Product of the Week

It's the ultimate celebrity trend without the celebrity price tag. This week I've chosen my plain gold stacked rings from Zara as my product of the week, a trend sported by the likes of Cara Delevingne (my ultimate girl crush). It's an easy & cheap way to add a bit of chic to your outfit. These Zara beauties were £9.99 for four rings but the likes of Asos & Topshop also sell similar ones.

Do the Hippy Hippy CHIC!

This is the 40 year celebration of the hippy movement! beginning in the USA and spreading like wild fire as far as Europe, notably the little island of Ibiza! 
the hippies have a long term connection with the island even to this day. 

The islands rock N roll history has given way to many myths about some of musics most legendary artists; bob Dylan hid in a windmill, Joni Mitchell breathed out the words to her hit record 'blue', pink floyd recorded an album. Janet Frame says of her time there in the 60s "I felt at Peace within my own mind..."

I've always felt like there was a little hippy in me; I'm unorganised, free spirited, a lover of bohemian music and all I really want is world peace (haha!) 
Known for their laissez faire attitude and AMAZING music they also had amazing style which I often emulate in my wardrobe (with a modern take). Think floaty, chiffon materials, cowboy boots galore and vintage overkill! 
Find your inner hippy, Peace out. 

Gypsy woman
Nothing says bohemian like a little gypsy influence! A modest attire in a long skirt and less than revealing top but with that oomph of sex appeal by showing off the décolletage, free flowing hair and of course BIG earrings.

Top-Bebe, skirt-Primark, earrings-H&M.

Ain't no sunshine when she's gone...

I love this dress, it's so effortless yet the detail is stunning; the finely sown lace and layers  of petticoat! Long cowboy boots give the feminine dress a bit of an edge (the kinda girl who can bake cookies but also floor you with a swift right hook!) add a real or fake flower for extra hippy! 

Dress-Lipsy, boots- Bershka, bracelet-Vintage.

Moves like Jagger

In this outfit I feel as if I've walked straight out of 'That 70s show' (Ashton Kutcher playing my on screen boyfriend, naturally). This outfit is so hippy chic! I bought the coat at a gladrags event from a vintage rail two years ago and it is my ultimate winter coat. I remember I had a great uncle who was a hippy and he wore a fabulous hat complete with a bright flower, hence my inspiration for the hat. finishing touches include high waisted jeans and long leather boots; this outfit is oh so hippy chic!

Coat-Vintage, Top-Mango, Jeans-New Look, Boots- mama's wardrobe (originally from a boutique in Prague), Hat-River Island.

I do believe in fairies! 

This outfit is so sweet, I felt like a little wood nymph! I've had this jacket for years, it was expensive but worh every penny as you can tell just from the design! Make this outfit wearable by adding some ankle boots or gladiator sandals.

Jacket-Couples boutique, Slip-Monsoon.

Make Love not...

To me this outfit just screams earth child!

 The dress has to slits on each side which originally were calve length but I did a little DIY and cut it to my thigh so when it got caught in the wind it gave the dress beautiful movement.  

Dress-Boohoo, boots-Dorothy Perkins, necklace-vintage.

What's On Your Dressing Table?

Okay, so I might have given my dressing table a quick tidy before taking these pictures but in general I'm a really organised person & believe organisation is key to success in anything - especially getting ready in the mornings. So here I give you an insight to my dressing table essentials...

Make Up Brushes - I like to keep my brushes in order in this little beauty from Ikea, it's handy for reminding me to clean my brushes regularly as they're always on view.

Jewellery Box - Even my jewellery box gets it's own organisation (I know, I'm starting to sound a little obsessive). I don't know about you but I hate trying to untangle necklaces and bracelets so I like to keep everything in order which also keeps everything in better condition for longer, win win!

Nail Varnishes - If you hadn't noticed by now I have an unhealthy obsession with Essie...

Benefit Eye Sets - Again, another unhealthy obsession. Benefit makes up the majority of my make up bag. These sets are so easy to use, last forever & have really clear instructions to creating striking looks.

Simple Face Wipes - These badboys are my saviour after a night out. I'm a firm believer in the importance of removing your make up before bed & these are the perfect option when I can't be bothered to go through my long, usual routine.

Lipsticks - Red lips are my thing & naturally just one shade of red is not adequate...

Bunny Ring Holder - When I saw these bunnies in the Urban Outfitters sale I literally could not resist (despite my overdraft putting up a fight). They're practical as well as pretty.

Daisy By Marc Jacobs - My signature scent, one bottle is simply not enough of this delightful fragrance! (Joke - I stocked up while I was in duty free).

Venetian Mask - As well as organisation I like things looking pretty. This mask was a gift from my best friend Jack who brought it back from Venice for me - yeah I know, I have a-mazing friends.

Aussie Hair Mousse & Spray - They make my hair smell amazing. Enough said.

Kathy x

Aladdin's Cave

Ibiza's hippy market is famous and a must see for anyone visiting the island. Tracing its roots back to the 1960s with hippies coming from all over the world in hopes of escaping the Cold War, the hippy market takes place every Wednesday from 10am to 7pm in Es Cana and is a treasure trove of handcrafted, unique and fashion forward fashion items and jewellery.

This is what I managed to get my mits on this summer...

I love this turquoise pendant, it's big and in your face but in an elegant way. And my man argued it down from €18 to €11 BARGAIN!

This multicoloured piece is definitely a statement necklace, the colours are stunning...it just looks good enough to eat! 

My gorgeous man bought me this bag from a random little stall, I didn't even have to hint...although walking around with it on my arm might have been a slight give away. I love the colours in this bag, so bright and middle eastern looking and I also love the elephant design, I adore elephants I have them hanging in my room and pendants adorning these giant elegant animals so this ultimately sold the bag! 

Aren't these pants amazing!? the colours, the fabric, the shape...they are simply stunning! The fabric is quite thick but cool enough so I can still wear them on hot days. I've been working them with chiffon tee's on warm days and neutral knit ware in the evening when it's slightly cooler! 

This antique effect brush and comb set is simply beautiful! Okay, so the chances of me ever using it are slim but I can set it on my dresser to be admired...and if I ever dare to use it I will feel like a fairy princess every time I brush my hair. 

Bex

Ibiza Style Diary Part II

Cafe Mambo (Sunset Strip)

The famous Cafe Mambo is an exclusive bar and restaurant from which you can watch the sunset, champagne in hand. Probably my favourite place in Ibiza, Sunset Strip is the classier side which people can forget about. The Food is delicious at Cafe Mambo and you get a complimentary glass of champagne (yes please!). This was my fave outfit of the holiday, I just adore the colour and how the fabric fell on my body. Delicious. 

Dress-H&M, Clutch-H&M, Sandals-Bebe

The hippy market (Santa Eulalia) 

If you ever visit Ibiza do not miss the opportunity to visit the famous hippy market, a treasure trove of jewellery, handbags and unique clothing items! The island has a long connection with the hippies and are currently celebrating the 40th anniversary of the bohemian invasion! This is my kinda scene, I dragged my man from stall to stall in search of hidden gems (literally). It was a hot day so I wore a light floaty dress and cowboy boots in-keeping with the hippy theme. (Keep your eyes peeled for my market buys and hippy tribute soon!)

Dress-Topshop, Boots-Primark, Necklace-H&M, Bangles- Accessorise

Pacha (Flower Power)

Another tribute to the good Ol' hippies! Flower Power @ Pacha is probably the best night I have ever had...ever. A constant stream of 60s, 70s and 80s tunes, I was in my personal heaven. I hippy shaked all night long (groovy). I was scared of this dress looking a little too gaudy but I love the colours and attention to detail. I felt like a giant beautiful butterfly! 

Dress-Exhibit

Bex

***READERS***
Have you been on holiday anywhere this year? share your style pics with us & let us know what you think of Alice & Grace by leaving a comment/picture/advice on our blog or FaceBook page 

Earning Whilst You Shop? Yes Please, Mallzee!

Constantly snapchatting your friends when shopping to get their opinion? This is the new way to get your friends honest opinions (when required). On this a-mazing shopping website your friends can actually vote on what they prefer & think is best for you, all by you simply making a poll.

This is tailored shopping at your finger tips, what more could you actually want?! Tell them your favourite brands & develop your style through a questionnaire and you're ready to go. And as if by magic your style suggestions appear on your Mallzee home screen & the shopping begins...

We're all so busy now (queue the dissertations) there's not enough time to take a leisurely walk around the shops, everything is online these days and this takes online shopping to a new level. Shopping should be enjoyable so instead of beating yourself up for skipping the library or office early buy the latest trends from the comfort of your swivel chair.

From the options given we could tell they had chosen pieces suited to our own unique style, and if you don't like what you see you can simply reset your style to make sure they get it just right!

Mallzee is great because not all of us can pull off the latest fads and trends (disco pants). Mallzee only gives you options specific to your requirements which means you don't feel pressurised in to buying the next big thing in the fashion world, feeling uncomfortable and wasting money.

As if this wasn't enough for every £3 you spend whilst making purchases through the site you earn 1 Mallzee Dollar, once you've earned 25 of these badboys the Mallzee Dollar page will unlock & the world is your oyster baby; discounts, offers & treats galore! Earning while you shop? Now that really is our kind of shopping!

Above: Kathy's personalised page

Interested in signing up? (It's free!!) Click here.

Let us know what you think! Bex & Kathy x

Product of the Week

My gorgeous hairdresser gave me this macadamia natural hair oil to take with me on holiday and I have to say it was a hair saviour! The spritz top meant I could simply spray the oil throughout my hair during a day at the beach or by the pool leaving it in crunchy beach curls. The oil meant my hair didn't dry out in the heat and left it in great condition throughout my whole holiday. 

Bex 

Ibiza Style Diary Part I

We all know Ibiza is the party capital of the world but it's not short of a fashionista or two! I've been twice now, my first experience was at 18; I packed a few tshirts, got alcohol poisoning and missed 3 days of my Ibiza experience. This time I promised myself I would be much classier (HA!) I would do Ibiza chic! My second Ibiza experience was much more polished (but no less crazy)...

Travelling/Arrival

I chose denim cut offs and a floaty top to travel in knowing when we got there it would be both hot and cocktailo'clock! The gold bangles gave it a bit of sparkle whilst still keeping the look simple. On arrival I  added this pretty floral headband and made it the focus of my look, taking me from airport to sunset strip in seconds!!

Shirt-Forever 21, Shorts-H&M, Bangles- H&M, Headband-Primark

Beach Buffs & Babes

In Ibiza the beach isn't just the place to bathe and cool down, it is a posing parlour for over pumped men & pouting beach huns! Swimwear here is not worn for practicality but for the 'ibiza look'; think bright colours, permatans and lots of bling! San Antonio beach is man made and not the prettiest thing to look at so all eyes are on who's wearing what. I opted for a one piece in funky purple and this gorgeous chiffon jacket...and ray bans-ofcourse!

Swim suit-H&M, Chiffon cover up-River Island, Sunglasses- Ray ban

Privilege (Armin Van Burren)

Everyone must experience this club at least once before they die! The biggest club in the world holding 10,000 people and hosting the worlds biggest DJ's, it feels more like a concert than a club. A known Celeb go to I wanted to look chic yet still feel comfortable. This was the first ever dress I bought for going out and I think it's pretty timeless. I added some big earrings and flats so I could dance ALL night!

Dress-Warehouse, earrings-H&M, sandals- Bebe

Bex

Essie Sleek Stick Review

It may not have gone unnoticed that I'm a huge Essie fan, I change the colour of my nails on an almost daily basis. Having heard a lot about the Sleek Stick nail art by Essie I was excited to give them a go even if it wasn't my usual thing. Each pack comes with a variety of stickers so you're sure to find a size to fit your nails (obviously we're all different and universal fake nails never fit me properly, I'm already impressed!).

What to do...

1. Make sure you have squeaky clean hands & nails.

2. Find the sticker that fits your chosen nail (this should be pretty easy seeing as you have 9 sizes to choose from) & stick on making sure it rests just above your cuticle.

4. Bend the sticker over the end of your nail & using the file provided file away the excess sticker until you get the shape you're after.

4. Simply repeat this another 9 times!

The Verdict: While I love the fact I didn't need to hang around waiting for my nails to dry (In which time I always end up smudging them & having to start again) the stickers felt quite heavy on my nails which I found slightly irritating as the day went on, especially when I was at work doing practical things like making cups of tea for my boss (ahem). In all seriousness though, I love how this is a easy, cheap way to achieve a high standard of nail art I just think I might stick to the standard Essie polishes in the future. What can I say, I'm a traditionalist at heart.

Kathy x

The Ultimate (Natural) Tan

It may have taken me twenty years but I finally understand the importance of looking after your skin in the sun. During my teens the goal was to always get as brown as possible which usually meant me resembling a lobster after a week in the sun. The effects of years of this sort of treatment just aren't worth thinking about!

Now I finally get that you can achieve a golden tan even quicker & more safely if you use the right products. All this sun has inspired me to share my tips with you as we don't really get it a lot in the North East (sad face). 

Piz Buin is my favourite as they're a specialist company in sun care & therefore know exactly what they're doing. Their tan accelerating range not only moisturtises the skin & smells amazing but also helps you get a tan even quicker which means you don't have to persist in the sun through those super hot midday hours to get the tan you want, something I have been found guilty of in the past (Don't tell my parents). Use their After Sun as well to get extra hydration and a more intensified tan. 

Kathy x

A Spot of Afternoon Tea

In my opinion it should be a rule to treat yourself to a visit to the spa & a spot of afternoon tea at least once a month (but unfortunately the student budget doesn't always agree). 

On my most recent trip home I was lucky enough to be treated to this by my Mum so off we went to Doxford Hall to take advantage of their tea & treatment offer which is an extremely reasonable £30 per person. So, if you're in the North East of England I strongly encourage you to go take advantage of this current offer as you can see it's an absolutely beautiful place & the perfect place to relax. 

You can choose from either a back massage, facial, manicure or pedicure for your treatment. As you can see below I went for the pedicure which was a major treat to have someone else doing my nails for once but I can also recommend the back massage (I'm guessing I'm going to be needing a few of those during my third year at uni to de-stress!).

If you can't make it to (sometimes) sunny Northumberland for this little bit of indulgence try using the website Travelzoo for loads of local afternoon tea & spa deals.

Kathy x

Ladylike

This weekend during this glorious British Summer I decided to have a go at channelling my inner lady (something I'm not exactly renowned for) with a modern twist & on a student budget. Queue the ott jewellery, pretty prints & a bag big enough to fit the kitchen sink in.

What I wore...

Sheer Blouse - French Connection (It comes in several different pastel colours & is now in the sale!)

Print Skirt - Zara (also now in the sale)

Heels - £12 at Primark & a blogger favourite

Bag - Michael Kors & worth every single last penny I spent on it (which was a lot & the reason I'm now on a tight student budget)

Sunglasses & Chain Necklace - Dorothy Perkins, for more on these look here

Earrings - Zara (sadly not in the sale yet)

Statement Ring - Topshop & part of this weeks Product of the Week

Kathy x

Product of the Week

With my other half of Alice & Grace jetting off to Ibiza (leaving me in charge for one whole week - she must be mad) I decided to cheer myself up & stop myself from turning green with the purchase of one of the biggest mini trends this season - midi rings.

Topshop have a massive range from just £4.50 (don't forget to show your student card to get an even better deal) meaning you really can't go wrong with this purchase - or investment as I like to call it but for some reason this just makes my Mum laugh...

So, midi rings, yay or nay? (I know I'm a massive yay - how cute is this ladybird?!)

Midi Ring - £4.50 at Topshop, Statement Ring £8.50 at Topshop

Kathy x