So you know, one day it hits you and it clicks that you're at the age where all your gal pals are getting engaged the fact they are actually getting married hits you? Yeah that.
Aside from the fact I'll probably need to hire someone to be my Date for the night my first thought was panicking about what to actually wear. The last time I went to a wedding it was my Dad and Step Mum's which was literally like 10 years ago and I wore a purple number and had red hair (IDK WHAT I WAS THINKING, I KNOW!) Prior to that I wore a little bridesmaid dress back in 1996 when a family member got married - My Granny still has that little gown and I wore it religously every week at her house.
So I frantically started plotting what sort of stuff a wedding guest should wear? I dont like florals or lace and black is the only colour I wear period. As my brain went into overdrive ticking away at the do's and dont's of what I could wear I decided to do what I do best - Save things to shopping baskets while shopping online.
When I think of wedding guest dressing I think of things that are floral, subtle, pastel hues and midi lengths. But I think its still super important to bring your own personal style at the same time. None the less you gotta be appropriate - I'm talking no chance of nips slips or flashing your bum as you dance with their Uncle Ken to the YMCA. Something conservative but also
Here's my current selection for inspo if you need it:
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Personally Im leaned towards this bad boy, and I actually bought it with the intentions of it being the lead image for this post. Kinda 70's bohemian with a modern twist. Im p. sure it's okay to wear peach to a wedding right? I though, oh yes that would look hella cute paired with a simple pair of silver heels and a jazzy clutch.
WRONG. WRONG WRONG. It was so hard to photograph and look semi decent on meI almost gave up on live. Back to the drawing board me thinks. It's a shame as it's so beautiful but the fit is a bit off. Then again I do have a super wide back so it's common long sleeve things and I dont get on. Oh well.
I also really dig this dress here, the contrast piping and the little collar are too cute and add a really nice summit summit to the outfit. Infact I might even buy it for summer anyway as it's pretty babein' for a summer dress. Perfect for a summery field-y type wedding!
Picture me, sitting in my bed last Thursday afternoon, twiddling my thumbs bored out of my mind. I should be editing a video but Im actually sitting there scrolling through Reddit and thinking about if I want to order a takeaway for the evening. Spoiler alert, of course I did. Thai, was really great.
Anyway a email drops in my inbox asking me if I wanted to go on a trip. Well duh of course I do need you ask twice. So Im off on a jaunt to America again to cure my post holiday blues with the peep’s at Virgin Atlantic.
They were cool enough to let me bring a friend along and after asking around a bit I naturally picked Zoe. Not that she wasn’t my first choice she was just busy on the dates originally but after some wiggling we made it work.
So yeah, we’re off on a 8 day jaunt around California - Specifically San Fransisco and LA which is possibly the best thing ever to happen to me in forever ever. Forever ever. We’re gonna be doing the drive between San Fran and LA too which means more American Road Rules. I actually managed to get the hang of it in the end, but it is pretty confusing at first. I definitely drove on the wrong side a few times. Oops.
I’ve not been to LA beyond the LAX airport so Im SO stoked. Zoe is a bit of a Cali vet these days so she’s gonna be a good companion. Gimme all dat green juice, acai bowls and iced green tea. We have some loose plans, I really want to Universal and Alcatraz.
But finally on to the good good news IM GOING TO BE VLOGGING. I haven’t vlogged properly since I moved house and to be honest I just kinda got over it after vlogging for a couple of months. However I think its kinda different when you do stuff with people who get social media, especially other bloggers/vloggers. They don’t bat an eyelid when you whip your camera out and start lamenting about the salad you just ate or care if you ask them to take a photo 1000 times just so your calves don’t look chunky af in them.
Seriously one of my best pals doesn’t have any social media. I honestly don’t know how he’s alive in the 21st century. Either that or he refuses to add me on social media as he’s some sort of secret online identity. Tempted to go super sleuth and investigate this.
So you can follow along my adventures on my Snapchat (llymlrs) or my Instagram (llymlrs) or my Twitter (llymlrs… see a common theme here?) We’re also gonna be using the hashtag #hellroseworldtour if you wanna keep up on that too.I likely wont post the vlogs till Im back, though so there's that to look forward to!
Anyway, Im leaving on Thursday and I absolutely cannot wait. I feel super blessed right now because Im in a bit of a funk and my desire to leave is really high. Although Im a bit worried as I’ve just got over a big bout of fatigue post Vegas. But to be fair, I ate really badly and drank while I was out there as well as generally just
What does one wear for sunny days in Monte Carlo? well, when it's all about yacht dreaming and Ferrari watching, a chequered dress seemed just about spot on. Only thing missing was the picnic basket. I had some mega silver wedges from Hushpuppies keeping my feet comfy as we roamed around town and a sleek pair of Louis Vuitton shades to fit right in with the posh people of Monaco. It was certainly a day, and an outfit, to remember. As I said on instagram, however, I do believe Cher from Clueless would have commented upon this attire as follows: "She could be a picnic in that dress." Too harsh? I love it!
Shop the Look:
Fashion Foie Gras worked in collaboration with Hushpuppies.
Classified advertising, being a part of media space, has quickly and successfully changed its location. And moving to the Internet space with further creation of online marketplace was more than great idea. Take, for example, Jiji.ng. Today, it is the biggest Nigerian classifieds, but it started from an ordinary online shopping website. You can find a huge amount of items here sold at affordable prices, and advertisement here is much more effective than large scale advertising.
Of course, everything is not perfect. Classifieds attract scammers as well as they do people who want to sell or buy something. All we can say is that here they aren’t numerous. In addition to low prices, amazing selection and convenience in using, Jiji ensures maximal safety. All suspicious activity is tracked and those users are blocked. Actually, everyone can report about suspicious activity. Then it would be checked according to the set criteria. Besides, every user has to pass verification and always gets feedback from buyers. The list of detected scammers and information about them is available on the website. To be precise, last year 20,000 users were blocked before they could spoil other people’s shopping. Among other impressive numbers – 400,000 newly registered users, half a million adverts, 150,000 calls to Toyota owners and 100,000 calls to users selling BlackBerries, over a half of successful deals and more than 36 million visitors on the website. Why to choose Jiji, you ask?
Darlings! I completely forgot to show you my latest designer purchase. My beautiful Burberry Prorsum polka dot gauze dress. Isn't it just dreamy. Sonny was suitably impressed of course. Especially with my shapely pins. No Photoshop needed here thank you very much.
I thought I'd tap up a review to go alongside my Green Blusher video which I posted over on Youtube. Just because... well I dunno really but I thought I would. I recorded my first impressions of the product but here is a bit more of a all round review.
So the Lipstick Queen Frog Prince is one of those old school Ph changing blushes that reacts to the oils and stuff on your face to create a "universally flattering" tone.
Remember those green Barry M lipsticks that used to dazzle your pals at a sleepover because you had no idea what wizardry was making it change colour on your lips???!! It's basically like that but in a blush format.
The blush has a really creamy gel like feel to it, much more slippery than your average cream blush. It doesn't dry down to a nice finish either and just feels dewy-ier than dew on the grass on a crisp spring morning. And not in a good way. More like, I'm a lil sweaty from going on a run dewy...
It's just a little TOO pink on the cheeks. Not a flattering pink, it almost looks like a semi uncomfortable rash. The unpredictability of the blushes makes it a huge fail for me, I wanna know that whats in the pan is going to be similar to the colour that graces my cheeks. I dont need a blush fronting as something else! A redeeming feature is it's very lightweight but luxe feeling lil' compact. It feels very nice in the hand.
I did buy this just to investigate for myself what it might be like as its one of the few beauty products I've seen in a long time thats really interested me. Definitely one of those HMMM CLICKBAIT type of products but v. interesting none the less.
So overall Green Blush is novelty product abd much like mood rings, its something I think should be firmly left in the 90's - However it would definitely shock your friends if you're that way inclined and they somehow missed out on the green lipstick ritual. I guess you gotta kiss a lot of frogs before finding the one true blush. None the less, Im not willing to take the risk and this green blush is definitely not the one.
Damn, Jo Malone back at it again with another new launch. Wait. Is Jo Malone actually a person? *frantically googles* Ah yes she is. Panic over. Im sure there a brand that's fronted with a womans name but isnt actually a person but I can't think of it off the top of my head.
So once again Jo Malone have dropped a lovely new fragrance in the form of the uber fresh Jo Malone Nashi Blossom. Nashi is Japanese for Pear and well blossom suggests flowers so any guesses what it smells like?
Clean and pretty, it's a fruity floral delight for the nostrils. A lil sweetness with the fruity apple and pear notes but then has a few sharper hums in the form of lemon and then a nice sophist' finish with rose rounding it off. The packaging is adorbs too - If you're going to be spending £60+ on a fragrance you wanna make sure it looks damn cute on your dresser right?
If you like Jo Malone Peony and Suede I'd recommend trying this out. Go forth and spritz.
I'll start by saying this - I'm obviously rubbish at keeping up with the whole vlogging thing. I think there comes a point at which you reach "sharing saturation," and for me that was last week. Trying to snapchat, instagram, tweet, Facebook and blog all at one time is a full time job. Oh wait, this is my full time job. So nothing abnormal there, I suppose. Anywho, I've decided to take a step back from a few platforms and concentrate a bit more on video content. So back to vlogging I go.
I had a word with a few vlogger friends who more or less sat me down and told me that my posh interpretations of hotels and cars to video was not what people wanted to see. People, apparently, want to see more of the person behind the camera, when it comes to video. So when you see a person that looks too old to be a vlogger, trying to vlog, well you know who I am. In all honestly, I am having fun with this and I love the idea of giving you guys a better idea of what my day to day life is like. I hope you have as much fun watching as I do making this all happen. Feedback is always appreciated!
Hi, Im Lily and Im obsessed with Quay Australia My Girls. If you asked me what pair of sunglasses I'd want to wear for the rest of my life would be I would 100% without hesitation say Quay Australia My Girls. Because that's a real question people IRL ask right?
Im not sure why I like these cat eyed sunglasses of glory became my favourite style of glasses but they are a style that just work for me. They make my face look less moon faced than usual and I'm a total sucker for a mirrored lens.
I bought this pair from Topshop in Westfield last month but I'm sure you can find them somewhere online, my terrible googling skills are failing me rn. Quay tends to go in and out of stock pretty fast so it's always worth keeping tabs on the new styles and colours they launch.
Shamefully I have about 6 different styles of my girls including blue lenses, purple lenses and a pair with marble rims. My fave has to be these absolutely fire red, orange and white pair. They are so statement and I feel super sassy when wearing them. Every time I wear 'em I get compliments on them. Especially when I was in America recently.
Only niggle is that like with a lot of mirrored sunglasses once they scratch they're done for and can look super sloppy and scratchy. You have to be super careful and pop them back in the case each time. Which if you're like me and tend to sling 'em in your bag without thinking they might be a bit of a pain in the butt.
None the less, I love 'em. Here's to many more pairs to come!
Since starting FFG over seven years ago, I have had the great pleasure of visiting countless workshops and ateliers with some of the world's most respected and cherished fashion brands. I've seen everything from the birth of a Birkin bag to the setting of some of Van Cleef & Arpel's finest jewels. With each visit, I have found a new appreciation for the value of handcrafted goods. The fine art of hand craftsmanship is not a dying profession, but it is one that has definitely grown more scarce since machines have taken over so much of the manufacturing that exists today. So, when I'm presented with an opportunity to highlight a brand that is continuing on in the art of fine creation, I scream my support from every rooftop I can find. Last month I had the opportunity to visit Aston Martin's "factory" in Gaydon, here in the UK. Although, truth be known, this was the least factory-like place I have ever visited. In fact, I don't even feel comfortable calling this a factory. Visiting the birthplace of Aston Martin vehicles was more like visiting the atelier of an haute couture designer. So let's just call this the Atelier Aston Martin introduction.
Even driving into the Aston Martin headquarters, one is keenly aware that this isn't your average workplace. The refined beauty and incredible class that come with every Aston Martin is equally represented in the Aston Martin headquarters with neutral coloured buildings that respect their surroundings but also help to highlight the beautiful vehicles on display in and around them. There's even a car suspended on water in the entrance. Yes, queue the "walking on water" jokes - we couldn't help ourselves.
Upon entering the Aston Martin complex, it is no surprise that you are confronted with the fleet of cars that currently represent the brand out and about on the road. This charge was led by none other than the DB11 - which will hit the roads in September and is currently in production behind closed doors at the factory. But, Aston Martin are all too happy to showcase their more elite vehicles as well - showcasing everything from the Vulcan (a car that is "track only") to their new concept for a cross over vehicle.
Now, for those of you unfamiliar with the Aston Martin brand, allow me a moment of imparting some essential history. Since 1913, Aston Martin has been in the business of cars - sensationally beautiful and extremely speedy vehicles that are as much about visual perfection as they are the ability to burn rubber. Over the years, the company has changed hands here and there, but has always been respected as a legendary British brand that absolutely must stand the test of time. Of course, it is perhaps most well known because of its partnership with a certain discerning gentleman - 007, of course. James Bond first drove an Aston Martin in 1964. It was the gorgeous Sean Connery that sat behind the wheel of the DB5 (still considered by many to be the most beautiful car in the world) for the Bond classic- "Goldfinger." Since then, every Bond has favoured the brand and it's not hard to see why.
While the Aston Martin vehicles have most certainly changed in shape and size over time, as was evident when walking the long hall of history before we entered the factory floor, there are certain things that will never change at Aston Martin - mainly the construction of the cars themselves. As Marek Reichman, Chief Creative Officer of Aston Martin, explained - the human senses of touch and sight are still unmatched when it comes to machines. And this is the reason why the world's more beautiful, most treasured, and most expensive luxuries are still made by hand, including Aston Martins.
Now, follow me into the Aston Martin Atelier.
I can't help but draw immediate parallels between some of the finest workshops in Paris and the floor of the Aston Martin factory. The men and women that work here are trained professionals that have been here for decades, producing fine vehicles for the world's elite. Each Aston Martin is not only created by a human being, it's constantly evaluated and tested by a human being. Every single stitch of leather on a seat or dashboard is all done by hand and in a fashion that would make one think they are sitting on the factory floor of Hermes, not a car manufacturer. There is a rhythm here that reflects the beauty of the car itself. The factory floor is not at all what I would have come to expect from a car manufacturer. It's so clean one could sit for afternoon tea and eat right off the concrete floors. What was I expecting? I think somehow I thought this would look more like a mechanic's shop and less like a floor of Mr. Clean's dreams.
While we toured the Aston Martin Factory at Gaydon, we were given the complete look at how a car is created from design to delivery. Now I won't give away the magic of it all - as truly some details I was geeking-out over are so technical I fear boring the pants off of you. But, I will say I have a new appreciation for how an Aston Martin is made. Each car, I like to think, comes with its own family, from the leather worker to the final inspector. And we had the opportunity to go in and meet the family behind the car that we would be driving for the weekend (more on that later). Talk about changing the way in which you drive a car - knowing absolutely every ounce of effort that went into making it.
I walked out of the Aston Martin factory excited for the future of the brand. The Aston Martin family that exists in and out of the factory is unparallelled. There is a passion for employment here, a feeling as if you are part of an innovative explosion of talent. And it is all dangerously infectious. I kid you not - I left wondering if I could come back and ask for a job on any level. I have never encountered a brand that was more dedicated to the beauty and soul of its product. To hear Marek Reichman speak of the process of design with Aston Martin can only be compared to someone talking about the birth of a child or perhaps, more appropriately suited, the construction of their first couture gown. There is passion found here at Aston Martin, with every employee and with every owner.
Now, while a tour of the factory is not yet open to the general public - you never know when this could possibly change. I'll be the first to tell you if it does. For now, I'll just leave you with this first look to whet your appetite. Hope you enjoyed it. Now - off to enjoy the sunshine in an Aston Martin Vanquish Volante.
Ps. If you're in the market for an Aston Martin, check out my dream process of creating a car bespoke to you - Q by Aston Martin. Appropriately named, right? ]
