It’s December tomorrow – how the heck did that happen! Plus add the fact that it’s basically arctic weather in London this week and I’m ready to crack out all the festive feels when it comes to Want It Wednesday. I definitely find that as we get closer to Christmas my style choices are that bit more jolly and bright, which is great way to inject some much needed vibrancy into what can be albeit lovely sea of grey and black during autumn and winter.
My first want of the week is this drop dead gorgeous show stopper of a dress by FCUK; I love everything about it, it screams Dolce and Gabbana which is the dream for me when it comes to effortless and timeless style.
We all know that I’m not the best when it comes to heels and skyscrapers are a big no no for me so as party season descends on us, I’m always on the look out for the party shoes that let me run with the heel gang without looking like a pregnant duck – I kid you not!! These red croc strappy Mary Jane’s from River Island are cool enough to carry me (and my feet) from party to party!
Now I know these pow pow metallic loafers from Next aren’t the most sensible choice for this time of year and will do nothing to keep my poor feet warm but what they lack in practicality they more than make up for in style and are the perfect casual shoe trend that will lest well into the buds of spring.
The weather may be grey but that doesn’t mean that your highlighter has to diminish; I can’t wait to get my hands on this limited edition L’Oreal Paris Golden highlighter, I’m already obsessed with their gold collection and this cream to powder formula with it’s amazingly dazzling pigment NEEDS to find it’s way into my make up stash now!
Seeing as I’m still yet to acquire the Versace bathrobe I wanted a fair few weeks ago, I’ve decided to lower my expectations from outrageous to every so slightly decadent and I’ve now got my eye on this UGG Women’s Duffield bathrobe, and I’m confident I deserve it seeing as my current bathrobe is over 13 years old!
It’s been a while since I included Zara and this chain print pussy bow blouse gets and A* from me, from the 80’s Chanel vibes to cuffed sleeves it’s perfect for pretty layering and is a special buy so it won’t break the bank, winner!
What’s your favourite want this week?
Happy Wanting!
North, South, East or West? The Best Of England For A Holiday To Remember
It’s that time of year again when we’re already planning holidays for the coming months. I’ve been lucky enough to have a few wonderful breaks away lately. But if you’re desperate for some time out, chances are you want that holiday to be memorable. Family holidays aren’t always easy to time right. So why not stay closer to home this coming year, and try one of these holiday ideas from the four corners of exciting England:
North
The north of England offers a wealth of activities and some amazing city breaks to enjoy too. Kids will love the idea of camping in the Lake District. Boating, hiking, and climbing are all favourite pastimes when you take your camper or your canvas up there. Of course, if you are all assured cyclists, there are some pretty incredible views to enjoy throughout the region. For great northern cities, you can’t beat Liverpool. This city is steeped in history and roars with culture too. Shopping is lots of fun, and there are plenty of theatres for an evening (or matinee) of fun with the family. Hotels range from plush five-star city centre accommodation to cute bed and breakfasts on the outskirts.
South
At the opposite end of the country is the Jurassic Coast. This is an absolute must for all dinosaur loving kids. The big Diplodocus from the British Museum is making a stop in Dorset next year. Be sure to check it out if you’re around. Combing the coastline for little fossils and the odd dinosaur bone will often reap rewards. There are also dozens of cute seafront stores with plenty of them for sale in places like Lyme Regis or Weymouth.
East
The east coast prides itself on its beautiful wildlife habitats. It’s a world away from the big international theme parks we’ve been to lately! If you want vast coastline and plenty of peace and quiet, this is the holiday destination for you. Bird lovers will not be disappointed here. Of course, there are plenty of seaside resorts to enjoy too. Farm centres are plentiful for the animal lovers among you. But it might be the canals and river systems that really pique your interest for a great family holiday next year.
West
Down in Cornwall you can surf, camp, and feel like you are in a completely different place every day. This end of the country is wild, rugged, beautiful and elegant, all at the same time. Holiday homes in Cornwall are easy to find. Plenty of people let out their properties to tourists each season. You can also find a few that are set in the most incredible landscapes. And some have amazing facilities to keep you all entertained too.
Most of us spend a long time researching potential holiday destinations. You might way up the experiences you can get with the price you have to pay. But nothing beats a holiday you don’t have to fly across the world for! So why not pick a stunning break away, right here at home.
Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.
Five Fun Gift Ideas For Stylish Kids
I find that choosing gifts for children for Christmas can be even trickier than shopping for adults. I want to make sure that they are given something useful, and not just extra plastic that they’ll forget about. Choosing good quality and long lasting products is always a great idea to me. But as children grow, so do their needs. Their tastes change too, and they can start to be a little fussier about what they play with or wear. So if you have little ones that have a penchant for all things chic and stylish, what do you get them? Here are a few gifts ideas for stylish little ones.
For Pretend Play
Imaginative and pretend play is essential for our children. But you might want to get something than a bog-standard plastic shopping cart or basket. How about a stylish afternoon tea set, or even a chopping food or fruit set? Melissa and Doug have a great selection of wooden play sets. You could even get a wooden pretend play sushi set, for example. Perfect for classy little ones.
Clothing
It might not be the most fun gift for a child, but clothing is always a useful gift. You could just get some of the standard things that you know they need. You could splash out on a designer little outfit for them, though. If they are getting a little older like my daughter, then they become conscious about what they are wearing. So the right kind of clothes can help them feel more confident. You could choose an outfit or just one item from Gucci kids, for example. This would certainly be a fantastic gift for tween-age children.
Stylish Accessories
There are so many little things that you could get that ooze style. You could get them a leather backpack, for example. Having them carry their things around with them is great for holidays and day trips. You could get them some sunglasses or perhaps a funky new pair of shoes. High tops are always a good choice and work well for both boys and girls.
Scooter
Scooters are a really big deal these days. I can’t really see a time when they will ever be out of style. They are practical too. So why not get them a scooter, if they don’t already have one? The metal ones tend to be the longest lasting. If your child already has one, then getting them a helmet or some accessories for it is a good idea too. A bell or a basket are good ideas.
Fancy Dress
Being able to use their imagination is always good for our children. So having a good stash of dressing up accessories is really useful. Choose a variety of outfits, include some fun little accessories too. Dressing up shoes are always a really fun idea, as well as things like jewelry and crowns, for example. Make sure that you have them out on display, so they can just pull them out as and when they want them.
Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.
Want It Wednesdays | 16th November
Want It Wednesday is back and after few weeks, there’s plenty of pretties that I’ve had my eye on so let’s deal with the gold elephant in the room – the gold boxing gloves. Yes I know they’re ridiculously ostentatious, but they’re practical and I love the idea of having a splash of the ridiculous next time I’m sweating (and swearing) my bodyweight during a gruelling boxing session – for those of you who have yet to experience a boxing class… you’re seriously missing out!
Why do I enjoy boxing? well it’s pretty simple – so I never have to limit my mince pie consumption which i have to admit gets out of hand come Christmas eve; this Not On The High Street sweatshirt is perfect if like me you’re not a big fan of the classic christmas jumper but still want to jump on the festive bandwagon. Talking of Christmas; while I’m set to receive a beautiful handmade by Boo gift from school, a mama can dream and this Monica Vinader skinny eternity ring is simply perfect, the delicate design and craftsmanship makes this the perfect gift for a mother and is sure to melt anyone’s heart come Christmas morning.
As I sit and write this and no doubt when you read this, it’s raining – we’re at the soggy end of Autumn and wet school runs twice a day, are not a look that I wish to repeat. Hunter already have it nailed when it comes to wellies and this insulated parka is the perfect transitional piece from playground to Costa, ha!
The Christmas party season is fast approaching and I’m on the hunt for a pair of paired back simple sandals that still pack a style punch and are comfortable enough to dance all night long. I’m crushing on these Whistles Medina velvet high sandals – they tick all the boxes, I have a feeling they may trip, slip and fall into my basket… just saying.
And what a way to finish Want It Wednesday that with the Queen of everything defiantly decadent, the magnificent Pat McGrath. The legendary make up artist is renowned for creating the most eye catching and conversation starting lab kits and the Metalmorphosis 005 Everything Kit is just that… everything and I would literally give everything to get my hands on a pack – you can never have too much gold!
There you have it, what’s you want it this week? let me know…
Happy Wanting!
Fantastic Christmas Gifts That Will Keep Your Kids Away From The TV
Are you sick of your kids sitting in front of the TV at every chance they get? If so, you are probably already thinking of how you can coax them away from the screen during the upcoming Christmas holidays. Well, the best way will be to gift them amazing presents that will make them want to switch off the TV and do something completely different! Hopefully, the following presents should give you plenty of ideas!
A New Bike
There will be a lot of foods on offer over Christmas, so getting your kids presents that will encourage them to be active is a bonus. Then, hopefully, all of the chocolates and sweets they eat won’t be so noticeable! So why not get them new bikes? They’ll love getting out and riding around the neighbourhood to show them off! Instead of driving them to school, you will now be able to walk with them as they cycle. And if you have a bike as well, you will be able to go for bike rides at the weekends!
Roller Skates
Roller skates are another gift that will motivate your kids to be a bit more active. If you have young kids, it could be a good idea to get them to practice on a lawn so that they won’t hurt themselves too much if they fall. Once they get better, take your kids and their roller skates to your local leisure centre. Many centres have areas where kids can skate. If you’re lucky, you may even live close to a venue that hosts a roller disco!
Baking Sets
Do your kids love watching you prepare their meals? If so, you can always try and encourage this interest by buying them a cookery or baking set. You can buy many different types, but they all come with baking tins and some decoration pieces. All you need to do is buy the required ingredients! Once your kids open their baking sets, they’ll want to get to work straight away in the kitchen. So you won’t have to worry about them asking to put the TV on for a while!
Books
One of the best ways to ignite your children’s imagination is by giving them books. When they start reading, they will enter fictional worlds filled with many interesting characters. Not only that, though, but many studies show that children who read regularly often do extremely well at school. So not only will books entertain your kids, but they will also help them to achieve more in the classroom! Not sure which books are best for your kids? If you have very young children, get them something that you can read together. Such as the Funnybones books. For older children, you can’t go wrong with getting them a book from the Harry Potter series.
So if your kids are on Santa’s good list this year, why not think about one of the above fantastic presents for them? All of which should keep them away from the TV for a while!
Disclosure: A fee was received for this post.