The Style Tag

A few of my favourite things

Posted on May 17, 2013

There are a few little things that become so entwined in your morning routine, that you quickly find that it would be difficult to cope without them. These are the necessities that allow you to get ready in a flash and keep you feeling great when your tights have more ladders than a building site and you’ve made more social faux pars at work than Jan Moir on a good day.

We all have our favourites and here are mine…

1. Topshop Blush in Neon Rose £6

This cream blush is a firm favourite of mine after being recommended by my good blogger friends, Lil and Jen. Smooth to apply, long lasting colour and pigmented enough to also use on your lips and eyes, I don’t know why you’d ever use any other blusher.

2. MUA ‘Undressed’ Palette £4

I still struggle to believe this palette is only £4. The smoky colours and neutral tones make this the perfect day to night compact, the black and gold making it easy to top up your look for post work drinks. Try using a shimmery brown over the lids, the rose shadow layered over the top and a little black in the corners for a quick fix.

3. Maybelline Colossal Mascara Volum’ Express £7.19

It’s a well known fact that mascara adverts lie to you and it really winds me up! The digitally enhanced lashes and oh so subtle falsies that we are supposed to ignore make it really difficult to make a mascara choice. But finally, I’ve found one that really works. Colossal by name, this one is super black, adds volume and doesn’t flake by the end of the day. Perfect.

4. Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser £14.75

I should really be getting commission for the amount of people I’ve converted to Liz Earle in the past year. Now a complete convert, I’ve gone from using whichever make up wipes were on offer in Boots, to a full on skincare routine and will never look back. Liz Earle is completely natural, gentle on your skin and smells amazing to boot.

5. Cloud Nine Waving Wand £99.95

Yes yes, we all know I love babbling on about my hair, but this is a vital tool for any girl who wants those relaxed waves. This is by far the best styler I’ve used – quick to heat up, varying temperatures and super easy to use, it’s well worth the investment.

6. Revlon Just Bitten in ‘Romantic’ £7.99

I’m a newbie to lipsticks and figured they must all be like the drying, matt versions I used to slap on as a youngster – but not these bad boys. A quick slick of ‘Romantic’ (often without the need for a mirror – bonus) and I’m ready to run to work. A handbag must have.

7. Barry M Gelly Polish in ‘Blood Orange’ £3.99

If red lips weren’t enough to pick you up on a Monday, throw in some red nails and you’re all set. With high shine, deep colour and easy application, this is my favourite colour day in, day out. Just make sure you use a base coat to avoid discolouration.

8. Ralph Lauren, Romance £45.52

We all have our signature scent and this one is definitely mine. A floral fragrance, this perfume takes me back to my uni days. Actually, the less said about them, the better…

What are your favourite products? Can you recommend any must haves?

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Practicality

Posted on May 14, 2013

Metallic skirts, killer heels and unusual ensembles are great but sometimes you just need a scruffy pair of jeans to get you through the day. You know this outfit isn’t going to set the world alight but feel happy in the thought that if you run into your ex-boyfriend, you’re safely in ‘laid-back Kate Moss’ territory than a dreaded ‘Katie Price in a tracksuit’ situation.

It’s one of fate’s little blessings that your sweatpants happened to have soup spilled on them that day…

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Leather jacket, H&M // Denim shirt, Topshop // Vest, H&M // Jeans, Topshop // Shoes, c/o Chatham Marine

For a rushed journey across London to catch a train to Leeds, comfy mocassins, layers and my trusty leather jacket, were the only option I could think of at 7am. With a holdall and cabin bag packed to breaking point, and my laptop and satchel also being slung over my shoulder, I was glad of the flat shoes when it came to the dreaded Underground stairs.

It gives me the shakes having to navigate the tube with luggage – with women struggling left, right and centre with their luggage, burly young men breeze up the steps without a care in the world, gently nudging you out the way. Yes, we are independent women, yes, we have all undoubtedly over packed, but YES, we do still require help sometimes.

Wake up men of London – those muscles are not just there for show! Although, you know, thanks for putting them out there…

Rant aside, the point remains; sometimes you just need to dress for practicality. And let’s face it, who has the time to look like a fashion blogger all the time anyway?

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Gorgeous Couture

Posted on May 10, 2013

When an email from Gorgeous Couture pinged into my inbox with an invitation to chose a dress of my choice from their website, my heart did a little hop, skip and a jump. I was officially in my dream situation!

After perusing the website for hours and unable to chose whether to go for practical multi-use or all out glamour, I resisted the floor sweeping beauties and decided on this sexy yet sophisticated Amelia dress.

The Amelia Dress, c/o Gorgeous Couture // Shoes, New Look // Crown, Primark

I’m a practical girl through and through, and this midnight blue dress can be worn with sky scraper heels for a night out, with tights, ankle boots and a leather jacket for a more casual occasion or with flats and a camisole underneath for summer days.

The only thing more exciting than a new dress, is a new dress arriving in the most beautiful packaging. Inside the sturdy box, the dress was neatly folded on a velvet hanger, encased in pink tissue paper. You know how kids prefer playing in the box their Christmas present comes in rather than the toy? That was me, only rather than get in it, I did what every twenty something blogger does on this sort of occasion….Instagram the hell out of it!

fffd8e06acc311e2b46022000a1f9be1_7Paired with minimal accessories, the dress does all the talking. A rose flower crown adds a girly edge to the otherwise sexy dress and as always, I’m championing the pale skinned look. Orange hands and streaky legs just don’t work out for me.

If you have special event or a wedding this year, have a little look on the website and let your heart decide.

It might take a while…

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Hello, Sailor

Posted on May 7, 2013

My brain: “‘Hello, Sailor” seems like the perfect title for this girly blog post, which is completely non-offensive and jovial”.

Wikipedia: ”Hello, sailor” is a sexual proposition made to a sailor, presumably by a prostitute or promiscuous woman supposing the sailor to be male and sexually frustrated after a long time at sea.”

Fantastic.

Top, Forever 21 // Jeans, Topshop // Shoes, c/o Chatham Marine

I mean, I knew it obviously had something “ooh er” about it but come on, I didn’t realise it was so blue! That’s the last time I casually say it to my mum as a compliment when she’s all dressed up.

With us all now newly educated on the nitty gritty origins of today’s heading, it’s probably time to move away from ladies of the night and onto Bank Holiday reminiscing. For me, this weekend was a hectic blur of champagne, a wedding, 3 course meals and more flowers than Kew Gardens. As the sun shone, we laughed, ate our bodyweight in food and set off mesmerising Chinese Lanterns which then neatly nestled themselves in a nearby tree and began to burn like there was no tomorrow. I’ll tell you this for free, it’s not easy to poke a big stick between the smouldering branches, whilst trying to balance a wine glass and a sneaky slice of fruit cake at the same time in a pair of wedges. Skillz.

For the slightly groggy trip back to Kent yesterday, I slipped on this delicate sailor top from Forever 21, a slice of Topshop denim and the-best-shoes-in-the-whole-world. (Official name).

Ok, these beauts are actually called ‘Fern’ and were sent to me by the lovely people at Chatham Marine. Comfy, good quality and cute to boot, I decided we all need a pair of these in our lives and wangled you a 10% discount code. Just type in STYLETAG10 at the checkout and introduce your tootsies to heaven.

What did you get up to this bank holiday weekend?

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Country Living

Posted on May 2, 2013

Ah the countryside.

When I’m cramped in a city, I crave for open fields, no light pollution and a good nights sleep. However, when I’m actually nestled in the country alongside Mother Nature, I get irritated by the slow internet connections, lack of cocktail bars and walking. Why does everyone suggest going for a walk anyway? Where are we going? Is there a Topshop at the end, like a shining beacon calling you to the finish line? Why is there horse poo everywhere? No, the fields just don’t cut it for me.

But I’ll tell you one thing, open space doesn’t half make for interesting outfit posts…

Jacket, Zara // Top, F&F // Jeans, Topshop // Belt, H&M // Mocassins, H&M // Sunglasses, H&M

A welcome change to the brick walls and car lined streets of late, no? I’ve come to the rolling fields of Bramdean in Hampshire for a wedding tomorrow and am currently sat in a courtyard in the sunshine, sipping wine and listening to AlunaGeorge singing sweet music into my (slightly fuzzy) brain. Yes, escaping from the city is certainly good for the old creative juices.

With lots of lovely, country-friendly, outfits jammed into my holdall, I can’t wait to fully lap up the scenery and pretend to be at one with nature.

Now where’s the nearest Pizza Express out here…

Posted in Fashion, Home, Outfit Post | 1 Comment
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