Handbag heroes #1

Hi Loves and a happy new year!!!!

So this is something different.
More of a what's in my bags, bag situation.

I decided to do a handbag heroes post about the other things that are always in my bag other than the usual umbrella and mint staples (this is London umbrella hasn't left my bag since year seven lol).

I keep my beauty ish/ miscellaneous things that I need in here so lets get started.

Lucas' Pawpaw ointment

This is my go to bag all purpose balm of choice.
I always have this in my bag and usually a back up in case I lose it but these last so long.

Medicine

 I don't have medication I take regularly so this is usually some ibuprofen, hayfever tabs, energy tabs etc I like to be prepared.
There are parts of me that are incredibly organised.
To the point where people say I am such a mum as I anticipate your needs 0.o - I am not a pusher!
 I like to be prepared!
I do get migraines and although I have a high pain threshold, life is better for all if my migraine is seen to asap.

Baylis & Harding Beauticology Grapefruit & Raspberry Handcream

ummmm the smell!
 I do have my staples when it comes to handcream (checkout my winter skincare saviours) but love to try new ones and this is proving to be pretty moisturising and light.

Hairbands 

I buy these in bulk from primark. It is like 50 of varying sizes for £1. Which is a bargain.
 They don't snag on my hair and if they snap I am ok with the price. They are also great for multipurpose quick fixes.

Lipsticks & lip pencil 

I usually have 2 lipsticks and a brown lip pencil in my pouch.
I will usually all throw in whatever lip product of the day if it is something different.
Currently I am in LOVE with brown/ deep berry brown lips so my choices at the moment are Diva & Antique velvet by MAC.
Which are very similar.- I know seriously, I know!

Blotting paper

 It gets pretty muggy rushing around all day so these are a life saver for keeping your face excessively shine free yet still leaving the skin glowing. You can find these very cheaply on eBay.

Contact lenses

 I am a frequent glasses wearer and occasionally wear contact lenses.
These are a spare back up in case I want to change my look or refresh my eyes.

Hand sanitiser 

In any major city this is a must. 

Especially in London when you are travelling on public transport.
People are DIRTY as fuck! 

So just keeping your hands clean saves you from having an unnecessary amount of germs on you.

If you work in an office with desk jumping or just a busy office this is a must also. 

Get your anti bac wipes too!

My current one is Orla Kiely in geranium.

Simple Kind to Skin Moisture Boost Hydro Mist 

This is a great travel size spritz to refresh the face during the day. 

I actually discovered this when a friend brought it back from America for me and have only seen it once in the uk. 

I had the good sense to buy 2 from the 99p shop of all places and will be sad when it is finished.
 They are however great containers to reuse.

Hair product
This could be anything.
I received a sample years and and kept the container.
I  now fill it with a small amount of gel for fly aways or conditioner.

Cork screw
yep, you read that right.
 I keep a cork screw in my bag lol
 I used to be a bar tender in my uni summer holidays and was given this for my little kit on my first day!
It's one of those fancy, I have every attachment under the sun MacGyver things.
I am also that person everybody asks for cocktail ideas, wine recommendation etc. As seen in my holiday spiced mulled cider recipe.
I even created a wedding cocktail called the J&J for my brothers wedding.
Stick with me kid, we won't be drinking white lightening at bus stops but a bit of Pinot at a picnic in a park and I am your woman!

So those are my Handbag heros, what are your must haves?

Smooches

Stephanie aka Wednesdays Girl

xoxo

Don't forget to come find me and  Follow @GirlWednesdays

Noir et blanc: Monochrome moments

Hi Lovers,

I am an avid lover of monochrome and I tend to start the "all monochrome everything"" campaign mid way through January for a few weeks. After I have flung on the brightest , richest colours to cheer up the London cold drudgery and folded away the party wear after the the last 2 months of rampant bacchanalia. It is time to dedicate myself to monochrome. I love how you just look put together and finished in monochrome. Whether you go full on with the black and white or you pull together a black ensemble with a pop of white.

I love the simplicity of monochrome. It is chic and stylish for all occasions and means that you don't have to think too hard when you get up at the crack of dawn. Nor does it assault your eyes and senses with the vibrancy of colour lol. I am not a morning person and the cold offends me- Warmer days where art thou?

I haven't spent much money on myself this year so far or over Christmas in regards to clothes ( steady on we are 20 days in!) and I am loving the feeling of "shopping my closet". I have so many black and white items and bags for days. A a few of which you might remember from my Shoppers+ Pouches post.

 Here are a few items that I have in my closet or am considering *ahem* buying that are very good value or in the sales.

Boohoo Abbie Grid Print Duster Coat

 ASH feeling stretch feeling stretch boots

F&F Printed shirt dress

ASOS TALL Midi Skater Dress With Short Sleeves

Gingham Lace Trim Ankle Socks

Newlook white chunky multi buckle cut out boots

MAC Ruby Woo  (because why not?!)

Until pastel Fridays and animal print Mondays kick in  (joking lol)........

Smooches

Stephanie aka Wednesdays Girl

xoxo

Don't forget to come find me and Follow @GirlWednesdays  

Cardiff....until next time

Hey dawls, its been a while
I know. Technical difficulties were being had. 

So it was my Birthday on the 10th and I decided once again to commandeer more days and make a long weekend of it.

As per usual I was last minute and decided to go up to the valeeeeyyys aka Cardiff for a day trip like a week before with my bestfriend. ;-)

I have been to Cardiff before and a great time and this was no different. We had a fun despite the rain and being slight windswept (nothing compared to the storm that followed our departure!). We decided sustenance was definitely  needed for the day ahead and stopped off at The Meating Place, which has the BEST Parmesan chips ever! Seriously recommend trying them but take cash. If you ever go there you will understand lol.

After lunch we hit up St David's shopping centre, Wharton street, Queens street and the Arcades.

 In hindsight we could have made a weekend of it and partied the night away and maybe explored some more but my weekend wasn't over. Ohhh no! 

On Sunday I had a lovely dinner with friends at GOGI a lovely Korean bar and grill joint and on the big day I went to a spa for some much needed relaxation and pampering.

I couldn't leave Cardiff without getting my shop on so here are a few things

......

I have been looking for a new bag for ages, see here and really couldn't find anything that grabbed me. This season has a lot of thin handled or undersized bags and that is not practical for my everyday use. I had my eye on both of these bags and basically succumbed to both. The grey has a lovely texture and a subtle on trend trapeze shape but is practical yet edgy with the silver mini studded panels. I really love this black bag. it is structured and lady but big enough to carry all my work stuff in. It also gets bigger when unclipped, it  isn't shiny and  has a nice sheen but is still a textured matt. 

Grey bag (alternative) here

Black bag here

  I picked up this oversized jersey with floral detailing in H & M. I love the grannyish floral aspect and it is a odd off black that looks nay but isn't. It had an exposed zipper at the back and is a cool casual piece to jam or run errands in.

Sweatshirt here (mine was alot less as it was on sale so check in stores first)

 I also picked up this cool sheer black kimono, which I love love love. I should have tried it on in store as it is a lil big but meh just adds to the whimsical edginess.it is really versatile and can take you from the beach to a night out.

Not currently available on there website in the cardi section so check in stores

  I have a strange relationship with River island and the price versus quality but I am so glad we stopped by as bargains were a plenty! I  picked up his beautiful t- shirt and just look at it. I want to frame it is so purdy. I love the black and white "silk" print as it lends an air of  sophistication o any outfit. Unfortunately I cant find it anywhere online

I also stopped by my old lovers place....MAC and picked up 3 beautiful lippies. I was  having an issue with lighting so went down an "artistic" photography route lol.

The shades can be found here.

Diva - matt

Cyber - satin

 Film noir - satin

  Finally we stopped of at Topshop and I picked 2 matt finish nail varnished. In denim and Mystic. I pretty I am pretty disappointed in Mystic and am super happy I used a gift card my old work colleagues gave me. Granted it doesn't have a lustrous finish as most varnishes aim for but it certainly isn't matt. If anything it seems to get shiner after 2 coats or a top up. It also drys darker which I actually liked but I found myself being more drawn to the frosted bottle rather than the varnish.

All in all a wonderful birthday was had and I will definitely be going back to Cardiff!

Smooches

Stephanie aka Wednesdays Girl

xoxo

Don't forget to come find me and  Follow @GirlWednesdays  

Orange obsession

I have become quite taken with anything that is a shade of the l'orange grande. Lipsticks, blushes, fabrics, jumpers, shirts, dresses anything and everything. I have raided my dresser and wardrobe for my orange inspiration pieces to cheer myself up. What with the great British weather swinging between sunshine, gale force winds and savage rains it is time to make my own sunshine state! All shades of orange welcome (except tango tan-tastics no but really my eyes bleed) lol.

Smooches

Stephanie aka Wednesdays Girl

xoxo

Don't forget to come find me and  Follow @GirlWednesdays  

Pay day spring /summer fashion mood board

What better way to treat yourself  for being fierce, fabu and bossy? This is pretty much what I am feeling this month. I have already bought a few as my staples for the next couple of months. I am a little too happy that all of these are affordable and are very wearable bits and bobs.

I really love accessories and statement peices that can transform an outfit and are transferable from day tonight etc. They are also good if you are on a budget as nothing on here is above £50 and some are on sale!

I have a thing where I mix and match my clothes all year round so I will rock all my stuff together. It might be laziness but that's how I do and it also means I have a bigger style collection to work with.

  The colours, textures and patterns really speak to me plus it screams a big fuck you to the rubbish weather we are having in London (apart from today randomly).

Top tip: set yourself a budget for your season must haves, after statement buys purchase accessories. Unless your a student then spend, spend, spend and then eat miso soup for a month lol

Toodles

Stephanie aka Wednesdays Girl

xoxo

Don't forget to come find me and  Follow @GirlWednesdays