September Favourites

So how was September for you? Did you blink and miss it? Mine has been pretty busy. These days I'm juggling the family business, freelance writing and my blog, and sometimes it feels like a pretty tall order to do all three as well as I would like. I'm not going to complain though - it's good to be busy!

I did also find time for one or two interesting events this month. I went to the John Rocha takeover at the swanky Cheval Three Quays apartments with Debenhams - think gorgeous homeware with stunning views of London.

Closer to home, and totally non blog related, I got the opportunity to see a presentation by Ben Parkinson, a British soldier who was so badly injured by a mine in Afghanistan that doctors didn't believe he would survive. Not only did he survive, but despite losing both legs, breaking his back and suffering brain damage, he has gone on to undertake all kinds of challenges to raise money for other injured soldiers, including kayaking 250 miles down the Yukon River in Canada. It was both moving and inspiring to learn more about him. I didn't get any photos of the event - it wasn't really appropriate - so apologies if it seems a bit random to throw it in here. I just wanted to mention it because it made an impression on me, and I thought some of you might be interested too. If you want to learn more about him you can do so here.

So onto my monthly favourites. As usual, it's a random mix of fashion bits, makeup and skincare.

1. Topshop Mules - Yep, it's those mustard mules again. As seen here as well as all over my Instagram. I apologise to anyone who's sick of the sight of them! I absolutely love these. They're on trend, eye catching and comfortable to wear, and I've been getting as much use out of them as I can this month, before it gets too cold to wear them other than in a "car to bar" situation. And I think I ought to mention that I can't get the burgundy ones out of my head either. Topshop, what are you doing to me?!

2. Barry M Molten Metal Nail Paint in Copper Mine - I bought this specifically to go with the dress I wore in this post, but I've found myself turning to it quite a lot since. Shimmery metallic nails are always fun, and there's something nicely autumnal about this rich copper shade. I thought I'd keep it for special occasions, but I've actually been enjoying it as an everyday nail polish too.

3. Topshop Necklace (similar here) - I've been loving the unusual style of this delicate gold necklace. It looks like a lariat necklace, but actually fastens with a clasp at the back. I've worn it over plain tops (you might just be able to make it out in the mirror selfie above) or peeping out underneath a shirt collar. It looks great both ways - feminine and pretty and a little bit different.

4. Topshop Choker - Maybe it's the nostalgia, but I'm enjoying chokers even more this time around than I did back in the nineties. There are so many gorgeous variations on offer - studded, all lace, thin leather ties - but I still really love the classic black velvet band. Looks fabulous with dresses, jeans and a white shirt or just about anything really.

5. Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula Firming Butter - For years I've loved The Body Shop's body butters, and I still do, but seeing this post on Fashion Mumblr - one of my favourite blogs - persuaded me to give this a try instead. I really love it! It's as rich and moisturising as my old favourites, and has the added bonus of containing firming ingredients such as Vitamin E, collagen, elastin and shea butter - and yes, my skin really does look and feel firmer after using this. It's got that gorgeous cocoa butter scent to it, and is a lot cheaper than The Body Shop body butters - just £5.24. Even the fact that I managed to pick up a bottle with a dud dispenser and have to unscrew the whole bloody thing every time I use it hasn't dampened my enthusiasm for this product. This one's going to be a favourite for a long time to come.

6. Ekia Eyelid Lifting Serum* - I'm sticking with the firming theme for this one. This was in the goody bag I picked up at the Pegasus Healthy Beauty Showcase earlier this year and I've only just started using it. I would probably never have bought something like this myself - in fact, I don't think I knew there was such a thing as eyelid lifting serum! But it's really good. Those of you in your thirties like me may have noticed the skin on your eyelids becoming slightly less firm - maybe it pulls a little more than it used to when you apply eyeshadow? This has made a noticeable difference for me in that area and I will definitely keep on using it.

7. Maybelline Super Stay Nail Polish in Deep Red - I featured one of these nail polishes in my August Favourites, so I think it's safe to say I'm hooked! The formula is fantastic, application is easy and the finish is glossy - in the photo above, I'm wearing two coats of the nail polish and no top coat. This shade is the perfect red and I'm sure I'll be wearing it to death throughout autumn and winter.

What have you been loving this month?

Kate x

*PR sample. All opinions, as always, are my own.

skinChemists

Another day, another lovely natural skincare brand to share with you all! This one's called skinChemists.

I must confess, when they first got in touch with me to ask if I'd be interested in reviewing a couple of products, I'd never heard of them. But as I started to look into what they were all about, I quickly became intrigued.

A British skincare brand, skinChemists uses 100% organic ingredients and is paraben and cruelty free. Their research centres in the UK and Florida are dedicated to creating revolutionary formulations to combat skin ageing, and you'll find plenty of unusual ingredients as you scroll through their shop - snake venom, rose quartz, wild caviar, etc. They've also collected a string of celebrity fans, including model Jourdan Dunn, singer Tulisa Contostavlos and reality star Rosie Fortescue.

I was sent two products to try - the Advanced Snail Serum* and the Advanced Snail Duo Moisturiser*.

As the names suggest, both products contain snail secretion, derived from the natural defensive liquid secreted by snails. Apparently, this stuff is brilliant at providing protection against free radicals and delaying skin ageing. The serum also contains osilift, a natural sugar derived from purified oat extracts, which has a lifting and tightening effect and reduces the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles, and hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate. It claims to actively lift, tighten and repair the skin for a more youthful, flawless complexion.

The duo moisturiser is designed to be used morning and evening to leave the skin smooth, hydrated and protected throughout the day. In addition to snail secretion, it contains moisturising vitamin E and tiare flower extract combined with coconut oil to hydrate, repair and purify the skin.

The packaging is sleek with a space age kind of vibe about it - chic and expensive looking, but lightweight as well which is always a bonus if you want to take the products away with you. Both products come with a practical pump dispenser, so all in all the packaging gets a big thumbs up from me.

Left - Moisturiser, Right - Serum

I must admit, I was slightly apprehensive about slathering my face in something that comes out of a snail - not particularly glamorous, is it?! However, both the serum and the moisturiser are lovely to use. They smell beautiful, like apricots, and glide onto the skin like silk. There is a very slight stickiness to them, particularly the serum, but both products are quickly absorbed so this disappears within seconds. I've been applying both of them morning and evening, after cleansing, for a good three weeks now.

The main thing I've noticed about my skin since using these products is how soft and smooth it feels. In fact, I'm not sure my skin has ever been this soft before. It also feels distinctly firmer than usual, which is definitely a bonus! This isn't something I've experienced a lot with skincare, so I'm particularly happy with this result. Fine lines, however, don't appear to be any more reduced than they were with my previous skincare (before this range, I was using Skincere, and before that, Avene).

That said, both the serum and the moisturiser are great products and I have no hesitation in recommending them. I'm also curious to try out some of the other ranges from skinChemists. The only downside, for me, is the price. The serum is £74 and the moisturiser is £72, and I have to say, even for a beauty addict like me, it would be hard to justify spending that kind of money on skincare on a regular basis. You do only need a pea sized amount of each product, so they will probably last several months, but even so, it's a lot of money.

Have you ever tried any skinChemists products? And how do you feel about investing serious money in your skincare?

Kate x

*Products sent to me for review. All opinions, as always, are my own.

Bloggers X Boohoo Dress of the Month

Truth be told, I've always hated being made to feel that there's some reason why I can't wear something. Whether it's because of my height, my shape, my colouring or my age, the thought of dismissing beautiful clothes because I "just can't pull them off" really niggles me. Now I'm not saying that I think I can wear absolutely anything, but I do think that most of us can wear more than we think we can - it's all about how we wear it. In other words, I think you can do a heck of a lot with styling. So when Boohoo got in touch to ask if I'd like to take part in their dress of the month campaign, in which a group of bloggers are challenged to style up a dress they had no say in choosing, I jumped at the chance. In fact, I was kind of hoping that the dress I got sent would be something I'd never usually dream of wearing, just so that I could put my styling theory to the test.
 

And then it arrived. A stunning, floral print, wraparound maxi, it was exactly the sort of thing I'd have picked out myself, given the chance. Was I disappointed that it wasn't more of a challenge? Well... no. If I'm honest, the dress is so beautiful that I was just thrilled to have received it!

Dark florals are ideal for this transitional time of year, and with sleeves rolled up and pretty sandals, it works really well as a late summer piece. As it gets cooler, I'll wear the sleeves long and add tights, ankle boots and a leather jacket.

Although it's a maxi dress, it stops just above the ankle, which immediately suggested "statement shoes" to me when it came to styling. These fabulous Topshop mustard mules - which by the way are one of my latest obsessions - fit the bill perfectly. Mules aren't the most flattering of trends, and in fact, I avoided them completely back in the nineties when they were last popular. But the high heel and pretty colour of these somehow seduced me, and now I can't get enough of them. I love them with this dress, but they look equally fab with jeans. They're also easy to walk in, which I wasn't expecting - always a bonus!

As well as the mules, I went for another nineties trend when styling this dress - the velvet choker. Now this I loved back in the day - I can remember having quite a few of them in different colours. It's been so much fun to revisit this trend - turns out I still love it!

As for the little black Zara bag, it's been in my collection for years and goes with just about everything. You've seen this little beauty on the blog many times before!

Dress* - Boohoo, Mules, Choker - Topshop, Bag (similar) - Zara

This dress is actually the first piece from Boohoo I've ever owned, which frankly makes me wonder what I have been doing with my life. The quality and fit is great, and at £22 I think it's a real bargain. And judging by the mouthwatering selection of dresses they have on offer, I don't think it's going to be long before Boohoo and my wardrobe become more intimately acquainted.

Oh, and although I wasn't told the names of the other bloggers taking part in the challenge, I happened to discover that the lovely Alina was one of them, so make sure you check out her take on the dress if you haven't already.

What do you think of Boohoo's dress of the month? How would you style it?

Kate x

*Dress sent to me for review. All opinions, as always, are my own.

Lipstick Shades I'll be Wearing this Autumn

Every time I write a post like this, I seem to feel the need to add words like "some" or "a few of". It's as though my inner compulsive shopper is anxious at the thought that I might actually have enough of something, and wants to make it clear to everyone reading that I am still allowed to buy more if I want to. We could psychoanalyse what this says about me, but let's not. Let's just look at pretty lipsticks instead, OK?

There's nothing ground-breaking here, just a selection of lip products I already have in my stash that I know I'm going to be reaching for as the weather starts to turn colder. I've divided them into four categories, so let's get started!

1. The Nineties Nude

 

 Left, Mac Velvet Teddy  - Right, Too Faced Naughty Nude

I still can't get enough of these brown toned nudes. During the summer months, I gravitated more towards pinks, but now it's autumn I'm back to these. They're easy to wear and very flattering, and despite how popular they've become, I still think they make a refreshing change from pinks and peaches. 

Is there anything I can say about Velvet Teddy that you haven't heard already? Probably not. I only managed to get my hands on this recently (possibly because everyone else is over it?!) and in my opinion it's totally worth the hype. It's what I would call a "soft matte" in that it's still comfortable to apply and wear and does have a very slight sheen to it. As for the shade, it's what a thousand others have tried to emulate - the perfect nude. I can see this bullet getting worn down in record time!

Left, Velvet Teddy, Right, Naughty Nude

Naughty Nude is one of Too Faced's Color Drenched Lip Creams, a dreamy, sheeny, buttery soft formula I'm obsessed with - so moisturising you feel like you're applying lip balm. It's slightly lighter and more sheer than Velvet Teddy, which makes it the perfect choice on days when you don't feel like wearing a lot of makeup.

2. The Warm Spice

Slightly deeper and warmer than the nineties nude, this is perfect when you want something that packs a little more punch, but still feels effortless.

Left, Mac Mocha - Centre, Mac Spice - Right, Estee Lauder Seductive Honey

I've had Mac Mocha for a while and it's still one of my favourite lipsticks. Shade-wise it's quite similar to Velvet Teddy, although a touch darker and redder. It's also a satin finish as opposed to a matte.

Mac Spice lip pencil is a little bit deeper still, and works beautifully on its own or in combination with Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Gloss in Seductive Honey - a match made in heaven that I already talked about way back in my April Favourites. I've worn the gloss a lot throughout the summer, because it's quite light and will go over anything, but I'm looking forward to pairing it with Mac Spice again now autumn is here.

From left, Mac Mocha, Mac Spice, Estee Lauder Seductive Honey, Spice and Seductive Honey together

3. The Vampy Red


 
Clockwise from bottom left - L'Oreal Blake's Red, Mac Ruby Woo, Rimmel Kate 01

I will always love a classic red lip. It's the perfect finishing touch to a glamorous night out look, but can also work magic when paired with a super simple jeans and white shirt combo. It's great at any time of year, but I tend to favour these full on vampier shades in the cooler months, opting for something more like an orange or bright pink in the summer.

L'Oreal Color Riche Blake's Red from the Pure Reds collection is an old favourite of mine. It looks a little orange-toned in the photo above, but it's not at all - in fact, it's more of a pinky red as you can see in the swatch below. It's velvety, pigmented, distinctive and beautiful. Wearing this is the next best thing to actually being Blake Lively.

Ruby Woo by Mac is another lipstick that's been part of my collection for some time. A real true red, it's described by Mac as "very matte" and it really is. It's like trying to apply chalk to your lips. However, if they're in good condition and you're prepared to work a little bit at applying your lipstick, the result is really stunning.

Rimmel 01 from the Kate Moss collection is the latest addition to my stash of red lipsticks. Since they were kind enough to put my name on the lid, it would have been rude not to buy it, no?! This one is slightly darker than the other two and a lot glossier. I haven't worn it out yet, but I've played around with it and it's a real cracker. I can't wait for an occasion to wear this!

From left, L'Oreal Blake's Red, Rimmel Kate 01, Mac Ruby Woo

4. The Deep Berry

Call me a basic bitch, but it wouldn't be autumn without berry coloured lips to sip your pumpkin spiced latte with, now would it? Actually, I've never had a pumpkin spiced latte - they don't appeal to me! Berry lips, on the other hand, definitely do. This duo from Rimmel is the sum total of what I own in this category, so I quite clearly need to buy some more at the earliest opportunity.

 Rimmel Under My Spell lipstick and lipliner 

This fabulous lipstick is from Rimmel's The Only 1 range. It's a stunning, blackcurrant shade that makes a real statement - best to keep the rest of your face very simple when wearing this. The liner - which I bought purely to help me apply the lipstick more precisely - is from the Exaggerate range but is also called Under My Spell. However, it's been about a year since I bought this and I can't seem to find it online anywhere. Obsession looks very similar but I haven't seen it in the flesh, so can't say for certain if it's the same shade.

Left, Lipstick, Right, Lipliner

Do you own any of these lip products? What lipstick shades will you be rocking this autumn? And am I the only one who isn't tempted by pumpkin spiced lattes? I'd love to know!

Kate x

Autumn Fashion Wishlist - Over the Knee Boots

Ah, September. That back to school buzz of brand new stationery, a year full of promise and of course, new clothes. I find that no matter how old I get, I still seem to catch these excited feelings about this time of year. Now it's obviously been several millennia a while since I had to prepare for going back to school, but updating my wardrobe for the new season is something I still get to do year after year, and as far as I'm concerned, I'll probably never tire of it!

I've noticed a few trends coming through to the high street in the new autumn collections that have my pulse quickening, and one of them is over the knee boots. While they've been a fixture in autumn/winter fashion for a while now, this year I'm seeing so many more and in so many different variations than in recent seasons. And guess what - I kind of want them all. Predictable, aren't I?! I've compiled a little wishlist of some of my favourites, so take a look and see which ones you like the best!

1. River Island Studio Over the Knee Boots - These are so sleek, and the attention to detail makes them look, in my opinion, a lot more expensive than they actually are. The fact that they're sock boots is great for those of us with skinny calves, plus I love the contrast with the leather forepart and the gold trim on the heels. The only negative about these - for short girls like me - is that they really do look very long, more "thigh high" than just over the knee. Realistically, they'd probably come up to my waist. Oh well! Maybe these are just ones to lust over rather than actually buy.

2. Dune Lace Up Boots - I think these might be my favourites. I adore that lush black suede, and that fabulous lace up detail. Luckily, they have a zip fastening, otherwise it might take you a week to put them on, although quite frankly, the finished result is so fabulous that it would totally be worth the effort. The block heel and rounded toe are genius on this boot - anything pointier might have taken them into slutty territory, but as it is, they're just effortlessly cool. I simply cannot stop looking at them. Oh, and did I mention they're also available in khaki? Swoon.

3. H&M Tan Over the Knee Boots - A super affordable (£39.99!) offering from H&M, which easily holds its own against a lot of much pricier boots. These come in black as well, but I think the tan pair looks more expensive, and creates more of a contrast with the heel, adding that little something extra. These are a great shape and have a little tie up detail at the back - just on the top section. They'd look fab with some blue jeans, a soft white polo neck jumper and a shearling jacket.

4. Asos Tortoiseshell Heel Boots - Another tan pair, these are super simple. There's almost nothing to them, apart from a simple drawstring fastening at the back and, of course, that gorgeous tortoiseshell heel. These are a great casual option, but again they're probably more suited to taller girls than me. I'll just have to settle for wearing them in my fantasy life, where I'm actually Gigi Hadid.

5. Kurt Geiger Tassled Boots - Now these are quite different from any of the others, and quite the statement piece. I love the fringe detailing and think it gives off a cool, boho vibe. These boots would make the ideal partner for any fedora and gilet combo.

6. Zara Flat Over the Knee Boots - Chic and minimal, I'd pair these with something classic and sophisticated, like a tailored coat and a ladylike handbag. The flat, stacked heel makes them ideal for running around in, but they're sleek enough to look smart at the same time. They're also available in tan and are another great affordable option, coming in at £49.99.

7. Kendall and Kylie Grey Stiletto Boots - Available via Asos, these could be difficult to style, but done right they'd look sensational. As suggested in the photo here, they'd work really well with a simple little black dress, but I'd go for something quite demure (high neck, long sleeves) to balance out the overt sexiness of the boots.

What are your feelings on over the knee boots? Yay or nay? And are there any on my wishlist that have caught your eye?

Kate x

Gingham and Pleats

OK, so I feel a little bit "Little House on the Prairie" in this outfit, but I kind of love it! I was recently sent this pretty gingham shirt by Hawes & Curtis, and immediately several different styling options popped into my head. The light turquoise colour is very summery, and I could see it working a treat with some pristine white jeans, metallic accessories and a great tan. 

On the other hand, gingham is set to be big news for AW 16/17, so you could be really on trend for the new season by teaming it with some dark embroidered denim, which, by the way, is set to be even bigger news.

I think either would look great. But when I was out shopping the other day, I happened to spot this pleated midi skirt in H&M, and it was love at first sight. So I decided to go down an entirely different route, with not a scrap of denim in sight.

 Shirt* - Hawes & Curtis, Skirt, Belt (similar) - H&M, Bag (similar), Shoes - New Look, Necklace (similar) - Topshop, Watch - Jord

The shirt is lovely quality, semi-fitted, and substantial without being overly stiff. I love the turquoise gingham, but if it's not your cup of tea, Hawes & Curtis have more patterns and colours than you can shake a stick at. (If you fancy a browse, you can do so here.) One thing's for sure - if I worked in a corporate environment, I would definitely be taking advantage of their three shirts for £60 offer. They have a lot of gorgeous office-worthy styles.

As for the skirt, it's my latest obsession. Pleats seem to be all over the place right now and it looks like they're going to keep marching on right through autumn and winter too. But quite apart from the childish excitement I still feel every time I try a new trend, this skirt is also a joy to wear. The fabric is soft and chiffony, with an ever so slightly sheer outer layer and shorter underskirt beneath. It's very ladylike and... well, swishy. It works well in this casual context, but I can also see it with some spiky stiletto heels and a dressy top. H&M have brought it out in black, pale pink and emerald green as well this soft, off white colour, all of which I think are pretty fabulous.

I added tan accessories and a delicate gold chain and the look was complete. And five minutes after taking these photos, the heavens opened and it poured with rain. Might be time to start thinking about ankle boots and thick jumpers!

Are you a fan of gingham? How would you style it? And what are you most looking forward to about autumn? (The answer to this last question doesn't necessarily have to be fashion related!)

Kate x

*Gifted item. All opinions, as always, are my own.

Skincere Natural Skincare

I'm seeing more and more impressive all natural beauty brands around these days. No animal testing, no nasty chemicals, and as effective as many of the more mainstream products I'm familiar with. Skincere is the latest brand I've had the pleasure of testing, and I'm happy to say it's no exception.

Skincere is a new brand, available to buy from Holland and Barrett. 100% natural, it's free from parabens, preservatives, alcohol and synthetic fragrance, as well as being safe for those who are intolerant to wheat, soya, dairy and nuts. I've been testing the facial serum, day cream and night cream, all of which are designed to reduce redness, moisturise and soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Over time, Skincere claims that you will notice a more youthful, even toned and radiant complexion.

The packaging is clean, fresh and attractive. It's also sleek and lightweight, which makes it ideal to travel with, and all three of the products come with handy pump dispensers. In terms of how they feel to use, I do find all three of them ever so slightly on the heavy side. You certainly don't need to apply a lot of product and they take a little while to sink in, leaving a very slight "tacky" feeling on the skin for a minute or so before this happens. However, I'm used to this now, and don't really find it a problem.

From left - night cream, day cream, facial serum

The facial serum* comes in the smaller, 30 ml tube. I've been applying it morning and evening after cleansing. It contains jojoba, sunflower and mimosa waxes to protect skin's moisture levels, shea butter and resplanta babassu oil (whatever that is) to smooth the appearance of wrinkles, monoi Tahitian oil to nourish and aloe vera to firm.

The day cream* contains the same ingredients, as well as balloonvine, echium oil and sunflower oil to counteract any itchiness or allergic inflammation, as well as to strengthen and protect the skin's natural barriers.

Again, the night cream* contains the same ingredients as the serum, with the addition of collagen boosting avocado oil and soothing, moisturising vitamin E. 

It's always difficult to judge a new skincare range when you are already using something that works for you. I mentioned in my August Favourites that I recently switched to a new cleanser that cleared up the oily t-zone issue I'd been having, but in terms of the rest of my skincare, I've been very happy with the Avene Physiolift range for a while now. Using that makes my skin feel plumped and hydrated, and it seems to do a good job of softening the appearance of fine lines. Since switching to Skincere, I'm very pleased to note, all that is still the case, so I guess that means that Skincere is performing equally well for me in terms of its anti-ageing and moisturising benefits.

One difference I have noticed is that my skin has been looking a bit more radiant lately. Believe me, this is quite an unusual occurrence for me. It might be in part down to the change of cleanser, but given that Skincere is designed to promote a radiant complexion, I'm inclined to think it's mostly this. As I said, even when my skin is at its best, it's unusual for me to think it looks radiant so this is definitely the biggest plus point of Skincere as far as I'm concerned!

On the whole I'm impressed with Skincere and would certainly use it again in the future. For anyone with sensitive skin and/or allergies it's a great option, and reasonably priced too.

Have you tried Skincere? How important is natural skincare to you?

Kate x

*PR Samples. All opinions, as always, are my own