HOLIDAY HOTLIST

Summer is well and truly here!! With the exception of a few days of rain and thunder we've had some amazingly hot weather in the last few weeks, and while I'm loving being able to wear summer dresses to work, it hasn't stopped me dreaming of the much much hotter weather waiting for me in Tenerife in just over 2 weeks time! I've put together a wishlist of the key essential items I want to be packing in my suitcase and taking on my jollies!

1. Sunnies///River Island     2. Maxi Dress//ASDA     3. Swimsuit//Bon Prix     4. Bag//La Moda     5. Kimono//FD Avenue     6. Sandals//ASOS

Whether you're heading abroad or staying in-land, a pair of sunnies are everyone's summer essential. The 70's hippy-style round frames have been a huge hit this season, and I have to say I'm a massive fan, mainly because they seem to be the only style that suit my rather odd-shaped face. I've had my eye on this Brown Tortoiseshell pair from River Island- who by the way have an AMAZING selection of sunnies this season- for ages now. I do have a couple of pairs from Primark, but they are so flimsy that I'm thinking it's about time I invested in a more expensive pair.

Not much needs saying about this maxi dress from George at ASDA, apart from the fact that it's simple. chic, and perfect for wearing whichever way I want! I could add a statement pair of earrings or necklace to glam it up, but I think it would look equally as lovely with a brown belt and sandals for a casual look, perfect for day to night style! 

I'd never heard of Bon Prix until I saw this swimsuit in one of the magazines last week, and fell completely in love! It screams poolside glam, with the embellishment and colour making it look WAY more expensive than what it actually is (a complete bargain at just £14.99!). Bon Prix also have 20% off for new customers, so I've added this beauty to my basket and managed to get it for just £11.99! I've always been a bikini kind of girl, but this has definitely turned me into a costume convert!

A bag to fit my bits and bobs in whilst doing touristy activities during the day, but stylish enough to take out on a night, has to be one of my biggest holiday essentials. I tend to take 2 bags- one over the shoulder and one clutch- on holiday with me, and this is top of my wishlist to take me from day to night. La Moda are bang on with their shoes and bags right now, so this tasselled beauty is top of my 'next to buy' list.

Kimonos have well and truly taken over the high street this season, and the maxi style is one I've been completely obsessed with! After scouring my favourite blogs to see how the different styles are being worn, I've finally settled on this gorgeous White Lace one from FD Avenue. It is perfect for wearing both poolside and on evenings out, and I know I'd get plenty of wear out of it, as it's just so gorgeous! This will definitely be added to my shopping basket very soon!

Finally, I ALWAYS take a pair of comfy brown sandals with me in my suitcase. They go with absolutely anything, and seem to add a touch of summer to any outfit. Being nearly 6 foot, I can't really wear heels, plus they only add extra weight to my suitcase, so a smart pair of flats are what I look for. The buckles on these ASOS beauties add extra detail to what might otherwise be a fairly plain pair of sandals, and and £25 they are a steal!

I'm so excited to get packing, I might just have to get my suitcase out and start now- 21/2 weeks is enough preparation time right?

Are you heading on your summer holidays soon...? What key items will you be taking in your suitcase...?x 

SPRING WISHLIST // VERSUS

One of my favourite things to do when I have a free moment to myself (which at the moment is very rare!) is to have a quick 'on-line window browse' on all my favourite websites. I love looking at new styles and trends, and picking out what I thinks going to be popular, as well as creating outfits in my head that I'd love to wear. While the downside to this is that I have a 'one day I'll buy it' wishlist about 10 miles long, it is always nice to dream!

I've picked out two really different outfits, both of which I love! While one has a much more casual 90's urban grunge feel, the other is well and truly polished pastel perfection...

1. Skater Dress // Lavish Alice     2. Statement Necklace // River Island     3. Perspex Clutch // Boohoo   
4. Metallic Sandals // Zara

I spotted this dress a couple of weeks ago on one of my favourite online stores, Lavish Alice. I've been shopping there for a good few years now, and have seen it get better and better with each season. I am in love with all their new SS14 clothes and accessories, but this Mint Green contrast collar dress has to be my favourite piece. Pastel shades are already huge for this season, and although I don't own any clothing in candy-coloured shades yet, when I finally invest this will definitely be my first choice! 

To do this dress justice I felt like it's endless prettiness needed to brought out, and what better way to do that than with a lovely flower cluster necklace? I'm so obsessed with statement necklaces at the moment, that I've fallen in love with almost every style, and this beauty from River Island is definitely no exception. I think the pastel hints mixed with bright colours are perfect to match with the dress.

The minute I laid my eyes on both this perspex clutch and metallic strap sandals, I knew they'd be so perfect for the dress. The bright cobalt blue colour complements the mint green so well, and small block heel on the sandals would be perfect for a summer night out!

Looking at this outfit and thinking of all the places I could wear it is getting me way too excited for the sun to come back, summer, hurry up!

1. Smock Dress // Boohoo     2. Gold Hoops // New Look     3. Barrel Bag // Zatchels     4. Platform Boots // Missguided

My second wishlist, it has to be said, is completely different to the first. Gingham checks are massive at the mo, with my local Topshop store literally being Gingham galore. While I'm not sure the gingham check leggings are quite my thing, this shirt smock dress from Boohoo is definitely something I'd love in my wardrobe, and at only eighteen pounds, it's definitely one of the first things on my list to purchase! Plus, as if I didn't have enough excuses, it's named after me! If that isn't a sign I don't know what is ... :) 

As well as being a statement necklace hoarder, I'm just as bad (if not worse) with my earrings, and these uber-cool gold hoops would be a welcome addition to my collection, as they would go with so many other outfits.

I've never been much of a 'bag girl', but just recently I've taken a bit more interest in arm candy, and this Denim Barrel bag from AMAZING bag brand Zatchels is just so lovely, I would literally take it everywhere with me!

These grungy platform boots from Missguided are definitely another item that I would wear almost anywhere, they just look so comfy, and they are the sort of boots that would be so easy to just slip on when you're having an outfit crisis kind of day. 

This outfit would be perfect for the wet-weather transition between now and spring, and I could easily see myself wearing it over and over again!

What pieces are on your wishlist for Spring/Summer? Are there any websites you're really loving for new styles at the minute...?x