Darcey Bussell's Looking for Audrey


As you can tell by the title of my blog, I'm a huge fan of Audrey Hepburn - her style, her elegance, her inner and outer beauty. When I noticed a BBC One programme titled 'Darcey Bussell's Looking for Audrey' on the TV Guide, I knew I was in for a treat. I wasn't aware of the celebrity presenter Darcey Bussell, however I've been told she's a retired ballerina who now sits on the judging panel of Strictly Come Dancing. The episode is an hour long and can be watched on the BBC One website here. Darcey is a fantastic presenter of this programme; you can tell how passionate she is and how much Audrey inspires her - as a dancer and an icon. The show spans a timeline of Audrey's life - from her birth in Belgium, her time in an English boarding school, the poverty in wartime Holland and eventually her ballet and Hollywood career. I found it extremely interesting to learn about her life, as most of us don't know about the hardships she faced as a child or her troubled relationship with her father. 


On a more positive note,the show also looked into the glamorous life Audrey led; the Givenchy dress she wore in Breakfast at Tiffany's sold for £410,000 and the sunglasses were made by Oliver Goldsmith. Darcey is also given a makeover by Audrey's Italian makeup artist Nilo Jacoponi who uses individual fake eyelashes to create the 'doe-eyed' youthful Audrey look. 


In her later life, Audrey was a Goodwill Ambassador for Unicef and the footage of her visiting Somalia is so inspiring. You can tell that Audrey is an icon not only style-wise but also for her willingness to put others before herself. The show is really enjoyable and even brought a tear to my eye when her timeline came to an end. A must-watch for any Audrey fan.





Have you heard of this show? Would you watch this sort of TV show?
I hope you have a lovely NYE

xxx 

2014 Beauty Favourites

It's nearly the end of 2014, I hope you've had a fantastic year and a lovely Christmas! As one of my last posts for this calendar year I thought I'd do a beauty roundup of my favorite products - ones I've repurchased time and time again. I've been really lucky this year Christmas presents wise so keep a lookout for a few beauty reviews in the near future alongside my fashion posts. 



1. YSL Touche Éclat

The holy grail of under eye highlighters, I use this on special occasions or when I'm looking noticeably tired. This is my third touche eclat so far and I'm sure it won't be the last! 

2. L'Oréal False Lash Telescopic Mascara 
This mascara is amazing for length and volume - a true winner in my eyes! The most important thing, however, is that it doesn't flake. I also love the Volume Million Lashes mascara but I feel that the telescopic one has a more subtle effect. 

3. MAC Creme Cup
The perfect pinky nude lip colour, I couldn't live without it. The cremesheen formula is beautiful and has a lovely vanilla scent. 

4. Max Factor Colour Elixir Lipstick Ruby Tuesday

I bought Ruby Tuesday a while ago but it's only recently that I've truly embraced wearing red lip colour. It's a really great formula and the only red you'll need in your makeup bag.



5. Essie Russian Roulette

I love Essie polishes and I've been wearing Russian Roulette all Christmas. Big fan.

6. Real Techniques Expert Face Brush

I won't be the first blogger to rave about the RT Expert Face brush and there are many more in-depth reviews you can read online but my tagline for this product would be 'blending foundation perfectly and effortlessly'. I've even bought one for my mum. 

7. Stila In the Light Palette

This is not a new purchase but an everyday essential. The eyeshadows are a gorgeous consistency and the champagne shade 'Kitten' is a cult beauty classic. 


8.  Clarins Mineral Mono Eyeshadow Silver Green
This little palette was a promotional free gift however the shadows can be bought separately. Silver Green looks fantastic on its own with black liquid eyeliner. 


9. L'Occitane Almond Hand Cream

There is no competition for this hand cream. It's perfect for sensitive skin and feels very luxurious. 

10. Bourjois Liner Pinceau Liquid Eyeliner
Finally, this liquid eyeliner from Bourjois is my favourite one from the UK drugstore and I've tried a fair few! It's easy to apply and easy to remove if you make mistakes in a hurry - trust me I've been there! Unfortunately I don't have a photo of this at the moment as I've left it at uni but check it out online!


What are your favourite beauty products from 2014?

xxx

OOTN: Christmas Eve Eve Party

Happy Christmas Eve everyone! I hope you've been enjoying the holidays and having a few well deserved glasses of mulled wine! I went out last night with some college friends for a meal and a few drinks in town which was so much fun. It was also the perfect excuse to wear my new green satin Topshop dress - it's been sat in my wardrobe for a week longing to paint the town red.



What are your plans for Christmas Eve? I'll be watching The Holiday by the fire with my family and the cat!

xxx

NYE Outifts: My High Street Picks Under £30

You may have sorted your Christmas dress (if not, check out my previous post here) but that doesn't mean there's a lack of excuses to lust after new party outfits for your wardrobe. New Year's Eve isn't that long away and we all know that NYE means cocktail parties, house parties, restaurant outings and family gettogethers. That warrants a new outfit, right? But don't worry, these high street picks promise to make you look fabulous without breaking the bank - guilt free shopping at its best. The trends I'm drawn to at the moment are lace, velvet and sparkles but I can't not mention how stunning the fuschia dress with the sweetheart neckline - I think it's love. 


Do you like any of my picks? What are your plans for NYE?

xxx

High End Beauty Wish List

There have been so many stunning new product launches in the beauty world recently and as a result I've been lusting after some new products for my beauty collection. These are my favourite new products so far, I'll be looking back at this list after Christmas for some shopping inspiration! 

1. L'Occitane Festive Treats Collection. This set is retailing for £30 but I'm not sure the miniatures are quite worth that! The best way to get hold of this set is to buy it in conjunction with other products and it's just £15. The set is absolutely gorgeous and includes samples of brand favourites such as the Almond Hand cream, the Divine cream, the almond shower oil, a 15ml perfume sample, the almond shower oil, a body cream and a body polish. It's high up on my Christmas list and would be a great gift for any girl who loves a pamper session.


 2. Smashbox On the Rocks Eyeshadow Palette, £29. It's very unusual that I get this excited about eyeshadows. I've had my precious Stila In the Light palette for 3 years now and I feel like I'm cheating on it by looking at other sets but this is an exception. I feel no guilt. This palette is perfect for those crazy Christmas parties and I've heard only good things about the Smashbox brand. 


  
3. OPI Gwen Stefani Holiday Collection, 'I carol about you', around £12. This colour is perfect for A/W, I'm obsessed with plum tones, however these shades can still be worn in the spring to add a luxury vibe to plain outfits.




4. Lush American Cream Conditioner, £4.50 100g, £8.95 250g.  This isn't a new product launch but an all time classic Lush favourite. I promise I'm not sponsored by Lush but I've heard amazing things about this conditioner and who doesn't love Strawberries and Cream? I've read that my recently purchased I Love Juicy shampoo can be a bit stripping on the hair after a while and you need to use a thick, moisturising conditioner afterwards. As much as I love the Aussie 3 minute miracle conditioning treatment, it's time for something new!
  
5. Clarins Cleansing Vanity for Combination to Oily Skin, £22. I swear by Clarins skincare and this set is amazing value, considering the cleanser and toner are sold for around £19 each. There is also a version for normal to dry skin. Both sets also come with a bag and an eye makeup remover.


Do you like any of the products on my wish list?

xxx


#NextmasWishlist - An Audrey inspired NYE outfit

I had a really nice surprise yesterday in finding out that I'm going to be working at my local Next for a few days over Christmas during the sales period. I've always been a fan of Next and when I also discovered the #NextmasWishlist competition, I very quickly rushed to the Next website to pick out a few favourites from the Christmas collection. These five items are all Next own brand and under £30. I chose items which would be perfect as gifts separately but would also create a beautiful Audrey-esque New Year's Eve party outfit when put together. 



1. The beautiful embellished neck shell top is classically elegant and can be worn all year round. I love the cut and style of this piece and it would be flattering on lots of different body shapes. I picked the white version of this top because it's a versatile colour and I'm forever wearing monochrome.  

2. The Swarovski Crystals for Next collection is stunning, I'd recommend having a look because the prices range from £12-24. This outfit wouldn't need a necklace but the earrings are a subtle way to add a bit of glamour to a party outfit.


3. I've been on the lookout for a high quality black pleated skirt for a long time and this midi length printed pleated skirt is perfect because it can be dressed up for a formal event but also dressed down for the office or even casual wear. 


4. The Silver Ace Playing Card Box Clutch Bag caught my eye immediately because it reminds me of Alice in Wonderland. It's a nice way to add a little quirkiness to an outfit without going OTT.


5. Finally, I'm a big fan of the shoes department at Next. They offer half sizes which is a rarity in my experience and the comfort is always incredible. I'm not really a "heels girl" so these Sparkle Bow Slingbacks add a sprinkle of glitter instead of adding height. Audrey would be impressed with these slingbacks!



I hope you enjoyed this post! It's my first "brand post" but all opinions are my own. 

Would you wear this outfit? What would be on your #NextmasWishlist?


xxx  

Christmas Luxury Haul - Topshop, L'Occitane, The Body Shop


Christmas is a time when I sort of forget my 'broke student' status and buy products that are a little more luxurious. This year I've been obsessed with Christmas wrapping paper and this gorgeous black glitter roll from Paperchase is the most beautiful pattern I've ever seen. Granted, using it has been a bit of a nightmare - the glitter goes everywhere in sight - but the end result is totally worth it. Similarly, I've been completely drawn into the Lush hype after years of not quite understanding all the fuss. This shampoo is called 'I Love Juicy' and it smells like a tropical fruit salad which I love. Look out for a Lush Wishlist coming very soon! The Frosted Cranberry Set from the Body Shop is a gift for my mum and the tin is as much of a gift as the goodies inside - it was £15 and includes a shower gel, a body butter, a body polish and a 'bath lily'. A great gift idea for any bath lover. In addition to this, The Body Shop have teamed up with the children's charity 'War Child' and for every gift you buy from them, a child affected by war is able to take a class in education. I think this idea is brilliant and is yet another reason to buy your Christmas gifts there.


The L'Occitane mini hand cream set was a gift from the Harrogate store after signing up to their mailing list and spending over £15. The set includes 10ml samples of the Shea butter handcream, the Arlesienne scent and the Rose scent. Unfortunately I can't find the set nline so I'd recommend going into your local L'Occitane store to get the best deals - the staff are always very helpful! On the left there is the No7 Beautifully Matte foundation, it's my go-to foundation and I use the shade Cool Ivory. Paying full price without a Boots voucher certainly makes the product feel like a luxury product as it retails at £13.50; in future I'm going to stock up when there are No7 promotions!





Finally, this beautiful forest green Topshop dress has earned its way into my wardrobe, an OOTN will be coming soon!


What did you think of this haul? Did you like anything I bought? :)

xxx

(This post was not sponsored, any gifts from brands are clearly marked with a * )

Christmas Jumpers: My High Street Picks


One of my favourite things about Christmas has to be festive jumpers! Whether it's santa print, reindeer print, fairisle or cutesy slogans, I'm a fan. However, when it comes to wearing Christmas jumpers in public, there's a fine line between winter chic and festive disaster. My personal golden rule is to pick a jumper style I would normally wear which also has a subtle Christmas element to it. Don't get me wrong, I love the OTT jumpers too, I just personally wouldn't wear them out of the house - I'm not quite brave enough to wear a 'Mrs Claus' print jumper out and about just yet. These are my 5 top picks from the UK high street. 

1. This snowflake patterned jumper from Asos caught my eye immediately. The snowflake print and fluffy texture make it the perfect addition to your winter wardrobe. 




2. I'll admit my mum actually bought this jumper last week but I'm very jealous she found it first. The fairisle print is beautiful and Oasis quality have always been excellent in my experience.




3. Although I wish Topshop stocked this design in other colours too, I still think this Christmas tree jumper is a great design. The sequinned Christmas trees are stylish without being over the top and I'd happily wear this around town. 




4. Again, this New Look jumper design isn't exactly subtle but I couldn't resist including it! The price is fantastic and would look great with red lipstick and skinny jeans. 


5. Finally, this gorgeous grey reindeer jumper from River Island is a winner for me. The casual style means it'll suit a variety of body shapes and the grey tone will look good on anyone!





I hope you enjoyed this post and have a great week. I've been a bit quiet on the blogging front recently due to laptop issues and moving back home for the Christmas break but I'm determined to start blogging more regularly this month. 

Are you a fan of Christmas jumpers? Which one is your favourite?

xxx

Birmingham Christmas Markets

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Birmingham. The annual Frankfurt Christmas Markets are in full swing and there's everything from Lebkuchen to little glass figurines. As a lover of all things German it was really fun to tell my boyfriend about all the different Christmas traditions in Germany - he was definitely a fan of the Glühwein! My photos are only a small glimpse of our trip but you get the idea. My favourite stalls were the ones selling cute little candle holders, chocolate covered strawberries and flavoured coffee! If you have the chance to go to a similar event, I'd recommend going on an evening as the Christmas lights really add to the experience!  






I hope you enjoyed this post! As much as I love writing fashion posts it's nice to mix it up every now and again. 

Have you been to a Christmas Markets yet?

xxx

Blogger Meetup and Lush Haul

Last Friday I was lucky enough to attend a blogger meetup hosted by the lovely Emily from Drained Beauty. It was held at one of the Lush stores near me and it was an amazing opportunity to see the new Christmas range, meet some local bloggers and learn more about the Lush message. I've always admired the values at Lush but I hadn't had the chance to try out too many of the products - I was like a child in a sweet shop! Everything at Lush smells divine and the staff were very helpful and knowledgeable about the product ingredients and skin care benefits.  






From the Christmas line, I loved the look of the 'Holly Golightly' Bubble Bar (surprise, surprise) and the 'Melting Snowman' bath bomb so I'll definitely be going back to Lush a little closer to Christmas to buy these - along with many other of their products! I had no idea that Lush stock everything from shampoo bars to toothpaste - it's incredible.


This is what I cam home with!




After the in-store demonstrations and bath-bomb making session, we had some shopping time where I bought the 'Snow Fairy' shower gel, the 'Joy to the World' gift set and a 10g pot of the 'Lush Charity Pot'. The 'Buche de Noel' face and body scrub and the 'Reindeer Rock' soap were kindly given as free samples and I can't wait to try them out! I made the 'Cinders' bath bomb myself which was a really fun experience.



This final photo is the gift bag given by The Blogger Programme which I was delighted to receive. I especially love the Crabtree & Evelyn Hand cream; it now lives in my uni bag! 


Are you a fan of Lush? Is there a product you'd like to try from their Christmas range? I'm planning on writing a Lush Wish List as a result from this event so keep an eye out on Twitter and Bloglovin!

xxx

Christmas Dresses: My High Street Picks

Christmas party season is just around the corner and nothing motivates me to work more than the thought of a new Christmas outfit. I don't have anything planned so far but it's always good to be prepared, right? There's nothing worse than being invited out at the last minute and having nothing to wear. This year, my favourite seasonal party styles are velvet, sequins and rose gold. I'll admit, these styles aren't exactly radical but they are truly classically 'Christmas' and they come back into fashion year after year for a reason. The 'My High Street Picks' series has now become one of my favourite types of posts to write and readers seem to enjoy them so please comment if you have any thoughts about it.  

1. How beautiful is this dark purple velvet and lace number? As seen on the model it can be dressed down with a hat and chunky boots but it can look equally sophisticated with heels and a clutch. The brand is Oh My Love which can also be purchased on the Topshop website. 

slide 1



2. I fell in love with this dress as soon as I saw it and the price is amazing! New Look are really killing it with their Christmas formal wear this year. 



3. Again from New Look but in the Premium range, this stunning sequinned dress would be perfect for any Christmas party. I'd tone down the accessories though and stick to black heels, smokey eyes and neutral lips to give the dress the attention it deserves!

Burgundy Premium Sequin Embellished V Neck Cami Dress  | New Look



4. Yes there's more velvet. No I'm not sorry. I spotted this navy velvet dress on Asos and I love the silhouette style - it's very Audrey Hepburn. 

Image 1 of Jack Wills Collingam Velvet Dress


5. Finally, leaving my favourite until last, this Miss Selfridge dress is probably one of the most beautiful dresses I've ever seen. The design reminds me of The Great Gatsby so if you have a themed Christmas party whether it be Gatsby, the Oscars or Hollywood, this is the dress for you.  


Silver Megan Bodycon Dress


I hope you enjoyed my 5 High Street Picks for Christmas dresses. I'm aware there's quite a range in prices but the idea is that there's something for everyone!

Do you have any Christmas parties coming up? Which dress was your favourite? 

xxx