Beauty Buys

Here's a round up of the beauty products I have been applying, wiping and slathering recently.

Chanel Hydra Beauty Gel Creme £50 BUY HERE

This refreshing gel formula face moisturiser is ideal for summer when you don't want to apply a heavy cream every day. However it has no SPF protection so I layer sun protection cream on before application. For a cream that's so expensive you'd expect an SPF as standard so it's a little disappointing it doesn't come with. The lightness of the formula would make this ideal for combination skins, but if you have sensitive skin I'd avoid as it's strongly scented with a clean, fresh fragrance that may aggravate. It contains camelia extract to help the skin retain moisture and plump up and the antioxidant blue ginger to protect the skin. As you'd expect from Chanel, the super slick monochrome packaging makes you want to keep it out on display rather than putting it away inside the bathroom cupboard. However the screw top lid means the ingredients are exposed and compromised from the first use, plus dipping your fingers into the pot isn't very hygenic, no matter how clean they are! This is one of the most expensive creams I've used on my face and for the financial investment I'd like to see more noticeable results. Unfortunately they haven't been forthcoming and so I won't be purchasing it again.

Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Exfoliating Facial Pads £12.99 BUY HERE

As my pregnancy progresses and my fatigue increases, convenience becomes of more importance. I spotted these little pads on the shelves of Boots on a recent visit and snapped them up hoping the ease of wiping them across my face would make me use them regularly and they'd perk up my malnourished and exhausted complexion. I haven't been disappointed. The pads are soaked in glycolic acid which exfoliates the skin's surface to remove dead skin cells so the skin is left brighter, along with hyaluronic acid to moisturise, witch hazel to tone and blue daisy to soothe and calm. I take one pad and wipe across my face and neck every night after cleansing and before moisturising. The pads don't sting, like others I've tried before, but they leave a slightly sticky residue that I let soak in for a few minutes before applying my night moisturiser. I noticed my skin was smoother and softer within a week. These are so quick and easy to use with visible results and great value to boot, that it would be wrong not to tell you to go and buy them immediately.

Nivea Q10 Firming Body Moisturiser £2.63 BUY HERE

I'm applying body moisturiser like it's going out of fashion now that I'm pregnant, in the hope of my skin staying supple enough to avoid the dreaded stretch marks. I saw this cream was half price and because it promised firming I thought it would be perfect to slather on my ever expanding butt and thighs. I'm under no illusion that a cream can firm up body parts, yes it can create smoother skin and temporary tightening, but only exercise and a clean diet will firm up the body. However when your body is growing daily and your hormones are dictating that you only eat beige carbohydrates, you seek the hope of toned thighs in bottles of cream. This is a super light formulation that contains moisturising macadamia nut oil and Nivea's patented Q10 formula that helps skin stay supple and toned. It has an talcum powdery inoffensive smell, glides onto and into the skin with complete ease but the best part is it really moisturises. After only a couple of days my skin felt incredibly soft and smoother and even when I've been too busy/tired to apply it my skin is much more moisturised than before. I'm onto my third bottle now, a testament to just how impressed I am with this product.

Life Lately

Considering that my pregnant belly is rapidly expanding so much so that I waddle rather than walk now and my level of exhaustion is like nothing I've known before, life lately has been pretty busy. Here's a little round up of what I've been doing recently (along with lots of sleeping!)

Debenhams' 'Style Army' At Their Press Day

I've been a bit naughty this season and not attended many press days, mainly due to other work commitments but largely due to feeling vile all the time. I did however devote a couple of days to doing the press day circuit recently. Above is what Debenhams will be offering come winter, think 70s, faux fur and fringing.

After I took this picture the mummy and daddy geese turned around and started attacking my car!

Well done Mr Norris, finishing strong and wearing a questionable hairband!

The boyfriend ran 100km from London to Brighton last weekend. Running is arguably his greatest passion but he was also doing the event to raise money for a charity close to our hearts, the Alzheimer's Society, because my poor Dad has the terrible disease. I was the support crew, meaning I drove along country roads getting lost and attacked by geese as I searched for various checkpoints so I could fill up his water bottles, give him words of encouragement, change his socks and feed him pasta and jelly babies. He finished it in an incredible 16th position. If you have a spare 5 minutes you can read his account of the day here. Well done Norris!

Bank holiday weekends don't exist if you are self employed, but it isn't really work when you get to dress beautiful actresses in stunning couture gowns and diamonds in 5* hotels. Here's a little behind the scenes shot of the day and I can't wait to share the full shoot when it's published.

Denim shirt dress £39.99 Zara BUY HERE

I'm becoming increasingly frustrated with the whole maternity dressing thing and the fact that the weather is still rubbish, so I took myself off to the West End in search of clothes that will suit my changing form. This chambray shirt dress was a winner, but until the weather warms up and I am guaranteed more than 2 wears of it I'm going to refrain from spending. I'll be doing a little blog post soon of what actually made me part with my cash.

Grey Lamp £65 Lapin & Me BUY HERE

And sorry to bore on about the imminent arrival but here is the first thing I've bought for it. Super cute right? And in gender neutral grey so it'll match the rest of my home. But 10 weeks until D day and this is it...a lamp. I have pages of lists of essential items (how much stuff do babies need by the way, oh jeez!!!), plus I still need to decorate the nursery and learn how to change a nappy and decide on a birth plan and research hypno-birthing and read Gina Ford and the Baby Whisperer and ARGH!!! But at least the baby will have a cute lamp if nothing else.

Have a great week!

Sx

Pregnancy Style: Outfits Recently

Today I am 29 weeks pregnant! Yipee only 11 weeks to go if the baby sticks to its schedule! I'm still feeling blurgh and have resigned myself to the fact that I'm just not going to get that 'pregnancy glow' that other more fortunate pregnant ladies speak of.

 The bump is growing at quite a rapid rate now which is good for the baby but bad for the wardrobe. I'm just about squeezing into some of my pre-pregnancy tops, but dresses that were once oversized are now tight on the hips or too short (cellulite on my thighs is another joyful side effect of my pregnancy made worse by the fact I'm not supposed to exercise as I've been so ill) and if trousers and skirts don't have elasticated waist bands then they just don't work. My various Topshop maternity jeans, which I've been wearing since about 4 months are worn almost daily and I'm pleased to report they recently started selling a boyfriend style which make me happy as they remind me of pre-pregnancy me. 

I'm also discovering the joys of wearing lycra as anything restrictive just increases my daily discomfort. However seeing clothes that are tight fitting on my changing/growing form is something I'm not entirely comfortable with. I was prepared for a growing belly, but hips and butt expanding is taking some getting used to!

Here is a little round up of what I've been wearing recently.

Shirt Zara, Jeans Topshop BUY HERE, Sandals Stella McCartney, Sunglasses Miu Miu

Here I am marvelling at the size of my bump and the valley that my belly button has become (it's yet to pop out). This linen blend shirt is an oldie from Zara that still fits (hooray!) It's super comfy and light, perfect for the warmer weather. I'm also wearing the aforementioned Topshop boyfriend jeans. They have expandable pockets and a real zipper fly, unlike all my other Topshop jeans which have a pull up elasticated waistband. I was a bit worried that the button fastening would press on my belly, but they are wonderfully comfortable. If you're pregnant go and buy these jeans, I cannot recommend them enough!

Dress Topshop, Jacket Gap BUY SIMILAR HERE, Bag Miu Miu, Sandals Next BUY HERE

This full length maxi dress is a pre pregnancy buy that I've had for years and keep in my holiday clothes box as it is backless. I wouldn't dream of venturing out without a bra now and so I layered the dress with a black vest for decency purposes and my pre-pregnancy denim jacket which is a little tight, but still wearable. I did feel a tad exposed in this dress as it's quite tight on the bump and bum; form fitting clothes just aren't my thing. To be honest I felt a bit like a Kardashian, but I think that's me just being slightly mental and weird about my growing body. A full length maxi dress is super comfortable and I've recently ordered a few from Zara so will let you know if they become part of my pregnancy wardrobe.

Jacket Topshop BUY SIMILAR HERE, Jeans Topshop BUY HERE, Top Finery London BUY HERE, Sandals Birkenstock BUY HERE

This khaki jacket has proved invaluable to my pregnancy wardrobe. It skims my hips and covers just enough of my rump, it's light enough so that I don't overheat on the tube, plus it works with jeans and dresses. I've paired it here with my boyfriend jeans (I told you I was in love with them!) and a relatively new purchase from Finery London. I purchased this cotton sleeveless top adorned with white ruffles at around 3 months pregnant thinking it would spice up my summer pregnancy wardrobe. I was a little concerned the ruffles would bulk up my belly, but weirdly they kind of conceal it. It's a super flattering top and was a great price point to boot.

Life Lately: A Little Announcement

My blog posts have been few and far between this year and the outfit posts have been pretty non-existent, but dear reader I have a valid reason...I am 6 months pregnant and counting! It's very scary but very exciting.

This pregnancy hasn't been the most pleasant experience and I pretty much spend most days wearing my boyfriend's PJ bottoms with my head down the toilet, but when I do have to get up and dressed I have found my Zara jumpsuit super comfy and perfect for work. I purchased the jumpsuit quite a few months ago and it is still accommodating my rapidly growing bump, unlike most of the other things in my wardrobe. I've been pairing it with stripe tops or plain tees (like the J. Crew one I'm wearing above) and my Stan Smiths or Birkenstocks (it's all about the comfort these days!)

I love the little front pocket detail and the drop crotch makes it feel distinctly non-maternity wear. Annoyingly I have found the vast majority of maternity wear sooooo dull and uninspiring, but I am constantly on the look out for 'normal' clothes that I can dress the bump with and I will be sharing my finds and outfits.

So it's all change in our household...13 weeks to go. And if anyone reading this has any helpful advice and top tips I'm all ears!!!

Sx

In My Bag

For a plethora of reasons I haven't been buying many clothes recently but have made up for it with new footwear.

Here's a little round up of what's made it into my bag.

Black lace up sandals £24 from Next BUY HERE

After trying on the Mango gladiator sandals that every blogger and their mother seem to have purchased recently, and being quite disappointed at the fit and quality, I found these brilliant bargains from Next. Yes Next of all places. I often pass Next by, regarding it as the place where people camp outside overnight just to bag a branded t-shirt in the Christmas sales, but it is filled with treasures all reasonably priced and of excellent quality. In the last month I've purchased 3 items, all of which I am incredibly happy with. So back to these sandals...They tick the shoe of the summer gladiator style box, they come in black and chocolate brown, they are real leather and super comfy due in part to the rubber sole. And the best bit, they are a bargain £24! That's not a typing error, they really are £24. If the boyfriend wasn't monitoring my shopping habit I would go back and get the brown ones too. I've already worn mine with a maxi dress (back when we had 2 days of warm weather) and will be wearing them with denim dresses and summer shorts when summer arrives.

Pom pom tunic £45 from Next BUY HERE

Another find in Next is this cotton, tassel trimmed tunic. A-line in shape (so it disguises the fact I've eaten too much ice-cream recently) it works perfect with khaki trousers, shorts and denim. Pair it with skinny jeans rather than boyfriend ones though to balance the volume. It also comes in indigo which is rather tempting...

Nike Air Huarache £80 from Size? BUY HERE

I've been wearing my beloved Stan Smiths non-stop and even recently purchased another pair in a different colour as I love them so much (the frugal/voice of reason boyfriend made me take them back though!) Thinking I'd never find a replacement for my Stans I then saw a super chic lady wandering around Shoreditch, pushing a buggy, wearing the above Nikes with skinny black trousers and a duster coat, and she just looked so cool that I knew I had to have these trainers. They are incredibly comfy, making them perfect for a day at work, and the pop of teal adds a welcome pop of colour to my grey/black/navy wardrobe. Word of advice, go up a size when buying as they are a very snug fit.

Wide leg trousers from Topshop BUY HERE

Trousers in black with a navy stripe! It was love at first sight. These trousers are actually 4 inches longer, but I took them up as I wanted them to be culottes rather than trousers.

Caged sandals £49.99 from Zara BUY HERE

While prepping for a job last week I spotted these in Zara and instantly knew they had to be mine. These statement flats will work with a daytime jean and just as well with an evening ensemble. I love the combination of leather and patent straps and gold and silver studs. I also like the way you can see a little bit of toe through the straps so I'll be wearing these with a brightly coloured polish on my nails.

What's made it into your shopping bag recently?

Happy Haus

Our little home is undergoing something of an update at the moment, a new kitchen, terrace redesign and alterations to the office/dressing room are all in the pipeline. As if this wasn't draining the bank account enough, our old sofa was looking a little tired so we decided to invest in a new one. A Hay Mags sofa became our seating of choice and we are extremely happy to lounge around on it.

My lovely new Hay sofa

During our search for the aforementioned sofa we came across Haus a brilliant website selling all manner of aesthetically pleasing items for the home. And when we found out they have a store within walking distance of our home we slipped on our shoes and hot-footed it over there. 

The store, on the edge of Victoria Park Village, is rather small and offers only a little taster of what's on the website. Yet it is packed with lots of gorgeous goodies from brands including Original BTC, Tom Dixon, Knoll and lesser know independent brands. Here's a little taster of what caught my eye.

A gorgeous grey seat that would live happily in my home if only I had the space.

Ceramic mugs, I love the pale pink with grey rim.

Lovely lighting, if only I had high ceilings...damn you new build flat!

If the boyfriend wasn't slightly phobic about bees I would have snapped up these adorable bee homes.

A lovely bunny head gift for a little person's bedroom or expectant parents.

I've always wanted a cuckoo clock and this simple design would be perfect.

A cheery way to enjoy your eggs in the morning.

I might have to go back and purchase this graphic print cushion for my sofa.

So if you are a fan of contemporary and Scandi design have a perusal on the Haus website and if you're in Victoria Park Village take a peak inside the store and try not to buy anything!

Life Lately: Copenhagen

The boyfriend and I have always wanted to visit Copenhagen, having heard so many great things about it. So with a quiet weekend ahead of us we decided to hop on a plane to visit the world's most liveable city.

We spent a peaceful 4 days wandering around the city, visiting all the sights, drinking chai lattes and soaking up the sun, but to be honest we got a bit bored. Strike me down for being so unappreciative of all Copenhagen has to offer, but I felt like I was missing what everyone raves about. Perhaps 4 days is too long, perhaps the boyfriend and I have lost the ability to relax and just be, perhaps I'm not a sit with a beverage and watch the world go by for hours type of person, whatever, I don't think I need to go back (sorry Copenhagen).

We did however uncover some lovely things to see and do in Copenhagen.

EAT

Torvehallerne - This little food market housed some culinary gems. We ate spicy Vietnamese baguettes followed by fabulous ice cream. If you visit I beg you to try the cherry and nutella concoction, it had me going back everyday. The glass boxes that house the various food stalls are surrounded by lots of open air seating and is always bustling.

Hot Buns - After wandering for ages on Sunday night to find a bite to eat in a restaurant that wasn't deserted we stumbled across Hot Buns. We were pleasantly surprised with the creative vegetarian option (an almond, spinach and egg 'burger') with crispy sweet potato fries, but less impressed with the exorbitant charge for a glass of tap water. Regardless if you like burgers seek out Hot Buns.

Cafe Paludan - Tucked away down a side street and resembling a library inside was this cafe. We dined on sandwiches so large and yummy that I needed a doggy bag. The board games were a fun addition to help wile away some time.

SHOP

Stroget - This is the main shopping street housing all those high street favourites you'll find back home such as H&M, Topshop and Zara. Globalisation at it's finest. Use this street as a navigation point but search the surrounding area for more unique shops.

Acne Archive - The main Acne store resembles the red room in Twin Peaks and I loved it. The staff were super friendly and pointed us in the direction of the Acne sample shop, a 20 minute walk north of the main town past some beautiful lakes. The store is tiny but is well worth the trip as the discounts are hearty (at least 50% off) and the rails are full of last season stock and one off runway pieces. The boyfriend and I were suitably impressed.

HAY - The boyfriend and I love the Danish designs of Hay. We recently acquired the modular sofa; we have tea towels, stationary, cushions...it's fair to say that when department store Liberty recently opened a concession we were there salivating and stroking things. So it was with great happiness that we wandered around the flagship store wanting to buy more things for our home.

VISIT

Design Museum - If you love Danish furniture and design this museum is a must visit. The cafe has some yummy offerings and the gift shop has a great selection of greeting cards and jewellery.

Citadel - Having exhausted all of our to do list in a day or so we were clutching at straws at how to kill time so meandered to the Citadel. It was beautiful. Lots of green grass, meadow flowers, swans in the lakes, statues, trees in blossom. The boyfriend got excited as lots of runners were zooming around and he joined them that evening. A very pleasant surprise.

The Little Mermaid - Close to the Citadel is one of Copenhagen's main tourist attractions, The Little Mermaid. It's a brass statue sitting on a rock in the sea, the story behind it is pleasant. It's worth going to visit just to say you've been but more importantly to marvel at the hoards of tourists clambering over themselves to get a picture with it leaving you wondering what they are going to do with that picture.

Rundetaarn - Another place we had no intention of visiting but was actually good was this 17th century round tower in the centre of Copenhagen. If you're not very mobile it isn't for you as getting to the top involves a step climb up a cobbled incline. The views from the top show Copenhagen in all it's prettiness and there's a great gallery space halfway up with the most beautiful light wood floors. I wanted to live there!

Statens Museum for Kunst - A great freebie museum housing mainly Danish and some international artworks through the centuries. Definitely worth a stroll around. 

Maybe I've been too harsh on Copenhagen, it was a lovely little city. I sometimes think that I'm spoilt living in London. So don't take my word for it, go visit.