The New Way To Layer

Layering is the winter trend I always find the most difficult to matter how many blogs, Youtube videos I watch or fashion magazines I read on how-to add and add textures and colours for winter. BUT I have found some good tumblr posts that are gorgeous and inspiring.
First simple steps are to accessorise with a scarf which not only contrast in texture but colour, here's the perfect example from Kiki Taylor (who happens to be good at this kind of thing) with a picture post from her Tumblr blog Christies Closet

Simple day to day style which is quick and easy to achieve.

The next example is from Decoist. This is a really useful example if you want to transport your summer wardrobe into winter as it enables you to layer with sheer garments which makes the outfit pretty and feminine without leaning too much into summer.

Very playful but can be dressed up with a blazer to be made sophisticated.

Best Coast - Boyfriend [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

Birthday Weekend: London

 

A few photos from the weekend trip to London, breakfast at Starbucks, a trip to Topshop, Harrods, Harvey Nichols, The National Portrait Gallery finished off with dinner at Ponti's Italian on Duke Street.

Furry Friends

Alexa Chung featuring cream fur and champagne.

This season, and like many before, is an exciting season for girls like me as it has seen the return of the Winter staple and my personal favourite fashion piece to exist - the fur coat. Any girl who knows sophisticated chic in these bleak months, particularly if you live in bleak Britain, will tell you that the fur coat is a must for any girl who is serious about what she wears. The Autumn/Winter 2014 shows such as Nina Ricci, Topshop Unique, Pucci, Elie Saab to say the least were all showing lashes of fur tops, accessories (furry clutch? Yes, please), gilets and leather mixed coats in their catwalk collections. And it's not only the designers who are setting these trends but celebrities and models are following suit, such as Karmen Pedaru who was seen wearing a beautiful emerald fur piece at New York Fashion Week earlier this year.
For a go-to chic outfit with your fur coat, sport the piece with leather leggings, (here are some from ASOS) then add a silky blouse (a Topshop drape front blouse here), some snake print boots (Missguided ones here) and some black sunnies. Effortless chic, check. 

 

Folklore

Pastels and Whites

I decided to brave it and follow through with the white trouser/jeans trend, I also love the all-white look! I paired my white, cropped Zara trousers with a silk and chiffon mix top from Topshop.

I paired this outfit with my grey, stressed leather Topshop backpack and a pair of white lace Topshop shoes I bought last summer. 

Kirsty x

Wants

Oh the torture of continuously browsing through the Topshop mobile app and keeping up to date with my most loved blogs has left me feeling a little helpless. There are so many things that I want and need in both the categories of beauty and fashion and these in particular are what leaves me heart wrenched at the thought that I don't own them. Grimace.

Okay, so, besides the Céline bag I think all of these items are pretty much within reach of my price range and hopefully I can get the complete outfit. Although, once out shopping, it's too easy for me to veer of track of what I set out to buy and end up buying a completely different shopping list of what was planned. However, at the moment I'm feeling the Jouer BB Cream and the Zara snake print sliders are absolute musts for me!

Kirsty x

French Pharmacy Saviours

As a sufferer of acne in past years, I have often dedicated my much loved beauty research as to what will aid banish my acne. I was a lover and frequent user of Clinique's Anti-Blemish Solutions three-step skincare regime which was great, until I found that it no longer worked on my skin, which was extremely frustrating considering the products were the only thing that seemed to have help eradicate my acne. I then tried and tested many different products and finally found La Roche-Posay, a french brand of skincare that specialises in treating severe and minor skin imperfection such as acne, extremely sensitive skin, extremely dry skin and even rosacea. 

I'd previously tried the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo after many Youtubers and Bloggers alike raved about this product but had found that it didn't do very much for my skin and, at times, even broke me out more. However after reading about the brand and finding that the Effaclar range was aimed towards not only skin that suffered with frequent breakouts but skin that was also sensitive, I decided to invest in their products considering they were so inexpensive. I bought the cleanser, toner and moisturiser and used them in conjunction with each other. I found that even after the first day my skin felt and looked a lot better, it was softer and my imperfections didn't look so red. After just three days I found people commented on my skin looking better and after two weeks found that most of my imperfections had cleared up. My skin felt a lot softer, my make-up stayed on for longer and it wasn't stripped of moisture so left a natural glow. I've lost count of how many times I've re-purchased these products and this is a first for me as I often don't see results quick enough. This trio is definitely not leaving my skincare regime any time soon and because they work so well it allows me to incorporate other products like serums and pre-cleansers without making my skin irritable, red and spotty. Definitely worth a try!

[from left to right]

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel for Oily Sensitive Skin - £11.00

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Clarifying Lotion - £11.00

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Anti-Blemish Cream - £15.50

Kirsty x

MAC Haul

I've actually had these products for a while, since Christmas (I know, I know, I'm terribly unorganised and a teensy bit lazy) but decided I should do a review to share with you just how much I love them! The first is MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish in Lightscapade (£22.00). I love this powder simply because it sets make up really well (my foundation lasted a whole 6 hours, which is good for me considering I have oily skin) and the finish isn't matte, it gives the skin more of a glow which is good if you have particularly oily skin but still want the illusion of dewy skin. I use it mainly when I go out and dust it over the top of my beloved Bare Minerals foundation and then finish it with MAC's Fix+ Spray (£14.00), I find the powder and the finishing spray work really well together, plus the Fix+ spray smells divine. Next I move on to MAC's Select Cover-Up (£15.00) this concealer does everything you need a concealer to do, covers, corrects however I must admit I'm not too keen on the blending ability of this product, it dries very quickly but I've found you beat this when it's used in conjunction with an eye cream. Lastly, MAC's Kohl Power Eye Pencil in Feline (£14.00). MAC are definitely my favourite for eyeliners so far, it's creamy and works really well for smudging and lasts for aagggess although on nights out I always take a few cotton buds just in case of smudges! It's safe to say I will definitely be purchasing a few of these products again especially the cult Fix+ Spray which is perhaps my favourite out of all of the products mentioned,

Kirsty x