Farewell to 2015

This is my last post of the year, I've had some fun blogging in 2015 and suspect that 2016 might be a bit thin on the ground as I have a new job that means I'm working every day now. It's hard to be out of the house Monday through Friday but the regular income is nice!

I'd like to thank everyone who stops by to read and comment and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Before I leave I wanted to share with you my top picks from Esprit because they are one of my favourite brands of the year. I always stock up when in London (they have an amazing store on Oxford Street) and I love their website for visuals, great 'what's new' feature that tells you how many new items have been added to the site and generally fabulous clothes with great style and price.

Here's what I put on my Christmas list (husband reads the blog too and has done well in the past by ordering what I've said I love here!!)

Don't forget they have a FAB sale and things sell out quickly (talking to you husband who is reading and is thinking 'aaarrrggghhh I need to buy Fiona some Christmas presents)!

Enjoy your Esprit shopping if you're a fan (I am).

Once again, Happy Christmas to you all!

Fiona
xoxo

WOW Face Mask Review

£60 for a face mask* is a little on the high side I was so skeptical due to the price tag. I could be some way to having botox for that price. *There are 5 face masks in the packet.

The official website says “

An Anti-Aging Luxury Facial Mask Treatment filled with pure scientific goodness. Visibly reduce wrinkles, smaller pores, revitalized skin and a WOW EFFECT that makes you feel 5 inches taller.

How do you use it?

1. Wash and dry your face.
2. Once the mask is out of the silver sleeve, remove both of the plastic sheets.
3. Place it on your face – it’s a little slippery to start with so give it 5 minutes to settle.
4. Leave it on for 20-40 mins (the longer, the better).
5. Remove the mask gently.

I was keen to give it a try so I opened the box and took out the first packet (it comes with 5 treatments in it). Each treatment has two parts to it. A top part for your forehead/upper face and a lower part over your mouth and jaw. It was a bit fiddly to put on/get right and it ended up slipping off my face (nearly!). WAIT THE 5 MINS and it kind ‘sets’ so it won’t slip off.

I lay on the bed for 40 mins (I never do this) reading trying not to let the mask fall off.

I haven’t taken any photographs with me wearing the mask, it wasn’t attractive in any way nor would it be helpful to you as a reader. It’s a clear second skin type of thing that looks like I’m wearing a 2 part surgical mask for facial burns. But no-one will see you and a mud pack looks just as ‘attractive’!

WHAT MAKES WOW DIFFERENT?

They say: It is a natural alternative to injectables. All the active ingredients have been finely balanced to deliver the treatment quickly. WOW makes skin look as perfect as can be for 24 hours but the effects can be felt for up to 7 days. It’s perfect for busy women. Once the mask has settled, the wearer can get on with whatever it is they need to do.

THE RESULTS

I have to say my face DID feel cleaner, fresher and *I* felt better because I’d done it. I am really bad at skincare maintenance (I don’t even take my make up off night). No-one else in my family could see any difference but I felt different. I felt like I’d just been really really nice to my face and that in itself made me radiate a little ‘wow’ (see what I did there?!).

I guess if you are used to facials at a salon then this isn’t a bad price at all for a DIY deep cleanse. I will use the other 4 treatments because I have them but I’m going to save them for days when I’ve had a heavy night before or I have an event to go to because I felt good/better than before the treatment.

Have you ever tried a WOW mask? Let me know what you think? Again, if you go to salons regularly this could be a fantastic alternative for a home treatment. You can buy a 5 pack treatment box from the official site.

Fiona

Xoxo

PS I was given this treatment pack for free. I was under no obligation to write about it if I didn’t want to. I have enjoyed the product hence why I’ve reviewed it.

Gorgeous wrap bracelets

Christmas is coming up and I have the perfect gift for you, your friends/family members.

I sell these fabulous wrap bracelets. They have a press stud fastening and are easy to put on, comfortable to wear and look amazing on ANY wrist I've seen them on.

They are only £10, they come with a free gift pouch and I'm offering free UK delivery as standard on all my orders.

Seriously, you won't regret purchasing one as a gift for you or for someone else!

CLICK HERE to buy now!

It's a wrap folks! Perfect gifts and stocking fillers.

Fiona

xoxo

A brand we're loving right now - Fat Face

Avenue 57 grows strong on Facebook and we are all very much in love with a high street staple - Fat Face.

(Contact me if you want 'in'. It's a secret group so you won't find us by searching. This is because this summer we were plagued by some trolls. Can you believe that they were all females, mostly mothers too! It's unbelievable what makes these people tick. Anyway, we are 900+ women posting daily looks, getting inspiration and asking questions about health/beauty/clothes etc. My email is fiona@avenue57.com) 

My husband and children wear a lot of Fat Face stuff. I've never really looked if I'm honest. We go in, we go to the back where the mens section is, we pick up, we buy, we walk out. That's the entire experience of a man shopping.

I was thrilled to be sent these amazing jeans and hoody by Fat Face so I can now join in with the family favourite brand! I'm not alone either .. check out myself and other woman who love Fat Face

A few of my favourite things

New to my online shop are some gorgeous pieces.  I've taken one of the asymmetrical tops for myself and one of the aztec cardigans #perksofthejob.

I love how boutiques are popping up all the time and I know that Avril  my blogger buddy from School Gate Style does a great line in scarves and jewellery too.

These items need no further introduction, the pictures speak for themselves.

Most stock is added to Facebook first and then into the shop. If you want to be first to see what's new then hop on over and give the page a like or send me an email if you want to be added to the newsletter.

FREE UK delivery. I do also ship internationally - see store for details

Navy asymmetrical top - £18
Click here to buy

Aztec cardigan - £35
Click here to buy

Studded top (wool blend) - £35
Click here to buy

Handbag Organiser - £12
Click here to buy

Do you buy from Independent boutiques or do you favour the high street? I like to mix it up and buy from both.

Fiona
xoxo

Discount code Seven Boot Lane

I've been after a pair of navy ankle boots for a very long time! So when I was asked by Seven Boot Lane last week to review a pair of boots - yes please and thank you very much!

I was very torn between what I needed and what I loved;

NEED - Navy ankle boots

LOVE - Suede beige ankle boots

Gok for TU - he's back in the room

When Gok Wan first launched a collaboration with TU Clothing it was very well received. It was brilliant in terms of style/quality/design and price. And then (IMVHO) it went off the boil and I struggled to find a single item that I like/loved/desired.

He's just released his latest clothing line (must be about his 8th or something now?) and it's brilliant!

Totally in love with the suede skirt which is a take on the £200 one from M&S earlier this year. Also loving the bold prints and colours.

THIS IS NOT A SPONSORED POST. When I gush about something I gush and it might make you think I've been paid or gifted an item - I have not.


Gok Multicoloured Floral Mini Skirt - £25

Gok Tan Suede Button Through Midi Skirt - £30

Gok Cream Colourblock Jumper - £25

Gok Tan Longline Biker Coat - £45

Grey Varsity Bomber Coat - £40

Gok Orange Printed Pussybow Blouse - £22

I eye spied these beauties too from the standard TU range

Brown Leather Riding Boots - £55

Camel Textured Stitch Maxi Cardigan - £22

This has all the women talking on the Facebook group - it's amazing!

Pink Maxi Cardigan - £22

Grey Chunky Polo Poncho - £18 (I have this in cream from last year, I LOVE IT)

What do you think? Supermarket chic or supermarket sweep and move on?

Fiona
xoxo

Brand Discovery - Sandwich Clothing

The lovely ladies at Gemini have a wide range of brands in their shop and online. I've met the ladies behind the shop and have spent a fun day last year with Donna from I Won't Wear Sludge Brown on a photoshoot.

A brand which I became aware of last year and keep seeing more of is Sandwich. It's a Dutch brand originally and they say "Sandwich designs highly wearable fashion with a twist. Our clothing can be worn every day, but is never ordinary. You’ll recognise the Sandwich twist in our surprising cuts for example, our use of fabrics or our one-of-a-kind prints."

Here is my pick of the best via Gemini. The yellow scarf is amazing. Imagine that over a breton with a nice blazer and jeans.

Boucle Long Cardigan Coat

Denim Dress

Snuggle Jumper

Yellow Scarf

Vintage Look Jeans

Have you heard of Sandwich Clothing before? If you want to see a wide range of their clothes, free delivery over £75 then head on over to Gemini to order today.

Fiona
xoxo

White jeans in Autumn

I love white jeans but rarely wear them. Don't know why because when I do I love them!

Quickly shoved on white jeans today because it's summer like weather but I can't be bothered to shave and tan my legs #scabbylazybitch

Here are some ideas to recreate my look


Wrap Jumper - House Of Fraser

White Jeans - Topshop

Ankle books - Seven Boot Lane

White jeans in Autumn/Winter? I say yes!

Fiona
xoxo

Don't forget Avenue 57 has a pop up shop and is available to view on Facebook!

Grey ankle boots

I went away this weekend to the British seaside with 2 of my girlfriends. We had no plans other than to drink and eat. We did very well at those two activities.

We saw

We ate

We drank

We wore

Wanted: Fringe Boots

I was short of time on Saturday so literally walked past these, stopped, turned back, stared at them and cursed my lack of time for trying them on.

I'm surprised they're as expensive at this - it's Next we're talking about. They're usually very good at keeping prices lower but I'm surprised by the £68 price tag for a pair of fashion ankle boots (fashion meaning they're trendy now but who's to say they will still be next year?).

Ginger Suede Fringe Boots - £68

Other places to buy tan fringe boots?

New Look - £59.99

Office - £75

Matalan - £25

Saw these Ash Jalouse look a likey's too - £52

Miss KG via John Lewis - £95

ASOS - £50 (LOVE THESE)!

Dune - £99

Fan of the fringe?

Fiona
xoxo

THE best wrap/cape ever .. or is it?

Last week the ladies on Avenue 57 were all in a frenzy about this 'amazing' cape/wrap/shrug knit thing from Tesco.

It started with this picture

Helps that Tanya is just gorgeous and stylish anyway. DO NOT talk to me about how stunning her hair is .. just don't OK?!

Then that picture above lead to these below!

And on the real model (This cape is only £16 by the way)

MY OPINION

I got mine yesterday. I picked it up, I tried it on, I put it down. And repeat 3 times. In the end I asked the ladies on Avenue 57 what they thought and before anyone had responded I thought sod it, I'll buy it, take it home and see if I love it even more there. So it's sat on a hanger waiting to be loved because I don't love it right now. I just wanted to look like Tanya and I don't!

I got the M because they didn't have S and I think it's too big? I also didn't intend to share this photo so apologies for its crapness. It's ok, it's a bit itchy scratchy due to the wool blend, it has a funny leather trim too it that you can't see and I think it'll annoy me as you don't wrap it around your body and there is no fastening mechanism so it just hangs and I fear it might fall off and just slip down and generally bug me!

To cape or not to cape, that is the question?

Fiona
xoxo
Summer sale now on, many items £10 or less! CLICK HERE to view the Avenue 57 Pop Up Shop