Outfit: McArthurGlen Fashion Fling Style Challenge Outfit #2

Dress: C/O Ravi Famous* | Nude Slip (under dress): Primark | Jacket: Miss Selfridge | Boots: Funky Dory | Hat: H&M | Socks: Topshop | Necklace: C/O Folli Follie via Cheshire Oaks*

Here is outfit number two for the McArthurGlen Fashion Fling Style Challenge! 

This outfit is a little bit more dressed up than the previous one, and it's something that I'd wear to a semi-formal dinner date or an afternoon tea for a special occasion. I love this dress- the lace bodice is so pretty and it can be dressed up or down. It is quite see through, however, so a slip is definitely needed to be worn underneath! I think the Folli Follie necklace goes amazingly with this dress as the rose gold matches nicely with the embellishments on the collar and the zebra stripes match the cream lace. The simplicity of it makes the solid cream dress look a little more interesting without taking away from the other details around the collar and the shoulders. I love black/cream and leather/lace combinations so I added my leather jacket and studded pixie boots to tone the outfit down a bit and add a little bit of grunge :)

I hope you like this outfit! If you would like to check out what is going on at Cheshire Oaks over the next week for Fashion Fling, check out the Fashion Fling page on their website. If you're not near Cheshire Oaks, find your nearest outlet at the McArthurGlen site :)

Let me know if you have been getting involved in Fashion Fling! :)

*DISCLOSURE: Starred items are PR samples.

Outfit: McArthurGlen Fashion Fling Style Challenge Outfit # 1

T-Shirt: New Look | Checkered Shirt: New Look | Disco Pants: C/O NaaNaa* | Shoes: Converse via Schuh | Bracelets: L-R: C/O MissGeeKay*, C/O Boho Betty* | Watch: Michael Kors | Necklace: C/O Folli Follie via. Cheshire Oaks*

Wow, has it really been over a month since I last blogged?! I hope you all haven't forgotten about me, although I wouldn't be surprised if you had to double take when you saw this post haha! The past couple of months has just been so hectic with uni and such, but the other day I handed in my second to last assignment EVER, and although I still have an 8,000 word dissertation to write over the next two weeks, I already feel a lot better. So let's get back in to the swing of things!

A couple of weeks ago I was contacted by the lovely Simone, who is representing McArthurGlen Designer Outfits, asking if I wanted to take part in their Spring Fling Style Challenge. I'm a little late to the party, but last week and all this week, McArthurGlen shopping outlets are holding "Fashion Fling" events alongside Grazia in outlets up and down the country, where lots of discounts and offers are up for grabs. The closest outlet to me is the Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet, and they very kindly sent me two lovely accessories which I have to style up in to three different outfits for you- I'll be showing you a casual day time outfit, an outfit for a semi-formal occasion, and an evening outfit. 

The first item I received is this beautiful Zebra Rose Gold Plated Necklace by Folli Follie. It is such a simple but eye-catching piece and is perfect for adding an extra touch to a casual outfit. Here I teamed it with a simple white tee and checkered shirt combo, and these blue disco pants by NaaNaa (which are super stretchy and comfortable, by the way!). I have pretty much been living in comfy outfits like this over the past few weeks whilst I have been running back and to between uni and home, but I always love jazzing up my outfits with accessories. This necklace hangs at a perfect length and I think the shiny rose gold really pops out against my white t-shirt.

If you would like to check out the activities happening at Cheshire Oaks over the next week, take a look at their Fashion Fling page (if you're not near Cheshire Oaks, check out the McArthurGlen website for your nearest outlet) :)

Have you been getting involved in the Fashion Fling festivities?

*DISCLOSURE: Starred items are PR samples.

Review: Montagne Jeunesse Passion Peel-Off Mask.

Montagne Jeunesse Passion Peel Off Face Mask*

Montagne Jeunesse kindly provided me with this little treat for Valentine's Day, but I have only just gotten round to trying it out. This is the Passion Peel Off Face Mask which is supposed to deep clean your skin whilst also protecting it with it's anti-oxidant rich ingredients.

The mask comes in the form of a thick, gooey, pink paste and it smells like pomegranates and berries. Applying it reminded me why I usually tend to steer away from peel-off face masks- I hate how sticky they are and it seems impossible to apply them evenly, which in turn makes it hard to judge how long to leave it on for; the packet suggests 15-20 minutes but it took around 35 minutes for the thicker areas to dry when I used it. I have a love-hate relationship with these kinds of masks, however, as despite hating the application, I find peeling it off grossly satisfying (anybody else?).

As usual with Montagne Jeunesse products, I thought the mask worked really well considering how affordable it is. It left my skin feeling tight and clean. I think peel-off face masks are more suited to people with oilier skin as they can be quite absorbing and drying.

You can purchase this face mask, along with other Montagne Jeunesse products for a tiny £1.09 in ASDA and other leading retailers, and also online at www.montagnejeunesse.com. What's more, Montagne Jeunesse products are suitable for vegetarians and they always try to use natural ingredients. What reason is there not to try out a mask or two?!

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I also just wanted to apologise for my disappearance and lack of posts recently. I have tried but I have been finding it near impossible to put together good blog content whilst in my stressful final stretch of university. I will most definitely still be blogging where possible but it will remain sporadic until I hand in my last assignment in April! Not long now, so I hope you all understand! Bring on the Summer :)

*DISCLOSURE: PR Sample

Outfit: Transition

Top: C/O Karma Clothing* | Skirt: C/O: Chicnova* | Shoes: Converse | Necklace: Topman | Belt: Primark

Wow, it feels like ages since I last did an outfit post! It definitely felt a little weird taking photos outside earlier with people walking past giving me odd looks haha. Finally, it looks like Spring is slowly making it's way over and I'm looking forward to being able to go out in shorts and a t-shirt and leave my big fur coat at home. This velvet skirt was a staple piece in my wardrobe over the winter and I'm still getting a lot of use out of it as a transitional piece with t-shirts tucked in or a cropped t-shirt like this one, and a leather jacket on top. I'm really loving that the crop top trend is coming back- you can tell that I'm a 90's kid at heart! ;)

I hope you like my outfit! Are you starting to transition your wardrobe ready for Spring?

*DISCLOSURE: Starred items are PR samples.

Artwork by Jonathan Silence.

'The Queen of Cups' Tarot Card - Jonathan Silence.

Hi lovelies!

Today, I have the pleasure of sharing with you some amazing art work created by Jonathan Silence.

Jonathan is an artist who creates stunningly detailed pieces using pen, ink and watercolour. He contacted me towards the end of last year asking if he could use me as the model of one of his illustrations, and being a sucker for portraits and illustrations, I said yes! I am so happy I did as he has created the two wonderful pieces above based on his creative talent and ideas, and photos of yours truly.

Jonathan also does commissioned paintings, which, as can be expected, can add up to become quite pricey. However, Jonathan has kindly offered my readers 25% off their commissioned pieces, so just quote "Frances Cassandra" if you decide to get in touch with him (info@jonathansilence.com). He is great to work with and I am sure he can conjure up exactly what you want, whether it be a brightly coloured painting to decorate your room or a tattoo design.

Jonathan Silence has a website and a Facebook page that contain photographs and progress shots of many more of his works, so make sure you go and check them out at the links below!

Facebook

Website

The Queen of Cups Phone Case- $35.00 (Approx £22.50)

Jonathan also has an online Society 6 store where you can purchase prints of his work, iPhone cases, laptop skins, t-shirts and tote bags. I loved his Queen of Cups painting so much that I had to purchase a case for my phone.  It is great quality and I have had so many compliments on it! Click here to visit Jonathan's store.

I hope you find Jonathan's work as beautiful as I do! :)

Valentine's Wishlist.

Remember me?! Gosh, I can't even remember the last time I even clicked on to Blogger, but I swear I'm back for good this time. The past month has just been hectic with university deadlines and a poorly laptop, but this week I handed in my last piece of work for Semester 1 and I am now typing from a brand new, shiny laptop.

Since Valentine's Day is just around the corner, I thought what better way to make a comeback than with a Valentine's related wishlist, consisting of everything pink, red, heart-shaped and just pretty looking :)

1. Lace Skater Dress- Warehouse £85.00

2. Heart Print Rubber Duck Lipbalm- Topshop £3.50

3. Heart Cut-out Skater Dress- New Look £22.99

4. Queenie Rae Classic Shirt- French Connection £62.00

5. OPI Nothin' Mousie 'Bout It Nail Polish- Nelly £14.95

6. Bonnie Crop Top- Motel Rocks £30.00

7. Lovehearts Sweet Shop Bag- River Island £4.00

8. Gipsy Heart Print Tights- New Look £5.99

Nothing says "Happy Valentine's Day" than a bright red dress with a heart cut-out on the chest, or this tack-tastic crop top with two hearts on the front which I can't help but love, even though it probably isn't to everybody's taste! If you're a bit more subtle, a pretty, lacy dress or a pink, floral patterned blouse would make for a perfect Valentine's Day outfit, maybe teamed with some heart-shaped glitter nail polish or heart-print tights. I love this pair from New Look as they have a single pink heart on the back, which I think is a really cute touch. Foamy heart-shaped sweets are a perfect gift for anybody with a sweet tooth, including yourself if you will be celebrating Valentine's Day with your cat this year, like I will. And I couldn't resist including this little duck-shaped lip balm in this wishlist, I mean, how cute is he?!

Phew- I'm not sure I have used the word "heart" enough in this blog post.

How will you be celebrating Valentine's Day this year?

*DISCLOSURE: Contains sponsored content.