An Interlude // J.Crew Bouquet Ring

I thought I'd give you a break from all the Dubai posts and the zillion photos today. Two reasons why...

First, I have the post-holiday blues and I fear that all this blogging about my former self being more tanned, enjoying beautiful bars, shopping and generally have a gay old time, is only serving to prolong the agony of realising that, yep, my real life just isn't as good. I need a break to get over it.

Two, I got something pretty and now it's in the sale. Annoying? Frustrating? Yes! First time this has happened? Unfortunately not. But...I thought I'd find the silver lining and share it with you so that maybe someone else can benefit from it being half price, before it's sold out altogether.

Isn't it pretty! It's the perfect springtime accessory and I can't wait to wear it with some pastel-y goodness when the warmer weather arrives here :)

I got it a while back from J.Crew - HERE . They're doing an extra 30% off all sale items if you enter the code GOODNEWS at the moment, so it's only thirty-five bucks now!

Of course, this also means there are some other very tempting bargains. I have my eye on this and wouldn't mind a pair of these...only problem is, I want the entire rainbow of colours, which cannot happen, even if they are super cheap now...! Help! Which are your faves?

x x x

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New In // H&M Jewels and Basics

Statement necklaces are special, they have the ability to lift just about any outfit from drab and dull to delightful all by themselves. Quite an achievement if you ask me. I was browsing H&M the other day and spotted this one twinkling on a stand. It stood out from the sea of other jewels and for the price, naturally, I deemed it a 'must-buy'.

I actually spotted a lot of other things I loved in there, too. Sometimes I find a store will have a season that seems to perfectly suit my taste and I end up wearing whole outfits consisting of their stuff. Zara last summer was a prime example of this. This season H&M is killing it for me. Only problem, I'm trying to make a conscious effort to buy less 'fast fashion' items... 

So I only walked away with a couple of things, one of which was this simple white sweater from their 'conscious collection'. I liked the slightly sheer sleeves and trim, it's a perfect basic for my summer wardrobe that can be worked into a lot of outfits. Watch this space for a lot of it and probably a tonne of other H&M stuff too, as soon as my wavering willpower waves goodbye.

Necklace - H&M  //  Sweater - H&M   //  'Lovelorn' Lipstick MAC - HERE  //  Marc Jacobs Watch - HERE

xxx


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HRH Collection Jewelry // Louis Ghost Chairs

Sparkle :)  //  La Lumiere  //  La Petit Lumiere  //  InnisFree Glitter Polish '105'

Latest apartment acquisition  //  Louis Ghost Chair

I recently found a new blog called HRH Collection. It's written by a girl called Alex, an American girl with impeccable style. Her home is beautiful, her outfits are simple and sophisticated and her accessories are just incredible. Her style is very similar to my taste and I was so thrilled when I realised she has an online shop selling most of the jewellery she wears, all of which she makes herself. I'd love the whole lot in all honesty, but, I decided to be sensible for a change and just bought three. For now.

I'm thrilled with the bracelets so I did a quick video review of them on my YouTube channel. Go watch it (here) if you'd like to see the bracelets in more detail and know the names etc.

The chair is another recent buy. I've been wanting a Louis Ghost chair for such a long time and I'm so glad I've been able to add one to my apartment, finally.


Has anyone else bought anything from HRH collection? Is there anything you've wanted for a long time and then finally got?

xxx

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eBay Finds: Rhinestone Collar Necklace

eBay is like a treasure hunt to me. I know there's good stuff out there I just have to find it. I've got to admit I waste a lot of time searching through the endless array of other people's unwanted items and the cheap junk straight from China that you just know will fall apart within a week! Once in a while I hit on something that makes it all worth while though.

I'd had a crappy day at work today, one of those Monday's you just will to be over. It doesn't help when I know all my friends and family in England will be enjoying a nice bank holiday today either. On returning home my spirits got lifted though when I saw that a package had arrived. 

Cue excitement! 

It could have been any number of things (lately I've been doing a lot of treasure hunting - usually on my phone in bed when I should be sleeping!) but I was surprised to find it was this necklace that wasn't due to arrive for another two weeks. 

Unlike most things I buy on eBay, this necklace didn't spend any time on my Watch List. As soon as I spied it I had to get it, even if it was coming from Shanghai. 'Buy It Now'... click!

I knew the quality wouldn't be great especially since the price tag was under $20 but the mix of cream enamel, rhinestones and cute collar design won me over. Despite loving the look of the detached collars that are everywhere at the moment, for some reason I just feel ridiculous whenever I try one on. Does anyone else feel that?! 

This necklace is a great alternative to those but still has a similar aesthetic. I love how it looks a little bit vintage but the chunky cream enamel keeps it bang on trend. As expected the quality isn't great, the chain seems a little lightweight, but I think it'll survive the summer at least. I can't wait to wear it! Collar necklaces are already available in a lot of different stores and I'm sure they're going to be huge by summer.

Here's a few more (not from eBay) that I wouldn't mind wearing:

1. Miss Selfridge 2. Modcloth 3. Topshop 4. ASOS 5. Dannijo 6. Dannijo 7. Topshop 8. Miss Selfridge

If you like then one I found on eBay you can click here to see the listing. They also sell it in black and the postage is free worldwide.

Have you found any treasures on eBay? Tell me where, I'm always on the hunt for more! 
What do you think of collar necklaces, do you own any?

Yves Saint Laurent Oval Arty Ring Replacement

YSL Oval Arty Ring in Aqua Green - Via

Now, you'd think being in an office was a safe, spend-free zone wouldn't you?! Well, not for me! Not thanks to the Internet. I was browsing plenty of sites but then something in particular caught my eye. I've loved the Yves Saint Laurent Oval Arty ring for a long time now since I first spotted it on a few blogs.

Of course, as with SO many things I see and love, I didn't get it. It's a sad story isn't it! It's a bit pricey at around £140 to £160 ($240) for something I wouldn't wear all that often. I couldn't justify it, however hard I tried.

I'd been browsing at a couple of sites today and then I ended up at Accessorize. They have an awesome sale on right now which is what drew me in. Then I saw this beauty, a very good replacement for the YSL ring. I guess that was accessorizes' intention because I think it's a near copy of the YSL ring. What do you think? 

What makes it more beautiful in my mind is the fact it's a snippet of the cost. I spent a whole £12 ($18) on this bad boy! 

Completely justifiable. I actually consider this to mean I have saved myself money as opposed to spending it!

If you want an Arty Ring Replacement for yourself go to Accessorize and type in 'stone ring'. They ship internationally but the website does state that they're low in stock, so hurry! There's actually loads of other gorgeous rings on there at the moment too.

That's all I have time to share right now unfortunately. At least you know I am still alive now though. I know I usually post at least every two or three days and I haven't done this this week but I do promise I will get back to that next week!

xxx

Too Many Boxes and a Winner

That's one of the little somethings I picked up for myself yesterday. Yeah - when I was Christmas shopping for other people! I think I'm addicted to F21 accessories. They're too affordable, it's not good for me.

I wanted to include that picture because the actual picture of today is neither interesting nor pretty. Basically I'm swimming in boxes here! I've spent the last 4 hours trying to pack up my wardrobe and I'm not even close to finished. I did uncover not one but three lost MAC lipsticks, a Benefit lip gloss, several dollars worth of loose change and about a zillion hair pins in various pockets of my handbags though. Every cloud has a silver lining!

 

In other news today, we have a winner of the handbag giveaway. The lucky lady chosen using Random.org is Lauren Ashleigh! Congratulations Lauren, please send me an email with your postal address. Then I'll get the bag on it's way to you as soon as possible!

To all the other people who took the time to enter I'd like to say a big thank you! You guys are all so lovely, I really appreciate you taking the time to read and follow my blog. Your comments and support mean the world to me! The next giveaway will be coming up very soon so stay tuned, it might be your lucky day next.

Sadly I have to go clear about 2 tonnes of clothing off my bed now. I'm seriously starting to question why I shop so much.....yep...it's a dark day. Wish me luck!

xxx

Five Things From This Week.

This week I had my birthday so of course I had to show you some of my birthday gifts from friends this year. They took on a certain theme - accessories, MAC cosmetics and pink. I'm a bit concerned that people think I'm a little like Barbie. Hmmm. Having said that I do love all these things, OPI polish, MAC lip products, eyeshadow, pretty hair accessories, jewellery and a gorgeous scarf, I'm a happy girl with some lovely friends.

I'd like to have fresh flowers in my apartment all the time. Sadly I just never seem to get around to buying them. Luckily I have a person who likes to buy them for me every now and then. Fresh flowers can brighten any space and add a fresh point of interest to a room not to mention the beautiful scents.

Glitter French Manicure

I'm a big lover of brightly colored nail polishes and occasional nail art when my patience allows. Sometimes though a simple nail is nice. I love the look of a french manicure, it's so clean and sophisticated. Plus, you never have to worry about it clashing with your clothes (that bothers me so much I have to re-paint my nails before I leave my home, usually at the expense of being on time). A fine line of silver or gold glitter polish is a great twist on a french manicure. Who doesn't like a touch of sparkle?!

Christmas isn't too far away now. I saw this great idea on Melina's blog, it's a Secret Santa for bloggers. I thought it'd be great fun to take part and of course hopefully make a new friend in this little world. Take a peek by clicking on the picture if you too feel like getting in the festive spirit.

Kylie Minogue with Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) Black Tote Handbag.

Seemingly I am having a bit of a thing for Yves Saint Laurent right now. I spotted this tote in the store not so long ago and then this snap of Kylie Minogue with it. Lucky girl. Not sure about her velvet jacket and those pants. What do you think? It's not something I could get away with that's for sure. But the bag...oh the bag...that I could definitely get away with. It's such a versatile bag, clean lines, smooth leather and of course it's big enough to fit all my junk in. I would like this. A lot. Santa?

That's it for this week. I hope you all have an awesome weekend.

xxx

Big Bows, Birthdays & Balloons.

Imagine if your birthday granted you a free day off work, how incredible would that be?!
 

Hard luck, it doesn't! So instead I had to go to work. My day was made much more enjoyable though by my gorgeous work friends. They surprised me with a latte and cinnamon roll complete with candles (they know I never get round to breakfast in the morning) as well as gifts! It was so thoughtful and cute of them!
 

After work was out of the way my boyfriend had made reservations for dinner. People in Seoul tend to dress a lot more casually when you'd expect them to be smart. So although this restaurant is a fine dining experience, the dress code isn't. I'm often overdressed. This time I put together a cute smart casual look. Skater skirt, ruched shoulder cardigan and enough accessories to add a touch of glam, including my new bow hairband a friend gave me as a birthday gift. I got it just right this time. The restaurants on the 33rd floor so the views of the city are beautiful.

View from our table.

Oversized Bow Hairband - Accessorize. Cardigan & Necklace - H&M (currently loving it a bit too much!)

We ate a gorgeous meal and enjoyed the smooth live music. It was a perfect birthday meal (photos of the food after the jump if you care to make yourself hungry, seriously...they will!). After dinner I was keen to have a night-cap cocktail but my bf insisted he was too tired and wanted to get home. I really wanted to stay longer but appreciated what a lovely night it had been and decided not to kick up a fuss.

When we got back he suddenly dashed into the apartment and told me to wait a minute.When I went in he surprised me with flowers, birthday balloons, a few more presents (he'd already given me my presents earlier) and a birthday cake! I'd not expected anything else as he'd already done more than enough. I jumped around for a little while with excitement. Thought about how glad I was I didn't get miffed at him for wanting to go home. Then we grabbed forks and dug into the Black Forest Gateaux cake!

My surprise when we got back to our apartment! <3

It was a perfect birthday, I couldn't have asked for anything different, except not to have to work of course! Haha! I feel so thankful that I have such lovely friends and an amazing boyfriend too. They all helped make me feel a little bit better about getting another year older.

I hope I'm blessed enough to have them in my life every year to ease the pain!

xxx

PS: You can see the food we ate if you click below but I really should warn you that you'll probably have to go eat something after you look at them...or maybe I just don't have any willpower!?!!

I Want To Wear: La Mer Chain Wrap Watch...But Which?

I've seen La Mer watches cropping up all over the place recently. In magazines. On Pinterest (just joined - so fun, still don't really have a clue how it works mind you). On celebrities. On blogs. But, alas, NOT on my wrist. Not yet anyway.

I have to get one of these. I love them. The problem is getting one, by that I  don't mean I can't find them, I mean just one as opposed to several. Yeah, I love them that much. Here's a few I'm debating between:

I love the leather wraps coupled with the touch of girly sparkle. Each of them are so different I don't know how I'm supposed to choose. I figured those four are quite practical color choices for me since they would go with a variety of outfits but I'm kind of lusting after this one too...

Not such a practical color choice...but then practicality never has been my strong suit! Maybe that one would have been better for summer though. 

You can see more of the collection here or you can customize your own watch (fun - maybe too fun - I'm staying away!) here on the La Mer website.

Before you go browse though I need your help please...which do you think is the best choice??

xxx

PS: I hope everyone has a lovely relaxing weekend!