FASHION: Edgy Work Wear

So, I actually wore this outfit a while ago now, I'm sorry for the delay of posting this but to be honest, I just didn't know what title to give this outfit. I've decided on 'Edgy Work Wear' it's not really but compared to what everyone else wears at my  work place, I am definitely breaking the boundaries here.

Cami Dress - ASOS (now in sale) / Skirt - Urban Outfitters (similar here) 

I bought the skirt from Urban Outfitters (unfortunately its now sold out but there are loads similar on the high street) and noticed it was a little bit see through, and so I decided to buy a little slip dress from ASOS, that way I could wear it like a cami top but feel more confident that you couldn't see my knickers. When I went to work, I actually teamed this up with black tights (we can't show bare legs, unfortunately, plus it is a little short for my work) and some dainty loafer type shoes. I also think that this outfit would be perfect for a night out without tights and wearing some shoe boots or heels.

Look at that awkward posing and what is my hair doing? Shexy ;) 

I will definitely be cracking this outfit out more with tights and some boots when the weather drops a little cooler. I always find I love wearing skirts and dresses more in Autumn and Winter because I can wear tights and boots (my winning combo). 

♥

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BEAUTY: The Body Shop Mango Body Sorbet

I've been a little bit addicted to The Body Shop this month, as you can tell from the picture below I went a little crazy and this was just the first of three purchases I've made this month, oops. I had finished work and it was pay day and I met my mum, so whilst we were trying to kill a bit of time we decided to pop into The Body Shop on our way to Costa. I did make a few little impulse buys and then some of these were freebies. But I wanted to start by talking about the Mango Body Sorbet that I picked up.

Now, the bottle isn't that brilliant to photograph as you can probably tell as the text is all a silver colour so it's hard to pick up but I have been using this an awful lot since I bought it about three weeks ago and I love it. It has a very refreshing feel to it, so it's perfect for summer, particularly in the morning. It's also very cooling and if you've seen the advertisements for them you'll know that they were pictured as being almost like ice lollies. I think this was a perfect interpretation. 

The lady in The Body Shop told me that these were a fairly new addition and said that the the sorbet ranges keeps your skin moisturised for 24 hours (at least I think that's what she said). Either way, I find this is really moisturising, I like it for a morning as it makes me feel a little more awake, particularly on hot days. It doesn't feel greasy and sinks into the skin very quickly, so you're not stood around ages waiting to get changed. It has also left my skin feeling really soft too. I love the Mango scent also. It's very citrus-y and perfect for the summer as it smells (and feels) incredibly light.

Have you tried any of The Body Shop sorbet range? What was your opinion?

♥

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BOOKS: Giovanna Fletcher - Billy and Me

So the other day I brought to you my love for You're The One That I Want by Giovanna Fletcher. After, reading that I immediately went out and bought her debut release Billy and Me. I loved the first book so much that I couldn't wait to get into this book and hear another tale with the hope that it would be just as brilliant.

Billy and Me follows the story of Sophie Mae who has kept herself to herself living in a quaint village and is living with a secret, before she meets Billy, an actor with ambition. It shows Sophie coming out of her shell and breaking down the walls that she has always put up. Again, the characters are incredibly realistic and charming and it left me wishing I had a friend like Molly. I think we all need a Molly in our life, a wise owl and a great friend.

This book made me laugh, smile and it broke my heart a little bit too. It had been a while since I had cried at a book but this definitely did it for me. It's incredibly sweet. I also think it gives you a little bit of insight into the media world, I came away questioning a few things about what we see in gossip magazines that's for sure. Another book by Giovanna that I couldn't put down, I honestly cannot wait for her to release another book because I know I will fall in love with the characters again.

Are you a fan of Giovanna Fletcher's? If you have any book recommendations let me know.

♥

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MUSIC: Taylor Swift - Shake It Off

I love Taylor Swift. There I said it. Her music manages to pick  me up when I'm down, break my heart and she never fails to release songs that we can all relate to. I think she is quite possibly the most awesome person out there, for the simple reason that she doesn't seem to care what people say about her. She's a great role model for kids these days and is always positive.

(Source)

So tonight, I was one of the no doubt thousands of people who watched her Yahoo Live Stream where she announced a new single, a new album and a new music video. So the new song is called 'Shake It Off' it has a retro sound to it and is a little quirky for today's music, but it is freaking awesome. It quite simply just makes you want to jump out of your chair and dance, such a good pick me up song. Also, it's really catchy, what more do you want from a pop song? It's all about ignoring what the haters say and doing what you want to do. 

Next up she announced an album, '1989' - presale here - (the year she was born). So she has hinted the album may be a little 80's which I think would be quite cool. I've noticed a lot of artists are trying to bring back older style of music just recently and I don't blame them. For me, there's too much electronic and heavy bass music out at the moment, so I'm loving these more reminiscent sounds of past decades. '1989' will be released in October with a Deluxe edition - what else would we expect? Plus, the deluxe edition sounds really cool with having voice memos as the bonus tracks, I think this will be very interesting. 

Finally, the music video for 'Shake It Off'. I like music videos that tend to tell a story and so music videos which are shot in front of a green screen don't usually appeal to me. However, I like this music video. It represents all different genres of dance, showing what they do best and saying that it's cool to be like that. But it also shows Taylor Swift busting her quite frankly, awesome dance moves. I'm pretty sure us all 'non dancers' dance like Taylor Swift. It's funny and quirky and the fact that she had some fans involved in this music video also makes her more awesome than before. 

Check out Taylor Swift's music video for 'Shake It Off' below: 

Did you guys watch the Yahoo Live Stream? How excited are you to hear her new album?

♥

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BEAUTY: B. Cheeky Blushers

I've mentioned the brand B. before which is exclusive to Superdrug, talking about their Light Hydrating Foundation (click here). Today, I wanted to shine a light on two blushers which I have been absolutely loving this summer. I bought my first B. Cheeky Blusher around November time, and I can remember telling my friend, Charlie, to pick one up. I originally bought 'Candy Cane' which is a sweet pink colour. It's perfect for a more natural look or if you've gone for heavy eye makeup or a bold lip and want something to tone the look down more. I really liked this during the winter as it gave me that touch of colour and looked more natural.

 (L-R) 'Sherbet', 'Candy Cane'

'Candy Cane'

However, as soon as the weather began to pick up I decided to have a little a look at their other colours and picked up 'Sherbet' this is my favourite blusher I've owned. It's perfect for spring and summer. I'm not massively into bronzers as they always look a little too orange on me, so I went for this peach shade in the hope it would make me look a little more tanned. I love the colour and thinks it adds just the right amount of tint, it made me look a little more bronzed and glowing (just a note, I am incredibly pale naturally). It also looks very natural  and is very buildable.

'Sherbet'

The B. Cheeky Blushers are powder blushers, but I find that they stay on all day and they look really natural too. They're not chalky at all. I use a little Kabuki Brush that I picked up from Superdrug to apply it and find that it works really well. They have a range of different shades and I am tempted to pick up another but these two are definitely worth looking into. 'Candy Cane' is more of an everyday kind of shade and 'Sherbet' is a very summery shade.Like I've previously said, I've been using the 'Sherbet' since March and you can see that it's not even close to being finished, so they also last for a long time too. They usually cost, £5.99 but at the moment they are on offer at £2.99 on Superdrug's website, so get them whilst they're cheap.

♥

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MUSIC: Hilary Duff - All About You

Yesterday, Hilary Duff released the audio for new single 'All About You' and it's bloody amazing. I've been a huge Hilary Duff fans for as long as I can remember, now and so this comeback is making me incredibly excited. I liked 'Chasing the Sun' but it just didn't seem like the comeback debut I was hoping for but this is definitely it.

'All About You' is the perfect pop song. It's got the same sort of folk vibe that featured in 'Chasing the Sun' but it's a bit more edgier and rocky. There's a stronger beat that's slightly heavier which I really like and it sounds more like her 'Metamorphosis' and her self titled album, which were probably my favourites, but 'All About You' is more mature. Depicting the story of falling in love with someone and not wanting to hide it any longer.

It's incredibly catchy, I think it was only after a couple of listens that I knew pretty much all the words to this song. It takes me back to music that I really loved listening to growing up, but more mature. I like how it sounds more natural and acoustic compared to a lot of synthesised sounds that you hear now. I was reading some comments which said she sounded a little like Taylor Swift, I can see it a little, but she sounds a little more edgier, in my opinion. 'I really hope that this song takes Hilary Duff back into the charts because in my opinion its a perfect pop and summer anthem. I cannot wait until the album is released.

Watch Hilary Duff's music video for 'All About You' below:

What's your favourite new release of Hilary Duff's? 'Chasing the Sun' or 'All About You'?

♥

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MUSIC: Charlie Simpson - Long Road Home

So a few weeks ago, Charlie Simpson's latest album, 'Long Road Home', came into my life and my god, do I love it. One of my best friends recommended it to me, knowing already that I was a fan of his. Charlie Simpson was always my favourite in Busted, I liked how his voice is a little husky and gritty. Being a fan of Busted, I think we all knew that I would be listening to this album, but that being said, it's nothing like his previous material.

'Long Road Home' reminds me of something that you would hear in the 90's to begin with. It also reminds me of something you would hear in something like 'My Girl' (don't ask me why, but that's what came to mind when I first heard it). It's quite upbeat with a folk/rock sound to it. 'Comets' is one of my favourite songs on the album. I like the melody of the song, it's a little Mumford and Sons with the folk vibe. The song is rather optimistic and I like how the pace changes constantly through out the song. This is my favourite sort of music, the sort of folk music that crosses between all genres from pop, rock and country.

'Winter Hymns' is the sort of song that puts me in a reflective mood. 'I caught you once, but you let me down twice' is the most relatable lyric I've come across at the moment, for me. It's a bloody gorgeous song, Charlie's voice is very relaxing and soft. I like the layering that is used of his vocals instead of using backing singers, I think it has more of impact and sounds more personal. 'Emily' is a rather sweet song, it's almost like a lullaby, in my opinion. With this album, I think you see a lot of artistry from Charlie Simpson and it's easy to see that he is a talented song writer when it comes to his story telling. I think, with this album, he's pushed himself and shows off more vocal range and sounds, as well as developing a new sound for himself.

'Haunted' along with 'Comets' is my favourite song on the album. This is the one that I keep playing. I like the story of this song, for me, it tells the stories of relationships being built and not forgetting those memories that you've made. 'Fourteen years since I left this town, how can you love me when I'm not around?' this lyric really stands out for me. I don't know why but I just think it's a beautiful lyric and shows that real love cannot be forgotten whether that's from family, friends or a partner.

'Would You Love Me Any Less' when I just sit and listen to this song it makes me want to cry, and not many songs have that affect on me. I think this is probably one of the most beautiful songs on the album, it creates a lot of atmosphere and completely captivates you in the story that is being told. 'Ten More Days' is more upbeat, Simpson demonstrates alternative vocals and it shows well that he is such a diverse singer. He can really capture a slower and powerful song with the delicacy of his voice as well as achieving a more edgy rock sound with the grittiness, I think this song shows that well.

'Blood' I like the hook, that leads into the chorus. I like that he sings with a sort of an accent, as often when singing, people lose that. But his voice his very unique. I don't think I've heard someone sound like him, before. You can definitely tell when a Charlie Simpson song is playing. I also like the bridge in 'Blood' it sounds like something you would play in a Nursery or hum to a child and shows a softer side to Charlie. 'Still Young' as the title would suggest is definitely a song about holding on to your youth. I like the 'uh uh oh ohh' sounds in it (listen to it, you'll know the section). I think this shows how much Simpson has grown in recent years as an artist and it's definitely for the best.

'Forty Thieves' is a rather sad song in my opinion, there's a sort of haunting sound in the song that makes this track stand out from the rest. It has a very distinctive sound with a lot of atmosphere, I think this song portrays an incredibly vivid image and emotion. 'Another Year' is a much more laid back song. It's a good way to end the album and rounds up the album well. It paints the picture of where Charlie is at the moment.

This album is perfect if you're in a reflective mood because it will definitely make you think an awful lot. It's great for if you're on a train journey or bus journey where you can just get lost in the music and watch the world around you. I also, really enjoy listening to this  album when I'm walking, whether that's to work or if I just decide I want some fresh air. It helps me clear my head. You can tell that Charlie Simpson has grown and has created a new sound for himself. It's one of my favourite albums at the moment, and I know an awful lot of people have said exactly the same thing about this album. He's incredibly talented and I cannot wait to hear more or see him live.

Check out Charlie Simpson's music video for 'Haunted' below:

Have you heard Charlie Simpson's latest album yet? If so what's your favourite track?

♥

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MUSIC: Jesse McCartney In Technicolor

I have been a fan of Jesse McCartney's since I heard 'Beautiful Soul' but I didn't actually start listening to his music until about 2006. I was a little late, I will admit. I went out and bought his first album and fell in love with it. Since then I've been following Jesse McCartney through his music and always like to check out what he's releasing. He released 'In Technicolor' a couple of weeks ago now and I've been meaning to write this post but simply haven't found the time. But here it is.

'In Technicolor' shows McCartney focusing on a new sound for him. The first track 'In Technicolor Pt. 1' gives a nice overview of the sound that the album has. It's still focusing on the R'n'B and Soul sound that he's been going for in recent years. A little Justin Timberlake thrown into the mix, but the album also sounds quite old school too. I wasn't really expecting to like the album because as much as I love Jesse McCartney his last album didn't really appeal to me. But I'm liking the vibe of this album.

'Back Together' I've been listening to since it was released last summer. I love this song so much. In fact, it's probably one of my most played songs on my iPod. It's got a cool sound to it and it doesn't sound like 2013/2014 music, it's sort of reminds me of a modern take on big band/jazz (if that makes sense). Also, it sort of has a bit of Bruno Mars and Justin Timberlake vibe to it. Last summer I didn't stop listening to 'Back Together' and I listen to it an awful lot still. It's just a cool sounding song. If you listen to it you will know what I mean.

'Young Love' is a new track. Jesse McCartney released his EP 'In Technicolor Pt I' back in January which saw some of the songs that's on the album and acted as a teaser. But 'Young Love' made it's first appearence on this album and it's probably my favourite on the album. I've been listening to it non stop. It has a cool beat to it and I love the sound of the guitar riffs. It's a perfect summer song and makes me want to call my best friend to pick me up and just go for a drive. For me, I have this vision of driving around LA with this song blasting out, it reminds me of 90210 though. It's fun and picks my mood right up. Jesse McCartney released the music video for 'Superbad' a couple of months ago now. I wasn't keen on the song when I watched the music video but actually listening to the song it's grown on me. It's still got that cool Hollywood vibe to it with some funky beats (yes, I did just use the word 'funky' but that word sums this album up perfectly).

'All About Us' I like the chorus a lot on this song. It sort of reminds me a little of Daf Punk. It's another dance song, it's not my favourite song on the album, but it's got some cool lyrics and the sound is spot on. You can definitely tell that Jesse McCartney has been working on his sound and what sort of artist/direction he wants to go with on this album. 'Checkmate' featured on the EP too and was one of my favourites. I like how it starts slow and puts me into a sort of reflective mood and then the chorus goes into a slightly more upbeat sound. This song sounds almost dream like and is probably the most different on the album in the fact that it's a lot softer. But I can guarantee you will be singing 'I'm calling checkmate on you baby' all day.

Next up is 'Punch Drunk Recreation' an odd name for a song? Yes, I would agree. We're back to the uptempo dance sound. This is the sort of music that I wish they played in local clubs (when I go) because it makes me want to dance and has a good vibe to it and a strong beat. 'Goodie Bag' I think this demonstrates McCartney's vocal off best in the dance songs. There's strong parts, low and high parts so it shows his range. I like how smooth this album sounds from the music to the vocals. 'In Technicolor Pt II' features parts from the opening but is also different. What you would probably expect the chorus to sound like is very different to what you get and it's a lot funkier (again) and stronger.

'Tie the Knot' is a fun song which tells the story of two people who finally decide to get married and being ready for marriage, changing their opinion on it. This is another favourite. I think it sounds amazing and is so catchy. It still has the same jazzy kind of sound to it but a little more pop than the rest. I think that if he releases this as a single it could do well, but that might be because its one of my favourites and I'm hoping. It's just fun and I promise you, you will get this song stuck in your head. I have been known to be singing this to my cat. Finally, 'The Other Guy' if there's one thing that Jesse McCartney can do, it is right a beautiful song. I don't think there is a single one of his slower more ballad type songs that I haven't completely fallen in love with. This isn't an exception. I think it's absolutely gorgeous, with just Jesse's vocals and piano. It's so simple and shows how talented he is as just a singer and composer. I have cried several times whilst listening to this song it moves me that much. I think it's a song that we can all relate to, maybe not necessarily having an affair but just being a person who falls for someone who is unavailable. If you're going to check out just one song out from 'In Technicolor' I would seriously recommend 'The Other Guy'.

It's full of surprises and very old school and funky (my new favourite word). It'll pick you up, make you want to dance and then break your heart. This album is very different to what I normally listen to and what you hear a lot of in today's charts but I think that's what makes it stands out.

Check out Jesse McCartney's music video for 'Superbad' below:


Also, check out the audio for 'The Other Guy' below:


Have you heard 'In Technicolor' what is your all time favourite Jesse McCartney song?

♥

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BOOKS: Giovanna Fletcher - You're the One That I Want

Just a heads up be expecting a lot of book reviews over the next couple of week. I love books and particularly in the summer I read an awful lot. I unfortunately haven't been on holiday this year which is where I do most of my reading, laying on the beach but who knew the garden could be just as lovely (not quite the same, huh?) I read a lot of 'girly books' or easy to read books just because they make me smile. So the first on my list is Giovanna Fletcher's second novel You're The One That I Want. If you follow me on Instagram you will know that I read this a while back  now (I'm sorry it's a bit late, but better late than never, right?)

I picked this up when I went to Tesco one day and I'm going to say the dreaded words, I loved the front cover. I am guilty of judging books by their covers, I'm sorry. I am deeper when it comes to people honestly. Anyway, it was on an offer and my mum wanted a book too so I picked it up. I noticed that it was also written by Giovanna Fletcher and I had heard a lot about her books before. So here's what I thought.

You're The One That I Want follows three best friends through out their life (in simple terms). There's Maddy, Ben and Robert who have grown up with each other since they were little. It's a sweet and charming story about friendships and unrequited love. This book will have you staying up at night wanting to know what happens and nearly had me late for work several times (never mind, what's more important?). Don't be fooled by thinking it's another story with a love triangle because for me it was lot more. It's much more realistic than most of those stories (which I do love, don't get me wrong).

This is the first book I've read of Giovanna's and I was pleasantly surprised. I was hooked from the first chapter and fell in love with the characters immediately. The characters are incredibly realistic, you end up feeling sorry for them, getting frustrated with them and love them. What more could you honestly want? If there's something that Giovanna is brilliant at its writing real characters. That is why you will love this book.

Have you read You're The One That I Want? Or do you have any recommendations for me?

♥

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MUSIC: Philips Action Fit Earphones

Today's post is a little different, however, I thought I would show some appreciation for my much loved earphones. It's probably obvious now that I listen to a lot of music and when I'm not listening to music I'm watching Netflix, therefore, earphones are pretty important in my life. If I could I would just go out and by a pair of Beats but I can't justify spending that much on headphones, especially considering my relationship with breaking headphones. So, if you're looking for a cheaper alternative, keep reading.

I went through a phase of getting through headphones every couple of weeks and it got very expensive. So, I started browsing on Amazon and came across the the Phillips Action Fit Earphones. I'd never heard of them before but they were on offer or something which made them fairly cheap so I decided to purchase them. I don't like ear bud earphones as they just fall out of my ears and after awhile they irritate my skin, so went for this style. They're shaped to fit into your ears perfectly and come with 3 different sizes of caps to put on depending on the size of your ears and which fit better. Mine recently broke - which is how this post came across - and I immediately went out and bought a replacement. They lasted my about 8-9 months which considering the price and how much I use them I thought was really good.

The headphones are advertised as 'tuned for sports' which I'm guessing means they're good if you do a lot of exercise and want to listen to music as they don't fall out of your ears. They're also sweat (lovely) proof which is always good. I've found that the bass is really good, it obviously does go after a while but I found the sound quality lasted a long time.

I have only managed to find them in orange so far, but I quite like that. They might not be the most subtle thing (colour wise) but as long as they're working well, does it really matter? Anyway, you can buy these on Amazon (here) for only £13.99 which I think is quite reasonable as they did last me a really long time.

What are you favourite headphones? Any recomendations?

♥

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