My Essie Collection

This is a post I've been meaning to write for a while, but I'll admit, I didn't realise how out of hand things had gotten! Essie is my go-to polish brand of choice, I love the thick glossy formula, the wide, flat wand & how they seem to have every colour I want! 

This is going to take a while, so without further ado, I'm going to jump in! 

Roarrange: A bold summery orange, I love this on my toes! 

Haute In The Heat: A deep bold pink with blue undertones. A good one for the nails that's a little more subtle than full-on fuschia.

Orange It's Obvious: A bold orange that looks awesome with light wash jeans. 

Watermelon: A classic punchy pink that looks good on everyone. 

Peach Daiquiri: A bold peach with pink undertones. 

Too Too Hot: A summery red with orangey undertones. 

Tart Deco: A creamy peach shade.

Damsel In A Dress: A deep purple with a silvery shimmer.

Dress To Kilt: A warm pink toned red.

Jump In My Jumpsuit: A cherry red with a hint of blue warmth.

Bahama Mama: A creamy plum shade. 

Russian Red: A classic blue toned red. 

Shearling Darling: A mahogany red.

Splash of Grenadine: A bright magenta that I just adore.

After School Boy Blazer: A deep navy.

Hubby for Dessert: A light, sheer lilac.

Jazzy Jubilante: A pink, blue and green glitter topcoat.

Stroke of Brilliance: A gorgeous blue glitter topcoat.

Chinchilly: A warm greige.

Penny Talk: A rosy gold shimmery polish.

Summit of Style: A gold glitter.

Mademoiselle: A sheer baby pink shade.

Fiji: A milky baby pink.

Good To Go Topcoat: A quick drying topcoat.

Sequin Sash: A nude gold shimmer.

Grow Stronger Base Coat: A strengthening base coat. 

Cabana Boy: A milky almost-white lilac. 

Urban Jungle: A milky off-white.

Parka Perfect: A dusky blue with a hint of silver shimmer.

First Base: A lightweight base coat. 

Tuck it in my Tux: A sheer white. 

Grow Stronger Base Coat: I keep a second bottle of this to hand! 

Tassel Shaker: A fiery copper orange glitter strand topcoat. 

Jiggle Hi Jiggle Low: A metallic sheeny silver. 

Blanc:  A straight up white.

Phew!

Are you an Essie fan?

What Nobody Tells You About Working From Home

For a lot of people, working from home is the end goal - because who wouldn't want to spend all day in their PJ's or work from bed? 

The reality though, often isn't quite so glamorous. 

You'll work more. This is two-fold, you'll get more work done at home in the same time you'd have spent at work, but you'll also spend lots more time working. First it'll be working through your usual commute time, and eventually you'll find yourself struggling to tear yourself away from your laptop for evenings and weekends. 

You'll clean more. Because if your home is a mess, you'll find it near impossible to concentrate on getting work done. 

Your Starbucks bill will be huge. Because you will just be desperate to get out of the house and work anywhere else.

You have to be your own boss + editor. Which means you have to be a lot harder on yourself than you are used to. You have to stay on top of yourself, do things you don't want to do, and be aware of your own weaknesses & errors. 

Everyone will always assume your free. Your friends will think you are free at all hours of the day, and probably be offended when you decline invitations due to work. 

It's lonely. You'll pounce on your significant other as soon as they walk in the door, desperate for someone to talk to. Which is why it's so important to have fellow freelancer friends!

10 Favourites from May

I thought I'd mix things up with the format of this month's favourites video, so instead of your usual ramble, I've curated a list of 10 favourites, beauty, fashion and lifestyle bits, into a 96 second video. I hope you enjoy something a little different - let me know what you think in the comments!

Back In Rotation

When your beauty collection is as oversized as mine, it's inevitable that after a period of intense lust, products fall by the wayside and end up gathering dust. A change of season is as good a reason as any to have a product shakeup, and fall back in love with old favourites - which is exactly what I've done this week!

My MAC Palette has been neglected for a while, partly because it's super bulky, and partly because it doesn't have a mirror - boo! BUT, it's home to some awesome MAC, Benefit & Makeup Geek shadows that deserve a lot more love than they get. I've had this out on my dresser for the last few weeks and I've been really enjoying it. I've reignited my love affair with MAC Woodwinked and it doesn't look like it'll be dying down any time soon.

I haven't really been powdering much over the winter months, favouring a dewy finish, but I find I prefer the finish of my L'Oreal Magic Cushion Foundation with a little powder on the T Zone, so I pulled my trusty Bourjois Healthy Balance Powder out of hibernation. I forgot how much I love this stuff - it gives such a gorgeous matte finish, but doesn't look cakey or compromise on glow. 

The sunny weather prompted me to pull my Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Eau Fraiche out of the bathroom cabinet, and I'm SO glad I did. This stuff smells like Summer in a bottle, and is just perfect for this time of year.

And lastly, I've been loving rough drying my hair and then generously spritzing with the Bumble and Bumble Surf Infusion Spray for that natural, tousled, just got out of bed wavy look. This stuff is amazing, it gives texture and hold without feeling crunchy or drying the hair out.

Have you rediscovered any old favourites recently?

5 Clothing Stores I Keep Going Back To

Shopping for clothes is not a task I enjoy. I seem to have different dimensions to the women shops create clothes for, so finding things that both fit me and that I like tends to be a bit of a chore. Because of this, I tend to return to the same stores over and over, and it looks a little something like this. 

American Eagle: Kings of the casual attire, American Eagle is the one store on earth that sells jeans that fit me properly - therefore I will love them forever. My latest purchase was a pair of boyfriend jeans that I'm totally obsessed with.

Pick Up: jeans, workout gear & bralettes for bigger boobs! 

All Saints: If I could buy everything in All Saints I would, but my bank balance forbids me. If you live in London it's always a good idea to keep your eyes peeled for their sample sales that happen regularly in East London - you'll be guaranteed a few bargains! 

Pick Up: shirts, shoes & leather jackets.

Whistles: Is there anything more satisfying than the inside of a Whistles store? No, I think not. Again, Whistles do some excellent sales, so it's worth keeping an eye out, but I love the quality of their clothes, they always use the best fabrics!

Pick Up: sweaters, slogan tees & small leather goods.

Victoria's Secret: I went for a bra fitting at Victoria's Secret last year and it changed my whole world - their bras are sensational. I don't shop anywhere else for bras now! 

Pick Up: bras, sportswear & PJ's.

Kurt Geiger: Any opportunity to show off my glitter shoes.

Pick Up: shoes & bags.

 

Where are your shopping go to's? 

3 For The Eyes

A quick beauty round up for you today, three products I've been really loving recently, all for the eyes!

Urban Decay 24/7 Waterline Pencil in Walk Of Shame: Some real talk for you - I haven't been sleeping well recently, and I've been crying a LOT, so this has been a total life saver. A nude eye pencil with a creamy, long lasting formula, perfect for applying first thing (or post cry!) to neutralise redness and brighten up the eye area. Best £15 I ever spent. 

Innisfree Brow Pencil: Natural looking brows in thirty seconds. This pencil is a little on the waxy side, so it's super long lasting and it's really hard to go wrong with! I just use this to even things out, and it's SO easy.

NARS Audacious Mascara: I didn't expect to love this but I really do. It's got a plastic wand with duo bristles that really grab each lash well. The formula is a little wet, but it means when your lashes dry, they look SUPER black. Big thumbs up.

What eye products have you been digging recently? 

5 Things: Curating a Timeless Wardrobe

I'm not a big clothing shopper - I find it hard to find clothes that fit my shape (tall with broad shoulders, big boobs & hips but no bum whatsoever) and that I like, so I tend to buy things and wear them to death. Because of this, I tend to gravitate towards great quality clothes that I know I'll love and wear for a really long time. I want my clothes to be timeless, because it took me so long to find them inn the first place!

I didn't used to be this way, I used to be a ride or die fan of fast fashion, splurging on a monthly basis in Primark. Turning my wardrobe around wasn't easy, but it was well worth it - and this is how I did it. 

1. Start over. Eliminate clothes that don't fit the brief, clothes you've only worn once, clothes that have holes in, clothes that feel cheap or uncomfortable. Get rid of the 'filler' clothes, and keep what you really love. 
2. Simplify. Do you have the basics? Do you really need that neon pink skirt with laced overlay and scalloped edges? Look for clothes in classic cuts and colours that you know you'll still love in 5 years time. 
3. Choose flattering cuts. If your bum looks great in Skinny Jeans, don't buy boyfriend jeans just cause they're in season. Stick with clothes that suit you and your body shape, rather than trend led pieces. That doesn't mean to say you can't buy on - trend clothes, just look for pieces that follow trends whilst flattering you, that you feel 100% comfortable in. 
4. Invest in staples. Good jeans, a great coat, handbags - that kinda thing. Spend money on the things you know you'll wear for years and years. 
5. Pick fabrics carefully. Timeless, beautiful pieces don't have to cost the earth. Look for more budget friendly pieces that are made out of great fabrics, and have expensive looking embellishments. Steer clear of anything with cheapy zips or buttons.

Are you a trend follower or a classic kinda dresser?

The Spring Lip Wardrobe

I love me a good Spring lip colour - so much so they're probably the shades I reach for all year round. And because it's spring - I get a good excuse for my samey-samey lip choices. Peachy nudes for the win, am I right? 

L'Oreal Infallible Matte Max Lip Colour in Silencio: I LOVE the formula of these, a weird kinda lip powder, completely different to anything else I've tried. Super longwearing and natural looking, these sort of pat into the lips to make it look like your lips were just naturally this colour. 

Clarins Joli Rouge Lipstick in Tea Rose: The perfect, everyday, chuck-it-on-and-know-you'll-look-good nude. Creamy and pigmented, not too glossy and comfortable on the lips. 

Dior Addict Lipstick 578: A simple, no-fuss, no-frills pink. Slightly sheer, but buildable, I love this for a one swipe, hint of tint sorta thing. 

Too Faced Melted Liquid Lipstick in Metallic Macaron: Looks scary in the swatch but don't be dissuaded. This is a bold, metalic fuschia, but a little of this patted into the lips gives a beautiful pop of pink that's not too in your face, and lasts all day. 

Soap and Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Lipstick in Naked Talent: I LOVE the reformulation of these lipsticks, naked talent is a slightly glossy, high pigment nude with a tint of peach, and just kinda goes with everything. 

Chanel Rouge Coco Lipstick in Adrienne: A demi-matte finish which wears all day with ease. This one is a kind of burnt peach which looks amazing with a flawless base and neat winged liner. 

What's your go to spring lip colour? 

(L-R: L'Oreal Infallible Matte Max Lipstick in Silencio, Clarins Joli Rouge Lipstick in Tea Rose, Dior Addict Lipstick in 578, Too Faced Melted Liquid Lipstick in Metallic Macaron, Soap and Glory Sexy Motherpucker Lipstick in Naked Talent, Chanel Rouge Coco in Adrienne.)

Being Productive When You Have Nothing To Do

Maybe it's a quiet week, or maybe you've just totally bossed your to do list - but you've done everything you needed to by 2pm and you're wondering how to fill the next three hours. 

Sure it might be nice to grab a carton of ice cream and settle in to watch cat videos & read Buzzfeed articles - but what about using the time productively? 

Sometimes, the most satisfying thing in the world is to keep being productive even after you've done everything else. But how to fill that time? 

- Organise something. A cupboard, your planner, your desk or the files on your computer. Tackle an organisational mess you've been putting off forever. You know what they say - tidy house, tidy mind. 

- Put a date in the diary. A coffee catch up with friends, a course to help you further your social media skills, a meeting with a great contact. Use the time to make your time ahead even better. 

- Set new goals. Take some time to reasses your goals, and create actionable steps to achieve them. Plan out dates to achieve them, and rewards for getting there!

- Prep Instagram photos for when you're busy. The key to a successful Instagram account is regular content, so spend some free time shooting great Instagram photos for the next time you're busy. 

- Tidy up your Pinterest boards. The Pinterest algorithm favours content that has lots of interactions, so delete stuff that didn't do so well, organise your boards into a system that makes sens, change up your cover photos, and get pinning! 

- Learn something new. Sign up for a new class on skillshare, look for a new webinar on creating awesome content, or look for a class near you on a skill you've always wanted to hone. 

- Read an inspiring book. Currently on my bedside table is Big Magic. 

- Fix broken links & update blurry images on your site. One of those things that needs doing regularly, but we always put off because it's so time consuming. 

What are your top tips for filling time productively?

The Sunday Night Products

There should be a rule that Sunday's be devoted to pampering. I'm all for a slow Sunday night, running a hot bubble bath to soak in for a few hours, reading a book and indulging in some head to toe pampering. In fact, it's a weekly occurrence.

I start by running a giant, hot bath. I usually opt for a Lush bath bomb or bubble bar, but recently I've had a different combination on the go. I handful of Epsom Salts, a dash of Elemis Aching Muscle Super Soak, and a splash of Lush The Comforter Shower cream too. The result is a bath that smells awesome and also really helps my end-of-the-week aches. 

Whilst the bath is running I switch off my phone (or I leave it in another room), put on some music (I love Divenire by Ludovico Einaudi) and light a few candles. 

Whilst I'm relaxing I tend to cover my hair in the Phillip Kingsley Elasticizer, which really helps my coloured hair feel soft and healthy, not brittle. I apply this to wet hair and leave it in until I shampoo my hair at the end. I then go in with a healthy dose of the Lee Stafford Treatment for Hair That Never Grows Past A Certain Length. I've used this for years now and my hair just adores it. 

I tend to do my skincare routine when I first get in the bath so that I can put a mask on to work it's magic whilst I soak. I use the Super Facialist By Una Brennan Probiotic Micellar Cleansing Water to take off my makeup, and then go in with the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish for a deep cleanse. A good layer of the Clinique Moisture Surge Intense Moisturiser, before going in with the Kiehl's Cilantro and Orange Pollutant Defending Masque, which makes my skin feel clear and healthy.

Out of the bath and I slather my skin in the Laura Mercier Body Souffle in Ambre Souffle, which smells like a sexy biscuit, and makes my skin feel great. I apply the Bumble and Bumble Don't Blow It Hair Styler into the lengths of my locks, and then braid it, so I don't have to bother with styling. A little of the La Roche Posay Effaclar AI on any blemishes, and a thick layer of the Bobbi Brown Lip Balm and I'm ready for bed. I spritz my pillow with the Jurlique Revitalising Blend Arometherapy Mist and I'm ready for bed!

Do you have a Sunday night routine?

Embracing Pattern

If you were to open my wardrobe, you would find a whole host of clothes in one very specific colour range - black, white and grey. I'll hold my hands up and admit to being the least experimental person ever when it comes to clothes, I like classic cuts, plain colours and - well, black. 

But every time the whether starts to perk up, I start daydreaming of a Spring wardrobe filled with colour, flowers and importantly, patterns. 

But everytime I try to incorporate these elements into my wardrobe, I just don't end up wearing them. SO, this year, I've tried really hard to find patterned pieces that do work with my strictly monochrome wardrobe, and that I've actually been really enjoying wearing. 

Insert stage left these babies from H&M. I picked these up on a desperate shopping mission last week when I was basically going "Oh my god it's so effing hot in England and all I own is black skinny jeans". I love that they're loose fitting whilst still being a slim cut, so they're still quite flattering. Whilst yes, the print is kinda nuts, it's not too bright and colourful that I don'w feel comfortable in them. 

They're super soft, with a stretchy waistband that my food babies appreciate. I ended up sizing up in these to get a fit that I liked, but I am so pleased with them, I'm thinking about picking them up in a few different colours!

And the best part of these trousers? The price! At £7.99 I may just go back and pick up a few more pairs. 

My Tips For Making Patterns Work

- Pick one patterned item, and balance it out with plain pieces. I always opt for a plain black, white, or grey oversized tee with patterned trousers and skirts, or skinny jeans with a patterned to. 

- Stick within your colour scheme. If you're not used to patterns, ease yourself into it gently with clothes that fit in your usual colour scheme - you'll never wear something bright and patterned if you're used to dark plain clothes.

- Think about the fit of your clothes & the size of the pattern. I never wear small, intricate patterns on loose fitting tees because I know it makes me look HUGE, but I know that small patterns on fitted trousers actually makes my legs look longer - woohoo!

- Keep everything else simple. Steer clear of fussy bags and crazy hair, and let your pattern be the star of the show!

Are you guys pattern lovers?

The Dirtiest Burgers Ever

 When your friend asks you if you want to go try out London's hippest burger places with her, the only appropriate answer is yes. 

That's how Ghenet and I ended up in Shoreditch on a sunny Friday afternoon, cameras in hand, ready to eat some dirty burgers at Dirty Burger.

I've heard a lot about Dirty Burger, mostly from the wonderful Carrie, who sings it's praises on the regular. 

Now steer clear of this place if you aren't a burger fan - the clue is in the name, they're only dishing up burgers here. I opted for the special, a halloumi, rep pepper and bacon jam burger, whilst Ghenet ordered the 'Dirty Cop Out' veggie burger. An order of crinkle cut fries and onion fries and we were good to go.

 When they say Dirty Burgers - they really mean it. The food arrives fresh, fast and served up on cutesy retro trays. The side portions are generous and delicious, but the burgers really are the star of the show. Both Ghenet and I didn't put them down from start to finish, and ended up with sauce and juice all down our hands. The bacon jam + halloumi combo was a real star, and Ghenet gave her portobello mushroom, applewood cheddar combo a big thumbs up too. The brioche buns were the perfect compliment to the burgers too and both Ghenet and I finished our meals with a satisfied groan. Food babies were a definite. 

So, if you're in East London and you're looking for a deliciously decadant, dirty treat - look no further! 

Thoughts On: Being Unique

At a time when the blogosphere is oversaturated with young daydreamers sharing their thoughts online, staying unique is harder than ever. 

If you're blogging yourself, or reading blogs, chances are that you have a creative nature within you. And that's great, and I encourage you to cultivate, inspire and indulge your creativity on a daily basis, in every way you can. I encourage you to seek out inspiration in any way you can, whether that's through exploration, or consumption of other people's media.

And that is absolutely great - there are so many people out there who create content that is wildly inspiring, and that should encourage us all to get out and create more.

The problem lies when you stop being inspired by people, and start copying them.

And yes, it's a fine line. So you see a blog post on Bloglovin' and think, 'hell yeah, I wanna do a post on that'. And that's great. But it's important to thing 'what can I bring to this idea that's new and exciting and different. What is my unique perspective?' - and it's this additional creative thinking that keeps you unique.

We are all a product of our own environments, everything we do, see, read and consume has a bearing on what we create - but in creating something unique, different and exciting, that's how we stay ahead of the curve. 

Stealing people's ideas, style and content, will get you nowhere. 

Encourage your uniqueness, creativity and personality, and you need never fear being a copycat. 

The Video: Meetings, Press Days + A Book Launch!

Another Wednesday, another weekly vlog! This week I was manic with meetings, press events & a launch for an exciting decor book. I'm glad I'll have these to look back on, I'm so grateful for all the opportunities this blog has given me!

Let me know what you think in the comments!

5 To Try

It's been a really long time since I've done one of these posts so I figured it was about time they made a reappearance. Today I've got five products I've been putting to the test recently, that are worth picking up and giving a go.

First up, the Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist, a gorgeous fresh rose toner that my skin just adores. In this humidity, having this on my desk just gives the best pick me up. I spent some time chatting to the Jurlique team at the Debenhams beauty press day, and it was so interesting to hear about the process behind the creation. Did you know that 10,000 organic rose petals go into each bottle? MADNESS.

The Formula X Clix The Classics has been on my Sephora to pick up list for the longest time, but it's always out of stock. I found this in Paris last month and I was so pleased to finally get ahold of it. In particular, I love the shade Thrilling, a gorgeous greige-y shade that just goes with everything. The formula of Formula X polishes is phenomenal, and this is a great way to try them out!

Whilst we are on the topic of nail polish, I recently picked up the Revlon Multi Care Base & Top Coat, and so far so good. It dries quickly, isn't super thick and gloopy, and I'm on day 3 with no chips. I'll keep you posted on this one! 

I picked up the NARS Blush in Impassioned on a bit of a whim in Space NK and BOY am I glad I did. It doesn't look like much in the pan, but on the cheeks it's super sculpting, and really gorgeous. I love that it's matte, it looks super natural on the skin, and I haven't put it down since I got it. 

And lastly, I've been pretty lazy on the eye makeup front recently, I've been reaching a lot for the Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon in Smoky Emerald. I just scribble this along my lash line and blend out with a synthetic brush for the easiest smokey eye ever. 

What have you been trying out this week? 

How I Made Project Life Work For Me

Now whilst I am a very creative person, I am not even a little bit crafty. I'd love to be, but I'm just not. And I know I'm not crafty, but I still try to be.

And so that's how I ended up with a sh*t ton of project life stuff in my possession. And I kept trying to start scrapbooks, and failing every time. 

And it got to a point where I was like, hey, I either need to give this stuff up, or I need to get on it.

And so I basically decided, to stop being so precious about it.

I wouldn't scrapbook because I was waiting to get nice photos printed, but then they'd arrive in bulk and I'd be all 'wooaaah, hey, this is too much pressure, I'm out'.

So I started just printing photos on my printer. No, they aren't the best quality, and no, they aren't on pretty glossy paper, but they get the point across.

I'm not discriminating either, it's not just high quality snaps from my DSLR, but I've also included blurry phone photos and Snapchats too. Cause that's real life right?

And okay, so my handwriting looks like shit, but who cares? You get the point, right? 

And I think I was struggling with all these giant books, and the pressure of trying to fill up these huge pages and making them look perfect. So instead, I ordered a couple of 4X4 books, and that was a BIG difference for me. Because I can just scribble some notes over a photo and chuck it in.

I'm just being a lot more casual with it, and I think I actually prefer the result. It's more natural, it's more accurate and it's more me.

Let me know if you'd like to see some detailed posts on my new albums, inc what I used and so on!