The Summer Jean | Topshop

90s
I’m usually a high-waisted, ultra-skinny, black jean type of girl and I have been for years. Although my love for skinny jeans will never fade, despite what I’m told is in style or not, I recently wanted to find a good summer jean. Mainly because black skinny jeans in heat aren’t particularly comfortable and it feels like your legs are on fire. Cue, the Topshop Mom jean in light bleach. The Mom jean is still high-waisted and fitted but has a lot more room compared to a skinny jean. Think Monica from FRIENDS, that ass still looks good but you don’t have to worry about undoing your top button after a big meal. The light bleach denim is also great for summer and I’ve been living in these jeans as of late. I need to get my hands on another pair pronto.

Do you have a new summer staple?

~ Jade xx

A day out at Lacock | OOTD

boohoo
Left: The famous window of which the first ever photographic negative was taken by William Henry Fox Talbot in 1835.
Right: 
Coat - Newlook | Scarf- Newlook
(Also seen here)
Shirt- Boohoo | Jeans- Topshop Jamie jeans
Boots- Asda | Bag- Kurt Geiger






The Cloisters in Lacock Abbey

A few weeks ago I went on a day out to Lacock for my Dads birthday.  Lacock is a quaint little village in Wiltshire.  The village is owned by the National Trust meaning its unspoiled appearance attracts many visitors a year. It is well known for its Abbey which was founded by the Countess of Salisbury and established in 1232. The village is full of beautiful buildings including a Tudor courtyard, the manor and little cottages filling the village. During the dissolution, the Abbey and estate were sold and passed onto the Talbot family by marriage who later gave it to the National Trust in 1944. 

The village and Abbey are also famously used as a location for filming. Where the village is kept in mostly original condition with no street lights and lack of modern features; it is the perfect location to film historic films and television shows. One of the most famous films that have used the beautiful setting is Harry Potter. They filmed scenes on location here during the production of the films 'Philosophers Stone', 'Chamber of Secrets' and 'Half Blood Prince'. As well as the interesting history and amazing architecture, being a Harry Potter fan is what also drew me to this historic place. The Cloisters around the abbey are easily recognisable as being used in the films and The Chapter House in the abbey was used as the original location for the Mirror of Erised in the first film.

I would definitely recommend visiting Lacock and the abbey if you're in the area or fancy an interesting day out.

Where's your favourite place to go on a day out?

~Lucy xx

A 70s Autumn | Outfit of the Day

70s
Autumn is my favourite time of year, especially when it comes to fashion. I love autumn days when the sun is shining but there's still a chill in the air. This year I have found a love for coats and earthy tones, A-line skirts and 70s prints when it comes to putting together outfits. As I'm sure you can tell, Topshop and New Look have been my favourite places to find some great pieces this year.

What are your autumn fashion favourites?
- Lucy xx


What I'm wearing:
Trench coat ~ New Look
Scarf ~ New Look
Top ~ Topshop
Skirt ~ Topshop
Boots ~ New Look (similar here)
Bag ~ Rebecca Minkoff - Avery Crossbody (exact colour no longer available)

The perfect jean

fashion
I despise jeans. I find them uncomfortable, they always lose their shape throughout the day and they’re incredibly average to look at. Instead, I’m a great lover of dresses, skirts and shorts, I think they’re a lot more comfortable to wear and are far easier to style in an interesting way. That was however until I discovered the Joni jean from Topshop. I had tried on Joni jeans a few times before I actually purchased them, always putting them back on the shelf knowing I wouldn’t wear them because of my hatred of jeans however on a recent shopping trip with a gift card in hand I decided to take the plunge after deciding that I needed to introduce more trousers/jeans to my wardrobe.

The Joni jean is a super skinny, super high-waisted cut of jean which are surprisingly comfortable. As they’re super skinny they contain elastane to give them a lot of stretch - and also means they hold their shape all day, no baggy knees here. The fact that they're high-waisted means they hold everything in and don’t dig in to your hips like a low-rise would. These jeans also fit me perfectly. I’m oddly proportioned with a slim waist, relatively wide hips and long legs but I have no issues with the leg being too short - even in the longer leg which has happened to me before - or fitting perfectly around the hips but being too wide around the waist. I picked up my pair in black denim as there’s something about blue denim that I really don’t like on me. They aren't the cheapest jeans on the highstreet but for a decent pair of jeans that also wash nicely, I don't think they're overpriced either. My favourite way to wear these has been with a checked shirt and my Brogues from Russell & Bromley*. 

What’s your current wardrobe favourite?


~ Jade xx

Makeup Menu #1 | Festive Beauty

barry m
As the festive party season is upon us I thought I’d share with you all my beauty essentials 
for this time of year that will see you through any festive occasion from a 
Christmas meal to a New Years party.

FACE

At every event this party season there’s going to be pictures taken so to prevent yourself looking overly shiny never go without powder - I’m forever in love with the Rimmel Stay Matte - even if you usually would skip it as you may look great in person but the camera will pick up any shine and multiply it by ten. But that doesn’t mean you can’t add a little highlighter to still have a healthy glow - I’m currently loving the Topshop highlighter, review here. You also want a good concealer as the same with shine the camera will pick up any blemish even if its only small. For this I love the Collection lasting perfection concealer but I don’t need to go into detail as everyone and their mother knows about it by now.

EYES

For eyes I’m still loving my Stila in the light palette - review here - as you can create subtle, natural looks perfect for a low key affair but you can also create serious glamour which would fit perfectly for a New Years bash. I’ve also been loving the Maybelline master drama chromatic pencil in vibrant gold for a hint of gold sparkle under the eyes. If you’re going for winged liner this season then you have to get your hands on the L’Oreal super liner perfect slim, I’ve never used a product that makes winged liner so easy and I’ve repurchased this countless times.

Face of the day #3 | 02.03.14

better skin

Products used:
Topshop highlighter ~ crescent moon

It's finally beginning to get warmer in England - despite the still miserable weather forecast of rain - which means fresh, spring time pink lipstick can be worn again - not that you can't wear it at any point of the year as there aren't any rules to makeup. I picked this particular one up from boots the other day and have been loving it. It lasts a good four hours and doesn't dry out the lips, also the colour is gorgeous. Satin taupe has been mentioned a number of times here on Aquapearl but now those of you that haven't bought it yet - though you definitely should - can see why both Lucy & I love it. It's just great.



Are you looking forward to spring makeup trends?

~ Jade xx

Topshop highlighter | Review

crescent moon

My local Topshop recently started stocking the Topshop makeup which I got very excited about as before I could only grab a few bits whenever I went to London or Bristol - I’m not sure why my Topshop didn’t stock the makeup beforehand, it always baffled me. 

I picked up a couple of bits but I was most excited for the powder highlighter in 'crescent moon'. I had originally wanted the glow cream highlighter in ‘polished’ however every pot had been played around with as there was finger marks in all of them, so I settled with the powder highlighter instead.

This highlighter is a perfectly pigmented pearl shade which leans more towards the pink side of the highlighter scale. It adds a perfect sheen to the cheekbones and wherever else you choose to place it but isn’t shimmery or hold glitter. It creates a subtle highlighted look rather than an in your face glow which is great for everyday wear and you can use it across the body. However, I tend to keep it to my face - mainly on my cheekbones as my t-zone gets enough highlight from my oily skin but it also works great as an inner corner highlight with a neutral eyeshadow look. 

It can become chalky if you’re heavy handed with it as it's a very soft powder but as long as you don’t go overboard it isn't a problem. The packaging is really sturdy and cute - as all Topshop packaging is - and you get a lot of product too. You can pick this up for £10 so it doesn’t break the bank either.



What do you like from the Topshop makeup line?

~ Jade xxx

Transitioning Summer clothes into Autumn | Lucy's picks

american apparel
So summer has gone and we are, rather quickly, moving into autumnal - or 'fall' - months here in England. We actually had quite a lovely summer this year so I could wear my summer clothes. However, if you're like me and can't fork out for a whole new autumn wardrobe, then here are some ideas to transform your summer outfits into cosy, warm outfits for autumn.

This first outfit is a simple dress that was quite simple to change for autumn. It was perfect for summer as it is light weight and easy to wear.

Dress: Primark £5.  (bargin!!)

To make it warmer for autumn all I did to this outfit was add an oversized jumper and scarf. This gives the dress versatility as you can also make it look like a skirt.

My summer style | Jade's picks

asks
In today’s post I thought I’d share some of my summer outfits that I adore. They are very simple but I’m not overly complicated when it comes to accessories and such. Since taking the pictures for this post the weather in England has turned and is now not as sunny nor warm which makes me jealous of Lucy who is currently bathing in the sun on a beach somewhere in Greece. However, I fly to Mallorca next week for ten days so I can’t be too jealous I suppose. 



Photography information

Canon 600D with 18-55mm lens, Canon 24mm lens or Sigma 70-300mm lens. Canon EOS M with 18-55mm lens or Canon 24mm lens. Any edited photos are edited using Photoshop CS6. Picture source is given for any photo used that is not directly ours.