Monday 10 November 2014

OOTD FT Zara + River Island

Well i'm certainly not feeling the Monday Blues, as i've had a fabulous day spent with my two gorgeous friends in Brighton. We went for a spot of tea at the Blackbird Cafe, a lovely 1920's style tea room in the South Laines, followed by some window shopping at the newly opened Vintage store Drop Out Vintage.

I was feeling a little under the weather so I decided to dress comfortably in loose clothing, but still putting a glamorous twist to my outfit. 



I went for a Monochrome theme by teaming a Chunky White Knit with a quirky pair of Black Cat Leggings and finishing the outfit off with an Oversized Floppy Fedora- which I spent most of the day trying to keep on my head.. Living on the windy coast does have its downfalls!



Chunky Knit - Zara
Cat Leggings- Beyond Retro
Floppy Fedora - River Island
Boots - Charity Shop








I really love this outfit as it's so comfortable and easy to wear, the leggings add a fun twist to it and it's super cosy for those bitter wintery days. 

Hope you're all having a lovely Monday

xxE-Rxx


Friday 17 October 2014

OOTD - Back to the 60's


Leopard Print Coat - Beyond Retro 

Sweater Dress - BHS 

Necklace - Charity Shop 

Monday 6 October 2014

Ootd - 90's vibes


Leather Jacket - Camden Market
Turtle Neck - Oxfam
A-line Skirt - Zara
Boots - Charity Shop
Beret - Beyond Retro
Sunglasses - Kensington Garden Stall
Jewellery - Miss Selfridge



Thursday 25 September 2014

Ootd Ft Zara and Beyond Retro


Fur Gilet - Zara
Turtle Neck - Oxfam
Cord A-line Skirt - Beyond Retro
Boots - Oxfam 
Necklace - BHF 

Monday 15 September 2014

OOTD ft Beyond Retro


Chain Print Trousers - Beyond Retro 
Turtle Neck - Oxfam 
DR Martens - Beyond Retro 
Gold Chain - Beyond Retro
Belt - H&M 

Saturday 13 September 2014

OOTD ft Beyond Retro


Dress - Beyond Retro 
Pleated Skirt - Charity Shop 
Boots - Charity Shop
Bag - Beyond Retro 
Sunglasses - Brighton Market 

Thursday 4 September 2014

OOTD Ft Beyond Retro






Embroidered Dress - Beyond Retro

Chelsea Boots - Charity Shop

Wooden Necklace - Gift

Floppy Hat - Mad Hatters 






Thursday 21 August 2014

Festival Essentials - What to Wear and What to Pack!

I've been such a busy bee trying to figure out how photoshop works that my festival post is late! But better late than never and now that the Festival Season is still in the swing of things  I thought I would put together the essential items on the MUST PACK list and to give you an insight on what is going to be bang-on-trend this festival season!

Now i've been to a few festivals in my time, so I have a good experience of knowing what to pack in my rucksack.. the more festivals you go to, the more you realise what you should've packed in the first place.

So here are my top beauty essentials

Baby Wipes - There is nothing worse than queuing up for hours for the showers at festivals and missing all of the bands you came to watch, just take some baby wipes, freshen yourself up and you're good to go!

Dry Shampoo - I cannot stress this enough ladies and gents! There is nothing worse than having a grease-ball on top of your head, especially when you know you'll be taking lots of selfies, nobody wants to have a greasy selfie!

Toothpaste and Toothbrush - Gotta keep those Nashers fresh and clean!

Deodorant - Absolute must!!! This could be a serious hazard if forgotten, hot climates, crowds of people, lots of dancing... see where i'm going with this?

Concealor - It's always nice to wear less make-up at festivals and go for the more natural summer look, but I always pack my concealor just to freshen up the eyes and cover up any scars/spots.

Suncream - One of the highest factors! Don't do a Me and think that factor 8 suncream is going to protect you, because it won't! You will end up having triangles on your chest, panda eyes and a very sore head if you go any lower than factor 15. We may live in England, but that sun can do some damage, don't under-estimate it! :)

Mirror - Believe it or not, the first ever festival I went to, I forgot to take a mirror.. When you're stuck in a field for 3-5 days you realise how much you miss having a mirror around. 

Hair brush - It may seem obvious, but trust me when you're packing you tend to forget the things you use everyday..

Moisturiser - You could probably get away with using suncream for the weekend, but I would recommend taking a night cream so you look fresh-as-a-daisy in the morning.


Now what to wear wise... My moto when dressing for festivals is to push the boundaries, have fun with colours, but also make sure what you're going to wear is practical and comfortable, as don't forget you're going to be in the middle of nowhere, with limited clothes to choose from.

There are no rules and regulations at festivals, when it comes to what you can wear, so why not take advantage? :) 

Here are a few outfits I've put together to give you some inspiration!

















Monday 18 August 2014

OOTD Ft Beyond Retro & ASOS


Vintage 1960's Coat - Beyond Retro 
High Neck Backless Dress - ASOS 
Gladiator Sandals - TKMAXX 
Watch - New Look
3D Shell Ring - New Look 

Wednesday 6 August 2014

New shoes!

Found these little gems in Oxfam on Western Road Brighton. Monochrome Pointed Shoes originally from ASOS! £7.99 later and they are now mine. 

I always have to remind myself before I purchase items, what they will go with in my wardrobe, but these are definitely a staple piece that will go with every outfit! 


Wednesday 16 July 2014

OOTD ft ZARA, River Island & Beyond Retro



Coat - Zara 
Embellished Dress - Beyond Retro 
Sandals - River Island 
Sunglasses - Handmade by Izzy 

Wednesday 9 July 2014

OOTD - 80's Chic


Jumpsuit - Beyond Retro
Waist Belt - Beyond Retro
Flatforms - ASOS 




Friday 4 July 2014

OOTD Ft Topshop and H&M


Gingham Crop Top - TopShop 
Skirt - H&M 
Glitter Socks - River Island
Snake Skin Shoes - TopShop
Bangles - Miss Selfridge 

Thursday 26 June 2014

June Favourites

Hey Everyone!

It's time for the low-down on my favourite products i've been loving this month. I love these kinds of posts, because it really helps decipher the good products from the bad, especially when some can be really pricey; you don't want to waste money on something that isn't up to scratch!



First up is my absolute favourite and i've been obsessing over this ever since I bought it. Of course, it's the Kate Moss Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick in shade 107. I cannot get enough of this lippy.. so much so, I wear it day and night. It is the most flattering and pigmented lipstick and because it has a Matte finish, it lasts longer and it's less messy. For example, if I put this lippy on in the morning before work, it will still last right up until I finish in the late afternoon and it's perfect for kissing too as it doesn't budge or smudge. It comes in a cute red packaging with Kate's signature and a little love heart, which I think is adorable, but the best thing about this lippy, is that it literally tastes like berries! There are so many lipsticks I have tried and tested and have been really unhappy with them, especially some of the Barry M lipsticks, because they taste like plasticine or clay and they sit really heavily on my lips, but this lipstick is so light and even though it is Matte, it's not dry at all. There are 5 different shades to choose from, which are perfect for the summer and they retail in at £5.99, which I think is an absolute steal for the quality that you're getting. You can purchase them Here



Next up is my go-to skin care product when my skin is feeling really de-hydrated; Clarins HydraQuench Cream Mask. This product is incredible and does exactly what it says on the tin! Over the Autumn/Winter/Spring periods, yep pretty much all year round, my skin is so de-hydrated, to the point where it starts to become really dry on my T-zone. I'm always really self-conscious of it and constantly try to hydrate my skin with moisturisers, face masks and making sure I always take my make-up off before bed. BUT nothing worked until I found this little number. It was actually gifted to me by Clarins as a birthday treat when I was invited for a free facial and make-over. So of course, being a freebie, I had to give it a go! It's really easy to use, all you do is spread a thin even layer across your face, avoiding your eyes and lips, leave it on for 5-10 minutes and then wipe off with a toner and cosmetic pad, simple! The good thing to tell if it's working is if after the time is up, the cream is completely absorbed by the skin. For extra hydration, I normally follow with the HydraQuench Cream Moisturiser in Normal to Dry skin and then I'm good to put my makeup on. It does retail in at £33, which I know is a lot of money, but I have had this product for 8 months now and I've barely used half of it as you only need a small amount. It's definitely an investment worth investing in if you want results. You can purchase Here



Primark are doing me proud at the moment with their Fashion Nails. These babies are perfect if you're having a bad-nail-day and you just want a quick manicure to freshen them up. You get 24 nails in a pack, plus the adhesive glue and the thing I love about these, is that there are so many shapes and sizes to choose from, that you don't have to spend ages filing each one down to fit perfectly on your nails! They're so easy to apply and they don't ping off after hard labour. I now work in retail at Beyond Retro, so my job is very heavy-handed and after a long shift they're still intact and easy to just wipe clean. For £1 a pack and available in some amazing designs, you can't really go wrong. The only thing I will say, is that I wouldn't recommend using these long term, as your nails need to breathe to be healthy and the glue could potentially damage them.



Last but definitely not least it has to be the Maxfactor Face Finity 3-in-1 All Day Flawless Foundation. Where do I start with this one? I have trawled through foundation after foundation to finally find the perfect one for me and this is it! It is a Primer, Concealer and Foundation in one product and it really lives up to what it's claiming to do. It gives great coverage, calms down redness, conceals dark eyes and spots and doesn't sit heavily on your skin. There's a lovely fresh scent to it as well so you don't feel like you're caked in foundation. At first I opted for the Warm Almond shade as I was recommended this by the Maxfactor assistant at Boots, but because my skin is very fair it really wasn't my colour and warmed my skin up far too much. So I tried the Light Ivory shade the second time round and it was much better. It is super pale, which I like because I have a lot of redness to my cheeks and it really calms them down, I would definitely recommend finishing with a warmer-toned powder just to add a little bit of colour back into your face as this shade can wash you out if you're not careful. I love the packaging, the glass bottle makes it look more high-end and there's a handy pump so you don't end up spilling foundation everywhere. It also has built in SPF 20 which is paramount in this hot weather! There are 6 shades to choose from and it retails in at £10.99. I think this is a good price for a foundation and something us ladies should be spending on it. At the end of the day your face is such a delicate part of your body and needs a good foundation that will improve your skin, so I'm happy to pay that little bit extra to ensure my skin is looked after. Try it yourselves Buy Here




Tuesday 17 June 2014

News, Kemp Town Carnival and Moving House!

Hello my lovelies! 

I have just checked my blog and I have realised it's been almost two weeks since I last made a post. Unbelieveable! I have had the craziest two weeks so there's a lot to post about.. 

First up, I ventured down to Kemp Town Carnival in Brighton. It was soo much fun! Music, food, Fashion and Art stalls everywhere and of course glorious weather..It was my idea of heaven! 

We went to the Bristol Bar stage which is right in the depths of Kemp Town and we saw this amazing band called "Captain of the Awesome Ship" not really sure about their name, but they're a London based Jazz/Funk band and I highly recommend you check them out. So much groove! 
We met these lovely ladies who were already dancing and we really wanted to dance! 


It really was the best day ever! 

In other news I've just moved into a lovely new house and I've been going a bit monochrome crazy!

I'm so pleased with my dresser! It was originally mahogany so I just sanded it down and painted it white and then added the mirror which cost me £20 off Gumtree and the table was only £5. It just goes to show that you can restore something and make it look really expensive if you give it a bit of a make-over. 

What have you all been up to? I'd love to hear your stories :)

xE-Rx











Wednesday 4 June 2014

Best Vintage Buys!

I may not talk about it very often, but I absolutely love Vintage clothes. Everything about them, from the character and charm they possess to the statement and style they portray. Whenever I find a new garment that I like and try it on I get this feeling of empowerment, I feel grown up, classy and most importantly very confident with who I am. To some people it may sound very "Materialistic" but to me I see it as an escape. I love waking up in the morning feeling like my hair and body is a manikin that I can throw clothes and accessories on to and just go completely wild.. So i'm probably sounding like a crazy person, but who's judging? Anyway, my point of this post is to show you more of the Vintage part of my wardrobe. Sadly I have thrown a few things away over the years.. BIG mistake I know, but you live and you learn. So here you have it.. My vintage wardrobe! 









Most of these clothes are from Beyond Retro, Ebay, Charity Shops and Vintage Fairs! Come to think of it, I really need to invest in a bigger Vintage wardrobe, oh well any excuse to go shopping! :)

xxE-Rxx

Monday 2 June 2014

OOTD ft H&M, New Look & TKMAXX


Firework Print Top - Charity Shop
Pencil Skirt - H&M
Gladiator Boots - TKMAXX
Pharoah Necklace - New Look
70's Sunglasses - Brighton Vintage Stall

Sunday 25 May 2014

Us Baby Bear Bones (Last Ever Gig) Review

I was lucky enough to catch the last ever Us Baby Bear Bones gig on Monday at the Green Door Store in Brighton and I have to say it definitely felt like an end of an era. If you haven't heard of this band then you have either been living under a rock for the past four years, or just not living at all! Puff, Daisy and Luke create the most dreamy Pop music. Imagine elements of Mew mashed up with Coco Rosie, with a sprinkle of Aphex Twin, Progressive time signatures, ethereal melodies and heavy battle drums. Cleverly written vocals from the lyrics to the harmonies. This group of multi-instrumentalists come together to create this very interesting and impressive sound- it's inevitable they're a band you could never forget. 



The atmosphere at the Green Door Store was blissful, friends of the band were there, which must've made them feel right at home and also some new comers who'd never seen them live before. But what I really loved is that they have a really endearing way of interacting with the crowd. When they're performing, the band go into their own little bubble and everything intensifies. They literally have you hanging on every note and lyric that they play and it's incredible to watch. But when the music stops, they go back to their usual, playful and sweet characters that we all know and love.


Formed back in 2010, Us Baby Bear Bones showcased their band launch at the White Night Festival. The night was amazing, hundreds of people were there. There was a magical puppet show featuring the Papier Lunes, a stall where you could create your own picture monsters and incredible music from local bands throughout the night.
Over the years the band built up a respectable fan base, releasing one of their first music videos 'You' which raked in nearly 45,000 views on Youtube. They went onto support the likes of Alice Russell, Washed Out and just recently came off tour with Sophie Ellis Bexter.




Their creativity is overwhelming. They make all their own visuals for their live shows, promo videos and merchandise and they even recorded their first E.P (What Starts With A 'U' Ends With An 'I') in their own bedroom!Buy Here 
I managed to grab one of the last copies of their limited edition E.P, which has a unique segment of artwork with a special code on the back. You go onto their website www.usbabybearbones.com and type in the code to reveal this beautifully detailed and hand-painted picture. 




With Us Baby Bear Bones coming to an end it's clear to say that we will all be in mourning, but I have high hopes that they will return, reincarnated and with fresh new material to please our ears.

You can purchase their brand new E.P (Ursari) by clicking here

I hope you're all having a lovely bank holiday!

xE-Rx

Friday 23 May 2014

OOTD ft Topshop & H&M

The lovely Rosie looked amazing last night at a works house party I went to. I just had to post this little number up, how cute does she look?


Lace Top - H&M 
Dungarees Playsuit - Topshop
Sunglasses - Vintage 
Jewellery - All Vintage 
Opaque Tights - Primark 

Wednesday 21 May 2014

ASOS Customer Service and Complaints Review

I thought this might be a useful subject to blog, as unfortunately for us fashionistas we can find ourselves unhappy with the quality of garments and footwear that we purchase, but when they cause an injury to our bodies that causes more concern than anything! 
Back around New Year time I purchased, what I thought were the most incredible pair of Metallic Silver Flatforms from ASOS. 

I must admit they were originally £28 and I got them for £19.50 in the sale. They also clearly stated they were made from Leather-Look material, so of course they're not going to be the most robust pair of sandals. Anyway, it was Easter weekend and I had just picked up some bits from the shops for Easter dinner with some friends and of course I was wearing my favourite flatforms! I was walking home and the next minute I knew I was on the floor, knee completely blooded up whilst my friends try and help me up. The toe strap off both shoes had completely snapped off!! Couldn't believe it! Luckily my friends helped me home and cleaned me up and took a picture of the injury (See pic below). I posted it on Twitter and tagged ASOS in the status and soon enough their Customer Service team messaged me and told me I would receive a full refund and a discount, delightful! They were so apologetic, super helpful and quick to turn my frown upside down!


So with my discount and refund I have purchased a new pair of real leather Flatforms (See pic below) I received 10% off so I got them for £31.50 and they're on their way in the post!


So if you are going to purchase shoes/sandals from Leather-Look material, be very cautious when you do, because even though you may think you're getting a bargain, it's probably not worth the injury you may get! Sometimes it really is worth paying more, then at least you know the quality is good and they will last longer. 

I would love to hear of any similar stories as well so please do leave a comment below! 

xXE-RXx