& Other Stories

I was in London this week and had a spare half hour to pop along to a few shops.  Oxford Street was rammed so I mainly stayed down Regent Street and headed straight to & Other Stories as I don't often get a chance to visit it.  For those of you who don't know this store, it's H&M's older sister so to speak.  The store is lovely to browse around, lots of clean lines in the styles, simple colour palettes, some classic and contemporary pieces and not cluttered but easy to navigate.  I tend to home in on the high end fabrics and this silk shirt was no exception.  

Silk shirt £65

I love this mink version of it

One of my favourite things about this store is that you can try their beauty products as they have a sink with all the scents out ready and waiting.  What a lovely idea (especially in London where I constantly feel grubby after all the tube journeys!) and it makes it so temping to purchase.  Not being one to walk past the sales stand I did grab a few products to try.

The washing area

And environmentally friendly too!

My purchases (between 50-70% off, total bill was just under £7!)

I'm a huge lip pencil fan so thought I'd try out theirs and some sponges for when I eventually purchase a tinted moisturiser of some description

Some little treats for my Mummy - the scent was amazing and what a description too!

So there's my little round up of this store, if you are near it, do pop in (the only one in the UK is Regent Street, London).  They sell online too. 

A Mango Dress and BareMinerals Update

I had a half an hour window of shopping opportunity whilst in London last week so I decided to only go into shops I don't regularly shop in.  It was a damp, wet day and I was tired and to be perfectly honest had not really made much effort with my clothes that day.  I felt scruffy and needed some inspiration.  Que Mango.  Thank you!  You know when you just see something and think "that's it, that's my shape", well luckily for me this dress shouted at me that day.  I love wearing green, I have hazel eyes so feel it works well for me.  At £34.99 I thought it was a very good price.  It was looser on the top (where I need to add volume) and skimmed my hips to finish at a good length on me.  I want to wear more dresses so this is perfect.  I am however yet to wear it…..something about this cold weather just makes we want to live in thick jeans and cashmere jumpers and little else variety wise.  I will pull myself out of it to bring you a photo of me in it soon, I promise.  But until then, here it is.  I must add I was impressed by their offering.  Yes they had the usual over inflated high street prices on some of their range, but parts also seemed to be really fair, like this dress.  Well worth a good look if you are near one.  They had a good balance between evening, day and work wear. 

I love it with the bare legs however mine will be worn with tights!

I like the small print, anything too large over-whelms me and my shortness!

After nearly 2 years I've finally finished my bareMinerals loose powder foundation (yes I know I was probably not supposed to keep it this long).  I wear a Mac powder every day but use this when I want a more polished look for going out.  Not that I have loads of Christmas parties lined up but I am anxious to replace it soon.  I popped into Boots and tried their new 'Ready Foundation' which looked just like a pressed powder.  I was told it had slightly more coverage than the loose powder I'd been using from the starter kit.  Part of me wants to try something else but do you know what, I just don't feel like it deserves my precious time right now.  It just seems easiest to go back to the brand I've been using and like and try their newest product, saving me time and also money on a brand that might not work for me.  Lame I know, but with tinted moisturisers and liquid foundations, I just don't like getting my fingers dirty!  My hands are so chapped this time of year anyway, they don't need an extra wash in the morning.  I only had it on for about 4 hours, but was impressed in that time, it looked natural and stayed put.  I also liked that you can use the Mineral Veil from the starter kit I have with it to set it.  So if anyone else has tried this, please do share before I spend my Boots points on it!

bareMinerals Ready Foundation £25

PS The hubby thought I was mad admitting to wanting a Juicy Couture tracksuit (at the right price I hasten to add).  Can I just share these pictures from their Regent Street windows please?  Not so 'tacky tracksuit' hey?!