Wednesday 30 April 2014

Get my Miami Look!

Miami - holiday

For the past month I've been ever so busy interning, and to top it all off, I got whisked off my feet for a lovely week to the very sexy city...Miami! And that's exactly what I'm here to blog about. Now, I've never done a vacation blog-post before, but since I made every effort to look good (in my head), and also went to one of the most beautiful places on earth, I thought why not! I'm not necessarily going to share with you a day to day diary of what I did, but I do endeavour to share with you some pics of the amazing places I got to see and, of course, share with you my holiday outfits! Miami weather in April is so, so beautiful...equally hot, but not scorchingly hot that its unbearable, yet hot enough for you to get that sexy golden tan! 

Did I mention this was the best holiday ever?! 


You can never get enough of the beautiful scenery in Miami, everything is tainted in pure white against the large and expansive roads. With little boutiques and independent restaurants filling up the inner side-streets of South Beach, to the grand and luxurious stretch of hotels on much of the south's main roads - there is plenty for your eyes to fall in love with. 


A five minute leisure walk to the beach from the hotel meant that I could practically soak in the sun and swelter my feet in the sand all day and all night! Saying this alone will not do quite justice, and I'm sure this picture above isn't doing the same justice either, but seriously, Miami beach is just so so gorgeous. It is, of course, bustling with tourists, yet it is so well-kept and ever so attractive that it can't help but attract crowds of people! #Takemeback


This is the place to be for all the pool side restaurant parties and fun music affairs! Ocean Drive is a hip and youthful place, filled with idyllic 1960's style buildings and vintage-looking hotels. There's a real retro feel about this area, and the palm trees surrounding the bustle just adds to the old-style panache. It's also the place I came to for all my exotic cocktail delights...the variety is second to none! 

NOW LET'S TALK FASHION PLEASE...

Since the weather doesn't scream summer year round in the UK, we Brit's take every opportunity to take a vacation where we can both bask in the sun, and dress up for the hot weather! Most high-street stores are unleashing the SS14 collections, but they do seem more apt to wear if you're planning a summer holiday abroad! Making the most of the humidity in Miami, here are two specific looks I completed part of my holiday with...here's sharing some pictures with you to give you all a little inspiration! 

FLOWER POWER

With spring blossoming daises and yellow summer daffodils, I love wearing floral prints in the sun! It's not only the most befitting time of the year to work the floral-look, but I think it looks classically feminine and dainty for ladies to wear! 



 A sophisticated pink floral pinny maxi dress was by far on of my best purchases for the holiday. The side slits not only serve to show off your tanned legs at there best, but practically keep the air ventilating between your legs - keeping sweat a-bay! I love the Japanese orchid design throughout the dress, and pink has always been one of my all time favourite colours! 

 MISS SELFRIDGE - £35.00




This was one of my favourite purchases too - the floral design bikini and briefs! I literally wore this all the time for those lazy beach days, and it was perfect for the roof-top pool/jacuzi too. Halter neck bikini's particularly appeal to me since I like the ways in which it frames my shoulders! If you're not comfortable in wearing a two-piece bikini, H&M also have a variety of 1 piece swimsuits too. From backless to cut out sections, check out Gisele Bundchen's latest swimwear collection!

H&M - BIKINI: £12.00, BRIEFS - £8.00


And who can forget the extra floral details to adorn the tresses with! I love, love, love decorative flower braids and headbands for the hair, and I think it finishes off a look perfectly. From loose beach curls, a glowing tan and flowers for the hair - it all reveals #holidaymode. Topshop and River Island are two particular high-street stores that are currently endorsing this trend, and the one that I am wearing pictured above is from River Island. I will surely be rocking this look for the summer!

RIVER ISLAND - £8.00

CASUAL COMFORT




The 90's aztec prints are such a hot trend this season and you will see this particular design making waves across simple midi dresses, crop-tops, maxi dresses and so much more! I love the black and pink colours together, as the pastel pink compliments the design so well. This is also another of my favourite holiday purchases. It's perfect to wear during the day for some sightseeing and equally apt to wear for an evening meal. Just add on a pair of your favourite sling-back heels and you can rock the night away in an uber glamorous yet comfortable look. 

MISS SELFRIDGE - £25.00





From high-waisted denim shorts to striped denim shorts - no vacation is quite complete without a comfy pair of any one of these! Shorts, for me, are uber stylish - and can practically work with anything. From embellished gladiator shoes, a pair of sneakers to midi heels by night, shorts are right on trend every summer, and are, for me, the perfect casual look to wear on holiday. I don't have a pic of my white shorts here, but a white pair can also look just as trendy. This snap of me pictures me in my comfy topshop denim's with a casual 90's crop tee. I love these crops - they are like my fav thing to purchase when shopping for summer fashion right now!


There's other days where you just prefer lazing around the pool-side in your favourite bikini, denim shorts and sheer sleeveless blouse! This casual look worked so well for the scorching daytime's, and I love the effect the sheer blouse gives to the overall look. It's ever so minimalistic, yet so chic. Add a pair of shades to your head, and your good to go!


How is any casual look quite complete without a oversized sling-back cap? While I occasionally enjoyed wearing my beach hat, I was more so drawn to wearing the Brooklyn NY cap for a more hipster and youthful look. Miami is all about dressing youthful and looking at your casual best - and this cap did the trick! Against my straightened hair, the Brooklyn cap worked so well to bring the whole understated look together. 


There are, of course, some days when the beach curls are tied up, which add to the whole minimalist holiday look too. I love wearing my hair up from time to time, and think the curls compliment the sleek look so well. Especially in the hot weather, keeping your tresses tied away from your face can work wonders to cool you down!

Happy holidays to all those jetting off somewhere nice this summer! Miami is one of the best places on earth to visit! #Iloveyoumiami 

Kin x

Thursday 3 April 2014

My latest beauty haul - 5 of the best: Spring Edit!

spring beauty edit

It's been a while since I last posted and I know there's no room for excuses either! But today, I've taken out some much needed time to write about all things that make you feel and look beautiful. From scented perfumes, a splash of lip colour to a truly bold & black mascara, I love, love, love shopping for all things beauty! So, here it is, after my recent trip shopping looking for all things makeup, I thought 'why not write a beauty post?' And here I am, sharing with you my very, very exciting beauty haul with five of the best spring/summer products.  

Being a beauty fanatic mean's I 'have' to talk about all the listed make-up products like a true professional! But, in no way am I an actual professional! I will, however, speak from my personal experience about each product...so let's get the ball rolling!

1. WE ALL LOVE A BIT OF MAC...

This gorgeous mineralise blush contains a gorgeous sheer shimmer, which is perfect for making the cheeks glow full effect! The SS14 beauty look is all about adding that bit of colour and shimmer to the face to give it some much needed warmth, and this MAC blush is perfect for the season. I very rarely apply too much, and prefer to use a big fluffy brush to create a natural glow. I would say its equally a blush as it is a highlight! Love, love, love this dewy product. 

 2. LUSH LIPS AND A DESIRABLE POUT...

So beyond the many lipsticks I have, this highly pigmented liquified lipstick did catch my attention. In a gorgeous bright coral/orange hue, Too Faced lipstick is the most apt shade to wear this season. I love wearing this shade throughout the day, and it really does stay put for hours! It does leave a glossy after-effect, which is not so appealing since I prefer a matte finish. However, given the colour and long-lasting wearability, I think it is quite a treat for the season. 

3. DAY TO NIGHT EYES FOR THE SPRING...


Now, I very rarely indulge in purchasing Clarins make up products, but this cute and compact eye shadow palette is a must have! Now, I trialled a little of the baby pink shimmer and champagne hue and I am seriously so, so, impressed with the long lasting results. My eyes appear so fresh and vibrant, and it's amazing since the colours are so light and subtle. After leaving the baby pink and champagne hue on throughout the day, I brighten up my eyes throughout the night with a little turtle green - it looks incredible!

4. LET YOUR NAILS YELL 'SUMMER' WITH LEIGHTON...

We all know Leighton Denny is an expert when it comes to nail care and nail colour, and to prove it, here I have Leighton's hottest spring/summer shade! I have been wearing this on my nails for the last week or so, and my hands appear so radiant, quirky and ready for the summer season! A highly pigmented primrose yellow, complete with a glossy shimmer finish, it's my must-have shade to wear! I think a pop of colour really works wonders, and my dainty hands are certainly getting all the attention!

5. NUDE IN A NUTSHELL - THE PERFECT SHADE FOR ALL...

Whether I apply this singularly, or on top of a bright lipstick shade, Max Factor's nude lipgloss is the perfect carry lipgloss on the go! You can never go wrong with a nude gloss and I absolutely love Max Factor's lipgloss range. I love that this gloss doesn't need to be applied several times and it smells divine too! What's there not to love?