With the relatively nice weather we've had in the past couple of weeks (which seems to be leaving us now, boo), I've managed to crack out a couple of Spring appropriate make-up looks using some good old favourites. Sticking to light, creamy textures and bright pops of colour has meant I have definitely been getting in the Spring mood. Now we just need it to stick around...

It's always nice to keep things simple when the weather hots up, so first up I'll moisturise (sometimes only with this, sometimes after a different moisturiser) with the Origins Vitazing. This is a product I use on and off, but when I do use it I certainly notice more of a glow and a slight warmth to the skin. On me it isn't too orangey, but I know some of you paler girls out there might find it a bit dark. Then it's on to a BB cream, and today it is the Garnier BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector. I used this so much last year, along with the original one from them, both of which I really like. Neither of them last all that long but it's something I don't mind putting up with in order to get that dewy skin look. A quick sweep of the Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch concealer (which I don't like but am using up) under the eyes and that's base done. (I did actually add a light dusting of powder over everything just to set things in place). 

Then it's on to cheeks and, depending on my mood, I'll either go for the Stila Convertible Colour in 'Gladiola' or the Topshop cream blusher in 'Head Over Heels'. The Stila one leaves a much more dewy finish to the skin, whereas the Topshop one dries down to more of a powdery finish. I love both colours a lot, but I definitely wear the Stila one more, and that's what I chose today. To add some warmth to my skin, I'll pop some of the Topshop 'Desert Sun' blush and bronze duo onto my cheekbones and temples. I love this product, I've had it for years now and because the bronzer colour is so subtle with a slight sheen, it's impossible to go over the top, so you always look natural. 

For eyes, a quick sweep of the Maybelline Colour Tattoo in 'On and On Bronze' is perfect, smudged under the lash line for a bit of smokiness as well, and you're good to go. A few coats of mascara, this one being the bareMinerals Curl and Lengthen mascara, and the look is almost complete. For lips, I like to pop some of the Stila cream blusher on, which, by the way, works extremely well on both lips and cheeks in my opinion, followed by a sweep of this absolutely gorgeous Chanel Rouge Coco Shine lipstick in #70 'Sourire', which has subtle golden shimmers running through it, making your lips look full and beautiful. 

And that's it (minus an eyebrow powder, but that's boring!), my Spring Face for you all! I'd love to know what you're using now the weather has finally warmed up a bit. Do you change products dramatically from Winter to Spring, or do you tend to keep them pretty much the same? 

Sophie

p.s. I don't think I've quite got the hang of taking selfies yet ;)!

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Images from google.com

Pastels are having a major fashion moment right now and I have to say I am loving it! Pastels make people happy, it's a fact (kind of. I may have just made it up.) Ice cream and sorbet shades are being seen everywhere and it is so easy to find things out there that you can incorporate into your wardrobe to add an instant fash update and make you feel Spring-ready in no time! I've picked out a few of the best bits from the high-street for you to swoon over and, who knows, if we wear bright, summery colours the sun might come out to join us. Enjoy...

Clutch Bag: Lipsy £35 Kimono Top: Next £24

This gorgeous turquoise kimono style top from next is an easy-to-wear piece that you could dress up or down depending on the occasion. The back is made froma grey jersey material, giving it a bit of interest and the zip detailing adds an edge. 

Embellished Dress: Krisp £45

How gorgeous is this pale peach dress from Krisp? Perfect for a girly night out or a romantic summer dinner date. I found out some information about this brand recently and have been loving loads of the clothes that they have over on their website. This piece could be dressed down with flat sandals for day time or really glammed up with sequin heels for a big night out!




Printed Playsuit: Miss Selfridge £40

This playsuit embraces two key fashion trends of the moment: prints and pastels. From the much coveted 'Designed By' range at Miss Selfridge, it's a definite sell-out piece so head over and take a look if it's still available! It's perfect for those (wishful) summer days ahead! For a full on pastel look, you could pair this with Next's pink platform wedges (below). 

Raffia Wedges: Next £35

So there we go! A few pastel pieces that are sure to keep you ahead of the fash pack this spring :)! Let me know what trends you're loving this season and whether or not you're embracing the pastels!

I havejust finished my 6th book for my New Year's Resolution (read about it here) so will be doing a review of that in the very near future! The book I finished was called 'Shiver' by Maggie Stiefvater (read my initial thoughts on it here) but to be honest, my thoughts on it haven't really changed that much. The next book I've started is a biography, so a little bit more intellectual than the teen fiction I seem to have become accustomed to!

I hope you're all having a great Good Friday and have a fantastic Easter weekend! Speak soon and love to you all!

These are some lust-worthy picks from the high-street at the moment (sorry it's a bit Topshop heavy!). If only I had a money tree...I'm not actually going to get a chance to do any shopping really this weekend because I'm at work both days, but that's probably a good thing as I'll be earning money instead of spending it!

Dress: Topshop

Jumper: Topshop

Boots: River Island

Denim Shirt: River Island

Nail Varnish: Topshop

Bag: Accessorize
Images from relevant websites

I have to say the jumper is really screaming out to me, it's a got a neon yarn running through it which brings it bang up-to-date and makes it a bit more interesting than your bog standard slouchy jumpers. The dress is perfectly Spring-appropriate (if it stays kind of warm) and could be worn with a leather jacket now and maybe a denim jacket in the summer. The nail varnish is totally unnecessary what with the collection I have already but a girl can never have too many! 

I hope you're having a great weekend. Leave me a comment or a link to your blog and let me know what you're lusting over at the moment!

As always the fashion shows and catwalks have provided us with incredible inspirations and designs for what we will be wearing in the coming months. With numerous iconic shows and sets, including Louis Vuitton's Merry-Go-Round and Burberry's Hyde Park show, the Spring/Summer '12 line-up did not disappoint.

There are so many different prints to choose from nowadays. From spots to stripes, florals to flamingos, they come in all shapes and sizes and are a hot trend for the coming season. Seen on a lot of runways it seems prints will be injecting some fun and frolics into the wardrobes of the fashionable for the coming months.

Top: Topshop Unique

Middle: Holly Fulton

Bottom: Mary Karantzou
Images from google.com

One print that seemed to crop up at the Spring/Summer '12 shows is the geometric print, with bold lines and a clean aesthetic. Topshop Unique displayed this at their LFW show with absract knitted jumpers and dresses. Holly Fulton was another designer who embraced the geometric designs and prints and her bold designs were a stand-out on the SS catwalks this year. The accessories from Next this season are embracing this trend and make it easy to add a fashion-forward edge to an otherwise simple outfit. The black and white cuff or the Geo Super Wedge Sandals (pictured below) will instantly boost your fashion points.

As a slightly more subtle way to embrace the geometric trend, you could try Next's tapered trousers, featured below, which have a gorgeous, soft check print which would look fabulous with a bright, floaty shirt or a soft, slouchy jumper and strong, gold accessories.

Mary Katrantzou has also been making head-waves into the print trend, with many of her pieces featuring multiple prints on one piece (such as the dress above). Next's Scarf Print Shirt (featured in the March edition of British Elle magazine) is a sure-fire way to tap into this trend and would look effortlessly stylish paired with some simple trousers or a dark-wash jean. At just £30 it's a no-brainer to achieve the designer look without the designer price tag. 

Prints @Next

Let me know if you will be incorporating prints into your wardrobe this season. I definitely have my eye on the print shirt from Next - it's such a statement piece and a real talking point!

Hope you're having a delightful day!

Today is the most beautiful day. The sun is out and the sky is blue. Spring is probably my favourite season because you're finally able to shed some of the winter layers and experiment with fresh new ideas and inspirations. Part of that for me was starting this blog - feeling inspired by the change in seasons and the glorious abundance of truly remarkable blogs already out there for all to read. 

Love; Nails with Leighton Denny Nail Varnish 'Babydoll' and Rimmel Glitter Topcoat 'Disco Ball'; A Spring Walk; Hearts; Ladybird Mouse; Topshop blush 'Pop'; French Macaroons (macaroon image from google)

I wanted to share with you some of the things I've been loving recently, as well as some random things thrown in for good measure! The Topshop blush is a really bright neon-coral shade and is perfect for pepping up tired winter skin (sorry the packaging is a bit grubby). The Leighton Denny nail varnish was one I got in a GlossyBox (possibly November or October, I really can't remember) and, whilst I don't normally go for a soft pink option on the nails, I do actually quite like this one. The coverage it provides, like all of the Leighton Denny polishes I've tried, is second-to-none and it was very long-lasting on my nails.

The macaroons are not made by my own fair hands because I forgot to capture the ones I made before they were devoured (that, and they didn't look anywhere near as good as these ones). I did attempt to make some chocolate ones using a Nigella Lawson recipe recently though, and I have to say they tasted amazing! Give them a go if you're looking for something a little bit indulgent!

Image from foodnetwork.com

I hope the weather wherever you are is as good as it is here and that you're feeling optimistic with Spring in the air! Have a fantastic day!

Every Spring one of the biggest trends to hit the catwalks and high streets is florals. Big ones, small ones and everything in between. Whether it’s on clothes, bags, walls, notebooks or shoes, the floral print is a Springtime hit time and time again. And there must be a reason for this. Spring is the season of hope and new beginnings and blooming flowers represent new life and vitality in a way no other print can. Injecting a fabulous floral print into your wardrobe can bring old pieces back to life and bring you bang up to date, and the range from Next makes this really easy to do. 

The question is, how do you go about wearing it? 


In general there are two main options as to how to go about injecting some floral fun into your wardrobe. Option A is to go for one statement piece, such as this floral tea dress, and pair it with something simple such as black opaque tights (as it is very doubtful that this English weather will warrant bare legs) and either an old faithful leather jacket to add an edge to the outfit (such as this gorgeous one, also from Next), or a more tailored blazer for formal occasions.

Floral Tea Dress: £32 @ Next

Option B is to go for clashing prints. Now, this one isn’t for the faint-hearted and it can take a lot of courage to step out in an array of wonderful, colourful prints. To dip your toe into the world of clashing prints, you could team the tapered trousers with the Poppy Print Court shoes (below) and a simple black tank-top and structured blazer on top to keep the focus on the bottom half. This would certainly get you noticed but isn’t too over the top!

Poppy Print Court Shoes: £28 @ Next

Otherwise, if you wanted to go all out you could pair the trousers with a floral top, something with a smaller print and a pop of colour, to really make a statement. Alternatively, you could add a stripe somewhere into the mix - florals and stripes look fantastic together and would definitely put you ahead of fashion crowd. 


There are some really gorgeous ways to add some floral fun to your wardrobe this season, I'm definitely going to be trying out some new ways to play with it! What are favourite ways to wear florals? I'd love to know!


Talk soon and hope you're having a delightful day!