Shortlisted For The Company Style Blogger Awards!

Big big news...I've been shortlisted for the Company Style Blogger Awards! After starting out not even considering entering, I can't believe I've actually been shortlisted! It still seems unreal - I only started this blog last year! I really can't thank everyone who voted for me enough. I never expected to get this far (or even be nominated!), so it really is an enormous honour to receive such support from you guys :)

At this stage, the winner of each category is picked from the list of blogs shortlisted. It would mean a huge amount to me if you would go vote for my blog in the 'Best Male Style Blogger' category. All you have to do is click HERE (or click the image below), and then (along with voting for your other favourite blogs) keep clicking the next page button until you get to the male style blogger category. Then simply click the circle next to my blogs name to vote for me, and carry on clicking until you get to the submit page. Thank you in advance for voting if you do want to, it really does mean a massive amount!

On to another subject, school. My first exam (kind of) starts on Monday, and as a result, I won't be on here blogging for a few weeks. It won't be long and my exams finish in early June so after that I'll have lots of free time for blogging.

Please vote for my blog in the Company Blogger Awards and for those of you who are taking your exams these next few weeks, good luck!

Just A Few Nice Photos (+ An OOTD)...

First of all, how amazing is the weather at the moment?! Sunny, bright weather always puts me in a better mood, and seeing as it was the last day of the Easter holidays, my parents and I decided to spend Monday walking around our local garden center. On days like this, I love nothing more than spending the day out and about in the sun, and whilst there we also snapped some outfit pictures :)

Hamaki Ho Jacket | Primark Gaga T-Shirt | Topman Skinny Jeans | British Flag Dr Martens | Ben Sherman Watch

I know this jacket was in my last OOTD, but I just love it so much! Although it's leather, it's unbelievably light in weight, and since it's such a neutral colour, it's perfect for Spring! I also wanted to jazz up the outfit a bit more than usual to match the stunning weather we've got at the moment; so I added this bright Gaga t-shirt which I got from Primark and these British flag boots from Dr Martens.

I hope you've all enjoyed your Easter holidays and that your first couple of days back at work or school haven't been too stressful!

What have you done over the holidays?

A Day Out At Lyme Hall | OOTD

Like many an OOTD on this blog, this one was taken at a picturesque National Trust estate that my family and I spent last Sunday walking round. Lyme Hall is situated in Cheshire in te' north of England, and was also the filming location for the iconic TV series adaption of the book, Pride and Prejudice (you can't live in Britain and not hear the name Mr Darcy). It wasn't one of my favourite NT estates, but I did have a fantastic time. GCSE's are getting to me way too much, and to have an entire day's break from the stresses was lovely :)
My family and I started the day off with a delicious picnic (sorry but we were too hungry to take photos before it was demolished!) which included some of my all time favourite snacks such as vegetable samosas and spring rolls *sighs dreamily*. After devouring the contents of our picnic bags and 2 thermos's of coffee and tea, a quick trip to the toilets and a brisk browse of the gift shop, we ventured into the house itself. Finished wandering around the historic house (where we were given these AMAZING tickets!), we decided to spend the rest of our day walking through the gardens and we managed to get some outfit pictures for you guys :)

 

Burton Tattoo Design T-Shirt | ARK Burgundy Snood | Sainsbury's TU Tweed Jacket | Blackmans Boots | Topman Skinny Jeans |
The t-shirt I'm wearing is another one of my new Burton t-shirts. I absolutely love this one as it has a tattoo design look to it which gives the outfit a really modern, urban theme. However knowing I was going to the more rural area of Cheshire, I decided to mix a bit of urban with some truly British style, and so added this harris tweed coat with some burgundy boots.
Please leave a comment cause I love hearing from readers :) Hope your enjoying your week!
What do you think of this outfit? Have you ever been to any NT estates?

I Heart Paris | Book Review

Yes, another book review! I can't help it! I'm enjoying this series too much haha. This time, I'm back with a review of the third book in the series, I Heart Paris. And I have to say; it's a goon un' ;)

After the events that took place in I Heart Hollywood, Angela and Alex are doing their best to get back to normal. Whilst Jenny is off living in LA, making it big as a stylist, Angela is back in New York and still blogging for TheLook.com. Soon however, her editor (and online editor of TheLook.com), Mary, informs her that the head of Spencer Media (and therefore publications like The Look), would like to have lunch with Angela and Mary. Whilst at first cautious, Angela can't believe her luck when Bob tells her that due to his 'massive fan of Angela Clark' granddaughter, he wants her to branch out to other areas in Spencer Media, and immediately sets her up to write something for Belle magazine.
Long story short, the vicious (just imagine the typical stuck up fashion stereotypes - then double it, your there) girls at Belle grudgingly appoint her (purely down to Bob's role as head of the company) to write a joint piece for a special European addition of the magazine. Falling perfectly in time with Alex's news that the band is headlining a festival and performing in Paris, and even better, that her childhood friend in London, Louisa, will be in Paris at the time as well, Angela accepts the offer with Belle telling her to find all the hipster places 'To Be' in Paris. 

As if having Mary's assistant CiCi (who coincidentally happens to also be one of Bob's granddaughters - not the one who likes her obviously) telling Angela that Alex's flight had been fully booked (despite his flight being booked the same day) and having to fly out on her own wasn't a bad enough start to her trip, once arriving in Paris, Angela is informed that her suitcase (full of everything important she needed as well as 3 boxes worth of designer clothes Jenny had sent her way for the trip), have had to be destroyed. Now feeling distraught and having to find Alex in a bar in a city she's never been to, Angela sluggishly drags herself to find Alex and the rest of his band, The Stills.

Going forward Angela's trip escalates to epic proportions. She meets one of Alex's ex-girlfriends, an attractive french woman named Soléne who is also a member of her own band (and a total psycho!), she's given an assistant by French Belle who turns out to be trying to ruin her life, and she discovers just how far CiCi will go to get Angela's job.

I loved every single bit of this book and Angela's heavenly descriptions of the city of love has made me in fact, fall in love with Paris. Whilst it was filled with drama and suspense as well as unexpected twists and turns that left you on the edge of your seat, it was also funny, joyful and full of fashion. The entire book was fast paced and the ending was simply phenomenal.

 I'll soon be ordering the next book I Heart Las Vegas before moving on to the penultimate and final book, I Heart London. I would recommend this to anyone I could although I must warn it does include a lot of swearing and such.
Have you ever read any of the I Heart books? What did you think? Are there any books you'd recommend?
P.S I've decided not to write a review for I Heart Hollywood as I didn't enjoy it very much and I keep re-writing the post as it never turns out very good

What To Pack For A Weekend Away | #Blog4Trek

Earlier this week, I read Sleek-Chic's fab post to enter the #Blog4Trek competition. #Blog4Trek is a an amazing competition run by Trek America where bloggers have the opportunity to win a trip to and tour the west of the USA! There are three stages to enter and the first is to write a 300 word blog post on what to pack for a weekend away. Being an American fanatic (just read my sidebar about me text haha), I decided I couldn't not enter. I decided to do a more helpful post and talk about what I think most people - in general (not just myself) - would need to pack for their weekend away. So without further ado, here's what I think you would need to pack for a weekend away...

1. The Gadgets

Nowadays, it seems pretty obvious what to take with you when it comes to tech. However, it's pretty easy to either take too much, or limit yourself too much. By that I mean that some will take quantities similar to the PC World warehouse whereas others will arrive at their hotel without a charger or spare batteries in hand. Phones are a given. I think everyone would take their phone nowadays no matter what. Smartphones are ideal for going away as their benefits are endless with GPS stopping you from getting lost, a high quality camera for memories without lugging around a massive DSLR, and if you get bored on the subway or metro etc. you can have a game of Flappy Bird! (I probably shouldn't mention that game haha).

In terms of camera, it depends on you as the person really. If your someone who's really into photography or wants some really stunning pics and knows their way around a DSLR, by all means take one. Personally I'd want to take something more like a DSLR as I'm not keen on normal digital cameras anymore (blogging has changed me), but I know I'd use my iPhone an awful lot to take pics (I always get embarrassed taking pictures in crowds haha so the iPhone's the more discrete option rather than battering several people around me whilst trying to raise and focus a DSLR). For a weekend, I can't see you needing to take any more than a camera, phone and iPod/mp3 perhaps. Laptops etc. are for work and it's not a weekend away if your doing work now is it? ;) 

2, The Clothes

The building blocks of a good weekend away, your wardrobe. I'm probably the worst person to give advice on limiting the amount of clothes you pack seeing as I've just given up my bedroom desk for a clothes rail (next to my wardrobe and 8 draw unit...oh dear), but limiting is the best thing. For a weekend away, the last thing you want is a fortress of suitcases cluttering up your hotel room (or wherever your staying). 
The best thing to do is pack clothes that can be worn with each other easily. This means you can pack a little but wear a lot. I hate nothing more than wearing the same looking outfit twice but if you have a couple of pairs of jeans, shorts, shirts, dresses etc. then when folded up super tightly as to maximise space, they'll fit in your suitcase, and your outfits will still be different each day. Maybe one day wear a jumper, skirt and heels, then the next wear the same skirt but with a shirt/blouse/t-shirt with a fitted jacket and heels again? You could also add a scarf to the outfit to make it look even more different. Top tip - if your gonna re-wear something, the most discrete is the bottom half. Jeans, skirts etc. are the easiest items to re-wear.

Another tip, take full advantage of accessories. A lot of the time, accessories like scarves and jewlerry won't take up much room but have the ability to complete change an outfit. You could wear something really simple and plain (a white dress or shirt?) but add a yellow scarf (Essie Button reference here) and it would look fantastic! The next day you could wear a similar thing but with different shoes and a blue scarf maybe? Ooh and a hat!

Tip - The most important thing to remember is most of the time the comfier the better, especially with shoes if your walking round somewhere like NY all day (but don't forget some skyscraper heels for evening meals out)
3. The Beauty

Another modern day problem. If your flying, there's restrictions on what you can take on board and if your not, theres restrictions on how much your suitcase can take before it refuses to shut and goes in a mood. Trust me I've been there. I have spent many an hour or so doing my best to cram my Ted Baker wash bag with as many creams and cleansers as possible, but if it's not working it't just not gonna work. For some reason, when it comes to packing, humans seem to think that no matter what, it will fit. Wrong. Best thing to do is invest (if you don't already have one) in a wash bag or a make-up/cosmetic bag. This way you'll be more organised.

Next, instead of packing full size bottles (which I'd be very surprised if you could get through in a weekend), either buy travel sizes in the supermarket or at a drugstore like Boots and Superdrug, or, make an investment by buying travel bottles to fill from your full size products (you can get clear ones for air travel) which will last you many more trips to come. If your someone who is planning on travelling a lot, the travel bottles are best, but if it's a one off for the foreseeable future, then the travel sizes will probably be the best (although you may not have a choice with air travel). Also, try to keep it simple. The last thing you want at the end of a tiring day is to have to go through a 15 step skincare routine, keep to the 3 basics, cleanse, tone, moisturise (unless you have any special requirements or your having problems with your skin at the time). 

Tip - Facial wipes are your best friend when your tired and feeling lazy before you go to bed.

4. The Travel Entertainment

No matter whether your having a leisurely drive to your desired destination or a fast-paced flight, your gonna want something to keep you entertained. For a weekend, I'd say keep it simple. No portable DVD players. laptops etc. just your phone, an iPod/mp3 and a book. Along with those, I'd also have to take some food with me. I am always hungry and so I'd need to take something like pretzels (Maple Bacon flavoured...ahhh, happy times) with me to keep me happy (I get hungry grumpy).

5. The Positive Attitude/Outlook

I got inspiration from Essie Button for this one as she's lucky enough to travel a lot. Like Essie says, things will go wrong on a holiday, for Essie and Aslan, restaurants/cafe's always seem to be shut when they want to get some food. It can be easy to let things like this get you down and ruin your holiday (it sounds ridiculous but it could easily make you feel as if the universe is against you and your not meant to enjoy the holiday which is not true), but you need to be able to use emotions like your holiday excitement to fuel yourself to get back up and carry on. The last thing you want to do is waste your money on a holiday your not enjoying so make sure you get your moneys worth! All holidayers have problems as well, you just need to know that it's not the end of the world and that you can and will get past it.

There we are! Thats my post on what to pack for a weekend away! Hopefully I've not bored you too much and I hope it's been an okay post - fingers crossed I'll get in to Stage 2 of the competition! If you want to take part in this amazing opportunity, click HERE for more info :)
What do you pack for a weekend away? Where have you been on holiday/travelled to?

Shopping Haul | Manchester

So a week ago today (when I publish this), my friends and I took a trip on the train to Manchester. Where I live there isn't much in terms of shopping aside the town centre, so every so often (when we all have enough money to spend), my friends and I take a day trip to a nearby city. I can't tell you how many times I must've been to Manchester in the past couple of years and bought hardly anything each time (when I've actually had money to spend!). How come we always want things when we can't afford them? Anyway, this time however I was delighted to find my wallet feeling just that bit lighter which means only one thing - haul time!

1. Mickey Mouse Navy Jumper - Primark - £13 approx.
I thought why not start in order of events so these are my very first purchases. A large Primark is sneakily situated in the center of our walk to the Arndale Shopping centre, so like always, we had to go in and spend some. Primark is an absolute fashion haven with it's ridiculously low prices and fashion forward style. However seeing as it was only our first stop, I limited myself to only a few things so that I had money to spend elsewhere throughout the day (and so I could eat). This Mickey Mouse silhouette type design jumper caught my eye immediately when I was looking around. My friend also loved it and so to avoid confusion (and clashing), she bought a black one whilst I opted for navy. This isn't something I'd usually wear but it's so fun and quirky and like everyone in the entire world right now, my friends and I are currently going through a Disney craze (Frozen is the best!).

2. Bike Clip-Art T-Shirt - Primark - £3.99-£4.99 (seriously, throwing away receipts is a really bad habit)
My friends and I got a bit excited when we found a part of the store that was selling a bunch of stuff for £3.99 each (and £4.99 in some cases)! As soon as I saw this I loved it. The logo is just like (if not an exact replica) of the Cambridge Satchel Company logo (and you'll all know how much of a fan I am of CSC). I hate trying on clothes in stores (unless it's something like a coat) because I don't like using changing rooms (especially when I'm shopping with other people cause I feel like I'm making them wait), so when I bought this it was a complete guess of what size I needed (everything in there seemed to be made to a different sizing guide!), and it turned out both good and bad. Bad because I did get the wrong size as it's not too tight, it's just smaller than what I'd usually wear when I'm going out. But good, because it means that I can use it as a pyjama top (I hardly ever have matching sets, just mix-matched clothes I don't want to wear when I'm going out).

3. Union Jack Flag T-Shirt - Primark - £7.99
Another purchase from Primark, it was love at first sight. I am obsessed with flags and especially the British one #proud haha. For such a cheap price and such a great design, I couldn't just leave it there could I? ;) Although, like the bike t-shirt above, it is a bit small for me (damn Primark sizes) (and me cutting off the tags to quickly) but only in the sleeves really so I can wear it fine under a cardigan or shirt.

4. Union Jack Flag Cushion - Primark - £6
When walking towards the checkout, our entire group was swayed by an enormous display of flag interior decor. There were whole areas dedicated to the American flag as well as the Union Jack. For £6, I couldn't miss the opportunity to buy this cushion. Just look at it!

4. Teal Cardigan - H&M - £10
I wasn't really sure whether to go in H&M as we were only near it because some of my friends wanted to go in HMV, but I am so glad I did (and thanks to my two other friends for coming with me - I just feel awkward shopping alone). H&M in my opinion was my favourite part of the day cause everything I bought from there I am over the moon with (and it all fits me!). This cardigan is just...wow *sighs*. It is the most gorgeous colour I've ever seen and unbelievably it was on sale - how much better could it get? Unknowingly, I've actually made quite a good purchase/investment here, as when I got home I discovered blog posts and YouTube videos about Spring wardrobes (and look-books! Tanya Burr's was epic). After a mild panic that I'd have to be seen sweltering in the (hopefully) hot summer sun in thick jumpers and boots, I calmed down after realising my spring wardrobe is more than prepared for with old purchases of t-shirts, pastel green shorts, a coral shirt and some stunning red, white and blue boat shoes etc. As well as new ones (cue this cardigan and union jack t-shirt).

4. Grey Double Breasted Cardigan - H&M - £15
On the River Island website (and in store) I kept seeing the most gorgeous double breasted cardigan ever. And after realising that I really just can't afford a £45 cardigan right now (River Island is really steep nowadays), I gave up. Excitingly though, I spotted this look-a-like mere clothes hangers away from the heavenly blue teal cardigan above! It looks great over either a graphic tee or a white t-shirt for a casual look and it's super wearable, so I'm hoping the colder air (with the bright sun) doesn't disappear too quickly so I'll have a chance to wear this. It does have a slightly scratchy feel to it along with that really strong material kind of smell, which hopefully will go with a good wash and a bucketload of fabric softener.

5. New York Jumper - H&M - £7.99
A jumper. For £7.99. I couldn't believe my eyes. It's quite thin which for £7.99 I kind of expected, but it's great as it means it's a lot easier to wear over things like shirts and won't leaving me too hot if the weather gets hot. This week I've been wearing it to school each day (underneath my blazer and being a good student and taking it off before class starts) and I've been loving it! It also looks great on it's own which is a bonus for when I'm feeling uber lazy and just want to wear something comfy thats the closest thing to hand.

6. Happy Hippy Shower Gel - LUSH - £11.95
On any shopping trip, a visit to the LUSH shop is an absolute must for me. Last Christmas (or even the one before that), I first discovered this amazing shower gel. It smells really zingy and fruity and like citrus! Just as it says on the tin (or rather bottle), it's a great pick me up and wake me up in the morning (which is needed in GCSE year when you wish you could forever stay in bed in the morning). I opted for the largest bottle, 500g which is £11.95 because I've wanted it for a while now and compared to the cost of the 250g (half the size) version, you got more for your money with this one. I've been using it each and every day this week and I love it! There's something really satisfying about seeing a LUSH product sat on your bathroom shelf.
Hopefully I've not missed anything out and I really hope you've enjoyed seeing and reading about what I've bought!
What did you think of this haul? What are your favourite items? Have you bought anything recently?

A Date With Decoupage

First off, I know the name is uber cringey but I was thinking of what to call this post and it was the first thing that popped into my head. Plus, it has a nice ring to it. Anyway. A couple of weeks back I decided that since I was taking a couple new creative subjects at college (when I start in September! Eep!), I wanted to try and be more creative myself at home. As well as learning things like graphic and web design, I'm determined to become more skilled in physical creativity and art. Which means only one thing, a trip to Hobbycraft.

I Heart New York

Today's post is gonna be a little be different as it's my very first book review! I haven't got any experience with book reviews so bare with me for the moment - practise makes perfect 'nd all that ;)

For Christmas my brother kindly bought me three books from the I heart series by Lindsey Kelk. The first in the series, I heart New York, I recently finished reading. Since starting the book, I haven't been able to put it down. It's everything I want and look for in a story and I was thrilled to discover this frankly immense series ;D

I first discovered the author Lindsey as well as her book series, I heart, on a leaflet in a goodie bag I bought whilst at the the clothes show live. I love New York City, so anything and everything which involves New York immediately grabs my attention! Seeing as the first book is I heart New York, I was an eager beaver to sit down with a cuppa' and crack it open.

The story follows the life of Angela Clarke, a twenty something children's book writer from London, who after discovering her boyfriend cheating on her at her best friends wedding and finding out that all of her friends knew about it (including the bride and groom), does what any of us would have done; broke the grooms hand with a Louboutin shoe, made the bride burst into tears on the 'happiest' day of her life, and runs away to New York City.

A Day Out At Dunham

Yesterday, my family and I decided to take a trip out to Dunham Massey, an estate owned by the National Trust. These past few months going for walks has become a family favourite of ours, and something we tend to do at weekends when my Dad's not working and we can all spend time together. I may have been there before as I think my parents mentioned taking my brother and I there when we were younger to look for conkers, but for me it was like seeing it for the very first time.

The estate isn't as big as other ones owned by the National Trust, but it was more busy than any other National Trust owned property I'd been to. You can definitely see evidence of the UK's most recent extreme weather, with the entire grounds being one big bog. Not a good day to wear brand new docs (annoyed face). Within 3 hours we'd seen the majority of the grounds.

The wind was a bit nippy and whilst wrapped up warm, it was still nice to retreat back to the car and go home to a gorgeous hot chocolate (yummmm).

Here's a few pictures I took whilst there...

What have you been up to lately?