Get The Look: Fearne Cotton

When I spotted this picture of Fearne Cotton wearing a gorgeous floral dress I instantly knew I had to find a way to steal her style at a much more affordable price.

As soon as summer comes, I love reaching for bright floral patterns - anything to stay away from the usual blacks! This outfit is the image of summer with the flower printed dress, sunglasses and some strappy sandal-like pumps.

If, like me, you wince at the price tags of the clothes celebrities wear then keep on reading.

Dress | Shoes | Bag | Sunglasses

First up is the dress, Fearne's is from H&M and comes in a couple of styles but there's also a lovely floral dress quite similar on Love Clothing. The long sleeves and skater shape are the same as Fearne's but the pattern is more greeny-blue than her yellow floral print. It's still a winner if you ask me though!

Fearne's shoes are by Vivienne Westwood but I've managed to find a pretty similar pair in Topshop - good news to your bank balance! Multiple straps are a definite winner this summer and these shoes are too cute not to pick up. Don't they remind you of being younger?

When it comes to bags, we all need a sizeable one to fill with everything we may ever need for any occasion that might crop up. You know what I mean, let's be honest - we don't really need to carry around with us nine different lip products, but we do. 

Finally, the sunglasses. A must have for summer, even if you just use them to cover up your tired eyes instead of helping you see in the bright sun.

Next time you feel like looking like a celeb, don't forget that you can do on a budget too!

Excel Clothing - New York Wish List

Excel Clothing are running a competition to win £500 to spend on their site and all you have to do is create a wish list of your top three items on the site.

As I'm heading off to New York for the first time in a couple of months, I decided to compile my wish list of things I want to take with me to the Big Apple.

First things first, we all need a big bag with plenty of room for all those things we carry around with us but never use. I'd say they were necessities but in reality, I barely reach into my bag for anything other than a lip balm or a hand cream.

When in New York, a camera is a must-have. Being an eager tourist with plenty of excitement about my first visit to the city I can imagine myself being snap-happy so my bag needs to have plenty of space for my DSLR camera.

So, obviously, I've picked out the Michael Kors Selma Bag - a classic winner when it comes to picking out a tote bag. This bag comes in a variety of sizes and colours but instead of picking out the plain black style, I've chosen a navy bag with white 'wings', brown handles and gold hardware.

Is it just me, or do you like the inner lining of your bag to be just as pretty as the outside? I love patterned or coloured linings and this MK printed one doesn't disappoint, there's plenty of inside pockets too for your phone and other bits and bobs.

Secondly, a comfy pair of shoes. Pretty important for spending all day on your feet sight seeing and of course, shopping.

When I go, it will be pretty chilly so a pair of boots are important for keeping my toes cosy as well as blister free. As much as I love the original furry UGG boots I can't help but lust over their other shoes, especially these Krewe Ankle Boots!

The leather looks hard wearing and the two straps are a lovely detail along with the embossed UGG branding on the side of the heel. Even though there's a small heel you can tell they'd still be comfy after a day on your feet.

Finally in my New York wish list is a Ted Baker top in a gorgeous corally-orange colour. The Myrine Layered Ruffle Sleeves Top is perfect for any occasion whether it's formal or casual. Jeans are the best match and can be paired with flats or heels.

The top may be for Spring/Summer but who says it can't be worn in the colder months? A bit of colour is the best way to brighten up an outfit from the usual blacks and greys you get around winter time.

What would you put on your New York wish list?

Cheeky Boots Haul

Typical, eh? I went into Boots looking for a new blusher and walked out with a bag full of goodies and my purse feeling significantly lighter.

I'll admit I was slightly hating myself for spending so much money and put myself on a swift, strict spending ban. But who can be unhappy with lots of new 'toys' to play with?

Not me, that's for sure. I could barely wait to get home to try out all my new buys.

I'm that person that easily gets sucked in by offers, vouchers and promotions - hence why I went in looking for a blusher and came out with pretty much one of everything.

So, first up is Bourjois. Oh, spend £12 and get a free blusher you say? Well I wanted the blusher in the first place, I might aswell buy something else and get the blusher for free! Does your mind work like that, or is it just me?

Healthy Mix Foundation | Bronzing Powder | Little Round Pot Blush

I'll do a full review on all the products once I've given them the full whirl, but first impressions - this foundation is more than I could ever want and need in a foundation! As a BB cream girl, foundation scares me a little bit for a day-to-day basis and I prefer something a little lighter on my skin so it still has room to breathe. Now though, I've seen the light and I've been brought into a whole new world. Foundations are my new thing, and I want (read: need) more.

Cleansing Balm | Dry Skin Rescue | BB Cream

Normally, I would describe my skin as pretty normal but recently I've been suffering from dry patches that no matter what I use, I can't seem to shift. So after consulting a lovely woman at the No7 counter, she pointed me in the direction of their Beautiful Skin range that caters for every skin type. I used to use the cleansing balm from the Normal to Dry range and there is definitely a difference between the two.

This whole range worked wonders on my face and within a matter of days, my skin was back to it's usual self and the dry patches were gone. A full review will be coming on these products shortly, but the way the woman re-did my make up in store gave me such a glow I couldn't not purchase everything she used.

Good job they usually have a 3 for 2 offer on skin care is all I can say!

High Shine Lip Crayon | Instant Radiance Concealer

Just as I was about to pay up and leave, I spotted a sign offering a free box of goodies if you buy two make up items. Well, after running out of my last beloved No7 concealer stick I should probably replace it, right? Turns out, the whole range has had a revamp and I chose a creamy concealer instead which has plenty of similarities to my all time favourite concealer and highlighter, YSL Touche E'clat!

Then it came to choosing a second item, a tough one - however, summer is coming up and this coral lip crayon is exactly what I needed! Gorgeous.

And here it is, last but not least the little freebie I got. I've not given this much of a test out yet but I'll tell you that the lip crayon, along with the coral one, is quickly becoming a favourite of mine!

Just a little haul for you all to take a look into the newest products in my make up bag. Full reviews of each thing I got will follow shortly after I've given them the proper testings. It's safe to say, No7 is definitely a firm favourite in my skin care at the moment!

We Meet Again

Oh, hello again blogger!

We meet again then, yes here I am again and this time I'm here to stay. I've been umm-ing and arr-ing about blogging again, but what do I have to lose? Nothing, that's what.

So here I am after a few months apart, and this time it's for good. Blogging is becoming part of my schedule on top of those essays and exam revision that's piling up as we get further along into my second year. Bear with me, but here I am again and I'm going to be dishing out two or three posts each week filled with beauty review, fashion posts and to be honest, just general chit chat.

My blog is a space for me to pour my ideas and that's exactly what I'm doing right now as I sit here at 10pm on a Sunday night supping on my cuppa and dunking some biscuits.

Stay tuned for an exciting (hopefully) ride!

ShopStyle Festival Outfit Challenge.

So yesterday, a lovely little email popped up on my inbox from the guys at iCrossing telling me about the ShopStyle competition. Basically, to get your hands on a cool £1,000 all you have to do is design a festival outfit for less than £200!

Here is my attempt.

Dungarees - River Island | Sunglasses - Urban Outfitters | Top - Miss Selfridge | Raincoat - Topshop | Bag - Topshop | Wellies - Joules

What do you think? I love it. I wanted to use the dungarees as the talking point because of their ombre styling so I kept the top underneath a plain grey. The wellies, bright and colourful - perfect for running around muddied fields but still looking fabulous. Thrown on for accessories is some rounded sunglasses and a safari patterned rucksack. I chose a rucksack because it's easy enough to swing it over your shoulder and has enough space for all necessities come rain or shine. And just incase there is rain, my favourite part of the outfit is the clear raincoat - there is nothing I hate more than wearing a fabulous outfit for it to be covered by a big, stuffy coat. Alas, you needn't worry about that any more. Put this over your outfit to keep dry and let everyone see how fashionable you are underneath!

To enter the competition, you better be quick though as it finished on Friday 21st June.

But all you need to do it:

- Create your own outfit and post it on your blog. Make sure it costs no more than £200!

- Email it to shopping challenger@popsugar.com

- Comment on Natasha's post letting her know you have entered

What To Wear...On The Beach

It's almost here, holidays are coming! Nearly time to put on that bikini and walk along the golden sands of some exotic country. Or, maybe just along your local beach dodgy those typical British grey clouds?

Either way, beachwear.

What do you wear? I've gone for something cool and casual - obviously, it's the beach not a fashion show. But looking good is important, as always.

Cover Up - Topshop | Bikini - Miss Selfridge | Sunglasses - River Island | Sandals - New Look | Bag - Accessorize

The main theme is white, pulled together with a lovely bluebell coloured lacy playsuit. Perfect for covering up but keeping cool at the same time. And, it's see through so you can see the bikini underneath - in this case, a snow leopard printed one. How cool is it? It's got the cheeky face on the top and on the bum, piercing eyes and plenty of detail. 

To keep the rest of the outfit subtle I went for the standard gold and tortoise aviators, paired with leather plaited sandals and a big white bag that's perfect for throwing everything you may need in.

Don't forget the suncream! The bag ever has an 'inner bag' with a secure drawstring. Perfect - now you don't have to worry about anyone's unwanted hands having a dip into your bag!

To the beach!