I’m loving all this sunny weather, although I’ve heard it’s set to cool down over the coming week (nooooooooo) – I’m clinging to the hope that the sun will return and stay or a good few months, this out of this world Marrakech ‘Hola Bag’ has my name all over it – and it’s totally mum friendly with all that space, surely a pre present for the impending summer holidays!
Talking of things that scream Rosie, there’s no words that will do justice to these Gucci Aces Studded Leather Sneaker – yes they are nearly £600, yes they don’t seem too practical for the school run but can you imagine me running round in these – I would literally look like my heels were on fire, and i don’t mean in a blister way!
Wth my birthday at the end of August, now is the time I start looking out for a birthday celebration outfit, I’m queen of the dresses so it’s an obvious choice. Imagine me cyber surprise when Boohoo e-mailed me the launch of their Premium collection and the Louise Tassel Bodycon Dress, I’m interested to see how their premium collection grows and if their sizing will become less fast fashion and more realistic. But for now this dress would be perfect with a killer tan and is Instagram worthy.
Keeping with the theme of dresses, is this surprising choice for me, the Dandelion Maxi Dress from Oasis – now I’m not usually one for floaty maxi dresses but this just looks so versatile; its straps also mean that it’s boob proof… winner!
I can’t claim any credit for my next want, this beauty cult is a firm favourite of Huda Beauty’s and if it’s good enough for the queen of beauty then it’s good enough for me, the Mizon Apple Smoothie Peeling Gel is super affordable and the results online look great, I’m all about the miracles for my tired face.
Talking of cult products, you’d have to be living under a rock for most of the noughties to not have been caught up in the Lancôme Juicy Tubes frenzy; they were sticky and bright and akin to a Venus fly trap for long hair. Fast forward a decade and a half and Lancôme Juicy Tubes have grown up, no longer the winner of stickiest substance to put on your lips, the lip colours are the best of both worlds with pigment from lipstick to the sheer lightness of lip gloss and balm; this summery pink is perfect for day to night and means you can get away with packing just one lip colour for holiday.
I was alarmingly restrained in the Zara sale, only buying bits for Boo so it’s with welcome arms that I welcome the AW17 collection that’s just dropped online; the collection seems to be about loose separates that come together to create effortless off duty looks, and this Zara top with bow detail is the perfect example of how tailoring can be relaxed without being baggy just for the sake of it. This colour gets it right when striking the balance between granny and girlie.
Happy Wanting!
How To Capture Tuscan Style With To Tuscany
Italy is one of those destinations that is on everybody’s list; the food, the sights, the people and not forgetting the style. Tuscany in central Italy and in particular the regions capital, Florence is home to some of the world’s most recognisable renaissance pieces; from David’s statue to the Duomo cathedral, the whole region oozes style which makes it no surprise that it’s home to some of the best fashion designers.
Gucci, Pucci, Cavalli are just some of the fashion power houses to have come from Tuscany, making it a must visit for the stylish traveller. Tuscan style is a fusion of the old and the new: the classical elegance of the engines style that has radiated from the Mediterranean destination is brought to modern day life with the constant pushing of fashion boundaries with innovative collection and direction. It’s easy to see why so many visitors to the region are keen to capture Tuscan style.
My top three tips for capturing Tuscan style are:
Lightweight Layerinng – the Mediterranean climate means that temperatures can easily top 30C in the summer so comfort is key, (sweat is never a good style choice) always choose light fabrics that are natural, that way you’ll feel as cool as you look.
Go Big or Go Home – When it comes to sunglasses and hats, you have to embrace the Italian way and go big, the sunny climate makes it important to be sun wise and just like everything else the Tuscan’s do, it’s always got a stylish slant, this is the place to be flamboyant and reach for the statement sunnies and hat!
Textiles Textiles Textiles – One of the biggest misconceptions of Italian style is that you either have to keep it simple of be loud, the joys of the eclectic style of Tuscany is that you can mix it all up. The prominence of accessories means that you can easily transform the vibe of an outfit by introducing differing textures to give your look an edge that will see you seem at home in the stylish Italian region.
Tuscany is a vibrant destination, perfect the stylish traveller, with so many style statements in the region from architecture to iconic Pucci prints, there’s a whole world of style ready to discover.
Have you been to Tuscany? I’d love to hear how you’ve captured Tuscan style?
Disclosure: This post is a competition entry to win a holiday to Tuscany for four people. No fee was received.
Want It Wednesday | 5th July
Greetings my fellow fashion followers! Welcome to this week’s Want It Wednesday where I mix high street with high fashion to bring you the best of the this week’s wants – and what a mixed bag of treats they are.
First to make it on the list are the Sarah Ashcroft X N&K All Black Aviators – yes I know there a tad insta trendy but they honestly are a great dupe for a very expensive pair that I can’t justify neglecting the bills for a few months so coming in at less than £40, the Sarah Ashcroft ones seem to be perfect, plus it’s a great way of trying before I commit to the investment purchase late down the line.
Flamenco trousers remind me oh hot evenings in the summer, I’ve come to accept the fact that whilst they may not be the most flattering cut for my wide hips, I simply can;t resist them, with my love for them being so that I don’t mind adding a little extra – these red wide leg trousers from River Island are a great wearable interpretation of the trend and seem substantial enough to withstand the London underground: because statement trousers shouldn’t be confined to summer dinner dates after dark.
Ok this next one is technically cheating as I was given this on Saturday night but if like me you’ve been searching for a summery, morally, malibuy red (you get my drift – the impossible to describe shade that is perfect for showing off a tanned face with minimal make up!) As I was heading out the door on an impromptu night out with a friend I said how I didn’t have the right lipstick and is if by magic she pulled out the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet lipstick in shade Frambourjoise. Don’t let the shade on the bottle deter you, it’s a great colour and last really well – as they say one woman’s rejects is another woman’s treasure!
Keeping us with beauty is the Topshop Glow Liquid highlighter in Phoenix; I remember Topshop make up launching many years ago and thinking it was a bit of a gimmick, how could a brand know for their walls of vest tops and low slung jeans (well at least at the beginning of the century!) know what to do when it comes to creating a credible make up range. however fast forward more than a decade and Topshop not only seem to have their finger on the beauty pulse but some may say are helping to form trends and are definitely one of the early adopters of high street make up trends. This highlighter is a great example of this – a fraction of the price of some of it’s pricer competitors but still manages to tick the quality box with great ingredients and fantastic results. I need one of these for metallic cheekbones this summer.
Kenzo is one of those brands that seemed to be everywhere and now I come across them much less – and not since the Flower fragrance have I considered them a strong contender in the perfume sector. Say hello to Kenzo World Eau de Parfum; pretty packaging aside, it marries peonies and jasmine to create a bold yet feminine floral scent that doesn’t have a whiff of old lady, result!
I’ve done the classic and upgraded my phone last week to the 7 plus meaning I don’t have any phone covers so am currently waling round clutching it like a tray of dinosaur eggs set to hatch any moment! I need a case, and fast – I had a great iPhone 6 case form iDeal of Sweden and have no doubt that if I picked the Monstera Jungle case by iDeal of Sweden I’d be a safe and stylish phone owner… fingers crossed I sort one out soon.
Summer means lots of socials for work and I’m really starting to understand the benefits of investment dresses – yes fast, affordable fashion will always have a play in my hear – and wardrobe – but it’s pieces like the Amana Rose Dress by L.K. Bennett that oozes grown up yet paired down sophisticated sexiness which after a week of slumming it in sports luxe for the school run is what I really want.
I have no words of justification for this Chanel Large Shopping Bag – it’s ludicrously expensive but I love it, never did I think a gloried tweed shopper would turn my head as mac as this bag, but that’s the joy of my never-ending love affair with Chanel, they never fail to surprise and can be relied on to pull it out of the bag!
Happy Wanting!
Want It Wednesday | 28th June
Greeting my fellow wanters and welcome to this week’s Want It Wednesday – let’s get started on what’s caught my eye this week…
It’s no secret that I’ve taken to slider life like a teenager to mood swings, I keep trying to pair my black adidas adilette slides in black with every single outfit, but my street style knows no bounds as I want to add the red ones to my collection – plus I’m hoping by next year Boo’s feet will be big enough to wear a matching pair.
Hopping over forms street style to floral with the yellow floral print shorts form New Look – they remind me of so many pairs of shorts from when I was younger in the nineties and it’s great to see the grunge festival vibe back with a bang. Plus they look like they may withstand the delights that are British summer gales!
Ignoring the clouds and rain of this week are these oh so Rosie round-frame metal sunglasses by Gucci – I love their fun yet uber chic vibe and they remind us that sunglasses as good as these are for life and not just for British summers 😉
As I come to the realisation that I have aged fifteen years in the past six (parenting is hard and the equivalent of a youth sucking ghoul) maintaining a great skincare routine; micellar water isn’t a brand new concept in the British market, however it’s long been a face care staple in France and Bioderma is the brand that is industry leading and for me it’s a sign I should try it.
Floaty versatile shirts are the name of the game with this unpredictable weather and the many hats I have to wear throughout the day. From school run to heading into the city for work I want to look and feel my best. The baby blue tones of the Nuru Schiffley Striped Peplum Shirt by French Connection give the nearly always bland office shirt a feminine twist with knobs on.
I’m a fan of clean stripes (see above the never ending appreciation of Adidas stripes!) this cotton dress by Mango is perfect for satisfying one of my long standing style obsessions and at nearly 50% off it would seem silly to not add to my growing collection.
If there’s one shoe that symbolises the style offering of SS17 it would have to be heeled mule. For me it’s the perfect fusion of seventies and nineties fashion that is super wearable plus the heel high doesn’t tend to be ridiculously high so I have a chance of wearing them for more than eight minutes! I tend to favour the cinderella-esque bling as opposed to the boho look and it doesn’t get better than the Jimmy Choo Myla 35 – ballet pink satin mule with crystal piece – words that cannot fail to bring a smile to my face; because why shouldn’t I feel like Cinderella when I’m running for the 8.51 to London Bridge!
Happy Wanting!
Want It Wednesday | 21st June
Welcome to the wonders that is the Great British summer week – I’m basking (literally) in the glorious weather and have been keeping my beady style eye out for all the latest pieces online that have been ticking my boxes, so I get straight to it giving you more time to get outside and enjoy the sun… oh and maybe a spot of shopping too!
Flip flops are the one of the most decisive fashion items ever, with some thinking they don’t even deserve to be included in fashion. Like them or hate them, I just can’t get enough of these summer staples; in particular Havaianas – I must of had over ten pairs and you’re likely to see me living in them over the summer. Add a bit of a gold and i’m sold and these Havainas You Metallic Flip Flop are great for being just that little bit different.
There’s a reason why this is a want list and not a need list, because no one could try and explain why I could ever need yet another pair of sunglasses but I just can’t stop lusting after the Ray-Ban gold aviator flash blue polarised lens. I’ve developed a real love for polarised lens and these have that grown up yet fun feel – I have a sneaky feeling I’ll struggle to resist next time I’m passing through duty free.
I’m pretty fussy about my perfume especially in the summer as scents are elevated, I have my Mum to thank for putting me on to the Prodigieux Le Parfum by Nuxe – it has a warm scent that reminds me of hot sand at the end of a day on the beach, which until I can spend every single day on a beach, this is the next best thing.
This week’s luxe want is thanks to the beauty that is the Gucci Pleated Lamé Midi Skirt – yes I know it’s small change from a £1000 but look at it! From high street to high society, this skirt has it all – now just to convince myself (and my bank balance!) that this is a fiscally sound investment!
Back to the high street with a stylish bang is this Stripe Ruffle Wrap Dress from Topshop, it’s simple lines and cut make it one of those wardrobe heroes that will deliver time and time again.
One of the biggest summer fashion conundrums for me is trying to interpret the top trends, I NEED to wear a bra and if I’m honest strapless bras aren’t ideal for everyday wear so this tie back polin blouse from M&S ticks all the trend boxes and lets me wear a normal bra, making it a must in my books.
And because no one wants a ball of frizz on their head when they blow dry their hair in this heat, say hello to a summer hair staple: dry shampoo. Ordinarily I’m not the biggest fan of dry shampoo the rest of the year as over use can cause damage to your hair but this weather is perfect for a quick spruce and saves you constantly washing it! The Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo for dark tones is super soft on your hair and doesn’t create a product build up which is always good.
Happy Wanting!
