Spring Beauty Refresh

Spring Beauty picks: Umberto Giannini Festival Styling Kit // No.7 Beautiful Skin Make up Wipes // Balenciaga Florabotanica // MUA Matte Palette // DermaVio Seasalt Spray // MUA Extreme Mascara // Hairy Jayne Hair Refresher // Essie Reptile Effects nail polish // Trevarno Overnight Replenishing Cream

Because I subscribe to Glossybox, I rarely actually buy beauty products. I have mentioned before that I'm not the sort of person to change their makeup look very often; I know what I like and I tend to stick with that, though I will try out new products if they are on offer now and again. I have recently got hold of some new hair and beauty items so I thought I'd share them!

A lot of the items I found were on the clearance rack in Boots (class!) I love a good sale; unopened makeup shouldn't go off and so it's a good excuse to try out new colours, styles or products without too much outlay. The first thing I found was the Umberto Giannini Festival Styling kit. This was reduced to about £2.50 I think, and I really only bought it as it had a really nice compact mirror and also a handy comb inside that will be ideal for sorting my fringe out! It also comes with ribbons to rag curl your hair, I don't think I've got the patience to do this and because my hair is soooooo long and quite heavy, it's hard for me to keep curls in it without them dropping out. It also had a quite nice headband in the pack too as well as instructions on the back about how to get cool boho hairstyles. Which are always useful for summer time, I suppose!

The No.7 Beautiful Skin wipes are a forever repurchased item, I always wait for the Boots voucher offer which makes them £2 a pack and then stock up. They aren't harsh and I have sensitive skin, I don't find them drying and they do take makeup off easily.

I have so many perfumes that I really didn't need another but this Florabotanica by Balenciaga was reduced to £17 from almost £50 so I couldn't resist it. It has quite a heady scent which is not particularly floral but it's quite striking and wearable all the same. It also lasts really well throughout the day, it's definitely been my go-to daily fragrance for March and April.

I went to Weston the other week and their MUA section was much better stocked than my local one, so I helped myself to a Matte palette (£3) and an Extreme Lengths Mascara (£2). The palettes are such good value, the shades have great colour payoff and little fallout and I like the wearable combination of colours included. This is a replacement for the 'Undressed' palette I had been using but I chose this one instead as there were a couple of colours in the Undressed palette I didn't like, and I really liked all the shades in the Matte one. Unfortunately, the shade I use to fill in my brows is in the Undressed palette (which, by the way, is a good dupe for the Urban Decay Naked palettes) and I couldn't buy it as a single, and the closest colour match in the Matte palette isn't as good, so I might have to re-buy the Undressed palette anyway just for that one pan. Mind you at £4 it isn't too much of an outlay, even if I don't use a couple of the shades! I also picked up an Extreme Mascara, most of their mascaras are £2 and are really quite good!

The last thing I found in Boots was this Essie Reptile nail varnish which was reduced to £3. It is one of those with a magnet in the lid so when you hold it over the polish it creates a snakeskin effect. It took a bit of practise to get the effect even, but when it worked, it looked so good! I was so surprised that it was in the sale as well, as Essie polishes usually retail at around £9 so it was a total bargain too.

The final three items are picks from my #BrizBlogMeet goodie bag. I was lucky enough to get some amazing products at the event and it's been great to be able to use them all, but a couple really stood out as favourites. First up, the Trevarno Overnight Replenishing Cream, which I actually wrote a whole review post on here. Also, I got some amazing haircare from DermaVio in the form of this seasalt spray, which is a product I absolutely love and use quite often in the summer because it encourages the natural wave in my hair, without the frizz! Secondly was this amazing Hair Refresher / Perfume / Heat Protectant from Hairy Jayne. I'd not heard of this brand before but this product is wonderful. It smells incredible (probably down to the bergamot, geranium and vanilla contents!) and not only protects your hair from heat damage, but also fragrances it with the lovely scent too! I think it's also possible to use it as a refreshing spray if you don't have time to wash your hair, too, but I didn't use it for this purpose. I've actually finished it so no doubt it will appear in an 'empties' post soon! Hairy Jayne is a handmade brand, and Jayne is a real hairdresser who makes her own handmade products, so they are natural and free from nasty unpronounceable ingredients. Read more and buy here!

XO Amie

Bath in Fashion Blogger Day

Team Fashion Vultures: Sophie, Lily, me, Hayley, Jess

On Sunday, I visited Bath to take part in a Bath in Fashion blogger day. Sort of a warm up for the event itself, the lovely Gina (who took the snap above) acted as host for the day and had arranged a really exciting itinerary for us. We met at the gorgeous Royal Crescent Hotel which has just been refurbished and is looking incredible. We used the beautiful gardens for a spot of photography!

First up, we were given a talk by Nicky Hancock who is a member of the team organising Bath in Fashion. She walked through the different elements of the event and what was on offer this year, stand out events for me included talks by both Meadham Kirchoff and Barbara Hulanicki of Biba fame.

Next, we were split into teams, and had to go on a fashion scavenger hunt around Bath. we had been given a list of trends and had to find items pertaining to the trends in various stores, and then instagram them with specific hashtags. Points meant prizes, and for wearing the garments you got more points, hence my team running from shop to shop trying on all manner of random items in a bid to be victorious-and we were! We were thrilled to win and our prize was a beauty box by organic brand Souk Souk, each. I'm actually going to dedicate a post to a review of this so watch out for that!

After the challenge had come to an end, we met back at the Fashion Museum to have a look around whilst Gina totted up the scores. I'd been to the museum not long before Christmas, so I wasn't sure if there would be much more to see, but a few of the exhibits had been updated and there was a small selection of looks worn by Princess Diana, with letters she'd written to David Emmanuel. I don't know if this was new or if I'd just missed it last time, but I enjoyed looking at it this time around.

Also new was 'dress of the year' which had only been installed two days before our visit! This exhibit is a dress chosen by a person in the field of fashion which they believe epitomises the previous year. So 2013's dress of the year is: Christopher Kane, chosen by Style Bubble blogger, Susie Lau. It's an interesting choice and very current; Susie is famed for her love of bright colour and intereseting fabrics so I wasn't surprised to see these were well represented in her choice!

I had such a lovely day; we were told to wear comfortable shoes as there was quite a considerable amount of walking to do during the day so I wore a midi skirt from ASOS White with a Gap knit and Topshop chelsea boots-first time I'd got my legs out this year! It was a glorious day, too; perfect for pottering around the streets of Bath. We were also given amazing goodie bags after the event which contained gifts from Anthropologie, (which is opening in Bath in May) Liz Cox, Weleda and BiOrganics; amazing!

XO Amie

Instagram Week #15

Jewellery // Dream shoes //Anthropologie goodies // Charity shop find of the week // Pleats and pretty shoes at Reiss // Trendy backpacks ladies // Comptoir des Contonniers // Vintage shop // Studded slippers

Yesterday I attended a Bath in Fashion blogging event which was super fun. Apologies for spamming up Instagram with loads of random pics; as part of the event teams took part in a fashion scavenger hunt, which involved finding trends on a list we were given and then snapping those trends. Bonus points involved if the trend was being worn! As it happened, the team I was on - Team Fashion Vultures - won, which was really cool! I am going to write a post on the day and explain what went on in more detail but it really was a lovely event and the weather was perfect for lots of trotting around the shops of Bath!

Also this week I went over to Weston and found an amazing pair of shoes in a charity shop where everything costs £1. Usually there's not much there but I always have a look in case I find a gem, and this time I did! They are vintage by Saxone and so cute! I also decided to get the black Swedish Hasbeen ornament sandals after deliberating over Instagram which colour to get. I love them; they are so comfortable and I think the black is a little more interesting than the tan ones; if probably more seasonally inappropriate now!

XO Amie

Saturday Swoon c/o Topshop

Age Chelsea Boots from Topshop

This week's Saturday dream shoe is actually a boot from Topshop. I had some Toppers vouchers to spend and after weeks of trying to find the perfect chelsea boots, I think I've managed it with this style. They are currently on offer for £50 and they are amazing. I love the pull tabs at the back and front, which makes getting them on really easy, and they aren't too wide on the foot either, which is something I've found quite a common fault in Topshop boots.

I've only worn them once so far and they were very comfortable, I thought I'd post about them because if you're on the hunt for an amazing pair of chelsea boots that won't break the bank, you'd do worse than to get these!

XO Amie

Favourite things

I suppose it's an inherent part of western culture to want to be surrounded by things. I have a lot of stuff, that's for sure; and I am really grateful for it. I love interior decor, I have quite eclectic taste and obviously love anything vintage, especially involving 1960's shapes and muted colours; pretty much an extension of my taste in clothes really.

I also love anything a bit bonkers and also utterly vile; my 'Devon' plate is a case in point, I think it was intended as a wall hanging but I ended up using it as a jewellery plate. Old suitcases sit underneath the bed, filled with my shoes (I used to keep my shoes in their boxes but this is a better storage solution!) I'm going to have to stop buying them really; I have 4 suitcases under there already and a couple of shoeboxes!

The furniture is a mixture of old and new, there are pieces from Argos and Laura Ashley alongside vintage dressers and side tables and a clothing rail from Habitat (which was one of my best ever purchases, it's fantastic). I think a mixture of modern and older looks really interesting and gives a room some character.

Adrian and I both love books, so there are lots of those on every available surface, as well as all my Vogue and Elle magazines which always make for interesting reading. The art on the walls is again a mix of charity shop finds, eBay buys and Adrian's own illustrations and papercuts.

The soft furnishings have come from all over the place, Ikea, Next, even the charity shop, and most of the throw rugs come from Urban Outfitters; I always rinse their sale for printed, mismatched rugs to add interest and colour.

I think it is really interesting how personal style can influence, and translate into, the way you decorate your home. I could spend all day on Pinterest making the perfect interior moodboards! One thing I love about interiors is their transience, you don't have to feel stuck on one style for too long if you have great base pieces to work around. If you are bored of your cushion or throw, or even your bedding or bedframe, you can simply get a new one!

XO Amie

Trouser Obsession

Wearing: Primark jacket c/o TB Dress blouse ASOS watch Vintage jewellery Whistles trousers Whistles boots ASOS hat

I seem to have a new obsession in the form of these trousers. I always do this; buy something I really, really like and then wear it and wear it until I can't subject anyone to seeing it anymore. I did this regularly last summer with these Whistles silk trousers, I don't know, maybe it's just the fit of Whistles trousers that I like so much.  Whatever, much as I feel I should be shrugging off thick wool trousers it's not quite warm enough for bare legs yet, and as a nice alternative to jeans, I have found myself reaching for them often.

This look is quintessentially 'me'; a bit glam, a bit edgy (I think) no colour to speak of and definitely verging on the granny chic-the trouser cut combined with a natty ankle boot is just too good. I never thought these boots would work with these trousers, but they do, and how! This is definitely my new favourite look.

Ah, the boots. Another pair to make themselves at home in the shoe collection, I have a dark brown ankle boot but no light brown ones, so that was my enabler. Plus they were a bargain price in the sale. And so soft! I want to wear them with bare legs and denim booty shorts, Coachella style, but for now I'll stick to a peg trouser. Cripes, maybe they'll even work with my silk ones?! There's a thought!

The point of this post really was to showcase this blouse which is just the best thing ever. That collar! It's so lovely and even though it was quite inexpensive it feels really luxe and hangs well. I wasn't sure if it would melt under the heat of an iron so I blasted out the creases with my hairdryer and I am so pleased with it. I am all about neckwear; be it a necklace or a fancy collar, this is such a statement. I don't really wear much jewellery aside of the everyday items I never take off so this adds a nice extra element. I was sent this by TB Dress which is the same website I got the amazing 'Paris' jumper from (seen here). You can buy it here, it's on offer at the moment and is super cheap.

I really don't know how trendy people manage this 'shoulder robing' malarkey with their coats, I reckon they strategically pin it into place to stop it slipping about all over, I mean, it's a nice look to pose about in but you can't actually walk anyplace with your coat like this, the slightest gust of wind and it's on the floor, and how on earth are you meant to carry your bag? No. Definitely a 'picture only' trend in my opinion. I bet they all do use pins. Or tit tape.

XO Amie

April DIY: Crop Box Top

This month's DIY is a little more complex than the last effort I made, which was more of a customisation challenge than a DIY! Conversely, this one is probably one of the most difficult I've done so far; and it's not difficult at all, but it did involve a skill I've never been able to master before, that of putting a sleeve in. 

I got the pattern and idea from one of my favourite blogs, Boat People Vintage. It's actually a blog/YouTube channel combined and Ari, who edits the site, makes such lovely pieces but it's set up in a way that makes it very easy to follow. I used the pattern and size charts downloadable from the blog, and if you want to have a go at this make you can click here to check it out!

The base of the box top is a fabric square to which you attach two tapered rectangle sleeves. It really is that simple-you end up with a boxy, slightly cropped top when you turn it through. On Ari's version she left her seams exposed but I stitched the fabric right side together so that i could turn it through to have hidden seams.

I added a lace trim around the neck which gives it a really feminine edge. I bought the lace to customise some jeanshorts with but it didn't look right so I used it on this instead.

I'm really pleased with how this turned out, especially given that I've not really attempted anything with sleeves before! It took around an hour to make and was really fairly straightforward, I bought the fabric from eBay which cost about £5.

XO Amie