The fashion world has been in love with the soft warm and settled shade of rose gold for a little while now. You either love or hate it. I have fallen totally in love – rose gold shade of love.

My little collection of rose gold items has grown this weekend as I finally managed to buy a rose gold nail polish or two. There is plenty to choose from but my shortlist included 4 which I like the most:-

1. George ASDA No 45 Warior £1.75 – great price; delicate with gold undertones
2. George ASDA No 5 Party Animal (Molten Metals) £2.75 – special edition of nail polishes; deeper pigmentation and pink undertones
3. ESSIE Pennytalk £7.99 – the most difficult to get hold of; sold out in Boots but still available online at Superdrug; fairly expensive; brown undertones and very strong pigmentation
4. Topshop Moonshine £6.00 – available online and in store; nude undertones and soft pigmentation

With love,
A.

The post Must Have – Rose Gold Nail Polish first appeared on Agnieszka.

This year in many high street shops we could find tonnes of gorgeous floaty maxi skirts in all kind of pastel shades. I found quite a few in ZARA as well as in H&M and New Look.  My favourite colour for a maxi skirt has to be nude which looks great with white for the day time and grey and blacks for night time. Oh, let’s not forget that splash of holiday tan to finish off the look.

When packing for a summer holiday check-in baggage is always an issue and I do believe that this is not only my problem. Maxi skirts can very easily resolve this issue. Pack one nude and one black chiffon maxi skirt and few basic white, grey and black tops and you are sorted!

Basic and plain but with the right accessories those few key pieces will go a long way and give you no reason to complain that you have nothing to wear! It always works and looks chic. You just can’t go wrong with maxi skirts this summer.

With love,

A.

The post Style Inspiration – Maxi Skirts first appeared on Agnieszka.

Some of you may know that Cambridge Weight Plan is based on meal replacement shakes, soups and bars and before anyone would question whether it works or not I can honestly say from my own experience that it very much does work but it is not an easy plan to follow. Unless you are very determined to change your lifestyle and lose weight and you are in the right frame of mind you won’t be able to stick to it. It may sound harsh but I am living proof of that.

My very first weigh in with my Cambridge Consultant was on 28 April this year and I was very much ready to lose weight once and for all. Unfortunately because of my ‘addition’ (sometimes called by people also ‘love’ to food) I did struggle to have shakes only and as soon as the first excuse came out I was off the plan. Yes I did go out with the best intentions of sticking to carbs free dinner but how could I resist sweet potato chips and amazing desserts?!? I knew by that time that the Plan is working and that I am loosing inches and pounds off my body but that wasn’t enough and I fell off the Plan. What a massive mistake that was.

Since then I have been on and off the Plan for nearly 3 months. That’s 12 weeks in which if I did stick to the Plan I could have lost 3 to 4 stones!

When I wrote my first blog post about Cambridge Weight Plan I thought that maybe this will help me to stick to it but I failed again. Food does not make me happy anymore. I crave it but when I have it I no longer enjoy it as I did before the Plan because I know that it’s another step back. I do not reach for food anymore because I am happy or sad but it is simply habit of reaching for something, anything really.

I won’t lie and say that this Plan is enjoyable and easiest diet ever because it is NOT! It’s a constant struggle and battle with my inner demons which I often lose but I do know now that food is not my whole life and that I can be just as happy without yummy white chocolate and strawberry muffin.  My life will not come to an end because of not having that carbs loaded little treat but instead I may lose pound or two by the next morning…

I need to start again and ahead of me are the worst 3 to 4 days I can possibly image. I will be craving carbs like mad and my headache on day 3 will turn me into the most moody horrible person ever but after those 4 first days when I will hit ketosis my body will calm down and I will start burning fat (which I have plenty of). I won’t feel hunger anymore and white chocolate strawberry muffins won’t be my biggest dream in the world.

Cambridge Weight Plan does work and this is the only reason I am trying again. I think that it is one of the most difficult diets to follow but you can see and feel results just after a week. I need 12 weeks of pure Cambridge Weight Plan to get my confidence back. Its only 12 weeks of my life but I know I can do it and I know my relationship with food will change forever from then on.

I don’t want to give up and I hope that you will stay with me through this journey. I cannot promise this time I will be 100% perfect but I want to try even harder to lose weight to challenge myself as to how much I can push myself and what  I can achieve in 12 weeks. 12 weeks that can possibly change my life forever…

With love

A.

The post Cambridge week 4 – what a disaster! first appeared on Agnieszka.

My summer inspirations are based on the simple principle of statement pieces which can be easily put together and use throughout the year.

I am not a big fan of colours. I do not feel comfortable wearing vibrant shades. I am much more likely to choose delicate shades of nudes, whites and my so much loved black. I know that this can be boring but that’s just what I feel confident wearing and what I reach for every time I am shopping.

I have put together a little collage of my summer style inspirations. You will probably not be surprised to find a lot of nude colours in my selection as well as bold jewellery and accessories.

I do not feel the need to follow all the fashion styles but I do like to put my own mark on what is on trend. Fashion is a way of expressing ourselves and it is important to not to get lost in that world. It’s up to you what you are going to do with the choice given. It’s about you and how you decide to embrace it. Fashion is a freedom of expressing yourself and your emotion so don’t be afraid to use it.

With love
A.

The post Summer 2012 style inspiration first appeared on Agnieszka.

Only recently while browsing one of the American websites I discovered an amazing jewellery range which is currently being sold in more than 200 retail stores in 80 countries.

Bold style, statement pieces and no-fuss approach results in amazing and affordable pieces that add edge to the simplest combination of white t-shirt and jeans.

I have to say it took me a while to select pieces for my wish list. It wasn’t an easy job as I simply love almost everything from turnlock earrings to chunky chain bracelets and necklaces. If only I could have it all…

My wish list:

 Rose gold, gold or silver Turnlock Stud Earrings (I still have a problem with choosing the colour) £27.95
 Rose gold, gold or silver ( exactly the same problem with colour choice) Turnlock Small Katie Bracelet £58.57
 Black wide Rubber Katie Bracelet £25.29
 Rose gold, gold or silver (I just cannot made my mind up)Turnlock Pendant Necklace £39.22

With love
A.

The post Marc by Marc Jacobs wish list first appeared on Agnieszka.

Even though it is middle of July and we didn’t have a proper summer as yet most of the high street stores are releasing their A/W 2012 collections.

I received an email today from H&M today about their new A/W 2012 collection and I couldn’t help myself but to check what they have to offer.

I have to say that their new collection did caught my eye and I managed to find quite a few things I really like and would consider buying. As usual they are very simple and basic items but that’s just what I like.

I hope you don’t mind me sharing my observations with you.

Lots of love
A.xxx

From the left:
H&M dress £19.99
H&M jacket/coat £39.99
H&M ankle boots £24.99

The post H&M Winter Collection first appeared on Agnieszka.

Skinny sugar free caramel latte from Costa Coffee and then a couple of high street stores – after a whole week of work we all deserve little treat. Don’t we?

I didn’t buy much because I don’t really need anything but when I saw those white espadrille style pumps I couldn’t leave New Look without them. Not only they are extremely comfortable but they had them in my size! Normally my size is out of stock. I am size 6 and it always feels like everyone else is too!

They cost me £7.99 and they are perfect.

But that’s not all that I found in New Look. I was very surprised when on the way out from the store I spotted some high waisted black jeans. Normally high waisted jeans are not only expensive but simply impossible to find in sizes bigger than 8/10. I was very lucky because I found a pair for £22.99 and again my size! Yes it was the last pair in a size bigger than 8 and 10 so I couldn’t just leave without them. They are perfect with a bit of stretch, two back pockets and amazing support for those wobbly bits I am always more than happy to hide. I am not too keen on the buttons they have but this will be hidden under tops so I can live with that. Apart from that minor dislike they are great and very much mine.

With New Look shopping done and dusted I left to visit H&M. When I saw this gorgeous rose gold bracelet I could not just walk past it. I have been looking for something to wear with my Michael Kors rose gold watch (MK – 5223) for a while now and this bracelet will be just perfect. It cost me £4.99 and I am sure that I will wear it a lot. Now all I need is a rose gold pendant which I have been looking for for months now without any luck. Oh well I cannot have everything I want after all.

With love A.
xxx

The post Mini Shopping Haul 14.07.12 first appeared on Agnieszka.

Yes it was busy and yes many clothes were all over the floor but that is just part of the whole sale time experience nowadays. I managed to find quite a few pieces which were marked down since my last visit but most of the clothes are still too expensive in my opinion because £10.00 off is not really a sale for me.

I found a couple of dresses which were under £20.00 that I liked and tried them on. The one that looked the most unimpressive on a hanger looked the best on and with a price reduction from £29.99 to £12.99 it simply had to be mine. I do not think that this dress is worth its original price but the sale markdown made it great bargain and a must have for me!

It is very hard to take a good picture of a black dress but I hope that you will be able to get the general idea of what the dress looks like. Its sleeveless little black dress with delicate shoulder detail but what I like the most about it is the fact that is very plain with a fabric being ‘pinched’ together on the left to give it a bit more structure.

When I got home I paired it with a short sleeve leather jacket that I got couple of years ago from New Look and a long statement necklace from Dorothy Perkins that I got yesterday for a whole £3.00 (reduced from £15.00!) I like to keep my outfits plain and simple with an edge and very often use leather jackets and statement jewellery with my outfits.

As to shoes I think that those ZARA look-a-like nude heels with rose gold metallic toe would be great to finish the look off perfectly. They are from Primark and cost me £10.00! Their quality cannot be compared to quality of ZARA shoes but they cost me fraction of what ZARA’s one would have so how could I resist? I managed to get a pair of them in my sister’s size so she will be getting them in the post very soon too!

I hope to put together many more outfits like this one to share my style with you. Its my very own take on high street fashion but you are more than welcome to comment and share your opinion.

With love A.
xxx

The post Zara Sale Dress Outfit first appeared on Agnieszka.

Its 8th of July, summer but only in theory at least here in UK. I have to say I am not surprised though – somehow I am slowly getting used to very wet and cold summers but that doesn’t change the fact that I find myself often going back in my memories to the perfect ten sunny days we spent in Mexico earlier this year.

I thought I would try to put together a short blog post with an outfit and couple of pictures from Mexico just to brighten up this miserable rainy day. It may seem like we will never be able to wear shorts and sandals here in UK but it is always worth dreaming…

Like I mentioned before in one of my blog posts about fashion, I love basics. I am not a big fan of prints and colours. Somehow I feel much more comfortable wearing settled colours with bold and statement accessories.

While visiting Mexico in March I stuck to my usual basics. Plain oversized t-shirt and tops like this one from Topshop (which they also have in black) are great for holidays. Paired with shorts for daytime or skinny jeans for the evening with the right accessories can be very versatile and as the baggage limit is always an issue for me I always pack a couple of those while going away. They may be plain and boring but I love them and they look great as a cover over a bikini by the pool. Just another bonus!

To make this very basic combination of t-shirt and shorts more unique I would wear them with a long pendant. Nothing too heavy or too big as we have to remember that it is hot! I love turquoise colour which looks gorgeous with white so I would probably choose something very similar to this necklace. Topshop, Forever21 and New Look always have a great selection of necklaces and pendants in all colours and sizes. Plain, bold and simple – just how I like it. To all that I would add some gold/nude bangles but not too many. A must have will be my Michael Kors gold watch and sunglasses plus my favourite ZARA oversized tan leather handbag and wedges. You can always swap those for flip-flops or sandals but as I love wedges I usually stick to them during my holidays. Being 5ft 6 I feel like they add just enough height and make my legs that little bit longer.

I am not sure how you guys feel about make up on holidays but a tiny bit of brown eye shadow and mascara together with a touch of bronzer and nude lipstick is a must for me when out and about. Nothing too heavy but something just right to accompany my holiday tan always makes me feel better. Let’s not forget about my favourite Calvin Klein perfume – Eternity Moment! I always have a bottle of it with me.

Basic, simple and comfortable is the way I like to dress on holidays. Fuss and too much effort is left at home together with rain.
I wish I could go back to Mexico right now. If only it could be that easy.

With love
A.

The post Mexico City first appeared on Agnieszka.

Yesterday I went to town to check few stores I had in mind thinking about summer sales.

I wanted to give ZARA another chance but again I was not impressed. Prices were still quite high for sale items. Most of the stock was reduced by £10.00 to £15.00 which for me is not such a great deal. Well I guess I will just have to wait a couple of weeks and see what is left after the prices have been reduced. I have an eye on two dresses – exactly the same dress but in white and black with studded neckline and studs down the back as well as a little black tweed jacket with studs on the collar. I do not need them so I can wait and see…

I did however go to New Look which I have to say I am often struggling to shop at. I do like this store for their accessorises and shoes but somehow I find lots of their clothes just not quite my style. However I did manage to find a pair of shoes, on sale, for £8.00! I have been looking at them online and in store for a little while now as I just love their colour (gorgeous coral/peachy pink) and gold detailing which makes them look much more expensive than the original price of £19.99. They are suede (well kind of) and I think will look gorgeous with plain black or white shift dress and little black leather jacket. I couldn’t make my mind up about them but when I spotted them on a shelf yesterday with a price tag of £8.00 and in my size I just had to have them.

I had a wander around a few other shops and even attempted visiting River Island. Well I have to say it was very short visit as this particular store during sales in my town looks like a tornado has been through it not once but at least twice! I could not bear the mess, clothes all over the floor, very unfriendly ladies fighting over sale items so I decided to leave. I probably could have found there a good bargain but I decided to pass on it for the sake of my mental and physical wellbeing.

The last shop that I went into was Primark. I often go there to pick up little bits for my sister. As I am not size 8 and simply most of their clothes do not flatter me I find it difficult shop in there but my petite sister somehow looks in their clothes just as good as in Topshop ones. I have to say I didn’t exactly spend ages looking at clothes this time but their accessories section did catch my eye. I found this lovely soft leather looking shopper bag which they also had in black. I think that it looks much more expensive than the £12.00 I paid for it and it will be a great present for my sister who loves bags in this style. Studs are everywhere this summer so how could I not? I hope my sister will like it just as much as I do.

I nearly forgot to mention about the last thing I bought for a whole £4.00 – a pair of jelly like flip-flops from Primark! I think they are adorable. I love the detail on them and how bold they are. I generally hate flip-flops and during summer holidays even by the pool I always insist of wearing my sandals. Well I think I resolved this problem with my latest purchase from Primark. Those flip-flops are cute, comfortable and even though I am not sure when I will need a pair of those again as we had our summer holiday this year already in March I will not part from them. I am simply ready for our next vacation on the beach!

With love A.
xxx

The post July Mini Shopping Haul first appeared on Agnieszka.