The end of a beautiful era

I'm just going to say it - I'm no longer going to be updating Paige of Fashion. I'm not deleting my first little corner of the internet (I don't think I could ever bring myself to do that) but I've reached a point in my life where I feel like it's a time for change and it just seems right to move on in the blogging world.

I love Paige of Fashion and all of my readers more than I can even say and I owe you all so much. Thank you for being the wonderful, supportive people that you are. The past three years submerged in the world of fashion blogging have been simply beautiful. The truth is though that over the past few months writing about clothes has become harder for me and at times even tedious. I didn't want to stop posting entirely, so I cut down my weekly post number. I tried so hard to become obsessed with this area of blogging again. As much as I still love it and respect everyone who can write about it, I just don't adore putting pieces together about fashion anymore. And what's the point in doing something you can't put your heart and soul into?

Maybe I'll be back at some point in the future. Maybe it will be sooner than I can ever imagine because I'll end up missing it way too much. But for the time being, consider this my last post. Instead, I have moved home and you can find my ramblings over on curlyandwordy.blogspot.co.uk (yes, don't worry I'm not completely gone). My new blog will be more about the inside of my head and social issues, although fashion will probably make its way into the proceedings at some point!

I know this isn't goodbye because I follow most of you on other social media platforms and for those of you that don't already follow me, I'm @curlyandwordy on pretty much everything. I'm most active on twitter and instagram though. My handles will logically be changing soon but I'll edit this post as and when. I just want to stay in contact with all of you amazing people!

Thank you again for the past three years. Paige of Fashion has been my therapy, my hobby and my addiction.

Bethany Paige X

Wishlist: A spending ban

I'm not buying any more clothes until just before my holiday to Spain in 98 days (yes, I'm counting). And this time I'm serious. Really, I am. Considering I left my job just over a month ago to focus on school and the fact that I'm going travelling throughout June/July, I really do not have the money for any Topshop sprees or sly online shopping that "doesn't count" because I don't leave the sofa. So this is the real deal.

As I'm sure you all understand, it's a hard task for anybody and is only harder due to being a part of the blog universe. All I see all day every day on my instagram feed is gorgeous clothes and gorgeous shoes and gorgeous makeup! I suppose I can still lust away and create wish lists, though.

D-Ring Bralet - Topshop £22 // Zip front midi - Topshop £48 // Adidas Originals ZX Flux Dusk Pink trainers - ASOS £72 // Why not slogan t-shirt dress - ASOS £25 // Sahara Duster Coat - House of Sunny - £199 // Too Faced Natural matte palette - Debenhams £32 

I hope you're all having a lovely weekend,

Bethany Paige X

Compliments that aren't about physical appearance

This week I've been thinking a lot about compliments. Mainly I've been thinking about the fact that one of my most frequently used compliments is "you look lovely today" and how sad that makes me. Although it's always true, the people that I say it to are so much more than beautiful on the outside. They deserve better words to describe them than "pretty" or "handsome". 

I decided to dedicate some of my time to compiling a list of compliments that are in no way related to physical appearance. A list a compliments that I would love to receive and that mean so much more than a comment on someone's hair or clothes (even though those ones are nice too)! At first I didn't intend this to be for Paige of Fashion but I thought that it would be refreshing to post something that's more inward focused. I'm also resolving to use the relevant compliments as much as possible in the next week and beyond. I plan on peppering them liberally throughout the day along with the classic appearance based comments, to make sure that the people I care about know just how much they mean to me.

(-B.A is how I sign my non-blog related writing, for those of you that don't know)

Bethany Paige X

Watch and learn

I'm not sure there's any better accessory than a gold watch. I feel like it can make a boring outfit stand out. It's simple, yet effective. And for my 18th birthday I was lucky enough to get possibly the most gorgeous watch in history from my wonderful Dad. Not only is it gold, but it has a pearl face and in place of the normal numbers are individual diamonds. Unlike previous watches I've had it's relatively dainty, but without being too overly-feminine. We all know I'm not the kind to go for full on girly when it comes to accessories.

Since I had it adjusted (I have weirdly thin wrists) I've worn it every single day. I'm pretty much obsessed.

I thin it's safe to say my Dad knows me very well!

Bethany Paige X

February Favourites

February has been a good month. A very good month indeed. Valentines day, my 18th birthday (finally) and a lovely week off from school all combined to make something altogether rather wonderful. Mainly, February has been so good because I've been able to spend it with the people that I love. But a few other things also played their part in adding a little bit of extra sparkle. 

Victoria's Secret perfumes are divine. I do not tell a lie when I say that they are sent from the heavenly realms to bless our earth. I already have "Forbidden" which is easily my favourite perfume ever, but I was lucky enough to add Coconut Passion to my collection this month. I have my two best friends Kels and Maria to thank for this beauty that I got as part of an amazing birthday gift! It's not a serious scent (does that make sense?) just the kind of thing you spritz on before a day out shopping or at school.

A good month and late nights go hand in hand. And with late nights come dark circles. In my case at least. So the Nip and Fab CC Eye Fix has literally saved me lately. I'm not too sure whether it's meant to work as a concealer, but it certainly does for me. I have it in the shade medium and not only does it hide all signs of a heavy night but it also moisturises too. 

I've actually had my Pandora bracelet since my 16th birthday but only recently have I got really into wearing it. And I mean really into wearing it. It's got to the point where if I don't have it on one day it feels a little odd. I think the main reason that I've become so obsessed is because I acquired four charms in a very short time span, which filled it out a bit and gave it the look I wanted. I got a little silver car charm for passing my driving test last month, an 18 charm on my birthday, plus the two beauties pictured above! On Valentine's my boyfriend gave me the flower (get it? Because boys usually give girls a bunch of flowers on V-Day?) and then he was lovely enough to also give me the beautiful dark blue one with silver stars for my birthday. Both are absolutely stunning. I'm a very lucky girl. 

It's basically customary to post some kind of Lush product in my monthly favourites! In February I've been loving The Comforter Bubble Bar. I always go for the sweet scents at Lush and this is no exception. It produces a tonne of bubbles with just a tiny amount too! I break off a small piece every time I have a bath (I must have used it at least 5 times) and I still have quite a substantial amount remaining. If you like to smell like a sweet shop, this is the one for you.

This one was a tad hard to picture so I had to find something to represent it - Audio Books! In particular Russell Brand's "Revolution". I got it for free on Audible using one of those YouTube links that every beauty guru seems to give their viewers. The book is both thought provoking and hilarious, and as much as I would love to give a synopsis I don't think anybody except Mr Brand himself can explain his ideas. Just read/listen to it. 

I got a MacBook Pro! And it is glorious. Glorious! It truly has made my life, in terms of school especially, a whole lot easier. It's so slick. That probably doesn't make sense but the way it runs is just slick. I've also been rather obsessed with using the app "Wunderlist" and connecting it between my phone and laptop, to have an electronic to-do list with me at all times. My productivity levels have been at an all time high. Did I say my MacBook was glorious?

Last and most definitely not least is my Blend-Active. My dad bought me this bad boy as part of my birthday present, as well as a gorgeous watch that warrants its own blog post! I'm obsessed with smoothies and "health foods" recently (shout out also to almond butter, another recent favourite). The Blend-Active just makes the whole smoothie process a lot less hassle and a lot less messy. It's my dream come true! My favourite smoothie this week has been frozen blueberry, almond butter, banana and spinach.

I hope you all had as wonderful a month as me!

Bethany Paige X

Tibi A/W 2015

If there's one way in which my wardrobe has changed over the past year or so, it has simplified. Not only has it shrunk, but embellishments are almost all gone and cuts are usually sleek yet oversized. Opulence just doesn't inspire me anymore. I think it's probably this adoration of minimal designs that made me fall so deeply in love with the Tibi A/W 2015 collection that debuted at NYFW.

 

Whilst the designs are undeniably minimal, Amy Smilovic managed to incorporate cozy textures in with the simple tones and shapes. Which makes it a whole lot easier for a lover of all things sleek to keep warm in the winter. And I for one am not going to complain about thick knits and fur linings! Not only that, but the colour palette is my idea of perfection. Greys, blacks, navy and the occasional pale hue mean that nothing detracts from the beautiful cuts of the pieces. I'm not so sure bare legs would be suitable for winter in snowy kent, but who said fashion shows have to be completely realistic?

Bethany Paige X

Be mine

Valentine's dressing is all about red, silk and pretty touches for me. Well, actually, this year it's all about aprons, ties and perhaps pasta stain details since I'm working. But if I was lucky enough to be going out for dinner or spending the day in with my boyfriend, I probably would dress in something a tad more sophisticated! Maybe a pair of heels in place of my black tennis shoes.

Despite the fact that I will be serving loved up couples throughout the evening, I can at least dream about the outfits I would wear if that wasn't the case, right?

Deep V bodycon dress - £9 (!) Topshop // Snake-effect heels - £46 Topshop // Faux fur clutch- £35 ASOS // Half moon necklace - £16 Topshop 

Sweet dreams PJ set - £22 Topshop // heart socks - £3.50 Topshop // Applique vine lingerie set - £24 // OPI nail varnish - £11.50 

Crepe Bralet by boutique - £45 Topshop // Crinkle maxi skirt - £20 Topshop // Black clutch by Whistles - £40 ASOS // River Island cleated boots - £31 ASOS // Black varnish - L'Oreal //

Bethany Paige X