Happy New Year and welcome to the first Want It Wednesday of 2017; now I don’t know about you but I’m so over the sales – yes I love a bargain but there’s something about the start of January that sees me attempting to streamline my life (and wardrobe) and that means not being seduced by frivolous buys and instead concentrating on pieces that
SO here’s my *think I’m going to get a lot of wear/use out of this lot list* or at least will look pretty in my room… ok I admit I’m a lost cause!
January wouldn’t be January without some new gym gear and these black with mesh gym leggings from Next are just the ticket for the school run to spin agony look I’m hoping to rock a lot this spring. I also spotted this amazing scuba dress whilst I was in Next and I instantly fell in love with it’s cut and structure – yes it may be a bit too cold to wear now but there’s nothing like having a dress that forces you to seek out a spot of winter sun!
Whilst we may be lacking in the heat department for eleven months of the year, that doesn’t mean we don’t need sunglasses, and these brand new Burberry shades are great with the oversized lenses and simple design; and will go perfectly with the this Vacation sweater from Whistles. Can you tell I have winter holidays on my mind?!?
It’s no secret that I’m a big Moschino fan and their recent fun collections are guaranteed to have you smiling about fashion and their Moschino Fresh Couture Eau De Toilette is no exception, although I fear Boo would spritz this within a an hour!
Now I know these aren’t the most timeless of pieces but I’m a big fan of the barely there heels and the Alora nude barely there perspex heel would go with almost any outfit – can you see how easy it was to convince myself!
As I sit and write this post I have three candles on the go in my bedroom and I must admit to a slight obsession with them in recent months and I’m on the hunt for the perfect relaxing scent – the NEOM Complete Bliss scented candle looks to be ticking all the boxes and I doubt it will be long until one ends up in my room.
And seeing as 2017 is set to be a kickass year, this will be year that I finally get round to buying my first Ruby Woo by Mac!
Happy Wanting!
Want It Wednesdays | 21st September
Last week reminded us what a difference a day can make with British weather, on Thursday I was wearing a mini shirt dress with zara sandals and just over 12 hours later I was getting battered by the rain (hello drowned rat look) on my commute into the city.
With today heralding the official start of autumn, I’m all about the boots and these New Look khaki ankle boots with cleated soles are perfect for chucking on perfecting that on the run look, and with the appearance of ankle boots comes the need for full length jeans. As we hurtle towards October, I find myself without a pair of jeans that don’t have ripped or raw hems. Black jeans are the name of the game in the colder months and these simple black jean jeggings from River Island will be long enough to avoid the sock shaming of peeping ankles!
I’m still yet to find a new scarf that’s warm and cosy without itching the actual life out of me; I’m starting to think I may need to bite the bullet and buy a cashmere scarf, and with this one from Uniqlo coming in at a surprising £39.90 it would appear that high street cashmere is becoming more and more affordable. P.s. I’m loving the dark grey, just as versatile as black just a bit more fun.
Talk within the Corriette Clan has turned to my Mum’s 60th Birthday next year – she’s having a fabulous party and we’re already eying up outfits. We saw this Reiss Nessa dress at the weekend and both my Mum and sister said it was such a Rosie dress… The structured and puffed sleeves and ther barely there hue of grey make it the perfect modern classic party piece, it’s definitely made the shortlist.
After a visit to Ikea yesterday with my friend Emma, I admitted that I have far too much make-up after I seriously debated buying a MALM toyboy to house it all. However that hasn’t stopped me lusting after this MAC Trip The Light Illuminating Powder from The Star Trek range; come on just look at it, I know I can’t stop – I love the lustre of different pigments, it’s so dreamy.
Talking of lusting, the minute I saw these Ella pointed pumps from Pretty Ballerinas on Instagram at the weekend I fell in love, i’m not sure if it’s the colour, the suede of the gold love enveloped in a swirl of a heart but these are fast becoming a Rosie need.
And finally, let’s talk about the Louis Vuitton Pallas compact wallet. Ever since I was pick pocketed nearly two years ago, I haven’t had a full size purse, instead using coin purses as I still can’t find ‘the one’. I think it’s fair to say the hunt is over, now to justify a month’s housekeeping on a purse that would leave me with no money to put in it. Ah the quandaries of balancing Louis Vuitton and mothering duties… the struggle is real.
So there you have my wants for the week, Let me know what you’re loving, hating and wanting yourself.
Happy Wanting!
Kaleidoscope’s SS16 Collection
With Christmas out the way, it’s time to ignore the impending freezing weather that’s about to hit and turn our attention to Spring Summer 16 and what better way than a first look at Kaleidoscope’s SS16 collection.
I’ve written before how Kaleidoscope are fast becoming a destination for women’s clothing; from fast fashion, classic pieces and not forgetting their show stopping party wear collection.
When I stopped by the Kaleidoscope SS16 press day it was lovely to catch up with the team, especially Kirsten Emery who’s passion for well designed and made fashion is infectious. I was surprised at just how diverse the SS16 collection is: from island inspired festival looks, lived in chic denim right through to preppy nautical looks to carry you through any warm and sunny occasion.
What sets Kaleidoscope and its SS16 collection apart from others is the cut and fit. Their clothes are not only designed to fit and flatter but their sized realistically; We all know all too well how frustrating it is when the dress label says one thing but the way it strangles you as you attempt to pull it down past your neck says another.
Kaleidoscope aren’t a new brand but are definitely one that should be on any fashion conscious woman’s radar: They seem to have the holy grail of women swear – great fashion that’s wearable; from design and fit, quality and affordability.
Now all that’s left it to wait for the ghastly cold to disappear ready for a fashionable SS16.
Spring Beauty Fix at Centrale Croydon
The changing seasons are just as important to beauty as they are to fashion. For me Spring is the perfect time to stop and take stock of make-up keeping what works for your skin and look and switching up new colours, products and even application techniques to keep you make-up look fresh and on trend.
Centrale Croydon invited me last month to their Spring Beauty Fix event; the shopping centre is one of my go to destinations for a mix of family fashion, beautiful home wares and not forgetting beauty!
All too often I get stuck in the cycle of buying the same foundation, lipsticks, blusher etc which is good if it works however I find that after about the third lot of anything it tends to lose it’s ‘magic’ – you ladies know what I mean!
The lovelies at Centrale armed me with a generous gift card to help update my beauty look ready for summer. I decided to focus on foundation, lipstick and make-up remover as these are they real constants in my beauty bag.
I’m really into buffing my foundation in using a stippling brush – trust me try it; it gives you the most natural finish and is perfect for when you want to contour as it allows you to build up the layers without it looking caked on. It’s been quite a few years since I’ve used a Chanel foundation but I’d heard really good things about Perfection Lumière so after a great application demonstration from the Chanel consultant I picked my shade. A few weeks on and I’m loving how it feels on my face plus I’d forgotten just how beautifully scented their liquid foundations were!
Next stop was MAC; it’s brilliant to find a MAC so conveniently placed that saves me a trip to Central London. MAC is the candy shop of make-up lovers and I could literally have spent hours oohing and aahing over all the pretties so I approached it with discipline – I was there for lips and nothing else. I’d just like to point out that I’m pretty proud of myself to limiting my MAC splurge to VIVA GLAM II lipstick and lip liner in Dervish; I love how they go together to create the perfect lip plumping deep nude.
When it came to make-up remover I kept with what I know, I’ve been using these two Lancome beauties for nearly ten years and as the saying goes: If it isn’t broke don’t fix it – and what can I say, it was gifting time so it made mathematical sense to stock up.
Spring is also a great time to remind ourselves that with beauty and make-up comes responsibility – no I’m not talking about pouting sensibly but a little beauty bag maintenance will help keep your brushes at their best and keeping an eye on how long your mascara has been open will ensure your make-up is helping and not hurting your skin. I have to admit I’m ever so slightly obsessed with washing my make-up brushes but I think a fair few of us will be shocked to see how often we should be cleaning them; check out these 13 beauty hacks:
To help give us a nudge, Centrale were offering a beauty swap up throughout the Spring Beauty Fix, where you were rewarded for bringing in your empties with a giftcard to spend on beauty.
Make-up is as seasonal as fashion yet for many of us we get stuck wearing the same products year in, year out; with Centrale Croydon on my doorstep I’m lucky that to have so many international make-up brands to pick and choose the best look for my face… The perfect excuse to add my collection!
Blogging Comforts
I’m fortunate enough to work from home which anyone with a little one will know it’s both a blessing and a curse. However just like everybody who works in an office, we all like out set up a certain way, be it music, favourite tea – whatever it takes to help us be productive.
For me working from home means plenty of distractions (I swear I am the local parcel depot for every single person on my street) and it’s no secret I can be the queen of procrastination so I like to have a little routine to get me focused. For me it’s all about being comfortable; from sitting on a certain chair (yes I am that person) to what I wear – I love slouchy jumpers, they literally are the best; even in the summer I’ll wear a merino wool jumper as I just love the cozy feel and surprisingly the more relaxed I’m dressed the more productive I am… Not sure how an office manager would feel about that!
It can’t be any old jumper though, I like my jumpers how I like my watches…Mens style. My watch is a mans’ style and most of my jumpers are unisex at best or men’s. You’ll often find a jumper draped over the back of a chair in my house as they are kind of a blogging blanket.
Just because I like them big, doesn’t mean I don’t like them fancy, cashmere and merino wool are some or my favourites which can be tricky to find in less delicate designs. Wool Overs specialize in the finest cashmere, cotton and wool knitwear and what’s even better is lots of their mens jumpers are unisex so I can still get the slouchy comfy look I want without looking like I’m sat in tent… Let’s face it ladies it’s all happened to us at least once when we’ve tried to go for the ‘boyfriend’ look!
Disclosure: A fee was received for this post but in no way affects the honesty of my opinions and experiences told in my own words.