an ode to the topknot (my new favourite style)

Jessica De Ruiter, LA fashion stylist, via.

 

  

Nine times out of ten I wear my hair up.

 

 Even after paying a silly amount for a new haircut. I still despise/get annoyed with/feel sloppy with my hair down. It just always manages to feel flat and in bad shape.

 

So I rejoice for finally finding something different to do with my hair, time to give the standard, boring pony tail a break!







 

 

 I know its not exactly ground breaking, but there is something about the loose, disheveled nature of this season's topknot that makes it work in a nochanct way, while still looking chic and pulled together (and most importantly, not at all like Miss Trunchbull)

What I'm loving this week...

(okay, this is what i have been loving the last few weeks. Its okay, we've got to catch up!)

1. Almond Breeze in the UK!!!

 

 

Oh how my heart leaped. Actually screamed out in joy in the supermarket, my prayers had been answered!!!! Fully taking advantage of this (especially on such a great offer!!)

 

 

 2. Dove Conditioner

Absence sure made my heart grow fonder. Time away has reaffirmed this old (new?) favourite of mine. 

 

3. Saturday morning runs

 

     

 

 

 

Busy working weeks had me leaping out of bed (after a cheeky lie-in, of course) for a run in the day-light. And what a joy they are! Such a great way to start the ,running through the quiet roads as the seasons are changing.  

 

4. Soup

 

 

On another seasonal note, I am fully loving soup-season. So warming and delicious. Especially when I have been lazy and can just chuck a can in my bag for an easy packed lunch with a bread roll. Especially when its on offer in the grocery store. Even better when I finally get around to make it myself. Mmmmmm

 

5. Cinema

 

 

Went to the cinema for the first time in what felt like years a few weeks ago. Really enjoyed it, finally sat through a whole film without getting antsy and restless legs. I would also highly recommend the film, although Brad didn't impress with some of his views in a promotional interview I read, the film was both poignant and witty with great music and beautiful cinematography.

 

6. Lana Del Ray

 

 

Aside from being absolutely stunningly beautiful, I love her voice and creativity in music videos (okay, its nice just looking at her too!)  I took the time to listen to some of her other songs this week and they did not disappoint; I think I may just be buying my first album in about ten years when she re-releases Born to Die - the Paradise Edition (and am actually itching to get the songs on my ipod for running!)

 

7. Sweaters

 

 

 

 

One last seasonal rejoice, sweater time is here! I have taken advantage of a recent hnm promotion treated myself to some new threads, and am being extra careful to launder them with love to delay the inevitable onset of shrinking/stretching. Knitwear is my favourite type of clothes but I have learnt to refuse to spend big bucks on it as it never stays nice.

 

 

Off to have some more seasonal fun this weekend, carving pumpkins and an autumn walk is on the agenda!

 

Have a great weekend,

 

andrea xx

 

 

what I am loving this week . . .

Hello everybody! Happy Thursday!

 I can't believe how quick this week is going! Here's what I have been loving this week...

1. Olympic fever

6 days until I get a slice of the Olympic pie! Cannot wait to be amerced in such an amazing atmosphere after hearing my Dad rave on about the great time he had at the hockey yesterday! Fingers crossed for good weather! Plus, its great workout motivation!

 

2. Summer eats

+  

Juicy strawberries as big as my hand? Yes please! Enjoyed best as a healthy snack with Fage Total 0% Greek yogurt . . .  tried it for the first time this week and omg delicious! So thick and creamy with an amazing 10.3g protein per 10g, yet for only 57kcal per 100g!

I have also being enjoying  frappuccino's. I mean, really enjoying. I don't know how they are so good, I am convinced they add something mildly addictive . . . but I'm happy to ignore that impulse. Pure happiness in a cup.

3.  Haircuts

My salon, Zullo & Holland, Nottingham, which I can highly recommended! Before I started coming here, I dreaded the hairdressers!  The staff are all so lovely and talented and I love the relaxed vibe. 

Three hours later...ta-da!
 (Cheer up duck... or just stop taking pictures of yourself on the train!)

Is there anything that compares to the revitalising feeling that a trip to the salon provides? I loved my new 'do straight away, which is not normal for me . . . it normally takes me a few days/washes to get used to!

I omitted my usual golden highlight and just went for one light and one dark, and had an ash toner put on afterwards. I really like the finished colour, it had started to seem a little too yellow-ish for me!  I didn't have a cut this time as I am trying to grow it a little, but the shape looks better just after having it blow-dried!

4. Clouds

Pretty clouds cheer me up so much and make a not-so clear blue sky bearable. I am constantly snapping pictures of them, but they are elusive... you can hardly ever capture their beauty on camera! Simple pleasures...

5. Pepper

Ooooooooooh how I have missed my little cheeky monkey. An impromptu trip back home to Nottingham supplied me with a fix of Pepper love. . .

She let me know she wasn't happy with my disappearance . . .

. . . but she finally came around

and showed me some love before some epic rolling and belly rubbing commenced. . .

Oh and an some extra 'lols' for you . . .

 I visited my grandad this week and was having a mooch through all the stuff he is getting rid of in a clear out, and found a self-portrait I had drawn when I was in primary school . . .

How very gender-conscious was I making sure I had a dress on! I don't know why my hair was so short, I am sure I had long hair as a kid...? Also, hello hands?! I think the teacher must have specifically reminded us all to not forget our hands as nearly EVERYBODY had crazy large hands drawn on! Ah, I loved seeing this blast from the past.

 I also found some cute Irish coffee glasses that my grandad kindly said I could have. They came with a little instruction/recipe book, which concluded with a suggested toast I found a little strange but very Irish . . .

hahaha!

Enjoy the rest of your week!