The Body Shop Argan Event

Another blog post, another London jaunt, these trips are becoming quite a habit of late and I for one am not complaining. Sheffield will always be my home but London is easily my second favourite city in the UK, our glorious capital has that vibe that says 'You don't wanna leave' and sneakily pulls you in with charm, quirks and a hint of glamour. The reason behind my excursion? A pre-birthday treat for my mum (that's daughter brownie points right there) but I'll save all that jazz for another time as today I'm sharing with you Body Shops latest launch, Argan and boy is it a goodie. 

Taking place in the authentic Momo Cafe in Mayfair the restaurant was awash with intricate lanterns, mourish nibbles and the most refreshing cocktails I've consumed in a while. Throw Arabic name writing, henna art, belly dancing and hand massages into the mix and you'd be on the Argan money.

In case you hadn't guessed the Argan collection derives from Morocco where the local Berber women hand pick and crack the top quality nuts (words I never thought I'd utter on Cagney & Lace) to produce pure argan oil which makes up the eight product strong range. Now you're probably thinking Argan oil is nothing new but the beauty of The Body Shop offering is that local women are supported and empowered by the production of the range, gaining their own income so they can send their children to school and buy simple things we take for granted like fridges and ovens. Not only is this feel good beauty at it's best but it smells bloomin amazing too, think cocoa butter but a souped up, smells even better version. I am hooked. If you wanna do your bit for the amazingly spirited Moroccan ladies and smell all fancy then pop the 13th of August in your diaries now.

If fashion is more your bag then don't feel let down, here's what I wore in London, day one...

Floral Midi Dress: Warehouse c/o Debenhams
Feather Necklace: Alex Monroe
Moonstone Ring: Astley Clarke
Black Ceramic Watch: Michael Kors
Alexa Bag: Mulberry
Habitat Pony Sandals: Steve Madden from House Of Fraser

I've always been one for a more leg baring number but something about this floral midi dress had me at hello, maybe it's the very Hannah-esque floral ditsy print. Teamed with my Steve Madden sandals which are the comfiest Summer shoes around this ensemble served me well in humid London. Who'd of thought England would get so ruddy hot? These snaps were taken outside Selfridges after my mum and I consumed the most sensational meal at the rooftop Q grill. Only the best for the nearly birthday girl, clearly I've got a thang for London rooftops.

Will you be trying the Argan range? Are you digging my midi dress?

Breton Stripes & Boyfriend Jeans

Breton Striped Jumper: H&M
Boyfriend Jeans: Topshop
Willow Bag: Mulberry
Rose Gold Studded Slipper Shoes: Sam Edelman
Watch: Michael Kors
Ring: Astley Clarke
Friendship Bracelet: Links Of London

Leather and leopard print, Anna Wintour and Vogue, Beyonce and Jay Z, Breton stripes and denim - sometimes fashion isn't about the latest trend or an of the moment piece but classic pairings which never date and won't let you down. A Breton striped jumper looks timeless and gives any outfit a chic, Parisian feel - alongside the humble white tee it's easily one of my wardrobe staples so you can imagine my delight when I picked this one up from the H&M sale for just £6. Teaming denim with a Breton striped jumper is a bit of a no-brainer for me as it's that easy blend of chic and casual but instead of opting for my much loved skinnys I chose a pair of boyfriend jeans instead.

Boyfriend jeans forever adorn the fashion glossies and with good reason, whether you have just pinched your guys off the bedroom floor or have snapped up a high street pair they can be worn with heels or with Converse plus did I mention they're bloomin comfy? I picked these true blue beauties up from Topshop just a couple of days ago, not only are they are great fit - not too baggy or fitted but at £42 you can't go wrong. The finishing touches to my running-errands Saturday attire (I'm talking furniture shopping and hair sprucing) were my rose gold studded slipper shoes from Sam Edelman which I bought last year and have shamefully barely worn *slaps wrist*, my Willow bag and my favourite couldn't-be-without jewellery.

I'm off to peruse the home inspiration mecca that is Ikea and fingers crossed I'll pick up the goodies in my last Wednesday Wishlist and partake in some Swedish foodie treats, thank goodness I'm back to the gym on Monday.

Do you love Breton stripes and boyfriend jeans? Which classic fash pairings are your fave?

Three Ways To Style A White Tee

White Tee: COLLECTIVE* (same throughout all outfits)
Leather Jacket: Zara
Neon Skirt: Sportmax Code from mywardrobe.com
Embellished Necklace: Accessorize
Friendship Bracelet: Links Of London
Raffia Clutch: Primark
Silver Sandals: Zara 

I'm not a believer of fashion rules (there I said it) I think fashion should be something you can enjoy and have fun with, an extension of your personality, an outlet for your creativity. If you want to rock clashing patterns and prints, wear sequins all day long or try black and blue together then I salute you - fashion should be something that makes you feel good. That said I do think every wardrobe should include a few basics, essential pieces form the foundation of any great wardrobe and for me a white t-shirt is one of those necessities so when the lovely people at COLLECTIVE got in touch asking me to style one of their premium white tees in three different ways I was more than game.

My first styling thought was to take the white tee into the unknown and dress it up - typically the white t-shirt has a reputation for being a casual number, not on my ship. For this outfit I went for a smack-you-in-the-face pop of colour with my newly acquired Sportmax Code mini skirt, I adore the vibrant neon shade of this skirt and the super cute black piping. The place of statement neck wear was taken by this silver embellished pendant necklace from Accessorize - bringing the outfit to a close I added my beaut Zara heels, a raffia clutch from Primark, my Links of London friendship bracelet and a trusty leather jacket, definitely another wardrobe essential which can ward off the evening chill.

Rose Gold Necklace: Lux Boutique, Bath
Willow Bag: Mulberry
Multi-coloured Bracelets: H&M
Gold Ring: Astley Clarke
Paisley Jeans: Zara
Sequin Converse: mywardrobe.com

Look number two is a casual look, something I'd wear at the weekend to run errands and possibly eat cupcakes in - although this look is a fairly simple ensemble it has got a few eye catching elements which make it a very me outfit. My COLLECTIVE tee has a lovely loose, relaxed fit which led me to pick a more fitted bottom half in the shape of my beloved paisley blue and white skinnys which are perfect for this in between weather we're experiencing right now. My footwear of choice? The magpie in me had to pick my navy sequinned Converse, which are practical and also make me smile all day long. Finishing touches to this casual get up include a delicate rose gold necklace from Lux Boutique in Bath, a collection of bracelets from H&M, my never-leave-the-house-without Astley Clarke ring and last but never least my Mulberry Willow bag.

Straw Trilby: c/o Swimwear 365
Sequin Blazer & Pink Maxi Skirt: Zara
Gold Band Necklace: Warehouse
Blue Sandals: Office

With the sun making a few cheeky appearances this weekend my final look just had to be a Summer appropriate one - this outfit is something I'd wear to a festival (why oh why do I not have V Festival tickets?) or to a friends BBQ. My COLLECTIVE tee is perfection for the hotter weather we've been experiencing as it's made solely from organic cotton and tencil which are 100% biodegradable and fully recyclable so not only is my tee lightweight but eco-friendly, easy brownie points for me.

I created my favourite look of the day (well it was inevitable) by tucking my white tee into a blush pink maxi skirt from Zara with cheeky side splits before adding this show stopper of a jacket, courtesy of my mums wardrobe - in my defense she barely wears it! Keeping things bright I added a pair of elasticated electric blue sandals from Office, a simple gold band necklace from Warehouse and my straw trilby from the kind folk at Swimwear365 which is fast becoming my new favourite accessory. 

How would you style a COLLECTIVE white tee? Which outfit is your favourite?

*The white tee was kindly sent to me by COLLECTIVE.

Keeping Things Simple

Love T-Shirt: Topshop
High Waisted Jeans: J Brand via Mimi Noor
Necklace: Warehouse
Converse Trainers: mywardrobe.com
Watch: Michael Kors
Rings: Astley Clarke & Whistles
Make-up: MAC
Nails: Essie Fiji

Well hello sunny Sunday, how much of a beauty has the weather been today? I've been pottering around in the garden this afternoon taking blog pictures galore and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed the suns rays. In the words of Alan Carr what a week it's been! At the beginning of the week I hadn't even left the house and now I've been back to work, attended a Space NK event, a Sheffield blogger meet up and a MAC make-up lesson (hence today's amaze make-up, post here) oh and did I mention that Craig and I have had an offer accepted on a house! It's very early days but we're incredibly excited to be on the way to having our own home, I'm mentally buying bedding and house hold trinkets as I type!

For Sundays when you need to be dressed in ten minutes flat you can't go wrong with a pair of high waisted skinny jeans - dressed up or down they make an incredibly versatile addition to any wardrobe and look just as fresh with a pair of Converse as they do with a pair of strappy Zara sandals. As weekends are all about laid back dressing I decided to tuck my new, oversized Love tee from Topshop into my J Brands - not only does this fit the bill for casual cool but £7 from the sale of every t-shirt goes to Fashion Targets Breast Cancer, who doesn't love feel good fashion? The finishing touches to my Sunday attire include my simple gold band necklace from Warehouse, my favourite rings and not forgetting my never-leave-the-house-without Michael Kors watch.

I hope you're all enjoying every last moment of your Sunday, I can't believe tomorrow will be my first Monday back at work in over two weeks! Right now I'm dying to order Kez a Cath Kidston dog basket as he'll be finally able to live with us...let's hope the boy isn't reading this one.

Have you been keeping things casual this Sunday? Do you love feel good fashion as much as me? 

If you love all things Cagney and Lace then I'd be beyond thrilled if you'd vote for me in the Cosmopolitan Blogger Awards sponsored by Next. I've been blogging for less than a year so hop on over to the Next site here and vote for Cagney and Lace in the Newcomer Award.

Toile & Trainers

Toile Blue Print Shirt: Primark
Neon Boucle Style Jacket: ASOS
Faux Fur Tippet: H&M
Black Coated Jeggings: Warehouse
Alexa Bag: Mulberry
Rings: Astley Clarke & Whistles
Converse Trainers: Mywardrobe.com

Well hello Monday, how did you come around so quickly? On the plus side, the arrival of another day means it's a day less until my birthday - just eighteen days to go guys! I'm sure it's not just me who finds Monday a bit of a struggle? Thankfully today wasn't difficult at all, I don't know whether it was down to the cheeky appearance put in by the sun or the fact that I've got lots of exciting plans to look forward to that's got me eager for the week ahead.

Todays pictures were actually taken yesterday before the boy and I dashed off to his parents for a traditional Sunday roast and a rather long dog walk with Kez. I've been dying to show you all my new toile blue print shirt for a while now, I'm seriously obsessed with this seasons print so I couldn't believe my look when I saw this oversized shirt in Primark - with a rather wonderful £12 price tag it just had to be mine. Even though the suns been shining in Sheffield it's still a little cool so the addition of my neon boucle jacket and my almost legendary faux fur tippet (it's crazy how much wear I've got out of this one) were a no brainer. To keep things on the right side of casual I added my much loved black coated jeggings and my wouldn't-go-anywhere-without Mulberry Alexa bag.

There's nothing I love more than an unexpected fashion twist, the juxtaposition of your Sunday best with the downright casual - as I'm all about practicing what I preach I decided to complete yesterdays outfit with my faithful Converse trainers. If you hadn't noticed trainers are having a serious moment right now (not that you shouldn't wear what you want, whenever you want) but I feel as though trainers are no longer reserved solely for exercise and the gym. For me they take an outfit from try hard to cool and effortless, did I mention they're damn comfortable too?

The latest viral campaign* created by Converse manages to cheekily poke fun at shoe wearers, giving them some well deserved footwear banter - I challenge you to watch this and not be smiling by the end...

Do you like to mix it up and wear trainers or are you a smart shoe girl to the very end?

*Video content sponsored by Spreaditfast

Sunday Best

Faux Fur Tippet: H&M
Boucle Style Jacket: ASOS
Denim Dress & Studded Boots: Topshop
Necklace & Cosy Tights: Primark
Rings: Astley Clarke & Whistles
Alexa Bag: Mulberry

How does Monday manage to come around so quickly? Two days off after a five day working week really doesn't seem like a fair deal! My weekend has been lovely and chilled - Saturday I went for brunch (easily the best meal of the day) with my girl Gemma at Carluccio's, we had the most divine Eggs Royale in case you were wondering. Saturday night was a Domino's and DVD affair with my mum and Sunday was spent in a cute country pub with the boys rents to celebrate Mothers Day. I think an appropriate name for this weekend would be food glorious good, thank God I've just got back from a gym sess!

A Sunday roast with the boys parents called for my best attire, a look that says I've made an effort but not too much, it was time to call in the ASOS boucle style jacket. This jacket could well be my new favourite, it dresses up the most casual of outfits - I'm looking at you denim shift dress whilst keeping me chic and cosy. This is sadly only the third outing for my denim shift dress, it's just been far too bloomin cold up north but I promise this is going to be making more appearances when Spring finally shows its face. As there was actual snow on the ground yesterday and today, I decided Primarks cosy tights were the way forward paired with my trusty Topshop studded boots - a good buy? I think so! The finishing touches to my outfit had to be my Mulberry Alexa, goes without saying really whilst my faux fur tippet gives my outfit that certain je nais se quoi. Last but by no means least I added my new necklace from Primark, neither me nor my friend Claire could believe our eyes when we spotted this beauty in Primark, for just £4 it had to be ours...yes we both bought it!

What have you been wearing this weekend? Brownie points given for anything from Primark that doesn't look like it's from Primark.