Although you wouldn't think it from the sudden drop in temperature, constant downpours and thunder storms we've been experiencing lately, we are technically amidst the height of summer. Yes, that is how ridiculously rubbish the UK weather can be. So, to perk up my mood and almost fool myself into thinking there's bright blue skies and a heatwave going on outside, I thought I'd put together a little wishlist together, full of summer essentials. There's a few beauty bits, style favourites and homeware pieces in there that have taken my fancy recently, including a few items that you can snap up in the sales.
AD - This post is in collaboration with Esprit.
Hopefully my boyfriend and I will be fitting in another trip away before the end of the summer, so I've been looking for a few new swimwear pieces to take with me. I always like to invest in high-quality swimwear as it tends to last so much longer than cheaper pieces and Seafolly is a brand that I can always rely on to stay looking brand new for years. This Seafolly Active Swim Halterneck Swimsuit is chic and simple and, as it doesn't feature any trend-led details that will go out of fashion in a month, I know it will stand the test of time. I love the flattering cut-out sections, too.
For some reason, I've become obsessed with sunglasses recently, despite being happy with my fairly modest collection up until now. I think it's because I have a lot of Ray-Bans and feel like I want a few pairs that are a bit less chunky and more feminine. These Miu Miu Sunglasses are just what I've been looking for. I adore the delicate metal accents and half-rim framing, which is pretty, yet edgy, at the same time. The slightly elongated cat-eye shape is a style that suits me well and the softer charcoal shade isn't as harsh as a standard black.
My boyfriend and I love to cook meals from scratch and we've been making a concerted effort to try and incorporate a lot more meat-free dishes into our diet, recently. To give us some more inspiration, we've bought a lot more recipe books that focus on vegetarian and plant-based dishes. But, our kitchen is only small and the work surfaces soon get messy when we cook, so I've been looking for a stand to keep our new books as pristine as possible. Every piece of homeware from Oliver Bonas doesn't just serve a purpose, but also looks beautiful and the Oliver Bonas Flow Recipe Stand is no exception. I mean, could the marble and gold combination get any better?!
The Hourglass Confession Ultra Slim High Intensity Refillable Lipsticks have had a lot of hype since their release and I've totally fallen for it. I know that they work out as ridiculously expensive if you take into account the cost per gram, but it's pretty rare that I polish off an entire lipstick anyway and the formula just sounds heavenly. Although I'd like to buy the entire collection, the shades I'm most interested in are: If Only (a soft mauve-toned rose), I'm Addicted (a brown-toned dusky rose) and I Can't Live Without (a deep, rich redcurrant). I can't wait to pop to my local counter and give them all a swatch!
I'm a sucker for a sale, especially when it's an Oliver Bonas sale. I remember spotting this Oliver Bonas Iolanda Ceramic Vase at full price and intending to purchase it, but it totally slipped my mind. So, now it's on sale, I can't wait to finally pick it up for just £8.50! The base colour of our home is grey and we use brighter colours as accents to liven things up a bit. So, the concrete grey shade and pop of blue will fit with our decor perfectly.
When self-tanning, mousses have always been my preferred formula. I just find them to be the quickest and easiest to apply and they dry down much quicker than others, so I don't have to stand like a zombie for half an hour, before getting dressed or putting my pjs on. For years, I religiously applied a coating of the St.Tropez Bronzing Mousse every few days, but then my obsession had to come to an end as my skin got a lot dryer. I switched to using tanning liquids and oils, which I've loved, but I do miss using mousses for how quick and mess-free they are. So, I'm hoping that the Tan-Luxe Hydra-Mousse Hydrating Self-Tan Mousse will be the answer to all my tanning prayers!
I've also found a couple of things from Esprit which I've fallen in love with. This Esprit 100% Cotton Colour-Block Dress is just the type of dress I've been looking for, to add to my summer weekend wardrobe. When the weather is nice at the weekend, I like to throw on something light, simple and comfortable. I can't be bothered to wear anything really fancy when I'm just going for a walk, spending time with family or chilling out in the sun, but I still want to look nice and put together. Paired with some Converse, a fun bag (keep your eyes peeled for the next item) and a bright lipstick, this T-shirt dress would be ideal. Plus, it's only £29 - what a bargain!
Talking of bags, this Esprit Small Metallic Shoulder Bag is just so cute. Who can be bothered lugging around a huge, heavy tote when the weather is nice? Personally, I much prefer to pack only the essentials into a smaller cross-body bag like this one. I love the metallic silver finish, which is fun and makes the bag suitable to wear both day and night. It will see me through the winter, too. Reminiscent of Gucci's designs which are so popular right now, the chevron quilting on the front of the bag is bang on trend.
Talking of bags, this Esprit Small Metallic Shoulder Bag is just so cute. Who can be bothered lugging around a huge, heavy tote when the weather is nice? Personally, I much prefer to pack only the essentials into a smaller cross-body bag like this one. I love the metallic silver finish, which is fun and makes the bag suitable to wear both day and night. It will see me through the winter, too. Reminiscent of Gucci's designs which are so popular right now, the chevron quilting on the front of the bag is bang on trend.
Over the years, I've heard a lot about the Japanese brand Suqqu and, in particular, their foundations. Despite the eye-wateringly expensive price-tag, I'm so eager to pick up their Suqqu Extra Rich Cream Foundation. I'm all about a glowing complexion, particularly at this time of year, but it's so hard to achieve when your skin is naturally dry, like mine. Basically, I need a bucket-load of moisture, along with perfecting coverage and longevity, so I've got my fingers crossed that this little pot will deliver all of that, and potentially more!
What's on your current wishlist?
AGB X
AGB X
4 comments
I need this recipe stand just because :D I also really like the swimsuit, but can I get that body with it too? haha and I agree it won't go out of fashion soon so that's a great choice
ReplyDeletexo Honey - blog Royal Lifestyle - Twitter - Instagram
If only that was the way it worked when you bought swimwear! haha xx
DeleteI love those sunglasses!
ReplyDeleteEmily xo
www.emilynewstead.blogspot.co.uk
They're so gorgeous, aren't they? :) x
DeleteThanks for taking the time to read this post and leave a comment! I try to reply to each and every one of them within 24 hours! x