Where did you get that hat?

Hat from TK Max last year, this is the second time I am wearing it. It made its debut one day on a trip to Barry Island but it was just too blustery that it didn't stay on my head for long. It has since been used as a dress up hat for my little cousin. 

I gave it another go today when meeting my mum in town for some lunch. One of the reasons behind my change of heart towards this hat is that since turning 23 I have been a little conscious of those little things that society tells us to do everything in our power to prevent, wrinkles and sun damage. On these sunny days I have been slapping on a SPF (maybe not as high as it should be), the hat adds a little bit more protection. 

My other reasoning for protecting my face is that I tan very easily. I am the darkest skin toned of my family and although I only have a Mediterranean background I do often get asked if I am mixed race. Basically if I tan, I will have to venture out and buy yet another foundation. As if finding a spot on colour match for my normal year round skin tone wasn't hard enough. Lazy? Yes, very much so.

The third reason is that; I love it. I think it goes well with my outfit without making it all about the hat. 

Oh and about that outfit. Dress is from Dresslink. Cheap and perfect for this hot weather we are having. The sleeves give it an extra edge to what would otherwise be a boring grey dress.
Maybe I could be one of those people, you know the kind. A hat person.

Flippy

These pictures have massively highlighted that I need to get my legs out more often, as this year they seem to be rejecting a tan. Today I went to a vintage fair, of which I took no pictures of and zero purchases from. What a pants fashion blogger I am. But nonetheless this is my outfit of the day. Drop waist dress found in the sale in New Look last year, very versatile as I wear this with tights, boots and chunky cardigan in the winter. The kimono adds to this outfit perfectly without being too much of a statement; more info on the kimono in this post here .

Annie x

Birthday suit

These past 2 weeks have been non stop. In the first week it was my birthday. This was the first year that I had to work on my birthday, sign of getting older? Despite it being mid week I did still manage to dress for the occasion, even if it was to overload on the salad bar at Harvester. 

I won these dungarees a few months ago from ebay (originally from River Island). I received them and in true ebay fashion they were faulty; the hem was broken and were massively too long. I sent them to be taken up, the perks of having a seamstress for a nan. I originally intended to wear these with some big block heels however the hem was taken up a little too much. However I can still wear them with flat sandals which will make them more of a wearable item. Despite being black I do think these are a seasonal item, once that rain and wind sets back in these flares won't stand a chance.  

Annie x

Flares

It seems as though I have lost my blogging bug. I have had many an outfit that needed a quick snap however I have just been unable to find the opportunity and of course suitable weather.  

It was my mum and dads 30th wedding anniversary and to celebrate we all went out for a lovely meal. An occasion like this is a great excuse to dress up.

 The sun may be out however my legs are still pastey white so I kept them well hidden in these gorgeous flares. Purchased last year from Primark, £2! They are long, maybe too long but its nothing a great pair of platforms can't adjust. I really think that flares and heels are a natural combo. The two together elongate the legs and lift la derriere.

With the lace top and statement pearl necklace I think it gives an elegant and vintage feel.

My June is turning out to be a busy month with my birthday coming up and a weekend away with the girl Guides group I help run. On that weekend away fashion and dressing like a girl goes out the window; in with thermals and waterproofs.   

Annie x

Dresslink...what do I think?

I've always been curious by these numerous clothing websites that are offering a large selection of clothing, such as: Choies, romwe ect.  The items on these sites are so unique; nothing like what I've seen on the high street. Best of all they are cheap cheap cheap, mainly due to the fact that they are based in china. Due to my disproportionate body I always have to try on clothes so I have always been a little dubious about ordering online. I was drawn to the website dresslink.com by recommendations from numerous bloggers and youtubers. The website sells a range of items; from children's and women's clothing to jewellery and footwear.
Before making my order with dresslink.com, I did my fair share of research. The main point that I picked up on was the sizing. Due to the fact that this is an Asian brand the sizes come up very small.
With each clothing item comes measurements so be sure to look through these, maybe have a measuring tape handy. I am normally a size XS/S however in some of the clothes I purchased a size L. As well as sizing, have a read through of the reviews. These are very handy in telling you about the quality and sizes. 
I waited a good 18 days for my items to arrive. I was a little apprehensive about what to expect as the reviews were such a mixed bag. I can honestly say that I am blown away with the quality of these products. My favourite is the white and blue dress by far.
I will say however everything has arrived within the 18 days; accept for one dress which wasn't included in the parcel. I have read through the term and conditions and it does state that some items may come separately in the post. I have contacted dresslink and hope to get an explanation very soon. If it doesn't turn up then it will really taint my perception of dresslink, which would be a shame as my overall experience has been great.

Dress size L

Butterfly sleeve cotton dress
Size M

 Striped 3/4 sleeve top 
Size M

Size M

 

Leaf and coin necklace 

Annie x

Colour me in

When I was three years old, I started dancing. For our shows we had to wear a customary bright blue eyeshadow lid, rosy red cheeks and a bright red lip. To top it all off, the night before hair would be put into rags or rollers for a miraculously ringletty mound of hair the next day . 

Years later after muting my makeup down to simple nudes and straightening my hair it seems this look may be making a come back. It is true, I am embracing my natural curls and even turning to a curling wand for extra volume and yes I do sport a red or bold lip from time to time; but coloured eyeshadow? Could it ever sit comfortably back into my life without me donning tap shoes and singing songs about rainbows/stars/babies/calendar girls ect.  

I have a whole Urban Decay palette with beautiful colours that I just never use. I love makeup and will use any excuse to buy and experiment with it however there are only so many shades of cream, brown and black that I could possibly use.
So I'm branching out with a little colour here and there. As well as eyeshadow I have also experimented with coloured eyeliners, I go ahead and paint on a black eyeliner (liquid or gel) and then just above add a line of colour with either one of the two pencils listed below.
I have started small, the little Natural Collection eyeshadow pots and the new revlon single eyeshadows are a cheap and easy way to experiment without braking the bank.

Urban Decay pallete: Book of shadows

Natural Collection eyeshadows: Spring green and Moss shimmer

Revlon eyeshadow: Plum

Seventeen kohl eye pencil: Plum

MUA Eye liner: Forest Green

Annie x

Grunge

With my new short hair I'm feeling a little edgy in my dressing today. Completely going against my comment in this post saying that I am going to be wearing more colour; maybe in the next post I will wear all the colours of the rainbow to compensate.

Today I had to return some black and white gingham jeans to Primark. I loved them however the size 8 were perfect on the legs but didn't fit my waist. My body shape just seems to go against most stores measuring systems. So today I am going for the trusty stretchy tube skirt. I not going into battle with any item of clothing that is not elasticated; one of those day.  

 Todays blog guest: My little (massively taller than me) brother has taken a brake from his GCSE revision to try his hand at modelling.

Annie x