Jewellery Trend: The Statement Necklace

One popular jewellery trend of 2012 has definitely been the statement necklace. Chic and bold; statement necklaces are extremely popular because they can transform any simple outfit into something more special. Statement necklaces can be beaded, embellished, layered, twisted, feathered or geometric. The trend has featured in designer shops to the high street, all in different shapes, sizes and styles. You can wear a statement necklace with several different outfits to create many eye-catching looks. For example a statement necklace can instantly transform a LBD for a party while a casual t-shirt can be accessorised with a dramatic piece to add some flair to your day look.

Being a fan of this trend, a few weeks back this little beauty from Zara definitely caught my eye!

ZARA Cobalt blue stone with metal & ribbon woven statement necklace. Now sold out but you can still buy it on eBay it seems! (link)

The blue, green and orange in the necklace really brighten up any simple outfit! What do you think of the statement necklace trend, is this something you have been wearing? If you are worried about how to pull this trend of then just remember to keep rest of your outfit simple and and let the necklace make a statement all of its own!

Zara shopping spree purchases!

Zara is dangerous teritory for me at the moment. I can't seem to go into their stores without wanting to buy absolutely everything in there! Loving their recent collections. Saturday was another classic example of this problem. I was out trying to do some Christmas shopping and I thought I'd just take a quick peek in Zara. Big, big, BIG mistake! I ended up buying quite a few things and have realised that on top of my already out of control stripe addiction I am currently having similar symptoms for anything burgundy or checked.

Sigh...want to see the damage?

TRF Draped bird print dress with gathered waist - £29.99 (link)

TRF Dress with combination shoulders - £29.99 (link)

TRF Combined leather look front dress - £29.99 (link)

Zara Woman green and black checked shirt - £29.99 (link)

I personally would not wear this all buttoned up btw so not a fan of this Zara promo picture.

Zara Basic burgundy knitted scarf - £9.99 (link). Perfect for winter!

This is me wearing my new scarf and green checked shirt on Sunday.

And then there was this black and burgundy striped dress...

Zara Woman Burgandy and black striped dress - £49.99 (link)

I'd spotted it on their web store and seen it in the shop a few times and I just loved everything about it. So I finally tried it on this time and I wasn't 100% convinced on the fit but I still got it haha...

...BUT then after my shopping spree at Zara I walked past French Connection and they managed to lure me into the store with their 50% sale signs all plastered over the windows! In the sales rack I then spotted yet another burgundy and black striped dress, oh oh!

French Connection bands of colour bandage knit dress - £97 but at the moment 50% off so only £48.50! (link) So I tried it on and loved it, dilemma much?! I knew it would actually be a bit mental to keep both dresses so I decided to also buy the French Connection dress and then decide later which one to keep. At home I tried both on again and together with the flatmate we decided that the French Connection was the keeper! I think the fit was just more flattering and think I will get more use out of it because it is a bit longer which means I can wear it to work and easily dress it up or dress it down! Do you think I made the right choice? :)

And last but not least, I couldn't help myself when I saw this cute cotton blue/white cap sleeved block dress at French Connection. It's more of a summers dress but while on sale for only £21 and it being a classic 'me' dress, that I know i'll get plenty of wear out of....it was just a bargain couldn't pass on!

Soooo yeah, I didn't get much Christmas shopping done but love my new clothes haha! 

What do you think of my new purchases?

ZARA sales bargains!

It was a gorgeous sunny day in London on Saturday which meant shorts and singlet weather! I picked up this gorgeous emerald blue silk top in the ZARA sale a few weeks back so I thought I’d quickly show you a picture of my outfit of that day wearing my new top. This singlet was hiding in a jam-packed sales rack and I was stoked to find it was my perfect size and only £4!

Silk top: ZARA

Denim shorts: VERA MODA

Gold greek style sandals: ZARA

Gold and Turquoise earrings: H&M

Aviator sunglasses: RAYBAYS

Such a great colour!

I actually managed to control myself in the ZARA sale this year; the only other item I got was this silky black and white printed dress for onlu £16. It's perfect for work or going out for dinner or a few drinks on a weeknight.

Did you find any great bargains in the sales this summer? xoxo

Black, white and red at Royal Ascot

A couple of weeks ago it was that time of the year again to get all dolled up for the annual event that is Royal Ascot! I went with a group of friends last year which was so much fun that of course this year it again was high on our social must-do agenda! Last year I went for quite a colourful outfit (read post here) but this year I decided on a more classic black and white look. And when I think classic I think red lippy! So here the make up look for my day at Royal Ascot...

Makeup Used:

Clinique Stay-Matte oil free make up in #9 Neutral

Am loving this foundation at the moment, full review to follow.

MAC charcoal brown eyeshadow (shape and set eyebrows)

MAC Nylon and Wedge eyeshadows

MAC Springsheen blush

L'Oreal Super Liner in black (top lash line)

 Estee Lauder Sumptuous Waterproof mascara (link)

Collection2000 - Queen of Hearts lipstick

My friends and I had organised a huge bus to get us to Ascot so on Saturday 23 June all fifty of us got on a bus glammed up and ready for a day of fun! The bus was well stocked with prosecco, croissants and fun people which made for a fabulous start to the day :) 

My friend on the left is wearing my ZARA digital print dress as seen here (link)

White dress by ZARA (purchased a few months ago - you might be able to pick it up in the sale now!)

Black little blazer from little boutique shop in Paris

Black patent LK Bennett Selina Court Bow heels (as seen here)

Black Saucer Fascinator by Début (buy here from Debenhams)

Watch by Michael Kors

Silver diamonte studs from Karen Millen

We had lots of laughs and probably consumed a few too many bottles of bubbly that day ;) 

But hey I love a good excuse to dress up and have a fun day out with my friends so count me in again for next year I say! Have you ever been to Ascot or any other kind of horse races? xoxo

A ray of sunshine! #

A few weekends ago we were blessed with bright blue skies, balmy temperatures and lots of sunshine in the UK. London already is a fantastic city to live in but let me tell you it becomes an entirely different place when it is hot and sunny! The sun just seems to brings out the best in everyone; it becomes the happiest place on the planet. People will be out in their summer dresses or shorts with sandals, soaking up the sun in the many beautiful parks, having picnics or sitting on the terraces of many great cafes followed by drinking Pimm’s in the pub and alfresco dinning or rooftop BBQ’s!!

I think because we are not often blessed with that kind of weather here it makes us appreciate the sunshine and heat so much more that everyone is just super HAPPY!! In a nutshell, you can’t beat London on a summers day!

When it’s such lovely weather I always feel like wearing lots of colour to reflect my sunny mood; I thought this bright yellow dress fit the bill perfectly; I felt a bit like a ray of sunshine ;)

Dress: bought this about 3 years ago in New Zealand at Principals
Shoes: Nude flat sandals from ZARA, got these a couple of month's ago. Super comfy!
Jacket: Denim Jacket by Bershka (as seen here)

Gold & Turqoise clover necklace by Regina Pierallini (link)

Sunglasses by RayBan
Watch by Michael Kors

I started this glorious day with breakfast in the sun at Gusto in Notting Hill, which is a lovely little Italian cafe/restaurant just down the road from my house! It's so nice to have a fantastic local place where you can go for a coffee, sit outside and enjoy delicious food and super friendly service.

My delicious organic yoghurt with home made granola, banana and honey!

On my nails (and toes) I am wearing my favourite nail polish this summer
Bourjois 10 Days Nail Enamel in Macaron #25 (as seen here)

Sunshine makes me SO happy :)

And as I am writing this post as it is raining outside....c'mon please bring back summer?! xoxo

Spring/Summer Floral Print Trend +

Flowers are blooming all around us, including in our closets :) Roses, daffodils, daisies and orchids are a big fashion trend for Spring/Summer 2012. Floral prints have been all over the runways by designers from Prada to Dolce & Gabbana to Valentino. The floral trend is feminine and fresh, and a great look to ensure you stand out from the crowd this summer. 

You can mix up the colours to suit your mood, whether you feel like wearing bold colours such as red and blue, or more subtle colours, such as white and black. The floral trend is completely versatile, so you can adapt it to suit your personality; so don't think floral is only for girly girls or grandma's; it can also be an edgy bold look!

From the runways the floral trend has also hit the high street and I just couldn't resist picking up this floral print floaty top from ZARA a little while ago. I am not normally one for girly prints but I seem to received lots of lovely comments from people when I wear this top so I am glad I added this cute top to my summer wardrobe. Here a recent outfit of the day:

Silk sheer floral ruffle long sleeve top by ZARA

Light blue jeggings from H&M (as seen here)

I love the added shoulder ruffles on this top!

♥ My arm candy:
Watch by Michael Kors (find online at ASOS here)
Silver lucky clover bracelet (as seen here)
white crocodile bone ball bracelet (my parents bought it for me on their recent holiday to Cuba)
Gold cable bracelet with heart by Regina Pierallini (link)
Heart charm chain bracelet by Tiffany & Go
Turquoise and pink bracelets by H&M

Beige leather pump wedges by Invito (on sale now for €49.99 here)

I honestly can't enter a ZARA store at the moment without buying something!

These are some other florals items from ZARA that I have my little eye on....

♥ I absolutely ADORE the white floral blazer.......

What do you think of the floral trend; will you be adding some blossom to your wardrobe this summer?

How to wear neon this summer #

One of the trends for spring/summer 2012 is neon! Now this trend is definitely not for wall-flowers because you are bound to stand out in such bold colours. Neon can be tricky to pull off and I can understand you might be a little nervous about looking too teenybopper or feeling like an '80s train wreck! However I think by adding some sophisticated neon numbers to your spring/summer wardrobe, it can give just the right kind of 'shock value' to your look. 

I recently got this neon jumper from ZARA and every time I wear it I just feel so happy :)

ZARA Jumper with front cable ribbon in neon green/yellow (link)

White t-shirt by H&M

Blue skinny jeans by ZARA basics

Michael Kors watch

RayBan aviator sunglasses (as seen here)

I'm also loving my new Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars in white with double navy tongue (link)

They are super comfortable and white trainers are the perfect accessory with jeans for summer time.

Here are some neon/brights items I am loving that I think would add the right amount of POP to any look!

La Mer Neon wrap watch (link)

ZARA Denim shorts with neon detailing (link)

Cooperative Neon Open Weave Scarf (link)

ASOS skinny belt (link)

Christian Louboutin Pigalle Neon Pump

ZARA Neon shorts (link)

Cambridge Satchel Company Neon Coral Satchel (link)

ZARA Neon shorts (link)

ESSIE Neon nail polishes 

ZARA Yellow Blazer (link)

ZARA Lace dress with crossover back (link)

I recommend only wearing one or two neon items at a time. Neons pair well with neutrals like white, tan or black. Neons are not for the faint hearted, but by trying one or two pieces, you can wear the neon trend with confidence! Do you think you will give the neon trend a go this summer? xoxo

Trends: I heart coral! >

Another huge colour trend for Spring/Summer this year is coral. Designers and high street stores have all been adding lots of this shade to their collections for summer ranging from the subtlest pastel coral to a brighter neon hot pink/coral. Coral is a mix between pink and orange and also one of my all-time-favourite colours! 

I can’t think of a better way to bring some zing to your summer time wardrobe then by adding a few pieces drenched in this lovely shade. Seeing coral everywhere makes me so happy! Loving all of this....

The only problem with having my favourite colour splashed all over the shops means that everytime I see something in coral I just get a little crazy and have to buy it. Oh oh I think we have a problem! ;)

Here some coral pieces I picked up in the shops recently! 

Bright coral skinny jeans from River Island - only £20 (link)

One piece I really really wanted was a bright coral flowing maxi skirt but I looked everywhere and they were all sold out. Until I just randomly saw it in a 'last chance to buy' rack at River Island. It must have been my lucky day because it was the only one left, in my size and on sale for only £15; score!! 

I cant wait to wear this with a simple white singlet and some gold sandals ♥

A slightly more pinkish coral top with pleated shoulders from ZARA (link)

Online in the UK they seem to only have this in a light orange and white colour but in store they have it in more shades like this pretty coral one. I love the gold star button details at the back! I will wear this to work with suit or black trousers or on the weekend with dark skinny jeans for a nice day or nighttime outfit!

Maje & Sandro are two of my favourite French stores! Their clothing is a little pricey but their garments are always amazing quality and their collections just stunning. I got this dress in the Selfridges sale back in January and knew I just had to have it for summer. It looks a bit like a loose shift dress on the hanger but once on it's actually got a really nice tight fit and the low V neckline and high padded shoulders makes it short and sassy. I haven't had a chance to wear this yet but hopefully I will soon! Actually both Sandro and Maje have some gorgeous coral pieces in their current summer collection so I better avoid those shops for a little while.....

I think coral has a great blend of femininity and edginess that will works in any girl’s wardrobe! Don't be afraid to play with this trend in big doses...the more vibrant the hue, the better! As intimidating as bright corals may look, it's actually a very feminine and fresh look. For a bold look, go head-to-toe coral but if you're not ready to commit on this scale, just tone it down with neutral separates. Nude, caramel, khaki, gold and teal/turquoise go fabulously with coral; although black, white and silver are also a stylish alternative if you prefer a stronger contrast. You can also update neutral outfits you own with vivid coral accessories; a bold orange bag to brighten up your ensemble, or a coral belt or necklace to a little white dress for example makes for a chic and on trend accent!

I definitely ♥ coral. Will you be shining bright in coral this summer? xoxo