Next A/W haul!

Hey loves!

Sorry I've been sooo elusive recently; I've been working pretty much non-stop at the new Next in Shoreham, has anyone been there? It's pretty swanky, and includes the company's first garden & DIY centre! I'm enjoying working there but as you can imagine am pretty tempted by the gorgeous clothes, shoes & accessories. Some of their A/W stuff is fab! However I like to think I have been pretty frugal with my money and only bought stuff I can wear both to work and outside of work!

I've picked up some of this stuff on my uniform allowance but the rest is on 25% discount, still pretty decent prices though, esp the jeans! Here's what I've been spending my money on...

Check skater skirt - £35

I originally thought that this skirt would be too long on me, it looked almost knee length on the model and I'm only 5"1 but it's actually a ideal length. It's perfect for those days when you want to dress up a bit more than just jeans and a blazer, and looks fab with black opaques and loafers.

Here's me sporting the look below...

Pretty autumnal, dontcha think?

Black and polka dot peter pan collar tops - £10 each

These tops are just great to team with a pair of skinnies/leggings as it instantly updates an outfit into something a little smarter. The plain tee (the top one) also looks really cute tucked into a skirt like the one above. Really good price as well, I might get the teal one as well!

Mini check dress - £30

This is something I bought for work and/or work interviews as I don't really have anything to wear for situations like that. The petite length was slightly too short but the regular length was a little long, so I added a black patent waist belt which raises the hem slightly. The sleeves are quite tight though which makes it impossible to raise my arms or drive really...!

Black crew neck cardigan (petite) - £18

Just an essential black cardi, ideal for this chilly weather. I had to get the Petite version in this as the arms on the Regular length were too long, hmph :( I'm thinking of getting it in the beige colour as well as it's so versatile!

Faux leather look shorts - £22

These fit really well and were so cheap, they also look like real leather which is a bonus! I figure I can team them down with black opaques and loafers, or glam it up with a lacy crop top and heels. Woo woo!

Black skinny jeans (petite) - £22

Well you can't go wrong with a pair of black skinnies at this time of year, aye?! These come up HUGE, I had to buy them in an 8 when I'm usually a 10-12. Oh well, I'm not complaining...

Black patent loafers - £35

Probably THE MOST worn item of all, I've literally worn these every day since I bought them! It took a couple of days to wear them in but now they're super comfy. I literally think I'll be wearing them all winter, I might have to buy another back-up pair!

Black and neutral knitted snoods - £14 each

I am wearing the neutral version of this snood RIGHT NOW, it is soo comfy! Seriously it is literally the length of my body and I can wrap it right up to my ears and over my shoulders and it shields me from the cold :) mmm...

Cream cable knit slipper boots - £16

I am wearing these too :) Every year I invest in a new pair of slipper boots (who doesn't?) and these are super comfy and look rather posh! Happy days!

I've also bought a pair of purple (well, more like aubergine if you know what I mean?) skinny jeans and a waxed leather pair which I freakin' LOVE which aren't pictured on the website. I have so much stuff left on my wishlist though - I really have to restrain myself from spending all my wages. Next on my list is a cream pussy bow blouse and a chic blazer. More on that to come!

What do you think of Next's A/W range? Have you splurged on a load of new autumn clothes? Do tell!

Love,

Sophia

xo

MAC make-up haul!

Hey loverrrs!

Hope you're all good :) I have recently acquired some new MAC make-up; some have been prezzies and others I have splurged on myself. I have to say I've been mightily impressed with everything so far, it certainly lives up to its adored reputation. Without further ado...

Brush Cleanser

Aah such a useful little concoction! Just spray a few squirts onto your dirty brush, give it a rinse with some warm water and voila! You're good to go. Not the most glamorous purchase in the world but hey-ho it's a necessity! The MUA in the shop said her foundation brush has lasted her years from using this stuff!

Fix+

Now I have to say, I had heard some mixed reviews about this, with some saying it leaves your skin with a lovely dewy glow and others saying it's like spraying water onto your face ie pointless. Well IMO it's the former; it leaves my face looking fresh and zingy (if that's a word?) and my make-up stays on all day after using it. It does run out pretty quickly, though!

Travel sized Fix+

This one I pop in my handbag for touch-ups during the day, it's perfect for when you want to refresh your look but you don't want to have to apply a whole load of make-up again. Trouble is, I think it's LE :( and it was ridiculously expensive!!!

Paint Pot in Painterly

This was a birthday gift from my equally MAC-obsessed chum Flo and she's certainly come up trumps with this one!

This is a kind of half between a nude eyeshadow and an eyeshadow primer (it basically works as both). It's a very natural taupe shade that almost completely blends into your eyelid. I have to say I was expecting something slightly darker but I've still used the hell out of it nonetheless. It might have just started a little love affair between me and MAC paint pots. I'm talking about you, Indianwood and Bare Study! We shall see...

Cosmo Amplified Creme lipstick

Aahhh, eeee, oooohhh... who doesn't love a new MAC lipstick!

Is it the sweet vanilla scent? Is it the longevity? Is it the versatile range of colours? I don't know but there's something about MAC lipsticks that makes me go weak at the knees.

I picked up the shade Cosmo from the Amplified Creme range as it was described as 'your lips but better' and I was looking for a natural, rosy shade...

Here's my lips before...

and after...

WooHOOO! Hello glossy rosy pink lips...

Mwah!

My new favourite lippie... & believe me I own quite a few.

ALSO...

I forgot to mention, the boy picked this up for me from the States a while back.

LE Surf Baby lipstick in Hibiscus

A bright tomato red/coral in some lighting, it featured in MAC's LE Surf Baby collection and sold our EVERYWHERE (hence the sending him abroad to buy it out there. I joke)

Here's my lips before...

and after...

Honestly this was THE lipstick of the summer for me. It just suited my complexion down to a T; I could wear it during the day without a tan and it would look equally as good as when I wore it with shimmery highlighter and smokey eyes of an evening. Obvs it's not available to buy now but FYI it was 100% worth all those rave reviews!

Here's me rocking Surf Baby in the daytime...

and at night...

See, totally versatile!

What are your must-have MAC items? My 'Lingering' eyebrow pencil has just ran out and I'm debating whether to re-purchase!

Love,

Sophia

xo