NYE Masquerade Look - Happy New Year!

Well, there we have it!  Another year is wrapped up and a new pile of memories are added to our memory banks; some fabulous and some not so fabulous.  I would reminisce a little, but if I'm being completely honest, I'm not very good at looking back and would far rather skip to looking forward to the new year ahead!  And so with the ringing in of 2017 just hours away, take my (ice cold) hand and let's jump forwards into the mist in fur jackets and metallic trousers!

Mii Cosmetics Passion Matte Lip Lover Collection

I hope everyone's had a wonderful Christmas!  After the hectic (though magical) build-up to the big day, I've been enjoying every last second of post-turkey relaxation.  As others have said, this week before New Year's Day tends to leave you feeling a little lost, so to distract myself from not knowing what day it is and the pile of Roses chocolate wrappers beside me, I've been playing around with some gorgeous new matte shades from Mii Cosmetics.  The Passion Matte Lip Lover collection c/o features four long lasting and richly pigmented shades each promising a 'suede-soft finish'.  So, what do I think of these new releases?

A Magical Christmas Night In Bruges

Just when I thought I couldn't possibly love the city of Bruges more than I already do, I experience it at Christmastime.  Wow!  On the way back from Cologne (check out my guide to the best Christmas Markets), we stopped off in Bruges to experience the Christmas markets there for the first time. There's a different ambience to that of which can be found in Germany, though it still has an unique charm of its own thanks to the surrounding medieval buildings and cobbled streets.  Combine the historic architecture with thousands of twinkling lights, throw in the smell of waffles and top it off with the dark night sky, and you've got yourself a pretty magical experience...

Christmas Gift Giving: Last Minute Time-Saver!

One week until Christmas Day!  Knowing that, you'll either be totally relaxed and quietly thrilled at the stash of presents you've got hidden in your wardrobe, or you'll be quivering with regret at having left your Christmas shopping until now.  If you don't love the idea of hitting the shops just days before Christmas Day (who does?), read on for a quick lifebuoy before the new week starts.  Gift wrapped and with 15% discount using my code, you could give the gift of Daniel Wellington this Christmas!

Styling A Trench Coat For A Winter Occasion

As a general rule, I tend to overdress rather than play it cool (personal preference), though I can't help but wonder how much time it would save us all if we were described an exact dress code before an occasion?  Sure, most invitations come with the totally vague 'smart casual' dress code attached, but that's far more useful to men than it is women!  And so with winter events filling our calendars such as festive parties, family meals, drinks with girlfriends and general Christmas gatherings, I've done some thinking as to how we can hedge our bets by sitting comfortably somewhere in the middle of the scale.  For those who love to dress up, but don't fancy the risk of being a disco ball in a sea of jeans!

Bath at Christmastime & Francis Hotel

I'm finally starting to feel a little better (and good timing too with Christmas well underway), though there was no way feeling like death warmed up would stop me from spending some time in Bath last week!  With pretty good knowledge of the town centre and a stay booked at the Francis Hotel, I dragged myself into action and headed off for the historic location set in the southwest's countryside...

Quick And Easy No-Cook Party Appetizers

After sharing a DIY on A Glass Of Ice for Glitter Rim Drinks last month, I started thinking about other ways in which you can take the hassle out of being the hostess.  I'm all for high-impact recipes that are (secretly) quick and easy to create, and so I've put a few of my favourite simple appetizers together in this post that have proven to be quick to assemble - and tasty!  Should you find yourself rushing around the kitchen at some point this season, perhaps for relatives arriving on your doorstep or for a friend's Christmas party (ooh that dreaded line: 'bring along a dish'), I hope these refreshing appetisers will give you more time to curl your hair and perfect your winged liner!

Cologne Christmas Markets: What To See and Where To Stay

So, we're just a few days into December and already the festive season has been completely magical! Last week I spent a few days in Germany at the heart of Cologne as per annual tradition.  Having visited at Christmastime each year for as long as I can remember, the city now holds a very special place in my heart, and I've been so looking forward to sharing this year's experience with you.  Considering how festive markets (weihnachtsmarkt) are becoming increasingly popular, I've divided this travel diary into a guide through my favourite Christmas Markets in Cologne, as well as my personal recommendation on where best to stay.  Enjoy!

Christmas Gift Guide For Women

It's that time of year again where I track down a load of super pretty treats and bundle them all together into one shiny post - say hello to this year's Christmas Gift Guide for Women!  Similar to my Christmas Gift Guide for Men, I've put together about ten gift suggestions, all of which could make fabulous stocking fillers - both in size, and price.  I can't help but notice I've been attracted by pastel colours this year, though in my defence the gifts are just as pretty on the inside.

Taking The Plunge With Passionata

Although I'd call myself a total lingerie addict, when it comes to practical pieces of underwear that solve wardrobe dilemmas, up until recently I've been a bit hopeless.  I'm aware the right type of bra can do wonders for your outfit, and now that the festive party season has come around those plunging necklines from our wardrobes are once again making appearances!  So, with a little help from Passionata, I'm taking the plunge...

Christmas Gift Guide For Men

I'll hold my hands up and say I've never found it easy shopping for men.  Ever.  However, this year I've kicked myself into action a little earlier than usual by looking for gift inspiration here, there and everywhere for the past few weeks.  So, if you don't fancy spending an entire weekend hopping from site to site, run your eye over my Christmas gift guide for men and cherry-pick gifts for the guys in your life.  Most of the options make for ideal stocking fillers, with the exception of a couple of larger treats perfect for popping underneath the Christmas tree.

At The Drop Of A Hat

With my obsession with pom pom beanie hats only growing stronger, I've had to counteract my multicoloured collection by finding other ways to keep my head warm this winter.  Hmm, I have a feeling this may be the first time I've worn a wide-brimmed hat outside of summer - though I'm certain it won't be the last!  I feel as though winter still gets a bad rep when it comes to styling, though it's totally unwarranted while textures such as suede, leather (faux, in this case) and shearling are there for the taking!

Christmas Memories with Yankee Candle at Debenhams

The time for tiptoeing around the issue has long gone, Christmas is (pretty much) here!  Sneak peeks of decorated Christmas trees popping up on Instagram have signalled the 'okay' for discussing all things festive.  Prepare yourselves, because as I've mentioned in my updated about section, A Glass Of Ice is a lifestyle blog 'focussing on stylish and seasonal living'.  I'm ready to resume my role of Mrs Claus!  Speaking of which, Debenhams have lent a helping hand by sending over a gorgeous bundle of festive Yankee Candle treats.  So, to kickstart the season and with the scent of 'Berry Trifle' wafting around my desk, I've been thinking about some of my favourite Christmas memories...

24 Hours In Richmond

So, I've been fairly quiet on social media this week - but with good reason!  I found myself spending some time in Richmond after passing through for the hundredth time last month and becoming more and more curious ever since.  After a fair bit of research, it quickly became apparent there's a lot to do in the area.  However with just 24 hours (give or take!) to explore, I've broken the brief visit into three parts: Ham House and Garden, a stay at the Richmond Hill Hotel and a visit to Richmond Park.  Anticipate a three-course menu for a slow-paced winter stay in Richmond - with some tasty food, satin pyjamas and deer thrown in for good measure!

Glitter Rim Drinks For The Festive Party Season

I'm just going to say it - Christmas is around the corner!  Though before the doors of advent calendars open and festive pyjamas are pulled out of drawers, another aspect of the season makes a much earlier appearance... the celebrations!  Christmas parties tend to begin late-November, which is all fun and games if you're the guest, but how about when you're the hostess?  Advance planning is your best friend, trust me.  Once you've considered the logistics and ticked off all the things that make you wonder why you agreed to host a party in the first place, it's time for the finishing touches - the fun part!  So to help kickstart thoughts of pretty details, I've put together a simple yet stunning DIY: festive flutes for the party season...

November... With Flare!

As much as I love to experiment with denim, I realised recently just how predictable I'd become when it comes to purchasing jeans. Skinny jeans and more skinny jeans.  However, after having been surprised with a voucher from Jaeger after winning their #JaegerStyle competition with a bardot top and denim pencil skirt, I seized the opportunity to change my (bad) habit.  I'll be introducing my other style selections over the next month or so, but for now I'm fixated on these gorgeous flared jeans, another Donna Ida for Jaeger design that has worked its way into my cold-weather wardrobe!

Beauty Giveaway: Mii Cosmetics Precious Gem Collection (Open Worldwide)

In just a couple of weeks or so from now, Black Friday (25th November) will be making headlines once more, an event that has only truly crept into the UK in recent years, having made the trip from the US.  I can't say I've ever been too involved in the shopping day, though I can appreciate how much fun it could potentially be to participate in from the comfort of your own sofa.  Or better yet (and without any of the hassle) you could be opening your inbox the day after Black Friday to find you've won a gorgeous Precious Gem Collection (gift set of 3 items) by Mii Cosmetics!  Read on to find out how to enter...

Winter Wedding Guest Outfit

Having only ever attended spring/summer weddings up until now, I'm super excited to be attending a couple of winter weddings this year!  I've probably watched too many romantic Christmas films, but there definitely seems to be something magical about a winter wedding concept.  So, fast forward to mid-winter and you'll most likely be wanting to cover your arms to avoid the sound of your chattering teeth echoing through the venue.  However, with the next month or so in mind (once winter kicks in), what could you wear as a guest to a winter wedding?

8 Chic Ways to Revamp Your Home Office

After months of procrastinating, I've finally started to renovate my desk area.  Currently, I'm sat on a floor of newspaper with white paint splashed up my arms and various tabs open featuring idyllic desk setups (think velvet cushions, hairpin stools and abstract art).  As we've heard thousands of times, there are tons of benefits to making your workspace a 'happy place'.  And so, here I am at the beginning of this makeover journey looking for inspiration and considering the speedy ways in which you can turn an in-progress eyesore into something both beautiful and functional...

Attention! Time to Parade Your Military Coat

Last Autumn/Winter I made the colossal mistake of buying a ton of dresses, shirts and every other item imaginable... besides coats. Of course, in no way do I regret the piles of embellished dresses added to my wardrobe, but by failing to add more coats/jackets to my collection, it meant I was wearing a handful of old familiars in rotation that 90% of the time covered whichever glittering beauty was hiding underneath!  This year, I'm taking a different approach to the upcoming winter and taking note of which new season coats I'll not only reluctantly cover outfits with, but willingly do so...

5 Self-Care Tips To See You Through November

It's become pretty much an unspoken understanding that to some extent we rely on a new month to give us a boost and general kick in the right direction.  With this in mind, very few of us will be without lists filled with goals and aspirations now that November has arrived.  However, with the busy festive season just around the corner, it wouldn't be the worst idea in the world to throw a little self-care into the mix as well...

Wickedly Easy (and Stylish) Halloween Baking

For someone who claims to love celebrating anything and everything, I've left it pretty late to cover something Halloween-related on my blog!  Though, I like to think I've made up for it with this spooky post stuffed with bronze pumpkins and not-so-scary bats.  I love Halloween, it's basically an excuse to dress up in something skimpy and eat a ton of food shaped like ghosts and ghouls. So, for all those finding themselves regretting shunning Halloween until the last minute, I've whipped up something scandalously sweet, surprisingly stylish and yet wickedly easy to make in your kitchen as a nod to the holiday...

Beauty Edit: October Favourites

With so many gorgeous beauty releases lately stepping onto the scene, I dread to think the damage I'll do in the lead-up to the festive season!  However this month has told quite a different story, I haven't tried many new products and instead found myself with just a handful of standout favourites.  In hindsight, I've been subconsciously reaching for products that aim to preserve healthy-looking skin, rather than glitzing it up with smokey eyes and a swimming pool of highlighter.  I'm saving that for December...

15 UK Lifestyle Subscription Boxes

Within the world of blogging, subscription boxes are firmly at the top of the 'lust list' along with dreamy eye palettes and rose gold stationery.  However, step outside of that and it's surprising how many people are taken aback by the suggestion of a box of goodies arriving at your door every month - uh, or quarterly, bi-annually etc.  Anyway, after yet another encounter with someone who hadn't been introduced to the concept, I did a little exploring and put together 15 of the most impressive lifestyle subscription boxes available in the UK that I could find!  Better yet, I've cherry-picked various options for both men and women falling under the category of 'lifestyle' including food, beauty and more...

Autumn Layering: Playing with Textures

The words 'biker' and 'furry' don't exactly go hand in hand, however there was something about this long-sleeved furry biker jacket by Lost Ink that stole my heart at first glance!  I mentioned this cosy piece after first being introduced to Lost Ink, and one month later I've given in to temptation and added it to my wardrobe.  I suppose I decided that yes I do want to look like a teddy bear, and that I don't really mind the occasional stranger stroking my (furry) arm in appreciation.  I'm not willing to stop there though, tactile by nature, I've been looking at ways of bringing velvet, leather or suede into the look as well...

Berkeley Castle

While staying at Tortworth Court Hotel earlier this month I came across a leaflet for Berkeley Castle, along with about twenty others I plan on working my way through!  As the time spent in the Cotswolds was fairly last-minute, no plans had actually been made for the second day (besides rolling out of bed and into a chair to enjoy a cooked breakfast).  So, a decision was made to embark on the 15 minute journey from the hotel to Gloucestershire's Berkeley Castle, a grade I listed building that's been home to the Berkeley Family for 850 years...

Out With The Old, In With The New

As many people have said before, this time of year offers a fresh perspective.  I still haven't quite worked out why that's the case (any ideas?), and yet here I am revisiting and tweaking most things in some way.  One of those 'things' is my wardrobe.  Last season's wardrobe changeover was fairly straight forward, however this Autumn I'm looking at so many of my clothes and wondering why on earth I've held onto them!  As I said, fresh perspective.  And the timing couldn't have been better, as Boohoo offered to help me declutter through their current partnering with selected charities; giving second life to old clothing by donating, and trying out a new style.  Out with the old, in with the new!

Passionata DJ Event

See that look of concentration?  Well, that was me last night attempting to move one track into the next.  Move?  Merge?  Fade?  I don't even know, but I loved every second of Passionata's DJ event.  To celebrate the brand's new season theme of music, I was invited along to their showroom to check out the new collection, get fitted and have a mini DJ class.  DJ class?  This was a whole new experience and one I hadn't guessed I'd try in my lifetime, though a handful of marshmallows later (and sure, a glass or two of prosecco), and I was up and raring to go!

Tortworth Court Hotel

City breaks aside, when staying out 'in the sticks' I've always been attracted to more flamboyant architecture.  Dramatic buildings, grand buildings, striking buildings.  All the buildings!  Nothing has changed, in fact I have a feeling it's only going to intensify over time - at least while hotels such as Tortworth Court sit happily on the map.  As I showed via Insta Stories earlier this week, I spent some time in the Cotswolds, staying over at this stunning Victorian Gothic mansion.  It was all very last minute, but isn't that how most of the best trips start?!

Places To Go, People To Meet

Earlier this week, I was waiting for a train to come in when I overheard a guy asking a woman out.  Honestly, their conversation was probably one of the sweetest I've ever heard.  Ever.  Sure, trains/tubes have a pretty bad rep when it comes to approaching strangers, but their little shared moment reminded me of how platforms aren't totally off limits when it comes to meeting people. So, to go hand-in-hand with Joe Browns' latest focus on travel, I considered what it'd be like to wait on a platform without looking grumpy whilst munching through a pack of Minstrels...

DIY Autumn Wreath

As a general rule, I'm pretty good at staying true to my word and doing what I say I'll do.  However, in the case of putting together a wreath for Autumn, it's been a long time coming.  And I mean a long time.  It was around this time last year I considered designing a wreath rich with colour for Autumn - though better late than never, right?  Sure, wreaths are most commonly associated with the festive season, but bringing the craft into another season can't hurt!  For those also wanting to create something warm and colourful to hang on their front door (like a big enthusiastic wave that says 'Hey! I'll celebrate anything!), I've put together a 20 minute Autumn wreath DIY.

Daivor Launch Party at W London

It's around this time of year I jump on board the 'ALL the embellishment' train, because y'know, Autumn.  Having spent the past month eyeing up blogger-styled velvet suits and streams of military-style braiding (anyone else swooning over Tommy Hilfiger's latest?), last night provided the perfect opportunity to continue the fixation at the ultra-modern W London Hotel.  Introducing luxury Dutch label, Daivor...

Styling a Denim Midi Skirt for Autumn

Summer clothes have been stored away, and I'm now in the process of gleefully reuniting with my chunky jumpers and cashmere cardigans.  Yay!  I'll admit, when the temperature drops I find myself wishing it was acceptable to step outdoors in furry microwaveable slippers (please tell me this isn't just a Brit thing?), however a few recently added 'hero pieces' to my wardrobe are preventing me from inflicting such a cruel sight upon the world.  Right now, I'm all about this denim midi skirt designed by Donna Ida for Jaeger, the perfect foundation for a ton of different looks this season...

Jessica Nails AW16 Collection: Into The Wild

I doubt it'll come as a surprise when I say I've found yet another reason to swoon over everything nail related.  Now that a new season is underway, Jessica Nails have released Into The Wild c/o, a new collection featuring six gorgeous shades - each one more Autumnal than the last!  One thing is for sure, the bottle names do a good job of drawing you in; mysterious and sexy, with a hint of danger...

Lost Ink at House of Fraser

I'll be honest with you, I'm one of those people who throw themselves head first into every season.  The very beginning of this month saw me stock up on multi-wick candles and save DIY Halloween posts to my favourites, and so you can pretty much guess my stance on Christmas.  You did notice I visited Käthe Wohlfahrt's Christmas shop while in Bruges, right?  So, to go hand-in-hand with the A/W collections causing a stir right now, I'm grouping the two seasons together and beginning preparations.  Personally speaking, this means continuing my obscene collection of candles, becoming reacquainted with open fires after long, chilly walks and most excitingly of all, starting to build on that Autumn-Winter wardrobe!

Lake District: Part Two

Continuing on from Part One of my Lake District adventures, each day continued to massively differ from the next.  Just as I had remembered from my last stay in the area (many years ago), the weather can be bright one day and deliver torrential rain the next. I'll admit to having a serious soft spot for bad weather, I don't mean sprinklings of rain and cloud, but rather the kind of massive downpours that have you looking for cover and clouds that quickly descend over your surroundings!  Having said that, after a couple of days of beautifully eerie weather, a break of sunshine provided the perfect opportunity to walk to Rydal Mount, the former home of poet William Wordsworth.

Lake District: Part One

As much as I understand (and love) the appeal of capturing and sharing moments there-and-then, there's something quite refreshing about occasionally keeping moments entirely to yourself - at least for a little while.  Perhaps it's because of this I inadvertently found myself not mentioning visiting the Lake District until I'd returned home.  I'll admit, it's strange - ahem, for a blogger!  The last time I visited the Lake District was in my early teens, and so my memories mostly consist of impossible yet thrilling hikes, slate mines and finding out my waterproof jacket wasn't quite as waterproof as I'd have liked.  So jumping to the start of this month, I found myself on a mission to (quietly) reconnect once more with the mountainous region, sheep and all...

Mon Dessert Macaron Making Kit

Whenever I find myself in an apron,  I'm usually in the middle of making something sweet.  However, I'm by no means a magician in the kitchen.  It's because of this I've been in an endless cycle of baking some of the easier sweet treats everyone enjoys such as cookies and sponge cakes, and turning my back on the harder (and undeniably more exciting) recipes. Something I've been dying to try my hand at for months now is macarons, though scared myself off the idea after watching videos online cursing 'pre-separated egg whites' and 'inaccurate almond ratios'.  That's where this perfectly curated gluten-free Macaron Making Kit c/o by Mon Dessert comes into play, including pretty much everything you need to reach a delicious outcome.  Oh, and did I mention the kit includes gold dust?

Louche at JOY the Store: Secondary Shades

I've been fairly quiet of late thanks to an impossibly relaxing week or so spent in the Lake District; long walks followed by hearty meals and vice versa.  However, once again I've returned home to an abundance of sunshine and yet another gentle reminder that summer is still holding on.  I mentioned last month that I'd most likely be flip-flopping between clinging onto summer and embracing the upcoming Autumn and well, I suppose this post is evidence of exactly that!  And so, as a final farewell to bare arms and sun-kissed skin (yeah, I'm practically translucent come winter), I've popped on this gorgeous floral printed dress from JOY The Store to walk through some of this season's most beautiful heather.

Birthday in Bruges: Part Two

We've arrived at the second (and final) part of my Bruges travel diary, and I'm already itching to re-pack my bags and return to the historic city!  I miss the colourful buildings and clip-clopping sound of horses navigating through the streets, though at least I have a ton of photos to swipe through whenever the place pops into mind.  Speaking of which, Part One ended on the afternoon of my birthday, so let's pick things up from there...

Birthday in Bruges: Part One

As I've mentioned one million and one times now - it was my birthday last week!  I'm wondering at what age I'm supposed to act cooler about blowing out candles on the cake, because it sure as hell wasn't this year.  I still get 100% excited for pretty much any sense of occasion, except this time around I had slightly more of a reason to get excited thanks to a return trip to Bruges! With four or five trips to the Belgian city behind me, I had a pretty good idea of what to expect - though with a slightly different agenda and a different hotel booked, there was everything to look forward to...

Summer afternoon, summer afternoon...

Yesterday, I remembered one of my all time favourite quotes by Henry James, ''Summer afternoon - summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.''  Having just returned from the beautiful city of Bruges (with its unusual 34°C temperature), I was fully anticipating a rainy welcome back to the UK.  However, to my surprise England is experiencing one final burst of heat and sunshine before waving goodbye to the season and welcoming the woolly jumpers.  So, armed with a ton of flowers I'd treated myself to that morning and some rather beautiful picnic accessories, it was time to appreciate the outdoors...

Keep A Straight Face

If you follow me on Instagram, you'll know that to celebrate my birthday on Wednesday, I'm heading off to the beautiful city of Bruges tomorrow morning ready to spend a few days hobbling across cobblestones and eating my weight in chocolate-drizzled waffles!  The chance of getting anymore than a couple of hours sleep tonight is minimal, because I'm so excited to be returning to Belgium!  Anyway, speaking of travel, Sunglasses Shop are offering a pretty exciting travel opportunity to anyone in possession of a face.  So, if that includes you (ahem), and you quite like the idea of jetting off to New York, read on and then hop over to Instagram to enter...

Transitional Styling with Lyst

The next few weeks will most likely see me flip-flop between the joy of squeezing out the last few drops of summer, and the excitement of Autumn fast approaching.  Well, at least for this rainy weekend, my mind is firmly set on the upcoming season and all that it'll bring!  Though I'm not quite ready to start raving about chunky knit jumpers and meringue ghost tartlets; instead with the help of fashion tech company Lyst, I'm looking at ways of gradually transitioning into Autumn by bridging the gap between cropped camisoles and insulated jackets.  I'm settling for somewhere in the middle, surrounded by unsure-about-the-weather dresses and standout boots...

Croquet in Chi Chi

Ah!  I can't keep up!  We're halfway through August and I'm still leafing through my wardrobe wondering which floral midi skirts and sleeveless bodies to pick up next ready for the warm weather.  Pretty soon it'll be a case of digging out the cosier clothing (I'll confess, I'm already wearing fluffy socks while typing this), though until then I'm determined to squeeze every last drop out of the summer season!  As fate would have it, a rather pretty arrival from Chi Chi coincided perfectly with my overwhelming desire to immerse myself in a game of croquet.  Let's play!

24 Hours in Annecy

Having not visited the beautiful French alpine town of Annecy for quite a few years, I was super excited to return and see whether it lived up to my memories.  Truth be told, as much as I love to see how some places rapidly develop and modernise, Annecy is one of those very, very special locations I couldn't bear to see change too much.  The cobbled streets and mountain views have an indisputable calming effect on me; so to have embarked on a road trip and spent 24 hours (or so) in the town was an undeniable highlight of my summer!

Time To Be... Skincere

Although I've loved having a little more colour in my cheeks lately, my skin has been feeling much drier due to sporadically throwing my skincare regime out the window while exploring France last month.  I know, I know, and I can't even come up with a decent excuse!  Short city breaks are no problem and I still find myself happily lining up my lotions and potions in hotel bathrooms.  However, as soon as I'm aware of the stay's duration entering double digits, the glass pots go flying out of the window (not literally, that would be tragic).  In an attempt to undo the naughtiness, for the past week or so I've been using 100% natural skincare products by Skincere.  So the question is, how have they been performing?

Tropical Takeover

I've always had a soft spot for bright and playful prints, and never more so than during the summer (for obvious reasons).  So, last month's stay in the South of France presented the perfect opportunity to whip out one of my favourite Seafolly swimsuits! After an embarrassingly long time spent in my wardrobe with the tags still attached, I was finally in a climate warm enough to wear it.  Phew.  The brand's sporty styles have always had a hold on me, so combine a zip-up front with an irresistible tropical print and I'm in heaven.  Anyway, while padding around the pool in neck-to-hip toucans and palm leaves, I wondered about the ways in which vibrant, tropical colours and prints could be introduced poolside a little more subtly...

Elizabeth Arden Promotion at House of Fraser

One of the greatest things about shopping for beauty products (that I'm guessing we'll agree on) is the rewards; the points, vouchers and gifts with purchase.  When you already love a brand enough to pick up a few of their items, finding yourself with extra treats to try out at checkout is a bonus!  With this in mind, House of Fraser's current promotion is a pretty exciting one.  Elizabeth Arden fans receive this gorgeous beauty gift set c/o (worth a whopping £137!) when purchasing two or more of their products, with one being skincare.  The promotion ends tomorrow and so if there's already a couple of Elizabeth Arden products sitting pretty on your wishlist, now would be a pretty good time to take a closer look...

South of France: Part Three

After the French flags and ice cream of Part One, and moored boats and calzone of Part Two, Part Three delves into Saint-Tropez's world of pastel coloured buildings and infectious atmosphere!  As my time in the South of France drew to a close, I did my absolute best to shake off any sense of premature deflation over leaving the Côte d'Azur.  Instead, I chose to live in the moment, even if one of those moments consisted of slipping on the villa's infinity pool edge and hurting my elbow quite a bit - oops!