Bikini Body

Two weeks prior to going on holiday I thought I should start prepping my skin to make it holiday ready. In particular my thighs. I exercise frequently, my diet is fairly good despite many bars of Green & Black and even though I'm a tad cynical about the claims slimming creams make, I wanted rid of my cellulite. So after a little research I started slathering on Bliss' Fat Girl Sleep. I applied the lilac goop nightly, rubbing it into my lumps and bumps for a minimum of 30 seconds as directed. The morning after the first application and the smoothness of my skin was akin to a week of vigorous body brushing. It's most active ingredients are red algae and lotus flower extract said to improve circulation and help breakdown excess fat cells. What makes the night time formula different to the award winning daytime formula, Fat Girl Slim, is the addition of lavender extract, included to help induce peaceful slumber. After the initial joy of soft skin, sadly I didn't notice my thighs toning up and the dimples of cellulite still plague my rump. Perhaps I should have started using it earlier or doing as bliss advise and pairing it with Fat Girl Slim. But all is not lost, my skin feels velvety soft and that's no bad thing when you're planning to bare your body on a beach.

Bliss Fat Girl Sleep £32.70

How I Pack

I don't go on many holidays but I do get to travel quite a bit for work. In April alone I will be visiting France and Australia. To make my life easier I follow my tried and trusted method for packing. 

It all starts with a list. I divide a page in half writing AM and PM as the top headers then put a list of the days I'm away at the side. I list the clothes and shoes I'm going to take. This helps you to see where you can double up on shoes and pieces of clothing, ensuring you don't take too much. I write what I'm going to wear when I'm travelling (to and from), then an extras list which includes things like sunhat, underwear, gym kits, evening bag and so on.

I get everything together and lay it out in piles such as shoes, daytime and evening. I also skim through my wardrobe to see if there's something I've forgotten about which I really should pack. I rummage through my jewellery draw and match up a few pieces that will work with my outfits. Shoes get put in fabric bags and I group things like underwear, jewellery and gym kits and put them in individual fabric bags (I use duster bags I've received with my handbags over the years). 

Next up, I write a hand luggage list which includes items such as a book, playing cards, travel documents, money, headphones, iPad, beauty bits for the plane, large scarf. As we are taking a long flight on this trip I've packed a change of clothes for the plane. Again I lay all of this out ready to be packed. Next up is my list of beauty products. I am a beauty junkie and can get quite carried away taking various lotions and potions. After I've pulled out everything I need I put anything that could possibly leak into plastic bags (I've found oils and serums, no matter how tightly you screw the lid always leak). I group together things like make up, hair products, sun creams and put them in individual cases so they are easier to unpack when I arrive.

Then I'm ready to pack. Suitcase first, clothes are laid flat, I tesselate the things in bags, then beauty products. Finally I pack my hand luggage and triple check I have the vital documents and passport. Bon voyage!

Weekend Scenes

This weekend has felt rushed and a bit crazy. Mainly because we are off on a well deserved holiday to the Maldives and I always find myself with a longer than usual to-do list before I go away. By the time this blog is posted we should have arrived in paradise. I can't wait!

Saturday morning was spent working unfortunately. It's a symptom of being self-employed and taking time off.

But spring has sprung on our little terrace and the happy primroses are out in full bloom.

The weather was strange on Saturday which made for dramatic cloud scenes. This was taken just before the hail stones started pouring down. 

Sunday morning was spent packing. I'm not sure if taking only 4 pairs of shoes is a wise move but I'm hoping I'll be bare foot on the white sand for most of the trip. I'll be posting a 'how I pack' post later in the week.

We have a thing for Eames chairs and ordered ourselves this rocking chair  in navy back in January from SCP. It arrived this weekend and is currently living in my office. I couldn't be happier with it.

In My Bag

The nature of my job means I shop...a lot. On a weekly basis I'm running around London prepping for shoots in stores or at press offices. Off the back of this I generally pick up things for my wardrobe. I like to think of it as multi-tasking! This is what has ended up in my bag this week.

Topshop £35

I'm always on the lookout for good black trousers. These Topshop ones are super flattering with a high waist and ankle grazing, have handy pockets, a smart turn up and the fabric has a slight sheen. I've worn them to work and to dinner with friends already.

Topshop £5

I rarely have unpainted nails. I change them about 3 times a week and love to mix colours, paint patterns or go for a classic red. This beautiful blue made it into my bag as I thought it would compliment the colour of the ocean when I'm on holiday next week!

COS £69

COS is one of my favourite high street stores. I love the cuts of the clothes, the colour palette and fabrics and the reasonable price points. It's dangerous for my bank balance as I almost always buy something. I found this dress in the lightest swooshy fabric that looks like denim chambray. It has pockets (a deal breaker for me when it comes to buying a dress), is a flattering length and the boxy elbow length sleeves give it an edge. It will look great buttoned up with a statement necklace and heels for the evening, with tights and a layered breton stripe top in winter or with white Birkenstocks for summer. 

Bikini £15 + £15 = £30

I didn't stop at one purchase in COS. This bikini top and bottoms are coming with me on holiday. I don't normally go for pink items, but the graphic pattern takes this away from the realms of girly. The bottoms have adjustable side ties and the pale pink lining makes it seem much more expensive.

Gap £29.95

Last summer I lived in my Gap boyfriend shorts. Slouchy without making my thighs look chunky, just enough distressing and super comfortable.  By the time I realised I needed more than one pair in my life I couldn't get my hands on them, they'd sold out everywhere. Imagine my joy when I saw that Gap are re-doing them again this year! So I stocked up. 2 pairs, but I can't promise I won't be going back for more. I went for a slightly smaller size as they do grow slightly and bought a dark and mid wash.  

Seeing Stripes

I love a stripe top. I have far too many, 33 at the last count. But I'm lacking in the stripy dress department. Sure I have some in various incarnations, navy and grey with leather pockets, black and white with a neon zip, but as the weather hints at turning warmer, I find myself needing a classic style, navy and white with a sleeve and not too short, something I can go to work in but also wear on the weekend. Here are a round up of the ones that made it into my shopping bag.

MiH dress £185

This style by MiH is a little pricey, but I love the unique mash up of summery pale blue, navy panels and classic stripes. There's a cute vent detail at the side and the length is just right. Wear with white Birkenstocks for a fresh summer look.

White Chocoolate £55 from ASOS

ASOS has oodles of stripe dresses to choose from but I especially liked this style by White Chocoolate. It has handy chambray patch pockets and an interesting chambray panel at the back. If it had been a bit longer and in navy rather than black it would have definitely made it into my wardrobe.

Topshop £29

Ah Topshop, always reliable in a clothing crisis even if wandering around your Oxford Street emporium makes me feel aged. I found not 1 but 2 great options. First up a classic daytime cotton dress. I choose one from the tall section and went down a size. It's an affordable and simple option, with a nice turn up detail on the sleeve and a mini zip detail at the back. 

Topshop £70

Finally I purchased this dress when it was still woolly hat and tights weather. I loved it from the moment I saw it. Contrasting side stripes that make you look thinner, long gold zip at the back, flattering curved hem. Perfect for daytime with a ballet pump (worn here with Chanel pumps) or evening with a simple strappy heel.

Birthday Wishlist

In 7 days it's my birthday and I'll officially enter my mid-30s (gulp!) To cheer myself up I've compiled a dreamy wish list of things I'd like to receive for my birthday.

Clarisonic £125

First up, the Clarisonic. I've heard so many good things about this handy device, I imagine it would buff away all the dirt and grim of London living and make my aging skin glow.

Saint Laurent Bag £904

As you'll come to realise I have a thing for bags. My mortgage would be paid off a lot quicker if it wasn't for my arm candy splurges. I've had my eye on this delectable beauty by Saint Laurent for a few months now. A girl can dream...

Valentino Rockstud Flats

And shoes! My other financial downfall. These works of art by Valentino would look so pretty on my feet and I'd love them forever. Plus they are flat so would make all the walking around I do for work that much more stylish and pleasant.

Lola's Cupcakes = Happiness

What's a birthday without cake? A rubbish one. So I'm hoping for a batch of Lola's Cupcakes to munch on (peanut butter or banoffee if anyone's reading this and feeling generous).

Exotic Kittens. Image Pinterest

And finally my dream present would be an exotic shorthair kitten to love and cuddle. And I'd call it Smoosh.

Images from: John Lewis, My Theresa, Pinterest

Weekend Scenes

Welcome to Sunshine & Stripes, a place where I will be sharing things that inspire me and make me smile. First up, Weekend Scenes. This is the first weekend of the year when I wasn't working and I was so happy for the gorgeous sunshine. I lapped it up, lounging around on my terrace reading Lionel Shriver's novel Big Brother

Miu Miu sunglasses, Korres sun cream, Paul Smith towel

It wasn't all sun worshipping however. I've teamed up with Simply Swim to do the London Triathlon this summer and as I can't swim properly I've got some serious training to do! (More to come on this).

Swimsuit and googles from Simply Swim

On Sunday we took a wander to Brick Lane for bagels and people watching, before heading to Columbia Road Flower Market to buy some beautiful tulips.

We also stopped by one of my favourite homeware stores Labour & Wait and picked up these retro drinking jars. 

Drinking Jars

Wanting to make the most of the balmy evening we decided to finish the weekend with our first BBQ of the year, let's hope it's one of many!