3 Ways To Wear a Denim Jacket

At the end of May I purchased this light wash denim jacket from Pagani. For my readers outside New Zealand, Pagani is comparable to River Island, Oasis and Miss Selfridge – high street fashion featuring the latest trends and styles at affordable prices. If I could describe my wardrobe it would be classic, comfortable and stylish (I try anyway). I have a lot of neutral pieces I can interchange but I also like colour.

Stylist notes:

• Ten buttons
• Silver hardware
• Four front pockets
• Relaxed, boxy fit
• Cropped cut

The light wash is flattering against my  fair skin and I do like the boxy, cropped fit of this jacket, it looks more tailored. I do have to roll the sleeves up but they aren’t too long. A denim jacket is one of those pieces that goes with just about everything and can be worn year round – I’ve constantly been wearing mine since I bought it.

Outfit #1: Day Date

Jacket: Pagani
Top: Glassons – Grey Merino Blend Boxy Jumper
Pants: Glassons – Black Ponte Pants

This outfit is my favourite of the three. I’d had my hair done the previous day and felt extra nice in it. I wanted to be comfortable and warm on the date as it was still the end of winter. Side note about the date: I met a guy for lunch. He seemed nice but neither of us felt a connection so it didn’t go anywhere. The jacket isn’t bulky and allows for layering so it was perfect. I paired it with a lightweight grey jumper and black pants.

Outfit #2: Floral Dress

Jacket: Pagani
Dress: Glassons – Floral High-Low Dress

This outfit would work year round, just add some stockings and cute boots! If I’m brave enough I will wear this outfit in summer with bare legs and sandals. Legs are the body part I like least about myself and worry about the most. My legs look bigger than other parts of my body and they are very pale so I have to be careful they don’t burn. I don’t fake tan and whilst I’m not embarrassed about my pale skin I do tend to cover up.

Outfit #3: Casual and Comfy

Jacket: Pagani
Top: Glassons – Black Merino Curve Blend Hem Jumper
Pants: Glassons – Navy Seal Ponte Pants

Outfit one and three are similar but I feel they are reflective of my style. Ponte pants are like leggings but they are thicker, warmer and just as comfortable. Like leggings they are elasticated and can be dressed up or down. I love navy as an alternative to black and it means I can wear black on my top half without wearing black head to toe – there’s nothing wrong with black but I do like the two tones of blue from the jacket and pants with this jumper. The jumper is also super stylish on it’s own, it has a curved hem and a small zip up the back. Both jumpers skim over my tummy which is a bonus!

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Do you own a denim jacket? Which outfit was your favourite?

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End of Year Haul (Beauty & Fashion)

To celebrate my new job I decided to treat myself. I definitely go through stages with buying and most of the time I’m good but it’s getting close to Christmas and that’s a good excuse to treat yourself, right?! For Christmas this year mum and I are considering not buying presents and everyone buys something nice for themselves with the money they’d spend on others. I didn’t want to miss out so I got in early!

MECCA:

1. Stila 3D Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow Set 

Rachael from Helpless Whilst Drying absolutely loves the Stila Magnificent Metals and this set is a great way to introduce myself to the product. The set features 3 x 2.25ml tubes in the shades Kitten Karma, Perlina and Golden Girl. These seem perfect for simple, easy eyeshadow looks. I don’t like to spend a lot of time on my eyes if I don’t have to.

2. Stila Nude Attitude Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick Set 

I’ve never tried Stila before so why not buy two three piece sets in the same order?! The Liquid Lipstick sets intrigued me and the one I chose – Nude Attitude Stay All Day – features one matte (Patina) and two shimmers (Illuminaire and Miele). It will be interesting to compare the formula of the matte shade to the two shimmers.

3. Clinique Merry Moisture Set

I have always wanted to try Clinque’s Moisture Surge moisturiser and this set offers a 30ml tube of the moisturiser and a mini lipgloss in Rosewater Pop. The gloss looks like a pretty colour and aims to be hydrating, weightless and not sticky.

The Body Shop:

4. Strawberry Fragrance Mist

I have previously tried and loved the Strawberry EDT from The Body Shop and figured this is mostly the same but there’s more product and it’s cheaper! I am nearly finished both the White Musk and Black Musk fragrance mists so purchased this is a backup. Strawberry is one of my favourite ranges from The Body Shop.

5. Black Musk Body Lotion

I prefer body lotions that come in bottles or squeeze tubes rather than ones with a pump as there it less wastage and it’s easier to get product out. I do like the spiciness of the Black Musk range and this will be a really nice lotion for autumn/winter. The Body Shop lotions aren’t the cheapest but they soak in quickly and the scents are long-lasting.

6. Metal Lip Liquids in Pink Nickel and Plum Titanium

I don’t like matte liquid lipsticks. Granted, I haven’t tried many but the ones I have I didn’t have a good experience with. I’ve been loving the look of metallic lips lately (not full on glitterball but shades with more of a subtle shine). I saw these online and swatched a few in store and they are so pretty! Pink Nickel is a soft pink-rose gold shade (not to be confused with the actual rose gold shade called Rose Gold) and Plum Titanium is a beautiful berry red. I have worn both shades and the formula is very comfortable and lightweight. The formula applies streak free and doesn’t dry down straight away so it gives you time to perfect your application.

Glassons:

7. Oversized Knit Jumper

My name is Chanelle and I’m addicted to jumpers! Jumpers make me feel cosy and if I could wear them year round I would. The colour of this jumper is called ‘Salt and Pepper’ and it is a lovely light grey. I don’t own any other grey jumpers. This jumper is also lightweight so it will be better for the warmer months and in summer I imagine this could be worn with just a bra or a singlet underneath.

8. Axel Bleach Wash Cropped Jeans

I have blue jeans, black jeans, grey jeans and white jeans but something about the light blue wash was drawing me in for summer. I haven’t worn my white jeans a lot because they are quite stark against my skin and I’m worried they will stain easily. I’m considering selling them. The white and black jeans I have are also these cropped jeans from Glassons and on me they are the perfect length! If you’re on the shorter side, try cropped jeans.

What the Glassons pieces look like on:

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I hope you enjoyed seeing what I’ve picked up over the past couple of weeks. What was the last thing you bought for yourself?

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Collective Clothing Haul (White Fox Boutique + Glassons)

Does anyone else feel like treating themselves to some new pieces of clothing when they lose weight? I haven’t lost a significant amount but I look slimmer and I’m feeling more confident. I was in need of a few basics and the two crop tops I thought would be really cute for summer with jeans, leggings or a skirt if I’m feeling brave enough to get my legs out! Let’s jump straight in!

Starting with what I got from White Fox Boutique:

1. “I’m So…” Slogan Crop White

I don’t really have any slogan tees and this one looks girly and stylish. White tees are a really good wardrobe staple and everywhere at the moment. I love the calligraphy style writing of the word obsessed on the front and it’s a pretty light pink colour. I ordered a couple of sizes bigger so it will be more of an oversized fit. The sleeves are a good length as well and I much prefer round neck tops to v neck.

2. Smoothie Crop White

This smoothie tee is adorable! The little drink detail reminds of a Starbucks frappucino and strawberries are one of my favourite fruits and one of my favourite flavours. This is basically identical to the obsessed crop top and again I ordered bigger for an oversized fit. These two tees are part of a collaboration with New Zealand beauty vlogger Shaaanxo. She designed them herself and I can’t get over how cute they are!

(I’m sorry about the dirty mirror, I really need to clean it!)

Moving onto Glassons:

3. Linen Blend Pleat Back Shirt – White

Like the crop tees from White Fox Boutique this top gives me summer vibes. The colour and linen material make it light and breezy and as with everything else in this haul will go with so many things. I’m a fan of the rolled up sleeves because full length is too long on me and it gives the shirt a more relaxed, casual feel.

4. Long basic legging

Leggings are so comfortable and one of my go to pairs of pants. I haven’t bought a new pair in a while. My mum has a pair of these ones from Glassons and says they’re really good because they’re thicker than pairs she’s tried from other brands. They are not too long at the ankle either which is a bonus when you’re short!

5. Cotton Blend Scoop Neck Tank – White

I have a basic white tank top but it’s very low cut so I have to be mindful when I wear it. I bought this one as a backup. Tank tops are great for layering under blouses when the weather starts changing or on their own under cardigans on cooler summer evenings.

6. Ribbed Tank Top – Navy

This tank top was on sale for $7! I really like navy as similar to black, white and grey it goes with most things and you can mix and match with lots of outfits. This tank top has a ribbed pattern giving it a point of difference from the white one.

Wearing the white shirt, white tank top and black leggings from Glassons. I apologise for the creases in the shirt as it had been folded and I tried it on straight away.

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Which item is your favourite? Have you splurged on any new clothing lately?

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Blogger Cliches

As bloggers there are certain items and styles that we seem to catch on to. In a way it shows a connection between us bloggers, we find the same things aesthetically pleasing and feel in touch with one another. In 5 years time it will be interesting to see how the trends we associate with bloggers have changed. I am in no way poking fun at fellow bloggers, I merely wanted to share this post and play a game to see how cliche/typical a blogger you are!

#1. Copper/rose gold everything!

Over the past couple of years rose gold has become the trend. Personally I like rose gold but I don’t buy everything in rose gold and prefer to have accents of it scattered throughout my bedroom. For example, I’ve got a rose gold lamp, and a couple of rose gold baskets, one on my desk and the other on top of my drawers. I also own the rose gold makeup brush and watch featured in the main image.

#2. Fairy lights

Fairy lights aren’t strictly just a blogger thing but they are often used in blogger’s photographs as a prop. They also double as lighting and bounce light around in photographs. I have a couple of sets which I display in vases, this helps to keep the lights in one place and they look neat and tidy.

#3. Candles

Like fairy lights, candles act as a source of light. Many YouTubers have a candle lit in the background of their videos. A lot bloggers I see use candles as a photo prop and most of the time they aren’t lit. 90% of the candles I see are from Jo Malone or Diptyque. I have a few candles but I don’t tend to use them as photo props. Two out of my three I haven’t even lit yet!

#4. Flowers

Do I hear you say fake peonies? I love nothing better than a natural flower and tend to photograph them when I have the chance.

#5. Marble

Similar to the rose gold trend, marble seems to be everywhere. I much prefer rose gold to marble and don’t own anything with a marble pattern. If you don’t have a marble bench top for your photos a lot of bloggers make their own marble backdrop with a wallpaper sample and a wooden board.

#6. Lightboxes

I find these kind of cool but not not the most practical. I don’t own a lightbox but I know you only get a certain amount of letters when you purchase one so you’ve got to buy extra letters to be able to create messages. I wonder how much power these use and where people store them when they’re not in use or they’re not turned on and the message is not lit up?

#7. Trinket trays

These are really useful props because first and foremost they are used to store jewellery or trinkets in and can easily be emptied to be used in blog photography. I have a set of three ceramic trays from kikki.K and the smallest one appears in the main image of this post.

#8. Polaroid pictures

In November 2016 I purchased a pink Instax camera because the idea of instant polaroid photos seemed like a fun concept. I quickly got tired of wondering whether my picture would develop with the right exposure and I ended up throwing a bunch of pictures away because they didn’t turn out well. I actually sold my camera and the film I didn’t use and I don’t regret it. I’ve still got some nice shots from the pictures that did turn out well.

#9. Eyelash curlers

I see a lot of rose gold eyelash curlers in photos. I have a set of unused, black eyelash curlers which I did consider including in the image of this post but they didn’t sit nicely. One day I’ll learn how to get long, fluttery lashes.

#10. Thick black glasses frames

I wear glasses and it used to be considered ‘ugly’ if you wore glasses. Now it seems every second person seems to have a pair of thick black frames that they wear because glasses are cool (geek chic, right?!). I’m sure some of those pairs of glasses don’t even have lenses in them.

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How many of these are you guilty of? Me, I’m guilty of about 50% of these!

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Winter Lookbook

Hi everyone! I don’t do a lot of fashion posts on the blog but I felt like sharing some key pieces that make me think of Winter fashion and staying cosy and warm. I have been specific and selected each piece by colour. I associate certain colours with different months and tend to opt for certain styles depending on which month it is.

I have come up with two outfits, both smart-casual. The first is a little more glam and the second more everyday comfort. There are three common denominators, both include neck accessories, black boots (in different styles) and a berry lip! For the lipstick I picked one of my favourites, Rimmel 107!

Outfit #1:

1. Pink Bomber Jacket: Bomber jackets are all the rage and I recently picked up one similar to this style. Mine has got a satin-esque look and is more of a rose gold colour. The pinky, rosy hues would suit many people and keeps an outfit casual whilst smartening it up with a colour other than black.

2. Black Ponte Pants: Ponte pants remind me of leggings but thicker which is probably why I want a pair so much! I have tried to find a pair but because of my height the pants are too long for me. Ponte pants provide comfort and are a versatile item – they go with everything.

3. Black Velvet Choker: I am loving the choker trend lately. I am yet to try it myself but I like how they look on everyone else. The simple, black velvet chokers are the ones that catch my eye. I’d like to pick one up for myself at some point. The black choker ties in with the pants and the boots.

4. Black Boots: Black boots are one of my wardrobe staples but I prefer boots without high heels. I like flat, slip on boots that look good with pretty much anything and go with multiple outfits.

5. Rimmel 107 Lipstick: The perfect berry lipstick accompaniment. There’s enough black in this outfit to balance out the bold lip choice and I think it would team well with the pink hues of the bomber jacket.

Outfit #2:

1. Pastel Blue Knit Jumper: I bought a jumper this exact colour a couple of months ago and it is the most beautiful shade of blue. I find a lot of my jumpers are shades of blue so clearly I associate blue with winter. Not only do jumpers like this look beautiful but they are warm and cosy.

2. Denim Blue Jeans: Jeans are an absolute classic and I have more than one pair in my wardrobe. Jeans always look chic and a good quality pair of jeans can last for years. Multiple shades of blue together make the outfit match but not too much. For instance, light blue jeans wouldn’t work as well

3: Grid Blanket Scarf: For days a thick, cosy jumper isn’t enough, add a scarf! This black and white pattern breaks up the blue but still ties the outfit together. A blue scarf would be overkill. The tassels are so cute!

4: Black Chelsea Boots: Chelsea boots are a classic style. They are easy to slip on and off and survive the harsh winter days. Like the pair in outfit #1 these are flat and don’t have a heel.

5: Rimmel 107 Lipstick: I love wearing blue and red together, they contrast but not enough to clash. Berry and pastel blue are two of my favourite colours for winter.

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Which outfit is your favourite?

What are your Winter fashion staples?

Clothing Haul: ASOS & Dannii For Target

Hello and welcome to a new week, I hope you all had a lovely weekend! This year I have really been getting into my fashion and I’ve bought more items of clothing than I normally would. I really do believe it is true what they say, confidence comes with age and I’ve learnt about my own personal style and I’ve become a lot more comfortable with myself and what I’m wearing. When you’re wearing clothes that fit you well and make you feel good, it’s a huge confidence booster! Recently I made my very first ASOS order and another Dannii For Target order (my third since March) and of course I wanted to share my purchases with you!

ASOS

1. ASOS Petite High Neck Empire Dress – $26.07

This dress is unlike anything I own and this time last year I had approximately two dresses in my wardrobe so that’s how far I’ve come. I am loving high neck pieces at the moment and the red is bright and vibrant. Red is not a colour I wear a lot but I loved this dress when I saw it. The dress is made by ASOS’ own brand and is a petite fit. The length is not too long or too short and this will be nice when the weather warms up. One thing I would advise with this dress is to think about what you’re wearing underneath, if you’re wearing a lace bra, it will show the outline.

2. New Look Jersey Tie Waist Playsuit – $24.80

I have always loved the look of playsuits and I’ve always thought they looked so cute on. I couldn’t quite believe it when I saw this playsuit and at that price. A lot of others I’ve seen have been skimpy and fitted but this one is looser and slightly floaty. The material is nice and light but not see through and the bottom half of the playsuit isn’t short and covers most of my thighs. I’m self conscious of my legs and it’s not often I get them out. The playsuit has pockets, adjustable straps and the waist is elasticated which gives it that floaty look. This will look cute on it’s own or with a t-shirt underneath.

Dannii For Target

1. Coated Leggings – Animal – $21.10

Leggings are one of my favourite things in the world and these are a bit more stylish than your average pair. These leggings have a coated sheen to them and an animal print effect. The elastic waist adds to the comfort and when I tried these on it didn’t feel like I was wearing anything they are that comfortable! I was a little worried these would be leather-like and skin tight and difficult to get on and off but they’re not. The material itself is coated so it is still soft and has a bit of stretch. These are definitely coming with me to Auckland next week!

2. Long Sleeve T-Shirt – Black/White – $15.90

Another thing I am loving lately is stripes! Stripes are a simple way to incorporate colour and pattern into an outfit. The material of this top feels thicker than a t-shirt which makes it the perfect layering companion. The top could be worn on it’s own in the transitional months and underneath tops and jackets in winter. The round neck of this top is actually really pleasant, it’s not too low cut and it sits nicely against the neck and chest.

3. 7/8 Ripped Jeans – Grey – $21.10

I already own a pair of these in Indigo which I adore and for that price how could I resist this pair? The main reason for buying these is incase my grey jeggings rip or something happens to them. It’s hard to find a nice pair of grey pants and I know the fit of these jeans is perfect. The distressed knees give them a point of difference from my jeggings and surprisingly, they don’t make you any colder. They also make the jeans look more high end. A feature I love about all of Dannii’s pieces are the little embellishments. These jeans feature a matte black button with DM etched into it, say Dannii Minogue on the inside waistband and feature a black label sewn onto the back of the jeans.

I am really pleased with everything I purchased and I didn’t end up spending a lot of money at all. What do you think of these pieces? Which is your favourite?

My New Specs!

Happy Wednesday everyone! Hope your week is going well so far!

Ever since I was five years old I have worn glasses so they are a huge part of my identity. I don’t hate the fact I wear glasses and the thought of wearing contact lenses doesn’t appeal to me for a couple of reasons: I don’t like the thought of sticking my fingers in my eyes and after wearing glasses for so long, I’d feel naked without them. My eyes (and my face as I found out this time round) are small and I like how glasses make my eyes more prominent. I’m now onto my fifth pair of glasses and I wanted to share what they look like as well as talking you through my decision to get a new pair.

My fifth pair came about a few weeks ago when I went to book my Learner Licence driving test. Before you sit the test you get your photo taken and have your eyes tested. I didn’t do too well with the eye test so I had to book an appointment with the optometrist. I passed the check at the optometrist so the following Tuesday when I sat my test (and passed!) I was given my paper driving licence. Following the driver licence check at the optometrist I made an appointment to have a full eye test later in the week. I had my previous pair of glasses for seven and a half years and when I had the full eye test I was surprised to learn my eyes hadn’t deteriorated a great deal in that time. I made the decision to get new glasses though especially if I’m going to be driving, I want to be able to see what I’m doing and where I’m going.

It’s sad saying goodbye to my fourth pair of glasses because I don’t know if I will find another pair as perfect but I will keep them as my backup pair. When I was looking at new frames I knew what I liked and what I didn’t. I didn’t want anything big because I have a small face and I didn’t want any dark colours. As much as I love ‘geek chic’ on other people, it doesn’t suit me. I wanted something lightweight with quite small lenses and most of the pairs I was drawn to were purple. Thinking about it now, almost every pair of glasses I’ve had have been purple and the colour suits me so why not?

I found a lot of the pairs were too big for me and I joked that I should be looking at the kid’s frames and low and behold they were a much better fit for me – I didn’t realise my face was that tiny! Deciding on a pair of glasses is a difficult decision and not one that I could make on the spot so I was allowed to bring home a few pairs of glasses (two of which were children’s) to help me make up my mind. I posted an image to Instagram with me wearing my top three pairs and asked for your input. The first pair proved popular and that was the pair I liked best too. There was something that didn’t sit right with me though and I didn’t end up choosing any of those three pairs. When I returned the glasses to the optometrist I had another look at the frames and a different pair jumped out at me. I said to mum you instantly know if a pair is right for you or not and I felt that with this pair whereas I hadn’t with any of the other five. They fit the bill perfectly, small, light and purple. They are kid’s frames but even the optical assistant agreed they looked nice and are a perfect fit.

Without further ado, let me introduce you to my new pair of glasses. They even have a name, Arikara (not chosen by me):

What do you think of my new glasses? Expect to see them around a lot for the next wee while! I’d also like to hear about any experiences you have when it comes to buying glasses.

NOTW: Bubblebath by OPI

Hi everyone – happy Monday! April marked the first time I purchased a nail polish in a while and I selected the shade Bubblebath by OPI. I was on the hunt for a sheer, neutral shade that I can wear all the time (literally). I was torn between Essie’s Ballet Slippers and Mademoiselle and Bubblebath. I went for Bubblebath in the end because I have experienced uneven application with my lighter Essie shades (Romper Room and Chillato) and I preferred how Bubblebath looked in the bottle.

Colour

OPI describe Bubblebath as a “sweet candy pink” but it’s not too much of a girly shade if you’re not a huge fan of pink. I actually think after a couple of days and as the polish wears it looks more pink than when first applied but it’s still a very pretty colour. The sheer nature of this shade reminds me of a classic French manicure as you can still see the tips of your fingernails through the polish. Bubblebath to me would also be a top contender for a bride looking for the perfect polish for her wedding day. I would be more than happy to wear this shade myself as it’s simple, elegant and understated.

Application

I own a few other OPI polishes and I’ve always been impressed with how they apply – this one is no different! The brush is a good size, it doesn’t get too much product on the bristles and the nail polish covers the nail in three easy strokes. Despite being a sheer polish, Bubblebath doesn’t apply patchy and gives an even coat to the nails. I find two coats of this is perfect for that French manicure, slightly sheer, slightly opaque look. If you like a more opaque look, you might benefit from a third coat.

Finish + Nail Care

The finish of Bubblebath is absolutely beautiful! Not only is it a dream to apply but it adds a healthy, glossy look that enhances your natural nails. Before applying Bubblebath I’ve gotten into the habit of using a 4-way buffer block. I’ve been filing my nails with a separate nail file but  making my nails look tip top by removing any ridges, making them buff and smooth and lastly making them look shiny. I have noticed my nails have been a lot healthier in the past few weeks and I think that has contributed. After I’ve applied two coats of Bubblebath I apply Maybelline’s Dr. Rescue Top Coat and it makes them look even more glossy and shiny – almost like a gel nail polish. Interestingly enough, OPI make Bubblebath in a gel formula as well.

I hope you enjoyed seeing which nail polish I have been lusting over lately. Bubblebath is all I have been wearing on my nails for the past three-four weeks and it goes with everything. It’s such a beautiful and easy polish to maintain and definitely one to check out if you’re looking for something neutral and easy to wear!

6 Wardrobe Staples

We all have those items in our wardrobe that make us feel good when we wear them and you can count on as go to pieces when you have no idea what to wear. I’ve narrowed down the top six pieces in my wardrobe that I feel are staples and everyone should have. All of these are classics that I believe will never go out of style!

Cosy Jumper

If you’re like me there’s nothing you enjoy more than being all wrapped up and snug on cold, wet days. I also love nothing more than coming home and getting into my comfy, “home” clothes. A cosy jumper is practical for both situations, it keeps you warm and is easy to throw on. You know the jumpers I’m talking about here, the knitted, thick type which can also be dressed up with a few accessories and a nice pair of jeans or leggings if you have to leave the house. I bought a cream jumper recently and although I haven’t had a lot of wear out of it yet, I can’t wait for it to come out once the weather starts getting a bit nippy.

Denim Blue Jeans

Jeans not only look good with pretty much anything (including the cosy jumper above), there are so many styles and colours out there to suit you and your shape. If you pick a well-known, trusted brand, jeans can be durable and last you a good few years. Jeans can be worn casually or dressed up for a more sophisticated look. Black jeans look cute with a strappy top in summer or teamed with boots, coat and a hat in winter.

Black Court Shoes

A court shoe is a basic heel that can be worn for work, job interviews, date nights or any other occasion you can think of. Court shoes generally have a mid heel placing them between kitten and stiletto lengthwise. Most of my footwear is black as it goes with everything and I don’t have to worry about my shoes clashing with the rest of my outfit. Black always looks smart and sleek.

White Button Up Shirt

A white shirt looks crisp and can also be worn outside of the office without looking like work clothes. Try playing around with sleeve length, material and cut. I personally like a 3/4 length sleeve as I’m short. The shirt I’ve got has sleeves that can be rolled up and fastened with a button or worn long if you’re layering over top. A white shirt and jeans is a super easy and casual weekend look.

Black Boots

The options with boots are endless; ankle, over the knee, heel, no heel, zip up, lace up – the list goes on! Once you find a pair and a cut that works for you it feels like a match made in heaven. Boots are not only stylish but they can be practical as well. They look great with pants tucked in or worn over the top. My pair of boots have a tiny 2cm heel but are not your typical high-heeled boots – the heel is wider than it is long. The boots are comfortable to wear all day and for dancing all night.

Red Lipstick

When in doubt, add red lipstick! If your outfit is bland and boring, a red lip will pull everything together to make you look complete. Don’t be afraid of red, there is a shade out there perfect for everybody, you just have to find it! My favourite at the moment is MAC’s Ruby Woo. There is a reason so many people love it and call this the perfect red. Ruby Woo is a blue-toned red which helps make your teeth look whiter – perfect for that smile! Other personal favourite red lipsticks of mine: Rimmel 107 (a berry, wine red) and Revlon’s Fire & Ice (a tomato red).

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The beauty with all of these pieces is that they work well individually and together. If you take blue jeans, a white shirt, black heels and red lipstick, that’s a killer outfit right there! How many of these are in your wardrobe?

New Hair!

Hi everyone!

Last week I made an appointment to get my hair done and I got it cut on Saturday. Copperhead Hair and Beauty (what an appropriate name for a redhead) is the same place I went to when I got my hair done back in January. I absolutely love the layout of the salon – it’s got a bit of a 50s vibe and reminds me of the movie Grease with the cars and tool boxes. The reception desk is actually the front of a car and it’s very cool!

When it comes to my hair I keep things relatively simple and don’t try any radical styles. I wanted a change from having my hair all one length but I didn’t want to go for full on layers. I’ve tried layers in the past but as I wear my hair up a lot, I didn’t want the layers falling out. I turned to Google for inspiration and found it by way of Amanda Seyfried. Her long hair looks gorgeous and I really like the framing around her face.

I particularly loved these two images so I made them into a collage and printed them out for the hairdresser. I posted this image to Instagram on Friday with the caption “Inspiration for tomorrow’s haircut 💇” and received a great response.

Before…

After…

My hair must have been about 70cms in the before photos and my hair is naturally thick so it weighs a ton! Now, my hair is roughly 50cms and I got it thinned out which means it will be a lot lighter on my head. I did ask for 10cms off but the hairdresser took more. My hair is shorter than what I’m used to but it makes a nice change and it will grow. I really like the face framing and how soft it feels after having all the fancy products put in it. I also had my hair blow-waved and straightened so it feels even lighter!

While I’m happy with the result overall I feel it wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t address a few niggles I had with Saturday’s experience. I felt at times the lady cutting my hair was trying to make me feel guilty for not using a certain product or coming in more often. I understand up-selling is part of business but I don’t have a problem with the shampoo and conditioner I use and what I do with my hair. I would love to get my hair done on a regular basis and treat myself and while the salon is not particularly expensive I don’t feel I could justify spending that money. (This is probably just another example of me overthinking, pay no attention). I really am pleased with how my hair turned out and this won’t stop me going back.

I’d love to know what you think of my new hairstyle! When was the last time you treated yourself to some pampering?