SUMMER BODY-SUITS: MY MISSGUIDED BODYSUIT PICKS

Hello everyone! So this particular piece of clothing has its pros and cons but for me personally there are more pros than cons, of course i am talking about the bodysuit. For me they are a key item to have hanging in your wardrobe and Missguided's bodysuits are definitely a winner for me, whether that be casual, dressed-up or somewhere in-between. With that in minds for today's post i thought why not share with you a selection of my favourite bodysuits from the Missguided site for this coming summer...

1. red tie front ditsy floral bodysuit - £15 (click to shop)

So first up we have this stunning ditsy floral bodysuit, which for me screams summer vacation vibes with its tie up front and slightly ruffled straps. Personally i would style this bodysuit as it is on the site with either white shorts, white jeans or even a light wash denim.

2. mustard yellow popper knitted bodysuit - £22 (click to shop)

I am obsessed with this mustard yellow colour at the moment and i have a selection of different items in my wardrobe already for this summer, including a cute also knitted crop vest which i picked up from New Look. That being said back to the bodysuit, i love the style with it being off the shoulder yet still long sleeved it makes it more summer appropriate.

3. white ribbed popper knitted bodysuit - £18 (click to shop)

When it comes to clothes in general i am such a basics kind of girl, as i have mentioned many times before and you really can't go wrong with basic bodysuits. What i like about the Missguided bodysuits is that the majority of them are a high legged/thong style back, which is perfect if you want to pair them with trousers rather than denim and you haven't got to worry about seeing any vpl through your bottom of choice. This particular bodysuit is available in black, white, mustard, nude and pink. 

4. black harness lace bodysuit - £22 (click to shop)

If you are stuck with what to wear to either a nice dinner or a night out, then you can't really go wrong with a classic black lace bodysuit to either pair with a skirt, leather look trousers, cigarette trousers or shorts then you are good to go. I love the harness detailing on this particular one, as it adds something a little different. You could also dress them down slightly with a pair of light blue wash jeans and a leather jacket.

5. black stripe button front bardot bodysuit - £15 (click to shop)

This bodysuit is super similar in style to the mustard yellow one but obviously this one has a striped pattern, which comes in black or pink. Sometimes bardot style tops can be a little annoying when it comes to moving your arms a lot but the material of these bodysuits are soft and not restricting whats so ever, as well as being true to size.

6. blush pink rib cami bodysuit - £12 (click to shop)

Another basic bodysuit Missguided stock is this beautiful blush pink ribbed with thin straps number, which is also available in other colours such as: black, lime, neon pink and white. This particular bodysuit is super similar to one of my favourite bargain bodysuits from Primark at just £4 but you can only pick that up in a couple of colours.

7. black rib high neck bodysuit - £12 (click to shop)

So this might be another basic looking piece but this is definitely one that can be used to dress up or down, as it has this super flattering high neck line. Just like most of the other bodysuits it comes in a high-leg style with a thong back. If dressing this bodysuit up i would pair it with some high-waisted or paperbag shorts, then dressing down with a simple pair of jeans or even joggers.

8. brown leopard slinky one shoulder bodysuit - £18 (click to shop)

Something on the little less basic side of things is this stunning leopard one shoulder number, which is another item you could either dress-up or down. Personally i think i would pair this with a pair of faded black ripped/distressed jeans. I am still loving the whole leopard print trend at the moment, even though i know it is a love or hate look.

9. sand knitted pointelle bodysuit - £22 (click to shop)

Finally is a bodysuit in another shade i am loving at the moment, especially on me personally with my dark hair and a tan. I love how this is still very much a basic piece but it still has some detail with the soft knitted material and subtle pattern. Once again this could be dressed-up (especially on holiday) or dressed down.

Missguided currently have 20% off everything.

When it comes to sizing i opt for a size 8 for tops and size 10 for bottoms (true sizing).

xo.

APRIL MUST-BUYS: SPRING CLOTHING + ACCESSORIES

Hello everyone! So Spring is officially here and the weather in the UK had really started to pick up, that being said the last couple of days have not been Spring-like whatsoever. That being said i have still been picking up a few bits for the Spring/Summer season and with that in mind, for today's post i thought i would share with you some of my must-buys for the month of April...

1. i saw it first leopard print button through shirt | click to buy |

So first up i ended up picking this leopard shirt up a couple of weeks ago, as i had spotted it by chance and i had been looking for something like this to add to my wardrobe for a while now. I am pretty sure i have never ordered from isawitfirst until recently and i will definitely be looking on their site in the future, as i was really impressed with the quality, price and shipping time. 

2. primark grey button crop vest top | click to buy |

I mean who doesn't love a good basic piece? I know i do and i am always buying basic tops to go with different outfits, which Primark seem to being nailing the basics recently. I love this rib effect button crop vest top, which comes in grey and also a blush pink type of colour also. These look great paired with a pair of high wasted jeans, jacket and trainers for the perfect casual outfit. 

3. mac matte lipstick in the shade kinda sexy | click to buy |

Next up is my go-to lipstick at the moment and one that is perfect for spring but also goes with pretty much anything, which is perfect for everyday wear. This isn't a new purchase for me but if you are looking for a new lipstick that is spring perfect, i would definitely recommend picking this shade up. Kinda Sexy is this beautiful neutral almost peachy-pinky rose nude shade, with a matte formula that is comfortable to wear and long-wearing. 

4. primark lime biker jacket | click to buy |

So this particular item is one that i am yet to pick up but i really want to, as i am obsessed with this colour at the moment. I had seen is last month and wish i had picked it up then, as when i went back last week my Primark had non of my size or close to my size left. That being said i did pick up a new denim jacket which was a complete bargain at just £13, so if you are looking for a new jacket i definitely say go and look in your Primark store, as they have so many great pieces!

5. matalan animal print cross strap sliders | click to buy |

Funny story about me picking up these sandals/sliders from Matalan, as i barely ever buy anything from Matalan unless it is homeware. I was actually looking for a new pair of slippers (boring i know) and i found a pair on the site, then i also spotted these on the new-in section and i thought these would look nice with a pair of light wash jeans (when it is sandal weather obviously). They actually have a great selection of sandals/sliders this year and they are super affordable.

6. bluebooth white wireless earbuds | click to buy |

For the longest time i have been wanting a pair of wireless earbuds but i am not about spending £100+ on a pair of headphones, then i actually got informed that you can get pairs that are super similar/almost identical for a lot less from Amazon and that sold me straight away. The sound quality is as good if not slightly better than the regular Apple headphones, they are easy to connect and the battery life is really good also. These make working out so much easier!

7. missguided blue sinner clean distressed skinny jeans | click to buy |

So i think i have actually saved my favourite buy until last, as these have got to be my new favourite pair of jeans as they fit like a glove, they are super comfy and as i am short the S length leg fits me perfectly. These jeans would look great paired with the sliders from Matalan, what i did already pair them with is the leopard shirt from isawitfirst. 

Catch up on my previous post: here

xo.

MARCH MUST-BUYS | CLOTHING, HOMEWARE + ACCESSORIES

Hello everyone and Happy March! I don't know about anyone else but i am super excited for this month, mainly because we are going to be finally saying goodbye to the cold weather and hello to spring (fingers crossed). Also with Spring being just around the corner, it is definitely the month to add some spring/summer pieces to my wardrobe...

1. prettylittlething black printed tupac hand t-shirt | click to buy |

So first of all i just want to put it out there that Pretty Little Thing have so many great pieces new-in/on the site in general and so much so, i ended up placing two separate orders. One of my favourite things i picked up is this Tupac t-shirt, i love not only the style of the t-shirt but also the contrast of black t-shirt with the filter on the print and i just think it is such a beautiful photograph in general. I love how this t-shirt looks with some leather look jeans, you can either tuck the t-shirt into your bra to make it slightly cropped, into the top of your jeans or wear as normal and for only £15 the quality of the t-shirt is really nice.

2. prettylittlething blush stitch detail cross body bag | click to buy |

Another Pretty Little Thing piece is this beautiful blush stitch chain cross body bag, i love how just by simply adding this bag to an outfit will instantly turn your look into something spring appropriate. This bag is the perfect bag to take out with you when you obviously don't need to carry a bunch of things as it is pretty small, but just for going out for lunch, dinner or a night out it is perfect. You can definitely style this bag up or down too.

3. prettylittlething grey girl you got this t-shirt | click to buy |

Ok this is the last Pretty Little Thing item, i swear ha ha! Another "slogan" t-shirt that i picked up the same time as i did the Tupac t-shirt is this grey girl you got this t-shirt. This t-shirt is part of their new everyBODYinPLT collection, which consists of so many nice woman inspired slogans from t-shirts to sweatshirts/hoodies and joggers. 100% of profits going to the charity WAGGGS.

4. h&m home gold window-shaped mirror | click to buy |

Moving away from clothing for a minute and heading into homeware mode. I have loved this style of mirror for so long now but every single one that i have seen in-store/online have been super expensive and then by magic, i was just looking on the new-in section at H&M and i came across one just the same yet this is super affordable at just £24.99.

5. primark lilac cami | click to view |

As well as Pretty Little Thing, another place that i have recently picked more than a handful of things up from is Primark and their new-in section is full of great pieces. Something they have a lot of in-store is these basic cami tops for just £4 and they come in so many different colours, as well as a few different patterned ones. I love how easy these are to throw on and how you can style them with a jacket for spring and worn alone in summer.

6. primark sea salt mist candle | click to view |

Next up is actually a candle that i featured in my recent spring candles for 2019 post, which if you didn't catch first time around you can catch up here. This particular candle from Primark featured in the post and is the perfect spring candle and for just £2 it is an absolute bargain, pretty much like all of the candles in Primark.

7. primark black cami bodysuit | click to view |

Also from Primark clothing-wise is something that i picked up at the end of January and loved so much that i went back to pick up another, that being this black ribbed cami strap bodysuit. They now do this particular bodysuit in several different colours, as well as a striped one that i picked up. Bodysuits are such a great staple to add to your wardrobe if you want to go for that tucked in look, with either a skirt or a pair of jeans. What i like the most about this particular one is how nice/comfortable it is to wear, how it has poppers to make going to the bathroom a lot easier than getting undressed and also how amazing the quality is for only £4.

8. missguided rose gold dome stud gladiator sandals | click to buy |

Finally we have a pair of sandals, yes you read right sandals! Even though it might seem a little early yet to think about wearing them, it is never too early to pick yourself up a good pair and even more so before all of the sizes all go out of stock. Once again this year Miss Guided have dropped their "valentino dupe" style sandals which i have loved for the last couple of years, i have them already in nude and black but this year they come in rose gold and of course i just needed them ready for the summer months this year.

Catch up on my previous post: here

xo.

BLACK FRIDAY DEALS + DISCOUNT CODES

Hello everyone! As this Friday is in fact Black Friday and this year there is even more amazing deals going off all this week, from beauty, clothing, electrical, homeware and much more, i thought i would talk about all things Black Friday for today's instalment. I actually shared a similar style of post to this last Black Friday and so many people found it useful, so i thought why not do the same again this year also...

prettylittlething.com | 30% off everything using code: early30 |

boohoo.com | 25% off everything |

missguided | 25% off everything (or off register for first order) |

h&m | up-to 50% off denim and basics (ladies, mens + kids) |

GHD | up-to 30% off selected GHD's |

amazon | new deals added everyday |

 (oral b smart 5 5000 crossaction toothbrush deal of the day 71% off) here |

superdrug | 30% off protein world products + many more black friday deals |

yankee candle | buy one get one 50% off christmas candles |

debenhams | 15% off all beauty + up-to 50% new deals everyday |

argos | up-to 50% black friday even on technology |

dune | extra 5% off 20% off the black friday event using code: MVC24DLNOV18 |

gymshark | up-to 70% off site until 27th november |

joules | up-to 50% off black friday event (perfect for christmas shopping) |

m&s | 3 for 2 on christmas shop + sparks card offers |

wayfair | up-to 70% off + free delivery on all orders over £40 |

all beauty | up-to 60% off selected orders |

matalan | homeware black friday sale |

beautybay | up-to 50% off selected + up-to 30% off everything |

xo.

MISSGUIDED AUTUMN/WINTER WARMER PICKS

Hello everyone! So the weather has definitely taken a turn for the worse and when i say worse, i mean it is freezing cold in the UK at the moment. Keeping that in mind i have noticed a wide range of new-in pieces on the Missguided site that are the perfect winter warmer pieces, to keep you looking/feeling toasty warm and i thought why not share my top picks with you all...

1. black faux leather biker jacket | £45 | - click to buy |

For me personally a black leather jacket is a wardrobe staple for all year round, especially for autumn/winter as you can either dress them up or down. I love this particular style with the faux fur collar and if i had seen this one before the new one i recently picked up on ASOS first, i definitely think i would of gone for this one. I love pairing them with a top/jumper, jeans and either boots or trainers, leather jackets also look great styled with scarves.

2. cream oversized boxy shaggy teddy jacket | £65 | - click to buy |

Something that is a huge trend for this autumn/winter season is faux fur/teddy jackets, which lets face it aren't they just so cosy and warm? I love this particular style as it isn't too long in length, which i am not a huge fan of as i am only 5ft2. This particular jacket also comes in a variety of different colours from cream to black and even a beautiful red colour.

3. petite black cropped boxy denim jacket | £25 | - click to buy |

I love denim jackets for more casual looks, especially this boxy style as you can layer with them easier during autumn/winter and look good paired with jumpers, unlike a regular fit denim jacket. This particular black boxy style is available in both regular fit and petite, for me personally as i am a little shorter petite fit always fits me a lot better than a regular fit. Another selling point for this jacket is how affordable it is at just £25, for such a well made/great quality jacket. I have had a few Missguided jackets over the years, that last/wear well.

4. grey cable knitted boyfriend jumper | £25 | - click to buy |

Something that is definitely a winter wardrobe staple is knitwear/jumpers and Missguided definitely have a huge selection to choose from, including this super cosy cable knit jumper that is available in six different colours but personally i love this grey colour. They also have different styles of knit jumpers from more fitted styles to off the shoulder style and super-oversized jumpers. The pricing of jumpers range from £10 to around £25/30 (all depending on the style) and they also wash really well.

5. black faux suede western ankle boots | £28 | - click to buy |

A style that i am personally enjoying wearing so far this autumn/winter season is ankle grazer style skinny jeans, paired with black suede ankle boots. I have a few pairs in my wardrobe including a couple of pairs i recently picked up similar to this style, one heeled and one more on the flat side. The thing i love about Missguided shoes is they are super comfy to wear/walk in for a long time without your feet aching.

6. black zig zag pattern scarf | £12 | - click to buy |

Finally, no autumn/winter wardrobe is complete without a staple scarf to layer up with when going out in the cold. The perfect thing about picking up a scarf that is either black or neutral, it is going to go with so many different outfits and whatever jacket/coat you decide to pair it with. I definitely think i am going to pick this particular scarf up, to style with a leather jacket, black jeans and heeled ankle boots for the perfect "shopping" look.

Catch up on my previous post: here

xo.

JULY MUST-BUYS: CLOTHING, BEAUTY, ACCESSORIES ETC.

Hello everyone! Seeing as now we are a few days into July, i just couldn't not keep up with my new monthly tradition this year of my monthly must-buys post. Just in-case you didn't know what i mean by must-buys, it is basically all of the things i have either purchased or want to purchased towards the end of the previous month/the upcoming month from clothes to homeware and even books...

1. l'Oréal chocolats matte liquid lipstick in the shade sweet tooth | £7.99 |

So i had actually spotted these on Instagram last month and as soon as i saw the shades i was like, yep those are for me (once a nude lipstick hoarder, always a nude lipstick hoarder ha ha). I actually placed an order yesterday on Superdrug and picked myself one up in the shade sweet tooth, which is the most beautiful shade.

2. missguided pink pom pom and tassel wicker shopper bag | £20 |

I have mentioned in a few other fashion related posts how much i am living for the whole straw/wicker style bags and i think i found the one that i love the most, out of all the others i have laid eyes on. This bag from Missguided to me literally screams summer/beach bag, as well as being slightly different and also £20 is such a bargain!

3. worth the risk by k.bromberg (kindle) | £2.99 |

So if you caught my goodreads summer/beach holiday romance must-reads post, then you will have read me talking about this specific book by K.Bromberg (aka one of my new favourite authors). I am completely obsessed with the Driven series, which i have completely binge-read as it was that gripping and addictive. So this is book by the same author, which is her latest release is definitely at the top of my next book purchase list.

4. yankee candle sandalwood vanilla large candle jar | £23.99 |

Yankee Candles are by far my favourite brand of candle, so naturally i am going to be intrigued by their latest launch/limited edition candles. This particular candle Sandalwood Vanilla, is that perfect summers evening scented candle as it has all the notes that scream beach days, mixed with the vanilla notes that throw off a warming scent.

5. asos cami tops (upto 70% off sale) | from £2 |

So for a couple of weeks now ASOS have had a upto 70% off sale on selected items, with new items being added daily and i of course decided to take advantage of that by picking up some new cami style tops for summer. I picked up a total of 6 tops all ranging from a sale price of £7-£15 each (majority out of stock now). I definitely recommend visiting the site, because you could bag yourself some bargains.

6. dyefor personalised marble iphone case | £9 |

I was in desperate need of a new phone case and i wasn't feeling any on the Skinnydip site, so i decided to look else where and i came across the dyefor site and what sold me was how much variety they had, as well as being able to personalise your case. This is the particular case i went with, i love the mixture of marble and light pink design and obviously i had Katie written on it because that is my name ha!

7. shein kimono tops | from £5.99 |

Another one of my favourite clothing pieces for summer and also holiday are kimono's, as they can not only easily change the way a plain outfit looks but they are great just to cover up if you don't want to burn your shoulders yet they are still super lightweight and not hot in the slightest. You can get so many different styles from so many different brands but this year Shein have so many beautiful ones, that are super affordable.

8. shein gold plated buckled open bracelet | £2.25 |

Finally also when i placed an order recently on Shein, i had a quick look at their accessories section and i noticed how many great affordable versions of high-end bracelets they had. I am all about simple jewellery and i love different gold bracelets, that are simple but i don't want to break the bank doing it. So Shein is a must-look place if you are looking for something similar to this, as well you must look at their bag section.

Catch up on a similar post HERE...

xo.

APRIL MUST-BUYS | CLOTHING, HOMEWARE + BEAUTY

Hello everyone and Happy April! Friday's post was me talking all things beauty and lifestyle favourites from the month of March, which you can catch up on here if you haven't done so already. So now that we are into a new month, i thought i would carry on the new tradition and share with you some of my "must-buy" items for April. This month it is a mixture of items that i have already picked up at the end of March for April, as well as a couple of things that i have my eye on and plan to pick up soon...

1. mac cosmetics hyper real glow palette | £35 |

First up is a new release from MAC last week, which i had heart eye emoji faces for from the second that i saw it and i plan to pick one up at the weekend hopefully. I am such a highlighter junkie and some of my favourites are from MAC, so i already know i am going to love this one. It is available in two different shades, get it glowin' (which is the one i want) and flash + awe. 

2. primark beauty nudes collection | from £1.50 |

So far this year i have tried and loved quite a few different products from the beauty range at Primark, they have seriously stepped their game up including launching a cool new range called "nudes". Next time i am near a Primark i am 100% going to nip in and hopefully pick up a few bits to try, i especially have my eye on the contour sticks, lipstick and lip glosses. 

3. h&m reversible powder pink shopper bag | £17.99 |

I have been looking for a larger bag for some time now in like a nude/blush colour and this one from H&M is perfect, especially for what i need it for. This size is perfect for if you are needing to carry a lot of things or when travelling. I can't believe how much of a bargain this bag is for the quality, you seriously wouldn't think it retails under £20 and it is also available in black, grey-beige and yellow but obviously i was looking for this colour.

4. mennace x missguided polka dot shirt | £15 |

Last week i placed a cheeky little order on missguided for a few things that i had my eye on, including this polka dot shirt/blouse from the mennace collaboration. What i really like about this shirt is that it could be worn either dressed up or down, with either black jeans, leather trousers or even a leather/suede skirt and £15 is a complete bargain. I'm also glad that i ordered a smaller size, as it is quite oversized. 

5. rachel vosper essence no2 large candle | £20 |

Another thing that i have an obsession with other than collecting highlighters, is collecting candles and this one from Dunelm is something like what i have been looking at getting my hands on for the longest time and nothing has ever been quite right for not an insane amount of money. I saw this one one someones Instagram post, so i am going to have to nip into my local Dunelm sometime this week and see if they have it. 

6. mac cosmetics prep+prime fix+ shimmer | £19 |

Fix+ has always been a favourite of my from MAC, so just like the highlighter palette once i saw this launch from the same "hyper glow collection" i knew i needed it. This is also available in two different finishes, goldlite (shock horror this is the one i want ha ha) and also pinklite. I love how this range caters to both those who love/suit gold tones more and then those who suit/love pink tones. This is definitely me and my sister, as i have my eye one the gold ones and she has her eye on the pink ones!

7. primark bra's/bralette | £5 |

Something that i recently picked some more up of is bra's and bralettes from Primark, as they do some of my favourites and there is no way you would think looking at them that they are £4-£5. Bra's can be super expensive and not wash nice/last for long but these ones actually do. I have a couple of the black bralette sets shown in the picture above and they are so comfy, as well as looking a little nicer than your standard bra would. Wearing a bralette also looks a little nicer under a shirt/blouse, especially if it has lace detailing. 

8. missguided white oversized striped t-shirt | £12 |

Finally another favourite item from my recent missguided order is this oversized striped t-shirt, which i picked up to wear casually with either some leggings or blue jeans. The model is wearing the t-shirt with a white denim skirt, which makes me think how nice it would look once the weather has hopefully warmed up/dried up with some white ripped jeans. This is also another item that i am glad i sized down on, taking the already oversized into consideration.

Catch up on a similar post HERE...

xo.

MY MARCH MUST-BUYS | CLOTHING, ACCESSORIES + BEAUTY

Hello everyone and Hello new month! Where did March spring from? (no pun intended), it honestly felt like January lasted a lifetime and February went in a flash. So the past couple of months at the beginning of the months, i have been sharing a selection of my must-buy items, whether that be the things i have already bought or if i am wanting to buy. That being said so far they seem to be a huge hit views wise, so with that in mind and now we are into a new month here are my March must-buys from clothing to beauty and accessories...

1. bareMinerals gen nude lip lacquer in the shade major | £17 |  
bareMinerals gen nude glow blush in the shade pretty in pink | £22 | selfridges |
Fun fact bareMinerals is probably my favourite high end makeup brand, especially for products like my all time favourite invisible bronze bronzer. They have recently launched a bunch of new gen nude products, which naturally i was going to be excited for especially the nude lip colours.

2. black faux leather jacket | £30 | missguided |
I have been in need of picking up a new black leather jacket, as i have had my other one for some time now and i decided to take a look on the missguided site. I ended up going for this one which to be honest is a bargain at £30, yet it was even more of a bargain as it was included during the 50% off everything on the site so it ended up being £15. I also took full advantage of this 50% off and picked up a few other things, but returned a couple of them as they ended up being too big.

3. casual peplum camisole top | £14 | topshop |
When it comes to tops i am all about stocking up on basics, especially tops like this one as they are so great just to throw on with a pair of jeans and look great paired with a leather jacket. I also like how they come in several different colours, but of course for me it is all about the black.

4. pretty trim bardot top | £22 | topshop |

Another Topshop number that i am loving at the moment is this bardot top, in this gorgeous peachy shade. I actually first mentioned this top in my recent early spring clothing + accessories lust list post and i said how perfect this would be for spring/summer with a pair of jeans, that is if we even end up getting any nice weather in the UK soon!

5. luna oriental kimono wrap dress | £20 | boohoo |

I have really been loving wearing print blouses when it comes to wanting something a little more dressy, then i saw this patterned wrap dress on Boohoo and thought how nice this would look styled in so many ways. You could style it either with heeled boots (ankle or thigh high) or with heeled sandals or block heels.

6. layla basic crew neck t-shirt | £5 | boohoo |

As i mentioned before i like to stock up on basics, as they always come in handy so when i placed a Boohoo order i decided to pick a few of these up whilst i was on the site. Of course i went for a couple of the black, but i also picked up a grey one and a mocha colour (which looks more of a nude colour). 

7. yellow tie up block heel sandals | £42 | river island |

Another item that i mentioned in my recent early-spring lust list is these gorgeous block heel sandals from River Island, which as i mentioned in that post i am obsessed with this yellow colour. I have a feeling these sandals are going to be a summer outfit staple, which you could either dress up or dress down.

8. with this man by jodi ellen malpas | £5.43 | amazon |

Finally the thing that i am probably so excited for at the end of the month, which is the next chapter in the This Man series of books. If you read my recent music, tv + books at the moment post then you will probably know how i started re-reading the series just to refresh my memory (well that is my excuse anyway). I definitely recommend giving this series a read, especially if you are a sucker for an alpha male and Jesse is the lord of alpha males!

 I hope you all have a lovely weekend!

xo.

TIPS + TRICKS | HOW TO STAY STYLISH FOR LESS

Hello everyone! Staying "on-trend"/up to date on style could be seriously costly, but it honestly doesn't have to be that way at all and there are so many ways to stay stylish for less money. This doesn't just count for clothing, style is more than just clothes it is also accessories, lifestyle choices and beauty. With that in mind for today's post, i thought i would share with you some of my tips and tricks on how to stay stylish on a budget...

1. swap designer labels for high-street pieces

You might think you are getting the best by spending the extra cash on a designer bag or clothing, yet you might be surprised what you can get on the high-street or online for a lot less. If you are a lover of designer handbags, then a way to get your hands on something super similar is by shopping on shein. This is where i picked up my "chanel boy bag" dupe from and the quality of the bags are really good for the price point. 

2. wait until there is a discount code or sale

When it comes to shopping online the best thing to usually do is wait it out, especially until there is a discount code or the item comes on sale. Clothing sites which have so many affordable versions of on trend pieces such as Boohoo, MissGuided and PrettyLittleThing have discount codes available weekly if not daily. This way you can pick up some items you have your eye one and save money by doing so.

3. save money on having your nails done by diy'ing them at home

Having a manicure/acrylics/gel nails every couple of weeks or once a month can quickly become costly at around £30 a time, save yourself money by giving yourself a manicure at home. Whether that be simply painting them, or adding your own acrylics which are simple to apply and can be picked up from as little as £1 from Primark (they are my favourites). Even if you like to get creative with nail art, watch tutorials or search Pinterest for easy step by step guides on how to re-create it on your own nails.

4. choose drugstore makeup over high-end makeup

When it comes to makeup i do love a good high-end product but there are definitely a lot of drugstore products that i love even more, especially when it comes to foundations. Wearing high-end makeup every single day can become costly, especially because you are going through things quicker so swap out your high-end foundation/concealer for everyday use and limit using high-end to weekends/special occasions. 

5. choose pieces that will go with multiple things

If you are going to invest in something, make sure before buying it is something that is going to go with more than one thing. There is no point in wasting your money on something you can wear only once, or with only one outfit. One of my favourite things to do is wear a simple outfit and switch up the way it looks with a different jacket, coat, cardigan and shoes. 

6. style your hair different

Another really easy step to look put together/stylish is to put in a little more effort when it comes to your hair, you could be wearing a simple pair of jeans and top but look really put together with a really easy to do hairstyle. My favourite thing to do is a easy DIY salon looking blow-dry at home, which i mentioned in a recent beauty hacks i swear by post. I also love doing voluminous waves, which can be super quick and easy to do by placing your hair in a high pony-tail and curling as you normally would before removing the hair-tie. 

7. how to afford luxury fragrances

Smelling good is sometimes as good if not the perfect way to finish off a stylish look and perfume can be super expensive, but there are ways to dodge the cost. A great tip is to shop/search for designer fragrance dupes from places such as Next, M&S, Primark and New Look for a lot less. Other great ways are to try out a fragrance subscription service or even shop duty free/sales. 

8. make your old clothes new again

Another great way to switch up some of your current wardrobe pieces is to do a little DIY on them, whether that be adding rips to a plain pair of jeans or making them into shorts. There are so many great step by step ways on how to DIY your clothing/accessories on Pinterest, which you would be surprised at how simple they are to do. If DIY isn't really your thing, you can also add things to an existing outfit such as a belt.

Catch up on my previous tips + tricks post HERE...

xo.

MY JANUARY MUST-BUYS | CLOTHING, ACCESSORIES + BEAUTY

Hello everyone! Now that we are in January things tend to go either way when it comes to that "after Christmas spending" period, some do no-spend January and some save their money for January, more specifically for the new-in items or sale items. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you a selection of things that are my personal favourite must-buy items this January, which is a mixture of things i have already bought and some that i still want to pick up. *some items linked are similar or limited stock on the sale items*

1. | missguided tan roll neck knitted jumper | £20 |

Now that it is January and we are well into winter, something warm, cosy and that is great for layering is going to be your best friend. This particular missguided number is perfect for doing just that, as it is such a neutral colour it will go with a so many different items all depending how you want to style it.

2. | dkny bryant park leather purse | was £90 now £60 |

If you are looking into investing or picking up a more "designer branded" purse then January is definitely the time to do so, as the majority of the department stores always have sales on. I was super lucky with mine as it was the last one in stock and i can't find it anywhere online now, but they have similar styles available.

3. | real techniques filtered face set | was £80 now £40 |

Just like i mentioned with the purses, the same applies with makeup brushes (which lets face it they can have a hefty price tag). Earlier this week i picked up this bargain half price real techniques set for just £40 instead of £80, which is such a good deal as it includes three different sponges (usually £5+ each), a brush holder and eight brushes (usually around £6+ each). I also received a different set also by Real Techniques for Christmas, which really inspired me to have a good clear out/brush replacement session.

4. | shein detail flap chain bag (chanel boy dupe) | £20.37 |

I have seen so many people talk about a site called Shein for a few months now and a fair few people have done hauls from the brand, so i decided to take a look for myself and i picked up this Chanel Boy bag dupe in the beginning of December. This particular bag is probably the closest dupe to the ever so expensive bag i have seen and to begin with before it arrived i wasn't too sure what the quality was going to be like, but i was proven wrong and now it is my go-to everyday bag at the moment. 

5. | st.tropez self tan luxe dry oil | £19.50 |

Seeing as we are in winter and we have all virtually lost our summer glow, more often than non we have to fake it and that can become a chore as all you want to do in the evenings is snuggle up in your cosy pyjamas in bed. That being said i love to stay tanned all year round, as it just makes me feel better within myself and this particular self tan dry oil is perfect for not only giving your that bronzed skin but also super hydrated skin.

6. | dorothy perkins mink apurla heeled boots | was £45 now £12 |

These particular boots are my most recent purchase and i am still waiting for them to arrive, but i am living for how stunning they are with the detailing on the block heel and not to mention how much of a bargain they were for just £12. I ordered mine from the Dorothy Perkins site which is now out of stock, but they still might be available in-store or on other Dorothy Perkins stocked sites. I can't wait to wear them already!

7. | boohoo natasha teddy fur biker style jacket | £45 |

I have been looking for a teddy styled jacket or coat for quite a while now and i noticed that Boohoo have quite a few different styles, new-in on their site and this particular one is definitely my favourite. I just love how cosy and warm, yet still stylish and versatile they are to just throw on and head out of the door. 

8. | topshop rio floral embellished cross body bag | £30 |

I am living for the different embellished cross body chained bags on Topshop at the moment, especially this particular style as it would go great with nude/neutral coloured outfits and also black outfits. Having a detailed bag in your collection is great to add a little something different, to an otherwise plain looking outfit.

9. | asos pimkie chunky cardigan | £39.99 |

During the winter months i love me a chunky knit cardigan, as they are just cosy and comfortable, as well as adding something to a plain pair of jeans and top. I really love this particular grey chunky knit cardigan, which is super similar to one i picked up last month in Primark along side a couple of others for just £13 each.

10. | anastasia beverly hills liquid lipstick set | £26 |

If you read my 2017 most read posts post, then you will have seen my review on finally being able to get Anastasia Beverly Hills lip products in the UK, either from their UK site, BeautyBay or Cult Beauty. That being said this particular set of mini liquid lipsticks (dazed, bittersweet and hudson) are great if you simply want to give a couple of shades a try, before picking up a full size or even if you have a friend's birthday coming up this month and are stuck on what to get them.

Catch up on my previous post HERE...

xo.

PRE-FALL WISHLIST

Hello everyone! Seeing as we are now well into August (aka basically the last month of summer), the summer sales are in full swing and all of the autumn/winter pieces are starting to come out. I have already seen a bunch of pieces both beauty and style related, that will be perfect for the transition time between late summer and autumn. So for today's post i thought i would share those particular pieces that i am lusting after.

1. smashbox photo finish primerizer
The lazy girls perfect skin-prep products, as it moisturises and primes in one.

2. estée lauder double wear nude water fresh foundation
I am a huge double wear fan, so of course i need to try the new nude water fresh version.

3. charlotte tilbury eyes to mesmerise in the shade marie antoinette

4. becca light chaser highlighter for face and eye in the shade champagne dream
I mean, who doesn't need more highlighters in their collection?

5. urbay decay naked heat warm eyeshadow palette
This palette scream autumn as well as being my kind of shades, but it is currently OFS!

6. peter thomas roth water drench cloud cream
With the weather transitioning it can be hard on dryer skin types, this would be a saviour.

7. too faced melted latex liquid lipstick in the shade bite me

8. bareMinerals gen nude matte liquid lipstick in the shade bo$$

9. boohoo pearl oversized denim jacket
I love this particular denim jacket with the pearl detail, great for styling a plain outfit.
10. topshop ria floral cross body chain bag
How luxurious and chic does this Topshop bag look? It also comes in black but i love the white!
11. asos black lace up pointed ballet flats
12. river island beige tortoiseshell oversized sunglasses
As these are a beige tortoiseshell with dark frames, they will pair with autumn outfits.
13. boohoo off the shoulder jumper
14. river island light blue 3D flower crossbody bag
Another super chic bag, i love how similar this bag shape is to the Givenchy Pandora bags!
15. missguided double collar tie belt mac jacket
16. forever 21 contemporary open-knit cardigan
I love this particular colour knit during the autumn, as it suits my skin/hair tones and my favourite way to style a cardigan like this is with a plain black top and black jeans!

♥

WHAT'S IN MY ONLINE SHOPPING BASKET: SUMMER STYLE WISHLIST

Hello everyone! Last week i did a post talking about some of my favourite places to shop online, which you can catch here. In this post i mentioned a selection of places where i like to get different things, from makeup to clothing and even gadgets/lifestyle items. Keeping that style of post in mind i thought i would share with you some of the style items, that are currently in my online shopping basket and on my summer wishlist.

rebecca minkoff mini mac leather cross body bag

(i have been lusting after this bag for a while now, birthday present to myself?) RRP£230

in the style nude floral print bardot playsuit

(also available in a bardot top, bardot dress (which i also love), jumpsuit and co-ord) RRP£29.99

quay australia x desi high key black on silver sunglasses

(i always thought i wanted gold on gold, but after trying them on in topshop i prefer the way the black on silver style looks on me personally) RRP£50

boohoo yellow strappy open shoulder blouse

(love the colour of this, it screams summer to me and comes in 7 colours) RRP£15

asos fabienne studded flat sandals

(available in nude and black, the need to hurry and get size 4 or 5 back in stock) RRP£12

kate spade gold thin hinge bangle

(i bought my mum this in silver for her birthday and it made me want one even more) RRP£40

missguided white ruffle layer bardot dress 
(this would be perfect for holiday, also available in blue and grey striped) RRP£22

boohoo black off the shoulder bardot top
(as you can probably tell i am living for the bardot style recently, perfect staple) RRP£15

office nina black block heel sandals
(i am really loving the whole block heel style recently, more specifically in black) RRP£62

♥

MY FAVOURITE PLACES TO SHOP ONLINE

Hello everyone! I know i am not on my own for online shopping more than actually going out shopping, it is just so much easier as you don't have to put up with other shoppers, queues and you can do it in your pyjamas if you want to. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you all, some of my favourite places to online shop, from makeup to miscellaneous items, clothing and even candles.

1. superdrug.com

It is very rare that i actually pop into a Superdrug store these days, as i would much rather order it all online especially if i am needing dry shampoo, face wipes, hairspray or anything heavy i want to stock up on (as well as makeup items obviously). That isn't the only reason, the other reason being that they have so many more offers online than they do in-store and if you have a beautycard you can get free delivery, as well as extra offers on-top of other offers. Thursdays are a good day to shop if you are a beautycard holder, as they have a "treat thursday" section of offers for members, for example 10% off a brand/product or triple points.

2. beautybay.com

Another place i love to shop on for more high-end and some affordable makeup is Beautybay, as they sell so many amazing brands and some of my favourites such as Anastasia Beverly Hills, Makeup Geek, LA Girl, LA Splash, Morphe and Milani. More often than not they will have offers such as upto 30% off, 3 for 2 on certain brands and delivery is free on orders over £15. The shipping is also crazy fast which i love because i am such an impatient person, i am literally that meme of the cat sat waiting at the window for the delivery guy ha! Another store similar to Beautybay that i love to shop on is cultbeauty.co.uk.

3. lookfantasic.com

It was a toss up between Look Fantastic and Feel Unique, as they are similar sellers but i would say that i order a lot more frequently from Look Fantastic now. I like to get my L'Oréal Professionnel hair products from there, as well as bareMinerals, NARS and it's where i get my brow tint from. I love how they constantly have great discounts on so many different brands, discount codes such as 10% and 20% off, free and fast delivery.

4. missguided.co.uk

Moving on-to clothing and shoes, i get quite a lot of things from missguided because there is always something that i see and love on there. The quality of the clothing and everything is amazing for the price-tag and the sizing of products are accurate, they don't run small or big. The site is also another place where there is always some form of discount going off, such as free next day delivery, 20% off everything and 30% off when you sign up to their newsletter. Every time i go on i always find myself lusting after something new, even just getting the link for the site i got distracted and ending up placing an order! Other places i get clothing from quite frequently are asos.com, prettylittlething.com and boohoo.com.

5. candlesdirect.com

Being the complete candle addict that i am, Candles Direct is a site that i order from quite a lot as it is were i usually get my Yankee Candles from. They also sell so many other brands such as Village Candles, Burts Bees, Baylis & Harding and Bomb Cosmetics. The great thing about this site is there is always some form of discount on candles, as well as fragrance of the month discounts and they stock everything from tea lights, pillar candles and small/medium/large jars. 

6. amazon.co.uk

Finally moving onto probably one of the best places to online shop for so many different things in the same place and such reliable/quick delivery and customer service response. I buy everything from makeup brushes, makeup, books, dvd's, gadgets and pretty much everything basically. Also if you have amazon prime you can watch tv shows, movies, listen to music and get your online orders the next day. Something i do a lot on Amazon is pre-order pre-released things such as dvd's and books, that way you won't forget when they are released and you will get them on the day of the release without having to leave the house.

♥

SPRING'14: FASHION PART TWO

In a previous blog post i talked about how on trend "orange" was for this spring, as well as the models hitting the catwalks sporting this bold colour they have also been wearing a lot of pastel colours which are defiantly spring appropriate. Here is a few of my favourite "pretty pastel" pieces available on the high street this spring...

My hot pick favourite: Birdie "mint coloured" platform strapped heels from JustFab for £35.

Check out my previous blog post "spring'14 fashion part one: orange is the new black" here.

http://katiebeautyshake.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/spring14-fashion-part-one.html

Hope you are all having an amazing week and i'll be back soon...

Katie♥