Some of my fave things in life, the little things.

It's the little things..

A list of my fave things, just because.

A personal pizza from Dominoes just for me. I get a create your own with pepperoni and pineapple with a garlic and herb dip, the best. It's the diddiest pizza you ever saw but just enough and gets rid of the craving.

Chocolate.

A cheese-burger and chips. 

BBQs.

American shows. Big Bang Theory, Friends, Frasier, Everybody Loves Raymond, Sex and The City. They're all comedies and the last one incorporates fashion too.

Keeping Up With the Kardashians. I do love this. I hope it never ends! They live in a different world, I love seeing what they get up to. It's funny too.

My Uggs.

My iPhone. Sad to say this but, it is my lifeline. It's my alarm, my newspaper, my gossip and fashion magazines, my dictionary, my diary, my camera, my everything in the palm of my hand. 

Blue biros.

The Daily Mail app - a guilty pleasure.

Robinsons orange juice. I drink pints of this everyday. Better than coke surely?

Reading. Girly rom com books, particularly Jill Mansell. I love Harry Potter. Wonder how many times I've read each book in the series.. I love curling up on the couch, with a blanket, on my days off for a little read.

Sunshine.

A 20 minute nap. I heard 20 minutes is the ideal length of a nap. If you set an alarm for 20 minutes you wake feeling so refreshed. Any longer and you feel as tired as you did before the nap. 

Clean bedding.

The night before a day off work or even better the night before a week off work. It's the best feeling knowing you are so far away from your next early morning or day in work. 

That feeling you get on your way to a beach holiday. I love going abroad. I love the build up. I love the airport. I love the first day, when you finally lay down by the pool and feel the sun on you and you know you have a whole week of this ahead of you. 

Cadburys Time Out bars, so tasty!

Salt and vinegar crisps mixed in a bowl with cheese and onion crisps - my fave snack when I'm feeling blue. I eat one of each flavour at the same time, fit!

Dancing - there's nothing quite like a good dance session to amazing music. Endorphins. 

Hugh Grant, all his films. He's so funny. I always watch the same films over and over, I don't know why. 

Wrapping presents. Choosing the paper, finishing it off with ribbon, being creative - it's just fun. 

Christmas! Christmas films. Home Alone. It was on today at the end of March, cute. I could watch that all year around. 

It's the little things that can make your day that bit better. It doesn't take much with me, clearly.

X

Spring has sprung

Or has it?

I am sooooo ready to swap my winter warmers for a spring version because even though it's still cold the sun is shining and the sky is blue. I feel out of place in my dark colours but don't want to get caught out on a stormy day in spring jacket and a flimsy dress. This time last year it was snowing mad my reaction was to book a holiday and escape to the sun. So far this year it hasn't snowed and I am hoping we make it out the other side without me running to the travel agents. 

I want to be warm but look appropriate.

Here are my alternatives. 

Winter wool coat.

Swap this for a wool coat in a candy colour or a neutral shade like camel. Hopefully you'll get a bit of wear out of it over March, April and May then you can put it away until autumn. 

Oasis £95

Bag.

Swap the black leather bag for a chocolate brown or tan leather bag of the size of your choice. I'm liking grey leather this season. Candy colour bags are sweet too but I wouldn't invest in a coloured leather bag, just do a Primark one. 

Accessorize £35

Shoes.

I've been wearing leather ankle boots in black and want to swap them for tan now. My suede ankle boots need replacing with a beige or tan suede I think. Maybe grey. The wedge ankle boots are useful for a drink after work or an early meal etc. 

Weekend Collection by John Lewis £95

Gloves.

Swap your wool functional ones for a navy or tan leather pair. You won't look wintry if you don't pick a wintry colour and won't have to walk around with your hands in your pockets.

Accessorize £12

Jeans.

I would stick to your dark blue or introduce your mid wash into your wardrobe now. Your black skinnys are still useful this season too. Some people will wear these year round. 

Top shop £38

Scarves.

Put winter wool scarves away now and use a thick pashmina until the chill goes and then your printed summer scarves will be appropriate.

Whistles £55

Warm coat with hood.

If you have a khaki one you're fine maybe a navy one but I'm sick of big black coats. The days when the umbrellas won't do get the khaki parka out and wear it with tan or grey leather accessories to make it as spring like as possible.

Oasis £88

Is it time for Converse yet? I've seen these tie dye ones I really want but don't want to freeze in canvas shoes. My grey ones were packed away months ago. They go with everything and are still newish. 

Converse £50

Happy shopping! 

X

My beauty regime

Sleep.

I love getting into bed as early as possible. I go to sleep before 11pm most nights. I'll probably be in bed much earlier though, resting. I read to wind down after watching tv or catching up on all my apps on my phone. It is so important to me to get enough sleep. My alarm is set for 7am so I should get 8 hours on average a night. On my days off or if I'm going on a night out I try and fit in a 20min nap that is the ideal length, any longer and you feel groggy.

Skincare.

I always always always take my makeup off, every night. Without fail. I love putting my makeup on (unless I'm in a rush) but I hate taking it off, it takes soo long. I start with my eye makeup remover and cotton wool, hold it on let it do it's work and wipe. Never scrub roughly around the eye area, be gentle. This takes a while, yawn! Then I rub cleansing lotion on my face and wipe it off with cotton wool and repeat until the cotton wool comes away clean. Once clean I wipe a layer of toner over my face to remove the last of the cleanser. When my skin is feeling particularly dry, I will moisturise before bed but usually I let my skin breath at night. I moisturise every morning and let it sink in while I so my hair and get dressed then I use a primer and start applying my makeup. 

Makeup.

I am trying the new No7 stay perfect superlight wear foundation at the moment. I love it as I do not like a thick coverage. I like the skin to look as natural as possible but want an even look and let the eye makeup stand out. I use concealer where it's needed and dust a sheer powder over to set. I line my eyes with brown and the waterline with pale pink and smudge with a brush. I am getting used to filling my eyebrows but am not sure I like the dark colour. I use a brown mascara, a tip of my fashion and beauty idol - Olivia Palermo. Some days I dust highlighter on my cheeks and eyebrows and slick on a layer of lipgloss but usually just use Vaseline throughout the day. 

Exfoliate. Steam. Sauna.

I exfoliate once a week (when I remember) to unclog my pores. Every now and again I'll use a pore strip or face mask but not frequently as I have sensitive skin. I do not get regular facials, they are a rare treat. On my days off, when I have time I will use the steam room and sauna in the gym for as long as I can bare! On the days when I have no plans other than gym I try to have a day off from wearing makeup but even then I feel better with at least eye makeup on. I like a glow to my skin during the summer and will catch some colour. I had 3 sunbeds before my holiday last year to prepare my skin and I do sunbathe when I can but spend my entire holiday slathering on suncream to avoid getting burnt. Tanned skin is damaged skin and I am aware of my responsibility over my chances of getting skin cancer. Fake tan can be applied by a beautician for a special occasion or DIY - practise makes perfect!

Hair.

I wash my hair every other day as I have no colour on the too section so it gets greasy more quickly. I feel like I spend my life washing, drying and styling my hair. I hate doing it! I dread another hair wash. I love being on holiday and letting it dry sitting on the balcony painting my nails. My hair dries wavy and curly in the summer and abroad but I usually blast my hair dry, sleep on it then style it in the morning. I use whatever shampoo and conditioner are on offer or I fancy buying. I have been gifted lots of hair products which I use if I remember. I obviously want my hair to look fab but I also hate the feel of hair products in my hair and they make my hair greasier, quicker which as I hate washing my hair I would obviously avoid. I style my hair with either my ghd straighteners or my enrapture wand. Usually waves and curls, rarely straight. My hair is long at the moment. Not as long as it was this time last year. I am going for a shorter style for this spring and summer. That is opposite of what I usually do. Usually I grow my hair and wear it long during the summer and I go shorter every autumn. I love tying my hair up and away from my face as soon as I get home from work. My hair grows very quickly, I get highlights once a year and let them grow out. I prefer the natural look with my hair. Sun-kissed and beach babe waves. I only get my hair cut every 12 weeks. 

Nails.

I prefer my nails short and square with a natural colour on with a glossy top coat. I have my nails long at the moment and got a manicure to kill some time the other day. My nails are very strong. They do not bend or snap easily. The grow very quickly. I hate cutting them and prefer to file them down instead. 

Diet. 

I cut out chocolate 4 weeks ago and my skin has been pretty clear. I do not take any supplements and am not on any medication. I rarely take painkillers but will do if I have to. I could always eat healthier and drink more water. Certain foods affect your hair and nails and skin. If you need a boost in these areas, research what you should add to your diet or remove. 

What tips do you have?

Kitty

Outfit by outfit

I walked in a work fashion show recently wearing outfits suitable for the upcoming races and wedding seasons.

Outfit 1.

Colour block dress with full skirt and belted waist £129 Précis Petite.

Mesh fascinator, pink £40 John Lewis.

I wore this with black, block heel shoes. If I was really going to the races, as it is mostly outside I would wear a little black jacket a shrunken fitted one with 3/4 sleeves. I would add a black bag and a cuff bracelet. 

Outfit 2.

Ditzy print, floral fitted dress £79 John Lewis

Beaded necklace, red £18 John Lewis

Strappy shoes, nude Dune sale last summer. 

I wore a large, navy disk fascinator but any colour apart from black would work as there are so many colours in the dress. For the races, I would add a bag in any of the colours in the dress or nude. The nude shoes blend in with the bare legs to let the main focus of the outfit be the dress and to lengthen the legs. The necklace is enough jewellery but a statement watch would finish the outfit off perfectly. I have a cobalt blue strap and gold faced watch which would compliment the look. 

Outfit 3.

Large disk fascinator, navy £75 John Lewis.

Embroidered dress, many £160 Somerset by Alice Temperley.

Beaded necklace, red £18 John Lewis.

I also put an outfit together for a photo shoot for an article to promote new season collections for races and weddings. 

I wore a red fascinator £40 by John Lewis with a floral dress by Warehouse £65 and a champagne satin cropped jacket with 3/4 sleeves £75 by Coast. The red parent purse is by Ted Baker £99. Out of shot is a pair of nude shoes.

Whatever you wear for the races this year enjoy yourselves. I hope the sun shines and you win big! 

Kitty x

Did a bit of shopping this weekend

Been meaning to do a proper Primark shop for a while now and had an hour to kill this morning. 

I ended up doing a quick lap of the shop avoiding nightwear, lingerie and footwear. I don't buy any of those from Primark anymore. 

Nightwear - I stick to M&S but have my eye on some Cyber Jammies sets at the moment. Lingerie - M&S or John Lewis. Department stores have everything and they are my two favourites in Liverpool. I don't buy Primark knickers anymore. Footwear - I invest in footwear, good quality, usually real leather. Real leather is sold at affordable prices in M&S. I buy Bertie and Dune from John Lewis aswell.

Today I bought a floral blouse to wear with jeans on my days off for £12. I could wear this to fly and on a cool evening with tailored shorts abroad or on a city break with chinos and leather sandals.

I also picked up a necklace for £1.50. I am drawn to gold costume jewellery more than silver. I have a yellow based skin tone and a warmth to my complexion so gold jewellery suits me better. Jewellery that I am gifted tends to be silver so I do wear silver. I'm not a fab of Rose gold myself but think a mixture of all three on a necklace or ring looks striking. 

Friday evening I took advantage of a discount event in John Lewis and picked up a new dress for Spring. It is a nautical striped jersey tunic dress by Phase Eight discounted to £55.20. It is smart casual, comfortable dress. The shade will look great with tan leather in the summer too.

Lastly, I picked up a printed skirt by Warehouse. The skirt was discounted to £20 and I will wear it with cream, black and coral blouses or t-shirts. On holiday I'll wear it with a vest top and sandals.

What did you buy this weekend?

Kitty x