Friday, 19 April 2013

Top 3 Spring Perfumes!

As spring is swiftly approaching, I thought it appropriate to mention my favourite 3 light, fresh springtime perfumes that I get out every year...

1) Daisy by Marc Jacobs 

Now, this perfume is famous for its creatively designed bottle. And no, i'm sorry, they're not real flowers! Just plastic, but they sure do look pretty. The idea of this perfume is to be, 'happy and youthhful' ,and, 'sophisticated but not too serious'. This sounds like the ideal perfume; Sweet enough to not have that 'granny' smell, but ggrown up enough to not smell like a five year old.
 It claims to have fruit as the main smell, including wild strawberries and red grapefruit, with violet leaves, floral notes from gardenia, violet and jasmine, and base from musk, vanilla and white woods.

It is quite an expensive perfume, so therefore retails at £45 for 50ml, and £56 for a 100ml bottle.

2) Tommy Girl by Tommy Hilfiger

This perfume is very versatile. My mum once had it, and I've known 12 year olds who have worn it, so really it's one for everyone 

Friday, 12 April 2013

The best places to shop...

So, I came up with the idea of this blog post, because obviously, I love to shop! (Who doesn't, right?!) I figured that I had been to shopping centres and streets in lots of different places around the UK, so why not share them with you all!? I will be uncovering some of my secret and favourite places where you can either pick up a bargain, or shop in a less busy and crowded atmosphere. Here goes!

1) Knightsbridge, London

Many of you may not realise it, but Knightsbridge is a lot less crowded than Oxford Street, as it is slightly further away from the city centre, and therefore most people don't bother hoping on the tube there. This area is probably renowned for having it's exclusive postcode, flash cars, and Harrods. Well, you can go to Harrods if you want, but bare in mind that it is the main attraction in Knightsbridge, and it tends to be heavily packed with tourists on weekends and school holidays.
But, my best kept secret about Knightsbridge is the Topshop. I'm not even joking, go there. It is quite a big one(three floors that I remember anyway) and is full of ever item of clothing you could ever wish for. I went there a year ago, in the school holidays, on a saturday at around 1pm, and there were only two other people on the same floor as me! It was amazing! I didn't have to worry about bashing into people, or fight over the last t-shirt in a size 8!
Seriously, avoid the Oxford Street store, and go to Knightsbridge. Whenever I walk past, I always see teenage girls spilling out of the store, pushing and shoving. It's just so much more relaxed.

Also at Knightsbridge, and on the same street as Topshop, there is a French Connection, Monsoon, Zara and Tommy Hilfiger opposite, Harrods, and Harvey Nichols further down, as well as all of the designer shops you could ever dream of- Chanel, Christian Louboutin, Anya Hindmarch, Prada, Gucci etc. There are a wide range of different shops to suit your budget.



2) Oxford

Known for its University and rowing regattas, you would doubt that this intelligent persons city would be any good in the fashion stakes. Well, we all have been proved wrong. A popular trend amongst the students and in the city, is the kind of vintage-kitsch kind of vibe. You see people walking around wearing overside cardigans, glasses, old-fashioned dresses and brogues. This may sound old and geeky, but it actually can look quite stylish if worn in the right way.



The main shopping street is a 5 minute walk away from the station, and sports shops like Zara, Primark, River Island, Topshop, Miss Selfridge, Russel&Bromley and many more.
Up backstreets you can find some vintage shops, and many book shops, as well as lots of nice cafes and resteraunts.




3) Birmingham





The bullring is a major landmark in England's second city, and is the main thing that spring to mind when someone mentions Birmingham. The entrance to the fantatsically designed centre is directly opposite to Birmingham New Street station, and there are other station dotted around nearby.

Inside, there are over 160 shops to choose from, inlcuding a massive Selfridges, with some really cool tunnels that transport you to a different section of the store. Zara is just outside the Bullring, and Primark is also outside, opposite the cinema. One of the main attractions of the Bullring is the Forever 21- and it is huge! This is because Forever 21 is an American brand, and currently there are only two of the stores in Britain, including this one, and London.
All of the obvious shops are there too, like New Look, H&M, Mango, Oasis, Topshop and many more. The bullring does have quite a few high-end shops, but it is mainly high street. There is also a wide variety of resteraunts and cafes to choose from.

Thanks for reading guys!x


Thursday, 11 April 2013

Spring/Summer 2013 Trends

Ok, so i know it must be hard to imagine right now in England with our weather, but spring is on its way! So it's now time to prepare for baring all, (well,not quite all i hope!), which I think is a perfect excuse to have a very much so deserved pamper night/day! You have my permission to lock yourself away in your bedroom and bathroom for hours on end; dim the lights, pour in some bubble bath, and have a good,long soak. With candles. And Ice cream. And maybe abit of BublĂ©. After that, treat yourself to a facial or a manipedi, or both! There is tons of things you can do to get in the spring mindset. Anyway, i'm rambling on! Onto the few up and coming trends that are taking off, which i have seen in the shops recently. I will post two today, and two tomorrow, so stay tuned for that!

1) Blue Floral Prints:

Yes, this is the kind of pattern that is stereotypically on your Grandma's teapots and crockery, but, it's becoming quite a trend. It is coming in lots of different varieties, from a paisley-esque kind, to a full on bold floral, and in all of the colours in the blue spectrum possible; from duck-egg to navy, indigo to cornflower- take your pick!
They have quite a few of these on dresses at primark, including a rather nice fitted tea dress for £20, and another shorter-sleeved version with a sweetheart neckline for £13.




This print has also become an increasingly popular choice for trousers. Most commonly on vintage looking cigarette pants, like a pair from Forever 21, priced at just £18.75! Another style is on hareems, and you can see some of them at Asos for around £25+. These printed trousers would look really nice dressed down with a white or black cami, and loose fit blazer, and some brown wedges.








2) Pastels:


An obvious and boring choice to some, a timeless classic trend for others, lets face it- pastels will never go out of fashion! They are featured year after year in magazines around the world, and just start to blossom around March, when everyone goes pastel crazy; Pastel nails, pastel ombre hair, pastel phone cases etc etc. I have to admit, I am a sucker for this one! They can instantly make an outfit look young, fresh and colourful, but still look chic, simple and not garish, as they are almost like diluted and muted imitations of its main colour. For example, mint is a soft green, lilac is a delicate purple, and peach is a calm version of orange. 


 

Check out Zara and H&M for their reoccurring spring collection of sheer chiffon blouses in almost every pastel colour available. A blouse in H&M would cost you from £12.99-£25, and in Zara, £19.99-£30. 
For a younger daytime look, scour Topshop for a light-coloured skate skirt, and team with a printed top or blouse to look instantly put together. 
And as always... Remember to accessorise! Add gold bangles, a statement necklace or pretty earrings to finish the look! 

Thanks for reading guys, make sure to read my next post tomorrow about the two more current Spring/Summer trends! Bye! Xx