LOVE ME // TIGI BED HEAD MAKEOVER

Getting LFW Ready - My Marc Antoni Makeover

      

MARC ANTONI: SITE // TWITTER // FACEBOOK

Here's something I've not actually done before - a salon review! I get so many of you asking about my hair that I'm surprised I haven't done a post like this sooner!

As you can see from the 'before' photos, my hair was a tragic mess; 3 inch roots, awful faded colour, butchered homecut fringe and frazzled ends - and desperate to not look like a total trainwreck at LFW, something had to be done! I have a long Marc Antoni history - they're the people actually responsible for first dyeing my hair pink back in 2012 and I truly believe it's down to them that it's still so long and lush to this day - I dread to think how fried my hair would be if my mum was in charge!

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AMY X

A THOUSAND MILES AWAY FROM NOWHERE

  

FEDORA // PRIMARK (SIMILAR)

NECKLACES // EUPHORIA CREATIONS*, DRUZY DREAMS*

JACKET* // OH MY LOVE

FISHNET TOP // LIP SERVICE (SIMILAR)

PLAYSUIT* // STYLEMOI

BOOTS // JEFFREY CAMPBELL (SIMILAR)

PHOTOS // ALEX INKIN

LYRICS // UNBELIEVER - YOU+ME

Now that my boyfriend lives in London, it means I get a chance to explore fun new locations to shoot outfits - unfortunately with it being winter it starts getting dull at 2pm, so despite the fact I lugged three fabulous outfits in my suitcase this weekend, I didn't get the chance to shoot even one of them, slightly soul-destroying.  Luckily I have these photos from the the other day that I can post instead!  

If you know anything about my style, you'll probably be able to tell that I don't believe in having a 'summer/winter' wardrobe - part of the fun of styling outfits is the challenge of how to make items weather appropriate, why shouldn't I be able to wear my pretty new playsuit when it's cold? I'm no layering queen, but I was pretty proud when I slung on my fishnet top and it looked half-decent, plus with my fave OML jacket I was super toasty for the harsh streets of London!  What do you do to winter-ify summer pieces? 

AMY X

OUR HEARTS MARCH TO THE SAME BEAT

 

FEDORA // H&M (SIMILAR)

NECKLACE* // SHANTIQUE DESIGNS

JACKET* // MISSGUIDED

DRESS* // PRIMARK (SIMILAR)

BOOTS* // MISSGUIDED

CLUTCH* // MIGHTY PURSE

BRACELET* // ANNA LOU OF LONDON*

RINGS // ANNA LOU OF LONDON*, IDLE HANDS*, VINTAGE, MARKET, REGAL ROSE

PHOTOS: ALEX INKIN

LYRICS: YOU AND ME - YOU+ME

This picturesque background and summery outfit may give it away, but these photos were taken a couple of months ago on my mini holiday to Amsterdam!  The weather was gorgeous, although I packed all skirts/dresses and we rented bikes every day, so had a bit of trouble!  This clutch was a lifesaver because I was able to just loop it on my handlebars, it contains a portable charger, and fit everything I needed, meaning I didn't have to lug around a heavy backpack with my cameras in (I left that to Alex, heheheh).  I also got a snazzy little keyring for it from a random guy at a market stall who asked where my necklace was from, so I gave him the website and he gave me it in return - I can't remember what the name is for it but it tells you the dates/days/months etc for every day up to 2040 (for example I can find out that my birthday will be on a Sunday in 2022 - pointless but pretty cool!).  I do have a couple more outfits from 'Dam as well as a vlog so stay tuned for that!

AMY X

UNPIN YOUR BUTTERFLIES // STATUS ANXIETY BAG GIVEAWAY

  

FEDORA // H&M (SIMILAR)

NECKLACE* // SHANTIQUE DESIGNS
MAXI DRESS* // MISSGUIDED
TOP* // MISSGUIDED
BELT // VINTAGE
SHORTS* // NEW LOOK

BAG* // STATUS ANXIETY

BOOTS* // ARK

CUFF* // SHANTIQUE DESIGNS
RINGS // LOST AT SEA*, CHXRMED*

PHOTOS: POLLY THOMSON STOREY
LYRICS: NARA - ALT-J

I got very lucky with these photos - it had been raining all day and by the time we got round to shooting the photos it was starting to get dark, but somehow they managed to turn out well!  Shooting on top of car parks is now my favourite thing as you can do what you like and not care because there's no one around, and I just think the background looks rad!  I had so much fun swishing around in this maxi from Missguided, it's actually a dress but I prefer wearing it as a kimono to dress it down a little (and because there's a ton of buttons and I'm lazy).  

For me, this look is the perfect balance between grunge and boho, and I definitely want to go for this kind of vibe more often - since starting work in an office it's so easy to slip into lazy dressing, ie. jeans & a t-shirt every day and I don't want to get myself into a style rut!  What do you guys do to spice up everyday outfits?

Anyway, onto the giveaway!  The lovely people over at Status Anxiety have very kindly let me give away one of their gorgeous bags.  Mine is such high quality and I'm just in love with it - the leather is buttery soft, the fur is so silky and it's the perfect size - if you'd like to get your hands on one, just follow the steps below!

- Giveaway is for one Status Anxiety bag in the Maud, Molly or Norma style.
- Lasts for 1 week (ends 10/11/14)
- Open to readers worldwide
- Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

AMY X

A FLOOD OF BLOOD TO THE HEART

    

CHOKER* // LOST AT SEA

JACKET* // MISSGUIDED

DRESS* // CHICWISH

BOOTS* // MISSGUIDED
LIPS // MAC BOYFRIEND STEALER

LYRICS: BLOODFLOOD PT II - ALT J

PHOTOS: ALEX INKIN

As Halloween is slowly creeping up on us, I thought I'd post this outfit, as (in my opinion) it has a slight witchy vibe to it.  I absolutely love the Missguided Zazula jackets and actually own the nude one as well (outfit post coming soon!) - it's so soft and the perfect piece to layer underneath when it starts to get a bit more chilly.  The cut-out on this dress is such a unique piece and I'm actually really impressed with the quality and fit - usually it's a little questionable from the Chinese-based sites, but Chicwish always deliver, very impressed.  This was my day-to-night look from my three-day bender in London the other week, hence why the photos are a little lacklustre as I was totally shattered!

PS. As you guys probably have noticed, I use lyrics as the titles for my outfit posts, and I thought you might want to know what kind of music I listen to, so will now start linking to the song in future posts!
AMY X

REVIEW // Bee Good 3-in-1 Cleansing Water

Bee Good Cleansing Water* // £10

Ooh another attempt at a beauty post, look at me go!

This product I actually got a while ago so I've had a good amount of time to review it, and I must say I'm really impressed with it.  Before I get into anything, here's a little information about the brand & product.

Bee Good was created by a husband & wife, combining Simon's beekeeping hobby with Caroline's love of skincare, so all products use beeswax and honey from British bees.

"This 3-in-1 cleansing water dissolves make-up, cleanses and tones the skin - no water needed!  Gentle enough to use on the delicate eye area, it leaves skin bee-autifully clean, toned and refreshed.  The active ingredients include moisturising British wild flower honey, brightening red algae and refreshing wild water mint."

Firstly, I'm surprised at how long the product has lasted me; I didn't think 100ml would go that far, but I got it in July and after using it every other day or so there's just under half left (I'd say).  I usually use it after taking heavier make-up off with my Body Shop Camomile eye makeup remover but have used for a full face of makeup before and this product works better than my Garnier Micellar Water with removing eye make-up.  I need to use 4 cotton pads for my full face, but always double cleanse as I have blemish prone skin and want to make sure my face is completely clean.  It's also very delicately scented, which I don't mind as you hardly notice it.  I have sensitive skin and this has caused no problems, it doesn't sting the eyes and leaves skin feeling fresh and not sticky.  I think I will go back and repurchase this product, however I am interested in trying out different brands and have heard good things about the NSPA Micellar Water, so would like to try that next!

Also how could I go without mentioning the packaging it came in?  I'm a big fan of when people put a lot of effort into that kind of thing, as it just makes it so much more exciting to receive.  One thing I've never seen before is what they've done with the tag with my name on it; it's made of recycled paper with seeds in it with instructions to tear it up, put it in soil and water regularly.  From the seeds, wild flowers will grow to become a source of nectar for the honeybees, such a great idea and means I can do my part to save the bees!

I'm definitely a fan of both the products and general values/ethos of the brand, and Bee Good are now stocked in some Waitrose stores, so I may have to pop in and try their other products!  Have you tried any Bee Good products?
AMY X
NOTE: This is not a paid review - the item was sent to me for consideration and all thoughts are my own.

STOLEN DANCE

  

COLLAR // H&M (SIMILAR)
DRESS* // JONES + JONES
BAG* // MISSGUIDED
ANKLE STRAPS* // MISSGUIDED
SHOES* // ARK
RINGS // INFINITINE*, VINTAGE, INFINITINE*
LIPS // MAC RUSSIAN RED

Today is a sad day people, because this is the very last set of outfit photos with the pretty white wardrobe background!  In case you didn't know, I moved house a couple of months back, out of the place I pretty much grew up in, and I genuinely had a little cry while driving away - I felt like I was in a crappy movie with my car filled to the windows and my potted plant on my knee haha.  It's the end of an era, and the start of more adventurous outfit photos, every cloud has a silver lining!

It may seem like smooth sailing, but a couple of months down the line I'm still unpacking all my stuff, and realise I own a ridiculous amount of clothing, so I'm selling it all on my Depop (@amyvalentinex)!
AMY X

AX Paris AW14 Press Day Vlog | 27.09.14

AX PARIS: SHOP // INSTAGRAM // TWITTER // FACEBOOK

MY AX PARIS FALL HAUL

WHAT I'M WEARING:

NECKLACE* // ANNA LOU OF LONDON

PLAYSUIT* // AX PARIS

DUSTER COAT* // AX PARIS

BOOTS* // ARK

BAG* // GRAFEA

I have a lot of vlogs that still need to be uploaded, including V Festival, Reading & my holiday in Amsterdam, but there's so much footage that I'm shying away from editing them, so I thought I'd break up the hauls with a vlog from my day up in Manchester!  I had a blast at the AX Paris event with some awesome blogger babes, thank you AX Paris for having me and of course putting on such a fab event!
AMY X

LILAC HAZE

 

FEDORA // H&M (SIMILAR)

COLLAR // H&M (SIMILAR)

DRESS* // MOTEL ROCKS

SOCKS // TOPSHOP

JELLY SHOES // JUJU

A very minimal outfit today - wanted to keep it simple and base everything around this pretty Motel dress, love the cut-out on the back!  I went all over metallics with the collar and glittery footwear, and can you spy my new nails?  Love them!  I don't know if you can tell (I hope you can't!) but I'm extremely hungover in these photos, I'd been meaning to take photos for ages but it's been raining pretty much 24/7, and this day it was clear so I had to take the opportunity, oh the things I do for you guys! #BloggerProbz

AMY X

HUGE July/August Haul | Missguided, Motel, Drop Dead etc.

It has taken me three days to upload this - I repeat - THREE WHOLE DAYS, THANKS YOUTUBE.  I'm just glad it's finally up, as it took me forever to edit too, and now I've got to crack on with my September haul, hope you guys like hauls haha!  Make sure you give the video a thumbs up or comment if you like the try-on style rather than me just holding everything up (:
Click read more for all the links!
AMY X
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HELLO OCTOBER

    

HAT // H&M (SIMILAR)

TATTOO CHOKER* // DAISY MAE JEWELLERY

HAND NECKLACE* // DRUZY DREAMS

QUARTZ NECKLACE* // EUPHORIA CREATIONS

CARDIGAN* // ASOS

TEE* // STYLEMOI

SHORTS* // NEW LOOK

BOOTS* // MISSGUIDED

LIPS // MAC BOYFRIEND STEALER

Hello October!  I'm totally embracing autumn this year - I even had my first pumpkin spice latte the other day (so not worth the hype, just saying) and I love the fall colours in these photos.  This midi cardigan is my new fave thing - perfect for layering and I can button it up all the way down if it gets cold!  It's part of the Nineties Normal trend on ASOS so I thought I'd keep it simple with hints at 90s grunge, with the choker, slouchy tee & chunky boots.  This has definitely made it into one of my favourite outfits this season - what's your autumn wardrobe must have?

AMY X