(Something for the Weekend) April Showers

Happy Friday everybody!

We have had a really glorious week here in the UK. Spring has definitely sprung and we have had warm sunny weather every single day. I didn't really want to think about rain whilst the sun was shining but non-the-less, I definitely enjoyed creating my April Showers inspired outfit for this week's My Friday's Fancies.

Jumper | Jeans | Wellies | Mac

Don't you just love that quote? I love it!

If it was raining - and rain it does a lot in England! - I'd love to don this outfit... skinny jeans and a simple jumper to keep warm and I absolutely LOVE these bright red wellies. I currently have a pair in pink but I think this red pair would look much more sophisticated.

A classic Burberry trench is a staple piece for any wardrobe and I wear mine at absolutely any given opportunity -- it instantly makes any outfit look chic.

Finally, a top knot is a must in the rain. My hair is so thick and naturally slightly wavy, so this is the only hairstyle that will carry me through the wet weather and prevent me from looking like a drowned rat ;) I also think they look fab and I 'm so happy that this look is so on-trend at the moment.

This weekend, I plan to take it easy. I am meeting a friend for dinner and drinks this evening and tomorrow, I am having my hair done and will be packing for my up-coming trip to California (eek, I'm so excited!).

I've also been asked to take part in a tennis tournament but I'm so scared!! I play tennis on a regular basis and I'm okay. Let's just say I know how to play :) However, I never play competitively and the thought terrifies me. But, I'm a big believer that we have to constantly step out of our comfort zones in order to grow, so maybe I'll give myself a pep talk and man up -- I'll let you know on Monday.

Here is my weekly round up of my favourite find from around the web...

• WOW, words truly escape me!
• Love this outfit -- how cute are her shoes?!
• This would make the cutest alternative engagement ring :)
• I really like this website. My favourites are this, this and this :) which are your favourites?

What are you all up to this weekend? Have an amazing time whatever you do!

Love, Samantha xx

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Linked with: Long Distance Loving

Image thanks to: 1, 2

(The Style Files) Business Card Holders

You can find me over at the Female Entrepreneur Association today, talking about business card holders that are practical, yet stylish -- exactly what the modern business girl needs :)

If you've recently launched your own business or you're thinking about launching one soon, then you should definitely check out the FEA. It is packed full of inspiring stories, handy hints and is a great place to network with other like-minded female entrepreneurs. And, if you're already a successful entrepreneur, then you can share your story to inspire others :)

Love, Samantha xx

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(Thursday's Thoughts) Being Realistic

Oh, how true this is...

I had a conversation with the boy recently about dreams and goals and discovered that he likes to set attainable goals for himself, so he constantly reaches them and can then move on to his next goal. 

I, on the other hand, prefer to live in my dreams. I am constantly striving for something bigger and better and if I don't quite reach the goals I set for myself, then the journey getting part way there was usually fun enough anyway and I never give up hope. Even if it takes me a lifetime to reach them, I believe that I will eventually. 

I guess I have faith. Either that or I'm slightly crazy ;) I'm a total dreamer and hardly ever realistic but this is where I'm most comfortable. I like to think that the boy and I work so well together because I can dream BIG and he can come up with the steps to get us there... haha, well maybe :)

Where are you most comfortable? Living in dreamland or constantly setting new goals and reaching them? I'd love to know :)

Have a great Thursday! xx

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(Girl Crush) Blake Lively

Since I started watching Gossip Girl -- which I've developed an unhealthy obsession with ;) -- I've also developed a girl crush on Serena!

I absolutely love her and her style and her hair!

Oh to be a society girl on the Upper East Side ;)

Until tomorrow, have a lovely day xx

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Image thanks to: 1 2 3 4 5

(Products I Love) Daisy Chakra Bracelets

I came across these bracelets at the weekend and I think they would be a great way to add a splash of colour to any outfit this Spring. 

Each Daisy Chakra bracelet symbolises one of the seven chakras that aid mental and physical alignments, so you can look colourful whilst reaching for a level of personal health. I take vitamins daily, so every little helps, right?

Here's how to decide which bracelet to go for...

Which one would you go for?

Have a great Tuesday :) xx

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Can be purchased here

(Life) Through My Lens

Most of my weekend was spent helping my friend celebrate on her Hen Party and we had a really great time. However, as I was in charge of making the day & night run smoothly, I forgot to take photos, so this is just a snippet of my weekend :)

The weather was absolutely perfect. Warm and sunny for the entire weekend, so we got to enjoy brunch by the river and a stroll through a beautiful park.

The evening antics were made up of cocktail making, dinner and dancing.

It was a great weekend and yesterday was spent resting and recovering!

I am loving the amazing weather that the UK is experiencing at the moment. It's so warm and sunny... I just hope that it lasts!

I hope you all had a lovely weekend.

Have a great Monday :) xx

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Linked with: Ashley

(Something for the Weekend) 49ers

Happy Friday everybody :)

In true Friday fashion, I've put together another outfit that was inspired by {AV} over at Long Distance Loving.

With the theme being "create a look supporting your favourite team", I just couldn't resist using the 49ers as my inspiration. I don't really follow sport and I certainly don't understand American Football (!) but the boy LOVES this team and I love the colour combination, so it's a perfect match. I also think this outfit, if teamed with a cute pair of ballet pumps, would be great for a day watching a game. 

Top | Jeans | Blazer

This weekend, I will be helping my lovely friend celebrate and party hard at her Hen Do. All details are currently a secret and I believe she may be a reader, so I am keeping my lips sealed. All I know is that we're going to have a lot of fun. Any other spare time this weekend will be spent prepping myself and then recovering ;)

Following on from last week, here are a few favourite finds from around the web...

• I feel like this sometimes
• Pastels & stripes?! LOVE this look :)
• Beautiful location for a wedding -- it has definitely been added to my venue wishlist!
• This is kinda random but quite cool
• I tried this and it's delicious -- I definitely recommend

What are your favourite finds from around the web this week?

Wishing you a fabulous weekend xx

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Linked with: Long Distance Loving

(The) Liebster Award

The lovely Laura from Style Notes by Laura has very kindly awarded me/every shade of {green} with the Liebster Award and I'm thrilled! 

The Liebster Award is meant to be given to bloggers with less than 200 followers. Those nominated then, in turn, nominate 5 of their favourite blogs and so on.

I only started writing my blog in November last year but since then, I've 'met' so many really lovely people and I'm thoroughly enjoying the experience. Can't wait to see what will come next.

This is my first award, and I think it's worth a little celebration ;)

Thank you Laura! xx

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(Thursday's Thoughts) Happiest

"I began learning long ago that those who are happiest are those who do the most for others."

- Booker T. Washington -

Image thanks to: 1

(Destination) Turkey

I dream of travelling the world and it is a dream that I hope to continue fulfilling over the next couple of years. I'll be starting small, with city breaks in Europe but I then hope to travel for longer periods, to destinations further afield, such as Thailand and New Zealand.

Aside from California, the first trip I will be taking this year is a long weekend in Turkey with one of my girlfriends and I cannot wait. I have never been anywhere in Turkey before and there is so much I'm looking forward to, from the warm weather and the crystal blue sea to the culture, history and amazing food.

This post marks the start of a series that I hope will continue until I've seen the world.

Were are your dream destinations? Where have you been that you would recommend? I'd love to hear :)

Have an amazing Wednesday xx

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Image thanks to: 1

(2012) Spring

Today is the first day of Spring! The sun is shining and I can see lots of beautiful daffodils from where I'm sat right now.

I've been so excited about the arrival of Spring, that I couldn't possibly let this day go by without dedicating a post to it, so here it is and here's to Spring 2012, I'm so excited for the months to come :) xx

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Image thanks to: 1

(Style Crush) Kate Middleton

I have been swooning over pastel jeans since they hit the highstreet earlier this year and now that they're fit for a princess, I'm even more desperate to get my hands on a pair!

Kate was seen sporting the pastel beauties whilst visiting the new Olympic Stadium in London. Teamed first with a navy blazer and high heels (personally, I think I would probably have teamed this outfit with a pair of cute pumps:) and later with trainers and a jumper. I think they look great with both the grey and the navy.

This item of clothing has now gone straight to the top of my Spring wishlist :) 

What is on your Spring wishlist?

Until tomorrow, have a great Tuesday! xx

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Image thanks to: 1

(Life) Through My Lens

Happy Monday all :) I hope your weekend was lovely.

Mine was relatively quiet, with long walks, lunch with friends, cooking and generally relaxing. The weather was beautiful and it went far too quickly for my liking.

Here are some scenes I've captured from my life over the past week...

-- Nut-free carrot cake is my absolute favourite and we indulged with Ben's Cookies whilst in London last weekend. They are delicious! Almost a cross between a muffin and a cookie and a definite must when in London :) --

-- My first Espresso Martini {which I really enjoyed} and Jägerbombs to help us party 'til dawn --

-- Me with a favourite :) and delicious lamb steaks for dinner --

-- 3 of my favourite things... flowers from the boy, Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc & Gossip Girl -- 

-- My new wall art. LOVE them --

I'm seriously slacking on the #MarchPhotoADay (have you tried it? It's harder than I imagined! The #AprilPhotoADay is up now... check it out:) but I hope to catch up this week/weekend with the aim of sharing them next week :)

Have a great Monday xx

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Linked with: Jenni & Ashley

(Something for the Weekend) St. Patrick's Day

Hello everyone and happy Friday! Boy am I delighted that it is almost the weekend!

I don't have a great deal planned for St. Patrick's Day but I certainly enjoyed scouring the net for some green fashion inspiration. I believe that you would look ever so slightly ridiculous if you wore all of the following items at the same time, but I think that pops of green will brighten any outfit this Spring.

Dress | Bag | Shoes | Earrings | Scarf | Bracelet | Nail Polish

This weekend, I plan to make a couple of trips to the gym, play some tennis, catch up with friends and generally relax. I haven't had a relaxing weekend in so long and I'm really looking forward to it.

Since I started writing my blog back in November, I've found that I spend more time online than ever before and this has led me to some interesting finds, so I've decided that, starting from today, I will document my favourite finds from the web every Friday.

• This blog post really made me think about how much I use my mobile phone
• I think you should check out one of my favourite blogs because the images she uses are just beautiful
• What a beautiful home
• I'm dreaming of staying here one day
• This outfit would be perfect for Spring
• Mummys & Mummys-to-be... this is adorable

I'm wishing you all the most fabulous weekend xx

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Linked with: Long Distance Loving

(Thursday's Thoughts) Success

"Success for me isn't a destination it's a journey. Everybody's working to get to the top but where is the top? It's all about working harder and getting better and moving up and up." 

- Rihanna -

"Let life unfold day by day. Do not rush into doing that isn't necesery. Trust that where your feet are is where they are supposed to be and walk into this day with a positive expectation - who knows what lies ahead for you." 

- Jackson Kiddard -

I think these are both really great quotes... and sometimes it is really important to remember that we must compete only with ourselves - in order to improve - and compare ourselves to no one. Sometimes, in a world of constant and instant social media, it is easy to get wrapped up in other peoples' lives but we must remember to refocus our thoughts and trust that we are exactly where we are meant to be at this exact moment.

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Image thanks to: 1

(For the Home) Jo Malone

One of my favourite accessories brands for my home is Jo Malone. Their products leave everything from you to your linen smelling divine and they look really pretty on display around your home.

 My favourite items at present include their candles (1), which I have dotted round my flat. Some of them are burning but some are still in their packaging and look just as cute like that. Their bath oil (2) smells amazing and leaves your skin feeling super soft. It also comes in an amazing glass jar,which looks really pretty on your bathroom shelf. After the bath, I always apply their body cream (3), in the same scent as the bath oil -- I like to layer my scents, so that they last all day and to finish off, I'll have a spritz of their cologne (4), which can be topped up throughout the day.

My fragrance of choice is Pomegranate Noir, which smells floral and fresh and I was hooked from the first time I smelt it.

What are your favourite accessories for the home?

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Image thanks to: 1

(Looks I Love) Dots

I am loving all the over-sized polka dot shirts that are in fashion at the moment. I think that any of the below would look fab half tucked in to a pair of bright skinny jeans, for a really on-trend, up-to-the minute look.

Have a great Tuesday :)

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Image thanks to: 1

(Looks I Love) Blue & Pink

Wow, I absolutely love this look. It is cute, on-trend, and classic all at the same time and those shoes! ... they're to die for ;)

Happy Monday everyone... Let's make it a great week.

:: Samantha ::

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Image thanks to: 1

(Something for the Weekend) Spring Break

Being English, we never had Spring Break - and all the fun that comes with it - and from the movies, I believe I missed out! ;)

Money is not the most abundant factor in my life at the moment, so any excuse to dream up a new outfit or browse the internet for style inspiration is fine by me! I love the blue and purple together in this ensemble and I think the gold works with it perfectly.

This weekend, I'm off to London for a girlie weekend with my university friends -- It isn't very often that we all get together for a weekend of fun, so I'm really excited! The outfit above would not suit the freezing cold weather we've been having recently but the sun is out and I can tell that Summer is just around the corner.

Wishing you all a really lovely weekend.

:: Samantha ::

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Images: via

(Aspects of my Life) This {Girl} Means Business

I have very recently become a contributor to the Female Entrepreneur Association, which is very exciting news and I will be writing a weekly series called This {Girl} Means Business, where I will be picking out and talking about everything the stylish business woman might need on her journey to success.

Whether you're an established business woman, just starting out or dreaming of starting your own business, I urge you to check it out. You will find a wealth of helpful and inspiring information and it is also a great way to promote your business.

This week, I'm posting about Business Cards that help you and your business stand out... pop along to here and let me know what you think :)

I'm so happy that it's Friday tomorrow and then the weekend -- woo hoo!

Love xx

:: Samantha ::

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