Oh Hi!

Hey there strangers! 

Yes, I know it has been a while. I have no other excuse other than changing job and trying to find my feet there - Juggling time and cramming everything into it is an artform I have yet to master! So here is a little update on life. Finally feel like things are slotting into place and feeling much more confident in myself. Getting back into blogging is very exciting for me as I have missed it loads and, in actual fact, a lot of you guys seem to have missed my musings too! Hoorah! I don't want to commit to any set days as yet. My days off change from week to week and it wouldn't be fair to you guys, or myself, to give a definitive posting schedule. Back to the days where it was as and when I feel inspired! That way, I can create content that I love and know you'll love too but not feel pressured into a timescale.

Will be keeping with beauty and fashion, considering popping some recipes in too as I have become quite the chef in the house now! Don't get me wrong, I'm no Nigella, but I can make a good risotto - that is a skill in itself! If foodie posts are something you would like to see then please pop a comment below and let me know. I'm also feeling much better in terms of skincare and finally feel like I have nailed my skincare routine (for the time being) and it's the best it has looked in a while! So expect to see lots of product reviews coming your way.

Thank you all for baring with me on my sabbatical! I can only promise it will get better from here on out!

- Lori x

Dog Walking and Blisters

Top: M&S // Jeans: New Look // Mac: River Island //

Boots: Kurt Gieger // Bag: Dune // Sunglasses: Ted Baker

When the sun shines in Scotland - no, wait - when it's dry in Scotland, you have to take full advantage of the situation. On Sunday, myself and my parents took Saffi (first appearsance on my blog!) down to Strathclyde Park for a big walk in the lovely weather. I think everyone else in the area had the same idea as the amount of people out running or walking their dogs was unbelievable! 

I knew we were going for lunch afterwards, kindly inviting myself along, and decided to dress for the occasion as opposed to dressing appropriately for a 5 and a half mile walk. Obviously. I love my mac and honestly think it is one of the best investments ever! Mac's go with everything and can dress up an outfit, or you could wear it casually with jeans as I have. Tossing my hair up in a dark green scrunchie, I opted to match with my dark green top from M&S. Love to soft material of this.

My trusty New Look Shaper jeans tucked into Kurt Geiger brown boots. Now, these boots are incredibly comfortable and I always feel they dress up a casual jeans days. However, on a long walk these boots were the devil and completely annihilated my poor heels. Two massive blisters later I will not be making that mistake again! Took my new Dune bag from Craig (boy knows how to pick bags) for a spin, been looking for a tan bag for ages and he picked a winner! Gorgeous gold buckle detailing and the perfect size to fit all your must-haves!

This is Saffi, the happiest dog in the whole world, making her first appearance on my blog!

Lori x

Thursday Weddings

Dress: French Connection

Blazer: Zara

Bag: Next

Shoes: Kurt Geiger

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After a mad dash home from our Gretna overnight, Craig and I were heading to one of his friends wedding receptions - we really did need a week off with all the madness! We were only going to the evening reception, as we already had our overnight booked before the invitations came out but to be honest we were pretty glad. We have been to so many weddings in the last year, full day events, it was quite nice to be popping along in the evening. 

Craig bought me these beautiful Kurt Geiger shoe boots with are a gorgeous nude ankle boot with a neon pink sol. They are absolutely stunning! I originally tried on the black version with the neon yellow sole months ago and didn't like them on (I really need to realise neon and I are not friends). I love nude shoes - i'm sure you will have all guessed by now - so the pop of pink colour makes a nice change!

Knowing I wanted to wear these shoes, I grabbed this beautiful grey sequin dress from French Connection out the old cupboard. Now I am not a pink girl, at all, but something about this dress caught my attention! It is a super flattering fit, the material is light and comfortable, I love the tie at the waste to which I pull over some material to create a hanging effect. I'm a huge fan of FCUK dresses and always find the heavier the dress, the better it sits.

To finish off the look I grabbed my white Zara blazer to keep the outfit light and summery, perfect for a Summer wedding!

Let me know what you think!

Lori x

Anniversary's and Gretna Green.

On Wednesday it was Craig and I's two year anniversary. We had both taken time off work and decided to take a trip down to Gretna for an overnight - no wedding jokes please! We chose to stay at The Smiths Hotel which is situated just across the road from The Famous Blacksmiths. The hotel itself it absolutely beautiful, I can honestly say one of the loveliest places I have stayed. We managed to upgrade our room to The Ash Suite and I would honestly recommend it to anyone to do so. I have never walked into a room and went 'Wow' before, that is how breathtaking it was. We had ordered a package as part of the room so we had cocktails on arrival (they weren't exactly on arrival,it took a few phone calls to reception and the worlds most monosyllabic receptionist to finally get them but we got there in the end!). Candles were all lit, rose petals on the bed, magic FM on the tv, it really was something special.

We booked dinner in the restaurant for eight o'clock, although didn't get seated until twenty to nine for who knows what reason as there was only two tables in said restaurant. The service wasn't on top form considering the few tables there but the food was certainly on point! Nothing better than complimentary bread to start - may I add warm bread! - and a speciality sent from the chef (I think they could sense my annoyance). I have to say it was one of the best meals I have ever ate, hats off to the chef! I started with a cheese souffle and then had a beef platter of oxtail (which was the first time I had ever tried and it was unbelievable!), fillet steak and haggis - DELISH! As previously said, although the meal was outstanding, the service was not. We waited half an hour trying to catch someones attention for the bill and ended up having to get a member of staff who didn't even work the restaurant to get us it. The table beside us, an elderly man and wife, asked for a bottle of wine 40 minutes  previous and it still hadn't appeared, eventually cancelled the wine and ordered coffees instead and were still waiting when we left around half an hour later. Poor.

Dress: Karen Millen

Shoes: Kurt Geiger

Lipstick: Mac Morange

Outfit wise, Craig bought me these beautiful shoes from Kurt Geiger for our anniversary. Nude shoe boots with an ankle strap - which I love as ankle straps make A. shoes more comfortable to wear and B. shoes more stable, which is exactly what I need as I am Calamity Jane! I packed this Karen Millen number I got back in December for my Christmas, can't go wrong with an LBD. It has a gorgeous ribbed middle and a zip (not sure for it's purpose) and flares out at the bottom, my favourite style! I loved the contrast of the pink sole from my shoes against the black, added some colour and fun to the look!

Overall, we were both so impressed with the room and food at The Smiths we will definitely be making another visit at some point in the future! However, the service was not up to the standard of the hotel, which is such a shame as there are so many positives and so much potential!

Have you ever been to The Smiths?

Lori x

Back To The 18th's

Dress: Topshop

Belt: Vintage

Shoes: Primark

Just like Friday, Saturday was spent running around as I was on a tight schedule. I was running an event in work, it was my Mum's birthday and then at night we were heading off to Craig's younger cousins 18th birthday party. As you can imagine, I was absolutely knackered after work and a disco nap was most definitely needed.

The weather has been lovely over the weekend (obviously, whilst I was stuck in work) and so I decided to opt for a coral, wrap dress for a bright summer style! I love this dress, I actually had to track it down last year as every time I went in store, it wasn't there! I always find wrap dresses to be the most flattering. To break the dress up I popped on a gold twisted belt, I bought this from a vintage store in London a few years ago, everyone always comments on it.  

Was a fun night and I actually managed to stay awake well past my bed time! 

Lori x

Malawi Ball

Dress: French Connection

Bag: New Look

Shoes: Primark

If you saw me at any point last Friday you would have noticed I was running around like a headless chicken! I went straight from work to a Malawi Charity Dinner - we girls need time to get ready! With it being an important event I decided to dress appropriately and pull out this French Connection number. It is actually a little large on the top for me (Mum always said my boobs would grow, still waiting on that happening after 21 years...). It is boned on the inside to it pulls everything in and keep it all in place. The dress itself is quite heavy with all of the beading, but I love that, I always find the heavier the dress the better it will sit and hang. 

For my bag, I chose this envelope style clutch with block colours; Navy, grey and black. I felt the blue lifted the colours on the dress. Also love an oversized clutch, fits everything you need! Then, as always, keeping it simple on the shoe front with my very trusted nudes.

Was such a lovely evening raising money for a great cause. Our table won tickets to The Eagles and a huge bottle of Moet, which later went over two at the table - most hilarious opening of a champagne bottle i've witnessed (apologise to anyone who may have been smacked with the cork, it went firing into the sky). 

Lori x

Bank Holiday Outing

Top // Necklace // Short: Zara

Shoes: Primark

Watch: Michael Kors

Finally a weekend off, even better than it fell on the bank holiday when a lot of us were off work. I obviously had to take advantage! Headed out on Saturday night and decided I wanted to wear something a little different than my usual safe option - a dress. Found this top in Zara and fell in love. I love the bright orange colour, so summery, and the half crop, half full top. Very different to anything I own and would usually wear. Flashing just enough flesh whilst concealing everything that needs to be hidden! 

No summer look is complete without the obligated denim shorts. Got these last summer from Zara again, I do have to wear the belt or they would fall down! Not what anyone wants to see. They are baggy, so they don't cling around the thighs. This will definitely be one of my festival looks, minus the heels obviously!

To tie in with the orange and blue theme (I seem to be loving this combination of late) I popped on my tribal statement necklace with the orange and blue bands. I love this necklace, it is so bold and really adds effect. Finishing off with my standard nude shoes, creating the look of a longer leg, although they make me look like a giraffe in some of these photos - i'm actually very small in person! 

Had a brilliant night out with good friends and plenty of alcohol! We've got to take advantage of having a Saturday off don't we? Retail problems!

Did you have a good holiday weekend?

Lori x

March Favourites | Video

MARCH FAVOURITES VIDEO HERE

One of my favourite posts to write has to be my monthly favourites. I love sharing with you all of the products I have been loving over the last month. As we head into April I have lots of lovely products to share with you from the month of March. This month, I decided to change it up a little and pop my favorites post into a video for you all to watch! I started up my new YouTube channel a few weeks ago and would love you all to pop over and subscribe to keep up-to-date!

Lori x

Surprise Birthdays

Dress: Miss Selfridge

Necklace (Silver): FCUK

(Blue): Gift

Shoes: No Clue, I've had them since I was like 15 (still haven't grown!)

Bag: Matalan

Watch: Jacob Ellis

This weekend saw myself and Craig take a trip to the capital and surprise our friend Bryan for his birthday! Sneaking around Edinburgh was so much fun, lurking around the corners to make sure we weren't spotted! It would certainly give the game away! For anyone who watched my YouTube Spring Haul video then they would have seen this purchase from Miss Selfridge. Fuschia pink isn't my usual colour in fact, any shade of pink isn't my usual colour! There was just something about this dress though that made me purchase!

I have been loving a longer length lately, I can't actually remember the last time I wore a mini dress. They make me feel more confident and comfortable, I don't need to keep pulling at my dress on a night out which is never an attractive look for anyone! The shift style is so flattering and the floaty sleeves give a beautiful sixties vibe to the outfit. 

Teaming colours with fuschia pink can be a hard task however, I have always loved opposites and remembering I had these electric blue numbers in my wardrobe I knew it would be a match-made in heaven! Continuing on with the blue theme, I doubled up these two necklaces to create a huge statement. The blue shining through on them. Right through to my electric blue nails in the form of 'Baker Street' by Nails Inc.

It was a great night through in the capital celebrating with great friends!

Lori x

Parisian Chic

Jumper: Zara

Trousers: Next

Chain: Topshop

Bag: La Moda

Shoes: Kurt Geiger

Hat: H&M

Yesterday I made an unexpected trip into Glasgow to spend the day with my parents and I have to say, was probably one of the funniest days I have had in a while. Nothing in particular springs to mind that made it quite so enjoyable, was just lovely to spend some time with my Mum and Dad and we laughed all the way through. Cheesy opening paragraph over.

I done a big wash yesterday and so my jeans were unavailable for the day! The weather is all over the place at the moment, after a few days of sunshine at the beginning of the week we got a lovely dose of dull skies and rain! I decided that the weather wasn't going to dampen my mood and channelled my inner Parisian chic style. Monochrome is my BFF - Best French Friend. The jumper was a hidden gem in the Zara sale, coming in at a whopping £6! I bought it in large as it is cropped and thought it was cute slightly baggy. Trousers, again a sale bargain, are high waisted and they are belted, just hidden under the cropped jumper. Black heels - staple. I bought this bag a few months ago off La Moda and am still every inch in love with it. The studs went perfectly with the gold chain I popped on, I needed to break up the colour scheme. To finish the look I threw on my hat from H&M (Glamour have a 25% discount for H&M in this months magazine) it completes the whole look and gives an edge.

Decided to revert back to my pale foundation in the form of Urban Decay and I think I have rekindled my love with it. Forgot just how good it was and I got so many lovely comments on the photo I posted on instagram (here) so I am considering doing a tutorial on my brand new, shiny YouTube channel (here). Lips wise I pulled out an old favourite in the style of 'Red Square' Nars Lip Pencil teamed with Elizabeth Arden Lipgloss in 'Red Door Red'. 

Who else loves Parisian vibes?

Lori x

London and The Gaucho Grill

On Friday night, after a fun-filled day of shopping and walking in the sunshine and lots of frozen yoghurt, we headed off to a restaurant that had been recommended to us. We were pre-warned it would be busy so had already booked in advance. Getting off at London Bridge we couldn't quite work out where to go to find the restaurant - how people functioned without Goggle Maps I honestly don't know. Eventually after walking up and back down a street I stopped passersby who pointed us into the right direction. Walking along the path we spotted Tower Bridge and I knew we had to be in the right place. The Gaucho Grill is a modern, stylish restaurant overlooking the bridge. The view was gorgeous and the staff were all lovely and welcoming. We had already stated on booking it was for my 21st and every staff member wished me a Happy Birthday which was lovely. Our waiter brought over a board of different cuts of steak, asked which cut we liked and how we liked it cooked then recommended what he thought was best. I have to say the steaks, both mine and Craig's, were fantastic! Well worth the money - let's just say it's not the cheapest place but they were possibly the best steak I've ever had.

Dress: Zara

Shoes: Kurt Geiger

Dress wise I went for this flared Zara number. I love how it begins to flare out at the waste, perfect for any self-concious ladies out there - Very flattering around the waist / tummy area. The neckline is absolutely gorgeous and quite different to your staple straps. I also love the coral colour and simplicity of the block colour. Moving into Spring/ Summer it's time to pop those LBD's back in the closet and play around with some colour. You may have noticed that lately I have been wearing a lot of plain clothes as opposed to prints and patterns, I just find them so wearable and versatile. You cannot go wrong with a block colour outfit. My Kurt Geigers (again) making an appearance as I only brought one pair of heels that I could pop on with anything and these babies ticked that box! Make-up wise I kept it pretty understated and opted for big, bouncy hair instead. I have found a new holy grail product for my limp hair and will do a review of it over the next week!

Before we left, the restaurant brought over a plate which read 'Happy Birthday' and gave me a selection of different chocolates. This was without Craig even asking or prompting for anything - was a really nice touch and made the evening that little more special!

Overall, we were both really impressed with Gaucho Grill and would highly recommend to any steak lovers out there. I will say that the restaurant is very loud, with the music and then everyone trying to talk over it. We liked it because it gave lots of atmosphere about the place however, if you don't like the hustle and bustle of London/ dining then this is not for you.

Have you been to Gaucho Grill?

Lori x

London and Beyonce

My 21st Birthday has been getting dragged out since the actual date on 26th December and finally, my present from Craig arrived. A few nights down in London, one in which I got to go see Beyonce - can we all take a moment to appreciate how good this present was? And I have to say she was all I had hoped for and more. Had me smiling from ear to ear from the start to finish, Jay Z appearing on stage was another bonus. If you never got the chance to go and see her on this tour, I highly recommend you go next time! 

Dress: Dorothy Perkins

Necklace: French Connection

Shoes: Kurt Geiger

Bracelet: Thomas Sabo

Outfit wise I went for this gorgeous pastel blue shift dress which I spotted in Dorothy Perkins and knew that it had to be mine. I love the plain pastel shade, they are everywhere this spring, and the cut is so flattering. Luckily when we were down South the weather was fantastic - wouldn't be hard consider I live in Scotland where it snows 70% of the time! So this shade was perfect for the sunshine! My parents bought this necklace for my Christmas and I haven't worn it out yet as it is hard to style, however I loved the statement necklace against the dress. Shoe wise I opted for my trusty Kurt Geiger heels, so comfortable yet stylish. When walking to and from tube stations sensible shoes are a necessity. Fortunately, our hotel was only a 10 minute walk, if that, from the tube station so I didn't have to suffer for long!

Make-up wise I wanted to keep it bright and natural. Created a pastel smokey eye with my Urban Decay Vice 2 palette, it is filled with so many usual, colourful shades you could create any look you want. Lips I used my new YSL Lip stain in shade 2 - a neutral, pink colour for a 'my lip colour with some extra va-va-voom' look. I still can't believe that I got to see Beyonce live! The full night was insane. Her dancers, the outfits, the sound, the show - everything was perfect! You can see exactly why she is the best in the world.

Hope you like this look!

Lori x

The Importance of a Good Bra

This is a post I would never have thought about writing. In all honesty, up until about two weeks ago I didn't even think I had much of a chest, never mind finding a good bra for it. So, with it coming up to Valentine's Day and many ladies heading off to treat themselves (and maybe some boyfriends) to some new undies, here's a little story for you all. You may want to pop the kettle on...

A few weeks ago I met with one of my closest friends who I hadn't seen for quite a while. One of those pairings where you may not see each other quite as often as we would like, not through lack of trying, but we stay in completely different places and both work full time jobs which means meeting for lunch sometimes just isn't feasible or as easy as it sounds. When we did meet it was like we had seen each other only the other day - that's the type of friendship that we all need!

On this particular meeting I was telling her that the previous night I had decided it was high time I emptied my underwear drawers and get rid of all the mutant knickers in there, the ones that haven't seen daylight since I was around 12 - Lord knows why they are still there, probably couldn't get them over one leg! On doing this, I noticed that my bra sizes ranged from ridiculously small (talking smallest size possible) to ridiculously big (who was I kidding?) and coming to the realisation that, at the grand old age of 21, I still do not know my actual size of bra. 

We headed off to Debenhams, after doing some research and discovering they are rated the highest for most accurate size. For some ladies, getting a bra fitting can be quite daunting, but the lady from Debenhams put me right at ease from the get go. She never made me feel uncomfortable or self-conscious at any moment - big up for Debenhams Glasgow. On inspecting the god awful bra I decided to wear that day, she pointed out that a) it was far too small for me (yay!) and b) the dangers of wearing a bra that didn't fit properly.

With it being too small, the wire pushes your breast to the side and in the worst case scenario can cause lumps which we all know, can mean Breast Cancer. This struck a chord with me. How could I have been so unaware of the dangers of something that I use everyday? That is obviously the worst case scenario, there are in fact many other health risks at hand such as; tension across shoulders and neck, headaches and even spinal problems - all of which I would like to avoid! Not only that, the difference it made when I popped on the size I should have been wearing, unbelievable! 

So please ladies, lets avoid any of these risks and go do something so simple but so effective - plus it's free! It genuinely takes a grand total of around 10 minutes and the women of Debenhams (probably most places that do fittings) are more than happy to pick out a selection of bras for you to try on. Go get your bra fitted - then treat yourself to some new undies! With it being Valentines just a few days away I have chosen some of my favourite pairings as inspiration;

 

 

 
Click the images to take you to the products!

Lori x