One of my favourite things about going on holiday -as cheesy as it is- is doing my nails. I love picking out a new colour and having a fresh coat that will last even after the holiday. Spool Me Over by Essie is a gorgeous pink. It’s not as bright as what I usually wear but this colour gets better as the days go on and the slightly faded look really compliments a tan.
Effacular Blur, La Roche-Posay (Makeup base)
Finding some sort of coverage whilst on holiday can be a bit tricky as you’re pretty much going to sweat everything off. One solution is to spend a lot of time prepping and baking to prevent it. But, who can really be asked to do that? I’ve been using Effacular Blur for a while now and it’s been great. The BB cream can also be used as an SPF (suncream alternative). Double whammy; as you get your coverage and your skin is protected from the sun. It can look a little dry at first -if you look really closely- but it soaks up those pesky oils throughout the day. Making you look better throughout the day, something you don’t get often. It has a light-weight mousey texture and is a perfect base for any look.
Sea You Later Floppy Hat, Accessorize (Fedora)
I feel like everyone should have a fedora/ floppy hat. They’re not only fashionable but practical too. (Protecting your scalp from the sun, etc) It’s hard to find the perfect one that fits right but when you do, it’s great. Inspired by Meghan Markle and Dakota Johnson, I had to add a fedora to my holiday wardrobe. This one by Accessorise is adorable with the little tassels along the writing, Sea you Later. Fedora’s are everywhere this year and you can find them in H&M, Zara and Primark. They also make extremely cute Instagram pictures.
How To Be An Overnight Success by Maria Hatzistefanis (Book)
What is a holiday without a book? Every holiday deserves a new book and my pick is How to be an Overnight Success by Maria Hatzistefanis, founder of luxury skincare brand Rodial and Nip + Fab. Maria takes you through all the steps in how to be a success in business and personal branding. I have been loving self-improvement books lately; anything that teaches you about you, about blogging, fashion, you name it. There’s so much to learn and not just about yourself. Some people enjoy escaping with a bit of fiction, but for the moment, I’m happy to add a little self-discovery to my holiday.
Tan Strappy Gladiator Sandals, New Look (Footwear)
There is always that one pair of sandals in your shoe collection that lasts for years and for me, it’s my New Look pair. Gladiator sandals are a summer wardrobe staple and having them in tan makes them extremely versatile. You’ll struggle to find something that doesn’t go with them. The last pair of tan sandals I bought from New Look lasted ages and I wore them everywhere, all summer long.
Those are my holiday essentials, what essentials are you taking away with you?
Love, Aoife x
One of my favourite things about going on holiday -as cheesy as it is- is doing my nails. I love picking out a new colour and having a fresh coat that will last even after the holiday. Spool Me Over by Essie is a gorgeous pink. It’s not as bright as what I usually wear but this colour gets better as the days go on and the slightly faded look really compliments a tan.
Effacular Blur, La Roche-Posay (Makeup base)
Finding some sort of coverage whilst on holiday can be a bit tricky as you’re pretty much going to sweat everything off. One solution is to spend a lot of time prepping and baking to prevent it. But, who can really be asked to do that? I’ve been using Effacular Blur for a while now and it’s been great. The BB cream can also be used as an SPF (suncream alternative). Double whammy; as you get your coverage and your skin is protected from the sun. It can look a little dry at first -if you look really closely- but it soaks up those pesky oils throughout the day. Making you look better throughout the day, something you don’t get often. It has a light-weight mousey texture and is a perfect base for any look.
Sea You Later Floppy Hat, Accessorize (Fedora)
I feel like everyone should have a fedora/ floppy hat. They’re not only fashionable but practical too. (Protecting your scalp from the sun, etc) It’s hard to find the perfect one that fits right but when you do, it’s great. Inspired by Meghan Markle and Dakota Johnson, I had to add a fedora to my holiday wardrobe. This one by Accessorise is adorable with the little tassels along the writing, Sea you Later. Fedora’s are everywhere this year and you can find them in H&M, Zara and Primark. They also make extremely cute Instagram pictures.
How To Be An Overnight Success by Maria Hatzistefanis (Book)
What is a holiday without a book? Every holiday deserves a new book and my pick is How to be an Overnight Success by Maria Hatzistefanis, founder of luxury skincare brand Rodial and Nip + Fab. Maria takes you through all the steps in how to be a success in business and personal branding. I have been loving self-improvement books lately; anything that teaches you about you, about blogging, fashion, you name it. There’s so much to learn and not just about yourself. Some people enjoy escaping with a bit of fiction, but for the moment, I’m happy to add a little self-discovery to my holiday.
Tan Strappy Gladiator Sandals, New Look (Footwear)
There is always that one pair of sandals in your shoe collection that lasts for years and for me, it’s my New Look pair. Gladiator sandals are a summer wardrobe staple and having them in tan makes them extremely versatile. You’ll struggle to find something that doesn’t go with them. The last pair of tan sandals I bought from New Look lasted ages and I wore them everywhere, all summer long.
Those are my holiday essentials, what essentials are you taking away with you?
Love, Aoife x
Primer has become a must-have item in my makeup bag ever since I started wearing the stuff almost five years ago. The other month I decided it was time to switch up my primer as my skin type had changed and I needed it to do different things.
Revlon’s PhotoReady Pore Reducing Primer was suggested to me by a friend and I thought I’d do a review on it.
It's one of their two primers from their PhotoReady collection and will set you back £12.99 for 27ml. The product comes in a glass pump jar, which I like as it keeps the primer fresher and feels better on my face (compared to a primer out of a plastic tube).
It's one of their two primers from their PhotoReady collection and will set you back £12.99 for 27ml. The product comes in a glass pump jar, which I like as it keeps the primer fresher and feels better on my face (compared to a primer out of a plastic tube).
When applying the primer, a full pump will give you a pea-sized amount which is the perfect size for your whole face. But you can top it more if you wish.
My first thoughts of the primer were that 1) it was pink and 2) it was much thicker than my previous primer (Nivea, Hydrating primer). I was a little hesitant at first to see how pink this would turn out but when it’s applied to the face, it spreads out and the pinkness creates a blurring effect, in other words, those “pore reducing” qualities. The primer creates a sort of film over the face, which is a little thicker than I'm used to. Having said that, my skin is still able to breathe.
As a primer, it does create a good protective barrier between my skin and my makeup. After applying the primer and leaving it to dry/ settle a little, it’s a little tacky but this helps to keep the foundation in place. Making my makeup last pretty much all day. The slight thickness of the primer means the protective barrier is harder to penetrate so you don’t have to worry about your makeup seeping through.
However, if you’re looking for that silicon feel -which I think I prefer- this product has a slight feel but it’s not a defining quality. Looking at the ingredients, it's a water-based primer. It has a light matte and pink tinted finish which may not be everyone’s cup of tea and I’m not sure it’s mine.
Overall, I’d say it’s a good primer. It’s an easy high street alternative for the higher end ones. I wouldn’t say I’m crazy about it, I’m more of a light coverage kind of girl and it’s a little heavy for me. But with that said, I can’t lie when I see a good product which this is.
Love, Aoife xo
Love, Aoife xo
Primer has become a must-have item in my makeup bag ever since I started wearing the stuff almost five years ago. The other month I decided it was time to switch up my primer as my skin type had changed and I needed it to do different things.
Revlon’s PhotoReady Pore Reducing Primer was suggested to me by a friend and I thought I’d do a review on it.
It's one of their two primers from their PhotoReady collection and will set you back £12.99 for 27ml. The product comes in a glass pump jar, which I like as it keeps the primer fresher and feels better on my face (compared to a primer out of a plastic tube).
It's one of their two primers from their PhotoReady collection and will set you back £12.99 for 27ml. The product comes in a glass pump jar, which I like as it keeps the primer fresher and feels better on my face (compared to a primer out of a plastic tube).
When applying the primer, a full pump will give you a pea-sized amount which is the perfect size for your whole face. But you can top it more if you wish.
My first thoughts of the primer were that 1) it was pink and 2) it was much thicker than my previous primer (Nivea, Hydrating primer). I was a little hesitant at first to see how pink this would turn out but when it’s applied to the face, it spreads out and the pinkness creates a blurring effect, in other words, those “pore reducing” qualities. The primer creates a sort of film over the face, which is a little thicker than I'm used to. Having said that, my skin is still able to breathe.
As a primer, it does create a good protective barrier between my skin and my makeup. After applying the primer and leaving it to dry/ settle a little, it’s a little tacky but this helps to keep the foundation in place. Making my makeup last pretty much all day. The slight thickness of the primer means the protective barrier is harder to penetrate so you don’t have to worry about your makeup seeping through.
However, if you’re looking for that silicon feel -which I think I prefer- this product has a slight feel but it’s not a defining quality. Looking at the ingredients, it's a water-based primer. It has a light matte and pink tinted finish which may not be everyone’s cup of tea and I’m not sure it’s mine.
Overall, I’d say it’s a good primer. It’s an easy high street alternative for the higher end ones. I wouldn’t say I’m crazy about it, I’m more of a light coverage kind of girl and it’s a little heavy for me. But with that said, I can’t lie when I see a good product which this is.
Love, Aoife xo
Love, Aoife xo
Bath is a beautiful city! The whole city is a UNESCO world heritage site and is known for its natural hot springs and Georgian architecture. I wish I could've spent longer here as there's so much to do and explore! It's definitely my second favourite UK city after London. It's not really a place you can do in less than 24 hours but that said, I’ve compiled a mini-tour guide to my view of the city that you could do in 24/36 hours.
Where to go... Pulteney Bridge
Imagine a normal road with shops either side but with water flowing underneath. Pulteney Bridge is one of four bridges in the world to have shops running either side down the bridge. You can even stop off in one of the bakeries and watch the river flow beneath you.
Where to eat/ shop... Sally Lunn's
Pop into Sally Lunn’s for one of her famous buns! Freshly baked at 10am every day, Sally's buns are huge (couldn't resist) and are very similar to brioche. The quaint little tea shop is said to be in the oldest house in Bath and is usually packed with people. Whilst there is the option to sit in the tea shop, we chose to pick up a few buns from the museum shop to have later.
Where to go… Roman Baths
The Roman baths are a must-see tourist attraction! Built on natural mineral-rich hot springs, the baths played a critical role in the city’s history and development. All the Roman architecture was still intact making it feel like you’d stepped back in time. Towards the end, you could sit next to the main bath which was so relaxing. Oh, and you get to try some of the hot spring water for yourself!
Where to eat… Boston Tea Party
This cafe is so cute! It’s bright inside and has a chilled vibe; perfect for a little rest from a day’s exploring. It’s abnormally long for a cafe but a great place to go with your laptop and do some work. I discovered this (not-so-little) gem just around the corner from the Fashion Museum. They have a lovely selection of cakes including gluten-free options.
Where to go… Fashion Museum
It wouldn't be a proper trip if I didn't look for anything fashion related and of course, I ended up in Bath's Fashion Museum. It's not that expensive to get in and the permanent exhibition, 'A History of Fashion in 100 Objects', takes you through different styles of clothing and how they were introduced. If you have time, do check it out as you may learn a few things.
Where to go… Royal Crescent
Either during the day or evening, take a walk around the Circus and up through to the Royal Crescent. There is also a museum at no. 1 which you could pop into if you wanted. The famous semi-circle road looks out over the city providing breathtaking views and is a picture perfect place!
Where to eat… Hall & Wood House
We ended up spending two whole hours here just devouring their gorgeous food. The place is massive with 4 levels, including a rooftop terrace. The decor is gorgeous! The large skylight in the roof makes the place so bright inside. I definitely recommend their roasts. Pure Bliss!
I hope my guide encourages you to visit Bath if you haven't already been. It really is a beautiful place!
Love, Aoife x
Bath is a beautiful city! The whole city is a UNESCO world heritage site and is known for its natural hot springs and Georgian architecture. I wish I could've spent longer here as there's so much to do and explore! It's definitely my second favourite UK city after London. It's not really a place you can do in less than 24 hours but that said, I’ve compiled a mini-tour guide to my view of the city that you could do in 24/36 hours.
Where to go... Pulteney Bridge
Imagine a normal road with shops either side but with water flowing underneath. Pulteney Bridge is one of four bridges in the world to have shops running either side down the bridge. You can even stop off in one of the bakeries and watch the river flow beneath you.
Where to eat/ shop... Sally Lunn's
Pop into Sally Lunn’s for one of her famous buns! Freshly baked at 10am every day, Sally's buns are huge (couldn't resist) and are very similar to brioche. The quaint little tea shop is said to be in the oldest house in Bath and is usually packed with people. Whilst there is the option to sit in the tea shop, we chose to pick up a few buns from the museum shop to have later.
Where to go… Roman Baths
The Roman baths are a must-see tourist attraction! Built on natural mineral-rich hot springs, the baths played a critical role in the city’s history and development. All the Roman architecture was still intact making it feel like you’d stepped back in time. Towards the end, you could sit next to the main bath which was so relaxing. Oh, and you get to try some of the hot spring water for yourself!
Where to eat… Boston Tea Party
This cafe is so cute! It’s bright inside and has a chilled vibe; perfect for a little rest from a day’s exploring. It’s abnormally long for a cafe but a great place to go with your laptop and do some work. I discovered this (not-so-little) gem just around the corner from the Fashion Museum. They have a lovely selection of cakes including gluten-free options.
Where to go… Fashion Museum
It wouldn't be a proper trip if I didn't look for anything fashion related and of course, I ended up in Bath's Fashion Museum. It's not that expensive to get in and the permanent exhibition, 'A History of Fashion in 100 Objects', takes you through different styles of clothing and how they were introduced. If you have time, do check it out as you may learn a few things.
Where to go… Royal Crescent
Either during the day or evening, take a walk around the Circus and up through to the Royal Crescent. There is also a museum at no. 1 which you could pop into if you wanted. The famous semi-circle road looks out over the city providing breathtaking views and is a picture perfect place!
Where to eat… Hall & Wood House
We ended up spending two whole hours here just devouring their gorgeous food. The place is massive with 4 levels, including a rooftop terrace. The decor is gorgeous! The large skylight in the roof makes the place so bright inside. I definitely recommend their roasts. Pure Bliss!
I hope my guide encourages you to visit Bath if you haven't already been. It really is a beautiful place!
Love, Aoife x
 |
| Apologies for the weird tints in the pictures. They're not very Spring-like or vibrant - something was wrong with my camera xxx |
When the first signs of Spring appear, I get this giddy excitement bubbling inside because Summer is just around the corner. The days are starting to warm up, the suns decided to shine it’s warm rays down on us and everyone’s mood starts to lift.
One of the things I hate about winter is that everything is so dark and gloomy. For the entirety of the four-month season, your mood is down and your wardrobe becomes a sad state of three trusty jumpers you know are going to keep you warm from the blizzard outside.
When Spring starts to appear with the longer and brighter days, you can start introducing new brighter colours into your outfits building up to your Summer wardrobe.
This Spring, wear lighter colours and softer materials to channel the new brighter season. Hit up the pastels and use blush colours to add a little life back into your wardrobe. Floral is always on trend for Spring so don’t be afraid to dip in and out.
Another big trend for this Spring is Denim and you’ve probably seen it everywhere in the shops. So whether you're rocking some mom jeans or a creative colourful pastel piece, grab yourself a little denim to play with this season.
One of the things I love doing at the beginning of each season is buying a few items that set off my wardrobe. This time around I picked up a pair of high waisted vintage cut ripped jeans (a bit of a mouthful) from H&M. They're gorgeous and a complete 180 from the look I usually go for but Spring is a new season and you can adapt your style to the new season’s settings.
I also picked up this cute wrap crop top from Forever 21. The material is so soft and I love the cream colour with light blue strips, I think it really channels the essence of spring. It's quite a light material so I think paired with the jeans and some flats will work on a lovely warm spring day.
Lastly, like I mentioned earlier, Spring is a mood lifter and an easy way to instantly brighten any mood (I find) is to have a bright colour on your nails. One of my favourite pastel shades is Barry M's Cashmere. It’s a subtle pink, not too dark or too pink; the perfect shade. It also reminds me of blossom which is one of my favourite things about Spring!
What do you to get ready for Spring?
What do you to get ready for Spring?
Love, Aoife xo
P.S- Sorry for the unexpected hiatus, uni has just consumed my mind for the last month with deadlines but I hope to get back to regular posts soon. Stay tuned! x
|
| Apologies for the weird tints in the pictures. They're not very Spring-like or vibrant - something was wrong with my camera xxx |
When the first signs of Spring appear, I get this giddy excitement bubbling inside because Summer is just around the corner. The days are starting to warm up, the suns decided to shine it’s warm rays down on us and everyone’s mood starts to lift.
One of the things I hate about winter is that everything is so dark and gloomy. For the entirety of the four-month season, your mood is down and your wardrobe becomes a sad state of three trusty jumpers you know are going to keep you warm from the blizzard outside.
When Spring starts to appear with the longer and brighter days, you can start introducing new brighter colours into your outfits building up to your Summer wardrobe.
This Spring, wear lighter colours and softer materials to channel the new brighter season. Hit up the pastels and use blush colours to add a little life back into your wardrobe. Floral is always on trend for Spring so don’t be afraid to dip in and out.
Another big trend for this Spring is Denim and you’ve probably seen it everywhere in the shops. So whether you're rocking some mom jeans or a creative colourful pastel piece, grab yourself a little denim to play with this season.
One of the things I love doing at the beginning of each season is buying a few items that set off my wardrobe. This time around I picked up a pair of high waisted vintage cut ripped jeans (a bit of a mouthful) from H&M. They're gorgeous and a complete 180 from the look I usually go for but Spring is a new season and you can adapt your style to the new season’s settings.
I also picked up this cute wrap crop top from Forever 21. The material is so soft and I love the cream colour with light blue strips, I think it really channels the essence of spring. It's quite a light material so I think paired with the jeans and some flats will work on a lovely warm spring day.
Lastly, like I mentioned earlier, Spring is a mood lifter and an easy way to instantly brighten any mood (I find) is to have a bright colour on your nails. One of my favourite pastel shades is Barry M's Cashmere. It’s a subtle pink, not too dark or too pink; the perfect shade. It also reminds me of blossom which is one of my favourite things about Spring!
What do you to get ready for Spring?
What do you to get ready for Spring?
Love, Aoife xo
P.S- Sorry for the unexpected hiatus, uni has just consumed my mind for the last month with deadlines but I hope to get back to regular posts soon. Stay tuned! x
What's the weirdest way of cleaning your beauty blender that you can think of? I'm pretty sure using a microwave is going to be on a list somewhere. The other day, I was browsing the internet as you do and I came across an article on Cosmopolitan of a new beauty hack which I felt needed testing. This is the third beauty hack test I've done and you can read the others here (shaving your legs with conditioner) and here (Korean nail bracelet). They were both really fun to do and I've been on the hunt for more hacks ever since.
You may have seen it buzzing around on social media or know what I'm talking about but for those who don't, there is apparently a new beauty hack for cleaning your beauty blender by putting it in the microwave.
BEFORE….
 |
| A few beige marks here and there. The lumpy bits are just wet btw. |
During this experiment, I probably paid more attention to my beauty blender than I’ve ever done before. I have a bit of a guilty confession; I've never washed my beauty blender before. I know it's gross and you're probably picturing a very dirty sponge but it's not that dirty and I'm washing it now. It had a lot of foundation and concealer marks and my once vibrant orange blender had turned into a faded beige sponge.
DURING….
Following the Cosmo article, I added a little bit of Fairy liquid to a mug and filled it up halfway with cold water. I *metaphorically* kissed my Beauty Blender goodbye and dropped it into the mug, placing it in the microwave for a minute.
As I watched it spin around, I realised how weird the whole thing is. The only use my microwave fulfils is heating up food; so when it pinged the first time, I was expecting something delicious and edible to come out. Not a mug of dirty water with a semi-clean orange sponge floating in the middle.
Since the first attempt didn't work successfully but you could see a lot of colouring had come out. I tried it for the second time after changing the water and when it pinged the second time, you could visibly see a difference.
AFTER…
As I'm a little impatient, I reached for my kitchen tongs to retrieve my blender since the water was really hot. I waited for the blender to cool down before I gave it another squeeze and a little rinse. The sponge had a few permanent stains from what I assume is just mascara/ eyeliner but apart from that, the sponge was almost as vibrant as the day I bought it. Well... almost.
I've used the blender since the experiment and it works just as well. Although, I have noticed it's lost its firmness so it might be time to buy a new one.
With that said, the beauty hack is a PASS but I'm not sure if I'll be running to the microwave with my beauty blender again any time soon. Itseems is bizarre putting something that's not food in a microwave.
What are your thoughts on the hack? Yay or Nay?
I've used the blender since the experiment and it works just as well. Although, I have noticed it's lost its firmness so it might be time to buy a new one.
With that said, the beauty hack is a PASS but I'm not sure if I'll be running to the microwave with my beauty blender again any time soon. It
What are your thoughts on the hack? Yay or Nay?
Love, Aoife x
What's the weirdest way of cleaning your beauty blender that you can think of? I'm pretty sure using a microwave is going to be on a list somewhere. The other day, I was browsing the internet as you do and I came across an article on Cosmopolitan of a new beauty hack which I felt needed testing. This is the third beauty hack test I've done and you can read the others here (shaving your legs with conditioner) and here (Korean nail bracelet). They were both really fun to do and I've been on the hunt for more hacks ever since.
You may have seen it buzzing around on social media or know what I'm talking about but for those who don't, there is apparently a new beauty hack for cleaning your beauty blender by putting it in the microwave.
BEFORE….
|
| A few beige marks here and there. The lumpy bits are just wet btw. |
During this experiment, I probably paid more attention to my beauty blender than I’ve ever done before. I have a bit of a guilty confession; I've never washed my beauty blender before. I know it's gross and you're probably picturing a very dirty sponge but it's not that dirty and I'm washing it now. It had a lot of foundation and concealer marks and my once vibrant orange blender had turned into a faded beige sponge.
DURING….
Following the Cosmo article, I added a little bit of Fairy liquid to a mug and filled it up halfway with cold water. I *metaphorically* kissed my Beauty Blender goodbye and dropped it into the mug, placing it in the microwave for a minute.
As I watched it spin around, I realised how weird the whole thing is. The only use my microwave fulfils is heating up food; so when it pinged the first time, I was expecting something delicious and edible to come out. Not a mug of dirty water with a semi-clean orange sponge floating in the middle.
Since the first attempt didn't work successfully but you could see a lot of colouring had come out. I tried it for the second time after changing the water and when it pinged the second time, you could visibly see a difference.
AFTER…
As I'm a little impatient, I reached for my kitchen tongs to retrieve my blender since the water was really hot. I waited for the blender to cool down before I gave it another squeeze and a little rinse. The sponge had a few permanent stains from what I assume is just mascara/ eyeliner but apart from that, the sponge was almost as vibrant as the day I bought it. Well... almost.
I've used the blender since the experiment and it works just as well. Although, I have noticed it's lost its firmness so it might be time to buy a new one.
With that said, the beauty hack is a PASS but I'm not sure if I'll be running to the microwave with my beauty blender again any time soon. Itseems is bizarre putting something that's not food in a microwave.
What are your thoughts on the hack? Yay or Nay?
I've used the blender since the experiment and it works just as well. Although, I have noticed it's lost its firmness so it might be time to buy a new one.
With that said, the beauty hack is a PASS but I'm not sure if I'll be running to the microwave with my beauty blender again any time soon. It
What are your thoughts on the hack? Yay or Nay?
Love, Aoife x
It is currently one of the most prestigious events in the fashion calendar; London Fashion Week. All over the city are catwalks, talks and special events as part of the one-week festival held in the capital. So it’s the perfect time to take advantage of connections and become a part of it! (In other words, a lot of googling to find open-to-the-public type events).
In celebration of Mulberry’s Spring/ Summer ’18 collection launch, they had taken over Spencer House in central London for the weekend (17-18 Feb) to host ‘Beyond Heritage’. From what I found online, they had a quite a few workshops and presentations over the weekend including talks from Stylists and presentations on how to style the new collection with Vogue.
It was a beautiful sunny day, like a preview to summer, and I went along with my close friend Saskia. We were welcomed into a gorgeous stately home and led through the house, out to the back, where Mulberry had completely taken over the back garden. There was a gorgeous giant pink wall with flowers that ran from one end to another. It was beautiful and we made sure to take lots of pictures!
After being ushered into a room, we sat down on those benches; the ones you only see during fashion week. Around the room on the other side were mannequins wearing the Spring/ Summer collection. All the pieces were bright and beautiful, capturing the essence of Summer. And there were quite a few pieces I could see myself wearing.
They had a talk on with LA born stylist duo Brit + Kara, from Elkin and editorial direction Hannah Almassi from Who What Wear UK. It was really interesting to find out more about the world of styling and I picked up a few styling tips from them too!
They highlighted at the beginning there’s a misconception that styling is a glamorous job when it’s actually harder than it looks and there’s added pressure as you become in charge of someone’s image, their brand.
They made comparisons between LA style and British style, exclaiming “you’re too cool for us!” Pointing out how trends don’t really work that well in the UK as every girl is individual and has her own unique style of dressing whether it be classic, punk, posh etc. In Britain, we have a lot of timeless pieces in our wardrobe whereas, in LA, it’s more based on trends.
After the talk, we had the chance to look around the house, which was stunning! In one of the rooms upstairs, they had a few ladies who make some of the bags for Mulberry and I got the chance to ask a few questions I always wanted to know.
It was a very eventful morning and I spent the rest of the day, hanging out my friends. Being a part of the LFW festivities was really fun and an absolute dream. I’m off to the London Fashion Week Festival next weekend, so it’s not over yet!
Love, Aoife x
It is currently one of the most prestigious events in the fashion calendar; London Fashion Week. All over the city are catwalks, talks and special events as part of the one-week festival held in the capital. So it’s the perfect time to take advantage of connections and become a part of it! (In other words, a lot of googling to find open-to-the-public type events).
In celebration of Mulberry’s Spring/ Summer ’18 collection launch, they had taken over Spencer House in central London for the weekend (17-18 Feb) to host ‘Beyond Heritage’. From what I found online, they had a quite a few workshops and presentations over the weekend including talks from Stylists and presentations on how to style the new collection with Vogue.
It was a beautiful sunny day, like a preview to summer, and I went along with my close friend Saskia. We were welcomed into a gorgeous stately home and led through the house, out to the back, where Mulberry had completely taken over the back garden. There was a gorgeous giant pink wall with flowers that ran from one end to another. It was beautiful and we made sure to take lots of pictures!
After being ushered into a room, we sat down on those benches; the ones you only see during fashion week. Around the room on the other side were mannequins wearing the Spring/ Summer collection. All the pieces were bright and beautiful, capturing the essence of Summer. And there were quite a few pieces I could see myself wearing.
They had a talk on with LA born stylist duo Brit + Kara, from Elkin and editorial direction Hannah Almassi from Who What Wear UK. It was really interesting to find out more about the world of styling and I picked up a few styling tips from them too!
They highlighted at the beginning there’s a misconception that styling is a glamorous job when it’s actually harder than it looks and there’s added pressure as you become in charge of someone’s image, their brand.
They made comparisons between LA style and British style, exclaiming “you’re too cool for us!” Pointing out how trends don’t really work that well in the UK as every girl is individual and has her own unique style of dressing whether it be classic, punk, posh etc. In Britain, we have a lot of timeless pieces in our wardrobe whereas, in LA, it’s more based on trends.
After the talk, we had the chance to look around the house, which was stunning! In one of the rooms upstairs, they had a few ladies who make some of the bags for Mulberry and I got the chance to ask a few questions I always wanted to know.
It was a very eventful morning and I spent the rest of the day, hanging out my friends. Being a part of the LFW festivities was really fun and an absolute dream. I’m off to the London Fashion Week Festival next weekend, so it’s not over yet!
Love, Aoife x
Looking good is something that is important to all of us. It’s the way others view us and it impacts on the way we see ourselves too. I like to think that I always look some level of presentable when I leave my house in the morning. When you look good, you feel good and that’s all we really want out of life. Right?
The other day I was chatting with my friend about the key to looking good. We each raised a few points and agreed with a lot of them. It inspired me to write a little blog post about it. So here are my tips and tricks on how to make sure you’re always looking good:
#1 Wardrobe. Having a good wardrobe is key! When you own a wardrobe full of lovely clothes, you’ll find that even when you decide to “chuck” something on, you’ll look good every time. And if you only take one thing away from this post remember it’s about having good foundations. Once you have that, everything slots into place. (I have a post coming out soon with some wardrobe essentials so stay tuned for that!)
#2 Confidence. Everything nowadays comes down to confidence and it has a right to. Confidence is the one thing that has the power to change everything. You have to feel confident in the clothes you wear in order to look good. Remember it isn’t the clothes that wear you, YOU wear the clothes. So feel confident in them and own it!
#4 Contrast. I love a little contrast in everyday life; it brings so much to the situation and this case, the outfit. When I get ready, I usually have one item that’s fitted and another which is looser. This helps to round the outfit and saves you from looking too much of one thing, arriving at a nice balance. Skinny jeans and a loose shirt is a good combo, especially if you tuck in the front of the shirt. You can use contrast with your shoes, going for a structured shoe with a loose outfit etc. And even with your bag, choosing an unlined tote to go with a structured outfit.
So those are just a few of my tips and tricks to always looking good. I’ll post a part 2 in the coming weeks. Feel free to leave your own tips and tricks in the comments below.
Love, Aoife xx
Looking good is something that is important to all of us. It’s the way others view us and it impacts on the way we see ourselves too. I like to think that I always look some level of presentable when I leave my house in the morning. When you look good, you feel good and that’s all we really want out of life. Right?
The other day I was chatting with my friend about the key to looking good. We each raised a few points and agreed with a lot of them. It inspired me to write a little blog post about it. So here are my tips and tricks on how to make sure you’re always looking good:
#1 Wardrobe. Having a good wardrobe is key! When you own a wardrobe full of lovely clothes, you’ll find that even when you decide to “chuck” something on, you’ll look good every time. And if you only take one thing away from this post remember it’s about having good foundations. Once you have that, everything slots into place. (I have a post coming out soon with some wardrobe essentials so stay tuned for that!)
#2 Confidence. Everything nowadays comes down to confidence and it has a right to. Confidence is the one thing that has the power to change everything. You have to feel confident in the clothes you wear in order to look good. Remember it isn’t the clothes that wear you, YOU wear the clothes. So feel confident in them and own it!
#4 Contrast. I love a little contrast in everyday life; it brings so much to the situation and this case, the outfit. When I get ready, I usually have one item that’s fitted and another which is looser. This helps to round the outfit and saves you from looking too much of one thing, arriving at a nice balance. Skinny jeans and a loose shirt is a good combo, especially if you tuck in the front of the shirt. You can use contrast with your shoes, going for a structured shoe with a loose outfit etc. And even with your bag, choosing an unlined tote to go with a structured outfit.
So those are just a few of my tips and tricks to always looking good. I’ll post a part 2 in the coming weeks. Feel free to leave your own tips and tricks in the comments below.
Love, Aoife xx
It’s no lie that I love a good skincare product especially when it makes my skin feel great, look good and removes the pesky excess oils from my skin. I have oily skin, open pores and it’s spot prone. Basically, a nightmare! I spoke to someone at a skincare event earlier last year and she gave me some advice on washing my face regularly with certain products which will hopefully help to maintain my skin’s natural sebum production. (P.S- I've learnt that when looking for skincare products to target oily skin look for Zinc PCA in the ingredients)
It was around October/ November time, I received my first blogger mail (yay!). They sent over some skincare products from La Roche-Posay which is a brand I’d never really heard of before. I wanted to wait and try their whole range so I could get a feel for the type of products they were and to give you the low down. And let me just say… WOW!
The products I had been using were nearly finished and weren't exactly doing an effective job so I had started to look at different skincare products especially from French brands because their reputations are really good. So, these products literally could not have been sent at a better time. The products I received are from the Effacular range including the Purifying Foaming Gel, Effacular Duo(+), Unclogging purifying Sebo-controlling mask, and Serozinc.
The Effacular Range is targeted at oily and Acne prone skin and I could not recommend it enough! The foaming gel wash lathers really well and worked from day 1 stripping away all the excess sebum/ oils on my face. Using it regularly has really helped in maintaining my skins natural production of oil. In other words, I no longer spend 3/4 of the day with oily skin. Yipee! The face wash is now officially a staple in my routine.
I’ve also been using the mask that’s in the range and it does what it says on the tin, my skin looks purer and less oily use after use. I use this a couple of times during the week before I start my normal routine, putting on a really light layer and leaving it for around 5 minutes. It’s perfect! It's light, smells good and gives my skin that extra boost. A cheaper alternative would be L'Oreal Pure Clay masks but since applications are meant to be thin, the Effacular will last longer and be better value for money.
I also received the Effacular Duo(+) which I had mixed thoughts on up until two days ago. I couldn't tell if it was a moisturiser or not because it didn't say it explicitly on the box- it's not btw. Anyway, It has a matte finish which is perfect for oily skin and it targets blemishes which has really helped in clearing my skin. I think it can also double up as a primer as well because the texture when dried is very similar. As it's a very light moisturiser, I top it up with my usual moisturiser (Simple, oil balancing moisturiser).
The products cost a little more than the usual Clean & Clear, Neutrogena etc but it will last you a long time and with the results I've seen, it's definitely worth it or at least considering. If you were to get any of the products, I'd recommend the face wash and Serozinc. It lasts such a long time- I’ve been using the face wash twice a day for almost three months now and I haven’t even used half of it!
With that all said, I can’t tell you how great it is to have finally found products that work and have made a huge impact on my life and confidence. My skin feels and looks a lot like how it used to be pre-puberty. I would definitely suggest it to anyone with oily and acne-prone skin.
I was told when you find a product that works for you grab it and keep a firm grip on it -that’s exactly what I’m going to do.
Love, Aoife xx
Have you guys found any skincare products that have worked for you? Also if you’ve used The Ordinary, is it any good?
It’s no lie that I love a good skincare product especially when it makes my skin feel great, look good and removes the pesky excess oils from my skin. I have oily skin, open pores and it’s spot prone. Basically, a nightmare! I spoke to someone at a skincare event earlier last year and she gave me some advice on washing my face regularly with certain products which will hopefully help to maintain my skin’s natural sebum production. (P.S- I've learnt that when looking for skincare products to target oily skin look for Zinc PCA in the ingredients)
It was around October/ November time, I received my first blogger mail (yay!). They sent over some skincare products from La Roche-Posay which is a brand I’d never really heard of before. I wanted to wait and try their whole range so I could get a feel for the type of products they were and to give you the low down. And let me just say… WOW!
The products I had been using were nearly finished and weren't exactly doing an effective job so I had started to look at different skincare products especially from French brands because their reputations are really good. So, these products literally could not have been sent at a better time. The products I received are from the Effacular range including the Purifying Foaming Gel, Effacular Duo(+), Unclogging purifying Sebo-controlling mask, and Serozinc.
The Effacular Range is targeted at oily and Acne prone skin and I could not recommend it enough! The foaming gel wash lathers really well and worked from day 1 stripping away all the excess sebum/ oils on my face. Using it regularly has really helped in maintaining my skins natural production of oil. In other words, I no longer spend 3/4 of the day with oily skin. Yipee! The face wash is now officially a staple in my routine.
I’ve also been using the mask that’s in the range and it does what it says on the tin, my skin looks purer and less oily use after use. I use this a couple of times during the week before I start my normal routine, putting on a really light layer and leaving it for around 5 minutes. It’s perfect! It's light, smells good and gives my skin that extra boost. A cheaper alternative would be L'Oreal Pure Clay masks but since applications are meant to be thin, the Effacular will last longer and be better value for money.
I also received the Effacular Duo(+) which I had mixed thoughts on up until two days ago. I couldn't tell if it was a moisturiser or not because it didn't say it explicitly on the box- it's not btw. Anyway, It has a matte finish which is perfect for oily skin and it targets blemishes which has really helped in clearing my skin. I think it can also double up as a primer as well because the texture when dried is very similar. As it's a very light moisturiser, I top it up with my usual moisturiser (Simple, oil balancing moisturiser).
The products cost a little more than the usual Clean & Clear, Neutrogena etc but it will last you a long time and with the results I've seen, it's definitely worth it or at least considering. If you were to get any of the products, I'd recommend the face wash and Serozinc. It lasts such a long time- I’ve been using the face wash twice a day for almost three months now and I haven’t even used half of it!
With that all said, I can’t tell you how great it is to have finally found products that work and have made a huge impact on my life and confidence. My skin feels and looks a lot like how it used to be pre-puberty. I would definitely suggest it to anyone with oily and acne-prone skin.
I was told when you find a product that works for you grab it and keep a firm grip on it -that’s exactly what I’m going to do.
Love, Aoife xx
Have you guys found any skincare products that have worked for you? Also if you’ve used The Ordinary, is it any good?
The other day, yesterday to be exact, I visited Kew Gardens with my friend and flatmate Nazani. I had seen on Facebook a few months ago about an exhibition at Kew Gardens and it'd been on my list to visit ever since. It was a silly day to visit since it was pouring down with rain. Although, there was something beautiful and relaxing walking around a large, quiet park listening to the light raindrops hitting the umbrella and trees.
The exhibition, Life in Death by Rebecca Louise Law, showcases a collection of plants and flowers that have been dried for over six years. The flowers and plants are hanging like garlands from the ceiling. It sounds beautiful and it was! All the flowers were so delicate and preserved exactly how they were when they were alive.
Walking around the exhibit got me thinking about both life and death. Sometimes we can spend so much time thinking about when things are going to end that we forget to live in the present. Our surroundings morph into one, they become a blur of time we don't remember. I've lost count of how many times I've cried about the time I had left.
It led me to think that if we spent our time appreciating every second and every moment, then we wouldn't be so upset when it was over. Instead, we'd smile at the memories and the time that was shared. The present is called a present for a reason. It has so many gifts that we should appreciate and not overlook because we're too blind to see it. There's beauty in life, in the little moments, and in everyone and everything. The exhibit shows how beautiful every living thing is and that there's life in death and it's been frozen in time to make us see it clearly.
Love, Aoife x
The other day, yesterday to be exact, I visited Kew Gardens with my friend and flatmate Nazani. I had seen on Facebook a few months ago about an exhibition at Kew Gardens and it'd been on my list to visit ever since. It was a silly day to visit since it was pouring down with rain. Although, there was something beautiful and relaxing walking around a large, quiet park listening to the light raindrops hitting the umbrella and trees.
The exhibition, Life in Death by Rebecca Louise Law, showcases a collection of plants and flowers that have been dried for over six years. The flowers and plants are hanging like garlands from the ceiling. It sounds beautiful and it was! All the flowers were so delicate and preserved exactly how they were when they were alive.
Walking around the exhibit got me thinking about both life and death. Sometimes we can spend so much time thinking about when things are going to end that we forget to live in the present. Our surroundings morph into one, they become a blur of time we don't remember. I've lost count of how many times I've cried about the time I had left.
It led me to think that if we spent our time appreciating every second and every moment, then we wouldn't be so upset when it was over. Instead, we'd smile at the memories and the time that was shared. The present is called a present for a reason. It has so many gifts that we should appreciate and not overlook because we're too blind to see it. There's beauty in life, in the little moments, and in everyone and everything. The exhibit shows how beautiful every living thing is and that there's life in death and it's been frozen in time to make us see it clearly.
Love, Aoife x
Hello Lovelies! The time has come for me to do the task that I’ve been dreading for so long; it’s time to clear out my closet!
A few of my resolutions this year are style orientated such as going for a more natural look, toning it down on the big push up bras, and putting an effort into what I wear every day. I also want to build my wardrobe and buy a few luxury items. But to do that, I need some room and at the moment I don’t have any.
I’m a bit of a shopaholic. I love buying clothes, shoes, and lingerie especially! The only issue is I forget to chuck out the old stuff I’ve replaced and so my wardrobe is currently bursting at its seams. It’s time to throw out the clothes that are too small, too old, ones I haven’t worn in a long time and ones that no longer suits my style. Hopefully, I’ll be able to find a few items I haven’t worn in a long time that I can use and find some new outfit combinations.
It will also make dressing in the mornings a lot easier as I won’t have a mountain of clothes to look through!
So that adventure starts with my underwear drawer! I’ve built up quite a large collection of bits that should have been chucked out a long time ago. I mean having over 10 bras is probably a little too much *looks elsewhere* but throwing away Victoria's Secret bras just feels wrong!
Anyway, like I mentioned at the beginning of the post, I have a few style resolutions for this year. I’m tired of the same old looks and a lot of the clothes I have I’ve had since I was doing my GCSE’s and I’ve come a long way since then. A good wardrobe should grow with you, evolve as you do.
This year, I want to work on having a wardrobe that’s stylish, chic and looks a little more expensive than it actually costs. I love the feeling of wearing stylish clothes that make you feel a million times more than your worth. And I’ve found that when you have great options to choose from it’s very easy to look amazing every day.
One thing I’ve realised so far is that simple pieces and simple makeup are a very easy way of looking stylish. Looking natural is also another way that works. I’ve found myself braving it with less padded bras and a few slightly loose but fitted items.
Have you guys got any style resolutions for the year ahead?
Love, Aoife x
Hello Lovelies! The time has come for me to do the task that I’ve been dreading for so long; it’s time to clear out my closet!
A few of my resolutions this year are style orientated such as going for a more natural look, toning it down on the big push up bras, and putting an effort into what I wear every day. I also want to build my wardrobe and buy a few luxury items. But to do that, I need some room and at the moment I don’t have any.
I’m a bit of a shopaholic. I love buying clothes, shoes, and lingerie especially! The only issue is I forget to chuck out the old stuff I’ve replaced and so my wardrobe is currently bursting at its seams. It’s time to throw out the clothes that are too small, too old, ones I haven’t worn in a long time and ones that no longer suits my style. Hopefully, I’ll be able to find a few items I haven’t worn in a long time that I can use and find some new outfit combinations.
It will also make dressing in the mornings a lot easier as I won’t have a mountain of clothes to look through!
So that adventure starts with my underwear drawer! I’ve built up quite a large collection of bits that should have been chucked out a long time ago. I mean having over 10 bras is probably a little too much *looks elsewhere* but throwing away Victoria's Secret bras just feels wrong!
Anyway, like I mentioned at the beginning of the post, I have a few style resolutions for this year. I’m tired of the same old looks and a lot of the clothes I have I’ve had since I was doing my GCSE’s and I’ve come a long way since then. A good wardrobe should grow with you, evolve as you do.
This year, I want to work on having a wardrobe that’s stylish, chic and looks a little more expensive than it actually costs. I love the feeling of wearing stylish clothes that make you feel a million times more than your worth. And I’ve found that when you have great options to choose from it’s very easy to look amazing every day.
One thing I’ve realised so far is that simple pieces and simple makeup are a very easy way of looking stylish. Looking natural is also another way that works. I’ve found myself braving it with less padded bras and a few slightly loose but fitted items.
Have you guys got any style resolutions for the year ahead?
Love, Aoife x
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