Striped Shorts

Shorts- New Look

The sun has actually come out in the UK this summer and stayed out. I am happy about this...honestly! So please ignore the very serious look on my face.

I was delighted when I spotted these black and white shorts in New Look a few weeks ago. They are the perfect length and the horizontal stripes means that they are pretty flattering. I thought they were really unique, compared to every other bright floral pair of shorts in the shops at the moment. The best thing is that they are extremely affordable at £14.99! 

I hope you've been enjoying the lovely weather. Have you found a pair of perfect shorts? 

Nail Polishes | Current Favourites

Here are a few of the nail polishes I've found myself reaching for a lot recently...

I really like the Maybelline Colour Show and Barry M Nail Paint polishes, especially as they are only £2.99 each. I've been loving blue (Cyan Blue 294) or green on my nails recently because I like how they make your hands look tanned in summer! I much prefer the formula of the Barry M Nail Paints to the Maybelline polishes but the colour range for both is brilliant.

I first tried one of the Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paints a few months ago and really didn't like the formula. I used the shade Watermelon a couple of times and found it to be too thick and gloopy. So many people kept on raving about how amazing these polishes are so I decided to give them another chance and try one of the more summery shades. I'm still not a massive fan of the formula but I love the shade (Passion Fruit) and can see myself using it quite a lot because I do like the shiny effect it gives once dry. The Essie polish in Capri is one of my all time favourite polishes (I'm wearing it on my nails right now). I love the formula because Essie polishes are slightly thinner so I find them easy to apply and this colour in particular is just beautiful.

I got the bright pink nail polish on the left in a set from Boots at Christmas and love the colour. The Sinful Colours (Easy Going 300) is a recent addition to my ever growing nail polish collection and I really like it. I've never tried Essie's Fiji but had heard that this one is a great dupe and it's only £1.99! They started selling Sinful Colours in my local Boots a couple of months ago so I decided to pick one up and give it a try and I absolutely love the shade. The formula is a tiny bit on the runny side but I'd definitely recommend this brand because the quality is good for the price and the colour range is great. 

What summer shades have you been wearing on your nails? Got any favourite brands?



Disclosure: The views expressed are based on my own experience.

Fortnight in Photos #8

I've spent the past two weeks enjoying the summer and making the most of the time I had off before I start my new job tomorrow. I'm moving to London today and it's so weird because I lived at home while I was at Uni so this will be the first time I've lived away from my home town as well as my family and best friend (and my cat!!). I'm really excited and can't believe how quickly it's come around! I will miss home though and plan to visit at weekends, but I also can't wait to get settled into my new job in The Big Smoke. I feel so... grown up. 

 Made a dinosaur pin board as a birthday present for my brother, BBQ with friends, matching pjs, bridge in Plymouth, cat toy and cola bottles soap, Biggie being naughty. 

Mum giving Bigs cuddles, walk on the beach, made cupcakes for last day of summer job, beautiful flowers, tried the new Orange Refresha at Starbucks and it was so good, Biggie and his little friend. 

Instagram @hannahcelder 

What have you been up to?

Summer Jacket | Charity Shop Find

Firstly, I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone who reads this blog. I reached 100 followers on GFC yesterday and it means so much to me that so many (to me 100 seems like a lot) of you enjoy reading what I write on here. I've only been posting since April and never thought that I would end up chatting to so many of you so quickly. So, thank you so much! Since April, I've also really enjoyed coming across new blogs to read and can't wait to discover even more. 

I found this jacket in a charity shop recently and it reminded me that sometimes you can find absolute gems hidden away on the clothes rails. You can pick things up for such amazing prices too. This cream jacket cost me £7, which I think is a bargain for something that's such good quality and from Jaeger. OK, it might look a bit dated as it was probably originally purchased about ten years ago...but I guess that's what I like about it. What do you think? 

If you are stuck for things to do this weekend or the weather is a bit rubbish, then you could always have a search through your local charity shops and see what you can find. Even if you don't end up buying anything or don't want to spend money, you can have so much fun trying on some weird and wonderful things. You never know, you may even stumble upon that 'must have, bargain' item along the way. 

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

Photos On Film | Mount Edgcumbe

A couple of weeks ago (I've only just realised it's now August...whaat?) I told you guys about my visit to Mount Edgcumbe in Plymouth and how lovely it was. Ben took some 35mm film photos as we walked round the grounds and I wanted to share them with you! I love the grainy quality of them...it reminds me of photos from my childhood. 

Photos taken by Ben Cornish 

Summer Feet

Seeing as it's finally warm enough to wear sandals, I thought it would be a good idea to start looking after my feet. These are a few of the products that i've been using to keep them feeling fabulous.

I've been using a foot scrub and pumice stone couple of times a week and really noticed a difference. The Joules scrub that I have has a sandy texture and leaves my feet feeling soft and generally looking a lot healthier. After this i'll always apply a foot lotion and have been loving the Burt's Bees coconut foot cream...which to me doesn't really smell like coconut and doesn't really have the texture of a cream. But i'm not complaining because this gel-like product does the job and leaves your feet feeling very hydrated. The Joules foot cream came in a set with the scrub so i've also been using that occasionally but I definitely prefer the thicker texture of the Burt's Bees. The Joules lotion seems to take too long to absorb and I have laminate flooring in my room so I'm either sliding all over the place or have to sit for ages to wait for it to dry.

To finish off the little foot pampering session I will paint my toes. I feel like they look weird if I don't paint them, does anyone else find that? I always use a base coat and recently my go to polish has been Essie's Capri. It's a beautiful bright orange-red and looks lovely on toes (and fingers).

What products have you been using on your feet?

Disclosure: The views expressed are based on my own experience.

Fortnight in Photos #7

I've noticed that a lot more of you have been stopping by to read my posts this week and I just wanted to say a massive thank you! I've only been writing on here since April and sometimes it can be a bit daunting, as i'm sure you all know. Especially when you have no idea if people will listen to or agree with what you have to say or enjoy the type of thing you are talking about. So yeah, I just wanted to say a massive thank you to you all because I really enjoy posting on here and lovely comments make it even more worth while.

I've basically just been enjoying summer recently and the lovely weather that we have been having. I move to London to start my new job two weeks today so i'm just making the most of only working part time. Here's a few photos...a lot seem to be of the cat. He's just so cute and funny, I can't help it!

Flowers from the garden, sushi lunch with my brother, lime and chilli hot chocolate (yum), visiting Ben in Plymouth, McDonalds smoothie (also yum), adventure with Ben, Mount Edgcumbe, Starwars on a Sunday eve, double rainbow on the ceiling. 

Heart charm earrings from Ben, Biggie playing in his new house, Blab had a makeover, new things to try, Bigs hiding, Moomin biscuits from Japan, Biggie trying to drink my cocktail, Biggie making a bed in an IKEA storage box, walk in the rain. 


Instagram @hannahcelder 

Water With A Twist

You may have noticed that Blab underwent a teeny tiny makeover at the weekend...I hope you like it. The design of this page was incredibly simple before so I wanted to keep it like that and stick with the very...grey...theme (I do love a bit of grey). I know it's not very colourful but, I'm really pleased with how it turned out and I really like the fact that it's plain because then hopefully the photos stand out. I'd love to know what you guys think!

I don't dislike drinking water, I just don't drink enough of it! So, in the summer months I like to mix things up a bit and add different flavours to my water. The technique i'm going to show you is brilliant because it's incredibly easy to do and every ingredient added to the water is fresh.

You will need:

Carbonated Mineral Water (or still water if you prefer)
Half a lemon
Half a lime
Fresh mint

I basically just add the lemon, lime and mint to the water to give it that summery kick. I like to crush a wedge of lime at the bottom of the glass with a wooden spoon first to get all of the flavour out and then add the rest. 

I picked the mint from the garden but i'm sure you can get it in supermarkets. You can add as much of each ingredient as you want depending on how citrusy you want the drink to be.

It's as simple as that! This is such a refreshing dink for summer and just livens up your water a bit. I guess it's kind of like a non alcoholic mojito. I'm sure you could add different flavours too if you don't like mint or citrus fruits. 

Let me know if you give it a try or have any recipes for summer drinks!

Fortnight In Photos #6

The weather has been absolutely fantastic during the past two weeks. I hope the sun manages to stay out for a bit longer because it's making me feel better about the fact that I have no more holidays booked for the rest of the summer. It was the hottest day of the year yesterday and with the weather like this you can just sit in the garden, close your eyes and pretend you are somewhere exotic. 

I've been working lots recently and even did a filming job this week, trying to save a bit of money for when I move up to London in August.  I got my results from University on Thursday and I swear I have never been so nervous in my life, refreshing the page every second as I waited for midday. I will be graduating with a 2:1 in Television Production, which i'm over the moon about! Yay! 

I'm moving out of my parents house in just under a month now so i've been spending a lot of time with them and my cat...i'm going to miss him like crazy. 

Taco time, delicious cocktails, pool day, chilling with Bigs, lovely cupcake, pretty flowers in the garden.

Cuddles, rediscovered some sunglasses, my mum when she was my age, sparkling water with lemon, lime and mint from the garden (post coming soon), random trip to McDonalds to get a thick shake, filming tool belt. 

Congratulations hamper from my mum, freebie with this month's Glamour, evening at the beach, Biggie sleeping funny. 


Instagram @hannahcelder 

Feeling Dotty

I guess this is my first proper outfit post! Like i've said before, I am definitely no fashion expert and usually just wear what I think looks good. But I do enjoy clothes....a lot. I got this dress for my birthday last week from my mum. It's from ASOS and I believe it was then in the sale after she got it but I can't actually find it on the website anymore. They have so many similar styles and prints though so it's definitely worth taking a look. I did find this one that isn't in the sale but isn't expensive either. 

Skater style dresses are brilliant because if you are feeling a bit lazy you can just throw one on and you're pretty much good to go. I didn't even really bother with jewellery when I wore this because I thought the bold print said enough by itself. I don't know if you can see in the photo but I am wearing a gold above knuckle ring on my right hand, a bright red essie polish on my nails and Primark leopard print shoes to add a tiny bit of detail and colour.

I am so pleased with this dress! Sometimes ASOS own clothes can be a bit hit and miss and I really wasn't expecting the quality of this dress to be very good. But they surprised me and the material is actually really nice and feels like it will last. 

Photos taken by Ben Cornish on 35mm film

Fortnight in Photos #5

 This is more like 'Three Weeks in Photos' because I missed out on posting last week as I was in Morocco. You can check out the photos from that trip here if you want. There will be more to come later in the week. Again, i've had a very busy few weeks! But now that my holiday is over and Uni is completely finished, i'm expecting things to return back to normal for the next few weeks, before I move up to London to start my internship. I'm just hoping for some good weather in the UK so that it actually feels like summer. 

Valerie Patisserie to say bye to girls at Uni, foggy on the way to Plymouth, Zzapp, giant teacake, double sided necklace I can't stop wearing, sleepy Bigs.

New job, kittens in Morocco, giving my room a Moroccan make over, avocado smoothie, necklace from Topshop sale, Cystic Fibrosis Trust afternoon tea fundraiser.

Birthday time! It wasn't a big birthday so I didn't do much for it, just went shopping in the day and then went to Pizza Express in the evening with my family.

Instagram @hannahcelder 

Summer & Holiday Essentials

I wanted to post about something that involved lots of colourful and cheerful photos today, seeing as the weather's been so awful here in the UK for the past week. I'm off to Morocco for a week tomorrow and it seems like a lot of you are off on holiday too so I thought I would share my summer and holiday essentials. 

Starting with sun cream, I like the Hawaiin Tropic range and this year i'm using the Sheer Touch Lotion which smells gorgeous and as well as protecting your skin is incredibly hydrating. I will also be taking the Garnier Golden Protect Shimmering Protection Lotion on holiday with me. This smells equally as lovely and gives your skin an instant glow, enhancing your tan as it is enriched with Monoi Oil and pearl shimmer (apparently).

I love the Body Shop Cooling Foot Sprays, especial the peppermint one. This is great to spray onto aching feet after you have been sightseeing or walking around in the sun. As well as using sunscreen on my body I also apply Boots Soltan Lip Balm to my lips as it has an SPF of 30. 

After Sun is another essential because after applying loads of sunscreen I still always seem to get burnt, even if it's just slightly on the shoulders or nose.

I always like to paint my nails a lovely bright colour when I go on holiday. I love using Barry M Nail Paints because the shades are so vibrant and summery and they last a good few days without chipping.

I probably won't take any of these with me on holiday because i'd be afraid of them melting but the Revlon Lip Butters are great for sumer. Especially brighter shades like Tutti Frutti. 

One thing I will be taking is my Travelo, filled with a fruity fragrance. These atomisers are great because you can decant your favourite perfume into them and they are the perfect size for the plane. 

Victoria's Secret Good Day Sunshine Body Spray is such a good fragrance for summer, it's so fresh and floral. 

Avène Eau Thermale is a recent purchase and I thought it would be perfect for taking away. It will be so refreshing when travelling and is also good for things like sunburn. I may even do a review on it when I get back from holiday, after it's been put to the test.

I can't seem to go anywhere without taking an Antibacterial Hand Gel and Sweet Pea is one of my favourite scents from Bath & Bodyworks. These are great for travelling and using on the go, especially if you are travelling around a city. 

I bought this little lime green Topshop Handbag recently because it's the perfect size to carry around in summer. I hate lugging a huge bag around when it's hot and this little thing is perfect for fitting a few essentials in for sightseeing. 

These are the Rayban 2140 Polarised Wayfarers and my favourite pair of sunglasses. I'm sure none of you would go on holiday without taking a pair of sunnies with you, even if you were going skiing. 

The Tangle Teezer would be great for combing through hair after swimming in the sea or the pool. 

I got these Urbanears Platten Headphones from PC World a while ago because they were randomly reduced to £15 from £50! I haven't seen a pair as cheap since so i'm glad I snapped them up at the time. I always like to have a good pair of headphones to use on the plane. Although, I may end up taking  a smaller pair this time as these might be a bit of a nuisance to carry around and would be uncomfortable in the heat.

I love this H&M Gold Hairband. I always like to have some sort of hairband at the ready when i'm in a hot country to tie my hair up and out of the way. 

What do you usually take on holiday with you during the summer?

Disclosure: The views expressed are based on my own experience.

Spring & Summer: Style Picks

When it comes to fashion I don't really know what i'm talking about. I guess I do follow trends but I also tend to just wear things that I like. Anyway, i've bought a few new pieces to add to my wardrobe for spring and summer so thought I would share them with you! 

The Ray Ban Wayfarers 

I can't recommend these sunglasses enough! I got them for my eighteenth birthday and I know that they will last for years to come. They also go with everything.

The Topshop Flatforms 

I posted about these recently so won't talk about them too much. They are great because they make any casual outfit look a bit more dressed up.

The H&M Blouse from their Conscious Collection 

I really like this collection but this is the only piece I own from it. This one in particular is perfect for this time of year. The price was also amazing at £9.99 which is great because it looks a lot more expensive than it was. It buttons right up to the top but can just about be worn with the top button undone. 

The H&M Trousers 

I picked these up in the sale a couple of weeks ago. They were half price so ended being about £8 which is amazing for trousers. So amazing in fact that I also got a printed pair too. I usually only wear jeans or jeggings but like the smarter look of these trousers. 

Have you bought any new pieces for spring and summer? 

Disclosure: The views expressed are based on my own experience.