But What to Wear?

As prom and graduation season approach, I've been sharing some of my top fashion picks with you from various websites, and decided to add one more. This time, the dresses are from pickedresses.com. Just like all the others pickedresses off a huge variety; whether they be two piece or all in one, long prom dresses or short, plain or jewelled - there's something for every one. 

SO PROUD.

I'm all about empowerment and lifting others up, especially when it comes to those closest to me. Take my friend, Diana, for example: She has worked her arse off for the past three years, working seven days a week for months straight, all to achieve one of her biggest dreams: landing a job at Vogue. I could not be more proud of MY ultimate girl boss. Oh, and she also happens to be one of my favourite people in the world, the absolute boss babe that she is. Despite not living as close as we used to, we still make an effort to spend time together, which is why we recently put her new Vogue skills to the test and had a photoshoot and day out in one of our favourite areas of London; Notting Hill. Here are some photos from the day...

A Very Hungover Day at Bondi Beach.

A throwback... I'd like to say mine and Meg's day out to Bondi Beach went without a hitch. The plan was to leave early, get two buses down, do the Bondi to Coogee walk, visit the baths and to go paddleboarding but I think it's safe to say things didn't exactly go to plan. We were hungover. Very hungover. The two buses were (understandably and sensibly) substituted for an Uber, meaning our trip took 15 minutes instead of an hour and, instead of dropping us off at the beach front, we were dropped off in front of McDonalds. A strawberry milkshake, fries and one of the best Burgers I've ever had in my life (no, seriously. Mcdonalds in Australia is amazing) consisting of a beef burger, different types of cheese, guacamole, tomatoes, bacon, caramalised onions, mushrooms and lettuce (I am actually drooling) later, we were ready to hit the beach... And do absolutely nothing. We just lay there in our hoodies, taking in a bit of vitamin D and feeling a bit sorry for ourselves, but we were still fit and able enough to truly appreciate the views, reflect on how lucky we are and to dip our toes in the sea. 

A Once in a Lifetime Experience.

As an animal lover/human with a brain, I know zoos can be a touchy subject. So, when a trip to Perth Zoo was suggested, I was understandably a little bit skeptical, but, after much research into all the work Perth Zoo do and just how much they give back, I was determined to give it a go, and I'm so glad I did. The habitats were large and designed to be exactly like the animals' regular home, and the Zoo itself works with charities across the globe and is determined to fight the extinction of many animals the zoo is home too. While there, I was actually allowed to have a one on one experience with some of the animals. You can book to do this either online or on the day, and can meet/feed/help bathe so many different animals: giraffes, elephants, different breeds of monkeys, etc. (prices vary). With the giraffes, you would normally be in a group of 10 and each person is allowed to give a giraffe one branch. I was lucky enough to be allowed to do it on my own and spend a good twenty minutes up there. Giraffes are easily one of my favourite animals, so this was a dream come true. Myself and Armani (!!) got on very well. All in all, I don't have a problem with certain zoos, as long as they are actually trying to better the lives of animals in the long run, with breeding and research that they do with the animals in their captivity. AND NO SHOWS.

My Happy Place (Excluding the Bankruptcy).

Is there anything better than a complete stranger coming up to you whilst you're wearing a £6000 Dolce and Gabbana crown and telling you how much it suits you? Just in case that hasn't happened to any of you, I can tell you that there's not. It almost made me jump for joy (the crown was being carefully watched by a shop assistant, who was ready to dive for it at a moment's notice). this happened in Bicester Village, a shopping outlet in Oxford, which is basically heaven on earth. Oxford is about 40 minutes out of London and clearly Geography isn't our strong point because it was much more in the countryside than we expected. Ariadna's first words once we'd stepped off the train, other than "take a photo of me", were "it smells of horse shit". Charming. Asides from that, there are designer stores with items just a fraction of their usual place, pop-up stalls, places to eat and, if you go in December, the most amazing Christmas decorations you will ever see and an incredible playlist of Christmas songs. Make sure to wear an amazing outfit and to take your purse and a lot of self-control. I ended up buying a Mulberry card holder and a Fossil watch. 

Snug as a Bug in a Rug.

I didn't think it was possible to own as many coats and jackets as I do and still want more. Black, camel, leather, denim... you name it, I've probably got it and, if I don't have it, then I'm probably currently saving or have my eye on it. Yes, living in wet, cold and rainy England can sometimes get you down, but there's something about wearing more layers than an onion has that it oddly satisfying. This winter, I'm determined to avoid the combination of a thick jumper, coat, jeans, snood and boots. Instead, I want to incorporate them into my everyday look in a different way. Also, I want to bring tracksuit bottoms back in a big way, mainly because I can't be bothered to get dressed for university on a morning... Here are some looks I'll be hoping to copy...

 

But I Don't Want to Look Like Mrs. Claus.

It's official; the countdown is on and, in just fourteen days, I will be waking up much earlier than usual (mainly because I'm a massive child), throwing on a dress, probably something black, and, of course, a red lip and gold nail combo and I am definitely more than ready. Until then, I am going to make the most of Winter and wear as many wintry shades of nail polish as I can.

Tyler Oakley & His Warby Parker Collection.

For those of you who perhaps live under a rock, Tyler Oakley is a YouTuber, internet personality, podcast-owning, author and presenter who has recently added something else to his repertoire: a glasses collection with Warby Parker. It started back in May 2013 with a simple tweet in which Tyler stated his love for brand. Flashforward three years to this video, and we have an incredible collection of both sunglasses and normal glasses. 

It's Time...

I won't lie, I've had my Autumn fashion and beauty wishlist written for a while now, since probably even before Summer. I'm a virgo. I like to write lists, okay? That, and I have a shopping addiction. Though half of my family live by the mantra of "it's not about wanting it, it's about needing it", I clearly didn't get the memo on it. If I want something, then I obviously need it... I don't think I'll be purposefully following any trends this season, but I do feel like I'll be stocking up on metallics, chokers, mid length skirts and, of course, even more shirts. I've even put together a few images of looks I'll be looking to recreate, because I am very prepared (...and original).

It Just Wouldn't Be Right...

Ardales Lakes is one of my favourite places to visit but, no matter how hard I try, photos just don't do it justice. The water is the bluest water I've ever seen and there are so many different things to do: kayaking, paddleboarding, pedalos with slides, cliff jumping, etc. It's so much better than the beach, and not just for the amount of activities you can do, it's fresh water so you don't have to worry about salt water getting in your eyes (am I a wuss?) and there's also no sand! Seriously though, what's worse than sand? I've been determined to make the most of my time in Spain, which is why my first day back was spent at the lakes. After all, what's a family holiday without a road trip to the lakes and me getting told off for wearing a bikini that's too "revealing"? It just wouldn't be right...

Autumn Essentials & The Dream Combo.

Having spent the past year travelling and basically chasing Summer, I'm actually looking forward to some cooler weather. I don't think I could ever pick a favourite season but there is something special about Autumn: the first evening curled up in bed with a good movie, Halloween & Bonefire night, being able to wear clothes or make-up that you haven't worn in a while and, of course, seeingthe leaves change colour and watching them fall to the ground. It's the best. Of course, I probably won't be saying that in a few months time when it's so windy that I get dreadlocks and my hair sticks to my lipstick, but still... Let's focus on the positive and take a look at what I'll be digging out for Autumn.

One to Remember.

You can't fly halfway across the world, all the way to Sydney, and not visit what are quite possibly the most touristy destinations in the world: the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. I wouldn't say they were my favourite places that we visited while in Sydney, but I do think that they are worth the visit, even if it's just to say you've done it. We opted not to do the bridge climb and chose instead to walk around the botanic gardens, mainly so that we could sit in Mrs Macquerie's chair (which is bloody hard to find and even now I'm certain we didn't actually find it, we were just sat on a random rock), from where we got a great view of the bridge and Opera House together. As it was Winter in Australia, the day started off pretty cold and damp, but the clouds soon burnt out and we were left in short-sleeved t-shirts, so decided to head to the Chinese Garden of Friendship. After all, Meg and I have been best friends for seventeen years, so I'd say we're qualified to go there... While we, like most, did admire the architecture and beauty of the gardens, we did also spend an hour pretending to be Mulan. Good old Disney... 

Exploring Sydney & Meeting Ryan Gosling.

I could have included the Royal family, Rebel Wilson, Brad Pitt, Harold from Neighbours and many other celebrities in the title of this post, but the babe that is Ryan Gosling just holds a special place in my heart, and me including his name definitely wasn't clickbait... Taking a photo with a waxwork figure of someone at Madame Tussauds still counts as meeting them, right?? As well as visiting Madame Tussauds, we also visited other tourist attractions such as two different aquariums (which I liked), the zoo (which I hated and was awful) and, my personal favourite, the Sky Tower, where we were treated to a 4D cinema experience before visiting the tower itself, with 360º views of the city. We also visited Hyde Park (I swear everywhere in Australia is just named after places in England. #ORIGINALITY), the ANZAC Museum, which was incredibly moving, St Mary's cathedral, where we got to witness the joy and randomness that is Christmas in July, Cadmans Cottage (the oldest building in Sydney), and quite a few museums, my favourite thing to do when visiting a new place. My favourite was the Powerhouse museum, mainly because I'm a geek who loves anything and everything to do with Science. Who else would take a photo with a giant periodic table just because she knows it off by heart (I'm still proud of that)? They also had a fashion exhibition on at the time, meaning they were combining my two favourite things: fashion and science. It was so fascinating to find out all about Isabella Blow's work and the years she spent mentoring Alexander McQueen, even if it did come to a tragic end. 

A London Adventure.

Despite having visited some amazing places this past year, there is something about London that I just love and can never get out of my head. I think it'll always be the city that I want to come back to. One of my favourite things to do is to just go out with no objective in mind and explore, which is exactly what Diana and I did recently. Brunch was of course on the agenda. We ended up going to Farm Girl in Notting Hill, where we both enjoyed avocado and strawberry on toast with a poached egg. It was amazing - I love brunch. Next we decided to do something that, surprisingly, neither of us had done, and that was hire bikes and cycle around the city. We ended up cycling all through Hyde Park, where we visited the new entrance to a temporary pavilion (a must for architect lovers), and Kensington Gardens, mainly because Diana is slightly in love with Prince Harry and I consider myself to be a Queen. We also took a fair few outfit photos, because who wouldn't take advantage of the coloured houses in Notting Hill and amazing street art in Carnaby Street? Unlike me, Diana has her posing game down. We ended our day out in the only way we know how; prosecco and vodka. 

Cheap Dresses for Summer*

As August is drawing to an end (I know we're only half way through but I'm slightly prone to overexaggerating), I am determined to make the most of what is left of Summer and all my Summer clothing, with some help from the lovely people over at FashionMia, who offer a great range of cheap dresses, leaving me with more money to spend on those spontaneous Summer adventures that I love so much, all while looking slightly more stylish and put together than usual, By that, I mean I've actually gotten out of my pyjamas and potentially even brushed my hair, as you do...

It's Coming to an End... - My Time in Perth.

This post was due to go up almost a month ago now but due to some... issues, shall we say, it got a bit delayed. When living on planes and island hopping, sometimes things just don't go to plan, and I'm okay with that! But yes, after a five month adventure, my time in Perth, and Western Australia in general, came to an end. I met some amazing people, made some amazing memories and, all in all, had a great time. I got to meet and truly bond with family that I didn't even know existed, and we all ended up having a bit of a cry at the airport (I blame the fact that I'd accidentally took too much cough syrup...). Because it's now been over a month since I left Perth, I thought it would be nice to look back on some photos from my time there. I'm sure this will be a blog post that I come back to in  a few years time, or probably even in just a few months!

Exploring a Tropical Island - Singapore #6.

If you've read my Meet KC post, then you'll know that, while in Singapore, I spent a day at Pulua Ubin, a tropical island located between Singapore and Malaysia. Your data provider actually switches  from a company from each place, so just buy going to Pulua Ubin you can say you were in two countries in one day! One thing's for sure though, I don't think I've ever breathed air as clean or felt so free as when cycling and hiking around this tiny island, exploring everything it has to offer. From palm trees to lily-pads, wild boar to monkeys, lakes to streams... Everything was just incredible. Definitely one for the bucket list, and a place I hope to return to one day. Though if I do return, I'll have to remember to take the mosquito repellent with me - a month late and I've still got bites!

Hiking in a Tropical Rainstorm - Singapore #5.

It's official, after my trip to Singapore, I could survive on a deserted island with crazy rain and smoke monsters like the one in LOST. I've done it all. I've had my hair bobble break and had to tie my hair up with a piece of string I found in a tree, and I was even running on a treetop walkway through the jungle when it suddenly started to rain, heavier than I've ever seen, so much that I could barely see and had to shelter in a tree (100% had to refrain from shouting "JAAAAAACK". Kate Auston, eat your heart out)...  Before I let my imagination run wild and imagined just how I was going to kill a polar bear, my aunt and I visited the Botanic Gardens & Orchid Garden of Singapore. I don't know a lot about flowers and plants, but I can tell you that it was beautiful. We actually chose to go on what was the hottest and most humid day of the week, so just seeing the words 'cool house' was enough to help me ignore the sweat dripping down my neck and send me to a happier place. One too many selfies were taken but, with such a perfect backdrop it was hard not to...

Liberty London Lovin'...

If there's one thing I love to do in London, it's window shopping. With department stores like Liberty, Selfridges & Harrods on every corner, it's hard not to. No matter where I am or who I'm with, I make it my mission to head into one of these stores to lust after one of the many items that I have my eyes on. During a visit to Liberty on one of my last days in London, the particular item I wanted to try on was a pair of the Valentino Rockstud pumps that everyone other than me seems to have. Unfortuntely for me, a UK size 7 & 8 (my shoe size varies) seem to be the most popular sizes, meaning every colour I wanted to try on was unavailable. The only pair left in my size were white, though thankfully they weren't the kitten heel version. Despite being very high and having such a thin heel, they were pretty easy to walk in, and even with a pointed toe, they were pretty comfy, though I don't know just how long that would last for. Though I wouldn't buy these in white, I'll take one in every other colour, please.

July Wishlist - MAC Lipsticks.

Can someone please tell me how it's July because I seriously do not understand. I know everyone has been saying this, and people say it year after year but this year has seriously flown by. July for me will be spent on the east coast of Australia and I will be spending a lot of time on planes (nothing new there...), flying up and down the country, so I'll be spending a lot of time in airports and, of course, duty free. One stand that I always have to stop and have a browse at is the MAC stand, mainly for the lipsticks. I'll often end up having multiple swatches on both hands and having to repeatedly wash my hands before getting on the plane in order to get them off. Here are a few that I'm hoping to pick up while at various duty frees...