FASHION: Christmas Party Dilemma

So I have my Christmas work party in two weeks time, a little early we do realise that but it was the only date we could get. Plus, me and some of my work friends go out closer to Christmas just to go bowling - because who doesn't love bowling? I've been browsing the internet for an entire week in the hope of finding the perfect outfit for the party and I've been really struggling. The problem is, we're going to a new pub/cocktail bar that's opening and none of us know exactly how fancy it is inside as it used  to be your standard pub. The other problem is that it's not quite Christmas yet so are all the glittery outfits too much? Anyhow, this is a selection of my favourite party outfits going from casual to all out there. Hopefully this will give you some inspiration whilst helping me find the perfect outfit for my night out.


Dresses 

Playsuits 

  

Tops 

What are you planning on wearing to your Christmas parties? Help me out please! 

♥

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MUSIC: Stay With Me Covers

Like a lot of people I love Sam Smith's 'Stay With Me'. It's an absolutely gorgeous song and he's probably one of the few people who could write a song about a one night stand and make it sound romantic. You may have seen my previous post of A Great Big World which featured my favourite covers from the internet of their 'Say Something'. Recently, I've been seeing a lot of covers of 'Stay With Me' so decided to share my favourites.

Lauren Aquilina - Live at St. Pancras 
This is by far my favourite cover that I have seen on the internet of this song. Lauren Aquilina is one of my favourite artists as it is but being put in a busy place like St. Pancras and playing took some serious guts and she absolutely nailed it. It's almost as if she's oblivious to the people around her.

The New Velvet feat. Lara Johnston

This is the one that inspired this post. I saw this video a couple of days after Lauren's and I knew I wanted to talk about them. This takes a slightly more put together sound with a fuller band than Lauren's with a lot more drum and bass. I've also never seen this song as a duet and thought these two nailed it perfectly. 

Ed Sheeran in the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge 

Who doesn't love Ed? To be honest there is literally nothing that Ed Sheeran could sing and I wouldn't find it beautiful. 

Sam Smith and Mary J. Blige 

Okay so I realise I have cheated. I was searching for another cover to put in to this post, trying to find the best on YouTube when I stumbled across Sam Smith and Mary J. Blige. I simply couldn't leave it out. I mean its Mary J. Blige people. Plus it's gorgeous and quite possibly my new favourite thing in the world (not even kidding guys). 

So, what's your favourite? Or have you spotted someone else's cover which is amazing? 

♥

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LIFE: A Day In Sheffield

A couple of weeks ago, me and my mum took a much needed trip to visit my brother in Sheffield. With working so much, I've only  been getting one day off a week and those days have been spent trying to chill out and run any errands that I may have. So, a rare Saturday off was spent with a forty minute coach journey to Sheffield and spending time with my mum and my brother before his birthday.

I've never been to Sheffield before, mostly because I'm not the best traveller when it comes to buses, but I wanted to get away from my town for a few hours. The plan was to see his flat and see his new kittens (they are so cute). My family are very much cat people and they were so tiny, which made them even more adorable. We then went for a drink in perhaps the coolest bar/pub that I've ever stepped foot into, 'Bungalows and Bears'. After nursing a hangover, my brother told us he needed a safety beer. The pub reminded my a little of Urban Outfitters but with alcohol and food. It was quite  different to anywhere I've been before, I mean look how cool those bathroom doors are.

Blazer - Missguided / T-Shirt - Topshop / Jeans - Topshop Leigh Jeans / Bag - Miss Selfridge / Watch - Urban Outfitters 

Next up, as we were in a city, we decided to do a spot of shopping. In all fairness, I think I restrained myself only picking up a few bits and pieces. Lush was definitely on my hit list. I was out of bath bombs and they do my favourites. I also visited H&M mostly because we don't have one where I live. I finally managed to pick up a mustard cardigan (you literally don't know how happy I was about this). Last week, my other brother and his wife also had a baby so we all obviously wanted to get presents. Jordi went for a skeleton Halloween outfit which I have no doubt will look extremely cute whilst I went for a Zebra stuffed animal and my mum picked up a few blue outfits.

At half two, we were all incredibly hungry. We stopped into a Weatherspoons one of my favourite places for food. Me and my mum just went for the Jacket Potato and Cheese whilst Jordi went for a burger. We had a good catch up and my brother teased me about our waiter who apparently kept coming over to talk to me before he dropped some cutlery on the floor (something I would totally do).

With our bus at ten past five, we carried on looking around the shops, going down a lane and popping into a quirky vintage type store. It was a really nice day out, it was lovely to see my brother who we don't get to see too often now. It was obvious that he was happy to see us.

How did you spend your weekend?

♥

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MUSIC: Taylor Swift - Out of the Woods

So, basically the world freaks out at the fact that Taylor Swift has released a new track from her upcoming album '1989'. I am just one of those people who freaked out. As soon as I got up this morning I downloaded 'Out of the Woods'.

On first impression I was like 'eh, it's okay', but it was only when I was at work later and me and Jo were singing along to the song when we were doing the delivery that I realised how amazing this song is. I think that there is a lot of hype about the song at the moment as everyone is speculating that it's about her relationship with Harry Styles, and do you know what I say? Who cares! I really don't care if this song is about their relationship I simply think it's really unique to what music is available at the moment. Taylor seems to have this ability to see a gap in the market and completely own it. She opened a lot of people's eyes (at least where I am from) to country music and now she is using this 80's inspired sound and making it cool.

Go into this song with an open mind, that is my only suggestion. If you're looking for acoustic/folk type music then you will be disappointed. It is very pop with an upbeat 80's style to it. It's also incredibly catchy I dare you not to start singing 'are we out of the woods yet, are we out of the woods yet, are we out of the woods?' because it's impossible. Though this clearly tells a story about a relationship that had some issues, I still can't help but feel like it's optimistic and feel good sound to it. It's a song that I feel like everyone will love, whether your out with your girls, or chilling out with your mum, this is an amazing song and demonstrates how talented Taylor is at playing with different sounds.

I have no doubt that I will be singing along and dancing around my house and properly work to this song for awhile. It's just too good, and fun and really exciting.

Check out the video below of Taylor Swift talking about 'Out of the Woods':

Have you had chance to listen to the song yet? If so, what did you think? 

♥

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BEAUTY: FOTD Trick or Treat

As they are one of my favourite posts to read, I thought I'd share what makeup I wore the other day. I wanted to do a smokey eye and make that the focus, therefore I kept  my base natural along with my lips. I also wanted to use my Naked 3 Palette which doesn't get as much love as I wish I did, so having an extra ten minutes decided to have a little play with it. 

Foundation - Rimmel Match Perfection / Concealer - Soap and Glory Kick Ass Concealer / Powder -Rimmel Stay Matte / Bronzer - The Body Shop Honey Bronze Powder / Blusher - B. Cheeky Blush in Candy Cane / Eyeshadow - Urban Decay Naked 3 Trick, Darkside and Blackheart  / Lips - Rimmel Kate Moss Matte 101

I'm loving the copper and amber toned eyeshadow at the moment and so used 'Trick' all over my eyelids. For a little definition, I added 'Darkside' into the outer corners and took it into the crease very lightly and then lined my lower lashes with 'Blackheart'. After touching up my efforts (I'm not the neatest person when applying eyeshadow) with a little concealer, I really liked the overall look. I would definitely wear something like this on a night out. 'Trick' is becoming one of my favourite shadows from the Naked 3 Palette.

What are your favourite autumn eyeshadow shades?

♥

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MUSIC: Artist Vs Poet New Releases

I've mentioned Artist Vs Poet on here before, but a little while ago now they released two new songs: 'Sincerely Me' and 'Kids Again'. So I thought I'd share what I thought of them.

First off 'Sincerely Me' demonstrates a continuation from their 'Sake Of Love' EP. They play with catchy a hook and melody, it's fun and very pop sounding. I also love the whistling within a break in the song, it makes it that much quirkier and I really like when pop songs are a little quirkier. 'Sincerely Me' is incredibly sweet and is like a love letter. Joe Kirkland's voice is so smooth too and sounds like a young boy in love. I bet you'll you be singing 'I'm yours, sincerely me' for the rest of the day once you've listened to the song.

I like how Artist Vs. Poet have seemed to find themselves as a band and what they want to aim for in this past couple of years. They seem to have found their direction. They also aren't like other Rock Bands or Boy Bands, they fit in the middle and make a perfect band, in my opinion.

Second up is 'Kids Again' feat. Amy Allen, is my favourite of the two. It's a little slower and a little darker. I like the duet, I tend to find that most duets are really powerful ballads, but this is really understated and quiet compared to those. Joe and Amy work really well together and it sounds completely unique. The song sounds like the two of them picking faults with each other but still loving them regardless, it's like a couple bickering which I've never heard in a song before. I listen to this song all the time. The melody has a very optimistic sound to it which puts me in a good mood. I think this song could be interpreted in different ways, such as a couple bickering or friends that have grown up together and teasing each other.

I'm hoping for big things for Artist Vs. Poet because, in my opinion, they really do deserve it. They write and create such amazing pop songs and stay true to who they are.

Check out 'Sincerely Me' and 'Kids Again' below:


Are you a fan of Artist Vs. Poet?

♥

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