This Side of Paradise

You know when you're going on holiday and you use it as an excuse to buy a load of new clothes? Well I'm jetting off to Rome this week, so I hit the high street and picked up some absolute beauties which I thought I'd share with you. 

Jacket, H&M

H&M is a high street saviour, some of their clothes are seriously elegant and people always ask me where they're from. This cream, beige and black leather jacket is my new favourite thing! It's so chic and will be perfect for slightly chillier weather when it's not cold enough for a coat. I love the different textures and chunky gold zips.

Playsuit, H&M

Playsuits are the easiest thing to wear when it's hot and a simple black, strapless option is almost as foolproof as a LBD when paired with a golden tan. I love the criss-cross back on this one!

Playsuit, New Look

I love New Look for pretty dresses and tops, and this playsuit really stood out. This shade of blue screams Summer and the deep V back with a neck tie makes it more interesting. It's a lovely light crepe material so very cool for wandering the hot city streets.

Skirt, Topshop

I snapped up this nautical-style skirt in the sale! It's made in quite a thick material, which I like in skirts at the moment because it's a bit more grown up and structured than flippy jersey skirts. Cream and black or navy stripes always remind me of the sea so it's perfect for coastal escapes in the UK or abroad. Get it before they all sell out!

L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Express Pro Self-Tanning Dry Mist

I picked this up from Boots because my legs are currently about as white as it gets due to my very pale complexion! I haven't tried it yet but I am a strong believer in fake tanning before you go on holiday so that you don't feel you have to bake in the sun to get a tan to match all your holiday clothes, especially if you're at the beach. Remember that tanning, as nice as it looks, is damaging your skin! Which is why I bought...

Piz Buin Tan & Protect Tan Accelerating Oil Spray

I only bought SPF15 suncream because it's not that hot in Rome at the moment so I only need light protection. I might use factor 30 on my face if it's particularly sunny, but I don't want to come back even paler than I was when I left, so if you're like me and like a natural glow while protecting your skin, there are loads of Tan Accelerating/Enhancing sun creams and oils out there. I got this Piz Buin Oil Spray at half price in Boots but there is a cheaper Garnier alternative if you miss out on the offer and don't want to splash out.

So that's it! I hope you enjoyed getting a sneaky peek into my latest purchases. I have a delicious new recipe post coming soon (one word: pancakes!) so do keep checking back.

This Friday is the Spring Equinox, which means we can finally ditch the tights and thick knits without shame and prance around in the fields like those two cuties! Apparently we're going to have a heatwave over Easter, so with this in mind, it's important to prepare our wardrobes for a change in the weather. Here are my picks of the new season's fashion!

Let's all channel Keira Knightley (who is somehow still managing to look chic and not at all whale-like despite being very pregnant) and dress in pastels, romantic fabrics and floral prints.

photo from vogue.com

TOPSHOP

Crochet Tunic Dress

Crochet is back in! Edgier than lace, more fun than plain fabric, white crochet has been a summer essential for years, and for good reason. This cute dress from Topshop will take you from shopping to garden party to cocktails in the pub with ease. 

KROME Metallic Fringe Loafers

I am a big fan of the loafer. They're comfy, and they can be dressed up or down with no effort at all. Plus they're much comfier than heels. You literally cannot lose with loafers. These ones are metallic which makes them even more exciting.

Strappy Cami by Wal G

It's pink and silky and strappy. Need I say more?

ASOS

Lisbon Skinny Mid-Rise Jeans

Now that it's a bit warmer you can actually wear those trendy ripped jeans you bought a few months ago but had to avoid because your knees got chilly. Crack out the fake tan (now the sun's out you can claim it's real, right?) and expose those knees!

Esprit Checked Cape

For those slightly chillier days, there's nothing like wrapping yourself in a cape which is essentially a blanket. Although Madonna has taught us a serious lesson about cape-wearing, this one doesn't tie at the neck so it's hazard free.

Jeepers Peepers Cat Eye Sunglasses

I have been obsessed with the cat eye shape ever since I discovered that they actually suit me better than any other style of sunglasses. Big oversized cat eye sunglasses make you look like an instant Hollywood glamazon even if you're feeling really rough. Channel your inner Audrey Hepburn.

JACK WILLS

The Ritson Suede Bag

I dream of this bag. Potentially the best shade of pink around. It's in the sale at the moment so get it while you can! I would suggest spraying it with a waterproofing spray for suede though, just in case you get caught in a shower.

The Bilbrook Bracelet

This would be a perfect gift for friends with Spring birthdays, or you can just treat yourself! I love this shade of bluey-grey.

Happy shopping!

Face

Nivea Soft moisturising cream. I've sworn by this stuff since it saved me from some pretty horrendous sunburn when I was younger. It's very mild and has a clean, simple scent so you can use it on your face, body or hands. It comes in the classic Nivea tubs as well but this tube is really handy.

No7 Stay Perfect Foundation. I only converted to this recently after using Revlon foundation for ages, but it is reaaalllly good and stays on even on a 10 hour shift. I have a huge amount of No7 products (as you will see!) because they're such good value for the quality, plus they have the match-made service where they use a clever digital thingy to work out your exact skin tone, and they match your foundation and lipstick to it! Genius! I personally find I usually don't even need moisturiser underneath this if I'm in a hurry, it's exactly the right texture and weight for a liquid foundation.

No7 Stay Perfect Primer. I never used to use primer, but I recently tried a sample of this and had to buy a whole tube. It is velvety soft and makes your makeup stay on for such a long time. It definitely evens out any flaws in your complexion as well. SO worth spending a bit of money on this.

Soap & Glory Hocus Focus Instant Visual Flaw-Softening Illuminator. I bought this on a bit of a whim because I liked the packaging, but it turned out to be a real gem! It brightens up your skin when it's looking dull or tired and you can use it on its own as a highlighter or under your foundation. I wouldn't say it covers up flaws completely but it does soften them a little - perhaps more of an illuminator than anything else!

Maybelline Matte Maker Mattifying Powder. It's taken me a while to find a powder that actually stays on and this is the one. Stops your skin from looking shiny and mattifies your foundation, sealing it in place. I often use it on its own instead of foundation because the coverage is so good. Make sure you get the right one for your skin tone though, especially if you're as pale as I am!

Bourjois Paris Blusher in 41 Bonne Mine. Bourjois was the first blusher I ever used, and after a long stint using Estee Lauder and then Chanel I just went back to them with this gorgeous peachy shade 'Bonne Mine' or 'Healthy Mix' in English. The smell of it brings back memories and I love the little pots with a mirror and brush inside! It's a lot more blendable than other blushers and they have a great range of shades to suit everyone. Definitely something to treat yourself to.

Side note - I use Chanel brushes for everything except foundation, but I can't remember where my foundation brush is from. 

Malin + Goetz Vitamin E Face Moisturiser. I really like this moisturiser for the face - it does the job without being heavy and it doesn't have a particular scent. A bit more suited to everyday use than Nivea Soft which is better for more intensive moisturising. 

Eyes

Soap & Glory You Won't Believe Your Eyes - Tired Eye Brightening Moisture Serum. Over the Summer I was working a lot in the heat and my eyes were suffering, getting really puffy and itchy when I woke up in the morning and I was also getting huge bags under my eyes from the early starts. This serum really helped to make me look human again and the metal roll-on balls are about as soothing as you can get. Great for hangovers and 9am lectures.

Maybelline Cover Stick. I've been using this since I was a teenager to cover up spots but nowadays it's more useful for those pesky dark circles from late nights. They've changed the packaging and the texture since I first started using it and both are really improved; it's creamier and less goopy than before so it doesn't feel like you're clogging up your pores as much. Nevertheless a timeless classic!

L'Oreal Paris Color Appeal in 151 Pure Gold. I only ever wear brown, green, grey or gold eyeshadow on a regular basis because I have green eyes and nothing else really matches! This gold eyeshadow from L'Oreal is SO GOLD and looks like Christmas, but you can wear it all year round for a glamorous party look. It actually stays on as well.

No7 Stay Perfect Metallic Eyes Pencil in Purple. Purple eyeliner makes green eyes look greener don'tcha know. I got this for free in a No7 gift bag and it is probably the best eyeliner pencil I have ever used. It's really soft and creamy and there's a sponge thing on the other end to blend with, plus it stays on for hours. I think I might have to get it in black as well!

No7 Stay Precise Liquid Liner in Black. I usually prefer felt tip-style liquid eyeliners but this is pretty good as far as the brush ones go. It's easy to apply (as easy as liquid eyeliner gets, anyway) and stays on well, although if you rub your eyes it does come off. I do really like how black it is though, particularly for a 60s look.

No7 Extreme Length Waterproof Mascara in Black. I wasn't lying when I said I have a lot of No7 makeup! I've tried so many different mascaras over the years and I think this is the best I've ever used. I don't have massively long eyelashes so the lengthening ability is really important, and this stuff really does its job. It volumises as well, and is really pigmented so you get a proper black. It's not waterproof to the extent that it completely stays on in the shower but it doesn't run when I cry at Paul O'Grady's For the Love of Dogs. 

Lips

No7 Moisture Drench Lipstick in Rose Blush. I've never been a big lipstick wearer because it comes off so easily and I hate worrying about whether I need to run off and put more on when I'm out. Sometimes, though, a girl just needs to put on some lipstick for a confidence boost and this is the best I've ever used. It's a darkish rose pink colour, and it doesn't come off much at all, even on wine glasses. It's called Moisture Drench for a reason - it feels really nourishing, even edging towards the texture of a lipbalm. I'd definitely recommend No7 lipsticks if you haven't already tried them! And no, they're not paying me!

No7 BB Lips Beauty Balm in Berry Rose and Blink Pink. These are great because they're halfway between a lipgloss and a lipstick with all the moisturising and SPF properties of a balm. I actually think these stay on better than lipstick does and they're not as intense so you can blend them in to the level of colour you want. Basically a matte lipgloss without the stickiness.

Chanel Lipgloss in Shade A12. I've used this so much that all the writing on the bottle is worn off so I can't give you the full details but let me tell you, this is the ONLY lipgloss I've ever used that isn't painfully sticky and gross. The colour lasts for longer than you'd think and it's really moisturising as well - exactly what you'd expect from Chanel! Even though this shade is bright orange in the bottle, when it's on it comes out as more of a coral. 

Carmex Cherry Lip Balm. So, I have literally been using this tiny pot of lip balm since I was about 15. It's amazing. It will solve all your chapped, dry lipped problems in life. It has some magic ingredient in it, which I think is probably menthol, that makes your lips tingle amazingly when you use it, and it smells soooo goooood. Get it, thank me later.

Malin + Goetz Lip Moisturiser. This stuff is a much more recent find and it's also really good. It's a citrusy-smelling transparent goop that leaves your lips looking plump and shiny while moisturising them, and has a really cool silky texture. Doesn't tingle like Carmex but then again, you probably don't always want tingly lips. Because it's clear, rather than a more vaseline-like yellowy colour, you can wear it instead of a lipgloss. 

Hands

Crabtree & Evelyn Avocado, Olive and Basil Ultra-Moisturising Hand Therapy. This will rescue your hands from that awful Winter dryness and it smells amazing. I don't even like avocado that much but this just smells so good. And it really does leave your hands feeling super soft. 

I hope you enjoyed this insight into my makeup bag! Leave me a comment if you try any of the products mentioned or if you use them too!

The most obvious and important thing to buy right now is a good coat. I've snapped up this baby from asos:

It's super cosy and eye-catching, and it also comes in baby pink and camel. I'll be getting a black faux fur stole to go with it to channel Blake Lively in her blue Gucci coat (photo from entertainmentwise.com).

I also bought this faux fur coat last year and it's back in store this year in both grey and brown:

Plus it's recently been spotted being worn by the gorgeous Millie Mackintosh!

You'll also need a good pair of autumn boots for the cold and rainy weather. I decided on a pair of cut out ankle boots from New Look, similar to these:

They're really reasonably priced so you won't worry about getting them scuffed or muddy!

On a bigger budget my absolute dream boots are these beauties from Topshop:

You can't really go wrong with an elegant over-the-knee boot.

I'm also lusting after this blanket stitch cape from Topshop, which has echoes of the iconic monogrammed Burberry blankets worn by Rosie Huntington-Whitely and the other Burberry girls.

photo from The Telegraph

I love this triangle necklace from John Lewis; fine, delicate chains and pendants are everywhere at the moment and I can't wait to get my hands on them!

I may be living in a student house, but one of the perks of being a finalist is that you get the hang of the hunt for rented properties, and this year we've managed to bag a spacious three-storey house right next to campus. My room runs along the width of the property so I have lots of room to fulfill my interior decorating whims. 

When it gets colder I usually want to spend all my time under a duvet or watching movies on my sofa, so I recently bought a load of cushions from Next. My favourites are these soft velour cushions in Dove. They come in loads of different colours so you can match them to your room.

I'm also developing a growing fascination with scented candles. These are my current faves (click on the photos to shop):

They will make your room smell amazing, plus they create extra warmth and lovely candlelight! Just don't light them if you're in university halls...no one likes the person who sets the fire alarm off when it's cold outside.

My feet always get really cold in my room, so (aside from woolly socks) I've got my eye on this faux sheepskin rug from Ikea. It's great value and even though it's only little it would make a big difference to my boring brown carpet.

You can't have a cosy atmosphere at home without fairy lights, so here are a few of my favourites (click photos to buy from amazon):

My must-have album for the Autumn is the new release from Alt-J. Seriously cool as ever, This Is All Yours has a new edge to it that probably isn't for everyone but makes for interesting listening.