A new chapter.

Hello lovelies.

As you may have noticed, I have been rather absent as of late, however it's not without reason. My life is changing. For the better, of course, but it's changing nonetheless.

In the last few months, I have grown. As a person, in my mind, in to the adult that I never really wanted to become, leaving my Peter Pan complex behind me. I left my job. My first, little Saturday job that grew in three-and-a-half years to my full time job that I loved and enjoyed, starting and expanding my knowledge and passion for lingerie. However, it was a change for the better.

My move to this humongous, world famous department store is a step I never knew I could or would take. It's scary. Petrifying, even, to jump from my tiny shop to this glorified, prestigious building, bringing with me nothing but my knowledge and experience, along with that dash of confidence that I hope won't  dissipate as soon as I walk through the doors.

Alas, it will further my career. It will take me to places that may never have been possible if I had stayed in my comfort zone. I've dropped myself in the deep end and I just have to keep treading water until I begin to swim.

Here's to the future, let's hope I don't fall in these heels

Love always,

Sophie

xo

CHXVS UK

"Chuvs; a street brand which has tastes of high-end and premium qualities. Created by de gang who are just 'Chillin' Here Until Vacation Starts.'"

Quite recently, I was contacted by the independent clothing brand Chuvs to take a look at their new products. A representative kindly sent me a sample t-shirt from their latest collection.

[Shirt kindly modeled by my brother Kieren]

I think my favourite thing about the shirt is the simple yet bold and eye-catching design. The colours contrast in such a way that it's impossible not to be drawn to the luxury quality patch logo. The logo itself puts me in mind of American football, a global unisex trend for A/W'13 and even branching out into S/S'14, merged with a clear urban London street vibe, without the risk of being too 'hipster'.

The t-shirt is comfortable and light in 100% cotton, and can be worn throughout the seasons effortlessly. Rolled sleeves and cut-off denims are a sure fire team for spring/summer, and for autumn/winter, a draw string hoodie along with skinny jeans and vans would be a hit.

I know that so many of my friends (and of course, relatives) will love the look and feel of Chuvs as a brand, in fact, my brother has already stolen the shirt from me!

A bit about the company,,,

Chuvs, as a company, formed in September 2012 and began with many basic t-shirts with uniquely hand-drawn designs. The positive response provided a platform for the following winter releases of 2012. Early 2013 saw a successful gathering in SOHO, London where Representatives and followers of the brand gathered to browse current and unreleased merchandise. Since then, Chuvs has released stock in limited amount online and have experiences a growing amount of interest globally.

Visit their website here and bigcartel here to see their full range of products.

-sp

...and so they lived Happily Ever After.

Hello chickens,

On Saturday 7th September I had the absolute pleasure of attending the Wedding of my dear friends Warren and Joanna, otherwise known as Prince and Princess Sparklepuff!

Everything about the day was breathtaking. From the church to the reception to the tiny but well thought out details and trinkets, every second was spellbinding. Before I start off, here'd what I wore!

Hell Bunny red and white Polka dot swing dress with New Look peep-toe stilettos

We started off at the church for a very emotional and magical ceremony, with heartwearming surprises such as our theatre company singing a wonderful (and at times- hilarious!) rendition of 'Oh Maria' from Sister Act! Not so surprisingly, I cried throughout and only really stopped as we left!

A picture speaks a thousand words.

Then on to the photos in the grounds of a beautiful listed local house and arts centre, followed by bucks fizz and champagne while we waited for everyone to finish their posing!

The beautiful Bride Joanna!

We then moved on to our local theatre for the meal and reception, which caused lots of gasping and dumbfoundedness due to the absolutely stunning decoration and layout. We had never seen it looking so beautiful in there! The whole theme was quite vintage, with most of the room adorned in lace bunting and matching table runners, antique pianos in the corners and trinkets of all shapes and sizes scattered around to give a true personal feel. There was even a photobooth! How adorable!

The reception venue

The stage all dolled up!

White roses!

Another wonderful surprise during the reception was that we had planned a flashmob to Jo and Warren's favourite song during the bets man's speech, which was absolutely fantastic and conjured a fantastic reaction from the clueless Bride and Groom!

The Bride and Groom

As the night went on, we made room for a dancefloor, obviously letting the happy couple have their first dance before we started to party!

Overall, the day was completely wonderful and joyous, with an overwhelming feeling of magic and love being shared throughout. I'm so glad to have been a part of their special day.

Here'd to a long and love filled marriage of two wonderful soulmates who truly deserve it.

Love and sparkles!

Hey, +4 method. The 1970s called. They want their technique back.

"I'm sorry I'm in such a state, I was just fitted for a bra at *insert famous high-street store here* and they fitted me at a larger back size than I was before I lost 3 stone. It really upset me and I was hoping you could help."

No, that isn't a 'worst case scenario' made up line. That is something that was actually said to me at work, just a couple of months ago. The sad truth is, that a woman in her early 20s was fit as a 38 band in this particular high street shop, having been a 36 band when she was 3 stone heavier, and actually only a 32 band when correctly measured by me that same day. Needless to say she was over the moon and is now a returning customer.

And unfortunately, this is something we get more often than we would like. It seems that a vast majority of high street stores that offer a measuring service are fitting girls at a much bigger back size than they actually are, meaning that their bra will raise up at the back and fall forward at the front, effectively defeating the purpose of the bra all together.

Unfortunately, the customers then take the advice of the supposedly trained fitter and refuse to believe their actual size when fitted correctly, protesting that it's "too tight" or that they "don't want [their] back fat showing". The number of teenage girls I fit who wear, for example, 34C when they should be in a 30F or even 28 is astounding.

I am a BestForm trained fitter and always fit to the bra instead of the person, as I am a firm believer in the fact that you do not simply have one bra size. I for example wear 30F in some Fantasie and Freya styles, 32F and E in BestForm, 30FF in Curvy Kate, 32G in Knickerbox, 30F in Lepel and 32E in Triumph. The high street shop in question, whose name I will kindly not mention, have fitted me between 34 and 36 C/D. Shocking, isn't it? 

Part of me wants to say that it's because they don't stock lower than a 32 or higher than a DD. Another part of me wants to say its because they were trained by watching a video. 

Who am I to judge anyway? It makes me happy when I send people away in a good fitting bra that makes them feel confident and sexy.

What was your last fitting experience like?

Love and lace forever, 

Spread the lovin'...

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Curvy Kate 'Princess' Review

Courtesy of the ever-wonderful D-K cup lingerie brand Curvy Kate and their great PR and social media team, I received this beautiful Princess in the black colourway as part of their #FreebieFriday competition on Twitter. Now, I was sitting around a pool sunbathing in Fuetreventura when I received the message that I had won so you can imagine that I was totes on cloud nine!

My package came wrapped up beautifully in hot pink tissue paper! Adorable!

Being a girl with a small back and big cup, it was always a given that I would love Curvy Kate. Their designs are practical, comfortable and supportive, all with the extra bonus of being drop dead gorgeous! The Princess, in particular, is my personal favourite. It gives a beautiful rounded shape thanks to it's excellent side support, comfortably holding you whilst making you look and feel like a true 'Princess' all the while! As a bra fitter myself, I love seeing ladies reactions when I put them in the Princess. I've even had one lady cry because she didn't know she could look so lovely and was excited to feel sexy for her husband again! Aww!

Please do excuse the many colours of my chest- that's what sunburn does to you. Wear sunblock, kids.

I think the thing I like most about the Princess is the super sweet and bang-on-trend raised polka dots, giving a lovely velvety texture to the bra too! Adorable flower lace adorns the edges of the cup and straps, adding a more feminine touch. In other various colourways, the flowers are duel toned with a ribbon running through, beautifully demonstrated in my Wine/Grape Princess, the Seasonal colourway from AW11.

Needless to say, I am SO excited for the Tigerlily/Rose colourway from the SS14 collection and simply cannot wait to get my hands on it! I can imagine that the peachy coral hues look wonderful with a tan! 

Again I would like to give massive thank you to Himare and the Curvy Kate team for the stunning set, and best of luck to everyone retweeting away next Friday!

What is your favourite Curvy Kate bra?

Love and Princess sparkles, 

You say it's your birthday, it's my birthday too...

Hello you absolute vixens! First of all, let me apologise for my absence. Work has been very full on lately and I've been working towards some exciting new concepts for the Lingerie department, so watch out North London!

Secondly, you may have already guessed from the post title, but it was my birthday today! Yes, I have turned the lovely ripe age of 19. Young enough to get away with most things but old enough to know better. One more year until I'm 20 and then I have no more excuses.

Here are a few pictures from the day...

Me, my brother Kieren, my cousin Lydia and my youngest cousin Mia.

[L-R] Grandma Janet, Gramps, Nanny Hazel, Myself, Great-Grandma Stella, Kieren, Lydia, Uncle Alan, my Dad, Mia, my Mum and Auntie Veronica.

Myself and Kieren

My beautiful sparkly (delicious) cake of love.

Now I will probably do a detailed post of gifts I received, but just quickly, I had to throw this one in. Sorry about the crappy iPhone quality, but my Mum and Dad got me a beautiful Silver and Opal ring. I'm totes in love!

So, I'm in the last year of my teens, and I'm determined to make it memorable. So much has changed since my 18th, mostly for the good, but there are some things that just can't be helped. Here's to what will be a bloody brilliant 19th year.

Love and sparkles always,

lifestyle

Sakura, sakura...

So whilst I was sitting watching the Wimbledon mens finals (yay Murray!!) and feeling all summery, I decided that I should spruce up my nails. Immediately I thought back to a post I saw on Did My Nails and gave it a go!

The results are beautiful, and I just can't stop staring! I've always loved the look of Chinese Cherry Blossom, and I think this is the perfect way to wear it.

Acrylics - Superdrug

Mint Nail Varnish - Rimmel Salon Pro 'Peppermint'

Black Nail Art Pen - Barry M

Pinks - From an unbranded set

What's your staple nail colour this Summer?

Love and cherry blossom sparkles,

My Next Festival Look: Ahoy Sailor! HMS Bestival

HMS Bestival by sophielikesdaisies featuring high boots

If you're familiar with Bestival, you'll know that every year they choose a different fancy dress theme for the event. This year is simply 'HMS Bestival', meaning get your hat at the ready, Sailor, because there be stormy seas ahead!

With this get up, courtesy of Next, you'll be less Captain Hook and more Hello Sailor as you strut around the Isle of Wight's Robin Hill from 5th-8th September in neo-nautical style.

Boyfriend shorts
£20 - next.co.uk

High boots
£80 - next.co.uk

Rucksack bag
£28 - next.co.uk

Pink aviator sunglasses
£17.50 - next.co.uk

Buy Red Textured Dress from the Next UK online shop
£38 - next.co.uk

Buy Textured Stripe Bikini (3-16yrs) from the Next UK online shop
£12 - next.co.uk

Wait... you changed your reader to... Bloglovin?

[Ignore my rubbish attempt at quoting Superbad.]

But yes, as we all know, Google Reader has gone bye-bye and bloglovin is the way forward. So what are you waiting for? GO GO GO! Click the picture!!

Oh, by the way, what do you think of the new theme? Snazzy right?

Love and magic sparkles,

Highstreet Summer Sale Haul!

Bonjour my precious cherubs,

Today I met the wonderful Marie for a catch up and gossip in the town as I haven't seen her for so long, what with her being at University in Sunderland and all. This little catch up soon turned in to a full blown shopping trip, and once you see what I bought [and the prices I bought them at!!] you won't blame me.

H&M.
Sandals - £7 [Reduced from £14.99]
Ring - £2 [Reduced from £3.50]

Mango.
T Shirt - £6.99 [Reduced from £8.99]

Superdrug.
Okay, so this isn't from the sale... But it sure did make me smell nice and make my nails look pertty!

My finished nails feat. The £2 H&M ring!

A little tip for jeweller's metal rings- Coat the inside with clear nail varnish to avoid the dreaded green finger! Works wonders!

What's been your best summer bargain so far?

Love and super-thrifty sparkles,

Viva La Juicy!

I was kindly gifted this little bottle of Viva La Juicy by the wonderful people at Juicy Couture (well, a stockist of Juicy Couture), and although I was apprehensive at first (as I am admittedly not a big lover of the brand), I was pleasantly surprised by the sweet, flirty, floral aroma of the fragrance.

It came packaged in what I assume is a miniature version of the full sized box, in all of it's hot pink and gold glory, emblazoned with the Juicy Couture logo. 

When I opened it up, the first thing I noticed was just how darn cute the bottle is! Frosted glass with a simple label and a rose gold cap. So sweet!

And then when I took the cap off... Oh boy.

It's a rollerball! Eep! So sweet and ever so handy for travel/on the go. 

The fragrance itself puts me in mind of a body spray by Impulse I used to wear when I was younger, the 'Tease' scent. It reminds me of a completely fun and carefree time in my life. Maybe that's why I love it so much. I will definitely be purchasing a full sized version of this beauty.

So the moral of this story is: Don't judge a book by it's cover. Or an Eau du Parfum by it's brand, in this case.

What's your 'go-to' Summer fragrance? 

Love and carefree sparkles,

[Disclaimer: All of these views are solely my own. I have not been paid for this review.]

Summer 2013 High-Street Nail Varnish Haul & Review

[From left to right]

Rimmel Finishing TOUCH 3D Plumping Top Coat

Rimmel Salon PRO in 500 Peppermint

Rimmel Lycra PRO Matte Finish Mattifying Topcoat

Simmel 60 Seconds in 813 Round and Round the Garden

Rimmel 60 Seconds in 320 Rapid Ruby

Rimmel 60 Seconds in 200 Princess Pink

Rimmel 60 Seconds in 500 Caramel Cupcake

MUA Nail Polish in Lush Lilac

MUA Nail Polish in Koala Bear

Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paint in 308 Watermelon

Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paint in 325 Passion Fruit

Barry M Limited Edition Nail Paint in a Neon Pink

Barry M Nail Paint in 245 Gold Glitter

Barry M Basecoat, Topcoat & Nail Hardener ALL IN ONE Clear

Faves:

My number one is Rimmel's 60 Seconds in 'Round and Round the Garden' as the colour is such a beautiful vintage green, and reminds me of a little cottage door for some reason! I am also in love with the Barry M Gelly in Passion Fruit. I'm wearing it now and I already feel in a summery mood by just looking at it! Rimmel's 60 Seconds Caramel Cupcake is a great true-nude shade and last but not least, I got the Limited Edition Barry M in this wonderful Neon Pink colour for spending £6 or more on Barry M products in Superdrug. I can definitely see myself wearing this on holiday in Fuetreventura to compliment my tan!

Least Faves:

Unfortunately, with nail varnish, you get what you pay for. And to be fair, I wasn't really expecting much from the MUA polishes at a tiny £1 each. However, I had nothing to lose and wasn't too surprised when I found that they were hardly pigmented at all and didn't really show up even after a good 3 or 4 coats. Another disappointing purchase is the Rimmel 3D Plumping top coat. It works wonders for a couple of days,  all whilst giving that gorgeous 'gel' look to home painted nails. However, I've found that it starts to crackle, if that makes sense. This could just be my nails though, so don't let it deter you!

Bonus:

A couple of pictures I've taken recently!

My ever growing Company Mag collection! Yes I missed a couple of months, so sue me.  Also featured: My most favourite Yankee Candle EVER and a couple of IKEA catalogues, because we all know how much I love IKEA.

A collection of instagram photos on my wall of myself and my wonderful friends & family, displayed on my handmade photo peg line. Also featured: my chalk memo board and my wire photo holder, displaying Sherlock Holmes' business card!

 Well I think I'm sorted for the Summer when it comes down to my nails. Let's hope I get to use them all! Keep your eyes peeled to see them in some of my photos!

What are your favourite Summer 2013 nail shades?

Love and very colourful Sparkles,