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Wednesday 18 October 2017

New Site YAY

Hiya, just a quick message to say that I've finally gone and got my own actual domain (feeling v. professional!) So, why are you still here listening to me ramble on? 


Go over to samanthadobbin.com to see more from me! Or follow me on Instagram @_samanthadobbin for style inspiration and updates on my blog! 


See ya there...
Samantha xx

Saturday 14 October 2017

Transitional Scents





We're 3/4 through the year and we're in a state of transition; the leaves are turning a golden brown, it's becoming darker at night and Christmas is creeping ever closer. The perfect time to hit refresh on your wardrobe and even your beauty- more specifically, scent. 

I adore perfume, it's the one thing I never fail to leave the house without. I tend to change scents depending on the season. So, I thought I would give you a rundown of the scents I wear throughout the year. 

S P R I N G 

The scent of choice for the springtime is Dolce by Dolce&Gabbana. It's a very light and fresh floral scent, perfect to wear in the month associated with Spring Cleaning. Inspired by the fashion house's origins of Italy, this scent will transport you to a Mediterranean Italian garden with one spray and who doesn't want to be wandering around an Italian garden? 

It's soft, feminine and romantic. 

S U M M E R 

I feel like I go on about Zara's in-house perfumes...A LOT, but that's because I love them. The Oriental scent from their range is my Summer perfume of choice. It's caramel vanilla and woody undertones makes for a more sophisticated aroma which isn't too sweet but more glamorous. Making for the perfect summer scent to compliment daywear or a more dressy affair. 

It's glamorous, musky and sophisticated. 


A U T U M N

The Trench is synonymous with Burberry and one of the reasons I reach of Brit Sheer in the autumn. I'm just imagining myself donning a trench, pairing it with a check scarf and running out the door after spraying my Burberry perfume. To cut it short, I always associate Burberry with Autumn. This scent to me is light and airy but with a slight warmth to it. It's an interesting scent that is sure to be noticed when worn, making it bold. This scent lingers throughout the day, perfect for when you're wearing layers! 

It's fruity, light and airy.


W I N T E R

Winter brings the return of my ultimate favourite scent, Blackberry & Bay by Jo Malone. It's sweet but this is balanced by a slight hint of spice. I love wearing this perfume during the winter, especially to restaurants and bars in the evening, it just compliments a dressy outfit! This scent will leave anyone wanting more; it's intense and impactful, yet mysterious and deep. 

It's intense, mysterious and sophisticated.


Products Linked Below |

Dolce by Dolce&Gabbana
Oriental by Zara
Brit Sheer Eau de Toilette by Burberry
Blackberry & Bay by Jo Malone

Monday 9 October 2017

How to Style a Baker Boy Hat



Baker Boy Hats: They're a unique way to tackle the colder weather, and I'm rather invested. 

I wouldn't consider myself a hat person nor did I ever think I'd fall so madly in love with baker boy hats. Not only do they hide any trace of a bad hair day, they also elevate a simple jeans and tee outfit. Pull your hair into a low, messy bun to really nail the baker boy look. 

Can we just talk about these ballet pumps? They are so cute. I needed new ones and since I'm hitting refresh on my accessories I thought why not go for bright pink velvet? They are most definitely impractical to wear 80% of the time, due to English weather but they compliment ankle grazer jeans so nicely and they are under £10 in the Mango sale at the moment- Well worth it! 


Outfit Linked Below | 

Baker Boy Hat Accessorize
Coat Zara
T-shirt M&S
Jeans Berska 
Ballet Pumps Mango
Bag Zara (similar)
SaveSaveSaveSave

Tuesday 3 October 2017

Morning Around Park Guell: Styling a Playsuit



Every now and again you visit a place that you feel completely relaxed, a place that is so stunning that you could spend all your time exploring and just watching. Park Güell, Barcelona made for a beautiful backdrop to an equally beautiful playsuit. 

To me, holiday dressing is about being underdressed and a little bit undone, it's completely different to dressing in England. It's brighter, lighter and more relaxed. In my suitcase, you'll find fabrics that feel nice on hot skin and a mixture of bright colours- queue this playsuit. 

A playsuit; the perfect alternative to the summers dress. It can be dressed for daytime wanderings and sightseeing, but can easily be dressed up for an evening of dinner and drinks. There are a couple of rules to wearing a playsuit- Strictly not tight. The clue is in the name, play, and you cannot play in a super tight fitted playsuit, plus it may resemble a weird swimming costume. I would always opt for a relaxed fit. Pull it in at the waist with a belt to maintain and highlight your shape.

To bring this playsuit into the evening, swap the trainers for a pair of wedges, drape a leather jacket over your shoulders and add a chunkier belt. 


Outfit Linked Below |

Playsuit Boohoo by ASOS
Bag Mango (black version) 
Trainers New Look (similar)
Sunglasses ASOS

Tuesday 26 September 2017

Roaming in Red, Barcelona Style pt. 2




Powerful, playful and packing a punch- This red dress is bold. 

The colour was seen all over the A/W17 catwalks and not just accents of it here and there- It was all over. If wearing head-to-toe red makes you want to run and hide, then start small by incorporating hints of the hue through bags and accessories. There are some gorgeous red handbags in Mango at the moment. However, if you are wanting to take inspiration from the catwalks and embrace the colour, then remember red doesn't need any help standing out so, keep accessories to a minimum and bags neutral.

The way the dress is designed allows it to move as you move. The fabric is airy and light, and the barely-there-straps give off a sassy, seductive and romantic feel. Perfect for roaming the streets of Barcelona. 

Outfit Linked Below |

Dress Zara (similar)
Bag Mango (the black version) 
Sandals Topshop 
Sunglasses ASOS

Saturday 23 September 2017

Andante Hotel in Raval Quarter, Barcelona Style pt.1



I’ve recently come back from a short city break in the beautiful city of Barcelona. Barcelona has everything; the beach, the city, and the culture. It’s the perfect place to go for a short mini break. 

Before you can go, you need somewhere to stay, and the Andante Hotel is the answer. Modern, clean and in a good location, with the bonus of a gorgeous roof-top pool that hardly gets busy. You can see right across Barcelona from the top of the Sagrada Familia to the Torres Glories – worthy of an Instagram snap

The actual rooms aren't anything amazing, but they are ideal to relax in after a long day of exploring. The beds are comfortable and the air conditioning is just right. Everything is white with a lovely landscape photo of the city AND as a bonus, wifi works throughout the hotel, so, you can share those beautiful photos on social media- no problem! Breakfast was nice, with all the pastries you can eat- there's not much that can go wrong really.

It's located in the Raval Quarter just one block away from the busy street of Las Ramblas, but you wouldn't know it. There was no noise and the actual hotel's street was peaceful and safe. It was just a few minutes walk from the Columbus Monument and Port Vell, as well as old town. There are plenty of restaurants and cocktail bars within walking distance, somewhere worth exploring for good vibes is Plaça Reial, just a 20 minute wander through the Gothic Quarter. 

Saturday 16 September 2017

My Soap and Glory Picks & Review


When Boots has 3 for 2 on all beauty brands you're going to end up buying something! Well, I headed for Soap and Glory for a new brow pencil and ended up with two more products in my bag. I thought I would give you a quick review on the products, as this is my first time using Soap and Glory Beauty. 

We've all got that Christmas gift set but what is the beauty like? 


ARCHERY 2-IN-1 BROW

I must admit the only reason I bought this eyebrow crayon was due to Benefit running out of Goof-Proof in my colour...but I'm actually pretty glad they did because I wouldn't have found this little gem!

I prefer the consistency of a crayon brow product as I feel they are much longer lasting and you can get the shape you want so much easier than a powder. I bought this in the colour 'Brownie Points' and the colour match to my brows is spot on. The triangular shape allows for precision but also thickness so, you can fill your brows in a matter of seconds. It's a very soft crayon to work with.

The only thing I would say is the amount of crayon that you get...it can't be more than 2cm! Which is such a shame as everything else is perfect. The setting gel is far better than the one you can purchase from Benefit's brow range, however, Goof Proof lasted me months before running out, so for that reason, I would suggest spending the extra ten pounds for Goof Proof as it lasts so much longer, but this is a great alternative if you can't get your hands on Benefits Goof Proof.



This product caught my eyes because I never wear primer but have recently started to see that my make up hasn't been lasting as long as I want throughout the working day. I also look more on the shiny side which I would like not to happen. So, this product seemed to answer all my make up worries. 

The brand claims that this lasts up to 12 hours and will keep your shine at bay. I can safely say after using for a week I can definitely see a difference. My face isn't as shiny and it's a nice base that evens out my skin whilst reducing my pores before applying my foundation. I had no need to top up opting to use the One Heck of a Blot Powder throughout the day instead (I talk about this in a minute). 

I place this primer on my t- zone and chin area as these are my problem areas, you only need a tiny amount making this product long lasting for the amount you pay. I'd definitely give it a go before spending money on a designer primer. 



I picked this up to use in conjunction with the primer, it's always nice to chuck a compact into your handbag just in case! The actual powder is completely translucent as it says on the tin, it doesn't leave you with a white tinge to your skin either. 

I use this after applying my foundation and then again after my concealer, and immediately my skin seemed to appear matte but not dehydrated, making it completely undetectable on the skin. I do have to top up midday but I do have oily skin so, that is only to be expected. I've been using this for just a week, and the powder doesn't look like it's been touched so, I have hope that this will last me a while before I need to buy a new one. 

There is also a large mirror in the compact making this the perfect product to carry around in your handbag. It does come with a sponge but, I find using a brush for my powder makes for an easier application especially as I find sponges can become quite dirty with foundation. 



The two One Heck of a Blot products that I purchased when used together are complete miracle workers. They are my two star purchases!

Friday 15 September 2017

Pinstripes & Sagrada Familia, Barcelona



This time a week ago I was drinking sangria, looking out on stunning views and soaking up the sun in Barcelona, and now I'm under blankets with multiple layers on in a not-so-warm-England.

One of the places I explored whilst there was the infamous Sagrada Familia Temple, designed by the historic architect, Antoni Gaudí. Who has a number of stunning designs dotted all over the city! I would recommend paying this attraction a visit, although, we, unfortunately, didn't explore the interior, the exterior was just as breathtaking. From the intricate detailing to the sheer size of the building, it's an odd design- resembling a sort of sandcastle mixed with a futuristic style rocket ship.

Where one finds Barcelona's biggest tourist attraction, finds an onslaw of guided tours all walking into you as they view a piece of history through their camera lenses. A million ice cream shops (which I am not complaining about) and just a LOT of people. I would advise visiting early to avoid the queues and crowds, although the parks either side of the temple were peaceful- the perfect place to sit and enjoy an ice cream.

I wanted to keep my look simple and above all else comfortable for exploring the city, so I opted for this light, short pinstripe dress. The bows and slight open back kept it playful whilst the length and frill kept it moveable and airy so, there wasn't any chance of me becoming too hot in the spanish sun. Also, for under ten pound this Primark dress was a real winner in my eyes, I've since worn it with a leather jacket and black boots to the pub in the evening- such a transitional piece.

I kept my accessories to a minium, sticking to my favourite Chloe style bangle bag as my Barcelona bag of choice, due to it's size and accross body option it was perfect for wandering the streets without worry of pickpockets. As for my shoes...aren't they just amazingly mad, I couldn't help myself when I saw all the tassles. Great for jazzing up any outfit!


Outfit Linked Below |

Dress Primark
Sandals Topshop (in black)
Bag Mango (in black)
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