What I wore to The Curve Fashion Festival 2015

Last month I was kindly given a ticket to attend The Curve Fashion Festival and for once, I went as a visitor rather than a blogger or model.

I got to speak to brands, catch up with friends, watch fashion shows and generally have a giggle. 

Leading up to the day, I was getting myself into a flap over what to wear as not only did I need to be comfortable on my long coach trips there and back, but to look stylish throughout the day. To my surprise, New Look saved my skin! 

I was very fortunate to choose an outfit of my choice to wear on the day. 

Maybe the excitement of Halloween was creeping up on me as my entire outfit was black! 

I opted for the basics; coated trousers, black swing vest top, suedette waterfall jacket, tassel necklace and peep toe leather boots. Unfortunately the trousers I chose were out of stock and my own alternative didn't match the top so I chose to wear just the jacket, boots and necklace. I chose to wear a crop top from Forever 21 and an old Asos Curve polka dot mesh skirt that I had previously altered. The amazing necklace is unfortunately now out of stock but features a huge leather tassel. I'm so smitten with it and I've worn it religiously since it arrived.

     The wonderful Patti Cakes and I, featured in Manchester Confidential as part of their 'best dressed' feature. 

        Photo Booth fun at the Elvi stand

All items can be found on the website here but exact items may no longer be available. X

  

Boohoo Nadia Maxi Dress

Today I'm wearing a whole load of VBO (visible belly outline) in the Asymmetric Maxi Dress from Nadia Aboulhosn's range at Boohoo.com

I love the bardot sleeve on this dress. I've never really worn many outfits that show my shoulders so took a chance with this dress. The main reason for buying this dress was the side split detail. It reveals a short underskirt so there is still no worry of flashing my big knickers. 

I found the dress a little clingy, even though I sized up. I guess heavy duty shapewear would be needed if a VBO isn't your thing. I'm cool about such issues so I went without. 

I dressed the maxi down with a pair of old gladiator sandals from Primark and a lion head necklace from H&M. 

The dress can be found here x

Jewellery Making Workshop with Black Heart Creatives

Last week I attended a jewellery making workshop run by Black Heart Creatives

Held at  The Crazy Fox  in the centre of Bristol, a small group of us ladies, got to make a mermaid tail necklace and sea themed charm bracelet. 

As you might of already seen, I've blogged about Black Heart Creatives before. I love them! Cool, edgy and on trend pieces of jewellery all at extremely reasonable prices. You can even create your own individual design, as Charlotte, the creator, is a whizz with a sheet of acrylic and can more or less turn your ideas into wearable masterpieces. 

Arriving at The Crazy Fox, I was shown to our table where all of our tools and bits and pieces needed to make our jewellery, was set out. After introducing ourselves we got straight into making our charm bracelets, given step by step guidance as we went.

Ta da! My charm bracelet. I chose colours that I knew would match my outfits at home and I love it. 

I loved how social the class was. Even though we were there to make our own jewellery, I felt as if I was sitting, socialising with girlfriends. Such a welcome break from cooking the dinner and tidying up after a toddler plus I got pretty things to take home! 

Next we got to make the necklace..

Again, another piece that I just adore. With my new hair colour, I'm seriously channeling The Little Mermaid!

Don't we all look so fab?!

If holding a Black Heart Creatives workshop interests you or you have an idea in mind for a custom design then be sure to contact them here
Black Heart Creatives can also be found on Facebook and Twitter

(Photo credits to Charlotte of Black Heart Creatives)

All that glitters ain't gold. Christmas Day Selfie!

Christmas Day was a crazy whirlwind of watching the kids opening their presents, stopping my toddler from consuming her body weight in chocolate bears, restraining myself from hitting my mother and cooking like a chef on speed. I did not have the time for outfit posts! But I did so a quick cheeky selfie!

 Thought I would show you this amazingly cute GOLD top. Yes. Gold! I have never worn gold but now I must own more! I found it in Primark, tucked away in the shit corner of unloved items for a mere £3. I am totally kicking myself that I didn't buy the green version as it looks killer on. I wore it with a simple plain black bodycon skirt from Asos and tights. The necklace was a cheap China job from EBay 

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Palm Bling perfection with Black Heart Creatives

I have recently been fortunate enough to be asked to review a piece of jewellery from the ultra cool summer range 'Palm Bling' from Black Heart Creatives. 

I was thrilled to receive my cute little package through the post and was given the Tickled Pink flamingo. I was like a kid at Christmas opening it

Not that my face shows that in this picture lol!

Like my other a Black Heart items, I was not disappointed with the quality. Strong, detailed cut acrylic, chunky solid chain at just the right length and even the acrylic signature tag on the clasp ( yes, I'm easily pleased!)

I'm in love with each piece from the current range so I would of been happy with anything. If you don't see what you fancy and have an idea in mind, why not consider a custom order? 

Right now you can use my discount code for a very generous 20% off using the code Sam20 for the next 7 days. 

 What are you waiting for?!

http://www.blackheartcreatives.com/category/palm-bling

Joyful June Present Swap

For June the ever wonderful Debz had the idea of doing a present swap for us bloggers. We had a £10 budget to buy a fellow blogger a gift as a surprise swap. Much like a secret Santa. We got told who we were to buy for but not who was buying for us. I LOVE getting parcels in the post so I was truly game.

I happen to adore the person I had to buy for so found it pretty easy to choose something. 

The gifts I received were so generous and the gifted certainly knew my taste!

This is what I got! (Such a lucky girl!) The colours were spot on, I've used every product and wore the necklace which reminds me of funky bunting. The lip laquer is amazing. I thought they were like a lip gloss but I was wrong, it's matt and stays put for hours. I'm so hooked that I've ordered the other colours in the range too!

I can't wait for the next swap and a massive thank you to my secret sender xx

Summer Bling from EBay

By now you should of realised that I'm a serial bargain hunter and EBay addict. When it comes to new jewellery, EBay is usually my first port of call. Now summer is well and truly here, I thought I would share my EBay finds with you. I don't have anything in mind when I search for a necklace but I usually type in 'statement necklace' or 'crystal bling'. Guaranteed I will find something trashy for under a fiver that I can't resist. Granted, they are mega cheap and mass produced in China but I have a toddler that breaks everything of mine and 2 teens that often like to 'borrow', so if it's cheap I'm not going to be too upset if it does break/get pinched.

Here are a couple of links;

ion head necklace can be found Here
Daisy necklace can be found Here
Fortune teller necklace found Here
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