Denim Summer Staple

First things first, I apologise for my complete radio silence over the past few weeks.  Things have been a little bit all over the place, to say the least, in between finishing my degree, heading off to Glastonbury Festival as part of the Shangri-La Press team, and packing up my entire life to move back home in between tenancies.  I'll be moving into a new place in the Brighton area in August, following a rigorous job hunt and some hardcore holidaying which I'm super excited for.  But for now I've been LOVING having a bit of time and space to take a breather and spend time with my friends and family!

Denim jacket - Vintage / Top - H&M (old, try this) / Skirt - H&M (similar)

Bag - BrandAlley / Flatforms - Bershka (only available in gold now!) / Sunglasses - Derek Lam

Anyway, onto the outfit - I picked up this denim skirt last week in H&M for a bargainous £15.  I can't find this exact one online, typically, but they have an enormous selection, fit for every taste here.  I haven't owned a denim skirt in years - the last one I had was self-fashioned, from a pair of beaten up Topshop skinny jeans, when I was probably 12 or 13.  It lasted me a good few years before finally biting the dust (maybe something to do with my dodgy hand stitching?!).  But I am so glad to welcome the denim skirt back into my wardrobe; it's already fast becoming a summer staple.

 

 

 Nail polish - Kitsch by Rococo

  

I think it is safe to say that my double denim obsession has taken full hold this summer.  Recently I've been especially loving pairing two tones of denim with a basic colour block tee.  I picked up this one late last year in H&M.  The colour's a kind of dirty lilac meets taupe shade, and I love the relaxed V-neck fit.  You can't beat a good basic, eh! 

And finally, I would like to introduce you to these fabulous flatform sandals.  I got my hands on these a few months ago, so they're now only available in gold on Bershka's site, but are also only £11.99... 

I'm not going to lie to you, these aren't the comfiest shoes in the world, but I've tended to find sandals from high street fashion stores in general to be pretty uncomfortable.  However, these make up for it in sass, giving me those all important extra few inches, and giving me a chance to show off my fabulous mermaid-y toenails, which were courtesy of Nails By Fleur.  I've raved about her work before (see this post), and her Instagram is a site to behold - for anyone in the West Sussex area I can't recommend her highly enough.  

Anyway, enough from me and my sparkly toenails.  Here's a nice picture of me smiling and a not so nice one, but perhaps more accurate representation of me in my current hayfever ridden state, pre-sneeze... #thestruggleisreal.

Ruby x

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Phillimore Gardens

Last week I spent a few days in London with my sister, Laura.  Wednesday was spent drinking copious amounts of wine, which meant our Thursday began rather late (I think we left her place around 3pm... I know).  That said, the day wasn't a complete write-off.  We managed to make it to the Design Museum in Kensington for a little wander round in the late afternoon, which was well worth the visit if you like all things design-related, before wandering into a side street to take some blog pics in front of a random person's (rather beautiful) house.

I've recently got really into my comfort clothing, fashion-wise.  Ever since culottes blew up a year or so ago, they've become my best friend, especially these babies from Zara with their cheeky side split, which you may remember me raving about in this post.  Although not so practical for the windy weather, they're incredibly versatile and were super cheap (around £18-20 if I remember correctly). 

Denim Jacket - Vintage / Top - Urban Outfitters / Culottes - Zara (similar) 

Bag - BrandAlley / Shoes - New Look (try these)

And as much as I'm trying desperately not to buy too much into trends, I felt like I had already resisted the gingham trend for far too long and it was only a matter of time before I succumbed.  And this top is a lovely little gingham hybrid - quite a large print, so easy to wear and super sheer so perfect for layering.  

I find blues and blacks by far the easiest colours to style - I could've easily thrown this on with a leather jacket and heels instead and worn it out for drinks, or equally could've worn trainers to keep it even more casual.  Wunderbar!

Ruby x 

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Kiko Tropic Heat Dewy Stick: Review

With the weather gradually getting warmer, I'm reaching far less for beaming pearlescent highlighters, and going more for a subtle 'glow' with my makeup looks.  In summer I prefer to go more minimal and natural in terms of makeup, and I've recently been trying out this Tropic Heat Dewy Stick from Kiko as an alternative to my MAC Cream Colour Base. 

This product comes in at £7.90, so fairly affordable, and as with most of the Kiko products I love the simple, ergonomic yet stylish packaging.  The product applies easily, and gives a dewy, almost slightly wet look to the skin depending on how heavily you apply it.  It's completely uncoloured (which I really like) and has no shimmer or glitter to it, which I'm also a big fan of.  

My main qualm with the dewy stick would be that it can shift foundation quite badly if you're not careful with it - you can't be too heavy handed, in spite of the fact that its effect is quite subtle.  It does also feel ever so slightly sticky on the skin... but to be honest this was something I had expected, especially with a main ingredient being beeswax. 

All in all, gives a natural, sunny glow to the skin.  For £7.90, not too bad at all.  What do you guys think?

Ruby x 

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Orange-Copper Eye-Catcher

I'm not usually one for makeup trends - but the burnt orange, smoky red or even popping tangerine eyeshadow looks I have seen here there and everywhere recently have really caught my attention.

However, as with all trends, I've also been (only slightly) reluctant to go out and buy a shit load of orange-hued palettes in case come the end of summer everyone's back to more subtle daytime looks.  What I have instead invested in is just a couple of products - this awesome mascara in 'Warm Up' from MAC (a la the wonderful Megan Ellaby), and B.'s vibrant eye shimmer in Copper.  This was only very recently discontinued at Superdrug, as they're re-launching the range, but it's a glossy, creamy eye colour with gold sparkles.      

Combined, they create this gorgeous (yet not too) wild orange eye look.

The thing I love about the B eye shimmers is that they're so easy to use, and also really buildable, so you can use them all over the lid and simply apply more where you want better colour intensity.  I literally threw a load of this onto my eyelids, did a bit of winged liner on top and was good to go - no faffing around with palettes or multiple shades (or even brushes - your index finger is as good as any brush with this kind of product).

But the real eye catcher is the mascara - a nice thick coating of classic black on the top lashes, combined with the awesome bright orange shade from MAC.  

 

Paired with pretty much any nudey brown lipstick - the one I wore is also from B., in the shade 'Toffee' - this look is a winner, if I do say so myself.  What are your thoughts?

Ruby x 

 

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Dress-ing it down

Anyone who knows me will probably also know I'm not really a dress girl.  It's certainly something I've become painfully aware of in the last couple of weeks, as I've been searching for something graduation worthy - in vain, might I add.  

But, from time to time I do stumble across something I like.  And of course I found this one in Urban Outfitters!

I've always liked the look of longer dresses, but found it quite tricky to find styles which aren't too floaty but also aren't too form-fitting - I want the freedom to eat all the ice cream and nobody know about it, you see.  This one's the perfect hybrid, made with a slinky material that fits a bit closer in all the right places.

I also love that it has this sexy little side split which isn't too impractical because it only goes to just above the knee - wonderful.  

And, more importantly, this is one of those dresses that you don't have to dress up for.  I love this with sandals and a big shirt, equally with trainers and denim jacket... there's loads of ways you can style something like this (of course you could also go for heels and a snazzy jacket).  I got this particular shirt from the Brighton laines for a fiver, and so far it's been my most worn Spring purchase.

Dress - Urban Renewal @ UO / Bag - BrandAlley / Shirt - Vintage
Sunglasses - TK Maxx (Derek Lam) / Sandals - H&M (suuuuper old)

 Update on the bag - still holding up fairly well!  And I'm loving it.  My slight qualm would be the suede has worn pretty quick and gets grubby, but what kind of an idiot buys suede thinking it'll stay clean... me, perhaps.

Have a fab weekend darlings,

Ruby x

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Lips of the Month: Chili

This month I've been a girl of simple appearance.  In between studying, working, eating, studying, sleeping and studying makeup has been the last thing on my mind.  However I recently went for a coffee with a friend who was back in Brighton for a couple of weeks from a year abroad in Alicante, which of course warranted lipstick.  And rediscovered my pure, unadulterated love for Mac's Chili.

 This is a fiery, terracotta-toned red shade that is still beautifully wearable during the day.  In spite of being a matte formula (which I traditionally haven't got on with), this one is not nearly as drying as my ultimate love-hate Mac lipstick, Velvet Teddy.  I didn't really believe the Sales Advisor when she told me the lipsticks vary slightly in mattifiying effect from shade to shade - but she was right!

The colour is rich and long lasting, and perfect for any other green-eyed girls (monsters?) out there.  Maybe I'll finally become a red lipstick girl - can anyone recommend any other shades?

Ruby x 

 

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