Perfumed loveliness...

The other week Instagramm'd this photo of my beloved Fragrance collection.

As I have got older (boohoo I'm now half way to 50!) my tastes have completed changed! 

I love a florals, fruity and a strong musky heady scent... but how I like to smell completely depends on what mood I'm in.

And I always leave my perfume until last to complete my outfit!

So with one of my faves running out, this weekend I treated myself to Chanel's new fragrance Coco Noir. 

Just look at the bottle - its a beauty and smells absolutely divine.

 I was lucky enough to be given some samples a couple of weeks back by one of the Chanel Girlies in my local department store (tip: make friends with these girlies -they can give you the best sample treats and save the best for their loyals!!) and I could not stop wearing it!

It really is an incredible perfume with its seductive and intense notes. It has notes of Grapefruit and Bergamont, alongside Rose, Jasmine and Indonesian Patchouli and Sandalwood add warm notes to this delicious fragrance.

 It's just as a Chanel scent should be & Gabrielle would be proud.

Loveliness 

J xx

Lipstick Fabulous...

Ever since I posted the pic of my new lipstick apothecary jar I have had loads of people ask "what lipsticks do you have in there?"

So what people ask for they get... 

So here's what's in my apothecary jar....

My favourite day lipstick... Chanel Rouge Coco 117 Magnolia.

I have literally gone through about five of these. 

It's subtle pink is perfect for day lips for those not wanting to go wild.

I always get compliments on how lovely this looks with my normally nude make up look.

My favourite evening lipsticks...

It's such a hard decision to decide between these too... Dior's Addict Extreme Plaza 476 and Chanel's Rouge Coco 19 Gabrielle.

Both of these are wonderfully moisturising and perfect for a glossy look without using gloppy lipgloss which gets all over the Champagne glasses!! 

The Dior lipstick is on the pink side but doesn't come out as bright as it looks and the Chanel is the perfect shade of red and suits all skin tones. 

They are both evening perfect.

And my new one...

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte 10. 

Which is the brightest shade of Fushia ever. 

I've tried it on wearing my pyjamas and now I just have to pluck up the courage to wear it to work or a shopping trip.

What's your favourite lipstick - any you'd recommend to add to the apothecary jar?!

Nail varnish - Sketch by Topshop Nails

Blooming Marvellous...

I have never been into gardening that much until I took up Instagramming... Now every bloom I see I want to take a picture of.
I live very near to the picturesque Cotswolds where villages are very proud of their community hanging baskets, and thought where better to take inspiration than my mum's garden... And what a treat!!
I found the most beautiful bright pink Dahlia and lovely little pink flowers that were even more adorable after a rain shower!


I'm off to some beautiful Cotswold villages tomorrow so will keep you updated with what fleurs I find!!

Happiness

J xx

It's a weekend so let's try something new....

I love a weekend as i am sure we all do and it's especially nice to try something new on these days away from the norm. 

As you know I'm literally having a stay at home bank holiday weekend... with a little sneaky trip to the shops. 

Here are my 5 tops tips for try a try something new weekend....

1) Read a book you've always wanted to but never got round to reading...

This is mine! (how beautiful is the cover)

I have always wanted to read this F.Scott Fitzgerald classic and with the upcoming Baz Lurhman film coming out soon staring the delightful Leonardo Di Caprio (he looks goood with age!) and Carey Mulligan I thought it only fair to start reading now. 

2) Go out and purchase a lipstick that's completely different from your usual colour...

I am a nude make up kinda girl - I like my clothes to do the talking not my face! BUT I have gone all out and purchased this delightful Yves Saint Laurent Lipstick in the brightest Fushia Pink (when I do something different I do take it to the extreme!)

Stunning casing, just need to pluck up the courage to wear it now! 

Maybe ill try it out when i'm wearing my pyjamas first!

3) Have a sort out... 

I always find a weekends are good to sort the old from the new. 

Beauty products can stay in our cupboards for a lot longer than they should and they can go over like food can - you then don't get the best results from the products. I am also guilty (as i'm sure many of us are) of buying things that don't quiet suit us and then staying unopened clogging up our beauty cupboards! 

Have a sort out - give that pink lipstick you don't wear to your mum, sister or friend. Have fun trying everything out again (you might find a new fave), check your mascara's, and try a funky nail art manicure with all those nail varnishes you have! 

Store your new found faves in a beautiful glass apothecary like the above, and they will look darling all together on your bathroom or bedroom side.

4) Watch a vintage classic...

There is literally nothing better than being in comfy clothes, snuggled up with a cuppa and popcorn watching one of the great films from yesteryear. 

This Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire is one of my favourites. 

5) Dream on....

and write a to do list - whether you are dreaming big or small it doesn't matter. 

Write it down and make sure you do it!

Mine is to plan and go visit the boy who's currently working out in Norway at the moment and visit the beautiful city of Oslo as well as have a massive catch up with my favourite chap in the whole wide world. 

Let me know if you have any ideas - i'd love to share them in another post. 

Loveliness & Happiness. 

Jx 

Loveliness is...

an extra long weekend to relax. 

In the UK we have an extra long weekend due to the bank holiday on Monday. 

This means that most of us wont need to set our alarms super early like we usually do on a Sunday. However tradition is that every time its a bank holiday we have THE weirdest weather. 

Today it has been hot, cold, thunder, rain and lighting all in about four hours! 

Crazy British Weather! 

So I have decided to treat myself to some chill out time: staying mostly at home and enjoying a little indulgence. 

So this is my indulgence box for the weekend containing - Laura Mercier Body & Bath from my previous post, my delicious Diptyque Freesia candle, Red Nail varnish from the M&S Autograph collection which is JUST the right shade of red, and Jamilia a book i was recommended by a friend. 

Maybe i will add in some chocolate and cups of tea too! 

Annnnnddddd relax. 

Just lovely 

J x

Loveliness is...

Knowing that it is pay day tomorrow and having saved my last few pennies from last month being due a little treat! I try to do this every month just so it gives me something to look forward too and I don't end up splurging my pay packet in the first week! 

This month's little indulgence was a Laura Mercier Bath & Body Honey Bath. 

Laura Mercier Body & Bath products are so divine. The feel of them on your skin is amazing - however previous lines of her range have been slightly too sickly sweet for me. 

A new fragrance has been launched - Ambre Vanillle and it is most magical. Its elegant and sophisticated and everything that a bathing product should be. 

I couldn't buy the whole product range no matter how much I wanted too but purchase the Honey Bath, because let's face it there is nothing better after a stressful day than have a good long soak in a foaming bubble bath with Diptyque candles flickering!

The product is so special, with its little wooden dipper to twirl in  the Honey Bath and drizzle into your running bath. It foamed to absolute perfection and the smell of the bathroom was divine. It has notes of sensual Ambre, soft vanilla and paired with tangerine, orchid and heliothorpe it's quiet simply the perfect mix of loveliness. 

I'd love to hear what your favourite bath time indulgence is as I love trying out new products! 

available at Space NK

Loveliness. 

J xx

Loveliness is...

Getting your outfit sorted the night before so that you are safe in the knowledge that you are gunna look fab the next day.

It also allows you to press that snooze button one last time for those delightful last five minutes in bed before your day begins.  

Here's my outfit ready set for the morning. 

My bargain Whistles beaded top found on ebay, my Topshop silver shoes and hidden are some chic black capris. 

Just hoping I will love this combo as much as I do this evening tomorrow morning...  

Loveliness.

J x 

Hey... I've got my new shoes on and suddenly everything's right...

I like to think of my self as a kinda stylish person... and in Cheltenham it really isn't that hard; if you're not wearing head to toe Joules, Barbour or Jack Wills you are classed as a fashion maverick.

However today, my new shoes have really divided the office... not that I am at all fussed if people don't love my metallic Topshop beauties, because I am head over heels with them! 

Every time I looked at my feet today I smiled and shoes should make you do that right? 

Here I am this morning with croissant in hand ready to take on the day with these super lovely shoes. 

I adored my outfit today with Stella McCartney inspired trousers from H&M for £12.99, metallic silver jumper bought last year from Warehouse, chiffon cream blouse from many a year ago and the lushous silver flats! 

Happiness.

J x

Happiness is...

Buying the weekly glossies on a Tuesday and reading them on the bus to work.

Whether it be the latest trends, what to buy or what Jennifer Aniston is up to...

I love the pure escapism of a good magazine.

Never will my life be like the ideal as shown in a magazine... but I can but dream.

Going retro and wearing Chanel Particuliere too. 

Love bringing back a nail varnish back into my routine that I always used to wear... and it still looks so chic! 

Happiness 

J x

Red Sky at Night...

Shepard's delight as the saying goes. 

Even though I don't live in the most beautiful of places ( a semi-detached in Gloucester doesn't light everyone's fire!) you only need to look above to see some wonderful delights.

Check out the sunset from my bedroom window this evening... think we are in for a gorgeously sunny day again tomorrow!

Happiness.

J x

Sweet Pea Loveliness...

Hand picked sweet peas from my Mother in Law to be's garden and placed in an old tea caddy. 

Perfumed to perfection and such beautiful colours... 

Loveliness. 

J x

Why I'm here...

Happiness & loveliness is....

Not letting yourself get worked up over the little things, buying yourself that pair of new shoes that you are so deservedly due, taking a compliment, Covent Garden, memories, making a cuppa for someone you wouldn't normally, making a stranger smile, helping a friend when they need it the most, a new nail varnish, Champagne poured into a cold glass, lighting a posh candle, a new cushion, spraying perfume on freshly laundered sheets, sand in your toes, Burgers with cheese, texting someone out of the blue, a new notebook, de-cluttering your knickers draw, Portobello Market, a new pair of pyjamas, a magazine and a cup of tea, cake, Paris, countryside walks, Hydrangae flowers, sparkly jewels, a new pen, old photographs, new photographs, new mascara, writing and sending a thank you card, walks by the river, picnics on the grass, Prosecco in a china tea cup, Laudree macaroons, Ray Ban sunnies, Festivals.... 

The list is quiet possibly endless... 

Recently I have found myself forgetting about the little things is life that make it oh so special. 

I'm getting caught up with life's stresses which are too small in comparison to let them get me down... 

So I am going to remind myself and share with you all what happiness and loveliness is all about... 

whether it's a nail varnish or a 2 week break in Mauritius (i wish!) I will be sharing with you what makes me smile.

Here's to happiness & loveliness to all..... 

J x