Kiss Kiss

SWEATER: c/o Emerging Thoughts BLOUSE: Forever 21 (similar) SKIRT: American Apparel
SOCKS: Forever 21 SHOES: Missguided PURSE: Gift from Marlena

How is 2015 treating you guys so far? I'm going to be honest, January hasn't been the kindest to me - it was really getting me down but I'm feeling more positive and determined to not let that derail me!

I'm combatting the dreary weather by dressing up in this bright, lip print sweater Lauren from Emerging Thoughts, one of my very favorite shops, sent me! I'm kind of picky when it comes to the fit of my sweaters - but this one fits beautifully and looks GORGEOUS on! Also, the thicker knit kept me warm (afraid I can't say the same thing about my legs... which were freezing haha!).

I paired the sweater with my matching lips bag that my blogging bff Marlena sent me and I picked up my shoes from Missguided in one of their sales. I've been hunting for a pair of t-bar flats for a while, and these are darling!

If you follow me on Instagram you will also note I've completely fallen for American Apparel's tennis skirts - the high-waist and pleated design GOT TO ME and I had to splurge. That said, I probably should have gone up a size, oh dear :|

Samantha Pleet Fall/Winter 2014

As the weather continues to be dreary and bitterly cold, I'm setting my sights on clothing with thicker fabrics and richer color schemes - clothing I can imagine myself exploring chilly moors wearing (or y'know, walking down the street without losing the feeling in my legs! *cough* I've read too many books by Bronte sisters...).

Enter Samantha Pleet's Fall/Winter 2014 collection: inspired by Joan of Arc, the collection includes pieces with gorgeous, intricate embroidery (featuring hearts, crowns, arrows, and moons), a dress with an attached cape (!!), and a beautiful blouse with an embroidered arrow on a heart pocket.

I had to share some photos of my favorites - as shot by the incredibly talented Amber Byrne Mahoney and worn by Nika De Carlo - a favorite model!

♥

CLOTHING: Samantha Pleet
PHOTOS: Amber Byrne Mahoney
MODEL: Nika De Carlo

Soda Fountain

FLUFFY SWEATER & SKIRT: ℅ Missguided VARISTY JACKET: Gift from Lauren PURSE: ASOS SOCKS: Meadham Kirchhoff for Topshop (old; similar) SHOES: Kohls (old)

This matching fluffy sweater set from Missguided immediately reminded me of 1950s scarlets and malt shops - so I donned my vintage pink varsity jacket (a gift from my dear friend Lauren!) and headed to the nearest retro inspired diner!

It was also the perfect opportunity to whip out my darling milkshake clutch from ASOS! I do wish there was a bit more space in the clutch, but I'm able to fit a small wallet, my phone, and a lipstick - and for a design this cute I'm willing to make a couple sacrifices!

I didn't end up getting a real milkshake, but stuffed myself on breakfast food - my favoriteee *__* Hope you have a nice week!

Peppermint Rose

DRESS: c/o Hello Holiday CLUTCH: c/o Luna on the Moon
SHOES: Forever 21 (old) FLOWER GARLAND: ℅ Beauxoxo

Happy New Year! Feeling incredibly optimistic looking towards 2015 - a blank slate was exactly what I needed! Feeling re-energized and busy making goals. I was also thinking about doing a 2014 highlights post - but apparently people don't like them? :C What do you think?

ANYHOO LEMME TALK ABOUT THIS GORGEOUS OUTFIT. Can we all just take a moment to gush over this stunning black with a sheer overlay number the babes at Hello Holiday sent me?!

This dress manages to incorporate so many of my favorite things - sheer elements, a Peter Pan collar, a fit and flare silhouette. The silhouette gives it a retro feel, but the use of sheer and wholly original take on the Peter Pan collar gives it a fresh spin! Truly a perfect dress, and you can take 20% off your order with the code "2015" on Hello Holiday now!

Moving onto accessories, I paired the dress with the cutest peppermint clutch! Handmade in London by Luna on the Moon, this clutch is completely covered in chunky glitter that seriously won't budge - beautifully made, appeals to my sweet tooth and it even arrived with pop rocks candy!

And finally, my darling flower garland was a gift from Georgie at Beauxoxo - I am lucky enough to own a couple pieces from Georgie's line and am forever impressed by the quality and sheer beauty! This one might just be my favorite, with delicate gold leaf and white roses - it looks so striking with my pink hair!

Hope you are having a good start to 2015 <3

Glossier Phase 1 Review

WEARING: Glossier Phase 1 + mascara, powder on T-zone; dress by Hello Harriet

When I first heard whispers of famed beauty blog Into the Gloss' newest project, Glossier, I was eagerly awaited their launch of "foolproof skincare as makeup" - and it did not disappoint! The website alone, with closeups of smiling, beautiful models up against stark blue and pink backgrounds and with emoji-like stickers sprinkled everywhere, filled me with excitement. I was actually just about to place my order when I was offered the chance to review their first four products - bundled together called Phase 1!

First of all, I HAVE to mention the adorable packaging! They come in bubblegum pink and white tubes and bottles, and a sheet of the cutest stickers so you can personalize the tubes yourself! I took forever trying to decide where to put each sticker, they are just so darn cute! As for the products, here are my thoughts!

Soothing Face Mist - a refreshing and reinvigorating face mist that smells of roses. It made my face feel super soft and I personally love the scent - but unfortunately some of my friends are allergic to flowers, so I wish it was a bit more mild smelling!
Priming Moisturizer - a non greasy, lovely moisturizer that prepares your face for the rest of your makeup and helped my makeup last longer.
Balm Dotcom - a truly wonderful do all, thick balm that is formulated to lock in moisture - whether it be on your lips, cuticles, or even your elbows...! I'm really impressed by this as a lip balm - it really does the job (just in time for the cold weather), and has earned a permanent place in my bag.
Perfecting Skin Tint - This is a light weight "skin-tint" that blurs imperfections while evening out your skin tone. It's thin texture makes you completely forget you are wearing anything, and I was able to layer this product a couple times under my eyes for a little bit more coverage - and it didn't settle into the lines around my eyes or look cakey. That said, if you have some extreme dark circles, you will probably want to use some concealer with this product! When I used it, my skin looked amazingly dewy, but since I have a pretty oily forehead I powder my t-zone so it didn't read as oily instead of dewy. I was a little disappointed there was only three shades available - hopefully they will expand the line to be more inclusive!

Usually, I am guilty of ignoring basics like moisturizer in favor of oohing and ahhing over twinkling, high ticket makeup pieces like vibrant lipsticks and eyeshadows - but these products make caring for and applying makeup to my face pretty fun - and their tagline "skincare as makeup" is perfect! Overall, I'm completely smitten with this brand, and if they hit it out of the park with these four products, it makes me incredibly excited for what they have planned for Phase 2...!

Glossier is available to purchase together or separately on their website, and they are currently running a Christmas promotion!

While I was gifted these products to review, it did not impact my thoughts on the line.

Currently Loving: ASOS Novelty Bags

You all know I am slightly obsessed with novelty purses, so when I saw ASOS' collection of novelty clutches by New Look, I NEEDED them. I ended up getting the wallet sized versions of the donut and cheeseburger, and the full size milkshake clutch!

I'm so in love with these I just had to share the pictures of them I snapped for instagram! Plus? They just went on sale (right after I bought them - why does that always happen?)!