Beauty: The Beauty Review

Here's a round up of the beauty products I've been using recently.

Pore Refining Solutions Correcting Serum £39 From Clinique BUY HERE

Sadly I still suffer with spots and problem skin, I had hoped my skin would clear up with age, alas I'm still dealing with pimples, blackheads and greasiness. So when I saw this serum claiming to reduce the appearance of pores by 30% I was filled with hope. The blend contains an exclusive Pore Resurfacing Complex to clear the skins' surface of a multitude of problems including flakiness, dirt and dullness. It's a very light solution that glides on easily, leaving the skin velvety smooth. Did I notice a reduction in the size of my pores, no. However my skin was smoother and the serum had a mattifying effect that lasted throughout the day. 

Sumptuous Extreme Waterproof Lash Multiplying Volume Mascara £24 from Estee Lauder BUY HERE

Having a baby has made me a bit of an emotional wreck. I'm blaming it on my hormones, sleep deprivation and all the images of happy people having a lovely time on holiday on Instagram. Over the last 2 months I've cried my fair share of tears. Thankfully I've been using this wonderful mascara from Estee Lauder which means I haven't ended up looking like a crazy mess when the water works start. Not only is the formulation extremely waterproof, it doesn't flake or cause panda eyes, plus it creates super thick 60s style lashes thanks to an exclusive multiplying fibre formulation that adds volume without clumping. The only downside for me is that it takes a bit of work to get all the mascara off at the end of the day.

Polynesian Monoi Radiance Oil Radiant Body & Hair Oil £16 from The Body Shop BUY HERE

This multi-tasking hair and body oil smells like a heady tropical island (oh how I'd love to be on a tropical island with sand beneath my toes and a flower in my hair at the moment rather than sitting on my sofa wearing a cashmere sweater with the heating on). It contains the intoxicating scent of monoi oil; a blend of coconut oil and tiare flowers that hydrate the skin. I like to rub it into my body post shower to leave my skin soft and hydrated. It also works wonders on dry hair. Apply it to the end of your hair no less than 30 minutes before washing, then shampoo it out, to leave you with soft and fragrant tresses.

Fashion - Fabulous Fringing

I picked up this little black skirt in H&M recently. It's a great transitional item, working now with a bare leg and ankle boots and when the weather gets colder I'll put it with dark tights and a flat knee high boot.

Skirt £39.99 by H&M BUY HERE, Jumper £24.90 by Uniqlo BUY HERE, Hat £19.99 by H&M BUY HERE, Boots by Topshop BUY SIMILAR HERE

The skirt is in a knitted fabric and has tiers of fringing making it look far more expensive than it is. The 70s are a massive inspiration for autumn/winter and fringing is a subtle and easy way to tap into the trend. 

There are lots of great options on the high street including the below.

Bag £55 by Nine by Savannah Miller from Debenhams BUY HERE

A cute little across body bag in suede with metal fringing from Savannah Miller's excelleny new range for Debenhams.

Earrings £10 by Accessorize BUY HERE

Don't just limit these earrings to night time wear, dress up a simple daytime outfit with them too.

Boots £82 by Topshop BUY HERE

These versatile block heel boots in the softest leather with statement side tassels would look great with cropped trousers, skinny jeans or skirt.

Jacket £59.99 by Mango BUY HERE

This indigo jacket is a perfect buy as the weather gets cooler.

Jumper £119 by Gestuz from ASOS BUY HERE

You could be wearing the plainest jeans or simplest skirt and by adding this statement jumper you'd immediately elevate your look.

Images: ASOS, Mango, Topshop, Accessorize, Debenhams

Interiors: What To Buy From H&M Home

I know that singing the praises of the brilliant buys from H&M Home is nothing new, but they have such a fantastic selection of interior goodies at the moment that I had to share what I've recently added to my home.

Wire Basket £12.99 BUY HERE

How to store the ever increasing amount of toys that are invading my home? In a stylish wire basket of course! This generous sized basket would also look chic holding towels in a bathroom, logs around a fire place or magazines next to a sofa.

Glass Jars £9.99 BUY HERE

My kitchen work surfaces were looking rather bare after the recent renovation, so these sleek glass jars with blonde wooden lids serve as the perfect storage/decorative hybrid. I think they'd also work really well in a bathroom filled with bath salts or cotton wool.

Display House £14.99 BUY HERE

A great item for any children's room is this decorative house frame. It also comes in pink and grey.

Picture Frame £6.99 BUY HERE

Ignore the dodgy picture of me and my baby daddy many moons ago when we were footloose and fancy free, travelling the world, without any responsibilities or sense of style (I clearly had a thing for pink!), this graphic print photo frame is a stylish way to display photos of happy memories.

Metal Tray £14.99 BUY HERE

I love using trays on tables to display little trinkets and this copper hexagonal tray adds a mid-century spin to my living room.

So if you're looking for an inexpensive way to update your home you won't be disappointed with a trip to H&M Home.

Fashion: New Season Shopping List

However much I like to kid myself that we are going to have an Indian summer, the recent chill in the air suggests I need to cover up my bare legs and pack away my sandals. Some consolation however is that stores are filling up with lots of new season styles.  Here's a round up of the pieces I have my eye on.

Rockstud cross body bag £840 by Valentino fromMatches Fashion BUY HERE

I always like to invest in a new bag each season and this cross body style with Valentino's infamous stud detail would be a practical yet stylish addition to my bag collection. Since having the baby carrying my everyday handbag just isn't feasible, so a back pack or cross body style is the only way to go. This bag would allow me to carry all my essentials without feeling frumpy.

Bow Bomb Sneakers by Joshua Sanders from Matches Fashion BUY SIMILAR HERE

To say I am in love with these sneakers is an understatement, I've been obsessed with them since spying them on Instagram a few months ago. I adore the colour, the comically large bow and I know they'd elevate even the dullest outfit into something special. Sadly they have sold out in my size everywhere, so I'm on a few waiting lists and keeping everything crossed that one day soon I'll own a pair.

Cropped Wide Leg Trousers £170 by Whistles BUY HERE

These incredibly flattering cropped trousers are in the colour of the season, burgundy. Don't think you can't wear burgundy, it's a very versatile hue, complementing nearly all skin tones and working with black, navy, grey, pale blue and cream. I'd wear these wool blend trousers with a denim shirt and trainers to dress them down and a navy top and caged heels for night time.

Navy lace dress £59.99 by Zara BUY HERE

If you only buy one dress this season you have to make it a maxi. I don't normally wear lace as I find it too feminine, but this dress called to me from the hanger. For autumn I'd wear it with a denim jacket or leather biker with Stan Smith trainers or pointed flats and as the weather turned colder I'd layer a chunky knitted sweater in grey or burgundy over it and pair with a block heel ankle boot.

Coat £139.99 by Mango BUY HERE

I've been looking for a new camel coloured tailored coat recently. If I had a money tree I'd buy this one from Stella McCartney , however this style from Mango is an excellent cheaper alternative. 

Leather skirt £79.99 by H&M BUY HERE

This leather skirt is buttery soft, a very flattering length, sitting just above the knee, is slightly flared and has a full length back zip detail. Plus it's a great price point. It is described as dark brown, but having seen it in real life I would describe it as oxblood. I'll be wearing mine with woollen tights, ankle boots and a chunky knit sweater come winter.

Wool sweater £239 by Maje BUY HERE

Knitwear in various guises be it sweaters, dresses, skirts and cardigans, is a big story for winter as is the roll neck sweater. This oversized chunky knit by Maje is the ideal sweater, ticking both style boxes. I'd wear it with ripped jeans or khaki chinos on the weekend, then put it with a leather trouser or mini skirt with a statement earring for evening.

Double pendant necklace £35 by Made BUY HERE

This weighty hammered gold metal necklace is a great addition to my jewellery box for the new season. Wear it with round neck dresses and sweaters to add a subtle boho vibe.

Military boots £585 by Isabel Marant from Matches Fashion BUY HERE

Over the knee boots reign supreme this season,  but I still favour the ankle boot. Isabel Marant has created the perfect style with military buckle details, two-tone leather & suede and a wearable heel height. These would look equally great with skinny jeans, wide leg cropped trousers and pretty much any skirt length from mini to maxi. 

What's on your wish list for Autumn/Winter?

Images: Matches Fashion, Whistles, Zara, Maje, H&M, Mango, 

Beauty: The Beauty Review

Here's a little round up of the beauty products I've been using recently.

Percy & Reed Totally TLC Hydrating Mask £20 BUY HERE

I have dry fuzzy hair which I make worse by my daily endeavour to iron out the kinks, so my hair needs the TLC that this mask promises. It's a rich and creamy formula that I use once a week. I rub it through the entire length of my hair, then pop on the included shower cap for at least 10 minutes before rinsing. It doesn't leave any heavy residue, my hair simply feels soft and thicker and looks healthy and shiny. It contains marshmallow to nourish and strengthen and coconut and mango oils to condition and moisturise. The smell, specially created by the brand, is fresh and pleasant with hints of apple, citrus and rose. A must buy if your tresses are in need of some TLC.

L'Occitane Angelica Exfoliating Gel £19 BUY HERE

I love exfoliating my skin, be it with scrubs, muslin cloths, brushes, gels, creams...you name it and I'll try buffing my skin with it. This formulation from French brand L'Occitane, is incredibly gentle making it ideal for sensitive skins and regular use. It has a grainy, creamy texture that contains natural gum micro-beads to tease away dead skin cells and massage the skin. It also contains organic angelica extract to hydrate. You only need a broad bean size amount to do the face and neck. It left my skin feeling fresh, clean and smooth with no sign of redness or irritation.

Cowshed Moody Cow Balancing Bath & Shower Gel £18 BUY HERE

A traumatic birth, a newborn to care for, sleep deprivation (the list goes on), have all contributed to me feeling out of sorts lately, definitely a bit of a moody cow. While using this gel doesn't help clean my home or soothe a crying baby, it does perk me up a little during my evening shower. The luxurious gel contains essential oils of rose geranium to regulate emotions and hormones, frankincense to calm and soothe and linden blossom to help relieve tension. I've almost finished this bottle and I think for the sake of my sanity I will be buying another toot sweet. 

Fashion - Bargain Buy

After seeing the image below on Instagram a while back I've been on the lookout for a pair of loose, slouchy, wide leg, relaxed trousers that I could wear with sandals, trainers or a pair of pointed toe flats should I need to dress them up.

Image: LittleSpree

I was recently prepping for a job, rummaging through the rails at TK Maxx when I came across these trousers by Maison Martin Margiela for the bargain price of £39.99! They are super slouchy, in a heavy cotton/silk blend and they fit my comfy but stylish trouser criteria perfectly. I wore them rolled up (as they are extremely long) on the weekend to meet a friend for coffee with an old Dries Van Noten khaki sweatshirt and Russell & Bromley snakeskin plimsoles.

Trousers by Maison Martin Margiela from TK Maxx BUY SIMILAR HERE, Sweater by Dries Van Noten, Plimsoles by Russell & Bromley, Watch by Rolex

This style of trouser are ideal for the weekend/school run/lounging around at home. I've scoured the internet and found some others that fit the bill.

Trousers £360 by Y's by Yohji Yamamoto from Matches Fashion BUY HERE

Trousers £54 by Sister Jane From ASOS BUY HERE

Trousers £59.50 by Banana Republic BUY HERE

Fashion: Blooming Beautiful Boden

The lovely people at British brand Boden very kindly sent my lucky lady a big bag of beautiful things recently. 

Pretty packages filled with beautiful clothes

She's still a little bit too tiny to wear the clothes, but is already getting great use out of the blankets and bibs. Here are some of the gorgeous items we received.

Dribble Bibs BUY HERE

Super soft cotton and towelling bibs in a delicate star and forest animal print perfect for mopping up baby dribbles.

Denim dress BUY HERE

This adorable dress comes with a super sweet striped top. I plan on putting this with some navy tights in the winter.

Pyjama set and blanket BUY HERE

A cute bed time outfit with the lovely forest animal print. I especially like the gender neutral colours of cream, grey and yellow, perfect for a little boy or girl. This reversible blanket (one side stripes, one side forest animal print) is ideal for a cot or pram and would make an ideal gift for new parents.

Pyjama set BUY HERE

How adorable are these pyjamas! These are so soft to the touch and I love the pale blue with pink bow colour-way. I'd actually like a pair myself!

Body suit BUY HERE

With the sweetest collar, ruffle shoulder detail and picot lace edging this body suit will look great layered under a dress or dungarees. 

Body suit, hat and blanket BUY HERE

I love a stripe and I've got a feeling my little lady will too! This little body and hat in grey and cream are perfect for layering.

Cardigan BUY HERE

This cute cashmere blend cardigan comes in four different colours. I love the patch pockets and the contrasting velvet trim.

 Thank you Boden for being so kind!

S&T x