Tuesday 31 December 2013

My Favourite Outfits of 2013

The final hours of 2013 are swiftly ticking away; perhaps by the time you read this, the new year will have already been announced by an obligatory fanfare of fireworks and the accompanying howls of terrified dogs. Either way, Happy New Year! I hope 2014 is a great year for you, filled with good health, pretty dresses, shoes, and happiness!

Last night, I had a look back through all the outfits I shared here over the last year, and I decided to compile some of my favourites to end the year with. I didn't post anywhere near as many outfits as I would have liked to in 2013. I am aware of how sporadic my outfit posts have become, but 2013 was a year when I spent an awful amount of time living in pyjamas with no strength to dress, living a bit of a nocturnal existence, missing out on too much daylight. Although that couldn't be helped, I do hope to post more outfits here in 2014.

My style in 2013 wasn't really anything to write home about; it was quite predictable, really, and perhaps to others that's seen as dull. I, however, can't think of any outfits I actually hated wearing; I particularly gained a lot of pleasure from wearing and adding to my collection of colourful, printed dresses and cardigans, and felt confident in almost all of my outfits. I'd much rather wear outfits I feel good in, than ones I feel uncomfortable in. The last thing I want to do is walk around tugging nervously at my clothes.

Would you like to look back on some of the clothes I wore in 2013?


 Top Row: L // M // R
Bottom Row: L // M // R

I had fun mixing corals and purples together, and wore the odd splash of pink. I wouldn't consider myself a 'pink' person at all, but my favourite purchase this year was the South fox print dress (bottom left), that I've barely taken off all Winter.


Top Row: L // M // R
Bottom Row: L // M // R

Many of the outfits I wore included something blue. I wore a generous amount of navy and cobalt blue; two of my favourite colours to dress in.


Top Row: L // M // R
Bottom Row: L // M // R

And as the seasons changed, I've found myself wearing reds and other deep hues with a generous helping of black. I can't get enough of tartan and Christmas jumpers at the moment, either!


One of my most favourite outfits of the year was my yellow polka dot prom dress worn with coral pieces and cropped white leggings. I adored the colour palette, and felt extremely summery outside in the blazing sun. Sadly I didn't get a decent full length photo of me wearing it, and my eye was swollen so I was make up-less, but I'm certain to try this look again this summer.


My favourite fashion purchase of the year was this fox print dress from South at Very and that's without a shadow of a doubt. I've lost count how many times I've worn it over the last few months. I've worn it a dozen different ways using purple, black, forest green and apple green pieces; it works perfectly with forest green. It's become my go to dress that I can just throw on over a pair of tights or leggings and feel amazing every time. I reach for this dress when I want to feel put together, but don't have time or can't be bothered to work out what else to wear. I only wish I'd bought a back up for the dreaded day it falls apart. I will be devastated when that day comes; I adore it!

I've loved sharing my outfits with you all this year, and just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who has left me such kind words of support and encouragement in 2013. Your lovely messages have truly helped my self-confidence and body-confidence to flourish, and I've never been so content with who I am in my life, so thank you! I wonder how far I will have come along the road to self-acceptance by this time next year!

I hope you all have a fantastic New Year, and I can't wait to see what 2014 brings.

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Monday 30 December 2013

Haul | The Lovely Presents I Was Given For Christmas (2013)

I had a lovely Christmas with my family this year, and although we're now approaching the New Year, I'm still overwhelmed by how much I was spoilt by my loved ones this week. My family were extremely generous and gave far more than I deserved; I found myself quite taken a back by their generosity when I took everything upstairs to put away and saw it all together. I still feel so grateful for every present; and appreciate every person who spent money, time, and effort on giving the gifts to me this year.

Christmas, for me, isn't about receiving presents at all. Although it's exciting to be given a pile of presents each December, Christmas is about spending time with the people I love, and remembering other people in my life that I can't spend it with; even if it's just by acknowledging them with a thoughtful note in a Christmas card. I get a great deal of joy from spoiling my friends and family, too, and the festive season is a time for me to lavish them with lovely presents and I always get carried away! I love putting presents together for somebody who deserves to be spoiled rotten, it's so satisfying!

Christmas is also a time when I truly appreciate what I have, when so many people out there have nothing but the clothes on their backs. And right now, I'm aware of just how much I have and how lucky I am to have it! So, please bare that in mind as I show you the wonderful presents I was given for Christmas this year. I'm not sharing them to boast or make you jealous; I just enjoy reading these kind of posts on other blogs, and thought you might like to see them, too. I know some people detest 'haul' posts, and if you're one of them, you might prefer to press the little x in the corner now...



So, first up are The Elf Boots. I was given this pair of forest green studded ankle boots from my parents. I already have the same boots in burgundy and black, and I put a little request in for this pair. They're by Collection at Simply Be, and come in E and EEE widths; I chose the latter and they're so roomy and comfortable. 


My parents also gave me the Remington Keratin Therapy Pro Curl curling tong, as I've wanted a curling tong for years. I'm looking forward to playing with it, and seeing if I can get the curls to stay in my hair.



Not great pictures, as it just did not want to cooperate, but I love my new gold snakeskin effect satchel from River Island.


My older sister, and my brother-in-law bought me this pretty fairisle jumper. It has a little angora in it and it's incredibly soft to the touch. I'm so impressed by TU at Sainsburys' clothes this season; this one's a beauty.


They also gave me an Inglot breathable nail enamel in 639 and an Inglot nail enamel pen in 27. I'm wearing the nail polish now, and it's so pretty, and I can't wait to get creative with the nail art pen. My other sister gave me the gorgeous Lush Emotional Brilliance lipstick in Decisive.


I was given quite a lot of beauty products from various family members.



My favourites of the bunch are the Lush pieces. I was given a box of four products by my Auntie, and a gift bag full from the parents.



I was also gifted this cute bobbin-shaped craft box, which will make a quirky display item in my boudoir.


A few little things: a lion cross stitch kit; a necklace; a pair of real purple pearl studs; a cupcake shaped manicure set; and a bookmark calendar.


I was treated to a plentiful assortment of edible goodies. That's me set until Easter!


How cute is this little Santa teddy tin? I might have to refill him with goodies and pass him along to someone else next Christmas. Or just regift to myself!


The day after Boxing Day, I was given a belated Christmas present from the little sis, who bought me the Stila Naturally Beautiful Eyeshadow Palette that I've had my eye on all year! My sis always leaves her Christmas shopping until the last minute, so it arrived late, but it helped stretch Christmas further!


And my mother forgot she'd also bought me these pearl accessories, and remembered them on Boxing Day. The necklace, earrings, and simple bracelet came in a set, and the other bracelet was in it's own little pouch. The pearls are real, and I can't quite believe how lovely the are!

So, as you can see, I've been a really lucky girl this year, and was spoilt rotten! I appreciate every last gift!

I'm off to get started on the 'thank you' cards to show my gratitude.

What were you spoilt with this year?

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Sunday 29 December 2013

Sunday Favourites #62

Hey guys,

Well, it's the last Sunday of the year, and to celebrate, I've crammed in over two dozen fabulous images for your viewing pleasure. I hope you enjoy them!


I've pinned so many fantastic tattoos lately that choosing which to share this week was extremely difficult and time-consuming. I'm going to dedicate a post or two to the best ones in the next couple of weeks, but I couldn't wait to share this carousel rabbit piece this week. It's a beautiful work of art, and I'm now considering getting two small carousel bunnies of my old bunnies, Tigerlily and Honey, inked on me in the future to remember them by.


I love this lilac unicorn dress!


This is the perfect pastel kitchen.

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I adore this pastel blue staircase decorated with flowers.


I want to make a DIY Rainbow Petal Cake.


I'd love to make myself a tulle garland like this to string above my dressing table.


I can't stop laughing at this Somecard!


Dreamy green eye make up.

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Fancy a moose-back ride?

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There's something incredibly beautiful about this photo of a tree growing on another.

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This stag has made a couple of lemur friends.

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This fox tattoo is adorable, and reminds me of Rachel's two thigh tats.

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I love these yarn letters.

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Yet another colourful make up look I need to try.

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This colour wheel tattoo is so unusual, and being a bit of a colour junkie, I naturally want it!

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This manicure is gorgeous.

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What an incredibly selfless human being!

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I love this idea of a s'mores bar at a party.

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I'm planning on making this Nutella Cheesecake in the next day or so. It sounds divine!

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Beauty has no definition.


These guys deserve respect!


Another lovely work of art.

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Random acts of kindness like this make me smile. I hope she fulfilled that dream.

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Bianca of Goodnight Little Spoon created a One Hundred Things to Draw book as a gift. I've wanted the 642 Things to Draw books for a while, but I think this has inspired me to make my own!


You can print designs on cookies using a stamp and edible ink! I'm so going to do this sometime.


I now want need a chalkboard car.

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Who wants to be normal, anyway? It's boring!



~  When Your Mother Says She's Fat... a daughter's account of negative body image

~  You can't weigh beauty.

~  35 Pictures That Prove The World Isn't Such A Bad Place.

~  I love this tutorial for a DIY statement necklace.

~  Have you read about the two best friends who were just days from death, but miraculously both received life-saving lung transplants on the same day after many months of waiting for donors? I cried as I read it.

~  A couple marked their 61st wedding anniversary with an Up-themed anniversary photo shoot; grape soda badge, an' all! I think this may be the cutest thing I've ever seen.

~  Why Home Alone 2 is One of the Most Disturbing Films Ever Made. I was still laughing long after I'd finished reading this post.

~  If you loved this cartoon and / or books when you were a child, your childhood was officially awesome!

~  Speaking of cartoons, there's a blog out there that is dedicated to recreating all the burger specials from Bob's Burgers in real life!

~  Some outfits I really love this week: this gorgeous cobalt blue look; Ali Buttons in a festive red and green look; A Curious Fancy in beautiful red tartan and yellow; Cupcake's Clothes' Christmas outfit; and Style and Poise looking elegant in faux fur.

~  These macro photos of snowflakes are so beautiful.

~  I don't know what it is that makes abandoned buildings so creepy, but these photographs of an abandoned Belgian mansion are extremely eerie.

~  The 13 Creepiest Things a Child Has Ever Said to a Parent. I'm officially freaked out by a few of them

~  16 Things You Only Notice Between Boxing Day and New Year's Eve. So accurate!

~  The 23 Most Unforgivable Spelling Mistakes of 2013... This really made me chuckle. I'm not sure which one made me laugh most!

and let's end with something light-hearted:

~  Strange and Improbably Animal Friendships.



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