The Beauty Blend: Bronzing

I am really beginning to get hooked on a proper beauty 'routine' these days, as opposed to simply sticking to my usual cat eye flick / red lip combo that I've been wearing for at least a decade and a half. I suppose everyone falls into a rut from time to time; whether that's with regard to style or beauty, it sometimes just becomes easy to keep doing what you've always done rather than push the boundaries and try new things.

 

I have always viewed bronzing very suspiciously. As a fairly pale skinned individual, my forays into the fake tan/bronzed look always ended up patchy, uneven and voraciously orange in varying capacities. I've learned over time that it's best to go very softly when it comes to faking a golden glow; packing it on invariably leads to the tangerine hue that nobody ever wants to achieve.

 

I've picked out some products that would form the basis of my dream golden glowing complexion, which I always think looks so chic in the summertime, when minimal makeup can be worn and products are actually there to highlight rather than to conceal. I love the idea of switching out a translucent face powder for a lightly toned bronzer to add a subtle gleam to the skin; making my blue eyes pop with a combination of bronze and golden toned eyeshadows and (of course) setting the lot off with a cat eye flick (trademark).

 

It would be natural to me to gravitate towards a statement lip to go with a freshly flushed face but I've chosen to go for a more St Tropez than Marbella vibe with a nude lipstick and matching nails. Somehow this combination of matte nudes and shimmering tones emanates elegance and sophistication; this makeup look doesn't need to echo a rallying call for attention, the face in it's (albeit polished) natural state is beautiful and captivating enough.

 

What do you think of this combination? Would you choose these golden-hued nudes?

 

XO Amie

Channelling Missoni

Wearing: OASAP cat hat, ASOS top, charity shop jeans, ballet shoes c/o Shoe Zone ASOS, vintage, Henryka and Urban Outfitters jewellery

Any regular reader of my blog will know that I am a total ballet flat aficionado, so it will come as no surprise that when I was kindly asked to choose a pair of shoes from Shoe Zone to wear on my blog that I picked a pair of pretty pumps! 

Shoe Zone continue to surprise me as a brand, it's not often I would think to shop there having only ever really aligned them with supplying sporty daps or plain black, suitable-for-work shoes. I'm pleased to see that they have grown into a really trend led, value retailer with some amazing quality pieces at remarkable prices, certainly set up to suit a bargainista fashionista like me. Obviously you lot knew about this already, as Shoe Zone shifts the equivalent of 50 pairs a minute in the UK! I am certainly on the bandwagon now, with my new favourite flats in tow!

The pair I chose are by Lilley and are the Raffia Woven pump. They are a really pretty pair in a very Missoni-esque raffia pattern, and are really comfortable to wear. The muted tones are very me, I don't really do brights, try as I might, and these seem to match well with loads of pieces in my wardrobe, which I wasn't sure if they would do, as there's a lot of different colours in them! I think the natural undertone and trimming makes the shoe more neutral despite the colourway, and, well, I just adore them.

The rest of my outfit is quite simple but this is one of my favourite looks for in-between temperatures (sadly not hot enough to get my legs out again!) The blouse is from ASOS, I completely fell for this when I saw it, and despite not usually shopping full price very much on ASOS (their sales come around quite frequently!) I had to snap this one up. I did get some money off it as I bought it when there was a discount event on, and I think it's so pretty, I love the really oversized shape and the square cut neckline.  

At the other end of the spectrum are my jeans, I don't even know what brand they are but I really liked the wash for some reason. They didn't have a price on when I picked them up in the charity shop (there was a ticket on them but it didn't have a price written on it) and when I asked the lady she said, "hmmm...£1.99? If they can't be bothered to write a price on, I'll make one up!" Thanks lady! I think they probably know I am one of their best customers in there so I am bound to be back spending more money in there again soon...in fact, I popped in last week and bought a skirt. #obsessed.

What do you think of this look? Don't forget to check out all the goodies on the Shoe Zone website here, I forgot to mention that these ballerinas are priced at a very purse-friendly £14.99! Perfect for getting a really summery and chic look on the cheap :)

XO Amie

Holiday Travel Essentials Part 2: Sunbaked City Chic

I've been sharing a couple of posts surrounding packing for holidays and trips away over the last week or so, and this is probably a capsule outfit that I would choose for a shopping trip in a laid back, city based environment, such as the holiday we went on to Portugal recently or a trip to Barcelona. It's a nautical inspired look, but without the classic red and navy colour scheme; I tend not to wear much red so I've substituted it with a more neutral palette.

 

I've been living in my white chinos from Gap which I wore here and I absolutely love them, aside from the permanent risk of dirtying them they actually make me feel really summery without overexposing too much skin-always a necessity in the UK when the weather is habitually sunny for a day or two, then grey and overcast with a distinct chill in the air once more. On holiday, I'd pair them with a classic breton striped tee, such a cliche I know but I just adore the Parisian chic look and a breton will always nod to that. 

 

I picked up a basket bag similar to this one in Portugal recently and it's just lovely, there's something about a basket that  is so summery to me, and this could double up as a beach bag as well as being a handy size for day and even as carry on luggage (I had to use mine as a carry on on my way home from my holiday, with my actual intended carry on bag stuffed inside as it was too big to fit in my suitcase!)

A touch of glamour comes from this chunky chain necklace which not only jazzes up this basic striped tee, it would also work with a dress for after hours. You'll notice from my 'flight wear' post here that I have also included a statement necklace and stripy tee, so if luggage was an issue or you were just taking a carry on bag, you already have two pieces that will work over two looks (and probably more!)

I think the key with holiday packing is to include pieces that you can make work hard for you; simple classic shapes that can be worn with more than one item and will create a capsule wardrobe for you at your destination. I had to include these Chanel espadrilles, I adore them even though mine would more than likely be a £3 Primark pair, or, if in France, a pair picked up from a local market or shop for a couple of euros. I refresh my espadrilles every year but if money was no object then these would definitely find their way into my holiday case!

 

XO Amie

Escape to the Country

 Wearing: Whistles jacket, Topshop skirt (both via eBay) OASAP cat hat, Mulberry bag, Ebay Kitty Flats, Whistles tee

One thing I love about living in a city like Bristol is that you can take a short bus trip or slightly less short walk and be back in the middle of the countryside again, which is something that I took for granted (ashamedly) when I lived in Devon. When the sun finally decided to shine, Adrian and I took a walk to Ashton Court, which is a beautiful country house set in the Bristol countryside. We had a picnic in the grounds and then went for a walk through the woods, where Adrian snapped loads of pictures, including some lovely shots of a pair of woodpeckers that were zipping through the treetops.

This skirt is a fave of mine, it's a pretty peach colour which I hacked the hem off to make a little more appropriate for me and my short skirt obsession. I've worn it on the blog before, notably here at Bristol Fashion Week last year, but it only really gets a good wear during the summer months because I think it looks a bit funny with tights!

The Whistles jersey blazer was an eBay steal and the tee was a competiton win, I have worn this so much it's falling apart but I absolutely love it, it's the softest, slouchiest tee shirt I've ever had and I'll keep wearing it until it disintegrates!

XO Amie

Holiday Travel Essentials: The Flight

I thought it would be interesting to write a short series based around packing for holidays. I am hopeless at this and, as such, probably not the best person to write a post about it, but I am doing so in the hope that it will make me a better holiday packer in the future!

Rather than try and attempt to write about all the aspects of holiday prep in one post, I thought I'd start at the beginning: What to wear on the plane. I'm not a very good flyer and the last thing you want to be worrying about when the flight takes off is whether your clothes are too tight or you feel uncomfortable!

Wherever you're jetting off to, chances are, if you live in the UK, the weather isn't going to be sub-saharan, so I chose something that I would naturally wear to fly in; slim jeans, a slouchy tee, and a comfortable slipper shoe. I was always under the impression that flights were cold, but the last two trips I've been on I actually found the plane to be quite hot, so I think it's important to layer to prepare for both extremes. I should heed this advice as on my last holiday I wore a jumper on the plane with a cami underneath, with the jumper on, I sweltered, and in just a cami, I was too cold! It can be really handy (and comforting) to take a soft throw or blanket in your hand luggage too that you can use like a shawl if you do feel the cold (or cower under in terror during takeoff like I tend to do)

Of course shoes are really important and I would say that again, comfort is key. I like a good heel but I don't think I'd want to fly in one; these smart shoes by Vagabond add a touch of elegance to a basic look but aren't high maintenance!

As for accessories, I love the idea or adding an edge to a 'jeans and tee' look with a statement necklace, it adds a much needed touch of glamour. I would also of course wear my sunglasses to cover tired eyes, especially if I have decided not to bother with makeup for the flight!

What do you think would be the key necessities for a flight outfit?

XO Amie

The Denim Dress

Wearing: ASOS denim dress, eBay kitty flats, OASAP cat eared straw hat

This is probably one of my all time favourite looks, it's simple, easy to wear, requires no additional embellishments....the only thing I would say, is that it's taken me the best part of a decade to find the perfect denim dress. I thought I'd found it in Zara in 2009, but it was the wrong length, and I ended up not keeping it, despite thinking I'd found "the one." Happily, ASOS has delivered again with this amazing slouchy denim number. I love the length, I love the fabric, I love the way it looks with a pair of kitty flats and a straw boater (which, if you like, you can buy here.) I think this costs around £40 but is definitely worth the price, because I will wear it forever. This is my summer sunshine outfit, my new favourite, and as long as the sun shines on, it will remain on my back!

XO Amie

How I Style: Ballet Flats, Day to Night

One of my all time favourite looks, which is revisited more and more often as the weather warms up, is that of a super short skirt or dress with a ballet pump. It's so gamine, yet also really chic, elegant and sophisticated, I think, as well as being surprisingly flattering on the pins. Think Alexa Chung; you'd never say she ever looked tarty or overexposed in anything she ever chose, and the mainstay of this is predominantly because her outfits involve a high hem, a fine knit, and ballet pump or loafer shoes. Kate Moss is also guilty of using this fashion equation to further her column inches in style guides the world over, and she always looks great. So you can imagine I definitely like to channel these girls when I am outfit planning (minus the great legs of course, sigh.)

 

It's a look that also translates so easily from day to night. Take this denim chambray tunic. So cute, so girlie, and even paired with this French Sole ballerina in mock-croc (to take the edge off the sweetness) the whole look is still feminine and elegant. Throw in a straw tote and there's my go-to holiday look nailed. 

 

But to take this sweet dress from day to evening only requires a little bit of playful adjustment to accessories and makeup, proving that a ballerina is the one flat shoe that will suit any occasion. Add in a leather jacket, a Chanel flap bag (I can dream!) and a chunky cuff, and the whole look takes on a much rockier and edgier vibe, perfect for a gig, drinks in a bar or even a night out. Of course, no evening look would be complete without a slick of red lipstick to really pull it all together, and that's something most of us keep in our handbags anyway! And hey presto; day to night in the blink of an eye!

 

I love the versatility of a ballerina pump (probably why I own so many!) and I can't wait to wear this look over the summer. What you  you think of it?

 

XO Amie