OOTD: Tangerine

I'm not sure if it's just me, but from my brief jaunt 'up north' I have discovered 3 things.. The tans are deeper, the hair is bigger and the shoes are definitely higher! Saturday nights in Liverpool are a very glam affair so when in Rome...

 Dress: H&M, Shoes: Dorothy Perkins, Watch: Michael Kors, Clutch: Mulberry.

I need to invest in some bigger platforms for my next trip.. giraffe style ;)!

I hope everyone had a good bank holiday weekend! xxx

Côte d'Azur

Last week I returned from a fabulous extended weekend in the South of France to celebrate my mama's 50th birthday. Unfortunately I was only able to get 2 days off work (boo), but sticking to mama's very full daily timetable I feel like I made very good use of my, albeit limited, time. Even the shortest trip can reinvigorate you!

We stayed at a beautiful villa between Nice and St Paul de Vence (which you can just see above). This was the view from my balcony - absolutely breathtaking!!

This was one of my favourite views while driving from Nice to the tiny, picturesque village of Eze. Apparently this little peninsula boasts the mot expensive land per sq.m. in the world! I guess it's not hard to see why - plus it's perfectly placed between Nice and Monaco.

 Motel Emilia dress in Pretty Rose Navy (£52)

With the sweltering heat I tried to keep cool in lots of summer dresses. The above was gifted to me by Motel and worked perfectly as it protects shoulders from the sun, while still being floaty, light and feminine.

Ted Baker Maxi Dress (£229)

I had my eye on this Ted Baker maxi for quite some time and finally caved while in T5... hehe ;). I absolutely adore their dresses as they make them long enough for a giant like me!!

No trip to France would be complete without wine tasting!!

At the Chateau de Cremat in Nice we spotted the Chanel 'CC' logo embedded into the architecture and found out that in fact the signature was invented by the original owners of the chateau and Coco Chanel actually first saw it there. The owner gave her the logo and let her trademark it at the opening of the first Chanel store!

 

Unfortunately I documented most of the trip on my mama's brand new camera, but I hope you enjoyed my little selection of snaps :).

We had such a fabulous time in the south of France and absolutely can't wait to go back! xxx

St Paul de Vence

I have escaped London to spend a long weekend on the beautiful French coast. We are currently here..

Regular posting will resume shortly!

Not least because a few hours in the Sun have given me a chance to trial all those beauty treats the English weather doesn't quite permit. Nars Orgasm illuminator and Kerastase L’Huile Céleste how I love thee! xxx

Happy Wednesday!

Everyone needs a little mid-week pick me up!

All together now...

Awwwwww.

Marmaris, Turkey

The bf and I have just spent a perfect week in the stunning Turkish sunshine. We chose a slightly more remote location between Icmeler and Marmaris (near where the Aegean and Mediterranean seas meet) so we could get the perfect balance of relaxing and exploring!

Since we booked a little last minute we decided to keep things simple with an all inclusive package, which ended up being the perfect choice. The food was amazing (lots of fresh vegetables, local fish and all the watermelon and cherries a girl could dream of) and the drinks flowed freely ;).

Dress: Motel, Bag: Primark, Sandals: New Look (now on sale for £7!!), Sunglasses: Fiorelli (now £30).

Our hotel was in a park/forest right by the sea, which not only made for a romantic stroll in the evening, but also ensured we made lots of new friends.. mosquito friends that feasted on me every night :(. Though I did make one more friend.. (just don't tell Maxie)!

Bikini: La Senza, Hat: Sisley, Sarong: Market, Flip-flops: Havaianas.

 

Dress and belt: Zara, Clutch: French Connection, Necklace: Banana Republic, Sandals: New Look (as before).

On our first day trip we went to the mud baths in Dalyan where we bathed in the sulphur pool (which smells just as tasty as you imagine) and then covered ourselves in mud safe in the knowledge that once it dried we would look 20 years younger ;). 

Goodbye bikini... you have served me well! Although I have outgrown you, you shall be fondly remembered :(.

We then sailed down the river to see the most amazing ruins - crypts carved into the limestone cliffs over 4000 years ago! Incredible!

On our second trip we went on a snorkeling cruise stopping at 7 different islands. The SPF 50 was in full force!

I couldn't leave you all without the ubiquitous jumping shot. Even if it is a super embarrassing one of me holding my nose lol... watch out Tom Daley ;).

With so many gorgeous swimsuits out this season I promised myself that I would wear one without feeling 'mumsy' in it. This one from Per Una definitely came in handy after all those generous buffets hehe!

For a night out dancing I chose this dress from Zara, which was an impulse purchase inspired by JLo's latest video. If you can't get away with a thigh high slit on holiday then where else? (Actually please don't answer that)!

Dress: ASOS, Shoes: Mango, Bag: Primark (as before).

 Yum!

 Dress: Paprika, Clutch: Mulberry (ahem.. Turkish market).

We had such a lovely time in Turkey and were very hesitatnt to return home. Beautiful sunshine (45oC every day), clear waters, amazing history - we can't wait to go back!

I hope you are all having a good Summer, despite this most depressing weather of late. xxx

Liverpool

This weekend I took the first of what is to be many trips to Liverpool. Being a London girl through and through I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the city. Even though the trip was just a taster it gave me lots of ideas of things to do the next time I visit! Everyone was so friendly and helpful, I guess it is true what they say about the North ;)!

On Friday we stayed at the Base2Stay boutique hotel, which was in a great location, minutes from Lime Street Station, the city centre and most importantly for me the Liverpool One shopping centre, which reminded me of an open air Westfield.

After a quick change we headed to the Albert Docks for dinner at the Blue Bar and Grill. I chose a midi dress from Oasis (on sale in store, online here) with Primark turquoise stone and leather sandals.

The bf wore a checked shirt from Ted Baker that I picked out a few weeks ago. I really like the thicker, classic blue check mixed with a thin 'zingy' lime stripe. The cool colour palette really sets off a tan and with it's rolled up sleeves works perfectly for the Summer!

The next day we were up early to explore the town in the beautiful sunshine. The perfect excuse to wear my new tortoiseshell sunglasses from Fiorelli that I picked up in a recent BrandAlley sale.

  Cool kids!

Star jumpsuit - Zara. Shoes - Primarni (as before).

I hope you all had a lovely weekend in the sunshine! xxx

Glee!

On Tuesday night the bf and I went to see the cast of Glee live at the O2. Having received the tickets as a New Year gift (Russians celebrate New Year instead of Christmas, so I celebrate both!) we were eagerly anticipating the date... though when I say we I really mean just me.

Yup.. I'm a total Gleek ;). 

Swallow print dress is from Oasis sale here.

Luckily we had pretty good seats, so it was actually easier to watch the stage than the screens and the mini stage in the middle of the arena was right opposite us. I took too many pictures to share them all, but here are a few of my favourites :).

It's Britney B*tch.. or Bitey in this photo lol ;).

Puck walked through the crowd accompanied by 5 bodyguards... tough guy huh?

Mercedes was incredible.. such a powerful voice!

The Warblers!

 All the single ladies...

and Kurt...

 We had such an amazing night that I almost lost my voice. I admit I am the world's worst singer, but if there's a prize for trying... ;).

Do you love Glee? Did you see them in concert this week? Did I just completely shatter your opinion of me? lol xxx