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

What I'm Watching: Vogue Behind the Scenes

  

Hello lovelies!

Today I made a discovery on YouTube that I just had to share with you. If you're any sort of a self respecting fashionista you will have watched The September Issue, a documentary filmed around the putting together of the one of the most important issues of Vogue in the fashion year, the September issue. Not only was it a great inside look into the inner workings of the offices at Vogue it also gave me a first hand experience of the superwoman Anna Wintour. I've watched about 10 times and it never gets old!

Ever since first experiencing The September Issue I've been searching for more behind the scenes documentaries about the fashion industry and have come up with great pieces like Lagerfeld Confidential , Picture Me and Bill Cunningham New York. As a lover of fashion and the world of fashion I may be just a little addicted to these films..

And today I found yet another fix for my obsession, a certain playlist on Vogue's YouTube channel, Vogue In Motion. Over there you'll find a mini series about the creation of the March issue's editorial shoot 'Petal Pushers'. With Tabitha Simmons, Anna Wintour and lots of gorgeous clothes you really can't go wrong.

Here's the first of the documentaries if you want to check it out.

Thanks for reading,

Ciara xx

London Fashion Week AW14 Days 1 & 2

Hello lovelies!

I'm back today with the first lot of my favourite collections from LFW and my oh my are they good! As I say every single year the London shows are always the ones I look forward most to simply because 99% of my most loved designers show there. One day I'll make it to LFW and then I can die in peace ;)

First off is Orla Kiely who showed off her skills with another beautifully cute and feminine collection. Collars, pretty t-strap shoes, pretty swing skirts and a whole load of fun prints summed up to create a well rounded classic Kiely collection that I am almost drooling over. I almost think there's a hint of Parisian chic to be seen from the umbrellas and elegant macs.

Staying along the theme of pretty feminine pastels and shapes Holly Fulton did feminine but in a different way. Powder blues and pinks still featured but this time in delicate graphic prints and intricate designs stiched into beautiful satin and silk. Even when bolder colours like red and black were introduced Fulton still managed to bring about a fun romantic look to her pieces.

Eudon Choi leaned more towards beautiful tailoring and fresh injections of colours. These harmonised suited looks had the one-up on all the other tailored collections due to Choi's playfulness with fur, stand out shoes and patterning.

 

What was special about Christopher Raeburn's functional, militant collection this year was his focus on sustainable fashion. He used left over scraps of material (known as cabbages in the fashion world)  to put together beautiful looks and 'up-cycle' material into actual wearable pieces. The stand out piece from this collection was the pop out parka which was fashioned from two different pieces of material and it seems Raeburn has a way with outerwear as his fur lined anoraks were worn by all the helpers at LFW.

And Sibling were back with their iconic knitwear bringing out a challenging collection of the highest quality knitwear out there. The first part of the show featured wearable enough looks that still emulated the Sibling sense of playful anarchy but it was towards the end of the show, when the gowns came out that you really got to see the spirit of the designers. 

Right that's it from me about days 1 and 2 of LFW AW14 I have to say I'm seriously tempted to spend a ridiculous about of money on some Holly Fulton or Orla Kiely!

Thanks for reading.

Ciara xx

All photos sourced from www.style.com

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