One very early morning...

This weather has turned my garden into a huge, overgrown jungle of colourful flowers.  One very early morning this weekend it had reached 30 degrees by about 8.30am.  Luckily my jungle has some shade to hide under in my camouflage  shorts.  Long live this british summer! xx

Summer Rainbow

The sun is still shining and it is far too hot to wear piles of make-up.  When you are rushing around london you just end up with smudged mascara all all over your face - not a good look.  I am currently sticking to a touch of BB cream and a bright lip.  This Clarins Instant Smooth crystal lip balm in crystal mandarine is the perfect summer stick.  Super soft moisturising balm with a centre shot of orange.  Ill be wearing mine with a simple white shift dress and chunky black sandals.

Clarins Instand Smooth crystal lip balm - £18

Turn up the heat!!

So if you don't buy your bikinis in february there is a strong chance that by the time the sun makes an appearance anything resembling your size has vanished.  This years long summer however has resulted in the need for more than a few and a last minute dash was necessary.  This Topshop Scalloped beauty in baby pink has just landed in stores and online!  Get it before it goes xx

Scalloped bikini - £30

Essential

So I thought I would take you through some of my makeup must haves, some of which I have been using for years and some just a few months.  DHCs velvet skin coat is the best primer I have found.  It is light and gentle and a good price as £17.  As the name would suggest it leaves skin with a velvety texture which is perfect for applying makeup to.  Another essential in my beauty bag by DHC is their Liquid eyeliner EX.  This fine eyeliner is easy to apply and wont budge.  I have not found an eyeliner this good... ever!  

Other brands make an appearance too.  Benefits Hoola Bronzer has been with me for many years, and I haven't found a product that matches its natural colour and gentle feel.  I love that you can build it up for a real summer glow. The compact is £23.50, comes with its own brush and lasts at least a year with daily use.  

Chanel Chance eau fraiche cant be beaten for the perfect summer fragrance.  The sparkling green floral scent bursts out of the bottle and can only brighten your day.  Easily the best lip balm around is the Perlier Honey ultra brilliant gloss.  Made with 100% Italian organic honey it melts into your lips leaving them super smooth.  Check out the Perlier collection at your M&S beauty counter today. Check these products out and let me know how you get on xx

DHC Velvet skin coat primer - £17

DHC Liquid eyeliner EX - £16

Benefit Hoola bronzer - £23.50

Chanel Chance eau fraiche - £52 for 50ml

Perlier Honey ultra brilliant gloss via M&S - £6

Wolf and Badger

How awesome is this Ashtiani dress?  I love the sporty feel and mesh panels.  I will be pairing mine with chunky back sandals.  The best thing?  It is currently in the sale for only £95. Love! xx

Sporty dress by Ashtiani via Wolf and Badger - was £190 now £95

puuur...fect

At this time of year colour is the word.  Usually only neutral shades fill my wardrobe, yet I am finding more and more neons, pastels and prints sneaking in.  These Topshop beauties are the only thing you need to jazz up a black bubble skirt and oversized white tee.  Add a silver cuff and you are good to go.  Day to night, beach to bar.  Soft leather and silk leopard print in green and fuchsia.  Yes please! xx

Khan 2 Vamp slip on flats via Topshop £55

Bike Lessons in Goddiva

Taking motorbike lessons in less than practical attire!   I love this super fluffy Goddiva knit and bodycon print dress.  The best news is prints and checks are big for autumn and this jumper is now in the sale for only £8!  Get it before it zooms.  

Goddiva Mono Squares Knit - was £28 now £8

Long sleeve print midi dress - £30

Long Summer Bronzing

This year, more than ever, it feels like we have had a double summer.  We have the first summer, the fashion summer.  In March when the new season summer lines hit the shops and we insist on wearing pastels and prints, even if it is with tights and our umbrellas due to the great british weather.  Then summer sale hits and the new AW editorials launch to get us all excited.  Then, just a few weeks ago our real summer hit.  Three full weeks and counting of 30 degree sunshine and real summer dressing.  Stores everywhere predict this and drop their second summer collections.  Perfect.  Now come the long hot evenings, golden tans and embellished bikinis for pool lounging.  

Just in time for our fabulous SS (second summer) comes the launch of  IAM,  Ileana Makri's exquisite greek jewellery line.  Her collection based on myths and symbols feature interpretations of bugs and snakes.  IAM's new figaro rings are essentials for looking glamorous, and not just for this season. Her gold plated sterling silver ring takes inspiration from antique lace and will finish off a simple printed shift dress for by the pool or evening drinks. 

Check out IAM's rose gold Chantilly ring and her beautiful greek goddess earrings at My Wardrobe now and make summer last xx

IAM figaro ring via mywardrobe.com - £185

IAM chantilly ring via mywardrobe.com - £185

Sunshine

Today is hot hot hot and London is not the place to keep cool.  I paired an old season H&M asymmetrical blouse with neon paint splatter with a leather mini and Topshop sandals. I hope this gorgeous weather never ends.

Thomas Beautiful

I was lucky enough to be invited along to the Thomas Sabo AW13 press event to check out their new collection.  The brand who are known for their gothic hints and rock and roll edge to their jewellery have introduced rose and yellow gold to their sterling silver range.  I fell head over heels for their stackable rings which I can't wait to start getting my hands on! The collection was super cool and made even more exciting by the relaunch of the ear cuff that was where Sabo started. The new range will be launching soon, check it out http://www.thomassabo.com/GB-en/ xx

Oh beautiful Amsterdam

Amsterdam. City of bicycles, beauty and stag parties.  I visited Monday to Thursday, which I couldn't recommend more as the stags were filling in as I left.  The City was stunning. We stayed in the five star Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky which had beautiful rooms, good service and a dinning room and breakfast to die for (7 courses!). We spent our time lounging in beautiful bars and cafes under the trees and drinking local beer.  The boutiques were filled with the coolest brands and the coffee was strong and fresh.  A perfect place for a City break and only an hour from Gatwick xx

Hotel Krasnapolsky

 http://www.nh-hotels.com/nh/en/hotels/the-netherlands/amsterdam/nh-grand-hotel-krasnapolsky.html?nhagentid=10166&nhsubagentid=101660000001&oodc=30_18535&source=adwords&gclid=CNzOt-PwnbgCFeXItAodXVQAkQ

'Im on sale'

Summer. Well as usual it has just arrived, in the same week that Autumn Vogue has launched and stores are launching tweed coats.  Well the benefit too our late sunshine seasons is that we can stock up fully on summer clothing from the sales! Here are a few of my favourite brights xx 

Moschino heels via mywardrobe.com £305, now £91

http://www.my-wardrobe.com/moschino-cheap-chic/purple-leopard-print-high-court-shoe-327301

Michael Kors dress via mywardrobe.com £220, now £110

http://www.my-wardrobe.com/michael-michael-kors/white-stretch-cotton-sheath-dress-with-zips-158974

Sportmax Code shorts via mywardrobe.com £122, now £61

http://www.my-wardrobe.com/sportmax-code/filante-multi-printed-tailored-shorts-562554

Colour shot

Super soft, glossy, strong bright summer colour, what more could you want? Miners new LuXe Lips will be hitting shelves (and online) soon. These are fabulous! Like candy for adults! They feel way above their high st price tag and glide on smoothly, feeling like a balm rather than a colour. The pigment is strong and bright. My favorites are the bright baby pink and the seriously fruity coral! Well that's my summer colour sorted.

Launching soon xx

http://www.minerscosmetics.co.uk/

Hey Blondie

A few weeks ago I booked in to the beautiful Jamie Stevens hair salon in Russell Gardens in London Town. Salon to the stars and X factor contestants first port of call the team know their stuff! I went for some ashy blonde highlights to brighten my look for the summer. It was a lovely environment and the team were fun and bubbly. They even gave me loads of hints and tips on getting beach waves and keeping my hair silky.  The salon use Matrix Haircare products which I am a huge fan of. I sipped coffee in the light, bright, minimal salon before lounging in the massage chair to have my colour rinsed. After a quick trim and some brilliant styling with GHD tools and products I was good to go back into the sunshine.  I'm so pleased with my colour! Highly recommend the salon. Book in now for your summer look.  

To launch the new London salon they are currently giving you 25% off your first visit! Check out the website for more info xx

Jamie Stevens - 9 Russell Garden, W14 8EZ 

http://www.hairbyjamiestevens.co.uk/salons/

A natural beauty

DHC are a rather special beauty brand. Japan's number one online skincare company has been making its way to us here in England.  A few months ago I gave you a bit of a run down on some of my favourite essentials in 'fresh face' (http://www.thenudestylist.com/2013/04/fresh-face.html)  and now more products have made their way over. Q10 Base makeup is a moisturising liquid foundation with antioxidant coenzyme Q10 to fight the signs of ageing by actually repairing your skin. It's filled with collagen and oat kernels to plump skin. It is brilliantly covering but instead of you then feeling your skin is clogged and doing more harm than good, you know it is fixing itself! The shades are quite light, which is perfect for my fair skin.  At the moment I am a little browner than normal and using the 002 shade.  My daily routine is to use the brilliant velvet primer and then a light layer of this fabulous foundation over the top.  I finish by brushing over DHC's light powder - http://www.dhcuk.co.uk/DHC/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=3020.  Check it out if you haven't already xx

I can't wait to see what's next on DHCs list of must haves!

Q10 makeup £25 - http://www.dhcuk.co.uk/DHC/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=3190