Beauty Notes: Feeling Peachy

Calypso Coral - Bobbi Brown

That's it. It's official. I'm fast-forwarding to spring beauty in the shape of this peachy keen lip and cheek pot from Bobbi Brown. A recent discovery in my stash, this unloved cream product went severely unloved in the blush department, only called upon in my most tanned moments (aka never). Feeling daring on a particular Sunday and certainly not letting this bad boy slip by the way side, blotted on the lips - it is quite the perfect peachy hue. Just the right amount of sheer pigment, it completely brightened up my complexion and made my teeth look all that little bit whiter. Bravo!

Have you ever tried the Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips and Cheeks? Has anyone ever actually used a multi-puporse product successfully? It's a no from me.

Thoughts: Getting Fit

Nike Pro Safari Sports Bra at JD Sports ∙ T-Shirt at Gap ∙ Nike Pro Safari Sports Bra at JD Sports ∙ Nike Free 5.0 TR Fit Energia Vivaz at Millet Sport 

Over the previous year, getting fit has been high on my agenda. Intent on building muscle in my knees for health reasons (gummy knee for the win!), I also wanted to push my fitness levels and transform my body into a fitter and stronger version. Having enrolled in my gym membership nearly a whole year back, I'm proud to have stuck it through and dabbled in a variety of classes. Alas with the beginning of a new year, means a fresh new start and already I have set myself some goals:

- Forgo the crappy carb-filled lunches and prep before hand. January was officially the month I became a pack mule and heaved a bag full of tupperware to and from work. Armed with healthy snacks (homemade oat bars and never ending supply of pink lady apples), granola with berries and fat free greek yogurt for breakfast and a mightily green salad for lunch - I've so far resisted the daily afternoon vending machine allure - and my purse has been better for it! 

Nike Dri-Fit Essentials Capri Pant*

- Trying new classes. Combat and Body Pump (weights) are easily my most booked classes. I've watched my stamina dramatically improve after high-cardio tracks and certainly feeling all hulk-like packing bigger weights on my lifting bar. This year however I want to book in for at least four classes a week and push myself into spinning (which strangely I find quite easy - no I don't know how either). 

Nike Pro Safari Sports Bra* 

- Embrace the green smoothie. Chugging back spinach and berry filled smoothies was no problem back in the summer, but come the chilly winter months my blender has barely seen the light of day. An excellent way to scoff the superfoods, I can't quite bring myself to look at kale or ginger in any other way. 

Bright is Best. Nike Free 5.0 TR Fit*

- Build up my workwear wardrobe. Let's face it, hauling your ass to gym is way more appealing when you feel comfortable in what you're wearing. I've invested in two new pairs of trainers (always Nike TR's, always on the loud side), a few sports bras (even the smallest racks jiggle) and a decent pair of leggings that you don't have to religiously keep hiking up. 

A devoted fan of Nike, their amazing Drifit range is designed to wick sweat away from the body and evaporate. Perfect, if you're are that tomato faced girl like myself. I always throw on over a baggy top  from Gap, super soft they hide a multitude of muffin top! The TR's are incredibly lightweight, move at ease and honestly put a spring in my step...

How's that for a mood boosting Sunday post? I already have my eye on a pair of shorts on the JD website for summer...

What are your fitness goals for the year ahead?

Swoon: A Touch Of Luxury

There's no doubting that as women we strive to look stylish on the outside, so really why should our undies be any different? Sure, when it comes to bras the main factor is comfort. Whether you're blessed with a full-on busty rack or a small handful, it really is one of life's essentials to have them fully supported. From a simple lace number to an underwired game changer, whatever style you may favour - the search for the perfect bra is quite the task.

Ditching my trusty H&M bras (of whom had really had seen better days), I embraced my inner middle aged woman and made a beeline for good old M&S. Never beaten on quality, I was thoroughly impressed and amazed by the array of suitably stylish bras on offer.

The modern appeal of their Limited Collection range to their swoon worthy Rosie Huntington-Whitley range, I was completely spoilt for choice. With touches of lace, colour popping brights, elegant styles and shapes; I hastily picked up five and since (bar a few sizing issues*) I've been utterly converted, and nicely supported ever since. 

And if like me, nothing pains you more than splashing out on an expensive bra - even though girl math dictates that cost per wear really does make it value for money - I snapped up mine whilst they were on offer and managed to score all five for less than sixty quid. Thanking you M&S!

One more thing, if you haven't discovered the RHW range just yet, just which bloody rock have you been hiding under? I'm currently swathed in the soft cloud that is her luxury dressing gown and penning this post in none other than her stunning silky pj set. Utter bliss. I probably won't move for hours. 

Where do you browse for bras?

* apparently after a year of pumping iron in the gym, I have come over all hulk like. 

House to Home #1: Bottom Drawer

L / R

a bottom drawer: household belongings stored by a woman in preparation for her marriage.

Not quite, but you get the gist. My overflowing bottom drawer is part of the saving plan Matthew and I devised in the journey of saving for our first home. Compiled with random bits and pieces for our invisible house, including two chairs, two lamps, two mugs, wine glasses, a whisky set (priorities) and a tropical pineapple lamp, I thought perhaps it might be insightful for those of you who are ready to embark on their own bottom drawer. For it's all very well when you finally get the keys to your first abode, but how can you toast the occasion without champagne glasses eh? Read on.

L / R

The world of interiors truly grasped my attention when I started working for a well known furnishing company as part of their social media team (ooh mysterious), which includes penning posts and writing content for their online blog. My 9-5 soon certified my love of all things home, with a new found obsession for wallpaper prints to statement lighting. I've simply been waiting for the day I can finally decorate my very own place. In the mean time however, I have slowly been building my collection of home furnishings. From the essentials to the decorative, let's begin. 

Lets be honest, saving for a home is going to be a long old while. Whilst interior trends come and go, buying timeless pieces will have you prepped for the moment you move in. Essentials like tableware, pots and pans, crockery and even the snooziest items like tea towels, bath mats and toilet brushes. Buying little by little will really pay off as time goes by.  

That's not to say however that if you fall in love with a decorative piece not to buy it. Art, prints, vases, cake stands and even lighting, it's all about being realistic and knowing what you have in mind.  Whilst each piece may look beautiful standing alone, together it may resemble jumble sale chic, a trend I'm not sure has come around just yet.

Heck, I even bought gift wrap in New York to frame for my home. If that isn't crazy I don't know what is. If you love it, buy it. But - step away from crap and clutter. Be original.

L / R

Sticking to a strict budget whilst saving and adding to your collection needn't be harder if you adopt a savvy approach. If you fancy going all out OCD like me and creating an excel spreadsheet of what to buy, then do so and slowly tick off as you go along. 

And, whilst I would love to deck out my abode in the likes of West Elm and Anthro, my purse sadly thinks otherwise. Make sure to not compromise on quality, but investing sooner rather than later shouldn't cost the earth. Ikea aside, a visit to Wilkinsons, Tesco home aisle and even Next, all provide excellent homewear at a more appealing price point. 

Tip: I ruthlessly save all my supermarket points to swap for vouchers to spend on basic kitchen musts. 

L / R

Stay clear of buying larger furniture pieces or electrical items full price. Saying this however, if you find a wonderful piece second hand that's too good to miss, snap it up and kindly borrow attic space to store it. Don't forget that whilst that outdated arm chair or battered table might look a little worse for wear now, with a lick of paint or reupholstering, you can fashion it into a brand new piece. 

Tell me, do you have any tips for starting your bottom drawer? Please leave them below! 

Style: Glittering Stars

Star Hoops - Accessorize 

Admiring from afar, there's something quite pretty about simple golden hoops, small ones that is - not the gigantic monstrosities I dared to wear in my teens. Looking rather effortless, with a dash of edge. Striking the perfect balance between dainty and tough.

After declaring my love for the Z for Accessorize range earlier last year, I couldn't help but finally treat myself to this beautiful pair just before Christmas. Featuring dainty diamond-esq stars, these gold plated hoops certainly bring a touch of understated glam to any look - whether worn with tumbling wavy locks and a casual outfit, or worn with hair swept up and LBD come evening. 

Next on my Z for Accessorize agenda is this crystal ring, such a beauty. 

Style: Pastel Powder Blue Hues

Coat - Warehouse (on sale!) ∙ Jumper - Oasis ∙ Jeans - Gap ∙ Slippers - J.Crew 

Hands up, who's feeling the January blues already? This month I have certainly become a homebody. Apart from my first foray back into the gym this week (I survived people), I'm feeling lazy - but content. December was such a rush, visiting here there and everywhere - this month I'm enjoying doing absolutely nothing. Bliss. Brushing away the cobwebs however, this morning I made the most of this spring-like sunshine we've been blessed with and nipped out for an early morning walk.

Swapping my standard navy uniform for this pastel blue pea coat from Warehouse, I'm on the fence with this embracing this new shape. An oversized style makes me question whether I resemble the size of small elephant? Either way, in with the new and out with the winter heavy coats I've been clutching on to. Paired with a cosy knit from Oasis (which doubles at the back with a sweet ribbon) and my fail safe Gap skinnies, Sunday mornings were certainly made for exploring.

Are you switching up your winter wardrobe in favour of something lighter?

Thoughts: Saving For A Home

L / R

After gracefully turning the big 25 last year, it finally hit me that I'm now a fully fledged grown up. One that should perhaps flee the nest and make my own stamp on the world. Content with living at home, I was able to easily commute during my university days and since landing my first real job in London, the thought of renting in town makes my spine shiver. Alas, the time has certainly come to finally go about saving for a house of my own.

With the majority of my friends still living at home, many more caught in the vicious cycle of renting, there are only a select few that have (smugly, and rightly so) managed to secure a little flat or house of their own. The long slog of saving for a house deposit (not to mention the added fees) will  probably take a good year or two, depending of what you have in mind and, most importantly your income. In the now or never mind-set, Matthew and I decided to seize 2015 and are finally buckling down to save. 

L / R

Imposing a strict weekly budget, after bills and travel, our outgoings have been completely slashed in favour of a monthly savings account. With a set figure in mind that we wish to save, that is realistic - it's going to be hard, but a challenge that we will relish in years to come. 

Gone are the frivolous purchases and endless meals with friends (my waistline will thank me), life doesn't have to be boring, just a little more refined and planned. Adventures are still on the cards and waiting to happen, most notably my holiday fund as travel really does make you richer. I have also started a list of places and things to do, that aren't quite so spendy, but will probably encourage me to finally embrace new things!

This is only the beginning of my house to home journey, saving isn't everything - ever heard of a bottom drawer? Stay tuned! 

I would love to hear your thoughts on saving for a home, do you have any tips, thoughts or experiences you would like to share?

All images were kindly borrowed from my Pinterest board here.

Fresh Beginnings, 2015

Well it's all been a little quiet over here hasn't in? Christmas for me in a nutshell went as quick as blink. I was actually in the office for the most part, but throughly enjoyed spending time with my grandparents on the big day and making my way through an endless feasting of nibbles. The New Year began with a round of antibiotics and quite a few naughty online shopping sprees, just in time for the onslaught of house deposit saving.

I hope you had a wonderful holiday, stay tuned for big and better things to come in 2015! S x