ONA Bag

If you saw my 'Wanted this week' last week you would have noticed it was the ONA CAMERA BAG I was hoping for as part of my 21st birthday present. Well, my wishes came true and the beautiful said bag is on it's way to me!! That being said, there is an 8 week wait so I do have to hang on for a while, but it will sooo be worth it!!!


I really struggled trying to find a 'trendy' camera bag for the camera I got for my birthday and this was the only site I came across that was making really lovely, aesthetically pleasing designs. The only downside is the fact they are shipped from America so you do have to pay postage and the wait for the bags is up to 8 weeks! I would definitely recommend anyone looking for a camera bag to check this site out though!!! While searching for a suitable bag I definitely noticed a gap in the market for anyone who fancies designing some good quality stylish bags - any designers out there?!


The bag I have on it's way is the Chestnut brown 'Brooklyn' style, this is a shoulder bag however ONA do have lots of different colours and style variations two of which I have included below. They do bags for both men and women in backpack styles (suitable for laptops also) and messenger bags. The prices are around the $300 mark however the bags are of exceptional quality and will inevitably last a life time. 300 dollars is around the £190 mark and then you pay for shipping on top.


What do you all think?!

Trends

WANTED....

... it feels to me like it's that awkward time of year when the sun occasionally shines giving you that glimmer of hope you can dust your sandals off and get your ray ban's out. Well living in this current climate we know the bits of sun we see don't often last. One minute it can be sunny, the next snowing... so it seems today anyway! So this got me thinking, it's the time of year you need items that can be worn different ways. The items below I feel are quite transferable; minus the sandals - I only advise these be worn in sunny weather, I do not want to be held responsible for frozen paws ;)!!


The Topshop brogues are something I have be lusting after every since I spotted them on the topshop website the other night, I am literally so close to clicking the 'order' button. I think they are perfect, such neutral colours so will go with anything, could be dressed up with a little dress or more casual with the jeans pictured below!


COS is a brand I have blogged about once before, I literally adore everything they create. They are a Swedish brand in the same group as H&M but at a slightly higher price bracket. They do such lovely accessories and this blue bracelet would be perfect for a simple outfit you wanted to add a little detail to.


So if you are someone who knows me you would know I have a real 'thing' for nautical stripes - I could literally wear a striped top every single day... well, maybe. I think it is a staple peice in that you can wear it casually, in the summer, in the winter, dress it up, wear it with jeans, wear it with converse... the list is endless. Therefore a stripe top is included in this moodboard I have created. This particular top is from COS however you can pick up really cheap versions for about £6 in H&M (I know this as whenever I see one I buy it - crazy I know). 


The jeans are also by COS and are such a staple piece, everyone needs a good pair of jeans, in my opinion these are quite casual but going with the winter/summer look they could be rolled up in the warmer months worn with the ASOS sandals or kept down with the Topshop Brogues on the cooler days.


This TOAST bag I actually purchased a few weeks ago and it has not left my side since. Being in university I have to lug my laptop around with me almost everywhere I go so this bag has proved a huge success. It is a lovely autumnal colour so perfect for this time of year but also very neutral so will go with anything!!


Finally... I realise I have been a bit 'COS heavy' in this post, I bring to you a beautiful pair of COS black boots. Absolute classics, cannot go wrong - however are a bit pricey. An investment though... right?!


Hope you enjoy, this is my first real 'trends' post I have attempted so apologies if it isn't as inspiring as others!! All links are included below :)


xo


1. Topshop KOAST CONTRAST BROGUES
2. COS BEADED BRACELET
3. COS STRIPED 3/4 SLEEVED TOP
4. COS BLEACH DIPPED JEANS
5. TOAST 100 PERCENT ORGANIC BAG
6. ASOS ASOS FLUTTER Flat Leather Sandals with Buckle Detail
7. COS CUFF DETAIL BOOT

Memory Lane

My Saturday this week was lovely. I did have work, only for 7 hours which was fine. I then went for a meal with my best friend, Sarah. We ate at 'Ask' in the centre of town and had a delicious meal and a cheeky glass of wine. I then went back to my parents house where I sat for 3 hours looking through a box of old photos - it was so much fun!!!! I have included a handful of the photos below for you all to have a giggle at. It is my brother 18th birthday in a few weeks so I have a few good'uns I will be able to use for his birthday card! Today was not so fun however, I've been working on my dissertation for what feels like a lifetime, it's sunday though - who does work on a sunday heyy!!!


Hope you have all had a lovely weekend!


p.s can you tell i am such a 90's kid?!


xo

Neil

Bit of a random one today.... but this is Neil, he is the best cat ever!


xo

 6 pictures of Neil, bit extreme hey!

Odette New York

Whilst trawling though my daily blog reads I came across this beautiful jewellery collection. It can be found HERE! 

The website states, 

"Odette New York is a Brooklyn-based jewelry line inspired by organic and industrial shapes, natural specimens, uncommon artifacts, and primitive forms; made using ancient and modern wax carving techniques and hand fabrication."

The pricing I found to be very reasonable however based in New York means they operate in US dollars which is a slight downside. There are other websites that stock this brand of jewellery however so it's worth having a look online!

What do you all think?!

xo

Voyage à Paris

Today I head off to London where I will get the train to Paris. It is all very exciting but scary at the same time. I will be attending the 'Who's Next' trade show which is where fashion industry professionals choose and look about at the stock that will be out in the next season. So buyers go along and decide which collections they will have in their shops whether they're small independent retailers or department stores. This is all very new to me so I am really looking forward to it but also apprehensive as to how it will turn out. As I graduate in a few months I am trying to keep my options open as to where I go next. One potential idea is to open a small boutique where I live in Cardiff, another is to go into the 'Buying' area of fashion. Whichever I decide events like trade shows are very helpful and are good to give you a look at what I could potentially be doing very soon! Anyway I shall try and take lots of pictures and upload them all when i'm back. 


Have a lovely weekend.... or as the french would say J'espere que tu passe un bon week-end... I think!


xo

Girl got specs.

I finally got glasses, I have been suffering with really bad headaches as I spend about 14 hours a day at my laptop so was given a prescription. I opted for a pair of Ray Ban's so am currently sporting the 'geeky' look. Let's just help the headaches hold off!!!


xo

Big 21

So today was my birthday, I am officially 21 years old. Quite scary really, although currently feeling no different to being 20. I had the most lovely day, the celebrations started last night with drinks and a meal with my university girls who I live with and my parents and brother. Then today had lots of lovely presents and went for another meal this evening. Currently feeling very spoilt so one very happy lady :) I got the camera I have been after for a very long time so expect to see lots of pictures hopefully of a lot better quality than my previous uploads!!!


xo

19th January 2012.

Liz Earle

I did it, I gave in. My first purchase of something that has been influenced by another blog. I am very new to this blogging world but since I have been following Viviannadoesmakeup there have been so many items I just want to go out and purchase. These two Liz Earle products are extremely popular at the moment particularly on the blogging scene. I have to admit I am not much of a skin care kinda gal, but saying that I think I may have been converted. I bought this about 2 weeks ago now so have given it a good go and it is safe to say i LOVE it! It is so smooth and silky on the skin. The scent is just amazing, it smells so fresh and you really feel like you are doing good to your skin. Before my skin care routine morning and night was simply make up wipes, then some Origins moisturiser. I am now quite fussy, I will face wipe first I have found baby wipes are actually really good and a lot cheaper but any face wipe really. I then moisturise the 'Hot cloth cleanser' into the skin, I then rub my face with one of the Liz Earle Muslin cloths with warm water. Once I have done this I quickly rinse the face with warm tap water. I then apply the 'Skin tonic' which is a bit like a toner and leaves the face feeling so fresh and rejuvenated - I just use a cotton pad. And then my final step is my Origins Vitazing moisturiser. Maybe this is one of my new years resolutions, to look after my skin more! 

I got the 50ml Cleanse and Polish which was £18.25 and the Skin Tonic which is 200ml for £12.25. I also bought a set of 2 muslin cloths for £3.75.

I would definitely recommend these items to anyone looking for a new skincare routine.

xo

COS

If there is one brand or shop that I feel is completely underrated and often ignored on the highstreet it would have to be COS. Granted these stores are few and far between with a few in London, maybe one in Birmingham and a few elsewhere. The brand is owned by H&M so is very european and has quite a classic Swedish style to it. I find the website extremely hard to use which is why I couldn't find out exactly how many stores there are in the UK, this however is the only 'con' of the brand. The prices are quite high, but the quality is like no other. The style of clothing tends to be simple and classic with a range of different textures and shapes, each season they have a different palette of colours, this season I noticed lots of bright oranges, greens and yellows. Over the past year or so I have collected a vast amount of their items and I feel it is an investment brand as the styles and colours never date and you can wear them year after year. I recommend COS to anyone and everyone - check it out here COS!!!

Ruby Grace

Saw my beautiful little Goddaughter last night. She was born on the 16th of September and is growing so fast!!! I didn't realise how hard it would be to get an alright picture, they don't stop moving!!!!!

*Excuse the chins - dodgy angle... I hope!

Topshop

My favourite thing ever is when a lovely Topshop order arrives at my door. It has to be one of my favourite shops I just love everything about it - apart from the sometimes over priced items. This time I went for some classics so simple cream tops, a check style baggy shirt and some dark jamie skinny jeans. I have finally got round to replacing my River Island brown brogues which lasted me a good few years however they are completely battered now so I updated them with these lovely tan Topshop gold detail brogues. I thought this was a nice little collection as the jeans can be worn with anything and the other pieces are quite simple. I must stop spending now. I must stop spending!!

Caught the bug..

Oh no, this isn't good. I am lying in bed, work early and all I can think about is my next post. Well I might as well seeing as I won't be sleeping for a while!


So, granted I have the most boyish (is that even a word) nails in the world. My hands are just plain ugly and should probably be kept away in secret hidden from everyone. But hey ho that's kinda impossible. So every now and then I attempt to make them look slightly more normal and ladylike by getting some acrylics done (this is basically acrylic gel overlaid onto my real nail. This only happens every now and then when I feel like treating myself and today was one of those days. I popped to town, and by chance they had space for me. Whenever I go there I just get clear all over so I can go home and try and get a bit creative. Lately all I have been seeing on the blogs I follow are girls with the most beautiful nails so I felt I had something to aspire to. Although I don't like my nails I have a HUGE array of nail varnishes in a multitude of different brands. My favourites tend so be a simple Bobbi Brown, MAC or Nails Inc but I will try anything. Today I opted for a subtle grey colour by Rimmel called '805 Grey Matter', once I had finished I decided it looked a bit too boring. I took off one nail from each hand and used a clear nail polish and sprinkled a Barry M Glitter dust over the nail, this then stuck to the clear nail varnish. The results are below and I am quite impressed by my efforts, it is safe to safe however I will not overload you with nail varnish posts and this happens very rarely and is not the prettiest of things to be looking at.


xo

Changes

Hey everyone


Today I changed my blog layout & added a new background, risky for me. Clearly I should be doing university work as when this is the case I will do ANYTHING but university work. I am literally counting down the days until graduation!! I also got my 21st birthday present (well I officially clicked the attending button) and I am off to BLOGSHOP in London which is a 2 day bloggers course run by two extremely talented women. I am sure nearer the time I shall talk more about this but I am already SO excited!!
Working at 7am tomorrow so early night for me.


I shall leave you with one of my favourite songs of the moment;


xo

2012

So here it is, the beginning of 2012. I hope everyone had a lovely new years eve and new years day, I sure did. I spent new years eve with my friends, we just had a mini dinner party at my house then went onto a local pub. The next day I then went for a lovely family walk up the Welsh valleys followed by an amazing pub lunch. It's that time of year where everyone starts making new years resolutions, any resolutions I would have made would probably have already been broken as I can't seem to stick the things like that. I think my main resolution would be to stop taking everything so seriously and relax, think about others before yourself and appreciate what you have. 


Having had the most wonderful christmas it is almost depressing going back into the real world but from tomorrow I am back at my desk doing work. It's not that I don't have anything to look forward to however as it is my birthday on the 19th of January - yay!


Happy New Year everyone, wishing you all a happy and healthy year to come. I have included some of the pictures of my past few days.


xo