Thursday 13 November 2014

Jennifer Lawrence Kills It in Red


Not sure I've ever seen a body-con dress look stylish before. Let alone a red one! Nonchalant vibe + coat + tousled hair + red lip + sunglasses = major cool points. Dress by Antonio Berardi. Sexy style all JLaw. 

Tuesday 11 November 2014

Pre-Christmas Buys to Get You in the Mood


I can't help but get completely sucked into any (chic) Christmas advertising that promises a season of roaring log fires, wintery walks, cosy knits and mulled wine. When my Boden catalogue arrived (complete with candy stripe spine) I couldn't help myself from cooing over the styling and telling my boyfriend how clever and beautiful it all was. If only I could live in a catalogue Christmas. 

The White Company is another brand it's impossible to resist, especially at this time of year. I want that White Company life where my family is enormous and we all wear matching cashmere and sit around in huge houses grinning at each other. 

Christmas in the Cotswolds may be nothing like The Holiday, but let's imagine owning Cameron Diaz's vast coat wardrobe and meeting Jude Law in the cosy local pub. Maybe a few cheeky pre-holiday purchases will help create a fantasy Christmas we can all enjoy...

Hush pom pom beanie | NARS nail varnish in Chinatown | Topshop link chain collar | Whistles Mini Jenny tote | Uniqlo duffle coat | Hush lace bra | Cire Trudon Nazereth candle

Thursday 6 November 2014

7 Product Winter Beauty Kit



The sudden switch to cold weather means it's time to rethink your beauty regime: say hello to hydrating products, autumnal scents and a few fun seasonal additions. Here are some of my current favourites.

I've been using this for years (it used to be called Omega 3 Night Repair Serum and cost £11 more for 20ml more product...) and find that whatever my skincare concern, be it spots or dryness, this always improves it by morning. Some complain about the smell but I love it (and I'm fussy). A winter must-have. 

Hugely expensive, hugely luxe. Silver hydrosol makes this skin-saver antibacterial and calming. I find its light texture works perfectly over face oils to provide an extra layer of moisture. Smells divine (and all natural: citrus, rosewood, geranium, sandalwood and patchouli). Pricey but multi-purpose and can even be used around eyes. 

Another old favourite and still my number one cleanser. Makes every face wash into a mini facial. I am trying to get to grips with facial massage and I like to use this in the evenings to take off my makeup and give my skin a good going over. A pot lasts forever so the cost is only slightly upsetting. 

Oh how I wish I could do a trolly dash in this store. I love to buy Jo Malone gifts for others and was lucky enough to receive this myself on my 30th birthday. Perfect for this time of year, it's fruity, spicy, sophisticated and a bit unusual. 

I think I've only been brave enough to wear this once or twice but the colour is fabulous. Nothing looks better than a red lip at Christmas and this dark, matte shade works well on those with yellow or neutral-toned skin. You'll need to apply a few layers and blot in between for maximum staying power. 

This lotion doesn't actually feel oily but gets its smell from almond oil and sinks into skin quickly. I like the pump dispenser and the fact it contains colloidal oatmeal, which is both calming and nourishing.

I got this free when I bought two other Rimmel products but to my amazement I really rate it. The brush allows very precise application and separates lashes easily. The effect is natural but buildable. Probably my favourite drugstore mascara in recent years and it costs £8. 

*Sample provided for review. 

Monday 3 November 2014

Hydrangea Valley at Trebah Gardens



Back in August we visited somewhere I'd been wanting to go to since seeing it on Gardeners' World (Friday night TV guilty pleasure alert). Trebah Gardens in Falmouth are sub-tropical gardens set in a beautiful valley that rolls right down to the Helford River. You can pootle down the various paths before hopping up some steps and onto a pebble beach with beautiful views and an ice cream shop.

August is the best time of year to see the incredible Hydrangea Valley, which was the main reason I wanted to visit. Hydrangeas are one of my favourite flowers and the valley was even better in person than it looks in these photos. The whole garden is a joy to walk round with a diverse selection of trees and plants and I can imagine it must look incredible in autumn too. There's also plenty of fun elements to entertain children, including a zip swing (which I may have had a go on.) If you're in the area, I recommend it.