Lavender & Coral

By Sarah Redman

Lavander macaroon & coral nails

Our summer weather seems to be dwindling a bit so I thought I would share a bit of colour and a summer memory.

This arty food photo is obviously and instagram snap – my summer has been full of colour, sun and macaroons.

My nails are painted in Really Rio from Clinique’s A Different Nail Enamel range – retailing at £12.00 for 9ml.

The lovely lavander macaroon comes from a bakery in northern France and was part of a few sweet treats my parents bought back for my sister and I.

I hope you’re all enjoying the last of your summers!

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L’Occitane Creme Mains

By Sarah Redman

Let me start off by saying: I love L’Occitane. I don’t know whether its the fantastic smell of their shops (even better in the heat of the South of France – Provence), the lovely variety of fragrances in their products or the shear luxuriousness of their entire brand. I don’t know, but i do know if you have never been in one of their shops you are missing out.

*Also bonus, last Christmas i went in for a little look around for present inspiration and got offered a free glass of champers!

My mum has used L’Occitane products forever, i don’t remember a time when there wasn’t a pot of something amazing in the bathroom or a tube of their fabulous hand cream in her handbag. Their hand creams have always been great, their Shea butter enriched formulas are really nourishing, they also protect and soften. In the November 2013 edition of Marie Claire you get a limited edition Violet, Rose or Jasmine hand cream, I went with the violet as i thought it was such an unusual scent for a hand cream – it normally being lilac. I love this new formula, especially how great it is for my nails and dry skin.

L’Occitane have also released Hugs and Kisses Gift Sets, these contain one of the above hand creams (depending on which scent you go for) and also a lip balm in the same scent. The lip balm is also enriched with Shea butter!

Another favourite from L’Occitane is their Magic Key, a cute little key that you can use to roll your almost finished hand cream (or product of choice) and get ever last morsel out.

Do you like L’Occitane? Or have you tried their limited edition hand creams in the November 2013 edition of Marie Claire? Leave a comment below or Tweet us @thesarahsblog to let us know.

The golden triangle

By Sarah Redman
I haven’t done a ‘What I Wore Today‘ post in a while, so I thought I would share today’s outfit. My outfit is made up of some golden oldies found in the back of the wardrobe / jewellery box.

In accessorising this outfit has centred around ‘The Golden Triangle’. I’m not a matchy-matchy person, but I am a shoes and jewellery person, so it was only a matter of time before they matched!

Shoes: I love these shoes, they are the most comfortable heals I own (shown by how battered they are!) these are from the wonderful Clarks. I have always associated this brand with comfy shoes, but last year I really noticed how fabulous some of their pieces are – even if I can’t bring myself to replace these beauties.

Jewellery: In sorting out my jewellery box I have found these lovely gold triangle matching earrings and necklace from Dorothy Perkins. I got these in one of their end of season sales where all their jewellery is really discounted #Bonus I’m never one for matching jewellery but I love how these pieces have a little bit of quirkiness about them, but are still nice and simple.

Bag: This is the first preview of my beloved holiday bag. Last year I went to France and completely fell in love with the woven bags sold at the markets (great for carrying all the fresh fruit and veg home… And I have actually done that, but when I wanted stuff for a smoothie from Waitrose!) so this year I finally came to a decision about which one I wanted. They come in all different shapes and sizes, not to mention colours – the stalls always look beautiful. But I decided understated and versatile would be best for me.
Finally, my jeans are this season Gap, whilst my jumper is another oldie but goodie from H&M. This jumper is great it is really comfy and so versatile – H&M have done it again! My nail polish is the new Clinique ‘A Different Nail Enamel‘ in Hi Sweetie. I also thought I would share a little pic of my hair, loving my new hair care routine as my hair is easily styled like this even freshly washed! *new post coming soon*

Does your outfit ever centre round your accessories? Let us know and leave a comment or Tweet us @thesarahsblog

French fashions: Pimkie

By Sarah Redman
Pimkie. French brand. Affordable and accessible.
So I just had to have a little rummage through their sale whilst on holiday. To my delight a €14.99 top reduced to €5.00. Sold.

I love the pale blue colour, I am really loving pastels this summer and like how this has been paired with lace on this sweet cami.

What colour scheme have you gone for this summer, have you picked up some great sale pieces? Let us know and leave a comment or Tweet us @thesarahsblog
We love to hear from you!

Who’s for some terracotta faux croc leather?

By Sarah Redman

Another lovely purchase from Mango Touch in Cannes, my new iPad case – designed by Mango in Barcelona.
I love the colour, it is surprisingly practical and very light – making it easy to bring my iPad out with me to take pictures of the wonderful scenery of the South of France. I have also used it as a clutch back in England, it’s light, goes with lots and fits a surprising amount in!
I never thought I was a terracotta faux croc kinda gal, but it turns out for sale price (€9.99, down from €19.99) I totally am.
What do you think of this orangey red hue on leather, could you work it on your purse, shoes or bag? Let us know and leave a comment or Tweet us @thesarahsblog

When in Cannes…

By Sarah Redman
… Go shopping! Of course.
I had a great day visiting Cannes for the first time. I have always wanted to go. The pictures from the film festival always look so glamorous and the sea looks gorgeous. It is every bit as gorgeous in real life too and very very hot!
After a wonder around ‘window shopping’ boats in the marina and then along Boulevard de la Croisette (The exclusive designer shopping street with views of the Mediterranean sea) I headed back to the more affordable streets and landed in Mango Touch (the accessories branch of Mango) and unfortunately for the rest of my euros they had a sale on.

I found these lovely drop charm earrings (€5.99, down from €12.99) – designed by Mango in Barcelona. The thing I love about Mango Touch earrings is the the hook that goes through your ear as it is more of a clasp, keeping the earrings safely in your ears – no matter how many times you run your fingers through your hair and catch your earrings (hopefully) they won’t be coming out!
Have you been buying some sale jewellery lately or are you a fan of Mango Touch? Leave us a comment and let us know or Tweet us @thesarahsblog

Street Style Paris: Window Shopping Style

By Sarah Redman Unfortunately Paris is rather like London this time of year – A sea of coats. But, being surrounded by a multitude of shop’s I couldn’t afford to step over the threshold of, I resorted to window shopping. Below are …

Spring / Summer 2013 Style Guide: Boden – Great British Style

By Sarah Redman

Boden – Great British Style

Loving this brand at the moment, having grown up with my mum wearing it most summers in France, I feel at home in its comfortable chic style.

Having accepted a few hammy downs recently (student budget) – personally i prefer to call it ‘vintage clothes my mum bought when she had more money than i probably ever will’… has a bit more of a ring to it don’t you think? I was happy to see this Jersey Maxi Dress (WH504) – £89.00 in their spring /summer range for 2013.

This style is so easy to wear and has been used for a similar dress a few seasons ago (vintage mum dress), last summer I wore with gold  sandals and a floppy hat, never belting as it is too much on the print – however with this SS13 number, there are two plain versions  which would work perfectly with a thin metallic belt, like this ASOS Metallic Aztec Metal Keeper Super Skinny Waist Belt – £6.00. Hey – you’ll have already bought the dress give your purse strings a break… besides we all love ASOS and aztec metal print is just a bonus!

Or if you are going all out Boden I suggest the following to mix and match as you wish:

• Floppy Felt Hat (AD126) – £39.00
• Metal Disk Necklace (AK212) – £29.00
• Peep Toe Espadrilles (AR576) – £59.00 to £79.00
• Chelsea Bag (AM170) – £149.00
• Cat’s Eye Shades (AV063) – £49.00
• Suede Demi-Wedges (AR574) – £69.00 (Please chose the bright blue if teeming with the black maxi – it’s summer – you can’t be head to toe black, not even in the evenings! Show a little skin or get your brights on)
• Boho Boots (AZ162) – £110.00 (To be worn in England – where summer is never really summer) #TheSarahsLove #WeWant

Boden always have great summer essentials, for when it’s too hot to think of something ‘super awesome, totally chic, fashionable and now’ to wear – because seriously who has the time? I will be sporting a few pieces from them in my summer wardrobe for those days when i just feel like minimal accessorizing.

Boden Advert

One more added bonus to Boden – If you are a first time buyer they will send you a FREE scarf worth £19.

My thoughts: It would be rude not to buy really…