15 Things I Love About Summer

Lately, we have been pretty lucky weather-wise in the UK! Aside from the odd overcast day or thundery downpour, the Sun has well and truly had its hat on over the past few weeks. Of course, us Brits have therefore been making the most of the amazing weather before it rears its head for yet another year! Summer has always been my favourite season and rightly so because there are so many enjoyable things that come with this time of year. So, I've decided to let you know the 15 things that I love most about summertime in England. Enjoy!

1. The Sun makes everybody feel happier and more positive!
2. Sunkissed skin and glowy make-up.
3. It's still light outside at 9pm!
4. Sunbathing for hours on end whilst reading a good book.
5. Going for drinks at my local beer garden.
6. Cute playsuits and flowy summer dresses!
7. Tasty barbecues with my family & friends.
8. Going to the seafront for ice-cream and hot doughnuts.
9. The smell of sun cream and aftersun!
10. Large jugs of Pimms & lemonade.
11. Festivals - need I say more?
12. Fresh fruit that's perfectly in-season!
13. The sound of the ocean.
14. Waking up every morning to gorgeous blue skies!
15. Adorable bikinis and swimsuits.

Is summer your favourite season too? What are some of your favourite things about this beautiful weather we're having? Be sure to let me know by leaving a comment down below!

Festival Fashion

After seeing lots of celebrities looking absolutely fabulous at this years Coachella in California, I have become slightly obsessed with festival fashion once again! It's one of my favourite looks of all time because I think that festivals allow you to be really unique and play up your own sense of personal style! One of my favourite celebs that gets this style just right year after year is Vanessa Hudgens - she is definitely one of my major style crushes! So with that in mind, I decided to put together my very own music festival inspired look. All of the items featured are from Topshop, Miss Selfridge and New Look (three of my fave high street shops!) 

Hand Crocheted Bralet - £36.00
Crochet is one of the most popular trends during festival season and this top fits the bill perfectly! I love the rusty red colour of this one in particular. What I also like about this bralet is that the straps are relatively thick, so you can still get away with wearing a bra with straps on it for some extra support!

Floral Tile Print Shorts - £28.00
The pattern of these shorts match the crop top perfectly and they make such a cute combo! I think that you really cannot go wrong with a pair of high waisted shorts as they cinch you in at the waist, which gives you a lovely silhouette.

Geo Cutout Ring Pack - £8.50
This set of gold midi rings are so simple, yet really on trend and wearing multiple rings on each hand really jazzes up an outfit and takes it to the next level.

Semi Precious Stretch Bracelet - £8.50
Of course, this bracelet also ties in with the outfit perfectly! I love the design of this and I think it just adds that little something extra to this already adorable outfit.

Tan Buckle Front Saddle Bag - £10.99
Of course, at any festival you need a bag to store your essentials in and this one is the perfect size. It's really practical as it has a strap so that you can wear it securely across your body and it will not slip off of your shoulder in and amongst the crowds. Plus, the tan colour contrasts really well with the red and black outfit.

Tan Chain Front Ankle Strap Sandals - £22.99
To math the saddle bag and bring the whole outfit together, I have chosen these lovely flat sandals from New Look. It is vital to wear shoes that will be comfortable all day long yet still be fashionable at the same time. I love how the gold chain detail coincides with the jewellery that I have chosen too!

So guys, that is the festival inspired look that I have put together for you! Whats your favourite item? Are you going to any festivals this summer and what will you be wearing? I'd love to know, so feel free to leave me a little comment down below!

My 5 Spring/Summer Goals

Hi guys, today's post is a little different to my usual fashion & beauty offerings, however, I wanted to write a blog post that means a lot to me! Lately, I have been thinking a lot about what I want to achieve as we go into spring and summer. If you have been following my blog for a while now; you may or may not know that I have suffered with anxiety & panic attacks since I was about 10 years old and my condition has gotten a lot worse over the past few years. My anxiety affects a lot of aspects in my life including social events, travelling and working. So much so, that I have actually been unemployed for quite a while now due to the fact that the thought of being back in a workplace is something that overwhelms me every single day. 

With that in mind, I have decided that this year is the year that I am going to change my circumstances and try to make my life both fun and well-rounded once again! So, I wanted to share a few of my goals that I aim to accomplish this year!

1. Go on more adventures
My anxiety has stopped me from doing a lot of things in the past and I always feel like I am missing out on some of the best years of my life. I feel like I need to embrace being a young, almost 21 year old a little more! Whether its stepping out of my comfort zone by saying 'yes' to that party or finally going away for a special trip with my boyfriend of over a year. I want to explore a little more and say a big f*** you to my horrible anxieties that have been holding me back all this time!

2. Find a part-time job
Now that I feel a little more stable what with having regular counselling sessions and a medication that works for me, I want to ease myself back into a working environment. I feel like getting a part-time job is now something that feels a lot more manageable to me. I definitely don't want to go back into full-time employment straight away, as I don't want to overwhelm myself, but this goal seems like the perfect stepping stone.

3. Become healthier
Due to being at home so much, I often have the tendency to eat out of boredom and even though I have always been a petite girl, I have noticed my weight start creeping up on me. Although I am not super unhealthy, snacking is a bad habit of mine and I would like to keep it in check and to lose a few pounds before slipping back into my pretty summer dresses. I would also like to start doing some light yet enjoyable exercise to shift those calories and to release lots of feel-good endorphins into my body. Apparently, exercise is a great outlet for those with anxiety!

4. Appreciate my life 
As I am an avid worrier, I feel like I sometimes forget to simply stop and look around me. Although I have my problems and my struggles, just like everybody does, I am still an incredibly lucky person! I have a supportive family, great friends and a lovely boyfriend who all care about me a great deal. I have three meals a day, a roof over my head and lots of luxuries that others simply do not. I definitely need to remember that more often!

5. Gain more confidence
Last but not least, I want to finally find my inner confidence. I am my own worst critic and I think I need to remember not to be so hard on myself. Who cares if there's a photo of me from a night out where I'm not looking my best or if I have a pimple. I need to remember that we are all beautiful in our own way, even if it is hard to think of yourself in that way sometimes!

Although this was an extremely different post to normal, I hope that you enjoyed reading about my hopes and aspirations for the up an coming months. I am hoping to achieve all of these goals over the next few months, as I really want to better myself and my life. I hope I can somehow inspire some of you to do the same too! Do you have any goals that you would like to put into motion this spring/summer? Please let me know by leaving a comment below!

Mini Forever 21 Haul

Yesterday, I went out shopping with my Mum and she treated me to a few pieces from Forever 21. For the past couple of weeks, I have been attempting to update my wardrobe for spring & summer and so far I have found some gorgeous items. Forever 21 is a great store to go to when you want to get lots of things in one go because not only are their clothes really stylish, they are super affordable too! It is by my favourite store to shop in. Anyhow, without rambling on for too long, here are the three items I picked up.

First up is this stunning Floral Lace Mock Neck Top (£12.00.) I have been looking for some more dressy tops recently to pair with some high waisted jeans for when I go out to somewhere that doesn't require wearing a full on dress and heels combo. I loved this top in particular because to me, lace looks very sophisticated yet sexy at the same time. It is ever so slightly cropped which means that you one show a slither of skin. You could wear this top with a cropped black vest underneath it but I think wearing just a lplain black bra underneath would look amazing too. I can't wait to wear it!

The next thing I picked up with this cute Tribal Print Cami (£8.00.) I have really gotten into wearing camis lately as they are so girly and comfortable to wear. I also love the tribal print trend and so this top is the perfect fit for me! There was also a blue version of this top but I opted for this orange and brown colour instead as I do not have many neutral shades in my wardrobe like these. I know that I will definitely get a lot of wear out of it, in fact, I am wearing it as I type this post right now!

Lastly, I picked up this Striped Crop Top (£5.00) is it is a great basic to have within my wardrobe. Although on the website it is the price listed above, I actually found this item whilst browsing the sale rail and managed to snatch it up for a mere £1.99 - what a bargain! As with the other items in this haul, I know that this top will become a new staple for me as it is just so versatile.

So, those are the three items that I snapped up yesterday. What do you think of them? What are you doing to update your spring/summer wardrobe? I'd love to know, so please don't hesitate to leave a comment below!

My Summer Beauty Essentials

Hi guys. Instead of doing my usual monthly favourites post, today I thought that I would talk you through my summer essentials instead. The main reason for this is that I haven't really got any new favourites at the moment, as I have been chopping and changing between products a lot and not sticking to a few key items. As the weather in the UK is pretty great (although humid) right now, I thought this would be an appropriate time to share which products keep me looking and feeling pretty during these high heats. Let's get started!

Garnier Summer Body Moisturising Lotion - £5.10
First up is my current go-to tanning product, Garnier's Summer Body. The reason that I love this product so much is because I am not an avid tanner and so I do not like using fully-fledged tanning products in the form of mousses and so on. A moisturiser with a hint of tan is enough for me! Not only does this product leave me with a gorgeous, sunkissed colour, it also glides on seamlessly and sinks in relatively quick too! Plus, it's very affordable and has a pleasant apricot scent instead of that awful biscuit smell that most tanning products produce! Overall, this is a great lotion to use if you want a result that is not too in your face or unnatural. I will be using this time and time again!

Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Scrub - £8.00
Next up is my all time favourite body scrub, Soap & Glory's Sugar Crush. The scent of this is amazing! The combination of brown sugar and lime makes this product almost good enough to it and a joy to use. As for the scrub itself, it strikes the perfect balance between being gentle and abrasive. The gritty granules slough away at dry patches incredibly well but without irritating the skin too much or making it red, which is perfect! A little goes a long way as the tub is so large, which means you definitely get a lot for your money too. I would highly recommend this!

Sure Women Maximum Protection Deodorant - £5.30
I suppose that deodorants do not get a lot of mention on beauty blogs because let's face it, they're pretty standard and not that exciting to talk about. However, I have been so impressed by this one by Sure. Plus, it's a little different! I think a lot of people that have used this product have been using it in the morning but the box actually suggests that you apply this at night time instead, which is what I have been doing. The cream simply twists up and then it can be applied straight to your underarms. I find the scent really pleasant but of course, the main factor is that it keep sweat and odours at bay - which it does! As it is a cream, it is also very moisturising which is an added bonus for those with dry or sensitive underarms. This deodorant is a must have for summer, as well as all year round too!

Urban Decay Travel Size All Nighter Make Up Setting Spray - £9.00
Last but not least, and one of my favourites of the bunch, is this make-up setting spray from Urban Decay. I am sure that all of us regularly suffer from our make-up sliding off our faces throughout the day, especially when its hot, but this spray has actually revolutionised my routine. Once I have applied all of my make-up for the day, I simply spritz a couple of sprays of the product evenly across my face. No matter how long I have my make-up on for, All Nighter does a great job of setting my face and making sure that it does not wear off throughout the day. It also prevents a large majority of shine and oiliness coming through, which is also handy as I have combination skin. I do only have the travel size but I have a feeling that it will last me a long while, plus this version is a lot friendly on the old purse strings!

I hope you all enjoyed reading about my summer essentials. All of the items mentioned above have helped me out a lot during the hot weather and I highly recommend them! Have you tried any of these products before? What are your own summer essentials? Please let me know by leaving a comment below, I love recommendations. Thank you!

The 'Sunkissed Summer' Tag!

The weather here in England has been amazing (although slightly muggy) lately, so I am most definitely in the mood for summer! Therefore, I thought that doing the Sunkissed Summer tag would be a great way of sharing everything that I love about this beautiful season with all of you. I recently saw Miss Glamorazzi's video and her responses inspired me to try this tag out for myself. I have really been enjoying doing more tags on my blog lately, as I feel that they enable my followers to get to know me a little bit better. Plus, they are really fun to type up, so let's get started!

1. What is your go-to product for a sun kissed summer glow? 
I am not big fan of fully-fledged fake tanning products because I do not think that they look very natural on me. However, I have been loving Garnier's Summer Body Moisturising Lotion. I can build it up gradually to my desired colour, it glides on seamlessly and just gives me an all round healthy glow!

2. What book would you recommend for a summer read?
I have recently read two books in a series of three called 'Losing It' and 'Faking It' by Cora Carmack, which was a really great read. I need to buy the last book pronto! I also love anything by John Green too, especially Looking For Alaska.

3. What's your signature summer scent this year?
This is definitely a toss up between Vera Wang's Lovestruck Floral Rush or Marc Jacobs' Honey perfume. Both of these scents are very appropriate for summer as they are sweet, light and fresh!

4. The sun is shining and it's time to get outside! What's your favorite thing to do?
To be quite honest, I just like to sunbathe and relax in my garden with a good book. I love topping up my tan and that is my main aim when I'm outdoors during the summer. I also really enjoy having barbecues with my friends and family.

5. You're on the boardwalk and your stomach is grumbling. What's your go-to summer beach food?
Without a doubt, the first thing I would go for is an ice-cream or an ice lolly. I especially love Cornetto's, Maxibons or Fruit Pastille Ice Lollies.

6. Sunscreen is always important, but it's a MUST in summer! What's your favorite? 
The two bottles I have on the go at the moment are Garnier's Ambre Solaire Light & Silky SPF20 and Piz Buin's Ultra Light Hydrating Sun Spray SPF30. I like both of these formulas because they are lightweight, not overly sticky and leave a nice sheen on my skin.

7. After a day in the summer sun and heat, what do you do to cool off?
I like to take a cold shower to remove any suntan lotion I have on and to cool myself down. I also like to take the time to look after my skin and thoroughly cleanse it etc, as it can get very clogged up throughout the day.

8. How do you wear your hair in the summer? 
I either have my usual style, which is loose beachy waves, or I have it up in a high ponytail if it is particularly hot outside.

9. Must-have nail polish for summer 2014?
There are two shades in particular that I have been wearing lately; China Glaze 'In A Lily Bit' and OPI 'Cajun Shrimp.' The China Glaze polish is a really milky lilac colour which looks great with a tan and Cajun Shrimp is a bright orange-y red shade that is very striking!

10. Sometimes it just feels good to chill out and watch Netflix. What shows/movies do you recommend for summer?
I am into a lot of programmes at the moment, so here are a few of them; Pretty Little Liars, Hart Of Dixie, Keeping Up With The Kardashians and How I Met Your Mother.

11. Do you wear liquid foundation, BB cream, or tinted moisturizer in the summer?
I still tend to wear my liquid foundation during the summer but if I do want to opt for a lighter base, I use Maybelline's Dream Fresh BB Cream - which has an SPF of 30 too!

12. It's super bright outside! Do you reach for sunglasses or a hat?
Definitely sunglasses. I know that wearing a hat in the sun is very beneficial and it protects you but they just do not suit me at all!

13. What is your summer jam this year?
Over the past two weeks, I have been non-stop listening to Ariana Grande's new single called Break Free. It's so catchy and it always puts me in a good mood when I listen to it!

14. Do you have a summer bucket list? If so, share some things on the list.
I do not have a bucket list, in fact I do not think I have ever made one! My only aim is to spend lots of time with my friends, family and my boyfriend.

15. Bikini, tankini, or one piece? Show us your fave bathing suit this year!
I am definitely a bikini girl and I recently bought a gorgeous one from Forever 21 (see here.) I just love the blue and white tie-dye pattern! Plus, I love all of the little cut-outs which make me feel more sexy and womanly!

16. Summer means heat... and sweat! What's your favorite sweat proof product this year? 
I have two main products that help me stay sweat free throughout summer. The first one is Sure's Maximum Protection Deodorant which is a cream formula that you oddly apply at night time but it works wonders, I highly recommend it. I may even do an in-depth blog post on it soon! The second product that I like to use is Urban Decay's All Nighter Make-Up Setting Spray. It makes sure that my make-up does not slide or melt off all day, it's seriously amazing!

17. Summer wouldn't be complete without a scoop (or two) of ice cream! If you could create your own ice cream flavor, what would it be?
I really like chocolate orange flavoured things like Jaffa Cakes or Terry's Chocolate Orange. So, I would really enjoy some kind of vanilla ice-cream with chocolate and orange running through it. Yum!

And those are all of my answers for the Sunkissed Summer tag, I hope you enjoyed reading my answers and got to know me a little better. As always, I would like to tag everybody who would like to give this tag a go for themselves. However, I would also like to tag the following blogs; Sailor Jennie, The Imperfect Beauty Queen & Efflorescent Dream. Thank you for reading and please link your responses below if you complete the tag yourselves :)

Top Of The Crops | My Current Favourite Crop Tops

Hi guys. Crop tops have become a major trend over the past few years and there is no sign of their popularity slowing down. With so many different patterns, colours, cuts and fits on the market, there is definitely a flattering and suitable crop top out there for everyone. The high street have got some amazing summer pieces at the moment, so today I thought that I would share some of my favourites with you. Let's get started!

90's Blue Floral Crop - £12.00
First up is this cute little number from Miss Selfridge. I am a huge fan of floral prints (as you can probably tell) and I love the blurry, watercolour effect of this particular crop top. I think that it is really pretty without being too in your face. This high neck line is all the rage at the moment too and I think that it would look great with my high-waisted Topshop jeans. Plus for £12, it is quite the bargain!

Pretty Lace Trim Crop Top - £28.00
Next up is this white, embroidered crop top from Topshop. I absolutely love this top because it has a different fit and style compared to the majority of the the items that I have included in this post. The cut of this is very unique, as it goes up into a slight point at the hemline - which is a great extra detail, as well as the feminine trim around the hemline. 

Purple Floral Tee - £30.00
I am in love with this top from Miss Selfridge! Purple is my favourite colour, however, I do not have a lot of it in my wardrobe for some reason. I love this top mainly for its bold and colourful print, it's just gorgeous! I also really like the fact that this top has a slightly looser fit and isn't bodycon, like most crop tops are. I think this piece is very versatile and could definitely be dressed up or down.

Tropical Seamed Bralet - £12.00
This number from Topshop is bang on trend at the moment. Tropical print is all the rage this summer and the colours of this crop top are simply gorgeous! I love that this top is so versatile and I think that it would look great with either a pair of denim shorts or a flowy, black maxi skirt. I think that this top would be perfect if you are going abroad this summer!

Yellow Daisy Print Racer Front Crop Top - £12.00
This daisy print top from River Island is next on my list.Although I am personally not a huge fan of wearing yellow because I'm blonde, I think that colour would look absolutely gorgeous with a tan. I also love that the monochrome daisies are all different sizes, I think it gives a really nice effect. As with the blue floral top above, the neckline of this is really fashionable at the moment too.

Miami Bra Top - £30.00
Last but not least is this beaufiful pastel, tropical print crop top from Miss Selfridge. I would definitely say that this top is more appropriate for night time occasions due to its V-neck shape, which will obviously expose your cleavage a little. There is also a matching skort to go with this bralet on the website for those of you who love the co-ordinate look!

I hope you all enjoyed reading about the crop tops I am loving and that are available on the high street at the moment. Which one is your favourite? Are you a fanof the crop top trend? Please let me know by leaving a comment below. Thank you!

The 'I Heart Summer ' Tag

Hi guys. Today, I thought that I would do the 'I Heart Summer' tag. Seeing as the weather in the UK is improving now, I am getting into the summer spirit more and more each day. I found this tag on Miss Glamorazzi's YouTube channel, however, this tag has been completed by tons of other well-known YouTubers and bloggers alike. I have not done a tag in quite a long time but I absolutely love doing them, plus it allows my followers to learn a little bit more about me in the process too! Also, summer is my favourite season of the year so I though that I should ultimately share some of my favourite things about it with you all.  I hope you enjoy reading my answers, let's get started!

1. Favourite bronzer for summer?
At the moment, I am using Rimmel's Sun Shimmer Bronzer in Light Matte as it suits my skin tone perfectly. However, I have heard a lot of great things about The Body Shop's Honey Bronzer, so I definitely want to try that next.

2. You're relaxing in a hammock on a tropical island. What are you sipping on? (Favourite summer drink)
I always seem to get slightly addicted to cloudy lemonade during the summer months as it's so refreshing and tasty. However, if I was going for an alcoholic drink I would definitely choose Pimm's or a glass of Malibu & Coke.

3. Favourite summer lip product?
I love any brand of chubby stick as they are nice and pigmented, as well as moisturising. I have also been loving Bourjois' Rouge Edition Velvet Lipsticks too. They have a great range of bright matte colours that do not budge, which is handy during the summer as they will not melt off or fade during the day! Although if I am sunbathing or spending a long time in the sun, I usually stick to a lip balm with an SPF in it such as Carmex.

4. Pool or beach?
I tend to prefer the pool because I hate how sand gets absolutely everywhere but I do really enjoy the beach for its pretty scenery!

5. Summer = crazy hair! What's your must have styling product?
I am very lucky in that my hair is straight and quite fine, so it is not ever really affected by the heat or different weather conditions. However, I think using a heat protectant before blow-drying or styling your hair is an absolute must ally ear round, not just during summer!

6. Sunbathing or fake tan?
I much prefer sunbathing as I love being outside during the summer and making the most of the occasional good weather that we get in England! I know that sunbathing can be dangerous but I am extremely cautious when it comes to applying sun cream and I re-apply it a lot throughout the day. I only use fake tan from time to time as no matter what I do, it does go patchy in places and I am not always keen on the finish it gives. I much prefer a natural tan as you get a lovely glow and a more even colour.

7. Favourite summer nail polish?
I absolutely love bright nail varnishes, so summer polishes are great for me. At the moment, I am loving Bourjois' 1 Seconde Nail Polish in Rose Cupcake and Essie's Splash Of Grenadine, both of which are pretty chip resistant. Some colours that I also enjoy wearing during the warmer months are coral and aqua shades.

8. Any summer traditions?
I do not have any specific summer traditions but I do like to spend a lot of time in the summer outdoors with my friends and family. We also tend to have a lot of barbecues too.

9. Favourite summer scent?
Although I do not have this scent in my perfume collection at the moment, I love Dolce & Gabbana's Light Blue. It is a very light fruity/floral scent which is perfect to wear during the day time, as it is not too heavy or over-powering.

10. Favourite BBQ food?
I love barbecues and so this question is pretty hard for me to answer. My Mum makes really nice garlic new potatoes and sweet chilli chicken skewers. We also get these amazing pork and chorizo burgers sometimes which are super yummy as well!

11. What's your favourite summer-proof make-up?
I recently bought the travel size of Urban Decay's All Nighter Make-Up Setting Spray and it is great at locking make-up into place, so I can imagine that is going to be a major staple of mine this season. I also enjoy wearing Maybelline's Dream Fresh BB Cream in Light for some light coverage with SPF30 built in too.

12. Any summer vacation plans this year? No plans? Tell us about your dream summer trip.
Unfortunately, I do not have a holiday booked this year. So, my dream summer trip is between two places. Firstly, I would love to go to LA as there is so much to do there and to me it just seems so glamorous! I would go on a huge shopping trip to lots of American stores that we do not get over here, as well as visit all of the typical tourist spots too. My second dream holiday would be to some kind of exotic island, like the Maldives, where the water is crystal clear and I could stay in one of those really luxurious beach huts.

So guys, I hope you all enjoyed reading about some of my favourite things about summer and getting to know me more. I tag everybody who is reading this post! If you do complete the tag, make sure to leave a link to it below so that I can check out your answers and get to know you a little more too! Thank you :)

Rimmel London's Sun Shimmer Instant Tan 9-in-1 BB Perfector

Hi guys. Now that spring and summer are fast approaching here in the UK, it's time to whip out our skirts and dresses and embrace this wonderful change in weather. However, after hiding away our bodies during the majority of winter, we are probably all a little bit on the pasty side - unless you are a religious fake tanner all year round! After noticing my own paleness ahead of a girls night out, I decided to quickly nip into my local Boots in search of an instant fake tan that didn't break the bank. This is when I came across Rimmel London's Sun Shimmer Instant Tan 9-in-1 BB Perfector (£6.99) and I was intrigued to say the least. Of course we have all heard of BB creams for our faces by now but the thought of a BB body product excited me a lot!

Rimmel claim that this is a 9-in-1 product that softens, smoothes, moisturises, gives an instant tan, creates a healthy looking glow, evens out your skin tone, covers, perfects and lasts up to 24 hours. Now, that is an awfully big list of promises to make but I really do think that it does most of those things pretty well! This new product comes in two shades; Light Matte and Medium Matte. On the back of the packaging is a little table that tells you the intensity and the desired look that you can achieve with both shades. The light version has an intensity level of 1 that gives you a natural sunkissed look, whereas the medium has an intensity level of 2 that achieves a healthy bronzed glow.

I decided to opt for the light version as I didn't want to go too over the top. That night, my friend whom I was going out with helped me apply the product using a tanning mitt. You could use your hands if you prefer, although a tanning mitt does tend to give a nicer, more even finish. Seeing as using this product was a last minute decision on my behalf, I did not have the time to exfoliate and moisturise like I usually would before applying any type of tanning product. However, the creamy and thick texture of the lotion meant that it did not cling on to any dry patches of skin and it glided on seamlessly! With that being said, as well as the two instant tan shades, the brand have also brought out a Sun Shimmer Pre Tan Exfoliator (£3.99) which could come in handy, though any body scrub or exfoliator (or even exfoliating gloves) would do the trick.

All in all, the end result was lovely! Just like Rimmel claimed on the packaging, I got an instant tan that made me look super healthy and that evened out my skin tone, whilst being moisturising and softening at the same time. I am very glad that I decided to go for the light version as the finish was much darker than I first anticipated, meaning that I had to bronze up my face a lot in order for it to match my body - though that was to be expected! The only thing I would say that I do not think that this formula does last for up to 24 hours, although it is still very long wearing and it lasted extremely well seeing as I was in a clubbing environment. The next day, all I had to do to remove the product was simply use a loofah and some shower gel and viola, it was gone!

Unfortunately, no matter I did with my camera, I was not able to get a good swatch of the tan on my hand before and after application, so I have included this photo of me and my friends before we went out instead. I am on the far right and as you can see, despite being a light tan, the outcome was very dark. My friend (far left) uses St Moriz's Dark Mousse Tan (£4.99) and we both look similar in colour here! I'm not sure if I applied the tan a little too thick, so I might try and be really stingy with the amount of product next time to see if I can achieve a more natural look.

Overall, this new Sun Shimmer product has definitely impressed me and I have a feeling I am going to be using it a lot from now on! Have you tried this product yet? What do you think of it? Please let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment below. Thank you!

Forever 21: Spring/Summer Crop Tops

Hi guys. It has been one of those days where I have been browsing through multiple clothing websites, lusting after all of the spring and summer items that have suddenly started to appear. After having a few sunny days (though it's still cold) here in England this week, it has made me long for the summer months where I can simply slip on a floral dress and some sandals! I am a huge fan of crop tops; especially in the summer but all year round too and whilst I was on the Forever 21 website, I saw so many that caught my eye. Therefore, today I thought that I would share with you my favourites from the bunch. 

I absolutely love Forever 21 as a brand due to the fact that their clothing is always on trend, yet it is incredibly inexpensive. Sometimes it's true that you get what you pay for but another great thing about Forever 21 is that they never scrimp on the quality of their items. They are always a good quality fabric that is extremely durable. 

I would say that the only downside to the brand is their sizing. Rather then clothes sizes, Forever 21 label their items as small, medium and large. As I am a UK size 6 to 8, you would think that I would definitely fit into the small category but even some small items are too big for me (crazy right?) So, sometimes I have to guess whether something will actually fit me or not before I decide to buy it. I'm not sure if anybody else has this problem but it is something that I have come across quite regularly. Although the brand do stock some items in an extra small, this is very rare and unfortunately it is never in the items that I actually want. Despite all of this, Forever 21 have some amazing new items at the moment and here are the six crop tops that have made the list, enjoy!

Moi Crop Top - £12.00

I love this top as it is so versatile. It could be worn with skirts, shorts or jeans and is great for a relaxed, everyday look. The fact that it is monochrome is an extra bonus for me seeing as I always seem to predominately wear black and white.

Sweet Thing Floral Crop Top - £5.50

This is probably my favourite top out of all six. It's ditsy, floral print just screams spring/summer and the detailing on the back adds that extra special something that sets it apart from any other floral crop top that I have seen before!

Bored Floral Crop Top - £8.75

I love the way that this item has been styled here. I am a lover of more edgier, rocky outfits and this boxy crop top certainly fits the bill. Plus, you could always throw on the check shirt if it gets chilly (especially with how temperamental the weather is if you live in the UK like me!

Trippy Paris Crop Top - £10.50

This top stood out to me as it resembles the ever so popular designer Céline t-shirts. Also, similarly to the 'Moi' top above, this crop top is very versatile and will go with absolutely anything.

Total Stud Crop Top - £12.75

This item is definitely the dressiest of the bunch and would look amazing on a night out. The gold studs definitely give this top a punky edge too! Personally, I would pair it with some disco pants or some high waisted shorts.

Classic Floral Crop Top - £7.25

Last but certainly not least, this top would be great for everyday and is very casual. I love the combination of the blue flowers against the denim shorts too, it's super flattering!

I hope you all enjoyed reading about my six favourite crop tops from Forever 21. Which one was your favourite? Their website is full to the brim with some great stuff right now, so go and check it out if you are after some new spring and summer clothes that will not break the bank!

My Month Via Instagram - July 2013

Hi guys, I cannot believe that another month has flown by already - 2013 is going so quickly! This month has been particularly lovely due to England finally getting some hot and sunny weather, which means that I have been out enjoying the sunshine whilst it lasts! This month has also been pretty exciting as yet again I have had quite a few nights out. So, without anymore rambling, let's begin talking about what I have been up to all throughout July.

1. First of all this month, to kick off our spell of nice weather, me and my friend Sarah spent an entire weekend together laying in the sun and eating a ton of yummy barbecue food. One Saturday afternoon, we decided to drive to one of our local parks for a change of scenery as opposed to my back garden. Little did we know that there was a huge event going on in the park and the entrance to the park had this really cute rainbow inflatable and I just had to get a photograph! Inside the event was a charity stall for Lukemia & Lymphoma, which me and Sarah both donated money to and got a free key-ring - that was our good deed for the day complete :)

2. My friend Sydney completed a nail course last year and recently she has been doing my nails for me. This time around, I decided to go for a natural polish as opposed to Shellac or acrylics as my nails are quite weak and damaged at the moment. I chose a lovely aqua blue colour and then went on to pick one of OPI's limited edition James Bond glitter polishes for an accent on my ring fingers. The combination of these two polishes really reminded me of mermaids on the ocean, the end result was so pretty!

3. My friends Danielle, Sarah and I were invited to a house party and this is a photograph that we took before we went. We all decided to get ready together at Sarah's house and do a little bit of pre-drinking too. The outfit I chose to wear was a denim Topshop bralet, which you can kind of see in the photo, teamed with a plain black skater skirt and sandals to keep me cool in the hot weather (it was even too hot to bother wearing heels!) The night was so much fun and I don't think that I stopped laughing all night!

4. This photo is from a a day where I simply stayed at home all day and worked on my tan. As you can see, this year I have tanned pretty well (especially for a fair-skinned blonde, blue eyed girl,) however, I accidentally chose an Instagram filter that made my skin look incredibly orange - oops! I took this quick snap because I thought it was really cute how my dog Sasha decided to come and lie right by me and enjoy the sun too!

5. I took this photo to show my outfit before an impromptu night out with my friend Charlotte. I managed to convince her to come out on a bit of a whim and I put this outfit together last minute. It's pretty simple, seeing as it just a black crop top and some high-waisted denim shorts, but I threw on some accessories and some fake eyelashes and I was ready to go. We went to a a club in my hometown that plays rock and alternative music, which is right up my alley! I love spontaneous nights out as they always turn out to be much better than planned ones and this night was definitely a random and eventful one!

6. Last but not least, and probably my favourite part of the month, is the fact that my best friend and fellow blogger Laura finally came home from Germany. She had been over in Dusseldorf for four months as part of an Erasmus for her university course and obviously, I miss her terribly. To surprise Laura upon her return, me and a few others decorated the front of Laura's house with lots of welcome home banners and balloons. We also wrote her a card and got her a few little gifts too. When Laura turned up and we welcomed her on her door step, it was really funny because me and Laura were wearing the same exact dress from H&M and so we decided to take a picture! I'm so happy that my best friend is home and I am excited for all of the fun we will have for the rest of the summer! 

That's all for this months update! I hope that you have enjoyed reading about my antics all throughout out July. Please stay tuned to my blog as I have lots of posts planned over the next few weeks. Thank you :) 

Outfit Of The Day: Maxi Skirt

Top: Topshop (£8) - Skirt: New Look (£19.99) 

Hi guys. Again, I realise that it has been over a week since I last blogged and so I am making up for it today with something that I have never done before - an outfit of the day post! I have always been dubious of maxi skirts because as a petite girl who is a mere five foot two inches tall, I tend to steer away from long lengths as I have always felt that I suit shorter lengths and I have always just stuck to that. However, I have taken the plunge and finally purchased an aztec print maxi skirt. Consequently, I thought I would share my outfit with you today as I am on my way to a barbecue this afternoon. I absolutely love the entire outfit and I've come to realise that I can get away with maxi skirts after all. I have so many tops in my wardrobe that will go with this garment, especially as the skirt is black and white, which will match almost anything. To take this skirt into the evening, I would switch to some wedges instead of the sandals that I am wearing today. Also, teaming this outfit with a denim jacket over the top would also look lovely. 

Necklace: Primark (£2) - Ring: New Look (£3.99) which is part of a pack of 4

Shoes: New Look (£17.99)

If you would like me to do more Outfit Of The Day posts in the future then please comment below and let me know as I really enjoyed putting this post together! Thank you for reading :) 

Summer Beauty: Essential Products

Hi guys! Following on from my previous post, 'Summer Style: Crop Tops,' I thought that today I would share with you some hair & beauty products that have been getting me through this lovely spell of hot weather that we have been having in England lately. Soaring temperatures often means that our make-up is prone to sliding off and our hair becomes unruly, which are both major beauty no-nos. Whether you are off on holiday or are just enjoying the beautiful sunshine here in this country, the products I have chosen should definitely be essentials in your beauty kit. So, here are the few key products that I have chosen... let's get started!

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream in Light - £7.99

During the summer months, it's very important to take care of your skin by using products that contain SPF to protect us from the suns harmful rays. I love this BB cream by Maybelline because it's so light on your skin and it almost feels like you are wearing nothing on your face at all. Plus, it has SPF 30 in it too which is perfect for days when you still want to wear make-up despite the heat. BB creams are great alternatives to foundation during the summer, as wearing heavy make-up can clog your skin and cause you to sweat and eventually break out (ew!) I simply apply this product to my skin using a buffing brush and then set it with powder to make sure it doesn't slip off of my skin during the day.

Carmex Cherry Lip Balm -£2.69

This lip balm by Carmex does exactly what it says on the tin (or tube in this case.) It soothes, relieves and moisturises your lips and also leaves them with a nice glossy, sheen too. When out in the sun, many of us neglect our lips and forget to protect them in the same way that we would protect our skin with sun tan lotion. Luckily, this balm contains SPF 15 to keep your lips from burning or drying out in the sun. In addition, I love this product for it's delicious cherry flavour. Carmex also make other versions of this lip balm including Strawberry and Mint, which smell just as lovely. 

Batiste Dry Shampoo Tropical - £1.99

Over the last few years, dry shampoo has become a cult product for so many people and I am a huge fan of Batiste in particular. Batiste can instantly refresh your hair and stop it from looking greasy inbetween washes, as it is unhealthy to wash your locks every day as it strips your hair of it's natural oils. In addition, the spray adds lots of volume to your hair and so if you have very fine or lifeless hair, you can also use this spray to add a bit of uplift to your tresses. To use this product, simply spray it on to your roots and then massage it in (you can also brush it through with a comb if needed.)  This dry shampoo comes in a variation of scents (including Cherry and Blush,) so there is definitely a scent to suit everyone. I use the tropical scent which is a lovely coconut smell, which is so refreshing and it reminds me of being on holiday. Batiste also do travel mini versions of this product, which are perfect for if you are on the go and need to slip a can into your handbag.

Revlon Photo Ready Perfecting Primer - £9.99

The key to getting your make-up to stay on all day is to prep your skin using a primer. Primers mattify your skin, which decreases shine, and creates a base for the rest of your make-up. In turn, this will allow your foundation to stay on much longer than it usually would and prevent it from slipping. I love this Revlon Photo Ready primer as it also really minimises the appearance of your pores and any imperfections that you may have. Of course, high end and premium primers will probably do a much better job, but I think that this primer is so affordable and it is easily accessible in the high-street. However saying this, I would love to own a Smashbox primer as they are meant to be amazing!

Kleenex Shine Absorbing Sheets - 99p

Last but not least, this pack of 50 blotting papers from Kleenex are so useful. Hot and humid weather often causes your skin to become a lot more oily - especially around your t-zone area. Normally, we combat shine by applying powder, but doing this several times a day is not only time consuming, but it is also bad for your skin too. Caking on layers of powder throughout the day can clog your skin and can cause a variety of problems including spots and blemishes. Instead, consider using shine absorbing sheets. They absorb the oil on your face just by you dabbing the sheet on to your face. The greatest thing about this product is that the packaging is so compact, so you can literally pop the sheets in to your handbag and you will always be prepared for when that shininess appears. I bought these sheets when they were on sale in Sainsbury's for 99p and I have since looked for them online to find the original price. Unfortunately, I cannot seem to find them on websites like Boots or Superdrug etc. I have only found them in stock on various pharmacy and beauty websites where the price seems to vary. However, there are so many brands out there that also do blotting papers which are widely available in shops and I highly recommend you give them a go!

I hope that this little essential products post has been helpful and that you have enjoyed reading about them. As always, I love reading your opinions so if you have ever used any of these products or even if you want to after reading these mini reviews, please do not hesitate to leave a comment below. Thank you :)