Hair Refresh

I feel that we have all been there.. Making that one hair decision that we always wish we had never done. Whether it be trying a new cut, styling it differently or being brave and trying a new colour. Back when I was in year 10 at school, I had my first lot of highlights. I loved them! A nice subtle blonde running through the length of my hair. I loved it so much so that I decided next time I went back to the salon, to add a little bit more blonde. I did the same the next time that I went.. Until I was pretty much bleach blonde. 

Now being that age, looking back, I definitely did not look after my hair at all. I would wake up at 6am every morning, to wash it and style it before heading off to school for the day. That being said, the amount of product I would put into my hair was horrendous! It was so dry, it could have literally just been hay used to make a birds nest. Not a good look.. 

As you can guess, it didn't last for very long. Maybe a couple of weeks at max. She was back dying it to be a brunette once more. Even more damage to my hair.. It took years to grow out the bleach underneath the home box dyes, under the semi permanent dyes done at the salon. It was such a long process. The colour never stuck to my hair due to the bleach stripping back any sort of colour or pigment. Of course, there was nothing for the dye to cling too! I always remember being wary of being out in the direct sun as you could see how my roots were growing through. 

Since then, I have always been a bit against doing anything with my hair that's different. Other than minimising the amount of product used on my hair.. After seeing the balayage trend coming in, where colour was added to look natural, or the opposite if you fancied, I was obsessed! After umming and arring, I took the plunge and decided to go for something super natural, with no colour anywhere near my roots. I wanted that look of natural highlights from spending time in the sun. 

I have been over the moon with it! Even a month on from having it done, I still wish that I had done it sooner. Don't get me wrong, I am not going to go back as blonde as my school days (I am not going to insert any photos, to save myself the embarrassment haha), but I am in love with it!

Do you have any hair regrets?

Amber X

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

April Lifestyle Favourites

April, for me, was filled with lots of binge watching Netflix and Disney +, listening to new releases from some of my favourite artists and more importantly, baking to my hearts content. I still wouldn't say that my ability to bake hasn't improved, but being positive, it's been lovely to have had a bit more time on my hands to do whatever I fancy. These are the things I have loved during April.

What I have been watching..

Afterlife 2
Of course this has definitely been a stand out favourite for me. I don't think I could name another programme that makes you laugh so hard, to then make you want to cry within a number of seconds. The second series follows on from Tony's heartbreak and sorrow. This time round he is trying to pick up those close to him whilst he is still trying to conceal his true feelings and put on a smile. This is a must watch if you're a Ricky Gervais fan. Is it just me, or can anyone else not unsee the therapist being in The Stranger, and therefore hating him so much more???


Dead To Me

Another series watch has been this one. I watched this series back when it was first released on Netflix, but after having seen that a second series is due out in May, I wanted to re-watch it, so the events that take place were fresh in my mind when watching the new series. I loved it just as much the second time round. The story is based on Jen and her family, who have lost their Dad/Husband in a tragic car accident. Jen is full of grief and anger, until she meets Judy, where everything starts to unravel. A good one to watch if you like a murder mystery and a bit of comedy. The second series has also come out this week and I have been very much enjoying watching the story continue to unfold. 

Never Have I Ever
Who doesn't love a cheesy series set in a high school, where the main characters make it their mission to become the 'cool' kids? This series has provided just that. Devi, and her 2 best friends Fabiola and Eleanor make it their mission to become 'seen' by their other pupils and try doing so, by getting boyfriends. A simply harmless plan, that ends up not being so easy. After rumours, confessions and a few other hiccups along the way, do Devi and her friends end up succeeding? Who knows.. Guess you'll just have to watch it.

What I have been listening too..

Music wise, I have loved the 1975's new song 'If You're Too Shy'. To me, it reminds me of some of the songs from their first album which is my favourite. Definitely a song with a feel good beat. Another favourite has to be Freedom by Zak Abel and Kygo. A song that I'm sure will become a summer song for many. Sam and I had also got tickets to see Foals in London at the beginning of May. They only recently announced that their UK tour has now been postponed until next May. To get us into the mood for the concert we have been listening to all our Foals favourites. I'm a huge fan of their new album!

These photos were taken back in November when Sam and I visited Paris for my birthday. A lockdown fav of mine has been printing out photos from previous trips and reminiscing, whilst showcasing them in my scrapbook. Remembering moments from before the current global situation, and being grateful for the opportunity to have done so. It know it won't be for a while, but I cannot wait to plan the next holiday or city break somewhere new. 

What was your stand out favourite from last month?

Amber X

A Stop Off In Roma

Roma, the final stop on our incredible two weeks travelling Italy. The place that I think I had the highest expectations for. Although, it was the place that I felt, at first, the most underwhelmed. The streets were littered with fag buts, rubbish and graffiti covered pretty much every wall.. I couldn't quite understand why it was such a favourite city destination to visit. However, the more we explored and ventured around, visiting the majority of the tourist spots - the Vatican City, the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the more I took Rome at face value and fell in love with the city. There are so many hidden gems with every turn, that wherever you look, there is amazing architecture, or Roman history hidden amongst everything and everyone else.

On our last night of the trip, we took to the top of a hotel to enjoy a bottle of wine on their roof top terrace. Listening to a pianist, whilst enjoying ourselves was the best way to see the holiday in Italy to an end. On the way back to our Air BnB we spotted a rat running through the streets, and scuttling back into the sewers.. It is a city after all.

There are so many great bars and restaurants in Rome, there is bound to be something for everyone. Especially if it is just an Aperol Spritz you are after.

Recommendations for those going..

The Vatican City
This is a must in my opinion. The highlight of Rome was exploring the Vatican and all that it has to offer. The Sistine Chapel was awe inspiring and something that I will never forget. The beautiful ceilings, the fountains, the busts - all of it, is just incredible. We spent a good 4 hours walking around and taking everything in. I would highly recommend booking tickets before hand, meaning that you can skip the cues that people wait hours in, in the baking heat, to go inside. It's a no brainer really. We even saw the Pope!

The Pantheon
One of the oldest buildings in Rome itself, the Pantheon is free to enter, and has some of the most beautiful interior. The ceiling is insane, with a hole right at the top, in which the bright sun shines straight through. Definitely worth seeing.

Gelato
It would be rude not too! There are so many delicious gelato places in Rome, with so many yummy flavours to choose from. Meringue and hazelnut being one of them! Mmm.

The Colosseum 
Full of Roman history, this is a must see. It's so interesting, and there is so much to learn about this amazing building. It's been used for so many things, and that makes exploring the inner walls, so incredible. Definitely book in advance for this tourist attraction too. To skip the cues and the amount of people bombarding you with whether you have tickets or not. They can only allow a certain number of people into the Colosseum at one time, so bare that in mind when it comes to cueing to enter.

The Trevi Fountain
Another highlight of Rome for me. Although there is never a time, where the fountain isn't flooded with tourists. This fountain is beautiful. There is something so romantic about it! Of course, we made a wish too.

Have you ever visited Roma? What was your favourite tourist attraction?

Amber X

Porto Santo Stefano - Monte Argentario, Orbetello

The fourth stop on our Italian trip - Porto Santo Stefano, Monte Argentario, Orbetello. We took the train from Florence to Pisa, walked through Pisa to find the leaning tower. Took some exceptionally touristy (yes I just did say that) photos, ate lunch overlooking the tower, and headed back to the train station, after an Aperol Spritz, and made our way to Porto Santo Stefano.

Not one of the most spoken about places in Italy, I was so excited to visit somewhere that wasn't specifically tourist driven, somewhere that was more authentic and Italian. It was definitely that. Only a fair few people could understand an English conversation (which if anything made me feel incredibly ignorant, being in another country and incapable of speaking the language), and some delicious seafood. The view from the balcony of our Air BNB was just incredible. A view that I could never tire of seeing. One that was would be different in the morning, and different again in the evening. A most needed break from travelling from city to city. A place of quiet and calm.

Recommendations for those visiting..

Plan your route of getting there beforehand - Finding public transport when you don't speak any Italian, is always going to be tricky, but when you're in a rush to catch a train is even worse. Make sure you know how you're going to be getting to and from your mode of transport in good time, or completely prior travelling. This will save SO much stress.

Take the ferry to Isola Del Giglio - A pretty little island, an hour ferry ride away from Porto Santo Stefano with the bluest sea, and secluded beaches. It's a must see. Whether it be for a day at the beach, or for a hike around somewhere new, a place that you cannot miss. The photos will never do it justice, it's just paradise.

Try all the seafood - If you're wanting to try seafood for the first time, there is no better time too than when it is completely fresh. It'll never taste better. Or, if you're a seafood lover than myself, you must have it when it is at it's best! With the port, seafood is so fresh. We had so much incredible seafood.. I wish I could eat it all over again.

Would you visit here?

Amber X

Smokey Black Liner

It has been a minute since I've had the time to sit down and be creative with make up and I loved how this turned out. A few years back, there would be no chance that I would leave the house without a pair of lashes and a sharp eyeliner. However, now, I much rather a touch of a natural eyeshadow and a lick of mascara - no eyeliner in sight. In fact, I think I threw all of my liquid liner away. A new woman!

This look was super simple to create, and consists of three eyeshadows and a bit of black eyeliner pencil smudged in my top and bottom water lines. I started with a soft, light brown shade from the Morphe 305M palette in my crease. Then I took a darker brown and blended this into the outside corner of my eye, bringing it up into the crease of my eye. I took the Zoeva Winged Liner Brush, dipped it into a black eyeshadow from the Anastasia Self Made Palette (an oldie but such a goodie), and drew in a winged liner. I then took a pencil brush and filled in the wing with more of the same black eyeshadow until I was happy with how it looked, and just kept smudging and blending until the whole look came together.

These are my favourite pair of lashes ever - the Red Cherry Harley in the style #213. They're so natural, yet so full at the same time. I couldn't recommend Red Cherry lashes any more.

What's your go to make up look at the moment?

Amber X

(Disclaimer: I am definitely no makeup artist, I just enjoy putting makeup on my face!)