So last night I went along to the new Turtle Bay for their taster evening event in Northampton and my gosh it was amazing. Give me free cocktails, food and amazing atmosphere and I'm gonna be one happy girl. If you haven't been to a Turtle Bay before then basically what it is, is a Caribbean restaurant that caters around 'Rum, Reggae and Jerk' which kinda makes for the perfect restaurant if you ask me. I'd only ever been to the one in Milton Keynes before and honestly from turning up to the Northampton one yesterday, have to say there is no comparison, Northampton Turtle Bay is a definitely a lot friendlier and overall the layout was a lot more exquisite.
Starting off the evening with drinks *of course, I had the Vanilla and Passion Fruit Mojito; which if you are a big fan of mojitos like myself is definitely worth trying, or at least starting off with. I've always been the type of girl who loves fruity cocktails so adored the added blend of passion fruit! Next I went on to have the Bahama Mama (the name is so cool) which was a mix of Coconut rum, banana liqueur and passion fruit. This one was 100% my favourite and a drink I could see myself having a few off when I go again. I also had the Mai Tai to finish off with which was a mix of apricot brandy, fresh lime and pineapple and my god was that easy and delicious to drink. I love places like Turtle Bay that actually do a range of cocktails, all of which are very different.
The actual layout of the restaurant is so cool and envisions the whole Caribbean vibes perfectly. From the brightly coloured graphic walls to the shacked roof and cute fairy lights, the place is definitely very 'Instagramabale' and almost seems too cool to be in Northampton; we need more places like this!
Starting off the evening with drinks *of course, I had the Vanilla and Passion Fruit Mojito; which if you are a big fan of mojitos like myself is definitely worth trying, or at least starting off with. I've always been the type of girl who loves fruity cocktails so adored the added blend of passion fruit! Next I went on to have the Bahama Mama (the name is so cool) which was a mix of Coconut rum, banana liqueur and passion fruit. This one was 100% my favourite and a drink I could see myself having a few off when I go again. I also had the Mai Tai to finish off with which was a mix of apricot brandy, fresh lime and pineapple and my god was that easy and delicious to drink. I love places like Turtle Bay that actually do a range of cocktails, all of which are very different.
The actual layout of the restaurant is so cool and envisions the whole Caribbean vibes perfectly. From the brightly coloured graphic walls to the shacked roof and cute fairy lights, the place is definitely very 'Instagramabale' and almost seems too cool to be in Northampton; we need more places like this!
So for food we had waiters come around with starters which were incredible and made me so excited for the actual mains. I tried the jerk beef riblets and the vegetarian pepper roti. Now I'm not usually a massive fan of vegetarian dishes but I absolutely adored this and loved the slight kick that the peppers gave it, and the beef riblets were as I'd expected...delicious. The beef was literally cooked to perfection! For mains we sat down and had a few dishes brought out to us including the 'curry goat pot' which wouldn't be something I'd ever think about ordering but will definitely be having again. Then there was the Jerk chicken which lets face it was always going to be beautiful, and it was. To finish off we had a selection of deserts: dark chocolate brownie and banana and toffee cheesecake. I thought I had gone off cheesecake after years of eating it a little too much, but Turtle Bay have literally brought it back into my life and in the best of ways...with a little bit of toffee, I couldn't recommend this enough!
I honestly can't wait to go back, and try even more amazing Caribbean food!
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BRIT STYLE:
All hail the LBD *little black dress. A girls promise to the most versatile piece in her wardrobe...or at least mine anyway. I've always been someone who in her indecisive ways reaches for the essential LBD on a night out and more recently even during the day when it's a little warmer outside. This black bodycon dress from NICCE is probably my favourite of all the LBD's I own; the strappy sleeves, the mini style and the way it hugs my body.
So for my first look I wanted to channel 'Brit girl'; the type of girl who's undeniably British and isn't afraid to show it. With the Kate Moss-esque baker boy cap; which I am obsessed with at the minute, as well as the remastered gingham trench coat (you can't deny the trench is extremely 'Brit girl') it makes for the perfect transitional outfit for days when it's in between weather. Just add a large umbrella when it rains and you are good to go; I say when because we all know how unpredictable British weather is!
All hail the LBD *little black dress. A girls promise to the most versatile piece in her wardrobe...or at least mine anyway. I've always been someone who in her indecisive ways reaches for the essential LBD on a night out and more recently even during the day when it's a little warmer outside. This black bodycon dress from NICCE is probably my favourite of all the LBD's I own; the strappy sleeves, the mini style and the way it hugs my body.
So for my first look I wanted to channel 'Brit girl'; the type of girl who's undeniably British and isn't afraid to show it. With the Kate Moss-esque baker boy cap; which I am obsessed with at the minute, as well as the remastered gingham trench coat (you can't deny the trench is extremely 'Brit girl') it makes for the perfect transitional outfit for days when it's in between weather. Just add a large umbrella when it rains and you are good to go; I say when because we all know how unpredictable British weather is!
FESTIVAL STYLE:
Now when I say 'festival' I may be on about my dream 'fashion' festival or Coachella as some may call it but I feel like the LBD can be altered for whatever occasion. Just throw on an extra large kimono, some statement earrings and a pair of white cowboy boots for that ultra Coachella look. With the outfit I think the contrast between the tight fitting dress and oversized, midi length kimono works well together and creates an outfit that you just want to unapologetically dance all day, and night in.
I'd also 100% swap the boots for wellies If I was planning on wearing this outfit to a British festival...we all know mud seems to be a key factor for those summer festivals. What I love about festival outfits is the real commitment you take to wear whatever you want, which is why I'd feel comfortable turning up to see my favourite bands in this look.
DRESS: NICCE/ KIMONO: ZARA/ BAG: H&M *similar/ BOOTS: ASOS
TOUCH OF RED:
Red has been one of the biggest colour trends this summer and is making it's way into autumn/winter too so choosing to pair my LBD with none other than a red oversized denim jacket and red lace up heels for that 'going out' look, makes for the perfect way to ease into the red trend, yet not forgetting about your classic black dress.
More recently than anything I've become a little more 'casual' when going out of a night for drinks with my friends. So to capture the perfect combination between smart/casual It's nice to have a simple dress to throw on and pairing it with a denim jacket to make the outfit seem more effortless, which is something I'm all about these days.
DRESS: NICCE/ JACKET: H&M/ BAG: ZARA *similar/ SHOES: OFFICE *similar
* This post was sponsored by NICCE, but all opinions, wording and imagery are my own!
It's evident we live in the online era. Pretty much everyone you will know will have some sort of electronic device and will use social media to communicate and post on. A big part of my life is on social media and has been something I have always enjoyed (to an extent). I bloody love creating content, meeting other bloggers online and getting to know what people are up to; especially family members who live on the other side of the world. I've met so many amazing friends online and supportive people who I've never even met before yet I feel like they are some of the most influential and supportive people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. The online world really can be amazing in that department. However because I am online so much I often have to remind myself that it's not all good.
The amount of times I've been with friends or family and noticed that everyone is on their phones is too many times to even count. However I am 100% guilty of doing exactly the same, and it's not because I don't enjoy their company it's just sometimes I feel the urge to 'check' up on my social media channels. It seems more a habit now a days. My phone doesn't even light up yet I'm on it. I think today's generation is slightly disconnected from the real world, everything is online and everybody is online too so why do we really need to spend time off our phones? Have we reached the point where the outside world just isn't that exciting anymore and we would rather be online...or is that just what we tell ourselves?
I post a lot on social media, mainly instagram because it's a real passion of mine to take photos, style outfits and overall create content for myself and other people. It's something I've always loved from an early age however over the past year Instagram has been my go-to channel for showcasing my work. I could sit and scroll on it for hours without even batting an eyelid or realising I do in fact have other (more important) things to be getting on with. After an hour or so being completely glued to my phone I often think 'shit I should be doing something else' but the times already gone and it's then when I realise I could be slightly addicted to social media and need to take a step back. I don't at all think that my actions are going to change towards social media but I'm becoming more aware of each time I'm on my phone instead of actually appreciating the moments around me.
The amount of times I've been with friends or family and noticed that everyone is on their phones is too many times to even count. However I am 100% guilty of doing exactly the same, and it's not because I don't enjoy their company it's just sometimes I feel the urge to 'check' up on my social media channels. It seems more a habit now a days. My phone doesn't even light up yet I'm on it. I think today's generation is slightly disconnected from the real world, everything is online and everybody is online too so why do we really need to spend time off our phones? Have we reached the point where the outside world just isn't that exciting anymore and we would rather be online...or is that just what we tell ourselves?
I post a lot on social media, mainly instagram because it's a real passion of mine to take photos, style outfits and overall create content for myself and other people. It's something I've always loved from an early age however over the past year Instagram has been my go-to channel for showcasing my work. I could sit and scroll on it for hours without even batting an eyelid or realising I do in fact have other (more important) things to be getting on with. After an hour or so being completely glued to my phone I often think 'shit I should be doing something else' but the times already gone and it's then when I realise I could be slightly addicted to social media and need to take a step back. I don't at all think that my actions are going to change towards social media but I'm becoming more aware of each time I'm on my phone instead of actually appreciating the moments around me.
If you are like me, someone who follows a hell of a lot of beautiful and inspiring people online you may feel the knock in your self esteem and confidence every now and again. Is social media to blame for this? There comes a point where you feel so disheartened you don't look like the models you see on your feed, or you aren't doing as well as the other bloggers who are in a similar niche to you...it becomes a place that knocks you down and makes you feel like a failure or makes you feel inadequate. You sit and evaluate how different your life could be if you had clearer skin, perfect hair or if you had the ability to always write amazing posts that left people wanting more. Being online makes it easier to constantly compare and compete without stopping to think about the good traits that you do in fact have and what it is that makes you special and different from everyone else.
Let's stop thinking we have to be perfect online, and stop wishing we looked like the other girls we see and lust over. I believe sometimes we worry in real life, hoping that people will look at us and see exactly what they see when they go onto our instagram. I've been told I look the same, thank god. Photoshop and easily accessible apps allow us to completely distort the truth and turn our online self's into our dream version. I'm not at all saying you can't use an app to get rid of a few spots because I have totally been guilty of this on days I love my outfit but feel completely crap about my skin. However I've known people to take this a step too far and to start making their eyes bigger, their noses smaller and their waist tinnier...it's just not necessary and deceives people into thinking this is the truth when in fact they look nothing like that in real life. I wish there was less pressure to look 'perfect', and to stop making people feel as though they have to alter themselves in any way, shape or form in order to be deemed as good enough online.
Remembering that the online world is just a place for people to alter their life's and only post the good stuff is a step forward to realising that not everything is quite as perfect as it may seem. I've learnt that over the years after having to tell myself to stop comparing my life to the life of someone online, I mean I choose not to post or talk about all the bad things that happen in my life and I'm sure a lot of other people to do. It doesn't mean I try and pretend they don't happen it's just sometimes I don't feel like talking about them or sharing them with everybody. What we see online feels like an alternative universe, it feels completely separate at times to real life and I'm starting to learn that more.
Remembering that the online world is just a place for people to alter their life's and only post the good stuff is a step forward to realising that not everything is quite as perfect as it may seem. I've learnt that over the years after having to tell myself to stop comparing my life to the life of someone online, I mean I choose not to post or talk about all the bad things that happen in my life and I'm sure a lot of other people to do. It doesn't mean I try and pretend they don't happen it's just sometimes I don't feel like talking about them or sharing them with everybody. What we see online feels like an alternative universe, it feels completely separate at times to real life and I'm starting to learn that more.
The online world also comes a long with a lot of 'fake news' and quite frankly I see these types of posts at least once a week. It's so hard to find reliable sources now a days as people throw in a little bit more drama for more retweets or likes. I'm so careful when it comes to reading things online and passing the message on as I've known people who share so much crap on their feed that I know isn't accurate and it's these people that need to understand that just because you read something online DOESN'T MAKE IT TRUE!
I wish I could drill this into people, I really do because it's one of the few things in this world that makes me so angry. It grates on me how manipulative and hateful people online can be, using social media as a way to say things they would never in a million years say to someones face. People being completely fake and nasty, building up their ego through the use of a tweet where they can deceive everyone who reads it. These people are usually the most insecure about themselves so always remember that when you read something that you know is about you and don't at all feel disheartened...just keep doing you and feeling good about it!
So let this post be a way of telling yourself that it's okay to admit that social media and the online world in general isn't all that it makes itself out to be. You need time out every now and again, to stop scrolling through the feeds of pretty girls wishing you were them but instead releasing that you are doing perfectly okay as you are. You also need to stop believing everything you read online and instead take things with a pinch of salt. All of this is at least a step forward into feeling a little better when online...for the time being anyway!
I wish I could drill this into people, I really do because it's one of the few things in this world that makes me so angry. It grates on me how manipulative and hateful people online can be, using social media as a way to say things they would never in a million years say to someones face. People being completely fake and nasty, building up their ego through the use of a tweet where they can deceive everyone who reads it. These people are usually the most insecure about themselves so always remember that when you read something that you know is about you and don't at all feel disheartened...just keep doing you and feeling good about it!
So let this post be a way of telling yourself that it's okay to admit that social media and the online world in general isn't all that it makes itself out to be. You need time out every now and again, to stop scrolling through the feeds of pretty girls wishing you were them but instead releasing that you are doing perfectly okay as you are. You also need to stop believing everything you read online and instead take things with a pinch of salt. All of this is at least a step forward into feeling a little better when online...for the time being anyway!
What I'm Wearing:
Photos by Katherine Mcmorran:
My personal style has changed a lot over the years, I feel like my old self was barely recognisable and I look at photos from even only a few years ago and think 'WHAT THE HELL WHERE YOU THINKING CAITLIN'. I'm sure we are all guilty of going through stages of wearing things that were on trend yet didn't suit you at all, and being honest you didn't particularly like either. I put my hand up to that unfortunately. However I have finally found my style and I am so effing happy about it. It's taken time and patience and a lot of mistakes but I feel like I am a happier Caitlin in that I dress for me and my personality. I'm bubbly and a little bit weird so it only seemed right that my dress sense matched...correct? I definitely think so!
But just what was it that helped me get here...
Confidence:
Confidence is bloody key, I'm not going to lie. Having the confidence to turn up in an outfit that you put together and feel totally yourself and happy in isn't always as easy as it sounds and It's taken me a lot of time and effort to get to where I am today in terms of my style and feeling good in the way I dress. Confidence was something I never struggled with hugely but still that voice in the back of my mind telling me people wouldn't like my outfit or to wear something less bold always seemed to win in the past. Wanting to fit in seems easier than admitting you are different and wanting to be seen differently to others. Yes I've worn things that I felt completely in love with and had people turn their noses up at me, or make remarks that yes I took as 'banter' but deep down knew were serious. It's as if society wants you to dress accordingly, follow suit and never have fun and play around with your style. But to me that's boring and with time and more confidence I now dress just how I've always wanted to, colourful and bold.
Trial and error:
Nobody get's an outfit right first time. I'm sure even the biggest bloggers in the world take a few attempts to get the perfect outfit and play around with styles and colours in order to get those insta-worthy shots. For me trial and error is just what is needed to find the perfect outfit. You can have vision but sometimes that vision doesn't translate into the outfit, so you have to play around with accessories, shoes, tees etc, etc in order to find out what works best for you and what you feel most yourself and comfortable in. I look back at my school days and god I think I took trial and error a little too far, wearing things that really I should have left in my wardrobe...or just at the shop! Now I find it easy (most of the time) to know what works with what and how to style each piece in my wardrobe. and that has been all down to trial and error.
Inspiration:
I am constantly inspired by different bloggers, photographs, places and sometimes something as simple as a colour of an object. I have always been the type of girl to feel inspired, creating scrapbooks and wall collages since a young age. I like to collect images of everything that inspires me so that on days I am feeling a little lost I can look to a book or a wall for that little bit of inspiration.
The moments I feel the most inspired is when I am abroad or in London. There's something about being away from home and being somewhere that oozes art and creative flare that inspires me. The style is more out there and free willed than my home town which makes me want to dress more daring and be completely myself. You feel less judgement when you are in a city or somewhere that isn't your home town.
There are so many bloggers that inspire me with my style. There are bloggers like Megan Ellaby and Holly White who inspire me to dress and live colourfully and to be unafraid of what I wear. There are bloggers like Lucy Williams and Lizzy Hadfield who inspire me with casual dressing. Then there is Courtney Trop, Carmen Hamilton, Taylr Anne, Chloe Plumstead, Karina Woodburn and many more who also inspire me on the daily.
At the minute I am inspired by everything yellow, red and pink as I know a lot of you are. I think having a few go-to colours that you enjoy wearing is a step towards finding your personal style. You feel most yourself in them and find them easy colours to style and play around with.
I am so inspired by photographs. Constantly on tumblr and pinterest to find photos that make me feel a certain way. Street Style photography is a major thing that inspires me and is something I've loved for years. Seeing the off catwalk looks being made into ready-to-wear outfits is something I LOVE! I also love editorials from magazines and how daring and out there the outfits in the photos can be.
Not Giving a fuck:
I'd honestly be lying if I said I cared about anyone's opinions on my style. I used to always care what people would think of what I wore, scared to wear anything that would get heads turning, now I just put on what I want, smile and head out the door. It's so refreshing the point you stop caring about peoples opinions on your dress sense and start wearing clothes for you. I go out my comfort zone quite a lot with fashion and enjoy doing so, but having the right mind set and attitude to do so has taken some time and I am just so happy I've finally go to the stage I no longer look to other people for approval of what I wear. If you like something wear it and be proud of the way that you dress, because that's the new motto I'm going to live by when it comes to my style!
MY PERSONAL STYLE PICKS:
What I'm Wearing:
Jacket: H&M
T-Shirt: Asos
Trousers: River Island
Shoes: Office *similar
Necklace: Accessorize
Earrings: Topshop *similar
T-Shirt: Asos
Trousers: River Island
Shoes: Office *similar
Necklace: Accessorize
Earrings: Topshop *similar
Photos by Katherine Mcmorran:
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