2014 - You've been good

We’re coming into the final few hours of 2014 – which means we’re more than likely all full of turkey and chocolates and ready to start our new year’s resolutions.

Well the festive period has really got me thinking.. I love writing my blog, but for some reason I stopped September/October time. With so many popular blogs out there I think the pressure of writing a blog post every other day got too much for me and with working it alongside a full time job, I started to push the blogging to one side.

Over the past few weeks I looked back at my first blog post and reminded myself why I started writing it - to share my experiences. Good or bad I wanted a little space to be able to tell people about what I’ve been doing – in the hope that it may inspire you to share the same experiences or try new things.

So I’m not promising that you’ll see a new post from me every week to start with, but I want to get back to why I started writing this blog – not to compete with the top bloggers out there but for some me time. To share what I love with you. Even if it’s just one of you reading this!!

So let’s raise a glass for all the little blogs out there! May your 2014 end with smiles and happiness and 2015 bring you everything you always dreamed of and more!

With Love, Charlotte

Goodbye Summer - Holiday Snaps

I think it's safe to say that I have had a little bit of a break from blogging! Summer has been super busy and I found it really hard to actually sit down and spend some time on my blog. I'm a bit of a perfectionist and was reluctant to be publish anything which didn't feel 100% me or rushed.

To give you a little bit of a sneaky peak into my Summer, I wanted to share with you some of my favourite photos from the past few months.

Dress: Ted Baker Shoes: Next

At the beautiful 'La Sommita' hotel in Ostuni

These photos are taken in Ostuni Italy at a family wedding. My dress is from Ted Baker and I am in absolute LOVE with it! It's actually reversible although I personally don't have the right figure to wear it the other way round! The back has a gorgeous lace collar detail and the gold buttons which run down the back remind me of THAT Pippa Middleton bridesmaids dress (ok, so that's the real reason I bought it!)
My pearl bracelet is from Tiffany and my shoes are Next. I really wanted some white strappy shoes to wear with this dress but I just couldn't find them in time!!
Ostuni is such a beautiful setting for a wedding and we'll definitely be revisiting!

I also really loved my hair on the day - I had it professionally styled with a curling wand. Sadly I'm unsure which wand the hairdresser used - such a shame as I love the look of the curls.

Curly Locks

Summer is officially over now so it's back to work, chilly nights and for me, weekends watching my boyfriend play football! Oh and not forgetting SHOPPING! Well... it would be rude not to!

Anyone who knows me on Twitter will know that my laptop is playing up so I'm unable to load as many photos on here as I would like! I'll be updating more photos on my instagrammpage so come andfollow me - flutterbydott.

Over the coming weeks I'll be having a little change round on my blog so keep your eyes peeled!!

Charlotte

Dress Like A Celeb - Mollie King

This series is back and this time I'll be showing you how to dress like the super stylish Mollie King! One fifth of the Saturdays!

As we're in between seasons at the moment, I've copied one Mollie King look but also created one of my own.

Mollies style is great to pull off as she's a massive lover of high street fashion and buying just a few staple items will mean that you'll be looking like Mollie in no time at all.

The first look which I've recreated is perfect for those chilly Autumn days which are all too quickly on their way.
The pale blue shirt provides just a little break in the all black outfit - holding onto a little bit of Summer before we get the scarves and hats out!
My favourite part of this outfit is the rolled up jeans with the brogues. I am a massive lover of Topshop Joni jeans and think the black coated jeans are a great way to dress up an outfit. I'm on the look out for some brogues for the Autumn - think I may have to go and try these ones on!

Shop The Look

Hat - Topshop New Big Felt Floppy Hat £28
Shirt - Topshop Casual Chambray Shirt £29
Jeans - Topshop Moto Black Coated Joni Jeans £40
Nail Varnish - Essie Nail Polish Licorice £7.99
Shoes - ASOS Makeshift Brogue Lace Ups £25
Bag- Zara Leather City Bag with Front Pocket £69.99

I absolutely love this look and will definitely be purchasing the bag and jeans!! I'm also a massive lover of a collar under a jumper. If you are too then why not try to find some pretty lace or embellished shirts? Primark always have pretty shirts at affordable prices so get ready to spruce up your wardrobe ready for Autumn!

 

The second look hasn't been copied directly from Mollie, but it's an outfit I've put together using her style as inspiration.

 

Mollie (like me) is a massive lover of tans, beige's and stripes so I've teamed them all together to come up with this perfect daytime outfit.This look is great for shopping and weekends away and effortlessly says glam!

 

This double breasted trench coat has been on my wish list for some time and this year I think it's just about time I purchased it! You can wear this casually, with jeans or converse or really dress it up by doing up all the buttons and teaming it with some heeled ankle boots!

 

Shop The Look

 

Coat - French Connection Smart Catch Belted Trench Coat £165

Jeans - Topshop Moto Dark Vintage Wash Joni Jeans £36

Top - Gap Stripe Luxe Boatneck Tee £16.95

Nail Varnish - Essie Forever Yummy £7.99

Boots - Topshop Blight Chelsea Boots £45

 

If you try any of these outfits, then please tag me in some photos!

 

Charlotte

Mini Haul

 

I promised you all a little haul after my shopping trip yesterday so here it is!!

I didn't buy too much, but added a LOT to my wish list!!! Hope you enjoy this post.. I always prefer reading mini regular hauls rather than one massive monthly update.

So... here's what I bought!!

Yankee Candle Sampler - Pink Dragon Fruit
I love a Yankee Candle and at the moment Clinton Cards have 50% off selected scents. I picked up this teeny little sampler as had been wanting to try this one since it launched. As we moved into our new home in January, we found a lot of people bought us Yankee Candles as moving in presents so I'm trying to finish them all off which is why I only bought the sampler. I also noticed that they have started to stock their Christmas candles - so I'm trying to make room for the Christmas Eve large jar! That's my all time favourite Yankee and I'll defiantly be buying that from October onwards!!

The sampler is usually £1.80 but I managed to grab this bargain for 90p!

BlanX White Shock Toothpaste
I have been longer to have my teeth whitened for some time, but whilst I save some cash, I have been using BlaX shock white toothpaste.
Unlike normal whitening toothpastes, this product is super affordable at £6 a tube and I find that it really works. Whilst it doesn't give you really white teeth, it does visibly brighten teeth without providing damage. It's also activated by light - so clean your teeth using this before sunbathing and by the evening your teeth will be noticeably whiter!
I tend to use this the week before any important trips and so as I'm off to Italy this week for a wedding, I thought it would be a great time to start using it again.
I have to admit that I never use more than one tube at a time. Once this runs out I will be going back to Colgate just to make sure I'm protecting my enamel.

 

Lush BB Seaweed Face Mask

If you didn't already know (where have you been!!) I love Lush products. Not only are they 100% natural, you get to try the products in store before purchasing!! Not many shops do that but it just adds that little something extra to your shopping experience - the staff are also really helpful.
I have been suffering from a cold this week and because of this, have really dry skin on my nose. I asked in store if they could recommend a product which would start to bring some much needed moisture back into my skin. They suggested the BB Seaweed Face Mask- a mineral rich mask to cleanse, soften and beautify. All things which my face is crying out for this week!
I was sceptical about using this as sometimes you see horror stories of face masks bringing you out in massive spots! Luckily this didn't happen! The product has to be kept in the fridge which means when you apply it, it instantly cools your skin. This mask actually has  bits of seaweed in it - which is not only pretty cool, but it also cleanses your skin as you apply it. Its recommended that you leave this on for 10 minutes before washing off with warm water.
My skin felt refreshed, smooth and glowy directly after removing. I woke up this morning expecting to find a couple of pimples - but nothing!! It's actually calmed a spot I already had down - bonus!!!

Hope you enjoyed this post - I'd love to know what you've been buying recently so please comment below or send me your links

Charlotte