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

Three Beautiful Beach Towns to Visit - Amy Rowley Lifestyle

During the last month I have had the pleasure of visiting some lovely little seaside towns in Essex and Suffolk. Each one has a beautiful picturesque town, gorgeous beach and they are all just lovely little towns that I would easily recommend for a day out. In fact they make a perfect Sunday trip out if I do say so myself. So grab your other half, best friend or family member and take them for a drive. 

Frinton - I have been visiting Frinton for years with family and friends. It's very near to where I live so perfect for an afternoon adventure. I always pick Frinton above the likes of Walton or Clacton, simply because it's so pretty. The green above the beach is the perfect location for a picnic, without the annoyance of getting sand in your sandwiches and you can even walk to Walton if you would like as they really are so close. 

They have some lovely little cafes and a yummy sweet shop too if you get a bit peckish. 

Aldeburgh - Now Aldeburgh has a lot of history for me. My grandma lived very nearby when I was younger so I am lucky to have some lovely childhood memories there. It is a gorgeous little town full of pretty shops and boutiques. They also have the best fish and chip shop too!

We decided to visit Aldeburgh for Mother's Day with my mum her partner and my brother. A proper little family day. 

The beach is all stones so although it may not be ideal for making a sandcastle, it makes for a lovely walk and great pictures. Oh and if like some your are good at skimming stones on the sea, your afternoon is sorted.

We wandered through the streets of Aldeburgh, taking in all the gorgeous little places and just enjoying the view. I took an abundance of pictures and managed to spend some quality time with my family, this doesn't happen very often so it was lovely to catch up. 

On the drive back we took a little pit stop at the gorgeous Snape Maltings shopping village and tea room. It has a beautiful selection of gift and home shops perfect for a little nosey and some interior inspiration if you need some. 

Southwold - A long bank holiday meant I had to visit somewhere new and I am so glad I did. Southwold is beautiful! A gorgeous little town, a stunning beach with the best beach huts and to top it off I have never seen so many gorgeous dogs and puppies wandering around. 

We went to a cute cafe called No.Fifty one for lunch which was super yummy and took a wander around the lovely shops. I made sure to buy some Adnams beer for my boyfriend as Southwold is famous for it and it's his favourite. 

If you don't mind going that little bit further, I couldn't recommend Southwold enough. I will definitely be returning in the summer and taking my boyfriend as he will love it too. 

My three current favourite seaside towns that you should take a trip to! Especially as the weather is getting warmer. I hope you enjoyed this little post and let me know if you take a trip to any of them, or even if you know of another lovely beach town. After all i'm always on the hunt for somewhere new to visit. 

Thanks for reading my lovelies x 

'Don't Look Back' Positivity and looking forward

So a week or so ago, i was out shopping with a good friend.  We came across this shirt and both of us fell in love simultaneously, meaning we walked out the shop with two bags not just one. First things first, its stripey. Now my love for stripes is forever strong, especially blue stripes in particular. I think they look very put together and inject a Parisian feel to your outfit, topping it off with a slice of elegance...yes a slice *laughs*. Secondly if you follow me on instagram ( @amyrowleyy) then you will know that my love for captions and embroidery is growing on a daily basis. So the cuteness of the shirt doubled when i saw that it had the words 'Don't Look Back' embroidered onto it. 

When styling the shirt i wanted it to be the key focus of the look, let it do the talking. I paired it with some simple black Joni Topshop jeans, my new favourites although i will admit, the button has to be undone after dinner (high-waisted issues *sighs*). For shoes i chose the boots that i have literally not taken off since i bought them. My slightly pointed leather Chelsea boots from Office. Perfect for everyday wear and they go with pretty much everything in my wardrobe. A staple black boot for your wardrobe. My bag you may have seen in a previous post (here) was a little sale find from Zara, gorgeous grey suede. It is unfortunately sold out, so i won't dwell on it too much but it does just give the finishing touches to the outfit. 

*Outfit*

Shirt - H&M

Jeans - Topshop 

Shoes - Office 

(heads up the boots are now down to £40 !!)

Necklace - H&M

Now moving on from the outfit, after shooting the pictures for this post i thought more and more about the caption and how it fitted so well into something that is one of my main focuses this year. Positivity. 'Don't look back' and dwell on the past but instead move forward and look towards the future and what it holds for you. At the end of last year, i decided positivity was one thing i needed to focus on more, for myself but also others around me. Lets face it, no one enjoys a negative Nancy! I have always considered myself a pretty positive person, but sometimes it's easy to let the negativity surround you and eat you up. 

After moving out last year and spending my first year away from my family, i really had to learn to love myself more. I didn't have the comfort of having my mum at my beck and call, but also i found out that as you grow up and move on in your life, you really start to see where your true friends lie. So here are a few pointers that might help you be more positive in the future.

• Surround yourself by positive people and in turn be positive to others. You need to help each other and push through the negative time's as a team. 
• Don't dwell so much on the past, its easy to get caught up in what has happened or what could have happened, but really it won't help the future you. Look forward no matter what. 
• Try not to let other's opinions get you down. Your life is about YOU and you control it. Don't let other people hold you back after all most of the time their opinion doesn't matter. 

My three small points are just a start of what could be the road to a positive you and a better year, you never know whats round the corner. I hope you enjoyed my little ramble, oh, and the outfit too! Let me know in the comments below, and feel free to come visit me over on my instagram @amyrowleyy or my twitter @amyspoons for more shenanigans! 

Thanks for reading my lovelies x

kick those January blues - 'Night in' inspiration

It's official. It's wet, windy, cold and miserable, January is right on track for being one of those months you just want to curl up in a ball on the sofa and eat your body weight in food. Those January blues that everyone talks about are in full swing, with no money and no motivation to do anything. But! There is always a solution, and we can even enjoy those weekends in, scared to leave your house in less than your dressing gown. 

So, today I thought I would talk through a couple of 'night in' suggestions for you and your friends, or even you and your partner, keeping it cosy and cute this winter. 

Fondue evening 

So me and my best friend were meant to go out on Friday night, but by the time she arrived and we had settled on the sofa with a cup of tea, we weren't going anywhere. Our reasoning you ask? The cold. So instead we got our bums to Tesco and picked up all the ingredients to have a chocolate fondue, with the added luxury of a bottle of prosecco. It was perfect and right up both our streets. We got together; marshmallows, strawberries, pretzels and plenty of Cadburys. What a feast. What's more with a few glasses of bubbly and a music channel in the background, we bought the night club to the comfort of our living room...oh and let's not forget our killer outfits...(I mean pyjamas.) 

Cheese and wine night in

So while we are on the subject of food it would be rude not to mention, the main love in my life, cheese. And yes I know it's just been Christmas and every one I know may be on a diet...but one night of feasting can't hurt surely!? 

Gather together some cheeses, grapes and wine and be those sophisticated ladies (or men) you always knew you were. Your stomach will be satisfied and so will you. 

Spa Evening

As your not venturing out of the house it's only right that you prepare yourself for when you do finally hit the town again. So what perfect time then to pamper you and your friends. Start off by doing face masks and seeing how long you can keep a straight face before you both end up in stitches. Once your skin is feeling like a baby's bottom add your favourite skin care routine to the mix, by the time you wake up you'll feel like a brand new person. You can also do foot spas, and paint your nails. A little pick me up in January can sometimes be just what you need. 

Disney movie night

Now last but not least and it has to be my favourite for obvious reasons, but get everyone together and throw yourself into the Disney princess life. I've been meaning to do this for ages with the girls, but we still haven't got round to it. What better place to be, then in a movie full of princes, singing, dancing and talking animals? 

Grab some snacks of course, in my opinion cupcakes and cocktails work best for this occasion. Sit back and revel in the world of

Disney. 

I hope you like my few suggestions to help kick those January blues with a fun packed night in. Let me know if you try any of them out. 

Thanks for reading my lovelies x 

2016 in a nutshell and looking forward...

Holy moly, where did that year go? So much has happened in what feels like such a short amount of time, but its been a whole year without even knowing it. My life changed dramatically in 2016. For starters I moved out with my boyfriend into a flat together, and changed jobs very early on in the year. Since this point i made a whole new friend group from work, and got my confidence back to where it needed to be. At this point i decided i was finally going to bite the bullet and launch my blog, which believe me when i say, i had been thinking about for not even months but years. I could happily say it was the best thing i have done in a long long time, and it has sparked something in me that i had been lacking for a while. It was a focus, a goal, and somewhere i could spark my creativity and create something i loved. I will continue to focus and improve Amy Rowley Blogspot, for the foreseeable future and after getting a new camera for Christmas i am ready to bring better quality and better content to this blog in 2017. 

Some highlights of 2016, have to be my two little trips away to Portugal and Bruges later in the year. Both were great experiences,and i can't wait to think of where to visit next. Also later in the year, we took a quick trip to Centerparcs for a quality weekend with the family. Also a lovely little break and much needed to spend some time with the loved ones, something i plan on doing a lot more this year. Which moves me onto my next exciting thing that happened very recently. I will be starting a new job this month, which although is super scary and has me all stressed out (because that's just what i do), i can't wait to dig my teeth into something exciting, and learn a new career path that will hopefully be the path for me. It's also nice to say that my blog i feel was a great part to me being successful in this new move, so here's to the future and to my career being on the way to somewhere great. 

Last but not least its important to make a little mention to another big thing for me, which is starting up my driving again and making sure i see it through until i make it happen. I am determined to have no more breaks, and no more freak outs and get myself driving by the end of the year. Positivity is key and a few important people in my life have taught me that this year. 

So here's to 2017, i'm determined to make it even better then the last, and enjoy every moment even when things don't always go to plan. I hope you all had a lovely new years eve, i spent it with my loved ones, and am enjoying a couple of days off before the crazy new year really begins for me. 

Thanks for reading my lovelies x 

Lets party, Christmas Edition - Part 2

So today i'm back with another party style post, whether you need a last minute idea for inspiration to a Christmas party, or your already thinking forward to new years eve, i'm here to help. In my last post i showed you a classic 'Amy' look. For this however i wanted to show you something a little bit different. A bit fairy tale, or self portrait inspired, with bundles of lace and a bit of a flare to the skirt. This little lace dress is from Missguided, which i was shocked to find, as the dress itself is really good quality. The zip was a little stiff to begin with but with a helping hand i soon got myself all zipped up. This dress made me feel a little bit like a Christmas fairy with a sparkly wand, but i kinda liked it. Hence why the backdrop for this shoot had to involve my current love in my life, my Christmas tree.

When it comes to accessories i wanted to keep it subtle and keep with the neutral tones of the dress. That is why i chose an old favourite for my heels. My topshop nude patent heels, i have worn these to death but my oh my have they served me well. Surprisingly comfy too. This dress would also look lovely with a pair of over the knee boots, for a slightly more dressed down look. I am still on the hunt for a pair that fit my little short legs without looking silly. We need somewhere to create petite boots for us little people. 

Little life Update

So the last week or two have been a crazy whirlwind of crazy basically. I had all these plans at the beginning of the month to blog every other day of the month, but life as usual has just got in the way. Its Christmas time and for people like me that work in retail it means basically living at work. I love it and how busy it gets but it leaves little time to much else over the festive period. I have also been under the weather with the horrible cold that has been going around, so that wasn't much fun either. However every cloud has a silver lining and this week has ended on a real high after getting some great news on Tuesday. I will delve into that more another time, but for now just know i will be back posting as much as possible and i'm finally on the mend. I hope this month is as good for you as its turning out to be for me. 

Thanks for reading my lovelies x 

Lets Party, Christmas Edition - Part 1

Yes thats right, its the most magical time of the year, which can mean only one thing and that's getting dressed up, wearing all things sparkly and cracking out that red lipstick that only gets the love this time of year. So i thought ;d show you how i would do a Christmas party or night out, this year. Unfortunately i dont have many plans to get all dressed up this winter so it gave me a little excuse to have fun with it too. For my first look i went for a classic going out 'Amy' look, with quite a tight fitting midi dress, but this time with a twist. I normally always go for a dress with this fit, as sometimes dresses that flare or flounce or flow, can make me look like a little child fairy, instead of a woman on a mission haha! However i was a little more daring with my next look which will be going live very soon. Anyway back to the outfit and the main star of the show in this look, and thats the dress. This little Gem is from the Topshop petite section, which means it fits like a glove and isn't too long for my very short legs. Its a gorgeous navy velvet and lace combination that just shouts elegance. If you haven't already go and check out my velvet Blog post here. It just fits in all the right places and feels like great quality. Even better, it has a small slit up the back, so its really easy to move in and feels very comfortable to wear. No awkward limping up the stairs situation coming your way in this baby!

* Velvet Dress - Topshop, (similar) Shoes - Newlook, Bag- Rebecca Minkoff *

For shoes, i thought i would go all in with the velvet trend, with this grey velvet stilettos. I love Pointed stilettos. They are my favourite kind of heel and already i have quite a collection in my wardrobe. I personally am not a fan of having cold toes, so sandals, this time of year are a no go for me, and the pointed finish to the shoes, always does a good job of elongating my legs, and making me look a lot more sophisticated then i actually am. These bad boys, were a right little find in my local new look, at £11.49!! I mean what a bargain, bit of an odd number but hey i definitely wasn't complaining. I will be getting my money's worth with these one's thats for sure. 

For accessories, i wanted to keep it simple and let the dress do that talking, however i couldn't not wear my new little Rebecca Minkoff Mini Mac, to finish it all off. This bag was my only Black Friday bargain, down from £170 to £45!? Shamazing deal that i couldn't pass up. I like the metal detailing on the bag and it just gives it a little edge to the outfit. 

As i said at the beginning no Christmas outfit is complete without a pop of red lipstick. I went for the classic Rimmel 107, which never lets me down. I completely love this outfit and if i had a Christmas party booked it would be my go too look. what do you think? what are you guys wearing to your party's this Christmas? 

Thanks for reading my lovelies x 

The Christmas tag, And Our first Christmas tree

So originally this post was meant to be all about our first Christmas tree, and a small decoration haul. However i thought i would mix it up a little bit and make it a bit more interesting for you guys by doing the christmas tag. Perfect if you are little nosey like me, or just love to talk Christmas. So lets get right into it shall we.

1. What is your favourite Christmas tradition? A lot of our family Christmas traditions have come and gone over the years, especially with age and getting older. However my favourite has to be, every Christmas eve evening, all gathering round the Christmas tree and picking a small present from under the tree to open early. Our mum most likely picked the presents she wanted us to open, and more often then not, there would be a theme. It was always something cute and fun, just to get us super excited for Christmas morning. I remember once me and my brother both getting Christmas pj's for Christmas eve, so that we were suited and booted for Christmas in the morning.

2. Where do you spend Christmas? I have always spent Christmas at home, or at my mum's. This year is no different even though i don't live at home anymore. It tends to be me, my brother, mum and anyone else who wants to join throughout the day. But i think its very important to spend Christmas day with your loved ones, no matter who or where they are. Plus i couldn't spend it without my little cat Fred, animals always make Christmas even more extra special.

3. What is your favourite Christmas song? Without a doubt it has to be 'All i want for Christmas' by Mariah Carey. Either that or the entire Christmas Michael Buble CD which i could easily listen to on repeat for hours.

4. Tinsel or Garland? Neither. When it comes to decorations, i am all about the lights and the baubles. I honestly hate tinsel and just think it looks cheap and nasty. My mum has definitely made me a Christmas decoration snob over the years *laughs* so i like them too look classy or cute.

5. Who are you most excited to see this Christmas? Fred. As i mentioned before i don't live at home anymore and i miss my little cat on a daily basis. Living in an apartment, means it just isn't ideal for pets, so any time spent with my little freddie is precious.

6. Do you own any Christmas jumpers? yes i do. I own one Christmas jumper from Asos a couple of years ago, and its super cute. Its quite subtle for a Christmas jumper, with little reindeer's on it. Keep your eyes peeled on my Instagram for it (amyrowleyy), as i'm sure it will be on there soon.

7. What is the one Christmas food you cannot live without? This really is a hard one, as the food around this time of year is one of the best parts to Christmas. I think i will go with the classic tin of Quality street that without, It just wouldn't be Christmas. In particular the pink country fudge and gold toffee penny which are my absolute faves!

8. Peppermint or Gingerbread? Gingerbread. but only because of the scent. I don't actually like the taste of gingerbread, but when it comes to building a Gingerbread House i am the first to volunteer. I am also obsessed with the Gingerbread Zoella handcream, called hungry hands. It makes me want to eat my hands, its so yummy.

9. What have you asked for this Christmas? A camera. I really want to improve my photo quality on my blog and maybe even make videos eventually, so a camera is the only thing I want this christmas. Fingers crossed.

10. If you could be any christmas movie character, who would you be? oooooh this is a difficult one. I think i would choose to be the little girl in the polar express. I think i would make the best animated character, and they just get to go on such a magical adventure that i know i would enjoy.

So there you have it. My mini Christmas tag and a little insight into my Christmas time each year. Hope you enjoyed it.

Thanks for reading my lovelies x

The Velvet Trend 5 picks - Head to Toe

So let me just start by saying these bad boy's were hard to pick. To pick only 5 items from the mountain of velvet that is on the high street was so hard but i think i have found some real gem's and i absolutely love them all. So if you haven't guessed already i decided to do a very similar post to my leopard print Head to Toe post linked here. It seemed to go down really well and the more i thought about it, what perfect time to talk velvet, then the festive season. Velvet is so huge this season, its hard not to love it, the shades of velvet are beautiful and there are so many ways of incorporating velvet into your wardrobe and outfits. So let me show you five ways to wear the Velvet trend. 

1. Choker - Accessorize - So the first item is the ideal way  to wear velvet if your not too sure on the trend, but like to keep up to date, and like me, love your accessories. The return of the choker has been huge this year and is still going strong. There are tons of velvet chokers, thin, thick, sparkly, on the market at the moment. This is one i have in particular and have worn to death over the last couple of months. Its really simple with a single pearl pendant attached but it is so versatile. I like wearing it with black with my work outfits or wearing it with thick cozy jumpers for that contrast in textures. You really can't go wrong with this one and its such an easy way to wear a trend this winter.

2. Dress - Topshop - Next up is the dress from the brand Rare which is sold on Topshop. Isn't it gorgeous!? The perfect Burgundy red shade for Christmas and perfect for that Christmas party or night out. This would also be a great piece for a winter wedding so useful for many occasions and something you could keep in your wardrobe for years to come. The bardot trend is still going strong, and its a trend i love. Sexy but covered is my go to look, and having your decolletage on show is much more appealing then having your boobs out (in my opinion.) Pair this with a pair of black pointed courts and black satin bag for a real contrast in materials and you are good to go.

3. Skirt - Missguided - Now this Skirt really caught my eye and for good reason too. First off it is super cheap. Second its a great colour and third the drop hem skirt is a beautiful style and fit. You could wear this day or night and rock it both ways no problem. For the evening a lace trim cami and some heeled sandals will look gorgeous. To keep it more casual in the day a simple white shirt tucked in and some over the knee black boots will make a killer outfit and perfect for strolling around the city, immersed in all the Christmas lights. You could even wear this on christmas day with a cozy jumper for that super festive look. Endless outfits and very little dollar is always a winner in my books.

4. Boots - Zara - Now these have to be my favourite out of all the velvet picks in this post. I literally love them. Everything about them screams fashion, style and elegance. I love that they are a little bit different with the exposed zip and tie up detail. There are so many trends going on in one little boot its hard not to squeal with delight. The colour is the perfect shade of blue navy, that they will still look great with black jeans, but also all the other Christmas colours, red, green, metallic's. I would style these little beautys with an all black outfit. A black satin shirt, some black skinny jeans and a pop of red lipstick and you are ready for your date night or drinks with the girls. 

5. Watch - Cluse - Now last but not least is one for the real velvet lover and also a great Christmas gift this year and that is this velvet strapped watch from Cluse. Now if you haven't seen my gift guide already i will link it here, but i featured one of the Cluse watches in that too. They are such a good price point and there really is something for everyone in there range. This blue velvet watch is just one from there velvet collection and i just think its a perfect statement accessory. Whats better if the velvet is just a phase your going through at the time the Cluse straps are the easiest to mix and match with super easy interchangeable straps. what more could you want!

So that is my five velvet picks, what do you think? I love them all and am really getting into the velvet trend this year, so go make a little velvet purchase this Christmas and put a smile on your face. Hope you enjoyed this post, there will be more from me this week as I am trying to blog every other day in December, my take on the 12 days of Christmas. Please be sure to go over to my Instagram @amyrowleyy and to follow me on bloglovin for more updates.

Thanks for reading my lovelies x 

Lydia Elise Millen, Monica Vinader and going to events on your own!

When I saw that there was a meet up at a Monica vinader store, with Lydia Elise millen as the star of the show, I knew I had to go. My favourite blogger and jewellery brand in one, what more could I ask for. At first I was really apprehensive to go on my own. First off I get nervous and awkward at the best of times and also what would I say, how would I start a conversation with anyone let alone Lydia!! However after tweeting about this and getting a fast response from Lydia herself I decided what have I really got to loose, and as I wasn't at work this day what excuse did I have?! None. So on Thursday evening I headed to London to see what it would be like. It's the first meet up I had ever been too so I really wasn't sure what to expect or how it was going to work. But when I got there I realised , no one else was either. Everyone was in the same boat and it made it a lot easier then expected. I started speaking to a lovely couple of girls and we all expressed our nerves but excitement too.

Let's start off by saying the Monica Vinader store is beautiful! It was there flagship store on duke or York square and it didn't disappoint. All the staff were lovely and we were given a glass of bubbly which definitely helped those nerves a little. We all seemed to naturally form a que and after waiting for a little while, myself and another lady Maria who had buddied up, finally got to meet and speak to Lydia and also her partner Allie. They were both honestly the nicest people, so down to earth and humble and she looked just as incredible as she does on social media! (I know I'm fangirling a bit, but hey we all have our inspirations)  we talked for a while about her YouTube channel, lumi her cat and random conversations about Allie and their boiler too . Haha yes that's right, it really was like talking to a good friend.

After having our conversation, we were then allowed to browse the store and the lovely jewellery , and kindly treated to 20% off, if we wished to make a purchase. I very reluctantly behaved myself and just mentally put everything I saw on my wish list! However the signature bangles really caught my eye, so I feel a purchase maybe made sooner rather then later.

I really just wanted to make this blogpost to tell you that is definitely okay to go to these events like these on your own. 6 months ago I wouldn't have dreamed of it but starting my blog has given me a lot more confidence and makes me think why not, much more often, which is good. Don't worry about what everyone else will think, do what makes you happy and explore your hobbies like any other person would!

Hope you enjoyed this little post from me, I'm blogging every other day leading up to Christmas so be sure to follow me on bloglovin and instagram (@amyrowleyy) for lots more festive fun and fashion!

Thanks for reading my lovelies! Xx

November Round Up and catch up

Wow November flew past didn't it!? Not that i am complaining because it just means it closer to Christmas, which means my Christmas tree will be going up in no time! However we are not here to talk Christmas..just yet...instead i'm here to talk about November and all of the things that have been going on this month. 

To be honest i have been so busy with work this month. Working in retail from November onwards means only one thing, and thats later nights and busier days. But its fun, i enjoy being in a fast paced environment and enjoy being busy. That does mean however that i have really struggled to fit my blogging in and mainly getting outfit shots done. They are my favourite kind of blog post to put together for you guys, but i always need a helping hand with them, and someone that is good with a camera. Those nice angles, and good poses do not come naturally i tell you!! But hopefully i will be able to get some together very soon in time for the festive season. 

This month, i had my hair revamped again. I went a lot shorter and a lot blonder and i absolutely love it. I was quite taken a back at first as the blonde was so much different but now I'm used to it, i'm so glad i did it. My friend said to me 'i think you were actually born to be blonde' and hey i dont disagree with that one. What do you guys think?!

In terms of products i have been loving, i haven't really mixed things up that much this month. However two products from Mac have made my makeup this month and im so happy i have them in my makeup bag. The first is a lipstick from the Christmas gift collection and its called 'Magic spell'. Its a beautiful dark pinky nude and my perfect shade. It comes in a gift set with a lip liner and lip gloss too, and its a great present for Christmas. I was kindly given this by a great friend as a thank you gift, so as you can imagine i was a very happy bunny. The other MAC item is an eye shadow that i wore last week and i am not kidding i had about 5 compliments on it. It is the shade 'Star violet' and its a deep metallic purple pink shade. Its gorgeous and if you have green eyes like me, its a great colour to make them pop!

*Eyeshadow in Star violet and Lipstick in Magic Spell *

Another Materialistic item I've been loving this month is my new phone! I was due an upgrade and so decided  to treat myself to the Iphone 7 plus, and i absolutely love it. For me, my phone is my laptop, camera, and iPad all in one so its important to me that its right. The battery on this bad boy is insane and the camera is my other favourite feature. For a phone camera its amazing and i would definitely recommend this phone if like me, its your life. 

* My Iphone 7 Plus featuring a favourite blogger at the moment. Check her Instagram out @lisa.autumn *

Last but not least, as i think i have rambled on enough, i wanted to talk to you about something really personal to me and that's driving. You might be thinking, what are you on about, but learning to drive has been the bain of my life since i turned 17. It's something i have struggled with non stop, and have dreaded too. Its not that i can't do it or i don't understand it. But my anxiety when it comes to driving is sky high. I am a complete anxious wreck, its quite laughable really. However i decided to start again this month, and i also decided to try automatic. I was dreading it for days and it was keeping me up at night, but by the end of my first lesson last thursday, i felt a huge weight had been lifted from my chest. I found it so much easier, there was less to freak out about and to panic with, and i realised i really can do it, and im gooing to make sure i make it my mission to pass in 2017. I just wanted to tell you, if you find driving hard, or find anything difficult, you can do it. And there is always a way to make it work, its just finding the way for you personally. 

So on that positive note, i'm gonna leave this long ramble right there. I'm hoping to create some great content on my blog for you over Christmas and have some great ideas, so keep your eyes peeled for that and let's make it a great month, 

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

Five Leopard print picks - Head to toe

Hey lovelies, it feels like ages since i did a fashion focused blog post and even though it hasn't even been that long, I've had what i think is quite a good idea and i thought i would share it with you. So i have decided to start a new series on my blog called 'Head to toe'. A series where i pick 5 items from a certain trend that cover all bases literally from head to toe. Like a top, a pair of trousers, or a pair of shoes. Not to be worn together necessarily but, items that follow a trend and different items in which you can wear it. For my first trend I've decided to go with something that is huge this Autumn/winter and that is Leopard print. So i have chosen five leopard print pieces that would make a great asset to any wardrobe, or jazz up any outfit, that i think you guys may like.. So read on to find out more.

1. My first item of clothing is a Leopard print Shirt from topshop. I own this item myself so thought it was a good place to start. To me this shirt is a trend setter, its satin, Pjama style and leopard print so three trends in one. Whats not too Love!? Pair this beauty with some leather trousers and heeled boots for a night out and you are ready to hit the town. Or Team it with a denim skirt and some converse for a slightly edgy look. I just think this is a great piece for anyone's wardrobe and i have already worn it on so many occasions, its definitely worth the money.

* Printed Shirt - Topshop, Similar option - Asos *

2. Now for a clothing item that can be worn on the bottom half of your body, and for this i have chosen a skirt. I feel like leopard print trousers could be a step too far, so a skirt can be worn slightly more subtle with some tights boots and a turtleneck. For something a little bit more dressy, pair it with a satin and lace cami and some pointy heels for that super sexy look. Both of the links below from topshop would be great choices.

*Leopard Print Skirt - Topshop - Topshop *

3. For shoes, there really was only one option and this is a pair of leopard print boots. With an all black outfit these would look amazing and inject just that little bit of fun. I think its always important to play with trends in footwear, as they really can make an outfit, from nothing into something.

* Leopard Print boots - River island*

4. For my next Leopard print item of choice, i have chosen a little bag from whistles. This little number is super cute and just a little bit playful too. If you like to stay on trend but don't always have the budget like myself, accessories are always good to play with. This option is slightly more expensive but there are plenty more options on the highstreet, if your all about looking for that special bargain. It is also a great choice if you dont like to be too out there or crazy with patterns. Just a small contrast to a simple outfit can be a great choice. 

*Leopard Print Bag - Whistles *

5. My last and final pick for this trend, has to be a leopard print coat. This season they seem to be everywhere on the highstreet, and why not, they are such a great statement piece to have in your wardrobe. If your going to go all sassy with a trend this is the way to do it. And for someone like me who loves a coat or jacket in the colder months then this is the piece for you. After all who see's the rest of your outfit anyway. 

*Leopard Print Coat - Asos - Riverisland *

So there you have it. My five favourite picks for the leopard print trend. What do you think, will you be adding a little splash of leopard to your wardrobe anytime soon!? I hope you enjoyed this post from me. I think I'm going to delve into the velvet trend for my next 'head to toe' post. What do you think? 

Thanks for reading my lovelies, hope you are all having a lovely weekend! x