Festival hair #2

A while ago I posted Festival hair #1 - my personal favourite way to style my hair for festivals. This is a slight variation on that post, I've pretty much just changed the accessory ha.

I feel wavy or curly hair is the best way to go with hair at festivals, you're not going to have access to any straightners or showers so beginning the weekend with your hair in a slightly styled curly/wavy state already is a good start. You can always make the most of salt sprays through out the weekend to add more texture and bobbles and grips to tuck away any crazy stray bits!

How would you style your hair for a festival weekend? x

Follow by GFC // Bloglovin' // Hello Cotton // Twitter // Instagram

Graduation dresses: what to wear?!

1 // 2 // 3

4 // 5 // 6

7 // 8 // 9

It's crazy to think that I finished University over a year ago now. The whole 3 years at Uni absolutely flew by, let alone the time I've been working since finishing!

I know lots of people are starting to think about graduation and what to wear, so I thought I'd share some styles that were popular with my class, in case anyone is wondering what type of dress to go for, or how smart you should be. My uni was weird and only held graduation in November, despite my course finishing uni in early May, so last year I featured another graduation wishlist here.

With graduation, you need to consider how your dress is going to look with your gown - find out what colour your gown will be in advance and make sure there's no clashing colours there! Graduation is a relatively smart occasion, but you can get away with wearing the slightly more casual skater style dresses. However, I would recommend going with a skater style made from a slightly heavier material, or with added embellishment or detailing to make it stand out for the occasion. 

Dresses similar to the skater style dresses above were popular at my graduation in November, as were the V-neck, wrap style dresses like number 7. However, this year I feel that midi-dresses like number 8 will be popular at graduations, the shape of the dress will work really well with the gown and they always look effortlessly glamorous and smart!

Have you got a graduation coming up? What will you be wearing? x

Ps. a couple of the dresses above are from Boohoo - they currently have free UK delivery on orders over £35 with the code FREE35 :) 

Follow by GFC // Bloglovin' // Hello Cotton // Twitter // Instagram

Cinnamon Oat Pancakes

I wanted to include a 'naked' pancake picture to prove I didn't burn them (I definitely burnt the first batch I made) ha!

I have never made or eaten American style pancakes before, I'm more of a tradition lemon and sugar thin pancake kinda girl, so this was something new to me. Since I've become addicted to Pinterest, I'm constantly seeing amazing food images including some amazing looking pancakes so I thought I'd give it a try!

This recipe makes about 10 pancakes and I topped them with low fat natural yoghurt, some defrosted frozen summer fruits and a drizzle of honey.

Recipe:
(Sorry it's in cups, the battery has gone on my scales, but approx conversions are below too)
1 cup plain flour (128g)
2 tbsp caster sugar (25g)
2 tsps baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup rolled oats (85g)
1 cup milk (140ml)
1 egg

Combine the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and oats) in a bowl, then combine the wet ingredients (milk and egg) in a separate bowl or jug. Slowly add the milk and egg mixture into the dry ingredients, mixing with a whisk.

Add a tiny amount of oil to a frying pan (I used a few sprays of fry-light), then drop a large tablespoon of the batter into the pan. You should be able to fit around 4 pancakes in one pan. Fry on a medium - high heat for 2/3 minutes, on one side. You should be able to see small bubbles form and burst on the top of the batter, once you can see this happening after about 2 minutes they're ready to turn. Then fry for a further 2 mins on the other side.

These tasted amazing with the yoghurt, fruit and honey but it would also be amazing with banana and honey too - yum! They took a little while to prepare and make, so not really appropriate for early morning work breakfasts, but they're the perfect weekend breakfast! :)

Let me know if you try this recipe! Do you prefer American style or English pancakes?
Also, if you have Pinterest, leave your link in a comment and I'll follow :) I need more people to follow! x

Follow by GFC // Bloglovin' // Hello Cotton // Twitter // Instagram

Bourjois cream blush - Nude Velvet

Bourjois Cream Blush in 01 Nude Velvet

You've probably seen a lot of these posts around recently, as they seem to be the 'big' thing in the beauty blogging world at the moment. This is quite rightly so though, as these really are little magic pots of cream blush! 

I opted to buy the lightest shade in the collection, Nude Velvet. The other shades include 'Healthy Glow' - another coral based blush, 'Rose Tender' - a rose pink blush and 'Sweet Cherry' a slightly darker rose pink shade. 

Nude Velvet is a really subtle shade, perfect for daytime wear. It has coral/orange tones and is great for paler skin like mine. This is actually my first ever cream blush, I tend to usually choose powder blushers as I like my makeup finish to be matte. I always thought that cream blushes would give that 'dewy' skin look and not be matte, which looks great on other people but it's just not the finish for me. However, I'd heard that these blushes transformed from a cream to a powder on the skin, and they were right - they definitely leave a matte finish on the skin! 

I applied this blush using a stippling brush which really evenly distributed the colour across my cheeks. I also tested using my fingers, to see whether this would be better, it worked well but I preferred the finish of the stippling brush the most. It was really easy to build colour, which is what you need with a subtle shade like this and the blush lasted all day. I went out shopping and for lunch, then came home late afternoon and the blush look just the same as when I applied! It has definite staying power.   

Have you tried any of the Bourjois cream blushes? Which shade did you choose and what did you think? x

Follow by GFC // Bloglovin' // Hello Cotton // Twitter // Instagram

Warehouse denim jacket winner!

Congratulations to Amy, the winner of my Warehouse denim jacket giveaway! :) 

I will be emailing you to arrange your prize.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congratulations once again! :)

Follow by GFC // Bloglovin' // Hello Cotton // Twitter // Instagram

Dream festival style

Kimono // Hat // Bag // Sunglasses

I know I'm on a massive festival blogging spree at the moment, but it's currently sunny while I'm writing this and I have lots of exciting festivals coming up so it's all I'm thinking about at the moment! I previously blogged about my festival hairstyle #1, and #2 will be coming up in the near future too, so I thought I'd post an outfit to match.

I absolutely love this kimono from Boohoo, it's only £15 which I think is an absolute bargain! Kimonos are so in fashion at the moment, but I don't feel like they're that wearable with the English weather, so it might be worth picking up a cheaper one in case I don't wear it much. Pairing this kimono with denim shorts and a plain black top is one of my favourite festivals looks. Adding a vintage inspired leather rucksack, a straw hat and some big sunglasses would finish the outfit off nicely.

UK festivals aren't always sunshine and warm weather, they're more often than not overcast and rainy (anyone who experienced creamfields last year will know what I mean). So baring this in mind, I will also be featuring a more practical festival outfit very soon, with more layers and probably some wellies too.

What have you previously worn to festivals? Or what's your your favourite 'festival fashion' piece? x  

Follow by GFC // Bloglovin' // Hello Cotton // Twitter // Instagram

Festival hair #1

Floral headband - Topshop

I'm on a bit of a festival theme at the moment - apologies if you don't like this topic, but it's on my mind as I recently attended the first festival of this season yay!

Festivals can be a pretty tricky place to have nice hair, especially towards the end when you've slept in a tent for 2 nights without access to a shower or straighteners! I'm quite lucky that my hair doesn't really get greasy quickly, but I'm still never without a large can of Batiste at a festival.

My hair is naturally curly, so for festivals I tend to wash it before I go and leave it to dry naturally with some curl cream or salt spray. I take the salt spray product along with me and in the mornings refresh my curls with a bit of water and some more spray to give them some more bounce. Batiste is also essential for roots, along with grips for any stray fringes and, of course, some floral accessories to get in the festival mood!

What are your essential festival hair products? x

Follow by GFC // Bloglovin' // Hello Cotton // Twitter // Instagram