What I Wore // Attempted boho chic

Jeans - Matalan*

Top - Matalan*

Cardigan - Topshop

Shoes - Matalan*

Necklace - Matalan*

Sunglasses - Primark

Bag - Zatchels

I recently took part in Matalan's £50 challenge, with a view to take advantage of the new arrivals and create an entire outfit on a budget. I love Matalan anyway, but do think it takes some time browsing to really appreciate the potential. I fell in love with the boho style collection with an array of colours and vibrant patterns. 

Despite my awe though, I’ve never really been sure how to ‘do’ boho chic, and I never thought I’d be able to channel it very well anyway! Regardless, I picked up these gorgeous pieces without hesitation and made way for the fitting rooms to get acquainted with a new trend, set to become a new, welcome addition to my wardrobe. My favourite item is probably the jeans, such a bargain and really comfortable, and I added my new Zatchels bag for a pop of colour! You can read the whole post on the Matalan blog site here.

These outfit pictures were taken a couple of weeks ago now mind, I've been so busy revising and panicking about my final exam. I finished that today though, fingers crossed hoping that it went well - I'm on the fence! 

What do you think?

What Matalan bargains have you seen recently?

S xx

Pink Party // Charity Fundraiser

Last weekend I took a break from revision to catch up with my besties. My friend Alice, and her boyfriends sister, Jess put so much effort into organising a 'pink party' charity event for friends and family, and it turned out really well. As you can probably tell, I took a particular liking to the cakes and sweets, as you would expect. You'd also expect that I felt sick after a few hours of being there as a consequence, and I can confirm that you'd be correct there. Nursing my food baby and ignoring my argumentative stomach, I kept going back for more - I just had to try at least one of everything and wash it down with summer punch. Nom. 

It wasn't all about cake though, there was a BBQ, a bring and buy sale, other donated products and handmade goodies for sale as well as a well prized raffle and nail painting, all with a fee! All of this was organised in an effort to raise money for the AMMF charity. AMMF is a charity dedicated to supporting research and raising awareness of cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer). We've surely all been affected by cancer in one way or another, but in this particular type, unfortunately mortality rates are high, and a well loved mum to Jess, Julian and James, was taken prematurely. I'm so proud of my best friend for being so proactive and to the both of them for raising so much money, and of course, everyone who attended, (especially the boys who agreed to having their nails painted just to pop another £3 in the charity box).

I'm so (maybe a tiny bit) sorry if you're now craving sweet foods, perhaps take it as inspiration for your next party! Number one on my to do list post-graduation: Bake a colour graduated layer cake, wow. 

What do you think? 

What would you have eaten first?

S xx

Thank your hands // Carex 'Hands On' Competition

To celebrate their 20'th birthday, Carex have launched a fun competition to reward 20 pairs of busy hands. Being a student Physiotherapist with my final exam this Thursday (wish my luck), my hands are the tools of my trade, and so this competition perked up my ears. Recently, I also worked in Hand Therapy which is incredibly complex and somewhat terrifying. I think its fair to say that we all take the intrinsic nature of our hands for granted.  

The idea here is to celebrate all of the wonderful things that we do with our hands - So this would be a perfect competition to enter if you're a general busy body, love gardening, have a similar job to mine perhaps, or even if you're a lollipop lady or beauty blogger! 

The competition is very simple – entrants can write a couple of sentences, or produce a short written diary, take some photographs or even video footage to reveal a real life day scenario in your hands. Click here to enter, and do comment to tell me more, (nosey)! 

The prize? 20 people will win £500 worth  of Red Letter Day vouchers (to spend on whatever you want, hello spa), plus a year’s supply of Carex hand wash.weekend with the kids!

What do your hands get up to in a normal day?

S xx

Lord & Berry Make Up // Love or Loathe?

20100 Shining Lipstick 'Replay' £10*

Luxury Liner £9*

Alchimia Mascara £13*

As a lover of all things beauty, I am always excited to discover new brands and play around with new colours. When this little package dropped through my door I was at first dubious about the nude lip, something I've never really been able to pull off without resembling a corpse...  Anyway, the packaging for Lord & Berry though, reminded me suspiciously of Nars, but excited me none the less. I am in love with the boxes, monochrome and typography: Two of my favourite aesthetics. I can't help but judge things like this on their packaging, and first impressions were good. 

First up is the lipstick. This 'chubby pen' style has become increasingly popular, though I've only recently delved into it myself, and adore this particular one. Its surprisingly pigmented, soft and made with macadamia oil and vitamin E. Most importantly, its hydrating, and the colour actually lasts well! Its not the longest lasting, around 2-3 hours before it needs touching up, but I don't that mind seeing as its super easy and quick to apply, and doesn't dry my lips out - Hallelujah!  - I'm already desperate to try more of these, and there are so many colours! I just wish they were available in store so I could swatch them all first! 

The mascara is uber lengthening - Dan asked if I was wearing fake eyelashes just after I applied it. Its blacker than black. It does take a while to dry, and because its so lengthening I have to check for black dots around my brow bone and under my eyes afterwards, haha! I'm surprised that I liked this actually, as the wand is one of the plastic type that I usually don't get on with. The eyeliner is pretty much your bog standard eyeliner though I love how thin the pencil is - Its perfect to smudge along the upper lash line! 

Have you tried anything from Lord & Berry?

Have you seen them in stores anywhere?

S xx

What I Wore // Flying Patterns

Dress - River Island

Wedges - River Island

Jacket - New Look

Necklace - Tesco

Watch - River Island

I bought this dress so long ago, for a mere £12 in the River Island sale. It hung, unworn, for at least a year before I pulled it out and threw it on in a rush to leave. Originally, I chose a thin black waist belt to break up the pattern, but took it off to allow for food babies, and wore my favourite chain necklace instead. I wore this to my favourite restaurant with my best friend to eat amazing steak, drink wine, and complain about the worlds worst (and annoyingly, most expensive cocktails)! Seriously, we didn't know gin cocktails could possibly go wrong, but alas, it happened. 

Said friend, Alice, is actually organising a pink party this weekend, to raise money for AMMF. There will be pink goodies, cake, clothes swaps and raffles. You'll more than likely be seeing some ridiculous pictures from that soon, but in the meantime I need to find some pink clothes. Any excuse not to revise, eek!

What have you been up to? :)

S xx

Most Wanted // Spring Florals

1 // Topshop dress £13.50 eBay

2 // Nike Trainers £110 Liberty

3 // Red tea dress £42 Topshop

4 // Bag £23 Zara

5 // Floral Trousers £8.50 eBay

6 // Flowing cardigan £40 Zara

7 // Crop top £3 New Look

8 // Floral scarf £8 New look via ASOS

9 // Converse £55 Schuh

2 & 9 //

I remember as a teenager, I only ever wore Vans, DC's and Converse. Out of all of those, my converse are the only ones that have lasted over 10 years, (wow, time flies). I wore my first ever pair of heels when I was 18 year old, and they were dreaded kitten heels with a dolly bar. I've moved on a little now, but my heart will always lie with this type of shoe. I've actually attached a hilarious Converse video below, which describes my teenage years perfectly - Maybe you can relate! Anyway, I'm dying for these summery Nike trainers, but I refuse to shell out £110! 

3 //

I have actually bought this dress now, and am so glad I did. At first I ummed and ahhed, as orange clothes don't usually suit me, and I couldn't decide whether it was more orange or red. The fit is the most flattering I've ever known, with a gorgeous V neckline, short sleeves and a nice shape at the waist. I can't wait to wear this! 

7 //

I have this crop top in white, and despite my pot belly, it is actually flattering. I bought it on an early morning before I'd bloated, but actually the tie detail hides any bloating quite well and the loose fit balances out my wide hips and hit exactly the right place. I need it in every colour, and this pink one is reduced to £3! I'd buy it if New Look had free postage, hmfh! 

Heres the video I mentioned:

What do you think of the video? Funny? 

Have you laid your eyes on any of my most wanted items? 

 S xx

Liz Earle Natural Glow Bronzer // Yay or Nay?

Liz Earle Bronzer £19.50*

Its no lie that I'm a great lover of Liz Earle make up. My all time favourite item is this cream blush, which is the most natural looking I've ever tried, as well as long lasting, and super easy to apply. And well, this bronzer follows suit, and doesn't disappoint. 

Its incredibly natural looking once applied, and as you can see from the swatch, leaves a slightly tanned finish rather than a heavily bronzed look. Basically, its utter perfection for pale folk such as myself. It doesn't boast any shimmer or sparkle, just a natural, subtle skin kissed finish that appears genuine.

Its quite easy to build up too if you prefer that look, but I usually only use bronzer as contour. I'm rather blown away by this bronzer though, and have taken to using it alongside a touch of blusher to look more 'alive.' I can imagine this would look amazing in the summer with a sweep of golden highlight, I can't wait! 

It also contains Avocado and Vitamin E, giving hydrating qualities and failing to highlight any dry patches or pores, phew! My skin is quite oily with dry patches, and it lasts amazingly well both as a contour and on naturally sun kissed areas. All round a winner!

Have you tried this? What do you think?

Have you tried anything from the Liz Earle colour range?

S xx

What I Wore // Red accents with my new Zatchels bag!

Top - Next

Belt - Primark

Jeans - Next

Bag - Zatchel

Ring - New Look

Shoes - Primark

I first set my sights on this top over a month ago. I scowled at it. Such a beautiful shape, simple print and monochrome perfection, yet there was no point in even trying it on. Its a peplum, a pear shaped girls worst nightmare. Yet, after getting Next vouchers for my birthday and being unable to find nothing, I grabbed this top and made a break for the fitting rooms, out of desperation.  

And there stood I, pear shaped Polly, having found a peplum that actually looks half decent. 

Black and white with a hint of colour is probably my all time favourite style. One that I don't expect will never fade with time, and one that is so incredibly easy to implement. Thus emerges a perfect opportunity to pair my new playful, peplum top with my new, and oh-so-cute Zatchel bag. I bought it during the 50% sale, which happened to fall so conveniently on my birthday. Any excuse to treat myself!

What do you think? :)
Did you order a Zatchels bag in the sale?

S xx