San Francisco Packing

Hello lovelies!

As of today I know have 7 days left on the countdown until I board my plane with my sisters and head off to sunny San Francisco and I can not wait. The excitement is killing me so in order to pass the time I thought I'd do a bit of prep packing. I'm going to be pretty busy this week with work and appointments so this will help me get everything in order.

Beach Babe

I'll be staying with my aunt and her partner and where they live there will also be a swimming pool a few minutes walk away. Not only can I go swimming everyday we can also hope in the car and head off to the beach for a day of salty, fresh air goodness.

Bikini Top- H&M

Bikini Bottoms- Penny's

Cover Up- Penny's

Sunnys- Ray Ban Wayfarer

Face Sun Cream- Roc Soleil Protection Hydrating Formula SPF 50

City Girl

We're planning on spending half our time in the city and the other half in my aunt's house in the hills. I've always wanted to explore San Fran city ever since I watched The Princess Diaries and I can't wait to hit up Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown and have a mosey about the stores at Union Square. I thought high waisted shorts and top tucked in would give me a cool city gal look.

T-shirt- Only

High Waisted Shorts- River Island

Burnt Orange Bag- Market

Night Out on the Town

As I am not of legal going out or drinking I wont be planning on going out clubbing anytime but I thought I'd be nice to have a few fancy evening outfits for going out to dinner. I'm getting into shift dresses at the moment for this lovely colourful one is perfect.

Dress- River Island

Necklace- Miss Selfridge

Gold Sandals- River Island

Clutch- Gift

Cosy Cover Up

Because San Francisco is by the sea it tends to be lovely and warm during the day ( 0% humidity *whoop whoop no fuzzy hair) but cools down very quickly in the evening. To fight that chilly breezy I'm bringing along a few cute cropped jumpers and knits.

Lace Detail Crop Jumper- Topshop

Skirt- Zara

Bag- Nica at Topshop

Necklace- Forever 21

Old Schoolin'

You couldn't go to San Francisco and not rock the vintage look. I haven't worn these out in public yet so maybe I'll test drive them in another country all together and if they don't work no one will witness my fashion faux-pas.

So this has definitely given me a few ideas of what to pack with me since I'm pretty sure I'll be bringing home more than I brought with me so I don't want to over pack.

Let me know if you liked this kind of post in the comments. I wasn't sure how to photograph them but I think this is a good result. 

Thanks for reading,

Ciara xx

Favourites: Summer Lovin'

Hello lovelies!


So since my photographer has abandoned me for the weekend (she's gone off to Berlin with my other sister and my dad) I thought I'd put together a little favourites post instead. Now I have a few to go through but I've really been loving using these products over the last few weeks or so and they're perfect bits and bobs to stock up on for the sunshine filled months.

1: First up are two pretty little headbands I picked up from River Island. On a hot and sweaty day I don't necessarily want to have the weight of my hair on my neck so I pop it up in a messy bun to keep cool. These trinkets do the job of holding everything in place and making a boring bun more summery.

2: I'm practically glued to my gorgeous Ray Ban Wayfarer sunnies to keep my sensitive eye from watering in the sun and getting damaged. 

3: These two cute bikini tops are from H&M and I think they are flying out of stock at lightening speed. They're wired so there's a bit of support and they fit me really well. Hopefully when I'm in San Francisco (only 2 and a bit weeks left) I'll get some use out of them. 

4: I've been going through a nail varnish craze lately and the Barry M Gelly Hi-Shines in Blueberry and Pink Punch are so bright and summery. I have Blueberry on my toes at the moment and because I have to wear sandals at work so many people have been complimenting me.

5: To keep my skin soft and smooth for fake tanning I've been using the Soap and Glory Flake Away body scrub. It leaves my skin super soft and also smells. so. good.

6: Because I spend about an hour and half on the bus everyday I'm going into work and recently I've decided to get into reading books again, the book 'To Die For. Is Fashion Wearing Out the World?' by journalist Lucy Siegle has taken up permanent residence in my work bag. If you're a shopaholic or just interested in the fashion industry this is a great book to look into. It's all about how fashion industry and fast fashion are affecting the world socially, economically and ecologically. Don't worry it's not some fact laden series of reports, the way it's written is quite gripping and easy to read.

7: After exfoliating I slather a bit of Bath & Body Works Sweet Pea body lotion to moisturise and oh gosh it smells so light and sweet. Not only does it do it's job it also dries in really quickly which is a plus for me who hates waiting for lotions to dry in. A perfect summer body staple.

8: I've recently discovered Burberry's perfume 'Touch' and I've been using it non-stop. It's quite a mature scent so while delicious it's not exactly a summer fragrance. 

9: I'm fairly lazy when it comes to self-tanning because really I couldn't be bothered to even try bronzing my milky white skin. But to take away a bit of light reflecting whiteness the Dove Summer Glow moisturiser with gradual tan is great. I've got in the shade for fair to medium skin and it's not 'orangey' at all. Plus because it's moisturises the skin I find I don't go patchy around my ankles or knees. The smell is not too bad either.

10: I recently paid a visit to the Clarins beauty counter to pick up the Skin Perfecting BB Cream in the shade 00. OMG this is seriously the best BB cream I've ever tried. Not only does it actually suit my fairer skin tone exactly it has great coverage and doesn't give that wet oily look. Packed with antioxidants like green tea extract and SPF 25 the BB cream also evens out the skin tone. 

Take it from someone who wear so little make-up she sometimes forgets to even put on mascara for work this BB cream is so quick and easy to apply.

11: Last but not least the Tony & Guy Sea Salt Texturising Spray is wonderful for adding a bit of oomph and texture to second day hair. It also has a great smell. I feel like a sun-kissed beach bunny without having to deal with a grain of salt.

Hopefully I've given you a few items to add to your summer shopping basket this year.

Thanks for reading,

Ciara xxx

Isabel Marant for H&M

Hello lovelies!

Right so it's November the 14th and finally the long awaited release day of Isabel Marant for H&M has arrived. When I heard about yet another high fashion H&M collaboration (and this time with ultra chic Marant) I was particularly excited to see the new looks. I've always thought Marant with her almost basic but punk aesthetic was a great match for H&M and it seems I thought right!

Of course with any high fashion designer you're going to get a few looks that push the commercial boundaries but over all these pieces are very adaptable, I'd even find myself reaching for a good few of them. The only thing I do have to say is that whilst the cuts of the pieces aren't so scary, some of the prints and materials could be questionable. However Marant is a great fan of different textures and mature, provocative prints so I'll have to excuse her.

Check out some of my favourite pieces!

 


 


Out of the whole collection I have to admit the coats are the items I would consider paying the big bucks for. So luxurious looking while at the same time bang on the sheath/pure coat trend that's knocking about.

 

 

And you can't have a Marant collection without some bold and striking colours. This time we have all sorts of gorgeous reds that are perfect for spicing up a minimalist Winter wardrobe.

  

 

And why not add a splash of silver or gold to get in that festive spirit?

 

I also love how there's a few sports-lux pieces thrown in for all us casual ladies who love a good comfy jumper and a pair of joggers on a frosty cold Winter's day. 

 

  

I'm pretty sure this collection is being sold a mile a minute so I don't think I'll even get a chance to see them up close and personal. I guess this is the closest I'll ever get to them, a shame really because I've got some Christmas shopping to do....

Let me know what your thoughts are on Isabel Marant's collection for H&M, I'd love to find out what everyone thinks.

Thanks for reading,

Ciara xx

All photos sourced from www.vogue.co.uk and Google Images