Summer Edit // Outfit #1

I have decided to do a series of Summer Edit posts, where I will feature a variety of outfits, beauty and lifestyle picks relating to my favourite season! I always think the best things happen in summer and some of the most memorable moments in my life are during the summertime.

It is Spring here in Australia at the moment, but it is definitely warming up quickly. This outfit is based around a casual night out and I have included a long sleeve tee as it usually gets cooler as the sun goes down. I think stripes are the bees-knees! It can be casual but uber sophisticated at the same time. I have way too many striped tops to count, but my favourite is always a simple black and white stripe. I love pairing this with a pair of simple denim shorts. Denim shorts are a staple here in Australia, as they can be worn to the beach or even be dressed up for a night out. To be honest, I am always on the hunt for the perfect denim short. I recently purchased a great pair from Myer, from their Miss Shop range. The key is for them to be super comfortable and not too short!

A simple strappy shoe is also an essential during this time of year. These shoes are from Windsor Smith and can be worn with just about anything. They also come in black and tan, which would also look great with this outfit.

To complete this outfit, a black leather bracelet from Pandora would be perfect, along with a simple white bag from Topshop. This keeps the monochrome pattern and gives it a finishing touch.

I love this minimal look at the moment and I think this is the best way to style during the Summer. Stay tuned for next week when I feature some great beauty products perfect for summer!

Mini Fashion Haul

I had a lovely visit to the city on my day off yesterday. I went to see the Archibald Prize at the Art Gallery, then went exploring the shops in the city. I am so happy that Australia has finally got Topshop and Zara, and I feel like we have been missing out for years and years. Whenever I visit these stores, I always leave with a new purchase in my hand. 

The new additions to my wardrobe from Topshop are two high neck crop tees. These will be great for the warmer months to wear with high waisted skirts and jeans. They were $22 each, plus I got a student discount. Next stop was Zara, where I picked up a pair of jeans from the 'Trafaluc' range. They are super soft and a deep blue colour. Zara jeans seem to fit me really well and are a great length for my legs! I also picked up a mini rollerball perfume in 'Black Peony' which smells delicious. I have way too many perfumes but I couldn't resist the compact size which will be great for my handbag. 

Have you got any top fashion picks?

Weekly Jewels

If there is one thing that I think completes an outfit, it is jewellery. I am jewellery obsessed and cannot take my eyes of sparkly, shiny things. I have worked in a jewellery shop for nearly 4 years while I have been studying and it has definitely contributed to my growing jewellery box.

Lately I have been interested in semi-precious and rough stones. I love amethyst, turquoise and rose quartz crystals and have been searching for one off items that are unique. There is nothing worse than buying something that is mass produced and seeing every second person wearing the same thing.

These are some of my jewellery items that I have been reaching for this week. You can definitely see that I have been loving the crystal theme.

Rose Quartz Necklace // Bought on holidays in Maastricht, Netherlands

Najo Ring // Sterling Silver and Chalcedony Ring

Toni May Bracelet // Assorted stones including amethyst, turquoise and aquamarine

What are your favourite jewellery items?

E x

Nail It!

I love changing my nail polish colour on a regular basis and experimenting with different colours. I think it gives a finished look and allows you to be creative. There are so many ways you can experiment with your nails, including nail art and different patterns of colour. 

Sometimes I prefer a bold colour, while at other times I opt for a nude/natural finish. There are always some guidelines I follow when doing my nail care routine.

It is essential to take off your old nail polish and start with a fresh base. I always try and take my nail polish off as soon as it starts to chip (which seems to happen so quickly), as chipped nail polish never looks great. 

Once there is a fresh base, I will trim my nails and file any rough edges. I prefer to keep my nails short, as they are very weak and often break. I like to keep the shape of my nails very natural by rounding off the edges. Remember to file in one direction, as it helps prevent the nail from splitting. 

I then apply a base coat. I have been using the Sally Hansen Hard as Nails nail hardener as a base coat. I find that my nails always break and this has been helping to build up the hardness in the nails. 

I then apply a colour once the base has dried. This week I used an orange shade from the brand Hema, which I bought when I was holidaying in Amsterdam. I normally apply 2 coats of the colour, followed by a top coat. I have been using the Cutex Quick N Go top coat, which dries very quickly. It also gives a lovely shine to the nail.

One of my favourite things to do is paint my nails while watching tv. I love to sit back, relax and watch a show while I paint my nails. This also gives me enough time to sit still and let my nails dry! I was watching Revenge while I painted my nails this week! 

Do you do the same thing when painting your nails?

E x

Everyday Essentials

Here is a glimpse into some of my everyday essentials. I cannot live without these items on a daily basis and normally they live in my handbag.

MinkPink Sunglasses // After Party Snow Leopard - I cannot function without a pair of sunglasses! Normally in Sydney its fairly sunny and I am always wearing them driving, walking to uni or on the train. They are essential!

Mimco Wallet // Black Leather - This is my everyday wallet where I store most of my cards and money. It is about 3 years old now but the leather is still in such good condition and I love it. It was the first big present that my boyfriend bought me! How sweet. 

Mac Studio Fix Powder // Shade NC35 - I have always gone back to this powder throughout the years. It has a smooth finish and gives quite a full coverage. It is great for covering up any redness or spots throughout the day.

Michael Kors Watch // Nude Leather Runway Watch in Rose Gold - I recently bought this watch from my work and I am in love! I have been wearing it non-stop and love the leather band.

Bare Minerals // Mirror - I got this little compact mirror has a Christmas present and I love how easily it slips into my bag.

Swarovski Crystal Pen // Amethyst - I love the Swarovski pens and they come in so many beautiful colours. I have the Amethyst which is a lovely purple/lavender colour. This is always in my bag so I can write down essential bits and bobs! They are great for gifts too.

Perfume // Daisy by Marc Jacobs - This is my go-to perfume. It is light, fresh, fruity and delicious. The packaging is adorable too.

iPad // iPad Mini 16gb - I purchased the iPad Mini solely for the purpose of typing my uni notes, as it was so compact and easy to transport. Now I am in love. It is such a cute and perfect size for me! I cannot imagine having the full size iPad. I am on my iPad everyday, whether it be for uni, reading blogs and everything else!

What are your everyday essentials?

E x

To Buy Or Not To Buy

I have been thinking about buying a new camera recently. Photography is always something I have been interested in, but I never really got into it properly. I always used to get cameras for birthday/christmas presents and was always encouraged to take photographs. About 4 years ago I bought a vintage lomography camera, the Diana F and loved it. I bought heaps of film and took photos of anything I could. The only thing that turned me off doing this was the price of developing film. Yes it is old school and looks pretty cool, but I was spending about $70 to get 2 rolls of film developed. Crazy! 

Now that I have started blogging, I want to be able to take photos that look professional (iPhones are not good enough!) I am not a photographer and am no means talented in taking photos or knowing how to use a proper SLR camera, so I want something that is easy to use. The canon EOS M seems like a good option, as it is a compact camera that comes with DSLR quality. Definitely considering this option.

I am also loving this style of boot. These ones are from Windsor Smith and are called 'Bronte'. They are an essential, black winter boot that is easy to style with any piece of clothing. I would love a pair of these, but I have 2 black boots already that are similar. But, I might have to look through my shoe closest and find room for an extra pair!

Rose Gold is my favourite colour for jewellery this year! I have a ring and a watch, and now earrings! I bought these drop rose gold earrings from Witchery and I am loving this sleek and fine look in jewellery at the moment. Definitely going to start wearing some more drop earrings!

 ♡ Some Extra Bits ♡

These are the lip product I am loving this week. The Maybelline Baby Lips are a moisturising lip balm that are perfect for dry lips. I love how nourishing this feels and reminds me of Lip Smackers from when I was a kid!

Revlon Colour Stay Matte Balm in Unapologetic is a great shade for a night out. This colour really pops and looks great with a basic makeup look. 

Maybelline Colour Sensational lipstick in Tantalizing Taupe is a new shade for me. I very rarely wear lipstick on a daily basic, as I normally wear a bright colour when I am going out at night. I wanted a lipstick colour that was everyday and wearable anytime, anywhere. So, I went for a nude colour for something different. 

What camera do you use? And what are some of your lip favourites at the moment?

E x

My Week In Pictures

I had a fabulous week, starting with mountains of chocolate for Easter and ending with a fabulous festival listening to amazing music. Here are some snapshots from my week. 

On the weekend I picked up some beautiful bright Dahlia flowers from my local florist. I love having fresh flowers in my rooms as it brings so much life and colour into the environment.

I have been eating gluten free this week and picked up some tasty muesli with a berry crunch to add into some natural yoghurt. I love topping it will fresh fruit aswell. It is very healthy and a new type of snack for me! I also love eating from jam jars or mason jars.

A new cafe opened around the corner from my house, so I had to try it out! Had a lovely coffee with my parents!

 

On Easter Monday I went to the Sydney Royal Easter Show. I saw so many cute animals like this horse and the little bunnies. Was a nice day out, especially since I haven't been in ages!

I went on a little shopping trip to the city and stopped by Zara. I have never really bought a lot from Zara, as it is still relatively new in Australia and is always packed full of people. But I picked up a nice new pair of skinny leg jeans, 2 blouses and a jumper. I was surprised how reasonably price they all were too! 

Cocktails with the girls on Saturday at Opera Bar in the city. Had some of the yummiest cocktails which were very sweet!

On Sunday I went to the Groovin the Moo festival. It was amazing and got to see so many artists that I was dying to see. Here is a glimpse of my festival makeup.

Details
Real Techniques Blush Brush
Mac 187 foundation brush
Rimmel Wake Me Up Conclear
Sephora mascara
Rimmel Natural Bronzer
Garnier BB Cream

Festival Love

Festival by emilycarton featuring Marc Jacobs

CC retro t shirt
etsy.com

Vans canvas sneaker
needsupply.com

Daisy Jewellery vintage silver earrings
$61 - psyche.co.uk

Swarovski bracelet
swarovski.com

MAC Cosmetics long wearing foundation
nordstrom.com

Marc Jacobs fragrance
$80 - johnlewis.com




I am so excited to be going to Groovin the Moo this Sunday that I had to do a festival inspired outfit collection. I have not been to a festival in so long and I always used to go when I was younger. I am going with my boyfriend and we are road tripping 2 hours away and I think that is probably why I am so excited. There are so many amazing bands and djs that are playing and I would definitely recommend checking out the line up.

I love festival wear and I think it allows you take on any style you like, whether it be grungey or hippy. This is a glimpse into what I will be wearing on the day and some of the essentials that I will be taking with me!

The artists that I will be watching:

Disclosure

Kingswood

Parkway Drive

The Kite String Tangle

Thundamentals

Violent Soho

What So Not

Wave Racer

Click here for more info.

Liebster Award

I have been nominated to do the Liebster Award by Tamara's Beauty Talk. This award is designed for bloggers to make new connections. 

Source

Here are the rules

Write 11 facts about yourself

Answer 11 questions written by the blogger who nominated you

Choose 11 bloggers for the award

Write a set of 11 questions for your nominees and let them know you have nominated them

♡11 Random Facts About Me♡

• I am studying to be a primary school teacher
• My favourite colour to wear is black
• I work in a jewellery store and am surrounded by sparkly diamonds
• I am a huge tea drinker and could drink a million cups in one day
• Shopping always makes me feel better
• I love going homewares shopping and can't wait to decorate my own house
• My favourite place to be is sitting on a quiet beach listening to the waves
• I have a dog called Bob and he is a boxer
• I love reading and my favourite book is Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger
• A perfect night out is dinner in the city and coming home to watch a movie
• I love chocolate and I have a huge sweet tooth

Questions from Tamara's Beauty Talk

1. How did you decide on your name for your blog?
It is my first and middle name

2. What is your favourite makeup product right now?
The Rimmel Natural Bronzer as it gives me a healthy glow

3. Which liquid foundation would you recommed me? (I have normal to oily skin and I'm searching for a good liquid base)
I have been using Max Factor Face Infinity All Day Flawness foundation and is good for normal to oily skin. Wouldn't recommend if you have dry skin.

4. Where would you like to travel if you had money and time?
I would love to go back to London to work, but for my next holiday I want to go to the south of France and the Greek Islands

5. What is your favourite quote?
"One day at a time—this is enough. Do not look back and grieve over the past, for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering" Ida Scott Taylor

6. Do you have any style icons? If so, who?
I love Olivia Palermo's style and I mostly look to street style for fashion inspiration. There are so many women who dress amazing and I think street style is the most inspiring.

7. Your favourite TV show?
I love Suits but I am also addicted to trashy tv like the Real Housewives!

8. Your favourite book?
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger

9. What's your favourite facial feature you like to enhance with makeup?
Probably my eyes

10. If you could only use one makeup item for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Probably lip stick or gloss. Sometimes all you need is a slick of lipstick or gloss to make you feel better!

11. Your favourite drugstore beauty product?
At the moment it would be the Revlon Colourburst Matte Balms. I love the colours and the texture of this product!

The 11 bloggers I have chosen for the award

♡ bckysklly

♡ My Life as Samia

♡ Fashion & Beauty by Anissa

♡ Insane About Make Up

♡ Shopping Girls

♡ Dee Gotts

♡ Coco et La vie en rose

♡ Rose's Rooftop

♡ Your Chic Blog

♡ SaltJournal

♡ V's Beauty Blog

My Questions

1. What country would you like to live in?
2. What is your favourite blog?
3. What item in your wardrobe could you not live without?
4. Do you prefer Summer or Winter?
5. What is your favourite perfume?
6. Why did you start your blog?
7. What is your dream job?
8. What is your favourite quote?
9. What is your favourite colour?
10. Who is your style icon at the moment?
11. What is your favourite beauty product at the moment?

Wish List

Topshop slip on shoes
$76 - topshop.com

MICHAEL Michael Kors tech accessory
nordstrom.com

NARS Cosmetics sheer foundation
$52 - liberty.co.uk




This week I have been good and have not done much shopping. However, I am always finding new items I want to purchase. I have an iPad mini and absolutely love the size, as it is perfect for carrying around in my bag. I currently have a tan leather case on my iPad, but saw this iPad case on Hello October's YouTube video and fell in love! I love the grey and it looks very sleek and classic. Michael Kors always does lovely wallets, bags and watches. How could anyone not love the simple look of this!

I am currently searching for a new foundation and I am thinking of giving Nars Sheer Glow a try. I am going to go in store and test it out to see if it suits my skin. I have heard so many rave reviews about this foundation and I am willing to give it a go! My cousin is going to Hawaii soon and said she would get it for me over there (which saves me a whole heap of money!)

I did not love the look of espadrilles at first when they came into fashion but I am growing to like them. I saw a pair in Seed that I loved but they have discontinued that particular style. I am definitely contemplating buying a pair, as they are good for this time of year (heading into the cooler months).

Let me know what items are on your wish list and your thoughts on mine!

E x

Mid-Week Joys

It is Wednesday and I officially have a week and a half off from uni! But it is still midweek and there are a couple more days until the weekend comes and we can over indulge in easter eggs, so here are a few of my essential items getting me through this week. 

The first item is my new Witchery coin purse. I had a voucher at Witchery and come across this amazing patent leather purse while I was browsing in the store. It is called the 'Jessie Coin Pouch' and I am in love with it. I have been wanting to buy a small purse to have in my bag in addition to my wallet. I don't like my wallet being filled with too many cards, so this is great to store my extra cards and my train ticket. It is even big enough to fit my phone, so would be great for using as a going out clutch.

During the week I also like to take some time out to sit down and write down what has been going on in my life. I have a five year memory book that I got about a year and a half ago. Everyday I write a line or two about what happened during that day and how I was feeling. It is really nice to have these memories and look back on what happened in the previous year. I have a shocking memory and am always scared I will forget all my amazing memories that I have, so this journal helps me collect my thoughts. 

I also write with my Swarovski crystal pen that I purchased from work, which makes writing even more special and fancy. These pens are also great as gifts and come in so many pretty colours. 

The final item for my Mid-Week Joys is my hand cream, by The Aromatherapy Company. I have been trying to make a conscious effort to put hand cream on, as my hands often get dry as the weather gets colder. This hand cream is amazing and the scent is cocoa vanilla and cassia. It is so smooth and packed full of essential oils that help keep my hands full of moisture without being sticky. 

What are your pick-me-ups for your mid week blues?

E x

March Favourites

This month has brought a lot of happy moments, so I thought I would share my favourite things of this month!

A new item to my wardrobe this month is my Witchery ankle boots! I love these tan leather boots and feel they are a MUST for autumn/winter. The colour is something different than your usual black boots and tan is a colour that goes with a lot. I have been wearing these with my black skinny leg 'wet look' Zara jeans and a few dresses (I want it to be winter already!)

I have been wearing two perfumes a lot this month. These two are staples to my perfume collection and are always my favourite. 

Daisy by Marc Jacobs and Miss Dior

Due to the warm weather still lingering around, these scents have been perfect due to the floral fragrance. Who wouldn't want to smell like a flower?!

I went on a makeup shopping spree this month and picked up some new cosmetics to add to my collection. I started using a new MAC studio finish powder. I was lucky enough to have a spare of these in my cupboard, which was received as a present. I love this product and have been using it for about 4 years! It has a lovely flawless, matte, full coverage finish. This makes it easy to apply and always makes me feel good!

I found a new brand called Models Prefer, which was reasonably well-priced and had cute, compact packaging. I bought a cherry pink lipstick, four colour bronzer, four colour eyeshadow palette and a blush. I needed a new bronzer and wanted a few extra colours for eyeshadow. The eyeshadow colours are great, very earthy and natural tones. 

I am obsessed with bunnies at the moment! Easter is coming and there are bunnies everywhere in the shops. They are so adorable. So I was super surprised when my boyfriend bought me this adorable bunny backpack from Seed! It was such a sweet gesture and I was not expecting it. It made me so happy. Look how cute it is!



My favourite drink of this month is 'Charlie's Lemonade Quencher'. It tastes amazing! It really is like an old fashioned lemonade you would find at a homemade lemonade stand. 

I hope next month brings many more favourites!

E x

What I Am Loving Today

Mondays are normally a pretty average start to the week. Despite it pouring in Sydney today, there were a lot of things that made me smile. 

A quote that gave me some inspiration today: 

To begin, begin.

- William Wordsworth

The first thing I was loving was my new Asos jumper. I recently bought a few new clothing items from Asos and got the chance to wear this grey pocket jumper today, now that the weather is getting cooler. I paired it with an Evil Twin Denim shirt, Ksubi jeans and grey Vans. 

On the way home from Uni, I stopped by a bookstore to pick up a few new books to read. My goal for this year is to read more books and include a few classics to my reading list. I purchased the following books:

• Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
• The Beautiful and the Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

I am a huge fan of Fitzgerald and wanted to read a few more of his books. I have always wanted to read the other two books, and I definitely would class these books as classics. I am very excited to start reading these books!

I am also very excited to be getting a new Michael Kors watch this week, adding to my collection! Working in a jewellery shop definitely feeds my addiction for all things nice. I cant wait to get the tan leather watch in rose gold. 

Picture retrieved from: https://twitter.com/MichaelKors/status/446769173394653185/photo/1

What a great Monday!

E x