BOOK REVIEW: THE MISTER BY E L JAMES

Hello everyone! So for today's post i am back with a book review post, which i did want to do a lot sooner than i have ended up doing. The reason for it taking me a little longer to finish was a combination of two things, one i haven't had as much time the past few weeks to read and the second thing being that this book was slightly longer than most would but i got there in the end...

SYNOPSIS:

Life has been easy for Maxim Trevelyan. With his good looks, aristocratic connections, and money, he’s never had to work and he’s rarely slept alone. But all that changes when tragedy strikes and Maxim inherits his family’s noble title, wealth, and estates, and all the responsibility that entails. It’s a role he’s not prepared for and one that he struggles to face. But his biggest challenge is fighting his desire for an unexpected, enigmatic young woman who’s recently arrived in England, possessing little more than a dangerous and troublesome past. Reticent, beautiful, and musically gifted, she’s an alluring mystery, and Maxim’s longing for her deepens into a passion that he’s never experienced and dares not name. Just who is Alessia Demachi? Can Maxim protect her from the malevolence that threatens her? And what will she do when she learns that he’s been hiding secrets of his own?

MY REVIEW:

So fun fact reading the Fifty Shades trilogy by E L James is actually what got me back into reading books on a regular basis, years down the line and many books later...finally she has released a new book and i couldn't wait to pick it up. That being said when i started to read this book, it wasn't what i was expecting at all...

Unlike the Fifty Shades trilogy The Mister is actually written from both Maxim and Alessia's point of view, which i actually like to read books like that as well as just from one point of view because you tend to get more of a sense of what both characters are feeling/thinking. So The Mister starts off with a prologue basically describing the terrible way that Alessia came to be in England, which you are obviously not aware of at the beginning before heading straight into chapter one with Maxim. Maxim is going through all the stages of grieving after losing his brother Kit (including sleeping with many a woman). One thing that i wasn't a huge fan of at all in the book is how long it actually took for any interaction between the two characters to occur, which made it hard to get into unlike some books. That being said once that was over with, i got more invested in the story a lot more and i began to find it more of a page turner. Unlike Fifty Shades i did not find this "steamy" at all which of course is such a disappointment but i did find the story line good still, especially the detail/research that had obviously gone into the book and how anyone could still have believes like the ones that were written into the book about Alessia's culture/upbringing. What i am unsure of is how the book ended, as i feel like it was all leading to this one moment that ended within a page and it almost seemed unfinished but at the same time, i don't know if it was left like that on purpose to leave the opportunity for a book two or not!

Overall i give this book a 3.5 out of 5, as it wasn't the best book i have ever read but it also wasn't the worst i have ever read either. I am left wondering whether a lot of people seem the same, as it just wasn't on the same level as Fifty Shades was?

buy the mister by e l james on amazon | here |

xo.   

MAY FAVOURITES | BEAUTY + LIFESTYLE

Hello everyone! It is that time of the month again and when i say time of the month i mean, monthly favourites. I honestly can't believe how fast this month has gone, i swear it was the beginning of the month just last week? yet somehow we are in June in just a couple of days and i don't know if that upsets me or makes me happy because it is my birthday month. Putting that to the back of my mind for now, this month i didn't a whole lot of new beauty favourites so i thought i would do another combined favourites of both beauty and lifestyle...

topshop onara lattice white cross body bag

So first up we have this super cute small cross body bag which i picked up a few weeks ago from Toshop (currently has £10 off) and i actually featured it in my recent how to update your wardrobe for summer on a budget post. I am obsessed with this style of bag and the white is perfect for summer yet it goes with so many different coloured outfits. What i love the most about this bag is even though it is a "see-through" style bag with its lattice design, it also has a zip section in the middle to hide your money, cards etc.

good grain high fibre puffed wheat

As i mentioned in my previous post, i like to switch my breakfast up pretty much everyday and rotate what i am having, just so i don't get bored of having the same thing over and over again. So on the days when i just want something quick that isn't overnight oats, i have been loving having some of this puffed wheat with some almond milk and a drizzle of honey. If you are a 90's kid or you grew up around the cereal "sugar puffs" this is basically the healthy version of those and so low in calories/sugar/fat yet super high in fibre.

palmer's cocoa butter natural bronze tan lotion

In my eight products to keep you smelling beach-y this summer post i talked about a bunch of different Palmer's products that i love and i also mentioned how i had recently switched up the everyday tan lotion from what i usually use. I feel like this natural bronze tan from the brand lasts longer/looks fresher longer, as well as it being easier to apply to a mitt as it has a pump top. Another thing i love about this tan is that it smells so good with the original cocoa butter scent, as well as keeping my skin super hydrated. 

primark bronze + glow bronzer/highlighter butter duo

The two makeup items that i have been reaching for this month different to past months are a bronzer and highlighting face/body butter both from Primark (first impression linked). Since we are now coming into the summer months i have been loving the whole bronzed up skin with a natural/dewy highlighted look and these two products used together do just that.

the controversial princess by jodi ellen malpas

So i am currently suffering from a serious book hangover because i read the whole of this new book release within days of it being released, as i was just so hooked, so fast just like i always seem to be when Jodi releases a new book and that is probably why she is one of my favourite authors. I know i have a bunch of other books on my to-read list which i did do a post on recently here but i still can't wait for August for the next instalment. 

tv show favourites

Finally we have TV show favourites and i actually have a few different shows that i have been enjoying this month, a couple of regulars and a couple of new shows. This month has been leading up to the end of the current season of Grey's Anatomy, which has been my favourite show for years but with a couple of the main cast members leaving it has been a gripping yet emotion few episodes and i have loved every single one. Sticking with the similar show theme i have also been loving Station 19, which i had saved a few episodes back to binge watch. Finally a new show that i have been loving is called Bulletproof on Sky One, if you love police/crime/action tv shows you will love this and i especially love the whole banter/comedy elements between the two main cast. 

Catch up on a similar post HERE...

xo.

OVERNIGHT OATS | PINTEREST INSPIRED RECIPES

Hello everyone! So ever since the start of this year i have become obsessed with having overnight oats for breakfast, probably around 2 or 3 times a week (because i like to switch things up everyday) and i know quite a few other people also love to have them for breakfast too. Ever since first giving them a try, i have found a ton of different flavours/toppings to make them in and a lot of those recipes have come from Pinterest. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would do something a little different, by sharing some of my personal favourite overnight oats recipes and they are all healthy/can be modified to your own diet preferences but the most important thing is they taste good/are super quick to throw together...

1. pumpkin spice

| 2 tbsp pumpkin puree | 1 tbsp maple syrup | 40 g oats | 1/2 tsp mixed spice | 1/8 tsp vanilla extract | 1/2 tbsp chia seeds | 1 tbsp granola or nuts | 100 ml almond milk | 2 tbsp yogurt (optional) |

2. pumpkin + vanilla (super quick)

| 40 g pumpkin spice quaker oats | 1 tbsp dried mixed fruit | 100 ml aplro vanilla soya milk |

3. coconut latte

| 40 g oats | 50 ml brewed coffee | 2 tbsp maple syrup/honey | 50 ml coconut milk | 

4. almond + honey

| 40 g oats | 1 tbsp honey | 100 ml almond milk | 2 tbsp alpro almond yogurt | 1 tbsp almonds |

5. peach cobbler 

| 40 g oats | 100 ml almond milk | 2 tbsp vanilla or peach yogurt (dairy or dairy free) | 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon | 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg | 80 g peach diced |

6. espresso + salted date caramel

| 40 g oats | 1 tbsp chia seeds | pinch salt | 50 ml almond milk | 50 ml brewed coffee | 2 tbsp maple syrup | 1 tsp vanilla extract | 4 medjool dates (puree with water + pinch of salt) |

7. carrot cake

| 40 g oats | grated carrot | 1 tsp ground cinnamon | 1/4 tsp all spice | 1 tbsp chia seeds (optional) | 2 tbsp raisins | 1 tsp vanilla | 100 ml almond milk |

8. peanut butter (you can also add banana)

40 g oats | 2 tbsp smooth peanut butter | 100 ml almond milk | 1 tbsp honey | 1 tbsp vanilla |

9. vanilla, almond + blueberry

| 40 g oats | 75 ml vanilla soya milk | 2 tbsp almond alpro | flaked almonds | blueberries |

10. gingerbread cookie

| 40 g oats | 1/4 tsp ground ginger | 100 ml almond milk | 1 tbsp maple syrup | 1 tsp cinnamon |

11. cinnamon chocolate

| 40 g oats | 1 tsp cocoa powder | 1 tsp cinnamon | 100 ml almond milk | 1 tbsp maple syrup or honey | 2 tbsp chocolate milk/dark or cocoa chips | 

12. cherry bakewell

| 40 g oats | 75 ml almond milk | 1 cherry bakewell muller light or cherry flavoured yogurt |

Catch up on my quick/easy Pinterest breakfasts post HERE...

xo.

DRIPPING IN GOLD | MY THREE GO-TO GOLDEN GLOW HIGHLIGHTERS

Hello everyone! So through-out my blogging years i have done many a series talking about my "three go-to" items from lip liners, to travel palettes and blushes. With that in mind i thought seeing as i hadn't done one in a hot minute, why not give you all an update on the three highlighters which are my go-to's at the moment. I am such a highlighter hoarder, just as much if not more than nude lip products and i reach for so many on a regular basis, but that being said just recently i have been reaching/switching between these three particular ones...

1. laura geller baked gelato swirl illuminator | £16.50 |

So this particular highlighter can be picked up in three different shades but my personal favourite/the shade that i reach for all the time, is the ever so talked about about Gilded Honey. The formula of this highlighter is basically in the title as it is super silky soft/creamy just like gelato is, this highlighter is also super pigmented leaving you with a fresh looking golden glow all day long. I love highlighting powders that are super finely milled or baked, as they always tend to apply flawlessly and this one does just that. The only thing that annoys me about this product is that to me (and i know others have said this to), you feel as if the packaging lets the product down because it is quite cheap looking for its high-end price tag.

2. maybelline master chrome metal highlighting powder | £7.99 |

This is a highlighter that i actually mentioned in last months beauty favourites post, which is available in two different shades Molten Gold and Molten Bronze but personally for my skin-tone/personal preference is the Molten Gold shade. I actually think that the formula of this highlighter and the Laura Geller highlighter are super similar, but this one is slightly more pigmented as it has more of a glittery tone to it rather than being baked. Drugstore highlighters can be a hit or miss thing but this particular one is a must-try, along side the next highlighter i am currently obsessed with. 

3. revolution pro supreme highlighter | £6 |

Finally we have a trio of highlight shades in palette form, which comes in three different shades Gold, Ice and Metals but of course the one i have is the Gold palette. The pigmentation on these highlighters are absolutely insane, especially as these palettes only retail for £6 each...Yes £6! The formula/texture of these highlighters are also super silky soft/lightweight feeling, but as they are insanely pigmented a little goes a long way. I also love how the palette comes with three different gold tones, a Champagne shade, a Gold glittery shade and also a Rose Gold shade. Personally i mainly reach for the Gold and Rose Gold shade, somethings mixing a little bit or layering both shades together.

Catch up on a similar themed post HERE...

xo.

HOW-TO | UPDATE YOUR WARDROBE ON A BUDGET FOR SUMMER

Hello everyone! If your wardrobe needs some serious TLC and updating for this upcoming summer, but you don't really want to be spending a ton of money. There are so many great tips and tricks that i have learnt to not only save money when buying clothes, but also different ways to work with some things you already might have sitting in your wardrobe. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you some of my personal favourite tips, on how to save money on a wardrobe update...

1. have a wardrobe de-clutter

First things first before you make a start on shopping to update your wardrobe, have a de-clutter/a look through what you have already got in your wardrobe. Keep pieces you think you could still wear during the summer, such as basics jeans/t-shirts etc and either store away for the next season or sell items online for a little extra cash.

2. write a note/list on what you actually need

By writing a list of what you actually need, you are more likely to stick to it and not go off course buying things you don't necessarily need and just wasting your money in the long run. 

3. when shopping online, search for discount codes

If you are choosing to pick items up from online stores such as ASOS, Missguided, Boohoo or PLT, always save your favourite items for later and shop when there is a discount available (which is on a regular basis). Other ways to get a hold of discount codes are by downloading discount apps, the store apps, signing up for email subscription and also by following the brands on social media sites. 

4. shop the sales section

Sticking to the online shopping theme, a great way of finding the bargains is to shop sites sale sections or view each section using the low-to-high pricing filter. Going in-store a lot of them also more often than not have a sale section, as well as so much money off selected items (such as 10%, 15% and as much as 30% off).

5. shop around for the most affordable "dupe"/style steal pieces

Really want a Chanel handbag? Who doesn't but we can't all always afford that or justify spending that much right now, then pick up a dupe or style steal version (Shein is a great site for designer handbag dupes). This works with pretty much any item of clothing or accessory, the high-street or affordable sites.

6. invest in items that can be worn with lots of different outfits

By picking up new key pieces to pair with some either new basics or basics you might already have in your wardrobe, rather than just buying things that only work well with one specific outfit. 

7. take a trip to Primark

Everybody loves a good trip to Primark right? I know i do, especially when you find some real gems. You can pick up some basics for as little as £2.50, they also currently have some great summer pieces costing between £4 and £12. Primark is also the perfect store to visit to pick up your holiday pieces, like swimwear for under £5 and their bargain trusty 90p beach flip flops. 

8. if you aren't 100% sure on something don't buy it or keep it

We have all been there when you buy something, then when it comes to trying it on you either don't feel like it suits you or it doesn't fit quite right but you keep it because you simply can't be bothered to send/take it back. This is such a waste of money as it is more than likely just going to sit there, un-worn with the tags still on in months or years to come. You could use that money to get something that does suit you and does fit you.

9. DIY what you already have

Looking for the perfect pair of ripped jeans or a mini/midi skirt rather than a maxi then DIY some pieces you already have in your wardrobe, that could just be sat there going un-worn. There are so many great videos/tutorials online and on Pinterest for clothing DIY.

10. make the same outfit look different

Of course we all wear the same outfits multiple times, because they tend to become favourites of ours and we feel nice in them. That being said you don't always want to look same old same old in something too quick, make an outfit look different by switching up your hairstyle, makeup (especially lipstick colour). You could also switch up the shoes and accessories you pair with a specific outfit, to either dress up or dress down the occasion. 

Catch up on my previous post HERE...

xo.

EIGHT PRODUCTS TO KEEP YOU SMELLING BEACH-Y THIS SUMMER

Hello everyone! Following Friday's instalment where i talked about all things Travel lusting, which you can catch up on here if you didn't do so already. It really got me in the mood for talking all things summer, as well as getting in the summer mood (especially with all the lovely weather we have been having recently). One of my favourite things about summer is those typical beach-y scents, especially coconut scented products. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share you eight products that will keep you smelling beach-y this summer...

1. colab paradise dry shampoo

When it comes to hair, a lot of us tend to be made up of at least 85% dry shampoo come the end of the week and more so during the summer months. Not only does this dry shampoo leave your hair smelling all tropical and coconut scented, it will also leave your hair looking and feeling fresh/sweat-free. The best thing about this dry shampoo is you aren't left with that annoying white powder finish, some other brand dry shampoos have.

2. freshly baked london coconut tanning mousse

Who doesn't love a good tan during the summer? in-fact i love a good tan all year round and there is a way to have a tan without smelling like biscuits. There are so many different brands on the market at the moment launching coconut scented tanning products but this one from Freshly Baked London, is a lot more affordable than some others costing just £14 compared to over £30 from those other brands.

3. superdrug coconut oil with argan oil

If taking the more natural/raw products are more your thing, you can still keep yourself smelling beach-y with this limited edition coconut oil with argan oil. How genius this this oil? as it is the perfect mix of two of my favourite go-to formulas that i know work wonders for my skin and hair. This will also not break the bank as it retails for just £2.49 for a 125ml tub.

4. bath & body works copper coconut 3-wick candle
Keeping the beach-y themed scents alive beyond the way you smell personally, you can also keep your home smelling summery also simply by switching up your candles. This copper coconut candle is the perfect mix of coconut and a day at the beach type of scent, with the added warmth in its notes. Another favourite of mine is the coconut splash candle by Yankee Candle, which i featured in my latest must-try spring/summer candles post.

5. being by sanctuary spa hibiscus and coconut water body mist
I have always been a fan of Sanctuary Spa products, but i am completely obsessed with this Being range from the brand. First of all how cute is all of the packaging? Second of all they have a wide range of different products, several scented body mists included and this one hands down has to be my favourite because of the summery scent it throws off. This body mist is the perfect mix of sweet, yet exotic/slightly fruity with a hint of warmth.

6. primark bronze dewy glow gold face & body butter
I have mentioned a couple of these products from the Bronze collection at Primark in a recent testing primark beauty first impressions post and in that post i mentioned how obsessed i am with this range, especially the dewy glow face and body butter. I have been wearing this every single day since i picked it up, i love how dewy yet natural this makes your skin look as well as adding the perfect golden glow and what makes this product that much better is that it smells like coconut.

7. palmer's coconut oil formula products
One of my favourite coconut scented ranges definitely has to be the one by Palmer's and for so many different reasons. Not only do the brand got the scent of coconut perfect, the products actually work especially for me and my normal-dry skin type. Some of my favourite go-to products which i reach for a lot are the weightless shine dry oil, the body lotion and the leave-in conditioner. I actually recently switched up my "everyday tan" to a palmer's one and i am really enjoying using it.

8. bath & body works island white sand super smooth body lotion
One of the most effective ways to leave you smelling all beach-like and "coconutty" is probably going to be from smothering yourself in lotion, which is not only going to make your skin smell delicious, it is also going to keep your skin super soft and hydrated. Your skin need moisture all year round, as the cold can draw out the moisture but so can the sun and warmth. There are so many different coconut scented body lotions available to buy from as little as £1, favourites of mine are the Boots own brand, the Palmer's one and also the M&S essentials one.

Catch up on my flawless no makeup, makeup for s/s HERE...

xo.

TRAVEL WISHLIST #4 | SUMMER EDITION

Hello everyone! So just under a year ago now i shared the third instalment in my travel wishlist series and since then i have added to the list some more, especially those perfect summer holiday destinations. I also feel like a bunch of the items i shared in my recent things i'm loving on prettylittlething right now post, would be perfect for some if not all of these destinations in part four...

I have been to Italy and several places in Italy but they were all "city break" type of holidays, like Rome, Florence and Pisa. There is obviously so much more to Italy than just those places, like Positano for example which is a beautiful looking cliff-side village on the Amalfi Coast. Positano looks like once of those places for perfect views out into the ocean, sight seeing and beautiful little streets and stores. 

Sticking with the whole town/village in Italy type destination, another place which i am itching to visit is Sorrento and another place which has a coastal view. Just like Positano, Sorrento has this super beautiful view looking out at the ocean for miles, yet it is a town full of culture, history and beautiful buildings. My parents have been to Sorrento and that made me so jealous, making me want to go even more.

Capri is probably one of those places that i would visit on a day trip (which i believe most people do when on holiday in Sorrento), Capri is a beautiful looking island located in the bay of Naples, filled with stunning views, beautiful little side streets and from what i have heard some yummy seafood dishes. Also talking of food a trip to anywhere in Italy is worth it, simply for their Gelato as it is honestly the best gelato ever.

Finally somewhere that isn't located in Italy, this time in Portugal and somewhere i have never really thought about going to until recently. I have noticed one or two people have uploaded vlogs from trips to Lisbon and it honestly looks so beautiful, kind of similar to Italy in some way with the beautiful old buildings and stunning views. The main reason i really want to go is to try a proper authentic Portuguese Custard Tart, because i love them whenever i have had them in this country, yet i have heard they are out of this world there and let's face it...don't we all want to visit certain places just for the food?  

Catch up on my previous travel wishlist post HERE...

xo.

FLAWLESS + GLOWING NO MAKEUP, MAKEUP FOR SPRING/SUMMER

Hello everyone! Over the past week or so i have been reaching for the same makeup products, for a quick and easy no makeup, makeup look but still keeping that flawless finish to it. I am so obsessed with the way all of these products work together and it literally takes me around 15 minutes in total to create. I have noticed ever since i have been using the Revolution brow tint for my eyebrows, it has cut my makeup routine right now and it was probably taking me the longest to do my brows but this stuff it fuss free and easy...

mario badescu facial spray with aloe, herbs + rosewater

First things first before i apply any form of makeup, i have been obsessed with using this spray every single day before i apply my foundation and after i have applied my NUXE dry facial oil. This spray can be used in so many different ways but my favourite way to use it, is before makeup and then afterwards to set it all in place and it leaves your skin looking/feeling super hydrated.

l.a girl pro.coverage hd illuminating foundation in the shade beige

As this is a "no makeup, makeup" look i am going for i have actually been reaching for this foundation and even though it is a HD foundation, it is still light-weight feeling. The trick is to use a lot less than you normally would go far, just so you get that flawless/even base but your skin still looks like skin. This foundation is great for spring/summer or warmer weather, as it is super long-wearing and pretty sweat-proof too.

estée lauder double wear bb brush on glow highlighter

So this product is a way back when holy grail item that i always used to reach for, which i have recently re-discovered and i forgot how much i love this product. This is such a great light-weight product to pop under the eyes when you want a medium coverage with a highlighted finish, for a bright more awake under-eye.

ps bronze dewy glow face + body butter in the shade golden

I actually featured this particular product in a first impressions post last week, which you can catch up on here if you didn't catch it the first time. This is one of those products that you don't expect to be very good, but it is honestly one of the most beautiful items that you could have in your collection and especially for spring/summer. This gives your skin the most beautiful and healthy looking almost dewy/sunkissed glow, when applied with a damp beauty blender. I honestly can't put this product down at the moment for all of those reasons, as well as the fact it smells like coconut.

art deco limited edition bronzing powder

I have mentioned before how much i love reaching for this bronzer, especially in the summer months as it gives you the most beautiful sunkissed bronzed finish. The brand always release different limited edition versions of this bronzer every year, in a similar way to what Estée Lauder do. If you are looking for a cheaper alternative the bronzer i featured in that first impression i mentioned above, is super similar.

ps pro hd mascara + mac pro longwear waterproof brow set

For eyes i keep things super simple, as it is still pretty much a no makeup, makeup look and a lot of the products are focused on the skin. That being said i still like to apply some mascara to my top and bottom lashes, i really like this ps pro mascara at the moment as you can achieve super long yet clump-free lashes really quickly and you don't have to apply in layers to build it up. Then i like to set my brows in place, even though i already have the brow tint on my brows.

abh liquid lipstick in the shade naked + ps nude metallic nude gloss

Even though this is suppose to be "no makeup, makeup" i still like to go in with a nude lip combination of some kind and this particular one has been my one of choice just recently. I have mentioned in a couple of posts now how much i love this gloss, it looks super glossy yet not sticky and you can wear it alone, simply with a lip liner or lipstick/liquid lipstick as a topper.

Catch up on a similar blog post HERE...

xo.

THINGS I'M LOVING ON PRETTYLITTLETHING RIGHT NOW

Hello everyone! So over the past couple of months i have found myself loving, lusting and buying so many different pieces of clothing, accessories and footwear for the spring/summer season. I honestly feel like the clothing for this season is on a different level to what it was last year and especially the previous autumn/winter, plus buying clothes for summer is so much more fun. With that in mind and following a similar theme to a post i shared last month which was a things i'm loving on ASOS right now post, for today's instalment i thought i would share with you the things i am loving on PRETTYLITTLETHING right now as like ASOS, Boohoo and Missguided, they are one of my favourite sites to buy clothing...

1. red embroidered bardot crop top | £20 |

So i never usually like anything red, as i never really thought it suited my colouring but i actually recently discovered how wearing red via a print, rather than in just one block colour looks a lot nicer and i really love this style of print at the moment. You can pick this crop top up in a petite fit or regular fit and it is also available to buy as a co-ord, to pair together or wear either one separately. 

2. white polka dot chiffon flare sleeve top | £15 |

I love, love, love this top style at the moment with the whole wrap style or where they look like a wrap top, especially in black and white form. I actually recently picked up a bargain black and white strip wrap top in H&M sale for £5, which i was shocked at because it is one of those items of clothing that looks way more expensive than it is and i feel like this PLT polka dot number has the same vibe to it.

3. kicho silver ornate double western style belt | £12 |

I am loving two different styles of belts at the moment, especially paired with black denim jeans one being the whole "gucci belt" dupe style and the other being the western style belt which seems to be so on trend again recently, probably due to the whole festival vibe going on. PLT actually have a view different style options in western belts, but this one has to be my favourite and it comes in both silver and gold finishes.

4. petite white high rise skinny white jeans | £20 |

The constant struggle is always real for me when it comes to buying jeans, the main reason being is i am super short especially my legs so regular length jeans are always a no go. The thing i love about PLT is just like Topshop, they have things available in the same style but in both regular fit and petite and that helps a short girl out. I really want to pick up a pair of white jeans for this summer, as i feel like they can look super dressed up or dressed down effortlessly.

5. gold layered disk plunge necklace | £6 |

So when it comes to jewellery i go in phases with it, i will either really enjoy wearing pieces and then i will not want to wear any at all. That being said recently i am loving opting for small dainty pieces of jewellery, whether that be a thin bracelet or dainty layered necklaces like this and for £6 this necklace is an absolute steal for the quality you are getting.

6. bardot double tie top | £22 |

When it comes to spring/summer i have mentioned before i am all about the bardot/cold shoulder style tops and i love this PLT number, which actually comes in three different colours (stone, red and baby pink) and the baby pink one is definitely my favourite. Even though this top is still technically a cropped top you can get away with not showing any skin, especially if you style it with either high-waist-ed jeans or shorts.   

7. brown round basket tassel cross-body bag | £22 |

I have actually seen a fair few people wearing this style of bag recently and usually this would not be my style at all, but i must say i love how this bag looks and i think it would be one of those bags that could totally switch up the way a plain outfit looks, as well as adding a touch of summer with the whole basket style finish. Also out of all of the more affordable ones i have seen this one from PLT is my favourite, as once again you always know you are going to get a good quality product from the brand.

8. black mirrored rounded sunglasses | £8 |

Finally we have another pair of sunnies, but ever since falling in love with my mirrored/flare lens style ones i picked up from ASOS last month i have become attracted to the style and i find myself lusting after so many pairs. Just like ASOS, PLT sunnies are also super affordable which is great because they you don't have to get overly worried about them getting scratched and stuff, like you would do if you have paid £100+ for a pair of designer ones.

Catch up on my previous blog post HERE...

xo.

MUSIC AT THE MOMENT | MY SUMMER SPOTIFY PLAYLIST

Hello everyone! This past week or so in the UK the weather has been super warm and sunny, which feels so good and we even had the most beautiful scorching hot long weekend. When the summer comes around we all tend to have those favourite "summer vibes" tracks that we love to listen to over and over again, along side the new releases. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you some of my personal favourite summer vibes songs, which i have made into a summer playlist on my Spotify...

click to on the track to listen on Spotify -

1. me so bad - tinashe feat. ty dolla $ign + french montana

2. something new - wiz khalifa feat. ty dolla $ign

3. hypnotized - tory lanez

4. wild thoughts - dj khaled feat. rihanna + bryson tiller

5. dance for me - tory lanez feat. nav

6. number one - massari feat. tory lanez

7. pu$$y - ty dolla $ign feat. trey songz + wiz khalifa

8. staring at the ceiling (remix) - eric bellinger feat. dom kennedy

9. droptop in the rain - ty dolla $ign feat. tory lanez

10. controlla - drake

11. nuh ready nuh ready - calvin harris + partynextdoor

12. some way - nav feat. the weeknd

13. juicy booty - chris brown feat. jhene aiko + r.kelly

14. one dance - drake

15. not nice - partynextdoor

16. come and see me - partynextdoor feat. drake

17. german - eo

18. only 4 me - chris brown feat. ty dolla $ign + verse simmonds

19. jumanji - b young

20. do you mind - dj khaled feat. nicki minaj, chris brown + august alsina

21. real thing - tory lanez feat. future

22. faking it - calvin harris feat. kehlani + lil yachty

23. one kiss - calvin harris feat. dua lipa

24. we both know - bryson tiller

25. wavy - ty dolla $ign feat. joe moses

26. privacy - chris brown

27. y.a.k - eric bellinger feat. sammie + chevy woods

28. make you mine - eric bellinger

29. impatient - jeremih feat. ty dolla $ign

30. nice for what - drake

I hope you all have a lovely weekend!

xo.

BRONZE + GLOW FOR UNDER £5 | PRIMARK BEAUTY FIRST IMPRESSION

 Hello everyone! Today i am back with another beauty related post, this time a Primark beauty first impression on two new items that i picked up whilst shopping in the store the other day. I have shared a bunch of different "testing" Primark beauty posts this year already, i have also mentioned how i feel like they are killing the makeup game this year and these two new products are no different...

For the past couple of months it has been all about the Nudes collection from Primark, which i have also been using and loving a handful of things from on a regular basis. This time i went into store to pick up another back up concealer that i mentioned in my five makeup favourites for £5 and under post, then i came across this new range of bronze products in the most beautiful bronze/rose-gold packaging. The collection includes products like contour kits, eyeshadow palettes and these two bronzing products which i believe will be a game changer this summer, coming in under £5 for both products!

bronze bronze queen matte bronzer in the shade sunset | £2 |

First up is this matte bronzer in the shade Sunset from the collection, i really wanted to pick this up because of how it looked super similar in shade to one of the Urban Decay bronzers. Fun fact one of my favourite bronzers this year has been the My Perfect Colour powder in the shade Caramel, so i had a feeling i was going to love this one too and i wasn't wrong. I love how it applies evenly, doesn't look muddy or patchy and it literally just gives you the most beautiful sun-kissed bronzed finish to your face. If you are fair/lighter in skin-tone then you will definitely want to go in with a light hand with this bronzer, as it is pigmented and slightly darker than some other bronzing powders (which is why i think this is perfect for summer). I also feel like if you used this up against a higher end bronzer, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference and the packaging again is really well made and not cheap looking. (review rating 4.5 out of 5)

bronze dewy glow face + body butter in the shade golden | £2.50 |

Next up is probably something that has gone straight to the top of my favourite Primark makeup products from the first try, which is crazy to think i wasn't even sure i would like it. I decided to pick this face and body butter up because i thought it really reminded me of my favourite bareMinerals Candlelight cream to powder highlighter, which was limited edition. From the first try i thought how i actually prefer how it looks on the skin, it gives you the most beautiful and natural dewy golden bronze highlighted look as it doesn't have glittery pieces through-out like a lot of highlighters. The way i have been liking to apply it is with a damp beauty blender to all the areas where you would normally put your highlighter. This product as it suggests could also be used to highlight certain areas on the body, to give that perfect dewy summer glow to the skin. I have a feeling this product is going to be an everyday favourite. (review rating 5 out of 5)

Catch up on my previous post HERE...

xo.

MAY MUST-TRY'S | MAKEUP I WANT TO TRY THIS MONTH

Hello everyone! So last week just like at the beginning of every month i like to share my must-buy items for the month, which usually contains a couple of beauty related items. That being said this month there is quite a lot of beauty products (mainly makeup) that are on my must-try list, so rather than cramming everything into one post i thought i would split things up and share the makeup bits separately. If you didn't catch the clothing, homeware and accessories post, then you can catch up on that here...

1. becca glow gloss in the shade champagne | £22 |

So i went through a stage where i completely went off gloss and glossy lips but now i am completely obsessed with the way it looks now, it also always seems to finish a nude lip off perfectly. When it comes to gloss i love almost gold-like finish glosses in fact Gilded by ABH is one of my favourites but it is almost finished and this Becca gloss looks almost identical, so it would be good to switch things up/compare the two products.

2. st.tropez tinted everyday moisturiser + primer | was £18 now £12 |

Fun fact i never fake tan my face i would much rather just match it up when i pop on foundation, to save on getting blocked pores or breakouts. That being said i thought maybe trying a tan tinted moisturiser would be a good option for those warm summer days, when i don't necessarily want to wear foundation but i still want my face to match my body. 

3. cover fx gold bar palette | £34 |

It is no secret that i am a complete highlighter hoarder and i have so many favourites, yet i still always have room for more and i have a feeling this is going to be the next one on my list. Cover FX already have a stunning range of custom highlighter drops, so of course this highlighter palette is bound to be up to those standards and i especially have my eye on the very first shade on the left of the palette, as it looks stunning!

4. sleek makeup copperplate highlighting palette | £9.99 |

Sticking with the highlighter palette theme, this palette i came across all google-y eyed over when i was browsing the Boots website for a face tan (which i mentioned above). I already have the other two highlighting palettes like this from Sleek but i never knew they released a third, which looks as equally as beautiful as the others and you can bet next time i pop into a Boots store i will be picking one of these up.

5. bareMinerals gen nude matte liquid lip colour | £17 |

I already have a couple of these matte liquid lipsticks from the Gen Nude range by bareMinerals, which i am obsessed with and reach for all the time because the quality along with the lasting power of the liquid lipsticks is so good. That being said i really want to pick up a couple more shades, especially the shade Smooch (faded lilac nude) and the shade Wink (perfect pink nude).

6. la girl pro matte hd longwear matte foundation | £10 |

Finally even though i am a glow-y skin kind of girl, one of my favourite foundations is the Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless and i have heard this foundation kind of has a similar vibe about it. So many people have been talking about how good this foundation is, so now that we can get it in the UK i will definitely be giving it a go. I already have the other LA Girl HD foundation in my collection, which i love so i definitely think i will more than likely end up loving this one too and £10 is such a good price.

Catch up on my previous post HERE...

xo.

WHAT'S IN MY MAKEUP BAG | TRAVEL EDITION

Hello everyone! When i was recently thinking what to pack into my makeup bag, i suddenly realised that it has actually been a hot minute since i last did a "what's in my makeup bag" post and the reason for that being i don't usually use a makeup bag unless i am travelling somewhere. So i thought this would be the perfect opportunity to share with you, what i decided to pack as well as a couple of makeup items that i can't seem to put down...

So the makeup bag that i am using is the same one that i featured in my previous "what's in my makeup bag" post, simply because i am still obsessed with everything about it. Even though i picked this up last year, you can still get your hands on it here (peachy wash bag). It is super spacious, easy to clean if you get anything on it or in it and even thought it has a super cute peachy design you can still see inside for what product you are searching for. Moving on to the makeup that i decided to pack, i went for products that i know work well together and mainly focusing on the base as i always do. What i did do though is pack a couple of different lip options, from matte nudes to gloss and even a brighter lip in case i feel like switching things up.

(click to shop what's in my makeup bag)

l'oréal infallible pro-glow foundation in the shade 205

primark ps my perfect colour liquid concealer in the shade nude beige

bareMinerals invisible light powder duo

rimmel insta contour stick in the shade medium

bareMinerals gold obsession candlelight glow highlighter

artdeco limited edition bronzing powder

revolution brow tint in the shade dark brown

mac pro longwear waterproof brow set in the shade brown/ebony

little mac pigment trio (travel size)

mac false lash extreme black mascara (sample size)

morphe brushes color pencil in the shade bamboo

anastasia beverly hills liquid lipstick in the shade naked

mac matte lipstick in the shade honey love

mac retro matte lipstick in the shade relentlessly red

primark ps nudes metallic lip gloss

Catch up on my things i'm loving on ASOS right now post HERE...

xo.

MAY MUST-BUYS | CLOTHING, HOMEWARE + ACCESSORIES

Hello everyone and Happy May! Firstly if you didn't catch my april favourites: beauty edition post,
then you can catch up on that here and second of all i still can't seem to get my head around the fact we are already five months into this year already! Keeping the new month in mind i thought for today's post i would share with you some of my must-buy items for May, as i have actually been splashing the cash quite a bit because there has been a ton of great spring/summer pieces at the moment...

1. boohoo evelyne crochet trim cold shoulder top | £15 |

So i picked up a few things from Boohoo last week that i am loving, two items especially and everything else was just basics. First up was this cold shoulder almost bardot style top, i really love the whole crochet vibe for summer and i think this will go with a ton of different things. When i ordered it i wasn't sure if it was going to be see-through or not but it isn't, i also got some money off my order as there was a 20% off everything discount.

2. boohoo petite holly western black denim jacket | £25 |

I know i already picked up a new denim jacket last month, which i will get to but i also decided to pick up this black one i saw on Boohoo, as i thought it would be something a little more casual than always opting for a leather jacket when i want to wear something black. This jacket was a bargain at just £20 with the 20% discount, saving me £5 and i also got this in the 5ft 3 and under fit.

3. topshop sade chain shopper bag | £26 |

If you read my recent topshop lust list post then you will probably know that i featured this bag in that post and of course i had to place an order to get the bag. I recently took it for a spin on a shopping day and it comes in handy, as it is super lightweight to carry either on your arm or shoulder and you can fit a ton inside of it. 

4. asos chunky round milky tort flash lens sunglasses | £10 |

This purchase was one of those where you didn't need to put them in your basket but somehow it just happened, stuff like that happens. If you love the whole flash lens vibe when it comes to sunnies, then ASOS is your place to pick up an in-expensive pair. I love a good tortoise print, as i feel like it is the print that always suits me because of my dark brown hair. 

5. topshop hush two strap black sliders | £22 |

In my Topshop lust list post i originally shared this pair of slider sandals in the nude shade, that being said when i went in-store i decided to go with the black pair instead as i just liked the way they looked more. They are super comfy to wear, so i have a feeling i am going to be getting a lot of wear out of them this spring/summer.

6. h&m home glass dispenser | toothbrush mug | from £6.99 |

I am loving the whole coloured glass style in homeware at the moment, especially in this pink colour and paired with gold hardware. My sister actually picked a couple of the toothbrush holders up to use as makeup brush holders and they look so nice, as well as being able to fit so many different sized brushes in them.

7. yankee candle coconut splash candle | from £1.70 |

If you want a candle that screams tropical summer vibes but still has a cosy vibe to it at the same time, then you need to give this candle a smell. I have honestly not smelt a candle so good in a long time and i love a lot of candle scents. This candle isn't straight up coconut scented, you also get notes of fresh water and warm vanilla.

8. asos design denim shrunken jacket | £32 |

Finally this is the denim jacket that i was talking about before and the one i mentioned in my things i'm loving on asos right now post. I love how this denim jacket is cropped, which is what i was looking for and i got just that. I also love how it is super lightweight and not too heavy, unlike some denim jackets. 

xo.

MID-2017 MOST READ POSTS

Hello everyone! So now that we are saying hello to June/half way through the year, i thought i would do something different and put together a selection of my most read posts from the year so far. I did something a little similar last year in the middle of the year, but in the form of a mid 2016 favourites post. I just thought doing this would be a great way of sharing some posts with those who didn't catch them the first time round.

my go-to nude polishes (friday 13th january)

So first up back in January i shared my go-to nude nail polishes, which if you have read my posts for a while you will already know i am not only obsessed with nude lip products but also nude nail polishes are also a favourite of mine. Even now six months later all of these polishes are still on my list of go-to shades, including the barry m gelly nail paint in the shade peanut butter.

current beauty wishlist: the skincare edition (monday 13th march)

This particular post was a two part post and the first part at the time was my current beauty wishlist: the makeup edition. This is the particular post where i mentioned how i had become more interested in skincare on the same level as i was makeup, so with that being said there was quite a few products i wanted to give a go. Since this post i have tried out a few on the wishlist, such as the nuxe multi-usage dry oil, the bareMinerals eternalixir oil serum and the manuka doctor gold dust serum.  

my three go-to travel friendly highlight palettes (friday 17th march)

So during the month of march and april, i did a series of posts all about some of my "three go-to" products, which included my three go-to travel friendly highlight palettes, my three go-to nude lip liners, my three go-to blushes and my three go-to concealers. All of these posts proved to be really popular, which makes me so happy and knowing it was worth all of the hard work and effort. Also from the month of march and another most read post, all about pick n mix beauty from the feel unique sample service.

favourite candles: spring edition (monday 10th april)

So towards the back end of last year and this year, i have been trying to share a lot more lifestyle style of posts rather than just beauty. Quite a few of the lifestyle posts i have blogged about have also proved to be popular but this particular post all about my favourite spring time candles, is definitely in the lead. I am a complete candle addict, so i am glad there is others out there that share my same addiction. I am also thinking of doing a summer edition of the post very soon, so stay tuned for that. 

updated go-to crease/transition shadows (wednesday 24th may)

Finally we have a post that has only been live for a week and it seemed to become popular really quickly, which really took me by surprise. Transitional shadow shades are something that i always like to read up on/watch videos on, so maybe other beauty addicts do too? I just feel like they are super handy for simple makeup looks, or to help blend/tie everything together a lot easier. You can also check out my original go-to crease/transition shadows post by clicking the link here.

♥