The Outfit Post | Not A Granny Skirt

I feel I need to explain the title - basically my lovely boyfriend is of the opinion that this is a "granny skirt". Well, we all know how fashionable he is now don't we. Anywho, I fell in love with this skirt. The shape, the colours, just the idea behind it. So comfy to wear and you can either dress it up or down - I have no doubt you'll be seeing a dressed up version at some point.

Here I have popped it with a baggy jumper, tucked in at the front and some little pumps. These pumps I got in the Ugg sale for £35 - reduced from £80, bargain! I love them. They have a memory sole and the classic ugg sheeps wool on the back heel so no rubbing. So comfortable and again, love the colour. I also can't believe I've never featured this jumper before. I got it last Christmas (?) and I love it. The colour (hello navy) and the gems. It's slouchy and o so comfy.

I have also got this skirt in a gorgeous red tartan - in the sale yay for £15 I might add. I will definitely be looking to get more of them, in lots of different patterms. So beware boyf - it's the return of the 'granny' skirt - or as I like the call it, the uber flattering comfy gorgeous pencil skirt.

Jumper: Topshop (old) | Skirt: Topshop | Shoes: Ugg | Necklace: Topshop |

How would you style this skirt? Are you loving the return of the pencil skirt?

The Review | Revlon Color Burst Matte Balm

Is it just me or do all my reviews seem to be centered around lip products these past couple of weeks? Whoops. Anywho, if you don't know what these are then where have you been? It's a new launch from Revlon to go with their previous Just Bitten Balm Stains (which have also been repackaged, renamed and rereleased). I picked up three of their new Colour Burst Matte Balms as I wanted to try a crayon that was a tad different. All the others that have been released since Clinique's Chubby Sticks have been glossy, sheer sticks with a touch of colour. So when I heard there were matte ones coming out? Well that went straight in the diary. Revlon are 3 for 2 at the moment so I picked up the three shades that really caught my eye. 

The top one is Audacious, a brave vibrant orange - not a colour I would usually reach for I must admit but I saw it on Emma Stone in the advert and I had to have it. It's a very warming orange and one I will reach for more in the summer. 

Next we have Elusive, your typical everyday my lips but better shade. A blue toned dusky pink that gives your lips the illusion of colour and health. This has been the one I've used the most since picking them up for work etc.

Finally we have Unapologetic, and oh my gosh is this gorgeous. It's a beauty raspberry pink that is warm in tone and just plain yum. When I'm not at work this has been working its way onto my lips not questions asked.

In terms of formula, unlike other matte lip products, these are really silky to apply and then mattify when left on the lips for a minute. Lasting time is great, as with most matte products, I'd say a good four hours (depending on food and drink) and the colour payoff is amazing compared to a lot of other lip crayons. The finish is definitely matte, but it has quite a satin effect as well I've found - it doesn't look dry or chalky which I love. Also, it isn't drying in the slightest like other matte lip products. 

Overall these get a huge thumbs up from me. I love them and they have been living on my lips since purchase. I love the minty freshness to them as well, yum. You can get them for £7.99 here from Boots where they are (at time of publishing) 3 for 2 - so no excuses not to pick some up! Go go go!

What colour would you pick from the new range?

The How To | Sleek Straight Bob

I had my first little go at Space NK the other week - exciting! I found this set for £15 in the sale, bargain! Bumble and Bumble is a brand that I've coveted for ages, especially since I've had my hair cut short. When I saw the blow dry serum I had to have it. I really struggle where my hair is shorter to make it sleek, without frizz and just nice. 

So, having used this a couple of times I thought I would pop together a simple "how to" for a straight and sleek bob. 

1 |

Wash your hair as normal, I don't use a specific straight or sleek version, I actually use good old Head and Shoulders shampoo with an Aussie conditioner. Both specifically for coloured hair.

2 | 

Wrap hair in towel, like a turban, and leave it up for around fifteen minutes to let a lot of the excess water drain off. Then give it a very rough towel dry to stop any dripping.

3 |

Brush is out to your normal parting and get rid of any knots or tangles. I use a flat head brush as it leaves it more sleek and smooth.

4 | 

Spray Bumble and Bumble Thickening Hairspray into the roots, massage in. Do this in different layers to get as much exposure as you can. Then, put Bumble and Bumble Straight Blow Dry through the mid lengths and ends, brush it all through.

5 |

Section hair off and blow dry. I use a flat head brush again and just bring the hairdrying down onto the brush and pull out. The Thickening Spray acts as a heat protector so you don't have to worry about that, but obviously you can add your own if you feel it's needed. Do this until your hair is dry.

6 |

Then run your straighteners through the midlengths and ends of your hair just to make sure it stays nice and straight.

That's it! I love this set, especially the Straight Blow Dry serum, it's actually genius. You can buy the hair spray here and the blow dry serum here. 

How do you get sleek and straight hair?

The Mani | Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

Not going to lie, todays post was originally meant to feature the Naked 3 Palette and some looks from it, however, my camera was annoying me and didn't take the kinds of pictures I wanted - so I had to make a quick substitute and settled on a Mani post. I picked this up at the weekend and had to post about it ASAP. This is bloody incredible. Excuse my French.

Now, I'm not really one for top coats as I think it just prolongs the entire process of nail painting - so I tend to avoid if I can. However, I've seen this EVERYWHERE on the blogosphere so when I spotted it in my local Boots it ended up in my basket. Funny how that happens eh?

I wanted to try it asap, so I popped on some new polish, then coated this on the top. Within a matter of seconds it was dry. Not even joking/exaggerating. I kept touching my nail like "what the.." It really did surprise/impress me. I don't know the science or anything behind it, all I know is this has changed the way I paint my nails forever. Couple of coats of polish, slick of Seche Vite and out the door I go! Absolute bloody miracle.

Okay, I am in major gush mode so I apologise. Either way I would highly recommend this to anyone who needs a top coat. At £9 it is a tad pricey for a top coat (I didn't look at the price when I bought it opps) but it does the job so I don't mind paying it. You can get it from Boots here or obviously in your local store.

Have you tried this little miracle product?

The Life Post | Blogger Organised

So it's a nearly the end of January (um, how?) so I thought I would pop up a little post about how I've been getting my butt in gear and organising my blogging life. I work full time, like a lot of bloggers, which means organising and scheduling are key. Sorting my time accordingly takes time and I need to think ahead about what I'm going to post 90% of the time. November and December I struggled with this, but I'm back baby and this time I come armed and dangerous. Well...

I schedule my posts all the time, I work full time so it's just not a maybe thing for me, I have to. But this month I've been super organised and got myself a monthly planner to help sort my life out. I spend my Sundays taking hundreds of photos for the weeks ahead and then spend the afternoon sat at my desk writing - so it's nice to have a plan of what I plan to take pictures of. This planner is from the Martha Stewart range over at Staples and was just under £6, it has a sticky back so you can attach it to the wall, but can peel off and move around as you wish as well. Very handy!

I've also started putting my posts into different categories, just to make sure I don't do too much of one thing and bore everyone. At the moment we have, 'The Review', 'The Outfit', 'The Life Post', 'The How To', 'The Face' and 'Insta-Outfit". I love writing my blog and I'm very committed to growing it this year and making it the best it can be for its readers, and myself. I also like to post everyday, I know this isn't for some people - but I love going onto a blog and seeing a new post so why shouldn't I incorporate that into my own blog? Exactly. It probably won't last, and of course I will have days when I don't post, but for me I want to make sure I do Monday - Friday at least. 

I'm hoping you like the blog (if you've read this far I'm sure you do) and I will definitely be popping up a blogging/full time job tips post soon.

How do you organise your blog?