June 2015 | the same old chic | fashion, beauty and lifestyle by bridie

Tuesday 30 June 2015

A summer holiday Primark haul

Although I keep exclaiming the fact my bank account is running low, I always (I mean, always) find time to 'just browse' Primark, which ironically turns out to be another spending spree. Before you know it, you're reaching the tills with another basket full of little treats and random items which you can only find in the world of messy underwear and emoji t-shirts.

Primark have some really lovely summer clothing and accessories in at the moment and I just couldn't resist. Their bikini choice had me hovering round the section for around half an hour deciding which bikini I should add to my collection of 'swimwear I will probably wear once and then dump in a drawer'. I don't think I go into Primark actually intending to buy loads but there's always something in there that catches my attention and I convince myself it's worth the bargain buy! Anyhow, without rambling too much, I'll crack on with showing you what I've bought over the past few months.

blue shirt - £9.00 | rust cold shoulder top - £8.00

white boho cami - £3.00 (sale) | black boho cami - £3.00 (sale)

lace off the shoulder top - £9.00 | camel ribbed vest - £4.00

cream lace kimono - £8.00 | black lace kimono - £8.00

striped wrap cropped top - £6.00

long sleeved striped crop top - £5.00

striped bikini - £6.00 | floral bikini - £10.00 (£4 bottoms, £6 top)

coral crochet bralet - £5.00 | white crochet bralet - £5.00

striped beach bag - £3.00

nude coloured hat - £8.00

pink vanity bag - £5.00 | white travel bag - £3.00

white neon detail pyjama set - £10.00 (£6 top, £4 bottoms)

As you can probably tell, Primark is the reliable place to buy my beloved stripes but I also love how it tempts me into varied colours such as the rust coloured top which I would have never gone for if it wasn't waving in front of me at only £8.00! Primark's jewellery and shoe section is another firm favourite; the cute, simple earring and ring sets are ideal for daywear in the summer (even if they do turn your ears and fingers blue after a while) and it's guaranteed you'll find some perfect flats for every occasion. The black mule style shoes are probably one of the purchases that made me the most happy (and the most comfortable for my poor feet). They're a wide fit but I wouldn't say they're any wider than usual, not that I noticed anyway. I feel like they're something you'd find in Topshop for a fraction of the price and I can see myself getting a lot of wear out of them. I also reach for Primark when I desire a new hat as they seem to bring out a new shade in the same fedora every few months and it's always to my tastes!

Most of these impulse buys are sensible ones (trying to justify myself here) and will be mainly worn on my holiday to Spain starting from this weekend. I've seen the crochet halterneck bralets around the blogosphere and from a few YouTube gurus so was thrilled when I spotted them in my local store. I don't think I can venture into town without hitting Primark and as it's such a big store, I'll always find something different. Whether that's a good or a bad thing, I'm yet to figure out!

Have you been Primark shopping lately? Anything nice you've picked up?

Bridie x

The Sunday Natter: let's talk teeth

Possibly the most random subject of the many Sunday chats I've implemented into my blog but one that I felt deserved a discussion instead of a focused review. I don't feel I could write an essay on teeth as I quite clearly lack knowledge in dentistry and apart from the fact they support your entire mouth and are the reason you are able to indulge in some amazing food, they aren't really capable of much more.

Aside from the vitality they do, however, make or break a smile and the whiter the teeth, the more noticeable! Unfortunately, I wasn't blessed with great teeth. I had a removable brace at the end of primary school and I absolutely hated it. Thinking about it now, it wasn't much use, was a pain to take out and clean, gave me a lisp, made my teeth feel uncomfortable and I don't tend to notice the difference it made in later life (probably because long lasting changes never actually happened). I've never been confident with my teeth, I don't smile with my teeth, I despise the wonky gap between my two front teeth and they're far from sparkly white but to say I don't have a great set, I seem to have an obsession with the perfect set of gnashers.

It's becoming all the rage to have a dazzling smile, there are dozens of products on the market to give you that gleam and I'm one of those gullible people who is eager to try out every possible option. The loveliness of teeth are the first thing I notice on a person and it does warm me into finding them attractive. They radiate your face and allow you to show your smiley personality (which means actually, they are more important than first thought in the above statement).

I'm on the mission to turn mine into a set I can show off and it's becoming an extremely needy desire, so when I won a tube of Naturawhite Toothpaste* over on Twitter a few months ago, I couldn't wait to give it a go. Recommended by dentists, this formula contains micro crystals that works to eliminate plaque, dissolve difficult to remove stains deep inside teeth, and leave teeth bright and shiny. Although I don't have visible stains on my teeth, they definitely continue to discolour as I get older and wear down the natural enamel. It did take a couple of weeks of using the toothpaste for me to notice a difference and I didn't always see it due to the change in lighting but it was there, by the end of the single course, there was a small difference. The toothpaste is a light, clear liquid with a minty taste and gentle froth, it left my mouth feeling fresh but I had to use the toothpaste as a second round after my ordinary toothpaste as I don't feel it was enough to provide an all round fulfilled cleanliness. It was certainly an extra boost and gave me that polished feel. Running my tongue over my teeth, they felt smoother and seemed to stand out more than usual. The length of time it lasted me was the only problem; I used up the tube quite quickly so wasn't really given the chance to compare a before and after.

After trailing this, it's given me the starter pack to reach more into teeth whitening and I'd love to hear your recommendations. Using toothpaste is the simple way to build up a new grin, but of course there's the famous whitening strips or even a professional consultation at a specialised clinic. I'm hoping to reach out into the deeper world of whitening so watch out for any progress. If you see me representing Chip Skylark, then you know it's been successful.

Are you as weirdly intrigued with teeth as I am? Do you face any problems or dislikes about your teeth? What're your go to products/routines?

Bridie x

Life: Slate bar opening launch party Leeds

Without a doubt, the Leeds' bar and restaurant scene is booming, and is most certainly growing to extent. Quirky places to spend the evening eating pizza, followed on by watering down with cocktails are popping up all over the place. Last week, I was invited down to the brand new bar opening of Slate NQ, a contemporary bar which replaced the popular Lounge Bar and Grill, but that now plans on making it their own.

Offering a range of drinks from the best selection of ales, to signature cocktails, the night began by handing our playing cards to the bar staff (I'm still kicking myself for not capturing this moment) which entitled us to a free drink. I don't think I need to mention time and time again that I'm not a big drinker. I doubt I'll ever enjoy booze like some youngsters do but I can confirm the glass of Prosecco I was kindly given was the best I'd ever tasted!

As the crowds built up, drinks began flowing and a catch up with lots of blogger babes began, I took a moment aside to appreciate the interior of the bar. Gorgeous industrial lighting hung up visibly whilst the wine bottles lined up equally side by side behind the action, waiting to be popped open.

Along with drinks, homemade pizzas were on hand with the waitresses bringing fresh goodness for the guest every few minutes. I always love the idea of being able to see what you're eating so the open preparation and cooking space with the chefs hard at work added to the fact the pizza was just as delicious as the dough looked when molded and shaped beforehand. The pizza's certainly went down a treat as we soon found out once the girls reached our table and the entire base had nearly gone. I did manage to grab a couple of pieces, though, and my tastebuds found heaven. Definitely a luxury I could enjoy without feeling guilty, purely because it was full of flavour and crispiness (what diet you say...)

If it wasn't tempting enough, Slate NQ offer 40% off pizzas every Tuesday but they also cater for everyone's needs and wants. They have a varied menu topped with salads, meats, cheeses and much more - definitely my kind of hide out.

It was great to see Slate had maintained the tudor like building and made it modernly cool. The decor was dark but simply effective with that old-school style feel to it. The stunning beams outside welcomed you in instantly, as did the traditional windows letting in just the right amount of light for us to sit comfortably on the leather booths and have our weekly gossip.

As things couldn't get better, we remembered Slate also offers entertainment and gaming to keep the girls and the boys, old and young, entertained whilst they savour their food and drink. There is a separate pool room allocated just for those ball games. We did hope to have a taster but unfortunately (~~or thankfully~~), all tables were taken. At least I couldn't make a fool of myself that way!

Fancying a step out into the warm turned to chilly air, we headed off to explore the lovely, almost dainty beer garden with a string of lights and wooden benches. I get the feeling this spacious area will be cram packed when (and emphasis on that when) the sun is shining. Read: I hope the weather forecast is correct for this upcoming week!

Whilst we were taking advantage of the outdoors, we happened to bump into Leeds' very own magician Oliver Parker, and an amazing magician at that. He'd volunteered himself to come up to the opening night and show off his serious skills so I wasn't about to say no to watching some marvelous magic. His tricks had me flabbergasted; from ripping a signed Slate card, sticking it back together in reverse order from the simple rub of a pen, to transforming an ordinary heap of playing cards into a bunch in a see through block whilst the cards disappeared and reappeared in there! Dei took the plunge to be the one person who'd get the first hand experience and I think her mind was completely blown at the end of the trick of getting her to write down her name, pop it into her mouth and then having the card with his name on in her mouth instead. For a minute I thought it was the prosecco going to my head, but it was just a crazy illusion and I had no idea how on earth it was done. I'd definitely check Oliver out for some wow'ing!

Once again, I had a fabulous night. Spending my Thursday meeting up with fellow blogger friends and soaking in the laid back vibe was an evening well spent. Located on Merrion Street, opposite The Grand, it's convenient for both those casual drinkers looking for a place with a great atmosphere, or for those pre-show eaters and drinkers. Slate NQ is the perfect, generous size to spread out each section uniquely. The staff are lovely, food and drinks are satisfying, and that edgy design completes the place. Based on the opening night, I'll certainly be heading back there soon!

Have any other Leeds bloggers checked out Slate NQ yet? Where's your favourite place to go around the city centre? I'm keen to discover some more gems.

Bridie x

What I wore: the lazy kind of wear

Shirt - New Look | Jeans - Forever 21 | Bag - Primark | Hat - Primark | Shoes - Primark

There's something so appealing about chucking on a white shirt and boyfriend jeans when it comes to the end of the week and you just haven't got the enthusiasm to think into depth about your outfit BUT just because you fancy having a comfortable day, doesn't mean you can't be stylish. Simple, casual styling is my favourite kind. I've been on the hunt for a classic, every day white shirt and this pocketed piece fit the bill perfectly. I was also seeking for some boyfriend jeans after seeing so many bloggers looking amazing in some distressed, oversized numbers. I 'm not usually a jeans kind of person because A) they never fit me properly and B) I don't think I can quite grasp the 'so ripped you can see knobbly knees peeking through' look but alas, my second successful search happened with these denim beauties.

On the subject of finding some affordable gems, how adorable is this little bag I picked up from Primark the other week? It's the ideal size for some handbag essentials and crossed over jeans and a shirt somehow completes the combination. I can almost feel a Primark haul waiting to be displayed to the world!

Hope you all enjoy your weekend!

Bridie x

Wednesday Wishlist: the New Look edit

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I don't use the phrase 'on point' very often but it's the only way to describe New Look's summer range this season. I have so much on my wishlist it's almost ridiculous and with a holiday coming up, it's not as though I can afford it *cries into pillow*. There's lots of summer pieces here which would be ideal for a holiday but which could also be worn back home and dressed differently, with a festival twist or a more formal combination. Sticking with the latest trends, I'm certainly favouring the tie knot stripes, off the shoulder, bardot tops, lace up statements, fringing, denim and the 70's chevron and zig zag prints.

When winter comes round, I always state the fact it's my most preferred fashion season but this summer, my mind seems to have changed. There's so many beautiful things in the shops and it's seriously testing my willpower. Luckily, I'm going away next week so I can enjoy and make most of some new purchases. Let's just hope it's the same back home for everyone else!

What're you loving lately?

Bridie x

Wedding season with Aisle Style

Mid summer has arrived (if you can call it that) and that means wedding season is well on its way. Personally, I haven't attended a wedding for years so it was a definite spirit lifter when my auntie announced she was finally tying the knot after 13 years. Of course, as a typical glamour lover the first thing I thought of was the dress shopping and the excuse to get your hair done but as simple as that may sound, there's stressful plans to follow and not just for the bride themselves!

It's not just the bride who has the dress debate. Finding that one dress can bring a shower of many emotions; annoyance, hatred, apprehension, and the sheer joy when you see one that not only fits in with the wedding theme but looks amazing on you. When Aisle Style got in touch it was the perfect opportunity to put together a group of dress ideas for the special occasion itself. Whether you're going to be a bridesmaid, an ordinary guest, the mother of the bride or welcomed along to get drunk and dad dance at the evening do, they have a choice for everyone. I always feel like you need a mix match of styles, colours and cuts at a wedding as it adds to the distinctive role you play in the happy atmosphere. This small selection was based on the most popular to suit every shape, size and tastes; from bandeau, to one shoulder, short to long, and if you fancy a risk even a take with the seductive and daring and the glitzy prom dress. Afterall, you've got to reach for what you feel comfortable in whilst you add a touch of class and make an entrance (you just have to remember to try not show the bride up!).

BRIDESMAID

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