Bloom and Wild - Letterbox Flowers

 For the past month or so, I've been feeling really under the weather. I suffer quite badly with hormone levels, and this month they've decided to be more annoying than usual. I was in bed last Friday feeling utterly miserable and very sorry for myself, when I received a wonderful little surprise. Through my letterbox came the most beautiful peonies; yes that's right - through my letterbox! Bloom and Wild specialise in creating stunning arrangements that can fit right through your door. This means no more waiting in, no more flowers getting ruined from being left outside your front door - and my favourite part, is that you literally see them 'bloom'.

They arrived in a long cardboard box, each stem was individually wrapped and in perfect condition. Things are explained very clearly of how to prepare your flowers, with just 3 simple steps. You can cut them to any length, choose your own vase or even split them up. This took me just 5 minutes, and it's so therapeutic! I put the peonies in one case, and left them on my windowsill. Just 5 hours later they were nearly all out in full bloom, it was incredible, I presumed they would take days! They got so big, that I did in fact split them up.

There are so many arrangements that you can choose from, all ranging in prices, but all equally as beautiful. They are such a unique and beautiful way to receive flowers and are absolutely perfect for a gift. You don't have to worry if the person will be in, you can just choose and order - no worries!

I'm very lucky to work with Bloom and Wild and I can't wait to get my next arrangement!

The Wonderful Ways In Which Blogs Work

So a bit of an unusual post for Fashion Panic today, it's not about fashion, but about blogging in general. I often get asked why I started my blog, or what the best things are about blogging, and I always reply that it's the friends I've met along the way. This is obviously still true - but today, something else happened that made me realise just how special, not only blogging, but social media in general really is.

So I often get contacted by amazing brands who want to collaborate, and I'm always beyond grateful. Last week a very exciting company (Imperial Photo Booth) emailed asking if I'd like to blog about them and the service the provide, which happens to be the super cool photo booths for events! You know, the Kimmy K style portable booths that instantly make any party memorable. Well, unfortunately, I didn't have any events coming up (I know - such an exciting life I lead!) so I had to turn it down (Although I totally  thought about suggesting just having it in my house for continuous selfies...).

Anyway - getting to the point. I follow an amazing local charity called 'Gift Of A Wedding' which creates weddings at short notice for a bride or groom that has a terminal illness. The weddings and memories that they create for people are just beyond incredible. A wedding is a day in your life when you should be looking forward to the future, but unfortunately this is not always possible. Gift Of A Wedding, put together beautiful weddings, sometimes at just a few days notice, and always create a day that friends and family will cherish forever. I first heard about the charity from my mum when she was looking for somewhere that would want 5 lots of balloons we had spare from a party. Someone recommended them, and we donated the balloons to a wonderful couples wedding.

Shannon And Will on their wedding day. Sadly Will passed away shortly after their dream day.

From then on, I've always made sure I look out for people that could help. All of the weddings are made from donations, from wonderful companies that really do go all out to provide the best wedding the couple could wish for.

Yesterday I noticed that they were in desperate need of a Photo Booth in the Manchester area - well I thought of Ali and his company straight away. I mean what are the chances that I would know someone who runs a photo booth company! Imperial got back to me straight away and said that they'd love to help the couple, despite just having 2 days notice! I just couldn't get over what a great moment of serendipity had happened, and all down to social media and blogs.

I really wanted to tell you a little bit more about Imperial as they are doing so an amazing thing, and I also think it's a must have for a party! You can get green screen backgrounds, unlimited printed pics, instant uploads to social media and so much more. You can find out more here! I seriously need one when I have a party...(I may plan one just for the booth!).

If you get a chance it would mean a lot to me if you could check out Gift For A Wedding, as they provide weddings up and down the country, and you can apply for yourself of family members on their website here.

I know this isn't about fashion, but it just highlights just how small the world is getting, and for me, that's only a good thing. We all have so much we can give, and just having these simple connections can really help out someone who really needs it. 

Styling Up Unique 21

Minimal, monochrome, and Manchester; my 3 fave 'M's. My latest post is all about the fab Manchester based, Unique 21. I was sent the most beautiful shirt/dress from the brand, one that I now class as one of my fave SS16 pieces. I say shirt/dress as online it's advertised as a dress, but due to my height (5"7/5"10 in heels!) it was a little short...however! I'd always envisioned it over trousers, so it all worked out perfectly.

The first thing I must mention, is the quality. For £45 you get a beautifully crafted, cut to perfection, piece of clothing. It's heavy, and has multiple layers, making it feel much more expensive. The weight also ensures it hangs perfectly, creating lots of movement and an ultra feminine silhouette. 

I wore my dream shirt over my other favourites; my crepe culottes from Dorothy Perkins. I love layering at the moment, and although I was planning to wear over some longer, cropped flares, the length of my faves just seem to look 'right'. I finished the look with the shoe of the moment (although I bought these back in 2014) the mule! I absolutely love the ease and comfort of mules. It may be showing my age, but I just can't bare to walk around in painful shoes - life's too short! 

On another note; I can't wait to give you a little life update in an upcoming blog post. I have exciting news which I can't share just yet (yes I'm being one of those blogger tossers who is mysterious, but literally cannot tell you now!) but it will explain why I've been incredibly busy and a little less present on social media! 

Have a great new week lovelies!

Shirt: Unique 21 // Culottes: Dorothy Perkins // Shoes: M&S (similar here) 

Bag: Catwalk Killa

Summer Monochrome

 Some of you will have noticed that for the past year or so, I've 'gone off' colour. I just feel I have more of a capsule wardrobe when I stick to black/white/grey/navy - and that's about as exciting as it gets! Now it does get more difficult to stick to in the summer months (okay 2 hot weeks we get up here!) so I wanted to show you how I wear monochrome in the sun.

I was contacted by Dorothy Perkins a few weeks ago; they wanted me to style up an outfit from their new season pieces. I was immediately drawn to the trouser section, more specifically...culottes. Yes, you all know my obsession; well summer is the best time to wear these ankle grazing trouser perfection.

Now, I have my fair share of culottes; probably around 12 pairs. But I can honestly say, these are my new 'go to' pair. They are the perfect length, with light crepe material and best of all - they have an elasticated waist, which come on, has to be the dream! They go with everything and they are so flattering. They are so cool to wear, which is perfect if you're going away, or live anywhere other than Manchester! Now as they're black, I felt I needed a light colour on top - believe me, I'm not against as 'all black everything' look, even in summer, but for this particular look, I wanted to go monochrome.

I went for this beautiful off white, bell sleeved blouse. I've seen loads of tops with this slash, with a bow detail on the sleeve. It creates such a beautiful sleeve which is so flattering. It's also crepe material, so it hangs perfectly and doesn't get creased easily - mega bonus for me! Unfortunately, it sold out this week, but I've linked a gorgeous alternative!

I finished my outfit with these lace up bad boys. When I chose them, I wasn't sure if they'd go with everything, especially with the wooden heel detail. But believe me; I wear them nearly every day! They update any outfit, and they honestly are very comfortable, and I think they finish off the look perfectly.

I loved styling up pieces from one of my high street faves. I always buy DP jeans, they are my fail safe perfect fit, so I enjoyed mixing it up a bit...with more culottes! 

Culottes

Blouse

Lace Ups

An Afternoon with GHD

I know I've said to you (a lot) that I feel incredibly lucky to be a blogger; but there are some occasions where I literally cannot believe I get to have so many great experiences because of well, my hobby. A few weeks ago, I had yet another amazing afternoon with a brand that I been in love with for the past 10 years; GHD. Most people I know own at least one thing from GHD, for me it was of course my straighteners. I got my first pair when I was 16, way back in 2005, when hair straighteners were relativity new to the consumer market. God knows how I managed before them, lets just say, my prom hair had a lot of....volume.

They were pretty big, but did the job and the new 'ceramic plates' that everyone was talking about, really did appear to be more gentle on my hair. I've never looked back. I got my current pair in 2008 when the new smaller, curved barrel style came out, and I still used them until last week, when I was given the brand new GHD Platinum Serene Pearl strighteners (omg I know!).

When I was invited down to Selfridges in the Intu Trafford Centre, I was just excited that GHD were having a styling station and I would be able to get a hair make over, little did I know that I would be given a brand new pair to take away with me! I had my hair styled by the super talented Grant, who made my flat and very much in need of a cut hair, into bouncy shiny curls! I didn't realise just how much GHDs had changed and evolved in the past 10 years. I had created curls with my old stylers, but they were always flat and dull, but the new curved barrel and easy to hold handle, makes it easier than ever to create any look you want!

The new technology in the Platinum stylers means that your hair breakage is reduced by 50% and increases the shine by 20%, something that I notice instantly! Not only do they do amazing things; they also look incredible. They come in a heat resistant bag, so they are so easy to pack away, and they also have a 30min timer, and will automatically turn off - such a life saver, I have had to run home on numerous occasions when I've left my plugged in!

It's easy for my to praise GHD. With their products coming with a 2 year warranty, you feel secure in knowing you are getting real quality. Even though my beloved straighteners were ancient; they were being used daily up until the Serene's joined the fam, and I know I could have continued to use them for years. That's the long lasting products you get from such a great brand. Yes, they're not the cheapest straighteners on the market, but they are without doubt the best. I can honestly say that I will use my new babies every day for a long long time. 

I wanted to say a massive thanks to all the team at GHD Selfridges at the Intu Trafford Centre, they truly pampered and looked after me, and I had such a lovely afternoon with them.