Hello again, after a mid-summer hiatus!

Well, well, well!  Hello to all of my beautiful followers after my mid-summer blogging hiatus.  I really feel like I've neglected Sutty's Closet, but I'm pleased to say I'm back!  

I'm going through a really difficult time in my life at the minute.  I live with an illness which causes severe, chronic pain.  I'll be writing a post on it soon, because if I can help any girl (or boy) who thinks they might have the same condition as I have, but is yet to be diagnosed, I'll feel like my suffering has been worthwhile if I can give support to others even in the smallest way.

On to the exciting stuff! 

Back when we were all celebrating the jubilee, I held a blog giveaway to thank you all for reading, following and supporting me.  There really is no better feeling than knowing people are enjoying what you have to say.

I am pleased to announce the winner is the lovely Bethan of Quotations & Fluff (you all must check out her blog, it is fab).  I asked you all what it was that made you proud  to be a woman, and Bethan's answer was my favourite.  Here's what she said...

"What makes me proud to be a woman? That’s a difficult one because I make sure I always feel proud of my gender. Women are unique because we’ve come so far, women are an example of how you cannot keep those with a voice oppressed. I’m proud that so many women are now successful and are seen as role models. The increasing number of women in typically ‘male’ subjects such as politics and education makes me proud. The fact that women are perceived as more hardworking makes me proud. I’m proud that women are fighting for the right to be equal all over the world and are making a mockery of those who are sexist and slut-shame. I’m proud that there is a community where women share tips and reviews on beauty and fashion for other women and more importantly, to make themselves proud!"

Congratulations Bethan, your beauty hamper (below) will be with you very, very soon!  

Stay tuned everyone, I have some brilliant posts lined up (and hopefully I will put a smile on all of your faces at my expensive - three words, holiday + food poisoning, so much fun!)

Love, kisses + sunkissed blonde locks

xo

H&M mid-summer sale splurge!

With my dream escape to Morocco edging ever closer, it's safe to say that the one thing occupying my mind more than anything (no, not the all inclusive food and drink) - is my holiday wardrobe.  

I'm sure all you girls will agree, that a huge amount of your time leading up to a summer holiday is spent fantasising about how a week in the sun will somehow transform you into a perfectly bronzed, superbly dressed, lithe exotic goddess.  The sad, but unfortunate reality of it is, most of us will end up sunburnt, sunstroked (not a real word admittedly), dehydrated, itchy 'down there' after bikini wax stubble starts to poke through, looking 3 months pregnant after taking advantage of all-inclusive alcohol and stuck to the toilet after some suspect tapas.  But a girl can dream, can't she?


A few days ago the H&M mid-summer sale started - and I hate to use 'North-Eastern' sayings, as they're rather cliché and embarrassing...but I was on it like a car bonnet.  Cringe.  For the uninformed, yes I do talk like those off Geordie Shore.  Here's the lovely little bargains I picked up, at an even lovelier price...

Conscious Collection 100% recycled polyester shorts £9.99 (were £19.99)

Chambray dress £7.99 (was £19.99)

Frill and drawstring dress £6.49 (was £12.99)

Gold jersey pleat dress £6.49 (was £12.99)

All in all, I am extremely pleased with my summery bargains!  I am patiently awaiting their arrival - just hope they all fit as H&M sizes tend to be either too generous or very small fitting.  

Have you bought anything from the H&M mid-summer sale?

When do you go on your summer holiday?

Love + peace

xo

Diamond Jubilee giveaway!

Hello!  

I hope you're all enjoying the celebrations which are going on all over the country for the Queen's diamond jubilee; whether you're having a small get-together with your family indulging in copious amounts of tea and strawberries and cream, or kicking it old school by holding a street party complete with Union Jack party hats, napkins, plates and table cloths and of course, dangerous amounts of sausage rolls.

It's times like these I feel extremely proud to be British (putting the fact aside we do the  best, albeit largely beige coloured, party buffets in the world). If there's one woman who shows what it means to have 'girl power', it's Queen Lizzie.  She's been on the throne 60 years now, and shows no sign of giving up her place to Charles without a fight.  And why should she?  It's so refreshing to see a woman, instead of a man, who isn't ashamed to acknowledge how much power they have.

So, I thought I'd celebrate the jubilee my own way.  Since starting this blog I have been overwhelmed by the feedback my amazing readers have given me.  As it stands, almost 60 of you lovely lot follow my blog.  What better way to celebrate than to hold a giveaway for thanking you all for reading? Want to be in a chance for winning everything in the picture below?  Read on...

What will the winner receive?  An unashamedly girly hamper full of my favourite beauty buys and must have products to make sure you look fabulous and perfectly preened all summer long.  

Here's what's up for grabs

* Batiste "Blush" dry shampoo

*Scandalous "Rock Chick" hair wave spray

* The Beauty Parlour "Saving Face" Day Cream with SPF8

* Nivea "Pearl & Beauty" gentle care anti-perspirant deodorant

* Nivea "Soft Rose" tinted lip balm with SPF10

* Montagne Jeunesse "Fruit Pulp" moisturising strawberry face mask 

* Pretty Perfect "Twist and Out" instant nail polish remover

* Eyelure: The Collection "Star" strip false eyelashes 

* Lush "Think Pink" bath ballistic

* Rimmel "Disco Ball" glittery nail polish

How do I enter?

Comment on this post, and tell us all, in 150 words or less, what it is that makes you proud to be a woman.  Take this theme as literally or as liberally as you want to!  Entries will be taken until midnight on Friday 15th June 2012.

Who can enter?

Anyone, as long as you are a resident of the UK (otherwise it will cost me too much money to ship to others countries - sorry!) 

Good luck!

Love, kisses + ponytails

xoxo

weekly haul #1...holiday special

The past few weeks have been so depressing as I haven't been able to leave the house much.  Especially when the weather has been so lovely, it's such a shame not to be able to go out to enjoy the beautiful sunshine.  I joined the gym a few days ago as I love the feel-good rush you get after a work-out, plus I'm determined to get myself into shape for my bikini.  Lying on the couch doubled over in pain results in me comfort eating, which then results in me gaining weight around the mid-riff.  I don't like this, at all!  So the gym will be my second home now for the next 4 weeks.

Yesterday I went on a shopping trip to the Metro Centre (my friends know just how to cheer me up!), so it was a perfect opportunity to get in some goodies to update my summer wardrobe in preparation for our Moroccan holiday.  Of course, being skint students, the first shop we headed to was...PRIMARK!  Where else?  My boyfriend refuses to enter, but you can't go wrong in Primark for bargain holiday clothes.  I am very happy with my lovely purchases...

ABOVE: Suitcase £20 Primark

First on my list was a cute suitcase, as I am taking stand against my Dad insisting I use one of his boring ugly black monstrosities.  I was delighted to pick up this little beauty for £20.  Finally, a suitcase I don't have to tie a coloured shopping bag to in order to recognise it on the endless stream of cases on the airport luggage belt!

ABOVE:  Leather sandals £6 reduced from £12 Primark, 

lime bandeau top £2.50 Primark, Aztec print shorts £3 Primark

I was in desperate need of holiday wardrobe essentials (shorts, sandals, vests).  Primark is my #1 destination for said items; if I had bought the Topshop equivalent of the above outfit it would have cost at least £50.  But for £11.50, I picked up a lime green bandeau, real leather sandals (FOR £6, AMAZING!) at half price and some funky Aztec print shorts.  For some reason I'm scared of wearing bright colours, so I've been gradually adding   bolder pieces to my wardrobe to try and wean me off my usual choices of navy and black.  

ABOVE: Aztec print bralet £6 Primark, pink jelly sandals £4 Primark

I was absolutely ecstatic when I nabbed this Aztec print bralet at an unbelievably cheap price of £6.  I have been after something like this for ages.  I don't think I'm confident enough yet to wear this with shorts as I'd have too much belly on show, but I think it will look fab with my high-waisted maxi skirt.  And of course, how could I resist a pair of jelly sandals when they were only £4?  They are my guilty pleasure - I used to love them as a child!  The 90's children amongst you will remember the silver and pink glittery ones we used to lust after...

On the subject of jelly sandals, another pair I couldn't resist were from River Island - they currently have 40% off selected items and these were included!  I nabbed them for £10 instead of £18.  I think I have all bases covered now when it comes to sandals - leather, metallic, blingtastic, girly... I promise I won't buy another pair. 

ABOVE: Beaded jelly sandals £10 reduced from £18 River Island

As my friends know, I am absolutely addicted to perfume.  Perfume is my thing - I must have at least 30 bottles, a mixture of yet to-be-opened, empty and half full, littering my dressing table.  I was on the hunt for a summery, fresh hand-bag sized spray I could pop in my beach bag, and I found a perfect mini version of CK One Shock (20ml bottle) from Boots.  I used my Boots £5 off fragrance voucher and nabbed this for £7 instead of £12.  Get yours quick!

ABOVE: CK One Shock 20ml £7 instead of £12 with Boots £5 off fragrance voucher 

And finally, the last thing on my list was a couple of new lipsticks.  I intended to buy another nude lipstick (shade #3) from the Kate Moss for Rimmel range.  I absolutely adore it, and it's the only lipstick I've ever used fully.  I was chuffed to see new shades had been added to the range, and couldn't help but investing in the newest nude shade (#26) which is slightly lighter and more sheer than #3, as well as the light coral pink shade (#16).  I find nudes and pinks work best on me (and most other girls) when they are a lovely sunkissed colour!  I will review these at a later date.

ABOVE: Kate Moss for Rimmel lipstick (shades #16 + #26) on promotion for £3.99 instead of the usual price of £5.49 Boots

So, what have you all been buying for your summer holidays?

I can't wait for some sunshine!

Love, kisses + ponytails

xo

CJG for Topshop

I'm sure a lot of you here already know that on Thursday, Chloe Green (daughter of THE Sir Philip Green a.k.a THE OWNER OF ARCADIA) launched her debut shoe collection for Topshop, following in the perfectly manicured footsteps of Kate Moss.

With prices ranging from £115-£175 (ouch!), the range isn't exactly purse friendly - well, it is if you're prepared to live on a diet of white rice, pasta and beans until your next student loan comes in.  But, a girl can dream.  

Here's the statement Topshop issued alongside the collection...

"Inspired by her love of illustrated butterflies, hearts and charms as well as darker roses, skulls and animal motifs, innocence is set against a mystical backdrop in Chloe Green's debut shoe collection.  With each shoe named after a special person in her life and featuring her signature green sole, Chloe hopes you'll enjoy wearing her shoes as much as she loved designing them."

Considering the prices are so eye-wateringly steep, I must admit there's not many of the designs which really induce serious shoe lust.  If I was to shell out a small fortune on a pair of heels I would a. have to fall deeply, madly in love with them at first sight, and b. would have to make sure they were versatile enough to dress up or dress down as not to be worn once.  


However, I do have favourites ("LYDIA" £165 and "BELLA BEA" £150).  Shame that they're the most expensive too!  They're girly, have a wedge heel (SO COMFORTABLE!) and the colours are really light and summery.  


I can just imagine myself now wearing them; with my broderie anglaise sun-dress, or with a vest and denim cut-offs, or even with my floral playsuit...  The list goes on and on, but unless I inherit a small fortune and a country manor house from an Aunt I never knew existed, or win the lottery, the likelihood of me owning a pair of these beauties are  slim to none.

What do you think of the collection?  

Love/hate?  Maybe you've bought a pair? (DAMN YOU!)

Love, kisses and ponytails

xo

label watch: nereus london

So whilst browsing my new followers on Twitter this morning, I was delighted to discover a London-based independent fashion label, Nereus London, were following me (@NereusLondon). 

Nereus London have traded in the world famous and eternally fashionable Spitalfields Market, and specialise in breathing new life into wardrobe staples.  Their garments are now available to buy on their boutique page on ASOS Marketplace - click here to check it out, you won't be disappointed!  All of the pictures I have used are courtesy of ASOS.

Reworked/Customized Levi's High Waisted Tie Dye Shorts £48

For me, the stand-out pieces in their Spring/Summer'12 collection are the reworked and customised Levi's which they have tie-dyed and embellished with pretty jewels (my guilty pleasure).  The dreamy, galactic colours used are the perfect way to ease yourself into the pastel trend which is huge this season, especially if you're not a girly-girl and the thought of being dressed in baby pink scares the hell out of you.  Personally, I'd team these shorts with a plain white or grey vest and my Doc Marten's - perfect!

Oversized Tie Dye Crop Top £26

Optional Tie-Front Snake Print Top £18

Tie Dye Crop Top £25

If you want to switch it up and wear tie dye on top, Nereus have it covered.  They also  offer equally lust-worthy tie dye slouchy T-Shirts and vests which are perfect for the coming festival season.  Embrace your inner hippie and team with your favourite denim cut-offs, leather boots and poncho and you're on to a winner.  

Peace out,

Love + ponytails

xo

blonde ambition

On my last post, I told you all how I have recently dyed my hair blonde.

For anyone who knows me, you'll know that this decision was an extreme one - I have been dabbling with dark dyes since my early teenage years.  I had even forgot what my natural hair colour was, as it has been constantly hidden under endless amounts of raven and blue-black dyes for over a decade now.  So, at the ripe old age of 21 (WAHHHHHHHHHHH!), I decided enough was enough, and before I knew it, last week I found myself sitting in the hairdressers asking for blonde hair.  Me, blonde.  Blonde.  Hmm.

ABOVE:  Before, with my dyed black hair

I think the reasoning behind this drastic change is because I feel like since I first started dying my hair I have changed so much as a person.  The majority of the years I spent with black hair weren't particularly the happiest.  Blonde hair is fun, light and summery.  So...if I can't bring the sun to my hometown of Sunderland (which is, ironically, NEVER sunny), I'll bring the sun to my hair. 

It set me back £65 (a small fortune by any student's standards, luckily I have a small job to fund such crazy moves) for a cut, full head of blonde highlights and a toner.  This was an extremely reasonable price in my opinion - I know many friends who have spent hundreds at salons correcting their dark locks in a bid for a blonde mane.  Dare I even say it?  I think £65 is a bargain.  

ABOVE: Kaedere <3

At the start of the year, I discovered a little salon called Kaedere in Sunderland, and I have a wonderful hairdresser there called Lesley.  She does my sister's colour, and has managed to get it a pure platinum blonde without her hair looking or feeling over-processed or damaged.  I would highly recommend it, you won't be disappointed girls!  After the amazing job Lesley done on my sister's colour, I don't think I would have trusted anyone else to take me to blonde.

ABOVE: Blonde!  (Not the best picture, but it shows how lovely the colour is)

After 3 hours in the hairdressers seat, I was absolutely thrilled with the result.  Looking in the mirror, I felt like a new woman (I'm really not exagerrating).  The end result was a warm dark blonde with slight copper undertones, which is to be expected when your hair is extremely dark, either naturally or artificially.  I have an appointment booked for 20th June for another round of highlighting which will eliminate the darker/coppery patches, and I will have the light honey tresses that I am lusting after, just in time for my amazing summer holiday in Morocco!


I can't wait.  


Stay tuned for several reviews I have lined up - since becoming a blondie I have stocked up on a plethora of colour enhancing hair products.


Love, kisses + (blonde) ponytails


xoxo

a quick update...

I just want to apologise to my loyal readers for the lack of new posts.  I'm dealing with a bitch of an illness and things get too much for me sometimes, and the pain is hard to deal with.


Ideally, I'd be posting something every day to keep my mind from wandering and being sad.  But it's easier said than done...all I want to do is curl up in a ball and sleep.

Sometimes, I think, 'invisible' illnesses - those that involve chronic pain, are misunderstood.  People don't appreciate how much of a detrimental effect pain can have on a person.  My whole body and mind is tired at the minute, but I don't plan to take this lying down.

I have nearly 5 months before I go back to university, my final year.  I can't quite believe it myself.  It seems like yesterday I was all bright eyed and bushy-tailed out from college, eager to start my degree.  

So, I've made it my personal mission to NOT lie around and mope, however much I want to do that, and however hard it may be to stop myself from doing that.  I have so many exciting things in store over the coming months, and the thought of these things is what is keeping me going.  I'm going to London to cover Graduate Fashion Week, I've got a fabulous holiday booked to Morocco with my best girls and it's very possible I'll be visiting my boyfriend in San Francisco in August (he's working there over the summer).

When there's so many exciting things happening, I'm hoping it's enough to inject that sparkle back into me I feel like I've lost over the past few months.  

So, here's to hoping...

Love, peace + ponytails

PS. I've went blonde, but more of that later


PPS. 2000 pageviews! Somebody pop open the Lambrini...

your exclusive look at the trends of s/s12!