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Essie Topless & Barefoot

The time of year has come where my Facebook newsfeed gets clogged up with cute pictures of people with their parents, wearing skewiff hats and clutching little owls with ‘Class of ’12’ emblazoned on, yes it’s graduation time people! For me this momentous occasion was over a year ago (BSc Psychology if you were wondering), and after seeing some bloggers debating what nail colour to wear for the big day it got me thinking as to what colour I wore and after a quick inspection of the god awful photo that my Mum insists takes centre-stage in our house I remembered that of course, it was one of my favourite Essie’s…

Topless & Barefoot was a colour that I first tried when I purchased a mini set of last Spring’s ‘A French Affair’ collection as a treat for finishing my exams (yes, I used to use beauty bits to bribe myself). I quickly used up the mini bottle and purchased the larger one just in time for graduation. I found it to be the perfect colour – nude, but not too mannequin hands, a nice mix of rose and beige, and it stays put on my nails for a good four to five days. Plus it didn’t stand out too much when it came to the awkward ‘holding the fake scroll’ photo and it’s hopefully not a colour I will look back on at 20 years time and cringe at. It’s also good in terms of opaqueness too – two coats, carefully applied a dash of Seche Vite over the top and I’m good to go.

Unfortunately it’s not part of the diffusion line, so you can’t pick it up in Boots or Superdrug, but you can get it online at BeautyBay – just note that the brush is the old skinny design. But it’s well worth the hassle and definitely a colour that will always be in my collection. You could pretty much bet your bottom dollar that an Essie polish would adorn my nails for the big, big day……. But I may have to wait a while to test out that beauty hypothesis. What nail colour to do like to wear on special occasions? Something nude like me or are you a little more daring?

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AD | Spring with @abercrombie wide leg trousers, linen tops and a GREAT ‘throw everything in’ straw bag. Find it all linked on my IG Stories. https://liketk.it/4EVcW
AD | Spring with @abercrombie wide leg trousers, linen tops and a GREAT ‘throw everything in’ straw bag. Find it all linked on my IG Stories. https://liketk.it/4EVcW
AD | Spring with @abercrombie wide leg trousers, linen tops and a GREAT ‘throw everything in’ straw bag. Find it all linked on my IG Stories. https://liketk.it/4EVcW
AD | Spring with @abercrombie wide leg trousers, linen tops and a GREAT ‘throw everything in’ straw bag. Find it all linked on my IG Stories. https://liketk.it/4EVcW
AD | Spring with @abercrombie wide leg trousers, linen tops and a GREAT ‘throw everything in’ straw bag. Find it all linked on my IG Stories. https://liketk.it/4EVcW
AD | Spring with @abercrombie wide leg trousers, linen tops and a GREAT ‘throw everything in’ straw bag. Find it all linked on my IG Stories. https://liketk.it/4EVcW
AD | Spring with @abercrombie wide leg trousers, linen tops and a GREAT ‘throw everything in’ straw bag. Find it all linked on my IG Stories. https://liketk.it/4EVcW
AD | Spring with @abercrombie wide leg trousers, linen tops and a GREAT ‘throw everything in’ straw bag. Find it all linked on my IG Stories. https://liketk.it/4EVcW
AD | Spring with @abercrombie wide leg trousers, linen tops and a GREAT ‘throw everything in’ straw bag. Find it all linked on my IG Stories. https://liketk.it/4EVcW
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
1/6
AD| A ready-to-wear SPF capsule thanks to @meccacosmetica. The new To Save Face SPF50+ Brightening Sun Serum gives a glass skin finish like I haven’t seen before. An ultra-light serum texture with radiance-boosting niacinamide, it’s the perfect prep step for a luminous glow (especially when paired with the Lip De-Luscious SPF20 on the lips!). If you’re after a more matte skin-like finish then try the OG, To Save Face SPF50+ Sunscreen, MECCA’s best-selling SPF product. I first tried this back on our honeymoon - who remembers that?! Both are great formulas to have on hand to switch up the finish to suit your skin’s needs and your changing preferences but for right now? Give me all the GLOW! #MECCACOSMETICA
——————————————————

Always read the label and follow directions for use. Sunscreen is only one form of sun protection. Avoid prolonged sun exposure and reapply as directed.
AD| A ready-to-wear SPF capsule thanks to @meccacosmetica. The new To Save Face SPF50+ Brightening Sun Serum gives a glass skin finish like I haven’t seen before. An ultra-light serum texture with radiance-boosting niacinamide, it’s the perfect prep step for a luminous glow (especially when paired with the Lip De-Luscious SPF20 on the lips!). If you’re after a more matte skin-like finish then try the OG, To Save Face SPF50+ Sunscreen, MECCA’s best-selling SPF product. I first tried this back on our honeymoon - who remembers that?! Both are great formulas to have on hand to switch up the finish to suit your skin’s needs and your changing preferences but for right now? Give me all the GLOW! #MECCACOSMETICA —————————————————— Always read the label and follow directions for use. Sunscreen is only one form of sun protection. Avoid prolonged sun exposure and reapply as directed.
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/6
AD | Get ready with me to hold a dinner at our house with @aligne. I am BUZZING! But what would I wear? 
- Outfit one - Leo Waistcoat + Miso Jeans (I wear a 12 in the top and a 30 in the jeans) 
- Outfit two - Gally top + Fresh Wide Leg Trousers (I wear a 10 in the top and a 12 in the trousers) 
- Outfit three - Monika Waistcoat + Hainault Trousers (I wear a 10 in the top and a 12 in the trousers)
AD | Get ready with me to hold a dinner at our house with @aligne. I am BUZZING! But what would I wear? - Outfit one - Leo Waistcoat + Miso Jeans (I wear a 12 in the top and a 30 in the jeans) - Outfit two - Gally top + Fresh Wide Leg Trousers (I wear a 10 in the top and a 12 in the trousers) - Outfit three - Monika Waistcoat + Hainault Trousers (I wear a 10 in the top and a 12 in the trousers)
7 days ago
View on Instagram |
3/6
Only took me like eight months to finish off this corner 😂
Only took me like eight months to finish off this corner 😂
Only took me like eight months to finish off this corner 😂
Only took me like eight months to finish off this corner 😂
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
4/6
Honestly, this is THE BEST cake I’ve ever made. A rich and moist Guinness cake (that’s basically just a very dense chocolate cake), with a CREAM CHEESE FROSTING. This is going to be my birthday cake of choice from now on. Recipe by @nigellalawson 🙌

INGREDIENTS FOR CAKE
250ml Guinness
250g unsalted butter 
75g cocoa powder
400g caster sugar 
150ml sour cream 
2 large eggs
1 tbsp vanilla extract
275g plain flour
2 ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda 

INGREDIENTS FOR THE TOPPING
300g cream cheese
150g icing sugar 
2 tsp cornflour 
125ml double cream (or whipping cream)

1. Preheat the oven to gas mark 4/180°C/160°C Fan/350ºF, and butter and line a 23cm / 9 inch springform tin.

2. Pour the Guinness into a large wide saucepan, add the butter — in spoons or slices — and heat until the butter’s melted, at which time you should whisk in the cocoa and sugar. Beat the sour cream with the eggs and vanilla and then pour into the brown, buttery, beery pan and finally whisk in the flour and bicarb.

3. Pour the cake batter into the greased and lined tin and bake for 45 minutes to an hour. Leave to cool completely in the tin on a cooling rack, as it is quite a damp cake.

4. When the cake’s cold, sit it on a flat platter or cake stand and get on with the icing. Lightly whip the cream cheese until smooth, sieve over the icing sugar and cornflour and then beat to combine.

5. If using double cream, add it and beat until you have a spreadable consistency. If using whipping cream, whisk first to soft peaks, add a couple of spoonfuls into the cream cheese mixture and once this is combined, fold in the rest.
Ice the top of the black cake so that it resembles the frothy top of the famous pint.
Honestly, this is THE BEST cake I’ve ever made. A rich and moist Guinness cake (that’s basically just a very dense chocolate cake), with a CREAM CHEESE FROSTING. This is going to be my birthday cake of choice from now on. Recipe by @nigellalawson 🙌 INGREDIENTS FOR CAKE 250ml Guinness 250g unsalted butter 75g cocoa powder 400g caster sugar 150ml sour cream 2 large eggs 1 tbsp vanilla extract 275g plain flour 2 ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda INGREDIENTS FOR THE TOPPING 300g cream cheese 150g icing sugar 2 tsp cornflour 125ml double cream (or whipping cream) 1. Preheat the oven to gas mark 4/180°C/160°C Fan/350ºF, and butter and line a 23cm / 9 inch springform tin. 2. Pour the Guinness into a large wide saucepan, add the butter — in spoons or slices — and heat until the butter’s melted, at which time you should whisk in the cocoa and sugar. Beat the sour cream with the eggs and vanilla and then pour into the brown, buttery, beery pan and finally whisk in the flour and bicarb. 3. Pour the cake batter into the greased and lined tin and bake for 45 minutes to an hour. Leave to cool completely in the tin on a cooling rack, as it is quite a damp cake. 4. When the cake’s cold, sit it on a flat platter or cake stand and get on with the icing. Lightly whip the cream cheese until smooth, sieve over the icing sugar and cornflour and then beat to combine. 5. If using double cream, add it and beat until you have a spreadable consistency. If using whipping cream, whisk first to soft peaks, add a couple of spoonfuls into the cream cheese mixture and once this is combined, fold in the rest. Ice the top of the black cake so that it resembles the frothy top of the famous pint.
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
5/6
Life lately 🎞️
- Denim + black trousers - my favourite outfit combo right now. 
- Our first spring in the new garden. It’s so fun to see it changing by the day.
- Can’t stop won’t stop at @tutto.uk. 
- Went to bed early on Saturday and read @bakedbybenji’s book from start to finish. Dream evening right there! 
- A Sunday fit.
- It’s official. This Guinness cake is officially the best cake I’ve ever made. 
- A peek at the bathroom counter.
- Suede season is here.
- Birthday celebrations.
Life lately 🎞️
- Denim + black trousers - my favourite outfit combo right now. 
- Our first spring in the new garden. It’s so fun to see it changing by the day.
- Can’t stop won’t stop at @tutto.uk. 
- Went to bed early on Saturday and read @bakedbybenji’s book from start to finish. Dream evening right there! 
- A Sunday fit.
- It’s official. This Guinness cake is officially the best cake I’ve ever made. 
- A peek at the bathroom counter.
- Suede season is here.
- Birthday celebrations.
Life lately 🎞️
- Denim + black trousers - my favourite outfit combo right now. 
- Our first spring in the new garden. It’s so fun to see it changing by the day.
- Can’t stop won’t stop at @tutto.uk. 
- Went to bed early on Saturday and read @bakedbybenji’s book from start to finish. Dream evening right there! 
- A Sunday fit.
- It’s official. This Guinness cake is officially the best cake I’ve ever made. 
- A peek at the bathroom counter.
- Suede season is here.
- Birthday celebrations.
Life lately 🎞️
- Denim + black trousers - my favourite outfit combo right now. 
- Our first spring in the new garden. It’s so fun to see it changing by the day.
- Can’t stop won’t stop at @tutto.uk. 
- Went to bed early on Saturday and read @bakedbybenji’s book from start to finish. Dream evening right there! 
- A Sunday fit.
- It’s official. This Guinness cake is officially the best cake I’ve ever made. 
- A peek at the bathroom counter.
- Suede season is here.
- Birthday celebrations.
Life lately 🎞️
- Denim + black trousers - my favourite outfit combo right now. 
- Our first spring in the new garden. It’s so fun to see it changing by the day.
- Can’t stop won’t stop at @tutto.uk. 
- Went to bed early on Saturday and read @bakedbybenji’s book from start to finish. Dream evening right there! 
- A Sunday fit.
- It’s official. This Guinness cake is officially the best cake I’ve ever made. 
- A peek at the bathroom counter.
- Suede season is here.
- Birthday celebrations.
Life lately 🎞️
- Denim + black trousers - my favourite outfit combo right now. 
- Our first spring in the new garden. It’s so fun to see it changing by the day.
- Can’t stop won’t stop at @tutto.uk. 
- Went to bed early on Saturday and read @bakedbybenji’s book from start to finish. Dream evening right there! 
- A Sunday fit.
- It’s official. This Guinness cake is officially the best cake I’ve ever made. 
- A peek at the bathroom counter.
- Suede season is here.
- Birthday celebrations.
Life lately 🎞️
- Denim + black trousers - my favourite outfit combo right now. 
- Our first spring in the new garden. It’s so fun to see it changing by the day.
- Can’t stop won’t stop at @tutto.uk. 
- Went to bed early on Saturday and read @bakedbybenji’s book from start to finish. Dream evening right there! 
- A Sunday fit.
- It’s official. This Guinness cake is officially the best cake I’ve ever made. 
- A peek at the bathroom counter.
- Suede season is here.
- Birthday celebrations.
Life lately 🎞️
- Denim + black trousers - my favourite outfit combo right now. 
- Our first spring in the new garden. It’s so fun to see it changing by the day.
- Can’t stop won’t stop at @tutto.uk. 
- Went to bed early on Saturday and read @bakedbybenji’s book from start to finish. Dream evening right there! 
- A Sunday fit.
- It’s official. This Guinness cake is officially the best cake I’ve ever made. 
- A peek at the bathroom counter.
- Suede season is here.
- Birthday celebrations.
Life lately 🎞️
- Denim + black trousers - my favourite outfit combo right now. 
- Our first spring in the new garden. It’s so fun to see it changing by the day.
- Can’t stop won’t stop at @tutto.uk. 
- Went to bed early on Saturday and read @bakedbybenji’s book from start to finish. Dream evening right there! 
- A Sunday fit.
- It’s official. This Guinness cake is officially the best cake I’ve ever made. 
- A peek at the bathroom counter.
- Suede season is here.
- Birthday celebrations.
Life lately 🎞️
- Denim + black trousers - my favourite outfit combo right now. 
- Our first spring in the new garden. It’s so fun to see it changing by the day.
- Can’t stop won’t stop at @tutto.uk. 
- Went to bed early on Saturday and read @bakedbybenji’s book from start to finish. Dream evening right there! 
- A Sunday fit.
- It’s official. This Guinness cake is officially the best cake I’ve ever made. 
- A peek at the bathroom counter.
- Suede season is here.
- Birthday celebrations.
Life lately 🎞️ - Denim + black trousers - my favourite outfit combo right now. - Our first spring in the new garden. It’s so fun to see it changing by the day. - Can’t stop won’t stop at @tutto.uk. - Went to bed early on Saturday and read @bakedbybenji’s book from start to finish. Dream evening right there! - A Sunday fit. - It’s official. This Guinness cake is officially the best cake I’ve ever made. - A peek at the bathroom counter. - Suede season is here. - Birthday celebrations.
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
6/6