Kurt Geiger SS14: Everything but the Dress

24 January 2014

As promised, here's a sneak peek at the 'Everything but the Dress' collection by Kurt Geiger. Annoyingly, I didn't really take many photos of this collection up close - the shoes were somewhat of a distraction! Luckily, I was sent off with their lookbook so, I have included some stills at the bottom of this post. 

The B Series collection
I'm very excited as the brand have launched a 'B series' bag collection inspired by their gorgeous 'Britton' stiletto. 

Kurt Geiger London Saffiano
Pretty colours and perfectly practical. These bags are great for SS14 but will take you into AW14 too. I love them all - especially the cute passport holder!

Most of these are now available online and in stores - go get them!

Whistles Slogan Sweatshirt

22 January 2014

Whistles Slogan Sweatshirt by What Laura did Next
This sweatshirt pretty much sums up how I've been feeling over the last few weeks. January is always crappy but, I've been battling some personal issues over the last couple of months and, as much as I try to stay upbeat on here/Twitter/Instagram sometimes, all I want to do is sit in my PJ's all day and shut the world (and my anxiety attacks) out.

I'm heading off to Paris this week for a little break which, I hope will give me a chance to perk up a little and try to think about the positives I have in my life. I've been hiding away in my flat and not venturing out too far since New Year's Day so, a little French adventure is just what I need.

Sorry that this post has a little bit of a sombre mood. I'll be sharing my adventures in Paris on here soon enough and, I've scheduled some posts for you to enjoy whilst I'm away.
Whistles Slogan Sweatshirt by What Laura did Next
Whistles Slogan Sweatshirt by What Laura did Next

Sweatshirt: Whistles (sold out)
Skirt: asos (similar here)
Pouch: c/o Kurt Geiger London (similar here)
Necklace: Miss Selfridge

If they're good enough for Beyonce

20 January 2014

Kurt Geiger Bond by What Laura did Next
For the record - I shot this look back in October (when it was a little warmer than it is now) and, totally forgot about it. Alas, the shoes have been returned but, I had to share. It's always exciting when a superwoman like Beyonce wears pieces from the UK high street -I totally squealed when I saw her wearing these fierce Kurt Geiger London shoes. Clearly, we have the same taste!
Kurt Geiger Bond by What Laura did Next
 'Britton' stilettos: Kurt Geiger London
Jeans & bag: asos
Top: Zara
Sunglasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs

ASOS Winter coat

17 January 2014

A Winter coat is a great investment piece. This asos number is perfect for hiding the post-Christmas bulges and, has a lovely big collar to hide in. Belted, it gives a nice silhouette and allows me to accessorise further than a few bracelets and a clutch bag.
ASOS Grey coat by What Laura did Next
ASOS Grey coat by What Laura did Next
ASOS Grey coat by What Laura did Next

If I'm running errands, I tend to dress casual. Boyfriend jeans and converse are a little change to my usual 'uniform' of skinny jeans and boots. Although, I'm still trying to get used to wearing trainers - I think I will always be a boot or high heel wearing girl at heart. 

Coat: asos (on sale!)
Jeans: asos (Sold out: similar here)
Clutch: Paris vintage
Belt: old
Bracelets: Myflashtrash & Paris

Red leopard print dress and Chelsea boots

13 January 2014

A little dress and classic accessories are perfect for any time of year. I've been looking for a pair of Chelsea boots for a couple of years and this Winter, I found them! These boots are going to be in my wardrobe for years to come. They go with everything and will be perfect all year round. 

I found this dress in the back of my wardrobe whilst having a rummage through for outfit ideas for my upcoming mini-holiday and, I totally forgot I even had it (whoops). Pairing it with tights and a leather jacket works great in this weather.
Topshop Leopard Print Dress by What Laura did Next
Topshop Leopard Print Dress by What Laura did Next
Topshop Leopard Print Dress by What Laura did Next
Topshop Leopard Print Dress by What Laura did Next
Topshop Leopard Print Dress by What Laura did Next
Dress: Topshop 
Jacket: Topshop (similar here)
Bag: Louis Vuitton
Boots & Necklace: c/o Kurt Geiger

My beauty essentials

12 January 2014

I thought I would post about something different. I sometimes mention a product that I may be using in a post but, I've never done a whole post dedicated to the beauty products I use. 

I've never really been a massive beauty product obsessive - this coming from someone who has a family member that works for a very well known cosmetic brand and has done all my life! But, over the last few months I'm starting to really get in to it.

If you have any products you love and can recommend, get in touch. It would be great to see what my readers use. 

Enjoy! x
Beauty Essentials by What Laura did Next
Perfume: Honey by Marc Jacobs
Nail Polishes: O.P.I (Muir Muir on the Wall) and Chanel (Pirate)
Make up bag: Alphabet bags
Foundation brush: Superdrug
Lightbulb vase: Merci
HAIR
I cannot live without my Tangle Teezer and feel so lost if I don't have it. My hair is very fine and tangles so easily. This brush is magical, getting rid of my knots and tangles without any pain or tears.

I discovered heated rollers about three months ago and, they are a hair changer! Mine are by Babyliss and I cannot recommend them enough. Where my hair is so fine, these work perfectly and give my hair that volume and 'Jush' everyone wants. When I don't have time to use heated rollers and I want my hair to have some volume, I spritz some 'blow out spray' by John Frieda on my hair before drying it upside down.
Beauty Essentials by What Laura did Next
 Heated rollers: Babyliss via Boots
Tangle Teezer: Boots
Blow-out spray: John Frieda
SKIN
My skin is extremely sensitive so, I have to be very careful with what I use. Bioderma Crealine TS H2O is perfect for my skin. It's the best make up remover AND cleansing water I've ever used. I only discovered it last year but, I'm obsessed! It's quite expensive to purchase over here so, I always have it on my shopping list when I go to Paris. The pharmacies over there are brilliant and the one I visit in the Marais district is brilliant - the staff are very helpful and know what is good for your skin. 

My moisturiser is also from Paris and something I was recommended by the staff in the pharmacie. It's by A-DERMA and is not too thick and heavy. I also use E45 cream before I go to bed. The lip balm is by Caudalie and is really good for keeping your lips nourished.
Beauty Essentials by What Laura did Next
 Bioderma Crealine TS H20: Escentual.com
RHEACALM Rich soothing cream: A-Derma
Lip balm: Caudalie
MAKEUP
I don't wear much make up. The products you see below are all that I use and, I don't use each one everyday. When I'm not out socialising or at a work event I tend to just use my Touche Eclat and cream blush - unless I have a horrid spot then I will put a bit of concealer on it!

When I want a bit more coverage, I use my BB cream by Rimmel. I apply this, and some Clinique tinted moisturiser with a brush and then use a little Touche Eclat and my cream blush by MAC. I find that cream blushes work better on my face than powder ones - they last longer and the colour is so much better. I've been using YSL mascaras for the last couple of years and find them to work really well on my lashes. However, they are a massive bitch to get off!
Beauty Essentials by What Laura did Next
BB cream in 'Light': Rimmel 
Cremeblend Blush in 'Posey': MAC 
Select Cover-up concealer in 'NW20': MAC
Chubby Stick in 'Two ton tomato': Clinique
Tinted Moisturizer in 'Alabaster': Clinique
Touche Eclat: YSL via Boots
'Shocking' False lash effect mascara: YSL via Boots
Brush: Superdrug


Kurt Geiger SS14 press day

10 January 2014

I've finally got round to posting about this and, I'm sorry that I'm not sorry that this post is photo heavy -Kurt Geiger's SS14 collection is totally worth showing off! I have my eye on about 10 pairs that I need in my wardrobe and, I haven't got round to showing you the delightful and very beautiful bags.

They deserve a post of their own.

Now, go make yourself a cup of tea and get comfy on the sofa before you go any further. This requires some concentration. 

KURT GEIGER LONDON
Don't tell the other collections but, this one was my favourite. I wanted to take each style out for a couple of cocktails and dinner.  The 'B Series' has a couple of new additions and, some new colours including, 'Bond' in two different shades of pink (love at first sight for me). Alongside the 'B Series' you will find slick stilettos in a range of heights and, some unexpected but gorgeous colour combinations.
Kurt Geiger SS14 by What Laura did Next
Kurt Geiger SS14 by What Laura did Next
Kurt Geiger SS14 by What Laura did Next
Kurt Geiger SS14 by What Laura did Next
Kurt Geiger SS14 by What Laura did Next
KG KURT GEIGER
Monochrome, modern nudes, neon accents and jewels were the key words for this collection. Add a few pairs of cute ankle boots to the mix and you have a nice capsule shoe wardrobe for the new season. I love the ankle boots and the jewelled sandals - both perfect for trips to Coachella and Glastonbury. 
Kurt Geiger SS14 by What Laura did Next
Kurt Geiger SS14 by What Laura did Next
Kurt Geiger SS14 by What Laura did Next
Kurt Geiger SS14 by What Laura did Next

CARVELA
Flat sandals, heeled sandals, wedges, ankle boots, high heels and some 'Celine-esque' pony skin trainers make this collection very versatile and perfect for any girls shoe collection. Look out for the style 'Gunning' in Marigold and metallic pink - both colours are going to be big for Spring/Summer.
Kurt Geiger SS14 by What Laura did Next
Kurt Geiger SS14 by What Laura did Next
Kurt Geiger SS14 by What Laura did Next
Kurt Geiger SS14 by What Laura did Next

MISS KG
Pay attention to this collection! Miss KG has had a little makeover and has grown into a sophisticated but fun-loving girl. With a fairly neutral colour scheme and the occasional colour pop, this collection is perfect for everyone and with the price point under £100 on each style, they won't break the bank either. 
Kurt Geiger SS14 by What Laura did Next
Kurt Geiger SS14 by What Laura did Next
Kurt Geiger SS14 by What Laura did Next
Kurt Geiger SS14 by What Laura did Next

Lucky for you guys (maybe not so much for your bank balance) some styles have already started dropping into stores and online

Get shopping and let me know what your favourite styles are. 
x

Christmas in Paris

6 January 2014

At the beginning of December, I headed off to Paris for the day with one of my best friends, S. We went together in June (You can read about it here, here and here!) and wanted to go back and see the city in it's festive glow. 

Paris is my place to go when I just want to escape from everyday life. It's only a little over 2 hours from London and, the adventures you can have there are endless. It's so easy to get caught up in the magic and excitement the city seems to have plenty of.

Plus, the cakes are amazing and, who doesn't like cake?
One Day in Paris by What Laura did Next
One Day in Paris by What Laura did Next
The first stop of the day was Angelina where, we picked up a Chocolat Chaud each. The sugar fix definitely kept us going until our late lunch at Chez Janou where our dishes of steak (moi), Tuna (S) and a 'healthy' portion of their amazing chocolate mousse, gave us energy for the rest of the day.
One Day in Paris by What Laura did Next
One Day in Paris by What Laura did Next
One Day in Paris by What Laura did Next
One Day in Paris by What Laura did Next
We finished our day at Merci where after a bit of shopping we sat and relaxed over a pot of tea at their used book cafe. The store itself is an absolute must when in Paris - it's a perfect place to wander around for a couple of hours and look at all the lovely pieces they have. 
One Day in Paris by What Laura did Next
One Day in Paris by What Laura did Next

My Paris haul: obviously a visit to my favourite Pharmacie in the Marais to stock up on some of my essential beauty products (Bioderma obsessed!) was a must and, I had to bring back some french snacks for Christmas. Check out the size of the Kinder Eggs!
One Day in Paris by What Laura did Next
One Day in Paris by What Laura did Next

Bisous bisous xx


Green Lentil and Bacon Soup

4 January 2014

This weather sucks.

However, it does mean that I'm spending a lot more time in the kitchen trying out recipes from the cookbooks I received over Christmas and, my favourite so far has got to be 'Big Table, Busy Kitchen: 200 Recipes for Life' by Allegra McEvedy. 

Allegra co-founded Leon which, is one of my favourite places to grab a quick and healthy lunch when I'm in London. I haven't put this book down since I unwrapped it on Christmas Day - there are so many yummy recipes in there that I'm going to have to try out and, share with my readers along the way.

The first one is a healthy one. When I'm trying to be 'good' I tend to turn to soups. Salads are great but nothing beats a nice homemade soup, especially when the weather is this rubbish.

You will need
4 rashers of bacon, chopped into small pieces (or a 100g of lardons)
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
2 tbsp chopped Rosemary
250g green lentils
1.2 litres of chicken stock
2 big handfuls of spinach
Salt & Pepper
Glug of olive oil
Tablespoon of natural yoghurt

I've added a couple of extra ingredients. You don't need to but, I had some things in my fridge that I needed to use up. 

2 mushrooms
1 small red chilli
Green Lentil and Bacon Soup by What Laura did Next
Using a heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat up your olive oil and fry your bacon bits until they're beginning to crisp. Chuck in the onion, garlic, mushrooms and rosemary and fry for a few minutes.
Green Lentil and Bacon Soup by What Laura did Next
Add the lentils and chilli then, give it all a big stir. 
Green Lentil and Bacon Soup by What Laura did Next
Pour the stock in, and bring to a simmer, cover and let it it bubble away for around 45 minutes. 

Blitz a third of it in a blender or with a stick blender. Then put it back in the saucepan. Roughly chop up the spinach and chuck it in. Season with plenty of salt and pepper.
Green Lentil and Bacon Soup by What Laura did Next
Green Lentil and Bacon Soup by What Laura did Next
 Serve with a tablespoon of yoghurt and enjoy!
Green Lentil and Bacon Soup by What Laura did Next
It should stop you thinking about the weather outside for a while. If not, eat some more and save some for your lunch - perfect for taking into work.