OOTD: Keep Cool

Top* – Persun | Slip Dress – Primark | Bag – Zara | Sandals* – Fitflop | Sunglasses* – Playn
 
It hasn’t exactly been easy in this heatwave, trying to figure out which items of clothing won’t leave me melting into a puddle. I do however have a few items I know I can rely on to keep me cool and stylish. Well, as stylish as I’m going to get anyway.
My number one favourite item right now is my little black slip dress from Primark. You’re probably wondering why on earth I would even consider black in this heat. Honestly I have no better excuse than “…because it goes with everything.” It is a little plain by itself though so I’ve been layering it with loose fitting/cotton tees, to add a bit of dimension to my outfits. Of course sandals are a must in this heat, as are sunglasses so I’ve entrusted both of those tasks to two brands I know and love: Fitflop, and Playn Eyewear. As far as accessories go, my watch and my new camera are the only ones I need. However I do need something to carry a heavy DSLR around in, so I opted for my Zara backpack.
I’ve been hanging in there and thankfully I haven’t combusted just yet. If it wasn’t for loose tops and sandals I think I’d have got that pixie cut I’ve been dreaming of for the past few years and hidden myself away in a cave.
Thanks to Chopstickpanorama for taking my photos.

Wishlist: Beauty Base Perfumes

I’ve always been a sucker for a good perfume. It wasn’t until I moved away to university though that I realised just how big my problem was. I placed each beautifully bottled scent on my shelf, until there was no more space. It was then that I decided I would slim my collection down, only buying a select few perfumes, the kind that I would want to wear everyday. In recent years I’ve done pretty well at keeping that promise to myself. Instead I buy one or two perfumes during the year, whilst trying out mini sample size scents to determine my next purchase. Once a perfume has run out I buy my favourite of the samples. However that doesn’t mean I can’t dream a little, so I’ve put together a wishlist of some old and new favourites from Beauty Base
Vivienne Westwood has some great perfumes, but Boudoir has to be my favourite. Marc Jacobs is another sensible choice, and if the beautifully adorned bottle doesn’t sell it to you, maybe the fruity, floral fragrance will. Speaking of beautiful bottles, I do like my perfumes to look as good as they smell. That’s why Salvatore Ferragamo’s Signorina Eleganza is on the list. Two samples that I’ve almost used up completely in recent months are Dolce by Dolce & Gabanna, and Prada Candy Florale. Both scents are perfectly suited to me and my perfume collection. I may have resigned myself to only buying a couple of bottles of perfume a year, but that doesn’t mean I can’t ask for the others as gifts. 
Source: 1
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This post is in collaboration with Beauty Base, however all views and words are my own.

Review: Canmake Stay-On Balm Rouge Lip Colour #3

Canmake Stay On Balm Rouge Lip Colour in #3 Tiny Sweetpea
Canmake is a brand you may have seen me mention before on the blog. Hailing from Japan, they offer quality cosmetics at high street prices, which has made them one of Japan’s leading make-up brands. I have been using their products for almost 5 years, but I still get excited when I see a new launch. Their Stay-On Balm Rouge intrigued me as it claims to be a moisturising lip balm with a rouge tint and UV protection. Now I don’t know about you, but that ticks all the boxes in what I’m looking for in a lip product. It comes in 8 shades, ranging from pinks, to corals and reds. I have shade #3 Tiny Sweetpea.
Pros:
+ Moisturisng
+ Noticeable tint
+ Applies easily
+ Cute packaging
+ Gloss-like finish

Cons:
– Doesn’t stay on when eating/drinking

Notes:
First off I have to say how impressed I am with the packaging. Canmake’s products are usually packaged nicely, but this one feels as if they’ve put in extra effort. The twist function makes the product seem more expensive, and it gives easy access to the balm. As for the balm itself, I was expecting something slightly sheer as that’s how it looked when swatched. However I found the colour to be quite pigmented and noticeable when I applied it to my lips. It felt very moisturising and not sticky at all. I’ve had dry lips recently, and this didn’t irritate them like some of my other tinted balms. My only complaint would be that it doesn’t stay on long when drinking or eating, but then not many lip products do. Priced at 580円 (around £3.35) I would definitely repurchase it, and I’d even buy more shades to add to my collection. As for being able to purchase it in Europe/US, the price has been hiked up, as is the usual with Japanese beauty products. If you managed to grab this in Asia then go for it! Still, if you’d like to buy it online it averages at around £8 (with shipping), which I would still pay for a replacement, once I’ve used this one. 
You can purchase Canmake’s Stay-On Balm Rouge Lip Colour at Alpha Beauty Store.

Red or Dead – Keep It Cool

Driving through London on the top of a
vintage double decker bus whilst sipping on Pimm’s is my idea of fun.
It becomes all the more exciting when you’re on your way to Red or
Dead’s headquarters, joined by your fellow bloggers. As far as hyping
up events go, RoD have it down to a tee. We arrived to a pink paradise where we
were fed delectable mini treats and watered with refreshing slushies
by Slush Bros. We were then ushered inside for a small talk about the
A/W 14 collection, which is where Creative Director Katie Greenyer told us all about the history
of the brand, and all of the exciting things to come. Red or Dead have managed
to update the brand’s look without losing their sassy, unique vibe.
They’ve created their own trends for the A/W season, but
fashion-conscious people need not worry as the pieces will appeal to
most.

I personally loved all of the
monochrome on offer – always on-trend, always timeless. I know the
inclusion of the two piece sets will keep a lot of bloggers happy,
especially those who were worried that they would have to say goodbye
to them at the end of the Summer. My personal favourite was the striped jumper-skirt combo. The 1950s American high school
inspired pieces called out to my inner vintage vixen (she likes to
make an appearance every now and again)
,
and sent my brain into a coordinating craze. The midi-skirt and
jacket would look amazing with some bright red heels (dare
I say glitter?)
and a beehive.
The shoes and accessories are so perfect that they
could easily make an outfit themselves. No, I’m not encouraging you
all to turn up to your mate’s birthday party sans clothing, holding
the Red or Dead Saturn Clutch (a personal favourite of mine).
I am however encouraging you to think about making a pair of their
brogues, or their vampire clutch bag the point of your outfit.
Basically, the accessories are so on point that you’re going to look
pretty darn cool wearing even the smallest piece of Red or Dead.
Red or
Dead are a brand I remember wearing in the early 2000s. I even had a
pair of the iconic foam wedges, which I wore at any given chance. So
I was pretty excited to find out what the brand had on offer now, and
whether it would suit my current tastes (they’ve changed
quite a bit)
. Luckily I was not
disappointed and I can see myself wearing about 90% of the new
collection. Whereas I won’t be cycling away on their gorgeous bike
anytime soon, I can definitely see a few key pieces (and
most of the accessories)
working
their way into my Autumn-Winter wardrobe.

You
can shop Red or Dead’s A/W 14 collection exclusively at BANK Fashion.
Thank you to V.A for taking the photos of me at the event.

An Alternative Guide to Coffee in East London


Living in East London it seems as though a new coffee shop is popping up every five minutes. With so many cafes vying for your affections it can be a little confusing which one you should visit. There are books out there and even festivals, all hoping to point you in the right direction. So I thought I’d add my two cents and let you know about my favourite coffee spots in East London. The one thing that makes this post stand out from all the others? I can’t drink caffeine. You’re probably sat there with a look of shock on your face, wondering how I can even begin to explain myself. Well I’ve actually come upon some amazing cafes that also offer decaffeinated coffee. In the self-confessed land of coffee snobs, that’s a pretty big feat! It’s also not that easy to find decafe coffee that actually tastes like, well, coffee. Ben is usually in tow too though, and he does drink coffee, so I always end up asking him “Hows’ the coffee?” Boy do I miss coffee!
Anyway, sit back, relax and enjoy my alternative guide to coffee in East London.

Yellow Warbler – Northwold Road, Stoke Newington
YW is new to the world of coffee and to Stoke Newington. It’s off the main high street but that doesn’t mean that it packs any less of a punch. Looking at the menu you wouldn’t expect any decafe, however their table menu would prove you wrong. I ordered a cappuccino and found it to be chocolatey and sweet. Still, it had a genuine coffee taste to it, rather than an artificial flavour like some decafe. The South American street food on offer is also worth a mention, although it is a little on the pricey side.

Brick Lane Coffee – Brick Lane
Whilst you’re browsing the numerous vintage clothing stores on Brick Lane you may find yourself a little thirsty. Luckily, Brick Lane Coffee is smack bang in the middle of all the excitement. Their choice of coffee is impressive, ranging from banana frappes (which are amazing in the current heatwave) to a dirty chai (that’s a chai latte with a shot of espresso). They do also offer decafe and soya milk options for those who may not want to partake though. The coffee ‘alternatives’ are delicious and are definitely worth trying out.

Beyond Retro Cafe – Stoke Newington High St, Dalston
Beyond Retro don’t only cater to vintage loving fashionistas. Their Dalston store also offers somewhere for you to put your feet up after you’ve had a tough day shopping. They offer a variety of coffee-centric drinks, as well as decafe and soya options. The drinks are reasonably priced without forgoing quality. I also love their gluten-free food options, and the free Wi-Fi, of course.

The Hawkhurst Vault – Brick Lane
Ok ok, THV is actually a tea room, but it does also sell coffee. So what better alternative for the non-coffee drinker than tea? That way you and your coffee loving friends can enjoy the best of both worlds. Shhh don’t tell the coffee lovers I mentioned tea.

Ozone Coffee Roasters – Leonard St, Shoreditch
Ozone take coffee pretty seriously, which can be a little daunting for those who don’t drink it regularly. However the surroundings in Ozone’s Shoreditch cafe will definitely put any worries to rest. With two massive floors there’s plenty of space and atmosphere to soak up. I couldn’t see any decafe options on their menu, but I did love their inclusion of hot chocolate – my caffeine-free choice when decafe isn’t around. The chilli hot chocolate is to die for, and their coffee certainly impressed my friends.

Hopefully you’ve enjoyed my mini round-up of the best alternative coffee stops in East London. If you’ve enjoyed it and are still on somewhat of a caffeine high, check out Currys post about the UK’s love for coffee.

House of Fraser – Christmas in July

Christmas…in July!? Yes, it is the unfortunate right of passage that every blogger and journalist must make during the sweltering July heat. It may seem insane, but there’s actually a lot of sense in it. The Christmas months can be a little hectic, but the stores still want to let the press know what will be hitting their shelves for the most wonderful time of the year. Hence ‘Christmas in July’. A month when everyone feels a lot less stressed, and a whole lot warmer. Giving the magazines and blogs plenty of time to prepare their features and own personal wish lists. 
House of Fraser were amongst the few I attended and I was certainly put into the holiday spirit. Christmas trees and stockings lined the hall, whilst waitresses offered us elderberry water and earl grey cookies. As I nibbled away, tiny hedgehog decorations and ornate Biba candles grabbed my attention (and personal affections). The sights, smells and tastes all screamed Christmas. 
I personally love gifting at Christmas, and I certainly have some ideas of what I’ll be putting under the tree this year. Still, it would be silly to say that I didn’t also enjoy browsing House of Frasers offerings for myself. Lulu Guinness always brings something fun and unique to the table, making her items some of the top on my Christmas list. The selection of high-end beauty products and perfumes also called out to me, most notably the Laura Mercier lip glosses, and Guerlain and Valeur Absolue‘s perfumes. 
Previous years saw me avoiding department stores but House of Fraser has changed that. In the past year I’ve found myself more and more drawn to their choice of brands. They’re a store that is keeping up with the times and continues to impress with their products. The variety of items available are enviable, as is the quality. If I had to choose only one store to buy all of my gifts this Christmas, they would win hands down. 

ionFashion Blogger Conference

Walking into a room wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with sassy cats and a pair of high waisted jeans was probably not what you’d expect from someone attending a conference. Luckily for me, this wasn’t a boring business conference, it was the ionFashionUK blogger conference. I was joined by other likeminded bloggers as well as brands and magazines, all of whom were hoping to gain a better insight into the world of blogging.

As this was my first blogger conference I was very eager to get started. I sat down with the lovely Sophie-Anne and Danielle, who were super friendly and kept me chatting until we were all asked to go upstairs. We were then joined by Adora who I attended the Burlesque event with a few weeks ago. It’s always lovely to see old friends and make new ones at the same time. We grabbed front row seats, which promised us that we’d be smack bang in the middle of all the action. My excitement was growing as we were read the line-up for the day; talks by LelaReally ReeFashitectsRosie Glow and Diary Directory. I loved hearing about blogging from their different perspectives, and how some people are making a living from it, but still enjoy it as much as they did when they first started. Later, we were paired with brands to answer questions on the best way to collaborate with bloggers. Being asked how I felt about certain PR moves, and how I prefer to be approached on a collaboration was something I haven’t really been asked before at events. One of the main topics of the day was how bloggers dislike ‘spam requests’. You know, the generic “Dear Blogger, I’ve been looking at your site…” (yeah, I deleted the email at “Dear Blogger”). So you can understand why I thought it was a smart and much needed move towards creating better relationships between bloggers and PRs.
The food also needs a shout-out as it was arguably the cutest I’d seen in a long time, and you know I love my food. I’m talking mini-burgers and pulled pork buns, alongside miniature salmon bagels and cornichons. All washed down with unlimited glasses of prosecco (I promise I only had one). The star of the lunch though was the mouthwatering chocolate brownie, which I still dream of today.

We were promised a day of networking, education and enlightenment, which were certainly fulfilled. My favourite talks of the day were from the very personable Really Ree, and Fashitects – who taught us a thing or two about male style bloggers. I went to learn and be inspired, and I did both, as well as make some new friends and contacts along the way. This may have been my first blogger conference, but it certainly won’t be my last. Who knows, one day it may even be me giving a talk up on that stage.

Thank you to Blueclaw for hosting the event, and to Bay for the photos.