To The Max

In the past I've often avoided maxi dresses thinking I'm too short to pull them off but I've recently had a change of heart and thought I'd embrace the last bit of summer and share some of my favourite styles! 

Maxi dresses are a simple way to achieve a glamorous look and are a popular choice for weddings. The Grecian style dress featured below would be ideal for a summer wedding and comes with a skinny belt to define your waist and show off your figure. 

Patterned and colourful maxi dresses are great for festivals and channelling your inner boho style! They're also handy for packing to take on holidays when you're short on space, mix and match them with your shoes and accessories for different looks and they can be styled for both during the day and at night! 

Racer Maxi Dress - Topshop - £18.00

Leopard Print Maxi Dress - Glamorous - £21.99

Dip Dye Ikat Print Maxi - Warehouse - £30.00

Tropical Print Maxi - George at Asda - £10.00

Grecian Maxi Dress - Oh My Love at Topshop - £49.00

Butterfly Wrap Over Maxi - Dorothy Perkins - £20.00

The racer back maxi from Topshop is a bargain at just £18.00! It's perfect for warmer days with a pair of sandals and can be dressed up for the evening by adding some of your favourite jewellery. Throw on a denim shirt or biker style jacket and add some cute ankle boots and it'll see you through autumn/winter too! 

I'm a big fan of leopard print and love the leopard maxi from Glamorous. Keep your accessories simple to let the pattern stand out!

The butterfly patterned maxi from Dorothy Perkins has a flattering wrap over shape. The pretty print makes it a great choice for summer weddings and bbq's!

Are you a fan of maxi dresses? 

How do you style yours? 

PS. I'm heading to Scotland over the weekend to catch the end of the Edinburgh Festival, whether I get chance to brave a maxi dress there depends on the often colder climes!.. If you have any recommendations of where to go in Glasgow or Edinburgh and any must see shows to catch at the Fringe please let me know!  

Tried and Tested... No 7 Fanomenal Lashes Mascara

I've tried quite a few of the No7 mascaras over the last few years after being tempted with their frequent £5.00 off vouchers! Their latest offering, Fanomenal Lashes claims to provide a spectacular fan of lashes whilst volumising, lengthening and separating your lashes. 

The wands unique star shaped brush makes it easy to comb through your lashes and provides great coverage. It recommends you apply a little more product to the corner of your eyes to aid the fanned effect. 

I was sceptical when I first saw the brush and wondered if it would really live up to it's hype but after using it over the last couple of weeks I'm impressed! I find it personally works best if you wipe some of the mascara off the brush before use to avoid clumping. 

It separates and defines my lashes giving an impressive false lash effect that lasts all day. It's become one of my most reached for mascaras in my make up bag! 

Fanomenal Lashes retails at £12.95 and is available to buy at Boots and online 

Have you tried any of the No7 Mascaras? 

Be Our Guest

Last weekend I went to one of my best friend's wedding. It was a wonderful day and the bride looked stunning in the most beautiful dress! A wedding invitation means a good excuse for a new outfit in my book! I've happily spent many an hour over the last few months browsing for what to wear to the big day.

I've put together a few of my favourite finds to inspire you if you're stuck for ideas for wedding outfits. When shopping for something to wear to a wedding I always try to buy a dress that I know I'll wear again and can be mixed and matched with different shoes and accessories... it helps justify my spending! 

Vintage Vixen

Blocked Sequin Dress - Warehouse - £85.00

Nude Peep Toe Heels - Miss Selfridge - £42.00

Caged Clutch Bag - Oasis - £30.00

Vintage Feather Clip - Accessorize - £18.00

This has to be my favourite look. I adore the art deco style sequin detailing on the dress. Paired with some classic nude peep toes and a feathered hair accessory you're good to go with this vintage inspired style perfect for a wedding!

Party Girl

Watercolour Shift Dress - Oasis - £75.00

Slingback Platforms - Topshop - £65.00

Lucius Cocktail Ring - Temporary Secretary - £16.00

Suede Studded Clutch Bag - Oasis - £32.00

This classic shift dress has been updated for the season with a watercolour pattern. It can be dressed up for an evening wedding reception with these black slingback platforms and some glamorous costume jewellery. The studded clutch finishes the party look and I can see it creeping into my wardrobe very soon!

Boho Babe

Purple Ruched Maxi Dress - Dorothy Perkins - £39.00

Plaited Gold Sandals - Topshop - £12.00

Beaded Headband - Accessorize - £7.00

Gold Bangles - New Look - £4.99

Maxi dresses are a great option for a summer wedding. They look effortlessly glamorous and are simple to style. Add some gold accessories like these stacked bangles, sandals and a beaded headband for that boho babe look. 

Have you got any weddings coming up? 

Which is your favourite look?

Magnolia Bakery Vanilla Cupcakes

With the weekend fast approaching I thought I'd share my favourite cupcake recipe with you in case you're doing a spot of baking over the weekend and looking to make some tasty treats to enjoy!

The first time I visited New York, Magnolia Bakery was high on my list of places to see. The shop situated in the West Village was famously featured in 'Sex and the City' and offers an array of delicious cakes and desserts. I tried a vanilla cupcake and some of their heavenly banana pudding and instantly fell in love! 

No matter how many cupcake recipes I've tried I keep coming back to Magnolia's. They always turn out well and are popular with family and friends! I received their cookbook for my birthday earlier this year and can't wait to try out more of their recipes.

To make Magnolia's Vanilla Cupcakes you will need

• 1 1/2 cups of self raising flour
• 1 1/4 cups of plain flour
• 1 cup of unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups of caster sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup of milk
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract 

For the vanilla buttercream icing

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 6-8 cups of icing sugar
• 1/2 cup of milk 
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract

Makes approximately 24 cupcakes

Method

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees/gas mark 4  and line two 12 cup muffin tins with cupcake cases

• In a small bowl combine the flours and set aside

• In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter until smooth. Add the sugar gradually and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition

• Add the dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with the milk and vanilla. With each addition beat until the ingredients are incorporated but do not overbeat. Scrape down the batter in the bowl using a rubber spatula to ensure the ingredients are well blended

• Spoon the batter into the cupcake cases, filling them about three-quarters full

• Bake for 20-25 minutes

For the vanilla buttercream icing 

• Place the butter in a large mixing bowl. Add half of the sugar and then the milk and vanilla. On the medium speed of an electric mixer, beat until smooth and creamy, about 3-5minutes

• Gradually add the remaining sugar 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition until the icing is thick enough for spreading. You might not need to add all of the sugar. You can add a couple of drops of food colouring if you want to make coloured icing

• Generously spread the icing on top of each cupcake using a spatula

Have you tried Magnolia's cupcakes? 

What's your favourite cupcake recipe?