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?