LIFE: DOWNSIZING

Yesterday, I received an email notifying me about the River Island sale. I was delighted. I logged onto the website during my lunch break at work and promptly filled my virtual basket with a monochrome A-line skirt, striped sleeveless top, belted nude skirt, lace-backed cami and two pairs of shoes. The whole basket came to under £100 and I was about to make the purchase when this story appeared on my Twitter timeline.


I promptly closed the River Island window before I placed the order.


I've realised that I waste a lot of money on 'fast fashion'. Whenever I slimline my wardrobe, it's always pieces from ASOS, River Island and Topshop which are tossed into the charity bag first. I'm trying to purchase well-made, investment pieces and focus on the quality of my wardrobe, not the quantity of items in it. Obviously, I can't own rails upon rails of Chanel or Chloe, but I can make the most of what I do have. I won't stop shopping but hopefully this will make me think twice about impulse purchases and develop some better habits!

LIFE: Hello 2016

Out with the old and in with the new...



2015 was one of the toughest but most fun years yet. Highs include lots of travelling and exploring new places with my boyfriend, starting a new job which is a massive step up from my old job and discovering yoga, which has transformed my life (dramatic, much?!).

This year I saw Norwich win at Wembley, Taylor Swift perform in my local park (cheers, Radio 1!) and spent a blissful week practicing yoga and relaxing in Turkey.

I've learnt to deal with a lot of lifestyle changes, including a long commute to work, and being a homeowner by myself for the first time.

2016 is full of promise. Here's the list...

• Run the London Marathon in April. To find out more, click here I've always been a runner and I ran the London Marathon in 2013. This will be my final marathon because the training is so intense. Once May rolls around and the 26.2 is under my belt, I'm going to join a yoga class and become super bendy.
• Take better care of my skin
  Working long hours can make me a little lazy and I know my skin can benefit from the hundreds of new products sitting in my beauty basket which I am yet to try. Expect a lot of reviews coming your way this year...
• Read and write more
  Commuting to and from work gives me plenty of time to read but I do miss writing. I worked as a journalist for three years and since then, I have barely written. I'm hoping to post regularly on here.
• Spend more time with my loved ones
  My best friend moved a few hundred miles away at the end of last year so we're already planning roadtrips.
• Celebrate the small victories
  We spend so much time trying to better ourselves that we rarely pause and congratulate ourselves on how far we've come.
• Travel more
  I travelled a lot in 2015 and while that will continue this year, I want to document it more. I'm so lucky to spend so much time in beautiful places, I want to document my travels and share them on here.
• Learn to cook new dishes
  My boyfriend is a great cook; before we were together my boundaries stretched as far as an omelette. But now I love spending Sunday afternoons in our kitchen creating feasts for us both.

I can't wait to get started....

BEAUTY: Charles Worthington Intense Rescue Melting Balm

It's rare that I try a product and see instant results. But the Intense Rescue Melting Balm from Charles Worthington's Salon at Home line delivered.

Scoop out a tablespoon-sized amount with your fingers and rub it between your palms until it turns into an oil. Run it through the mid-lengths to the end of dry hair and leave it for 20 minutes before rinsing and washing your hair as normal. I use this once a week (my hair is very fine and dry) and I saw results after the first use. It really moisturises my hair and it feels like it has just been cut.

FASHION: The Oasis statement necklace

I love a good statement necklace. I tend to wear a lot of black basics and then cover myself in a hefty amount of accessories.

Here's the latest addition to my jewellery wardrobe...

I paired this with a simple black dress for an awards lunch for work and it received a lot of compliments!

Curb chain and pearl necklace, £22, Oasis

BEAUTY: Clinique All About Shadow Nude Eye Shadow Palette

With the perfect selection of nude bases and tones of warm taupes, soft pastels and chocolate, this palette is pretty much spot on. The colours blend well together and the palette is compact enough to fit into the tiniest of clutches. I like to keep my make-up simple and let my accessories do the talking and this is just beautiful!

You can buy the palette here for £32

FASHION: Mulberry metallic mushroom bow bracelet

Mulberry is one of my favourite British brands. I recently celebrated my 25^th birthday and was generously given some money. Rather than buy a few nail polishes and clothes from Topshop, I wanted to buy something which would last and would be in my collection for a long time.

I saw this bracelet online and went into House of Fraser in Norwich the next day to buy it in black or red. But I opted for the S/S 14 metallic mushroom because it was a little different and I can wear it with most clothes in my wardrobe.

I love it!

BEAUTY: Selfridges advent calendar

I love the countdown to Christmas almost as much as I love the day itself...Christmas music, chocolates in the office every day and the shopping...oh the shopping.

But last Christmas, the countdown was made much more bearable with the help of the Selfridges' Advent Calendar. Twenty four beautiful, luxury minis made the month fly by.

Highlights include Kiehl's Crème De Corps and Lancôme hypnose mascara. 

I have spent the past six weeks trying all the products and have already bought a few full-sized ones. I will definitely order another one of these this year. Hurry up, December!