LouLouLoves....Weekly Wishlist.

One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six | Seven. 

It just so happens that everything on my wishlist this week would look absolutely amazing worn together as an outfit. Starting this this beautifully simple boxy top from Topshop I love the daisy edged detailing, it would look great with some white jeans or denim shorts or even these floral print trousers from H&M. 

Also from H&M this lace kimono is so pretty and delicate it would go beautifully with all the summer floral prints or thrown over this boxy top. 

I've been lusting after some slip on vans for a while now and I have fallen in love with this grey polka dot pair they look ultra comfy and would look lovely with most jeans. 

A straw floppy hat is a summer essential and this one from Whistles is extremely good quality and I'm sure will last many summers to come. 

Lastly a new jewellery store I recently stumbled across....and its safe to say I want pretty much everything they sell! ProjectJ is a European web store which stocks many unique and affordable items from several individual designers. This arrow necklace and cat ear ring are just purrrfect! (Sorry for the pun!). 

Thank you for reading.

LouLou.      

Topshop Lookalike Shorts On A Budget.

There are 2 things that are bang on trend right now that you can see all over the high street first is the 'skort' the skirt/shorts hybrid that I vaguely remember wearing when I was a little girl they are everywhere right now! The second is this Morocan-esk tile print which you can find on jeans, shorts, kimonos in all of the shops. Here are just a few examples that I found in Topshop:

Whilst wandering around Primark I found an absolute amazing budget piece that combines both of these big trends and for only £10! These tile print pleated shorts are stunning, I am seriously in love with them and whatsmore the design and quality as so great you would think they were out of Topshop rather then Primark. They are made of a thick almost woven material with pleats in the front giving the illusion of a skirt rather then shorts. The print is bold yet sophisticated which would look lovely both dressed up with heels or more causal paired with a slouchy T-shirt and sandals. Below is an example of how I would wear these shorts.....all you would need is a leather jacket and some killer heals and it would be the perfect outfit for a night out with friends.

Primark I applaud you I am super impressed with some of their offerings right now you can see my budget denim jacket find here. Thank you for reading!

LouLou.

Carrot & Lentil Vegetarian Bolognese.

 

Recently I have been cutting out most meat from my diet and trying to eat a lot more vegetarian meals....as I was a vegetarian for 6 years its not been that difficult for me. Here is a super tasty vegetarian bolognese recipe which I completely made up from scratch....the other half even prefers it to regular bolognese and its also extra healthy for the children. So here is what you will need:

• 2 large carrots grated. 
• 1 cup of dried red lentils.
• 1/2 a white onion.
• 4 large mushrooms.
• 1 clove of garlic. 
• 1/2 tsp of paprika.
• 1tbsp tomato puree.
• 1tsp of mixed dried herbs.
• 1 can of chopped tomatoes.
• 1 can filled with water. 
• Choice of pasta and cheese to serve. 

This is such a simple recipe start by grating two carrots into a frying plan adding a tablespoon of oil olive, add your onion and garlic diced and your mushrooms roughly chopped. Fry these ingredients until they start to soften. 

Add to the pan the paprika and mixed herbs and they sprinkle in your up of lentils making sure everything is incorporated. Add your tablespoon of tomato puree and then a whole can of chopped tomatoes, fill the empty can with tap water and pour into the pan as well. The lentils will need the extra liquid to absorb and swell whilst they are cooking.

Simmer they whole mixture for between 25-30 minutes until the lentils are soft and have absorbed most of the liquids making sure to stir every few minutes whilst it is cooking. 

Cook your choice of pasta to the packet instructions and serve with a sprinkle of grated cheddar or parmesan cheese. 

So simple yet so tasty you won't even miss the meat I promise! Thank you for reading.

Loulou.    

Sunday Family Fun Day.

Spending days out with the family are the best! Visiting all the local parks, playground and zoos, but sometimes spending a day indoors can be just as great. When the weather is less then ideal so outdoor activities are out of the question, when its miserable and wet outside there is nothing better then a day indoors playing games, doing crafts, watching disney films and drinking hot chocolate.

.......This pretty much summed up our Sunday. We spent a lazy morning in our PJ's watching cartoons whilst daddy built Eli's train set so he could play. We had a huge brunch of vegetarian sausage, trimmed lean bacon, scrambled egg, grilled mushrooms and baked beans....both boys absolutely loved it and ate every little scrap of their plates. Eli and Wesley played nicely together in their bedroom watching the rain from out their window, we snuggled up on the sofa and watched Tangled and drank hot chocolate.

We had a healthy dinner of carrot and lentil bolognese and once the boys were in bed I set about designing Wesley's birthday invitations, I am so happy with how they turned out they are perfect for his little gentleman's tea party and I cannot believe how close it is to his first birthday!

What the boys wore:    

Wesley: Jeans with braces - H&M, purple check shirt - Mothercare, Start-rite shoes - John Lewis.
Elijah: Jeans with braces, rugby top and socks all from Next.

Thank you for reading.

Loulou.

The Budget Summer Wardrobe Must Have - The Denim Jacket

Everybody knows with British weather being so unpredictable a light jacket is always essential even in the middle of summer. The denim jacket has become some what of a summer wardrobe essential, it looks great thrown over a dress when it gets a little chilly, with shorts or for those who can pull off the double denim look...you are braver then I am! 

I have been on the search for the perfect denim jacket for a while now and never nearly purchased this New Look number for £27.99 a few weeks ago but decided to hold out for a while and boy I am so glad I did. 

On A recently trip to Primark something caught my eye, in the corner displayed with some union jack sunglasses and white T-shirts was a denim jacket that looked exactly like the one a nearly purchased from New Look. A classic cropped washed denim jacket the kind that will go with absolutely everything and the best part it was only £12!! Thats £15 less and looks exactly the same as the one from New Look. 

I think this has got to be the best bargain find so far this season, Primark I applaud you! I'm sure you will see plenty 'outfit of the day' posts from me incorporating this item....or I might dedicate a whole post on styling with a denim jacket, what do you guys think? 

Thank you for reading.

Loulou.

Recent Purchases: Paperchase, Primark, Superdrug.

So I kinda did a little shopping this week and most of it was a bit spontaneous! My first purchases were a small Paperchase stationary haul as I am starting to study fiction writing in preparation for planning to write my first novel. I needed a good quality book for note taking, an exercise book to eventually start building up character bibles and planning my plot structure and some labels and sticky notes to organise and code my research.

Next I popped into my local Primark not really looking for anything in particular or planning on buying anything....then I discovered two items I couldn't walk out without purchasing and I already can tell they will be firm summer staples in my wardrobe. Im not going to say too much about them because I want to do an outfit post soon in which they will make an appearance.

Lastly whilst on the hunt for the new lighter shade release of my favourite foundation by Rimmel I sort of got lured into their 3 for 2 and ending up getting a new concealer, eyeliner and bronzer! I am very excited to test out this MUA Bronzed Perfection bronzer I will do a review once I have had a chance to give it go, this the first ever bronzer I have ever bought so well will see how it stand up against my ridiculously pale skin and pray I don't look like an oompa loompa!

Keep your eye out for reviews of my recent purchases coming soon!

Loulou.

Gift Guide For Besties!

One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six | Seven. 

You might have a friends birthday coming up and your struggling to think of what to get them? Here I put together a gift guide of cute little gifts perfect for the best friends in your life! 

Dainty jewellery is always a winner and what a cute little memento of your friendship I love these moon and star friendship bracelets from ASOS and the little initial bracelet from Urban Outfitters. 

Pampering treats make great gifts how about a hamper of Lush products including a relaxing and refreshing face mask or maybe a Victoria Secret body mist which are affordable and smell divine.

A memory book would make a great gift that way you will always remember those great nights out you have together despite trying to block out your embarrassing drunken antics. This beautiful monogrammed mug will add a touch of glamour to anyones morning cup of tea or this stylish 'Bits & Boobs' pouch to house an array of different items. 

Thank you for reading.

Loulou.