Five Spanish OOTDs

I've been home less than twenty-four hours and I already feel like crying about the fact that I'm no longer in Spain. For one thing, Spanish yogurt is quite frankly a million times tastier than that in England, and I don't think I can face my morning Activia in the same way again. More to the fashion point though, I hear through the grapevine (ITV Weather reports) that this week anticipates "heavy showers", meaning it's time to wave adiós to my holiday wardrobe. Floaty culottes, crop tops and sandals are somewhat dampened when paired with a pack-a-mac, even if not in the literal sense*. 

Still, I can't really complain since I had the opportunity of completely stress free, hot weather dressing for eight whole days. So even if my clothing choices are a lot more weather dependant since I landed and I won't be eating ice cream every three hours any more, I can at least immerse myself in the photos and the memories whenever I want. And it has given me a lot of blogging material! To start with, I thought I'd share with you five of the outfits I wore whilst I was away. 

Shoes - La Moda UK // Palazzo pants - Borrowed from a friend // 

Crop Top - Bought in Spain // Bag - thrifted // Sunglasses (on head) - Primark

Shoes - La Moda UK // Shorts - thrifted // Top - thrifted // 

Bikini (just seen) - Sainsbury's

Shoes - La Moda UK // Palazzo pants - Bought in Spain // Vest - Primark // 

Bralet vest - Bought in Spain // Bag - Thrifted // Sunglasses (on head) - Pimark

Sliders - Primark // Skirt - Primark // Crop top - Bought in Spain // 

Sunglasses (on head) - Primark

Sliders - Primark // Culottes - Primark // Vest - Primark // 

Sunglasses - Primark

I hope you've all had an equally lovely week to me and didn't miss me too much while I wasn't blogging...

Bethany Paige X

*I solemnly swear I would never wear a pack a mac. Ever.

Travel packing: Outfit plans

Suitcase weight restrictions are the bane of my life. Seriously, if I could just take my whole wardrobe on my imminent trip to Spain my stress levels would considerably drop and be back into what is probably considered healthy. You never know when you might need a pair of thick woollen tights in 40 degree heat. Or a roll neck sweater. Yet here I am, expected to fit a whole week’s worth of clothes into one tiny suitcase.

On the plus side, I suppose being forced to intricately plan holiday outfits does save time in the morning once you’re actually there, which in turn means more time on the beach! It also gives me an excuse to write a blog post, not that I ever really need one!

It seems only right to show you a few of my outfit plans before I jet off.

All clothes pictured - Primark

Dress - Primark // Shoes - La Moda UK // Bag - Primark // 

Sunglasses - Primark

Bag - Thrifted // Bikini top - Sainbury's // Skirt - Primark // 

Shoes - La Moda UK // Sunglasses - Primark

Shorts - Uniqlo // Bag - Primark // Shoes - Primark // 

Sunglasses - Primark // Bikini top - Sainsbury's

Vest - Thrifted // Shorts - Thrifted // Bag - Thrifted // 

Shoes - La Moda UK // Sunglasses - Primark

Bag - Primark // Shoes - Primark // Bikini - Sainsbury's // 

Button up top - Primark

Since tomorrow will be spent doing last minute bits and bobs in preparation for my holiday, this is most probably the last post I'll do before I come back next Monday! Of course, you'll hear all about it when I return.

So until then, have a lovely week and keep smiling!
Bethany Paige X

Travel packing: Face, body and hair

The fact that in less than a week I'll be laying on the sand of Spain is all that's getting me through these last few days of school. Since exams ended, along with any hint of motivation I previously had, I've been mentally sunning myself on the relaxation holiday with the girls that we've had planned for months now! Of course along with holidays comes the mammoth task that is packing. More to the point, the mammoth task of not over packing.

Just so that this post doesn't take longer to read than I'll actually be abroad, I thought I'd show you all what I'll be taking with me but split it over several days. Today? All things make up, skin and beauty without taking huge eye shadow palettes and 50 shades of lipstick ranging from dark purple to siren red.

One theme that you’re going to see reoccur throughout my holiday planning and packing is my laziness! In terms of hair I keep my beach holiday looks as simple as possible because 1. My hair goes insanely frizzy if I use any extra heat on it (think Monica from friends) 2. I’ll probably get it wet in the sea anyway and 3. I’m way too excited to get every day started to spend any amount of time creating intricate styles. So basically I take an array of thick and thin hair ties and these scrunchies which have saved every failing up-do I’ve had to tackle! Thanks to the heat my hair can sometimes end up dry so I also make sure to use good quality shampoo and condition, this time John Frieda’s Brilliant Brunette collection. Plus, the miniatures set came with a perfecting glosser so I couldn’t resist! Laziness also means that I take along a dry shampoo for brown hair so that I can skip a wash here and there and don’t have to spend hours brushing that white residue out!

Quick nails are a must on holiday for me so I usually take a couple of Rimmel's 60 Second Dry polishes. Although the colours I've chosen aren't exactly tropical they do go with everything and I'm not a bright nail person anyway! I chucked in a matte top coat too because as well as looking pretty damn good, it adds a bit of staying power. Just in case I have a spare evening (or decide on the plane) to apply these sparkly falsies, I thought I'd put them in my hand luggage. Then there's just the basics of a nail file/buffer and small Soap and Glory Endless Glove hand cream.

To keep my lips moisturised in the sun, I've packed a tasty tin of Crème Brulee vaseline and my SPF Carmex in strawberry. I don't plan on wearing any serious lipstick shades but for a flush of colour I've stuck with my trusty Clinique Chubby Stick in 07 Super Strawberry and my favourite nude shade - Clinique's Nude Splurge.

Whilst I would love to take my complete Stilla eye shadow palette, I can't really use up that much space purely for my eye lids! So instead I've gone for two No 7 individual colours (True Gold and Comet) as well as the Avon four colour palette which I will use for the right two shades. Tweezers for tweezing, eyebrow powder for filling and Ellen Tracy eyelash curlers with The Body Shop mascara for extending. Nice and simple.

I decided to just take a basic sponge, my mystery unbranded foundation brush and my The Body Shop blusher brush with me to keep suitcase weight down. A BB cream with SPF is absolutely essential to look after your skin on holiday and I chose the Rimmel one in medium. For contouring and highlighting I have the No.7 Concealer Trio and Helen E Skin Smoother. Hopefully the sun will do it's job but just in case I'll also bring my Rimmel blusher in Coral Rose which has a slight bronze undertone.

Most of these bits and bobs won't need explaining. Obviously I have a tooth brush, antibacterial hand gel, deodorant, razors and face wash! I also use Piz Buin sun cream because it's one of the few that doesn't irritate my skin and give me heat rash (it's not a fun experience whilst you want to be relaxing!). But I'm taking Piriteze anyway. Just in case. Of course I also packed after sun and body butter by Soap and Glory to keep my skin beautifully soft in the face of what should be scorching temperatures. Since I take baby wipes everywhere and use my body brush nightly, I couldn't leave them at home either! Finally, I'm taking my Japanese Cherry Blossom fragrance from The Body Shop and my Ralph by Ralph Lauren perfume.


Hopefully this mix of beauty and skin products will keep me looking fresh faced and healthy whilst I'm in Spain, without taking up half the day for application!
Bethany Paige X

OOTD: Pin point

I've always associated pinstripes with ill fitting skirt suits sanctioned to office or teaching jobs. In my mind they decorate skirts that awkwardly sit on the shin and blazers with shoulder pads in a stiff enough fabric to ensure a square frame. I've also been taught that navy and black should never be put together. But if there's one OOTD that celebrates going against my previous fashion beliefs, it's this one.

Pinstripes become a lot more interesting (and a lot less morning commuter-ish) when they're on a mini skirt, paired with chunky sandals and a sheer bomber jacket, don't they? The colour combination also makes me wonder why whoever told me the "navy and black rule" thought mixing the two shades was such a cardinal style sin. If anything, they work together on a similar level to wearing all black everything without being quite so samey! Such simple shades also compliment the minimal nature of the accessories, forming what I think is a deliciously modern look. 

 Skirt - Primark // Top - Primark // 

Sandals - La Moda UK //

 Jacket - H&M // Bag - thrifted

I certainly love it, but my head of sixth form may not have been equally as chuffed with my skirt!

Bethany Paige X

Ball girl

I've never ever owned anything from American Apparel which is basically a sin in the world of blogging. It's not because I don't absolutely adore the majority of the shop, but mainly because their price tags are a little higher than I can justify! Unfortunately for me though, I seem to have fallen head over heels for that white tennis skirt that all of my favourite instagrammers have got their hands on over the past couple of months. You know the one. This isn't just lust, this is bordering on obsession. But £31 right in between my last pay day and the next on such a small piece of fabric is kind of unreasonable, I must admit. 

Whilst pondering whether I should take the tennis plunge (or possibly buy cheaper versions I've tracked down online), it seemed only right to created some dreamy outfits styled around the item in question. I'm thinking lots of white, chunky shoes and leather backpacks. 

Floor length kimono - £18 Boohoo, Crop top - £8 Topshop, Zuri shoe - £35 LaModa UK, Grafea Bag - £120 ASOS

Socks - £10 for three pairs Topshop, Vest - £14 Topshop, Nike Air Max 90 - £90, OPI polish in "Alpine Snow" - £11.95 Liberty London, Head bag - £45 ASOS

Top - £14 Topshop, Grafea bag - £120 ASOS, Lipstick in Babette - $18 Lime Crime, Nail polish in "Pink Glove Service" - Essie $8.50,  Shoes - £35 La Moda UK

I'm pretty sure this has only worsened my desire...

Bethany Paige X

Primark's AW14 overhaul

I think I've made my hatred of the cold pretty obvious to you all, so I can't exactly say I'm longing for the winter to come, but after seeing Primark's AW14 collection pictures I'm certainly not dreading it quite so much! I now have the comfort of knowing that although my days won't be so full of sunshine, they will be full of gorgeous clothing. The collection is saturated in shaggy furs, chunky soles and perfectly cut pieces that have me drooling.

I probably wouldn't blame you for thinking that the images belonged to the likes of Topshop. They're a million miles away from the ill fitting leggings and neon hoodies that I used to associate with the store thanks to younger years spent in its local branch!

As well as the simply stunningly shot images, everything about the outfits pictured tick a tonne of fashion blogger boxes. There's hints of metallic along side grungy biker jackets and huge coats paired with ankle skimming culottes. Throw in the occasional beanie and a splash of yellow and it's hard to not see these pieces being flaunted throughout the blogging world in a couple of months.  It's safe to say that I will be fully embracing Primark's brand overhaul when winter hits too. And I plan on doing so in that cream teddy bear fur coat!

Bethany Paige X

Wishlist: An Ode to Grey

I promise I'm trying my best to blog about something other than my utter adoration of grey, but at the moment it seems impossible! The fashion segment of my brain is simply permeated with the colour, meaning that basically everything I'm loving at the moment is equally as saturated in grey. Its sleek minimalism and effortlessness seems to be endlessly enticing for me, whether in the form of sport luxe sweaters or as a softer take on the biker jacket. From swimming costume to coat and everything in between, if it's in grey, it's probably winning in my books!

Shop Collection

Maybe this mammoth wishlist will have got the obsession out of my system and I'll be capable of blogging about another colour soon! Or maybe not.

Bethany Paige X

OOTD: An Ode to Grey

I really don’t think the fashion world pays enough homage to the wondrous colour that is grey. Whilst everybody and their dog seems to be obsessed with the idea of all black everything (just take a wander through the world of Twitter – “omg all I ever wear is black lol”) nobody truly appreciates its younger sibling. It doesn't make sense to me. Grey is equally as versatile as black. It can be formal or casual, paired with any colour, and beautifully minimal or gloriously opulent dependant on its styling. And contrary to common assumption, grey can be ceaselessly modern and isn’t just for the suit wearing, London working types. Yet, I’m sure you’ve never heard the phrase “little grey dress”.

I for one adore grey in all its unappreciated beauty though. I would marry grey. If I was going to get a tattoo I’d get an arrow heart with “grey” on the inside. Grey and I are very very happy together. It’s entirely likely that it actually features more in my every day wardrobe than black does, and since buying a slouchy co-ord in a light variation of the colour I can only see its repeated use growing.

Skirt - £5 Primark // Sweater - £5 Primark // 

Backpack - £20 Newlook // Sandals - £24 La Moda

 
I actually bought this sweater and skirt combination on two separate occasions about 6 months apart, although since they’re both Primark I assume the fabric used is the exact same in both. It certainly looks it. The greyness of the outfit oozes the kind of minimal modernity that I will be striving for this summer as I mentioned in my last post. Paired with the equally simple La Moda sandals that I have been wearing to death recently and my slick white backpack, my ode to grey is complete.

Have a wonderful week,
Bethany Paige X