What I Wore Wednesday: Summer Pops of Colour

I'm a big fan of bright colours and one of my favourite things about summer is being able to wear pops of colour. So I thought this week I'd share my favourite colourful things I am loving so far this summer.

Neon Friendship Bracelets- Bijou Brigitte

I always like to try and get something when we are on vacation and since I'm only rocking maternity clothes these days I knew it would be accessories this trip. I really wanted a set of brightly coloured neon bracelets so I knew what to keep my eye out for when NotBlondeHusband and I had a wee wander in Perpignan. I found these bracelets, which are all connected with one clasp, at Bijou Brigitte (where I got the braided bead bracelet I wore to BritMums last year).

I love the different textures of friendship bracelet- braided thread, leather and metal and especially the bright colours! It brightens up my wrist and makes me smile and really what more can you ask for from an accessory?

Woppin' Watermelon Chubby Stick-Clinique

I try not to get sucked into "freebies" you get with magazines but this one sucked me in and I'm so glad it did! I really struggle to find lip colours that match my complexion but don't look strange to me since I have dark-ish lips. I got this Clinique Chubby Stick for free with Glamour magazine which I only paid £2 for at the store. Clinique's cult chubby sticks retail for £17!  I love that you can layer on as much or as little colour as you like to get a perfect shade that blends into a colour that suits you.

Most pink lip colours look strange to me since I'm used to seeing darker lips but this is absolutely perfect. It is probably a wee bit light to wear outside of the summer months but I don't care and for £2 I will totally get a fair use out of it!

Old Navy Flipflops

When I go home to Ohio I always go to Old Navy. I only wear Old Navy jeans (if you are hourglass get the Sweetheart, they'll change your life) and once every year or so I get new flipflops. First they are ridiculously cheap--I think at most they only ever cost you £2.50 and they come in lots of colours.  I bought light purple and fuchsia this year but have had baby blue, dark purple and green in the past (they are probably in my closet who am I kidding). 

We don't get tons of flip flop weather in Scotland but the very second I can get away with wearing them I do. Also being pregnant my feet aren't the biggest fans of shoes so I will be wearing them whenever it isn't raining. Again the bright colours make me happy and means my feet don't get sore on my commute, too!

What is your favourite way to add pops of colour to your style?

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What I Wore Wednesday: Natural You

After a crazy few weeks, including Blondie Boy getting the chicken pox, I was more than happy to go for a night of pampering at Natural You Salon, Scottish Beauty Salon of the year 2013. I headed up with the lovely Paula and with only a slight sat nav hitch we made it to the salon in East Kilbride.

Natural You Salon has over 20 years experience in the Beauty Industry and recently underwent a glamorous new makeover. We were invited to try out some of their signature treatments on the night and first up I had a PRIORI® CoffeeBerry® facial.  Now I'm not normally a facial kind of girl; I tend to have sensitive skin and treatments leave me broken out and red. I was assured that Coffeeberry was for me and would act like a peel without any redness or irritation. I was a bit skeptical if I am honest but I had no need to be. My skin was all glowy and unbelievably smooth afterwards and I didn't break out or go red. It was so relaxing and I could see myself having them again now I know how my skin reacts.

Next up celebrity make-up artist Kevin Moore converted me again! I almost never wear foundation. I just don't like it. The new Vitage® Colour Minerals create a fresh faced, healthy look and are made using only natural occurring minerals that are mined and perfectly mixed to create concentrated colour pigments that perform differently to other minerals.  Kevin tried out the  Natural Daily Perfector mineral mousse on me and I was really surprised. The weightless formula delivers amazing coverage without feeling like you're wearing a mask. I've actually got in on today which is shocking because I never manage anything other than eye makeup before work but it really is that quick and easy.

To finish up my night of pampering I got a Shellac manicure in Grape Gum. It's no shocker I went for purple and I'm such a fan of Shellac manicures. With the proper care (almond oil before bed and in the morning) can last up to two weeks. Who wouldn't want a chip free manicure? If you are someone who is really rough on your hands they also offer a gel base to make your Shellac longer, too.

It was a really lovely evening and I'd 100% go back again. All the staff were so lovely and really did have your best interests in mind when recommending treatments. I also got to catch up with my bloggy bestie Susan who got a stunning makeover of her own.

It was a cold and dreary night and since I'd been home playing nurse to chicken poxy all day I didn't really have it in me to get super glammed up. So I decided to go a little bit rock and a little bit glam and a whole lot of comfy with my outfit.

Guns 'N Roses tee- Target

Pink Gala Glitter Bow- Crown and Glory

The Flirt Jeans- Old Navy

My BFF Sabrina got me this amazing Crown and Glory Gala Glitter Bow for Christmas and I've not had a reason to wear it yet so I decided tonight was the night. Ignore my wonky sleeves on my tee; originally I had both rolled but then I had a facial and got all blissed out and forgot!  I got the tee on mega-sale at Target; it's a men's tee but with the exception of the longer sleeves I like them because they are a longer fit than most women's tees and in general way cheaper.

In my head I was channeling the fab Miss West End Girl but I'm still not 100% if this outfit was a hit or a miss even though I got lots of compliments on my bow.

What do you think? Do giant glitter boys and 80's rock tees work together?

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What I Wore Wednesday: Kenneth Cole Reaction Purple Coat

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, it's cold in Glasgow. I almost feel bad saying that because I know there is snow back home in Ohio and I didn't even have to scrape my windshield this morning but comparatively it is cold. I can't get away with just a jacket and while most of my 2009 Zara coat has held up well (I lost a button do to pregnancy boobage) it isn't particularly warm enough for shivering at the bus stop.

So after much heckling from my co-workers to put on something warm I decided to get a new winter coat. I'd give you three guesses where I went to look for a new coat but really you'll only need one. Blondie Boy and I headed to TK Maxx who have tons of coats and jackets in store right now. I wasn't entirely sure what style I was going for and had tons to choose from so lucky me when my boy pulled out a coat for me that I loved! That kid has great fashion sense:)

Purple Puffy Coat with Fur Hood-Kenneth Cole Reaction via TK Maxx
Old Navy Turquoise Boatneck Sweater with Button Detail on Shoulder

Old Navy Sweetheart Jeans

Black Studded Pumps- New Look

I love purple and the coat is SO warm. There are sweater cuffs inside the arms so your wrists don't get cold and it is super fluffy and feather-filled. The inside is super soft minky and then of course there is the fabulous detachable faux-fur hood. To top it off there are toggles at the waist so you can cinch it in so you aren't a giant puff ball! 

It is absolutely the perfect winter coat for me and I'm glad Blondie Boy grabbed it and told me to try it on! Normally he'd get in trouble for grabbing stuff off the rails but not this time! To top it all off the coat was reduced/on sale, too!

Also do you see all those lights? My new office is right on the main square in Glasgow so we look out directly onto all the Christmas lights and attractions! It makes going to work and leaving work in the dark a little bit easier to deal with!

Have you gotten a new coat this winter or have you dug out an old favourite?

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What I Wore Wednesday: Mar Menor, Spain

I really wish Glasgow knew what summer actually means. It is currently 55 degrees and raining--I'm sorry but that is not how summer is defined in my dictionary. Luckily while we were on holiday by Mar Menor, Spain we actually got to experience summer. I'm talking temperatures in the 80s/90s, swimming outside, blue skies and SUNSHINE!!!

We rented a villa with NotBlondeHusband's sister, mom and her husband; we had our very own pool and hot tub. We ate breakfast outside on the patio and swam every day and generally only went inside to sleep. It was absolutely perfect and over way too fast.

Blondie Boy LOVED the pool. We had to enforce a sort of backwards adult swim where he was allowed 15 minutes in and 45 minutes out only because we were worried he'd still burn even with super high SPF on. He is a total pool rat and we're going to look into getting him swim lessons again now we are home.

Perfecting the lift from Dirty Dancing

We were only 10 minutes from the beach at Mar Menor (a salt water lagoon separated from the ocean by a large inhabited sandbar) and 25 minutes from the ocean side of La Manga (the aforementioned big ass sandbar) but we only ventured there twice. We drove down La Manga one evening and Blondie Boy had such a great time playing in the sand along the ocean that we went to the Mar Menor beach the next morning to build more sand creatures and collect shells. If you're going to this part of Spain the water in Mar Menor is really warm and really shallow so is pretty ideal for small children!

I pretty much was in my swimsuit all day and then changed into a sleeveless top and shorts or a sun dress at night. It so rarely gets warm enough for shorts in Glasgow I had to buy some before we left! I've put them away for the next time I'll need them but I'm not holding my breath!

I have about a gazillion pictures of Blondie Boy swimming or playing with his new cars (visiting Spanish Toys R Us was on his to do list) but I won't bore you all with them. I'm so glad we were able to get away and I would totally go back again. At first I was worried we didn't really do anything super cultural but then I realised growing up our vacations were about going to the beach and getting good weather and honestly there is nothing wrong with that. If you think of Spain as our Florida (Midwest Americans go to Florida, Scottish people go to Spain), lazing by the pool all day doesn't sound so bad. To be honest does lazing by the pool ever sound bad?

We did go into Cartagena, a former Roman strong hold, for the afternoon and walked around the cobbled streets and even found our way into Sephora (why are is Sephora on the continent and not in the UK?!? Why is their iced tea on the continent and not in the UK? Why are churros so freaking tasty?!?!) and had drinks on the harbour. It was super windy but we managed to snap one picture on the promenade and then another when we got home.

High Low Skull top-HM

Dark Wash Denim Shorts-Forever 21

Flip Flops-Old Navy

We all know I have a minor major obsession with skulls so when I saw this shirt at H&M I had to buy it. Forever 21 only opened in Glasgow a month or so ago and honestly I wasn't sure if it was my type of place but since they had shorts that fit me it TOTALLY is! I've learned over time not to try and buy pants/trousers that aren't made in America. I know that sounds odd but my American ass is not made for British jeans what can I say! Do you have issues finding pants/trousers that fit right?

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What I Wore Wednesday: BritMums Live

On Friday morning at 4am UK time we left Spain and then I flew straight to Ayrshire and then drove up to Glasgow to fly to London for BritMums Live! I was exhausted to say the least but I had an amazing time. Since I was travelling all day and schlepping from Gatwick into town I arrived in what I flew in (jeans and a tee). The lovely people at TK Maxx offered to dress all of us Best Style blog finalists so I changed before the BiBs in the evening; super sweet Chelsea from Ms. Mummy of Two let fellow finalist Liz from Baby Wears Prada and I get all dolled up in her room before the awards started.

Liz and I

Photo stolen from the lovely HonestMum
Jacqui, Mirka, Jen, Uju & I

Metallic Dress- TK Maxx

Ankle Boots-New Look

Kitty Ears- Accessorize

I'm a huge fan of the current summer trend for metallics so I grabbed this metallic dress the second I saw it at TK Maxx. I know you're thinking---umm WTF is with the cat ears? Well when Liz won the Best Fashion award at The Mads last year she had some super cute kitty cat ears so we decided to rock them again for the BiBs. If you can't wear cat ears to an awards ceremony when can you? You can't tell but the top half of the dress was see-through at the back something I didn't think I'd be comfortable with but am glad I faced my fear!

The next day I was speaking during one of the sessions and again was lucky enough to have an outfit sent to me by the fab team at Secret Sales. I knew I wanted to be comfortable since I was speaking and since I'd be on my feet all day and I absolutely LOVE the look that they helped me come up with for the day.

Ripped Effect Studded Skull Interdee tee- Secret Sales

Leopard Tank Top- Zara

The Flirt Skinny Jean- Old Navy

Leopard Heels- Dune via TK Maxx

Braided Bead Bracelet-Bijou Brigitte 

OMG I love this top SO much. I didn't realize it had tiny silver skulls on it until it arrived and I literally squealed outloud when I opened the package! Secret Sales originally sent me a maxi skirt to wear with it but I felt it made the look a bit to blah so I changed it up with skinny jeans and leopard heels. While we were in Spain I got a leopard tank to wear underneath and peek through the rips and this awesome bracelet. I love that neon is on trend again and I feel like these beads, braided is a funky twist and a pop of colour. I felt super comfortable and confidant all day and love how it all came together.

I'm so grateful for Sodastream sponsoring me to attend and TK Maxx and Secret Sales helping be look stylish while there! I never would have worn a sheer backed dress or a ripped top before but I'm so glad I did. Are there any styles you've been reluctant to try but then loved?



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