an assault on your poor little shnoz, it can knock you back, make you feel giddy. Well this isn't that, its more like taking a stroll through a flowering spring meadow at dawn, a light breeze caressing your face, accompanied by bird song, woodland creatures frolicking around you...

...you get the picture. Its light and fresh but defined. Not one of those scents that you have to tell people your wearing because its so subtle your laundry detergent has managed to mask it. If you get a chance to have a sample spritz net time your in John Lewis I recommend doing so, you might just end up walking out with an extra spring in your step.

Lace Without Limits.

1. Zara - Lace Dress - £49.99

2. Topshop - Unlined Parka - £60

3. Steve Madden - Flank M Biker Boot - £95

4. Topshop - Railroad Denim Backpack - £30

Lace Dresses. They are bloody gorgeous no? Meh Oui! My issue with these fanciful beauties however is that they usually just don't fit my style. I'm not one for the whole cutesy super feminine thing. Its not that I dislike it, it just doesn't suit me. I could pull off the innocent damsel look for about 3 seconds, then I'd open my mouth and the whole image would go to pot.

Anyway... I'm off subject boys and girls. Lace dresses. I love 'em. I like to wear the little buggers now and then, they just have to be the right sort and I have to work them my way. 

My way or the highwaaaaay.

Ahem. 

This fabulous number from Zara is freakin' gorgeous. It's not too short (a problem which seems to plague the high street these days... I don't know about you but I'm not a fan of full mooning the face off everyone around me.). Lovely, light and roomy, but still gives you a great figure because of the drawn in waistband and the arms are gorgeous at a just below the elbow length. All round goodness.

There are some of you out there that might teem this pretty offering with sandals or heels and I somewhat envy you and you're dainty approach. For me however its boots, boots, boots. I have an ongoing 'body issue' with my legs / calves and a good stout boot balances me out. These Steve Madden Bikers are number one on my currently most coveted footwear list. The mesh top/collar is something I've not really seen before and for me it kind of spring/summers the boot up a bit, shows a bit of skin and such. 

I'd finish the whole thing off and make it 'day trip to a festival/picnic/country park/BBQ' appropriate with this Parka / Rucksack combo from Topshop. I actually purchased the rucksack... (these wish list posts are killing my bank balance!) and I'm thinking of booking a church soon, it's a match made in heaven. If it was a bit chilly out (which is always a possibility over here in Bonni Blighty!) I'd add some form of neutral toned chunky knit underneath for toastyness.

That dress is really, really screaming to me.... Oh Lord... give me strength. 

Clean That Mess Up.

Give me the news... I gotta' bad case of loooooving yooooou.


Ok I'll stop now.


Right. Dr Bronner. He's not going cure your sniffles, or even help with that slightly iffy looking rash (might wanna get that seen too love...) but he makes one hell of a soap. I decided to purchase a bottle after my regular brush cleaner (the Bare Minerals Well-Cared For Brush Conditioning Shampoo) ran out and wasn't in stock at my usual online haunt. I'd heard a lot about Dr Bronner and his magic soap and figured it was about time I give it a go.

After some research into the varieties available I went for the tea tree option. I'm currently involved in an ongoing battle against adult acne (more on that to come in future posts guys and dolls), and figured maybe it might help ever so slightly, plus I like the smell.

Down to business though... I love this stuff. It does an excellent job on my brushes, even on those laden with super thick concealer and foundation. I just dampen the brush slightly, get a little soap in the palm of my hand and swirl the brush around in it for a few seconds, then rinse out under running warm water.

It's cheaper than my previous brush cleaner, and if I ever run out of shampoo or hand soap it can be used an an emergency back up!




It's available from a whole bunch of places, but I got mine here at Feel Unique - £5.49 (free delivery!)




Added bonuses include that fact that many of the ingredients are fair trade sourced and certified under the national USDA national organic program, no animal testing is involved at all, oh and Dr Bronner looks like a mad scientist...

Acaia Body Smoothie

Body Smoothie? SMOOTHIE? Seriously? I've pledged my allegiance to the body butters of this world and now your adding another food group? Ok lets all calm down a bit. It's only branding after all.

The Acai Body Smoothie surprised me, it's consistency is definitely not that of a body butter, there's no grease involved here, but its not as light as any of those air whipped jobbys that have appeared lately. I'm guna go with a thick mousse. A non sticky pink sorta mousse type thing. Yeah.

Anyway. Once you've stopped marvelling at the unique and rather indescribable texture and started applying this little wonder you'll be hit by the fantastic smell. Gorgeously fruity without being sweet, it's almost a little tart and so so fresh! You can practically taste the berries.

It terms of moisturising, which is after all the number one characteristic we are looking for here, this scrumptiously smelling tub of summer fun scores pretty darn high. Like I said, there's no greasy residue,  it seems to be easily absorbed by the skin, a little goes a long way and it doesn't feel heavy or sticky. It certainly does moisturise, my skin feels smoother and softer after application, and the smell hangs around for a little while too which is a delicious added bonus.

The Acai Body Smoothie is perfect for days when your in a hurry. You don't need to worry about leaving icky oily marks everywhere, it wont cause every piece of grass or fluff to instant stick to your legs and create that oh so desirable yeti look and it doesn't make it nigh on impossible to pull your skinny jeans on. Whilst it wont replace my body butters, which are still firm favourites on lazy sundays and when I've got time for a real pamper session, it is now a staple in my body care line up. No more forcing one leg in the Topshop Leighs, loosing my footing and going arse over tit for me in the mornings! YAY!