Outfit post - Italian jewellery

Last month I went to Italy for mine and Asif's wedding anniversary. While out there I picked up some jewellery. It would be impossible to go on holiday and not pick some up. I bought this from Mercato Centrale in Florence - a bustling market area with streets full of goods. A great place to pick up anything from leather goods to picture souvenirs. I spotted these turquoise pieces of jewellery and haggled for ages before settling on a price. The lady said she liked me so gave me an extra pair of earrings, which were lovely too.

I dragged Asif out for an impromptu photo session on our way to lunch to picture the photographs - note - never expect more than two minutes for photos when your designated photographer is hungry. I took my Segue Italian bag out for another outing. I am saving it for days out as it easily picks up dirt.

What is your favourite piece? Have you been to Italy? Where would you say is the best for shopping?

Hydrate your skin with the Dove moisturising range

I love spring, the sunshine and warm weather, especially after the never-ending winter we have just had. But if, like me, you have kept wrapped up over the winter and maybe not given your skin the attention it deserves, you will certainly need to hydrate it if you are planning on getting those pins out. My only antidote to the harsh, cold weather has been amping up the central heating, which can play havoc with my skin, drying it out. With the recent sunny weather I have been turning back to my moisturisers to see where I can get a quick burst.

I was set these Dove lotions a while ago, and they have been a life-saver recently. They are all designed for dry or damaged skin and are perfect for those dry elbows and knees. My favourite has been the Dove Intensive Hand Cream. I tend to paint my nails a lot, which means using a lot of nail polish remover, which dries out my cuticles. I have been trying out this hand cream, and I like that it's not greasy and sinks into the skin well without leaving a residue. I have been keeping this on my desk at work, and like that it doesn't take long to absorb into the skin before I am back on the phone or typing. It has shea butter in it and smells lovely, which is a bonus!

The Dove Silky Beauty Body Cream is thick, and is good for extra dry skin. But my favourites were the Dove Essential Nourishing Lotion and the Dove Intensive Nourishing Lotion, because they were so easy to use, and it didn't take long too apply and for it to be absorbed before I could dress.

And I have to give a mention to the Dove Purely Pampering Nourishing Body Wash. It contains shea butter and warm vanilla, which sounds delicious in itself. Asif said was his favourite of the lot. Yes, I made him test them all out too, but he said the bodywash was his favourite. He even ditched his own to steal mine. Think I will have to claim it back.

What are your dry skin tips? And how do you hydrate your skin?

Essie We're In It Together

My latest nail polish obsession is the lush Essie We're In It Together pictured here. I got this in my latest Glossybox but only picked it up from my parents house this weekend, and already rocking it on my nails. It is the perfect shade of pretty pale pink with minuscule specks of blue powder in it that gives it depth. It's a cute colour to rock on your nails in this gorgeous sunny weather and still work appropriate.

Have you got this colour? And what is your favourite colour to wear on your nails in sunny weather?

Outfit post - New Look print maxi dress

What a gorgeous weekend we had in London. We were lucky enough to have two gorgeous sunny days, and if you saw my last post you will see that I spent them having a BBQ. But before I did Asif and I went to our nearby park to get some rays of sunshine before picking up supplies from the shops.

Ring from Bees, Green Street, London

I decided to wear this orange print maxi dress from New Look with a peach cardigan, also from New Look. As it is so low cut I wore a vest top under it too. I wore my hair up using a bun ring from Sleep-In Rollers, my favourite for a messy updo.

I thought I would also show you one of my purchases from my recent trip to Florence, this buttery soft beige bag, I love the feel of it, and it's small enough not to tote everything around, while still carrying my essentials and camera.

 It's my first outfit post (eek!) so go easy on me please! And any tips/ advice would be welcome.

My perfect barbeque

I took a well-deserved break from the blog recently, I feel a break is good to clear the head and get you re-focused on what you want to do. I needed some time off as it was my cousin's wedding and we had lots of events to  prepare for in the run up and for the wedding. It was then mine and Asif's first wedding anniversary! We flew out to Florence and had an amazing time, and have taken lots of pictures of all of the above that should be coming up in posts soon. When  we came back to London it was miserable weather with rain, but I am glad to say that this weekend we have had glorious sunshine!

Asif and I made the most of it by sunbathing in our local park and preparing for our first barbeque together. We did a lazy but easy version by getting barbeque trays from Tesco - which were about £2 each, and then got some pre-marinated chicken leg and thighs and drumsticks from our butcher. Sorted. Asif got the trays going, and once the charcoal was totally burnt, took about 20 mins, we got the meat on - the bigger pieces first and drumsticks about 20 minutes later so they would all be done at the same time.

On a separate tray I got the vegetables going. I cut the peppers mushrooms and red onions fairly big and chunky so they would stay on the skewers. I had pre-soaked the skewers in water so they would not burn on the barbeque. And I seasoned the vegetables with olive oil, salt and pepper.

Once that was all done we toasted some pittas and plated up with some potato salad and coleslaw. Yum! Today is another lovely day and we haven't decided if to have another barbeque or to have a picnic in the park. I hope you have had a great weekend, and if you have some barbeque tips I would love to hear them!

Marks & Spencer beauty spring/ summer

A while ago I went to the preview of Marks & Spencer's upcoming beauty collections for spring/summer at the Cafe Royal in central London. The building, which has been recently restored, was absolutely beautiful, especially the ceilings. The collections themselves were a welcome surprise, Marks & Spencer's own signature collection from Autograph was there, along with many other brands, including Glam Glow, Tara Smith, REB, and even Hello Kitty.

My favourite among them was a new eyeshadow palette from Autograph with a collection of neutrals, much like Urban Decay's Naked palettes, but a steal at only £12! I have tried some of these colours, and there are some beautiful shimmers in here.

There are also some gorgeous nail polish shades from Leighton Denny, which I am pleased that Marks & Spencer now stocks and haircare from Tara Smith. And during the evening we were pampered with beauty treatments, and had the chance to decorate some cookies. What do you think of my attempt below?

What do you think of Marks & Spencer's spring/summer collection? And is there anything above that catches your eye?

Oz The Great and Powerful Selfridges windows

I went to see Oz The Great and Powerful in the cinema on Saturday and it was every bit as colourful and magical as I expected it to be. It was also funny, and I loved the costumes. I would highly recommend it, and I would love to see it again, but next time in 3D.
I have included some collages in this post of some pictures I took last weekend at Selfridges in Oxford Street. The front two windows include the original costumes from the film, with props, and to celebrate the release of the film Selfridges has also included a collection of shoes by Nicholas Kirkwood inspired by the film.

Do check out the collection and the costumes if you are in the Oxford Street area. They really do look magical! Have you seen the film? And what do you think of the costumes?