Mum in a Million

Mother's Day is on the horizon (March 15th - get in your diaries!) and the flowers have been ordered, chocolates bought and cards posted. I'm ready for it but are you?

My mum and I are close, and moving around the world has brought the entire family closer. She's the person who taught me to cook, the person who taught me to use makeup, the person who has always supported me especially with this blog; I can almost guarantee that she'll post this on her facebook page as soon as it goes live but no matter what, she's always been there.

It's definitely hard being thousands of miles apart, but thankfully with the help of Whatsapp, we still talk regularly and is always there for me.

If you want to show your mum just how much she means to you, Parkdean holidays is hosting a competition where you could win a 3 or 4 night holiday with your mum. To find out more, head over the website to come out top this mother's day!

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This post may contain items that have been sent to me for review. All opinions are my own.

10 comments lifestyle, sponsored

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GIVEAWAY: £50 Hotels4U Voucher

(source)

In the midst of Winter it's hard to accept that it will soon be warm and holidays will be upon us which is why I'm going to be giving one of my lucky readers a £50 voucher with Hotels4U!

Hotels4U is a brilliant website where you can find cheap deals for hotels all around the world which means that £50 can stretch quite far.

Whether it's towards that summer holiday or a weekend away, you're sure to find something there. The giveaway will be running for one week. So don't forget to enter! It's an automated system so I have no say in the winner, but may the odds be ever in your favour!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

12 comments giveaway, lifestyle, sponsored

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The Expresso Scrub

[Mandarin Coffee Scrub*]

If you're on social media, you'll probably have noticed that the Mr Bean Coffee Scrub has been making the rounds with the hashtag #getbeaned and I was incredibly excited when a little email landed in my inbox asking if I would review the Mandarin scrub! As a self confessed coffee lover, I was unable to refuse!

To be honest, the scrub looks like ground coffee and if it wasn't for the soft scent of oranges wafting from the bag, it could be easily confused for coffee (keep it away from the kitchen or you may find yourself sleepily tipping it into your cafe tiere!) It's a really great texture for a scrub and isn't too abrasive - I found adding a little bit of water to the scrub made it more durable and a bit easier to use! I don't think my flatmates would be amused if there was coffee all over the bathroom.

The scrub contains coconut oil, vitamin E and sea salt and I was most attracted to the vitamin E which helps improve skin quality and reduces stretch marks! I can imagine this being perfect for those of you that fake tan as it really does buff all the dead skin away - in the most attractive way possible!

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14 comments beauty, skincare, sponsored

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Skin Care 101: The Face Mask

Ah face masks. You may remember that I included a couple of face masks in my June (I think) favourites post because well, somehow having something sit on my face for ten minutes and the idea that it draws out the bad toxins and whatnot really appeals to me - which is why I constantly search for face masks and end up in that aisle in Boots.

However, one little qualm is the scent of face masks and I sometimes wonder what it'd be like if I could actually create my own. Montagne Jeunesse is giving you that opportunity with their #MakeYourMask competition - AND you can win a trip to Paris!

Have you ever thought you could create a face mask that offers skin benefits and makes you feel great? The face mask experts at Montagne Jeunesse have launched a competition to find the next big thing to join their face mask range, and they want your help!

Which ingredients would you put in your dream face mask? Avocado, berries, coconut, cream? Share your secret with them by snapping a photo of your ingredients and uploading using the hashtag #MakeYourMask to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or through the entry form below:

Here is the facebook link for the competition if you want a little gander: https://www.facebook.com/MontagneJeunesse?sk=app_451684954848385&brandloc=DISABLE&app_data=chk-53c8f6012f854

The winner could end up having their very own mask joining the MJ range as well as see themselves off to Paris! No pic, no worries! Just tell us what you'd use to #MakeYourMask in the caption box!

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11 comments beauty, montagne jeunesse, sponsored

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Outfit of the Day: Kimonos and Playsuits

Playsuit: Boohoo* | Bag: LYDC Bags* | Shoes: Converse | Rings: Primark | Necklace: ASOS (sold out) | Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters | Kimono: New Look

Summer is here!!!! If you can't tell by the brightness of these photos, the sun was out in full force and the sunglasses were more of a necessity than a fashion item. 

I adore summer, partially because it reminds me of living in Asia and partly because everything feels better with the sun beating down. It gave me the perfect opportunity to wear my Boohoo Daisie Jersey Swing Playsuit without getting chilly legs! This playsuit is gorgeous - it's such a classic piece and perfect for festivals, beaches and general warm days where jeans aren't an option. But I'm not going to lie, I would probably wear it more had it been a bit longer. I do struggle with playsuits as I am 5"9 and wear a 34" leg so lots of playsuits are too short and mean my bum ends up hanging out and unfortunately, thats not a good look for me, which is why personally, I'd end up wearing this mainly as a beach cover up. I chose black because it can be a bit dressier but Boohoo has loads of different colours availiable on their website and ebay store! I threw on a New Look paisley kimono to cover my arms and make it a bit more summery!

The Alicia bucket bag is one of my favourites at the moment, I love big bags and have found the mini bag trend difficult as I love carrying around everything and anything possible! It is so roomy and slouchy and perfectly casual - it has a detachable shoulder strap so it can rest on the crook of your arm if you prefer! It easily fits my iPad which is all I could want in life - with numerous internal and external pockets for fitting basically everything. It's actually a bucket bag which are really on trend at the moment and have been worn by celebs such as Miranda Kerr who definitely knows a thing or two about fashion! 

And shoes, well, converse are so versatile and absolutely perfect for summer (when they actually manage to stay white). 

Makeup: Nude Dude H&M Lipgloss, L'Oreal Liquid Eyeliner, and Don't Bossa Nova Me Around Shellac Nails by OPI.

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9 comments fashion, ootd, outfit, sponsored

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Giving the Cold Shoulder

Dress: Goddiva* | Bag: New Look | Necklace: Tiffany&Co | Shoes: Newlook

I love a good summer dress and when this gorgeous little Goddiva number landed on my doorstep, I couldn't resist. Blue and white are my ideal summer colours and due to the open bold print, you don't need to worry about having to accessorise. The unique off the shoulder look means I didn't have to worry about my arms being exposed and I could get away with wearing a simple pendant necklace.

I dressed it down by pairing it with some edgy black chelsea boots to make it more of a day time look but for the evening, some nude pumps or strappy sandals would look gorgeous - perfect for an evening BBQ! The brown bag really softens the whole look, black would have been far too harsh with the soft femininity of the dress. A dress like this is perfect for summer and on a cooler day, throw on a leather jacket to transition the dress to a rockier look.

This would also look fab with halo braids and flat nude pumps - classic and simple.

The whole boots and dress look actually reminded me a bit of Hannah Montanna when she wears her cowboy boots with a cute little sundress - I promise I wasn't intentionally trying to copy her! Looks like I had the best of both worlds...


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6 comments outfit, sponsored

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The MultiTie Dress: Summer Lookbook

[Dress from Goddiva*, clutch from ASOS, shoes from Next and coat from H&M]

[Dress same as before, necklace from New Look, clutch from Vera Bradley, shoes from Primark]

[Dress same as before, bag from Mulberry, shoes from Primark]

Summer is here and along with the scorching hot weather comes the wardrobe updates and in my case, out come the dresses!

One of my favourite new dresses is the Goddiva MultiTie deep V Dress* which is so versatile and perfect for summer. Despite it being bodycon of style, it is lined which means it isn't as clingy as some (which definitely worked in my favour!). As it is a more dressy dress, I would wear it out in the evening and above are several different ways to style it - both through the tying of the dress and what you wear it with! For the best use of the dress, I would recommend buying a strapless bra as it allows more flexibility - I wasn't able to embrace all the backless designs on offer!

I've also done a little video so please check it out, like and subscribe!

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3 comments fashion, goddiva, ootd, outfit, sponsored, youtube

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Who's That Girl? Summer Essentials Goddiva Wishlist

Oh how I wish that shopping was a career option for yours truly but unfortunately, it isn't and I'm forced to lust after items of clothing that shall unfortunately never end up in my wardrobe.

Goddiva is a brand that I'm currently head over heels for, and have fallen particularly in love with their dresses which are ideal for summer (especially with the heat wave that has been happening!). As a self confessed girly girl, I believe that owning at least one summer dress is an absolute essential and I'm completely in love with the Off Shoulder Large Floral Lace Double Layer Dress (bottom left on the picture). Off the shoulder dresses are particularly flattering as they don't emphasise the arms yet are still feminine, without being too racy and I love this one! The blue pattern reminds me of the china dishes my gran used to display on her dresser and I love it! 

I am a proud owner of a kimono style jacket and they seem to be cropping up everywhere. They are absolutely perfect for warm weather as they act as a jacket yet aren't too hot to wear! Plus they go with everything, particularly denim shorts! Wear them over a loose fitting cami top, a pair of denim shorts and some converse for a perfect summer outfit. The Goddiva damask print tassel kimono jacket is everything I could ask for in a kimono - the print not too flowery whilst it still has those coveted tassels.

Despite my love of a more relaxed look, there is nothing more I love than putting on a button down shirt, or throwing on a more formal peplum dress and personally believe that a nice collared yet feminine shirt is an essential - you can dress it up or down! The Eye Lash Lace Insert Long Sleeve Chiffon Blouse is perfect for that as the slightly sheer material adds a wonderful sense of femininity! Roll up the sleeves and tuck the shirt into a pair of denim shorts for a more relaxed summery look.

A massive trend this summer is pencil skirts which can be both formal and casual, depending on the top. The LACE PENCIL SKIRT is perfect for either occasion. Wear it with one of the cute peplum bralets you can get in Topshop for a more relaxed evening look; perfect for drinks with the girls.

If you've been following me from the very beginning you'll know that I have a strong love of maxi dresses - the perfect summer dress if you're not into showing much skin! Goddiva's Deep V Knotted Front Floral Maxi Dress is perfect - the bright colours remind me of a summers day plus the style of the dress is incredibly flattering! Now, the maxi dress section on Goddiva also has a gorgeous Maxi Off-Shoulder Lace Dress in the style of Brooklyn Decker which is absolutely stunning. I love black lace in general but especially love the maxi length ace overlay which means I'm not showing too much skin! Perfect for a cocktail party or an evening event. 

What are your favourites from Goddiva?

2 comments fashion, goddiva, sponsored

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It's a Dad's World: Father's Day Gift Guide

Father's day is right around the corner and I'm sure many of you will be rushing round card shops and supermarkets, grabbing at boxes of chocolate and sixpacks of beer but have no fear, I've come up with a list of what I deem to be ideal father's day gifts for those of you who can't face giving your dad yet another massive bar of chocolate or bottle of whiskey.

I've always struggled with father's day, not with the concept but with actually coming up with something to get my dad as he is so tricky to buy for! Content with a rugby game and a glass of Diet Coke he doesn't want much else in life and as a person who loves buying gifts, it's put me in a bit of a predicament. So I've learnt that you can never go wrong with sentimentality. If you can bring a tear to his eye, then you've done well as he'll remember it for years to come whereas he might not remember that bottle of whiskey.

iPads and e-readers are becoming increasingly more popular so a perfect gift would be a tasteful cover. Try this Dbramante1928 one from Selfridges. Or, if your dad needs an upgrade from an old phone, try a gift he's bound to use on a daily basis like this Samsung E1200 frommobiles.co.uk* which is only £5 to buy with a £10 topup with Virgin Mobiles! And of course, if your dad likes a good tie, Selfridges stocks a large variety of gorgeous neck ties. My dad is currently loving Breaking Bad so why not buy a box set of his current series obsession? It'll keep him occupied for at least a week and will be reminded of you every time he watches it! I love mugs and use my Cath Kidston one on a daily basis and I personally always turn to mugs as mothers day or fathers day presents - this one from Jamie Oliver which you can buy on Amazon is so cute! Plus, he'll think of you whenever he has a cuppa. Novelty socks are always a winner and some of them are bound to make him chuckle! One of my favourite go to items for fathers day are things that smell nice - my dad's personal favourites are from Marks and Spencers but this little set from Baylis & Harding is packed so beautifully it's bound to go down a treat (and it doesn't break the bank.)

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Vogue's Fashion's Night Out - Hervia & The Arndale

On Thursday October 10th, I was fortunate enough to attend a couple of events as part of Vogue's Fashion's Night out in Manchester.

I was very fortunate to be wearing an amazing black chiffon playsuit and metal accented heels from ASOS which were the perfect combination of relaxed, casual style whilst still being dressy. 

To be honest, as I had never attended such an event before, I was unsure as what I should expect but I was pleasantly surprised by what was on offer. After meeting up with a friend, Olivia for a quick bite at Nandos, we tottered off to Spring Gardens for the first event of the evening at Hervia.

Hervia Bazaar is a designer boutique located on Spring Gardens, just off Market Street that stocks brands such as Comme des Garcon and Jeremy Scott and many pieces from the new collection were on display! We were greeted by an amazing display of Asian sweets - some which brought back waves of nostalgia from my childhood in Malaysia! After browsing the store for a good portion of time, we grabbed a drink, chatted and moved on to our next location; H&M.

H&M on Market Street was set up much like a movie premiere, with red carpet and flood lighting, and Olivia and I took advantage of the photo booth, throwing in some of the props on display such as hats and fur coats, resulting in several silly photos.

Following numerous selfies, photos, drinks and conversations with various other attendees, Olivia and I retreated to the Arndale centre for a coffee and relax at the end of the evening - a very necessary come down after the constant buzz of the evening.

The night eventually drew to a close, with my taking off my ASOS heels and swapping into a pair of flats and eventually traipsing back home, arms laden with goodybags. 

9 comments asos, event, fashion, FNO, hervia, outfit, outfit of the day, sponsored, VOGUE

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