A WARDROBE OVERHAUL

Following on with my de-cluttering plan for the new year, I've started off this month by tackling my wardrobe. 

Out of everything that I own, I find my clothes the most difficult things to sort. Sequined dresses are packed away just incase, items for potential halloween costumes are stored away (even though I haven't gone out for halloween in about 6 years!) and red velvet skirts saved to be whipped out at Christmas. I just can't let go! I've pulled together a plan that will hopefully lead me on to a fresh, clutter free wardrobe, hopefully they can help you too!

Change the way I store my clothes:
By following the Marie Kondo method of folding and storing my clothes in drawers, it's really helped me to streamline my them, 1000 black tops don't all fit when stacked neatly in a line and so it's really helped me to prioritise and organise my stash.
I've also invested in a clothes rail from Ikea, new copper hangers and drawer dividers. Keeping my clothes minimal, neat and clutter free makes the whole area look a lot more appealing and makes for the ideal dressing area.

Organise into piles:
I've found it best to gather all of my clothes into three piles; Keep, Maybe, and Donate/Sell. I place the Keep pile, which consists of clothes I wear every week, new clothes and clothes I want to make an effort to wear more back into my drawers and closet, the Maybe pile gets stored in a box. This way if I miss anything too much I can always pull it back out again, if by the end of the year I haven't missed anything, then I can go through it again and donate most of it! Lastly the Donate/Sell pile gets sorted out straight away and put up on depop/ebay or whisked off to the charity shop so that I can't change my mind!

Be Ruthless:
Try things on, wear them for a day - are they comfortable? Do they make you feel good? If not, then give them to a better home, someone who will enjoy and appreciate them!

Buy:
I've found that planning a shopping trip or a cheeky Asos haul (this LBD is such great staple!) can help me to part ways with some of my pre-loved but no longer needed items. If I get rid of 10 pieces, selling and donating, then I can treat myself to a new item that I'll make sure I love and get a lot of wear from.

How do you de-clutter your wardrobe?

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NEW IN: A SPRING HAUL

Despite the occasional frosty morning, there's been a definite hint of spring in the air. I've been doing my fair share of spring shopping, picking up accessories, make up and home decor ready for the warmer months!

After hearing the exciting news about ASOS's new reward system last week, I placed an order straight away. After resolving to find the perfect pair of sunglasses this year (they just don't seem to suit me!) I picked up a variety of pairs to try out. In the end, I fell in love with this pair, they're comfortable, flattering and the gold detailing is beautiful!

For the home, I finally took the plunge and ordered this dreamy brass West Elm Love Sign. Placed among prints, alongside books on a shelf or on a dressing table, it looks so pretty and homely.

I also invested in a couple of Charlotte Tilbury beauty picks. The Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerise in Jean is an everyday staple, this shimmery champagne, vitamin e enriched cream eyeshadow brightens the whole eye area with it's light reflecting pigments, I also opted for the Charlotte Tilbury Kissing Lipstick in Coachella Coral, a perky coral pink, this looks like the ideal shade for spring.

Another beauty pick I snapped up is the Barry M Mani Mask as my nails have been feeling quite dry. This works well as a base coat or as a wash of colour worn on it's own, hopefully it will help to inject a little moisture back into my nails!

Lastly, Topshop currently have an array of dreamy lingerie and I just couldn't resist this delicate mint Lace Triangle Bra with rose gold detailing. Ideal for lazy days at home, this bralette is so comfy, it's elasticated band means that it's easy to size up or down depending on your cup size too! I've already got my eye on the pink and burgundy shade to get next!

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MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME, FROM ME

With some incredible discounts floating around on Black Friday, things got a little spendy around here and I just couldn't resist picking up a few things for myself. I seem to spend a little more around autumn/winter, with fluffy slippers, soft PJ's and autumnal shades it's my favourite time to shop.

I've had my eye on these Frends Layla Rose Gold Headphones for the longest time and with 40% off I couldn't resist picking up a pair. They're so comfortable, the sound quality is good and they look so pretty on. I've had a couple of issues with my pair as they arrived damaged in the post and the Frends team have been super helpful, I'm hoping that once replaced, these will last me a long time - I'm so in love with them!

From ASOS, I took full advantage of their 20% off code and ordered as many kinds of these gorgeous Satin Cami and Short Pyjama Sets as I could. It's been fairly mild in my home and so I wanted some new lightweight pj's to pair with my warm winter duvet. I made the mistake of thinking that I would simply choose my favourite colour and then return the rest but I completely fell in love with these and in the end narrowed it down to two pairs, this beautiful burgundy shade and a white pair that Alex has tucked away for me until Christmas. The material is divine, floaty, satin soft and so comfortable. A new firm favourite!

Armed with a voucher and 10% off, I spent far too long procrastinating about which Charlotte Tilbury make up to splurge on. In the end, I couldn't decide and so settled for this beautiful burgundy and rose gold make up bag, it's the ideal size for my everyday make up.

I also picked up these adorable Topshop Unicorn Slippers which unfortunately weren't in the sale. However the soft, fluffy lining and cute embellishments make these my perfect slippers, I know i'll get a ton of wear from them in winter as they keep my feet so toasty warm!

Lastly, to start my new years resolutions off a little early, I invested in an exercise bike. Argos has a great discount on this still and along with my nectar points I got this for a fairly good price. The seat is a little uncomfortable but I'm used to it now, I've been cycling away and even having a go at some Youtube spinning videos, I'm starting to see the benefits already!

Did you buy anything in the sales?

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A WINTRY ASOS WISHLIST

With far too many saved items just waiting to be added to my Asos basket, I thought I would do a little round up of my latest picks for winter. As the days have been getting colder I've been coveting scarves, coats and Christmas Jumpers to keep me warm! Here are my picks:

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What's on your Asos Wishlist?

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A HALLOWEEN WISHLIST

Although I'll probably just be spending Halloween carving pumpkins and watching Harry Potter and in my pyjamas, I love getting into the Halloween spirit. There are so many great, festive things in store at the moment, here are a few of my favourite picks for Halloween:

Topshop Dress: I adore this velvet and lace dress, although quite pricey I can imagine that it would be a staple throughout Autumn and Halloween, it would work perfectly paired with black tights, ankle boots and a vampy lipstick!

Velvet Cat Ears: It's totally acceptable to wear cat ears all throughout October right? These velvet and lace ones look so pretty!

Cat Velvet Cross Body Bag: This cat bag is unbelievably cute, I can imagine that it would look great paired with a slouchy grey jumper, boots and leggings.

Glitter Cat Purse: Another cute little cat pouch, this coin purse looks like an adorable option to carry around my spare change in.

Nars Train Bleu: I've been looking for a reason to invest in this divine deep aubergine shade ever since I spotted Anna wearing it, Halloween seems like the perfect excuse to pick one up. 

Essie Wicked: The perfect Halloween shade, Essie Wicked is a beautiful, vampy deep red. I can't believe I don't already own this shade!

What's on your wishlist for Halloween?

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SEPTEMBER'S ROSE GOLD FAVOURITES

Moving swiftly onto the colder months and my favourite seasons of the year, September passed by in a blur. A rush of autumnal and even festive things have been flooding into the stores already, everything seems to be moving forward so much faster this year! 

The Great British Bake off has inspired a lot of baking in my home this past month, I love using these copper cookie cutters, they're so cute and look pretty hanging in my kitchen. My current favourite biscuit recipe is this gingerbread one, I add 1tsp of cinnamon to mine too, they're so delicious and unbelievably moreish!

Accessories

H&M has been my go-to store for affordable rose gold jewellery this month. I adore this pink and gold cuff, it works perfectly with a cosy grey jumper and rose gold midi rings.

I've been wearing my Daniel Wellington Classic Sheffield* watch every day in September. I love the rose gold detailing on the dial and the minimalistic, classic design works so well with every outfit. Use the code sophiesmakeupblog for 15% off on the Daniel Wellington site up until the 15th October if you wanted to treat yourself to one!

Beauty

A light dusting of MAC Melon Pigment across the lids gives a touch of copper to the eyes that works so well with a vampy berry red like Topshop Beguiled, I've been wearing this combination for an everyday autumn look throughout September.

I've also been reaching for Topshop Chameleon Glow in Shuffle the Cards which is a great dupe for Nars Christopher Kane Outer Limits eyeshadow (see swatches and a comparison here). I've been alternating between the two, patting a small amount of these beautiful and sparkly, iridescent rose gold eyeshadows onto my lids.

For Highlighter, I've been dabbing MAC Cream Colour Base in Hush, a beautiful rose gold pearl on the top of my cheeks, brow bone and on my cupids bow to bring luminosity and radiance to my complexion.

On my nails, Essie Summit of Style has been giving me gilded tips this month, the chunky coppery/ bronze glitter works so well as ombre tips or built up as a glittery accent nail paired with Essie Sole Mate for an autumnal mani.

Lastly, I'm still so in love with my Zoeva Rose Gold Make up Brushes. I have the Rose Gold Complete Eye Set Vol2 set which comes with 12 beautiful, soft brushes. I've been loving to use the 228/Luxe Crease and the 231/Luxe Petit Crease brush to blend my eyeshadows, I have my eye on the original Rose Golden Luxury set to get next!

What were your favourite products in September?

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A DREAMY ROSE GOLD WATCH FROM DANIEL WELLINGTON

I’ve been smitten with Daniel Wellington watches for quite a while now, in particular the Classic Sheffield Watch*. It's understated and simplistic design is something that I absolutely adore and so you can imagine my excitement when it landed on my doorstep last week! 

The combination of the dreamy rose gold detailing, eggshell white dial and black leather strap is so timeless and classic. It's a beautiful design that works well with any outfit, it's become a staple for me for everyday wear as it looks so pretty and flattering on.

I love the clean, minimalistic look of the dial and the whole watch feels well made and sturdy whilst maintaining it's delicacy. I often find it difficult to find watches that fit me as my wrists are so small but everything from the incredibly thin dial to the fitted black strap means that it fits me perfectly, I'm so happy that I've found a watch that finally fits me with no adjustments required.

Daniel Wellington were kind enough to give me a discount code to share if you were thinking of treating yourself to one, use the code sophiesmakeupblog for 15% off your choice of watch on their website!

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SUMMER WISHLIST

This should probably be called 'my only-slightly-summery/english-weather-appropriate-wishlist', I'm really more of an autumn/winter girl at heart and as much as I try to embrace summer, I always lean towards monochrome, subtler shades and autumn hues!

River Island Cami's: I love the look of this Cream Lace Cami, I can imagine that it would look so pretty paired with a long floaty skirt. I also really love this plum V-Neck Cami, I'm tempted by the black version too!

Essie Petal Pushers: A pretty slate grey polish with blue undertones, this looks like a great alternative to brights for summer.

Monica Vinader Riva Ring: This 18ct rose gold dainty ring has been on my wishlist for the longest time now. It's so beautiful and has little pave diamonds scattered around it.

Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne: Whilst visiting a Jo Malone counter, I spritzed wood sage and sea salt on me to see how the scent developed and how well it would last. It's a really nice, fresh summery scent that's unlike any other perfume that I own.

Olivia Burton Winter Floral Watch: I love Olivia Burton watches and I think this beautiful floral design would work well throughout all the seasons.

Emma Bridgewater Large Breakfast Cup: This looks like the perfect morning mug for a cup of tea. I'm really trying to make sure I drink a cup of herbal tea every morning as the warm water helps to prepare your digestive system for the day, this would be a great motivator for me to stick to it!

What's on your wishlist for summer?

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HIGHSTREET HAUL

I thought that I would share a few things that I've picked up recently, I found some lovely pieces in Primark and a rose gold travel mug that I just cant get enough of!

Pyjama Shorts: The pyjama shorts are from primark, I think that they'll be perfect for lounging around the flat on warm summer days. I picked them up in a size Small which is a 10-12 and they're pretty true to size. The material is so soft and the white lace trim detailing is so beautiful. 

Primark Sunglasses: I think these sunglasses look quite high end and they're so affordable at just £2. I find it so difficult to find sunglasses that suit me and these are great for now while I save up for a pair of these ralphs!

Primark Vest Top: I own a few of these lace trim vests, at £2.50 each they're a great staple for layering and are such a flattering shape. Primark have so many pretty shades of these available including a beautiful burgundy that I have my eye on next! I think they may only be around for summer as they have 'my summer vest' written inside them, i'll have to make sure to stock up on these!

Travel Mug: Lastly, I bought this rose gold travel mug from New Look, I'm not actually sure whether I'll plan to use it as a travel mug as the pot would look so pretty to store pens, make up brushes or even a little plant in. I can't find it online yet but I've spotted stacks of them by the tills in a few newlook stores!

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AN ASH JALOUSE DUPE

I've been after a pair of Ash Jalouse boots for a while now, each year in early autumn my finger hovers over the checkout button before I reluctantly click off, not wanting to fork out £155 for a pair of boots.

Last week, I spotted these beautiful New look boots. They look so similar, if not identical in style to the Ash jalouse boots, they're a lot more affordable, come in a darker shade of black (which I love) and are currently in the sale for just £14! 

They also go down to a size 2, I find it so hard to find shoes in my size and so snapped them up straight away! They feel comfortable to walk in so far, the heel isn't too high for everyday wear and I know these will become a firm staple in my autumn/winter wardrobe.

I can't wait to wear these, it's not too hot outside yet and so I'll still be able to get some wear from them until the weather gets warmer and then I'll tuck them safely away for Autumn/Winter. I think they will work perfectly with black tights, a skater skirt and a cosy knit, also with leggings or Topshop leigh jeans. I'm so glad I've finally found the perfect pair of boots! 

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