Going natural with Neal's Yard Remedies

How can you say no to natural beauty, wondrous products filled with therapies meant to heal and soothe, a holistic nature, do good attitude, plenty of friendly welcoming, platters of vegan food, delicious brownies, healthy shakes (or a glass of prosecco in my case), flowers upon flowers, dreamy interiors, bright white warm lighting and the opportunity to gain some well needed knowledge (as well as taking up the already cramped space with my eager photo shooting)? When I was asked along to a small blog event at Neal's Yard Remedies in the Victoria Quarter - a place I often do some luxury window shopping in - I couldn't not pop down for an hour to see the notion behind a store I've never really delved in to before.

Wednesday Wishlist: Topshop new in

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What I bought in the January sales

January's nearly over, and I'm both confused as to where that month since Christmas has gone, and curious as to how it seems as though January is never ending. I'm ready for a new month, now - not just because it gives me a reason to stop spending, save up for a summer holiday and gives the postman a rest, but because February is where the real stuff starts. I don't know why I set goals for January because they're totally going to be shoved to the side; including the idea that I will resist the sales. After-all, January is just a trial month, right?! 

The Sunday Natter: Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves

(totally irrelevant picture to topic ratio but you can never go wrong with flowers, right?)

Following on from last week's post; the fury of women being dictated for their vanity choices, I felt it was only right for me to continue my opinionated discussion of something relatively similar to the points I was previously making. Today's Sunday Natter is allll about the assumptions and attitudes revolving around the efforts of a woman and just how irritated it makes me feel when I come across a genuinely believed reference that it's in a woman's nature to think about someone else in order to feel good and look good for themselves. Now, I've got to be extra careful on how I word this so I don't have the issue of offensive statements on my back but it's guaranteed if you ask a member of the public whether they believe what a woman decides is majorly influenced by what's ideal in a man's eyes, the answer will be yes. Without a doubt, society's mentality IS shaped around men's liking and it's really really pitiful.

Wednesday Wishlist: stripes, stripes, and more stripes

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My favourite Instagram accounts: the ones to follow

If you haven't noticed already, I'm completely and utterly in love with Instagram. Aside from blogs themselves, it's the place I gather and gain most of my inspiration from and is a valuable source for a good percentage of my traffic. The idea that tiny pieces of your whole life can be squeezed into an idyllic square (or with the new, commendable feature - a horizontal and vertical shape) is insanely fabulous, and the fact a particular perception can attract users from all over the world is just as rewarding. There's nothing that brings more joy to my vision than a recurrent theme of beautiful photography, witty captions and quintessential flatlays - even if it does bring serious envy of all kinds of structure.

The Sunday Natter: the make-up debate

You know what I'm tired of hearing? The ridiculed views of how too much make-up means you're a bad person, how personal choice means you're constantly open to the public's opinions on how you should and shouldn't look, and how caking your face in various products and brands you are excitedly eager to test means you're 'false advertising'. I believe make-up itself is an art and not conformed to any gender; the purpose is actually rather fascinating and the difference it can make to an individual's appearance, self esteem and drive is something worth noting. You shouldn't have to rely on make-up to start off your day, no, but unfortunately (or maybe not so unfortunately) for a large majority, it's how we prepare to face the world.

Wednesday Wishlist: my top 20 most wanted palettes

Too Faced Semi Sweet Chocolate Bar | NARSissist Dual Intensity | Clinique All About Teddy Bear Quad | Becca Ombre Nude | Tom Ford Brow Sculpting | YSL Couture Palette | Mac Enchanted Eve Viva Glam Lip | Charlotte Tilbury Dolce Vita | Hourglass Ambient Lighting | Urban Decay Vice 4 | Bobbi Brown Face Touch Up | Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick | Illamasqua Multi Facet 'Aura' | Sigma Warm Neutrals | Urban Decay x Gwen Stefani Blush Palette | Givenchy The Make Up Must Haves | Smashbox Double Exposure | Laura Geller The Wearables | ABH Powder Contour Kit | NARS One Shocking Moment Cheek Studio 

What I wore: cable knit layering

The Sunday Natter: dealing with insomnia

(No, not the Faithless song, unfortunately.)

What I got for Christmas: twenty fifteen

Christmas feels like the distant past now but (shock horror) it's actually only been just over two weeks since I was showered with an indulgence of love, appreciation and lots of presents. I've been holding off doing the typical 'let me show you everything I got for Christmas' post not only because natural daylight has been completely absent and I never got round to photographing the entirety, but because I know it can be an ambivalent subject and I didn't want to be the one shamelessly boasting about every detail. However, truth be told I love having an insightful nosy at the different gifts everybody else received and I'm sure I speak for many when I say they're my favourite readable pastime. So, I went ahead and prepared a post anyway and did my traditional new year duty of gathering all my gifts together before I unpack them all and squeeze them into the already compacted storage my bedroom beholds!

Wednesday Wishlist: Missguided sale picks

patchwork shift dress | grey marl high neck ribbed dress | high waisted flare jeans | sleeveless camel tunic | lace up court shoes | turtle neck striped midi dress | grey knitted culottes | black d-ring midi dress | grey v neck sleeveless tunic | burgundy wrap culotte jumpsuit

A new year giveaway with Stylefruits

Sunday Natter: a round of 2015's best moments

We're now 3 days into 2016, yet I'm still finding myself holding onto 2015 and the significance it weighed on life in general. I reflected a great deal in my last post of the year but I felt as though I waffled on about the in depth, fundamental stuff and less about the fun, light-hearted topics. We spend so much time gaining pleasure from what's going on around us in the industry and personally, a good 50% of my procrastination comes from committing half the day to watching makeup tutorials on YouTube, to then discovering what giraffe's like for their tea and how much Kardashian flesh is next to be on show. There's plenty of room for both sides of life; I think it provides a playful vibe opposed to the serious drudgery which is why in my first Sunday Natter of 2016, before I say goodbye to the previous year completely and before reality returns tomorrow, I'd love to share my top 5 moments in a variety of areas and I'd love to hear your side of the view too!