5 Accessories I'm Loving This Autumn | GUEST POST

September has just about arrived. Although it still feels a little early, we're already seeing countless exhibitions of autumn style. A lot of the focus this time of year tends to surround extensive lists of clothing items and ideas for totally transformed wardrobes. But if you're like me, you don't actually go out and revamp your entire closet every time the temperature changes! A few new clothing items here and there will suffice for keeping up with the trends. What I really enjoy instead is making sure I'm up on the latest accessories. These are the smaller, more affordable pieces that can bring a look together, and which tend to change more from season to season anyway!

With that said, here are some of the accessories I'm loving for the autumn of 2015.

Sculptural Jewellery

I wasn't entirely sure what the term "sculptural jewellery" referred to until I started seeing it mentioned among the season's trends, and now I can't get enough of it. Style.com has a number of examples of this type of jewellery from designers including Kenzo, Eddie Borgo, and others. The basic idea is that each item is like a piece of art, generally featuring bent and shaped metals that resemble small, wearable sculptures.

Spray-On Boots

This is the term Marie Claire used to define what looks to be a pretty popular trend for the coming autumn and winter seasons: skin-tight, thigh-high boots. Versace, Christian Dior, and others were mentioned in conjunction with the movement, which includes various colours and designs printed onto boots that almost double as leggings. It may not be the most comfortable accessory idea for 2015, but it's a fun look.

Ladies' Loafers

Sticking with footwear, and moving to a more comfortable option, I can't get enough of the ladies' loafers that seem so prominent on the runways this year. Lyst called them "the chosen flats for fall" and it's no wonder they're taking over given the various ways in which we're seeing them dressed up and down. More casual versions include simple boat shoe-style loafers that work like sandal alternatives, and for dressing up we're even seeing heeled ladies' loafers making the rounds.

Opera Gloves

This is another trend pointed out by Marie Claire, and it is essentially the upper-body version of the spray-on boot idea. Opera-length gloves have been spotted on various runways from a slew of different designers this season. While they can appear almost costume-like, there's something undeniably fun about them for the autumn. Given that these gloves tend to be fairly light and thin, they're also a perfect option for comfort as the weather cools but isn't necessarily "cold."

Collar Bows

There have been a lot of bows and ribbons tied around collars on the AW runways, and I love the way Popsugar defined the trend: "a hint of femininity in your workplace wardrobe." Moving from the carefree, fun styles of summer into the stiffer and colder looks that so often arrive with autumn, it's easy to end up with outfits that look slightly uptight. Any sort of ribbon or bow tied around a collar is a great way to keep things fun and feminine.

With these five enjoyable and affordable accessory ideas, you can liven up your autumn wardrobe without even getting into new garments. Have fun putting together some new looks!

Magnitone Lucid Haul + First Impressions | BEAUTY

Hello!

Out came the Lucid, and then I was beginning to get drawn in"

If you've been watching YouTubers for a while now, you might remember when there was a huge craze on the Clarisonic. It had just come out at the time, and was pretty much an America-only product. It seemed to have great reviews and I think I'd watched every single one of the YouTube reviews out there! I really wanted one. 
It was, however, a nightmare to get in the UK, and quite frankly, I'm glad I didn't get it then. At £180, it wasn't something I could justify buying, and the hassle of plug exchange and overseas warranty just didn't appeal to me.

Fast forward a couple of years and here I am, holding the Magnitone in my hands with the facial expressions of a proud mother!

When I first saw the Magnitone range come out a few months back, it didn't really appeal to me. At the time they had the pulsar, which is the slightly bigger (and not so attractive) version of the one I got, the Lucid. Although the price of the pulsar is a lot cheaper than the Clarisonic, I didn't want to buy it at the time. Out came the Lucid, and then I was beginning to get drawn in.

"Lucid resembles the Clarisonic Mia, and the range of colours Magnitone has is just beautiful!"

So, having had my eyes on the beauty for a couple of weeks, I knew I had to get my hands on it. There were many bloggers and vloggers showcasing the product, as it had been sent to them. One thing I realised, most of the reviews I watched/read were not reliable. You see people using it for a few days and claiming it to be their holy-grail, others doing a skin care routine video and then mention it's their second time using the product (it's hardly a routine if you've only been doing it for 2 days). I just couldn't trust it.

On the day of my second last exam, I ordered the product from Superdrug, as it's currently on sale for £49.99, down from it's original £69.99. It was delivered on the day of my last exam (last Friday), so it was almost a "yay for completing exams" treat!

I'd say the Lucid resembles the Clarisonic Mia, and the range of colours Magnitone has is just beautiful! There's like a colour to suit everyone! Though I was contemplating between the pink or the aqua, the minty green of the aqua was the one calling my name. Plus, it matches my toothbrush, that's always a plus side, right? :)

"I will keep you updated and let you know it how it's going after a few weeks - so stay tuned!"

As for the brush itself, I've been using it for the past two days and am pleasantly surprised. When you first open the box and feel the bristles on the brush, you wont believe how soft they are. When using the brush on your face, it's a lovely feeling and not abrasive at all. There are two settings, deep clean and sensitive. You're meant to use the sensitive setting for the first 5 days of use, then whatever suits your fancy. You can use the brush twice a day (one minute each time) but for the first couple of days, they recommend once a day to ease your skin into it.

There's a timer on the brush that beeps every 20 seconds, so you have a guideline as to when to move to the next part of your face. They recommend 20 seconds for the forehead, 20 for both cheeks, and 20 for the chin and nose. I do find that I'm often wanting more than 20 seconds, yet I stick to it as I don't want to overdo it. The device automatically turns off after the minute.

"here I am, holding the Magnitone in my hands with the facial expressions of a proud mother!"

So far my skin feels good after using it, but I can't vouch for much as it has only been 2 days. I will keep you updated and let you know it how it's going after a few weeks - so stay tuned!

In terms of what the device comes with, there's an EU charger for when you go on holiday (which will be great when I go to Egypt), a UK charger for charging at home, both of which is a wire that attaches to a magnet-like thing which attaches to the device, meaning it's safer (and pretty cool!). Alongside that, there's a 1 year warranty that you can sign up to online.

All in all, I'm glad I waited and purchased the Magnitone Lucid rather than the Clarisonic, and I'm also glad I caught a great deal with Superdrug.

Tell me, is there anything that you swear by when it comes to skincare? 

Summer Holiday Haul | FASHION

Hello!

"Definitely something I'll be making the most of this summer!"

As mentioned in the last post, I'll be taking a trip to Egypt this summer. With a holiday just around the corner, it is more than the excuse needed to buy a few extra things! 

I took it upon myself to order from DressLink. I wrote a post about their dresses, which were all under $10, so while taking a look around their site, I came across these things that I wanted to try. Oh, and one of those things was $0.01. That's right, less than a dollar! 

"Believe you me, it did arrive and it was only $0.01!"

The striped top shown on the left is a chiffon material. It is light weight and super versatile for the hot, summer days. It's simple and can be worn in many different ways. This was the item that was $0.01. I kind of didn't believe the price and just put in it the basket, almost thinking it wouldn't arrive as it's too good to be true. Believe you me, it did arrive and it was only $0.01! That's, like, 1 penny for us UK lot! 

LINK here.

I also ordered a bag and some sunnies. The bag is a cream/off-white shade which I think is perfect for the summer. I have a thing for gold hardware, and the hardware detail on this was exactly what caught my eye. However, I did notice there were a few scratches on the hardware, even though the product came in a dust-bag. I have no idea how that came about, but for the price, I'm not complaining! 

LINK here.

"there is also little slots for your phone and possibly some keys or something on the inside."

The good thing about the bag is the optional shoulder straps. I, for one, am pretty sure I'd forget the bag somewhere if it didn't have the shoulder straps, only to realise, 2 hours later, that I left it in the middle of nowhere and will have no way of getting it back. So, to avoid that kind of situation, a shoulder strap is vital for me! 

It's great that it's got a zip too, so you feel safer about putting some valuables in there, and there is also little slots for your phone and possibly some keys or something on the inside. 

It's a pretty simple, but stylish bag that would go with almost anything. Definitely something I'll be making the most of this summer! It was $4.83 (about £3.20). I still can't get over how affordable the prices are! 

"With a holiday just around the corner, it is more than the excuse needed to buy a few extra things!"

Finally, a holiday would not be complete without a pair of sunglasses. Aviators are hands down my go-to style of sunnies, and when I saw they had these gold-rimmed (see a trend?) orange/red tinted ones, I just couldn't say no. 

LINK here.

What are your essentials to get/pack for a holiday? Oh, and tell me, are you planning on going trips this year? 

5 Holiday Destination Ideas in EUROPE | LIFE

Hello!

"thought of the whitewashed buildings clinging on to the cliffs and the scenic views of the clear blue sea gets me drifting away"

As summer time rolls around, we're left on our toes thinking, 'Oooh, where in the world shall we go this year?'. Well, it might seem like an easy task to decide where to go, but let's be honest, it takes up way more time than it should just to pinpoint where to land.

I had that same dilemma when booking my holiday a few weeks ago. "Oooh I've always wanted to go to Thailand, but then there's New York, what about that? Hmm.. or maybe I'll just stick to Spain?" It had me going back and forth and I just couldn't decide! 

Hopefully this post will give you a few ideas and possibly help choose that destination, and if you're on the other side of the boat, having a mind blank as to what countries even exist now-a-days, then maybe this will get the ball rolling. 

source: 1,2,3,4

The beautiful country of Italy is quite the tourist destination. However, I feel Italy is known for Rome or Venice, and Sorrento doesn't get as much attention. It looks like it'd be such a beautiful place to visit, and the houses on the cliff look pretty cool! A coastal town in southeastern Italy where you can spend the day wondering around the centre 'Piazza Tasso' and spend your nights sitting by the 'Amalfi Coast'. Oh, and feel like climbing a mountain slash volcano? You can do that too. 

source: 1,2,3,4

Not going to lie, I had no idea this place existed until Snapchat had it in one of the 'stories'. The place where some event about racing cars is being held this year, but also the place that has incredible views. On the Snapchat story you got to see some of the beautiful homes and buildings in Monaco. Located just below France on the map, it is a place that deserves more attention. There's something about these small, yet utterly beautiful, countries that have not yet hit 'mainstream' that feels pretty special.

Go and visit the 'Jardin Exotique', which, believe-it-or-not, stands for Botanical Gardens! The cool thing about it? It's located on a cliffside and looks absolutely stunning (see here). You can also take a look at the Prince of Monaco's Palace or take a trip to the Monaco Opera House.

source: 1,2,3,4

France. Okay, I couldn't choose one area of France to visit because, well, just look at those pictures! Every part of it is stunning, and each part completely different. You can see the coastal rocks, the beautiful architecture and of course, the Eiffel Tower. 

If all else fails, and you find yourself getting bored of seeing all the 'Pyramide du Louvre's'  and the 'Mona Lisa's' - just take a trip to Disneyland! 

source: 1,2,3,4

Every time I mention that I wouldn't mind visiting Amsterdam people get a little wide-eyed and start shaking their head. No, I do not mean the red light district, people, but the beauty of the country. Having seen The Fault in Our Stars, it made me want to see the beautiful canal, Anne Franks house, the peaceful roads and everything else Amsterdam has to offer. 

source: 1,2,3,4

Remember me telling you about my dilemma with picking a holiday destination this year? Well, I was very, very close to picking Greece. The thought of the whitewashed buildings clinging on to the cliffs and the scenic views of the clear blue sea gets me drifting away even as I'm still at home.
Want to take a visit to Italy at the same time? Well, they say Ancient Akrotiri is the 'Pompeii of Aegean Islands' (Santorini is one of the islands of Aegean Islands).
Or take a ride on a donkey like the do in 'The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants'.

So, although I went for Egypt to go and take a visit to this year, these 5 places are definitely on my 'to visit-list'.
What do you look for in a holiday? Is it the landmarks, the beaches or the weather?

Top 6 Spring/Summer Dresses - Under $10 | FASHION

Hello! 

"great for the various events throughout the season"

Dresses were made for Spring and Summer (well, I guess you could pull it off during the autumn and winter too, but ideally, it's Spring and Summer) and who would believe you could get some super pretty ones for less than $10! Whether you're a student watching your budget, or just don't want to splurge on the dress where the trend may not last until next summer - heck, if you just simply like the dresses, regardless of the price tag, read on.

Isn't it stunning?! I love stripes and the yellow border just makes this dress that extra special. You know they say yellow is the happiest colour? Well, doesn't this dress make you happy! 
Buy here.

I saw this dress and instantly thought of laying by the pool or beach, chilling under the sun. Having said that, the piece could also be dressed up with some heels and a cute clutch. Either way, a versatile piece that could be a gem in any collection.
Buy here.

So it looks like two different pieces, but really it's just one. The thing that caught my eye with this one, is that it's unique. Oh, and it's super cute! 
Buy here.

Totally a casual dress - my favourites! This one that's probably harder to dress up - but perfect for a picnic-in-the-park kind of day.
Buy here.

Did I mention I have a thing for stripes?
Buy here.

Denim is practically always a trend for Spring/Summer, and a denim dress is totally a nice way to incorporate it. Another one for the picnic-in-the-park kind of day!
Buy here.

So 6 dresses under $10, and all great for the various events throughout the season.
Tell me, what do you think of stripes? Fan or not-so-much? 

PS. I believe they ship worldwide ;)

A Beauty Discount Card + Giveaway! | BEAUTY

Hello!

""What? You've got to be kidding," I hear you say. "Yep," I say, "and it couldn't be easier.""

We all know a day trip to the Spa is a lovely treat. Treating yourself to a manicure is a, well, treat! As these are treats, it's nice to do something of the sort every once in a while (or many times in a while), yet what if I told you that you could get a discount with that treat. "What? You've got to be kidding," I hear you say. "Yep," I say, "and it couldn't be easier."

 

When I first found out about the FabYOUless card, I did what most people would do: go on their website. On there I put in my postcode and noticed that the closest place I could use the card is a mere 10 minute walk away. How convenient! 

" it's nice to know you're not hurting your wallet as much when you get that fresh new mani pedi! ;)"

With FabYOUless you could be getting a great deal with your fortnightly manicure. Best of all, it's a whopping 25% off, or 50% (if you look at it in terms of 2 for 1). To top it all off, there's a giveaway! Not 1, not 2, but 10 FabYOUless cards to give away... (yep, 10!).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

"the closest place I could use the card is a mere 10 minute walk away. How convenient!"

Discounts are always a good thing, and it's nice to know you're not hurting your wallet as much when you get that fresh new mani pedi! ;)

Tell me, what's your favourite treatment to get done? A Facial, massage, manicure? Leave a comment! Also, don't forget to enter that giveaway! :)

*Giveaway closes on the 25th of April 2015

The Cutest Wellies Ever: POTW

Hello! 

"they lack the cheesy quality that wellies often have"

With the rain pouring down, it's not fun wearing suede shoes (reference to this post, these shoes are ruined now :( ). So to keep it appropriate for the weather, it was time to go out and buy new shoes. A reason to shop? Yes, please!

" Perfect for this time of year, a colour that will go with everything and at £10, you can't go wrong! "

Already being a fan of wellies meant these were something I'd buy - but the ultimate reason why I went for them is because they lack the cheesy quality that wellies often have. At the same time, the bow adds a girly touch without making the shoe look tacky. Another positive about them, is that the short, ankle-bootie height means these are so easy to put on and take off - who really wants to spend 10 minutes putting shoes on?!

"keep it appropriate for the weather"

Overall, a great find from none other than Primark. I swear, I rarely go there but when I do, there is always something that catches my eye! Perfect for this time of year, a colour that will go with everything and at £10, you can't go wrong!

Are you a fan of wellies?

POTW: The Perfect Little Clutch

Hello! 

"Pop in a little bit of cash, possibly your Oyster card and a lippie and you're good to go."

With the Christmas parties just around the corner, we all need a go-to clutch - and I think I've found it.

Being obsessed with monochrome, this bag is definitely in my good books. The chain is long so would be safe as either a cross body or low on one shoulder. The little wristlet would be less hassle so would be the preferred way. Oh, and of course, there's the option of having neither.

"Oh, and good news: it's super inexpensive too!"

The size is pretty small, yet my phone will fit just right in. Pop in a little bit of cash, possibly your Oyster card and a lippie, and you're good to go. Another good thing about this particular clutch is the hidden pockets. There's one on the back and one on the inside bearing the opening of the middle compartment. This is good for any extra cash you may have, and the back one particular good for the Oyster*!

"parties just around the corner, we all need a go-to clutch - and I think I've found it."

Overall, it's a complete necessity in every girls wardrobe. Oh, and good news: it's super inexpensive too! Retailing at $15 (£9.40), you can't really go wrong. Link here to buy. 

Tell me, do you have a go-to clutch for the holiday season?

*Oyster = travel card used in London

Personalised Henna Candles & Gifts: Henna by Ashi

Hello!

"pretty inexpensive yet beautiful and unique gift ideas"

Recently you have had more of an insight to my culture, including the festivals and the events to do with it. Then I came across this beauty and thought it'd be horrible to not share it with you guys! Being candle obsessed, loving nice patterns and a bargain, these were right up my street! 

"a flower floating on the melted wax!"

Henna by Ashi is a brand which hand-decorates candles with henna designs. These can be made unique to you, with various henna colours and rhinestones to choose from. 

Due to the water based henna and the wax of the candles, the henna will almost float on top of the candle when you're burning it - so it can be like a flower floating on the melted wax! 

"candle obsessed, loving nice patterns and a bargain, these were right up my street"

"made unique to you, with various henna colours and rhinestones to choose from"

These would be lovely stocking gift ideas, or even Secret Santa presents! 

"personalise your 2015 diary"

You could even ask HennaByAshi to try and personalise your 2015 diary, it'll be perfect and in case you do lose it in your office/school/college, you're more likely for it to be returned! 

I hope this has given you some (pretty inexpensive yet beautiful and unique) gift ideas, and inspired you to be creative! 

TO ORDER:

EMAIL: hennabyashi@hotmail.com

FOLLOW ON INTAGRAM: hennabyashi

BBM: 7F00A421

Tell me, have you ever done henna on your hands? 

POTW: Batiste Dark & Deep Brown Dry Shampoo

Hello! 

"Dry Shampoo is your best friend."

Generally in the summer months we like our hair in the style of Beach Waves - and the heat can cause one to sweat more (sounds eww, I know!) which leads to greasy hair. You may be like me and wash your hair about 3 times a week, so almost every other day, but actually it's not healthy to do so. So, to keep your hair healthy and looking non-greasy, Dry Shampoo is your best friend.

As it is now summer, it is the perfect time to get your hair into 'better shape' meaning (unfortunately) less hair washing as when we wash our hair, we're stripping away the natural oils that are produced meaning the hair is left dry. 

I am aiming for twice a week to see if it makes a difference.

"staple and a go-to product on a bad hair day."

After using this dry shampoo once, I can honestly say I love it! I can see it becoming a staple and a go-to product on a bad hair day.

I have tried the non-dark hair version and it is NOT the same. This version is so much easier to blend into your hair and it doesn't look like you have talcum powder in your hair and at £3.99 from Boots you can't go wrong!

So, how many times do you wash your hair a week? 

Bargain Deals - Happy Hump Day!

Hello!

Happy Hump Day!! This is either the day that you love or hate - depending on which way you look at it. Kind of like if the glass is half-full or half-empty! So, lets keep it positive and say today is a good day - as we're getting closer to the weekend!! Actually, for me Wednesday is the longest day, I have all 4 subjects AND have extra-ciricular afterwards - Being a college student is great (!)… haha, it's not that bad, to be honest!

Anyway, so as it is the middle of the week, I didn't want you to have the mid-week blues, so I thought I'd gather some codes for great bargains to make your day just that little bit better! Who doesn't like bargains?! So, make yourself feel good by treating yourself (or a loved one, if you want), yet not feeling so guilty because it's a bargain!

via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

BooHoo
10% off £40+ on boohoo.com
Enter Code: PERFECT10

H&M
£5 off £11 on hm.com
Enter Code: 1304

Feel Unique
5% off + free delivery on orders over £10 on feelunique.com
Enter Code: JAN2014FIVE

TopMan
10% off Full Priced Orders + Free Delivery  on topman.com
Enter Code: TMSAVINGS

StarGlass
20% off all orders on starglassuk.com
Enter Code: BerryBloomXO

I hope these work well for you and you find great things to treat yourself with!
What's your best bargain/deal you've come across?! Also, would you like to see more of these posts?