Rachel the Hat

Friday, 12 May 2017

A Splash of Green For Spring

Even though we have had glorious sunshine this week here in the welsh hills its still been on the chilly side some days. Thick knitwear maybe stored away now for winter, but I still have a few great sweaters and cardigans that will see me through spring and even summer (because, lets face it, this is Wales and Welsh summers tend to be chilly and wet for at least 65% of the time).

This shade of green is just perfection, I'm obsessed with its beautiful petite poi -pea colour, and heads up this colour is set to be h-uge this autumn. I'm getting a head start on the colour trend with this beaut of a v-neck sweater from WoolOvers who have pretty much got Spring sorted with their Splash of colour knitwear.

To some this green may seem a bit more autumn winter than Spring but by adding the pop of yellow with the bag and the neutral trench it brings the green in to a playful bright, seasonal appropriate outfit. I've added a pop of leopard and flashed the ankles for a nod to spring and my beautiful gold jewellery from Newbridge Silverware.

I really looking forward to remixing this pea green sweater with my biker jacket and some ripped jeans too, i really think it will be the sweater that just keeps on giving.

This lovely set of jewellery was gifted to me from Newbridge Silverware and I was actually blown away with how stunning the pieces are, I've not stopped wearing them since they arrived. These lovely gold layering pieces are from the Amy Collection. I loved them at first sight, but actually then was blown away with the genius adjustable clasp on the necklaces enabling me to layer them at whatever length best suits me, which is exactly what you want when layering your necklaces on.
I can't recommend the quality more, and if you take a look, you will see the prices are really bloody great if i'm honest. The price tag is tiny in reflection of the quality. If you're looking for a gift for someone that isn't on the high street, I can't recommend these enough.

Outfit Details:
Jewellery thanks to Newbridge Silverware
Pea Sweater Thanks to WoolOver
Similar Jeans
Yellow Bag
Leopard Print Loafers
Trench Coat

An InLinkz Link-up

Beauty: Base Layer Favourites

When people see photos of my big ol' mug, they will comment on how good my skin is and go on to enquire as to what i use. But here's the thing.. I don't have good skin, at all.

Its very oily with lots of exposed pores and with a large amount of red undertone and general mottled texture. Its not great.

But over the years I've come to live with it with the help of finding and using great products.

I thought now would be a great time to share the products I use to create flawless(ish) looking skin, :

The Base Layer

This is the most important when wearing makeup, as if i get the foundation right, the rest of my makeup will sit well making me a very happy gal.

First up Moisture & Pore control

Ok so I've cleansed and toned and I'm ready to start with the first layer.

I like a mat finish(because as an oily girl i create enough of my own shiny glow, thank you very much ;). I don't like a heavy moisturiser in the morning as i find it makes my foundation go on claggy (technical term) and appears cakey. So a light mat moisturisers is imperative.

I've been using the Embryolisse Hydra-Mat and it is a delight. It's matt yet feels nourishing and is the perfect first step. My foundation sits perfectly on top of it too.

Secondly, to rid those exposed pores i use the W7 Porefection. It does exactly what it says on the tube and is well worth its tiny price tag (Just under £7.00!).

It gives a blur effect to pores just enough to make them look less pronounced.

I use a pea sized amount and use just across my nose and cheeks where it is needed. I don't spread this across my face, I just use it in the aforementioned targeted areas.

When using both of these products at the very start of my routine, my makeup lasts a damn site longer.

Next Up Coverage

I have my 3 favourite products here ( which are all Cruelty Free) and they range in coverage. These are tried and tested and absolutely loved. I think I've mentioned before but i have tried a lot of foundations and these have made it in to the high accolade of my Foundation Hall of Fame.

First up

Green People Tinted Moisturiser(Far Left)

Spf 15 this is a very very light coverage moisturiser (as the name suggests). This is perfect for those days at home, when you want to just wear a little something to even out skin tone and with a light SPF. I apply this with my finger tips as it is just like a moisturiser and adapts to the colour of your skin tone.

Second

Embryolisse CC Cream (Middle)

My current favourite and what I will wear all spring summer. Come the warmer months I always opt for a lighter coverage and this is the perfect amount of coverage without feeling cakey or full foundation. I apply this with the below light stippling blush, but can easily be applied with fingers and/or a beauty blender sponge. The application is creamy and easy and the coverage, for a CC cream, is shockingly amazing. I have been wearing this everyday of late and i am in love with it once again (i wore it all last Spring too and am still surprised how much i love this product).

This product isn't necessarily cheap BUT it's so worth it. I can't imagine not having it to use daily now.

Third

ELF Flawless Finish Foundation (right)

When I'm in need of some Full coverage it has to be my ELF Flawless Finish Foundation, I've waxed lyrical about this enough times for you to know i love it, and actually prefer it to the Chanel foundations too. Its build-able coverage, great colour tone and longevity gives this foundation its place in my makeup bag. Through summer I opt to go without it as I love to leave my skin through summer, but if i have a wedding or event, then this will be my go to foundation. I'm on my second bottle and will be repurchasing again when needed.

And finally a couple of additional finishing products

Two lightening products and a bit of extra coverage.
I use the ELF under eye lightener as just that, to disguise the grey bags under these poor sleep deprived peepers. Its not a heavy coverage, which is great as i can find heavier options can settle in my ever increasing wrinkles, but it works as more of a light reflecting lightener.
I also use the Collection Illuminating Touch as concealer. To be honest, I don't find it that illuminating, but it does work as an excellent cover for any problem areas.
And the brush is by Eco Tools and is a stippling brush, i picked up a couple of months ago and love how it lightly applies the base layer.

So there we have it friends, the all important base layer. Get this right and you're on to a winning face.
I know i feel so much better when my skin looks good and these products definitely help me with that.

What base layers are you favouring lately?

15 Things About Me ( & #Passion4Fashion Link Up)

Thought I'd do something a little different today instead of an outfit post (as, honestly this week has kinda not gone to plan). You guys come here each week and link up your lovely selves and comment on the fashion posts, well maybe now is a good time to tell you a little more about the girl behind the outfits ( I did write the girl behind the clothes, but that sounded like im some kind of naturist.. of which i am not). SO here you go 15 facts about me. And so this isn't one sided. Comment below with a fact about you! Or i do a 15 things about you post yourself and link it below! I would love to hear more about you!

1. I am 32, but actually told someone this morning i was 34.. I often loose track of my age. I don't feel it though, and having a teenage daughter baffles me as i still feel 18 myself most of the time. I'm that person who always looks for a more adultey adult in a room..

2. I have 4 step children (two of which aren't children; they're adults and one is having a baby, making me a 34 32 year old step grandmother (lol), and 1 son of my very own making. I love them all.

3. My sister is my bestie. Talking 20 thousand times a day is the norm.

4. I love shoes. Always have. I love how shoes don't judge and don't change with weight gain/loss, they just always look great. I used to buy crazy high heels, but my love has now changed to great flats or low heels and even sneakers, and i'm totally ok with that!

5. I was a complete tomboy as a child and hated dresses and makeup and dolls. I would be the girl that looked like Stig of the dumb, climbing trees, falling out of them and playing in the park

6. I've never really known what i wanted to be when i grow up.. i'm still trying to decide.

7. I am ridiculously clumsy.. Keep your precious things away from me.

8. Speaking of clumsy I broke my wrist when i was 11, just before i started high school. My first term was me in a cast up to my shoulder as i broke my wrist so badly and tore the cartilage.

9.I am super super chatty. If we ever meet i can talk for britain. I can't stand awkward silences in conversations so i will happily fill them. I'm really good at retaining anything you may tell me except for your name.. I ALWAYS forget names.

10. Being super chatty people automatically think I'm confidant. I'm not. I like to hide my insecurities behind being chatty. It usually works.

11. I have a lot of patience and am generally very laid back

12. I have been Vegan for one year and will never go back :)

13. I always have my nails painted, my kids children always notice that i have colourful nails. Its just my thing.. i feel like i have my shit together just that little bit if my nails are done. Plus my dishpan hands need as much help as they can get.

14. I started this blog as a way to get myself out of my pjs and joggers. After having my son i spent most of the first year looking like a pyjama clad whale ( yeh, i put on a lot of weight). I had always loved style and fashion, so my sister convinced me to start a blog, something that was very new here in the UK 6 years ago.

15. When people ask what i do I still feel embarrassed when i say "I'm a style blogger" especially when they look at me in my dog walking get-up and i can see the thought of "Really? You?" cross their minds ;)

Annnd if you made it through that, well done! Now tell me something about you in the comments!

An InLinkz Link-up

My Key Spring Pieces

Over the past month I've been asked lots whether i'll be doing a Spring Capsule wardrobe again after working with a capsule wardrobe for a whole year and changing each season.

It's lovely to hear that so many of you took bits and pieces from my capsules and created your own with similar pieces.

For me there is something super satisfying about parting with your hard earned cash for a piece that you know will work hard for you. This is like my life motto, i know i bang on about it all the time, but not wasting my money on silly wear once pieces is important to me, and doing the Capsule Wardrobe for a year really brought that home to me.

But this year I made an executive decision to not create a structured capsule. The one thing i found about Capsule wardrobes is that it is quite rigid and i found myself sticking with neutrals to play it safe, which i think is quite a common thing when limiting yourself to, say, 38 items. Every item needs to be utilised to the max, and sometimes colour is a gamble.

For me, I really missed playing with colours. I love a pop of red as much as I love my first born, a zap of yellow is an instant cheer up remedy, and who knew a big green coat would prove to be such an asset in getting dressed each day (both for its snuggliness and its style).

I have also loved rediscovering my style:

Block bold colours; Pops of Red, yellow and sometimes pink on a base of neutrals and jeans.

I've discovered i'm not a big fan of patterns other than the classic stripe (of which i could quite happily live in!)

So I've veered away from the rigidity of a Capsule wardrobe but am working with my small wardrobe and with key pieces that i wear over and over again happily.

And the proof is below in my daily Insta outfits.

Just linking to the pieces made me soon realise how much i wear them all! I'm actually shocked at how many pieces have been worn practically continuously.

You will see below as the listings for each outfit contain links to the same items over and over again.

The award for most worn items are these pieces:

Shoes: Leopard print loafers and white sneakers

Coats: Trench, pink biker and black biker.. with an honorable mention to my green coat and yellow jacket

Tops: The embroidered top of dreams, Yellow sweater and stripes.. all the stripes!

Bottoms: Panelled jeans, Wide leg trousers, Levi 50's and cropped flares

Accessories: Red bag (most worn), my black circle ring detail bag, and a little yellow and navy bag also, and tassel earrings.

I also know that when the weather decides to warm up a bit, i will be donning my white jeans, wearing more dresses and less jeans, and my mules will be on repeat. But so far, spring has been bloomin' chilly.

I hope this helps if you're looking to inject some colour but worry that it won't be a valuable piece for your wardrobe.

Great neutrals can partner so well with colour, its just learning to mix the two happily together.

And it just goes to show, you don't need a Capsule wardrobe to get the full wear out of all your clothes. I have a small wardrobe that works hard for me, and I'm enjoying it immensely.