Beach Birthday

So, it's my Birthday and I've been whisked away (sort of... the car did break down once... we forgot the keys and had to go back... forgot to get dinner... oh and I stubbed my toe on the steps, it's a comedy of errors really) to the beautiful seaside for the weekend! Hooray! The weather is absolutely STUNNING and HOT - I think the Earth is celebrating the joyous occasion of my Birth too. We've been out to Whitby today to eat fish and chips at The Magpie (delicious) and now we're back at the cottage drinking champagne and eating cherries. Al bought me a handbag and a pair of trainers - one of which is featured today and the other is coming soon. He knows me so well! Here's my outfit...

Dress - Sleeveless ditsy floral dress from ASOS. It's jersey material but quite lightweight, and it buttons all the way down, with a thin elasticated waist. It has the cutest crochet collar on it too, which is a nice touch, and it's definitely long enough to go without leggings - no bum-baring!

Grey leggings - Jack Wills. Jersey too, but again lightweight so not too hot.

Grey cardigan - Cable knit from Ralph Lauren. I wear this an awful lot, check my other posts! Needed a cover up in the shade and it matches my leggings, haha

Sandals - Black with studs and spikes from Primark. So pleased with these, £6 is a marvellous price for a pair of gladiators that are modelled on all the current styles, which is even better for me as I wasn't sure whether I liked/suited the style at all. Well I definitely like them! Again, bought a size 5 as the 6 was redonk huge.

Bag - Present from Al! It's a Fiorelli grab bag with a long strap in dark forest green. It's a mini version of my tan handbag, and is utterly adorable! It also fits a surprising amount of stuff inside it because it's a structured dome shape. It even has the same little inside pockets as the big one, so cuuute! Amazing Birthday present!

Sunglasses - Purple and green wayfarer style, rubberised plastic from Primark. Cheapo £2 sunnies, I love Primark for these cause I'm rubbish and lose/break glasses easily. The kind of rubber-feel means they're really comfortable to wear and I find they fit really well (often glasses are too wide for my face and fall off when I do quite important things like... looking down or, turning my head quickly...)

So anyway, I've had a splendid Birthday and we get to stay two more days! Paddling in the sea tomorrow and poking about in the rock pools for crabs. Doubt I'll be wearing anything noteworthy but I might dress up in the evening, you never know ;)

Vendula-la-la

I have no idea how it can be this cold in JULY, but it is! So I've been laughing in the face of it, and wearing what I like regardless. So yesterday we went out after Al got back from work to finalise our Wedding invitation prints (yes we decided to get them printed, it would have cost the same in ink and paper to do it at home - we worked it out...) and decided to go out to eat and see a movie after. We saw World War Z which was actually pretty decent, considering how critical we are of zombpocalypse films ;) and this is what I wore...

Last week I received a smashing parcel from Vendula London, who make an exciting array of unusual bags - including this beautiful Funky Birds backpack! I am truly in love with it, it's just so sweet - take a look at the close-ups. It is kind of a minty blue green (but also comes in rosy-pink and moss-green) which I am loving right now - check out my matching toes, and it's about netbook sized too which is super-handy.

It has a clip on the inside so that the edges draw in once all your stuff is in it and the lining is the most adorable 'London' print. The polka dot fabric strip round the bottom is a nice touch but it's the super-cute birdies and buttons design on the front that I really enjoy. I've got the straps at full length and it's really comfortable to wear, you can get hold of your own here, but do have a scout round the rest of the range because I had real trouble choosing a favourite (I particularly like the brand new Deep Sea Story collection). I'll be using this a LOT!

Jacket - Denim biker style with 3/4 sleeves from New Look a few years ago

Dress - Cream with lace inserts, from the River Island sale (bargain and very versatile) it has a tie up round the back, so that you can fit it well. It's a nice length too, would be fine without leggings for a day out.

Leggings - Grey from Jack Wills

Hat - I don't know where this was from, my Nanna gave it to me!

Belt - Mint with a white bow, from Primark. It tapers to skinny at the back, which means it's pretty comfy to wear.

Sandals - brown/dark tan gladiator style with gold clips and buckles from Primark. Primark have some really nice sandals in at the moment, I was impressed! I bought a size down though as the 6's were crazy massive.

Accessories:
Blue and silver bracelet - Primark
Pastel Hot Air Balloon necklace - a present!

 This sample product was gifted from Vendula London. Opinions expressed here are my own.

Ickle Pickles

  

Well, festival season is in full swing now and for the most part this year we're experiencing less than brilliant weather. This weekend sees Glastonbury and Hard Rock Calling getting a little sunshine but I need it to heat up a lot more before I head off to the next on - hate carrying waterproofs around!

Anyway, when the lovely people at Ickle Bockles sent me this compact goodiebag you can imagine my glee - a fully functional festival survival kit just for me! Ickle Bockles do a range of kits and items for travel (first aid, toiletries etc.) but this festival kit is just the perfect collection of items for a week in a field with unavoidable mishaps and getting into pickles (what a weird saying)...

Bag - this clear washbag is great for seeing all your stuff in a hurry (or a bleary-eyed hangover!) The information is on a cardboard insert.

2 x travel bottles - I'll be popping a little shampoo and conditioner in here for a quick hairwash (using a waterbottle) which is just HEAVENLY after a few days of matted, straw hair.

1 x travel pot - I'll put a bit of moisturiser in here ready for hands rubbed raw with hand-san

Toothbrush & Toothpaste pot - how cute is this?? It's a little clip together brush and the tiniest toothpaste I've ever seen all in one handy case! It means your toothbrush stays clean and doesn't get mixed up in sleeping bags/rucksacks/pants etc. in your tent. Hurrah!

A tiny pot with earplugs in - FESTIVAL ESSENTIAL. Now, here's a serious bit: if you're the stand-by-the-speakers type, please please please wear earplugs. I know it's not 'trendy' but if you love your music and value your hearing - they're a must. If you're the laid-back watch-from-the-hill type, these are pretty useful for that 4-am-and-everyone-is-snoring/raving/singing thing.

A tiny pot with lipbalm in - This lipbalm is really nice and minty fresh, pretty useful if it's a hot one (of you've been avoiding all liquids so that you don't have to go to the portaloos...)

Hand sanitiser pen - Totally brilliant product. Inevitably the loos will be out of hand-san within the first couple of hours of any festival, so this will make you feel marginally safer as you tuck into your giant burrito on the third night! It's totally pocketable too, a nice size.

Pack of plasters - Hopefully you won't have any accidents whilst raving, but these are great to keep in your pocket if blisters set in with all that walking.

Tissues - In a sealed bag so they can be your emergency tissues if everything else gets soaked!

Folded poncho pouch - Oh so very handy. Regardless of what the weather 'looks like', you're in Britian. Stick this in your back pocket and you will be eternally grateful when it starts raining cats and dogs. Nothing worse than being soggy at a festival!

Black eye mask - Part two in getting a good night's/morning's sleep. Canvas isn't great at keeping out the light of a morning, so waking up usually happens around the time the sun comes up... which in the summer, and after a night of dancing your booty off, SUCKS. With your eye mask and ear plugs you can ensure a healthy dose of shut-eye before the next bout of fun!

Last but not least - a mini flip mirror. It's an easy item to forget when you're packing, but think application of neon or glitter makeup, checking you've not had a moustache/willy drawn on you whilst you slept etc. Very important as you won't find them onsite in many places! Portaloos do have tiny ones on the inside of their doors but - do you really want to spend any more time than is absolutely necessary in there?!

So that's the roundup, I can safely say my favourite products are the earplugs/eyemask combo, do not underestimate the power of a good sleep at a festival, and the hand-san as it's such a good size/shape for carrying around. You can get hold of your own kit here, along with their other kits, and be safe in the knowledge that you're set up for a great time - no matter what happens!

P.S. Open the photo up to zoom in!

These sample products were gifted from Ickle Bockles. Opinions expressed here are my own.

It's a beautiful day for a, white wedding

It's a beautiful day for a, white wedding! Wedding attire... it's tricky right? Especially when you've spent your time gathering a collection of thigh-skimming cocktail dresses for drinks out with the girls, and not much else in the formal stakes. I'm not great at formal unless it's proper full on ball gown vibe, I always feel frumpy, hot and uncomfortable, so a decent dress and comfy shoes are the only remedy to feel even halfway acceptable at an important event.

Dress - Dorothy Perkins came to the rescue with this great sale find, the dress is lightweight but structured in the bust area, so gave nice support, the capped sleeves are really cute and the pattern is summery but the black gives it a bit of an edge I think. Sometimes I look a bit like a little girl in florals, I like to rough them up a bit.

Jacket - Primark, again a sale steal (I believe it was a fiver!) it has slightly ruched cropped sleeves and a stripy lining. Really comfy and a nice long blazer, I'm sick of super cropped ones that look like I've shrunk myself in the wash. Long blazers do a good job of elongating you I think, especially when you're wearing an underbust belt or band like this dress has.

 
Fascinator - Ben DeLissi at Debenhams. Everyone goes to Debenhams for wedding accessories, I don't even know where else sells them really! This one is simple, cream colour and not too poofy. My friend wore a hat to the wedding though, I was jealous. I've always wanted to wear a big hat. One day! I did have my hair re-coloured though so it was a good outing for it (it's SOOOO blonde!)

Shoes - ahhhh the beautiful shooooes! These are from Kurt Geiger at the most exciting price of £19... yes! That's right! They were from the KG outlet in McArthur Glen York, who miraculously were having a mad one day sale the day we drove up to Runswick - all shoes £19. Heaven. So I got them in nude too. They've got a platform, a peep toe (unusual buy for me but they were cute AND comfy) suede, with a kind of black snakeskin effect heel. I do just love them.

Accessories:
Solitare diamond necklace (bought in Nassau)
Swarovski bracelet (present from Al)
I'm not holding it here but I also had a cream coloured clutch from River Island

Hillbilly Heartbreaker

 aaaaand finally, Download - Day Three! This was the day I saw Rammstein for the first time, and oh but they were EPIC. It wasn't very rainy at all, but still a little chilly and definitely still a bit sludgy in the arena. Had a great day - you can read the review here and my Rammstein review here. This outfit is my standard "It's a festival so dress like rock n roll Daisy Duke" look. It's easy, involves pockets (essential at a festival) and has layers with which to regulate temperature... oh so practical.

Tshirt - GWAR!!!!! Bought at Bloodstock Open Air Festival, Gwar are just hilarious fun. That's all.

Shirt - This is lumberjack-check on the front with a little denim collar but the back of it is sheer navy fabric, which is perfect for wearing over band tshirts, because you can still see the tour dates through the back! It was from Primark.

Shorts - Stonewash denim knicker-shorts from ASOS

Leggings - Black, Jack Wills

Wellies & Welly-Warmers - Both from Katwalk Kimberleys! You can get to their page here: www.katwalkkimberleys.co.uk but please do go back to my previous post from Download to see the full description! The socks/welly-warmers are fleecy with a cable-knit topper to fold over, they're SUPER-warm and cosy, plus stop rain getting into your boots!

Accessories:

Black bandana - ebay

Belt - Lowlife

Spike necklace - Primark

These sample products were gifted from Katwalk Kimberleys. Opinions expressed here are my own.

Up The Irons!

Day two of Download Festival, and it's my favourite kind of day... IRON MAIDEN BABY! Okay so there were a whole heap of other awesome bands, but come on, Iron Maiden are just amazing. You can find my review here. So I own about a bajillion Iron Maiden shirts, bought from festivals and shows over the years, and it was pretty hard to choose just one for the day, but Killers won out as its a classic Eddie look.

Tshirt - Iron Maiden Killers reissue shirt (Possibly 2007 Download Festival?)

Zip Hoody - Iron Maiden embroidered. Someone gave me this, it's not an official product but it's pretty good.

Shorts - Acid wash black denim from ASOS

Belt - 3 row pyramid stud from Lowlife (bought this from the Lowlife stall at Download the day before, their card machine wasn't working so the guy said to just give him however much cash I had. Turns out this was a bargainacious £5.50! Winner!)

Leggings - Galaxy print from ASOS (they're a bit baggy on me now, but I have got a smaller pair ready for other outfits)

Trainers - Iron Maiden special edition Vans sk8-hi from Schuh. I actually had to swap back into wellies for the day as the arena was still soggy and I didn't want to wreck these beauts.

Accessories:

Purple bandana - ebay

Keys necklace - I lost the original keys off this chain in London, but my lovely mum bought me some new ones from the NEC craft show.

Studs and chains bracelets - A pack from Primark

Leather cuff - I believe this was from H&M mens collection around 8 years ago...

Downpour Festival: I do my little turn on the Katwalk

  

Ahoy! Yes, ahoy, it did in fact RAIN most of the weekend (as it always does for Download Festival) but that did mean a chance for this... So last week I received a delightful delivery from the lovely people at Katwalk Kimberleys who make snazzy wet weather gear, with a social conscience. Based in Middlesborough, KK's was launched in 2012 by Abigail Fields in tribute to her late sister, Kimberley. The company's raison d'etre comes from Abigail: "The business is in memory of my late sister Kimberley who sadly passed away from methadone related activity.  Kimberley tried many times to kick her drug habit and I know that the one thing missing to help her was 'employment' if Kimberley had a job it would have been much easier for her to remain abstinent.  Sad as it is Kimberleys life will not be in vain and this social enterprise will give jobs to those people in recovery."

KK's is making roads in supporting recovering addicts, promoting products with passion and reason behind them and I proudly sport their products, knowing what they stand for. So without further ado, here's a lowdown on the goodies!

Wellies - KK's wellies are slim-fit so for me with my chunky calves they fit absolutely perfectly with normal socks, but a little snug with big thick ones. However, I can honestly say they're the most comfortable pair of wellies I think I've ever worn! They're made out of a softer pvc than others I've had, they're kind of jelly-like in a funny way. This is good for another reason, it means they stretch on the heel and don't press in a line when you walk or bend etc. My sister is notorious for axing wellies by popping the seams when she's searching in rock pools at the beach - but these would be perfect for her! They're also slick black, which is pretty handy for a metal-fest (heehee). As I left my big camera at home, these photos were taken in the morning before we left for the festival and I'm not wearing the welly-socks in them, but they'll come up in the next couple of posts.

Umbrella - this brolly is HUGE and SHINY and STRONG but most of all, comes in a wine bottle shaped holder! You may think this is just for fun, but you'd be wrong... it was in fact, the handiest of items this weekend as we experienced periods of sun and rain every hour or so. What's great about this is, unlike normal brollies that have only fabric covers - you can put your brolly away wet, store it upright in your backpack, and the tube/bottle will ensure nothing else in your bag gets a soaking while you're rocking out! Genius!! It's KK's own design and it's brilliant. 

www.katwalkkimberleys.co.uk

Everything else:

Wacken Tshirt - 2011 our trip to Germany for Wacken Open Air Festival

Blue zip hoody - This is a silver circuit board printed hoody with a neon yellow hood-lining from Cyberdog. It's a men's small, and has little thumb holes in the cuffs. I love it and it's easy to spot in a crowd! Bought a year or two ago in the sale.

Leggings - Ink print from Primark

Denim skirt - Animal

Belt - Star studded from Lowlife

Accessories:

Giant leather bow from Kiss Like Daisy (completely LOVE this, it gets so many compliments!)

Thing 1/Thing 2 Dr Seuss mini purse from an Ebay seller. I just like it because the blue hair matched my blue hair chalk!

Green belt pouch from Millets when I worked there a long time ago

These sample products were gifted from Katwalk Kimberleys. Opinions expressed here are my own.