My London Survival Kit

I am spending approximately 3.5 hours a day commuting to and from London at the moment.  I'm working with an amazing store and really enjoying it but I will admit the commute is a bit exhausting (hence my lack of posts - but fear not, it's not forever!).  I have been so grateful for a few key pieces that have helped me survive so far.  Firstly, my Mulberry Bayswater.  I will admit to buying this 3+ years ago as it was a very 'on trend' handbag and I had to have one.  It did get used, but not as much as it should.  However it has shown it's true colours now.  I love that I can just chuck everything in it (lunch, shoes etc) and I can let out the sides for it to expand and hold all my junk.  Once at work I can then unpack it and do it up again, making it sleeker.  The simple internal pocket is perfect for easy access to passes and the single twist lock closure is a no fuss quick lock, perfect for a London commute.  The handles are great for either over the arm or on shoulder.  My Baywater's has had a new lease of life.  I am loving the raspberry colour (originally thought it was red when I purchased it...) and have had several comments on it's cheerfulness.  I also must add that the studs on the button are a double up in regards to this sturdy bag.  It's a hard wearing tough leather, I would really recommend if you are going to be hard on your handbag.

I purchased these Jones Bootmaker ballet pumps a while ago now for the bargain price of £15.  They are leather inside and out and have really moulded to my feet.  They are easy to slip on and off ready for the commute and still look good after wear every day for the past 3 weeks.

I use my Bare Minerals powder first thing but throughout the day I need to touch up especially after being on the trains.  It gives a great matte look and the solid surround means the powder doesn't break up. 

My true savour is this Jessica nude nail polish called 'Sweet Tooth' (No; 434).  I apply just the one coat the day before (this picture is just the one coat) then the second on the train the next day.  By letting the first coat dry with no extra layer straight away, I find it's a firmer base and the colour lasts up to 3 days.  Even after that as it's nude, even if there is a slight chip it's barely noticeable.  I am missing wearing a brighter colour however time doesn't allow for a daily colour change so this is doing the job of tidy manicured nails perfectly.  

Press Day Round Up's

I've been so fortunate of late to go to some fantastic press days (and many owing to my great blogger buddies passing on details - thank you!).  I went to some PR ones which was great as not only did they give me an insight to what was ahead for brands I already know, but they also introduced me to some brands I'd not heard about before.

I discovered My Beauty Emporium from the Modus PR agency press day, a wonderful on line beauty website who gave me some samples of Katima'A to try.  I've used the scrub and serum and so far I'm  impressed.  They contain Argan Oil (in my ignorance I thought this was for hair!) and what stood out straight away for me was the scent.  They don't claim to have any particular smell, so whether it's the argan oil I am attracted to I don't know, but it's like a rich buttery chocolate smell and I loved it.  The scrub felt like it did the job but didn't rip my face off.  I used the serum before bed under my night cream and although it was oily at first, my skin lapped it up and it felt like I was giving it a real treat for the night.

Serum £49.96, scrub £26

Next up I had a blast with fellow bloggers Kat and Avril last month at the Fenn Wright Manson press day.  We had a very privileged sneaky peak at their AW13 (sorry, not allowed to share any piccies but needless to say they had some fantastic key pieces and prints) but also got to play dress up with their SS13 collection.  Being such a petite one I struggled with the sizes they had so didn't manage a full outfit but I did love their silky top that Avril was actually wearing on the day and Kat looked great in the bold blue.   

My favourite look of their collection and also my favourite colour pallet 

Avril, Kat and myself all in FWM's Bella top (now £45)

My lush smelling Moroccan Blush Rose candle, thank you FWN!

And lastly a brand I had heard of but not paid a lot of attention to before, Kat & Bee jewellery.  Thanks to Emslie Creative I got to have a closer look at the amazing pieces of jewellery this brand has to offer in the coming months.  The rings stood out immediately but even more so when it was pointed out they all had tiny little skulls hidden within them.  Wow!

Stunning selection of their necklaces 

How different is this!  

Apologies to all my regular readers for the lack of posts this week.  Whilst I have this short term contract in London, my days are very long and I have little time left between getting home and hitting the sack.  I have so much still to share (I've been shopping - woohoo!) so bare with me, it's not for long and soon I will be back to more regular posts which I am missing writing.  

PS none of this is a sponsored post, just my favourites from what I've seen and wanted to share.

Some More Pink In My LIfe

Yipee the sun has been shining this week!  After a complete melt down thinking I'd lost my fashion mojo, I am pleased (unlike my husband) to report it has found me again, phew.  A trip to H&M Knightsbridge and I got me some business clobber, yes H&M really!  Amazing how much more you see in a store in the capital to others.  More in a future post.  Today I just wanted to share some colour  this week.

First it comes in the form of this Clarins Crystal Lip Balm £18 (I had a voucher, so £3.50 pour moi - bargain!).  I saw this in a magazine, and as a lip balm addict, thought I'd give it a try.  The colour is in the middle, with a clear balm around the edge.  You can make it as deep as you like.  I've been applying it like a normal lipstick first thing, then using the outer edge to moisten my lips through out the day.  I would highly recommend.

Shade Crystal Rose 05

Secondly I've been playing with belts this week (pants as always at having time to take a photo when I'm rushing out of the house) but I did manage to grab one today (although you can hardly see the belt and this took approx 10 attempts before the hubby got the hump so blame him).  My old faithful jeans are getting looser through wear and I fancied adding some pink to go with my blush pink sweater so added this patent leather slim belt.  I chose a deeper shade of pink to compliment the sweater, I like doing tonal colour pallets.  I've found another hole in my wardrobe - an animal print slim belt, so that's now on my list of 'needs' (!).

Scarf - Temperley, Panther print
Sweater - Tommy Hilfiger (TK Maxx)
Belt - Hobbs
Jeans - Topshop Baxter
Boots - Marks & Spencer Limited Collection

Just before I leave you all in peace to enjoy the bank holiday week-end, if any of you live near Amersham, please pop along to the lovely Coco Marie boutique on Tuesday evening.  They are holding this great event, and after a sneaky preview of their current stock, I predict the till to be busy busy busy that evening.

Business Attire - Where Do You Shop?

So I have a short term contract to help out an amazing store which has led me back to formal business clothing.  Having enough to get me through this week only, when possible I've been hunting down some new options.  I don't want to invest tons into this section of my wardrobe, as its not needed.  I am looking for a skirt, nothing to structured, a blazer and a few dresses, all items that can be worn again and dressed down when they aren't needed for business.  So far I've been into Topshop, Cos, Gap, H&M and Zara.  And I came out with nothing.  I feel my shopping ban has left me with no desire to shop (or so my husband is leading me to believe).  So in an effort to avoid that horrendous scene that we all have in the mornings where clothes fly everywhere, I've adopted the internet to save me.  With no crowds, time restrictions, trains to run for, children to run after, I think this is just going to have to work for me at the moment.  So here is what I've found but I'm yet to hit the order button!

Skirt - American Vintage £49.99 at Atterley Road (NB this would come up longer on me being short, have measured it!)

£35.99 Zara - now thinking a little too dressy

£25.99 Zara - my favourite so far in style, cut, price & ease of wear

£35.99 Zara - second favourite

£45.99 Zara - now thinking a little too dressy also

£17.99 Gap - I have these in the black and the fit is amazing

£27.99 Gap - the only reason I'm holding off is I missed out on an extra 20% off sale items the other day, so now feel like I'm being cheated if I pay this price (even though they are still reduced).  I want a comfy solid shoe to walk about in, rather than an un-structered ballet pump.  Not the most glamorous I know but needs must and I will have heels in my bag!

I nearly placed 8 dresses into my basket with Zara, with free delivery and returns it is very easy to do.   then thought some more into this.  Tights have to be worn for this contract but in my every day life, I prefer to go bare legged so that needs to be taken into consideration.  Now on to another long standing debate I regularly have with my husband.  I set myself a budget of £100 to try and kit myself out with a few pieces.  Should none of this fit and I not find anything, do I just buy what I like?  Had I done this previously, I may not be clutching at straws now in a blind panic that I have very little formal attire.  The coat below I fell in love with a while ago, I saw it on someone today, amazing.  I also love the yellow blazer.  It works great with denim and if it's not any brighter in the flesh, could look as good  with black trousers.  I just feel that the prices are so much to spend on one garment for myself (yet I so would advise others to!).  Do I just bite the bullet and order the lot in a vain hope or do I waste more time thinking?  I believe I have my answer!

£99.99 Zara

£69.99 Zara