July beauty favourites

I'm definitely one to stick to products once I know I love them, especially beauty products. I mean, why fix something that isn't broken? (amirite ladies?)

But this month, with some help from a brilliant summer Glossybox, I've found some new products that'll be in my artillery for a long time.

(Clockwise: all the favourites together, Mavala nail polishes in Candy Floss, Pistachio and White, Bamboo Style Boho Waves tousled texture mist, Dermalogica Clean Start welcome matte spf15 moisturiser, Jelly Pong Pong Fairy lashes mascara)

Mavala Nail Polishes - while I will always be a die hard essie fan, it's not that easy to get hold of in the UK, however these nail polishes are a good second option. I love their pastels (don't always come out as planned, especially drugstore nail polishes) and the pigmentation is great. The white colour is really great for nail art too! 8/10

Bamboo Style Boho Waves - I have naturally very curly (read: frizzy) hair, so I'm definitely not a girl who curls her hair very regularly (straightening, yes. curling, hardly ever) but lately I've been wanting to leave my hair naturally but having the definition that curling gives the hair. Enter this little beauty. It arrived in my July summer Glossybox and I fell in love instantly. I got the 25ml bottle in the box and it's almost finished! (cry cry) But I definitely plan on repurchasing a large one. It's done wonders for my hair, style wise and giving a break from the heat of blow dryers/straighteners (it's applied directly to wet hair, but funnily it's made my hair air dry quicker!). I have literally no problems with this product 10/10

Clean Start Moisturiser - I use the clean start products for all my skincare but I strayed away from the moisturiser when I started using a bb cream instead of foundation. However, in the recent heat, I've basically given up on fully covering my skin and now just use concealer, moisturiser and powder, and it's really helped to clear my skin up. Also I have combination skin, so I really like having a matte moisturiser so I don't feel dry and oily all day. 9/10

Jelly Pong Pong fairy lashes mascara - This was also in a Glossybox but not the July one. I used it when I first got it and was amazed by how long and defined my lashes became! I was using another mascara at the time, so I decided to finish with that one, so as soon as that one went in the bin, I couldn't wait to use the Jelly Pong Pong one. I can't stress how much I love this mascara, it's revolutionary and so different to drugstore mascaras. I don't think I'll go back to drugstore mascaras after this! 9/10

What are your July beauty favourites?

A x

Merrily baking-along

I love music, especially when I'm baking. There's nothing better than singing your heart out to cheesy pop music while whisking meringues, right? 

Here's my (very pop-y) baking playlist, as sugary sweet as whatever you're baking!

Hope this satisfies your sweet tooth (and ear),

 A x

p.s This is what the playlist helped me to create, Hummingbird bakery's banana bread (it got rave reviews from the family)

Ootd: J Crew-sing

(via my Instagram)

Top: J Crew (currently on sale!)

Shorts: J Crew (last season unfortunately)

Necklace: Topshop

Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters

Nails: Rimmel I Heart Lasting Finish in 045 Misty Jade with Rimmel 60 seconds nail polish in 730 Silver Bullet as a top coat

And the living is easy...

So summertime is finally here! Boy, it was a long winter but thankfully the past few weeks have made up for that; plus 25°C everyday.

As I have officially 'left school' (until I go back to sixth form in September; eek!), I've been able to soak up the sun every day, however not being able to drive myself anywhere has meant I haven't had as many 'adventures' as I would have liked.

But this evening, the fam (Mum, Dad and Caits) and I decided to try and find the canal pub that we'd heard so much about. After getting a little lost (read: 30 minutes late), we finally managed to find this place and it was like we'd gone back to the industrial era, canals carry coal and workers sipping cider. Unfortunately, the canal is disused but it did make for a very nice walk and even standing in the canal! 

It's definitely one of those evenings where I feel very lucky to live where I do, and hopefully they'll be some more adventures to come

A x

Fashion dupes

I like J Crew a lot. No, scrap that, I LOVE J CREW.

Every since I started reading the College Prepster's blog and familiarising myself with more Stateside brands, I've fallen head over heals for J Crew. Classic styles, good quality, and often with a novelty twist that get quite a few compliments! It's a win-win-win. That is, until you look at the prices. And that's not even including tax. So, unfortunately, I'm limited to what I can buy (unless it's Mum buying ;)) and how often I can insist I NEED that shirt.

So, I've been taking inspiration from J Crew and transferring that style to the high street shops; here are some high street 'J Crew inspired' pieces

New Look - now £7 - I adore this top (in fact, I'm wearing it right now), and even though it's not a smart shirt, it goes nicely with short and the print reminds me of J Crew's Bali Collection from last year

Topshop - £30 for full set - Scalloped hems have been a signature of J Crew throughout this spring and summer, and it was obviously trickled down to the high street. This bikini will certainly be on my holiday shopping list

Topshop - £30 - This spot denim skater skirt is lovely and light weight, ideal for summer. The idea of pattern on denim is very similar to the highly converted (by me, anyway) J Crew matchstick jeans

What are your favourite high street dupes for higher end brands?

A x