This week we've had such a weird mix of weather; beaming sun, heavy rain, hot/cold temperatures. I spent most of the week in my gym kit as I just couldn't be bothered to attempt to dress! Any way, here we are and I've tried to pull out the pieces and products you'll need for October. Yay to being able to justify knits and long length dresses!


Fashion

First things first, the dresses with tops on underneath. According to Vogue and the Sunday Times Style this is the only way to wear dresses at the moment. For most it means getting more wear out of your summer dresses, for me it means buying a new one. This one from Topshop is an absolute win and for the price the quality is exceptional - plus it's made in Britain, win.


Next up, Boden. You're gonna be seeing an influx of this brand on my blog soon. Gone are the days that these guys were for sheepskin-shoe-wearing country bumpkins. Their stuff is slick! I annoyingly missed out on this coat (actual tears), but got my hands on this jumper and these super-cool loafers. I'm trying to be a bit smarter so they ticked the box perfectly, plus who doesn't need a cream cable knit? Morons, that's who.

When buying the dress above I had a bit of a mammoth Topshop haul; this shirt is everything (so fun for dates with the girls, Gus isn't feeling it at all) this skirt is perfect for more formal days (so for normal people; work) and looks great with this ASOS shirt I bought last week.

Lastly, Net A Porter have a super good "new in" selection. I'm toying over this Ganni lace body, new designer (for me, at least) Maggie Marilyn's collection including this top, this dress by Michael by Michael Kors (perfect again for those with real jobs, and really well priced when you consider the quality and how much wear you'll get out of it) and finally as I missed out on the J Crew x Drake shirts this one will just have to fill the void... Which it does very well.

Autumn is a tough one for me beauty-wise. My skin isn't quite deathly pale (that joy waits till November) and it's tired from the sunshine. I've been using a wide range of Perricone MD products (mainly their Pre:Empt series here) which I know I wax lyrical about. Cheap it isn't but it works. For those of you who are new to it give this tester set a go, unbelievable value. On the opposite end of the scale I've been giving my skin a bit of a glow with Sienna X High Intensity Tanning lotion. Put it on for an hour, shower it off, done. That simple. No streaks, and everyone keep on asking me where I've been on holiday...


starter set, Perricone MD / basil and neroli perfume, Jo Malone / blow dry in a bottle, Duck and Dry / gel nails set, Topshop / brow sculptor, Tom Ford / tanning lotion, Sienna X

Next up, perfume. When I had breakfast with the lovely Bianca from Jo Malone last month she introduced me to their new Basil and Neroli scent, here. I can't explain how great it is; it smells like you're walking through a country herb garden. I really wouldn't have thought basil in a scent would work, but it completely does Do pop into a store and give it a go... Another surprise success has been Topshop's new gel nail collection here. As someone who is addicted to getting her nails done (Shellac, at a teeny place by Hampstead tube) this is an absolute winner. The 3 step at-home gel kit give you salon-perfect nails! I'm on day 4 of having done them myself and they look perfect, I bought this pink one here.

Also followers of my Instagram (psssst, do it here) will know I've had my hair chopped by the lovely team at Sassoon Salons. I'm still getting my head around having short hair, but I do really love it. Finding I need products more than I used to so my Blow Dry In A Bottle from Duck and Dry here is proving super handy, it does exactly what it says on the tin.

Make up wise, it's all about Tom Ford for me at the moment. Keep your eye out for their new Soleil lip colours as I was sent some samples and they're amazing - due out 31st October. But the product for me right now is their brow sculptor here which is completely changing my eyebrows in two easy steps (fill and brush). Just get yourself one, here.

Another brand to keep an eye on include Immunocologie which has a lovely back-story (read it here) who specialise in luxury-level skin-saving products. Their Super Elixir Serum may be pricey, but it saved the day for me before a very important meeting when I had three beacons of spots on my cheeks, and very tired, dry skin. 

Welcome to my local! When we decided on Hampstead this pub was one of the reasons were we so set on our apartment. Located just up the hill from the tube, you feel a world away from London and more as if you are living in a village 50 miles outside of the capital. If you're looking for somewhere for a girly catch up, Sunday roast or date night - make this place your destination. 

All the locals know each other which feels really lovely and is quite unusual for London. Having a dog massively helps as we walk around the area a great deal, but having only been here for a few months we've already met some brilliant people. When we went away for a couple of weeks in July, it was nice to know the neighbours had realised we were missing... 

I haven't really gone into depths about what I do for a living yet. I'm pretty sure most are assuming I am a "kept woman" as I go to Pilates in the mid mornings and seem to have a infinite number of shopping deliveries and couriers. In a way, I kind of like it. That said, it is making me a little more hesitant about being seen having my photo taken. When these were shot (with Lindsey last week) I was trying my best not to be spotted doing them, whilst "getting the shot" at the same time...

I've started to make a bit of an effort with heels as I really, really see a difference in my posture and appearance when I do bother. Being only 5 foot 4 and quite curvy I can easily look short and dumpy, and wearing even just a little heel really makes a difference. These pumps are the Chloe ones that I've had for a while. I felt guilty over their cost but my god they're comfy. If you can have a splurge, make it on these (or even the new season darker ones here). Aside from their beautifulness, the block heel has also opened up a whole new world to me. Since buying them I've realised how easy the style is to wear, and have picked up lots of them including these super fun ASOS babies here.

I've also discovered the benefits of a high waisted jean having assumed they were meant for the skinnier, taller of my kind. In fact, when I wear them paired with a cropped top or shirt it seems to elongate my jeans and make my waist look smaller. Especially when paired with a heel. These ones are my old faithfuls from Topshop. They come in a variety of washes, these are the "vintage" wash (find them here).

The shirt is a new addition, also from Topshop. I've had a black one for about five years and had been looking for a white version for ages. I've been wearing it with jeans like this, but also with my pencil and midi skirts for work. It's actually not that see through, I've got a nude vest on underneath here and you can't see it at all! Get yours here, see this cheaper version here, or if you're feeling bold they've done a rust and gold coloured one that I've got my eye on here and want to get, very Gucci-like!

After spending twenty minutes trying to subtly take these snaps in front of the pub, we went straight in started the weekend with a shandy. Whatever you've been up this weekend I hope you had a great time and made the most of the last of this year's sunshine!

If you follow me or any sort of similar blogger/influencer on Instagram (pssst follow me here) you'll already know about Obonjan. In fact you probably got a bit sick of it last month as we all pranced around the island looking all relaxed and boho. Problem is, I don't think this is an issue that'll go away in years to come. Forget Ibiza, forget Mykonos, this place is going to be the next "it" destination.

Other reviews have had a mixed opinion, and in truth mine will be no different. This year was Obonjan's opening launch after five years redevelopment and planning. There were some issues, mainly around service and food supplies - but if that was year 1, the years to come really are going to be quite special...

We arrived in Obonjan after a flight to Split, a taxi transfer over to Sibernik (which I've just learned has a super cool new boutique hotel called The Admiral Zaton in which I'm so annoyed I didn't know about as I'd love to have spent more time there) where we waited for about an hour for our boat to the island.  We had read Monica's post here and got the sense it might be an idea to take a few supplies over, so the time in town was perfect to stock up on snacks, water and a few beers. 

Our boat transfer was only about 30 minutes and very exciting, perhaps a little too much as it was so windy and therefore pretty bumpy. I first visited Croatia last year and fell in love with it, Gus had been before too on Yacht Week carnage a sailing holiday and we both itching to get out to sea. 

To give you an idea of a day there, we'd wake up and make our way over to one of the two breakfast places; either a buffet style - not my favourite - place by the pool, or a slightly more avo-and-eggs spot by the port. Food was really good, when they had it. Delivery of supplies was clearly an issue and I'm sure will be fine next year... We'd then sit by the pool and have a swim for a few hours, most likely with an Aperol.

Afternoons were for napping, more sunbathing by the beach and once the temperature came down, a little yoga. We'd then pop over to one of the bars and have some drinks with new found friends, or swim whilst the sun goes down. After dinner (really good grub, same supply issue, but very good all the same) we'd head over to either the amphitheatre or the forest bar to set into some music, or go back to our tents and muck around playing Cards Against Humanity or watch back to back Narcos episodes... You really can choose how much you want to do, we had lazy day and crazy days...

Overall what an incredible experience. I'll be back next year for sure. We loved going as a couple as we're pretty sociable and as much as we love each other's company by about day 3 we kind of want some time to ourselves, so this was perfect. For that reason it would be great to go with a bunch of people too, or even stop off there whilst doing a sailing trip (you'd have to check you can moor up, but I can't see that being an issue). See you there.

shoes = as worn, Chloe at Net A Porter / similar flats here / similar heeled here

sunglasses = as worn, Max and Co

bag = as worn, Celine at Bicester Village / find a brilliant second hand selection here

jeans = as worn, Levi at Bicester Village / same fit here / try these ASOS ones too

top = as worn, Gap / in black / in white