Amy Rowley Lifestyle - Picnic Party Inspiration

I think it's safe to say that this week the weather is finally starting to show the start of summer and with the Bank Holiday on the horizon, what better way to kick start the weekend than with the perfect picnic party. There are so many cute, creative and pretty picnic accessories in the shops at the moment, so I thought i would put together a little picnic inspiration post to kick start your summer plans.

Retro Party Light - Some may think twinkly sparkly lights may be a bit much, but me? I love it! The more decorative and fun you can be with a picnic, the better, I say. This party light is the best way to go one step further. If you're celebrating your birthday in the summer months, use a picnic party as the perfect way to celebrate. Remember don't forget the prosecco. 

Pineapple baskets - The perfect storage for crisps, cutlery, napkins or even a basket of fruit if you're on a health kick. If you have to use baskets to display your food, pineapple shaped baskets are the only option, surely?

Watermelon Pinata - How cute is this pinata?! Spice your picnic up with a bit of fun by having some games to play. This watermelon shaped pinata is the ideal game to add to your list. Fill it with your favourite sweets and once everybody has had a few to drink, this will become even more interesting.

Cactus Shot Glasses - Let's get the party started with shots in the coolest cactus shot glasses. A cute alternative, from the normal shot glass.  Paperchase are killing it with the summer accessories at the moment, perfect for picnics, beach trips and holidays so I would check their selection out.

Pineapple Tumbler - Your going to need plastic tumblers for a picnic, so why not have these pineapple themed glasses. 

Picnic Napkins - Perfect for all those pesky crumbs and if you have to supply napkins, why not do it in style? Monki have a great range of napkins and cute pinic accessories, so their website is definitely worth a little nosey. 

Cactus Ice Tray - For those hot summer afternoons you're going to need endless amounts of ice for your Pimms and soft drinks. This cactus ice tray is a cute solution to a picnic essential.

Pineapple Fairy Lights - For when the sun starts to fade but you want your party to go into the evening, these fairy lights are perfect. A cute touch and very instagrammable too! 

Picnic Blanket -  What picnic is complete without a gorgeous printed blanket. Plus once the weather starts to cool down you can use it to get warm. 

Picnic Basket - For the ultimate picnic planner, this basket screams typical English summer. If you plan on throwing a couple of picnics throughout the summer, this basket is for you. 

Flamingo Bunting - One last cute touch is pretty bunting. This flamingo design is super summery and a simple decoration that just makes everything look great in photos.

So there you have a list of the cutest picnic 'essentials' ready for the summer party season. What do you think? Has this made you want to plan a picnic party for you and your friends?

I hope you've enjoyed this little blog post, something slightly different, but adorable all the same. 

Thanks for reading my lovelies x

Under £20 Christmas Gift Guide

Happy Sunday my lovelies, this is my third and final Gift guide of the series, and its a £20 and under gift guide. Perfect for stocking fillers, presents for friends, or that awkward secret Santa situation when you the get the one person you know the least about. So anyway sit back and relax with a cuppa while i talk you through the selection of gifts. What's even better is more then half of these will be discounted this weekend, with the crazy black Friday deals so what better time to make a little purchase. 

1. Lightbox - This is a great present for the blogger or blog loving friend of yours. Perfect for the Instagram life *laughs* and just a fun bit of decor for your room too. You can get exactly the same one from Asos, but Robert Dyas has it on sale for just £14.99. Bargain!

2. Penguin Socks £4.50- I dont know one girl that doesn't like cute Christmassy socks, hence why this is the perfect stocking filler, or even just to bump up a present when you haven't spent the right amount on someone. They keep your feet cosy and warm and look super cute at the same time. 

3. Colouring book £6.99 - I got one of these last Christmas and i loved it. Its the perfect way for someone to wind down after the Christmas hustle and bustle. Its also just a bit of fun and you can get some beautiful pictures as well, there are some lovely books around so you can tailor it to the individual your buying for. 

4. Starbucks Coffee cup £16.95 - what better present for someone you dont know that well, but you know absolutely loves there coffee and hot drinks. I mean come on who dosent love a coffee or a cuppa!? This one in particular is a gorgeous rose gold colour, but if that isn't to your taste there are plenty to choose from.

5. Topshop lipstick £8.00- Topshop lipsticks are lovely, they are really affordable but great textures, and gorgeous colours. This lovely red/orange colour would be perfect for the Christmas period and if you know someone that loves bright colours this is the one. 

6. Pixi skincare set £20 - Pixi skincare is really really nice, i have tried a couple of there bits and haven't been dissapointed. This little set contains their famous Pixi glow tonic, so if your know someone who love's there skincare or has been dying to try some Pixi products this is a great little starter kit. 

7. Fox slippers £14 - These little fox slippers from next are just adorable and already on my Christmas wishlist. I just think they are cute, fluffy and so autumnal. Even better they remind me of the John Lewis Christmas advert, which is just so lovely and funny this year!

8. Rose Gold Earphones £14 - For anyone who loves Rose Gold, this is a great little present this year. Perfect if you know they are on the go, using trains or buses a lot. If you have to use public transport at least look the part while doing so hey! Everyone needs a pair of earphones so this really is one of those presents where you can't go wrong. 

9. Zoella Beauty Spa in a jar £10 - This little gift is really nice for anyone that needs that little bit of TLC. It has some beautifully scented body treats in there, and it's also perfect if they go away a lot as they are travel friendly sizes. Not to mention if they are a fan of Zoella you really will be on to a winner!

10. Oliver Bonas Gold letters £10 - These little Gold letters are a perfect personal touch to any living room, bedroom, or office. If you know the person your buying for takes pride in her home interior then this is a lovely little gift from you to them. 

11. Unicorn Shower Cap £6.00 - Last but not least this little gift is just a little bit of fun and the perfect stocking filler. At £6 make someone really giggle this Christmas, with a unicorn shower cap on there head. A perfect way to start Christmas morning.

So there you have it, the last Christmas gift guide in my little series. I really hope you enjoyed them as much as i did putting them together. As i said previously there are a lot of offers on this weekend so i would recommend picking up any of these beautys sooner rather then later. I hope you all had a great weekend. 

Thanks for reading my lovelies x 

* No pictures are my own, No copyright intended *

Christmas Gift Guide For Him

So this is the second post in my Christmas guide frenzy! Perfect for the male reader, the man in your life, or your dad or brother that your struggling to buy for. If your thinking, i just dont know, or he has everything already, then this should be able to give you that little push in the right direction.

1. Camel Coat - So originally this was top of my list for my boyfriend this year...Until he went and bought himself one *sighs.* However this is a great gift for any boyfriend that you want to look smart and daper. They seem to be very popular and selling out everywhere, so surely it must mean something! This is a slightly more luxury price point however there are plenty on the high street so check places like ASOS and riverisland out. 

2. DIOR Sauvage - This next one is a standard for any man, old and young, and thats a great smelling aftershave. There is nothing better then a nice smelling partner, and this particular scent is lush! Not only does it keep him happy with a great gift, it keeps you happy too. win win situation. 

3. Fitbit Charge - So if any of the men in your life are fitness freaks, this is the gift for them. The watch that tracks all your movements, exercise and weight loss. Not only will it keep him fit and healthy but also tell the time and connect to your phone too. Perfect gadget for a gym bunny.

4. Cards Against Humanity - Next up is one for all the family, once the kids have gone to sleep thats for sure. You have to keep an open mind and take it very lightly, but this board game with a difference can be a right laugh and make that boring Christmas evening a funny night to remember. 

5.Ted Baker wallet and Card holder - A great present for your dad or older relative, who already has everything. A little refresh in the wallet department can never go wrong, and this ted baker set has you covered in all angles with a matching card holder too.

6. Ipad air WIFI 16GB - My boyfriend just got one of these for his birthday and absolutely loves it. Perfect for on the go, watching movies, Netflix or just browsing the internet without the bulk of a laptop. Even if he already has an older version, the picture, speed and battery will be much improved. Plus you can borrow it too *winks*

7. Hugo Boss Watch - This boss watch is simply the perfect stylish designer watch. Hugo Boss is a well known brand, and the leather strap and silver combo is very smart, perfect for the suited and booted. It isn't too pricey either at £150. It isn't too fussy but does the job and looks the part..Job done!

8. Barbour Scarf and Glove set - Next up is a great gift for any guy in your life, and a standard this winter for the chill to come. And if you have to be wrapped up this winter why not do it in style with this Barbour tartan scarf and glove set. It will compliment any smart coat, and its a great gift for under £50 if your working with a budget like myself.

9. Airplane Flight Drone - Now for the big kid and a little bit of fun, this gadget will make a lot of men very happy this Christmas, and quiet for a couple of hours too. This might be a great gift for a younger brother, or a guy who is getting into his photography and wants to get some great shots.

10. River island Chelsea Boots - If your boyfriend or any male friends are into there fashion, then they could always do with a great pair of Chelsea boots. Just like us girls, men can never have too many pairs of shoes. This grey suede pair from River island, are stylish, simple, and not overly expensive. So while you have the chance too, give your partner a style update this Christmas. 

So there you have it, 10 Very acceptable, fun, stylish and functional gift ideas for the men in your life. There is something for everyone so i hope this has helped and been useful for you. Ill be back on Sunday with a Gift guide of gifts under £20.

Thanks for reading my lovelies x

Christmas Gift Guide For Her

Its that time of year again and everyone is starting to ask what you may want for Christmas, or your thinking what the hell am i gonna get her for Christmas so i thought i would put together some little gift guides to give you a little helping hand. I have broken these down into three posts. The first is for her, the second, is for him, and the last is a £20 and under gift guide, perfect for friends or stocking fillers. All of these gifts i would love to give or receive this Christmas, so i can safely say i love them all. I hope this gives you just a little bit of Christmas inspiration and help to get you into the spirit of things. 

1. Topshop jumper £42 - Every girl loves knitwear this time of year, so what better way to kick this gift guide off then with a great classic jumper from topshop. At £42 it isn't breaking the bank, but is still great quality and a lovely gift. This style is timeless and super simple and chic, making it very hard to get this wrong. 

2. Missoma Necklace £159 - Now this next one is a personal favourite. Jewellery is a very personal thing, so i have chosen two pieces from my favourite brands, that never let me down. This first one is the limited edition horn necklace, from the Lucy Williams collection at Missoma. Its a gold plated necklace, and the perfect gift for the fashionista and someone that loves to follow the bloggers, and be in the know with all the latest trends.

3. Woodland Dressing Gown £26 - The perfect gift for the cold winter nights around Christmas, if the person you are buying for, loves her pj's and hates to be cold, this is the perfect item. The pattern is super cute and fun, and if its not for you, Next have a great selection of cozy comforts this winter.

4. Zoeva Caramel Melange palette £18 - This next gift is perfect for the beauty lover. A gorgeous winter autumn eye shadow palette, with some great shades for all occasions. Every shade is wearable, and with a mixture of matte and shimmer colours you are on to a winner.

5. Cluse watch £79 - Cluse is an up and coming watch brand on the market at the moment, and one that i think has really got it right. With very easy interchangeable straps, you can have a watch for every occasion, its just all about getting the face of the watch spot on. This gold metallic version is a great twist on a classic design and so on trend for this autumn/winter.

6. Monica Vinader Bracelet £195 - I'm sure you all know my love for Monica Vinader by now, so this should come by no surprise. The Rose gold and blue lace agate, make a perfect colour combination and i think this is gorgeous gift, for any girl, woman or lady that loves her rose gold and loves her jewellery. 

7. Whistles Bobble hat £45 - Again the perfect winter warmer gift. The classic bobble hat, with the added luxury of being a whistles product. If i was to receive this at Christmas its safe to say my head will be very happy, warm, cozy and stylish. 

8. Olympus PEN E-PL7 £399 - This is the perfect gift for the budding blogger or photographer this Christmas. The E-PL8 is also a great option, but this is slightly nicer to your purse. A camera is top of my list this year and even though i wont be expecting this one, i know a lot of girls that would love this under the Christmas tree this year. 

9. Charlotte Tilbury Mini Lipsticks £29 - This set was something i missed out on last Christmas, so when i saw they had bought it back for this year too, i thought i couldn't be the only one still lusting over it. This is the perfect gift for someone who wants to test and try some Charlotte tilbury products. Each colour in this set are so lovely and easy to wear, and what a perfect size to fit in your clutch bag. 

10. Office Studded boots £85 - These ankle boots are the perfect dupe for the Chloe 'Susannah' boot, which is why i think so many girls would be over the moon with these on there feet this Christmas. They are so stylish, comfortable and perfect for everyday wear. After all what girl doesn't need a staple ankle boot in there wardrobe. 

11. Vivienne Westwood Purse £100 - This is a gorgeous designer purse and i think that for £100 it really is a great gift. The leather on this purse is so soft and the dark forest green colour is perfect for Christmas and the colder months. Just that little bit different to the classic black. The matching bag is also Beautiful, so i have my eye on that too.

12. MAC Nutcracker pigments Giftset £26 - This last gift seems to be sold out everywhere so it must be popular, but i managed to find it on the selfridges website so get on to it quick. These gorgeous pigments are the perfect sparkle to anyone's Christmas and the colours are just gorgeous. The entire nutcracker collection from MAC this year is absolutely lovely so any set or piece would make the perfect gift. 

So there you have it! 12 girly gift ideas for this Christmas. Did you like this gift guide!? leave me a comment below. Ill be back on Wednesday with more Christmas inspiration. 

Thanks for reading my lovelies x 

My top Jewellery brand picks

Anyone that knows me will know my love for anything sparkly or pretty, and will also know how much i love jewellery in general. I think jewellery is great for many things. It can be the perfect gift for someone, personal or pretty. But they are also a great way of jazzing up an outfit, creating a statement or taking something and turning it into something beautiful and much more on trend then it was before. Take a choker for instance. Pop a plain white tee on, with a pair of ripped denim jeans, plain and simple but add a simple black choker and boots and bobs your uncle, your a fashionista in the making. I happen to work with jewellery every day, and i know lots of the insides and outs, so i thought why not share with you some of my favourite brands, and a couple of picks from each one.

Monica Vinader - Initial Necklace

Accessorize - Pearl Choker

Monica Vinader - for any of you reading this that know me well,  you will know this is my number one all time favourite jewellery brand. I can happily say i like every piece they do and would be a very happy bunny if someone treated me to something, just like i have been in the past. My fascination for the brand started way back when i started watching the makeup goddess that is Lisa Eldridge on YouTube. She used to wear two beautiful rings with semi precious stones in and from then on i was obsessed. I own two pieces of there jewellery, both gifts from special people in my life and i love them. You will have probably seen one of them a lot on my Instagram account (@amyrowleyy) and that is my rose gold initial necklace. I am forever getting compliments on it and it goes with everything. Currently on my wish list are the new Linear stone bracelet and rings, as well as the gorgeous signature bangle in rose gold (hint hint). With most Monica Vinader jewellery you can get it personalised which is a lovely touch i think, perfect for the Christmas months that are looming. 

Pandora - Moments Charm Bracelet,  Monica Vinader - Bangle 

Chlobo - My next jewellery favourite is a brand called Chlobo. It is a brand I work with on a day to day basis and its a firm favourite all round.  The idea behind the brand is all about the stack, and the meanings behind each charm. They are all sterling silver or gold plated, and the bracelets are on a stretchy silicone cord, so they are super easy to get on and off. There main focus are the stacking bracelets,  but they do a lovely range of necklaces and earrings also. The tassel charm is my favourite, manly because it is so pretty but also because it is supposed to distract evil and negativity, which i think everyone needs a bit of in there life. I was kindly given a  bracelet in a work competition but i'm eager to add to my stack. There new collection comes out the end of September and it has some beautiful pieces in it so be sure to check it out.

(Close up of Pandora bracelet, Chlobo bracelet and Pandora essence bangle)

Pandora - Next up is the very popular and most known brand for sure, and that is Pandora. You really can't go wrong with Pandora. It in my eyes for the quality is very affordable, and it is for all ages. The charm bracelets are of course the main star, however i think that the rings, and some of there more sophisticated collections are hidden gems. I'm very lucky to own a fair amount of their jewellery that i have been gifted and collected over the years. They are very clever and i always think that their marketing is fantastic. As a brand they continue to bring out different collections, as often as possible for all the different seasons, which is what makes it so addictive and interesting. 

Accessorize 'Z' Range - Last but not least, is definitely a more affordable and budget friendly jewellery brand, but still of good quality and beautiful designs. The Accessorize 'Z' range, is sterling silver or gold plated jewellery, in very intricate and delicate designs. Some of the pieces include semi precious stones or cubic zirconia for some added sparkle, and its safe to say i struggle with choosing what pieces i like the most every time i go to have a look at the collection in my nearest store. I have a small collection of some of the pieces and each piece is as adorable as the next. For anyone on a budget but like me you love jewellery and expensive looking delicate pieces, that look good layered head over to accessorize. Pieces are all around the £12 to £25 mark. Oh and heads up if you get yourself a Accessorize reward card, you could get 20% off this Thursday and Friday (8th,9th September,) so go and treat yourself to something pretty. 

( A few pieces from last season 'Z' Collection, new collection linked above )

So there you have it, jewellery 101 with Amy Rowley *chuckles*. But seriously if your a jewellery lover like me, or in need of purchasing a gift for a special friend, check these brands out, you wont be disappointed. Or if you like come visit me at Fenwick Colchester Where we have a super selection of brands suitable for everyone, all in sparkly new counters ready for our launch on the 14th September. 

Thanks for reading my lovelies x