Beauty. Fashion. Lifestyle.
Archive for July, 2014
Eclectic Eccentricity Giveaway WINNER
1Hello everyone!
Firstly, I’d like to apologise for not announcing the winner of my Eclectic Eccentricity giveaway sooner. The giveaway closed last Friday, but I’ve had such a hectic week it just slipped my mind! However, the time has finally come for me to announce the lucky winner of a You’re On My Wavelength Einstein Necklace, so without further ado, the winner is entry number 25, which belongs to…
Chrissie Lea
Congratulations Chrissie! Please email your postal address to , and I will post your prize out to you as soon as possible.
As usual, thank you so much to everyone who entered, and thank you to Eclectic Eccentricity for providing the prize.
Check back soon for another giveaway!
Naomi x
Follow me on Polyvore
0
4 years
After seeing loads of Polyvore sets on Tumblr and wishing I could create some myself, earlier this week I took the plunge and signed up. For those who don’t know, Polyvore is a website (and now app) where you can discover and shop fashion, beauty and home items that you love, and put them together in collages to create different looks.
Being able to browse items from all over the internet, with the ability to filter out specific items and colours, is such a great way to explore your own personal style. I’ve been finding Polyvore a great source of inspiration for future purchases and outfit combinations, and even though I can’t really afford a lot of the items I style, it gives me an idea of dupes to look out for on the high street! Also, I’ve mostly been using Polyvore on my phone via their app, and it’s so much fun, and a brilliant way to pass the time when waiting for the bus or travelling.
To give you an idea of what I’m talking about, here’s one of my recent sets, which has a suitably summery theme, but still makes the most of my favourite clothing colour – black!
Black Sands by bewitchery featuring a gucci shawl
Bordelle black bathing suit
£275 – luisaviaroma.com
£275 – luisaviaroma.com
Ancient Greek Sandals strappy leather sandals
£160 – anotherlove.com.au
£160 – anotherlove.com.au
Patrizia Pepe vintage black purse
yoox.com
yoox.com
Gucci shawl
£195 – yoox.com
£195 – yoox.com
Wide straw hat
£5.29 – amazon.com
£5.29 – amazon.com
Rounded glasses
£8.24 – 80spurple.com
£8.24 – 80spurple.com
If you’re already a Polyvore user, please comment below with your username so I can follow you! Also, if you want to view my page or follow me, click here. As usual, my username is bewitchery.
Naomi x
What I Wore: Stormy
2
4 years
by Naomi in Fashion
One of my favourite things about summer is the storms. The rain that cools the air down, the thunder, the lightning – it’s all so exciting! This weekend has been particularly unpredictable, with amazing storms one minute, and bright, hot sun the next, which though nice, makes it difficult to know what to wear.
New Look Multi Strap Skater Dress / Everything5Pounds Waterfall Jacket / Alexander McQueen Cateye Sunglasses / Primark Tights / New Look Stud Pumps / Topshop Leather Stud Bag (Thrifted) / Accessories Boutique Heavy Spike Bracelet
The key for me has been light layers that can be added/removed accordingly. A dress makes a great base for this kind of look, as it’s cool enough for the sun, but can be made rain and wind proof with a jacket and tights. I went for this New Look Multi Strap Skater Dress that I bought in the last ASOS sale, and added a pair of basic sheer black tights from Primark to avoid flashing my undies in the wind, and a lovely waterfall jacket from Everything5Pounds. I absolutely love this jacket as it’s really comfortable, and is perfect for warm weather as a cover as the fabric is so lightweight.
To accessorise, I wore my Alexander McQueen Cateye Sunglasses, that are an absolute essential when the sun is shining, and I also gave my New Look stud pumps a first outing. Of course my trusty thrifted Topshop leather bag was a necessity too, and I added a heavy spike bracelet from Accessories Boutique to bring the stud theme of the outfit together.
What have you been styling during this stormy summer weekend?
Naomi x
Degustabox June 2014
4
4 years
It’s time again for me to review the latest Degustabox! The June box contained fewer products than usual, with eight brands and only nine individual items (ten if you count the extra freebie), but a couple of them were higher value, bringing the combined total to around £20 – similar to previous months.
Estrella Damm Lager (RRP Unknown)
According to the Degustabox leaflet, ‘Estrella Damm is an authentic imported, award-winning premium pale Spanish lager known internationally as the ‘Beer of Barcelona”. Unfortunately, I’m not a fan of lager, so I’ve given this can to my fiancé to enjoy instead, as I wouldn’t be able to give a fair review of it anyway. I will have a sip of it however, just to see if by some miracle I actually like this one. I’ll keep you posted! Also, I’ve put this down as RRP unknown as the leaflet says the cans cost £4 each, which seems unusually high, especially as you can get 4 bottles for about a fiver in Asda.
Elizabeth Shaw Milk Chocolate Amaretto Flutes (RRP £2.59)
I loved the dark chocolate cocoa nib version of these that were in the May box, and these are 100 times better! The milk chocolate is incredibly smooth and creamy, and they have an authentic, and really quite strong flavour of amaretto. Amaretto is one of my favourite liqueurs, which tastes like almonds or marzipan, but unusually these Flutes contain no nuts or alcohol whatsoever! These little sticks of luxury would make a fabulous evening treat for yourself, or to share round after a meal. Sort of like a posh After Eight.
BEAR Alphabites Cereal (RRP £2.69)
I always look forward to breakfast, and I like to have a variety of options available each morning as I often fancy something different, so these BEAR Alphabites have made a nice little addition to my cereal cupboard. Unlike a lot of breakfast cereals, these multigrain letters contain ‘no nonsense’, meaning they’re completely free of refined sugar, salt and additives. Instead, they’re sweetened with coconut blossom nectar, which happens to taste nothing like coconut, and contain wholegrain wheat, oats, corn, rice, and wholegrain barley. Because I’m so used to eating sugar-packed cereals, these took a bit of getting used to as they don’t taste like a conventional cereal, but once you get past the ‘different’ kind of sweetness, they’re actually really nice. And healthy too! They even have my rats’ seal of approval.
Veetee Basmati & Wild Rice (RRP £1.49)
Degustabox describe Veetee as ‘a deliciously convenient range of microwaveable rice products’, and though I’m not a big fan of microwaveable rice, this was surprisingly decent. I received the Basmati and Wild Rice, which I served with a Quorn chicken and vegetable korma. The photo above shows half of the rice, which when served with the curry and a couple of poppadoms is more than enough, so one package can easily serve two. The rice itself is nice and fluffy, and the wild rice adds a touch of texture and flavour. Using this kind of rice is especially great when you want a quick meal, as it only takes two minutes to cook in the microwave or wok. I’d love to try the egg fried and wholegrain brown versions too!
Strawberry Lambrini (RRP £3.29)
Lambrini Strawberry is one of several new flavours to be added to the Lambrini summer range, and it’s really quite yummy. My fiancé and I enjoyed this one evening after chilling it in the fridge, and it made for a light, refreshing treat. The strawberry flavour is quite sweet, but still has an authentic fruity taste, and at only 5% alcohol volume it’s pretty easy to quickly finish the bottle! This would be perfect served at a barbecue. Other flavours include cherry, peach, apple and blackcurrant, and rosé, all of which I would like to try.
Be Fast Banana Breakfast Drink (RRP £1.00 each)
Be Fast is a ‘breakfast on the go’ drink, which is very much like a milkshake, but low in fat and packed full of fibre and protein. Now, I really don’t think one of these would keep me full until lunchtime, as I seem to get very hungry in the morning, so I’ve been having half a bottle with my breakfast as a bit of extra ‘filler’. The drink is fairly runny, just a bit thicker than milk, and it has a nice, refreshing banana flavour that isn’t overly sweet. It would’ve been nice to have two different flavours in the box to try – I bet the chocolate one is fab!
Urban Fruit Pineapple Snack Pack (RRP £1.09)
I’m currently on a mission to eat more fruit, so this Urban Fruit Pineapple came at the perfect time for me. The fruit is apparently baked gently to dry it out, and 20g counts as one of your five a day. That’s great, but the bag contains 35g, so you don’t get two full portions. An extra 5g would be nice! I ate half of this bag as a snack whilst at work, and I had the other half on a bowl of overnight oats one morning (read on for my recipe!). The pineapple has a lovely sweetness to it, and a nice texture – soft and chewy but not too tough, and I’ll definitely be repurchasing.
Dr. Oetker Madagascan Vanilla Grinder (RRP £4.99)
This Dr Oetker Madagascan Vanilla Grinder is such a simple yet innovative idea, and when I found it in the box I was really excited as I do a lot of baking, and authentic vanilla makes cakes and suchlike taste ten times better! The grinder is a little bit like a pepper mill, but has two grinding options – coarse or fine. The vanilla itself has a very strong flavour, and a little goes a long way, so the contents of the mill should last a good while. I’ve been using this in my overnight oats for breakfast, and overnight the flavour infuses into the milk and it’s delicious. I will 100% be repurchasing this!
Seeing as the June box has a bit of a breakfast theme, here’s my recipe for tropical overnight oats, using the Dr Oetker Madagascan Vanilla, and the Urban Fruit Pineapple. These oats are the perfect combination of healthy, filling, and delicious…
Tropical Overnight Oats
Ingredients:
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup semi-skimmed milk
Dr. Oetker Madagascan Vanilla
20g Urban Fruit Pineapple
15g Aldi Tropical Granola
Method:
– Before going to bed, combine the oats, milk and vanilla in a bowl, cover, and leave in the fridge overnight.
– In the morning, top with half a bag of Urban Fruit pineapple, and a sprinkle of tropical granola.
– Enjoy!
Again, this is another winning box from Degustabox, and everything in it was delicious. Will they ever disappoint? Hopefully not! Bring on the July box…
If you fancy giving Degustabox a go yourself, you can get a £3 discount by entering code UPOAW at the checkout. You can also follow Degustabox on Twitter and Facebook for more exclusive offers.
Naomi x
PS. You can check out the rest of my Degustabox reviews here.
*This Degustabox was sent to me by Degustabox for review purposes. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
Eclectic Eccentricity Giveaway
17
4 years
After the success of my last giveaway a couple of months ago, I thought it was about time I ran another! This time, the prize is this quirky You’re On My Wavelength Einstein necklace, from unique British jewellery brand Eclectic Eccentricity. The necklace features a gold toned geometric frequency wavelength, and a teeny tiny, but very detailed, figure of Einstein, on a gold plated 18″ chain. It also comes packaged in a cute little gift box, and is worth £16.50.
To enter, all you have to do is follow the steps in the Rafflecopter form below. It is mandatory to become an email subscriber or WordPress follower, and to leave a comment on this post, and then you have the option to earn extra entries, via Twitter, Facebook, Bloglovin’, and Instagram.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
The giveaway will be open for two weeks, and will close at midnight GMT on Thursday 24th July. The giveaway is open internationally to those aged 18 or over, and all entries will be verified. A winner will be chosen at random via Rafflecopter on Friday 25th July and will be contacted via email the same day, so please use a valid email address when subscribing. The winner will then have 48 hours to claim their prize, and if they don’t another winner will be chosen.
Oh, and you can also check out how I styled the necklace myself by clicking here!
Good luck and thank you for entering!
Naomi x
Designer Accessories, High Street Clothes
4
4 years
by Naomi in Fashion
Though some people see it as an absolute cardinal sin to team high street with designer, I’m the opposite, and I think that mixing the two can be the perfect way to create high-end looks, without completely bankrupting yourself. In my experience, buying timeless designer accessories that will transition from season to season, every year, can actually save you money, whilst adding a touch of luxury to a variety of high street outfits.
‘But why not buy designer clothing and high street accessories?’, I hear you ask. Well, you could, but fashions and personal tastes change, and that dress you love this year might not be your thing next year, and it might not even fit you then! But you never grow out of basic sunglasses, jewellery, bags and shoes.
The key to choosing the right pieces is to save up, do your research on what is best for you, and spend savvily. Not all of us, myself included, can afford to buy designer with every pay cheque, hence having to mix with high street, but if you put a little bit aside when you can and keep an eye out for a good deal, you can bag yourself a timeless piece that will last for years. This summer I’ve been relying on two designer pieces in particular, both by Alexander McQueen. I bought these zipped biker heels in the McQ online winter sale after eyeing them up for months, and they were reduced from over £500 to £159. They’re made from very high quality leather, are surprisingly comfortable, and look great with anything from smart work outfits and going out dresses, to casual jeans and a jumper or tee.
My other go-to designer accessory this summer is a pair of stunning vintage-style cateye sunglasses. I know a lot of people wouldn’t choose to splurge on a pair of sunnies, but think of it this way… If you spend £15 on a pair of sunglasses, chances are that by the end of the summer they’ll be broken. It happens to me almost every year because, quite frankly, cheap often means badly made. But if you save up and shell out on a more expensive pair, made from higher quality materials, they’ll more than likely last a lot, lot longer, and eventually you’ll have saved money by not buying a new pair every year!
I adore these sunglasses, and have been wearing them almost every day for the past couple of months. They’re very sturdy and come in a solid protective case so can’t be broken or damaged easily, and the lenses provide far better protection for your eyes than cheaper shades. The classic cateye shape has been popular for decades, but the glossy eye frames against the matte brow, and gradient lenses, give them a modern, Gothic edge that really suits my personal style. Alexander McQueen sunglasses don’t come cheap, and I’ve seen these on a lot of websites for around £220, but you can get them from Red Hot Sunglasses for £180, with free delivery.
Be sure to check back soon for a series of What I Wore posts featuring these designer accessories and high street clothing!
Naomi x
*These Alexander McQueen Cateye Sunglasses were sent to me by Red Hot Sunglasses for review and styling purposes. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
Summer Saviour: Superdrug Buzz Off Mosquito Bite Relief
0
4 years
Over the next couple of months I’ll be publishing a series of short posts about my ‘Summer Saviours’ – those absolute essentials that make summer’s little niggles that little bit easier to deal with.
Today’s post is about Superdrug‘s Buzz Off Mosquito Bite Relief, which doesn’t leave my side during the summer months. Unfortunately for me, I am really prone to insect bites at this time of year, especially as I tend to spend a lot of time outdoors in nature. Mosquitos, spiders, horseflies – you name it, they love me, and boy do their bites itch! Every time I get bitten I end up with a massive, swollen, red, itchy bite that lasts for weeks and usually scars, and up until this year I hadn’t found anything to stop the itch. I tried pretty much everything on this Wiki; ice packs, hot water, ointments, hot spoons, toothpaste, deodorant. But nothing worked, until I tried Superdrug’s little contraption…
To use the Mosquito Bite Relief, you have to press the end directly onto the bite, and press the button five times to administer five tiny zaps. It may sound painful, and it does feel slightly uncomfortable, but it’s no way near as bad as the discomfort caused by a bite, so it’s definitely worth it! And surprisingly, those little zaps are a miracle cure, as they localise the poison in the bite, and prevent the release of histamine, which causes itching. It’s best to use the Bite Relief as soon as you can after being bitten, and if you do it can even stop the swelling, and it truly works!
Superdrug’s Mosquito Bite Relief can be used on any kind of insect bite, and can treat up to 1000 bites, without the use of batteries. It’s also completely safe, non-allergenic, and free of chemicals, so is perfect for use on any skin type. I carry mine with me wherever I go, and it’s been an absolute blessing. A summer must at just £4.99, especially if you’re going travelling!
Naomi x
*This Superdrug Buzz Off Mosquito Bite Relief was sent to me by Superdrug for review purposes. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
What I Wore: You’re On My Wavelength
2
4 years
by Naomi in Fashion
My summer wardrobe is usually full of bright florals, but this year I’ve really been embracing basics, and sticking to my favourite polka dots and stripes. Most of my new summer purchases are black, white, and grey, which may sound drab, but I like to add a splash of colour here or there with a bold statement piece or a pastel bright, and a quirky item of jewellery. Today’s outfit is the epitome of that, and combines a cute black skater skirt from H&M, with a simple stretch tee from Primark. I wanted to wear this outfit without tights, but unfortunately it wasn’t that warm today, and there was a bit of a breeze!
Primark Stretch Tee / H&M Skater Skirt / Primark Shoes / Alexander McQueen Cateye Sunglasses / Eclectic Eccentricity Necklace
To finish the outfit, and add a bit of interest, I wore my Alexander McQueen sunglasses, which I love, love, love and have been teaming with everything this season (look out for a special McQ style post coming soon), and this amazingly cool necklace from Eclectic Eccentricity.
Eclectic Eccentricity is a British brand who specialise in creating quirky pieces from vintage components. Their pieces are all so unique and unusual, and I have a wishlist as long as my arm of items from their website! This necklace is their You’re On My Wavelength Einstein necklace, which features a gold toned geometric frequency wavelength, and a teeny tiny, but very detailed, figure of Einstein. Who knew he could be so cute?! I’m a big science fan, so this necklace is right up my street, and it’s definitely a talking point. I love how it hangs as well and it sits perfectly, just where I want it. You can grab your own here for £16.50.
What do you think? Would you wear this necklace?
Naomi x
*This You’re On My Wavelength Einstein Necklace was sent to me by Eclectic Eccentricity for styling purposes. All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*
