Winter Styling Edit

If you have been reading my blog for a while, you'll know that I'm not great when it comes to buying clothes. I'm never one to quickly add an item to my basket or to walk into a shop, find something and go straight to pay. I always end up deliberating over whether I will actually get wear out of the item, and if it will go with the very few clothing pieces that I have in my wardrobe. Yes, I am a nightmare when it comes to buying new clothes haha. Dressing for Winter is definitely my favourite if I had to choose between all seasons. Give me some pointy boots, an oversized jumper and a pair of jeans, and I'm ready for the day. There have been a few items of clothing that I have been loving and I cannot wait to wear them out and about when the time comes.

>This< jumper has been one of my favourite buys. I have been trying to add a couple more knitted jumpers to my wardrobe as they are a piece that goes with everything.. Jeans, work trousers. skirts, and leggings. The quality itself is lovely and it goes so nicely with a thick scarf, on a cold day. The cable knit design always makes a jumper look super cosy and this one is no exception. It's also currently discounted!

I have wanted a pair of leather look leggings for a while, but couldn't seem to find any with a quality that would last. I used to have a pair of leather look jeans from Topshop, but can remember putting them in the wash and the waxed, leather look, just disappeared. I ordered from BecauseOfAlice when Alice first launched collection number 1 and fell in love with the light wash mom jeans. She released >these< leather look leggings and my dreams were finally answered. They're not flimsy in their fabric and don't cling to the legs. They fit just right and the high rise design is beautiful. 

Lastly, the most incredible pair of biker boots you have ever seen. Boots are a love of mine, and >this< pair are just beautiful. Another item that I think will be so versatile - they could be worn with my pair of leather leggings, jeans, skirts, and dresses.. I cannot wait to be able to wear these out properly!

What fashion pieces have you been loving lately?

Amber X

Makeup Picks For Sitting In Your Christmas Jumper

Let me be honest, I intend to spend my Christmas Day doing nothing but eating and sitting around in my Christmas jumper. For those of you who also plan on doing the same and taking in all of the Christmas TV that is planned to be showing, I thought to share some of my makeup picks to add a little bit more glam to sitting on the sofa. 

Huda Beatuty Matte Lipstick

How gorgeous is this shade?! Nothing speaks Christmas like wearing a red lip and I am so glad that I have come across this one. I wore this yesterday whilst we went on a walk to watch the Christmas lights being switched on, and I didn't reapply it all day. It didn't budge, it didn't bleed which I find that so many red lipstick shades can. The formula was so comfortable to wear - it didn't dry out my lips or go all clunky around the edges. It was truly gorgeous. If you feel like a festive treat, the shade of this matte lipstick is 'El Cinco de Mayo'. I cannot wait to carry on wearing this through the festive season.

Mac Soft and Gentle

An all time favourite of mine. I love the sheen this highlighter gives to my skin. It is definitely not on the subtle side of highlighters but it doesn't contain chunky glitters either and I love it for that reason. It melts into the skin and gives such a healthy looking glow. Definitely a way to add a bit of sparkle in your makeup routine for Christmas.

Too Faced Natural Nudes Palette

One of my makeup favourites of this year has to be this one. I have used it every day since I bought it back in the summer. The matte shades are so pigmented, and similarly, as are the shimmer shades. There are so many looks which can be created with this palette - subtle natural looks, but also put together, night out type looks. If there is one palette which you want to treat yourself too, I would 10000% recommend this one. It's so beautiful. 

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

If you're looking for a concealer that blends really well, brightens up your under eyes and has a high coverage, this one is for you. A firm favourite for many, there are reasons why this is a top pick of mine. It's super brightening and lasts all day. I also find that this concealer doesn't sit in any fine lines underneath the eyes either. It's just a win win. 

What make up products will you be using to create your Christmas day makeup?

Amber X

New Garms

I'm not entirely sure what has been the case with me and shopping lately. Whenever I go shopping, there aren't usually many things, if anything, that I like and treat myself too. But this has been flipped on it's head the past couple of weeks. I have found a few things that I can't wait to wear, and I thought to share them with you.

>This< Zara Ribbed Puff Sleeved Top - Being on the thicker end of being a 'top', I'd actually style this one as a jumper. Potentially wearing a thin white strapless top underneath, as if you were to wear a dark bra, you definitely could see it through. The sleeves really drew me to try this piece on, and I loved the puffed effect it gives on the shoulders. If anything is long sleeved, I like it to be long in the arms, so I can wrap the sleeve around my hands to keep warm haha. This one is perfect for doing that. I think it would look cute, tucked into some jeans or a skirt. Or even to just tuck the front bit into a pair of jeans, so the back and sides hang out.

>These< Zara High Rise Slim Fit jeans - Something I have wanted to add to my wardrobe for a while are some mom style, slightly baggier jeans. I ordered some of the Farleigh jeans on Asos to try. I had to order 3 different sizes, and none of them fit right. Some were too tight on the leg, tight on my hips but then far too big on my waist. A belt didn't save them either. I thought to leave it at that - that there wasn't going to be a pair that fit me properly. Until I tried these ones on in the Zara store. They fit like a glove in all the right places and then are looser in the places that they are meant to be. I love the straight leg, they're so different to any other jeans that I own. I can't wait to wear these in the spring with the above, or a white blouse.

>This< Hollister skirt - This style of skirt is something that I wanted to add to my wardrobe last year, but I didn't come across any that caught my eye, or were an item that I could have seen going with any of the pieces that I had already in my wardrobe. I saw this one recently, and fell in love instantly. I am a massive lover of all black clothes - typically most things I do wear are black. So this one was a must. I can't wait to wear it when it gets warmer (yes I am going there haha) with some converse, maybe a denim jacket, a cute top, and my Raybans glasses.

What clothing items have you got your eye on at the moment?

Amber X

Spring Staples

Daylight saving time at the end of the month of March highlights the start of lighter mornings, and therefore, Spring. Spring can be seen as having a fresh start and many people love having a massive clear out or tidy up as this season begins. There is something about the brightness in the colours of the flowers, and the little lambs running around playfully in fields that brings joy for the new season that is beginning. Warmer weather is on its way! Here are some of the products that I have been loving for a fresher, brighter make up look. 

Vaseline & NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in 'London'

I have always sworn by Vaseline. I cannot leave the house without having a tub of Vaseline in my hand bag, and if there is ever the case where I have taken it out of my bag and not put it back in, I seriously struggle. Whenever you don't have it on you is where I swear that your lips always feel the driest.. Am I right???  I have been loving putting on the NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in the shade 'London' and topping it with Vaseline. The combination feels super comfortable on the lips - as does the NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams on their own - but adding a little glossy sheen to my lips has been one of my favourites recently. 

Lasting Perfection Collection Concealer in '01'

This is a blast from the past, an oldie but such a goodie. When I went to replace my favourite concealer (Bourjous Radiance Reveal), and there wasn't any left in chosen shade, I picked up this guy. I used to use nothing but this concealer, and I had forgotten how good it was. It's such high coverage, can be applied throughout the day on top of makeup that is currently on, without caking up on the face, and this shade is perfect for brightening up the under eye area. And at £4, I question myself as to why I haven't continued using it. 

Mally Pencil Eyeliner in 'Brown'

Smudging brown eyeliner into my upper lash line has been a favourite of mine for about 6 weeks now. Grabbing a pencil eyeshadow brush with a little bit of brown eyeshadow on, and using that to aid the blend of the eyeshadow pencil, looks messy but effortless at the same time. I have really been enjoying doing so, and I love the subtleness of it in comparison to a bold, black liquid eyeliner. 

John Frieda Frizz Ease Oil Elixir

I have always used argan oil on my hair when it is wet, to keep it look silky and smooth when it dries. I've noticed that using oil leaves my hair feeling so much softer, in comparison to when I don't use it. I have been using this one for a while and love what it does to my hair. I naturally have a bit of a curl to my hair and this oil definitely tames the fizziness that can arrive when I let my hair air dry. Definitely one to use if you want shiny, healthy looking hair.

What're you loving at the moment?

Amber X

Stepping Out Of 'The Comfort Zone'

When it comes to learning something new, meeting new people, accepting new opportunities, achieving a goal you've worked so hard for, and numerous other challenges, it's known that stepping out of your comfort zone may be one way you achieve it. That being said, the thought of this completely terrifies me. Leaving my little 'bubble' or safe place is usually my last thought. Why would I put myself out there, to only lead to rejection and vulnerability? But also, that same action could also provide happiness and newness? I find myself stuck in the in between almost always.

I have always been a person that isn't the biggest fan of change, even if it's small insignificant things. Having a routine is something I enjoy, so when something comes along that disrupts or alters my day, it doesn't make me the happiest of people. When change comes about, my moods can be terrible - even I know that. One minute I am on cloud nine and the next, I'm the total opposite. It's completely draining, and so hard to keep up with. Stepping out of my comfort zone or 'bubble' is definitely an idea that I think would slowly help coming to terms with change, and importantly, improve the sudden capsize of my moods.
How am I going to do this you ask? I think small steps in the right direction is the right place to start. No way am I throwing myself in the deep end right at the very beginning. When it comes to 'my style' (if I could even call it that haha), I am one for maintaining the same look. I'm 10000% the girl who has 12423 black t-shirts, blouses and jumpers, that get paired with black jeans, boots, and maybe a pair of Converse if I'm feeling it. Don't get me wrong, I love dressing this way, but recently, I have wanted a change.

On a whim, I purchased a pair of blue jeans... This may seem so stupid to most of you, but I'm breaking free of this 'style' routine, and stepping out of my comfort zone. I have always wanted to find the perfect pair of blue jeans that fit in all the right places. Being able to wear my new pair of blue jeans comfortably and not feel like I am cheating on the numerous pairs of black jeans hanging up in my wardrobe, is a small victory in my eyes.
Here's to accepting change one step at a time, regardless how big or small your achievement is.

What do you do to help yourself accept change?

Amber X

Top - Asos
Belt - Asos
Jamie Jeans - Topshop
Boots - Topshop (Similar)
Jacket - Topshop (Similar)

Asos Wishing

Everyone loves Asos. As do I. We all probably spend far too much time scrolling through the endless pages of garments and accessories. I've treated myself to some new clothing bits recently, which is something I never tend to do. I want to add more options to my wardrobe as the seasons change, so what better than browsing Asos and collecting pieces together that could be potential purchase. These are the bits I am eyeing up at the moment.

Since writing this post, I slipped.. tripped... and fell... onto the Asos website and did purchase the Ruffle black top (in the first row) and a belt. It looks even better in person, and goes so nicely with blue and black jeans (wait for next weeks post hehe). I will definitely be pairing it with denim shorts in the summer too.

Ruffle Black Top / / Pink Raw Hem Jumper / /  Black Long Sleeved Body 

Bardot Striped Top / / Black Wrap Blouse / / White Crop Top 

Timberland 6 Inch Boots / / Belt / / Scarf

What have you treated yourself too recently?

Amber X

*All photos are from Asos*