August Reading Wrap Up

Hello everyone! 

Sorry in advance, but this will be a long post. What can I say? I read a lot of books this month! In spite of the sunnier weather and fewer opportunities to get cosy I always seem to read more in the summer months. Although this August seems to have been a much busier book month. To keep things short I will link to previous reviews of some of the books :-) 

Nights At The Circus by Angela Carter: 2.5 Stars 

I seriously struggled with this book, yes it is a classic and kind of a big deal, but I really found it heavy going. It had all the makings of a great story: love, intrigue, magic and the circus. However, I found the excessively crude language and long descriptive passages a bit wearing. I started to get really in to the story of Fevvers, the glittering star of the entertainment world, as she mystified her audiences as to whether she is woman or swan, but then the story started getting very twisted and non-sensical. I believe it was an attempt at surrealism, but it didn't really work for me. I think other surrealist authors have spoiled me with their amazing narrative. 

After You by Jojo Moyes: 4.5 Stars 

I loved this book, although I was very nervous to pick it up. After the explosion that was Me Before You, I was scared to have my heart broken all over again. After You follows beloved Lou Clark in the aftermath of Will's death. She is struggling again in her job and personal life, when out of nowhere a young girl claiming to be Will's illegitimate daughter canons into her life. Lou now has to pick up the pieces and learn to be strong for those who need her most. This story was almost a redemption for the heart breaking first novel, it was light and funny, bordering on the farcical at times! However, this simply added to the charm of the story and showed that light can be found in the most unexpected of places. 

The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George: 4.5 Stars 

This wonderful book is one which I have recently reviewed, so you can check that out here! I found this story charming, heart wrenching and faith restoring all in one. I have not read a book which touched me in the same way for many years! Jean Perdu goes on a quest for love lost, finding friendship, truths and true happiness along the way. He is the realest protagonist I have ever read, his journey down the rivers of France from Paris to Provence was awe-inspiring and at times had me in stitches :-) 

The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins: 3.5 Stars 

This much read and discussed thriller has also recently been reviewed so have a little mosey over if you are interested, here. Rachel, Anna and Megan lead very different lives, crossing paths and mingling, they become tangled up in a murderous story. Rachel, still reeling from Anna "stealing" her husband watches from afar on her daily train. When Megan, Anna's neighbour, disappears Rachel is drawn inexorably onto a twisted and dangerous path. I enjoyed this reading experience, the narrative is original and engaging, but I did guess the ending very early on! 

After Alice by Gregory Maguire: 4 Stars 

From the author of Wicked comes a fabulous retelling of Alice In Wonderland. After Alice addresses what happened on the fateful day of Alice tumbling down the rabbit hole. Nobody ever wonders if she was missed by the people she left behind! Her friend Ada witnesses her tumble and decides on a whim to follow her and bring her back, but Ada is different to Alice. This makes her experience of Wonderland vastly different to Alice's! This story flits between Ada's escapades below ground and those of the family left at home, frantically searching for Alice and her young friend. This story was witty and fun, it followed the same narrative style as the original story, making it quite a natural companion story. I would say this is a must read for any Alice fan! 

Red Queen by Christina Henry: 4 Stars 

In keeping with the Alice In Wonderland retellings, Red Queen is the sequel to Alice, which I read at the end of last month. I was very excited about this sequel and almost read the pair back to back. Red Queen follows Alice and Hatcher as they escape the city in search of his daughter Jenny. Little do they know they have passed from frying pan to fire. Outside of the magicians from the city's grasp they have wandered into the White Queen's territory. When Hatcher is taken, Alice must use all her ingenuity and all the help she can get in her quest to free her lover. Christina Henry has put a spell on me with these stories, they are my absolute favourite retellings. Deliciously dark and full of wonder, I would recommend this to any fantasy lover. 

Small Gods by Terry Pratchett: 4.5 Stars 

As a lighter read I decided to peruse Terry Pratchett's newly released illustrated edition of Small Gods. I adored this story the first time I read it and found it surprisingly improved for being a graphic novel! Small Gods tells the tale of Brutha, the new prophet to the Great God Om, in a world where the idea of religion has overtaken even the religious principles and beliefs themselves! This story is clever and thought-provoking, whilst somehow remaining light and hilarious. 

The Sunrise by Victoria Hislop: 3 Stars 

The Sunrise is the glittering jewel of Cyprus' hotel industry, tourists from all over the world flock to revel in its opulence. This story follows the lives of three families connected to the Sunrise in vastly different ways throughout the civil war of Cyprus, between the greek and turkish Cypriots, the fall of Famagusta and the devastation of the country. It is almost a historical fiction, it is very hard hitting and made me feel so sad. I think we should all read harder books some times, just to remind ourselves of what can happen when we forget the mistakes of the past. 

Down And Out In Paris And London by George Orwell: 3 Stars 

George Orwell writes of poverty and the lives of the miserable across Paris and London in this meditative work. I found this to be an enjoyable read and at times quite funny. I liked how it gave such a real account of what life can be like in a major city if you are unfortunate enough to find yourself without work or money. This is a speedy read, there is no excuse not to pick it up one afternoon and read it! 

Sourcery by Terry Pratchett: 4 Stars 

We all know wizards are born of the eighth son of a eighth son, well what happens when a wizard has an eighth son? A sourcerer is born, made to wreak havoc and devastation across the whole of the Disc! Never fear, Rincewind and his trusty luggage return in this Discworld novel to attempt primarily to avoid danger and maybe save the world in the process. This was yet again a witty and original book, I always love a good Discworld novel and this is one of my favourites so far! I particularly loved Pratchett's take on the harems, this time with women employed to tell stories to their master, Sheherazade style! 

A Year Of Marvellous Ways by Sarah Winman: 3.5 Stars 

This tale is so life affirming! I loved it, Marvellous is such an inspirational character. Well into her nineties she is still carrying on her life as normal, waiting for the "something" Paper Jack told her of in a dream. The "something" appears in the form of Drake, a man wounded emotionally by war and the loss of the woman he loves. He needs to heal and Marvellous is the just the woman to show him how. This heartwarming tale teaches you to live and love simply, it breeds happiness and contentment. 

What have you been reading this month? Let me know in the comments below :-) 

xoxo

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Jojo Moyes - Breaking Hearts All Over The World

Hello everyone! 

Have you ever read a book so touching it breaks your heart so completely that you can't bear to reread the book? Well I have, Me Before You by Jojo Moyes broke my heart a few years ago when it first came out. Recently I have been collaborating with Catherine over at Badass Vampire Blog to create some book reviews for you guys. We decided to recommend a book to each other and then write a review!

I don't have a physical copy of Me Before You, but I will be writing a review of After You soon so stay tuned :-) 

Me Before You follows Lou Clark as she flounders through life, eventually taking a job as a carer for Will Traynor. After his motorcycle accident, he is left paralysed and hating life. When Lou enters his life she brings a ray of sunshine and they slowly, but surely, fall in love. However, sometimes you have to love someone enough to let them go. Lou is in turmoil, fighting to save the man she loves from himself. Her conscience and her heart need to battle it out before she can decide what is the right thing to do.

Love has many facets and this book shows them all. Sometimes you may not love for a long time, but you still love deeply. This story shows all who read it how important love is and how it can change your life and your choices. I loved every page of this book and it still has me in its thrall. Enchanting and heartbreaking all at once, I think everyone should read this book. 

Catherine recommended this book to me because of how thoroughly beautiful she found the reading experience to be. Now, she says she isn't really a fan of romance novels so wasn't expecting to love this book, she thought it would just be a general good read. However, it melted her self proclaimed cold heart with it's stunning narrative. It changed her view of the world, and romance novels for that matter. She found that it made her think more deeply about life and her dreams, it is an inspiring read! If Catherine had to describe it in one word she would say: Wonderful :-) 

Have you read this? Let me know what you thought in the comments below :-) Be sure to check out Catherine's post here where she'll be talking about City of Bones by Cassandra Clare! 

xoxo

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August Favourites

Hello everyone! 

August always feels like such a long month, the weather is glorious and the days are lovely and long. I think August is my favourite month and of course that has nothing to do with my birthday being at the end of it! With this month feeling so leisurely, I have ended up with a lot of favourites so I've tried to narrow it down for you guys :-) 

To kick things off I have been loving reading and have been seriously getting into it, reading a thoroughly ridiculous number so far! I think it's because I've had so many sunny evenings to chill outside that I've been ploughing through them. There will be a separate post for my August Reading Wrap Up so stay tuned! 

This gorgeous handbag has barely left my shoulder this month, I have fallen so deeply in love with it. Ted Baker always creates the most stunning bags, they are always super feminine and so easy to style. This is the Beckee Porcelain Rose Evening Bag. I love the colours on this bag, they are perfect for any season and instantly make anything you're wearing look classier. The subtle floral print is ideal, it's not too in your face kitsch, it's just that touch more sophisticated. Another perfect touch is the rose gold hardware, rose gold is so big at the moment and Ted Baker are staying bang on trend with this one. 

Staying with the rose gold theme is this beautiful tree necklace, it's super cute and the perfect chain length to compliment a summer dress. I can't remember where it is from, it was a present years ago and I have completely forgotten! I rediscovered it in my jewellery box and now can't wear it enough :-) 

Usually I stick to red as my signature lip colour, however, this month I wanted to go for something lighter. Mac is my go to for nudes, and they have come through yet again with Patisserie. I know this is old news, everyone loves this colour! As it is a lustre it has such a lovely shine to it, whilst retaining its moisturising properties. I love to just glide this on and instantly feel fantastic.

My final favourite is Tea Pigs, I love their enormous variety of caffeine free herbal teas. They have something to suit everyone! Recently I have been loving British classics rhubarb and ginger tea and their spiced fruit apple and cinnamon tea. They are super delicious and refreshing. I love rhubarb and ginger in the morning to give me a boost and help me feel invigorated. As I sit up in bed reading at night the spiced fruit tea is perfect for relaxing and helping me drop off to sleep. 

I'll stop there, otherwise you'll be here forever! What have you been loving this month? Let me know in the comments below :-) 

xoxo

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Nailing It This Summer

Hello everyone! 

Summer is the time for pretty pastel nails and all things girly! It is the ultimate excuse to wear all the cutesy colours. To brighten up today I have decided to share with you my top five nail colours this summer. They are all from Rimmel London, but I just love all their colours. There are so many options and they are such fantastic quality, gliding on easily and only taking two coats to look finished :-) 

Let's start with this bold red in 310 Double Decker Red. This is the most post-box red I have ever seen! I have been wearing this colour as my go to for toes for about 10 years. It is so beautiful and bright, it really stands out against pale skin and looks quite elegant peeping out of your sandals. 

622 Oh Boy You're So Fine!! is a stunning pastel violet, it's a bit deeper than my spring lilac and is perfect for a sophisticated summer evening. This colour drys with quite a shine to it, which can be enhanced with a clear top coat to really look like a professional manicure. I think this is my favourite of these five colours. I never tire of this one, it goes so well with a maxi dress and clutch bag, I feel like it helps to pull a look together and make you look very polished! 

503 Mind The Gap, Victoria is a lovely powder blue, it's almost a pastel version of duck egg blue. This is a very feminine colour and looks fabulous for a chilled look. I'd wear this for a daytime outfit, for wandering around in shorts and t-shirts or skirts. It's quite a youthful colour and gives you a relaxed vibe. 

413 Orangina is part of the Rita Ora x for Rimmel London collection. This delicious looking burnt umber-pastel orange reminds me of sunsets and cocktails. I would wear this colour for a more beachy look, to pair with bathing suits, sunnies, sandals and of course a floppy hat! Clutching a fruit cocktail in hands with this colour can never fail to look classy and put together!

Finally is 405 Rose Libertine, I am in love with this colour. This pink sums up my entire colour scheme this summer. It is the most beautiful pastel pink, effortlessly girly yet oh so classy. This is the ideal colour to go with a summer dress and girly handbag :-) 

I love how something as simple as a nail polish can instantly transform a look! What are your favourite colours this summer? Let me know in the comments below :-) 

xoxo

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The Girl On The Train Review

Hello everyone! 

Recently I have been seriously flexing my reading muscles and getting into a lot of books. Last week alone I read 8 books! Yep, that's a crazy number of books. I think this month's reading wrap up may have to be done in two parts. One of the most well known books of those I read was The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins :-) 

The Girl On The Train caused quite the literary storm when it first hit the shelves, selling record numbers of copies throughout the world and quickly signing up for the making of a movie. People were calling it the thriller of the year and even now the hype hasn't died down! I put it off for quite a while as I didn't want various reviews and the extreme hype to colour my reading of it, so I finally got around to it last week. 

First I have to say it is a very unique book, following three different female voices at various points in time. It starts out the same way as many other thrillers with the disappearance and subsequent location of a woman's corpse. The unique aspect to this story is that the main narrator Rachel, aka the girl on the train, is a drunk. Any opinions or memories she gives are unreliable and cloudy. Megan is another unreliable narrator, she suffers from quite a few mental health issues and seems to have a very shady past. The final narrator, Anna, could be deemed unreliable too in that she is half paranoid and feels harassed by Rachel "stalking" herself and her husband. I love an unreliable narrator, it leaves you guessing throughout the entire story. 

Rachel used to have it all: the husband, the house, the great job in London and then she started drinking. Fast forward a few years and she is living with an old university friend, faking going into work by getting the same train everyday and constantly harassing her ex-husband with his new wife Anna and their baby. As Rachel gets her train she goes past her old house every day, she also passes their neighbours whose lives she loves to fantasise about. Those lives are far from the perfect they seem and when Megan disappears Rachel is pulled into a murder investigation. How do we as readers know it wasn't her acting out of jealousy? How can she know that? As she goes deeper into hot water her life unravels, as does the life of Anna. 

This book is more than just a murder mystery, it is also an incredibly in depth psychological thriller. I really enjoyed reading it, although I guessed the ending much earlier on than I thought I would, carrying on reading to find out if I was right. Maybe I have read too many thrillers? That aside, it is a fast paced and gripping novel. I think it will translate so well to cinema and will continue to enthral audiences. I would give this 3.5 stars, purely because I guessed the ending, but still enjoyed going to the finish. 

Have you read this? Let me know what you thought in the comments below :-) 

xoxo

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Scents For Summer

Hello everyone! 

I was planning to do a summer makeup look for you all today, but then the weather failed me and the rain started to pour. In honour of poor lighting and my desire for summery weather to return, I thought instead that I would write about my favourite summer perfumes to conjure up some warmer vibes :-) 

Scents can be so evocative, instantly transporting you back in time to when you last wore it or to a significant moment. I love this effect, it is why I tend to return to the same scents seasonally in the same way birds will migrate across the planet! 

Eurgh, rainy days always mean bad lighting! 

My favourite scent for summer, and in general, is Abercrombie & Fitch's Fierce. I know it is a bloke's scent, but I feel it is very unisex and can smell very feminine on the right woman. I associate this scent with that lovely new clothes feel when you've been on a summer shopping spree. A&F is superb for summer dresses and floaty tops! This scent is refreshing, without being overpowering, the hints of sandalwood make me think of long evenings on the beach. This year I varied slightly with Fierce Icon, which I love, but not as much as the original Fierce. The bergamot gives it a much headier scent, making it a definite night time perfume.

I have been loving Ted Baker's body spray, the rose, sandalwood and raspberry notes mean it is very floral and light. It is perfect to throw on in the morning, leaving you refreshed and ready to face the day. This scent is ideal for the floaty summer dress days, it is super feminine without being sickly sweet. If you are a floral lover, this is the scent for you :-) 

Next up is the old handbag essential, the roll on perfume. I think every girl should have at least one of these, they are great to chuck in a bag if you're on the go, meaning you can top up your perfume as needed throughout the day. It also removes the risk of spillages or smashing a delicate glass. The one I love for summer is Sabé Maison Paris' Copacabana, the packaging for this is bright and puts me in mind of a South American carnival! This scent is light too, but can be quite sweet if applied too liberally. I find that a quick dab behind my ears and on my wrists is sufficient in the morning. It also has moisturising properties, making it very kind for sensitive skin. I love the subtle notes of amber amidst the stronger orange blossom, rose and violet tones. This scent is definitely a feast for the senses! 

Finally, is Vera Wang's signature Vera Wang perfume. I have long been a lover of Pink for the autumn, and this one certainly lives up to the reputation. It is the perfect heady summer scent, it will turn heads it smells so good. It is the ultimate sexy, feminine eau de parfum. It has a deeply sensual, floral bouquet, evocative of long summer nights spent in the company of a loved one! You can enjoy all of the different elements quite individually. The lily, mandarin blossom, rose, iris, woods and lotus flower notes blend together to create a distinctly unique whole. This perfume is to be worn elegantly! 

What is your go to summer fragrance? Let me know in the comments below :-) 

xoxo

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Shyly Beaming

Hello everyone! 

Here in the UK we are having our record breaking 5th sunny day in a row! Yep, I know, it is pretty much unheard of :-) If you are like me you are keen to make the most of the bright days and don't want to waste valuable minutes inside doing your makeup when you could be outside soaking up the sun! For these days I love a very natural, minimal makeup look, fresh faced is so much easier to maintain in the sticky heat than a full face of makeup. 

Photographing the shiny packaging was such a nightmare! 

For today's post I have raided my Mam's makeup bag to pull out her Dandelion Shy Beam, which I have found myself borrowing a little more often than I care to admit. I think when I crack and buy my  own I will also be getting one for her. Benefit really know how to get a highlighter spot on, with many using them as staple products for their makeup routine over several years. 

The Dandelion Shy Beam highlighter is relatively new, having hit shelves not even a year ago. Meeting this release was a huge hype, and in this case I think it is deserved. The packaging alone of this product is sumptuous and heavy, without feeling clunky. It's also very feminine and almost has a vintage pin-up's vanity kind of feel to it. 

The highlighter itself is based on Benefit's cult Dandelion blusher. Dandelion is a very sweet, baby pink blush that people have been loving for years. There are actually whole palettes based around this blush, namely the Dandelion palette with a blush, lip gloss and the Posie Tint lip and cheek stain. The original Shy Beam is quite a sparkly highlighter and really looks amazing on those who are lucky enough to have a tan. However, for pale creatures like myself it was a little too bright and just drew attention to the more porcelain tone of my skin! 

Dandelion Shy Beam is a matte, pink highlighter with only the slightest sheen to it. When you first put it on it feels a little heavy, but do not fear, it smooths in beautifully, leaving your skin feeling creamy. You might then think you can't see it anymore at all, but as soon as the light hits you the gorgeous glow appears. It manages to accentuate all skin tones, with a really flawless finish. 

You can use this to emphasise your bronzer of an evening, or use it over a tinted moisturiser or BB cream for every day wear. The way I have been wearing it is with a light foundation or tinted moisturiser and powder, to offset my slight brush of blusher and enhance my natural skin. It looks beautiful on my Mam's more tanned skin and looks fab with both red and nude lipsticks. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a more subtle highlighter! 

Have you tried this product? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below :-) 

xoxo

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The Little Paris Bookshop

Hello everyone, 

Have you ever started reading a book with a firm expectation of the storyline only to discover you are reading an entirely different book? Or have you ever been so saddened and yet uplifted by a book that you have cried for whole sections at a time? I have, when I read The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George. 

The synopsis of this book paints the story as something light hearted and fun, a typical romantic comedy, which is why my Mam suggested I read it even though she hadn't yet read it herself. In actuality this book is warm and funny yet tinged with a very real sadness. 

The Little Paris Bookshop follows a rather eccentric bookwork with the memorable name of Jean Perdu. Jean Perdu has in fact lost himself, he lost his soul to a woman and his grief at her departure two decades ago. Since then he has been healing all he meets by prescribing books from his book barge The Literary Apothecary. Jean ardently believes all ailments of the heart and soul can be cured with the right book if only the mind is open to healing. His floating shop is found on the idyllic banks of the Seine in Paris, well loved and well known he seems to lead a charmed life. He isn't fooling anyone. His neighbours, friends and family can all see him struggling, but it takes the entry of the enigmatic Catherine for him to start to confront his past. Taking a young writer with him and picking up several strays along the way he sets sail across France, seeking the South and solace for his grief. 

George's writing style is incredibly powerful and compelling. I was spellbound by this book from page one and fell in love with Jean Perdu and all his flawed humanity. This book is about loves lost and found, the forging of friendships and fate foretold in the stars. Jean's grief is so real and relatable that entire sections of the book moved me to tears, he is such a real and human protagonist. I would recommend this book to any lovers of stories, to all the people who value books as old friends this story will stay with you for a long time. 

Have you read this book? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below :-) 

xoxo

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Going Nude

Hello everyone! 

I know I always go on about how much I love a bright red lip, but in recent months I have really grown to love the subtle tones of a nude lipstick. In the same way people quest for their signature red, others hunt for the ideal nude. Somehow I, much to my purse's despair, have managed to join both quests. So I come to you today with a few tips on how to find the perfect type of nude lipstick for you! 

I can't really advise on all the skin tones and hair colours out there as I can't change my looks at will! However, I can tell you about my four favourites and why I love them, with tips added in where I can. There are four main varieties in my lipstick armoury: natural nude, sheer nude, pinky nude and browny nude. 

Left to right: Patisserie, Beige Rose, Ex-Girlfriend and Alice 

This natural nude is the best one I have been able to find and I'd say the tiny amount left is testimony to how much I love it. This is the Urban Decay nude lipstick from the Gwen Stefani collection in the shade Ex-Girlfriend. I think this colour would suit anyone really, it gives a barely there look, but with a slight shine to it from its moisturising properties. This type of nude is quite easy to match to any skin tone as it the most neutral of all the neutral shades. This type of nude is a key part to anyone's makeup collection, it's so easy to just glide on and look smart! 

The sheer nude is the hardest to pull off, the wrong tone can wash someone out completely! These are the ones to try in the shop before you buy them. When I first saw this lipstick I fell head over heels in love with it! The gorgeous sheer quality of it, with the metallic pink streak running through makes it perfect for me. It helps bring a rosiness to my skin, so for someone who is pale and loving pinks this is ideal, however, I would stay clear if you have a more yellow tone to your skin. Go for this one if you love a fresh faced, rosy look :-) This one isn't readily available anymore, it's the Alice lipstick from the Alice Through the Looking Glass collection by Urban Decay, but in Urban Decay's new Vice relaunch I'm sure you can find something similar. Velvet Teddy by MAC is quite a good dupe for this one too! 

The pinky nude is super fun, I love the matte finish to this particular one. It instantly creates a classic, natural look for both everyday and evening wear. This tone is good for people who have a bit of a tan. So I like to wear this in summer when I have a bit more colour to my cheeks. This lipstick smells like chocolate, which is an added bonus for any chocoholics out there! It is the shade Beige Rose from Bigune. I know here it looks very very pink, but once on it is much more subtle and most definitely a nude! You can see it better in the swatch picture above :-) 

The final type here is the browny nude. This one can also be tricky to pull off, but as long as you find the right balance of brown vs pink for you then you should be grand! I love this shade, it is my everyday work go to. There is a slight shimmer to it which means it looks put together without being too in your face. I like the way this shade is buildable so you can amp it up a little bit if you want to wear this lippy on an evening out :-) This is the much revered Patisserie from MAC. Nobody does nudes like MAC so if you are looking for your shade I would definitely search there first, their lipsticks are both affordable and part of a huge range, so there really is something for everyone! 

What is your favourite nude shade? Let me know in the comments below :-) 

xoxo

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Lava Lamp Laughs

Hello everyone! 

Now, you all know how much I love Lush products, especially the bath bombs, and so far I haven't really had anything I haven't loved. I had heard loads about the bath bomb called Lava Lamp, people have been raving about these for months! 

It looks amazing from the outside, orange and spotted with purple, hinting at what delights are to be found on the inside. I also immediately fell in love with the scent, it is super fresh and tangy. It really makes you feel relaxed and fresh after your hot bath, which is perfect when you spend so much of the summer feeling sticky. 

Please excuse the ugly bath, it is being replaced next week :-)  

I swear the colours look nicer in real life haha! 

Once I put it in the hot water it was wonderful, it made the most satisfying sizzling sound as it dissolved. It also looked great, the deeper water turned this gorgeous shade of burnt umber! The top was bubbly and fluffy with swirls of purple running through it. The scent is a little strong, but still really lovely. The strongest tone is the tangy tangerine and orange flower, with the warmer undertones of cocoa butter coming through once you immerse yourself in the water. 

This was the point when the bath went brown!

This bath bomb made my skin feel really beautiful, more beautiful than the bath at the end! As the bomb dissolved more, the water turned a murky browny-orange colour, but who cares? It smelt nice and felt good and that's what counts! However, what I didn't count on was the bath being quite so stained by the purple. Anywhere the water had splashed upwards the bath had stained bright violet and it was quite hard to get the colour out... I managed after a while, but it took a bit of scrubbing. My bath is really old and about to be replaced, so it does tend to stain more so maybe it would be fine in a different one :-) 

Have any of you tried this bath bomb? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below :-) 

xoxo

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"She's A One-Piece Wonder!" **

Hello everyone, 

Whenever I think of summer the image of a glamorous woman laying by a sparkling pool, Tiffany sunglasses on and sumptuous drink in hand, springs immediately to mind. I have always wanted to be that woman! Adore Me inspired me recently to take part in their latest project and create a post all about one piece bathing suits and how to wear them in every day styles. Adore Me has a huge online presence trying to promote women's bodies and appreciation of this, they provide a ginormous range of different styles of lingerie and inspiration on how to wear them confidently. I love how their site is easy to navigate and truly has something for everyone :-) 

I feel like in recent years one pieces became a bit of a "boring" form of swimwear, which is really wrong! I have always loved them, they are key in the whole "Less is more" philosophy and can be infinitely sexier and more alluring than bikinis. Thinking along those lines I have some of my top tips on how to integrate one pieces into your wardrobe and ways to feel confident and stylish whilst wearing them. 

1. Accessorise 

The body is from Topshop and the hat is from a vintage store

The key to styling up any outfit is picking the right accessories! I have always been more of a minimalist when it comes to this aspect of my outfit. Now, when I'm on holiday chilling out poolside all I need is a ridiculously oversized hat and some sunnies. For this outfit, I have a grey one piece which isn't actually for swimming, sorry guys I had to throw in a body somewhere, I just love them so much! But they count as a one piece right? However, I do love the plain swimsuit style anyway, I actually have two black ones. One fringed across the neck with lace and another with many interlocking straps across the lower back. These look super pretty with a big red hat and my purple sunglasses. To match the redness of the hat I love to put brick red nail varnish on my toes just to spice them up a bit. Of course a good book to read is one of my go to accessories, but you guys could have guessed that already :-) 

2. Mix it up 

 Jeans are from Abercrombie and Fitch, hat from Topshop, shirt from Whip and Bang and shoes from Miss Selfridge 

Having a signature scent for summer is so important, I love how fresh this Fierce Icon scent is from A&F! :-) Yes I know it's a man's scent, but I love it

Who ever said a one piece has to be a beach outfit? I love wearing this outfit for a night out in the summer or for going out to dinner. One pieces are slimming, so great for covering that food baby after a big meal! Wearing a one piece under jeans makes you look taller with longer legs, which is fab if you are a shortie like me. For this outfit, I like to pair my strappy black heels with blue skinny jeans and this Malibu one piece. The cutout on the sides give it a very sexy edge without showing off too much. If it is looking a little chilly out I throw on one of Whip and Bang's oversized block pattern shirts. These are wonderfully floaty and the sheer chiffon gives you a lovely shapely look. It's classy, but still very sexy. 

You can still wear this kind of outfit in the winter, I often wear my black one piece with the crossed straps with high waisted black skinny jeans, high heeled suede books and another Whip and Bang shirt. For looks like this I would recommend throwing your hair up in a messy bun and letting little tendrils curl out around your face. It instantly makes the look appear effortless, which is what we all want to achieve. 

3. Layering 

 Shoes are Converse, shorts are from Pull and Bear and the shirt is Abercrombie and Fitch 

Being the fair skinned creature that I am, I need to cover up. I love using a square neck one piece like this one to help me feel stylish and summery, but still cool in the summer months. Pairing a block colour like this with shorts and a sleeveless plaid shirt is such an under-rated style. I love how easy it is to just throw this on with a fringed shoulder bag and dinky converses. It really is the "ready to go in 5" outfit. I love to layer over one pieces as it keeps away the harshness of the sun, but gives you the option to take layers off if you get too hot. Another advantage is that you can whip of your shorts and shirt for an impromptu dip in the ocean! Layering makes you feel floaty and dainty in a way that tight clothes can never do. 

4. Be confident

Some people feel the need to hide from bikinis by wearing a one piece and I think this is so unnecessary. No matter what size you are, wear what you feel good in. Feeling good in a one piece is so easy, there are thousands of styles to suit any shape out there. Love your curves and edges, and enhance them with cuts to suit you individually. Learning what suits me has been a life lesson and I'm sure I will carry on learning as I get older and change. If you are confident and feel as gorgeous as I'm sure you are, then any outfit will look beautiful. 

5. Make a statement 

If you want to really rock the one piece then you have to pick something that makes a statement. It has to be the main feature of your outfit, not just a side accessory. I particularly love styles with a cut out for these. I always see women wearing these and looking fantastic. Bikinis make a statement by showing all you have, whereas, a one piece should hint at hidden delights and make you feel classic and Audrey Hepburn-like. A bold print or an original cut or style is all you need as a foundation to build a cracking outfit. Smarten it up with some tassled sandals, big sunglasses and a red lip, then you're ready to go! 

What are you one piece style tips and go to's? Let me know in the comments below :-) 

xoxo

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