Christmas preparations | researching gifts and decorations

I know we all hate to admit it but Summer is on its way out and Autumn is slowly creeping up on us. With that in mind, as the season is changing, christmas is the first thing on my mind. Ever year I tell myself to start prepping for the holidays early enough so I can be organised and not totally broke by the end of December. So, I've decided that as the weather is getting cooler, I might as well start now. With my trusty sewing machine by my side, I am ready to face the run up, to the thing we call Christmas.

Over the next 4 months I will be regularly updating you all as to how I'm doing with the progress of gift planning and decoration designing. The first step for me is to do some research on Pinterest, as we all know Pinterest is the home of all things creating, making and decorating, so naturally it is my first option. I have found some fantastic ideas on here and a few favorites that I though I would show today. 

Sewing is probably one of my favorite things to do around the holiday time, so I found this cute and simple tutorial on a sleeveless jacket, perfect for the cooler weather. (Via burdsstyle.com) As sewing clothes is so versatile this would be an amazing gift anytime of year, which is why I can easily prepare and make this way before the holiday season. 

Another option you can do before the Christmas season are these monogrammed mugs filled with hot chocolate goodies. (Via handmadeandcraft.com) Anything with a long shelf life would be ideal to make now. Hence why in the post you won't find any baking tutorials, only because by the time Christmas comes around, that amazing gingerbread house you made will probably be uneatable and have an unpleasant stench to it. Not something I would recommend for the start of September!

Last but certainly not least are these cute little 'pop in the bath' tea bags. (Via mayamade.blogspot.com) As a proud lover of Pinterest for many years now, I am surprised to say I have never seen or thought of something as unique as this! An easy diy for the people out there who are only good at hand sewing. I love the fact you can switch up this gift by filling it with anything that the recipient likes. For example, lavender for the person who stresses a lot or oats for the person with dry skin. It can be changed accordingly which Is great. Perfect for the bath loving person in your life.

So, grab your needle and thread and let's get this Christmas preparation going! 

Post soon,

Danielle xoxo

Summer outfits | 2015

Since this glorious sunny, warm weather has appeared here in the south of England. I have been really enjoying floral prints and lace pieces! So, I thought I would  show you all some of my favourite and most worn summer outfits. 

1) Rose printed playsuit; H&M

Being in love is an understatement for this little lady. Being a bigger girl on my bottom half, I find it can be a little difficult pulling off short items of clothing on a day to day without looking a little inappropriate. Hence why I'm so obsessed with this playsuit.

It is long enough in the body to cover all my bits and bobs, the shorts are baggy enough so it doesn't look my legs are suffocating by cloth and it features an amazing floral pattern. You really can't go wrong. 

I love the tie up neckline, which I find very flattering for my shoulders and decolatage area. I really enjoy the fact it isn't see through like most white pieces and it also sports two very practical side pockets. So really all round a winner! Here I have partnered this playsuit with a pair of simple strappy black sandals from New Look and a simple gold bangle which is also from H&M. 

2) Beige and black lace dress; Wantthattrend

When I am feeling a little more girly and wanting to pop on a dress, I always grab this one. Once again, it is made of light coloured fabric but it is thick enough not to be see through. So it isn't too inappropriate as work attire.

It also features a simple lace detail at the bottom, which makes the whole dress look a very elegant. I also find large pleats in the skirt really flattering for my hips and the clinched in waist makes my hourglass shape more apparent. 

Here I have paired it with my favourite matching necklace which I received for my birthday and the same shoes and bracelet from the previous outfit.

3) Jamie jeans and lace cropped top; Topshop

When I'm not in the mood for anything fancy and just want to then some jeans on, I always grab these. These pair of jeans are my current go-to trousers that just goes with anything! I'm obsessed with the rips in the knees which makes the whole outfit a little edgier. I have matched these bad boys with a simple which lace crop top from last years Topshop premium range. I'm in love with the scalloped edges around the neckline and bottom area and above the elbow sleeves to hide any upper arm nasties! To add a little jazz to this outfit I also popped on some leopard print slippers which are from Asos!

Hope you enjoyed this summer outfit post!

Post soon,

Danielle xoxo

Birthday in Brighton | Monochrome OOTD

After having a wonderful time in Brighton for my birthday, I thought I'd let you know how our day out went. Liam and I stayed at a lovely little B&B just a little off the seaside called Snooze, we stayed in one of their amazingly spacious rooms that overlooked some beautiful and very  instgramable houses! We went to visit all the off road 'lanes' and saw loads of quirky boutiques filled with all kinds of goodies! We also went to Seaworld where we saw so many different types of fish and marine animals! Liam and I then ended the afternoon by grabbing a bite to eat on the end of the pier, it was such a wonderful day and it was probably the best birthday I've had in a very long time! So onto the outfit of the day! 

Outfit details -

Pinstriped dress; A birthday present from Liam but I believe was from wantthattrend.com for around £20.00.

Cream cardigan; Riverisland £18.00.

Black stroppy heeled sandals; Topshop £24.00.

Black quilted shoulder bag; unknown (sorry) around £20.00.

Cat eye sunglasses; Topshop £14.00.

Red nail polish; Essie's 'Forever Yummy' £7.99.

Lipstick; Chanels rouge allure velvet in 'La Pétillante'.

I hope you enjoyed my twetieth birthday post! 

Post soon,

Danielle xoxo

Officially an adult | Remeniscing my teenage years

So, as I'm currently sitting in a little coffee shop enjoying the gentle music and the sun shining on the green grass outside. I am in deep thought, there are 5 teenage girls next to me chatting and laughing about makeup and boys, and it makes me think how four years ago I was there in their position, not having a care in the world and only thing I needed to worry about is how long my hair could get. And now I am lounging here with an extra strong latté in my hand, knowing that this time tomorrow I will be twenty years old, it kinda scares me. I know that nothing between the time of now and tomorrow will change, but it's crazy to think that today is the last day of me being a teenager, officially. To be honest, my life couldn't be any better, I dreamed about where I am now. It's crazy to think that I was once a lonely, depressed teenager with braces and now I'm a fashion blogger working with high end fashion clothing and with a loving boyfriend who I am wanting to marry. I am happy, my life is on the high but yet I'm still scared to turn twenty. Why is that? Is it because I know now that I can't turn back and still act like a teenager if I needed to? Who knows. But I am going to try and turn these scared thoughts into excitement. I am older and there's nothing I can do, I just have to sit back and enjoy the ride of life. So to all the teenage girls who are sitting there, wanting to commit suicide for not being popular or for not being pretty enough. Don't worry. I was there and I got through it and you will too. Trust me, when it comes to the day before you turn twenty, those worries will not be there anymore. So enjoy your childhood while you can, and live your life being free. Just like I should of. So happy birthday to me, and goodbye to teenage Danielle. You will not be missed.

Post soon,

Danielle xoxo