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?

An Afternoon In London With ASOS

Who hasn't sat and dreamt about what goes on inside the grand head quarters of ASOS when you're hovering over the add to basket button? Will Katy Perry be playing loud and proud? Will the entire space look like something out of the latest lifestyle magazine? Will team ASOS be a seriously fashionable but friendly bunch? In a word, yes. I can confirm that everything you've imagined is probably true, and some. I was lucky enough to spend an afternoon in London to celebrate Access All ASOS' Epic Summer Party, and it was exactly that.

I was welcomed to ASOS HQ with a floral crown made with the most fresh and fragrant flowers by the babes at The Floral Appreciation Society, it'd be rude not to sport it straight away...

ASOS had thought of every last touch to get you in the Summer mind set with mini collections of shoes, jewellery and accessories scattered around the stark white event space.

Even the boys were considered, I wonder if these driving shoes come in a size seven?

That yellow fifties bombshell two piece needs to be in my Sardinia suitcase stat.

Fashion aside feast your eyes on the quirky touches, I'm digging these fabric covered panels

And I need this effortless lighting in my life. 

ASOS ensured we were fed and watered (essential with florals on your noggin') with a selection of drinks from elderflower cordial in teeny milk bottles, to cider and the Summer classic Pimms. Food came in the shape of chilli hot dawgs and my favourite, ice cream.

With everything from floral crown creation, to Ciate manicures and a pop up bar there wasn't a moment to be spared. My favourite quirk of the evening? The Social Playground printer which produced any Instagram snap providing you used the #epicsummer, genius right? Check out my pic here. 

ASOS HQ was packed to the rafters with beauties, fashion lovers and handsome fellows as well as a few recognisable faces playing table football...

Dunya from Dearest Deer and Carrie from Wish Wish Wish.

Feeling full to the brim with Summer fashion not to mention the ice cream and hot dog I devoured I decided to head central and catch up with my personal photographer for the day, my mum. I'm more than happy popping back and forth to events solo but with my mum fancying a trip to the big smoke we decided to join forces, while I got my ASOS on the lady shopped. We caught up outside Liberty to chat purchases, the perfect backdrop for my floral crown. Don't you agree?

Chambray Shirt: Topshop
Embellished Statement Necklace: Topshop
Maysa Skinny Jeans: Whistles
Cut Out Boots: Topshop
Friendship Bracelet: Accessorize
Black Ceramic Watch: Michael Kors
Alexa Bag: Mulberry

London you beauty.

Have you ever dreamt of ASOS HQ? What do you make of my floral crown?

Ideal Home Show With Hillarys Blinds

Two short weeks ago an email hopped into my inbox that got my creative energy flowing - the lovely guys at Hillarys Blinds were inviting me to the Ideal Home Show with a preview of their new collection to follow. A trip to London to ogle homewares? Yes please. For as long as I can remember I've been dying to visit the Ideal Home Show, Ideal Home is one of my favourite reads and interiors are a huge passion of mine - I even wanted to be an interior designer when I was younger. I now work in the home improvement industry as a buyer so spending a day getting inspo for both work and play suited me down to the ground.

A room set created by Ideal Home, I love the mixture of prints and textures.

 Metro brick and wood effect tiles are big news right now and how dreamy is that copper bath?

 The mix of stripes and toile creates the perfect masculine feminine balance.

As an Ideal Home Show newb I must confess I was a little disappointed, I'd imagined the show to be a interiors dream with my brain working over time to absorb every inch of the grand hall but overall I found the show to be lacking and full to brim with random tat (anyone for hair extensions or skincare from the deep sea?) I'd of loved to have seen smaller, niche brands that were more quality over quantity, that said I did enjoy wandering around the show homes and seeing the big interiors trends translated right before my very eyes. See a few behind the scenes snap over on my Instagram.

Team Hillarys on the other hand know how to put on a good show. Held in the Pembroke, close to Earls Court we were introduced to the story behind the new collection with cocktails and canapés in hand. Based on a New World theme Hillarys latest offering for roller blinds is trend and season led with the New World theme hosting three key collections: Modern Coastal, Organic Earth and Eclectic Luxe. Each mini collection is dreamier than the last...

 Modern Coastal brings that nostalgic, old memory feel with a contemporary twist.

 I adore the old school notion of this simple yacht fabric, perfect for bathrooms or a bedroom.

 Organic Earth sees the outdoors come inside with a warming, cosy colour palette.

 Finally Eclectic Luxe, delicately marrying the old and new together with a whimsical vintage nod.

This Finch fabric was a real favourite of mine, capturing the beauty of vintage lace in a modern way.

As always the gang at Hillarys really looked after me so I'd like to say a huge thank you to them and for introducing me to the new collection, I don't think I've ever felt a stronger urge to pull down all my window coverings and start again. I mean have you seen their wooden shutters?

If you're on the hunt for some home inspiration and you're based north west then I suggest a visit to Home Is In The North, an interiors shopping event in Manchester on Saturday the 26th of April - I'd be attending myself if it wasn't my birthday that very day. The event brings together a mixture of independent designers and crafting opportunities. A date to add to the diary and not just because it's my birthday.

Have you ever visited the Ideal Home Show? Which collection from Hillarys is your favourite?

*I was kindly compensated by Hillarys for my travel.

Backstage At London Fashion Scout

After hopping on an oh-em-gee-this-is-so-early-for-a-Saturday-morning train, having a it'd be rude not to look in Topshop on Oxford Street and popping over to that place they call Somerset House I was ready to meet team Body Shop for a backstage perusal of Fashion Scout. Stepping inside the decadent, art deco surrounding of Freemasons Hall is truly mesmerizing (have you seen those dreamy high paneled ceilings?) and that's before we even talk fashion. It didn't take long before I felt at ease in the beautiful space after such a warm welcome from team Body Shop and a few blogging babes including Fleur who were all lovely to spend time with in the Media Lounge. The Media Lounge was the place for sponsors to hang out in between shows with numerous power outlets (essential if you've got an iPhone) as well as refreshments and snacks from Vita Coco, Snog and Propercorn. 

Taking my seat for the first show I don't think I've ever felt so excited, the pre show buzz is just electric as everyone waits in anticipation, suddenly the hustle and bustle of the fashion pack dies down and the lights fall - then the music kicks in and all your senses are awakened to the beauty of fashion.

Zeynep Kartal was my first show and what a glamorous affair, if I was to ever get married isn't the dress above the most dreamy, princess like gown you've ever laid eyes on? Zeynep Kartals show really spoke to me with the contrast of such a simple make-up look and fresh, undone back combed hair paired with scattered sequin two pieces and gowns.

One of the most note worthy parts of the backstage experience was getting the low down on the make-up look for Belle Sauvage from The Body Shops head make-up artist Lan. Inspired by the 1940s, a doll like red lip was the focus with a strong winged liner and fresh highlighted skin to complete the look. I love how Lan made products multipurpose by using The Body Shop brow kit on both brows and as a natural contour shade while white eyeshadow was not only swept across the lid but used as a highlight. Big brows are still huge for the Autumn Winter season as Lan told us some of the models didn't want even the tiniest brow hair removing as they were trying to grow Cara-esqe face framers - I don't feel so bad about not making it to the threaders as often now.

Kiev Fashion Days was my second show which brings together several designers into one arena. Anna K (pictures 1-2) and Paskal (pictures 3-5) are two designers that couldn't be more diverse if they tried. Anna K showed easy to style and wearable pieces (a bit of a rarity at Fashion Week). I loved the cheeky slogans sported on some of her clothes and think Anna Ks aesthetic is very much the mood right now. 

Paskal on the other hand showed a smorgasbord of delicate shades and vibrant brights with geometric cut out details providing a rather unexpected sophisticated edge. The model sporting the ice cream mint shade makes me long to be a redhead, just how sensational is her hair?

My final show of the day was Belle Sauvage, think fierce and then some. The Belle Sauvage girls had bags of attitude, sported sleek hair with either fez hats or quilted hoods and rocked strong Versace inspired chain prints with lipsticks thrown in for good measure. Absolutely genius and easily the most cohesive show of the day.

Visiting London for Fashion Scout was everything (and more) than I could have ever of imagined and I cannot thank The Body Shop enough for having me along for the fashion ride of my life. Fashion Scout you've been awesome, here's to many more fashion weeks to come *raises Vita Coco Latte*.

What do you think of the make-up look created for Belle Sauvage? Which show do you like the look of?