Mediamarmalade

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  • DUAL LEATHER

    DUAL LEATHER

    . REISS LEATHER MINI .

    Before I went away skiing I dabbled in a little retail therapy to help the unwinding process, there’s no denying that a spot of shopping doesn’t help to chill me out and get that serotonin following. Even more so when it’s a successful trip … which this one was. I hadn’t really intended to spend a lot, but that’s always the time when you find a million ‘perfect’ things which you just can’t refuse. So whilst I’d not set out to buy anything really aside from my new cigarette trousers, I ended up with a lot more than that ….

     

    My shopping trip turned into a Spring / Summer wardrobe overhaul. Firstly I treated myself to the most gorgeous (in my opinion) aline leather mini skirt from Reiss, an investment piece that fitted too perfectly to deny myself (I also bumped into Mark Wright whilst purchasing which cemented things for me). Post skirt serotonin boost quickly lead to the purchase of this simple white leather & knitted jumper from Topshop. I’d been eying it up for ages and new this was the time to purchase. My additional purchases followed in relatively quick succession … my satin cigarette trousers from Topshop and a perfect spring pair of Jeans from Whistles (another investment piece – it’s my new moto). I came home feeling elated & ready for spring to hit in full swing so I can make the most of all my new garments.
    Luckily for me the sun was out before I went away skiing on Sunday & so I lapped it up and decided to debut two of my new items. My Reiss skirt & Topshop jumper. It’s not often I buy items which create an outfit, but these two work perfectly together & have already become a forecasted favourite spring look of mine (ditching the tights &  adding some bohemian sandals would look fab).
    What do you think of my new purchases & my own spring edit? 

     

  • BIG

    BIG

    . BACK TO WORK .

    So today is my first day back in work after a lovely week off skiing. My week off was seriously well needed … could you tell I was nearing break down? Thankfully a week of sunshine and skiing and some deserved R&R (i’m not sure i’ve slept so much in years, although I was ill twice on my week off … clearly my body finally unwinding from all the stress / food poisoning too) has done me a world of good. I’ve come back feeling revitalised and ready to progress full steam ahead.
    . Marks & Spencer Pinstripe Coat £95 . Kurt Geiger Boots £150 . Citizens of Humanity Jeans £220 .
    So in light of my first day back, I thought it would be a pertinent time to showcase a more ‘suited’ look with a simple black skinny jean (Citizens of Humanity) teamed with my M&S structured boyfriend suit style pinstripe coat. This coat immediately creates an air of professionalism due to the colour, cut & length, when I pop it on I immediately feel like i’m ready for a business meeting. It also reminds me of Tom Hanks in BIG due to the proportions & the fact it could pass off as my dads coat … Jase kindly pointed this out too.
    Are you a fan of the oversized masculine suit style coat which is becoming increasingly popular?
  • THE PROFESSIONAL

    THE PROFESSIONAL

    . REAL TECHNIQUES LIMITED EDITION .

    It’s always the age old story for me when it comes to present shopping, one for me one for you. When i’m in a generous mood and buying gifts I can’t help but treat myself too … I just can’t help it, Christmas is a nightmare I’m sure you can imagine. It was my sister Lily’s birthday a few weeks ago and as a 15 year old teen, she’s seriously getting into her maquillage so whilst Harriett and I were shopping to get a few things on her birthday list (including Real Techniques brushes … if only I knew this much at 15!!!)   I couldn’t help but buy myself a little treat too (nor could Harriett, so i’m not alone in this naughty ‘one for you, one for me’ routine).

    I already have a couple of Real Techniques brushes which I bought myself a year or two ago when the big blogger fad occurred (I bought the standard foundation brush & stippling brush) and I also have a mixture of Sephora powder brushes, Clinique & Bobbi Brown Bronzer brushes and Bobbi Brown eyeshadow brushes, but decided to add to my collection after browsing the beauty isle in Boots a few weeks ago and coming across the new limited edition brush set from RT which offered a set of three duo fibre brushes, all of which were perfect for my needs.

    The set includes a powder brush, a contour brush and an eye brush. I’ve been using all three daily and have really noticed a significant step up in how my makeup looks and finishes. The powder brush is great for giving real coverage but with a more natural finish (no cakey finish, I noticed the brush really helps the product settle into your natural skin texture well), I use mine daily for my transparent powder to set my tinted moisturiser & again for my bronzer. The contour brush is actually one of my favourites and has significantly improved my contouring, which previously was almost non existent, the brush makes contouring absolutely effortless and even a real novice like me can create a strong contour without any real effort or knowledge. The brush (again) helps create a more natural looking contour line avoiding that heavy smudge of bronzer which some brushes can create. The brush is very light on application and the layered fibre hairs help create a far more evenly applied contour. The final brush is the eyeshadow brush, as I use eyeshadow daily (usually a nude or slightly shimmered nude colour) I was keen to see how the brush differed to my usual Bobbi Brown or Chanel brushes which come with the palettes I use. This brush i’ve noticed the least difference with, but I believe that’s more due to my lack of knowledge on colour blending and application than the brush itself. When it comes to shadow, I really don’t do anything technically amazing – more a simple shimmer to create some contrast under my subtle cat flick eyeliner. This brush is going to be my test brush, to try out some blending techniques as I think this is what its made for.

    The set was a fab deal at about £23, which is great for three brushes, and more importantly three brushes that I actually wanted to use. Often when you buy a set you find there’s a couple of pointless brushes and one or two you really want, but within this set I wanted all three equally.

    I haven’t done any before and after mug shots, as i’m no beauty blogger and truly cannot pose for such pictures, but if you check out my outfit posts you may be able to spot a more defined cheek bone here or there ;)

    Have you tried Real Techniques or Duo Fibre brushes? Which are your preferred beauty brush brands?

  • HYDRATE

    HYDRATE

    . MOISTURISING .
    One things for sure since I’ve been away skiing, my skin has never felt quite so dehydrated – whether it’s the altitude, weather conditions or lack of water, my skin has certainly taken a hit and is looking and feeling the worst it ever has.
    I’ve been moisturising night and day with my current ROC moisturiser (it’s anti ageing moisturiser is I bought to try out a few months back), but i’m not sure it’s cutting it for me. I’m not a loyal moisturiser you see, I flip through brands and products dependent on what I have in my beauty basket, or what gifts I may have been given etc. I’ve used £150 face moisturisers as often as i’ve used high street £5 moisturisers. What i’ve noticed is that it’s not necessarily the money you spend on the product that determines the quality, it’s more the brand. My two most favourite moisturisers which i’ve tried and tested lately were Nivea & MitoQ (I blogged about it here) – two completely different ends of the spectrum price wise, but two products which really worked for my skin.
    I can’t say I’ve yet found a brand I will stick too, although i’d love to find the perfect moisture product for my skin. I use the Dermilogica skin care range daily so i’m keen to try their moisturiser as all the other products I use are spot on for my skin.
    What moisturiser do you use and what would you recommend for skin in need of immediate hydration?
  • CIGARETTE PANTS

    CIGARETTE PANTS

    Cigarette trousers are a fashion garment i’ve been longing to wear for bloody ages, however have found it seemingly impossible to find a pair that actually look ‘passable’ on me. I’ve browsed every high street store imaginable, tried on all the trousers they have on offer, fallen in love with 20% but on trying on, felt fleeting disappointment that I just didn’t work them as well as those I take inspiration off … clearly this then leads to an immediate bout of ‘why are my thighs not stick thin? Life is so unfair’. Cigarette trousers, i’ve found, seem to seriously suit those lucky skinny legged friends – where they fall perfectly, no clinging, no double butt issues. Upping size doesn’t help me, as then they’re too big on the waist … the issue I’ve faced is in having women’s shaped legs. Woe me.
    The morale of the story isn’t go on a juice diet and lose an inch off your thigh, it’s persevere … because YOU WILL find that perfect fitting pair … even if it takes you 2 months and approximately 3,456 pairs of trousers to get there. 
    My saviour was this beautiful pair of Satin trousers (from non less than Topshop) which surprisingly caught my eye (despite semi reminding me of an 80’s swingers look). They weren’t what I had originally gone into buy (I really wanted these and any / all of the above), but I found all the cotton trousers just didn’t quite look right on me (and were a tad see through) but as soon as I tried these on I knew they were the ones i’d been waiting for. I debated long and hard about which colour to buy, or whether to indeed by every colour they come in (once you find something you love, you obviously must by it in every colour feasible).

    I’m really chuffed with my purchase … stay tuned for the full outfit post soon.

    What are your thoughts on Cigarette Trousers, are you a fan? Have you found any good stores which sell nice fitting pairs?

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  • COLLARS UP

    COLLARS UP


    . BRITISH STYLE .
    I hereby introduce yet another AW13 coat which has graced my collection, just in time to get in some wear pre SS14 kicking off in full. I will admit I have a lot of coats, but I shan’t concede that I have too many (Jase would). I think a coat is like a pair of shoes, you always need a variety to ensure you have a suitable pair to go with every look and occasion.
    . Persunmall Coat $58 in Green ℅ . Topshop Leather Tee . Citizens of Humanity Jeans .

     

    This deep green collared jacket coined the ‘British Style Double-breasted Coat’ is a new addition to my collection from Persunmall (i’ve linked it above but also shared a few similar ones above too), I really loved the big collar and the almost masculine suit jacket cut of the coat. I was super chuffed when it arrived last week that I wore it all weekend (If you follow my Instagram then you’ll have spotted it already). I teamed the jacket with my Citizens of Humanity skinny jeans and my new leather tshirt from Topshop – more to come on that soon, for a day spent in Chelsea on Saturday before my ski trip.
    Are you a coat hoarder too? What do you think of the slightly more androgynous style of womens coats this season?
  • DAZZLE ME

    DAZZLE ME


    . LASHES OF LONDON .
    In Chalet world Wednesday night is ‘out night’, all the chalet hosts get the night off and all the holiday makers hit the town after a hard day skiing for some local delicacies … whilst there’s no way in hell i’ll be wearing this outfit in -10 degrees celcius for our dinner night out tonight, I thought the day provided a plausible excuse to share a more ‘night out’ styled look – Fair enough would you agree?
    . Lashes of London Dress £90 ℅ . ASOS Hocus Heels .  Reiss 1971 Soul Coat £295 (sold out) . Mulberry Satchel (old) . 

    This is actually a look i’ve been meaning to share for a while, but i’ve never quite found the right occasion. After all, it’s rather glamorous and i’ve been slightly preoccupied with the arrival of Spring to think about a glam and glitzy evening look. But today’s the day, and it’s about time I shared this Lashes of London number which I am super chuffed now sits proudly in my wardrobe alongside my growing collection of glamourous party dresses which all await the perfect occasion to be worn. 
    This little number is a perfect Spring option (see, I just can’t escape my Spring obsessions). The pastel tones & pretty embellished details make this the perfect Spring / Summer party dress … teamed with my Reiss coat which apparently was MADE to be worn with this dress, my Hocus heels from ASOS & my little Mulberry satchel bag, it seems the perfect Champagne fuelled afternoon tea, come races, come wedding (!) outfit. Now I just need an invite to said event …
    Do you approve of this party look? How would you style a glamourous dress like this for spring?

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  • A BOLD COMBINATION

    A BOLD COMBINATION

    . NAVY CAMI  .
    I’m getting my spring on in today’s outfit post, embracing probably THE most essential Spring / Summer garment … the silk camisole. These bad boys became very popular last summer and the trend isn’t going anywhere this year. A silk camisole is a super easy item to team with any bottom half, and for any occasion, whether you’re looking for a laid back beach look with vintage cut off Levis, or a chic work look teamed with a pencil skirt & little heels.
    . Dorothy Perkins Navy Camisole ℅ . French Connection Leopard Trousers .

     

    This silk cami is another one of Dorothy Perkins spring essential items, whilst yesterday I was coveting  and styling up their soft jogger trouser, today’s post is all about the camisole. A camisole is a pretty easy item to style in my opinion, they go with everything which is half the reason they’re so popular, and look super chic and somewhat effortless on. I wore my DP navy cami last weekend when the sun was beaming bright styled with my French Connection leopard print trousers which are a favourite transitional garment of mine, they’re great for warm days & give an outfit a little oomph. Despite the potential colour clash, the Navy went perfectly with the print trousers and I finished the look off with my soft pastel pink Zara ankle boots which went with the trousers perfectly.

    What are your spring essentials? Are you a coveter of the camisole top, how would you style it?

  • KEEPING THINGS CASUAL

    KEEPING THINGS CASUAL

    . SOFT JOGGERS  .
    After a few weeks of serious hard graft in London i’m finally on a weeks holiday. Whilst thats a week in the snow skiing and a week full of beer (it’s currently 2am after a night in Dicks Tea Bar) it’s actually a week of R&R too. I love skiing, I go annually, and each year I take the chance to unwind as well as enjoy the fresh powder!
    . Dorothy Perkins Trousers ℅ . Whistles Sweater . Kurt Geiger Pumps .

     

    Whilst this isn’t necessarily a resort outfit, it’s the sort of look i’d turn to on my ‘down time’. There’s nothing like a  pair of chilled printed cobalt trousers to create a standout look for spring. As part of the new SS14 Dorothy Perkins collection I styled up these cobalt blue print trousers with my Whistles textured sweater. I think they all work perfectly to create a standout spring look. Even though i’m pushing boundaries with the double blue.
    How would you style a pair of bold printed trousers? Do you have any Spring SS14 tips?