Goodbye Teens, Hello Twenties

Today is my 20th birthday (28th May). In some ways I'm excited about entering a whole new era, but I'm also saddened about leaving the teens, I'm not quite ready to let go! My teenage years haven't really been filled with lots of drama like most however, there have been ups and downs in the roller coaster that is life. My music career has started to take off, I've taken GCSEs, A-levels, moved schools, met new people and even moved away to University. I've learnt a lot of things these past 7 years as a teen (from 13).

1. Always stand up for yourself - never let the bullies in you life win and the end of school doesn't mean the end of people picking on you.

2. You are beautiful and loved - tell yourself everyday that you are beautiful and loved.

3. Always believe in yourself - you can achieve so much in your life by believing in yourself and never giving up. "Nothing's impossible, the word itself says I'm possible!" - Audrey Hepburn.

4. It's perfectly ok to be different - be who you are and not who everyone wants you to be, and if that means you are different to others in my opinion it's better than being a follower.

5. You can't always be perfect - this has been a tough lesson for me personally. I struggled with the fact that I wasn't perfect and despite doing great at school, university is completely different and tougher.

6. Being in a relationship is not the be all and end all of life - I've personally never been in a relationship and I've found that it doesn't bother me, I like my independence and this is the time in your life when you should be able to be "selfish" to a degree and go on adventures. Plus, these things happen in their own time, you can't search for love, it will find you one day.

7. Experiment with styles - If you want to dye your hair blonde, do it! I've been through so many different phases until I found out who I was. I was a bit of a tomboy, then I went emo/scene kid phase (red stripe in my hair and tutus oh and of course Paramore and Fall Out Boy), then sundresses and cowboy boots only and to my mix of preppy/country vibe. It's good to try different things, even if you cringe when you look back on it, its all a part of growing up.

8. Travel, travel, travel - It really does broaden your mind! Try the food, use the public transport, get lost in the city (walking from Vatican city to the Colosseum is much further than the map). 

9. Follow your arrow! - Always follow YOUR arrow, no one else's. Go after your dreams and follow your heart wherever it takes you! 

13 years old - In my emo/scene kid phase (glad I outgrew that one, however I still play guitar!)

13 years old - Taking photos started to become an obession!

13 years old - Me with the little pony Fez, the companion pony at the stables, such a cutie! 

14/15 years old - On a school trip in Spain.

15 years old - Year 11 at High School.

17 years old - Upper Sixth Form Prom!!

19 years old - My best friends 21st birthday party. I'm wearing an Anthropologie dress :)

19 years old - Bringing country music to LONDON!!

Lizzie xoxo

Cannes Film Festival 2014

Here are my favourite styles from the Cannes Film Festival 2014. I think Blake Lively definitely has been the best dressed so far! 

Blake Lively wearing a Gucci Premiere gown. I love her dark eye make up and pink lips and the simple messy fishtail braid, both of which would be easy to recreate for prom. Here's a tutorial to get a similar fishtail Cute Girl Hairstyles - Fluffy Fish Tail

Blake wearing Chanel Couture Spring/Summer 2014

Power couple!! Blake and Ryan! Blake is wearing another Gucci dress. The black and white floor length gown with her bright bold red lipstick and undo looks extremely Old Classic Hollywood! 

Blake Lively looking fantastic in Giambattista Valli Couture 

Nadja Auermann not sure who she is wearing but I love this dress, very classy and elegant. I also like that its just below the knee instead of floor length.  

Nicole Kidman wearing Armani Prive Spring/Summer 2014. I think this is a dress you either love or hate. There is quite a lot going on on the dress, however I find the intricacy enchanting!

Liam Hemsworth, Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson. I think you could easily wear a similar crop top and skirt outfit as Jennifer's this summer.  

Paz Vega in Eli Saab Autumn/Winter 2014. I adore this colour and the cut, it's very similar in style to LK Bennett dresses.

Naomi Watts wearing a dusty blue Marchesa gown. I love how the material flows, the off the shoulder look and the beautiful crystal details. 

Nicole Kidman wearing Altuzarra Autumn/Winter 2014. This is another easily re-creatable look for summer, a pretty white/cream sundress with strappy heels and a red or if feeling adventurous an orange lipstick. 

Zoe Saldana Victoria Beckham's Autumn/Winter 2014. I really like the belt to add definition and the detail on the top half of the dress.

Jason Wu Autumn/Winter 2014. I quite like this, I'm not overly loving the scarf but the details on the dress are interesting. 

Valentino Pre-autumn/winter 2014. This is my favourite look from Zoe! I'm a huge Valentino and Red by Valentino fan and the mix of black and white lace with the little bow is really sophisticated. 

Valentino Pre-Autumn/Winter 2014. Another Valentino dress... All I can say is beautiful! 

So there you have it, some of my favourite looks from 67th International Film Festival in Cannes. 

I think some of these looks can be easily modified to wear this summer. Also some of the hair styles and make up can be easily recreated and I plan on wearing Blake Lively's messy fishtail at the next occasion I attend. 

Leave comments and links to your favourite looks! 

Lizzie xoxo

Jack Wills Summer Collection Favourites!

The new Summer Collection at Jack Wills has been released and I thought I'd share my favourites for the Summer! 

I love this dress, its causal and can be worn with brogues, ballet shoes, converse/keds and for me, cowboy boots! I love it most in the pink shown above but its available in navy and white. Jack Wills Milton Dress

A playsuit is a must for summer, super easy to wear and again can be worn with a variety of shoes dependent on the occasion. I personally adore the navy floral, especially since florals are dominating the runaway (Oscar de la Renta). It's available in 3 colours. Jack Wills Tithby Playsuit

I love this little blouse for summer, it can be paired with shorts (shown above are Jack Wills Lombard Shorts) but I like it paired with Jack Wills Etterby Skirt in Navy. I really like the collar detail, its very feminine. Jack Wills Haxby Top

A classic blue Oxford Shirt is a must for any wardrobe. It can be paired with shorts (especially nice with patterned or floral shorts for example I think it would work well with Jack Wills Grovebury Shorts in White Floral ) or a skirt. Also wearing a statement necklace, if found a pretty one at Accessorize Pearl Statement Collar or a more expensive one from Anthropologie Boreal Bib Necklace.

Another Summer staple, especially in the UK is a cardigan.  This cardigan looks light weight for summer and comes in 3 colours, Navy, Pink and Light Grey. Jack Wills Latchmere Cardigan

This white dress is perfect for any summer garden parties or BBQs. I love the floral design and the shape is really flattering. Pair with a bright heel to add a pop of colour. Jack Wills Longswood Dress It is one of the more expensive Jack Wills Dresses at £198 but Jack Wills have other very pretty white dresses at cheaper prices Jack Wills Ramsgate Dress at £98.50 and Jack Wills Lachbury Dress at £69.50

A simple pair of sandals and pedicured feet are always a must (just never with socks!). My mum brought a pair in red of similar JW sandals a few years ago and loved them! She said the leather was really soft and comfortable. These sandals are also available in brown instead of gold. Jack Wills Lazenby Sandals

I really like that JW has started selling jewellery especially their bracelets. Here are 3 of my favourites, above JW Kilby Horseshoe Bracelet, below left JW Lantree Bracelet and below right JW Elmton Bracelet  All are really affordable and there are so many different colours and charms JW Jewellery

So there are a few of my favourites from the New Jack Wills Summer Collection, it's definitely worth a look over the website to see what outfits are your favourites, Jack Wills Home Page. Also if you like this kind of thing, leave me a comment as I'll do other brands e.g. Anthropologie, Abercromie & Fitch/Hollister and Darling! 

I personally can't wait to go into store to pick up a few items after exams, and take full advantage of the15% student discount. 

Lizzie xoxo

Throwback to My Crete Holiday Adventure!

A few years ago, I went to Crete with my amazing parents and it was beautiful! The sunlight was blinding as we got off the plane and the heat was luscious, especially having just arrived from cold England. 

We were extremely lucky and got our own pool with our room, so never once had to use the public pools and we got to go swimming in the evening as well! The beach was a 2minute walk across the complex and the sea was really warm, unlike the cold sea near my house. I highly recommend the Greek Islands, as they are stunning and we even visited a beach that had PINK sand, yes pink sand! 

Here are a few snap shots from our trip! 

Sunset on the beach. Dress from Jack Wills

Bikini from Ester Williams Bikini in Blue Cherry Print, Similar high waisted bikinis are available at Modcloth Swimwear

Boat Trip! Swimsuit from Esther Williams or Modcloth. Its available in plus size as well and is super flattering and holds everything in well. Sunglasses are from Ted Baker, no longer available but similar can be found here Ted Baker Sunglasses

The beautiful town of Chania! Dress is from Anthropologie (no longer available) and cardigan is from Darling (no longer available). Bag is vintage (given to me by my Grandmother) and hat is from a local store in my hometown. 

Over looking the water. Outfit same as above! 

Every once in a while its good to stop and smell the flowers around you. Dress is from Republic (no longer available, brought in sale for £5).


Hope you liked this post, and I'll be posting more recent outfits and a hair tutorial as soon as my exams are over! 
Lizzie xoxo

Rome Is Always A Good Idea

Back in the Summer of 2012, I took a trip to Rome with my best friend for 5 days. It is a beautiful city and highly recommend it to everyone! The food, the people and the history are incredible.

I planned all my outfits before I went, and here are a few snap shots from our trip. 

I'm on the left. At St Peter's Square. Red Dress from Anthropologie, Sun Glasses from Ted Baker, Cardigan from Darling.

My favourite place in Rome the Colosseum. Again on the left, Top is from Crew Clothing and Sunglasses from Ted Baker. 

Over looking the River after dinner. Not sure where I brought the dress, I've had it for a long time.

This time I'm on the right. This was taken the day we arrived, having been up over 24hours sunglasses were essential! Sun Hat is from Fenwicks and has a cute bow on the side.

Castle Sant'Angelo. Dress is from Anthropologie, Shoes (which I loved and killed in Rome) were from Debenhams. Cardigan is from Darling.

Trevi Fountain. Headband from Anthropologie, Top is from Jack Wills,  Jeans are from River Island. Not sure where the crop cardigan is from. 

Sant'Angelo Bridge. Top from Crew. Skirt from Crew. Bag is from Nike (not that fashionable but very handy for all the walking we did that day). Shoes are from Clarks. 

Hope you enjoyed seeing some of the snap shots from Rome. If you've been what was your favourite thing about the city? 

Feel free to leave comments. 

Lizzie xoxo

Welcome to English Darling

Welcome to my blog page English Darling! 

On this blog I will be posting outfits that I wear and love, about my life, music, DIY, hairstyles, makeup and all things preppy! 

Leave me comments and I can't wait to share the first post with you! 

Lizzie xoxo