Sunshine and smiles

I've just returned from a gorgeous weekend in sunny Bath with some wonderful friends. I smiled all the way home. In my opinion, there's nothing that sunshine can't improve! A pub lunch and a boat trip (with some singing courtesy of Miss KW) was just what I needed to perk me up and prepare me for a big weekend.

Anyway, the sun meant that I was able to get some summer clothes back out and see just what I have acquired over the last few years. My summer wardrobe is considerably bigger than my winter wardrobe, mostly because I hate winter! I wonder how anyone can possibly feel good about themselves when it's so cold and miserable outside. I feel like I just wear black constantly. My summer clothes mostly consist of lots of maxi dresses, vest tops and skirts. I'm on a tight budget so I can't go all out on buying new things this year. I do need some new sandals so here are some I've got my eye on at the moment:

They're all from trusty ASOS if you fancy having a look for yourself. Just a quick post today as I'm absolutely exhausted!

Hope you had a nice sunny weekend too!

I love #8

1. Discovering new meals. This week I had Jamie Oliver's Indian Style Steak and have to say it was delicious! It was taken from his 30 minute meals book and I had seen him make it on tv too. It's ridiculously easy and does actually take less than 30 minutes. No food processor or anything! The yoghurt dip and curry sauce was so nice, I couldn't stop eating it. We didn't make the deserts but that was because we were so stuffed from the main meal. The recipe is here if you want to have a go.

Picture from Jamie Oliver site

2. Listening to old music. It's only when foraging through your old things or looking through an Ipod that you rediscover some old classics. I love hearing music which reminds me of my teenage years. Currently getting back into Green Day, Blink 182 and Linkin Park. Haha!

3. Sunshine. Everything is better when the sun is out. People are more polite, it's easier to get out of bed and you have way more energy. It makes me actually want to go and do things. When it's cold and miserable I just want to hibernate. I'm excited about buying a few summery dresses and some new sandals for summer time. I know I'm being a bit hopeful in March but it won't be long until summer sun and socialising!

4. Bargains. I recently found a gorgeous pink dress in H&M for £7 and have also decided to sign up to Zumba classes which cost an amazing £14 for ten sessions. I'm also considering starting to grow my own herbs and vegetables and I'm getting quite excited at the thought of it. I'm not sure if that makes me boring or amazingly bohemian. Either way, I'm fine with it.


5. Feminism. Most people who know me probably don't see me as a feminist. Feminism is still (wrongly) associated with the burning of bras, clumpy shoes and 'man hating'. In my opinion, that is not what feminism is. I want to avoid a long, drawn out rant so I'll keep it short. I see feminism as women having an equal chance to succeed as men. Feminism is currently having a new uprising which can be seen in the form of Caitlin Moran's book 'How to be a Woman'. Not only that, but the recent Cosmopolitan I bought was all about feminism and the fact that women should be recognised for their contributions to society and not belittled or devalued simply because of their gender. Women of the World Festival is currently underway and I think it's great that we are now able to have more informed and frank conversations about feminism without claiming that feminists are angry, unfunny and frumpy individuals. I could talk about this endlessly so I'll stop now. Here's a video of Daniel Craig...

Spring in your step

What a long week! It's been frosty and horrible the whole time and I'm pretty sure I've forgotton what it feels like to be warm. No one should have to sleep with two duvets on their bed. Ridiculous.

Anyway, I'm pretending to myself (while sat here fully clothed under two duvets) that spring isn't far away and I must immediately begin planning my wardrobe. I'm also pretending that I have the money to do this. ASOS has a new feature which allows you to save items and so here are mine. I prefer looking at accessories on ASOS because the sizes of their clothes seem a bit funny on me. Here's my accessory love so far:

The bright nail varnish is perfect for summer and it really reminds me of the Mulberry Spring Summer Campaign and those gorgeous flashes of yellow. I'm not a yellow wearer really, but I can definitely work it in there with nail varnish or the yellow flats I've also chosen above. The Mulberry campaign also has some really pretty pastel colours which have already influenced me and made me crave mint green and baby blue. The baby blue clutch (above) is so cute and would look really good with a cream or white dress. I've also added the pink belt with birds on because a) the pastel pink isn't too girlie and b) I love belts with a bit of detailing on. The other items on my saved list are brilliant basics - black and gold sandals which can be worn with anything, a big chunky watch and the beautiful Whistles black purse which would fit nicely inside the bright red satchel! The red lipstick is there because it's my default colour and I'd wear it with a black dress and the pink/creamy coloured purse. I was surprised that I liked the floral belt (in the centre) because it's not normally my kind of thing but I could imagine wearing it with a white tunic and giant wavy hair.

I can almost feel the sunshine now.

 

Cocktails from Dogma Nottingham. Left: French Martini ♥ Right: Mojito

Easter. A time for reflection. Mainly reflecting on how many easter eggs you have consumed and considering at what point it is acceptable to order your first cocktail. Just me? I hope not.

The sun has been out treating us all to gorgeous days and balmy evenings. It only took twenty four hours of sunshine for me to get a face full of freckles and a host of new outfits in celebration of the weather. Who cares if this weather will only last another few days? My new maxi dresses and sandals (I reasoned whilst in the changing room and fully aware that I have no money) will last me all summer and I can take them on holiday. Value for money.

Dress left H&M £14.99, Dress right H&M £14.99, Sandal top Topshop £28 (or around that!)

P.S. H&M always used to be a little behind the trend in terms of online shopping. It just wasn't available. But now, thanks to many requests I'm sure, they have an online site including virtual dressing room, blog, on trend fashion advice and a collaboration with Lanvin under their belt. 

Go H&M! I always loved you.

H&M - Find yourself a summer bargain.