Insta-Week

I had a super busy start to the week, but of course I managed to fit on some fun times too...

Like I said I had a busy few days to start the week off and when I eventually managed to sit down I was more than happy to relax with my hot water bottle and kindle. August is supposed to be Summer right? But how cold has it been?! I've had to fill up my lovely hot water bottle loads this week, I think the sun is retiring for the year. However it is quiet nice to cosy up with a book, I love my kindle and how easy it is to use, a good book is all a need and my lil kindle is my gem.

Red, monochrome and gold was the look this week. I love this bright red jacket and of course I grabbed any chance to wear my amazing new ring. It perfectly styles up a simple outfit and adds extra detail to a simple tee and jeans combo.

Later on in the week I popped through to Edinburgh to celebrate a friends birthday. It was a lovely little day away and we strolled through the sunshine, shopping as we went before we found a gorgeous lunch spot and filled our bellies. No Birthday is complete without fizz, so cheers and Happy Birthday!

My #TBT is a really a way to look forward to next weekend! It's the baby sisters big 2-1 and all the family are getting together to celebrate next weekend. Yaaaaaa! This picture is actually from my 21st when I had a gorgeously, girlie tea party filled with gin, cakes and wine. I'm sure next weekend will be even lovelier and it will be just perfect to all be together. Keep an eye out on the blog to see what we all get up to. I promise you now there will be plenty of food, wine and outfits!

Friday was filled with lots of life admin. I had various little odd jobs to do and it was a miserable and rainy day so I didn't mind getting on with it, but I had to have a wee break at some point! I made a big frothy coffee and relaxed with my kindle, again! I'm enjoying a good book at the moment, so that's my excuse.

So you've heard a little bit about my trip to Edinburgh, but I did a more detailed post - have a we looky HERE. You'll find a post full of red jackets, pretty views of the Capital and loads of delicious looking food and cocktails.

We all love relaxing and have out own ways of treating ourselves, so this week on the blog I decided to share my little luxuries with you, check it out HERE. It's filled with all the easy ways to brighten up an otherwise dull week, from bright nails to face masks, all the little things that put a wee smile on your face - bliss.

This weekend it was my little sisters turn to have a sleepover! On Sunday morning we munched on pain au chocolat and sipped tea - any excuse to get the tea-set out! Afterwards we trotted off to find a special outfit for the big 2-1 next week, but ended up buying loads of lovely autumnal pieces - so keep an eye out! We filled up on delicious Wagamama's before heading home to slob out and watch ridiculously girly films.

Until next week!

My Little Luxuries

There are so many things that make me smile and every day little luxuries are the best for keeping me feeling absolutely fabulous....

Ok, some I'm quite possibly one of the palest people around, I'm practically translucent really. But, like everyone else I do like a bit of colour every now and again. I feel so much better when I have a bit of tan on, it gives me a little confidence boost. I use L'Oreal Sublime Bronze and usually rub it on mixed with a touch of moisturiser at night time before I go to bed and by the morning it's had time to develop and I can wash the smell off. And hey presto, I can imagine I've been on a beach in St Tropez for a week, yaa!

An ideal way to relax is a lovely bubble bath, it just makes you feel a little bit special, throw in a bath bomb and put on some lovely tunes and it can be an amazing chill out, and when you take some time out to just relax it can feel like a little luxury! I also like smothering on a face mask to give me skin a good cleanse. One of my favourites is the Arran Aromatics one, have a wee read HERE and feel inspired.

Once I'm nicely bronzed-up there's nothing that perks up your mood like a bright lip. I've been collecting and hoarding lipsticks for quite a wee while now and have amassed a load of lovely colours. A bright lip cheers up any look and can add a much needed pop of colour to any outfit. With a red lip you feel like you can conquer the world and a burst of pink can be perfect. It's ideal when a gloomy mood needs lifted before you tackle the world outside.

One of the best things ever - putting on a warm, fluffy dressing gown on straight out the tumble drier, it pretty much doesn't get any better.

At the end of the day a little luxury for me is definitely a gorgeous smelling candle, and Arran Aromatics wins in face masks and candles! I reviewed my favourite one HERE. My wee sister nicknamed it 'making it night-time', it means it's finally time to wind down, draw the blinds and shut out the world outside, pop on a lamp and light a candle and chiiiiiiiiiiill. Couple with trashy TV - i.e the Kardashians or some delicious viewing - i.e The Great British Bake Off and the evening is sorted.

Back to beauty luxuries and another thing I love is a good body scrub, I reviewed a Lush one a while back, have a nosey HERE. And I loved it, a body scrub is great prep for a tan and amazing for making your skin feel indulgently soft. Once out the shower pop on some beautifully smelling moisturiser and your skin just feels a million times better.

On a weekend morning there's nothing better than a massive mug of tea in bed, flicking through the latest edition of Elle with the rain pattering on the window - siiiiiiigh.

A home manicure is another great way to introduce a little luxury into an average week. I rarely have nothing on my nails and a bit of something - be it bright, pastel or sparkly - can pull an outfit together. I love to get comfy on the sofa with a girly movie and take my time over them. I like to buff them to perfection, file them to the shape I like and use a hand polish to start off the indulgence off. I always use a base layer and the Rimmel one that I talked about HERE is still, in my eyes, the best. Colour-wise I'm not fussy and generally like all shades, but right now I'm looking for a a lovely pastel, lemony yellow.

Last off I love a good ol' teapot! You can't beat a lovely set of vintage tea-cups and I do love my little teapot collection - perhaps not a luxury as much as just a little something that makes me smile!

Now away and indulge yourself and enjoy some little luxuries!

Capital Birthdays

So we trotted back through to the capital city to celebrate a birthday!

I love a wee day trip out and I kept it simple outfit-wise.

Dark skinnies jeans are perfect with a big over-seized tee. I love this one. You can't go wrong with a big comfy black and white t-shirt. Slogan tops are very popular just now and look great in monochrome. I wear this one pretty constantly and although I've had it a while it still doesn't look dated.

I got this red jacket in a bargain sale - £15 down from £85, whoopa! For a while I worried I bought it more for the price than the love, however whenever I do wear it I remember how beaut it really is. The texture is gorgeous and you can tell it's really good quality. A pop of colour is perfect for jazzing up a more simple choice and I love the dark jeans, monochrome and red mixture.

For strolling round under blue skies all day comfy ballet flats are ideal. This pair are a bit old and battered, but they feel like slippers so I can't complain! I also wrapped around a big comfy scarf and popped on my new favourite jewellery piece.

I'd spied this ring in Forever 21 a while ago, but hadn't bought it. However, I was so happy when I went back and it was still there. I love the statement gold and it goes with everything and just adds a bit more interest to any outfit.

Anyhoo, once I was all dolled-up we jumped on the train to Edinburgh to meet the Birthday girl, complete with some delightfully colourful flowers to put a smile on her face.

We wandered round the shops and I squealed in delight when I saw the decorations in Jenners. It's a gorgeous old store as it is and the hanging bluebells just added to the overall charm - aren't they adorable! Once shopping was complete we strolled in the sunshine, admiring the pretty city, until we found the perfect lunch spot.


So we pretty much opted for this restaurant cos the name is so pretty - Angels With Bagpipes - perfect isn't it! It was also beautifully decorated inside and lovely for a Birthday Lunch, so of course we kicked off with a glass of fizz and cheers-ed to many more birthdays to come!

The Seasonal Lunch menu looked delicious and wasn't badly priced either. For starters we couldn't resist the  Moules marinière. They were swimming in the most amazing sauce and we soaked up every last drop with the bread, and they were perfect with a delightfully light rose wine.

Next up my companions went for the pork loin with creamed potato, roasted onion, grain mustard and pancetta. I'm not gonna lie I had a spot of food envy, but the classic fish and chips definitely hit a spot and in the end I was more than happy with my choice.

Bellies filled-up we skipped the dessert option, however a birthday can't go by without a little cake. Our sneaky friend mysteriously disappeared and moments after her return a chocolate mousse arrived complete with a birthday candle and sharing spoon - birthday treats are so much better when shared after all.

A day out isn't complete without some cocktails to wash down lunch. We popped over to Candy Bar + Kitchen, where the cocktail menu is huge and amazing sounding, with a whole load of silly names and thirst-quenching concoctions. To top is all off they were so pretty when the arrived, with the Call Me Maybe even being completed with it's very own call card and we definitely didn't leave an unsuspecting friends digits, oooops....

A massive Happy Birthday and an ideal celebratory day out had by all!