beetlejuice is back

Top | Jeans | Shoes | Clutch | Sunglasses

Beetlejuice has gotten quite the makeover since you last saw him lurking around on your TV screen and scaring the living daylights out of you. The eighties are back {did they ever really go away?} and these eighties inspired striped jeans have been all the rage in Londontown.

Instead of pairing it with a matching blazer and painting some dark circles around your eyes to really play the part, why not match it with a cool slouchy tee and a pair of bright heels, with a metallic clutch and white sunnies for that added "I heart the 80's" feel.

Really makes ya feel nostalgic, doesn't it?

{Disclaimer: I'm not trying to fool anyone. I was born in the 90's baby.}

Have you hopped on the striped pants bandwagon yet?

What is your favorite era for fashion?

Happy Friday!

{And don't forget to check out other Friday's Fancies right ova here!}

xx

E

weekend wears

Top: Malene Birger | Overalls: Current/Elliot | Shoes: Acne | Bag: Zara | Sunglasses: The Row |

Grocery Tote: Starbucks

The weekend is without a doubt the single greatest invention/discovery/whatever you may call it, in human history. Weekends for me here in London mean going to my local farmers market on Sunday morning's and making frequent trips down my favorite street in my neighborhood, Marylebone High Street, where I do quite a bit of window shopping, and even more eating. Even though overalls seem to be all the rage at the moment {along with jelly sandals-- aka my wardrobe throughout all of the 90's}, I'm still not sure if I have the confidence/carefree nature like I did as a child to rock them again. I may have killed it on the playground, but rocking them as a young adult feels almost too ironic for my taste. Nonetheless, this outfit is just begging to be worn on a few weekend shopping sprees and grocery runs, and who knows, maybe if I listen to the Spice Girls {not that I don't do that already} and hang around some monkey bars, the child in me will start begging to slip into that fabulous denim jumpsuit, for old times sake.

What are your weekend plans?

xx

E

favorite british beauty buys

I have been very, very bad lately. But, fortunately, I feel no buyers remorse whatsoever for the beauty shopping sprees that have occurred within the last couple of weeks (sorry, Dad...)

I'm a firm believer in the "if I can't get it at home I should buy all of it here," philosophy on life, hence the frequent trips to Boots and superdrug.

So, SHALL I BEGIN!?

1. Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer | I've heard so much about these bad boys in last couple of months, so I decided to put the rumors to rest and try them out for myself. Holy guacamole, this stuff is good. I used to be "big" into lip gloss...like, back when I was thirteen, but haven't used it much since those dark and sticky days {not including that time I went crazy, blacked out and purchased NARS Turkish Delight lip gloss...good tymez}. I bought these shiny little numbers in the shades Nude Eclipse, Big Bang, and Celestial, and I aint even sorry. This stuff is just that good: Pigmented, shiny, and smooth, without leaving you with that icky, bubble-gum-on-my-lips feeling. Y'all know what I'm talkin bout.

2. Tangle Teezer | I quite literally bought this on a whim one day at Boots after seeing it in Selfridges and being intrigued, having heard so many good things about it from numerous celebs/models/beauty bloggers. In my mind, a hairbrush is a hairbrush, but I was quickly eating my own words when I tried it out and realized that a hairbrush can really be more than just, well, a hairbrush. Despite the brush itself looking like it should be used to groom my little pug pup, it does indeed get all of my frizz induced tangles out in just one swipe-- and for that, I salute you, Tangle Teezer.

3. Rimmel Lasting Finish 1000 Kisses Lip Tint | This was actually my first beauty purchase way back in January when I arrived in London, and it's perfect for giving your lips a nice little "just kissed" lip tint. I have it in Endless Blossom, and though it's not very pigmented or anything to rave on and on about, it's a nice lip tint, regardless, and perfect to layer on underneath another lip gloss.

4. Barry M. Gelly Nail Paint | As an avid Essie buyer {I consider myself a collector at this point} with the occasional OPI thrown into the mix, I have to honestly say that these polishes are really knock-outs. Though the color selection is rather sparse, the polish itself dries quickly and lasts far longer than another polishes I have ever used. I have this polish in the shades Lychee {a nice beige nude}, Blueberry {a pretty, purple like summer blue} and Blood Orange {a bright, bright blood red}. As far as drug store brand polishes go, Barry M. nails it. {hehe}

5 + 6. Topshop Glow Highlighter + Topshop Cheek Duo | After watching becoming addicted to some of the amazing beauty bloggers on YouTube, and hearing many of them rave about the makeup in Topshop, I decided to take a peak for myself and ended up walking out with two amazing purchases. The Topshop Glow highlighter cream {I have it in Polished} is currently my favorite highlighter for adding that much coveted Spring glow to your face-- I like to add a bit on my cheekbones, down my nose, on the inner corners of my eyes, and a touch on my cupids bow to achieve the maximum glow that I want, without looking too shiny.
The Topshop Cheek Duo has now replaced my once loved everyday blush and adds the perfect amount of bronzer and color to my cheeks without it looking overdone. I have it in the shade 'Break of Day,' and if we're being entirely honest, I mostly bought it because the makeup itself is so damn soft-- I could sit and touch it for hours. {Is that weird?} Moving on...

7. Real Techniques Stippling brush by Samantha Chapman | I'm a huge newbie when it comes to makeup and cult makeup buys, but apparently these brushes are extremely coveted amongst people in the beauty world, and it's pretty easy to see why. I had my best friend who came to visit from home pick one out for me in Boots recently, and I am absolutely in love with it. For years I've been getting my hands and fingernails a mess from applying foundation, so just using a brush in general to apply it has been a dream-- but this brush in particular is so easy to brush and blends wonderful with no streaky mess left behind.

8. Kate Moss for Rimmel Matte Lipstick | I purchased this lipstick after seeing an Instagram photo of one of my favorite beauty bloggers wearing it {a classic Mean Girls, Regina George moment if ya feel me} and I am so in love with it. I bought it in the color 107 which is a deep, wine hued purple-red, and though it's not exactly Springy,  I've been wearing it on the daily.

9. Whistles Makeup Clutch  | If you've been reading my blog posts since I landed on this wonderful island we call England, I have very quickly fallen into a passionate romance with all things Whistles. I recently decided to take a bit of a plunge and just go for it, and buy one of these beautiful leather makeup bags of theirs {you know, because I bought all this make up, and I need somewhere to store it...}. What I like most about it, however, is that it's actually big enough to take out on the town to a bar or to dinner with friends, rather than solely be used as a makeup bag. It's a win win, me thinks.

I hope you guys enjoyed reading me ramble on today about some of my favorite beauty products from the grand ole' UK-- though most of them are not available in the States, they can be purchased pretty easily from online stores {I know for sure that that is what I will be doing when I run out}

What are your favorite makeup products of the moment?
Got any suggestions for other beauty products I should try?
Until next time,
xx
E

flower child

Top: Theyskens' Theory | Pants: Malene Birger | Bag: Saint Laurent | Shoes: Marc Jacobs |

Sunnies: Illevesta Leonard | Perfume: Jo Malone

Okay, now that I got that out of my system...

Everyone loves a good floral for spring, and this season, for me, it's coming in the form of a great pair of floral patterned trousers. I'm really digging the floral prints that are slightly on the unconventional side-- be it in the form of a water color print or an tiny embroidered flowers. This cropped leather tank is basically the bees knees and would be the perfect companion for any gal this season, as well as this gorgeous bright purple Saint Laurent bag. And was anyone else reminded of the wizard of Oz while staring at these amazing pointed toe striped flats from Marc Jacobs? I won't lie, I wouldn't mind having a house fall on my head if I got the chance to wear these bad boys.

And, of course, spring isn't complete unless you smell like a flower, too, which is why God invented Jo Malone, so that humans may too smell, quite literally, as a fresh as a daisy.

How are you wearing your florals this spring?

What's your favorite spring/summer perfume?

Happy Friday!

xx,

E

london showers

Dress: Monki | Jacket: Topshop | Shoes: Hunter | Umbrella: Target | Bag: Whistles | Necklace: Accessorize

Rain showers in London are about as common as cows in Vermont, or tourists at Disney Land. Ironically enough, as I sit down to write this post all I see is blue skies and a warm breeze whistling threw the open window of my room. Since I got back from Italy the weather here has been gorgeous, almost better than those perfectly warm and delightful Boston summer days-- I'm going to give myself the credit for this stupidly beautiful weather, claiming that I brought it back with me from Italy.
So with that said, you're welcome, fellow Londoners.

But since weather this great surely cannot last until that dreadful day I have to leave this amazing country, here is an outfit that is sure to woo the masses when the clouds roll back in and that ominous drizzle hits your forehead. Before I left for London, I equipped myself with a few little umbrellas from Totes, available at Target, which have been a God send, except for those times when, you know, I left it in my flat and London decided to punish one with one of it's infamous unexpected downpours. 

But, I digress...

Hunter boots are also a staple here, though they're not nearly as common in the city as they are in the US. Typically they're worn mostly by school children and their mothers, but I love my wellies just the same and wear them with pride.
Add a pop of color to an otherwise dreary day with this bright Whistles bag which, by the looks of that color, I am almost positive, was made from the actual rays of the sun.

How are you coping with rainy days in your neck of the woods?
Happy Friday,
xx
E

hiatus: I blame Italy

Sending out one big fat apology this morning for the accidental one month hiatus I've been on since March. Mah bad. I do think my excuse is worthy of being redeemed, however, seeing as I spent the last two weeks in the country of my grandpeepz, Italia. Preparing for the trip took up a lot of time and a few sleepless nights, but it was all worth it because there was not one single hiccup during the entire journey.
We started out our adventure in Milan, then made our way to Venice, Florence, Siena, Rome, Capri and ended it in Naples with a trip to Pompeii. Let's just say, when I got back to my flat in London I collapsed in exhaustion then went in search of some much needed Thai food.
Here be sum pix, cause I know you're curious.

Posing in Milan

Cafe time in Venice

Being a good tourist and taking all the touristy pictures {In Venice}

Cannoli's at a market in Florence

Hey David! {in Florence}

Siena is too pretty for words

Tossin some pence into the Trevi Fountain {in Rome}

The happiest place on earth {in Capri}

{Capri}

One happy kid {in Pompeii}

Heaven is a place on earth {in Naples}

Though Italy was amazing and an adventure that I wouldn't change for anything in the world, I am so grateful to be back in beautiful London, which, believe it not, has been on the warmer side and, GASP, quite sunny! However, my heart is so heavy that I cannot be back in my hometown of Boston in such a sad time, but I am sending all of my love and prayers back to the city I was born and raised in, and I will be home in no time, more than ready to show some of that beantown pride.

xx,
E

spring in london

Top: Whistles | Pants: J. Crew | Shoes: ASOS | Necklace: J. Crew |

Watch: Michael Kors | Glasses: Warby Parker

The calender is telling me that it's spring, but the weather here in the UK seems to think otherwise. When I was looking into countries to study abroad in, it had not occurred to me that London only had one season: cloudy and cold. But even through those dark and ominous white clouds, I can see that there is some hope for Spring in the daffodils that grow in clusters around Regents Park and the brave fashion queens who are proudly shedding their winter furs for their crisp summer whites. Restaurants and patisseries are getting out their chalk and changing their signs for new spring specials and hot cross buns made fresh for Easter morning. Slowly I am beginning to see more people out on the streets during my morning walk to class, no longer needing the reassuring warmth of the tube to take them to and from work.

So, even though there is no place in the world like New England in the spring, it's still possible to see the faint glimmer of that springtime sunshine, even through that infamous London smog-- and I love it just the same.

Happy Friday,

xx,

E