tartan & leather

As I've had a pretty huge break from blogging seriously and only blogging for the #teenblogseries, i thought i'd ease back into my twice weekly posts with something a little nicer and more lighthearted. I never really appreciate the things around me so i thought it would be a nice idea to go out for a rather cheap day to the park and then a Wetherspoons for lunch, i had the pulled pork sandwich and it was honestly to die for. It was a really lovely day overall and i managed to get some lovely photos of the swans. 

What Im Wearing  

Leather Jacker - New Look

Grey Camisole - Topshop

Tartan Scarf - Primark

Jeans - Topshop

Shoes (Not Pictured) - Fred Perry Brogues

beauty tips | week 8 | #teenblogseries

For todays blog post as part of the #teenblogseries we're talking about beauty tips. Ive only really got into beauty blogging and beauty in general within the past year but i feel like I've picked up a few tips that i wish i'd know in the beginning. 

Good Makeup Brushes Work Wonders | I used to use my hands, sponges and foam applicators to apply my makeup, which looking back, was not a very good way to do it. Since investing in some good makeup brushed I've found my makeup looks a lot more flawless and makes things so much easier to apply. 

Moisturising And Priming Are Key | Having incredibly dry skin i found it really difficult to find makeup which didn't just cling to the dry patches was impossible. Since I've started moisturising and priming before my makeup application its lasted so much longer and my makeup just generally looks a lot better and brighter on my skin.

Exfoliating Your Lips Before Applying Lipstick | Doing this removes the dead skin on your lips and in turn makes the lipstick easier to apply and also prevents dry cracked lips.

Cotton Pads Prevent Pressed Powders Cracking | When i dropped my Stay Matte Pressed Powder and the whole pan cracked i had no idea what to do, although i did discover the handy tip of keeping a couple of round cotton pads on top of the powder prevents is from cracking so easily when dropped. 

Your Eyelashes Have A Type | I used to love mascara and would always be baffled when a certain one seemed to work for everybody else except me. This was until i realised that i was chosing the wrong types of mascara for my lashes. My eyelashes are long so anything that was defined for length just made them look thin and spindly so now i only go for mascaras defined for volume and I've never had a problem since! 

There Is Such A Thing As Too Much Powder  | I used to think translucent powder was the best thing ever, and then i released that sometimes it looked a little cakey from where i put on so much. Now i use a powder brush and just apply a light dusting over my face and it work and looks so much better.

Anyway i hope you've enjoyed reading this post, if you've got any more tips id love to read them! 

balancing blogging with the rest of your life | week 7 | #teenblogseries

Balancing blogging with your lifestyle really isn't the easiest thing to do, i mean, we all know i struggles with it. Although, doing a series of posts really has helped me stick to getting at least one post up every week, its also helped my bank balance a bit! Anyway these are my tips for balancing you blog with you work/uni/school assignments! 

Prioritise | This is probably the most important thing for me as i do art and deadlines are always ver quick and absolutely final. By weighing up my workload i can figure out what bits need to be done now and what needs to be done later so i can fit blogging in-between. That being said, I've definitely but having a social life and going to the gym over blogging lately, but they're whats right for me so it works. 

Exams Are More Important | Okay, so i know what you're all thinking, but hear me out. Exams are very important, and you really do need to try your hardest to achieve everything you can so that you'll allow yourself a fair chance in life. If that means missing a couple of posts to do revision then so be it. You'll thank me later.

Dont Stress | No you dont need to get that blog post up, no one is going to stress if you dont. Its your blog and you can post whenever you like. A blogging schedule is nothing more than something you're aiming for. If you are busy one night and can't post then so what? People will still read it, even if you think its late. 

You Still Need A Life | Yes, blogging is a huge part of a lot of peoples lives, but you still need some interaction with the outside world. Never use the excuse "I can't go out because i need to write a blog post" its just not worth it. You're more likely to remember the nights you've had out with your friends than the ones you've spend indoors on your laptop! 

Anyway i hope this has given you something to think about! Im not going to carry on much longer as i feel like a bit of a hypocrite as my life tends to overtake my blogging in order of priority so i never tend to get anything up. Hope you've enjoyed reading! 

Autumn/Winter Fashion Staples | week 6 | #teenblogseries

As part of this weeks #teenblogseries we're supposed to write about out Autumn fashion staples but as Autumn and Winter just seem to merge into one for me i thought id write about the both of them. That being said, all of the pieces are pretty versatile and could be worn pretty much whenever, I've chosen my autumn and winter picks from the high street and i hope you all enjoy reading! 

Patterned Knit Jumper | As the colder weather rolls around so do all the knitted jumpers, and i absolutely love this addition from H&M. Ive tried it on in store a few times now and its so comfy and i love the colour of it, I'm just debating whether i can keep a cream jumper clean! I love the pattern on this jumper i think its so subtle yet chic and its such a great price too. 

Knit Tube Scarf | Autumn isn't complete without shopping for a few winter accessories, and this knitted tube scaf, or snood as i know them, looks so light and comfy and really just the perfect addition. The pattern on it makes it slightly lighter than a normal snood so with the weather being slightly warmer, its thin enough to not to overheat you but is perfect for those chilly mornings. 

Longline Duster Jacket | Oh how i have fallen in love with this duster jacket, its so comfy and the perfect weight for autumn without feeling too heavy like a coat. The pattern on this is so easy to pair with anything and its really just such a lovely, lightweight jacket to have.

Aubergine Leigh Jeans | Im not entirely sure why but this colour just screams 'Autumn' to me and these jeans just seem perfect. A comfy pair of jeans is a must in winter and the pairing of this colour with some Leighs' just make them a must have. 

Tweedy Rib Cardigan | I have seen these grey cardigans about everywhere lately, and they look like such a comfy, slouchy cardigan perfect for everyday wear and at college. I love the fact its like a grey marl glen instead of just a plain grey as it adds a little extra to the cardigan and just makes it so versatile.

Black Check Flock Leggings | I've wanted a pair of checked leggings for a while now but everything seems to be slightly too bright or too bold for my taste, that was until i saw these. In real life the look gorgeous and the check pattern is so subtle yet noticeable and look really flattering on. 

Black Disco Leggings | Disco Pants without the price tag? Yes please. These are possibly the best disco pants I've tried, but they're matte! Im not sure if they really count as disco pants as they're not shiny but yeah, they're great and perfect for days when you just can't be bothered and you need something to spice up your outfit a bit. 

Pink Fluffy Beanie | How cute is this beanie though? I wish i was blonde as it would just look perfect. I love beanies and have a stellar collection of which i wish to grow!

Pink Faux Fur Headband | I normally just go for a fleece headband as I'm down the yard a lot and fluffy ones tend to get in the way but this was just too perfect to resist. I love headbands as they keep your ears warm but you don't overheat as the top of your head is still free to breathe.. I also love headbands as you can wear your hair up with them without looking like a man!

Structured Shoulder Bag | Every autumn i get a new bag and this was my most recent addition, its the perfect size, its structured and lightweight and just adds a lovely element to an outfit. I especially love the gold detailing as it just makes it look so chic and a lot more expensive than it actually is.

I hope you've enjoyed reading my autumn picks, what are you all most excited for this autumn? Mine definitely has to be all the new nail polish colours coming out! 

skincare | week 5 | #teenblogseries

So i completely forgot how stressful college was and as a result i didn't manage to get last weeks #teenblogseries post up, however i am back and i have managed to do this weeks post! Its all about our skincare routine and I've got to be honest, i don't really use much on my face because i have quite oily skin and i find using too many product just upsets my skin. These are the products i use and altho I'm not really going to do this as a skincare routine (lets face it, i don't have one) I'm just going to give a few mini reviews on the product i use: pictured above.

Simple Kind To Skin Replenishing Rich Moisturiser | This is a really light, gentle moisturiser that i like to apply before bed, just after the shower or whenever i feel like my skin is a little tight. Its unscented which is perfect and this sinks in so nicely, it doesn't just sit on the skin like a lot of cheaper moisturisers tend to do. 

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water | I think this might be the most raved about product in the blogosphere, but it is so highly deserved. This is possibly one of the best drugstore micellar waters I've tried and it really does leave the skin feeling clean and fresh. 

Soap & Glory Peaches And Clean Purifying Cleanser | Soap & Glory are possibly my favourite brand ever and this really doesn't disappoint. You just rub this into your skin and wash it off, and it removes all traces of makeup and dirt without over cleaning the skin and leaving it too dry. The smell of this is also amazing, it's such a sweet peach scent but it's not at all overpowering. 

Soap & Glory The Scrub Of Your Life | I primarily use this as a body exfoliator but once a week i use this on my face as its so gentle but really get all the dead skin cells off. It doesn't leave my skin looking bright red or sore like a lot of exfoliators do and its also got such an amazing smell, the typical Soap & Glory one we all know and love.

Well i hope you've enjoyed this post! I promise to get the rest of them up on time as well.. maybe ill do last weeks at the end as a consolation. Let me know what you think! 

Miracle Matte Powder | Seventeen

Rimmel London have been my go to brand for pressed powder ever since i can remember, but lately its started to look a little cakey and powdery on the skin so i started to look at other brands. A friend recommended trying the Seventeen Miracle Matte Pressed Powder as she used it and absolutely loved it so i figured for £3.99 even if it was terrible it wasn't much of a loss, but this has proved to be so much better than i could have hoped. 

Let me start by saying that i love the packaging, it makes it feel so much more expensive than it really is and the mirror inside is a lovely touch. This also comes with a little applicator but i find it a lot easier to just use a powder brush as i find the sponge provided picks up way to much powder. 

`This is really finely milled and has an almost peachy tone to it so really brightens up the face while still being subtle and none cakey. It lasts around 4-6 hours I've found before i have to reapply although during this time it really does manage to keep your face matte and oil free! Overall i really do love this powder, its so light to wear on the skin and its just so nice to use and apply, its definitely another winner from Seventeen.

This is such a brilliant, budget powder and for everyday use you really can't go far wrong. Have you tried Seventeens pressed powders before? What did you think of them? Id love to know!

Rita Ora Nails | 203 & 873 | Rimmel London

I feel like i haven't put up any nail polish reviews in ages, well, at least i haven't written any in a while. Consideringwithout views nail polish than anything else thative eseems a litis ale funny; anyway, I'm back with these two nail polishes from the Rita Ora Collection for Rimmel London and they are "Breakfast In Bed' and 'Lose Your Lingerie'. I personally love the names as i think they're so creative anincredible well toont, but at the same time without leaving want to call 'Breakfast In Bed' - 'Breakfast At Tiffanys' just as thats what ththeyre suchur really reminds me of. Either way i love both of them. 

Lose Your Lingerie is very similar to Barry M's Rose Hip, but the formula on this is just so much better. The brush that comes with this is flat and wide and allows you to coat your nail in just two swipes. It applies a little bit streaky at first but by the second coat is fully opaque and leaves you with such a creamy pastel pink colour on your nails. This doesnt dry in 60 seconds like it says however its not too much over that so isn't exactly a hassle to apply. 

Breakfast In Bed is by far my favourite of the two, its the perfect pastel mint colour and compliments my skin tone amazingly. The amount of comments I get when I wear this nail polish is amazing and im forever being asked what it is im wearing. The formula for this is a lot better than Lose Your Lingerie and is actually wearable with just one coat but i always use to just to be on the safe side. This wears incredibly well too and i can go 3 - 4 days without seeing any kind of chip on my nails. 

Overally I really love these two nail polishes, theyre such pretty, fresh colours and thwy both wear incredibly well with or without a topcoat. Being the first nail polishes Ive ever bought from Rimmel London they have definitely been a welcomed addition to my nailpolish collection! Have you tried any of the Rita Ora collection for Rimmel, what did you think? 

H&M Picks! | Week 3 | #teenblogseries

I know its a day late but my life has been absolutely hectic the past couple of weeks and as a result I've had absolutely not time for blogging or any form of social media. I have however now sorted my life out a little and freed up a bit of time so i can get my blog posts sorted. That being said this week in the #teenblogseries we've had to choose our favourite highstreet shops and talk about our favourite picks from them. H&M is possibly my favourite as they always have such spot on clothes at brilliant prices and i never fail to walk out of there without having picked up a few bits first.

Floral Patterned Dress | All through summer i have been moaning about how there is too many floral patterns around but when i went into H&M the other day i fell in love with this, its such a gorgeous colour and the fit is amazing and isn't too long on the legs like a lot of dresses seem to be nowadays. It also looks great on the website on the model with the thigh high black socks. Definitely going to be my new christmas party dress! 

Patterned Knitted Jumper | Winter is for ugly sweaters right? Right. So this is my pick, its not too ugly and is actually incredibly soft and comfortable to wear. It also looks great teamed up with a leather jacket and some ripped jeans. I just think this is such a cute ugly sweater and i really can't wait to purchase it!

Wax Coated Jeans | Ive been wanting a pair of these for so long but could never find any that fitted me until i tried these on. They're a little bit different to what id normally wear but with a bit of experimenting i think they could be a great addition, I've seen so many people style these and they all look perfect!

Cotton Mix Biker Jacker | I think i just like this because its a bit different to typical biker jackets with the cotton blend and the light colour. This is the perfect jacket for those awkward transition days where its freezing in the morning but as soon as you finish college/work you don't want to be wrapped up in your parka and wooly hat! 

Apres Ski Clutch | This really reminds me of the 'Stressed But Well Dresses' clutches I've seen flying about on Instagram lately except i love the colour of this and on the back of it is has a faux fur style panel and i think it just looks so cute and cosy.

Lace Up Boots | Winter isn't complete without getting a new pair of winter boots and i think these are so pretty. Ive been looking for a pair of lace ups for a while but they've all been uber expensive but these are such a reasonable price and look gorgeous!

Hope you've enjoyed reading about my H&M picks, whats your favourite high street store? 

Week 1 | Ten Facts About Me

Week 2 | Foundation & Brows For Teens

Ripped Jeans | Topshop Leigh's

Im no good at outfits posts, i think we've established that, but when i saw these jeans i knew i had to share them. I've had my fair share of Topshop jeans but this is the first pair of Leigh's I've ever picked up and it is definitely love at first sight. 

As Autumn is just around the corner I've been looking out for comfy, warm clothiers to take me through to the cold winter months and this first and foremost involves buying a comfy pair of jeans. Ive been looking for a bleach effect pair for a while now, but every pair i tried on seemed to  be stiff and ill fitting, that was until i picked this pair up. They feel more like wearing jeggings/leggings because of how soft they are and they possibly the comfiest pair of trousers i own.  

I had never been a fan of ripped jeans before, i just didnt think they suited me as i have fairly long legs and they all seem to be cut in the wrong places but these are just about right. The rips sit slightly above and on knee, so they're not low enough that you're going to rip them even further whenever you bend your knee but also feel just right and like they aren't pulling on the skin at all when you're sitting down. The hem at the bottom if the jeans isn't like your typical hem either, its just ripped jean. Sure there is a little bit of fraying but this isn't an issue and really adds to the overall effect of the jeans. 

I have fallen head over heels in love with these, they're by far the comfiest pair i own. Definitely now on the hunt to find more Leigh jeans as they're the best ones i own. Have you tried ant of Topshops jeans? Which would you recommend? 

The Blue Eyeliner | Rimmel London

Recently I've gone off wearing black eyeliner and I've opted for browns and occasionally the odd blue as they work much better with my eyes and my skin tone. Ive never really been a fan of pencil eyeliners before but i opted for this as when i swatched it in the store it was just so buttery and glided on the skin perfectly so i knew this was the one. Now Rimmel London are my go to brand when i want something thats going to work well and this is no exception, the colour comes out slightly lighter than pictured in the photos but adds such a lovely pop of colour to the eyes without the need for intense and heavy eyeshadows. 

The only downside of this is that it is a pencil, do it does require sharpening and it is a little messy to sharpen, saying that though, this is incredibly easily to remove at the end of the day, although once its on it does have great staying power. I can leave in the morning having just applied it, and return home 9 hours later without it having slightly faded or smudged even a little. This is really such a brilliant budget eyeliner and I'm so glad to have aded it to my collection!