5 Accessories You Need To Buy This Summer!

We've heard it said one thousand times before, accessories make an outfit.  This is even more true during the warmer months of the year, when clothing becomes minimal and a fair amount of skin is on show (oOOooh).  It's the season of gold jewellery, bronzed skin and striking, textured accessories.  So, considering it's Friday and we all know we'll be online shopping at some point over the next couple of days, I've put together a little list of five of the best accessories to consider investing in this season.  They're eye-catching, trending and totally season appropriate.  Enjoy!

Hotel Chocolat Summer Giveaway | The Everything Luxe Deluxe Chocolate Box (Open Worldwide!)

We tend to associate chocolate more with the colder months of the year, right?  But whhhyyyyy?  I don't care if it's so hot outside that my phone melts in my hand and the world sets on fire, I will be eating chocolate.  Work your way through Hotel Chocolat The Everything Luxe Deluxe Chocolate Box and I can guarantee you'll feel the same.  Which brings me to my next point; some good news!  Hotel Chocolat are very kindly giving away an Everything Luxe Deluxe Chocolate Box to one lucky reader of A Glass Of Ice.  Perfect for consuming in the summer house on a hot day, with a glass of lemonade within arm's reach.  Scroll down to enter...

Charlotte Tilbury | Summer Glow Essentials

Pinch me.  Seriously, pinch me.  I'm (ecstatically) drowning in a pool of Charlotte Tilbury treats and couldn't be happier about it.  What a way to die.  As far as covetable beauty brands go, this UK brand slides in comfortably somewhere at the top, even seeing Charlotte Tilbury awarded with an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List this year.  I have to admit, after putting this kindly gifted and beautifully presented box of goodies to the test, I'm not at all surprised!  I don't think I've ever been so impressed by so many products at once.  So, without further ado, let's run through the treats that landed on my doorstep.  How do I rate them?  And even more importantly, how well do they complement pale skin? (look, I'm trying to get a tan okay...)   

Seafolly Swimwear At Coco Bay | How To Look Chic At The Beach!

A beach day is looming on the calendar.  You've got an old swimsuit in your drawer from last year you haven't dared yet try on in case it cuts you in half, you can't remember the last time you had a pedicure and this is 100% not going to be one of those 'chill by the water and eat sausage rolls' kind of beach trips.  For whatever reason, you want to look good - you want to look chic.  Relax, I've got you! Keeping in mind comfort is key and less is (definitely) more, it's much easier than you'd think to put together a stylish look for a day on the beach.  Notepads and pens at the ready...    

Prezzybox Afternoon Tea Experience | Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club

Picture this: you're driving down a remote country lane, dipping in and out of sunshine and heading towards a grand luxury spa hotel ready to enjoy a pre-booked afternoon tea.  Heavenly.  Thanks to Prezzybox, an indulgent afternoon tea at Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club was on the cards earlier this week - one venue out of many from their list of luxurious afternoon tea experiences across the UK.  Armed with an enveloped gift experience voucher, all that remained was to hand it over and be guided to my reserved table for two.  Now, we all know how much I adore classic, traditional interiors and so many boxes were ticked on that front at the four-star hotel.  It was a case of 'cake with a view' - and a rather spectacular one, complete with fountain.

Double Gingham | The Perfect Summer Pairing

Yesssss!  Summer is here and it's calling for ALL the patterns to be worn outside underneath the sun.  Admittedly, I'm still trying to warm to clashing prints, but in the meantime I can happily jump on board the matchy-matchy express.  Right now?  It's all about gingham.  I can't help but associate the pattern with all things lovely.  It works just as well for beautiful afternoons spent in tranquil gardens as it does summer festivals, candyfloss in hand.  The print is ideal for taking from desk-to-date, as well as being downplayed for shopping stints.  My point is, there are very few occasions that gingham doesn't suit.  But how about double gingham?  Like I said, I'm not quite ready for clashing prints, but I can embrace the same print in clashing colours.  We've spent all winter swooning over double denim, but now it's time for you to shine in double gingham.  Do your thaaaaang, babe.

''Don't Mistake My Kindness For Weakness''

Have you ever come across that quote before?  It's one of my all-time favourites, particularly because it was one of the last little nuggets of wisdom my grandad had shared before he passed away.  I often catch myself mulling it over, each time nodding more enthusiastically until I've managed to psych myself up to preach it here, there and everywhere.  Come to think of it, that's probably how I've wound up writing about it here on A Glass Of Ice.  Anyway, following on from our last discussion on how being gentle could be your strength (thanks so much for the incredible feedback, by the way; overwhelmingly happy to know so many of you agree!), I'm now wondering just how many people accidentally confuse kindness with weakness.  Eek!

Kew Gardens | Top 5 Attractions to See

Oh this is going to be looooong because I'm completely, absolutely obsessed with Kew Gardens!  Having only ever visited in winter for their festive events, I was hugely excited to return while in the area recently - during one of the warmer months of the year.  Having booked a midweek stay at Urban Villa (an aparthotel in Kew), the journey to the famous gardens was a brilliantly short one and a journey that ended with glasshouses, botanical plants and views from 59ft above ground level.  Kew Gardens is a paradise for garden lovers and flower fanatics alike.  Simply put, it's paradise.  A quick visit to their website will tell you just how many attractions there are, however a few sights in particular shot to the top of my love-list while on my sunshine-filled visit...

How To Look Like A Bond Girl!

So, I shared this look over on Instagram recently and jokingly referred to Ariana Grande's 'Dangerous Woman' needing to be played in the background to accompany the outfit.  Well, it seems we're all on the same wavelength, as some of the comments literally had me laughing out loud.  One, in particular, inspired this blog post.

'' O H   ,   H I   B O N D ' S   G I R L ''

Have I died and gone to heaven?  Let's face it, to resemble the Bond Girls in even a shadow of a way is pretty thrilling.  I'd take 10% of a resemblance.  Wait, no I'd probably even take 6%.  Or less.  It's the ultimate outfit-compliment and something I've been striving for (whether I realised it or not) since watching my first Bond film, Dr. No, as a teenager.  Speaking of which, we all have our fave Bond Girls - which is yours?  My favourites include Elektra King (played by Sophie Marceau) in The World Is Not Enough and Miranda Frost (played by Rosamund Pike) in Die Another Day.    

Okay, so obviously there's no official rulebook as to how to look like a Bond Girl, but it's safe to say they do have a few well-known noteworthy attributes that go a long way in helping us to channel 'the look'.  Do they carry apples around with them?  Probably not. However, there are a few indisputable must-haves that feature in their outfits.  Assuming they're not sexily emerging from the water, they're usually seen in figure-hugging dresses and fierce-heeled stilettos.  Next up comes the immaculate nails, bold lips and never a hair out of place (sorry, can't help you there - the British breeze is not my friend).  If you're also a bit of a softie, sunglasses can help a lot in helping you to achieve the look and add a touch of mystery to your outfit.  But - and it's a big 'but' - above all else, it's about confidence.  Do the Bond Girls ever doubt their ability and slip into the shadows in an attempt to conceal themselves?  Hell no.  Keep your head, heels and standards high - remember your worth, babe!

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Dress - Oasis

Heels - Lost Ink

Sunglasses - Marc Jacobs

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Needless to say, styling an outfit to resemble a Bond Girl is a pretty subjective challenge.  With that in mind, I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!  Do you associate any specific attributes with that of a stiletto-wearing Bond Girl?!

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With love,

Gabrielle x