sets

i am as vain as i allow

26 October 2014

Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
I am as vain as i allow
I am crazy about this wishlist, I just want every single item! To begin, we must discuss this Mango Plaid Dress. It's still in stock in a few sizes at only £24.49 at John Lewis and I think it's the perfect autumn dress. The classic plaid print is all over the high street this season so this 100% cotton mini can only be considered an essential. Not only are the colour excellent for this time of year, but they're also very versatile as there's quite a variety - so you can pair the dress with plenty of other items, including different coloured tights. I have a soft spot for Rag & Bone, the clothes there are always on trend and stylish for each occasion. So over this dress, I chose a modern Charlize Cashmere and Wool-Blend Cardigan available at Net-A-Porter that's not intimating and very wearable for everyone. This super soft cover-up is a little pricey, but the mid-weight style (which is ideal for layering) and high quality make up for it. I chose a darker colour to go with the plaid dress as I wanted the dress to remain the centre of the look and though the grey tied in really well with the autumnal theme.
The Sac De Jour tote from Saint Laurent (other colours) has been a favourite of mine for a while. Although this berry colour is sold out, I had to include it in my wishlist because it pairs perfectly with the rest of the items in the set. I think this bag is an item that really compliments everything, as the shape is so simple and timeless, it can't possibly clash. Another accessory that never clashes are black chelsea boots. The Ganni Fiona Chelsea Boots are a pair I came across while online shopping and though would slot perfectly into this set. The classic boot comes with a chunky heel for an extra bit of high and adds a touch of elegance to the overall look. To view the rest of the items in this wishlist, just click the set!

until I fall asleep

19 October 2014

Eldwick, Bingley, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK
until I fall asleep
Today is a total chill day. I honestly don't plan on moving, at all. Throughout the week I have been going to the gym every evening which is a little out of the ordinary. But I haven't been working too hard that I'm overdoing it, but my muscles do ache which is bittersweet. I do need to increase my fitness level, but I'm also incredibly lazy so there's not much room for motivation in the exercise department. This wishlist totally reflects my mood as I'm feeling really relaxed and tranquil as anyone on a Sunday should. The 3.1 Phillip Lim Jersey Cropped T-Shirt and Emma Shorts from Monki are at the top of my list today because I always wear this kind of attire when I don't plan on moving for a few hours. I love that the cropped shirt is made of a jersey sweatshirt fabric, which means it's very soft and stretchy; and less likely to irritate your skin. The pull-on is 52% nylon and 48% cotton - a perfect balance for comfort. To match the cropped tee, I chose 100% cotton shorts because I know they'll be soft and cosy but not too warm to wear inside.
Recently, I have started to appreciate trainers and sportswear in general a lot more. As the weather is getting so much cold, and the wind is really picking up, sometimes there's nothing cosier than slipping on your gym-gear and favourite trainers. These Nike Hi-Tops are in my wishlist to match the rest of the items in my set but also continue the theme of casual comfort. On any chill-day, I will have a bath. No matter the time of day, I will have a bath to help me feel relaxed and detox. I have chosen the Star Light, Star Bright bath melt from Lush to be in this week's wishlist as suits the theme perfectly - and I love the shape and smell. The star is lime and ginger-scented, two of my favourite fragrances, and it has a shea butter fondant centre which is great for the skin. Although this bath melt is usually exclusive to the Christmas-y time of year, I couldn't help but include it on this super-chill Sunday.

hotter than you

8 October 2014

Eldwick, Bingley, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK
hotter than you
If you follow, or have seen my Polyvore page, you may notice that a lot more of my sets are getting darker and darker or carry specific colour themes within them. I think this is due to my style developing more as I get older and mature, but I also really believe I address according to the weather or season or my mood. For example, if it's very poor weather, like today, I'm more likely to wear black and grey without even realising. Yes, I subconsciously dress to the colour of the clouds!
The first item that's at the very top of my wishlist is an ASOS Clutch Bag that was the inspiration for the title of today's post. Unfortunately, at this moment it's sold out, but it was on sale for under £20.00 and I absolutely love it. The monochrome clutch is leather with a smooth matte finish and ideal for an evening out. This clutch just oozes confidence and sass which is a must have in any night look. The R13 Striped Muscle Dress is a perfect autumn dress because it's loose and versatile. Like a leather jacket, a simple straight dress is a closet essential, despite the colour or pattern. I prefer to wear darker colours in dresses of this style because they make me feel much more comfortable. As the weather is a little chillier, I paired this sleeveless jersey dress with a H&M Cardigan that has incredibly subtle stripes in to match the effect on the dress. The fine-knit cardigan also comes in a petrol green colour which is an excellent autumn colour. It would also contrast well with the purple and lilac items in this set.
A beauty item that's accidentally always on my wishlist is the Nars Single Eyeshadow Compact I see everywhere. This particular compact is available in so many different colours making it an all-year-round essential as each colour can be worn for each season and occasion. I chose the D. Gorgeous colour to match the accessories included in this wishlist, but at Beauty.com (where they're available for around £15.00), the full range includes plenty of earthy tones and darker shades which are great for this season. The shadows can be used with each other to be layered on the eyelid, and they can even be used for eyebrows! As a UK resident, I'm often very cold. It's only natural, which ignites my [un]healthy obsession with candles. My very first thought on arriving home is lighting candles in my room because they create an excellent ambiance and provide extra light for the darker nights. I found the Lafco Music Room Candle on Polyvore and immediately desired it. Smelling candles is a very risky job, not everyone has the same favourite scent, I personally detest the smell of pure lemon, but I don't mind it if it's mixed in a citrus blend with lime and orange. "Black tea and citrus are highlighted with a touch of juniper and just a hint of french lavender for a warn, aromatic blend" is the description provided for the cute candle with 90 hours of burning time - a key feature.

Teenage Drama Queen

15 September 2014

Eldwick, Bingley, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK
Teenage Drama Queen
Another week, another wishlist. I absolutely love this set I made of Polyvore and the items in it even more. The first item I adore is the Monki Amelie Singlet that is only £10.00. Such an amazing price for a great top too. I really like the cropped cut of this top, and although it's black (which is a colour I'm supposed to be trying to avoid) I think the unique hemline makes this top stand out a little more, along with the really cute embroidery detail along the bottom. This singlet is idea for layering, which is always a trend that naturally returns as the colder weather sets in. I paired the singlet with some D&G Jeans I had sitting in my 'liked' list on Polyvore for a while now. A lot of the jeans I own are actually really dark, and I have a habit of sticking to dark colours that I'm really trying to break. I'm assuming I gravitate towards darker colours because I feel most confident in them (due to the myth that they're more slimming) and because I've worn darker colours for most of my teenage life. The lighter wash of the jeans brightens up this whole set and contrasts well with the singlet. The ASOS Suede Fringe Clutch Bag is going straight to the top of my "Things to Buy When I Get Paid" list. Hopefully it will still be on sale at £21.00 when I do get paid at the end of the month too. Not only is this bag suede, it has a fringe style which I think really 'spices' up an outfit. It's made by one of my favourite online stores: ASOS. I never used to shop at ASOS, I always saw it as really expensive and just stuck to the stores that where in the city centre. But when I discovered this magical online library of fashion, I couldn't get enough - they have everything. Not forgetting all the boutiques and marketplaces within ASOS which is a great way to get high quality items for reasonable prices. ASOS always has sales which is a bonus, as well as selling designer label items in case I feel like splurging.
I've never seen boots like the Zara Leather Combination Heel Ankle Boots before but I think they're really cool. I like the two different colours in the boots and I think it makes them stand out against typical Chelsea or ankle boots. The open design of the boots makes them a lot more comfortable to wear for a long amount of time as they're leather and have a small heel for extra height. Finally, the Marc by Marc Jacobs Olive Raised Dog Phone Case is a must have for me. I must point out, it's half price at my-wardrobe.com, being only £20.00 which is an amazing price for a designer phone case. Marc Jacobs has always been a favourite of mine, and I absolutely love his designs and flawless style. French Bulldogs are also my favourite breed of dog, I'm so desperate to have one and this phone case is ideal for me. Not only is it black and white (I can't help it), it's rubber and made for my iPhone so I really believe it was meant to be!

Wrapping Up Wishlist

31 August 2014

Eldwick, Bingley, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK
blah blah blah

The end of August technically means the end of summer. But on the plus side, I have another wishlist bursting at the seams. Just because we're going into autumn, that doesn't mean it's time to pack away all the summer gear and say goodbye to dresses for another sixth months - I actually wear dresses and skirts all year round. This wrap skort from New Look is a new favourite to the wishlist that I tied in with the sweatshirt. I've seen hundreds of fashion bloggers in skorts, and my inner-hipster put me off them as everyone had one. But I do think they add a touch of sophistication to an outfit, especially in black. I know that skorts are quite short, which is one of the main reasons I never felt like investing in one, but after seeing a stylish selection looking phenomenal in the unique trend, it had to be included in my next wishlist. To finish the look, I included a super-cute satchel bag and chunky gladiators.
Philosophy is one of my favourite skincare brands, so when I saw their coconut scrub online I knew it had to be included in this week's set. I usually don't experience with skin care brands and companies because my skin is sensitive and could react badly to different ingredients, but I saw the Reincarnation Pure Facial Exfoliator on Selfridges' website and was immediately drawn to the simple design. The description of the product promises to be 'gentle' as it contains avocado oil and jojoba beads which I know are excellent for your skin. On top of that, it consists of calendula oil to nurture and repair while the carrot seed extract revitalise skin. There's more: the oils of sandalwood, sweet orange and tonka bean are all used to calm and balance your skin. Although the product is a little pricey for the size of the bottle, the ingredients appear to be natural and beneficial to skin.
Finally, the bareMinerals lip balm had to be included in this week's wishlist. Jack of All Trades balm is totally clear, but hydrating and refreshing to the lips. I own a lot of different balms and glosses, but a lot of them are either too sticky, to heavy, or disappear within minutes of application. I like the sound of this balm because it seems as if it would do the job throughout winter when the weather is harsh and cold which is damaging to the skin. A hydrating lip balm is essential as the temperature begins to drop!
Copyright © Anika May | UK Life and Style Blog.
Design by Fearne