Lifestyle: January 2015

I have been buying… lots of Disney and Harry Potter things from Primark and quite a bit of makeup.

I have been eating at… TGI's and Frankie and Benny's

I have visited… apart from my usual trips to Birmingham, I've also been to Winchester.

Best Bargain… a Clinique giftset for only £8 which was worth well over £30!

I have achieved… I've been trying to lose some weight and have stopped eating so much crap.

I've been listening to... Sivu, Emmy the Great and Morrissey.

Next month I’m looking forward to… London Fashion Week!

Next month I hope to splash some cash on… I've already spent enough, so I need to chill out a bit.

I've been reading... Yes Please by Amy Poehler, Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green, Landline by Rainbow Rowell

Fashion: Almost Famous SS15

In November I went along to the Almost Famous press day at their flagship Fitzrovia store. Almost Famous is a womenswear brand famous for their dresses which have been worn by the likes of Pippa Middleton and Sarah Jessica Parker. Each season, they bring out an eclectic 160 piece collection and I was excited to see what they had planned for SS15.

I was not disappointed when I arrived, I'm a lover of statement pieces and don't like sticking to all one colour. As you can see from the photos above, Almost famous are all about the brights and the florals for SS15. They have something for everyone, from pretty pastel dresses suitable for a summer wedding, to the brightly coloured denim which is just perfect for a casual summer look. My favourite piece from the whole collection was the dark floral skirt shown in the last photo; I just fell in love with it as soon as I walked into the room. I'd wear this with a coloured vest when it's warmer and add tights and a cardigan for the colder months.

What's your favourite piece from the Almost Famous SS15 collection?

Travel: Best cities for Hen Weekends in the UK

Congratulations, you’ve landed yourself the maid of honour gig. How exciting! Get ready, as you have a lot of planning to do. One of your main responsibilities is to make sure the bride-to-be has a hen party or hen weekend to remember. In order to plan an unforgettable ‘hen do’, the destination you choose to host it can play a large factor to ensure a successful event.  Below is a list of the best cities known for great hen weekends within the UK. Bear in mind that every bride-to-be is different, and therefore has different tastes. Some brides want to go to the bar with their girlfriends and party the night away. While other brides want to be pampered in an exclusive spa, and have a late lunch, it’s your responsibility to figure out what the bride-to-be wants.

Tip: Think carefully about the destination. Where did she grow up? Is there somewhere she always 
talks about but she’s never been (it may have been a subtle hint)? Where is the best man holding the stag do? – you don’t want to end up at the same place!

Newcastle

You can expect the ‘Tyne of your life’ with a trip to Newcastle. You may have heard about the stereotype of girls in Newcastle on a night out. They wear massive shoes, are super-tanned, wear short dresses and are always standing with a fancy drink in their hand such as a cocktail, with the main intention to enjoy themselves. This stereotype is SO true. Newcastle is proud to be one of the best cities for nights out on the town. Everyone is friendly and welcoming and certainly will make the bride feel special. There will most likely be a load of other hen and stag parties for you to run around the streets with.

London

London; the capital of the UK that is full of possibilities. There is a sense of anticipation in the air in London that anything could happen. Whatever you are planning for the hen night or weekend, London will most likely offer it, and it will most likely be the biggest and the best. 
Whether it’s shopping, cocktails, spas, bars, restaurants, clubs, the world is your oyster in London, and it’s yours for the taking.

Dublin

Prepare yourself, the bride and the girls to be seduced with Dublin’s wicked Irish charm. Dublin boasts cobbled roads, traditional Irish pubs and clubs and even the odd street entertainment. Dublin is the perfect city to unwind and forget about the stress of everyday life (such as organising the big day).

Cardiff

Believed to be the Welsh London, expect a lot smaller, Cardiff is a friendly city that where you can find many students, sporting and pop celebrities and even drag acts. If your bride-to-be enjoys a tipple too, and likes to dance like no one is watching or if she’s the type who appreciates a fine restaurant and snazzy bars, then Cardiff is perfect for her hen night.