All for Her: Hair, Holiday, Handbag!

So I have just had my Birthday, another year older another year of deciding what else I could possibly receive as a gift. This year I went for all the H's, the 3 most important gifts for a girl:

1. HAIR

Us girlies love our hair. We like to dye it, curl it, straighten it to the point of no return, style it, cut it and even lengthen it. Unfortunately I have not been blessed in the glamorous locks department, ask any of my oldest friends and they will tell you my hair has never grown beyond my shoulders! But with the help of hair extensions I discovered I could have the length and thickness I dreamed of. Having tried various different brands I have never come across a more natural looking, thick and long lasting brand than Lauren Pope for Hair Rehab London.

Check out my tutorial of how to apply and style them. The colour I buy is Lauren's Locks and they are 18 inches.


How to put in Lauren Pope, Hair rehab hair extensions 

Buy here for £79.99: http://www.hairrehablondon.com/



2. HANDBAG

Again, we girls love a good handbag, it's an accessory that is on our arm 365 days of the year and completely worth investing in. I always say you should spend the money on key accessories (handbags, rings, scarves, bracelets, sunglasses, earrings, necklaces) rather than designer clothes. I have become a huge fan of Michael Kors handbags, they are so classy, durable and sophisticated and even though they have a great name behind them shouldn't break the bank as the majority are under £500. After wearing out my previous Kors to an unrecognisable state (I went into the store looking for a new bag, saw the same design again and compared the 2, mine was a very discoloured, squashed and stained version) this convinced me I needed to invest in a new one even more! I went with the same colour but different more structured shape - still with the long handle.

Mine is actually a limited edition style available only in Westfield White City - but here is a similar style but different colour for £358: Michael Kors


3. HOLIDAY

Living in the UK means approximately 5 days of sun a year and for a girl that wants to be blonde and tanned this is kind of an issue! I was born to live in the sun! That's why I love to get away when I can, it doesn't matter when, it doesn't matter where and it doesn't matter why or how either as long as it is above 25 degrees, blue skies and sunshine I'm all good :)

My boyfriend knows this too well so treated me to a get away in Minorca in June. Having spent many a summer on the sistering island Majorca when I was a child I have never actually been to Minirca but it is always good to try somewhere new! My friend Emily always holidays there so she kindly suggested a great hotel to stay in and places to go. If Emily likes it I know I will, we are basically the same person!

Emily and me

Confirmed holiday woohoo!

I hope this helps you decide on a gift for a loved one or even to treat yourself! Just remember the 3 H's for Her!!

So what did you get for your Birthday?

Lexie
xxx

Celebrity Style

It's always nice to be reassured you are some what on the right tracks in terms of the latest fashions (rather than sporting total fashion faux pas!) When you see a number of celebrities in the same outfits you own, grace the best dressed pages. Here's a few examples from the past few weeks. 

The Yellow Coat

Star of my very first blog, Zara's amazing coat for an amazing cost of under £100. Just a spontaneous buy which turned out to be one of this season's most wanted. Check out the blog here - http://lexiecarducci.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/the-yellow-coat.html?m=1

After appearing on the front page of the 'femail' section of The Daily Mail, I've spotted this coat draped on the shoulders of many A listers including Amanda Holden in Woman and Home and Made In Chelsea's Louise Thompson. 

Amanda Holden, Me, Louise Thompson

Buy it here for £99.99 - http://www.zara.com/uk/en/woman/coats/coat-with-pockets-c367501p1823014.html

Lavish Alice A Line Dress

This gorgeous 60s style dress is flattering on all different shapes and sizes. Grazing over the bust creating a 2 piece look that flatters the waist line. Perfect for transitioning from day to evening. 

TOWIE girls Sam Faires and Lauren Pope both have this dress and look equally as chic. Team it with a bright jacket (like the yellow coat) and chunky wedges for a more edgy feel. 

Sam Faires, Lauren Pope

Me

Buy here for £45.00 - http://www.lavishalice.com/new-in-c20/white-cropped-mini-dress-as-seen-on-sam-faiers-lauren-pope-p1114

Another Lavish Alice Looker - Michelle Keegan's jumpsuit

This brand is on fire! Really loving their unique styles and elegant structures for both day and evening. 

My jumpsuit arrived 2 weeks before my birthday and it's been so tempting to wear it to other occasions but I'm glad I waited for the big day! I received lots of compliments and questions as to where I got it from as it is so different and not from one of the high street retailers. Just like Michelle, it looks perfect teamed with nude heels, no need for accessories as it's stunning enough on it's own and looks great on both blondes and brunettes! 

Me, Michelle Keegan

Buy it here for £44.00 - http://www.lavishalice.com/new-in-c20/mint-blue-floral-playsuit-as-seen-on-michelle-keegan-p1108

Zara Suit

Queen of matching suits this year, Zara certainly has the best selection including this nautical number seen on Lucy Mecklenburgh from TOWIE. 

Me, Lucy

Lucy looks fabulous, adding a little pop of colour really works where as I have kept it more neutral with a cream cami. 

Buy the jacket here for £49.99 - http://www.zara.com/uk/en/woman/outerwear/short-striped-blazer-c358002p1797003.html

Buy the shorts here for £25.99 - http://www.zara.com/uk/en/woman/trousers/shorts/striped-shorts-c401017p1794507.html

So who wore it best? 

What celebrities have you spotted in your outfits? 

Lexie xxx

Spontaneous trip to Oxford

So another long weekend has sprung itself upon us yet we didn't really have anything planned until Saturday night after a few drinks my boyfriend and I were browsing hopefully through www.laterooms.com and decided to book a hotel for Sunday night in Oxford. Neither of us had been before but a friend of mine went to University there and only had good things to say! Being only about an hour drive from London it's the perfect get away for a couple of days. 

We stayed at Hawkwell House Hotel in Iffley, about a 30 minute walk from the centre or a 10 minute cab ride. The hotel is a large manor house style building surrounded by beautiful gardens, tucked away on a quiet road. The staff were all friendly and helpful and the rooms were clean and modern, we even got a cute view of the garden :) 

www.hawkwellhouse.co.uk

View from our room

Garden 

Patio area

Conservatory and bar

Main Hotel

With no idea where to eat for dinner we took a recommendation from our taxi driver and headed to Al Andalus - a tapas bar on Little Clarendon Street. Just a few minutes walk from the high street on a quiet one way road. Having not booked and it being bank holiday it was very busy but we were more than happy to knock back a couple of drinks at the bar and only in fact had to wait 10 minutes before being lead to a window seat (the beauty of turning up out of the blue without a reservation at a restaurant not in London! Although I love it!) we ordered 5 tapas to share and it was amazing! The staff were super nice too and even ordered us a cab! 

www.tapasoxford.co.uk

On Monday we headed back to the City Centre to tick some touristy activities off our list! We began by going punting at the Magdalen Bridge Boat House. After watching a guy (desperate to prove his manliness to his other half) attempting to paddle his own boat and nearly fall in we decided to opt for a chauffeured punt for £25 for half an hour. 

Our chauffeur was a charming Oxford born man called Phill who knew the City like the back of his hand and had many stories and facts for our trip. (For example how 38 colleges make up Oxford University!!!!) We punted (I don't actually know if that's a term?) around a man made island and took in the beautiful waterways of Oxford and even fed some ducks along the way! 

www.oxfordpunting.co.uk

Cute little baby ducklings! 

To end the day we took a walk around the University Park which was stunning, it had the prettiest, quietest little walkways and footpaths. Perfect for a picnic! 

I hope you enjoyed the bank holiday as much as I did! If not no worries as another one is just around the corner, why not take a trip to Oxford! 

Lexie

xxx