30th Birthday - What To Wear?

I've been scouring the interweb for some birthday outfit inspiration. My actual birthday night out is pretty low-key. It's being held in a local pub with my lovely friends and I'm not making a massive deal about it therefore I want to keep my outfit low-key too. The other thing is Jamie is treating me to dinner, now I know it's in one of three places: The Witchery, Howies or Chaophraya with drinks beforehand at The Devils Advocate, so for that I am looking for something a little more dressy.

So getting the easy ones out the way I thought something like these for my night out with friends, simple and low-key.
 

Boohoo skater dress, £25 / Kiss The Sky lace cami tank / Skinny jeans / ALDO black leather boots, £34 / ASOS strappy shoes / Jimmy Choo pink handbag, £765 / Maison Martin Margiela silver charm, £370 / Kate spade jewelry, £30 / KENNETH JAY LANE clip-on earrings, £24 / Glitzy Rocks sterling silver stud earrings, £9.00

 When it comes to the second part, my birthday meal. I'm at a complete standstill if I'm honest. I've been looking over my old favorites ASOS and AX Paris and so far have come up with the following: now don't even get me started on shoes and accessories.

John Zack floral pattern dress, £33 / ASOS blue v neck dress, £24 / AX Paris macrame dress / ASOS pink cape, £24 / Asos shorts / Pleat Front Chiffon Long Sleeve Playsuit - AX Paris

So what do you think? Can you suggest somewhere else I should check out?

Winter Wedding Dilemmas

In the coming months I have two evening wedding receptions to attend. One of which the female guests were asked to wear a floor length gown, and for which I've chosen this black JS Collections maxi dress. I spotted this dress about two years ago in House of Fraser but with no reason to buy it the £150 price tag made just a little bit pointless. I missed it in the Summer sale and then it hasn't been back in stock since *sob*. 

I did however keep a close eye on ebay and picked in up 'as new, worn once' for £15.95, how's that for a bargain? I do have to get it altered slightly but I would have had to get that done regardless.

Jamie's mum has given me a pair of earrings to wear, they were the first pair she bought when she got her ears pierced so a lovely pair of vintage that look similar to the ones below. 

The red dress I bought back in February in the ASOS sale, mainly because although I have a few lovely dresses there was nothing I could lift out at short notice and with a boyfriend that attends quite a lot of corporate events you just never know. However this one hasn't made it out the wardrobe yet.

I'm trying to be a little thrifty so close to Christmas so have been looking for shoes and a bag I can use for both, Jamie being the only person who will be at both, and have settled upon gold or black. So with the help of Polyvore I've been putting together some ideas for both events.

 

To go with the red outfit I've decided to have my hair down and hope to god it will actually keep a curl. I've been watching a lot of YouTube videos and going through Pinterest to get some suggestions and I think it should be OK. I may add in a few extensions just to give some volume. 
For nails & make up I'm going to go light & natural. I think I will DIY French Manicure my nails and keep my makeup to nude shades. 

For the black outfit I'm going to go for a 'messy side bun', which again I've been researching lots. Having fine hair that doesn't back comb well is a bit of a nightmare. But a few lightweight products and plenty kirby grips should help. For nails I'm thinking a deep maroon, slightly 'gothic' vibes that will tie in with the Ghillie Dhu but again I'll probably keep my make up subtle and light. Mainly as my little eyes don't carry off a lot of make up, but I have almost two months so I may practice a lot and see what I can achieve, any advice is more than welcome.

So any fashion bunnies out there, what do you think? Does this work? Black or Gold? Something different altogether? And all you lovely beauty bloggers - HELP!

Wednesday Wants - South Africa

Some of you may already know this, but if not, on 6th September Jamie, myself and his mum and dad are off to South Africa for a holiday. The first 5ish days will be just Jamie & I in Cape Town then we fly back to Jo'Burg to meet his mum and dad for 3 nights in Madi a Thawha and then the rest of our trip is being spent in the Kruger National Park (I think - Jamie's mum is being amazing and doing most of the organising for the parts when we're with them). 

So, in typical girl fashion I've been browsing online on what to buy. I've been looking at outfits that are a) versatile and b) can be worn back here. My first point of call, as usual, is ASOS. And I've not been disappointed. This little ensemble caught my eye on my first browse, and is currently sitting in my 'saved items' in the hope the shorts come back into stock in my size (boohoo). My thought on this are, it's a nice two piece that I can wear with together with a plain white tee, secondly the shorts can be worn on their own with a white cami for dinner one night and lastly, the jacket can be popped on with a plain tee and some skinny jeans & sandals combo in the evening (it does get quite chilly at night). 

The sunnies - well they're cute. 

The hat - I LOVE Converse, I don't care that this is a boys hat - (although I do have a tiny head), still ideal for hiking when sunnies aren't practical. 

The bumbag - no explanation required 

The nail varnish - you never know, I may acquire a tan and I love bright colours to make it 'pop' 

Models Own Hyper Gel Polish - Sundress £5.00 

ASOS Floral Classic Retro Sunglasses - £12.00 

  ASOS PETITE Soft Jacket in Elephant Print - £35.00

ASOS Shorts in Elephant Print with Pom Pom Hem - £25.00 

Monki Zoe Bumbag - £12.00 

Converse Tip Off Baseball Cap - £15.00 (NOW £11.00) 

I've also been looking at a lot of things like kimonos, cargo shorts (some brilliant ones in H&M just now), there will be A LOT of trekking and walking so practical footwear is a must. Also, some warm jammies and a new hoody for the cold nights/early mornings will be on the list. 

Have any my readers been? Any tips?