Haul video Up!

It has been a while since I posed a haul video.  I decided that rather than sit there for an hour with everything I've bought over the 'lost' months, I should share with you my favourite pieces.  Here are a few snaps from the video:-

Top - Topshop

Skirt - River Island

Dress - ASOS

Dress - ASOS

You can watch the video here on my YouTube channel.

Enjoy.

Dawn x

September Wants

We are mid-way through September, which means Autumn is literally here.  Moving from summer to autumn clothes wise, can be a difficult move because it's that awkward in-between stage; layer up too much and you're too hot.  Dress like the summer and you're too cold!

However, as I live in a country where the temperature can just plummet within a day, I have decided to keep my eye on a few pieces that will actually help me to transition from autumn through to winter without a glitch:

Khaki Parker Jacket - River Island

River Island has literally put three trends together and created the ultimate jacket.  Khaki parkers have rolled back into trend this season and the material is perfect for the not so freezing cold days.  Complete with leather detail and a fur trim, what more could a girl ask for?

Mongolian Fur Collar Biker Jacket

I absolutely love biker jackets.  I love the edge it brings to an outfit.  However, this has a twist of sophistication with the soft fur.

  Furry Jumper - asos.com

I think the print is so fun on this jumper and I would definitely pair this with some leather trousers.

Frilled Playsuit - asos.com

Playsuits shouldn't be restricted to the summer months.  Pair playsuits up with opaque tights and ankle boots.

Quilted Ankle Boot - Zara

I think the picture says it all really!

Cut Out Shoe Boot - Zara

I'm totally in love with these boots.  A real statement piece and one which can be taken through to the spring.  

What items are you lusting over this September?  A new fashion video will be posted on my YouTube channel this weekend.

Remember, whatever you're doing, do it in heels!

Casually Sexy OOTD

I have a problem with dressing down.  I just can't do it lol.  Most of the time, I'm dressed up because I have the mentality of the day I'm dressed down , something will happen that I'm not fashionably dressed for...weird I know.  But hey-ho, I like dressing up.

However, this hi-low jumper top caught my eye in Topshop the other day and I immediately knew that if I threw on some heels, this top would be good to Dawn go.  And it works.

Top - Topshop / Disco Pants - Ebay / Bag Zara

You can watch this outfit of the day here on youtube.

Taking Clothes Off The City Rack

Gone were the days where I used to flip through magazines to gain style inspiration.  Now, it's both street and Instagram style, which really catches my eye.  I absolutely love the fact that I can post my style, while watching a ridiculous amount of photos scroll down my Insta page.

One Instagram page which had caught my eye a while ago, was The City Rack.  They are a UK based company, which features trend setting outfits and also, outfits which you may see on Korean fashion websites.

I picked three items from the website, with an idea for a date night outfit.

Lace Insert bodycon dress / Red Oversized Clutch

I teamed the outfit up with these bad boy booties.  I love the cut out style of the boots; gives an extra twist to the shoe boot we know and love.

The outfit fits like an absolute glove!  Your man won't be able to take his eyes off you!  Great thing about the site, is that they aren't pricey at all.  Looking great while still keeping pounds in your pocket!  Yes please!

I have just uploaded my WDDIH Styles video for this outfit.  Check it here.

Zara...We Meet Again..

When I was at uni and had NO money, I absolutely loved shopping in Zara (how I could afford such back then, I have no idea).  As Zara was a Spanish brand, their pieces were very different and I loved the fact that pieces could often be a talking point.  Then came along places such as Primark and well...I got swept away in the 'cheapness'.  While I would still go into Zara, I didn't find myself really shopping there, as I had got the 'case of the Primark', aka "I can get that cheaper in Primark".

Roll on how many years and a decision to completely revamp my wardrobe and style, I have found myself going back to what I used to know and love best.  Why...hello Again Zara!

Due to being completely snowed under at work, the way that I shop is online.  But recently, I've told myself that I have to find time to live and that includes going into town and having a bit of a wander.  Contrary to popular belief, I hate shopping offline as it were.  But I've come to realise in the past few months that sometimes you cannot appreciate the quality of clothing while sitting behind your computer screen.  So I had been slowly migrating back into Zara over the past 4 months and took a little look last week.  Low and behold I was in clothes heaven!  My style is always 'done up' and Zara is one of those stores which caters to such a look.

Something which I have been on the hunt for, for agesssssss, was the perfect bag for Court.  Something classy but also, very stylish.  I had actually spied this bag during the shopping portion of my meet and greet, but didn't buy it at the time.  But we locked eyes across a clothes filled room and I knew I had to buy it this time:

 

 ZARA CITY OFFICE BAG / COMBINATION HIGH HEEL SANDAL

I also picked up these beautiful heels in the burnt orange colour.  I want to start injecting colour into my wardrobe and this is perfect:

I wore these with black disco pants and a white, peplum top for that ultimate burst of colour.  These heels are so easy and comfortable to walk in.  I will be definitely be doing an outfit of the day with them.

The bag itself has a compartment for everything!  It's amazing for bag organisation and if you'll be like me and carrying files, it's big enough to fit those in too!

All in all I am very pleased with the new additions for my revamp.  Stay tuned for how I style them!

Natural Hair & Skin Products By AfroDeity Store

I was contacted by the lovely Alicia to review some natural hair and skin products by AfroDeity.  Before I go any further, you MUST check out their website and online store.  When it comes to new companies, I always check to see whether they have a proper, fully functioning store, rather than just a random page on a social networking site.  I was extremely impressed.  Clean lines, clear directions and even a blog!  It really is an interesting website to navigate around and lose yourself in.

AfroDeity are a small, family business in the UK, which specialises in products inspired by or containing oils, herbs and butters from the Caribbean.  While communicating with Alicia, I really got the full sense of passion she had for the business.  Products were clearly researched and possibly that whole 'secret hair recipe' that had been passed down throughout generations, has possibly been used in the products.  What I also loved and yes this is going to be slightly biased, is that the products are sourced from the Caribbean (I am half Bajan and half Guyanese for those who didn't know).  This ensures that products are NATURALLY grown and contains goodness (especially from all that sun).

Samples Sent

I was sent the following hair and skin products to test from AfroDeity:

The details of what I was sent included:

Fountain Jamaican Black Castor Oil Hair Food
Fountain Pimento Oil

Sisay Creamy Flax Shampoo
Sisay Flax Conditioner
Sisay Flax Aida Moisturiser
Sisay Okra Moisturiser

Which are all from the Sisay International range.

Joliette Hair Mud Mask( Pre Shampoo Treatment) which contains Rhassoul Clay fragranced with Chocolate Truffle.
Joliette Curl Me Soft (Leave in Conditioner) fragranced with Cranberry and Pomegranate. This contains Shea Butter and Castor Oil. Great for Twist Outs.

When I received the package and opened it up, I was hit with a smell.....It smelt like I had just walked into a spa...GORGEOUS!  I was also happy that there was an information guide on each of the products and should I have encountered any problems (which I didn't), I could have consulted the informative website.

For those of you that follow me on youtube, you would know that the main problem I have been suffering with on my hair journey, was the dryness of my hair.  I therefore headed straight to the Okra Moisturizer.  It was a nice consistency, which was easily worked into the hair and didn't leave it sticky.  My hair was moisturized and I actually put it in to do a twist out, which came out well defined.

 All the products have a smell to them but only fruity smells which leaves you feeling lush.  Ok, bar from the castor oil which smells of...castor oil.  But that's a given.  I must admit, it isn't as strong as the one I regularly use, so I was happy to have it in my hair, without fear of people giving me strange looks.  I used it around my edges and scalp.  It also came with instructions as to how many times a week I should use the oil.

I haven't been able to test all the products such as the hair mask because I wanted to get what I had tried up and over to you ladies, so you could go and try them for yourselves.  What I have tried, I have been very impressed with.  For example the Pimento Oil is great for your skin, especially if you suffer from dryness.  I put a few drops in the bath and that was it for me.  I found that I didn't have to put as much lotion on my skin when I came out.  And it smells divine!

I must say, when it comes to Shampoos, I am very fussy.  Should a shampoo strip my hair to the bone, it really upsets me.  This didn't.  My hair felt conditioned and soft.  For those of you who are particularly keen to know what may be contained within some of their products, here is an example:

Chocolate Truffle Hair Mud Mask: Aqua, cocoamidopropyl betaine, organic shea butter, avocado oil, rhassoul clay, emulsifying wax NF, jojoba wax, sweet almond oil, coconut oil, vegetable glycerin, lactic acid (buttermilk powder), keratin amino acid, phenoxyethanol, xantham gum, pomegranate extract,chocolate truffle fragrance.

Curl Me Soft: Aloe Leaf Juice, Castor Oil, Organic Shea Butter, Green Tea Extract, phenoxyethanol, caribbean berry extract, melon extract.

I honestly cannot fault these products.  Kind to both hair and skin and from the same company..bonus!  I know a lot of you have been asking me what I use on my hair, well here is it.  Why not try for yourselves and let me know what you think.

Thank you again to AfroDeity.  I love both the products and the concept.  x

 AfroDeity Blog: http://www.afrodeity.co.uk/

AfroDeity Store: http://store.afrodeity.co.uk/ 

Quick Tip - Tan Those Marks Away! (stretchmarks)

You may think I'm crazy to even suggest this but remember, every little helps!  Right, most of us have stretchmarks.  I have stretchmarks.  They are not only from putting on weight but also because of weight loss.  So, to many of us, no matter what we do, those pesky lines will appear!

But fear not!  There is a way of masking them!  I came across Jergens natural Glow, which is a sort of tanning moisturisor.  The aim is to put it on your affected areas and after about a week, it gradually creates a natural looking colour.  No, you won't be walking about like an extra from The Only Way Is Essex, you would have simply helped to fade the appearance of the lines.

This particular one is in 'medium to tan skin tones'.  I actually picked this up in the States, but you can get this from Boots or Superdrug I do believe.

Try it!  See if it works for you.