The Best Songs Of Summer 2014

Summer seems to have buggered off here in the UK, I'm pretty sure it's still August but Mother Nature obviously thinks it's October. So what to do when the weather is rubbish and getting you down? Blast out your favourite summer tunes and pretend you're still lying on that gorgeous beach with the waves lapping at your feet consoled with the fact that your pasty English skin saw at least a glimpse of the sun this year!

Songs have such a unique way of holding memories whether it be thinking of a time when the song was playing or the words acting as a reminder of the past and for me these songs sum up my summer perfectly. It's quite a random mix I'll give you that but there's not really one genre I love more than any other, I just appreciate a great song. No more explanation needed, just hit play.

George Ezra - Blame It On Me

Milky Chance - Stolen Dance

Charli XCX - Boom Clap

Clean Bandit - Come Over feat. Stylo G

Route 94 - My Love feat. Jess Glynne

Wankelmut and Emma Louise - My Head Is A Jungle MK Remix

Rizzle Kicks - Tell Her

Do you have a favourite song from the summer? Any recommendations? Let me know below!

Growing Out A Fringe - The Topknot

I'm at that awkward stage with my hair at the moment of growing out my fringe. It's driving me nuts I'm not going to lie but I'm determined not to give in and just chop it back in again. It was thick, blunt and started quite far back on my head so it's quite a big chunk of hair I'm growing out which it makes it all the more difficult to keep it out of my face. Currently it's sitting just above my mouth so at that length it's starting to get easier to incorporate into hairstyles and I'm needing fewer and fewer bobby pins. At the beginning however my hair was just a disaster! Once it grew past my eyes I tried pushing it to the side but I hated it, no matter how much I blow dried it it didn't sit right. Then I tried splitting it down the middle and I ended up with awful 90's boy band style curtains, the shame!

The only answer in the end was a good old top knot. I resisted at the beginning because I wasn't a fan, in fact my sister and I would regularly laugh at what we called 'pineapple heads' walking down the street. Slowly though I began to see the beauty of a top knot, my fringe would stay out of my face and there was no styling involved whatsoever. Now I'm a proud pineapple head! My sister's still not a fan but hey, you win some, you lose some.

My top tips for growing out a fringe:

• Booby pins are your best friends, buy lots of them!
• Invest in a strong hold hairspray to keep it off your face, I recommend L'Oreal Elnett Satin Hairspray.
• For the perfect top knot, tie you hair up in to a pony with your head upside down. Use a brush to make sure you get all of your fringe tied up. Then you can twist it and pin it into place.
• The messier the better, if hair falls out just go with it. If anyone asks (they wont), it was meant to be like that, duh!
• Make sure to get it trimmed regularly so the hair grows out strong and healthy. I know it seems like it's defeating the object but you don't want it breaking off as soon as you've grown it out. Plus, healthy hair grows quicker!
• Stick with it! The temptation will be there to just cut it back in once it's past your eyes but don't give in, soon you will be fringe free!

I don't want this to put you off getting one however. I'm still a huge fan of a fringe and I absolutely loved mine but I'd had it for four years and I just fancied a change. That and it also made me look super young and with my baby face I need all the help I can get. If you need evidence, every time I go into my local Indian restaurant they offer me a lollipop so now I refuse to go in there, I'm 21 not 12!

I've experimented with tons more hairstyles to help with growing out a fringe which I'll share with you in the coming weeks so keep an eye out!

Primark A/W 2014 - My Picks

It may be August but I'm already getting excited for Autumn/Winter fashion, I'm getting a bit bored of my Summer wardrobe now if I'm honest. You've probably already noticed a few cold weather items sneaking in to the shops and I reckon now is as good a time as any to get started on your cold weather wardrobe before all the good stuff is gone. With that in mind I've had a sneak peak at what Primark has in store for us in the coming months and picked a few of my favourite pieces.

                    Tie Front Shirt Dress £13 (in store now)                       Slavo Studded Dress £17 (in store 22.10.14)

The 90s is very much still a trend for Autumn/Winter and I don't think I've seen anything more 90s than this shirt dress with tie front. It's definitely something I could see Angela from My So Called Life wearing, there's a girl who knew how to rock a check shirt. 

How beautiful is this printed dress, it's not something I'd normally expect from Primark but I love that they're trying something new. It would look stunning paired with thick black tights and chunky gold jewellery for a Christmas or New Years party. 

                 Floral Shirt Dress £13 (in store 20.8.14)                    Embellished Trophy Skirt £16 (in store 2.10.14)

This floral shirt dress is one to take you straight through from Summer to Autumn. Wear it open at the top and a pair of sandals whilst it's still warm or buttoned up with tights and boots for the colder months. 

There's something a little 1920s about this embellished skirt, paired with a simple black silk cami and heels, it's perfect for all those Christmas parties there's to look forward to. 

           Layered Textured Dress £13 (in store 27.8.14)                 Fur Collar Crombie £25 (in store 14.9.14)

This layered white dress is another great transitional piece, I'm picturing it with a colourful, chunky statement necklace and sky high heels for an alternative going out look that works in all weathers. 

As soon as this fur collar coat hits the shops I will definitely be buying it! It's totally 80s in a garish sort of way but that's why I love it, if you have to cover up your outfit with a coat you may as well make a statement! 

Zip Front Peep Toe Boot £16 (in store 7.7.14)              Wine Wool Floppy Hat £8 (in store 22.8.14)

LE Cut Out Detail Boot £18 (in store 29.8.14)

Primark always hit the mark with their shoes and accessories and their Autumn/Winter collection is no exception. Make like a fashion blogger and buy yourself this floppy hat, it's the sort of style that suits everyone.
These peep toe boots are perfect to take you through to Autumn and once it gets chilly switch to these buckled boots to keep your tootsies warm. I for one will be picking up both!

What do you think of the pieces I've chosen? What are you looking forward to wearing come Autumn/Winter? Let me know below!

* All pictures property of Primark *