If It Wasn’t For My Blog I’d Go Crazy

“There are some days when I feel good, I’m really inspired and ideas just happen and then there are other days, when I’m not so good and blogging is a struggle”

I think we all get like this sometimes, stress piles up and we feel a little wobbly but it’s during those times that writing helps to keep me sane.

I’m in a slump at the moment but I always feel crappy around my birthday. It’s weird, it makes me feel like time is moving really quickly but I’m just a little bit too slow to catch up. I’m sure once the shock of being another year older is gone I’ll get back into the swing of being creative though.

It may sound dramatic but I honestly don’t know what I would have done with my life if I hadn’t have started a fashion blog. I’m just so grateful for wherever that idea came from. On my worst days it only takes reading a few comments or coming up with new ideas to make me feel better and on my good days I could not be more proud of how far this page has come.

I’ve always been one of those people who welcomes a distraction and to be honest I would probably still be panic attacking the shit out of life if it wasn’t for StyleRarebit. As much as I’m not where I dreamed I would be at 26 I’ve certainly come a long way since publishing my first post. For a start I now know the difference between your and you’re (took a while) and I’m definitely a little more self assured and a lot more grown up than I was back then. It’s funny how something as small as starting a blog can do that. The opportunities, positivity and friendships that have come my way since the beginning are unbelievable and just thinking about those makes me the happiest gal alive.

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Winter Outfit Inspiration – Casual Sock Boots

Just before Christmas I had an email from JD Williams asking if I wanted to collaborate on a post and I was SO excited. Initially I was thinking of writing about party shoes (glittery heels included) and putting together some outfit inspo for you guys but then I stumbled onto the ankle boots section and completely forgot all about that. I’m a little bit obsessed when it comes to boots, in fact I already have way too many but there’s just something about a classic boot that’s so versatile, so they always seem like a good investment. These boots are from the Violeta range by Mango and are a casual nod to the sock boot trend that is very much hanging around. Just way more comfy than the stiletto kind! I love how chic they are too and really pull together this everyday outfit with very minimal effort.

“I think this outfit is very reflective of that too. This is everyday me, not too dressy. It’s just comfort paired with great accessories.”

Just before the new year I felt like I was loosing my creative juice a little bit and I’ve also been struggling to find time (as always) to create new content for this blog. Sometimes getting caught up in comparing yourself to other people can really kill your vibe too but I’m finally learning to zone that out and remember why I started Style Rarebit in the first place. Because I love blogging!

I think this outfit is very reflective of that. This is everyday me, not too dressy. Just comfort paired with great accessories which is pretty much my go to philosophy when it comes to getting dressed. I think we would all agree that the number one goal is to look totally polished without having to make much effort at all. This look is essentially jeans and a jumper but tying a satin ribbon around my waist and dressing it up with a blazer is the perfect way to cheat looking like you’ve made loads of effort. I think that’s why the boots work so well too, being structured they are the perfect day boot if you want to look put together. They also look super expensive and the unusual heel (that metallic is everything!) means they add extra interest if you’re wearing plain clothes. They’re also on sale right now so even more of an incentive to pick them up… I love them with my mom jeans too as they’re tight on the ankle they sit really well underneath and give the illusion that my legs are slimmer.

If you take nothing else from this post just get to investing in some good boots this season that will totally dress up a zero effort look. Maybe even two pairs?

Shop boots here

Photographs by Sarah Barnes

 

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Christmas Party Outfit Tips #thisisnewlook

“Tis the season and I plan on taking full advantage of every party I’m invited to so that I get to wear this outfit again…”

Christmas party dressing should NEVER feel like a chore, if anything it’s something to totally revel in. I feel like fashion at the moment dictates a way more relaxed and casual feel and more and more girls are opting for flat shoes and baggy trousers than ever before. This time of year totally overrides all trends though and there isn’t a store on the high street not offering some glitz.

Dressing up can feel a little bit overwhelming, especially if your don’t do it often but I think the most important thing is just to have fun with it. When finding the right dress it mainly comes down to the fit though, so you’re going to have to do some trying on! A good tip is to figure out your body shape (pear, apple etc), what you want to accentuate (boobies, bums) and what you want to skim over (for me it’s tummy and legs!). Knowing the shape of dress you’re looking for will be really helpful in narrowing your search and will make the trying on stage way less stressful.

The New Look Christmas range is full of gorgeous dresses in literally every shape, fabric and style imaginable, so you’re bound to find something! I love this star print dress because the shape is so flattering! It sucks in my waist, makes my boobs look way bigger and skims over what I want to hide. I love the star print too as it’s really fun and playful which is so perfect for this season.

I paired my dress with this insane faux fur jacket which is the key piece of the season. There are so many bold fur jackets out there but I love how subdued this colour is and I’ll be able to wear it with so many other outfits. It’s good to pick one that works with your skin tone too, especially if you’re going for something bright! I like that this one is cropped as well and hits my waist just where the dress starts to kick out.

“I love to go all out with accessories, they can really elevate a party look, even if you’re wearing a t-shirt and jeans…”

The right bag is everything, you only have to scroll through Instagram to know that. I love this black embellished bag as it’s so festive and glitzy but still wearable and will go with any party look. Something worth mentioning is that as great as a clutch bag is they’re so small and there’s nothing worse than not being able to close them. This bag is big enough for my phone, keys and some touch up makeup as well as a cross body strap that is dance floor friendly.

I love New Look all the time but I think everyone knows how incredible their shoes are. I would go as far to say they’re the best affordable brand and I can always find something. These platform shoes are pretty out there and they totally make me feel like I’m in ABBA (YASSS) but they’re also super comfy. Comfort is the most important thing in a party shoe and yes it’s hard to find comfy heels but they do exist! If you struggle to walk in stilettos opt for a chunky heel like these or a lower block heel instead. You want to look dressy but you also want to be able to dance all night and walk to the bar, right?

I hope you loved my Christmas party tips and you have the best festive season! Merry Christmas xx

Photography Sarah Barnes

_{This post was sponsored by New Look/Query Click}

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Trying on party dresses at Coast Cardiff

Nia is wearing the Kadie sequin maxi dress £129

Me and a little group of Cardiff fashion bloggers took over the Coast store this week to try on some seriously beautiful dresses. This is the perfect time of year to be invited to an event at Coast because nobody does occasion wear quite like they do. They’ve also seriously upped their game this season with a collaboration with The Royal Ballet and some killer trend focused pieces that are totally gorgeous. So, if you’re looking for a special Christmas dress I snapped a few of my favourite ones and have linked them all below!

 The coast store in Cardiff’s gorgeous accessories table including the AMANDA Heart Bag which is such a perfect Christmas gift.

I absolutely fell in love with this one! It really pulled in my waist! Illy Ruffle Maxi Dress £169

My Cardiff blogger gals Claire, Nia (thecardiffcwtch.com) and Amy

 Venus marble jacquard dress £159

Tamia cuff bracelet £25

Bell sleeve dress £139

 Harni embellished bangle  £19

Fia knot bag  £45

 Lileta Cubic Zirconia Bracelet  £25

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Get your Tassel Earrings On / Rhian Kate Contemporary Jewellery

It’s so important to me to support small businesses. The crafters, artists and creatives that are going out on their own and building a business from nothing are the people who inspire me the most. I love being able to share them with you on here too, people like Xandra Jane, Swag and Tassel and today Rhian Kate Contemporary Jewellery. I’ve been following @RhianKateMakes on Instagram for ages now and her minimal, modern jewellery is as beautiful as it is wearable. She has a really strong design style and a great understanding of how women like to look and feel while wearing jewellery.

“For me when I make jewellery and people decide to wear what I have made it’s exciting, it’s a connection you make with someone that you are not always aware of but what I have made becomes a choice in who they are or what they want to express.” 

Tassel earrings are a statement being made by lots of Instagrammers right now and I really love these red ones. They’re the perfect size, still dramatic but also dainty, feminine and sit at a good length. These and all of Rhian’s other pieces are handmade in Wales using pewter (lead free), acrylic and aluminium. The pretty, textured disc at the top of these earrings is a trademark of hers and runs throughout her collection in various different shapes and styles. It’s a really lovely effect that I haven’t seen anywhere else and makes her pieces a unique investment.

I’ll make sure to put all her links at the bottom of this post so you can see some examples of her work and show her some love. Also If you like these tassel earrings make sure to look at her Instagram for all the colour options too.

 

RHIAN KATE // WEBSITE // INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // TWITTER // ETSY

TOP – ASOS

SKIRT – NEW LOOK

PHOTOGRAPHS – SARAH BARNES PHOTOGRAPHY

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Flower Shopping

 My mum is a photographer (incase you didn’t know already, she takes all my outfit pictures) and has been working with the Flower Lodge for a while now. Just last week she brought home a huge bunch of Ranunculus (google them THEY ARE GORGEOUS) and it’s what gave me the idea to take some pictures there today. It’s the most beautiful shop in Rhiwbina and if your visiting I recommend having a look at their new gift range of candles and diffusers which are so lovely. A quick scroll through these pictures should inspire you enough to take a trip, so many amazing colours!

My look today is pretty much my go to outfit as of late. These gingham trousers, in terms of cost per wear, are probably about 1p. Too comfy to take off. I know that this is the season where I should be breaking out the colours but I like wearing monochrome and great basics and it’s nice to be comfy. Sometimes you just want to throw on what makes you feel good.

SUNGLASSES // VALENTINO

TOP // H&M

TROUSER // ZARA

SHOES // H&M

BAG // MARKS & SPENCER

PHOTOGRAPHY // SARAH BARNES

NIOD Flavanone Mud Mask Review

A few weeks ago now I met up with Laura, the PR for Deciem, to chat about the brand which has got every blogger, skincare fanatic and magazine talking. Deciem is also known as The Abnormal Beauty Company and for good reason. They have stripped back on unnecessary packaging, ingredients and false claims to bring us the best in scientific research that REALLY works. Under the umbrella of Deciem are their handful of different brands including The Ordinary (which I have a review of coming soon), NIOD, Fountain and many more. It brings about the change that so many of us have been looking for, moving away from the hype and concentrating on back to basics, affordable skincare that we can trust.

Today I’m reviewing the NIOD Flavanone Mud Mask, which I chose to try because it’s very purifying and effective on spot prone skin. NIOD, which stands for Non Invasive Options in Dermal Science is the most advanced of the Deciem brands. It’s also a good way to describe the look and smell of the Flavanone Mask, it very much feels like a Science project.

The mask is said to have three phases, the Purifying Phase, Protective Phase and Responsive Phase. Combined they decongest the skin without throwing off the balance meaning it gives purifying results that last. It is a mud mask but the consistensy is lighter and more watered down. You only need to apply a small layer to get great results but it’s worth noting that it does sting your skin. This is mentioned in the directions but it feels counterintuitive leaving something on that isn’t so comfortable. However the results are worth the 10 minutes of discomfort. It deeply cleanses your skin and leaves it looking matte but not feeling dry. It also helps to take down the redness of any spots or pigmentation leaving them less angry.

I read a few reviews before trying it out and a lot of them were saying to use it everyday for the first week and then once a week after that as a top up. I found that everyday was a bit too much for my sensitive skin but using it every few days definitely helped to keep my spots at bay. It’s also worth noting that this has a shelf life of 6 months so you need to be using it often to get through the pot. I’m thinking of taking it down to my chest (as I get a few spots there too) to make the most of the product within that time. I would definitely repurchase this mask again and NIOD is a brand that I really want to explore more.

The Flavanone Mask is £29 and available here.

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When am I going to make it?

I’ve decided that I want to start talking a little more frankly and openly about my life on Style Rarebit and express some of the ‘real’ things I’m thinking about right now. This particular vein of worry started about a week ago when I met a couple who are friends with my boyfriend. They were so lovely, they had recently got engaged, lived in a beautiful house and had two children. They were also two years younger than me. I think you can see where this is going. I am 25 and I cannot even get myself out of bed on time, let alone raise a family and afford a house. There are people my age who have their whole life together and honestly I haven’t a single plan past this Saturday. I am still eating tea at the family table, still getting told off for leaving cups in my room and still have not got my career together. Damn.

My boyfriend is becoming a police officer this summer and watching him get through every exam, interview and stage of the process has been so amazing. Don’t for a second misconstrue this as me not being unbelievably proud of him but it also makes me shit myself that little bit more. Everyone around me seems to be finding what they love to do and making it happen. Whether that’s in their career, or starting a family or just creatively making their passions happen everyday. Turning 25, as ridiculous as it sounds, was really daunting and thought provoking for me. I am a quarter of a century old and the fact of the matter is I still have absolutely no idea about what, or where or who I want to be in life.

I am currently working as a stylist/visual merchandiser and it’s honestly one of the most fun jobs I’ve ever had and with some of the most talented women I have ever met. I get to be creative every single day and am free to experiment as much as I like which has been amazing. That being said I’m a graduate in the lowest level job, there’s no progression and for all the hard team work we’re putting in it’s a minimum wage pay check at the end of the month. On this salary I am no further to buying a house than I am being able to stretch my money to reach 31 days. It’s not that I’m being negative but after all the internships, free photoshoots and blogging time I have put in, it’s a little frustrating to be getting nowhere in return.

This may be a bit ranty but my anxiety is at 100 wondering if I’ll ever have my own home. I would love to have a career I can be proud of, or just something to tell people I went to school with, when I bump into them at Tesco so I sound like I’m doing something good with my life. I’m not sure what my next step should be or what avenue is best at this point but I know for sure I am not the only one that feels like this. I guess that’s why I really wanted to write this post, outfits and hair stylers aside this is my online voice after all. Maybe by talking about this someone will comment with an idea or spark my interest in a new career and vice versa. I’m never going to give up but if I can speed up the process all the better for it.

Here’s to 25

Here I am, finally recovered from my neck fiasco and feeling super pumped to blog. I have so much to show you, it really is amazing how much internet shopping you can get done on your sick bed. I’ve also just turned 25 and so I’ve got lots of beautiful presents and party stories to share too.

Equally it has rained so much in Cardiff this week it hasn’t been the weather for celebrating. I know it rains all the time here but it really, really rained… a lot. Therefore my outfits this week have been pretty casual and layered up and that’s kind of my everyday vibe at the moment. I really like wearing a hoodie underneath a smart jacket and heels, I like that it gives things a street wear feel and takes it away from looking too dressy. A hood also keeps my hair dry and my eyeliner smudge free, winner.

 

COAT : ZARA // HOODIE & VEST : PRIMARK // TEE : H&M

JEANS :  MARKS & SPENCER // BELT :  MARKS & SPENCER

BAG :  MARKS & SPENCER // BOOTS : JUST FAB

PHOTOGRAPHY : SARAH BARNES

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