PicStick
29 September 2014
I was asked by PicStick if I would be interested in ordering their product and giving it a cheeky review on my blog...being a lover of photography of course I jumped at the chance! This company are giving people the creativity to make their own photographic magnets by simply uploading from Facebook, Dropbox or computer so you can have memories right there in front of you. It took me a while to choose which photos I would want to look at every day (pick carefully guys) but the whole process was really easy, you simply upload 9 images from your chosen format, crop as necessary and head to the virtual checkout to pay, with free shipping worldwide no matter where you're reading this from you get a good deal.
Onto the actual magnets, first of all they come as a sheet of 9 all stuck together, you can then remove as you like and start organising them onto your fridge. The images I chose probably weren't of the best quality as they were from Facebook and had, of course, been through the Instagram mill, however the magnets I received were of great quality and so clear. They stick to the fridge with ease and come off easily as well, even if you don't have long nails - I chose a mixture of friends and family images but how will you PicStick yours?
Wait there's more goodness...PicStick have given my readers a 25% off code, use MER25 at the checkout and happy picsticking!
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Berry Burst
26 September 2014
Coat Primark | Floppy 70s Hat Primark | Dress Topshop (old) | Boots Shoe Zone
It's getting a little chilly out there so it was time to grab my new Primark coat and head out to take some photos of this ensemble for you guys to hopefully get you inspired for the colder months. Primark are so on point with their Autumn/ Winter campaign this year that you will see A LOT of their key pieces creeping into the outfit posts soon. As someone who used to spend the majority of her time (and money) in Topshop and Debenhams it's refreshing to be able to shop somewhere where your money goes further, but the quality is actually still pretty great.
You may have already seen this coat all over the bloggersphere, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter - when I saw it in the Bristol flagship store I knew I had to nab myself one. I love the colour combinations and the fit is so on trend, plus for only £30 it was an absolute steal - as it's quite big you can go a size or two smaller than your own size (YAY, I'm an 8 for the first time ever). I decided to put it with a plain Topshop dress that I got ages ago in the sale and has become a wardrobe staple. The shoes, I was kindly gifted by ShoeZone add a little drama and darkness to the outfit, perfect for a winter look and the hat is once again Primark and will also feature in some posts coming up soon. I tend to go for darker colours, particularly purple, I'm after a good lipstick in a sort of burgundy colour so let me know below if you have seen any!
You may have already seen this coat all over the bloggersphere, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter - when I saw it in the Bristol flagship store I knew I had to nab myself one. I love the colour combinations and the fit is so on trend, plus for only £30 it was an absolute steal - as it's quite big you can go a size or two smaller than your own size (YAY, I'm an 8 for the first time ever). I decided to put it with a plain Topshop dress that I got ages ago in the sale and has become a wardrobe staple. The shoes, I was kindly gifted by ShoeZone add a little drama and darkness to the outfit, perfect for a winter look and the hat is once again Primark and will also feature in some posts coming up soon. I tend to go for darker colours, particularly purple, I'm after a good lipstick in a sort of burgundy colour so let me know below if you have seen any!
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Wifty
24 September 2014
You may have heard of Birchbox and Glossybox but now there is a new monthly subscription box that's doing something completely different - it's offering new, exciting pieces of jewellery and accessories to its subscribers every month. I received the September Wifty box from the lovely Gaelle who started this whole concept after she subscribed to a well known beauty box and had a EUREKA! moment. Nobody else is offering this service and part of what attracted me to it was the excitement and unknown - you get items you maybe wouldn't necessarily pick for yourself from designers you wouldn't necessarily have heard of, some who are designing exclusively for Wifty. That, for me, is so exciting and something creator Gaelle is hoping people will embrace so they see their brand grow.
So, onto what I got in my box...
I received a beautiful tree necklace designed by Dagmara, who I was then able to know a bit more about as every box comes with a information card (pictured above) giving you some info on the designer, adding a little bit of history to your new jewellery. I also was sent a set of two bird hair clips, something I wouldn't normally wear but I am excited to try and incorporate them into a couple of looks, like I said Wifty gives you items you wouldn't normally choose yourself. The box was beautifully presented and even came with silver polishing cloths to help keep my silver pieces looking as good as new. There is also even better news if you don't want to commit to a box every month, the brand also has an online shop so you can just buy one off pieces each one as unique as the items you receive in the box.
Want some even more amazing news about this fabulous company? They are offering my blog readers a 10% discount off all shop products and their first subscription box throughout September, simply enter code: HALCYONVELVET10 at the checkout.
Readers can only use it once per person, and the voucher expires on 30/09/2014. There is no minimum spend.
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W7 In The Buff Palette Review
22 September 2014
Buy the W7 palette here
As I know next to nothing about beauty and I'm super stingy when it comes to buying beauty products it's a little bit of a shock to my system that I have finally succumbed and bought a eyeshadow colour palette. I had googled 'Urban Decay Naked Palette' and then saw the double figures pop up with it and was shocked - people pay that much just for their eyes to look a slightly different colour? Not me, no no.
That's why I was pleased Amazon had a cheaper alternative for me to try - as that was all I wanted to do, try. I rarely wear anything on my eyelids, sometimes I'll give liquid liner a go if it's a special occasion but other than that, just mascara and regular eyeliner. I know, I'm rubbish. But onto the W7 Buff Eye Palette, after reading reviews I was expecting big things, people had said it was very similar to the Urban Decay palette but for a fraction of the price (£5.25). YAY! So I popped it in my online basket and felt pretty proud I had just purchased something totally new to me. I received it the next day and immediately gave it a try - some of the colours are creamy and others more metallic and powdery so you can mix and match the two, which I really like. The colours vary from nudes for daywear onto the more darker colours for 'party time' and the brush is so, so good, probably my favourite thing about the whole palette. You've obviously got the one end to apply and the other to blend, it's the blending brush that is the amazing part - super soft and works like a charm.
I cannot compare it to Urban Decay as I have never used that palette but I am so happy with this product and will definitely get a lot of use out of it, both day and night.
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Striped Tee #3
20 September 2014
Out of Hours
Striped Tee TKMaxx (not online similar here) | PU Leather Skirt Primark | Studded Shoes New Look (old) | Bag Primark | Floral Necklace Primark
Today is the last of my three looks featuring this striped tee from TKMaxx and I think I may have saved the best til last, if I do say so myself! It's intended for the 9-5ers among us for that work to evening drinks look. The orange PU leather skirt was my £3 bargain from Primark as part of their summer sale so it may be a little hard to find. But leather skirts are everywhere at the moment so get searching!
I teamed it with my new everyday bag also from Primark (it's relatively new so should still be available) then I just added a Primark (i'm obsessed) statement necklace and studded flats from New Look and of course my thirsty striped tee and hey presto its and office to bar look! I hope you guys have enjoyed my three look posts, I've tried to show you that with just statement piece you can create so many different looks, fashion doesn't have to be a huge expense.
Striped Tee #2
18 September 2014
Adventure is Out There
Striped Tee TKMaxx (not online similar here) | Camel Fedora Primark (recent purchase) | Red Skinny Jeans Topshop (old) | White Jelly Shoes New Look (bought on ASOS) | Beach Bag Topshop (old)
It's my second look of The Stirped Tee today (missed Look #1? Find it here) and I'm feel adventurous - ok it's probably just because I'm wearing a hat but still, today I am an explorer, ok? Good. The hat, while we're on the subject, is from Primark's Autumn/ Winter collection so it should still be in stores, though if Instagram is anything to go by I would say it's going to be sold out pretty soon, people have gone fedora crazy so GO GO GO!
The jeans I've had in my wardrobe for about four years (probably too long, I know) but I love them and they still fit well and haven't lost any of the colour. Pretty good considering they're bright red and I've worn them a hell of a lot. And the jelly shoes? You've probably seen them countless times on here before, I wear them a lot for two main reasons - number one: they are so so comfy and two: they scream summer and I'm holding on to any last bit of sunshine England has to offer! Then I just added my stripy tee (what this post is all about, really) and my trusty beach bag from Topshop that is yet to break (fingers crossed, it's about five years old).
Hope you liked Look #2, my third and final look will be up Saturday.
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Striped Tee #1
16 September 2014
Ahoy Britannia
Striped Tee TKMaxx (not online similar here) | Midi Skirt Primark (old) | Buckle Shoes Primark (old) | Bag Next | Lips Rimmel London
I'm continuing with my 'one statement piece' posts this week after showing how differently to style up the Missguided bomber jacket last week (find those posts here, here and here). So, the statement piece this week? The striped tee. It's iconic, timeless and just so easy to wear - hence why I picked it, I know how to make work easy for myself. IT can be nautical, francais, or - the way I've styled it this time - utterly British as I've teamed it with red, white and blue accessories.
This look is for a lovely Summer's day in England, pack up the hamper we're off on a picnic! We have to make the most of our short summer and I think this look is perfect to draw a few stares - hopefully all good. The skirt is from Primark and cost me only £5 - I know! - unfortunately it was from their Summer range and is now out of stock but I'm sure you can find an autumnal alternative somewhere. The shoes are also Primark while the gorgeous little blue bag (everyone needs a little blue bag) is from Next as part of their Autumn/ Winter collection, coming in so many different colours it was hard to choose. The striped tee itself, I had been looking for for agesssss - seriously months and then I just happened to go in to TKMaxx with my mum and there it was. It was a darn sight cheaper than a Breton stripe too, but I may still get one of those...
As for the lips, it's a little risqué for me but I quite like the red, it's from Rimmel and is called 'In Love With A Ginger' - how do they think of these names?? I think red lips do take some getting used to, I'm feeling a little clown-like at the moment but hopefully don't look it?!?!
Hope you like, keep your eyes peeled for Look Number 2 coming Thursday.
This look is for a lovely Summer's day in England, pack up the hamper we're off on a picnic! We have to make the most of our short summer and I think this look is perfect to draw a few stares - hopefully all good. The skirt is from Primark and cost me only £5 - I know! - unfortunately it was from their Summer range and is now out of stock but I'm sure you can find an autumnal alternative somewhere. The shoes are also Primark while the gorgeous little blue bag (everyone needs a little blue bag) is from Next as part of their Autumn/ Winter collection, coming in so many different colours it was hard to choose. The striped tee itself, I had been looking for for agesssss - seriously months and then I just happened to go in to TKMaxx with my mum and there it was. It was a darn sight cheaper than a Breton stripe too, but I may still get one of those...
As for the lips, it's a little risqué for me but I quite like the red, it's from Rimmel and is called 'In Love With A Ginger' - how do they think of these names?? I think red lips do take some getting used to, I'm feeling a little clown-like at the moment but hopefully don't look it?!?!
Hope you like, keep your eyes peeled for Look Number 2 coming Thursday.
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Missguided Bomber #3
14 September 2014
Whiter Shade of Pale
Bomber Jacket Missguided | Mom Jeans Topshop (old) | Converse (old) find similar here | Crop Top ASOS
For my last look using this amazing bomber jacker from Missguided I chose to keep it simple, once again - plain clothing underneath to let the jacket to all the talking. And talking it does, you guys are loving it over on my Instagram so thanks for the love! I must admit I've never really bought anything as different as this, and it's not even that crazy - but it means a lot that you guys appreciate and have shown me lots of love.
I chose my white crop top from ASOS and Topshop mom jeans to transition it to Autumn, then I just added my (seriously old and dirty but I love them) converse and I've worn this look a couple of times since taking the photos. Proof it's a good outfit, me thinks. I hope you guys have enjoyed me showing you how to spend less and use what you already have in your wardrobe but still make a statement with your clothing, I'll be doing the same next week with a plain striped tee.
Missed Look #1? Click here
Missed Look #2? Click here
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