WIBTW (What I Bought This Week) | Midi Skirts, AKA Mum Skirts

There's something quite comforting about slipping on the latest trend in midi skirts.

I get weird flashbacks to hiding behind my mums leg's aged about four, as these comfy, easy-to-wear, not-overly-flattering skirts scream 80s mum to me. But I like that. The light cotton and retro prints would have totally been a separate of choice for Mrs.Wood back in the day.

The midi trend is huge and this week I have totally emersed myself in 80s mum-ness and purchased these two lovelies from Topshop and Asos.

Leopard print midi with thigh slits, £36. Buy here.

Multi stripe midi, £36, Asos. Buy here.

Waiting for a train in the sun, wearing Office shoes.

Waiting for a train in the rain, wearing Office shoes again.

Metallics shoot | From moodboard to magazine...

The last of my Barbados shoots was out the other week and I was really pleased with how I managed to achieve the original concept I had with this one. It doesn't always work like that and sometimes you have to let go of much-loved original ideas.

It was a metallics story, "7 days of shine" - how to add a bit of sparkle or shimmer to your Summer wardrobe.

Here is a picture of the original moodboard I made a few weeks before we shot when I was brainstorming story ideas:

And here's the moodboard from my shoot:

I never wanted to copy any of the shots form the moodboard but wanted to capture those mouthwatering blues, the warmth, and the shine of the clothes.

It was a long hard day that day - our final shoot on a ten day trip, but we pulled it out the (sequin clutch) bag. Thanks to a fantastic team.

All the clothes are High Street unlike all the designer on the original moodboard. Check out the cheap as chips white blazer from Primark...

Here are the final pictures that went into the magazine:

BEAUTY DUO OF THE DAY: Neon and nude from Bobbi Brown

A colleague at work got sent some new Bobbi Brown products this week and very kindly shared them with the team. I had a keen rummage and came away with a few products I fancied.

As it turns out I was holding the hottest beauty trend for SS13 in my mitts - neon and nude. Often a key look on the runways and in editorial (it was the beauty look for Giles catwalk show this season), this is actually one for us "normals" too.

I got the Creamy Matte Lip Colour (£18) in Passion Fruit (not yet available online) and Nail Polish in Roza (£11).

I've tried them today and have to say I love the products. I have only tried a few things by Bobbi Brown before but know a lot of people, particularly industry insiders, swear by her products.

The lipstick is totally juicy and moisturising and the nail varnish is one of the nicest nudes I have ever tried (it is hailed in Vogue this month). The colour is described as a "pink grey" and is just that. Very different to your usual grey or beiges.

So give the look a go.

Remember to keep lips matte and skin natural, without too much eye make up.

My new beauty buddies.

Backstage at Giles SS13. Pictures © Vogue.com