Beauty Bits - Lime Crime Velvetine Dupe and Rita Ora for Rimmel

I'm a little behind on my blog posts this week due to technical issues. I've commandeered an old laptop but it can barely load Firefox so you'll have to bear with me!

I was hunting around Superdrug the other day and stumbled across the new Rita Ora polishes for Rimmel. I was on my way to the Barry M stand for a new white nail varnish, but I decided to get 'White Hot Love' from Rita's collection instead. The coverage and wear is good; I'll definitely be getting a couple more Rita Ora polishes as there's some lovely pastel shades.

I'd heard some buzz online about MUA's dupe of Lime Crime's 'Velvetine' glosses. Lime Crime is such a must-have brand for out-there lipsticks and glosses; unfortunately I'm yet to purchase anything in fear of massive shipping costs. I've admired the look of their 'Velvetine' collection for ages; plump, matte lips in gorgeous bold shades.

I bought MUA's Luxe Velvet Lacquer in Pink; out of all the colours it was the most appealing to me as I mostly wear pink shades on my lips. Application was great - it goes on glossy then kind of turns matte. No lip liner is required; it is really flattering on the lips and makes them look luscious. I'm probably not brave enough to apply it for day-wear, but it will be perfect for a statement look on a night out.

Obviously I can't compare MUA's Luxe Velvet Lacquer directly with Lime Crime's 'Velvetine', but I was so happy with how the MUA gloss made my lips look and I felt it was similar to the results I've seen with bloggers wearing 'Velvetine.' For £3, I think it's a steal.



Currently playing is Aluna George's 'Kaleidoscope Love (Kaytranada Edition).' I love Aluna George's voice and paired with the funky beat on this track, it makes for chilled, feel-good listening.


 

Toria x

Throwback Thursday

Wearing:
Top - Topshop

Kimono - Topshop

Jeans - Topshop

Boots - Topshop

Necklace - Urban Outfitters

It's an all-Topshop Thursday! My Throwback Thursday this week is the gorgeous beaded kimono I dug out of my wardrobe this morning. 

I bought it about 4 years ago; I remember having no idea how to style it but adoring the delicate embroidery and detailing. I've barely worn it and it's criminal because it's such a lovely piece. I mentioned my love of kimono's in yesterday's post and I'm definitely going to be making the effort to wear it a lot this summer.

I think my mistake when I bought it was constantly trying to dress it up and teaming it with skirts and dresses. As nice as it is on a night out it works just as well with a more casual outfit, which is why I'm quite pleased with today's outfit. The jeans are Topshop Joni's (I am incapable of wearing non-highwaisted jeans so the Joni is perfect for me), the plain white cami is a recent purchase and always useful. The boots are a couple of years old, the original Adonis style. I'm a lover of clumpy, borderline-grungy boots with buckles. 

I didn't want to over-accessorise so I kept things simple with a long length gold chain from Urban Outfitters. I especially like wearing this necklace with high-waisted pieces and it also falls at my middle. 

Today's throwback song is Hercules and Love Affair - Blind. I heard this for the first time in about 2008 and I instantly loved his voice, it's like syrup and just gorgeous. The song was different to anything else I was listening to at the time but there was something about it that kept it on replay. I still love it to this day. (Bonus - Jamie Winston in the video sporting a cute pixie crop.) 

Toria x

Blue Satin and Fringe

 Wearing: 

Jumpsuit - Topshop

Kimono - Forever 21

Boots - Topshop

Nail Polish and Lipstick - Barry M

The weather is still gorgeous (completely not reflected in the colour choices made with this outfit) and I'm dressed for the cinema and evening drinks tonight. 

I'm stopping by a lovely picture house in the centre of Wolverhampton called 'The Lighthouse.' It screens some of the more indie films that the huge multiplex's don't show and it's a great venue on stone cobbles. Tonight I'm seeing 'The Book Thief' with my Dad, I've heard it's a must-see and it's nice to catch a movie with Dad. Later on I'm meeting friends in town for evening drinks. 

My jumpsuit was a Christmas gift and I havn't really got around to wearing it until now. I spent most of December debating whether to buy it; the subtle jaquard print and soft satin material were so appealing. Now it's mine, I'm wondering if it's actually such a good fit on my figure. It bunches slightly around the middle and the legs are a bit loose for my taste (perhaps I needed to size down?) Regardless, it's such a lovely piece and I'll wear it all the same. 

I'm massively into kimono's at the moment: they're perfect for adding a little something to any outfit. I can't wait to buy a few more for summer, the more boho in style the better. This plain black one is a wardroble staple of mine at the moment, it's so handy just to throw over my shoulders with almost anything I wear, dressed up or down. The fringing on the back is lovely too. 

My nails are painted for once! Working behind the bar I'm not supposed to wear nail polish but I'm on reception this week so it's colout galore. I love white nails and think they stand out nicely against the dark outfit. The lipstick, '54' adds a nice pop of colour too. I've had it ages and usually prefer pinks, but it's great for when I want to make a statement. 

I'm currently listening to 'Cut Your Teeth' (Kygo Remix) by Kyla La Grange. I love her voice; it's soft and has a little quirk not dissimilar to Grimes's. The Kygo remix has a summery beat and really makes me want to book a holiday.....

Toria x 

Spring Sunshine

 Wearing:
Top - Yayer
Skirt - Vintage

Boots - Topshop

Coat - Rock & Revolution

Sunglasses - Urban Outfitters

 Today's the second day of unusually warm and sunny weather and it's put me in an amazingly good mood. I'm already envisioning sunbathing and the smell of bbq's in the air...hurry up summer!

I'm meeting my boyfriend for dinner later so my outfit is a little dressy. The crop top is last season from online retailer Yayer, the skirt is from the clothes show last Christmas. I'd been dying to find a white leather skirt for ages and chanced upon this one, I think I bought it for £22. It's a little short so I only ever wear it with opaque tights. The boots are Topshop Argo's, which I'm pretty sure are still stocked. The sunglasses are from Urban Outfitters, also last season but there's plenty of dupes on eBay.

I think the coat makes this outfit; it's the pop of colour that gives it a little edge and is perfect for a sunny day like today. It's very thin so wears almost like a blazer, which will be great through spring. I've always loved pastel colours, pink especially and it's a trend I'm loving at the moment. Topshop stock an array of pastel coats and although I lusted after them, I wasn't sure I was brave enough for them. My sister picked this one up for me from a boutique in Liverpool for £25, which I thought was a good price. I loved it instantly and I've worn it quite a few times. I love seeing it hanging in my wardrobe, set out from the blacks and browns of my other coats.

Today I'm dancing at my desk listening to feel-good music with a good beat. A current favourite is Mos Def - Ms. Fat Booty (Louis Futon Remix). It sounds great in the sun!

Toria x

Throwback Thursday

The first of my 'Throwback Thursday' features: I dig around in my wardrobe and style up an older item of clothing. This week it's a floral print vest top that I found in a charity shop about two years ago.

It has to be one of my favourite vintage pieces - I love how vibrant the purples and pinks are against the black. It only cost about £2.50 and I've worn it so many times. This is the first time I've worn it in 2014 though and it's definitely getting me summer ready; I can't wait to team it with a pair of denim shorts and wedge sandals.

Today though I've paired it with two more recent purchases from Topshop that are still in stock. The leather trousers I bought last month to wear for semi-casual drinks in town and the Argo boots were a Christmas gift. The Argo boots are my favourite boots at the moment as they're so versatile are I love how chunky they are. The trousers are a welcome new addition to my wardrobe and are also quite wearable (they're super tight as you can imagine; I made the mistake of wearing them to a three course meal and there was almost a Ross from Friends incident.)

I accessoried simply with a thick chain necklace that was from Urban Outfitters about 8 years ago!

To accompany my Throwback post, this song takes me back to summer 2006. House parties, drinking into the night, carefree, soaking up the sunshine.

Toria x