Floral and Lace.

It is coming to the end of Summer and so last week I went a little spending crazy and bought some clothing items that would be appropriate for the upcoming Autumn and Winter months. Although I am in love with my new purchases, it sadly means that I need to say goodbye to my favourite Summer dresses for a while.

The black Henry Holland heels are incredibly versatile and go with pretty much everything. I really enjoy wearing them with plain black skinny jeans but during the Summer they have looked adorable with dresses, especially this coral, floral dress that I purchased from New Look. They both look gorgeous paired with a bola hat!

I love the detail of this navy dress I purchased from 'Joy' for my sisters birthday meal. I love lace and the little lace detail on the sleeves is what stood out to me the most. It is very flattering as it pulls in at the waist, drops to just above the knees and smoothly falls over the shoulders. I have owned the heels for a while and struggle to pair them with some of my outfits, however, I think they are the perfect shoe for this dress and they are a great combination with the length and the colour of the dress. I am looking forward to wearing these boots in Autumn though!

The Little Black Satchel.

When I first started blogging, I listed quite a few things I wanted to talk about. One of those things included beauty and fashion, however, I feel as though I have neglected this area a bit. Therefore, I thought I would start with a post about my top three bags at the moment. A bag is both a useful and decorative accessory that is used by most girls, most days and so I think it is a relevant topic to give a sense of my fashion personality and style.

The clutch was a bag I bought in December last year for Christmas events, although I have used it most times on nights out or other events because it is simple and works well with almost everything. In my 'August Favourites' post, I mentioned that I have recently become a fan of rose gold; I love the rose gold details on this bag and I think it creates a simple yet bold feature.

The handbag was given to me as a present for my nineteenth birthday and has been used for special occassions. I like how the bow produces a dramatic statement. I think it looks very cute and pretty yet the colour scheme of black and cream suggests a more sophisticated style. The boldness of it's aspects and the cream on faded black makes it difficult to wear with other items and colours but I do love the style of the bag on its own.

I love the satchel as it is a smaller and classier alternative to an ordinary messenger or shoulder bag. It was bought for my eighteenth birthday and I have had lots of use out of it. It is a bag I am using every day at the moment and I have found it works well for most every day things including going shopping, cinema dates, restaurants, college, interviews and so on. My most favourite staple piece! It was designed by one of my favourite designers, Henry Holland, who originally studied graphic design but who now works in fashion. He is one of my artist inspirations.

I have included three different types of bags that can be used for both the everyday and night time look. The grounds have been created using magazines and a mood board I produced to inspire my graphic design work.

The Liebster Award. My Second Nomination.

I have very kindly been nominated for a second time by Katie for The Liebster Award. Thankyou so much  Katie! I suggest reading her blog too!

As I said in my first 'Liebster Award' post, this award is a way to help new bloggers promote each other and become more well known. I only recently began blogging over the Summer as something to keep me busy and so knowing that I have readers is beyond amazing. I am so thankful to everyone who has recently followed me!

The Rules

1. Thank the person who nominated you by linking their blog.

2. Answer 11 questions the nominator gave to you.

3. Nominate 11 other bloggers who have less than 200 followers.

4. Create 11 questions for your nominees.

5. Let the nominees know they have been nominated by contacting them.

Katie's Questions:

1. If you could only shop in one high street shop for the rest of your life, where would you shop?

Joy.

2. Would you rather stay in a small apartment in the city or a huge house in the country?

Ooh, either sounds good! Right now though I think I would prefer the apartment in the city.

3. If you were an animal, what do you think you would be... and why?

A butterfly. I like the idea of change and I don't like staying still; I have to do something!

4. Would you rather have constant cheesy puff fingers or constantly have a popcorn kernel stuck in the back of your throat?

Hmm, popcorn?

5. When and why did you start blogging?

July this year. I enjoy writing and photography and I wanted to create something that would inspire my work, style and life.

6. What would be the theme tune to your life at the moment?

I was thinking about this Friday night when the song started playing in the bar I was in.The Middle by Jimmy Eat World.

7. What is one embarrassing thing you have done that makes you die a little inside whenever you remember it?

I can't remember! If I do, I promise I will post it in the comments below.

8. If you could go back in time, what would you tell your younger self?

Be yourself and ignore the negativity from others.

9. What is your pet hate?

Stubbornness.

10. What did you have for breakfast this morning?

Fruit and nut mini weetabix, an apple and a lemon Greek style yogurt.

11. Tell us a random fact about yourself?

I am a bit of a nerd and obsessed with gaming, comics and merchandise that you can find in places such as Forbidden Planet.

My Nominations:
I have already nominated eleven people in my first Liebstar Award post and so I will only nominate a few in this post as at the moment I don't have many more to nominate who are under 200 followers.
1. Chelsie - Pink Rose Beauty.x
2. Dyanne David - Dyanne David
3. Sophie Spaldin - sophiespaldin
4. Eleanor Humphries - eleanor's adventures.
5. Nicole Findlay - Coco made her do it

My Questions:
1. What is your favourite quote?
2. What is the story behind your blog name?
3. Do you have a celebrity that inspires your style? If so, who?
4. How would you describe your style?
5. Do you have any blogging tips?
6. What is your dream career?
7. Day or Night? Summer or Winter?
8. What has been your proudest moment?
9. What is your favourite book/magazine?
10. If you could be a character from a film or TV series, who would you be and why?
11. What is your favourite place to go and your favourite thing to do to relax?

Have fun!

x

The Yorkshire Soap Company: Strawberry Cupcakes.

I have been walking past a new store for weeks now, desperate to go in, until today when I finally did. The sweet smell immediately grabs your attention before even reaching the building but if that somehow doesn't, then the colourful and quirky window display definitely will.

'A super moisturising, handmade patisserie style soap cupcake.'

The staff were very sweet, welcoming, polite and helpful and as I was talking to the founder discussing his company, I was told that the inspiration for the handbag style packaging and decoration came from his experience working for Louis Vuitton. Therefore it is clear that this new company is professional, thoughtful and creative.

This is the first soap I have chosen. There is a range of different and unique soaps, candles and smelly items for either gift ideas or personal use. Their themes typically include roses, cupcakes and cakes displayed on cake stands but there are other styles too.

I have mentioned how I plan to start displaying my soap and bubble bars in my 'Roses and Jars' post, however I plan to place this one on its own next to my others.

The Yorkshire Soap Company owns a store in Hebden Bridge, York and Leeds. There Hebden Bridge and York stores also includes a workshop on the top floor where they make the soaps. 

Apparently the company have some very special plans for October, I can't wait!

The Liebster Award.

Earlier today I received a nomination for the 'Liebster Award' from the lovely Kay Sunley. Thankyou so much Kay!

This award is a way to help new bloggers promote each other and become more well known. I only recently began blogging over the Summer as something to keep me busy and so knowing that I have readers is beyond amazing. I am so thankful to everyone who has recently followed me!

The Rules

1. Thank the person who nominated you by linking their blog.

2. Answer 11 questions the nominator gave to you.

3. Nominate 11 other bloggers who have less than 200 followers.

4. Create 11 questions for your nominees.

5. Let the nominees know they have been nominated by contacting them.

Kay's Questions

1. What is your favourite book, film and TV series?

I read a lot so i'm struggling to think of one book that I would class as my favourite, though I think it would be 'The Language of Flowers' by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. My favourite film is 'Pirates of the Caribbean'. My favourite TV series is 'The Walking Dead'.

2. What would you say your statement look is? (Beauty & Fashion)

Cute with edgy details and grunge-like colours.

3. What are the top five places you want to visit and why?

Italy, I love the Romantic atmosphere; London, for the music scene; California, for the beaches; Australia, for the adventures; China/Japan, for the city lights and food.

4. What is your biggest fear?

Something supernatural happening.

5. What is your all time favourite skincare, makeup item and haircare product?

At the moment my favourite skincare product is the 'Ted Baker' body scrub, my favourite makeup product is the 'Technic Pretty Pastels' nail varnish in turquoise or plumb and my favourite haircare product is the 'Loreal Studio Matt & Messy salt spray'. My favourites change pretty regularly though.

6. Do you prefer makeup or fashion?

I love both but I keep my makeup quite minimal, so I choose fashion.

7. What is your dream job?

To be a designer in the media combined with journalism. Fingers crossed.

8. What are three things you cannot live without?

Hmm. My laptop. Lots of fruit. My Dr. Martens boots (they make me feel taller).

9. What was the last thing you bought that you were disappointed with?

Protein cookie from the gym. Ew!

10. If you could be a character from a film or tv series, who would you choose and why?

Margaery Tyrell from 'Game of Thrones'. She seems to have it all figured out.

11. What is your ideal holiday? City break, beach or camping?

The beach! I would love to learn to surf and go scuba diving too.

My nominations:

1. Katie Doherty - Maaybe Katie

2. Jo Stefanicki - The Fashion Parade

3. Simona - SimonaMoona

4. Alexis-Anne Beards - My Spoonful of Sugar...

5. Abigail Hack - ohabioh

6. Kate Kavuet - KAVUET

7. Meg Courtenay - Meg Courtenay

8. Sara Fleming - She Who Is Short

9. Chloe Wetherall - Candidly Chloe.

10. Marina Paradis - Marina Paradis

11. Jo Fisher - She Wears Burgundy

My questions:

1. One thing you love about yourself?

2. What has been your proudest moment?

3. What has been your most embarrasing moment?

4. What is your 'go to' hair product?

5. What is your must have make-up product?

6. Day or Night? Summer or Winter?

7. Which clothing item that you own do you like the most?

8. Flats or Heels? Why?

9. What is your favourite book/magazine?

10. If you could be a character from a film or TV series, who would you be and why?

11. Where is your favourite place to go and your favourite thing to do to relax?

Have fun ladies!

x

August Favourites.

On a night, whether it is the Summer, or Winter, you will often find me cuddled up on my bed with a soft glow of fairy lights or candles, reading a book or watching a film, relaxing. Of course, during the Summer you could also find me doing this in the park, on the beach or in the garden under the sun. This posts suggests a few things that have been my favourites in the Summer/August.

I am a bit of a latecomer to being a fan of 'The Hunger Games'. So many people had told me I needed to watch the film but to be honest, I wasn't too excited about it so kind of put it to a side. However, when Catching Fire was released in the cinema, my boyfriend convinced me to watch them both with him. It was so much more thrilling and in depth than I expected and so it instantly became one of my favourite films. This month we both finally decided to purchase the book trilogy to share; and although it feels as though he is taking forever to finish the first in the series, I feel as though 'The Hunger Games' could become one of my favourite novels. Wanting to be a designer, I also think the cover art for 'Mockingjay' especially holds a lovely design!

Solana Beach Body Mist. The first time I bought this spray was in the Hollister sale last Summer. I love the flowery smell and I think it creates a very relaxing scent; It reminds me of a breezy summer evening. It has been my favourite summer scent for the second time this year.

Although the weather has not been very sunny recently, it was very sunny and hot at the beginning of the month. My sister and I went shopping and bought a pair of these sunglasses each. They came in black or burgundy. Burgundy is one of my favourite colours and I loved the combination of this shade with the rose gold heart detail.

This product has been out for a long time but I have found it very useful over these summer months. I like having colour on my lips but I prefer to emphasise my eyes so I feel as though lipstick can be too bold and over the top alongside eye makeup. I think it can also feel too heavy in hot weather. So lip stain has been the most effective for me as it is easy to apply, lightweight and provides a colour tint that doesn't appear too bold.

These have been my favourite shoes to wear this summer because the straps make it cool in the heat, the heel is easy to walk in, they don't make me feel too short and again, I think the rose gold detail is very effective. Another one of my favourite footwear for this month is shown in my 'Sun, Sea, Sand' post.

Of course I need somewhere to wear or use the items I have just listed. My boyfriend and I have been having quite a few picnics and BBQ's because the weather had been so lovely and so an alcoholic drink is a must have at least once. I really like the fruity flavours so this month I have really enjoyed Black Cherry Bulmers and Smirnoff Apple Bite.

I've been trying to eat healthier but it has been difficult to find healthy food to eat out. I go out a lot and this week I found somewhere that is perfect; it's healthier and filling! When Wasabi first opened near me, I didn't feel as though I would be really interested in the food but when I walked in, the food both smelt and looked really nice! There is such a large range of different meals and snacks and so I plan taking lots of visits to be able to try lots of new things.

Image found online.

When it has been cold and raining this month and I haven't felt like going out, I have been catching up with Netflix. My most favourite thing to watch this month has been Beauty and the Beast, the series. Beauty and the Beast has always been my most favourite Disney film but the twist this series has is very unique. I don't want to give too much away but it is definitely worth having a look at.

These are only a few of the things I have been loving this month but I definitely plan to continue blogging about my favourites in the future!

Sun, Sea, Sand.

Over the past year I have really enjoyed trips to the coast. They have become quite spontaneous recently but not somewhere I often wanted to go before. I think I used to feel as though the idea was a little boring, I mean, what could you really do there other than bury your little brother in the sand?

This is a short post with a few little things I have liked doing this summer when at the beach.

Being creative! Writing cute or silly messages in the sand and then photographing them. I think this could produce a beautiful collage or would work effective in my other pieces of artwork or designs.

Taking a romantic walk or playfully splashing along the tip of the sea; making the most of it in either the sun, the rain or at night. It's a typical idea for the sun to be essential at the beach, but of course it can be just as fun running along the shore in the rain!

It is also a good idea to have a look in the cute gift shops overlooking the beach... I found quite a few little pretty things such as bracelets and trinkets.

Ice Cream! <3

Dangling your legs from a pier holding the most colourful ice creams you can find - making sure you try lots of different flavours!

Speedboats! This can be really fun with the wind in your hair and moving over the waves so fast! My boyfriend and I love cuddling up and peering over the edge.

Towards the end of the day, wearing oversized jumpers, watching the waves and sat on the rocks is perfect for sundown and when it becomes colder. I think it gives a cosy atmosphere, especially being able to cuddle up to someone else.