I’m sad summer is coming to an end but looking forward to some of the great fashions which are beginning to come in to the shops at Crystal Peaks. I always think that Autumn is always a hard transitional season for clothes so I tend to layer up as it’s a good way keep warm. I fell in love with this long chunky knit cardigan £70 from Next, it will be great over dresses with my new biker boots and because it’s neutral will go with everything in my wardrobe!
I’ve read recently that Biker style is going to be big this autumn and these high waisted skinny jeans £38.00 from Dorothy Perkins can be teamed with a t-shirt and a leather jacket, or a lace top for a softer girlie look.
Fur is back (FAKE of course!!) and gilets are great as an extra layer and when it gets really cold this belted fur coat from New Look will be perfect.
I love all the glam dresses that come back into the shops this time of year, this Jacquard Dress, £65 from Next will be great now with bare legs or black tights and a pair of shoe boots for when winter really sets in. 
Dorothy Perkins has some gorgeous shoes at the moment; these beige Ribbon shoes are my favourite and only £45, great with ankle tailored trousers.
This summer I’ve been a big fan of animal prints so I’m glad it’s not going anywhere, lots of accessories and clothing about this autumn, the leopard print bag from New Look combines fur and print and big enough to keep your extra layers in should the sun come out.
I nipped in to Boots to get myself a new mascara and generally have a snoop around at all their new beauty bits and bobs.I found some great products every make-up bag must have for this summer!!
In the summer i always struggle to find a foundation that allows my skin to breathe and look natural whilst giving that glow but still giving a good coverage. When picking a foundation i generally don’t know where to start looking as their is so much variety and always new ones hitting the market. I purchased Maxfactor’s Second skin foundation as i loved the texture and the way it didn’t feel too heavy, great for the summer days. I also found by adding a little more and layering it you could get a great coverage for an evening also so it saves you buying the two!!! This cost me £13.99 which i thought was pretty reasonable.
I picked up a gorgeous fruity lipgloss from maxfactor too ‘Colour effects lipgloss’ which was only £4.99 so with these two items I got a gorgeous free gift with some fab little things to try just for spending over £15!!!!!
Always looking for a bargain, I chose the new one from L’Oreal ‘Volume Million Lashes mascara’ which was only £7.99 this has a great stopper that removes all the clumps so it gives your lashes length and seperation. I have used this a few times now and have been asked if i’m wearing false eyelashes twice i love the look this gives i’d definately give it 10/10!!!!
Last but not least I found some great summer colours in a range of neon & pastel shades from Barry M’s Nail paint collection which are also on offer at two for £5!!!!At that kind of price you can afford to have a colour to match every outfit you have for this summer!!!
Now all those months of working hard at the gym and watching what we eat have finally paid off so i thought id give you all a few tips on what swimwear is out in the shops to suit your shape.
It can be a little daunting baring all when us brits are so used to wrapping up warm, NEXT have some fantstic pieces to cover up the bits we dont want to expose, so for tummy conscious ladies there are a wide range of tankinis and strapless swimming costumes.
All with great co-ordinating sarongs,kaftans and cover ups, so accesorising is simple…
For the ladies out there who are concerned about their bottom you needn’t worry…going for a fuller bikini bottom like little shorts will have you feeling more comfortable in a instant also by going for a darker colour will give you the appearance of a slimmer figure, the ones i found in NEXT were only £14 and with them being sold seperatley the choice is yours when it comes to choosing your style of bikini top.
For the ladies who have larger breasts or for those of us who want more support than just a triangle bikini, there are some gorgeous bikini tops that provide a full cup and looking still very sexy starting from £10 the ones pictured below are from the NEXT shape enhancing range.
With Maxi Dresses making a come back this summer I have spotted some great ones out there in a range of styles to flatter everyone’s size and shape. I love the halter-neck ones as they can look a little more dressy for those gorgeous summer evenings back home or away. The printed maxi dress pictured below is also from next at only £36 which i think is great value for something you’ll really get your wear out of. The tie dye maxi dress is another great buy for anyone jetting off abroad, with all the fab summery colours this is an essential to pop on over all your colourful bikinis.
With loads of great prints and fabrics out to suit everyones style there’s that much choice you’ll need more than a week to showcase your fab outfits…
Let’s not pretend anyone pulls off that effortlessly cool festival look without putting in a lot of effort. So here is my checklist of essentials when packing for outdoor Summer fun.
1. First pay a trip to Boots to get a good moisturizer that can be used on your face and body, ideally with a bit of fake tan as it will disguise a pale, partied-out complexion.
2. Don’t forget a pot of Vaseline. It is a handy way to repair chapped lips, cracked skin, stings, scratches and bruises.
3. Be prepared for anything (rain, paparazzi, bumping into Kate Moss) in a pair of bright wellington boots – TK Maxx have a great selection in store.
3. Remember fun moments (and delete bad ones) on a handheld camcorder from Williams Electrical.
4. Keep the sun off your face with a trilby Peacocks have both men and women’s in store at bargain prices. Add a scarf to brighten up your look (or double as a sarong or head scarf)!
5. And finally, don’t forget your sunglasses, the bigger the better! Next have a fantastic range for the whole family.
I popped into Boots today and they have a very helpful holiday checklist in store. So if you are off on holiday soon then pick up a copy to tick off as you pack your bag!
It covers everything from first aid essentials to beach stuff! And what’s even better is everything on the list can be found in Crystal Peaks! 
Last week I paid a visit to the trendy hair salon Loaf in Crystal Peaks where I was given a complete new hairstyle by top stylist Jess Pilgrim,it was great to go to a hairdresser that actually listens+gave me the look what i was wanting. As a new customer to the salon I took advantage of a fab offer they have for all NEW customers, I got a massive 50% off my cut and colour which meant that I could indulge in all the lovely products they have on offer!My favourites have to be from the redken range as all their products smell lush!!! I have already booked in for my next appointment as the discount voucher I recieved gets me 40% off on my 2nd visit, 25% off my 3rd visit and 15% off my 4th visit!!!Call in to the salon to collect your voucher you’d be mad to miss out!!!
I have finally taken a moment out of my busy shopping schedule to update you on all my lastest must haves+whats out there at the moment!!! Summer is definately here with all the lovely prints and floaty fabrics it just makes you wish the sun shined a little more often, I have had a good look around theres plenty of great summery prints and colours so we can get rid of our dull colours and say goodbye to winter!!!!I am lucky to be jetting of for some summer fun in the sun, so my latest purchases have been ones for a hotter climate, but like all you girls out there I haven’t wanted just to buy things i will only wear abroad so i have invested in quite a number of versatile items that will be great for back here too!!!
These are my must have item recommended to brighten your look in a flash!!! These are fab for anyone who loves colour and this colour is everywhere right now,even teamed with a plain vest top these are an instant head turner, there are quite a few of these pastel shade skinnys out so have a look around to find your fave colour! Skinny jeans aren’t for everyone so if you are concerned with your wobbly bits&your lumps &bumps like me team them with some heels for a little height and a longer top!
Find these at Topshop for £40
Another summery themed little find which i LOVE LOVE LOVE… this jersey bodycon dress is ideal for a summers day worn with flat sandals or teamed with a pair of killer heels for a night out n the town!!!With all these great colours going on i’m sure you will have plenty of items to accsessorize and wear with it!Again from topshop for only £35
Another summer dress i found was in New Look they have loads of gorgeous printed maxi dresses aswell as plain ones starting from only £15!!!There are all different styles and shape dresses so whatever your size and shape i gurantee there will be one for you. I personally find these dresses really comfortable to wear as again you can pop it on over your costume during the day or add lots of bangles and some dressy sandals for an evening, this is one of this summers must have items, as you can pop a little denim jacket over the top and you also have a comfortable casual look to wear here in sunny sheffield!This dress is £30 from new look& all you lucky students get 20% of until the 17th of may!!!
My BARGAIN of the week has to be these sandals from peacocks, 
they have such a selection of sassy sandals at really great prices these were £14!!!!!If your a shoe’a'holic you definately need to check out their range…
I popped in to the perfume shop to treat myself to a summer scent as there seem to be better prices here than there usually is at the airport and i couldnt resist indulging in the new range of fragrance from Dolce&Gabanna this is just the smell of summer captured in a bottle, although this may not be to everyones taste, i absolutely love it!!!I would describe it as a light floral easy to wear fragrance, if this one isn’t for you pop down and try out the others there are quite a few in this new collection which are unisex. I purchased this most girly smelling one quite simply so i didn’t have to share it with my fella!!!!lol!!!So if you are in need of a new smelly nip down to the perfume shop to try them out as there currently on offer at only £29.50!!!(i bought number 3 L’IMPERATRICE)
I intend to keep you posted on the countdown to my holliday, I’m off bikini shopping this weekend so ill let you know whats out there for all shapes&sizes, if anyone has made any great holliday purchases please feel free to share them &let me know if there is any questions help or advice you may need!!!
Louisa x
