New clothhhessssss. I cannot stop buying new stuff. This never happens, ever. Firstly, the dress in the header picture above. It's from Zara, I featured it on my Instagram here and looks like I'm not the only one... Slightly gothic florals seem really key for autumn: they have also made a more office-worthy version here, and a maxi dress here. Vilshenko (phenomenally expensive Russian designer, I think) eat your heart out (ps this Iris and Ink shirt really should be considered too...)

"Pretty" is also very important, which is a new thing for me as I often try and look anything but cute. However lace doesn't have to mean sh*t fabrics and Barbie make up anymore. This top from Marks and Spencer looks great with my denim staples (more on that below) and don't forget about new-essential Realisation Par; their silk tops are perfect for someone wanting to add some flair to their otherwise pretty reserved wardrobe (thats me, btw).

Bomber jackets just aren't going away. I found one I loved in Berlin, didn't buy it, and now it's haunting me. This one from Topshop is perfection. As they're all different colours choosing one is difficult - but this is reversible so it pink and blue. Check it out properly here.

I'm also buying polo necks, something I didn't think would happen to me. After buying quite a lot of summer dresses this year I'm not prepared to give them up in cooler weather. I read Elle last week and they had a whole piece on putting a polo neck under a dress and it looked really cool. I'm carving this Chloe one but always test out a look using the high street first. So, I've bought some ASOS two-pack basics to try it out (get yours here). So far so good, and they look awesome with denim too... (ps - saying that, Topshop have brought out a winter version of that summer dress, here. Must have)

Which leads me neatly to a new found jean love; Levi 501s. Yep, I've made the pilgrimage and man it was worth it. I got mine in the sale here and you'll be seeing a lot of them on the blog as they now never come off my body. So good - shaped but slouchy, tough but soft. It's love - if you're after a good boyfriend jean get these and only these. 

I'm starting to get into knitwear again, and cardigans make the most sense at the moment - along with cut out detail knits - as they're the easiest to throw on when it's not that cold. This Ganni one is going to be a bit of a showstopper, having been worn by the usual street style bunch a lot. And really don't forget about Iris and Ink this season; this jumper is just one example of what they've got to offer...

Lastly, wanted to introduce a new brand to me Storets. I'd seen it on a few bloggers but when I looked at the site I questioned the quality. However, a few proseccos down the other night I made an order. It's all arrived, I'll feature it on the blog shortly - but in the mean time I just wanted to say how good it all is and I've been really impressed with the fit and service. Below is what I got:

The gingham dress is the absolute dream, my friend Holly had it and I couldn't say no having seen it on her. Very flattering. This navy boho dress is a complete copy of the must-have-brand Dodo Bar Or but at the price, who cares (also in white here)? The designer clearly makes too much money on theirs when someone can rustle it up for so much less... This ribbon detail blouse is a great staple, as the gingham off shoulder, this green satin skirt looks so much more expensive 

I've travelled quite a bit this summer and always think the most essential beauty items are the ones you can't go without when on holiday/abroad - the ones that make it into the case, and justify the extra baggage cost so you can put the bottle in. So without further ado, here are the things that I just can't not have with me at all times:

I have to admit I don't scrimp on my beauty products. It's my face - surely if you're going to invest in something, it's your face? Yes, as a blogger I get quite a bit sent over, but as someone who only bought face wipes (my sole beauty product) when they were in a 2 for 1 offer, for me to even suggest spending money on things like this is a worthy testament. Take brands like Perricone MD. I would never have discovered them had their PRs not shown them to me - now I can't leave the house (wherever I am in the world) without their Face Finishing Moisturiser. It's a lazy girl's dream - one little finger full hides a multitude of sins. You will not regret the investment. 

Likewise with Tom Ford's make up. Damn me it's expensive, but you can't beat it. Their Bronzing Primer gives the same look as a two week holiday but at a fraction of the price (see what I did there!?). One squirt does the job (that sounds wrong) - instant glowy, not-at-al-shiny skin that doesn't feel like you've got make up on. Pair that with Benefit's Sun Beam dabbed across your cheek bones and you really do look very, very good.

I'm not a huge make up person so when something makes it on here (not to mention, onto my face on a regular basis) it really must be good. Last month I was sent over a few bits from 3ina, an Aussie brand. I usually really like products from Australia as they tend to be very well thought out - good for outdoor living and sunshine which these products definitely are. The thing that I can't get enough of is the lip crayons. I don't even wear lipstick but this (I have colour 108) is the bomb. Even my boyfriend noticed it - WHICH IS A MIRACLE - and they're only £8.

I've blogged about it tonnes before but my mascara is Charlotte Tilbury. It does clump up a bit after a while but it's industrial strength and copes with all the rain storms, tears, sea waves and sweats that go with my life... Lastly - and something I never thought I'd give two hoots about - brows. I swear by Benefit's newly revamped brow mascara Gimme Brow (yeah, it's a thing). I can't explain technically or professionals what it does - but it gives my face a really "oomph" by thickening and shaping my brows and it's so easy it's untrue.

Skin care wise I've got some goodies this month, some old some new. I had a clear out in my bathroom cupboard and found Aesop's Camelia Nut Hydrating Cream and am now livid with myself for not using it sooner. My skin seriously dries out in patches when I've been in the sun, and wrinkles quickly become more defined. Having used this for the last fortnight, they've gone. And I don't mean faded, I mean GONE. Just go and buy it here. 

I really really want to stress how good Guinot's Minceur Rapide stuff is. I have had cellulite since I was a kid (a vivid memory of my early teens was a friend asking what the bubbles on my legs were during swimming class, devastating) and I absolutely hate it. This is the only stuff I've ever found that works. Do both to a) buy it, and b) use it properly for two weeks. I sort-of cut out the bad foods during that time, but not really, and seriously saw a difference. Now, I'm almost cellulite free in previously awful problem areas. Get yours here.

Wow, this is a long post - sorry! I'll finish up with two goodies: Essie's new Gel Setter is a must for anyone going away. For £10 it makes at home gel manis possible - the first time I used it my nails lasted three weeks. I'm still obsessed with Ren's Radiance Mask and use it religiously once a week to give my skin a deep clean.

How we've already come to May's beauty edit I don't know - it feels like I only just finished April's one! This is the month that I really start notching up my skincare regime and investing in some decent products. The minute the sun comes out my skin seems to age without some serious help. It quickly goes dry, yet also really gets oily with the muggy weather. All in all, time to do a proper sort out and make sure I have the right bits...

This month's post is a little bit different as John Lewis asked me to take a look at their own summer beauty edit (Super Nature), here. They've focussed on products that use natural ingredients, which is a must for me. Whenever I see a website's round up of bits I always expect that half of them will be what I'd go for, but their selection was completely spot on (pun not intended). They have all my hero brands for a thorough detox on my skin (REN skincare, Charlotte Tilbury and Origins) as well as new things I was dying to try... I decided to only use things I'd never used before, and was sat like a kid by the fireplace at Christmas waiting for them to all arrive.

I'll try and do this in a sensible order; brand by brand. Starting with Clarins. I'd stumbled upon their trio of "boosters" and was really keen to give one a go. They're created to give you some help when you need it. I selected Repair as it's good for sunburnt or damaged skin, and added it to my usual moisturiser on Wednesday as directed.  It's now Sunday evening and I can already feel a difference on my (ridiculously) sunburnt nose. It also reduced the redness instantaneously... Next from them was their Instant Beauty Shot which is perfect to have in your handbag for those days when you have to wake up and go to work but your face doesn't want to. It really does "tighten and brighten" as suggested... (especially when matched with the Clinique All About Eyes which took my puffy, dark lids and reformed them into their former teenage-selves in one hit....

On that subject; Clinique. I appreciate this may be a little bit nuts to some of you given how long I've been blogging about beauty but I've never tried any of their stuff before. I know. The first one was an excellent benchmark as the idea of spending money on a soap baffled me. However, as someone who really hates the horrid tightness you get after washing your face with standard bar, I was a bit stunned by the difference. Goodbye supermarket-branded cr*p - I'm using this forever and ever, I don't know what's in it but it left my face feeling actually clean. I'd apply the same level of "wow" to the Dramatically Different Moisturiser. My skin turns tight and dusty very quickly, and coming back from my sunny weekend left it tired the fine lines appeared with a vengeance. This stuff sent them packing almost straight away... And lastly I'm yet to try the Overnight Mask but will do this evening so check out my Instagram to see how it goes...

Estee Lauder products make me really happy, nostalgia alone. It's what both my grandmothers used and the smell of them reminds me of sitting patiently on their beds waiting for story time. I'd never tried them myself though, as I'd always thought they were more "generalist" than for specific problems. As heads up for anyone younger; when you turn 30 sh*t gets real, and it all shows on your face. I woke up on my 30th birthday to presents, cards... and load of fine lines. I really have to work at things, and did not think Lauder was the brand to do it with. You can't see, but as you read this I'm eating my hat. The first thing I tested was the Advanced Night Repair, I tried it after a few glasses of wine (which always shows the next day). I woke up and looked like I'd been on a health retreat. Everything was tight and firm, unheard of. BUY IT HERE. The same impact happened with the Firm And Fill Eye Duo; my eyes looked 10 years old. I'm trying out the Resilience Lift this week so will let you know how I get on, but given everything else I'm expecting big things...

Last but not least, REN. I snuck in one of my all time favourites, the 1 Minute Facial cream. I keep mine in my handbag and use it whenever I'm away as a bit of a treat. If I know I have something coming up when I can't risk a break out, this is my failsafe. Just buy it, here. A new product for me was the Evercalm Moisturiser. I was fairly stacked with things to try so I gave this to the boy to test and I can tell you wholeheartedly his skin looked better after a few days use. He commutes on the underground so often gets congestion in his pores (he'll read this and not have a clue what I'm on about) and they looked significantly tighter and cleaner whilst using this morning and night...

I hope this list helps you, this time of year is so tough on skin. For full details on all of the products in the John Lewis edit, click here. 

Full review list:

Clarins: Instant Beauty Shot / Repair Serum
Clinique: All About Eyes / Soap / Dramatically Different Moisturiser / Overnight Mask
Estee Lauder: Advanced Night Repair / Firm And Fill Eye Duo / Resilience Lift
REN: Evercalm Moisturiser / 1 Minute Facial

This post was sponsored by John Lewis, all words my own.