The Dublin Post, #NoFilter*

If you follow me on Twitter or Instagram then you may have seen that I recently visited Dublin on a long weekend break. Upon my return I discovered that London City Airport have been running a project which as you may have guessed from the title is called #NoFilter. The idea is to encourage and promote using photos in their truest form, without adding those ever popular Instagram filters or using editing tools from similar apps. The key aim of the project is to get back to the root of photography, capturing the notion that the ever-photographed travel destinations are just as beautiful without the filters.

Chelsea, Chelsea

Boots + Skirt, both H&M | Scarf, New Look

You've probably noticed that Chelsea boots are everywhere at the minute. Black ankle boots look to be the shoe of the season yet again and are quite rightly getting a lot of hype. Every other picture on my Instagram seems to be black boots just lately (and food of course)! Naturally, I had to jump on the bandwagon and everytime I put these on I ask myself why I didn't buy a pair years ago. They're so practical and cosy and I can go for countryside rambles without getting wet feet or worrying that my shoes will get ruined. Chelsea boots are well and truly 'get stuck in!' boots and if I'm completely honest my favourite thing is that they enable me to wear huge cable knit socks regardless of whether they work with my outfit. I sound like an old farmer...

This pair came from H&M for just £24.99 and I'm after a heeled pair next. Watch this space...

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The Gemstone Post

I've been lusting over gemstone jewellery for some time now and finally gave in and purchased a couple of crystal point necklaces last week online.

It's Potent!

This month I received my third Birchbox and although I'm still quite pleased with their selection of samples Im going to unsubscribe so I can try a different company, just for a bit of variety ya know.

Khaki Affair

If you have eyes, you'll have noticed that khaki is starting to make its way onto the highstreet again, I'm a big fan so, naturally, I've made some investments. Alongside these items fitting the seasons colour trend, they're also a nod to some summer styles that aren't budging for AW'14.

Contrast Trim Dress, New Look, £19.99

Happy Birthday To Me, From Me

As much as I hate to admit it, this month I turned 25 years old. 25! This is such an awful age for any girl because people begin to remind you of the imminent negatives that come with the big two-five - 'quarter of a century', 'half way to fifty' and 'smear tests' are some of the phrases to have reared their ugly heads in my birthday cards this year and I grimaced with the opening of each envelope. It's the horrifying realisations that (trust me) everyone is so keen to remind you of that make you want to cancel your birthday full stop and never utter a word of its existence to another human being, but that kind of comes with the territory of hitting those dreaded mid 20's.

So, since being a proper grown-up is so terrible I decided to treat myself to a few things to make turning 25 that little bit easier...

#veryontrend

Last week I attended a Very.co.uk beauty event at The Deck in London which celebrated the launch of a number of brands now being stocked on the Very site. An evening of pamper sessions with an awesome view of the London skyline alongside champagne, canapés and shoulder brushing with some industry hot shots... What's not to love?!

I've only been to one other event since I started blogging and it was a real let down so I tried not to get too excited about this one in the days leading up to it. However, this evening was a great success in my book. Murad, GHD, Bourjois, NailsInc, and Illamasqua were some of the brands at the event offering treatments and tutorials on a first come first serve basis so as soon as we arrived at the venue we got stuck in to avoid disappointment.

The new NailsInc gel polish in Porchester Road

Catherine gets some Babylis tong action...

I think we both had three beauty treatments each; Cat went for hair, nails and an Illamasqua tutorial and I went for nails, hair and an eyebrow tutorial with Bourjois (which directly resulted in me buying a few of their products the other day, you can see them here) and we were both really pleased with the pamper sessions we chose. There was a really nice vibe at the event and everyone was keen to chat and get involved. At one point I was chatting to Kate Turner, Beauty Editor for Cosmopolitan, but didn't realise until afterwards *kicks self very hard*. In addition to the actual event being great, the goody bag was out of this world! There was a 90ml fragrance in amongst these products too but I had a men's aftershave so it's already been shipped off to Andys.

I'm excited to try out all of my new beauty products and I'll definitely post reviews of them as I go. Very definitely delivered a brilliant evening and you can now check out more photos and step-by-steps at www.veryontrend.co.uk

If you get the opportunity to attend a Very event in the near future, do it. You will not be disappointed.

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Bourjois Beauty Haul

I've been spending again...

Rimmel Colour Rush Nail Collection

I'm sad to say that the sun has pretty much given up on Kent so as an ode to Summer 2014 I'm sharing the nail polish shades that I've been addicted to over the (few) summer months.

Socks and Sandals

New Look | £19.99

Blue Hue

I'm in love.

Sun, Sea & Sand - Birchbox Review

When I first started blogging my beauty posts primarily centred around my Glossybox subscription. To be frank, that didn't last long as unfortunately I didn't feel like they were living up to the hype. It's been about a year since I cancelled the subscription but recently I have been taken in by some of the other boxes on the market, particularly as I'm seeing so many being reviewed on other blogs.

I finally gave in and took up a new subscription, this time with Birchbox.

The Venice Post

I finally made the trip to Venice the weekend before last and OMG it was amazing! We had three full days and two nights in the city and I genuinely didn't want to come home.

July Wishlist

July Wishlist by casey-byrne featuring fitted jumpsuits

Having missed out May and June, I thought it was about time I created a summer wishlist.

Believe The Hype - Micellar Cleansing Water

    I have read so many reviews of this product since it stormed the shelves a few months back and I didn't believe it could ever live up to the hype, but boy was I wrong. 

End of Term Treats

It's the end of term again and I couldn't be happier to be facing 9 days off! I really dislike my workplace at the moment, dramatic aren't I, and to cheer myself up after a terrible few weeks of no breaks whatsoever and mean comments from co-workers, I decided to treat myself to a little summin' summin' with some of the pennies I'd saved from last months pay packet.

Fisherman jumper - Topshop £22 | Monochrome Clock Clutch bag - Primark, £4 | Tortoise shell Sunglasses - Primark, £2

May I...

May wish list by casey-byrne featuring a green handbag

I haven't posted in such a long time. I'm sure all bloggers can sympathise with life getting royally in the way of posting and for me it's been work (and a massive job hunt) that's kept me from doing what I like best. That being said, knowing that I wouldn't have much time to put posts together this month, I updated my site instead with a cute (and much more professional looking) theme and I'm much happier with how this page looks now; I hope you like it as much as I do.
I've also linked my second blog, Best Place I've Never Been, through my new and improved top bar #shamelessplug. Please, please, please check the page out; it's a travel wishlist blog that I've been putting quite a lot into just lately so I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing articles for it, hopefully it'll provide you with some travel/adventure inspiration.

Back to CaseyB, I've finally got round to doing a wishlist after completely missing out April and this addition is quite heavily inspired by my upcoming trip to Venice. Okay, I'll admit, it's not actually booked yet, but it's inevitable and I couldn't be more excited! The Topshop bag is ideal for hand luggage and so cute that I actually swooned aloud when I saw it in store. I'm still after a pair of cleated Chelsea boots but would ideally like a black pair with white soles which seem to be non-existent now that I have the money for them (typical) but I'm really loving the peep-toe sling back versions that are storming the blogging network; everytime I see a pair on Instagram my heart aches a little in longing. The majority of the Topshop items are in my online basket waiting to be purchased and once Venice is booked (eeee!) I'll be snapping them up to take away with me. I'll show you everything I buy as soon as it arrives and will hopefully have a Venice adventure to share with you come July.
It's been such a long time, but I'm back and it feels good!

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Nailed It

Ah Rimmel. I never used to be a huge fan of this brand but after becoming addicted to a couple of their mascara's (Lash Accelerator and Scandaleyes) I decided to give their nail polishes a second chance. This nicely coincided with the release of the Rita Ora Colour Rush line which feature some pastel shades that I really couldn't take my eye off, as well some awesome lip crayons but that's a whole other post waiting to happen. Choosing shades was a lengthy process but I finally settled on 'Lose Your Lingerie' and 'White Hot Love', two really cute pastel shades, one pink and white.

If The Shoe Fits

BLOGGER MAIL!!

    The lovely ladies at justfor5pounds.com sent me a spring surprise last week and I'm so excited to share it with you! To be completely honest I was quite apprehensive, seeing as I've never shopped with them before, but it couldn't have been more unjustified. I kept my fingers crossed all the way to the post office and after rushing home and ripping open the packaging, it was clear I'd struck gold.

High Heel Ankle Boots* - justfor5pounds.com - £5.00

Cracks in our Foundations

    I've never really had much luck with foundations to be honest. Whether the colour selections are too warm (tango is not my preferred look) or whether the consistency irritates or doesn't suit my skin type, it's always been a make-up minefield.
Working in Superdrug gave me plenty of time to try out different brands and types of foundation and a few years ago I settled on Maxfactor's Miracle Touch. I have two shades, one of which is slightly darker/warmer and I use this on the centre of my face as a second layer as I'm very self-conscious of my red cheeks and sometimes dark under-eyes. I only use this if I'm going out because, at over a tenner a go, it's an expensive insecurity; but I have a routine that works.
Just lately I've been hankering after that flawless look all day, everyday. Why should I only have picture perfect skin when I'm on a night out, I should be able to have it 24/7 and not have to look like a washed out zombie who's been dipped in a vat of oil by lunchtime if I only use a bit of make-up that day. I hate taking make up to work or out with me - I'm just not that kind of girl, but where can I find a foundation that gives a decent level of coverage, suits my skin tone and stays put?
It's a nightmare.

Like A Fox

God I love this dress!

White Stripes

    I've spent money in Topshop again. Classic me.

    I saw a white and navy striped tunic dress in store just before Christmas and dropped sooo many hints to family but no one picked up on them. When I returned after Christmas to get it, it was no where to be seen so when I saw this version I snapped it up straight away. They only had size 8's left in stock but luckily it fits pretty perfectly and I'm really happy with it.

Stripe tunic dress, Topshop £29 | Borg lined cord denim jacket, Topshop | 

Cute Collars & Pretty Pastels

March Wish List by casey-byrne showing River Island polka dot dress

I'm off work today as I have food poisoning boooooo! However, it does mean that between the naps and dehydration dizzy spells I can put my wishlist together for March. The weather is perfect for shooting pictures for the posts I've been waiting all month to publish but I'm just not strong enough to get out of bed. So a wishlist will have to suffice for today. Alongside New Girl re-runs of course.

Such a Spring inspired collection!! I can't get enough of pastels, particularly mint, at the moment and collars are an ongoing love of mine when it comes to fashion. Hence the major theme this month. All the items featured are things I've seen in stores whilst shopping for other people over the last week or so and are on my pay day hit list so roll on Tuesday... Which is tomorrow! YES.

There are also a couple of dresses on ASOS I love but are not included above as they're currently out of stock. You've probably seen previous versions of the dresses; cream/white smock dresses with animals printed on. The two I'm after are fox print and deer print. We all know I'm a sucker for woodland animals so I'm glad ASOS decided to extend their collection of animal print dresses past the standard leopards and elephants that are gripping highstreet stores at the moment. Although foxes are meant to be on trend, I haven't seen them anywhere in my area. Can't move for elephants but foxes are well and truly under the radar in Kent - probably why I like them.
Polka dots have crept in there quite quietly too. I didn't think I was a fan of them but it seems that isn't the case!

What trends are you rating for Spring?

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February Flirt

February Wishlist by caseyb


January went so quickly. 

I'm lusting over Michael Kors at the moment, particularly the Selma satchel bag featured this month - to warn you, it'll probably be in every wish list from now until I own one, so forever! Such beautiful leathery wonderfulness. Massively into collars lately too, I have a couple of items that I love teaming with crisp, white collars so I'm bound to end up with a drawer full of white blouses, most likely all variations of the same thing.
I'm feeling a little melancholy at the moment as I'm job hunting and I completely forgot how much of a drag it can be. I'm looking to change career and switch industries entirely which means I feel as if I'm starting from scratch and it kind of sucks! Hopefully it'll work out and be worth it the end.

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Polaroid Perfection

    Not long after publishing the wishlist post I received the best gift! I met up with my boyfriend and as he was driving me home I opened the glove-box (having a little snoop around his shiny new car!) to find a Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 polaroid camera with two packs of film!! 

    I was a bit slow on the uptake and didn't realise that it was actually for me until he spelt it out, but when it clicked I was blown away! I don't know how he remembered me talking about it but I couldn't be more pleased and I'm so excited to get snapping!! A very lucky girl indeed :)

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New Year, New List

 I've been stupidly busy at work since the term started as the UCAS deadline has been looming and I'm the sucker that's in charge of getting all of these kids' applications sent off in time. But today was the deadline and all are finished and sent. And BREATHE!

January Wishlist by casey-byrne featuring a  Triangl Bikini

    This month's wish list is pretty sparse and basic. Block pastels and a cheeky bit of monochrome thrown in for good measure.

    The camera isn't normally the kind of thing I would include but I've been cooing over these plastic Polaroids since Christmas and am considering investing. I have so many cameras, all film, all outdated, but I can't seem to stop myself from expanding the collection. And anyway, Polaroid is timeless...

    I often include jewellery but nothing this extravagant. Tiffany's. I'd never even looked at the brand before Christmas but after seeing a few lucky ladies' gifts on Instagram I'm a little bit smitten. Apparently every girl should own something from Tiffany's - isn't that what they're telling us? Something about love and little blue boxes? Beats me, but I'm game. So if one of these necklaces could just find it's way to my neck please that'd be lovely.

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Forage & Find

    After my most recent jewellery post I was approached by a small London based jewellery company who asked me if I would review their website. What a lovely request! I'm never one to turn done the opportunity to write, especially when it's about something I haven't seen on the network yet (I love to have the inside scoop!) so I went straight to their site to have a gander.

Eclectic Eccentricity

  I saw this item a couple of months back and knew right away I wanted to own it. It's flexible enough so that it can be adjusted but doesn't lose it's shape or look odd and wonky. Good news for me as I have quite chunky fingers! There are a few versions available on a variety of etsy stores but this one, from EclecticEccentricity, is my favourite and the shipping time was crazy fast - I ordered Christmas Day night and it was here in just under 3days.