Wednesday 30 November 2016

Dressing up for Christmas parties and the festive season

Dressing up for Christmas parties

Dressing up for Christmas parties

As the festive season begins, it's time for the Christmas parties to start and plenty of evening celebrations to look forward to. I like to wear colours and prints that fit in with the festive theme, for example a classic red lip and pops of red in my outfit. I have quite a few Christmas parties to attend this year and I've been really organised and started planning all of my outfits. Read on for my tips on dressing up for Christmas and the festive season.

Choose a dress with a flattering fit


This black and printed dress from New Look is really flattering for my figure, as it fits nicely at the waist and falls just above my knee. Choosing an outfit that is fitted in the right places for you makes all the difference as it enhances your figure and for me, it makes me feel so much more confident.

Dressing up for Christmas parties

Dressing up for Christmas parties

Wear festive colours


Incorporating the classic festive colours such as reds, greens and whites into your outfit can instantly make your whole look more festive but in a subtle way. The dress I bought actually already has a lovely floral print with pops of colour, including red, which is perfect for this season.

Dressing up for Christmas parties

Dressing up for Christmas parties

Style your outfit with accessories


As you all know, accessories in any outfit are my favourite things to style. In this outfit, I wore my gold clutch bag from TK Maxx and my Hugo Boss watch. For an evening out, this clutch bag is great as it's small but still fits all of your essentials. What I like most about it is the unusual design and the fact that the gold colour really stands out. By choosing accessories that are eye catching, your whole outfit is automatically made to look more high end and suitable for an evening out.

Dressing up for Christmas parties

Dressing up for Christmas parties

Make up


In my opinion, you can never go wrong with a classic red lip. I love wearing red lipstick in the winter and around Christmas time, as it's perfect for a night out or a party. With this dress, I really felt that this matte red lipstick by Revlon brought the colours out. Wear make up that you're comfortable with, but if you are looking to add more colour, I think Christmas time is the best time to give it a go!

Dressing up for Christmas parties

Dressing up for Christmas parties


Photography by Kirstie Melville.

How do you like to dress up during Christmas and the festive season?

Monday 28 November 2016

A night at the Vuelio Blog Awards in London

Vuelio blog awards 2016

Vuelio blog awards 2016

Last week I was invited to the Vuelio Blog Awards 2016 in London. On Friday morning, Steph from Priceless Life of Mine and I headed to London on the train and after some lunch, we made our way to our hotel to start getting ready for the evening. I wore a beautiful coral dress from Reiss.

The blog awards were held at The Brewery - an iconic 18th century venue in east London. As we entered the venue, we had photos taken and then drank champagne in the reception whilst chatting and meeting other bloggers, journalists and media professionals. There were hundreds of people there and it was really positive to see that all of these people had come together to celebrate the achievements of bloggers.

Vuelio blog awards 2016

Vuelio blog awards 2016

We took our seats at the candle-lit table and were served a delicious three course meal before the awards ceremony started. Award winning comedian Mark Dolan hosted the awards and we saw bloggers and fashion icons being nominated for these great awards. One of my favourite fashion bloggers, Victoria Magrath from Inthefrow.com, won the award for best fashion blog! Congratulations to Victoria!

I left the event feeling really inspired and had a great evening with Steph. It was also good to meet other bloggers and network with them. Thank you so much to Vuelio for inviting me to this fantastic event, and I would love to attend the awards night again next year.

Thursday 24 November 2016

Five stylish things to do in Dubai

Stylish-things-to-do-in-dubai

Dubai is one of my favourite places and a great holiday destination. It has the best of both worlds, with a beach for sunbathing and relaxing, as well as the city life and skyscrapers just minutes away. I love the glamour of Dubai and on my trips there I have been lucky enough to experience some of the best and stylish things you can do. Read on for my top five stylish and fashionable things to do when visiting Dubai.

Stylish-things-to-do-in-dubai

Afternoon tea at The Fairmont, The Palm


Afternoon tea has become a past time that is loved all around the world. However I must say that the best experience I have had is in Dubai at The Fairmont Hotel at The Palm. Sitting on a balcony with a sea view, afternoon tea is served with a selection of fine cakes and savoury treats. It was a truly memorable day and the staff were so welcoming and friendly, which made the whole experience amazing. I would love to go back there for more afternoon tea.

Stylish-things-to-do-in-dubai

Spa day at Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club


The famous equestrian club in Dubai houses a luxury spa where I spent a whole day pampering myself and having luxury treatments. I had a facial and full body massage which was really relaxing. The spa facilities included a steam room and sauna, as well as a hot tub. As we were in hot Dubai, we relaxed by the outdoor pool as well and took in some sunshine after our treatments.

Stylish-things-to-do-in-dubai

Friday brunch at The Address


Friday Brunch seems to be a bit of a tradition in Dubai. I enjoyed brunch at the well know hotel chain The Address. I honestly had never seen such a wide selection of food in my life! Bottomless drinks were well received and the delicious spread of hot and cold food kept us there for hours!

Stylish-things-to-do-in-dubai

Relax on Nasimi Beach


The popular and exclusive Nasimi Beach, part of The Atlantis hotel requires advance booking. The beach is a hotspot for celebrities so you might see someone famous if you visit! We spent the day relaxing and sunbathing and were lucky enough to be given one of the double beds to relax on. Cocktails and plenty of food are always on offer.

Stylish-things-to-do-in-dubai

Shopping at The Dubai Mall


No trip to Dubai is complete without visiting one of the malls. I've been to all of the malls in Dubai but my favourite is The Dubai Mall. It has a good mix of high street and designer shops. It also houses the famous Fashion Avenue where the likes of Dior, Chanel and all of your top end designer stores are located. The design of the stores is absolutely stunning and it's worth a look even if you're not buying anything.

Have you ever been to Dubai? What are your top things to do?

Monday 21 November 2016

How to dress smart for work




When I've had to wear corporate or smart clothing to work, I've always tried to make it fun and feminine. Your style evolves with you over time and for workwear I've changed a lot over the years. Read on for my advice on how to style your workwear and dress smart for the office.

It's all in the details 


Details and tailoring make all the difference for workwear and this pink tailored shirt from TM Lewin has intricate detail with the frills along the button line. I love that it's bright and bold. Paired with a pencil skirt and heels makes this look so feminine and flattering.



Fitting and tailoring 


The shirt was already tailored and a perfect fit when I bought it, but spending a bit extra on tailoring your outfit to make it just right is money well spent in my opinion. The black pencil skirt is an essential piece in my wardrobe and it's so figure hugging and flattering that you can't go wrong for workwear. In the past I have had some suit trousers tailored and it made so much difference, so I would definitely advise you to consider tailoring.



Keep your make up simple


If wearing a bright coloured shirt like this pink, I would suggest keeping your make up simple so that it doesn't clash or detract from your outfit. In this look, I have simply worn a nude lipstick from Benefit and some mascara.


Choose a flattering shoe 


To feel truly smart, I need my heels to complete my look for work. In this outfit I've gone for some black heels from New Look which are quite high but so flattering for the office look. They also make me look much taller than I actually am!





Photography by Kirstie Melville.

What outfits do you like to wear to work?

Monday 14 November 2016

Why you need a classic biker jacket

Why you need a biker jacket

Why you need a biker jacket


I never thought that biker jackets would be my style. When I was at university I saw loads of girls wearing jackets like this, but for some reason I never thought they would look good on me. Believe it or not but it wasn't until about four years ago that I actually started wearing biker jackets like this! Now I love this look and I wanted to write about how versatile this jacket is and why you need one in your wardrobe.

Why you need a biker jacket

Why you need a biker jacket

It can be styled with any outfit


I bought this faux leather jacket from Topshop Petite as it fits so nicely, just above my waistline. This makes it extremely flattering to wear with dresses, but it also goes well with jeans, leggings, your evening out dress and even jumpsuits. Believe me I have worn this jacket with all of the above and I always get really lovely compliments on how nice it looks. If you invest in a good quality jacket, it can be worn with so many different outfits and it's definitely worth the price.

Why you need a biker jacket

Why you need a biker jacket

It can be worn in the day and night


It's amazing how this one piece looks good in the daytime as well as at night. In this look, I styled it with a maroon dress from New Look and tights. The outfit is very autumnal with the black ankle boots from Wallis. However, I love how this can be easily transitioned into the evening, if I were to put on some stilettos instead. The fact that this jacket is so versatile and wearable with pretty much anything is definitely why you need one in your wardrobe.

Why you need a biker jacket

Why you need a biker jacket

Why you need a biker jacket


Photography by Kirstie Melville.

Do you own a biker jacket? What's your favourite thing about wearing it?


Thursday 10 November 2016

Aloe Fleur de Jouvence Facial from Forever Living



As autumn and winter draws upon us, those cosy nights in can be brightened up with some at home spa treatments. I've always been a fan of face masks so when I was asked to review* the Forever Living Aloe face mask, I thought it was perfect to try a new one this winter. The Forever Living products are also natural, so I knew it would be doing good stuff for my skin.

The face mask


The Aloe Fleur de Jouvence is a facial that combines a Mask Powder with an Aloe Activator to create a lotion which you apply to your face as a mask. I have been using this face mask for around a month now and I really enjoy actually making it as well. It's quite interesting as you have to add a teaspoon of the Mask Powder into a bowl and then mix it with a teaspoon of the Aloe Activator. This creates a pink lotion which can then be applied to your face. I like to use a foundation brush to apply this evenly on my face.

How to use it


The instructions recommend that you leave the mask on your face for around 30 minutes before washing it off. At first I thought this was quite a long time compared to other face masks I have used, but to get the full effect I would leave it on for the recommended time. This mask is interestingly known as the 'botox mask' as you can really feel the mask tightening on your face during the 30 minutes. To be honest, I was actually really surprised the first time I used the product at how tight your face becomes! I can see why it's called the botox mask as it feels really tight and you can feel it working.

The results


Even after the first use, I could see a genuine improvement in my skin and was even getting compliments on how clear my skin was looking later that day! I'm really impressed with this face mask and would recommend it to anyone looking for a natural product to use which is also really fun to make. I like that you can feel it working on your skin and tightening, plus the fact that it's from a brand that has a good reputation for natural products.

Have you tried any face masks recently? Which is your favourite?

*Thank you to Forever Living for sending me this product to try. As always, all views are honest and my own.

Monday 7 November 2016

A city break in Prague at the Penta Hotel

The view from the Old Town Hall Tower

Prague is one of those places that has been on my travel list for years. I was so excited when I finally booked my trip to visit with my family in October this year. Autumn is a great time to go as the weather is perfect for exploring as it's not too cold. I have also written a blog post on what I wore during my trip to Prague, which you can read here.

Where to stay


I stayed at the Penta Hotel which is a modern, boutique hotel chain with a twist. The hotel has a stunning interior design and relaxed atmosphere. The group have 27 hotels worldwide, which is why I like to think of them as bespoke and boutique.

The reception couples up as the bar and you immediately grasp the vibe of the hotel as soon as you enter. Fireplaces, comfy sofas, a pool table and lots of mirrors are just some of the really cool and stylish aspects of the reception and lounge area. The lighting is so good that you sometimes feel like you've just walked into a bar at 11pm, not a hotel!



The reception and bar area

The bedrooms


The rooms are just as stylish with a real modern feel alongside vintage classics. The shower includes a rain shower and I loved the Anatomical products left for us to use. The products are displayed in clear make up bags which I think is a really nice twist compared to your usual hotel products.

The comfortable beds

Anatomical beauty products in the hotel bathroom


Each morning after a good night's sleep I looked forward to the delicious breakfast that was awaiting me downstairs. We had breakfast in the hotel everyday and there was a wide selection of hot and cold food, including a full English breakfast if you wanted it. On most days I opted for cereal, yogurt and a croissant as this kept me going ahead of a full day exploring the city.

My top five things to do in Prague 


Visit Prague Castle

This took around half a day to explore the castle grounds and let buildings including the St Vitus Cathedral. The history around the castle is fascinating, as well as the amazing architecture.

Walk along Charles Bridge 

One of the most iconic bridges in Prague is the famous Charles Bridge. It's very busy and there's artists and musicians playing all along the Bridge. But the atmosphere is great and it gives you a nice view of the river.

See the view from the Old Town Hall Tower

The Old Town Hall Tower* is a spectacular building that offers stunning views over the Old Town Square and the wider city. After climbing the stairs all the way to the top, you can see an amazing view of the square as well as over the whole city. It's definitely worth visiting, although I would recommend getting there as early as possible in the morning to avoid the queues.

Take a walk to Petrin Hill

Petrin Hill offers magnificent views of Prague and is truly a place to relax among the beautiful greenery. It's worth going to in the late afternoon as the sun is setting.

Admire the beauty of Loreta

Loreta is a lovely building with a clock tower and a definite must-see if you're in Prague. The outside is stunning but also go inside for the diamond studded artwork.

Loreta

The Old Town Hall Tower and Astrological Clock



Have you ever been to Prague? What did you enjoy the most?

*I collaborated with Prague City Tourism on this blog post, who kindly gifted me some tickets for the Old Town Hall Tower. All views are honest and my own as always.

Wednesday 2 November 2016

How to transition your wardrobe into Autumn



As the weather gets slightly colder, there's so much you can do with your wardrobe to keep you looking stylish whilst still wrapping up warm. I'm much more of a summer fashion girl, but when Autumn arrives I like to embrace it and have fun with what I'm wearing and buying this time of year.

Layer up 


Autumn doesn't mean you have to stop wearing your favourite summer clothes and put a baggy jumper on. Simply wear your favourite dress with a pair of tights and boots. Layer up the top half of your body with a bright scarf and you're good to go. I have one particular dress that I can wear in all seasons of the year - it's just about how you wear it and accessorise it.



Invest in a good pair of boots 


For those rainy November days or snowy December days (if we're lucky), investing in a good quality pair of boots will see you right through to next year. I recently bought a pair of black ankle boots from Wallis and I can wear them with dresses or trousers. Browse through which styles you think suit you and treat yourself to some boots.




Be bright and bold 


As the days get darker, why not brighten things up with what you wear. I don't currently have any black coats so I always opt for a bright colour such as this pink coat from Zara. If you're like me and feel the cold a lot, you'll also be in your coat a lot! So I like to make sure my coats can brighten up the grey and gloomy days.

Find high quality knitwear


Investing in good quality knitwear can make all the difference when transitioning into Autumn. Buying a few different coloured jumpers so that you can keep wearing them over and over again is also a great idea. 





Photography by Kirstie Melville.

How do you transition your wardrobe into Autumn?