Contrasting Brights

Top // Necklace: George at Asda

Skirt: Topshop

Watch: Michael Kors

Shoes: Primark

I have finally ventured outdoors! Yes, and considering how cold it is at the moment I would say that is complete dedicatition! This outfit was put together for a girly get-together with one of my best friends. We opted for a lunch date at October (formally known as November) in Glasgow's Princes Square. It is one of my favourite places to eat, not just because of the food but the restaurant is situated on the top floor and being able to sit on the balcony and people watch (one of my favourite hobbies without sounding stalkerish) makes it so beautiful.

I know that pastels are all the range at the moment but I opted for a brighter look to contrast against the colder weather. Pastel clothes make me feel cold and when it is just about to start snowing here it's an option I am not allowing - Save them shades for a different day!

The top is actually very long and would look cute paired with a pair of leggings or jeans, however I loved the contrast of colours with the neon yellow/ lime green shade against the purple of the skirt. I opted to tuck in the top to enhance my waist. The skirt has a shorter under skirt allowing the floral pattern to be shown proudly. The longer length adds a touch of elegance.

No outfit is complete without a pair of heels and because the colours are so loud already, I popped on some nude shoes. Too many cooks and all that!

Hope you like this look!

Let me know your thoughts on the outdoors photos? Do you prefer them or should I go back inside?

Lori x

January Hits and Misses

I was sitting a few days ago, being a good little blogger and writing out lists of what posts I want to do, all my ideas and also products which I am interested in using (thanks fellow beauty bloggers and youtubers, you get me every time!). Whilst doing this I had a sudden thought - 'It's February on Saturday....whattt?! How, what, who even?!'. That was my exact thought process! On this realisation I decided that I should probably pop up a post on all of my favourite and not so favourite items throughout the month of January - the worst month of the year, can we get a  hallelujah that it's pretty much over!

So first up, this will be absolutely no surprise to anyone, is the YSL Youth Liberator Foundation. For anyone who hasn't seen my review then have a wee peak here. I have never found a foundation which I have used consistently, everyday for a month. It gives a great amount of coverage yet still keeps a lightweight feel on the skin.

My next favourite of the month is the Clarins Beauty Flash Balm which I have been using on the days when my skin has been looking dull and tired. Unfortunately, in January, this has been quite a regular occurrence for me considering I was ill for almost two weeks of the month. Thank god for Clarins! The balm gets patted (not rubbed) into the skin before foundation application and gives an instant boost to the skin creating an immediate radiance. I also find it holds my makeup on all day, doubling as a primer. Win, win! 

Another winner for Clarins has been the Hydra-Quench Cream Mask  which I got in a set a while back and have never used before as I don't tend to suffer from dry skin. However, because I was ill and choked with the cold/flu I was constantly blowing my nose which led to it eventually being sore and dry with flaking skin - now there's an image! I found this in amongst my skincare and decided that desperate times called for desperate measures and swept this over the dry area. When I woke the next day the pain was almost undetectable and it had cleared up a lot of the dryness. I have used this religiously ever since - great purchase if you are a dry skin sufferer.

This is something that I never thought I would ever say so prepare yourselves! I think I may have found the best concealer - ever! Having read so many reviews on the Nars Creamy Concealer I thought it was high time I went and picked it up. I am so happy that I finally did as it was love at first swipe. One of those products where you curse yourself for not having picked it up sooner. This is now a staple in my everyday make-up routine. The creamy texture means it doesn't dry out the area under the eyes and yet still gives amazing coverage, which is something I have always struggled to find in a concealer. The formula is super long lasting and I never find it creasing into any lines. Definitely worth the hype!

One for the hair now. This month I purchased the Salon at Home Volume and Bounce Texturising Spray after reading Amelia's review and dubbing it the dupe for the Oribe spray. Once I have straightened and styled my hair I spray this to give my hair an instant life and texture which I can't achieve through brushes alone! It gives instant my hair volume and because of it's clear formula there is no need to rub it in. Just spray and go!

Now I know this is super cliche but I don't even care! I have always loved the Naked Palettes and I didn't think I could love anything quite like I loved Naked 2. Then there came Naked 3. The perfect rose gold shades for a pale lady like myself! I have had this since it launched but there were so many reviews kicking around at the time that I didn't feel like urge to write one. I have used this baby pretty much everyday since I got it. The colours can be mixed in so many different ways and I get great day looks as well as night!

A random favourite which has to be thrown in here is Celebrity Big Brother (CBB). I am not even ashamed to say I have been completely addicted this year! Usually I watch the first night when the contestants all enter the house and that's it, whether it was the fact I knew most of the house mates this year or that the drama was wild, no one can deny that CBB was tv gold! With constant drama and arguments I found myself watching this religiously every evening! What will I do without it?!

The biggest and only miss of the month has to go to Birchbox. I didn't post about the mishap that happened with December's box but since it happened again this time around I feel it's only fair to let you all know! Last month my box arrived missing two products, after emailing the company they sent them out straight away and apologised. Fair enough. Then January's box arrived to have three products out of seven inside, no invoice or sheet to say what products should be in the box. You can imagine my anger and disappointment. After a fairly aggressive email they once again apologised and said they would send products. No extras offered for the inconvenience. When my extra items arrived two were smashed and all over the envelope. Fab-bloody-tastic! After yet another, not so polite email in which I told them to cancel my subscription they credited £10 to my Birchbox account and apologised. To me, this was too little too late and will no longer be a customer with Birchbox.

Apart from that I can't actually think of any products I have really hated this month! 

Hope you like this month's favourites and not so favourites, I wonder what next month will bring!

Lori x

Friday Fabu-List: Pastel Perfect

Hello again friends! It has been a little while since I have posted a Friday Fabu-List and I know they always proved popular with you lot! So I decided that it was time to bring back one of my favourite posts to write. Today I decided to look at one of the most popular trends in this new season - Pastels!

Top // Skirt

Topshop 

I love this powder blue two piece -  Huge fan of this 50's inspired style! I think the high waist of the skirt and cropped top together create such a sophisticated/ sexy combo that is lethal! Shows off the perfect amount of flesh!

Jumper

Topshop

Who doesn't love the fluffy jumper?! Channel your inner Cher from Clueless and team this beauty with a PVC Skirt and you are bang on trend! These trans-seasonal pieces will take you from Winter to Spring with ease.

Shirt

Warehouse

If you want to incorporate this hot trend into your work wardrobe or something to brighten up your jeans then pop this beautiful yellow floral shirt on. Hitting two key trends; pastels and florals you really can't go wrong!

Mac Coat

Zara

If, like me, you were loving this pretty pink shade all of winter and you aren't quite ready to let go then why not continue the trend by ditching those thick coats and opt for a more appropriate Mac! Everyone needs one, and why not go for something a little different?

Top

Missguided

Oh me, Oh my! How beautiful is this lilac, high neck top! If this baby doesn't brighten up your day then what will!? This could be worn nice and casual or glammed up at night with a bib necklace for that added wow factor!

Dress

Missguided

If you love your prints then looked out for dog-toothed styles. They are sticking around. How cute is this little tea dress (plus the back in cut out - whats not to love?). Skater dresses are flattering on everyone so you can't go wrong. Perfect for a lunch date.

There we have it - some of my favourite picks from this seasons hottest trend.
I feel like with these types of posts I don't get to go into as much detail as I do with others posts. Let me know your thoughts, are you a fan of this type of post? Do you prefer full reviews? Or do you have any ideas for my next Fabu-list?

Lori x

Guide: How To Survive Being Ill

Over the last few days I have been in no fit state to do, well, anything really! I am one of these people who doesn't tend to get ill very often, apart from the odd cold or cough, nothing that a lemsip can't fix! The only downfall to this is that when I do come face to face with some form of plague (not literally, ten points for being dramatic) it knocks the wind right out of my sails! 

So I decided that since I have been bed ridden for the past few days and haven't even come close to food never mind make-up I would do a survival guide on days when you are that ill, you would genuinely prefer to be at work!

You have got to start the day just right by watching Phil and Holly on This Morning. Who else is going to cheer you up?! Especially when the old body clock doesn't allow you to sleep past your usual wakening time. Plus, watching Jeremey Kyle will automatically make you feel better about yourself - fact!

No sick day is complete without your home comforts. Now this is slightly embarrassing to be unleashing this on you guys but hey, I have no shame! So this is Ted, my lifelong friend, and my sick companion. Another essential is a hot water bottle. Especially if you have a bath and feel the cold straight after, make sure you pop this under your duvet for when you get out.

Get some reading done! Nothing better than reading my favourite magazines and getting ahead on all the latest and upcoming trends. I mean, maybe being able to read them when I am well would be better but you got to pass the hours somehow! Whilst you are reading up on all the latest fashion and beauty products you may as well do a spot of blogging! Get that review up that you have been meaning to write for ages - no time like the present.

I'm not much of an eater when I'm ill but nothing is more comforting (and easy to digest) than soup. Preferably home made but if like me, no one is in your house to play nurse, then a tin will have to do!

Get yourself a companion. Now I know you all met Ted (see above) but there is nothing and no one that will make you feel better than your very own best friend. Mine is Saffi! She usually heads off to work with my Dad but since I have been unwell he brings her home at lunchtime and she snuggles in with me - or, from the photo above, watches tv with me.

Last but not least it's all about just sleeping it off and hopefully within a few days the worst will have passed and you will be back to normal!

This is a slightly random post however, I hope you have enjoyed it as it's a little different to anything else I have done. Hopefully my next one will be more energetic!

Lori x

Good Things Face Mask | Review

Let's talk face masks!

I will be honest, face masks weren't really my thing until recently. I have always *touch wood* had pretty good, clear skin. Over the last while I have noticed a little bit of combination in my skin

 but I think it's more to do with the constant shift in weather as opposed to anything else. I take good care of it - my obsession with skin care is starting to get a little ridiculous but I am still on the hunt for that perfect routine. 

I was recently introduced to this Good Things Five Minute Facial Wash in Avocado and Goji Berry. My oh my, where has this been all of my life? I decided to test drive it one night when I was having a bad skin day (we all have them!) and I needed a little pick me up! Pulled out this bad boy!

The mask is clay based and you need a tiny amount which covers the full area. With it being clay you obviously avoid any skin close to the eye area. Apply once a week and Leave for five minutes and remove with a hot flannel.

I originally used this because my face was not taking too kindly to the constant change in weather and I had slight break outs in different areas. Even on my first use I noticed a huge difference. The reason I really like this mask is because you can feel it working. I can feel the clay starting to form and tighten around my skin and on removal I do notice visible signs of brightening. 

The mask is all super fruit extracts which basically means it's smells pretty amazing. I'll be honest and say that a smell can really put me off using a product, sometimes it's hard to build a bridge and just get over it! Free from parabens, mineral oils, sodium laureth sulphate and any animal ingredients this mask is great for any vegans or vegetarian readers out there. 

Highly recommended if you are in need of a skin pick me up or just fancy a little pamper one night - why not?! 

Lori x

Mac Attack!

Jacket: River Island

Shirt // Tights: Primark

Shorts // Belt: Zara 

Necklace: Dorothy Perkins

Boots: New Look

Bag: Michael Kors

Yesterday was spent at the travel agents trying to organise our summer holiday! So many travel plans this year which I cannot wait for. I'm lucky if I travel twice a year, which is pretty sad really, so hoping to visit a few more places this year. Bought this beautiful mac coat from River Island on Saturday when I was in town and I absolutely love it! Mac's are versatile and never go out of fashion - definitely an investment buy! Teamed it with a crisp white shirt and denims - obviously thick black tights as it is still very cold here in Scotland! My trusty black boots (which I discovered yesterday are actually needing re-heeled, pretty badly may I add, as they make two different noises when I walk) to add the illusion of a longer leg.

After sorting out most of our hotel dilemmas myself and Craig headed off to find some lunch! We like our food! Both of us were in the mood for soup and a sandwich but couldn't find any sit in deli's around. We decided to head off to a garden centre, where else?! Then spotted The Popinjay Hotel on the corner and decided to drop in. How glad we were! The hotel is absolutely beautiful with a pianist upon entry. The staff were super friendly and very attentive and our lunch was fantastic! Soup and a sandwich was had - Hoorah!

Make-up look for the day.

Used naked 3 for my eyes and Elizabeth Arden on the lips.

Hope you like this post!

Lori x