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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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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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

Sale Haul and Try on Video

The Cheapest Wardrobe Update Ever

I don’t know why but I instantly fell for these tights and it’s so bizarre because normally I wouldn’t go for something like this at all. My go-to is a 60 denier black tight because it’s classic, covers my pale legs and goes with everything. I’ve just been a bit bored with my wardrobe recently and I’ve been looking for pieces that are more interesting and exciting to wear. It got me thinking about cheap and simple wardrobe updates and I feel like patterned tights are maybe just that. These polka dot ones are still pretty wearable, they are black after all and I like that they are quiet cutesy and playful. I paired them with a really basic outfit but I think that’s what makes this look so wearable and easy to recreate.

JUMPER, TIGHTS & SHOES : MARKS AND SPENCER

SUEDE SKIRT : BEYOND RETRO

BAG : VINTAGE

PHOTOGRAPHS : SARAH BARNES

Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Lashes Mascara Review

Volume, curl and definition 9/10

The volume is incredible, I’ve never had a mascara that builds my lashes this much. It gives amazing length as well for a full, thick lash that’s buildable. It is however quite easy to over do, especially if your used to doing layers upon layers with other mascaras. Just remember when using that a little bit goes a VERY LONG way.

 

Packaging 10/10

It’s gold, glamorous, femenine and it does not rub off! It’s a testimont to her attention to detail and looks gorgeous in your makeup bag. Far prettier than those ugly Rimmel things in neon!

The brush 7.5/10

When I tried the sample I loved it, the brush was dense but not caked in product. However when I bought the full size it carried a lot more product and didn’t look so full. Sometimes I have to wipe it on the side to get rid of some excess but it’s always heavily loaded. However this is probably how it manages to achieve a dramatic change.

Lasting power 9/10

My lashes stay full all day and they drop far less than with any other mascara I’ve tried which is amazing. The only thing I’ve noticed is that it can be a bit smudgy and I end up getting it around my eye. The consistency is quite oily and you feel it doesn’t really set, I would definitely recommend applying this last and don’t touch it!

Price 7/10

I mean £25 is steep, absolutely, but it’s worth more than a £5 mascara that achieves nothing. You definitely get what you pay for with this and it’s a beautifully packaged item.

Overall 9/10

This is by far the best mascara I’ve ever tried and makes the biggest difference to my lashes. The packaging is gorgeous, it does exactly what you want it to and yes it’s a little pricey but so worth it! If the  smudgey consistency was fixed and it stayed put, it would be a solid 10.

Shop it here

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The Cardiff Lifestyle Awards

I was so excited when I got the invitation from Made in Cardiff TV to come to the Cardiff Lifestyle Awards. Anything that celebrates my home city, I’m right there, I honestly couldn’t be prouder of Cardiff and how far it’s developed in the past few years. These Awards honoured small businesses, who were nominated and voted for by the public. This included everything from fashion retailers, restaurants, bars and experiences and the list of nominees were incredible.

 Before we went live we sat down for dinner, a three course feast of cheese and onion tart, chicken and veggies and a chocolate pudding. It was so good and I was sat on a table with fellow bloggers Dress Me Perfect and Cardiff Fashion as well as the press team from Made TV who were all so lovely. It was a bit surreal to be sat around huge cameras and TV screens but so fascinating to see how that works.

  I was very last minute in getting ready but I went for a simple black jumpsuit and heels, I had no idea what to wear, having never been to an awards show before! So I decided to keep it simple and also wear something I could eat in, priorities! Everyone looked amazing but people were generally smart casual and really on trend, lots of gorgeous midi skirts, jumpsuits and fur stoles. I’ve put my favourite looks from the red carpet below for you to have a look at. I hope enjoyed this post and please keep an eye out for Made in Cardiff TV, they are always covering stories about amazing local talent.

Award Winners

Best Cardiff Bar  – The Dead Canary

Best Cardiff Live Experience –  Tramshed

Best Cardiff Restaurant – Time and Beef

Best Cardiff Fitness Facility – Pure Gym

Best Cardiff Hotel – St.David’s Hotel

Best Cardiff Cultural Attraction – Wales Millennium Centre

Best Cardiff Club – Pryzm

Best Cardiff Fashion Retailer – Penny Lane Vintage

Best Cardiff Hair & Beauty – Guy Christian

Best Cardiff Coffee Shop – The Plan Café

 

 

 

Hello Winter

 It’s here! Toffee nut lattes, frost outside and a mere 7 weeks till Christmas, how could you not love winter? I can’t believe how quickly this year has gone also and how long it’s been since I last did an outfit post! I’ve picked up a few nice pieces recently like this coat in the M&S sale, the grey Topshop tee and this beautiful vintage bag from Penny Lane Vintage. Winter dressing is my favourite and I can’t wait to set my credit card on fire with a few warmer pieces, especially some chunky knit jumpers and coats.

Coat: M&S Sale

T-shirt: Topshop

Bag: Penny Lane Vintage

Shoes: Asos

Photography: Sarah Barnes

Embroidery : The High Street Edit

This is the biggest trend of the season and its emblazoned on pretty much everything. The heavy floral embroidery has trickled down from the catwalk and is the easiest way to bring your wardrobe up to date. In light of this I’ve picked a few affordable pieces from the high street to get you inspired.

 

 

1. Bomber Jacket £99 Biba

2. Embroidered Scarf £39.99 H&M

3. Bag 22.99 New Look

4. Body suit by Glamorous £26 Topshop

5. Velvet bomber £69 Topshop

1. Embroidered shirt £59.99 Mango

2. Jacket £60 Monki

3. Embroidered Dress £85 Asos

1.Khaki Embroidered Jacket £28 Tu Clothing

2. Denim Jacket £44 HOF

3. High Neck Top £40 Oasis

4. Jeans £68 Topshop

Magazine Worthy Looks // Charity Shop Clothes

As a self titled professional thrift shopper, the opportunity to create looks with charity shop clothes for Wales Air Ambulance was a dream come true. They do amazing work and make 2000 missions each year to save lives, supported entirely by donations and their charity shops. So to inspire you to get shopping, I’ve styled some looks inspired by classic trends that will be easy to recreate with some pieces I selected from their Pontypridd store.

 

The Pleated Midi Skirt

The trend: Midi skirts have become a wardrobe staple and are flattering for so many different shapes. This season it’s about pairing it with a light jumper and comfy shoes, for an everyday autumn look.

What to look for: A pleated skirt thats a longer length, either printed or plain and a lightweight jumper. These skirts are always in charity shops, as they were popular many moons ago and most come with an elasticated waist so you can roll it to the right length.

How I’m wearing it: Both me and Alice (Media Officer and fellow Blogger) fell in love with this skirt and felt it was similar to a Whistles one this season. I paired it with a simple white jumper, boots and a backpack and I like that it’s really wearable, comfy and easy to recreate.

Cost: Skirt £2.50

Festival Babe

The trend: Mix and match, festival chic with lots of short shorts, crop tops and layers of accessories.

What to look for: Printed shorts, vintage t-shirts, jewellery and anything printed or colourful. Think about the potential in garments too, this is the one trend where customising is very much encouraged.

How I’m wearing it: I found these printed shorts and instantly loved them, they’re really comfortable, easy to wear and I love that they sit on the waist. I paired them with a simple black crop top and layered my accessories to finish the look.

Cost:  Top £1.50 Shorts £2

90s Grunge

The trend: 90s grunge is all about reviving the looks of the naughties in a contemporary way. One of the key looks is layering a tee under a dress, it’s really easy and adds an instant edge to something girly or dressy.

What to look for: Strappy, long line dresses, that aren’t too tailored or fussy.

How I’m wearing it: I found this dress in the store and felt like it had a lot of potential but I wasn’t sure how to style it. It was actually my mum who suggested the tee and I think it works really well. Layering is an easy way to update a look and adding a choker brings it bang up to date.

Cost: Dress £3.50

Oversized Vintage Shirt

The trend: Oversized vintage or inspired shirts which are loose fitting and in luxe fabrics.

What to look for: A shirt thats not fitted and either oversized or at least two sizes up from what you normally wear. If it’s available choose something in a silk or a luxurious fabric for a more high end look. Make sure to check in the mens rails too because getting the perfect size isn’t crucial and you might find some unusual prints.

How I’m wearing it: For some reason this shirt gave me SATC vibes, so I had to pair it with heels and really dress it up. I think this is such an easy and effective look, who doesn’t have a staple pair of jeans and heels in their wardrobe? And it’s totally effortless and comfortable at the same time. Alternatively you could pair this with trainers and a back pack for a casual day look.

Cost: Shirt £2.50

Italian Red

The trend: The italian Red dress is more of a classic look than a trend but it’s completely timeless. Think of it as the wild sister of the LBD.

What to look for: Anything in a bright but warm red, a dress is perfect but a shirt or skirt would also look amazing paired with black. If it’s a dress make sure it’s a good fit or could be easily altered, you want it to flatter your figure.

How I’m wearing it: I decided to try and dress it up with black and gold accessories as an evening look. Using on trend shoes and a statement belt helps to bring it up to date and look more expensive.

Cost: Dress £3.50

Military Girl

The trend: This look is all about strong, military inspired silhouettes and finishings layered with leather and hardware.

What to look for: Black, khaki or nude pieces with flap pockets or studs.

How I’m wearing it: I decided to wear this dress as is rather than layering it. I like that its form fitting but comfortable and works perfectly with leather boots and a statement bag.

Cost: Dress £3.50

Oversized Shearling Coat

The trend: An oversized, shearling or suede coat, combined with heavy layering.

What to look for: A suede, shearling or fur lined coat/jacket that is oversized or bigger than your normal size. If possible stick to warm tones, burgundy, brown or camel that has large pockets.

How I’m wearing it: I’m in love with this coat, it works perfectly with a chunky knit jumper and I decided to wear over the knee boots to try and dress up the look.

Cost: Coat £6

All the items used for this post will be going back to the Pontypridd store and will be available to purchase, if your quick enough! Please support your local store and share your thrifted looks via instagram @air_ambulance.