Silver Pandora Bracelet / The Perfect Gift For Mothering Sunday

I always find that Mothering Sunday comes around so quickly, probably due to February's being so short.  This week it feels like Spring is well on the way with March upon us and Easter Eggs filling the shelves.  I love spending time browsing the rows and rows of pretty cards in Paperchase and always end up purchasing far too many.  

Last week I was kindly invited along to a Mothers Day event hosted by Pandora and as well as taking a fantastic lesson in flower arranging (pictures of my effort are on Instagram) the lovely team talked me through what they like to treat their Mothers to.  Pandora's delicate silver bracelets and meaningful charms are ideal gifts that can be added to for years to come.  Their Essence collection has charms including Trust (as above), Courage and Strength which make the ideal thank you to Mum's everywhere.  So if you haven't yet purchased that special present for Sunday then hop over to their online shop and take a look.

Bracelets and Charms available online and in store.

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Moments Charm Bangle - Pandora

Trust Charm / Pandora

LFW / Wearing House Of Sunny

A simple, easy look for Day One of London Fashion Week in my usual monochrome attire.  'The Sleeve' is such a key feature for SS16 (and AW16 looking at the shows) and this thick, textured top by House Of Sunny is going to be regular wardrobe pick.  Wear easily now over a crisp white shirt or pretty camisole.  

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Flared Sleeve Top - House Of Sunny 

Cami - Topshop

Trousers - Zara

Heels - Preen at Aldo

LFW / Paul Costelloe / AW16

On Day One of London Fashion Week I was lucky enough to attend Paul Costelloe's Autumn Winter 2016 show.  The collection was truly beautiful and every piece easily wearable.  Large black leather and white sheepskin totes and chunky gunmetal studded ear-cuffs were paired with Costelloe's trademark babydoll dresses in the sheerest floral silk.  Patent black leather was key on long fingerless gloves and high neck trench coats.  Coats were oversized with high necks in heavy tweeds of grey and red. 

There were also some simple yet stunning beauty updates on the models with their black kohl liner flicks running under their eyes.  Hair was messy with a slight quiff and short half braid which I will definitely be trying out straight away.  Watch this space.

London Fashion Week Beauty Prep / Shiseido Make Up

With London Fashion Week only a few days away I've started pulling together my handbag essentials for primping and preening on the go.  A recent discovery for me is beauty brand Shiseido.  This clean, luxurious beauty range is a fusion of Japanese knowledge and colour creation from Make Up Artist Dick Page.  The products are simple and work.  

Here is a quick insight into the best products to achieve my favourite looks.

- The 70s Smokey Eye -

This is easy to achieve and perfect for looking groomed day or night, whether it's Fashion Week or not.  The new smokey eye is softer in browns rather than greys.  Apply a flick of black eyeliner and then reach for this magic pot of Shimmering Cream Eye Colour.  Use a clean finger to smudge on a little colour starting at the outside corner then blending in.  The cream turns to a soft powder finish and stays put!  The shimmer sounds off-putting however it is more a sheen and looks really modern.  Add a sweep of Shiseido's strong black Full Lash Volume Mascara to finish.

- The Spring Fresh Nude - 

I love the glossy, hardly there beauty look and it takes more time than it looks.  I'm completely addicted to Shiseido's Perfect Hydrating BB Cream which includes SPF 30.  The colour glides on and covers blemishes.  After getting the perfect base use this pretty peach Luminizing Satin Eye Colour Trio to get a nude eye.  The pallet has three colours, a nude, a sheer pink and a darker mink.  Brush the nude all over the eyelid to cote then add the pink on the outside third and blend.  Use the mink as a liner on the outside corner using the tiny applicator. Finish with mascara.

Im not usually a gloss girl as I hate that sticky feeling however this Lacquer Gloss is soft and covers more like a sheer lipstick.  The neutral shades in the collection are ideal for swiping on daily.  This little pot isn't leaving my side this weekend.  Now let the fun begin! 

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Cream Shadow - here

Full Lash Volume Mascara - here

Perfect Hydrating BB Cream - here

Luminizing Satin Eye Colour Trio - here

Lacquer Gloss - here

Tips For Styling Leather With Leather

I am a lover of leather, especially in black.  Sometimes it feels like half my wardrobe is filled with the stuff.  I usually stick to just one key piece - leather trousers with a cashmere knit or a leather dress with suede ankle boots.  Recently I have enjoyed styling a few pieces at once and I think I've almost nailed the formula.  

I purchased this Dolce and Gabbana cropped biker jacket a few seasons ago and adore it (especially its silk, leopard print lining).  However when I stocked up on Autumn's leather over-the-knee boots I wasn't sure how versatile they would be.  As it turns out they go with pretty much everything.  Even more leather.

Springs new must-have skirt is pleated and midi length.  There are one hundred and one colour options out on the High St at the moment but if in doubt stick to a darker shade.  The soft pleats are the perfect outfit softener and make it ideal for styling with harder looking leather items.

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Cropped Jacket - Dolce & Gabbana (similar here)

Thigh High Boots - Topshop

Skirt - Primark (similar here)

Bag - Todd Lynn 

Belt - Vintage

Haystack Peony Cheek & Lip Tint

When a beauty brand is as good, as pretty and as inexpensive as this one you get pretty hooked.  The packaging and the products are the perfect mix of clean and girly with a great selection of shades and colours.  These Cheek & Lip Tints are great handbag fillers for adding a bit of colour on the go.  The texture is soft and sheer and they look so cute too.  At just £12 it's the ideal Valentines treat for yourself.

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Cheek & Lip Tint - & other stories

The First Spring Knitwear Of 2016 / And A Bit Of Sleeve Action

Although the weather is still decidedly chilly I'm trying to opt for lightweight, interesting pieces of knitwear which feel more Spring like.  A weekend outfit usually involves flats and a smaller bag and although I'm sticking to classic black, these leather-look oxblood trousers add a touch of colour.  

This passageway felt more like Florence than the seaside town of Bexhill and was hidden away from the crazy strong winds.  Lets hope it's not long until we get more Spring-like days.

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Sunglasses - Toyshades

Flared Sleeve Knit - & other stories

Bag - Todd Lynn

Trousers - H&M

Shoes - Zara

Tribal

There is a trend hitting down that involves wearing laid back, comfortable clothing and will still keep you looking incredibly stylish.  The Tribal trend has been steadily building over a few seasons and, with no intention of dying down, is a good wardrobe investment.  Light fabrics, neutral colours and exotic prints make for a fresh silhouette and the ability to layer makes it ideal for pre-spring dressing.

By now I'm sure you will have seen Miss Kendall Jenner dancing away in the new Mango video wearing this trend perfectly.  The brand have just launched their Spring collection named 'Tribal' which encapsulates the mood of this trend perfectly.  Here is my 'Must have' list of key pieces to snap up before they fly.

The everyday dress

A pretty, longer length floaty dress that really can be worn everyday.  It feels fresh and new after the minimal, monochrome pieces that have filled shops for months.  Wear now with black suede ankle boots, bare legs and a knitted cardigan (or black leather jacket for work). Think like the models on Isabel Marant's catwalk.

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The natural knit

If a piece of casual knitwear scares you a little then style outside the box.  I adore this long, oversized cardigan but as a smarter dresser I will pair it with a black slip dress and ankle boots.  It would also look great over dark jeans and knotted with a slim leather belt.  I can't think of anything I'd rather put on for work on a dark, cold morning.

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The fringed or wooden sandal

Because it's too early for me to be looking at soft, suede, wrap up your leg sandals (watch this space).  I also think if you purchase one piece this month a new pair of shoes are sure to brighten your mood.  Wear with everything and enjoy just how fun they are.  Tan is the colour of the moment.  Think like Prada and style with ribbed black ankle socks for February.

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The statement necklace

As good with a simple white tee as a floaty printed dress a statement, natural looking necklace will see you well into Autumn.

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