9 Things Friends Taught Us about Style

With my favourite American sitcom hitting Netflix this month, it's time to take a look at the style lessons learnt from over ten seasons of Friends.

                                                  1. You can go too far with fake tan.

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One misunderstanding in a tanning booth will leave you looking like an oompa-loompa on steroids. 

2. Never let your boyfriend do your make-up for a big night out...

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..or you'll end up looking like this. Sophisticated like a hooker? 

3. Not everyone can carry off braided hair. 

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Even when singing Bob Marley songs.


4. Go easy on the teeth whitener.



Unless you want your jaws to glow in the dark, that is.


5. Blue lipstick never looked good on anyone.

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Even you, Ke$ha.


6. Never let your friends cut your hair.

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You could end up looking like Dudley Moore, rather than Demi Moore. 

7. When in doubt, wear denim.

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Apparently not just for the nineties.


8. When it comes to bridesmaid dresses, less is more.

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Never one to upstage the bride. 

9. If all else fails, a turkey makes for a great accessory.

Nothing says 'game for a laugh' more than wearing your Thanksgiving dinner. 

The Sunday Review

Running, reading, writing, going to the gym, driving lessons - I feel so much more productive when I'm not at work! It has been relaxing having the last week off from work, catching up on my sleep and putting some miles in on the treadmill. I'm back to work tomorrow - let's hope this new-found motivation continues! Here's what I've been up to this week...

I have been reading...Us by David Nicholls. Despite only being a quarter of the way through, I'm already in love with this novel. A huge fan of One Day when it came out, this book captures the same humour - I just hope this one doesn't end with quite as much heartbreak!

I have been listening to...The Saturday's Greatest Hits while running. I'm not even ashamed. 

I have been watching...Black Mirror: White Christmas. I'm well aware that the season of goodwill is long gone, but it is well worth catching up on this brilliant episode of Black Mirror. Written by the genius that is Charlie Brooker, it is mind-bending and heart-wrenching in all the right ways. 

Credit: Digital Spy

I have been using... the Nike + Running App. If you're a keen runner and you haven't used this yet, where have you been? Calculating my every move, from how far I've gone to how fast and how many calories I've burnt, this app is my favourite thing. Plus, you can make everyone jealous/bored with those statistics.

I have been wearing...Marc Jacobs Daisy. I totally forgot how fantastic this perfume smells. Thankfully, I was bought a bottle for Christmas and now I can't stop spraying it. On myself, all of my scarves, my dressing gown...

Wishing you all a lazy Sunday afternoon, until next week...

The Sunday Review

This week has been a bit of a quiet one but well needed! I'm settling into my job nicely and looking forward to three weeks time when my best friend Rachel comes to stay. She lives in Singapore and sometimes the distance feels like a crazy amount - I can't wait to see her and chat to her like old times, although I'm not sure we'll be entering Student Union nightclubs or drinking whole bottles of vodka. Then again, you never know!

Here's what I've been up to this week.

I have been listening to...Giant in my Heart by Kiesza. Since Hideaway came out, I've been a little bit obsessed with Kiesza. There is definitely no-one in the music business like her at the minute, and there is something so unashamedly cool about her. This track is her latest offering and although it hasn't yet been released, I'm already in love with its infectious sound. Check out the video for dancing drag queens and crop tops a plenty!

I have been watching...Utopia. Wow, this television drama is fantastic. After becoming interested in the first series, I wasn't expecting anything too spectacular but the second series has surpassed itself. Perhaps not one to watch with the kids or the grandparents for its shocking violence, it is crammed full with black humour and wit and I cannot stop watching it. I love the comic book feel, the brilliant cinematography and the terrifying notion of a dystopian future. Where is Jessica Hide?

I have been reading...What Alice Forgot. After reading The Husband's Secret, I had to read this one as well. A real page-turner, this is well worth a read. Reviews will be up soon!

I have been buying... Rimmel Sunshimmer Instant Tan BB Perfector. What a mouthful! These beauty products are getting ridiculous with their extravagantly long names. Anyway, in the light of the summer season and the amazing weather we are having, I decided I'd top up my tan with this little beauty. I'm hoping it'll give me a nicely bronzed glow on my face without having to resort to faux tan that makes me look like streaky bacon. I'm yet to try it but I'm sure reviews will be up as soon as I have.

I have been lusting after...More floral dresses.  So, New Look have just bought out more summer offerings and I want to head in store to purchase everything they've got. Floral wrap dresses, gladiator sandals and stylish-but-comfy printed joggers are all going on the list. Someone lend me their credit card?

Happy Sunday everyone!

Lip Service

I know there are plenty of Beauty Bloggers out there who are over chubby lip crayons, but I'm really not.
I love the simplicity and ease of having a lip crayon in your bag, never having to worry about whether your favourite lipstick has melted into the lining of your bag or re-applying your lip-gloss every hour because its all over your teeth.

I bought my first Revlon Lip Stain in Honey a good year ago and it is still keeping me going. A great natural shade, it is the perfect thing to apply if I want to sharpen up my look for after-work drinks. With Boots hosting a 2 for £10 offer on Revlon, I had to pick up some new shades. After much deliberation, I went for Rendezvous - a peachy coral shade that looks great with a tan and Striking - a bright red stain that looks brilliant with pale complexions.

As a lip-crayon lover, you can imagine my glee when I discovered that Glamour are currently giving away mini versions of the Clinique Chubby Sticks with their latest issue. I picked up the Super Strawberry shade. Although the Clinique versions are the original lip crayon, I'm not overly keen on their glossy sheen and much prefer the matte look of the Revlon versions. Handily enough, the Revlon versions are almost half the price and are definitely worth stocking up on.

Nars Blush in Orgasm

I am quite fastidious when it comes to skincare and tend to spend a little bit more money on serums and moisturisers. As someone who has a grandmother and mother with great skin, I am a big believer that staying out of the sun, taking off your make-up, drinking lots of make-up and using good cleansers and night creams are what keep your skin looking good into old age.

I have, however, never been someone for premium cosmetics brands. Buying expensive make-up has always seemed a bit of a waste when some of the high street 'drug store' brands are so fantastic. I've always been a fan of cheap and cheerful Revlon and Bourjois with some Rimmel thrown in on thriftier months. Tried and tested brands without the expense. So when I purchased my first Nars product- the iconic blush in Orgasm, I shocked myself that I was prepared to spend over twenty pounds on what was essentially, a very small product.

I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. Whilst the product is small, it seems that a little goes a long way. A quick sweep over the apples of the cheeks using a blusher brush is all it takes to achieve a good coverage. The blush itself comes in a shocking shade of pink, although it is a subtle coral/peach tone on the skin and has some lovely flecks of gold mixed in with it for a nice radiant glow.

The great thing about this product is that it lasts all day. Blushers normally fade on the skin after a while, but this little beauty stays until the evening. A great everyday product in a great 'suits everyone' shade.

Birthday Lust List

This week I'll be celebrating my 24th birthday. It only seems five minutes ago that I was celebrating my 18th, so it is a little scary to think that I'm not technically in the mid-twenties age bracket. Nevertheless, I won't be acting my age- I've taken the day off to challenge Liam at the bowling lane followed by watching the new X Men film on the big screen. Proof I'm still a big kid at heart.

Remember the days when you would receive enough birthday money from various family members to make you feel like a junior millionaire? I used to love the trips to the shops to spend my birthday money on new clothes (leopard skin leather jacket...one of the most memorable and regrettable fashion decisions of my youth..), big bags of pick n' mix and endless supplies of stationery. These days, I don't receive many ten pound notes through the post. Definitely doesn't stop me making a birthday list, though...

I love this Initial necklace in Rose Gold from Etsy. I've always been a bit of a fan of anything with my name on it and this is a great alternative to a name necklace. I love the flattering shade of rose gold that looks great with any skin tone and the long chain means it'll look great with anything from a ditsy tea-dress to a smart shirt and blazer combo.

For anyone that reads my blog regularly, they'll know that over the last eighteen months, I've become a bit of a running fan. Whilst I love my old faithful Adidas trainers, I'm definitely ready for a change. These lovely Nike Lunarglide running shoes are just the ticket- brilliant technology, great stability and they come in this gorgeous shade of pink. Definitely an incentive to clock up the miles each week. 

Right now, I feel like I'm the only person in the world that hasn't seen Frozen. Just about everyone I know has been raving about it and I cannot wait to see what all the fuss is about. Liam and I have our very own Disney shelf at home (in chronological order, no less!) and this would be a great addition to it. Sounds like the perfect feelgood movie for a Sunday afternoon!

I'm grateful to be starting a brand new job in two weeks time! I am pretty excited as it is exactly what I want to do and is a massive step in the right direction. Lately, I've been clearing out my wardrobe in the hope it will soon be filled with new work clothes. Whilst the dress code is fairly smart casual, I'm looking forward to working in a creative industry where I can express myself a little more with what I'm wearing. Knowing me, this will mean a lot of smart printed dresses, Chelsea boots and brogues. I'm also loving this Pink crepe Knotch Blazer to smarten up simple outfits for work. This bold shade of pink will add a pop of colour to any outfit and will also look great with a floral dress for my friend's upcoming wedding in September. 

This perfume is a bit of an old favourite of mine. I was first bought Vera Wang Princess Perfume when I began seeing Liam over four years ago. Since then, I've made my way through the Vera Wang princess range but nothing matches the original. The scent has notes of waterlily, apple, mandarin, apricot, dark chocolate and vanilla and smells wonderful. I'm lucky enough to get a bottle of this for most birthdays and I just love it. 

AVON: Gel Shine Nail Polish

I love a good nail polish, especially those with a gel finish. I prefer a gel-look as opposed to matte, without the huge price tag or damage to my nails. Previously, I was a little addicted to using Barry M's Gelly Hi-Shine nail paints. Not only do they come in a fantastic array of summery shades but they have a great colour pay-off that lasts for ages. A friend of mine recently introduced me to Avon's nail polishes and I was instantly converted. For a budget brand, the formula is fantastic and there is such a wide range of colours to choose from.

When I saw that Avon had bought out these 7-in-1 Gel Finish polishes, I knew that they would be worth purchasing. The 7-in-1 formula is the selling point for these polishes, with Avon claiming they are made up of shine, a gel-like finish, vivid colour, base coat, top coat, protection and strengthener. A great combination for anyone that is too busy for a full manicure but likes their nails to look professionally done.

The three shades I chose (pictured below) are Lavender Sky (a summery shade of lilac), Marine Blue (a greenish navy) and Barely there (a nude/flesh colour). The paint goes on easily, looks opaque and bold in colour and the finish is super shiny. I applied two coats of the polish with drying time in-between and was left with a great looking manicure for seven days. I am most impressed with Barely There as I often find it difficult to find a nude polish that doesn't make my nails look poor and brittle. 

With this polish currently on offer on the AVON website at just £3.50 (usually £7), this is a brilliant buy. I can certainly see myself taking advantage of the current discount and buying myself a few new shades for my ever-growing polish collection. 

Sunday Steal: Naturally Radiant Hot Cloth Cleanser

I love a good hot cloth cleanser. Nothing feels more luxurious than removing all the grime off your face with a thick cream cleanser and a hot muslin cloth. Whilst Liz Earle's Cleanse & Polish is the high-end product of choice for most, I love finding products on the high-street without the big price tag. I have previously raved about No7's Melting Gel Cleanser but there is a big place in my heart for this Superdrug version.

The Naturally Radiant Hot Cloth Cleanser is really easy to use. Apply the thick cream to a wet face in circular motions and let it settle for a minute before wiping away the product with a hot muslin cloth.

It smells fantastic and contains Mulberry extract to brighten the skin as well as a good dose of cocoa butter to smooth and moisturise. I have been using this for a long time and really notice the difference to my skin- especially in Autumn and Winter when cold air and central heating leave my skin looking less than radiant.

Whilst this product usually retails at a modest £5.99, it is currently on offer for just £2.98! I might just be ransacking my local Superdrug and buying in bulk.

Utopia Spa at Alexander House Hotel

I have had a busy busy few weeks and they are only set to get busier! The week before last saw me celebrate my 23rd (eek!) birthday. Although the day itself was spent at work, I had a wonderful meal with my family afterwards and spent the next day with my Mum at Alexander House Hotel at their relaxing Utopia Spa. Having never experienced a spa day, it was as good as I had imagined.

The entrance to the hotel itself is pretty impressive. Located on the border between Sussex and Surrey, the manor house is set amongst 120 acres of beautiful countryside. The long drive up to the hotel allows you to take in the views from the surrounding areas and if truth be told, also makes you feel like you're at the beginning of something special. 

On entering the spa, we were given our robes and itinerary for the day as well as a two-course lunch menu to choose from. Although Utopia does not boast an extensive menu, there were a few good choices. Admittedly, the portions were small and the food was healthy- but this is a spa day, after all! I went for the asparagus salad for starter, followed by a delicious turkey burger with salad for my main course. 

After the greetings and welcomes were out of the way, we swiftly changed into our swimwear and made our way to the spa areas. Utopia boasts a large domed-shaped therapy pool, heated indoor swimming pool and two hot tubs- one indoor and one set outside in the spa garden. As well as this, they have a steam room and sauna. The area is enhanced by mood lighting and sun loungers dotted around the outside with a selection of glossy magazines perched beside them. If I'm honest, whilst a lot of people seemed to be relaxing on the loungers with their books, it isn't something we used- we were far too busy exploring everything else Utopia had to offer!

The therapy pool is a large hot-tub style pool with six seperate areas containing different water jets to target different areas of your body. My personal favourite was the large powerful jet that targeted your back muscles- slightly painful but oh so worth it for the feeling afterwards. The outdoor hot tub was as fantastic as promised. Situated just outside in the Spa Garden, we were lucky enough for the sun to come out- laying in a hot tub with the sun on you is probably the most relaxing experience ever. 

Although the facilities were brilliant, it was the treatments that made our spa day so wonderful. I had chosen to have a Hot Oil Massage and a Repose Aromatherapy Facial whilst my Mum had chosen a Mud Detox and Reflexology session. Feedback for all treatments was very good. Mum loved the relaxation of the reflexology session as well as the diagnosis they gave you at the end. Her mud wrap was lovely, and she was treated to a head and scalp massage as well as a full body massage. 

The hot oil massage I recieved was a real treat. Drizzled with hot oil, I was given a full body massage and head massage before being wrapped with towels. The facial was my highlight of the day- the aromatherapy fragrances and oils that were used made the experience very relaxing and left my skin feeling and looking fantastic. The beautician who treated my skin also advised me to use a serum daily and my skin has improved dramatically because of it. 

All in all, a day at Utopia Spa was fantastic and a great way to celebrate my birthday. Now all I need to do is marry a rich man and I'll be there every week! 

Disclaimer: All pictures are credit to Alexander House Hotel. We took advantage of the great Spa Treats offer that Alexander House Hotel is currently advertising. For more information, follow the link. 

Sunday Steal: No7 Melting Gel Cleanser

This week, I'm featuring my favourite cleanser of the moment. I am always a fan of spending a bit of money on a cleanser in the hope that maybe my face will thank me for it in the future! This one is lovely- luxurious and gentle enough to use every day. Even better, you can pick it up from your local Boots. 

From Boots Beautiful Skin range, this gel-based cleanser has the feeling of a warm oil when in contact with your skin. Massage it in and you'll feel it sink into your skin. Wash away with a damp muslin cloth or warm flannel and you'll find that your skin feels clean and well hydrated. I also noticed a little more of a glow than usual. A bonus, I'm sure you'll agree.

The main thing I love about this product is that it feels like it is from a luxury brand. The warm feeling of the gel feels really nice on my skin and this alone makes it a treat to use each morning and night. Priced at £9, it is neither a high-end product or a budget buy, but if you're lucky enough to grab yourself a £5 off No7 voucher, you can grab this cleanser for just £4. Definitely worth a purchase.

What is your favourite product from the No7 range? 

Sunday Steal: Nivea Lip Butters

Always one for a beauty bargain, each week I will be sharing a great beauty buy that you can purchase for under a tenner. This week features old favourite Nivea and their new branch of luscious lip butters.

These have been a favourite of mine for a while. In fact, as soon as I'd heard that these were to be launched, I hot-footed it straight to my local Boots store to see if they would live up to my expectations. Thankfully, they did. These butters are thick, luxurious, smell delicious and are a great dupe for Palmer's Lip Butter for a fraction of the price. Even better, these lip butters come in small hand-bag friendly tins and last for ages! Even for a lip butter addict like myself, I have barely used a whole tin in the last few months.

Nivea Lip Butters: £1.99 each from Superdrug, Boots, Sainsburys

The butters themselves come in four different flavours. Original is a lot what you would expect from a Nivea product- with a familiar scent and the iconic blue tin, it nourishes the lips without too much fuss or flavour. I have been keeping this in my bedside table to keep my lips soft as I sleep.

Raspberry Rose is a favourite of mine. It smells like raspberry frozen yoghurt, although the taste is subtle- not nearly as sickly sweet as expected.  It's thick buttery consistency feels luxurious and leaves my lips with a lovely rosy sheen- a definite bonus!

Caramel Cream is my least favourite of the four and one I haven't purchased. This is mainly due to the scent of the product. Whilst Raspberry Rose feels fresh and summery, I'm not overly keen on the sickly sweet toffee smell of this one. Perhaps one for sweet fans, but not for me.

Vanilla and Macadamia Nut is the newest of the bunch and smells as good as you'd imagine. The creaminess of the vanilla (a very true vanilla and not artificial whatsoever) combined with the nuttiness of the macadamia creates a lovely fragrance. I'm sure this one will be in my bag for a long time to come.

Have you tried any of the Nivea Lip Butters? What is your favourite flavour?

Barry M: Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paint

A self-confessed polish addict, there is nothing better than finding a nail paint that ticks all the boxes and still costs less than a tenner. Barry M is a brand that has been in my life since I started visiting Superdrug with my pocket money. As a teenager, it was the various kohl liners and smooth lipsticks in kaleidoscopic colours that caught my eye. In the last few years, however, it is the never-ending varieties of polishes that has enticed me. One of the first brands to produce the innovative Nail Effects paints, Barry M have continued to bring out new styles, colours and consistencies to stay in line with the ever-growing popularity for nail art.

Looking to capitalise on the trend for gel manicures, they have released new shades of Hi-Shine Gelly nail polishes just in time for summer. Easy to apply (even using your left hand!), quick-drying and with great consistency, these polishes dry with a high shine finish and a vivid colour. Worn with two coats a clear top-coat, these polishes have stayed put for a good five days and are of brilliant quality- especially with their budget price tag.

Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paint: £3.99 

My current favourites in the range (pictured above) are Greenberry (a wonderful bright aqua shade that looks great with a tan), Grapefruit (a punchy pink shade) and Prickly Pear (a vivid lavender shade and great for pastel nails).

Have you tried the Gelly Hi-Shine polishes? What is your favourite shade?

The most wonderful season of all

This time of the year is my favourite. The anticipation of christmas, the burnt oranges and golds of autumn leaves, the cold in the air. Here are some of my favourite things about Autumn and Winter...

Starbucks christmas coffee. Fairisle knits. Berry nail colours. Being under a quilt when it is freezing. Getting stuck into a good book. Long hot baths on a Sunday. Cinnamon and apple spiced candles. Fireworks. Big fur hats. Wrapping christmas presents. Long winter walks. Christmas gift guides. Chelsea boots. Gingerbread. Crisp, cold and sunny mornings. Slipper boots. Hot chocolate. Thick socks. Mulled wine. Snow. A Christmas Carol. Chunky boyfriend cardigans. Running in the cold. Toasty log fires.

(L-R: Christmas spice candle, Models Own Thunder & Lightning nail polish, Starbucks Caramel Latte, Charles Dicken's Great Expectations, Autumn Leaves, Glitter roses from Liam.)

For celebrating the best of Autumn, head to these lovely little blogs.
Lauren Likes muses over the best in fashion and beauty this season (red lips and oxblood knits, anyone?) whilst Little Black Heart will make your mouth water with her scrumptious autumn delights. I love the look of her Caramel Macchiato cupcakes. What is your favourite thing about this season?