Payday goodies...

Hey everyone...

Its my favourite time of the month, PAYDAY. Every payday I treat myself to some things to say well done on working so hard and so I can have fun before I have to buy necessities like rent, food etc. This month I really treated myself here are some of the things I treated myself with...

CK underwear.

(It is very hard to photograph bra's well, sorry)

I have been in love with the modern t-shirt bra and pants for a long while and I decided as a motivation (to look great in it) I got it. I am still waiting for the pants to arrive but I am already so in love with the bra. It is well worth the price. It is so comfy and soft it is almost as if I'm not wearing it. That may be too much information but I am more than comfortable sharing about the worlds greatest bra. 

Trainers.

(Snazzy new nikes)

With my recent purchase of a gym membership I felt that I really needed to get myself some decent gym gear so I am more motivated to actually go to the gym. I really liked the look of these trainers as they aren't too much which is great as I like to lay low at the gym, which is hard when I am normally dying on the cross trainer.

Sports Bra.

(I love this print, I should have got more)

Again, I was in desperate need of gym stuff and I LOVE this crop top/sports bra. Although I like to lay low at the gym it doesn't mean I can't get fancy with my sports bra's. This one has this really cool tie-dyesque print which underneath my gym top makes me feel uber funky and teamed with my funky playlist it gets me ready to really kick butt and work hard.

Have you got yourself anything nice this payday? Let me know on Twitter/Instagram. Stay tuned for my next post all on what I'm looking forward to the next month.

See you Thursday,
Love Katie x

Self Love Summer Revisited...

Hey Everyone,

You may have seen at the beginning of summer I posted about how I wanted to decrease my insecurities and have a summer full of self love. Well as summer is drawing to a close I am reflecting back on the summer to see if my little experiment worked. (Featuring pictures from throughout the summer, some selfies, sorry)

(Giggles on a night out with friends)

Overall I would say that I am definitely happier. I started this summer ridiculously hung up on someone who was not worth even an ounce of my time and I shouldn't have let it effect me but I did and it did not make me feel great about myself at all! It is safe to say that I don't feel hung up on him at all and can stomach myself a little more (crazy how us girls let guys make us feel so bad) and looking back I realise it was just stupid. I am in a much better place and enjoying my own company and I am 100% ok being single and if I meet someone I meet someone and if I don't it is all ok.

(Spontaneous hair chopping = instant confidence boost)

Exercise wise I didn't do too great. The running didn't stick for long, but hey I tried. I did however join a gym last week and I just got loads of new gym gear so hopefully I can get the bug and then my body confidence will go through the roof. However I do love my lumps and bumps a little more. Diet wise as well I did start eating better but long days with no structure did take their toll and biscuits were well needed. I tried and I will definitely try again once back at work (even with tea and cake friday).

(Surprise birthday drinks, reminding me I have the best friends ever and I am more than loved)

I recently got into a whole new beauty regime and new make-up which has made me feel so much more confident with my looks. Buying new clothes every month although it has killed my bank balance has also made me feel 100% better about myself as I realise I can pull off the latest trends and in fact I do really enjoy a lot of them.

(This cheeky little pup has been making every day a barrel of laughs)

Even if we haven't had much of a summer (the weather has been awful) I definitely feel better in myself. Being that little bit selfish and focusing on me has done me wonders. I smile a lot more, which for a girl with a usual 'speak to me and i'll kill you' resting face, this has done me wonders as people have found me so much more approachable. Obviously I still have my moments where I panic about things and I have evenings where I get emotional and sad but those nights have gone down an awful lot. It really has been an eye opening summer and I am so glad I did it. I am also hopefully going to try and continue this mentality throughout the rest of the year and I'm sure in no time at all I'll be loving myself even more (but not too much, I don't want to be an arrogant diva, ok maybe I want to be a diva... just not an arrogant one).

(a night out in an outfit I thought I rocked)

Did any of you have an eye opening summer like me? Are you loving yourself a little more after this summer? Let me know on Twitter/Instagram.

See you Sunday,

Love Katie x

July Payday Treats...

Hey everyone,

I have put myself on a very strict no shopping this month after a big blow out this payday, but that doesn't mean no payday post, after all you probably want to know all about my blowout?

(insert heart eyes emoji here)

This payday I really treated myself with a new rucksack, my old one sadly broke on me while I was in America last year. I did replace it but I wasn't in love with the replacement however, on my spontaneous adventure I walked into Zara and could not leave without this stunning leather look backpack. It will give an instant grungy yet chic edge to any outfit I pair it with, PERFECT.

(contrast trims are in... my wardrobe)

I also picked up these two cropped tee's from Topshop and H&M. I am completely in love with the Foxes tee (part of the HMLovesMusic collection, which is great) and the contrast trim style of the Topshop tee is perfect with some mom style jeans for that 90's vibe.

(The holy grail, white jeans that do not go see through)

I also recently have got back into loving jeans and there is nothing more summery than a pair of white jeans. This was a challenge in itself as super stretchy jeans tended to go see through over my thighs and no matter what size I tried it didn't seem to help. Then Topshop came to my rescue and their white Jamie jeans now have a firm place in my wardrobe and I am looking forward to wearing them out for chilled drinks this summer.

(Topshop really know how to do denim)

While hunting for the perfect white jean I also discovered this stunning denim pinafore dress (also Topshop) this teamed with my cropped tees or a sweater on cooler days again will throw me straight back to the 90's (where I truly belong... I think anyway).

Have you guys treated yourself to anything new this payday? Let me know on Twitter or Instagram.
See you Wednesday,

Love Katie x

Payday Treats...

Hey everyone,

ITS PAYDAY. This means its time to have a little splurge on yourself to make yourself feel great. My other payday posts have been very music and film based, this month it is a little different and I am bringing you what I purchased today, Yes, my first fashion and beauty based haul.

(Images from Topshop)

With my university graduation just around the corner I have been looking high and low for an affordable graduation dress, after almost giving up (as my first choice was out of stock everywhere) I found this beautifully simple dress from Topshop. My graduation robes are dark grey and red so I didn't want to get anything patterned, bright or too over the top in case it clashed. This made this dress perfect, the plain creamy white will go perfectly with my robes and the asymmetric wrap of this dress gives it a unique edge so it isn't too simple. I also got these stunning platform sandals to go with the dress, the white on white is tres chic and gives me the opportunity to play with bright nails and lip colour. Also after reading the reviews these shoes should be comfy enough to walk around in all morning and not too high that I could potentially trip on the stage.

(Image from Forever 21)

I also have been thinking about an outfit for my birthday (which is three weeks today). I am planning a festival themed garden party so need the perfect festival themed outfit. I looked to Forever 21 as I never fail to find something I love on there, they also have really good festival wear. I didn't take me long to come across this beautiful maxi which is perfect for me. It flows and is open at the sides and back, this is perfect as if the weather is warm I wont be fanning myself to keep cool, or worse downing the frozen cocktails. It also has a grungey festival feel which suits me to a T as I am more 90's than 70's.

(Image from Lush Cosmetics)

I recently ran out of my favourite shampoo which means I have to buy more, obviously. It is one of the few beauty things I will splurge out for because I fall out with my hair so much. Costing £17.95 for a 500g bottle you must think I am mad. However, this shampoo has made my hair the softest it has been in years and it is naturally and gradually getting lighter and is currently the nicest colour. This is all due to the violet and lemon in the shampoo, it smells delicious. The shampoo also lasts a while, a 100g bottle lasted 2 months and my larger bottle almost 4. I personally feel its worth every penny and teamed with Garnier The Silky Smoother polishing scrub and Aussie's The Reconstructer my hair has never been better and its growing again. Despite still desperately needed a cut, my split ends have been smoothed and are not as obvious which is a little triumph until I do get my hair cut.

Have you spoiled yourself this payday? let me know what you got on Twitter or Instagram.

See you Friday,

Love Katie x

Festival must haves...

Hey everyone,

So my posts recently have been quite festival related but its fitting so well especially with the UK festival scene kicking off. This Thursday's post is all about my festival must haves. All things I'd be lost without and I HIGHLY recommend you pack. If you are a festival virgin this will be a useful tool, however this list will probably be really relatable to those festival veterans.

(Image from Pinterest)

1. Tissues and hand sanitiser.

(Image from Superdrug)

Yes I am getting the disgusting stuff out the way first. Different festivals have different toilet situations, some are really nice and cleaned often, others not so much (I still have nightmares about the Reading campsite toilets, sorry). So your best bet if you don't know is BE PREPARED. The best way to be prepared is have tissues and hand sanitiser on you at all times. If your chosen festivals toilets are top notch then at least you have tissues and hand sanitiser for when the dirt and mud gets everywhere. This hand sanitiser pictured above is one of my favourite smelling hand gels on the market, available at Superdrug.

2. ANYTHING FOR COLD, WET WEATHER.

(Me at V Festival 2 years ago showing off my light rain coats and clashing wellies)

Even in the hottest of British summers you can guarantee on a festival weekend it will rain or the nights will get awful cold. Even if you have a tent buddy the nights can still get awfully cold. Make sure you have a jumper, even if it does make me sound like your mum. Also a light rain coat and wellies are a must. We don't have the beautiful desert grasslands of Coachella, we have fields, muddy muddy fields. Dont bring your best trainers/sandals pop on some cute wellies and make it work.

3. Disposable Camera

(Another fetching picture of me at Vfestival, pitching the tent. Also showing how great disposable camera pictures look)

There is nothing worse than coming home from a festival getting and being snacked round the face with festival blues. The best way to stop these blues hitting so hard is having lots of photos to look at. Yes, you can take your phone and take pictures but what if it gets lost or stolen (it does happen), NO PICTURES. Disposable cameras are large so will be hard to lose and don't get stolen, bonus, plus the pictures look super cute. If you are fancy enough to have one of these polaroid cameras, these are also a must. Instant cute photos, just be sure not to lose them.

4. Dry shampoo.

(Image from Pinterest)

This seems to be quite obvious but you'd be surprised how many people I know that forget it. Although I haven't had a bad experience with festival showers, I have heard horror stories. If you aren't keen or the horror stories have scared you to much, dry shampoo is your answer. A quick baby wipe bath and a spritz of dry shampoo and you will be feeling super fresh and ready to battle your way around the festival. Batiste is a personal favourite, especially the floral and flirty one.

5. The ultimate alcohol sneaking device.

(Image from Urban Outfitters)

Now I am not condoning breaking festival rules of not bringing alcohol into the arena at all. However, those bar prices are ridiculous and if you have already spent lots of money on alcohol thats just sat in your tent, you don't want to waste it. Again, like the loos, every festival is different. I have been to festivals that have security with hand held metal detectors to get hipflasks down shorts, and I have been to some where you can stroll in and no one bats an eye. You will have to do some research and keep an eye out when entering the arena. I met a lovely bunch of ladies at V Festival 2 years ago that drank wine in bags then re-filled it and stuffed in their shorts and tops to look 'larger' and no one asked questions. Think long and hard about your choice and hopefully it pays off. I love the hipflask in the picture from Urban Outfitters, they have a great selection if thats the route you go down.

6. A Setlist.

(Image from Pinterest)

Im not talking about the list the festivals publish on their website. I am talking about a detailed list of when bands are performing and on what stage. If you aren't an organised person this must sound like a nightmare but finding a clash after you have forked out a fiver for a programme would be worse. At least if you bring your own, you've saved some money and stress. You and your friends can sit around and work out your plan for the day but if you want to cut out the hard work use a website like clash finder before you head off to the festival.

This is my list of festival must haves, have a missed anything you think is important? Did I include something you didnt think of? Let me know on Twitter or Instagram. Stay tuned for Mondays post which will be a Fathers Day gift guide just in time for some great presents for our fab dads.

See you Monday,

Love Katie x