Missguided is one of my favourite sites at the moment. I find myself too often looking at the new in section and whilst I love the pieces, my bank account really hates it. Anyway, I was snooping on the site the other week and came across the perfect little burgundy dress (did you see what I did there?) Plus it was only £14.99!
God, I look so moody in the first picture. (Dress - Missguided / Necklace - Topshop)
Burgundy is one of my favourite colours for autumn/winter, and I thought this bodycon dress would be a great basic to have, it's a nice transitional piece too. I think this would be nice on a night out, with some heels, but I actually bought this to wear for work and just out and about. I would pair it with some black tights and some little boots. If I was brave enough to face the cooler weather I would definitely wear this outfit though, bare legged and with some my little Dorothy Perkins Burgundy Chelsea Boots (I love these boots so much). I know it's a little matchy-matchy but I kind of liked the look and the grungy feel it had, team it with a black leather jacket and I would be in my element.
I'm sure that they had this dress in other colours which I might have to go back for, it is so comfy and fits perfectly. I don't like when bodycon dress feel incredibly tight and have no give in them, but the jersey material makes it comfortable and flattering.
I am a nail polish junkie! I can't resist buying new nail polishes and though I may not be the best at applying it or doing nail art, I simply love having bold coloured nails. Like a lot of beauty bloggers, Barry M' s Hi Shine Gelly nail polishes are some of my favourite. The other week when I was having a cheeky browse, I noticed that they had their new collection for Autumn in.
L-R 'Paprika' and 'Mustard'
I picked up the colours 'Mustard' and 'Paprika'. They were two of the most unusual out of the collection and definitely two colours missing from my collection. 'Mustard' is one of my favourite colours for Autumn/Winter and I've been looking for a nice jumper or cardigan in this colour for a while now. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find one so picked up this nail polish to fill the void (if you know anywhere selling mustard knitwear, please let me know!) I've had yellow nail polishes in the past and haven't really liked them, thinking they made my nails look really nasty or barely showing up. But this is quite unique. I find 'Mustard' is quite subtle compared to some of my nail polishes which are more in your face but it's different and I don't think its something you see on everyone. I really enjoyed wearing this nail polish. As all the Hi Shine Gelly nail polishes, the polish lasted a long time before chipping and was very glossy looking.
Barry M Hi Shine Gelly (Mustard)
'Paprika' is more of an orangey/brown. Again, a colour I haven't really owned before. It reminds me of Autumn leaves, I prefer this for my toes rather than my finger nails but find it really flattering. I will definitely be picking up more of the colours from this range.
Have you tested any of the new Barry M Hi Shine Gelly Autumn collection yet?
Lilygreen and Maguire are one of my favourite duos. I spent my 18th birthday, last year, at their concert in Nottingham and met Jon Maguire, who was one of the nicest guys I've ever met. Despite the fact that I was pretty shy and nervous (socially awkward, and fan girling slightly isn't a good combination, sorry). When they announced that they were working on separate projects at the beginning of the year I was completely gutted. Their music has the ability to completely move me, and their upbeat songs cheer me up like no other.
Their hiatus was short lived though, as the guys have announced that they are releasing a new album and last week they shared their new song 'Counting Cars'. As soon as I heard it I was so happy, because not only did it speak to me, but I couldn't believe how beautiful the song was. You can hear growth in not only their voices, but in the lyrics. It has a delicacy about it, and sounds incredibly authentic and natural, it kind of reminds me of being sat at a campfire. I think this is a song that will hit home to pretty much anyone. 'Counting Cars', for me at least, is a song for reminiscing on the good times and the people you've shared those times with. I have even gotten way to emotional listening to this song and had a few tears, it really hits me heard this song, and that's how I know how good a song is. If it touches you or moves you in some way then we're on to a winner.
Lilygreen's voice, in my opinion, has never sounded better. I like that he's showcasing his softer side and the song delving into a more folk inspired style. I like the soft grit that Lilygreen has in his voice. I like the more grown up and country/folk vibe it has and really hope that this is the start of something big for these guys because they really do deserve it.
Check out the audio for Lilygreen and Maguire's 'Counting Cars' below:
Have you listened to Lilygreen and Maguire before? Or have you got any recommendations as to what I should listen to? Leave them below.
I read Chrissie Manby's 'A Proper Family Holiday' a few weeks ago now (so I apologise for the delay). My mum picked this up for me one day after she read the blurb and decided it was a 'very me' book. I love a romantic comedy book and they are some of my favourites and this is the first Chissie Manby novel I've read, I was pleasantly surprised by it.
The book follows a family who decide to take a holiday together for their mother's birthday. The family is a very realistic with arguments/little feuds and embarrassing parents. It's the kind of book where you can't help but smile the entire time you're reading it. With each character facing their own problems, whether it's the simple fact of growing up, work controlling your life, feeling under appreciated by your family, or keeping information from your family. I think it's something that all families go through at one time in their life.
Chelsea and her sister, Ronnie, have been arguing for two years and we learn more about what the two sisters have been going through. Ronnie with her family and Chelsea's glamorous life not being quite so fabulous. I liked how the chapters were from different characters perspectives. I found I really loved Chelsea and Jack. Jack, is such a loveable character, probably my favourite, he made me wish I had a little brother like him. It's a perfect holiday read, but it also targets some more serious and heavier themes which I think made it a really great read. I know it's a little late as I say it's a great holiday read, but if you're missing the sun, pick up this and it'll instantly brighten your day. There is also a second part being released at Christmas which made me very excited when I found this out. So be sure to keep an eye out for that in November.
It's no surprise that I love Maroon 5 and I actually really love their new album, 'V'. I know a lot of people are saying that they prefer how they used to be when they released 'Songs About Jane' and yeah, I'll admit that album is fantastic, but 'V' shows them delving into real pop whilst still keeping their own edge and I thoroughly like it.
So my two favourite songs are their two softer songs and more 'Songs About Jane' songs (does that make sense?). I think 'My Heart Is Open' featuring Gwen Stefani is one of a few songs that breaks my heart each time I listen to it. I relate to this song so much which makes it even more powerful and emotional to me. I think it's so beautiful and honest about a relationship that can't be or can't work. Adam Levine and Gwen Stafani compliment each other really well on this track too. I think this song has the potential to be huge especially with The Voice starting up soon. It's romantic and heart breaking and a little haunting.
My second favourite is 'Unkiss Me'. It's another slightly slower track and similar to 'My Heart Is Open' only there's much more production to it. I love the beat to the track it has a more of that R&B/Soul sound to it which is a new approach from Maroon 5. I love the lyrics too, and it's everything that you want to say to someone when you break up. These two songs are very powerful, which I really love, and it makes the album a little more meaningful than most pop albums. I also love Levine's voice on the two tracks, I think it shows off his range really well and shows how much of a good singer he is.
Other tracks that I keep going to 'Sugar'. This is the song that sounds really different for them, it has that old school vibe which I've found has been quite popular within a few artists releases recently, such as Jesse McCartney and Pharell Williams. It cheers me up, and if a song can do that well it's on to a winner for me. I also really 'Feelings' I feel like their showing off their inner sass (is that possible for guys?) It's a little sexier for them but if Adam Levine sung this to me I would not mind that at all - who wrote that? ;)
'Leaving California' kind sounds like a day dream to begin with and I think it sounds really quirky. The song kind of reminds me a little of Fun. especially the chorus, maybe it's because the two front men have similar voices. 'In Your Pocket' is another relatable track, telling the story of a couple having trust issues, which I think a lot of couples go through. I like the melody of this song, especially the chorus. It's a nice beat and has a good pace, and I like how the verses sounds more like the two characters are dancing around each other to avoid the topic, like they are both guilty. 'New Love' a track co-written with my favourite Ryan Tedder it's full of synthesized sounds, but I think it works well. It doesn't over power Levine's vocals and it's incredibly catchy as you would expect.
'Maps' which was their first single from the album also showed a wrecked Levine (see full review here), I think this was a great song to release as their first single as it really demosntrated a lot of the aspects of what the album has to offer. Finally, 'Animals' I really think that this will be BIG. It's so catchy and very current sounding, it's another rather sexier approach for the band portraying Levine as a hunter. I surprisingly really like this track, and as long as it doesn't get overplayed I think it'll work really well for Maroon 5.
Check Out Maroon 5's lyric video for 'Animals' below:
Have you listened to 'V' yet? What's your favourite tracks?
So, for once, me and my dad managed to get a day off work together, so we decided to go out for dinner with my mum. We only went to a local pub which is literally down the road from us, but I really liked what I wore so I thought I would share it with you.
I kept it very casual as I was only walking down the road and wanted to be comfy. So I teamed a pale blue/grey striped t-shirt with my Topshop Leigh Jeans (my favourite) and as it looked a little bit like rain wore this River Island Blazer. It's really thin and is perfect for this time of year. It has a small spot in it which you can't see very well in the image too.
To dress the outfit up a little I wore this statement necklace from Topshop. I can see me getting a lot of wear out of this. I also wore my white converse but if you wanted to look a little smarter I would pair this look up with a pair of loafers Dorothy Perkins have a lot of nice loafers in at the moment. I had a little spree in Topshop recently, however, all opinions are my own despite that the majority of the post consisting of Arcadia clothing.
Hope you guys have had a nice day, what do you wear on a casual family dinner?
So, as I'm writing this I have currently just finished readingLindsey Kelk's - 'What A Girl Wants'. This is continues from 'About A Girl' so follows Tess Brookes in her messy life. I love Lindsey Kelk as an author as I find her characters a little far fetched but also believable. Plus, I always relate to the protagonist in some way. After I finished 'About A Girl' I was desperate for the second installment to be released and I actually picked this up from Tesco as I was walking home from a night out.
I was not disappointed by this book. If you've read the first book (SPOILER ALERT) you'll know that Tess Brookes travels to Hawaii pretending to be her roommate Vanessa whilst also 'pretending' to be a photographer when she meets Nick Miller. The second addition follows Tess as she travels to Milan for a week to make a decision. Photographer or Advertising? Nick or Charlie? Milan or London?
I love how Tess over thinks everything which is basically what I do. I love how she's incappable of not making things awkward or being so outrageous because that's what makes her loveable. This series will definitely keep you entertained. Does anybody else wish they had a friend like Kekipi, Amy and Al? I also cannot help but love Nick Miller despite what an arse he can be. I don't want to give anything away from this story but I read over half the book in one day laying in the sun on my garden pretending I was anywhere else. If you want to escape your normal life and live in someone else's shoes, then 'What A Girl Wants' is definitely the book you should be reading. It's a perfect summer read and a pick me up book. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that there will be a third part.
Have you read any of Lindsey Kelk's books before? Do you prefer the 'About A Girl' series or the 'I Heart' series?
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