Autumnal Flowers with Lindy Bop*

Wednesday 20 September 2017

I'm never a big fan of florals in spring, it just seems too predictable, but when it comes to florals in autumn, I love them! When I saw this 'Audrey' Wild Garden Print Swing Dress* from Lindy Bop it was instant lust! Florals on black is the high glamour goth I dream of.

Dress - Lindy Bop*
Jacket - Old New Look
Boots - ASOS
Gold hairband - Creations by Liv Free


I love to wear girly dresses but still have them feel very 'Kitty'. So stompy glittery boots, a faux leather jacket and dark lipstick were an absolute must. It's the sort of dress you could style in so many different ways, I tend to be more on the alternative spectrum so this is my version!


There are two important things to note about this dress. Number one - it has pockets. Pockets! Love a dress with pockets. Who doesn't?! Number two - this is one of the dresses Lindy Bop has released as part of their new range of size 28 dresses. I'm thrilled to see them expanding, there are currently four dresses available in a size 28, but it's a brand new roll out and there are plans for many more. I can't wait!


It's a lovely silk material, so perfect for a winter wedding with black opaque tights, a jacket and a fascinator. It also has a black belt that comes with it, that also importantly, is the right size for the dress. I've bought vintage style dresses from other shops and while they've increased the size of the dress, they've sent the same belt they would with every size dress, not here, it's the perfect size.


I also have to do a shout out for these boots. ASOS have just started selling up to a UK size 10 in women's styles for shoes and boots and I'm so happy to see a major retailer expand like that. It really gives me hope that one day I might be able to just walk into a high street shop and buy my shoe size off the shelf. Maybe one day. These are part of their wide fit range, and while they are wide enough for my wide feet, they aren't quite wide enough for my plus sized ankles. I can't zip them all the way up, but they are sturdy enough that they stay in the right spot when worn like this, so I can deal with it.


I really love this dress and am already scheming on events I can go to just so I can wear it. It's so lovely and the pockets make it true love.

Much love,
Kitty xxx


*denotes an item gifted to me for review purposes. In no way does this impact upon my opinions which are entirely my own.

Autumnal Flowers with Lindy Bop*

Wednesday 20 September 2017

I'm never a big fan of florals in spring, it just seems too predictable, but when it comes to florals in autumn, I love them! When I saw this 'Audrey' Wild Garden Print Swing Dress* from Lindy Bop it was instant lust! Florals on black is the high glamour goth I dream of.

Dress - Lindy Bop*
Jacket - Old New Look
Boots - ASOS
Gold hairband - Creations by Liv Free


I love to wear girly dresses but still have them feel very 'Kitty'. So stompy glittery boots, a faux leather jacket and dark lipstick were an absolute must. It's the sort of dress you could style in so many different ways, I tend to be more on the alternative spectrum so this is my version!


There are two important things to note about this dress. Number one - it has pockets. Pockets! Love a dress with pockets. Who doesn't?! Number two - this is one of the dresses Lindy Bop has released as part of their new range of size 28 dresses. I'm thrilled to see them expanding, there are currently four dresses available in a size 28, but it's a brand new roll out and there are plans for many more. I can't wait!


It's a lovely silk material, so perfect for a winter wedding with black opaque tights, a jacket and a fascinator. It also has a black belt that comes with it, that also importantly, is the right size for the dress. I've bought vintage style dresses from other shops and while they've increased the size of the dress, they've sent the same belt they would with every size dress, not here, it's the perfect size.


I also have to do a shout out for these boots. ASOS have just started selling up to a UK size 10 in women's styles for shoes and boots and I'm so happy to see a major retailer expand like that. It really gives me hope that one day I might be able to just walk into a high street shop and buy my shoe size off the shelf. Maybe one day. These are part of their wide fit range, and while they are wide enough for my wide feet, they aren't quite wide enough for my plus sized ankles. I can't zip them all the way up, but they are sturdy enough that they stay in the right spot when worn like this, so I can deal with it.


I really love this dress and am already scheming on events I can go to just so I can wear it. It's so lovely and the pockets make it true love.

Much love,
Kitty xxx


*denotes an item gifted to me for review purposes. In no way does this impact upon my opinions which are entirely my own.

The Curly Girl Method : 6 Months On

Thursday 14 September 2017

I've been following the Curly Girl Method for 6 months now, so I thought it was time for a hair update! I wrote about when I started it here and 2 months in here, and now I've finally got a pretty set routine and feel like my hair is done transitioning it was time to share again. This weekend I had probably the best hair day I've ever had. Also, I totally bleached and coloured my hair because I missed my fun hair!

So, an update on my routine! I co-wash using either Tesco Pro Vitamin B 5 Care & Protect conditioner, or Tesco Pro Vitamin B5 Volume & Shine conditioner. I use these both for my actual co-wash, and as a leave in conditioner as well. They cost about 90p a bottle, and I get through a bottle in about 3 washes. I wash my hair twice a week at the absolute most. Some people spend a fortune on products but so far I'm finding these cheap ones work really well for me! For my product, I find that gel works really well. When my hair is soaking wet I absolutely pile on Tesco Everyday Value Styling Gel. This gel is 30p. Really. 30p. And it's amazing. I've used more expensive gel, but this is my fave! I use a lot to really get coverage and to get a good 'cast', when your hair goes stiff from product.


I tend to wash my hair at night, so I then plop over night in a net, I use these from Salons Direct. I plop how you would with a tshirt, but using the net instead. I then pop a couple of grips behind each ear to keep the net in place because I am a very wiggly sleeper! In the morning my hair isn't 100% dry, but when I take the net off my hair will stay put in what we call 'snakes'. I knew my hair was going to be great when my hair looked like this. Good snakes generally means good curls. I then diffused my hair till it was 100% dry on the cool setting. I never touch my hair till it is 100% dry, this is important! It means less frizz. This then leaves my hair with a cast.


This is a good cast. The wilder the cast, it seems the better the curls. I 'scrunch out the crunch' (SOTC for short) using jojoba oil. I rub some into the palms of my hands and start at the back of my head, scrunching the oil into my hair to break the hard cast. My hair looks ridiculous in the cast, but once it's all scrunched out, this is the end result.


 This is the hair I've always dreamed of. And it's on my head. It's my hair. I have beautiful big ringlets, volume, bounce and shine, my hair is what I always wished it could be. And it's so easy. Magic!

There are a few different options for protecting your hair at night, I'm a wiggler so I tend to use a combination of methods. I sleep on a satin pillow to avoid frizz, this definitely helps me a lot because I know whatever I cover my hair in will usually be lost by the time I wake up, so this minimises the damage. I sleep in a 'buff'. which is an elasticated tube of material. I make sure my hair is totally inside it and that it's pulled down over my forehead so I keep as much volume as possible without crushing my curls. This video shows you how I do this brilliantly. You can also sleep in a 'pineapple', which involves piling all your hair on top of your head and securing it. Rather than using a normal hair elastic, I use a generic version of the invisibobble, or a scrunchie will work too.


My hair isn't very thick, so pineappling doesn't tend to work for me which is why I prefer a buff. Here is my hair right out of a buff with no refresh or work done to it after a night's sleep on the left, and with a little oil to smooth it out on the right.

 

Once you get to grips with the curly girl method, it becomes second nature and every day can be a good hair day. Here's a little before and after to remind you of what a 'good' day was before co-washing. PS. My amazing tiger paws necklace* is by the awesome Sugar & Vice.

 

If you have any questions about my routine do feel free to ask away!

Much love,
Kitty xxxx


*denotes an item gifted to me, in no way does this impact upon my opinions which are entirely my own.

The Curly Girl Method : 6 Months On

Thursday 14 September 2017

I've been following the Curly Girl Method for 6 months now, so I thought it was time for a hair update! I wrote about when I started it here and 2 months in here, and now I've finally got a pretty set routine and feel like my hair is done transitioning it was time to share again. This weekend I had probably the best hair day I've ever had. Also, I totally bleached and coloured my hair because I missed my fun hair!

So, an update on my routine! I co-wash using either Tesco Pro Vitamin B 5 Care & Protect conditioner, or Tesco Pro Vitamin B5 Volume & Shine conditioner. I use these both for my actual co-wash, and as a leave in conditioner as well. They cost about 90p a bottle, and I get through a bottle in about 3 washes. I wash my hair twice a week at the absolute most. Some people spend a fortune on products but so far I'm finding these cheap ones work really well for me! For my product, I find that gel works really well. When my hair is soaking wet I absolutely pile on Tesco Everyday Value Styling Gel. This gel is 30p. Really. 30p. And it's amazing. I've used more expensive gel, but this is my fave! I use a lot to really get coverage and to get a good 'cast', when your hair goes stiff from product.


I tend to wash my hair at night, so I then plop over night in a net, I use these from Salons Direct. I plop how you would with a tshirt, but using the net instead. I then pop a couple of grips behind each ear to keep the net in place because I am a very wiggly sleeper! In the morning my hair isn't 100% dry, but when I take the net off my hair will stay put in what we call 'snakes'. I knew my hair was going to be great when my hair looked like this. Good snakes generally means good curls. I then diffused my hair till it was 100% dry on the cool setting. I never touch my hair till it is 100% dry, this is important! It means less frizz. This then leaves my hair with a cast.


This is a good cast. The wilder the cast, it seems the better the curls. I 'scrunch out the crunch' (SOTC for short) using jojoba oil. I rub some into the palms of my hands and start at the back of my head, scrunching the oil into my hair to break the hard cast. My hair looks ridiculous in the cast, but once it's all scrunched out, this is the end result.


 This is the hair I've always dreamed of. And it's on my head. It's my hair. I have beautiful big ringlets, volume, bounce and shine, my hair is what I always wished it could be. And it's so easy. Magic!

There are a few different options for protecting your hair at night, I'm a wiggler so I tend to use a combination of methods. I sleep on a satin pillow to avoid frizz, this definitely helps me a lot because I know whatever I cover my hair in will usually be lost by the time I wake up, so this minimises the damage. I sleep in a 'buff'. which is an elasticated tube of material. I make sure my hair is totally inside it and that it's pulled down over my forehead so I keep as much volume as possible without crushing my curls. This video shows you how I do this brilliantly. You can also sleep in a 'pineapple', which involves piling all your hair on top of your head and securing it. Rather than using a normal hair elastic, I use a generic version of the invisibobble, or a scrunchie will work too.


My hair isn't very thick, so pineappling doesn't tend to work for me which is why I prefer a buff. Here is my hair right out of a buff with no refresh or work done to it after a night's sleep on the left, and with a little oil to smooth it out on the right.

 

Once you get to grips with the curly girl method, it becomes second nature and every day can be a good hair day. Here's a little before and after to remind you of what a 'good' day was before co-washing. PS. My amazing tiger paws necklace* is by the awesome Sugar & Vice.

 

If you have any questions about my routine do feel free to ask away!

Much love,
Kitty xxxx


*denotes an item gifted to me, in no way does this impact upon my opinions which are entirely my own.

Goodbye iPhone, Hello Samsung and GoCustomized*

Tuesday 5 September 2017

My phone contract ran out a couple of months ago, and after much thought about what to do, I decided that it was finally time to say goodbye to my iPhone. I've had an iPhone constantly since 2009, but it was the right time to make the switch. I've replaced countless screens on my iPhones, even with a good solid case and tempered glass, and the battery life just hasn't improved like it should over the years and new models. The fixed amount of storage space also left much to be desired, I always had a 16GB phone because anything bigger was just ridiculously expensive on a monthly plan, and generally meant a higher up cost payment as well.


So it was time to say goodbye to my iPhone, and hello to a Samsung Galaxy S8. And I am SO so pleased I made the jump! It took a little bit of getting used to, but it's really user friendly and quick to respond, especially compared to my old iPhone 6. One of the biggest differences I noticed right away is the screen resolution is just incredible in comparison. Everything is so much clearer and has so much more detail than it did on my iPhone. Even PokemonGo looks 10x better!


The other big plus is the battery life is massive compared to any of the Apple products I've used, and you can add extra memory cards to increase your storage. So your storage is literally endless and you can take all the photos you could ever want without ever running out of space. The only slightly weird thing compared to an iPhone is that the fingerprint technology is actually on the back of the phone, next to the camera lens, so you have to be careful not the smear the lens and use your pointer finger instead of a thumb like you might on most other phone models.


My husband has the S7 Edge, and I was surprised to discover that Samsung have changed their charger port in the S8, which means we can't share chargers. It's the sort of thing Apple have done a few times and it's annoyed us both, but for some reason didn't expect from Samsung. It does however have a fast charge when used with the official Samsung charger and cable that takes around an hour and a half to go from flat to 100% charge!


The other thing I needed as soon as I got my new phone, was a new case, because I am incredibly clumsy and wanted to protect it as much as possible. GoCustomized kindly let me design my own Samsung Galaxy S8 Tough Case* with them. You can have any photo printed onto them, so of course I had to opt for one of my favourite photos from our wedding day. It's a photo taken on 35mm film so it is grainy, it's not that it's been printed badly. It's a little paler than the original image, but otherwise very true to the photo I chose.


I opted for the full wrap case to provide the most protection I could, it has a lip that extends above the screen so even when landing face down, the screen doesn't touch the floor at any point. It fits the phone really nicely, and is a mixture of silicone and hard plastic. The buttons all have a silicone covering and work easily through the case. 

I'm in love with my new Samsung, and especially with the high quality photos it takes, and it's mega battery life. If you've been debating making the switch, go for it! I can't recommend it enough.

Much love,
Kitty xxx


*denotes an item gifted to me for review purposes. In no way does this impact upon my opinions which are entirely my own.

Goodbye iPhone, Hello Samsung and GoCustomized*

Tuesday 5 September 2017

My phone contract ran out a couple of months ago, and after much thought about what to do, I decided that it was finally time to say goodbye to my iPhone. I've had an iPhone constantly since 2009, but it was the right time to make the switch. I've replaced countless screens on my iPhones, even with a good solid case and tempered glass, and the battery life just hasn't improved like it should over the years and new models. The fixed amount of storage space also left much to be desired, I always had a 16GB phone because anything bigger was just ridiculously expensive on a monthly plan, and generally meant a higher up cost payment as well.


So it was time to say goodbye to my iPhone, and hello to a Samsung Galaxy S8. And I am SO so pleased I made the jump! It took a little bit of getting used to, but it's really user friendly and quick to respond, especially compared to my old iPhone 6. One of the biggest differences I noticed right away is the screen resolution is just incredible in comparison. Everything is so much clearer and has so much more detail than it did on my iPhone. Even PokemonGo looks 10x better!


The other big plus is the battery life is massive compared to any of the Apple products I've used, and you can add extra memory cards to increase your storage. So your storage is literally endless and you can take all the photos you could ever want without ever running out of space. The only slightly weird thing compared to an iPhone is that the fingerprint technology is actually on the back of the phone, next to the camera lens, so you have to be careful not the smear the lens and use your pointer finger instead of a thumb like you might on most other phone models.


My husband has the S7 Edge, and I was surprised to discover that Samsung have changed their charger port in the S8, which means we can't share chargers. It's the sort of thing Apple have done a few times and it's annoyed us both, but for some reason didn't expect from Samsung. It does however have a fast charge when used with the official Samsung charger and cable that takes around an hour and a half to go from flat to 100% charge!


The other thing I needed as soon as I got my new phone, was a new case, because I am incredibly clumsy and wanted to protect it as much as possible. GoCustomized kindly let me design my own Samsung Galaxy S8 Tough Case* with them. You can have any photo printed onto them, so of course I had to opt for one of my favourite photos from our wedding day. It's a photo taken on 35mm film so it is grainy, it's not that it's been printed badly. It's a little paler than the original image, but otherwise very true to the photo I chose.


I opted for the full wrap case to provide the most protection I could, it has a lip that extends above the screen so even when landing face down, the screen doesn't touch the floor at any point. It fits the phone really nicely, and is a mixture of silicone and hard plastic. The buttons all have a silicone covering and work easily through the case. 

I'm in love with my new Samsung, and especially with the high quality photos it takes, and it's mega battery life. If you've been debating making the switch, go for it! I can't recommend it enough.

Much love,
Kitty xxx


*denotes an item gifted to me for review purposes. In no way does this impact upon my opinions which are entirely my own.