Beauty Talk: L'Oreal L'Extraodinaire

Rose Sympathy - L'Oreal

It's a rare occasion when I pop into Boots and pick up a beauty item on a whim. That may come as quite the shock to some of you, but ever since my rather (excessive) spree on my American adventure, my quota of beauty buying had been throughly fulfilled - or so I thought. Catching my glancing eye were the new range of L'Oreal lipgloss/lipstick/balm hybrids, the high-street equivalent of the YSL and Dior releases I had on my radar. On closer inspection of the L'Extrodinare range, Rose Sympathy had me swooning there and then. A vibrant pink with a slight shimmer, this highly pigmented, but seriously creamy gloss brightens my entire complexion. 

Once a stranger to a bright lip, Rose Sympathy is incredibly easy to wear mainly due to it's impressive formula. Long-lasting (it survived a round of Doriotos and dip - touché), the applicator brush makes it a dream to apply and with a light-weight, ultra creamy and most importantly, non-stick formulation ensure that L'Oreal coming up trumps in the beauty stakes.

Have you tried any shades from the Color Riche L'Extraordinare range? Or have you dabbled in the higher-end hybrids? I'm still lusting after the Dior Addict Fluid Sticks..

Bon Anniversaire! 5 Years.

In true bank holiday fashion, the sun may have quite literally done a bunk but there's no raining on my parade for on this charmingly grey Monday, it also marks my fifth year of my blogging journey! Quite the milestone, time really does fly when you're having a blast...

Over the past five years, it's certainly been an adventure. Nattering all things style and beauty, preaching the latest must-have handbag and whispering the words 'Topshop Sale,' penning City Girl's Fashion Box (spoiler alert: I live in a village!) has been so much more. Documenting my life over the majority of my twenties is not only slightly cringeworthy, but a journey - from my university days to finally finding my dream job - which ironically is blogging for a leading British interiors brand - who knew eh? 

Whether you've been with me from the beginning or you've recently popped by, through blogging I've made an incredible (internet now real life) friendships, been enabled (by you lot) to buy many-a-Mulberry, been whisked off to Morocco (still pinching myself about that one) and just being given the chance to shout from the rooftops about whatever takes my fancy (mainly Topshop ahem.)

Thank you for reading, here's to the next five years ♥

because every girl deserves flowers on her birthday, amiright?

The Style List : May

Long bank holidays were made for a little online window browsing, or so thats what I've been told. With a hint of sunshine we've been blessed with last week (amen for the array of bronzers I have to hand), I'm certainly looking to fill my wardrobe with many summer additions - even if the weather has other plans. Let's take a look at what I'm currently coveting...

Blazer - H&M ∙ Blue Cami - Warehouse ∙ Navy Shorts - Topshop ∙ Lace Blouse - Topshop ∙ Pink Heels - H&M ∙ Bag - Zara ∙ Blue Heels - Topshop ∙ Mint Cami - H&M ∙ Blue Dress - Topshop

Coral Dress - Warehouse ∙ Embellished Shorts - Miss Selfridge ∙ Floral Cami - Oasis ∙ Tan Sandals - Zara ∙ Floral Blouse - Oasis ∙ Gold Sandals - Accessorize ∙ Playsuit - Warehouse ∙ Cream Sandals - Miss Selfridge

Lace Skirt - Topshop ∙ Bow Sandals - Topshop ∙ Lace Top - Topshop ∙ Pink Coat - Zara ∙ Pointed Pumps - Topshop ∙ Gem Sandals - Accessorize

Cream Blouse - River Island ∙ Coral Scarf - Topshop ∙  Tropical Cami - Warehouse ∙  Sandals - Warehouse ∙ Orange Cami - River Island ∙ Embellished Shorts - Miss Selfridges 

Clearly this season I'm all about the cami and owning more shoes than I physically need, but hey - thats all part of being a girl right?

What piece has caught your eye? I'm all over the yellow lace skirt, but not sure whether the coral bow sandals from Topshop er on being too cute. Thoughts?

Trend-ticking Florals

Mac - Warehouse ∙ Jumper - Gap ∙ Trousers - Accessorize ∙ Battered Bayswater - Mulberry 

Not one to shy away from my love of florals, it seemed only fitting that my wardrobe was severely lacking of a pair of floral trousers. With the high-street awash with floral choosings, funnily enough I found myself snapping up this charming pair from Accessorize. Who knew they had branched out to clothing? A firm fan of their swimwear (love this set), I for one am delighted to see their extended beach clothing range. Ramble aside, the beautifully bold Summer Floral Trousers are incredibly lightweight with a tapered leg and elasticated waist (hello comfort!). Worn with a white t-shirt and sandals for day-time cool or dressed up with heels and blouse for a polished look, they are an all-round summer must-have.

Have you ever ventured past the jewellery knick-knacks in Accessorize? 

Zara: Blouse Appeal

Layered Top - Zara (£25.99)

Stepping into Zara, the Cream Layered blouse instantly caught my attention. Sophisticated yet so simple, it called on my love for crisp white blouses (they line my wardrobe), it simply had to come home with me. Incredibly flattering and pairing perfectly with almost anything and everything, what's better? The steal-worthy price.

Lets take a peek at the other Zara blouses calling my name...

Frilly Top / Top with Necklace & Pocket / Printed Peplum Top / Necklace Top / Layered Top / Top with Frills 

Which blouses tickle your fancy? Tell me, where do you shop for blouses. I'm so over Topshop.

Getting the Gloss with Laura Mercier

Grenadine ∙ Poppy ∙ Bon Bon ∙ Camelia ∙ Azelea ∙ Sweatheart (LE)

A beauty addict I may be, but one that certainly isn't as daring as her collection would lead you to believe. Shying away from a bold lip, my statement reds and peachy corals often become neglected as I gravitate to the milky pink nude shades. And, to be truthful that's when I even remember to apply. On the quest to make lip colour more a wearable effort, thats when I turned to Laura Mercier.

Now just before Christmas Laura Mercier brought out a collection of mini bright glosses. Naturally, they sold out within weeks, but to my surprise Matthew kindly ordered them from across the pond (serious brownie points to him!) and since then, I've become a gloss convert.

With the mini brights added to the full range of Lip Glaces, the Laura Mercier glosses are suitably creamy and surprisingly pigmented. Easy to apply (without the dreaded streakiness), impressively moisturising (without migrating to other parts of your face) and rather long-lasting (without the awful stickiness). All in all, they are the perfect cheats way to wearing lip colour. No faffing around with lipsticks here, simply one slick of gloss and you're ready to go.

Thrown in my handbag for on the go, I slick them on like a balm come day for work then apply one of the bolder shades come the weekend or night out. Who knew Laura Mercier had such a hidden talent for lip glosses? I'll be building up my lip glace shade wardrobe for sure.

Have you ever tried a Laura Mercier Lip Glace?

In The Know: May

As the cherry blossom blooms and the sunny evenings stretch out that little bit longer, we finally find ourselves in May. Which in my books I class as early summer (although the weather thinks otherwise of course). While last month was a whirlwind of work, I thought it was high-time I shared a variety of delightful things you should make time for in May..

VISIT:

Pop along to the Victoria & Albert museum to catch a glimpse of some of the most famous (and beautiful) wedding dresses in their latest exhibition. From Gwen Stefani's iconic pink dip-dyed Dior to the Duchess of Cambridge's lady-like frock coat, least not forgetting the display of intricately designed wedding dresses that date back to 1775.  

Next up is the Urban Food Fest - somebody hold me. Rustling up wood-fired oven pizzas, burritos, jerk chicken and pad thai from a whole host of independent foodie trucks, lets go! You'll find the foodie fest on Saturday nights in Shoreditch.  

Taking my love for florals to the next level, this month I am all over the Chelsea Flower Show. An awe-inspiring display of beautiful flowers, fabulous blooms and charming gardens, I'm counting down the days. Lucky enough to be covering it for work, tickets are already sold-out. Never fear, make a beeline for the Hampton Court Flower Show in July.

TREAT:

Finding it notoriously tricky to dress for this transitional weather, I've completely and utterly fallen in love with this Zara coat. Believing it to be the answer to my styling woes, I'm trying to work out some serious girl math here. Bite the bullet and go for it? Or wait a little longer a snap up this coral beauty from Dorothy Perkins (yes, you heard that correctly - dotty p). 

EAT:

After dining in the King's Road Big Easy sometime last year, I was pretty eager to see if their new Covent Garden branch lived up to it's standards. Not your typical American diner, it's known for its finger lickin' lobster and shrimp, just like it's been plucked from the southern states. Majorly over-priced, but my god the pulled pork was mouthwateringly good. If you're looking to try something a little different, head over to Mildreds in Soho. A petite vegetarian restaurant that rustles up really tasty grub (thats er, normal), be sure to order the mushroom and ale pie, the mushy peas and mash are delish. 

READ:

I'm kinda over the fashion coffee table phase. This month I'm all about interior books and boy has May been a treat. First up is 'Colour to make you smile style' penned by Will, the legendary interiors blogger at Bright Bazaar. A long-time fan of his blog, Will's blog takes you on a journey of the world's most beautiful colour-popped homes with top tips on how to introduce hue into your home. Another book that's caught my eye is 'Decorate with Flowers' by Holly Becker of Decor8, which sounds blooming beautiful.

BOOKMARK:

Follow the wonderful adventures of Cat at Take Courage. A solicitor by day, a keen explorer come the weekend. Join her as she unearths an array of must-visit spots in London and around the country, with a few unmissable crafty and cookery posts thrown in for good measure.

A scandi living in London, the beautiful Anneli's blog What I Bought Today never fails to inspire. Her fashion forward outfits, impeccable style and envy-inducing wardrobe have me clicking back for more on a daily basis. Don't forget to follow Anneli on Instagram, her healthy dishes have me reaching for my greens.

IF THERE'S ONE THING...

You do this month.. then book in for a hair cut. Chop off those brittle ends and give your hair a fresh feel just in time for the summer months. Every girl deserves a little pamper no? Then make sure to a repeat booking for 10 weeks time, your luscious locks with thank you for it. Trust me.

Now that spring is in full swing, how will you be making the most of it?